The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-19
SERVICE FOR THE SABBATH.
christian Conduct" Discussed by Rev..
J. L. Russell. Of Altoona, Pa.
DR.. Mabies Farewell Sermon at the First
Baptist Church Retrospect Of His
PaStorate.
THE CONDUCT OF CHRISTIANS.
Sermon of Rev. j. L. Russell at the First
Presbyterian Church.

Sermon of Rev. j. L. Russell at the First
Presbyterian Church.
Rev J. L. Russell, of Altoona Pa, preached
at the First Presbyterian Church yesterday, both
morning and evening christian Conduct was
the theme of his discourse last evening" and the
text chosen was: 1--WE, then, that are strong
ought to bear the infrmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves Let every
one of us please his neighbors
for his good to edifeation. For
even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it
is written, the feproaches of them that re-
preached thee fell on me- Romans XIV, l, , and
g. In the early Christian church, Rev. Rus
sell said there were many questions arising
from time to time regarding Christian conduct.
The answer given in the words which are
quoted is a morsel Of wisdom We that
are strong ought TO bear the infrmities
of the weak" Christian eonduct-how to obey
God and save ones own conscience and consist
ency-is something that every man must decide
for himself As long as Christian men are not
isolated, but associated-not hermits, but com
panions-the question will present itself i'll one
light or another. Whenever right
eOus judgment prevails we sacrifice our
own pleasures Tor the benefits OF
others. The object of Christianity is to educate
men out of self-living, and to have a regard for
the welfare of their fellow beings. Whether we
live or die. we are the Lords and we are
sponsible to Him. For the reason that our lives
belong absolutely to Him. its constant effort
must be to help and contribute to the
good of others We are to prepare each
other for that heavenly society. The grand
design of Christianity is to prepare men for
heaven, and this we must hold in view, and
small things as well as large in our Christian
living Hence, let every one please his neigh
bors for his good to edifieation." Sometimes
men are too Indifferent to not please others
they haven't the eAergy-their only idea and
hope is to be carried over the pillows of life with
out having any sea sickness. Then there Is vast
deal of pleasing other people with the object of
pleasing themselves. The politician peases to
get votes, and even in the church there are
many who devote themselves to pleasing their
brothers, with the idea that they will turn the
grindstone for their benefit. tits a law running
through the whole moral universe which leads
to the sacrifice of pleasure for the benefit of
others. TheapOstle says we oughthelp the weak.
Ought is not matter of expedieney, but OF
moral obligation. Our Christian life Is radically
at fault often. We would not steal from or lie
to our Christian brother but it is matter of
choice whether wo deny ourselves pleasure for
his benefit. The law of support and depend
ence started with the Father him
self. This world of Gods is
revelation of the boundlessness
of His strength. Every institution of charity is
a monument of the power which this love holds.
The family is organized upon the same law.
port of his family does it for loves sake, and it
becomes pride and joy to him from the very
sense of their dependence. 1t is exempt
fed again to the mother who gives
her strength to her babe. There
is not Christian mother who would not drain
her fountain of life, drop by drop, to minister to
her babe. As years go by and strength is under
mined the parents are sustained by the child to
which has been given the vigor of their lives. 1t
is the law of Christian life There are
days when we are all conscious of our
infirmihes, just as the soldier feels the
pain of his wounds most on stormy
day. We should bear with them and speak to
them words of sympathy, We wait often until
man is dead before think of giving him
sympathy. Speak unto the living ear your
words Of cheer The best argument for self
sacrifice is exemphfedin our Lord Jesus and His
whole life. In His devotion to saving men,
He endured all that Gods justice
would allow to be laid upon Him.
In nine-tenths of the cases we have false
conception of what is Christian strength A
man may have an ungovernable temper and rash
impulses and yet be weak, The strong man is
the one who can subdue his own nature; not to
drive men, but to draw them; to bear with pa
tenee all scorn and all wrongs for the sake of
man. The man who lives thus may not have
riches or fame, but he will have what is better.
He will have Gods heart with him.