St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-06-28
NEW CHURCH DEDICATED.
Fassumpsic Baptist Church Opened for
The Service of God. Large
ASSembIaoe,

hassumpsIc baptist Church Opened for
the Service of God. a Large
Assemblaee.
Everything was propitious on
Thursday of last week for the dedi-
cation of the beautiful new church of
the Baptists of Passumpsic, of which
we give cut. The weather was
warm, but not so hot that people
could not turn out in force to fill the
new edlflce to the doors. All about
the pulpit and platform, floral deco
ratlons OF tasteful description were
placed, for those who found it their
pleasure and duty to build this house
of worship, made it look as pleasing
to the eye for this, the first occasion
OF its use, as they could.
The full choir was present, and the
service opened with music. Aninvo-
cation, by the pastor, Rev. !. D.
Skinner, followed, after which the
choir sang the anthem, 81 have sure
ly built Thee a House." Scripture
reading followed by Rev. H. M.
Douglas of St. Johnsbury, then
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Service of Bar
net, and the singing of hymn 615 by
the choir and congregation.
Rev. R. L. Olds of Newport preach
ed the sermon, from the text. "But
will God in every deed dwell with
men on the earth? behold heaven,
and the heaven of heavens cannot
contain thee; how much less this
house which l have built" 2nd
Chronicles, vi: 1S.
The preacher referred to certain
amount of similarity in the occasion
on which these words were uttered,
and the present one. How Solomon.
after all the enthusiasm which he
had put into the building of the tenn
pie, was suddenly arrested by this
thought, whether or not God would
come and dwell among them. We
know that His presence did come
and dwell there, and in our case we
have the words, 10 | am with YOU
alway" to reassure Thereverend
gentleman spoke of some of the good
work done by the church of God, its
use as a temperance influence. great
er than any special temperance or.
ganlzatlon in the world; its influence
on the morals and general character
OF community, as a reforming and
uplifting agent, and cited cases which
had come within his own experience
where religion had worked almost
incredible reforms in drunkards and
other sinners.
1t was more important, said the
speaker, that this people dedicate
themselves to the service of God and
OF religious life in the community.
than that they should dedicate the
building. He called upon
them to do this, and to show the
graces of religion, and said that if
they did this that there was no doubt
but that God would dwell among
them verify,
He said the church was not a relig.
lous hospital, but a workshop, and
that the sort of work required is to
reach the unsaved outside of it and
win them for the service of Christ.
The proof of service for Christ is the
bearing much fruit. All this work
should not be lett to the pastor; the
people should take their share, and
lind out who ought to belong to the
and make efforts to win
them. The building of this church
marks an epoch whether they will or
not, The people will either be work
ing more for the Lord or less; they
have moved out OF their old tracks,
what will be their future record
A first rate religious jolli6cation is
not going to do the serious work of
the church, and everyone should ded-
cate himself as well as the building
10 the service of God.
After the sermon, the pastor spoke !