The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-20
The Methodist Alliance.

At Hall-plsce Church, last night. the work OF
the Indianapolis Methodist Alliance was consid-
cred. After . song service prayer was offered
by Rev. F. G. Brodie. Of this city. after which
the pastor. Rev. n. B. Hyde. introduced DR..
Gilbert, pastor of Meridian -strest Church. who
had been advertised as the speaker of the even
ing. but who had been suffering all day from a
severe cold, attended with high fever. He had
left his sick bed merely TO present an apology to
the congregation, and begged to be relieved
from speaking. The evening was then spent
in an informal presentation of the objects
Of the alliance. L B. MeNsaley, the
~Sunday-school superintendent. occupied
some moments in presenting its purposes.
be said the organization is simply one to further
the interests of the Christian religion, aud TO
this end the Methodist Episcopal churches Of
the city have united. Its working does not seek
to interfere with anything that might be at
tempted by the several city congregations. The
members are so distributed that no lines can be
drawn dividing them. and all are expected to
cont. Tue then church affiliations according to
their individual preferences. and to engage in all
those which may be inaueurated by
their pastors and official boards TIL alliance
proper is divided into districts. having definite
boundaries. and one of these districts is assigned
to every church, wherein special work Ia to be
undertaken, and In addition TO these other bor-
der districts have been set apart as mission
fields, under tho direct supervision Of the alli-
ance. This arrangementis not designed to in
terfere with conferenee lines. which, for the
time, are wholly ignored.
The chief purpose 10 to enlist tbs hearts
and hands of the 5000 Methodists for the good
of the non-Christian population of the city.
Each church aAhliatiug with the city alliance is
expected TO organize an auxiliary alliance,
whose work 10 to be confined within certain
limitations. The plan of work is one that has
met with great success, and provides that q
division OF territory be made by each church
auxiliary. and regular visitors appointed. Four
times . year these visitors are expected to 60
from house to house in their apportioned dis
trict and extend to all persons q cordial invita-
ton to attend some church, leaving II
to their option as 30 which they may
all children to enter some Sundsy-school.
the visitors are instructed to keep an accoun,
of the calls made. enrolling the names OF the
people In a book to be preserved. and the total
of such work is to be reported each quarter by
the secretary Of the church alliance to the
secretary of the city alliance. In case any church
branch should fail to make such q report fol
two successive quarters, it is presumed that the
| work has not succeeded under its management
and the territory is assigned to another church.
extent as possible. The Hallstreet district OK
tends from Fall creek south to First street. and
is bounded on the east and west by New Jersey
street and the Big Four railroad, respectively
At the present time there are twenty church dis
trlcts, six city and two suburban missions.
The pastor. Rev. NJ. B. Hyde, also addressed
the meeting, presenting the same subject in it,
different phases. The Methodist Church, IL was
asserted, is the strongest denomination because
it is the church OF the people, and the alliance
will meet with a success for this reason. Tn
| Sunday.schools are the most important factor il
| religious training. Over two-thirds of TIT
Methodists to-day are cold upon this important
subject. and us necessity seemingly fails tt
rouse them to duty. The alliance reaches thiI
department. of moral education in as effective
manner as can be secured to-day. The poor. o
both colors. are the ones with whom tho mos
work Is nesded, and it is In this direction tina
| the work of the alliance Is to be directed. A
vote was taken in which over twenty-five
pledged their hearty support to the cause.