a 
 
 THE REAL GLORY OF A CHURCH 
 
 A 
 
 DEDICATION SERMON, 
 
 PREACHED IN 
 ‘FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH-CAROLINA, 
 AT THE 
 OPENING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
 WHICH WAS 
 DESTROVED BY FIRE 
 
 IN THE 
 
 CONFLAGRATION OF THE TOWN ON THE 29th OF MAY, 1831, AND RE-BUILT 
 AND DEDICATED AUGUST 12th, 1832. 
 
 TO WHICH IS APPENDED 
 
 AN ACOUNT OF THE 
 
 DESTRUCTION OF FAYETTEVILLE. 
 
 BY HENRY A. ROWLAND, June 
 PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Mew-K ork : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY JONATHAN LEAVITT, 122 BROADWAY, 
 AND JOHN P. HAVEN, 148 NASSAU-STREET. 
 
 D. Fanshaw, Printer, 150 Nassau-street. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive - 
 in 2022 with funding from 
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 https://archive.org/details/realgloryofchurcOOrowl 
 
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ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The nature of the occasion, rather than any merit 
 which the author conceives to be attached to this 
 _ discourse, irrespective of individual wishes expressed 
 for its publication, render it proper in his view to 
 give it to the public. He does this in the hope that 
 it may be the means of retaining the remembrance 
 of that event which gave occasion for the exercise 
 of such unexampled kindness ; and that it may be a 
 testimony to the power of Christian sympathy, and 
 the liberality of Christian benevolence. 
 
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SERMON. 
 
 ui 
 
 Haggai, 2: 9. 
 
 THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER HOUSE SHALL BE GREATER THAN 
 THE GLORY OF THE FORMER, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS. 
 
 THE occasion on which we are assembled naturally 
 leads our minds to reflect on the loving kindness and 
 tender mercy of God. Who could have believed 
 that the day of our calamity would so soon have been 
 followed by one, in which we should feel called on, 
 with the remembrance of past afflictions, to notice 
 in so public a manner the striking manifestations of 
 his goodness? What heart which was then sensible 
 to the destruction of our temporal hopes, can fail to 
 recognize his gracious hand in the way by which we 
 have hitherto been led ? 
 
 The evil which befell us was a desolation unheard 
 of in the accidental ravages of the devouring element. 
 It swept away, as with the besom of destruction, our 
 _ hopes of worldly prosperity, and laid the temples of 
 our God in ashes. Who can, even now, recall the 
 dismay of that moment without feelings of alarm! 
 Who can describe the horror which spread through 
 every breast, to behold, as in a moment, our dwell- 
 ings and our sanctuaries enveloped in a whirlwind of 
 flame—suddenly to find, in the midst of our homes, 
 
6 
 
 a burning monster, whose breath was desolation ; 
 whose rage no art could tame, no power destroy ; 
 who swallowed up the afiluent in a moment, and left 
 the widow and the orphan shelterless : who seemed 
 to sport in the very miseries he created, and signalized 
 himself only by the complete and utter destruction of 
 every thing within his reach! Words failed to de- 
 scribe our emotions. One deep and universal feeling 
 of despair seemed to reign in every breast, and fill 
 every countenance with gloom. As far as the eye 
 could reach it met nothing but_the unsightly view of 
 ruins, except here and there the smouldering of some 
 half extinguished pile. Nothing was left but the 
 hearth, around whose cheerful blaze we had been 
 wont to meet, and which brought to.our remembrance 
 scenes which had past, and which with gloomy fore- 
 bodings we anticipated would never again. return. 
 We went that night to the protection of some friendly 
 shelter, but not to our homes. If there could have 
 been found language to express, in a short and im- 
 pressive manner, our condition, it was the touching 
 and significant description of the prophet, “ Our 
 holy and our beautiful house where our fathers 
 praised thee is burnt up with fire, and all our plea- 
 sant things are laid waste.” 
 
 But a new scene has now opened before-us. We 
 meet, not on the ruins of past devastation, but in this 
 house which has since been reared for the worship of 
 God. We see around us, touched with the untiring 
 hand of human industry, as with the fabled wand of 
 enchantment, these ruins disappearing from our view, 
 
= 
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 and in their place whole streets arising at once from 
 the ashes, and resounding with the hum of business. 
 We cannot view the changes which the past year 
 has witnessed, and remember the kindness which in 
 every part of our country was felt for our distress, and 
 which poured forth to our. relief the most sensible 
 tokens of their sympathy, without feeling that the Lord 
 hath done great things for us, “ whereof we are glad.” 
 Since we are now met to dedicate to his service 
 this. building made with hands, let us lift up to him 
 our earnest desires that the prediction of the text 
 may be accomplished with respect to us; that “ the 
 glory of this latter house may be greater than the 
 glory of the former.” — 
 
 Without dwelling on the analogy which may be 
 presumed to exist between the second Jewish temple 
 and our own, I shall proceed to mention some things 
 in which the glory of this our latter house may exceed 
 the glory of the former, and then make such practical 
 remarks as may be suggested by a review of the past 
 dealings of God’s providence with us, and by the 
 occasion on which we meet. 
 
 I an, first,to notice several things in which the 
 glory of this our latter house may exceed the glory 
 of the former. 
 
 It is a monument of Christian benevolence, and a 
 renewed evidence of G'od’s goodness. We remember 
 the despondency with which we once stood on these 
 former ruins and contemplated the destruction of our 
 hopes. But now we assemble on this spot, conse- 
 crated to God, to rejoice in that goodness which hath 
 
8 
 
 again restored to us the privileges of the sanctuary. 
 As we sit here to enjoy the blessings of this sacred 
 place, we cannot fail to ask, who, amidst the depriva- 
 tion of our worldly hopes, hath administered to our 
 relief?’ What hand hath reared from the dust this 
 goodly structure, and reanimated our fallen coun- 
 tenances ? It isthe kind hand of Christian charity— 
 that unseen hand which is moved by a heart of Chris- 
 tian sympathy to extend its blessings to all who are 
 in need—which searches out with assiduity the hum- 
 blest child of want, and while it reaches forth the 
 blessings of the Gospel to the poor and untaught of 
 other lands, leaves not the unfortunate at home to 
 the bitterness of neglect. ‘It is to this hand that we 
 owe the privileges of this sacred place. While we 
 render to our benefactors, individually and collec- 
 tively, the tribute of a grateful heart, let it not be 
 forgotten that this house honors the religion we pro- 
 fess, because it exhibits the triumph of Christian 
 sympathy over the natural selfishness of man. It 
 shows the strength of that Christian attachment by 
 which the whole spiritual body is united together 
 under Christ the living head. It is a token of love, 
 and a sure pledge that so long as Christian influence 
 shall continue to bless the world, it will be exerted 
 to alleviate human wo; to hasten the progress of 
 peace and good will till it shall carry mto every land, 
 and diffuse among all nations, the holy and benevo- 
 lent spirit of Jesus. Let this house, then, be conse- 
 crated asa monument of Christian benevolence. Let 
 there never be witnessed an appeal made here to our 
 
9 
 
 Christian sympathies in vain; and from whatever 
 quarter it shall rise in its majestic beauty upon our 
 eye, let it carry the impression to our hearts, whenever 
 the sacred cause of humanity is pleaded, that as ye 
 would that others should do unto you, do ye even so 
 to them. Let it bear down to other generations a 
 testimony which is so honorable to the Gospel which 
 we love and cherish. 
 
 But in rendering this just tribute to our Christian 
 friends, we are not to forget the goodness of God in 
 the direction of this joyful event : we acknowledge 
 his gracious hand in the supply of all our mercies ; 
 and in this kind regard of our spiritual wants, he 
 hath turned our mourning’ into laughter, and our 
 heaviness into joy. ‘The man who can look with a 
 cold selfishness’ on every thing he possesses, and 
 feel that for it he is indebted only to his own wisdom 
 and strength, hath not yet learned the elements of 
 religion, and will find on every side evidence enough 
 to stumble his self-taught faith. But the Christian 
 finds his happiness in the very exercise of grateful 
 feelings toward God. ‘They are the emotions of a 
 child toward its parent. He delights to cherish them. 
 They are not servile, but honorable. They honor 
 God ; and are appropriate to us as beings constantly 
 dependent on his bounty. We should feel that the 
 blessings we now enjoy are the gift of his immea- 
 surable goodness ; nor should we fail to render to 
 him the constant tribute of grateful praise. 
 
 Again ; the more clear and faithful exhibition of the 
 
 ) sacred truth, may confer a glory on this house which 
 
10 
 
 the other did not possess. Itis the dignity and impor- 
 tance of the purpose to which this sacred building is — 
 appropriated which confers upon it its glory. ‘The an- 
 cient Jewish temple was far more magnificent than the 
 new, and it had the Urim and.Thummim, and the ark 
 of the covenant, which the latter had not; but-it 
 wanted that which no worldly splendor could give it, 
 the presence and instruction of Jesus. ‘These have 
 lost none of their value or their interest by the lapse 
 of ages. It still remains true, that of all places;which 
 are erected for sacred purposes, that is the most 
 glorious where the doctrines of Jesus Christ, and him 
 crucified, are the most faithfully preached. Should 
 
 this pulpit be the means of propagating other senti- 
 
 ments than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it would, in 
 the view of his true disciples, like. the ancient temple 
 
 ¥ when it had ceased to be a house of prayer, lose all 
 
 its glory. 
 
 But there is reason to Walines not only that this 
 event will not occur, but that those who minister here . 
 will exceed in faithfulness and success those who 
 have gone before them. This belief is not derived 
 from a knowledge of defect in the faithfulness of 
 former ministrations, but from the character of the 
 present age. Since the time when the church was 
 disenthralled from her spiritual bondage, there has 
 been a gradual improvement in the mode of exhibit- 
 ing the truth from the pulpit. During the period of 
 the reformation the pulpit was made almost entirely 
 subservient to party purposes. It was filled with 
 the creatures of the existing government, and those 
 
 oe * ieee 
 
Nid 
 
 were ejected whose opinions and influence it could 
 not control. Little else was to be heard from it 
 ' but the violent discussions of controversy. In later 
 times it is no discredit to the holy men who, lke 
 Baxter, Owen, Whitfield, and Edwards, have risen, 
 at different periods, with primitive purity and power 
 to proclaim the truth, to say that their example was 
 not generally followed. Never, at any age, has the 
 preaching of the Gospel so generally assumed the 
 point, the energy, and success of its primitive minis- 
 tration, as at the present time. Its results now 
 more nearly resemble the results of apostolic minis- 
 tration. ‘The church has been roused up to make 
 more vigorous efforts for the advancement of Christ’s 
 kingdom than ever; and converts, praying devoted 
 converts, are flocking into his fold. Why should 
 it not be so, as the day of millenial glory is drawing 
 nigh? Itis what, from the predictions of the sacred 
 word, we have a right to expect. Nor is there rea- 
 son to believe that the truth will not be still more 
 _faithfully preached in the ages to come. It is vain 
 to presume that we have arrived at that point of 
 perfection which is not to be exceeded. O no, my 
 brethren. ‘The pulpit is destined to be still more 
 faithful to the souls of men. A deeper and stronger 
 - tone of piety is to pervade the ministry, and a holier 
 incense is to arise from the altar of the sanctuary 
 before the glorious days of Zion shall come. There 
 will be no new Gospel preached; but this, as to its 
 faithfulness and power of application to the con- 
 sciences of men, shall be divested of every thing 
 
12 
 
 which will prevent it from becoming more eminently 
 successful in winning souls to Christ. Here may 
 stand the man, who, with the holy eloquence of a 
 blameless life, and with the spirit and power of an 
 apostle, shall more successfully move the heart than 
 any who have:gone before him. These walls may 
 reverberate with the voice of more earnest and thrill- 
 ing appeal to the. wandering sinner. ‘These seats 
 may be filled with more urgent inquirers after salva- 
 tion. Here the more powerful influences of the Holy 
 Spirit may seal the truth, and the solemn stillness of 
 the multitudes who assemble here be broken by the 
 half suppressed sigh of a wounded spirit, or the more 
 audible inquiries of the burdened soul, “ Men and 
 brethren what shall we do.” Here, too, may the 
 Savior, in that same hour, speak peace to the troubled 
 conscience, while angels in heaven rejoice over the 
 sinners saved. In all this power and successfulness 
 of the truth this house may be more glorious than 
 the former. | 
 
 Another event which may confer glory on this 
 house is, that it may be the means of cultivating a 
 higher state of Christian feeling and effort in those 
 who worship here. ‘The period is gone by when. it 
 can even be pretended that the church of Christ may 
 innocently slumber. The truth, “My kingdom is 
 not of this world,” is taking a deep and a strong 
 hold on the hearts of Christians. “ Occupy till I 
 come,” is a command which is now interpreted, to 
 extend down to the lowest talents which are found 
 in the ranks of the Redeemer. It is not the minis- 
 
13 
 
 ters, and the office bearers, in the church only, who 
 are accountable as intrusted with sacred duties; but 
 it is all who have talents to influence, wealth to pro- 
 mote, example to commend, or faith to plead for the 
 coming of Christ’s kingdom. ‘There is no danger 
 that the church will be subverted by the efforts of 
 private Christians for its spiritual advancement, so 
 long as these efforts are confined to that sphere of 
 duty which the Gospel-assigns them, and are mingled 
 with faith, and humble dependence on God. In the 
 spiritual body of Christ, “ the eye cannot say to the 
 hand I have no need of: thee; nor again the head to 
 the feet I have no need of. you;” but’ the influence, 
 example, and substance of all, however humble, must 
 be consecrated to his service. There is a station 
 which every one who has a heart to do something 
 for Christ may occupy. In the army of salvation it 
 is the prayers and labors of individual Christians 
 united which make her a terror to her enemies, and 
 mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong 
 holds. She advances in purity and in power, when 
 she advances in holiness, and in conformity to the 
 spirit of her Savior. The glory of a.church consists 
 in the spiritual-mindedness and uniform consistency 
 of those who belong to it. This is its real glory. 
 This rendered ‘Zion the joy of the whole earth, and 
 made the city of God. glorious. - It is not confined 
 to the church as a body ; it diffuses itself abroad ; it 
 hallows the very doors of the sanctuary, and marks 
 that spot as the loveliest where the children of God 
 have been most blest. Such were the feelings of 
 
14 
 
 the Psalmist when he said, “ How amiable are thy — 
 tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts ; my soul longeth, yea, — 
 even fainteth for the courts of the Lord.” 
 
 The increased devotedness of Christians may be 
 the means of confering a glory on this house which 
 the other never possessed. Here may the reviving 
 and blessed influences of the Spirit be given in answer 
 to their prayers, and the mighty wheels of benevolent 
 effort be rolled onward which shall bear the joyful 
 tidings of salvation to every land. Here may mul- 
 titudes press forward and join themselves to those 
 who are walking in love and holiness onward to the 
 heavenly Canaan. O how glorious will Zion of the 
 Lord appear when there shall be nothing to hurt or 
 offend in all his holy mountain. When the spirit of 
 Christ shall pervade the breast of all who meet here, 
 and with one heart and one voice they shall mingle 
 their praises. When they shall carry forth into the 
 world the sacred emotions which are here enkindled, 
 and a living Christianity, with its holy influence, 
 shall bless every spot where sin had reigned. 
 
 This house may exceed the former in glory in its 
 being honored with the more evident presence of Jesus. 
 It is not the visible splendor of a sacred edifice which 
 renders it glorious in the eye of the Christian, so 
 much as the Savior’s presence which is manifested 
 there. There may. be much to catch the eye, and 
 awaken’ pride, in the pomp of superficial decora- 
 tion, but the Christian’s affections are kindled by — 
 communion with that invisible Savior who deigns to 
 visit with his blessing every spot where his children 
 
15 
 
 meet. It is the dignity and the glory of the being 
 who invests the place, that in the eye of the Chris- 
 tian disciple confers on the meanest solitude which 
 is sought for prayer, more real honor than a palace. 
 Hence the ancient disciples left the goodly stones of 
 the Jewish temple, and all its fictitious glory, for the 
 real presence of Jesus in the dens and caves of the 
 earth. These were more glorious in their view than 
 the accumulated wealth and splendor of ages in a 
 place where, through the predominance of a false 
 religion, the Savior was excluded. 
 
 If Christ should deign to visit this sanctuary with 
 the more evident demonstrations of his presence, it 
 would indeed become more glorious in our view. It 
 is an event which we ought confidently to expect, 
 and most earnestly to seek. He has. promised to be 
 in the place where his disciples meet. In proportion 
 as they desire his presence it will be given them.. 
 We have been taught by our own experience the 
 folly of trusting in the world; and it may lead us to 
 repose our confidence in that heavenly friend, and 
 more faithfully. toserve him. Assembled as his dis- 
 ciples, we may more sensibly feel his gracious visita- 
 tions. Seasons of communion may become seasons 
 of higher joy. “Here may the afflicted receive com- 
 fort, the disconsolate be cheered with hope, the de- 
 spairing relieved, and the heavy-ladened sinner find 
 rest. Here may there be an asylum for the wretched, 
 where, into the ear of the Savior, may be poured 
 those griefs which are ineffable, except to him who 
 knows the heart which feels them, and with an 
 
16 
 
 unseen, but gracious hand, can dry up their source. 
 Here may be erected the mercy seat where Jesus © 
 shall give audience and acceptance to the fond parent 
 who approaches, with humble faith, to plead for the 
 salvation of his children. ‘To those who here gather 
 around the sacramental board, the presence of Jesus 
 may make it a heaven on the earth. Angels, and 
 spirits of the just, invisible, may attend their Lord 
 and unite in the praises which shall ascend from 
 the hearts of his humble worshippers. In all this 
 real excellency of the Savior’s presence; this latter 
 house may be more glorious than the former. 
 
 This house may be rendered more glorious by the 
 outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the conversion of 
 sinners. "This event is intimately connected with the 
 glory of Christ’s church. The conversion of one 
 sinner occasions joy in the presence of the angels of 
 God; and surely, by the multiplied triumphs of Al- 
 mighty grace, the Christian’s heart must be made 
 glad. In no respect does the church more nearly 
 resemble that of ancient times, than in the revivals of 
 religion which are increasing its numbers and adding 
 to its graces. Revivals are the gift of God, which he 
 may confer how and when he pleases, but which he 
 doth not see fit to withhold from the humble faith 
 and earnest supplications of his children. 'Till within 
 a few years they have been comparatively infrequent. 
 In the lapse of a large portion of the visible church — 
 from its primeval purity, it had almost been forgotten 
 that revivals were its birthright. They were regarded 
 as the product of a miraculous age, rather than the 
 
bY 
 
 result of faith, prayer, and effort, accompanied with 
 the blessings of God’s Spirit. When the church 
 began to go back to the Bible, and revivals returned 
 to bless the world, they were by many viewed as the 
 overflowings of enthusiasm, the devices of the enemy. 
 Strange that the work of the blessed Jesus, by which 
 the eyes of so many blind sinners have been opened, 
 should, in this age, and by such men, be regarded as 
 the work of Satan! But the saint who, with deeply 
 imbued piety had drawn his opinions from the oracles 
 of truth, and who while he prayed was watching, 
 lifted up his eyes and saw with joy that the angel 
 bearing the everlasting Gospel had begun his flight 
 through the midst of heaven. 
 
 Revivals are yielding back to the church its primi- 
 tive glory. In proportion as their blessings are ex- 
 perienced, they will be more earnestly sought. They 
 will multiply the friends of the Redeemer, and enable 
 the church to sustain and carry forward its mighty 
 plans of benevolence. Does the field of the world 
 Seem too vast, the people scattered over it too igno- 
 rant, and the church too weak? Let her go forward 
 with a strong faith, and in the spirit of dependence, 
 and God will raise up friends for her. Does she see 
 dissension at home, and tremble lest she should be 
 obliged to retire before her work is accomplished ? 
 Let her still go forward. The Lord shall pour out 
 his Spirit, and the waves of dissension shall be rolled 
 to the shore. The silver and the gold of her former 
 enemies shall be brought with a friendly hand to the 
 Lord, and their revilings be turned into the voice of 
 
 iM 
 
18 
 
 praise. “J will pour out my Spirit,” said God, 
 “upon all flesh.” Inthe accomplishment of this event 
 the church will be rendered glorious. It will extend 
 its glory to the very place where the people of God 
 meet; and this house, which is reared with hands, 
 may become the spiritual birthplace of many a bur- 
 dened soul. Precious in their sight will be the Bethel 
 where they find the Lord. Glorious indeed will be 
 this sanctuary, if it should become the gate of heaven 
 to those who worship here. 
 
 It is the anticipation of this event which confers an 
 amazing interest on this sacred place. Why have 
 these walls been reared, and these seats filled with a 
 crowd of earnest listeners? It is because the Savior 
 here meets with his disciples; and, humbled at his 
 feet, sinners too may taste his grace. Here they may 
 obtain deliverance from sin. Here they may learn 
 to sustain every trial which flesh is heir to, and to 
 descend into the grave with the song of victory. 
 Who can tell what accessions may be made to the 
 songs and praises of eternity by the worship of this 
 house? ‘The saints in heaven who here find the 
 Savior, may look down with interest on this holy 
 spot where they first tasted of Redeeming love, and 
 it may be held by them in everlasting remembrance. 
 Thus are we encouraged to believe that the glory of 
 this latter house may exceed the glory of the former 
 in all that which constitutes the real glory of an earthly 
 temple. 
 
 I proceed, secondly, to make such practical re- 
 marks as are suggested by the past dealing of God’s 
 
19 
 
 providence with us, and by the occasion on which we 
 meet. 
 
 We are taught by our past affliction to form a 
 right estimate of the value of earthly things, and to 
 lay wp our treasure in heaven. When we behold the 
 hopes which have been long fastened on worldly 
 objects, in a moment dissipated, it should be an in- 
 structive lesson to admonish us.not to estimate them 
 beyond their real value. How often do we hear it 
 said that riches take to themselves wings and fly 
 away. But we cannot believe it till we have proved 
 it by our own experience. We are unwilling to be 
 taught by others, but must make the trial ourselves 
 of how little value the world is, compared with our 
 souls. Happy will it be for us, if we are not left to 
 gain this knowledge in eternity. ‘The counsel of 
 God’s word is, that the time is short. “ It remaineth 
 that they that weep, be as those that wept not; and 
 they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and 
 they that buy, as though they possessed not; and 
 they that use this world, as not abusing it, for the 
 fashion of this world passeth away.” This we 
 are convinced is true; yet we do not have that 
 abiding sense of it which is given by the actual 
 vision of our hopes on the wing to leave us. Can 
 there be an event which should more deeply im-. 
 press us with the transitory nature of earthly things, 
 than that which is this day brought to our remem- 
 brance! It is the dictate of true wisdom to estimate 
 things according to their real worth. But if, notwith- 
 standing the evidence of the sacred truth, and the 
 
20 
 
 light we derive from our past experience, we are not 
 yet convinced that it is. best to lay up our treasures 
 in heaven, we need but wait for the judgment day, 
 when we shall see our error in the light of a confla- 
 grated world. 
 
 Here the treasures we lay up are corruptible. A 
 thousand dangers lay in wait to strip the rich man of 
 his wealth, or beset the path of him who would be- 
 come rich; they haunt his sleeping moments, and fill 
 him with constant alarm. But the man who lays up 
 his treasures in heaven is secure against disappoint- 
 ment. He has peace of mind in their possession, | 
 and eternal satisfaction in their enjoyment ; for moth 
 and rust cannot corrupt, neither can thieves break 
 through and steal, and no devouring element can 
 reach them. 
 
 The satisfaction which a man enjoys by the pos- 
 session of wealth is but momentary. Admit that 
 for threescore years and ten he shall have undisputed 
 possession of all that he can use, yet then he will be 
 poor. Death will render him as poor as the meanest 
 slave. We brought nothing into this world, and it is 
 certain that we can carry nothing out of it. But he 
 who lays up his treasures in heaven is rich: As he 
 advances in life, the richer he becomes in expectancy, 
 till death puts him in possession of it all. The man 
 whose wealth is on the earth, at the judgment day 
 will rise a poor man, shorn of all his splendor. Here 
 on the earth, it is true, are the monuments of his 
 pride, his houses, his lands, and his fine estates; but 
 then he can enjoy them no longer. The world is in 
 
21 
 
 flames, and all is lost. But the Christian’s posses- 
 sions are not imperiled by the changes of that dread 
 moment. His riches no man can take from him. He 
 will find them all when he shall awake in the like- 
 ness of his Redeemer : and when all things temporal 
 shall be dissolved he can stand upon the smouldering 
 ruins of the world, and feel that its loss is his un- 
 speakable gain. 
 
 We may learn the importance of being constantly 
 prepared to meet every danger to which we are ex- 
 posed. ‘The suddenness of our temporal calamities, 
 in general, leaves no time for preparation. ‘They 
 come as in a moment. Like the traveler in the 
 Arabian desert who sees the approaching whirlwind, 
 and scarcely essays to escape before he is buried 
 beneath a mountain of sand ; so unexpected are the 
 evils we suffer. Perhaps when we. think all is pros- 
 perous, and sit contentedly beneath the shade of our 
 gourd, there is a worm at its root which suddenly 
 cuts down the object of our hope. Death, like a 
 strong man armed, breaks into our enclosure and 
 bears off a beloved friend. We had often watched 
 over that friend in sickness, and seen him recover, 
 and we fondly expect that it will be so again. It is 
 not till that eye is set, that pulse ceases to beat, and 
 that dying gasp, that we feel that he is gone. Death 
 is at last as unexpected as if he had not signified his 
 approach. ‘Thus it is in the case of a dying friend, 
 and so it may be with us. If we are not prepared 
 for death while in health, we shall not be prepared 
 on its approach. If we have not that reconciliation 
 
22 
 
 to God, through the blood of his Son, which will arm 
 us against every worldly fear and danger, we shall 
 not possess it when that fear is awakened, and that 
 danger comes. We may insure our property against 
 the devouring element, but no assurance will stand 
 the soul against the fires of God’s wrath, but that 
 which is now effected by believing in the Son of 
 God. Let your faith then now fasten on the Savior. 
 Make him your friend who hath said, “I will never 
 leave thee, nor forsake thee,” and you shall be sus- 
 tained by his arm when all who do not make that 
 arm their trust shall sink in everlasting ruin. 
 
 My friends, are you still impenitent ? What means 
 shall God use more effectually to convince you of the 
 vanity of your worldly hopes than those which he 
 has already employed? Say not that if we had lived 
 in the days of the apostles, when signs and wonders 
 were wrought, we should have believed; but open 
 your eyes to the course you now pursue in the midst 
 of the warnings of his providence, and the invita- 
 tions ef his mercy. Let the scenes of terror you 
 have witnessed remind you of the judgment day, 
 when the Almighty Judge shall descend in all his 
 pomp and majesty from heaven, and the voice of the © 
 archangel shall break the slumbers of the dead. Sud- 
 den will be the occurrence of that event. Weak, 
 indeed, is language to paint the scenes. which will 
 then burst on your view. As it was in the day when 
 God rained fire out of heaven upon Sodom, such will 
 be the terror of that day to the wicked. They shall 
 call on the mountains and on the rocks to hide them, 
 
23 
 
 from the face of him that sitteth on the throne. The 
 cloud of God’s indignation is growing darker and 
 darker over your head; and when on that day, like 
 the collected thunders of the universe, it shall burst 
 upon the wicked, where will you stand; what power 
 can shield you from the arm of the angry Judge? 
 
 _ But see yonder! Who are those arrayed in white 
 robes, with palms in their hands? No terror clouds 
 their brow—no wrath drives them headlong down 
 the abyss. Hark! What music rises from those harps 
 of gold? What rapturous songs of joy burst from 
 those lips? What shout of victory is that? It is the 
 voice of the redeemed—of that multitude which no 
 man can number, returning to Zion with songs, and 
 everlasting joy upon their heads. O happy, happy 
 throng! who have seen the miserable end of all who 
 trusted in the world, and go now to enjoy the trea- 
 sures laid up for you in heaven—in that world where- 
 there is no night, and they need no candle, neither 
 light of the sun, for the Lord God shall them light, 
 and they shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
 Do you enjoy, my Christian friends, the glorious 
 hope of thus meeting your Savior? Cultivate, I be- 
 seech you, a nearer and more intimate communion 
 with him. Let it be the object of your life to glorify 
 God your Redeemer. Be warned by his providence 
 to fix on him your hopes, so shall you abide safe 
 beneath the shadow of his wings. 
 
 Finally ; the circumstances of mercy in which we 
 are met demand of us entire devotedness to his ser- 
 vice. The goodress of God hath shone out from 
 
24 
 
 behind the cloud which for a season obscured his 
 glory. Our terror is exchanged for joy; our despon-' 
 dency for hope; and we are now enabled, with the 
 eye of faith, to view the glory of God to be displayed 
 in this sanctuary. What, then, are the emotions of 
 your hearts, who, for the first time, assemble here ? 
 Is it your desire that the glory of this latter house 
 may exceed the glory of the former! Do you wish to 
 behold saints rejoicing here, and sinners flocking to 
 the Savior? Is your heart kindled by the distant pros- 
 pect of the coming glory of Christ’s kingdom; and 
 do your prayers even now ascend for his blessing to 
 be poured out upon this sacred place? Remember 
 that the victory is not yet won. You have duties to 
 perform; and on the faithful performance of them 
 depends, in a high degree, the future glory of this 
 church. It depends on you whether the labors of a 
 devoted, faithful, and self-denying ministry, shall here 
 be sustained ; or whether, through your worldliness or 
 indifference, it shall fail of that success which your cor- 
 dial support and co-operation can give it. It depends 
 on you whether the Gospel shall here be preached 
 in its purity, and the flame of piety continue to burn 
 with increasing brightness, or its light shall become 
 feeble and extinct. It depends on you whether this 
 house shall be a house of prayer, and promote the 
 peace, union and holiness of this church, or be the 
 occasion of its dissension and ruin. It depends on 
 you, under God, whether the abundant refreshings of 
 his grace shall be here enjoyed, or the fair hopes of 
 Zion, through your sterility, be blasted. It depends 
 
pas, 
 
 on you whether the plans formed for the glory of 
 Christ’s kingdom shall be carried forward; or fail, 
 to the derision of the churches enemies, and the dis- 
 honor of God. | 
 
 Whether this church will share or not in the pros- 
 pective glory of the Redeemer’s kingdom, one thing 
 is certain; that if you who enjoy these sacred privi- 
 leges fail to improve them, it may be the burden of 
 your sorrow for eternity, that here there was a feast 
 of love spread, but you would not taste; that here 
 the streams of mercy flowed, but you would not 
 drink; that here the gate of heaven was open, but 
 you would not enter it. May this day, in which we 
 dedicate this sanctuary, be the day of your consecra- 
 tion to God. Let your heart now go forth to meet 
 - the Savior; renounce your sins, and by faith in Jesus 
 lay hold on life eternal. 
 
 In the prospect of the coming glory of Christ’s 
 kingdom, and with earnest prayer that God would 
 slorify himself by granting the blessings of his pre- 
 sence to those who worship here, it becomes us 
 solemnly to set apart this house for his service. . 
 Come, then, my brethren, and unite with me in dedi- 
 cating this sacred structure to him. 
 
 O Gop, who art invisible, but who with thy pre- 
 sence dost visit every spot where thy children meet, 
 this sanctuary, reared from the ashes, the token of 
 thy love, we dedicate to thee! Farner in heaven, 
 who dost watch over thy creatures with paternal ten- 
 derness, and whose severest chastisements are min- 
 _ gled with mercy, we consecrate it to thee ! 
 
 3 
 
26 
 
 Jesus our Savior, Lamb of God, who died for us, 
 and with thy blood dost cleanse away our sin, to 
 thee we dedicate it! Hoxty Spirit, the Life of our 
 souls, our Sanctifier and Comforter, we consecrate it 
 to thee! Let these walls, O Gop, this sacred desk, 
 these seats, and all these thy creatures who bow before 
 thee, be for ever devoted to thy service. Withhold 
 not thy presence on account of our sins, but fill this 
 place with thy glory. Delight to bless this sanctuary. 
 Here meet with thy children, and satisfy the desires 
 of their souls. Here may the Gospel be preached 
 in its purity, and be accompanied with the abundant 
 tokens of thy favor. May the glory of this latter 
 house be greater than the glory of the former. Let 
 those who worship here love thy sacred name, and 
 bear down thy praise to other generations. 
 
 Impart thy blessing to those whose Christian kind- 
 ness we have experienced. May they, with us, be 
 found at last among the ransomed of the Lord, in 
 that world where thy glorious presence is seen and 
 felt. And when our worship on earth shall be finished, 
 let us rise with songs of joy to recommence thy praise 
 in thine everlasting temple on high. And to God only 
 wise, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shall be ren- 
 dered eternal praises. Amen. - 
 
APRPBNDIUEK. 
 
 The account which is given of the destruction of Fayetteville, in the 
 following letters and communication, may be interesting to those who wish 
 to retain the remembrance of that event. The first letter was written on 
 the night of the fire, and conveyed the first intelligence of this calamity to 
 many who reside in the northern section of the country. It was my in- 
 tention to have written a narrative of the principal facts, and appended it 
 to this discourse; but it is presumed more interest will attach itself to those 
 descriptions which were given at the time. 
 
 To the Editor of the National Gazette. 
 
 F'ayETTrevitie, N.C., May 29, 1831. 
 
 Srn—FAYETTEVILLE IS NO MORE !—This morning the sun 
 rose upon us in its beauty, and with gladdened hearts we flocked to the 
 churches of our God—now we are inruins. But two stores of all that this 
 place contained are standing. The rest are entirely consumed. Nothing 
 but stacks of tottering chimneys remain to tell what we once were. 
 
 Except in the outskirts of the town, and in those streets which are a little 
 off from the centre of our town, not a dwelling house remains. All the 
 churches, with the exception of the Methodist, which is distant from the 
 centre of the town, are destroyed. The academy, the two splendid 
 hotels, our printing offices, the two banks, the old state house, every apothe- 
 cary’s shop, and some of our mills, are in ashes. 
 
 The fire communicated, (it is supposed,) from a chimney, precisely in the 
 
 centre of the town, and spread with inconceivable rapidity through.every 
 street. It was just after the congregation had been dismissed, about half 
 past 12 o’clock, when the fire was first discovered, and in less than one 
 hour and a half, our village was literally a “ sea of flame.” The goods were 
 consumed in the streets, the engines were burnt at their stands. SSome who 
 had property removed to a distance in expectation of safety, were disap- 
 pointed; too soon the devouring element reached them. The churches, 
 though at a distance from each other, were soon in flames. The tall steeple 
 of the Presbyterian church seemed a pyramid of fire; for a while it stood 
 firm, soon the bell descended with a crash—the steeple trembled, tottered 
 and fell. The Episcopal church, which apparently caught at the same 
 time, was soon in ashes. 
 
28 
 
 As I wandered through the outskirts of the place to administer relief, so 
 far as possible, to the distressed, my heart sunk withinme. The sick were 
 borne out of their houses, and were lying on pallets in the street. Others, 
 faint and exhausted, were reclining on the beds which had been thrown out. 
 Every moment our ears were stunned with the explosion of powder, to 
 demolish the buildings, which might stay the flames. But although many 
 were thus levelled, there was not strength to pull the timbers from the reach 
 of the conflagration. 
 
 It is impossible to paint the heart rending scenes which every where 
 occurred. Parents were inquiring for their children, and children for their 
 parents, and in every countenance reigned despair. 
 
 I have been round the fire in every direction, and the above statements 
 are the result of my own observation. From where I now write I can per- 
 ceive, for the extent of nearly half a mile, the light which flashes up from 
 the smouldering ruins. A very small portion of the property was insured. 
 Most of the people lost their all! Our distress may be partially imagined, 
 but cannot be justly conceived of. Much bodily injury was experienced, but, 
 so far as it is at present known, no lives were lost. What results may be 
 ascertained when our friends are collected, it is impossible to say. 
 
 Yours with respect, 
 HENRY A. ROWLAND, Junr. 
 
 To the Editors of the New-York Journal of Commerce. iy 
 
 FayEtTevitte, N. C., May 30, 1831. 
 
 GENTLEMEN—By this time you must have heard that FayerTevi._e is 
 IN ASHES. But two, or at most three stores, at the foot of Haymount, are all 
 that remain standing; all the rest are entirely consumed. Three churches, 
 the academy, the two banks, the two splendid hotels, the old state house, 
 the printing offices, and as nearly as can be estimated, one hundred and five 
 stores, independently of warehouses, dwelling houses, and out houses of 
 various descriptions, and mills, occupying an area of about half a square 
 mile, are completely burnt up. The fire took yesterday soon after the 
 several congregations were dismissed from worship, about fifteen minutes 
 before one o'clock, and springing from roof to roof, it spread with such 
 amazing rapidity that in one hour and a half the column of smoke and 
 flame seemed to rise from the whole town atonce. I have often witnessed 
 conflagrations in our cities, but never before did I behold an universal anni- 
 hilation. FExcept the scattering houses in the streets off from our village, 
 the dwelling houses are all destroyed. The goods which were thrown into 
 the streets, or conveyed, as it was supposed, at a safe distance from the 
 flames, except the few that were saved by repeated removals, were all con- 
 sumed. Every inflammable substance over the whole extent of the field of 
 
29 
 
 wind is reduced to ashes. Merciful Heaven! to what destruction hast thou 
 brought us! was the involuntary expression of every heart. 
 
 From the commencement of the conflagration every thing that was pos- 
 sible was done to arrest the flames. The light wood pine buildings which 
 were interspersed with the others, and the wooden warehouses, were but 
 tinder. The engines played but for a few minutes, and were then deserted 
 and consumed. Powder seemed our only hope, and on every side was 
 heard the thunder and the shock of buildings which were blown to pieces. 
 This, which was finally the instrument of arresting the fire in several 
 directions, would have sooner been attended with success, had there been 
 force sufficient to have dragged away the shattered timbers; but so ex- 
 hausted had all become, and so rapid the march of the devouring element, 
 that it became a hopeless attempt. Our only alternative was to retreat 
 before it, and wait a favorable issue to our exertions. In about three hours 
 and a half the fire assuaged; in so short a time was all this ruin ac- 
 complished. 
 
 The impression made on our hearts is indescribable; despair seems to 
 reign in every countenance. Not a tear is shed; the horror stricken feelings 
 of our poor sufferers have not yielded to tears. 
 
 Weare now crowded together in the outskirts of the town, and many last 
 night slept in the open air. The sufferings of our people must be immense ; 
 some of our most wealthy citizens, are stript of all their’ property, 
 and have not where to lay their heads. Not even their clothes 
 were saved. Though so far as can be ascertained no lives were lost, yet 
 so exhausted and faint were many that they threw themselves down upon 
 whatever chanced to be near them, and others fell down in the street, and 
 were obliged to be carried home. We learn that numbers are sick; and to 
 complete our misfortunes, all our medicine shops and medicine is destroyed. 
 
 But in the multitude of our afflictions we have reason to praise the Lord 
 that our lives were spared. Amidst the confusion, and the explosions which 
 occurred, it would seem that nothing less than the special protection of the 
 Almighty defended us from danger. We have also reason to rejoice that 
 our flight is not in the winter. The season is peculiarly favorable. It is 
 our hope, that by the blessing of Providence, before the season for the fall 
 business shall arrive, such provision may be made by our mérchants for 
 the carrying on of business that, our lives may be sustained, so that to the 
 evils of beggary, may not be added those of starvation. 
 
 Yours with respect, 
 
 HENRY A. ROWLAND, Junr. 
 
30 
 
 DESTRUCTION OF FAYETTEVILLE. 
 
 Part of the communication by the Editors of the North Carolina Journal, 
 and Carolina bserver. 
 
 “ About 15 minutes after 12 o’clock A. M., on Sunday last, the citizens of 
 Fayetteville were alarmed by the cry of Fire, and the other signals usual 
 on such occasions. The roof of the kitchen belonging to Mr. James Kyle, 
 near his brick building lately erected at the Northwest corner of Market 
 Square, was found to be in a blaze, but to so inconsiderable an extent, that it 
 was believed the efforts made to extinguish it would certainly be successful. 
 Deceitful hope! They were all unavailing. In a very few moments the 
 flames extended themselves to the large brick building, and to many small 
 wooden buildings in its vicinity. Ina few minutes more the roof of the Town 
 House caught, and that building was soon enveloped in flames. From 
 thence four large torrents of flame were seen pouring in as many directions 
 along the four principal streets of the town with a rapidity and force which 
 defied all stay or resistance. In a western direction the fire extended itself 
 up Hay-street, on the right hand a short distance beyond the point of its 
 intersection with Old-street, extending backwards in a northern direction to 
 the very edge of the creek, embracing in its devouring sweep the interme- 
 diate buildings on Old-street and Maiden-lane. And on the left as far as 
 Mr. Cannte’s wooden building, being the next house below Mr. ‘John Mc 
 Rae’s long row of wooden buildings, at the Wagon Yard, extending back 
 southwardly to Franklin-street. Along Green-street the flames progressed 
 northwardly, crossing the creek, and consuming in their transit Mr. Eccles’s 
 mill, store, and dwelling-house, and the handsome bridge erected a few 
 years since by the town, sweeping before them many valuable buildings, 
 including the Episcopal Church, on the right hand side of the street, until 
 they reached the private residence of Jas. Seawell, Esq. which was saved, 
 by a providential turn of the wind and the active exertions of a very few 
 persons with water and blankets. On the left hand side of the street they 
 progressed until they were stopped at the house of J. W. Wright, Esq. by 
 blowing it up, and extended back until they reached the house of T. L. 
 Hybart, Esq. which was saved by exertions of great activity and perse- 
 verance. Along Person-street they destroyed every building on both sides 
 as far eastwardly as a few doors below Liberty Point, including the store of 
 Mr. Wm. McIntyre, situate on the opposite point formed by the junction of 
 Person-street and Cool Spring Alley, extending back northwardly as far as 
 the edge of the creek, consuming the Presbyterian church, Catholic chapel, 
 and all the other buildings, (with the exception of the dwelling-house, mills, 
 and warehouse of Mr. James H. Hooper, all of which were saved with 
 much exertion, ) including the buildings on both sides of Bow-street. Along 
 Gillespie-street, the flames extended as far as the State Bank building, on 
 the right hand side, which being nearly fire proof enabled the citizens to 
 contend successfully with the flames at that point, and to save that building. 
 
31 
 
 On the eastern side of the street they destroyed every building to a point 
 opposite the State Bank building, and extending eastwardly so as to include 
 all but three of the buildings on Dick-street, between Person and Mum- 
 ford-streets. 
 
 “It is impossible to form any correct estimate of the entire loss in real 
 estate. There probably is no instance in history of so large a portion of a 
 town being consumed, where it was not the result of voluntary human 
 agency. ‘The fire continued to rage with unabated fury until about six 
 o’clock, when, by the blowing up of houses, and the other means usual on 
 such occasions, it was suddenly deprived of food for its raging appetite. 
 
 “The public buildings destroyed were, the Town House, the Cape Fear 
 Bank, the Catholic Chapel, the Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches, the 
 Academy, the Layfayette and Mansion Hotels. The building in which 
 the United States’ Bank did business, and the office of the Agency of the 
 State Bank, were also destroyed, but as they were merely rented for that 
 purpose, they were not put.down as public buildings. The private build- 
 ings destroyed, in number about six HUNDRED, would require a long cata- 
 logue to enumerate particularly. 
 
 “But besides the buildings, immense quantities of Books, valuable papers, 
 money, household furniture, goods, wares, merchandise and produce, were 
 destroyed. Where the fire first broke out, persons near the scene would 
 remove such things to what were then supposed places of safety, but by the 
 time they would get them fairly deposited they would discover the flames in 
 hot pursuit of them, and would be driven to farther efforts for the security of 
 their valuables, until driven from place to place, and completely worn down 
 with their exertions, they would at last be compelled to abandon them 
 to the power of the merciless flames:—a very small portion of any of these 
 articles was saved. The amount destroyed it is difficult to estimate. We 
 cannot undertake to offer a correct list of the houses, or even point out the 
 principal sufferers. It would be infinitely more easy to make a catalogue of 
 those of our citizens that have not suffered.” _~ 
 
 The loss on this occasion has been variously estimated, from a million to a 
 million and a half of dollars. No sooner was it known than the sympathies 
 of the whole country awakened, and contributions were made for the relief 
 of the town. In Raleigh and Wilmington prompt measures were taken to 
 meet with kindness and liberality our necessities. The return of every mail 
 added fresh encouragement. ‘The contributions were unexampled in libe- 
 rality from every part of our country ; and it is to. these, that in a great 
 measure, we are indebted for our returning prosperity. Our merchants 
 were received with the greatest kindness by the merchants of New-York, 
 who, in addition to their own severe losses by the fire, contributed liberally 
 to the town, and assisted, by the credit which they extended to our mer- 
 chants, to re-establish our business. The amount contributed for the relief 
 of the town was not far from a hundred thousand dollars, which was distri- 
 buted to those for whom it was designed. 
 
oe 
 
 As no part of the fund contributed to the town could be appropriated to 
 the rebuilding of the church, and as there was no prospect that it could be 
 rebuilt unless special effort were made for this purpose, a successful effort 
 having been made just before the fire to free it of a debt of several thousand 
 dollars, and as the means could not now be obtained in the town, it was 
 resolved by the session to be expedient to solicit aid to rebuild the church. 
 The following was adopted by the session, and put into my hands. 
 
 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. 
 Church Session of the Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, June 4th, 1831. 
 
 The Lord, in his righteous providence, has seen fit to desolate our town by 
 conflagration. The devouring element, in four short hours, has laid our high 
 places waste, and our temples and dwellings in ashes. Nothing remains to 
 tell the place where Fayetteville was, but naked chimneys and crumbling 
 walls. Our worldly substance is gone; and we desire, more than ever, to 
 seek an enduring substance—a heavenly inheritance. But, alas! we have 
 no shelter but the broad canopy of heaven, under which to meet and render 
 praise and homage to the Most High. To him our petitions are directed, 
 beseeching that he would, of his infinite goodness and mercy, open the hearts 
 of the friends of Zion to contribute of their substance for the rebuilding of 
 our church. 
 
 Our much respected pastor elect, the Rev. Henry A. Rowland, Jun., is 
 authorized and requested, on behalf of our congregation, to solicit funds for 
 this object. We bid him God speed: and we humbly pray that every giver 
 may be rewarded ten-fold in this life, and, in the world to come, may receive 
 life everlasting. 
 
 DAVID D. SALMON, 
 
 H. POTTER, Elders composing 
 D. ANDERSON, the Session of the 
 K. STEDMAN, Presbyterian Ch. 
 
 - GEO. M‘NEILL, at Fayetteville. 
 D. A. DAVIS, 
 
 It was found, in a short time, to be impossible to visit every town where it 
 would be desirable to solicit aid; and, accordingly, the following letter, to- 
 gether with the sessional paper above, was printed in the form of a circular, 
 and sent to many churches, from which collections were afterward received. 
 
 “ Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is 
 burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. 
 Isaiah, 64 : 11. 
 
 It is believed that history does not record so great a proportionable de- 
 struction of a town by an accidental fire, as that of Fayetteville. We had 
 
33 
 
 just returned from church, on Sabbath morning, the 29th of May, when a 
 fire was discovered near the centre of our town, which in less than four 
 hours reduced the most of it toashes. One hundred and five stores, which, 
 with the exception of three, were all that we had, with their numerous 
 warehouses, and most of their contents, three churches, the two banking 
 houses, the two spacious hotels, the old state house, the academy, bridges, 
 mills, and very many dwelling houses, amounting in all to about six HuN- 
 DRED buildings, are wholly consumed. 
 
 Our distress is inconceivably great. Through the benevolent exertions 
 of our fellow citizens in different parts of the country, we have the prospect 
 of obtaining relief from bodily suffering. But in this provision for our tem- 
 poral wants, we do not see the re-establishment of our religious privileges. 
 Tt is now, since our worldly prospects are blighted, that we desire more than 
 ever the privileges and consolations of the Gospel. We do cling with fond- 
 ness to the expectation of again meeting God in his sanctuary. Itis a hope 
 we delight to cherish; and the anticipation of disappointment in this, would 
 throw a deeper gloom over us than did the smoking ruins of all that we 
 possessed. 
 
 Were our church only consumed, we should possess the means to erect 
 another; but now all our worldly substance is gone, and without aid a large 
 and flourishing congregation must be annihilated. But, though reduced to 
 poverty, we are here, and will here remain. Here are our connections, our 
 business, and our hopes of rising prosperity. The town, from its local situ- 
 ation and advantages of trade, must, and undoubtedly will be built up; but, 
 in this case, it will be years before we shall be able to erect a church. In 
 that time, without a sanctuary, the flock of Christ will be scattered. 
 
 The rebuilding of our church at this time would be a great public advan- 
 tage. It would give stability to our population, and confidence to the com- 
 munity and to our back country in the re-establishment of our town. It 
 would thus tend to prevent our trade from being diverted, and our future 
 prospects ruined. 'T’o the prosperity of the cause of Christ itis every thing— 
 it is our all. The walls are mostly standing, and we are informed by a good 
 architect, that seven thousand dollars would repair it ina plain way, which 
 is much less than a wooden building of the same size could be provided for. 
 It originally cost about twenty-six thousand dollars, and was entirely free 
 from debt. Our commodious session house, adjacent, was also destroyed, 
 just at a season when of all others such a loss is most severely felt. 
 
 Such are the facts in our case, which, notwithstanding the multitude of 
 claims on your benevolence, we hope will share your favorable regards. 
 Whatever assistance you may be disposed to render us, will be received 
 with the grateful acknowledgments of a people who, while their ability 
 lasted, have.ever opened their hearts to relieve the distressed. 
 
 In behalf of the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Fayetteville, 
 HENRY A. ROWLAND, Jun. 
 
o4 
 noe 
 
 Many of the principal towns in the northern section of the country were 
 visited; and from many churches at the south, and from places which were 
 not visited, donations were received. The funds collected amounted to_a 
 sum almost sufficient to replace our church and session house. “ 
 
 Some individuals of the second church in Troy, learning that applica- 
 tion had been made to a founder to recast our bell, generously took upon 
 
 themselves the task of supplying the loss of metal, which was great, an? 
 
 furnish us with a new bell. The motto cast on it is as follows: 
 
 IN FLAMMIS PERII XXIX MAU, A. D. MDCCCXXXI. 
 MUNERE AMICORUM E CINERE SURREXI. 
 
 I perceive that the same motto has since been substantially adopted for 
 ihe bell of the Episcopal church. .The plan of the church was furnished 
 gratuitously by Messrs. Town & Davis, Architects, New-York. The 
 builders were Messrs. Wright & Wooster. It is a plain, neat, and sub- 
 
 stantial building, and will accommodate more than a thousand persons 
 with seats. 
 
 | 
 
 THE END. 
 
 *