The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-20
new CHURCH.


raise up a powerful patron and benofactor
and to supply means of completing the work.
This aid was given conditionally. They were
To put away whatever was unworthy OF them
the people of God, and devote themselves
to His service. Thus doing they were pros
pered and completed the house which de
promised them should bo more glorious than
tho richer house that had been destroyed.
For tho new house would be honored by the
Lord in person, who should inaugurate
world wide glorious redemption. Such
worthiness should be our aim, and the expec-
tation Of larger blessings in the future than
in the past IL not unreasonable.
But while our whole dependence Is upon
God, under Him our whole dependence Is
upon ourselves. We are tho people who are
here. We are therefore the people upon whom
He has laid this work IL is by our prayers,
our sacrifices, our efforts, our courage, our
enthusiasm, that the work must be sustained
and carried 10 completion. That we may be
moved and sustained by those necessary
qualities we must keep in touch with Him
who calls US 90 this work And in order to do
this we must nightly lay hold upon Him by
prayer. Jesus said Of difficult work that
had proved too hard for the Disciples, "this
kind goeth not out but by prayer and fast
ing" 50 we have a work in hand for extra
binary wrestling for the divine blessing.
And besides prayer there must bo liberal
offerings unto God that are in keeping with
the generous help we ask of God.
find some Of tie most retiring Of our
people speaking words Of hope and courage
that must have been prompted by the pirit
of God. such words as these. speaking for
tho family: ave are going to make extra
ordinary efforts 10 aid in this work" An
other said, "My income has been cut off. but
l am going to take from the principal for this
work" Another dependent upon unremun-
erativo labor for livelihood. not able to give
large sum in one year, making compact
with God TO give a goodly sum III five annual
payments. Then you are all knowing how
our good Sister Sherman's appeal 10 those
who had been under her Sunday school in
struction demonstrated the existence Of a
general and doep interest in the work Now
he who has moved the hearts Of these friends
whose unsolicited purposes have come 70 our
knowledge, to do large work for God-as
large as oircumstancens will allows moving
Others j believe, from whom we have not
heard TO do like liberal things for God. In
deed, the great question that those are con-
sidering who live in touch with the Spirit OF
God Is: Chow can manage TO make large
gift for my God :" The committee appointed
TO solicit subscriptions propose to make gen.
eral canvas of the community. They viii
provide for one or more annual payments.
according 10 the way subscribers may best be
accommodated. And IL is hoped that those
who love God Will make their offering prac-
tical measurement of their loving and trust
effort TO do this there will be such generous
response that the indebtedness beyond the sum
raised will not be heavy burden TO carry.
A general feeling of favor is reported TO
exist III the community outside of the church
and congregation. The old residents have
nearly all at some time been members of tho
Sunday school, or in some other way been
identified with the interests Of the work, and
have hearty desire for its prosperity. This
is not TO say that some of them have not at
times criticized ii, but criticism in many in
stances betoltens real interest There is
some degree of feeling that this church be-
longs to them, and that they may criticize by
right OF ownership. Newcomers of public
spirit have an interest in the matter, certainly
to the extent of desiring 10 sec the place fur
nished with church edifce that will be a
of them we trust will desire to sec the church
duly equipped with all facilities needful for the
work which it aims to do, and desire this
for the common welfare of the people. 1t is a
well certified fact that well appointed and
active church is a material benefit To property
holders. The best class of people are at
tracted 20, and become permanent residents
Of places thus benefited, while a village without
chr taH Of IFS bag
people and the property depreciates in value.
Real estate agents make special point when
they can of advertising good churches con-
venient to the property for sale or rent and
often make large contributions to furnish
their patrons with facilities for worship.
There are instances of this in our immediate
neighborhood. And what business men do TO
build up new places business men in old places
may reasonably be expected TO do to preserve
the religious and social interests of their
chosen homes Our appeal for aid TO business
men in our own community is thus put upon
a business basis. IL is for tho material inter
ests of the entire community Shat this church
should be aided in building the new cdifice 10
an extent that will relieve IL of any crippling
burden OF debt And so our appeal will be of
the nature of n reasonable claim, for what
makes for the benefit of all has a just claim
upon all
There is another aspect Of the matter that
people will kindly remember. For 30 years
and moro n church edifco has occupied this
spot. During all this time IL has been opened
for every proper use OF the public. Not only
have the people been welcomed 10 the dis
tnctively religious services, but il has been
freely granted for various matters of general
interest. Moral reforms have enjoyed hearty
hospitality. Citizens business meetings of
various kinds have met here without objec-
tion. Hundreds of funeral services have been
attended here. Everything pertaining TO the
public welfare has had the uso Of whatever
house has stood on this spot, and, with scarcely
an exception, at the sole expense Of the
ciety. IL may be reasonably expected that
the community choerfully furnished with
n house, light and heat as occasion demanded
will feel IL obligatory 10 help us in this
oxigency Of ours, out Of grateful appreciation