USA > Maryland > Frederick County > Graceham > The history of Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland > Part 10
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August 19. Bro. Reinke informed the Committee that he had received and accepted a call to our congregation at Lancaster, Pa., and that the Rev. Samuel R. Huebner, pastor at Gnaden- huetten, O., had been called as his successor. The Committee did not hesitate to accept Bro. Huebner, especially as his ap- pointment had been confirmed by the Lot.
August 29. Congregation Council was informed that the Committee had approved of the change in the pastorate. The brethren John Boller, Jacob Gernand, Elias Weller, Sr., and Christian Herbach, Jr., were elected as a new Committee, the first three being also the Trustees of the congregation.
November I. "The officers of Apple's church having bor- rowed our brass pulpit lamps, and offered to buy them, they were informed that the congregation was willing to loan them the lamps as long as they were not needed here, but could not sell them, as they were presented to the congregation by some friends in Hagerstown. Inasmuch as the Provincial Helpers' Conference had issued a circular letter to the congregations, admonishing them to show more earnestness and zeal in pro- viding for the support of their ministers, and as the Committee felt most deeply their obligation in the matter, the pastor, as chairman of the Committee, laid the matter before the Congre- gation Council, and inquired whether it would authorize the col- lection by a legal process of such arrears of contributions as had been repeatedly in vain brought to the notice of members; to which Congregation Council, by a majority of votes, assented. A subscription for Bro. Huebner was at once started, and amounted in part to $53.50.
. November 15. The Rev. Samuel R. Huebner arrived, after a fourteen days' journey, from Gnadenhuetten, O. On Sunday, the 22d, Bro. Reinke preached his farewell sermon, and in the afternoon the usual "farewell and welcome" lovefeast was held.
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Monday, the 23d, Bro. Reinke's started on their journey to Lan- caster. Sunday, the 29th, Bro. Huebner preached his introduc- tory sermon at Graceham in the German language, and at Sa- billasville on Sunday, December 13, English in the morning and German in the afternoon. During his pastorate he continued the preaching at Sabillasville once a month, and also preaching and Bible-lectures at the Centre School-house, English and Ger- man at both places, the Bible-lectures on Wednesday evenings.
December 14 1835, is the date on a plat of the present road from Graceham to Creagerstown, which was surveyed and laid down by Jacob Firor. The first two-thirds or three-quarters of a mile out from Graceham had been a private road, which was now opened on the lines of Wm. Boller, Sr., Isaac Hankey, Sr., Elias Weller and Margaret Harry. The remaining part of the road, the entire length of which the survey made 690.3 perches, or 2 1/6 miles (nearly) passed through the lands of the Kuhns heirs, on the lines of said Boller and Kuhns, on the land of said Kuhns, on the lands of the heirs of Jacob Holtzman and of John Wickham, and then entered Creagerstown. Members at the close of 1835, 340, 146 being children.
1837 .- August 29. The brethren John Schmitt, Daniel Wel- ler, John Siess and Frederic Weller were elected as a new Com- mittee. They met September 7, and organized as usual, the pas- tor being chairman ex-officio, John Schmitt, Field Overseer ; D. Weller, Collector; John Siess, Fuel Curator; F. Weller, Building Overseer.
Members at the close of the year, 357, 157 being children.
1838 .- September 2. Bro. Meffert's having resigned as sa- cristans and he as grave-digger, Bro. and Sr. Benjamin Siess accepted the office of sacristans and Bro. John Weller that of grave-digger.
September 9. As according to the new law a school-house was to be built for a free school, and as by a majority of votes the site for the same was directed to be on our land, viz., on the triangular lot behind the tavern, the Congregation Council re- solved that the Graceham Trustees should negotiate with the school trustees, and sell them the required ground from the farther corner of said lot, for the price they should agree on.
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September 30. Congregation Council resolved not to grant our school-room for the use of the free school.
October 14. Our school-teacher, Mr. Burns, applied and was allowed to keep school in our school-room for another quarter, or until the free (public) school should open. At this time it appears that the school-teachers were engaged for one-quarter of a year at a time, as was the case with Edw. Norris in 1836, Parmenio Harry in 1837 and Lewis Blair in 1838.
Members at close of this year, 355; 147 being children.
1839 .- January I. It was proposed to open a Sunday School in the spring of this year, but the matter was postponed.
March 22. It was resolved to open a Sunday School on April 19, at I P.M.
March 31. Bro. Huebner informed the Committee that he had accepted a call to Friedberg, N. C., and that the Rev. Am- brose Rondthaler had accepted a call as his successor. In June Bro. Ambrose Rondthaler arrived at Graceham.
June 9. It was resolved to have English and German preach- ing alternately at Graceham.
June 23. Congregation Council appraised the corner lot at the north-east corner of Main Street and the road to Apple's church at $130, as two persons had offered to buy it, and re- solved to sell the lot to any one who would build a house on it one year from the time of purchase.
October 18. It was resolved to pray the English church lit- any before the English preaching.
1854 .- The Committee resolved to give notice that the bell would in future be tolled on receiving intelligence of the death of any member of the congregation.
June 5. Congregation Council elected the brethren John Siess, John Creager, Daniel Wilhide and Bernard Colliflower as a new Committee. The first two and the fourth, having the highest number of votes, became the Trustees. The brethren J. Creager, Eli Weller and B. Colliflower were elected Sextons.
N.B .- There are no Diaries in the archives at Graceham for the years 1840-1858, and no Minutes of the meetings of Comm. and C. C. from 1843- 1853. These years are therefore a blank in this history of the Graceham congregation.
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August 4. Bro. Reinke (Amadeus) informed the Committee that he had received and accepted a call to the congregation on Staten Island, and, on behalf of the Provincial Elders' Confer- ence proposed the Rev. Benjamin Ricksecker as the new minis- ter, who was accepted by the Committee.
September 4. Bro. Ricksecker met with the Committee. Hav- ing understood that the Church Litany was not used, he in- formed the brethren that he intended to introduce it again, to which there was no objection.
October 2. Candles being needed for the church, the Com- mittee decided to buy tallow and have them made.
October 20. The Committee requested Bro. Creager to buy several pairs of snuffers for the use of the church.
November 27. The Committee requested Bro. Colliflower to get his brother (Michael) to glaze the windows in the parsonage, and to mend the gate, also to caulk the floor of the steeple, as it leaked.
1855 .- The erection of a new pulpit and the necessity of an- other stove for the church were considered by the Committee and referred to the Congregation Council; but Bro. James Crea- ger was requested to make a plan for the pulpit and an estimate of the cost of one like that of the Methodist church in Mechan- icstown. As the floor of the church-steeple leaked badly, en- dangering the ceiling of the church, it was decided to have it covered with tin as soon as possible. Application having been made for the violoncello belonging to the church it was agreed to sell it for $3.
September I. The carpenter who built the Methodist pulpit at Mechanicstown thought that one on the same plan could be made for $50. The tinsmith estimated the cost of tinning the floor of the church-steeple at $12.
September 9. The Congregation Council agreed to try to raise the amounts for a new pulpit and stove, and for the tinning of the steeple-floor, and that subscriptions be at once com- menced for each purpose separately.
October I. The Committee decided that only carpenters who were members of our church should be employed to make the new pulpit, and should be requested to send in sealed proposals by the next meeting of the Committee.
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October 15. Some dissatisfaction prevailing as to the use of the Church Litany, the Congregation Council decided that it should be used only once a month.
October 30. Proposals for building the new pulpit were sub- mitted to the Committee. Bro. Michael Colliflower offered to do the work and find all the materials for $39. Bro. Jeremiah Harbaugh for $45. Bro. Colliflower's bid was accepted.
November 26. Bro. Gernand was requested to get some lamps for the pulpit. Bro. Creager presented to the Committee the bill for the tinning of the steeple-floor, which was settled. It was thought to be time to collect the subscriptions for it.
December 26. The Committee agreed to invite the neighbor- ing ministers to participate in the consecration of the new pul- pit ; and that if none of our own ministers should be present, to tender the keeping of the service to the Rev. Mr. Anderson, the Lutheran minister at Apple's church. The sisters were to be encouraged to raise a subscription for carpeting the new pulpit and platform.
THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW PULPIT, SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1856.
(Extract of a letter to The Moravian, giving an account of the visit to Graceham on this occasion of the Rev. L. F. Kamp- mann and the Rev. F. F. Hagen.)
"On invitation of the pastor (Bro. Ricksecker) and the Com- mittee to attend the dedication of a new pulpit lately erected in the church at Graceham, we set out from York on Friday, Janu- ary II, 1856, and reached Hanover about nightfall. We there found two young brethren from Graceham, Bro. Siess and Bro. Gernand, who took us in a couple of neat and comfortable bas- ket-sleighs, at a lively rate, the roads being in excellent sleigh- ing order, and the horses, especially Barney, the Graceham min- ister's horse, in capital traveling plight, to Littlestown. Our first care after being warmed was supper, which we took with much relish, and, after a good night's rest, the next morning sped on across the Manocacy, through Emmitsburg, towards Graceham (say about 24 miles) where we arrived about 2 P.M. in the midst of a fearful snow-storm.
"We found Bro. and Sr. Ricksecker, with their children, all well and happy. Bro. Wm. Eberman, from Lancaster, was also
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there, and several Committee brethren and some sisters, with whom we spent some time in conversation, and then closed the day by uniting in song and prayer. We then retired to rest and slept in comfort and safety, while all the night long, as on the day before, it stormed and sleeted and rained and froze, render- ing for our people the access to the church on the following day very difficult. But as Sunday came and the hour for worship, the people also came-very numerously indeed. At II A.M. the church being well filled, the services commenced. A hymn tune was first performed on four trombones. The congregation then sang a hymn, after which, the congregation kneeling, Bro. Ha- gen offered up prayer, dedicating the new pulpit to God, and beseeching Him to own and bless the Word which was hereafter to be preached therein. After the choir had sung an anthem Bro. Hagen preached the first sermon from the words: 'The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (I Cor. 4:20). We were pleased to observe the solemn attention of the audience. Bro. Kampmann then prayed. During the singing by the choir which followed a collection was taken up. A hymn of praise having been sung by the congregation, the service was closed with the benediction.
"In the evening, at 7 o'clock, the congregation again met, and Bro. Kampmann conducted the services. They were opened, as usual, by singing and prayer. Bro. Kampmann then preached, fully and impressively on the words: 'The glory of the Lord filled the house' (2 Chron. 5:4). The deepest attention prevailed, and it was plainly evident that the audience was deeply interested in the words of our brother. After prayer by Bro. Hagen the ser -. vices were closed in the usual manner.
"On Monday, the 14th, by request, we again held services in the church. A goodly number having assembled, Bro. Hagen preached on the doctrinal text of the day : 'He that cometh after me is mightier than I-and He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.' (Matt. 3:2.) In the afternoon, at the in- stance of Bro. Ricksecker, we visited various families, and were made to feel that there exists among this dear flock a spirit of fervent devotion to the Saviour and to His Church.
"In the evening the congregation once more assembled. Bro. Kampmann preached from the words: 'From the days of John
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the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force' (Matt. II :12), urging upon his hearers the necessity of earnestness in the cause of religion. Bro. Hagen having spoken a few words, Bro. Ricksecker, the pastor, made a warm and earnest appeal to the congregation, and called upon all to covenant together to follow Christ faithfully unto death. A hymn of praise, a prayer and the benediction formed the close of our happy meeting.
"We will ever remember, with gratitude to God, the blessings which we enjoyed on this occasion. And may the Lord abund- antly bless and prosper this church, and His faithful and devoted servant and handmaid who minister there in holy things.
"The church at Graceham, at the close of 1855, consisted of 86 communicants, 50 non-communicants, and 58 children, in all 194 souls."
1856 .- January 21. The brethren M. Colliflower and J. Har- baugh presented to the Committee their bills for constructing the new pulpit. Several extra charges being made for things not mentioned in the contract, a final settlement was made for $41.25. Settlement was also made with Bro. Gernand for the carpet of the pulpit, which he, by request, had bought in Fred- erick.
1857 .- January 17. The Congregation Council decided unani- mously that the land owned by the congregation should not be sold, but be laid off in lots and rented, and that five members should be elected by ballot as agents, to lay off the land and ap- praise each lot, which was done.
October 27. Instead of candles, the Committee proposed to get fluid lamps for the church, as being cheaper.
THE CENTENNIAL YEAR.
1858 .- July 4. Congregation Council met to determine about proposed repairs to the church. Bro. Ricksecker had made some inquiry as to the probable cost of having the interior of the church painted, but this not being satisfactory to the brethren, it was after consultation agreed that the Committee inquire of painters the cost of frescoing and painting, getting proper esti- mates.
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July 5. After conversation in the Committee on painting or frescoing the church, it was agreed to take the measurement at once, which having been done, it was agreed that Bro. Rick- secker and Bro. Gernand should write and get estimates for painting and also for frescoing the church by the job, giving all the measurements. Bro. Ricksecker and Bro. Gernand agreed to meet the next morning, as no time was to be lost.
July 25. The Committee reported to Congregation Council a letter written to a painter in Baltimore, but the answer was not satisfactory. Bro. Gernand stated that he had found a painter in Frederick, who was well recommended, and who intimated that if he saw the building he could make a contract for the job. The subscription list in Bro. Gernand's hands amounted to $140.25. The Frederick painter having been sent for, met the Committee and a contract was made with him.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
OCTOBER 8, 9, AND IO, 1858.
The Committee having resolved to invite some of our minis- ters to participate in the celebration of the one-hundredth anni- versary of the organization of Graceham congregation on Oc- tober 8, 1758, special invitations were sent to the Rt. Rev. Samuel Reinke, of Lititz, pastor of this congregation, 1827-1835, to the Rev. Amadeus A. Reinke, of New Dorp, Staten Island, pastor here 1849-1854; to the Rev. Joseph Kummer, of Lan- caster, the Rev. Henry A. Shultz, of Bethlehem, and the Rev. Francis F. Hagen, of York, Pa., and to the brethren of the Pro- vincial Elders' Conference, then consisting of the Rt. Rev. Peter Wolle, the Rt. Rev. John C. Jacobson, and the Rev. Philip H. Goepp. In reply to the invitation the brethren Shultz and Kum- mer wrote that they would not be able to attend the celebration. The Bishops Wolle and Reinke and the brethren Hagen and A. Reinke were met at Emmitsburg by the brethren John and Wil- liam Boller with carriages, and were brought to Graceham on Thursday, October 7.
After returning to York, Bro. Hagen sent to The Moravian the following letter, giving an interesting account of the celebra- tion :
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"York, October 16, 1858.
"Dear Brother : I have just returned from an interesting visit to the Church at Graceham, where, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th instant a Centennial Jubilee was duly celebrated, and subse- quently protracted by a series of daily religious services up to the date of this letter.
"After parting from you and the other brethren on the 6th in- stant (the day after the laying of the corner-stone for the new church at Lebanon) Bishop Wolle and myself left that beautiful and interesting place at 11:30 A.M., and after a short stay at Harrisburg, reached York at 3:30 P.M., where we found Bishop Reinke and consort, who had arrived from Lititz the day before, being also on their way to the jubilee at Graceham. The next day at 10 A.M., we all repaired to the railroad station, where, to our surprise and joy, we were joined by the Rev. Amadeus Reinke from Staten Island, who was also on his way to Graceham. We went as far as Littlestown (via Hanover) by railroad, and having partaken of a savory meal, we proceeded per stage to Emmitsburg, and were thence transported to Graceham in two private conveyances which were in waiting for us.
"During the latter stage of our journey I learned from one of the Graceham brethren that for the last two weeks an unusual degree of interest in the subject of religion had prevailed among the community around Graceham. Greatly encouraged by this cheering intelligence, and with happy anticipations of a blessed Centennial Jubilee, we reached Graceham about nightfall.
"A number of people had already assembled for a meeting of prayer in the lecture-room of the parsonage, by way of closing the expiring century of Graceham's existence as a church. Bishop Reinke presided at this solemn service, and delivered a brief address, whereupon Bro. A. A. Reinke followed in prayer. Both of these brethren had formerly been pastors of this charge, the latter having been the immediate predecessor of the present incumbent, the Rev. Benjamin Ricksecker, formerly a missionary in the West Indies.
"On Friday morning, the 8th, the church was opened for the centennial celebration. We were all agreeably struck with the improved appearance of this sanctuary, which had just been thoroughly refitted through the devoted exertions of the pastor
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in charge and the labor and liberality of the members. Some, even, who are not connected with the church, especially among the female portion of the community, took a lively interest in the matter, and rendered valuable assistance. Having seen in the Maryland Union, printed in Frederick City, a description of the church in its present renovated state, I will here insert it for the information of your readers :
" 'The interior of the church is painted in water-proof fresco by Mr. Tetherly, of Frederick City, in the most satisfactory man- ner, and is as durable as the plaster on which it is painted. The ceiling is ornamented with a richly-painted center-piece, and the remainder is divided into twenty-four panels with tracery mouldings, the panels being ultra-marine blue. A heavy, richly- worked cornice with choice designs in the frieze, is supported by twenty-four floriated pilasters, the spaces between which con- tain sunken panels, the one back of the pulpit containing the representation of a dove surrounded by clouds, and from which rays of light are thrown on the open Bible, the two tables of stone and a chalice. The pulpit is made to look like marble, and the rest of the woodwork is in colors to correspond with the fresco work. The whole forms a chaste and beautiful appear- ance, which surprises all who see it, and reflects great credit on the enterprise of the Trustees, the liberality of the members and others who have freely contributed to defray the expense, and the painter who designed and executed the work.'
"All this was accomplished at the moderate expense of about $250.
"The solemnities of the first day were opened at 9 A.M. by a choral executed on four trombones. Bishop Wolle conducted the services by delivering a brief and affecting address, and of- fered up prayer and supplication, in which many a full and over- flowing heart among the assembled multitude devoutly joined. At 10 o'clock Bishop Reinke preached an able and stirring dis- course to a large and attentive audience. I would here mention that these services and those of the following two days were agreeably enlivened by various anthems which were well sung by the Graceham choir under the direction of the pastor and the efficient co-operation of the faithful organist, Bro. E. Siess. In
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the afternoon there was no public service in the church. The visiting brethren accordingly spent the time in calling on the members in their dwellings, while I remained in the parsonage in order to prepare for the evening sermon.
"At 7 P.M. we re-entered the church and found it well filled with hearers. My subject was 'The Day of Salvation,' founded on 2 Cor. 6:4. At the close of the service, according to previ- ous agreement with my ministerial brethren, I invited such to remain in the church who were under concern for their soul's salvation, and desired further aid and direction at our hands. A goodly number came forward, who, when they had been spec- ially instructed and encouraged, were commended to God in prayer. Thus ended the first day of solemn worship, leaving the heart deeply impressed with the joyful conviction that the Lord was in the midst of us.
"On Saturday morning, the second day, before the services commenced several anxious souls called at the parsonage to con- verse with us on their spiritual state. At 10 o'clock Bishop Wolle preached on the words, 'Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else' (Isa. 45:22). As this precious gospel dropped from the lips of the venerable brother it might well be said of the congregation that sat under his voice, 'Blessed is the people that know the joy- ful sound.' In the afternoon a prayer-meeting was held in the church, in which several brethren took active part. I improved the occasion to urge upon the members the matter of family prayer. Several have since commenced this important duty. In the evening a very large concourse of people crowded the church and were addressed by Rev. Amadeus Reinke in an interesting and elaborate discourse on the words, 'Ask now of the days that are past' (Deut. 4:32). His remarks were listened to with marked attention, and no doubt produced a pleasing effect on many a hearer. After the service was ended, some of us spent a short and blessed season in singing and prayer, interceding before the Lord on behalf of several penitent souls.
"Sunday, the Ioth, the third day of the celebration, was a bright and beautiful day of the Lord. The church was again crowded to the utmost. At 10 A.M. I spoke on the New Birth, from John 3:7. There is reason to believe that the Word of
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God did not, on this occasion, return unto Him void. After a short recess many members and friends of the church assembled together, and in Christian fellowship partook of a lovefeast. Bishop Reinke presided. During the course of the service he communicated an account of the origin and subsequent history of this church. Immediately after this delightful occasion the Holy Supper was administered by Bishop Wolle. It was a sea- son of great blessing and comfort to many hearts. Both during and after the service it seemed as though all were melted to- gether before the Lord under the mighty influence of divine love. In the evening Bro. A. Reinke preached on the words, 'O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days' (Ps. 94:14). After he had closed Bro. Ricksecker followed in a feeling and appropriate address, whereupon the festivities of the day were closed with hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
"Although these three days embraced the celebration proper of the Centenary, yet, at the urgent request of members, it was deemed necessary to protract our meetings a few days longer. Accordingly, on Monday morning and afternoon a special meet- ing was held for anxious inquirers, of whom there was a con- siderable number. A similar meeting was held on Tuesday after- noon. During my intercourse with these souls I ascertained from time to time that several of them had been awakened, and had found peace in believing during these days, and that believers had been greatly built up in their faith. Sermons were deliv- ered three evenings in succession. On Tuesday, by Bro. A. Reinke, on Luke 19:5-6, and on Monday and Wednesday by myself, on John 14:7-II, and on I Thess. 5:19, 'Quench not the Spirit.' At the close of the last service, on Wednesday night, several persons applied for admission to church-membership.
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