The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-08
initial and vital factor. The resurrection puts
the seal of God upon His divine character and
THE CHRISTIANS DUTY.


FL. Thane Miller's Address to the Consrega-
ton Of the First Baptist Church.
The morning services at the First Baptist
Church. yesterday, were of somewhat varied
character. with an especial musical feature ap-
propriate to the solemn ordinance Of baptism
and the sacrament of the Lords supper. Ten
accessions to the church were baptized, while
several others presented their letters of member
ship. OF particular note was the presence of the
Sunday school children who filed the galleries
and the front pews, as part of the exercises had
been designed for their benefit Fl. Thane
Miller, OF Cincinnati, the wel-known philan-
thropist and religious worker addressed them
After Scriptural reading from the first Psalm
Mr.. Miller referred to the efforts of the
disciples and Christian converts following
the murder of Stephen as being just what was
needed in spreading the doctrines of Christ. The
Christians were then scattered abroad, when
they not only preached in pulpits, but made in
dividual efforts for the new religion. He gave
as an instance the success at Antioch, in Greece.
and when the news of it reached Jerusalem it ap-
peared too good for belief But Barnabas went
to Antioch to investigate and found all as ithad
been represented. He went to Tarsus, and, return
ing to Antioch, brought Paul with him to teach
the people, In bearing the cross of Christ the
people were happy. They were taught to be
Christians, and were glad.
We are not born Christians, continued Mr..
Miller. We must be made such. 1t is like join
ing an army. Men do not become soldiers until
they go to the recruiting Office and are enlisted.
have the desire to that end, which
comes only through Gods spirit. Then
everything our wishes, intellect, purposes must
be given to the supreme control of Christ If
we follow this claim and enlist the first thing to
do is to put on the uniform, as have seen
many do this morning. After this comes the
drill under the ministrations of the pastor.
Prayer is part of it, and the great essential.
1t is our duty to pray night and morning or
whenever we have any special wish, care, temp
prayer we can, in time, become expert" It is
much like an incident that happened to gentle
whom l know" he said. lit was during the
war, and on Mount Auburn we had company of
home-guards. This gentleman paid but little at
tention to the drilling of the company He was
absent the greater part of the time when that
duty had to be performed. On one occasion,
though, the company was to march into
the city. Everyone knew that this gentleman
did not drill very often, for his uniform
was new and bright He went, however, on this
march, and. when the company reached the cor
ner of Fourth and Main, the order to right wheel
was given He turned to the left and threw the
line into confusion"
Reading the Bible Is another important part of
this drill. It should be done daily--the first
thing in the morning. even before the morning
paperas looked at, for reading the messages from
heaven is far more important thar to know the
rise and fall of stocks, and wha. the latest scan
DIAL is.
There are other duties that come within this
line of Christian drilling, this work in trying to
become like Jesus. Regular and punctual at |
tendance at all services, and work in the Sun /!
day-school belong to them. But no one should |
go to any of them without prayer and prepara- |
ton. As Christians we should do, just as far as |
we possibly xa can have Jesus tas did nr;vi
lege of living. Indianapolis will be |
converted within month. There are many |
Christians who are good and faithful, but they |
want great deal of reaching the high standard |
in their hearts, however, will come through |
divine light. In the wreck will be seen many
things that kept them from the fullness of Chris
tian life. There will be among them broken /
wine -bottlesAthe bottles that were set on the |
home table before the boys And in the ruins |
we will discover handsome things labeled prizes, |
the so-caed favors of the german darre, and, |
again, painted pieces of paper suggestive of pro-
gressve euchre. All these things, and more
like them, are dividing Christian attention with |
Christ, and keep people from the high standard |
of faith and religious living.
We ought to 60 about doing good in relieving |
the suffering. In hospital an elegantly dressed |
lady gave drink of water to wounded soldier |
AS she passed away he called: Sister. sister,
will you not give me another drink" s'You must |
not call the lady sister" said Sister of Charity
standing by the bedside; "she is the Empress |
Eugenie." "Ah. l would rather call her sister |
than empress" In the homes of poverty, |
everywhere where suffering is, the Christian |
worker can find much to do for the spiritual |
benefit of self and the temporal and future well |
fare Of others. Exhorting the children to this |
measure and conduct of their lives Mr.. Miller |
closed his brief address.
Following this the sacrement OF the Lords |
supper was administered and the right hand of |
fellowship given to the new members Of the |
church.