Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-26
DR. sLocuM eIvEs
 HIS PARTING MESSAGE.
Preached to Large Congregation on
 The Call of the Gospel.

A very large congregation filled the Central Baptist church last evening to listen to the parting message of the pastor, Dr. Joel B. Slocum, who this week goes to Yonkers to assume, next Sunday, the pastorate of the Warbur- ton Avenue Baptist church of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Slocum will be given a reception on Wednesday evening of will lead the devotional service at the Central Baptist. This will be his last official duty as pastor here. At the morning service yesterday fifteen new members were received.
 The subject of Dr. Slocum's last ser mon last evening was The Call of the Gospel. His text was Eev. 22:17. Among other things Dr. Slocum said: Christtsnity is a religion that invites. The very mission of Jesus was an in vitation to a needy world. His abound ing health was a challenge to it's sick ness. His saving power was in it. self a call to salvation. Even if He had never uttered a word concerning the needs of a human soul and con- corning the needs of a human soul and His ability to met those needs, His presence among the poor and needy. the sick and the sinful would have ex- tended a powerful influence in the df- rection of lifting them up from their hopeiessness to a new view of life.
 But Jesus did speak. and all though his conversations and his more
 
 ing people to become His disciples.
 The Book opens with Gods invita- ton to Noah: it closes with the Call of the Spirit and the church to people who have not become disciples of Jesus
 ssThe Spirit and the bride say come $ These are not two voices. but a single invitation. The Spirit speaks in and through the church. for the church is the bride. And this is the invitation af he %o1 l. the call of Christ to a world still plunged into the depths of a des- peratc need.
 This call has its divine origin as we have just seen. But it also has its human agency; for the inspired au- thor of the apocalypse goes on to say. And he that heareth. let him say come"
 Not only are we to hear the invita- ton and accept it. but we have a sa = on to others. This is a distinctive feature of Christianity. No other re- hgion has been so missionary in it's aim and spirit as the religion of Christ. No other religion has ever been SO daring in it's purpose to evangelize the whole world. No oth- CT religion has made so wide an ap- peal to peoples of every nation and condition as Christianity. It seems to be adapted to every age and every
 
 view of this. there is tremendous re- sDonsibility upon the disciples of Christ to pass the word along to oth- CTS. He that heareth. let him say come.
 There Is just one other thing that want you to notice about this call of the gospel: it's appeal is universal. It would have taken too much time and space to write unto that verse all the names of all the men and women and children in all generations of the worlds history who would be e1eef- b1e to the spiritual blessings of the fountain opened in the house of David and in the heart of Jesus fo- sin and Uncleanness. So God inspired John to write one word there one word which includes all tine names of all the. peo- ple who have ever lived or who shall live. It is that one all inclusive word -whosoever. And along with this ua- limited invitation there is also sue . gested the unlimited resources of di- vine grace in the word freely" Iet him that take of the water of life free ly.
 That fountain has never shown anV signs of failing. It is as Jesus sug- gested a perennial eternal well spring. It is sufficient today for all the world i1 all it's need.
 Have you heard the call Have you answered it? Have you passed the in vitation on to others there any one heertoniGht who is among the others the thirsty. huneering ones who have heard hut who have not come? My parting wore to ron is come to Chris. and enlist under His Banner