The herald., 1896-08-17


ism and the clergy are the minister's of
Christ and stewards of the mysteries
of God. Tley are "your ministers" only
FOR Jesus saks," accountable to him,
to preach as did Isaiah, truth, not
Sweetness and light.
They are stewards. guardians of the
mysteries, the sacraments; managers
of the whole sacramental system. Yet
there are to be found number of peo-
pie in the church who are uninformed
or careless, and they are willingly ignor-
ant of such fundamentals.
What wonder if we find as great ig-
norance outside of us. and consequent
ly incorrect judgments concerning u.s.
1t may be presumptuous for one to
expect unity to come while such false
ideas exist in Christians.
1t Is our simple duty to recognize the
sacred character of the ministry; to
treat them as our spiritual authorities
and leaders, and to follow their instruc-
tions, remembering that laity has IT'S
work, and that the clergy alone cannot
do the church's work.
The necessity of the diaconate is in
cluded in that of the ministry generally.
Yet of the daconate we must remember
how essential to the right performance
of the regular G.e., priestly) functions
of the clergy is q good preparation. In
the first stage, as deacon, this prepara
tion is best made-made as it never can
be made in any otner way. The sacred
influence is on him; the responsibility is
gently placed on his shoulders-not in
its full weight. but only as he can bear it.
The diaconate is wonderful epoch for
spiritual growth, for hardening loyal
sentiment into principle, for deepening
ones personal devotion to the blessed
Lord.
Friends, imagine that you perceive
our Savior among us this day, the same
1lr.l Ill lt,ts.,
ties. prophets and martyrs. 1t is Jesus.
who held up his wounded hands to bless
his enemies. He knows our needs and
helps lis in them
| imagine that you hear him saying.
IAN Scripture is given by inspiration
of God; He that bclieveth and is bap-
tized shall be saved; "As my father
hath sent me, even SO send you: This
is the way-the way of the Bible, the
creed, the sacraments and the ministry"
I heard a few days ago that a feeling
existed somewhere in California among
some Christians that they ought to get
together and pray for the Episcopalians.
May God answer those prayers. We are
not past praying for, and we need all
the true prayers that Christians can give
us We likewise should pray for our
brethren.
The present is no time for self-soothiug
religion. The increasing population OF
behind us. the church, who teaches us
the right way.
Ours. my friends. is an age of material
growth, of mechanical invention, of
spiritual distress. The mass of men are
tempted by the many comforts and slit
tering glamor of the age to turn from
living faith in the invisible God who
made them, and to seek out the new
idolatry of force or matter, which is q
disguised worship of self. 1t is so easy
to obtain little pleasures for little sums
Of money. so easy to hope for q larger
pleasure from hasty riches. so alluring
to chase the world-temptng spirit of
selfindulgence, that we have to meet L
everywhere, this search after novelty.
Men ask about the coming man, the
new woman, the newest fashions in all
things, including religion.
But the new man is created only in
Christ Jesus. He is spiritual being He
must subdue body to spirit. The materi
aliSm of our times is only to be over
come by attention 10 the voice behind
you, saying, This is the way" Only
by Incorporation with Christ. who is the
way. the truth and the life. by receiving
of his spirit, by listening to his word,
can YOU live the unworldly, unmaterial
life. Only so can you enjoy the delights
OF the nineteenth and twentieth centur-
les without becoming enslaved to them
My brother, let me speak to you one
word more, as the church's utterance to
you now: You are to become a minister
and a steward. 1t is required in stew
ards that a man be found faithful. Many
experiences await YOU some of which
you cannot expect. In them all your
faithfunesS will be put to the proof. If
it be duty in another, it is a pre-emi-
rent duty in you. for you are to be an eX-
ample TO the flock chiefly as the faithful
steward. Be true to the Bible, the creeds
the sacraments and the ministry. This
means, be true to him who is word.
creed, sacrament and ministry in him
self-to Jesus, the mediator of the new
covenant. If you are faithful you will
have followers who learn to love Jesus
because you love him. who are blessed
through you, who shall be stars in your
heavenly crown. In every time of need
you will hear the word behind you 1t
will guide you Alright, so that you SHAH
not wander to the right hand nor to the
left. 1t will recall to you the old truth,
the only truth, and with convincing IL
Elimination of your soul it will say,
This is the UaE. walk Won in II -