The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1902-07-04


them, the work Of holding up and
holding forth the truth. Let these
little companies be the pillars and
stays of the truth in their several
communities. Let them show how
Gods family lives, how the people in
whom He lives are alive unto holiness
and good works. Let them be the
veritable model of the church uniyer-
sal, the Holy Catholic Church. point
ing men to God and leading the wav.
This is why, as we said at the BEGIN
ming, Paul laid so much stress upon
the conduct of Christians, especially
those who were the leaders among the
several congregations. Some divine
purpose is to be subserved by the local
church. AS identical in purpose with
the house Of God, the church of God.
it is to be thought highly of. 1t rep
resents more than an association of
people for social and intellectual and
philanthropic betterment. 1t is
meant to be miniature of Christian
life and work as carried on by all the
people Of God. For all practical pur-
poses, the house of God, the pillar and
ground OF the truth in any commun-
ity, Is it's Christian churches, it's i'm
perfect bodies of believers is its sever
al churches. The local church is the
concrete illustration and embodiment
of the abstract idea of the Christian
people. God has kindly condescended
to our weakness in holding on to ideals.
by giving us local churches, pointing
to these ideals and blessing our Iabors
for Him in those churches.
Therefore when we organize orr
churches we enter into sacred cove
nant with God, when we build or re-
build the Westinghouse Il like that
name) we want to dedicate it to God,
as though to turn over the keys to
Him that itmay be used for no pur-
pose that will dishonor Him or His
work for mems salvation.
Conceive, now, of this church, this
company of Christian people, housed
to-day in this beautiful structure, pre-,
sented to God and His people by one
OF His servants whom He has blessed
above many of his brethren in worldly
goods; conceive, say, of this church
as standing for these truths of God.
and seeking to get them experienced
and lived among men, and you will
readily see how you ought to behave
in this church building and among
these Christian people; how the world
does not forget, if you do, the organic
relation in which this church stands
to the Christian people of the world:
how you here belonging to this church
cannot call it your church, as though
you made it out of ideas you wished to
see embodied: how your conduct here
in this little village may effect all
Christendom.
You see then
HOW SUBORDINATE THE CHURCH
BUILDING Is TO THE CHURCH IDEA
as expressed by the Christian people;
how it is only a means to an end; how
its plant only furnishes opportuni-
ties for working out the thought of
service for others for which the Chris
tian people stand, and so to all your
admiration for the architectural ef-
fects of this new building and your ex-
pectations concerning the multiform
uses to which it may be put you will
not forget that it is the Christian peo-
pie who will worship within it's walls
who sanctify it, and that the possibili-
ties of the spiritual editication of the
members of this church are far grand
er and are likely to be CT more lasting
character than this granite edifice
shaped Of :native lstone. You will
feel that in dedicating this church
building to your God you are but Civ
ing outward expression to your own
renewed conservation to that service
OF humanitywhich this well appointed
house will help you to render.
l do not forget that 1 am speaking
to representatives Of all the Christian
churches of this village and of many
in the vicinity. These churches OF
Georgetown, being parts of the Holy
Catholic church, in their deepest feel
ingS sympathize with one another. as
all alike set for the proclamation of
our common religion. The solidarity
of Christian interests is such that, If