Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
themselves in this way : Brother A. thought it looked like rain,
and concluded that his family, including himself, of course, had
better remain at home. On Thursday evening it was raining
very hard, and the same brother hired a carriage, and took his
whole family to the Academy of Music, to hear M. Agassiz
lecture on "The Intelligence of the Lobster." Brother B.
thought he was too tired to go, so he stayed at home and worked
at the sledge he had promised to make for Billy. Sister C.
thought the pavements were too slippery.
It would be very dangerous
for her to venture out. I saw her, next morning, going
downstreet to get her old bonnet "done up." She had an old
pair of stockings drawn over her shoes. Three-fourths of the
members stayed at home. God was at the prayer-meeting. The
pastor was there, and God blessed them. The persons who
stayed at home were each represented by a vacant seat. God
doesn't bless
United Presbyterian.
empty seats.
948. "When the time for commencing public worship has been
fixed by the united action or general assent of a Christian congregation,
every member of that congregation is obligated to
conform to that arrangement; and whoever, through indolence
or indifference, is behind time, sins against God, his fellowworshippers,
and his own good. A tardy courtier offends his
prince—how much more a tardy worshipper his God. To be
behind time at a business appointment is to infringe upon the
time and rights of others, and never more so than when that
business is worshipping God."
949. That Christian coolly insults God who needlessly composes
himself to slumber, or neglects to participate in worship,
in God's house. If you were one of a delegation to the royal
court for the presentation of a petition, and were admitted into
the presence of the king, would you think it becoming to the
dignity of the royal presence to neglect the business in hand,
and to wander about the apartment curiously, while your chairman
was presenting the petition in your name? Yet that which
would be only a breach of etiquette there is a much graver
offense in the house of God. A listless and wandering mind,
roving like fool's eyes, in the temple of worship, is a most
insolent indignity to the King of kings.
342
Phelps.