USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 4
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In September, 1842, Synod held its sessions at Bloomfield, Perry County, in Rev. Heim's charge. Mr. David Tressler, as delegate, represented the charge in Synod. Father Heim reported 6 congregations, 139 infant and 3 adult baptisms, 15 confirma- tions, 568 communicants, 1 Sunday-school, $8 collected for the Treasury of Synod, $8 for missions, and $8 for beneficiary education.
In the spring of 1843, a class of catechumens was confirmed at Loysville. The following were a few of this class :
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CHAPTER I.
William Lutman,
Miss Mary A. Tressler,
John Swarner,
Eliza Tressler,
John Tressler,
Sarah Tressler,
David Evans,
" Elizabeth Kistler,
Mrs. - Bausum,
Mary Snyder,
Miss Caroline Tressler,
" Eliza Bausum.
Synod convened in October, 1843, at Aaronsburg, Centre County. Mr. Solomon Bernheisel, as delegate of the Loysville charge, took his seat as a member of this convention of Synod. Father Heim reported 6 congregations, 155 infant and 2 adult baptisms, 31 confirmations, 682 communicants, 16 funerals, 4 Sunday-schools, $6 collected for the Synodical Treasury, $10 for beneficiary education, $10 for missions, and $5 for the Theological Seminary.
Mr. Daniel Foulk, of the congregation at Bloomfield, as dele- gate, attended Synod at Hanover, York County, in October, 1844. As the proceedings of convention of Synod were not published in pamphlet form, we have not at hand Rev. Heim's parochial re- port.
In September, 1845, Synod met at Carlisle, Pa. Mr. J. Zim- merman attended this convention as delegate of the charge. Father Heim reported 6 congregations, 125 infant and 3 adult baptisms, 39 confirmations, 816 communicants, 29 funerals, 5 Sunday-schools, $9 35 for Treasury of Synod, $15 12} for educa- tion, $15 17 for home missions, $7 83 for foreign missions, and $5 for the Professors' Fund of the Seminary at Gettysburg.
As delegate of the charge, Mr. George Beistlein attended Synod at Chambersburg, Pa., in September, 1846. This time Father Heim reported 6 congregations, 108 infant and 3 adult baptisms, 61 confirmations, 764 communicants, 18 funerals, 5 Sunday-schools, $5 30 collected for Synod's Treasury, $25 for beneficiary education, $5 for home missions, and $5 for foreign missions.
Synod convened in September, 1847, at Mifflinburg, Union County. Mr. J. Dunkelberger, as delegate, took his seat in this
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
convention. Rev. Heim reported 6 congregations, 124 infant and 1 adult baptisms, 32 confirmations, 747 communicants, 22 funerals, 6 Sunday-schools, $10 collected for the Treasury of Synod, $32 81 for education, $18 76 for home missions, and $12 73 for foreign missions.
In May, 1848, Rev. Heim confirmed at Loysville a class of catechumens (the last class he confirmed here), consisting of the following sixteen persons :
Samuel Culler,
Miss Frances Minich,
Rudolphus J. Heim,
" Sarah Briner,
Samuel Kistler,
" Margaret Briner,
John G. Loy,
Mary Briner,
Samuel Tressler,
Ann Loy,
Mr. - Comp,
Caroline Swab,
Mr. - - - Comp,
" Lydia Kunkel,
Miss Sarah Tressler,
" - Yohn.
Synod met at East Berlin, Adams County, in September, 1848, when Mr. Wm. Messinger, as delegate, represented the Loysville charge, and Father Heim reported 6 congregations, 129 infant and 1 adult baptisms, 79 confirmations, 843 communicants, 34 funerals, 6 Sunday-schools, $10 for Synod's Treasury, $33 83 for education, $15 44 for home missions, and $7 33 for foreign mis- sions.
In September, 1849, Synod convened at York, Pa., Mr. Henry Shoemaker, as delegate, represented the Loysville charge. At this convention of Synod Rev. Heim reported 6 congregations, 100 infant baptisms, 10 confirmations, 712 communicants, 23 funerals, 9 Sunday-schools, $5 12} collected for the Synodical Treasury, $38 87} for beneficiary education, $13 for home mis- sions, and $10 for foreign missions. This was the last time the Lord granted Father Heim the delightful privilege of meeting his ministerial brethren in Synodical convention.
As no church-records were kept by any of the congregations whilst Rev. Heim was pastor of them, we supposed it would be most satisfactory to the reader to have before him the annual
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CHAPTER I.
parochial reports made at Synod by Father Heim. An idea of his labors and success, and of the condition and growth of the congregations, can thus be formed far better than from vague and general statements. These reports, are, moreover, an important item in the history of the Loysville charge, as it then was, and they tell their story far better and more truthfully than can be done by any attempt on our part. From them, each one can draw his own inferences. For our part, we say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Father Heim prosecuted his labors with unabated zeal to the end of his sojourn on earth. According to a resolution of the last session of Synod, the last sermon he preached to his congre- gations was on the sanctification of the Sabbath, a subject well suited for one who was himself soon to exchange labor on earth for eternal rest in heaven. We have often heard this discourse spoken of as one of his ablest and most successful pulpit efforts. His labors were soon to end, and for him the day of rest was near at hand.
Some time in the fall of 1849, the subject of building a new church at Loysville was agitated by the members. At times, especially during communion seasons, the old church was too small, in winter it was uncomfortable, and in general it had be- come dilapidated. A general congregational meeting was called, and the subject of building a new church was discussed. A diversity of opinion prevailed : some thought the old church was good enough ; others were for repairing it; but the majority were in favor of building a new one. Father Heim was present. During the discussions a messenger came for him to attend a funeral. Before leaving, he arose and feelingly addressed the meeting, in substance, as follows :
" Brethren : The object for which you have met is a good and ยท important one. The enemy of the church of Jesus Christ wants no more new houses erected for the true worship of the true God, and he is without doubt present to defeat the glorious enterprise in which you are about to engage. I exhort you not to give heed to his wicked suggestions, but to go forward hand in hand, trust-
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
ing in God, and seeking his glory in the erection of a new house to His name and for His worship."
This short, but appropriate address from their aged pastor had the desired effect. Before the meeting adjourned, all were agreed to build a new church. Father Heim saw the subscriptions for the new church taken, and put his own name down for fifty dol- lars, which were paid out of his estate after his death.
The time for Father Heim's departure had now fully come. After languishing on a bed of sickness for a few days, he fell asleep in Jesus and in peace, on Thursday evening, the 27th of December,-1849, aged 67 years, 4 months, and 19 days, having served the congregation at Loysville, as pastor, thirty-four years and about four months.
"Sweet is the scene where Christians die, Where holy souls retire to. rest ; How mildly beams the closing eye! How gently heaves th' expiring breast !
" So fades a summer cloud away ; So sinks the gale when storms are o'er ;
So gently shuts the eye of day; So dies a wave along the shore.
" Triumphant smiles the victor's brow, Fann'd by some guardian angel's wing.
O grave! where is thy victory now ? And where, O death ! is now thy sting ?"
As the life, character and death of Father Heim are fully detailed in another chapter of this work, we will proceed with our narrative.
In February, 1850, a convention of delegates from the congre- gations Father Heim had served, and those under the pastoral care of Rev. J. Martin, was called to meet in Bloomfield. The congregations composing the Liverpool charge, were at this time served by Rev. William Weaver, and were not embraced in this call. The following are the proceedings of this convention.
" According to notice previously given, the congregations (by their representatives), composing the charge of the late Rev. J.
.
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W. Heim, and those at present under the care of Rev. J. Martin, met in convention in the Borough of Bloomfield, Perry County, Pa., on Friday the 18th of February, 1850, in the morning, at 11 o'clock, for the purpose of taking into consideration the pro- priety of arranging said congregations into three different pastor- ates. A hymn having been sung, and prayer offered by Mr. R. Adams, the Convention was temporarily organized by calling Mr. Samuel Shuman to the Chair, and appointing Col. John Tressler, Secretary.
" The credentials of the delegates were then called for, and it was found that twenty-eight delegates were in attendance, repre- senting fourteen congregations. After a short time had been spent in consultation, prayer was again offered, and the Conven- tion adjourned to meet in the afternoon at half-past one o'clock.
"The Convention met according to adjournment, and was opened with prayer. On motion, the Convention was permanently organ- ized by continuing Mr. Samuel Shuman, as Chairman, and Col. J. Tressler, as Secretary.
"A motion was now made and seconded, that the congregations represented in this Convention, be so arranged as to make three different charges. After a lengthy discussion, the vote was taken, and the motion was decided in the affirmative. The question then arose, How shall these congregations be divided, so that their arrangement may be as judicious as possible ? A plan of division was then submitted, which, after some discussion, was finally adopted, viz. :
"The upper, or Loysville charge, to be composed of the following congregations : Zion, Lebanon, St. Peter's, and Germany (Lu- dolph's) churches.
"The middle, or Bloomfield charge, to be composed of Ickesburg (stone church), Shuman's, Bealor's, Bloomfield, and Newport.
"The lower, or Petersburg charge, to be composed of Pisgah, Fishing Creek, Billow's, Petersburg, and New Buffalo Churches. On motion,
" Resolved, That the proceedings be signed by the officers, and 5*
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
that the Secretary cause an abstract of the same to be published in the Lutheran Observer and Kirchenbote.
"SAMUEL SHUMAN,
" Chairman.
" JNO. TRESSLER, " Secretary."*
The Loysville Charge, as reorganized by the above Convention.
After the death of Father Heim, the Loysville charge was vacant about ten months, and as reorganized, consisted now of four congregations. Hitherto the Loysville congregation, as well as all the other congregations of the charge, had preaching ex- clusively in the German language. Father Heim was unfriendly to the introduction of the English language in divine worship in his congregations. On this point he made a sad mistake, though he no doubt thought his course in the matter was right. In Oc- tober, 1850, the
Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff,
of Milton, Pa., having accepted a call from the charge, entered on the discharge of his pastoral duties. Without delay, he intro- duced the use of the English language in worship in all the con- gregations of his charge. This was a measure much needed, and for want of it the growth of the congregations had been for a long time greatly retarded.
THE NEW CHURCH.
This church was commenced in the spring of 1850. The corner- stone was laid on the 23d of June, the same year, by Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D.D., of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, who preached on the occasion an appropriate sermon in a grove a short distance north of the site of the church, and deposited in the corner-stone a copy of the Bible in German and English, German and English hymn-books and catechisms of both congre-
See Lutheran Observer, Feb. 22, 1850.
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CHAPTER I.
gations, a copy of the Lutheran Observer and of the German Reformed Messenger, a copy of each of the Perry County news- papers, a list of the names of subscribers, and a copy of the con- gregational constitution of 1827. The ministers present on this occasion were Rev. Dr. Schmucker and Rev. J. Martin, Lu- theran, and Rev. C. H. Leinbach, and Rev. A. H. Kremer, German Reformed, and perhaps others. Messrs. John Tressler, Solomon Bernheisel, George Billman, Lutherans, and Jacob Bern- heisel, Daniel Ritter, Jacob Shearer, German Reformed, were the building-committee. Messrs. George Shaeffer and George Wetzel did the carpenter work; Messrs. David Shearer and John Shearer did the stone and brick work; Mr. Israel Messimer did the plastering, and Mr. John Newcomer the painting. The church is 65 feet long and 43 feet wide. On Sunday, the 2d of March, 1851, the church was consecrated. The ministers present on this occasion were Rev. F. Ruthrauff, pastor, Rev. B. Kurtz, D.D., Rev. J. Martin, Rev. M. J. Alleman, Lutheran, and Rev. C. H. Leinbach, pastor, Rev. J. F. Mesick, Rev. N. Gehr, Ger- man Reformed. Though the church is large, on this occasion all assembled could not be accommodated. Some withdrew to the school-house close by, where Rev. Alleman preached for them, whilst Rev. Dr. Kurtz preached the dedicatory sermon in the church. On the morning of the day of consecration, a debt of nearly one thousand dollars still rested on the church. An appeal was made to the audience, and in the forenoon about $760 were obtained in subscriptions and otherwise, and in the evening about $300 more. The church has an end gallery, and will seat some six or seven hundred persons. The basement is divided into several apartments, for Sunday-schools and pastor's study. The edifice is surmounted by a steeple, containing a bell weighing 955 pounds. The church, fixtures, and bell, cost about $6000, the whole of which, we believe, is now paid. The church is con- venient internally, and has an imposing appearance externally. It is a Union church, that is, it is owned jointly by the Lutherans and German Reformed.
At the time this church was dedicated, and in regard to Union
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churches, the editor of the Lutheran Observer made the follow- ing judicious remarks, which we cannot refrain from introducing here. "We regret," says the editor, "to find that they (the congregations at Loysville) have built a Union church, because it is so very difficult, when pastors and people of different denomi- nations are thus circumstanced, to ' keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.' This evil has long been felt, and hence the Synods of both churches have passed resolutions, disapproving of and dissuading from the erection of houses of worship of this kind. If even harmony should prevail while the two use the same build- ing in common, the period will ultimately arrive, when the wants of the two will demand separate houses of worship; then the trouble, and perhaps even litigation, will arise in dividing the property. We have heard of so many melancholy instances of this kind, that we are surprised that both German Reformed and Lutherans have not profited sufficiently to guard against all such causes of inconvenience and contention. One object aimed at in erecting Union churches, is to save expenses ; but it is a saving which tends to strife and spiritual poverty, and ought not to be encouraged." Would that all heeded these words of admonition ! This was the last Union church, or more correctly, disunion church, the Lutherans helped to erect in Perry County, and our fervent prayer is, that it may continue the last !
When Rev. Ruthrauff took charge of the Loysville pastorate, he induced each congregation to make regular entries in the church records. Discipline was also introduced, and in general, the affairs of the congregations were conducted in a way far better than had hitherto been customary. He was an able minister of the Gospel, and infused into his people that proper respect for their own church, which they very much lacked before, and some do yet. He catechized the young almost constantly, was faithful and useful. Though now dead, he started influences for good that will never die.
On the 3d of May, 1851, at Loysville, the following persons were admitted to full communion by the solemn rite of confirma- tion :
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CHAPTER I.
John B. Zimmerman,
Julian Bausum,
John Arnold,
Elvina M. Bernheisel,
Caroline C. Bernheisel,
Samuel Rinehart, John Swab, John G. Kiner,
Catharine E. Kepner,
Sarah A. Billman,
David Metz,
Eliza Minich, Diana Minich,
Israel Messimer,
Jeremiah W. Kiner,
Catharine Hopple,
George Peck,
Matilda Shock,
John Hollenbach,
Margaret Shock,
Jacob Bausum, Elizabeth Zimmerman,
Margaret Metz,
Susanna Metz.
On the 20th of September, 1851, John Kistler and Mrs. Louisa Loy (baptized) were admitted to full communion by confirmation, and Joseph Abrams and Mrs. Amanda Abrams were received by certificate from the Lutheran church of Rev. D. H. Focht in Franklin County.
On the 30th of May, 1852, Victor George Tressler and John Minich were admitted to full communion by the rite of confirma- tion.
In September, 1852, Col. John Tressler, as delegate, repre- sented the Loysville charge in Synod, convened at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. He was elected by Synod as one of its lay delegates to the General Synod, to be held at Winchester, Va., in May, 1853. He attended this convention of the General Synod.
The above, as to the number of accessions to the congregation, is the result of Rev. Ruthrauff's labors here; but it is by no means the whole of the good those labors produced in the congre- gation. Eternity alone can fully disclose the happy effects his influence had on many souls. Having served the Loysville charge about two years, he resigned in November, 1852, and accepted a call from Centre County .* The charge was then vacant about four months.
* For a satisfactory sketch of the life and labors of Rev. F. Ruthrauff, see " The Evangelical Review," vol. xiii, pp. 570-581.
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Rev. Reuben Weiser
of Chambersburg, Pa., then accepted a call from the charge and commenced his pastoral labors on the 1st of April, 1853. At this time about one-half of the preaching was required in the German language, and one-half in the English. Rev. Weiser preached both with success.
In September, 1853, Col. John Tressler, as delegate, attended Synod at Lewistown, Pa.
On the 16th of May, 1854, Rev. Weiser admitted the follow- ing persons to full communion by confirmation :
James R. Lackey, Miss Margaret Stuber,
Henry T. Swarner,
Mary M. Swab,
Mrs. Sarah Bausum, John R. Delancy, 1 received by
Miss Sarah M. Weiser, Benj. Wormley, 5 certificate.
" Elizabeth Ewing,
In September, 1854, Mr. Solomon Bower of Blain, as delegate, represented the charge in Synod, held at Shrewsbury, York County, Pa.
The Synod of Central Pennsylvania was organized in February, 1855, at Aaronsburg, Centre County. As Perry County was cm- braced within the bounds of this Synod, of course the congrega- tions in the county became connected with this Synod. Mr. John B. Zimmerman, as delegate, attended the convention called for the organization of the Synod of Central Pennsylvania.
Early in the spring of 1855, George Rempfer, Miss Catharine V. Weiser, and it may be some others, were admitted to com- munion by confirmation. The names of this class of catechumens were not recorded in the Church-book.
In May, 1855, the first annual convention of Synod of Central Pennsylvania was held at Mifflintown, Juniata County. As delc -. gate of the Loysville charge, Mr. Solomon Bower attended this convention of Synod.
Having served the charge about two years and a half, Rev. Weiser preached his farewell sermon at Loysville, on the 16th of
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CHAPTER I.
September, 1855, from Acts 20: 22. He accepted the Presi- dency of Central College of Iowa. The charge was now vacant about six months. During this time St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Madison Township, consecrated in December, 1855, was added . to the charge. On the 25th of May, 1856, the
Rev. Philip Willard
of Danville, Montour County, Pa., having accepted a call from the charge, entered on the discharge of his pastoral labors here. He had five congregations to serve, and the charge was now large and required hard labor. Rev. Willard applied himself to his task with energy, being "instant in season and out of season," and the Lord owned and crowned his labors with abundant success. Immediately he commenced instructing a class of catechumens at Loysville in the doctrines of our holy Christianity, and on the 21st of September, 1856, the following persons were admitted to full communion by the rite of confirmation :
John M. Rice,
Miss Cath. A. Heim,
Andrew T. Kistler,
William H. Rice,
" Mary Sosseman,
William Minich,
" Nancy Sosseman,
" Catharine Wolf,
Emanuel Freeman, Absalom Swarner, Jacob. Wolf,
" Elizabeth Wolf,
" Rebecca Stuber,
George W. Kepner,
" Mary J. Stidel,
David L. Rice,
Mary E. Kepner,
Miss Rebecca Kistler,
Catharine Weaver,
" Matilda J. Loy (baptized).
" Catharine Rice,
" Elvina Heim,
" Sarah Shatto,
Rev. Willard labored with untiring zeal, and the Lord gave him favor with the people. The word had free course, run, and was glorified. All the congregations of the charge were revived and sinners were converted to God. In the Lutheran Observer, Nov. 21st, 1856, we read, " Revival: We learn that a work of
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
grace is in progress in the church at Andesville (Loysville), Pa., under the care of Brother Willard. Many have already been added to the church, and many others are preparing to join." Again, in the same paper, March 27th, 1857, it is said: "Rev. P. Willard, of Andesville (Loysville), has been in a constant re- vival since early last fall. Hundreds have been hopefully con- verted. By the expiration of his first year in his present charge, he will have added upwards of two hundred souls to his member- ship by confirmation, independently of an equal number of dead and delinquent members who have been revived."
Rev. Willard, " as his manner was," visited from house to house, "reasoning with them out of the Scriptures," and cate- chizing and preaching almost incessantly, and everywhere sinners were awakened and the hearts of Christians made glad. On the 5th of April, 1857, the following persons were at Loysville ad- mitted to full communion by confirmation :
David L. Tressler,
Miss Eliz. E. Hollenbach,
Josiah E. Tressler,
" Sarah Schwab,
John Wolf,
" Susan Baughman,
Andrew Comp,
" Isabella Billman,
Jacob Rempfer,
Mary E. Shope,
David Bower,
Sarah A. Comp,
William Hassinger,
" Phebe H. Kepner,
Josiah Bower, George Comp,
" Elizabeth Shoemaker,
William Hollenbach,
" Magdalene E. Sosseman,
Samuel Hollenbach,
Jacob Kleckner,
" Matilda Shope,
" Jemima C. Dromgold,
" Elizabeth Schoch.
" Mary E. Tressler,
" Mary J. Dromgold,
" Sarah E. Kleckner,
" Susan Kleckner,
Miss Catharine Comp,
In May, 1857, Mr. Solomon Bower of Blain, as delegate, attended Synod at Perryville, Juniata County. During this summer Rev. Willard faithfully instructed a class of catechumens
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CHAPTER I.
in the Catechism, and on the 26th of December, 1857, the follow- ing were received at Loysville to full communion by confirmation :
Jacob Arnold,
Mary E. Kepner,
W. Cornelius Hutchinson,
Mary A. Yohn,
Catharine Hull,
Mary E. Heim,
Mary A. Hull,
Mary J. Wormley,
Sarah Wolf,
Sarah F. Kepner,
Catharine A. Loy,
Levi Adams, received by
Susan M. V. Willard,
Mary E. Adams, S certificate.
During the fall of 1857 and the beginning of '58, Rev. Willard and the people of his charge made a noble effort to secure the location of the Lutheran Missionary Institute at Loysville, and for this purpose from eight to ten thousand dollars were subscribed by them ; but for various reasons, not necessary to state here, the Institute was located at Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pa.
Mr. John Kistler, as delegate, in May, 1858, attended Synod at Bloomfield, Perry County.
On the 14th of November, 1858, the following persons were confirmed at Loysville :
George Baltozer, Absalom Weaver, Catharine Rempfer.
Having served the charge faithfully for two years and a half, Rev. Willard resigned in November, 1858, and accepted a call from the Mifflintown pastorate. The whole number of members admitted to full communion at Loysville, whilst he was pastor, was sixty-nine; he also baptized at this place thirty-seven infants. The congregation was, perhaps, never before in a more prosperous condition than during his ministry. Here, as in all the congre- gations of the charge, he kept up almost continual instruction to the young in the Catechism. At Loysville he preached once every two weeks, alternately in the German and English languages. The following is a synopsis of his labors in the whole charge, during the two years and a half he was pastor of it. He says, "I preached 600 times ; received by confirmation, baptism, and certi- ficate, 313 into full communion in the church ; baptized 40 adults
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
and 170 infants ; preached 50 funeral sermons ; solemnized 31 weddings ; lectured on the Catechism 600 times, and also fre- quently at prayer meetings."
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