Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-09-19
Council Bluffs
SERVICE IN new CHURCH
Impressive Ceremonies Mark Dedi-
cation of Bluffs Edifice.
sERMoNs BIZ PASTORS BRoTHERs
First CONGREGATIONAL Crowded TO
OVERLOOKING by New Members,
who Listen to Brilliant
TaIIrn


Before an audience that filled every
seat and pew in the building. the beautiful
new First Congregational church was
Smith. .. D.. pastor or the First Con-
dedicated Sunday by services that
lated throughout the day The services
we're Of a most impressive character, and
none who attended failed to realize and
appreciate the message that came with
dedication. The church has cost nearly
$4,000, and is one Of the most beautiful
in the state, where the architect was
permitted TO combine Greeian grace and
beauty with twentieth century practical
utility.
The dedicatory sermon was delivered at
the morning service by Rev. Frank G.
gregational church in Chicago. and in
the evening by Rev. James r. Smith. d.
D.. pastor Of the First Congregational
church at Quincy. Ill. both brothers of
DR.. o. o. Smith. whose strength and
brilliancy has made possible one OF the
finest edifices owned by the Congrega-
tionalists in the state. Religion" was
Or. Smiths theme, and his message was
one Of power and great uplift. His words
fell from his lips 10 the hearts Of his
fined religion as the science of life.
He took for his text the declaration Of
the apostle. And This is Life Eternal"
The sermon might be characterized an an
swer to the question, what is religion?''
Or. Smith said religion was necessary to
mans highest life and character here and
to his safest security and best destiny
hereafter.
Af.ar dtseu,.to- xy.ria,. idna. ~ yao,ia
as to what religion was, he laid down the
proposition that all opinions held by all
men everywhere that were contrary to
or hostile to religion were due TO mis-
conceptions OF what true religion really
10. misconceptions based upon false con-
illusions or drawn from false or INSULT
cient data. He proceeded to establish
this proposition by logical argument and
TO clarity 1t by illustration.
Continuing to come more directly to the
question. What is religion?'' he said that
religion was the science OF life. by which
he meant the science of being or of per-
sonality. Just as botany is the science of
flowers. Again by argument and illus
tration he proceeded to establish that
truth. Then, in reply to the question, he
carried his audience through the realms
that while all Of these helped to interpret
swers to the question.
Then he bore his personal testimony to
the great truth that there was only one
place in the world where that question
was satisfactory answered, and that was
In the great book Of life, the Bible. Here
We are sweetly and truthfully told that
flowers and the stars. the suns and the
planets, and back OF each one OF our
lives. there is a great supreme spiritual
personality whose law is truth. whose
motive love, whose essence goodness,
whose atmosphere peace and good will to
men; that He gas us life. that we are all
thoughts from the Infinite Mind. sparks
from the eternal flame. and that to find
His way and walk in it. to know His will
and to do II. this is religion. and this is
the greatest thing IN the world, that
which harmonizes, beauties and satisfies
all OF llfes other activities and feeds all
it's hungers."
The dedicatory prayer by the venerable
Father Rice was singularly beautiful
His hair whitened by nearly a century
OF life. his face shining with the light
that was burning within until II was al
most glorified, the aged pastor made an
impression that will last long in the
minds of those present. The solemn dedi-
catory ritual with responses by all the
congregation formed an impressive fea.
ture OF the services. The feature of the
services designated as the call for
workers" took the form of cards scat
tered through the audience pledging the
Signers TO become members of the con-
gregation or the church. Many were
signed by business and professional men.
An audience fully as large attended ths
continuation Of the services in the even.
ing when Rev. James r. Smith, d. D.
OF Quincy, delivered the sermon. His
theme was. why q Church VIII Always
Be Needed" and he took his text from
the scriptural declaration, Upon thi'
rock I will build my church and the
gates OF hell shall not prevail agains
II" Or. Smith was equally eloquent anc
mastery and created as much interest
as was aroused by the morning sermon