FAMILY WORSHIP by D. Hildreth

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 14, 1861

FAMILY WORSHIP.

By D. Hildreth

THERE is one point connected with family worship which I wish to notice, and that is its importance and solemnity. We are too apt to be careless in our devotions. We approach into the presence of God in an unthinking, irreverent manner. This is wrong. Who is it before whom we bow? If we should come into the presence of an earthly monarch it would be with feelings of awe and respect.

Suppose there was a king who ruled over all the earth in justice. If we should be so highly favored as to be admitted into his presence we should come before him in a becoming manner. But what is such a ruler compared with our King? The Lord is ruler not only over this world, but over all worlds. Our world is but one of countless numbers with which the universe is dotted. The Sovereign of this universe is good, just and kind in the greatest degree, not only so, but he is all-wise and all-powerful. He is entitled to our profoundest respect. We daily come into his presence. Do we come before him realizing that we are nothing, that we are vile, that we are entirely dependent on him?

When the hour arrives for worship, everything should be laid aside and each member of the family in a prayerful and respectful mood wait on the Lord. There are some good housewives who seem to be loth to lay their work aside while a chapter is being read. Is not this showing disrespect to the King of heaven? Suppose a lady while making a short call on the President of the United States should take her knitting-work along so as to not lose any time! There are those who show as much disrespect as this to the King of kings. He notices our conduct. Those that at all times respect, honor and fear him, and think upon his name, have credit for the same in the book of heaven. Mal. iii, 16. At the same time our carelessness and disrespect is all marked down. It is true that we do not come into his personal presence, but we do come into his spiritual presence (for he is in this sense everywhere present), and his all-seeing eye beholds our actions.

Nature and reason teach us how to act in these things as well as the word of God. The time we spend in waiting upon God is not lost time. This time will be more than made up by his prospering hand. But if it was not, that would make no difference with our duty. Are you crowded with work or business? Then watch and pray; for this is the best way for dependent mortals to get along.

D. HILDRETH.

Freeport, Ills.