St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-09
The Church Not in Antago-
nism With Any Other
Not a Rebellion.
Effort to Get Back to the
Primitive Church--Apos-
ties Creed.
A Place for the Poor Man--No
Favoritism and No An
tagonism.

To some the opening services of the
"People's church" in the Grand opera
house, commencing at II a. IN. yester-
day, and lasting until little after noon,
were attractive because of the novelty
of the thing; others were drawn by an
intense interest in the new church
movement. Curiosity as to what wonld
be the platform of principles set forth
by Rev. Samuel G. Smith was the pre-
Vailing influence which impelled so
large an audience to obtain seats i'm the
lower part of the house. No seats were
left vacant in the parquette, and the
orchestra chairs were filled with ladies
and gentlemen whose positions in the
social world are unquestioned. There
could be easily seen in that audience
Gov. and Mrs. A. r. McGill,
Mayor r. A. Smith, Banker Will
lam Bickel, Contractor E. e. Scrib-
Fairchild, the real estate patriarch,
Fred Snow, of the Merchants hotel, and
others whose names are well connected
with the business world. If one were
to take the blue book and copy indis-
crlmlnately the names of ladies and gen
tlemen which appear, he would get a
fair idea OF the size and quality of the
audience which was so attentive to the
utterances of DR.. Smith YESTERDAY. And
it was not all rich and prominent who
were there, for the rugged features of
the labOrer, and the easy-going express
sion OF few SalOOnkeepers were also
noticeable in the rear seats. That audi
ence combined other elements as well
as the social, and other classes beside
the rich. And there were also large
number OF faces not easily recognizable,
because their appearance upon public
occasions is not too frequent. The bal
cOny was not at all crowded like the
lower part, and but two or three persons
were in the gallery.
Dr. Smith opened the exercises by an
invocation. The doxology was sung.
and after its last note had died aWaV.
the audience united in solemn tones
and measured phrases the Apostles
creed. This was followed by the ''Gloria
Patri'' and the Lords prayer. The in
vocation, dOxology, creed. Gloria and
Lords prayer constitute all the formal
OPENING CEREMONIES
of the Peoples church. Then with J..
ii. Hanson presiding at the organ, Au-
gust Tilleman with the cornet, and
Prof. Burritt leading with a rich tenor
voice, the congregation sang the hymn
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts i'll Christian love.
DIR. Smith offered short prayer for a
providential blessing upon the efforts
of the peoples church, make the
Peoples church thy church," he said.
Ihe congregation again arose and sang
Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise.
A collection was taken up while Prof.
Burritt rendered the hymn: "Holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty" Mr..
Hanson playing piano accompani-
ment. DR.. Smith then stepped forward
and commenced his sermon. Youthful
looking, with body erect and head
slightly leaning forward, he spoke
calmly and logically. He announced
that services would be held hereafter at
IL a. m. every Sunday, explaining that
"we will see what our needs develop be-
fore making any provision for a church
building" He informed the audience
also that in the afternoon Sunday
school would be organized at the first
house on Mackubin street south of Lau-
rel avenue. Next Wednesday evening
there would be meeting for the pur-
pose of organization. On Thursday aft
ernOon at 3 O'clock, the ladies of the
congregation would meet to organize a
a home missionary society. Then he Sc
lected his text and voiced the principles
upon which the Peoples church starts
out. At the conclusion the congrega-
tion sang "What a friend we have in
Jesus" and DIR. Smith pronounced a
benedictiOn. When the audience had
vacated the theater Gov. and Mrs. Nc
Gill went upon the stage and congratu-
lated Mr.. Smith and wished him sue
cess. Il wish to congratulate you, Mr..
Smith," said Mrs. McGill, cordially TAX
ing the eX-pastor of the First Methodist
church by the hand.