The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-30
HIS FAREWELL SERMON
REV. CHARLES {. LASBY WILL SOON
LEAVE o THE EAST.
He Gives Up the Passionate of the
entraI-Avenue Church-An
Evening Service.

The Rev. C. c. Lasby preached his last
sermon yesterday at the Central-avenue NJ.
E. Church TO a congregation that filled the
house. Following is a portion of his SER
mon:
THE theme of the preacher is divinely
assigned. He is not to debate worldly
problems nor discuss pubic secular ar,
fairs except as they are directly related
TO his particular message. Preach the
Word is ever ringing in his ears-the word
of Scripture written by inspiration of holy
men-the word that was in the beginning
with God and was God. Paul understood
the purpose of the ministry and gloriously
exemplified it in his magnificent career.
sorbed in his mission. Chafng seas, snow
clad mountains and scented orange groves
left not the faintest impress on his page.
This one thing L do was his motto. lie
braved danger on every hand for Christ.
We hear him eXclaim, God forbid that |
should glory save in the cross OF our LORD
Jesus Christ The cross was to him that
for which the patriarchs longed and of
which the prophets spake and for which
the psalmist prayed. 1t was the exponent
of righteousness and the deliverance of a
sin-bound race-the mystery of all TO be
recognized. No plummet ever fathomed its
depth, nor telescope discovered its extent.
1t was and still remains the s~tupendous
mystery of the universe. Methinks L see
the dawn of creation when God sowed the
stellar spaces with burning suns and blaz-
ing stars as a child might strew a floor
WIN AboA oAoa w. sh0I ~ "'N
the morning stars sang together and the
sons of God shouted aloud for joy. But
reverently be ii spoken. that was an easy
task-a word and worlds were builded.
But when IN must be wrought
God must forsake His throne; must come
to earth in human form, must thirst by the
wayside and sleep on the bare mountain
side, drenched with the cold dewS OF the
night. He must suffer continually, be spat
upon, be scOurged, be hanged upon the
cross. The universe which He created must
shudder i'm the hour of His agony. The sun
closes its eyes upon the tragic scene. the
earth trembles and quakes; the tombS cast
out their dead in fright; and angels fly
back with heavy 6 hearts sn, host Thou for
saken me-? measures the depth of loneli-
ness and agony suffered by the redeemed.
The cross, therefore, is the new revelation
of Gods love and mercy, and upon IL
righteousness and truth meet together; JUS
tice and mercy kiss each other. The cross
is the one living force operating upon hui
manity. The vine in the garden, unsup-
ported, will trail along the ground and pro-
duce neither flowers nor fruit. Give II sup
port and il will climb living in the sunlight
and bear flowers and fruit. So was hu-
ing along earth's ways, until the cross was
The church was crowded at night with
friends to pay their respects TO the pastor.
Every available seat in the auditorium and
the gallery was taken when the opening
number Of the programme was given. The
programme consisted of vocal numbers OF
unusual merit.
Mr.. Lasby. in a short address, spoke feel
ingly of the reception rendered him last
night. He reviewed the work of the con-
gregation in the five years he has been its
pastor. He complimented the people for
their energy during that time and for the
help they had given him. After the con-
clusion Of the musical programme DR.. Las
by stood at the rostrum and gave each OF
his parishioners a handshake as they filed
ont.