This evening we commence a new work in connection with our ecclesia—a Sisters’ Bible Class. Our opening subject is: “Object of the Class: How to make it a success.”
In starting this Class, we are acting strictly on the lines of Scripture. Sisters are not to be cyphers in the truth’s operations. In apostolic writings the duties of sisters in relation to each other form a special and distinct feature. Sisters are commanded to teach one another how to be wise and discreet; how to honour Christ in the discharge of their daily duties—duty in the home — duty towards husband — duty towards children; and generally to look to one another’s spiritual welfare. To help the sisters to obey these injunctions is the object for which this Class has been formed. Hitherto we have carried them out solely by isolated efforts. In supplementing these by an organized effort, the way is opened to fulfill the apostolic instructions in a more thorough and efficient manner. By means of this arrangement we provide regular and fitting opportunities for putting into practice these injunctions, as well as for instructing and qualifying ourselves in relation to them.
Let us not suppose that our meeting is the Church, or that it is in any way public. It is simply a private gathering of sisters. We assemble in this hall as a matter of convenience, but the hall does not in any way affect the private character of our meeting.
So far as the past is concerned, few are satisfied, I am inclined to think, with our progress in divine knowledge. Let us therefore use this Class as a lever to raise us to a higher platform in spiritual mindedness. Let us use it as a reminder of the special responsibilities that attach to us as sisters, and, as a means of aiding one another in those difficulties and trials which sisters alone can understand and enter into. We want to make it an enlightening Class, a strengthening Class, a comforting Class, a watching Class, an awakening Class. If we are ignorant, weak, despairing, unwatchful, asleep, what must be the effect upon the ecclesia? We must necessarily act as an injurious influence. Where we should help, we hinder; where we should uphold, we ensnare; where we should be exemplary, we cause to stumble. I was glancing down the ecclesial register a short time ago, and was struck with the number of sisters who had, during the past few years, departed from the truth. The thought suggested itself. Had we given them all the help we should in building them up and keeping them in the right way? We do well to scrutinize our stewardship. We have now an opportunity for amendment When we are under Christ’s scrutiny this opportunity will have passed.
The Flesh is a Laggard
There are many ways in which this Class should prove helpful. It will give to many an incentive to study. The flesh is such a laggard that we find study very difficult without some immediate object in view. The Class will provide an object. It is to be hoped that as many as possible will yield to the incentive and work out the various subjects on the programme. Those who do so will certainly derive by far the greater benefit. Knowledge gained by our own research finds a far more lasting lodgement than knowledge conveyed to us by the lips of another. In working out a subject we also make our minds more receptive in regard to thoughts thrown out by others. Some will perhaps say,” I have no time for study, and even if I had, I have no ability to speak.” We would reply, “Though it be so, do not stay away. Come, and we will help you bear your burden.” It is within the scope of the Class that those who can labour in connection with it shall benefit those who cannot. We want the Class to prove a haven of comfort for all, especially to those who are weary and pressed by the cares of this life. “Make straight paths for your feet,” says the apostle. This is what the Class will do, in that it will open out the Word and its bearing on our daily duties. To those whose opportunities for home study are straitened, it will be particularly helpful.
It’s Easy to Read . . . But What Do we Learn?
Again, a collective consideration of a matter is calculated to bring better results than an individual consideration. It is possible to read the Bible without extracting the profit which it contains. We have all experienced this in the days of our ignorance. A bare scanning of words effects nothing. The benefit lies in the education and application of the interlying ideas. To read is easy, but it is not so easy to arrive at the significance of what we read. Other minds can greatly assist us to do this. If we shut ourselves up to the narrow groove of our own opinions we may entirely overlook the doctrine, the reproof, the correction, and the instruction which the Word contains, and become utter failures as regards its object. Solomon says, “Iron, sharpeneth iron,” so doth a man the countenance of his friend, and “In the multitude of counselors, there wanteth not wisdom.” The special circumstances of one bring to light aspects that would escape another. If many thoughtful and experienced minds are brought to bear upon one subject, it must receive a wider and deeper treatment, to the benefit of all who listen or take part in its consideration. God takes cognizance of this fact and bids us utilize it in keeping ourselves in the right way. He tells us to assemble ourselves together, to teach one another, to admonish one another, to exhort one another. And He moreover watches us to see whether we are faithful in this matter. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”
The Class will be further helpful, in that it will provide us with food for thought, both before and after the actual time of meeting. Right-thinking is the basis of right-acting. The righteous are described as meditating in the law of God day and night. This state of mind does not spring into being spontaneously. It can only be induced as the result of effort and determination. We have to control our thoughts and direct them in profitable channels. We have to create ways and means for exercising ourselves in spiritual things. This Class will afford us very material assistance in profitably occupying our thoughts and keeping them attuned to the mind of God.
How to Make the Class a Success?
We come now to the second part of our subject:—How to make the Class a success. If the Class is to be a success it will require both speakers and listeners. There is an opportunity for every sister in the ecclesia to help forward the work in one of these capacities. Many listeners have promised their support, but not many speakers. Perhaps the number of the latter will increase. It should do, if there be a proper recognition of the utility of the work. According to our estimate of its importance so shall we make sacrifices to engage in it. No service, however small, should be looked upon as unimportant. God has not now related us to great doings. He does not ask us to awe the world. (He simply tells us to turn to account every little opportunity that we can command). Our future award will be bestowed on the basis of fidelity in small matters. Our Class is a good work, and each one can show fidelity by doing their little in prospering it. If we can show sympathy and interest, let us not withhold it. If we can give faithful hearty counsel, and those who have been years in the truth should strive to do so, then let us give it. Let us bear well in mind that the success of the work is dependent upon individual effort. Let each one determine that it shall not be her co-operation that is a-wanting, and there will be no fear of the Class failing in the object for which it has been started.
One way by which we can second the efforts of the sisters in connection with the Class is by exhibiting a right demeanor when attending it. God requires us to manifest gravity, sober mindedness and discretion. We live in a world of giggling, chattering, empty-headed people. There is danger that we may imitate their ways. But these ways God abhors. In His eyes the world is a vast herd of swine. That which lifts the children of God above the swine is the mental change which they have undergone. If they neglect to show forth this change, God still regards them as swine—at enmity with Himself and a hindrance to His faithful ones. Let us therefore be very circumspect, lest by flippancy and foolish behavior we are found antagonizing the work of God.
God Hates Disorder
One of the first requisites to the profit of a meeting is order. Even spirit-endowed men fail to edify, and bring a meeting to confusion, if they neglect to observe method and system. God hates disorder, therefore He has commanded that all things shall be done “decently and in order.” Order demands that there shall be only one speaker at a time. Some of us have, in days gone by, seen the profit of a meeting quite marred by animated discussions carried on in whispers, first by two in one direction, then by two or three in another direction. It resulted, no doubt, from thoughtlessness, but it distracted the attention of the meeting, and made the president’s position exceedingly trying. If sisters will bear such little points in mind, and will all do their utmost to preserve order, they will be performing a very necessary part in that which tends to edification and success. If any need a reminder in this matter, it will be the presiding sister’s duty to give it, and to the wise a hint will be sufficient.
Another necessity in securing success is regular and punctual attendance. Having put our hands to a good work, let us not be content to carry it on in a halfhearted way. There is room for fervor in carrying on the work of God, and He desires us to exhibit this quality. If an effort is required to enable us to get to the Class, let us make the effort. The same thought applies to punctuality. It is better to come late than not at all, but let us see that our lateness is the result of necessity and not of carelessness.
Preparation is Important
The next item to consider is the importance of preparation on the part of those who speak. “If any man speak,” says Peter, “let him speak as the oracles of God.” We do not come here to while away a little time in chit-chat conversation, nor to talk for the sake of talking. We come to consider the mind of God in relation to specific subjects. Therefore it is incumbent on those who speak to confine their remarks in the first place to the subject under discussion, and in the second place to base them strictly upon Scripture principles. This will necessitate previous study and thought. There is nothing more strongly discountenanced in the Scriptures than empty, hasty, random speech. Utterances of this kind are to be avoided at all times, but especially are they to be avoided when we have met for the express purpose of instructing and up building one another. Sisters who are troubled with excessive nervousness should commit their thoughts to writing. Placing our thoughts on paper also assists us to be more correct and logical in expressing ourselves. Ornate phraseology we need not trouble about. We want sound ideas expressed in simple and concise language. Whatever plan we adopt, our one aim must be edification. To secure this let us devote as much time as we can command to the preparation of our remarks, remembering Solomon’s admonition: — “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
As to the Class, we must be moderate in our expectation of results. Growth in Bible obligations is a matter of time. If we fix our hopes too high in this direction we shall grow disheartened and give in. The utmost progress we should look for is line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. We know how true is the adage. “Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.” Let us apply this in things spiritual. Let us not refuse to master the lines and precepts singly. They will mount up in time to a rich indwelling of the word.
We must not expect to succeed unless we be prepared, if need be, to endure a little hardness in connection with our work. These remarks apply more particularly to those who take an active part in the Class. Service in the truth brings great and lasting pleasure in the answer of a good conscience towards God, but the more active forms frequently bring, in the actual performance, more pain than pleasure. If we allow our feelings to guide us, we shall soon throw up our undertaking. But if we start with the determination to endure, we shall not be greatly moved at the sacrifices which we have to make. Our labor may cause weariness and grow monotonous, and consequently we may feel it to be a hardship. But this is not a sufficient reason to cause us to desist, “Be not weary,” says the apostle, “in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.” Then again it may be our hap to find our motives miscontstrued, or we may be subjected to adverse criticism. It is disagreeable to face disapprobation. But we should never swerve from a scriptural course, because this one or that one turns disagreeable or captious. What we have to fix our eyes upon is the approval of Christ. This we can ensure if we are upright in heart. He was never wont to despise the small efforts of sisters. We find two acts recorded of Mary, both were severely criticized, not by the world, but by Christ’s own followers. The critics even ventured to bring their objections under the notice of Christ, but how did he reply “Let her alone.” “She hath wrought a good work.” “Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away.” To our great consolation, it is recorded that Jesus Christ is the same “yesterday, to-day, and forever.”
In conclusion, the aims of the Class must be the gauge by which we must measure its success. The numbers must be intent upon preserving the high object of the Class and the talking must be of that sterling quality which the Wise Man likens to precious silver. Whether the Class stand or fall will depend entirely upon our industry and effort. God never blesses the idle and inert. If we are women of faith, we shall show forth our faith by our works, and in so doing this we know that “God, even our own God, will bless us.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One