Dedication of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Church by O. Montgomery

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 12, 1915

Dedication of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Church

By O. Montgomery

It was the privilege of the writer, in company with Elder W. H. Heckman, past president of the Florida Conference, to spend Sabbath and Sunday, June 26 and 27, with the church at Jacksonville. The new church building was dedicated Sunday afternoon. The former building had been entirely outgrown by the church, which now numbers ninety-six members, eighteen of whom have been baptized and added to the church during the past year. The old building was moved to the back end of the lot, and was made a part of the new building. The new auditorium will seat about three hundred persons, and is provided with a splendid baptistery. The cost of the new building, including labor, would be $3,500, but by careful management and the donation of labor the cost in actual cash to the church was $1,679.35. A part of this amount was unpaid when we came to the dedication. We presented the matter to the congregation, and in a very little time there was raised in cash and pledges $707.60, which fully provides for the

paying of every dollar of the indebtedness. The Lord's blessing was with us in all the services held, and we feel greatly pleased with the success of the work in Jacksonville.

Elder W. H. Smith and his daughter, Miss Bessie, who is associated with him in Bible work, closed a successful tent effort just before the dedication, as a result of which several precious souls accepted the truth and were added to the church. Elder Smith has now been in charge of the work in Jacksonville two years; and the Lord is blessing his efforts, as is demonstrated by those who are continually coming into the church and by the erecting of this neat and attractive church building.

The work in the city of Jacksonville is an indication of the splendid advancement that is being made throughout the State. O. MONTGOMERY.