The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-10

The pulpit and choir box are situa ted
in one corner of the room and the seat
ing is of peWs Of antique oak The
stained glass windows are very pretty,
especially the large one in the west end
of the building, which represents The
SOwer.'
BY II o'clock yesterday morning the
audience room was filled with people,
and many stood in the aisleS. Plants
were used in profusion. Music by
double Quartette, a solo and assistance
in the services by the Rev. F. E. Nal
Tory of the Second Christian church
We're the opening of the dedication
services.
Rev. D. d. Boyle, the pastor. con
was celebrated and DR.. Y. T. Sweeney,
L. L. d, of Columbus, Ind, the diplo-
mat and minister. began the dadicatOry
sermon. He was attired in a neat
Prince Albert suit and wore a bright
check puff necktie.
Probably few more eloquent divines
have visited Topeka than DR.. Sweeney.
He has a keen eye which he uses with
effect While talking, and his address is
most fOrcible. For % years past DR..
Sweeney has been pastor of the Chris
tian church at Columbus. Ind. He is
one of the big men of the church-at-
large. He is whole sOuled affable
gentleman who always adds life to any
gathering in which he is. For his text
DR.. Sweeney chose the first chapter of
PauPs letter TO the Romans, the 18th
verse: For am not ashamed of the
gospel Of Christ for it is the power of
God unto salvation"
In opening his discourse he said: IF
I were to tell you what the strongest
test of the divinity of Jesus Christ is, it
would be that which has fastened itself
upon. fOStered and cherished every
thing that is good in humanity. 1t is
the power The civilizing power of the
gospel of Jesus Christ is manifested in
several ways. Power is the connecting
link between mind and matter. No man
has ever seen power. 1t is invisible
But the work of it's cunning fingers is
everywhere visible.
Power rocked this old world as a
cradle. Power lifts up the precious
treasures of the oceans depths. Power
centerS in the seasons and changes
them. Power is our best friend when
arrayed on our side, and our worst enc
my when arrayed against US But I
speak of physical power. There is a
higher and better power. The power
that can bring cosmos out of chaos.
Gives beauty out of deformity. The
| power of the heart, of the soul, of love.
! The greatest power is the loving heart.
| No greater power can be than the low
ing heart. The angels sang Glory to
God in the highest; peace on earth and
good Will unto men, Here is the power,
the glory of God. That is unfolded as
/ the highest expression of Gods power.
! This gospel is Gods power for civiliza-
/ ton, the salvation of the world.
/ "First-For civilization. The gospel
/ is Gods remedy for barbarism, and it
| cures like every other remedy, in pro-
/ portion, as the remedy is taken. If Ia
! ken a little, it betters mans condition;
J if taken more, its effects are more ex-
/ tended; and if thoroughly, the cure is
/ complete. The gospel where it has been
/ has fastened itself around everything
/ that is good, and has fought everything
I that is bad. I speak of its political as
we'll as its social power. This is the
! master argument for the divinity of
/ Christ. 1t overthrow the old Roman re-
public
DR. Sweeney then compared the work
/ of the gospel to that of inf1delity.
| What do the apostles of infidelity ad-
/ vOcate?' said he. They say that when
a man or a woman gets old and is de-
/ pendent on other people there ought to
/ be places provided where they could GO
| and hang themselves or take poison.
! Inhdelity advocates suicide. It is for
J the infiGel to criticise. Did you ever
/ hear of an infide1 society sending its
| missionaries to Africa. to convert hea-
! then? MOI But they will criticise the
/ Christians after the work has been
! commenced. Did you ever see an in
( fdel Sunday school? No, I guess not
Is there any good work which can be
done in which the Christian people are
not interested? Is this true of inf1dels
1 Preachers are at the head of every
/ good movement Why, when the pro
| hibitOry amendment to the constitu-
I ton in this state was being framed
| III venture to say that there was not