The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-24

having authority always. but always His power
was brought near to men by the complete way
in which He made himself one of them by the
evident reality with which He bore their sins and
carried their sorrows" Again: Now when we
compare the ordinary preachers life with that of
Jesus, think we see how much more apt he Is
to have kept the position of leader than the po-
sition of brother of the people, Our Lord
always felt deeply and keenly the great dangers
that threatened human souls. The weaknesses
of humanity appealed constantly to His gen.
erous love and unfaling sympathy. and in real
humility He undertook to guard and save man
kind. He drew to himself scores of men only
to grieve over their departure when He gave
them sayings hard to be understood. Never did
He hold up to ridicule the shortcomings of
His avowed followers, but gently warned and
encouraged them until even tie fear of
death was taken from them, though it was
threatened in all its most horrible forms. In all
this work he drew invidious comparisons be-
tween himself and others; but as a shepherd
cares for his flock. SO our Lord tenderiy led his
disciples into purar and holer life.
think that the evangelist that we expect to
work in our city does not always disclose prop
er spirit In too many parts OF his sermons an
overwhelming egotism is apparent, and his crlti-
cisms mere blows, given too frequently with
out especial discrimination, thereby woundlng
the sensitive and causing the coarse and vulgar
to have opportunity to express their nnfeellng
delight. The language of our Savior is the most
chaste and lofty known. while that of Mr.. Jones
is too often both inelegant and vulgar.
Sin, as looked upon by cur Master, is terri
BILE disease which He. as the Great Physician,
would gladly and willingly heal; but with Mr..
Jones it is a crime for which man ought to suf-
fer. Our Lord gently entreated men to follow
their knowledge and convictions, but our evan
gelst too often threatens with violence those
that follow their appetites and those thas have
no regard for morality. Do not, therefore. con-
clude that this man is in the highest sense an
answer to our question-what is it to preach
or that his system. if he has any, is the best
known. or his methods the most generally ap-
provedl But consider him more terrible de-
nuncator of sin and selfappointed censor
over the course of men, and il the hideousness
of sin make you turn from it in disgust, turn
from both it and this mere painter, and seek In
the pages of Holy Writ the way of righteousness
and peace. Lean upon the gentle, spirited
Christ for help, support and endless sympathy,
and trust that the sacrifice made by this Savior
on Calvary win wash away your sins-will make
them whittier than snow, though to your poor
heart, filed with remorse, they may seem az
scarlet. Take your place at the feet of Christ
and learn of him, for he is meek and lowiy In
spirit. and you shall find rest to your souls.
And may God sanctfy and keep you for the
sake of Jesus, the Christ.
MR. GANTzs EVENING SERMON.
Mr. Gantzs sermon in the evening was on the
subject, What Is Conversion?" He read the
twenty second chapter of Acts, Paul's account
of his own conversion. The text was Acts
ill, 19.
Mr.. Gantz said that after a careful examina-
ton of Mr.. Jones's sermons he was led to con-
clude that the evangelist failed to point out
definitely to his auditors what it was to be con-
verified A great many times general statements
could be found about the necessity Of conversion
and what converted person ought not to do,
but how man was converted, or what constl-
tinted conversion was never stated This, it is
very evident, weakens the practical effect of the
evangelist's teaching. Men whose natures are
aroused to the exceeding sufulness of sin. ought
to be plainly taught how they might escape the
path and the result of disobedience against God.
Conversion is a. change of mind. See what
wonderful change Of mind, or of views. is APP
parent in the first step of the apostles CONVEX
sion. His arm is stayed against the infant
church from the very moment that he is told by
divine revelation that he is warning against God
and his plans. Paul had to be told expressly
that he was opposing God. and this fact he had
to believe, before he stopped in his course. So
1t is in every case of conversion in the New
Testament whenever the enemies of God are
changed (2 Conversion is change of heart.
or of the affections The story of Christ causes
men to love Him. after they. in misa, decide
Him to be their Savior The first converts
der Peter that had hated Him unto
DEATH but after their conversion they loved Him
ton to the Savior and His cause is we'll known TO
all Conversion, in the third place, is change
of state This is called in the New Testament
regeneration, the new birth, translation from
the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of
Gods dear Son. In this change enter into
Christ and receive remission OF our sins. For
this purpose the ordinance Of baptism was insti
tuted-an ordinance, by the way, that Mr.. Jones
seldom. if ever mentions Finally, conversion
is change of the whole life Old things have
passed away-all things have become new.
Saul of Tarsus, breathing out threatenings
against the church, is now Paul the apostle to
the gentiles suffering without complaint all
that the enemies of Christ chose to visit upon
him.
1t is evident that many have grown up from
infancy with faith in Christ, with love in their
hearts for Him. with deep Edesre to live the
life of Christian. These need simply to change
their state 1t is strange thing to say, but
this class is overlooked nearly altogether by
Mr. Jones. Do not neglect therefore, if you
are convinced of your need of a savior by the
earnest labor of the evangelist to seek in the
church of Christ the means to change your
| state and the necessary assistance to build a
proper character in the sight of God.
Next Sunday morning Mr. Gantz will preach
on what is Relgion9" which he thinks Mr..
Jones does not clearly define, and at night
on What is the church,