The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-10-13
MISCELLANY.
On deimportonce Of reading Ike Holy Scrip
tures IN the house ofGod.

tuTtS W Hte H0bSe or GOu.
The custom Of reading select portions from the
Bible in the congregation of the faithful, is of
great antiquity: 1t was practised in the syna-
Of the primitive christians, A few observations
thereon seem necessary to shew the wisdom Of
the appointment at the present day.
This viii forcibly appear, if we reflect for
moment on the state Of those, who compose our
congregations. Many of them cannot read for
themselves. Their parents, protanely careless
about the eternal welfare of the offspring of their
own bowels, took no pains to have them instruct
led in their childhood, SO that they might be en-
abled to read the Bible. Many, who can read,
are so engrossed by the abors Of their several oc
equations in life, that they have but little time
for the acquisition Of scriptural knowledge. Il
is therefore highly expedient, that such persons
should be furnished with frequent opportunities
Of hearing the blessed word of God rehearsed UNI
to them. But it may be objected, that the Gus
tom of preaching renders the other unnecessary.
This objection win be at once obviated, lit be
considered, that much of the effects to be expect
ed from preaching must be lost unles the hearers
are in some measure previously acquainted with
the contents and phraseology Of scripture.
| As the Bible is the standard OF all spiritual
truth. how is it possible that one, who il an IN
tire stranger to its doctrines and declarations,
should be able to determine, whether the WORD
which he hears, be consistent with II but, a.
part from the consideration of the ncapacity OF
many to read for themselves, there are persons
who are able, but are destitute OF the Inclination
| to read the Bible. Yet many of these, under the
| influence of custom, will come to the house OF
God. Either they are SO engrossed by worldly
business, that they find no leisure at home Tor
reading, meditation, and prayer or the Bible IS
| TO them so dull book, and therefore they never
open it /: any other volume finds preference III
/ their esteem, and at their leisure moments, 10
that which came from heaven. Though It Is ev-
ident that the attendance paid o the ordinances
ofGod's worship by those persons, who md no
relish for the scriptures, proceeds entirely from
improper motives, whether from custom, curiosity
| or the unmeanng idea of the propriety OF spend
! ing an hour or two on the Lords day III such
manner: vet it is well that any ndncement
brings them into place, where the word q God
is publickly read because they may possibly at
some season or other be convinced ofthe necessl-
ty of that internal change, without which no man
| can enter into the kingdom of God tor as much
as the impossibility of such admission, 10 an IN
sanctifed state of SOUL arises not merely from lhe
express declarations OF the Judge OF quick aho
dead. but also from the very nature OF the case
For howcan it be supposed that the unrenewed sih'
ner, who at present experiences no =
Light in those heavenly exercises 1.s 80, -
ofwhich is the iefdistncton
! brute animals, can ever, wit ho1.
new creature, relish those pure anu
spiritual enjoyments, IN which tue ~ ,be
80. ,,,o i hor,, With an car untuned TO har-
mony, and let him be present at cohceil = -
most exquisite music though for season tne
novelty ofthe scene, the gay dress Of the compa-
ny, or some other object, unconnected with me
immediate design of the entertainment, may at
tract his notice and employ his attentions yet,
very soon his mind viii be satiated with it, and
he viii wish himself where he might be CONVEX
SAINT with pleasures more congenial to bis taste.