The Tupelo journal., 1903-10-09
New MethOsist Church
.sa-~ ", .ssss's .l.,a''. .s's,.--.,
Dedicated. lrslg.
Bishop Gambler Delivers EIeqneat
Sermon.
Large Crowd Present.

erected for the glory OF the civ
er of all good and perfect gifts by
the members Of the Methodist
congregation here was full OF
many evidences Of Gods gifts to
man and should inspire him to q
holier life and loftiest christian
aspirations. The day was perfect
and lent many charms to the occas-
ion, one Of thankfulness and de.
votion. Although the season was
autumn, yet, the flowers still shed
their radiant beauty and fragrance
around the scene and the linger-
ing voices of tho birds lent their
sweet cadences tn inspire q the
hearts of all with glrry aud praise
to the Almighty Sneh was the
day that greeted to q who as.
sembled for the pnrpm O. of asking
f
Gods benediction npon their work
and to accept th.tir utf rag, tiis
handiw oik of his humble creatures.
Those who had charge of @the
arrangements for he occySion had
graced the chaheel with ferns,
geraniums and an exquisite col
lection Of Marecbal Mel. roses.
The choir was selected frem the
best talent and rendered the sacred
music with expressive and iu-
spring voices. Bishop Gambler,
who had been selected to- deliver.
the sermon, read a number Of
verses from Ephesians 4th chapter
and selected as his theme '.The
Sonship Of Man.. From the com.
prehensive text, the speaker show
ed that there was one God and
Father, the fountain from which
all beings have their existance;
that by his energy all creatures
live, move and have their being,
and through his watchful care all
things are supported aud preserv-
ed. Of all mis-. creatures man was
the only one that recognized the
Fatherhood and whose heart craved
his love. He sought to establish
the Sonship Of man to God and
portrayed the infinite blessings to
be derived from such relationship;
that the great purpose Of Christ's
coming was to establish this Son.
ship and to restore and reconcile
man to his Creator. He compii.
mented the beau tifu1 ediice and
said that his fervent prayer was
that it might be indeed a house Of
God where sons and daughters
would be; born into; his kingdom,
Men alone could not build a
church lit matters not how mag
nifcent the structure, how beauti-
full the music, how eloquent the
preaching, unless the spirit Of
God dwells there it would be like
whited sepulchre full of dead
mems bones. The discourse was
listened to- with rapt attention by
the large congregation present
who followed the distinguished
speaker closely throughout the en-.
tire time. az s<S :,
At the. close Of the sermon Mr..
W. A. McCanless, on the behalf
of the officers presented tbs church
to the Conference. s4 ".g
HISTORY OF NEW CHURCH.
The rapid growth Of the city
with the additional membership
OF the congregation made 1T neces-
sary tor them to have an edlfice
that would accommodate .he con-
gregations that continued to grow
larger with each succeeding year.
While the, Rev. r. a. Meek. was
pastor the movement, which cul-,
minatedin the building of the new
church was set on foot. The
question was agitated among the
members and finally it was de
termined to bull. The old build.
ing on Church street was disposed
Of and q LOT secured. On Main
street, it being desired + to get,
nearer to the heart. of the town.
This was done after Rev. 8. sB.
Meyers became pastor, and with
great zeal the pastor and officers
took up the work and secured
subscriptions amounting to $1,000.
A committee was appointed and
plans and specifications were SUBJ
mitted, the one by which the
present church was built being
accepted In due course of tine
the beautiful structure was read
for occupancy, Tie last of the
debt which has been carried bv
some Of the officers Tor the past
three years, was hnquidated last
spring. When, this was done the
pastor and his congregation were
ready for the dedication and tla
services Sunday morning saw the
! fnidlment oi the long cherished
hopes of the entire membership,
4 honaA. af wnreI,;., -