The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-07-25

look that went to my soul. His life SO pure, SO
generous He, 50 good convinced me that there Is
Brethren we cannot be intellectual and learned.
We cannot ali be mighty in argument and able TO
silence by logic the objections which nnbelfevers
urge against Christianity. But we can all, by the
help Of the Lord exhibit the power of life that is
can let our light 30 shine before men, that they
ing our good works may glorify our Father in
heaven.
The second good thing is constancy What
went ye ont into the wilderness to sees" Christ
a seed shaken with the wiads. 4 ficLle incon-
slant man, bending hither and thlther before the
slightest breath of popular opinions Certainly this
prepare the way for the coming OF the Lord. He
was whose mind was made up. He had the
courage of his convictions. very admirable sort
Of man. and kind much needed in every age. He
was his convictions, although his steadfast-
Consistency is the virtue Of heroes. The who
is just and tenacious of righteous purpose, in the
face of threatening kings and elamoring mobs. is
the true hero. At the battle OF Waterloo the com
mander of division which was peculiarly exposed
SAGE 10 Wellington calling for reenorcements and
relief for his shattered lines None could be spared.
your commander that he and and all of us must
hold our ground, perish in the endeavor.'' The
message came like an inspiration He did hold his
ground, and did all the soldiers on that decisive
field. The battle was won by constancy not by q
series of brilliant dashes, but by holding
there is nothing else that can be done we are to
be in nothing terrified by adversares, no
matter what tactics they may adopt. Rdcule is a
common weapon OF the enemies Of religion. When
they can do nothing else they can sheer II young
prefers the pray meeting the billiard hall
or drinking saloon they may call him weak minded.
If he is scrupuous in the observance of the Lords
day day to be given to God, they may call him
puritaneal. 1t is weapon greatly dreaded by
many not deficient in natural courage. But keen
chraa 1 an e old there ie' is y shield ~
such impenetrability that, if welded Alright, it will
to fin hlunfed at fog
is the shield OF faith wherewith we shall be able
to queneh all the fiery darts OF the wicked " Never
shield which the Spartan mother gave her son GO
ing out to battle, with the injunction. Come home
Faith in God faith in Jesus Christ the Divine
Savior, faith in the Bible the word of God. faith
in things unseen and eternal, is such a shield that
if you hold on to it, it VIII certainly defend you
Stand fast, therefore, matter how fierce may be
the assaults of not foes without foes
confidence. which hath great recompence of
ye have done the will of God We might receive the
.sThe third prominent idea in our text is that of
concord unity. Paul desired to know concerning
the Philippians that they standing fast in one
spirit and that with one mind they striving to-
gether for the faith OF the gospel Blessed is the
church in which all the members are bound together
by the ties of brotherly affection. Blessed is the
community in which all the followers of Jesus
Christ though worshiping under different roofs and
bearing different names. yet gladly recognize the
Head Happy will be the day when the spiritual
vital and indistructible unity which exists among
all who love one Lord Jesus Christ however they
may differ in forms of government, modes of wor
ship doctrnal views, shall again be fully and
clearly manifested as il in apostolic days The
Savior's prayer for the unity of his followers
shows that the manifested unity of those
who Chrst's disciples is of the things
necessary to convince the world that Jesus Christ
is the Savior. He prays the Father that they all
may be one; that the world may believe that thou
hast sent me-
Christians have long enough engaged in unseemy
strifes with each other. 1t is high time that they
should strive together against the common enemy
for the faith of the gospel 1t is the encour
aging signs of the times, that Christians begin
ming to realize more and more the necessity of
united action. When members of different denom-
nations meet together and work tremendously in
esangelistc services for the salvation of the lost
they must ever have more vivid sense of their
real enemy The council OF Presbyterians from all
parts of the world held few years ago in Edin-
burgh and similar council recently held in Phila
delphia marks era in the history of the Chris
tian church 1t is an unmistakable indication of
that yearnine for extended and catholic Christian
fellowship, which is one of the strongly marked
and hopeful characteristics of our time. The fact
that ali the members of that council. though be-
longing to the Presbyterian family in the house
hold of faith, could not sit down together at the
Lords table shows that much vet remains to be
done before the melleanial era shall dawn
world.
Concord is one of the essential elements in the
prosperity of any church. How Is il with you
brethren of the Central Church, to-day: Are you
dwelling together In unity as brethrenf Is your
union only name, breath form: Or is it
real spiritual factf To be united in that concord
which the gospel contemplates, it is not enough
that there should be absence of strife. Chris
tan union is not a merely negative thing II does
not simply that Christians shall refrain from
tearing out each their eyes. 1t means that they
must bear another,s burdens, and fulfill the
law of Christ They must sympathize with each
other in sorrow and in joy. If brother be
taken in fault he must not be neglected, disown-
ed or frewned upon: but there must be such
manifestation of Christian love and forbearance
ward him as win encourage him to back and
walk again with the people of God IN the paths of
The spirit OF Christ is the spirit of love- the
spirit of unity. The more deeply we drink of this
spirit. the more c1oseiv and heartily shall be
teined together in that blessed unity which is TO be
lasting eternity and happy heaven. The
more purely and frevently Christians love one
another here. the nearer will they approach TO a
realization earth of the JOY of heavenly comnun-
ion. One of my most earnest parting counse1s to
YOU my dearly beloved. would give in the words
of the apostle Peter. and wish it might be iFeby
impressed upon your hearts; Seeing ye have
Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren see
that We love one another with pure heart fervent
ly- Let all envy, uueharitahleness and bitterness
be banished from among yoa and let love TO Christ
and. unfeigned charity toward all the Christian
brotherhood reign in your hearts forevermore-
My dearly beloved the final word must be spoken
however hard il may be for to speak. or for you
to hear. For year and month we have sustain
ed to each that the relation of pastor and people.
During that short period we have learned to love
each other with true Christian affection. Let us
part in mutual love- trusting that the relation which
has existed between us for short time has not
been vhally without good results. For your gener-
support sympathy in times of trial, your
kind expressions of appreciation. thank you with
overlooking heart, For my mistakes and shortcom-
iugs. which cannot wholly have escaped -your
notice, ask your Christian forbearance and your
prayers that the blessed Master may FORGIVE
leave you without an unkind feeling toward any
soul in this congregation or in this city. ! wonld
fain carry with me, II may, to my new field the
kindly feeling and good wishes of all.
Beloved brethren and friends of the Central
Presbyterian Church, farewell, BE perfect, be of
good comfort be of one mind live in peace: and
the God Of love and peace shall be with you"
AMEN.
PERSONAL.