The Alaska daily empire., 1923-01-09
0 F. NEW CHURCH AT. METLAkATLA HELD.
pr. Young Delivers Sermon Five Day Program Arranged
 Church Free from Debt.

The dedication or the new Presby terian Church at Metlakatla. Rev Edward Marsden. pastor, was held at II o'clock Sunday morning last at that place. Dr. s. Hall Young superintendent of Presbyterian Mis- sions in Alaska, gave the dedicatory sermon He took as his subject Joy in Christian Service the text being Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. and 'I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go unto the house of the Lord" Rev F. R. Fal coner, of Ke.chikan, assisted in the services.
 A choir of trained voices sang Handers "Hallelujah Chorus" and Mozart's Gloria In the afternoon there was public service in the place of the usual Sunday school service. In the evening program of sacred music was given by the choir and the orchestra.
 Program
 The program for the dedication oi the church began Saturday evening with banquet given in honor ol Dr. Young and Rev. Falconer in the Christian Endeayor hall. number of addresses were made.
 Monday evening the program in cluded a number of addresses by members of the church and the visi tors. Vhe church choir and or chestra gave selections from "Thf Messiah" and ''The Holy City" Il was planned to continue the program tonight and tomorrow.
 The members of the Sazman, Ka soon and Ketchikan Presbyterian Churches were invited to attend the dtdicatory programs and were pres ent in Metlakatla.
 The entire program was arranged by Rev. Marsden and the members of the board, who have been highly commended for their splendid work in the progress of the new church building.
 Beautiful Church
 The edifice that has been erected with infinite patience and loving care by the Indians of Metlakatla who wish to become affiliated with those of the Presbyterian faith and who have for months given of the 'abor of their hands and money and
 me to build a fitting temple m which to worship, is one of the most beautiful churches in Alaska
 From it's lofty steeple f;ashes q
 ioss of electric lights that will SCI ve E. a beacon light not only to those aho in the years to come may turn , it for refuge and peace frocl tuf- aoli and buffetings of life, bu. will also be a beacon light for home 3ound boats or shipwrecke mar. iners
 The interior of the church. with ts high vaulted ceiling, is beautifully md artistically finished with red md yellow cedar and spruce. In yerted lighting has been installed The main auditorium will seat com 'ortably 400 persons. At the right
 here Is a large wing that will be lsed as Sunday school room and Christian Endeavor hall. There are ,lso a number of smaller rooms to oe used as committee rooms and elass rooms.
 The structure is estimated to be worth $10,000, and is fully paid for IS, according to a rule of the Board If Church Erection of the Presby- erian Church, church is never dedicated until free of debt. The nly help received by the 200 mem ,ers that comprise the congregation If the church was 5000 contributed y the Presbyterian Board oi 1hurch Erection as an initial fund The land was donated by the In Hans, and the work done entirely y volunteers It represents many acrlfices by each member and also much joy in being of service and laving each had part in the crea ion of work of art that will stand for generations to come as monu nent of thanksgiving to the Divine Creator and Giver of all good gifts The gifts of an organ from the Rev. e. c. Hays, DID,, moderator oi the General Assembly of the Pres byterian Church of Johnstown, Pa. is on it's way from the East | was hoped that it would reach there in time for the dedication ceremony Dr. Hays visited Metlakatla last summer and at that time promised them an instrument.
 Dr. Young is expected to return to Juneau on one of the next north bound boats.