The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-08
DEDICATION AT MINNEAPOLIS.

line church 6d1hce erected by the Sec
ond Universalist society at Minneapolis
was dedicated Sunday Aug. 26, with appro-
pirate ceremonies in the presence OF an
audience which taxed the building to its
utmost capacity. The day was all that
could be desired-cool, bright and invig-
Grating, and the happy people respon ded
The pastor, Rev. L. q. Powers, labored
with untiring zeal, both in planning the
edifice and soliciting means wherewith
to build. The little chapel erected four
years ago was partly utilized, but the
new church has been virtually builded
around and over it, but one corner Of the
old helping the new. 1t is essentially
new structure erected at cost of about
$4,000. 1t has a seating capacity of 450,
and with the galleries will have room for
200 more. A more beautiful audience
room will seldom be seen, and we doubt
il any church in the denomination has
as beautiful and commodious Sunday
school rooms. There is complete equip
ment of pastors study, parlors. dining
room and kitchen and hall that may be
used for society uses, charity rooms or
what beside. Altogether it is a church
establishment complete in its appoint
ments.
Two beautiful memorial windows have
been donated by Mr.. and Mrs. John Dnd,
ley in memory of deceased children; and
in another window appears striking
portrait Of Rev. Seth Barns, one of the
pioneer preachers of the Northwest. A
beautiful bronze tablet concentrating
the generosity of Mr.. and Mrs. Dudley is
inserted in the wall opposite the pulpit
and commentaries, also, their golden
wedding-the church being dedicated ON
the fiftieth anniversary Of their union
The order OF services was as follows: In
vocation, Rev. W. Ell. McGlaug hlin; Scrip
ture, Rsv. J. F. SCHNEIDER; prayer, Rev.
W. Fl. Harrington; by mn, read 10y Rev. J.
s. Fall; sermon, Rsv. e. L. Rexford.
Then followed the responsive dedica-
tory reading between the pastor and con-
gregation-a compilation OF SINGULAR
ly appropriate sentences arranged by Mr..
Powers. These services were inter-
spersed with excellent music by the choir
which constituted one Of the most delight
full features OF the day.
Previous to the sentences Of dedica-
ton an appeal was made for funds TO
clear the church of $1,000 debt. 1t was
unique spectacle to see Methodist Epis-
copal clergyman directing this appeal;
but Rev. J. B Starkey entered upon the
work in true Methodistic style, and in
ahalf hours time secured $4,000, keeping
the audience in admirable humor.
In the afternoon a congratulatory
meeting was held at which Rev. Dr.
Stry ker, Presby terrain, and Rev. GeorgeR
Merrill, Congregationalist. joined with
most felicitious addresses with Reys. W.
s. Vail, W. FL. Harrington, J. F. SCHNEIDER
M. ID. Shutter, W. H. McGlaughlin, Uni
versalist, and Rev. ii. M. Simmons, Unita
riAn, and E. L. Rsxtord. 1t was kind
OF love feast and the orthodox brethren
seemed to breathe easily and enjoyed the
hours as much as others of the liberal
school. One of the benignant features
of the day was the presence of Father A.
w. Mason in good health with good
cheer. In the evening another service
was held and sermon was preached by
DIR. Rextord, after which the Methodist
brother made another appeal for funds
and speedily raised the remaining $1,000
A happier day has seldom been chron-
icled in church circles. 1t was day of
triumph for the second society, and the
presence of the evangelical brethren was
a prophecy and fultillment of a better
day for all.
The Minneapolis Tribune speaks in
high praise of the dedicstory sermon by
DIR. e. l.. Rsxtord. "The subject and the
delivery thereof were singularly sppro-
pirate, both for the service of dedication
and for the edification of the necessarily
mixed religious tenets Of his temporary
congregation, who, having forsook their
own churches in compliment of the new
temple Of worship, were treated in re-
turn to a liberal, scholarly and catholic
discourse. Its general tenor was a mas
terly exposition upon evolution of religion
in the human conscience, and was deliv-
cred in easy, well modulated, converse
tional tones, which carried their weight
home to the congregation. Starting with
the different religious workings indicated