Omaha daily bee., 1892-10-17
NEWS FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS
First Sermon Of Rev. ]. H. Davis of the
First Baptist Church.
HIS IDEA OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTER
In the Words OF Peter to Cornelius lie
Discovers n Significant Iuquiry-How
the Holy Spirit Lcads the
Seeker After Truth.

Therefore, came unto you without gain.
saying, as soon as was sent for: ask there
fore Tor what inteut ye have sent for me ~
was the appropriate text and significant iu-
quiry that Rev. J. II. Davis, the newly
installed minister of the First Baptist church
based his first sermon upon to his new con.
gregauon yesterday morning. All of the
seats were cccuuied and several chairs were
placed in The aisles. The words were those
of Peter TO Cornelius, and from them the new
minister preached thoughtiul aud happy
sermon. Hc is a young man with a slig h
form ana pleasant, intellectual face, and
seemed to put himself instinctively with his
evident deep earncstness in close sympathy
and harmony with his congregation. His de
livery is easy end natural, with no attempt
at oratory, put his chaste Illustrations and
simple language appealed direct to heart and
intellect. lie Is graduate OF the Denison
university OF Granville, o.. ana the Morgan
Park Theological seminary of Illinois.
lie found in the words of Peter TO the
centurion something very applicable TO MS
coming here and TO the Christian churches
in general. II oelicve,n said he "in the
leading OF the Holy Spirit | believe the
Lord leads men and brings them together by
the Holy Spirit. The Lord leaus botn sides.
he never makes hall promise. | believe
the Holy Spirit brought me here, else 1
would not be here. | would not be in tho
ministry. had planned differeGtlv, bat he
Lord led me into the ministry. | believe the
Lord led me here. | didn't doit. For what
Cornelius was devGut man seeking after
light. God will lead any man If he is
seeking after truth. He never leaves
any mnu in the dark when he is
earnestly seeking after the light. AS soon
as Cornelius recelved the light he obeyed
immediately the commands given him, and
that was given him. l believe, my friends,
tnat you have made preparations for my
coming You are ready to obey the inStruc-
tions and leading OF the Holy Spirit: ready
to 20 TO work, rs l believe you are, like Cor
uohus. ready TO 20 out at once and gather in
the perishing and fill this house.
Peter preached Christ. There is no power
so great as the cross of Christ. The tempta-
ton Is great nowadays not TO preach Christ
crucificd, but Peter took his whole idea from
this, and desire to follow him, to preach
tho whole gospel OF Christ. We sometimes
forget that the source of the Christian power
is the Spirto God If we have that spirit
we have the power Now, my friends, hope
you havca definite purpose. You must have
II you expect your prayers to he answered.
Ihls is one OF the first Things demanded of a
pastor, members and all Christians TO many
the requirements OF a pastor are simply to
supply the want of euteri eriainmcnt, that
tho pastor should give them fine
sermons, intellectual feasts, somo
call them lectures. Some believe the pastor
should do all the work. including the pray
ing, because he is paid | don't believe YOU
have that idea, but believe you are willing
to do your share. We sometimes hear the
expression, we want a pastor that will
| draw 1t Is fine thing to be eloquent and
| 1t Is the DUTY of pastors TO do their best.
| He cannot be too good or great for Gods SER
| vice, but he may stand here and preach with
| the greatest eloQuence, he may have Il sill
| very tongue that will fascinate and thrill
! but If he has not the power his words will
| go up Ike tinkling cymoals and
| sounding brass. The people were pray
| ing for Peter when he preached
| that peutacostal sermon. Tne pastor
needs praying congregation. You must
| pray while preach. When we meet hero
| what We may hope to do must be by the spirit
| of God. AS we unite in asking God FOR this
| power will we succeed The people VIII go
! Whero there is this power. 1t is better than
| oratory. | can only do my part ofit. With
| the help of God and the Holy Spirit want TO
| DO all ! can to lead men to Christ. l shall try
! to preach the old, old story, try to bring to-
! gcther the two, the seeker alter light and
| the saving power OF Christ. The results
| Will depend upon our cooperation ana faith
| Iulness. Let us pray earnestly, as did that
church Of old, gathered IN upper rooms to
| receive the Holy Ghost.