The Jamesburg Record

ATTENTION TO STRANGERS.

An evil common in many parishes, and damaging to parish growth, is the neglect of regular worshippers to show due courtesy to all who come to church, and especially to Strangers. There are some who mistakenly suppose that this duty devolves upon the rector, vestry men and ushers, alone—it belongs to every parishioner.

As in private life we are pleased with the graceful hospitality which prompts our host to meet us at the door with a cordial grasp of the hand, so also when we are a stranger in a city, we are impressed with that Christian courtesy which meets us at the church entrance with a hearty welcome, assigns us a comfortable seat, makes us feel at home, and invites us to come again. Thoughtful parishioners will invite strangers to tarry after service to meet the rector; for it often happens that a rector sees strangers repeatedly at service, but has no opportunity to find out who they are, where they live, etc., because they leave the church before he can lay aside his surplice and return to see them.

If our parishioners are to grow, then "be not forgetful to entertain strangers." Many a stranger in a community, with a strong predilection for the church—though not a member—has been forever repelled by exclusiveness and chilling formality of church members who have not the thoughtfulness to hand a Prayer-book from which to read the service; not to mention the reiterated failure to give an invitation to come again.

Let parishioners make it their business to invite strangers to church, to offer them a sitting in their pew, to introduce them to other members, and especially to the rector. Let them, as soon as ascertained, furnish the rector with the names of new comers to the church and city, in order that he may visit them. This is a practical way to build up a parish in which every one can join. Try it.