The Washington herald., 1907-04-22

The Kingdom Of Heaven Is within,
/ but We must also make Il without.
Religion is not a thing Of the stars
but Of the streets.
We want better homes; but we waat
better men and women in them.
Man does not live by dollar bills, but
by faith and hope and love.
God takes care OF the men who are
good 10 women.
New York. April a.-The Rev. DR.. c. F.
Aked preached his first sermon this morn
ing as pastor Of the Fifth Avenue Baptist
Church. Of which John d. Rockefeller is
a member. DIR. Aked outlined his atti-
tude on some OF the most vital church
questions of the day, and told what he
believed the mission to be which he'd
prompted him 10 leave the pulpit of .he
largest church in Liverpool and accept a
charge in this country.
The church was crowded Many who
came too late to get seats stood in the
aisles during the entire service Mr..
Rockefeller sr.. was not present. but his
son was.
Dr. Aked preached from the text, And
gave unto us the ministry OF reconcilia-
ton" Second Corinthians, nth chapter.
That. he declared. was 20 be his ministry,
and the ministry, he hoped. OF his con-
gregation- Such a ministry. he said. is
searching. e must ask questions and It
must 50 force them ia upon the soul with
every argument. threat and promise.
wish every warning Of God S justice, and
all the wooing OF His love that IL viii
be impossible 10 get away from them.
should stand Heavenly Audit
These questions. said he. must burn
into your souls: Can you reconcile your
business with God?. Was yesterdays s
deal in harmony with His mind2 WIN
your books stand a Heavenly audit? In
your Office did you put up the prayer
that is to say, should you dare II you
had any realizing belief in the efficacy Of
prayer Abide with me; come not 10 So
journ. but abide with me-? Win you rec
oneile your business methods with God?
A ministry which does not force the ques-
tions home is sawdust and chaff."
DIR. Aked said he conceived that the
ministry OF reconciliation must embrace
the reconciliation OF Christians with one
another. He would not eliminate denom-
nations. but he would have a church of
one spirit. one brotherhood.
What are the possibilities in this coun-
try Of approximation toward the Saviour's
IDEAL said he. I have yet to learn.
This / know. That while religions are
many, religion is one. I cannot join a
narrow church.
Single Denomination Not Desirable.
We do not went to turn Methodists
into Baptists nor Congregationallsts into
Presbyterians. Every one of the great
denominations has had intrusted to il
either its own special truth, or else its
special way of holding and presenting
truth, which fastens upon it the obliga-
ton to 30 on living and working until
the truth is absorbed by the whole Church
of God Uniformity, therefore, is not to
be sought. 1t would be antagonistic TO
the American spirit. which loves nothing
better than the free play of individual
forces. Federation. in this land of vast
federation, ought TO be possible. And
deeper than federation. the spirit of
brotherhood, mutual admiration Of church
mutual gratitude for services rendered TO
the Commonwealth, mutual love in bonds
of peace. hope, in due time, to take my
place with the leaders Of an the churches
in this land whose lives move toward
ministry of reconciliation.
DR.. Aked also believed in the willing
ness Of the church to restate its dogma
and recast its formulas in harmony with
the revelations of history and science.
The right attitude of Christianity to sci
enee is not one Of tolerance, still less fear.
but one of sympathy, gratitude, and hope.
Ministry should he Aggressive.
In DR.. Aked's opinion, the church which
has nothing to say to social problems in
this day has no claim to existence. If
not laughed off the face of the earth. il
will remain on insecure foundations. the
refuge of the idler. the self-seeker. The
gospel Of the day is a gospel of social
service. Dr. Aked told his congregation
hat ii is not sufficient that they should |
lream noble deeds. but they must do them. |
The sin of doing nothing. said he is
he deadliest Of the seven sins"
He added:
We are here 10 claim the world of /
politics as Christ's world; cleanse poiiti- (
sal life Of its self-seeking, its practical /
ltheism and corruption. and change our
human society into a kingdom of God"
Speaking directly OF his new pastOrate /
er. Aked said he believed the best WORK
1f his life was To be done in this land.
! have come" he said believing that /
can serve our Lord best by joining you
n the effort TO get Gods viii done here
n the broad tieids OF your national life. /
DR.. Aked is a forceful, fluent speaker,
With little regard for oratorical poses.
Sany persons in the congregation COM
nented ON the marked similarity between
is appearance and that of President
Roosevelt
So, = - x-,.-,