The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-04

plished. In Jesus was the spirit without
measure and vista the variety OF uaiqui
lowers and originally of serv.cs He p.:
!oimcd The pre-t w.; and snprs NE p..
pose OF II lie.
= r>.'m- -~ :, rs 20 the thou.s.
which expresses the vital connection be-
t'een vei.e,e er's .a-... anu act.o... Tai.
ne mes; Of .ita ard reade, the nobicst
'SV.ct 10 humanity. In us a. 2 Dr..rsl
rSe there Tnu b. the spirit eyer
,s-hft-hS to faithful wo:.., Clarifying
19r 's.ca aid Eiumi: a..Gs our in,ei.ec.
Ihe spirit W. VI root the soees OF selfish
ness ana ca3se the virtue of generosity
20 lct fo;,h It's ut.los: fragrance. The
presence OF Co.'s spirit IN us WI de-
veiop tae }rofoundest love for Christian
work. It s true that Cod can and may
work through ether channels, but the
teaching OF the word. the evidence of his
tory ana or preseL. successes attests that
there Is close and precious connection
between thorouehly cousecrated, sp.ri.
tually energized life and tae divine power
as represented by the Holy Spirit
OF WHAT USE % IT.
OF what use is that costly locomotive
standing upon the tracks. cold. pulseless,
beautiful and attractive as q piece OF
mechanism but for passenger OF freight
hauiing purposes, absolutely useless until
steam Is generated and skillful engineer
=.
the steam. make the essential difference
between use and non-use. BY this power
the engine remains not only attractive.
out becomes OF great service and yields
iair return upon the investment.
WITH how much pity Jesus must behold
SO many attractive persons nominally
Christian: made for that purpose, but as
faf as practical Christian service is con
cerned are useless. and stand upon the
gospel track, monuments of cold inlv.
t!vfty.
"ie SHAH receive power after that the
tio.y Gnost Is come upon you" Tn.s is
the power, thi.; Is tAc fire, the baptism OF
wh.cn. eQueos the believer for doing great
er thinss tEaa Jesus did. The very state
ment OF privilege and the bleased relation
INDICATED snoCld, cause The blush OF shame
to ceepaa Oh the ilces of TIE weall.ng.,
co.d.feartod, should cause the idle an
ihd.Hereht Chr!stan t. repent and do the
hrst works-wh.;e to the faithful OF a
church the sn.r!t with soul inspiring cor
ce)tions OF the 3 - .tness of life and its
opportunities III them Oh TO steep ~
nelShts Tor coh,,- a.d with q sublime
sonhdenGe ana !. Sesu.ely allied TO tHe
the wlrks naturally follow. Forward l.;
the battle cry and ulfalter!nely. they
press the foe and with shouts OF victory
proclaim that Jesus Is K.rg and Master.
Fellow workers In this church. this Is
hSaven's encouraging greeting to you
on this our anniversary day. The MESA ;se
contains clear trumpet call and inspira-
uon to brilliant service. The work Is SUI
perior. the privilege is golden, the returns
are eternal felieities. saved souls. and fell
lowship with the Father. What Is the re-
sponse. made by this church to such call?
Judging from the past the coming church
should be ever more glorious.
plymouth church Is to be congratulated
on Its position, successes and wide infiu-
ence: IT Is fourteen years old today. Early
In HE OF every human being there are ex-
pertences which test vitality and dura-
bility: This church has had Its powers OF
passed through all and today earnestly
prays for continued prosperity. We are
quite boy. The strength of an army or
given regiment is not measured by
years OF service; neither Is that Of a
church. What Is the record of Plymouth
church--what have we done OF loyal ser.
vice and faithfulness for Christ and His
cause? Let 1t be remembered that we
cannot measure spirituality by mathe'
matics. The chief end and work Of a
church is upbuilding Of spiritual charac-
ter and bringing men to the knowledge
of salvation. Social reformation, educa.
ton and the cultivation Of q noble com.
mon brotherhood are all within its com.
pass. o.. -
Our record for the year touching these
great things is made and with all Other
human records goes to walt the day oi
final returns; rest assured, brethren OF
this church, whatever Of work is charac'
terized byhay. wood or stubble will be
vice. gold and precious stones shall abide
the great test.
Anniversary days are happy days, bu,
the other side obtrudes itself; is my per.
that Of q faithful worker. or that Of .
shirker and grumbler? Have we grown
| in faith, have we put on new power, are
we unitediy working under the spirit ol
God or some other spirit?
1t Is gratifying to note that with two ex.
ceptions every month has seen acessions
to the church membership. The Sunday
school has increased in efficiency and num-
bers. The Sherman avenue mission has
also increased in numbers and character
OF work done. The Endeavor society II
putting on new life and with the Junior
society should yet do greater things.
But am ost desirous of reviewing the
work done or undone. God knows and We
know there Is much which might have
been done better. and other things moi
left undone. / wish to plead with you 6s
church to concentrate and heroically at
tack the problems before us. A scatter
| Ing church Is never very useful church
| except for advertising purposes. This
new church year should see large in
| crease Of faithful members. and a large
I sum paid on our Indebtedness. 1t can bs
done by concentration and holy enthusi
asm.
| We are SroWlHS, anu just as H. poy
Of fourteen II healthy. will outgrow hi.
| clothing, so has our mission school out
grown the present size of the building
| so has the home school; every Sabbath
four large classes meet in the church; W.
need the enlargement Of the presen
chapel for Sunday school purposes, anC
a new building for the mission. We ash
| today for three things and In the name Of
Christ claim them for His cause. First
your conservation and faith. Second
| your personal service as a co-worker
Third, your generous gifts of money.
Thes things we crave for Jesus.
church cannot do the greater things with
out this trinity of purpose and service
Lack Of conservation will indicate infe
riority Of service; give then yourself ant
| Plymouth church shall enter upon an
other year Of prosperity. Thankful fol
the past, sorry for every mistake, peni
| tent for wrongs committe let us go ou
| from this service determined to do tn,
greater things of Christian service.