Page:A semi-centenary discourse.djvu/60

 a piece of ground and the building erected; but ardency, though not condemnable, is not money; and however anxious the people might have been in their disposition towards the object, there was still wanting the available means to put the machinery in motion, the dollars were needful. This to them was the motive power only through which the work could be carried on or even commenced—here was the dilemma. Whilst they were at their wits' end, and everything looked lowering and dark, when no ray of encouragement illumined their hearts, the faithful pastor's voice was heard in accents of encouragement, exhorting them to rely on God and be of good cheer, for God who had been with them thus far would be with them to the end. It was at this time that he recommended a committee from the church to wait upon the Evangelical Society, as we have seen.

The publication of this circular proved so successful as to warrant the society and congregation at once to proceed in the matter. The lot at the corner of Shippen and Seventh Streets, where Mr. Gloucester so often stood and preached on Sabbath mornings, was secured. In less than one year from the publication of the circular, the corner stone was laid by Rev. George Potts, for a substantial brick church in 1810, and on May 31, 1811, it was dedicated to the service of God. This speedy progress was surely the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our sight, taking everything into the account. I must leave the reader to draw his own conclusions from this entire enterprise from its origin to the completion of the house in its rise and progress, if every step taken, and feature of it be considered. It will be remembered that in 1806 the matter was first agitated before the Evangelical Society. In 1807 the work of organizing the people into a Presbyterian