A RELIGIOUS QUESTION.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2141, 7 September 1875, Page 3

A RELIGIOUS QUESTION.

TO THS MEMBERS OF THE WESLBYAN

OHAPKL, SHOIITLAND. Per favour of tho Thames Advertiser.

Sib,—l had hoped that Iho bad habit of the members' of tho congregation makiug loud interjection and exclamation (especially during prayer) in tho church had nearly died out, but if bo tho service on Sunday evcuing last shows it has revived in a serious, and alarming manner. It was then carried to an extent tho liko of which I never heard befbro, and hope nevor to hear again. ]n one instance (at prayer) the supplicant had to raise his voico on_ account of tho noiso of these interruptions, but tho noiso only in. orcased—louder and louder grow tho voice of prayer-till •at last it became ono dreadful roar, and tbo church a perfect Babel of voices. How, I ask, can a member help being utterly distracted, if.somo ono at his ear gives a frightful groan (as if he had suddenly been seized with a violent colic), then another does tho same in front, then somo on tho right; again two or three on tho left, then half-a-dozen in a corner; and then altogether, At tho beginning, tho middle, or the end of a sentence, it did not seem to matter whero they bfoko in. Whether this is don'o for tho purpooo of impressing themselves, the speaker, or tho congregation, I cannot mako out. Whatever effect it may havo on themselves or on the speakor, I cannot say, but this I do know, it has a most disturbing one upon others ; it being impossible for anyone to follow up what is being said if interruptions such such as theso aro going on all round. I havo been-told it is done becauso the Spirit moves them; if so, it cannot bo a good Spirit, otherwise they would not bo moved to do anything that would interrupt tho devotions of others; nor can I see how they havo any right to do so. Tho chairman of any public meeting will only allow ono to speak at a time, and I think in a church—wlioro ovcrylhing should bo carried out decently and in order-this should bo an absolute rule. Suppose tho whole congregation did the same, what confusion must arise (without, odifioation), .but I am happy to observe it dees not seem to.be dono (unless inwardly) by the ladies or tho young men, Cut by men of mature age, who ought to show an examplo to Others, and are doing so-but in this case thoughtlessly— a moat injurious one. lam sure tho thinking portion of the congregation will bear me out in the effect these untimely interruptions havo, and in future sot their faces against them, audi hope that those who havo allowed themselves to drift into tho habit of making them will think over tho distracting effect they havo, and discontinue them— outwardly-and also accept theso remarks in tho truo spirit thoy aro given.—l am, &c, Onb who.Doks Nor Wish Himself on Oihebs 10 us Intebbupijjp at Theib Devotions.