Our Church Services by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

Our Church Services

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE

“Let us all bear in mind that in every assembly of the saints below are angels of God, listening to the testimonies, songs, and prayers. Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above.” These words, quoted from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 367, indicate the sacredness that should characterize all the services in our churches. While they may primarily refer principally to the Sabbath meetings, they without doubt have reference to all meetings connected with our churches, whether of a business character or otherwise, and whether of the local church or more general in their nature.

The following words from page 362 of the same volume strongly indicate that we come far short of meeting the mind of God in our public services. “We do not obtain a hundredth part of the blessing we should obtain from assembling together to worship God.” There are many things that contribute to this sad failure which should lead us carefully to examine our ways, and endeavor earnestly to have everything connected with our meetings such as to permit the free bestowal of heaven’s gifts. The fact that heavenly intelligences are present in our assemblages is well known to all, yet it seems evident at times that many fail to bear this in mind. It is the privilege of every worshiper not only to place himself before God in a way that will be pleasing to him in the services of the church, but it is his privilege to contribute much to the conditions that should exist in all our services. “We must carry to every religious gathering a quickened spiritual consciousness that God and his angels are there, co-operating with all true worshipers. As you enter the place of worship, ask the Lord to remove all evil from your heart. Bring to his house only that which he can bless.”

It is not our purpose to enter into a lengthy consideration of this matter in this article, but merely to present the subject, and to ask our church elders especially to consider carefully the thoughts suggested by these brief quotations. If we were receiving but a hundredth part of the blessing that should be enjoyed in our meetings, it is certainly high time that we carefully inquire to know what God’s will is, and to understand, if possible, what our failures are in this respect. There are two extreme conditions, either of which may prove equally fatal in connection with our church services. We have reference to formality and the extreme absence of formality. Doubtless opinions will differ as to which of these extremes prevails the most extensively in our churches. There may be some question, too, as to which would most effectually defeat the object of our public worship. We believe that it is possible for us to have a pretty good understanding of what the Lord’s way is, that both extremes may be avoided. We may be permitted with his help to present some thoughts on this subject in the future that may be of help to our leaders and elders in the churches.

The sacredness of the place of worship, and of all connected with the services and the house of God, should ever be borne in mind. It is not a time or a place for carelessness or indifference or unbecoming manners of any character. Children should be led to understand that the time and place of worship will not admit of some of the freedom that they enjoy in their homes or on the playground. It is not a time or a place to take a nap. The services in our churches

are not bettered by those who merely desire to have a place to go, or who attend to see and be seen. Visiting and freedom of manners should not characterize any part of the services in our churches.

Shall we not aim by every means possible to know the will of God concerning our church services, and so to perform his will that we may receive the fulness of his blessing rather than to have it said that we did not obtain one hundredth part of the blessing that we should have obtained from assembling together to worship God?

Holly, Mich.