The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-19
A PRACTICAL PREACHER.
An Able and Popular Indianapolis Clergyman
Who Was Once Commercial Traveller.

Oscar q McCulloch pastor of Plymouth Con-
gregational Church. is acknowledged to have the
best business head now adjoining an Indianapolis
pulpit. He has mixed with msn aud the affairs
of stirring every day life during nearly his en-
tire fortythree years, at least since he laid
aside his pinafcre, and has little of the eluemilk
of the theological seminary in him. He knows
how to do things, and, when a good thing is TO
be done, wastes no time in discussing the why or
wherefore. but goes straightvay and does it.
Soon after coming here he began to take an in
terest in matters OF charity and benevoience.
There was little or no system in the methods of
giving and the brazen-faced and unworthy
tramps and beggars found Indianapolis rich
field which they worked with an assduity
worthy of some great cause He established
the Friendly Inn. reorganized the moribund
Benevolent Society, and set on foot the Organized
Charities. Working hand-in-hand with the
township trustee, he was soon enabled TO dis
cover the deserving poor and separate them
from the ravening frauds that had long
houfished here His work is all eminently
practical, and no has ever done this city
more tangible good than this sharp-faced. keen
eyed, untiring little CONGREGATIONAL preacher.
In these charities he has managed to interest
and associate together persons of sill sorts of re-
lig;ous belief-Catholic, Protestant Hebrew and
Free-thinker-and they have freely and gladly
contributed both in time and money. He rises
early In the morning, continues all day and re-
tires late at night. He has the Napoleonic fac
uity of being able to snatch few minutes or q
haif-hours sleep at any time. When he Is en-
gagged reading, writing or thinking out a sermon
he is not easily disturbed, his whole mind being
conferred upon the work in hand His five chill
dren have at all times the freedom of his house.
and no matter how noisy their play may become
he is never disturbed. He is ready thinker,
and as preacher somewhat too ready talker,
his words coming freely off that he NAV not
ALWAYS get the credit of being the hard student
he really is. He never writes a sermon, but
breaches from the briefest notes. which are
usually little more than the heads of his subject
He is as ready to follow Ia good cause to
lead. The course of historical lectures for the
school children devised by Miss Charity Dye
and Miss Mary E. Nicholson had his hearty
sistanee and cooperation. These lectures will
be resumed about the middle of next month.
Mr. McCulloch came here about eight years
ago, Rev Myron W. Reed being instrumental in
bringing him. Mr.. Reed had not been here
long when the Plymouth Congregational Church,
happening to be in need of pastor. he spoke to
the mem bers of that church of his friend Mr.
McCulloeh. The negotiations that ensued re-
suited in taking Mr.. McCulloch from his pastor
ate in Wisconsin and adding him to the popuia
ton of indianapolis. Previous to entering the
mIuIoLFt, WI MCOulOcH was a com neFclal LraV-
eler, or drummer and travelled out of Chicago
over the great West in the interest Of whole
sale drug house. The new Plymouth Church.
built through his endeavor was finished two
years ago. 1t is handsome and remunerative
property, worth SAC, 900. Every room in it is al
most constantly In use. The main audience
room is considered the finest music hall and
lecture-reom in the State.
The acquaintance of Rev. Myron w. Reed and
Mr.. McCuoch came about 10 an accidental way
Rec bad hoen GO od fo
address to some association of minister's and
and had taken his theme from one of Matthew
Arnods books He was probably the only man
in tine audience who had read Arnold he was
certainly the only one who had any sympathy
with the great English thinker. At least it ap-
peared SO from the storm of disappearing criti-
cism that followed, in which ne was accused of
heresy and pretty much everything else. When
the fire was at its hottest, and the gridiron was
about to be brought out to roast this modern st.
Anthony, a slight, wiry little man, with keen
far-reaching voice. from one of the rear
seats and spoke earnestly and forcibly in ap
prevail of the address that had been made He
said he had read the book in California, and
from the remarks and criticisms he had heard
in that hall. 1t was very evident to him that
of the listeners had read it, and that he not
only Endorsed everything the speaker had said
but was ready to offer him his most cordial sym
pathy. At this Mr.. Reed came to where his un-
expected advocate stood and the two casped
hands, to continue the warmest and best friends
ever after.
Mr.. McCulloeh is prominent victim of hay
fever-but there is enough of that to form the
subject of an entire chapter.