OIL THE CHURCH—A DREAM.
By H. A. St. John
IN my dream, the first thing that arrested my attention was a multitude of people discussing with great earnestness the question of how best to accomplish, in the quickest and most successful manner, a great task committed to them. It was to be a world-wide work, to be prosecuted among all peoples, and kindreds, and tongues. Means and messengers were necessary, and both of these called for sacrifice. Plans of procedure must be adopted, and what should they be? Some said one thing and some another, and from every one came suggestions. Some of these were manifestly untenable, while others had the appearance of being truly wise. Gradually the discussion seemed to center around one question, namely, "What shall we do now—in the beginning, first of all?" Again there was a diversity of opinion. At this juncture a voice was heard speaking from above, and averting the attention of every one. Only three words were uttered, yet those three words were so solemn, so mighty, so impressive, that all ceased, held their peace and dispersed in deep meditation. The three words uttered were, "Oil the church." I awoke, and at once began to reflect upon the meaning of such a peculiar injunction. I was not long in seeing, as I thought, great significance and importance in the simple requisition, "Oil the church." God has provided and placed within the reach of every member of the church of Christ the holy oil of the sanctuary. There can be no substitute for it, nor any success without it. The church must have this unction from the Holy One, in order to give the Gospel of the kingdom, the everlasting Gospel, a certain sound in the ears of all nations. And without this certain sound, there will be no certain results of souls saved. This oil, received in its fullest measure, will remove all friction, fault-finding, fear, and worldliness, from the believers; and the church will be filled with faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. If the church were anointed with the "oil of gladness," great joy would spring up everywhere. The church would then know from blessed experience that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Where there is much machinery, there is some one, or more, whose business it is to look after the important matter of oiling. The oiler could not be dispensed with, in safety, for even a single day. The church of Christ on earth is a great organization, existing for the purpose of doing a great work in the earth. Every member thereof should be an oiler. If he is filled with the oil of true joy, he will be taught by it, led by it, comforted by it, and illuminated by it, and, eventually, transformed by it. Thus, all working together, the earth will be illuminated with the glory of God. This holy oil of the heavenly sanctuary is ever within reach; it ever awaits the demand and reception, not of the church as a body only, but especially of every individual member thereof. The pure thoughts, the pleasing looks, the kind words, the loving deeds of the true Christian, are such only because they are all mingled with the oil of goodness and gladness, the Spirit of the God of life and love. Only thus can a believer or a church arise and shine. And now, at the last, let me say to the reader, Oil the church by constituting yourself a channel through which the holy oil may constantly flow out in words and deeds of love to all, especially to the household of faith.