The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-22
A LlBERAL-MINDED CHURcHMAN.
Personal Sketch of Rev. ]. s. Jenckes-His
Youthful Ambition To Be Iirate.

Fifty years ago lusty, lingering cry was
heard at Terre Haute 1t was Joseph s. Jenckes's
announcement that he had arrived upon this
mundane sphere, coupled, perhaps, if the inter
probation of the vigorous kicking accompanying
the cry had been put into words, with the Oh
lection chat he was not altogether pleased with
his environment The parents were assured
even by the sagest and most venerable experts
that Joseph was wonderfully fine child. in fact.
the most promising child that had been born in
the settlement within the memory of the oldest
inhabitant
AS he grew he began to manifest q decided
talent for mischief and the greater part Of that
article going about in the neighborhood was,
with surprising unanimity. attributed to
Joe Jenckes, and upon investigation
it would generally be found TO contain tho gen.
uine j. j. brand. Young Joe was hungry after
tales of daring and adventure, and when the
Vigo county pioneers would talk of desperate
encounters with red Injuns, or of flatboat perils
on the raging Wabash, he would hang around
them. drinking in every word. It was about
this period, at the mature age Of eleven years.
that he resolved upon being pirate, his inten-
ton being to restore the decaying character of
the profession along that noble river by deeds
that would, in horrifying bloodthirstiness, sur
pass anything ever before attempted on any
stage. In some way, at this point, the current
Of his life was turned aside, and the world was
perhaps deprived of bandit who
would. by his intrepidity, have thrown
great honor upon that profession. 1t is not
known what Mr. Jenckes's regrets are at this
day. They are doubtless deep and poignant. and
not fhav ;ptiv "a fpso
care to inquire into them, as they sacred.
Notwithstanding this early and bitter bereave-
ment, Mr.. Jenckes has tried to do his duty in
the field in which cruel fate placed him. After
common school education in Vigo county, he
was sent to the State University at Bloomington,
where he graduated. He began the study or
law at Terre Haute in the Office of Col Richard
w. Thompson, and was for time in partnership
with him in the practice He next removed
to Louisville. KY. where for eight or
ten years he continued the practice
of law with success His thoughts being
turned to religious matters he resolved to study
for the ministry, and entering Kenyon College.
at Gambler O., graduated at that institution of
ecclesiastical learning He was ordained by
Bishop Lee, and his first work was in Louisville,
where he started a mission among the poor peo-
pie. From there he went to Newton Mass,
where he remained several years, being highly
successful in the parish, and building a large
and handsome stone church. Here it was that
he married. He afterwards removed to Iowa.
He had charge of church at Des Moines, and
was in charge of the cathedral at Davenport.
From there he went to Cincinnati, where he was
rector of st. Johns Church. and from Cincinnati
he came to this city two years ago last December.
When he first came here there was no rector
at st. Pauls Church. and he preached because
there was no other preacher there. After he had
preached few Sundays the people there who
are somewhat fnnicky about their shepherds,
began to like him. and they decided to call him
to the rectorship. They not only liked him in
the pulpit, but socially. They found manly
gush about him that was quite refreshing from
the usual dry clerical fossil DR. Jenckes, in his
enthusiasm and in the goodness of his heart,
sometimes slops over, but it is always in good
cause
He found the church greatly in debt, and. be-
ing man of frst-class business sense usually
rare thing in preacher, he began actively and
intelligently the labor Of wipine it out Wher-
ever saving in the expenses of the parish could
be made. he made it. the vestry in every way
assisting him, and the congregation following in
perfect confidence The church debt of $4,000
has been funded. and within five years will pay
itself without any trouble.
Dr. Jenckes Is an extremely liberal church
man. He doesn't think that everybody except
those of his particular creed going hot-foot
to the devil. he often, upon communion days
in his own church. extends the invitation to
members Of other denominations who may be
present to remain and partake of the holy
communion with the st. Paul congregation.
His idea is to counterfeit the effect upon the
public mind of the expressed opinions and prac
tees of the extreme High Churchmen He is
Low Churchman, and desires to show that the
church is broad in its character and embraces
all shades of orthodox belief. While thus
liberal in his views, he is firm believer
in the special doctrines of the Episcopal Church.
Thus he holds that there times and occasions
when Protestant churches can act together in all
sorts of work. religious and charitable. for the
benefit of mankind. His attendance upon the
Jones and Small meetings and the part he took
in them was mo shock to those who knew his
liberal views, though somewhat of surprise to
the public
DR.. Jenckes is man who readily makes
friends, and who attaches to himself strong per-
sonal friends. He is an enthusiast, and what
ever he undertakes, he does with a vim. Every
where he has been he has succeeded in drawing
round him astrong working force So far as ST.
Pauls Church is concerned he has secured the
love and affection Of his people,
and their hearty support to
greater extent than any rector they have ever
had There is nothing morose about him, but
he is always genial and sunny. and an admira-
BILE story teller, as almost everybody knows.
DR.. Jenckes always got nervous at the union
services at the Tomlinson Hall meetings when
the collection was taken up He feared it would
not pan out enough. He is such liberal giver
himself that on such occasions he has to be held
to prevent him from making up the deficiency.
He is like Daniel Webster with the national
debt; would rather pay it himself than have it
go unsettled.
a. S.1o