Omaha daily bee., 1883-04-02
COUNCIL BLUFFS
ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEWS
THE PULPIT.

condensed sermons with every Mon
days issue. In this way our readers
will become familiar with the ideas
promulgated from the pulpits of this
city. In these articles wo will not
make q fsvorite of any particular
church, but will favor all kinda of re-
llgious thought.
The Congregational church of Coun-
oil Bluffs has all the comforts and
and many refined decorations, such as
stained glass, cushioned seats, an ele.
gantly furnished pulpit platform, and
an excellent pipe organ.
After the rendition of several choice
pieces of music by the choir of train.
ed voices, tho pastor. Ryv. Cyrus
Rsmlin, preached his S .bbath morn
Ing discourse, taking his subject from
the passage il Acts which tells us that
Gcd made Of one blood all nations of
the earth. He said Panl preached to
the Athelans In a practical msnner
He had something which they needed.
They worshipped at a shrine inscribed
to the unknown God, and he told
them of that God. He claimed fel.
lowahip with them, while he showed
the deficiencies In their worship.
All men are moved by the same feel.
ings and have often all very much the
same religious desires.
Religion has CROPPED in blindness,
but it has sought for light, Is still
aeeking for light, and In some measure
all nations are finding 1t.
In all nations God has accepted wor-
shippers, no matter how false the sys.
tenn by which they worship. Nearly
all races and tribes believe that sin
must be punished, and that salvation
Is the great end of life. U%nwillingness
to obey the truth when 1t Is made
known to us is the great sin that
drives God from the hearts of men.
W. can look with caimness on what
science tells us of the origin of man.
If 1t can be proved that the golden
rule was originated In China hundreds
of years before Christ uttered It, why
need we attempt to deny il 1t sim
ply proves that the truths of religion
are extremely ancient; that they are
german to US; that it Is the food on
which our souls have always lived.
1t lie not an accident that some ma
| tions are greater than others. Earthly
conquests do not dictate geographical
boundaries. Spiritual conquests are
the most potent factors. The nations
that neglect good disown them.
selves.
The truth Is too often kept back.
1t is not allowed to step forward and
assert itself. We must have a settled
purpose to accept and obey the die.
tateH of truth.
We send emissaries because we are
impelled to impart the light, the
truth, which we possess. There is
not as many of these workers In civ
ilizstion and enlightened religion ga
there should be. They number less
than one missionary to a million
heather. The gospel is not foreign to
any people, but all are seeking 1t and
waiting for us to carry 1t to them.
Investigation reveals true religion
everywhere, but 1t is too often buried
In falsehood. The underlying princi
Plies God, immortality, punishments
and rewards, are Common to all.
There is a striking resemblance In the
symbols employed to represent relig-
ious Ideas.
All of this gives a broad basis for
the work of missionaries which Is to
bring the truth to light, reveal false.
hood and thus elevate the he athen ia
q higher standard.
AT THE M. x. CHURCH..
Rev. j. w. Armstrong delivered 9
very interesting discourse to a large
congregation at the Methodist church
yesterday morning. He selected for
his theme "Chrlstian Duty" In which
he clearly depleted the mission OF
every follower of the Savior. The
substance of this able sermon war
that all Christians we're In duty
bound to 60 out Into the world and
spread the glories of Christ and the
redeemed; to encourage by a life OF
Goodness, the most abject and de.
PRAYED to become followers of Christ.
He did not believe In compulsory re,
ligion or conversion. The rod Of ty.
ranny could silence the tongue, but
never change the heart; a child :ould
be beaten with many stripes, and YET
beneath Its tears and hall. suppressed
sobs would burn the same thoughts
and desires. Christians must seek
the example of Jesus in order to win
sinners-bring them to q realization
of their condition and cause them tc
seek salvation through Christ Jesus.
The remarks were those of q liberal,
minded, earnest, noble. hearted Chris.
tian, and were 30 received by the con.
gregation.