WHY IS IT? by Geo. O. States

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 14, 1878

WHY IS IT?

By Geo. O. States

SOME time ago, for a few weeks circumstances were such that I met with quite a number of churches in Northern Michigan. One thing I noticed which is very sad to think of; that is, that so many of our people absent themselves from the social meetings. I have met with churches of thirty or forty members and found only eight or ten present. I have often thought of this matter and asked myself why it is that so few of our people come together upon the Sabbath for social meetings.

Whenever there is preaching we see the whole church out. But the apostle tells us not to forsake assembling ourselves together, but to exhort one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. Are we exhorting one another when we meet only once in three or six months, and the minister does all the exhorting? We profess to believe that the day of the Lord is fast approaching, and are we doing his will while absenting ourselves from the prayer and social meeting? I know some say the meetings are dull; but what makes them so? Is it not because so many absent themselves that the few who do come feel almost discouraged?

Dear brethren and sisters, let us think of these things, and each one resolve that we will do better in future. I know it would please God, and we should certainly gain spiritual strength by meeting together and talking of our desires and determinations. If we gain eternal life, we must be diligent in serving the Lord. GEO. O. STATES.