A BROTHER IN MISFORTUNE by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1867

A BROTHER IN MISFORTUNE.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

LOVERS of the truth are bound together by ties stronger than any worldly considerations, or even the bonds of blood relationship. The world is full of its fair-weather friends. They flatter around the child of fortune so long as his prosperity continues; but when that leaves, they too are gone, leaving the unfortunate one ten times more desolate than as though he had never enjoyed their false smiles and hypocritical friendship. Not so among brethren. No loss of fortune or fame can change the feelings of those toward each other whose hearts are imbued with the love of Christ. They know that though poor in this world's goods, a person may be rich in faith and an heir of the kingdom. And wherever they see the image of the Master reflected, there they bestow their heart's best sympathies and love. A brother writes:—

“About twelve years ago, I became acquainted with the Review. I was then prospering and getting rich. But oh! how changed now! Health is gone, property is gone, and with it the multitude of friends that seemed as pleasant as the summer breeze during the sunshine of prosperity; but who, when the clouds of adversity came, turned as cold as the snow that flies before the wintry blast. Will the Review that I have clung to during these long years of trials, now forsake me? Or shall I as during the times of plenty, find it every week ready to cheer and console me, by pointing away from this dark, inconstant world? But oh! the bitter cup of having to say that I cannot pay for it now, or to receive favors for which I cannot make any remuneration. It causes bitter hours of weeping.”

No, brother, the Review will not forsake you. Even more gladly will it try to encourage and help you now than in the days when you had not the weight of misfortune to press you down. And may you find in it each week, something to comfort you here, and aid you in laying up treasure in Heaven, and securing a title to the better land.

IS IT RIGHT?

Is it right to bring anything into a prayer-meeting or social meeting that will cause people to laugh? It seems to me that in any meeting, when we are in the presence of God, and when we are worshiping him, every thing like mirth and lightness, and trifling, should be strictly avoided. Some persons who bring in their testimony speak in such a manner as to provoke a smile or laugh. What they say seems to be good enough if it was only said in the right way. I have carefully noticed its effects and am satisfied that it is never good. It destroys that solemn feeling which becomes the house of God. It leads them into a light, irreverent spirit. I think that we should be very careful of our words, both in praying and speaking in meeting.

The following testimony from the word of God on this subject seems to be to the point. Eccl. v, 1, 2. “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in Heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few.”

I am satisfied that the same thing is true in regard to preaching. As a general rule, any illustration given, or anecdote told which causes the congregation to laugh, has a bad effect. It destroys the solemnity and reverence which is expected and should always be found in the house of God. Sinners are never converted by such preaching; if they are, they are only trifling and joking Christians who are a disgrace to the cause. I intend to be more careful myself, in this respect in the future.

D. M. CANRIGHT. Cornville, Me.