Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-10-13
MAHONINC CHURCH
REOPENED

that congregation. Heaven. indeed
smiled auspiciously upon the rededioa,
tory and the memorial services, whic,
occupied pretty much the entire day.
The crisp autumn air was tempered by
the softest and most glorious sunlight
depths above. The community seem
ed to take deep interest in the rem
ovating and the re-opening of the
fine old church AMI not only was the
full membership OF the Mahoning con-
I gregation present. but also many per-
sons belonging to other churches, not
, ably members of the sister ccngrega-
ton. the Grove Presbyterian church,
which as matter of courtesy was
closed during the morning service.
By 80 O'Clock every pew in the
large auditorium was filed.
After prelude. Grando Offertorie"
the choir sang an anthem, "Glor-
ia with superb effect. DoXoioRy
and Invocation by the pastor, Rev. j..
|
sive reading and hymn, when Rev.
R. L. Stewart. D. d read the scrip
ture lesson, embracing portions of
| t22nd Psalm and also 12th chapter of
Paul's Epistle to the Romans. A So.
prano solo, "Open the Gates of the
Temple" was rendered by Miss Mar
garet zimmerman, after which Rev.
| William y. Mccormack, ID. D., pastor
of the Grove Presbyterian chruch.
offered paryer.
| The rededicatory sermon was preach
ed by Rev Robert B. Jack, of Halle =
ton. He founded his remarks on Ez.
ra's prayer and confession Of sins.
The text is found in the 9th chapter
of Ezra, Sth verse:
"And now for little space grace
has bsen showed from the Lord our
| Col to leave us a remnant to escape
| and to give us n nail in His holy
place, that our God may tighten our
eyes and give US little reviving in
our bondage"
Since the days of their fathers,
Era confessed, the people of Israel
had been in trespass and for their in
iquities had they, their kings and
their priests been delivered to the
sword, to captivity and to spoil. But
now God had extended mercy unto
them and given them revivlng to set
up the house of their God.
| Rev. Jack is recognized as a man of
fine attsinmt nts, strong along all
er. His ability shone forth yesterday
very brightly. Dwelling upon the re-
turn of the people of Israel. on their
| captivity. their trials and the lessons
learned by them in the school of afflic
tion he had 10 diff Julty in bringing
his hearers to realize tn feeling an
the tervenoy with which the words of
the text were uttered.
| lie dwelt upon the church OF today.
the church visible and the church in
visible, of its present. power to bless.
| What comfort we have gathered from
it. In it we find assurances of forgive
uess our resolutions are fortified and
it becomes a necessity of daily life.
We must, however, not play at re-
ligion. Such will find the tea ,hings
of the church empty aud unsatisfact.
ory. 1t is only those who are thirsty
for the Fellowship of God who find
the worship of His house real and
true. The relal ion to God must not
be artificial, but must be natural, what
our relationship is TO home. Thus
the House of God exercises over us a
restraining influence. He who yields
to his passion and heat of temper is
out of place in the house of God; we
can never indulge in the sin of covet-
BUSINESS nor yield to our love Of pleas
ure but we first must close our eyes
to the instructions of the church OF
Jesus Christ.
With wonderful emphasis, indeed,
did the speaker dwell upon tha great
blessing and cheer which comes to us
from the House of God. The great
past with which the church Is linked
has given us the examples of the Pa
triarchs and the piety, sacrifice. hero
ism and persistence of the early
Christians. Our own day has giver
us the tender and sympathetic ties Of
those friends in Christ Jesus who
have gone before us.
The idea that Mr.. Jack brought ou
very nicely and it was present al
through his discourse, was that thu
church with its present power to re
strain and bless stands as n might,
factor in lite aud that the grateful
Christian in his joy might we'll Civ,
utterance to words like those employ
ed in the text.
The sermon was followed by the re
dedication which was really very i'm
, pressive. The ceremony consisted O
responsive reading with Mr.. Hutch
, ison, tine pastor of the chuIch, on Gil
side aud the people on the other, til
touRttRai lbh HithH
q The last verse in which the m:nists
, and the people jnined, was follows:
"Thi' house. which we have been per
mi;teh to re-it through the grat ion
favor of divine provide nee We do no'
solpmuly redt diaate to the worshi
: and service OF Almighty God. Th
: Fatler, The Son. and The Holy Ghost
't Amen"
4 In conclusion tic choir Iendere
o the following:
Holy. holy. holy! Lord God A
!. mighty!
r All thy works shall praise thy nau
;. in earth and sky and sea.
IA Holy. holy, holy merciful and might