The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-30
MEETINGS In THE WOODS
Chautauq uans at Acton Park Give Up
a Part OF Their Programme.
DR.. John Talks Upon "The Survival of the
Fittest"-Children' Day at Bethany-Dr.
Halls Talk Broke Her Leg.
CAMP ACTON.

Chautauquans Have Their Day-President
Johns Address.
People at Acton awakened in o better
humor yesterday morning. Chaplain Lo-
ziers fun of the night before still tiokled
the humorous side of each one. Then the
cool night had acted as soothing syrup
to the unquiet nerves. Out in the woods
the good Methodists forget all npefance
in eating and sleeping.
The day belonged to the Chautauquans.
On Thursday evening Rev. j. g. Chaffee.
the president of the Camp Acton Circle, ar
rived on the grounds. He reports that
there are twenty-five circles within easy
reach of Acton. OF these about ten were
represented. Among those present were
Rev. Hyde. pastor of Hall place; DIR. G.. p.
Jenkins, of Greencastle; Mrs. DIR. Catch. of
Lawrence burg; Mrs. NJ. B. Robins and MISS
Jennie Thompson. Shelbvviile; Miss Pate,
of Edinburg; Mrs Randall, of Greensburg.
and others. A business meeting as called
at $3.50 and the affairs of the circle were dis
cussed 1t Is the desire of all the Cheutau-
quans TO rally greater number. The at
tendance to-day was not large. Plans are
being laid for the securing of q greater
number next year. The speaker for the
afternoon had disappointed the Chautau-
quans, so the lecture of DIR. John was post
poned till Q p. NJ. His place on the morning
programme was filled by Rev. R. r Bryan:
was Tho Privileges OF the Children OF
God" He does not believe In being salts
fled with q mere adoption, "step-son-
ship" as 1t were. but would be born into
the kingdom"
heavy rain before the afternoon serv-
ices delayed the beginning of the exer-
cises. but good audience assembled to
hear the eloquent orator of the occasion.
The Chautauqusns were fortunate IN Sc.
PAW University. His theme was
THE Survival of tie Fittest."
The lecture began with the query. Who
are the tittest and how do they surviv ep
fitness" said DR.. John. 1.-The material the
half material and half spiritual, and the
spiritual. The first are those who do the
most for self and the most against others.
test lion which has tho shaypest teeth and
the most Unsuitable desire for blood. That
rose is tittest which smOthers out hum
dred others in coming TO Its perfected ex-
istence. The apparent waste OF life - ap-
palling. For every tree that proudly lifts
its head q hundred others started. The
world which you and l live In have not
wholly lifted themselves from this plane.
do not mean the heather or savage world.
/ mean the Acton world, the American
world, the world of modern civilization.
But the sentiment is changing. The Golf
scum is gone, the Spanish bull-fght is GO
ing, the American prize-fght will
s those who advance ss'0t Themselves Ses most s
and iniure others least. Self-conquest
Is their principle. This is the highest ideal
man reached before the gospel revelation.
The animal wars with this better light The
self-conQueror reaches good end; the
clear eye, the sound lungs, o body the
perfect servant of the spirit with
in. Still more, 1t produces sound men,
DRY, clear reason and the highest mental
capacities. The Decalogue brings us TO
this plane. Its commands are negative. 1t
is not exhortation TO righteousness it Is
the forbidding of Embellishments It is a
negative Euide-board. The self-oonqueror
is msnikin. He never makes another
weep. but he never wipes the tears from
anot hers eyes,
There is something better than self
conquest; it is self-crucifxion. That does
the least for self and the most for others.
Self-exaltation Is animal. sclf-conquest is
human, self-sacriiice is divine. Self-con-
quest is the key of the Old Testament Self
sacrifice is that of the new. Look through
the Psalms for enc unseltish prayer;
i Look thronSa the w gospel for ssa
save his life shall lose it,
but he that loseth his life shall find IT.
This is true physically; it is true spiritually.
Every Ohvet Is preceded by Its Calvary.
referred to by Christ was, DO unto others
as you would have them do unto you.'
Chrlsts golden rule was. DO unto others
better than you would have them do unto
YOU The one the golden rule of justice,
the other of love. If a philosopher had told
me that self sacrifice was possible L would
not have believed him unless he had shown
how it could be done. Christ proved this
by his life. Shall men then set aside edu-
cation and development Is seltishf This
depends on the purpose. The moro of self
contained culture in the world the worse
for the world. The highest culture comes
not from q pursuit of it for it's own sake,
but it must look away at the world be-
yond. 1t can be done for it has been done;
1t can be done, for 1t is being done; it can
be done. for it will be DONE"
The ChautauQua procession was abnn-
doned because of the inclemency of the
weather. The class poem. by Rose Terry
Cook. was read by Miss Jennie Thompson,
of Franklin. Rev. j. g. Chaffee read his
own poem entitled ''Columbana." The
only diploma for this year was then con-
ferred by DR.. John on Samuel Wertz, of
Columbus The badges were then pinned
on and the ChatauQuans parted without
their formal round table.
In the evening a song service was given.
The lovers OF this art can ill afford to All
sent them selves from the treat now being
served at Acton. At J.. NJ. Rev S. +.
Dimmett, of the Maidstone avenue, preached
to an appreciative audience. He is young
man, but has made good use of his ability
and educational advantages. To-day Is
Grand Army day. with the well-knovn
Captain Lee in charge. He Is n man to
rally big and Jolly day. Invitations have
been sent 10 all the nelghbOring posts. On
Sunday Rev. Nj. Swadener will begin his
evangellstic services and the camp-neet-