Assembly Meetings
We were thankful to be present at a meeting recently held in London where this subject was raised. For long we have felt that a distinct loss was sustained by the giving up of this character of meeting, and it was with unfeigned pleasure that we learned that many others were feeling the same.
An elder brother, who can speak from personal experience prior to 1848, reminded us that this was the habitual form of meeting at that time. Reading meetings were not so common as they are now, and were generally held in private houses. He added that as power diminished the assembly meetings lapsed and reading meetings seemed to take their place. This is a sorrowful consideration.
Reading Meetings
It was generally felt that reading meetings were most helpful when properly conducted, but that often they were rendered profitless by the discussion on the part of two or three brothers of points of little interest to those who were obliged to sit patiently by.
We felt the need of this word of rebuke and exhortation. Young people and sisters have often complained that they get little food at such meetings, and if brothers would only remember the needs of the souls around them, and would be more anxious that these should be fed and helped on, than that their own particular views should be established, much more real good would follow from such meetings. If Bible readings were more frequently held in private houses, it would give a more family character to such meetings, and many would be free to ask questions or make remarks for whom it would be out of place to do so in a public meeting room.
What is an Assembly Meeting?
As we recently issued a little pamphlet with the desire of Meeting? stirring up our brethren on this point, we shall not now further enlarge on it, but would urge all, old and young, brother and sister, to study carefully 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14; in these chapters we get the principle, the power, and the practice of assembly meetings. We have got so accustomed to preachings, lectures, and meetings left entirely to the responsibility of one individual, that many are almost afraid to return to the simplicity of earlier days. We would by no means do away with preaching and lecturing, we should be finding fault with God’s own institution if we did so. The usefulness of these is dependent upon the earnestness, devotedness, and faith of the individual who may have received a gift from God.
An assembly meeting is one where each one should feel his responsibility to take part or to remain silent, according as the Spirit of God may guide.
Worship Meetings
Many brothers present recalled the weekly meetings that used to be held in some parts of London about thirty years ago under the title of “Worship Meetings,” and it was felt that it would be for our joy and blessing to have them revived. We were reminded that these meetings were not convened for the exercise of any individual brother’s gift, that much speaking at such meetings was rather to be deprecated, and that they should partake more of the character of worship and prayer.
For our own part we could not lay down any rules as to what particular form the meeting should take, for the very essence of an assembly meeting as described in 1 Corinthians 14, is the perfect liberty of the Spirit of God to use one and another in speaking to edification, in thanksgiving, or in prayer. But the speakers of “five words” are specially commended (vs. 19).
Much more might be said on the subject, but for the moment we commend it to the prayerful consideration of our brethren everywhere. In Egypt our brethren seem more simple in their faith on this point. Almost every night in the year they come together in the way described in 1 Corinthians 14, and have proved the blessing of it.
ED.
The Holy Ghost and Fire
These words are well known, and in connection with recent revival work have been widely used. Yet it has occurred to me that if the striking contrast between Matthew 3:22And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2) it and Acts 1:55For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5) had been noted, much help might have been obtained on the subjects in question.
John was speaking to a mixed crowd, hence spoke of fire as well as the Holy Ghost. The following words clearly show what the results would be. On the one hand those who accepted the Christ of whom John spoke were to be gathered as His wheat into the garner, whilst those who refused Him would, as chaff, be consigned to unquenchable fire (Matt. 3:1212Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12)). In Acts 1 Christ is addressing His disciples, and speaks only of the Holy Ghost. To them, fire (an emblem of judgment) had no application, in the above sense, hence is appropriately omitted.
I write with no love for mere criticism, but with the earnest desire that the contrast between the above passages may be studied, and thus prove helpful to many.
C. W.