The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-22

saved from worldliness. and why it was so sue
cessful. We read that these early Christians
continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.
Now observe how those Christians acted They
embraced and held steadfastly sound doctrines.
They kept up cordial Christian Fellowship They
remembered faithfully Christ's dying request in
the breaking of bread. and they were instant in
prayer. What wonder that the Lord should add
daily to that church We would never think of
looking for worldliness in connection with such
a church as that Hence, it appears
that the best safeguard against worldliness
on the part of any church or on the
part of any Christian is loving and loyal alle-
glance to Christ Such Christians will, in trans
acting their business remember that they are
stewards of the Lord, and they will use their
time and their property in accordance with His
will. They will have no sympathy with the
"tricks of trade" They will not think of tax
rance, or inexperience in order to enrich them
selves They will provide things honest in the
sight of all men. They will recompense no man
evil for evil They will be noted for their hospi-
tally; and when an appeal is made to them
in behalf OF any righteous cause they will give,
not in proportion as their neighbors give,
but they will give in proportion to their ability.
and as the Lord has prospered them.
If the Christian church in all its branches was
thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Christ; if
it was rid of worldliness; if all Christians were
to look not upon their own things but also upon
the things OF others; If the strong would help to
bear the infrmities of the weak; if all rich
Christians would heed that divine injunction:
Bear We one another's burdens and so fulfil
the law of Christ" many questions which
are now agitating this and other Christian lands
would soon be settled The Bible is the best text
book on political economy The application of
Christian principles is the very best solution of
the difficulties that have brought about that I'M
capital and labor, between the employers and the
employed. What is the origin of the conaict2
Has it not been in q great degree worldliness?
And is the church of Christ entirely blameless
in this respects She holds vast amount of
wealth;s and if all protesting Christians
conflicts as are now going on might
have been avoided 1.-THE Doctor here alluded to
the fact that in the discussion now going on he
had seen remarks made by demagogues in which
they praised the employees and found fault with
the employer. He had seen none which found
the slightest fault with the labor side of the
agitation, which seemed to him very significant,
and looked as if those who had political aspira-
tons were afraid to express facts which might
antagonize that element. He noticed that the
same was in q great measure characteristic Of
newspapers
A loyal and loving Allegiance to Christ on the
part of all Christians would effectually settle
many questions which, from time to lime, dis
tract the church. "Be not conformed to this
world" means, let love to Christ be paramount,
and when love to Christ is the ruling principle
of the life, that life is safe and useful. Such
Christians, as may be seen, will not 60 far
astray in either their views or their conduct in
regard to worldly amusements, or in
temperance. or Sunday newspapers, or
other perplexing questions With Christ
on the throne of our affections; with Gods word
in our hand for our guidance: with the Holy
Spirit of Col as our teacher, teaching Of the
things of Christ and sharing them with us,
the world, that is, the sinful world, which is
made up of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the
and in view Of the ,nercies of God we will pre-
sent our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, accepta-
bio with God, which is our reasonable service.
and thus we will not be, we cannot DO conformed
to this world.