The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-21
VARIOUS OTHER SECTIONS.
Conferences on Rural Work and
Theological Students.

The conference on the subject of Work
ers in Rural and Village Churches" as
sembled in the First Baptist Church in the
morning and was well attended. Rev. Paul
Stewart, young man from Spring Ill.,
Ind. conducted the meeting, and in his
opening remarks said that one-half of the
population of the village and rural dis
tricts is outside of the church and that
many ministers thought they must go at
once to the cities for their labors, leaving
the country districts deserted
"A programme of printed questions
brought out considerable discussion follow-
ing Mr. Stewards remarks 1t was stated
that selfishness, lack of sympathy, lazlness
and fear of man were at the root of the
failure of success by rural workers. The
questions of methods and orgauiza-
ton brought out many speakers. Home
department work in the Sunday schools
prayer meetings and cottage meetings were
urged. Let the church." said Mr.. Stewart
be the center of the social life of the COM
munity."
cleS in the country" was asked. Don't
nave dancing at church socials." the leader
answered.
The Rev L. E. Hawk said that personal
work was one person working with one per-
son to save him. There is plenty of per-
sonal work to do he said, for there are
side of the church."
Before the conference closed the whole
organization pledged itself to more faithful
work.
THE MISSIONARY CONFERENCE.
The conference of Missionaries and Vol
unteers was held at Roberts Park Church.
The attendance was large and the meeting
very earnest one. Rev. Charles S. Gle
land, of Philadelphia, presided.
Last night no said s'thera xUera held
in different parts of this city twenty-four
evangelistic meetings, and so far as they
have been reported it said that good
was accomplished and souls were saved as
the result. This work is in the line of
carrying out the great plan that has been
formulated by the evangelistic committee,
1t is great plan, a magnificent plan but
how small compared with Gods plan fer
the salvation of the world. If we have our
plan from God, our missionary enthusiasm
from Him, we will not be satisfied with city
or state CHARACTERIZATION. We will only be
satisfied when this world can be called
ChriStS with all it's kndreds and peoples
The key word to our work is obligation.
Some say privilege instead of obligation"
Mr. Cleland offered a prayer which the
conference agreed to. In it he said that
Gods command to go into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature i'm
oiled three things; % The fact of universal
guilt; % universal love; 90 the fact of I'M
limited sufficiency in Christ. The speaker
said though 1900 years had passed, but
one-fourth of the race had been reached.
have been removed" said Mr.. Cleland land
greater responsibility than ever before
rests upon the church He deplored the
fact that the churchs mission work was
hampered by lack of funds, and pledged the
young people present to sacrifice, and work
and pray that the missionary operations Of
the church might be extended throughout
Egypt. India and South America The
speaker also pledged the young people to
circulate missionary literature, and sug-
gested that more attention should be given
seminaries.
Therefore, we petition the general COM
mittee to request the faculties of our edu-
cational institutions to provide for special
missionary courses of instruction."
In conclusion Mr.. Cleland said: I'VE ask
the young people to join with us and the
workers in the field in prayer and consecra-
ton Of self and money to the service Of
that we are trying to obey, we feel di-
vinely strong as we lay hold of the great
promise Lo, am with you always. even
unto the end of the world. -
DIR. Witherspoon and others made short
speeches. Rev. Mr.. Porter said that what
is needed in the United Presbyterian Church
to-day is conservation, information and sys-
tenn in our giving - III congregations last
year gave only a little over a cent a men,
Der, presbytery after presbytery not Civ
ing a cent member 'One cent
day he said, with quarter of a cent ad-
ditional occasionally, would raise all the
ton would pay much a week per mem
Der and you would have flfty-two envelopes
each year to put it in you would find
your collections would be satisfactory"
THE COLLEGE SECTION
The sectional meeting for the discussion
of the work of college and theological stu
dents was held in the Y. NJ. c. A. Hail. and
was very interesting. being well attended
by college men. The psalm-singing COL
legians filled the hall with their music.
Rev. c. f. Wishart, OF Allegheny, the
president of the institute. presided. Special
programmes had been distributed bearing
questions pertaining to the welfare Of
church and college. How can we get the
church and it's young people better ac-
quainted with our eolleges?'' was respond
ed to by DIR. Thompson, of Tarkio College
DR.. Thompson argued that the young peo-
pies societies were the best means to bring
about better acquaintance between COZ
lege and church.
DIR. Ferguson, in speaking on the loyalty
of the church to her colleges, also pointed
ont the pastors as the men who should adj
Vertise the colleges.
"Hindrances to Spiritual Life in the Sem