The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1892-11-29

garded as sacred in our eyes. Conse-
Grated not by bishop or priest, but by
use and the mighty and Legitimate
power of association. Does then the
creation of man in wood and stone
and rble-mere matter that 1t is
take on the attributes of spirit? Yes;
from around this platform, from this
choir, from the floor of this house have
gone up waves of melody, the songs of
ranks of children, songs of penitent
worshippers, the echo of instrumental
music, the jubilant anthem, the full
voiced hymn of patriotism, till these
walls and the ceiling above us have
seemingly become resonant with
years, like an old and priced violin,
that the older it becomes the richer
and more responsive grows its tone.
When we think of home-our homes
we do not merely think of the loved
faces and forms OF friends that there
were with us, but also of the place, no
matter how plain or lowly; the gate,
the walk, the steps, the hall, the in
ner chambers, the meeting room of
the family, all come up to us in mind,
as in far off lands and far-off years we
have opportunity for remembrance,
perhaps opportunity enforced by sick
ness. Perhaps some here now tonight
can do this. The place is dear to US.
So is this church building home,
and has been for many years home,
and will be remembered for many
wears as a home-the home of our
Christian life. 1t was not my own
spiritual home; that was older, older
even than the Bethel home church, of
which one of our speakers has just
told us. In the old school-house,
with its arched small windows,
still standing and in use, in the
rear of the Kawaiahao Church, there
did some of us now here this evening,
humbly, as we trust, consecrate our
selves to the service of our Saviour.
So that it was after returning from
foreign land that l found a church
home here, and hence speak now on
behalf of all who from other churches
and other lands have done the same.
Think we now of those who have
passed up and down these aisles, and
given character to the history of this
building. Up yon steps, and up that
aisle have come little children for the
first time, with wondering eyes, be-
holding the house of God. Up this
aisle have come the tottering steps of
old age clinging fondly to the loved
duty of worship. Up this aisle have
come those who have consecrated
themselves to Christ. Up this aisle
those who have plighted to each other
their faith and love. Up this aisle
have walked trembling parents to
! bear their babes to the altar for a
blessing. Up and down this aisle have
trod the silent mourners. Into this
house have come those who have
sought and found forgiveness of sin.
And sadder to say, out of that door
have gone those who had not found
the hope eternal. Is it strange that
sacred atmosphere hangs over the
place? Some say that Pharisees tread
these floors. There may be pride and
vanity at times to come in here, but
more there are, though we can see
them not, who offer the prayer of the
publican, "God be merciful to me, q
sinner" The men L call to mind that
have stood here-COrwin, earnest and
vigorous, now in Chicago, that center
of earnestness and vigor; Bissell and
McCully, gentle and scholarly; Frear,
devout and sympathetic; CruZan,
manly and eloquent, if not entirely
orthodox, and, last, our now beloved
pastor. OF the pleasant memories of
this church ] will instance one: / be-
lieve in church bells with their sweet
clangor, but the bell over the way, the
Angelus, that for fifty years has daily
at high noon rung out its three times
three, has taught us, beside the lesson
of the Trinity, that of brotherAy love
and patience to us as hearers, and of
brevity to our preachers, as they so
well know. Aswe leave this vicinity
let us invoke upon the church across
the way, true blessing.
Let us cling, too, to simplicity, and
the humble beginning of things, for
some of us received our baptismal
names beneath grass roofs, where the
grass strewn floor was the seat for the
people.
And come all of us, too, and share
in this work.
But our friends grow old, less beau-
tiful, less manly, yet we love them
the same. So this building, old and
unattractive without, is yet dear.
And now, soon we shall go out of this
house and leave these seats to empti-
ness one by one for the last time
these lights will cease to shine, and
all will be dark and deserted. But in
yon new church, "a week hence, will
gleam forth brighter glare, and new
cheer and new life will come to pass.
So when our light, the light of our
eyes shall close in the darkness of
death, and the soul shall desert this
body, we too can hope for the new life
and light-the light of the home
eternal.
The addresses of the evening
were closed by Hon ]. B. Ather-
ton, who gave some very interest
ing figures derived from the records
of past and present Treasurers.
While the collection was being
made, Miss Halstead and Mr..
Ruevsky sang most beautifully,
and the singing of the following
hymn, composed by Mrs. Emma
Dillingham;, ,fttingly terminated the
last of the long series of services
held in this historic building:
Farewell Hymn.
By MRS. B. f. DILLINGHAM;.
Tune, Hamburg: page 105, Hymn
Book.
God of the ages, at Thy feet