Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-04-11
sr. STEPHENS DEDICATED.

1utu1hhh Shufcus Wneu It's tasteful and
cozy place of worship on Tatnall street
above Seventh, was formally conseerated
In Its short history Of seven months, this
young and thriving Congregation has
made RAPID and substantial progress aud
v already we'll on its way in advancing
the interests of the Christian religion and
spreading the doctrines Of Luther In this
city, the cradle of Lutherism in America.
IL is ash years ago since the original
Swedish settlers first landed here and
established the FIRST Lutheran Church ia
America, now known as Old Swedss.
For over two centuries following.
Lutherism languished in America because
ats devotees we're mostly immigrants Of
foreign birth who, as they became Amer.
eanized, forgot their mother tongue and
drifted from their original faith. With
he infusion of this Americapized and
progressive spirit into the councils Of The
chufoh 1t soon became recognized as a
fact that ii the Lutheran church was to
Keep progress with its kindred denomi-
nations it would be necessary to preach
fts doctrines in the Erglish Language.
eince that idea was put into effect in re-
cent years the Lutheran church in
America has advanced rspidIy and
steadily and now ranks abous fourth or
nth in strength of all the Christian dc.
nominations OF this country.
st. Stephens congregation is composed
mostly of the descendants Of Lutheeans,
who had for various reasons become
allied TO other churches or bad become
non-churchgoers. The pastor of the new
flock, the Rev. w. A. Sadtler, found a
ripe field here upon his arrival, but the
successful establishment Of the church is
mostly due 10 his energetic and perseyer
ing efforts. The Sunday school was es-
tRblished about ths first Of September
last, with handful Of scholars, in the
rooms of the Wilmington Commercial
College In Institute Hall. A month later
services were held every Sunday morning
In the same building. The congregation
grew rapidly and about November lat the
new church bad TO move to more com.
rnodious quarters, which were found III
Fletcher Hall, on Market above sixth
street. This soon began to show signs
OF being inadequate, and the growing
congregation arrived at the stage when II
thought 1t could afford to locate in per.
manent home of its own. The House.
hold of Faith church was finally bought
for Is 600, and after being beautified aud
rehabilitated, WIS coDsecrated yesterday.
The church had been completely re-
painted and refurnished inside, and pre-.
santed very attractive appearance.
Potted plants and flowers tastefully ar
ranged lent their beauty to the scene.
and their fragrant odor pesmeated the
room.
The conservation ceremony was simple
but impressive. The venerable DR.. Ben.
jamin Sadtler OF Baltimore, father OF the
pastor of the church, offioiated, assisted
by the Rev. W Ashmead Schaeffer OF st.
Stephens' Church, Philadelphia, and the
pastor, the lev. W. A. Sadtier. Dressed
In their flowing black silk vestmenis, the
three ministers Issued from an ante.Yoom
aud slowly walked to the altar, repeating
the introit alternately. The choir fol.
lowed by singing the "Gloria Pstri."
After reading the prescribed form OF ad-
dress set down in the Liturgy, the con.
gregation responded with the Apostles
creed, and, after a prayer by the otficiat-
ing minister, all reoited the Lords PRAYER
and the conservation ceremony was
ended
The Rev, DR. sAdtIsr then preached
powerful sermon on why tIs suUa.a 81
c1urcRas snd why We t1 uDsaYys
Sunday. He took as his text the fourth
verse Of the 27th psalm: "one thing
have desired of the Lord, that will /
seek after; that may dwell in the Houss
OF the Lord all the days Of life. to be-
hold the beauty of the Lord and 10 in
quire in his temple.n He said in part
Thus spoke David, which indicates the
value he set upon the sanctuary, Yet
David had nothing but the tabernacle.
de had desired to build q temple, but it
was not permitted TO him. Yet he rath-
cred the means and his son solomon car
RED out his desires. The modern Chris
tan temples, however, have privileges
and blessings beyond those of the taber-
naole or the temple of Solomon, espeo-
ialSy IN view of the fuller revelation of
divine truth unfolded. We should act a
greater estimate on the
House of the Lord as we have a higher
appreciation of our privileges. Let us
endeayor TO ascertain what IL the proper
value should attach to the House Of the
Lord and its ssryices and influences, La
the church every Christian is enabled TO
discharge the highest and hottest duty of
lie, in worshiping and serving his Ore
ator and RedeemeF. The fundamental
meaning of the word church, no matter
IN what language written, u called the
elect. The church is the family home Of
God on earth.
The means Of grace and the holy ser
vices are there 10 be employed and en-
Joyed. Such blessings should be another
reason why we should set high vgtue
upon the sanctuary. From more worldly
standpoint, we must admit that the Hoase
OF the LoId preserves to us tie LORDS
Day with all its blessings, temporal and
spiritua. The one conseryes and per
petuats5 the other All comers are cLsi.
lenged to rafute the propagation. "No
Churches, no Lords Day Where there
are no sanctuaries, there ia q wholesale
Dissertation OF the Sabbath. Close tina
churches for 10 years and Christianity
would be practically upobseryed EXCEPT
IN the homes of faithful few. Close
the churches FOR 100 years and Ohyig-
tianity would disappear from tbs earth.
On the other band, Ia proportion ii he
House of the Lord is cherished, viii the
day bc observed. It prevent, cur forpst.
ting Him. The day brings us hack 10 u.
hect, 70 contemplate. Ia its TEMPORAL
ehects Il lays . restraint upon tle selfish.
ness and greed OF msn. /. GorIpels reat
from toll ana restores rest TO the weary
Reasonable work Is boon but inogssatt
toll IS curse, as il sAculArizeg md
debaAes. Not only as Christians hut al
phllhnthropista should we observe the
Losd's Day.
AZ ilnal REASON Why we should esteem
aud reverence the sanctuary he claimed
that its influence Is marked upon the
well. heieg Of mankind aad the progress
OF the world in ell elements OF real 3D.
vancemsnt. II there are no churches
there will DO no religion. The religion ns
Christ makes men happy here and blessed
forever. Christianity IS c light, q lgageu,
Q salt, II awRkens and preserves hight in
the soui, the life If tsith and holiness