The Penn's Grove record., 1899-03-03
Bridgeport's New Church Dedicated.

Bridgeport. as thelr pretty new church
was dedicated by Bishop CyrusD. Foss.
There was a large congregation present
from the surrounding country to hear
the Bishop, see the new church and to
enjoy the hospitality of the citizens.
The services began at 10 O'Clock,
Presiding Elder, d. B. Harris, presid
ing. Hymns No. 1862 and sos were
sung. Rev. John Handley led in pray
er. The choir sang, 81 was glad when
they said unto merlst us go into the
House of the Lord" Revs. Jesse R.
Thompson and Joseph Garrison read
scripture lessons.
The Bishop preached from three
texts: Matthew 26:39; John 1871; l
2 Tim. 4:6 s. His theme was the
difference between the death of Jesus
and the death of Paul. One cries out
in great agony, but says the great COM
forter, the Holy Ghost will not come if
he does not bear the cross. Paul who
had fought a good fight and had kept
the faith was ready to depart and take
up a crown Of righteousness. The BIZ
BILE says nothing of Pa9l's death. Paul
was an inspired apostle, founder of
churches and had a great many friends.
On every human principle it should
have been Paul who should have want.
ed to stay on earth. Jesus had only
two friends at the cross.
The difference between the death of
Jesus and the death of Paul is the
atonement. Panl died for himself alone,
Jesus died to redeem a guilty race. He
assembled into heaven and stitch at the
right hand of the Father to make inter-
cession for us. The church has never
lost a man since the death of Paul,
which meant as much as his death.
The church never gained 50 much as
by the death of Christ, the atonement,
a personal God in the form of the Holy
Ghost, which came into the world 10
teach eternal truth. He closed by say
ing nothing would please him more than
have every unconverted person present
to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, to re-
ceive the holy comforter and know
their sins forgiven.
The ritualistic dedicatory service was
held at the close of the morning service,
In the afternoon the services opened
with a praise meeting in charge of Prof.
George Hewitt and prayer was offered
by Rev. S. F. Gaskili. The afternoon
was devoted to addresses by former
pastors, including Revs 5 NJ. Hudson,
Jesse II. Thompson, j. E. Diverty, W
N. Ogburu, Charles Larue, Joseph
Garrison, Joseph Gaskilt and W. A.
Lilley.
Rev. John Handley who came to fill
the Bishops place in case he did not ar
rive, as he had been sick, also spoke.
In the evening Rev. j. w. Marshall,
of Broadway, Camden, preached an
able sermon
lii the, afternoon Rev. S. G. Chattin,
the. Pastor, through whose indefatigi
BILE efforts the new church was built,
read. a statement of the expenses and
receipts. The Church cost about 81,
400. About S4100 had been subscribed
and over $1,000 collected. lie asked
that S350ybe donated, and at the morn
ing and afternoon services the amount
was given, $500 being in cash.
Other ministers present during the
day were Revs. W. S. Ludlow, Sanford
M. Nichols. C. S. Miller and John
Go0rley. %
The new church is on the site of the
old chuIch OH the corner of Main
Street and Swedesboro avenue, facing
east and west. In fact the walls of the
auditorium are those Of the old church,
Large windows we're cut in the trent
and north side on SwedesSoro avenue.
At the corner a belfry tower 90 feet
high was erected, in which hangs a
1862 pound bell which cost $153, and
makes the main entrance. The pulpit
was placed to the south side and at the
rear a recess for the choir was made
9X15 feet, This recess extends along
the south side and to 20 feet beyond.
This forms a library and adult Bio
class rooms To the east end or rear
of the old church an addition of 20 feet
has been added which extends 20 feet
beyond the north side on Swedesboro
avenue The front Of this addition
forms the infant class room which seats
40 and opens with rising doors into the
Sunday. school room, which seats 100
and this opens into the auditorium.
The Bible room also opens into the
Sunday school room. An inclined hoor
was placed on the old ore, the rear be-
ing raised IS inches and the seats plac-
ed in circular form. The old church
seated 1871, and the new 23S, making
the entire seating capacity 400
The floors are finished in hard wood,
the isles being carpeted. The ceiling
and walls are wainscoted aud frescoed.
The building is heated by two hot air
furnaces and excellent ventilation is
arranged in the roof. 1t is one OF the
most convenient and pretty churches i'll
the Conference for q country church.
The present Church officers are:
Pastor, Rev S. G. Chattin.
Local Preacher, Jacob Holdcratt.
Trustees, john F. Truitt, President,
Peter Torbert, George Pedrick, Charles
Storm, Henry Dunk. George Baxter,
Charles lIoldcraft.
Stewards, Peter Torbert, JACOB Hold
craft, Charles Vickery, Benz, English,
VIM. j. Helms.
Superintendent of Sunday School,
WIN j. Helms.
Dro,iJo,t IS Enmorfh Iaagnp Mrs.