WHAT IS PUBLIC WORSHIP ?—AND HOW IS IT AFFECTED BY THE PEW SYSTEM ?

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 633, 22 February 1879, Page 3

WHAT IS PUBLIC WORSHIP ?— AND HOW IS IT AFFECTED BY THE PEW SYSTEM ?

Tliis is the title of the ten-guinea prize essay published by the Chester Open Diocesan Church Association, and written by the Rev. J. S. Boucher, M.A-< of the. Carnarvon Training College. It opens with the following lines : — Some go to church, just for a walk ; Some go to stare, to laugh, and talk. Some go there to meet a friend, Some their idle time to spend. Some for general observation, Some for private speculation. , „ Some to seek or fiud a lover, Some a courtship to discover. Some go there to use their eyes, And newest fashions criticise. Some to show their own smart dress, Some their neighbours to assess, Some to scan a robe or bonnet, Some to price the trimming on it. Some to learn the latest news, That friends at home they may amuse. Some to gossip, false and true, Safe hid within the sheltering pew. Some go there to please the squire, Some his daughter to admire. Some the parson go to fawn ; Some to lounge and some to yawn. Some to claim the parish doles ; Some for bread and some for coals. Some because it's thought genteel ; Some to vaunt their pious zeal. Some to show how sweet they sing ; Some how loud their voices ring. ■"'.. Some the preacher go to hear, His style and voice to praise or jeer, Some forgiveness to implore, Some their sins to varnish o'er. Some to sit, and dose, and nod, But few to kneel and worship God.