The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-08
OPINIONS ON EyANGELISTS.
Ministers of the Alliance Think Their Work
Should Be UNCONVENTIONAL

The regular meeting of Union Evangelical
Alliance was held yesterday. The topic for dis
eussion at the meeting was Modern Evaneelists
and Evangelism" DR.. Jeffery. who opened the
discussion, thought it was unfortunate that re-
vivalists had to be called to the assistance Of
pastors and yet in some cases it seemed neces-
sary He believed that the results Of union
meetings had not in the past proved satisfactory,
and that whatever work of this kind was
done ought to 90 done denominationally. Those
who join in union revival services, he
had observed. generally neglected the duty Of
uniting at once with church and relapsed into
their former condition.
Rev. r. v. Hunter did not think much Of
evangelistic work, either His observation Of
Harrison's labors here in this city. whsre he
made such . great claim. had convinced him
that only q small per cent remained converted
after he left. The same thing was noticed in
revivals In his own denomination Dr. Hunter
said that after the Mills meeting he had re-
ceived twenty-five cards from persons who ex-
pressed desire to join his church-that is per-
sons who were converted at that meeting. But
two, however, up to this time had done az
they said they would. On the WHOLE therefore,
be did not favor evangelists.
DIR. Jenckes followed Dr. Hunter. and spoke
somewhat in the same strain. he didn't believe
in that way of advancing Christianity. He
quoted the Bible where it says ''precept upon
precept' and Zine upon line as the proper
method Of evangelical work. Ee thought that
pastors could do the work IL their salaries were
large enough 10 give them time for study. They
ought at least to command as much as base ball
players. but they do not DIR. Jenckes also saw
. serious objection to evsneeists In that they
often made congregations dissatisfied with their
pastors.
Rev. w. F. Sheridan and Dr.. Mcleod did not
agree with the preceding speakers in many
things. They thought that good work had been
done by rvsngelists. but agreed with Dr. Jenckes
and DR. Jeffery that it should be done in q de-
nominational way. Mr.. Sheridan cited White
field as an evangelist whose work had been of
the greatest service to the church and to man
kind
DIR. Day said that his experience with evaugel-
lists had not been such as TO warrant him in set
ting much store by their work. He referred to
the Jones meetings here. where there was great
expectation aud small results. Ho also thought
that evan eelical work should be denominational.
Dr. T. A. Goodwin thought that most of those
who converted at revival meetings were
children of Christian parents. He believed that
the very class which it 10 designed to reach by
them were seldom touched. Less than LOO per-
sons bad become church members, in his judg-
ment, on account of the Mills meetings. Other
members of the Alliance also spoke. there being
general sentiment that all evangelical work
should be denominational The Alliance elected
the following officers:
Seeretary-Rev. j. p. Cowan.
Executive Committee-Revs. N. S. Dickey, j. s.
Snyder, j. s. Jenckes u. b. Hyde and R. Z. Neigh
Dor.
committee vas also appointed to assist in
raising the $4,000 Indebtedness on the Orphans
Asylum The committee consists OF Drs.
Jenckes Mcleod aud Keen, aud Reys II. Il.
| Neichbor and Z. j. Gantz. They will make ar
rangements for large meeting In the interest
OF the asylum, TO be held the last of the present
| month.