The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-08-31

Houae OA "oEnhip-Eioquent address
 by Rev. pr. T. H. Pattison-confents of Corner Stone Box-Large Attend
 nnce.
 The rainy, disagreeable weather which has prevailed for several days past caused decided change in the ar ranged programme for the laying of the corner stone of the First Baptist church on Edwards street yesterday af- ternoon. In consequence of the change the services were held in the old Hope Baptist church building on Lawrence street and despite the weather the lit- tie building was scarcely equal to the task of accommodating all those who desired to witness and be present at the exercises. The church proper was filled to it's utmost capacity and the Sunday school rooms were also thrown open and every available part of the church was occupied by the members of the congregation and others interested.
 It was arranged that Hon. Francis Wayland, who is one of the foremost members of the church, was to preside at the services, but his health would not permit of his presence and he sent message in which he. congratulated all the members of the church, both those who had formerly worshipped with the First church and those with the Hope, saying that the exercises were interesting to all and that this new building was a splendid evidence of the progress being made by the church. It was as physical pledge of all of their belief in God and an external evidence of Christs kingdom here on earth.
 It was also announced that Pierce N. We1ch, chairman of the building com mittee, who was expected to be present and make some appropriate remarks, was called out of the city at the last moment and could not be present.
 The exercises proper began with the singing of the doxology by all present standing. Then came a short invoca-. ton by the Rev. T. H, Pattison, D. D., of Rochester Theological seminary, who also made the, principal address of the afternoon and who for several years was pastor of the old First Baptist church when that congregation wor- shipped on Wooster Place.
 In his address Dr. Pattison briefly congratulated the members of the church on the fact that they were as sembled to observe with appropriate exercises the laying of a new corner stone of a building which was soon to be consecrated to the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. He then spoke of the many organizations, pertaining to the First Baptist church Christian En- ,,deavor society. which he characterized as being one of the most potent forces in the country and world for bringing young. people. into, the fold, also of the many other societies in the church and Sunday school and of their earnest de- voted work, but said that unless there was Christ there was no church. This was the burden of his talk and he il- illustrated the truth of his assertions in number of ways. He told of how the people Of old used to gather by the iwayside out in the open air, anywhere and worship their Lord and Master, but that such was impossible in the climate which we have here and that houses of worship were an absolute he cessity. g
 The speaker continuing said that even though the congregation was gathered together for the purpose of laying the foundation of an elegant house of wor- ship, if Christ was not there then there was no church. He said that those of rr,1,rS ,ir, their Lord and Master in an upstairs room were far better than those who had only the outward surroundings of church splendor. There must be some kind of building and the open air will not suffice He said that if Christian people put the same amount of energy in their religious work that they do in their daily work for wealth and aff1u- ence then the church would be a power which could not be stayed and which would spread to the uttermost parts of the earth with unrestrained rapidity.
 The speaker said that there was no such thing as hereditary religion and that man must decide for himself and that man cannot be Christian sim ply because his father or forefathers were but he must listen to the voice of his own conscience and carefully weigh the matter and decide. It is a mere farce and contrary to Christian principles for a man to go down into baptismal waters without having thoroughly considered all the facts and been actually convinced that he is a Christian and intends leading a life which will so characterize him among his fellow beings. Every man who thus pledges himself stands on his own re- 2 responsibilities. There must be a .per- sonal conviction and there must be a decision after there is conviction; man must not only contemplate but decide.
 There must be an outward manifes- tation of the presence of belief in God and the Lord Jesus. Christ, the same as man must tell of the love of his heart, of his patriotism for the flag of his country Men must be cour- ageous enough to show their colors and must be obedient to Christ's word. A man must take stand for himself.
 III concluding the speaker said that there must not only be an outward manifestation of the belief in the Chris ton religion but there must, also be signs of aggression and that this would cause an upbuilding of the church and