The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-23
.CHUkCH WORK IS
REVIEWED
SERMON OF ACCEPTANCE BY
THE REV. CONRAD OWEN
OF THE FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH.

AT the First Baptist Church last
Sunday the Rev Conrad L. Owen,
to whom the church recently extend
ed cali Tor an indefinite period,
preached the following sermon deal
ing with the call and his acceptance:
The call to become your pastor for
an indefinite time drought to me .
feeling Of pleasure coupled with .
sense Of unmeasured responsibility.
Our first year has been in some
respects, indeed, trial year. have
but little to say in defense Of candi-
dating preachers and trial calls, but
| feel that It was we'll for us to spend
one year together, becoming thor
oughly acquainted before the church
extended to me an indefinite call.
This year has not given the best OPP
portunities for growth. For about
three months ! was absent from the
field, and during that time the money
panic came with its demoralizing and
discouraging effects. These condi-
tions together with others that have
attended the work during the year
have made it time Of testing rather
than Of prosperity. That this year
has been one of struggles is perhaps
the greatest blessing God could have
given us. It has brought US an ex-
ample of sacrifice which will no
doubt be an inspiration to US in the
coming years. Under adversities the
church has taken the forward step OF
increasing the pastors salary and
LAYING out larger plans for the ensu-
ing year. While this has been test
ing year, it has not by any means
been fruitless. The close of the year
finds us with an increased member
ship and depened spiritual life. A
man who is not a member Of our
church said to me the other day: 4
like to attend the Baptist Church.
YOU make me feel at home"
After thorough review Of the past
year, and with conviction that the
Holy Spirit is leading ! do here, with
deep affection. record my acceptance
OF your call. | do so without ques-
! tioning that you will give me your
cooperation in the work OF the
church. For many years ! have had
an ideal of what church ought to
be. shall seek your hearty CO.
operation in attaining that ideal in
our own beloved church. My convic-
, ton is that worship should be char
acterized not so much. by its form as
y by its spirit, which, like the founder
of Christianity, seeks not to be
served, but to serve; to live and love
I and scatter sunshine. ] believe not
in communistic law, but in the
spontaneous communion OF kindred
J spirits in thought, service and sacri-
$ fee for the uplifting and beautifying
0 Of the human family. Let this spirit
n and purpose go abroad from our
church and it will gather into our fel-
n lowship men and women whose lives
d have been touched by the beautiful,
o regenerating power of Gods spirit
6 and quickened into a kindred feeling
IS and purposes with our own. Thus
a we will be strengthened in our effort
& to dispel doubt and evil and bring
n into our midst the millennium OF joy
t. In conclusion, let US not be afraid
J to talk about our progress. Say moi
If thou, what is the cause that the for
> mer days were better than theseF foi
d thou dost not enquire wisely concern
r ing this But say, in the words bu'
l. not in the spirit of the wicked mer
re described by Isaiah; Tomorrow shall
be as this day, and much more
I abundant, In all that we do let u
N remember that our help is in God
"a ----------------------