The Disgruntled Heart and the Sour Countenance Have no Place at Easter
Etiquette for Easter Sunday? Ah, me, how many sermons might be written on the subject, for when is there a moment for more scrupulous behavior. The book of mere politeness may not say much about it – indeed, I am sorry to say, cut and dried politeness rarely touch upon the holier things.
But upon the four walls of the church, which is so solemnly and jubilantly chanting its praise to God for everlasting life is written in letters of deathless fire, all the sublime meaning of Easter. To the heart and mind, too, that can see at all there is all the world rejoicing for the one thing that the tomb of Joseph or Arimathea has given up its dead.
Etiquette for Easter Sunday
It begins with some faith in this great story; or else in a beautiful, even reverential respect for all those who have it. It continues with gratitude for the new life that is shown in field and tree, in a freshened heart for all earth; in a love that strives to forget self in all the little dealings, at home and abroad, with mere existence.
The disgruntled heart and sour countenance, then, have no place with Easter joy any more than has the willful conduct that mocks at a neighbor's piety. Granted we are sometimes denied faith, common sense, the more fire of spring, will tell us that we have much to rejoice for. The garment of the winter-locked earth has been made over - bud and leaf are near to tell us, too, that old fears may pass. And lovely music and resplendent flowers of churches are telling us more; the that there must be something in a story that loses no whit of its beauty after 2000 years, sublime.
So much for the conduct of the heart and mind on Easter Sunday. But if we cannot tune our spirits to the diviner appeal let us at least consider the common decencies, It is the height of bad taste to allow the tinkling of profane piano tunes - as all music not sacred is - in a church - going neighborhood on Easter Sunday. And the man or woman who goes to divine service only on this day and entirely for the purpose of hearing the fine music and seeing the flowers and fashions must be careful of his or her conduct in the house of prayer.
The disgruntled heart and sour countenance, then, have no place with Easter joy any more than has the willful conduct that mocks at a neighbor's piety. Granted we are sometimes denied faith, common sense, the more fire of spring, will tell us that we have much to rejoice for. The garment of the winter-locked earth has been made over - bud and leaf are near to tell us, too, that old fears may pass. And lovely music and resplendent flowers of churches are telling us more; the that there must be something in a story that loses no whit of its beauty after 2000 years, sublime.
So much for the conduct of the heart and mind on Easter Sunday. But if we cannot tune our spirits to the diviner appeal let us at least consider the common decencies, It is the height of bad taste to allow the tinkling of profane piano tunes - as all music not sacred is - in a church - going neighborhood on Easter Sunday. And the man or woman who goes to divine service only on this day and entirely for the purpose of hearing the fine music and seeing the flowers and fashions must be careful of his or her conduct in the house of prayer.
It is customary for non-church members to wait at the back of the church upon entering until an usher comes forward to seat them; for if they assume the right to seat themselves they may be obnoxious to conservative pew holders. This resentment may seem incompatible with piety on the part of the church members, but those persons may have invited friends to their pews and the presence of strangers coming ahead of these would doubtless cause considerable embarrassment later on. – The Morning Union, 1914
🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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