THE DEDICATION | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1879

THE DEDICATION.

According to appointment, the Tabernacle was dedicated Sunday afternoon, April 20. We were hardly prepared to have it prove insufficient in respect to size at the very first large gathering, but such was the case Sunday afternoon. Hundreds went away, being unable to obtain even standing room.

The day was one of nature’s best, and long before the hour of service the people were pouring in from every direction. They soon filled the entire floor below, filled the gallery, filled all the extra seats which were brought in and put into every available space, filled the aisles, filled the porches, perched all along the stairs which ascend from the pulpit to the gallery, and ran over into the basement. Yet large numbers went away unable to find an entrance. The house had been estimated to hold thirty-two hundred people, but thirty-six hundred and forty-nine were counted as they left the house at the close of the services.

The order of exercises was as follows: 1. Anthem: “Hear our Prayer;” 2. Invocation by Eld. A. S. Hutchins; 3. Hymn: “Waiting and Watching;” 4. Scripture reading, selection from Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple, Prof. S. Brownsberger; 5. Brief History of the denominational work of S. D. Adventists in Battle Creek, U. Smith; 6. Report of the Building Committee, through the chairman, H. W. Kellogg, and the acceptance of it and of the house by S. N. Haskell, in behalf of the church in Battle Creek and the General Conference; 7. Hymn, “To the Giver of all Blessings;” 8. Dedicatory Sermon by Eld. J. N. Andrews; 9. Renewal of covenant by the church to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, thus first dedicating themselves anew to the Lord, manifested by rising; 10. Hymn: No. 503 of Spiritual Songs; 11. Dedicatory Prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler; 12. Anthem: “The Earth is the Lord’s;” 13. Benediction by Eld. D. M. Canright.

The exercises all passed off satisfactorily. We have only time here to say a word concerning the sermon by Bro. Andrews. This was one of his strong efforts. He took his text from the mottoes on the window in the rear of the pulpit; on the left hand being the text, Rom. 3 : 24: “Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;” in the center, the ark and cherubim, with the ten commandments in full; on the right, Rev. 14 : 12: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

These mottoes show the law and the gospel in their holy and inseparable connection, and the prophetic union of the two in the people who proclaim the third message just before the coming of Christ. This gave Bro. A. occasion to speak of our position on the law, our position on the gospel of Christ, and our position in prophecy. It would seem impossible to condense more of the distinguishing features of the S. D. Adventist faith into one short sermon than were clearly and concisely brought out on this occasion.

The house receives only commendations from those who see it. If there are any feelings of dissatisfaction abroad concerning it, it must be on the part of those who have by some means obtained wrong ideas in reference to it. The spire is not anywhere near as tall as that of Trinity Church, New York (!), though we learn that one man was informed that it was. It is but 108 feet from ground to finial. The clock was first suggested by the citizens of Battle Creek, they also suggesting that they would pay for it. This pledge they have redeemed almost twice, having subscribed toward the building $1,003.05, while the clock cost only $600; and the difference in the subscription above what it would have been had the clock not been put in, is more than the cost of the clock. There is, therefore, no extravagance nor debt upon the cause for this. And so of many other things that might be mentioned.

But the best testimony on this point is the course of those who are here to see for themselves. In large numbers our brethren have come from other places to the dedication. Many had never seen the house, and some had heard unfavorable reports. But being here, seeing it as it is, hearing the explanations on all points, and learning with what economy and care the enterprise has been managed, they came forward nobly with their means to help it through. At a meeting held in the Tabernacle, evening after the Sabbath, April 19, to see what could be done toward removing the debt, payments and pledges were made to the amount of $6,184.50. No better testimonial than this could be given to show the favor with which this enterprise is received by those who understand it.

The report of the building committee showed the total cost of the building alone to be $25,475.17. Grading and clock bring it up $800, to $26,275.17. To meet this $22,956.68 is provided for. Leaving still unprovided for, only $3,318.49. This is a most encouraging showing; and if the brethren abroad felt some of the enthusiasm of those who are here, this amount would be liquidated at once.

A praise service was held in the evening, which was an occasion of much interest. Many encouraging testimonies were borne. The singing was excellent.

The day throughout was one of success. The brethren seem to be of the best courage. The house is one which was needed. It meets the want. It has stood the test well. Rarely will such a demand be made upon it as was made by the crowd at the dedication. The erection of this house without accident, its successful dedication to the Lord, the free-will offerings which have so nearly met the debt, all constitute an achievement in behalf of the cause for which we have reason to be grateful.