Essex Remembrancer Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened, and heard it… Few persons are so unhappy as to be ignorant of the value of social intercourse, and as not to have realised its influence in heightening the enjoyments of human life, and mitigating its sorrows. This pleasure, like every other, is refined and elevated by the mutual experience of personal religion. Convinced that a free social intercourse, of a spiritual and experimental character, among Christians may be highly subservient to their advancement in religion, it is proposed to offer a few remarks adapted to direct its exercise and to promote its cultivation. I. THE RIGHT EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG CHRISTIANS. 1. The persons with whom it should be held. It should for the most part be restricted to those whom we can regard as the subjects of renewing grace. They who "feared God" spake to one another. On experimental religion, those who have never felt its power can have nothing to communicate; nor are they in general likely to feel any particular interest in the views of those who have. Free interchange of sentiment is not advisable indiscriminately with all who fear God. (1) It should be cultivated more especially with those to whom we are united in the fellowship of the Gospel. (2) And with those whose circumstances and habits are most nearly analogous to our own. This is true in reference to our standing in the Divine life, and to those of similar habits and in the same stations in society. (3) Such intercourse should be habitually cherished among those who are connected by the intimacies of domestic association. Such association presents not only the most frequent, but also the most appropriate opportunities for such intercourse. II. THE SUBJECTS SUCH INTERCOURSE MAY PROFITABLY EMBRACE. 1. The peculiar spiritual or providential dispensations of which we may be the subjects. The proofs our own experience has furnished of the efficacy of prayer. 2. Subjects which have been brought before us in the public services of the sanctuary, or in the private perusal of the Word of God. 3. The general state of religion, more especially in our own neighbourhood and communion, and the means by which we may individually aid in its advancement. III. THE SEASONS at which such intercourse may be appropriately entered on. "Spake often." The expression seems to imply that they took every opportunity, in the ordinary associations of friendship, to direct the attention of each other to sacred subjects. In conclusion, some considerations to enforce the cultivation of spiritual intercourse. 1. Such exercises have been attended by evident indications of Divine approbation. 2. Such intercourse is essential to the right exercise of Christian sympathy and affection. 3. It will be found highly conducive to our own spiritual advantage. Points in our experience we have thought fatally peculiar we shall find common to others as well; we may gain relief where they found it, we may learn to shun the snares by which they were endangered, and to pursue the means by which their progress in the Divine life has been promoted. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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