The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
ONE GREAT COMMUNION
THOUSANDS PARTOOK OF 1T YES
TERDAY AT TONILINsON HALL.
Foreign Missionary Society of the
Christian Church VIII Now
Begin It's Sessions.

Begin Its Sessions.
The convention delegates now in the city
and the congregations of the thirteen local
Christian churches celebrated the sacrament
of the Lords supper at TomIinson Hall yes
terday afternoon. 1t was a notable occasion.
The hall was as densely packed as it could
well be, even the third gallery being crowd
ed, and an estimate of the attendance places
it at 1900. Perhaps never before have so
many people assembled to partake of the
communion and the occasion will be historic
in the annals of the Christian Church.
The ceremony lasted for nearly two hours
and was very impressive throughout. The
| thousands remained in the attitude of rev.
erence which the sacred rite inspires, and
this, together with the spiritual singing, the
impressive words of the speakers and the
beautiful decorations Of the hall, made the
scene one of great solemnity. Suspended
from the balconies and from the ceiling of
the stage were many flags of this and orien-
tai nations Sandwiched in among them
were portraits Of leading church celebrities
who have died. In front was a large pic
ture of Alexander Campbell, who was one
it on either side were the likenesses of Isaac
Errett, the founder of the Christian Stand
ard, and John O'Kane, who organized the
first Christian church Of this city in 1888.
Among the other portraits displayed were
those of James A. Garfield, who was a
Disciple of Christ, "Raccoon' John Smith, a
noted preacher in Kentucky in his time, and
o. A. Burgess, S. *. Hoshour, Love H.
To -
whom We're pioneer preachers in this State.
Besides the pictures and flags various maps
of missionary countries and notices were
hung upon the walls, and one banner which
is particularly worthy of note is large
one on which was inscribed the words "Wel-
come to Indianapolis 1t was a beautiful
piece Of workmanship and was made espe-
cially for this convention.
THE GOVERNOR PRESENT.
The platform was fringed with palms and
the seats of the stage were raised and ar
ranged in tiers, while a piano occupied one
corner. Many of the choristers who are to
sing in the chorus during the evenings of
the coming week occupied places on the
stage, while prominent among the men were
noticed Governor Mount and Rev. DR..
Haines, of the First Presbyterian Church,
both of whom partook Of the communion.
In front of the platform were four tables, on
which set the silver service and the bread
and wine used in the ceremony.
DIR. d. r. Lucas, of the Sixth Church, pre-
sided at the meeting. AS he made the in
troductory address the silence in the hall
was very marked. He spoke as folows
I'VE are assembled here to-day, not to
honor any man or any principle as such,
but to honor Jesus of Nazareth, who is our
Savior, our King and our Lord. AS we come
nearer to Him all selfishneSs is lost When
the great apostle, Paul, felt the force of
self he wrote a letter in which he began by
saying: L am Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ. I magnify mine office AS he came
nearer to the Christ, writing another letter,
he said: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
called to be an apostle. He goes do f,Is as
a servant. Later in his life he wrote an
other letter in which he says: Unto me-
who am less than the least of all saints
is this grace given that should preach
among the heather the unsearchable riches
of Christ, In one of his last letters he says:
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners of whom am the
chief Thus we see as he comes nearer
to the Christ self goes down and Christ is
exalted. An apostle, then servant, then
the least of all saints and then the chief
of sinners. Standing then in the presence of
the Christ to-day and of the glory and vic
tory of His cross may we not together use
the words of that grand old singer. Isaac
Watts:
When survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain count but loss
And pour content on all my pride.
See from his head his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did eer such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That We're a present far too small,
Love SO amazing, so divine,
Demands my SOUL my life, my ALL
MIR. SPENCER'S ADDRESS.
After the singing of a hymn the Rev. j.
H. Hardin delivered up feeling prayer and
short addresses followed by /. J. Spencer,
of Kentucky, and Jabez Hall, of Butler Col
lege. Mr.. Spencer spoke of the impressive
fact that the people assembled were sinners
unworthy of the mercies of God, but who
through the death of Christ were hopeful
of redemption. Mr. Hall spoke in the same
vein and the vast audience joined in sing
ing: Mighty Rock, whose towering form
looks above the frowning Storm Pres
ident c. L. Loos, of the Foreign Missionary
Society, said a few words of thanksgiving
for the loaf and DR.. Lucas repeated the
verse in the New Testament which reads:
For | delivered unto you that which / also
received, how that the Lord Jesus the same
night in which he was betrayed, took bread
and gave thanks and gave it to his disci-
pies, saying, eat We all OF III Tor THIS is my
body which is broken for you. This do in
memory of me-
At these words the deacons of the local
churches who occupied the front seats of
the hall approached the communion tables
thirty-two in number. led by Berry Self
The tables were presided over by Pastors
John E. Pounds, B. A. Jenkins, A. L. Or
cult and E. p. Wise. They handed out the
silver plates which the bread lay and
the deacons went through the audience ev-
eryone taking a piece of the loaf. Consid-
cradle time was taken in this part of the
ceremony, owing to the great number that
had to be supplied. IT was noticed that
those in the third gallery partook of the
bread well as those on the lower floor.
Rev. ]. Fl. Garrison gave the thanksgiv-
ing for the cup and DR.. Lucas repeated the
words: I'm like manner also he took the
cup and gave thanks and gave to his disci-
pies. saying. drink We all of it, for this is
my blood of the new testament. shed for
many for the remission of sins. Do this in
memory of me. for as oft as We do this ye
show the Lords death till he come"
Again the deacons passed through the
audience. this time carrying the goblets of
wine and the hushed solemnity of the oc-
casion was broken only by the soft singing
OF number of hymns, among which was
that of Home Sweet Home The deacons
had to refill their gOblets a number of
times and the wine used was about ten
gallons. 1T was furnished by Mrs Frank
Lee, of the Central Church. The ceremony
closed by Dr. Lucas saying: 1--WE learn that
the night the Savior instituted this supper
the apostles sang one hymn and after
ward the Savior went out to his death and
the others 20 their work. Let us sing God