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Attending Church

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 12, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 19.

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_Attending Church_

By William Covert

WILLIAM COVERT
The apostle Paul says we should not neglect the religious assemblies of God's people, and that this injunction should be heeded so much the more as we see the great and final day approaching. Heb. 10:21-25. No amount of reading or devotion at home will compensate for the lost meeting, for the Lord attends the meeting at the appointed time, but he has not made an arrangement to meet with the one who might be there but acts the part of a truant. On the other hand, he requests that all members who are so situated that it is possible, should meet him at the house where the congregation assembles, for he is in the midst of the congregation thus assembled, and his blessing is poured out there.
You who willingly stay away from the church are making a twofold failure. You fail to get what the Lord had intended you to receive, and you fail to impart what the Lord had asked you to give away. By remaining away you missed the Sabbath-school lesson which was recited, the sermon that was preached, the prayers which were offered, and the songs which were sung. Your absence was noticed, your place was vacant, and the whole church was robbed of what was its due. And besides, if you do not change for the better, you are in danger of sliding back until you are lost forever.
But why do you stay away if it is not because of the darkness of your mind? And if this is the reason, then certainly you would do well to go to church, and seek for the light which the Sun of Righteousness could shed on your path.
Do you know that your way in absenting yourself from the church is like the way of the wandering, shepherdless sheep, that tries to shelter apart from the flock, and to feed outside the pasture, but finally dies of fear, of thirst, and of hunger? You can not elevate the cause of Christ, nor build up its missions, if you habitually lose the benefit of its assemblies. The services and the fellowship of the congregation, which are a great solace and strength to those who do attend, are all lost to you who remain away. And barrenness of soul, with loss of appetite for spiritual things, must inevitably come to all such persons. Therefore, reform before it is too late. Please do not allow your seat to be vacant another Sabbath.
Chicago, Ill.