The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-12-17

rare. | repeat, we can find God any,
where. for He is not far. at any time,
| from anyone of us.
I would be very sorry II what I have
| said should seem to cheaper public wor-
| ship, as a thing not needed, and 80 to
cast discredit upon the evident devotion
and seif-sacrifice that have gone into
this enterprise. ] have no sympathy,
assure you. with that niggardly spirit
| that would begrudge the gold and silver.
not to mention the time and toll and
heart sacrifice, that are represented In
this finished work. You have certainly
given of your abundance and perhaps
your poverty. to make possible the COM
petion of this task. 1t looks as though
many poor widow had not only given
oil her living, but mortgaged her future
savings, to rebuild this church You
| must all have been at it; let me express
the hope that you will not have to be
always at It.
! am reminded of the devotion shown
by the Russian people, when their great
bell was being cast IN the foundry.
/ II Is said that men and women Of all
classes threw into the melting pot, not
only gold and silver ornaments, but cost
ly jewels as well. The whole nation gave
of it's poverty and it's wealth, so that
when the great bell would ring out Its
message of Christ's peace 10 all man.
kind, every worshipper might have
part in the evangel, even though his self
denial might be unknown or forgotten.
They coveted the privilege that even
when dead they might yet be speaking.
So let me believe that all of you who
have given cheerfully to the rebuilding
Of this church, will realize that God
measures devotion, not by the cold con-
siderations of worldly prudence, but by
the devotion you have shown I'm dedicat-
ing this memorial to His name. Even
a cup of cold water. given In the name
of a disciple, does not lose its reward.
Who, then, can estimate the value our
Master will place upon this great gift
to His name, II only you intend 1t to ex-
press in permanent and worshipful form.
the devotion of your hearts? You have
builded well this House of God; now SWIM
wide Its doors to all sorts and conditions
of men, God is seeking worshippcrs
among the high and the low. the rich
and the poor, the learned and the ig-
norant The Lord Is the Maker Of them
all.
Christianity Is essentially Il social re-
lleiOn. In spirit 1t Is intensely democratic.
|, It's message Is to whomsOever heareth
! and its messengers are sent into all the
world commissioned to preach It's terms
of salvation to every creature. ;he logic
Of it's spirit Is to make every recipient a
benefactor Freely ye have received. free
ly give. No man lveth to himself. Let
the same mind be in you which was also
In Christ Jesus, who came not to he
ministered unto, but to minister
, The genius of Christianity may be ex-
pressed In this modern phraseology: When
you have found good thing. pass 1t on.
r like that fine spirit In the medical
fraternity, which counts 1t unworthy of
a true physician, when he has found a
remedy for physical Ills to restrict it's
use by copyright for the sake of per-
sOnal gain. This IL the very spirit of the
Great Physician. He gave his services
to all alike, rich and poor. high and
low. worthy and unworthy. This instinct
; to devote oneself to others Is the very
spirit OF Christianity, the infallible hall.
mark Of its heavenly origin. This spirit
we must maintain at all hazard and
cost
1t Is to this blessed work that we re-
dedicate this house today. May the spirit
of the fathers rest upon their children
: a spirit Of counsel and cooperation: OF
peace and work. OF goodly fellowship
: and profitable husbandry; of love t.
, God, and also love to all those whom lie
sent His Son on earth to save.
Q May he who has led you 40 Wisely and
/, devotedly In this task of rebuilding, find
) another spiritual temple growing under
n 10 n In, all
~ stones. polished after the similitud,
r OF palace and growing all together az
{ u holy temple In the Lord.
In our mother land beyond the sea ther,
stands stately abbey. built by a noble
D hearted woman In memory of her hus.
band, who had Joined the Church Tri
l umphant above. over the doorway shc
had caused to be inscribed these words
II built this church In the year of m,
, great sorrow" What a clue this affords
to the mystery of suffering as a means
> of grace! out of the grave OF our hu
| man loves our Heavenly Father makes
to spring up, like rarest flowers out o,
blackest soil, the purposes of our high
3 est achievements. Let this church b,
to you all, through the coming years
/, the standing memorial of an accepted
sorrow; reminding you of Its power /;
. make brave heart grandly true to its
=. life purpose: of It's power To touch tho
springs OF sympathy AZ nothing else
could do. and lead willing people t,
I follow In the footsteps OF a devoted pas
tor and build this noble sanctuary fol
. the worship of the Almighty God as oul
Heavenly Father. Thanks be to God fol
/. those who
Never turn their back. but march
Y abreast forward.
Never doubling clouds would break
Thanks be for those who life up the
! hands that fall down, and the feebl,
/; knees. and make straight paths for theil
Q feet. paths that become at length broad
Q avenues leading up to the house OF God
whence. on occasions like this. we gel
0 glimpses of the King in His beauty, ant