The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-10-18
HUNDREDS ATTEND
De d. CATION Of
THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH SU UNDAY
Impressive Ceremonies at
Morning and Evening
Services; Special Pro-
grams Rendered
DIR. WALTERS SERMON
TEXT DWELT UPON THE PRAC-
TICAL SIDE OF RELIGION AND
WHAT 1T MEANS TO THE
COMMUNITY

Hundreds of members of the congre-
cation and visitors gathered at the
First Presbyterian church at II o'clock
yesterday morning, to attend the dedi-
catory ceremony.
Prior to the opening of the services,
a chimes concert was rendered, which
was followed by specially arranged
musical program.
The sermon was then delivered by
DR.. l.. c. Walter, of Okmulgee.
In his opening remarks, DR.. Walter
stated that he had first met Dr.
Weith, pastor of the local church,
at Enid, 22 years ago. DR.. Weith
had at that time met DR.. Walter at
the station, Immediately after the
latter had alighted from the train,
and had helped to locate him.
The text of DR.. Walters sermon
dealt with the necessity of having u
church in the midst of a community
He spoke in part as follows:
Symbol OF the Living God
The church is the testimony of the
| great salvation of which the gospel
| 81 eGks. Life is more than food, and
/ the body is more than raiment. The
building which we are dedicating to-
day is a symbol of the enduring
church of the living Cod
The Church and Community
What does it mean to have Il
church in the midst of community?
Its walls mean salvation. Take the
church out of the community, and
you will have to take out everything
that is associated with the church.
''rhe Christian home would have
to go, For there could be no common
family meal at which all members
u Christian country. In heather lands,
the male head of the family eats
first, and what remains, If there is
anything left, is then given to the
other members Of the family.
THE public school buildings would
have to go. For the free public
school system is a direct product
of Christianity. The famous historian,
Bancroft, has traced the free public
school system back TO by-gone ages,
and this worthy authority has found
that /. was form of Christian reli-
gion which inaugurated it.
The public libraries would have
to go. For outside of the Christian
world, ninety-fve per cent OF the peo-
Pile are illiterate. and there Is no
use for libraries among the illiterate
Only Il few individuals among heath
en- nations can read.
"The hospitals would have 20 go
for although they may not be directly
founded by religion. nevertheless the
inspiration of the hospital comes
from the gospel Of God, Never has
there been a hospital established In
non-Chrlstian land unless 1t was
done through the efforts Of Christian
missionaries.
The asylum FOR the insane. ant
other state institutions would have
to go. For never have there beer
any such institution. until Christianity
showed the way. In China, they ii,
up insane people with chains, just
as they were wild beasts.
Good Music Would Go
Good music would have to go. 4
you took away Christianity and IN,
church. A noted singer, who ha,
recently returned from tour o
heathen countries. reports that no
where In u non-Christian country ar,
there any well-developed voices. Tn,
Geisha girls OF China are forced I,