Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-02-20

when they nave erected, as an ha04atloD
for the mighty God of Jacob, in a right
and acceptable manner, they must not
neglect, to connect with such dedication,
the dedication of themselves TO him,
through Jesus Christ, as an habitation to
God, through the eternal spirit For, to
dedicate a house to God for his worship
and habitation, in which to meet with
him, and enjoy gracious tokens OF his
love, without dedicating themselves to
him and his service, is totally absurd
and mere solemn mockcry.
As, therefore, this congregation aave
now assembled prolessedly TO dedicate
this house to God, and his devout vor-
ship, let me urge upon you the impor-
lance and necessity Of dedcaling your
selves individually and collectively to
the mighty God of Jacob, through Jesus
Christ, as Zion's King and Lawgiyer,
your only Saviour and Rcdecmer.
Without tliis you will vainy expect
to enjoy tokens of Gods 10, c in this
house OF prayer. Would you make this
personal dedication; o, see it that
you now come with penitentiIl cries to
the Father Of mercies and ODD of all
grace, for pardon for your ten thousand
offences, and in the name of JESUS, with
reliance on bis atoning bloql, justify
ing righteousness, and medi4orial in
tercession, ask to be rcceivedinto favor
in the courts above
Remember for your encou fragment
that the compassionate Jesus hath said,
" Him that comcth unto me, Twill in no
wise cast out. Ask and we shall re-
ceive; seek and We shall find knock
and it shall be opened 10 you for, every
ono that asketh, receiveth and every
one that seeketh, fndeth; and, TO him
that knockcth, it shall be opched."
o blessed, and animating Encourage
ment for prayer; for social Worship; for
pious exertion, in the cause Of the dear
Redecmorl
On this joyful occasion, il highly be-
comes all present not only solemnly to
consider what is implied III The duty of
Standardization to God, but also to in
Quire whether you have actually en-
gagged in this duty. Even if you find that
you have heretofore engaged in this du-
ty, O see to it that you now rcnewedly
engage more fully in the same dnty !!
You doubtless desire that SO long as this
house shall withstand the ravages OF
time, it may remain ain habitation for the
mighty God of Jacob, and be the place
where he shall graciousIy meet and
bless his worsilipping people,
Here may we confidently hope that
the children of this vicinity will, in ma
lurc age, be the devout worshippers of
the living God, in the enjoyment Of the
MilIeniai day and glory; when all shall
know the Lord from the greatest TO the
least.
Perhaps, within 20 years from this
time, that long predicted and much de-
sired epoch will be happily realized and
gloriously enjoyed.
IF that event be SO near at hand you
may confidently expect that this house
will indeed be an labitation for the nigh
ty God Of Jacob.
With such pleasing, anirnating pros
poets before us, AMI realizing the i'm
portance Of dedicatins thia house and all
its present and expected accomnoda-
tons to the devout worship ofthc Father,
Son, and holy Ghost, all present are
respectfully requested to arise, while we
sing to Gods praise, and unite in offer
ing to him dedicating prayer.
Defeating Prayer.
Everything, ever blessed, infinitely wor-
thy, mighty God of Jacob; to thee, Ia
Their, Son, and Holy Ghost, three per-
sons in one glorious Jehovah, we, thine
unworthy, iI-dcserying, dependent crea-
lures, humbly desire to dedicate our
selves with all we have and are. unrc-
sers eddy TO thy service and gloiy, and
this house with all the accommodations
which it may possess, as an house OF
prayer and habitation Tor the mighty
God of Jacob.
We beseech thee, most merciful God,
for The sake Of thy dear Son, our inter-
ceding advocate on high, to hear our
prayer, and to accept this dedication, to
the praise of thy free and sovereign
grace aud mercy in Jesus Christ our Re-
deemer, and here, from time to time, TO
meet with and bless thy worshippng
people, by filling their hearts with thy
love, and their mouths with thy praise.
Grant, Lord, we beseech thee that the
sincerity Of tins dedication be evinced,
by lives OF new obedience, through Jesus
Christ our Lord; and we will ever
ascribe glory to God in the highest, with
a sincere and hearty amen.
And, now, respected friends, having
rated this honse. as an habItatlOD tor