Earlier text: THE DEDICATION OF THE TABERNACLEThe Bible is all aglow with such precepts as these. Think what the condition of the world would be if these were everywhere faithfully observed. Wars, and strife, and discord of every kind and name, with the roots from which all these with their attendant evils spring,—jealousy, envy, and hatred,—would be unknown. Had these principles been observed, the curse would never have fallen on the earth; and even now could they be kept, saving only the presence of the curse, we might still have a Heaven below. Yet this book the infidel would banish from the earth, and let the darkness of a moral chaos settle down upon the world. Away with such a thought! Let us cleave to the blessed book, with its divine precepts. The question we are to answer now is whether or not we will dedicate ourselves anew to these principles. If we fail here, this house will be to us a curse and not a blessing; it will become simply the mausoleum of a dead faith, and a decayed spirituality. But if we will faithfully live them out, this will be indeed to us the house of God, a repository of light and life, the influence of which will be felt far around. All S. D. Adventists present, therefore, belonging here or elsewhere, who feel here and now to dedicate themselves anew to these principles, covenanting afresh with each other to live them out to the best of their ability, will please manifest it by rising. [The ones addressed promptly responded to this appeal, in the manner indicated.] DEDICATORY PRAYER, BY ELD. G. I. BUTLER.
O Lord God of hosts, we bow down before Thee as worshipers on this occasion. We feel that we greatly need Thy help, and we come to ask of Thee Thy blessing to enable us to call upon Thee aright, and worship Thee in Spirit and in truth. O God, Thou dwellest in the Heaven of Heavens, and they are not sufficient to contain Thee; but we come to Thee with adoration this afternoon, and we beseech Thee that Thou wilt prepare us for all that is before us in life, and that Thou wilt let Thy blessing rest down upon us. We thank Thee for the many blessings of this occasion; for the privilege of meeting here in this house which we here consecrate to Thy worship. We pray that Thou wilt draw near, and let Thy Holy Spirit rest upon us. We thank Thee here to-day that Thou hast made it possible for such poor unworthy creatures of earth to approach Thee and worship, and we thank Thee that Thou hast graciously invited us to come. We feel that it is an infinite condescension of Thy power, and we come as humble dependents on Thee, feeling our need of Thee, and striving to come with true humility and devotion. We thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast put it into the minds of men to build a house in which to worship God, to raise our thoughts in adoration to Thee. We know that the effect of this is to purify us, to give us a clearer sense of our condition before Thee, and better to acquaint us with Thy infinite holiness and majesty. We thank Thee that the circumstances surrounding this place have made such a house as this necessary. We thank Thee for the prosperity that has attended us since we have been here. We thank Thee for the institutions which have been planted in this place. We pray that Thy blessing may rest upon all of them. We thank Thee, dear Lord, that Thou hast put it into the hearts of our brethren to build this house of worship, and to conceive the plan upon which it is built, so well calculated for the objects in view. We thank Thee that Thou hast given judgment to feeble men to perfect this plan and do this work. And now, Lord, as we are assembled on this occasion in this house, so comfortable, so well adapted for the purposes in view, we desire to dedicate it to Thee. O God, we pray that Thou wilt accept this humble offering from our hands. We know that it is not worthy of Thee. Thou hast made the gold of all mountains, the rubies, the jasper, and the precious stones, Thou hast made them all, and what is anything we can present to Thee in comparison with Thy work? We do ask Thee to accept this offering. O God, let Thy blessing rest upon those who assemble here from time to time to call upon Thy name. Let light and truth go out from this place in all directions, and may many souls be saved. Bless the pastor of this church, our dear Bro. White, who is absent from us and has not the privilege of meeting with us. Bless him wherever he is. O God, help us to really consecrate ourselves to Thee and to Thy work. Help us to be humble, and may none of the means of grace which we have in this house ever cause us to be puffed up in pride, but make us humble, and give us grateful hearts to Thee. May those who worship here ever welcome all who may come to worship with them. Help us to be an humble, godly people, to be a sacrificing people, to be a pure and holy people; help us to do Thy work here, and at last accept us all in the kingdom of God, for Christ’s sake. Amen. Eld. Canright acted as chairman on the occasion. He explained the absence of Bro. White, which was on account of the feeble state of his health, and gave appropriate expression to the regrets which we all felt that both Bro. and Sr. White were not present, that we might have enjoyed the benefit of their help, and that they might have enjoyed the exercises, which passed off so harmoniously and pleasantly. Eld. Canright pronounced the benediction, and the large audience slowly dispersed, apparently well pleased with the exercises of the day.