Reverence in the Pew by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 12, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 43.

Reverence in the Pew.

By Editor

A SHORT article was published in the SIGNS of October 29, under the head, “Act Reverently,” which was taken from the Homiletic Monthly. It says:—

“I could sometimes wish you did not leave your pew so abruptly and promptly as you do, the moment the last word of the benediction has been pronounced. There is no need that you should have your hat in your hand; no need that you should have the great coat upon the shoulder; nor yet that the moment the last syllable is pronounced, doors should be thrown open as though you were eager and impatient until the thing had come to a close.”

The regular readers of the SIGNS will remember that an article was published some time since, mainly on the subject of reverence in the pulpit. The article was an expression of a number of ministers on the subject, and resulted from a meeting which they had held to consider this matter. In this article, and as a part of it, was an extract from “Testimony No. 20,” in which it was recommended that ministers should bow a moment in silent prayer as they entered the pulpit, to seek the blessing of God at the very beginning of the services. All the ministers who were present at that meeting, which was held in Oakland, Cal., resolved to conform to this recommendation; and in following it out, good results have been seen. In those houses where this is practiced, we seldom see any one enter the pulpit except on occasions of preaching.

But the Testimony spoke of the influence that such a course would have upon the congregation. The whole extract is as follows:—

“Things that are wrong often take place in the sacred desk. One minister conversing with another in the desk before the congregation, laughing and appearing to have no burden of the work, or lacking a solemn sense of their sacred calling, dishonors the truth, and brings the sacred down upon the low level of common things. The example tends to remove the fear of God from the people, and to detract from the sacred dignity of the gospel which Christ died to magnify. According to the light that has been given me, it would be pleasing to God for ministers to bow down as soon as they step into the pulpit, and solemnly ask help from God. What impression would that make? There would be a solemnity and awe upon the people. Why, their minister is communing with God; he is committing himself to God before he dares to stand before the people. Solemnity rests down upon the people, and angels of God are brought very near. Ministers should look to God the first thing as they come into the desk, thus saying to all, God is the source of my strength.”

We have, however, to express our regret that such an effect has not largely been seen in our congregations. Such should be the effect, and we had every reason to believe that it would be; but it has not been, as a general thing. True, in some places it could hardly be expected; as where a minister comes into the house of worship and walks the entire length of the house, even to the steps of the pulpit, with his hat on his head. We deeply regret that we are compelled to say that we have seen some of our ministers do this; and where such a breach of propriety, such an act of irreverence occurs, we do not believe that anything will lead a congregation to reverence the house and the worship of God as they should, under that person’s ministrations. But in this article we are not particularly referring to such instances. The desired result has not been seen in those congregations where the ministers have observed the strictest rules of propriety in the house dedicated to the worship of the Most High.

We have many times said, and we firmly believe it, that irreverence is the sin of this age. And while the Seventh-day Adventists have the truth—the present truth—for this age, it is a fact beyond all dispute that very many of them have scarcely learned the alphabet of true reverence. What can we say for those members of a congregation who know the practice of ministers as they enter the desk, who yet continue talking and visiting while the minister is upon his knees? And this we have known, not alone among the children and youth, but among adult church members.

Another fault, nearly if not quite as great, is the practice, where the Sabbath-school is held before the preaching service, of many to get so engaged in their own talk, in the brief recess, that they linger at the door, or just outside, until the meeting has commenced. They not only lose all the benefit of the first act of reverence and worship on the part of the minister and of such of the congregation as unite with him, but they so disturb all in the house by rushing in late that the effect of the first services, especially of reading the hymn, is almost entirely lost. We are aware that the custom of reading hymns arose in times when hymn books were not held by the congregation, when the reader “lined” the hymns for their benefit; yet we are heartily in favor of retaining the practice, as a correct and impressive reading of the hymn prepares the mind for the service of singing, and is of especial benefit to those in the congregation who have no books. It is true, again, that sometimes hymns are read where the reading is neither correct nor impressive. We think it is better to omit the reading than to have it done in a blundering manner; for one serious blunder, and such we have known, may spoil the effect of the whole service of song.

We have also said, and this also we firmly believe, that there is but little use of preaching to unbelievers, or to “those who are without,” in a congregation of professed worshipers, or in a church, where the spirit of irreverence largely prevails. If the members of the church would show proper respect for the worship; if they would bow their heads in silent prayer as the minister bowed in the pulpit; if all who profess to be worshipers would join in the song of praise, and try to sing with the spirit and with the understanding; if they would hear the word in a reverent frame of mind, and with the constant prayer that it might prove a benefit to their own souls and to the souls of the strangers present,—a solemn awe would rest upon the unbelievers, and they would be led to “report that God is in you of a truth.” But, on the other hand, if the church members, or any considerable number of them, continue their conversation while the minister is bowed before God; if quite a number of them linger at the door to visit and chat until after the services have commenced, and then come in, disturbing the service and the congregation; and if to this we have to add that the minister walks up the aisle with his hat on—a breach of courtesy which would not be tolerated even in a private house—how can it be expected that outside parties will be reverent and have solemn impressions formed in their minds? A failure only could be expected under such circumstances.

But it may be replied, “The preaching is not always a failure under such circumstances. Where much of this prevails, we yet know that souls are converted by the power of the word proclaimed.” We know and we rejoice that it is so. And Paul rejoiced that the gospel was preached even of contention; but doubtless his rejoicing would have been greater if the preaching had been in the true spirit and power of the gospel. Souls are often converted by very imperfect and faulty labor; but that is no reason why imperfections and faults in labor should be perpetuated.

We verily believe that our power as a people, both ministers and lay members, would be tenfold greater if reverence for the house and worship of God were assiduously cultivated. We have spoken of common conversation being continued while the minister is bowed in prayer. But we go further; we say it should not be indulged in at all in the house of God when we have met for worship. Nor should it be tolerated at the close of the service, if we wish our souls to be benefited by the service. But we close our remarks; we have said enough, and earnestly pray that God may bless these words to the good of many souls.