Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-10-28
Special to the SPECTATOR.
The New Church and Dedication at Har-
ris0nbnrg,
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE,
October Doth. 1879 9 p. M.

The new Methodist Church at this
place recently completed is handsome
brick edifice 45x80; will seat comfortably
700 persons, and is situated on German
street, very desirable portion of the
town. The basement is an exceedingl '
pleasant room ; every requisite for CON
venienca and comfort instead of news,
$40 pretty chairs are used; these were
purchased by the efforts of the children.
AS eve enter the walnut paneled doors
winding mat-covered steps led us to
the main audience room, which is of
dazzling beauty, no description can
equal its exGaisite lpyelipess. The floor
is enpported by 8 cast iron pillows, sig
INCHES ln diameter, resting upon brick
foundation, and is covered with soft rose
carpet of blushing red and a small vine
figure: cost $4OO. The walls are fresco-
ed very light brown, the ceiling is
also frescoed in various appropriate col
ors, and correspond with the walls; o
neat blue bell lowered border trims the
edge Of the ceiling. Five large windows
of u, 1920 glass upon either side; 1s
are frosted light pinK, the lower ones
With white paint; buff Japanese figured
glass form a window upon each side of
the stand, between each window a large
figure representing pillows contrast fine
ly with the walls. The front windows,
of which there are three-2, 34x16 feet,
l, 4sx20 feet, are of various sized smoke
ed glass, set in iron frames. A large
gilt edge Bible and hymn book .orna.
ment the small walnut stand Three
different sized ,aarhie top stands, and
i've brown cushioned chairs constitute
the furniture. Three of the chairs fill
the position of a sofa.
The pews, of which there are 30, are of
walnut with drab cushiDgs, which cost
$500, they are of half circle and form a
neat aisle around the alter railing, Four
costly chandeliers of six lights each,
two stand, and two double lamps in the
gallery, illuminate and clothe it in o
grandeur beyond the power Of . pen to
paint, 8 mind to conceive, a tongue to tell.
A fine $500 organ ornaments the pannel-
ed gallery, which is but one end of the
building in length. Its entire appear
ance attests the impression that every
thing was done in neatness and order,
and now they have the satisfaction OF
knowing that they have the largest and
finest church in this town, if not one to
equal those in other places of larger
and more aff1uent population, The ded-
ication took place yesterday, at 10 SO
A. NJ, the ministers entered, deathe
like silence prevailed, and then the
| beautiful organ, presided over by Prof.
| Fl. T. Wartman, sounded forth in sweet
plaintive solemn tones: "Before JehO-
vah's awful throne" after which Mr..
Eggleston requested the gentlemen, by
wish Of the ladies, not to spit on the
floor. At IL o'clock, DR.. McFerrin, a
venerable and aged worker in the mas
ter's cause, arose and commenced the
exercises by the use of the hymn
"Great is the Lord, Our God," followed
by an appropriate prayer by him. He
invoked Gods blessing upon the church
and prayed that it might be signalized
by mighty visitation of His glory
and that the gospel might be preached
in all its purity, unadulterated by the
opinions of men. First lesson, e4tt
Psalm second, 2nd. chapter of Ephesi-
ans text ST. John, 18th chapter, 2OtE
and 2lst verses. To this portion of scrip
ture he invited undivided attention, fol
it is the last prayer uttered by Chris
while upon earth; but the subject tt
which he wished 10 called special atten
tion was the unity of Christ's Church.
He said that preaching is not devic
of man, but an injunction of God
for, go preach my gospel" is the grea
command given centuries ago by Coz
himself, and that there is nothing 8,
good as preaching, for it brings the los
souls of fallen humanity to a knowledg
of Christ, which is life eternal. II
said that there are some who go t,
church not because they can have thei
souls saved, or to be benefited, but t,
hear a scientific lecture, a literary ora
tion, poetical effusion and that the,
go away without being profted by th
sermon, and comment upon the preach
er's intellectual ability, his intonations
emphasis and various other points, non
essential to salvation, and that in the af
ternoon the poor preacher is picked t
pieces He said that the opinions Q
man do not enter into nor make up rea
christian faith for. said he, you know
that every church has its own mode Q
prayer, and man is an arrogant bigo
If he repudiates any one because he doe
not think in accordance with his fanat
lcal notions: for as you cannot max
men look alike. neither can you caus
them to think alike; and that it doe
not make any difference under wha
circumstances person is converted, fo
it is all the same, for the conversion j
efectuated by the same power, and as il
all churches Christ is preached, so the
all use The same language in testifyin
of Him and, said he, [ once heard q
an Indian who, though he lived il
America, yet could speak but tw
words of our language ana thew were
January, February. The Indian wen
to camp meeting and was there cor
victed. and getting upon his knees ht
with tears rolling doun hi, ohoohe
} prayed but those two words: January
February, but after proper instructio
from others he was converted . he ros
and with mighty effort expressed hi
} feelings by shouting, January! Febr,.o
1.u II IANuARxl EE TIA DIV 1 /