The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-27
CEREMONIES AT THE BAPTIST
CHURCH.
Great Crowd Present to Witness the
Exercises.

soon outgrew the capacity Of the house
and une main part OF the present st-uct-
ure was built IN 1855. The church becom-
ing involved. sold the property 70 the
Scottish Rite Masons, and settled al their
obligations. preferrins 10 surrender their
home rather than carry burdensome
debt. possibly for long period
Then. without home, the church wor-
shipped in the Y. II. c. A auditorium for
several years. and for the last year has
occupied the building at 81 North Law
renee avenue.
When the Masons took possession OF the
building they made some radical changes
on the inside IN order 70 fit ft for their
work. and it was thereafter known as the
Scottish iRte cathedral. When the Ma
sons acQuared title 10 their present dne
quarters they accepted an offer from the
church Of 5000. a price much below what
they paid for the properly. In May last
the church held rally. inviting a number
Of neighboring pastors, and undertook
to raise the money. Elder Meredith Of To-
peka, leading IN the work Of taking sub
schiptfons for the first few days The
work was followed up by the committee
appointed ny the church, till more than
$500 was pledged The work of collect
ing was pressed right along till up to the
present time about a, 200 has been paid in
and expended in purchase price and re-
storing the building and fitting it for the
use OF tho church. The partitions have
been removed, new baptistery built and
gas fixtures replaced. The walls have
been papered with a restSul shade of solid
green, with a stenctled border shading of
to suit the white and gold paper Of the
ceiling. The wood work is al lpainte6 a
clear white. The room Is said by good
Judges, TO be handsomes than ever be
fore. II was hoped up to a late hour
Saturday that the carpet ordered would
get here in time to be laid; but failing
that the room was compactly seated with
folding chairs for the service OF dedica-
ton. The opera chairs owned by the
church will be permanently placed as soon
as the carpet arrives.
When it was learned that w. z. Harper
who was pastor of the church for six
years, from 1852 to 1885, would be passing
through the city about this time. he was
engaged to conduct the dedication ser
vices. and so announced.
~ AJ"ot A1IiAOeby bAOA nm NtiC IOInc WAS
full, and many went away unable to get
in. The dedication ceremonies were
opened by Shaw's orchestra, with a well
rendered and appropriate selection. which
was followed by an anthem By the choir,
under the lead Of Miss Edith Wymeth,
the chorister. A selection from Psalms
was read and the Invocation offered by
the pastor, c. H. Wareham. The con-
gregation rose and joined in singing a
hymn and DR.. Harper read the scripture
and offered prayer. The morning collec-
ton was taken. announcements made, a
beautiful solo entitled ''If With All Your
Heart arranged from Elijah. was sung
by Arthur Marsh. Shaws orchestra gave
another beautiful selection Of music, and
Dr. Harper, now of Redlands. California,
preached a sermon which showed that he
had elements of power as a preacher. The
sermon was greatly appreciated by ALL
A most gratifying part of the service was
the report Of the re-purchase and re-ftting
committee, by the chairman, Hon. J. F.
Shear1nan. The report showed that above
the purchase price the improvements and
expenses would reach nearly 5000. all OF
which was provided for in cash IN hand
and good pledges, except between $500 and
500, which the committee expect 10 raise
by still further private solicitation, so as
to leave the church entirely free OF debt.
The dedication hymn was sung by the
congregation, led by the choir, as follows:
Children Of God. look up.
There's a rift in the clouds Of gray,
And the light is shining through
To cheer US on our way.
The way at first looked dark.
But our faith grew strong and bright.
Again our Father has answered prayer,
And now we see the light
Our trials have been many
Since we left the dear old home.
But were back again in our Fathers
house.
Never more TO roam.
Many who loved the dear old church
Have Joined the Church on high,
Perchance they know our Joy today
In their home beyond the sky.
Father in Heaven. we come today
To consecrate anew.
Our church. ourselves. and all we have.
Wit thou our faith renew?
Oh. give Us strength from day to Gay,
TIL our crosses we lay down
Az Thy feet, on. blessed Master.
And receive from Thee a crown
The dedicatory prayer was led BY the
pastor. The doxology wss sung by the
entire congregation and the service ot
dedication closed win the benediction By /
DR.. Harper.
Al ire evening service. after another /
anthem by The choir. Or. Harper preached 1
Al unusually strong sermon on TIE taernA
We Have living Not Dead Chr.sr-' 4
i was one that MI long e remembered. +
Mrs. Davld snythe rendered q beautiful .
500. and after me admin stratioa Of tne .
ordnance q baptism Or the pastor. tie .
services OF The day ciosed
Il vas a day % rejoicing % al re .
q tos caurca. ard q day q We F..
tory whlctl T7esagss good fhings for -. .
days % coma TIE rejoicing ~ss shared .
as wei b. many not Tzemosrs Of ;ns
caurch, and whose oo1gTsta- atoms wers .
heard OF every ha1d
During tEs past ch--e gears tie church