What is the Matter?

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1863

What is the Matter?

It was the evening appointed for prayer-meeting. The moon was shining bright and full; the air was soft and pleasant, and the roads smooth; and I thought while riding along, There will be a good turn out to-night; but I was disappointed; for only six were present; enough however to claim the promise, and the blessing was not withheld. But we were not satisfied. Where were our brethren? Had they become so entangled with the world that they could not get away to prayer-meeting? Had they forgotten the injunction to exhort one another daily, and so much the more as they should see the day approaching? Or did they see the day receding?

Have you, dear brethren, lost your love for the cause which calls us to press together? The time has come when we must press together, when we must sacrifice something for our Jesus; if we cannot sacrifice enough to spend a few hours in the midst of the week to attend prayer-meeting, I fear we never shall sacrifice enough to gain an entrance into the city of Him who sacrificed his only Son for us.

What is the matter? What keeps you from the prayer-meeting? Is it Satan? He will bring up something and say it demands your attention, and thus keep you away if possible till you lose all love for that sweet season when our souls are refreshed. He well knows if he can make you neglect the prayer-meeting that he is keeping you from one feast where you would gain strength to resist temptations of his. Come, dear brethren, we want you to share the blessing with us; let us rally and together, heart and hand, face our foe. Then we shall conquer.

M. J. C. Mill Grove, N. Y.