The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-19
IN HIS OLD PULPIT.
Rev. G. A. Christensen breaches to His
Conversation Again.

Rev. Gustav A. Christensen, rector of st.
Pauls Episcopal Church. whose pulpit has
been vacant since the minister became
chaplain of the e-hundred-and-fif
eighth Regiment, preached for the first time
since coming home yesterday morning. The
church was fairly we'll filled. Some of the
congregation had wondered whether the
minister would have aught to say concern
ing his experiences in the army He did not
touch upon that subject, although his SER
mon was on military theme-the story of
the centurion whose servant was i'll, and
who made such a display of faith that
Christ marveled and said He had not
seen such faith, mo, not in Israel"
1.-The centurion answered and said, Lord,
I am not worthy that thou shouldst
come under my roof; but speak the word
only, and my servant shall be healed. For
/ am man under authority, having soldiers
under me; and l say to this man, go, and
he goeth; and to another, come, and he
cometh; and to my servant, do this, and
he doeth it."
With these words for his text the pastor
undertook to impress the necessity for sub
jugation to authority not only in military
and civil life, but also in the spiritual. Be-
fore ascending his pulpit to preach he made
ing and the work of the church year that is
about to begin.
There is only one word to be said in the
first place." said he, land that is a word
of gladness. While there has been war and
tumult abroad there has been happiness and
health here at home. 1 come back to find
there are few whom we shall miss, Col.
Lilly, Governor Matthews and Mrs. Lyman.
While these are gone our congregation has
remained free from the appearance of the
destroyer. did not dare to think on that
should be back SO soon. did not dare think
so many would come back with US. There
were many that did not return. But l am
not the only one that has been away and
is back to rejoice. Indianapolis people
never seemed so dear as now. The very
ground of the city, the very earth OF the
came back. Our hopes and the objects for
which we went forth have been accom-
plished In spite of all that has been said
that which we hoped to see done has been
done. well done, and every one who tells
the truth says So"
Continuing he said that results would be
reaped in greater security and tranquility,
in greater prosperity. He impressed upon
his congregation the necessity for activity
in church work and spoke of the things that
should be accomplished the coming years.
In his sermon drawn from the centurion's
faith that all the Caesar of the Universe
Christ-had to do to accomplish an end was
to say the word, the minister dwelt on the
traits that are necessary to accomplish re-
SATISFACTORILY, Standardization and en-
thusiasm. An army no matter how great
its strength, cannot accomplish things with
out one in authority to direct it. Back of
the authority that directs the army is the
authority of the state, and back of that the
authority of the laws of nature. The only
real independence, the minister said, Is to
be found in self-subjugation. Without sacri-
ficing certain pleasures, without making
sacrifices of many trivial things nothing
can be accomplished by man in his chosen
work. The athlete subdues his appetite and
goes into rigorous training that he may
bruise- and. batter his. opponent and be
clan must consort with those he despises
and greet them with a pleasant smile to ac-
complish his political ambitions. The mer-
chant sinks his personality in order to sue
coed in his business. And yet, when asked
to make some sacrifice for the good of their
ciple of the military idea, said Mr. Carsten-
sen, is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm turned the
tide in Napoleon's great battles. The
Duke of Wellington. at Waterloo, when APP
preached by one Of his commanders with
the statement that the brigade must fall
back or perish. replied Stand firm" The
brigade stood firm. Wellington found every
man dead on the field of honor. Not all of
the volunteers in this war who In their
enthusiasm enlisted for the honor of their
their duty. 1T was their misfortune, not
their fault, that they did not do more said
the speaker. ''They were full of enthusiasm,
ready for any emergency. The people who
filed the streets yesterday because the boys
of the battery were home had caught this
teal application the minister said there must
be a recognition of authority in soul life
because If ii fails there it fails everywhere
SO, too, there must be self-subjugation, self