The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-17
CHURCH RESPONSIBLE
SAYS DR.. ". H, FIELDS
Pastor Of Ftrst Christian PLEADS keF
Fuller Realization by Members
Nv W. 8. STANTON.


Mica that the church might come l"
a fuJler realization OF the Responsibility
that rests upon It. and that chur'h
members should realize that lnhlNluudi
ASSUMPTION If responsibility could not
be shirkcd If the church was I" tuht-
tion as Jesus intended II should we're
the outstanding features OF the SUNDAY
morning szrmon at First christian
church. by Re- ". II. Fields The
third chapter "f Faul's letter I" IN"
/. Ephesians. in which the apostle S'a'eN
his mission. and his dcsir" that All
gentiles should accept christ. was
chosen by The pastor - ScrlpturdI
reference for his discourse.
: 4 comparison between hOyhood in
"ident In which the minister told Ut
how he had at the age Of ten been "n-
trusted with carrying Il sum &c money
TO pay off the farm hands. and thought
nothing OF Il until his mother made him
understand the trust that had been 10.
poSed IA him. and the failure Of church
members, as profc> seG followers OF
Jesus tu realize tho value rf the gosicl
message that was entrusted 10 Them:
was made I'VE mus: also he sure that
we have the right specifications. hcfor"
We offer Gods plan to others. sail
nr. Fields An engineer who drew the
nlans for a bridge across n great river,
and WAS sure It was substantial, took
his own life when the structure CO..
Iapsed. killing a number Of people, and
causing financial ruin to those who haze
Invested their money In the bridge" Ee
sure your bridge is safe, before YOU tell
people to 60 over il.
Tho Example Set BY Paul.
Paul was true 10 his trust even
though II cost him his friend aHI
finally his life. lam asking YOU this
morning what YOU intend to do about
the trust God has reposed IN H"u. NJ"
see men working for their lodges. try
Ing 10 increase the membership Of Their
orders.
We ought. at least. TO be as Jealous
in our efforts To get folks 10 JOIN our
churches The secret orders have social
evenings al which time good fellow snip
is promoted. ~ We want 10 have 4
social evening in our church we will
find someone pulls long face and puts
damper on II. Lodge members visit
the sick. take food and rament to their
needy fellows. pay their rent, and rem
der assistanCe>i in many other ways. Are
the churches going to let the lodges
put them 10 shame" GIVE OF YOUR time
and means II YOU are a real church
members. lam far from being opposed
10 secret orders, but lam for my
church more than anything else.
The disciples OF Christ have an add
cd responsibility above all other re-
Itg!ous bodies, because OF their plea f"-
the restoration Of the primitive church.
and the union OF all churches.
Many years OF my ministry passed
before the full realization of what MY
responsibility as a minister was. The
case OF young preacher who came L.
town 10 i'm a pulpit and who. when
he vas asked what his business was
said he was just TO supply the pulpil
- typical OF too many Of our preach
ers. Church officials also should re-
member that they have been chosen 70
assist the pastor, and should not rr~
N shirt their responsibility May We
all of us make our Christian lives court
Tor moro. so that when We read the
end OF the way We may say with rauI.
II have fought a good fight. have
finished my course. | have kept the
faith:
Henceforth there j. laid M for mo
crown or righteousness which the Lord
the. righteous Judge, shall give me- al
that day"