The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-30
CHURCH IS WORTH WHILE,
EVEN IN THIS Busy AGE
DR.. Albert Hurlstone Upholds
Claim OF Church on Life and
Says 1t Is Necessary:
APOSTASY IS PERILOUS

An answer to the question as TO whether
the church is worth while" was made by
the Rev. Or. Albert Hurlstone at his morn
ing sermon at Roberts Park NJ. + Church
yesterday. The organized church was up
held as the real conservator OF vital re-
ligion, and the speaker impressed the view
that failure to cooperate wi.h some
church's work was dangerous TO abe spir-
itual life of men.
The question may seem a strange one
for a minister 20 ask. Are the claims of the
church upon our thought and life in this
busy age worth while? Yet it is a ques-
tion," said DIR. Hurlstone. "of Importance
and ought to have decided NEGATIVE or
affirmative reply. A full discussion of the
topic would require much time AID space.
and would lead US into the survdg of the
historical evidences of Christianity and the
power and influence of Judaism. I'VE must
be content with setting forth a feN. reasons
why we believe the church Is woith while.
and why every person I'm the community
should be in some branch of the Christian
church.
Christ, the great head Of the church.
said: i will build my church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against III Christ
established the church, put over Il certain
officers and gave IL full authorityAto make
such laws and regulations as thanging
e.
purpose was 10 reconstruct and save So
ciety.
The visible church of Christ is a congre-
cation of faithful men in which the pure
word of God is preached and the sacra-
ments duly administered according TO
Christ's ordinance. The church wydens life
by deepening the sense of brotherhood; IL
teaches. strengthens and propaga1es ideas
by enshrining truth in living witnesses: IL
checks the results of isolated thinkers by
contact with other thinkers, IL secures per-
manpncV ideas and pXD9ndS deem
ems worship by eliminating all that is selfish
and narrow and giving expression TO COM
mon aims and feelings.
1.-The church is the household of God the
temple of God, the body OF which Christ Is
the head. As the school, the college, the
university stand for the education of the
intellect, the church stands for the develop
ment of man, physical, intellectual and
spiritual
THE church is an organization to bear
witness TO the truth: ii is the pillar and
ground of the truth. Men cannot .effectual-
ly bear witness for Christ without an
ganized church. Christ declared that He
himself is present in church assemblies 20
confirm and bless their united prayers. TIE
apostles founded churches acting Snder tho
authority of Christ. The RISEN Christ gave
His sanction TO the organized church by
appointing apostles. evangelists pastors
and teachers for the perfecting: of the
saints, for the work of the ministry. for
the edifying of the body of Christ AS the
family ana the state are necessary, so Is
the organized church. To withdraw from
the church Is step toward apostacy from
Christ.
Christ has never repealed His promises
to the organized church. The Lords sup
per He commanded 10 be observed until His
coming again. The individual spiritual life
Still needs the help of associateJ church
life. That some hypocrites arc In the
church is only what we are TO expect The
church holds constantly before the public
mind those glorious ideals OF truth. justice,
love purity. hope. which are the inspiring
and purifying influences of life.
THE world needs the church's witness
to the fatherhood of God and tn. brother
hood of man. The church knows 20 classes
Ii destroys caste. Recent discussions have
been published on what working men ex-
pect of the church. Ii would be just as
reasonable 10 discuss what rich men ex-
pect of the church. or what cultured men
expect of the church. Doubtless the large
majority of the working forces I'm our
churches belong TO the labOring class. But
the church as an institution is for all. At
the baptismal font, at the marriage altar,
at the communion table. all men are re-
minded of their equality. We need the
young men and women OF this generation
10 come into closer fellowship with the
church. II Is worth while IL stands for all
that is ennobling i'm our civilization. The
church lives If the young stand fast in the
faith To be allied with Christ's followers
i'm Christian fellowship is certainly worth
while"