MORNINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2988, 21 June 1911, Page 9

MORNINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH.

The opening services in the new Baptist Church ait Mornington were held on Sunday, when the building was crowded to its utmost capacity both morning and evening. The pastor of the church (the Rev. D. Dallaston) conducted the morning service, and took as his text Genesis xxviii, 17: " This is none other than the house of God." The preacher impressed upon his hearers the three great facts and claims of remembrance, reverence, and responsibility. The Rev. William Hay conducted the evening service, and preached from Oolossians l, 17-18, which, along with other similar passages, formed the great New Testament tribute to Jesus Christ. When one remembered the earthly life of Jesus Christ, it might seem an extravagant tribute that had been brought before them; and through tho years scorn and sneers had been iiung upon it by sceptics and materialists, and yet it stood to-day as the ever-unfolding truth whose light and glory were flung upon the realm of human thought with increasing vindicating clearness as time rolled on to its sunset gate. That was the supremo thought and truth of Christianity and of the Church of Jesus Christ. So closely united were the Christ and His true,. living church that was set forth .'n "His Body" that the true spiritual church of Jesus Christ, whose essential life and: power were the divine life and power of Him Who was its Head, could never be a waning force just because He could never be so. It shared that " mighty power which God wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own riglit hand in heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that was named both in this world and in the next," and so shared His continuous triumph and would ultimately share His perfect triumph. And so ; in spite of every doubt, in spite of every pessimist, and in spite of every sceptic who shook his head and cynically smiled as wo erected our buildings to bo devoted to His worship, we were thrilled with the consciousness that the true spiritual church of Jesus Christ could never move with w.a.ning power for it was one with Him Who must reign

till Ho hath put all enemies under His feet." A large choir under the direction of Mr Walker rendered excellently a number of anthems, especially the " Hallelujah chorus" at the close of the evening service. The whole proceedings were very encouraging to pastor, officers, and members. The offering during the day waa a large one. The church is an ornament to the district and an evidence to the great progress that has been made by the Mornington Baptists.

OPENING SOCIAL. A most successful social and concert was bold in the new Baptist Church at Morwington on the 14th to celebrate the opening of the chuirehi, and at the same time to augment the building fund. In isjodte of the unfavourable weather conditions, ths gathering was very largely attended, a fact i whidh points to the interest which tho ! Mornington' Baptists take in the welfare of their church. The .new building is a , handsome briok edifice, and the interior ia ', cosy aind brilliantly lighted, whilst its crowded condition last evening augurs well for the future. | The Rev. 0. Dallasfcon, pastor of the church, occupied the chair, and there were ! with him on the , platform the Revs. T, iVealie, D. S. Mason, H. Boyall, E, H. .' Hobday, W. Hay, and Mr T. Arnold. Representatives were also present from all the I Baptist churches in the district. After the. singing of a hvmn, the chairman, in opening the meeting, said he was pleased to see so large an attendance of their church members, and he also extended a hearty all the visiting friendb. They were very pleased with their littl© church, and trusted that it would have a highly sucosssfuil future. He also read a congratulatory telegram from, the Baptist Tabernacle in Christchurch, his first church. Mr Dallaston then quoted a few figures which showed how they stood financially. The total cost, of this _ building, with its fittings, was £IOSB, in liquidation of which amount the church had already raised £907, leaving about .tl5O still owing. He made special mention of the work done by tho Ladies' Guild in helping to raise this sum, while excellent work had also been don© by the cihoir working-bee and others. Special reference was also made of the number of gifts that had been made anonymously and otherwise, and which had gone a long way towards fitting up the interior of the church.

A programme of sacred music was then rendered. The choir, under the able conductorship of Mr P. Walker, sang a number of anthems (including the " Hallelujah Chorus") very nicely and with great vigour. Those who contributed sacred solos were Miss Sunderland. Mr G. Brisbane, Madame von Look. Mr S. Angell, and Mr T. Slater. Mr Glover presided at the organ, while the individual accompanists were Mrs Masterton and Madame von Look.

Short addresses were delivered during the evening by the Revs. D. S. Mason, _T. Vealie, and others, and after a plentiful svpply of refreshments had been done jusfcic« to the gathering broke up.