The Candlestick

And thou, shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. (Ver. 4.) Ministry, according to God, in the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit, and in testimony to the truth of Christ, has its place in connection with God’s dwelling-place. It is to be brought in, and its light maintained.
The best gifts are to be earnestly coveted. The Lord of the harvest is to be entreated to send forth laborers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ for testimony to him is to be sought and obtained by fervent and united prayer. Although it is possible for believers to meet together, and to edify one another by mutual exhortation, and the reading of God’s word together, without distinct gift for ministry; and thus provision is made for weakness, and the present state of things: yet ministry, in the power of the Spirit of God, is God’s order,, and according to his mind and will; and the gifts of an ascended Savior are “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”