The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-01-14
The Mt DEL CHURCH.
Jan. II, 'o9-tActs 2:22-4O.

Is admitted on all sides that the
church OF the present Is sadly lack
ing in those qualities whi n make for
world conquest. II makes progress,
but 1t Is comparatively slow pro-
gress. 1t requires vast amount or
achinery to Go small amount or
work And its earnest leaders and
members are dreaming of good
time coming. somewhere in the dis
tnnt future when the church shall
dominate the world, and be the chief
organization in ,.he life of the race.
But the fact is we are looking in
the wrong direction. The golden
age is not In the future; IL was In the
past. Instead of specializing on a
visionary future we should be study
Ing historic past. The model
church has been In existence and
has passed away. 1t was organized
by the Holy Ghost on the Day of
pentecost; 1t was composed of the
apostles the disciples, and 5000 con-
verts from all parts of the known
world it was located in Jerusalem,
and the earth still feels the pulsa-
tions of its mighty heart.
Its characteristics.
They are all written down for us in
the closing verses of this lesson, the
first principles should be the rally
ing cry of this age. No human in
genuity can possibly improve on the
divine plan. What succeeded in the
lst century will succeed in the goth
century. Celestial mechanics are as
Interchangeable as the movements of
the spheres. What We need is not
more machinery in the church but
more of the motive power that once
drove that machinery. In our desire
to fill our ecclesiastical mandatory
with up to date soul-saving machin-
cry, we have too often overlooked
the point as to whether the motive
power can be applied to such devices.
The Holy Spirit is not like electricity
which can be turned by mans de-
vice into any channel he chooses. He
will use us, but 1t does not neces-
sarily follow that we can always use
Him. The Holy Spirit is personal
ity, not a liquid, like water power.
and He manifests His divine prero-
gative in sometimes absolutely re-
fusing to lend Himself to further our
senseless, selfish and sectarian de-
vices to build up our church. And
so 1t happens, too often. alas. that
a
cry with Him, we conclude to get
along without Him, and fill up our
churches with uncircumcised Philis-
tines who add to our burden, sub
tract from our power, multiply our
difficulties, and divide our forces.
The original model church was
characterized by these qualities
/. 1t was a doctrinal church
2. 1t was fellowship church.
8. 1t was an ordinance observing
church.
4. 1t was a praying church.
5. 1t was miracle-working
church.
s. Il was benevolent church.
7. 1t was united church.
s. 1t was a singing church.
Q. 1t was a popular church.
10. 1t was a soul-saving church.
And this is all revealed in hve
brief verses by the historian Luke
who wrote this book of The Acts.
He says And they continued stead
fastly in the apostles doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread
and in prayers. And fear came upon
every soul; and many wonders and
signs were done by the apostles. And
all that believed were together and
had all things common; and sold
their possessions and goods. and
parted them to all men as every man
had need. And they, continuing
daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to-
house, did eat their meat with glad
ness and singleness OF heart Prais-
Ing God and having favor with all
the people. And the Lord added to
the church daily such as should be
saved.
Its Contrast.
Does anybody know Of q church
that measures up to that IDEAL?
n Wouldn't It be worth q pilgrimage
around the world to visit such q COM
pany OF believers? The reason the
church Is weak when It should be
strong. hereical when 1t should be
orthodox. powsrisss when It should
be miracle working. close listed
when 1t should be benevolent. split
up into factions when 1t should be
united, grumbhng when 1t should be
singing. neglected when It should be
popular. dying out In many places,
when 1t should be soul-saving. is sim-
ply and solely because It has degen-
Grated from the model church of the
lst century. the pattern and exam
pie for all coming time. Instead OF
looking forward we should be look