The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-26
METHODIST CHURCH DEDICATED.
Building at Louisburg COnsecratcd go
tire Service of God.
Especial to News ana observer)


Louisburg, N c. May 25.-Last
Methodists Of Louisburg, as Well as
II day OF unusual interest to all the
people of the town. as it cOmmenOr-
ated an event 60 which. for several
years, we have been looking forward;
the dedication of the new Methodist
church, building which for architec-
tural beauty, pleasant AMI cOmtOrta-
BILE ARA gsments and the good taste
displayed in its inside tlnishings can
not fail to please tho most fastidious
The house was erected during tn
four years which Rev. George f.
Smith, recently the very popular pas
tor OF Edenton Street church, Raleigh
but now presiding elder of the War
renton district, was the stationed
preacher here. but Rev. M. I. Phyler
during his term Of four years had al
lotted to him he task of completing
the work inside, seating the church
and paying off it's Indebtedness, all of
which had to be accomplished before
the dedication could take place. AT
last everything was in readiness and
it was the desire of all that the dedi-
cation should take place before last
conference, while Mr.. Phyler, who
had worked 80 faithfully to complete
the work his predecessor began, was
the pastor, but for reasons that could
not be overcome, the dedication was
deferred. So. on last Sunday Rev. l..
S. Massey, being the preacher, he had
the pleasure of seeing dedicated To
the use and service of the church of
God, a house which was begun and
completed by those faithful men of
God who had preceded him--Revs. Ct.
F. SGlith ard M. T. Phyler.
At eleven o'clock the church was
4 Ton,
When Bishop Duncan, accompanied by
Rev. l.. S. Massey, entered the church
the waiting congregation turned all it's
ewes ucon hi1u and his fine features,
his gray hair, his sanity bearing and
his musical voice, more than filed
their ideal conceptions of a bishop.
The singing was superb. Rev M.
T. Phyler and Rev. L. S. Massey. oc-
cupied seats on the pulpit platform
with the bishop, while the trustees,
stewards and other official members of
the church occupied the front row of
seats.
For his text Bishop Duncan selected
the 18th 14th and 18th verses of the
5th chapter of the gospel by st. Mat
thew: "Ye are the Salt Of the Earth, ."
etc.
He made it very plain that Christ
expected his disciples to be saving in
huence III the world and told how
those saving influences could and
should be exercised.
1t would, however be doing the
bishop injustice to undertake to re-
port him. suffice it to say, he preached
o great sermon, one that was praised
by all who heard and will long be
remembered oy not II few.
At its conclusion the official MEM
bers, headed by Prof. NJ. $. Davis
president of the Louisburg Female
college, presented the church build
ing to The bishop. who. in the ritual
of the church, formally accepted and
dedicated it 20 the Worship Of All
mighty GOD. A prayer concluded the
service, after which the doxology was
sung and the benediction pronounced.
At night the bishop preached ser
mon for the benefit of the Young Wo-
mans Christian Association from the
text: Great Mary who bestowed
much LABOR on u.s." Rom. 1876.
Like the morning sermon it was
rich in thought and finely illustrated
with the rarest gems of "Reminiscences
that We're full of Dathos and instruc-
ton. Taking it altogether, Sunday
was a delightful day in Louisburg.