Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-28
GODS HOLY TEMPLE.
Simpson Tabernacle Dedi-
Gated to the Lord.
The Ceremony Performed by
Bishop Mallalieu.
An Eloquent Sermon and RapturOus
Notes of Praise.
rho Great Auditorium Filled to Over
flowing with DevOut worshtpers.
The Building Freed
From Debt.


utmost.
The opening exercises were announced
for 10 AS, but before 10 O'Clock the lower
floor OF the house was we'll flied.
The people fairly swarmed into the
building during the half hour preceding
the commencement of the services, and
the corps of forty-five ushers was made
quate to the work of seating them.
When Bishop Mallalieu and the con-
ference delegates took their places on
the platform the vast auditorium was
jammed almost to suffocation.
The building presented a beautiful
appearance. A committee of ladies con-
sisting of Mesdames j. E. Murray, W.
w. Widney, ]. w. Gillette and Linn
had decorated the walls and choir loft in
most tasty manner.
The graceful leaves of the date palm
were placed about the walls and on
either side OF the platform were grow
ing palms in large urns. Delicate grasses
OF many varieties and beautiful flowers
were arranged about the rail surround
ing the choir loft, while number OF
magnificent designs were placed about
the chancel rail and in Of the desk.
Bouquets were also placed about in great
profusion.
Back OF the choir, which consisted OF
eighteen voices, was Bartlett's military
band, which opened the services.
Following the instrume ntal number
was Gloria by quartette. Rev. ]. w.
Van Cleve, p. E., read the discipline
and Rev. E. w. Caswell, presiding elder
of the Santa Barbara district, made the
opening prayer.
When Bishop Mallalieu arose and
gave his text for the sermon there were
at least $500 people in the auditorium.
Never before in Los Angeles has there
been such a concourse of people to-
gether to hear sermon, and had the
church been larger there would have
been fully thousand more listeners.
People were constantly coming who
could not get into the building. The
$500 chairs were all occupied, and even
the aisles were jammed. People stood
packed close together in the main aisle
at the rear of the auditorium, and the
parlors were also filed. 1t was an audi
ence worthy of the occasion. The best
people in Los Angeles were there and
they heard sermon to be remembered.
Bishop Mallalieu chose for his text
the words of the Disciple Paul: Yea,
Doubtless, and Count all Things but
Loss for the Excellence of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus, My Lord.
'4All the writings OF Paul." said the
speaker, ARE characterized by peculiar
Intensity of purpose. The author refers
a. - -olc
tions to the Lord Jesus Christ and his
hopes, and this text is no exception to
the general rule. The text is all lnclu-
sive in its scope. 1t leaves nothing out,
and o that God would help US all to
come at once to this knowledge of the
apostle.
''Paul based his purpose and action on
two fundamental facts, both of which
the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Now,
must mediate upon him each day and
each night"
In the course of his remarks the
speaker said that the divinity of Christ
is undeniable. "It is proven in the
creed, which says he was the only be-
gotten son of God. Hence, when we bow
down to worship him we are not idol
ators.
4'The books of Matthew Luke and John
are history which stands unimpeached
despite the searching criticism to which
they have been subjected and the mali
cious attempts to overthrow them.
Another foundation for our faith. Go
with me to that plain near Bethlehem.
You will see fiocks of sheep. Shepherds
are lying asleep near by. Their eyes are
opened by brightness in the heavens
brighter than the midday sun, and there
stands and sways in that heavenly light
an angel. The shepherds are startled,
when from that angelic visitor come
words, Fear not, for unto you is born
this day savior. He is in his swad-
ding clothes in the manger.'"
The speaker went on and illustrated
the birth of Christ in a beautifully
drawn word picture.
''The instant the angel made the an
nouncement the song Glory to God in
the Highest burst forth from angelic
hosts. Only a portion of that song is
recorded. Wen know the rest of it
some day. Was that mere human
chiid?.'
The speaker again illustrated the di-
vine power in the healing of Lazarus,
and said that Christ Jesus was the col
lossal character OF all the characters of
history.
He spoke OF the theory of Christ en-
fering rooms with closed doors. 1--WE
all do that by opening the door, and
that is the way He got in. Christ was
not a spirit; He was flesh and bone,
and thank God those words flesh and
bone are in this history, and they can't
translate the original to mean anything
else, for the words were used by Him to
His disciples.
Christianity presents itself in va
rious lights and forms. 1t is divine
philosophy that has for its object the
saving Of the souls of men, more than
can be said of any other philosophy.
There is never an ache or pain or
trouble that this philosophy does not
completely provide for and there exists
no longing, aspiration, ambition for the
pure, the holy, the infinite that does
not find provision in this philosophy.
AS stand here and look into your
faces full of sympathy and prayer and
look upon this beautiful community a
dark shadow is lowering over US that
shows little rift. God is there and
see hundreds Of thousands OF faces also.
They are happy there.
'sIn contrast 1 see millions of little
cllnging to their mothers
skirts. They have blue lips, their faces
are pinched and hopeless. hear the
step of their father. 1t is that of a