Bridgeton pioneer., 1900-01-11
The FIRST SERMON.
A Practical Sermon of the New Pastor as
He Meets HIS Congregation for
the First Time.


The pastorate of Rev. Frank Shermer,
at the Pearl Street Baptist Church, was
begun Sunday morning under most
fattering and promising conditions.
There was a very large congregation
present. and the first sermon of the new
pastor was we'll received.
Rev. Mr.. Shermer is a practical
preacher. He has strong voice, very
expressive, easily understood and fol
lowed.
In practical manner, Sunday morn
ing he began the work which he has just
taken up in The Pearl Street Baptist
Church. His sermon was upon the
"Modern Church." and he took the op-
portunity to express his views of the new
relation just entered upon to ths people
of his congregation.
The sermon was founded upon text
which is found in the 5th chapter of
Ephesians, the 9th verse: "That he
might present it to himself glorious
church, not having spot or a wrinkle
or any such thing; but that it should be
holy and without blemish."
The speaker in introducing his sermon
said that the Church of Christ is the most
illustrious of all organizations in the
world to-day. 1t is through the church
that Jesus is expressing Himself through
out the world. The church has ever been
the illustrator of the world.
The speaker desired to consider prac-
tically, the needs of the modern church.
In the first place the modern church is
o~I1 L
Jesus Christ. Never should we forget
that the foundation, the struggle, the cap
stone of the Christian Church is Jesus
Christ. Every believer isa sculptor. He
brings to light by the spirit of his de
votion the beautiful character that leads
other men to Christ Every sermon
must honor Him; every hymn must as
simulate Him; every prayer must elevate
Him; every listener must absorb Him.
The modern church must cultivate the
Holy Spirits power. A church without
His presence is like a beautiful church
without heat on a cold winters day.
Every christian has the Holy Spirit, but
there are many christians who do not
have the power of the Spirit. 1t is the
need Of the modern church. What might
not the church accomplish under the
b9nediction of the power of the Holy
; $p1rft?- It must have the Spirits energy
What is BODY, beautiful though it may
Be, without life? No more important
rpatter presents itself to-day than the
cultivation jn life of the Holy Spirit.
FA9aa r,is.h lhe Spirit, and the beauties of
the Scriptures unravel themselves. It
gives access to men, reaches men, touches
them.
A modern church depends much upon
maintaining good prayer meetings.
Churches lose their power in proportion
to the loss of social means of grace. The
prayer meeting gives stability and pur-
pose to church. The prayer meeting is
school. The hope of the church, while
it is in its Sunday School, is in the PRAYER
meeting.
Another characteristic of modern
church is in working body. This is so
evident that little need be said. Man was
made to work. The Lord has ALWAYS
blessed labor. The true workman is ey er
crowned with honor. Jesus was the
Master workmep, going about doing
good. The expansion of the church of
Jesus ChrfstNought to be the motto of
every church body. All at it-ever at it.
is the principle that will build up a strong
church. Let all work.
Another characteristic ia sociahili,y
The spirit of christianity is social.
Through the social nature, men are
reached to-day. The church deprived of
sociability is dead church. How elo-
Quently christian love can be expended
by hand. The glorious church is al
ways social church. The social nature
thoroughly consecrated, becomes the
potent power in building up church.
The modern church must be a holy
church. Our church must be holy, con-
secrated, If the world is to be won.
Matchless christian character, sturdy.
noble, christian character will win the
world for Christ. Righteousness will
conquer all evil. A holy church is the
greatest weapon for winning souls.
With these words, Rev. Mr.. Sbermer
said, he entered upon the work here. His
motto will be, ''For Christ and the
church, and loyalty to the word of God,
He did not promise great revolutions.
but OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in study, pulpit
and IN the home. Living in an enlight
ened age. the old scriptures, the old
truths must be presented in the methods
OF to-day. The 18th century sermon
would not attract men in this the 18th
century. We are living in an age of
brevity. The best N sgazlne articles are
those that cover the subject in bri, f.
Condensation is an art which all must
win to excel. The sermon OF one or two
hours, except on special occasi ,ns, was
relic OF the 18th century pull pit. The
church must get out of the old ruts,
Stereotyped forms always paralyzes. Be
social. Have kind word for strangers.
The cheerfulness of christian character
>sgin hcsl magical effect. Live the
sthriS' a in all walks. and the inf1n.