Reverence in Deportment and Dress
By MAY WHEELER
“To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate and door of heaven.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V. We should realize, when we come to the place of worship, that we are coming into the presence of God. It is here that he comes to meet with his people. The sacredness attached to the services of the tabernacle and the temple, in olden times, should be an object lesson to us. God would have his people manifest the same reverence in his worship now as then. Yet what a lack of respect is seen today in many of our churches! They seem to be regarded by some as a place to meet friends, and to talk over the occurrences and the business of the past week. This is displeasing to God. “Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of God, either before or after the service.” But Satan is ready by every means possible to divert the mind from the words of truth which are being spoken. By sleeping some may lose the very words that would have helped them the most; for “Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of the senses so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard.” Sometimes he causes young men and women to have so little reverence for the house and worship of God “that they keep up a continual communication with each other during the sermon. Could these see the angels of God looking upon them, and marking their doings, they would be filled with shame, and with abhorrence of themselves.” Another means which Satan uses to draw attention from the worship of God, is display of dress. Some new style or attractive ornament will often take the mind from the sermon. While the dress should always be neat and clean, it should not be of a character to attract attention. The house of God is not the place for display. We may, however, be adorned with “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” At the close of the service there should be no hurrying or loud talking; but each one should pass quietly from the church, keeping in mind the truths to which he has just listened. Surely, we who are looking for the soon coming of Christ desire to live up to all the light which has been given us, that when he comes we may not be found wanting in reverence for the sacred and holy things of God.