USA > New York > Onondaga County > Jordan > Our church and her interests : being a souvenir of the past history and a survey of the present and future interests of the First Presbyterian Church of Jordan, Onondaga Co., N. Y. . . . > Part 9
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No man can afford to be indifferent as to the paths he is pur- suing. It is a critical question for every life whether professing Christ or not.
" Whither tending, canst thou tell? Up to heaven or down to hell ?"
Especially is this important when we remember that " we must all appear at the judgment seat of Christ to give an ac- count of the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil; " and that as we move down the irretraceable stream of time, the past pursues us to the judgment and will confront us at the dread tribunal as soon as we shall there arrive !
The christian who has " put his hands to the plow" of christian service needs to remember what the Master says : " If any man
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draw back my soul shall have no pleasare in him," and " stand in the ways and see !" Moreover, he should watch for oc- casions, that he may seize them ; for opportunities, that he may embrace them ; for friendly influences, that he may yield to them ; for adverse powers, that he may resist them ; for temptations, that he may not be overcome of them ; for the hour of prayer, that he may pray ; for God's call and spirit, that they may be received and obeyed. So should we survey and consider our ways, be awake and watchful, girded and ready for effectual and honorable service in " The good old way." "So stand fast in " the Faith, my dearly beloved," for " Thus saith the Lord God : " ' Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where " is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for " your souls ! '"'
2. AGAIN, THE TEXT ENJOINS SELECTION AND PURSUIT OF THE GOOD WAY : "ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS WHERE IS THE GOOD WAY AND WALK THEREIN, AND YE SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS ! "
The numerous and varied paths of life from which men make choice, and the possibility of our selecting a course which shall not merely be unwise and injurious to our influence, but posi- tively ruinous to our characters and souls, urges with solemn and weighty emphasis the importance of choosing the wisest and best way of life and labor. " Ask for the old paths where is the " good way and walk therein ! "
In the choice of a course of life the experience of the past is not to be despised. The wise, right and good way is to be sought for among the old paths traversed by the ancient worthies. The different courses of life taken by men in all ages may be classified under two denominations- Ways of the Divine Will and Government, and Ways of Self-will and Self-government.
The one set of paths constitutes "the highway of holiness" leading to happiness and eternal life. The other set of paths constitutes "the way of trangression, which is hard," and "leadeth to destruction !" They are both old ways, traversed by men in all ages. The former is "the good old way," in which the redeemed of the Lord walk "with everlasting joy upon their
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heads," and "find rest for their souls." The latter the way of the wicked, in which the unregenerate travel, with condemnation hanging over them, and unrest in their souls. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked !"
True, there are many old theories, customs, habits of form, and expression, and method, of religious work and service, which it would be neither wise nor pleasant nor profitable to revive.
They have been judiciously and profitably discarded. The text does not call upon us to resurrect and restore antiquated customs and policies which deservedly received burial long ago as past use It does call, however, for a return to the truths and principles and practices which have ever distinguished "the good old way" of the text as the only safe, pleasant, peaceful way of living, on the part of all those who may have entirely or partially forsaken them.
' 'Tis the good old way our fathers trod, 'Tis the way of peace and it leadeth unto God !"
"Ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein !"
Our fathers had a simpler, sublimer, steadier, stronger faith in God than many of us possess. They entertained a profounder reverence and regard for the word of God, the Christian Sabbath, the appointments of the sanctuary, and the services of the church, than many of their children entertain.
It was "their way," and a wise and good one. They had a spirit and a zeal which we, their children, would do well to covet and copy. Without admiring or attempting to imitate their idiosyncracies or imperfections, we would do well to think of our worthy sires, who walked uprightly "the good old way," to pon- der the simplicity of their faith, the fidelity of their service, the consistency of their characters, and to reproduce them in our lives.
With variations and diversities of form, custom and ceremony in the conduct of Christian worship and service, there has never been any change in the essential principles and conditions upon which a life and character accept able to God and blessedly
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influential among men could be constructed. Faith in Christ, fidelity to Christian principles, prayer to God, and "patient con- tinnance in well doing," are the chief features of that "good way," concerning which we are all admonished by the memories of the past, by the example of our fathers, by the "Thus saith the Lord God" "to walk therein."
A simple creed, a clear conscience, a consistent character, a consecrated life, can alone be found and experienced in "the good old way !" Ask for the old paths where is the good way, and walk therein !
3. LASTLY, LOOK AT THE PROMISE AND REWARD ASSOCIATED WITH WALKING "THE GOOD OLD WAY."
The promise has a direct bearing upon the prosperity. of the church and the individual Christian.
" Ye shall find rest for your souls."
This rest for the soul is found, not in idleness or inactivity, but in the diligent and harmonious exercise of the powers in christian service.
In "walking the good old way," we find and enjoy soul-rest. It is the rest of faith. As christians, "the life that we live in the flesh we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us." Doubt is distress; unbelief is mis- ery ; but " we that believe do enter into rest." It is the rest of a fixed purpose and plan of life. Indicision is unrest ; a roving heart is a restless heart ; a vascillating life is a troubled life ; but when we can say, with David, " My heart is fixed," then do we find rest. "Let thine eyes look right on; ponder the path of thy feet, let all thy ways be established ! "
It is the rest of unity ; the unity of all the powers in harmo- nious exercise toward one end. Division is weakness, and weak- ness is wretchedness. Unity is strength, and strength is peace. Especially is this true in the life of the church. If the members pull diverse and different ways, confronting where they should consort with each other, the unity is broken, and with it the rest and prosperity ; but with united hearts and hands, peace and prosperity crown their labors.
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The Arab proverb declares that "three, if they unite against a town, will ruin it." "Separate the atoms," says Dr. Guthrie, " which make the hammer, and each would fall on the stone as "a snow flake ; but welded into one, and wielded by the firm " arm of the quarry-man, it will break the massive rocks asunder. " Divide the water of Niagara into individual drops, and they " would be no more than falling rain ; but in their united body, " they would quench the fires of Vesuvius, and have some to " spare for Ætna into the bargain."
"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of " peace, we find ' rest for our souls.' "
It is the rest of fidelity. A sense of rectitude, a consciousness of integrity in the pursuit and practice of christian principles ; a sense of the Divine approval as the result of fidelity to Christ and His cause. This is the rest and reward of walking in the good way. " Ye shall find rest for your souls."
Early in the christian era, it is said that after passing through trying and troublons times and scenes, " the churches had rest " throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edi- " fied ; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort " of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."
Edification of christians in their most holy faith, fear and love; multiplication of the number of the redeemed, and such are the results of walking in the fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Such is the rest referred to in the text; and such the blessed fruitage of it. This is our need as a church ; rest from change and conflict; rest from selfish and wayward pursuits ; rest from fear and fruitlessness and formality, and rest in fixity of purpose ; steadiness of aim ; unity of effort ; con- sistent continuance in well-doing.
" BE YE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE " WORK OF THE LORD ; FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR " IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD." THEN " WALKING IN THE FEAR " OF THE LORD AND THE COMFORT OF THE HOLY GHOST, WE SHALL " BE MULTIPLIED."
" STAND YE IN THE WAYS AND SEE, AND ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS " WHERE IS THE GOOD WAY, AND WALK THEREIN, AND YE SHALL " FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS."
Our Present Appointments.
January 1, 1877. .
Elder Cyrus Lull.
First Presbyterian Society, Jordan, D. y.
Present Appointments.
Session,
elected on the rotary system, the annual meeting being held during the first week in May. 1
PRESENT MEMBERS AND TERM OF OFFICE.
SILAS E. MANN, 3 years, until May, 1879.
CHARLES BARNES, 3 years, until May, 1879.
CYRUS LULL, 2 years, until May, 1878.
GEORGE BARNES, 2 years, until May, 1878.
CHARLES KELLY, 1 year, until May, 1877.
THOMAS C. WARD, 1 year, until May, 1877.
Clerk-CHARLES KELLY. Treasurer-CYRUS LULL. Moderator-Rev. J. EDWARD CLOSE.
Confession of Faith and Covenant.
Candidates for church membership make the following Con- fession of Faith and Covenant :
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CONFESSION OF FAITH.
The candidate is thus addressed :
" You appear in this public manner, before God, to dedicate " yourself to His service and to unite with His visible people.
" Receiving the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as " the Word of God, and, therefore, your rule of faith and prac- " tice, you confess your faith in the One only living and true " God, therein revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
" You believe that man was originally created in holiness and " happiness, but, through disobedience to the command of God, " 'all have sinned and come short of His glory :'
" That 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begot- " ten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, " but have everlasting life ;' that Jesus Christ, by His incarna- " tion, sufferings and death, made a full atonement for the sins " of all mankind ; so that God can now be just, while He justi- " fies those who believe in Jesus :
" That all who do truly repent of their sins, and believe on " the Lord Jesus Christ, will be pardoned, justified, sanctified " and saved, and those only :
" That obedience to the commands of Christ affords the only " decisive and satisfactory evidence of christian character ; and " that this obedience should be specially manifested by consecra- " tion to Christ and His cause, doing good to all men as we have " opportunity, together with the seeking for and perfecting that " personal holiness without which no man shall see the Lord :
" That God has instituted a visible church among men ; that " Christ is its head, and that all who repent of their sins, believe " on Jesus Christ, and are baptized, should enjoy its privileges, " and do all in their power to sustain it."
" Do you so profess ?""
[Candidate answers, " I do ;" and, if not previously baptized, the ordinance of baptism is administered.]
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COVENANT.
" Having made public profession of your faith in Christ, you " now enter into covenant with this church.
" Yon promise obedience to the government of this church ; " to walk with us in conformity with your profession of faith ; " and to seek the peace, purity, and prosperity of this church." " Do you so promise ?"
[On the reply, " I do," the whole church arises, the officiating minister welcoming the candidate to fellowship in manner fol- lowing :]
" We, then, the officers and members of this church, do cor- " dially and joyfully welcome you to our fellowship, promising " you our affection, our sympathy, and our prayers ; and as you " and we thus joyfully enter into covenant with God and with " one another, we all promise to be subject to one another in " love. We will bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the " law of Christ. We will be of one heart and one accord, till " we go hence unto the general assembly of the first born, whose " names are written in heaven.
" Ministering in the name of Christ, and in behalf of the " officers and members of this church, I give to you the right " hand of fellowship. And at last may the Lord Jesus Christ " take you by the hand, as we now do, and bring you into the " fellowship of the Redeemed in heaven. Amen !"
Communion Seasons.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered on the first Lord's day in January, March, May, July, September and November.
Preparatory lectures on the next previons Saturday afternoon. Children may be presented for Baptism on these occasions.
Stated meetings of Session are held after preparatory lect- ures, for examination of candidates, and such business as needs attention.
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ublic Worship
is held on the morning and evening of the Lord's day, at 10} A. M. and 7 P. M.
Prayer Meetings,
Sabbath evenings, from 6 to 7 o'clock; Thursday evenings, at 7 o'clock.
The Board of Trustees
consists of six members, elected on a rotary plan similar to that of the Session, two being elected at each annual meeting of the Society, which is held during the first week in May. The pres- ent members are :
Term of Office Expires.
ISAAC C. OTIS and JOHN TYLER, -
May 1, 1879.
JAMES McKISSICK and CHAS. KELLY, May 1, 1878.
THACHER STEVENS and W. H. NASH,
May 1, 1877.
Clerk-CHARLES KELLY.
Treasurer-WM. F. JAYNE (to whom applications for seats should be made).
Ladies' Aid Society.
President-Mrs. MARY PURCE. . Vice-President-Mrs; A. B. HOWE.
Treasurer-Mr's. SARAH BUCK.
Secretary-Miss CORDELIA BLAKESLIE.
Annual meeting, first week in March.
Sabbath School.
Superintendent-Mr. C. D. BARNES. Assistant Superintendent-Prof. F. N. WRIGHT. Treasurer-Miss CORDELIA BLAKESLIE. Secretary-Miss KATE N. PECK. Librarian-Mr. W. F. JAYNE. Assistant Librarian-Miss SARA OTIS.
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Session each Sabbath morning at 12 o'clock.
Sabbath school Concerts on the last .Sabbath evening of Jan- uary, March, May, July, September, and November.
Ministerial Support and Incidental Expenses.
Subscriptions and free will offerings for the ministerial support are collected every Sabbath morning ; for the Sexton and inci- dentals, every Sabbath evening.
Benevolences.
Free-will offerings, through the envelope system, are collected as specified, on the second Sabbath of alternate months.
January .- Home Missions and Sustentation.
March .- Foreign Missions. May .- Education and Ministerial Relief.
July .- Publication.
September .- Church Erection. November .- Freedmen.
SELECTIONS.
(READ, MARK, LEARN AND INWARDLY DIGEST.)
I. HOW TO BUILD UP A CHURCH.
Take the opposite course to that suggested in the following satire.
II. HOW TO BREAK DOWN A CHURCH.
"I. DISCOURAGE THE PASTOR. (1) By attending only one Sabbath Service. (2) By neglecting prayer (and other) meetings. (3) Criticise your minister freely. praise him sparingly, censure him plentifully, pray for him little or none. (1) Withhold your co- operation generally.
II. DISCOURAGE YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS. (1) By observing the foregoing direc- tions. (2) Complain about everything they do, or don't do. (3) Place yourself at the head ol a clique, and by their aid keep the church constantly in hot water. (4) Meanwhile, complain of the bad treatment you are receiving. (5) Be as much like Diotrephes. and as little like Paul, as you can. (6) Encourage suspicion ; be scant and spare in the exercise of charity ; if you are poor, be envious of the rich; if you are rich, shun the poor. Be as much like the priest and Levite who " passed by on the other side," and as little like the good Samaritan, in your attitude toward sinners, as possible.
III. DESTROY THE CONFIDENCE OF THE COMMUNITY. (1) Observe the foregoing. (2) Tell people you are in the church by force of circumstances, but have no respect for the way business is conducted. (3) Publish the faults of your brethren. (4) Make no effort to induce people to attend the church. (5) Take no part in any christian work. (6) Publish your want of faith in the church ; and prophecy that it will fail, go down, blow up, never succeed. By observing these directions faithfully, you may have the satisfaction, if the church is not unusually vigorous, of witnessing the fulfillment of your predictions."
III. WHY WE JOIN THE CHURCH.
" Do men go to school because they know so much, or because they know so little? Do men go to a physician because they are sick, or do they wait until they are well and then go? Yet, to hear people speak of uniting with the church, one would suppose that they thought it their duty to stay out till they were perfect and then to join it as ornaments. They who are weak but wish strength ; they who are unable to go alone and need sympathy and society to hold them up ; they who are lame and need crutches; in short, they who know the plague and infirmity of a selfish heart, a worldly nature, a sinful life, and who desire above all things to be lifted above them, have a prepara- tion for the church. If you could walk without limping, why use a crutch at all? If you are already good enough, why go into a church? But if you are so lame that a staff is a help; so intirm that company and ordinances will aid you, then you have a right to the fellowship of the church. To unite with a church is not to profess that you are a saint, that you are good, that you are better than others. It is but a public recognition of your weakness and spiritual necessities. The church is not a gallery for the better exhibition of eminent christians, but a school for the education of im- perfect ones ; a nursery for the care of weak ones ; a hospital for the better healing of those who need assiduous care."
(The above are selected from eminent authors )
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