There is a body of Christians in this city who do not recognize denominational bounds, creed excesses or other sectarian limitations and who, avoiding those of the great questions that have caused division and woeful controversy since the early days of the Christian Church, meet together for prayer, praise and edification from time to time, away from every influence that would distract their attention from hallowed things. The number of those who thus gather round what they style "the table of the Lord" is, naturally, small, for the "meeting," as the gathering is termed, aims at strict simplicity and an apostolic primitiveness in the lives of those who attend—qualities that are not exactly in demand in this age of worldly striving, unseemly conduct and personal ostentation.
It was the privilege of a representative of "The Gazette" to be present at a recent meeting. Every detail was conducted with the utmost attention to the primal aims of the deepest devotion and heartfelt praise. Not an irrelevant word was uttered, no expression approaching to lightness was heard, neither was any hymn sung that did not voice the highest aspirations of the soul after deeper spiritual depths and higher character attainments. Few illustrations and no anecdotes were employed by the speakers. This body has no minister—and the one theme that was uppermost in the remarks was that of emulation of the life of Christ and earnest seeking to know His will concerning individual experiences. Each one who took part seemed to follow out the line of thought brought up by the preceding speaker, and the result gave the stranger an impression that they had solved the problem of the ages and had attained Christian unity. The solemnity of such a service cannot but be felt and remembered ever after by those who are privileged to be present.
There are thousands of communicants throughout the world. The idea of Christian socialism characterizes their conduct in so far as it applies to helping one another, and it has long been evident to thinking Christians that some of the most beautiful characters of those that added to the joys of faith the blessedness of personal experience owe their inspiration to the influence of "the little flock," as the meeting is sometimes styled. Some of the leading points of their doctrine have thus been summarized:
They believe in the absolute and perfect inspiration of the Bible, which they hold to be, not in the name only, but in the reality, the Word of God. 2 Peter 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21), 2 Tim. 3:16, 1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17).
Having this perfect revelation of the mind of God, they refuse all human creeds as being both unnecessary and a presumptuous slur upon His Word.
They, however, have no uncertain belief in the doctrines as unfolded in the Scriptures:-the fall and absolute ruin of man; his guilty, lost and helpless condition; the utter worthlessness of works, law-keeping or reformation as a ground of salvation; the amazing love of God in providing a Savior in His blessed Son; the spotless perfection of Christ both in His Divine nature and His true humanity; reconciliation by the blood shedding of Christ on the cross, by which alone redemption has been accomplished; His resurrection as the proof of God's acceptance of that atonement.
They see that every believer is warranted to have the fullest assurance of their present and eternal salvation, and that this assurance comes not through feelings or experiences, but by the Word of God. They also see that being saved by Christ's work once for all, the believer can never be lost, but is as secure as though he were in heaven already, because of Christ's death and resurrection. 1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2).
They see, however, that Scripture guards from abuse of this doctrine, by insisting upon good works as the fruit of salvation; that the believer is to reckon himself dead to sin and to live not only a moral life, but one of love and devotedness to Christ, and of separation from the ways and thoughts of the world.
They believe that the proper hope of God's people is not the improvement of the world, but the coming of Christ for His own, to raise the dead in Christ and change the living, and then take them all to heaven, and then purge and cleanse the world by judgment, preparatory to the millennium, when Israel and the nations of the earth inhabit it under His rule, but His church will always be with Him, i. e., where Jesus will be. 1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
They hold that rejecters of the Gospel and all the wicked will "have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone"—eternal punishment, and not extinction or resoration. They therefore believe in an earnest and affectionate presentation of the simple Gospel of the Grace of God.
As to the church government, they refuse as unscriptural, all denominational names, and all systems of human devising for church order. Believing that the church is one body, composed of all believers, they refuse to assume any name that is not common to all people of God.
They see, however, a scriptural order of meeting, worship and discipline, and' seek to carry this out.
As to ministry, they refuse all ordination as merely human, but recognize the various gifts which Christ has given to His whole Church.
They believe that when Christians are gathered together for worship, there should be no human leader in charge, but that all should be left to the Spirit of God to use whom He may choose in prayer, in praise, or exhortation (1 Cor. 14)
They refuse all thought of salary or stipulated remuneration for preaching the Gospel, but hold themselves responsible to minister in temporal affairs to those who give themselves to the Lord's work. 3 John 77Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (3 John 7).
They take no collections at public meetings.
They meet in hired halls and other modest buildings, believing such to be in accord with the spirit of Christianity.
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