Morning journal and courier., 1889-05-06
ranUR NEW PASTOR.

The Ffrst Baptist Church COngFega.
 tfon Listens 10 Sermon from the
 new Incumbent of the Church Pas
 rorate for the First Ttme-A Large
 Attendance-A Few Words Person.
 ally.
 Rev. John H. Mason preached from the pulpit of the First Baptist church on Woos-
 ter square for the first time yesterday morn
 ing and very large congregation welcomed
 his initial words to his new charge.
 s'Whom we preach" from Colossians 1, 2S,
 was his text. Not God but man; not
 lifeless system but human being, said he,
 is our gospel. Men may give you words,
 words, words and call it preaching. Paul
 went out and preached crucifed Christ, the
 salvation of men. He preached living
 Christ. There is mighty power in having
 one friend, even if a human friend. The
 friend who is with you in grief, suffers when
 you suffer, is the one whose handgrasp is
 more than any spoken word. Christ's life
 was crowded full of sorrow, suffering and
 privation. He was surrounded by men who
 would deny him, betray him and cruelty
 him. Yet he was steadfast. He was Jesus
 whom we preach. But we must preach more
 than that else life is full of interrogation points. Paul also preached 8 dying Christ. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. If we were to give up any of the gospel story,
 let the manager go, we will give it all up, but leave us the cross. Thank God that he lived for us but thank him still more that he died for us. There the very last thing was done which almightiness could do to save your soul.
 We cannot stop with a living or dying Christ. We must further remember that Paul preached risen Christ. This is the one light over the dark door of eternity and l answers the souls burning questionings. Is there any gospel living that can bs set over against the incarnation which was the etern- al salvation and elevation of soul to the right hand of God for it's sin? One with Christ in death is to be one with him in the resurrection. I do not wonder that in the death hour man holds out his hands to Christ. recall the words of Colonel Ingersoll at the grave of his fFiend, ehaste words, elegant words, beautiful as master piece of statG- ary. Yes, beautiful statue in whose stony eyes is no light of living truth, whose dead heart beats with no vital fire.
 After closing his sermon. the pastor con- tinued: My friends, I stand before you to- day for the first time as pastor. have thoughts in mind of which I can give no ad- equate expression. I try to look into the fu- ture and wonder what is there, happiness or disappointment, success or failure. I won- der whether I will be able to lead you as God would have me, if I can give you the help needed if 1 can stand by your side at the time of death and make you believe God ! is good, that life is sweet despite tragedies, and prepare us for diviner life where there 1 is no sorrow or shining. Well, we cannot know the future. If there is anything that 1 will help you, it will be this gospel which all i preach. Christ, the son of God, tho living, dying, risen Christ is all I have for you. This gospel has been preached in all time and has never failed.
 You want friend; I give you Christ; You want king; I give you Christ. You 1 want God; but he seems far away. You ] want man, but he is very weak. You want God man. You seek strength and in l the Godhead you find it. You want some | thing that can throw open the gates of eternal ] life to you, and Christ stands waiting.