The morning times., 1896-03-23

A large congregation was present yes
'eriay morning at the McKendree NJ +.
Church to welcome their new pastor, Rev.
II. K. Naylor.
The clergyman preached his initial ser
mon from the text from the Acts of the
Apostles, x:29, 80, concerning Simon Peters
call unto the house OF Cornelius
The name ofCornelius, said ,Ie speaker,
" is familiar one to all students of Bible
history. man whose life seemed TO have
been entirely correct ana just vet there
was something he needed, sti!l he scarce
realized that it was Christ. God had
prepared and directed Simon Peter for
his work. The mission OF Cnrist's gospel
is unto all the world, and Simon went
willingly and obediently
The true intent of the gospel ministry is
what | would call now TO your attention.
Every church calls its minister in some
manner or other, and the call is emphasized,
For what intent have We sent for me?'
The church is incomplete without its
organization, and tie duty OF a pastor
Is not merely TO deliver an essay on Sunday
morning and indulge in society during The
week. His mission is broader, deeper. nobler
and grander than that. His ministry - TO
The heart, and between preacher anu pas
tor there is mission the effect OF which
shall endure after the sun and moon have
ceased 10 shine; their mutual endeavprs live
after them.
There is something in the old saying
like priest, like people, but the converse
like people, Ike priest is more true.
The people, not the pastor, shape the ser
mons. The multitude is master and the
pastor becomes mortgaged TO his congrega-
ton.
The church generally gets about the kind
of preaching 1t demands. IL usually makes
or unInakeS its ministers. So If you find
the sermons during the cOmming year Gull
and common place, look 10 yourselves and
see If you are not making them thus.
The great result we are all striving for
is the personal salvation Of men. II is
results we work for, in all the
different walks OF life. Jacob labored
fourteen years for Il result, and the result
Paul worked for, was, as he said, That
may win Christ
NO minister should speak for himself
| alone, but preach rather the Gods gospel.
a of God, and not OF Wesley or any other
great apostle.
Men have lately had an example in the
anba ssador at the Court or st. James,
voiCing his own sentiments instead OF
representing his people, and Congress has
CenSured him for il. The pulpit is not
rOStrum. II is no part OF our office 10
preach science or politics. The financial
question is often expounded from the pulpit.
What do ministers know OF finances, ex-
Cept of the salary they are paid? Nor should
they: their is TO teach the gospel OF Jesus
Christ and him cTuCified.
DO not misunderstood re. the pastor
ought not 10 bc ignorant Of science aud
| philosophy, but they should be used as
back ground, and Christ as the center
| figure.
There is little TO be gained by senSa-
tional preaching. Distasyeful, as well as
! pleasant truths, must be heard. and YOU
must be taught that you are dead in sin, OF
I the wrath of God, as well as of heaven with
golden streets "A bounding grace, ,andFather's
/ love. Christ said, 1 came not to send peace,
but a sword
Every tree is known by its fruits, and
| when | preach these things are YOU willing
to receive them, and be active in Christ 5
work? The pastor needs something more
| than Christ. strange as IL may seem. He
! needs the cooperation OF his church.
We must be doers as well as hearers. and
| bring out this latent power within you.
Il challenge you. therefore, to live
| holcr lives during the coming year. that
the church may be built up and Christ
glorified.'