The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-09-29 00:00:00

OPENING OF A NEW WESLEYAN CHAPEL
AT STICKLAND.

The opening of a place for the public worship of
God 1. 50 event which most always be regarded by
the devote mind as one calling forth feelings of grati-
tude and joy. Happily at the present day it is on.
of peace. Every man DOW sits under his own vine
and under his own fig-tree,none daring to make him
afraid. In the earlier days of Methodism in this
village such was not the ewe ; contempt, insult, and
derision was the common lot of ite profeasors, and
even when this gave way to a more charitable and
Christian-like course of conduct, the adherents to
this canes for many years,and up to the pieseut time,
have had to struggle with difficulties, so that until
lately they have been forced to conduit their
services at one of the houses of the Tillage'''. A
better day has now dawned upon them, and through
the aseistance of friends, and the munificence of the
Baron Harabro, who granted them a piece of ground
on a lease for 99 years, they have nnw been able to
erect a chapel, which in every respect appears wall
b= for their wan and require:Dente—The
ts
is of brick ,00vered with cement, and slated,
and stands on a rising piece of ground not far from
the centre of the village. The antrum is by • neat
porch, facing which ie the pulpit, slightl=
from the ground. The mate are open
capable of accommodating from 180 to SlOO wor-
and the whole presents • neatand comfort.
able ppeinnoe. The cod deeschom isaboutE2oo,

and the work has been very creditably done by Mr. I
W. Hammitt, of Tolpuddle.
The opening services took place on Wednesday,
Seetember 2.3e,1, and drew together a very large
...tiler of fiends from the surrounding to' n, end
v•ilages. The afternoen service ceueuenc„.,l about
h.df.past two o'clock, the building bides crowded in
every part,. The service was couducte Iby the Rev.
J. Vine, of Loudon, who after offering • suitable
dedicatory prayer, delivered an eloquent awl soul-
stirring address from part of 13 verse, of 6 chapter
ischariali—" Even he shall build the temple of the
Lord, end he shall bear the glorv."—After lint
alluding to the peculiar circumstances under which
this prophesy was delivered, namely as an encour.
esculent to Joshua awl his helpers in building the
tecuple, the rev. gentleman proceeded to allow that
the silver crowns ordered to be placed on Joshua's
head were aymbolitel of the kingly and priestly
offices of Christ, the meanness of whose earthly
parentage was foreshadowed under the title of the
Branch. He was indeed to be a descendant of the
royal house of David, but this was to take place
when that house was at its lowest stets. The temple
use a symbel of the Church of Christ, end Christ
was to be the builder. The rev, gentleman then
preceded to show of what this building was cool-
posesi—lt was formed of all true Christians, of every
name and denomination, and was called the t 'hutch
of the living God. There was a tine Catholic epirit per.
ruling the wuole of the word of God, which should
teach professing Christians to esteem all as brothers
who loved our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth.
As the temple eaa a typhical representation of
the Church of Christ on earth, mo the Church here
was but • faint type of the Church of God in Leaven.
After dwelling for ',one length on this part of his
sullect, the preacher proceeded to show that the
events of Divine Providence were all made sub•
serenest to the advancement and interests of Christ's
Church, instancing the case tif the invasion of Great
Britain by the Romans, said the subsequent introduc-
tion of the gospel; the discovery of Asneiice by
Columbus, and the reception of the truth in that
land ' • the spread of commercial enterprise into India
and China, and the introduction and reception of
Christianity by that people; and though the Saviour
achieved his triumphs without the noise of battle and
the din of war, yet even these were made sue-
servieut to the one greet end— the advancement of
His kingdom on earth. In explaining and comment-
in.; on the second part of his subject —" He shall
bear the glory,"—The preacher said that the amine
of Christ's sufferings was also in part the scene
of his triumph. hverk will raised from the death
of sin, and renewed in Christ's righteousness formed
a part of this glory, but the full eousummistion
of the Redeemer's glory would be when His saved
and raneonsed ones should stand around His throne in
His heavenly Jerusalem. The preacher, before conclud-
ing,ezpressed his great joy,in being with them,and in
taking part in their dedicatory service. It was more
than 25 years since he visited this pert of the
country. Many changes had taken place, and
many had been called away to their last account. He
rejoiced that through many trials and much die,
couragements they had at last succeeded in erecting
• house to worship God in, and he prayed that many
souls would here receive the Word of Life, and he
made wise unto salvation. He trusted all would
most cheerfully give in far aa they were able in
assisting the friends of the cause here, and com-
mended them to God's holy keeping. A collection
wee then made, and the sum of ,f 6 10s. raised. The
friends took tea at 5 o'clock in a barn, kindly placed
at their disposal by Mr. Sprake. About 270 were
present, and the whole passed off most satisfactorily.
As the chapel WU found too small for the accommo-
dation of the cougregation at the evening service, it
was decided to hold it in the barn. The old pulpit
from the cottao was therefore brought into requisi-
tion, and the lamps were suspended from the beams.
The barn, however, though holding about 360, was
too small, many being unable to obtain admittance.
The Rev. J. Vine took as his tezt the Bth verse of
3rd Epistle of St. John —"We therefore ought to re-
ceive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the
truth." The preacher's remarks were characterized
by greet liberality of sentiment, and were very
impressive. Great aLtenti..o was paid, and at the
close the sum of ,Xll 15a, was collected.
Mrs. Biatroirr ably presided at the harmonium at
both services, the anthem in the afternoon heirs
" Open ye the gates," and in the evening—" How
beautiful upon the mountains."
The committee take this opportunity of expressing
their thanks to thoee of their friends both far and
near who have so nobly supported them in this en-
twprize, and earnestly desire that the many prayers
offered up to heaven for an increase will be realized
in a harvest of souls. Thee at the same time grate;
fully raise their " Ebenezer" to God for the success
with which he has croaned their efforts.
The opening services were continued on the
following Sunday, the sermons being preached by
the Rev. J. Edwarda.