The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-11-16
THE MEErINo OF MIsIsrEns.
Proceedings OF the Congregational AS
ISOLATION OF Ministers.
WEDNESDAY KYENINe, nov. s.

T~N--N-N-~ - NO@Ae1AN 6-bAOAAa- AA4AAAA1s(Aoi
we're held in DIR. Cordley's church last
night, and there was very fair attend
ancc. Rev. DR.. H. W. Thomas, of
Leavenworth, preached an excellent
sermon from the 10th verse Of the sixth
chapter OF Matthew. He SAID Christ |
came from his rich estate on high 10 |
this wicked, sinful world TO save man
kind, and his example of purity, |
kindness and long suffering was unpar-
allelsd in the history of the world.
Yet no wss despised and rejected by
men, and could not do many mighty
works among them because Of their OBJ
etinacy and unbelief. The example of
his holy life ,and teachings, however,
had not been lost to the world; the in
huence was felt as strongly to-day as
when Christ was on earth; and, not
withstanding protests to the contrary,
the world was growing wiser and better,
and IL wouldscontinue 10 do 50 until the
kingdom OF Christ should reign su-
preme. There we're some things which
might lead people TO. believe that the
cause of Christianity was on the wane,
but rightly considered, these apparent
evidences OF deterioration would lead to
an entirely different conclusion. The
sparseness Of attendance on stated re-
lIgious services was taken by many to
be strong evidence that protesting
Christians were growing cold and indif-
ferent He did not take this view of the
situation. The printing press, in
great measure, had supplanied the pull
pit, and in many instances with the best
results. The daily press had become an
effective and most wonderful agency for
the dissemination Of moral and religious
truth, and men very largely depended
upon this source Of information, and
this was probably the principal reason
why the pews of churches were not
crowded on every occasion. There
seemed to be no reason to
believe that the world was
growing worse instead of better. Never
before, he thought, was the onward
march Of christianity more rapid and
triumphant than now. Still, Gods
servants could not sit idle; there was
plenty of work to be done on every
hand. The hosts of sin were powerful,
and most seductive were the allurements
of the evil one. The church should be
made as attractive as possible. The
fear of punishment and the promise OF
reward had lost their ancient influence,
and it was meet that the places of wor-
ship should be made as attractive as
thoee of harmless secular amusement.
God understands and studies the
likes and dislikes of men, and
does all He can to please their
tastes. Those who are responsible for
the spread and proper dissemination OF
gospel truth, should follow Gods ex-
ample and study the likes and dishkes
of men, and try to make religion, and
the places where il is taught and
preached, as pleasant and attractive as
possible by seeing that the pulpit is
supplied by men who preach, plain,
practical truth, cloathed in the language
and ideas of the nineteenth century; by
charming music and handsome adorn-
ment of the sanctuary, etc. The nine
tenth centuary was grand era and he
was in love with 1t. He liked the ad-
| vanced ideas and the inquiring
mind of the present day; the
age is remarkably progress
sive; nothing is taken for granted /;
direct questions are asked and direct
answers are demanded, and the man to
be successful in the pulpit must be ca
pable of properly directing these in
quiring minds and meeting the argu-
ments of the skeptical.
Religion was a science Us much as
anything else was, but was capable of
being thoroughly understood. 1t was
intended that men should know the
truth, and God had planned for the ne
cessity. Religion is not only science
and an art, but it is possessed
of life giving principles which
appeal to the good sense and noble
instincts of all men. The
gospel of Christ had been given to
men two thousand years ago, but it was
as pearls cast before swine; to-day it was
the fundamental principle of all law in
almost every land under the sun; it was
the guiding star and beacon light to the
weary traveller along life's highway.
Tho speaker had great faith in the
final triumph of the Gospel, but Gods
servants must labor diligently and be
enthusiastic, and their enthusiasm must
not be only for day or an hour, but
from beginning to the end of the strug-
gle, and their efforts would be con-
WINGED with triumph. Like the
telegraph of earth there was an electric
current which reached from the hosts on
high to the masses of mankind in this
lower world, and through that channel
were sent messages of congratulation
and sympathy in times of triumph or
defeat
At the conclusion of the sermon DR..
Cordley announced the program for to-
day and made few pointed remarks
pertinent to the occasion and relative TO
the past and present history of Kansas.
remarking that our prosperity was great,
but lest we should be exalted beyond
measure, we had Click for governor.
Further on IN his remarks he said in
consequence of the election of Click
the skies were weeping, and we'll they
might.
FIRST DAY, MORNING SESSION, THURS
DAY, NOV. o.
According to previous announcement
the Congregational State Association met
at the First Congregational church in
this city for organization, at $50, with
Rev. r. NJ. Tunnel in the chair, and in
the absence of the clerk, T. F. Norris,
of Neosho Falls, was appointed clerk pro
tenn. The meeting opened with prayer
by Rev. Adams.
On the calling of the roll there was
found to be very satisfactory represen-
tation from the churches of the state
both by visitors and delegates. Rev. F.
t. ingalls,, of AtehIson, was chosen
moderator Of the association. Rev. T. F.
Norris was chosen scribe; II. c. Scot
ford, of Eureka, assistant scribe; Prof.
G. NJ. Stesrns Of Washburn college,
treasurer, and C. b. Lines, auditor, by
unanimous ballot
The time for the devotional exercises
of the morning having arrived, the re-
mainder Of the business of the session
was omitted and the exercises OF the hour
were commenced by the singing of the
hymn, Come Thou Fount Of Every
Blessing" Rev. L. p. Broad being
leader of the meeting. After prayer by
j. G. Haskell the leader read a portion
of John 1, and followed it with few
very apt remarks. He spoke of the
pleasure of meeting old friends and nc:
quaintances, of hearing inspiring words