Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-04
DEDICATE A new
CHURCH EDIFICE
Central Presbyterian Congre-
cation Holds First Service
in House OF Worship.
ATTENDANCE IS LARGE
All Organizations Within the Church
Ready TO Accomplish Bigger
and Better Work.

Dedicatory exercises were conduct
ed yesterday in the new Central Pres
byterian edifice at the corner of Tenth
avenue and Fourteenth street. Build
ed after a struggle OF years, during
which time members Of the church
have united as one and have labored
for the accomplishment of the pro-
ject of a new building in a practically 1
new field, the Central Presbyterian
church, mother church of the Presby-
terrain creed in Rock Island, has start
ed on a campaign which should, unless
the spirit evidenced yesterday lags,
make that portion of Rock Island in
which it Is conferred, one OF the best
and biggest in the city. Under the
direction of Joseph W. Powell of Buff
falo. n. Y, services were held almost
without cessation, from o'clock in
the morning tin . o'clock in the even
ing. In the morning there were ser
vices for adult church members; in /
the afternoon. devotional exercises |
were for the Sunday school children .
and workers; in the evening, for the |
Christian Endeavor society forces, and |
a. night, for the church members.
ATTENDANCE Is LARGE.
Each meeting was filed with the |
spirit OF the day, that of dedicating !
anew, another house of God. At each !
service, the beautiful edifice was fill |.
ed with worshippers, men, women and |
children who have worked for the ac-
oomplishment of an object toward bet |
ter things, and who have successfully |
attained their object. Words were IN |
necessary 10 bring home the success of |
the day: the joy of the occasion and !
its happiness was shown better in
simple service for the Master. 1t was
the first time that the majority had
seen the edifice I'm its completed form. |
All were glad of their share in the
accomplishment. The building is beau
tiful. There is no gainsaying that
fact But il is of an elegance that is
simple and attractive. and will always
remain so. AT the present time. il is
adequate 70 meet the needs Of the con-
Rregation, but If the work of the
church body continues in the future as
IL has while the building has been in
process of construction, the time will
soon come when this mother church
will again have 70 branch out TO &C
commodate those who are connected
with il.
THE MAN, CHRIST JESUS"
At 8 O'Clock in the morning. there
was an informal greeting Of visitors,
and there were many of them from
sister churches, not only in Rock Is
land. but Davenport, Moline and the
surrounding vicinity. At $3.50, the
morning program was begun. After
the opening exercises, Rev. Llewellyn
Humphreys OF Henderson, KY. brother
Of the pastor of the church. Rev Mar
ion Humphreys, delivered a sermon
founded upon the gospel text. The
Man, Christ Jesus" Immediately fol
lowing, Mr.. Powell took charge OF the
meeting. He told briefly his plans for
the growth OF the mems brotherhood
OF the church: his plans for the
broadening OF the Ladies' Aid society
into Pastors Aid society; his plans
for growth in the Sunday school de-
partment, in the cradle roll depart
ment, and in every other department
OF the church work. He invited the
members of the congregation to build
up the home church. and then turn at
bention 20 foreign churches: to meet
the needs OF the local church and TO
help the tri-cities 20 build more church
es TO accommodate its growth. He paid
tribute 70 Gypsy Smith. that noted
evangelist who is doing more than
any other evangelist today. He told
OF his efforts OF % years to organize
the churches so that the men would be
brought into them.
CAMPAIGN ron FUNDS.
The morning service was closed
with a campaign for funds 10 be de
voted toward defraying the building
expenses. Nearly every one present al
the meeting either signed bonds
which were presented by those who
have already contributed, or through
voluntary offering. These bonds were
originated by Mr.. Powell and are sim
liar in many respects to those used iI
commerce. No fixed amount is stipu
lated in them. the River is allowed tC
fix that himself. Those who did not
contribute az the services yesterday
will be visited by committee who will
solicit subscriptions among members