Sharp County record., 1878-04-26

How did this hired hall pay him honor?
Besides, the new congregations OF the
PreSbyterians and Baptists were each
building magnificent temples to His
glory. The organ in the Baptist Church
cost double the price of the whole build
ing in which they worshiped; and the
Baptist brethren had not half the solid
wealth of which they could boast. There
was Dove, the Baptist banker, who had
put down round ten thousand-Doye
was very shaky indeed, ETC., etc.
The matter was talked about in prl-
vate at first among the members; the
ladies were all, without a dissenting
voice, vehementIy in favor of building
Then vague hints were dropped IN
reference to it by Mr.. Supplee in SER
mons. A good deal was said by those
/ in favor of it about carnal-minded de-
votion to worldly things (meaning pic,
lures, Persian rugs, ETC., at home), ana
neglect of the service and glory OF God
(meaning a new church, organ, etc).
Some visiting clergymen openly express
ed their surprise at the lack of energy in
spiritual affairs in so young and vigor-
! Gus church.
At last the St. Marks people found it
impossible to worship in their plain hall
without sharp compunctions, and when
they knelt on the hemp carpet felt one
moment that their Maker was insulted
by it, and the next wondered whether
the dissenters who were in the back seats
were laughing at it secretly.
. Of course fire smOldering so hotly
as this is soon kindled into flame. A
meeting of the VeStry was called on
Monday. Subscription papers went
round on Tuesday. Without any diff
Guilty $50, 900 were raised In the course
of week dozen eligible lots were Of
fered to the committee for sale. But a
wealthy grocer (not communicant) re-
lieved them Of all difficulty in decision
| by presenting them with a corner lot in
one of the most fashionable quarters of
the city. The gift was received with
enthusiasm. But it insensibly altered
the plans of the committee and the ideas
of the congregation. The thirty-thouS-
and dollar house would look shabby in
the neighborhood of the most magnifi-
cent private dwellings il the city; or,
though they did not put it into words,
they felt that the house which could be
built to the glory of God on Sixth Street
would not rebound to His glory at all
on Franklin Avenue. The architect, in
offering his plans, submitted first one
which would "Suit the locatiOn," and
afterward one in accordance with the
price named. A most meager, paltry
affair it seemed. Both the committee
and the congregation felt themselves
reused to generous emulation. They
were convinced that this was the Lords
work. The subscription papers went
round again; but only $4,000 were
added.
:" But am confident" said Mr.. Sup
pies to the committee, "that the church
will dc better than that when warmed
up to the work. l will make appeals
from time to time; stir up their con-
sciences. As the building progresses,
their zeal will increase. Nothing will
draw forth fervor in money or love like
, a tangible object"
"My advice, then, gentlemen said
the architect, with smile, "would be
to make the tangible object as worthy
of fervor as possible. Take this plan,"
unrolling the costly one upon the table,
with an Off-hand air. "Leave margin
for their generosity. It's like putting a
high ideal before man and bidding
him live up to it, Beside, sir" turning
to Mr.. Supplee, "the sermons preached
under such a dome as this must elevate
! your people. Consider the effect upon
your imagination-your breadth of
thought. They will gather the interest
of their money in that way, if no
other
/ "No, sir" said NJ. Supplee, gravely.
"No personal considerations move me
in this matter look upon this temple
simply as an offering to Almighty God
from my people. Though" he added,
81 should be 10th to deny the effect upon
the religious emotions of beauty in art.
hope you will illustrate it nobly in the
the present instance. Well, gentlemen,
what do you say? Shall we count upon
the generosity of the people or not?"
/ The master builder interrupted the
answer by suggestion that the esti-
mate of cost for the finer design was
very liberal-thrown off hastily-that,
no doubt, by shaving in corners, he
could bring it down considerably,
That was decisive. The committee
with $4,000 to build church, began
to build one which would cost $3.50, 1000
Every man Or congregation that has
built a house knows the result. The
edifce, when handed over by the build
er, had cost, in round numbers, $780,
900, with one tower left unfinished un-
der wooden cap. To be sure, it was
considered a perfect work of art by the