Neglecting Means of Grace.
By R. F. Cottrell
We cannot prosper spiritually, in the neglect of the means of grace which God has put within our power. Among the means of grace are, secret devotions, reading of the word, family prayers and instructions, the social prayer and conference meeting, the ordinances of the gospel and preaching. The Christian can live without the frequent enjoyment of some of these public privileges, but to neglect any of them when they may be enjoyed, is wrong, and will lead to disastrous consequences. The Christian cannot live in the habitual neglect of any of these, and maintain his spirituality. This is generally admitted. Many of our people seldom have the privilege of hearing preaching, and many have not the benefit of the social meeting, and the ordinances of the house of God. But there are means of grace within the reach of all. Every family of Sabbath keepers may, and should, have the Review and Instructor. These papers contain teaching, preaching and exhortation for all, old and young; and if we neglect to take them, or taking them, neglect to read them, we neglect the most prominent means of grace to which we have access, except the reading of the word, and private and family worship. I do not see how any lover of present truth can think of doing without these means of grace. If we neglect them, we do so to our loss. We need all the spiritual food contained in the papers, and the instructions in the paper and our publications. Young and old will need to be able to give a reason of their faith and hope. They will need an enlightened assurance of the truth for their own safety in the time of trouble before us. They will need to know why they have believed, for their own support in the hour of temptation and trial. Let none who would stand in the evil day, neglect any of the means of grace. My mind has been led to this subject, from the fact that I am in a new place, among the hills, in the corner of Steuben county, N. Y., and have not had the Review to read for two weeks, and I feel the loss. How can a believer in the truth neglect to improve this means of grace? Brother, sister, old or young, do not slight your present, precious privileges!