p. 16 | Why Not Have More Social Meetings? by William Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 29, 1910

Why Not Have More Social Meetings?

By William Covert

Some of our churches are losing ground by giving much time to preaching and little to social meetings. If ministers in charge of church services and revival work would learn to concentrate their thinking and organize their thoughts, they could greatly shorten their talks, and thereby leave time in the hour for the people to speak for the Lord.

In his book on preaching, Bishop Simpson tells of a licentiate who stated that he had recently spoken to his congregation for more than an hour; and when a friend asked this young man if the effort did not make him tired, he answered, “O, no; but it would have done you good to see how the people winced!” His success, in his own mind, consisted in tiring his congregation. It is often best, if an hour is to be devoted to a Sabbath service, to give a fair share of it to the people.

In speaking of the proper method of work for the closing days of probation, the prophet says, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it.” Mal. 3:16. Of the same theme Paul wrote, saying, “Exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:24.

Why not encourage the members in our churches to take a helpful part in the services? If we ever expect to train them to be workers in God’s cause, we must do this. “We should not come together to remain silent. Only those are remembered of the Lord who assemble to speak of his honor and glory, and to tell of his power; upon such the blessing of God will rest, and they will be refreshed.”

WM. COVERT.