I remember the first time I attended a meeting when the hymn, “O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head” (Little Flock Hymnbook #137), was sung. There was a table in the center on which sat one cup of wine and one large loaf of bread. Having been a cleric, I wondered how they would get along. Who was going to take charge? Who would lead? One dear old brother gave out that hymn, “O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head.” They sang it with such feeling and I found my soul deeply touched.
I wondered who next would say something—who was going to take the next step. Well, another brother read from Psalm 10224I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. (Psalm 102:24) and then Psalm 8216Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord. (Psalm 83:16) and sat down. After that another brother over on the side prayed. I had never heard a prayer like that—extolling the work of Christ on the cross of Calvary—how He had dealt effectually and absolutely with the question of sins and had borne all the judgment that was my due. He stressed sins, not sin, because the Lord dealt with that definitely, eternally: “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)). This was the form of the meeting.
I was wondering what would happen next when another note of praise—a hymn—was given out on the same theme, the suffering of Christ. After this a brother got up and broke the bread and they all partook of it except a group at the back. I asked another, “Why didn’t they partake?” The answer was, “Because they’re not in fellowship yet; they haven’t been gathered to His name. They’re the Lord’s, but they haven’t asked for their place at His table.”
The same brother then gave thanks for the cup and they partook of it. Later a basket was passed around and they put in as the Lord had prospered each one. The meeting ended with a little exhortation from Psalm 102, which I’ve never forgotten.
It says there, “I am like a pelican in the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow upon the housetop.” The brother then turned to 2 Corinthians 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21): “He hath made Him to be sin . . . who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” Why had he brought that in? “Well,” another said, “those are unclean birds according to the law of Moses, and that’s what the Lord Jesus endured. He was without sin, but our sins were laid on Him; your sins and mine were heaped upon that blessed One.” That is my memory, beloved, of the first time I was able to observe a worship meeting. It was precious. Are we growing careless?
Now another thought I have enjoyed: Nearness to the Lord Jesus would keep us from sectarianism, the most natural weed of the human heart. The service of love will seek to give according to the need, and because of the need we will never think of slighting the objects of the Saviour’s love. “Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee” (1 Chron. 12:1818Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. (1 Chronicles 12:18)).
E. F. Smith (excerpted from an address)