BAPTIST AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 6343, 17 June 1889, Page 2

BAPTIST AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The Anniversary services in connection with the übuvo church were conducted .wsti-ri ay in tho Mary street Church, when (ho ttev. J, S. 6'linore, of Ponsonoy preached tu large congregations. Iu tho forenoon tho text was taken' from 2 Peter Chap. I ver. 10,11. There is a great deal of tpeculative preaching to-day. Preaching about tho past and the future,.about old eternity and tho millenium, about what <*od did before man was created, and what He is going to do after man is dead and buried. IVe want something more practical than this something that will tell us boi7 and help us, to live to day. This is Peter's plan in the chapter, he says in effect. Do you want to know whether you are amongst tha elect ? Then eee that your life corresponds with the life of the Godly; see that your practice accords with the teaching ot God's word. Aro you fearful of falling ? Then tho best possible way to' keep from falling is to "act in the living present. If you are taking care of your calling and election yon are doing the best possible thing to keep you from falling': ' s°' if ye do these things ye shall never tall. ( By the word callin? we understand that inward effectual call through which by the. power of the Holy Spirit we, are called _ out of darkness into light, out of death-into life; - This calling is only effectual when obeyed. Away back of the call lies the purpose of God. We might wonder why "calling" is here put before election,' calling "s first to us, we know His calling before His election. We only know his election when we obey the call, GodV purpose .'is.the immovable rock of the believer's Hulvatiou. Peter means here give diligence ,to make your salvation, which is sure on, God's side sure to you make asauranco doubly sure, Let there be' no doubt in your miiid about it:, As far as your salvation depends upon you see that you do your part. lam sure of God, but lam not so sure ot you. The question is, how may. we -lmve this assurance? Peter anticipates and answers this question by linking tho tenth verse to the fifth sending us back to the well-known contest! where lie lays down what may be called " the Divine plan of life',''and shows that each grace becomes a stepping stone for each succeeding grace, The end of Divine promise is the fruit of a holy life. Following this plan you will grow up to * be true disciples, disciples worthy of Christ, worthy the name of Christians. It is only as we come to the knowledge of Christ that we can attain to a Christ like life. Christian activity is wholly dependent upsn vital unjon with, and knowledge of Jesus Chrißt, but following. this plan you will become in the bold words of Peter " partakers of the Divine nature," You will like the eternal love, love those around you, and seek by Godly living to win them to Him'and His Church,, .Every, effort made for Christ will' be an' oncour* agement to greater exertion, Persevering in holiness, using all diligence to attain the highest point in Christ-likeness," yo shall never fall" because God will preserve you, While actively living the, Christian life God looks after us. He is able to keep us from falling,

I ,! Thy foot He'll not lot slido, nor will He slumber that thee keeps,' , Behold he that keeps Israel,, ' He slumbers not, nor sleeps,'' In the evening M-' .Gilmore preached from Acts 13. 38.39.