The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-04-04
FIRST WORK ON
NEW CHURCH
Mrs. ]. H. Dillon Threw First
ShOveIful. of Dirt.
FINE UNITARIAN EDIFICE
Work ofExcavating for Foun-
datiOn Begins This Morning.
FINE UNITARIAN EDIFICE

Mrs. J. II. Dillon threw the first shovel
fun Of dirt toward the construction Of
the First Unitarian church on the lot
at the southeast corner Of Topeka and
Central avenues yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Dillon and number Of members Of
s the congregation met at the property at 4
o'clock to begin the work Of building
the new church Rev. VAN. pastor Of
the church. said in part:
Coming as we do to break ground
for Il Unitarian church. we not only re-
5oice in what we have done and are
about TO enjoy. but we also remember
others who have had share in this
work and should not DE forgotten Some
stand on this ground today who were
present ard put their names down on
the roll at the FIRST meetings held in
Wichita: others not present are with us
in spirit and hope: some have passed
away. and some into other fields Of work;
buj I cannot but feel that all who have
in any way served are with US in best
wishes. Nor can I stand here without
mention of the true and faithful min
listers who for greater or less time have
served in this worI-Mr. Powell, who
preached the first sermon, and still has
a vital interest; Mr. HOagland, faithful,
true and manly, whose work still re-
mains; 4Ir. Shipper. genial. able, intel
lectuaI, noble, whose friendships are
made for al time: Mr.. Preston, quiet
scholarly. but right ANA good as well
as able; Mr.. Todd. scholarly, progress
sivo, unselGsh to the last degree. who
must leave an impress on whatever work
he undertakes. AIR. Matson kindly. faith
ful. but cut off by in health and change
Of plans from long work with the peo-
ple-each Of these has in his way added
something 70 the sum total, and each
IS remembered today. To those Of the
laymen who have stood in a brunt OF
battle in the days OF encouragement
we feel deep sense OF sympathy, and
for those who are now with US we feel
rs they 90, the joy OF the occasion.
Doubts are dispelled. Questions are
passed. Work begins tomorrow. Dedi-
cation viii come with November.
Then the pastor called ON Mrs. r. N.
c. Hosford as a representative Of the
Unitarian Alliance. who made the fol-
lowing address:
.'IIow echoes today the western plain,
With Channing's dying word;
How are hearts Of freemen still
BY his great warning stirred.
cod blesses still the generous thought.
And still the fitting word he speeds,
And truth. at his requiring taught,
God quicbens into deeds"
'On occasions like this one deepest
ana most sacred feelings are stirred.
Words but poorly give expression to these
feelings. We pause for language that
win fifty voice the prayers. hopes and
ambitions which win be embodied in the
church We are to place on this spot.
Through our church we seek for life s
great truths. we draw closer TO the di-
vine and are taught the Fatherhood of
God and brotherhood of man. we learn
that la~ger charity that tolerates relig-
Ion we ltarn to know that God is good.
Rnd an things work together for good.
For this ceremony no season chosen
could have been SO emblcmatic as this
early spring day. Enough Of winter Vet
IN the air to remind us of the past trials,
"''"'9 '1" iee'iS- "he" we iooA
hI"lno us ana see an nature ming ana
thiAiius WIN renewed Nlsor ana ne.
NH'i' we loon on pursuing qua ana SVEN
.,e real "e ie''ii@e 'iia' u spIl-s-lt Is
,l'' 'i--e 81 nope ana promise ana they
'''a1 piauI now N'o" inc feapihs Is as
sUIeo as months ron 10y. 80 we say TINS
cary spIliis gay IS At,ing time TO
pr.a@ SOD ana plant seed which as
lile oaNs so os. VIII grow INTO the Iruit
OF our hopes