The Indianapolis journal., 1892-11-25
ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

Union Services of the Protestant Churches,
with Sermon by Rev. A. n. Thompson.
The union meeting of South side churches
was held at Fletcher-place M. E. Church.
The Rev. A. N. Thompson, pastor of the
Seventh Presbyterian Church. preached
from the following text: 'He hath not
SO dealt with any patton" For ask now of
the days that are past. which were before
thee. since the day that God created man
upon the earth, and ask from the one side
OF heaven unto the other, whether there be
any such thing as this great thing Is. or
hath been heard like ltf' Palms cxlvii.
20; Deut. iv, 81.
In the course of his sermon. he said: "Onr
view of both our material and spiritual
progress has been hasty. but it is not
enough that We may see that marvellous
advances have been made-advance of
which the world had not dreamed before
Let us thank God this day for the fair
name OF our Nation and rejoice in it's
present prosperity and the assurances of
future augmented power For over one
sition; kings have sneered and
statesmen have prophesied against rs, syn
dIcates have plotted and parliaments have
thrown maledlctions at u.s. But, amid all
these and added political revolutions and
financial collapses-althOugh hindered in
herprogress. her way perhaps somewhat de-
fiected and tsngled-our Repub bllc still lifts
its beneficent head, unbroken In it's majes-
tic progress, even by the fiery ordeal of in
ternecine war. To-day the sword is
sheathed. The peaceful olive wreathes its
leaf and blossom. The angel of fraternal
brotherhood smiles alike upon the orange
groves Of the South and the grain-clad
slopes of the fertile North.
"A past such blessing. present so gra-
cious, what is there for us in the futuref
The possibilities are Tremendous. For my
self am an optimist-optimist by birth. by
inheritance, by nature-optImistic review
ing the past, optimistic surveying the pres
ent, cannot sec the future but through
optimistic eye. rejoice In past history
that shows our progress to have been,
though with varying and changeful, yet
with ever augmenting splendor. Though
standing this day. on the summit Of
life, cannot think that we have
yet reached the summit of our Christian
civilization. The uiad of our struggling
conflicts Is not all written. There is still a
unregenerate present, full of blessing
though IL he, is not all. Our future is full
of promise and privilege. A philosopher
has said that the child Is father of the
man. and that the future walks in the
bosom Of the now imbeddcd. Ii this DO
true then vision of the future throws the
thought rebounding back to the children
and youth OF to-day. And who that loves
the kingdom of his Lord does not rejoice
that the youths of this day are more thon
ever before taking active interest in the
work of Christ and HIS church. This is
the sign OF the times which moro than oil
others portends for every work of righteous
ness future augmented strength.
IF 1t be true that God has bestowed
upon u.s. enjoying this day the inheritance
for which our fathers toiled, blessings
which those before us have not received, it
is also true that He has laid upon us oppor-
tunities and responsibilities the burdens of
which they did not bear. There is striking
from Faust The portrayal is Of demons
In the lower world wrestling for tho soul
of Faust. Angels In the upper world look
down with intensest interest on the con-
tiict. And as they look they pluck no wers
from the bushes of Paradise and rain them
down. Those flowers redolent in their
beauty, falling on the heads of contend
ing demons turn into coalsl of fire. Our
blessings leave us either better or worse It
is contrary to nature and revelation alike
that they should leave us the same. Irdi-
vidual and national blessings leav @ the
throne OF God like tlowers of Paradise; bnt
falling on disloyal, unfaithfnl, selfish
hearts turn into burning bliss ering Goals
Of fire. Men and brothers. be not deceived.
Grasp your opportunities. Realize your
responsib bilities To whom much is given
of him much will be required. We turn
from past achievement and present Bless
ing 10 look INTO G0Qs molly word.
There We are encouraged to present
labors more arduous to future hopes
moro bright Grand prophecies yet awn it
fulfillment The worlds haley on days are
yet to come. The time draweth nigh when
men and women will crowd the gates of
mercy. when sinners. like doves to their
windows. will flee to their Lord, and con-
verts to Christ shall be many-as many as
the dews that, from the morning. crown
every blade Of grass. and hang like dia.
monds pendant from every leafy branch
Rest not thus in useless contemplation of
the past, nor in selfish ease enjoy the pres
ent Past and present are nothing save as
they point to the future. They are worse
than nothing IL they be not used for the
advance of HIS kingdom on earth.
"Neer think the victory won.
Nor once at ease sit down.
"Great are our opportunities. 1t is with
in our roach 10 wear the brightest crowns
among oil the redeemed of God before His
throne. For ask now of the days that are
past which were before thee, since the day
that God created man upon the earth. and
ask from the one side of the heaven unto
the other whether there hath been any
such thing as this great thing is, or hath
haa ha aorAi In to