The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-22

Christian civilization-rather remarkable step
in the line of Christian civilization. The
Sabbath day has been reclaimed largely In
Georgia. Applause The Sabbath day has been
restored in honor, ia observance, under the law
in the State of Georgia. Applause. In the
wake OF these two men the Sabbath day has
grown up Respect for law has been magnihed,
and the institutions where are invited to
dissipation and disaster have gone down. In
their wake there is a moral and religious pros
perity and peace In their wake there is an ao-
sence of these institutions of disaster l can see
now in my imagination, over behind ten thou
sand beer-kegs In Georgia, the ghosts OF depart
ed saloons, pointing with their bony fingers at
Sam Jones, saying "Thou art the man."
daughter. / can see, also. waving over the
hill-tops, plains and plantations of Georgia,
from ten thousand happy homes, the white
handkerchefs of women and children the proud
greetings of honored manhood, and happy
Georgia shouting her greeting to Sam Jones and
Sam Small. saying: Unto you be largely the
glory for this state Of things" [Great ap-
plause
At this moment Mr.. Jones, accompanied by
Dr. jeffrey of the First Baptist Church, came
upon the platform and Colonel Ritter, resuming,
said:
am not authorized to speak for any one man,
but for all men-not for any one class OF men,
but for all classes; not for any one denomina-
ton, but for all; not for any one interest," but
Tor all In these last days when We pray for ex-
and thank God for it, can see how the preacher
might stand in front of the school-house and
thank God for these institutions that are pro-
vided for and protected by the laws of our State
But stand in front of the saloon provided for
by law and protected by law, and ask Gods
blessing upon that institution of the State
Of Indiana l know when the Script
ure tells us when Jonah was or
dered to go to Nineveh he refused to go and
started for the uttermost parts of the earth.
But Jonah had a whale of a time trying to get
away from his duty. Laughter IL seems
the Almighty has sent Sam Jones and along
with him Sam Small to call upon the cities OF
this land to repent, and it is a question whether
we will be wise take the consequences.
am delegated on behalf of the temperance
people OF indianapolis and dare say the State
Of Indiana to thank these men from our hearts
Cor the work they have done for this great re-
formation abroad in the land 1t is marching
through Georgia, this antisaloon war. 1t has
been welcomed to the old Kentucky home 1t is
finding a place on the wide plains OF the
West it aourshes in Mississippi, and has taken
possession of New Englands shores. Applause.
The Christian people, feeling the help of these
men, who have reclaimed Georgia, joining with
others who have reclaimed Maine, Rhode Island.
Iowa and Kansas, and other States and Terri
tories of the Union, that we may be joined to-
gether as firmly as the Liquor League has joined
together for its interest; and when we have done
this it will enable Sam Jones, in five years. TO
shout victory over every State in the Union.
May God bring that happy day. Applause
At the conclusion of Captain Ritter's re-
marks, Mr.. Small stepped to the front and
said think proper, before proceeding with
the. sermon, 10 say to my distinguished
friend, Colonel Ritter, on behalf of my
self and Brother Jones. that We are deeply sensi-
bic of the honor that Is thus paid us and CRATE
ful for the words Of commentator that have
been given to his work and the little share
have had in it. Second only to the interests Of
the Masters kingdom are the interests of hui
manity-to relieve them, to rescue them from
the horrors of the liquor traffic in this country,
and redeem beloved from the lakes to the
gulf and from the Atlantic to the Pacific from
the damnable imposition of hell Applause.
May God help you to take inspiration from our
example, and may all those who are acting with
you In tie North know that the day is coming
when that grand South will be the solid bull
wark against this traffic of hell in our midst.
Mr.. Small took his text from the twenty
eighth of the fifth chapter Of the Acts of the
Apostles
Behold We have filed Jerusalem with your doctrine
and intend to bring this mans blood upon us.
Iconfess to you that when came to Indianapo
lis I felt much as though there was spirit in
this community like that which said to Peter
and the apostles: After that / straightway
command you not to preach this doctrine In this
midst" There was an atmosphere that hest
tated to enter because of the rumor that had
got abroad among the people that there were
two men, at least, In the United States, coming
here from the alleged swamps of Georgia, who
were so blaspnemous IN their character, so reck
less of their integrity and so outrageous against
the cause of God that they could 60 abroad in
the land and dare to stand before the intelli
gence and Christianity of the country and deal
like mountebanks with the things of God. But
with che consciousness Of honesty at heart, the
deep purpose to benefit our felow-men the
ayearning to rescue the perlshlng and save the
fallen, with faith that was unalterable in the
prophecies of God, and in the truth Of our mis-
sion. came to proclaim the doctrine we had
earned by the revelation of the Lord Jesus
christ, take the consequences that might be
visited upon our heads, and leave the results in
The keeping of our God.
1t is your duty not only to accept the atone
ment of Christ, but it is your duty to fee the
wrath to come. If we have preached to you the
wrath of God, who sees in sin the essence of re-
bellion against his authority. and he sees in the
sinner only misguided child of his who has
been lured and led away by his arch enemy. the
devil. we have attempted to show you that it
is the duty of every earth to flee that
wrath that becomes confirmed in everlasting just
ice when man passes into eternity unjustifed
before God. We may be criticized for preach
Ing hell of fire and birthstone
We may be criticized for preaching topless
heaven ana bottomless hell. We may be criti-
cised for preaching the torments we have
pictured to you as the portion of eternity.
Whatever may be the criticism Df men who
doubt and daily on the subject of Salvation, we
have preached to you our honest convictions,
gathered from the word of God. We would
have you know that the gospel of Jesus Christ
is the gospel of love, OF compassion, of piety
atonement. reconciling rebellous sinners to
their heavenly Father--it is gospel that takes
away the penalty of sin, and raises man to his
former estate. 1t is gospel that gives him
hope for time everlasting, hope of glory, that
raises up fallen humanity from the surging seas
of sn and plants him on the rock that is higher
than we are, from which the everlasting arm of
God will lift him at last to glory. If there has
been nothing else apparent there has been
apparent deep sense of personal
knowlad0a NJ the rasulta of oil +ho.o