QUARTERLY MEETINGS by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1877

QUARTERLY MEETINGS.

By A. S. Hutchins

The quarterly meetings of the T. and M. Society for districts No. 1 and No. 2 are in the past. We are encouraged as we call these meetings to mind. Yet they should have been better. And I am sure if all the members of the Society will observe the following rules that we will see better days in Vermont.

Let every member do a liberal amount of T. and M. work each quarter.
Make a full report of all labor done at the commencement of the succeeding quarter.
Read the appointment for the quarterly meetings. This is quite necessary for every one, unless you can find out some other way when and where the meetings will be held.
Come to the meeting, bringing quarterly dues if not previously paid, and hold yourselves in readiness to act the part that the Spirit of truth would have you.
If the Holy Spirit comes into the meeting, believe it, receive it, and acknowledge it; and go home resolved to do more in the succeeding quarter than formerly.

With gratitude my mind reverts to the presence and operations of the Spirit of God in the meetings at Irasburgh and East Richford. Said a brother after the close of the latter meeting, “If we all do our duty others will be added to our numbers.” I believe it. But let our brethren settle down in inactivity, seldom going to meeting, and often neglecting duty when they do go, they are certain to backslide, if these things are not a sure indication that they already are backslidden.

Such painful neglects of duty usually begin by neglecting duty at home. Let the family altar go down, let men and women professing to be looking for the coming of the Saviour cease to watch and pray daily, let them indulge in light and trifling conversation, in mirth and frivolity, and they certainly are on the road to death, and happy will it be for them if they do not take others to ruin with them. “Spare thy people, O Lord.” A. S. Hutchins.