Why should the prominent church meeting of the New Testament, (aside from the Lord's supper) have so little place among us? We may call it by way of designation the "Open Meeting," as it has often been called, open for what we may be led to-prayer, praise, ministry, and worship. Ministry being prominent as in i Cor. 14:where one had "a psalm," another "a doctrine," another "an interpretation," and "two or three were to speak and the others to judge;" and all things were to be done "decently and in order." But does not the necessity of giving a name of this kind to this meeting arise from a lack of simplicity and obedience to Scripture? With simplicity and habitual yielding of ourselves to the Spirit's guidance would it not be a common meeting, and need no special designation. What has been allowed to take the place of the proper church-meetings and ministry of Scripture in the Church at large we well know-human devices of many kinds; and prominently "one man ministry." But if these have been rightly refused and escaped from, our tendency is still to return to them. And so it is that the assembly-meeting in which gifts would specially be used and developed, and the body be edified,-this assembly meeting hardly exists among us, unless on special occasion. Ministry we have at the breaking of bread, and in the prayer-meeting and in the reading-meeting, and in the preaching, by which we are blest; but we come short of the meeting in question.
In our low and feeble condition there may seem to be little hope that such a meeting can be sustained, but let us consider briefly the familiar scriptures that refer to it, and then also very briefly the condition we must be in to meet our responsibility. The first scripture we refer to is the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth chapters of first Corinthians ; and the other is Rom. 12:In the chapters in Corinthians we find, first, the many members in the one body spoken of, and their varied offices and activities; and in chap. 13:the "love" (charity) which must be the actuating motive in service; then in the fourteenth chapter an example of an assembly-meeting where members are exercising their gifts. The space devoted to the subject shows its great importance.
" How is it then brethren:when ye come together every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done unto edifying." It is true that they are being rebuked for too much activity, but still it was a meeting of the assembly open for any one to minister whom the Lord might lead to do so. Not too many were to speak, only two or three; for love would seek to edify, not to selfishly press oneself upon the meeting.
How gracious of the Lord to commit to us such a sacred responsibility, and what an excellent school of discipline and development for the members of the body; and what a loss not to diligently make use of what God has so provided!
In the twelfth chapter of Romans, the doctrine of our redemption being complete, devotedness is enjoined-the presenting our bodies a living sacrifice to God; and then at once we are exhorted as to our membership and place of service in the body. This puts in a strong light again the importance of what is before us. All the beautiful fruits and excellencies of Christian character that follow in the after part of the chapter, are a development of that devotedness, which begins with a sober estimate of one's gift as a member of the one body.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation." Then follow those excellent things we are familiar with, that shine like jewels:"Let love be without dissimulation; abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another . . . fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope . . . instant in prayer"-and many more. But what precedes it all, as we have seen, is our membership in the one body, and the gifts committed to us in that relationship. "So we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another,-having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."
Finally, as to the condition of soul needed that we may fulfil this responsibility, it has, in general, already been necessarily referred to-devotedness to God; and we can well conclude that where this is lacking, this open meeting will be the first to languish and die out, or rather it would be the meeting that would never be attempted. Worldliness, anxious care, covetousness, the wandering heart, formality, the lack of earnest prayer and joyful communion with the Lord, unfit us for the Master's use. But let us seek grace that it may not be so with us; and our consideration of. this subject, and confession of our real condition as so revealed by our incapacity, may lead to exercises far and wide, that will work deliverance. Is it not our shame that we should continue babes, and unable to use our gifts and our privileges? And this leads to many considerations as to our dependence on one another, and the great need there is that we should care for one another, and pray much for one another, as also for ourselves. What an interest we have in one another, that every one in the assembly and every family connected with us should have the blessing of God, and that hindrances should be removed. All this calls for diligence, vigilance, fasting, and prayer-a vigorous and healthful condition, instead of a slothful one, which would go with joy in the Lord, and increasing knowledge of God, while with it would be the Merari bitterness that belongs to those who care for the assembly, the house of God. For if our afflictions abound, the consolations of Christ abound also. There would then be more of the "sorrowing yet always rejoicing." But we are far from these things; yet, it we care about it and confess our need with prayer, we know well that the Lord will not fail to hear, and restore and bless through whatever rebukes and chastenings.
What habitual waiting upon God must be wrought in us, if we are to be found ready for special occasions; and if habitually thus, how easy, how simple a thing it is to receive from the Lord the word for the present need. So that all would know and rejoice that the present need was met by the Word in divine wisdom and grace.
How good then is our God, that if He calls upon us to fulfil our responsibilities and to use our gifts, it demands of us exercises that are pure blessing for us, and for His glory; for what is for His glory is for our blessing, which shows the glory and excellence of His character.
We should not be discouraged as to a meeting because we may at times weary one another. If there is habitual failure, there should be grace to admonish, and the Lord will give power to the admonition if from a patient and loving heart that has sought Him in prayer and faith.
May the Lord give us help, in His mercy, and lead us to count upon grace to enable us to do His will. May we bow down before the Lord about this in all the assemblies, and may we be ready to judge and let go everything that would unfit us to fill our place in the assembly; for we must either help or hinder; and how serious a consideration is this for all who love the Lord.
Shall we be dismayed by the smallness of our meetings? No doubt many can bear witness that at very small meetings, (when but two or three or a few more were present, or perhaps a rainy night, or wearied in body, or perhaps saddened by the absence of some) how the word by some brother was used for blessing, and they were made to feel how tenderly the Lord cared for them in their need, because they trusted Him.
May our hearts be alive to our need, and count upon the Lord to bless us. "He bringeth low and lifteth up." E. S. L.