Los Angeles herald., 1905-06-26
DEDICATION Of
NEW CHURCH
FIRST SERVICES WERE HELD
YESTERDAY
RAISED s77oo IN AN HOUR
MAGNOLIA Avenue Congregation AS
senbled In Its Handsome EdIfice
Which Has Just Been Conn.,
pleted at a Cost Of $4,000

Seven thousand, seven hundred dol
lars was the phenomenal subscription
raised in less than one hour at the
first service held in the new Magnolia
Avenue Christian church yesterday
morning.
1t was conceded to be one of the
most enthusiastic church congrega-
tions ever assembled in Los Angeles.
1t was expected that the formal de-
dication of the church would be held
following the dedicatory sermon at the
morning service. but owing to the late
ness of the hour it was postponed un-
til the evening service.
Rev. ]. w. Mcknight. the pastor, led
the service. The choir of twenty-eight
voices, led by DIR. S. A. Donaldson,
with r. H. Hastings as organist, rem
dered excellent music.
Rev. Mcknight in introducing c. G.
Chapman, president of the Southern
California Missionary society, to de-
liver the dedicatory address. spoke of
him as mot a minister, but practi-
cal Christian business man."
Mr.. Chapman began his address by
referring to the great devotion to
church work of Jesus Christ at Pal
estine. He contrasted some of the
earlier histories of the church to the
present time. He said :n part:
"The rock upon which the church is
founded is the only solid foundation.
Human laws are made governing the
church, but the church itself is divine.
Gods precepts in the work is to win
man into the ark. where he may safe
ly go, which is the Church of Christ.
THE conception that Jesus Christ
had of the kingdom Of God was su
bime, when proclaimed from heaven
that he was God and Christ. John
the Baptist had been sent to prepare
the way for the carpenter of Nazareth
before his crucifixion on the Roman
cross.
II think that the book written by in
spired men contains ample laws and
rules for the proper government of
ourselves and the church. If we study
it, preach and teach it Alright, we are
safe. But our busy lives have great
tendency of diverting from the church
In the church we stand before God
justified and in Jesus Christ we re-
ceive the blood of the lamb.
ITO obtain eternal life we must be in
the church. 1t is delightful thought
that we can meet and praise our God.
1t is the object of the church to de-
velop our spiritual welfare and to
make the world better. The sweet dis
semination OF Christ in the chuch and
community shows an uplifting stand
ard of citizenship and the enjoyment
of fellowship with one another What
a power it would be if all were united
in this work of salvation. 1t would
not be long before the world would be
converted. In this salvation we have
a panacea for all the lis of life and the
soul is at peace with God and man."
Following the address of Mr.. Chap
man the subscription was taken. At
the close of this service three united
with the church, making a total MEM
bership of 26S, showing a phenomenal
growth in the year and a half since it
was organized.
Rev. B. F. Coulter, pastor of the
Broadway Christian church, preached
the sermon at the service yesterday
afternoon, at which communion was
celebrated in charge of j. c. Hay and
d. A. Wagner.
At the services last evening Rev. A.
c. Smither, pastor of the First Christ
ian church, preached the sermon. The
formal dedicatory service was held in
charge of the pastor.
The church is of English Gothic style
of architecture and was erected at the
cost of $4,000. The seating capacity is
about 1000. The church property is
valued at $25,000
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