according to the
example of the Apostles, Acts xx. 7, to break bread every Lord's day,
though there is no commandment given to do so, either by the Lord, or by
the Holy Ghost through the Apostles. And at the same time it appeared to
me scriptural, according to Eph. iv., Rom. xii., &c., that there should be
given room for the Holy Ghost to work through any of the brethren whom He
pleased to use; that thus one member might benefit the other with the gift
which the Lord has bestowed upon him. Accordingly at certain meetings any
of the brethren had an opportunity to exhort or teach the rest, if they
considered that they had any thing to say which might be beneficial to the
hearers.--I observe here, that, as the Lord gave me grace to endeavour at
once to carry out the light which He had been pleased to give me on this
point, and as the truth was but in part apprehended, there was much
infirmity mixed with the manner of carrying it out. Nor was it until
several years after that the Lord was pleased to teach me about this point
more perfectly. That the disciples of Jesus should meet together, on the
first day of the week, for the breaking of bread, and that that should be
their principal meeting, and that those, whether one or several, who are
truly gifted by the Holy Spirit for service, be it for exhortation, or
teaching, or rule, &c., are responsible to the Lord for the exercise of
their gifts: these are to me no matters of uncertainty, but points on
which my soul, by grace, is established, through the revealed will of God.

On October 7th, 1830, I was united by marriage to Miss Mary Groves,
sister of the brother whose name has already been mentioned. This step was
taken after prayer and deliberation, from a full conviction that it was
better for me to be married: and I have never regretted since, either the
step itself or the choice, but desire to be truly grateful to God for
having given me such a wife.

About this time I began to have conscientious objections against any
longer receiving a stated salary. My reasons against it were these:--

1. The salary was made up by pew-rents; but pew-rents are, according to
James ii. 1-6, against the mind of the Lord, as, in general, the poor
brother cannot have so good a seat as the rich. (All pew-rents were
therefore given up, and all the seats made free, which was stated at the
entrance of the chapel). 2. A brother may gladly do something towards my
support if left to his own time