The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-29
ADAMS STREET CHURCH.

Reopening of the Improved Audi
 torium.
 For the first time since January M the congregation of the Adame Street Baptist Church worshipped yesterday in It's auditorium, which has been vastly improved.
 The auditorium has been beautified with paint and fresco. and a new carpet has been laid.
 A large congregation was present at the morning service and the pastor, Rev. O. F. Gregory, D. D., preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion.
 His text was: ITO beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious"
 Dr. Gregory spoke in part as follows:
 There are two extreme views regard ing the value of esthetics in the house of God. The one would have 1t bare and barren. devoid of all beauty: the other pays more attention to form and decora- tion than to spiritual worship. Both are % -ong. Tn Gods direction for building the tabernacle in the wilderness, and the temple of Solomon, He describes minute ly the elaborate details of beauty, har- mony and wealth that are to enter into their construction.
 "As to-day, for the first time, we wor- ship in this beautiful sanctuary, 1t is flt- ting that we consider the value of the beautiful in the House of God. That 1t has its uses Is proved by the transforms tion which has taken place in this room since last we worshipped here. should be false to every instinct of of the gen tleman and Christian did I fail to ack- nowledge that the present beauty of this place has been made possible by the taste and energy of my predecessor in placing during the time of his service these magnificent art windows, and beau tiful pews in position. Each of these speaks to us with a message from God Matthew and Mark, with Jesus between them, not separating but uniting them Luke and John. with Jesus in the midst The Evangelists silently testify to the Christ, who l.. yltes is to hear Him, fol. low Him. obey Him."
 Looking down upon you as you listen and one me as preach, is this matchless picture of the baptism of Jesus, recalling the hour when We were buried with oul Lord. The names inscribed upon these | windows discourse to us eloQuently Oi Christian Friendship. the honest tribute which is due to those Christian men and women who, being dead, yet speak ' These pews are the gift of love by the | household of one who loved this church | and prayed. Let thy work appear unto thy servants. and thy glory unto our chill dren.' These walls of beauty. this carpet, these adornments we behold today will remain as memorial of the womer of this church, who, after years of weary l waiting, ana frequent QlSappOlnImenL rose in the might and majesty of woman | ly determination and, seeing the absO lute necessity of beautifying the House of the Lord, Said: It ought, 1t can, 1. must, 1t shall, be done;' and willing l hearts and hands have brought 1t to paSS 'I desiIe also to acknowledge our in. l debtedness to MT. R. H. Howe for tht | hearty cooperation he gave the commit. | tee and his valuable advice. and assist ance, without fee or reward, and to Mir G. W. Barnett for the first contribution | for this purpose. And now, with new courage and hope | for the work to which God has called us | together in this place, we pray that this place of Gods feet may indeed be made glorious by the display of His saving grace"
 Dr. Gregory then proceeded to consider some of the uses and lessons of beautify- Ing the sanctuary of the Lord. CD Il caSs our attention to God as the giveI of all beauty; @ 1t shows mans recog' milton of need to worship; C) It typiaes and symbolizes the graces which should characterize all true worshippers.
 At the evening Service the text was Hosea xiv. 5: q will be as the night mist to Israel"
 Dr. Gregory explained the meaning of the night-mist, which brought refreshing relief to the dry and parched earth, dur ing the latter part of the dry season in Palestine; and adduced from 1t words Of comfort for Q the dark times in our lives CD the emergencies of our lives; g. It's abundance in time of need.