The Brethren - a brief sketch of their origin, Progress and Testimony by Andrew Miller

conveniently to each other, agreeing to come together once a week, or month, for prayer and reading the word. A president is chosen, who gives out the hymn, prays, reads the portion for the evening, and makes a few remarks by way of opening up the word; the first twenty minutes may be occupied by him. The others are now expected to give their opinions, and all remarks to be addressed to the chairman.

This kind of meeting tends, we have no doubt, to nourish both Christian fellowship and personal piety, but it lacks the living light and power which reveals Christ to the soul, and transforms it to His image. The Holy Spirit, though unintentionally, is practically displaced, and the mind is left in the darkness which the lack of simple dependence on the Lord causes. As the portion is announced for the forthcoming meeting, and the president named, he is expected to study it well.

The only other meeting we would name is the "Social Tea Meeting." The guests are selected, and invited by the brother, in whose house they meet. Sometimes there may be a mixture of rich and poor, according to the fancy of the host. After tea the conversation may be general, or some conversing and others having a little music. No one thought of taking a Bible or hymn book with him; but about 9 o'clock family worship was observed. The large Bible was placed on the table and some one was asked to officiate, generally the minister if he were present. A chapter being read, and prayer offered up, all resumed their free and easy attitude, and general conversation until called to supper. The breaking up depended a little on the liveliness of the meeting, or the heartiness of the host. This could scarcely be called a spiritual meeting; yet its object was good, inasmuch as it brought the members of a congregation socially together, and cultivated a brotherly feeling towards each other.

Those best acquainted with such meetings will readily testify that we have put the best possible appearance and construction upon them; there is nothing farther from our thoughts than to say a word that would pain the most sensitive mind. Our object is not to praise the Brethren, but to seek the Lord's glory in the blessing of all His people, and to set forth and press upon all Christians the adoption of those means which He has so richly blessed for edification. The blessing of God evidently rested most abundantly on those who were thus gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus.

THE VARIOUS MEANS OF SPREADING THE TRUTH. Besides the prayerful study of the word of God, the Brethren were most zealous in preaching the gospel to sinners; and from their increased knowledge of the finished work of Christ, and the riches of divine grace, it was preached with a clearness, fullness, and power, unknown since the days of the apostles; and many in different places were brought to know the Lord. So zealous were they in spreading the glad tidings that in some places almost every brother became a preacher. Teaching, or giving lectures on scripture to Christians was also greatly practiced by the better instructed. The important distinction between preaching the gospel to the unconverted and teaching Christians, as thus enforced and illustrated by the Brethren, was altogether new. The gift and work of the evangelist are perfectly distinct from those of the teacher; but the distinction has, always excepting the apostolic ace, never been acted upon in the church generally until very lately. Special gospel services in public rooms began to be held soon after the great Revival in 1859, and they have never since ceased. The gospel mission of Messrs.