Martinsburg Gazette And Public Advertiser

CHARLESTOWN, (VA.) OCT. 15.

NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The members of the Presbyterian Church in this town, finding their place of worship, erected forty years since, in a state of decay, and of a size too limited for the accommodation of the congregation regularly attending, have resolved to erect a new Temple for Religious Worship. In this laudable design, they have been nobly seconded by the liberality of other citizens of the village and neighborhood: and although it is scarcely two months since the commencement of their efforts, they have so far prospered as to begin the work under favorable auspices. The old building has been taken down, and the site of the new one marked out; the corner stone was accordingly laid on Monday last, in the presence of the assembled citizens and strangers. The ceremony, though simple and unostentatious, was highly interesting. No pageant was attempted, and none seemed to have been necessary, if we were to judge by the effect produced: It was properly considered, however, that no work dedicated to holy purposes, would prosper without the heavenly benediction, and this was invoked with that fervor and earnestness which characterise the pious effusions of the esteemed pastor.

The exercises commenced by singing, from Dr. Watts' collection, the 102d Psalm, representing the efficacy of Prayer and the restoration of Zion: "Let Zion and her sons rejoice," &c. which was followed by an appropriate, but brief, address from the Rev. Septimus Tuston, who described, in glowing narrative, the practice of the Patriarchal fathers in rearing altars and consecrating places to the sublime worship of the Three that bear record in Heaven—the erection of the Tabernacle to which contrite hearts were to bring their offerings, and from which the sacrificial smoke was to ascend—He referred to the pious resolution of David to rear a costly and magnificent Temple as a memorial of his gratitude to the Sovereign of Worlds, and that he might be no longer pained by comparing the grandeur of his own palace with the humble decorations of the canopy that sheltered the august symbol of the Divine presence—and he aptly likened to David's impulses, the motives which actuated the contributors to this work, that while their own habitations were increasing in beauty, so should the house of God increase. He commended their noble zeal and assured them that ages yet unborn would thank them for their labors; and he omitted not to exhort them, to become themselves living temples of the Living God. He entreated them to improve the ordinances of Religion there to be preached, that they might bless God, when, from the heights of glory, they looked back upon the house which they had assisted in rearing—and to embrace the offers of salvation, that they might be admitted into that "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

In conclusion, the eloquent pastor exhorted his hearers, to banish from the walls of the church, which in themselves possessed no inherent holiness unconnected with the worship of God, every secular thought and never to bring with them the cares and occupations of the world, but to cast such thoughts and reflections out, as did the Saviour of Mankind those vile money-changers who sacrileged the Temple.

The stone was then deposited, while the minister invoked the smile of the Great Jehovah, and concluded by a prayer for divine assistance and protection.

We regret that we are unable to give the remarks of Mr. Tuston as they were offered, adorned by the grace of delivery, and in his own peculiar strain of impassioned eloquence. To those who heard him, it is useless to present an imitation; to those who did not attend, we but vainly offer an outline. And in pronouncing, in general terms, the whole ceremonies and address appropriate, well timed, and deeply interesting, we owe an apology for garbling what we cannot fully portray.

The new building, will be 60 feet by 50, of one height, with a portico in front. It will have two front entrances, each leading through an aisle, with pews in the centre, and a row on each side. We hope a spirit of liberality will prompt many, who have not yet contributed, to throw in their mite, that they may enjoy the consciousness of having assisted to rear a Temple to that Being whose goodness is daily poured out in profusion upon them.