The Overcoat Doxology

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 6, 1875

The Overcoat Doxology.

"Praise God from whom"—and all through the congregation there is a general stir to find hats and draw on overcoats, so that by the time those who have nothing more important to do than to join in the singing have come to—"Praise Him all creatures here below"—a number of these same "creatures" are in a deadly wrestle with sleeves and lining by a backward measurement of arms. Much they are thinking about praising the Highest! Their chief concern seems to be that they shall be ready to dart out as soon as the benediction is pronounced to stand on the sidewalk in front and criticise the people as they come out, or hurry away to some less "tiresome" place. Well, well! and the saints above—"Ye heavenly hosts,"—how pitiably they must look down upon this contest between overcoat and praise to God! Hearing the appeal of a divided, half-hearted congregation coming up from beneath some heaven pointing spire, it is likely their pure spirits will be wrought into greater devotion and thankfulness? We need not answer.

What is a doxology for, if not to express gratitude to God! And if this gratitude be felt by only a few, had not the pastor better preach a series of sermons on "The Duty of Thankfulness" or in some way awake those who are careless to a sense of their irreverence? The very words—"from whom all blessings flow," silences all question as to the duty; and who can indulge much religious sentiment in connection with a mental problem of economizing time?

We believe it to be thoughtlessness, principally. The devil has gained some advantage in the souls of believers, and from making them wander in their prayers toward the last, finally gets behind begging to assist them on with their overcoats! And this is the same spirit of darkness now urging the shortening of God's time, who will ere long jeer over the too late repentance of a lost soul. Who shall say but some of these may be among the number of his victims—these who irreverently consider the ordinances of God's house?—Methodist Recorder.