The Indianapolis journal., 1898-11-25
THE PREsRYTERIANs.
Rev. MIR. Hunters Sermon at the Ia
bernacIe.

DernaCIe.
Rev. r. v Hunter, of the Seventh Pres
byterian Church, yesterday preached to
the Presbyterian congregations of the First.
Second. Fourth, Seventh, Memorial and
Tabernacle Churches at Tabernacle Church.
His text was from Psalm l, IA. Offer unto
God thanksgiving; and pay thy VOWS unto
the Most High
DIR. Hunter began his sermon with ref
erence to the history of Thanksgiving day.
He spoke of the Thanksgiving days of the
Jews and contrasted the present with the
past. He then went on to say why we
should be thankful now. He said that
Thanksgiving is the gathered honey of the
Christian flowers, a moral constellation of
the highest stars" All should praise God
for something. They should be glad for
expansive life, for the enlarged sphere of
home life. I'VE have books, schools, music,
social privileges and rare opportunities
asserted the speaker. He declared that
this Nation is probably more favored than
any that has ever lived.
1.-The past year." he added "has been full
of tokens of a benehcent Providence. Bus
mess has improved, people are employed
The gold standard has grown in popularity,
averting a threatened danger to domestic
business and foreign trade. The war cloud
is disappearing, the storm has spent its
fury and peace rests upon us like a bene-
dict!on. We believe a larger destiny is
planned for our Nation
DR.. Hunter went on to ask in view OF
the matchless favors which the people have
received, what will most appropriately show
a thankful spirit. 1t is right, he said that
we should pray in the churches, but is there
not surer proof of gratitude? He doubt
ed if American Christians are using the
potency in their character in the practical
way necessary to give the human uplift
the world needs Continuing, he said
Transformation! We believe in the
keyword-a transformation of Christian
patience and money to effective and prac-
ticaI hepfulness. reforms and teachings; a
transformation of civic virtues into
healthier public sentiment, and a trans
formation of patriotism that is as heroic
in public office and ut the ballot box as
in the trenches at Santiago.
'As we see it, fundamental to a rational
transformation of Christian power is a
passion for souls This is based on an
abiding love for God and desire to do His
bidding. We find ourselves i'm the midst
of a conflict between much that is beauti-
full and much that is base. Unconcern
argues moral lapse, or intellectual barren
ness. An intense love for man. passion
ate desire to help him, is the outgrowth of
thankfulness and love- Christ is the ex-
ample in what He did for man. He who
follows Christ seeks those whom his Master
loved; and it is his blessed privilege to fol-
low the Masters methods and secure mss
results 1t is the passion for souls which
Jesus showed that gains the attention and
respone of men. This passion for souls
VIII seek practical ways for reaching them.
Journalism and traditionalism are fetiches
before which the church has too long
bowed. Many institutions and customs
are held to be part of religion which are
mere incruStationS. hindering the fullest
exercise OF Christian impulse and activity.
looked upon as the successor of the ancient
Jewish temple.
AN ERRONEOUS THEORY.
This conception of the church has made
it seem unlawful to some to use the church
except for worship. This erroneous theory
would be avoided We're the Christian peo-
pie to remember that our church buildings
are an adaptation of the old Jewish syna-
gogue, which was simply a meeting house,
a neighborhood convenience. 1t was not set
apart as the temple man. The temple was
the habitation of Jehovah and the place
where His glory was manifested. When
Christ came the whole purpose and mission
of the temple was at an end. The early
Christians met in synagogues, upper rooms,
anywhere The present attitude of the peo-
pie toward our church buildings is relic
of a conception which grew up in Rome be-
tween the apostolic age on the one hand
anu the Reformation on the other Stripped
VI TINS superstition ana the cnurcn building
may become a school. a library, a reading
room shelter. where young men may
gather for information and .companionship,
rather than be driven to the saloon, the
brothel and in the way that kills. 1t ought
to be a practical institution in which the
work outlined by the Master can be car
ried on corresponding to the demands of
any given neighborhood.
Another illustration of the way in which
the power of the church may be trans
formed into practical utility, and shown
forth a thankful and intelligent spirit
would be TO father and husband many OF
those charities and beneVolences which in
this country have been relegated to the
public and the State. The Protestant
church is ignoring history. Is illogical in it's
present attitude toward many of our public
charities. AS an illustration the modern
hospital is not only the result of a Chris
tian civilization, but one of it's active agen-
cies. The ancients and some OF the heather
used to destroy the sick and disabled. For
centuries hospitals were maintained by the
Jews and the Christian fathers alone. Why
should we now delegate this work TO others?
The Catholics are wiser than we Protest
ants have been.
Another illustration of a practical work
showing forth Christian thankfulness and
an intelligent passion for souls, / may sug