Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1880 — The Usher Sometimes a Nuisance. [ARTICLE]

The Usher Sometimes a Nuisance.

The tuher in church is sometimes a nuisance, A correspondent of the Preobyterian gives a caae in point: “A merchant of this city went to a strange cunrch. It was a little late and services had commenced. On entering the church they were met by an usher, to whom the gentleman said in a clear And distinct tone of voice: ‘This lady is not well, And we would be obliged to you for a seat near the door.* The usher started off. motioning them to follow. Be went down the aisle to most the front seat, and turning ironed to seat the parties whom he supposed to be at his heels, was greatly surprised to see them very quietly taking neats in the rear of the church. He immediately approached the gentleman and, stooping down, said to him in a low, hissing, angry voice: “Why didn’t you, follow me, sirT You are no gentleman; the next time I offer to conduct you to a seat In this church, you’ll know it.” The gentleman made no reply at the time, but after the congregation had been dismissed he went up to the usher, who was stand* ing in the vestibule, ana handing.blm his card requested his in return, saying to him that he desired to know the name of the man who could treat a stranger so in. aultingly in the house of God. The usher in a rage, pointed to the list of the officers of the church hanging beside them, and said in the moet defiant tone There’s my name, sir.* It is needless , to say that the gentleman has never returned to that church.** We have on several occasions seen ushers tramp pompously up the aisle when the strangers they supposed they were leading had Silently slipped into back pews. To tome people it is torture to be lead to a conspicuous seat, especially after servioe haa commenced. It may be said that all ought to oome to church in time, but there are cases in which Ibis is itapoafible. Many ushers are so accustomed to being obeyed that they never think of aeking strangers their preference, but start off at if fired out of a gun to trot a stran ger up to the very seat which he does not want. An usher who does a thing of this kind is really not as polite as if he had let the stranger alone. To be an tuher requires a good deal of solid common sense. —Philadelphia Timet.