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

We're great events because of the con-
trast between the times when the ma
tion was out from under the influence
OF Gods word and when it was living
in accordance Herewith.
God and His Word.
God and his word are unchange-
able, they are the same yesterday, to-
day and forever, what took place then
will take place now under the same
conditions. Neglect Gods word and this
community with all its intelligence
and culture will become a heather
one, and the teachings of Gods word
to the people is inseparably connect
ed with the house of worship; it may
be very humble place, a palm hut or
a dugout, or it may be some magni-
ficent cathedral, they are all the
same, and through same the communi-
tyis lifted up into the image of God
Himself. Then the erection of a
house of worship, from the pulpit of
which and in Sabbath school and
young peoples society," God word is
read, taught and explained and saliva
ton offered to lost souls through the
shed blood of Jesus Christ is bless
ing and an elevation to the commune
ty in which it is placed, and the peo-
pie are blessed who by sacrifice Of
themselves and what they have have
been instrumental in establishing a
house for the worship of God.
Man is Free Agent.
Il am not one of those people who
believe that all denominations should
become one. 1t is contrary to the ma
ture God has given us-we have differ
ent temperaments and conception of
things, and to force all people into the
same mould would bling about rep
etition of the conditions that existed in
the dark ages. Man is a free agent, the
Holy Spirit guides the layman as well
as the priest and minister, so that the
existence of sects is of God, as they are
but the expression of the variously con-
structed minds with which the creator
has endowed them, and they are pleas
ing in Gods sight When they live and
work together in love- charity and mu-
tual helpfulnes; therefore all houses of
worship such as | have described are
to be welcomed because of the bless.
ing they bring to the community that
surrounds them, and God grant that
this new house. the cornerstone OF
which is laid today. may bring great
blessing to the community, is my pray
er, Amen"
Address of DR.. E. T. Eagerly.
The concluding address Of the ser.
vices was given by DIR. q. L. Edgerly
The subject OF DR.. Edgerly's talk was
What the erection of House of Wor-
ship Means to the Denomination, and
is as follows:
"Friends-I am deeply and sincere
~ thankful that l was born into a
time when it is not an occurrence eX-
citing any criticism or even comment
that the members of one Christian
denomination, wishing to celebrate an
event in the erection of a new church
edifice, should meet for their services
in the house of another denomination.
prefer the fervor of the brotherly
hand-clasp and the outspoken God
speed to that of the fires of Smithfield
and of other places notorious in the
history of the misconceptions of
Christ's message. We thank you,
brethren of our First Presbyterian
y
this afternoon.
Reasons For New Building.
1T appears to me the building of a
new house of worship may mean, will
mean, just what the church makes ii
mean. The fact that an organization
starts on such Il task, indicates dis
satisfaction with previous conditions
and a desire for better things. If the
dissatisfaction, or the ambition is
based on So-called worldly reasons.
only, that is, on Il desire to have more
beautiful surroundings and to have
services more ostentatious, simply to
satisfy the personal selfish pride of
the membership and not on a deep
seated desire to increase the efficiency
of the church and to add to the glory
of God, the motive is not, of course
free from criticism.
But we may assume that the de-
sire is to build larger and better that
the work of the church may be better
done, more people attracted and bet
ter care taken of them. This ambi-
ton will, then, have brought upon the
church an obligation, u necessity tc
expend, and, let us hope, in such a
case, our hearts may follow our trea-
sure, not into the timber and brick
of the building, but into the world
wide responsibilities and interests OF
stone are to stand for.
Should Have Better Churches.
"A building having been decided
necessary, should not an organization
build the best house. it, in the limit
alton placed upon, is able to build?
There are deeply, conscientious
truly Christian people who believe il
/ wrong to spend money in making
La church beautiful and in some cases
comfortable. They feel it is pander-
ing to worldly pride. There Were
those in olden times, who held it SIN
/ full to heat church buildings to a com.
Portable degree in winter. Some vii
point to the greater spirituality which
/ formerly prevailed. when meeting
houses We're of the plainest and mos
severe type and contrast it with thai
/ of the present time. 1t seems to me
! however, that God is entitled to tn,
! best we can give ana as our home.
of the present show improvements il
conveniences and beauty over those
/ of the past so should our churche
show the benefit of the same ad
vances in the builders art. To max,