Club Throwing

Years ago, when the writer was in school, the boys had an act of throwing wads of paper at each other during school hours, and then quickly fixing their attention upon the lesson, and by so doing would make it appear to the teacher and other students that they were innocent of the act. There was something about it that was quite aggravating to the one who was being made a target, and hence this paper wad throwing caused many a schoolyard fight. The one who did the greater part of the paper wad throwing was generally a big, burly, ill-tempered schoolyard bully.

I have seen this same sarcastic, rabid, domineering spirit manifested in the church, under the guise of religion. In some places they are known as "Naggers," and in others as "Club Throwers." Since the latter term seems more appropriate, we will adopt it for the character we are now writing about.

Let us briefly observe a few noticeable characteristics of the "Club Thrower." First, he does more harm to the cause of God than a thief. He is like a blind adder in the middle of the road, that strikes at everything that passes. The only way he differs from the adder is that he inflicts a wound that lasts as long as Time, while the adder's may be healed. Secondly, the club thrower never feels contented, or feels that he is doing his duty, unless he is browbeating or throwing slurs and insinuating remarks at some one.

Let us next notice some of the many ways in which club throwing may be done.

First, it can be done in testimony. Many times we have seen people come to church who had beard some evil report about one of the members, and would rise to their feet, and under the pretense of giving a testimony, would club-throw and browbeat that member unmercifully; and the lamentable part about it was, they would shout and pretend to be blessed, while throwing clubs, as poisonous as the sting of an adder.

Second, club-throwing can be done in prayer. We have often listened to the club-thrower, brick-batting and clubbing his weak brother almost to death, under the pretense of prayer. This class of people can pray God to send fire from heaven and burn up their enemies, without any scruple whatever. The club-thrower always has his sling filled with rocks, red pepper, and brine. There is nothing winning, or sweet, or mellow about him; he is like a bunch of prickly pears. He is always trying to wound some one.

Third, Club-throwing can be done in an indirect conversation. We once heard of a country wedding where were several present who were not invited. The mother of the bride was one of those old-time illiterate women, and was quite displeased over the uninvited guests; hence she sought in some way to reveal to them the fact that they were not invitedand were uuwelcomed. As the evening passed away, the yard dog came into the guest chamber and was making himself quite at home among the guests, when the old lady made it her business to order him out with the following remarks: "Get out of her', dog, from 'mong de people! dare's more people her' any way dan was axed her'." Thus in these few words, spoken to the dog, but aimed at the people, she threw a club that stirred up more shame and embarrassment than the uninvited guests could live down in six months. How often have we seen this done in religious meetings!

Let us now notice some damning results that rise from club-throwing. First, it will destroy the unity and fellowship of any church between here and heaven or between here and hell. Second, it will discourage and cripple converts and new beginners. This club-thrower is like a horny steer in the barnyard, that is horning every calf that comes within his reach. Third, a rabid, sarcastic, insinuating club-thrower will discourage, insult and drive away more visitors and strangers from a church than anything I have in mind.

May the Lord deliver us from the club-thrower, and from throwing the club!