Influence of Social Surroundings
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vivified by its sanctifying influence, and they lose spirituality. They are
not strengthened by the words of the living preacher. Worldly thoughts
and worldly enterprises are continually exercising their minds to the
exclusion of spiritual subjects.
The faith of most Christians will waver if they constantly neglect
to meet together for conference and prayer. If it were impossible for
them to enjoy such religious privileges, then God would send light
direct from heaven by His angels, to animate, cheer, and bless His
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scattered people. But He does not propose to work a miracle to sustain
the faith of His saints. They are required to love the truth enough to
take some little pains to secure the privileges and blessings vouchsafed
them of God. The least they can do is to devote a few days in the
year to a united effort to advance the cause of Christ and to exchange
friendly counsel and sympathy.
Many devote nearly all their time to their own temporal interests
and pleasures, and grudge the few days spent and the expense involved
in going a distance from their homes to meet with a company gathered
together in the name of the Lord. The word of the Lord defines
covetousness as idolatry; then how many idolaters are there, even
among those who profess to be the followers of Christ!
It is required that we meet together and bear testimony to the truth.
The angel of God said: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often
one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of
remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord,
and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the
Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare
them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”
It will pay, then, to improve the privileges within our reach, and,
even at some sacrifice, to assemble with those who fear God and speak
for Him; for He is represented as hearkening to those testimonies,
while angels write them in a book. God will remember those who
have met together and thought upon His name, and He will spare them
from the great conflagration. They will be as precious jewels in His
sight, but His wrath will fall on the shelterless head of the sinner. It
is not a vain thing to serve God. There is a priceless reward for those
who devote their life to His service. Dear brother and sister, you have
been gradually entering the darkness until almost imperceptibly it has
grown to appear like the light to you. Occasionally a feeble glimmer