The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-30
PERSONAL OBLIGATION.
DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS. ONE TO AN.
OTHER, ELoQUENTLY DISCUSSED.
The Rev. Mr.. venable Forcibly I'm
presses Valuable Lessons Upon a
Representative Congregation of the
First Baptist Church.

corner of Second and Adams streets, were
especially interesting yesterday morning.
The Rev. Mr.. Venable, the pastor
preached thoroughly interesting dis
course on passage taken from |. Cor xii,
o. synopsis of the sermon is given be-
low. The sermon, which was about
thirty-ive minutes long, was listened to
by large and appreciative audience.
One of the special attractions OF this
church is the choir, under the direction of
Mr.. Edward Paine. The music yesterday
was Of the highest order, being anthems
taken from the old classic writers, who
knew how to write church music. The
choir's rendering was exquisite, both Of the
anthems and the chants. The First Bap-
list church is rapidly growing in influence
and strength, numerically and financially
All lovers of the best OF sacred music and
the preaching of pure, simple gospel
truth are more than pleased upon every
attendance upon services in this church.
The names of the members of the choir
are not all known to the reporter, there
fore he will not attempt TO give them in
this meager notice. The audience-room
of the First Baptist church is a pleasing
surprise TO all who enter it. One, judging
from the exterior would hardly imagine
that il is one of the most beautiful and
attractive rooms of the kind, not only in
the city, but in all this southern country.
The ladies have shown the most exquisite
. taste in the furnishing of the room. II is
delightful and restful TO he in IT, II IL an
honor to the congregation and IN orna-
m-nt to the city. Following is a synopsis
of the mornings discourse, taken from |.
Corinthians xii, ~: snow We are the
body OF Christ and scverally members
thereof"
Paul, the writer OF this text, has been Sc.
yerely criticised for his lack Of apprecia-
ton Of the beauties Of nature. This was
no doubt due in large measure 10 his in
dividual character, his east OF mind and
his education. lie IL said by his critics TO
have drawn only one illustration from
nature, and that was one Of natures artii-
cial processes, to wild olive graft Romans
XII, 1920. To be sure, say they, he made
some references now and then 20 nature,
but they were remote. and attended with
studied brcvity. How different from
the style OF our Lord. lie referred to fly
ing birds, blooming lilies, growing fields
of grain, flowing rivers, bubbling fount-
aims, descending torrents, and destructive
how this passage, and others Of similar inn
port, could have escaped the attention OF
these would.be critics. Here and all
through this chapter We have well defined
references Ia nature, with one sufficiently
elaborated 10y the apostle To bc used with
wonderful rhetorical skill and argumcnta-
tive adroitncss. As an argument from
analogy, il was Overwhelmingly sarcastic,
awing those factions parties at Corinth into
silence while il gnawed its way through
the intcgumcnts OF fatal scli-complacency
With which they had invested themselves.
IL may he allowed us 10 see the force Of
this statement rs rhetorical feat before
the discussion IL over.
TheapOstlc avlils himself Of the human
body as an Illustration of several vital
: truths to which Inc calls emphatic atten-
d ton:
!. Let il be ours frst to determine the
real meaning VI the apostles language.
lie SAYS: "lc are body OF Christ" or
"Christ's body" and members Of part"
lie does not mean that the church az
Connth is n body OF Christ nor the body Of
Christ lie in dwelling alone ON the
qualitative idea. You will believe me
when tell YOU, my brethren, do not be-
lievc the term body OF Christ IL ever np.
piled ~ local church. Every human being
in Christ belongs 10 the body OF Christ.
Paul expressly says "Wo, the many, are
une body in Christ" Again lac says.
Eve indeed in one spirit were all bap-
tiscd, unto mot into) or with reference 10
one body, aud were all drcnched ~ TO one
spirit" Whether jew or Gentle; whether
bond or free. But have not the time 20
pass before YOU the passages which believe
justify the statement above, nor Is this the
sts.a.. 90. afI Nh. ut.fI.Iu n
argument which have led me 10 tho con-
clusion.
. There are some very striking analogies
between the human body. and any mum.
her Of men when animated by the quick.
cning power Of Christ In them by the
Holy Spirit. These will readily occur TO
YOU upon a moments reflection. tD
There Is the mysterious union between
the material and the yital-thc spiritual.
This union IN not more real and mysteri.
Gus in the one instance than In the other.
(2l Again you can only get an idea of the
spiritual, the vital, through the material
aud non.viial. II is just the difference In
the higher which determines the difference
in the material and the lower. Human
life, ~ life, il only revealed in the human.
maicrali1cd being All my idea Of these
men and women before me comes through
II lUt IltnHlNll ~ lNiiu anu liifs
4 All the world knows Of the power oi
1 Christ must be learned through his people
- the medium Of expression. Hence
i Paul said for me 10 live IL Christ. So may
81 be with us all.
3 Again, the material body can do moth.
Ing, be nothing, save ~ u IN animated 10y
the yiializing force 81 the higher. Tho
eve, with all It's delicate adjustments can
never sec, save ~ Il Is quickencd by the
vital fore; the higher must animate H.
The hand, the most wonderful mechanism
known 90 man, II q dead, unadjustable
thing save a. II Is cncrgized 10y the vital
immaterial, higher element. All tie
beautiful appointments Of service are worse
than impOtcnt mOckeries unless animated
by the spirit OF Christ. Carpcted ilOon,
ornamental windows, well trained choirs,
elaborate ritualism aud eloquent sermons,
enhancing cloquencc In prayer and dis
course, all are empty mockerics unless the
spidtoi our Christie ltmay commend
itself 10 the taste Of the aesthetic, Il may
please the pious, but II will never stir the
heart nor lit the soul 10 God Christ
said. without me ye can do nothing
IL am the way, the truth, aud the life; no
man can come unto The Father but by
me" Because / live yc shall live ais"
] We have Christ formed In us the hope VI
! glory. We sit together in heavenly places
/ In Christ Jesus.
4 4. This human body furnishes ne an al.
i .mimble illustration Of the supplemental
relation which exists between the different