J B Johnston

The Prayer-meeting, and Its History, As Identified with the Life and Power of Godliness, and the Revival of Religion. ... J B Johnston

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. THE ADVANTAGES OF THE PRAYER-MEETING. rP HE prayer-meeting is not, in its principal, or special design--like the preaching of the word--a converting ordinance. It may be admitted, as a general principle, applicable to all ordinances, that each has some specific end for which it was appointed by the Head of the church; and yet each has many other important uses. As the Sacrament of the Supper had the commemoration of Christ's death for the end of its appointment, and yet has its various and important uses, as the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints in the broadest sense; as the preaching of the word is the special means of converting sinners, and yet has its general use in common with all other means of grace; as church government, discipline, censures, have all their special ends, and yet their general uses, and in many respects their common ends, to build up in comfort and holiness through faith unto salvation, so the prayer-meeting has its special end of appointment. As secret prayer is specially designed for the personal and spiritual benefit of the individual, and as family worship is specially appointed for the benefit of the family, so the prayer-meeting is instituted specially for the edification of the church in her membership, or the circle agreeing to meet statedly, or occasionally, for social prayer. Its fellowship is Christian, not ecclesiastical fellowship. Any society, or social circle, may voluntarily associate for prayer, and make its own terms of fellowship, while not infringing the laws of the church. A class of young men might form a circle for prayer and mutual advantage, and make their society exclusive. There may be reasons why a class of youth, not professors of religion, yet sensible of its importance, m...