Chapter 86—Reverence
It is your privilege, dear young friends, to glorify God upon the
earth. In order to do this, you must direct your minds away from things
that are superficial, frivolous, and unimportant, to those that are of
eternal worth.
We are living in an age when all should especially give heed to
the injunction of the Saviour, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation.” One of your strong temptations is to irreverence. God
is high and holy; and to the humble, believing soul, His house on
earth, the place where His people meet for worship, is as the gate of
heaven. The song of praise, the words spoken by Christ’s ministers, are
God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for
that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that is impure,
unholy ....
Conduct in the House of God
Reverence is greatly needed in the youth of this age. I am alarmed
as I see children and youth of religious parents so heedless of the order
and propriety that should be observed in the house of God. While
God’s servants are presenting the words of life to the people, some will
be reading, others whispering and laughing. Their eyes are sinning by
diverting the attention of those around them. This habit, if allowed to
remain unchecked, will grow and influence others.
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Children and youth should never feel that it is something to be
proud of to be indifferent and careless in meetings where God is
worshiped. God sees every irreverent thought or action, and it is
registered in the books of heaven. He says, “I know thy works.”
Nothing is hid from His all-searching eye. If you have formed in any
degree the habit of inattention and indifference in the house of God,
exercise the powers you have to correct it, and show that you have
self-respect. Practice reverence until it becomes a part of yourself.
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