- Mr. Editor:

 

As the faithful chronicler of important events affecting the welfare  of our Island, you will give space, I know, to a brief notice of an occurrence which took place on the 6th inst. On the morning of Wednesday we broke loose from the seclusion of home, and the pressure of care, and leaving the roar of old ocean behind us, we journeyed across hill and dale amid the luxuriant beams of a genial sun, to the retired but picturesque village of West Tisbury. We had been previously summoned hither by the announcement that upon that day, the Baptist Church there were to consecrate a beautiful temple of their own erection; to the solemn service of Almighty God. We arrived, therefore, upon one of the most delightful morning of mid-winter. Every thing was auspicious to the occasion. We reached the temple at an early hour before service, and yet every pew seemed full. Every valley had sent forth its inhabitants, and every hill-top had shouted to every dweller thereon, ”Come let us this day go forth, and dedicate our offering to the Lord.” They continued to come until the hour of service, when there seemed no room left for the large number in the entry, and without the door.

 

Invocation, by Rev. Mr. Walker, of the Congregational Church ;—Reading select portions of Scripture and Prayer, by Rev. Samuel Richards, of Edgartown ;—Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Babcock, of New Bedford, founded on Psalms 27:4. Dedicatory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Hedden, of Holmes’ Hole ;—concluding Prayer and Benediction, by Rev. Mr. Wheeler, of the Methodist Church.

 

The Sermon was characteristic of the author’s wonted style : rich in thoughts that were clothed in strong and impassioned language, and eminently adapted to interest and impress every hearer in favor of the beauty and pre-eminent value of the services of the sanctuary to the moral wants of man. All the other services were appropriate to the occasion.

 

The house is chaste and beautiful in its construction, and is well adapted to the wants of the society. Its dimensions are 35 by 45, and it is surmounted by a very neat tower. Its cost was $2700, which was all paid but almost $300, by the sale of three-fourths of the pews in the afternoon of the day of dedication. We heartily congratulate this Church upon the happy change they have made, in substituting for their old square-pewed house of worship, the neat and commodious house which they have now solemnly dedicated to God.

 

This is one of the strongest Baptist Churches on our Island. They are an efficient body, and all they need now is a faithful and devoted under-shepherd. Such an one as would feed them with strong meat, as well as the sincere milk of the Word and whose judiciousness would commend him to all, would find an ample support among this people.