On the street of the city of X, three men stood in earnest conversation. They were members of the congregation of Christ in their city, and good men and true. One of them bore the marks of advanced age, and the peaceful lines of his face, and the kindly, happy glance of his eyes left no doubt as to what sort of Master it was he had served these many years. We will call his name Simeon, for he ever reminded one of that old saint who looked and longed and waited until be should see the Lord's Christ, and rejoiced to see the day. The second, no less a saint, but lacking a bit in the tenderness and saintliness of Simeon's expression, and with an air of firmness and decision about his features, was the practical and somewhat conservative James. That was not his name, but one might think that the James who seemed to have the lead in Jerusalem in the later days must have been just such a man. The third was a young man, eager of eye, quite stirred up in the present conversation. For he was a truth-seeker and a truth-lover, and the conversation turned about that which interested him most intensely--the teaching of the word of God. We will call him Bereus; for he certainly fell in nothing behind those Bereans who "searched the Scriptures daily whether these things be so." Nothing less than the truth would do for him, and he must be sure and convinced before he could rest on any matter.

      That morning these three men had met by accident--or shall we say in God's providence? Bereus had met James first, and had propounded a matter to him which just then engrossed his thought; and plainly James did not relish it. It was some question about Prophecy. James tried to waive it, but Bereus, sincere and intense, was too much interested to let Brother James off. Then James spoke a bit lightly as if it were not worth the while. But Bereus would not have that at all. Just about that time Simeon came up and he proved to be the solvent between two natures so different as James and Bereus. He fully understood James; and, what is more, appreciated 'him for his full great worth. But, he likewise understood the ardent Bereus, and held him high and dear in his heart. For what would the church come to were it not for the burning and aggressive spirits of such devoted youths? Simeon was quite sure that the Lord was still giving His good gifts; as it stands written (Eph. 4) "He gave some to be this and some to be that." And that not only by miraculous spiritual gift; but he took it that every true brother in Christ, according to his peculiar temperament and ability was a good gift of God to the church and to all humanity. But there was something beyond this that opened Simeon's ears that day. The discussion turned upon prophecy. Now Brother Simeon was one of those who waited for, looked for, watched for, and [24] loved, His appearing. He knew at once be must side with Bereus in the contention; yet he so loved Jams that he intuitively saw and sympathized with the latter's difficulty; and he also felt that the sweet, balancing restraint of love would help Bereus. So the three talked together, sad the lost some of its heat and gained in reasonableness and thoughtfulness. Bereus had been reading some prophetic teachings published by two different sects, and while he felt himself unable to pronounce upon the merits of what he had read, he had become thoroughly interested; had turned to the passages referred to in the books he had read; and had got to the point where he was impressed by the magnitude and importance of the subject. Brother James' disposition to quench his enthusiasm with a dash of cold water had not set well. Bereus felt himself to be in the right, and was inclined to despise the seeming small-spiritedness of James; while James had become both a little disgusted and alarmed. Simeon's coming calmed the winds. Now all could speak and all listen. Why had not Brother Apollos preached on these things? Bereus wanted to know. James replied that there were so many things so much more needed. Simeon proposed that they all go and see what Apollos thought. Now Apollos was a preacher good and true; it may be that like a certain "eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures" of whom we read in the Bible, he needed to be taught the way of the Lord more perfectly. Whether he could be as humble and willing to learn anything from those whom he had been teaching was a question events must answer. So to Apollos they went.

      They found the preacher at home. He was a big man, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and his presence commanded respect. Bereus laid his matter before him, and Simeon explained Brother James' attitude, and his own interest; and then Bereus frankly asked him why he had not preached on some of those prophetic themes--at least, would he not do so in the near future. Apollos looked serious and thoughtful. "What could I say about these things, brethren?" he finally answered; "I have thought about them frequently; yet, I confess, only 'about' them. I never seriously looked into the matter. I have some idea of what the prophets say, and in an indefinite way I think I could map out the import of the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments. But I cannot say that I am clear, or quite satisfied. I would be glad if I could get a consistent and reasonable interpretation of the prophecies; but I rather doubt the possibility of that, and do not just know whether it would repay the time and effort to delve into those things when there is so much that is plain and practical in the Bible." Brother Simeon replied, "Brother Apollos, I know from your own lips that you hold all the Scriptures as God's word, and that every part of it is profitable. However more practical some other portions may seem, the situation is this that Brother Bereus wants light on this thing. Thank God that he does. Were he like some others he might have accepted the doubtful books he has been reading for their [25] appearance of plausibility. He has not done that, I am glad to say. But he is now justly aroused and interested in a scripture theme. He is, if I misjudge not, perplexed and in need of help. You are God's steward. If you can help him would it not be your duty? Besides I know of some others who are in like need." Apollos looked troubled. "Brother Simeon, I honestly can not speak on these topics. I could give you such views as without personal investigation I have received from others, and what without satisfactory reason I have hitherto dimly believed. That is not my way. Give me time to study these things, Bible in hand, before God, and I am sure I shall find some things I can profitably present." "Let as study with you, Brother Apollos," said Bereus. The rest were all somewhat amazed at the proposition; but Apollos was after all not averse. "Could we meet Monday night?" All said they could. So Monday night was the time and the preacher's study the place, agreed upon for the first meeting of this circle of Christians to investigate the Bible teaching on the prophecies.

["The Prophetic Enquirers: How Their First Meeting Was Arranged." Word and Work 9 (January 1916): 24-26.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "The Prophetic Enquirers: How Their First Meeting Was Arranged" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
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 p. 24:     not his nme, [ not his name,
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 14 January 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.