The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-18
CHURCH OF TODAY.
Rev. G. N. Sims Points Out Some of It's
Weaknesses.

Rev. C. N. Sims, Of the Meridian-street
Church, yesterday preached on the topic,
1.-THE Church of To-day" He spoke from
the text Rev. ii, "a: II know thy works
and thy labor and thy patience. Neverthe-
less have somewhat against thee The
pastor said in part:
1.-THE text is an inspired eulogy and crit
icism of the early churches, but
may be applied with equal proprlety to the
church of to-day here in the midst of us.
The world never saw another ambition so
colossal as that of Jesus of Nazareth. He
undertook to found a religion for all ma
tions and for all time. Its principles We're
as Interchangeable as God himself, and it's
methods as diverse and flexible the con-
ditions of men. 1t invited TO its fellowship
all classes of people and undertook to trans
form them into the purest and best society
the world ever knew and through them
to evolve a new heaven and new earth
full of Righteousness
THE church of to-day excels in culture
intelligence and high morality. 1t has built
up for itself or gathered into it's organiza-
ton almost the whole of the refinement of
our time, and has organized and maintains
a moral standard purer and more exalted
than exists anywhere outside of it, 1t has
stability and persistence which is amazing.
1t has lived on through diSsolving empires
and changing civilizations, the one imper-
ishable institution known among men. Its
enterprises pass unimpaired from genera
tion to generation. it is splendidly generous.
1t maintains its missions and schools and
hospitals and reform agencies with unfail-
ing liberality and listens reSponS1Vely TO the
appeals of all the other charities which have
arisen outside of it's immediate paternity.
But it has also it's weaknesses. II has
too much substituted respect for religion,
for religion itself. Men admire and support,
and attend. and ally themselves with the
church. while they fail to seek the profound
experiences of personal piety. They give
when they do not pray They listen sympa-
thetically but do not taste and see for them
selves, and they are therefore incapable of
criy n 10 w
from spiritual union with it. 1t too readily
mistakes material prosperity for spiritual
ing eloquent the music grand, the rongre-
cations large and the incomes abundant,
it calls this success, forgetting that the
real test of prosperity is the growth of spr-
itual life and Christian character, and the
multitude of conversions. 1t is deficient in
Bible knowledge and faith. The Bible is the
Gods message to him. 1t shows him the
Christ and teaches him the way of life. AS
well might man hope to become an emf
nent lawyer without studying books Of law
or a successful physician without reading
the journals of his profession, as for one
to expect to become an intelligent and con-
siStent Christian without a constant rever-
ent searching study of the word of God
Thy word have / hid in my heart that
might not sin against Thee"
1T substitutes too much social uSageS for
Gods word in the government of conduct.
The Christian man must bring his life to
the Christian authority. Without it faith is
and unreliable When the church rises to
its privileges and puts on its strength it
finds itself in possession of great opportun-
tiles. 1t already has the good will of nearly
all intelligent ana influential people. The
best people have studied the church and
passed favorable judgment upon it. They
believe in it. If it's members turn out bad,
they charitably class them as hypocrites,
and do not charge their conduct to it. A
certificate of church membership presented
by a stranger creates a strong presumption
in his favor.
1T may have access. if it will, to the
and woes drive them to it in their hours of
deepest need. 1t is said that "a crowd of
people in New York cheered the name of
Jesus and Kissed at mention of the church.
But the men that Kissed would have rung
parsonage door bells had they been hunting
the charity of nights lodging. 1t has its
for native hand upon childhood. The Sun
day school is broader than the church mem
bership and it may, if it will, give to child
hood its impress Of faith, its religious de-
sires and it's social tastes. There is not in
all the earth another power for good SO
regal and potent as the Christian church
will make it's services attractive, instruc-
tive and persuasive, if ii will be intensely
aggressive, alert and loving, its power and
accomplishment for good will be only lit
tie less than omnipotent.
'AU classes of people flock to a great re-
vival. for all deeply feel their need OF
Christ's saving power. Minister and people
are alike responsible for the efficiency and
attractivenesS of the church. And when
both are true the world will yield to the
Transforming power of the gospel"