The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-05-15
CAMDEN METHODIST CHURCH

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thodist People.
On last Sunday the new Method,
list Church was formally opened for
Gods worship. When we remem-
ber how long the Methodists OF
Camden have been without a sllita-
BILE place of worship, and consider
how arduous has been the work to
obtain such temple, we can in a
measure realize the feelings of great
Joy and thankfulness which possess
ed them when the day dawned that
was fixed for the dedication of their
new and beautiful church to the SER
vice of God. An object which they
had labored for and prayed for so
many long, weary years, was accom-
plished, and the gratitude they felt
was pictured in the happy faces of
all. An invitation had been extend
ed to the various other congregations
in Camden to be present, and in con
sequence services were not held in
the other churches.
Morning services-Dedicetion.
Long before the hour for morn
ing services bad arrived, the church
was crowded, but provision had
been made for a large accommoda-
ton, and by placing chairs in the
aisles and packing people closer, all
who came found seats. It is esti-
mated that over five hundred per-
sons were present. The gentlemen
who acted as ushers for the occasion
showed great skill in the perform
ance of their duties. AS the bell
tolled the second time the ministers
entered, Rev. j. O. Wilson, the pas
tor, leading, and followed in success
sion by Rev. Messrs. Chreitzberg,
Whitman and J. W. A1ial. AS they
took their seats on the platf form, the
choir raised the anthem, "Great are
Thy Works, Jehovah. Eighteen
trained voices, under the leadership
of Prof. Evans, filled the church
with glorious music. After the usu-
al devotional exercises. Mr.. Wilson
announced his text from II. Chroni-
cles, xii, 6: 'sNow; therefore, arise,
o Lord God, into thy resting place,
thou and the ark of thy strength; let
thy praise, O Lord God, be clothed
with salvation, and let thy saints re-
joice.in goodness. His sermon was
discussion of the essentials to
every true temple of God, the means
of securing these essentials, and
the grand results of their attain
ment. We cannot do justice to the
sermon in an outline of its sub
stance. Those who were there ap-
preciated it's eloquence and felt it's
force; and when we say it was
grand from beginning to end, we but
feebly express it's full merit.
After The close of the sermon, and
while the choir sung the anthem,
"How Beautiful are Thy Towers"
the ministers came down from the
pulpit and assembled on the inside
of the chancel railing. Before them
stood the Board of Trustees of the
Church, composed of DR.. F. L.
Zemp, Mr. I. B. Alexander, Mr.. W.
Wallace, Judge WI Aeitrer, Mr..
L. NJ. Boswell, Mr.. J. B. Phelps and
Mr.. J. r. DeLoaehe. As the an
them ended, Dr.. Zemp said to the
ministers
1--WE present to you this house, to
be set apart from oil rnnallowed OF
common uses, for the worship Of
Almighty God"
Then Air. Wilson asked: is
there any debt OF encrmbrance upon
the house, or the land whereon the
house stands 2
Dr.. Zemp. No sir"
Mr.. Wilson. rs the legal title to
the property duly secured?"
Dr., Zemp. 1T is"
The congregation then arose, and
the ministers, in unison, pronounced
the following sentence of dedication:
"Forasmuch as God has rut it into the
hearts of his people to build this house of
worship, and has blessed them in their un-
dertaking. we solemnly dedica it to His
service. for the reading and expounding of
His holy word, the administration of His
ordinances. and for ali other acts of reli-
gious worship, in the name Of the Father,
and of the Son, and Of the Holy Ghost,
amen. That he may graci"usly accept this
labor at our hands, let us devuu'ly pray"
Rev. Mr. Whitman then delivered
the prayer prescribed for such occa-
sions, after which all returned to
their places. The services of the
morning were then closed with
prayer and praise.
The Afternoon Services.
The afternoon services commenced
at 4;30 o'clock, and were devoted to
the Sunday School celebration. Ac-
cording to invitation, the children of
all the other Sunday Schools were
present, and the front Of the church
occupied by them. The elder per-
sons present filed the other parts of
the church, Here again Professor
Evans presided at the organ, and di
ected the singing of the children.
The chorus of those happy little
voices was sweet indeed Addresses
were delivered to the children by
Capt. J. W. McCurry, Mr.. j. T. Hay,
Judge Kershaw and Rev. H. F,
Chreitzberg, in the order mentioned: