Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1891 — From DeMotte. [ARTICLE]

From DeMotte.

To o late for lastweek. On account of the extreme heat a great amount of sickness is reported. None serious however. A goodly number of our people are visiting the Hay Palace at Momence HL, this week. A traveling Cheap John store is displayed in the town hail this week. Our schools begin the first Monday in Oct. Parents should see that their children are provided with proper books and in their places by 9 o’clock the first day. ‘ The new church building here was dedicated Sunday Sept. 20th by J. L. Smith D. D. Presiding Elder and assisted by Rev. Lemuel Shortridge and B. H. Bradbury. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Smith from the beautiful symbol of Christ as the Roek upon which the church organization rests. His beautiful comparison of the church on earthy to, the “house of many mansions” was a fitting tribute to the different denominations who had so kindly assisted in the building. Following the services in the afternoon the building was formally dedicated to Almighty God according to the discipline of the M. E. Church. A discourse was delivered in the evening by the Rev. Lemuel Shortridge upon a part of the dedicatory sermon wherein he symbolized the founding of the church upon the one head-Christ as the representative custom of founding ancient governments upon one character whose fitness and qualifications placed him at once at their head. He was followed by Dr. Smith in a powerful exhortation and meeting closed with a grand old time hand shake and a parting blessed assurance that the cause of Christ is going forward in this part of the district.

The building is a neat frame 24x 36 ft. with arched ceiling 15ft. substantially built upon a stone foundation, a corner tower Bft. squafe and reachin g a height of 52ft. The walls and ceiling have a stucco finish. The church is seated with chairs of antique oak, and lighted with two chandeliers of 41amppower. The total cost of building is $1166. 79. The entire cost has been provided for and a surplus of $64.22 is in the treasury, thanks to Dr. Smith.