The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
THE FORWARD MOVEMENT
UNION EVANGELISTIC CONFERENCE
OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
All the Meetings Largely Attended
and the Distinguished Speakers
Given Close Attention.

The Union Evangelistic Conference of the
Presbyterian Church continued yesterday
at the Tabernacle and closed with the
meeting last night All of the sessions
were largely attended and decidedly sue
cessful Rev. j. Wilbur Chapman presided
over the meeting yesterday morning, which
was in the nature of a conference. Evan
gelistic methods of various kinds were dis
cussed. John III. Converse, of Philadelphia,
spoke to the ministers, advising a close
organization Of pastors for evangelistic
work.
A large audience was present at the after
noon meeting, which was exceedingly inter-
esting. The session was conference and
a number of ministers from over the State
and city were present. 1.-THE Evangelistic
Church and Sermon" was the subject I'M
der discussion. Rev. John +. Carson, of
New York, presided Before the opening
of the conference Dr. E. G. Saunderson
called the attention of the audience to the
measure introduced in the House by Repre-
sentative Conway, which Is an amendment
TO the present Nicholson law. DR.. Saunder-
son was strong in his plea to the men pres
ent to do all in their power to prevent the
passage of the bill.
After a short song service the que stion
of evangelistic sermons and churches was
taken up. DR.. Chapman spoke of the evan
gelistic church, saying it was not neces-
sarily one that held extra meetings. The
spirit of the evangelistic church should
be the important characteristic, he said.
Mr. Frank White, of Chicago told what
he thought about the evangelstic church
from the viewpoint of layman. Every
church of this kind needs body Of trained
WORKERS TO aid the pastor In his work the
missionary institution doing missionary
work of all kinds. The evangelistic sermon
was discussed by John H. Converse. of
| Philadelphia, who said that this kind of a
sermon should set forth the way of life and
show the people their duty.
DR.. Nj. l.. Haines, of this city, made a few
remarks on the question in hand. He said
that the evangelistic sermon should come
| from a man imbued with the spirit and
also that his audience should help him In
the work. The evangelistic church should
| be an apostolic church, DR.. Haines de-
! clared. A number of other members of
the ministry and laymen spoke and then
! the chairman, DR.. Carson, made a few re-
| marks. He said that people were weary
of hearing of theories and philosophy and
wanted the old-time gospel which could be
| applied to everyday life.
The conference came to a close last night
when two large mass meetings were held
| John H. Converse presided over one in the
auditorium for men, and the Rev. j. Will
| bur Chapman was chairman of the other
| for women in the Sunday school room
| Large audiences were present to hear DR.
! John F. Carson, who spoke at both meet
| ings. He preached very interesting SER
mon on 1.-THE Conspicuous Features of the
| Forward Movement in the Presbyterian
| Church. The present revival is called the
forward movement. The speaker said that
there were three features to the evangelis.
tic movement, namely its definiteness, the
aim of the committee. and it's persona
| power. The speaker said that the Genera
Assembly, under which the movement is
being made, aimed to set the whole life
| of the church throbbing with the convic
| ton that the supreme call of the hour /.
for direct work for the salvation of men
| The aim of the evangelistic committee /:
to unite the Christian forces in this definite
work. The chairmen of both meetings
made brief talks and the session adjourned