Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1877-03-13
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCO.
PAL CHURCH.
Dedication OF the EdiGce on
Sunday.

The handsome little church on
Spring street, erected by the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church Association of
this place, was dedicated as a house of
worship on Sunday, with Interesting
services. Both in the morning and
evening the church was crowded to
overfowing, and many were unable
to obtain seats. The Interior of the
church presents a very tasty appear
ance and was the subject of much ia
vorable comment from those attending
the services of Sunday. Rev. s. NJ.
Crothers, of the Presbyterian Church
of this place, OBLIGATED in the morning
and delivered an able discourse from
the following text:
And every work which he began in the SER
vice OF the house o God, and in the law,
and IN the com nand he did il with
all his heart, and he Prospered.-II. ChroL-
lcics. 81 ~.
At the evening service, the pastor OF
of the church, Rev. j. A. Gray,
preached the d~edicatory sermon, which
is pronounced by many who listened
to it as one of the ablest efforts the Rev
erend gentleman has made during
his stay in Eureka The subject of
his remarks were taken from Haggai
L., "a and s verses. He said: 1.-THE
audacity Of Jesus in the foundation of
his church WAS sketched. Without
reputation, political, social or literary
prestige, he uttered his doctrines, and
said: On this rock will | build my
church. and then the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it,"
The financial economy of the church
was discussed. All the chuches in
Eureka county have not cost as much
~ one mile of narrow-gauge railroad.
ltssasks support from the community,
but its work tends to lessen other ex-
penditures. The merchant figures in
his probable losses from bad debts on
the profits he must derive from the
custom of The whole community. The
church teaches the duty of honesty.
The conviction of every criminal costs
the county than the COS OF a
church for a whole year. The church
dimiDishes crime. The existence of
different denominations was shown to
be a benefit and not a needless ex-
travagance.
The Church is a powerful force in
the mental and social culture of the
age. 1t touches every side OF life.
Ask for the best music, and you will
be referred to Handal and Mozart, who
drew their inspiration from the Bible.
Ask for finest art, and you will be
pointed to tie cartoons OF Raphael and
the pictures OF Leonaidi De Ninci.
Ask for the best poem, and the worlds
librarian will hand you Millions Para
disc Lost. Ask for the grandest unin-
spired character, and the historian will
point to Martin Luther, who says OF
himself, Il hung upon my Heavenly
Father like a child upon its mothers
breast.n
The influence OF The Church upon
music, taste and culture was discussed.
1t puts sentiment into song, and cul-
tivates a taste for thought as well as
voice culture. 1t suggests subjects for
thought which are stimulating TO the
mental nature aud lifts up the whole
tenor OF life. Its great work is the
reformation of mankind, aud it has
claims upon every lover of the race.
The musical portion OF the services
both in the morning and evening were
rendered in exceedingly good taste and
was furnished by the various members
of the church choirS of Eureka and Il
number of gentlemen from Ruby Hill.
On the stand We're seated the Rev. ).
NJ. Crothers, Rev. NJ. John, of Ruby
Hill, and the pastor OF the church.
At the close of the service Mr.. Gray
made "A statement Of the financial con-
dition of the church, the erection of
which and the parsonage had involved
an expenditure of over three thousand
dollars. This debt had been provided
for in various ways, the Missionary
Board in the East assuming portions
of il, and the church at that time was
only about $500 in debt. A subscrip-
ton was immediately taken in the con-
gregation and about $3.50 was donated
and the church freed from all incum-
brances. The plate collectionsthrough.
out the day amounted to $3.50, which,
with the proceeds of the old folks
concert, over $500, was also devoted to
the liquidation OF the debt. Rev. Mr..
Gray deserves great praise fort the ener-
getic manne in which he has pushed
forward the completion of the edifice
and his successful efforts in bringing
his church to the prominent position
it now holds in our midst.