The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-13
AN EVANGELISTS TRAVELS.
Rev. George 0. Barnes Makes a Trip
Around the World Without Money.
Why the Mountain Evangelist Joined the Epls'
copal Church-His Work in India
Among the British Soldiers

Rev. George o. Barnes, the Mountain Evan
eelist. accompanied by his family, arrived at the
Occidental Hotel last evening. A Journal re-
porter called upon him, understanding that he
was going from here to Brookville this evening,
but would return and take part in the Union
services at Tomlinson Hall. on Sunday evening.
~ have been in quandary," said Mr.. Barnes,
as to whether I would stay over Sunday here.
but think shall. think shall give up go
ing to Brookville."
The reporter asked him if he would preach at
St Paul's Episcopal Church on Sunday morn
ing, having heard that he would.
s'Oh, no, said Mr.. Barnes; "alAhough an Epis-
copalian now | have not taken what is called
holy orders. and cannot. therefore, preach in
the Episcopal Church. / have heard that will
be invited to preach on Sunday evening at Tom
linson Hall 1t has been four years this very
month since left Indianapolis may say that
my tour around the world, just completed. start
ed here. We went from here to Cincinnati,
where preached some time then on to New
York and Brooklyn. We left the country three
and one-half years ago from the East, and now
we come back to it from the West"
"How did you come TO be an Episcopalia1W
.sYou could hardly put my change to the
Church of England in brief newspaper inter-
view. When asked that question usually refer
my questioners to tract have written upon
the subject. So far as proca eating any particu
lar views is concerned, nave no time, nor to
give reason why I was led to the Episcopal
Church. 1t will not affect my preaching at all
or my church relationship. My reasons for
W. | W
not received very cordially, perhaps, on account
of those reasons. 1t was a mere matter of salts
flying my own conscience. If can get sinners
to take Jesus as their Savior, and can get Chris
tians upon higher plane of happiness, that will
take all the time have. / hold that my change
of church, while an important matter in its
place. is greatly overshadowed by the other.
will talk about it to friend ,4but it is not a
thing would preach on.
IA more interesting fact and practical fact is
that l and my family started out without scrip
or purse-my wife, my two daughters, my son
and myself-and have been without scrip or
purse, or promise from any man of penny.
The Lord has taken me ard my family around
the world with plenty to live on, plenty to wear
and comfortable quarters. We have never had
to do shabby thing that know OF, and yet
food has come to US as to the sparrows In a way
that has surprised quite much as it has
any one else. | never expected anything from
any man. | never calculated upon anything
from anybody, without being dsappoin ted, but
l have never asked the Lord for anything but
that have received it.
81 think, perhaps. these are facts my country
men ought to know 1t may set them to think
ing little. / should like those who don't be-
ieve in God to hear me on this subject | should
like to them pack their trunks and try to go
around the world as / have done. / preached
two years in London. with the exception of nine
weeks, when / was in Scotland. Most of the,
time preached in East London, among the poor
and working classes. A blessed work it was,
bringing the gospel to those poor fellows. who
had nothing but their hard hands and hard
lives.
My work in India was chiefly among the
British soldiers. Our gospel methods seemed to
take with them. We were enabled to do great
good with them. The British soldier is a splen-
did fellow, if you get on the right side of him
and he takes fancy to YOU / think the singing
of the girls helped me more than anything else.
My son also assisted me in preaching. He be-
gan preaching four years ago, starting from
this very city to go to the mount
ANS of Tennessee. Four young men left
here together, Charles Palmer, who worked in
one of the foundries here, and who had q fine
voice. young man named Barnum now here in
the Methodist ministry; another young fellow
named Carver, very promising youth, and my
son. These four boys went from Indianapolis
to the mountains of Tennessee, trusting in the
Lord, and great work was done by them. in the
few months they were there"