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Pleasure Gatherings

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 7, 1902

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 40.

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Pleasure Gatherings

By D. H. Kress

D. H. KRESS, M. D.
O, THERE is no harm in young people meeting together to spend a pleasant evening in singing, games, and having refreshments! How often we hear this said by old and young. I do not think it impossible for the young to spend an evening together profitably, but it is highly improbable. I have seen many such gatherings; have consented to go to some in order not to appear peculiar, but invariably I have left, saying, This is the last time I shall ever go to a place of this kind, even though the gathering should be made up of the sons of God, who meet together with the best of motives. One thing we can always be sure of: Satan comes also among them. Sometimes he acts an important part in getting up and arranging the program. Even though the motives of those who get up these gatherings should be pure, this is not the case as a rule with those who attend. It is necessary for each to analyze his motives carefully. We might with profit ask ourselves the following questions:—
“Do these gatherings increase my love for God? Do they give me a greater relish for religious themes and truths? Do they tend to build up the new man which I am to put on daily, or the old man with his affections and lusts? What motives prompt me to attend these gatherings? Am I in search of pleasure, or am I seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness in these places? Am I trying to seek pleasure under the garb of godliness? “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of . . . pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”
Naught but Christ can satisfy the cravings of the child of God who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good. “Unto you . . . which believe he is precious,” “the chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether lovely.” What is the chaff to the wheat? We are living in perilous times indeed, in the last days. It is dangerous in these days to be found anywhere but in the path of duty and right. It is dangerous to camp for one moment on the enemy’s ground. He is going about seeking whom he may devour. Heretofore, he has been restrained from devouring even pleasure seekers.
God has shown favor to the inhabitants of this world, hoping that his long-suffering and goodness would lead them to repentance. It has been demonstrated that the prediction is true: “Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness.” Now a change is to take place in his dealings with men. Heretofore his restraining influence has been felt everywhere and in everything. But this restraint will be removed, then Satan, the prince of the power of the air, will be permitted to exercise his power in destruction. This will be witnessed by tidal waves, winds, cyclones, hail storms, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, etc. “There shall be . . . distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
But even in this God makes the wrath of Satan to praise him. “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” What his favor failed to accomplish, his judgments will accomplish. Many will reflect and see how wonderfully God has protected them. This will lead them to seek shelter and trust under the shadow of the Almighty. Not fear, but love, drives them there for security. They realize that there is no security anywhere else.
Children of godly parents, forsake not their counsel and advice. “Obey your parents, in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Especially should these words be heeded in the last days. “For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.” Heretofore, God’s mercy has been mingled with Satan’s wrath. We have all been dealt with better than we deserved. But when the angel of mercy is folding her wings ready to depart from the earth, its inhabitants that have not found refuge in Christ, will taste of the wine of the wrath of God unmingled with mercy.
Why spend time in searching out of Christ that which can be found only in him? Do you long for pleasure? My Saviour has pleasures to give. “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”