Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-30
GROUND BREAKING
OF New Cumberland Street NJ. E.
Church, South.
Beautiful and Impressive scrvice--spIrited
MISUNDERSTANDING Reading by Row. w.
II. Proctor--Praycr by DR.. a. Coke
smith--Addresscs by Bishop Cranberry
and Rows. j. Ernest Thacker and S. C.
Hatcher.

| A large concourse of people represent
ing the various Protestant denomina-
lions attended the conservation services
and ground breaking for the new Cum
berland Street NJ. e. Church, South, on
the corner OF Freemason and Cumber-
land streets at 4 O'clock yesterday af-
ternoon.
A large platform had been erected on
the site, which was occupied by the
Methodist ministers OF this city and
section; Rev. j. Ernest Thacker, of the
Second Presbyterian Church.; Rev. J.
E. Shenk, of the First Lutheran
Church; the official members of Cum
oerlano Street Church, and several
Methsdist laymen from this city and
section.
The singing was conducted by the
members of the choir OF the church,
with Mr.. Charles II. Todd as accom-
PIANIST on the organ.
ORDER Or EXERCISES.
The exercises were conducted by
Bishop John c. CRANBERRY, OF The NJ. l..
church, South, assisted by the pastor,
kew. III. e. Johnson, d. D., under whose
interchangeable efforts the new enterprise,
which will eliminate in the erection of
handsome and commodious house OF
worship, has been brought to it's present
status.
The service began by the elieiF- cling
ing the Fong metre doxology, Praise
God, From Whom All Blessings Flow"
Then followed the reading of the
scripture lesson by Rev. w. r. Proctor,
OF McKendree NJ. e. Church.
The hymn, II love Thy Kingdom.
Lord" was sung with great spiritual
power by the choir and audience, after
which fervent prayer was offered by
Rev. a. Coke Smith, d. D., of Epworth
Church, that the blessings OF the Triune
God might rest upon the enterprise. and
That the glory OF this latter house OF
worship might be greater than the
former.
AT the conclusion of DR.. Smiths in
vocation the assemblage Joined with
the choir in singing the familiar hymn,
Zion City of Our God" The music of
this old and familiar selection as It's
sweet notes sounded out upon the air
carried the minds of many present to
the early days of Methodism when the
Spirit of the Lord came upon the peo-
pie and the shouts OF new souls could
be heard in the camp Of the Lords
h otsts.
BISHOP GRANBERRY'S ADDRESS.
As the last notes of the hymn died
Vanced to the platform and began his
address. 1t was delivered in the dis
tnguishcd prelate's usual plain. but
forceful manner. and breathed the spir-
it OF true devotion. He said
cur service Is intended for His
a farm or 4 place of bust
rcss. or for education. 1T should be hal
| lowed by the presence Of God There
should be no part of Gods green earth
devoted TO iniquity, vice and sin. but
should be for His glory and His praise.
The central thought OF the bishops ad-
| dress was that the church in build
ing this house OF worship should
not lose sight of the more important
| fact that our bodies should be made
temples for the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit. The old church has Il glorious
record, and the new church should have
| a more glorious one.
MIR. THACKER'S SPEECH.
Rev. j. Ernest Thacker followed the
bishop in an earnest and eloquent man
ner. He said that while he came from
another branch of the Christian church
he reJoiced to see this evidence OF pro-
| grtss and prosperity III the grand old
Methodist church, which has done, and
| is still doing, one of the Grandest works
for the extension of Chr.st's kingdom In
| the world. He referred in eloquent Ian.
| guage to the church triumphant, wher
| we shall all be h oused in as one com
| mon brotherhood.
REV. S. C. HATCHER
Spoke of Cumberland Street as the
mother Of Methodism and said thai
! every Methodist church in Norfolk ant
vicinity owed her n debt, for She was
the mother of us all and we should
| therefore rejoice in her prosperity.
| After Mr.. Hatcher had finished anoth.
| er hymn was sung and then an offering
was made for the building fund, ant
then followed the ground breaking, DR.
Johnson throwing the first shovel OF
dirt. and wais followed by the Board Of
| Stewards and Methodist ministers anC
n large number of the people present
which closed the services.