The Portland daily press., 1895-10-28
:ssS
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1t Reopens Yesterday in Beautified
Form

The First Presbyterian church on Park
street, reopened yesterday afternoon, at
ter several weeks, having undergone q
grand transformation. The walls are
delioately tinted, the new stained glass
windows on one side put in, the new
carpets laid, and in every way the church
is credit to the society. The repairs
have cost about $1,000. Up to yesterday
some $500 had been contributed to pay
off the debt, and it isssprobable that the
collections yesterday will swell this
amount to a large sum. The collections
have not yet been ascertained. The mu-
sic was fine yesterday, and was furnished
by Misses Hovey and Nelson, Messrs.
Morgan and Parkman, who sang with
5 great spirit and feeling. After the anthem
by the choir at the afternoon service, the
Rev. Mr.. McGilvery conducted the exer-
cises. The Lord S prayer was followed
by the Gloria by the choir psalm 81
and.hymn IA, the reading of the Scrip
lures, prayer and response, hymn 273,
and offertory by the choir
The Rev. O. S. Dewing, of Boston.
superintendent of Now England work,
preached the sermon from II Chronicles,
XIV, 4, "And Joash was minded to
repair the house of the Lord The
speaker after explaining the eircum-
stances relating to the improvement of
their temple of worship and congratulate
ing the people of the Presbyterian church
of this city on the energy and good taste
displayed in the improvements made
in their SANITARY, said that God IS con-
stantly engaged in the work OF renewal,
and didn't leave the world to run itself,
but was continually renewing and bea u
tifying it, He is constantly renewing
human hearts,
He then spoke, first. of the motives that
led the king to the reopening of the
temple First, personal gratitude Dur
ing his infancy and early childhood
Joash was secreted in the temple TO pro-
tect him from the murderous hand OF
Athaliah. She had slain every heir to
the throne except Joash. The speaker
said that probably every window and
alcove of the temple reminded Joash OF
the protecting hand of God and it was
probably gratitude for his deliverance
that called him to undertake the work
of repairing the temple Now, said the
speaker, we all doubtless owe great
deal to God. Our first memories are his
temple. Our childhood and homes are
made happier by these memories.
Secondly, the preacher spoke of the
moral value of the house of God which
prompts us to keep it in good repair and
make it comedy. Rev. DR.. Parkhurst evil
denced this value in New York city by
bringing the power of God to bear onHevil
works. Real estate in Portland would
be of little value if you should give up
the churches, the nation itself would drop
back into barbarism. Thirdly. the spirit
ual value of the house of God is a reason
why we should keep it in excellent con-
dition. People often come to church de-
PRESSED and cast down, and get consola-
ton and inspiration from the service.
Again we should dwell on the methods
of renewal First, Joash was minded to
repair the house of the Lord. That work
started in the mind 1t became pur-
pose. He referred to his sermon preached
ct UD6 1QSUdlldUlOu Ol UiC pdtSuOI VI uiiio
church few weeks ago. 1t was from
Samuel and had for it's text, "There
went with him band OF men into whose
hearts God had entered" He prophesied
then that the pastor would be leader
He it was who had prompted the good
work whose results are seen today. Sec
ondly, there must be enthusiasm in the
WORK ThiEaaS al must cooperate. 1t
is a united spfrss thsFs accomplishes great
Things. Joash raised money for the re-
opening of the temple by novel scheme.
He had chest madeswith hole in it
in which the contributions were placed.
The pastor of the church. showed ingenuity
in making and distributing the little
albums in which the money could be put.
The speakers last point was persever-
enoe which aceomplishes all things TO the
glory Of God.
After the sermon there was music by
the choir, and the offering taken, fol-
lowed by prayer. singing of hymn 1913 and
the benediction.
There was an evening service at which
Rev. Mr. Dewing, also preached the ser
mon. Both services were largely attend
ed