Morning journal and courier., 1883-05-14
Trinity M. E. Church.

The Relationship of Master and Follower.
 The intimate relationship existing between Christ and his chosen followers was the basis of the morning sermon preached by Rev. pr. Goodsell yesterday. The subject was forcibly treated and the sermon deliv- cred in clear, terse manner and was em- bellished with illustrations calculating to enhance the clearness of the gospel truths which the pastor wished to enforce upon his hearers. The text chosen was a part of the conversation held between Christ and his followers as detailed in 8 part of the 18th verse of the 18th chapter of St. Johns gos- pei, 'sHenceforth call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth; but I have called you friends" When we read, said the preacher, the ad' dress of the Master to his disciple as given in this chapter from which the text IS taken, we are forced to believe that ''neVer man spake like this man." There is ten dency and sympathy that is Godlike and divine. Whenever humanity is weary, when ever trouble comes, we gather comfort from the revealed word, we feel sympathy, bond of union, unlike anything we could hope for an earthly friend. The world when Christ came was hard, imperious, sensual, full of political intrigues, and many meth ods were employed against him. There must have been a sweetness about bis life that at traeted men from their business calllngs and follow him. They associated kingly ideas about Christ An honor greatly prized in ancient times was to be message bearers to the king. Jesus has bestowed this kingly gift upon his people, employing them as
 of moi in distant G. lationship of hired servants, but as intimate friends as the text tells us. The energy Of God is so great that his fullness of power and love goes forth continually to aid man in his work and makes us friends by common occu- patton, and his message to us is to do his will. We may gather inspiration from him who went about doing good. Beside the bond of friendship we find we are also intimately spiritually related with Jesus. The hum blest believer may rejoice that he is temple of God by this brotherhood of Christ, for he says have called you friends, and greater love, saith Jesus, can no man have than that he lay down his life for his friends. There are certain tests by which we may know whether we enjoy this close union with Christ. He has told us in his word that we are his friends if we do whatsoever he com mands us. If our life is hid in Christ duty if we keep his commandments, we are told we shall abide in his love- The master also tells us we must bear much fruit; we should be attracted to him by his tenderness, and uldexemplify Christian character by our precepts. And as we reserve sometimes the best things for our friends, so we are told by the Saviour that there are good things for us. He says: ''In my fathers house are many mansions, and that these are being ft- ted up for our comfort, and that no good thing will he withhold from them that keep his commandments, and when he sees that we are fitted to enjoy that blest abode he will send his messenger to call us away"
 In the evening Dr. Goodsell preached the last of the series of sermons on Hard Facts in Human Life," the subject being "Bigotry and Prejudice" and their influence upon so- cial life. The sermon abounded with many excellent suggestions, and was istnedto with earnest attention by large audience.