The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-11-25
THE DEDICATION
A Great Cause-A Great Speaker
And Great Day


church was the center OF attraction
Yesterday, and the subject Of comment
today. 1t seemed that all the hard
labor, sacrifice, anxiety and prayers of
the pastor and the church had reached
their zenith, bloomed into fruition,
and the entire city joined in singing
the reapers song with joy.
No pains had been spared to have
the new building all in readiness and
was beautifully decorated in the most
artistic way. In the morning General
H. t. Sweeney, of Columbus, Ind,
chose for his theme, THE Gospel Is
Gods Power" This theme was treat
ed uuder the subdivision as follows.
The Gospel is Gods power in civilizing
the nations; Gods power to elevate
society, and Gods power to refine the
homes. BY comparing the various
nations and their religion, the speaker |
showed that in proportion as nation
or people embraces the religion OF
Jesus Christ it is civilized, prosperous,
educated, refined and happy. After
sending this lesson home to every
heart in the most beautiful and APP
propriate language that hnman tongue
could command, General Sweeney
spoke brifiy of the new building to be
dedicated and said We had met for
that purpose but there was just one
little thing in the way, that was a
little Indebtedness and that we must
raise about 81, 500 before we could offer
the church to our God who had so
graciously blessed us.
AS soon as the opportunity was
given the Ladies' Aid society lead out
with a voluntary subscription of $500.
Others began to follow with their two
hundred, one hundred, tifties, forties,
twenty-fvees, twenties, tens and tives.
Never did people enjoy giving as they
did here, and it was soon found that
SO, los had been subscribed The audi
ence then adjourned services until
o'clock, and repaired to the magnifi-
cent basement of the church for
luncheon. The tables were spread and
loaded with dainties and luxuries and
everything desired to make a hungry
man happy.
At 800 p. M. Gen. Sweeney spoke
on the position occupied by the Chris
tian church. In this most eloquent
and logical address he showed the Pc
culiarity of the Christian church is
that they have no peculiarities, but
occupy common basis Of Christian
unity, and that sooner or later all
wjllclaSp hands of sweet
fellowship ON the same basis. He
said we, as a church, seek not to {
teach and practice that which is ac-
cepted by one church land rejected by
anothe, but that which is accepted
and uniisputed by each and every
church. Hence, we take faith in
Jesus Christ as our only creed, and
loyalty to Him as our only test of
fellowship.
Most touching eulogies were passed on {
many religious teachers who differ from {
Mr.. Sweeney, and he held no stones to
cast at any church, or any person who
strives to do right, be he ever so imper- s
feet but he anxiously looks for and longs {
to see the day, when all soldiers of the
cross line up in one great army Of the +
Lord and fight the battle for righteous ,
ness unto victory. {
The church was dedicated unto AL {
mighty God at the close of the afternoon I
service, and General Sweeney took the {
5:25 train on the Frisco for his home in l
Columbus. The evening services were I
largely attended by several of the other {
churches Of or city and a number of cut S
Of town people. Some special and de- c
ightful pieces of music were rendered.
Rev. Moore Of the Baptist church and C
Rev. Chubb each made an encouraging Z
ak, and Elder Hawkins, of the Chris b
ian church at Pryor Creek, preached a Z
very enjoyable and instructive sermon. il
The large auditorium and adjoining de- S
1artments Of the church were filed at Q
zach service throughout the day, and {
while some sang hymns of gladness others {
he'd tears Of JOY.
Too much credit cannot be given to
gaylord N. Bebout and others who labor
ID so untiringly and efficiently to make
he music a great success; and to the u
rood people of Vinita and vicinity who e
AVE contributed so generously Of their n
mems to erect this commodious and mod 81
I'm building May it stand many years a
O gladden. the hearts of those who pass =
~. May children be taught to remem-
,er their Creator in the days Of their v
-outh in its Bible school and Endeavor G.
ooms, and may the issues of eternal life
ver few from its pulpit.
Round Oak fDame on the leg heat
RS, the best onIearth at Frazee- Hos A
ner Hardware Co.