Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-04
is GIVEN TO GOD.
Cons Of New Memorial
Christian Church..
CROWDS IHsPEOT THE EDIFIOE.

U6UWUS NEfbOI LII DULL 3Vh'
Other ConGre gations Assist In CsIsbrst-
Ing the Event, which 10 Marked by
Three serviess-rhs Dedicstory Address
and Prayer By Prof. A. Il. wMlsets.
Memorial Christian church was ded-
icated to the service of God yester-
day. Large congregations visited the
new editice, the morning. afternoon
and evening services attracting gath
eripgs which well filed the auditor
ium.
The dedicatory services occurred
at 10:45. and opened with selection
on the grand organ, al which Prof.
S. L. Bowlby presided. Then fol-
lowed the doxology; Rev. Ira w.
Allen. Jr., of the Central Presbyter-
ian church. invoked the blessing,
the choir and congregation joined in
singing a hymn, Rev. Allen read
from the scriptures and the coDgre-
cation responded; then followed
another hymn and an organ offertory.
At this juncture Phil Mitchell arose
from the audience and advanced
toward the pulpit. where he ad-
dressed Rev. r. W. Grafton, the pas
tor, to whom he delivered the keys
to the new church. the gift Of his
sister, Mrs. Marv II. Wad.worth. in
memory of their father, Philemon l.
Mitchell. Rev. Grafton replied In
behalf of the congregation, feelingly
Expressing the gratitude of himself
and all identified with the church,
who would never forget and ever
revere the spirit which prompted
the ioeral gift, always remembering
the noble and christian life of the
one to whose memory the editice
will stand monument.
A. NJ. Parker read a history Of the
new building. speaking Of how
bravely the congre CATION vas strug-
Cling along with a new church IN
view, yet with q small amount to at
tempt such an undertaking, and how
on April 5 last q note was received
from Mrs. Mary II. Wadsworth, saying
| that she would assume the COST Of n
new church, providing that the con-
| gregation would furnish it. Al. A
Patterson. treasurer, read q ct ,te-
ment setting forth that the cost of
putting in steam heat and furnish
ing tie building as 5000, which
amount had been raised. After m
anthem The Lord is My Shepherd
by the choir, Prof. A. Il. Willetts,
dean of the Chicago university, de-
livered the dedicaEory address. and
prayer.
Dedicstory Address.
DR.. Willetts congratulated the pas
tor and congregation on the happy
auspices under which they had as
sembled, and dwelt on the generosity
of different classes of people, who
for ages past had carried on the
precedent of having monuments.
and churches, and colleges dedicated
to their memory. He said in this
connection that people may some
times ask what these stones-mean-
ing the new churct-are for, and
that they should know that they are
for a memorial church, memorial
of specific thing-our Father in
Heaven. DIR. Willetts said that be
had no doubt but that the congre-
cation had felt hesitaut and dis
Outraged in attempting the move
ment to build a new temple: and
often felt itself in the balance, in
fact hardly knew what to do until
wise men and women came forth and
led the way. And this service is a
memorial to these facts, said
Dr. Willetts. So it must be
q source o! gratif cation, and
satisfaction to the family OF
those who made the gift. and u all
who have assisted in the assumption
of the expense-a memorial to them
and theirs. Rev. Willetts said it is
not only a memorial church, but a
christian church; it wears the name
of Chris.-it is his possession abso-
lutely and unqualifedly. 1t is not
the Christian church. but a christian
church, continued the speaker, who
then went into the history OF The
apostolic church Of back sges. con.
trastiDg the simple service and its
humble surroundings with the elab.
GRAFTON which prevails now, yet
holding that the church has not de-
waited from its noble purpose ard
earnest teachings.
A hymn was sung and then the
benediction was pronounced. In the
afternoon at O'Clock occurred the
Lords supper. In the evening Rev
Willetts spoke again, and Rev. C E
Taylor. Of the First Baptist. and
R-v. w. s. Marquis. Of the Broadway
Presby terrain. took part in the SER
Ivce.
The seating capacity of the church
Including the gallery. which extends
around three sides of the building. is
600. The pulpit is located At the
northeast corner Of the building snd
is bacl ed bv the organ aud choir loft.
The church has two entrances, the
main one at the southwest corner
and another at the southeast. The
woodwork Of the interior is Of
lquarter-sawed oak, the walls aud
ceilings being fcescoed and lending
pretty effect. The auditorium II ,or
il carpeted with Brussels. The sun
day school rooms and psrlors and