The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-06
The Need of Practical Piefy.

The Need of Practical Piety.
Yesterday morning DR.. Gilbert. of Meridian
street Church, spoke on ''The Place and Alti-
tude of Safety for the Disciples" taking for his
text, land when they had lifted up their eyes
they saw man save Jesus only" Matt. xviii,
g. The body of his discourse was an exposition
of the TRANSPORTATION OF Christ, in which he
showed Peters mistake in proposing to build
tabernacles for the glorified three while the
ministry of Christ and the mission of the Apos-
ties were unfinished. 1T was good to be on the
mountain else Jesus would not have led them
there the doctor said. "But it was not good
to remain. Tho earthly work of Moses and
Elias is done Their place is in tho mansions
above not in booths below. Neither Jesus
tarry His subsequent labors involve the
welfare OF the race. Ana the the
ls not yet even announced. In the valley are
the nine and on the morrow poor demoniac
boy, type of the race in Satans power. will be
brought for healing, requiring the Masters
and go about with Jesus doing good. Present
pleasure must not prevent future service. But
why Cid Peter make such bunders Luke de-
clares that he did not know what he said. For
the moment he forgot what the Scriptures teach
concerning the Messiah. De felt glow of
spirits a rapture that carried him out of him
self. In times of excitement people are not re-
sponsible for their words. When the heart goes
alone. extravagancies may bs expected The
disciples in that low spiritual state where
emotion is more than truth. They chung to
vision. They feared voice. They were
children of the The gospel had been
ministered to them their plane. Ere long
they will become of understanding not
needing pictures. And then they will prefer
voice to a vision, truth to feeling, and duty will
become the highest pleasure"
The Doctor then passed to the thoughts sug
gested by his text, where the disciples rep
resented as alone with Jesus. He closed with
these words. which were pronounced deliber-
ligious enjoyment are granted only to the few
They occasional and transient. 1t Is we'll
for that this is Pilgrims must not build
tabernaclss. Soldiers must not seek repose.
Two heavens too many for those who do not
deserve one. Ecstacy is not necessary TO spir-
itua life and growth. 1t is often injurious.
Under its influence truth is overlooked and folly
light Health is promoted, not by stimulants.
but by wholesome food. Our condition must
be determined by what is normal and habitual,
by the steady flow and not by the sudden out
burst. We must walk by faith. not by sight,
not by feeling; and faithscometh by the word.
Peter himself. in later life. after referring to
the TRANSPORTATION. rejoiced that We have a
we'll to take heed. We are safest in the region
of ordinary things. What is outside of that we
must test in calmer moments by the light of
the sacred page. We want practical, solid
piety, not NOR bid desires for marvels. In daily
duty done for Christ there is more spiritual de-
velopment than in food tides of glory. We
must fix our eyes upon Pattern and Guide,
listen to His voice and follow Him. After our
day of humble service we may indeed climb the
high hill and mount above the cloud. and then
rejoice with all those who saved by Jesus
only