The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-20
ny. and all this in spite Of bitter. strong and

n.y. and all this in spite of bitter, strong and
prolonged opposition2
TRULY AMERICAN CHURCH.
This plea was horn and nurtured on
American soil. It could not have been born
elsewhere. The spirit of freedom. and the
liberty Of independent investigation. so es-
sential to it's birth and growth. are tc be
found only under the stars and stripes.
The monarchies of the old world. rich as
they are in virtues. are devoid of these.
Our people fought for civil liberty 1t came
not by inheritance, hut was purchased with
a great price. Bunker Hill, Valley Forge
and Yorktown mark the slow but sure
progress to this royal privilege. Foreign
letters and the yoke of despots gall cur
necks, and we will not wear them. Free
dom IS IN our air. We drink ii from our
mothers breasts, and breathe it from our
plains and prairies, and from the snowy
submits of our mountains. And people
who thus love political liberty will not be
indifferent TO religious freedom. The siaV-
cry Of creeds. the dominion of Dopes and
priests, and the edictS OF human councils
will have little weight with them. Had Cal
vim lived in America instead of Europe his
extreme views of the sovereignty Ut God,
views nodded by the reign of kings. would
never have been. Had Wesley lived here
instead of England that part Of Metho6ism
peculiar 70 bishops and presiding elders,
which was nodded after his own govern
ment, would never have been. The atnlos-
phere breathed by these and other great
men had it's influence IN shaping their
theologies. And had the Campbclls and
foreign soil their work would have been an
impossibility. They had 10 live in this
democratic country, imbibe its spirit, and
catch step with its movement before they
could reach and mold its heart as they have
done But this they did. and in the doing
of it they have touched popular chord and
aroused the heart as 1t has not been since
the apostolic age. Here we are then in the
right place and with the right plea, both
nc ,4+,f1 arn
help us to acquit ourselves like men, May
we stand faithfully by the American Chris
tan Missionary Society the mother and
friend of all our missionary enterprises.
Like pioneer mothers In general, she has
had her struggles In her early life she
hattled with poverty The people had TO
build their houses of worship and care for
the infant churches. Their presence aroused
the enmty Of great religious bodies ana
they had to fight for an existence. Under
such circumstances they had little money
to give for missions. A little later strong
men questioned her scripturalness, ana
fierce war ragged for many years. Later
still other societies were born and Tor
time the mother seemed doomed 10 an
eclipse by her splendid daughters But ~
1881 the church awoke to the Importance of
home missions. New England the west,
the Northwest and the new South began 10
attract attention. and In a single year. ana
that year of much financial depression,
the debt is lifted and the society is left un-
fettered for its noble work. Home mlsslo ,l
TO the 'front.' our battle cry mas an ecno
to-day in more hearts than ever before
MAY it's echo be heard in every heart! IT
ought to be. The society deserves u. IL,
the face of difficulties and In the clash and
carnage OF battle she has demonstrated ner
right to live. Her missionaries. trled al.u
true like the spies of old have brought us
Of the rare, ripe fruits of the land, and like
brave old Joshua and Caleb they i say cove we
pregations established by her already are
the solid proofs that she Is worthy OF our
most ardent support. And with three ,,
fourths of the United States dependent upon
bar for generalization how can we with
hold that support? Pour the coin into ner
Golfers and America will be converse l.,sc
Convert America and she Will light Iarne
which will penetrate the dark places OF the
earth. illuminate these dark places ana me me
Kingdoms OF this world VII pe ,,Dint a rn5
then we viii all go home to God and glory.