The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-01-14

ted, and this plan was the first and hearty
choice of all who saw it. 1t was thought
it could be finished for about 5000.
Haskell s. Wood, of Topeka, were chOs-
en- architects.
When the committee met to open the
bids, the lowest bid was found TO be
$40, 800, Ito prepare the building ready
for the pews." The members of the
committee looked at each other, then
Folded their tents, like the Arabs,
And silently stole away"
But when they came to look the matter
over they said: This church is what we
want, and it can be built" By making
slight changes and leaving the basement
unfinished, the cost was reduced to $9.-
500. December 4, 1879, the society in
structed the building committee "to let
the contract to Mr.. John Hammond for
$9,500." The work at once commenced,
the old church was moved back, the
ground cleared and the excavations be-
gun. In the spring the work was push
ed more vigorously, and was continued
until completed.
There are many pleasant things con-
nected with this enterprise. There
has been no serious delay, no
accident, no conflicting opinions
to hinder or mar. We have a
building in good taste, we'll proportion
ed, and well built The architect tells
me there is no better piece of stone
work in the state. 1t is ample in size,
convenient in arrangement, and has been
built very cheaply.
The cost of the building has been as
follows: Contract price for building,
$1,000; pews, 1854; pulpit set, $3.50;
2 Ruttan furnaces, 500; chandeliers,
$3.50; miscellaneous, $3.50: total $f2. 075.
The resources have been as follows:
Paid on subscription, $6,050; received
for old church, $500; subscriptions un-
paid, but good, $75; five years loan, ST.
600; one year loan, 81 400; total, S., 825;
Indebtedness now due, &c. $50; entire de-
ficicncy, $3.50.
The $4,000 loan is at low interest for
five years. and can easily be carried.
The $3.50 ought to be provided for to-
day.
1t was to the work of raising this sum
that the members and friends of the con-
gregation were now asked to lend their
efforts. A more cheerful reponse was
never made to a call than the free con-
tributions which followed Dr. Cordley's
appeal in behalf of the liquidation of the
church debt In this good work Senator
Plumb was foremost, heading the list with
$3.50, which was subsequently raised
to over $500, as the spirit of generous
emulation was quickened throughout the
large audience. This donation was hand.
somely supplemented by Mr.. Howard
Dunlap with $500, and Messrs. L. Sew
cry, G. w. Newman, l. E. Perley, Cap
tain Heritage, T. J. Price, Col. Fl. c.
Whitley, E. E. Holmes and Mrs. Trask
with 800 each, some of which amounts
were subsequently increased. The Ia
dies society of the church, besides al
ready paying $1,000. and buying the
carpet for $500, assumed an additional
81 900 of the Indebtedness yesterday,
which, with numerous contributions in
smaller sums, aggregated $1,000, or 800
more than was required st the outset.
A very gratifying feature of the happy
occasion was the spontaniety with which
the members of other denominations
came up to the help of their Congrega-
tional brethren, thus giving evidence of
the amicable relations existing between
ttlS va
After the very happy termination of
the financial part of the programme,
the formal dedication took place, the
congregation arising and repeating to-
gether the following:
We, the members of this church and
congregation, do now solemnly dedicate
this house to the worship of Almighty
| God to the preaching of the gospel and
the observance of the ordinance of the
church; to be a spiritual home to all
who may come; and to the extension OF
the kingdom of our Lord and Savior
| Jesus Christ. Amen.
4 hymn, and the benediction by Rev.
Mr. Merrill, followed, and thus ended q
service the ultimate results of which
may never be accurately estimated till
the vast influence exerted by human
agencies shall be made known in the
great and notable day Of the Lord, when
the twilight judgments of this world
shall pale in the pure light Of infinite
wisdom.
In the evening the union services were
attended by congregation which tested
the capacity of the house, and excellent
addresses were made by Rev. Merrill, OF
Iowa, DR.. McVickar, Of Topeka. and
Revs. Kirby and Burrows of this city.
The day, taking it all in all
was one which will ever be re
membered with emotions of genuine
pleasure by all who participated
in the delightful services, and its grand
results may well be regarded with senti
ments of congratulation by the faithful
pastor who has labored so earnestly fol
the upbuilding of his church and his
devoted parishioners who have so noblJ
supplemented his able efforts.