The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-16
FORMS OF H PAST
PRESIDENT GOBLIN, OF DE PAUw, AT
CENTRAL-AvExUE NJ. Il. CHURCH.
FTetcher-Place Church-At Cen
trail Christian.

DIR. II. A. Goblin, dean of the theological
department DePauw University and acting
president of the institution, filed Rev. H.
A Buchtel's pulpit at Central-avenue Church
yesterday morning. DIR. Gobin's subject was
THE Right Use of the Past" He spoke from
Hebrews xii, l.: Wherefore, seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses. let us lay aside every weight.
and the sin which doth SO easily beset us
and let us run with patience the race that
is set before u.s."
DR.. Goblin said in part: There are two
classes OF people in the church. There are
some who pay undue Difference to the past,
concluding that the ancient forms, cere-
monies and duties of religion are ~unchange-
able In character. Others think the peculiar
demand OF modern life require different
principles and usages to those of former
times. 1t seems a plausible objection to our
religion that we use for a textbook docu-
ments written over eighteen centuries ago
and that our principal creeds and symbols
of Christianity are all of ancient origin.
An interesting feature OF this wonderful
book Is its provisions for making changes
in forms and methods. While it insists on
the stability Of principles, the book from
which my text is taken is a special illustra-
ton of the fact. The epistle to the Hebrews
was designed to teach the Interchangeable
nature of faith in God and at the same time
the variable methods of expressing that
faith. The apostles accomplished a tremen-
dous task in proving 10 the Jews tina the
d~ispensation Of Christianity was entirely in
m with the principles of the ancient
Jewish religion. 1t was hard for a Jew
to understand that the true religion could
no maintained In forms olfn0ofhnF 6fffarnnf
from those observed by his fo~refathers, but
the apostles give ample evidence that the
essential principles Of ancient faith were
transmitted to modern life in the few and
simple forms Of the Christian religion. We
learn from the past that ceremonies are
like the grass that to-day Is and tomorrow
are like the word of the Lord, which en-
dureth forever"
The speaker proceeded to interpret the
various passages of the text. THE cloud
of witnesses" refers to those who have
tested these principles in actual life and
have made known their divine worth by
the beauty and blessedness Of their achieve
ments. Too many believers, said Mr.. Goblin,
who seek to be fully devoted to faith, are
tempted to think they are solitary examples
OF. fidelity to their convictions. but they are
not few in the history of the race who have
freely given up mercenary advantages in
order to be practically useful I'm religious
life. The numbers who have thus conse-
are like unto "a cloud of witnesses" When
one is elevated in his thought to the right
conception of a life of faith he can easily
throw aside every weight and the sin
which doth SO easily beset him." Many
questions OF Christian casuistry are easily
settled for him who devotes himself fully
to a life of faith by his better spiritual dis
elimination.
And run with patience the race that Is
set before us."'This passage of the text.
DR.. Goblin thought, suggested a great con-
trast in the activities of Christian life as
compared with a righteous life in ancient
times. In conclusion the speaker referred
to the privileges of the Christian in look
ing unto Jesus, the author and fnisher of
the faith" when we refer to the personal
life OF Jesus on earth" said he, I'VE look
backward to the scenes of Galilee and
Judea, but when we look into His character
We look " and above US. In the
excellencies Of character He Is manifestly
still in advance of the human race. In it's
teaching of the practical virtues, the gospel
Is not an absolute textbook. Our lessons
in the school OF Righteousness are not
learned by mere reflection. They must be
tested in the laboratories of life's daily
activities. The great example of fidelity to
all obligations is in the Lord Jesus Christ
to whom we habitually look"