The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-04
AN ESTIMATE OF SAM JONES'
The indianapolis Correspondent of the Chica.
60 Interior Gives His Impressions.

The following estimate of Sam Jones is given
In the last number of the Interior, of Chicago, by
one of its Indianapolis correspondents:
The good people of Indianapolis have had a
taste of Sam Jones, and they seem to like him.
He has been here ten days, and he has preached
on an average, twice day. Crowds focked to
hear him, several churches gave up their Sun
day evening services, and thus helped to swell
khe multitude. His audiences were made up
shelly of church members, and three fourths Of
these were Methodists.
It is too soon to speak very definitely about
the practical results of his visit The anxious
beats have not been crowded except on one occa-
sion, when, it is said, more than 200 asked for
prayer. But perhaps this is not greatly to be
regretted There are tender souls who shrink
from publicity, and especially from such pub
1icity as is incident to great hall where there
are no Enquiry" rooms.
This much, however, may be set down to the
credit of Messrs Jones and Small, namely: 1t is
Basier to speak to people now on the subject of
religion than it was two weeks ago. The cues
lion, Have you heard Sam Jonesl opens the way
readily to religious conversation, and in this way
Ii no other, good has been done.
Sam Jones is genius; still more he is in
Eenious He knows how to handle a crowd
He has something to say, and be says it in way
that secures attention. He is stump speaker
Of the very first orGer-a religious stump speak
Or, of course. He has all the excelencies and
none of the defects of IngersolL He is intelli-
gent, witty, warm hearted, pathetic and elo-
quent Ingersoll is all this; but while Ingersol
Is blatant infidel, Jones is a devout Chris
tian Socially, he is most companionable; re-
hgioasly. he is Methodist; theologic-
ally. he is nothing-or, rather he is
nondescript He says he is no theologian. and
but few will differ with him on that point. But
he is trying to do good; he is urging men to
''Qut their meanness." That is his theology,
and it is, so far, sound. But he has creed new
ertheless and article in it he believes with all
- 49, IL = O.
believes in him; he trots him out on all occasions
Sam Jones. his wife and their six children. must
be very remarkable family, indeed At all
syents they are pretty thoroughly advertised
family Sam Jones is an egotist. but he is by no
means an offensive egotist; on the contrary his
Rgotism is quite attractive. While betifnes he
talks far more about Sam Jones than he does
about Jesns Christ. he does it apparently so un-
consciously, and with such evident sincerity,
shat his hearers are not only interested but
pleased. He uses Sam Jones to magnify Jesus
christ; he never uses Jesus Christ to magnify
Sam Jones.
1t is easy enough to criticise Sam Jones: any,
body can do that But Sam Jones is Sam Jones
and nobody else and it is likely he will remain
Sam Jones to the end Of the chapter He can
not be duplicated, nor should he be- One Sam
Jones on this continent is quite enough His
eolaborer, Sam Small, never appears so weak
is Then he tries to initiate hsA. There Is A
place for Sam Jones' but let all other evan reists
beware OF initiating his manner and methods
He has patent on them. and they ought to re-
main forever his exclusive property. But while the
Sam Jones style Of preaching is open to serious
criticism, there is much in it that deserves the
unqualified snrs-..vui Of every Christian. He
Saws -,ne very beautiful things and some very
trne things, and on the whole, there is far more
shout his preaching to be approved than con-
aemned.
Perhaps what the Rev. Donald Frazer, d. d.,
pf London says of the Salvation Army in the
last Presbyterian Review, IS equally applicable
10 the work undertaken by Sam Jones and Sam