REVERENCE FOR GOD'S HOUSE.
By THOMAS H. JEYS
THE word declares, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” All our actions, then, are simply the outward manifestations of our inward lives. While it is possible to assume a mock reverence, which may deceive human observers, it is not possible for one whose heart is moved by the Holy Spirit, to act irreverently in God's house or presence. “Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:30. Why the injunction to reverence the sanctuary, which was made of earthly material?—Because God's presence made it a holy place. As Moses turned aside to view the burning bush, God called to him, to come not nigh, but put his shoes from off his feet. The ground was holy. God's presence made it so. Our God says: “I dwell . . . with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” When two or three of such meet in an appointed place, God comes with them. That spot is hallowed by God's presence. God's word abounds with instances of the disastrous results of presumptuous irreverence. Uzziah was smitten for his willingness to “rush in where angels feared to tread.” Nadab and Abihu were careless of God's requirements concerning his worship, and consequently lost their lives. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram murmured, and the earth opened and swallowed them. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” In this age of growing indifference to everything sacred, and when, because “sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil,” how carefully should God's remnant people study his will to do it. Instead of following after and imitating the prevailing evils, how much better to be among those who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the earth! It seems clear that it is the duty of God's people to cultivate in themselves and their children reverence for God's house, which is so desirable in itself, and the absence of which is such a marked sign of our times. Children are not the only offenders. Indeed, the natural exuberance of childhood can not be so condemned by God as the stolid indifference of some adults, to things sacred. Running through the aisles does not necessarily show a lack of reverence on the part of the young child; but it does stand forth as a marked accusation against the parent who willingly permits such a desecration of God's house. Loud talking, laughing, and noises of every kind are out of place, and especially common talk during intermissions in the service. What idea of the sacredness of God's house can the child have, when his elders, to whom he looks for an example, discuss in boisterous and unsubdued tones the current gossip of the week? How can he feel that he is in God's very presence, when older and presumably wiser ones seem to have no realization of the fact? How can the little one be expected to walk softly before God, when father or mother, aunt or uncle, pays no attention to the command? How then shall we train our children in this important matter? 1. By letting God's grace so fill our own hearts that his presence shall be a living reality to us, and we shall instinctively conduct ourselves properly in God's house. 2. Having taught by example, we should also teach by precept. This is imperative. Children have a right to be thus taught, and he who holds back from his child the instruction God would have imparted, “fails to provide for his own . . . and is worse than an infidel.” 2 Tim. 5:8. 3. Having taught by precept and example, we should, if necessary, use those sterner measures which God and nature have placed in our hands. We read of Abraham, the friend of God, that he was known to be one who commanded his children and his household after him; and again, that Eli incurred God's displeasure because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. He did remonstrate with his sons. 1 Sam. 2: 23–25. But the Lord says he did not restrain them. The Scriptures tell us that we are not to withhold correction (Prov. 23:13, 14), even to the application of the rod; and that we may not spare for the child's crying. Prov. 19:18. Shall this be to gratify our own desire for supremacy?—Ah, no! It is to “deliver his soul from hell.” It need not be supposed that this means alone will suffice to instill reverence in the child; but with our own hearts touched and made tender by His presence, we should deal gently, firmly, and wisely with the little ones intrusted to our care. 4. We should leave all cheapness, all frivolity, all laughing, all loudness, outside the sacred walls of God's house.