Decorations for Churches by E. P. Marvin

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 4, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 22.

Decorations for Churches.

By E. P. Marvin

ART is being employed more and more to "beautify the sanctuary" and to render the administration of the gospel "attractive" to the world. Several books have lately been printed for instruction in church decoration, and especially in ecclesiastical entertainments. I wish to direct all churches that mean to be "up with the times," to a rich variety of inscriptions or mottoes, suitable for walls, windows, ceiling, pulpit, gallery, or organ. There is no copyright upon them, and in some cases, if they are appropriately selected, I will agree to furnish an approved artist to do the lettering free, "for the good of the cause."

These inscriptions may all be found in an old book printed and sold for a small sum, in New York City, by the American Bible Society. Here are a few sample selections and adaptations:—

1. A high church filled with sectarian zeal, and fostering the stimulus of divisions: 1 Cor. 1: 10-13; Phil. 2: 3.

2. A church with secular trustees, chosen to represent the world, and help "run the church:" 2 Cor. 6: 14-18; Acts 6: 2, 3.

3. Appropriate to the annual pew auction, when Money-bags buys his place, and the Lord's poor are assigned theirs: Jas. 2: 1-7; John 2: 14-16.

4. Especially appropriate to the Sunday dress parade, when spring fashions appear: 1 Tim. 2: 9, 10; 1 Pet. 3: 3, 4.

5. For any people who were bound to build "the finest church in town," and remain bound by a mortgage: Rom. 13: 8; Prov. 22: 7.

6. Mottoes for "banks of flowers and fruits," covering the pulpit platform: Gen. 4: 3; Jude 11.

7. For a church about to suspend all operations and take a midsummer vacation: 1 Cor. 15: 58; 2 Tim. 4: 2.

8. For "Imitation churches," that are lapsing into the observance of papal holidays: Gal. 5: 1; 4: 9, 10.

9. For a church that has a preacher who tries to be sensational, rationalistic, or smart, and to spin out of his little empty head some novelty or "latest thought." This should be read to him by the senior deacon, or elder, just before he rises to "preach:" 2 Tim. 4: 1-8; Rev. 22: 18, 19.

10. Something for the choir loft, when occupied by persons who, under the inspiration of brandy and vanity, "shout lies to heaven" for sanctuary worship: Col. 3: 16; Ex. 20: 7.

11. For churches that are allied with play-house and club-room as bureaus of amusements and caterers: Luke 19: 45, 46; 1 Cor. 11: 22.

12. If any church finds all the foregoing selections applicable just one more should be added to cover all: Rev. 3: 13-20.—Rev. E. P. Marvin, in Messiah's Herald.