USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 12
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The corner-stone of the church was laid on Tuesday the 12th of May, 1846, at 2 o'clock, P.M. Rev. Messrs. Knight and Shull were present and officiated on the occasion. The church was consecrated to the service of God on Whit-Sunday the 23d of May, 1847, as The Union Church of Newport. Rev. Messrs. Knight, Weaver and Shull participated in the exercises of this occasion. The church-edifice is a frame structure, forty-two by forty-six feet in size, surmounted by a steeple and bell. It has one end gallery and the internal arrangement is convenient and judicious. The cost of the church was about twelve hundred dollars.
Having been instructed for some time in the Catechism, on the 24th of October, 1847, the following persons were confirmed :
Miss Catharine Leiby, Miss Margaret Fickes,
" Catharine Smith,
" Lavina Smith,
Leah Smith, Mrs. Mary Troup (baptized).
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CHAPTER II.
Having served the congregation as pastor about three years and a half, Rev. Knight resigned in June, 1849, and was succeeded, on the 1st of July following, by the
Rev. Jacob Martin,
who served this congregation in connection with Bloomfield, preaching here regularly once every three weeks. In a letter, Rev. Martin says : "During my pastorship of the Bloomfield charge, I confirmed between 125 and 150 persons. Their names and the time when they were confirmed, I am not able to give." The congregation had as yet no church-record book. After con- siderable inquiry we found that on the 20th of April, 1851, the following persons were confirmed :
Jacob A. Wolf,
Michael Smith,
Martin Ziegler,
Christian Martin,
Jacob E. Ziegler,
Andrew Moses,
Daniel Reider,
Miss Rebecca E. Loy,
Robert Taylor,
Barbara Super,
Frederick B. Kohler,
" Margaret Leiby,
William Wilson,
" Julian Smith,
Benjamin Wilson,
Barbara Smith,
Henry Asper,
Margaret Horting,
Stephen B. Holly,
" Elizabeth Horting,
Christian Long, Jr.,
Mrs. Mary Ann Smith,
Charles Grubb,
" "Susan Martin,
Isaac Grubb,
" Eliz. Holly, by certificate.
Having collected and instructed another class of catechumens, on the 26th of October, 1851, Rev. Martin confirmed the follow- ing persons :
Mrs. Harriet Tate,
Rebecca Crist,
Mary E. Ziegler (baptized),
" Rachel E. Heims
Miss Mary Ann Wolf
Miss Caroline Loy,
Barbara Asper,
" Mary Eliz. Ziegler,
" Catharine Yohn,
" Eve Bowers.
14*
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
At this place the pastoral labors of Rev. Martin were signally blessed by the Lord. Through his instrumentality many souls were made savingly acquainted with Jesus as their Savior, and with gratitude to God they dwell on the name of their former pas- tor. To the sincere regret of this congregation, Rev. Martin re- signed on the 1st of April, 1852, having served it about two years and nine months. The
Rev. William Gerhardt
took charge of the congregation in June of the same year, and served it in connection with Bloomfield. He preached here once every three weeks, alternately in the forenoon and afternoon. A church-record book was now bought, and hereafter entries were regularly made of baptisms, confirmations, deaths, &c.
On the 26th of September, 1852, Mr. George M. Miller and his wife Catharinc, and in March, 1853, Mr. Francis M. Mickey and his wife Elizabeth, and Mr. George Mickey and his wife Mary, were received by certificate as members of this congregation.
After having been faithfully instructed in the doctrines of our holy religion, on the 22d of April, 1853, the following persons were confirmed :
Jacob M. Miller,
Miss Catharine Clouser,
Henry Miller,
" Sarah Ann Horting,
Miss Ann Jane Wilson,
" Rebecca Cath. Horting.
Having served the charge about one year, Rev. Gerhardt re- signed in June, 1853. The charge was now vacant about eight months. A call was then extended to the
Rev. Adam Height,
and accepted by him. He entered on his pastoral labors in the charge on the 1st of March, 1854. Here he preached once every three weeks. He instructed also a class of catechumens ; but be- fore they were confirmed, and for reasons not necessary to record here, having preached for about seven months, in September, 1854, he ceased his ministry.
The congregation then requested Rev. J. Martin to confirm the
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CHAPTER II.
persons who had been instructed by Mr. Height. With this re- quest Rev. Martin complied, and on the 10th of December, 1854, the following persons were confirmed :
Harrison A. Kepner, Miss Mary Jane Kepner,
George M. Miller,
" Catharine A. Smith,
John Fleisher,
" Elizabeth Super.
At the same time Rev. Martin held the communion, and preached a series of sermons for the congregation. The charge was again vacant about eight months. Having accepted a call from the Bloomfield charge, the
Rev. David H. Focht
commenced his pastoral labors in the charge on the 1st of June, 1855, and preached his introductory sermon at Newport on the 10th of June, from Col. 1 : 28.
A protracted meeting was commenced here on the 22d of Janu- ary, 1856, and closed on the evening of the 31st of the same month. During this time some thirty persons professed to have found peace to their souls by the exercise of repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Of these, some were members of the Church, some belonged to other denominations, and some were catechumens. Every day the catechumens and anxious persons were met for prayer and instruction, and every evening there was preaching. To God be given all the praise and glory for this display of his abounding and saving grace !
On the 6th of March, 1856, Mr. George Dunbar was admitted to membership by baptism, and as the result of the above meet- ing, on the 19th of April following, Mrs. Mary Ann Smith and Mrs. Sarah Tinney were received by certificate, and the following persons were confirmed :
John Horting, George A. Smith,
Peter Brown (baptized),
Mrs. Magdalene Horting,
" Martha Ann Armstrong,
Miss Mary Jane Zigler (baptized),
Miss Julian Zigler (baptized),
" Margaret Jane Zinn,
" Maria Hunter,
Mary Jane Asper,
" Ameline Hertzel,
" Ann Clouser.
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Soon after his baptism, George Dunbar fell asleep in the arms of death in the sure hope of heaven.
" Great God ! on what a slender thread Hang everlasting things ! Th' eternal states of all the dead Upon life's feeble strings."
On the 15th of November, 1856, Miss Sophia Singer was re- ceived by certificate, and the following persons were confirmed :
J. Don L. Gantt, Esq. (baptized), Miss Martha Clouser. Miss Amanda Jane Wolf,
One of the above young females has since gone to her grave. May the rest be also ready to depart !
"Peaceful be thy silent slumber- Peaceful in the grave so low : Thou no more wilt join our number ; Thou no more our songs shalt know."
On Saturday, the 2d of May, 1857, Mrs. Isabella Musser was received by certificate as a member, and the following persons were confirmed :
Abraham K. Long (baptized), Miss Ann Maria Smith,
Daniel L. Zigler 66 " Martha Jane Smith.
Jacob Super,
Since their confirmation, the last named of the above class has been removed from time to eternity.
"'Tis well when Jesus calls, From earth and sin, arise, Join with the hosts of virgin souls, Made to salvation wise."
On Saturday, the 7th of November, 1857, after having been instructed in the Catechism in the doctrines of our Christian reli- gion, the following persons were confirmed :
Jacob Fleisher, Miss Margaret R. Smith,
Miss Catharine Fleisher, Mrs. Jennie D. Smith.
" Mary Smith,
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CHAPTER II.
" Let thoughtless thousands choose the road That leads the soul away from God ; This happiness, dear Lord, be mine, To live and die entirely thine."
On the 24th of April, 1858, Mrs. Mary Harman, and on the 26th of March, 1859, Mrs. Sarah Crist, were received by certifi- cate. At the latter date, Mrs. Martha Ann Wilson was received as a member by the sacrament of baptism. May the great Head of the Church richly bless these members !
In the fall of 1859, an unusual degree of religious interest was clearly seen among the people of God in particular, and in the community at Newport in general. A class of catechumens was formed and instructed for some time. A meeting was held in De- cember, when many souls were awakened, and, as we humbly trust, truly converted to God. On Saturday, the 10th of De- cember, 1859, Mr. Joseph Anderson was received by certificate, and the following persons were confirmed :
Peter K. Lehr, Benjamin F. Clouser,
Miss Joanna Hunter,
" Eliz. Jane Smith,
James Smith,
" Margaret Smith.
Miss Nancy Clouser,
" Stand fast upon the solid rock Of the Redeemer's righteousness : Adorn the Gospel with your lives, And practice what your lips profess."
Immediately after the above persons were confirmed, a large number of others were found willing to attend the lectures of the pastor on the Catechism. They were regularly instructed. The awakening deepened and extended until it became quite general. Never, perhaps, was there such a wide-spread and genuine work of divine grace at Newport before. In February, 1861, a meet- ing was commenced, which lasted about two weeks. On this oc- casion the pastor was some time assisted by the Rev. P. M. Right- myer. Many souls were awakened by the truth, and directed to Jesus as their only Savior from sin and death eternal. We would do violence to the truth, and the sincere promptings of our own
166
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
heart, were we not to refer in this way to a work so precious and gracious, so full of glory and power divine, and long may we praise and bless the Lord for a favor so distinguished and full of love and mercy to poor sinners ! We will not attempt to describe the awfully solemn, deep, and moving scene. The sigh of the penitent, the tears of sorrow and joy, the melting prayer, and the sweet song of praise to God,-all, all tended to make it a holy place and good to be there. To God alone belongs and be given all the honor and glory !
On Saturday, the 3d of March, 1860, Mr. Philip Zigler and his wife Ann Eliza were received by certificate, and the following persons by baptism and confirmation :
John Wertz,
Miss Eliz. Harper (baptized),
George W. Wolf,
" Julian Horting, "
George Wilson,
" Sarah J. Horting, "
John H. Horting,
Adaline Horting, "
Amos K. Smith,
Mary Jane Smith,
Edward H. Mehrle,
Mary Jane Horting,
Henry Fleisher,
Emeline Horting,
George W. Eckard,
" Elizabeth Kraft,
Joshua Sweger,
Sarah Kraft,
Samuel Fravel,
" Levina Hunter,
Nathan Newkirk (baptized),
Miss Sarah Clouser,
" Lydia Clouser, "
" Asenath Clouser, "
" Eliza Jane Wertz.
" Nydia Super,
Rachel Hunter,
" Lydia Ann Super,
Mary Ann Fleisher,
" Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thy help I've come, And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
" Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wand'ring from the fold of God ; He, to save my soul from danger, Interpos'd his precious blood."
On Sunday, the 4th of March, the whole number of members
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CHAPTER II.
who communed was one hundred and twenty-three ; also sixty- three, who were not members of this congregation, communed ; thus at this time the whole number of communicants was one hundred and eighty-six. On account of sickness and other causes, about ten members were absent.
On the 10th of November, 1860, Mrs. Martha Mahaffey.and Thomas and Alexander Mahaffey were, by certificate, received as members of this congregation, which numbers at this time (1862) about one hundred and thirty-five members. During the seven years the present pastor has had this congregation in charge, seventy-nine members were added to it by confirmation and certi- ficate.
There is connected with the congregation a well-conducted and flourishing Sunday-school. The weekly prayer-meeting is regu- larly kept up, and is generally well attended. The members gene- rally supply themselves with the literature of the Church, and their piety is consistent and intelligent. Their annual contribu- tions to the various causes of benevolence in the Church are libe- ral, owing, doubtless, to their knowledge of the wants of the Church, derived from the reading of the Lutheran Observer.
Owing to the largeness of the charge, no pastor has been able to preach here oftener than once every three weeks. This is to be regretted very much. The congregation ought to have preaching at least once every two weeks, and if possible every Sabbath. We sincerely hope that, before long, some arrangements will be made to secure this much-needed and desired end.
On the 22d of March, 1862, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson and Mrs. Jemima Fleisher were received as members by certificate, and at the same time Peter Wolf, his wife Susan (baptized), Miss Le- vina Huggins, and Miss Mary Ann Ackley were received by con- firmation. Dear friends, be faithful to the end, and you shall receive the crown of life.
Since the organization of the congregation on the 14th of Ja- nuary, 1844, the following brethren have at different times served as its officers :
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Elders.
Daniel Reider, Sr., .
from Jan. 1844 to 1846.
Benjamin Horting,
·
1846 to 1855.
John Wilson,
. 1855 yet in office.
Jacob A. Wolf,
1857
Deacons.
Godfrey Lenig,
·
from Jan. 1844 to 1846.
Henry D. Smith,
.
" 1844 to 1846.
John Wilson,
.
1846 to 1849.
Jacob C. Smith,
1846 to 1849.
Michael Smith,
1849 to 1852.
Abraham Horting, . 66
1849 to 1857.
Henry D. Smith, .
1852 to 1857.
Stephen B. Holly, .
1857 to 1858.
Michael Smith,
1857 to 1859.
Henry L. Smith,
1857 to 1860.
George Fleisher,
1858 to 1861.
John Horting,
.
1859 yet in office.
Peter Brown,
¥
1860
66
John Fleisher,
.
Trustees.
Jacob Loy, ·
. from 1845 to 1857.
Christian Long, Sr.,
·
1857 yet in office.
Treasurers.
Daniel Reider,
· from 1857 to 1861.
Christian Long, Sr.,
·
1861 yet in office.
.
1861
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CHAPTER II.
SECTION V.
LUTHERAN CONGREGATION AT MANSVILLE, CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
Mansville is a small village of recent origin, in Centre Town- ship, about six miles west of Bloomfield, on the main road lead- ing from Bloomfield to Ickesburg. At and in the vicinity of Mansville a number of Lutheran families settled at the close of the last century and the beginning of the present, and their number has been gradually increasing ever since. They at- tended preaching at that time at Loysville and Bloomfield ; after- wards some attended at St. Andrew's (Shuman's), and still later some went to St. John's (Bealor's), some to Ludolph's (Germany), and others continued their membership at Bloomfield. But as they had far to go to any and all of these places, they remained scattered and in some measure destitute of the means of grace. Some of the more aged members and heads of families were clearly convinced of the necessity of preaching in their midst, not only for the sake of convenience, but especially for the sake of the rising generation. Hence, some of the members re- quested the
Rev. D. H. Focht,
pastor of the Bloomfield charge, to visit them, and at his conve- nience preach an occasional sermon for them. With his consent an appointment was accordingly announced, and he preached for the first time at what is generally known as Markel's School- house (not the new, but the old school-house, now used as a pri- vate dwelling), about one mile southeast of Mansville, on Satur- day evening, the 19th of January, 1856, in the German and English languages, from Rev. 3 : 20. The attendance and atten- tion were encouraging. Another appointment was made, and he preached the second time at the same place on Sunday afternoon, the 3d of February, from Matt. 6 : 33. After this, he preached regularly at this place once every three weeks on Sunday afternoon
15
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
till June following, when the congregation was regularly organized in the new school-house shortly before erected at Mansville.
Much encouraged by these pastoral visits, and desirous to be regularly organized in a congregation in order to secure the stated preaching of the Gospel, the members appointed Messrs. John A. Fisher and George W. Swartz a committee to meet the differ- ent church-councils of the Bloomfield charge, at their Annual Convention at Bloomfield, on Saturday, the 26th of April, 1856, to request of said church-councils to be received in connection with said charge as soon as the Mansville congregation should be organized. At the above time those two brethren met the church-councils in convention, when they made their request. After considerable consultation on motion, it was unanimously
" Resolved, That the Lutheran congregation, soon to be orga- nized at Mansville, be admitted as part of the Bloomfield charge, and that our pastor may preach there whenever and as often as he finds it convenient and has ability to do so; Provided, how- ever, that such arrangement does not interfere with our regular appointments."
In accordance with this resolution, the pastor of the Bloomfield charge agreed to preach for the congregation at Mansville, after its organization on the 7th of June following. He engaged to preach for the congregation once every three weeks, his pastoral year to commence on the 1st of June.
On Saturday, the 7th of June, 1856, at 2 o'clock, P.M., the congregation assembled at Mansville at the new school-house, built and owned by Mr. John Bowers, when and where the pastor preached a sermon from Matt. 28 : 19, 20. After the sermon was delivered, the following declaration was read and subscribed by the members :
" We, the undersigned, now regular members of good standing in the different neighboring Lutheran congregations, living at and in the vicinity of Mansville, Centre Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania, feeling deeply the necessity of having the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ preached statedly among us, of having our children instructed in the doctrines of the Christian religion
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CHAPTER II.
and brought into fellowship with the Church of Christ, and of having the sacraments administered according to the word of God,-and further, having obtained the permission of the Bloom- field charge to organize ourselves into a congregation, and having been admitted as part of said charge, do, on this day, being Sa- turday, the 7th of June, Anno Domini 1856, in reliance on the great Head of the Church, organize ourselves into an Evangelical Lutheran congregation by electing an Elder or Elders and Dea- cons, by adopting the Formula of the General Synod of the Lu- theran Church in the United States as the rule for our govern- ment and discipline, taking the Bible as our only infallible rule of faith and practice, and adhering to the fundamental doctrines of the word of God as they are set forth substantially correct in the Augsburg Confession, and held and taught by the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States. All this we do with a view to the glory of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for our present and eternal good, the good of our children and that of the community at large. Looking to Al- mighty God for his blessing on this our humble and sincere un- dertaking, we hereunto subscribe our names as members of Mans- ville Evangelical Lutheran congregation, praying God that his word may among us have free course, run, and be glorified in the conversion and final salvation of many souls, and that this congre- gation may prove a great blessing to many and be perpetuated from generation to generation till time shall be no more, through Jesus Christ. Amen."
Signed by
Daniel Swartz, Sen.,
John Bowers,
John A. Fisher,
Jonas Lenig, John Burrel,
David Swartz,
John Leppert,
Henry Burkepile,
Barbara Burkepile, Catharine Burkepile,
Sarah Burd,
Jacob Burkepile, Margaret Bowers,
Elizabeth Wentz,
Dr. Paulus Reccius,
Mary Swartz,
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
John Cless, Hannah Burkepile,
Mary Ann Swartz,
Maria Boyd,
John Bupp,
Adam Cless,
John Sweger,
Sophia Cless,
George Jacobs,
Catharine Leppert,
Sarah Cless,
Catharine Reisdorff,
George W. Swartz,
Jacob Burd,
Sophia Swartz,
Catharine Mahaffie,
Elizabeth Bowers,
George Burkepile,
Catharine Fisher,
Ann Burkepile,
Mary Swartz,
Margaret Smith,
Catharine Carl,
Mary Bitner.
Catharine Burrel,
The congregation proceeded then to elect officers. The follow- ing brethren were elected and installed on the same day, viz. :
Daniel Swartz, Sen, Elder. John A. Fisher, for 1 year, { Deacons. Jonas Lenig, for 2 years,
Thus the congregation was regularly organized and constituted. May the Lord prosper it! This (Saturday) evening the pastor preached from Mark 5 : 20. On Sunday, the 8th, at 2 o'clock, P.M., he preached from Exod. 33 : 14, and baptized five infants. After the sermon was preached, the young people, and all others who could attend, were catechized about an hour. A class of catechumens was formed immediately and instructed carefully for about three months. The week previous to their confirmation the pastor instructed them daily and preached in the evening. Found possessed of the requisite doctrinal and spiritual attainments, by a vote of the church-council, on the 30th of August, 1856, the pastor confirmed the following persons :
Jacob Stump, Daniel Swartz, Jr.,
Mrs. Sarah Cless (baptized),
Margaret Stump,
" Matilda Jacobs,
Miss Sarah Cless,
Miss Sophia Swartz,
" Sarah Burrel,
Harriet N. Simonton,
" Catharine Cless,
Catharine Reisdorff.
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CHAPTER II.
" O guide our doubtful feet aright, And keep us in thy ways ; And while we turn our vows to pray'rs, Turn thou our pray'rs to praise."
On Sunday, the 31st, the Lord's Supper was administered here for the first time. The whole number of communicants was fifty- three. The Rev. Conrad Kuhl, then agent for the Illinois State University, assisted the pastor on this interesting occasion.
Only an occasional sermon in the German language is required by this congregation. In a year or two none will be needed in that language. In the spring of 1857, the congregation com- menced a Sunday-school, which has since been kept in regular and successful operation. A weekly prayer-meeting was also started, which has thus far been well attended, and is conducted by the officers of the congregation.
In January, 1858, the pastor commenced instructing another class of catechumens. After a large number of families had been visited and prayed with, it was considered proper to hold a pro- tracted meeting. The best account we can give of the progress of this meeting will be by transcribing from the church-record book the daily entries made at the time, as follows :
"Commenced a protracted meeting at the school-house at Mansville, on Monday evening, the 8th of February, 1858, and closed the meeting on Wednesday evening, the 17th of the same month. During this time the pastor preached nine sermons, catechized, instructed the anxious, and prayed with fifteen fami- lies, viz. :
"February 8th, Monday evening, preached from Rev. 3 : 20. There were five anxious inquirers. Directed them to Christ.
"Feb. 9th, Tuesday, visited and prayed with six families. Preached this evening from Matt. 1 : 21. Ten persons requested to be remembered in the prayers of God's people. They were instructed and prayed for.
"Feb. 10th, Wednesday, visited, instructed and prayed with three families. Catechized at 2 o'clock, P.M., and had anxious
15*
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
meeting. This evening preached from Isa. 55 : 6. Eleven persons asked, ' What must we do to be saved ?'
"Feb. 11th, Thursday, the pastor had to be absent. The officers and leading members conducted the meeting this evening. Twelve awakened souls sought forgiveness by the exercise of re- pentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
"Feb. 12th, Friday evening, preached from Luke 13 :1-9. Thirteen persons were desirous to be prayed for by the people of God and to be directed in the way to peace and life. They were prayed for and directed to Jesus as the only way.
" Feb. 13th, Saturday, visited, prayed with and instructed four families. At 2 o'clock, P.M., had catechization and anxious meet- ing. This evening preached from Luke 15 : 18. Eleven awak- ened souls asked for instruction and to be remembered in the prayers of God's children. The desired instruction was given and the prayers were offered.
" Feb. 14th, Sunday evening, preached from Jer. 6 : 16. Seven persons were led to see their lost condition, and cried out, 'What must we do?' They were directed to 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'
"Feb. 15th, Monday evening, preached from 1 Kings 18 : 21. Six souls, convinced of sin, sought pardon in Jesus' blood.
" Feb. 16th, Tuesday evening, preached from Exod. 32 : 26. Three or four persons were awakened and sought peace.
" Feb. 17th, Wednesday, visited and prayed with two families. At 2 o'clock, P.M., catechized and had anxious meeting. This evening preached from Jer. 8 : 20. There were three seeking souls. The meeting closed.
" As God alone knows the heart of man, so he alone knows the number of those who were truly converted to him during the con- tinuance of this meeting. Time will clearly show the real results of this protracted effort. May all prove faithful to the end ! To God belongs all praise and glory for the good accomplished at this meeting. May he continue to pour out his Holy Spirit abun- dantly, revive his people, confirm the wavering, convert sinners
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