An Old-Fashioned Prayer-meeting.
This meeting was held in the city of Jerusalem, once the "joy of the whole earth," but now accursed and down-trodden by the unbelieving Turk. It was held in a private dwelling in an upper chamber, where a number of the disciples resided. Unbelief sometimes says there can be no good prayer-meetings in certain localities for the want of convenient houses of worship. This is a mistake. God is not confined to churches.—Some of the most remarkable meetings on record were held in the woods, in barns and in private dwellings. Indeed179the primitive Christians in times of bloody persecutions, were sometimes wonderfully visited by the Spirit's outpouring at prayer meetings held in the dark caverns and dens of the earth. The circumstances under which this meeting was held were of a very interesting and solemn character. Jesus had accomplished his wonderful mission. His eventful life, astonishing sufferings, tragic death, glorious resurrection, and triumphant ascension, were all fresh in the recollection of the disciples assembled. The commission, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," was bearing heavily upon their hearts. They were anxiously waiting for power from on high. Of the persons assembled at the meeting we notice Mary, our dear Lord's mother, also Mary Magdalene, Peter, James, John, Simon, and in all about a hundred and twenty. That was a better turnout than we usually have in our largest city churches on prayer meeting occasions. But we are told that the disciples were "ALL" there. That was a good omen. O if all the members of a single church would fill their places at the prayer meeting, we would see changed times. But alas, such meetings are but thinly attended. And what is still better, they were all in perfect unity of spirit and purpose—were "all with one accord in one place." The little rivalries among the disciples had all been crushed out by the stupendous events which had so recently passed before their eyes; and they were humbled and oppressed by a glimpse of the grandeur of their commission. Heart to heart and soul to soul they met and prayed. O for such "accord," such unity, such fellowship in our prayer meetings! The Holy Ghost descended upon them, but before it, "came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind." This awe-inspiring miracle was intended, probably, to represent the power of that invisible Spirit, which, like the wind, can be heard and felt, but not seen, with which they were to be baptized. God frequently accompanies the outpouring of his Spirit with mysterious physical manifestations. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire."—"An appearance says Hammond, "of something like flaming fire, (lambent flame), lighting on every one of them, which divided asunder and so formed the resemblance of tongues, with that part of them that was next their heads, divided or cloven." "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." This was the happy consummation of the meeting. O for the recurrence of Pentecostal prayer meetings! But, inquires a kind neighbor, may christians now hope for the Spirit's baptism? Yes for it has been experienced in all the great revivals that have occurred in every age of the world; and after me cometh one, said John, who shall "baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." "Be ye filled with the Spirit," is an apostolic command. Jesus declares that our Father in heaven is more willing "to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him" than are earthly parents to grant the reasonable requests of their children. Friends of Christ, those are most searching and lasting revivals that begin with the Spirit's outpouring upon a united, holy, praying church.