Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-14

Ocean Grove, n. j.. Auditorium Set
Apart for Worship.

The great Ocean Grove Auditorium the
largest evangelical al dience raom in the
world was formally Dedicated Sunday night
TO the service and worship OF cd by Rev
L. l.. Bowman, d. H., the senior bishop of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, assisted
by his colleagues. Bishops Walden and
Fowler. and the 200 clcrgymea of various
denominations who were present.
The massive structure cost nearly So. CO.,
but it was turned over to the Ocean Grove
Camp Meeting Association free from deiT
the last dollar of the deficiency having been
subscribed just prior to the dedication eAer-
ciSes
The first steps toward the erection of the
great monument to Methodis!n were taken
last summer, when IN enc day ST. 900 was
subscribed With this nest egg the asso-
citation began the erection of the BUILDING
which was completed in June last and
opened for divine service on Sunday. July
|. DR.. T.. n. Stokes. the venerable pres
ident of the Camp Meeting Associa ton in
sisted that the deficiency OF S26,0DO must be
raised before the auditorium was dedicated
and great efforts We're put forth by his
cabinet and the wealthy Methodists TO
raise the deficit.
Preliminary dedication services have been
held since Wednesday Of last week. Stir
ring sermons were preached by BisnnDI
Bowman and Walden. Chaplain McCaba
and other leading men of the denomina ton
The laymen, headed by Sena tor James 4
Bradley, the founder of Asbury Park, also
came to the assistance of the aSsocia ion
by holding a mass meeting and urging the
liquidation of the large deficiency. Sun
day was the date fixed for the final effort
The Threatening weather prevented thou
sands from turning out. bu: there were
$500 in the auditorium when President
Stokes announced the opening hymn The
large platform was crowded with distin-
guished ministers ard llymel. Senator
James a. Bradley of Monmouth and Sena-
tor William IL. Skirm occupied chairs near
the pulpit.
Short speeches were made by President
Stokes, Bishop Bowman, Evangelist Chas
Fl. Iatman, Senators Bradley and Skirm
and others.
President Stokes announced that il was
the intention to raise the S26GOO necessary
to free the building from debt. He then
called for subscriptions to the fund.
Another meeting was held at night
When the sermon was ended DR. Stokes
made final appeal for funds. The bishops
present also called upon the Christians to
give a portion of their worldly goods 70 the
church. and after considerable importuning
the last dollar of the deficiency was raisei
Then followed the dedication of the build
ing. The service was performed by Bishop
Bowman, assisted by Bishops Fowler and
w alden, DIR. Stokes, Dr. Hanlon, DR.. A j.
kynett and other divines. The service
which consisted of prayers, singing, Bible
reading and exhOrtations, according to
the ritual of the Methodist Church. The
members of the Camp Meeting Association
were called TO the altar by Bishop Bowman
at the close of the service, and the building
was turned over to them. After this the
doxology was sung repeatedly, brief con-
gratulatory addresses were made, and
Evangelist fatman conducted an after
meeting, when scores arose and asked for
prayers. 1t was nearly midnight when the
services closed.