Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-12
Church Services.

 Closing Exercises at Wesley Chapel Nj Dedication of Trinity M. E. Church.
 The storm prevented many of the members of Wesley chapel from attending divine ser- vice yesterday morning, yet there was an un- usually large number present considering the state of the weather. Dr. Goodsell's sermon was finely rendered and well calculated to awaken serious considerations regarding the responsibilities of an increased field of labor which is now opening up to the society of which Dr. Goodsen is the pastor. The text selected by the doctor was part of Christ's testimony concerning the labors of John the Baptist, recorded in the 11th chapter of Mat thew and the 18th verse: 'tAnd from the days of John the Baptist until now the king dom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force"
 It would seem, said the doctor, if world- ly rnd selfish element was in the text, when we have heard so much of heaven by the patient pleading, standing at the gate, knock ing, etc. There are many apparent con- tradictions in Christianity, but like many other apparent contradictions they pass out of sight the moment we. mediate upon the WOEu OI OOus OuE46b GO4A5 u6 bAO hAA60SAAA of heaven is vastly more than simply good designs. Heaven, he declares, belongs to the kingdom which is to come. It is de- scribed as kingdom of peace and joy, it is put before us as 8 crown to which we are urged forward with an earnest zeal. The violent spoken of in the text mean those who are earnest and zealous in the work of ooVkoin h1aGaInOg God gives to all whom he hath created, such as the sunshine and rain, light and warmth, but the law holds good to those who strive with all their zeal for the things of God The battles which Peter and Paul had to fight engaged their whole time, and so to day it occupies all the time allotted to us to be citizens of heaven. We see how strong are the forces of skepticism and of sin. Pre- occupation has such 8 strong hold upon to attend to the duties of the church There are some who say that earnestness is matter of education and force which is not enjoyed by all, but while we admit that all good things come from God we must not forget that forces are implanted within us which can be developed or suppressed by our own will Unity in Christian labor is 8 strong force against the kingdom of evil, and we hope to go to our new church home with sympathy toward all who differ with us in forms of worship. We hope to rejoice with all whom the Lord favors and who love God. With a better church home, with more churchIy appliances, we ought to feel the greater privileges and also the increased re- spongibilIty. But we must go to exalt the Lord Jesus, else we shall fail in our work. If we do not have all the zeal we want, shall we stand back and say am doing all can :? Zeal can be quickened by activity and made to glow by Christian ardor. Let the heart of Jesus beat against your heart, live to glo-- rify him by your life, and as we go to our new church home let us go lovingly and pray that we may be kept faithful and made worthy of everlasting life.
 The evening service was greatly enjoyed by all present. Addresses by the pastor and prominent laymen, together with reminis- were interesting features of the occasion.
 The new Trinity M. E. church, corner of George and Dwight streets, will be dedicated next Sunday.
 NORTH CHURCH.
 Dr. Hawes preached at the morning ser vice at the North church from the text of the first chapter of Jonah '.Arise, go to Nine veh, that great city, and cry against it for their wickedness is come up before me.' Gods knowing that this command would not be obeyed is no excuse for the prophets dis obedience. We cannot comprehend the gov ernment of God, our infinite Father in heav- en, but his word and our experience teach us the truth and the right. Conscience tells us when we do wrong and leads and keeps us in the straight path heavenward.
 The afternoon. and Bible Sunday school afforded the usual interesting in- struction. Only abont one hundred attended owing to the storm.
 THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
 Those who were brave enough yesterday afternoon, at the risk of broken limbs and occasional falls, to hear Rev. Dr. Dennen on ''Amusements, were well repaid for their courage. He commenced by admitting the necessity of amusement, meaning pleasure, combined with profit. Although this kind had very much degenerated, it recuperates and restores. The young love amusement; the old love amusement, and this is why old peo- pie often take such interest in the sports of children. The two extremes of life meet and How together. Dr. Dennen said he would not undertake to specify and point out whl ch amusements were innocent and which were injurious. Much must be left to the indi- vidual conscience. Some amusements whic h are innocent at one's own freside and wit chosen friends become dangerous if practiced in promiscuous assemblies. And all amusement has this quality, that, like shy and spirited horse, they often carry us farther than we gerous situations. Amusement ought to be condemned when it bIunts the moral sense; when it produces lassitude and fatigue ; when it brings us into contact with those whose words and actions bor- der on impropriety,. coarseness and vuIgarity. The barrier which religion creates is not 8 frowning battery. It is indeed wall of separation, but the wall is covered with myrtles and blooming flowers. The Christian does not so much condemn worldly amusements as he lives above them and attracts by consistency and Christian principle, while those who love worldly amusements must take lower place in the the world admires adherence to principle.
 The discourse was full of instruction and forcible illustrations.
 FIRST M. E. CHURCH.
 Rev. w. R. Webster preached at the First M. E. church yesterday morning. His sub- feet was based on the words found in Judges, 14th chapter, 14th verse, ''Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness. :" The thought elucidated was that out of all things evil God induces good. In the course of the sermon incident ally the preacher gave representation of the educational works in Louisiana. Referring to his work he said: La Teche where our seminary is located on the Bayou Teche, one hundred miles west of New Orleans, and four miles from the village of Franklin, one of the scenes of "Evangeline," immortal ized by Longfellow. It is an institution of higher learning, copducted upon broad hu- naanitarian basis, open to all irrespective of sex, color or previous condition, without sec- tarian bias, but of such pronounced moral and religious character that since it's estab- ishment by the Rev. Dr.. Goldman the prose cutions in the civil courts of St. Mary's county have diminished ninety per cent. This is the only Christian insti- tuition of learning sin Louisiana west of New Orleans for the colored people. There is an imperative demand for the cree ton of new dormitory building and suitable outfit, library and apparatus. $10,000 are required for these objects. The Rev. Dr. C. H. Payne president of Delaware, O. Uni