The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-12-11

pleasing and generally acceptable back
ground to the s'set" ministerial pieces.
The latter were far from monotonous.
however. but the musical interIineation, as
it were, was highly praiseworthy and emf
nently successful. After an impressive
invocation by Rev. ]. A. Reynolds, Rev.
S. S. Cryer read the Saith psalm and por-
ton of the Cd chapter of Ephesians.
The sermon upon the subject: THE
church Gods earthly dwelling place" was
delivered by Rev W. Fl. Stiffitr, D. D.. OF
Davenport, whose able remarks are thus
synopsized:
Men and women must worship. Those
who form their own conception of God
apart from the Bible are idolators as much
as if they bowed down to wood and stone.
A man may be a devout man, but if he has
not right conception of God and refuses
to accept the God of the Bible, he is only a
devout idolator.
God is hidden God. but he has revealed
himself at different times. Under the old
dispensation he manifested himself in many
ways but now he reveals himself in Christ.
God is incarnated in Christ and through
Christ in the church. Gods people are the
temple in which Jehovah dwells. This
building which you have erected is not his
dwelling but only the place where his
power may be manifested through you to
the world.
On Longstone lighthouse are these
words ITO give light and to save life.
This is your mission. You have erected this,
another lighthouse, to send its light over the
dark waters of sin. May God bless you in
your work.
After the singing of an anthem, Rev. J.
S. McCord, d. D., who was down for an
address upon The Scandinavians, our
Mission Field" spoke at length in n very
manner. The following con-
veys an idea of what he said
There were three great facts bearing on
his subject:
1. The adaptabilities of the Gospel to all
While the ignorant races of the
earth knew nothing of our science, and
lad nothing in common with our thought,
'rill they all knew the common wants of
he heart which the Gospel alone satisfied.
2. The power of this gospel in reaching
he hearts of men. the world over, from the
most learned, to the most ignorant races.
3. The great commission, go We into
Ill the world, and preach the gospel to every
Feature.
This laid the burden upon US. 1t was a
ause for thankfulness that God was send |
ng the nations to our door. The speaker
aid he only wished there were more |
coming for they brought no |
wrong ideas of the Sabbath with them. 1t |
ecame not only oul duty but privilege to |
1ould more gladly hear an American in a
Dreign land. so a Scandinavian Lere
iould more gladly hear one who spoke
is language. Hence the best method of
Ding missionary work among this people
Tas through their organized work.
So the speaker heartily favored the
reject of the meeting. which was not
nly to dedicate the church building but
} free it from debt
Rev. A. B. Orgren. tie pastor, gave an
lteresting sketch of the origin and prog
,ss of the society and was followed by
oinJed address upon Cooperation, by
ev. A. B. Allen, who cordially Endorsed
/ that had been said by those preceding
m. Tue memorable services. which were
arked throughout with a most hearty
aternal spilit were closed with the bene
ction.
Of the amount necessary to relieve the
ciety from the always baneful influence
debt, nearly $3.50 were collected of the
in ''cash down" and pledges
i'd a check for $3.50 more was sent in by {
II public spirited townsman, Mr.. P. L.
ible, whose excellent example it
ere well for other financially able Rock
landers TO follow.