I desire to present a few thoughts in reference to " Open Meetings " at our conferences. Many feel that much weakness is manifested in them, and thus they are losing their true character. Advantage has been taken of them, at times, for the presentation of subjects out of keeping with the meeting's object, with evident lack of the Spirit's leading.
This tends to bring the Open Meeting into disrepute. It has led to the expedient of asking certain brethren to give addresses, such as it is thought can edify the saints, and dispense with the Open Meetings, but losing both the exercise and the blessing connected with it. This may be a remedy for improper activities, but would not the remedy be, rather, to own the manifest weakness, and seek, by prayer and humiliation before the Lord, that He might so exercise and control His gathered people that the true character and consequent blessing of the Open Meeting might be realized ?
The importance of this meeting is that it tests us as to those principles which we avow, as gathered to the Lord's name. May not the loss, in measure, of its true character indicate some weakening among us of the power of these blessed principles ? Let me mention, in connection with the Open Meeting, a few things for our consideration and exercise before the Lord; and may He grant us the needed help.
1. We own the presence of the Holy Spirit in and among the gathered saints, and rejoice in .it. We also own that He is to lead in our activities as gathered together.
2. We own that the saints are responsible to give Him that place, fully; yet that is true only in the measure in which a spirit of true and patient waiting upon Him characterizes us. And this must be not only in the course of the meeting, but our usual condition before our coming together. Hasty, inconsistent actions would then be checked, or be absent altogether.
3. It would not be then, as too often we hear, " I wonder if brother so and so will speak," or, "I want to hear so and so," but our expectation will be from the Lord, instead of looking to, and expecting from man in this holy matter. Much depends on this spiritual attitude of the saints for the liberty of the Spirit.
4. It is a meeting as to which the Lord's servants should have special exercise, as having the greater responsibility in ministry, and that the Spirit may guide. Let us look to Him for that prophetic ministry which " speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort," according to i Cor. 14.
5. There is need also of waiting upon the Lord as to when, as well as to what we should speak, if there is some thing upon the hear t. For full blessing to the saints it must come when the Lord would have it. Ministry is not simply to give out something which comes to the mind, something familiar to the speaker, perhaps; or that which may have been for blessing on previous occasions, nor just because it is truth:the real question is, Is it the truth for the present need? Spiritual exercise and searching of heart is necessary before the lips are opened.
6. The 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians sets before us the order and character of the Open Meeting. Blest above others it may be, except that for the breaking of bread, in which, however, the same principles apply. In the Open Meeting we prayerfully wait upon the Lord to receive from Him, while in the breaking of bread we bring to Him our worship.
7. In the Open Meeting, if the Holy Spirit really has His place, not only will the saints be blest, but the unconverted will own God's presence (vers. 24, 25); and while it is not a Gospel meeting, the Lord will care for the need of all present.
8. Finally, though it may seem a point of small importance, which yet has decided effect on the minds of many, is the seating arrangement at such meetings. The formation around a center seems the natural and orderly way. If the seats face a platform it tends to produce an expectancy for one to occupy the platform, which is not the direction in which the mind should look. Let us not overlook small matters conducing to a proper spiritual attitude.
Our conferences are multiplying, and it is good for the saints to be drawn together. May the Lord give such guidance and ministry that these gatherings be to the glory of His name and the blessing of His people. "Revive Thy work, O Lord." John Bloore.