Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1919 — PLEADS FOR OLD TIME REVIVALS [ARTICLE]

PLEADS FOR OLD TIME REVIVALS

— - —— r —** ' BISHOP NICHOLSON FAVORS CONVERSION AT THE ALTAR. The Frankfort Crescent-News gives the following account of the Thursday session of the Northwextern Indiana conference at Frankfort: The morning session of the conference opened at 8:30 o’clock this morning and in addition to the ministerial members there were a number: of visitors including many from other cities who are gathering to attend the quadrennial conference of laymen. - » The devotional hour consisted of singing and prayer, ancf a sermon by Bi Bhop T NicholßOHiWho made an earnest appeal !or a return to the old-time revival meetings, where men and women wete converted through experience at the altar by a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Nicholson expressed a full appreciation of the work of the, Sunday school, but deplored a tendency toward depending too much upon it as .the main measure of sustaining and extending the church. He praised the Sunday school for its influence and education and urged that it be given every encouragement, but that there

J —C 7 be a return to the revival appeals of old, holding that the inspiration for all was of great importance and that real, , vital Christianity came through conversion and not through confirmation. Revivals that carry the gQspel of Jesus Christ to the -hearts *of men and women and bring them rejoicing to the altar were 'held'to'- be the greatest thing in the Christian life and the upbuilding of the church. He related several experiences to show that the best Jesuits- on version that causes men and women to witnessL_Qn behalf of God, thus furnishing the greatest power and extending the widest influence for the conversion of the world. The devotional service concluded with the assembly at the altar of the ministers, several of whom offered fervent prayers urging that the newold spirit as expressed by th/ bishop be a factor in the church endeavors of the ensuing year. At the conclusion of the prayers all rose, singing, “Nearer My God to Thee.” At 9:30 o’clock there was a meeting of theiT daymen gathered in quadrennial session. This । meeting is reported elsewhere. The annual meeting of the Preachers’ Aid society was held and consumed a considerable part of the I morning. Rev. Frank O. Fraley, the secretary, made an extended financial report, and expressed the belief that by the close of the year there would be an endowment fund of $300,000 for meeting the needs of the society. The board of examiners made its report through its president, Rev; E, W. Strecker, the classes being called and individual reports 'being made on each candidate. The board had previously carefully examined each candidate. * There were four new . admissions for the first year work, as follows: Roy W. Knight, of Camden; Guy If. Wayne, of Greencastle; Cauhey Naylor, Si Wheatfield, and Clifford Cody, of DeMotte. They were all highly endorsed for the work they have so far accomplished and were passed for the four years’ study. - Fred was been the pastor at Monon. He was formerly the superintendent of the torney of Newton and Jasper counties. . He has made a great success in his ministerial work and passed the highest grade of any candidate, the grade given him being 92.5. A committee considered the proposition of making' the Monnett School for Girls' at Rensselaer a full charge of the conference and its report will come up for adoption. \This institution has made wonderful, (advancement during the past few years and its superintendent, Miss Alverta Simpson, is here attending the conference.

Tn connection with the centenary movement, Rev. Baker, - the student pastor of Illinois university, spoke with much enthusiasm of the need of this field of work. He said that the neglect was not, as had been supposed, an indifference of the students for the church, bat the neglect of the church, to provide for the students. There were, he said, three principal needs, first, a strong program of worship; second, a strong program of social activity to challenge the outside attractions 'that the student and third, a program of religious education. He was followed by Rev. Rogers, of Purdue, wh<s told of the work with somg 1,100 of Methodist membership or preference in that institution. Rev. Dunlavy then proposed a resolution which was unanimously adopted that theft., conference ask from the centenary movement an appropriation of SIOO,OOO to build a Methodist church in West Lalayette, in order that the greatest advantage msty be offered for carryirig on the work of the church to the students of that university. ' The conference was addressed by Dr. W. J. Davidson, of Garrett ■ Biblical institute, who stated that l there were in this conference fortyI three graduates or former students at that institute. He encouraged specialized training for the. work of the church. Rev. X M. Golenian, of tne Reformed Presbyterian church, offered £' resolution asking an amendment I to the constitution to embody lit it

the authority and law of the Gospel. The resolution was referred to the committee on the state of the world. The subject of the League of Nations was placed in the hands of a special committee composed of five ministers, who are to meet this afternoon and who will probably recommend the adoption of a resolution by the conference. TEN GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES NAMED TODAY. ft