South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-28
CORNER STONE Of
CHURCH IS LAID
Rev. George Johnson Delivers
Dedication Sermon SUM-
day Afternoon.

Carroll ST. which was dedicated sun
day afternoon by Rev. George John
son. general secretary treasurer Of
the parent missionary society OF the
Evangelical association.
IL was just o'clock when Rev
Johnson spoke the dedication words.
and the 400 people present. with
barred heads listened 10 him. An
army airplana. piloted by Lieut. O..
j.. Ballard was flying overhead.
seeming 70 make the connection be
tween Gods temple on earth closer
10 Him. above.
Preceding the actual laying OF the
COZ nerstone. Rev. Johnson used as
his sermon, The Rock Of Ages" TO
the congregation gathered in the
basement Of the now building church
witr nothing but a few boards laid
on what viii be the church floor 10
protect them from the hot rays Of
the sun.
Text Of sermon.
Rev JohnsOn's text was taken
from Isa. 26-4. Trust ye in the
LORD Forever" and.I Cor. 3:11.
In part his sermon was as fol-
lows:
The Rock Of Ages offers shelter
20 all the seekers or Jesus Christ.
offers shelter and it's shadow is re-
fires hing from a world full Of weari-
ness
Take an instance that occurred
in New York The contract for
big building had been awarded and
during the excavating il was found
that a dereiict. an abandoned yes
sell would have 10 be removed be-
fore the foundation could be made
Every known means was tried and
zach was found wanting. Until one
day young man approached the
contractors and offered solution
OF their troubles He was to get
500. 600 II ne succeeded.
This young man secured heavier
cables than the contractors had been
using He attached these cables 10
the vessel. passing them underneath
g. He then flooded the surrounding
ground and hoated number of
scows around the vessel. He then
attached the ends Of the cables and
SGT down TO wait In a short time
the tide commenced coming in and
with the succeeding minutes raised
Ito scOws. slowly but surely the
cables creaked and groaned but held
steadfast When the tide had
reached its zenith, il was found that
tho derelict had been raised from its
EsG IT had lain there so long that
none OF the older mariners knew
tyiC vessel or remembered when It
was sunk.
Continue Work.
The young departed with his
mopey and contractors continued
WITH their work such is the word
OF Jesus Christ He is the tide Of
lie. the rising tide. Just as He
performed this feat Of raising the
derelict ship. so he accepts those
human derelicts who come 10 Him
for aid.
There is no shelter and no com
fort except i'm Jesus Christ Ask
the fOrlorn, ask the broken hearted
ask the mother who lost her son
across the sea in the battle for de-
mOcracy what they think OF our
Lord and each one will answer. He
Is as strong. His faith as everlast-
ms as tho Rock Of Ages.
Take any rock is II a place of
refuge. a shelter. a fortress, from
outside perils. Why was it during
tho great war that Germany and
her allies did not assail Gibralter
guarding the entrance 10 the Medi-
terranean and why did not our al
lies assail the giant rock fortress OF
the enemy at HelEoland? Because
the giant rocks are impregsable.
They are sure setreat as II the Rock
OF Ages.
Belief i'm Rocks.
While I was passing between two
cities in Ontario Canada. the driver
Of the stage pointed out a tree 10
me I looked and saw a common
beech tree. The driver then told
nc that just a short time before
two men who had been working in
the fields had taken refuge under
II from the rain. the tree was struck
by lightning and both men killed.
reflected had anyone ever been
killed by lightning when taking
refuge under the rocks? II my
study OF 1t I have been unable 10
find any person who had met death
in that way. That has strengthened
my belief in the rocks.
Rocks aIe used by builders for
foundations I'm fact il is the best
foundation that has been found.
Men have tried other things. but in
each instance they have been found
wanting while the rock has been un-
moved.
Take that giant rock standing
high into the high on the coast Of
Maine by which vessels get their
bearings while az sea. Mt Bella is
it's nuamc and IL stands az right
angles with the sea, thrusting its
crest high into the air Near the
top OF this pile OF rock is a pine
tree. which sends it's branches a
hunderd feet above the crest Of Mt.
Bella From a distance this tree
seems 20 be part OF the rock but
upon closer examination, the knarled
roots can be seen thrusting them
selves into the cracks and crevices,
gaining a foothold such should
the young do Place their tiny
hands into the Crevices offered bby
q b.