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DEDICATION OT CONWELL’S TEMPLE
HE dedication of the world-famous
Conwell’s Temple, in Philadelphia, on
the first Sunday in December, was an
event of stirring interest, in both the
religious and the secular world. . Some
of our readers may naturally ask how
it is that so great a meeting place as
the Temple in Philadelphia had not
been dedicated before. The answer is
T
simple enough. They do not dedicate church build
ings in the City of Brotherly Love until they are
free of debt, and Dr. Conwell’s great institutional
church work having been prosecuted from the first
by a consecrated congregation, with far more re-
DR. RUSSELL H. CONWELL.
ligion than wealth, has lived and wrought and
triumphed through a quarter of a century of beau
tiful struggle, and between the church house and the
college buildings their necessary debt has been
through all the years, not a master, but a spur to
activity and sacrifice.
It is a compliment which we of the South appre
• ciate very highly that the most famous pastor of
the most famous church in America, should choose
for the dedication sermon our own Dr. L. G. Brough
ton, of Atlanta. It is not everywhere known that
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the pulpit editor of The Golden Age preaches, af
ter all, to the most remarkable congregation in
the world. A sustained audience of 3,000 in a city
of a million is a wonderful preaching scene —but
Dr. Broughton preaches to such an audience in a
city of 125,000. How fitting, then, that Russell
Conwell, of the North, should select Len G. Brough
ton, of the South, to deliver the dedication sermon
Dedication Sermon Preached by Dr. Len G. Broughton
THE CONWELL TEMPLE, PHILADELPHIA.
The Golden Age for December 19, 1907,
on the crowning day in the life of the Temple,
pastor! From newspaper accounts and private
sources we learn that the pastor of the Atlanta
Tabernacle was at his best —and that means much
for Broughton.
The editor of The Golden Age is personally in
debted to Dr. John Gordon, dean of the Theological
School of Temple College, for a charming private
letter concerning the Temple dedication, and Dr.
Broughton’s visit. Dr. Gordon is remembered with
grateful delight in Atlanta, because of his presence
and his powerful sermons on that memorable Sun
day last March, when the Tabernacle congregation
launched the movement for reproducing on the
American Continent Spurgeon’s London Tabernacle.
Dr. Gordon’s letter will hold such interest for the
public that we must give it to our thousands of
readers, for all America is deeply interested in the
foot-prints of Conwell and Broughton, and the won
derful work of their wonderful churches.
Dr. Gordon’s Letter.
THE TEMPLE COLLEGE.
Philadelphia, Pa., December 4, 1907.
Dear Brother Upshaw:
Doubtless you may be interested to know some
thing of the recent visit of your beloved friend, Dr.
Len G. Broughton, to our city. He came last Sat
urday evening, and left on Monday afternoon, and
during his brief sojourn crowded in an immense
amount of work. The occasion of his coming was
to preach the dedication sermon of the far-famed
Baptist Temple, over which our beloved and re
nowned Russell H. Conwell, D.D., LL.D., presides.
Dr. Conwell preached a historical sermon in the
morning, and was assisted in the service and at
communion by Dr. Broughton. Over 2,000 were
present at the communion service. In the evening
the Temple was crowded to its utmost, and 1,000
persons attended an overflow meeting in the lower
Temple, where Dr. Conwell preached. Dr. Brough
ton held the closest attention of over 3,200 inter
ested hearers. He spoke for one hour, yet it was
the shortest sermon, and one of the grandest and
most impressive I ever heard. His eloquence, pa
thos, argument, fervor and power swayed the vast
audience and the impressions of the great sermon
will never be forgotten. In the absence of Dr.
Conwell, Dr. Broughton made a plea for money
with which to wipe out “a floating debt,” and a
large amount was quickly received. The noble Tem
ple is now free from debt, and stands as a monu
ment to him who has put twenty-five of the best
years of his life into its work. The college adjoin
ing the Temple is also a lasting monument. Since
I visited you last March, the Philadelphia Dental
College and Garretson Hospital have become fed-
erated with our college. The Dental College claims
the largest alumni of any such college in the world.
Dr. Broughton may possibly tell you something of
the great work of Dr. Conwell. Over 3,000 church
members! We expect 4,000 students this year. We
have 210 professors and instructors, two hospitals,
etc. What a work for one man to bring to pass in
twenty-five years! Where are two other such men
as Conwell and Broughton to be found, or two
such churches?
On Monday morning, by previous invitation,
Broughton addressed the Baptist Ministers’ Con
ference, the largest of any denomination in the na
tion, and possibly in the world —about 600 preachers
present. He captured the conference and gave the
brethren unbounded joy and profit by his wonder
ful personality and address. Many of his devoted
friends had arranged to entertain him at dinner,
but the genial Doctor was crowded with duties, and
his time was too limited for social pleasures. I re
call with gratitude the kindness of yourself and
many others to me during my visit to Atlanta, at
the launching of Dr. Broughton’s great new Taber
nacle movement. Christian greetings to all.
Sincerely yours, JOHN GORDON.
* *
Prayer and Thanksgiving SerVice, Ga.
IV. C. T. U., January 1, 1908.
Proclaim liberty throughout the land, unto all the
inhabitants thereof; and it shall be a jubilee unto
you.—Lev. 25: 10.
Doxology—“ Praise God from whom all blessings
flow,
Who gave us victory o’er the foe.
Praise him, oh, Georgia, praise his
name,
And laud and magnify the same.”
Prayer.
Scripture lesson—Psalm 126.
Song—“ Bringing in the Sheaves,” with the
chorus:
“Georgia has gone dry, Georgia has gone dry.
Praise the Lord who helped us!
Georgia has gone dry!”
Voices of Praise—(Brief, pointed sentences of
praise and thanksgiving right out of each one’s
heart.)
Read the names of the members of both branches
of the Legislature who voted for prohibition.
While these names are being read let the congre
gation stand as a token of respect to these home
defenders.
A Hero of Peace—Judge John W. Akin. A tri
bute to the President of Georgia’s prohibition
Senate.
Song—“ Jesus, Savior, pilot me.”
Short Address—“ How to Preserve and Improve
our Prohibition Law.”
Song—“ Stand up, stand up for Jesus.”
Open subscription list for prohibition fountain,
to be erected on grounds of State Capitol in honor
of Georgia’s prohibition legislature.
Temperance Doxology—
Piaise God from w’hom all blessings flow,
Praise Him who heals the drunkard’s woe,
Praise Him who leads the temperance host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
It has been the custom of the Woman’s Chris
tian Temperance Union of Georgia for the last
year or two to make the first day of January one
of fasting and prayer for the overthrow of the
legalized liquor traffic in our beloved State.
Now that God has heard and answered so glorious
ly, we call on all Christian people throughout the
State to make this day of January, 1908, a day
of prayer and thanksgiving. The above is a sug
gestive program. Do as you please about following
it, but let us not fail to make our requests known
with thanksgiving. The same God who gave us our
law will help us to preserve it.
MARY HARRIS ARMOR, Pres
MRS. M. H. EDWARDS, Cor. Secy.