I cannot go to a concert, because 1. I do not believe that the Holy Spirit inspired godly men to write the Scriptures (oratorios, etc.) in order that they may be set to music, to gratify the carnal taste, and sensual sense of men. 2. 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. My property and all that 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 am commanded to redeem time for good and godly purposes; but while I go to a concert I cannot do so. 5. I believe I should please God more, by using the money which my ticket would cost, in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, or procuring comforts for the sick poor. 6. I believe 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 believe that my example in going there would do harm; for, if I go to what is called a religious concert, others may conclude that they would be justified in going to a dance, a ball, or the theatre. 8. 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. 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 characterises many professors, is very much the cause of it, and I do not wish to be accessory thereto. 10. 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 do not think that when I come to lie on my dying pillow, I shall be able to look back on the money spent and the time squandered at a concert, with either pleasure or satisfaction. 12. 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 am required to imitate those 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 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 religious concert. 15. I am directed to live in the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit; and if I am constantly under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am satisfied I shall not be found at a concert. 16. I have but very little of that religion which stands in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; and going to concert is not the way to increase it. 17. 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 the tendency of the excitement of the concert is only to carnalise, and incapacitate for close walking with God. 18. I have publicly professed that real religion is happiness, and that there is more pleasure in the duties and privileges or 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. On the night of the concert, family religion must be neglected, the hour of dismissal being late, my 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 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 meet for glory, should be pursued with all our might; and whatever would hinder us in such a course should be avoided. Which will the concert do?—Rev. James Smith, Cheltenham.