South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-01
REV. BELLYILLE IN
ANNIVERSARY TALK
Begins Second Year of Pastor
ate at Indiana Avenue
Church of Christ.

J. + BeHvine began the second
year Of his pastOrate al the Indiana
Avenue Church of Christ Sunday.
and preached a sermon fitting the
occasion. using as a subject. THE
Pulpit to the pew"
Among other things the pastor
said, The taskD facing Us as pastor
and congregation are different from
those facing Us a year ago. We
were then new TO each other and
the newness contributed TO the con-
gregat!On's devotion 10 the work.
Now we understand each other and
know our common problems. 1
challenge you TO take your places in
the work OF this congregation, not
as spectators but as participants. If
you are devoted 10 men. then you
may seek for cnange and sa;isfaC-
ton for your whims; but If yau are
Gods people then His ministrations
should re unhampered instruments
in His hands to interpret Gods ways
to you.
Attention To Obligation.
The pulpit would call the atten-
ton of the pew TO its obligation.
First of all observe that the moral
and spiritual status Of ministers and
people does not differ, for both serve
God under the same covenant. The
difference is in gifts and calling
The pulpit and pew labor together
TO accomplish the work of God in
this world; one Is the complement
themselves Of religious minstrations
in the house of God comes the bless
ing OF worship. Those who receive
the implanted Word Of Cod which
is able 10 save their souls IS granted
salvation. You pastor would urge
that you allow the truths OF God 10
be as much Of you as your flesh and
blood, and ne further urges you TO
remember that those who wait upon
the ministry Of the Word and fulfill
their part OF the Christian covenant
keep alive in the earth the interests
which make life tolerable and mean
ingful
"Ihe pew to contribute to the build
ing Of the kingdom of God needs posi-
tive permanent convictions about God,
rel giOus convictions must be support
ed by lives that are clean; you must
keep yourselves unSpOtted from the
world. Your characters must support
your convictions And what is chargc-
terE We would say that character is
moral and religious conviction mOtivat-
ing ones life. To maintain character
and conviction you must put forth effort
to make your religion a tremendous pow
er In your own life that you may realize
in your self che life OF God.
Must Have Conviction.
Your pastor realizes the competition
prevalent in these DAYS against the
must have a conviction and character to
make Jesus Christ and His church first
in your lives. It is your vital faith, in
contrast 10 a nominal faith, that will MI
these pews and carry a message Of the
gospel TO those who enter our doors.
Your loyalty is not TO any minister, but
TO Jesus Christ and His church and as
your pastor ! appeal for your continued
devotion because OF Jesus who is our
Supreme Bishop. As minister, / con-
celve my task TO be. the fearless preach
inc Of the word; urging, eXhorting and
persuading you 20 that moral and re-
ligiOus conformity that shall give you
the victory over Sin Should I shun this
task ! would he unworthy of you and
Christ But / shall try 10 declare 20 you
the whole counsel Of God. May we
pledge 70 each other and 20 our God. our
lives and all we have that God may use
us 10 keep alive In the earth The religion
and life OF Jesus, the Christ"