National Republican., 1884-01-21
THE GARFIELD CHURCH.
DedCatory Services at the Temple Where the
Late Ez-Presidont Wor5hipod.
A Beautiful and Imposing Scene at the
Conservation.
President Peadloton's Dedica.ory Sermon and Gov
Bishops Address,
The Distinguished Audience Prcsent-ln-
cidents OF tho Ceremony.

The Garfield Memorial church was do1i-
Gated yesterday as Il temple monument to
the memory Of him whose name 1t bears.
Tho circumstance was em-historical, and
will blend in the record with train OF
mournful and familiar events. The occasion
of yesterday cannot be regarded as of local
nature 1t was national, because tho bcauu-
ful structure was erected by contributions
from all parts of tho United State, and tho
donors will read with interest Of the rcaliza-
tion of their cherished hopo-the completion
of Christian monument to the Christian
character of Garfield.
Long before the opening hour people from
oil parts of the city began to arrive The
street cars brought full loads of passengers
many came in carriages, aud quite number
walked over tho slippery sidewalks. The
church was rapidly filled, and every available
inch of the main floor and gallery was
brought into requisition. Tho large folding
doors in the rear were thrown open aud the
Sunday school room occupied by tho over
how
The iopening scene was beautifully impress
sive and striking Tho massive ChanCel Of
light colored woods was fairly hidden behind
masses of potted tropical plants and cntwin-
ing garands of deep greon. Overhead were
tiers of gilt and silver vases containing grace
fully dropping ferns and palms with broad,
branching leaves Still further above
this picturesque scene was an azure
bluo field, or sky, dotted all over
with bright golden stars, that glitterod
in a flood of mellow light streaming through
the ranbOwtnted pane6 of large gold
crested circular window over the main en-
trance. The surrounding peaked templo
windows admitted floods Of suhducd light,
with minglng blue aud purple hue, which
brought the ashwOod furniture of the room
in full relief, and, glancing Oft, lit up tho
dark-grcen recesscS of the channel.
AS tho revorDerGting peals Of the
organ opened tho ceremonies and filed
the church and its picturesque rocesses
with melody, the stately and erect form Of
President Arthur appeared at the main door.
lie was accompanied by Secretary Of State
Frelinghuysen, who led the way to re.
served pew near tho chanCol. Just as these
distinguished visitors reached the center Of
, the interior the music by the choir of that
inspiring hymnGl Lord, Thy Glory Fills
the Heavens" " swclled upon the air, and at
the same instant the masses of dull, gray
clouds outside parted momentarily and un-
covered the sun. The effect cannot be de-
scribed rs the bright sunlight flooded through
the many-cOlorod panos and submerged the
entire building with rays of many colors.
while the silvered and glass chandeliers over
head glittered and flashed like diamonds.
Tho following gentlemen were seated on
,he platform: Rev. w, X. Pendloton,, pres.
lent OF Bethany college, West Virginia; g.
l.. Loos, Of the Kentucky university; Rev.
j.. IL. Williams, Rev. w. G. Wade, Rev. Il. III.
Beemis, w. $. Hayo, |. w. Shelburn, Rev. w.
il. Schell DR.. II. IL. Powers, of Virginia; eX-
Gov. r. NJ. Bishop, of Cincinnati W. $. Roosc,
and Samuel w. Van Culin.
When all were seated Rev. DR.. Power in
vOlSed the divine blessing on tho congrega-
tion, after which hymn No. 5S, Jesus Reigns,"
was rendered by the congregation standing.
The organ was played by Miss Mamie Simons.
The first and second Pslams We're then re-
cited, the pastor reading and the congrega-
tion making responses.
Rev. l.. 4. Williams, of Cincinnati, young
gentleman with pleasant voice, delivered II
short prayer, which was followed by the sing
ing Of hymn No. ll3. A collection netting Il
respectable sum was taken up, the vast as
sembage giving with generous hand. The
dediCatOTy sermon was delivered by President
W. X. Pendleton LII. d., OF Bethany college,
West Virginia. He commenced the discourse
with Congratulating the members of tho con-
gregatiOn on the suspicious OCcasOn-the
dcdicating Of q house of worship as a
memorial to the late President Garfield.
Tho theme selected for consideration
was Tho Person and Work of Christ"
He spoke first of the prophecy OF Isaiah fore
telling the birth OF Christ, and that the words
of the prophet were u forecast OF the person
and work OF Christ. Tho reverend speaker
dwell AT length upon the coming Of the
Saviour us predicted BY the prophet, and that
the prophecy WAS fulfilled aud attastcd by
witnesses. The birth OF u prince should be
royalty announced, and the brth OF the Son
OF God was hailed with angelic aCClamations,
Three things were explicitly declared: First,
the supernatural birth. Second, that he is
The son OF God. Third, that lie is also the
SON OF m4u, and 50 Im!nanuel, Goa
with us. By the mystery OF incarnation,
L. IA.
natures, the Goldman. The LOgOs, eternal!y
with the Father, and of the same substance
God; In time, also, by the miraculous bitch oi
Mary, becoming flesh and SO dwelling among
us, our sympathHing brother. These sub
lime truths were NOT to be understood ut the
first as they are now set forth and accepted
in our matured evangelical theology. The
people OF HIS country regarded Him simply
as the carpenters son, ana hearing Him teach
and witnessing Ills miracles were astOnished
and asked "Wneuco hath this man this wis
dom and these mighty works." There is u
divine harmony in the character of Christ,
and the prophet introduces Him TO the world
under majestic names, indicative Of HIS
supernatural powers.
The reverend speaker then dwelt upon tho
miracles, aua the proofs udduced to establish
their claims The doctrine OF atonement
was discussed at length. by the atouemeut
the world is bathed in new light Man is
bttu III u new hl-NAb9, NbA 10 tlllDAtlCGtl III "
higher Worship lie is delivered from tho
gloom OF inevitable tragic death, and hopu
spreads It's inviting CulOgs over tho world
"'lo the worship o. God wD dedicate this
house. We know Him Qs our Father, With
out idolatry wo worship Him in the familiar
form of our own nature The reverend
speaker concluded his sermon with the
prayer that God would sustain aud bring all
10 tho final triumph and blessings Of His
everlasting kingdom.
The historical address by Hon. r. NJ,
Bishop, Of Ohio, chairman OF tho missionary
board, was then delivered, lie said that tho
Christian church in this city was founded in
1913 by Rev j. Il, Barclay, aNerward mis-
s!onary to Jerusacm. At first meetings wero
held from house to house. In 1869 u church
building was purchased from tho Methodist
Episcopal Church south. This was formerly
located on NJ street, near Ninth, aud after
ward was removed to the present site. NOV. y
1850 the first effort was made to raise funds
to build II now ediGcc and finally success fol-
lowed. Mr. H. c. Russell was employed N5
architect. May ,, 1852. u contract was mado
with MeSsrs H. Davidson Il Go. for the cree
tion Of the new house at u cost of ?33,7OO. The
cornerstone was laid July p 1882, with appro-
pirate ceremonies,
The address was filled with crodtable men
tiOn OF the names Of ladies and gentlemen
who displayed energy and personal, interest
in the erection OF the church Statistics oi
tho growth OF the organization We're also
given. The discourse was listened to with