Question: "Is there any precept or example in the Bible that will justify a gospel minister in calling any part of the audience to come to him for an interest in his prayers?  If any should do this, would he not seem to regard himself as a sort of mediator between the people and the Lord?"

Answer: Mourners' Benches were invented by modern Arminians at the close of the 18th century.  They were unknown before that time.  There is, of course, not a single precept or example of them in the Bible.  They certainly imply that the person who invites other persons to come to him for him to pray for them regards himself, and wishes others to regard him, as a mediator between them and the Lord; whereas there is but one Mediator between God and man, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:5), who is the great and only High Priest of all spiritual Israel, and who makes all His people kings and priests unto God.

In the Scriptures, the true children of God, even inspired apostles, although loving and trying to pray for others, yet instead of being so pharisaical and presumptuous as to ask others to let them pray for them, do just the opposite, feeling to be ignorant and weak and sinful---they ask the brethren to pray for themselves.

The Bible teaching, and Primitive Baptist doctrine, that "salvation is of the Lord," is utterly inconsistent with the recently invented machinery of the Mourner's Bench.  "The Lord himself is nigh unto all that call upon him in truth" (Psalm 145.18).  The high and holy One that inhabiteth eternity dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isaiah. 57:15).    ---Elder Sylvester Hassell   Advocate and Messenger, 1926