CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3561, 22 September 1916, Page 7

CHURCH OF CHRIST.

THE NEW BUILDING

OPENING CKIIEMOX V

The opening ceremony in connection with the now Church oi Christ in A.sliburton took place yesterday afternoon, in tho'presence of a largo gathering of church members, friends, and representatives from other congregations.

The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs W. E. Olsen (wife of the contractor), who was handed a silver key by Mr Briton Jarvis, evangelist in charge of the church work in Ashburton, and asked to open the building. Air Jarvis said that the honour of opening a new church fell to -very few people in a life-time, and Mrs Olsen, who had boon' a consistent church worker, had boon, selected to open the door. ' ;

Mrs Olsen said it gave her great pleasure to perform the opening ceremony. Tlia present occasion would give her cause for many sweet memories oi' all those who hud worked so hard to build the church. The church would bo an ornamont to the~ town, and it was-what the members had been looking forward to tor a long time. They would feel somewhat sorry to leave tho old building, as they had spent many profitable ami enjoyable tirnos within its walls. By selling the old building, and by hard work and self-denial on tho part of a'l the brethren and sisters, they were able to go into tho new church with a very small sum to pay off. It was the intention to wipe off that amount at the shortest notice. She considered the young people should be encouraged to work in the interests of the church. They did "not so much glory in fine buildings, but for the winning of souls for the" Master. She considered places of worship should be as comfortable i and attractive as possible, and bizilt j according as the Lord had prospered | us. The young people should be en- | couraged in church work so that they would in their' turn extend the operations of the church. She felt proud that her little family , down *to fivo nionth;>' of age, along with others ? had taken a hand in the building of the church. They had contributed so ranch each towards bricks, and when they grow up they would be able to look back and say'they had done what little they could to raise a comfortable place of worship in Ashburton. Mrs Olsen then opened the door, and soon every seat in the building was filled. The opening hymn, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," was then sung, after which Mr Ralph Gebbio, 8.A., led the congregation in prayer. >jr v.rit--vii Jnrvis said it gave him great joy to welcome the visitors to the opening service. He. then extended a welcome to his Worship the Mayor (Mr 11. Galbraith), .Mr Ralph Gobbio, 8.A.. Durham Street Chur^ 1 "F O!ir';<f- (Christchureh), Mr J. M. Tunes (Tiinaru), Mr Chas. Watt (Ros- : lvn). the Rev. Messrs G. Frost and J. D. McArthur find Adjutant Wain. "Ho ■ also apologised for the absence of tho Rot. Mesßi-B G. Miller, F. Oldrievo, and W. C. Blair. He said that the church would be dedicated on Sunday morning to the service of God. He hoped that many souls would be won to God within tho new building. H' 1 also extended a. hearty welcome! to all those who wore not regular attendants at any place of worship. j Tho* Mayor said that some few months ago ho had attended *,ho ceremony of laying tho foundation stwo of tho dmrch, when tho Runr:nndini#: were. then ! mn«=. *m bii'-ks and mortar. To-day lie was pleased to say they had opened 'our-, of -I ho prct.i-i<'?i churches it had been his lot to see. The members of the congregation rind other residents of Ashbnrtnu should he. oxctwdinfrlv pleased at t!io handsome, addition io tile town. He r-onprntulatrrl Mr ■!. i Olson, sour., and Mr W. E. Olson, the contractor, and said they wore deserv- ■ ■injX of every credit for the. lino build-, insr. fT-e hn\)f<\ that the «<rood ovamnio wo-.ild bo followed by others in tho t-"\vn, ;;.nd *hnt many of the vacant factions would soon be beautified by new buildings. Ho hoped in a few year*.! tirno the building'would be found too small for the, continuation, and thntJ| <>nhirc<»menta would be necessary. ]

Mr Ciuirlos Watt, representing the Homo Mission, said it gave him extromo pleasure to be present. He congratulated the congregation on 'having erected such a fine building in such a fine position. Ho was agreeably ! surprised to see the work had been carried out in such o, short time. He had conducted meetings in Ashburton 36 years ago. and it gave, him great pleasure to come here now and see

liow the work of tlib church had extruded. He hoped .the Lord's rich blessing would crown 'the efforts of the church workers, and that many souls would bo won. Mrs Gcbbie then sang a solo. I The Rev. G. Frost, on behalf of the Methodists, extended his hearty congratulations to the congregation and to tho evangelist (Mr Jarvis) on havin opened such a fine and substantial building. He • was particularly im-! pressed with the 'architectural beauty of ■ the building. He hoped that in the near future other now churches would bo oroctod'in Ashburton. His congregation had had a corner section for about 30 years, and he hoped the lesson would bo taken- to heart by the Afethodifts and 1 hat they would emulate tho good example set them. Ho said the Church of Christ _ was the fifth largest denomination in tho States of ! America. It was surprising how the church had progressed during the 100 years of its origin. He hoped the new building would fulfil tlic ideals which I members had in their minds.

'fiie Hoy. J. D. McArthur congratulated the congregation, and said he hoped in a.short time it would be necessary to enlarge the church. He would like to change churches with Mr Jn.wis. (Lau^hror). Ho hoped the building .would-be- ■ filled each Sunday and that the church would be a. power for good in the community. He point- (! (1 -out that -tbrt Ashburton churches were large enough* to accommodate 20 per 'cent." of the population, but if they succeeded in getting 12 per cent, into" tno'cliurcliofi they did well. He hoped the- time wo.uld oorne when "they would ha able to get 90 per cent, to attend church.

The hyuin, "Iks Glad in tho Lord," was thoii Bung, Mr R. J. Mathieson, choirmaster, conducting. Adjutant Wain said it gave him much pleasure to extend his hearty congratulatimiN and the assurance, of his sincere prayers that all the hopes and anticipations that the work of God in the new building would be more than fulfilled. Nino yoars ago he had entered a canvas building in Ashburton when the work of the Church of Christ was being carried on. He always felt glad to sec any edifice being dedicated to the work of God. He hoped the building would be a Bethel to many fiouls and that many would b,o led to seek God within its walls.

Sir J. M. Icncs (former evangelist of the- Church of Christ at A:;])bnrtrm) snid lie was surprised at the' beauty of the new building. He had no idea, when be attended^ the ceremony of laying the foundation stone that'the new church would be so handsome. Ho was sure the members of tho church had shown great courage and perseverance to accomplish what they had done.. He-considered that the work of the church in Ashburton had only commenced. The lines on which the church worked was to change the lives of people who had no desire to change their own lives. Mr .Tarvis then referred to the work done by tho secretary (Mr W. E, 01----sen), and, as a token bit appreciation, presented him with a travelling comr.

panion. ■■-.-■■ Mr Olson thanked tho. congregation for the gift. Mr Ralph 'Grbbie. 8.A., congrntrIsted tho congregation most heartily o;i what they had accomj)lished. Ho had attended most functions in connection with tho church in Ashburton dtirinjr. the past nine years, and had some idea of what they had to accom* plish. In June last year it was do-" oided to fi-ert the new bmldinp;, and it wn-«i a credit to the workers to ao-! eomplish 'what they had done in such ii short time.

The proceedings then terminated by the singing' of a hymn and the pronouncing of the-Benediction.

There "'as » largo congregation at the meeting hold in tho evening. Mr Palph Gobbie and Mr Chns. Wntt were the chief speakers, and their addresses were listened with deep interest.

A solo by Mrs Gebbie and anthems by the choir added to the enjoyment of the evening.

The Church of Christ- was' esfcablished in Ashburton 11 years ago, members then worshipping in the Templar Hall and private homes. Two years later a. tent mir-siori was lic-icl and it was then decided to erect the present Mission Hall as a place of worship for j a few years only. The trustees also pxnehased the half-acre section facing| Cass and "Wills Streets, upon which an up-to-date manso was then erected. Two years ago it was decided to make another for ward move, in order to erect a. more modern building as a place of worship. A preliminary function was organised and a Bum of £JOO fas raised, which amount formed the neuclevis of a l-uildijig fund. Early in the present year a purchaser was found for the Mission Hal] and tho_ amount thus derived therefrom enabled the work to b-o proceeded with, 'it was deided to buiid the church in brick with a rou^h-o.afit facing. The successful tenderer for the work was Mr W. E. Olson, and ilw contract price was £650. 'Hie foundation stone was .laid by M> J. M. fnnes. At this ceremony' it v.n.s fi.nuotJiicod that the church wouJd h<\ opened almost frro of il-ht- Th'- r'hiie'--fi.!ra! design, both of the exterior and interior of the chu;--,:h is r.xoe-rxHn^ly pretty, and is in i-yofT- i-;>.v ■.. fT'<>dif. t(i fh<- ornitnuitov. Til" bniliii'v.' if; fonr.tj-yc.ted in brick. with »■ -vt''';l" ''■■'luyh-cj^'t i'a.cinr a-nd --, ,<!. 'TT.-i-i inside is iK'.'vrlv fin-'•■•hc'-.l w'^'i (-tf'nii'-nt.. s«.:ti cfF with fjcrprivl .-It-t. v-'-i'h ".. <)rn-r<x\ Ollk fl'Otltl acre t'' .hi^ i-f-.'-pit. rHir- windows, a.re con-cJrT-K.jj.f.; wUh ]c>-iA-}'u'_bit!-. and in the (f'l.v-tiir.^ ■.''<.%••■■ ::■ '■''''' ini'How li.<Tht to. if.,, r .~-.... t))o huiidinj^is iil'k'd witli ol«4ric lif^rr. ' *