We often wonder why it is that so many of our young brothers who profess to be the Lord’s, sit dumb on their chairs from one year’s end to the other. They are there at the prayer meeting, and all the other meetings regularly, but they never contribute a word to the edification and help of others. They take in all that they can get, but give out nothing.
Now, this seems very strange, and we have tried again and again to account for it, and to find out what can be the cause of their continued silence.
Of course, no one would expect a backslider, or one in a bad state of soul, to take any part; and this may keep many more in silence than we think.
Then there are some whose life and walk are so crooked and worldly, that it is a mercy for all concerned that they keep quiet. But there are a large number of young saints whose lives are as becometh the gospel of Christ, and yet they never open their mouths in public at all. This is a grievous calamity, and a serious loss to the church and to themselves.
There ought to be no “dummies” among the people of God. The lips as well as the lives of all the redeemed belong unto the Lord and ought to “show forth His praise,” and speak of things concerning Him. All are not fitted for platform-preaching or to speak to the assembled crowd. This is, not what we contend for at all; it would be disorder and confusion to attempt such a thing. Gift, grace, and the call of God, are all required for such a sphere of service, and those who feel they lack these requirements do wisely not to attempt to preach in public.
But what about the prayer meeting? There is no gift required to “pray to the Father.” Yet there they sit with sealed lips, from year to year. This we unhesitatingly say, is not of God. It is “the fear of man,” some will say. Quite possible. But then “the fear of man bringeth a snare,” and it cannot be the will of God that His people should be in any snare whatever.
Why should any fear to speak to God in the presence of their fellow believers? We are certain every godly one would rejoice to hear their voices, even though it might be but the “five words,” the very lispings of a babe in Christ.
And there are many lonely ones to whom the word of life and peace might be carried by their lips, by whom the preacher’s voice is never heard, who would welcome a visit from a child of God, and gladly hear a portion of the Word read.