The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18

were regarded as sinful innovations, and
with some good people to-day preacher
faith. If church boards had from the first
provided rooms in the meeting houses for
the wheel they would have less cause for
complaint against Sunday riding for mere
pleasure.
Common sense is a chief fruit of the
Spirit This is so obvious that Paul did not
take the trouble to mention it. Paradoxical
as Ii may seem, the church must become
entirely modern in method if 1t would be
entirely ancient in spirit The cause of
Christ has suffered UNNECESSARILY because
those in power have allowed it to be
dragged along at the heels Of an advancing
civilization. Now. of Old. for the tri-
umphant progress of the gospel we must
stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ
has made us free, and not be entangled
again with the yoke of bondage. Loyalty to
Christ demands the utmost liberality in
method He who insists on a particular
departed from the faith Antiism, land
markism and all other irons of Pharisee-
ism are accused fig trees, bearing nothing
THE stupendous task which Christ has
set the church calls for the concerted eff
united church would be an invincible
church. The prayer of Jesus is an eternal
rebuke to all partyism in religion. Neither
that believe on through their word
that they may all be one, even as thou
Father are in me and / in Thee. that the
world may believe that Thou didst send
me. Here is the inspiration of the plea
which in this century, and within seventy
years, has gathered over q million believers
into congregations striving to be simply
Christian in doctrine and life, and which
has inaugurated one of the most practical
and most successful evangeltsuc move
ments in all church history Yet what has
been done is but beginning. A good motto
for us who are met here to-day would De,
which we bring the world should be in
demonstration of the Spirit and OF power
and wrought out in holy living and deep
CniFifnal Missionary GeCrG-
taries should challenge our falth ana no
crafty by their generous and far-reachlng
plans rich disciples should pour their gifts
into the Lords treasury until the measure
of their liberality will startle the religious
world, and preachers should emulate each
other In seeking to practice the Ne" les
lament spirit of sacrifice.
1T is daring Resi nII2ren Tr reform ne
ton have taken. Their logical condemna-
ton of denominationalism makes their
mission territory the whole earth. Thelr
work is not completed until every tongue
shall confess to the all-sufticency OF Christ
in matters of religious faith. Their agrees
sive preaching must create eVerlastlng en-
nifty unless it is the product OF molly trust
ing and living. Men will not receive re-
buke from hearts and lips no purer and
cleaner than their own. We will make no
one believe that we are not sect unless IN
thought and deed and fellowship we are
superior to all the products OF sectarlanlsn.
Our standing before God and man is not
established by assertion and resolutions;
Character is more unerring than gravity; II
will see that every man and every church
each finds it's own place. We cannot be
doctrlnally right and practically wrong We
cannot claim the truth without the LIE
which is the fruit of the truth"
Mr.. Lord continued to speak of the re-
uuremehts needed in the Christian Church
to accomplish the current revolution. He
said
There is required among us: % deeper
culture: (2) a comprehensive understanding
of both the inclusive and exclusive qualities
of the New Testament PLAN 60 a fuller
conservation and a deepening of the spirit
of devotion; "a enlarged giving for mis-
sions. Our achievements, our deficiencies,
our relationships and our opportunities
should all together make US the most crate ts-
full the most sober, the happiest and the
most enthusiastic people on the face of the
earth. Historic fellowships, stretching from
righteous Abel until the present hour sur
round us with great cloud OF witnesses
of holy men and women that hallow every
memory and illuminate all hope. Momen-
tary success or failure should not eiate or
disturb The eternal purpose or COO IS 10
find in our hearts and through our cor
porate growth ample gateway from the
nast to the future. We are no mere crea-
lures of a superficial day. The fashion or
the world changeth. but the vera OF the
Lord endureth forever"