The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-10-29
AN INTERESTING OCCASION.
Reopenng OF the Methodist Episcopal Church Of
this Town.

Sabbath last was Il day of more than
usual interest ut the NJ. f.. Church of this
town. The occasion was the reopening OF
the main audience room for public worship.
For several months past service has been
held in the basement, and in the meantime
extensive improvements have been made TO
the upper room and other portions OF the
building The roof has been partly re-
newed: the audience room and vestibules
have been handsomely refrescoed, and it
has been newly carpeted throughout. New
furnaces will also be put in very shortly,
and many other minor improvements have
been made, or are in progress: among the
latter may be named the erection of appro-
pirate shedding, for the protection of horses,
in the rear of the church.
The improvements being sufficiently ad
vanced to admit of the use of the audience
room, Sabbath last was fixed upon for re-
opening day, and the services of Rev. j. X.
Willis, ID. d., of FELTON,, Del, were secured
for the occasion, who preached both morn
ing and evening most excellent sermons.
The church presented fresh and tasty APP
pearance the fresco work being much adj
mired. The altar and pulpit platform were
made more attractive by profusion of
growing flowers and plants distributed upon
them. and the choir furnished some choice
music. This is always Il feature OF the SER
vice here, the choir being an able one, far
in advance of the average country choirs.
Or. Willis took for his text in the morn
ing the parable of the talents, delivered by
the Master to his servants, from Matthew
-, II, and upon the theme of our RESPONSE
bility to God for the proper use of our en-
dowments preached an able and effective
sermon. In the evening he took his text
from 2nd Peter, LIST chapter, first clause of
10th verse, and made 4 most eloquent and
convincing defense of Christianity. The
Rev. gentleman seemed perfectly at home
upon this subject, and not only carried con-
victi0n TO the minds of his hearers rs to the
divine origin of Christianity, but also found
time to hit certain infide and atheistic teach
ers of the day some hard blows The two
sermons morning and evening, were of rare
power and eloquence, and in argument most
fore Very rarely known i speaker to 81 uni
verSally please his audience as did DR.. Will
lis upon this accession.
Generally upon such occasions this, it
has been found necessary TO introduce the
unpleasant feature of begging for funds.
This feature was omitted this time. thanks
to the various committees having the work
in charge. Cards We're distributed through
out the pews, and prior to the sermon w.
j. Jones, Esq, made 4 brief statement of
the condition of the finances, and requested
all who wi, he'd TO contribute, to write the
name and amount upon card and drop it
upon the collection plate. BY this means all
begging was avoided and perhaps fully as
large an amount realized. According to
MI Jones statement, the entire improve
mcnts cost about eleven hundred dollars
and of this amount about $500 had been
already collected, leaving il deficiency of
only about $500. of this amount, nearly
5000 was subscribed on this occasion by
card, leaving Il very small balance yet to be
raised The ladies aid society of the church
contributed 500 toward carretiug the house.
The committees having the repairs in
charge have been very energetic, and are
entitled to unlimited praise. Good taste
has been displayed throughout, the i'm
prUYementS and Il very great deal having
been done upon limited amount.