complete work, the slightest confusion in the Assembly would render the order imperfect. But we will not take advantage of a word. Let us, then, now hear from his lips as to what is often seen when “the Brethren” are gathered together. He says, “Alas! alas! we often see men on their feet, in the midst of our assemblies (that word our will creep in), whom common sense, to say nothing of spirituality, would keep in their seats. We have often sat and gazed in astonishment at some whom we have heard attempting to minister in the Assembly. We have often thought that the Assembly has been looked upon by a certain class of ignorant men, fond of hearing themselves talk, as a sphere in which they might easily figure without the pains of school and college work” (p. 29). But if the Holy Spirit speak by whom He will, who is Mr. Macintosh to condemn? Hath not God chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise? And does the absence of grammar (for that, I suppose, is meant by the allusion to school and college) indicate the absence of the Spirit? But he speaks again:―
“If an Assembly” (he tells us on page 10 that we ought not not to say member of a Church) “be troubled by the intrusion of ignorant and foolish men—men who have never yet measured themselves in the presence of God—men who boldly overleap the wide domain over which common sense, good taste” (are not these carnal expressions?) “and moral propriety preside, and then vainly talk of being led by the Holy Ghost—restless men who will be at something, and who keep the assembly in a continual state of nervous apprehension, not knowing what’s to come next.” [Sic in original.] “Should any assembly be thus grievously afflicted, what should they do ? Abandon the ground in impatience, etc.? Alas! this is what some have done, thus proving that they never understood what they were doing, or, if they understood it, that they had not faith to pursue it. May the Lord have mercy on such, and open their eyes, that they
