The daily gazette., 1878-04-01
Al St. PauI's Nj. +. Church
INTRODUCTORY SERMON OF TIE NEW
PASTOR, REV. j. II. CALDWELL.

PASTOR, REV. j. III. CALDWELL.
A large congregation assembled at st.
Pauls M. Il. Church, Sunday morning,
to listen to the introductory sermon of
the new pastor, Rev. j. II. Caldwell, late
of Dover. The text selected by the pas
tor for the occasion was from the fifth
chapter of the epistle of Paul to the
Ephesians, 10Th and 10th verses:
See, then, that ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise.
"Redeeming the time, because the
days are evil"
The meaning and force of passage of
Scripture, said the pastor, often depends
upon the import aud significance of its
principal works. The application of this
text depends in large degree upon the
import of one word, "circumspection."
1t means caution, watchfulness, and an
earnest looking around for the paths of
duty. The duty enjoined by the text is
to be vigilant and watchful, and to exer-
else great care over our personal conduct
To be constantly on the guard, so as to
resist the approach of evil from every
side. He who refrains from doing this
is oft-times called the fool, because he
walks blindly to his own destruction. He
who walks circumspectly not only guards
against and preserves himself from all
forms of evil, but obeys the text In "re-
deeming the time," for he learns to uti-
lize his moments and econOmize his
days. Thus, he Is constantly employed
in good works, and time never drags
heavily on his hands.
| We should be always on our guard, as
some evil genius is ever ready to assail
us, in various garbs. Evil confronts the
church of God in many shapes, one of
the most dangerous of which is by those
who, under the guiss of seeking the
truth, strive TO undermine the principles
| of divine faith by novel arguments and
| fallacious doctrines. OF this danger we
are forewarned, and therefore we should
be constantly forearmed.
One of the dangers that beset us Is the
influence of example as shown by the
lives of others. This danger is one of
peculiar force, as it is often in the guise
of plausible reason ana worldly success
and thus, by wrongly initiating the con-
verse of such people many unwary per
sons are drawn away.
There is alsoan evil lurking within us az
well as surrounding us. Aside from all
outward influences this evil dominates in
the heart, and tyranizes over the life,
unless we are sanctified by divine grace
and preserved by divine power. Let US,
therefore, pray increasingly that we may
be always ready for danger
Besides watchfully avoiding the paths
of danger, we should be equally alert in
looking out for the paths of Christian
duty; aud walking therein. We should
not be choice or particular in regard to
the nature or character of the work
which lies before us, but should cheer.
fully perform whatever our hands find to
do. If the worlds laborers, instead OF
constantly looking around for some
quiet, clean, genteel occupation, would
do lust what their hands find to do, il
would greatly change the aspect of hu.
man society, and cause vice, immortality.
)poverty and suffering in great measure
TO disappear. just so with Christian
workers.. The Lord has work for you
to do, and the world expects you to do il
as thoroughly as the worldly man exc
cutes his worldly occupation. Don't be
too dainty about your work don't at
tempt to cultivate an aesthetic, high-ton
cd Christianity; for the work lies evel
before you, and vigorous manly effort
will alone be sufficient.
And yet this pathway of labor is not
all dark and thorny way. We may
roam in green pastures and green fields
and we have the promise OF a GLORIOUS GLORIOUS
life hereafter if we work circumspectly
The laborer is worthy of his hire. ano
those who labor for the Lord shall re
ceive their sure reward.
The Christian who walks circumspect-
ly is a man of faith. Faith is full of joy
and looks to the better world beyond
Let the Christian worker be founo
always at his post, ready and willing tt
perform the labor of the Lord, and theI
he will most effectually enfore the ad
monition of the Apostle, to "walk cir
cumspectly, not as fools, but as wise"
In concluding his interesting sermon
OF which the above is but brief synop
sis, the pastor stated that the creates
, Significance of his sermon was the ne
, cessity of work-of faithfully perform
, Ii ing the work of God that is ever aroun'
us.
The sermon was entertaining, instruct
i've and full of vigor 1t was listened t.
, with attention and interest and as far a
his initial effort is concerned, the new
pastor of st. PauPs has certainly made
| favorable impression upon his people.