The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-02-23
DECLARES CHURCH
MUST DRAW MEN
Pastor in Sermon on "Divine Com
pulsion'' Points Out Appre-
hended Dangers

The Rev Will a. Belts, pastor of tt
First Methodist church, in his sermo
yesterday morning on Divine Compu
5lon." took occasion to score that methc
Of church management which simpl
builds house OF worship and waits Il
The people to come, In part, the Re-
Mr.. Belts said.
The programme OF the gospel. is
cosmopolitan, 1t contemplates UNI
Versal triumph over rebellious world.
While il IS true that the programme
of the gospel is one OF conquest. yet
Its methods are not destructive, but
constructive. It's whole spirit while
revolutionary, is not disruptive, In
but dispcnse5 peace. When the gos-
pei effected an entrance into Rome,
II was not with banners flying and
swords drawn. but it made its way
into the center of national power
with the spirit Of peace and good
into the political and social life OF
the whole empire. until IT became
Christian, at least in sentiment sur
ficiently strong to prompt the over
throw of the altars Of the pagan
gods
There is something thrilling in the
supreme confidence. unatera BILE pur-
pose and Incompatible courage of the
Christ when. standing In the shadow
OF the Cross. tie gripped the scepter
claimed. And /. if l be lifted up. will
draw all men unto me. No matter
from what angle you study the Sos-
pei, YOU arc finally and inevitably
brought face to face with the irreN-
ocable truth that the programme OF
Christs gospel aims at universal
kingdom, and only redeemed world
wherein men dwell together in peace
and unity will satisfy the claims of
Calvary. The final test OF our &C
clesia stcal worth is the test OF life.
I am not here TO plead for old
methods, but for the old power.
Times have changed with the sweep OF
years; conditions have changed with
succeeding generations. and il is OBJ
vious that methods must change also.
but divine power is the same In 1914
as at the beginning, The Creator
made a plan for the universe, and in
that plan He made natural path
way through the Rockies. Centuries
passed, and this was used only by the
wild beasts and savage Indians. AZ
last the civil engineer came along
and determined TO use Gods plan,
making adjustments essential to the
needs of the new day. and by adapt
ing scientific methods to the old plan,
soon great railway trains were wind
ing through the mountain ranges on
Gods pathway.
Inc lesson inc Master gives us III
the text is that OF divine compulsion,
and IL is clearly evident that if the
modern church catches the spirit of
tine Christ, she must compel men 10
seek her fellowship. We have for
generations been content with erect
Ing place OF worship. and then an
nouncing from the pulpit that we
were ready for business. and II so
disposed people might come and see
what we had 10 offer. No commercial
institution can do business on such a
principle and live. and that method
OF church work has already been pro-
nounccd dead. and the church tina
continues to follow il is simply keep
ing open to save funeral expenses.
Salt Lake City furnishes us a mar
velous opportunity to reach men.
The streets today are thronsed with
multitudes OF people with bllghted
hopes, broken hearts and sin-cursed
lives. who are hungry for the peace
that floweth like q river
/ appeal to YOU TO rally around the
standard of the cross, and In the
spirit and strength of our Lord. de-
termine to make this church house
OF blessing, a life saving station for
sin-wrecked souls. rendezvous for
broken hearts, a place OF refuge for
tempted souls. Bethel TO the penI-
tent. an open and unobstructcd way
for men 10 press UP to the heart OF
the loving and forgivins Christ.