The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-08

more worshipers, has a decided advantage
over the others in a social way and also in
the rich endowments and emoluments that
belong to it. This, however, the Free
Churches do not much trouble about. They
are, of course, opposed on principle to an
ecclesiastical body being supported by the
state. but this is not by any means their
chief ground of complaint.
What specially rasps nonconformists and
dissente1s is that this State Church should
so arrogantly claim to be the only church.
The other denominations it regards merely
as sects or societies. It's claim is that the
ministers of these free churches are not
ministers in the true sense, because they
have never had Episcopal hands laid upon
them, and from this it follows, according
to the logic of the church, that these men,
including such shining lights as Sturgeon,
Parker, Clifford, Guinness Rogers and F. B.
Meyer-in fact the whole lot of them not
of the northumberland validity admin
lister either baptism or the Lords supper.
From this, too, follows that attitude of the
State Church toward the other churches
which excludes their ministers from it's
pulpits and forbids it's own ministers to
preach at a regular service in any nom
Jill AliioN pulHlN. IL put IL III a NUTSHELL
the Episcopal Jews of the Church of Eng
land have had no dealings enthusiastically
with the nonepiscopal Samaritans of nom
conformity, and it is against this AFRO
gance that Canon Henson has been thun-
dering for several Sundays past and will
continue to thunder, should the powers that
be not silence him. in a series of sermons
: reaching TO the end of December
7. &-.4L
that Canon Henson thunders. His preach
ing is more like the lightning which
smashes things than the thunder which
only rattles them. He has a rather weak
voice, but he puts into it all his strength
and backs up his words with intensely en-
phatic gesturing. In build he is spare-most
reformers are of the lean, hungry kind. He
cannot be more than forty. yet his thin
face has the intellectual lines of a matured
scholar and also the easily recognized as
celtic look. One could imagine in sitting
under him that another Savanarola had
appeared, and did that day almost liter
ally 'sit under him." for, arriving late. vet
being determined to get within good hear
ing range. / was permitted to sit on the
steps of the lectern. which, of course. is
within winking distance of both the pulpit
d1u the COInLlunlOn rail- PerhaDS the free
and easy occupation OF the reading desk
that day by a correspondent was a profane
prophecy OF how, should Canon Henson
succeed in his crusade against exclusive
ness, both the lectern and the pulpit of this
ancient fame will yet be opened to the
preachers of nonconformityi If. before he
dies, which won't be long. good old Jo-
seph Parker should occupy this Abbey pull
pit, may 1 be there TO see the sparks hy,
GOOD POINT FOR OBSERVATION
But at any rate the lectern steps af-
forded a splendid point of observation.
Many an American millionaire would give
his old boots and lots OF money TO SQUAT
there when King Edward is crowned.
whereas it cost me only a card and a pair
Of cramped legs. Right before me, close by.
was the spot where L knew the King and
Queen would stand in June next. Behind
me was the choir where would be grouped,
1 was aware. all the foreign potentates and
more dukes and duchesses than you would
want TO shake a stick at If there was any
policeman near. while to my right the gaze
might wander at will into the