L.P. Gurney Discourse, 1872

In seeking to continue on in the glorious heritage of our church or forefathers, we present the following: An excerpt from the Semi-Centennial discourse delivered on January 1, 1872 by Pastor, Rev. L. P. Gurney.

I have referred to elements of growth in the early history of this church, let me now refer to some elements of growth in the more recent history, the first—the character of their prayer and social meetings. For years on two evenings in the week the bell has called to prayer. These seasons of communion with God, and with each other have been sweet.

They have been the secret springs which have fed the strength of this church. “For only while we pray we live.”

Second—another element of growth is, a regular observance of the Lord’s Supper. He has helped the members to remember the life and death of the living power of the Lord Jesus. The first Saturday in each month, is the day for church conference. These conferences do much to bind the hearts of the church into one bond. No member can afford to lose them.

Another element of growth is the benevolent contributions of this church. If all has not been given that the Lord claimed, something has been done. Paul writes to the Philippian Church (4:16-17) “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” He rejoiced in their benevolent contributions more on their account than on his own. So contributions here have done good twice—once to those who received them, and once to those who made them.

Among the more recent elements of growth here, must be numbered the prompt support of the ministry. Your parsonage, and your care of your pastors, re-act on the union, life and power of the church.

The Sunday School has a good record—Commencing under the labors of Pastor Spaulding, it is now thirty-seven years of age—possessing vigor, strength, and hope.

Many are in the church as active and efficient members who here learned to love and serve Christ. Among the number converted in this school have been men who have since been licensed by this church to preach—viz. John Hunting, Leonard Hunting, Gideon Smith, and Chapman Harding. The second named is dead—the other three are still on Zion’s walls as watchmen.

The picture I have been drawing would be incomplete if I did not refer definitely to the doctrine which has been maintained in this church. A late writer in one of our public prayers has said there are fifty-three different Christian sects in the United States. Yet I apprehend they might all be reduced to two—such as believe in the divinity of Christ and acknowledge and seek, and secure and enjoy the influences of the Holy Spirit on the one hand—and on the other—such as deny, forget or ignore those doctrines. This church has always believed in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the proper divinity of Jesus Christ. Their pastors might say to them, “Our gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance.”

The “Spirit of truth” leads to a knowledge of Bible truth. The spiritual mind and the inspired Bible always responds to each other. The spirit in our hearts and the Bible in our hands are two witnesses whose testimony are always in harmony. When the Bible says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”—the spirit mind responds—I know that this is a sadly true picture of my own natural heart. When the Bible says “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth”, the spiritual mind responds It is even so, for I have found Him thus.

One of the most fearful truths that can enter any human mind is God’s endless retribution of sin—yet this church has never staggered under this great truth. From the beginning they have believed it and proclaimed it. Christ, in His divine and human natures united, is the Rock of the church, and the rock of all branches and ages of the church of God on earth. “Lo, I am with thee always, even unto the end of the world”, was the light and life and joy of the meeting which gave birth to this body fifty years ago to-day. It was the light and life and joy of the old house that set upon yonder site until its mission was fulfilled. It has made this house a Bethel and is the ground of our hope, of happy greetings and Christian sympathies, and fraternal union and […] the rock upon which our fathers remained firm. “Christ, and Him crucified” was their theme in the pulpit; hence their success. The love of Christ was the motive power that constrained them to a life of labor and toil and sacrifice for others. Christ was their all! Christ and Him only, was the choice of their judgment—the choice of their conscience—the choice of their hearts. This gave them the strength and energy that overcame seeming impossibilities. The had strong conviction—they drank deeply of the gall and the worm-wood; they fled to Jesus for refuge and trusted in Him alone, ad from that hour “Christ and Him crucified” became the keynote of their lives.

Fifty years hence—when the centennial anniversary of this church shall be celebrated—where shall we be? Where are the constituent members that fifty years ago to-day consecrated themselves anow, to the service of God, and gave themselves to one another? Gone, all gone! So doubtless will it be with us when another like period has passed away. “The fathers—where are they?” “One generation passeth away and another generation cometh”. For so hath God ordained. It is the great law of nature and all who have life are subject to this condition. For a little space, our activities are employed here, and we pass on, as others have been employed and passed on before us. So it has been, so it must be! To-day here, tomorrow gone, and our places filled by others!

This lesson though saddening is not at all sad. ‘Tis true we must soon go from the scenes of the earth, but when death takes us from those here, with whom we have labored and loved it will also take us to many with whom we have been associated and whom we still love. No, it is not all sadness when we think of death. Besides it is sweet to know that when life’s journey is ended and life’s work done, there will be a scene of rest.

Let us be hopeful then, and cheerful. A little farther on, my brethren, and we buffet the storm no longer. “The traveler out-worn with life’s pilgrimage dreary, lays down his rude staff like one that is weary—and sweetly reposes forever.”

“What is life? ‘Tis a delicate shell
Thrown up by eternity’s flow,
On Time’s bank of quick-sands to dwell;
And a moment its loveliness show.
Gone back to its element grand,
Is the billow that washed it ashore.
See! Another is washing the strand
And the beautiful shell is no more!

Yes—such is life—such was it to our fathers—such is it to us—and such will it be to our descendants—so fondly cherished while it lasts—so soon gone. This lesson comes to us from the past, and comes accompanied with this admonition—Be vigilant, be active, be true—that thou doest, do quickly—do it well, for its influence