Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-21
SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Sermon Of Dr.. Barrett, at Christian
Memorial Temple, Sunday,AM.
Text: And Many Spread Their Garments
in tho Way; and others on. Down
Branches or tho Treos and strewed
Them In tho Way. Mark 11:1s.

Sunday morning Rev. DR.. J. p. Bar
rett, d. D.. pastor OF Memorial Chris
tian Temple, Brambleton ward,
preached a very impressive sermon,
taking Mark, 11:1S as the foundation
for his remarks. Following is a synop-
sis of his discourse
For nearly three years Jesus had
been teaching the doctrine of salvation
through grace by faith A few loved
and followed him. but many hated
him, scorning his authority. His re-
ported journey TO Jerusalem drew the
multitudes to the roadside to watch
his approach. Fills appearance was the
signal for an outburst OF enthusiasm
Garments and branches from the trees
were made carpet for his pathway.
He was the King of the Heart King
dom. This incident points us to some
beautiful phases of the Christian life.
l. The thought of the text fore
shadows the coming of Christ into the
heart-life OF the believer and the re-
ception given Him.
AS the magnet draws the steel: the
sea. the rivers; the sprins-time. the
sleeping life of the field and forest
so does Christ draw the willing heart
to Himself. He said: Behold, 1 stand
az the door and knock. If any man
near my voice, and open the door,
VIII come in to him. and sup with him
anc ne with Me."Only the resistance OF
the human will keeps Jesus out of the
neart--out of the inner life of men.
Oren the door, give Him a glad well
come and He will come and bless;
refuse Him. and He will go away
grieved, leaving us to ourselves and
our enemies.
TT Tho thono1,t en- 49,
the joy of the Church when Jesus Is In
her midst-the true Church, Rev. 7:9-
IL: not the false Church, Rev. 1S:4-14
Not wealth. not culture, not social
influence. but Jesus in the midst, was
the JOY of the triumphal procession.
his presence is essential to the life of
inc Church But to have him the
church must sacr!fie all unselfishness,
give him hearty welcome, live n
beautiful life. keep n Christ-like spirit.
nave pure heart with perfect sub
mission to the will of God But alas.
Cnese conditions are not general in the
church today, hence the absence of
Jesus In so many of our Church CEN
tiers. We are depending upon material
conditions rather than upon the Spirit
for effective service. We look to
wealth and culture and refinement and
organized societies. which though good,
very good i'll their proper sphere. can
not give the Church her needed power
for real Christian service in bringing
men to Christ.1s not this the lost art
with the Church? Instead of being
filled with the Spirit, is not the Church
intoxicated. catering to the world?
Hear her:
II am rich. and in goods increased;
have need of nothing and naught
TO do,
But ITO laugh and dance and feast"
The sly OLD world heard her and
laughed In his sleeve,
And mockingly said aside,
The Church is fallen-the beautiful
Church
And her shame Is her boast and pride"
Our form. fashion and show cannot
deceive the word-it knows these do
not constitute religion. The world gives
the Church sort of mandy pamby''
appreciation. even mock-a pnlause
chietly because i'll so many clever ways
we serve 1t and carefully avoid dis
turbing its love of sin.
1t Is said Norfolk likes excitement
Society generally does. hence so much
sensation. If the Norfolk Churches
VIII bring Christ into their midst and
Keep Him in holy touch with them
TIL they shine like the golden candle
sticks, mentioned in Rev Hippo and
preach boldly the leading doctrines of
the gospel. as Jesus preached them
We shall have sensation in Norfolk
that will produce a revolution in the
spiritual life of Gods people The men
and women who live for the self-life.
spending their means. their time and
their strength mlnistering to Self
would alarm the city and make it no,
for the preachers of righteousness. but
the Church would have power, her
candlesticks would be relighted, and
by the power of Him who would be in
her midst. she would shake the thrones
of iniQuity and march on ITO q final and
glorious victory She stands to-day
halted in this marching battle because
Samson has been shorn of his locks"
The Bishops and the great men of
the Church. are now lamenting her
spiritual decadence. They are calling
for a week of penitence and prayer
that she may regain her ebbing life