The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-20

One inference from that fact is that when
congregation assemblies on the Sabbath
day the worshipers should always be on
time and be ready to lift their voices
in praise at the first word of the first line
of the doxology, as well as with bending
head to listen to the last word of the
last line of the benediction.
We once read how a young artist lost
an opportunity to win mortal fame by
not being on time. He had an appoint
ment with Queen Victoria at 10 a. m. to
paint her picture, and he delayed his
coming until ten minutes after 10. The
result was the British queen was gone
and, as far as his opportunity was con-
cerned, gone forever. In a spiritual way
many a church member has lost great
opportunity for spiritual blessing by not
being on time at the beginning of a
church service. God does not turn His
back upon His repentant children as did
the earthly queen upon the young artist,
but we may be sure that He marks the
implied lack of respect which Is indicated
by chronic hardness and habitual I'M
punctuality and that many a blessing is
lost thereby.
Hardness Disrespectful.
There is not one tardy church member
in thousand who would show the inn
piled disrespect in not keeping an APP
pointment with an earthly ruler which
they frequently show to their Heavenly
King Suppose we should take a trip
east and stop in the capitol at Washing
ton Suppose while sojourning there one
of the California senators or congressman
or a member of the cabinet made an
appointment for us with the President
of the United States. Suppose that
polite note was sent to us by the Presi-
dents private secretary informing us that
we might be received tomorrow morning
at the White House at IL o'clock. What
would we dor Would we sit up tonight
until very late. as some of us are accus-
toned to do every Saturday night? Would
we arise very late tomorrow morning.
about half past 9, and have breakfast
about 10 O'clock, as some of us are accus-
toned to do every Sunday morning?
Then when the clocks minute hand is
pointing to a quarter of IL would we start
to dress and at the last moment turn
the house upside down and empty all the
bureau drawers because we could not
find our gloves or hatpins or clean
handkerchief as some of us are accus-
toned to do every Sunday morning? Then
would we rush across Lafayette square
over to the White House and get there
twenty minutes late. as some of us reg
ularly and Systematically always come to
the church service late, where we are to
meet God?
Respect the Head of the Temple.
OH no! That is not the way we should
act If we had an appointment with the
President tomorrow morning. We would
positively see that our clothes were all
right before we went to sleep tonight.
Then we would go to bed early, so that
our minds would be clear and alert and
we could remember all that the President
might say. We would not only be on
time, but a little ahead of time. At ten
minutes of IL, instead of ten. minutes
after II o'clock. we would be standing be-
fore the Presidents private secretary
presenting our cards for an audience
with the chief executive of the American
people In the same way II you wish to
get your chief spiritual blessings from
Christ you must keep your tryst with
Him. You must start your public wor-
ship on time. You must. In your church
manners at least, show TO your Heavenly
King the same respect you would accord