Arizona republican., 1896-11-17
SUNDAY SERMONS.
Able Discourses at the Presbyterian
 and Christian Churches.

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 At the Christian church Sunday, Rev. Cal Ogburn preached to large con- gregations. In the morning his sub ject was, Whom Shall We Obey" He said that every man must decide for himself whether he would serve and obey God or not, and the responsibility for our choice could not be shifted | onto some one else. He gave as some of the reasons why we should serve | God because we are dependent on Him for everything we have and enjoy. He loves us, He is wise, and He does not change.
 These points were enlarged upon and so vividly illustrated that all could readily grasp them. Mr. Ogburn said further that we should obey the com- mands of God and His will as revealed in the bible, but not the creeds and articles of faith adopted and promul- gated by councils of men since the days of the apostles. To show the ab surdity of subscribing to human dog mas, he read that portion of the AL thanacian creed concerning the Trinity or God head, which, he said, no one could understand or comprehend, and yet it was decreed by the council that all who did not accept this doctrine would be damned:. He also read the declaration that. the mission of Christ was to reconcile God to the world, when the direct opposite was taught by the bible, according to numerous passages of scripture which he quoted.
 Another illustration of the falsity of human creeds was given by reading from the tenets of another church that justification by faith alone is wholesome doctrine and full of com fort" In contradiction of this doc Urine MT. Ogburn quoted from the writings of the Apostle James, wherein he declares that faith without works is dead, being alone,' and Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works" etc.
 He closed with an eloquent plea for obedience to the commands of God as found in the bible, unchanged by the hand of man.
 The theme for the evening discourse was, "The Character of Jesus Christ" and MT. Ogburn chose for the scripture lesson the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, in which the character and life of Christ was told 700 years before his birth, and so accurate was the descrip- tion that it read like history rather than prophecy. MT. Ogburn spoke elo- nd fnraihlx of character and life of Jesus Christ, and said he stood out before the world as the only man in whom no fault had ever been found. Infdelity had been assailing him for eighteen hundred years, but had never been able to find flaw in his character or life. Some of his peculiarities were enlarged upon, as for instance. He had purpose in life to do His Fathers will and to save men from their sins. He was never confused by or hesitated for an answer to the question put to Him by His ene- mics. He never doubted.
 Numerous incidents were referred to Illustrating these phases of his char aeter. The speaker referred to the en- vironments of Jesus, and showed that Judaism was cold, selfish and formal, and that Nazareth, his native city, was noted for it's wickedness and then con- trasted the life and teachings of the Savior with His. surroundings. He spoke of His sympathetic nature, His warm, tender heart, and His readiness to help those in distress and relieve suffering at all times. Some of the strongest testimonials as to His char acter have been furnished by infidels Pilate said when Jesus was brought before him for trial: q find no fault in Him." Napoleon Bonaparte said: q know men. Jesus Christ was more than man."
 The speaker then spoke of the won- derful reformations in the lives of men who accepted the teachings of Jesus and the transformations in heathen na- tions where His gospel is preached Numerous familiar examples were giv- en showing the wonderful purifying effect of His teachings, and those pres