The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1898-01-08
METHODIST CHURCH.
Ded ication Exercises Conducted by
Bishop Hendricks.
Rev. I. T. Reams' Success of his
Two Years Passionate.

| NSts IL I. Ncd"S S9uCCtSS VI MS
| Two Years. Passionate.
Daily Picayune.
! LAFAYETTE, la, Jan. 5.-Bishop
E. r. Hendricks to-day dedicated
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
Lafayette. The bishop preached a
most eloquent Sermon from the text
found in James II, page 20, 'tAnd
he was called the friend of Cod"
The distinguished divine depicted
the happy relation that existed be-
tween the ancient patriarch. Abra-
ham, and God. and made most
affective application of the text to
mans social, moral and intellectual
relationships to-day.
After the sermon, the interesting
and impressive ceremonies, incident
to the formal dedication,s w@re con-
Quoted by tbe..bishop, Rev. Thos.
trustees, who transferred'the sacred
edi6ce to the Methodist Church of
Louisiana, and Bishop Hendricks,
on behalf of that body, accepted
the property. A large and attentive
congregation filled the church and
Witnessed the Interesting services.
A number Of ministerial brethren
were also present, among whom may
be mentioned Revs. H. O. White,
Jno. A. Miller and J. NJ. Johnson,
former presiding elders of the
church,; Revs. B. F. White, r. A.
Davis, J. M. Brown, H. Armstrong,
T. S. Randle and M. c. Marley,
former pastors. Other visiting min
listers were: T. J. Upton, J. F.
Patterson, J. L. Bronson, r. S. Is
bell, Robt. Randle, S. H. Whatley,
S. S. Holiday and Geo. Manotte.
The occasion was one long to be
remembered and marks an era in
the history of Methodism here,
fraught with most encouraging pros
poets.
Rev. 1T. Reams, the pastor,
was the recipient, to-day, Of hearty
congratulations on all sides over
the success which has crowned the
efforts of his two years. pastorate in
Lafayette. Bishop Hendricks took
occasion to express his sincere con-
CALCULATIONS to pastor and people.
Bishop Hendricks is one of the
most prominent church dignitaries
of his sect and has exercised his
episcopal functions in many foreign
countries, having held the China
mission conference, at Shanghai,
last year, the japan conference and
the Corean conference the same
year. The bishop will go from here
to Crowley and there preside over
the annual conference of the Meth
odist church, to be convened to-
morrow at that place.
The Methodist church dedicated
to-day is probably one of the hand
soonest and most substantial edifices
of its kind in Southwest Louisiana.
The structure is of Gothic design
throughout, presenting an artistic
appearance in its interior and ex-
terror aspects. - Several beautiful
memorial windows add very much
to the effect Of the ornamental work
and harmonize with the stained glass
of other openings. Finished
throughout, the building has a
seating capacity of over three
hundred, and is designed to accom-
modate the Sunday school classes
as we'll as to afford a convenient
study for the pastor. For many
years the congregation occupied a
small frame building erected about
the year 1860, through the libe, ality
of the late Gideon Stephens and
others, but as time grew apace the
need OF q larger and more artistic