The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-03
NEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
FOUNDATION STONE OF MISSISSIPPI
AVENUE CHURCH LAID.
Impressive Ceremonies Witnessed By
Largo Crowd--History OF the Move
mont Which. Led to the Undertake
ing-Brilliant Success OF Committees

ing-Brilliant Success OF Committees.
The laying OF the cornerstone OF the
Mississippi Avenue Christian Church was
an impressive and interesting ceremony,
and the crowd that gathered to participate
in the proceedings augurs well for the pros
perity OF the modest little house OF worship
now in course OF erection. 1t was scene
worthy Of Millions pen and Rubens'
brush. How the latter would have reveled
in its quiet beauty The dull gray clouds,
limiting Of the chill that pervaded the at
mosphere below, the group OF men with
barred heads bent in reverent at
titude, the figure OF the preacher, prayer
book in hand, sharply outlined against the
horizon; the pious women crowded round
the consecrated spot, young, old, middle
aged; the rich. the poor, the weak, the
strong, the joyous the fearful; what
picture 1t would have made. There in the
foreground an aged woman in faded gar
ments, poverty written in every line OF her
wrinkled countenance, but with a joyous
light in her eyes, which showed how pro.
foundly she believed in the golden shore
TO which her footsteps were turned. Side
by side with her school girl in gray,
whose rosy cheeks reflected the tint OF the
scarlet hat she wore 80 coquettishly. At
her knees, and leaning against them,a child
OF four years Ia blue and red, gazing about
with wondrous eyes on this most Won
Il 30 Tor. OF "a
in black, her hands resting caressingly
upon the shoulders Of ten year old boy,
her hope, her pride, her life. Near by the
millionaire's wife IN sealslxin and velvet,
almost touching the elbow OF the tramp in
rags, who, attracted by the sight and the
sweet music OF the hymns, had stopped in
his wanderings, and with moistened eyes
drank in tho associations and menu
cries OF the long ago. A little
further on trio OF lovely girls, gold,
auburn aud raven hair, all blending in the
picture. with costumes 10 match, and be-
hind them knot oi blithe young fellows
dividing their attention between the hymn
book aud the human symphony before
them. Across the way. and, rs II 10
emphasize the necessity and need OF mis-
sionary work on Mississippi avenue, stood
variety, Ostcniatiously chewing gum in the
iIht OF all present, her jaws keeping time
to the rhythm Of the sacred melodies that
were sent heayenward. She was needed,
perhaps, 90 give uniycrsality TO the picture,
and thank goodness there was but one Of
her thoughtess mold present, among the
hundred or so OF cstmnblc and good
women whose presence sancliiied the occa-
sion.
At precisely 2 o'clock pm. the Rev. J.
W. Ingram
BEGAN Tme DEDICATION EXERCISES
by announcing hymn No. 575, which was
sweelly rendered, the entire assemblage
lending their voices to the sacred song.
Next, Prof.. w. 5. Jones read from the
second chapter Of the Second Book Of
Chronicles, beginning "And Solomon de-
termined 10 build house for the name OF
the Lori" ete.
Tho Rev. Mr.. Ingram then raised his
voice In thankful prayer after which hymn
No. 6Il was sung by tine congregation as
sembled.
Mr.. 4. A. Long. Of the building COM
mittce, read the following report
Some twenty years ago in the mind OF
one OF our best, most faithful and diligent
workers was conceived the idea OF Mis-
sion Church in Memphis. Since that time
no thought has been more cherished than
this one. She has prayed for IL, talked for
IL, and worked for IL contamination, and
today the desire OF her heart is 10 he ac-
cumpished. The comcr-stonc Of the Mis-.
sissippi Avenue Christian Church is TO be
laid, aud We trust with the blessing Of
| God.
Tho growth OF this idea into IT, present
| development has been nourishcd no little
10y the words Of encouragement Of this
good woman, whose name II Is not neces-
sary Ia mention. The first tangible, active
step taken toward the iuldllmcnt Of the
great commission 10 90 into all the world
and preach the gospel unto every creature,
and make disciples Of them. was seen soon
after our beloved brother J. u. Brincy
began his ministry with M. II Ia to him
that the Young Peoples Aid Society
owes It's organization. II was he who
WIS the prime factor the messenger from
God who called NJ together and organized
Ms for the specific purpose OF building {
Mission Church some where In the Blut
City where most needed.
Hero our cherished desire took root ant
began 10 spread and grow. II soon be
came the burden OF every young heart IL
the church. Our every entertainment
looked forward 10 the time when We coulC
see what We witness today. AZ every reg
ular meeting the Mission Sunday Schoo
COmmittc was called upon for repor
and the matter was discussed ut each sue
cccding meeting with increasing interest
Finally, a school WIS formed that needle,
assistance. Some oi us volunteered on
services. which resulted la deepening th'
Interest already manifested.
Ths ears OF the Older members were mp
pcalcd tn. aud our cnifcniios were hccdc'
aud responded 10 most nObly. Only few
WEEKS since was tn actual work rcallyan'
earnestly Begun. And who ever witnesses
work done more chrcriully aud quickly
All responded with magnanimity that !
most commendablf and can como Onl,
from our Lord aud Master.
To briefly rchcarsc, wo are indebted q
our beloved sister who has cherished thu
idea ior these many years. without Brothc
Brinoy We would have no Aid Society, an'
had the latter been organized, the inien's
would not have been awakened aud th
work begun; and hal not our moro clderl
brethren co-opculicl with ua and iurnishe,
the morn substantial ncccssiticsth chucl
would never have been built. To all ihes
wo wish today 10 express our heartfelt
thanks for every holp, and, above oil. "
desire from tho depths OF our hearts 4
? praise God, from whom all blessings flow
and ask Ills i,rcanCc 20 abide with u
now and forever n1c. To the noighboT
; aud friends II the church We wish TO ~
! that We have ngrccd 90 erect tins buildin
. chccriully aud w n Christian spirit ain
% inc 10 make a n b,essinr 10 the world an