The Indianapolis journal., 1902-01-27
In THE CITY'S CHURCHES
REV. w. III. KELLOGG'S SERMON AT
CENTRAL-AvENUE METHODIST.
He Defines the Word "Witness" as 1t
Relates to the Christian Mes
senger-Other Services.

The Rev. w II. Kellogg, pastor of the
Central-avenue NJ. Z. Church. yesterday.
in his morning sermon, took for his text
Acts to viii: "Ye shall be witnesses unto
Me" He said. in part: Probably no Of
flee of the Christian messenger lacks def
milton in the popular mind that of the
witness. In the publication Of the good
news the Master appointed three methods:
Preaching, or presentation in public way
by argument and exhortation, engaging all
the arts of oratory; teaching. a method
too we'll understood 10 need explanation,
and witnessing, distinguished from the
other methods by personal relations to
truth and degree of certainty. a method so
familiar I'm this scientific age.
Jesus leaves no doubt in the mind Of the
world that this is an appointed office. To
Saul of Tarsus He said: L have come to
make thee minister and a Witness and
Paul never neglected this part Of the COM
mission. The early church understood and
practiced this with power. 'Ye shall be
witnesses was responded unto the day of
Pentacost, And we are all witnesses to
these things
THE possession of truth, which is essen
tial to qualify a witness, equips the mes
or teacher need not possess more than in
formation. and that gained at long range.
but witness must know the truth. In
appointing this Office Jesus announces that
the truth concerning Himself. which is to
be published, is reducable to a fact, spir
itual reality to be known in experience.
Otherwise the terms are meaningless, the
Office void.
REALITY OF JESUS.
But this opinion is confirmed by the
Scriptures in Romans viii, 1916: L. Cor. ii,
ID; ? Tim, i. II. These and many passages
make 1t clear that we may have a personal
knowledge of spiritual reality, which in
cludes the reality of Jesus. The common
experience of the church confirms this opin-
ion.
But a witness must communicate the
truth. The Christian witness must make
known this fact, attested in consciousness.
And here Is the obligation OF disciple.
There are many ways of proclatming
the truths of Chris tianity. These. are so
comprehensive and extensive they tax the
creations of art. Expressed in pictures.
anthems and cathedrals, they proclaim
the riches of our Redeemer. But WI L is
more mighty in effect is the proclamation
by righteous, symmetrical and sympa-
thetic life. The assertion of such a crea-
tion as character is greater than all imita-
tions of art.
fessiOn, which is provided in the ordinances
Of the church. But faithful witness will
tell the whole truth. Nothing will be with
held. He will tax all the powers of com
muncation TO accomplish this end. Here
we encounter a singular sentiment in the
church of to-day, which might afford a
study. / refer to the reluctance on the
part of many TO declare or tell the real
ity of experimental truth. Why we are
willing to remain silent, avoiding the use
of the greatest power for expression which
we iG SRI np
here insist on certain forms of public con-
fesson, but on Christian conversation.
with the heart man oeleveth unto right
eousness and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation Unto salvation
How clearly this is stated. Salvation i'm
plies the communication of certain truths
to the inner consciousness of man which
only can be known by the outer world by
means of the declaration of the tongue.
How else can they be made known? And
these inner revelations of spiritual reality
are the very truths the poor suffering,
needy world want most to know. In other
words, the most precious truths OF our
blessed Christianity are to be told by the
tongue. Suppose the ages past had re-
mained silent, how poor would We be to-
day in religious truth?
WOULD BE NO BIBLE.
There would be no Bible. for this is what
man has said of God: No song, no hymn
What a treasure we possess, because men
have voiced their joys and blessings
Jesus was wise, indeed, in relying on this
agency for the conquest of the nations.
Its potency is recognized in this age of
science. Justice leans on this staff. Medi-
cine waits on the witness. So with an ag-
gressive Christianity. What mighty changes
the scientific method is effecting in sys-
TENS of theology. Only a few years ago
we who studied evidences began by an ex-
animation of the authenticity of the Scrip
lures, and from this proceeded to formulate
the theory of God. Now all is reversed.
We come, first, To ask for the reality of re-
ligiOn as expressed in the human soul and
life and what the soul may know of God.
From these facts we come TO the questions
concerning the nature Of the Bible 1t is
the fact, not the theory, that this restless
age demands, and happy, indeed. is that
religion which can furnish it, This is the
religion which is destined TO survive the
wreck of the age and to win the world.
This has ever been the conquering power
of the Christian church. Where she has
been strong in witnessing she has ever
beer aggressive. With the disappearance
Of the witness has come the decline of her
power What the church ever needs is the
clear knowledge of the spiritual Christ,
whose love fills the soul as the sun fills the
day and a voice consecrated to telling the
delightful theme directed by courage ana
tact this, with the Endorsements of an hon
est and loving life, will bring the glad mes