The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-29

us from and all but afoned for our
covetousness, Is going fast. and leaving
us feared indeed from power: but sus-
pected from chicanery, and odious fo-
our arrogance Can the true preacher
In America warn less strenuously? To
some mammon Is TO forget Col. and 10
forget God Is ruin. Lincoln said. I
know that the Lord Is always on the
side OF the right. but II Is my constant
anxiety and prayer to God that I an
this nation should be on the Lords
side. Yes. only thus shall we fuldIl our
destiny and maintain our position
stronger protection to US than the new
armies AMI fleets and for.s. which Ger
eral Miles asks for. Theu we can pray.
As Sc lomon I'll I at the dedication VI his
temple. The Lord. our @ oi, be with US.
as He was with our fathers: let Him
lions as for individuals. character Is
the indispensable condition OF rerma-
nency, and character Is wrought IN he
work OF obedience to God.
I'VE boast of Rutte's foremost place
in our state, but In what does her pre-
eninence consist? Is II solely in oppor-
funities to make money. and by anv
means, fair or foul. then the sooner we
fan from our pedestal. the better for
the only thing worth excelling In
character.
Third. as applied TO the church
Never was the church 80 blessed as In
our own country. Never did she have
so many things In her favor as here.
In the United States we have q state
church without any of the hindrances
or embarrassments OF state patronage
and control. We have a state church
because the people. who are the state.
love and support the church, and the
in many ways. 1t Is the state which
invites the people to church to-day.
But the church with the states recog-
milton does not compromise herself by
state patronage and 10 not encumbered
by any state supervision or control.
She has but one Master and He Ii her
head and husband, even Christ the
Lord And Americas opportunity Is
the opportunity of the bride OF Christ
to bring the world to the feet Of her
Lord. What a vantage ground has the
church here for reaching forth on all
sides.
The future OF Americas influence on
the world will measure the influence of
Americas church in the world. What
our Christianity Is the Christianity of
the future will be. The American
church has a future before 1t such as
no other has. In respect OF our privi-
feges and opportunities at least. the
Lord has chosen US and there Is none
like US among the churches. A glori-
GUS kingdom has been prepared for us.
But IL we make the mistake that Saul
did, We should not possess our inherit
ance. Sauls mistake In religion was
that observance Of its externals may
be substituted for attention TO vital
essentials. He mistook religiostty for
religion and drew upon himself the pull
pits stern rebuke. Hath the Lord as
great delight in burnt offerings In obey
ing the voicet of the Lord? Behold, to
obey Is better than sacrifice, and to
hearken than the fat of ram The
church cannot discharge her duties to
the state nor fulfill her mission to the
world, of paying for II, and teaching
and guiding vt. as Samuel prayed for
and taught Israel, unless she shall
make some discrimination between
real, vital and a merely external reli-
gion. and make sure that she possesses
genuine piety and zeal. Christians, We
who love the church of your Master,
thank Him to-day for the great things
He has done for her in this land.
Thank God for the great future OF use
fulness and glory before her. but with
your thanksgiving mingle earnest pray
ers that she may not make the mis-
take OF Israels deluded king and fail
as low as God has placed her higher
than her sisters.
I'm conclusion let me express my
confidence In the future welfare of
these great truths In the keeping of
God. On the part of Individual men
aud women. by the nation and by the
church, there Is going to be an increas-
staff ~ -
fact of human stewardship, in the right
discharge of which under God lies his
happiness and prosperity and the inner
ftance OF the God given kingdom. SAM
uel said to Israel when II came to him
repenting: Fear not. the Lord will
defend His confidence was based on
his knowledge of Gods choice of Israel
for a work which must be done. So
God would take care OF Israel till her
work was finished. SO will he take care
Of US till our work Is done. God has
chosen great things. The great French
preacher, Massilon. once said In a ser
mon: I know that Thine eye still dis
Germs some upright among US; that the
priesthood has still its Phineas: the
magfstracy It's Samuels: the sword its
Joshuas; the court its Daniels. its
Esthers and Its Davids.' Thank God
IL Ia more true in our day than It was
IN 1iS CUIupl VAlIlto ever - the
world rising to greater appreciation of
Cody character In individuals, In ma
tons and in the church.
1.-The eternal step Of progress beats
To that great anthem calm and slow
Which God repeats.
Take heart. the Master builds again,
A charmed life old Goodness hath,
The tares may perish. but the grain
Is not for death.
God works In all things: all obey
His vast propulsion from the night,
Wake them and watch. the world is gray
With morning light"
The services closed with the singing
of America" by the congregation.
Statues of Ann rican Heres.
TN - - r.