The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-19

Ougu lnveSt1gatlOu, tectareQ vn8t inc power
which operates in nature 10 ''some ultimate re-
| Atty transcendlng human thought" which,
therefore, he calls ''the absolute the infinite and
| the unknowable.s What was that but a con-
fession that there is an existence Of which he Is
/ ignorantf And Matthew Arnold, alike unable
/ by his own power to arrive at a knowledge OF
| the Supreme Being, after which man yearns
proposed to substitute for the idea of personality
"a power that makes for righteousness"
1t Is plain that the scientists and the
They have their work, difficult and important
| Let them attend to it. But they deal with Ma
| ture and cannot by any methods employed by
them ever find the Author of Nature. The tele-
| scope, the microscope the crucibe can never
| discover Him. He is not imprisoned in His works
to be freed by the magic touch of some explorer.
| He is not wanderer to be overtaken by some
swift messenger. He is not apprehensible by
the senses. He has, indeed, left his mark upon
| every atom of matter. and all the forces that
play about US are but the manifestations of His
| power. The whole world declares that He is,
| but never by the study Of material things can
| man find Him. 1t was poetic fancy and con-
| ceit, aye falsehood, when one said: From
nature up to natures God" Let the scientists
and philosophers cease their searchngs for the
Almighty. Whenever they speak concerning
Him they 'darken counsel by words without
| knowledge" Their teachings will not answer
mans sigh for father and for fathers house.
Some other agency must be employed. skilled in
methods of leading men to God-an agency as
necessary IN its department as any agency en-
gal Gagged domed in W Supplying mans phys-
cy be. and what is chief ex-
ceence2 What shall be its essential character
| istica The answer is easy God Is spirit He
| reveals himself only to spiritual beings. They
only have capacity to know Him. Say not who
shall ascend into the heavens, to bring Him
down. or who shall descend into the deep to bring
Him up!' He is nigh thee He knocks at the
door of the heart If any open the door He
will come in. God is to be found, if at all, spirit
ually. He may be found by all who seek Him.
But some have wandered far and lost the way of
return. That they may not grope long helper
is needed. He only can help the seeker to his
God who has himself found Him. Hence, the
minister man from God. A man from the
schools probably! The better the intellectual
discipline and the literary furnishing the more
useful he may be. A sharp tool is to be prefer
red to dull one. man from good social cir
Giles, possibly! Coarseness is NO aid to godliness
Refinement ought to be coveted. Religion re-
fines But whatever the gifts, whatever the
attanments, whatever the stores of human
learning, whatever the polishing, they are all in
vain unless the man is from God He must have
fellowship with his Maker This is his primary
quality. Without it he may be lecturer. an
agreeable associate, true friend, gentle
| man, an accomplished scholar. of some
things teacher, but Christian minister never.
| For. how shall any man lead another where he
| himself has not been2 IF the blind lead the
| D1nd Doth snail falI into the QlCcn.
"A man from God" That does not imply less
| but greater sympathy with men. 1t does not
| involve a dignlfied bearing that sewers from
the multitude. There is no man that can touch
men and hold them like man from God. Di-
vine communion prepares for human fraternity.
sanctfes and intensifes it. The higher relation
explains and glorifes the lower Moreover, the
minister need not profess to be from God The
fact ought to be apparent to all. There ought
to be something about him. in his speech spirit,
hot 10 xxv,tk,
heaven. If this is not the case his professions
would be dscredited; if it is true, they would be
| unnecessary. Moses went up into the mount
and there conversed face to face with God. On
returning to the camp he carried with him some
| what of the glory that came upon him in the
| Divine presence. And the people saw it. So
must the minister bear into the sanctuary and
| into the world proofs Of his acquaintance
with God. From God, from the closet.
| from the place of spiritual refresh
ening from the place where God blesses the
soul. out into real life and duty. a man from
| God, proof of the existence of God, a rebuke
to materialsm and agnostic:sm, and a living
| episIle, wherein may be read the power of God.
Such is the minister.
| Thirdly-The minister is "a man sent from
| God" True, he may be sent by the church.
Some ecclesiastical body may have examined
him and approved and commended his gifts and
his graces. For the sake of order and security
| against imposition, that ought to be the case.
| That is GOES plan He sets his ministers in the
| church. makes them part of the church. and
! expects the church by some plan to open the
| way for them to their work. The minister may
| also be called by some congregation The right
| of company of believers to express choice for
| their spiritual guide cannot be questioned 1t
| has always been conceded. 1t is fortunate for
the minister when he is recognized thus and
sought, and a sad day when no one seeks him.
Still, no body of men ought to lay hands upon
him, and no body of believers ought to invite
him into the sacred desk: and if either is done
he ought not to respond, unless there is good
reason for all to believe that he has previously
been sent of God. And, if God has sent him,
he must go, ordained unordained
called uncaed, whether men twill hear or
whether they will forbear." If no congregation
is waiting to receive him he must make
gregation, for that divine sending constitutes the
minister The ordination by presbyters or
bishop only puts public seal to previous fact
The minister's real commission is not parch
| ment. 1t originates in heaven. 1t is craven on
his heart 1t commences with our Lords i'm
perative Go" Woe unto him who turns deaf
| ear to that summons.
These sentiments are not often uttered in our
| day. In certain quarters they may be received
| with derision. 1t may be that some enter this
high office contemplating its duties as purely
| professional But the biblical ideal is presented
| clearly and forcby in many passages And
| "how shall they preach except they be sent2" is
| the apostles searching inquiry. An unsent man
cannot preach. He will have no message from
| 0OQ ne only Is Cn0 true minister VINO reels an
| inward spiritual force, mysterious and unde-
Unable it is true but none the less real, thrust
| ing him into the work of God. Beloved, this Is
| no new doctrine in our Methodism. Every man
ordained among us is questioned by the bishop.
do you trust that you are inwardly moved by
the Holy Ghost to take upon you the Office
of the ministry in the church of Christ.
to serve God for the promoting of
His glory and the ed,fyine of His peope2' to
which he is expected to reply. II trust So" And
it is cause for devout THANKSGIVING that, with
very rare exception. men have proved to all
/ that they we're not mistaken. They have pub
lished their commission, and God has honored it.
| Sent from God The true minister is not en-
| gagged in his own business. He is not in sea, ch
| oil pleasure, or honor or ease. or gain. He is an
| ambassador OF God. obligated to serve him whom
he represents. if heed be, at the sacice of honor
| pleasure, worldly profit, and even of life itself
| His motto must ever be- mot AS pleasing men