The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-12
SHELDON AND HIS CREED
KANSAS PREACHER WHO is GREAT
ING A STIR IN RELIGIOUS CIRCLES.
Instead of Delivering Sermons, He
Relates Stories and Reads Chap
tiers from Good Novels.

TOPEKA, Kan, Nov. 1.-THE apostolic
creed adopted for the Central Congrega-
tional Church to-day does not differ from
the old except in simplicity of wording and
form. Rev. c. NJ. Sheldon, author Of In
His Steps, and other books, is pastor OF
this church. The old creed was simply
stripped of obsolete forms. Rev. Mr.. Shell
don, speaking of this change, said:
1.-The new creed as adopted ry the church
has sacrificed none of the essential features
of the Old one that has done duty for so
long AS stated, the new one Is couched in
simpler language and made 50 that every
word of II may be understood even by a
child. The new creed also embraces most of
the essential features contained in the pas
tors manual of the church,
A canvass of all the members of Mr.. Shell
dons church has been taken in advance, and
it was found the new creed would be
cepted by all of them, with the understand
ing that no essential changes were to be
made.
DR.. Sheldons originality and genius have
enabled him to overcome many difficulties
encountered in the prosecution of his life
work where less resourceful man would
have recorded a failure. His evening SER
mons have long ago given way to story
telling from the pulpit, which Is the regular
order of every Sabbath night. All sermonc
traditions were smashed to smithereens
when the o4d-fashoned didactic discourse
ceased, and chapter after chapter, week by
week. OF orig NAL religious novels were read
10 his congregation.
So successfully was this innovation re-
ceived that the church was crowded with
people each succeeding Sunday night to fol-
low the fortunes OF the characters described
In this manner did he arrest the thought
and In forceful and entertaining ways bring
to the minds of his listeners the religious
teachings he most wished TO impart. The
wonderful effect his works had upon his
audiences SO impressed DIR. Sheldon that he
very soon became full-fiedged religious
novelist. By his writings he reckoned he
he could reach more people and do more
good than in any other manner.
Dr. Sheldon's best-known work, thus far
Is that entitled, IN His Steps," which has
reached a publication exceeding 300 coo cop
les In all, over a half million of his books
have found purchasers His first work, the
nrst chapter of which was read to his con-
eregation during the winter of 1912, was
given the name of Richard Bruce" The
next year the plan was repeated, and The
twentieth Door" was the result. The idea
then passed the experimental stage and be-
came a permanent feature of Central
Church, and everybody in this city went
books: a great dea of criticism was
brought down upon him, but in Topeka
this soon disappeared as the, success of his
scheme became more marked.
During the four winters following the pro-
duction of The Twentieth Door" DR.. Shell
don gave to his congregation and his read
His Brothers Keeper" 'In His Steps
and Malcolm Kirk" while this year THE
Miracle at Markham" is receiving atten-
ton.
Here in Topeka DR.. Sheldon is not known
as an ECCENTRIC man, whatever mis- original
ity may have brought him by reputation in
other places. When he recently asked his
| congregation for three months vacation,
with the exception of Sundays, 1t was read
| lily granted, but no one knew whittier he
went or on what bent. But the result of the
work begun in that period has brought him
| into close relation with many Of the poorer
seldom been reached by churchworkers in
| this city. "Tennessee-town," the negro
| quarter Of the city, where vice and deprav-
! ity have long ruled. has undergone a
| remarka ble A social settlement has been
started and the work of retaining the dis
| trict from being one OF unlimited vice to one
| Of responsibility is going steadily on.
During this now celebrated vacation he
| divided the population Of the city into diff
| ferent classes and spent several days with
| each. With street-car men, lawyers. doc
/ tors. business men, journalists, railway
| he worked as a reporter on daily paper
| and for another week, still disguised, he
| travelled on freight and stock trains along
the railroad lines throughout the State. en-
| deavoring TO find how near to the line sci
| by the gospel the average toiler hewed.
| DR.. Sheldon's working slogan is More
| Christianity In more Christians" In ap.
pearance this religious novelist is a typical
| Celt. He is rudy OF countenance tail
| large, blue-eyed and brown-haired, and ex.
| ceedingly gentle In manner and very DELHI
| crate in speech. Other prominent divines In
this city are watching with great interest
| what the result Of the change In the Ian.
| guage of the Apostolic Greed will be in the
| work now being done by DR.. Sheldon.