The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-11-27
The New Methodist Church.
Dedicated with Imposing and Solemr
Ceremonies.

Dedicated with Imposing and Solemr
Ceremonies.
Sunday, Nov. 22d marks an era in the
history of the Methodist church society In
Owosso. 1t was the dedication of their new
edifce, situated at the corner of Ball and
Williams streets. The church building Is q
magnificent edifice, costing, including the
lots on which 1t stands, $24, 900, divided
as follows: Lots, SIS, 1000; contract for build
ing, $14, 900; Smead heating and ventilating
system, $1,000; glass, 5000; pews, 81 ,O29;
opera chairs, $40; frescoeing, $500; car
pets, $3.50: pulpit chairs and kneelng stool,
$50; choir furniture, $50; gas and electric
fixtures, 500; insurance, $125; architect,
$3.50; Sunday school chairs, $195; side
walks, buildings, drains, ETC., $3.50. 1t Is OF
modern architecture with basement for
chapel, Sunday School rooms, EpwOrth
League room, kitchen, furnaces, etc. The
basement is nicely finished with pine and the
rooms can be enclosed for the separate ). S.
classes during their sessions. The stained
glass windows represent the efforts and
sacrifices of the younger members OF the
church, upon whose shoulders Methodism
in OwOsso will rest in the coming years.
The main audience room above, including
the galleries. inclines toward the pulpit and
here is found the largest seating capacity Of
any room i'm the city. The subdued light
coming through the stained glass windows
has most happy effect within the church,
while the rays of the electric light colored
by the windows makes beautiful appear
ance at night and will attract those wander
ing outside within its sacred walls. The
frescoed and tinted walls bOrdered in ex-
quisite designs, the hardwood finish, the
handsome pews, organ loft and pulpit furn-
ishings form most complete and beautiful
room for Christian service.
Notwithstanding the rain the church was
filled, even the five hundred chairs that had
been provided in anticipation were all in use,
and many were turned away unable to gain
admittarce Never before in OwOssO had
been assembled such an audience for such
purpose. 1t was an inspiring sight for the
audience to look upon such ministers as
filled the platform and it was an inspiring
sight to the clergy to behold such an audi.
ence. The Rev. Bancroft could well con-
graduate himself upon the browning of his
efforts with such signal success. The
Rev. G. B. Spencer could reflect upon the
harvest of the seed sown i'm past years. The
Rev. Seth Reed, one of the pioneer minis
tiers, q former pastor and now presiding
elder of this district, whose hair and
beard have become snowy white from years
of Christian work, was almost the central
figure in this imposing service. No dedica-
ton could be complete without Rev. Seth
Reed, and no words of consolation or con-
graduation can come from human lips more
appropriately than from his.
The Rev. j. II. Potts, of Detroit, editor
of the Advocate, Christian whose noble
Thoughts are emphasized by his noble coun-
tenance. DR.. Potts was soldier in the war
that Obliterated the disgrace of human slav-
cry from our history and the terrible roar Of
artillery shut out forever afterward all
human sound that could reach the senses
through the ears. But that "stil small
voice" has whispered some of the most STIR
ring words and nOblest expressions to his
mind and these have been given to the world
from the lips and from the pen of DIR. Potts.
Bishop Bowman, of st. Louis, Mo-, who
had dedicated over one thousand churches,
was to have been present on this occasion
but circumstances prevented and Bishop
Walden of Cincinnati, came i'm his place.
These ministers, with the clergy of sister
churches, were the ones whose words of
wisdom were listened to by the large audi
ence.
The order of service in the auditorium,
was:
Introduction by Rev. E. b. Bancroft, pas
tor.
Prayer by Rev. Seth Reed, Presiding
Elder.
First scripture lesson by Rev. G. B. Spen-
Ger, of Detroit, former pastor of the church.
Second scripture lesson by Rev. j. Il.
ReitZel, of the Congregational church.
Sermon by Bishop j. M. Walden, ID. ID.
Financial statement.
BenedictiOn.
In the chapel below, spontaneously SER
vice was being conducted by the Rev. DR..
Potts. This being All overflow meeting
from Bishop Walden's above.
Horace Hitchcock of Detroit. had the
general management of the financial needs
for the day. A blackboard representing
the whole amount to be raised was sub
divided into squares representing different
sums, the total of which represent
ed $4,000. S1l, 400 had been subscribed
previously. As fast as pledges were re-
ceived the corresponding sums on the black
board were checked. Over half the sum
was raised in the morning, and at the even
ing service the whole amount was pledged.
Then the First NJ +. church OF OwossO was
dedicated by Bishop Walden.
The church is not only the pride of its
own denomination but one that reflects
the enterprise of the city. And when the
words of dedication were said it was happy
moment for all.
The following summary of Bishop Wal
den's sermon is taken from the Michigan
Christian Advocate:
Bishop Waldens sermon was worthy of
his high Office. 1t was an exposition of Phil.
$40, IL. The remarkable declaration in the
text is Immediately preceded by the apos3
ties exultant record i'm regard to his choice
of Christ even at the loss of all things.
More than quarter of century has past
since that determining crisis in his life-a
period i'm which he had achieved grander
work than that of any other man, and under
conditions the most difficult, whilst person
ally he had been subjected to trials, perse-
cutiOns and Affections of untold severity.
Still he exulted in the excellency OF the
knowledge of Christ he had gained,
and the rigbteou ness that came to him
through his faith i'm Christ. In the text he
speaks of leading phases of that experience
which richly compensated him for taking
Christ as his Savior, Teacher and Master.
ITO know him." He exulted in knowing
him as divine, hence the only all powerful
Saviour; and as the only human, hence the
only Saviour full of pity. compassion and
sympathy-the divine-human Saviour need
ed by man everywhere and at all times. His