Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-15
Getting the Power.

pr. John Hall. of New York, Lectures
 Before the Theological Students of the Yale Seminary.
 There was fair attendance at Dr. John Halls lecture in Marquand chapel yesterday afternoon. The topic treated was the power through which it is expected that efectual work will be done in the church. piece of maehinary needs power from without to move it. The work of the church is to quicken souls and to instruct them in the life they are to live. Where does it get the power to do this2 It is obvious that mere numbers connot give this power. In many cases num- bers are a snare. Church rolls have many useless names upon them. Social forces will not give the church power. These forces must be taken account of. Often they ara directly hostile to the churoh and it's work. Monasticism is a kind of admission on the part of men that society is hostile to the church and the Christian life. We cannot rely upon society. Neither can we depend upon learning. The apostles did not succeed because of their learning. Many an univer- sity seat is a very goddess place. Important as learning is the churchman must not de- pend upon it.
 Dr. Hall then proceeded to show the neces- sity of accepting the Holy Spirit, and described the baptism of fire which came to all who were assembled together, as told in the Acts. The power of the Holy Ghost is the one which will enable the church to do her proper work.
 Ministers are to be the channels along which the power is conveyed from the head quarters of supply. Through preaching God will do great part of his work. It is the truth you are to preach. cannot help em- phasizing this idea. How can I expect that my rhetoric, my fancy, my oratory, my pictorial power will do any good when l forget the truth of God? You must be conscious that you are using the Holy Ghosts instrument for doing good. It is good thing that your congregation should understand that you are not mere minister, but a man with human sympathies. This they can learn from your pastoral visits. Tbis however, Is secondary. There IS great deal of private preaching to be done.
 That you may be effective in it try to keep your spirit under control of the truth so that you may be simple.
 But ministers are not only to be channels, but are to make channels for the power to be conveyed. In the social element, refined into high Christian fellowship, these chan nels are to be made. No mean part of a minister's duty to direct this Christian fel- l lowship SO that the power of the Holy Ghost shall be manifested throut h it. Christian people can be full of the Holy Ghost and of power. How many church members feel Ro responsibility for others. Much remains for ] the minister to do in shaping and perfecting Christian fellowship.
 The sacraments of the church. are also cht nnels through which the power works. I have seen sacraments administered in such a way as to hurt me and where there was a real lack of reverence.
 One of the best xevivals of religion was | that which God gave in Scotland about the period between 1880 and 1S40. It began in 8 group of students. They loved, trusted, and tried to help one another They attached | friends to them and became pastors. Their earnestness was impressive and the result \ was powerful influence which has not yet ! ceased to be felt in Scotland. Who can tell
 that this class before me may not do similar I work?
 1 A sad feature of our churches is the way l we go on our way in 8 dull round. There is a want of interest in the church, and it may ! be very well in some instances for there is nc i capital in it. Attendance falls off l When churches come into such state what l do they do? Where they are wise
 they set about and get the people out tc l hear good stirring sermons. They "get uE | a revival" The number of additions to the church is parsded in the papers and then the | church falls back. It has had Q good time and now takes a rest. The better, happier
 healthier way is to keep up the good preach ing and to keep the channels open so that l the power can work.
 Aim to be pastors of the best sort. Never
 mind what the people think of you. Honor
 the Holy Spirit. The whole world recognizes
 the power of the preaching of Sturgeon. There's nothing grand in the service. There l is no quartette choir. MT. Sturgeon stands
 the Holy Spirit. His preaching is full of I power,