Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1901-02-14

Sunday was a great day in the his
tory of the Presbyterian organization
Of this city, one that had been looked
forward to with great deal Of inter-
est and anticipation for many months,
The unfinished condition Of the bull
ding and the time consumed in adding
the finishing touches deferred the
dedication far beyond the time set
when building operations were inaug-
urated.
All the peut up enthusiasm Of these
long months broke loose on Sunday
and the day was set aside for rejoicing,
giving and Thanksgiving to Him who
had been the guiding spirit in this
great and important undertaking.
The members Of the congregation
were not alone in their happiness, for
they were joined by all the other de-
nominations and by citizens not men,
bers Of any church, until the building
was taxed to its utmost to accommo-
date the large crowds that assembled
to participate in the exercises Of the
day. ..
Fully twenty-seven hundred people
gained admission during the three
services. One thousand in the morn
ing, six hundred and fifty In the af-
temoon and over a thousand In the
evening. 1t was found impossible to
seat the entire assemblage and stand
room at the various openings was at a
premium. People were satisfied to
stand and listen in the Railways.
In the morning were held the dedi-
catory services proper and though
mey were commenced at the hour Of
ven o'clock, the hour of one still found
'aat vast audience practically as
complete as at the hour Of beginning.
luis was not more remarkable than
some OF the other Incidents OF the
uaS out 10 cited to show the interest
ieit by one and all in an event which
"ene pride Of our Christian people.
Inc morning service opened with an
o'san voluntary, Mrs. d. A. Saunders
presiding. This accomplished lady
was ably assisted throughout the SER
wee oy Mrs, f. E. Boyden, the church
sanist. The doxology was sung and
~e pastor, VIM. Mason Jennings, in
.Steo the divine blessing. An an
%sm oy the Presbyterian choir was
,Onowed by reading of the scriptures
aom the book Of Nehemiah, 1st chap
I' oy Rev. Forde, OF Castlewood.
.ne congregation then joined in sing
us ooronation" and the building
ng 'fembled under the volume Of
vunu that poured forth from the
s.sas organ and a thousand throats
os eu oy grateful hearts. Prayer was
aeieo oy Rev. A. j. Finch, of the
nst Baptist church and the choir
1ereo Gloria Patri'' followed with
.ery hne solo by Mrs. Gebhart. The
~asfsgation was then asked to join
w ue grand old hymn Refuge"
uedicatory sermon followed and
n aeilvered by Rev. R. v. Hunter,
- OF Indianapolis, Ind. The ser.
~ ~ was prefaced by a few rem srks
"a. secular nature and compliment
on.. s !" The people OF Brookings and at
hrs paced the audience in good
hsa Or. This was followed by a bril-
irn.. a. address, the speaker taking his
m,.a ,a.lons from the life of Nehe-
,,,. M de was listened to with rapt
o,,,s o'on until the close, when f. j.
eom' e' representing the building
ma. ml.ee, was called on for a state
deh, Wnich showed that the church
murs was something like s4,5OO in
besn u numbers and that sl3, 800 had
"a, :, a'Sea and expended. DR., Hun
sn,s once set to work with n will and
With @ p'ion taking was inaugurated
them.sreat sreat success. The sermon, or
both sshetic influence of the man, or
abls - aad Its effect and Ia a remark.
Al.n aUf' =, period of time there was
~. 10 subscriptions and cash the
/ thins Ueat sum Of s5,44s.so, some-
cAurc. unparalleled in the way Of
SWING when the size Of the