The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-13
IN IT'S NEW HOUSE
COllege-Ayenue Baptist Church
Congregation in New Quarters.
Rev. j. A. Broadus, of Louisville,
breaches the Opening Sermon-A Big
Sum Raised Other Churches.

mot forsaking the assembling of our
selves together, as the manner OF some Is;
but exhorting one another; and so much the
more as We see the day approaching"
These were the opening words Of the Rev.
]. A. Broadus as he read from the book at
the CoIIege-avenue Baptist Church yester-
day morning, when the dedicatory ceremon-
les Of the new edihce were held. Inspired with
a desire to extend a congratulatory and to
the brethren of the new church. the congre-
cations of many churches had representa-
tives at the services. The rare November
day brought out others regardless of creed
and by the time announced for the opening
of the exercises the auditorium and gall
Ieries were taxed to their capacity. Scores
OF people stood in the aisles and many
turned homeward on account of their in
ability TO secure even standing room. As
the bright morning sun shone through the
delicately stained windows and threw slant
ing rays across the pretty interior there
were many words of admiration from the
audience TIL altar decorations were in
simple keeping with the occasion. Potted
plants of palms, ferns and white chrysan-
hemums were banked against the chancel
rail and at the side of the altar. A choir
selected especially for the day joined it's
voices with the immense organ in sounding
the opening praise, Come we who love
the Lord" On the rostrum sat the Rev.
John A. Broadus, Of Louisville, who was to
deliver the dedicatory sermon; Rev. WILL
Jams, the pastor Of the church, and Revs.
Taylor, Mcdowell, Whitney, Berry. After an
earnest invocation by Rev Mr.. Berry, Of
the Woodruff Place Baptist Church, and the
reading OF the eighth Psalm by Rev. G. II.
Mcdowell, the choir rendered the anthem,
Praise Ye the Father" Then the divine
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ney, and the pastor introduced the Rev.
Broadus. The text which suggested his re-
marks was from Hebrews X, %. The
words, Not ~forsaking the assembling OF
ourselves, as the custom OF some is" sug-
gested to the speaker a fitting sentence upon
which 70 build his remarks. In these words
he found a lesson an admonition to serve
as a caution to those who refrain from
church going because there are other things
TO demand their attention. In the olden
time persecution kept people from their
worship. IL they went to their home meet
ing and stayed away from the synagogue,
ginning the great mass of Christians were
not of the wealthy and distinguished, and so
thsse professed Christians who had social
relations would refrain from attending their
own church and go to the synagogue for the
sake of the social advantage ii gave them.
pens now added the speaker after he had
prepared the way for some sound advice
to the fashionable folly of latter-day church
goers. Continuing, ne said:
Those olden people were fond of their
fashionable amusement. Very popular,
splendid and fascinating was the Greek
theater where could be found the spectacle
of men beating and pummeling each other,
while men and women gazed at the sight.
a long time ago people went to see men in
dulge In the pastime or prize-hghtinG, so
called the manly art; of course they do not
do these things now. But then they per-
suaded themselves that in the language of
the old preacher, it wasn't so very bad
Then there were those who said they
were too busy to go to church. But then
for an excuse. and they didn't nave to go
TO the postoffice TO get their Sunday morn
ing mail. The fact is they were too lazy
to go to church, and il would be q great
thing if something could explode under the
chairs of those people and shake them out
Of this Incidence. There are some reasons
why you should go to church. If men
have things of common interest to each
other II naturally follows that they get to-
gether and talk. Why, you see them dur
planning to their interests. If they do not
come together ii is because some are not
interested. There is great benefit in public
worship too. 1t is a great privilege to seek
the Lord in ones own room, but there is
great benefit in meeting people in the house
OF worship, and we ought TO avail ourselves
OF these opportunities. Here in the text
we are taught not to forsake our church.
We'll some one says, i see so much
adnes among church members that /
think had better keep my life to myself
Are you going to be a Christian that way?
Christ surely knows about this. He COM
ildlueu lIldL YOU COHleSS f1ln before men.
Another says, i am a curbstone member OF
the church. but l tell you the Savior did
not provide for that variety. If Christian
ity is worthy your respect it demands your
personal acceptance and obedience. Now,
my dear sir, pardon the preacher If he
seems to be vehement about it. He doesn't
know any OF you, and of course could not
be personal. So, pardon him IL he comes
here to-day by the grace Of God and en-
deayors to shake you out Of a miserable
feel like going TO church. that is the very
time you ought to go, for the sake of your
pastor. He has prepared a sermon for you,
perhaps for your especial benefit. He looks
about over the congregation and does not
see you there. Poor pastor. Don't let a
little bad cold keep you away, but go for
the sake of your children, your family.
Now you will perhaps be willing to lis
ten to another topic-the duties which
church members owe one another. One of
your duties is 10 pray for each other. You
ought to do IL, for some time you will be
glad to have them pray for you. On. it
is one OF the grandeSt things in the relig-
ion. You ought TO strive TO benefit the
other members of your church in all ways.
There are members of your church going
you but talk to them. If you want to pro-
mote your brethren TO good works you will
have to take hold of them. 1t is hard to
live a true Christian life. The sneering
world does not know what it is talking
about. Here's a man who is not tempted
by a certain wrong doing, and he has no
sympathy for those who are. Forbearance
and Christian regard is what we need
these days. There is a great deal of real
Christian love in our church. but there
ought to be more. God grant that there is
more.
Let us bestir ourselves, Christian peo-
pie, and work for the good of Christianity
and the glory of Christ. There is nothing
that makes people so good as meeting to-
gether. Did you ever so to live in a new
house which you had built? The older
members of the family. perhaps you the
father. call the children together and you
all agree to set about at once To live right
in your new house. You see my point, /
suppose. Would it he childish? Would it
not be wisest to set out right in our new
house? If there have been unpleasant re-
latiOns put them away in settling in this
beautiful church home, and get along to-
Eether. If the words L have spoken here
to-day will stir you TO a renewal OF the
work, / thank God"
The sermon by Rev. Mr.. Broadus, al
though lengthy, was listened to by the au-
dience patiently and with strict attention.
His earnest, sincere manner of directing
the thoughts of the congregation toward a
life of pure, Christian simplicity was re-
ceived with profound interest. After the
conclusion Of the sermon the report of the
Building committee was read by DR..