16

Diligent attendance enjoined.

themselves languid, when assembled for this solemn purpose, for want of a previous preparation of heart! The mind, crowded with thoughts on outward things, in approaching the place for public worship, and resuming them with avidity on its return, is not likely to fill up the interval to profit; and to such, their meeting together may prove a form as empty, as any of those out of which, we believe, truth called our forefathers, and still calls us. 1800. P. E.

That the assembling of ourselves for the purpose of expressing our sense of dependence on our great Creator is a duty, most if not all of us acknowledge, by stated or occasional attendance at some of the times appointed for worship. But too many content themselves with an attendance once in the week, on the day when business is suspended; and even of that day, the greater part is devoted to what is called relaxation. Thus, little as it is which is meant for sacrifice, that little has cost them nothing. And how many-how many even of those who are far removed above indigence-seldom, if ever, leave their outward pursuits, to join with their brethren, on other days of the week! The want of a due and diligent attendance at the usual times, is productive of many evils. It often deprives the mind of opportunities of instruction and consolation; and thus leaves it more liable to be drawn aside from the right way, by the spirit of the world; it leads naturally to the neglect of other religious duties; and it tends to occasion indifference in those to whom the influence reaches, by its baneful example. But the habitual neglect of religious meetings, in any of our members, as it is thus the cause of many evils, hath also itself a cause. This, dear friends, we should search out, if we wish to have the remedy applied. And to what cause can we ascribe it, but to a want of hunger and thirst for that spiritual refreshment, which is yet, blessed be the Lord, to be known in the meetings of his humble and dependent servants? Now, if we feel not this hunger and thirst, is there not reason for us to be alarmed; and may we not justly fear, that we are spiritually sick? And truly, notwithstanding the excuses of such as yet acknowledge public worship to be essential, and the

specious semblances of reasoning, of such as attempt to set aside a constant obligation to it, experience has taught us, that a neglect of meetings both indicates and produces indisposition of mind; and tends to lay waste religious society. Wherefore we once more beseech the remiss of the present day to lay these things to heart, and strive for amendment; and we again press it upon such as are themselves diligent, that they do not neglect any gentle intimation of duty, to admonish a brother or a sister for whose remissness they may feel concern. 1803. P. E.

17

The right

performance ship.

Great are the benefits which result from a right performance of public worship. The tendency of our practice is to direct the mind unto God; and if it be pursued with sincerity and earnestness, our hopes of public worwill be ultimately fixed on Him, the unfailing source of help. We shall then be led from an undue dependence on outward ministry, and come to experience that state in which we can "worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." How circumspect, how reverent, and how watchful, ought we then to be in our religious meetings! But we fear that too many do not maintain a waiting, dependent state of mind in these assemblies; that they do not enough seek for strength to abstract their attention from wandering thoughts and earthly cares. Hence it arises, that they do not so fully partake of that evidence of Divine superintending regard, of those consolations, which the Lord in mercy grants to such as hunger and thirst after righteousness. This unwatchfulness, we apprehend to be a principal cause that so many are found to neglect our first-day afternoon meetings. And we intreat those who are thus deficient, to consider whether they are not preferring ease, and an indulgence in the pleasures of life, to the obligations of religious duty, and the possession of spiritual riches. 1818. P. E.

A punctual attendance at the hour appointed for public worship is a matter of no small importance. If we hurry away from our out ward occupations to the meeting-house, thinking that, by the delay of

18 Observance

of the time appointed.

19

vice.

a few minutes, we shall not be long behind our brethren, we are in great danger of having our thoughts employed on that in which we have been engaged, and of interrupting that holy silence, which, it is believed, would often prevail, if all the members of a meeting were assembled not only in one place, but at one time, with one and the same great object in view. 1821.

One of the evidences of our dependence upon God, and that we do General ad- indeed acknowledge him, is the diligent attendance of our meetings for public worship. We are pained on hearing that numerous omissions in the right performance of this indispensable duty still exist. We would gladly persuade you, beloved friends, who are remiss in this important part of our Christian practice, closely to examine yourselves, and to strive to ascertain the cause of this neglect. Is it that you are not concerned for the salvation of your souls? Is it that you are disregarding the divine injunction, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might?”1 Has lukewarmness, or unconcern in regard to religious duties, taken possession of your minds? or has the love of this world, or its deceitful allurements, the pursuit of its riches and its pleasures, the ascendancy in your hearts? Be aroused, we beseech you, in the love of the Gospel, to a close searching of the motives of your conduct. You are not in the habitual neglect of all our meetings for worship. Be earnest in spirit before the Lord, when you do attend: wait patiently upon him, ask for the assistance of his grace, that he may incline his ear unto you, and hear your cry come before him under a sense of your past transgressions, and of the natural depravity of your own hearts; for if this conviction prevail not, your state is truly alarming: apply in faith unto him, through Jesus Christ the righteous, our advocate with the Father. If an evidence of the love of God to your souls be not immediately granted, persevere and faint not. Then will you become careful to omit no opportunity of presenting yourselves before the Lord from time to time with your assembled brethren and sisters.

1 Deut. vi. 5.

Many are the instances, furnished in the history of our society, of the Christian attainments of those who have duly attended our religious meetings, seeking, in deep prostration of soul, to draw nigh unto God, and to worship him in spirit and in truth. They have been favoured unitedly to partake of that meat which endureth unto everlasting life; and have returned from their silent assemblies with a humbling sense of the spiritual favours which they had received immediately from Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Instrumental ministry in the life and power of the Gospel is a great favour to the church; but the distinguishing excellence of the Christian dispensation is the immediate communication with our Heavenly Father, through the inward revelation of the Spirit of Christ. Let us, therefore, submit to the baptizing operations of the Holy Spirit, which purify the soul and produce the capacity for communion with God. Earnestly beseech the Lord, to grant you, in his mercy, the communion of the Holy Ghost; at the same time pray that you may be preserved in reverent humility, steadfastly looking unto the Lord Jesus. Live in the pure and holy fear of God, striving to keep all his commandments. Then will at times be granted an inward persuasion, that Christ is indeed your Shepherd, and that you are of those who hear his voice; faith and hope in the Gospel, which give stability to the soul, will be experienced; and being weaned from all inferior dependence, you may at times reverently apply the language, "Lo, this is our God: we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." 1832. P.E.

Counsel to

MINISTERS AND ELDERS, AND THEIR
MEETINGS.

THIS meeting desires, that you whom the Lord hath gifted with a ministers and public testimony for his name and truth, will, in this day of liberty, be diligent to visit the heritage of God in their meetings, and more especially those least frequented. 1695. P. E.

elders.

2

3

4

Advised, to have a godly care of judging or contradicting one another in public meetings; or shewing any marks or signs of division therein, amongst ministers or others; it being of a very pernicious consequence to bring blame or contempt upon the ministry, and a great hurt to our youth and others. 1716. P. E.

Advised, that ministers, as well as elders and others, in all their preaching, writing, and conversing about the things of God, do keep to the form of sound words, or scripture terms; and that none pretend to be wise above what is there written, and in such pretended wisdom go about to explain the things of God, in the words which man's wisdom teaches. 1728. P. E.

We earnestly request, that the elders in monthly and quarterly meetings would be ready to help and inform the weak, when suitable opportunities present; that, both ministers and hearers pursuing one and the same end, namely, the glory of God and the good and welfare one of another, the church may be edified, increase, and flourish, to the consolation of the faithful.

On the other hand, we advise ministers to have it very much at