The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-21
HOW TO REACH THE MASSES.
One-Minute Speeches at TOmIinson
Hall Conferences


The convention held a brief session begin
ming at $3.50 o'clock yesterday morning. Dr.
D. F. McGill, the general secretary-elect,
conducted the usual praise and devotional
service, after which J. A. Duff offered reso-
lutions out of respect to the late Dr.. J. NJ
Fulton, which were adopted by rising
vote.
The convention then divided into sections
were held in different places in the city.
The sectional conference that was held
at Tomlinson Fall beginning at 10 o'clock
discussed the subject of Workers in City
Churches and Missions" About one thou
sand were in attendance and Rev. J. w.
Ashwood, of st. Louis presided
DIR. ASHWOOD'S ADDRESS.
DR.. Ashwood. after discussing the impor-
lance of the subject said:
I'VE face the problem of the day. The
81 eat question in Christian circles is, how
to save the city Behold these teeming
millions, graded from the overcrowded tene-
ment house to that palatial, scarcely oc-
cupicd mansion in the NEST acceptable
quarter. What of them? 1t is a kaleido-
scope, no two views of which are alike
Constant change day and night, the GRIM
inal element and the virtuous, the COR
tlnentiu spirit ming1ng with our home-bred
wickedness, the Vilest element of Europe
rubbing elbows with the purest importa-
ton, the criminal every few PAGES passes
an honest man. As we look upon this great
mass we ask, what of them? These are
the souls that God has given us to save.
Why try to paint the unpaintable to-day?
1t Is not my province to try to picture the
whole city. / look upon those assembled
here, who, under God, have been set apart
for special work. You have been called
upon TO bring salvation to the sufferers of
soul in these great cities. We must not for
a moment imagine that those with whom
we have to deal are all confined within that
seething lower stratum. The business man
with scarce time to give thought to these
sentiments and truths ard thoughts which
We represent, every day is Glowing his way
along cur streets while by his side saUnt-
erS the eaSy-going man who is no less care
less about his immortal interests.
THESE are part of that great company,
and beside them can lie seen those women
those thrifty housewives who are striving
as best they can to get one dollars worth
of the necessaries of life out of 80 cents.
These are struggling side by side with SOM
although but a few doors divide them
These men and women, laboring early and
late, from in the morning until D. m,
with hardly any time for worship, even
where the inclination still fingers. But
why do we speak of these? 1t is that their
need Is Macedonian that appeals to to-
day. This great middle class is the strength
of the cities of our land. But do we fail
TO remember that those who because of
festivities. and servants to do their bidding?
Is this class beyond our sympathy? Are
we not 10 go to them? Are we not TO take
the gloved hand2 Are we not TO so to them
with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Pitiful
tales could be told To you to-day of men
and women in palatial residences dying for
the sympathy of which we heard of here
yesterday-Christs sympathy; they want
the gospel, and God bids us take it to them
DANGERS OF THE CITY.
Look at the city as an entirety; what
an influence 1t exerts in this land of ours,
and also what a magnificent sight TO be-
hold. the great throbbing centers, but let
US measure what that influence means. It
is a safe statement to make that as the city
is so is, or will be. its surrounding ooun-
try. These great cities send out the influ-
ence through the different lines by which
they communicate with the country around
them Add to that the Importance that is
revealed in the fact that, according to care
ful statistics. over 60 per cent. OF the popu-
lation OF our land is within the city lin
its. Another statistician tells US that there
are at least IS per cent. that are within