The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-11

| their Universalist friends and neighbors
over the success of the new church en-
! terprise. 1t was an assembly of unusual
interest. A thunder shower at the very
hour appointed for the meeting dimin-
ished the attendance at the opening, but
after the rain was over, the church was
fairly we'll filled.
Among the Galesburg clergy who were
present were Dr. Hood, Presbyterian;
DR.. Blodgett. Methodist; DIR. Sheriff.,
Baptist; Rev. D. E. Day, and Rev. G. F.
Haas, Secretary and Manager of the
Young Mems Christian Association.
DIR. Stocking, the Universalist pastor,
read the Psalm. Prayer was offered by
Mr.. Hass. DR.. Stocking then welcomed
the pastors and members OF the other
churches and spoke of the feeling of
union prevalent among the Galesburg
| churches. He introduced Mr.. Hass who
quoted the text, "Have we not all one
Father? Hath not one God created us?"
He said: ut is glorious thing that
people meet thus together, that such
changes have taken place in the re-
ligious world that permits such happy
gathering. The religion of Jesus Christ
must not be like the granite rock, dead
and Interchangeable, but like the tree with
the life in its heart, that changes it's ex-
terror from bare branches to a thing of
beauty. So we must be living churches
here in Galesburg and unite our forces
against evil"
DR.. Sheriff. next said: II know of
place in the West where the saloon
keepers have erected building where
they invite the boys and young men to
try games of chance and furnish them
with light drinks. What if here in
Galesburg we consecrated a building
to such purposel Well might the
pastors decline to come, but today we
dedicate a building to the service of
God. We give thanks that the people
are willing to give their money, that the
pastor is ready to sacrifice and work for
such grand purpose. We join hands
again in the work that God gives us to
do.
Rev. Mr.. Day expressed the pleasure
he had in being present He said the
church was the prettiest he had seen in
Galesburg. II believe that we Chris
tian denominations should mingle more
than we do. 1t is very easy for one man
to think he has all the truth and that
no one else has any truth. | am tired of
this doctrine. ! welcome truth wher-
ever it may come from. We are all ap-
proximating toward truth. One Lord
and Saviour brings us all together at
the feet of a common Master. The
choir then sang "Lo, This is Our God"
Mr.. Jelliff taking the solo.
Dr. Hood, Of the Presbyterian Church,
followed with his word of congratulation:
This is beautiful sanctuary. 1t is a
perfect gem. am glad that you have
it. | understand how you feel as a
pastor and people. You have been
toiling together, living in anticipation.
Today you are permitted to enter these
walls. and your hearts rejoice. You are
glad. You can hardly realize that it is
true. Is it reality or dream? wish
to congratul ate the pastor and people
on your work. The old edifice you ap.
preciated, but it had done its work; you
wanted building more in keeping with
the times; you have done this work very
quietly; you are consecrated. Others
have helped you, but in the main you
have built this church yourselves. May
your hearts always be as glad as they
are today. l bring you the prayers and
greetings of the people represent.
Dr. Blodgett. Methodist, followed. II
congratulate you on the successful COM
pletion of your work. You cannot be
very bad people with the light streaming
upon you through these beautiful win
dowsl l am glad as a Methodist minis
ter that the people do not now object to
their pastors mingling with those of
other churches. The spirit of kindness
has never been such as it is today. We
are working with the same object, for
the same cause. We are all working for
the right. We differ in some of our
views, but we bid you God speed. We
can stand on a common platform and
say Our Christ is marching on"
DIR. Cantwell was next introduced, DIR.
Stocking saying that he was not to"beg"
on that occasion. The Doctor said that he
should beg-pardon for appearing again
before the people after the two hours
and half he had stood before them in
the morning. He did need to congratu-
late the people on the success of the new
church. He had done that already in