, rent a high-priced pew, and become prominent through
their benefactions and their services in church work. They are "taken up,"
after a time, in a fashion, and unless too socially impossible through
lack of good breeding, may, from "fringers," become "climbers." "I might
go to that church for a hundred years and no one would notice me,"
bitterly complained a woman who had undertaken the social uplift via the
church. The woman in question defeated her own object. She dressed in the
extreme of style; she always came in late, with much rustle of silk and
rattle of bangles; her hair was "touched up" and her face rouged. The
well-bred and refined members condemned her on these grounds.
Nevertheless, where a stranger comes who bears the hall-mark of culture
and refinement, the church connection is often an aid to social
habilitation, though it should never be sought as such.

Friendly Advances.--Friendly advances generally come from pew neighbors.
Respond to them courteously but without undue eagerness. Do not expect
your pastor to become your social sponsor with his congregation, and
remember that though he will probably call after letters of church
membership are presented, you have no claim upon his family, nor the
families of any of the church officers through acquaintance in business
life. This is often a grievance to people from smaller towns who, moving
to a city, expect the families of their business associates to assist them
socially. Two men may be partners for ten years without their wives
knowing each other by sight, if they chance to move in different social
circles.

Demeanor.--One should dress quietly at church, give attention to the
service and the clergyman, and not linger unduly in the vestibule to
gossip or greet friends. To notify the usher if one's pew will not be
occupied is a courtesy if the preacher is popular and the church crowded.
To be disagreeable in case strangers are shown to one's pew, or mistakenly
seated there, is unkind and unchristian. Giggling, smiles, exchange of
smiles or bows in the church proper are regarded as bad form.

[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 777]

NEIGHBORHOOD ETIQUETTE.

Neighborliness is a quality little exercised in cities, where one may live
next door to people for years and merely know their names. Some people
prefer not to know their neighbors, fearing undue familiarity on their
part. The relationship may be a very pleasant one if both parties observe
certain r