To Be Seen of Men by A pastor's wife

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 27, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 13.

“To Be Seen of Men.”

By A pastor's wife

FROM a child I always felt an unconquerable aversion to that seeming display of one's private devotion, either when a clergyman came in and kneeled in the pulpit, or when a worshiper bowed the head to the back of the forward seat. It seemed to me as if they had forgotten their closet devotion before starting from home, and that I had unwittingly entered their closet. I would suggest that this preparation service be observed at home. He who understands our thoughts afar off will accept the preparation of the heart which may be silently and unobtrusively conducted, even while preparing the outward person for attendance upon public worship.

Or, if one chooses to occupy the first moments in God's house in communion with him, let it be without any change of attitude or appearance of devotion, for our heavenly Father can hear without the bended knee, or the bowed head, or even the closed eyes. Then, indeed, shall the worship not seem to be done “to be seen of men,” and the Father which seeth in secret shall approve.—A pastor's wife.