excusable,
but they should be early taught to observe caution in these little
matters.

The clergyman should have the undivided attention of his hearers.
During the lesson and the sermon, one should watch the face of the
reader, or speaker, and give to the minister all the inspiration that
an earnest expounder may find in the face of an intelligent listener.
It is probably thoughtless, not intentional, disrespect--but still
disrespect--for a person to spend "sermon time" studying the
stained-glass windows or the symbolical fresco, interesting as these
things may be.

The singing of the choir may be good; if so, one should not listen to
it with the air of a _connoisseur_ at a grand concert. Or the singing
may be very poor; that fact should not be emphasized by the scowling
countenance of the critic in the pews. A mind absorbed in true
devotion does not measure church singing by secular standards. The
_spirit_ may be woefully lacking in the most artistic rendition: it may
be vitally present in the most humble song of worship. While we may
with righteous indignation condemn the sacrilege of a _spiritless_ or
irreverent singing of the sublime service of the church, it is very bad
form to sneer at the earnest and sincere work of a choir whose
"limitations," in natural gifts or culture, render their work somewhat
commonplace. It is good form to respect all that is _honest_ in
religion, and to reserve sharp criticism for the shams and hypocrisies
that cast discredit on the church.

A regular "pew-owner" in a church should be hospitable to strangers,
and cheerfully give them a place in his pew, offering them books and
hymnals, and aiding them to follow the service if they seem to be
unaccustomed to its forms. At the same time it is only fair to say
that this duty becomes a heavy tax on generosity and patience when, as
in some very popular churches, a floating crowd of sight-seers each
Sunday invade the pews, to the serious discomfort of the regular
occupants. People who attend church as strangers should remember that
they do so by courtesy of the regular attendants. A broad view of the
church opening its doors to all the world is theoretically true, but
practically subject to provisos. A church visitor who observes much
the same care not to be intrusive which good form would require him to
observe if visiting at a private house, will usually be rewarded with a
polite welcome.

The stranger attending church should