The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-02-10
FIRST UNITED SERVICE
or THE HOPE AND FIRST BAL PYJsJ
 CHURCHES

baptist Church-Interestins sermo
 by the Pastor, Rev, E. C. sage-A NOta
 ble Occasion I'm the History of On
 Baptist Churches.
 The first of the united services of tn
 Hope and First Baptist churches wa
 held yesterday morning at the Hop
 church and the members of the tw
 congregations filled the building. Tn
 Sunday school service that followe
 was also one of the most largely at
 tended ever held in the church. Off
 cers of the Sunday schools of bot
 churches were present and they vii
 conduct the exercises hereafter.
 The sermon yesterday morning by tn
 pastor Rev, F. c Sage, was a specia
 one for the occasion and his text wa
 taken from Col I, IS: That in al
 things ye might have the pre-emi
 nence." He spoke in part as follows:
 Familiar to all students of history i
 the interesting story of the conversion
 of the great Emperor Constantine tC
 Christianity. This renowned general ol
 the early century was leading his army
 through western Europe. In the course
 of his expedition he reached a place known as Milvian Bridge A strong
 enemy fronted him. The issue of the
 impending battle was in doubt. Con- stantine was moved to look above for help. There in the heavens, even at noon-day, appeared a flaming cross bearing the motto 'En Toutu Nika--in the language of our day-"By this con- quer."
 Inspired and cheered by the vision, Constantine ordered charge. A great battle was fought, a great victory was won, And from that hour onward the cross became the symbol of his power and the object of his adoration.
 In no approximations way, but with clear understanding of the great spir itual truths symbolized I wish that we might look above us and be given a vision which shall cheer, inspire and so impress us as to characterize all the work upon which we are entering to- day.
 Such a vision will be the face of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. I would that we might see Him; see Him In all the majesty of His power; see Him in dll lIlH I6IlucIHeSS Ol I1lS iUNS, see I1lll in all the fulness of His knowledge: see him in all the glory of His personality. And then, having been given this vision, may it be ours to go forward, courageous to undertake every task as- signed us borne on by the inspiring motto-"By this conquer"
 My theme this morning is "The Pre- eminence of Christi Such theme can be worthily treated only by divinely inspired speakers. Even the Apostle Paul did not count himself qualified for the task. but prayed that he might ''be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge" Surely then we shall not be so pre- sumptuous as to suppose that we shall be able to compass such a theme. Let ours be the humble task of seeking to understand some of the consequences of the pre-eminence of Christ. Time will allow me to mention only four points
 To us who are now giving our atten- tion to the welcome task of church ex- tension it will be reassuring to remem- Der that the -eminence of Christ gives warrant to the organization of churches.
 With glowing confidence in His own character Jesus bade adieu to His dis ciples with the words: "All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth, go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" We hold that commis- sion in our hands as we proceed to gather disciples into groups and then to observe the ordinances. And we pro- eeed to the welcome task hopeful of success because commissioned by Him to whom is given all power.
 Moreover the pre- -eminence of Christ I justifies the existence of churches be- | cause He is the chief object of their 1 exaltation. These are days when many | agencies are employed for the moral, | Intellectual and social uplift of human | ity. Schools of all grades, from the | to the university now ex- ist in great numbers and with equip l ment for most efficient work. The | press grows in power. The ! orders and organizations 1 which characterize our time seem to | supply every want of young people and old, so far as social, fraternal and | needs exist. But to the church is given a specific task and that Is to magnify the Christ as the Saviour of men. In the language of the Apos- tie Paul ''the church of the living God" Is "the pillar and ground of the truth" As the pillar of the truth-the Truth sven Christ Himself, the church will remain to all time a S a necessary agen- 3y for carrying out the purposes of Sod
 The pre-eminence of Christ, duly rec ,gnized and honored will result in the { lnifcation of believers.
 Every living organism has head. When that organism is a human body he seat of authority is the upper DOT ion which dominates the lower mem- ,ers. When that organism is a mon- lrchy the king is the head, When the organism is a republic the chosen pres dent is the head The edicts of the i mind unify and direct the movements ! # the body. The edicts of the king rive to the monarchy solidity and to it's activities consistency The edicts of he president, voicing the will of the | ,eople, declare to nations abroad that | ye are one. This unifcatiOn is more | ,