Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-11-12

nSIOTIuSu SuufSd Va PseSSt
was begun little more than year ago
eliminated last Sunday morning in the
act of re-dedication.
BY eleven o'clock, the hour appointed
for service, every available seat in the
new church was occupied. During the
singing OF a joyous chant by the choir,
accompanied by the organ, at which
Prot. b. Z. Unseld presided, the pastor
the Rev. ]. Z. Bowman took bis posi-
ton TO the left Of the altar, while Kew.
J. r. Rossiter, of Baltimore, who assls-
ted in the service, occupied seat to the
right. The service used was that spe-
cially assigned for the re-consecration
of o church as given in the Order OF
Worship of the Reformed Church.
After the antipbonal reading Of sew
eral appropriate scriptural selections,the
repetition of the Apostles creed and the
singing of the Gloria in Excelsis, the
pastor arose and made in substance the
following remarks:
In addition to the many contributions
in the form of money towards the re.
pairing, charging and identifying OF
this house of God, all of which gifts
shall be copsecra;ed to His service in
the act of re-dedication this morning,
there have been other contributions,
which | now take pleasure in presenting
TO this church IN the name OF the re-
spectlve donors.
The pulpit is presented to this church
by your former pastor, Rev. j. T. Ros-
sitter, and shall stand here as a memoir
ial of his love for the people he once
served 80 faithfully and acceptably;
gift which / know IS received and will
ever be priced by you with more than
ordinary appreciation.
The very large, handsome Bible,
which so fttingly crowns the pulpit, is
the gift of Mrs, Margaret Line, an aged
member of this communion, who for the
last two years, on account OF severe al
fictions, has not been permitted to join
ia the worship of tide Sanctuary; but
though deprived of this great privilege,
she vet seeks her chief comfort in the
word of God. Today she presents to
YOU volume of that Word, as the most
expressive token Of her love for her
brethren in the Lord She presents it
with the prayer that it may be clamp
unto your feet and a light unto your
path.
The Bsptismal Font is gift from
the Sunday School of this church; the
most appropriate offering that could be
made by them; for through baptism,
they have been made children of the
Covenant of Grace, aud through this
sacrament, as gateway, they look to
the altar, before which they hope in the
near future to take upon themselves the
vows assumed in their behalf by tier
parents and enter the inmost sanctuary
of the whole christian worship. 1t must
also be said TO the credit of the Sunday
School, that by their offerings were
purchased the windows which are one
of the most attractive and appreciable
features of this building.
The chairs are gift from friend Of
this church, who, though his name be
not mentioned, will be none the less
held in grateful esteem by those who
have been SO highly favored by bis
goodwill, and made the recipients OF
bis generous donation.
The Silver Communion Service, which
will be placed upon the altar next Sun
day morning, is contribution from MIR.
and Mrs. Port, of Beloit, Kansas. In
the presentation of this gift, Mrs. Port,
formerly Miss Emma Weshans,) but
eviuces that same fond devotion to her
church which characterized her entire
past connection with 1t.
The Reading Stand is placed here by
the hands of Miss May Murphy of
Obanuon, KY, one of the last catechu-
mems confirmed in the old church. Her
love for her christian home has brought
her back to US that she may engage with
US in the happy services of this hour.
She offers this gift to you in testimony
of her gratitude for the christian nur-
ture and rich spiritual blessings she en-
ioyed during the brief period OF her at
tendance upon the ministrations OF this
church.
MIR. S. P. Humrickhouse presents to
you the collection plates; an offering &C
cepta5le as it is appropriate, especially
90 in view OF the Importance, which you
as a congregation, attach to almsglvlng
as an essential part Of true christian
worship.
The Altar is gilt from couple
friends of this congregation, who place
:, bora M that around which the worship
of the sanctuary shall centre. They pre-
sent IT with the earnest hope that all the
offerings of prayer, of praise and of
aims that are laid upon It, may be sane.
tilted to your eternal interests and to
the glory Of God.
After these presentation remarks, the
pastor performed the solemn and i'm
pressive act of re-dedication.
The sermon was then preached by
Rev. J. Spangler Kieffer, of Hagers-
town, Md, based upon the text was
glad when they said unto NE, let US go
into the house of the Lord" Ps. l2O, !.
We cannot give even an abstract that
would do justice to the sermon. 1t was
q strong, clear, pointed, forcible presen-
talion of the truth, and delivered in
such an impressive manner as could not
fail to attract and hold the attention OF
every one present.
After the sermon the pastor stated
that as the church building and all that
was placed in it was free from debt, the
offerings which now would be collected