Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-02

church, at MartlnS terry, the pdsIOr,
Rev. S. ]. Boyle, conducted the last
service that will ever be held in the
old building, which will soon be RACED
to the ground in order that new and
more adequate place of worship may
be built on it's present site.
The interior of the building was
decorated with cut flowers and potted
plants for the occasion, which gave 1t
very pleasing appearance. The at
tendance was very large, many from
the other churches being present, also
a few from a distance who wished to
attend the last regular service in the
church that was endeared to them
by tender recollections of years that
have passed.
The pastors subject for the occa-
sion was taken from Genesis, 2Sth
chapter, 10Th, 18th and 22d verses,
concerning Jacobs vision of the ladder
that assembled into heaven, which
caused him to erect pillar of stone
in order that he might know the
place should he ever come by 1T again.
The pastor said in part that the reve-
lation of God to Jacob so impressed
him that he marked the spot with
pillar composed of stones that he had
used to rest his head upon that night.
1t was a general custom among the
people of that country at that time TO
mark places Of interest to them, in
order that they might know them when
they came by.
This morning we worship in this
church for the last time, and before
we depart from it each one of us should
look back over the past and see what
has been accomplished by the IN
fiuences sent out. For period or
over fifty years the spirit of the Lord
has been manifested among us in this
building, more abundant SINE times
than at others, and now we have come
to what we would cGil ono 81 che mile
stones in ouI life. Let us look back
and see what has been done for us by
the direction of the spirit
We look back to our childhood days,
and our feelings for familiar sights OF
that period ere very different from
those we have for others that came
later on in the march of life. 1t is
nothing more than right and just that
we should have a reverence for such
places. Through associations formed
in various parts of this world, that past
becomes very dear to us, consequently
this old church, erected fifty years
ago. that has left its different impress
sion on each one, has become very
dear to us through our close assocla-
ton with it.
The spiritual condition OF commu-
nifty is generally measured by the
number of churches in town and
their condition, and nothing that can
be offered unto God as an expression
of spiritual faith is too good for Him.
Now, we should in an expression OF
our spiritual life, dedicate unto the
Lord a place of worship that is in
keeping with our surroundings. This
would not only be an expression OF
Christian life, but sign of devotion
to the Lord.
Letters of regret from Rev. H. n
Campbell of Altoona, Pa; Rev. G. w
Chalfant, of McKeesport, and Rev. E.
F. Walker, of Illinois, all former pas
tors of the church who had been in
vited to take part IN the services, were
read The church which is soon to be
town down, was built in 1S41, through
the earnest work Of Moses Porter and
Joseph Blackford, and was very diff
ferent structure then from what it is
now. The site of the church was do
mated by Ebenezer Martin. In 1866
the building was remodelled and a
lecture room added, and again in 1875
through the influence of the pastor,
Rev. G. w. Chalfant, the belfry and
steeple were added. No other improve
ments of interest were made until
1884, when the alcove was made in
the rear of the pulpit, for the choir
The organization of the church was
effected by Rev. James Alexander. OF
st. Clairsville, on March 81, 1S41, il
being the second time application had
been made to organize a church Of the
Presbyterian denomination in the
town. The first application was refus'
ed because of the objection made by
Rock Hill and Mount Pleasant dele
gates. at the meeting Of the Presby-
terry. who thought there would be toe
many churches.