The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-08-27
DEDICATION OF SHADY GROVE

This church was dedicated Sunday.
! August lGCh, with the impres ssiye cer,..
monies OF the NJ. f. Church South. The
! edinee had been completed in fine style
and finish. Both the front and side rle-
vations are beautiful. Ii is - ieet long
and - let wide. There are four win
dows 10 the side and two doors ON each
end. The pitch IS very high and the
auditorium is airy and comfortable. TIE
pews, wainscoating and ceiling are all
| nard finished. The pulpit is ~ highly
polished walnut ana the carpeting Is
rich and looks costly The whole build
ing Is In Keeping with the prosperity Of
the people. IL is difficult TO ascertain
the cost, ~ very much Of the work on it
was done by the members OF the church
and citizens. Ii Il thought that about
81 900 have been expended on this struc.
ture. Ii is both beautiful and commooi-
ous and Is "a monument to the enterprise
and devotion OF tie Methodists OF this
community.
great multitude gathered at about
II NJ. and only about ORe-third could be
seated in the large building. Or. Raw
announced that through the energy Of
the workers the church would be SET
apart to sacred uses free OF debt and no
collection would be taken except for the
immediate expenses of the meeting
Rev. James Cannon, Jr.. d. D., preach
ed the dedicatOry sermon at high noon
from the text: "He that hath this hone
In him puFitieth himself even as he IS
pure. Clear, strong and eloquent the
distinguished speaker held the great au-
dlence in wrapt attention for more than
a hour and discussed in a masterful way
the thought, that hope, made up Of de-
sire and expectation, Is highest mo-
tive TO purity of life
In the afternoon DR.. Cannon preached
again impressively and tenderly on the
"orevlty q. human lie"
immediately after the morning ser
mon DR.. Ray and the officiary of the
church presented the new house for con
secration according to the rites of the
church. The folio wing memb rs stood
around the chancel in the presentation.
Messrs. John Hicks. p. G. Finnev.
Arthur Alsop, b. C.. Dickerson. W. r
ticks Aontreville Poole, Rosser Harris
Wesley Wright, James Hicks and A.
II Keller, and presented the BUILDING for
uedication, and the impressive ceremon-
les ana pray er OF the ritual were made
by DR.. Cannon, and the congregation
Joined In the Praise God from Whom
All Blessings Flow" The whole remind
ed one OF the story OF the wise man who
offered that splendid prayer at the dedi-
cation OF the great temple and all the
people said "amen," and all Palestine
felt the echo Of the hozennas that sgeled
from the sacred spot, and the silver
trumpets prolonged the strain from dis
tant hill tops.
The meeting continued TIL Thursday,
under the conduct Of Rev. DIR. Ray, as.
sisted by Rev. 4. + Thomas, and grew
In interest and power TIL Thursday after-
noon. There were about six professions
OF religion and there are eight or ten
Others who ought to join the church.
DR.. Ray will open the church on the
afternoon OF first Sunday In September.
and invites 10 a reunion Of iellO wship ali
the members OF Shady Grove and gives a
hearty invitation u all who ought to
enter that communion.
The first to make confession and be
converted IN this new church was the
youngest daughter of Mr.. Leigh Harris.
Miss Susie Harris.
Aug. 20, 1905.