Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-29
First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church.
 Rev. A. B. Curry read for the morning lesson Romans, first chapter then took for his text the 14th and 18th verses: T am debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians both to the-wise and to the unwise." "So as much as in me is am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also"
 The reverend divine said: "The twelve apostles were well endowed and differ ent from all others because chosen by Christ to witness his life, death and resurrection and build on these his church. In some sense then the church is founded on these apostles. To fit them for this they were for three years under Christ's teaching, and afterwards the Holy Spirit helped them. They are safe guides, although now many men know more of secular knowledge, but in all church matters they are better leaders than any man, for they laid down the right doctrine for the church. We want our church to be an apostolic church. It is not strange that churches discuss who is made apostolic. I wish this to be an apostolic church in all things. So we must study the apostolic opinion on each point. Now see the divisions about sending the gospel to the heathens. In the bosom of a certain church we find canon, who holds that 1t is not duty to send the gospel, because each nation is only capable of a certain kind of religion. The Turk of Mohammedanism, Brahman- ism with the Hindoo, Christianity for America and so let us all rest.
 Then we find different opinions right here in our own church. So let us see what is our duty as a church, and an apostolic church. Next Sabbath we wish to be ready to do our duty. Paul says: T am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome alSO.'
 r And esfa
 1. He believed the church should give the gospel to the heathen-to all classes of men. Now remember, he held this opinion in the face of these facts: He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews-"My hearts desire and prayer to God for Is- rael is that they might be saved;" T have great heayinesS of heart for my brethren" And yet his heart went out to the Greeks, Romans and barbarlans. He didn't think one religion as good as another, but there was no hope for any nation except in the gospel of Christ. Then he knew there were thousands of Jews who rejected Christ, but he didn't think of staying in Judea to preach to them. No doubt he heard even then that missions were a failure but he was a missionary himself, and if you want any one to believe it a failure tell 1t to an ig- norant person. Paul knew the cost of missions; he believed it his duty to give the gospel to all people.
 z. ne Ieie It perSonal duty to take part in that work. He says, q am ready to preach the gospel; it is my duty to give them the gospel" His first req son is Christs command. When God told Ananias of Paul that He is cho- sen vessel to bear My name to the Gen tiles,' he never had a doubt. Now just so to you and me; God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." By this He means all the world and China, Japan; and when man is converted, if he had nothing to do here, he had just as well go right to heaven; and so Christ said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel'' It seems strange tfSt the church should ever forget this.
 After the reformation in the sixteenth century little more than two centuries of idleness in missions, and the churchwas busy fighting inside of it's own bounds, and almost died. In 1792 a missionary so- cety was formed by a poor cobbler who read of India. He was young Baptist preacher and his heart was set on fire He said 'the church of God has forgotten it's misioD," and the next opportunity he had he spoke on the subject, and an old man arose and said, "Sit down; the Lord can do without your help" Afterwards he preached again and the burden of it was expect and attempt great things for God The people were moved and they organized missionary society, a hand full of Baptists, and subscribed $65O0 to convert India. This mans faith was like Abraham's, and he offered to go in the pit if you all hold the rope"
 He had to combat difficulties in India and objections at home and the powers that be. He had to land in Danish set clement and the East India company de- nounced the men who sent him.
 Sidney Smith wrote in sarcasm of those who went, but Christ said he would be with him and it was so, for Cary lived to see the Bible translated into thirty lan- guages, and in 1893 400 900 converts. So Cary was apostolic, and was beloved.
 One more reason of Paul. God hath made, all nations of one blood" All, then, are kin. The RomaGs and Greeks had souls to save and Paul wanted to tell them of salvation. That is the ground of our duty. Then heathens are sinners and only one way of escape-"believe in Christ" and we must send them this rem edy.
 3. Not only did he feel the objection, but but he was ready to fulfil this obligation and do the work Now are we ready? We all believe, but don't do great deal for them.
 There are missions. submissions and omissions. Do we belong to the last class?
 St. Mary ry's-on-the-H Highlands.
 Rector F'itzsimons continued the dis cussion of "The Judgment" the subject of his last Sundays discourse. He read as the basis of his remarks the parable of the wheat and the tares. He then gave a brief outline of his arguments of last Sunday, namely, that the judgment day is not a scenic occasion, but that judgment is constantly going on within It is the result of our personal eXperi- am n1rr n fn Gn6 a ino