The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-16

Rev. Charles H. Butler occupied the
pulpit at Luther Place Memorial Church
yesterday morning for the first time since
the death Of the pastor his father, Rev.
Or. John George Butter. The theme Of
Mr.. Buffers sermon was Resurrection, 30
his text being elise what shall they do
which are baptized FOR the dead 81 the
dead rise not at all? Why are they. then
baptized for the dead?"
There arc probably two reasons" said
the preacher. why the apostle speaks
here of the Resurrection. First. because
the Corinthians had been perplezed with
subtle questions by sects and parties, and
it was possible that IN their zeal for sect
and party they would loose their hold on
this great and vital argument FOR the
truth Of religion itself. Moreover, the
enemies OF the gospel, from seeing the
divisions and strifes which existed there,
would say that a religion which produced
such fruits could not be from God. II
was important. therefore. that they
should have access 20 an agreement plain
clear. and unanswerable for the truth OF
the gospel. and thus the eviI effects OF
their divisions and strlfes would be coun-
teracted.
Had Been Denied.
THE second reason for speaking OF the
resurrection was that this important doc
trine had been denied at Corinth. and this
error had obtained a footing in the church
itself. Among the Greeks the doctrine OF the
resurrection was regarded as ridiculous.
and from II Timothy we learn that some
said IL was passed already This worked
destruction TO their faith others held
there win be put a spiritual resurrection.
In this chapter. the most complete and
fun In the whole Scripture, the apostle
counteracts these errors and furnishes
demonstration Of the truth OF the gospel
The heart OF unregenerate man IS the
SAME in all ages. and conditions to-day
in many places are similar 10 those ex-
listing IN ancient Corinth Sometimes
Christians are troubled by subtle ques-
tons. and DIVIDED info secIs and parties.
and there is danger lest they Lose sight
OF the vital truth TTen IL is that enemies
scon and say II that Is religion. We want
meme of Il.
God pity the church and the deaonIna-
ton where the teacher OF religion dis
believes I'm the immaculate birth OF Christ
His miracles and His resurrection. The
poiyglOt Lutheran Church IN America has
its difficulties and problems. but not in
any single pulpit is there ever taught
doubt concerning any Of the vital truths
Of Gods Word
There IS a meaning in the lesson OF
the text which appeal 20 boJn our intel
lect and our heart. II retains the idea OF
substitution. 10 is not q viCarious repre-
senta.On Of the persons Of the dead.
but a vicarioUs representation Of the posi-
ton they filed untl death. IL is like
soldiers IN battle Regiment after regi-
ment enters the fight. and as the men tall
their places are tr-cn by fresh troops.
each one 10 he lied with the same
baptism OF fire a@l iood.
An Inspiring Truth.
What an important and inspiring truth
for us to-day In the loss that has. come
20 the church and 20 us individually the
lesson from the departure OF the dear
father and pastor is that we all be hap
tized in the spirit and character Of his
life He gave the fun measure OF devo-
ton to God and man. Even his enemies
II he had any. and we al have enemies
will admit this. and his friends can but
thank God for his conservation. his 10y
atty. his long and faithful and successful
service. II Is for us TO be baptized into
his spirit Of unselfshness and devotion
1T is not for me TO pronounce o eulOgy.
only to testify TO the sincerity and sim
plicity and single-hearted devotion 20 God
which marked his life. He was a friend
OF man because he was a friend of God
and the following beautiful lines. Il seems
to me. fittingly characterized him:
Let me live in a house by the side Of the road,
Where the race Of men 80 by,
Tho men who arc good and the men who arc bad
As good and as bad as J.
! would not SIT IN the sc0ncr's seat
Or hurl tho cynics ban
Let me live IN house by the side OF The road
And be a friend 20 man.
in bringing his discourse to a close.
Rev Mr.. Butler read the hymn. For
All the Saints Who from Their Labors
Rest"
DIR. Leach the Preacher.
At their hall in Vermont avenue. the
seeding members Of Luther Memorial
Church held their usual morning worship.
Tie preacher. Rev. DIT s. Y. Leach. chose
for his text: Eye shall receive power after
that the Holy Ghost has come upon You.
and We shall be witnesses unto ne both
in Jerusalem and in al Judea and in
Samaria and unto the uttermost parts Of
the earth"
The theme OF the sermon was the bap-
tlsm OF power. Or. Leach at the outset
discussed the two preliminaries 20 the
fulhllment Of this premise, first. obedience
to the divine command 10 tarry at Jeru-
salem and 20 await this spiritual baptism
with continued prayer.
Next was discussed the phenomena