The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-26
The St. johns Mission Services.

1t has always been the custom of the Catholic
churches of the city to unite at stated periods
in mission, what would be known in Prot
estant circles revival For two weeks
meetings of this character have been in progress
at St. Johns Church under the direction of
Father Cochlan, of st. Louis University. and
Fathers Brady and Kelly. of St. Xaviers Col
lege, Cincinnati. The mission which closed last
night was the first one held in the city for two
years and was the most successful of any. Soon
after these meetings began, on the 18th inst, it
demonstrated that even the large church.
with seating capacity of 400 persons, would
not accommodate all who desired to attend, and
the first week accordingly apart
for women and the last week for men. Four
services were held each dav; one at o'clock in
the morning, lasting one hour, to accommodate
working people; the second at o'clock A. NJ;
the third at o'clock in the afternoon, and the
last at 730 o'clock in the evening. The
crowds 1ocking to the church at all the services
were somewhat remarkab le There were
ally from 300 to 500 worshippers at every early
morning meeting, and at the afternoon and
evening services the church was always packed
with people. During the first week the church
would frequently not accommodate all those
who came to the evening nesting. and the
men were equally regular In their attendance
all last week. While the missions intended
primarily for the spiritual benefit of Catholics.
Protestants invited to all the services and
OF certain evenings the Jesuit fathers gave ex-
plantations of the tenets of Catholic faith for
their benefit. The missions are always fruitful
n winning some Protestants to the Catholic
faith, and the present one was quits successful.
it is said, in that regard.
The closing meeting OF the mission. held last
evening, the most successful of the series.
By o'clock people began to gather in the
church. aud long before the hour for opening
the service there not vacant seat to be
found. while the aisles were filed with people
occupying chairs and temporary benches The
sermon preached by Father Coghlan. He
took for his text the passage from Matthew.
sha Be The Catholics of 1n9ansDos
he said had been fighting the enemy of salvation
for the last two weeks. Because they had be-
come conquerors they must not think the
test was ended. Only those who persevere to
the end would be saved The same enemies
who had been met before the revival would
again arise and they would have be fought
manfully There was no rest here below. Sol
ONION was the wisest of men, and rich, but his
riches awaited him nothing account Of his
sinfuness. No was ever more honored
than Judas. He was chosen by the Savior out
his honor awaited him nothing. He neglected to
persevere to the end.
To be pectent during the time of spiritual
awakening not sufficient to one. Those
who had attended the mission should examine
themselves daily; be on the alert. and watch and
pray lest they fall. They should not allow their
minds TO revert TO the sinful things OF the past.
Directing his remarks to the young people pres
emit. the Father advised them not to read bad
literature. 1T is the duty of parents TO supply
their children with wholesome literature" he
said They should be taught to read histories,
biographies and other good books. If you
expect your children to be good Catholics
you should provide them with Catholic nswspa-
pers. They should also be supplied with the
daily newspapers of your city. la your public
library you have books of all kinds. Children
should not be allowed TO go there aud select
thsir own reading. Unless parents watch their
children in this direction. all the good examples
they may set IN everyday life will do no
good
The Father implored his hearers not to in
dulge in intoxicating drink He said that il to-
dav there vice doing the work of hell it
was intemperance Thousands of poor widows
being left homeless every year by drunken
husbands. He had no desire condemn all
who sold intoxicAnts. but he did wish to con-
demn all who would sell TO al habitual drnnkard,
or q man who could not control his appetite.