The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-15
DEDICATED TO WORSHIP.
rHEINDEPENDENT PRESBY TERRAIN
CHURCH KEYS DELIVERED.


Cereu onies-Ths Church Thronged
With People-The Pastors Address
and Charge-Dr. Palmer's sermon-
The Sunday School Exero.ses-The
Memorial eervicss-Dr. Palmer's
"Reminiscences OF the Late Or. Arson.
An important event in the history of the
independent Presbyterian church, the dedi-
cation of its fourth church edifce, in the
lSjth year Of its existence, took place yes
terday morning.
The church was filed before the COM
mencement of the dedicatory exercises at IL
o'clock.
A noticeable feature of the occasion was
the presence Of many Of the Oldest citizens
Of Savannah, many OF them familiar with
the history of the church and associated
zith It in sympathy and in interest for
more than two generations
The decorations of the church were ex-
ceedingly handsome, and were arranged by
the flower committee, consisting OK some
twenty young ladies. Stands OF palms and
other potted plants we're placed in the pull
pit, and all the inches of the church on both
sides were filed with beautiful flowers.
There were stands and vases OF flowers
under and around the pulpit. and the sills
of the windows on each side of the pulpit
were covered with flowers.
One of the most noticeable of the decora
lions was large bronze flower stand under
the pulpit on the lett, filled with beautiful
flowers and grasses. The stand is gift to
the church by the flower committee, and is
a very handsome ornament indeed. 1t is
inscribed From the flower committee in
memory of their beloved pastor, Rev. /. S.
<. Arson"
THE OBLIGATORY CEREMONIES.
The services began with the anthem 'Siug
Unto the Lord New Song The anthem
concluded with the doxology, at which the
congregation rose, and ut the conclusion Of
which 1t was led in prayer by the pastor,
Rev. DR.. Dripps, who gave thanks that the
people were permitted again TO worship
within the walls Of their beloved church
home.
Rev. r. Q. Way, pastor of the Second
Presby terrain. church, announced the opening
hymn, Pheasant are thy courts above"
which. twas sung by the c loir and the con-
gregation.
DR.. B. NJ. Palmer read the scripture lesson,
a portion of the eighth chapter of |. Kings,
giving Solomons prayer at the dedication
of the temple and his blessing upon the
people.
THE PASTORS ADDRESS.
The formal dedication of the church by
the pastor and the people then took place.
The pastors address was;
DEARLY BELovED-Itis written in Gods Holy
Word that although the heaven and the heaven
of heavens could not contain him, nevertheless
he encouraged men to build him a house, and
accepted the same for mis- dwelling place. More
over, it Is written that ne permitted his house
to be destroyed by fire. and caused it TO be built
again, saying that the latter glory OF it should
be greater than the former. And when the
elders were asked: ''Who commanded you to
build this house ani to make up these walls?"
servants OF the God of heaven and
earth, and build the house that buded
these many years ago, which great
Even so would we also make reply this dav If
any man should ask who had commanded us to
build this house and to make up these walls;
for we have built the house that was built these
many years ago, which great leader incur
Israel blided and set up. For three-score years
and tea that former house stood here in the
midst of us; and then God suffered our holy
and our beautiful house, where our fathers
praised him, to be burned up with fire. We
were sore afflicted we sorrowed as though
we had seen the death of our friend rather
than the burning OF our house. But "the Lord
maketh poor and maketh rich; he brlpgeth low
aud liftethu up; he woundeth and his hands make
whole; BY his gracious spirit and providence
he called us not only to bow under his fathery
chaStisemeut, but at the same time also to pre-
pare for the building OF the new house. We
were not disobedient to the heavenly call; and
hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Now, there
FORE we are here met together for the dedca-
ton of this house TO God. We are to give unto
him the ownership and control Of the building
itself, and OF all which at any time may pertain
TO il; thar it may be set apart from all common
and worldly uses, for the sole purpose of wor-
ship TO Almighty God. And we are to do this
In solemn form; by express word and act, before
Goa and these witnesses. Let us be well
assured that he is ready to accept this gift at
our hands, and to show us in all time to come
how we may order the house, and what we may
do with it. So shall it be hers. as it was in his
temple Of old, when the glory of the Lord did
MI the house of the Lord; when he said unto
his servant, II have heard thy prayer. and have
chosen this place to myself for an house of
sacrifice. Amen. So let il be.
PRESENTING THE KEYS.
The pastor thea descended from the
pulpit, and was met at the broad aisle by
the chairman of the building committee
and the chairman of the board of trustees
Messrs w. w. Mackall and George J.
Mills. The pastor then continued as fol-
lows:
The keys of this house have been duly re
ceived from the building committee by the
pastor. in the name Of the church The church
itself is now TO take part in this dedication by
the act Of rising up and standing while the
words of dedication are spoken.
The congregation then arose and the pas
tor continued:
OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, TO THEE WE
DEDICATE THIS HOUSE. o. SoN OF COP, ONLY BE
GOTTEN OF THE FATHER OUR LORD AND SAVIOR
TO THEE WE DEDICATE 1T. o, GoD, THE HOLY
GHOsT, PROCEEDING FROM THE FATHER AND THE
Son, LORD AND GIvER OF LIFE, TO THEE DEDr
CATE IT. Holy, BLESSED AND GLORIOUS TRINITY
THREE PERSONS IN ONE GOD To THEE WE DEDI
CATE IT. ACCEPT THE GIFT OF OUR HANDS. AM
LET IT BE NOT IN VAIN THAT WE WRITE UPON TIL
FOREFRONT OF THIS HOUSE: UNTO TO JEHOVAH
1aE FATHER, SoN AND Holy GHOST AMEN
This house being now dedicated unto God
hereby commit the keys OF it. in the name o
the church, unto the board of trustees; witt
the solemn charge that they deal whit accord
ing to the will of God and the rules of tn
church. Let us pray.
Now, therefore, arise, o, Lord God, into tn,
resting place, thou and the ark of thy strength
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness
and let thy saints shout for Joy The Lord GU
God be with US, as he was with our fathers; lie
him not leave us nor forsake us. In all time K
come, when we gathered together in tn
name. be thou here In the midst of us. Let
be in demonstration of the Spirit and Of powe
that thy word shall here he preached and tn,
sacramsnts administered. Hearken unto tn
suppcation of thy people when they pray Il
this pace, AMI hear thou ia heaven, thy dwell
ing place. and when thou nearest, forgive lie
us enter into thy gates with THANKSGIVING an
into thy courts with praise; that at last W
may enter, not into a holy place made wit
hands, but into heaven ITSELF and may Their
serve thee in the true Tabernacle, which tn
Lord pitched, and not man; even the Holy City
fba ord Glod Init nd he T