Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-02-04
THE PLAN OLE WORK.

THE PLAN OF WOhh.
There were eight subjects considered at
the convention. The doors of the hall We're
locked and opened at intervals, that those
inside who wish to leave might retire, and
their places be filled by the crowd in wait
iEg outside. OF the eight subjects, the
Evangelistic, or Union services, came first.
Mr.. Moody recommends them. They are
engaged in by the different denominations.
I think they are very profitable at times,
but not desirable, unless there is some
lprovidential opening at the time. They
have an excellent effect, because, without
them the denominations become more in
rtensely UNCONVENTIONAL, and not in a good
sense. One thing was noticeable at these
meetings, and that was the fact that COL
lections don't make meetings unpopular.
At one of them at which collection was
taken up, it was the largest meeting OF
the series.
PRAYER MEETINGS.
The second subject was, ''How to con-
duct prayer meetings." Prayer meetings,
they hold, should be prayer meetings, and
not give way to the lecture. They should
be participated in by those present, and all
the work should not be done by the pastor.
The participation should be general. At
one of his meetings Mr.. Moody gave no
tice that he didn't want any one to lead in
prayer who had led in three months be-
fore, so that be might have new voices.
These meetings should be varied With re-
quests for prayer. Those of the congrega-
ton who could not speak should read pas
sages from the Bible-read the promises
contained in it. The ladies should take
part by writing some text or suggesting a
subject. There should be persons prepared
to speak, so there should be no tagging.
Strangers who come to the meeting should
be sought out and spoken to-. Proper care
should be taken to keep the members OF
a church busy, and not give them time to
90 to theatres and the like. At Mr..
Moody's church, in Chicago, he had nine
teen meetings a week-prayer meetings,
asornmittee meetings, boys meetings. All
his congregation were kept busy at work
1T is the best way, for it is much better to
keep ten men at work than to do ten mems
work.
INQUIRERs' MEETING.
The third division of the work is ''HoW
to conduct Inquiry meetings." 1t is bet
ter. they contend, to talk to inquirers-i1
YOU have them to talk to. than to ''preach'
to them. The person best qualified to dc
this is he who can talk best of Christ. He
who is best able to direct man to Christ
is the best talker. 1t is better to talk
with effect to one person in the meeting
than to address yourself to all. 1t is best, il
necessary, to spend whole evening on one
inqnirer. not only giving him instruction
but the best instruction for his case. Dt
not quote the bible to them-they may
mot remember it, but read out OF it to them
Don't give them your own experience, fo
all mems experience is not alike, and DON
b. suit each other. The Sd chapter Of Ro
mans may be read to them, for it's suita
bility to an inquirers' frame of mind. Lei
no obstacle turn you back. Il can't tall
to him. said one, at an inquiry meeting
ssba &c a skeptic." That is no reason, I'm
belief has many forms, and skepticism il
but one Of them, and may be overcome a
the rest. In talking with inquirers dom
nrofess to know 80 much what God thinks
1T inst read them what He says. Dom
nree inquirers into the Church. l saw
latter from a pastor of church, in Whicl