M. E. Church Dedication 8 Nov 1886

MILLER, ANDERSON, BARTON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/22/2012 at 21:31:13

Dedication of the M. E. Church

Last Sunday will long be remembered by the Methodist folks of our city, as a red letter day in the history of their church. The beautiful temple, the result of years of trial and sacrifice-which went up in flame and smoke one year ago, had arisen, Phoenix like, from the ashes, more beautiful than before, and was formally dedicated to the worship of God. Dr. Emery Miller, of Des Moines, preached the dedicatory sermon, the house being filled with one of the largest audiences ever assembled in our city. The sermon was one of the Dr.'s ablest efforts, logical and full of power and eloquence. After the sermons, Geo. T. Anderson, one of the trustees, and chairman of the building committee, made a statement of the financial condition of the church, which showed that there still remained an indebtedness of about $300, and asked that the friends present would put their shoulders to the wheel, and assist in removing this slight burden from the church. The response came with the characteristic promptness and generosity of our people and soon the sum was raised, and a considerable amount in addition, after which the formal dedication took place.

The Methodist church of Newton has come up again "out of great tribulation," have one of the handsomest church edifices in Central Iowa, without one dollar of indebtedness. When the former church was destroyed by fire, a debt of nearly $2000 was hanging over it. Within one short year, with the aid of the $6000 insurance, and the generous assistance of the people generally they have not only rebuilt a much handsomer building, but have wiped out the old incumbrence, and have a $10,000 temple in which to worship on which there is not a dollar of indebtedness. To the kind friends who aided them so generously, it is impossible to adequately express their thanks.

In the evening Dr. Miller again preached to an audience which filled the house to its utmost capacity. The sermon was grand, and the people were delighted. At its close Rev. J. G. Barton, the pastor, in his happy way, returned thanks to the good people for their generous help in the church's hour of trouble. Those present speak in complimentary terms of the fine music furnished by the choir, both morning and evening. Altogether, the exercises of the day were intensely interesting and profitable, and the church starts out finely equipped for a career of usefulness. ~ The Newton Journal, November 8, 1886.