The Sacredness of Church Services by E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 21, 1909

The Sacredness of Church Services

By E. K. Slade

E. K. SLADE

Our church services should be characterized by a sacredness far above anything of an earthly nature. The distinction between the sacred and the common should ever be borne in mind. The exact manner in which the services are conducted is of less importance than a keen sense of the sacredness of the worship and the place of worship. “There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping. Nothing that is sacred, nothing that pertains to the worship of God, should be treated with carelessness or indifference.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 491.

“From the sacredness which was attached to the earthly sanctuary, Christians may learn how they should regard the place where the Lord meets with his people. There has been a great change, not for the better, but for the worse, in the habits and customs of the people in reference to religious worship. The precious, the sacred things which connect us with God, are fast losing their hold upon our minds and hearts, and are being brought down to the level of common things. The reverence which the people had anciently for the sanctuary, where they met with God in sacred service, has largely passed away. Nevertheless, God himself gave the order of his service, exalting it high above everything of a temporal nature.”—Ibid.

Those who have charge of the work in our local churches will, on reading the words just quoted, fully sense the fact that there is much in connection with our church services that is not pleasing to God, and that is not conducive to the uplifting influence that should prevail. The fact that services are many times held in private houses, schoolrooms, or other places not dedicated to the worship of God, may in some measure account for our shortcomings in these things; but the lack of reverence is not wholly chargeable to that fact. It will be freely admitted by all, we believe, that we are deplorably at fault in these matters, and that a decided reform should take place. There are to be rules in regard to the time, place, and manner of worship, and it is of great importance that they should be observed; but evidently the thing most needed is a keener sense of the sacredness that attaches to all connected with the services of the house of God.

“When the worshipers enter the place of meeting, they should do so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats. If there is a stove in the room, it is not proper to crowd about it in an indolent, careless attitude. Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship, either before or after the service. Ardent, active piety should characterize the worshipers.”—Ibid., page 492.

“In the minds of many, there are no more sacred thoughts connected with the house of God than with the most common place. . . . There should be a radical change in this matter all through our churches. Ministers themselves need to elevate their ideas, to have finer susceptibilities in regard to it. It is a feature of the work that has been sadly neglected. Because of the irreverence in attitude, dress, and deportment, and lack of a worshipful frame of mind, God has often turned his face away from those assembled for his worship.”—Ibid., page 499.

We are nearing the end, and we shall

be subjected more and more to the attacks of the enemy. In all our experiences we need to come nearer to God, and we must have every privilege granted us, in connection with the church and with the work of God, avail for us all that is possible. The way should be open for the presence of God in our church services more than in the past, and it is a sad thought that our attitude in worship should at any time be such as to forbid his presence. Holly, Mich.