Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-04
j. MORGAN WELLS,
Pastor First Baptist Church.
THE PASTOR oFTHE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH

THE PASTOR FTHE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
In answer to the invitation OF the editor
of The GAZETTE l give as succinctly as
possible my reasons for being a Christian
churchman.
l. 1 am a churchman because the church
was instituted by God and perpetuated by
Jesus Christ for the purpose of training
his followers and distinguishing them from
others. He knew that men would need the
help which the church only could give and
that the perpetuity of his kingdom on earth
could only be secured by such an organiza-
ton; therefore, as value my soul and as
love Christ, cannot afford to remain out
side the church.
2. The church holds and she only has the
right to administer the sacraments, baptism
and the Lords supper. These SacramentS
are the 'badges' and tokens of Chris
tian's profession. They were instituted by
Christ for this purpose. Besides, they
are the symbols of great truths which
cannot be taught so forcibly in any other
way. If there were no church who would
administer these sacraments, and who
very existence of Christ'S kingdom on
earth depends upon there being an organiza-
ton, an institution. This organization he
has named the church. If it is necessary
for some, it is necessary for all. If it is
not necessary for all. then it is not neces-
sary for any, and Christ has made stu
pendous mistake or is the author of an
enormous fraud. Whichl
3. l am achurchman because Christianity,
acting by and through the church. has full
filed the promise of the angels at the birth
of Christ, and brought ''peace on earth. -
This was the glad announcement at the be-
ginning, and it has been largely fulfilled,
and is being increasingly fulfilled every
Gay. True, there are still wars among
-. Il.
But two facts deserve specially to be noted.
l. The citizens of these nations are
by no means all Christians, that
is, real followers of Christ. Hence,
the minority, who are Christians,
cannot control the policy of the government
as to going to war. Secondly, note very
carefully the causes for which nations now
so to war. Before the church had covered
the world with Christianity, nations went
TO war for the gain of territory, or the sub
jugation of a people to be taxed, or for
purposes of robbery. Not so now. The
Christian nations of the earth only go to
war 20 defend or establish what they be-
lieve to be some great principle of right, or
TO expel an invading foe. Very many.
arbitration, and the prospects indicate the
near approach of that time when in .stne
federation of the world. the parliament of
man" all disputes viii be so adjusted
During less than a century the United
States has paid out over So, 0O0, 600 for ter
ritory acquired by purchase from Spain.
Mexico, France and Russia Under the old
plan. instead of purchasing this vast do
main, she would have run up her flag on it
and said to the other powers, '' Make TIA.
best of it you cam
The principle of ''peace of earth'' is be-
ing carried likewise into personal disputes
There is an ever increasing number OF men
who. though brave as julius Cesar, never
theless suffer indignity and insult and never
raise hand TO strike blow am per-
sonally knowing 20 a number of such cases.
II Christian ministers ever pray to God 20
give cur soldiers success in battlev- i IS