National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-09
RELIGIOUS.
INAUGURAL SERVICES AT EPIPHANY
CHTTRCH

INAUGURAL SERVICES AT EPIPHANY
CHURCH.
Prior to the first of June last it was determined
by the congregation OF the church of the Epiph-
any, 6 street, to make radical changes in their
church edifce, and on the first day of that month
the work OF reconstruction was commenced, and
has been completed within one week of the time
the rector originally appointed-an achievement,
considering the great alterations that have been
made, that may be regarded as almost unpre-
cedented.
Yesterday morning at II O'Clock the inaugural
services Of this completion were held, and as the
crowd Of eXpectant wOrshipers thrOnged into the
magnificent y-Tettted audience-rOOm, every face
mirrOTed heartfelt JOY as the vision lovingly wan
dered over and fingered upon those venerable
walls within the embrace OF which nuptial scenes,
funeral ObseFuies, Christmas and Easter festivals,
and the solemn Lenten season Of each year have
occurred until the very spot and ground seems
redolent with the fragrance and spirit Of a divine
association and society.
Epiphany church numbers among its attend
ants some OF the most distinguished citizens and
sOOurners in our city, including the Chief Justice
Of the Supreme Court, with Associate Justice
SWayne, Cabinet Ministers, the British Ambassa-
dor, Senators and Representatives, Army and
Navy officers and "a large congregation of our
more ointment RESIDENTS and these, TO the num-
her Of about eleven hundred, filled this house Of
worship yesterday morning.
The Rector, Rev. Wilbur F. Watkins assisted
which were interspersed with very choice music,
consisting Of the "Nenite, 4" "CilOria Patr - '.Te
Deum," Jubilati" with . trio at the offertory,
octette choir organized especially for the occasion
The organ was played by Mrs. Z. A. Pearson, a
the attention and received the highest compli-
ments Of musical artists here and elsewhere.
The reverend rector took for his text the 9Th
'. G. the l96th psalm, .Oh, worship the Lord in
the beauty OF holiness" and adopted from it as
his immediate theme
THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS"
The text is a call to worship. 1t indicates the
object and describes the temper Of true worship.
The object is GOd-the all good GOd-and be-
all good He is all beautiful for goodness is
the highest form Of beauty. Outward beauty is a
revelation Of God, an expression in form and color
Of an all-directing, all-pervadng spirit But turn
from the book Of nature, where pictures are after
all only illustrations II sacred text to the written
revelations OF God, and there we shall mug US
beauty is not Of wisdom or Of power or Of good
ness even. but it is beauty OF holiness.
A holy God requires holy worship, and as the
by y RfSf A4f IRRGFf
in the places and forms Of worship. Gratitude is
a constituent Of true worship, and our prayers and
praises, 70 be acceptable, must be accompanied
with appropriate gifts.
The rector extended, in a most beautiful and
touching manner. welcome to his people back
TO the old church. which, although changed in
teriOrly, stlll bore the same walls and was upon
the same ground, hallOwed by the varied assOcia-
tions Of the past: The repairs have cost nearly
yet TO be raised. The speaker advocated the ap-
plicatOn OF wealth and art in the structure Of the
house Of GOD, arguing that il was no reason why
should worship in barn because the Saviour Of
mankind was born in a Inanger.
After the Ohertory and prayers, the congrega-
tiOn was dismissed, those remaining who desired
10 take part in administering the Lords Supper.
The Rev. d Pinkney, assistant bishop Of this
diocese. preached in the church in the evening to
4 crowded and attentive audience.
INTERESTING MISSIONARY MEETING.
Yesterday afternoon the Sunday school Of the
Asbury NJ. Z. church held their anniversary mis-
s-OnaTy meeting. The exercises were commenced
with hymn announced by Rev. J. G. Henning,
who also offered avery fervent prayer. Addresses
were delivered by James p. Tustin, ESQ.,, and the
Rev. Mr.. Thomas The singing by the school
was delightful. The church was crowded and
SlC0 contributed to the missionary cause.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NORMAL
CLASS.
The seventh session of the Normal class for
training Sunday school trachers and other
Christian workers was held in the Y. NJ c. A.
chapel Saturday evening. A number Of very ex-
cellent maps Of Palestine were exhibited and re-
feTTed to a committee to examine and report upon
the accuracy of the same. The topic for the
evening was: Vow to study a Sunday school
l-ssr,,n' Brief rei.-arks were made by number
Of gentlemen.
DAY OF PRAYER.
In accordance with the custom Of the Young
Mems Christian Association, yesterday was set
apart for the annual day Of prayer for all Of the
associations in the United States and Canada
A large number were present. The exercises
consisted OF praying and singing and the reading
Of the report Of the associations by Mr.. Hall,
showing that there are 945 association. Two
hundred and nifty Of the number have annual eX-
penses Of half million dollars, A own buildings
valued at 81, $4,000, 46 have building funds
valued at S5Z2, CO.. and there are rs general sec
retaries. Short addresses were made by Rev. H.
A. Ames, u. H. Tiffany and ]. W. Parker. Rev.
Mr., Hammond pronounced the benedictiOn.