A SERMON OF FEW WORDS by H. F. Phelps

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 3, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 31.

A SERMON OF FEW WORDS.

By H. F. Phelps

BY H. F. PHELPS.

The train stopped at — where we once had an organized church. Returning from a visit at a place where the church was almost depleted by removals, I was glad to see Brother — among those who boarded the train. I knew he was almost, if not the only, light left in the place, and I was anxious to know of his courage in the work. He soon told the story in a short sermon, as I inquired after some with whom we used to meet in worship. As in the former place some had moved away. Some were unsteady in their Christian walk. Other some walked no more with us. And now comes the sermon.

Musing a moment, he laid his hand on my knee, and exclaimed: “I tell you, Brother Phelps, when a man gives up family worship, he is gone! It don't seem to me I could live if it were not for family worship.”

What volumes could be written of those who have given up family prayer! And what volumes could be written of the rich experience, and the victories of some who have not yielded to such a temptation. Of course, this brother could not live if he should give up family worship. There is nothing but death in such a course. As these words have come to my mind from time to time, I have desired to repeat them to others, for it is a living, but sad truth that “when a man gives up family worship, he is gone!” In every place where Abraham sojourned he builded an altar of prayer; and he was the father of the faithful.