Evening journal., 1921-10-03

assuming you do not expect OF me
the scholarship OF the university, or
an indlscr.minating advocacy or
social salvation. or to perform in
tellectual gymnastics in theology.
then 1 once more put the question::
With what intent have ye sent for
me,
Reasons For Church. Going.
Among those who come to our
modern churches there may be some
who. II they dared to express them
selves vocally. would say. We are
all here present before the congre-
cation. We came TO see and to be
seen. We are well clothed, dignifed.
respectable people and wish to be
so regarded. The church is our So
G al centre and we have a definite
place in it,
Another group. IL they were
equally frank. would say. We are
all here present before the choir We
have aesthetic aspirations. We glory
in the members Of our quartette.
They sing to us in an uplifting and
inspiring manner. We come TO
church, not to worship God, but to
inspired by the music.
"Still another portion OF the
congregation would be compelled 10
admit. We are all here present be-
fore the preacher. He suits us and IS
long as we like him we intend TO
come We like his looks. We are
pleased with his voice. Whether his
sermons are good or bad they have
the virtue of being short. We like
the minister
Why do people come to church?
Let us ask that question and then
search our hearts. Is it to worship
God? Is It to come into conscious
nearness to Him? Is It, while not dis
paraging congregation. choir. or
preacher. to engage in the Spiritual
exercises OF prayer and praise?
Worship is the special privilege
OF Gods house. Worship means
more than a confession OF sins and
a declaration Of faith. 1t means
gratitude. jubilant gratitude. wor-
ship means communion with God
and communication Of power from
God. II --e enter the church sad we
find IL the house Of consolation. II
we enter il cast down with a sense
OF weakness. we leave It saying, I
can do all things through Him that
strengthened me- II we enter II
harsh and unforgiving we leave it
singing.
Value of Worship.
Worship makes bad men good
men, small men big men, cowardly
men brave men, useless men use
ful men. In a word. worship en-
abies the souls OF men to lay hold
Of the Almightiness of God.
You may rightly insist that your
preacher shall be thoroughly pre-
pared before he appears before YOU
But let me remind you that
thorough preparation is not purely
Intellectual II is more than the
choice of a text with its proper
analysis, treatment and application
There must be personal preparation.
Preaching without personal prepara-
ton. is as cold as moonlight glinting
on ice.
ION the other hand It takes two
to make a sermon. There may be
much poor preaching in the world
but I would like to ask II there is
not also much poor hearing. Indeed
I am persuaded that mediocre
listening viii cause any man TO be
or become a mediocre preacher.
1T Is possible for members to be
present in body but absent in lind
While the body is IN Gods house
the mind may be straying far afeld
where pleasure or business or world
ly allurance or sinful indulgence
sing their siren songs
mo man can be a helpful listener
who is not a praying man. Just pic
ture to your minds what an inspira-
tion It would be to the preacher Ia
/ know that his people were people OF
prayer. beseech you to pray before
coming TO public worship. Pray for
yours lives and those who worship
with you. Pray the preaching OF the
Word may be accompanied by the
power and demonstration Of the
Holy Spirit.
MY fellow-pilgrims. wherever else
/ may fail, God helping me. I shall
not fail in preaching TO you the
Gospel OF our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ.
There are others who tell us that
II we are 10 have the old-time power
we must have a new application OF
the old Gospel and new methods for
its dissemination. SO far as I under.
stand the religious needs Of our
time we need the generating
power Of the Holy Spirit. We have
machinery enough and TO spare
What we need is power"
Strong for Prayer Meetings.
In the interview DR.. Webb CAV,
later yesterday. he said that thos,
persons who do not go to church
ARE not all SNUG. seif-sufncien
persons. On the contrary" he added
many OF them are bent with crush
ing burdens 50 that they hardly know
which way to turn The dens oi
vice hold up alluring arms. VIII,
not go to forget where there seem.
20 be a welcome? Why can't church
people make their welcome equall,
attractive"
He said that his plans in regart
10 his work would all center aroun,
this idea OF making the church 4
place where there would be a fine
sincere spirit Of welcome. He said
however. that he did not believe il
cheap sensationalism 10 attract peo
pie 10 the church, but, on the othe
hand. he said a man who reall,
preached In earnest ought not TO pu
his congregation 10 sleep.
pravnr nnanfInrs viii cnne in 10