The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-30
MISSION CHURCH DEDICATED.
MANY PEOPLE ATTENDED THE
SERVICES ON WILMINGTON
ISLAND.

Rev. Drs. schneTer and Jordan, Rev.
O. f. Cook and Rev. w. A. Nisbes
Took Part in the CeremOnies-The
Church Built by the Mission Circle
of Young Ladses-Started From n
sunday school Glass Taught Under
the Trees.
Wilmington Islands Mission Church was
Dedicated yesterday afternoon by Rev
DR.. Schaeffer, Rev. DR.. j. D. Jordan
Rev. Osgood F. Cook and Rev. w. A.
Nisbet before a large number of people
that had gathered for the ceremony. The
musical part of the programme was by
the choir of the First Presbyterian
Church, consisting of Mrs. c. D. Mize,
Mrs w. A. Bishop Mr.. Ralph Byrnes.
and Mr. House. assisted by Miss Edith
Cavanaugh and Mr.. Frank Keilbach, or
ganist.
Besides the residents of the island, who
were nearly all present, a large number
went down in the morning on the steamer
Santee, and still others came from the
canning factory at Turner's creek, so that
by the time of the ceremonies, which
began at o'clock. the church was en-
tireiy filled.
The services began with an anthem by
the choir, Rejoice in the Lord Rev.
Mr.. Nesbft was introduced by DR.. SdAaef-
fer, and made a short address of congrat-
ulation to the congregation upon the COM
pletion of the work on which they had
Ia bored so long and so faithfully. the
Coronation hymn sung by choir and
congregation followed, and then an ad-
dress by Rev. Mr.. Cook, who also spoke
of the pride that the congregation could
rightly take in the church, the result Of
sustained efforts on their part, and the
noble desire to erect a house of worship
for their own uplifting and the glory of
God.
After another musical nterlude, the con-
gregation joining in singing. What a
Friend We Have In Jesus" DR.. Schaef-
fer made a brief review of the history or
the movement that finally resulted in the
erection of the church. He repeated this
sketch, he said, because only few of the
congregation were familiar with its facts.
Four or five years ago. through the eff
forts of Mr. Smallwood, a resident of the
island. the children were gathered each
Sunday afternoon under the shade of
tree and taught Sunday School lessons.
The class grew rapidly and it was but a
were no longer large enough to shelter
all of the Sunday gathering, so the meet
ings were adjourned to the pavilion, and,
later met at the houses of the different
residents of the island. II was then that
the matter of a Sunday School room or
church was first thought of and active
work was immediately begun by two
young ladies then residents of the island
Their efforts were further supplemented
by circle of young ladies known as the
Mission Circle, who had added themselves
for the purpose of aiding in the work. So
successful were their efforts that they
raised over $500. DIR. Schaeffer also spoke
admiringly of the many gentlemen OF Sa-
vannah who had contributed literally to
the work. both with material and money.
The congregation was to be congratulated,
he said, on the fact that the church at
its dedication was entirely paid for
At the conclusion of the address the reg
ular conservation service was read each
of the four ministers taking part. This
was closed by a prayer offered by Rev
Cook.
The offertory, mot Every One That
Saith Unto Me-" Schneider was sung by
Mrs. Mize. Scripture lessons followed by
Rev. Mr.. Cook and Rev. Mr.. Nisbet Rev
DIR. Jordan preached the dedicatory SER
mon, taking as his text 2 Peter is. 6, 4:
And besides this, giving all diligence. add
TO your faith virtue; and to virtue knowl-
edge"
The services lasted about an hour and
half, and at the conclusion the ministers
and singers. together with a number of
Others were most Hospitality entertained by
Mr.. and Mrs. Adam Kessel.
Many OF those who took part in the cere-
monies of the dedication returned to
Thunderbolt on a naphtha launch that was
placed at their disposal. but others wait
ed for the Santee, and came up to the
city that way.