Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-01
Conservation Of 81. Luke's Church
- at Chester.

a. OACStOhs
The new edifce of the Episcopal church
at Chester was consecrated on Thursday,
the 25th inst, by Bishop Bissell, OF the
Vermont diocese, Bishop Clark OF Rhode
leland, and considerable number OF the
clergy participating in the exercises. The
occasion was one of much interest, and
attracted large attendance, not only
from the immediate vicinity, but from
neighboring towns. The services com.
menced at half past ten, and at that hour
the pleasant audience room of the church
was filed to its utmost capacity. The
exercises commenced with the usual form
of the Episcopal Church, by the entrance
of the bishop and clergy in procession, re-
citing alternately the twenty-fourth
Psalm, who, after passing up the aisle oc.
cupied seats within the chancel. The in
strument of donation was then read and
presented by the senior warden of the
church, Mr. Merrick Wentworth. This
was followed by the consecrating prayer
of the Bishop of the diocese, when the
sentence of conservation was read by Rev.
A. B. Flanders, rector of the church. AT.
ter another prayer by the Bishop, the Ho.
ly Bible. prayer book and vessels OF
the holy communion were received by the
Bishop and deposited in their proper
places.
These interesting ceremonies were fol-
lowed by the usual services of morning
prayer, which was participated in by
Rev. Messrs. Hall of Bellows Falls, Har.
ris of Brattleboro, Chase of Charlestowp,
N. H, Renouf of Keene, N. a., Harris Of
Rutland. and Rogers of Guilford.
Communion service was then begun by
the Bishop of the diocese, assisted by Rev.
Messrs. Fairbanks of Brandon and Doug
lass of Windsor The sermon was de-
livered by Bishop Clark of Rhode Island,
who, selecting bis text from Ezra v: 10,
"And let the house of God be builded in
his place." spoke substantially as follows
BISHOP CLARK's SERMON.
The social culture and the degree of re-
fnement of people are exhibited by the
structure of their buildings. So, too, the
religious creeds are symbolized by the
style of the temples of worship. The
rude structure of the heather Afri-
can illustrates the lowest form of idola.
trous worship. The fantastic pagoda Of
the Hindoo fifty symbolizes the strange
superstitions of the pagan creed. The lofty
dome and towering minaret of the Ma
hommedan mosque indicates higher civil
lization and purer religion. But it tells
the sinner of no redemption. The Rom
ish church, with its incopgrous blending
of pagan and christian emblems, illus.
! trates the mingled character Of the true
and false beliefs which compose its creeds
The rigid simplicity of the Puritan style
of church architecture, and the exclusion
of symbolicsl ornaments, illustrate the
austero character of their faith. The
temples of ancient Athens and Rome were
alluded to as exhibiting in their structure
and adornment the religious sentiment OF
those nations.
Adverting to the subject of modern
church architecture, the Bishop claimed
that it is proper that the house of God
should represent the purest taste and the
highest wealth of a people. 1t WAS some.
times argued that all churches should be
| = Al - aok hrf tho n.
tive of this argument was in most cases
too apparent to need refutation. Why
should we not have churches that repre-
sent the culture of a people? II Is not
necessary that attendance upon costly
churches should be costly. It ia some
times objected that elegant churches will
deter people from attending upon religious
service, but if the gospel be preached in
all its simplicity and attraotiveness, we
need not fear that any will be repealed
from the sanctuary. If the objection he
made that it is inconsistent to build ex-
pepsive churches while there is 20 much
suffering and want appealing for relief,
it can be replied that in the work of
erecting these costly structures wealth is
distributed among the people. There is
no reason why taste should not be con-
sidered in building temples of worship.
There are other means of education than
by the ear. We may have forgotten the
sermons we heard in youth, but the mem
cries associated with the appearance of
the church will never fade out.
Proceeding to consider the specific OBJ
iect of the occasion, the speaker said the
church had been built ss an Offering 10
God. Not as sacrifice, but as a means
of promoting spiritual interests among
men. Various systems of religious in
struction are now prevalent among differ
emit determinations. One seeks to avoid
the awakening of thought or feeling by
the presenting OF unwelcome truths, and
would soothe apprehension by the assur-
ance that all will be well in the end.
Then there is another that aims to awaken
religious emotions. To this class CONVEX
sion is main object. It is characterized
by the long sermon and the short prayer,
indeed, the prayer might be called part of
the sermon. The tendency of this class of
religious teaching is to act upon, rather
than to encourage action. A wider and
more intelligent recognition of the truths
of religion is beginning to be felt. 1t is
considered that certain external means
are cend ucive to the elevation of spiritual
sentiments. While it may be possible for
worship to be conducted without the aid
of external means, taste and association
form important avenues to the religious
sensibilities. 1t is through them that we
reach the will. Nothing is gained in spir-
ituality by the absence of decency or good
taste. But our churches are set apart not
merely for worship, but for instruction,
for the purpose of preaching the gospel
We have now to deal with thinking, intel
lectual men, While we are bound to fol-