The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-22
HIS CONCLUDING SERMON.
The Close Of DR.. Houghton's Successful Pas
torate at Roberts Park

Rev. Ross G. Hougton, last night, preached his
last sermon to the congregation of Roberts Parl
| Church, from II Corinthians xiii, IL
Finally, brethren, farewell Be perfect, be Of good
comfort be of mind live in peace; and the God Of
! love and peace shall be with YOU
| After referring at some length, to his pastor.
ate, and its results, and the pleasant relations
which had existed between him and his people,
and an expression of most sincere regard for the
churches and people of indianapolis, as well as
unfeigned regret that it seemed necessary for
him to sever his connection with his congregation
and the city, DR. Houghton said
Finally, brethren, fare We we'll" A good
wish from our old xontongue, in its full mean
ing involving an earnest prayer for your future
prosperity.
First brethren ''be perfect This word APP
piled to the individual IN relation to his soul-lfe,
implies his publication from sinfulness, and
every form of worldliness, so that the original
harmony and purity of the soul may be restored,
and the heart become suitable habitation for
the Holy Spirit. The Christian should never be
satisfied with his attainments; but should stead
lily go on, rising in the life of God until he
comes to and grows in perfection. He is not to
be lifted above all errors and weakness of hui
mainly, but he is to be a perfect Christian, con-
trolled by love; and there is always an improve
ment, growth in such perfection.
Second-"Be of good comfort This com
mand involves the fact that mature, stable
Christian as he comes in contact with the trials
of life, will be like man walking with his face
towards the sun: he is constantly beholding the
counJenance of God. His own shadow throws
no darkness upon the path, and in the divine
light he is able to see ali difficulties, to weigh
and measure them, to understand the part God
designs them to play in his discipline and deyel
opment and he feels comforted by the positive
assurance that he shall be in every sense con-
queror in the strife And, as regards his con-
nection with the church, although he, like other
men, may have his strong preferences, yet, in
reality, 1t matters not who his pastor may be,
what society he may be connected with, or what
part of the work or burdens he finds placed upon
him, his growth and happiness are assured; he
knows it, and is always comforted, always hope
full He has Joined himself to divine wisdom
and power, and he does not suffer himself to be
oppressed by undue anxiety as to the results
Third-t'Be of one mind Agreement in
creed is supposed to exist in every organized so
ciety of Christians and no particular exhorta-
ton is needed to make its members of one mind
as regards the doctrines to be taught, or the
form of church government to be observed. But
to be of one mind in the sense of this apostolic
command comprehends oneness in life, and in
love- and in labor-which unity is an indis-
pensable element of prosperity. But just at this
point most churches are crippled and limited in
their influence. just at this point this church
suffers materially in its growth and power. AS
the largest church in this city, it is not an
increase of numbers that you need, so much as
an increase of intelligent devotion and effort on
the part of all who are now connected with the
society. There are comparatively but few who
can justly be called workers. There seems to
be an increasing disposition to shift all personal
responsibility to the shoulders of the pastor and
few faithful members, who are really the life
and power of the organization. This, brethren,
is one of the serious hindrances to your perfect
success; hindPance which you can
remove, and which God commands you to rise
up in the might of a united conservation and
Danish from your midst To say that in this
respect you are as well off as your neighbors
does not mend the matter, or lessen your re-
proach.
For all this church might do and yet for this
reason, fails to do God viii hold it
loose himself in the crowd; every one must
meet his full share of the responsibility.
Fourth Live in peace The worst of all
wars have been religious wars In like manner,
when spirit of dissension or bitterness towards
his brother is suffered to creep into church
members heart it seems to gain strength and
tenacity of life from the very incongruity Of its
position. Such spirit in church is an enemy
within the camp. 1t interferes with work and
progress to an alarming extent. It weakens the
confidence of the world in Christianity. 1t
makes every one who INDUCES it a weight upon
the church when he ought to be a help. Oh
my dear brother, love is the true cement that
makes strong the building May God bestow it
upon the church more and more, until all her
hindrances are sweetly removed, and her con
quest over sin and the world becomes complete
Fitth-"And the God of love and peace shall
be with you" He shall be with you to sanctify,
furnish and strengthen your SOULS He shall be
with you to perfect your prosperity, and make
you among the most successful of all who are
really laborers together with Christ
Brethren, this is the explanation, the loving
reproof as WELL and this, also, is your glorious
destiny. If you heed the one you cannot posi-
bly, come short of the other. / pray that this
church may have glorious future; that the
piety, and love, and zeal, and iberality. which
make church really strong, may characterize
every member of your communion. In common
with the former pastors of this church, shall,
hereafter, from another field of labor, keep
watch of your interests. I shall pray for You
shall love you. Ishall always rejoice in your
prosperity