Article August 6, 1910 Issue

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING MEETING

BRIGMAN C. ODOM.

A factor that is doing much toward awakening and uplifting humanity to higher spiritual ideals is the Wednesday evening meeting. These meetings in many cases attract large and intelligent congregations, and lookers-on marvel at this unusual interest. The hungry and thirsty, wandering "in the wilderness, in a solitary way," finding "no city to dwell in" are drawn hitherward; and, discerning that which begins to satisfy the longing soul and to speak peace to the troubled heart, they become earnest seekers for more of "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." Jesus said to the multitudes, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? ... A man clothed in soft raiment?" but these questions bring no rebuke to the sincere seeker after God. Human means and personal joys have afforded no rest to those "that labor and are heavy laden." To such as these the Master said, "Whosoever drinketh of this water [material sense pleasures] shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him [spiritual understanding] shall never thirst."

Those in whom these meetings awaken an interest come to realize the significance of the admonition, "Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;" and their spiritual enlightenment is in the ratio of their desire for truth and their endeavor toward its attainment. The parable of the talents serves to indicate to the investigator how a wise and active use of present opportunities brings its unfailing reward; and also that inactivity and fear occasion the hiding of the "talent" in the earth.

The regular attendant and active worker at the Wednesday evening meeting is inspired with a twofold purpose: he goes to get something and he goes to give something, Physical healing, moral reformation, and spiritual awakening are frequently experienced and reported as fruits of the Christ-coming to the receptive consciousness, resulting from attendance upon the testimonial meeting. The success of the meeting is not to be estimated by the large congregation, the number of testimonies given, and the quick succession in which they follow each other, but to a great extent the good accomplished is due to the wholesome mental atmosphere in which are to be found no criticism, envy, selfishness, nor like qualities of the carnal mind. In order to bring about consciously this atmosphere of harmony, the workers must put on in advance "the whole armor" by seeking to have that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," and by abiding in the spirit of love throughout the meeting.

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