Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-09
Laying of the Corner Stone of the
NcyvlBaptist Church
at Fairhavcn.

.. singing.
A. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. r.. L.
Herbert, Of the Welsh Methodist Church, Fair
haven.
5. Prayer, by Rev. III. L. Crosse of Hydeville.
6. Singing by the congregation.
) T. Address, by the Rev. Il. r. Sawyer, of
Whitehall.
s. Voluntary, by the choir.
Q. Addresses, by Rev. j. Freeman, ID. D., OF
Vergennes Rev. w. w. Atwater, OF the Metho-
dist Church, Fairhaven Rev. L. p Hooker, of
the Congregational Church, Fairhaven and
Rev.J. Goadby, d. D., Of Poultney.
10. Singing, by the Sunday School.
H. Laying of the Corner Stone, by Rev. D.
Spencer.
-. Singing.
IS. Benediction, by Rev. II. L. Grose, of Hyde
vile.
the cornerstone, by Rev. d. Spencer, pastor as
follows
The articles OF the Faith of the Church the
Constitution and Bylaws Of the Church and So
ciety, with the names of the Trustees and Build
ing Committee; the name of the Architect and
Builder list of the names of the Subscribers
towards the erection of this building a history
of the Sunday School connected with the Church,
and fine names of its officers history of the Y. NJ
q. Association. of Fairhaven, with the names OF
its officers history OF FairhaYen, by Rev. Az M
Adams Legislative Directory for 1867 Fair
haven Journal Rutland Herald New York Tri-
bune Examiner and Chronicle; Waterman and
Reflector collection of Coins and Stamps repre-
senting the currency of the country.
On reading over the names Of the SUBJ
scribers to the building fund, opportunity
was given for additional subscriptions,
before the box to be deposited in the COR
ner-stone was closed. The following
names were added to the list j. w.
Stevens, New York, $50; R. Hanger,
Fairhaven, $50; Mrs. N. r. Reed, Fair
haven, $50; E. D. Billings, Hydeville,
$40; Linus Clark, Fairhaven, $40; r.
Field, West Haven, 81 @. B. LeFebre,
Fairhaven, s. ; Mrs. Ida Farrar, Fair
haven, $50.
The address of Mr.. Sawyer was well re-
ceived. As an exponent of views held by
his denomination, it is worthy of careful
perusal, and on this account have OBJ
tanned it for publication in the columns
of the HERALD, which I am glad to find
are open to all christians alike.
ADDRESS OF REV. f. r. SAWYER.
The ceremonies of this hour derive their signi-
hcance from the Scriptural view of Christian
Church, as a spiritual edifce, established upon a
sure foundation, Jesus Christ Himself being the
chief corner stone. The Church is compared to a
temple, and its completeness appears, in possess
ing that which corresponds with whatever was
attractive and valuable in that material structure,
which was the pride of the ancient Jew
The Christian Church is a temple, composed of
living materials and characterized as the peculiar
dwelling place of God. Christs advent marked
an epoch Of spiritual progression when from the
sign and the material form, the attention should
be turned to the thing signined and the actual
power. Christ's kingdom comes not with observ-
alton not with attractions for the outward eye
or ear. The new order of religious life and serv-
ice which He introduced is distinguished by its
spirituality. In this is found its power. By
this the true Church and worship were to be
known.
1t is essential TO the ideal of Christian Church
Az found in the New Testament that there be a
spiritual membership.
1t is an organization of Christian believers, a
temple built up Of living stones. Looking at the
early history of Christanity in the rnafn We nnd
that the converts to the Gospel were formed into
local organizations which We're known as Christian
Churches in which the worship of God and the
ordinances of Divine appointment were establish
ed and maintained. These organizations consist
ed only of those who protested personal faith.
spiriturl change was made prerequisite to men,
bership in the Gospel Church. The Church was
not to be a reformatory school, but to be composed
of those who had already been made the subjects
Of new birth.
1t was not by any natural birthright not by
any inherited piety, not simply by the mental
assent to a given creed, that admission to the
church was to be gained. Its memberships was
not to be composed of those who should become
grated into the Body of Christ through the mys-
terry Of baptismal regeneratiye. But the chal-
lenge to be addressed to each one who sought adj
mission at her portals "Believest thou oR
the name of the Son of God 2" Nothing less than
this personal faith answers to the Scriptural re-
qurement of those who are TO become parts of
the spiritual temple. The marks of the Divine
architect must appear upon the material of which
the spiritual house is to be constructed.
The worship of Gospel church, like its men,
bership is characterized by its spirituality. Not
in outward sites, however impressive, not in the
punctilious observance of any forms consists the
sions of the homage of the heart may be required.
But the purer and deeper the spirit of devotion
the more simple will ever be the expressions of
that spirit. The rites aud forms of worship are
not to be determined by human law-giyers. They
are to be referred to the New Testament stand
and as given by Christ Himself He is King and
Head of all things unto the Church. In the
nature of its worship the Church is to seek for the
simplicity that is in Him.
What constitutes Church?
Not Roman Basic, or Gothic pile,
With fretted roof tall spre, and long drawn AISLE
They only mock the search:
Fantastic Sepulchers where all is said
Seek not the living Church among the dead"
But as living stones, Christ's chosen and believ-
ing disciples are built up spiritual house, and
holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
The ordinances too of a New Testament Church
are characterized by spiritual significance. Few
AVID simple in themselves their function is TO set
forth that which is most personal and important
in the ministry of Christ. and most vital and
sacred in the experience of the Christian believer
They are the symbols of the great facts of
Christianity, and they are to be valued and OBJ
served by the Church as contributing to her
spirituality by setting forth in forms most simple
and appropriate the transcendent truths of the
Gospel.
Now, it is by our protested adherence to this
primitive New Testament ideal of a Gospel Church
that we as Christian denomination claim to be
characterized. OF those principles which dis
tinctiyely made the Baptist Church, there have
been representatives. in every age of Christianity
For those principles they have been willing to
labor, to suffer even unto death, counting not
their lives dear and willing to seal their tes-
timony with their blood. Through such hon
ored servants of Christ, we trace the true apos-
tolic succession. With tolerance to charity, and
fraternal love toward Christian people of every
name, we acknowledge allegiance to Him alone.
we take the Bible as our only rule of faith and
life, and seek the praise given to those who keen
the ordinances as first delivered to the saints.
In the progress OF these principles we may well
rejoice. With faith in them is laid to-day the
corner stone Of this new temple to Almighty God
The zeal, and love, and effort consecrated to its
erection, are ZEAL aud DEVOTION and labor for the
nth.
Tba of hat ,,,,b -