Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-09
THE CHURCHES SUNDAY
Rev. J. Ernest Thacker on SeIf-An-
nouncing Quality of Religion.
rhe New Pastor of The second Pros
bytorinn church Prencnos Eel. OPP
eninE sormon-services mt other
Churches--Notos sunday school
Organised.

The announcement that the Rev. Err
nest Thacker, the new pastor of the
Second Presbyterian Church, would oc-
cupy his pulpit for the first time Sun
day drew n congregation Sunday morn
ing that filed the entire seating ca
pacity of the building. MIR. Thacker Sc
lected as his text l. Thes. l.: 6-10 and
announced as his subject SELF An
ncuncing Quality of Religion" In in
Producing his theme he said:
1--WE live in very practical age
an age when speculatlons and theories
are at discount; when man is
Judged. not by his professions, but by
what he is-thc deeds of his life, his
daily conduct-whcn men are just be-
ginning to see the absolute falsity OF
the old accepted statement: THE world
owes every man a living 1t is not
true; the opposite of that is true. Eve
ry man owes the world n living, and
the very best life that he can possibly
live. Why is 1t that the community is
shocked when man commits Il crime?
Why is 1t grievcd when a person goes
contempt upon n person who dawdles
away his life as n "do-nothing' and
nobody" 1t is because the commu-
nifty expects good influence from
everyone. and says TO such a one you
have robbed us OF that which you owe
uS?"
Now If our religion is anything at all
IT must show itself in our lives The
Unitarian test is the correct one 1t is
a God given test. by their fruits shall
ye know them" Such was the religion
or the Thessalonianstha they were en-
samples sounding out the word OF the
Lord
/ Notice the kind of religion they
had. The words of the text reveal three
elements that so 10 make up their re-
l.gion.
ID a wonderful transformation
turned from idols to serve the living
and true God" What II complete
change! From worshipping idols to
worshippins Jehovah. Instead OF en-
twininS their affections about things
risil lie they We're entwincd about Him
whom, having not seen. we love-
From faith in the things of earth
they trust in the Lamb of God that
taketh away the sins of the world"
II any man be in Christ Jesus
he is Il new creature. Old things are
passed away, all things are become
newt" ''Yc must be born again"
Cd An implicit faith IN Christ IN
every place your faith 10 Gods word is
spoken Of 1t reveals To us the only
plan OF MISUNDERSTANDING by
faith. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
and thou shalt be saved"
(3) A complete unworldincss-"W
Ing for His Son from heaven whom He
raised from the dead, even Jesus which
delivered us from the wrath TO come"
If we have this complete change in the
heart, and this implicit faith in Christ.
1t will lead us to be unworldly and TO
be continually looking for and hasten
ing" by example and every Christian
effort "the coming OF Christ" the
bringing about of that time when the
Kingdoms of this world shall have be-
come the Kingdoms Of our Lord and of
His Christ. We might then feel as John
felt when he said-"Even so come. Lord
Jesus. come quickly" This is the kind
OF religion that ! most desire and
most expect TO find in the good people
of this church, as We begin our worl,
for tho Master
II. What arc the results of such re-
ligion on the individual and on the
community?
% They were cnsamples, 80 that We
We're ensamples TO MI that believe"
Men took knowledge of them that they
had been with God. and silent in-
huence ever went out from them for
Gods glory and humanity's good. Let
your light so shine before men that
they. may see your good works and
Elorify your Father. which IS in
heaven
Cd They were emphatic examples al
ways telling the glad tiding of great iov
to others. For from you sounded ont
the word OF the Lord" II We have
heard the joyful message We must tell
come"
CD They were known everywhere MS
Gods gaithful children. For from yoI
sounded out the word of the Lord moi
only In Macedonia and Adaria. but also
IN every place your faith 10 G;od-word
JIG spread abroad" We sometimes for
get our religion or leave il Mt home
when VIC go out TO business or in socic-