The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-07-01
SERMON BY Rev. C. II. MARSHALL.

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This gentleman, pastor of the Fourth
Presbyterian Church of indianapolis
having exchanged pulpits with
Rev, W. H. MeCarer, 4of this
! city, preached an able sermon
in the Walnut Street Presbyte-
rian Church, this morning, which
attracted the deep attention of the
entire congregation. His text was
from Cor. xii. 4-There are diUersi-
ties Of gifts. In introducing his sub
ject, he said that God was pleased to
manifest himself by manifold diver
sity. There never was an old sun-it
ever presented new. and varied effects
and hues; every Summer was new
no two leaves that stir in the air, or
flowers that blossom, are the same.
In the great outline of nature as in
the minutest objects, there is the same
varied work of God There lis al di-
versity of operation, but it is the same
God. And this God of Nature is the
God Of Grace; and in his spiritual
work is the same animating principle
The preacher announced as the SUBJ
ject of his discourse, The Diversity of
Christian Character; treating, first, of
the causes which modify that charac-
ter, and then the purposes of God in
that diversity. We can only refer
briefly to some of the prominent
points presented. Among the causes
which modify Christian character, is
the constitutional temperament of in
dividuals-the hopeful and despond-
ing. Then the mental peculiarities;
the Imaginative and reasoning facul-
ties-the ideal and the real. Also the
emotional nature of man. Education
greatly modifies Christian character,
in the broad sense Of the word not in
limited home knowledge, but the
great world teaching; that education
which Moses received not only in the
Egyptian court, but in the family of
indian, in the dessert of Arabia; that
the training for his work which John
the Baptist received in the wilderness
of Jordan; or Paul in his mountain
home at Tarsus Then, there were
also the gifts or diversities of charac-
ter which the trials or the circum-
stances of life develop in man.
Among Gods purposes in this in
finite diversity of character. is that it
may add to the beauty of Christianity
and the riches of divine grace (; just
as He has used the varied gifts and
diversity of character Of Moses,
Isaiah, jeremiah. Daniel, and the
Apostles, to enhance the beauty of
the Bible. So, God has made men
mutual helpers; none are complete in
themselves, but are designed to
strengthen each other; just as the
sturdy Luther and the gentle Melanc-
thon, together, were enabled to do
such a mighty and glorious work.
which neither, alone, could accom-
plish. In the warfare of opinion
which is going on between truth and
error, there is great need that Chris
tian men should combine their gifts,
their talents for the defence of the re-
ligien of Christ. Also, from this di-
versity of character, we should learn |
to have a large measure of cha1ity for
all men; and charity for our Chris
tian brother; for the minister and
his labors.
The lesson to be impressed upon
Christians is: Hide not the gifts, the
talents which God has given you,
but use them for His honor and
glory To the sinner, he would say,
that to be Christian. is to bring the
talent which you have, and conse
crate it to God. And to all the SUBJ
Jet of the discourse calls to conse-
crate anew to our Heavenly Father
the divine gifts and powers to the
service of our God and Master.
We have gwen only an imperfect out
line of the sermon, which was full of
sparkling gems ct thought eloquent
and striking illustrations of
character. Mr.. Marshall preached
again last evening, and may fiji the
same pulpit next Sabbath.
ADMISSIONS 20 THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Fhe candidates from the Grammar