Of course, nothing can compare to the benefits derived from being personally present at our meetings. Our direct association with our brothers results in "an interchange of encouragement" and helps new ones better appreciate the need to attend. When we are present at our meetings, we absorb far more from demonstrations, the elders are able to give us personal assistance, and we experience firsthand the warm love of the brotherhood. True indeed are the sentiments of one elderly sister who, after receiving a hug as she was exiting the kingdom hall exclaimed: "You can't get this over the phone line!" - Rom. 1:11,12
Elders are able to give personal assistance? We experience firsthand the warm love of the brotherhood?
I thought the Bible said that the sheppard would leave the 99 to find the 1. What is more loving, going to visit and care for the sick or inferm, or wait for them to come back and prove their loyality and then tell them "We missed you".
I'm all for the hugs and human contact as it is so important, however if some one is trully sick I don't want to hug them. After all you can't catch a bug over the phone line.