The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-24

and dissatisfied with the sty in which a
hog might sleep, merely by the contrast
Of the greatness and wonder OF this uni
verse Of Cod. why have done something.
There IS In this man, though he has not
found II himself. a mustard seed of the
divine life II can trust that seed to the
Infinite faith the infinite hope and the in
enite love, OF which every Sunday Is the
memorial. as II Is the symbol. there Is
some chance that that seed may grow. Then
there Il some chance of life higher than the
beasts life, and for him and his children
there Is some prospect that they shall know
what I mean when I tel them that they
too are heirs Of heaven. and may enter upon
their heritage.
The danger Of this time. 1 said. as II IS
the danger of this country IN its terrible
prosperity. is that once more we forget these
Infinite realities. Commonplaces-yes. the
central commonplace of absolute truth.
That Is our life more than meat, as
the body Is more than raiment- The
danger OF the country, the danger Of the
time, Is that we shall think the meat Is
more than the life. and that the raim>nt is
more than the body.
The danger Is that we spend pains and
tnoueht-well, 1t is just as those Ronlars
and Greeks did-upon things that perish n
the using. and that the eternal life OF man
dies down and becomes mean anu lost IN
our negligence IL is against this danger
that ali systems OF religion ought TO stan1,
and wish dared say so. But this Is what
religion is for. IT is that men and women
and children may live. and that .ney may
all live In the infinite relationships with
God. the infinite Father. with other men and
women. their brothers and sisters, and shall
live In this certainty Of present heaven.
Observe In contrast that the word religion"
meant no such thing when Jesus Christ died.
See what IT was for Greece and Rome. and
I might say even for Jerusalem, which con-
sidered itself the holy city; observe what
It was that for men, women and children at
kirge there was no religion What we call
religion. when we choose to study and spec
ulate about their affairs. was simply the
theology Of the priests. the ritual conducted
by the priests, and such scraps OF religion
az they did fnfilct upon the people VINO sup
ported them Yes. If baby was born. the
mother was made to bring dove or two to
the altar. But for the daily regulation OF
life. not even In Jerusalem. far less in Rome
or IN Athens. had the presence OF God any
direction or instruction. or was the seeking
OF God any daily or hourly duty. 1t was
and affairs. incense and such ceremonial.
But It was no business of man woman
to open his heart to God in daily confession,
to come TO God In daily joy. and to ask God
for daily food for to-day's necessities. No
such relationship Is limited at even in the
most thoughtful writer's No such
lationship is arranged for in any
ritual or any tof the services. The nearest
approach to 1t Is in the attendance at the
great festivals at Jerusalem. two or three
times a year. The people came there. they
hardly knew why, for recreation in the
midst Of the monotony of physical toll.
II Ii in the place OF this that the church.
when II Is true church. offers life every
hour and demands life every hour in man,
woman and child. 1t is not satisfied in any
ritual conducted by a priesthood No. 1t is
not satisfied by any formula prepared by a
government, which shall state, in black and
white. the origin OF duty or the relationship
OF man with God. The church, the Holy
Spirit, are satisfied with nothing less than
the absolute personal communion of each
child with the Father. The divine life must
now through every pulse and in every nerve
Of the child's being. And what church and
Christianity are for is thus 10 quicken the
whole world with such life as shall work
the innnlte' miracles. Anu ll Is Ire lfnpos-
sible unless man gives himself entirely to
God, ready. indeed, TO receive all power at
Gods hand.
Father bless thy name. because l live
And in each moment am made rich with
thee,
That when a glance Is AL that can give
II Is Kingdoms wealth IL but see.
May each new act my new allegiance prove,
Till In thy perfect love ever live and
move
Who tastes his gifts shall never hunger
more.
For It's the father spreads the pure re-
past,
Who, while we eat. renews the ready store,
Which at his bounteous board must ever
last.
For none the bridegroom's supper shall at
tend
VINO viii not hear and make his word their
friend.
Copyright. 1886. by the Newspaper Sermon
Association.)