At the close of a recent midweek Bible study meeting the chairman announced that the customary arrangements had been made for the baptism of two candidates, and intimated also that for one of them special provision was necessary to overcome a disability. We then witnessed the typical burial beneath the water, and the rising again, hearing the well known words pronounced, “My dear friend on this confession of your faith, I now baptise you-“. At that hour a young lady, serenely glad and thankful, stepped into our midst—a new sister in Christ; and a stalwart, vigorous type of middle aged manhood became our brother in the Lord. For him the words of the baptismal service were written out, so that he could see and follow the meaning as they were spoken by the officiating brother.
Only a few of those present previously knew of the handicap afflicting this new believer, but all quickly responded to the need that the complete loss of hearing imposed, and after giving a welcoming greeting by pencil and paper went away with thoughtful reflections upon the incident and all that was implied.
A sequel was to follow at the next memorial meeting when the chairman rose to receive into fellowship these new members and expressed the wish to read to us first from a letter that a brother received before the meeting began.
“Dear F . . . I feel that I must write and tell you of the wonderful experience I had last night.
I only hope now that I can become a worthy member of the ecclesia. What a grand lot of folk that came and spoke to me, and although I had not the pleasure of hearing their voices, I could see the light shining in their faces and feel the warmth of their handshakes. . . . I have had many experiences in my life, but never one of such heart warming friendliness. My deafness has tended to make me withdraw from society, but I feel I would not hesitate in approaching any one of those splendid people. From now on I shall just live for the ecclesia and all it stands for. All those who were instrumental in bringing about and conducting my baptism have my grateful thanks for all they did.”
It is encouraging and satisfying to have such tokens of appreciation in recognition of the efforts to lead any willing person to the Truth. But could the efforts and welcome be anything less? There is no cause for any form of self-satisfaction; it would indeed be a most serious reflection on an ecclesia if there were any failure to exhibit the true helpful spirit of fellowship. For this is what every new member is led to expect. They read, in “The Epitome of the Commandments of Christ”, that each of them receives, to “Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ”1 and “We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” .2
If experience in the brotherhood is not in keeping with their expectations, these words are there to condemn us.
The grave and serious responsibility is upon the ecclesia, through the individual members, to see that there is no failure in the practical expression of selfless service to the “weaker” and handicapped ones. They can find new hope and comfort of mind amongst their brothers and sisters, not only in the beginning of their life in the Truth, but all the way along.
. . We have them in our ranks: the blind, needing the friendly contact to lighten the dark dreary hours; crippled ones, too, and the worn and weary of many years; the deaf and dumb, who, like the lady we read about in recent Ecclesial News, received the real “Glad Tidings” for her through the willing work of devoted ones in careful writing of details and answers.
The ecclesia can be richer for their presence, for the loving and faithful service rendered to them by the few can spark off a “chain reaction” among many others and cause to flow a stream of compassionate fellowship.
References
(1) – Gal 6. 2
(2) – Rom 15. 1
Fellowship with the Maker and Brethren