Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-16
Why Am | Proud Of
My Denomination?
SERMON by.
REV. FLOYD w. TOMkISS,
Text: Revelation iii. lib.
Sermon by.

mere Is sinful pride. and. alas, It
lp often controls us. Eut there is
IS" righteous pride which leads us
'hank God for our privileges and
opportunities and to endeavor. through
4N hcIp TO measure up to them. This
H. ne pride referred to In our subject
Hay We ought to have more OF thils
FE'eous pride in order that sinful
ne may be driven out. for the two
"hhot live together. Pride that we
COTS children: pride In the love
Nnrist. who redeemed us: pride in
'ali to serve Him in serving our
| men; pride in the contest with
pride in all OF the beautiful and
3t"r' things which God has provided
pride drive. away that foolish
/ 1'ife which the ancients called dead
sin because 1t destroys spirituality.
ms sinful pride makes one boast OF
IlmSelf and Of his possessions as IL
ne gained them by his own merit; it
'akes him conceited and selfish and
can. and above all else 1t makes him
crset God. who gIveth to all men
oerally and upbraideth not"
FALSE PRIDE EVEN AS
TO BRANCHES OF CHURCH
There is n false pride even as re-
ards our branch of the church. If
We think we arc better than other peo-
IT, or II we look down upon other
n, TX e.
eject our opportunities, while we glory
our imagined Importance. or If we
aud II over those who are weaker than
'!rse!ves. or II we refuse fellowship
9Th those who prefer to worship In n
Inherent way from that which We fol.
o". then our pride in our dcnomina =
ION is wicked
But II we thank Cod for the privi-
tfcs We enjoy in our branch OF the
hHrch II We love our form Of worship.
We arc grateful that we have been
permitted TO accomplish much at home
M in the mission field. II we have
many earnest workers and there is in
ur denomination spiritual earnest
'ss which broadens our sympathies
nd does not narrow our friendship.
hen ne may rejoice in our pride for
IS an expression Of gratitude.
We cannot here 20 into tho differ
noes between the various Christian
otes Most OF these differences are
lihcr Inherited or they arc matters
preference. One man can worship
one way acceptable 10 God and TO
inset and another can worship bet
nr in another way. Ono has a certain
"'hod Of work and another has an
Their method We may we'll hope :nat
Ehe timc viii come wncn We shall all
more closely Joined together than
. arc a, present, but the only as
ufance that such glad day will come
aust rest lpon our loyalty TO each
'her and TO Jesus Christ and the Bible.
|c will. therefore. note os our lessor
o.day = few OF the cxcellencies in
cvcral ~ our denominations. And do
ot let VI. think. rs we study. that
hesc particulars arc 10 separate us
ne from another. They ought rather
Their.
M
METHODS OF WORSHIP
First, then, there is the historic asso-
alton We can. All OF us. as Chris
ans. 20 back 10 the apostolic days
ONE branches Of the church Try 10
blow as closely as they can the amos
bic methods OF worshi? and of church
oyernment. others feel that these
rinCs arc not so important and that
1ey vary with the demands Of the
20 in which the Christian lives But
Il feel happiness in the fact that
7cir faith extends in an unbroken line
noble believers back TO the dear
ord Himself. and also that there is
iii a union with the Chosen Peoplc
cod" who were called in Abraham
urdred OF wears before the Redeeme.-
,me There Is something TO he proud
in this historic blessing. IT binds
E. closely 20 the saints and MARTYRS
"A ro nave lived and suffered in :he
asst, ana il makes us feel tho oneness
( Christians in spite Of differences OF
language and custom. Isaac Watts cv-
rfssel il beautifully when he wrote:
~ rcels and living saints, and dead,
Blu one communion make:
II ioin in Christ their living Head,
And Of Ills love partake."
Again. we may be proud of the noble
her and women who have served God
their day and generation. They are
ne found in all our church histories,
nd we may we'll be happy in the con
,r7rlatio of their lives-splendid mis-
Il onaries who have gone out and
cached the Gospel in heather lands;
ohle preachers who have lifted up
,ousands by their inspired elouuence
,rsecrated women who have gone TO
,c dark places in our cities and
ought purity and light to the people
Eve ensiaved: generous givcrs who
do her work; wise thinkers who
.,e laid plans by which work might
"lTciently carried on.
r,JE: IN WORK OF
SPLENDID MEN
lat hosts OF them there are and
they become a galaxy Of light as
'ook back. Nor are they all dead:
ary are living in our midst. and we
A. thank God for them and rejoice
al we have fellowship with them and
to follow as best we may the in.
,iration OF their zeal and courage. 1t
righteous pride. indeed. which
axes us think of these splendid work
H.s for it leads us to thank God for
en- and also to endeavor to follow
cir example.
Acain. we may he proud of the 10y
rs OF the church OF our denomina-
Qou Where the old. old Gospel is held
AN anchor. there great good is &C
,r,plishcd; and IL in any quarter there
ors 10 be falling away from the
Id time religion" we may be proud
~ thankful that we at least are hold
y ,o il. and know that we could not
ye without IT. That denomination un
,;btedly is going to be strongest and
1chest in it's fruit bearing which will
), swerve from its faith in Jesus
,rist as the Son of God on earth,
iraculously born, shedding His blood
at our sins may be washed away
1sinc from the grave to bring to us
l.orIastinG life; which holds to the
lblc absolutely rs the Word Of God
Id refuses to lose faith in any pari
il, which recognizes the Holy Spirit
m ever-present guide, and which
., Sims in simplicity and heartineSs