The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24

Senator Fairbanks, who spoke on 1.-THE
Field remarked that the best answer as
to what is the field Of the Methodist Church
would be What is not the field of the
Methodist Church," The senator said he
had long since got out of the habit of call
ing Methodists ladies and gentleman; he
had grown up calling them brothers and
sisters. The senator injected consider
able element of humor into his address
which elected additional applause. He said
1.-The subject which you have assigned
me-"The Fields rather an ambitious one
for layman. 1t presupposes familiarity
with the work or a great church, which
do not profess to have.
Il have some knowledge of the Methodist
Church since my earliest recollection.
have known many of its ministers, educat-
ors and bishops, and 1 cheerfully acknowl-
edge my very great debt TO them. The
field has been broad and expanding one,
and as we look forward into the new CEN
fury upon which we have but fairly en-
tered, we can see no boundaries to it,
THE field! Where is it? 1t were much
easier to tell where 1T is not for it is, in
deed, almost everywhere. 1t is suited to
all places and to all chimes and to all peo-
pies. There is no quarter of the habitable
globe where the church is not, or where il
may not be established.
THE church has ample field in home
and foreign missions. Its missionaries are
doing holy service at home and in far dis
tant lands. They are carrying the blessings
OF the Christian religion among the heather
in the remotest corners of the earth. Much
has been done, yet the work is comparative
ly in its infancy. The field is ample and
invites countless men and women to enter
and possess II.
HIGHER EDUCATION.
Higher education offers one of the most
promising fields for Methodism 1t has
been the established policy of fathers of
ho oh IN nd
and universities. and they are found in
many of the States of the Union and in
many foreign lands engaged In splendid
work-work which advances in a very d.
rect and special manner the interests of
the church and the welfare of the entire
community. do not believe that better re-
suits, with like cost, are anywhere accom-
plished in the higher education of the young
men and women of the country than are
accomplished by the educational institu-
tons which are fostered by the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The higher educational
field is but inadequately occupied, and
there is great opportunity here to extend
the work of Methodist colleges and univer-
stiles. What vast good has been accom-
plished! What far-reaching good may be
accomplished The beneficial influence OF
one college, founded in the faith of a great
church, is Unreasonable, and we should
seek to multiply and enlarge institutions
of such significant potency.
1.-The Methodist Episcopal Church should
annually send forth from the halls of her
institutions of learning constantly in
creasing number OF well-educated young
men and women TO enter all of the avenues
of human usefulness, inspired by high
Christian ideals, fully equipped for the best
service. The Methodist Church must edu-
cate. 1t must in all things keep step with
the growth and expanding power which
seems TO be the prevailing law throughout
| the social, industrial and political worlds
An education derived amidst the whole
some influence of the Methodist Episcopal
| Church is doubly valuable.
THE world is full OF want and suffering
| We witness II upon every hand. Every
community has its unfortunates. They must
| be provided for by the charitable; by those
who realize in the fullest measure the uni
| versal brotherhood of man. 1t is peculiarly
| the province of the church TO relieve the
| distress of those who are heavily afflicted
The Methodist Church must do her full
| share toward carrying forward in a we'll
| organized and wisely discriminating way
| the work OF caring for those who are over
| taken by misfortune.
HOSPITALS SPRINGING UP.
Hospitals are springing up throughout
the land. The philanthropists find here
ample opportunity for the exercise of their
| philanthropy. Who shall say that this is
not field which the church may appro-
| priately enter? May II not properly minis
ter unto those who are stricken with dis
| ease?
1--WE have many churches. many religious
| denominations, operating along different
| lines 10 accomplish the same great end
| The church founded by John Wesley
is deservedly great. 1t is essential
| Iy a church OF the people. Ii has grown
rank with the greatest. The field of IT'S
! opportunity, practically speaking. Is without