p. 400 | A Mum Social by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 25, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 25.

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A Mum Social.

By Editor

THE following is copied from the Occident, the Presbyterian paper of San Francisco:—

"A MUM SOCIAL, as held at the First Presbyterian church, San Francisco, to raise money for Sunday-school purposes:—

"The appended rules for the evening were conspicuously posted and rigidly enforced.

"Friends. Attention. Mum—Mum—Mum.

"We give no quarter here, but any one's quarter is acceptable. It will be money in your pockets to read the following rules:—

"1. Silence is golden. Those who enter here must leave all hope behind of using their tongues between half-past eight and ten P. M.

"2. Each table is attended to by a separate committee of charming young ladies, whose duty it is to enforce absolute silence.

"3. Any lady or gentleman visitor who breaks the 'awful stillness' of these festive precincts within the prescribed hours will be subject to a fine of twenty-five cents by the Committee Lady who detects the breach of order.

"4. This will entitle the culprit to a bell-badge, refreshments, and a tooth-pick, at her table only.

"5. Visitors are cordially invited to call at all the tables and enjoy their good cheer and other attractions.

"6. However, it must be understood that the moment silence is broken in the presence of a Committee Lady, whose distinguishing bell-badge has not already been worn, another fine of twenty-five cents may be collected.

"Ice-cream is extra, and will be served upon request. Mum—Mum—Mum."

Sabbath-schools, Sunday-schools, all schools must have some means with which to run them successfully. Some of our friends have complained of our system of Sabbath contributions. What do they think of the method described above? We consider it a disgrace to any church to hire people and pay them with fun, frolic, and ice-cream, to give (?) something to assist the work of God. We hope our churches will always prove "exclusive" enough to keep clear from such scenes of mockery.