The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-05-09
Our friend "Watchman furnishes,
with his usual practical force,
Seven Reasons
WHY SHOULD ATTEND THE WEDNESDAY
EVENING LECTURE.

Seven Reasons
WHY [ SHOULD ATTEND THE WEDNESDAY
EVENING LECTURE.
l. I need 1t. | cannot be too much or
too often in Gods house. La the midst
of the week, with cares and business and
pleasures encompassing me on every side,
it is blessed thing to retire an hour and
shut myself out from their Influences
1t helps me to conquer The world and
keep lt in subjection. 1t keeps the love
of God and my religious life from being
deadened or swallowed up by the labors,
cares and scenes of the farm, the store,
the Office, the study, the shop, the parlor,
or the street.
2. My brethren expect me. A portion
of the world goes to church on Sun
days, but seldom to Wednesday evening
lectures. These assemblies are composed
of Christ's believing disciples. Alas
their number is not great. The absence
of but one is readily noticed. 1t dis
courages my brethren to find me away.
They cannot tell whether l am with
them or against them if my seat is va
cant.
3. 1t may be one proof Of my piety.-
1t is fashionable to go to church on Sun
day. Many go there, because they have
nothing else to do or no other place to
90. But it is different here. If | am
always ready to let business go, and for
sake places Of popular resort, for the
place where prayer is wont to be made,
it may show that l possess that piety
which leads me to deny myself, and to
prefer tie people of God to the profits
and pleasures of sin for season.
4. 1t furnishes peculiar and impor-
tant means Of grnce. These lectures diff
fer from sermons. The services are more
devotional and relate more to the inner
life of Christians than those on Sunday.
The instructions of my pastor are less
argumentatiye and more expository.-
Here the Scriptures are expounded IN
successive portions, and large selections
from the Bible are viewed together.
need this sort of instruction fully as
much as the more elaborate discussion OF
single topics.
5. 1t condemns the aOorld. When
worldly people see me forsake business
or my cosy fresde to attend these ser
vices. they are left--witheat- who
are constantly pleading that business is
first" they 81 have not time" &C., &c.
They see that am convinced that "the
price of wisdom is above rubies," and
that they are fools to be seeking the less
at the loss of the greater.
6. 1t encourages ma pastor. He neds
Aarons and Hurs to hold up his hands as
well as did Moses He needs the power
of sympathy and the encouragement of
Christian fellowship. He cannot judge
by his Sunday congregations who is on
the Lords side, but here he sees whether
or not the work of the Lord is prosper
ing in his hands. He sees moreover that
1 value his ministrations enough to deny
myself somewhat in order to attend
them.
7. 1t Hpleases God. He takes pleasure
in the assemblings of the saitts. 1t adds
to His glory for me to abandon the world
for His house in the vely midst of the
week. He is delighted with that less
formal and warmer spirit with which l
sing, and pray, and hear, and worship
in these humble gatherings of His p,eo:'
pie. And they who in sincerity worship
Him in these peaceful and quiet retire
ments, shall surely be rewarded openly