Proverbs 20:18

Every purpose is established by counsel.

Counsel

“Of all apostolic habits the most habitual,” writes arehbishop Benson, “was the usage of counsel. The upper chamber, the house, the home of Mary, Jerusalem, Antioch, the school of Ephesus, the Hired House at Rome, were so many conciliabula and scenes of high debate. How full is the Acts of the Apostles of mentions of ‘disputation,’ ‘conference,’ ‘reasoning,’ and of such expressions as these: ‘They came together to consider the matter,’ ‘It pleased the apostles and elders and the whole Church,’ ‘Being assembled together with one accord,’ and the like. How strong are the injunctions ‘to assemble themselves,’ ‘to come together in the assembly,’ ‘to be gathered together with one spirit’!”

1. It is a familiar experience that we can tune ourselves for any work of our own by placing ourselves in touch with some kindred work by a master hand. By this simple method we can in some measure “kindle when we will the fire which in the heart resides.” Our spirits drink in refreshment from those living founts of inspiration. What others have consummately done lends us at least the impulse to go and do likewise.

2. By withdrawing ourselves, if only for a brief space, from the absorbing interests, the keen controversies, of the present into the serener regions of the past, where principles and men and methods can be more impartially studied, by going “back to the Bible” in the modest but unflinching spirit, and with the enriched equipment of scientific research--our minds are tranquillised and balanced as well as quickened and enlightened for dealing with the urgent needs, the burning questions, the conflicting points of view and policies of the hour. So by God’s help may it be with us as we rapidly survey “the type and model” of Christian councils of every kind and degree, and thus look for guiding principles, practical indications, and spiritual tone to “the rock whence we are hewn.” (Bp. Jayne, D. D.)