Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1897-05-07
VOLUME XXVI.
DEDICATION OF the CHRISTIAN
CHURCH.
a 6saCfifai Edi6ce. an Ornsnregf "a
keyfesvifc and fhe Price of
Our People

keyfesviHc and fhe Price of
Our People
Keytesville has maintained for 4
great number OF years the distinction
OF being the solitary couuty seat towl
IN all that large extent OF territory
known rs North Missouri, IN winch
that great and aggressive body Of the
church OF Christ, callrRg themselves
Christians. had no church building,
This fact has long been n source OF
deep regret and humiliation to the
progressive spirits among them. Some
ten years ago a movement was inaug.
urated to organize the membership
In this community into a congregation
and to build house Of worship. To
this end subscription was started aud
about $1,000 was subscribed. From
some cause-lack OF leadership or en-
thusiasm II may be-their purpose was
permitted to languish and finally to
die out entirely. There were, how
ever, a few faithful and believing
friends Of the church that would not
give up the fight until the battle should
finally be won.
Less than n year ago Elder Robert
l. Wilson. then stationed at Miami.
Saline county, came into our midst
and held series Of meetings. These
meetings. through The courtesy Of then
brethren Of the Methodist denomiua-
ton were held in their church house.
The effect Of this effort to collect the
scattered membership into an organ
ued body was magical. A church was
organized with about 50 members, Al
soliciting and building committee was
appointed and everybody went to work |
with determination not to cease Ia
boring until they should have secured
. local habitation. This committee
soon secured pledges for $s, 900, with
which an elegant frame building Was
erected on one o. ps suUsr eng'oie
lots IN the town. The erection OF the
bare building. completed last fall, ex-
hAusted the fund already subscribed
The church was still without seats,
lights. pulpit furniture and other para
phernaha necessary in the modern
meeting house. This share OF the
work fell largely to the devoted women
OF the congregation. and right nobly
have they performed the pleasant task
Through means they are best fitted to
use they have placed in the church
building a handsome chandelier and
nice stove for u auditorium, elegant
lamps for the rosuum, supplied the
pulpit with a beautiful reading desk
and tasty chairs and settee, and love
ly rug and curtains for the ladies' par
lor. The carpet that adorns the
church floor and browns the trea1 OF
the needless was also their gift.
The congregation having procured
a beautiful and fitting home, their next
duty of love was to appropriated: dedi-
cate il to the service Of the living God
and OF saving fallen mankind. For
this purpose. last Sunday, May and,
was chosen for the solemn dedicatory
services. Elder Robert l. Wilson,
who had materially assisted In inaug-
uraring the building enterprise and
who had ably assisted throughout: the
entire period Of preparation and active
work by sound counsel and eihcien'
assistance in soliciting financial aid
BEGAN on Monday evening previous a
series OF preparatory services, and
aater in the week vas joined by Elder
T. A. Abbott OF Louisiana, Mo-, state
evangelist, who was to preach the ded-
uca,ory sermon. These preliminary
meetings were well attended and much
enjoyed by all who were present.
Tt had been expected that a goodly
Attendance Of visitors would be pres
-ent on Sunday. were the weather
pleasant, but even the most sanguine
had hardly expected such an out-pour-
ing OF people from surrounding towns
and neighborhoods- The day was an
ideal one for n church dedication
The heavens were spanned from dome