USA > Maryland > Frederick County > Graceham > The history of Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland > Part 11
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"We all left Graceham, the Bishops Wolle and Reinke on Tuesday, Bro. A. Reinke on Wednesday, and myself on Thurs- day, with feelings of devout gratitude to God for the rich bless- ings vouchsafed to this church and to ourselves during these re- markable days. Oh, that the new life which so hopefully dawned upon this people might grow, extend and deepen from day to day, so that both pastor and flock may rejoice together in the love of God in Christ !
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"I might yet say many more things concerning the events of these days, but it is enough that they are known to the Lord. Much, too, might be said of the kindness shown by the worthy pastor and his family, and by the members during our domi- ciliary visits among them, and also concerning the pleasant time which Bro. A. Reinke and myself spent in our place of lodging near the parsonage, a veritable Bethany, where a brother and two sisters dwell together like Lazarus, Martha and Mary, with Jesus in their midst, but time and space do not admit. Suffice it to say that the occasion was a jubilee indeed, and afforded to many a soul a rich antepast of those joys which are in reserve for God's people in the world to come, where 'the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.'
"F. F. Hagen."
At the close of 1858 there were 118 communicant members of the congregation, and a total membership of 210. As there was a total membership of 355 at the close of 1838 there was a loss of 145 members during the twenty years from December, 1838, to December, 1858, and a total loss of 170 members, or almost 50 per cent., from December, 1832, when there were 380 mem- bers. This was occasioned, possibly, by revisions of the Cata- logue, dismissals to other churches (which had become more numerous) removals, etc., and possibly in part by the increasing prevalence of the English language in the church services, as the Diary for 1860 states that as some of the members understood the German language better than the English, the pastor would preach in that language once in four weeks. In 1838 and later there were English and German services alternately at Grace- ham, Sabillasville and the Centre School-house, and probably as many German as English services everywhere.
1859 .- February 21. The Committee resolved to have the outside of the church painted. As this resolution was repeated September 3, 1860, including the parsonage, the work was prob- ably done in 1860.
June 13. Congregation Council elected the brethren James Creager, Jacob Gernand, Bernard Colliflower and Ephraim Gil- bert as the Committee, and B. Colliflower, F. Stauffer, Joshua Gilbert and Wesley Delaplane as Sextons. In July the Rev. Henry C. Bachman succeeded Bro. Ricksecker as pastor.
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September 17. A very violent wind and rain-storm blew down the apple-tree at the gable end of the church, and high water washed away the foot-logs across the creeks. Hunting Creek was reported to have risen ten or fifteen feet. In October the pastor, assisted by the Rev. F. F. Hagen, held a series of ser- vices which were well attended and blessed to many souls.
1860 .- January I. At II A.M. there was preaching, followed by a lovefeast and the Holy Communion, "as usual," the Diary. says, but when it became usual to have the Holy Communion on New Year's Day is not known. Up to 1839 there was preach- ing in the morning and a lovefeast and meeting of the Congrega- tion Council in the afternoon.
April 5 (Maundy Thursday). The reading-lesson for the day was followed by a lovefeast and the Holy Communion, as usual previously and until 1868, when, by a resolution of the Com- mittee, the lovefeast and Communion were transferred to Good Friday, the reason stated being that "we observe the Lord's Supper in remembrance of the death of Jesus, and not of the in- stitution of the sacrament."
May 17 (Ascension Day). At 10 A.M. there was preaching and in the evening prayer-meeting.
May 28 (Whit-Monday). At 9 A.M. the Congregation Coun- cil met and elected the brethren James Creager, Bernard Colli- flower, John Siess and Jacob Gernand as the Committee, and B. Colliflower, Israel Boller, James Weller and Michael Colli- flower as Sextons. James Weller was to bake the lovefeast cakes.
Until 1843, and probably some years later, generally in Au- gust or September, four brethren were elected by the Congre- gation Council as the Committee of the congregation for two years, and the three brethren who had the highest number of votes were the Trustees ; but no mention is made of Elders, the entire Committee acting as such. In some year between 1843 and 1854, perhaps, after the General Synod of 1848, or the Pro- vincial Synod of 1849, which introduced various changes in the constitution of the American Province, the term of office of the Committee was changed to one year, and the time for holding the election to Whit-Monday; but as there are no Minutes of Congregation Council on hand for the years 1844-1853, the pre-
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cise year in which the change was made cannot be stated. From 1854-1860 four brethren were elected annually on Whit-Monday as the Committee and four as Sextons. From 1860-1865 four brethren were elected annually as Trustees and four as Sextons. In the Minutes of Congregation Council for Whit-Monday, 1874, the name Committee is changed to "The Board of Elders and Trustees," four brethren being elected as such, and four as Sex- tons. As there are no Minutes of Congregation Council on hand for the years 1874-1889, it is uncertain when the present ar- rangement of separate Boards of Elders and Trustees was intro- duced. It appears first in the Minutes of the election held May 21, 1890, but may have existed before that date.
August 25. The Sunday School had a feast-day. Religious exercises began at 10 A.M., consisting of singing, prayer, and addresses to the children, teachers and parents, after which su- gar-cake and coffee were served to the children, and a collec- tion was taken up which more than covered the cost of the love- feast. Afterwards the children enjoyed themselves in various ways on the large church-lawn.
October 4-13. Bro. Bachman held prayer and inquiry meet- ings every evening with good attendance and interest. The con- gregation festival was celebrated on Sunday, the 7th.
October 14. Congregation Council agreed to furnish oats for the minister's horse, each farmer one bushel, and the rest of the male members to cut the firewood gratis. At the close of 1860 the congregation numbered 227 members.
1861 .- January 4 (Friday). The President of the United States having appointed this day as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, there was preaching in the morning (Text, Jonah 3 :9), and in the evening on 2 Cor. I :22.
January 6-13. The Week of Prayer proposed by the Evan- gelical Alliance and recommended by our Provincial Elders' Conference as most worthy of our observance, was observed for the first time with preaching every evening.
May 9 (Ascension Day). Congregation Council elected John Siess, Jacob Gernand, Bernard Colliflower and James Creager as Trustees, and Frederick Stauffer, James Weller, B. Colli- flower and Michael Colliflower as Sextons. The election was
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held on this day instead of Whit-Monday as the Provincial Sy- nod was to convene at Lititz on Monday the 22d. Bro. Jacob Gernand was the delegate from Graceham.
June 14. Bro. Bachman having accepted a call to Hope, Ind., the Rev. Eugene P. Greider arrived as his successor. In addi- tion to his work at Graceham, Bro. Bachman had preached stat- edly at the Centre School-house, and sometimes in the moun- tains at George Eyler's.
June 16 (Sunday). Bro. Greider preached his introductory sermon, and made a few remarks on the importance of duly ob- serving our principles and discipline, in order to be a true con- gregation of Jesus.
June 17. In a meeting of the Committee it was agreed to re- quest all who had not yet signed our rules and regulations to do so, and this to be done in the usual Congregation Council meet- ings.
July 22. Several young brethren desiring to form a trom- bone choir asked the Committee whether it would be allowable to have persons not members of the congregation in said choir. Committee resolved that such a choir should, if possible, con- sist of our own young men.
September 21. The Sunday School enjoyed a picnic "in the woods near our town." Several addresses were delivered, after which dinners were eaten in family groups, many parents and friends being present.
September 26. This being a national prayer-day, Bro. Greider preached in the morning on the cause of the war, the danger of sectional hatred, national pride, love of money, abuse of free- dom, and showed how a reformation may be effected by the Lord (Text, Isa. 26:9, etc.).
September 29. Bro. Greider rode to Eyler's Valley in the af- ternoon, and preached to a good audience.
October 13. Bro. Greider preached a German sermon at Graceham in the afternoon.
December I (Sunday). A coal stove recently purchased for the church was used for the first time, and the church was com- fortably warm.
December 26. A Sunday School Exhibition was held at 10 A.M. A Christmas dialogue was spoken by twenty-six children,
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besides which there were three other dialogues, seventeen reci- tations and ten songs, etc. A collection amounting to $8.81 was taken up. At the close of this year the number of members was 216, eleven less than the previous year, owing to removals, deaths, etc.
1862 .- January 5-12. The annual Week of Prayer was ob- served. The Sunday School was re-organized and Teachers' meetings introduced. A new library was purchased, and Bro. Bernard Colliflower was elected Librarian.
April 6. Congregation Council agreed that lining out the hymns should be discontinued after Easter. The early Easter morning service to be held at sunrise.
June 9 (Whit-Monday). Congregation Council elected John Boller, Bernard Colliflower, James Creager and Frederick Stauf- fer as Trustees, and Fred. Stauffer, B. Colliflower, James Weller and James Creager as Sextons.
July 14. In a meeting of the Committee it was resolved to order twenty-five hymn-books from the Moravian Book Store. Also, to express to the Provincial Elders' Conference the desire to have one of their number pay us a visit between this date and fall.
August 23-28. The Rev. F. F. Hagen, a member of the Pro- vincial Elders' Conference, visited the congregation. Services were held daily and deep interest manifested. Nearly all the members were visited and prayed with in their houses.
September 7 (Sunday). The Diary says: "Yesterday morn- ing we received the intelligence that the Confederates had in- vaded Maryland and were marching on to Frederick City. Dur- ing the day the sick and wounded quartered there were moved to Pennsylvania through Mechanicstown. All are in great ex- citement, fearing that they will impress union men into the ser- vice. We here in Graceham became very uneasy, and towards evening a party of eighteen men concluded to leave for Penn- sylvania. We started at 6 o'clock on horseback and in buggies for Taneytown, where we remained during the night. This morning the whole party returned to their homes. We since then have heard that they will impress no one, but leave all citi- zens unmolested. This hasty move on our part prevented the Sunday School meeting as also the public service. This being
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the married people's festival, we had the lovefeast at 2 P.M. and enjoyed a pleasant meeting.
September 12. "This evening 300 Confederate cavalry passed through Graceham.
September 13. "Some more passed through this morning. Seven of them breakfasted in the parsonage. This evening 2000 Union cavalry passed through Mechanicstown.
September 14 (Sunday). "A very excitable Sabbath. Fight- ing going on below Frederick. ('Battle of South Mountain.') Few in church. Sunday School small. Preached on Josh. 24:15. A report that a large body of infantry would march through Mechanicstown took everybody out to see them. All were dis- appointed and desecrated the Sabbath besides. A young sol- dier from Philadelphia attended both services today.
September 17. "A time of war, and all minds are filled with apprehension and alarm. Persons who have visited the battle- field describe the scenes as heart-rending.
September 19. "Teachers' meeting is held regularly on this (Friday) evening. Male teachers dilatory. The war excitement does not affect the female attendance at church.
October 12 (Sunday). "Congregation Anniversary. Sunday School well attended. A full house in public service. Our dis- tant members were with us today. A young brother, Fahs, a soldier in the army and a member of the Bethlehem congrega- tion, was present. Lovefeast and Communion. A number were present in the Communion as spectators."
November 30. Bro. James Weller, one of the Sextons, having been drafted into the army, the Congregation Council elected Michael Colliflower in his stead by acclamation. The usual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services were held, and on the 26th the Sunday School Anniversary, as also the New Year Eve services on the 31st. At the close of 1862 the number of members was 201.
1863 .- January 25. Congregation Council agreed to appoint a fire-maker. A memorial, praying for preaching on Sunday morning once in four weeks, at Mechanicstown, signed by fifteen members, was presented to Council, and the request was granted.
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February 2. The Committee agreed to pay $6 per annum for making the fire in the church.
February 15. According to the decision of Congregation Council Bro. Greider preached at Mechanicstown in the Acad- emy (now the I. O. O. F. building).
March 2. No one being willing to make the fire in the church for $6 per annum, the matter was dropped, winter being nearly over.
April 12. Bro. Greider preached in the Methodist church at Mechanicstown.
April 19 (Sunday). "Bro. James Weller was with us today. In the evening meeting he was commended to the care and pro- tection of our Almighty Saviour by the singing of a few appro- priate verses."
April 30. The President's proclamation having appointed this as a national fast-day, there was service in the church morning and evening.
May 14. Ascension Day ; service morning and evening.
May 17. "Quite a stir was created in our community the past week by the laying off of a railroad track to run near our town. The Western Maryland Railroad from'Baltimore to Hagers- town." (The road was built in 1867, after the Congregation Council had granted the right of way through the church land.)
May 24. "Bro. Edw. Gernand from the army spent the day with us. In the evening service he was remembered in the prayer, and the congregation commended him to the care and protec- tion of our almighty Saviour by singing appropriate verses."
May 25 (Whit-Monday). Congregation Council elected Ber- nard Colliflower, John Boller, James Creager, Fred Stauffer as Trustees, and Fred. Stauffer, B. Colliflower, M. Colliflower, Jas. Creager as Sextons. A charge was, as usual, delivered to these officers and the congregation by the minister.
June 21 (Sunday). "Considerable excitement during the day. The Confederates are reported massing themselves about Boonsboro, etc. A number of horses were taken through. This being the longest day week-day evening services are discon- tinued for a short season.
June 29. "About noon some 30,000 Union soldiers passed through to Emmitsburg above and below us. We went down the road to see them.
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July I. "Some regulars passed through town to Emmitsburg.
July 2. "Heavy firing in the direction of Gettysburg. Union and Confederate soldiers in conflict. The community kept in great suspense and anxiety.
July 5 (Sunday). "Early this morning received word that John Willman had been killed and would be buried this morn- ing. No Sunday School. Started for Mechanicstown, but was induced to return before reaching the place by a report that the Confederates were in town and had taken possession. Later we heard that only a few cavalry came in. The force encamped at Landisville (Franklinville) and left through Harbaugh's Val- ley.
July 19 (Sunday). "Preached on the security of the church and country, and rendered, in obedience to the call of our Gov- ernor, a public acknowledgment of thanks for our deliverance from the calamity of Confederate invasion.
November 29. "Congregation Council resolved, subject to the decision of the Conference, that persons who are not mem- bers of the church but contribute to its support, shall be entitled to free burial on our grave-yard." As the Conference gave its consent, it was resolved to embody this action in the External Regulations, and to publish it from the pulpit.
December 24 (Christmas Eve). The church was filled to over- flowing. Some new pieces which had been ordered from Bethle- hem were sung by the choir.
At the close of this year the total membership was 196.
1864 .- February 28 (Sunday). In the afternoon Bro. Greider preached at Witherow's School-house for the first time, and had a full house.
March 20. A circular from the Provincial Elders' Conference calling upon the congregation to elect a delegate to the Provin- cial Synod to meet at Bethlehem on Wednesday, May 25, was read in a meeting of the Congregation Council.
April 17. It was agreed to send no delegate, but deputize the minister to look to the interests of the congregation.
May 13. A "Memorial" to the Synod from this congregation was read in a meeting of the Committee.
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May 16. Congregation Council elected B. Colliflower, James Creager, George Hesser and James Weller as Trustees, and John Colliflower, B. Colliflower, Israel Boller and James Weller as Sextons.
May 23. Bro. Greider left for the Synod at Bethlehem.
May 31. Bro. Greider left Bethlehem, hurrying home before the close of Synod, on account of his being drafted for the army. He could not apply for exemption before June 10th.
July 3. "There was a report in town that the Confederates were crossing at Hagerstown.
July 4 and 5. "Still rumors that the Confederates are again in Maryland.
July 9. "The reports have become realities. Confederates are stealing horses and plundering stores, and today made their ap- pearance at Lewistown and Creagerstown, where they robbed the store-keepers and took horses."*
July 10. "Great excitement. No male teachers in the Sunday School. Only four men with the sexton and organist in church.
July 15. "The past week was one of great excitement. The country was wild with rumors and exaggerated reports. The Confederates passed on towards Baltimore and Washington in the beginning of the week, and now it is reported they are again retreating.
July 16. "The Confederates have again left Maryland.
August 4. "This day was observed as a day of fasting and prayer according to the President's proclamation."
August 15. "The Committee agreeing that it is important that our rules and regulations be read annually, resolved that this be done on the congregation festival day, in the hour ap- pointed for public preaching. This shall be done to draw the attention of the members more closely to observe the rules of the Church." Total membership at the close of this year, 204.
1865 .- March 5. "Five of the members of this congregation having enlisted in the military service of the government, in the meeting this evening Psalm 91 was read, and verse II com- mented on. Hymns were sung expressive of our prayers for
*On this day the battle of Manocacy was fought, not far from Frederick, by which the march of the Confederate army was intercepted, and Wash- ington was saved from an attack.
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the welfare of these brethren, and prayers were offered. The following members are now soldiers and ask for our prayers : George Siess, Edward Gernand, James Weller, Benjamin Bol- ler, Michael Colliflower, Eugene Gernand and Jago Colliflower ; also Jacob Shown and Charles Boller, whose relatives are mem- bers. Nine in all. Congregation Council today elected Bro. Wesley Delaplane as a Trustee and Sexton, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Bro. James Weller, owing to his having enlisted.
April 16 (Easter Sunday). "Some remarks were made in the morning service touching the assassination of the President, which mournful intelligence reached us yesterday from Fred- erick.
April 19. "The congregation met at 12 o'clock to solemnize the death of the President. A discourse was delivered and a biography was read. The bell was tolled from II to 12 o'clock. Two flags in mourning were suspended over the street, here at the church and up town.
April 30. "We now have five flags in mourning in the town."
May 25 (Ascension Day). Public service morning and even- ing.
June I. A National Fast Day. Public service in the morning.
June 4 (Whit-Sunday). "The brethren who enlisted in March are now discharged from service and returned home this morn- ing. Several of them were in church."
June 5 (Whit-Monday). Congregation Council met and elected James Creager, B. Colliflower, Wesley Delaplane and Geo. Hesser as Trustees, and John T. Colliflower, B. Colliflower, Israel Boller and Wesley Delaplane as Sextons.
June 15. As there was difficulty in procuring a cake-baker, Congregation Council resolved, by a majority of one, to abolish lovefeasts. Israel Boller having declined to act as Sexton, Fred. Stauffer was elected in his place.
July 12. As the lovefeasts had been temporarily discontinued, the Committee agreed to continue the Communion Lovefeast, and take up a collection of three cents each, to defray Commu- nion expenses. The Committee spoke of congregational sleepi- ness and inactivity and a want of unity of spirit in our midst. It was also hinted that the abolition of lovefeasts would hardly
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strengthen the bond of union, and that the retention of the meeting might be an advantage.
August 7. The Committee spoke of the expediency of again holding the lovefeasts, owing to dissatisfaction among the mem- bers.
August 27. In view of the dissatisfaction produced by the action of Council held June 18, Congregation Council met, and Bro. Creager moved to re-consider the former question. A vote was taken by ballot, and 34 votes being cast, 29 were in favor of holding lovefeasts. Sr. Rachel Meffert having consented to bake the cakes, she was unanimously chosen.
October 2. In a meeting of the Committee a subscription to- wards procuring hymn-books for general use in the church was started. Agreed to have service every evening while the visiting brethren are here. Some one will bring them from Gettysburg.
October 8 (Sunday). Congregation Festival. Bishop David Bigler, pastor of the Lancaster congregation, visited among us for five days, and edified the congregation greatly by his excel- lent words of gospel news. Had meeting on Saturday evening. On Sunday morning had Sunday School, preaching, lovefeast and communion. In the evening Bro. Greider was ordained a Presbyter by Bishop Bigler. Had preaching Monday morning and evening, and on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Bishop Bigler returned home on Thursday, Bro. Hesser taking him to Gettysburg. At the close of 1865 the membership was 193.
1866 .- January 6. A petition praying the Legislature of Maryland to pass an Act prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in Mechanicstown District was handed to Bro. Greider for his signature.
February II. A new library was introduced in the Sunday School. Also new music books and the "Child's Paper."
May 21 (Whit-Monday). Congregation Council elected B. Colliflower, James Creager, George Hesser and James Weller as the Committee, and John Colliflower, B. Colliflower, James Weller and Fred. Stauffer as Sextons.
July I. Congregation Council started a subscription for a new lightning-rod on the church.
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December 24. "The decorations were finished this afternoon. We also put up two Christmas-trees, and placed thirteen wax tapers in a pyramidal form on each tree. Wax tapers were handed to the children at the close."
December 25. Preaching in the morning. In the evening the Sunday School celebrated their Anniversary. Bro. Creager ad- dressed the school. Fifteen dollars' worth of books were dis- tributed among the children. The Christmas-tree illumination took place at the close, and all were much pleased.
1867 .- January 6. The Sunday School was re-organized and some new teachers were introduced. Forty-two scholars were present. Fifty-six "Messengers" and forty "Child's Papers" were distributed.
January 6-13. The Week of Prayer was observed. A number of brethren took part in public prayer each evening.
January 14. The Committee spoke of remodeling the church, so as to make it warmer and more convenient.
January 20. Congregation Council appointed the brethren Simon Weller, James Creager, Isaac Weller, Elias Siess and Wesley Delaplane a committee to make an estimate of the prob- able cost of the alteration in the church.
February 10. The committee reported that the alteration would cost $185. Council agreed not to have the change made, as the advantage gained would be too small to justify the outlay. Decided to procure two cast iron stoves with pipe at the prob- able cost of $60, and endeavor to sell the present stove for $10. Over $30 was subscribed at once, and Elias Siess, James Creager and Wesley Delaplane were appointed to collect for, buy and put up the stoves as soon as possible.
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