The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-24
ACCEPTS THE CALL
DR.. WILEY BECOMES PASTOR OF
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

In Accepting the Call He Gives His POSI-
ton on Several Important Features and
Pastor has No Business Putting His
Nose into Municipal Affairs-Gives an
Account of His Experience and How
UnthoughtedIy He Got Himself into
National Controversy Over a Ball Game
Dr. Elmer E. Wiley, who has recently
been called as pastor of the Central
Church of Christ, filed the pulpit last
Sunday morning and evening. AS
oulpitur he is considered above the av-
erage. Both in methods Of thought and
delivery he Is decidedly picturesque. His
manner is pleasing and his language is
rboice and easy. His descriptive powers
are exceptionally fine, which makes his
kermons entertaining as well as in
strlIctive Although a young man, ne
has filed some important positions,
among them a pulpit in St Louis Tor
term Of years, besides doing a great
deal of lecturing.
The church here is to be congratulal-
ed for having secured a man OF sucn
great surprise If the church does not
reap great benefit in consequence. The
doctor selected for his Sunday morn
ing theme, The Church" and at the
conclusion of very able sermon 1oTm-
-iy accepted the call. Among other
things he said:
The work of the ministry Is so i'm
portant and the call as pastor of any
church carries with IL such grave re-
sponsibilfties that it is difficult for one
who is earnestly IL the work 10 so for-
get himself as TO feel any elauon over
a call to the most commanding posi-
ton. During the last few years the
public estimation of the Christian min
lister has undergone complete change.
Then people spoke of the cloth and his
position was separated from the people
by false dignity on mis- side and on the
side of the people false estimation OF
his mission. This partition has been
broken down, this mask OF dignity torn
away and this dishonOrable reverence
eradicat ted and the minister now Is per-
mitted TO stand in MS proper place and
receives the respect which his worth
commands. nothing more.
Never In the history OF the church
were there greater demands for men.
Churches everywhere are maintaining
an existence while they are waiting for
the man who Is capable Of leading them
10 victory. SO high are present ideals
that IL Is difficult TO find one who can
measure up 10 them. He must have
education, brains and heart. pulpit and
social powers and be a man among men
Feeling this so thoroughly it is no won
der that one cannot stop TO cOnSYa1u-
late himself over having secured 20
siton which Is TO Submit him to st1Ga Sc
we're tests and il which the best are
likely to succeed bus poorly
IF the duties Of ths minister have
been intensified in this new arrange
ment 80 also are those of the church. Is
too is actively in a new and enlarged
capacity. Instead of being a PeJsos1-
tory f0Y NASTY creseds and dognaS. the
world is demanding that It enter into
the activities of life, as Jesus Christ IN
tended it should act, and by helping to
bear tbs burdens OF humanity and by
teaching tbs gospel as tauSat by fhe
Master, by doing that Il Will become a
sayins influence to Shan, aa1d failing
TO Go il IL has faiSed in everything.
lit Is important TO know the purpose
OF the chHrcf, but not more 50 than 10
know what is not the purpose OF the
chaFeh. Churches frequently have,
and even now failing because they are
trying 70 DO something which Is not
intended they should do and thereby
negleeting the work sShiefs IS preemir-
emily thS ddty of this church, IL there !
is anything in our Oft repeated confea- |
eions. We as members OF the family of |
Christ are In possession Of the one |
thing which fIuamity needs. II saliva |
ton as taught by tbs caurch Is what |
we believe it to be It is the onething |
~hichh umahity demands and the only |
pahacea for human ills,
'F'oF some years all churches have |
been questioning moro or lees the rela-
tive positions OF Church and State in |
this country, and some have intimated /
that they ought to be more Intimately
associated. At ieazt K Is very common
TO find ministers VINO are devotlnG
much Of their time and energies to
questions Of state, in the way Of mod
efn reforms and kindred questions.