The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-11
Although More Interest Is Manifested, the
Evangelist's Exhortations Have Thus Far
Resulted in Few Conversions.
He Protests Against the Niggardly Con-
tributions to the Expense Fund.
And Thinks, Also, that the Christians Are Do
ing Too Much Standing Around, and Not
Enough WOrk-Yes S Meetings.
THE DAY MEETINGS.


Mr. Small Protests Against Christians Stand
ing Around and Doing Nothing.
Mr.. Smalrs revival meeting at Meridian-street
Church, yesterday morning, at IL o'clock, was
quite we'll attended. the audience being larger
than at the previous meetings. More interest
was manifested than at any time since the be-
ginning of the services. Following brief
prayer by Mr. Small, appealing for true Chris
tian courage, Mr.. Excl sung Scatter Seeds of
Kindness the choir joining in the chorus
There were numerous brief prayers, to which
there were earnest responses from all parts of
the house. These invocations asked for vista
ton of power for revival work; for searching
inquiry into every heart; for wave of saliva
ton upon Indianapolis, and for special out
pouring of the Lords spirit The text of Mr.
Smals sermon was:
"And who then is willing to consecrate his service
this day to the Lord. - Chronicles, xxx, 5.
Mr.. Small said:
Sometimes at the outset of a revival have
temptation to quote what boy said the
preachers text The father of this boy
dry-day Christian, who went to church on nice,
warm days, and compromised with the Lord on
wet days by sending his son to church TO learn
what text the preacher read. On this particular
day the boy said the text was, what are you
standing around here doing nothing for2 Why
don't you 60 out into my barnyard and work,
and I'll pay you for itf' Now | feel like
asking Christians to-day why they are standing
around here doing nothinel When David asked
the question in the text of the people there were
many volunteers, and you know what splendid
temple the volunteers built To-day the ques-
ton more nearly is, "How are we to build up
the kingdom of Christ in this world, how are we
to get men into the service of God?' We have
hoped and trusted that this revival would be
season of upbuilding 10 this community, and the
question is, who is willing to consecrate himself
to the Lords There is perhaps nothing that is
mystical in this matter of conservation. A great
many people have the idea that in consecrating
there ought to be some great service. music,
shouting and going around. i have concluded
that conservation is the very first necessary logi
cal and proper act after conversion. Conversion
is the renewing of mans mind; the turning
around in his course, and the utter reversion
from things evil to things Godlike. 1t is turn
ing back from the road to hell. Conservation is
the manifestation of our love for Christ. We
put all of confidence in him, our high
priest with the father. He is c0psecrated high
priest The first duty that conversion imposes
upon a convert is to consecrate himself to the
service of God I am told to love God with all
my heart, all NV soul. all my mind and all my
strength. This gives US the best definition of
conservation. All my members should be conse-
Grated to God want my eyes to be consecrated
to God. / won't take my eyes into places whore
they may look upon ungodly things. have no
temptation this morning to go to Barnum's cir
Gus. I have no desire to go to the opera with all
of its fine scenery; l have no desire to look at
lewd and lascivious pictures. want my ears
consecrated, so that I won't take them where
they will hear things that are ribald and smutty
Whenever you pair of eyes or pair of ears
going to place where these things ara to be
seen or heard, you may set it down that they are
attached to something somebody not conse-
Grated to God. Applause and amens want
my ears attuned that can turn back and
hear the words of Christ, spoken when be was
here on earth.
I want my hands consecrated, that may keep
them from evil deeds and off OF evil works. 1
want to be able to present clean hands TO God. l
want my feet consecrated that they will take me
to only such places where my Lord would go. |
can't consecrate my feet and carry them into
bar room every cay. | can't have consecrated
feet and go galloping up and down bali room
want my life so consecrated that shall not be
afraid to speak out for Christ wherever l am.
Did you ever think how funny il is that a man
before conversion may swear that you
hear him two squares away and when he is con-
verified he buries his nose in the cushions of the
seats and you never hear a word of prayer
from him. Can't talk then. Sometimes
You see bully before conversion, and
you say anything about his friends
or his candidate, and you must take licking or
give him one. But let him come into church
aud he'll hear men abuse the church and bias
~
as little ninny- afraid to let people know he's
acquainted with Christ. like something posi-
tive. The devil can't say that didn't serve him
faithfully when was in his service. l wanted
the whole hog none, and got the whole hog
| want to see man that's a whole Christian. |
want religion in my heart, and right in the mid
die of the heart, and want it in the heart go
that it will go all through the blood and into
every part of the body. If you ever see any of
these palsied or one-lecged Christians about, you
may be sure that there's something wrong about
his conversion. Christianity Is like an electric
shock 1t goes all through man and energies
him.
Now. what are you going to do about this re-
vivals Are you going to let Small preach three
times day. while you have nice religious pic
nic2 The evidence that expect rain is that
get out my tubs and prepare to catch water
The evidence that you expect results Of your
meeting will be that you GO out into the high
ways and byways and bring in the leprous with
sin. and bury them under the shower of the
gospel.
The announcement was made that this morn
ing services will be held at Central avenue
Church, at 10 o'clock. aud the usual service will
be held at Meridian street Church at IL o'clock
and at the City Hall in the afternoon and even
ing, but there will lac meetings tomorrow
The Afternoon Services.
A.