Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-15
Humphrey Street Church.

Humphrey Street Church. The Closing Sunday Services i'm the Old ChapeI-Desptse Not the Day of Small Thfngs-The Growth of the Church and its New Edf6ee-Interestfng Rem1nfs- cences-1TemOrEaI Windows Former Pastors-DedicatfOn on Thursday.
 It was notably interesting occasion yes- terday at the Humprey street Congregational church, it being the last Sunday of worship in the old chapel Next Thursday afternoon at two o'clock the new church ediice on Humphrey street will be dedicated, Rev Dr. Barbour of Yale preaching the discourse At service yesterday forenoon the pastor, Rev. MT. Bray, read the first chapter of First Corinthians. Hymn 1,15s was sung, com- mencing
 ssaw ye not the cloud arise,
 Little as the human hand"
 The pastor announced the programme of exercises for dedication day, afternoon and evening and the social union meeting for Friday evening. Following Rev. Mr. Bray preached very able discourse from the words, ''For who hath despised the day of small things"
 He said: It is interesting to see how God AuS A4nA0 44OAA GA0 4AOSL 4GS4RL1A0t4ub LILO most stupendous. He has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. boy may carry the germs of whole navy in his pocket if he has a handful of acorns. A single snowflake is insignificant, but when they pile up ten feet high even the locomo- tive has to stand still. In the history of this nation and all others God has in his own time and in his own way brought out great results. Jesus Christ went up from this earth, leaving the whole of the earthly work in the hands of twelve fishermen, who held meetings in an upper room, and yet to-day Christianity is holding up it's giant head in every country on the globe The whole of the Methodist church in all of it's notifications sprang from little work commenced by John Wesley, the name being given them in derision. Yet to-day they stand next to the head of denom- nations. Six Christian women invaded Five Points, in New York, where single police man had hardly dared go, and opened Sun day school in dark room. The end of this is shown to-day by the grand mission build ings and all over the country thousands of boys and girls, now men and women, are found who were dragged out of this black hole The success of the Woman's Christian Tenn perance Union has been electrical, and from the small commencement in Ohio perfect army is the result.
 It is but few years since half dozen de- voted persons drove stake in the old basket shop on State street. Would that we had a photograph of the old shop and the first gathering held therein hanging in our new church to keep us humble. The growth has been gradual but steady. The seed planted has brought forth 8 large crop. The church was organized from the Lebanon Mission so- ciety June 23d, 1869, 46 persons being the corporate members P. G. S. McNeiIle, then in seminary, acted as pastor for eighteen months previous to this, and was afterward installed, and dismissed in December, 1871, at his own request.
 In April, 1872. Rev. R. F. Hubbard was called and served as acting pastor four years, then installed, resigning in March, 1879. A man whom from personal knowledge I can say weighs morally, intellectually and spirit ually plump sixteen ounces to the pound
 In November, 1879, Rev. J. A. Hanna was called and installed. Tn eight brief months he was dismissed from the pastorate by the supreme council; sooner than either he or you expected. The memorial window will remind us of his virtues and labors, as we'll as the uncertainty of life and the abrupt ter imitation of earthly plans and Christian work.
 Now after fourteen or fifteen years you are about to turn your backs on this outcome of the basket shop. If you have been enabled to accomplish what you have what must be the outcome of the next ten years It is now tWenty-two months since began my work, and though no very marked revival work has been had, what ought our PIP mem bers with an elegant and commodious church, to accomplish for the next decade. Who shall help to enlarge the burden of this Zion and make now the small church a giant in work?
 We shall leave this building and furniture, but shall keep the sweet experiences which have made it sacred, both in joy and sorrow Our success in making this free church has been phenomenal, and for years all bills have been paid by voluntary contributions. The rich and poor alike are welcomed and we shall carry the same system into the new church. We shall also take with us the ex- tra good congregational singing which we have also the simplicity, cordiaity and heartlness which has been so marked here. We do not want to put on any airs, or feel above anyone, but do all our work to the glory of God.
 THE DEDICATION SERVICES.
 The programme for the dedication of the church is as follows:
 Thursday, Jan. 18, 2 p. m.-Sermon by Rev. Dr. Barbour pastor of the Yale College church.
 Reunion and jubilee at 730 p. m. Addresses by former pastors and others.
 The Social Union will hold reception and sociable ia the parlors of the church Friday evening from 7:30 to 10 o'clock All members of the congre- gation and friends of the church are invited.
 At the afternoon dedication exercises the dedicato services will be by the pastor, Rev. s. H. Bray the dedicatory prayer by Rev. R. P. Hibbard There will be singing by the choir, also by the choir and gregation. Mr. Hubbard (noF of Brooklyn>, Rev. R. G. s. Mo Nellie (now of Bridgeport), and the Rev. Newm Smyth, pastor of Center church. and Rev. Dr. Ha wes pastor of North church. ',
 Personal