The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-27
DIR. JEFFERY'S SERMON.
Men Raised Up by God for Special Purposes
Grants Greatness of Character

Men Raised Up by God for Special Purposes
Grants Greatness of Character.
There was large congregation at the First
Baptist Church yesterday morning, to which the
Rev. DR.. Jeffery delivered an eloquent sermon,
suggested by the Nations bereavement. On
each side of the organ was an American flag
exhibiting the sign of mourning, and on the
altar two pieces of the florists art applica-
BILE to the time. DR. Jeffrey chose as his text
the thirty sixth verse of the thirteenth chapter
of Acts: For David, after he had served his own
generation by the will of God fell on Sleep" ac-
cordinc to the old version. but from the revised
text: For David, after he had served in his own
generation in the counsel of God, fell on sleep. "
1t was the latter which he applied to his
topic, ''rhe Death of General Grant" He
said that all of US, whether we live
indifferently or under the consciousness of a
purpose, exert an influence On our generation
and through it on the generations that are to
follow No man liveth in himself or dieth in
himself Every man acts out the will of God
and a few become potential factors in shaping
the condition of their times and in determining
the destiny of mankind for good evil. The
course OF some has been followed by evil. They
have lived to become a curse, and are re-
membered only to be execrated.
Others have served their genera
ton ton by $3.50 promoting o Dt the welfare Of Of
the question whether life is worth the living.
Pessimists hold that this life is nothing more
than tiresome routine of DAILY cares and daily
duties and asked whether it would not be better
had they not lived. But by what
a mans life is not worth the iiving9 What
standard is to be selected by which the value of
life is to be determined, whether it has bee in
vain or whether it has been good! The simple
test is, whether one has served his own genera
ton There is no service of God that separates
man from the interests of humanity. The viest
and meanest are they who think they can serve
God by Withdrawing from human affairs and
seek to lose their identity with mankind. The
grandest, greatest is he who contributes to
human advancement by his work in life his love
and duty to family, his love and duty to country.
1t matters not whether man recognizes this in
huence for good, God will
1t is the will of God that one should serve his
generation, and that his life shall become a
blessing 1t is His will that determines the
sphere in which this service shall be rendered.
and 1t is that wherein we can serve Him best
He eXactS from US that what we do shall be
done with fidelity. God raises up men to occupy
distinguished spheres in the service of men. 1t
is a providence looking to a special purpose, for
there is power that shapes Our lives, rough
hew them as we may The scriptures tell Us of
many who, like David, served their generation
according to the controlling counsel of God, and
in these lives men cannot fail to find confrma-
ton OF the truth Of experimenting Providence
III human affairs. The events of history prove
it, and most signay has it been illustrated in
the record of our Nation and of our own
times.
The peoplng of New England with the sturdy
stock OF Puritan blood, the circumstances which
led TO the revolt of the colonies the presence OF
such a man as George Washington as the leader
of the colonial armies. and more recently the
election TO the presidency at such time OF such
man as Abraham Lincoln, are events that