Can It Be Profitable? by J. H. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1872

Can It Be Profitable?

By J. H. W.

Not long since I was asked if there was any wrong in attending the meetings of the churches in the villages or cities where we may be residing; or to let our children attend their Sunday-schools. If the standard of piety with them is such that we may be spiritually benefited thereby, I should have to answer in the negative.

The following description of a social I cut from a recent Jackson, Mich., daily paper:

“THE NECK-TIE SOCIAL—The neck-tie social at the Congregational church, last week, gotten up by the young ladies of the church, was a decided success in every way. The novelty of the entertainment attracted a large audience, and everybody was delighted with it. The way of the affair was this: You purchased a ticket for supper for yourself and lady, and drew from a large packet an envelope containing a neck-tie. That neck-tie was your affinity for the evening—or, at least, it was the ticket that drew her. Whenever you found a lady wearing a dress or scarf corresponding to your neck-tie, you were privileged to immediately pre-empt her, tuck her arm within yours, and, if you were materialistic in your tastes, proceed to the supper table. A great deal of amusement was afforded, of course, by the ridiculous allotments; but when some unlucky individual was compelled to take his own wife in charge, after vainly looking for somebody else who wore the same colors, then of course, there was chagrin. Some of the gentlemen, more wise than others, pocketed their neck-ties until they had inspected their affinities from afar; and when they had satisfied themselves, boldly announced their claims. “The entertainment, we understand, will net the ladies about $100. This one having proven so successful, others of a similar nature will soon follow.”

Sociables like this, and some still more ridiculous and foolish, and all impiously out of place in a house dedicated to the worship of God, are very common and very popular in nearly all the churches of this day. It shows to what a depth American Protestantism has fallen. The words of Paul regarding those who have “a form of godliness but deny the power thereof,” are, “from such turn away.” Alas, in many of these churches even the form is fast being lost sight of. It seems evident that no benefit can be derived from association with them. And if our confidence in them as Christians is raised by attending their meetings, it is only to be abused by causing us to look with less repugnance upon their unchristian example of fun and frolic in church sociables.

And I would appeal to all parents. Do you think you can ever impress upon the minds of your children the solemnity of our present work, and the perils of these days, if they are once brought under the influence of such things? We ask in the fear of God. Will you decide in the same manner? J. H. W.