It is around the person of a living Christ then, that G.o.d"s a.s.sembly is gathered. It is not round a doctrine, however true; nor round an ordinance, however important; but round a living, divine Person. This is a great cardinal and vital point which must be distinctly seized, tenaciously held, and faithfully and constantly avowed and carried out.
"To whom coming." It is not said "_To which_ coming." We do not come to a thing, but to a Person. "Let us go forth therefore unto _Him_" (Heb.
xiii.). The Holy Ghost leads us _only_ to Jesus. Nothing short of this will avail. We may speak of joining _a_ church, becoming a member of a congregation, attaching ourselves to a party, a cause, or an interest.
All these expressions tend to darken and confuse the mind, and hide from our view the divine idea of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d. It is not our business to join anything. When G.o.d converted us, He joined us by His Spirit to Christ and to all the members of Christ, and that should be enough for us. Christ is the only centre of G.o.d"s a.s.sembly.
And, we may ask, is not He sufficient? Is it not quite enough for us to be "joined to the Lord?" Why add aught thereto? "Where two or three are gathered together _in My name_, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt.
xviii. 20). What more can we need? If Jesus is in our midst, why should we think of setting up a human president? Why not unanimously and heartily allow Him to take the president"s seat, and bow to Him in all things? Why set up human authority, in any shape or form, in the house of G.o.d? But this is done, and it is well to speak plainly about it. Man is set up in that which professes to be an a.s.sembly of G.o.d. We see human authority exercised in that sphere in which divine authority alone should be acknowledged. It matters not, so far as the foundation principle is concerned, whether it be pope, parson, priest, or president. It is man set up in Christ"s place. It may be the pope appointing a cardinal, a legate, or a bishop to his sphere of work; or it may be a president appointing a man to exhort or to pray for ten minutes. The principle is one and the same. It is human authority acting in that sphere where only G.o.d"s authority should be owned. If Christ be in our midst, we can count on Him for everything.
Now, in saying this, we antic.i.p.ate a very probable objection. It may be said by the advocates of human authority, "How could an a.s.sembly ever get on without some human presidency? Would it not lead to all sorts of confusion? Would it not open the door for everyone to intrude himself upon the a.s.sembly, quite irrespective of gift or qualification?"
Our answer is a very simple one. Jesus is all-sufficient. We can trust Him to keep order in His house. We feel ourselves far safer in His gracious and powerful hand than in the hands of the most attractive human president. We have all spiritual gifts treasured up in Jesus. He is the fountain-head of all ministerial authority. "He hath the seven stars." Let us only confide in Him, and the order of our a.s.sembly will be as perfectly provided for as the salvation of our souls. This is just the reason of our connecting, in the t.i.tle of this pamphlet, "The all-sufficiency of the name of Jesus" with the "a.s.sembly of G.o.d." We believe that the name of Jesus is, in very truth, all-sufficient, not only for personal salvation, but for all the exigencies of the a.s.sembly--for worship, communion, ministry, discipline, government, everything. Having Him, we have all and abound.
This is the real marrow and substance of our subject. Our one aim and object is to exalt the name of Jesus; and we believe He has been dishonored in that which calls itself His house. He has been dethroned, and man"s authority has been set up. In vain does He bestow a ministerial gift; the possessor of that gift is not free to exercise it without the seal, the sanction, and the authority of man. And not only is this so, but if man thinks proper to give his seal, his sanction and authority, to one possessing not a particle of spiritual gift--yea, it may be, not a particle of spiritual life--he is nevertheless a recognized minister. In short, man"s authority without Christ"s gift makes a man a minister; whereas Christ"s gift without man"s authority does not. If this be not a dishonor done to the Lord Christ, what is?
Christian reader, pause here, and deeply ponder this principle of human authority. We confess we are anxious you should get to the root of it, and judge it thoroughly, in the light of Holy Scripture, and the presence of G.o.d. It is, be a.s.sured of it, the grand point of distinction between the principles of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d and every human system of religion under the sun. If you look at all those systems, from Romanism down to the most refined form of religious a.s.sociation, you will find man"s authority recognized and demanded. With that you may minister; without it you must not. On the contrary, in the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, Christ"s gift _alone_ makes man a minister, apart from all human authority. "Not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and G.o.d the Father, who raised Him from the dead." (Gal. i. I). This is the grand principle of ministry in the a.s.sembly of G.o.d.
Now, in cla.s.sing Romanism with all the other religious systems of the day, let it, once for all, be distinctly understood that it is _only_ in reference to the principle of ministerial authority. G.o.d forbid that we should think of comparing a system which shuts out the word of G.o.d, and teaches idolatry, the worship of saints and angels, and a whole ma.s.s of gross, abominable error and superst.i.tion, with those systems where the word of G.o.d is held up, and more or less of scriptural truth promulgated. Nothing can be further from our thoughts. We believe popery to be Satan"s master-piece, in the way of a religious system, although many of the people of G.o.d have been, and may yet be, involved therein.
Further, let us at this stage plainly aver that we believe the saints of G.o.d are to be found in every Protestant community, both as ministers and members; and that the Lord uses them in many ways--blesses their work, service, and personal testimony.
And, finally, we feel it right to declare that we would not move a finger to touch any one of those systems. It is not with the systems we have to do; the Lord will deal with them. Our business is with the saints in those systems, to seek by every spiritual and scriptural agency to get them to own and act upon the divine principles of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d.
Having said thus much, in order to prevent misunderstanding, we return with increased power to our point, namely, that the thread of human authority runs through every religious system in Christendom, and that, in good truth, there is not a hair"s breadth of consistent standing ground between the church of Rome and a true expression of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d. We believe that an honest seeker after truth, setting out from amid the dark shadows of popery, cannot possibly halt until he finds himself in the clear and blessed light of that which is a true expression of G.o.d"s a.s.sembly. He may take years to travel over the intervening s.p.a.ce. His steps may be slow and measured; but if only he follows the light, in simplicity and G.o.dly sincerity, he will find no rest between those two extremes. The ground of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d is the true position for all the children of G.o.d. Alas! they are not all there; but this is only their loss and their Lord"s dishonor. They should be there because not only is G.o.d there, but He is allowed to act and _rule_ there.
This latter is of all-importance, inasmuch as it may be truly said, Is not G.o.d everywhere? And does He not act in various places? True, He is everywhere, and He works in the midst of palpable error and evil. But He is not allowed to _rule_ in the systems of men, seeing that man"s authority is really supreme, as we have already shown. And in addition to this, if the fact of G.o.d"s converting and blessing souls in a system be a reason why we should be there, then we ought to be in the church of Rome, for how many have been converted and blessed in that awful system?
Even in the recent revival we have heard of persons being stricken in Roman Catholic chapels. What proves too much proves nothing at all, and hence no argument can be based on the fact of G.o.d"s working in a place.
He is sovereign, and may work where He pleases. We are to be subject to His authority, and work where we are commanded, My Master may go where He pleases, but I must go where I am told.
But some may ask, "Is there no danger of incompetent men intruding their ministry upon an a.s.sembly of G.o.d? And in the event of this, where is the difference between that a.s.sembly and the systems of men?" We reply, a.s.suredly there is very great danger. But then such a thing would be _despite_, not in virtue of, the principle. This makes all the difference. Yes, indeed, we have seen mistakes and failures which are most humiliating.
Let no one imagine that, while we contend for the truth concerning the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, we are at all ignorant or forgetful of the dangers and trials to which any carrying out its principles are exposed. Far from it. No one could be for twenty-eight years on that ground without being painfully conscious of the difficulty of maintaining it. But then the very trials, dangers, and difficulties only prove to be so many proofs--painful if you please, but proofs of the truth of the position; and were there no remedy but an appeal to human authority--a setting up of man in Christ"s place--a return to worldly systems, we should without hesitation p.r.o.nounce the remedy to be far worse than the disease. For were we to adopt the remedy, we should have the very worst symptoms of the disease, not to be mourned over as disease, but gloried in as the fruits of so-called order.
But blessed be G.o.d, there is a remedy. What is it? "_There am I_ in the midst." This is enough. It is not, "There is a pope, a priest, a parson, or a president in their midst, at their head, in the chair, or in the pulpit." No thought of such a thing, from cover to cover of the New Testament. Even in the a.s.sembly of G.o.d at Corinth, where there was most grievous confusion and disorder, the inspired apostle never hints at such a thing as a human president, under any name whatsoever. "_G.o.d is the author_ of peace in all the a.s.semblies of the saints" (I Cor. xiv.
33). G.o.d was there to keep order. They were to look to Him, not to a man, under any name. To set up man to keep order in G.o.d"s a.s.sembly is sheer unbelief, and an open insult to the Divine Presence.
Now, we have been often asked to adduce Scripture in proof of the idea of divine presidency in an a.s.sembly. We at once reply, "There am I;" and "G.o.d is the Author." On these two pillars, even had we no more, we can triumphantly build the glorious truth of divine presidency--a truth which _must_ deliver all, who receive and hold it from G.o.d, from every system of man, call it by what name you please. It is, in our judgment, impossible to recognize Christ as the centre and sovereign ruler in the a.s.sembly, and continue to sanction the setting up of man. When once we have tasted the sweetness of being under Christ, we can never again submit to the servile bondage of being under man. This is not insubordination or impatience of control. It is only the utter refusal to bow to a false authority--to sanction a sinful usurpation. The moment we see man usurping authority in that which calls itself the church, we simply ask, "Who are you?" and retire to a sphere where G.o.d alone is acknowledged.
"But, then, there are errors, evils, and abuses even in this very sphere." Doubtless; but if there are, we have the word of G.o.d to correct them. And hence, if an a.s.sembly should be troubled by the intrusion of ignorant and foolish men--men who have never yet measured themselves in the presence of G.o.d--men who boldly overleap the wide domain over which common sense, good taste, and moral propriety preside, and then vainly talk of being led by the Holy Spirit--restless men, who _will_ be at something, and who keep the a.s.sembly in a continual state of nervous apprehension, not knowing what is to come next--should any a.s.sembly be thus grievously afflicted, what should they do? Abandon the ground in impatience, chagrin, and disappointment? give all up as a myth, a fable, an idle chimera? go back to that from which they once came out? Alas!
this is what some have done, thus proving that they never understood what they had been doing; or if they had understood it, that they had not faith to pursue it. May the Lord have mercy upon such, and open their eyes that they may see from whence they have fallen, and get a true view of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, in contrast with the most attractive of the systems of men.
But what is an a.s.sembly to do when abuses creep in? Correct them by the word of G.o.d. This is G.o.d"s authoritative voice.
We are fully aware of the difficulties and trials connected with any expression of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d. We believe its difficulties and trials are perfectly characteristic. There is nothing under the canopy of heaven that the devil hates as he hates that. He will leave no stone unturned to oppose it. We have seen this exemplified again and again. An evangelist may go to a place and preach the all-sufficiency of the name of Jesus for the salvation of the soul, and he will have thousands hanging on his lips. Let the same man return, and, while he preaches the same gospel, take another step and proclaim the all-sufficiency of that same Jesus for all the exigencies of an a.s.sembly of believers, and he will find himself opposed on all hands. Why is this? Because the devil hates the very feeblest expression of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d. You may see a town left for ages and generations to its dark and dull routine of religious formalism--a dead people gathering once a week to hear a dead man go through a dead service, and all the rest of the week living in sin and folly. There is not a breath of life, not a leaf stirring. The devil likes it well. But let some one come and unfurl the standard of the name of Jesus--Jesus for the soul and Jesus for the a.s.sembly--and you will soon see a mighty change. The rage of h.e.l.l is excited, and the dark and dreadful tide of opposition rises.
This, we most fully believe, is the true secret of many of the bitter attacks that have been recently made on those who maintain the principles of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d. No doubt we have to mourn over many mistakes, errors, and failures. We have given much occasion to the adversary in various ways. We have been a poor blotted epistle, a faint and feeble witness, a flickering light. For all this we have to be deeply humbled before our G.o.d. Nothing could be more unbecoming in us than pretention or a.s.sumption, or the putting forth of high-sounding ecclesiastical claims. The dust is our place. Yes, beloved brethren, the place of confession and self-judgment becomes us, in the presence of our G.o.d.
Still, we are not to let slip the glorious principles of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d because we have so shamefully failed in carrying them out: we are not to judge the truth by our exhibition of it, but to judge our exhibition by the truth. It is one thing to occupy divine ground, and another thing to carry ourselves properly thereon; and while it is perfectly right to judge our practice by our principles, yet truth is truth for all that, and we may rest a.s.sured that the devil hates the truth which characterizes the a.s.sembly. A mere handful of poor people, gathered in the name of Jesus, as members of His body, to break bread in remembrance of Him, is a thorn in the side of the devil. True it is that such an a.s.sembly evokes the wrath of men, inasmuch as it throws their office and authority overboard, and they cannot bear that. Yet we believe the root of the whole matter will be found in Satan"s hatred of the special testimony which such an a.s.sembly bears to the all-sufficiency of the name of Jesus for every possible need of the saints of G.o.d.
This is a truly n.o.ble testimony, and we earnestly long to see it more faithfully carried out. We may fully count upon intense opposition. It will be with us as it was with the returned captives in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. We may expect to encounter many a Rehum and many a Sanballat. Nehemiah might have gone and built any other wall in the whole world but the wall of Jerusalem, and Sanballat would never have molested him. But to build the wall of Jerusalem was an unpardonable offence. And why? Just because Jerusalem was G.o.d"s earthly centre, round which He will yet gather the restored tribes of Israel. This was the secret of the enemy"s opposition. And mark the affected contempt. "If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." And yet Sanballat and his allies were not able to break it down. They might cause it to cease because of the Jews" lack of faith and energy; but they could not break it down when G.o.d would have it up. How like is this to the present moment! Surely there is nothing new under the sun. There is affected contempt, but real alarm. And, oh! if those who are gathered in the name of Jesus were only more true in heart to their blessed Centre, what testimony there would be! What power! What victory! How it would tell on all around. "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I." There is nothing like this under the sun, be it ever so feeble and contemptible. The Lord be praised for raising up such a witness for Himself in these last days. May He greatly increase its effectiveness, by the power of the Holy Ghost!
3. We must now very briefly glance at our third point, namely, what is the power by which the a.s.sembly is gathered. Here again man and his doings are set aside. It is not man"s will choosing; nor man"s reason discovering; nor man"s judgment dictating; nor man"s conscience demanding; it is the Holy Ghost gathering souls to Jesus. As Jesus is the only centre, so the Holy Ghost is the only gathering power. The one is as independent of man as the other. It is "where two or three are _gathered_." It does not say "where two or three are _met_." Persons may meet together round any centre, on any ground, by any influence, and merely form a society, an a.s.sociation, a community. But the Holy Ghost gathers saved souls only to Christ.
An a.s.sembly may not embrace all the saints of G.o.d in a locality. In such a case they cannot be called the a.s.sembly of G.o.d in that place. But if they are a.s.sembled as members of the body of Christ, they occupy the ground of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d.
This is a very simple truth. A soul led by the Holy Ghost will gather only to the name of the Lord; and if we gather to aught else, be it a point of truth, or some ordinance or another, we are not in that matter led by the Holy Ghost. It is not a question of life or salvation.
Thousands are saved by Christ that do not own Him as their centre. They are gathered to some form of church government, some favorite doctrine, some special ordinance, some gifted man. The Holy Ghost will never gather to any one of these. He gathers only to a risen Christ. This is true of the whole Church of G.o.d upon earth; and each local a.s.sembly, wherever convened, is the expression of the whole.
Now, the _power_ in an a.s.sembly will very much depend upon the measure in which each member thereof is gathered in integrity of heart to the name of Jesus. If I am gathered to a party holding peculiar opinions--if I am attracted by the people, or by the teaching--if, in a word, it be not the power of the Holy Ghost, leading me to the true Centre of G.o.d"s a.s.sembly, I shall only prove a hindrance, a weight, a cause of weakness.
I shall be to an a.s.sembly what a waster is to a candle; and instead of adding to the general light and usefulness, I shall do the very reverse.
All this is deeply practical. It should lead to much exercise of heart and self-judgment as to what has drawn me to an a.s.sembly, and as to my ways therein. We are fully persuaded that the tone and testimony of an a.s.sembly have been greatly weakened by the presence of persons not understanding their position. Some present themselves there because they get teaching and blessing there which they cannot get anywhere else.
Some come because they like the simplicity of the worship. Others come looking for love. None of these things are up to the mark. We should be in an a.s.sembly simply because the name of Jesus is the only standard set up there, and the Holy Spirit has "gathered" us thereto.
No doubt ministry is most precious, and we shall have it, in more or less power, where all is ordered aright. So also as to simplicity of worship: we are sure to be simple, and real, and true, when the divine presence is realized, and the sovereignty of the Holy Ghost fully owned and submitted to. And as to love, if we go _looking for it_ we shall surely be thoroughly disappointed: but if we are enabled to _cultivate_ and _manifest it_, we shall be sure to get a great deal more than we expect or deserve. It will generally be found that those persons who are perpetually complaining of want of love in others are utterly failing in love themselves; and, on the other hand, those who are really walking in love will tell you that they receive a thousand times more than they deserve. Let us remember that the best way to get water out of a dry pump is to pour a little water in. You may work at the handle until you are tired, and then go away in fretfulness and impatience, complaining of that horrible pump; whereas, if you would just pour in a little water, you would get in return a gushing stream to satisfy your utmost desire.
We have but little conception of what an a.s.sembly would be were each one distinctly led by the Holy Ghost, and gathered _only_ to Jesus. We should not then have to complain of dull, heavy, unprofitable, trying meetings. We should have no fear of an unhallowed intrusion of mere nature and its restless doings--no _making_ of prayer--no talking for talking"s sake--no hymn-book seized to fill a gap. Each one would know his place in the Lord"s immediate presence--each gifted vessel would be filled, fitted, and used by the Master"s hand--each eye would be directed to Jesus--each heart occupied with Him. If a chapter were read, it would be the very voice of G.o.d. If a word were spoken, it would tell with power upon the heart. If prayer were offered, it would lead the soul into the very presence of G.o.d. If a hymn were sung, it would lift the spirit up to G.o.d, and be like sweeping the strings of the heavenly harp. We should have no ready-made sermons--no teaching or preaching prayers, as though we would explain doctrines to G.o.d, or tell Him a whole host of things about ourselves--no praying _at_ our neighbors, or asking for all manner of graces for them, in which we ourselves are lamentably deficient--no singing for music"s sake, or being disturbed if harmony be interfered with. All these evils should be avoided. We should feel ourselves in the very sanctuary of G.o.d, and enjoy a foretaste of that time when we shall worship in the courts above, and go no more out.
We may be asked, "Where will you find all this down here?" Ah! this is the question. It is one thing to present a _beau ideal_ on paper, and another thing to realize it in the midst of error, failure, and infirmity. Through mercy, some of us have tasted, at times, a little of this blessedness. We have occasionally enjoyed moments of heaven upon earth. Oh, for more of it! May the Lord, in His great mercy, raise the tone of the a.s.semblies everywhere! May He greatly enlarge our capacity for more profound communion and spiritual worship! May He enable us so to walk, in private life, from day to day so as to judge ourselves and our ways in His holy presence, that at least we may not prove a lump of lead or a waster to any of G.o.d"s a.s.semblies.
And then, even though we may not be able to reach in experience the true expression of the a.s.sembly, yet let us never be satisfied with anything less. Let us honestly aim at the loftiest standard, and earnestly pray to be lifted up thereto. As to the _ground_ of G.o.d"s a.s.sembly, we should hold it with jealous tenacity, and never consent for an hour to occupy any other. As to the tone and character of an a.s.sembly, they may and will vary immensely, and will depend upon the faith and spirituality of those gathered. Where the tone of things is felt to be low,--when meetings are felt to be unprofitable--where things are said and done repeatedly which are felt by the spiritual to be wholly out of place, let all who feel it wait on G.o.d--wait continually--wait believingly--and He will a.s.suredly hear and answer. In this way the very trials and exercises which are peculiar to an a.s.sembly will have the happy effect of casting us more immediately upon Him, and thus the eater will yield meat, and the strong sweetness. We must count upon trials and difficulties in any expression of the a.s.sembly, just because it is _the_ right and divine way for G.o.d"s people on earth. The devil will put forth every effort to drive us from that true and holy ground. He will try the patience, try the temper, hurt the feelings, cause offence in nameless and numberless ways--anything and everything to make us forsake the true ground of the a.s.sembly.
It is well to remember this. We can only hold the divine ground by faith. This marks the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, and distinguishes it from every human system. You cannot get on there save by faith. And, further, if you want to be somebody, if you are seeking a place, if you want to exalt _self_, you need not think of any true expression of the a.s.sembly.
You will soon find your level there, if it be in any measure what it should be. Fleshly or worldly greatness, in any shape, will be of no account in such an a.s.sembly. The Divine Presence withers up everything of that kind, and levels all human pretension. Finally, you cannot get on in the a.s.sembly if you are living in secret sin. The Divine Presence will not suit you. Have we not often experienced in the a.s.sembly a feeling of uneasiness, caused by the recollection of many things which had escaped our notice during the week? Wrong thoughts--foolish words--unspiritual ways--all these things crowd in upon the mind, and exercise the conscience, in the a.s.sembly! How is this? Because the atmosphere of the a.s.sembly is more searching than that which we have been breathing during the week. We have not been in the presence of G.o.d in our private walk. We have not been judging ourselves; and hence, when we take our place in a spiritual a.s.sembly, our hearts are detected--our ways are exposed in the light; and that exercise which ought to have gone on in private--even the needed exercise of self-judgment, must go on at the table of the Lord. This is poor, miserable work for us, but it proves the power of the presence of G.o.d in the a.s.sembly. Things must be in a miserably low state in any a.s.sembly when hearts are not thus detected and exposed. It is a fine evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in an a.s.sembly when careless, carnal, worldly, self-exalting, money-loving, unprincipled persons are compelled to judge themselves in G.o.d"s presence, or, failing this, are driven away by the spirituality of the atmosphere. Such an a.s.sembly is no place for these. They can breathe more freely outside.
Now, we cannot but judge that numbers that have departed from the ground of the a.s.sembly have done so because their practical ways did not comport with the purity of the place. No doubt it is easy, in all such cases, to find an excuse in the conduct of those who are left behind.
But if the _roots_ of things were in every case laid bare, we should find that many leave an a.s.sembly because of inability or reluctance to bear its searching light. "Thy testimonies are very sure; holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, forever." Evil _must_ be judged, for G.o.d cannot sanction it. If an a.s.sembly does not it is not practically G.o.d"s a.s.sembly at all, though composed of Christians, as we say. To pretend to be an a.s.sembly of G.o.d, and not judge false doctrine and evil ways, would involve the blasphemy of saying that G.o.d and wickedness can dwell together. The a.s.sembly of G.o.d must keep itself pure, because it is His dwelling-place. Men may sanction evil, and call it liberality and large-heartedness so to do; but the house of G.o.d must keep itself pure.
Let this great practical truth sink down into our hearts, and produce its sanctifying influence upon our course and character.
4. A very few words will suffice to set forth, in the last place, "the _authority_" on which the a.s.sembly is gathered. It is the word of G.o.d alone. The charter of the a.s.sembly is the eternal Word of the living and true G.o.d. It is not the traditions, the doctrines, nor the commandments of men. A pa.s.sage of Scripture, to which we have more than once referred in the progress of this paper, contains at once the standard round which the a.s.sembly is gathered, the power by which it is gathered, and the authority by which it is gathered--"the name of Jesus"--"the Holy Ghost"--"the word of G.o.d."
Now these are the same all over the world. Whether I go to New Zealand, to Australia, to Canada, to London, to Paris, to Edinburg, or Dublin, the Centre, the gathering Power, and the authority are one and the same.
We can own no other centre but Christ; no gathering energy but the Holy Ghost; no authority but the word of G.o.d; no characteristic but holiness of life and soundness in doctrine.
Such is a true expression of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, and we cannot acknowledge aught else. Saints of G.o.d we can acknowledge, love, and honor as such, wherever we find them; but human systems we look upon as dishonoring to Christ, and hostile to the true interest of the saints of G.o.d. We long to see all Christians on the true ground of the a.s.sembly.
We believe it to be the place of real blessing and effective testimony.
We believe there is a character of testimony yielded by carrying out the principles of the a.s.sembly which cannot be yielded otherwise, even were each member a Whitefield in evangelistic power. We say this not to lower evangelistic work. G.o.d forbid. We would that all were Whitefields. But then we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that many affect to despise the a.s.sembly, under the plea of going out as evangelists; and when we trace their path, and examine the results of their work, we find that they have no provision for the souls that have been converted by their means.
They seem not to know what to do with them. They quarry the stones, but do not build them together. The consequence is that souls are scattered hither and thither, some persuing a desultory course, others living in isolation, all at fault as to true Church ground.
Now, we believe that all these should be gathered on the ground of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, to have "fellowship in the breaking of bread and in prayer." They should "come together on the first day of the week, to break bread," looking to the Lord Christ to edify them by the mouth of whom He will. This is the simple path--the normal, the divine idea, needing, it may be, more faith to realize it, because of the clashing and conflicting elements of the present day, but none the less simple and true on that account.
We are aware, of course, that all this will be p.r.o.nounced proselytizing, and party spirit, by those who seem to regard it as the very _beau ideal_ of Christian liberality and large-heartedness to be able to say, "I belong to nothing." Strange, anomalous position! It just resolves itself in this: it is _somebody_ professing _nothingism_ in order to get rid of all responsibility, and go with all and everything. This is a very easy path for nature, and amiable nature, but we shall see what will come of it in the day of the Lord. Even now we regard it as positive unfaithfulness to Christ, from which may the good Lord deliver His people.
But let none imagine that we want to place the evangelist and the a.s.sembly in opposition. Nothing is further from our thoughts. The evangelist should go forth from the bosom of the a.s.sembly, in full fellowship therewith; he should work not only to gather souls to Christ, but also bring them to an a.s.sembly, where divinely-gifted pastors might watch over them, and divinely-gifted teachers instruct them. We do not want to clip the evangelist"s wings, but only to guide his movements.
We are unwilling to see real spiritual energy expended in desultory service. No doubt it is a grand result to bring souls to Christ. Every soul linked to Jesus is a work done forever. But ought not the lambs and sheep to be gathered and cared for? Would anyone be satisfied to purchase sheep, and then leave them to wander whithersoever they list?
Surely not. But whither should Christ"s sheep be gathered? Is it into the folds of man"s erection, or into an a.s.sembly gathered on divine ground? Into the latter unquestionably; for that, we may rest a.s.sured, however feeble, however despised, however blackened and maligned, is the place for all the lambs and sheep of the flock of Christ.
Here, however, there will be responsibility, care, anxiety, labor, a constant demand for watchfulness and prayer; all of which flesh and blood would like to avoid, if possible. There is much that is agreeable and attractive in the idea of going through the world as an evangelist, having thousands hanging on one"s lips, and hundreds of souls as the seals of one"s ministry: but what is to be done with these souls? By all means show them their true place with those gathered on the ground of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, where, notwithstanding the ruin and apostasy of the professing body, they can enjoy spiritual communion, worship, and ministry. This will involve much trial and painful excise. It was so in apostolic times. Those who really cared for the flock of Christ had to shed many a tear, send up many an agonizing prayer, spend many a sleepless night. But, then, in all these things, they tasted the sweetness of fellowship with the chief Shepherd; and when He appears, their tears, their prayers, their sleepless nights will be remembered and rewarded; while those who are building up human systems will find them all come to an end, to be heard of no more forever; and the false shepherds, who ruthlessly seize the pastoral staff only to use it as an instrument of filthy gain to themselves, shall have their faces covered with everlasting confusion.
But, we may be asked, "Is it not worse than useless to seek to carry out the principles of the a.s.sembly of G.o.d, seeing that the professing Church is in such complete ruin?" We reply by asking, "Are we to be disobedient because the Church is in ruin? Are we to continue in error because the dispensation has failed?" Surely not. We own the ruin, mourn over it, confess it, take our share in it, and in its sad consequences, seek to walk softly and humbly in the midst of it, confessing ourselves to be most unfaithful and unworthy. But though we have failed, Christ has not failed. He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself. He has promised to be with His people to the end of the age. Matt. xviii. 20 holds as good to-day as it did 1800 years ago. "Let G.o.d be true and every man a liar."