Morning Star

For the Morning Star.

HINTS RESPECTING PROTRACTED MEETINGS.—NO. 2.

Some protracted meetings produce no good effects, because the effort to promote the cause of God in them is merely mechanical. Into too many instances, it is to be feared, the churches feel that it is quite enough to appoint the meeting and the usual means for conducting them, and then expect, of course, that sinners are to be converted—with no preparation of heart they send for some minister of note, and then sit down quietly to enjoy themselves in airy dreams of future bliss.—thus rendering themselves the laughing stock of Satan. Others again will wake up to a kind of spasmodic effort, bustle about, make themselves very conspicuous, in whose piety but few or none have any confidence: this is always unhappy—such men do great injury instead of good.

The truth is, if we are not living so that we can be led by the Spirit, we need not expect success. There is one rule to be observed, which will invariably lead us right, "Let your eye be single to the glory of God and your whole body shall be full of light." The Gospel, if I understand it, requires us to be followers, not leaders—to learn—not to prescribe the modes of operation to the spirit of God. Thus following and relying on the direction, guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit, we may expect a glorious victory over our foes.

Again, these meetings are not blessed because they are not well attended: but few come out—they cannot afford to give their undivided attention and time, and excuse themselves with the vain plea, that their business drives, and the circumstances of their families are such, that they cannot attend. Now mark, many of these would find time enough to attend and carry on a petty law suit many miles from home. Or, peradventure, they will attend so many evenings, and if the Lord does not condescend to accept of such services, why sinners must go to hell. They do not, and possibly cannot, by reason of their blindness and hardness of heart, realize their responsibilities to God.

I scarcely know of a church in this region,* where a protracted meeting can be gotten up, with the understanding that it is to be continued thro' the day as well as evening, and it is, alas! too often the case, that very many who do attend, do not realize that God is saying to them, "Say not there are yet four months to the harvest,"&c. Like laborers engaged to reap the ripened grain, they go into the field and find a cool and agreeable shade—sit down—begin to sing and tell stories, and enjoy themselves. Day after day the same results—the consequence is the wheat perishes. Will their employer, when he comes to see his fields thus destroyed, accost these servants with "Well done, good and faithful servants!" My brother, beware—give your very best to God—not only attend constantly yourself, but use all your influence to engage others to attend—get up your teams if you have any; go round to your neighbors, carry them to the house of prayer, and you will not forget to pray for them yourself. I know an instance where a man, in moderate circumstances, took his team, went ten or twelve miles after friends and acquaintances, and the result was, fifteen were hopefully brought into the kingdom. How rich this man will be in the kingdom of glory! O poor rich professor, how my heart pities you.

J. R. P.