USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 15
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On the 14th of March, 1858, the following persons were ad- mitted to full communion by confirmation :
Thomas Messimer, John Calhoon, Catharine Calhoon.
On the 6th of September, 1858, James Clark and Ann his wife, and Andrew M. Clark, made a deed to Daniel Ernst, William Zimmerman and Samuel Shope, Trustees of St. Paul's Evangelical
202
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Lutheran Church in Madison Township, conveying to said Trus- tees one acre and fifty-nine perches of land, strict measure, for the consideration of sixty dollars. See Record-Book, Letter R., p. 200.
In October, 1858, this congregation and that at Blain withdrew from the Loysville charge, and united in the formation of the Blain charge, and in November following Rev. P. Willard re- signed. The Blain charge, just formed, was vacant about four months. Having received and accepted a call,
Rev. John T. Williams
commenced his pastoral labors in this charge on the 1st of April, 1859. He preaches here once every two weeks, alternately in the German and English languages. After having attended lectures on the Catechism for some time, on the 14th of April, 1860, the following persons were confirmed :
Daniel Garber,
John H. Briner,
Danicl Beistlein,
Anna E. Zimmerman,
Samuel Koon,
Sarah J. Stroup,
John W. Smith,
Catharine M. Koon,
Samuel A. Smith,
Caroline Loy,
Henry Hohenshilt,
Anna E. Roush,
John Roush, Jane E. Beistlein.
Thus fourteen more were added to the membership of this con- gregation. May we not hope that they will be useful in their day, and afterwards be received to glory.
" Lord, we accept, with thankful heart, The hope thy gracious words impart ; We come with trembling, yet rejoice, And bless the kind inviting voice.
" Dear Savior, let thy wondrous love Confirm our faith, our fears remove ; O sweetly influence ev'ry breast, And guide us to eternal rest."
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CHAPTER III.
SECTION III.
EMANUEL CHURCH NEAR ICKESBURG IN SAVILLE TOWNSHIP.
At the beginning of the present century a number of Lutheran families settled in the vicinity where Ickesburg was afterwards located. These all went to church at Loysville, a distance from eight to twelve miles. After the erection of St. Andrew's or Shuman's Church, in 1831, some attended preaching there. The want of a church in their midst was deeply felt. Rev. Heim preached for them occasionally in private dwellings and school- houses. This was however not satisfactory, as the members could not but see the advantage to themselves and their children of having a house of worship and regular preaching in their neigh- borhood. It would seem that Rev. Heim did not encourage them to erect a church, and when it was built he never preached in it. But without the encouragement of any minister, the Lutherans, in union with a sister denomination, were minded to have a church, which they also erected about two miles and a half west of Ickesburg in Saville Township. The following is the heading of the subscription circulated for the purpose of securing aid towards erecting the contemplated church :
"We, the subscribers, promise to pay the sums annexed to our names for the purpose of building a Lutheran and Reformed Church on the land of Henry Hartman, on Buffalo Creek, near McKinley's Mill. July 30th, 1839."
The amount subscribed was encouraging. Messrs. Conrad Rice and Jonathan Swartz were chosen the building committee. The church was erected in the summer of 1840. In the spring of 1841, it was consecrated to the service of God and received the distinctive appellation, Emanuel Church, though itis commonly known as Buffalo or Stone Church. Rev. S. R. Boyer, then pastor of the Lutheran Church at Mifflintown, Juniata County, and Rev. Henry Aurandt of the German Reformed Church, officiated on the occasion of the consecration. It is a rough stone
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
edifice, forty-six by thirty-six feet in size, without gallery; it is entered by one side door and two end doors, and has two aisles, two side rows of pews, and one double block of centre pews.
After the church was erected and dedicated, the Lutherans were in want of a pastor. For reasons not known to the writer, Father Heim did not, and, perhaps on account of his extended charge and the increasing infirmities of age, could not preach for the members here. For about one year, Rev. Boyer preached for them an occasional sermon. The members were not organized into a congregation ; and for want of the regular ministrations of the sanctuary by a minister of their own Church, a number of the principal Lutheran members with their families were induced to unite with the denomination that exclusively occupied the church. Thus, a number of Lutherans were gradually absorbed and drawn into another denomination, under the specious plea that it made no difference to what denomination they belonged. Some of the members were, however, not so pliant nor so easily hoodwinked. They argued very correctly, that if it made no difference to what Church they belonged, they would remain in their own Church. They therefore secured, early in 1847, the visits of the
Rev. Lloyd Knight,
of the Bloomfield charge, who took a deep interest in their spiri- tual welfare and made every proper effort to collect the remaining scattered members into a congregation. Though the church had been built mainly by the Lutherans, yet, strange as it may seem, Rev. Knight was at first scarcely allowed to preach in it, and his efforts to organize a Lutheran congregation were met with strong opposition from those who occupied the church. Here we have a fine illustration of the amiable spirit of union-churchism ! A debt of some hundred dollars still rested on the church, and it was finally agreed that if the Lutherans would pay that debt, they should be entitled to one-half of the property and of the church. This was very generous indeed ! especially so, when they had done most towards erecting it in the beginning. Thus, the advantage to some people of building union-churches becomes strikingly ap-
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CHAPTER III.
parent ! The Lutherans, however, paid that debt, and of course all difficulties had to cease. In the meantime Rev. Knight col- lected and instructed a class of catechumens. The organization of the Lutheran congregation was finally effected, and great suc- cess attended the pastor's labors. As no church-record was then kept, we will transcribe from a letter of Rev. Knight to the writer an account of his pastoral labors here :
"The Ickesburg or Buffalo congregation (Lutheran) was orga- nized by me on Saturday, the 12th of June, 1847, with fifty- three members. The following brethren were elected the Church- Council, viz. :
Benjamin Rice, ~ Elders. John Peck, George Rice, Deacons. John Butturff,
Conrad Rice, Trustee.
" The first communion was held on the 13th of June. Thirty- nine persons gave in their names as members and communicants, besides the following persons, who had on the previous day (the 12th) been received to full communion by the rite of confirma- tion :
Samuel Rice, David B. Kistler,
Elizabeth Rice, Susanna Kistler,
Sarah Rice,
John Rice, John Sanderson, Jonathan Rice,
Catharine A. Heim, Catharine Kochenderfer,
Margaret Butturff, Mary A. Otto,
Sarah Butturff,
Susan Otto.
"The Lord smiled propitiously on the labors of his unworthy servant. The congregation was truly revived, and many of those then added to the Church are now among its most efficient mem- bers. Having attended a course of lectures on the doctrines of our holy Christianity, and being found possessed of the requisite qualifications, on the 14th of May, 1848, the following persons were admitted to full communion by confirmation :
18
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
George Butturff,
John Butturff (baptized),
Samuel Hench,
John M. Evril
John Ickes,
John Hassler 66
Michael Ickes,
Sarah Snyder
Jeremiah Hall,
Sophia Hall,
Robert C. Boden,
Sarah T. Rice,
John Hollenbaugh,
Naney J. Rice,
George F. Fliekinger,
Alice Rice,
Henry S. Saylor,
Ann Delaney,
Samuel Fuller,
Elizabeth Saylor,
Andrew Snyder,
Mary Bringman,
William Yohn,
Elizabeth Saylor,
Robert Matthews,
Margaret Yohn.
" After another year had passed away, a number of persons were found willing to attend lectures on the Catechism, and having re- ceived instruction for some time, on the 13th of May, 1849, the following were confirmed :
Nicholas Hench,
Jacob Bringman,
William Rice,
William Kinzer (baptized),
Adam Rice,
Mary Kinzer,
Daniel Rice,
Catharine J. Hench,
Adam Bitner,
Sarah J. Kepner,
David Bitner,
Mary A. Bitner,
Joseph Saylor,
Susan Fliekinger,
Samuel Duffield,
Elizabeth Fliekinger,
Benjamin Flickinger,
Margaret Keyser.
"I served the congregation a little more than two years. During this time fifty-eight persons were received to full commu- nion by confirmation. This was my favorite, most interesting, and beloved congregation. I resigned in June, 1849.
"Yours, truly, " LLOYD KNIGHT."
Rev. Knight preached here once every three weeks, exclusively
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CHAPTER III.
in the English language, the German not being required by the congregation. In July, 1849, he was succeeded by the
Rev. Jacob Martin,
who had a large charge to supply and many difficulties to over- come. He labored indefatigably, and was highly esteemed by the members of this congregation. Souls were converted under his ministry and the interests of Christ's kingdom were promoted. When he took charge of this congregation, a church-book was bought and regular records of baptisms, confirmations, &c., were made. He preached here once every three weeks, alternately in the forenoon and afternoon. He preached with great energy and unction from on high, and to this day many tell the happy effect his sermons had on them.
Having been for some time diligently instructed in the Cate- chism of the Church, and being found possessed of the requisite spiritual and doctrinal qualifications, on the 27th of April, 1851, the following persons were confirmed :
George H. Hench,
Henry Orris,
David McKenzie,
James Matthews,
Mary A. Rice,
Sarah Cath. Rice,
Elizabeth Rice,
Margaret Rice,
Eliz. Ann Hench,
Susan Bausum.
Having faithfully served the congregation for two years and nine months, Rev. Martin resigned in April, 1852, and was suc- ceeded, in June of the same year, by the
Rev. William Gerhardt,
who met at this church a class of catechumens for some time, but before they were confirmed he resigned the Bloomfield charge in June, 1853, having served it as pastor only one year. The con- gregation and charge were then vacant about eight months. A call was then extended by the charge to the
Rev. Adam Height,
who, having accepted the call, commenced his ministerial labors
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
here on the 1st of March, 1854. He had communion but once at this church, viz., on the 9th of April, 1854, when John Rei- singer was admitted to full communion by confirmation. At this place Rev. Height met also a class of catechumens for some time ; but for reasons not necessary to state, and before they were con- firmed, he ceased to labor as pastor in September, having preached here only about seven months. The disappointment of two classes of catechumens in succession, had an unhappy effect, and is much to be regretted. The charge was then vacant about eight months. During this time the Rev. J. Evans of Newville, Pa., by request, visited the congregation in December, 1854, and preached a number of sermons and administered the Lord's Supper, and the same was also done in May, 1855, by the Rev. L. Knight of Hol- lidaysburg, Pa.
Rev. D. H. Focht
of Chambersburg, Pa., having accepted a call from the Bloomfield charge, entered on the discharge of his ministerial labors in the charge on the 1st of June, 1855, and at this church preached his introductory sermon, on the 3d of June, from Exod. 33 : 14. He preached here once every three weeks, alternately in the fore- noon and afternoon. Having been carefully instructed in the doc- trines of our holy religion, on the 29th of December, 1855, the following persons were confirmed :
George C. Rice, Henry Butturff,
Suwarrow W. Witmer,
Nicholas J. Hench, Francis H. Hench, Mrs. Sophia Weibly,
Samuel Rice, William Rice,
" Sarah Bender,
George Rice,
Miss Jane Mary Rice, " Sophia Orris.
Davidson Miller,
"Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise Employ our daily breath : Thus we're prepar'd for future days, Or fit for early death."
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CHAPTER III.
A year having passed away, a number of persons were found willing to attend lectures on the Catechism. The Lord graciously visited this class in the outpouring of his Holy Spirit. Being duly instructed and accounted worthy of full communion, on the 9th of November, 1856, the following persons were confirmed :
Wesley W. Fuller,
Miss Ann Eliz. Bucher,
William Flickinger,
" Susan J. Crist,
George J. Delancy,
" Susan Rice,
Benj. F. Rice,
" Catharine Rice,
Philip Z. Resinger,
" Mary J. Flickinger,
Jacob Resinger,
" Mary E. Resinger.
"Call'd to bear the Christian name, May our vows and life accord ; And our ev'ry deed proclaim 'Holiness unto the Lord !' "'
On the 4th of April, 1857, Mrs. Hannah Bitner, and William Smith on the 19th of July following, were admitted to full com- munion by confirmation ; also in October, 1857, Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer, and in April, 1859, Miss Hetta Bausum, were received as members by certificate.
As the Loysville charge was weakened by the formation of the Blain charge, application was made by the former for Emanuel Church. As the Bloomfield charge was large and Emanuel Church lay more convenient to Loysville than Bloomfield, it was for the time being and on certain conditions agreed to yield Emanuel Church in favor of Loysville at the expiration of the then pastoral year. Accordingly, after having served the congre- gation four years, the Rev. D. H. Focht preached his valedictory sermon on Sunday, the 22d of May, 1859, from 2 Cor. 13 : 14, and was succeeded on the 1st of June following by the
Rev. G. M. Settlemoyer,
who then served the congregation in connection with the Loysville charge, and preached for it once every two weeks. Rev. Settle- moyer instructed a class of catechumens for some time, and on the 28th of April, 1860, the following were confirmed :
18*
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
John W. Bernheisel,
Miss Elizabeth Hein,
John R. Boden,
Mary E. Hench,
George R. Hall,
" Emerata Rice,
Miss Jane E. Boden,
" Jemima Shaeffer.
On the 30th of March, 1861, the following were received as members by certificate, viz., William Bower, Mrs. Leah Bower, Mrs. Susanna Johnston, and Miss Mary Ellen Bower.
Having served the congregation as pastor for two years, Rev. Settlemoyer resigned on the 1st of June, 1861. The congrega- tion numbers at this time about one hundred and fifteen members. May the Lord soon send this people another shepherd after his own heart !
Immediately after the resignation of Rev. Settlemoyer, the con- gregation dissolved its connection with the Loysville pastorate and united with the Blain charge, and on the 1st of June, 1861, the
Rev. John T. Williams
commenced his pastoral labors here. May his labors be crowned by the blessing of heaven ! and may the dear people of this con- gregation prosper in every Christian virtue and grace ! This is the sincere prayer of their former pastor.
Since the organization of Emanuel congregation, on the 12th of June, 1847, the following brethren have served it as its officers :
Elders.
Benjamin Rice, from June, 1847 to May, 1850.
John Butturff,
1847 to " 1850.
Conrad Rice,
May, 1850 only a short time.
Henry Harman, 66 1850 to March, 1852.
Benjamin Rice,
Aug., 1850 to " 1852.
John Butturff, March, 1852 to May, 1854.
John Sanderson, .
1852 to 1857.
Jacob Reisinger, . Benjamin Rice, 1857 to - -
May, 1854 to 1857.
1859.
John Sanderson, .
1857 to - 1859.
Nicholas Hench, . 1859 yet in office.
Benjamin Rice, .
1859
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CHAPTER III.
Deacons.
George Rice,
from June, 1847 to May, 1850.
John Peck,
1847 to
1850.
Nicholas Hench, .
May, 1850 to March, 1852.
John Sanderson, .
1850 to 1852.
Samuel Rice, .
" March, 1852 to Aug., 1855.
Jeremiah Hall, .
1852 to
1855.
David B. Kistler,
Aug., 1855 to May, 1857.
Moses G. Witmer,
1855 to
1857.
Henry Hall,
" May, 1857 to
- 1859.
Peter Flickinger,
1857 to - 1859.
Jonathan Rice,
1857 to - 1859.
Samuel Rice,
1859 yet in office.
John Peck, ·
1859
Peter Shaeffer, .
1859
Trustee.
Conrad Rice, from June, 1847 yet in office.
SECTION IV.
LUTHERAN CONGREGATION IN HENRY'S VALLEY, JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Until lately this was only a preaching station. As some of the members living in this valley belonged to one of the congrega- tions of the Newville charge in Cumberland County, and some to the congregation at Blain in Perry County, the Rev. J., Evans of Newville, Rev. I. J. Stine, Principal of Loysville Academy, and Rev. P. Willard of Loysville, preached, each, occasionally for them at a school-house. Henry's Valley lies between high moun- tains, is narrow, in the southeast corner of Perry County, Jackson Township, and is not accessible from Newville or Blain but by crossing a high mountain. In this secluded valley a number of
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
pious members of the Church made their homes. They were devoted to the Church, and had for many years themselves regu- larly conducted a prayer-meeting in a school-house. Father Christian Henry, one of the best of Christians, collected the mem- bers for social worship, and led the exercises. Sometimes the members would cross the mountains, a distance from ten to twelve miles, to meet with the people of God in the sanctuary. Did space permit, we might give many interesting facts respecting the unostentatious piety of this people in the mountains.
After the formation of the Blain charge, the members in this valley looked to that charge for the preaching of the Gospel among them. Hence, when in 1859 the
Rev. John T. Williams
took charge of the Blain pastorate, he also visited and preached for the members in Henry's Valley about once every four weeks. By this the members-about forty in the valley-were much en- couraged ; their prayer-meeting was generally well attended, and the prospect of establishing a congregation began to brighten. The subject of organizing a congregation had been agitated for some time. But now the necessity of such a step became ap- parent to all. Therefore, on the 24th of November, 1860, the congregation was organized with twenty-four members (a number of others joined in afterwards) and the following brethren were installed as officers :
Christian Henry,
John Snyder, Elders. Henry Snyder, - Deacons.
Daniel Henry,
Rev. Williams preaches here once every four weeks in a school- house. A suitable house of worship is what the congregation now very much wants. May the Lord bless this little flock !
" Dear Shepherd of thy people, here Thy presence now display ; As thou hast giv'n a place for pray'r, So give them hearts to pray.
·
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CHAPTER II.
" Show them some token of thy love, Their fainting hope to raise ; And pour thy blessings from above, That they may render praise."
SECTION V.
PREACHING STATIONS CONNECTED WITH THE BLAIN CHARGE.
Besides the four organized congregations, Rev. Williams preaches at present also at the following preaching stations con- nected with the Blain charge :
1. At Lupfer's Tannery, in Jackson Township, he preaches once every four weeks in a school-house. The attendance here is good and the prospects encouraging.
2. At Sandy Hill school-house, in Madison Township, he preaches also once every four weeks. At this place the attend- ance on the preaching of the Gospel is good, and good is accom- plished.
3. At New Germantown, four or five miles west of Blain, he preaches once every six weeks.
Thus within the bounds of the Blain charge there is yet much " land to possess." Members of the Church are found scattered everywhere in that section of Sherman's Valley, and also in the minor adjoining valleys, so that at many central points small con- gregations might be organized. But the labor at present required by the Blain charge is more than a man can perform with pleasure to himself or advantage to the people. To remedy this evil, the members must unite in supporting the pastor at Blain, as they are abundantly able if all do their duty, and then the charge may be divided and an additional minister secured. This is the only way all can be adequately supplied with the preached Gospel and the interests of souls and Christ's kingdom promoted. O for more men to reap the harvest !
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
" Jesus, thy wand'ring sheep behold ! See, Lord, in tender mercy, see, Poor souls that cannot find the fold Till sought and gathered in by thee.
" Thou, only thou, the kind and good, The sheep-redeeming Shepherd art ; Collect thy flock, and give them food, And pastors after thine own heart."
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
PETERSBURG CHARGE.
THIS charge was formed in February, 1850, at Bloomfield, by a convention of delegates from the Lutheran congregations in Perry County. See pp. 52-54. A part of what now constitutes the charge was at first missionary ground. Rev. Andrew Berg accepted an invitation in November, 1842, to visit this destitute field. He preached at Petersburg, New Buffalo, Buck's School- house, Liverpool, and perhaps also at some other places, for about six months, that is, from November, 1842, to the middle of June, 1843. In his annual report, in 1843, the President of the West Pennsylvania Synod says : "On the 21st of October, 1842, I re- ceived a letter from Rev. A. Berg, in which he informed me that he designed visiting Petersburg, Liverpool, and other congrega- tions in that region, and requested me to give my consent and advice. I advised him to visit those places, and if possible take charge of them. I promised him, at the same time, towards his support, for the first year, thirty dollars from the legacy in the hands of Synod. But as he resigned this field of labor after having spent in it about six months, I allowed him only fifteen dollars, with which amount he was also satisfied." After the resignation of Rev. Berg, all the congregrations now composing the charge, except Mount Zion on Fishing Creek, were served in connection with Bloomfield until February, 1850, when the charge was regularly constituted.
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
SECTION I.
CHRIST'S (LUTHERAN) CHURCH OF PETERSBURG.
A number of Lutheran families settled at Petersburg and its vicinity soon after the town was located. These had no church of their own nearer than New Buffalo or Fishing Creek, both some five or eight miles off. It was chiefly through the exertions of Dr. Philip Ebert that they secured a pastor. When the West Pennsylvania Synod held its sessions at Bloomfield in September, 1842, he prevailed on Rev. Berg, who at that time received license to preach, to visit Petersburg and the members scattered along the west bank of the Susquehanna as far up as Liverpool. This was the beginning of the forming of the congregation at Petersburg. In November, 1842,
Rev. Andrew Berg
commenced his pastoral labors here. The use of the Methodist Episcopal Church was kindly granted. Here he preached once every four weeks. The use of the German language in preaching was never required by this congregation. Rev. Berg's labors were blessed by the Lord, the scattered members were collected and all took courage. At the close of December, 1842, the con- gregation was regularly organized, when the following brethren were elected and installed as its first officers :
George Keim, Elder. Jonathan Michener, Sen., - Deacons.
Dr. Philip Ebert,
The first communion was held on the 1st of January, 1843, when the following names were recorded as members of the con- gregation :
John Hiltner, Abraham Leady, Eleazer Michener,
Jacob Sidel,
Andrew Hantz, Sarah Hiltner,
Amos A. Jones, Sophia Fie,
Dr. Philip Ebert,
Mary Michener,
Rebecca Kulp, Mary Hantz, Letitia Ebert,
Mary A. Grove,
Mary A. Remirk.
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CHAPTER IV.
The congregation, though small, was now regularly constituted and assumed a more encouraging position. The want of a suitable house of worship was however seriously felt. Rev. Mr. Berg succeeded in collecting a class of catechumens. These he dili- gently instructed for some time, and on the 4th of June, 1843, the following persons were confirmed and admitted to communion :
Aaron Keim,
Cath. Michener,
Edward Miller,
Jon. Michener,
Moriah Keim,
Michael Koup,
Philip Michener,
Eliza Stevenson,
George Keim,
Eliza A. Keiser,
Mary Eddy,
Samuel Garman,
Susan Clandenin, Mary Sellers,
Jane Jones,
Susan Jones, Cath. Hiltner,
Mary Shannon.
These united at this time with the congre-
gation.
Though the congregation was prospering and increasing in numbers under the faithful labors of Rev. Berg, and it was hoped that by patient perseverance much would be accomplished for the cause of Christ, but to the sincere regret of all, Rev. Berg thought it to be his duty to change his pastoral relation. Near the close of June, 1843, he resigned and accepted a call from the Shrewsbury charge, York County, Pa. He was much beloved by this people, and to him belongs the honor of establishing this congregation on a firm basis amid numerous difficulties.
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