, 1873-11-03
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

Dedication of tho New Audiences
Room OF the First Methodist
Church.
The new audience-room OF the Tiras Mothod-
ist Church, at the corner Of Washington mud
Clark stroots, was yesterday formally dedicated,
in accordance with all tho modern requirements
There were services by eminent aiyines, Ano
singing, and large audiences, drawn partly by
tho oontral position Of tho church, partly from
a desiro to hear the preachers. Tho now room
In Nh attractive aud commoiliouB one, recalling
its predecessor only by csrtain Vague reseyn-
blances in outline. It ia brighter cleaner, bot
tor lighted, aud nluah moro conveniently ar
ranged, hut If possible, 1t is worse ventilated.
THE SERMON.
At yesterday morning services, after the cus-
tomary songs aud prUyer, tho Rev. DR.. Fowler
preached, his taxt being tho last verse OF the
second eptsto Of poter. He expected to direct
their attoution to the first clnuse Of tho verso.
Tho next was little like d window in an old
castle by tho sea. Looked ut 1t it was o dingy
oponing, but looked through, tbero was yiow
OF the sea. At first, the text seemed rebu1c,
warning to leave thoir poor little ways mud
come into tue likeness Of Christ. But closer
examined, it was found to DO full Of encourage
mont and power. No stone, no tree, no animal,
NIo tAt4u piQuHA " k1oM NHu AutfS WOEV UlO-
den to do thcs. So the form of addroes sepa-
rated mon from all other existenoos. Tho toxt
alao told them how to GROWN grace and powor
becoming at one With God; when thoy
prayed for grace, they folt all the
appliances for Ale accomplishment Of re-
suits would como with 1t. The favor III
which thoy wore.t to grow. meant oil their hearts
needed. It would DO we'll to look at the fact
al yfaft fs> a TO- Ia
Christian meant To be growing continually. It
was growth Ill tho uatllre Of the caAe, nat a
tree, nor .. garment, nothing which could ba
removed, bus actual and absolute, 1fo. II
anything. 1t reached out to far-off results. 1t
was IN hopping With Gods mode OF action.
They wanted to be better, in every way. It waa
ouiy their nature, mauifeBting itsoH everywhere,
! and calling toward God, often crudely and
bliudly, but always baaed on tho great law, ting
growing Of their hearta and characters toward
- connected with tliis idea Of growth.
From babyhood they grow to youth. aud
then to maturity. They wero perplexed,
pursued and fought against, but they calno out
in charactar. This was true Of the mental and
| religious, as Of the physical growth. They
struggled through experiences OF repentance,
hunting ;or Goa, until somehow they found the
eaa found smile on His taco. They were
chilled and cooled yEhan brought in contact with
The world. They criticiscd Their hearts to sec Il
they lad dono !, ts'rong, :. They lad no other
stanaa5d ID than teir feelings They said they
finally learned that they must rest upon export
ence and baslo OF calculation. They wore
then passing out! Of the condition Of babyhood
@ and approaching youth, To grow iin grace was
castor to do anything nix S'ef ass than "o to
givo up, for q mans will waa tho essential core
Of Mh character. They often recognized thels
duty, but resiated the Lord through thoir stub
Porn Porn WILL n1. q laS by desperate u;an elort T.
will for God, and to uso all their faculties in Hiz
| work and to employ tlcir wills, holding them
subject. however, to the Divine. will. They
wanted Christ, Men rushed into business and
occupy their tims. It was transition period
| Old systoma were broakihg up, aud hearts wore
CRYING out for what they could not find In thom
i was duty at this timo, when 1t was apparent
strength, to 60 te tho trout asa fght. Ii sucl
= tinla as this they must put or
their spiritual strength aud moot these
isaues. They must turn society ant
public opinion toward righteouauess. As they
worle1. tho millennium advancod Every hour d
talonosH reta,,lsd 1t. God worked through human
agencies aud forceH for tho capture Of tue world
aud could not do It otherwise. God had alwayf
loved tue world aud all its inhabitants, aud did ht
botter, the fault rested rested IN human agencies ai,i
inHtru1nontalities. II God could have Ills way
every sinner would be converted at onco. Bu
man fonced up tho way by luck OF couraso al,t
purpose. Il slunar had no knowledge q
Christ, tho fault WIS not in noayen. Tller!
was blessing aud comfort III atrengtl
itaolf. aud ! in tho possession OF power
best appreciated when strength WAS gone. Iha
WAS especially true Of spiritual atrongtll,. which
vas needed to carry ono upon long anil woar.
tonrney., They nosdea strength so mich thu
they could not afford to waate al atom Of It
the knowledge Of Christ was to become like Him
aud tAAh gave the final victory and was thei
chief work: Had they that knowledge to-da!y
They would net flndi in . ladgor; Of tho dull
: paper. but Ana Il they must. md they could 60
they doug ~ lfso they would Be transformer