IRREVERENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD.
By S. M. Crosby
Is it possible that there is irreverence by any in the house of God? I fear, though sad, and solemn, it is yet too true. How grieved God and holy angels must be at such a scene. I have long felt that the blessings of God cannot and will not rest upon us, as long as such things exist among us. I have often felt sad to see so little interest manifested, and so little reverence paid, when assembled together on the Sabbath, to worship God, and also at our weekly prayer-meeting. Do we not grieve away the Holy Spirit by such a course? I answer, Yes. Some may say, it is only the children, and we should not make such an ado about it. I would ask, Is it any the less wrong, because the children are the parties concerned, and some of them professing to be Christians, and Sabbath-keepers’ children too? No; the sin is just as grievous in the sight of God. But I will appeal to parents. Are we entirely clear of guilt in this matter? Have we instructed our children as we should, in regard to these things, striving to impress their minds with the duty they owe to their heavenly Father, and the respect and honor due their parents, and brethren and sisters in the church? How perplexing and embarrassing, while striving to worship God in singing, praying, or speaking of his goodness, to hear some whispering, or see others reading, and still worse, to see those that should be better employed, mimicking every word or motion made by those engaged in speaking. If our brother, or sister, as the case may be, has not been doing just as he or she should, how much better to go to them personally and admonish them, than to wound their feelings in that manner. How long will this state of things exist? Is not the truth of the third angel’s message of sufficient importance to rivet our whole attention? It seems to me, that if we really believe what we profess, that Jesus is soon coming, and that death is pronounced upon those that obey not God’s commands, we would strive more earnestly to have our daily walk and conversation correspond therewith. A great responsibility I feel is resting upon us. We are not standing still. We are wielding a great influence, either for good or evil. Let us not retard our progress in the divine life, but pray earnestly that God would help us to honor and glorify him in our bodies and spirits which are his. I feel that there is a great lack somewhere, and that it is high time that we awake from this state of lethargy; that we reform in this point as well as others. This we can do if we seek help from him that is mighty and able to save. Without that help we shall fail of eternal life. Parents and children, let us seriously consider this matter and ask the forgiveness of our heavenly Father, and our brothers, or sisters that we have offended or wounded in any way. We are commanded that whatsoever is done should be done to the honor and glory of God. How important that we guard well our words, and thoughts, and ways, that we offend not in word or deed; for we read in the word of God that if we offend in one point we are guilty of all. In the language of another, I would say, “Oh! that we might all see through sanctified eyes, and hear through sanctified ears.” I feel that all of us would do well to heed the reproof found in Testimony No. 14. God does not wish us to hear all there is to be heard, nor to see all there is to be seen; but our greatest anxiety should be to remove the beam from our own eye, that we might be enabled to pull the mote from our brother’s eye. Let us, dear parents and children, strive by the help of God to make our calling and election sure, cease watching others and begin the work of being very jealous of ourselves. May God bless these feeble efforts to the good of all that shall peruse these lines, and help us in the future to live nearer to him by walking in newness of life, keeping all God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus, that we may be found among the redeemed when Jesus comes.