Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A THE NEW GERM?N CHURCH. THE FRUITION OF FIVE TEARS OF FAITH AND ENERGY. Solemn Dedication Services-The Re? moval from the Old Church-A Well Earned Ttstimonlal Presented to the Architect-Description of the New Building. Yesterday was a day that will loDg be re? membered by the German citizens of Charles? ton, and especially by that large and influen? tial body .composing the congregation of the German Lutheran Church, as the day on which was witnessed the result of their Indus? trious efforls for the past Are years to provide themselves with a commodious and appropri? ate place of worship, the fruition of their hopes, and the realization of their most san? guine expectations In this direction. The history of this enterprise, which has at last culminated in the impressive scene of yesterday, is a resord of patient en? ergy and perseverance from the year 1867, when the resolution to build a new church was adopted, np to the present time when Ute church stands completed and ready for occu? pation. Every method has been resorted to ?by the Indefatigable workers wbo have had the success of this scheme and the welfare of the church at heart, and large sums of money have been raised by means of fairs, picnics, musical entertainments and periodical con? tribution?, until now the society can boast of as beautiful and appropriate a place of worship as any in the city, and one which will with? stand for years the. fury of the elements and tbe effacing band of time, pointing its slender finger toward the heavens, and Inviting with? in its sacred walls the weary and heavy laden. Farewell to the Old Church. At an early hour of the bright, spring-like morning, small boys in their holiday suits and little girls tn gala costume might bave been seen wending their way towards the scene of action, and Hasel street grew lively and ani? mated as lt began to fill and grow crowded. On the sidewalks gathered thc boys and girls, smiling and happy, while the older members of the various organizations^ little later and more leisurely, began to make their appearance. The arrival of the Rev. L. Huller, the loved and revered pastor ot the old German Luth? eran Church, was the signal for the commence? ment of the ceremonies, and the assembled societies and guests began to enter the OLD CHTRCH. This edifice is situated at the corner of Hasel and Anson streets, and though substantially and neatly built, bas but few pretensions of architectural beaury. It ls also too small for the large congregation which, bas hitherto worshipped In lr, but Its worn and familiar ap peapance excited a feeling akin to regret as the congregation looked for the last time as a body upon the old familiar walls. The pews are arranged in unusual style, there belog but two side aisles to the church and no cen? tral aisle. These run the whole length of the church, and upon them are the entrances to the four division of pews. It bas also a neat gallery upon each side, p ud a place for the choir In the gallery at the bouth ead opposite the chancel. The latter ls neatly railed off, and ?contains the reading desk and pulpit. Both are handsomely furnished with crimson velvets, hangings and cushions, but the latter ls most peculiarly arranged. It is raised upon four pillars to the height of six leet, and standing against the wall ls entered from the vestry room In the rear of the church proper. Thu minister makes his appearance for the ser? mon through a door high up In the wall, and thuB attains the pulpit. The pews of the old church were soon filled with a LABOE CONGREGATION, consisting entlre'y of males, with the exception Of the two female voices In the choir. The as? semblage was composed of the various clubs and companies who were to take part in the procession, the congregation of the churo, the invited guests of the ministry and c'ty gov? ernment, <fcc. On the right of I?W chancel were the visiting ministers-among whom were the Rev. Messrs'. A. R. Rude, J. L. Honour, W. H. Adams, E. T. Winkler. Smart, Wightman, Bracke?, Dana, LaFar, and others. To the left of the chancel were Messrs. John H. Devereux and the other builders. The societies filled the body of the Church, and among, the Invited guests were Mayor Wagener, and Aldermen Brown, John eton, S we ega D, O'Neill, Michaels, Bowen and Glover. After a hymn from the choir. THE KEY of the new church was presented by Mr. John H. Devereux, the architect. It was a hand? some sliver key, with a gold cross, enclosed within the oval handle, made at Hayden's, and upon the richly chased cross were the words: "To the German Church, from Its architect, John H. Devereux." Engraved by Mr. William Fisher. The key was about six Inches In length, and contained in a handsome case of crimsoned morocco, with.a glass top. Tbe building committee advanced to the space In front of the chancel, and Mr. Devereux meet? ing them there, the presentation was made by bim In the following words: Afr. Chairman and'Gentlemen of the Build? ing Committee-It ls now nearly five years since vre met for tba first time within these walls to plan and determine the style and de? sign for your new church, made necessary by your Increasing numbers. Five years fraught with so many changes to nations and individu? als,: of sadness and joy, ot life and of death, have lound no change In our lrlendshfp, ex? cept by a most pleasant association in cement? ing more firmly those feelings of mutual es? teem wblch first brought us together. If there ls a shadow of regret in my heart to-day it is that our connections are about to be severed, our labor3 together having drawn to a close. Mr. Chairman, no man In this city appreciated the peculiar position I occupied before you more keenly than myself. Pre? sented to you at the very threshhold of my professional career, I had not only to over? come your natural prejudice to my youth and Inexperience, but also to satlsly you of my re? sponsibility and financial skill to bandle so T8st a work. Ia ancient times, when honest purpose was not considered a weakness, the architect, who was then the principal work? man-for the Very name ls derived from the -Greek "arkitektos"-was an office of high trust, and when faithfully filled was rewarded by high public honors; bat with tbe advance of so-called civilization, it became neces? sary to throw around the interest of the owner additional safeguards. The architect was no longer a fabricator, but a mere designer and superintendent, ?whose duty in a g-eat measure consisted in seeing that the ehlef workman did his duty. We read that lu Yenice the law made the architect responsible tor the cost of the build? ing, deeming it an offence Ii the cost exceed? ed the estimate, because the solvency of the proprietor was endangered by the Incapacity or cupidity of his architect, and hence the statute to punish the' one aud protect the ?other. A great willer, I think Neskln, has ?aid that no man can be a great architect un? less be is also a great builder, nor can a builder be great unless he is a good architect, because the ability to construct skilfully, and to clothe such construction with the beautiful in design, must always go hand In hand when great results are to be achieved. In my hum? ble way 1 have labored to Imitate my ancient predecessors, and my great ambition has been to approach, as near as my capacity would admit, their idea of an architect. Af Mr. Chairman, I have the honor to tran to your keeping the key of thia, your church. Wishlog to typify the feeling I er tain towards you I have caused lt to be n o? the most precious metals of silver and g Accept lt, sir, and In doing BO permit m convey to your committee, through you, acknowledgment of their great kindness courtesy extended during the progress of work, and accept for yourself my most found regard and esteem. Mr. Geo. H. Llndstedt, the chairman of building committee, received the key, an response said : As chairman of the building commit I accept from your hands the keys ot new church, and need I assure you the high esteem and friendly disposition wt we entertain for you. Associated toget for nearly Ave years In close business r tlons, but one motive seems to have posses you-that of a fair and generous deall Now that we have approached the end, ace my assurance, and those ot my colleagues, the lively and high consideration we eu tain for your character as a gentleman j your talents as an architect and builder. Taking the key and turning to THE BUILDING COMMITTEE, Mr. Llndstedt added in German: Mr. Toigt-To yo?, as president of church corporation, I nave the honor, in name of the building committee, to band 1 key, the symbol of the completion of great work. May you preserve it well, i be prepared whenever lt may be demani of you fora good purpose to deliver it up. Mr. C. Voigt, of the committee, received key and said : Mr. Lindstedt and Gentlemen of the Buildi Committee-I am unable to express the leellt that well up within my heart on receivi this key. I will fay, however, that I recel it with the gratest joy; for this key 1st symbol of the victory of our labor. Just the victorious general receives with pride a satisfaction the key of a long beleaguered f tress, so do I take the key of our new chm with gladness and thanksgiving; for now ' can exclaim: We thank Thee, O God, for c work ls done. For your trouble and persev ance, gentlemen ol' the building committee thank you sincerely In the name ot the vest? In the name of the congregation, and In i name of all good people. He only who h observed you closely, can properly Judge the willingness and self-abnpgaiion wi which you discharged your trust; and lt w my pleasure to be In your midst almost eve day. When I consider the many difficult! and diversities of opinion that bad to be cor batted from time to time during the constru tlon of this edifice; and when I see, that nc withstanding all these, you have obtained tl victory, I cannot but ask, who shall withho the praise that ls so justly your due ? I remember-I feel it even now ringing I my ears-when, on the laying of the corn? stone, the venerable Nestor of our church I Charleston, Kev. Dr. John Bachman, pray? that God would, In His gracious providenc permit him to see inls church completed; ar so prayed we all; and the Almighty was gn clous and heard our prayer. You, gentlemei did all that human hands could do towards ttl completion of this church edifice. The thank giving prayer to-day ol this venerable servar of God. as also ours, rewards you and a others who co-operated with you, for the to you have endured. The means which wei necessary from time to time to carry on th building operations were husbanded by yo with the greatest care; and speaking of thai I must not omit saying, that lt Is almost mai vellous to think how ft was possible that th necessary funds were raised during these har and troublous times by our faithful Germane and by our good friends. That we should have been able to do this li proof that we HUH have men enough in ou midst who are ready to contribute to ever good work. But foremost on this roll c Honor stand our German matrons and maid ens. Theirs ls the crown of victory. W have seen them work, day and night, earl and late, knowing no fatigue; and thong some men may have doubted the feasibility c this great undertaking, these noble co-work ers never entertained a doubt of our ultimat< success. They were ever sure, knowing tba their unceasing sell-sacrlflce must bring us ti the goal. They have our heartfelt thanks ani our prayer that God may reward them an? theirs. Our architect and his faithful assistants alsc merit our gratitude. I know from actual ob servation and experience how ialthttilly the; have done their duty. We have worked to gether so long that I (eel almost as if a ira ter nal relation had sprung up between us and this can only be the natural consequent ot thorough accord, and I hope that thel fame as great architects and builders mai soon resound in every part of the land, fo nearly every one in this city already give, them their meed of praise. The Germans of Charleston may now loot with pride upon this magnificent temple whose cloud-piercing spire, glittering In th? golden sunlight. Isa striking landmark to th< stranger, as he approaches the shores, of oui lime-honored city, proving to him that thi countrymen of Luther still retain their ok love for the church. And how must our Ger 1 man immigrants feel, who have left the ole [ Fatherland lo seek a new home amonj us; bow must the heart beat in their bosom when some one shall tell them on the ship "Do you see yon speck on the lar horizon ? I is the first object visible that marks your des tlnat!on. It ls the steeple of the Germat Church of Charleston." And we all know what confidence this will give them In oui strength and in our faith. Theretore, gentle men, I again repeat, I thank you In the name of all good men; and we shall never forgel that you have faithfully and conscientiously discharged your duty. Mr. N. Febrenbach, ot the committee, thei took up from the altar a HAND; OME SILVER SERVICE which had been purchased by the building committee and vest ry of the congregation, tc present to the architect, Mr. Devereux, as s testimonial of the occasion, and an assurance o? the cordial and kindly leellngs entertained by them. The service was a solid sliver tea set, comprising a sliver teapot, sugar-dish, cream pitcher and slop bowl, ail ol elaborate design and beautiful workmanship. The ex? quisite engraving upon each o? these articles ls by Mr. William Fisher, corner King and Hasel streets, aad their appearance reflects great credit upon the artist, showing that even the finest work in this line can be executed as skilfully and beautifully in Charleston aa In any ol the cities of tbe North. The inscription upon the walter ls as follows : . Presented to : : John H. Devereux, Esq., : ; Architect, : : by ihe : : Eulldlng Committee and Vestry : : or the : : German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation : : as a mark of their esteem : : and recognition of bis ability. : ; Charlesti-n, S. C. : : March 28, 1872. : On each of the smaller pieces ls engraved the following inscription : : John H. Devereux, Esq, : from the : : Balldlng Committee and Vestry : of the : : German Evangelical Lutheran Church. : : Charleston, S. C., March 28, 1872. ; This he presented with the fellowing ad? dress: Mr. John H. Devereux-HY DEAR 8IR: I have the honor and extreme pleasure of cre? sent lng to you this beautiful gin. Accept lt,"slr, on behalf of the building committee and con? gregation of this church. We desire to con? vey to you our appreciation of your character in a form that will enable you to transmit to your ohlldren the high esteem in which we bold you. The trust confided In you bas been nobly redeemed. The architect of the new church, you have also been the contractor, with no superintendent save your own honor, and we are here to prove how unfaltering and vigilant that sentinel has been. During five years of close business relation with you, and of a nature most peculiar, we have found on your part the most high-toned, and. In? deed, sensitive regard for jhe interest of the church. Too much cannot be said on this subject, in view ot the times In which we live, when eo few men can be found in whom un? limited trust can be placed. Ia the opinion o? the building committee, your construction ol the articles of agreement has been most libe? ral, even to generosity. Indeed, we feel call? ed upon to give public acknowledgment of it, and to thank you particularly lor the frescoing of the Inside and other Important Improvements which are gifts from yon to the congregation. I deem it my duty to say to the congregation on this occasion, that not less than fjf :een hundred dollars has thus been be? stowed by you upon their church. In conclu? sion, sir, "let me say to you here, you have this day won a laurel-crown, and here the bright? est j? wei In lt is the new German Church. This scene, which was not down on the programme, astonished Mr. Devereux, but recovering during the above address, he re? sponded as lollowe: Mr. Fehrenbach, Gentlemen of the Building Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen-To express in words ibe feeling that overpowers me at this moment, I feel, would be an Impossibility. The full, generous and unstinted endorsement of my conduct in the management of the dulles entrusted to me far exceeds my most sanguine hopes. The first Impulse of my heart is ore of humble thanksgiving to Almighty Ged, to whom I am Indebted for those qualities which draw from you this recognition. Tour magnificent present, ac? companied by such eloquent and lorcible lan? guage, leaves me but silence and Inexpressible pleasure. The anxious days of care and anxiety are forgotten, for In my attempt to revive the ancient manner of conducting the business of the archllect I necessarily made myself responsible, not only for the symmetry and architectural beauty of my building, but also for Its cost. Ii oversight or Igno? rance existed, I would find but cold comfort In discovering lt at the door of the architect. The comfortable poslilon ol the modern build? er, when an error ls found in the plans and specifications, ls denied to me. . No wonder tbe Venetians made lt a matter ot so much consequence,' lor, I assure you, lt ls nothing to say I can pierce the clouds with my spire, defy the force of the gale, and laugh at tbe wild roar of the tempest; and another thing to say, I will support my Judgment with my fortune. To day 1 forget all except your ap? proval and your magnificent manner of ex? pressing it, for when your secretary kindly In? timated to me that I might look for a set of res? olutions expressing approval, 'he did not say that they would have the suitable and substan? tial form presented by the magnificent souve ner before me. Permit me to acknowledge my acceptance ot your beautiful ulft with feelings ot the most profound gratification. '.' The choir next sang a hymn, alter which the Rev. L. Muller, standing In the front part of the chancel, delivered the prayer commencing "Thou art worthy, 0 Lord." The beautiful hymn No. 344 was next sung, the whole con? gregation joining In the air, and giving a last and touching farewell to the old church. At the conclusion the assemblage Sled out, and the FORMATION OF THE PROCESSION In Hasel street began. This was done under the direction or Messrs. D. Werner, A Mel chere, J. Small and G. Blecke, and was effect? ed with a skill and ease which reflected much credit on the managers. The head of the line rested on Meeting street, and In a few min? utes the long procession began to move. At the ? head marched the scholars of Mr. C. H. Bergmann'8 .school, the tiniest o? damsels being In the front and ' the boys In the rear. The young ladles were all arrayed In spotless white, with a beautiful shoulder scarf of blue ribbon, and mest of them wore on their heads wreaths of white flowers and green 1 eaves. The boys were dressed In equal taste, and the whole school to the number of one hundred and five wore the German cockades of.the red, white and black. The rest of the teachers and pupils of the German Lutheran Sunday-School, of which Mr. Bergmann's pupils are members, fol? lowed, making a curious and happy collection ot children, all marching by twos, to the num? ber of over three hundred and thirty. The German societies moved next In line, all in citizens dress, and wearing the badges of their organization banging from the left breast of their coats. These comprised the following organizations : Wagener Artillery Club. Germania Bund. German Society of South Carolina. Turner Bund. Walhalla Lodge, A. F. M. Schiller Lodge, 1. 0. 0. F. Germania Lodge. K. of P. Artlllerie-Unterstutzungs-Vereln. Bruderliebe Bund. Freundschaftsbund. Schulzen Society. German Fire Company. German Fusilier Society. German Friendly Society. Owing to the fact that the members of one of these societies are generally members of half a dozen others, it would hardly be a fair estimate of their respective strength to give tho numbers paraded by each organization. In the Une, however, were fully four hundred men of the Teutonic race, whose manly form and bearing would make any State of their adoption proud to own them??. The "Editors and Members ol the Press" came next In the line. The captains and crews of the German ves? sels In port were allotted the next place In the line, followed by the German consul and suite, Mayor Wagener and a large delegation from the Council, the vestry of the two Eng? lish Lutheran Churches, the clergy of other denominations, the building committee and builders of the church, the vestry ot the Ger? man Lutheran Church, the pastor of the church, officers of the Lutheran Synod and other Lutheran ministers, and lastly, the three Lutheran congregations. The procession, num? bering In all fully twelve hundred persons, took up the LINE OF MARCH about a quarter past ten o'clock, and pro? ceeded slowly through Hasel street to King and up Sing street to the new German Church opposite the Citadel Green. Along the line thousands of spectators were gather? ed, and at Meeting street the crowd was im? mense. The procession moved along one sidewalk while the other was occupied by the crowd moving In the fame direction and in still greater numbers. Arriving at the church the procession halted for a while, and the reception committee bad now an onerous task before them. The ranks were opened, and between these bright walls the socle iles and visitors passed into the chu rah ia Invited order, and were there welcomed and accom? modated In the best manner possible by the reception committee. The children of the 8unday school flied up into the gallery, and along the floora could be heard the echoing footsteps of hundreds of youthful feet as they filled every seat and peered over the heavy balustrades. The Dedication. The scene in the new church when the vast congregation had at last been seated, was a most impressive one. The fine interior of the sacred edifice was exhibited to the best ad? vantage by the glorious sunlight streaming through the rjchly decorated windows and falling upon the crowded audience. The chancel was occupied by the pastor, Rev. L. Muller, the clergy of the other Lutheran Churches In the city and visiting clergymen, among them being the venerable Dr. John Bachman, Dr. A. R. Rude, of Columbia; Dr. Smeltzer, the president of the Lutheran Col? lege at Walhalla; Rev. W. S. Bowman, presi? dent of the Lutheran Synod of South Carolina, and Rev. T. W. Doab, pastor of St. J Lutheran Church, of this city. The space between the chancel and front pews was Ailed for the occasion chairs for the invited guests, in which seated the clergymen of other de nom I nal including Rev. Dr. E. T. Wlnkler, Rev John T. Wightman, and Revs. Messrs. Si Brackelt, W. H. Adams, A. M. Chreltzber X. Lafar, J. L. Honour and W. C. Dana. Mayor, members of the City Council, men ot the press, the architect and builders o church, and the building committee and v were also seated here. On the altar, v. occupied the centre of the chaneel, arranged a vase of beautiful flowers and fi and a wreath ol evergreens and lmmort surrounding the Holy Scriptures. At one of the chancel stood the unfinished pulpit, ered with thick garlands of evergreens snow white blossoms, prepared by the thot ful care of the ladles of the congregate supply the deficiencies In the structure, pews in the centre of the church were o pied by the gentlemen composing the cession. A large number of chairs had been placed along the x aisles, and every was occupied. The seats at the sides ol church were crowded with ladies, man whom had been In their places since i o'clock. The galleries, were well filled i the Juvenile representatives of the Sum schools, the gallery on the north side bi occupied by the girls, and that on the sc side by the boys of the different schools, together lt was a bright, pleasant, kv scene, a sight which will live In the men of those who witnessed lt, and one which i well repay the care and labor and anz which has been endured by thlsenerg society in securing this beautiful place of v ship. The services of dedication were conduc in German, and were begun while the pro sion, headed by the pastor of the church the other Lutheran clergymen, was passlna the aisle. Hie Introit being repeated alterna: by the pastor and other clergymen as folloi Pastor. How amiable are Thy tabernac O Lord of Hosts. Clergy. My sou. longeth, yea fulnteth the courts ol the Lord; my heart and my fl crleth out for the living God. For a da: thy courts ls better than a thousand. Pastor. Lift up your heads, O ye gal even Hit them up, ye everlasting doors. Clergy. And the KInz of glory shall come Pastor. Who ls this King of glory ? Clergy. The Lord of Hosts, He ls the E of glory. The ministers then having entered i chancel, the whole congregation arose a Joined with the choir in the Gloria Patrl: Glory be to the Father and to tbe Son, a to the Holy Ghost; as lt was In the beginnt! ls now, and ever shall be, world without ei Amen. Then followed the invocation by the past "The Lord be with you;" and the response the congregation, "And with thy spirit." This was followed hy the service of dedl tlon as. prescribed by the liturgy of, t Lutheran Church, the Recitative and Gosp (I Kings, viii, 22. 30, and 54, 58; Eph. ll, ll, and Heb. x, 19, 20,) belog read In turn by t pastor and the Rev. Dr. Rude. The Apostles* Creed was then recited unison by the pastor and congregation, a this waa followed by the service of conseci lion recited by the pastor. Next came Luther's' hymn, "Elo feste Bu Ist unser Gott," sung by the choir and t congregation. Th? organ accompalnme was by Professor H. E. Eckel. The choir, 1 by Mr. Heinemann, com prised Mrs. Eckel, i pram ; Mrs. Henneker, alto; Mr. Senior, te or, and Mr. Issertel, base, assisted by a stro chorus of selected singers. The vocal mus waa also accompained by a brass band und the direction of Professor Beck. The dedication sermon was then deliver by the pastor, as follows: Haggai, 2d chapter, loth verse: "The glory thia tatter house shah be greater than or the r< mer, saith tbe Lord of hons; and In this pla w.n I give peace, saith the Lera or hosts." Welcome In your new house of God, my t loved congregation, ls my greeting from o of an overflowing heart to you this day. Tl day-day of rejoicing, O day of tears of gla ness-flus us with pride and blessed net With pride, because the ema!! number o? Ge mans in this city have succeeded in cpmpletlt a work, the fame of which will spread far ar wide through this land, and even other natlo alltles will noast o? lt. Only Germans cou have undertaken and finished such a bulletin yet, I think that I can read In your bear what I feel in my own. that to day Joy abound Yes, Cod has made us to rejoice, because d': C cultles did not overwhelm us.. Firmly stahc the noble pile. After five years of hard struj gie ano labor the beautiful temple is unishet and whoever aided In the work must rejolci But we assuredly also feel that except tb Lord build tbe house they labor in vain thc build lt; and we humbly bow down before Hil who alone has been our helper, and we, of on own accord, exclaim: "Sit soli Deo gloria." to God be all the glory. It was not vanity that led us to build thl house, but necessity; and that the glory ol thl latter house ls greater than of the former, I based on well established facts. Cburche cannot be built too large. The Lord invite all to come unto Him, and. therefore, mus the house of God afford room to all who wi! come lo Him. Nor can churches be bulit to expensively. Do not men dwell lo expensive houses ? Why, then, ought not the people o God, the body of Christ, build a royal abod tor Him ? We do not build such houses to ou iionor, but to the honor of God. It ls tru Christianity that needs not external pomp and we have enjoyed blessed refresh mea from on high In our old and plain little bousi of prayer; but the saying of Lessing remain neveihfless (rue: Only a mistaken religlot can discard the beautiful, and lt ls an evldenci ot true religion when lc always leads us bael to the beautiful. An English poet says: A thine of beauty is a Joy forever. The truly beautiful always brings gladness. The golder age would return when on earth all artaud al science were the handmaids of the Kingdom of God. This building ls built according to the Ger? man or usually termed Gothic style, not mere< ly because we are Germans, but because ] consider the Gothic style of architecture as the really proper style of churchly architec? ture. It was given the German people through Hie grace of God to purify the true Church ol Jesus from the rubbish of human maxims, and German workmen have likewise found the corresponding lorm lor the temples of God on earth. All our Myles of architecture bear the impression of earth with its latitudinal ian chancier, but the Germans lollow the pat? tern of the grand domes, which God himself builds out of the giants of the forest, and Its piling In Its upward tending aim cowers on towers, in order to mount upwards, ls a sym? bol of the Christian faith. When we stand In such a temple we feel that this ls none other but the house of God, and this the gate to Heaven. A Cnrlstlan temple is a sermon fashioned In stone. The three lights or windows in the chancel represent thefiuntaln of light, from which all Illumination proceeds, and which is revealed through the Apostolic word In which ChriBt is the chief corner-stone. The centre picture tells us that the cross ls the centre of the divine revelation. The windows on each side of the nave are seven, like the seven lamps In the tabernacle, and the rosettes dis? play In expressive symbols God's word in man's redemption. He gave us the Holy scriptures, the lamp to our feet and the light to our paths, which are Indeed the preaching of the cross, In that they point to Christ as the Lamb of God who carries the sins of the world; the Holy Trinity manifests chiefly its love, lu that Christ shed his blood for us, like the pelican who, according to the legend, lacerates its own breast to quicken ks brood. We have therefore an anchor of hope, even though life's oaths lead us to the crown of thorns. The Scriptures, also, teach us that m enters Into a world in which sin ls meaaur with the hour glass, and In which he comes God at the baptismal font. But man must, its symbol teaches, secure his election by tr faith, and frequently strengthening his fal by the sacrament of the altar, and drink t cup of salvation. Then will the eye of Gi watch over us, and at last grant us the ero* of life which the star out of Jacob, the Virgil son. will give us. Under the galleries a twelve plain windows, commemorative of t twelve Apostles, who broogbt us the Word God; and in the windows to the right and t left of the altar, portraits of Luther and Melancthon, his fellow-laborer, the I wo i formers who restored to us the Word of Go The two monograms on the front windor signify Alpha and Omega. Jesus Eeminu Salvator-Jesus, the Saviour of the worl must be our beginning and our ending. Th does our new boute of God preach lo us, symbols and picture?, the grand sermon the Saviour of the world; and lt man s h ou ever cease to mention His name here, thei stones would testily ot Him. And who has built this temple ?.. Tou t know its history. It required years of dillgei labor, and many a prayer ascended lrom lon; lng hearts to the great Master Builder of tl Universe that we might see Its completioi Ii is not one man's work. A combination t favorable circumstances and personalise which were controlled by God, have brpugl about the result which to-day we see with ot eyes. It was a work of faith. We commence with nothing, and God bas not suffered ot faith to be put to an open shame. After yeai of preparatory studies and six months'labt and consultation With the architect, the pla was matured, and beneath the hands ot tb I talented aichltect arose the noble form whot I embodiment to-day delights our eyes. Tb congregation? co operated faithfully wish u Under great difficulties, In the face of har times, which fer years have crippled our cit; were the large sums of money necessary t the finishing of the building raised. The age and the young, the etrong and the weak, liav gathered with the iadustry of bees. With ui wearied faithfulness and praiseworthy zei have both the church council and the congn gatlon worked; nobly have our moihei and daughters put forth the greata exertions and made heavy sacrifice and a host of little children hav often collected handsome contributions. Witl un'Iring perseverance, and In almost Ire ternal harmony, did tne building commute and the architect work together. When w this day, at our first worship of God In thl newly consecrated house of God, meditate o all these things, the heart overflows wit gratitude to all of you, and to Him who melt the beart, Yes, He bas done great things fo us, whereof we are glad. And when we r< member that this house f.tands as a shlnlni monument for posterity, which wltnessetb ! to the children of the faith of the rainers when each, one who bas contributed his mit and cheerfully assisted at the work, can j oj fully say : I, too, have helped to make tb glory ot this latter house greater than the foi mer. the great, joy of this ciolemn dedisatloo o the bouse of God enters into the hearts, tbei are we led to exclaim with Jacob : I am no worthy of the least of all the mercies, ando all the truth which thou bast showed not thy servant. Tee, the Lord bas budded tbl memorial Into our midst unto himself, 1 majorum dei glorium. This house of God bears henceforth, by vii tue of Ita consecration, the name, "The Ger man Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthew' Church." Why called German ? What ba the Gospel to do with any distinct tongue Did not the Lord Jesus Ci ri st send his disc! pies to all nations and to all tongues ? Doe not St. Paul say there ls neither Jew no Greek ? We aevertbelesu hold fast to thl name and to our language even because w are and will also remain Germans; because wi cannot surrender the rich treasures ot ou language, and of our German spirit, wlthou surrendering ourse: ves; because we can als teach lt to our children if we are disposed; be cause tb i German has a grand future beior him ID thia country: because tbe only hope o the regeneration of this country rests In th German element; and because only the Ger man tongue upholds the German. We will never lorget, that during th building of our church, the highest elevatloi which the nation of Teutons has reached ba been Inscribed on the pages ol the history o the world. A united Germany unites us Germany's strength and greatness aroused ou self-consciousness. Those were strong auxin aries In our work, and we will gratefully ren der our obligations to these factors, and tbi enthusiasm of our people in the falherlanc shall be our monitor not to forget the worl appointed us Germans to do. Why calle? "Evang?lica ?" Evangelical ls the golden brightly shining chain of graces which th Lord in the sight of the whole world hangi around our church. Who that but half i Christian would not willingly be called Evan gellen! ? And what ls Evangelical? It ls th? burch with the Evangel-that ls, the Gospel with Its grand tidings ot ]oy to the world 1 'For God BO loved the world, that He gave Hil only begotten Son, that wboeoever believe: In Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." When the Word of God "ls preachec according to Its pure Intent and meaning, ant the sacraments administered In conformity with the Word of God," there ls the true Evan gellcal Church. This ls the real and origina name of the Church of the Reformation. And yet two names of men have been affix? ed to our church-Luther and Matthew. Ac regards the name of "Lutheran," we bear lt In common with 40,000,000 of men; and although lt almost ls similar to that of "Naza? renes" In the infancy of the Christian Church, we yet rejoice and esteem it nearly as highly &i tue name of "evangelical." See here, my beloved, at the time of the Reformation and since, all who left Rome wanted to be called Evangelical. The Iconoclasts and the Anabap? tists, as well as the true orderly Christian who, In ali things, observed the word of God, and there were the latter compelled to add the name of the man in whose footsteps they trod, and to whose doctrine they were fully deter? mined to adhere. As regards his faith, Luther 1B the normal personality in our church-the type of a genuine Lutheran-and if it ls asked why we love this name so much, I gladly testi? ly of the superior excellency of our church. Her superiority consists la this: That she ls not Luther's, but the Lord's church, for no one was more ready than Luther to declare: "The cause and honor. Lord Jesus Christ, ls not ours, but thine. Among the churches and sects in Christendom she follows the golden mean; she bas taken off tbe external character? istics made up ol the leaven of human maxims, the proud churchly materialism, and thu blub, claims of the humanly historical succession as regards the church, by which Rome is held almost hopeles.-ly chained. But ehe also keeps as far away from the arbitrary, spiritual? istic ways of other churches and sects, which so lightly sever the historical connection with the old Apostolic Church. It is founded truly and entirely on the Bible-on the whole Bible-on a'living adheienceto Christ, the crown and star of the Scriptures. In ber con? fession is found an ideal purity of. doctrine, such as has never .manifested iteelt since the days of the Apostles in the Christian Church. Her glorious, pure cultos is an organic whole, with the constant and living participation of the congregation, with the. preaching of the Divine Word as its centre. The sacrament ls exempt from superslliious additions and un? believing subtractions. She gives, In tempo? ral affair.?, to Caesar the things which are Cavar's; she never aspires to be the mistress of the State; yet she bravely battles with every wordly power in defending man's most cherished right-the liberty of religion and of conscience. She opposes error In all its manifestations, In tbe power of the Divine. Spirit, and with all the resources of human learning. What shall I say ot her wealth ot spiritual treasure, of the thousands of grandly glorious hymns, her many books of devotions and her collections ol sermon?? You know yourselves that I but speak of what ls trup, and that nowhere on cann can anything be found to compare with what she holds last. By their fruits shall ye know them, says the Saviour; and we can con? ti lently challenge the world and say, "come and see," ll anywhere else are lound greater faithfulness In the administration of the spiri? tual office, more fervent, sober, simple piety among the people, than are to be met with among the Nazarenes of the present, that ie, among us Lutherans. But enough. Now you see why we greatly love the name we bear In i he church militant. It is a good battle cry for the soldiers ol the cross, and when that name ls blazoned on the banner unfurled, then follow boldly, fluhr. manfully for it-the viciory is eenuin. The Lutheran Church is the church of the future. By and by and the kingdoms ot this world I shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. Then must they come unto us. We seek DO other master than Jesus Chri Throngh a living faith noto Him do we' co tidlngl v commit our way.. Our real guardian ana keeper ls Christ, a Matthew, yet we willingly write the name < our church edifice. We honor' In this tran lb? great Apostle and Evangelist, the di vii Instrument, and declare by the adoption of th name that we design to be disciples i Matthew. That this gospel Is to he pr each t In this church is Matthew's brightest gen And the glory of this latter house shall t greater than of the former. But thia ougl not to apply to the external structure alon As the promise of God given to the children i Israel, who built the second temple after tt Babylonian captivity, distinctly Implies, th< Hs glory is to be so great because Christ th Lord, the Angel of the Covenant, would com to his temple, so can this Scripture only c into fulfilment among as when we use th house for the purpose for which lt was bull namely, that eur congregation be built up o the living foundation, which IB Christ, to holy temple In the Lord. "Know ye not says the Apostle, "that ye are the temple i God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth I you." Our text thus presents to us our en ployment in this house of God: this coi gregal lon shall become a temple of God; bi where two or three are gathered together 1 His name, there He Is present In their mids The more you seek Him here, the larger th number of those who here receive the wor and the sacrament believlngly, the great* will the glory of this house be. We build that we might be able to sa] "And yet there is room." O German people baptized Christians, who is to bear the blam If this room here remains empty? Let thl house be your mest cherished place; a nous of prayer, a school ol. heavenly wisdom an true godliness, a city of refuge for the wear and the heavy laden, and thu gate of Heaver "And in this place will I give peace." LU ten. The Lord Sabaoth saysttt. The glorlou Prince ot Peace calls to all. Thou whom tb earea and the riches of the world ensnare, her willi deliver thee from Its service of earth' fleeting shows. Thou who art sorely trout led, thou who art tormented by sin, beholi this ls the Lamb of God, which taketh awa; the sins of the world. Thou who art mourn lng, come to me all ye who are weary ant heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Thoo whi are beset by fears and anxieties, call upon mi In the day of trouble, I will deliver tbee, an? thou shalt glorify me. And when the hour ap proacb.es wbea we shall close our eyes to al the glories of the world, when this beaufjfu house ol praise and prayer-nay, when.all ou beloved vanish from our sight, when th< wings of death fan our cheeks, when the body which ought to be the temple of the Hoi; Ghost, ls carried the last time within thl house of God, and then out to yon silent, tem pie of nature, there to rear, awaiting theres urrectlon-may it then be said of us too, thi glory of this latter house shall be greater that of the former, and I will also give you peace li yonder place. To this succeeded one ol the most lmpres Bive scenes of the whole solemn ceremony This was the recital o the Lord's Prayer b; the venerable Dr. Bu .man, accompanied b. the entire congregation. The aged pastor oe cupled a cushioned arm-chair In the chancel and at the conclusion of the sermon wa wheeled to the front, and, H Lill retaining hi seat, In consequence of the Infirmities of agc j he lifted up bia hands and repeated In clea and measured tones the Immortal suppUcatlo bequeathed by Christ to his followers In th Sermon on the Mount. The conzregatlo devoutly Joined in the solemn prayer, wit the impressiveness of the event portrayed o every countenance, and at the conclusion c the petition, as the Amen fell from the Hps c the loved and venerated pastor, there wa scarcely a dry eye In the congregation. The Kev. Mr. Bowman, president of th Lutheran Synod of South Carolina, then de livered an address. He said: Beloved Brethren in Ohnsl-At the earnesi solicitation of the beloved pastor and the etu clent committee ol' arrangements .of thl, church I have consented to address you, brlel ly, In the English language. Whilst the Jove bear to the brethren ot this church and the ot ficlal position I hold In our Synod Induced me ti cept this position, I would much prefer tha some of the older and wiser heads here pres ent should have assumed the responsibility o this hour. My embarrassment grows out o the magnitude and the pre-eminent impor tance of this occasion. For the space of well nigh half a score of years I have been tin quiet, yet deeply interested, witness of tb? plans, purposes, Intentions, hopes, fears, anxl etles, labors, conflicts, gift?, sacrifices and ul Umate triumphs connected with this magma cent temple, under whose ample shelter wi are assembled to-day, and I am not unmlod ful ol the (act that our notes of exultation which resound for the first time through these Gothic arches to-day. will be re-echoed, In pan at least, over two continents. These consider atlens render lt difficult to find words truly be fliting the occasion. Standing In the newlj consecrated church, let us look back for a mo ment to the rock trom which we are hewn. More than eighteen hundred years ago there appeared In the Land ot Palestine tue Incar? nate Son of God. In Him were centred all the types and shadows of the ancient tempi? worship. He came to fulfil the law and the proph?te, and In His suffering, death, resur? rection and mediation, the entire Levitlcal code ls superseded and forever abolished. By His teaching.*, doctrines, ordinances and sacramanis, He has established "anew and living way" ot access to God, and organ? ized a visible church upon earth. I have not time now to tell you the checkered history and varied vicissitudes of that church for eighteen hundred centuries past. How "the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers took counsel together against the Lord and against bis anoolnted," saying. "Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us." Time would tall to tell us how, In six great and terrible persecutions, the alien armies ol Idolatry and Infidelity sought to sweep the Church of Jesus irom the face of the earth. How at times they seemed to triumph as they bathed their flashing clmetsrs in Christian blood, and waded through rippling sireama o' Christian gore, and then again were driven back with shivered lance and broken blade to learn how vain a thing it is to fight against God. But this ls the grand historic tact which we all glory In. The Church of Christ still exista In all Its grandeur, beauty and excel? lence, and to day Jesus of Nazareth has more devoted followers and more loyal subjects lhan any king, prince or potentate under the canopy of heaven. And yonder blazing sun will never set upon the limits of His visible empire until be sets to rise no more forever. And this Christian temple In which we are assembled to-day, with its massive walls and cloud-piercing spire, has been reared In Chris? tian faith as a lasting monument to the di? vinity ot the Saviour's person, the purity of His doctrines, the holiness of His sacraments, and the vicarious character of His death. Long may this structure stand to shelter His worshippers and to re-echo His praise ! But there ts another event in the distant paar, with which this temple ls most intimately connected, and which claims a share In the paternity of the house and of those who shall statedly worship lu it. We cast our eyes back to ihe distance of some three or four centu? ries and we behold-what claimed to be-the Church of Christ wrapped in the mantle ol the blackest night. The old Apostolic doctrine of salvation by faith had been wholly superseded by (he human doctrine of salvation by works, and by the observance ol a ritualism more bur? densome and less profitable than that of Levi. The word of God-next to Jesus, God's best and greatest gilt to man-was wrested from the hands ol the people and locked ID the walls o? the cloister. Superstition had taken the place of piety; the snirit of persecution had been substituted for "religious zeal, and the liberty wherewith Christ had set His people free had been succeeded by an appalling tyranny over the consciences of men. Then was "man's extremity made God's opportu? nity," and in the exercise of His never-ialling Providence, God raised up ihe immortal monk Wlttemberg, the glorious Luther, ror the pur? pose of reforming and purifying His Church. To this end was he endowed with a sound mind, with a capacious and highly cultivated intellect,with the invincible panoply ot a brave heart, with the heavenly adornments ol a regenerated Dature, and with the rich endow? ments of the Divine Spirit. How well this man ot God and his coadju? tors performed the work which the Head of thc Church gave them to do, is evinced in ihe fact that now, after the lapse ol more than three hundred ?od fifty, years, forty .milHons" of God's people are planted firmly, upon the confessions and symbols of the great Church of the Beformarlon. ' Th'e^'the??ogj?ns '?Pfcit nations and tongues drink their most retresfc? lag and, moat strengthening draughts at, the fountains of our lore.. And the work of life la restored to the hands and"the sacrament cup' to the lips ol the Saviour's people.' ; ' -: - ?R . This church, beloved,- which we dedicate to? day, is but a continuation and .perpetua-' (lon of the. great ' work bf the Befor mation of the J6th- wnroiyV"' It:i-?: -?tte among the. latest .and .most: precious fruits of a restored Gospel.. This houee was built for no other purpose than to preach and reproach In it the great doctrines .ot the Holv Scriptures as taught In the Augsburg Confes? sion ol the Lutheran Cburph; and every^ teran pest-tossed voyager who shall in after years seek for repose in the quiet harbor or eut grand old "City by tho Cliy," when he catchet the first glimpse of thia lol ty:splre lo the hori? zon, win be told that this, is the church la which U proclaimed'what Luther taught three) centuries ago: "The Just shall Live by Faith." The Idea of building temples- and houses of worship in which, to meet and perform suit? able acts of devotion to God. ls not original wiih mah. It ls an arrangement of the Deity, who saw in the moral and social constitu? ion of man an Imperative necessity tor such ft plain. Not only did God dispose the hearts of His people to erect these shrines and gather around them, but He. gave the most explicit commands that such temples should be built,, and in the first Instance condescended to be the architect Himself-glvlog the most- explicit directions with reference to the building and every article ot furniture it contained. In every age of the world-both in ' heathen and Christian lands-the public shrines at which men have worshipped have constituted the great bonds ot their- social and national union. . " ' Burn down the temple - at Mecca, destroy the public worship of the followers of the false, prophet, and la a short time Mohammedanism would be numbered among the things that were. It ls their temple and temple worship that binds them together. And the mutual encouragement they Impart to each other at. i hf ir public altar does more than anything else to perpetuate their blindness and super? stition. ... uu . Destroy tbe temple of Juggernaut,, break up tbe public shrines of the Hindoo, .deprive them ot this great bond of union and centre of power, and you have done more for their conversion than by sending them thousands of Bibles and scores of missionaries. Now I ask the question: If the shrine of a false god-where there is no foil ne nee'of the Holy Spirit, where there ls no Divine power, where there Is ho Are from heaven, where there ls no real blessing-ls a mighty engine. Of power for the degradation of the -human race, should not the temple and shrine of the Living God be a mighty agency for. Ita eleva? tion? At the altar of Idolatry man exhibit! his depravity, bis.Ignorance, bis licentious? ness, his carnality. In the Church of Jesus Christ he stands forth in his moral grandeur restored to what he was at first designed, to be. j - . But the moral, social and political power of the heather temple, and the Influence exerted by false worship, greal, fearful and destructive as lt ia. Is all earthly, sensual and destructible^ It yields to light-to the power of truth-to' vicissitude and change. But tbe power ot the Christian temple worship, ls the power of God unto salvation, and is a thing against which the gates of hell cannot prevail. Now, beloved; If lt ls here that you receive the word and the sacraments on which your hope depends; if lt ls here that you .receive, that sacred Instruction which ls to make, voa better citizens, better husbands, better wive?, better children; If It is here that you aretJ.be prepared for usefulness on earth ?,nd happi? ness in heaven, as the experience of all ages has proved lt ls, then do we become debtors to the temple-to build It, to pay for lt, and to keep ihe flame of a pure devotion burning on Its altars. This we owe to God. This we owe to ourselves, and to the generation!} that are ' to follow us. The whole economy of1 God, from beginning to end, IB an economy of .sac? rifice. The least God ever demanded under the dispensations, preceding this one, waa the tenth of all the believer possessed or made. And at one time the legal sacrifices and offer? ings demanded of His ancient people amount? ed to thirty per cent. ****** All these sacrifices looked forward to the one great atoning sacrifice which Christ was going to make of Himself upon the .cross3. . And ia the new offerings which we this day lay upon this new altar, let us keep before our eyes the example of Him "who was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich." ***** The reverend sneaker continued his dis? course, saying he bad. been asked to urge the clsims of the new building upon the benevo? lence of his hearers.. He Lau wished to be ex? cused from this duty, but he had undertaken it, and would discharge lt aa best be could. But he would not ask the congregation to bring their gifts without giving them reasons why they should do so. First The religion ot the blessed Saviour and his temple-worship add to the value of every foot of property in'the city. This fact could be shown in many ways, but be could illustrate it by a circumstance which, came under his notice while pastor of a church in Madison. Virginia. In (hat county, * under the same judges and laws, with the same taxation, property near the church sold for twice as much as that which, waa. several miles distant, at a place where the Gospel was, . not preached, and where the " people, In consequence, gave themselves up to sin. Second. Gifts to the church area legacy to your children. You claim, said tbe speaker, to be working tor them.' Here Is an Investment from which they can derive more benefit, fo. hundreds of years to come, than from any other expenditure. Third, The greater the sacrifice the greater the bless? ing. Persons frequently said that they could give such a sum and "not feel lt " He wanted them to feel lt. Christ, when he died tor man, felt lt. In His agonies and "bloody sweat He felt lt. Under the old dispensation the Al? mighty had required his people to give one third of all they possessed to religion. And there were instances in these days where as much was done as In the centuries loog past, A short time azo he, the speaker, visited an aged German lady, living in a bouse of chari? ty, in this city. She was infirm, crippled, des? titute, without husband or child. Strengthen? ed by her faith she bore all her trials without a murmur, and entreated to be admitted to the Lord's Supper at the Easter fee llvltles. The speaker's multiplicity of duties made it necessary to anticipate the JoyouB time, and give the sacra* ment to this afflicted lady on Sunday last. This was not all.. The worthy sister, when she -. could, did needlework, earning sometimes ten cents and sometimes more. These fruits of her labor she had gathered together, and be? fore he left her, after administering the sacra? ment, she told him (Mr. Bowman) that she bad an offering to make to the New German Church. We read In the Holy Book, said the speaker, that a poor widow gave two mites, two pence, all of ber living, to the Lord. And - this poor widow of whom I speak gave two dollars, all of her living. With this offer? ing, with this widow's mite, I consecrate the new altar of this beautiful church. If ye do as much as the poor widow has done, in proportion to your means, this building will be free from debt before half an hour Is past. [The reverend speaker handed the widow's offering to the pastor, the Bev. L. Muller, who solemnly laid it on the altar.j In conclusion, Mr. Bowman said that In all his ministrations to the dying be had never beard any one say that he bad sacrificed too much or given too much to the Lord. After this address, the choir sang the chorus, "Praise, oh ! Jerusalem, the Lord," with two duetts, sustained respectively by Mrs. Eckel and Kir. Senior, and Mrs. Eckel and Mr. Is sertel. Another prayer was made by Bev. Mr. Doab, and then came the hymn, "Now praise all ye the Lord." This was followed by the benediction, and the congregation slowly dis? persed from the church. ' Description of the C h ure h. The new church ls a triumph of the Inventive genius and constructive ability of its architect and builder, Mr. John H. Devereux. In ex? ternal appearance it ls both Imposing and graceful, the solidity and firmness ot the structure being sufficiently apparent, while the tasteful finish and delicate lines of the design add a degree ol lightness which ls emi? nently pleasing and appropriate. The style of architecture la pure Gothic, and the church In Concluded on Second Page.