The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-27
olSUNDAY Th0UGRTSbo
HOf1%
MORALS% MANNERS
BY A CLERGYMAN.

An eueCLlNe plSd lOE uPOAA
whole books of the scripture-cottP doit
preaching instead of what is termed textual
preaching-is made by writer in the
Sunday School TIMES 1t is urged that the
pulpit of today leans too constantly
toward microscopic study and piecemeal
presentation of the word of God. Mar
row views are apt to be false views. The
eve was constructed to receive visual
angle of sixty degrees, and is not satisfied
with scope less wide. No one enjoys
watching a foot ball game through a crack
in the fence. The divine Word is unit.
No part can be rightly understood
out of Its true relation TO
the rest. Each book has Its
central idea. This formed, the whole
can be interpreted in its light. Instead,
then, of bringing to the flock a store OF
forage, cut, dried and snugly baled by the
shepherd, the effect should be to bring
the flock to the pasture; but, turn them
loose in the clover, and let them find the
green slopes and well-watered dells be-
yond, where each may gather for him
self in delightful plenty.
the book of the Acts of the Apostles.
The eighth verse in the first chapter Is
table of contents of the body of the work:
fBut We shall receive power; after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and
ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Sa-
maria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth" The second chapter narrates the
bestowing OF this power. The rest of
the book is filed with an account
of this witnessing. Christ saw the
apostles should begin at Jeru-
salem. The account of their activity IN
the holy city is given in the third, fourth
and fifth chapters. Then they were to 90
into all Judea, and this going Is described
in the sixth and seventh chapters Thence
they were to proceed to Samaria, and We
read about this in the eighth chapter.
And finally they were directed TO carry
their evangel into the uttermost part of
the earth" The conversion of Saul is re-
corded in ninth chapter-Saul, the great
apostle of the gentiles, and from this
point on to the close the subject OF the
narrative is apostolic activity among the
gentles.
Thus, by the help OF some such analysis
as this, a congregation might be given in
single discourse OF half an hour a large
and ineligible view Of the entire book of
he Acts
Textual preaching has its advantages,
which are great But no one method
Ihould engross the pulpit. And it should
not be forgotten that broad views broaden
the mind and that large views enlarge the
understanding.
While the presbyterians are rent by in
ternal dissension by the revision question
and tormented by BriRgsism, and while
metbodism is discussing with more heat
than is needful the expediency of expung-
ing the prohibitions against theater-going
and against dancing from its book of dis
cipline. two grave and reverend bodies,
being at peace within, are seeking to pro-
mote peace without through unity. We
refer to the staid old Dutch reformed
church, which is a copy of the reformed
church in Holland, and the equally con-
sentative German reformed church, which
Is an exact reproduction of the reformed
church OF Germany These two bodies
alike in name, in origin in theology
and in policy. Hence they have wisely
concluded to come together in a union,
not organic but federal, patterned after
our political fabric. It's to be hoped that
the idea may prove contagious and catch
from denomination to denomination until
professionalism shall be gathered into a
world-embracing federation-one fold and
one Shepherd.
Bowden tells the story of wall which
became delapidated by age. One day
portion of it fell down and the results were
of the happiest nature. First, the sun
poured more light than ever before into
the garden on both sides of the wall.
The flowers were seen to greater advan-
tage. Next, the shrubs looked over at
one another and to their surprise dis
covered members of their own families
living on both sides of the partition, so
aear yet hitherto without mutual knowl-
edge or fellowship. What pity" they
said, ''the plaguey old wall should have
stood so long" So benefcent were the
results that the remainder of it was top
pied over. And when it had finally dis
appeared the flowers and shrubs burst
forth into singing, Behold how good and
how pleasant il is for brethren to dwell
together in unity"
If the story which comes from Wash
ington of the outrageous persecution by
an assistant chief of division in the pen
sion bureau of an unfortunate widow who
held clerkship in his Office, because she
repulsed his advances, be true. the com
mittee of investigation should cut off his
official head. This lady, Mrs. Caddie l..
Wright, appealed for protection to the
head OF the bureau, Green b. Raum, the
commissioner OF pensions, and appealed in
vain. Mr.. Raum retained the chief of divi-
sion. The more the pension bureau is inves-
tigated the more it seems to need investi-
CATION. The public knew there was fraud
hidden in those pgeonholes; it was not
supposed there was Righteousness. Gen
tlemen OF the investigating committee,
turn both the rascals out. And
II twere done, when tits done, then 'twere we'll
1t were done quickly.
The United States spends Al cents each
year, per capita, for foreign missions, and
SIS head for liquors. Here is distinc-
ton in dollars and cents between spirits
and souls.
Millionaire Gregg of Allegheny City,
Pa, who died the other day, left will in
which he disinherited his son, the Rev.
David Gregg, ID. D., DR.. Theodore Guy