, 1875-10-25
CHURCH DEDICATION At ENcLEWooo.

nt-NA49 III 4Ats hkf LII. FOTAk.lt-
The First N. f.. Church Of Englewood, 4
small but beautiful odinco, was dedicated to re-
igious purposes yesterday morning. Tie Rev.
c. II. Fowler, D. D., President Of tho North
western University, preached tho dedication
sermon. lilo was to hars boon assisted by tho
Eev. A. J. .]utkins, but tho latter was uuablc to
attend. Lis place was supplied by tho hov. 4.
GntnGY, pastor OF tho church,
Tho services wore commenced by voluntary
BY tho choir, followed by prayer by Dr. Fowler.
After singing a hrmn, Dr.. Fowlor announced rs
l!s text the nnLh verge OF tho twenty-tlrst CHIMP
ter Of Revelations, " Como hither; will show
thee tho bride, tho Lambs wifo t" and proceeded
to tlelivor tho dedication Hcrmou, OF which the
following IL a synopBis
The text should nut he read with .uoilorn oyes,
heard wish modern o1rs, nor understood With
tho energetic. practical minds OF to-day, but
with the dreamy lstlcaa comprehension Of the
ancient East. The idoa OF a bride a. Icp1o-
rentaiion OF the Church militant. waa by fhr tho
most perfect and complete iikenens. II might
bU lkcncd 10 mountain from whose rugged
sides all atorms, sill attacks woro hurled tack by
ite mighty strength, to fortress With unscala-
bio walls and solid gatos that had neyer boeu
battered down. although tue inidelity Of ageB
had boen hurled aga'nst them. Tho pursued
and oppr1sacd might over find D secure retreat.
The Church could bo liEenpd to light causing
tho plant OF Christianity TO grow anl flourish
among tic icebcrEs Of tho North, or III tho
barron Wnstcs of tropical dcacrt; also
to home, AZ It Is to tho wnpdercr vino, weary
with tho tieTce battio with tho world,
with tie desperate struggle for breau, was re-
turning to where he know ho would always lind a
ioyous welcome. But ia tho bride, tho tender
loving bride, who cano caeting her youth, her
beauty. hor hnplincss, and hos all, willingly at
the feet Of her husbaud, eager to share hia
Happiness or Hurrows, cyer ready with words Of
encouragement aud cheer, advising and holp-
ing, was q true representation Of tho Church.
What man would not willingly lay down hiB life
for his brilte. In after years aho might bouome
no longer bride, but ouly vito, she might DO
hbusea, tsampled under foot, sps upon,s but
II the oTTiuK ons will return, SIZE would DO
always ready to reccivo him with open arms.
The ,imo might come, and wns to bo expected,
when those present would be obliged to 70 to
tho stnke for her, but what man, calling himself
man, would not dso rather than giyo up hla
be!ies7 Ono Of tho great beauttes OF tho
Christian religion was it's simplicity. Tho
auciout Greeks worahiped their gods pereouIhed
in the stars; and mou OF today,
not 30 poetieal as The Crooks had
thot gods in gravity or cohesion. But tho
while the world stood. Languages tad been
born upon ita lips, grown to strength and pow.
er, and faded away. Nations hAtl besn organized,
endured, and disappeared, but tho Christian re-
lEion would last When timo was no more and
eternity had begun.
At the cloaG Of the sermon the debt OF tho
church was stated, money enough was subscribed
to lift 1t, and the church wns formally dedicated
free from debt. The amount raised was about
II, O00. The aorvfces closod By singing Old Hun
dred, !" In which tho ontire congregation Joined.