The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-28
a TERRIBLE INoIormESr.

Evangellst Narioy on 70, Louis,
The London Christian prints the fol- ,wiug
letter from Henry Var ely. the evangelist, 81.
Louis, December Is, 1854.
This great city is one OF Satan's sests.
Cor tanning nearly 500 600 souls. / should cay
u Is one OF the most goddess upon the face OF
tie earth. The capital Of a slave State aud
not very far from the free States you can un.
dersiand what q demoralizing influence
slavery had IN the past, and how IFS legaov IL
wickedness still marks its populations. TIE
original population was mainly OF French OK.
traction their influence still holds, and Ger.
tsinly not in the direction OF righteousness
That influence has declined. and the FREEDOM.
inating force now il American. For enter
prise, public spirit and 90, the city Is noted
than fifteen Or sixteen lines OF rail way come
TO this city, aud about 900 men alone are
employed in the huge traffic. We had din-
ner the other evening with Mr.. TAFT, who
is the official head OF the Wabash system OF
railways he told me that they represented
80 600 miles Of railway and q capital Of $685.
O00o00. There is great wealth IN the city,
bat also terrible poverty and commercial
depression.
There is vast German element
n the population, mAinly either in-
Gdel or materialst'c, where any 70.
lam. Next comes al immense negro
element. ignorant, immoral, aud with gro-
tesaue assertion OF inde penos, which simple
truth declares To be idleness in most cases.
There lie q large lrish contingent OF the ordi.
nary kind. You can understand how little
hOmogeneitv exists, AMI what queer ele-
ments are found together
Enormous quantities OF whisky are drank
here, and every form of gambling. lice ntious-
ness and intemperance ~ rife. Ia the city
prison, the other day, pa lsed by twentg-one
muJ derers ia their cells eli OF whom were
MI al ~ Ia ff.ao
less than twenty nins were there. Human
lie has little sacredness here, and crime
abounds. The daily papers literally TEEN
with the fearful details, and sensational
headings line the columns. The principal
papers are published on Sundays, giving
twenty psges, nearly the size of the Times,
seven columns to each page The theaters
are open, ADD every Sunday sees them
crowded with hose who. boast of American
freedom, but who are slaves 10 siR and they
know it not. 10 company with the princi-
pal Criminal Judge, went over the great
city prison, which IS one OF the largest
The States. There ! saw what l would call
The Criminalg Cabinet" consisting OF
photographs of 900 notorious murderers
burglars, highwaymen, robbers, forgers
sneaks and nameless criminals; some dead,
others IN penitentiaries, prisons and jails,
whilst others are at large, 70 the terror OF the
community. lca are some OF the facts
connected with this large Western center,
and they say bat little for the boosted ad-
vaDctment OF the human race.
"The public buildings indicate great spirit;
the massive steel bridges spanning the Missis-
sippi; the Postoffce and Custom house, built
At cost Of 81, 0O0, coo; the Exposition BALD
ing. Just about completed the Mercnant5'
Exchange, the Southern Hotel, one OF the
finest IN the world. huges piles Of business
houses, waTerooms shops and stores, with
NTH miles OF splendid houses, very expsn-
~e- = -. Il.
seems so indicate unrest, and such O lack OF
stability is there that 1 have been informed
that not more than per cent. of the bust
ness men have escaped failure during the
past twenty years.
1.-THE churches are substantial. and some
OF them very costly, but the spiritual life is
dwarfed and poor. The externalism of
| Christianity abOunds bat the condition Of
/ things spiritually is simply appalling. The
| world has come into the church to such q
degree that conversion to God is no longer
the real test in regard 70 membership. Re-
speotsbility IN the eyes OF men
is the password now. TIE
word of God has little or no study; the
/ preaching is snowy and superficial; prayer
meetings are barren OF ferTency and CON-
munion church fairs, shows and concerts
have taken the place OF that Joy in God
which was ever designated to be the at
| traction IN the assemblies OF His saints.
There Is very little testimony against sin
scarcely any rebuke Of iniqu:ty The mass
| Of the people are utterly indifferent to the
claims Of God, and 5the Gospel Of Christ is
despised.
This is 10 exaggerated picture. Cold
ness meets you at every turn, aud the want
Of interest amongst even protesting Chris
tians is oppressive bey0ni measure, Were
| il not for faith IN God and the solemn testi-
nony that such conditions of abouodiug
wickedness would precede the great and
terrible day Of the Lord who shall csne in
flaming FIRE with the angels OF his might,
taking vengeance upon them that know not
God and obey not the gospel Of our Lord
Jesus Christ. q Thess., l., 7-Sl
one would indeed be discouraged
an greatly helped By the falthfulness
and feTveHt prayer of Rev. DR..
Brookes. He is indeed man Of God, and
his twenty. eight years Of service IN this city
have been greatly owned Of our exalted
Lord. We continue instant in prayer, aud
now, after three weeksi incesssnt work there
is little movement, mainly amongst Chris
tiADs. Many tell me how they have been
restored. confirmed, revived snd established
IN their holy faith. Others have been brought
to decision, but the great msioritv are re-
sssting the truth. hardening their hearts and
insulting the Spirit Of Grace.
eve recently had day OF special waiting
upon God. This has proved great blessing,
and We 90 on encouraged; but the devil Is
just now very busy. which interpret as an
omen for good. We shall con tinue the fight
until the end of the year, though Christmas
is an undesirable break IN our work. some