The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-15
MINISTERS AT BETHANY
YESTERDAY DEVOTED TO THEM
AND TO THEIR WORK..
A Plan for n Fund for Old and In
firm Ministers in the Christian
Church-Th Days Work.

Yesterday was the convention Of the
State Ministerial Association at Bethany
Park. AMI Atwater. of Sullivan. ILL.,. was
president of the day. Professor DUNCAN
took for his subject Effective Sermons"
He defined a sermon as an oral address de-
livered to a popular audience on religious
topics taken from the book of life and de-
livered with a view of coaXing men from
the depths of sin. The purpose of the SER
mon is to save, develop and civilize the
moral nature.
The speaker gave reasons why some SER
mons were partial failures; they were too
short or too much of a speculative nature;
the preacher had a hobby or spoke in un-
decided terms, referred to politics or be-
lieved in total depravity.
a. NJ. Atkinson delivered an address on
ministerial Relief" He said most all
churches had funds set apart for their old
and infirm ministers. He Strongly advised
that such n relief fund be provided in the
Church of the Disciples. He cited several
pitiful instances in the church. Members
of the assembly were asked to contribute
to their support.
The assembly lecture was given by ]. II.
Garrison, whose subject was What of the
Night?" He introduced his subject by cit
ing the query OF the prophet in the Bible
who asked what of the night and who was
answered, Though it is yet twilight. the
morning cometh." In ages past man has
asked the same question; we are asking it
to-day; and as every century has closed
with an important event there is no reason
to think this country will be an exception.
great interests hat concern us. Religion
is so grounded in mans nature that the
"Who shall / Worship" Man must
worship; that is assured. Theology is grow
ing more rational. more Christianized: more
things are being removed and Christ put in
the heart of theology. OF the outlook for
the Bible he said no one need be worried
so would 1t be in the future the molding
force in mans higher develoarnsnt
In the afternoon the president gave a
short opening address, after which commit
Rev. Eric Lewis, a missionary from
Soudan. an Englishman, gave an interest
1t as illustrated by curfoS from the coun-
try. He was dressed in the native costume,
consisting of a cotton gown. with trousers,
turban wound round the head and face,
with a broad-brimmed hat woven from the
native straw and colored With the native
dyes. The SOudan proper reaches from the
Atlantic TO the Nile. From the Bengal to
Khartousn stretches a row of powerful
Mohammedan empires The-Deople are
comparatively civilized. wearing a decent
attire and having a settled government and
a complete feudal system. schools for the
free-born BOYS and favorite boy slaves,
where reading. writing and arithmetic are
taught. The textbook for the two former
is the Koran. The language for the Hausa
race. which is written in the Arabic char
acter. is the language Of commerce
throughout the Soudan. and is understood
even on the shores of the Mediterranean
Hence the mighty opportunities for the
spread of the gospel in that tongue.
In 1890 the first party of missionaries
bound for Soudan went out from England
,,.ln- 4ho oh.rrnh rniGCinnarV cnpietv Of
England and settled at Toxic, $50 miles up
the river Niger. OF these the two leaders.
J. A. Robinson and Mr.. Brooke, lie buried
there. The others were scattered by I'll
health. Others have entered Soudan at
various points. and. except for climatic
reasons. it may be said to stand open to the
gospel.
: Last night Rev. d. f. Lucas. of this city,
talked on the Purpose of the Restora-