USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 54
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Bedford Lodge, No. 436, Knights of Pythias, was organized September 24, 1874. The officers first installed were: Samuel F. Statler, C.C .; Isaac Pierson, V.C .; Henry S. Dibert, Prel .; Rautenberg, M. at A .; P. Etter Irwin, K. of R. and S .; Joshua Pierson, M. of F .; D. S. Griffith, M. of E. Subsequent Chancellor Commanders have been P. Etter Irwin, Joshua Pierson, D. S. Griffith, J. J. Wolf, Isaac Pierson, Henry S.
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BOROUGH OF BEDFORD.
Dibert, Moses Lippel, Simon H. Gump, John O. Smith, William C. Smith, Alfred J. Stiver, J. O. Williams, James Cleaver, John Wy. Boor, Will- iam Line, William L. Horn, H. P. Shires, Josiah Amos, Samuel D. Sansom and R. Sewell Wright. The present officers are Daniel C. Burns, C.C .; Joseph C. Deal, V.C .; William Newman, Prel .; J. W. S. Nycum, M. at A .; Josiah Amos, K. of R. and S .; James F. Mickel, M. of F .; William Line, M. of E. Present members number eighty- four, and meetings are held every Monday in the Brode building.
William Watson Post, No. 332, G.A.R., named in honor of Major William Watson (deceased), of Bedford (late surgeon 105th Penn. Vols.), was organized May 9, 1888. The officers then elected and now serving are : Samuel F. Statler, C .; John D. Horn, S.V .; William G. Eicholtz, J.V .; C. P. Calhoun, Surg .; Levi Smith, O.D .; John B. Helm, Q.M .; William L. Horn, Adjt .; Samuel Ake, Sergt. Maj .; Philip Huzzard, Q. M .- Sergt .; Dexter White, I.S .; Biven Melloy, O.S .; William G. Eicholtz, S. S. Metzger, and Dexter White, council of administration.
The members at this writing (representing both commissioned officers and enlisted men) are as follows (the company and regiment mentioned after each name indicates the organi- zations in which members served during the late war): S. F. Statler, Co. H, 55th Penn .; Andrew Biddle, Co. E, 188th Penn .; James Cleaver, Co. F, 8th Penn. reserves ; S. S. Metzger, Co. D, 55th Penn .; D. M. Blymyer, Co. K, 138th Penn .; David Price ; John B. Helm, Co. G, 101st Penn .; William G. Eicholtz, Co. H, 208th Penn .; Dexter White, Co. K, 122d Penn .; A. Enfield, Co. G, 22d Penn. Cav .; H. Clay Lashley, Co. D, 55th Penn .; John W. May, Co. F, 138th Penn .; John D. Horn, Co. D, 55th Penn .; William L. Horn, Co. H, 54th Penn .; D. W. Mullin, Co. G, 101st Penn .; Josiah Hissong, Co. H, 55th Penn .; Abram Oyler, Co. D, 55th Penn .; Jacob Dibert, Co. A, 135th Ill .; John Keeffe, Co. C, 2d Cal .; Samuel Ake, Co. H, 22d Penn. Cav .; Henry Shoenfelt, Co. D, 55th Penn .; John C. Beneigh, Co. E, 13th Penn. Cav .; William Agnew, Co. H, 55th Penn .; William C. Kean, Co. A, 125th Penn .; Theophilus R. Gates, Co. K, 55th Penn .; John I. Miller, Co. C, 110th Penn .; Adam Benner; C. P. Calhoun, Co. F, 188th Penn .; William W. Barclay, Co. A, 1st Cal. Cav .; Jacob Stoudenour, Co. E, 76th Penn .; George C. Hawkins, Co. E, 46th Penn .; Biven
Melloy, Co. E, 138th Penn .; Aug. K. Hanes, Co. F, 19th Penn. Cav .; Thomas Wolfkill, Co. K, 19th Penn. Cav .; John A. Wertz, Co. K, 82d Penn .; John Miller, Co. G, 101st Penn .; Philip Huzzard, Co. E. 76th Penn .; Adam B. Carn, Co. A, 184th Penn .; Levi Smith, Co. E, 76th Penn .; John W. Barndollar, Co. G, 13th Penn .; Will- iam Weisel, Co. D, 55th Penn .; James W. Leary, Co. E, 76th Penn .; Malachi Mock, Co. E, 138th Penn .; George Stiffler, Co. H, 55th Penn .; George W. Gates, Co. D, 1st Penn. Rifles ; John D. Amos, Co. D, 55th Penn .; M. A. Stoner ; A. H. Wise, Cv. E, 138th Penn.
Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.
Bedford Lodge, No. 208, the pioneer lodge in the county, where there are now fifteen lodges, with a membership of over nine hundred, was instituted on Wednesday evening, October 15, 1846, by District Deputy Grand Master John Mull, of Franklin county, assisted by Maj. Wm. Gilmore, of Chambersburg, Dr. F. C. Reamur and others.
The charter members were James Reamer, N.G .; Francis Haley, V.G .; Solomon Mason, Secy .; Wm. C. Reamer, Asst. Sec .; and P. I. Daniels, Treas.
Those initiates on the night of institution were John R. Jordan, Dr. C. N. Hickok, Maj. Samuel H. Tate, Dr. I. M. Russell, James W. Skillington, Colin Soyer, Joseph Mann, and J. Cook, Jr., of which all are dead or have removed, except Messrs. Jordan and Hickok. The other initiates during the first few weeks were Hon. Alex. King, Hon. S. Q. Russell, Dr. Wm. H. Watson, John Arnold, Gen. Alex. Q. Russell, Wm. Bowles, Wm. Kirk, Hon. John G. Hartley, Thomas King and others.
Mr. Jordan and Dr. Hickok have worked side by side in the lodge and the order ever since. Mr. Jordan has been District Deputy Grand Master of the county and Representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and has been for over thirty years, and is now, the secretary of the lodge.
Dr. Hickok was District Deputy Grand Mas- ter and District Deputy Grand Patriarch of the county for several years ; was Representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for eleven years; was Grand Representative from the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania to the
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the World, from 1870 to 1879 inclusive ; was Grand Warden in 1881, Deputy Grand Master in 1882, and is now- 1883 - Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, with its one thousand subordinate lodges.
Recently, in recognition of the steadfast labors of these two brothers, the lodge had mag- nificent life-size oil portraits of them (painted by one of the best American artists), in full regalia, elegantly framed and hung in the lodge- room as a perpetual reminder of their services.
The following are the names of the Noble Grands (presiding officers) of the lodge from its institution to the present, viz :
James Reamer, Francis Haley, Solomon Ma- son, Wm. C. Reamer, J. P. Daniels, Samuel HI. Tate, Samuel L. Russell, L. W. Smith, William C. Mann, John G. Hartley, C. N. Hickok, A. J. Middleton, John R. Jordan, Wm. Gephart, HI. Nicodemus, John Arnold, Alexander King, B. F. Horry, Wm. Bowles, Wm. F. Moorehead, Wm. Simpson, Jno. L. Lessig, Eben Pennel, Hiram Lentz, G. R. Gettys, Samuel Stohl, J. M. Shoemaker, R. D. Barclay, Wm. W. Shuck, John G. Minnich, Sr., P. H. Shires, J. H. Hutton, Wm. L. Horn, A. J. Sansom, J. G. Minnich, Jr., Jacob Barnhart, Isaac F. Grove, A. B. Carver, David Prosser, Moses A. Points, H. J. Hender- son, Levi Smith, H. F. Irvine, D. W. Crouse, George C. Leader, T. J. Thompson, John H. Jordan, James E. Shires, J. M. Gephart, A. B. Cobler, Isaac Pierson, James F. Mickle, David Zimmers, H. G. Weimer, H. D. Tate, W. B. Pierson, M. P. Heckerman, Nathan Schock, W. C. Smith, Josiah Amos, W. W. Stifler, S. F. Statler, B. F. Horclerode, Wm. Line, Joseph Evans, R. C. McNamara, Joseph W. Tate.
The history of the lodge is a record of almost unbounded success, both financially and in benef- icent result. It is one of the richest lodges in the state. It has done a most efficient work of "benevolence and charity," and has lived to subdue all the opposition that met it in its early days, and to win the respect and confidence of the entire community by its faithful and con- sistent exemplification of the professed princi- ples of the order, that require its members to " visit the sick, relieve the distressed, to bury the dead and educate the orphan ;" and many suffering ones relieved, widows and orphans cherished and protected, have "risen up to call the order blessed " through its instrumentality.
MILITARY.
Since the year 1800 Bedford has boasted of various military companies known as the " Bed- ford Light Infantry," " Bedford Blues," " Bed- ford Fencibles," "Bedford Troop of Horse," "Bedford Artillery," and the "Independent Greys."
Its present military organization, the " Bed- ford Rifles," or Co. I, 5th regt. Penn. N. G., was organized July 16, 1875, with three com- missioned officers and sixty men. The first officers were Samuel F. Statler, captain ; Humphrey D. Tate, first lieutenant, and Samuel Alloways, second lieutenant.
Respecting subsequent changes among the commissioned officers, it appears that Lieut. Alloways resigned in 1876, when Sergt. Mathew P. Spidel was elected to fill vacancy. In 1877 1st Lieut. Humphrey D. Tate was commissioned quartermaster of the 5th regt., when 2d Lieut. Spidel was promoted to first lieutenant and Sergt. Peter B. Miller to second lieutenant. On July 9, 1878, Capt. Statler resigned, when Spidel became captain, Miller first lieutenant, and Sergt. John L. Gubenator second lieutenant. Capt. Spidel resigned February 1, 1879, and Capt. Statler was soon after re-elected to fill the vacancy. Miller resigned as first lieutenant June 4, 1879, when 1st Sergt. James F. Mickel was elected to fill vacancy. On March 23, 1883, Capt. Statler was promoted to major, when Mickel became captain, Gubenator first lieu- tenant and Com .- Sergt. Daniel C. Burns second lieutenant. The company still maintains its full strength of sixty-three officers and men.
During the railroad riots in the summer of 1877 this company marched to Altoona and per- formed most timely and efficient service. Its members cleared the railroad tracks of the strikers and rioters at the point of the bayonet, and when the regular locomotive engineers refused to perform their work, Capt. Statler (acting as engineer) ran engine No. 497, attached to a troop train, from Altoona to Pittsburgh. He served in the volunteer force during the war of the rebellion and in Co. K, 3d U. S. Inf., from March 21, 1867, to March 21, 1870.
CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian Church .- By reason of the loss or lack of records the early history of this organization is involved in mystery. It is evi- dent, however, that it was the mother church of
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EAST END COTTAGES - J. W. BARNDOLLAR PROPR. BEDFORD, PA.
These cottages are pleasantly located in the eastern portion of the borough, about five squares from the railroad station, and on one of the principal and most prominent drives of the town. They are situated about one and one-half miles from the celebrated Bedford Springs, the medicinal qualities of which have a national reputation. The guests of the cottages are sup- plied with these waters daily, and are kept in constant carriage communication with the Springs, depots and all points of interest. The grounds adjoining the cottages are spacious and
beautifully laid out and ornamented with shrub- bery. In the rear is a commodious bowling alley, croquet lawn, etc., with magnificent moun- tain scenery in the distance. The house pos- sesses an enviable reputation. Hot and cold baths and all modern conveniences are supplied for the comfort of its guests. Accommodations are ample for one hundred guests, and its patron- age is from the best classes, who find it a pleas- ant and desirable home during the summer months.
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BOROUGH OF BEDFORD.
a very wide section of country, and within its folds were gathered a majority of the sterling Scotch-Irish residing hereabouts during the colonial and revolutionary periods.
Of its pastors Rev. David Baird (a member of Congress for this district the major portion of the time from 1795 to 1815) preached here at inter- vals of from four to six weeks in 1786-9. Rev. John Steel, of Carlisle, famous as a captain of Cumberland county troops during the French and Indian and revolutionary wars, then visited this region occasionally during the last decade of the past century. Following him came Rev. Alexander Boyd, who officiated as pastor from 1808 to 1817; Jeremiah Chamberlain, D.D., from 1819 to 1822 ; Daniel Mckinley, 1827-31 ; Baynard* R. Hall, D.D., 1838-8 ; Elbridge Brad- bury, 1839-41 ; Alexander Heberton, 1842-4 ; William M. Hall, 1844-7; W. L. McCalla, 1848-9 ; T. K. Davis, 1850-5 ; Robert F. Sample, D.D., 1856-66 ; A. V. C. Schenck, D.D., 1866-8 ; R. F. Wilson, 1868-77; J. R. Hender- son, 1878-81, and H. D. Cone, 1882-3.
The first church edifice was built about the year 1800; the present one in 1829-30. The members at this time are eighty in number.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church .- The earliest records of this church have been lost, hence it is impossible at this time to even ap- proximate the date of organization, or to mention the names of any of the original mem- bers. It is shown, however, that Rev. Mr. Steck became pastor in 1785 ; Rev. Mr. Cramer, in 1812 ; M. Osterloh, in 1818 ; William Yeager, in 1819; William L. Gibson, in 1838; R. Weiser, D.D., 1840 ; P. M. Rightmyer, 1846; Jesse Winecoff, 1847; F. Benedict, 1849; Samuel Ying- ling, 1859; A. Essick, 1864; J. Q. McAtee, 1867; J. B. Keller, 1871 ; G. M. Rhodes, 1874 ; and Charles M. Stock, the present pastor, in 1880.
For many years the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations jointly owned and oc- cupied the same houses of worship. (See his- tory of the Reformed Church of Bedford.) On July 1, 1848, however, the corner-stone of the "New Lutheran Church " was laid. The build- ing was completed two years later, when the Lutherans sold their interest in the edifice which had sheltered them for a quarter of a century, to the Reformed congregation for the sum of three hundred dollars. The present
church was constructed in 1870 at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. It is the largest and most beautiful structure of its kind in the county. Its congregation at this writing num- bers two hundred and fifty.
The following historical sketch of the " Re- formed Church of Bedford and vicinity " is condensed from an address delivered by the pastor, Rev. Ellis N. Kremer, June 3, prepara- tory to the ceremonies attending the laying of the corner-stone of a new church edifice June 6, 1888:
PENNSYLVANIA, 88. By the Hon. John Penn, Esquire; Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware.
To all People to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting :
WHEREAS, it hath been represented to me, by the Humble Petition of Jost Schonewolf of the Town of Bedford in the County of Cumberland in the Prov- ince of Pennsylvania, Yeoman, that the protestant reformed Congregation and the protestant evangelic Lutheran Congregation in and near Bedford afore- said has taken up a Lot of Ground in the said Town, inclosed the same, were desirous thereon to erect a House of worship or church for the joynt Use of the two said Congregations and that there was no. House of worship or Church within seventy miles of the said Town of Bedford, & That the said two Congregations were poor and not able, out of their own Means to carry their Pious Intentions into Execution without the Help or Assistance of good People who have the Promotion of Religion at Heart, And it appears to me, that the said Jost Schoen wolff* hath been deputed by thirty-eight of the principal Members of the said two several Congregations to collect the charitable Donations of the good People as were willing to con- tribute their Mite towards the said Undertaking, And the said two Congregations having humbly prayed me to grant them a Brief to collect Money for the good Purposes aforesaid, And I favoring their Request. These are therefore to permit and license the said Jost Schoenwolff within the Space of three Years from the Date hereof next ensuing to make collection of the good People within my own Government who are willing to contribute toward the building of a Church or House of worship for the said two several Congregations at and near Bedford aforesaid any Sum or Sums of Money not exceeding in the whole six hundred Pounds lawful Money of Pennsya.
Given under my hand and Seal at Arms at the City of Philadelphia the twenty-first Day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixtynine, and in the ninth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace
* [In other documents we have found this man's name written Joseph Sheniwalt and Joseph Schonewolf .- Ed.]
. Perhaps Bernard.
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of God, of Great Brittain France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith and so forth. JOHN PENN.
By his Honour's Command,
JOSEPH SHIPPEN, Jr., Secretary.
The above is a copy of a permit given by John Penn, whose signature and seal it bears, which permit is engrossed on parchment and is in a good state of preservation, though the hand that penned it has long since crumbled to dust. In the copy we have preserved the punctuation marks, capital letters and orthography of the original. From it we learn the earliest official information respecting the Reformed and Lu- theran congregations. All that is here told us is that the congregations were in existence, that they were poor, that they worshiped together, and that they had the laudable purpose of erect- ing for themselves a suitable place of worship. The result of this purpose was the erecting of a log church ; the subsequent erection of the quaint brick building with its spire in the mid- dle of the roof ; the separation of the two con- gregations in 1850, and the erection of a brick church by the Lutherans, which was displaced by their present handsome structure, an orna- ment to the town as well as showing the piety and zeal of its members, and the present undertak- ing of the Reformed congregation to build a church, the corner-stone of which was laid on the 6th of June, 1883. The material of the origi- nal log church wa's used in the house on Penn street owned by Mrs. George Shuck, and that of the brick church was partly used in the parson- age belonging to the congregation. Part of it will be used in the church now building.
We have not been able to learn when the Re- formed church was organized. From the docu- ment quoted at the head of this sketch, we learn that it must have been previous to 1769. In the years 1764-8, Rev. John Conrad Bucher, a native of Switzerland, and then living at Car- lisle, who also traveled as far west as Fort Pitt visiting the scattered German families, baptiz- ing their children, catechizing and confirming the young, and preaching in such buildings as were most convenient, included Bedford among his regular appointments. Previous to his min- istry, Mr. Bucher was an officer in the English army. He was later commissioned by John Penn as captain in a Pennsylvania regiment of foot, and may have had his attention called to the spiritual needs of his countrymen when engaged in military service in this section of the state.
From 1770 to 1803, we have no record except for a brief interval in 1790 and 1794. During this period the German churches were ministered to by traveling missionaries whose labors ex- tended over a large extent of territory. Pious parents received them in their homes, gathered their friends and neighbors together for wor- ship and instruction and enjoyment of the sacra- ments. Wolves in sheep's clothing would sometimes slip in, enjoying the confidence and hospitality of the people, until the slow moving information as to their irresponsible ministry would overtake them, and drive them to more distant parts. They were expressively called by the Germans, Herum Laufer. Their type is perpetuated in the clerical tramps whom we yet meet, and who awaken at once our pity and con- tempt. Among such was one named Spangen- burg, who ministered for a short time in Bed- ford in 1790, and was subsequently executed for a murder committed in Berlin, Somerset county.
After their sad experience with Spangenberg, the church at Bedford received a true-pastor in the person of Rev. Henry Giesy, a native of Germany, who labored here from 1794 to 1797. His labors were extended to Somerset county, and were continued there for a period of thirty- eight years.
He died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years eleven months and eleven days, and was buried in Berlin, where his grave was pointed out in 1857, and probably can be yet seen.
In 1803, John Dietrich Aurandt, a pious and efficient preacher, ministered to the Germans living in what is now Huntingdon, Blair, Bed- ford and Somerset counties, and in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a man of vigorous constitu- tion, of great devotion to the cause of religion, possessed of good mental powers, a more than ordinary knowledge of the scriptures, but of de- fective education. In connection with his hard and at times perilous labors, he pursued theo- logical studies under the direction of an ordained minister, and was subsequently ordained by the synod to administer the sacraments to his large charge.
Mr. Aurandt, like Mr. Bucher, had previous to his ministry seen military service, having enlisted in 1778 in the Pennsylvania regulars, under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne, and served till 1781, when he was honorably discharged. The privations and perils of that service were doubtless a school of preparation
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for the fatigues and dangers he was subse- quently to endure, when in the service of Prince Emmanuel he carried the precious gospel by un- frequented mountain passes and through wide forests to this and other communities. He died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1831, aged seventy years five months and six- teen days, and was laid to rest in a country churchyard within a few miles of his home.
In 1812, through the efforts of Elder John Schell, of Schellsburg, and by the recommenda- tion of Rev. Dr. Helfenstein, Mr. John Henry Gerhart, a licentiate, came to the service of this charge. His license was renewed in 1813 and 1814, and the following year he was ordained by the synod which met in Easton. His labors began in 1812, and continued till 1830, when he "removed to his early home in Montgomery county." He had preached at Bedford, Schells- burg, Bobb's Creek, Greenfield, Morrison's Cove, Yellow Creek, Friend's Cove, Cumberland Val- ley, Berlin and other places. He died Novem- ber 11, 1836. While engaged in hitching a horse to a wagon, the animal took fright and ran, crushing him against a post, death resulting from his injuries within an hour.
The old log church, built in part by the charitable offerings of such good and loyal sub- jects of King George the Third as had the pro- motion of religion at heart, was standing when Mr. Gerhart came to Bedford, but looked as if it had never been used for service. The roof was good, but there was no floor, and its bare timbers served as a homely gymnasium for such venturesome boys as were uninfluenced by super- stitious fears. Legend says it was a retreat for the celebrated highwayman, David Lewis, whose name is romantically and feloniously linked with that of the county.
Mr. Gerhart preached in the court-house till in 1823, when the brick church was built by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations.
This building stood till the spring of 1881 - almost sixty years. The corner-stone was laid June 11, 1823, and the house dedicated to the service of God September 19, 1824.
Mr. Gerhart's successor was Rev. Solomon K. Denius, who accepted a call in 1831, and re- mained till 1834, subsequently residing in Ber- lin. He preached, while pastor here, at Bed- ford, Schellsburg, Berlin, Friend's Cove, and in what is now the St. Clairsville charge.
He was succeeded by Rev. Geo. Leidy, who
labored here till 1839, when he took charge of the Friend's Cove field, where he remained till 1843.
In 1839, April 1, Rev. Jacob Ziegler took charge and continued pastor of this field for over ten years. His labors extended over the Schellsburg, St. Clairsville, Greenfield, Dun- ning's Creek, part of Everett, lower end of Friend's Cove, and Bedford charges.
When Mr. Ziegler left this field for Gettys- burg, his members presented him with three hundred dollars in gold, partly because they felt that his temporal support had never been ade- quate, and partly as a mark of their esteem.
He was succeeded in April, 1850, by Rev. Henry Heckerman, who labored here till Octo- ber, 1871 - a period of twenty-one and a half years. Part of this time, owing to impaired health, he had the assistance of Rev. C. U. Heilman, and at one time he felt his infirmities to be such as to impel him to resign the field. He handed in his resignation January 30, 1865, his consistories refusing to act upon it in the hope that his health might be improved. This hope was realized, and in a few years a new congregation, that of St. Paul's, was added to the charge.
In 1850, when Mr. Heckerman took the charge, it consisted of the three congregations of Bedford, Schellsburg and Dry Ridge.
The same year the Lutheran interest in the church property was purchased for the sum of three hundred dollars, the Lutherans reserving the use of the bell for a stipulated time, and one- half interest in that part of the churchyard used for burying purposes.
Of course we must not be understood, in speaking of the purchase of the church, that it was due alone to Reformed activity. The same zeal shown in the growth of one church ani- mated the Lutheran brethren in the progress of that denomination, so that when the church was bought it was as much an evidence of healthy growth among the Lutherans as among the Reformed.
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