The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-16
PREPARING THE WAY FOR MILLS.
The First of the Union Revival Services Held
at the First Baptist Church.

The first Of the union services to prepare the
way for the Mills revival meetings was held last
night at the First Baptist Church. and was very
largely attended. Rev. N. A. Hyde presided
and led in the discussion. the subject being
''Our Need of an Awakening" He said that
while the object of revival was generally con
sidered to be the salvation of those outside of
the church, there also sad need of a reviv-
al in the church. There were several classes of
church members or protesting Christians
for person could not consistently belong
to church without protesting to DO more
or less of Christian There were. In the first
place, the true, devout Christians-those who
had the love of Christ IN their hearts and who
lived up to Gods commands They al
ways a shining example for Christ, and welded
influence for Him wherever they wenE. But
there was anot her class of church mem bers who
differed very widely from the above. They con-
formed to many of the demands of Christ, but
they did it duty and as pleasure, and
sometimes they would disregard His wishes
They were like engine without fire
or steam, for they lacked spirituality. They
composed the class which was generally called
'lukewarm." Then there still another
class in the church. unfortunately. who
actually were not processing Christians
and who were much better known from
their efforts in the line of amuse-
menrs ETC.. than they were on account of
out the difference between them and those who
made profession whatever of Christianity he
wonld find it very hard thing TO do In fact,
their lives were reproach to religion. They went
to church out of prudential regard for appear.
ances. but were thoroughly worldly minded
What might take place in Indianapolis if all
these classes were not only church members,
but thorough, earnest Christiansa What a
power they would prove in the community! AS
long as the lives of so many church members
were what they were today, what could be
pected of those outside the church7 Could not
the condition of the imDenitent be laid the
door of the churches2 Yet. through the grace of
God, it was possible for this condition of affairs
to be changed.
At the conclusion of his address DR.. Hyde
called for remarks from others who were pres
emit. Rev. DR.. Jeffery said that the classes
which DIR. Hyde had described existed in every
community, every generation and every church.
Every pastor felt that there were indifferent and
worldly minded elements in his church. and II
was discouraging, but minister should allow
it to depress him. He should thank God that
there were always a few who were ready to
60 on with the work, and did
not need a revival OF spirit-.a
so1king and working over for two or three
weeks" in order to make them useful for good.
in this city to unite and do vast amount of
good, and he believed there had been earnest
PRAYER throughout the entire community for
general awakening during the forthcoming
meetings. For himself. he proposed to offer no
criticisms when the meetings began; he would
not care whether the converts joined the Bap-
tist Church or the Presbyterian Church,
their souls were saved. He would be willing to
accede to all of Mr.. Mills's requests and follow
his (Mr. Mitls's) experience, since God had SO
greatly blessed his abors elsewhere.
Rev. Dr. Mcleod said the reports from Mr..
Mils's meetings-both those which came by let
ter and those through the press-commented
upon the unsnimitv with which pastors
OF different churches gave him assistance.
Mr. Mills, DR.. Mcleod said. was noted
for his earnestness, his lack of sensa-
tionalism. and for the tender manner in
which he preached the gospel. II Mr. Mills's WIS.,
it TO this city should result In nothing more than
q quickenlng of those whose names were
on the church rolls he (Dr.
McLeod) would feel that that was revival
enough. But if that was done,
those who were thus awakened would serve as
sparks TO kindle others, and hundreds and thou
sands would be added to the churches
To-nights union services will be led by Rev.
DR.. j. A. Rondthaler, and the subject will be
''The Agency of the Holy Spirit" DIR. Rond.
thaier states that for ten minutes at the begin
ming of the service he will call on members of
the audience for scriptural quotations pertaining
to the subject. and he wants all to come pre-
pared to read verses.