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be Jamaica Vizitor Vol. 1. KINGSTON, JAMAICA, NOVEMBER, 1926. No. 3. WITH A THOUGHT OF HIM. the Lord would have us today treat the house that we dedicate to his worship. We If ever Jesus has need of me, expect the Lord to meet with us as we Somewhere in the field's of sin, I'll go where the darkest places be, gather in his house. He states: "The Lord And let the sunshine in; is in his holy temple: let ail the earth keep I'll be content with the lowest place, silent before him." I believe it would be To earth's remotest rim; I know I'll see His smiling face, well for us to sing frequently that beauti- If it's done with a thought of Him. ful hymn found in "Christ in Song," en- titled "Tread Softly." We should sing it I'll fill each day with the little things, As the passing moments fly; with the spirit, and with the understanding The tendril, which to the great oak clings, also. Grows strong as it climbs on high; We have some very plain counsel given I'll trust, my Lord, though I cannot see, Nor let my faith grow dim; us in the "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. He'll smile—and that's enough for me, 5, pages 491-500, entitled "Behaviour in the If It's done with a thought of Him. House of God." I quote a few paragraphs The lowliest deed will be reckoned great from this Testimony: "When the worship- In the book that the angels keep, pers enter the place of meeting, they should If it helps another along the road do so with decorum, passing quietly to That is often rough and steep. A kindly word may let sunshine in their seats. Common talking, whisper- Where life's rays are sadly dim; ing, and laughing should not be permitted And love can win a soul for God in the house of worship, either before or If it's done with a thought of Him. after the service. Ardent, active piety —CHAS. II. GABRIEL. should characterize the worshippers. "If some have to wait a few minutes be- REVERENCE IN THE HOUSE OF fore the meeting begins, let them maintain GOD. a true spirit of devotion by silent medita- tion, keeping the heart uplifted to God in In looking over some old papers I came prayer that the service may be of special across an article written some years ago benefit to their own hearts, and lead to the by Elder E. E. Andross, entitled, "Behaviour conviction and conversion of other souls. in the House of God" that I thought would They should remember that heavenly mes- be of interest to the readers of the VISITOR. sengers are in the house. We all lose much He writes: "For some time I have been sweet communion with God by our rest- burdened over the apparent lack of proper lessness by not encouraging moments of regard for the house of God that seems to reflection and prayer. The spiritual condi- be growing among our churches. I am tion needs to be often reviewed, and the very sure that our people are desirous of mind and heart drawn toward the Sun of treating with proper respect the house dedi- Righteousness. If when the people come cated to God's worship, and that any lack into the housse of worship, they have genuine on their part is not of design, but through reverence for the Lord, and bear in mind thoughtlessness." that they are in his presence, there will be The ancient temple at Jerusalem was a sweet eloquence in silence. The whisper- taken as a type of the church, as seen in ing and laughing and talking which might Ephesians, 2: 21. 22, where the apostle Paul be without sin in a common business place, writes as follows: "In whom all the build- should find no sanction in the house where ing fitly framed together unto an holy tem- God is worshipped. The mind should be ple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded prepared to hear the word of God, that it together for an habitation of God through may have due weight, and suitably impress the Spirit." And again the same thought the heart. is referred to in Hebrews 3: 6, where it is "When the minister enters, it should be stated, "But Christ as a son over his own with dignified, solemn mien. He should bow house whose house we are, if we hold fast down in silent prayer as soon as he steps the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope into the pulpit, and earnestly ask help of firm unto the end." God. What an impression this will maker The Lord was very particular indeed as There will be solemnity and awe upon the to how the temple, as well as the ancient people. Their minister is communing with Sanctuary, was to be treated; and by care- God; he is committing himself to God before ful study of this subject we shall find how he dares to stand before the people. 2 THE JAMAICA VISITOR Solemnity rests upon all, and angels of God dred cords of wood be sent to the poor; are brought very near. Everyone of the but being for a little while under the pleas- congregation, also, who fears God, should ant atmosphere of her own home, counter- with bowed head unite in silent prayer with manded the order, saying that it was un- him, that God may grace the meeting with necessary, as the weather had moderated. his presence, and give power to his truth Changing moods and c,nditions do not re- proclaimed from human lips. When the lease one from fulfilling promises. meeting is opened for prayer, every knee The Lord, we are toil, is not slack con- should bow in the presence of the Holy One, cerning his promise. "",\Then the fulness of and every heart should ascend to God in the time" comes, he Lufills his word. He silent devotion. The prayers of faithful requires, too, the sal—e carefulness on the worshippers will be heard, and the minis- part of those who profess his name. "Pay try of the word will prove effectual. The thy vows" is his command. lifeless attitude of the worshippers in the No ordinary excuse absolves one from the house of' God is one great reason why the obligations of a promise. James A. Garfield, ministry is not more productive of good. when a young district school-teacher, walk- The melody of song, poured forth from ed four miles in a pouring rain one dark many hearts in clear, distinct utterance, is night rather than break a promise that he one of God's instrumentalities in the work had made to one of his pupils to return him of saving souls. All the service should be his knife at the close of school. Many conducted with solemnity and awe, as if in would have thought that the fact that Mr. the visible presence of the Master of as- Garfield could hand it to the boy next morn- semblies." ing would have released him from keeping It will be observed that in this quotation this promise, since the weather had become special emphasis is placed upon the matter so inclement. But Mr. Garfield said, "A of refraining from common talking, whis- promise is a promise, and I must keep pering or laughing in the house of worship, mine." either before or after service. Instead, The text, "No man, having put his hand ardent, active piety should characterize the to the plow, and looking back is fit for the worshippers. If Jesus were to visit our kingdom of God," reveals the Saviour's churches in person and be recognized by estimate of the one who lightly regards a us, how different would be our attitude promise. If in things of small moment, one from what it is commonly in the house of is careless in fulfilling promises, one will God. be very likely to be 'eq-ually so in regard to I am confident that by adhering to some things of eternal worth. Let us then take of these regulations that were so carefully thought when making promises, and take followed by God's ancient neople, we should even greater thought to see that we fulfil find much greater blessing in our public these promises. Let not heaven's record service than we do when we disregard them. concerning us be, "They say, and do not." I sincerely hope that the officers of our —Selected. churches will give careful heed to this matter, and as faithful stewards call the attention of the brethren and sisters in all THINK ABOUT IT. the churches to this important counsel and do all in their power to secure proper A young man employed in one of the great reverence in the house of God. iron smelters at Sheffield, England, was accidentally thrown on a red-hot armour W. J. HURDON. plate. When finally rescued by his fellows, he was terribly burned, and one of his "THEY SAY, AND DO NOT." mates cried out, "Send for the doctor!" "No, never mind about a doctor," groaned "They say, and do not" is an accusation the sufferer. "Some one tell me how to applicable to more than the Pharisees. For- get saved! I'm dying without God. Who tunate for us if it does not characterize can help, me?" ourselves. The motto, "Expect great things Although there were three hundred men from God; attempt great things for God," and more gathered around, not one could has guided more than one faithful mission- tell him the way to salvation.

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