The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-02-20
This custom Of Jesns has

custom was" This custom Of Jesus has
more than mere suggestion, or advice,
for US. 1t may well have the fo!ce Of a
law. What was to him privilege may
be well considered our duty. This is
the more significant when we remember
that in those days there was much of
fern aud mechanical routine in the syn
agoguo services. There was much that
was unsatisfactory and even rcpulslvc to
the mind and heart Of Jesus, vet his
custom was to attend the synagogue.
He did not forsake The assemblies of
Isreal on the Sabbath days."
4. We have, besides, tho example Of
the little band Of Ole hundred and twen-
ty disciples in their ten days prayer
meeting preceding Penlecost. 1t was a
crucial period with them, time of
great need, time Of expectancy. They
might have scattered themselves 70 their
homes or the homes of their friends, and
slngiy plead with God. But no. The
urgent need, the one desire, the fellow
ship Of loving hearts brought them to-
gether. They needed each other. They
helped each other. Iu some mysterious
way faith touching faith went out in a
grander sweep. The answer came.
The Holy Ghost descended. The church
was annointcd for the great work.
.. AS well might be adduced the
constant practice of the carly chuich.
Acting undoubtedly under Divine guild
ance, the first Christians met ou the
Lords day every where. Aud the history
OF the church's progress is largely u
record of those oncc-u week gatherings.
Indeed, nothing takes Is place more
naturally as part OF the settled order
1 HT lNr oh, rx,l, IL .l
| for worship.
6. Butt reason that must not be
| overlooked for these assembliCs-u self
evident reason-is the instruction in
| Divine truth which is their necessary
accompaniment. Here Is GOd's appoint
| ed school for the ihcuicalion Of the truth
Here the minjstry-a Divine order is to
pour out for the benefit of the who'll,
church that treasure Of knowledge it has
been enable to acquire. Hero the busy
man OF the world may have given hin,
| what he has not leisure to acquire 70,
himself Here the ignorant are put up
on the same footing as the wise, Tn,
plain practical truth is set before ALL
For this the ministry has been set apnr,
men chosen of God, given leisure fol
this very thing-!hat they may be well
instructed sCribcs, rightly dividing the
| word Of truth.
And it need not be contendcd tha,
they are wiser tban other mcu. In their
lines many men IN their congregations
may be their supcriors. But il does
| stand to reason that that one should be
best qualified to teach hcre-or, indeed
in any dcpartment-who has "drawn ali
his studies that way.n
| Z. 1t follows from what We have al.
ready seen that these assemblies arc a
| means OF grace. a means is u channel
| or vehicle for the conveyance to us OF
good or evil. means of grace is a
channel along which spiritual good flows
| into our soulg. The instructions we re-
ceivc ia Divine truth at church is such
| means OF grace. So is the fellowship
OF purpose, prayer and faith in the con.
gregation Of Gods saints. Mighty waves
| OF influence break over us. Iusensibly
VIC lind ourselves strongcr. NV broth.
cr's arm lnvlsibly Gncirclcs me. My pen.
ltcntlal tears mingle with his. [ am
borne along with npturous song aud
the glad hulclujnh.
L ask you if it is not SO? Have YOU
not found it SO in your own experience?
Have you not proved it true both in the
use, and again in The neglect Of this
means Of grace.
.. Bat the final reason we adducc is
that our stated gatherings are necessity
to the prosecution Of the work of the
church. Brother, perish the thought,
that the precious treasure, the "pearl Of
great price" is to be laid up, as it we've
IN a napkin and hidden away. 1t is to
bring IN, rather, large. returns to the Lord
OF whom we are stewards ia the saliva.
tion Of souls.