326
Counsels for the Church
I saw that God’s holy name should be used with reverence and
awe. The words God Almighty are coupled together and used by some
in prayer in a careless, thoughtless manner, which is displeasing to
Him. Such have no realizing sense of God or the truth, or they would
not speak so irreverently of the great and dreadful God, who is soon to
judge them in the last day. Said the angel, “Couple them not together;
for fearful is His name.” Those who realize the greatness and majesty
of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe. He dwelleth in
light unapproachable; no man can see Him and live. I saw that these
things will have to be understood and corrected before the church can
prosper
We should reverence God’s word. For the printed volume we
should show respect, never putting it to common uses, or handling it
carelessly. And never should Scripture be quoted in a jest, or para-
phrased to point a witty saying. “Every word of God is pure;” “as
silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
Proverbs 30:5
;
Psalm 12:6
.
Above all, let children be taught that true reverence is shown
by obedience. God has commanded nothing that is unessential, and
there is no other way of manifesting reverence so pleasing to Him as
obedience to that which He has spoken.
Reverence should be shown for God’s representatives—for minis-
ters, teachers, and parents who are called to speak and act in His stead.
In the respect shown to them He is honored
Well would it be for old and young to ponder those words of Scrip-
ture that show how the place marked by God’s special presence should
be regarded. “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet,” He commanded
Moses at the burning bush, “for the place whereon thou staidest is holy
ground.”
Exodus 3:5
. Jacob, after beholding the vision of the angels,
exclaimed, “The Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.... This is none
other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Genesis
28:16, 17
By example as well as precept, you must show that you reverence
your faith, speaking reverently of sacred things. Never allow one
expression of lightness and trifling to escape your lips when quoting
455
Early Writings, 122
456
Education, 244
457
Gospel Workers, 178, 179