The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-05-11


considerable company of people gathered for
the dedication of the brick building Immediate
y north of Zion Department Stores. The recent
purchase of this building, formerly used as
garage marks another onward step in the re-
demption Of Zion City, this being one Of a
series of properties which have fallen into
Zion s hands, one after another within the past
few months
The General Overseer opened the meeting
with the statement that this was praise meet
ing, from which everyone present ought to get
great inspiration to press on to the accomplish
ment of greater things, and to the capture of
other strongholds.
The audience joined heartily in singing
Come Thou Almighty King after which the
35th Chapter of Isaiah was repeated in unison
The General Overseer then read few verses
from the 145th Psalm, beginning with these
words:
1 will extol Thee, my God o King; and will
bless Thy Name for ever and ever.
Every day will l bless Thee; and will praise
Thy Name for ever and ever.
The hymn, ''Every Day Will Bless Thee"
was sung After this all heads were bowed
while the General Overseer offered prayer.
The General Overseer then delivered an ad-
dress, a few thoughts from which are here
quoted:
brothers and Sisters: I am always glad to
see you, but l am especially glad to meet you
this afternoon This is time for us to rejoice
and be glad.
''The building which we are about to dedicate
to Gods service was, until recently, used as a
garage. picked up in here, after we had pur-
chased the building, the old sign, "This Is
Strictly an Independent Garage
AS garage it was a continual nuisance, as
people can testify who had to go by here; also,
it was nuisance to those who lived in Zion
Home and the surrounding neighborhood, par
ticularly on Saturday nights.
Well, we have had to go through lot of dis
agreeable things. 1t would be well for us to
remember the experiences Of the past. The
people moving in here now, know nothing
about the pioneer days in Zion City. Some of
them begin to criticise because they cannot
have all the conveniences to which they have
been accustomed in the larger cities. Some peo-
pie are always willing to enjoy the sunshine,
but they do not want any clouds. They never
care to endure any hardships.
''Now those of us who were forced to worship
in a tent through the bitter cold OF winter, who
were thrown out of our own buildings, who
went through all the terrible experiences Of
those awful days, ought to call ourselves
happy. We pity those who did not share those
experiences.
'EWe ought to thank God for the adverse
things as for the pleasant things 1t is the hard
experiences which have developed Christian
character and strengthened us. | say Thank
God for everything that we have gone through.
"Now, look upon Zion as miniature Of the
Millennium. You and [ are part of the last
company. We have had our battles, but, as we
read the Book Of Revelation it is just out Of one
battle, and into another, right up to the Mil
lennium and even after the Golden Age. But
during the One Thousand Years everybody has
to obey. During that time the devil is chained,
and everything is lovely and beautiful. Every
body is in subsection, and peace and harmony
will rule.
"But after that, Satan will be loosed for a
little season. A testing time will come. Again
the world will see strife and Bloodshed, and
then will be fought the battle of Cog and Ma
cog.
81 love to think of the entrance of John
Alexander Dowie through the Golden Gate in
1888 love to think of the beginnings and of
the ingathering of Zion from all parts Of the
earth [ love to think of the building up Of
Zion City.
''In the early days Of Zion City all the people
looked alike All pretended obedience. All
seemed to have love and harmony in their
hearts All professed loyalty, and all seemed
full of Joy and cOntentment. But God allowed
the testing time to come, and you see what hap
pened.
''The testing period is not over, although I
sometimes think we are going through the
final testing season. for the Coming of the Lord
is very nigh.
''I do not know of single sign yet to be full
filled before the Lord comes. You see the Jews
returning to Jerusalem, and already they are
busy with their plans and surveys for the re-
building of the city. Not much is being said
about it, but every detail for the reconstruction
of the temple has been designed so it is claim
ed hv some