Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-03-04

when TOOK place last Suuuay WAS Ia
vored by beautiful, sunny sky. On
Saturday evening the first sermon in
the new church was preached by Rev
J. NJ. Ettinger, p. E., preparatory tc
the dedicatorv services of the next Gay.
On Sunday morning long before the
time for opening had arrived many of
the people who were anxious 10 witness
the dedication and wished 10 secure
good seats were on their way To church.
BY ten O'Clock the auditorium, the
Sunday School rooms and the gallery
We're filed to their utmost capacity and
the services were opened with an APP
propriate anthem by the choir. This WAS
followed by the reading of scripture
passage and prayer by Bishop Duobs.
After another hymn the Bishop
preached the dedicatory sermon To an
attentive and intelligent audience. HIS
text WAS taken from Exuius, NNNN /:
t ) L. By way of Introduction he
pointed out the simulArity between the
occasion spoken Of in the text and the
present occasion. Farther on he en-
phasiZad that mi ) ers should
Thoroughly understand their subjects
upon which they preach and the gospel
truths which they intend To teach. He
strongly asseTted'that prayer and CIV
ing are twin.factors the 0ne being the
breath of the soul, while the other is Il
religious duty, and that they must gD to-
gether. lie pointed out Gods demand
of gold from those who are in possession
Of it, for the erection of Houses OF
Worship and referred To Christ's con
demnaliOn of the miser. He also show
ed that nobody is excused from this
duty of giving that all have an 1ppor
tunty and invitation To give according
| to their means. We dwrlt on the ne
ceSsity of building churches as means
of civilization and as places where the
evils of the human heart may be root
ed up. He stated that there is nothing
more edifying and s0ui-inspiring than
the united song and prayer OF Il
worshiping people in fact that every
church is fortress for Emanuel BY
several touching illustrations he shaw
ed how much God has done for Us and
reminded his hearers that we should
exhibit our gratefulness by giving
willingly and cheerfully. All we are
aud all we have we owe to God. lie
closed his address by the remark that if
his congregation believed what he had
| preached which they knew to be true
their time 10 prove it had arrived.
| He then disclosed the fact that debt
| of $1,000 ted on the church which it
was his purpose and task to nquidate.
In less than an hour about Sl7OO were
raised after which all present joined in
singing the doxOlogy and were dismiss
ed
In the afternoon Bishop Dubts
preached an excellent German sermon
from Marki 80. 3S, but as we were
prevented to attend in person we are
unable 10 comment upon his remarks
at that time. The work Of soliciting
funds was continued and resulted III
the collection of about 500.
The evening session was again at
tended by a crowded house and was
I "rened by an anthem Rav.S. Smith Of
fered up an earnest prayer, after which
Bishop Dubbs agalp preached from
Mark XIV: 81. He treated the history
of Simon, the Cyrenian, and laid sufli-
cient stress on the fact that Simon's
assistance to our Saviour in bearing the
cross upon calvary was compulsory, but
intimated that this c0mpulsion was
likely brought about by Simon himself.
| He viyidly described the crucific tiOn
scene and called attention to the glori-
Gus privilege Of this Simon to be so
neal Christ ard render active service
to the Master. He declared that
through the cross of Christ the world
gains better men and women daily. Re
admonished his hearers to be ready and
willing to help to bear each others
crosses and illustrated the beauty Of
such spirit by several we'll applied and
interesting anecdotes.
In all his sermons the Bishop gave
no uncertain sound but revealed the
truths contained in the B BILE feare5Sly
and effectively. lie had his audience
touched to tears in many instances and
the contributions throughout the day
proved that he had fully succeeded to
get the people in humor to give. At
ter the evening service the lacking 5000
were raised IN very short time and
the impressive and solemn dedication
ceremonies were gone through with.
At the close Of few parting remarks
in German by Bishop Dubbs the con-
gregation rose and sang the ioxOlogy,
and the members of the church went
home rejoicing that their house Of
Worship was now complete, consecrat-
ed and paid for while the community
feels proud of another 6ne church