Untitled article by F. W. Morse

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 6, 1867

THE MEETING AT TROAS. Acts xx, 1-14.

By F. W. Morse

SLOTHFULNESS.

This chapter is remarkable as containing the only instance of a religious meeting for divine worship upon the first-day of the week that is found recorded in the New Testament. It also gives the only account of slumber in divine worship that is found in the entire Bible.

An examination of the first point shows that it is of no value whatever as a Scriptural example of first-day sacredness; for, as the sun rules the day, when this great luminary sinks beneath the horizon the day closes, and at this point a new day commences. Thus inspiration declares, “The evening and the morning were the first-day,” &c., and “from evening to evening shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.” Then as this assembly was a night meeting upon the first-day of the week, the sunlight portion of this first-day came in after the interesting conference had closed. We may now understand how that part of the day which God ordained for work, was employed by Paul and his fellow laborers; and here apostolic example does not show that the first-day of the week is holy time. After the restoration of Eutychus and the breaking of bread, Paul “talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed, and we,” continues Luke, “went before to ship and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul, for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afloat.”

Perhaps upon examination of the second case, we may also find but sorry consolation for sleepy worshipers. As the record passes no condemnation upon this young man, we could not in justice reflect upon his conduct in this case with severity; but his example cannot be followed with safety to life and limb in similar cases, for if no Paul had been here to plead with God for his restoration to life, where would Eutychus have been?

But those inveterate slumberers who doze away the hours of worship, at all times, both in season and out of season, hazard losses of infinitely greater consequence than broken bones or deprivation of life. The God of assemblies has promised to meet with his people when they gather for his worship. The place of assembly is then a Bethel; “none other but the house of God,” and the very gate of heaven, and is dreadful by reason of the presence of the mighty King of eternity. How nearly verging to blasphemy is sleepy indolence in such a place! When men solicit the favor and presence of an earthly monarch, they do not think of sleeping when brought before the kingly majesty. It would argue an entire destitution of reverence, should a delegation of petitioners wait upon the Czar of Russia, and upon coming into the royal audience-chamber, straightway lop down in stupid slumber. Could any one imagine for a moment that their requests would be met with favor? No! The wrath of the emperor would be kindled against them.

Yes, those church-going devotees of Morpheus risk the penalty of a plain manifestation of abuse and irreverence toward God and his sacred worship. The third precept of his perfect law forbids profanity, which is irreverence of things sacred. Again, “Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary.” Lev. xxvi, 2. These precepts are co-extensive in their bearing, and are put forth by him who holds the transgression of his law as sin. The offered worship of one anciently was rejected because sin laid at the door. The gate of heaven’s light then was closed against all his petitions, and even his prayer was sin. Sin is a reproach to any people. How debasing the reproach of somnolent worshipers!

Slothfulness in the service of God is the leading cause of this sleepy devotion,—if it may be called devotion. The wise man assures us by authority of inspiration that slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep. Prov. xix, 15. He that is slothful is very nearly related to the worthless spendthrift, for “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster;” and whilst the righteous journey heavenward upon a firm causeway raised high above the bogs of infidelity and corruption, “the way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns.” Prov. xv, 19. An highway of desolation indeed! “That which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.” F. W. MORSE.

Deerfield, Minn.