"ARE YE UNWORTHY TO JUDGE THE SMALLEST MATTERS?"
By M. E. Cornell
SOME of the questions asked through the Review, and privately, are so plain and easy, that we are astonished at the ignorance or thoughtlessness of some of our people. Much light has no doubt been elicited in this way; but what we fear is, that some do not study, and think, and pray over their queries as much as they should before giving them up. They are too willing to dismiss the subject by writing out a string of queries for others to dig out. It is wrong to trouble others with questions that we can by a little ambition and perseverance, find out ourselves. We can afford to dig for truth as for hid treasures, and when we have made some sacrifice of labor to get it, we will appreciate it, and remember it. The questions, however, which suggested the above scripture are the following: 1. "Are the Spiritual Gifts (Vols. 1 and 2) designed for the public?" Answer. If not why are they advertised every week in the Review? Those books contain nothing that we have reason to be ashamed of. Then we should never take so much pains to hide them as to give the impression that they contain something we are ashamed to have our friends or enemies see. Some have excited suspicion by their extreme caution to keep these books out of sight. But on the other hand, the exercise of a little good sense will teach us that it is not best to take much pains to throw pearls before swine. Why should we make an effort to place such books in the hands of those we know are scoffers. "Spiritual things are spiritually discerned." 2. "Is it right to drag out a meeting three hours in a church of twenty-five members?" To this we answer, No! Two hours is generally enough; and one hour would be better unless the time is filled with pointed testimonies in quick succession. All should come to the meeting to do their duty. "Exhort one another." "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another," &c. All should be ready to do their part to make the meeting interesting, and should be "instant in season." But when a whole hymn is sung between every testimony the meeting becomes tedious and formal. Sometimes a verse that is applicable is in place. But why should any wait from one to five minutes before speaking? It would be better for two or three to arise at once, because that would indicate life. I have thought sometimes that I could discover in certain quarters that our people were fast coming into the unity of the (dead) faith, and that they were nearly all of the same mind and judgment in all waiting for others to do their duty. I hope those who take the lead of the meetings will, as a general thing, get waked up before they go to the meeting, and not sit perfectly easy and let a meeting drag until there is not a particle of emotion or life left. It would be better to close it, or turn it into an old-fashioned class-meeting, or get down and cry mightily to God to break the spell and arouse the people. These tedious, dry, long meetings are a curse. The weak are not strengthened and encouraged, and none feel blessed. There is no need of having such meetings; but if we must have them, let us pray that they may be "cut short in righteousness." But in regard to questions, I propose a change. Our preachers have been very patient to answer questions, questions too, that are made plain in the Review and books, and now I propose that the preachers ask questions awhile. It must be that some of our people are guilty of neglecting the Review and books, or they would not be so ignorant of some of the "smallest matters." I was once catechising the children of parents who had professedly been in the truth three years, and one of them aged ten years, could not tell who was the first man, or who was crucified to save sinners. Not long ago I was asking some simple questions of some naturally intelligent little girls, and when they could not readily answer all of them, they appeared greatly mortified. One of them remarked that she once knew them all, but had forgotten. The mother said, "Brother Cornell, I am ashamed of my neglect of duty. I mean that when you come again you shall not find my children so ignorant." That was a good resolution, and it was made in earnest. But the work does not all rest upon the mothers. The hearts of the fathers are to be turned to the children in the last days. See last verse of the Old Testament. O that the command "Teach them to your children," could ring in the ears of the parents continually. I would now say to the parents that when I come I may catechise their children, if I have an opportunity, and they will permit it. And if I find their children, from five to ten years of age wholly ignorant of the simple and interesting things of the Bible, I shall have to come to one of three conclusions, viz.: 1. That their children lack good sense, or 2. The parents have been guilty of a gross neglect of duty, or 3. They are themselves ignorant of the simplest truths of the Bible. And, lest I should come to a wrong conclusion, in such a case, it will of course be necessary to always counsel with the parents. Everywhere I go I hear parents lament that their children learn evil so fast; but what else have they to learn? Their minds are active, and require something to feed upon. O then let their minds be filled with the interesting incidents of the Bible, so that there will be no room for evil. Parents, try this faithfully and report the result. Your children are going over the falls. O be quick and rescue them before it is forever too late.
M. E. CORNELL.