The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-20
FROM TIE PRESIDENT.
Matters OF Interest and Importance
tn the Club Discussed.

tn the Club Discussed.
To the Howard Literary-Warmest
greeting to all. Ny own serious illness
and that Of Mrs. Strawn has enforced
continuation of my long silence and
seeming indifference to the club.
| wish it known that union with you
in a choice and common cause is still TO
me a sweet word, because il is n broad
and fertile avenue for aspirations all
must cherish who would enjoy life's
richest treasures and purest delights.
I am not sure that a review of the
past few months would be of value to
any one. 1 am sure that apologies to
you from me are quite proper. And here
they are-an you want of them-and
plenty 10 spare for the editor and Senti-
mel.
Regrets are vain-foolish, but let us
learn wisdom and take warning from the
lesson or failures. IT'S useless to re-
peat what you all know-that you have
been practically without a president. 1t
seems that have unavoidably committee
an unpardonable sin. If you can well
come a president prodigal 1 shall hope
to enjoy the continual feast which new
president will soon prepare for the club,
and shall try to present a few crums in
return. No one more deeply regrets the
lack Of usefulness of large number of
pillars" than I Of the club. Something
is wrong. There is no lack of talent. 1t
must be lack Of leadership. However,
l am greatly surprised to know that so
many who 50 elOquently WELD the pen
have been unheard so long. VIII not
the whole club lend a credulous ear to
at least the incentives of club objects?
Let us hear from all, soon and often
IT, frT1lN q M n
club objects. which are simply the out
growth of the supremacy Of spiritual
forces over natural laws.
Discussion may be varied as the tints
of autumn leaves-originaI as the
source Of the mountain stream-pure as
its waters-1najestic as the sturdy oak
and powerful as their manifold and spe-
cial power to influence human life, in
endless progression, until it finally be
comes pure as its source. AS the sun
has kissed the earth into a million
forms Of life and beauty, so may club
objects. based on Christianity, be
nodded into all its forms of beauty and
power.
As the capacity to resist evil is the
measure Of moral force, SO is cur abil-
ity to Danish decisions Of self and 9TH
erS the balance-sheet of obligation. Mil
lions Of deluded enthusiasts-slaves Of
passion and superstiuon-are swept
away by the mighty popular current of
feeling and worldly affairs into the
fathomless ocean of utter despair, with
no voice stern enough TO warn them of
the iron hand Of law and destiny. The
Christian church and the world at
large are slow to recognize the efforts
of their worthy leaders. Human nature
is weak-prone to err and wander.
Millions who have attained the higher,
purer plane OF light, and life. and
truth. and grace and love are strong
enough. by the help Of God, to lift the
uncOunted hosts Of earth out OF the
bondage Of ignorance and crime into the
light OF knowledge and fellowship with
/ God and his saints on earth. No choice
IS given but service or retrogression.
And hereo1 rests the problem of the
advancement of the church-the prob
lem Of the ages-the riddle of the fut-
IRE, which the church must solve at
once by a wonderful demonstration OF
, the fact that the trueSt happiness de-
ponds upon prayer, and prayer upon
I love, which inspires sweet loving Serv-
ice to God and man.
Sentinel readers are certainly con-
WINGED that the Howard literary is per-
fectly adapted to the conditions Of life
/ around US, and that all who will
earnestly work with us are welcome,
and requested to do 50. The club is in
tended to be a massive, well-bound
weekly edition of knowledge against ig-
/ norance, truth against error. AS club
we nave not Deen progressive, or ag-
greSSlVe, for waTlt OF proper leadership
and organization. The election Of new
officers this week viii. hope, awaken
every member TO renewed activity-to
| lofty impulse-to a forcible presentation
Of the deeper truths of existence, as
seen in the great principles Of our
club.
Hundreds Of Sentinel readers will find
II to their advantage to join the club
at once. and become active members.
| Welcome ever, all who love truth
Wishing the greatest success possible
to the new administration. and thank
| ing you again for unmerited honors, I
am sincerely yours,
WILL e. STRAWN."
Montpelier, Ind, Dec. Is.