Chapter 132—Social Gatherings
Gatherings for social intercourse are made in the highest degree
profitable and instructive when those who meet together have the love
of God glowing in their hearts; when they meet to exchange thoughts
in regard to the word of God, or to consider methods for advancing
His work and doing good to their fellow men. When the Holy Spirit
is regarded as a welcome guest at these gatherings, when nothing is
said or done to grieve it away, God is honored, and those who meet
together are refreshed and strengthened.
But there are social gatherings of a different character, where pride
of appearance, hilarity, and trifling are too often seen. In their desire
for amusement, those who attend are in danger of forgetting God, and
things take place that make the watching angels weep. The scene
of pleasure becomes, for the time being, their paradise. All give
themselves up to hilarity and mirth. The eyes sparkle, the cheek is
flushed; but conscience sleeps.
Lack of Spirituality Revealed
Such enthusiasm and inspiration have not a heavenly origin. They
are entirely of this earth. Sadly the angels of heaven look upon the
forgetfulness of those for whom Christ has done so much. When
sickness and death come to those who have lived merely for self-
pleasing, too late they find that they have no oil in their lamps, and
that they are utterly unfit to close their life’s history.
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The tenor of the conversation carried on at many social gatherings
reveals what the heart is set upon. The trifling talk, the foolish witti-
cisms, spoken only to create a laugh, do not rightly represent Christ.
Those who utter them would not be willing to meet a record of their
words. Wrong impressions are made upon the listeners, and reproach
is cast upon Christ. O that the youth would guard well their words! for
by them they will be justified or by them condemned. Remember that
Jesus is beside you wherever you go, noting your actions and listening
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