An unpunctual person is a nuisance. He is worse, he is an abstracter of that which belongs to others, and is of more value than gold—time. He is a selfish character, for he is too lazy to feel the amount of misery his unpunctuality imposes upon others. What shall be done with him? Were he a servant he should be dismissed; were he a child he should, if possible, be heavily punished. But unpunctual persons in general shall not concern us, only unpunctual persons in particular, that is, such as are unpunctual at religious meetings.
Oh you squanderers of time! You robbers of our quiet of mind, and, far worse, you triflers with the solemn sense of God’s presence among His people, what shall be done to you? Do anything we cannot, but say something we will. Would that we could shame you into at least as much interest in the hour for prayer or praise as you possess in the hour the train leaves the station! Your own interests would not allow you to be late for the train; shall the interests of Christ and His people be so neglected by you that you can afford to be late for the prayer or praise meeting? Your idleness is a sin.
But you are inclined to make light of our warmth, and to cry out against our protests, or to smile away, with your easy looks, our denunciations. Well, be sure of this, that if you were in sympathy with those of God’s people who agree to be present at an announced hour for prayer, you could not be unpunctual; and if you had the interest of Christ as the first thing upon your heart in reference to the occasion, you would arrive at the meeting in question promptly. So take to your heart your want of sympathy with your brethren, and your lack of interest in the things of Jesus Christ, and have done with your idle, sinful habit, and be punctual at all religious meetings.