The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-05-07

past three O'Clock, the hour fixed for
the ceremonies, witnessed about two
thousand people congregated around
the new building, and in which audi
ence was gathered representatives
from all denominations of the Tow.
After appropriate remarks by the
pastor Rev. b. c. Conner, in which
he spoke feelingly of the fraternal
spirit which existed among the differ
ent churches, stating that all the
ministers of the town were present
with the exception of Rev. ID. N.
Kirkby of ST. Paul's Episcopal Church
who was unavoidably detained on ac-
count Of holding service at Catawissa.
The next number on the program was
the singing Of hymn No. $50 as found
in the Church Hymnal. Led by the
choir of the church the whole audi
ence joined in the singing, and made
the welkin ring with the words.
o Lord Of hosts, whose glory fills
The bounds Of the eternal hills,
And yet vouchsafes, in Christian lands,
To dwell in temples made with hards
Grant that all we who here to-day
Rejoicing this foundation lay,
May be in every deed thine own,
Built on the precious Cornerstone.
Endue the creatures with thy grace
That shall adorn thy dwelling place;
The beauty of the oak and pine,
The gold and silver, make them thine.
The heads that guide endue with skill
The hands that work preserve from i'll
That we, who these foundations lay,
May raise the topstone in its day.
Even the birds in the surroundiny
trees seemed to catch the spirit Of the
occasion and lent their voices to the
melody.
Rev. M. E. McLinn, of Virginia,
read the prayer as laid down in the
discipline for occasions Of this kind,
after which there was responsive
scripture reading conducted by Rev.
G. w. Currin, ofthe United Evan
gelical church, which was followed by
brief scripture reading from the New
Testament by Rev. A. w. Hont~
Rev. l. M. Patterson, of the Presby-
terian church upon being introduced
made some very appropriate remarks
dwelling largely upon the good feeling
which existed between the differen
denominations of the town, and CO.
graduating the congregation upon the
progress they had made in the new
enterprise. Rev. c. H. Brandt of the
Reformed church said among othel
things "that only few months age
we met here to break ground and
brought you the greetings of my con
gregation. We come to-day to bring
you greetings for the success yol
have attained. This gathering assures
us that the building will be completed
and we invoke Gods blessing upoI
your endeavors. The corner stone
suggests several thoughts, Ist. IT.
prominence. The corner stone is thu
prominent one. So it is with th'
christian, he is prominent man b.
reason of his good works. end. 1t
durable character. 1t has been select
ed with great care. This is also ;
characteristic of the christian. 1t ha
a name. People by looking at it vii
know what church it is. The christian
has name and it is written in th'
Lambs Book of Life. 4th. The ston'
contains something valuable to tn
church: So with the christian, hC
too contains something. Character
Integrity and all that goes to make u
a manly man, and it was all brough
about by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then came the singing of hymn
No. SOL.
This stone to thee in faith we lay
To thee this temple, Lord, we build;
Thy power and goodness here display,
And be it with thy presence filled.
Here when thy people seek thy face,
And dying sinners pray to live,
Hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling place,
And when thou nearest, Lord, forgive!
Here, when thy messengers proclaim
The blessed gospel of thy son,
Still, by the power of his great name,
BE mighty signs and wonders done
Thy glory never hence depart;
Yet choose not, Lord, this house alone;
my Kingdom come to every heart,
In every bosom fix thy throne.