Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-02

In Portsmouth he spoke at the laying
or the cornerstone of the Y. NJ. c. A..
which was great occasion. and that
this. In its Sacredness and scope for
the influence of good. Is still greater.
Inc speaker declared in Portsmouth
that the New Testament Church was
superior to all other organizations on
earth. The New Testament Church is
divine In sense that cannot be applied
10 any other body of men under the
skies 1t follows from this fact that
IL Is invested with unique authority
clearly defined by the word of God, and
has unrivaled facilities for the accom-
pishment Of its ends. But the value
ana power of the church is not con-
iined to the realm of the ecclesiastic.
but to every walk in life, for where
ever manhood manifests itself there is
an appropriate sphere for it's activity.
IN New Testament Church stands for
New Testament Religion, which is
mighty in its ordinances and in it's fell
lowship.
The distinction is made of Christian
lty as compared with other religions in
authority arising from the fact. not
or evolution from within. but divine
revelation from without
IL Is we'll to remember in this day,
announced with the revolutionary idea
that though forms of expression
may may change. eternal essences remain
the same. IL some mighty convulsion
in the spiritual world should annihilate
the Bible. destroy every New Testa-
lnent Church, and. silence the voice OF
the ministry. Christianity would sur
VlVe In the hearts of it's votaries in the
institutions of science and the subtle
spirit or the ages. ready to come forth
ihir as the noon. clear as the sun, and
terrible TO oppression and wrong as an
army with banners. The building of
New Testament Church means a
blessing to the community.
wi Of
thinss-God. man and another man."
Jesus SAID to the young man. the first
commandment is supreme love to God
The second likened unto 1t is love for
ieilowman. AS the statue of Phideus
on the Acropolis at the Pallass Athenfe
lifted the thought OF Greece to higher
standards of refinement and beauty
so the sphere of the New Testament
church suggests n welcome to eternal
habitations and becomes the symbol of
all that Is sweetest, noblest and best
on earth.
We need in every day life the innu-
ence of the grand principles of Chris
tianity. and especially in politics.
which should be a sacred trust. But
the church means supreme salvation
whelmed heart and the burdened con-
science. The speaker here appealed
for sympathy and comfort of the peo-
pie In this endeavor to plant New
Testament CnuTCn IN the community,
and paid n glowing tribute to the self
sacrificing spirit that had suggested
the enterprise, and nobly carried it for
ward this far. He drew a picture of a
column of glory rising through ages,
formed of heroic deeds and the bring
ing forth of the capstone and the shouts
of the redeemed and the songs of the
angelic choir when Christ should "see
of the travail of His soul and be salts
fed" He declared that this achieve
ment would be like an house placed
in this column for the honor of God
and the good of humanity
After the address OF DIR. Battle. of
which the above is an imperfect out
line. the remainder of the program was
continued. rs follows:
Hymn .."G Love Thy Kingdom. Lord"
Central Church Choir.
Closing exercises.
Benediction ........ Rev. f.. r. Dudley
The Right Worshinful Grand Master
l.. ]. Oliver presided, with Mr.. L. w.
Cleverly as marshal. and the following
members OF the lodge assisted In the
ceremonies: Messrs. James r. Wright,
A. Miller and John Il. White.