The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-28
PREACHING OUT OF DOORS.
Paper Read Before the Methodist
Ministers Yesterday.

At meeting of the Methodist preachers
of the city yesterday morning at the Me-
ridian-street Church, Rev. H. b. Roller, pas
tor OF the Mount Jackson M. E. Church,
read an essay on open Air Preaching"
He said, in part:
THE Master has we'll said the children Of
this world are wiser in their generation than
the children of light. In the race for sue
cess the world has kept ahead for the past
two thousand years. While we have been
spending our time in theorizing how to
reach the masses the world has reached the
masses, and the masses are drifting from
God and the church Note for example the
plan of the politician. 1t would seem from
the way in which the leaders plan for a
campaign that the destiny of humanity for
a millennium hung on the votes of the peo-
pie. They can reach the masses better in
the open air than in buildings. Large plat
forms are erected and popular speakers put
on them, reinforced by banners, flags and
glee clubs for the simple purpose of getting
votes. There is no apology made in having
these gatherings where the masses may be
more easily reached. The saloon keeper,
If possible, opens a beer garden in the sum-
mer season to draw the crowd. The grocery
man does not depend entirely on the sales
AT his place of business, but sends men out
to take orders The wholesale merchant
sends statesmen on the road, A writer says:
In these days everything, is brought to a
church put forth such effort TO reach the
people as does the world. We are rather
contented with the idea of having a church
building a painister, choir and an audience
of which we need not be ashamed. We seem
to say<fo the Masses Come within these
four walls or go elsewhere; and the masses
go elsewhere.
1T must be remembered that every effort
to reach the masses is to reach them for
Christ and the church. Let the minister
show the same zeal in summer in winter.
This is not always easy to do. God has
never used discouraged man to dc the
work for Him. Having laid special stress
on the Importance of having the church sup
piled with men full of zeai for good works
during the summer months. ii might be well
to extend the mission of the church beyond
the four walls to give chance for some seed
to fall by the wayside among the thorns and
upon stony ground. Perchance some may
fall in good soil and bring an abundant har-
vest. Therefore. preach in the open air
Open air preaching is biblical. Open air
preaching IS rot a method but an old
and tried method Not only Is Ii as Old as
preaching itself, but for centuries il was
the only kind of preaching.
If we fail TO take the gospel To the peo-
pie, the fault lies at our door but If they
heed 1t not when we bring IL t. them. the
sin is theirs. Preach the gospel 10 every
creature applies as well TO people in our
cities as to foreign mission fields What
would be the result II every one of the l59
pastors of this city would hold an open air
meeting every Sunday night during the
summer near his church instead of locking
the door to the public? In this way we
would come IN contact with the masses and
heaven might be made TO rejoice over the
results. May we not expect that this city
would be visited with wave OF salvation
not later than next winter as 4 result of
such faithful seed-sowng.