The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-17

Paul and each one is contributing work to
the raising of it. The foundation has been
laid. and no other foundation need be
sought. The ages past were at the same
task. One architect but many builders.
The Cologne Cathedral was commenced In
the eleventh century. but recall the time
planned Ii, Is unknown, but through all the
centuries his plan was never lost from
sight Generations came. and went. others
followed, each working faithfully and the
building progressed. but each according TO
the plan. All were related. The original
design made them all one; one purpose
and one end. Here arises the obligation
that 1 would have you understand; This
privilege we have received from the ma
tons of the past, into which has been
wrought the best faith and work of the
world, is not like a watch that we place in
the pocket and simply keep from being lost.
1t Is a building that is to be completed.
OUR OBLIGATION.
Here is the obligation we are to fulfill
for those who have gone before us: We are
to save their previous work by completing
Ii. They nave been toiling on the building,
and If we do not carry 1t on what they
have done will have been useless and vain.
We then are to render their work valuable
as we push 1t on toward completion. What
Is ar unfinished building worth? Nothing;
and stands as a disgrace rather than an
honor to those who have toiled upon 1T.
They without us could not be made per-
feet We hold the honor of the past in our
hands; 1t can be preserved only as we COM
plete the task they attempted. Did this
ever occur to you? 1 confess when frst
the idea entered my mind Ii was almost
Overwhelming. To think that L am here
10 hold sacred the honor of my noble and
faithful father and mother who toiled so
faithfully for the worlds good, and upon
my devotion depends the value of their
work Is deeply impressive.
tt be sure, We may take the work
from their hands and cover Ii from the
storms and see that II does not fall to de-
cay. But still the temple will stand TO no
purpose. How we'll our fathers and mothers
have done their work! Oh, that We might do
as WELL They could not stay to finish; they
were called to rest, and have left it with
us. Soon we shall be called away, for we
may not see the building completed. but we
may do our part. Others will follow us.
Here, again, is an obligation impressed.
We are to transfer this sacred trust We
are holding to-day to others. We are to
train the coming workmen who shall APP
pear on the walls. Think of this respon-
sibility, and remember thai all that future
in which these builders are to work is to be
Is comingi AS the temple arises better
work is demanded. The stones that are to
stand more conspicuous need better trim
ming and polishing. The wOrkmen of to-
morrow must be better equipped and the
task will be more difficult. We are train
ing them. They are in our hands to-day,
the uttle ones we are slnSlnB 10 steep In
their cradles, but in the next twenty-five
years. when they celebrate the fifty years
OF church history, these will be at the work.
and. oh. those great years. For the great
est work is yet TO be done. 1t is more dan
gerous as we rise, but. with better trained
men and women, the structure will be COM
pleted. The future broadens. 1t will be
greater than the present. Times change,
but for the better. God leads and it must
be so.
'What men will be needed for that age!
Men of larger sympathies and stronger
faith. L have seen the toiler trying to SUBJ
due the awful wilderness of the far West
and building railroads over terrible noun
tain passes and / have often said this
could never have been done before. 1t re-
quires all the strength of the best nipple.
ments that these times can produce TO ac-
complish IL. So the future will demand the
best equipped women. But they shall be
here and the work will be done. Gods
building will not remain half-fnished; IL
will come to completion. The capstone will
be laid while the angels shout Grace, grace
unto it, Our honor is wrapped up with
that of the ages, but when the building Is
completed the reward will be won and Goo
will be glorified.
They by us shall be made perfect and
we shall find our perfection in those who
follow US. God having reserved some better
things for them"