Weigh that Excuse by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 5, 1864

Weigh that Excuse.

By R. F. Cottrell

It storms to-day. It rains or snows, or at least, it mistles and it may rain hard. It would expose the health of my family to take them out to meeting: and seeing they cannot go, I might as well stay with them. In fact, I think it is too bad for man or beast.

My dear brother, think a little. Suppose it were a week day, and you were as much at leisure as you are to-day, and by going the same distance which you have to go to meeting, each one that were present at the roll-call would be certain to receive one dollar, which, if absent, they would not receive. Would you not improve the golden opportunity? Could you not make your family comfortable, to go so short a distance? Could not the horses go, if properly cared for? At least, could you not save one dollar yourself, just as well as not, if you dare not risk your family to go.

Please ask yourself seriously such questions as these, and then try to discover how high a value you place on the privileges you enjoy.

Again, suppose that some good preacher was expected at the meeting, one you highly esteemed and greatly desired to meet with and hear. Would not the obstacles be removed, and the difficulties overcome?

How highly, then, do you prize the privilege of meeting with Him who is always present where two or three are met in His name, and of enjoying His approving smile who has said, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together?" R. F. COTTRELL.