The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-17
REV J. D. JoRDAN's INAUGURAL.
HIS FIRST SERMON AS PASTOR OF
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
"Co-LabOrers with God" the Subject
of His DiscOurse-A Practical Ser
mon Filled With Bible Truths-The
New Pastor to Begin Practical
Work at Once.
There was a large congregation at the
First Baptist church yesterday morning
to hear Rev. John D. Jordan preach his
first sermon as pastor of the church. The
congregation was not disappointed, and
the many members of the church felt that
they had made no mistake in their selec-
ton of a pastor.
Mr.. Jordan's subject was "Colabors
With God.'' his text being For we are
laborers together with Cod" from the
third chapter Of First Corinthians. Mr..
Jordan led up to his subject with a few
remarks upon labor pertinent to the SUBJ
Ject. Labor is honorable, he said, IL man
makes it honorable. The woman who
labors at home with her children, caring
for them and endeavoring to train them
up to lead useful and honorable lives, the
man who labors faithfully and honestly in
his chosen occupation for the support OF
those whom God has given him, is as
honorable in his occupation as he who
labors for the care of the fold of Christ
He laid stress upon the fact that to be
called colaborers with God is an honor to
those to whom the expression applies.
1--WE are laborers in Gods vineyard"
he said Thine works and 1 must work
too. Death is continu ously at work. Ev-
cry day since 1 have been in your city I
have seen a funeral procession pass.
Death works continually, and 1 must
work, too, for my mission under God is to
help people and prepare them for death.
Sin works. Satan Is never idle. AS
your city enlarges, he enlarges his work
with it."
The true idea of labor, Mr.. Jordan said,
is individual care and patient toll in what
ever field of life we are thrown. "Al can
do something. God has not child upon
earth SO weak, so environed that he can
not render some service"
Mr.. Jordan spoke of the church as COM
bining two ideas, a corporation for carry
ing on the business of God on earth and
union of organized labor for doing the
work of God The full meaning of organ
ization is illustrated, he said, in the scrip
ture saying that one man may shake
thousand, but two men may put ten
thousand to flight. The difference be-
tween thousand and ten thousand illus
trates what may be accomplished by two
men working in unison, as compared with
the efforts of one man. He also spoke of
the church as lighthouse, to warn men
from the wrath to come, and as a life
saving station, to reach out after per-
ishing thousands.
ITO work together, we must come to-
gether," he said 1.-The individual who
gets most out of his church life is the in
dividual who presents himself oftenest at
the house of God. In order to labor to-
gether more effectualIy we must love each
other. We have no strength to waste. A
happy rejoicing church is necessary to
accomplish the best service"
Mr.. Jordan dwelt upon the honor of be-
ing colaborer with God and sharing with
him in the greatness and glory of his
work. His work is evident in everything
he said, from world making to flower MAX
ing. God so loved the world that he
gave his only begotton son that we might
nave eternal life. Whatever we under
take, as individuals or as church, he said
should be undertaken in the name of God
and humanity.
MI Jorudn spoke PLAINLY ana earnestly,
but with no attempt at pulpit ora tory or
any straining after effect. His enuncia-
ton was clear and distinct and he made
himself easily heard throughout the whole
church. AT the conclusion of his sermon
he showed his intention to begin practical
work with his congregation at once by re-
questing all the members present to write
their names and addresses on slips of
paper and drop these in the contribution
box in order that he might secure this in
formation and call upon the members at
their homes. For the present. Mr.. Jor-
dan is stopping with Capt. C. S. Ellis. at
Gwinnett and Abercorn streets. where he
will be pleased to have the members of
the church call upon him.