National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-09-15
MANASSAS NJ. X. CHURCH.


The impressive aud beautiful dedicatOry ser
Vices Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at this
thriving and suburban village OF the national
capital, took place to-day, under the charge Of
Rev. Bishop Haven. The church here was or
ganized In 1860, ct the close Of the war, by Rev.
L. II. York, now Of Washington. Under his
| supervision the foundation Of the church build
ing, the nrst OF these historic plains, was laid In
the summer Of 1861. After the building was In
closed It was used for several years for the pub
lie graded school, as no other building suitable
for that purpose could be obtained. The war
had not left trace OF civilization Of any kind,
not even shade tree or fence post, much less
church or school house within cannon range OF
the junction. During last year, however, the
Improved condition OF the people, the innix OF
Northern emigration and capital had enabled the
town to erect Ms nno q set OF school houses as
can be found In virginia or In many OF the
Northern States, and the church trustees have
therefore gone On and completed their building.
1T Is NEAT FRAME,
sSxI6 feet, with a class room In The rear, Isx2O
feet, connected with the main room by q sliding
door. What Ii now unusual In our country
churches, the building Is well lighted anu fur
nished.
Tho prevailing color OF the wood work is a
beautiful shade Of celestial blue, which, although
| white walls, the green OF the carpet and uphol-
| stery, and the black walnut desk and railing
This arrangement certainly compares with ma
green and the darker colors below. Altogether
| IL Is very neat country church.
The services commenced by u voluntary from
| the choir, "rhe Lord Is In his Holy Temple. /"
Then followed hymn, sung by the congregation
/ TO the grand old tune coronation" and then
the opening prayer by Rev, l.. II. YORK. IL seemed
particularly appropriate that thls minister, who
| church, should aid In consecratlng II by this pub.
| lie invocation to Heaven.
BISHOP HAvES's SERMON.
Bishop Haven did full justice TO his brilliant
/ reputation Us apreacher. Ills text was from
| Luke ililOli: "Fear not, for behold bring you
good tidings OF great Joy, which shall DO to all
people. FOR unto you ID born this day In the
city OF David a saviour, which Is Christ the
| Lord"
the Bishop commenced by saying that II was
at time much like this that these words were
| spoken In one Of the beautiful valleys OF Judea
| and the shepherds aroused from their tedious
watohlngs by cleaning light from heaven.
What was this light which 10 suddenly revealed
| to their dazzling vision the green nells around
them, the faces OF their comrades, AMI the nocks
| OF white sheep under their charge? Was 1t u
| new sun, or 4 brilliant aurora7 How happened
| II that al the dead Of night light shone forth
| that made daylight dark Ia Its pfescnce7 But In
addition 70 the light there was voice from the
skies, and that which was before q terror he
came an awe that struck the shepherds to the
earth ike dead men. The angel arrested the
fear which was natural to tho shepherds by the
saying In the text. This saying does not present
probicm 1t is not one that admits Of discus
sloni II Is not such proposition as Is submitted
to legislature, Or TO Jury, or 70 body OF
| bclthtno men. IL Is fOclAlnhtoh-h iles-
sage-sent from one having authority pr0cla-
| nation Of "glad tidinRs."
| Some think religion Ia q rational process. Il
ls but 1t is not addressed primarily TO the rea-
| son. 1t Is like what you read In
THE BOOK THAT EVERYBODY READS,
| the newapAper-and few read anything but the
| nennpaper In these days. II you read " reyo-
| lutioh In Spain, or an accident on the Mlssls-
slppl, you don't stop TO question or debate IT,
| You accept II. Tho angel came TO earth 10
| bring good news. the text Ia telegram from
| the King Of Glory. Like kilograms, II Is short