The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-11
THE PERFECT LIFE.
Rev. DIR. Sims's Sermon at Meridian
Street vi. Il. Church.


Street NJ. Il. Church.
An impressive feature of the Easter serv-
ices at the Meridian-street NJ. Z. Church
was the rendition of Dudley Bucks can
tata, Christ the Victor" by the Meridian
street Choral Union, under the direction of
Max Locker. last night. The solo parts
were sung by Mrs. Enrique Miller, Miss
Shirley Shoemaker, Messrs. Andrew Smith
and Clifford H. Tyler. w. p. Kappes. the
organist, accompanying AS at other
churches, pleasing effect was pro-
duced by a profusion of palms and cut
flowers. At both the morning and evening
services the church was crowded, and many
We're unable to find places. At the morn
ing service Rev. G. N Sims, pastor of the
church, preached on The Perfect Life"
the text being: 'In Him was life and the
life was the light of man." John i, 4.
Easter" said DIR. Sims, sis the anniver-
sary of immortal life in a world of univer-
sal death. It's spirit is one of triumph. All
Christendom halls its coming with gIadness,
and rejoices in the hopes of life which 1t
brings The Easter story should be told over
and over again at its anniversary while
time endures. Jesus came into the world
as the friend of life, the enemy of death.
Three times in his short ministry he met
the King of Terrors and vanquished him.
He recalled from the silence and mystery
OF death the rulers daughter, the widows
son. and Lazarus, his friend. Then he went
alone into death and came forth to die no
more. / do not understand the nature of
the resurrection body, its strength and
honor, nor the changes by which it is trans
formed from natural body to a spiritual
body, but | believe that Jesus Christ was
crucihed dead and buried, that he rose
from the dead and that he is alive forever
more. This Easter festival celebrated
throughout the Christian world, is proof
that the, piety and intelligence of Christian
Il suppose that the declaration of the
text, In Him was life, means. that He
In himself; that He was the perfect flower
of the human tree; that all the grace and
beauty of perfect humanity were in Him
complete, ana that He was all that man
may ever become in manly perfection. He
had perfect communion with God This
was necessary for a perfect man. Made in
the divine image, under the divine law and
providence, a. child of God, man cannot at
tam his perfection until he knows his
Heavenly Father. How perfectly Jesus
one L thank thee, Father, that thou
nearest me, and know that thou always
t nearest me He had this. fullness of life
tnat he Knew the Father He had the full
ness of life that comes from perfect
obedience TO the will and law Of the Father
Law is the rule of action which conserves
every interest of the subject 1t estab-
fishes perfect harmony between subject and
sovereign. How perfect was His obedience
not hesitate to go from the glory of the
TRANSPORTATION to the heartbreak and agony
OF Gethsemane and Calvary. In the gar
den agony he cried: Nevertheless not as I
WILL but as thou wilt He possessed
abounding love. Love is life. and life at it's
pest 9est IS love. Genius is dazzling. but love is
4 FROM IIiY,,
gealed by the worlds neglect, unembittered
by its hate, unhindered by it's m.sappre-
nension His love opened blind eyes
cleansed leprosy, forgave sinners, raised the
DEAD. His life was unparalleled victory.
ne met poverty; limitation opposition, mis-
apprehension, death, and he always tri-
umphed. Men wondered that He had knoWl-
edge without schools. Being poor, He made
many rich The men who were sent to ar
spake as this man. The ruler who con-
demEed him to the cross declared: I find
no fault In him, and the centurion wht
supernatural darkness, Surely this was the
Son or God He attained to perfect pence.
w WAS there ever. such calmness as His
his words and acts from the begin
ming Of the last supper till He cried,
H. ~ rs Us, inns Hhnlshed, ana gave up the ghost.
tutes the memorial supper He gives them
the parable of the vine and the branches
he offers that sweet, quiet prayer for them
comforter; He gives them His peace: bean
,iIui, loving, reverent, victorious life in il
nmlta bic fullness. His life was the light of
man. He showed men how to live II wa
guide, teacher, example, inspiration power
10 all men who would follow it. 1t gives ia
the lives of those who will learn from II de-
Votion to the noblest and most unselfish ac-
tivltles. 1t teaches love. forgiveness, ma
tlence, hope. 1t gives victory over main
and loss and evil passions. 1t robs death
OF its sting and makes lifes last hours
aad ha1nf with immortality. 1t gives to life
that influence is. 1t is the gravitation Of
character-universal and impershable. Do
you know why, when you pause to think.
under the shadow of yonder monument 10
the Silent Victors,' love of country stirs in
your heart and gratitude to those who died
Tor the Nation fills you with elevated SER
tIment? What is the power of influence
VINO shall measure the influence of Jesus
ana HIS faithful followers? Let us gaze
upon TINS perfect life until the hight which
to the gates of the celestial city,