The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-08-14
Address On laying the Corner Stone Of
the New Presbyterian Church, July
c5th, 1854.

| TIoN, AND ClrIZENS OF THE NILLAGE:-
The erection of Church Edifice in com
punity is an event of no ordinary interest,"
Around it cluster influences which are hal
lowed, widespread, and lasting. We are as
sembled this afternoon to lay the Corner
Stone of new house Of worship.
II is some twelve years since the organiz-
alton Of this Church and Society, and it is the
first time that we have ever assembled OH an
occasionso suspicious.
Yonder house, where we have worshpped
so many years, and where Jehovah has
vouchsafed to us his presence and blessing,
was built for another and different purpose.
1t has answered noble end. Many souls,
| trust, have been fitted for communion with
the Savior, and the society of the blood
washed. But increasing numbers and wealth
have prompted the Church and congregation
to I" lengthen their cords, and strengthen
their stakes" ] have no doubt many have
felt deep anxiety, and made it subject of
earnest prayer. The work has been nobly
projected the basement of neat and COM
modous house has been laid, and we are now
assembled to acknowledge the goodness Of
Almighty God, invoke His blessing on the en-
terprise, and lay the Corner Stone, with ap-
proprate ceremonies.
But why is the House of God invested
place so dear to the Christian, and its nflu-
ence so powerful on community! To ans
wer these inquiries will be the object of the
few remarks design to make on this occa-
| sion.
LIST. The House of God exerts a powerful
influence on heintellgence of a community.
The mind, or soul is the higher natsre OF
man. II is that spark of the Divinity which
| Jehovah at the Creation, breathed into the
body of clay. 1t is immaterial in its nature,
and eternal in its progression. Its capacities
are vast and God-like. You cannot chain it
down to the world, nor confine its range to
time. 1t bursts all its barriers and scars
away to celestial climes and boundless eter-
nifty. One great object of probation is, to
discipline mind and fit it for another and a
higher state of existence.
Religious discipline is OF the first import
ance; Of as much greater Importance than
science, as eternity is longer than time, or
heaven more valuable than earth. In the
House of God, religious instruction is from
week to week impaired. The Sacred Scrip
lures are an unfailng and ov( blowing foun-
tain of intelligence. They throw flood of
light on the other side of the "valley and
shadow of DEATH" Respecting the creation,
and the fall, and the glorious plan of saliva
ton, through the suflerings and death of Je-
sus Christ, they shine like the sun in the
thoroughly educated TIL he understands
his moral nature, and thus becomes fitted
for his future and eternal destiny. Gods
ministers, both under the Mosaic and Chris
tan dispensations, were required to be men
of intelligence as well as pety. With such
instructors, the House of the Lord becomes
place of intellectual and moral improve
ment. One day in seven spent in the sane
tuary, exerts powerful influence over the
mind.
No township or village can afford to be
without its church edifces. No rational be-
ing can afford to be deprived of such means
of knowledge. What rejecting man would
be willing to settle himself and family in c
community where there is no sanctuary dedi-
Gated to the living God ! This growing vii
lagc has long been on the background with
respect to churches. Thousands of travel
ers passing and re-passing on the Railroad,
have wondered why Hillsdale was SO much
behind her nelghbors. And l have no doubt
many have drawn conclusions from what their
eyes have seen, unfavorable to our intellcc.
tual and moral character. But, thank God!
that has gone by. The College building
which so beautifully adorns yonder hill, and
this church cdifce, and others which we
trust will soon follow, will correct the false
impressions which have been made.
Observation and experience have long dem
onstrated the happy influence of Churches on
the intellectual character of the population.
In England and Scotland, those consecrated
places have walked up the gifted sons of gen.
ius and stamped their influence on the whole
community.
Cd. The House Of God exerts a sALUTARx
MORAL INFLUENCE. The great truths incul-
Gated there are drawn from the oracles of
God; from the lips of Him "who spoke as
never man spoke" Jesus Christ, our great
exemplar and teacher, taught the only perfect
system of morality. His ministers inculcate
and enforce that system with all the weighty
motives of eternity. That consecrated spot
is grand moral lighthouse, throwing its e.
fugence in every direction on the surround
ing darkness. The morality taught in the
sanctuary is pure and Transforming. 1t re.
generates the heart and sanctiies the affcc-
tons; changing them from sin to holiness
and from the power of Satan unto God
Wherever you find the Sanctuary thronged
from week to week with worshipers, in that
community may be found a high tone of NOR
al feeling. Intempcrancc, profanity, and IL
ccntiousness, will be frowned upon; but in