The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-22

quickened anxiety for the increased in
fiuence and usefulness of our loved Zion.
What could be more timely than to i'm
prove this first Sabbath morning after
our great "feast OF dedication" by draw
Ing double encouragement from what was
accomplished in the old church and
from what we have O right TO expect will
be achieved in the more commodious
new? This prophetic utterance from the
lips of Haggai has reference to two
splendid temples which stood for many
centuries on Mount Moriah, within the
walls Of ancient Jerusalem. The one
erected by Solomon was the most iilustri-
Gus structure ever built upon earthly
foundations. It's rredecessor-the Taber-
nscie-is said to have cost million and q
half dollars. But Solomon's temple was
double the size OF the tabernacle and
probably cost more than twice a. much.
For about 800 years IL served its high pur-
pose, and then by Nebu buchadnezzar 1t was
destroyed. After the 20 years of CALLING
captivity in Babylon a goodly mum Der of
Jews gladly returned to the ruins of their
dear old Jerusalem, where, under the
leadership of Zerubbabel; its broken
down walls were rebuilt aud the temple
restored to more than IT'S former dimen-
sions, but not TO its former splendor. 1t
was while this great work was being car
ried forward under saddening discourage
mcnts that Gods prophet heartened the
workers by the assurance that "the glory
OF this latter house shall be greater than
Of the former" IT Is an historical fact
that this greater glory did not consist In
external superiority, for it was not nearly
80 rich and elegant as the one built by
Solomon. And then also seversl of the
divine glories of the first temple were
wanting in this--the ark. the Unni and
Thummim, the fire from heaven and the
Shechinah. Wherein, then, did its
greater glory consist? 1t is usually con-
ceded that it consisted in the presence Of
the true Messiah. All that had preceded
in the way of Tabernacle. temple. sacred
objects, persons and places were only
types, shsoows and sym bols of Him who
was the enduring reality. Here, then,
VIZ uhNe tuo VI vi bbe Wuoio mhtteTs
From that day to this, whenever one
church building has become more glori-
GUS than the one from whicn it sprang
the great essential element OF superiority
has always tcen simply this, viz: The
latter has enjoyed larger measure of the
Christ presence and manifested a larger
OF the Christ spirit than the
former. Not for one moment would we
stoop TO cast the slightest rerroach upon
he old Mat thewson Street Methodist
Episcopal Church eciice. Ii was a model
In its day and served its purpose grandiy.
upon the able and faithful
and devoted membership who
for nearly bali century made the old
structure mighty oenter Of moral and
spiritual blessing. We cordially and gladly
recognize their sold worth and their
heroic achievements. We tesrtily rejoice
with them in the grc,t works they were
enabled to do, in the hundreds converted |
Il the old church aitsrs, in tie numerous
,hildIen taught the sweet truths of our |
blessed gospel In the Sunday school, In |
he untold strength and encouragement |
5oward holy living derivei from her clrss !
prayer meetings. love fessts and |
watch right services, the Inspiration |
,sugtt from tie pulpit ministrstions OF |
Der illustrious divines. We beirtily re-
uite With these who pre,e1ei Us in al. |
re success tbeF hand In winning souls |
% Christ I'm building up teiievers and !
iding eari est Christian pilgrims u reach |
heir home above. All honor t. these /
. no have fought so brayely. sicriiced 50
inselfshly end triumpbei ~ cloriousiy.lt u |
8 hecausc they did 50 vel. thst We are un-
Ter heavier obligations 90 do stili letter.
Ae must DO better than they in order to /
! . ~ well. by re son OF our gre itly IN.
y esse3 facilities aud enl,rged opportu.
iiiies. When tie former church was butt
be entire IroIe.ts was vslae st only
g 1000. our property today Is estlmstei
more than four tircs thlt amount.
ca on the citv's population was q little
csss than f2,o0l. Now IL is about four
i-es - many. Many otrer advantages