The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-02-20

CuSLOlu WAS. us custom OF Jesus has
more than u mere suggestion, or advice,
for us. 1t may well have the f". CO Of a
law. What vas to him privilege may
be well consiIered our duty. This is
the more significant when we remember
that in those days there was much of
fern aud mechanical routine in tho syr-
agoguc services. There was much that
was unsatisfactory and even rcpulslvc to
the mind and heart of Jesus, yet his
custom was to attend the synapopue.
He did not forsakc the assemblies of
lsreal on the Sabbath days."
4. We have, besides, the example of
the little baud of ole hundred aud twcn-
ty disciples in their ten days prayer
meeting preceding Penlccost. 1t was a
crucial period with them, time of
great need, time Of expectancy. They
might have scattered themsulv,s 10 their
homes or the homes Of their tIicuds, and
slngly plead with God. But no. The
| urgent need, the one desire, the fellow
ship OF loviog hearts brought them to-
geIher. They needed each other. They
bel ped each other. In some mysterious
way iaith touching faith went out in Il
GRANGER sweep. The answer came.
| The Holy Ghost descended. The church
was annointcd for the great work.
D. AS welt might be adNuced the
constant practice OF the carly chuich.
| Acting undoubtedly under Divine ruid.
ance, the fist Christians met on the
LORDS day every where. Aud the history
OF the churChs PROGRESS is largely Il
| record OF those oncC-I. week gatherings
Indeed, nothing takes Is place moro
naturally as part OF the settled order
OF the church than the stated assemblies
for worship.
u. But reason that must not be
! overlooked for these nssembiics-u sci
evident rcasOn--is the instruction il
Divine truth which Is their uccessar,
accompaniment. Here Is God's uppoint
ed school for the iLcuica,ion Of the truth
Here the miuistry-a u Divine order is I,
pour out for the benefit of the Who'll,
church that treasure Of knowledge it ha
been enable to acquire. Here the bus,
man Of the world may have given hin
what he has not leisure to acquire TO
himself Here the ignorant are put uD
on the same footing as the wise. Th
plain practical truth is set before all
For this the ministry has been set aper
men chosen Of God, given leisure 70
this very thlng-that they may be we'll
instructed scribes, rightly dividing tn
word Of truth.
Aud it need not be contendcd tha
they are wiser than other mcu. In ,hci
lines many men IN their congregation
may be their supcriors. Bat iC doe
stand to reason that that one should b
best qualified to teach hcre-or, Indeed
in any cpartment-who has "drawn al
his studies that way.n
Z. 1t follows from what We have nj
ready seen that these assemblies are
means of grace. n means is a channu
or vehicle for the conveyance to us 0
good or evil. \ means of grace is
channel along which spiritual good flow
into our souls. The instructions we re
ceivc Ia Divine truth at church i sue
means Of grace. So is the FELLOWSHIP
, Of purpose, prayer and faith in the con
gregatiou Of Gods saints. Mighty wave
OF Innucncc break ovcr US. Iusensib
we lind ourselves stronger. NV broth
er's arm lnvisibly Gnc:rclcs nae. My pen
itcntial tears minglc with his. / an
borne along With rapturous song aut
the glad hallelujah.
ask you If it is not so? Have yo
not found it so in your own experience
Have you not proved it true both in tn
use, and again in The neglect Of thi
means Of grace.
3. Bnt the final reason we adduce
that our stated gatherings are necessit
to the prosecution Of the work of tn
church. Brother, perish the thought
that the precious treasure, the "pcarl q
great price" is to be laid up, as it wer
In napkin and hidden away. 1t is t
bring n,rathcr, large, returns to the Lor,
OF whom VIC are stewards ia the saliva
tion of souls.