Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-10-11
FIRST i. B. CHURCH IS
:. DEDICATED FREE OF DEBT

sanctuary AT z 10 O'clock for the plat
form Meeting Again the church was
filled and the IiveIiest interest mani.
tested. DR.. Gruver was in charge.
Seated on the rostrum we're Bishop
Carter and several members of the
conference. toeetber Uith representa-
tiyes of the Martinsburg Ministerial
Association. namely Rev. DIR. F. M.
Woods Of the PRESBYTERIAN church.
Rev. DIR. G. 6. TrumD Of the Lutheran
church. Rev. w. A Roush. of the
Christian church: Rev. 3. V. Switzer,
of the Southern Methodist church:
Rev. w. p. Brooke of the Second Bap-
fist church. Rev n T. Brantner, To-
cal nreacher NJ the First Methodist
church. Rev. Mr.. TRACER. of the Pen.
tacostal church. and Rev. Mr.. Hedges,
a retired minister. this city
The maeting opened with an inspir-
ing song service. effectively led by
/ Mr.. A. ID. Darby and the augmented
choir. The choir was assisted by a
cornet violin and clarinet. as was the
case AZ the morning service, with Mrs.
Harley Pine as piano accompanist.
After PRAYER offered by DR.. Trump
DIR. Gruyer EXPRESSED the pleasure
that he and tho First II. B. congrega.
fion felt in having so many of his
brother ministers of Martinsburg
present on this auspicious occasion.
He said that nv thus stepping over
denominational lines for the time be-
ing they could all meet on a common
level in Christian fellowship. He
smoke of the friendly relations that
eyisted between all of the Protestant
churches of town which was then
strikinglv Illustrated bv the represen.
tative audience present. and that af-
ter all thew were all one in all of the
essentials of religion. AS an evidence
of the kindly feeling the whole peo-
ple of Martinsbure entertained for his
new church enterprise Dr. Gruver re-
marked that substantial aid had been
given bv people of nearly all of the
churches of town a condition that
was most gratifying to him and his
congreqation. while numerous contri-
hntions had come from peopIe who
have M direct church Affiliations at
all
Dr Gruver then introduced DIR.
Woods nresident of the Ministerial
Association and the oldest minister
N Mortinsbure in continuous service
in ona consreeation. Dr Woods was
Hetaned IN with nrofound attention
during his address of half an hour.
He began by quoting the familiar
lines nj the 192rd Psalm. where the
psalmist speaks of how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in
Dnitv and then the learned divine
proceeded TO elaborate this thought
in his cbaracteristicallv impressive
and scholarly manner
A vocal duet followed, entitled,
"Sometime. Somewhere" which was
very beautifulI,, Sung nv Misses Nota
and Mabel Crawford
Mr. Iobn HetzeI was then intro.
duced who smoke on "The Relations
of the pusinass Man IN the Church. ="
He smoke for a ouarter of an hour
and in the course of his remarks he
noured some hot shot into those bust
nose mon and orhers who support the
honor interests while at the same
tima beinp nrofessins Christians. Mr.
Hatzal,s sneech was heartily applaud
ed and il was evident thar he struck
a nonnIor chord
Rev G n Crower. of Berkeley
Strings smoke feeIinaly for the Vir.
gipia Conference
Al Of the sneakers congratulated
the First II r congregation on the
comn1atiop Of their splendid new
church credit alike TO the builders
and tho town tbav said and an adorn-
mont nj North Martinbure.
Tben the clerical and Law solicitors
vent tn wor, among the audience
and in a short time raised over $1,000,
co,oring the Indebtedness on the
obrrcb
# may he stated that the total
-. ~. ,t.oo