Year: 1867

III.
not id dead in our otreets. The very proyisio
we made for the future increased our present ~
sources strength and confidence The slunber
ing power Of the Society was put in action, an
we learned what tremendous force had been la
tent among us. IL brought out and fastened Tn
Congregational convictions Of many men. The
began 20 reckon Il an honor TO have part and
place in institution that was the FIRST the strong
est aud It is likely 10 be the last too in this place
that was established 20 promote the glory Of Ga,
Saviour Of men. Tho effect OF the action then "a
ken was felt not only ia an increased self-reliance
IN an augmented respect Of men, and in o decid
cd advance Of the numbers of our Society which
it has held amid the disadvantages of our present
situation, but il was felt also in the whole commu
nity m provoking another honorable and worth,
Church Of Christ to a similar labor; in enhancing
the value of every mans real estate in the place
IN making it sure that, so long as stone itself shall
last, there will not be wanting, here the best and
noblest institutions with which God ever blesses a
people. These churches are the securities and de-
lenses OF all our other interests, the very fortress
OF our safety, and the glory Of our community 49,
And SO these noble piles Of stone that are built
for all time, give assurance that the time will not
come here when our earthly estate will not be en-
yiroued and sheltered by the institutions Of the
] Gospel of Christ. They are the sisns Of our zeal
for the truth they the helpers Of all our future
life When we build for God, God builds for US.
But think not that the future has no more grateful
sacrifices 20 ask of you for it has. Christianity
IS always suppliant IN this world, aud she ever
more knocks at the door of our charity. We have
more yet TO do, blessed be God more 10 give up :
more to give We wish to 90 into this edidce
without one cent OF debt. We wish not a stone,
not timber ia it, but shall be ours, and If ours.
then Chrst's. We do not wish to dedicate a
church that cannot belong to Him to whom we
dedicate 1t. because not owned by those who con-
secrate It 20 Him.


SAID IA wise etraps,ar to mn. tta othor d,,. a. L;s
eye ran over The pile Of building material here
aud his Imagination took in the unfinished edifce
II your society is not a good one it will break
down under this work. replied to him my
society Is a good one. 1t will not break down
under 1t, though it were twice as great So
believe, that while church building is great test
Of character, ! also believe that this test Of our
character will be found unto praise aud power and
/ glory II we go on to do a good work for Christ
/ for the cause OF truth here that shall tell upon
the state aud upon the world, God oW pr0ride
and God will bless u.s. lie will make us equal to
the work as the occasion comes and will give US
hearts that will show themselves in grateful and
and costly gifts. In this world all good things
cost; aud the best things cost the most let US
remember this, aud let our zeal, if ever it flags,
repeat the OLD prayer Lord give US more work
to do-gye more work to do" / think the
prayer viii be answered.


II ever this building is completed, we shall owe
1t largely TO our most excellent and spirited con-
tractor and chairman of the building committee.
tie has been willing to assume arespOnsibiity a that
no other man would have been willing to take
He brings to his work love, devotion, such as
must always commend him TO the grateful regard
aud honor OF our society. Aud by and by the al
most matchless ediiice will be a fitting testimony
to his courage, to his sagacity and to his skill.
As st, Pauls, London. was the monument of
Sir Christopher Wren, Bethany Church will be
his monument, and bis name will always be
ciated with it with honor TO himself and with sat
lsiactl0n to


81 81 ia.i;.a ga@t;; @oaa@en'Om'


BY the side of his labor and sacrifice, our labor
aud sacrifice are but little. | speak this not in
empty compliment, but that you may know whose
shoulders are carrying an honorable burden, that
VIII be for the advantage OF coming generations.
And now, my friends let our PRAYER 20 up to
God that he will accept the work of our hands
that Tie will prosper our labor with His blessing;
that lie will suffer accident to happen in the
building, and that lie will fill the second house
with His Glory When the foundation of the sec
ond temple was laid, the old men wept aloud and
many shouted for Joy. They sang together in
prasing and giving thanks unto the Lord-for
hismercy endured forever toward Israel. And all
the people shouted with a great shout when they
praised the Lord, because the foundation OF the
house Of the Lord was laid,


Anduow let US sing with many voices Of old and





TO the God Of our Fathers.


10. Hymn and ioxology by the choir and congre-
CATION


Aud viii the great eternal God


on earth establish His ubodeY


Aud will He, from His radiant throne,


Ayow our temple for His owny


These walls We to Thy honor raise;


Long may they echo to Thy praises


And Thou descending, Oil the place


With choicest tokens Of Thy grace.


Here let the great Redeemer reign


With all the glories of His train;


While power divine His word attends,


To conquer foes, and cheer His friends.


And in the great decisive day,


When God the nations shall survey,


May it before the world appear


That crowds were born to glory here.


ToGod the Father, God the SON.


Aud G1d the Spirit Three in One.


BE honor, praise, and glory given,


by all on earth, and all in heaven.
IL. Benedicton.