The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20
a Relieious Newspaper,s view.


A Religious Newspapers View.
In the Chicago Interior, for this week. is a let
evangelists We copy the first part of the letter
for the reason that it presents the points, and
the only points, of criticism that have ever been
made against the work of Messrs. Small and
Jones. The letter was written before the arrival
of Mr.. Jones:
IA series Of meetings under the two noted
evangellsts, Jones and Small, We're begun 10 In-
dianapolis on June g. The meetings are held in
Tomlinson Hall, an elegant new building, capa-
BILE OF holding 1000 people. The house was
crowded on Sunday afternoon, and again in the
evening. Large audiences have been present
every afternoon and evening since, and this not
withstanding the fact that Mr.. Jones has not yea
made his appearance. He is taking few days
of much-needed rest after his abundant labors in
Baltimore But his forerunner, Mr. Small, has
not spared himself since his arrival, nor, indeed.
has he spared either the Christians or the sim
ners of Indianapolis.
Though picked up by Christian minister and
by the Christian church on. of the cutters of im.
morality and unbelief only a few months ago,
yet Mr.. Small seems to regard it as chief para
of his mission to be the censor of Christian min
listers and of the Christian church generally. To
hear him talk one might suppose that he believes
the churches are composed chiefly of hypocrites.
theater- goers, dancers, tipplers, card-playeres
gamblers. and such like. In his eyes, apparent
ly, most Christians are earthly, sensual and dew
ilish. Such wholesale abuse from a recent con-
vert. even though he be never so honest and sin-
cere is to be regretted 1t does no good. bus
only harm.
Still, there is much in Mr.. Smalls preaching
to be commended. The hypocrite. whether he
be in the church or out of it, is unmasked. The
mirror of truth is held up before sinners so that
they are compelled to take good look at them
o~,A IN o& 30 Coz hos
Christ in his deity, in his humanity, as an exam
pie, and as able and willing to save the chief OF
sinners. He is forcible speaker, and at times
he wakes quite eloquent He has fairly large
why he should resort to the use of slang On
Sunday afternoon he made weak attempts
to prove that our Savior, Jesus Christ,
was accustomed to use slang" phrases
during his ministry. Christ called men
.'hypocrites." He characterized a class
of men as "a generation of vipers." He told
His disciples not to cast their pearls before
Swine" This language of our Lord Mr.. Small
calls slang" and on this ground he justifes Mr..
Jones and himself in the use of the slang" to
thoughtful person was deceived by this scriptur-
al ~ argument for the use of slang either in or
out of the pulpit. The wonder is that so intelli-
gent a man as Sam Small should employ such q
What is slang9~ The dictionary says It
is vile, low or ribald language; the
cant Of sharpers or of the vulgar
gibberish." And yet, with this definition before
him, Mr. Small does not hesitate to say that
Jesus Christ used ''slang," nor is he ashamed to
say that when he and his brother Jones use
''slang" they are only following the example Of
Jesusi Out upon such wicked nonsensel It ID
silly as it Is sinful. If Messrs Jones and SMALL
deem it their duty to interlard their sermons
with the language of the slums, 1t s their privi-
lege to do so; but they must not be allowed,
without protest. to quote the example of jesus
Christ in support Of such base conduct. To af.
firm that Christ was in the habit of using
''slang" seems but little short Of blasphemy.
But Notwithstanding these and other vulnera-
BILE points In the preaching and ministry of these
evangelists, we are hoping and praying that
their visit to this city may be abundantly blessed
Of God. 1t is quite certain that thousands will
go to hear them who cannot be reached, or, at
least, who have not been reached, by any of our
churches and hence it will be great point
gained If these thousands can be induced to
think seriously of eternal things If these
crowds can be led to forsake sin and cleave TO-
Christ, and if, along with this, Christian people
generally can be aroused to a higher sense OH
their duty to God and to their fellows. then wei
the more serious defects of these bold evangel-i
lists. and, while thanking God for their visit /
give to Him the glory.
The letter also gives the Jones-Jeffery trouble.
and in quoting the reply of Mr.. Jones, says. SIS
will be seen from the above that Sam Jones'
knows how to write letter, and tina. be can
give blow as we'll as take one. Brothers Dobbsi
and Jeffery will, doubtless, be more careful In
their handling of edge tools in future"