Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-14

been reestablished on a firm footing in
these days Of faith in the divineness
OF every work or message manifestly
Of God. More reasonable, more logi-
cal, more acceptable than ever, TO
earnest, thoughtful men, now seems
the office and work of those who, bear
ing a commission OF dignified and es-
tablished authority. go forth as priests
to minister to the fainting spirits and
souls Of men, bringing 10 them the
definite gospel of peace and "the sure
mercies of David"
THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
Never was there greater need nor
church's frank assertion of the nature
and reality Of the priestly Office. Men
everywhere are hungering for the
word of authority and of certainty.
When they go to their physician or
their attorney, when they consult an
architect, a financial expert or bust
ness promoter, they expect clear and
definite statement of fact, and authori-
tative advice. And they want nothing
less than that in their religious life.
Nothing is more striking than the
willingness of thoughtful men today
TO be guided by accredited spiritual
pastors and masters. Let man show
his credentials, and back it up with
a godly walk and conversation and a
prudent mixture of good common
sense, and he can do anything he
wishes with sincere and earnest lay
people With. the dawn Of enlighten-
ment and widespread knowledge, men
have lost their fear of priestcraft, as
they have lost their fear of ghosts
! and witches, retaining their belief in
the unseen and mighty spiritual
/ forces for which these superstitions
in the past vaguely stood, but which
are now seen to be so necessary, so
safe and so rational, when guarded by
an authoritative administration on the
one hand, and an intelligent accep
lance and utilization on the other.
And so I bring you today the mes
sage which well accords with the new
! est thought Of this latest age: the
priesthood, the authorized ministry OF
Gods word and sacraments, as the
most needed, the most honored, the
most welcomed, as it is the most rep
resentative, of all the agencies of Goo
for the blessing the helping and saw
ing of men, in the world today. l an
not detracting one whit from the i'm
portance of any calling or profession
or work of man for God More thar
ever do we know theirs to be divine
work. But more than ever do VIZ
know the supreme place in the divine
economy of the Christian priesthood
and more than ever do we know tina
It is a great event when a godly anC
earnest man is duly ordained and sen
forth to exercise that Office for th'
glory of God and the benefit of man
IN His holy church.
Take the testimony of your Owl
experience and knowledge, my breth
rem of the laity. How has it beer
when the priest of God has como int
your lives at a time of need and o
opportunity? When for example ;
priest has been sharing in some hOu
of social enjoyment, he bids all pres
ent before dispensing to stand ant
bow the head while he asks God
|, blessing on the pleasures of the ever
ing, and divine protection for tn
night? Was not Christ not reall
present in that priestly act, and di
you not feel that God had smile
upon the happiness of His children
Or when, facing some moral crisis i
, your life, you went to your priest TO
, counsel and guidance. and you foun
him like Christ Himself indeed in con
: prehension and compassion, and yer
. father, q very mother, in advice an
comfort; and when you had gon
! away with his blessing on your heaC
had you any doubt that in this prizes
of God you had found a represent;
> tive of Him Who said to His mini
tiers of apostolic succession: "As NJ
Father sent Me, so send you," "Wh
soever sins thou dost remit, they ar
. RENTED" Whose receiveth yo
receiveth Me-" and whatever migI
have been your experience of the HI
man frailties of limitations of God
u ministers. had you any doubt aftt
that of the place and Office of IL
d priesthood in the economy of God fl
the guidance and comfort of huma
d souls? Or. when some loved one va
:, lying i'll, perhaps at the margin of Il
II sea of death, and you sent for God
Il priest, perchance no unfamiliar Wis
? tant in your home, and he knelt ar
/ prayed, in the familiar words of Il
n prayer book, or in reverent languas
g that the Holy Spirit put then ar
s there into his heart; or perhaps admi
S istered some acknowledgement,
L penance, or Holy Communion, or eve
j. the rite of amounting with oil
e the name of the Lord; and you ha'
S seen the look of peace come into L
: invalids face, or the improvemel
\ which so frequently might safe
: assert ordinarily-follows such prizes
ly ministrations; have you not fe