Note and Comment by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 22, 1914

Note and Comment

By Editor

Tardiness in Church Attendance

THE editor of the Watchman-Examiner of Jan. 1, 1914, contrasts the promptness in attendance at religious services in the Old World with the habitual tardiness in church attendance in America. He says: —

This tardiness in church attendance is one of the besetting sins of American Christians. In England and Scotland the churches are generally full when the preacher enters the pulpit. But throughout America half the congregation arrives after the service begins. When tardiness is the result of accident or of circumstances which cannot be controlled, it is excusable, and no one should absent himself from church simply because he cannot reach the church at the hour for the opening of the service. We are convinced, however, that for the universal habit of tardiness there is absolutely no excuse. It is due to indolence, shiftlessness, and poor management of family affairs. Habitually to interrupt the worship of God shows lack of reverence for the house of God, and, as an exhibition of bad manners, it should be considered an evidence of poor breeding. Alas, it is often the best bred and the most cultured of our people who are thus irreverent and ill mannered. In our hearts we realize that these good people are guilty only of thoughtlessness. Let them turn over a new leaf with the new year. If pastors are too timid about promoting this reform in their own churches, let them simply republish this paragraph in their church calendar.

We commend this good counsel to some of the habitually tardy members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A good resolution to form at the beginning of this new year would be to be on time at every service in the house of God.