The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-31
NOT A DRY CONVENTION
HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING
STRONG TO DRINK AT BETHANY.
Considerable Life Injected Into the
Sunday-School COnvention-Serv-
ices at. Acton Park.
.cial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
BETHANY PARK, July 3.-Although
Sunday-school conventions are usually rath-
er dry affairs, there was nothing dry about
the first session of the State Sunday-school
convention at Bethany Park this morning.
1t was a noticeable fact that the heavy
rains of yesterday worked in favor OF the
speakers of both yesterday and to-day. for
the damp seats, caused by a few leaks in
the roof of the tabernacle were all at the
extreme sides and the of the building.
causing the audience TO seek dry seats near
the front. In spite of the mud there was a
fairly good attendance this morning. E. B.
Scofeld of Indianapolis. gave the presi-
dents address at $50 a. Mr.. Scofieid
spoke of the gospel as the living message OF
living God to living men. He said: I'VE
must repeat it and make it intensely prac-
teal. The Bible is the most vital book ever
written; it deals with the problems of every
passing generation. The Christian teacher
must train the present life not merely for
a reformation, but for life. Sunday schools
are to form character rather than direct
systematic study. The Christ of the first
century is the gospel in the past tense, and
Christ in His people, is the gospel of the
present tense Christ, as sovereign OF every
race. is the gospel of the future tense" In
speaking of the work OF the Sunday school
the speaker said: THE home department,
the graded lessons, the normal classes and
every other work must exist for the spread
OF the gospel and the good of the church OF
Following this address came the report
of T. j. Legg. of Indianapolis. Mr. Legg
has held the office of State Sunday school
evangelist for the past eleven years, and
knows more about the needs of the State,
so far as Sunday schools and churches are
concerned, than any man in the State. MIR.
Legs has organized twenty-five Sunday
schools during the past year, and In the
past eleven years he has organized fifty-six
churches from Sunday schools that had
been organized previous to that time. There
are now nine more that are under way to-
ward becoming churches, and six that will
be dedicated in the near future. The State
of Indiana has membership of 10000 in the
Christian churches. and 256 churches. After
the report Mrs. j. f. Powell, OF wabash,
sang a solo. Through some mistake in the
programmes, the Hon. John c. Robinson,
who was to have lectured at IL a. m. will
not be at Bethany until tomorrow. In
place of this address a round table
organized and the time given to the discus
sion of the advantages of the home depart
ment in the Sunday schools, a number of
ministers taking part In the discussion. At
2:30 p m. e. G. MCNEIL, Of Covington. KY.
delivered address on the subject of
Sunday-school revivals. This was followed
by discussion and questions. The first
days session adjourned at 430 until the
evening service. AT p. m. another stereop-
ticon lecture was given by c. c. Redgrave.
of Claysville, Pa. The entertainment given
by Mr.. Redgrave last evening was very
good. and, in spite of the heavy rain,
large audience assembled in the tabernacle.
To-morrow'S programme will be continu-
alton of the Sunday-school convention, and
Tomorrow evening illustrated stereopti-
con song service will be conducted by p. NJ.
Kendall of Columbus. Saturday will be
the occasion of a general reunion of Butler
students and a large crowd is expected.