The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-12-13
A STRONG CHURCH
Rev. Freeman Speaks OF
Christian Denomination.
Convention in IndianapoIiS-Som
Figures A Practical Sermon
on the Gospel Of Giving.

F. S. Freeman, Chaplain of the Z. S.
S. Baltimore addressed large congre-
CATION in the Christian Church last |
evening. He prefaced his sermon with
a few remarks ON the growth and sue
ces of the Christian church here and
in the United States saying las pastor
of the Christian church in Logansport,
Indiana where we as people are very
influential, as we are throughout the
whole country more especially in the
middle States, 1 served in the pulpit.
In Indiana we had 10000 members. A
few weeks ago the largest and best
National Convention ever held in our
church history met in Indianapolis, 1.-The
capital of the State. There We are
thoroughly understood and seldom
misrepresented. Our plea for a union
of Gods people by return to the
practice of primitive Christianity is re-
spected, for in our ranks are to be
found many Of the leading citizens OF
the State representing all honorable
professions and callings. In high Office
we have representatives who are an
honor to us and Of whom we ought
justly to feel proud. When it falls to
my lot to worship in a place where
we are comparatively weak, l always
think that it would be a source of
strength and encouragement to those
members who have not come in per-
sonal touch with our great brotherhood
to see them in their strength and pow
er taking the lead of Gods hosts in
numerical increase and forcibly and
successfully urging Christians to prac-
tice only what the New Testament re-
quires Our growth has been marvel
GUS. In the United States alone we
have built on an average three church
es per day. Our church extension fund
| is not yet strong enough to meet the
demand for new houses of worship.
| On this account weak congregations
suffer- The last annual report of the
| missionary organizations connected
with the church were all encouraging.
Mr.. Freeman took for his text Acts
SO; Silver and gold have | none
but such as I have, give | thee. In
! the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
rise up and walk ''These words were
spoken by Peter. The poor lame man
who was accustomed to sit at the gate
of the temple which is called Beautiful
to ask aims of those who entered into
| the temple, accosted Peter and John
as they were approaching the gate at
the hour of prayer. Doubtless this
lame man thought of obtaining money
| from Peter and John and would have
rejoiced in liberal gift at their hands.
Having been lame from his birth he
was deprived, no doubt of the advan-
tages which are enjoyed by strong
healthy man. He was forced to beg
for living. There is many an honest
beggar, though one doubts the sin
cerity of many who beg for a living
This man was worthy of assistance
Peter and John did not pass him by
unnoticed They did not give the beg
gar money Silver and gold have
none said Peter In nine cases out
of ten the help which human life needs
is not money help. Our usefulness in
this life is not measured by the money
we have to give to the needy. What
|
There are times when money alone
will serve the needy but we should re-
member that there are better thing:
to give than silver and gold. Peter:
gift was Intimately superior to money
"The cripple was transformed into {
sound man. Our mission of usefulness:
in life is not narrowed down by wealth
is not even dependent upon wealth
Viewing the text from this standpoint
; the poorest disciple has as divine {
mission to fulfill as the richest. The
cry for money is great but the worlt
in it's sickly spiritual condition is long
ing for love, sympathy, comfort ant
help which can be administered freely
1t is not always best for us to lift of
the burdens from the shoulder Of on
in trouble. To impart to him fresl
, strength and hope may be far better
We become most useful to men whel
we make them freely realize that Coo
helps those that help themselves
"The poorest man may be ministe
for good in any community. 1t i
possible for each to give unto the worl'
something better than money. Chris
Himself had no money to give. H
was exceedingly poor. He brought t
the world the best of all gifts-Salva
ton. Through His poverty we ar
made rich Our responsibility in Civ
ing, is measured by the words of tn