The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-05
sis Sermon on 'The Manlinoss of Relig-
,oD1 ut st. Pauls and Various SerV-
ices at the Other Churches,
spThin king of Christ" DR.. McLeod's
Topic at Second Church.
Ssrvsces Commemorative of Martin Luther
at Meridian Street Church-Other
Religious Matters.
RELIGION NOT UNMANLY.

his first service in this diocese yesterday fore
-,non. at St. Pants Cathedral, being assisted by
Rev. Jenos's and Rev. G. b. Engle. The audi
enee was large and the music notably good.
The choir, yesterday, consisted of Mrs. Pm.
wues,, soprano; Mr.. T. W. Becher tenor; Mrs.
leon Bailey, alto; Miss Jennie Null, and Mr.. F.
III. Raschig, basso, Qeaderl; Prof. G. L. Raschig.
Organiss. The opening professional, Mora's "Te
Deum," was given with good effect as were
"'Come Holy Spirit" (Kuecken), by Mrs. Leon
Bailey. solost and auartette, and the offertory
trio, "God is Love" fKreutzerl by Mrs. Phi.
Nuest, Mr.. Belcher and Mr.. F. H. Raschig.
Bishop KnekeFbacker took as his text L
Corinthians, xvi, ID, Watch ye; stand fast in
the faith quit ye like men, be strong" The
Bishops voice is strong and clear, and, while
moderately rapid in speech, each word is fairly
deli cred, so that his discourse was easily fol-
lowed, and the impression he produced at his
initial appearance in his new diocese was most
favorable one.
BISHOP KNICKERBACKER' 5 SERMON.
He SAID that the notion now has become prev
alcnt that religion is well enough for women and
children and men of weak minds but that it is
not for robust and busy NEIL He then proceeded
10 show that the wise and manly men, the strong
men of a community, were Christian men, and
whose lives are evidence that the religion of
Christ ennobles manhood. IF religion is true,
Ihen all alike have immortal souls, whose eter-
nal destiny depends on the conduct of this life.
Is 1t worthy of q true man to neglect any great
interest TO suffer it to be imperfect 1t GER
tainly would not he regarded manly to sit
still where money was endangered. And here
the most important of all interests, an immortal
soul, is involved. Admit that the Christian
religion cannot be certainly demonstrated to
be true; as long it cannot be proven false,
]
same gospel that informs of our
danger points ont what we shall do to be saved.
Now, which is most manly; to act promptly on
the iBtegence received and thus provide
against all contingencies, or leave the matter in
dOnbE, to be solved by the developments of eter-
nifty, when it shall be too late to correct any
mistake which may be found 20 have been made2
Surprising this to be a pecuniary interest in
stead OF a spiritual and eternal one, no prudent
man wonld hesitate moment to decide what
course shOuld be adopted. Take even the worlds
idea of manliness; no man could hesitate tc en-
brace and act upon the Christian religion unless
he could certainly prove it TO be untrue. The
Influences with which membership with the
church of God surrounds one are healthful and
eieVating. Bat there is the natural antlpathy TO
Ihe restraints of religion, Man does not of his
own accord love to submit his Will to Gods will.
lie Is i0ath to yield TO the restraints which
Ire sOn places upon his selfish nature
land submit 10 the discipline which it imposes
over passions and appet1tes. What is this dis
teiptne3 To love our neIghbOr our Ourself; to
do unto others we would have them do unto
us; | lie practice of temperance, sOberness, hon
lesty and chastity; to hurt no one by word or
ldeed. Do any of the things eDjOined by Chris
ltanty detract from true manhood or make
lhim any the less useful citizen and good
lneighborl The indulgence of the passions, which
lGcds law and religion restrain. is unmanly.
Every man under their dominion is debased /
have heard il alleged that the gospel destroys
the manliness of men by denying them the
fright to think for themselves in matters theOlog
Zeal and moral They might as well complain of
lJhe laws of their country, which do not leave
them at liberty TO do whatever seem
Ieth right in their eyes All history
al
order OF men who most reverently bow
Ito the authority of law, human and divine. the
strongest men, stripped of their religious senti-
blnenJ and character, would be weak. The enc
,inies of Christianity on every hand reviving
lOpjeotions that have been answered thousand
times, and taxing their ingenuity TO the utmost
ito find reasons for destroying mems confidence
lin the pure morality of the gospel. AS they open
THE door to lust and passion, irreverenee and
iungOdiness, wonder their vOtRries
lmerOus. 1t is a sad thing for society, for our
leountry, for the men themselves, that so many
lOf our most active business men are not active
lChrisIian men, upholdlng by their example and
Influence the religion of Jesus Christ The re-
ligiOa of Christ has claim upon all men. 1t is
needed to make them upright and honorable
and straightforward ID all their business trans
iaetiOns. 1t is needed in your homes to make of
them the abOdes of love and peace. To drive
liar from them hard words strife and all i'm
purity. TO make dutiful, loving husbands, kind
land faithful fathers, brothers ana sons. Above
ball 1t is needed to enable you to endure the trials
land sorrows of this earthly life, aid make all
Iconduce to right preparation for the eternal
lexlstenee beyond the grave. No rises to
THE full proportion of his being without it. No
man fultilis the end and OBJECT of his creation
who refuses to be guided by it. There Is no
manliness in refusing to obey Gods law and to
DE governed in our lives by the principles of
lChrist's holy religion. Profanity is not manly;
intemperance is not manly; nor is the lewd jest
land filthy joke. To disregard the Lords day and
Gods worship is not manly. Sin of any kind
ds not manly 1t is the height of folly to cast of
faith in God and refuse to be governed by the
noble teachings of the gospel and church of
Nhrist. The church and the religion of Christ
lnlr harf f..R
ana righteousness. An earnest Chrlstlan man
IN any community becomes a center of good and
healthful influence-a barrier against the sin
and ungOdiness That are running riot over the
land. Would to God that every one of you
would realize the Importance of this matter and
give lt your earnest consideration. Remember
THE fuence that you exert over others, that no
1nan liveth to himself alone and resolve, God
htlping you, that as for you and your house you
will serve the Lord
AT the conclusion of his sermon, the Bishop
lspoke briefly to the congregation He informed
them that his entrance upon his episcopate in
this diocese was trying one. The work lie had
been called to do he would take up promptly,
and with their aid and the help of God he hoped
10 succeed. He asked the prayers, sympathy,
nove and earnest cooperation of every man,
woman and child in the diocese There is n
great work here, he said, for the church of God
IN Indiana. In the ninety-two counties of the
> ate the standard or this church has been set up
IN but forty, and the work must go forward and
Tue un0ccupled ground he taken.
Following this came the otfeptory for missions,
and lastly the holy communion. the number Of
communicates being larger than usual.
AT ST. GEORGES MISSION.
Shortly after P. NJ, yesterday, the Bishop,
accompanied by Rev. E, A. Bradley, visited the
Sunday school at st. Georges Mission corner of
Church and Morris streets This mission be-
longs to Christ Church parish, and has been
great success, doing much good in the neighbor-
mood where it is located, which is remote from
80 churches The Bishop was much pleased
"a. dress, after which he questioned them in the
Catechlsm. 1t may here be said that Que of the
classes contains three little girls who are among
the brightest scholars in the school, and two of
these girls are cOored.
AT THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INEoCENTs.
at 4 p. M yesterday Bishop Knickerbacker