Evening journal., 1908-01-27
MARVELS AT SO
MANY CHRISTIANS
Rector PeCkham, at Calvary,
Speaks Of Persons Mas
querading in Church

when Jesus Heard It, He Mar
veled," Matthew s: 10, was the text Of
an eloquent sermon by the Rev. Joseph
Russell Peckham, rector of Calvary
Episcopal Church, yesterday morning.
Il marvel that there are so many
Christians when we see Christian men
and women living such small, mean,
low lives while masquerading as de-
vout sons and daughters of the Holy
Church" was one of his striking COM
ments.
Calvary has an excellent vested
choir, which takes part in the services.
1t is expected soon to be increased by
a number OF boys and girls who are in
training and whose voices give promise
Of improving the already fine choir.
"The Centurion was noted for his
charity and good deeds. But Christ
marveled at his faith, not his benevo-
Hence. Faith is the keynote of the
whole of the New Testament. Battles
are rislzed on the report Of spies, the
whole of a mans wealth is entrusted
to a sea captain. society is governed
by faith. If this was not so. human
existence would be a mere tossing
sand heap. A young man is taught to
be independent and depend on his own
sources, but the Christian must depend
on one afother and have faith in one
another. The Centurion was a SOL
dier. and his faith was founded on
obedience as the great law, and gov
erned his actions accordingly. AS SOL
diers obey Me, so viii sickness and
death flee at thy command. l am not
worthy that thou should come into my
house, for my commands bring death
while yours bring life.
"The Centurion was a Gentle to
whom the truth had been revealed but
slightly. Jews hated all Gentiles and
thought that God had created them In
order to bestow His favor on them,
while the Gentiles had been created to
be their slaves and to be killed. The
Jews were not trying to win the Cen
tiles to Jehovah by doing deeds Of
charity and kindness. and It was mar
velous than any Gentle could be per-
suaded to believe In God who seemed
racial rather than divine.
when we look at empty pews and
empty churches, we often marvel that
it can be so, marvel that more are not
Christians But do not marvel that
there are not more Christians, but
marvel that there are so many when
we see Christian men and women liv-
ing such small, mean, low lives, while
lmasquerading as devout sons and
daughters of the Holy Church; when
we see priests SHINING and oftimes
stripped of their office.
we will be held accountable for
many Of the sins of those we keep
out Of the Holy Church. We arc not
TO work out our own salvation but TO
help others work out their, and not
keep them from savation. Everyone
will be Judged acc riding to the light
he has received and used.
we revolt as did the Christians, our
brothers and sisters, centuries ago,
when some of their delNded brethren
tried to win Others 20 the cross Of
Chi ,st by means of the flame and rack.
Moses, Elijah. Abraham, Joseph,
Noah, st. John the Baptizer were men
of faith, who amidst the persecution Of
! those whom they were trying TO help,
ar, Sc above tt cir circumstances and
by faith conquered. Their trials and
ldificulties made them strong and
spiritual giants. We pay costly prices
for many of our so-called blessings
The trolley cars are useful, hut we
use them too of.nn at the expense OF
heath, which would otherwise be
benefited by more exercise. Thus,
many other faculties are urdeveloped
by the Injuries we enjoy. Let US, like
the giants of faith of old, rise above
all obstacles and see Christ and His
Church as they are and should be,
faithful and true. The eyes Of faith
will remove mountains, tho eyes VI
fa..h win bring Christ TO us with His
| all healing and all-suaicient power. Il
viii help US to believe in our brothers
and sisters and make us careful that
our own individual lives shall help and
lnat hinder their progress. st. Cyril
said, IL every Christian was to do
everything that was in accord with
Christ for just tNgenty-four hours, the
whole world would be won to Christ
before night"