The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-17

tions, trustees, stewards, leaders, singers, Sab
bath-school workers, besides various ~helps-now,
rs in apostolic days, 'fur the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, Tor the edi-
lying Of the body of Christ"
Third-We see what are some conditions Of
success In n church. l. 10 regard the
church as a field in which, and a channel
through which to labor. ave are labOrers."
God said, $50 work in my Yineyard;" he also
The church Is no place for "loungers," "dr0ues,"
or for honorary members" 1t Is a place for
earnest, prayerfull labor. The church is Gods
workshop. What magnificent products are mere
to be turned out. What are the factories where
choicest fabrics are produced, where the most
wonderful specimens of skill are made; what
the studios where canvass is made to glow and
marble TO speak: what the halls of legislation,
where the conduct of States ia shaped, COM
pared with the church where men are taught,
trained, formed for eternity2 Here blocks are
carved and fashioned for the living temple of
Jehovah.
For such a work there must, first of
all, be- a just estimate and appreciation,
and there must be individuality of effort. Not
only a place for labor. hut a place for each. Inc
work Ia so vast and manifold that each may ana
must aid. Work is the condition Of life in the
church, aud there must be specific labor. Moth
ing eau be successfully done without a clear idea
OF what Ia to be accomplished. In all the official
relations men SUSAN to the church they must he
Impressed that the success of the body depends
upon the faithful service of each. You may
have a chain of pCuderOus links, a cable for The
largest vessel. yet one weak link makes the
whole cable weak. A successful superintendent
in the Sunday-school caunOJ make a church
strong If its trustees are inatIentive to their
work, neither can a faithful board OF rewards
make a church strong If the pastor is weak.
The whole front must march together. A
church is only really strong when each interest is
well and faithfully cared for, when nothing Is
permitted to lag behind, when one interest is
not allowed to Overgrow another and leave 1t
sickly in the shade, and each private member
must be a living member, adding strength and
vlgor to the body.
There must he harmonious effort. One vital
element in the success Of any church is that all
"our." Your" and their" will weaken any or
gHnization on earth. We must feel that the
sons must assume the attitude of judges or
critics. Whatever Is done by any must he ac-
cepted by all The success of any portion OF the
church must be rejoiced in by all; the failure of
any must be shared in kindly feeling bv all. 1t
must be the aim and delight of every member TO
see the church succeed for the Masters sake.
We are 'lahorers together" How grand the
plan! How elevating and ennohling! How.
Chrlstlike! And we are to labor in harmony
with all the good. whatever their denomination
al names or methods. All who love Jesus Christ
are To he our cO-labOrers.
And we are 'laborers together with God"
We must each be impressed that IL is Gods
work., and that we are his w0rkmen. THIS will
elevate the labor. This will stimulate our eff
forts. This will give Encouragement in the
darkest and most trying time. I think this of
great appearances: that we keep constantly in
mind the true nature of all church work. No
mhdb " . w III lNSlbliIalO u vi uAO
church, whether it be the care of her spiritual
interests or the care of the property; whether 1t
be teaching in the Sabbath-schOol or the eultiva-
tion OF the social life of tho church, let all be
done with high spiritual purpose, as unto God.
Let the spiritual power of a real Christian life be
carried into the empOral concerns of the church;
and let the systematic care of secular
concerns be taken into the spiritual work. Let
those who have charge OF the property care for
1t with the order and neatness which should
characterize the house of Ord; and let those who
are entrusted with teaching, and with the care
of souls, remember that they are in charge of
Gods heritage.
On, let me call you, to-day, beloved brethren
IN the Lord, to an exalted outlook upon your
Christian duty. Let me magnify before YOU the
meaning, the dignity, the Importance of the
church as "A power in che earth. Let me impress
you with the fact that the church is made up of
individuals, and that her strength must be
measured somewhat by your zeal and fidelity.
Let me burden YOU, even, with the thought that
you stand individually responsible for her sue
cess or failure.
Need suggest to you the honor of such a
workY 'LaOorers together with GoH!" How
men feel honored in working with great lead
Here is an artist who was the pupil of a mast
err. He speaks OF 1t with pride; it is spoken OF
to his fame; tits recorded In his biography when
he dies.
How the cheeks Of the veteran glow as he tells
of battles In which he fought with renowned
leaders. But TO work with Cod" to lay mold
upon souls for Christ's sake; TO march under the
banner or the Captain supreme; TO help hew ont
blocks for the temple of God; TO aid in building
up the kingdom OF the eternal ages. What a
work is this.
In conclusion, DR.. Alabaster referred to the re-
wards of a life of Christian work-the ~satisfac-
ton of seeing the work of God prosper, and
above and beyond all the final reward when the
golden gate should open, the streets of gold
flash upon the eye, and the great white throne
appear. with Him seated upon it TO welcome
those who have kept the fairh and are ready tor
the crown. Speaking particularly to the mem
Ders of Meridian-street Church, he said he WAS
here, he trusted, under the order of Gods APP
pOintment. Your hopes will be my hopes, your
fears my fears, your WORK my work.
Whatever q minister of God may
and should do to help you to a life OF labor and
success, that L want, by grace, TO DO, and | pray
that together we may be successful in that
which has been mutually committed TO MS"
After the benediction was pronounced a large
number of the members and friends of the
church were introduced to DR.. Alabaster, who
had evidently made a favorable impressiHl by
the straightforward, easy aud uuassuning Knan-
ner in which he had entered upon tue work oil
his pastorate.
In the afternoon a special exercise was en-
gagged in by the Sunday-school, arranged as a
welcome 10 the new pastor. The room was
handsomely decorated for the occasion, aud the
service was, in all respects, hearty and Impress
i've.
THE CONSCIENCE.