Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-02-26

the anthem praise waiteth for Thee"
Rev. James ID. MOffat, ID. D., President
of Washington and Jefferson College,
Washington, Pa, was then introduced.
He too Is the son of d former pastor of
this congregation, and resided in this
place during the pastorate of his father,
Rev. John Moffat, from 1917 to 1861. Dr.
Moffat delivered most striking and able
sermon, taking for his text l. Timothy
2:3 and 4, For this is good and accepta-
bic in the sight of God our Savior; who
will have all men to be saved, and to
come unto the knowledge of the truth"
Love for man and for God are twoloveS
that God has united, and no man may
put them asunder. Worship is not ac-
ceptable to God from heart in which
there is hate for ones fellow men. God
himself is impartial to his creatures
His sun and his rain fall alike on the
just and the unjust" on the Christian
and the heather. Gods attitude to men
| is willingness to save all. God so low
ed the world that he gave his only begot-
ten son, that whoever believeth," ETC.
God is is always ready to help one to lead
a good life, and He makes the terms of
salvation the easiest possible-only faith,
only an acceptance, only willingness to
be saved. But this willingness is a will
ingness to be saved not from hell, but
from sin. The speaker here gave some
clear views on the question of the elect.
There are, he said, elect and nOn-elect,
but they correspond exactly to the willing
and unwilling. From Gods standpoint
elect and non-elect, from mans, willing
and unwilling. He then spoke of infant
salvation. This is question dear to
many hearts. There is no word in the
Bible positively that all children will be
sayed-but, arguing from the Known
character of God, His love and His will
ingness to save all, it is probable that He
will save them, especially as there can be
given no reason why He should not. The
speaker closed with an earnest appeal to
the congregation to make this. not ''re-
ligious club house, but in truth the house
of God, where God is worshipped by
heartS.that have only love, not for Him
only, bat likewise for mankind. His ser
mon will be long remembered by all who
heard it.
The pastor, Rev. Robt Alexander, d.
D., then made an address. He cOngratu-
lated his members on the joyful occasion.
He gave rapid sketch of the differ
ent church buildings erected by this con-
gregation, and history of the erection
of the new church. He paid high com
pliment to the women of the Church.
Noble and self sacrificing as the men had
been, the women had been more noble,
and had sacrificed more for the Church.
They had been like Napoleon's guards,
of whom it was said, "The Guard never
surrenders.' By fortunate ventures in
contracts, ETC., their present church is
worth 5000 more than the outlay repre-
sented. He spoke of former pastors and
their labors.
A collection was then taken up in be-
half of the Ladies fund, or the amount
which they had subscribed. About SOL
were realized After an anthem, Il will
not give sleep unto mine eyes, the dedi-
cation was proceeded with. The Session
and Trustees went forward and arranged |
themselves before the altar The mem
bers of the Church then arose, and the |
short and impressive service of questions |
and answers which gave the completed |
church building, and conseerated it to the |
worship of the Most High God, were
gone through with, pastor reading and
congregation responding. An earnest
and feeling prayer from the pastor, COM
pleted the dedication. The choir render
ed the anthem "COme thou fount of ev-
cry blessing" in happy manner.
The following clergymen then respond
ed to the call of DIR. Alexander with five
minute addresses: Drs. Cunningham and
Cook, of Wheeling; Rev. Stephens, of
New York; Rev. Galley, of Morristown;
Rev. Alexander, of .Rockhill; Rev. Barr,
of Bellaire; Rev. Campbell, of Martins
Ferry; DR.. Reed, of Barnesville; Rev.
of Crabapple; DR.. Hingeley and
DR.. Balph, of st. Clairsville. All spoke
in fitting terms of the building, congrat
llated pastor and people, and urged the
of making It in truth the
place of the Almighty. DR.. Cunningham,
Of Wheeling, and DR.. Balph, of this place,
paid deserved tributes to the unfagging
zeal and faithfulness of Dr. Alexander in
about the erection OF the new
and getting it paid for.
After the singing of hymn SIS, L love
'hy kingdom, Lord" the congregation was
dismissed with a benediction from Dr.
Hlngeley.
The services had lasted from II until
,:30 o'clock without intermission, and
he large audience was hungry.
The ladies of the church had prepared
n the Sabbath school room delicious
unch, to which everyone was invited.
Iany accepted the invitation, and much
# the afternoon was spent in convivial
nd social cheer.
The services throughout were of a most
character. The weather was
leasant, enabling vast audience to be
resent. The attendance of clergy form
towns was large. The music
TaS well rendered by choir COZ sisting
f Mrs. Blair, Mrs. Lucas, the Misses
Iellie and Lida Anderson, Miss Mamie
irove, Messrs. r. J. Riley, E. G. Amos,
'. B. Archer, and Howard Kirk, with
Iiss Blanche Grove, organist.
The building was clean and inviting,
nd the pulpit was handsomely decorated
18th green fOliaged and blooming plants.
Pastor. people and community are to be
on the happy termination
the efforts put forth in building this
1ifce, and every resident of the town