The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-12
CENTRAL-AvENUE M. e. CHURCH.

Initial Service and Sermon of the New Pas
tor, Rev. A. w. Lamport
The beautiful weather, and the novelty of see
ing and hearing the new pastor, brought out an
unusually large audience to Central-avenue
Church yesterday morning The music was I'M
der the direction of Professor Belcher, and was
led and sustained by chorus of full fifty voices,
made up from the young people of the church.
In addition to the regular hymns, Professor Bel
cher sang beautiful solo, "Over the Stars there
Is Rest" Mr.. Lamport was assisted in the
services by Rev. L. w. Munhall, who made the
prayer, and read the morning lesson.
The text was the second verse of the sixth chap
ter Of Revelation: ''And I saw, and behold
white horse: and he that sat on him had bow;
and a crown was given unto him: and he went
forth conquering, and to conquer" The white
horse is the symbol of the gospel plan of sal
Walton. 1t was battle horse going forth to
war, representing the gospel in it's ag-
gressiveness. The horse symbolized the
power of the gospel, and the speed of the gospel
for jeremiah says of the war horse, that he is
swifter than the eagle, and it is Gods purpose
that the gospel shall speedily conquer the world
to Christ The white horse also represents the
purity of the gospel. The bow in the hand of
him that sat on the horse was the Christian
ministry. Alas for the bow if it be not of
good material, be not properly tempered and
seasoned, and if it be not true. The Methodist
Church believes in the divine call and ordination
of the ministry; the minister should be properiy
tempered by the Holy Spirit, and there should
be no heresv in him. else the arrow will swerve
from its mark. The word of God is the arrow
which the bow is to shoot, but if the bow be not
of the best material, be not properly strung
oy,a he nf trr,o he
unerring directness to the hearts of the people
1t seems paradox that crown was given be-
fore the victory was entirely won; but God has
already crowned Jesus, and set Him on the throne
at His right hand, and the promise is that those
who endure will also be seated on His throne
and be given crowns of life The terms conquer
ing and to conquer refer to to the conquerng of
the hearts of men by love, and the conquest of
the enemies of Christ by the wrath of God The
work of the gospel is two fold-a SAVIOR of life
unto life. and SAVIOR of death unto death. 1t
holds sway over the hearts of willing men by
the force of infinite love, and it puts Satan and
sin under its feet in the contamination of that
great day when sinners shall call upon the rocks
and mountains to HIDE them from the wrath of
God. Throughout the discourse Mr. Lamport
applied the points to the work he had assumed
among the people to whom he had been
called in the providence of God and the order of
the church, and he prayed that his ministry
might be made effective to the edifieation of
believers and the conversion of sinners.
Mr.. Lamport is man of pleasing presence
and easy manners quiet. unostentatious plain
earnest and forcible. His first sermon and
service made deep and satisfactory impression
upon the church and congregation. He speaks
without notes. his diction is choice; he uses
Illustration and anec6ote with good effect aud
while simple and entertaining doss not descend
from the plane of the greatest seriousness He
seems to possess those special qualifications
which adapt a man to be a valuable pas-
tor, uniting with them, however, abilities which
make him strong and attractive in pulpit work
a combination not always found, even in the
best equipped and most popular minister Mr.
Lamport will easily take and maintain place in
the front rank of the Indianapolis ministry, and
will worthily follow the former pastors of the
church he is to serve, who as he said yesterday
have been among the ablest men of the Metho
dist denomination-one now the editor of the
Western Christian Advocate, anothe. an ex-
president of De PAW University, and ano Their
prince of pulpit orators. whose fame has ex-
tended beyond the borders of the State and is
fairly national.
When Mr. Lamport and his family are fairly
and fully settled and have acquainted themselves
somewhat with their new surroundings.
the church will extend him formal welcome at
which time ne can be introduced to the general
public. and assume his appropriate place in the
general esteem with the other able men who
grace and strengthen the indianapolis pulpit