The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-01
DRAWS A LINE between
WORSHIP AND MAKING.
Church Suppers and Bazaars Oh,
jected To by the Reverend
Doctor Andrew T. Wolff.

The Reverend Doctor Andrew Thomson
Violin. pastor Of the North Presbyterian
Church, took for his theme yesterday morn
ship, or Shall IL be a Place of Merchan-
disc His text was from Isaiah lvi. Z:
Mine house shall be called an house OF
part:
The prophecies of Isaiah abound with
glorious views Of future prosperity. and
with promises full OF comfort. The pass
age in which our text is found Is one: and a
very consoling passage II is. Ii Is full OF
comfort TO the servants of God. in all ages
and circumstances: to the Jews OF isaian's
own time, to the Jews in all succeeding
ages till the advent of Christ: and to US
who live in the light OF the gospel dispensa-
ton. Let US then consider IL somewhat
closely. praying that God Holy Spirit may
be with US the while.
apart for God to be approached. and that
In an imperfect way by only a small sec
ton of the human race. But now we have
| the blessed assurance that wherever two or
three are gathered together in the name of
Christ there he Is in the midst of them
journeys to fulfill the laws requirements.
but God Is very near every one of us. and
his house at no great distance from our
own And yet must we not ~sorrowfully
confess that with all our increased privi-
leges, and with all our manifold blessings
the house of God Is not attended as II
"A new student had entered a university.
and some time after his arrival he called
10 see the SENIOR nHOIeSSDT. Alter aWnllt
the professor asked him where he went to
church. Oh said he. I do not attend
preaching. Instead of combining myself TO
the four walls of a building I go out into
the green fields. and Under the lofty arches
of the forest trees. i listen to the singing
of the birds and the countless. melodies OF
Gods creatures. where everything that has
breath praises the Lord The professor
allowed him to go In this strain for awhile:
him: But what do you do when it rains?'
II is a sad fact that multitudes without eN-
cuse are exposing themselves to the storms
of heaven instead Of coming into the shell
And now let me bring this matter OF
your personal church attendance home 10
here shows that You have some idea. At
least, of the blessings within your reach.
But do you realize IL as you should do?
When You come. do you come as a duty or
as a pleasure? Do you come for Gods
glory. and your own benefit: OF rs a piece
Of respsctability IN the eyes of your fellow
Gcd OF to be entertained?
1T would be We'll for al Of US more seri-
what a source of comfort we have within
our reach in the public service of God. /
need not detain you by pointing out thai
the Christian society would not be sustained
without public worship: that We are mem
bers incorporate in one body. and must.
therefore, meet together: that our common
faitb and cormon ordinances must draw
us together II they are TO be of any use at
all; that II we are TO enjoy the society of
anu luSl Hlth liz III AACdN-
en-. we must not forsake the assembling of
ourselves together here on earth.
But while we ought most deeply. as
Christian men and women. To feel what a
glorious and comfortable application OF this
passage we can make to ourselves. let US
not forget our Savour's warning in this re-
spect You know the occasion on which
he quoted these words of the prophet
Early In the last week that he spent upon
earth. on the day that he had triumphantly
entered Jerusalem. he went into the temple
and there found those that sold and bought
in the temple. and those who got a living
by money-changtng. and he drove them all
out. overthroving the tables of the money !
changers. and saying to them all: Take
these things hence, for 1t is written my
house shall be called a house of prayer. but
we have made II a den of thieves
Here We have the comforting assurance
CT Isaiah. brought down to Is by our blessed
Lord. but accompanied by an awful warn
ing to those who profane the house of God.
What Is II to make the house of prayer a /
den of thieves? Is that a sin that can be |
now committed Have you or 1 anything to
do with this? II Is true that open trading I
within the portals of our sacred places. |
unless II be an occasional entertainment. |
bazaar or supper. Is not now permitted: no
oxen. or sheep. or doves are sold. no money !
is changed. no business OF that sort Is car |
ried on Nor should these things be. The !
church that has to be sustained by sup