The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-10
THE FINAL JUDGMENT
THE REV. A. b. PHILPUTT SAYS 1T
Is LOGICAL.
Punishment I'm This Life Does Not
Always Materiali.e-Sermon I'm
Other PuIpits.

The Rev. Allan B. Philputt delivered an
interesting sermon at the Central Christian
Church yesterday morning, his text being
"And / saw the dead. small and great,
stand before God" In part he said:
Religion is based upon a few great
truths which have infinite and varied ap-
plications. Some of these truths are prac-
teal and some are inspirational In the
reaction from doctrinal and speculative
preaching which obtained in former times
our pulpits to-day resound with ethical in
struction to the almost utter neglect OF
those great dogmas that lend charm and
strength to faith. We are prone to grow
fiippant about matters which lie outside of
the practical sense. Men say they are not
concerned with the life beyond, il is enough
TO take care OF the one they now have.
The book OF divine revelation is belttled In
the interest of what is called progressive
revelation. a mere euphemism for the
growing spiritual sense OF modern life.
The Anglo-Saxon race Is great, but it could
never write Bible. II has furnished a
Shakespeare, but never David or an Isaiah
We have every now and then a congress
of religions. but not one OF them could
write second chapter of Acts. A religion
that fears to affirm where 1t does not know
stract love of virtue will inspire few to
right living. The warm delights of life, the
sensuous enjoyment of earthly things will
always, in the many, overmatch the chaste
but vague rewards of self-surrender and
denial.
among the wholesome doctrines that
have gone down before the spirit OF modern
culture Is that OF final judgment and
retribution. We are assured that heaven
and hell belong 10 this life and that sins
punishment Is the consciousness of II. This
might be true in a race of beings with per-
feet moral faculties. finely sensitive to right
and wrong. But as matter OF fact 1t
doesn't work In this world. IL stands TO
reason and common sense that men must
give an account. II there Is such a thing as
moral government in the universe there
-
are loose at both ends and many a rogue
will come of easy. believe in a general
and final judgment.
JOHNS VISION
Johns vision Is full of suggestion and
warning. He passed beyond the limits of life
and saw what We cannot see. He saw the
dead, small and great, stand before God.
What wonderful truth Caught UP out of
all the subterfuges, compromises and par
tial judgments OF our selfishness they stand
before God. the perfect judge. Many people
never ask themselves the question con-
corning a given action, 1T is right?' Now
they are before a tribunal that asks no
other.
'In this world one standard is applied to
the small and another to the great The
phrase. equal justice to all and special
privileges to none Is beautiful fiction
OF democracy. The apostle saw the small
and great before God. 1t would be worth
while to witness a thing like that. the
plougnboy and the philosopher the yokel
and the scholar, the day laborer and the
trust magnate. judged with impartial tudg-
ment Huxley said after hearing Mr..
Beecher preach, find more of retribution
in the universe than MIR. Beecher'
I'm very true sense. however, we may
always stand before God. In this world we
And this We ought TO do. The psalmist said:
I have set the Lord always before nv
face IL would be we'll II a clearer note of
righteousness were struck bv the Christian
world to-day. II Christian business men
were TO signaliZe this century by adopting
the golden rule IL would be worth more TO
the church or God than all gifts of money.
all foreign missions. all learned apologetics
II Christian statesmen would stand for
universal justice and the eternal right on
every question, irrespective OF party or
selfish interests. IL would be infinitely bet
ter than any revision OF creeds 1t would be
worth a million sermons. The church will
limp and halt until this great note of
and effective way. Let Christian men i'm
high places and In low, stand before God
ITO this consummation 1 believe We shall
come. But the way seems long and tedious
The lower standards OF Judgment do So
prevail We speak of Christian business
men, Christian statesmen. but these are
not expressions 10 conjure with as Vet
There is little magic In them. In certain
quarters we hear of Christian socialism,
The word means nothing to the airs of the
weary multitude. Let judgment begin AT
the house of God. Shall IL not begin win
YOU and me? The need OF the hour for
Christianity is that II be lived That its
beautiful spirit shall take hold of those
who profess IL and transform them by re
rewing their minds. that they may prove
what is that good and perfect will OF God
Christ's religion is one of action, not Of
pretense. In the great assize there can be
no substitution of ceremony for serious
living Have we not propesied i'm thy
nance reply those who are rejected Their
pIea Is of no avail Not what men say bur
what men do makes them Christians The
way is arduous. but the reward is sure"