The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-12
NEW LUTH'RANPASTOR
FIRST SERMON PREACHED LAST
NIGHT AT THE ENGLISH CHURCH.
Nothing Sectarfan te BE Into
His Puipit-A sound
Dfscourse-Mr. LftteII,s rmo

Rev. ID. L. Mackenzie, recently called
from Sioux City, Ia, to the English Luth-
eran Church OF this city, preached his first
sermon yesterday morning to his new con-
gregation. In the service he reads DELHI
erately and impressively, while in his SER
mon he proceeds with more haste and
earnestness- DR.. Mackenzie prefaced his
sermon with the remark that in the hurry
and furry of pulling up the roots of nine
years work in Sioux City he had found no
time to prepare an Introductory sermon,
and that he did not believe in them any
way. He continued, saying that he be-
lieved in preaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ, and that he would never drag sec
ular matters into the pulpit. Every true
man will have his own ideas. 1t is never
well to take the world into the pulpit 1t
is Gods hour.
He took for his text Rev. xxi, IL. The
spirit and the bride say come, and let him
that heareth say come. and let him that is
athirst come, and whatsoever will let him
take the water Of life freely" This" he
continued, lis our assembled Redeemer's
last invitation, His last appeal to the world.
Following it is a warning to all who dare
to tamper with the sacred volume. The
book closes with a benediction. How beft-
ting that that which had its beginning in
love should close with a welcome of love,
to swell the voice of mercy to the lost
world. From Genesis to the last Of Reve-
lation shows Gods love to the thousands.
Even His judgments appeal to self-destroy-
ing men to do themselves no harm. After
the compassionate words of Jesus fell on a
furnishing world; after the supper was
spread and the invitation TO come to the
feast. the great heart of Jesus makes well
Gonna tho human 20 nilv Christ and mon
earth and heaven unite in the call to the
spirit. The spirit says come 1his Holy
Ghost brought order and beauty into the
world. See the Manifestations OF the god
head, counselor, leader, uphoider, comman-
der and teacher, and, last, the spirit OF
God, directing where the gospel should be
preached. This is His last ofnce; in this
last call He invites the world. He pleads
with those on beds of sickness. How many
men say, If i get well ] will live differ
emily. l see the advantage OF a cody life,
Have we kept the VOWS made on SICK beds?
or at the same open grave? When tried
friends have been unfalthful. or property
desolation, did you bless God that you were
spared? Has the Holy Spirit, said TO you,
Fear not? Have clouds passed from your
your heart? The Holy Spirit strives with
men to have them live like Him. In every
calamity. tire, failure; death. the Holy SPIT,
says come. To the children of God 1t says
come up higher. There are infinite heigtns
ascs s1Sry the to T hoiS sas arc @ifi not w" alwa nSs
strive with you, and when it ceases you
are undone. See Jerusalem. once great,
To-day it is dark. why? The drove out
Christ and the Holy Ghost, and it is the
filthy abode Of the Turk The brides voice
does she invite the marriage supper OF the
lamb. Thousands Of watcbmen are now on
watch towers calling men to come. Thou
sands more are sending DrOclamaflOnS TO
the ends of the world. The church which
does not preach Christ a savior Of men is
The church pleads earnestly to-day, and in
obedience goes to palaces, TO the mosques of
the Mohammedan goes eyerywhsre to pre-,
hedges are ringing with the gospel. There
is not q day that we have 1t not In our
e ears; eyea In the to tho 6iyin tuii Maker wa and
Savior of men. Through the Sunday school,
literature, living witnesses. apostles. mar
Iyrs, all invite the world to come to Christ
All are Invited to invite everybody else.
You do not do that, but Jesus does.
there is one thing we should be in
earnest about It is the salvation OF others.
If by religion here we are heirs OF glory,
then what zeal should characterize our
work on earth. Religion should not be
like a business transaction. but We should
entreat others till the breath leaves our
bocies. AS this is the risen Redeemer's last
call ii leaves none without an invitation.
1t says Let him who is athirst come Rich.
poor, high, low, the outcast, all, are in
vited. This is the last and greatest call:
There is an end to ali things, and an end
viii come to lost souls. In the world be-
low there Is no water, and the cry OF the
lost soul is. come not this way. There is
no water Of life there. Sinners, retrace
your steps ere 1t is too late" DR.. Mac
kenzie closed with an earnest appeal TO the
members of the congregation to go out and
invite people to come to the church., to
ask them to their pews.
DR.. Mackenzie and family are guests of
p. M. Hildebrand till they get settled in
the parsonage. This evening a. reception
will be given them in the church parlors,
and the congregation and friends are in
vited to attend.