The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-30

The celebration of the thirty-thirt
| anniversary of the organization o
| the Church of the Good shepherd IL
| Green Ridge was begun last night will
| IL special service and will be continued
| today and tomorrow, on which latter
| occasion a sermon will be preached by
| Rt Rev Bishop l.. Coleman, of Della
ware, one of the most distinguished
lIpiscopalian Churchmen in the coun-
try.
The sermon at last nights service
was delivered by Archdeacon Coke. oi
Alden. while brief addresses were made
by Rev. Or. Rogers Israel. rector oi
st. LulSes church. and REV. II. L.
Jones. :. II. d.. rector of st. Sterh-
ems church, Wilkes-Barre.
Rev. Francis II. Bateman. the rec
tor Of the Church of the Good Shep-
herd. before introducing Archdcacon
Coke read II few excerpts from the
first few years OF the churchs history
ana referred bren.- to the growth of
the congregation in the last thirty
three years.
Archdcacon Coke delivered Il sermon
dealing with the best method of pro-
noting spiritual growth. choosing for
his text, | Tim. iv:l6. Take heed unto
thyself and unto the doctrine: con-
tinue in them for in doing this thou
shalt both save thyself and them that
hear thee He spoke in part as
follows.
These words. written by st. Paul TO Timothy,
contain certain general principles applicable alike
to all workers 10, Christ They teach us that slc-
cess in dealing with the souls OF others is dc.
pendent under God. upon three conditions: First,
the state oi our own spiritual life: second, the
character ol the truth we implrt and, third,
perseverance IN the work Then cones the ie.
ward.
CONNECTION IS CLOSE.
a very close connection exists between oul
spiritual life and our perception OF divine truth.
knowledge and grasp of truh and purity ni lie
90 hand in hand in the Christian career The
mental process is clear enough by which we fist
dislike. then obscure. then explain away and tlie.!
deny the truth wilicn rcbuhcs lis or opposes itself
to our incnations. II may be traced in the his.
tory ot all degrees OF revealed religion. Even i'll
the case oi those who stop far short OF the inlnl
and ecoiicr the effect OF laN. careless and s,t.
indulgcnt living may be seen in lcssering apprc.
citation and in lacking grasp OF The truth is it
is in Jesus Christ.
Your own experience will confirm this. Ii YOU
hdr" allowed yourself to decline in spiritual Wig.
or, Your Christian work la, always suffered. You
may not have lost your usual mental power. but
you have lost your capacity OF giving al, edge
10 the truth and of commenting it 10 every
mans conscience. The cause is TO he traced to
the failing Of spiritual life, 10 the lack OF that
mlncss and visor which cannot be had except
through loving communion with God and a ready
obedience Ia His holy WILL
rake heed to the doctrine" SAYS tl,c apostle
This implies OF course that there must he dill
gent study o Gods word. Personal inquiry l..
the necessary condition ot attaining vital knowl.
edge Of the scriptures. We never can experience
in our own souls the full benefit OF divine truth
unless we know What that truth is Such lnowl.
edge is no more mtuiivr than is the knowledge
ut grammar, of arithmetic or of history, hence
to obtain this knowledge oi the truths of rcyrla-
tou there must be diigcnt study OF the Bible,
which contains these truths.
Then, my friends, the Christian grace which,
beyond all others. the spiritual worker needs is
patience. Patient continuance in we'll.
doing mus. ever bc the Christians motto and
practice. Onc thing which will help lis to ul.
Welding fidelity in duty il PRAYER Tor the euid.
ancr and help. the blessing and comfort OF the
Holy >phir. Continue 10 pray regularly. Come
"i'r" !" the Throne OF grace Tor hr'p III every
''''' VI '''"'
REWARD or oBEDlENtE.
Tie reward of obedience To tl,.c spos.
tolic directions is thus expressed: 'n 40.
ing this thou shalt both save tIysclt and
them that heart thee. Donht">a these
N"'"s 'plIN ni,s' "'tItN 10 'e Sae'''
.,'''s''t: ,' WI go sn,' " - 's''..'' i'1
-" ,,ro ho"I - hins.,f anJ ~, his dnntrmc ond
Ia con,imr in Them. but in thc Inror,t and trc;t
sense no one is les, Il minister than another
The word minister means to serve aud the minus
Try OF 'cvoHt and faithful service includes every
child Of God so that there is a priesthood OF the
i'''H a' wei as oi inc clergy. Eacs' ono
:" you nave "'''''' S''N'e' ~ your 'epa'.'''',.
,,,,,,, "''' ''n ,',. o,I,',I INV i,'"
row
Practice IN, p,eccnt, If this tcyt in yonr ,IliIy
lite until you become an earnest faithful ,liIi.
gent and praycriu! servant of Christ Then It
vii! he given yuu ol God to grow in .ll-c and
oi GOOD courage. Draw contn,mlly ont OF The
abundant iulnc>s treasured mp in Christ, love
to conSl'ain You, strength to nerve N"u tor r"n.
''hn,"' ,""''' ~" W''""v' |" 'Nler, .''' ''"1'"
M','n ''"'s' T' "s,',n,N NV =" ~ "U'"a
'''' "''''"7' ''' '''''"7
keN. Lf' 'tos'rS lSfhei h'aue II 'e"
remarks touch'hs upon lile carry iapors
OF RcN' jo'li'h"h Lo''S' the EpiScol'ai-
IAN missionary, VINO orsahi"eu me
'hur'h oi me ''"ua Shepnera as wen
as ST Luxe = An anniversary ne
sald Is always sort ol rounding up
OF all the years ana IL period ior re-
lection on the great truth that large
lnIhSs grow from S'na' hes'lnlhSs'
The humher OF papt'Sms ana rontrma-
liohS IN the church might DE recorded,
he SAID, nut lherc never could be