The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-15
THE CHURCH REFRIGERATED
Repairs to the Central Christian Aud
ftorium-Rev. Philputrs Sermon.

itorium-Rev. PhiIputts Sermon.
Rev. Allan b. Philputt, pastor of Central
Christian Church, preached yesterday
morning In the new auditorium, which was
remodeled and reprinted during the sum-
mer months. There a large attend
ance at the morning service. In his prayer
the pastor referred to the death Of Presi-
dent Mckinley and to the fact that yes
terday was the anniversary of the Presi-
dents death. Mr.. Philputt took his text
from Psalms lxxiii. 1917: Then thought l
to understand this, but it was too hard for
me. until 1 went into the sanctuary of God;
then L understood"
In the course of his remarks the pastor
said: The particular thing that troubled
Asaph, the author OF this psalm, was the
prosperity of the wicked. He noticed, as
we notice, that the man that goes after
thing hard enough generally gets it, and
that much of the wealth of the world is
obtained by INSCRIPTIONS methods. Those
who get riches seem to enjoy them even
when they are ill-gotten. Then there is
no particular discrimination in favor of
the righteous in the common providences
of life. He has no immunity from con-
fiagration or pestilence or famine. To
crude thinker this fact does present
strain.
Now, 1 do not know how many of you
lie awake nights worrying over the pros
perity of the wicked. but i do know that
We all have difficulties of some kind that
stand in our way. There are riddles we
would like to have explained. things too
hard for us, which We cannot solve and
which no one we meet can solve for us.
Yet do believe in God and desire to be-
lieve in Him more and more, for whatever
perplexities belong to faith, the whole life
confusion without
faith. 1 want to commend the example
of the author of this psalm: Come into
the sanctuary. Bring your life before
God if you would make it ineligible. Life
does clear up somewhat when We bring
IL before God.
What help, do you ask will come from
the sanctuary? Take the particular prob
| lem of the unequal distribution of wealth,
and, for that matter, the seemingly capri
cious distribution of all earthly blessings.
| Are these things the end of life? Has God
| no other nor higher rewards for right liv-
| ing than these toys which perish with
| the using? In the solemn hush of worship
we become aware of the greatness and the
| beauty of God. When we stand before
| Him all things are altered We become
aware of the comparative worthlessness of
| the lower things, and We leave them to the
| souls they satisfy. In the sanctuary man
| feels the glory of truth, the nobility of
| life He sees the ages filled with the glory
| of those who have lived not for SELF but
| have sacrificed and suffered being tried, as
| SOlu is tTleu IN the nre. he STANDS De1Ore
One. the greatest of ALL who had not where
| to lay his head Think of the Man of Naz-
| areth envying men their houses and lands
and doubtful pleasures. In the sanctuary
| he hears Gods call to the higher life and
| calm steals over the tumult of his soul.
Light breaks upon his pathway. 1t is good
to bring ones life before God in the sanctu-
| airy, for long time ago it was said In
| Thy light shall We see light 1t is ever
| true. In the worship of God there is that
which satisfies the hungry soul.
hink al mo- ntrerhf 70 70 he
| sanctuary whether they believe or not.
Come before the altar of the Most High
with your unbelief and in the desire for
| light, light will break forth. All are urged
| to come. In the church there should be no
| difference. God is no respecter of persons.
Let the rich and the poor come together,
| the Lord Is the maker of them ALL Churches
| are open and all are welcome. Come and
| worship God.
1.-The sanctuary is for no class of peo-
| pie, but for all the people. The charge, for
| instance, that workingmen are not welcome
| L believe to be untrue. The discussion about
why the workingman does not attend
| church is not, in my opinion, calculate ted to
| accomplish the desired result as at present
| conducted. The fundamental fallacy in the
matter is the assumption that the work
| ingman has any different reason from 9TH
ers or any special reason at all for not at
| tending church. The reasons put into his
| mouth are formulated for him by those who
| love sensation. He is doubtless surprised
and perhaps pleased to find such plausible
| excuses formed ready to hand by those
| of an academic turn of mind Not one work
| ingman in a hundred ever stopped to think
why he didn't go to church. His reason is
| the same with the banker, the lawyer, the
| merchant who doesn't CO. simply preoccupa-
! ton, sordid care and indifference to the
| higher needs of the soul. Religion has sim
| ply gone by default with him and that is all
| there is about il. If he doesn't go Ii is his
| own fault and the blame must rest with
him. He will be welcome just as any other
man would be. The reason why people do
| not go to church is the fact that the re-
ligious life is not awakened in them. All
| other excuses are triiiing and insincere.
| But more people go TO church to-day than
| ever before and more men are found in
we are finding out the wisdom of this old
| psalm writer that the sanctuary does throw
| light upon life's problems"