The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-21
MIR. v1LLERs' INITIAL SERMON.
Large Audiences Greet First Baptist
Church's New Pastor.

Church's New Pastor.
Rev Thomas ]. Villers began his regu-
lar nastorate at the First Baptist Church
Yesterday A large congregation attended at
hoth the morning and evening services and
the attention shown DR.. Villers was UNI
usually cordial Already he has made a
strong impression and there are predictions
by the congregation that within short
time he will become one of the most popu-
lar pulpit orators OF the city. He comes
here from Syracuse, N. Y, where his wife
and young daughter will remain a few
weeks On Friday night next the official
board of the church will tender reception
to DR.. Villers in the chapel.
The services yesterday were interesting
and impressive. The auditorium was full to
OVERLOOKING, many being unable to find even
standing room At night there was cele-
bration of the baptismal rites. Excellent
music was rendered, the congregational
singing having much zest. "A Bit of PauPs
Evangel'' was the topic of the morning
sermon, based on the apostles opening
words to the Ephesians, Eph. i, 1913;
Wherefore / also, after 1 heard Of your
faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all
the saints, cease not to give thanks for
you, making mention of you in my prayers,
IL
out the things that Paul desired for the
saints al EpheSuS and paraphraSed them in
telling his own wishes for the welfare of
the congregation over which he was begin
ming his ministration.
Paul" he said beginning with an
ascription of praise to God, blessing Him
in words who has blessed us in deeds, pours
forth an enraptured greeting to the saints
at EpheSus and the faithful in Jesus Christ
until he reaches this thanksgiving for their
Christian position and intercession for their
Christian growth. We see here first three
things done. He heard, he thanked he
prayed. He heard of their faith in the Lord
They had been told that for them the Son
of God was scourged, crucifed, sepulchred
that He had been raised from the dead and
seated at the right hand of the Majesty on
high; that He had not, as men often do,
changed his mind when he changed his
place, like the chief butler who forgot in
Joseph in the prison. 1t was still the love
of Calvary in the midst of the throne; the
same Jesus, on earth bleeding, in heaven
pleading. The Ephesians had believed this
and had been sealed with the holy spirit
of promise. Loving all in whom they could
see anything of Christ the melody made
with their hearts had reached the ear of
the apostle. He heard of their unselfish,
large-minded affection. Nothing more as
tonished the heather. Nothing was to them
more incomprehensible than this trait in
the early church. They love each other
without knowing eacn other exclaimed a
pagan in establishments fiat contradiction
wolf TO every other man whom he does not
know. This love for all the saints Bengel
calls the stamp of Christianity Paul had
Schooled himself to listen for tidingS of
such graces, Freed from a suspicious and
carping spirit, let us, like him, live on the
sunny side of God and the generous side of
man, cultivating proper use of our ears
closing them to evil report and opening
them to reports of faith and love-
NIGGARDNESS IN PRAISE.
paul thanked. A Persian religionist used
to rise in the night to pray and read his
Koran. One night as he was engaged in
these exercises his father awoke and the
self-gratulatory devotee said: Behold, thine
other children are lost in irregular slumber
while / alone wake to praise God Son,
replied the father, it is better to sleep than
wake to remark the faults of thy brothers,
Pauls heart awoke not to censure his
brethren but to commend them. He ceased
not to give thanks for the saints. His con-
graduation took the form of thanksgiving
So full and urgent was his gratitude that Ii
could find no end The apostle himself was
in excellent condition when he could thus
eXtol his brethren. The man who can COM
mend others without saying a word about
himself is Il man of apostolic soul Few men
are ready with hearty commentator OF
Others We are greedy in receiving praise
and niggardly in dispensing 1t. We wait
till hands are close folded and pulseless be-
fore we place within them roses and lilies
eyes are sealed to light and love in death s
deep trance before we bend above them
with impassioned glance.
How oft we. careless. wait till life's
Sweet opportunities are past,
And break our alabaster box
OF ointment at the very last
Paul also prayed for the Ephesians.
Making mention of you said he in my
prayers Prayer was characteristic of this
apostle. II marked the beginning of his
Christian life. Behold he prayeth, was
the sign by which Ananias was to recognize
him at Damascus. This is surer evidence
of conversion than behold, he singeth' or
behold, he preacheth.' His was articulate
prayer, petition expressed audtbly in words.
There is power in that solemn silence which
is frost of the mouth, but thaw of the mind.
But prayer without words is not so good as
music without words What the church
owes to a saint who makes mention of the
membership in prayer can never be esti-
mated until the arithmetic of Christianity
is computed in heaven. Make pray
erful mention of the church. Do not re-
strain your prayers. Let me live in them
abundantly. Your affectonate supplica-
strength. AS Paul besought the Romans, so
/ beseech you. brethren, by our Lord Jesus
Christ and by the love OF the Spirit, that we
strive together with me In your prayers to
God for ms"
AN INTELLIGENT FAITH.
In this bit of Paul's evangel, the minister
said. three other things desired for the
saints were an Intelligent faith, a spiritual
insight and an illuminated heart. He de-
he Snirit a