Let me tell you about an event that turned the whole current of my future course from that day to
this.

I had heard that Captain W. and a few other Christians met on the first day of the week to break
bread, like the disciples in Acts 20. One Lord’s day morning, I went to see what this could mean.

I found them gathered in an upper room in Wellington Street, Sheffield (England). I sat behind,
and naturally looked for the pulpit. There was no pulpit, but a table spread, or covered with a
white cloth, and on it the bread and wine in commemoration of the death of the Lord Jesus.

I then looked for the minister, or president. There was no such person. All the believers gathered
were seated around the table. A deep, solemn impression fell upon me:"These people have come
to meet the Lord Himself." I have no doubt it was the Spirit of God that thus spoke to me.

It is impossible to describe the sense I had, for the first time, of being in the immediate presence
of the Lord Jesus, according to that word, "For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, there am I in the midst of them." I could scarcely notice what was done, I was so
overwhelmed with the presence of the Lord. No one can have any idea what this is unless really
gathered to His name.

What a contrast to everything I had seen before, and yet how simple! It was like going back to that
which was in the beginning of Christianity_before any priest was heard of to offer in the church
a sacrifice for the living and the dead.

I was surprised to find, strange as this gathering together of Christians to break bread appeared
to me, that it was exactly what we find in Scripture. Instead of even a minister at the Lord’s table,
I found the same simple liberty as described in 1 Cor. 14:29-37.

I was greatly struck with each believer worshiping the Lord in dependence on the Holy Spirit. I
felt that was my place, deeply unworthy as I was of it. Well do I remember the thought, "This is
my place, if even it were to be a doormat, for these Christians to wipe their feet on me."

After some weeks, I was named as one who desired to obey the Lord, "Do this in remembrance
of Me," and through grace, I took my place as one redeemed to God at the table. Shortly after
this, I experienced one morning, while we sat in silent, what I had never known before_the
leading of the Spirit of God.

It came as a gentle whisper from the Lord:"Read 2 Corinthians 1," and very precious thoughts
came into my soul on verses 3-5. I felt agitated, so much so that perspiration ran down my face
and body. We had sat some time in silence. I felt bidden to rise and read, but had not courage to
do so.

At length, Captain W., who sat at the other side of the room, arose and said, "Let us read 2

Corinthians 1." Then he ministered the very thoughts the Spirit had laid on my heart. This was
how I first learned the leading of the Spirit in the midst of Christians gathered to Christ. This has
been a matter of frequent occurrence for these many years.