The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-11
THE PRAYER MEETING.
THE REV. DIR. BRINEY READS AN IN.
sTRucTIvE PAPER.
He Points Out Wherein Lie Fitness
and Success in, Conducting This
Purely Devotional Part of Devout
Christian Worship.

At the meeting Of the Pastors associa-
ton OF this city, last Monday, the follow
ing paper was read by the Rev. J. d. Bri-
ney, pastor OF the Christian church. II
was ordered to DO furnished TO the morn
ing papers for publication:
Sometimes an institution takes its name
from some leading feature thereunto per-
tanning. The middle OF the week gather
ing of Christian people in house OF wor-
ship is called prayer meeting, because
prayer is presumed to be its leading char
acteristic. Not that such meetings are TO
be devoted exclusively to prayer, for the
purpose Of the prayer meeting is the cult
walton OF devotional spirit, and the de.
velopment OF spiritual life on the part OF
the members of the church Hence,
whatever tends to the accomplishment of
these results may legitimately occupy q
place in the proceedings OF the prayer
meeting; and while prayer should hold n
leading position, little variety will serve
agood purpose.
As in everything else requiring leader
ship, the success and efficiency of Il prayer
should be the pastor Of the church, or some
one else possessed largely of the qualifca-
tons necessary TO competent leadership.
He should he person eminently charac-
terized by purity, intelligence in scriptures
and practical common sense.
Every one called upon TO take part in the
= exercises should be able TO perform his
part TO the pleasure and edification OF the
assembly. II A. is to read q portion Of the
word OF God he should be able TO exercise
good taste and judgment in selecting the
passage 10 be read, and so TO read IL as 10
bring out and impress upon the audience
its meaning, power and beauty. Those
who lead in prayer should, first of all, be
pious, devotional people. II seems alto
gether out OF place 10 call ON u per
son TO lead the prayers OF Gods PEG.
Pile who does not pray and other
wise cultivate n devotional spirit in
secret. One who leads in prayer should
have such command Of language as will
enable him to clearly and ihtelligcntly ex-
press his thoughts so az neither TO mortify
nor amuse those whom lie is leading. IL
would be well for every prayer TO be the
embodiment OF some Leading desire Of the
heat, such desire as may he supposed
tobc common TO large number Of the
assembly. This would have a tendency u
avoid trcsome monotony, such as re-
suits when all the prayers cover about the
same range OF subjects Let one pray for
the sick, another for the careless and I'M
concerned, another for Young members oi
the church, another for the children in
the Sunday school, another for families,
another for ministers OF the word, another
for the officers OF the church. another for
civil rulers, another for hcathen missions.
etc.
The length Of the prayers should depend
OH circumstances. No one should feel that
h. is praying against tmc just 10 ill mp
~ many minutes This leads 10 confu.
sion 81 thought and vain repetition.
Nor should one feel that he is limited
10 ~ many seconds, and must pronounce
the amen when they are exhausted. re.
garlless of circumstances. Psychological
conditions come in here, and should be
very Influential in determining the length
Of prayers, II the soul u en- rapport with
the tlieme and the circumstances, and the
heart fully attuned 10 the praises OF God,
and the spirit In seli-lorgs,lulness is reach.
ing up toward the source Of all grace, LET
there b. no iron letters nor leaden weights
10 hinder
Prayer, the reading Of appropriate scrip
turcs. the singing OF psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs, and celebrations should
occupy most Of the time devoted 10 the
prayer meeting. But under the head OF
exhoriaton great csitc should be exercised
Every exhoriation should be 20 the point
and brief, and devoted 10 the development
OF single thought and should be dcliy
cred by some one capable Of speaking ~
"a TO edify those present. Whether d
prayer meeting should be thrown open fol
volunteer speeches is doubtful. II sub
jccts the meeting TO two gricvous evils, to
Wit OF painful and embarrassing silence
and the danger Of being imposed on b,
lobbyists and incompetent harang
ucn. ID is probably better fol
the leader 10 designate such ~
arc TO speak, and give them sevcra
days notice. Every cxhortation should
erciscs OF the evening. Some passag,
read or verse sung or prayer offered vii
present an idea that may be amplied in
bliei talk, and thus In the midst Of con
siderable variety sort OF general unity Il
preserved that blends the exercises int
beautiful harmony.
BY way Of preparing for the prayer
meeting and varying the exercises, q con
grcgation may enter upon course o
scripture reading In concert, all taking th'
same book and reading the same chapter
each day. In connection with this read
ing let there be question drawer In som,
convenient place about the church into
, which the readers may drop such qucs
tons m the daily readings may suggest
and LET thc pastor occupy fifteen minutes
. Of the prayer meeting hour In answering
these questions. The readers should bI
cautioned against asking improbable
y questions, such ae Where did Cain gc
his wife? and Who was Melchisedcck7
Another good way 10 add interest ant
give variety Is 10 have n series Of Bib,
readings M a part Of the prayer-mectinI
exercises. Let the leader select the topi'
and the passage 10 be read, and 10 mari
the places In the books 10 be- used that th'
readers will have no difficulty In finding
their respective passages, and let from si'
10 ten such books be put into the hands o
~ many pretty good readers, each bool
containing numbered slip Of paper
Ia, 2, etc.--and LET the readings process
In the order OF the numbers. This may b
followed by few very brief talks on th