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ORDER—AN EXAMPLE

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 13, 1862

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 19, No. 24.

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ORDER—AN EXAMPLE.

By A. S. Hutchins

THERE should be order in family devotion, as well as in public worship. It is impossible to conduct devotional exercises acceptably to God amid confusion and distraction, "for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." 1 Cor. xiv, 33. The churches of the saints are advancing toward order. Shall we not witness a move in this direction in the family circle?
We mark with admiration the order of the Saviour as he repeatedly fed the multitude. Before blessing and breaking bread he commanded them to be seated. They were not moving here and there in tumult and confusion, but all wasorder and quietude, as he looked up to heaven and craved the blessing of God upon their scanty, yet more than plentiful, portion.
Might not a little reflection on the beautiful order of this example of the Son of God, help some Sabbath-keepers to require more order in their families and around their tables, as the blessing of heaven is asked upon their food? God is a God of order, and not of confusion. Should not the children of the remnant know this at a young age?
We were about to speak very plain, and say, dear brethren, that there is utterly a fault among some of you, that there is so little respect for the reading of the word of God, and to the season of prayer in your families. At the hour of family worship, a holy, sacred stillness should be observed. As the Scriptures are read, work should be laid aside, children seated, whispering, talking, and reading of other matter, &c., should all cease, and every heart be raised in devotion to the holy and reverend name of the Most High, through the entire exercise.
To the family that pays due respect to the word and worship of God, the hour of prayer is emphatically the best hour of the day. In the sunshine of heavenly order the Christian grows in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus; but in confusion he wilts and dies. Let us get clear out of Babylon. "Let all things be done decently and in order."
A. S. HUTCHINS.