Tf It is said about us Free Churchmen that we think a great deal too much of preaching and a great deal too little of the prayers of the congregation. That is a stock criticism. I am
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bound to say that there is a grain of truth in it, and that there is not, with too many of our congregations, as lofty a conception of the power and blessedness of the united prayers of the congrega- tion as there ought to be, or else you would not hear about "introductory services." Introductory to what? Do we speak to God merely by way of preface to one of us talking to his brethren ? Is that the proper order ? " They continued steadfastly in the Apostles' teaching " no doubt ; but also " steadfastly in prayer."1
2. The Value of United Prayer. Can there be any one who has never felt how the sympathy of others multiplies joy and mitigates sorrow ? and in the domain of religion this is doubly and trebly true. Prayer and meditation upon God come so reluctantly from my heart when I pray and meditate alone, but seem as if they were winged when hundreds begin to pray and sing along with me, and seal the same confession with one general Amen.
TJ I often think of the negro woman who was once asked by the governor of Surinam why she and her fellows always prayed together. Could they not do it each one for himself? He happened to be standing at the time before a coal-fire, and the woman answered : " Dear sir, separate these coals from each other, and the fire will go out ; but see how brisk the flame when they burn together." From the mere circumstance that when in fellowship with others our hearts grow warm, we can easily understand what the Saviour means when He says, " Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And again, " If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." This, says a devout man, is as when the whole children of a family take heart, and with one accord beseech the father for a boon. It is then far harder for him to refuse.2
T| Prayer is much weaker than its real self if many do not join in it.3
0 grant me, Lord, that in my fight
With foes unseen by day and night,
Whether I watch, or praise, or pray,
Victor or vanquished, still I may
Know myself one of an unnumbered host,
Nor feel, like severed branch, my labour lost.
1 A. Maclaren. 2 A Tholuck. 8 St. Basil, Ep. 68.
ACTS ii. 42 6$
When singly I the foe provoke,
I fall beneath some sudden stroke
Aimed at my solitary head;
But if in compact rank arrayed,
I fight with millions at my side, no foe,
Whoe'er he be, has power to lay me low.
V.
They Continued Steadfastly.
1. Sudden conversions are not always lasting. Many causes besides enlightened conviction may bring about a change of view ; and not the least powerful of those other causes is moral contagion. When a mass of men is moved deeply by impassioned eloquence, it is difficult even for a man of calm self-possession to retain the mastery of his emotions, and keep himself free from the influence of that strong sympathetic feeling which, like an electric current, runs through a crowd, and moves many souls, as the mighty rushing wind heaves and tosses the waves of the deep. And what is too often the sequel ? Why, the utter absence of stead- fastness in the doctrine of Christ. When the cause ceases, the effect disappears. The sympathy dies out for want of fresh stimulus. Then all is dead. Like a house without a foundation, the assumed Christian profession may be swept away into utter and irretrievable ruin by the first tempest that beats upon it. It is like a human body whose spinal column has been materially damaged ; artificial props and stays are necessary to shore it up and prevent its collapse. One test then of sincere adhesion to Christ is steadfast adherence to His doctrine or His teaching — a walk and conversation in accordance with His mind and His precepts.
TJ I have sometimes heard of converts and workers at exciting revivals, who afterwards became limp and languid. When the missioner had departed, they felt like a wedding party when the bride and bridegroom have gone. When the huge choir was disbanded, the little chapel choir appeared so tame and common- place, and worship indeed had come to its dregs ! But here in the apostolic times the exciting day was over, the wonder had somewhat passed, but there was no perilous relanse. They
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continued in the same road, stepping out determinedly, continuing steadfast in the way of life.1
2. Steadfastness implies in particular two points. It implies definiteness and it implies diligence. It suggests either a definite standpoint and diligence to maintain it, or a definite aim and diligence to achieve it. Examples are plentiful to illustrate our meaning. The sentinel at Pompeii who remained firm at his post until the stream of lava engulfed him in its fiery embrace — he was steadfast. The soldiers on the ship Birkenhead who stood in their serried ranks on deck while the women and children got safely off in the boats, and who went down in unbroken order into their vast and wandering grave — they were steadfast. They had a definite standpoint, and they were diligent to maintain it. Nor are instances wanting of definiteness of aim and diligence to achieve it.