The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-06
RELIGIOUS WORK In CAMP
Ministers at Bethany Talk About Train
ing Required by Their Calling.
A Theological Course Does Not Supply All Es-
sentials for Successful Preaching-Seryices
at Acton Continue to Attract Large Crowds.
BETHANY PARK.
A Day Devoted to Topics Relating to Min
listers and Their Work.


Day Devoted to Topics Relating to Min
listers and Their Work.
At Bethany Assembly the interest is usu-
ally best after the first Sunday, and so it
is this year, the work not being fully in
augurated until yesterday. The hotel and
annex are now well filled with guests,
while ali the available space on the grounds
is being rapidly occupied by tenters. Dur
Ing the cool weather it is far pleasanter to
SIT and listen to two or three lectures OF
sermons day than would be the case if
the mercury was trying to Guido all its for
mer records for climbing. While the older
people are enjoying the intellectual treats
offered them, the small boys arc combining
business with pleasure by catching fish out
of the abundance in the lake. and furnish
ing them to the hotel cook at the reasons-
bic rate of cents pound. An enterpris-
ing youngster, not as big as some of the
unwary fish he got on his hook hauled in
nine pounds of fish the other day. The older
13iks, too, find amusement on
ing. They also take little trips to the sur
rounding hills and to look at the pictur-
esque scenery of Morgan county. People
going to the park should not fail to bear in
mind that from some of the motif distant
hill-tops charming views of the neighboring
country may be seen. Notable among these
rs what is called Mt. Etna, which is but
ten feet lower in elevation than Weed
Patch hill. the highest point in the State
few-minutes' walk down i'm southerly
direction along the l. * V. railroad brings
one to its foot. Then, after climbing the
usual railroad fence, path winding up
wards among tall old forest trees and thick
underground soon leads the pleasure-seeker,
no nrtf nf al 81
Here the visitor is treated to view that,
lot TINS country. is very attractive. Cir
cling around in the distance, on the west
ana northwest, are wOOd-cOvered hills.
while to. the south and east there
dotted with farm.houses and barns.
1t Is said that from this point one can see
ninety miles on a clear day. Winding around
the base of the hill to the south is White
LICK, q creek. or almost river, while a short
way OF, in the same direction is the little
town of Centerton. All that is needed to
complete the opportunity for gaining q
completely good view from the top of Etna
Is to cut away some of the dense wood
growth that now obstructs free range of
the eye.
Yesterday morning, at $50 o'clock, there
was the usual prayer-meeting at the park,
led this time by Elder VIM. Redwine, of
Martinsville. After that the day was de-
voted to the work Of the State Ministerial
Butter University, is the presiding officer.
IN the morning the subject discussed was
The College Education of the Preacher"
on which, Prof: b. J. Radford; of
He said that preparation is best for the
young minister that puts him in sympathy
with his fellow Theological training
Is too often impractical. for the graduate of
the theological school fails TO be III sympa-
thy with those with whom he has to deal.
m fal lxa ha
training of man to he n preacher should
begin even in the primary school. Men
may have all the education of theological
schools and still be poorly equipped for
this being an age of intellect worship. the
preacher Is Oftentimes admired for his
brilliant mind, even though he may be
lacking In other more essential character
istics. The preacher, to be successful, must
have broad secular as well as theological
education. One great reason that the pull
pit of to-day does not draw and hold the
people. particularly those of the cities. is
because ministers discuss purely theological
questions rather than practical matters.
there is wide difference between
theology. so-called, and pure Bible teach
ing. The former being theoretical chiefly;
the latter eminently practical. The young
preacher In his training must weed out all
of his intellectual vanity. if he would be
truly successful. Self-esteem in q proper
degree is necessary, but it is intellectual
vanity that is hurtful. The tendency to-
ward this sort of vanity is clearly noted in
the avidity with which some seek for titles.
The social life should also be cultivated:
while in college many young men hold
themselves aloOf from all participation in
society, and as q result, when they gradu-
ate, find themselves seriously impeded in
in their efforts to do good. College train
ing looks too much after the intellect alone.
to the neglect of the physical, social. moral
culture and training in secular life.
In the afternoon Prof. Radford delivered
q very pointed address Oh the general sub
ject. Science and Christianity" in which
he claimed that as the world advances, and
science is made more perfect, q more
perfect harmony is constantly being estab-
blished between science and the Bible.
Science has constantly been fighting with
errors in its own field and not really with
Christianity. In the evening he again adj
dressed the assembly on ''Agnosticism and
Christianity To-day the Professor will
lecture on SOCIOLOGY and Christianity"
The reason for the crOwding together OF his
lectures is that he is compelled to leave for
Illinois this afternoon. Other lectures to-
day will be by Prof. McGarvey, of Ken
lucky University. Tomorrow will be q
continuance of the Ministerial Association
work