BAPTIST CHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3607, 19 July 1880, Page 2

BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Bey. T. W. Adamson preached from the following text :—" Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these P He saith to ■him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I lore thee: He saith unto him feed my lambs." St. John xxi., 15. The speaker said we are often enabled to remember advice because it is given in connection with remarkable events. The particulars of the events recurring to our minds, bring with. them the advice, and we are thus enable to meditate on what otherwise would be a forgotten subject. So it was in relation to the text; the events in oonnect\on with it were of a most remarkable character, and as they will ever be ' fresh in the minds of Christians they will remind them of the duty laid down in the text, expressed by the words "Feed my lambs." This command is certainly of the utmost importance, and demands the consideratiou of every Christian; for the easiest, best, and most practical way to evangelise the world, is to concentrate our energies, to,a great extent, on the young: and the success or non-success of the church of God will depend in a great measure on the action it takes in. relation to the rising generation. This you admit when you say that the Church requires men of thought, who are thoroughly versed in its doctrines, who have examined its proofs, who have studied its truths, and who, in short, dare think and speak their convictions. Some persons object to the conversion «f children, but if yob examine the question on Scriptural grounds, you will find many passages which are direct commands to the young, and which in the most forcible manner urge them to serve God in youth; and you will also find passages which indirectly support the same truth, or why did Christ say, " Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not eater the kingdom of heaven?" If adults must have a similarity of feeling with children in this respect, it is only reasonable to say that children can accept the blessings of tbe salvation of Christ, i Arguing the question on moral grounds brings us to the same results, for every intelligent man will admit that a state of conversion is a state of similarity of feeling with God ; and will also admit that a want similarity of feeling with God marks t>>e man who is unconverted. ; From this we may reasonably conclude that a child may—and can—accept the trutb,and growing in years may readily cultivate this distinguishing feature of religion by following the teachings of the Word of God, practistng its precepts, and being guided by its truths. The effect of religious training is most beneficial, both to the subjects of it, and to society at large. To the subjects of it, by making them men of truth and honor, by enabling them to live in such a manner that they gain the respect and esteem of all who know them. To society at large, because the more virtuous the persons are who compose it, the greater is the feeling of security through the entire mass. It is tbe duty of every Christian to interest himself in this subject, because it is (Ist) a command of God's; (2nd) he is morally bound to try to leave the world better by his labors ; and (3rd), because the reward is so great, in the consciousness of having done his duty to the satisfaction of his Master. In conclusion, you must have

the presence of God, or you will be weared and discouraged by your labors. All parents ought to bear in mind that it is their duty to lead their children to Christ; to speak to them earnestly and lovingly on the subject; to strive by all possible means to teach how to live for eternity ; to take the initiative by setting the example, so that parents and children -may meet and join in the songs of the redeemed.