Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-05

they honor Him bp building houses
fitted for the churchs worship and
work. 1t is not difficult to find ample
proof. Wherever a church organiza-
tion gives a proper care to the build
ing in which it worships, the favor of
God rests upon it. Especially is this
true of those churches which provide
the best apparatus for the doing Of
their work. Such church makes
its plant as good as possible to meet
the demands of the Sunday school
work. 1t seeks to be source of
light upon the social life of the con-
gregation. The very building is an
expression of the peoples thought
and purpose. And God owns the
thought and purpose.
Revival Wished For.
ut often comes about that the
building of new church brings with
it blessed revival of religion and
an ingathering of souls The sacri-
fees in order to build, the earnest
prayer of the people, the deep feeling
of independence, open the door and
God comes in with unusual blessings.
pray that a blessed revival may come
to the First Baptist church of Ottum-
wa. as the browning evidence that it's
efforts in building have been owned
by God.
GAS last point permit me to call
attention to the fact that those COM
munities which give a suitable regard
to their church buildings and are
careful to maintain healthy church
life, have the best social as well as
religious conditions. They are the
best communities in which to live and
bring UP young people. We find the
good school, the good home, and the
state has good citizens. Do we need
to ask why? Is it not because God has
pleasure in His people who build
houses of worship.
The Abiding Corner Stone.
"My friends OF the First Baptist
church of Ottumwa, believe that God
is well pleased with what you are
doing in putting up in this city a
new building for His cause. While
you remember that the one abiding
corner stone for the church is Jesus
Christ, you will overcome in all He
gives you to do and your way will
grow brighter and your influence larg-
er with the passing years. We shall
pray that the blessing OF the Father
and of the Son snd of the Holy Spir-
it may abide with you forever"
T.. D. Fosters fddress.
At the conclusion of the address of
DIR. Stoltz a sacred solo was sung by
Edward Weeks. Following this was
heard an address by T. d. Foster, upon
the subject. The Significance of the
Erection of House of Worship to a
Community" Mr. Foster spoke as fol-
lows.
Mr.. Chairman and friends:
81 am glad to be here today and to
unite with you in these joyous and
happy exercises for l know it means
much to you to have reached the
point in the erection of your house of
worship when the corner stone has
to be set You begin to feel now that
you are within measurable distance
of the time when that still greater
ceremony will take place-the dedica-
ton of the finished building to the
worship of God. building beautifully
situated for location, modern in its ap-
pointments, calling you to more COM
plete conservation of yourselves to the
great work of the church-that of
drawing lost souls into the haven of
safety
New Church Means Much.
While the erection of such a
building means much to you and salts
| fies the longing that has been in your
hearts for many years, it is not with
out great significance to the commune
| ty. In these days OF many churches
| the erection of another one may seem
an Insignificant matter. Familiarity
| breeds, not contempt in this case, yet
] it has tendency to create indiffer-
ence, at least to the casual observer,
| it may seem SO. but in reality it is
| far from being matter of Indifference
| rather it is one of great importance
and should be so regarded The
| first house of worship that we read of
was the tabernacle in the wilderness
The structure was very small. II
could be taken down and put up in
a short space of time and carried
about, yet its presence cemented those
people together, all tribes with their
different characteristics and attrl
butes were one people-God's people
/ The Tabernacle.
when they came together TO thai
/ little tent TO worship God and to sac
rifice through its presence, they We're
4 purified and strengthened and for five
! hundred years it was the overshadow
I ing influence to the Israelite and the
4 following that for one thousand years
| the temple was the same. The de
fections only heightening its import
ance to the Jewish people and when
1 the OBJECTIONS occurred the life and
conduct OF the people showed in a
4 limited way. what the world would
4 come TO without the house in which
to worship the true God. With whai
4 ecstaey Of delight the Jew welcomed
the restoration of Gods temple, which
almost amounted to intoxication
when, after years of dfsuse the bool
of the law was read and its meanine
taught and explained. Such times
4 Of revival were very significant. the,