CLEANLINESS AND THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2731, 28 March 1916, Page 7

CLEANLINESS AND THE CHURCHES.

Sir,—"Cleanliness is next to godliness" is a proverb; but 1 think eieanlinoss should form part of godliness, and be thoroughly identified with it. We need clean hearts, clean minds, clean souls, clean bodies, clean dwellings, clean surroundings, clean atmosphere, clean food-, clean literature, etc., ad infinitum; i" tact, the whole genesis of the Christian religion applied to overy-day purposes, and to our daily lives. Every movement set on, foot, public or private, for the uplifting, amelioration, and happiness of mankind, should bo animated aud sanctified by the true spirit of practical Christianity. Owing to the scare caused by tho widespread- appearance in this Dominion of infantile paralysis, a bonoficial crusade has been set on foot against dust, and dirt, and .their resultant diseases. But for dust, and umvholosome atmosphere (passing by theatres and places of public amusement, which have already been subjected to wholesome criticism) icom- j mend mo to the numerous churches, church-rooms, and chapels dotted over tho face of tho land. No small hlaino must be attached to modern architects. With few exceptions, _ they attach no importance to ventilation or acoustics; bnt let them take their chance. On the other hand, there are some members of a congregation who seem to have an antipathy to the pure fresh air of heaven (one of God's greatest blessings, but despised because it is continually offered to us), and prefer a frowsy, somnolent atmosphere, and will oven have a narrow lancet window closed for fear of a draught. They do not seem to know that they are breathing poison all the time they are in tho sacred edifice; and of course, in hot weather, there is the nsual supply of fainting females carried outside. No cause, righteous or otherwiso, oan very well prosper without the sinews of war . Many of my friends who regularly put their shilling or-more in'the plate when they go to church, knock off their attendance altogether in the hot weather, as they feel quite ill after having inhaled carbon dioxide, and the bad breath of other worshippers. Surely it would he to 'tho interest of the clergy if they saw to it that their churches and chapels were always clean and sweet. In' many instances chlirch-rooms and Sunday schools, after accommodating a largo assembly, are' immediately closed after the service, the windows shut, and the , doors locked; and so the foul air imprisoned until.'the next influx of worshippors. . Another bad custom some ■i?nnle adopt is that of taking a household pet, such as a dog, church. Now a dog may excel in gratitude and devotion many a- human biped, and is worthy of all the.care and kindness that can be bestowed on him. But a dog is not a,-Christian. The hest of' dogs have.fleas, and a church flea is as hungry as a church rat. The Epman ■ Catholic churches on the Continent of Europe are usually well ventilated owing to their vast internal height, and to the praiseworthy circumstance ..that their doors are kept open day and night.' In Belgium, where I passed gome years x in' the 'forties, long prior . to the invasion of the destructive and bestial Hun, this notice used to be posted within the. portals of the churches: ?'Les chiens hors du teriiplo de^Dieu." —I am, etc., ■ ■- SENEX. March 27, 1916.; . :