New-York tribune., 1874-03-16
CHRISTIAN SERVICE

n. P,y Dr John nan at TA> Fnhav Prss5gfrila church
The Rev John Hall, ID. d., preached in the
Fiftnaye Presby terian Church yesterday morning,
from the found in COllos,ians iv. L. "Epaphras
who IS ono of you. servant OF Christ, salueth you,
always laborng eryenty for you In prayers, that ye
NAV stand perfect and complete IN all will of God"
From the text SAID he, in the first place the true
dmity Of Gods people. They are drawn closer to one
another through their sympathy and mind In Christ
We see too the value and necessity OF unseen service
Epaphras always laborng and praying ferventy. No
one can tell how great il the work accomplished by this
invisible service Of the servants Ot Jesus Christ who
labor always fcryonty iii prayer This ~ not spasnodc
service These servant, not like bulzng 1es-thcy
do forth in time OF religious revival alone and
then disappear be more but constant and
leryent in prayer Look also at the activity Of this
unity. Tue Lords people are not Joined together ca-
ally, the driitwood is joined IN itS progress down
hudson sweeping toward the sea. but Iu
u living, active unity-in the unity OF
family. Have yon never seen the family in which
Tins unity dwel--l family in which member was
stronger better for this and love and interest
active unity which ought to Toe in the Church O Christ.
This unity in the Church Will yield it strength such
complete In all the VIII OF God IL IA this standing To-
gcthcI which makes the strong church. In an active
Christian church much depends on the minister. He
Who stands In the pulpit canuo: neglect his duty, An
intelligent, earnest evangelical. holy minister breaches
truth the agent Of God. doing good to His people
and advancing His interests IN the world. But there IS
too little prayer for the minister among tue people The
people pray for him earnestly and frequeny The
servants cannot subsis merely by cooking the food for
the family in the house they must have food them
selves well. 30 the minister must himself have the
bread Jesus Christ and merely occupy himself IN
preparing Il for the people The minister meets with
many difficulties he must have the prayers OF his
church 10 meet them brayely and conquer Pray for
for his interest and yours II lie seeks the
building OF God. people In the most holy faith the
Apostle Paul hid many helpers, and he speaks OF them
most gratefully; he forgot the service Of those
had aided him. Are there not servants whose
claim Chrsts favor IL that they lent their aid IN
whatever tiod gave them to dOi The great function OF
the minister ia teaching. He IL to explain the word OF
the living God plainly, simply and with adaptation TO
the wants aud requirements OF every individual We
are Obliged become teachers, and must speak the
earnest practical teaching and full expana
ton tho Word OF God in ITS entirety In seasons OF
revival. if there is nothing but defamation and ex
loration little Is accomplished: few results are left
behind. To have power the people Of God must be
grounded In Christian truth; they must know what
thev believe aud why they believe IL.
There teachings however which should be given in
"A much less formal manner tban from tho pulpit and
am convinced that Bible classes should become dis
tiuctiye feature OF every active congregation When
the people lift up their voices In praise To God by sing
ing II he feryoDt earnest, and let them not plead
the lack OF musical skill. Let the elders be called upon
service, and let the parents read ana explain
the their children breaking 10 up so that II may
e easily understood Let the dOmcstics in your house
hold not shut out from the privileges OF Christian
churches and will find that by following these sug
gestions the influence and effectiveness OF the Church
may be nightly increased.