The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-05-13

The ceremony of laying the cornerstone
of the new Methodist Episcopal Church,
at EbeneZer, Zion Circuit, in this county,
took place on the afternoon of last Tues
day, the 9th instant, in the presence of a
large concourse of people. The exercises
were commenced by the Pastor, Rev. Thos.
L.. Poulson, by remarks and reading the
Introductory service as laid down in the
book of Discipline. The 959th hymn in
the NJ. +. Church collection was announced
by Rev. j. w. Weston, of Rising Sun, and
sung by the audience, who were afterward
led in prayer by Rev. T. E. Martindale, of
Port Deposit. Rev. J. II. Johns, of the
Presbyterian Church, read Psalm CXxxu,
and Cor. 3: 9-23.
Rev. 7. E. Martindale said, everything
about the erection of building for reli-
gious purposes is worthy of thought. We
are here to think about the editice to be
built on this spot. You have doubtless
prayed over it, and looked to God to bless
the building in detail from foundation to
turret This is right. The Pope of Rome
curses, in detail, making it so much the
more the terrible. But we want God S
blessing in detail, asking him to join us in
this enterprise in each particular part
| thereof. He has done SO in the past-he
will do so now. We learn thus to connect
Christ with our own support. He is spoken
| of in the Scriptures as stone. All our
superstructures are of no consequence
unless Christ is the foundation-all crum-
bles till Christ is put under our lives. He
is spoken of as a Cornerstone, under
lying all our hopes and fears, and the build
| ing that stands thereon fails not. We are
saying by this ceremony that we want
Christ to uphold all our Church enterprises
here. There is also unity in the service
The stone is put in at the angle of two
walls to unite them. We want this unity
among the members-deep down in the
| life. Christ can do this for us. He is the
unity that constitutes the bonds that bind
all the members and Churches together
| The service has backward and forward
phase We are setting up remembrancer
| that God has sustained us in the past. Oh,
the memories that blend around the old
| Church! How sad-how precious! We
put this stone to tell of the past. We
deposite tributes herein also to express a
sublime faith i'll our holy christianity, that
| somewhere down in the future, coming
generations may look on them with quaint
and curious gaze. We are sending MESA
ges to those who may comesafter us. Other
lips will glorify God in this new temple,
when we sleep with our fathers. This is
done as to God. If so, he will set up
Christ as the Cornerstone in many of your
hearts, and in the hearts of your children.
May God grant it for his name sake.
Rev. J. II. Johns said this building you
are erecting is the most fitting monu ment
you could build to Christ. You rear costly
columns to the warrior and statesman, to
commemorate their deeds. No monu-
ments so befitting Christ as these temples.
| like these living monuments, put up
substantially to show the gratitude and
liberality of men. This is yours to Christ.
As you gather about these graves, with
| aching hearts, as christians, you look for
ward to the resurrection time, when the
sleepers shall come both to gloritication.-
This is Internationally for old Ebenezer.
You could not leave this ancient edfice for
the last time without sadness, but you see
to-day God is resurrecting the old building,
| and you Will rise up in eternity to bless
God for this new Church. A Church build
ing ought to be attractive in its appearance.
l am glad you are putting upa better look
ing Church. The country all round is
advancing fields are greencr, and the
houses are better. 1t is therefore appro-
pirate that you should make your house of
worship attractive. Remember, however,
it is the occupant that gives interest and
character to a building. No matter how
eloquent the preacher, unless God be in it.
1t was said of old, Rome for law, Athens
for Learning, and Jerusalem for religion.
We have greater sources of light and law
throughout the land, in these temples
God has his Bethels everywhere. This is
your religious home, where God di!fuscs
spiritual life and comfort to all who hunger
and thirst therefor. God bless your enter
prise!
Rev. J. w. Weston said, it is every mans
duty to worship God frequently in public.
We read of this practice being INDUCED in
the worship of the heather world. Nature,
reason and revelation tell us there is God
to worship We ought to properly praise
and worseip God in the public congrega-
ton. In the Bible there are many com
mandments to assemble ourselves together.
We must know therefore it is our duty to
worship God publicly. The instituted
ministry is conclusive proof that the peo-
pie shall assemble together, to hear the
word. There is also great advantage in
public religious gatherings. Most of those
who are convicted and converted are so in
the public congregation. The available
appliances arehere athand-the exhortation,
the prayers of the church, the praises of
his people-making it more favorable for
such important work. 1t is an advantage
also to meet in public to get stimulated,
encouraged and comforted, after home and
business duties and cares. How often can
we sing, g 1t is good for us to be here. -
We should not neglect the closet, the fami-
ly altar, or indeed to worship him every
where; but especially let us meet in public.
1t is also an advantage to perpetuate chris
tianity. 1t is both a privilege and duty
for the people living in this neighborhood
to meet in this public worship. You can
not safely remain away from the Sanctuary.
This cannot always be done in the open air
We must build houses for that purpose
We want Church here. Everybody can
take part in this matter, either by work or
money. If so, the enterprise will be COM
pleted with ease. Do what you can, and
God will help you. The cable is composed
of many.little strands too weak alone to hold
the ship, but when together the storm cam
not break them. Apply the illustration to
the Church here, and you will be successful.
Let the grace of God in your heart receive
proper ventilation by giving means and
effort to this work. You, your children,
and your grandchildren shall be converted
heaven to praise God forever for its erection.
Rev. Thos. /. Poulson, the Pastor, then
exhibited the box for deposits in the Cor
ner-stone, and conducted the closing ser
vices The box contained the following
articles, VIA copy of Minutes of the
Wilmington Conference of 1871. A copy
of Proceedings of Peninsula Convention of
| 1870. An illuminated programme of
North East Concerts, May II and ~,
1869. Copies OF the following papers,
Christian Advocate and Journal, Metho-
dist, The Home Journal, Cecil Wing, Cecil
Democrat, Rising Sun, Wilmington Daily
| Commercial, Delaware Tribune, and Sun
day School Report. Names of the Pastor,
Officers and members of the Church, the
building committee, and contractors,.-
Copper coins by G. E. Kirk, Rev. J. II.
Johns, Anna NJ. Clifford, Minnie Johns,
and James Barnes. Silver coins by S. H.