Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-06-13
Dedication OF the First UnIversnlist
Church.

The Univcrsalst Church, on Seventh street,
near Walnut was dedicated to the worship of
God Sunday morning. The services were
opened with an anthem by the choir, followed by
an invocation of the Divine blessing by Rev. j.
I. Goodrich, and the reading of the Scripture.
Rev. James Shrigley, OF Philadelphia, then de-
livered an address, of which the following is an
abstract:
Mr.. Shrigley took his text from the Second
Book Of Chronicles, eth chapter, 9th verse -
The King and NIL the people dedicated the house
OF God He stated that the object of thus as
sembling was TO dedicate the house to the wor-
ship ofthe one living and true God, to the propa-
cation Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Chris
tian charity. From the earliest ages of the world
to the present time, ii has been customary to dqd
icate temples and churches To the worship of the
Deity In the year of the world 5000, Solomon,
King of Israel built magnificent temple Of wor-
ship TO the Most High God, and as he was en-
dowed with great wealth and power, he reared
superstrncture unriyalled for splcndor by any
thing the world had ever seen. He brought to
his mid the cedar and the fir of the forests of Leb
anon, the quarries of Zaradotha, and the rubies
and precious stones of the richest mines of the
earth. The temple was located on one of the four
hills which became the foundation of the city of
Jerusalem, and when II was completed " the King
and all the people dedicaled the house to Cod
This is believed to be the origin of this ceremony
and have never heard its propriety called In
question. Indeed, 1t seems to be a law written by
the finger of God upon our own hearts, and is no
doubt an acceptable Offering to the Deity.
That you have need of this house may be in
ierred from the fact that there is no other church
in this city--if we except the Swedenborgan and
ilcksite Fricnds'-in which yon are permitted to
worship God as a Father. No other religious So
eeiety, owning church ediiice, will tolerate the
hope Of universal purity and love. They all
teach that we ought to be condemned because we
believe that neither they nor ourselves ever will
be thus condemned.
little more than nineteen months ago wall
dered through your streets sad and loncly-as did
Key. John Murray on the coast of New Jersey in
search of his friend Poter-trusting and hoping
to find one man or woman who would listen To
my message of love. At length found one gem
tleman who had heard and who believed in the
doctrine Of Universal love. An appointment was
made in the Odd Fellows Hall, and meetings
have been held from that time to the present each
alternate Sunday. Now you are to enjoy them
twice every Sabbath day.
Hitherto you have been compelled to wander
from place to place in search of proper accommo-
datlons for religious worship often fearing defeat
and overthrow, but what was to Ills sore hunilia-
ton, has proved to be healthful connection
really y blessing in disguise. /" Man proposes but
God dlsposes,' and he knew how to mix the cup
which we took with trembling and sadness, and
Inns overruled all for good. Blessed be his holy
namc
When you took possession of this ediflce Il was
in dilapialnted condition fit only for tho owls
and bats to dwell ina memorial OF the past,
without form or comliness, but nowllll is changed
1t has been reconstructed, beautiiled and made
comfortable, and | trust that the worshippers who
may hereafter assemble here will feel that this Is
the very house OF God and the gate of heaven!
Our mission isl not to tear down but to build up.
We therefore wish it distinctly understood by all
the inhabitants of this city that we are not dis
tructionists, but Reconstructlonists-w would re-
form-not destroy -remodel--change anew tho
old theology which has so long blasted mans
hopes and prospects of another life. The teach
trtfrf q .f.1,t L..
devoted may be expressed in very few words. We
believe that the sorrows OF man will all cease
!. That every woe will find an oblivion, and that
God will al last bring all men to state of felicity
sublime in its nature and endless in duration. !"
Our belief in Universal restoration is founded
on our hope Of Universal holiness. Men are not
to be saved in sin but from sn "Thou shall
call his name Jesus for he shall save his people
| from their SINS"
To the proclamation of this doctrine do we ted-
cate this cdiflce. We consecratc ii to God to
the plan of Divine mercy ms revealed in the
Gospel of Christ and to the proclamation of that
isolated truth found in the old creed that the
"chiet end Of man is to glorlfy God and enjoy
| him forever
| Al the conclusion of Mr.. Shrigley's discourse.
| the Rev. j. I. Goodrich arose and stated that ai
he did not desire to protract the services to an
| unusual length, his remarks would be few, but
he trusted as fifty chosen as were the gentlemen
| who had preceded him. As they had assembled
| to consecrate the house ID the propagation of n
particular religious doctrine, the natural inquiry
arose to what form of teaching Christianity Is
this church to bs devoted. lie proceeded to an
| swcr this question, setting forth the peculiar doc
trines and leneis of his sect
Rev r. Eddy, of Philadelphia, then delivered
a dSdcatory prayer, invoking Gods blessing on
the Church, the Sabbath School, the PASTOR and
all who might make that their place Of public
worship, earnestly praying that it might be ia
them the very house of God and the gate Of
Heaven.
The services were concluded by select anthem
The evening services were more numerousy
on the peculinrities and tendencies of the uniyer
salist faith. Notwithstanding the incemency o
the weather, the services were well attended,
Religious services will hereafter he held in the
Church every Sunday morning and evening.
Sunday School is likewise to be organized Ut al
| carly day.