p. 186 | CHILDREN IN CHURCH

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 23, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 12.

CHILDREN IN CHURCH.

I HAVE no use for a pastor that objects to babies coming to their Father's house on the Sabbath. The cry of a baby soon hushed, or the restlessness of a little one, never disturbs a congregation. But I do sometimes wish they would leave their mothers at home. From where I sit in church two or three wee people often come within the range of my vision. One mother sees that the little one is comfortably seated, and then gives her attention to the service, disregarding all attempts of the child to engage her in conversation. Left thus to his own resources he amuses himself quietly, and, as he is not obliged to sit perfectly still, he seems to find no difficulty in passing away the time satisfactorily, and no one's attention is distracted by him. A few things, however, I notice are understood. He never makes any noise in his movements, never turns around to survey the congregation behind him, never gets on the floor except when others are standing.

Another mother is so solicitous lest her child should make a motion and disturb someone that she renders herself and the baby and everyone around uncomfortable. She whispers to it to "be still," says "sh-sh," is continually putting it back into proper position, and ends up by making it so nervous that she has to take it from the house.

There is still another mother, who, after putting her tiny daughter on the seat, adjusts the little bonnet, arranges her hair, smooths down the miniature cloak, whispers to her, then sits and looks at her for two or three minutes, and at last, as if suddenly conscious that there is something else going on, gives a moment's attention to the minister, then begins and goes through the performance again, repeating it every five minutes during the service. I wish that baby would leave her mother at home.—The Advance.