The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-28
CRANsToN oUTDID JOHNSTON.
Preached "a Sensational Sermon, with
the President as an Auditor.


the President as an Auditor.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 27.-President Nc
Kinley went to the Metropolitan Methodist
Church yesterday morning to quiet the talk
that he had intended leaving the congrega-
ton on account of DR.. Johnston's sensa-
tional utterances on two former occasions,
and was compelled to listen to sermon
from Bishop Cranston, of Portland, Ore,
which outdid even Dr. Johnstons remark
able efforts. Bishop Cranston boldly an
nounced that he Endorsed everything that
DR.. Johnston had said in the sermons which
have brought forth so much criticism He
declared it was pastors duty to warn his
congregation, and said he hoped DR.. john
ston would continue to give needed instruc-
ton to ali the members of his congregation,
10 matter how high their station.
After the singing of Christmas hymn
by the choir DR.. Cranston advanced to the
front OF the platform and began to read
from the nrsI cnapter Oh oiehlsis. Before
he had proceeded far he laid aside the book
and entered into a brief discussion of pu-
gilism and the publicity given such matters
by the newspapers. Tine most disgusting
thing on the face of the earth" sald Bisn-
OPP CranstOn, lis prize fighting, and the
most Objectionable feature of our journals
is the columns of space given to the nau-
seating details of these brutal exhibitions
of so-called manly sport.
Bishop C,ranston closely resembles Rep
resentaiive Dlngiey, and his gestures are
greatly similar. bishop CransIon took for
thing that He had made, and behold 1t was
very good" During his discourse the b1snop
said there are great many people VINO
ara always criticislng a minister for his
style of preaching, but there are evils in
this world that threaten the church OF God
and the Almighty intended that the devices
of Satan SHOULD be exposed by his serV,
ants. and His advice to preachers would
be to preach the word of God in the man
ner they believe will most effectively reach
the sins of the world
In closing, Bishop CranSton turned to DR..
Johnston and. in a dramatic manner, said;
go ahead, brother. and continue to preach
the gospel in the way in which you think
you can best serve God, and He will say,
We'll done, thou good and faithful servant,
and indorse every word you have uttered
There was hearty shout of ''amens from
all parts of the church as the speaker Ut
tered his last word.
There was an incident after the service
ended and on the exterior OF the churcn,
which goes to illustrate the good-hearteu-
ness of the President. Mr.. Mckinley had
in some way preceded Mr.. Dingley and
Miss Duncan from the church. AS he was
waiting on the sidewalk for his party, sur
rounded by a crowd of curious church
tgoers. an elderly gentleman came out, and
as he started down the Recovered steps
slipped and fell violently to the ground
President Mckinley was standing rev
steps away. He rushed to the assistance
of the old gentleman but he had already
been assisted to his feet by policeman
and bystanders.
tically decided to attend some other church
in the future, but particular political
friend of the President, who is an elder in
the Metropolitan Church, pleaded with him
to reconsider his determination. which was
done. An assurance was given that there
would be no sensational utterances In the
future from Dr. Johnston. Bishop Gran
ston is we'll known in Washington. having
been stationed here a few years ago.