Telegram-herald., 1891-06-29
FINE Church EDIFICI
The First Reformed Congregation
Attain Their Ideal.
SOLEMN DEDICATION CEREMONIES
Many Pastors of the City Take Part IN
Them--Aa Eloquent ssrmos BY the
Pastor. Rev. Peter rMesrdyk-lstsr-
esting Addresses by Others-

Since the organization of the First
Reformed Church In this city, 1t has
met with many trials end yicissitudes,
but il has been lcndowed with eplrlt
Of earnestness and has pushed onward
and upward until now the congregation
can congratulate themselves on having
one Of the finest church edifices in the
city.
Yesterday, according TO custom,
their new church building at the cor
ner of Fountain and Barclay ats Was
formally dedicated. The service for
time will be held IN the basement which
is divided into various rooms, but the
doors were all swung wide open yester-
day and about coo people gathered
there 70 listen TO the
Dedscatory Sermon
of the pastor. the Rev. Peter Moerdyke,
ID. D., yesterday morning. The text
WAS taken from Genesis 27-27, "As the
smell of field which the Lord hath
gwen"
The pastor applied this to his con-
gregation, pointing TO the evidence OF
the divine favor III the past, and how
the love and sacrifice, godly living and
good name of this congregation diff
fused the fragrance of the enrlchlng
grace and truth of God among them.
''Such," said Mr.. Moerdyke. "should
be the holy ambition and mission of
the church-to glorify God and make
known His presence and gospel of love
and life aud sweetness IN the COM
munity."
1.-The smell of the field" continued
the eloquent divine, "already blessed Is
always grateful and plenty for the
sustenance OF the land. So the value
of the curch to the city is unmeasur-
able, for under Gods daily benediction
The Church rs a Field
in which are sown and planted, fos-
consecrated and disciplined powers of
mind and heart, winch are the safe
guards and glory of nation"
sin such work We are engaged"
said the pastor in conclusion.
"and we covet more of this heavenly
blessing, that we may by our bloom and
our fruit honor God and refresh man.
Let the atmosphere of our church be
redolent of the emancipatlons Of His
Grace"
The dedic alton exercise took place at
O'Clock In the afternoon, which were
opened by an invocation by Rev. Gould,
of the DlylsiOn-street NJ. +. Church,
and followed by an anthem from the
choir; Rev. DR.. Jackson, of the Foun-
| tain-street Baptist Church. then offered
prayer.
The Rev. Sanford H. Cobb, of West
| Minister Presbyterian Church, delivered
an address in which he spoke with
warmth of the glorious history of the
Reformed Church and the indebtedness
| of the Christian world to its ancient
| history.
Appeal for aid by the pastor was fol-
| lowed by earnest and eloquent words
| by the Rev. VIM. Denman, of the East
Street NJ. Z. Church, who proved that
Christianity is Gaining Ground
and that it is becoming a popular
power. ending by congratulating the
| church upon It's forward steps.
rhen followed the dedication by
| the pastor according to the liturgy
! of the re formed church. The Rev. o..
| Wander Nreen, who was pastor OF tins
| church from 1867 to lS1O-only four
teen of the present congregation were
members during ms pastOrate-deliv-
| cred an address. He spoke OF the need
| of self dedication as the power of the
church in the new home. Rev. Gould
| delivered q short discourse, pleasantly
convincing of the vigor and progress
| of Christianity, and the love and CO.
| operation of all our churches.
Rev. DR.. Jackson, who was present,
i .ri. al a x,f
recognition, aud dwelt on the kind of
work this and other congregatIo ms
were established 10 do in thiscIty. The
pastor then thanked these mlnlste rsal
| brethren for their words of love and
cheer. The pastor reciprocated tn is
feeling, promising that If any of this
church were gong down h:ll," his
| church would try to arrest them on the
down grade, and take care of them; OF
If any OF the
Methodists Were Backsliding
| on the downward path, In times when
wayE were slippery, this church would
| come 10 the rescue and gather them IN.
/ The service was a perfect and de-
| lightful success. The floral decorations
were choice. The music was all that
could bc desired. rendered by n choir
reinforced by kind assistants with
| voices and instruments. and the offer
ings of several were generous, IN re-
| sponse to the pastors statement of
the churchs need. In the even
| ing an interesting program WAS
also carried out, IN which the pas
tor was assisted by Rev. Or. T.. Winter,
of the Second Reformed Church, who
after the preliminary services made an
address on the solid aud safe founda-
tons of the church, that lts superstr uc-
ture might be substantial and strong.
| The choir and a double quartet again
discoursed music that evinced the most
palnsisking drill, under the leadership
| of Mrs. j. 4. ;. NerdIer.
| The pastor then spoke at length Of
| the consecrsted gifts that had gone into
this building. offerings as memorials of
! loved ones gone To rest. thank offerings
/ for souls converted; the prcsincts Of the
/ ladies' devoted toll: tfs results OF sacri-
| fees and prayer and the gifts hestowed
ost of love for the Lord and His cause.
i H entered somewhat into dtts /,
/ Speaking of having fortnight since
I SO n the wonderful stones which Rev. i.
/ Dewitt Talmage had brought from Mt.
sinai, MI. Calvary and Mars TIL 70
pace in the wall ot bEs new tabernacle.
| Beautiful ss these are, ohlects OF stfac-
/ ton - thousands, this rev edlhce also
/ contains bricks and stones that are
/ beautiful and sacred in the eyes oi God
and thoughtful peopie--sneh are the
materials bought and built INTO these
wsll. and these Furnishings gwen By
/ the loving hands ard nesrt. at men and
| women. And az yssFs 20 hy more snd
/ more would this house Tscsfve for It's
| enrichment and sdornmeBt rIch