Do you know what a "street meeting" is? A "street meeting"--for most Christians--means that people, who know Jesus Christ as Saviour, get together and go to an agreed place. They gather together and sing songs about the LORD. They give testimonies. Usually one man preaches. Often they have a public address system that airs their words loudly to the surrounding areas. Sometimes someone is playing a portable organ. A portable organ is a small "piano-type" instrument that can be carried around like a large suitcase. The organ player sits on a small chair and pumps air into the box with her feet. Often there is a trumpet or trombone sounding from the group. Maybe today, there would be guitars. Now-a-days people need a permit to do this. Many times the community does not want such "noise." It bothers the town!

Our town here in South Jersey has "street meetings" of a sort. They are not religious. They have big doings on certain Saturday nights to attract customers to the stores and restaurants. As one drives down THE AVENUE, one can hear rock bands & singers of all sorts. Not one of them is singing gospel songs or hymns. (I wonder if they would permit them?)

I remember distinctly one day when I was a part of a street meeting. I cannot remember where it was in Chicago. Seems like it was in the Cicero section. Not sure. As we were singing and giving testimonies, a person came up to me and spit at me. I had never had anything like that happen to me before. It has left an indelible impression on my memory.

That person was a "SCORNER." Our words concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and His "whosoever will" salvation was contrary to her "good works" salvation. She believed that baptism and holy communion, as well as "works" could save her soul. How wrong! Our words at that street meeting reproved her. They censored her religious beliefs!

I remember another street meeting in our home town of Berea, Ohio. Our pastor-–his name was George Nika--was fresh out of Bible School. He was eager to tell the town about Jesus Christ being the WAY to Heaven. Every Friday night, during a certain summer, we met at the "triangle." (Our town square was in the shape of a "triangle.") The gospel was preached. I remember giving my testimony.

Listening to the gospel, sitting on a bench, near the street meeting, was a young man in his early twenties. He had a great spiritual need. If I remember correctly, his father had just been sent to prison. This left him broken-hearted and empty. The words from the Bible that he heard Friday night after Friday night pricked his heart. Soon he realized that he was "lost" and on the way to Hell! He came to our pastor. He heard firsthand how much Jesus loved him. Soon he received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He was a "wise" man. Why? Because he heard the "rebuke." He received the truth that he was a sinner. He asked God to forgive him and he received Jesus Christ into his heart and life.

For many years, our church continued its street meetings at the triangle. We still proclaimed the gospel week after week for several years. The young man, who had heard the gospel there a few years before, attended those street meetings. Now he came as a new person in Christ. In fact, he brought his trumpet with him. The melody that he played from his golden horn could be heard all over the town. It sounded forth the praise of one who had been "rebuked," but now was in love with the LORD who saved him. HE WAS A WISE MAN! (ysw)