St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-16

power OF regeneration. i nelr naDlCS
are bad; their faults so many that they
seem to be almost without redeeming
qualities. Some of these are honest, but
they are vaclllating-either weak or
possessed of faults which only the
power of God can enable them to over
come. Simon, for such was his name
until Jesus named him Peter, possessed
vaciliating, almost tickle nature.
And why Jesus should have selected
him, the most unlikely of all his follow
ers, for the corner stone Of his church
was the wonder. Simon seemed to have
but one redeemIng quality, and that
was honesty. Every promise he made
to his Lord and master was made with
an honest intention, and he broke not
one promise through an evil motive.
When Jesus told him that he would
deny him thrice, Peter protested that he
would never leave him, with a feeling
of the deepest pain that Jesus should
have the slightest doubt of his faithful
ness or ability to be true to him.
Peter never dreamed that IL wonld be
possible for him to deny his Lord and
Master. Immediately after he had de-
MED Jesus he was as much surprised at
what he had done as any one else could
have been. So the whole career OF
Simon up to a certain point is full of
disappointing features. AT one time he
calls forth the highest admiration, and
a moment afterward he does something
that fills his admirers with sorrow and
with shame for him. This was the
stone that was rejected by the builders;
and see, 1t is the browning stone of the
building! Jesus selected Peter as the
rock upon which to found His church
for purpose.
The work of the church was to be
that of regeneration, and what more
fitting than that it should be founded
upon the work of regeneration? Jesus
indicated that the church was for the
Jew and Gentle alike, and sent Peter
out to found the church also among the
Gentiles. Peter was now regenerated.
lie was no longer called Simon, nor
Simon Peter, but just Peter, the rock.
He was no longer the vaScillating, err
ing Simon, but Peter, a veritable rock.
He preached Jesus among both Jews
and GentileS with an unf1inching firm
ness. He went out into the wilderness
spreading the gospel without fear of
personal harm. His courage knew no
bounds, and his course was answering.
He closed his discourse with glow
ing perOratiOn upon the work before
the church which is now provided with
the beautiful structure.
DR.. Wells spoke without notes. and
every utterance seemed to be the inspir-
alton of the moment. But, unlike
most eXtemporaneous orators, his effort
was complete structure, every word,
sentence and thought fitting into the
whole with eXactness. He is ornate
without being extravaganza; profound,
but holding the StricteSt attention at
all times of the most ordinary under
standing; spiritual, with the ability to
impress the most unspiritual nature.
His address was a rare treat, which will
not be forgotten by the many fortunate
ones present. 1t was most difficult to
select and fit together from his discourse
anything which can give an adequate
idea OF his power.
OTHER EXERCISES.
At the close OF his address the choir
sang an anthem, 1.-The Hallowed Day
Hath Shined Upon U.s." Then the
choir led the congregation in singing
hymn No. 769; tune, Ware.
Dr.Ingersoll asked the congregation
visitors and church members-to arise
and join in the responses while he read
the dedicatory covenant. Everybody
Joined in the responses. At the conclu-
sion of the covenant the audience re-
manned standing while the choir sang
Gloria Patri.
Rev. DR.. Albert II. Heath, of Plym-
outh church, was down on the pro-
gramme for the dedicatory prayer, but
Dr.. Ingersol said that he had received
note from DR.. Heath stating that after
his morning service at Plymouth he was
taken ill, and could not be present.
Rev. S. W. Dickinson, OF Atlantic Con-
gregational church, was called upon,
and made the dedicatory prayer.
DR.. Ingersoll said that it was usual at
dedications to take up collection, but
on this occasion the rule would be de-
parted from. The otfertory on the pro-
gramme was therefore omitted. He said
that the structure was now complete,
with the exception that the large
plate glasses were not yet placed in the
Mackubin side window, but will be this
week; and there were a few little
things yet to be done. The rostrum
furnishings are as fine as are to be
found in any city, and DIR. IngersoIl
said, in abiding to them, that when the
question of these furnishings was under
consideration it occurred 10 him that he
would like to have some of his old East
ern home surroundings; and so he sat
down and wrote to nine of his old
Brooklyn pensioners. Every one of
the nine responded, and greatly outdid
his expectations.
The pulpit Bible" said he, sis the