National Republican., 1883-08-27
THE INCREASE OF THE CHURCH.

Fear not his merits must prevail,
Ask but In faith II shall be DONE
THE INCREASE OF THE CHURCH.
IMPRESSIVE SERMON BY REV. JOHN S. DEALE,
PRESIDING ELDER OF THIS DISTRICT.
Wesley chapel, corner of Fifth and streets
northwest, was comfortably filled yesterday
morning to listen to a sermon preached by
Rev. John s. Deale, presiding elder for this
district. Taking his text from Acts ii, AZ,
"And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved" the minister said
The acts is very significant book. 1t shows
the wondrous work performed by the Lorl
and his apostles. 1t exhibits tho immense
labor done and the fruits thereof; tells Of the
conquests of the church when its friends were
few and its enemies were many and power
full; when 1T was opposed by the Jewish
laws and superstitions, and tho deeply
implanted customs and ideas then in vogue.
The increase in the church is the sign of her
fidelity in Christ She is mover long without
children when she is true to herself, and her
true increaseis based upon her fidelity. The
increase of church is only sign of her
life, and this life depends upon certain con-
ditions. She must bring forth sons and
daughters to tho Lord or die. She must be
in harmony with tho teachings of the Lord.
Lot there be no additions to the church for
fifty years, and the consequences will be dis
astrous. The increase of the church is not
only a sign of prosperity, but it is sign of
her condition.
The additions to the church were in Jcru-
salem, where the head of tho church was ex-
ecuted as common Inalefactor. Then ii
costs something to confess yourself a Chris
tian. 1t costs both life and property. The
onfessor was exposed to danger on every
iS n
but to confess it from pure and honest con.
victions and to defend those convictions is a
glorious and noble thing. Many call the
church mother who are not recognized by
Christ Three thousand conversions were
made in one day, but these additions were
the part of the apostles. The text
says, "The Lord added daily to the church" 4"
The admissions to tho church were of the
Lord. 1t was not Peter but the Lord who did
all these things which are credited to Peter.
His disciples were simply instruments used
to add to His church. They did not attempt
to do tho Lords work but their own. The
people became colaborers with God, and such
as were saved, lie Christi added to the
church daily. The people having listened to
the teachings of the disciples they gave their
souls to Christ.
When men are fully converted they will
not turn from Christ. They are Christians
from conviction; they are converted by God.
Jesus commanded His disciples to go and
preach the gospel to all the world, but not
withstanding the three years sojourning and
colaboring with Christ and His companion
ship, they did not feel themselves prepared to
preach His gospel unless they had tho bap-
tism of the Holy Ghost Christ was man
Of their own times. The advantages of
preachers of the gospel at that time were
great, and the experiences of the apostles gave
tta,. o,,I L..
formation, as well as strength to preach the
gospel. They were with Christ from the be-
ginning of His mission unto His death and
resurrection. Therefore, if their advantages
and experiences were so great, aud even
then they needed that baptism, how
much more do we of to-day need
it. We are not rs teachable nor as faithful
as the old Christians. The reverend gentle
man then portrayed in graphic manner the
power and influence Of Chrst's teachings and
example upon His disciples. Their fidelity
never wavered. The character of the worship
and worshipers was presented in q very strong
style. The assembly of His followers on the
day of Pentecost for the purpose of prayer
and their sympathy of heart and mind was
depicted in manner both beautiful and
touching. The eyes of the apostles were
opened to the divine power and greatness of
Christ, and they went on until all of them
suffered the death of martyrs Their trust
and faith in God was incomprehensible.
The growth of the church has not been any
greater in the last fifty years of its existence
than il was in the first fifty. Tho machinery
is tho Same now as then; the only difference
is that it was worked to its fullest capacity
then, but is not put to that test now. We
have the same chance and gospel now as they
had then, if we fill the conditions. We must
clothe ourselves in tho divine word in its
strength, power and glory, so as to be counted
Lord