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Story
August 6, 1851
Morning Star
Limerick, York County, Maine
What is this article about?
A minister recounts an incident at a prayer meeting in a neighboring city where a sister's fervent exhortation impressed him, but he learned her home example did not match her public piety, urging consistent Christian living to avoid hypocrisy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
For the Morning Star.
AN INCIDENT.
A few Sabbaths since I was at a neighboring city on an exchange. Having met the congregation once and again to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ, at the third service I met them for prayer and conference. The prayer meeting is the thermometer of the church. It indicates the temperature of its piety. If we truly delight in God, we shall be there to mingle our devotions with our brethren, to obtain strength to combat our enemies and to bear up amidst the storms of life.
A goodly number was present. Hymns of praise were sung, prayers offered, and the fervent exhortation given by brethren and sisters in Christ. The Lord was there. At length a sister arose, and with much feeling and with more than ordinary propriety addressed us in the name of the Lord. I was much interested and heartily responded to what was said. I inquired relative to this sister, and learned that her influence was greatly paralyzed in consequence of not having her example at all times just as Christ would have it. It was thought by some that she was not at home what she appeared to be in the house of God! This is an evil too prevalent in the church. It cannot always be ascertained, that one is a devoted Christian by his prayers and exhortations!
This ought not so to be. If we are zealous in the prayer meeting, our character should be beyond reproach at home, in our boarding house or wherever we are. Example is worth more than every thing else. Prayer and exhortation are important; but these without a holy example are worse than nothing. God sees through the mask of hypocrisy, self-deception and worldliness, and cannot be deceived with apparent spirituality when the heart is not right. Let every person who takes a part in our prayer meetings, so live before the world that no reproach will be brought upon the blessed cause of truth
A. H. H.
AN INCIDENT.
A few Sabbaths since I was at a neighboring city on an exchange. Having met the congregation once and again to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ, at the third service I met them for prayer and conference. The prayer meeting is the thermometer of the church. It indicates the temperature of its piety. If we truly delight in God, we shall be there to mingle our devotions with our brethren, to obtain strength to combat our enemies and to bear up amidst the storms of life.
A goodly number was present. Hymns of praise were sung, prayers offered, and the fervent exhortation given by brethren and sisters in Christ. The Lord was there. At length a sister arose, and with much feeling and with more than ordinary propriety addressed us in the name of the Lord. I was much interested and heartily responded to what was said. I inquired relative to this sister, and learned that her influence was greatly paralyzed in consequence of not having her example at all times just as Christ would have it. It was thought by some that she was not at home what she appeared to be in the house of God! This is an evil too prevalent in the church. It cannot always be ascertained, that one is a devoted Christian by his prayers and exhortations!
This ought not so to be. If we are zealous in the prayer meeting, our character should be beyond reproach at home, in our boarding house or wherever we are. Example is worth more than every thing else. Prayer and exhortation are important; but these without a holy example are worse than nothing. God sees through the mask of hypocrisy, self-deception and worldliness, and cannot be deceived with apparent spirituality when the heart is not right. Let every person who takes a part in our prayer meetings, so live before the world that no reproach will be brought upon the blessed cause of truth
A. H. H.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Prayer Meeting
Christian Piety
Hypocrisy
Moral Example
Religious Exhortation
What entities or persons were involved?
A. H. H.
Sister
Where did it happen?
Neighboring City
Story Details
Key Persons
A. H. H.
Sister
Location
Neighboring City
Event Date
A Few Sabbaths Since
Story Details
During a prayer meeting exchange in a neighboring city, the narrator hears a sister's moving exhortation but learns her private life lacks the same piety, highlighting the importance of consistent Christian example over mere public devotion.