The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-02
A NEW CHURCH DEDICATED
First Service of the Third Christian Con-
gregati0n in Its New Building.
Money Enough Raised to Pay.for the Struct-
ure--The DedicatOry Sermon of Rev.
Sweeney-Other Church Services.

The new Third Christian Church, at the corner
Of Home avenue and Ash street. was dedicated
yesterday morning. The building is handsome
brick structure capable of seating 800 persons.
1t mas three divisions, embracing large vesti-
bule. the main audience-room and the choir.
The style of the architecture is Romanesque.
The prevailing tints are sky blue and Indian red
The auditorium is nearly square. The rostrum
is a seni-circle around which the seats are ar
ranged in circular form. The floor inclines in
every direction, affording an unobstructed view
of all the seats The roof is of open timber,
supported by four wood columns. The vestibule
extends the full width of the church, and forms
the reception room. All the windows are or
stained glass Two OF the three large semi
circular windows are memorial. The east win
dow is in memory Of Mrs. Hannah Beeler, aud
was furnished by Miss Emily Fletcher and DIR.
Wagner. The west window was furnished by
the church as a testimonial to Mrs.
Hannah MeVey. The candelabra on the novels
and oil the fixtures are of polished brass.
portiere is substituted for the partition between
the vestbule and the auditorium, while the rail-
Ing about the gallery. instead of being wooden,
consists of double-barred nickelplated railing
with drapery Of the prevailing tint In addition
to the chandelier pendant from the groined
arch there are forty-eight gas globes
on the four central and two end arches
These make q very pretty effect when
lighted. The entire church is frescoed. The
ceiling Is celestial blue. dotted with gold figures
A new pipe organ is to be placed in position in
a few weeks.
There was but one feature in connection with
the dedicatory exercises that caused regret. and
that was the absence. on account of sickness, of
II 1-:-I- t.
is largely through his efforts that the church has
been built. In his absence the services were
conducted by the Rev. Zachariah Sweeney.
After song by the choir and an opening prayer
by Rev. DIR. Brown. Mrs. Ora Pearson sang, in
an impressive manner, Through Peace to
Light Mr. Sweeney then preached from the
text found in Romans i, 16 There is nothing.
ne said, that seizes 80 strongly the human mind
the manifestation of power. 1t is the NOV
ing force of the universe. One Analyses the
physical manifestation of power and Classics
il into heat, light and electricity, but above
these Is power greater than all. It Is the
power of love, as shown in the GOSPEL of tie
Lord Jesus Christ This power is Code infal-
lible remedy for ignorance and sin. That It is
the;destroyer of ignorance and the safeguard of
liberty none can deny. Where there Is no
gospel there are despotism and tyranny. The
highest form of political liberty is found, first,
among the English-speaking Protestant nations:
second, in on-English-speaking Protestant ma
hammedan nations, and lastly, among pagan
nations This shows how liberty has always
followed the introduction OF religion. The
power of the gospel is manifested in
other way. The Rctuating principle of all
govern msnts before the time OF Christ was that
might makes right Christ was the first to
teach that men should beat their swords into
plouRhshares and pruning-hooks. and that the
meek shall inherit the earth. How truly has His
prophecy been realized. Formerly weak chill
dren were exposed to death; now they are cured.
Formerly the insane were regarded as having
devils and were shut D in caves: now they
provided with grand asylums. The aged and in
firm were looked upon as burdens upon the
household; now they constitute its charm.
Hundreds of benevolent institutions the
land show in what manner the meek have in
herited the earth. But the sweetest of all pow
ers in the gospel is it's saving power. Why have
love, why have the brotherhood of man. why
have liberty, If 1t is not going to be immortall
These earthly blessings but for day, and
fail to satisfy the yearnings for eternity in
which life shall be forever glorifed with these
blessings.
At the conclusion of the sermon it was an
uounced that the completion of the bnilding had
entailed an expenditure of more money than
had been calculated, and subscriptions to COM
plete the deficit were called for A. W. John
son, Daniel Thornton and George Snyder head
ed the list with 5000 each. To these amounts
from DIR. NJ. A. Field. and smaller subscriptions,
from $50 to So, from number of others,
until the amount raised s., 266, making
more than was needed to clear expenses. The
eleven thousand dollars all of which has now
been raised. After the subscription had been
completed, Mrs. u. j. Hammond favored the
audience with a solo entitled, '-One Sweet
Lisp"
The following was adopted by o rising vote of
the congregation:
ION this first day of the new year. and also
the first that we occupy this house of
worship, we feel that the exercises of this occa-
sion would be incomplete without we as a con-
gregation, in some appropriate manner express
our feelings toward one who has SO successfully
and faithfully ministered unto our spiritual wei
fare during the last three and half years; there
fore. be it
Resolved, That the $50 members and many
friends of this congregation hereby express
their love for and appreciation of our beloved
pastor, d. r. Van Buskirk. We honor and
esteem him for his earnest Christian work
which has greatly strengthened and built us up;
and we here and now pledge ourselves anew to
aid him as best we to carry the great
work of our Master. To Brother Van Buskirk's
efforts 10 largely due the erection OF this beauti-
full church home, and our prayer to God 10 that
his life may be prolonged and cheered on to
greater usefulness"
During the service last evening S2lI was
raised for the purchase of the new organ, max
ing the total for that purpose $500. aud the sub
scription to the church building fund was in
creased $25.
Elder Sweeney will preach in the new church
tomorrow night at 1880.
City Attorney TayIor's Good Work.
During the year City Attorney Taylor has de-