The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-29


ment to build was agitated but post.
poned when the La Plata parish decided
to build. The property is valued at
81 800. The town board donated two
thirds Of the cost of the lots.
1t is neat edifce built after the old
New England plan, with tower and
spire in front and chancel in the rear.
1t is neatly finished on the inside with
hardwood. 1t has seating capacity of
three hundred. Bro. Geo. Hastings gave
the chairs.
Rev. r. P. Reyner preached his last
sermon here few weeks previous to the
beginning of his fatal illness. Bro. VIM.
McDavitt rendered valuable lay services
until the coming Of the pastor. Bro
James Patterson superintended the con-
struction of the building.and with his de-
voted wife and family, is always to be
depended upon.
December 9th was an ideal day
bright and balmy. A large delegation
from the LaPlata church arrived at nine
o'clock. Almost the entire La Crosse
congregation we're present while con-
siderable number came from the West
where Bro. Ball has been holding meet
ings. There was also present Uncle
Daniel Fulk, of Scotland Co, where Bro.
Shinn has recently organized society.
He is in his eightieth year and came'one
hundred miles to see a Universalist
church dedicated in the State of IMis-
souri,.
At Hoo o'clock the choir opened the
services with an anthem. Bro. Ball gave
the invocation. Bro. Shinn then recited
Psalms of praise. The dedication pray
er of Bro. Ball followed, and Bro. Shinn
took for his text Genesis 1-3 "And God
said, Let there be light and there was
light" After the offertory the pastor
and congregation read the sentence of
dedication.
Bro. Shinn's sermon is briefly outlined
as follows:
"From the light of the natural world
world and from thence to the most won
derful light of all-spiritual. He traced
the light that came to Abraham in the
dense darkness of idolatry through the
long line of patriarchs and prophets.
With Jesus Christ cane the bright light
of day. Civic power, bigotry and bitter
persecution united to quench it but
failed He spoke of the Universalism of
Peter and Paul and of the early theolog
ical schools, and gave brief history Of
the introduction of the doctrine of end
less punishment into the Gospel of
Christ. He told of the horrors of the
Dark Ages and of the Reformation, of the
institution of the church by Luther.
Calvin and Wesley heralded the break
of new dawn. The religious world was
gradually coming back to the Gospel of
Christ. Then he told the wondrous
story of the sublime faith of Father Pot
ter, and the coming of John Murray,
and with passionate eloquence portrayed
the light, the love. the hope of Univer
salism.
After the dedication, with bowed
heads the people stood as Bro. Ball, in a
brief, impressive prayer asked that Gods
blessing might ever rest on the church
and congregation.
The following hymn was sung:
DCOICATION uyuN
(Tune webb)
BY IDA REYNER MARTIN,
o Father hear our voices,
On thy dear name we call;
Each happy heart reioices;
AS at thy feet we fall.
This house our hands have builded
We dedicate to Thee
temple pure and holy;
may it ever be!
No gold or gifts we bring thee,
For all was thine before;
But grateful songs we sing thee,
From out our hearts full store,
No chilling fears Cypress us;
But joy our bosoms thrills,
For we are all thy children
And love to do thy will.
Best faith of full salvation
Speed on your radiant way
Glad news to every nation,
The dawn Of loves bright day.
When all shall know the rapture
of Joy, when doubt is past
Gods love so true and tender
Must win all souls at last.
A bountiful dinner was spread in the
school house near by. After a pleasant
noon hour we re- assembled in the church.
Bro. Shinn organized a Sunday school
of thirty five members, Bro. Ed. Patter-
son, superintendent. Bro. Ball preached
stirring missionary sermon from go
ye into the world and preach the Gospel
to every creature"
The La Crosse and the La Plata
Unions held an enthusiastic devotional
meeting that resembled the typical
Methodist conference in heartiness. At
the close National Organizer Shinn
formed the Elmer young people into a
Union. 1t contains some earnest and
consecrated workers and will do able
IL,