The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-14
WILDWOOD SEASON ENDS
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvORERS CONDUCT
THE LAST MEETING.
Address by Rev. j. f. Pounds on the
How 1t should Be bone.

The closing afternoon meeting at Wild
wood Park was held yesterday under the
direction of the Christian Endeavor Union
Of the city. The warm weather made the
outdoor service very enjoyable and a
large crowd was in attendance. The usual
number of bicycles was in the rack, and
the space allotted to carriages was we'll
taken up. Mr.. C. C. Hull president of the
Christian Endeavor Union. conducted the
service and introduced Rev. ]. E. Pounds.
who delivered a strong address on Carts
tian Endeavor and Missions
The speaker said that while the subject
announced would indicate a double theme
he really had but one. as Christian endeav-
or and missionary work are one and the
same. The Endeavor pledge, ito do what
He would like to have me do" is the mar
riage ceremony of Christian endeavor and
missions. They are one until the death of
sin shall part them-"what God has Joined
together let no man put asunder." While
the society may kindly help and sympa-
thize with other interests, for it to love
any cause better than that of missions will
be infdelity to it's marriage vows.
Missionary work is something that the
Christian Endeavor Society must do" con-
tinued the speaker, because its members
are pledged to the daily reading of that
greatest Of all missionary books. No one
who fails to read the Bible constantly
enough to get its real meaning can fail
to have the missionary spirit. To doubt
that he who reads Gods word every day
will be active in missionary work, which is
taught on every page of it, is to doubt the
power of the truth itself. Some have been
afraid that the Endeavorers would not be
loyal to the teachings of their respective de-
nominations but if humbly reading the
ID aa1ra ttn
people of any church loyal to it's teach
ing then 1 tremble for that denomination.
The Endeavor Society is essentially mis-
sonary because of its definition of Chris
tianity-that it is a service. Trusting for
strength suggest the performing of labor,
rather than the forming of dogmas and
striving to do what He would like to have
me do implies action rather than senti-
ment; and there is more religion in mo-
ton than emotion or cc'nmotion. The
kingdom of heaven IS thought by many
to be meat upon which they may feed their
ambition for personal renown. and 50 grow
great. Others look upon it as drink to
satisfy the thirst for social position. The
four hundred must greatly change their
opinions before they will be ravished by
the thought of a heaven which contains
ten thousand times ten thousand, among
whom Lazarus has the place of honor. The
Endeavorer believes that Christianity is
service of the Savior, the result of which
will be the conversion of the world to
Christ
"A good definition of Christian En-
deavorer is 'one who has taken orders; one
who, believing in the divine right of the
King of heaven and earth to give orders.
has taken them to execute, not to argue
about; There have been plenty IN the
take them; but the young people are learn
ing obedience, both in letter and spirit, and
SO they are going into all the world.
THE best way for the society to work
is through the regular missionary boards of
the church. Let them do special work
blIr under the cement of the boards OF
missions 1t is a cardinal principle that the
society is a society in and for and through
the church; that principle is vital. The
reason why the society exists at ali is the
reason why it exists as it is. To train
and efficient services in and for the church
is its mission, and to do this we'll is surely
a sufficient work for any one organization
The regular church boards are already the
missionary boards of the society, for the
young people are represented in every reg
be not trained to work for and through the
missionary societies for the next ten years
they will not be in vital sympathy with
them as we could wish; for where
treasure is there will our hearts be also.
Having our endeavor work in common with
all the church is more in harmony with
the Christian union spirit of the society:
On the night of Gethsemane, the eve of
Calvary, Jesus prayed the Father that his
people might be one. God will answer this,
the most earnest prayer of His only Son.
as soon as We His people t 1o ARE W WI s nt ana
of to-day, standing in the wilderness of
sectarianism and crying: Prepare We the
for the united kingdom of heaven is at
hand
Another reason for doing work through
the regular church channels is that it is
in harmony with the humble spirit OF
| Christian Endeavor 1t was an humble be-
ginning, and of an humble purpose; it was
! born to service. 1t serves the prayer meet
ing the Sunday school and the church in
| by financial support. by winning thousands
to the church and preserving tens of thou
| sands who are already Christians. If it be
| true of organization, as of individuals, that
| the greatest is the servant of all, then
| Christian Endeavor is the greatest of all
| societies
"'The missionary work of the society
| should be done in spirit of joy, for joy
| is characteristic of Christian Endeavor; it
is winsome, it is pleasant. In missionary
work is found the deepest of even the
| Christian joys. 1t is the experience of the
| than to receive The missionary has fell
lowship with the Christ in the joy of the
THE work must be done, also, in spirit
of prayer, and of faith; trusting in the
| Christianity is becoming quite a motto. 1t
is a good one. but the work of missions
| ly business principles: We need principles
| as careful as those of business. but as large
as those of faith. Business principles do
Partn ne the To- 10. am with YOU When
having faith in God the armies of the
| Lord have never lacked supplies. Christ is
present to multiply the loaves and fishes.
| All we have to do to feed men is to make
them hungry. for blessed are they which
do hunger and thirst after righteousness,
| for they shall be filed.
| THE work must be done. too, in spirit
! of self-sacrifice; genuine sacrifice. Not the
giving up of few unwholesome luxuries.
I but the giving up of some of the capital of
our money, some of the necessaries of life.
We must give up self, perhaps something
of intellect. Not that we should become in
| tellectually weak bat intellectually indif-
| ferent. not caring whether we be consid-
| cred great or not.
! 1--WE may have to sacrifice something of
| spiritual culture. We may have to fill po-
| sitfons in life and business and society
not the most conducive to spiritual growth
| We must do it for ChCist's sake and satisfy
our impatient hearts with the thought that
we shall be like Him when we see His
| face"
| Powers of the Federal GOverpme T.
| To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
| 1t seems strange to Union veteran,