The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-08
A THRIVING YOUNG CHURCH
The Good Result of Sermons Delivered
from the Door-Steps of a Residence.
What a Preacher Can Accomplish When He
Brings Energy and Faith to His Work
DR.. HaineS on Lenten 0bSeryances.

OAAoN W. w
voted to a general resume of the growth of
the church and of the work of its present
pastor. Rev. Wilbur f. Sheridan. Although
it is yet comparatively young. its develop
ment has been one of rapidity and effective
ness. and its record is onet that reflects much
credit upon its various pastors and officials.
The origin of the church is as interesting
as it was peculiar. In the summer of 1872,
DR.. William Fl. Kendrick, a local
preacher in this city at the time,
began holding services on South Cali
fornia street, using the steps of a private
residence for a pulpit. Seats were tempo
rarily placed and ~open-air meetings held
weekly. With the approach of winter.
however, the necessity of shelter was
seen, and the services were transferred to
the house of Mrs. Mary Moore, IN Helen
street, who is still an active member in the
church. AS the congregation grew in size,
a building was rented on Washington
street. near the corner of California, which
had formerly been used as q butcher
shop. From this locality it was decided
to move further northward, and the lot,
where the present building stands, waspur-
chased for 81 1900. Dr.. Kendrick sought the
aid of q local quarterly conference. and
through it's assistance q church was built,
in which he preached until he was sue
ceeded by Rev. H.. n. King. who served w
years. In 1915 Rev. Joseph WhOrtOn was
given its work, and after three years of
earnest labor he was followed in turn by
Rev. A. 4. Bridges. Rev. William McGlnnls,
Rev. Levi Wright. Rev. Amos Hanway and
Rev. Il. NJ. Guild. the latter closing his
work in March, 1885.
Four years ago the present pastor, who
was then attending college at Greencastle.
was sent to the charge by the presiding
elder to serve as o temporary supply,
and on Easter Sunday April 5, 1885, he
preached his first sermon, in the church
that was afterward to become his regular
station, to a congregation of forty persons.
Serving as a supply and attending to his
college work at the same time, the pastor
continued his service until June, when he be-
gan a revival which lasted until the latter
part of July, and resulted in a marked ln-
crease in the membership of the church.
When Mr.. Sheridan first took the work, the
roll contained siXty-twO names. to which
were afterward added ten from the records
of the old church, making a total member
ship of seventy-two. Now there are COZ
members, 751 of whom have been received
on probation, and 151 by letter, from the be-
ginning of Mr.. Sheridan's pastOrate to the
present time. The years of lSS6-S7 were the
most prosperous in point of additions to
III CuuIC lOll, III tObdl IOCCINC lIOnh
April, 1886, to April, 1887, being 1862. Dur
ing all of this time several revivals have
been held, which resulted beneficially to
the church, and did much toward spread
among its members. A marked feature.
though, about the four years that have
just closed, the pastor said in
his sermon yesterday, has been the
lack of spasmodic revivals. Every Sunday
night, at the close of the services, an invita-
fiOp hos haeu ayfapde1 m all whO daSlrpd
to seek Christ, and but few nights have
passed but what some person has signihed
their lnclinatiOns of so doing. The ideal
church, he claimed, is one In which reviyals
do not occur at intervals, but where its peO-
pie are in continuous activity, and where
it's altar is ever Open to sinners for repent
ance, as well as to candidates for member
ship.
Of the 70 original members of the church,
5 are now dead, q nave been excluded and
% removed by letter. Of the 902 new men,
bers, "a have died. q excluded. withdrawn,
105 removed by letter, and 327 dropped from
the rolls without having been received into
full connection, making. to-day, an active
membership of 447, of whom 329 are MEM
bers in full connection. During the recent
investigation of the records 1T has been
noticed that the population with which
this church has to deal is changeable, and,
at the same time. a growing one.
Many improvements have been made
about the church and its surroundings, an
aggregate of 81, 700 having been recently
spent for furniture and remodeling its in
ton, with the exception of the price of a
new organ, which is guaranteed by the
Sunday-school. In 1885 the conference was
instructed by the people to register the
pastors salary at SS GO q year, but ia! during ring
annually. The current expenses of the
church in 1885 were SIS; in 1SSS-S9 they
have been so far 500. The Sunday-schOol
department has grown in proportion with
the church proper, for in 1885 the total
been increased to an average attendance OF
800, with an enrolment of 400, comprising
thirty teachers and officers and twenty
six classes. In concluding his re-
church, the pastor said: Accord
ing to the treasurer's report, of all our
member about $50 pay with a considerable
degree of regularity, and about fifty. pay
when they feel like it-three or four times
a year, The rest pay not at all, for they
are made up principally of children or old
persons, who, like children, are dependent
on others for support; very poor persons
who have to struggle to get their
sons who always mean to pay just
as soon as they get everything else paid
for. which never happens. Perhaps there
nay be a few, too, who are downright
'sponges,' or spiritual tramps, let me say.
Muo PAopoSC 10 ANA - sA~oNoA
life"
Other departments of church work, aside
from the Sunday-school, have shown great
igns of Improvement, among which are the
Women's Home and Foreign Missionary
Societies and the Young Peoples Alliance.
The latter organization has grown from
three classes to seven. "AsI look back
over the past four years." the pastor said
in conclusion, Il see the imperfection of my
own work. | have by no means realized
my own ideal of a preacher, nor has all the
work been accomplished which l have
longed for. Yet there has been far moro
work lone than i dreamed of when my
work here began. If / had it to do over
again, / feel that it could be better done,
but withal / am duly grateful to God for
the great help He has given me through
out"
The Observance of Lent.
At the First Presbyterian Church, last
evening, Rev. DR.. Haines took as his text
Matthew TX, IA: "Then came to Him the
disciples of John, saying why do we and
the Pharisees fast oft but Thy disciples
fast mott" The Doctor preached this SER
mon in view of the lenten season. He said
no one ever heard of the Lord refusing an
invitation to a feast. He lived among men,
associated freely with them in all innocent
occupations and enjoyments. This feast at