The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-08-23
FAREWELL SERMON.
Rev. Enoch's Closing Remarks to Il
Congregation.

Rev. Enoch's Closing Remarks to His
Congregation.
The following is a synopsis Of Rev. Owen
Enoch's farewell sermon on Sunday even
ing last at the Welsh Congregational
church. The text was taken from II Cor
inthians, 10; xi. Finally, brethren, fare
we'll. The Apostle Paul cherished an
ardent affection for the Corinthian church
despite It's many imperfections. This &C
counts for the tenderness of bis benediction
upon them at the close of the epistle. He
would have them set before them God as
the ideal perfection of life. The feuds and
dissensions which msrred the character and
life of the Corinthian church arose from
their loss of center of unity. Hence bis
eIhortation in the text Be perfected
This implies not only a state of imperfec-
ton, but also possibility of improvement
or progress. The Bible never imposes on
man an impossbility. The imperfec-
tion of life was realized in Christ
the God man and he has left us an example
which we are to follow. The CorinthisR
C lurch was stepped in corruption, condi-
tion produced by the imperfection of the'r
hearts. Let them, therefore, strive TO
initiate Him who was the ideal perfection.
Be of good comfort AS God is the ideal, 60
is He the source of comfort. TIE most
solid comfort is attained by our endeaNor
to reach after the divine ideal. These
words would seem to eontsin q slight
rebuke to the church for depending too
much for its success on Gods servants,
rather than on God Himself Though this
church is not free from imperfections, do
not be cast down, but bend all your
energies with greater earnestness and con-
secration in the performance of your
duties. BE of the same mind No
church can succeed if every member insists
on the carrying out of his individual
if it pays heed TO the Injunction
of the Apostle when he said, Let
this mind be in you which was
also in Christ Jesus Unless there be re-
spect for the opinion of others as we'll IS
our own, discord must necessarily ensue.
1t is the prayer of my heart that this church
may work in unsnimity and concord
A4lhO III pChN0s 4 GhIb VIII AOllOW uhluThl@
ly if the previous exhortstion be observed.
And the God of love and peace shall bs
with you.' The presence of God in the
church depends entirely on the eons
scientiOus observance of the fore
going conditions. A church without
God is dead. But church having God in
its midst will be living and mighty force
for the uplifting and true development of
mankind. beseech you, therefore, breth-
rem, to have respect for the Apostles in
functions. Then this church, like the
burning bush in indian, shall be power
that nothing can consume. Learn TO bear
one snothers burdens as we'll as to cast
your burdens upon the Lord Let this
church be the home of peace and harmony.
May no quarrelsome spirit drive away the
enlightening and purifying and saying
spirit Of God Heaven is the land of peace.
We all hope to spend eternity within its
borders. May God enable us to be So
faithful to our spiritual vows that we may
all enjoy its uniading blessings in the end
Rev, Enoch will take charge of the Con-
gregational church NJ Frostburg, Nd, on
September l1th, next.