Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-25
A NATIONS ONE SECT.
Bishop Andrews, in a Dedlcanon'
Predicts Catholic Absorption
BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL MEDIUM.
The Splendid New M. E. Church in the
West End Dedicated.
SEVERAL VERY IMPRESSIVE SERVICES

II WAS beautiful early spring morning
and this may in a measure have accounted
for the large attendance at the dedicatory
ser1ioas of the West End NJ. Z. Church, on
South Main street. The church is stone
structure with a large auditorium and Sun
dow school annex. These were thrown into
one room and every seat was occupied. The
interior is very pretty, and its beauty was
heightened by the addition of pots of plants
and lars of flowers placed about the altar.
The services were commenced by the
choir rendering an anthem. The usual de-
votional exercises followed. Bishop E. G.
Andrews delivered a sermon on the growth
of the church. His remarks were interest
ing, and some of his views were rather
startling, especially those on Catholicism.
A report of it follows:
Has ever progress been more steady than
that which has marked the advance of Chris
tianity? Great nations have come to call them
selves Christians. We have Christian art,
Christian morality and Christian love. Such
facts as these have in themselves the potency
of a mighty revolution Yet there are men who
say although Christianity has had such won
derful advancement, that some system will be
adopted which will adapt itself better to the
wants and advanced ideas of man, and Chris
tianity will be relegated to the past.
EXTREMES TO BE AVOIDED.
We must not be too optimistic in our views,
nor too pessimistic. Both arise from the tenn
perament of the man. find it to be the case
that the man who is pessimistic IN the church
is usually the man who has the most cause to
lament his experience.
has increased from 100000 to probably Co.
600 0OO-a people who are charged with elec-
trical forces which quiver and move under the
roncb of ChrlstianiTy In less than a century
a new island-continent has been added to
Christianity In my boyhood days often
read of convicts being transported to Botany
Bay. The discovery of gold In Australia
changed all this, and we may expect the growth
of another great Christian continent.
More than a century ago, when George
Washington was on the ill-starred Braddock
expedition there was added, partially for good
reasons and partly for bad, a vast domain in
the Mediterranean basin of 80, ,000, 900 peO pie,
which is slowly becoming as grand as it ever
was under the sway of the Roman Emperors:
Japan has adopted the rule of dating its
chronological events from the birth OF Christ,
as we do. This is another step in advance.
Again, we have the growth of Russia from
small country to the vast empire of to-day,
which is gradually spreading the Christian
religion through the Eastern empires.
AT the time of the Reformation the guns of
the Turks with their Mohammedan religion,
were laundering at the gates of Vienna, while
today Turkey is known as the ''Sick Man of
Europe" and is only kept alive because
Europe'S Western powers do not know what to
do with its effects should 1t die.
CLOUDS HAVE ROLLED AWAY.
A century ago portentous clouds hung above
the horizon, and it was feared that the bar
barism would crush civilization. To-day the
clouds are dispeIled, and we only fear that the
Christian nation will not act honestly toward
weaker nations and thus call down the wrath
of God upon them.
This fight between Christianity and its ad-
versaries is an old one. 1t is only part of the
early experience of the growth of the church.
From the beginning Christianity has had a Bit
ter conflict. The modern arguments against
the church to-day are only new forms OF attack
by an old enemy.
Bishop Andrews then reviewed the argu-
ments of the philosophers of the past cent
urv, and pointed out how they are now
gradually declining and new ideas taking
their places, which will in turn rise and de-
cline as their predecessors. He begged that
no Christian ministers would decry the
study of science, as it would in the end be
found that Christianity and science will
march side by side. Continuing, he said:
There is a vast amount of infdelity, and
vast amount of sin; but believe that Gods
sun never shone on a better day in Ameuca
than it does to-day. The growth of the Chris
tian church within the past 100 years has been
The branches of Christendom are: First the
Greek church. In this religion there is con-
junction of State and religion, which is always
detrimental to Christianity Second, in the
Roman church, making distinction between
the papal people and the rulers of the church.
can see but little hope for the power of the
latter. These mandates are each year more and
more disobeyed. The old doctrine of the in
fallibility of the Pope and the immaculate con-
ception, once SO firmly believed, is
NOW BEING DOUBTED,
and its upholders are scoffed, The former have
shaken off their bonds, and to-day Protestants
NAV preach the word in Italy and Spain, which
but a few years ago would have been severely
punished. This has happened in our day.
Many more incidents similar to the few have
mentioned could be related.
In America we have great reason for vigi-
lance, and possibly in the end sacrifice; but to-
dav I have but little to fear. This Roman
church is losing continually and unmeasurably.
If they continue to keep their children in our
public schools, even if they are not taught
Professionalism, the children cannot help but
breathe the air of Americas freedom, and can
not help but become Americans; and if SO, they
will become Protestants.
The immigration which is now pouring into
our gateways consists of many Protestants. Ii
we but take care of ourselves, and continue our
labors, it cannot be otherwise than that
America must and will become entirely Prot
estant country.
The speaker then reviewed the growth of
the Protestant church, and the advance
ment of more Christ-like ideas, and closed
with very optimistic prediction as to the
future greatness of this church and Chris
tianity.
Mr.. George B. Johnston, Secretary of the
Board of Trustees, read statement of the
expenditures on this church. Its total cost
was S42, $50. OF this amount $25, 800 had
been paid, leaving balance due of S17 900.
This amount was divided into LOO shares
of SO each, payable in two years on month
ly installments. Shares may be purchased
from / 10 500. Certificates of stock will be
issued to subscribers by the Board of Trus-
tees.
AN IEDEFATIGABLE PASTOR.
Much credit is due Rev. H. c. Beacon,
pastor of the church, through whose individ-
ual efforts much of the necessary money was
collected and the structure erected.
A platform meeting was held in the after
noon. Addresses were made by Rev. j. q.
Miles, presiding elder of the Pittsburg dis
trict; r. 7. Miller, ID. D.; Bishop Andrews
and H. L. Chaplain, d. D. With the ex-
ception of Bishop Andrews the speakers
were former pastors of the church. Their
remarks were of a congratulatory nature
Efforts were also made by them in their re-
marks TO obtain subscriptions.
c. n. Smith, DID,. editor of the Pittsburg
Cbristidn Advocate, delivered an address in
the evening. The solemn dedicatory SER
vices of the Methodist Church were con-
dncted bv Bishop Andrews at this session,
and the church was formally given over to
worship of God.
During the day almost S10,OO was raised
by subscription, leaving the actual debt of
the church now about 81, 600.
DON'T spend your money without refec-
tion, you can buy Salvation Oil for 25 cents.