The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-02
STONE PUT IN PLACE
OCCASION OF REJOICING FOR
BAPTIST HOST.
Ceremonyat Night Attracts Vast Throng'
Novel Plan to Raise Funds
for Church.

Under the glare of an immense electric
arc light, which attracted the pestiferous
mosquito, the cornerstone OF the new
LYONS Farms Baptist Church was laid last
night with impressive services at the site
Of the new structure, Elizabeth and Lyons
avenues. In which prominent Baptist
clergymen. members Of the church and
congregation and their friends took part
The cornerstone laying was unique as iar
as the feature of illumination by cleo
tricity was concerned, so far as is known
it being In this respect the first event OF
its kind in the State.
A short service was held in the present
edifice, and then the minister and the con-
gregation assembled on the flooring OF the
new building, and the cope box contain
ing what was found in the cornerstone OF
the old church when it was opened a rev
ddys ago. and many things added by the
pastor. the Rev. Gideon M. Shott, was
sealed within the stone bearing the oates
1853. 1871. 1907.
The little old structure. with Its history
and traditions, was packed to the doors
with church members and those who were
not members. Every creed and denomina-
tion wns represented. The old-fashioned
windows were thrown wide open to let in
all possible air. but the damned humanity
suffered in silence.
The services last night began In the
church with an organ voluntary, played
by Miss Ethel Pursel.. organist of the
church., followed by the invocation by the
pastor and a hymn sung by the congrega-
ton. The Rev. s. T.. Graham. pastor of
the Elizabeth Avenue Presbyterian Church,
read the Scripture, and then Miss ]. x.
Bailey. of Jersey City, sang a solo. The
Rev. Thomas E. Vassar, jr., pastor Of the
II1In,1aJ Da-fiet Ef,rro1, 1ffa,od - o,ox,or
and the congregation Joined In singing a
hymn. The principal address was by the
Rev. William M. Lawrence. pastor of the
North Orarge Baptist Church. He dwelt
on the history of the Lyons Farms Church,
and referred to it as the mother OF all the
churches"
In opening his remarks he told the con-
Sregation to slap way all they chose at
the mosquitoes. which were plentiful, and
he would understand what they were do
ing. Every one followed the reverend
g~entleman's advice. and the slappings were
general all over the house. He spoke in a
humorous vein because, he said, 1t was too
hot q night talk seriously. In closing he
made an eloquent appeal for funds.
The first things in a city that attract
the stranger and by which he rates the
place are the g~raveyards. the schools and
the churches said DR.. Lawrence. "but
80 f0t tA1dAtltJ II idIltI. lie 1uQReS
the character of the people by the church
buildings and their homes, sometimes, but
the m are the selfish side of their
natures and he can learn little from them,
INT churches are the generous side Of the
people. A city of lots of churches is a
city OF generous people.
This is the mother of all the churches
in this section, and like all MOTH she
Is the last to get what she wants. She
hos aana kn~ = Lf.~-s- - .
then gradually drift away from her, but
always she herself has been the last con-
slderation. As mothers. she deprived her.
self of things that her offspring might
have what they wanted. Now 1t 10 time
that these children came to their mothers
aid and contributed generously towar1
her support
The pastor OF the church asked that
those present give as generously as they
could so that the $4,000 for the building of
the church might be raised without diff
cu1tS CTie explaineds an original Idea TO
raise money. The new building Is to be
butt of concrete blocks, and in the front Of
the old church last night there was sus-
pered a large drawing of the new building.
This plan was divided Into just as many
blocks as there are to be concrete blocks In
the finished structure and these blocks will
be sold TO all who wish to contribute at
S. each. The blocks are numbered, and SO
far 79i of them have been sold, SO that
multiplying the number on the last block
SD by five the congregation can always
Headily find out just how much has been
contributed.
There was placed in the box before 1t
was sealed, a copy of Newark and New
York newspapers, Baptist publications,
lists of members of the church, pictures of
officers. a history of the church and many
other things that usually go into such a
box. and the mason did the rest. The
benediction was pronounced by the Rev.
s. J. Skerrlngton, pastor Of the Clinton
Avenue Baptist Church.