The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-06-11
INTRODUCTORY SERMON.

The Rev. +. u. Altman preached nle
first sermon as pastor OF the English
Lutheran organization here, at the Re
formed church Sunday morning. He
was introduced as the new pastor of the
congregation by Rev. w. n. Spar. Ar.
Altman prefaced his sermon with the
statement that IN two weeks the church
would be recognized; that next Sun
day Sabbath school would be organIz.
ed and that regular Thursday night
prayer meetings would be held. All not
having any other church homes were In
vited to attend the various services. Mr..
Altman is q young man of fine ability.
As a pulpit orator he ranks high, and
socially he is of that turn which will I'M
doubtedly make him g popular and eftl-
cient pastor. The following Is
an abstract of his Introductory sermon
from the text, "Feed the flock of God
which is among you."-1st Peter, o.:
The original term translated feed" Is
of very strong and extensive import. In
general it implies other forms of pastor
al care.
ItIs part of the duty of shepherd to
be q guide to his flock. As IL belongs to
the keeper of the sheep, to 60 before
them pointing the way and calling them
to follow. SO docs it belong to the spir-
itual shepherd TO go In and out be-
fore the people over whom the Holy
Ghost has made him oVerseer. He is to
be ian example to believers IN all
things" He must embody his teach.
ings IN example; prove them; illustrate
their power to cheer; to uphold, to fortI-
fy against the influence of temptation
to raise US superior to earth
| and sin. Thus does he become living
| epislle, seen and read of all men; the
| true successors of the apostles.
It is the duty of a shepherd to provide
food tor his flock. Sheep must have
pasturage. They can not live upon
rocks and stumps, neither can the flock
of Christ. The chief shepherd and
bishop of souls has anticipated thiE
| want. He laid down his life for his
sheep, and they are called upon to eai
| his flesh, to drink his blood, under tbs
| assurance that his flesh Is meat indeed
and his blood is drink indeed. He hai
| appointed a variety OF ordinances al
means of spiritual growth. The wore
of truth occupies prominent and essen
tial position for this purpose. 1t Is thu
true mama under whose invigoratlnG
effects the Christian is TO grow up intC
the measure of the fullness of the stature
| of Christ. For the attainment of thiI
end good hearing is as important a
good preaching. The word properly
preached, then the responsibility is upOl
the nearer. Let the minister preach tn
word in Its simplicity and purity. le
him SOW beside all waters, ant
God shall be glorified, though
Israel be not gathered. To preach tn
Word requires no little skill, ample ant
varied scholarship, profound and IN
questioned piety. We need ministr,
pared to meet the skeptic on his owl
ground; to meet reason with reason
science with science, and learning wit
learning. Other means of nourishman
and support which it is the duty of tn
faithful pastor to use are baptism an
the Lords Supper. Their special oh
ject is not so much the conversion Q
sinners as the edification. and sanct
fication of believers. Another duty i'm
piled in feeding the flock Is pastors
sympathy. He must weep with thOs
who weep; he must not neglect tn
home of the poor; he must meet Attic
tion in its varied forms; he must mingl
freely with his people ascertaining thei
spiritual wants and trials, counseling
encouraging, strengthening and leadln
Lastly, the pastor Is to govern hi
flock. As spiritual shepherd he mus
administer closely and cautiously tn
the discipline of the church. The me
tive that must actuste him must be love
Unless sustained by an ardent love 70
his work the pastor will sink beneatl
the pressure of his cares. To many tn
usual routine of ministerial duty ma,
appear by NO means IaborIous or op
pressive, but there is perhaps no subjeC
in relation to which inaccurate ludg
ment is more common than in relation
to this. The Office of the Christian
minister is dignified and important.
is an Office that comes next to the glor,
OF Jehovah, aud embodies IN its pro
gress the highest interests of the world
Surely such an Office should be LIBERAL,
sustained. The minister Is no benef
ciary upon the charities of the church
He is entitled to an ample sup
port, such as will effectuall,
relieve him from all apprehension @
humiliating dependence, when con
strained by age or infirmity to retir
from active service. The world Is large
ly indebted to the pulpit, and when
shall be properly appreciated and under
stood, 1t will be seen to be identifies
with the best interests and hopes of tn
race.