The news & observer., 1905-10-24
CHURCH DEDICATED
New Centenary Meth
odist at New Bern.
B Bshop Duncan of South Carolina De-
Iivers the Dedicatory Sermon. Forty
Five Thousand Contributed, Lift
ing the Debt.
Especial to News and Observer

(SDGCldl TO news ana observer
New Bern, n. c., Oct. 23.-The ded-
ication services of the New Centenary
Methodist church here yesterday
brought to that sacred editice large
numbers of our people, and the day
was one that will be most pleasantly
remembered by all who were present
1t was marked among other things by
a sermon of great.force and beauty by
Bishop w. W. Duncan, of Spartan
burg S. c. and by the pledging of
$45 900. to pay off a. debt still resting
upon the church. The, cost of this
ag1ificent structure was $S0000. The
call was made for 100000. So gener-
Gus was the response that as intimated
IS, 600 above this amount was quickly
raised
1t was crisp, sparkling October
day, the beams of a brilliant sun fall
ing on the noble pile of brick and stone
like a beniSOn. The dedicatory
services were opened at eleven o'clock
with music by a selected choir, which
rendered several selections during the
ceremonies distinguished by unusual
charm. After prayer Bishop Duncan
rose, taking his text from Jeremiah
vi. 16: ASK for the old paths. No
mere summary or synopsis can do jus
tice to his sermon. 1t was a potent
and soul-searching effort character
istic of the man, and it's influence on
the congregation was marked.
On the announcement of the debt
yet remaining on the building the re-
spOnse by members and friends of the
church was prompt and liberal. In
short while, as stated, pledges and con-
tributions were received amounting
to $4,000.
After this the formal dedicatory
ceremonies took place, the officers of
the church advancing to a position in
front of the pulpit and turning over
to Bishop Duncan the superb edifice.
The Bishop then spoke the words that
devoted the temple to the worship of
the Most High God.
Rey.. G.. T.. Adams is pastor of the
church and the officers are as follows:
Board OF Trustees: L. III. Cutler. j.
j. Wolfenden, II. A. Green, John
Suter, J. A. Meadows, c. W. Munger,
Board Of Stewards: Z. A. Green,
chairman; H. M. Groves, treasurer;
T. J. Crowder secretary; Samuel Par
sons, j. M. Howard, c. V. McGehee, j.
Davis, A. e. Hibbard, j. j. Baxter,
j. j. Wolfenden, Thos. II. Moore, Geo.
Henderson, S. j. Hudson, l.. S. Grant,
S. II. Scott p A. Willis, w. w. Mills.
The Building committee is composed
of r. A. Green, treasurer; j. A. Mead
Of Rev. G.. T. Adams, chairman; T. A.
Green, treasurer; J. A. Meadows, T.
J. Crowder, secretary; j. w. Stewart,
C. w. Munger, James Redmond, w. B.
Blades.
The following is a program of the
full dedicatory exercises which began
Sunday:
Sunday, Oct b. II a. M. Dedica-
tory sermon and formal Dedication of
the church, by Bishop William w.
Duncan, Spartanburg, S. G. 400 p.
m, Sunday School Mass meeting-Ad-
dresses by the pastor. superintendent
and others. 1890 p. m., Sermon by
Bishop Duncan.
Monday. 1880 p. M. sermon to the
Epworth Leagues, by Rev. r. b. John,
Kinston. Tuesday, "a, 1880 p. m. Ser
mon by Rev. l.. l.. Nash, d. D., Hen
derson.
Wednesday, 25, 800 p. M, Sermon
by Rev. J. r. Brooks. D. D., Reids-
vile. 1880 p. m. Sermon by Rev. +.
A. Bishop, Raleigh.
Thursday 26.3:00 D. m. Sermon by
Rev. F. Fl. Wood. d. D.. Trinity 1870
.. m. Sermon to the Missionary Soci
cites, by Rev. r. F. Bumpas, Raleigh.
Friday. 27. 800 p. m. Sermon by
Rev. r. A. Willis. Laurinburg. 1870
y. m Sermon by Rev. L. w Crawford.
d. d. Reidsville.
Sunday 20. II a. m. Rev. George
stuart, of Cleveland, Tenn, will begin
ten days meeting.