Serving God

    There are two ways of serving God. With the service of worship—inward and outward: daily, weekly. And, with the worship of the soul. By which we love, fear, serve, and hope in him.

    We should serve by outward worship; praying, reading, and hearing as we have opportunity: "Come before his presence."

    There are daily duties. Alone. With our families. See to it that those be not neglected: "As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Let this be your resolution. Though thou canst do it but poorly, do as well as thou canst. Do not say, I cannot. If a law were made, that every one that did not pray with his family should be hanged at his door, I dare say every one would pray with his family. And will you fear death more than damnation?

    There are weekly duties. Do you "call the sabbath a delight?" Those who profane it "rob God." God expects them to be in the assembly. Let not thy place be empty.

    There are monthly duties.* Blessed be God, we have such opportunities; when our Master calls us—not to wait at his table, but to sit at it with him; to make a spiritual meal. Hath he invited and called thee, and dost thou turn thy back upon him? See to it; not only that you do that which is good, but that you do it well. Do it not as to yourselves, but to God. That makes it acceptable. If it be not done with an eye to him, he hath no regard to it. A man may serve the devil and the world, upon his knees.

    *The Lord's supper was administered monthly by the author. —ed.