The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-02
SERVICES OF THE SABBATH.
Sermon of Rev. J. A. ROndthaler, the
Tabernacle's Prospective Pastor.
Belief in God" the Subject of Rev, W. s.
Craig's Sermon at the First Church
Other Services.
FAITH THE FOUNDATION.

Maryland, at the Tabernacle.
The pulpit of the Tabernacle Church was oc
cupied yesterday morning and evening by the
Rev. J. A. Rondthaler, of Hagerstown Md. Mr.
Rondthaler is a gentleman about forty years of
age sandy complexion, a sanguine temperament
and energetic disposition, and his most prominent
characteristic is earnestness. The subject of his
morning sermon was Faith" based on the words
in Hebrews xi, SO and 81 WHO through
faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of liars,
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge
of the sword out of weakness were made strong,
waxed valiant in fight, turned to fight the
armies of the aliens"
This, said the preacher is a record of forceful
men who lived for purpose, men of accomplish
ment who made their mark upon their times.
The sentence is in itself an index to that bio
graphical dictionary that runs through the
Old Testament and the New Testament as well.
If you have read Gods record of his saints from
Genesis to Malachi to some profit a hist of
names will occur to you in reviewing this sum
mary of their lives. One word tells the reason
of all their triumphs-this the refrain through
out this eleventh chapter of Hebrews, and, in
deed, through the whole Bible-fath-it has be-
come religious word. 1t is the index word of
Christianity. Though love has the highest and
MODEST place IN the DEVELOPMENT OF the religion
of Jesus Christ, faith has the largest because it
is the foundation and is imbedded deep in the
progress of Gods religion former.
Having in the wisdom of God become the com
prehensive exponent of Christianity, the word
faith has been withdrawn from more general
use and is regarded as the exclusive property
right of religion. From this it has come to pass
that the exercise of faith is altogether confined
to matters pertaining to the relations between
God and man; it is not regarded as an element
of power in the ordinary walks of life There is
a general impression that the operative force of
faith is an entirely new element which is intro
duccd into the life when the individual becomes
Christian. Let us correct such Impressions
Faith is not an arbitrary word that has been in
PRODUCED into the Christian religion as an entirely
new element i'll the individuals life. 1t is not
the shibboeth of Christianity 1t is true that
the objects and attainments of faith
very greatly in the Christian sense
as compared with things pertaining only to the
world but it is also equally true that the demand
for faith does not antagonize our human nature
and the structure of natural forces When God
requires faith in the Christian sense he does not
establish an entirely mode of operative forces
in our lives, for it is just as true in all other
lations as in the kingdom of God that according
to mans faith it will be unto him. In develop.
ing and illustrating this position Mr. Rondthaler
conclusively proved that faith was strongly en-
trenched in all concerns of business life as in the
moral world. No one undertakes the accom-
plishment of any object or purpose unless he be
lieves that it can be done. and that he can do it
A mans power in the world over himself, his
power difficulties, is always in proportion to
the strength of his convictions. AS water seeks
its level so action can rise no higher than the
faith-forc drives it. If this be true in matters
of action it is pre- emnently true in matters of
opinion He who believes something. has con
victions of some kind, always CT rries with him
force which stays him and controls him, and
keeps him in equipoise. Positive conviction of
any truth always carries man triumphant
through everything. 1t must, therefore, be evil
dent that this element of faith is not as is often
charged an entirely foreign element that
Christ's word demands of men. 1t is no new
alien principle that is cast into life
when we are meton the threshold of Christianity
by an imperative demand, 'believe," as the one
supreme condition of entrance AS in all other
departments of life, faith, conviction, is the
moving force, so in Christianity belief in the
truth as it is in Christ Jesus is the saving power
There is nothing unnatural here. 1t is in per
feet accord with the laws that obtain in other
walks of life Without conviction, a man can
neither be full man nor do mans full work.
With convictions he can be, and do to the extent
of his unwavering belief and confidence. Let
me say this, then, as a summary of the discus
sion this morning.
l. Faith is the supreme power in life. 1t con
trolls in business, in character, and in rela-
tions with God.
2. The measure of our accomplishments is in
proportion to the force of our convictions
3. Through the helps that faith gains a mans
accomplishments in the realm of morality are
unbounded. By virtue of faith as we have
defined it. every man can be better than he is:
any man can break up any evil habit to which
he is now enslaved; you can correct any trait
that is in your moral life; you overcome
easily besetting sins; you can enjoy communion
with Cod you can live Christian life by the
power of faith. What you need, standing trem-
bling on the border of accomplishment is simply
conviction, the courage to venture, the belief in
the salvation of one God. Without faith you
can do nothing; with it you can do everything