The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-15
REV. MURRAY PRAISES
LOVE that ENDURETH
ALL IN LAST SERMON

Rev. L. e. Murray, who preacned
the last of series of sermons sum-
ming up his work to his congregation
at the First Christian church sunday,
will leave Tuesday morning for Indian
apolis where he will spend part OF his
vacation Following his visit In In
.dianapolis Rev. Murray will attend
the two weeks conference OF his
church which will be held at Winona
Lake.
Universal regret is expressed at
Rev. Murray's departure. During his
pastorate here the church has shown
a steady development and Rev. Muir
rays influence has been felt through
out the city.
In his final sermon Rev. Murray
said in part:
Instead of a formal farewell SER
mon, conceived the idea of present
ing in the four last sermons a sum-
mary of the teachings receiving great
est emphasis during my ministry OF
seven and half years.
THE themes of these four sermons
were Christian Character" Chris
tian Service" Christian Unity and
Christian Motive" What motive
would most effectively lead to the life
of service expected of every true fol-
lower of the Christ? What motive
would be truly consistent with Chris
tian character? What motive will
tend to unity of all believers?
None of the ordinary human mo-
tives will be efficient. Self interest,
so dominant in the affairs of men will
defeat the purpose of the Master.
The desire for leadership, ambition
for distinction or power or wealth are
not elements of Christian character.
There is only one motive that can
prove and be consistent and that is the
motive that Paul gave when men re
garded his conduct as irrational and
charged him of being insane. Pauls
answer was The love of Christ CON
straineth US" TIE same love that led
Jesus to such persistent, self-denying
service that his relatives thought he
was beside himself and sought ~
take him away from the multitude !;
the love that Paul speaks of in the
thirteenth chapter of First Corinth.
ians; love that is long-suffering and
kind; a love that envieth not. tina.
vaunteth not itself, is not pulled up
doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not its own; a love that never
faileth; that beareth all things and
endureth all things. The greatest OF
the Christian virtues. the greatest
thing in the world, Drummond said
When the Master was asked about
the greatest commandment he said
Love. Love God and love your fell
bowman. Love is above law and duty
The Master leaving the disciples,
said, a new commandment | give ur-
to you. that We love one another, even
as | have loved you Whatever else
We may have and have not love we
are nothing. Religion is an aspiration
Godward. Such love of God, such a
soul hungering and thirsting after God
as will over-shadow every other de.
sire. This is eternal life to know
thee, the only true Cod said the Mas
ter. To know God by experience, he
means. This only is religion.
The central problem of the Chris
tian life is building character. The
ideal is Christ, the motive is love Ny
last word to you whom l love is the
Masters concise summary of all Law
and prophecy, Love the Lord thy Goo
with all thy heart, and love thy neigh
Dor as myself