Smyrna times., 1883-11-21
Opening Of the PRESBYTERIAN
Chanel

The Presbyterian congregation in
formally transferred their worship on
Sunday to the Chapel connected with
their new church. The latter will not
be entirely finished and ready for occu-
pancy, probably until mid-winter. but
the chapel has been hurried forward
with more dispatch, and presented an
lhVltlng appearance for their reception
ON Sunday. The windows are of stain
ed glass of different colors, but attrac-
tive designs, i'll the two in the rear of
the pulpit, blue, the chosen color of the
scottish Presbyterian Church, predomi-
mating. The room is handsomely
caTrpeted crimson largely prevailing in
color. The sittings are composed of
easy benches and chairs--called Assem-
bly, Seats"-the arrangements ultimate
~ looking to their especial use for
sunday school purposes; gas fixtures
OF pretty designs adorn the walls
ne hrst service though informal in
us character was nevertheless an event
IN the thoughts it aroused in the new
ness OF the situation and in the memo
rles that would naturally arise in con-
meeting the present with the Dast
ne CHOIR was i'll its place to Join in
1ervor with the congregation in singing
the hymns announced from the sacred
desk, and the pastor, Rev. J. r. Umsted
preached appropriately and ably, having
Tor his subject, An Ebenezer1a stone
OF help, from l Samuel, I; IL.
Having first stated that it was COM
mon In all ages TO erect monumental
rememhanccs of important events in
the history of nations. and that Samuel
had done so after the defeat of the Philis.
Giies, setting up a stone between
hlZpeh anG Shen, and called il Ebene-
Zer, saying Hitherto hath the Lord
helped US" He applied the subject to
God' helping the Presbyterian Church
OF Smyrna to attain to lis present posi-
tlon IN the erection Of their beautiful
mousse OF worship. He gave brief
account of the history of the original
congregation, the difficulties it passed
through and how it became almost if
not quite extinct, and how the present
re-organized church was to be CON
sldered as the Phoenix RISING ONT Of
ITS ashes" and may be regarded still as
belonging to the old historic Prpshv-
terrain Churches Of this Peninsula
showed how God had still preserved
IL through many vicissitudes. and that
thc occasion was most suitable for the
erection Of an Ebenezer-the stone of
help," and praise unto him who had
indeed been its helper and salvation.
lie impressed the congregation with
the fact that all future success IN rom.
Junction with earnest labor and Drawer
and liberality, God must be denen,ird
upon for help and success.
me congregation was delighted with
the dlscourse-and after the singing or
the hymn 'All hail, &c, " and the bcne-
dlctlon, the smiling faces and hand
snaklngs demonstrated the ioy and
gladness of the people in being gather
Ell again into their own ecclesiastical
nome. Sunday School in the afternoon
ana well filled house in the evening
concluded the services of a iovous daV
to the members and friends of the
church.
1t is to be noted that in the devo-
tiOnal exercises, while thanks were rem
dered unto God for his goodness unto
the congregation in permitting them to
enter their new chapel as their home.
the Pastor did not forget to offer thanks
III grateful remembrance of the kind
ness shown them by their Methodist
Drethern while wOrshipping with them
IN union services, and for the generosity
OF the community in aiding them pecu-
niarily in the erection of their new
church.