The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-29
Closing Day OF the sixth state Con.
ference Brought n Vast Cro~A
OF Visitors 10 the City,
LEAGUE TO REFORM POLITICS
THE CHRISTIAN WORKERS EXPECT
TO ACHIEVE GREAT RESULTS.
DIR. j. p. ID. John Delivers a Powerful
Address at the Armory-Figures
of the Secretary. i


Special 10 the indianapolis Journal
ANDERSON, Ind. June 2S-Sunday Of
conference week broke as an ideas June
day. and the Epworthians felt invigoss.ed
both physically and spiritually. So far a
the business OF the sixth annual confer
ence is concerned, that is at an end. ana
was concluded last night. To-day was set
apart as a time OF spiritual enjoyment
All the great sermons were reserved for
to-day, and. If anything, the crowds were
greater. Although few Epworthisns left
for home last night. the late trains and
the early ones this morning brought an
Increase OF numbers.
The services to-day began with sunrise
prayer meeting the Meridian-street NJ
r. Church at o'clock. II was one OF the
best meetings OF the entire session. Evan
gelist Ostrom, young man. has taken
wonderful hold on the young people. and
wherever he goes they follow in crowds.
Almost every pulpit In the city was placed
at the disposal OF the Epworthians. and
most Of them were filled by league lead
ers. The greatest interest, however. GEN.
tered In the services at the Armory and
Meridian-street NJ. T. Church. At the
former Dr. ]. p. ID. John. ex-president Of
DePauw University. delivered a powerful
sermon and at the latter three services
were conducted under the direction Of
Evangelist Ostronl assisted by Messrs-
John Hills and Harry Maxwell. OF Green
castle. evangelistic singers Dr. j. H Mar
tin. president of Moore's Hill College. oc-
cupied the pulpit at the Congregational
Church. Rev. DIR. ]. G. Campbell at the
Presbyterian. j. II. Jackson ar the Chris.
tian. ]. H. Harwell at the M. K. Church
in North Anderson. Rev. Ralph Norton at
the United Brethren and number OF mis-
sion churches were in charge OF appoint-
ments by the conference.
There was an early rush for seats at
the Armory. where DIR. John was an
nounced to preach. and long before the
appointed hour the big hall was complete
ly filed. Prof. Shook, OF Terre Haute.
conducted a praise service. feature OF
which was a solo by Miss Winestein. OF
Terre Haute. DIR. John at his best.
For an hour and a half he held the vast
audience as If under a spell. His theme
was THE Outlook for Christianity." He
said. In part:
DIR. JOHNS SERMON
IF Voltaire had been true prophet
Christianity would now be. cry a reni-
niscence. He has disappeared. but Chris
tianity is still here. You would tear up
many a foundation in iooscning the hold
which Jesus Christ has taken on the world
since voltaire's death. What is to be the
future of Christianity? Is II one OF the
great religions of the world and doomed
like the others TO pass away, or Is Il the
one religion that will Hast and be adapted
to the deepest wants and highest culture
OF the ages yet TO come? Christianity can
never grow obsolete. for IL is the half hinge
49, L. he. fI.xx I..I A.
a perfect fit for man. Ihe false religions
OF the world are adapted to some phases
Of humanity in some ages and civilizations.
but none is fitted for the universal age and
cline. In answer TO universal question
of the race. What is God? these religions
cannot satisfy the human soul. But the
answer of Christianity TO this central ques-
| ton is satisfactory both TO the intellect
| and to the heart of man.
''The Christian conception Of Gods
power, wisdom, goodness, justice and
mercy suits the requirements Of human
reason and is stimulus to hope and faith.
But the Christian conception OF Gods love
| is unique and IL meets a response in every
/ human heart 1T as what the world has
| sought everywhere. but found nowhere ex-
cept on Calvary. VIII the world give up
It's faith in the infinite love OF God2 Try
the experiment. Send 1t abroad through
| all the earth. Let the weary OF all lands
| pillow their heads on the bosom OF Gods
love: let the timid and the fearful feel the
1 clasp Of the arms OF His love; let the de-
| spondent look out Of the darkness at the
| noon-tide splendor OF His love; let the
of His love; let the guilty and conscience
eyes of His love, VIII they. let Him gof
| II is empty without IL. whatever else ft
| may have Ii Is full with H. whatever else
1t may lack whoever made tne human
| center and circumference is love, and not
| until the cry of the heart for love shall
have been hushed will Christianity become
/ efete.
but another universal question OF the
! race Is, What is man? The false re-
| ligions have not anywhere answered this
question 10 the satisfaction of the world
| Some of the religions have said man Is but
| clod. or IL he have a soul IL Is doomed
| after death TO the comDanionshiD OF rep
F! tiles and monsters. These answers and
| Others ike them might temporarily allay
the curiosity of the few but they only
| tions The human heart Is too deep 70 Do
sounded by such plummets as these. Chris
| tianity answers the question. What II
Man, by the inspiration OF destiny Man
| Is a spiritual being. born for immortality.
| Christianity satisfies the soul In Its yearn~
ings for an immortal career, and IL can
never Isse its hold on mankind until the
| constit ltlSn OF the soul shall have been re-
| versed. Go where you VIII on the earth,
| and you cannot pass beyond your horizon
Go out upon the sea. and your horizon goes
| with you. Climb mountain and look
! down on the landscape at your feet: still
| YOU are In the center of your horizon.
| Let human philosophy move out over seas
| of progress. mount 10 heights OF culture:
| in cannot pass the horizon that encircieo
n for OF all true human philosophy the
| center Is the cross OF Christ
CLOSING EXERCISES.
The interest OF the afternoon centered IN
the patriotic and good citizens meeting,
held at the armory at 3 o'clock This
brought cut "a large number of citizens and
business men who have not been In the
habit OF attending any OF the sessions Dr.
]. III. Martin. president of Moore's Hill
College. discussed America for Christ. ="
Hon. ELI r. Ritter. OF Indianapolis spoke
OF How TO Secure the Enforcement oe
Law" The Epworthians were represented
I'm the discussion by Rev. Allen Lewis. of
u Valparaiso who discussed the "Attitude Of
! the Epwortn League 10 the Good C1tIxcnas
4 Movement" There Is much enthu1tasm
In the lee que i'm this direction. and 4
mighty force Is thus being brought 90 bear
on public sentiment There is no oissens{oo
concerning the duty of all Epworthtano
on this question. and IL IL quite likely that
from now on the policy OF the League WI