Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-18
First Methodist Church Re-opened
Rev Robert S Moore of WillmaTstic and District Superintendent Scrivener Spoke

and what it has cost us. beseech you
 to consecrate yourselves to the Lord
 whose we are and whom we serve. In closing the hymn Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken was used. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. J. O, Barrows.
 Rev. c. 0. Serivener Evening Speaker.
 Rev. G. G. Scrivener, district super intendent, who preached the sermon of the evening, took for his text Acts 8: then Philip opened his mouth and began ct the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Philip is described as man full of wisdom, of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, he said, three splendid qualifications for 8 Christian worker, and it is worth no- ticfng that at the very beginning of the church's history emphasis was placed upon this threefold equipment. Whatever we find to admire and praise in Philip as an evangelist we must find admirable and praisewerthy in his Character as man and what Is praiseworthy in one man is praise-z worthy in all, what is possible to one man along the line of love to Christ and obedience is possible to all. We are kings and priests unto God, we are a peculiar people that we should show forth the praises Of Him who hath rious light of the gospel, and one fs our Master even Christ, and all we are brethren.
 We are laborers together with God. Thank God there is work for all Op- portunity and need constitute call to work and may God help us today
 and every day to be as true to our call as Philip, the preacher in our text, was to his. It was a single solitary man to whom Philip was called and this fact suggests first, the importance of the individual in the sight of God;
 and, second, that the man who is best qualified to reach the multitude is the
 man best fitted to reach the individual, that the same qualities of wisdom and faith and the Holy. Spirit are neces-
 sary. in dealing with a few as in deal ing with the many, and furthermore
 that the measure of a mans success is not in the number reached but in the quality of his effort and in the faith fulness of his endeavor. There is in- spiration for our best service in the thought that the call to minister to a single individual demands the very best there is in us. To know Jesus is the most important of all Some of you will recall that message of Ian MacLaren in His Mothers Sermon, where he sketches young man about to preach his first sermon in his own church. Remembering the time five years before, when he stood beside his dying mother, and she said, The first day you preach in your own church speak good word for Jesus Christ and I'll hear you that day, though you'll not see me. His sermon, the l result of years of study, was placed in ] the fire and Saturday given to the preparation of a sermon the text of which was, Philip, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
 Scores and Hundreds Need Help. Do you know what it would mean if during this coming year each member ] of this church would concentrate upon one individual. would resolve by the 1 help of God to bring one soul to Christ. Philip began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus, and there are scores and hun i dreds today who need someone to guide l them, someone to synpathize ], strengthen and help them Lift up l your eyes and look on the fields white 1 already for harvest Pray ye there 1 fore the Lord of the Harvest that He i will send forth reapers and. as you
 pray listen, that you may hear the cali
 1 to help God answer your own prayers. Shall we make this our purpose to
 I preach Jesus by sympathy and kind
 ness, by cheerfulness and comfort, yes, i and by rugged honesty. by strict in- 1 tegr1ty, for He hath shown thee, Oh man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, :! to love mercy and to walk humbfy With thy God. May God help us to 1 hear the call of the sorrowing, the l suffering and the shining. and go to
 them with the gospel of sympathy and
 ] strength and salvation through Jesus
 Christ, and our own lives shall be en- l riched, our souls will be enlarged and 1 the kingdom of God shall come and l His name shall be g1orified
 The singing at the evening service
 was of high order of excellence. and
 1 the enthusiasm and spirit of reioicine
 l over work accomplished was evidenced
 lat both services The church and its
 1 friends in making sacrifices, in giving l in all they have done, "are cherishine
 the holy memories Of those who have
 put life and treasure and hope into
 l these walls and this building.
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