The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-27
GOSPEL TEMPERANCE.

TO tho Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
To the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
of America is largely due the impetus that has
been given during the last ten years to this
special line of Christian work. 1t is made a
prominent feature of the work of every local
society. 1t underlies every other department of
work. It has for its national superintendent
woman whose wealth. intellectual culture and
social position give her commanding influence,
both in this country and in England, where her
'Bible readings" We're given before immense
audiences, including the higher classes the
Queen herself arranging for some of them, so
she could attend Where such work is carried
0n effectively the sult has always been to
arouse an interest in churches and greatly add
TO their membership The aim in gospel tenn
peranee work is to reach those who are out
side of any religious influence, who are de-
graded in any way, especially through
the drink habit, as the only permanent refoma-
zion of q man in such condition seems to de-
pend upon the thorough conversion Of his soul
The plan used is to carry a series of meetings
in which the simple gospel truths shall be pre-
scented in an earnest and clear manner, without
any special presentation of doctrinal points or
the urging Of the claims Of any special opinions
seeking only 10 win the soul to Christ leav-
ing the convert to choose any church
preferred afterward. The Woman's Christian
Temperance Union and the Young Mems Chris
tian Association are the two organizations
specially adapted to carry on this kind Of work,
rs neither of them recognize any sectarian lines
in their work OR membership Mr. Moody, in
a.
speciality of gospel temperance work, and has
often done most effective work of this kind with
the cooperation Of Miss Willard, whose
present private secretary was his special
0rganist in his large meetings in the East
Tine recent effort Of the w. G. T. y. of Indian
spolis was to naugurate special movement of
this kind in Indiana. For some time the drunk
enness and degradation of the miners in the coal
regions has been a subject Of comment and of
confusion as WELL not only to the coal compa-
mics, but to the roads shipping coal Appeals
have been coming in to the president of the State
W. G. 7. u, not only from citizens Of
towns town where, where the ae6,l miners live, but
some of these towns are in a fearful state With
hundreds of drunken miners rioring through the
streets it is unsafe for women to be abroad, and
the officials OF the mining company dare not
appear in sight The families of these miners
often suffer for the necessares Of life, and have
to be provided for largely by the charity of
citizens and the coal companies. The railroads
are embarrassed by having their coal traffic in
ferrupted by the loss Of time and decentralization
of the miners resulting from their debauch.
These were the arguments used in the appeals
to the ". G. L. L. for special temperance work
among the mining population of the State.
While in Philadelphia, the writer was the guest
OF Dr. Alexander, one of the largest stockhod-
ers in the coal companies at Brazil who is pres
ident of the American Reform Association-a
man of great wealth, elegant culture, and q
stanch Presbyterian of the old school. Upon
mined that gospel temperance work should
be started at Brazil, and the aid and CO.
operation Of the coal companies were offered in
the effort to reform the miners. Major George
"A. Hilton, who has just closed series of meet
ings in this city, was invited to undertake this
work Major Hilton is a Presbyterian minister,
working an evangelist under the authority
and with the Endorsement of the officials of
that church, but in his gospel temper
Ance, work prefers cooperating with
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Major Hilton for months had carried work
6n Pennsylvania with wonderful results, not
sOnly in the conversion OF men, but in the
Strengthening of churches. as we'll as increasing
Che influence of the W. G. T. o., which. in Penn
Eyivania holds aloof from any political affilia-
5ions. Without any of the sensational effects
sought after by many evangelists, Major Hilton
afouses an interest in gospel truths that is in
tense aud permanent. His Bible readings given
an the afternoons in Christ Episcopal Church.
were most delightful seasons of spiritual re-
freshing The treasures of the Bible were dis
played in new aspect. The practical lessons
drawn from them were presented with great
originality of thought and apt and forcible illus
trations. To those who were present at these
readings" they were in many respects revela
tions. in SO far new connections between
1Sfble truths were shown and new significance
given to prophecies and scriptural teachings.
a lady of large literary culture-a teacher of Ian
gusges, especially of Greek, for years in one of
our universities, and a great student of the
Bfble-after attending these meetings declared
Major Hilton man of extraordinary power in
this respect; and more than one who had been
Christians for many years declared that never
had they heard the simple truths Of the gospel
set forth so clearly and fully. The gospel
temperance lectures given in the evenings
were also founded upon Bible lessons and the
sin of incompetence was dealt with entirely
from a scriptural stand-poi AS lecturer
Major Hilton lis uneXceied. ELOQUENT forclbie
with delicate humor that is irresistible, and
peculiarly gifted with that much-to be desired
stpersonal magnetism" necessary to the success
Of D. public speaker he never for moment
doses strong hold upon his audience
lie is much TO be regretted that many things con-
spired to prevent more people from proitng by
this opportunity for special study of the Script
ures There having been special interest in
religious matters in the city for some time, it
was hoped that the coming of this evangelist
parance revival upon a gospel founda-
ton had. generally been attended by
q spiritual revival in the churches. special
effort. was made in this direction by visits to
ministers. either individually, or in their minis
terial meetings, asking their aid and co-opera-
ton; but with the exception of one or more
clersymen of the Episcopal Church, no
city minister was present at any
of the meetings. and the people of
the churches generally did not
attend. The situation developed position of
affairs in this country in church matters that
seems very significant. We hear and read much
of the unity of churches" and in this city we
see a Presbyterian evangelist, who. when at
homo in Washington City. occupies pulpit in a
Presbyterian church. ignored by his own ceri-
cal brethren of the city, in so far as cooperation
In meetings or clerical courtesy