Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1910-03-05

Il
at this, the greatest occasion in the histor
of this church for thirty years. I an
conscious Of my inability to measure u
to the expectations of this hour, especiall
when remember the many distinguishes
ministers who have served pastorates OF
this charge. /, however, content mysel
with this thought, that, in the midst
so much beauty OF color, form and bar
mony in the transformation OF this mos
beautiful auditorium in Methodism, yo'
will not need an elaborate discourse il
order to make this most interesting snt
delightful occasion.
lam aware that the citizens OF Middle
town have been greatly impressed will
the wonderfully winning way, as well 81
the remarkable genius of your pastor
Vaughan S. Collins, who has manifested
great ability as q fnancier and genera
manager OF this whole enterprise, which
has reach such q triumphant and har
monious conclusion. II we could search
the brain of Brother Collins for tbs
aesthetic faculty, We would discover the
Kohinoor Diamond, which has flashed
it's luster all over this auditorium"
Text: Psalm 1872, verses 4 aud 5,-l
will not give sleep to mine eyes or slum'
Der to mine eyslids, Until fnd out q
place for the Lord, habitation for the
mighty God Of Jacob.
The soul being the temple of the Holy
Ghost, true worshipper will iud, any.
where, everywhere and IN eTeFyt t4iiffssEG; III;
among our Fathers creations, the dwell.
ing place Of the Most High, where the
devotional man or angel may worship,
love and adore.
Jacob found his Bethel in a rude hill
side, which became to him the House of
God and Gate of Heaven. Moses found
the burning bush sacred spot, where
God spoke to him in holy communion
and command. In all ages, to one whose
eyes have been opened, the groves are
Gods temples, and every bush is Rfirs
with divine fame. Where children play
and men toll, where streets are crowded
and cars are laden, in marts of business
or on the wide ocean of commerce all may
become the court of the Lord, the meet
ing place with the Almighty.
John Ruskin once wrote friend, say.
ing, "Come with me to Venice and zee
the glories of Italy" "Glories OF Italy,"
replied the friend, 81 have not yet ex-
bauSted the glories Of my own back yard"
Do we not come TO the House of God to
behold the beauty of the Lord and get
the fragrance from the Kings Garden.
Notwithstanding this glorious truth, we
know that Almighty God delights in
special places of worship, dedicated to
Himself meeting place between great
congregations and the Father. 1t is
net good for men or angels to be alone.
God did not send single angel to sing a
solo of "Peace on earth, goodwill to
men," but whole choir of angels, and a
multitude of the heavenly hosts suddenly
joined in singing the anthem of praise,
peace and blessed proclamation.
"He sstteth the solitary in families"
and an aggregation of families make the
Church into one mighty brotherhood.
We are not TO forget the assembling OF
ourselves together, for "Whers two or
three are gathered together, there am /
in the midst" In the early history of
the church, the Diyine glory shone in the
Tent and Tabernacle; then, in the more
elaborate and beautiful temple. The
Holy Spirit led David to plan and Solo.
mon to build the Temple. 1t may be
well to consider some of the blessings
attending the worship of God in the
churches. We come to the house Of God
for the purpose OF communion and fellow
ship With our Heavenly Father. We ex.
pect to find the Master of the house at
home, that we may feel our hearts barn
within US as He talks with us in the holy
place.
The ministry of music greatly aids our
approach to the presence Of the King.
The soul, often dropping under burdens
or trials, is waited upon the wings of song,
into the upper and heavenly atmosphere.
The sermon is designed TO bring the
audience into closer touch with the Divine
Spirit, until, at times, the sacred unction
of the speaker brings Heaven and earth
together, while foods of light fill the
open heart with q luminousnese that
shines on forever. The beauty, Rdorn-
ment and harmony of color and form, Of
the inner temple of worship, always aids
devotion, while ugliness and inharmony
hinders such communion. The Psalmist
understood this when he exclaimed, "Ses
now, l dwell in house of cedar, but the
Ark of God dwelleth within curtains. "
David planned and Solomon built the
temple more gorgeous than any private
residence. Our Heavenly Father must
be lover OF the beautiful, for "He has
made everything beautiful in his season" !"
Everything in tile house Of God should
be in harmony with the God inspired
taste for the true and the beautiful, as
well as the good. These all aid in the
reception Of the spiritual, and in giving
expression to our thanksgiving to the
great Giver.
The church is the army of the Lord,
seeking to save the lost. Millions Of
church members date their Christian
birth ct the consecrated altars Of the
church. / once heard of wealthy man
in the logging business in the West, who
became deeply interested in the sermon
an evangelist preached upon entire con-
secration. The following day, he invited
the minister to an interview in nearby
forest. He requested the evangelist to
offer a prayer OF conservation for him. In
the prayer the minister mentioned the
mans stocks and bonds. fields and forest,
home and loved ones. The rich parishoner
said "Amen" to il all, and at the close Of
the prayer, remarked, II will pray now, !"
and he cried, "Oh Lord, you know my