The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-06
A UNIQUE SERVICE.
RE DelicaSion Of HAPPY Home In
AouatO0,

U00I00yu0A ~ q
Houston.
Tho following discourse was delivered BY
the Rev. Mr.. Rankin, late pastor OF Shearn
Methodist church, at the dedication OF the
homo Of Mr.. J. NJ. Frost on Gray and
Bagby streets, Thursday evening last:
Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.
but ns for me and my house, we will serve
the Lord. Joshua xiv, 10.
I'm my Fathers house are many man
sions'--John xiv. i.
have selected for this occasion those
two texts because they are appropriate to a
service OF this unique character. We have
gathered here to dedicate this home to the
glory Of God; to turn It over to the keeping
Of Him who is too wise to err and too good
TO do wrong.
This is exactly what Joshua did In this
first text. He called his people about him
and recounted the mercies of Sod In their
history, and wanted TO know II they were
willing to continue their service to Him;
did they want to turn back to the idols OF
Egypt Then he said AS for me and NY
house. We will serve the Lord" He has
kept and preserved us and henceforth we
are His: let others do as they may, cur
purpose Is fixed and here We stand. The
people agreed to do likewise and as long |
as they kept that vow. they were happy |
and prosperous. Their troubles pever came |
until they forgot God. So .his father and |
mOtueT utSlre 10 uellcate tnls NOW rome |
to sacred purposes We are come here TO |
Join them In this laudable Undertaking
They have builded this nousc ard they fvw
give 1t with themselves and their children
into the hands OF covenant kecring
Father. It is no longer theirs. but His
Here He VIII dwell and around about IL He
VIII encamp Within these walls children
VIII be taught to reverence and honor God
in all their ways. His 1aw is 20 become
their delight. This is as It should he The
home is the unit OF society. Let the hcme
do Its duty to God and childhood ord We
VIII have fewer court houses aud prisons
When children learn obedience here they
Will then obey law when they 20 out into
the world. The need OF this age Is GOOD
religious home-iifc. This is ihe fountain
of character. Start the child-li'e light
and the mau-life will take care OF itself Z
This Is what this home in which We are
NOW gathered proposes 10 DO. Let others I
do 5s they may. this family intends "a serve
God They have projected ihair hour On ,
this sort OF principle They here and now
recognize The boun,Iful hand 'hEt has led {
and prpspered them. MAY this holy psIrrosa
reproduce itself a hundred fold Il, 'ae life t
Of their children. As they grow up and y
80 out INFO the world. may the religious
influence OF this home follow them as the
incense al worship. May they look 20 II
"a aFier years ard rca!ize hat here ,hoy 4
fffe trained for God ard Usefulness. ana
shen these parents have grown az aud
Frinkled and gray may thcY ,tM nna III. \
iand Of Ccl iciding them ana when lie =,
nan cease may they l-d home in =
i'aFen This ig where .hc second text a
ONES in. This present house se3i-ste5 10 o
'od Is @ type 81 ihe oae above vhieh Christ =,
ais Wy Fathers house. Tor The reilg .ous
ONE IS next 20 Heaven When Nc are 50
Trough With our earthly louses. We IAN Il
ntcr INTO our Fathers house on hieh. II
"a % ms .ha. ihese parents IRE BOW living n
le neneeiciion Of Heaven ever rcs, upon Z a,
rs home May God The Father God the ~
on. God the Holy Ghost accept this offer -
y ana sanciify and keep f. unto the end.
Ay MS hand heuceforih hc upon 10 FOR 4,
'od and hT Ard hy may lie bring this 90
irer anf mother ard all ~ tbel- rhild-e,
20 mat house not made with houses cter- q"
II aud In the heavens Amen and amen p.