Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-19
Salem
Dedicated
EXERCISES MARK
THE INITIAL SERVICE OF NEW
METHODIST CHURCH


God created this beautiful earth as
a temporary home for his children"
said Rev. H. N. Smith of Hedrick, pre-
siding elder of the Ottumwa district
of the Methodist Episcopal church. in
his sermon yesterday morning at the
dedicatory exercises of the new Salem
church north of the city.
The new building was crowded to It's
fullest capacity, chairs being placed
in all the aisles for the accommoda-
ton of the immense gathering. The
services were impressive throughout,
in charge of the presiding elder, assist
ed by the pastor. Rev. Thomas Rowe.
The new Methodist church at Salem
has almost established a record for
itself insomuch as it starts in with tue
initial service practically out of debt.
Seven Hundred Dollars Raised.
The building and furnishing cost
$4,000. OF this amount $4,000 had
been raised previously to the dedica-
ton exercises. Following the sermon
Rev. Smith raised the remaining sum
in the congregation, practically every
one in the gathering responding liber-
ally. The exercises were suspended
at l O'Clock and the meeting adjourned
to the basement of the church where
an elegant repast had been prepared
for all present.
AT 3 O'Clock the program was con-
tinued and finished. The sermon OF
the day was delivered at II o'clock III
the morning. The special features IF
the afternoon exercises were the num-
Der OF short addresses delivered by
members Of the church, especially by
the older residents of the community
who were largely instrumental in the
success of the earlier church and who
have since moved into Ottumwa.
Rev. Smiths Sermon.
Rev. Smith preached on the topic of
Gods Love-"
Behold, what manner Of love the
Rather has bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God" was
the text, being words of John.
Rev. Smith said: "John was con-
stantly preaching upon the subject of
Gods love. He speaks of it's height,
It's depth, length and breadth, but he
never attempts to make any specific
statement as to the dimensions of this
love. He cannot find breadth to speak
OF the dimensions of this love
Gods love is bound]ess and
You stand by the sea-
shore and see the waters of the deep,
mile on mile they stretch away into
the distance; you canot weigh them,
you cannot measure their quantity,
but YOU know they are there.
Gods Love Like the Sea.
SO 1t is with Gods love. John looks
upon the love of the Father and says,
Behold, what manner of love the
Father has bestowed upon us, that we
may be called the sons of Cod He
can not measure 1T nor comprehend IT,.
but he can and does appreciate it.
John has suggested in all his messages
to us that this marvellous love toward
the people is revealed in the people
hemselves--they are created the
image of God.
In the beginning was the Word and
the Word was with God, and the Word
was Cod God is the worlds creator,
1t was his purpose and plan to people
the earth. He made his image from
the clay Of the earth and so reincar.
mated himself into that temple Of clay
up. w coiNC ~ iAo.
Earth is Temporary Home.
God created the heavens and the
earth as the temporary home Of his
children. He made ample accommo-
dations for the acceptance of this
world by his children. You have
heard these words, Love not the
world, for If a man loveth the world
and the things in it, he cannot love
the Lord
But this means do not love the
world in a carnal sense 1t is natural
that we should love the world, but we
must not love it's criminal pleasures
and it's sinful pastimes. The world
was given to Us to be loved.
= He Made the World Beautiful.
I'VE are grateful for the riches and
resources of the world. Behold what
manner of love the Father has bestow-
ed upon us in the provisions he has
made in making this temporary home
Of ours SO rich in resources He might
have made this world without so much
beauty. Why did he put leaves on all
eE0 trees? Why did he make the