The national Republican., 1867-08-12
LOCAL DEPARTM ENT.

Ryland Chapel corner Of Tenth and d streets,
Island, at II .. m. The occasion was one Of
much interest, and which has been anIiou,iy
looked and ionged for BY the congregation for
some months. The church was crowded with
the members and friends, and among those
tresent were the President Of the United States,
Secretary Seward, Mayor Wallach, WIN. 8. Hun.
tington. esq, and other distinguished person
ages 10 tho pulpit we're seated Bishop james,
Rev, N, ]. D. Morgan, Presiding Elder Of the
Potomac District, Rev. Henry sloer, Of the East
Baltimore Conference, and Rev Dr. Hamilton,
pastor Of the Chapel
"The Lord 10 King" sung by the choir, which
had been augmented BY volunteers from other
churches, was tho opening Of tho oeremonies
and was finely rendered.
Raw, Mr.. Hamilton then road from the Scrip.
lures passage applicable to the dedication.
Rev. Mr.. Morgan, Presiding Elder OF the
Potomac District, gave out the old.fashionsd and
grandly worded hymn
"Bsfore Jehovsh's awful throne
Ye nations boz with sacred JOY &c.
The congregation rising during the rendition
and with their assistance the hymn was given
with magnificent effect, the vocal tones resound.
ing beautifully within the tastsfully finished
walls OF tho sacred edifce.
JIM. M. Brown, Presiding Elder, followed 10
q beautiful prayer, hoping that tho day so auspi-
ciously dawning might continue on that the
= people here worshipping might do 30 without
embarrassment or fear, and that they eventually
be brought to the Redeemer.
Rev. Henry slicer, Of tho East Baltimore Con.
ference, at the conclusion Of the prayer read
from tho second chapter to the Ephesians, from
the 10th to the 22d verses.
Another bymn-" Teach me Thy way, oh,
Lord"-was then vocalised, after which Bishop
James read from the eth chapter Of tho Book Of
Isaiah, and then delivered the dedication ser
mon. He said that one Of the most disastrous
consequences resulting to us was, In ono manner,
tho loss Of our mental powers SO rs TO make rs
unable To comprehend the character OF God; rs
the welfare OF man made It essential that he
should have this knowledge, so as to make Gods
claim upon US his relationship 10 US, and also
make known His word specifically to US.
Perhaps there is no one to whom this knowl-
edge has been for the benefit Of mankind, than
the one from tho book We have Just read, the
prophetic Isaiah. We are not able this morning
to deal miuutely with all the facts embraced in
the subject God Is enthroned, he Ia high, he Is
lifted up. In speaking Of Gods government,
We say II relates 10 the moral and, the spiritual
world We are more accustomed to think Of this
doctrine 10 the creation, in Its wonderful effects
and sublime results. A few moments reflection
would convince all Of tho drift Of our position
Tho common ball loses its velocity from the time
IL starts Why then do the great orbs Of the
world still move on Because tho great hand
which started them still keeps moving them on.
In the shop Of the artisan, the turning LATHE
the Almighty In the great results and operations
of nature. lie moves nature In the change o.
the seasons, DC, which he does for his own wis,
purposes-fcr our protection and our interests
God reigns BY power, and everything Is done by
h. mighty hand Ss ,rs ~ hs n. soS' "
Kind, God has ordained the human family, ant
given preoepts for their government. no ma
= eiyen children TO understand, TO honor thei
ea,ha, and mothsr, and when they do this, ther'
Ia peace psd happiness. ana when they 10 not
thar. n ruin and misery
God also 10 present among individuals a
.mong natious, so as to make them accountable
hsings. God occupies the throne Of grace, and
whic6 concerns us In the spiritual kingdom
hs rIens by love. He Is the Lord Of Lords ant
tbs KIsg Of Kings. Tho whole earth Is full
his glory. a.,
The second passage of the Scripture which VI
hare read, suggests the worship to God. In I
ve learn the obligation Of worship. All wh'
have soriptural perception have sense and rea
son, should worship one God, who preserves u
to render to God our highest and holiest wor
ship.
How solemn the reverence and how deep th
emotions Of the Scriptures whom they gave HON
age to God. If, then, holy beings should do 80
II only teaches US the irrepressibls fact Of medi
tation being necessary. IL also teaches US the
Importance and appropriateness Of our devotions
Our character and our estate are different from
the Holy Seraphiuns. We should ascribe prais,
to God. We are sinful, and we have grave 70
sponsibilitiss, and II is fitting that when We g
before God We should confess our sins-shoult
ask at his hands those temporal blessings 50 ne
cessary for us When We come before God VI
should ask for those things which our ciroum
stances and necessities may require. The pray
or at the sick bed may not DO suitable to sooia
enjoyment, nor would the prayer in the Hous
ofGod be one fitted, perhaps, to our Legislative
assemblies.
Social worship is the highest form Of worship
The ssraphims cried out one to another, "Holy,
Holy Holy Is the Lord Of Hosts.' We may b.
solitary In our condition, yet such is the oonde
scsnsion Of God that he will approach nearer Il
the devout spirit and his instruction Is to g
into our closet and pray to Him and to those
that knock the door will be opened. Benignan
Is that oondescension which listens to the soil
tary prayer. But the highest form Of devotion
is social worship, and the children Of mon NJ
1t most profitable and happiest to so meet.
This congregation meeting together, makes !
necessary to have convenient places. The Hous
Of God, the Home Of prayer, Is our sanctuary
"God in Salvation, was the ne1t portion o
the topic Of the sermon, and tho speaker pro
csedsd to read from the Scriptures the passag'
applicable.
God convincss men of their sinfulnsss by 70
ysaling to them his character. His character i
holy; anything In difference to II 10 unholy
When the prophet saw the holiness Of God
whom hs said my eyes have sesn." exclaimed
''Wo to me, am undone.n There are member
Of the church who have bought up their con
sciences by saying, am as good as my pastor
Those Christians are the most excellent ant
find favor with God who are most like Him.
The holiness Of Gods character conyinces u
Of our pollution and Of our sins.
. Through tho blessing Of God We are redeemed
dinners. There 10 salvation for US.
Tho reverend gentleman related an anecdote
in connection with his subject Of a prominen
lawyer, afterward q military onicer high In rank
who had been brought within the folds Of re
ligion under peculiar circumstances,
The inspiration Of salvation was the last, th
speaker said, he had to dwell upon. He spok
Of the Sunday school, the inspirations Of rsligio
and moral culture there to be derived. He ais
spoke Of the church aad its inspiration, and h
trusted that many present would bo brought /
conviction and rejoice in the light Of God.
The speaker concluded his sermon with a re
quest that all should join with him in cOnss
Grafton prayer.
Rev Mr. slicsr said, after the sermon, hi
mind ran back to the time when Asbury crosse
the Atlantic In III. When he looked on III