Prayer and Social Meeting.
By F. W. Morse
PRAYER and social meetings upon the Sabbath should be sustained with spirit. A vigorous, holy energy that springs from the Christian’s heart, should mark their progress. Here from week to week the consistent follower of the Lord delights to be found, punctually and faithfully at his post, cheerfully bearing his part, and from a rich fund of daily experience, he casts into the common stock his prayer of thanksgiving and supplication, word of exhortation, song of praise, all to the edifying of his brethren. There is no reason why believers in the third angel’s message should meet upon the Sabbath for the worship of God and the mutual encouragement of each other, in the rugged way, and then drone out two or three hours in dead lifeless formalities. How much is the service and glory of God thought of in such meetings? If unbelievers drop in, who might be influenced by a meeting carried forward in the spirit of present truth, how sadly is the opportunity missed! They go away in disgust, glad to be released from such a wearisome meeting. With what sorrow does the recording angel place to the account of the church on the book of Heaven the sad record of a mis-improved opportunity. Says our Lord, “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.” Luke xii, 35. The sacred charge of the king to his servants who bear the last inviting call to the supper is, “Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” My dear brethren and sisters, this charge comes home to us. How shall we fulfill our Lord’s command? Compel. But how? By argument and entreaty. “If a man love me he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” Jno. xiv, 23. Such an one dwells in the Lord and the Lord in him. “The same bringeth forth much fruit,” and his argument is with power, his entreaty is with that melting tenderness that breaks down cold-hearted opposition. How cheering the influence of such in social meeting! Their argument is a face calmly lighted up with holy joy; their entreaty a few earnest words that come home to every heart; their testimony is not put on, but lives with them, being a light, fed by those words which are spirit and life. Such are burning and shining lights; preachers of righteousness to condemn a wicked world and a Godless church. Their works, words and looks, preach day by day. Bright angels of God attend them. When they meet for the worship of God, much divine light and power is in their midst; a joyful record is made upon the book of remembrance before the Lord, and they become his special treasure. The Christian’s privilege is a broad one. He is a companion of angels here, and may be made like them hereafter; but if the light become darkness, how dense the gloom. If you grieve away the Holy Spirit, dark, wicked spirits hedge you in and shut out the light of heaven. Cold-hearted, lifeless professor! remember that as you go to the house of worship you carry with you a band of Satan’s messengers, a thick cloud of darkness, an iceberg of frigid coldness. Then as you raise your voice in a dead, formal prayer, how deathly your influence. Then a threadbare exhortation, as destitute of fruit as your daily walk, edifying none, but distressing all true friends of the cause of Christ, and burying the timid soul in chilly discouragement. Says Paul, “Give none offense to the church of God.” 1 Cor. x, 32. Some will offend by nourishing hardness toward a brother or sister. In this state of feeling they cannot obey our Lord’s injunction given through Paul, “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Phil. i, 27. They bring in a scattering influence. “He that dwelleth in love abideth in Christ.” “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” Oh, how injurious the course of such offenders! Again, we say there is no good reason why brethren should assemble for social worship and then drone out the time in lifeless forms. The word of God is filled with precious promises. We should take it as the present, living, speaking voice of God to us; believe it, receive it, and instantly obey. Then are its promises instantly fulfilled in us, according to the dispensation of an infinitely wise Providence. Then our influence is edifying; to edify is to build up. Says Paul, “Let all things be done unto edifying.” 1 Cor. xiv, 26. How can one instruct in the way to life, or build up the cause of present truth, by their words and influence, when both are given to Satan? Again, if we pass the laboring week in half-hearted service, dividing with Satan, when the Sabbath comes, that day which God has set apart for his worship, the enemy claims it all. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal,” is the language of Paul as he discourses upon the privileges and blessings bestowed on the members of our Lord’s body. That which is manifest is evident in a very high degree, leaving no hesitation, but striking upon the mind at once with overpowering conviction; this is the way the Spirit is given to those who are joined to the truth, to profit withal. If brethren and sisters refuse or neglect to use this manifestation of the Spirit to the profit and encouragement of themselves and each other, it will be withheld from them. “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Who will withhold a word on the Lord’s side, and offend the church of God? O brethren and sisters, let us “arise and struggle into light.”
F. W. MORSE.
Deerfield, Minn.