The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-07-14


MemDers-
600
"Thy kingdom come, Thy win be- done"
OF THE CONVENTION.
Number of Addresses Delivered at the After
noon Session.
The music of the convention consists of q
mixed chorus and an orchestra. under tho
charge of w. c. Smock. The singers are
ranged in the tiers of seats on the plat
form. and the orchestra IL stationed at its
base. A very tasteful souvenir programme
has been issued by the conn.,
mittee in charge. and in 1T. beside
the proceedings of each day, are printed
O choice selection of songs and hymns
selected from the popular books of the day.
Every visitor at the hall is supplied with
one of these. and the committee. of which
the Rev. w. +. Taylor is chairman, was
publicly congratulated for the WORK which
it had done. The convention was formally
opened at $3.50 yesterday afternoon by
President Chapman, and there followed
ScriDtural reading. led by the Rev. john
son, OF Connecticut.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
President Chapman then delivered has
snnual address. which was as follows:
IL is a momentOus duty that falls to my lot at
this time-formally TO declare open this third
great annual convention of the Baptist Young
Peoples Union OF America. The privilege thus
granted to me Is q greater one than falls TO
many men by the accident of position. Presi.
dent Cleveland pressed the electric button that
set in motion the machinery OF the greatest ex-
position this world has ever seen. But President
Cleveland may We'll envy me the great honor
that Is mine to-day. AS a citizen OF the United
States and a resident OF Chicago. l hope l am
not lacking In national and local pride in
the great fair and in appreciation OF its ed
ucatIOnal possibilities, but IL Is no ex-
aggeratiOn to say that 1t Is a matter OF greater
moment 10 our national life that we. have so
large a company OF young hearts who have pur-
posed To walk in the way OF the Lord, and who
are ready To avail themselves of this convention
and opportunity for Christian culture.
liz is my privilege as president OF this great in
this second year of our existence with words Of
hope and cheer. The very rapidity and magni-
tude of our first years growth made the adjust
ment OF working plans q matter OF constant un-
certainty. The difficult problems inseparable
from any new method of work were increased by
duty and aim to meet. If 1 were to tell you
that the past year has been one OF undimmed
sunshine Tor this organization would not be
stating the truth. But 1 can tell a more encour-
aging thing. There have been times when the
winds whistled through the rigging of our ship;
sides. but she has weathered the storm, and we
are here TO testify that she is a seaworthy vessel.
cause TO doubt Gods hand in the work We have
been called 10 do. But there hav. been times
when the mist has surrounded the pathway SO
eIose TO our feet that we could sec only one step
Hta time. and again II has been His pleasure,
whose servants we are. to send the sunshine
breaking through these clouds. and, plying the
lack of faith that makes us slow to follow in the
dark, showing US q little Of the pathway ahead.
We are here to congratulate you upon the in
served by all who have watched with interest
the course OF our young people; to congratulate
you upon the rising intelligence that is plainly
manifest as TO UNCONVENTIONAL position. and also
upon the PROFESSIONALLY increased Bible study,
as is evidenced by the wide-awake interest taken
I'm the examinations that have been conducted
and that we shall hear from later.
1t is thus, with feelings OF exultatiOn in your
past faithfuiness, and yet with an anxious
prayer for your wise guidance, that We now in
vite you TO take part in the deliberations OF this
convention. May We be blessed throughout
with the presence of that Power that alons can
make this great company one IN faith, in hope
and in spirit.
MR.. sTEvENsoN's
At its conclusion. and after tho hearty
applause had subsidized. he introduced E. Z.
Stevenson, of this city. who made the well
come address. Mr.. Stevenson spoke as fol-
lows:
Upon whatever other questions indianapolis
may be closely divided, it is not divided in its
desire 70 be hospltable nor in its appreciation OF
the spirit OF progress. We want our greeting 10
be expressed more in actions than in words. The
best we have Is at your disposal. We claim To
be q city or homes, and We trust you will find
this TO be true.
Nature has bountifulIy come to our assistance
In extending you a warm welcome. Before you
get away you may want some one To turn the
cold shoulder TO you; To-da our city feels
itself exalted. The attention OF oil Baptists
and OF many others interested in Christian
progress Is directed to our work here. We
are assembled as a convention OF young
people and OF older people with young hearts.
Old Time Is a CHEAT; We are ali twenty to-day.
a Inc very TACT act ina. a, you Sa are mere shows W. that you
youth. God grant that the hearts of all of rs
may ever be young. that we may always keep
the enthusiasm and the Christian zeal that we
have to-day.
This is not a children's crusade, organized
with ~fanatical purpose. but the gathering OF the
younger members OF a great religious family TO
discuss nationally the present day problems
OF the Christian world. 1t is q sublime sight
10 consider these questions. 1t is an event
that Is comparatively new to the world.
and the creature OF a new spirit and new
methods in religious affairs. look seventy-fiv
years into the past and See a body OF men as
senhled for religious purposes. and hear them
say To Carey: 'sit down, young man. i look
back twenty five years and see no place in the
church for young people 10 work. except in the
Sunday school No wonder the church was fire.
quently the most unpleasant OF places and the
youth OF our country We're becoming indifferent
10 Its Influences. a few years ago an almost
simultaneous effort was made by all religiOus de-
Nominations TO bring young people into active
connection with church work. 10 organize them,
for organization was tightly regarded as the key
10 all successful work. The great latent energy
OF the young members was unclaimed and made
aH active force.
III Is not primarily as Baptists that we come
here. This meeting means more than that. The
fundamental purpose OF our organization we be-
leye 10 be- worthy OF the highest Communication.
UNCONVENTIONAL work is only an incideLt IN the
great religious work OF the world-a convenient
method OF applying Christian principles. Be-
meath all our differences and creeds we are
brothers. But We believe that denominations
pride VIII make US all better Christians. From
the days OF Roger Williams we Baptists have
freely yielded 10 all persons the fullest religious
liberty, the greatest freedom OF conscience. We
give Ia all what We ask for ourselves-frec ce-
hgiOus Worship
Our work is not sectional. We are here from
ali parts or our Republic. and we greet mo {
heartily our neighbors from the North, In pur-
pose, In spirit, IN needs. Ia hopes. IN Christ. IN