The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-05
ROBERTS PARK PASTOR
REV. HURLSTONE ON INFLUENCE
OF CREED ON CHARACTER.'
Newly Appointed Minister breaches
an Interesting Sermon-Parable
for the Congregation.

1.-The Influence of Greed on Character
was the subject of a strong sermon yester-
day morning by the Rev. Albert Hurlstone.
the newly appointed pastor of Roberts
Park Methodist Church. Following is an
excerpt of DR.. Hurlstones sermon:
THE record of Paul's voyage to Rome is
interesting from many points of view. 1t
was a stormy voyage. In which the crew
and passengers suffered much, but, fortu-
nately, all hands were saved, though the
ship went to pieces. In the course of the
voyage Paul distinguished himself by his
presence of mind his sagacity and his re-
gard for the welfare of all on board. He
was the man for the hour. inspiring all
with faith in God.
"Paurs thoughts early turned to Rome.
He longed to capture 1t for Christ, but his
earlier plans had been upset. He is now
going to the Eternal City as a prisoner.
The record Of his voyage is an illustration
of the saying that mans extremity is God s
opportunity. When all hope was lost and
distress was Selling the crew Paul stepped
forward and said: BE of good cheer for
believe God, and it has been revealed to me
that we shall all be saved We have here
an illustration of the principle of substi-
tuition. All on board were saved.
This principle of substitution runs not
only through the Bible, but also through
life. The home is frequently saved for the
sake of some one good individual. The
praying mother brings a blessing upon her
hayward son. We have here in simple form
the apostles creed, BE of good cheer, for
believe God No one knows the value of
religion until he has been I'm trouble Com
mon sense of the world upholds the thought
OF God. Unbelief neither removes nor
lightens the pressure of any difficulty. No
opinion or doctrine is true because a man
believes it, or untrue because he disbeieves
it. Many who turn away from the mystery
of the supernatural are overwhelmed by
the mystery of the natural. 1t is comfort
ing to know, with Browning, that God is
on His throne and alis right with the
world
''Our second point here is the influence of
the Silent was Calm in the midst of a
Storm Paul was master of the situation,
and by quiet confidence in God restored hope
to these forlorn travellers. No apology is
needed in assuming that character is influ-
enced by a mans creed. Pauls life of his
belief. Every thinking man has a creed.
But of all the beliefs men hold, none in
fiuences them so much as their religious be-
liefs. The intellectual and moral spheres
are not one; and a man may be intellec-
tually great and morally debased.
uphold the moral standard and so raise
the moral life of the community. Mr..
Lecky writes that the success of Chris
tianity was largely due to the fact that
any other religion Put practical test to
the creed held by the Christian church
and 1t will be found that the noblest lives
are within her communion.
IF we compare the lives of some of the
leading lights Of skepticism with the lives
of the leaders of Christian thought we
shall that Christianity supplies the
needed element to enrich and ennoble a
life. If we compare Byron with Brown
ing, or Shelley with Tennyson, we see that
not only the intellect, but the heart needs
culture. Tested by all true standards OF
measurement inidelity is muddy stream
while Christianity has been proven to be
the river Of the water of life.
"Ruskin says: Public education should be
directed to make men thoughtful, merci.
full and just And the simple creed OF
the Christian with it's faith in God en-.
courages him to labor IN this direction. II
we compare the character with that OF
Nero we shall see that the man who ex.
pressed his confidence in God was enabled
to live life that has moved the world
1.-THE closing verse of the chapter gives
the record of the saving of every soul or
board. And the rest, some on boards and
some on broken pieces of ship, so it came
to pass they all escaped safe to land.
Maybe this is a parable for this con.
gregation. Some would desire to go into the
haven with flags flying and to sweet strain.
of music. Others, after stormy voyage
may barely make q landing, some clinginf
to one promise of the Word and others
clinging to the cross. But all may be saved
according to Gods WILL Some years ago
in coming into New York harbor, as we
stood upon the deck Of the vessel, we no.
ticed the dock lined with anxious friends
waiting for returning friends Different col
ored handkerchiefs were recognized al
So shall It be when the stormy voyage Of
life is ended, when all the ships company
meet and greet the great captain of theil
salvation