DEDICATORY SERVICE

Colonist, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5778, 16 April 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

DEDICATORY SERVICE

At three o'clock on March 2i,,a dedicatory •service was oonducted in the Church by the Bey W. C. Oliver (the Pastor) ana the Rev W. Lee. wheD. considering the honr. there was a large' congregation. , £; The seit vice commenced by the Rev"W. C. Oliver asking the congregation to sing the Doxology, which ho thought was appropriate to; the occasionj The reverend gentleman then engaged in prayer, after which the congregation were invited to siug the 607 th Hymn.

After reading the 84th Psalm, the Rev W. Lee offered prayer. Hymn 994 ftas next ■sunfr.

The Bey W. C. Oliver than gave an address relating to the functions of tbe Christian Church. He. said there were two opinions about the Church— one that all her offices and macbinery were formulated by Christ and his Apostles, just 8S the Tabernacle, with all its attendant rites and services, was framed minutely from the pattern supplied to Moses on the Mount. That was the idea -contended for by tbe Church of Rome and come others. The other view was, that the •Church was founded to save men from sin, to ieaoh them their relation to God and to each other, and with tboee two oardioal nims in vi«w, liberty was permissible in modes of work so long a 8 the chief object was being accomplished, the saving of men and bringing them to righteousness. The reverend gentleman referred to the Churoh as' doing the work of a School, a Hospital, and an Army, and he very fully and ably dwelt upon its functions of teaobiug, healing, and training. He said men of pratical tendencies were judging of individual Churches by the real ■work they did ; by tho men they 'saved ; by the waifs they rescued ; and by the greater numbers bo affected by its teaching that their whole lives were conceived for righteousness. He remarked that the services conducted in any Sanctuary, whatever else they might do, if ibey failed to eduoate, and to throw light on the whole field of men's divine privilege?, duties, and responsibilities was wanting or | weakin one of the most important voints. It wa9 not only on those important points where the individual salvation was affected that tbe teaching was to be directed, but to every .•question by wbioh the material or social welfare of society was touched ; in other words, universal righteousness— a righteousness that shall demund that tbe principlescof j the Sermon on the Mount shall :ule in trade, in politics, as well as in the private Christian life. The Church's teaching had often been weak in this direction. He contended that io -was as important to know the whole science of tigbt living, as it was to know the mystery of inspiration. In concluding, the reverend gentleman taid, that in the light of tho important functions of the Church it would be seen how much the Divine blessing- wa3 needed, and how absolutely indispensable a constant supply of grace and fctrength from the Fountain of all Good was so as to be eqnal to tbeir mission, in dedicating that house to the service and worship of the Most High God, and His Son, Jeans Christ, it was with the hope and prayer that within its walls— through the bymns that would be sung, through the Scriptures that would be constantly read and expounded, and through ' tbe prayers that would address the Mercy Seat, many may find tbe Saviour ; and all / find help for their mission of duty esory time they assembled within those walla. The.Rsv W. Lee spoke of the pleasure be experienced in being present at the dedication of the present beautiful and noble edifice. He referred to the tender memories many would feel on that occasion as regards the old Church, which had done its work. He reminded his hearers that the CLuroh existed for the glory of God and the salvation of men. Their duty -vaa to give, pray, and work, and he exhorted them to do their duty earnestly and faithfully.

After Hymn 593 was snug, the Rev W. C. Oliver brought tuo service to a close by pronouncing the Benediction.