The Spring Council of 1931, which for weeks had been the subject of earnest prayer, preparatory study, and heart searching on the part of the brethren at headquarters, has now passed into history. It was characterized by serious recognition and frank study of our paramount need and problem as a body of workers, and as a people. The dominant thought in the minds of our appointed leaders was the finishing of the work. And in the light of this objective, the fundamental concern was over the actual preparation of a people to meet God.
Such a solemn objective called for quiet, earnest, spiritual study rather than any spectacular action or pronouncement. Such a serious purpose is inconsistent with the blare of trumpets. It will not be worked out on the mechanical basis of improved methods and facilities. It will never be accomplished by new slogans or devices, but by the deep movings and consummating work of the Holy Spirit upon the yielded human instruments.
With this in view, provision was made for two Bible studies or devotional periods daily. These were stenographically reported, and will largely appear in future issues of the Review for the benefit of all. We especially commend close study of the keynote message of Elder C. H. Watson. We cannot reproduce it in this journal because of space limitations, but it will appear in a subsequent issue of the Review or the Ministry. It presents succinctly the heart burden of our administrative leadership. It is a declaration of our need, and an indication of supply for that need. It should have the thoughtful and prayerful consideration of every evangelical worker in this movement.
The leading actions of the Council have also been incorporated into the official report of the secretary, appearing in the Review of June 4, with the exception of the recommendations on "Evangelistic Decorum," which are elsewhere presented in this issue of the Ministry, with an accompanying article by our special contributor, Elder J. L. McElhany. But we do desire to give here an intimate glimpse into certain of those features which could scarcely be incorporated into the more formal, official reports. Ofttimes intimate pictures of the informal features of a meeting of this character give the truest concept of the spirit that animates those who carry major responsibilities in this movement.
There were two services that will not soon be forgotten. The first, a consecration service following Elder Evans' morning study of May 1; and the second, the Sabbath service in that quiet upper chamber, the General Conference committee room. The far-reaching effect of such spiritual emphasis as marked these two meetings cannot be measured by earthly standards. They profoundly mold our ideals and shape our objectives.
The Holy Spirit Imperative
We will touch upon the first of these meetings. Elder Evans is speaking. Let us listen for a moment. He is right in the midst of his presentation:
"Zerubbabel was doing his best to rebuild Jerusalem. He had worked hard. He was a mighty leader, but was having so many troubles, and there was so much to fret and worry him, that he became discouraged and disheartened with the greatness of the work and the opposition that prevented it from going forward as it ought. And God came to him with the words: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.' It isn't by wise men, it isn't by much money, it isn't by training, that this work will be finished; but by the Holy Spirit taking possession of men's hearts, and using them to do the work.
"We all believe this. And yet we plan many times just as if that were not so, as if it were resolutions and counsel, and more counsel, that would finish the work. But, brethren, the greatest Counselor ever known is the Holy Spirit; and the wisest Leader that has ever been in the church of God is the Holy Spirit. There isn't anything that can take His place. We may think that we can overcome this difficulty or meet that obstacle, but there is nothing that can ever solve our problems but for the Holy Spirit to take possession of the workers of this denomination. [Voices: True.] This work cannot be finished unless the Holy Spirit takes hold of the workers. I repeat, it never can be finished in any other way than by a Spirit-filled ministry.
"And so the Lord spoke to Zerubbabel in this way, 'Not by might, nor by power.' It matters not how strong you may be. You may be eloquent. You may be educated. You may have all the gifts that you can think of. But it is the Holy Spirit, brethren, that will finish the work. That is also emphasized in Psalm 127: 'Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep.' Verses 1, 2.
"Except the Lord be with a man, he cannot truly build for God. He can put up brick and mortar. He can construct church buildings, to be sure. Money will buy machinery. With money we can extend our material progress by material things. But, brethren, money doesn't buy the Holy Spirit, and it doesn't make spiritual men. There must be something besides money to finish this work. There must be something besides education to finish this work. There will have to be something besides the outward things that we can see, to finish this work. There must be a power that takes hold of men and makes them mighty, giving them something that seems often to be lacking in our lives, and that is the Holy Spirit.
"There are many things, brethren, that we ought to think out in this Council. Brother Watson has talked with the brethren very freely about our greatest need, and about his intense desire to see this meeting different from other meetings, in that we take more time to seek to understand God's will and to pray. I thank God for a leadership that sets a premium on prayer and on consecration blended with earnest endeavor. I think the whole denomination is praying, and hundreds and hundreds of ministers are praying for our leadership here to lead us into a consecration and an experience that will make this the consummating period in the history of our work."
After this searching appeal by Elder Evans, the General Conference Committee members were invited to form a group about the rostrum for prayer and rededication. Kneeling side by side, the assembled leaders bowed before the great Leader of God's people. We were treading on holy ground, and heart was knit to heart. We were led into the very presence of God by the importunate prayers of Elders F. M. Wilcox and C. H. Watson. Our souls were bared before God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was markedly manifest, melting, fashioning anew, and lifting the vision.
Season of Intercession
As observers and participants in this solemn service, we venture to record extracts from these prayers, because they reveal more faithfully than could any other form of record an attitude of heart that can profitably be known by the field at large. Listen once again. Elder Wilcox is praying:
"My Father, I pray that Thou wilt help us in the great responsibilities that have been placed upon us. Thy children are looking to us for leadership. May we not be leaders in name merely. We have had too much of that in the past. We pray that Thou wilt make us leaders in fact, leaders in truth. We can be this, O God, only as we are Spirit-filled men and women. Grant us that this morning. We pray for the Spirit of power; we pray for the Spirit of wisdom.
"As we continue our ministry, Lord, give us divine power to move the hearts of men. We have tried to do this too many times by our own faculties of mind. We have tried by our efforts, we have tried by the logic of our minds, to convince men of Thy truth. We thank Thee that Thou hast worked through our feeble efforts. We give to Thee the glory for it all. But this morning we want more power to accept the ministry that Thou hast laid upon us.
"Lord, we pray that we may go back to our places from this meeting with the mighty spirit and power of God resting upon us. 0 God, grant that Thy churches, which we serve, shall not be disappointed in our lives; but, Lord, may we go back and set before them a high and holy example. Oh, grant that we may bring our own lives and our own teachings to a higher and holier standard of living. Lord, I pray Thou wilt do this for us."
And now Elder Watson continues:
"We have strayed a long way from that which should have been done with great power, and what has been given to Thy people has been but weakly attempted. Much to which we have been called has not been attempted at all; and we have undertaken many things in many places of our own choosing and planning. 0 Lord, this is all wrong in Thy sight, just as wrong as we have been ourselves. We confess it all. Walking in the sparks of our own kindling, we have missed the way, and have turned from the light Thou hast shed upon our pathway. 0 Lord, forgive this wandering, forgive this independence.
"There is only one thing in it all, Lord. We wanted to serve Thee. We wanted to be true, but we have depended on the wrong things. Forgive this in us, dear Lord, and turn our faces fully to Thee, and set our hearts upon things that are true. Call back these wandering, straying affections of ours from things of the world, from the thought and enticement of popularity, worldly gain, worldly favor, worldly friendships, worldly plans, and worldly objectives,— call them back from all such, and center them upon the one thing, the purpose of God in Jesus Christ.
"O Lord, we are so happy, while so sorrowful, in the thought that there is forgiveness with Thee. We claim it this morning, in Jesus our Redeemer. It is in our hearts to make a covenant with Thee, to start anew; and to set the service of the house of the Lord in order; to set the priests in their places, and to bring in the sacrifices and cause rejoicing to the congregation. O Lord, may this spirit go to the farthest parts of the earth.
"We pray for the Spirit to come upon us. We do empty our hearts of sin. We do let go of all that we have cherished that is wrong and sinful. There has come to us such a revelation of our own weakness that we would depend upon ourselves no longer. We trust Thee. Deepen that trust in our hearts. Hour by hour, day by day, put within us that utter dependence upon Thee that will keep us safely with Thee.
"Bless these brethren who are bearing responsibilities in Thy cause. Bless these union conference presidents. Give them the spirit and knowledge and wisdom of leadership. Help them in their relationships with the local conference presidents. Make them true teachers of these men. Help them in connection with the ministers,—ministers seeking spiritual leadership. We believe we have disappointed them. We pray this morning that Thou wilt undo all that has been wrong in our service and work, and establish in us and in our work all that is right and true.
"Lord, we have been critical, and we confess it. Forgive, I pray. Somehow in the very management of the work this thing seems to grow. O Lord, bring in the Spirit of Christ. Let the mind of the blessed Saviour be in us, so that we shall not make this mistake and discourage our brethren. Blessed Lord, we have been thoughtless and careless and negligent. We pray Thee, forgive us. Where our brethren have looked to us for thoughtfulness and sympathy, and have not found it, O Lord, make us over anew and bring these things into our lives. Grant that we shall not be hard men, but true and thoughtful and sympathetic. We ask this for the glory of Thine own name, through Jesus our Redeemer."
Closing Admonitions
Following these earnest prayers there was an inspiring testimony service, mingled with confession and reeonsecration, so that the entire morning was occupied with study, prayer, testimony, and counsel. After the responses, Elder Watson said
"And you who are leading in the union conferences, what are you to do to make your work more helpful to the local conference leaders where weakness is manifest? What are you to do to help make such a man strong where he is weak? And you local conference presidents, what are you to do to break the deadlock that comes in a church where you have an unspiritual minister? For it doesn't matter how much spirituality you have in the leadership of the General Conference or in the union conference or in the local conference, it absolutely stops and is canceled at the place where there is an unspiritual minister in a church. That church is needy and barren of the Spirit through his ministry.
"So what can we do to make our work strong where it is weak? Will you not give these things your prayerful thought, and see to it that this Council does not close without our having received help ourselves from God in these matters?"
Following a final season of prayer, this memorable meeting came to a close.
L. E. F.
