REVERENCE by Dr. Bushnell

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 29, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 13.

REVERENCE.

By Dr. Bushnell

THERE is no virtue, no grace, in postures and attitudes. This truth we do not question. But if we refuse to express reverence, we shall soon cease to feel reverence. This also is a truth. It is not enough to be interested, in a general sense, in the services of the sanctuary. "God is greatly to be feared [reverenced] in the assembly of the saints and in the congregation." True reverence, real worship, will express itself somehow, as long as we are compounded of body and spirit. Starve expression and how long will the feeling endure? We are persuaded that it has declined in many, if not most, of our congregations. It is greatly to be wished that it might be revived. But, in order that it may become a fixed habit of our souls, we need to adopt suitable methods of expression. We would feel more like praying if we adopted some proper attitude of prayer. By kneeling, bowing the head, covering the eyes—by some bodily action or attitude expressive of reverent adoration—we shall be far more likely to cultivate the true spirit of devotion.—Dr. Bushnell.