The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-07-03

And still stir up thy gift in mo.
Ready for all thy perfect will,
MY acts OF love and faith repeat,
Till death thy endless mercies seal,
| And make the sacrifice complete
Rev Watson then announced his text
Matt, 10th chapter, 18th verse: ".rhou
art Peter and upon this rock 1 will build
my church aud the gates Of Hades shall
not prevail against it," We can only give
q synopsis of this interesting DISCOURSE
Il is happy coincidence that the opening OF
our new church falls upon the same day as the
2ooth anniversary Of the birth OF Mr.. Wesley. We
therefore on this glad occasion celebrate two
events OF great moment to us all. Less than 100
years ago our fathers planted and organized
Methodism in this community in little pole.
house at Beauty Spot near by. To-day worship
IN beautiful, modern brick structure, worth.
some Sl4, 900. The beauty and indestrnctibility
OF its materials, but faint symbols OF the love
liness and permanency OF our faith. A 100 years
from to-day, or earlier, every brick in this mag
nihclent structure, will be instinct with the most
sacred and hallowed memories The two mem
oral windows ~ commemorating the lie and
character oil two oil our Mothers in Israel -
will be perpetual inspiration toward that which
is best and highest in human character
AS to John Wesley our founder whose birth we
.o>"ay @cleoIate what WORDS can adequately pors
tray the character OF this great man whose Spirit
ana work are still among the mightest forces in
human affairs. Called o God to revive vital god
liness in old England and the world richly en-
dowed by nature and grace he-he is too large
man to be owned by Methodism alone. And
hence we find 10 day his birth is being celebrated
not only by IS. ooo. 900 OF Methodisis. but by the
christian world.
It's not however OF Wesley and Methodism
alone would speak to-day but of the church
universal-the church founded by Jesus Christ,
and composed OF men and women who under
the inspiration OF the Holy Ghost can say with
the Rock-man Peter with reference to Christ,
Thou art the Christ the Son OF the Living God y
Had we true conception oi the church OF Christ
we would speedy seen an end Of all sectarianism
and blgotry so abhorrent to the spirit oil our
divine Lord. Could we see that the Kingdom OF
God and the church stand related to each other
as means and end, then this unsecmly STRIFE OF
tongues, between the sects constituting the one
universal church would cease the harmonious
militent army Of the Lord moving on more rapidly
to the conquest Of the world
The church exists Tor the sake OF Kingdom
ior the reconstruction OF Society upon the basis
OF the life and teachings Of our Lord The vari>
Gus denominations OF Christians but rcgimented
and federated companies Of men and women
whose sins are forgiven, whose hearts are changed
and on fire Of the Holy Ghost ready to strike
down all that is wrong and establish, righteous
ness and hence mercy and truth throughout the
whole world.
In the first place the Church will build and re-
habilitatc the home The word home is the dis.
tinct creation Of Jesus Christ Homes OF u1scltish.
ness. tenderness, spotless purity and mutual help
lulness. Homes that are houses OF God and gates
OF heaven. Types Of that beautiful home that
awaits us beyond the skies. Tcnnyson has well
and beautifully said Thrice blessed are thew
whose lives in higher love endure. There is no
peace like theirs To the ideal home OF Sam
and Susanna Wesley we are indebted under God
for the gilt our Great Founder and tha! "Hymnist
OF the .agcs-the sweet singer Chas Wesley"
Maintain the christian home and Satan will be
powcrcss to overthrow our holy religion
In the second place the church is called to re.
construct and purify our towns and cities 10