The Newtown bee., 1898-01-21

work to do, cannot find it for himself, he
should go to his pastor and tell him he
would like to engage in Christian work;
and if the pastor cannot place him where
he can do something useful in the gener-
al scheme of activities that the church is
trying to carry out, then that member
has perfect right to go to some other
church where they can better find room
for his service. The ideal of the church
is, as John Wesley expressed it, "AlI at
it and always at it, A minister in Troy
was once congratulated on the magnifi-
cent work which his church was doing.
"Ah, yes" was his reply, "but that mag
nifcent work is mainly done by six men,"
When we see how much is accomplished
by the few who are earnestly at work,
we have no power of telling what the
impetus Of Christian effort would be if
aAA CL1utCh meuUeIs "GLS cuIIsLcu Ill Lie
same degree. Looked at from that point
of view, we are thrown into dismay as we
contemplate the unused energy, the stor-
ed-up force. To the observer from the
outside the Church often seems the most
powerless powerful thing on earth, g.
ant with knotted punches of muscle lying
by the roadside asleep.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COMING
on this earth, mark you that; but the day
of its coming will only be fastened glor-
iously on when all who now sing with
earnestness,
glove Thy kingdom, Lord"
will set themselves to work that they
may unlock the gates and let the King of
Glory in. 1 read some time ago the list
of subjects advertised in the Chicago pa
pers for pulpit treatment on one Sunday
in the churches Of the city, all of them
sensational in the extreme. That kind OF
preaching is not going to save the world
nor hasten the coming iof the kingdom.
1t is too much like fixing some temptip &
bait and saying to the people: "Here is
something that will titillate your fancy
and delighe your esthetic nature; won't
you come in and taste it? Our doors are
open; only come" The assistant pastor
of church in city not far away was
conversing with my friend. care your
Sunday evening services we'll attended? p
Eyes, very well.' chow do you conduct
them? Is music the predominant fea-
turee?" Eyes, the main part of the ser
vice is taken by the choir Do you thinf
these services do any good?" 81 cannot
say that they do; IhaYe not heard of the
conversion of a single oul." "How long
does the pastor preach?' ''About 10 min
utes." 1t does not seem to me that tina
is the way to make the Church power
Concerts may draw crowd. They may
fill the peWs, but they
Do NOT DEEPEN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
1t has alway been fond idea of mine
though probably few would agre,
with me, that one way, and
good way, in many cases to set
tie the problem of the Sunda.
evening service, is to give it up, but will
the distinct understanding that the mem
bers of the church are expected to pu
in place of it some earnest Christian
work. Attend the service in the morn.
ing; listen well to the sermon, take il
in, digest it, and then 60 out to give
yourself q practical illustration of tn
truths that have been uttered.
make no wild or hystericsl appes
for cooperation on the part of tn
members of this church; take thes
thoughts as being good for us to reflec
upon at the beginning of another year
l am here this morning TO thank you TO
your zeal in sharing the work that hav
attempted to do. am here to expires
out of heart of full gratitude my ap
probation of your sympathy and love
Let this be our aim throughout the com
ing year,to work the more each with th,
other. 1t will not do for you to work a
IL your work had no connection will
mine, nor for me to work as IL 1 wer
trying to do some great thing alone