Twenty Reasons for not going to a Concert

BY THE LATE JAMES SMITH, CHELTENHAM.

1. I CANNOT go to a concert because I do not believe that the Holy Spirit inspired godly men to write the Scriptures in order that they may be set to music to gratify the carnal taste and animal senses of men.
2. I cannot go to a concert because I do not believe that God, who is jealous of His honour, and who has magnified His word above all His name, can look upon such a desecration of that word but with displeasure and disapprobation.
3. I cannot go to a concert because my property and all I possess is the Lord’s, and I do not feel justified in taking the Lord’s money and giving it for such a purpose.
4. I cannot go to a concert because I am commanded to redeem time for good and godly purposes; but while I go to a concert I cannot do so.
5. I cannot go to a concert because I believe that I should please God more by using the money that my ticket would cost in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, or procuring comforts for the sick poor.
6. I cannot go to a concert because I believe that the time would be much better spent in visiting the sick, in self-examination, in reading God’s word, or in private prayer.
7. I cannot go to a concert because I believe that my example in going there would do harm; for if I go to a religious concert others may conclude that they would be justified in going to a dance, a ball, or a theatre.
8. I cannot go to a concert because that the Lord Jesus has told me that He will come soon and suddenly, and has commanded me to watch and be ready for His appearing; and I should not like for Him to come and find me at a concert.
9. I cannot go to a concert because the Church of God generally is in a very low state; the Spirit of God appears to be grieved with us; and I fear that the worldly conformity, self-indulgence, and love to carnal pleasure which characterise many professors is very much the cause of it, and I do not wish to be accessory thereto.
10. I cannot go to a concert because millions of my fellow-creatures in heathen lands, and thousands of my brethren in this land, are perishing for lack of knowledge; and all I can do and all I can give are required to assist in sending the blessed Gospel to them.
11. I cannot go to a concert because I do not think that when I come to lie on my dying pillow I shall be able to look back upon the money spent and time squandered at a concert with either pleasure or satisfaction.
12. I cannot go to a concert because I am commanded to do all that I do in the name of the Lord Jesus and with a view to the glory of God; and I do not see how I can go to a concert in Christ’s name, or promote the glory of God thereby.
13. I cannot go to a concert because I am required to imitate them who honoured God, served their generation, and are now inheriting the promises; and I cannot think that either Peter, Paul, or John would have gone to a concert after the day of Pentecost.
14. I cannot go to a concert because I am commanded to copy the example of the Lord Jesus, who went about doing good, and I am persuaded that he never patronised such a profanation of sacred things as is witnessed at a concert.
15. I cannot go to a concert because I am directed to live in the Spirit; and if I am constantly under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit I am satisfied that I shall not be found at a concert.
16. I cannot go to a concert because as it is I have but very little of that religion which stands in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; and going to a concert is not the way to increase it.
17. I cannot go to a concert because my spirit is naturally carnal, and is very easily wrought upon by carnal things, and is thereby unfitted for spiritual duties and privileges; and I fear that the tendency of the excitement of the concert is only to carnalise and incapacitate for close walking with God.
18. I cannot go to a concert because I have publicly professed that real religion is happiness, and that there is more pleasure in the duties and privileges of religion than there is in everything beside; and going to a concert would be likely to leave the impression on the minds of carnal persons that this is not true, and therefore I must go to the concert for pleasure and satisfaction.
19. I cannot go to a concert because on the night of the concert family religion must be neglected, the hour of dismissal being late every family would be wearied out; and I do not feel justified in neglecting such a duty for the mere gratification of the sense of hearing.
20. I cannot go to a concert because I am expressly told that I must give an account of myself to God; and I do not feel that I could present at the judgment-seat of Christ a satisfactory reason for going to a concert.

In a word, whatever will conform us to the image of Christ, increase in us the power of the Holy Spirit, lead to high and holy communion with God, make us useful in life, prepare us for death, and meeten us for glory, should be preserved with all our might! and whatever would hinder us in such a course should be avoided. Which will the concert do?—Casket of Odds and Ends.

Acknowledgment.—The treasurer of Tain F.P. Church Building Fund gratefully acknowledges receipt of £5 from Mr. Alex. Ross, Parbold, Lancashire.