[Nell]

Originally Posted by Zezima

Was there really a time when people just surrounded someone and called Oh Lord Jesus non stop in attempts to convert them?

Yes. Sparks was accurate and it happened often...as gr8tful described. We used to have "love feasts"...bring food and have a gospel meeting. Go out and bring people in from off the streets and feed them. In Austin it was generally UT students. I remember one case where a young man was so psyched out that he blurted out a string of expletives at the "preacher" and ran out the door. It was ugly.

Nell

“O Lord Jesus, O Lord Jesus, O Lord Jesus.” On it went. It was beginning to become clear to you what they wanted. You were supposed to join in. The friend who had invited you was smiling at you and encouraging you with his hand to join in. The heat was on. It was all of them against you. You could feel the flush of embarrassment coming up your neck and face. How did you ever get yourself into this? “What kind of a heathen am I anyway?” you ask yourself. You better do something. They're not about to give up. It could be a long night.

Finally you venture an “O Lord Jesus,” but only with your lips. Smiles and encouragement come from the whole group. They like what you're doing. “That didn't hurt so much,” you muse. You vocalize it softly, “O Lord Jesus.”

p. 220

THE “LOCAL CHURCH”
You're really into it now. You're even enjoying it. You're pulsating back and forth with them. What acceptance! You're a part. You've even got that odd intonation. Your mind is relieved. The pressure is off. Your will has been broken. And it's likely that you have just become the most recent convert to the Local Church.

We have seen that the leaders say if they can get you to say it just once, they're well on their way to getting you. Witness Lee has said:

In other words, whenever we say “Lord Jesus” in a real way, it means that you are in the Spirit. . . we all have to learn to say “Lord Jesus” in the meeting, in our home, and a thousand times a day. We must all say this. If we are going to lose our temper, we must say, “O Lord Jesus”! Then our temper will be gone . . . I tell you, you can become holy just by saying “Lord Jesus.” Whenever you say “Lord Jesus,” you are in the Holy Spirit. (Lee, How To Meet, p.84.)