Year: 1874

handful OF Christians In Philippi "0nly let your
conversation be as it becometh the Gospel OF
Chrst.n Just as II he had said brethren, 1t Is q
good thing to have fine church If 1t is paid for
and an eloquent pastor II he be holy, but all your
architecture, and painting, and preaching. and


rich membership will be absolutely worthless un-


less the members OF the church live 1t becometh


the Gospel OF Christ. The tendency Of the Church


Is to roll the whole work on the pastors. This is


the way people become priestridden 1t is not the


fault of the priests so much as OF the people. Men
are anxious 10 have some ono do all the praying
and holy living for them. They are willing to pay


for it literally. They want a through ticket to
place in sleeping car. Brethren, put these IDEAS
fron you. II you want to build up this
SaS Seong there A i but one wayIoniy t let your
conversation be as becometh the Gospel


That means two thlnes-First, that this is
all that is required for success and then that is alb


selutely essential. The only way in which We can
demonstrate the truth OF the Gospel is by mani
testing its Transforming effects In our lives, and
this is the only way in which we can secure Its
advantages. What does Paul mean by sConyersa-
tion?" This English word had Q larger meaning
what man spoke In his intercourse with his
fellows, but all that intercourse however 1t was
carried on. Ii really means mans character,
what he is; and mans actions, what he says
and does to his fellows. Then the question comes
essential both to the spirit OF our character and
the model OF our lives. The Doctor said he shNuld
puSS ONeT tHlurs lie Hdu UOleu TO say. as INlS
was the day OF Holy Communion. Conhne him
self to three or the doctrines OF the Gospel. A
doctrine he defined to be that teachings which VIC
ceivcd on the authority OF Christ. The outcry
against preaching doctrines. is absurd. In
many things are received by us on authority,
and help to shape our lives before we can ccmpre-
nend their demonstration. 1t should DO so in
religion. The first doctrine, which should have
powerful influence over us, Is the doctrine OF uni
aside tO-l1 hold attpntiOO
to the fact tnat the Gospel teaches that ali men
deprayed; All apostles, martyrs. preachers.
ing and charming. God teaches that. However
bitter the fact the announcement should be wei.
tion The effect OF this doctrine should be to break
down our PRIDE 1t ought TO set US to work to find
the way OF salvation. 1t ought TO lead as to spend
our strength and means IN promoting the moral
culture OF others. schools are good, but the world
must be taught that intellectual culture does not
secure spiritual elevation, which Is shown by the
fact that among the most cultivated people we may
find the mos; abandoned, the most fearful crimes
being committed by those whose culture Is great
est. Christians must live high, manly, pure, spir-
ltual lives In the next place there is the doc
trlne OF the atonement We WIN not discuss that
Jesus Christ ded, the just for the unjust to bring
men unto God, and In doing this tasted death Tor
the Son OF God as draining the very dregs from the
goblet OF human destiny and returning II to men
glory Of every man and woman-of that crowned
emperor ana That sable slaye-is that Jesus died
for him. In view OF this, how ought to liver Like
a man who has this crown on his head. How
ought to treat my fellow men9 AS people for
whom the blessed Christ has died. There is
worthless man. There must be no abandoned
woman. The whole life OF Christendom must be as
becometh the Gospel, which teaches that every
man Is part and parcel OF the great atonement.
Lastly the doctrine OF the indestructibty Of the
human soul was stated. 1t cannot be destroyed
Works OF art and strength will perish. but the soul
is the asbestos wnich dees the fires OF eternity.
We shall never perish. the Greeks called words
s'wlnged things" They fly and drop into the IN.
destrnc tble soil OF the soul and reproduce them
selves indefinitely and forever. How inspiring,
yet awful Is this doctrine. We shall live forever.
we have Immortality to rpen our work. Our fel-
low men are 10 live forever. Working in them and
for them we are working in and for eternity.
whole church. on the heart OF each OF whose men,
bers these doctrines OF the Gospei exert conforp
ing power, must grow happier and stronger.
"Ony let your conversation be as 1t De-
cometh the Gospel"