The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-27
DIR. Ridpath's sermon.

All the Methodist Churches in the GEN.
tral portion of the city united in
Thanksgiving, services at the Meridian
street Methodist Church, where an able ad-
dress was delivered by Prof. John Clark
Ridpatb, the eminent historian. on The
Gift of the New World to the Nations
Among other things Professor RIdpath
said:
tory the human race demands q new arena. Tho
old field OF action becomes encountered with
the bastions OF extinct forts, the ruins of BATTLE
fields ard the broken armOr OF giants lie scat
tered IN the way: so there must needs be
change to some other field, to some other scene,
where nature is still vital and where man may
renew himself for a higher form OF life. It was
for this reason that Asia must discover Europe.
Europe Was once young aud new. Before the
man oil antiquity the vast unknown West was
Europe. A region OF ultrodden forests. high
mountains, great rivers, euge beasts OF the prim-
tive world brushing through the brake, win
and fighting about the doors OF caverns or wal
lowing I'm the soft mud OF primeval bOgs. All
this must DO discovered, must be attempted by
the adventure or man, must be traversed, and
subduedy and converted from savagery TO civil
zation.
Prof. Ridpsth went on to show why the
discovery OF Europe was a necessity; that
IL had reached a state of affairs that had
reduced its civilization To "a condition more
intolerable than feudalism. more dangerous
even than the free and glorious barbarism
of the Teutonic warriors whOhad subverted
the empire of the Romans. He then con-
tinued:
Why then should Europe discover Americal
In the lrst place the new world must be found
In order TO furnish an arena for the development
and perfection OF the individual life of man.
Europe. during the long semi-nightO OF the middle
ages, had adopted in her theory and practice the
principle that the individual Is nothing.
From al this man must escape or perish. He
must find for himself an opportunity OF in
divtdual revival aut restoration to the beautiful
nature whichswas given him at birth. But there
were other and still larger reasons why the new
world must be found by the men OF the old.
First among these larger motives or discovery
and redemption may be mentioned the necessity
OF the new political and civil order among man
kind.
After dwelling at length on the things
that have been accomplished by the new con-
tiDent. Professor Rldpath asked the ques-
tion. has America been a fsilurei" and
continued:
A candid answer to this vital and all-impor-
tant question runs thus: Republieanism as a
form OF civil society nas not wholly failed, and il
has not wholly succeeded.
Professor Ridpath thought that in many
things. however, had proved a failure. In
conclusion. he said:
We now enter the fou~rhundredt year since
the discovery OF our continent by the men OF our
own race. To me has been assigned the not un-
pleasing task OF speaking to you for some OF the
things for which we should rejoice and be CRATE
Rev. Teyis's Sermon.
Rev. J.. s. Tevis. ID. D., pastor of the Sew
entb-street NJ. T.. Church. took for his text
the first verse of the seventy-fifth Psalm:
Unto Thee. o God. do we give thanks. unto
Thee do We give thanks. for that Thy name is
near Thy wondrous works declare.
Rev. TevIs spoke of Gods presence among
mankind as 3 eau SO for thankfulness- Said
be:
The omnipresence OF God is n recognized doc
tTine OF the Bible by all civilized peoples. He
nils all space. and knows all things. His power
Is commensurate with His presence and kDOwl-
edge. God nils the Offices of creator, sustainer
aud father. As He fills all space He is above.
beneath and around ali OF His creatures. He
sympafhizes with them and protects them with
His love. Since the fail OF man death and de-
~struction have been playing upon the world.
Disintegrati0n is going on consiantly-by an IRE
away by time. Governments come and 90; IA
tons are born and pass away. With such con
slant decay and death before our eyes how nat
Ural 20 inquire what il Is that keeps the universe
from falling 10 piecesi Is ~ the law OF cohe-
sion. or attraction. or OF reproduction These
are all the laws OF God. Hence. the answer must
be, God preserves all things.
Rev. Tevis alluded to other causes for
thankfulness and then spoke of the death
of Governor Hovey as follows:
The unexpected death OF Governor Hovey has
thrown a pail of sadness upon the people OF our
State. ft comes just upon the eve OF this day of
Joy and Thanksgiving; consequently, with ouI