The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-23
THE TIPpECANoE CLUB.
A Sermon Delivered Before Its Members by
the Venerable Father Lynch.


A Sermon Delivered Before Its Members by
the Venerable Father Lynch.
One hundr red gray haired men between seven
ty and ninety years of age, occupying seats to-
gether formed unusual spectacle at the Sec
ond Presbyterian Church yesterday morning.
They were about one-fourth of the membership
of the Tippecanoe Club, which had assembled to
hear the annual sermon delivered before the
club by one of its members.
AS the clubs membership is limited to those
who may have voted for General Harrison in
the campaign either in 1886 or 1910, the young
est members are not less than sixty-seven years
old. but the majority have passed the line of
seventy FIVE, and one pioneer has reached the
extreme age of 103 years.
The speaker and central figure of the occasion
was the venerable and Rev. DIR. Thomas Fl.
Lynch. whose benevolent character and long
residence in the city have given him the familiar
title of Father Lynch. To-day he will celebrate
his eighty first birthday, his long life having
been full of usefulness and honor. He was DO TN
in Waynesvlle, O., and when sixteen years old
began teaching school in country district,
receiving ST. so for each pupil per quarter, TAX
ing payment in wheat at 373 cents per bushe.
With his savings he entered Miami University.
After two years spent there he accepted the
position as tutor in Augusta College Augusta,
KY, where, after four years, he graduated
Leaving Augusta he went to Columbus. o.. and
for two years applied himself to the study of
law. He was then admitted to the bar and con-
tinued in practice for nine years, during vhich
time he accumulated considerable fortune.
From his boyhood he had religious convictions,
and finding the law uncongenial to his religious
scruples, he dropped the profession and again
became teacher, going to Transylvania Col
Iege at Lexington, KY, where he renamed I'M
til his strong snti-slavery prejudces made it
pleasant for him 10 remain longer in Kentucky.
He came to Indiana and accepted the presidency
of the Indiana Female College. located where
the Pyle House now STANDS lie later accepted
a position at the DePauw Female College. but
after two years retired from the institution.
Since then. until within few years. he las
been active minister.
His address yesterday showed the results of
the discipline to which his mind through a long.
active life had been accustomed. He selected
Lord Jesus Christ. that, Though He was Rich,
Yet for Mans Sake He became Poor that Ye
Through His Poverty Might be Rich" II Cor
viii, g. The discourse was in the nature of
sermon and talk was delivered without the
use of a manuscript After few remarks Rev
erend Lynch said: 1.-THE great object of life.
as exemplifed in the patriarchs and prophets.
is the love embodied in Jesus
Christ. This was the object Of the faith of
Noah as the ark foated upon the summit of the
food; this was the object of the faith of Abra-
ham he led Isaac to the altar; this the
object of the faith of Moses which led him to
forsake a lofty station among the Egyptians asd
become the delivsrer and lawgiver of the jews
In all the Bible and in all time Christ is the
object of the Christian faith The subject of
Christ end His love freighted with melody the
raptures of Isaiah. Faith in their love sweet
ened the tears of jeremiah. II was the song of
the minor prophets, and ic with Daniel
amid the dangers of the lions den.
All the priceless love of Christ originated in the
love of God. He looked down upon the ruined
world and made Christ to fulfill His mission of
mercy. OF Christ it was said that He was rich
but became poor for mans sake. He rich
in favor, rich in pardoning power, rich in being
the brightness of His Fathers glory and in
being made in His Fathers image The love
thus evidenced is mans hope. In declining days
how dark would be the view but for this love.
A lady came to the speaker ald said, Il
have large family and love them all, but one
heart can but love him." Many have had the
same feeling, and It was this feeling in heaven
that gave the world Savior.
1t is their eternal soul that Christ will save
when tie earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved.
One should not think it is all of life to live, or
all of death to die
He said many of his venerable hearers remem-
Der their native village, where, with supple aud
strong limbs, they delighted to climb over the
Though years had changed his outward being,
memory says that in the gray haired. withsred
man there fingers the spirit OF the sprighty boy.
It for this spirit Christ became poor, and it
is this which in His love He promises shall never
die.
At the conclusion of the service q number of
ladies who had been students while Father
Lynch was connected with the Female College,
gathered about him, with many expressions of
remembrance and regard. This afternoon the
club will march to Rev. Lynchs residence,
where between and o'clock a reception will
be given in honor Of his birthday.