The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-07
DEDICATION OF A METHODIST CHURCH AT
YONKERS.
Interesting serviccs-3erm0ns by Bishop
Simpson and Drs. Reid and Toss, of

observation-disclosures by Bishop
Simpson and Drs. Reid and Toss, Of
New York.
Yesterday morning q spacious ana comfortable
edifce called "The Central Methodist Episcopal
church" was dedicated by Bishop Simpson in the
presence OF a large congregation. large number
OF ministers and members Of the denomination
along the Hudson River were present, and the
occasion was one of more than usual interest. The
building is located desirable site, at cost OF
$4,000. beautiful cross and bouquets OF choice
white flowers adorned the altar aud pulpit, whose
fragrance filed the edifce. The services were
commenced with an invocation by the pastor, Rev.
F. s. Barnum. DR.. Wakeley read an original hymn
composed by Rev. Dr. Bottome. Prayer was offered
by Rev. DR.. Reid, and appropriate selections OF
Scripture were read by other clergymen.
Bishop Simpson then proceeded to preach the
dedication sermon taking for his text the twenty
ninth verse Of the twenTy-f1fth chapter OF St.
John-"Jesus saith unto Thomas, Because thou
hast seen Me thou hast believed. Blessed are they
that have not seen and yet have believed" His
theme was "The Power Of the Invisible" In
his Introductory remarks he recounted the clrcum-
stances under which the words were uttered, and
the natural desire of every one to see through the
blessed to believe without seeing-a statement
which, though contrary to experience, was in per-
feet harmony with other parts OF Scripture. The
speaker proceeded to assign reasons iOr the truth
Of the text. One was that there is no virtue in be-
lieving in what was directly addressed TO our
have not seen is closely connected with
all true human development. This point
By Toen cn to the
to learn his letters he only catches their sound and
obtains but little mental discipline; but when those
the visible into the invisible. The same principle
was seen in the laws OF trade, for the successful
goods Beyond his vision S Without believing in the
unseen there is no true decision Of character. The
man who trusted In what he saw was only in
could not be leader but by being IN the minority.
He must get up on platform little higher than
hand to others. An ambassador OF our govern.
ment at foreign court does not heed the voice OF
the populace, but bends listening ear for the
tele0raphtc message from washington. The prin-
cipe OF faith in the unseen not only gave decision
Of character, but 1t inspired all with great energy
trated and the Bishop proceeded to show that all
religious effort was dependent Tor Its success upon
the unseen but powerful influence OF the Spirit Of
devoted to the practical application OF the subject.
He exhorted his audience to cultivate faith in the
unseen by reading Gods word, by communion
with God IN prayer and by worshipping Him in HIS
temple.
At the close OF the sermon vigorous effort was
made to raise $4,000 to pay OF the Indebtedness
on the church, most OF which sum was raised IN
$500, $500 and 800 subscriptions
The dedlcatOry services were continued in the
afternoon. Rev. Drs. BOttome and Smith conducted
the introductory devotional exercises. Rev. DR.. J.
NJ Reid one OF the missionary secretaries OF the
denomination, preached an able discourse from
the third verse OF the sixth chapter OF Mark
"And they were offended at Him.r The theme
which he deduced from the text was "the hui
imitation OF Christ and the benefits accruing to
mankind from It," This was discussed with elo-
quence, and each successive point was ntly Illus
traJed.
Rev. Mr.. Barnuni, the pastor. who has been in
defatgable IN his efforts to make the enterprise q
success, announced at the conclusion OF Or. Red's
that the aggregate OF the subscriptions re-
ceived III the morning reached the handsome sum
OF $4,000. stirring appeal was made by Bishop
Simpson for additional subscriptions and the re-
Spouse was liberal. One thousand dollars was
the Fourth avenue Methodist church, New York.
preached, and the Bishop dedicated the ednce to
the worship OF God according to the ritual OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The First Methodist
church on Broadway suspended their services, and
under the leadership OF their pastor Rev. Dr. STRAIT
ton, literally aided the new enterprise.