The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-01
THE TRUE CHRISTIANITY
1T Is EXPRESSED BY PERFECT
SERVICE AND OBEDIENCE.
DIR. Hiram w. Kellogg Analyses the
Nature and Functions of the Soul
In Other Churches.

II
Expression of the Christian Life.
1.-The willing and the obedient." said DR..
| Kellogg. shall eat the good of the land.
as an ancient observation has 1t: which,
| translated into the terms of to-day, would
mean that he who gets at IL and really
does something shall secure the best things
of life. This law is accepted by this active
! age as assured and applied to the realms
| of nature and grace. These times have
| little patience with anything that does not
! accomplish 1t demands the practice OF
| Christianity as the only worthy credentials.
The best interests of Christianity require
that do not overestimate this element.
| Christianity expresses itself in other ways
well. harmonious with the nature and
| functions Of the soul. 1t Is emotion, de-
| claring itself in love and Joy; 1t is intelli-
| gence, expressed by faith and reason, as
well as volition expressed in action. To
recognize the value of each and all of
these functions is to save Christianity from
| degeneration and exalt 1t to its fullest
value. A partial truth is often more mis-
| chievous than complete lie. On account
OF the peculiar temperament of individuals
| one form has been emphasized to the OBJ
security of the others. This is seen even in
| the apostles. The loving John accumulated
! love. while reasoning Paul emphasized
| faith and doctrine. To ST. James works
was the essential element. Each man was
| right in assigning special value to one ele
| ment above the others SO long as he did
not in so doing diminish the Importance
| of the other elements which he did not so
fully appreciate.
| Endless confusion and contention has
been caused by those who were reckless in
their exclusion. Only when each function
is recognized and all adjusted to each does
Christianity flourish and bring its benefits
| to all men. Love is the steam power,
action the machinery. while faith. as the
rudder. directs all safely. The rudder is
| helpless without the machinery, and
| the machinery Is worthless without
the steam There have been times
when the church has attempted to
run the ship with the rudder alone
and again by machinery with little or no
| steam, and sometimes TO manage the ship
| with steam and no rudder or machinery
| except, perhaps, the whistle; and the
suit has been no voyage. or, what was
| worse, explosion. Reformers have been
| those whose work IL was to restore the
neglected part, to secure harmony in the
reimbursement of all, then the ship moved
| to its destination.
VALUE OF ACTION.
Action has its place and 1t is my duty
to accentuate this to-day. 1 have already
presented the claims of love and faith.
can do this effectively If you understand
that i recognize this as but one function.
1t Is true that action is the final end
sought. This is according TO the laws Of cor
rect psychology. All emotion and thought
finds its final justification in appropriate
action. That education which fails of this
Is faulty and worthless. Professor James
tells us that it is injurious to a child to
awake emotions or eXcitementS in the soul
which are not directed to suitable actions.
The thought or emotion which does not
find an avenue prepared for its expression
in work is positive harm and leaves the
justed the organism that this injury can
not be avoided. 1t is well for those who
are DESTROYS of intense feelings in religion
10 take note of this and also those who
crave more truth about duty and privilege.
The thought is to be awakened and feelings
stirred, but only TO secure better service.
The steam is dangerous if not applied TO
work
True action evidences the existence of the
other elements-love and faith. 1t is not
mand 1T as the only satisfactory evidence
of the true Christian life. This is according
to st. James: Show me your faith with
out works and will show you my faith by
my works All professions of faith and
love may be discredited where correspond
ing results in practice are lacking. The
demands are reasonable. The finally con-
vincing evidence of the divine in man is
as witnessing to His high mission. and
obedience He made the infallible proof of
disciple. In closing the Sermon on the
Mount, the constitution of His kingdom He
shows the inadequacy of all other tests
What an arraisnment of mere intellectual
and sentimental professions! The man
who hears and does not Is like the man
building on the sand, whose great and
elaborate structure is swept away by the
storms sure TO prevail. Pity such a de-
ceived man Obedience is the eternal test
of faith and love- L would have you OBJ
serve that it is not action which Is ap-
approved. but action in obedience. 1t is that
| action which is submitted in service. This
may appear as violation of our notions
| of liberty of action-our American notion
nevertheless 1t Is true that service is the
activity Service is the highest law of the
universe and We are coming at last to
acknowledge 1t. No man liveth to himself.
and almost every man who lives, lives ac-
cording to the command of others. To
train life for this end is not degrading
ever walked this earth. was most loyal to
the Father and to the world. The servant
of ALL His service was His joy. 1t was alb
solute and was according to the measure
of His liberty He was bound in the yoke
of humanity. but His yoke was easy This
shall ever stand as the truest ideal of
ing higher. Are they not all ministering
spirits.
OBEDIENCE NECESSARY
"Such activity guarantees the richer bless.
ings of the land. This is sure in realms
! temporal and spiritual. which are really one
. realm In the workshop or counting house
this law will secure highest position Many
a boy has by 1t come to success. 1t is the
story of all honored men and women. At
tention TO labors under the supervision of
masters is the road to rewards In the
realms OF grace God Is as careful to pro-
| mote Look for a moment at the advan-
! | tages of obedience. 1t Is the quickest and
and surest way of entrance into the king
| dom. Submit yourselves unto God resist
the devil and he will fee from you; draw
| near to God and He will draw near TO Won
| is the demand for unconditional surrender
| which turns aliens to citizens IL is the
| sudden way OF settling doubts which dis
| turb life so much. If any man wills to do
my will he shall know of the doctrine.
There are so many about us who are
wanting to know God and find Him of
whom the prophets spoke. They are doubt
ing. cropping, skeptical. cynical, despairing
whose search is ending where IL began
! The way to God is open always to the
obedient. Again il secures the highest ad-
vantages OF grace. We talk much in these
; times of the Holy Ghost and His power.
and many with deepest yearning are seek
ing this gift of God. Obedience will secure
IL to all. The whole land is open to the
, obedient. God can do nothing for us while
/ 10 do nothing with rs he