p. 8 | The Meeting Is Yours by MAX HILL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 5, 1908

“The Meeting Is Yours”

By MAX HILL

MAX HILL

The place was at church, the hour was twelve-thirty, the occasion was a social meeting. The leader had read a lengthy portion of the Testimonies, with comments. The noon whistles had blown,—on time, as a dozen watches testified,—but the leader, like the brook, seemed inclined to “go on forever.” I supposed it was just a talk he was giving. Imagine my surprise then, at

twelve-thirty to hear him say, “Now, brethren, the meeting is yours; who will be the first?”

A few desultory testimonies were given, one or two stanzas of a hymn were sung in a half-hearted way; the meeting dragged. How sorry I was for the tired little folk,—the few who had not escaped to the fresh air without the church! How I pitied the few young people who were striving to be content with the service! How sorry I was for the dear brother who led the meeting! And then—I just could not help it—I thought of a prayer-meeting I had attended that very week in another place.

A dear old brother led the prayer-meeting. There was a good, stirring song, a Scripture reading, a little talk,—not a sermon,—and the meeting was ours. The first up proved to be three or four, so of course no one of them took more than his share of the time. Nearly all took part, and were prompt in song and prayer and praise. The secret was twofold; the leader was alive spiritually, and every one there knew that the meeting would close as soon as there was the least sign of dragging; “for Brother Glenn never holds late,” they said. Every one was refreshed and helped.

Mountain View, Cal.