The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-22

sayings OF the father, as handed down by
uncertain traditions ceased to be fruit
bearing-hecame parasitic, living upon the
past With the regularity of the hands OF
rounds to and from the meeting house,
worshipful in heart
In turn, again, new blood began to fill
the frosty chambers win the warm cur
rents of active life. simultaneously arose
the organization of Bible schools and a
thirst for a better literary culture, which,
In turn. created a demand for the latest and
the best or at least something reasonably
~ -; su tldui'lon9 SeaSSu ~
pass current. Friends books suited to other
days and other circumstances, though of
rare worth to the more mature. were rele-
gated 10 the dusty garretS; their periodical
literature, with scarcely an article adapted
to the youth lost its authoritative position
and the melodious sing-song of the gallery
was no longer accorded its wonted oracular
oh lracter. Friends, never behind in mod
ern appliance for secular affairs, were slow
TO move in these higher matters. Blinded
by their nsver-ceasing gaze backward to
the fathers they failed to discern the signs
of the times The youth with burning aspi-
raticps and heaven-inspired ambitions re-
VOTED against the moldy past and turned
literature OF other churches.
FRIENDS LEAVING THE CHURCH.
In consequence, two things resulted
Many of the young Friends transferred
their allegiance and became stars of superb
or Drilliancy in the consultations that
adorn the skies of other churches Far
be it from me TO utter one word derogatory
TO the choice or labor of those who have
left us for they were prompted by lofty
purposes. Their going made rich those who
received. but left poor those who gave
Second-There were sown the seeds of dis
cord which produced the earthquake shocks
OF more recent times Such an anomalous
CONDITION has and does to some extent still
exist as TO render ii almost perilous for
yearly meetings to undertake to reaffirm
certain ancient doctrines. Summer schools
under the charge of meetings on ministry
"a NHrsEa tn
upon their programmes for discussion in a
prepared paper q subject as old as the Socie-
~ ana then in the interest of harmony bar
al miscellaneous discussion relative there
10 The youth cease TO be Friends simply
because they do not understand the doc
tTlneS ana practices OF the society. They
obtain their intellectual and spiritual nour-
lshment from the great periodicals of other
churches, their Bible literature from the
same source, and as natural sequence,
by the gradual assimilation of such food,
IN process OF time they are transformed into
MethodiSus, PresbyterianS and the like.
The dangers OF this drift period are by
no means past; nay even IL is doubtful
whether the point OF elimination has yet
appeared. What shall be done? Shall the
vessel like PauPs, be let to scud before
the wlnd?' If so, let there be the most care
ful undergirdinS and preparation. If every
reform movement, every political organize
ton, every historical, literary and Scien-
tific association must possess an ably
edited and wisely managed periodical for
the proper exposition and dissemination of
Ats views, how much more should a section
OF the cnurcn OF Jesus CHRIST, with mag
nifcent interests committed to its trust,
throw itself with superhuman strength.
courage and wisdom into the breach and
food the channels of life with healthful
currents of mind-feeding and soul-inspiring
literature The mind of the age is alert.
The long latent forces are being transmitted
into mighty energy. The spirit of biblical
research is sharp and aggressive. 1t is by
no means confined to the honest searchers
after truth and the safe and sober specu-
lations of the better sort The keen-edged
penknife of Baruch is whetted for nefarious
work. The times are pregnant with omenS.
Many hapless inquirers will be engulfed by
the abyss of waters unless the help be time
~ and the guidance safe. Followers of the
mighty Fox, Penn and Barclay, what is the
duty of the hour? The young Friends are
receiving decidedly too much of their theol-
ogy from unscienfihc and doubtful sources.
Many are carried away under n leadership
wholly unprepared for so important work.
After years of meager subsistence upon the
shoals of some extreme profession almost
beyond the pale of human society. they
drift back to basic principles with regrets
that their guidance had been so faulty
Others are leaving church SO lacking in
enterprise and uncertain in its progress
and taking up their domicile in the land
whence comes their sustenance.
TYPE OF PERIODICAL NEEDED.
1.-The great law of self-preservation de-
mands that we courageousiy face the times
and emergencies that confront and pro-
vide at least one periodical that shall keep
abreast of the ablest thinking and the best
living of this. day. 1t demands edi-
toral staff qualified by years of preparation
in science, language and literature to fol-
low the keenest intellects In their re-
searches, safely to separate the genuine
from the fake and to give the vital grains
OF truth with good old-fashioned Quaker
soundness Unless we can afford staff
with the above qualifications, so that their
words shall almost bend beneath the burden
of the thoughts they convey. it will require
prediction q
ance that stormy times, and, shall l say
possible shipwreck lie just ahead When
some new logic unearthed, some new treas
uro found in the Orient some Friend has
forged from original sources an exposition
commanding the respect OF the ablest bib
lical scholars let the criticisms be ground
out of Quaker mill and come to us in
shape of genuine Quaker oats.
There is a demand for ably edited and
well-supported periodical to act as the heart
I'm sending the rich life blood coursing
through the whole circulatory system, dis
tending every artery and remotest capillary
with vitalized material, so that while We
are many members we may be one body.
The Declaration of independence, the Con-
sttuton of the United States and. the able
discussions of the Federaist gave a trend TO
our national life that has lasted century
and bound into one people. 1t Is said
that every clause of the statute of frauds
has been worth a subsidy TO England, for
by its clear and definite provisions the null
tiplicity of lawsuits were discouraged, fair
trade and honest dealing promoted and COM
listed century ago, clear in its teachings,
elevated in it's character every SchiSm and
division that has rent the society hitherto
might have been avoided. Could a correct
exhibit be made of the sources whence
Friends derive their religious training. the
great variety of doctrines and methods that
exist would cease to astonish us. To the
new meetings remotely situated, in the
ancient days when the spirit of prophecy
had ceased for the space of five centuries,
the word of God becomes exceedingly
precious. In their earnest warnings for the
truth they absorb much that is unwhole-
some A Friends periodical going to their
homes laden with the finest of the wheat
would do them untold good and be instru-
mental i'm maintaining reasonable uni
formity both in doctrine and practice.
A STAFF OF HOLY MEN.
"Our periodical must be broad and deep
and truly catholic in spirit, meeting the
legitimate demands of every type of mind.
1t must contain messages indited by the
Holy Ghost Luther said that every true
sermon must have heaven for its father and
the earth for its mother So should be the
messages that come through our periodical.
1t must be able to be said of the whole staff,
holy men spake as the Holy Ghost gave
them utterance.
Five years ago the conference was bap-
SCOTS Emulsion is not a
EELohv food - b,+ 80 = ,,,os+