The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-12
REV. DUNLAP's SERMON.
Services at tho First Christian Church
by the New Pastor.

Services at tho First Christian Church
by the New Pastor.
A large congregation greeted Rev. r. z.
Dunlap, the new pastor of the Christian
church, on Seneca street, yesterday morn
ing. Important announcements were
made concerning the state convention,
which will be entertained by this church
this week. The committees have the
work well in hand, and all delegates and
visitors will be provided for in good style.
Mr.. Dunlap's sermon was along the line
of practical work and was intended to
quicken the conscience of his hearers to
greater diligence.
Rev. Mr.. Dunlap's subject was "The
Fellowship" and he took for his text:
Acts ii:42-"And they continued steadfastly In
the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread and in prayera"
The speaker said that the text must be
studied again and again to grasp the
wealth of truth in It and the student
needed to have the fundamentals upon
which the relations of the Christian life
were based well in hand. The inner mean
ing of the term was companionship, but it
was more-it was voluntary companion
ship and every item of the gospel was VOL
untary. Continuing, he said:
Voluntary companionship further proceeds
upon acquaintance and congenialty. without
a common ground of likes and dislikes, of de.
sire and expectation, there can be no compan-
ionship. Common interest begets sympathy,
ana under proper conditions grows into friend.
ship, and this friendship ripens into love. Now,
the Christian fellowship presents all these
elements of companionship. There is no lack
of opportunity here. This touches the soul of
Christian character. He that is washed in the
e {a RaA to- ,{.@,,
ship in the blood-washed throng. 1t docs not
presuppose all barriers burned away, but it
means that am debtor to preach the gospel to
you that are in Rome; also to Greeks and bar
barians, bond and free. 1t is in this view OF
fellowship that we find the fervor, affection and
sentiment. Here is wide scope for emotions.
This element of fellowship is not limited by
geographical lines, but by the excellence of
Christian character.
The second element that enters into Christian
fellowship is voluntary partnership. This is its
practiC al side, the outer, corresponding to the
inner just mentioned. Partnership is such
usual term that IL needs no explanation. We
use il In its accepted sense. It is quite neces-
sary thing to carry on great enterprises. Neces-
sary sometimes for small enterprises TO persons
of small ability. 1t supposes capital, agreement,
skill, labor. You read the term ''limited" after
some firm names, indicating the extent OF the
partnership. Partners are also sharers in profit
furnish all the capital, skill and labor and bear
all the loss, and allow you 10 share in profits
alone. II appears to be the view that many
have of Christian fellowship. They are willing
TO have all the benefits; have comfortable pews,
good preaching, excellent sunday schools, four
ishing prayer-meetings, sinners converted, and
at death Christian burial, fine funeral and
brilliant attendance into heaven itself without
furnishing any of the brain or Drawn that sus-
tains these things now.
We have u right to select our partners. and
should select them with reference TO character
and ability, but have no right to become q de-
fauiter after entering into the relation.
The first person-the head of this FIRMS the
Father. "Ysa, and our fellowship is with the
Father" In all LIES enterprises He must be
considered, and doubly so in redemption. II
there be failure, il must be found elsewhere
than with Him. He is the Savior of all men,
especially believers. Here is capital. He directs
us to s.work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling, for IL is God that worketh in you
both TO well and to do OF His own good pleas
ure." II is the Father that committed TO Paul
the dispensation or fellowship, (Eph iii: 20,)
for this 10 the same term.
The second person is the Son. sour fellow.
ships with the Father. and with His SON, Jesus
Christi joni, i:a Again: "God is faithful
who has called you into fellowship with His
Son."-L Cor, i:9
What a high honori Paul counts all things
but loss TO know Him and one power OF his res
direction aud the fellowship OF His suffering.
We must be worthy. II we say we have fellow
ship with Him. and walk in darkness, We lie
Jesus said: 40, am with you Away, even
unto the end of the ages" What blessed COM
psnionshipl There has been many q walk with
Him such as that TO Emmans.
"The third person in this fellowship is the
Holy Spirit" Phil ii:l. The agent that brooded
over chaos in the beginning and brought forth
order and beauty in nature, and that is now I'M
manent in all Gods universe, in truth and in
plant and flower; the agent thai inspired the
apostles is TO be our companion and friend,
present in US, power in our lives, helper of
our infirmities. The partners so fsr are good.
There viii be no failure here in capital, skill, or
labor.
"The fourth person of the fellowship is Gods
children" !. John, /: s-7. A grand company The
noblsst people On earth. God u thsar fathers