The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-16
BUILDERS AND BUILDING.
The Subject of Rev w. F. Watkins
Anniversary Sermon.


Anniversary Sermon.
Builders and Building was the subject
of the anniversary sermon of Rev. W. F.
Watkins, pastor of the Christian Church,
yesterday. He took as his text l CORN
thians 3: l0-15: II have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth. Let every man
take heed how he buildeth thereupon."
we are all builders" Rev. Mr.. Wat
kins said, whether we will or no, every
day and hour We are building our life
structure. Every thought is striking a
blow. every impulse is doing mason work.
There are as many workmen in ds as
there are separate faculties. The build
ing is going up story by story, though
we are not conscious of the fact. What
a solemnity and dignity this gives to life!
In a true sense each of US is building bis
own heaven or he'll! This is the lesson the
apostle is teaching here. He applies It
both TO truth and life. The building of
the church a Corinth had been going
wrong. There were dissensions and divis-
ions Paul and his fellow laborers we're but
master workmen hinder the Great Archi-
tect The figure of the church as a build
ing, and her ministers and members as
builders is full of interest. Let study it.
The Foundation: This is of supreme
importance. On il depend the safety and
stability of the structure. Many founda-
tons that promise well prove to be I'M
trus worthy The foundation is Jesus
Christ Other foundation can no man
lay 1t was laid by God in the counsels
Of eternity, and in the fullness of time.
With it we can have nothing to do. We
are TO build not TO il, not with it, but on it.
The SuperStructure: Let every man
take heed how he buildeth thereupon.' The
primary application is to teaching. 1t
was the perversity of the teachers at Cor
inth that led the people astray How
great the responsibility of teachers! But
the warning applies to all builders on
Zioon's walls. Where do we get our mate
rails? On what plan do we work? A house
is built according TO plan. 1t is so with
spiritual life and work God has plan
for every man. The character of Christ is
the pattern 70 be followed. If building
is adapted TO certain uses, much more
should a life be useful. Beware of the
cries which do not come straight from
the Divine Architect, but are
cobwebs open in our own or an
others brain. These may look pretty
but will turn into ashes at the first touch
of the revealing flame. Ii is sad to think
what rubbish can be raked in even a good
foundation, described as wood, hay
stubble."
The Testing Time: Every mans work
shall be made manifest for the day will
declare it, and it will be revealed by
fire"
The wretched novels of a great city,
matched With hay and stubble. would not
resist the flames while the solid etruc-
lures would survive a greater fire than
ever swept London, or Chicago. is to test
buildings oil raiG
day the great judgment day. shall MAJ
fest their true character. And the fire
will try them, of what sort they are. 1t
is quality, rather than quantity, that God
looks for This is a world of shams and
shows. That is a world of realities.
The Builders Reward: IF any man.
work abide, he shall receive a reward" il is
the enduring that shall be rewarded, ev-
cry man receiving accordingly. Nothing
done for Christ, not even a cup of cold
water shall be forgotten. Faithful toll
can never fail. There will be the Mas
ter's well done" hallelujahs of saints
and reclamation of angels, "All labor
ended rest came at lastr'
But what is to be said of the other
side-work that will not stand the test
If any mans work be burned. he shall
suffer loss. Yet he himself shall be saved
as by fire" Suffer loss" Miseries now.
| 9ulAtI lOSS dtSO III heaven! Adn mat De
Yes. the life may be lost, though the soul
he saved! Work came 10 naught! Labor
thrown away! Fire! Fire! House in
flames. The owner is rescued. His face
scorched, his clothes burnt off his back
| his property lost, he saved soul by fire
o would you be willing 10 be saved in
this way? Build with fire-proof mate
rial.
''These," said Mr.. Watkins, in conclu-
sion, ARE the principles that have actu-
ated my work during the year l have
been with you, l have aimed al what
is solid, rather than what is snowy. Ed
itication has been my chief thought The
preacher referred to the unity that has
prevailed in the congregation. to the in
creased attendance at all the services,
/ and te the many signal tokens of Gods
presence and aid. An unusually large
| congregation listened with deep interest.
The following statistics of work were
reported: Sermons and addresses, 17G;
pastoral calls, SO; baptisms, 6; added to
the church 20; marriages, 6; funerals, s;
total receipts from all sources, s1,9O4.39.