The age-herald., 1899-12-18
SCRIPTURAL LESSONS GATHERED
 FROM THE PULPITS YESTERDAY
"FaithfuInesS" the Subject of Dr. Murray's atChurch
 of the Advent.

The usual large congregation, especially of men, attended divine services at the ~Church of the Advent yesterday. At the morning service the rector made appropri- ate reference to the fact that the shadow of death had crossed the threshold of two homes connected with the parish during the past week, the mother of Mrs. E. M. Tutwler and Mrs. Priestly Toulmln having passed from earth to paradise at Keswick, Va, where her burial occurred on last Fri day in the presence of the different mem- bers of her family, who had gathered for that purpose from several different states, and suggested that the sympathy of the congregation find expression in the Pray CT for persons under affiiction." This pray CT was offered, as was also the special prayer for the sick, there being several communicants of the parish seriously i'll.
 Proceeding to the sermon, Dr. Murray announced as the subject thereof, Faith fulness," and the text the second verse of the fourth chapter of St. Paufs First Epis- tie to the Corinthians: Moreover, 1t is re- quired in stewards that a man be found faithful"
 The Advent Season
 The following is a brief outline of the thought advanced:
 "lt is the advent season-a season sug gestive not only of the fact that Christ has been upon earth in visible form once, but also that He will again come. He has been here to teach, invite and warn. He will come again to judge, reward and condemn. The special exhorta tion of the church this third Sunday in advent is that, as Christ at His first coming had worthy and faith ful messenger to prepare His way before Him, so may those who are ministers and stewards of His mysteries now so preach and act and live that they may faithfully and worthily prepare and make ready the way of His second coming
 "1n the use of the declaration of the text that 1t is required in stewards that a man be found faithful, I desire to include in it's scope as stewards not only the man who stands in. the pulpit a minister ordained, but also every person who sits in a pew, having taken upon him Christ at the bap- tismal fount and openly made his VOWS un- to God in the presence of His people For one is no less a minister of Christ and stew
 
 in that position and avocation of life which he occupies and pursues, having been call ed thereto by the pleasure of the Master for the accomplishment of the divine pur- pose regarding the universe and it's inhab- itants.
 Circumstances and Conditions
 'Tlhat we may the better comprehend the meaning of the text in its emphasis and force, let us note the circumstances and conditions that called forth the declaration contained therein. In days gone by Paul had come to the Corinthians, declaring un- to them the testimony of God, not with ex- cellency of speech nor enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstra ton of the spirit and of power: that their faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God He was determined to know nothing among them, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.' Thus coming and thus preaching he had won them to the truth it is in Jesus But with passage of time other teachers had found them: other ideas than those of truth had won .them: man had come between them and God and forgetting the Christ Himself, they were known as disputng disciples of the different preachers whom the Christ had sent. One said I am of Paul, and anofh- er I ann of Apollos.' And so they were carnal. Paul would have them know that neither he nor Apollos were any thing, save as they so taught that God could approv- ingly give increase. The increase must come by every man building upon a foundation already laid, For other foundations can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ Therefore no man was to glory in men, but every one was to so act that when account was taken of him by others he would be found simply an earnest minister of Christ, and a faithful steward of the mysteries of God. For it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful
 What is Required
 "No argument is necessary to convince us of the fact that we are stewards. Being stewards and thus convinced, what is re- quired of us? Not that we have extraordi- nary gifts; not that we shall be found pos- sessed of great accumulations; but simply that we be found faithful Fafth5ss, if in the pulpit, to teach and preach the funda- mental truths of the religion of Christ as He hath taught and preached them before us Leading our people away from dark ness and doubt, and directing them in the old familiar paths upon which the light of revelation and the sunshine of Gods love have never in all the ages ceased to shine, l although our blinded eyes have sometimes | failed to discern.
 ''If in the pew, faithful in doing the sim pie work Christ left upon earth ito be done dn His name by those who bear that name Jesus is not here today in visible form, but know ye not that ye are the temple of