Mower County transcript., 1890-01-29
AMONG THE cHvRohEs.
PRESBYTERIAN.

PRESBYTERIAN.
The Goth, the day for the opening Of
the new church, was fine winter dav
1t was all that could be desired, but it
was found that influenza, which had been
decimating the day schools and the
ranks Of the store clerks and the machine
shops and all places Of business, had its
grip on the church congregation, too; 80
that not so large an attendance was wit
messed AS was expected. There was,
however, a good and appreciative con-
gregation. The singing was entirely
congregational, with Mrs. Alex Camp,
bell at the organ. The pastor announced
before opening the service that the at
tendants would find everything IN the
rough, that each one should make him
self as comfortable as possible. and that
the services would partaKe rather of the
informal. DR.. McCurdy. of Manchester
| college, was on the rostrum and conduct.
| ed all the services after the opening
prayer and hymn. The first hymn sung
was "All hail the power of Jesus name. :"
The doctor read as a morning lesson the
26th chapter of Matthew, selection, and
gave full and very Interesting comment
on the share in religious and church work
i taken by woman as compared with man.
After PRAYER and hymn, the pastor an.
nounced regul lar morning and evening
services and Thursday evening prayer
meeting. These services are now to be
regular. Special services were announced
for Thursday evening. Feb. 6. prepara-
tory to the holy communion on Sunday,
| the 9th, also special. SPECIAL congrega
tlonal meeting was also announced for
the 18th. as per card in another column.
DR.. McCurdY's text was from Matt. 26. 8,
last clause, and theme, ''Pecunlary Ad.
vantages of the Gospel and It's 1nstitu-
tions."
First-The Gospel and its institutions
are forerunners of the highest types of
civilization.
! Second-The Gospel and its institu-
tons are the chief supporters OF civillza-
| ton.
Third-The Gospel and its institutions
, enhance the value of property.
Fourth-The Gospel and its institutions
are the only cure for the lmmorallties of
the age.
We will not attempt to give more of
the sermon than this synopsis. 1t was
almost entirely off-hand. in clear enun
citation, full, strong voice, in 4 free yet
animated manner. bv which he COM
pletely controlled the audience.
His giving free and full vent to his
vocal powers frequently made excellent
test of the acoustics OF the building. and
proved them satisfactory. When the
room is completed the acoustics must
be complete.
Offerings for the reduction of the in.
debtedness on the building were taken,
which. while not enough to cover the
amount needed, were largely in excess of
what it was supposed by everybody could
be obtained from the small and by no
means wealthy congregation present 1t
speaks we'll tor the llberality of those
present.
In the evening a large congregation
gathered, though not enough to fill all
the seats that had been provided
Hymns How Gentle Gods Com
mands' and Rock Of Ages" were sung.
| and the evening lesson was read from
Matthew 10.
The announcements of the morning
We're repeated.
The sermon was from Matthew 10. IS,
on the theme, The Separation of Fami
lies by Religion" This statement was
given not as principle of Chrlst's re-
ligion, but as prophetic statement of
what should actually come to pass in the
kingdom of Christ. Union of interest IN
families in matters of religion Was para
mount. Families could be comfortably
divided in the business professions, but
: this was not possible in religion.
Union of families in religion IS desira
ble for the peace and comfort of it's mem
bers For The conservation of the forces
of influence between it's members. For
the highest efficiency of the church, etc.
The dividing line between families in
! -;o ,,oo+toro will inovitoh1r ammo r
at these three times-at the communion
table. at death, and at the Judgment bar.
Many object to the dividing line being
drawn at the communion table. But
there are these things to consider:
First-The communion is in obedience
to the last command of Christ, than
which there are none of His commands
more directly and succinctly given.
Second-They who dc not commune
disobey Christ in this His last command.
Third-As this command was given to
secure the confession of Christ on the
part of his followers, and as those who
do not commune do not thus confess
Him, the question arises
Fourth-How can we in charity grant
to those who do not commune the bene-
fits of other ordinances, when IN dlsloy
atty they for themselves refuse attention
to this one?
The doctor closed with the recital OF
some very tender "reminiscences illustra'
tive of the union or separation OF fam
ilies During these recitals for minutes
in succession there was not sound in
the room but the ticking of the clock and
the effective yet gentle words of the
speaker 1t was a fitting closing of the
interesting lessons of the day.
Opportunity for offerings for the reduc
ton OF the church debt was again given
The total amount raised during the day
was about 500.
The pastor mentioned various articles
of church furniture donated to the church
by citizens, and said they were coming in
all the while. The doxology was sung
and the audience dismissed with the
benedlction by DR.. McCurdy.
The organ used at the service was
kindly furnished by the organ firm of H
j. Minar & Co.
Dr.. McCurdv was the guest of Eldel
John Campbell while in the city. HI
loft IN tho CIV O'o1ook frain Monday