The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-01
THE INDIANA BAPTISTS.
The Convention Elects Officers and
Transacts Much Business.
Brief Addresses by Prominent Ministers
An Interesting and Varied Discussion
of Foreign Mission" Last Night


VS.. Holman, jr., of Aurora, president.
W. c. johnson, of Vincennes, first vicepresi-
dent
Rev. A. Blackburn, of Lafayette second vice.
Rev. r. E. Neighbor, of indianapolis, record
ing secretary.
D. V. Burns, of indianapolis, treasurer.
Judge Burns declined to accept the position
of treasurer again, and committee, consisting
of Messrs. Burns, Closer and Elgin, was APP
pointed to nominate a treasurer.
The report of the treasurer, which was read,
| showed 232 contributing churches, 129 life
members secured during the year, and total re
cepts about SO, 500.
The report OF the board related TO the condi-
ton of the churches and missions of the church,
going into much detail as to particular condi-
lions, and showed that during the year about
$500 had been raised in cash and subscrip-
lions. The committee on state missions made a
lengthy report, and stated that the resignation
OF missionaries continued to occur. The commit
tee made the following suggestions: az That
more time and opportunity be given to ascertain
the facts and circumstances affecting or relat-
ing to each appointments (2) That the mission
airy churches confer in every case with the adj
visorY committee before calling the pastor it ex
pecs the board TO aid in supporting. (3) That
an impression be made, so far as possible and
through such instrumentallties the board
may see fiji to employ, that to espouse weak
cause or new cause is to commit the denomina-
tlOn before the public. ~ That provision be
made for supplying pastoral vacancies.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened with prayer
by Rev. Allen Hill, of North Vernon. The pres
ldent, Mr.. W. s. Holman, appointed the follow
ing committees: On executive board, Rev. W.
N Wyeth, Indianapolis; Rev. w. e. Pritchard,
Laporte; Rev. A. D. Loving, Lawrenceburg. On
place and preacher for next anniversary, Rev.
B. F. Cravens, Peru; Rev. S. A Norrhrop, Fort
Wayne DR.. W. G. Cole, Newtown; DR.. T. C.
Smith. Aurora. On resolutions. Rev. J. K.
Wheeler Terre Haute; Rev. j. H. Butler, Vim
cennes: Rev. W. W. Tinker, Lawrepceburg; Rev.
j. NJ Whitehead, Goshen; Rev. G. I'll. Mcdowell,
Huntington.
Following this came interesting talks on mis-
slonary work, In which Rev A. o. Nelson,
Flora; Rev. William DeBOlt, Frankfort: Rev. N.
g. Smith, KOkomo; Rev. ID. W. Saunders, Column
bla City; Rev. A d. Loving Lawrenceburg; Rev.
N b. Rariden Muncie: Rev. Allen Hill, North
Vernon: Rev. Philip McDade, Rensselaer,; Rev.
L. A. Clevenger, Crown Point, and Rev. B. F.
Goss, Harrison county, took part.
Rev. VIM. Elgln gave n map exercise showing
the location of Baptist churches over Indiana.
There are 500 churches of this denomination in
this State, with about $4,000 members. or
these churches 40 are without regular pas
tor, aud ITO of them have each less than 100
members. The greatest number of churches Is
in south central Indiana. In the "pocket"
there are few churches. and over the State are
several counties without Baptist church. The
speaker noted the fact that Randolph, Henry
and number of adjoining counties that IN the
early days of Indiana were strong in Baptist
membership, now had few of that sect, and the
land must be reclaimed.
Rev. ]. NJ. Whitehead, OF Goshen (who by the
way is chaplain of the Grand Army of the Re-
public for the department of Indiana), spoke
the dignity Of the country pastorate. He showed
that the country churches supplied the great
| preachers of the large cities These country
churches, he said, should be sustained, because
they largely the life of the city churches.
Rev. E. S. Riley, of Valparaiso. spoke on or
ganizing new churches versus supporting old
ones. He thought, in the light of the apostolic
example, that the church ehould do aggressive
WORK Where there Is no indication of any for
w
cease to have vigorous life, it is better to leave
them aud put the necessary energy into new
fields. He thought the churon ought not to
Ion ger initiate Mcclellan at Manassas, but Grant
and Sherman and move out for Richmond and
for Atlanta. We must not hnger too long
about old mission interests. We are now aiding
churches that aided fifteen years ago. We
are committing a sin in not moving out and &C.
cupyug new and inviting fields
Rev. c. c. Biting, d. d., of Philadelphia, BIZ
BILE secretary of the American Baptist PU blica-
ton Society, then spoke
EVENING SESSION.
The committee to select candidate for treas
urer reported in favor of Walter L. Gallup, of
Indianapolis, and he was elected to the place,
the. secretary casting the vote for the conven-
ton. Rev. Smith Goodin, of Muncie opened
with prayer
Rev. A. Blackburn, of Lafayette, of the com.
mittee on foreign missions, reported that the
past year had been one of progress in mission
W
five persons have been baptized in the mission
fields by missionaries during the mission year
closing April L, 1854 number amounting to
more than ten per cent of the total membership
IN mission churches. Such gain would show A.
600 added by baptism in one year. From April
l, 1882, to April l. 1888, 155 churches in Indi-
ana contributed to foreign missions, gain
of forty one churches over the previ-
ons year. Three hundred and fifty-fve
churches, including one whole association, did
| nothing. The Orleans continues to be the BAN
ner association, every church having contrib
uted. The amount from churches, associations
and personal gifts was $2,714.91, from the Wo-
mans mission circles 81 ,427. from the Kindig
legacy $500; total, $4,641 Clan increase of
1891 Ia over the previous year. Since April l,
| 1888, eghty-nine churches have contributed to
the funds of the union, fiftynine of these not in
the list of last year. The seven months have
tbs last year. More Baptlsts in indiana are
interested in foreign missions than ever before.
| The committee recognized the great benefit OF
1 WOmau's missionary circles and ch1ldren'B bands
| in developing missionary conviction AMI work.
| Rev. j. K. Howard spoke on the best methods
| OF securing contributions. Among the methods
employed he enumerated, Q) the lachrymal
method; ~ the forcing method; 90 incites peo-
| pie to give uuderstandngy- deacons wait
upon The audience TO receive their gifts, or, If
| unprepared to pay, to take their pledges, re-
| cordlng the name of every giver; ~ preach on
missinns. and on Monday morning a COMMITTEES
canvasses the congregation, receiving both gifts
and pledges; (5) the envelope method-placing
| an envelope in the Z and of every member of the
! church and congregation, which method will be
| more successful where there is a good degree of
| intelligence in regard TO missions, and where
1 right ideas of giving have been taught to the
people; (6) the most important thing is, that we
| have scriptural ideas Of giving TO Gods cause.
| With Intelligence as TO need, and with scrip
| tural ideas as to obligation. any further
| question as to method OF securing the
! contribution will trouble neither pastor nor
| church, Panl has given the best method in
| Corinthians xvi, l. "Let every one of you lay
| by him in store the Lord has prospered him,
| on the first day OF the week"
Rev. c. 8. Scott, of Franklin. spoke on "The
reflex benefit of foreign mIssiOns." We have
sent out our ablest workers, both men and
! women, and received members and pastors
that we have greatly prospered. Religion must
| he nsad ia like the mama gathered the