Texts on Chapels

I toured some of the Cumberland chapels this month with KP. Many were converted into homes, such as our secular culture and housing shortage demands, but others are still in use. Three still advertise a Bible text, inscribed into the masonry.

Aspatria's old Congregational chapel above, now redundant, has written above it:

There is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth 1827

Wigton’s Low Moor Evangelical Church, which is modern but built in a classic chapel style, has written thereon:

NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

II CORINTHIANS 6:2

The old congregational chapel at Tallentire declares:

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Psalm 29:2

Thank God for those faithful folk who erected God’s word into the very fabric of their buildings, so that even the modern developer dare not remove it. Our own has Job 9:25:

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good

which is rather modestly paraphrased contraction to Time flies swift away.

If one were to combine these texts’ message, one has a rather good sermon plan:

  • Now is the day of salvation.
  • When one sinner repents, heaven rejoices.
  • Yet time is short!
  • Having repented and believed, worship God and be holy.

I have heard worse outlines; you will never have been given better advice.