The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-06-01

in some way, assimilation and fusion; that we
should become moral compound SO close-grained
and tenacious as to resist the tendency to y into
fragments, even under the heaviest blows. The
fact that many people come here, or stay here,
with the idea of going away again after few
years. is not conducive to the formation of strong
religions associations. Their religious life does
not root deeply. They are likely TO postpone
the period of real earnestness in church matters
until they get away.
Now, as against these and other supposed
dangers, and as corrective of them - dangers
that may look far less alarming to you than they
do to mel have to urge few simple duties,
which would be none the less duties if these
perils did not exist, but if they do then are they
doubly our duties. would urge for one thing,
that the church's- life, as such, be more empha-
sized that the position of the church be actually
recognized as real and diviney appointed Or
ganism ard that every effort be made to render
it homogeneous The church must not be merely
like an Office where official work is done place
where one is simply to discharge, with more or
less Of regularity, his public dutits Christian.
But it should be home, beautiful in its sim
plicity fragrant il its memories warm and
spontaneous in its affections. The church's life
should give color and vigor to every other. 1t
should be the type of all our ties, and all our
pleasures. There are more persons in this COM
munity who feel the pressing need of such a
church,-one that shall be a real refuge, within
itself true home of the SOUL alive with tenderest
ministries and charites,-than some of you are
aware Of. l know that there are some child-like
souls who hunger and thirst for it. And be-
lieve that there is much larger number who,
perhaps unconsciously to themselves are suffering
terrible defeat in their conflict with the wold be-
cause they find it not. l mean that more prom
inence should be given to the idea Of the church
in the ordinary life of the community; that more
of the social force which now expends itself
without its border should, somehow, be brought
under its sanction, and contribute to its beauty
and strength. mean, that the men and women
who are Christs, should feel themselves united
to it by more than the peculiar duties of one day
in seven, or one evenings devotional service
every week; bringing what is good every day
into it, and in every danger fleeing to its secure
protection. 1t ought to be big enough in our
thoughts, and grand enough in fact, to over
shadow all that we do 1t should be place
where not only the strong may stand with greater
assurance of strength, but where also the feeble,
the timid and hating will find special welcome,
and the helping hand 1t should itself be suf-
6cient, within its own bounds without the aid
Of extraneous circumstances or need of other
endorsement.) to give character, social standing,
and assurance of cordial sympathy and helpful
ness. 1t should in short, be known and felt to
be sacred brotherhood more sacred than Ma
sorry, or0dd Fellowship, or any other earthly fel
lowship, because it is divine feowship-whose
type, whose motive and Inspiration is the love of
Jesus Christ. l do not say that such an idea of
the church, and such practical lunctioning of
its benign although the noblest and truest
idea-will terminate readily IN this soil, will
easily adapt itself to our circumstances. But
does not the greatness of the difficulty in this
case, measure the extent of our need? In the
large cities, where there are many churches, and
runs high, that fact often insures, as
a means of self defense, to some degree, what /
here advocate A church stands more fraternaly
together. Appears in its organized capacity. 1t
a distinct community. 1t is perpet-
uay watchful, because it values every addition
and is jealous of Withdrawals. 1t is attentive to
strangers for who knows but they may become
attaohod friands9 II saaES IN randor avarrfbinr,
about itself attractive. 1t encourages q home
life and feeling 1t diverts the social activities,
80 far as it can be done without injury into its
own channels. Members are not Indifferent to
one another. The church relationship extends
and is felt, to some extent, in the basi-
ness, and every other relationship. This is
especially true of churches that are young, and
that do not feel themselves to be quite strong
md seifsustaining. 1t makes one of the might
lest of bonds. so that IN case of separation, the
church tie often pulls hardest of ALL
Now, what is there done. often for expediency's
sake, should be done here spontaneously, because
t is right in principle, and beautiful to see be-
cause it will please the Master, and multiply the |
power of this church ten-fold in the community
because, especially, it will meet SO well those
hangers which threaten her, and deprive them of |
heir force. 1t will serve to harmonic the d.
'erse elements of which the church. from its
peculiar position, is naturally composed 1t will |
one down differences which may arise wipe out
he cleavage lines of family of nationality, of
ocial rank render Philistne incursions from
broad less damaging; will hold the church in
afe equpoise, whether as against attacks of fe-
'erish exctements, or deadening depression
will tend as it were, to build up strong break
water against the devastating waves of worldIi-
less or, better, insure the protection and shelter
f a garden wall-tbe garden of the Lord-within
which all pleasant plants of grace however deli
ate, may grow straight and strong, and beau
u as their own nature. But let us remember
hat the perfection of organization and fusion of
pirit will not come of itself. The tendencies
re even obstinately against it. II must be
ought with persistent effort and perseverfng
rayer The bright ideal must be always before
s, resplendent with light from. the Divine Coun-
enance, and attractive and winsome as the smile
I Heaven.
Again l call your earnest attention to the
ecessity which this church, and every other
hurch, has laid upon it, of having some definite