Morning journal and courier., 1893-03-20
EPwoRTH CHURCH DEDICATED.


 teen Thousand Dellars-Will be Ten Thousand Dollars Before the Close
 of the Week.
 The dedication of the Epworth M. church, which took place in the beautiful new church building, corner of Orange and Edward streets, yesterday, was one of the strikingly notable events in the history of Methodism in this city. The cornerstone was laid last summer by Bishop Goodsell and now the handsome new church crowns the efforts of the con- gregation, which although comparatively small in numbers is rapidly growing and great in its enthusiasm and devotion. The land and building cost $50,000, and it now makes one of the most beautiful church edifoes in the city, located in one of the pleasantest residence districts of the city. The church auditorium presents 8 most beautiful appearance in the interior. There are seventeen large memorial will dowa, which have been previously referred to in the COURIER. They lend to the interior of the church rich blending of color, shedding as 1t were
 "A dim, religious light"
 which makes 1t most attractive. The main entrance of the edifce Is from Orange street. After passing through the main hall the auditorium Is entered with the pews arranged in a ssmi circle around the altar. With tho large gallery which ex- tends three quarters around the church and the Sunday school room which can be joined with the main auditorium by throw
 Sa1r rr,it or11f torium itself, fully ], 200 people are enabled to listen to the voice of the preacher. The pews and galleries are finished in light colors, which give the church bright. cheerful appearance. The congregation ia much pleased with the elegant new organ, which was used for the first time in public yesterday, and a description of which was given Saturday.
 The morning service opened with the or gan prelude, the singing of the doxology and the repeating of the Lords prayer, followed by the anthem: "Come, Gracious Spirit" After this about twenty new members were received, followed by the holy communion. After prayer, reading of Burnes of South Norwalk preached an elo- euent sermon, which was especially appro- priste as Mir. Burnes was born and bred in tbis city and was member of this copgre- gation when 1t worshipped in the old St. John street church. He studied for the ministry while a member then and has aincs reached fattering position in this conference. The church was crowded with people as it also was at the other services throughout the day.
 At the afternoon meeting, after the organ prelude, the anthem, "Ye Bound less Realms of Joy," WEE rendered, which
 fo1I I- $1a i,,-n a,,I prayer. Rev Bishop Cyrus Foss, D. D. :, IL. D then preached the dedicatory ser mon. He took for his text, "Whst think ye of Christa'' Matthew xxvi, 66, and he spoke to the congregation as follows: ''The history of Christ is the truest and most real possession we have. His history can be just as we'll authenticated from it's beginning until its end as the history of Abraham Lincoln. I have seen the marks of blood on the pillow on which Abraham Lincoln died. But it did not take spots of blood to show me that Abraham Lincoln was great man and died martyr.
 Thus it is with Christi we know he died on the cross as well as though we had The speaker then eloquently sketched the progress of Christianity and his closing application of his remarks were truly powerful
 After the bishop had finished speaking Rev. Dr. Couch, who is well known as a successful preacher in securing funds and raising money for churches, made 8 very earnest appeal for more money. He read the list of thosa who had subscribed | at the morning service, among which were l $1 ,000 by the Ladies' Aid society and $500 | by the Earnest Workers. The Sunday | school is pledged to provide for the inter ! %ho 1al oX amount to over s1O,OOO after the end of this weeks labors. Among the ministers l who were present at the meeting were Dr. | A. D. Vail of Trinity M. E church, Dr. William V. Kelley of the First M. E. ! church, Dr. Couch, Bishop Foss, Dr. l Phillips of the Church of the Redeemer, Rev. Bnrdette Hart of Fair Haven,
 Rev. s. Dryden Phelps, Rev. MT. Mason of the First Baptist church, Rev. MT. Meserve | of the Davenport church Rev. MI. DeLsrme | of the Hops Baptist ehurch, Rev. Smith W. ! rolles of the Summerfield M. E. church, Rev. Mir. Arbuckle of the Howard avenue M B. church, Rev. MT. Hand of the East Pearl street (Fair Havep) M. E. church, Rsv MT. Abbott of the West Haven M. E. l church, and Rev. MT. Burnes of South Nor walk.
 THE EVENING SERVICE.
 The church was again crowd e1 to it's ut- most capacity at the evening service, many being willing to stand throughout the entire service. The service was of e l more than usually interesting nature and | opened with an organ prelude, followed by an anthem, "Jubilate Deo," magnifcently rendered by the enlarged choir. Then fol
 lowed prayer by Bishop Foss. After the | singing of hymn, selections from the scriptures were read by BishopF oss and Rsv | Dr. Couch. After en anthem, Sweet is
 Thy Mercy, Lord," had been feelingly and | beautifully rendered by the double quar- | tette, the pastor of the church announced I that he had met with the only disappoint- | ment of the day. This, he explained, was l the non appearance of Gov. Luzon B.. l Morris. Judge s. E. Baldwin. who was present, however, consented to speak in his stead.
 Judge Baldwin said in brief am called upon in the absence of the governor to represent the state of Connecticut. It is eminently fitting that in the dedicatory services of 8 church, the state should be | represented, for it is an important thingin government to have church like this. It | is valuable ally to the state. There is no l ally to the state like church of any de- nomination, but it is the best ally of the state when 1t is separated from the state.
 Methodism is perhaps the one denomina- | tion which has pre- eminently taught this
 doctrine. Wesley taught it to England | 150 years. l welcome you to this church
 in the name of the state and hope you may
 long enjoy it and it may be a mountain for good in the city and state. Long may this
 church be here, a fountain of life and blessedness to all.
 l Judge Baldwin's remarks were followed ! by the basket collection which was fol
 lowed in turn by the singing of the hymn specially written for the occasion by Fan ! by Crosby, the we'll known and dearly be- | loved blind writer of hymns.
 Then followed few brief remarks by
 Mayor Sargent. A brief extract of his
 remarks are as follows; It is little less | than fifty years ago that spent six years of my life in upper Georgia where I be-
 came acquainted with many Methodists
 and intimately acquainted with the ener-
 getic, zealous Methodist preacher of the gospel known as the circuit rider, a man
 always ready to go where his duty called him, facing all manner and sorts of hard | ships. The country was sparsely settled l and the life of circuit rider was no easy | one. I have often thought since to what great extent the civilization and religion of
 the country Is due to Methodism and the
 untiring and ceaseless efforts of the Metho-
 dist circuit rider. A great debt of grati- tude is due the denomination for the work
 1t has done in the matter of evangelizlng