The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-15
GRACE CHURCH DEDICATED.
CONGREGATION CELEBRATES
COMPLETION OF HANDSOME
NEW HOUSE OF WOR.
SHIP.

AVtcnuS AhtcrcSt'
ing Services.
! The members On ~ Baptist
Church Sunday evenihgsL celebrated
the completion Of their handsome now
house Of worship by dedicating the
church to the furthering Of Christ $
Kingdom here on earth. Appropriate
exercises marked the dedication and
. aastrong and interesting sermon was
preached by the Rev. Howard Lee
Jones. president Of Coker College at
Hartsville. All Of the other church.
- In the city were closed for this oc-
cesion and the church was filed to
evernowing. hundreds Of persons re-
manning out In tho church yard and
others leaving when they found that
thsy could not get seats.
The exercises were Of an inter esting
nature and were pleasing to the aud
ience. They were opened with vio-
IN and organ prelude. followed by q
hymn and an invocation by the pastor.
There were several specially prepared
musical numbers which were much
enjoyed. the choir having taken much
pains with the music for the dedica-
tion services. A violin solo by Miss
Fraser was an especially enjoyable
number.
Mr.. Il. c. Haynsworth. the chair
man Of the building committee. under
whose direction tho plans were made
and the work was done. I'm few well
chosen words on behalf Of the build
Ing made the presentation
OF the church to the congregation.
DnonnnkRey- =, ~. Tolary for the
09oID0u 1(l6l Sl(knteA thd buildinG
committee for their unrelaxing inter-
est and their earnest work on behalf
Of tho church I'm the construction Of
the church building. lie expressed
the thanks Of the members to the
committee who had been so success
ful In such complete and handsome
building without putting upon the
congregation too heavy "a burden.
DIR. Jones took for his text. Romans
1:1+. 81 am debtor both to Greeks
and Barbarians. both to the wise and
TO the foolish" He congratulated the
members of the church upon the ercc-
tion OF their handsome new building,
which he hoped they would find a
source OF great JOY and comfort. lie
expressed a feeling of the nearnes of
God. the Father. at all times. saying
that his hearers must go to God. as a
Father.
He stated that the church must be
q place of inquiry. whore the pastor
must stir up the sluggish minds Of his
hearers to think and search the scrip
tures for themselves. He dwelt on the
necessity Of practicing religion. III
the same religion which is preached i'm
the church on Sunday Is not the same
religion which Is practiced on Main
street on week days. there is some
thing radically wrong with the re-
llgion preached in the church and
there Ia something wrong also with
the man I'm the practice Of his daily
business" Love tor our fcllowmen
was one OF the doctrines Of Christ
which DIR. Jones stressed as u necessity
In following out the tencts OF religion
as laid down by Christ. His sermon
was full Of thought and undivided in
terest Of the audience was held 10y
the speaker throughout
AT the morning services. which were
the initial services held in the church,
the pastor. Rev. j. y. Tolar, preached
"a fine sermon To his congregation
from the text: Joshua i:G: What
Mean Yc by These stones" \ large
congregation was present and the
morning services were also OF an i'm
tercstlng nature. Special song services
were also provided for the morning
exercises by the cnoir.
The new Grace Baptist church is a
handsome substantial structure at the
corner OF Washington and Calhoun
streets. facing west on Washington
stret. IL Is n building Of red pressed
brick. Is square I'm shape and con-
veniently situated To the members Of
the church and made convenient in
every way inside. II was erected at
n cost Of approximately $4,000 and Is
n magnificent monument To the cncr-
gy and faith of the three hundred and
twenty-five members. who worship
within It's walls.
The front Is ornamcntcd with four
largo white columns. the porch being
raised a few steps above the street
The porch has tcrrazo noor and plas-
ter ceiling. I'm keeping with the gem
crai idca Of construction. convenience