The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-03-08
For the Massachusetts Sp,.1
PUBLIC PRAYER MEETINGS



In the life Of the Rev Thomas Scot ID. ID nam
355, his views respecting prayer meetings are thns e.
pressed ain general am apt to think 1t verv difcp,
for minister TO form, or conduct prayer meetings in
such manner as that the aggregate good shall not be
counterbalinced, or even overbalanced, by positive
evil If any explicitly countenanced by the cerpv
man. they should exactly conform such regulations az
he shall deem expeden; or, if he attend noue should
oficiate except himself clerical friend or ass;s
tant for it must destroy all ministerial authority and in.
fuence for MIN 10 be present, while one Of his flock s
the mouth of God 10 the company. No caution can be
more important than what relates TO the persons called
forth, TO take active part in such services The first
proposal should be made with extreme care for when
man is onbe considered, of the PRAYING or ex
pounding persons it will not be very easy to Law him
aside, even if he become disgrace, and distress 10
most of the company" Now these views are so differ
ent from what are entertained by many the present
day, the question naturally arisesN no is right We
often read in some of the religious papers, and not un
frequently hear declared from the desk that profess
sors are not found at the weekly prayer neelings thew
give sad evidence of being the disciples Of Jesus Christ
Now, MIR Editor, think this is Judging rashy and with
out authority. There IS command, in the Bible for
people to meet weekly and in public manner for prat.
er, except on the Sabbath AL that we can gather Z
that Christians were together certain times for pray
er How often, we not informed here there il
be dnty--then we 10 he governed by our GOOD
Jud men and the teachings of experience Now Mr.
Editor, think cause OF lamenation that SO many
professors OF religion undertake be wise above what
is written" and are INV ing TO let duties have TIER
proper places. am firm believer IN the Bible and in
the elcacy OF prayer belle that the PRAYER Of the
righteous man availeh much Nothing can be more
important, than that pray in secret in our families
aud indeed, every where and at all times
we are expressly commanded TO pray to God in Sc.
cret and ne VIII reward US openly. How ought we to
re)oce mat Tod is omnpresen that are not obliged
10 90 10 any particular place, TO pray, or have
munl"n with him. How consoing 10 the poor man.
who has TO toll day after day. for an honest livelihood
that when he is at work-at home or abroad-in The
shop or IN the ield-hy sea, or by land he can prav
ana Can down blessings upon himself and his family and
the whole human race How consong 10 the aged
and nhrm that they, in this way can have intercourse
with their Maker But here am making rather d.
gression from my subject am in favor of occasional
public prayer meetings, but not lceekky for Relieve
ihey cannot Wei be sustained. have had chance 10
know about them. They always decline and RIM down
And why do they decline The first reason Is tbev
want Scripture au'hory-the second is they clash with
plain and positive duties. We are called nnon n he
dIgent IN business" and provide for ourselves and
iamieS-and how can this be done unless we in some
measure carry out the positive command-.sSix ddvs
shall, thou labor and do all thy work" MANY things
might be named which are productive of good if re-
strained within proper boonds that are rendered bad bv
excess Such frequent meetings are not only unscrin
tural, but productive Of evil, Or in the language of
Dr Scott the good is balanced and over-balanced nv
POSITIVE evil; The longer live, the am convince
ed that The learned and pous Dr. right in asserting
the improperly Of giving all liberty 10 lead in prayeT
and exPounn the scriptures. Il undoubtedly let's down
ihe authority and influence of the clergyman Il often
leads on to unhappy discussions, and hard feelngfor
1t IS fact (not TO be dsguised that as often as any
way the most ilIierate and unexempary are the most
assuming, Thirty years ago. public PRAY er meetings.
were he'd perhaps once month, and conducted in he
way Ina DR. Scott recommends and / bonestIv ,h;ns
that would be the bes way now 5 w