The morning times., 1896-05-04

With ceremonies appropriate to the
occasion the National New Church, corner
SiAteentb and Corcoran streets, was for
mally dedicated to the service of God
yesterday morning. The services at
tending the opening OF the church were sol
emn and impressive and the good impress
sions made Will remain long in tie meIn-
ory of those who were present. The attend
ancc was limited TO the capacity Of the
church.
The altar and cbancel were tdstefuly
adorned with potted plants and flowers,
and in a corner OF the seats reserved for the
choir there We're several potted plants,
which added much to tie good appearance
of the church. The interior OF the sacred
edifice was bright and inviting, aud pre-
Sented a pleasant aspect to the large
congregation.
AT 1870 O'Clock the forty ministers
came in, during tie singing OF the process
sional hymn, Rev. John Worcester, presl-
dent of the convention, bearing the Speer
Bible, which he laid on the altar. The
six general pastors took seats within
the chancel railing, the remainder occu-
pying tie forward pews
RECEIVED THE BUILDING.
Rev. Mr.. Woroest presided and opened
the services with prayer, in which lie in
voked divine aid in maintaining the ediilce
for the objects and purposes for which 1t
was erected and was TO be dedicated Sew
eral passages of Scripture were read, Rev.
JabeZ Fox of this city reading the first
lesson. Rev. John Goddard of Ohio read
the responses and Rev. s s.. Seward OF New
ork the second lesson.
the service Mrs s. Oldberg had charge
OF the choir. Miss Meem was the so,Oist
and Miss Sewell organist. Following the
preliminary services The presentation OF
the keys OF the church TO the president
were made by Mr.. William McGeorge. repre-
senting the National Church building COM
mittec, the church thus becoming the
property OF the general convention.
Tie building was received by the prCsi-
dent, and a response made therefor. The
dedlcaLory sermon was then delivered by
the Rev. James Reed, of Boston, WHO took
for his text the passage of Scripture found
in Rev. Xxi:22-"And l saw no temple
therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the
lamb are the temple of it,
These words occur I'm the description OF
the New Jerusalem, with which the Holy
Scriptures close That description, as we
know, belongs to glowing prophecy of
final happy state Of men on earth. II does,
indeed, present picture of heaven. but OF
heaven brought down into this world: for
the holy city was seen descending from
God out Of heaven.
THE DEDICATORY SERMON.
at is held by those who will worship
here that the period forctold in this divine
promise is even now beginning: for which
reason their church is called by the name
New Jerusalem Not that we would
Il.
of what is so beautifully depicted in the
account Of the holy city; far from it.
But, believing with all our hearts that the
former things have passed away, and
that new spiritual dag is dawnng, which
opens TO mankind endless possibilities pre-
viously MISUNDERSTANDING also that this
day is ushered i'll by fresh and distinctive
revelation OF Christian truth-how can we
do otherwise than give expression 10 the
faith within US, and the hopes we cherish.
by adopting the name in which they are II
summa riZed?
The New Jerusalem, therefore, stands
In our view, not for the condition TO which
we have attained, but for the ideal after
which we hunbly strive, and which we
seek to make a living reality on earth:
even the name of Christianity-w also
we desire to bear-sh0uld signify, to all
who assume it, not that they are, but that
they aspire to be the worthy followers and
disciples of the Lord Jesus Christi
The Washington New Church Society
was established fifty years ago. The build
ing committee having charge Of the Wash
ington church dedicated yesterday was
appointed at the meeting of the convention
held here seven years ago. Ground was
broken in October. 1894. and the corner
stone !aid December ! - OF the same wear
The eedifiCe andits furnishings cost S1O5 ,0G0.
EXERCISES BY THE CHILDREN.
At O'Clock in the afternoon special
services were held in the AfriCan New
Church Mission Sunday-sChoOl. corner OF
Tenth and Y streets, at which several
speeches Were made by visiting pastors
There were exercises by the children OF the
school, singing and Rotations, and a
special praise program bv tire coIored
people.
Last night services were also held there
at which addresses were made by the Rev.
John Worcester. of Newtonville, Mass, and
Rev. A. F. Frost, Of Cambridge, Mass.
The services last evening in the New
Church, Sixteenth and Corcoran streets,
We're of a most interesting ma ture. Rev.
Frank Sewall, the pastor, conducted them,
and Rev. Lewis T. Mercer, of Chicago,
preached the sermon. The exercises were
a continuation of the dedicatory services
earlier In the day. Rev. Mr.. Hoeck, of
and Rev. II. c. Hay of Providence, the
second lesson.
GOSPEL OF THE SECOND ADVENT.
Rev. Mr. Mercers sermon was on THE
Gospel of the Second Advent" from John
xvi:S-11-"When He Is come He viii
convince the world of sin, OF righteousness
and of judgment; of sin, because they be
leve not on Me; Of righteousness because
1 go to the Father and ye see Me no more;
of Judgment, because the Prince of this
world is Judged
Referring to the fiftieth anniversary of
the WaShingt Society and the dedication
of the National Church, Mr.. Mercer said
it seemed appropriate TO attempt to ex-
plain the real import of the Gospel which
the New Church has TO proclaim. The
New Church stands for new revelation
of divine truth and a life according to it.
This, both the revelation and the posi-
bilties of new life in accordance with
1t, is the second adventO of the Lord.
The only wayin which He who is always
and everywh present can be said ito
come is by manifestation or revelation OF
Himself and by new influx of life and
power to men. His second coming is not
in person, as His first coming into the
world; but 1t is, nevertheless, real and
personal coming in the manifestation to
men Of His mind and meaning in all the
sacred Scriptures and in all the works
of creation and redemption, and the inn
partation Of power to understand and live
according TO His divine will and wisdom.