The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-25
FELLowsHIP IN cHR1sr.

gsralrun by Rev. Ezra b. NewcOmb at the
Tabernacle Church.
Rev. Ezra b Newcomb, Of the Seminary Of
The Northwest son of the late Judge Horatio
G Newcomb and formerly a resident of this
sity-having once been connected with the press
here preached at the Tabernacle Church, of
which his father was a member, yes
terday morning, upon the theme: EEL
Iowship with Christ in Suffering The text
Of his discourse was: THE sufferings of
Christ abound in u.s. II Corinthians, j, 5.
1t is serious mistake, Mr.. Newcomb said
to suppose that the pathway Of the Christian
is bordered only by pleasant flowers,
and is free from difficulties and dangers. Unin-
tentionally wrong impression is often con
Yeyed to the world by those who, having found
happiness in trusting Christ, endeaEor by the
narration of their experiences to lead others to
an acceptance Of Him. As they speak, the sense
of joy and peace so far outweighs that of suffer
ing that the former alone finds mention. The
result follows that some are induced into enter
ing xpoa the Christian way by what might al
most be termed false pretenses, while the inten-
ton to deceive was entirely absent from the
mind of the person instrumental IN bringing
them to adecisien. There may be, on the part
Of one entering upon the journey according
to the Bible directions, an apprehension of
the fact that there ara difficulties, trials,
dangers before him. without any sufficient APP
probation of that which lies before him. Many
set out in moment of enthusiasm, carried along
by the force of example and persuasion There
comes to such a period of Encouragement ere
much Of the journey has been accomplished, but
this period comes to those who begin any new
enterprise, as we'll as to the Christian sol
der is not to be relied on for good steady fight
ing until he has suffered few defeats There
are some holiday soldiers who run at the first
FIRE, and never stop SO long as the enemy is in
sight. 1t is so with the Christian. He soon re-
alizes that there are giants IN the way who must
be met and overcome. He can rely for assist
anee on one who is mighty to save, whose voice is
ever sounding before him in words of encourage
ment and saying, Follow thou me-" His guide
has preceded him and made the way plain. 1t
is comforting to remember and feel assured that
He has travelled that way In advance. 1t en-
ables us to realize that we may 90 the way that
He has gone, that we may be so one with Him
as to be partakers of His suffering. Weak hui
manity seems almost exalted to divinity IN the
presence of such a fact.
We are unable to comprehend the union of
the human and divine nature in Christ In His
humanity He was subject to the laws under
which we live, as to His temporal wants and
spiritual struggles. What spiritual conflicts and
physical priEations accompanied that forty days
experience In the wilderness is not
disclosed to us; but that in a large measure,
He was then prepared for His future work is
evident; and So at the very beginning of His
ministry was applied the test which was to prove
Him Had Inever known sin had never known
Christ, The promises of the Bible are not to
those who have never been tempted, but to such
as feeling the strong forces of evil assa1ing the
citadel Of the souls purity, have, in Gods name
driven back the enemy which SO pressed them.
We may have fellowship with Him in the suffer
ing which grows out of the fact. that we are mis-
understood and misjudged by those to whom we
would minister This feeling must have been
toward the Humanity Of Christ one OF the
bitterest drops in that cup of bitterness
which was pressed to His lips He suffered
in His self-sacrihee. The thought of what He
gave up in coming to this earth is perfectly
overwhelming. His great gift to US was
prompted by love, and was love itself mani
Tested diyineiy. He is our example. We know
something of fellowship with Him IN self-sac-
rifce but we should be glad to know much
more We should make our opportunity the
measure Of our devotion. The thing for us to do
Is to get so full Of love for Christ that when He
plainly calls on us for any surrender of time, of
money, of habit, of Dress that we will obey, and
not argue the matter with Him.
There are many sorrowful pictures in the
book of the worlds history, but the saddest
thing that ever man looked upon is the
loneliness of the Lord There are many of His
people who know something of fellowship with
Him in this suffering many who are to-day
driven from friends, from home, from dear asso-
Citations because of their acceptance of Him. The
history of foreign missions work is full Of the
story. In what various ways we may be called
upon to have fellowship with Him in suffering is
wrapped up in the mystery Of the future. We
see but step by step as we advance Such fell
lowshfp will make our lives beautiful in Gods
sight if we hold tin the proper spirit