Let us consider the practical side of this subject, "Beautifying Our Churches."
I. LOCATING COMMITTEE,—One of the most important decisions to be made is the proper location of the proposed building. The church should appoint those who have good judgment and are willing to work in the choosing of a location. Do not be too hasty in buying the lot or lots. Look around. Sometimes good tax title property can be had at little cost. Do not go ahead on the purchase without first conferring with the conference president.
2. THE LOCATION.—Do not select a building site too far from the population you expect to serve. Beware of locating over a creek, near a cemetery, or in a poor section of the city just because the lot is inexpensive. Better pay a little more. Do not buy on a streetcar or bus line, because this may bring with it traffic noise and lack of parking space. A block or two from a bus line will be more conducive to a better spirit of worship.
some dark countries light is needed, and ivory or cream is preferred. After the church is finished, do not decorate walls with advertising signs for various campaigns. When Ingathering is over, take the goal charts down. Other than a painting over the baptistry, church walls look better plain. This applies to Sabbath school goal charts, which serve well in Sabbath school but should be removed before the preaching service. Flowers nicely arranged or ferns add much on the rostrum. Someone should be appointed to arrange these.
3. FLOORS.—A good sanding machine will work wonders. After counsel with public school men I would recommend for a finish two coats of good floor seal, followed by two coats of wax, which will make floors lasting. Products made by the HiIlyard Company, St. Joseph, Missouri, with Floor Seal No. 21, and Hallbrite liquid nonskid wax are excellent. Regular wool carpets or rubber runners on floors keep down noise.
4. REST ROOMS.—Believing as we do in the laws of sanitation, we often are guilty in the eyes of the Lord and our fellow men in not keeping rest rooms tidy and clean. A reformation is needed along this line in promoting health and order.
5. EXTERIOR OF CHIIRCH.—White lead and linseed oil make the most lasting paint. It is better than regular prepared paints. A clean white building with an attractive sign is a good advertisement for the message.
6. CHURCH GROUNDS.—Do not permit the grass and weeds to block the entrance to the building.
A well-kept lawn is always an asset. A few small shrubs add greatly to the scheme of things. It should be the responsibility of some person other than the pastor to water and cut the lawn, to be paid for out of church expense.
7. RENOVATING OLD BUILDINGS.—The use of celotex in ceilings and walls is both practical and pleasing to the eye as well as the purse. Celotex, with beveled-edge panels, makes a good ceiling. If possible, secure 4' x 8' panels for the walls, with beveled edges. If not procurable, the 4' x 8' plain can be used by filling in nail holes with some kind of filler or plastic, or with a small lath, to cover the cracks and nail holes. New doors add much to the appearance. They should be treated with filler before varnishing or painting.
An auditorium with square corners can sometimes be changed by the use of plywood bent to give a rounded ceiling effect. This also aids in giving better acoustics. Old pews, the pulpit, and chairs should be freshened by applying paint or varnish. With small expense water paint, such as Vello, Spred, or Kemtone, will work satisfactorily in the interior of any auditorium.
We trust that God will enable us as workers to ever remember that our God created a beautiful world. He decorated the earth with lovely flowers and has given proof that He is pleased with the beautiful. Let us make our sanctuaries representative of the message we bear, heeding the admonition, "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Ps. 127:1.
