USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > The history of St. Stephen's reformed church, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1884-1909; by the Rev. Thomas W. Dickert > Part 5
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"Rev. J. P. Stein, of St. Thomas' church, used as a text, 'Blessed are they which dwell in Thy house.' He spoke of a child not having a proper dwelling place and surroundings as lost. St. Stephen's has erected a house and a rest for her children.
"Rev. J. W. Steinmetz, D. D., of St. John's, called attention to the wonderful way in which the city of Read- ing is covered by the Reformed Church. Your building is emblematic of the religion of Christ, none can mistake its significance. Let the members of St. Stephen's be likewise.
"Rev. H. Y. Stoner said he was a son of St. Stephen's church, having become a minister while a member. Five minute speeches were asked, but Rev. Stoner said he would like to put his in three words-' Keep on building.' This can be applied in many different ways. He com- pared the solidity of the stones used in the structure to the building up of a strong, substantial character. Noth- ing is in greater demand to-day than men, real men, solid as adamant, who have Christ in their hearts and the world
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under their feet. He referred to three young men as hav- ing gone out of St. Stephen's to preach the Gospel.
"Rev. Rufus W. Miller called attention to the signi- ficance and appreciation of the fact of holding the first services in the Sunday school room. Bismarck has said, 'The country that has the schools has the future.' And is this not true of the church? The church that takes care of the Sunday school is the church of the future. He gave as a motto, 'Win one,' which, he said, all should adopt.
"Rev. B. Bausman, D. D., of St. Paul's, alluded to his church as the young mother church, as St. Paul's and the First established St. Stephen's. He said they were for- tunate in their selections for St. Stephen's, having chosen the right place, the right time and the right man. He paid a tribute to the work done by Dr. Gerhard.
"All the ministers extended congratulations and good wishes from their respective congregations.
"While the offering was being taken the choir of St. Paul's church rendered an anthem. With the Lord's Prayer and one verse of 'Now Thank We All Our God,' the services came to a close.
"Rev. A. S. Weber, of Faith Reformed church, Balti- more, preached the evening sermon. He complimented the congregation on its Christian zeal in erecting so fine an edifice, and hoped that it would continue to be a power for good in the community."
At the consistory meeting, January 2, 1899, the janitor's salary was raised to $15.00 per month. This was increased to $18.00 per month on December 6, 1899.
A Junior Young People's Society of Christ- ian Endeavor was organized January 21, 1899.
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On March 6, 1899, J. F. Schoenberger was elected assistant to the Financial Secretary of the congregation, to assist in the collection of church dues.
Elder Daniel S. Klein departed this life March 31, 1899, after having served in this capacity since the organization of the congrega- tion, with the exception of the period from De- cember 19, 1888, to June 9, 1890, during which time he lived in the West. At the regular monthly meeting of the consistory on April 3, 1899, the following resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, That we hereby express our high apprecia- tion of the excellent Christian character and uniform ex- emplary life of our departed brother Daniel S. Klein, who served as Elder during the entire time of his connection with St. Stephen's congregation, and was Treasurer for eight years .* He was one of the first members, and from the beginning to the end of his connection with the con- gregation was always willing and ready to engage in every good work."
The vacancies caused by his death were filled by the election of J. Frederick Gerhard as Elder and Treasurer.
* He also served as Secretary of the consistory from March 1 1884, to February 7, 1887, and from July 6, 1890, to February 2, 1891, when he was elected Treasurer ; and as Financial Secretary of the consistory from February 7, 1887, to September 9, 1888.
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In the "Annual Visitor" of April 3, 1899, the pastor writes thus about the new church :
"It is no longer a dream, but a reality. For years we waited for it. At last we were compelled to undertake its erection, and now the chapel and basement are com- pleted. It is a great satisfaction that it answers our pur- pose so well. The longer we use it the better we like it. It was not built for appearance, but for use. Every inch of ground was carefully considered, and the edifice planned so that it might answer all legitimate church purposes. So far our expectations have been more than realized. The building fully meets our necessities, and seems to embody every convenience that a modern church is ex- pected to have.
"We, of course, also consider it a handsome structure. We tried to make it as beautiful as possible without being extravagant, believing that beauty costs nothing except brains, patient effort and experience. Our architect did his part nobly, and the contractor has done equally well.
"But whilst we thought we were getting a beautiful church, we were not prepared for the high appreciation with which our efforts have been received by the com- munity. Again and again we have been assured by friends, who have come and told us, that we have one of the finest churches in Reading; that as to beauty of de- sign and architectural symmetry it has no superior in town. We think so, and we are glad that others are of the same opinion. On the day on which we held our opening services, a prominent member of one of the down- town churches said to the pastor: 'I consider this the west arranged Sunday school chapel in Reading.'"'
On April 23, 1899, at a special meeting of the consistory, Edwin F. Feather, Charles L. Moll, Hiram K. Ritter and Albert M. Weyandt
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were appointed an auditing committee to audit the account of Dr. John K. Seaman, Treasurer of the Building Fund. At the regular meeting of the consistory held May 3, 1899, they sub- mitted their report, as follows :
READING, PA., APRIL 27, 1899. To the Consistory of St. Stephen's Reformed Church :
We, the undersigned committee, appointed to audit the accounts of the Financial Secretary and Treasurer of the Building Fund of St. Stephen's Reformed Church, beg leave to report that we have attended to this matter and find that their accounts agree, and we submit the follow- ing statement:
Total receipts, including loan $21,110 89 Total expenditures, as per vouchers 20,481 89
Balance in Treasurer's hands. $ 629 00
Respectfully yours,
EDWIN F. FEATHER,
CHARLES L. MOLL, ALBERT M. WEYANDT, H. K. RITTER,
Committee.
On November 1, 1899, the consistory de- cided to take an additional insurance of $10,- 000 on the church.
The completed church was dedicated on Sunday, November 19, 1899. We select the following account of the services from the full report given in "The Reading Eagle":
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"The morning service began at ten o'clock. The rain interfered little with the size of the assemblage, for empty seats were scarce. On the pulpit platform were the pas- tor, Rev. O. H. Strunck and Rev. Madison C. Peters, D. D., of New York. The floral decorations were simple, but pretty, consisting of vases of choice cut flowers on the super-altar, potted chrysanthemums on the pulpit platform, and palms and creeping vines and smilax in the baptismal font, and within the chancel railing. Milton J. Coller was chairman of the decorating committee.
"The choir sang the anthem, 'O Be Joyful.' The or- ganist was J. Wilson Klein. St. Stephen's mixed orches- tra accompanied the organ and singing. C. G. Grube and Ernest Artz were the cornetists; Herbert Miller, Warren Barto, Robert DeLong, violinists; F. Portz, trombonist; The twenty-six vocalists John Gerhard, clarionetist. were: Sopranos, Bertha Doyle, Gertrude Bickel, Mary Boyer, Carrie Boyer, Laura Grove, H. Grove, Ella Green, Gertrude Coller, Lillie Peter, Sallie Miller, Stella Miller, Rosa Drexel; altos, Hattie Millard, Eva Gehret, Mrs. Ella Moyer, Norah Miller, Laura Portz, Annie Faust, May Pe- ter; tenors, R. Tragle, D. B. Kline, Zacharias Kline ; bassos, Edmund Albright, Edwin Mersinger, Fred. Rich- ardson, Reuben Strauss.
"An invocation followed, read by the pastor. Congre- gation and minister kneeling, repeated in unison the con- fession.
" The first congregational hymn was 'Gloria in Excel- sis.' The 96th Psalm was said antiphonally. The hymn 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty' was heartily ren- dered.
"Rev. Mr. Strunck read the Gospel and epistle lessons for the day. They are found in St. Matthew 25: 31-46 and 2 Thessalonians 1 : 3-10. The words were closely fol- lowed. The prayers were then read by Dr. Gerhard, and at the close of each the 'Amen' was repeated in unison.
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"Miss Bertha Doyle sang the soprano solo, 'O Saluta- ris Hostia.'
"Rev. Dr. Peters was at his best. He spoke thirty-five minutes, and, as is his custom, he was blunt in his re- marks. The speaker went for the polished, indifferent pastor, and praised the live, practical, sociable clergy- man. He said in part:
" 'The church is a prime necessity in every community where it is either pleasant or safe to live. Reading could do without pavements or street cars, electric lights and water works, parks and libraries, better without all these things than without its churches. If the church exercised her full power in this community, your criminal courts would be closed, your jail might be locked and your po- liceman would be a needless official. The money you have spent on this church is money just as really spent upon yourself as though you put it into clothes or a house for yourself. The money you have put into this church goes to establish the safe order of good society on which we all depend for security and happiness. The money you have put into this church is not a charity; it is given to your business as really as though you put into stocks.
" 'An infidel young lawyer, going to the West to settle for life, made it his boast that he "would locate in some place where there were no churches, Sunday schools or Bibles." He found a place that substantially met his con- ditions. But before the year was out, he wrote to a former classmate, a young minister, begging him to come out and bring plenty of Bibles, and begin preaching, and start a Sunday school, for, he said, he had " become convinced that a place without Christians, and Sabbaths, and churches, and Bibles, was too much like hell for any liv- ing man to stay in."
"'There is very little hostility to religion, very few people would crush it out if they could. The Church which has preserved Christianity has made man's civili-
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zation what it is, and his salvation what it may be. Our progressive civilization has been brought about by that genius which the Church has nurtured and developed in man. I desire to speak especially of men's indifference to the Church. More than one-half of the inhabitants of this country do not attend church except possibly to at- tend a funeral or witness a wedding. Why do so many. people stand aloof from the church? Many pews are empty because there are so many empty pulpits. The world does not want for preachers, but it is in need of the right kind. The preacher ought to be a voice, and not merely an echo. A sermon can be put into a jacket so tight as to crush all the life out of it. While we need preachers who are not corpses, we also need churches which are not tombs. We need more sociability in our churches. Hand-shaking is a means of grace. The world needs nothing more than it needs gentleness and love. Many who have plunged into the depths could be saved if some one would only stretch out the hand and make them feel the touch of tenderness. No doubt many work- ingmen stand aloof from the church because of the indif- ference which society feels towards their fate. Many workingmen are incensed at the manner in which some employers of labor keep up their fortunes. Conditions prevail in this country which ought not, and which will be righted through the influence of the church, and not by opposing her. The church has no doubt been sadly affected by this element of social grievance and frequent misunderstanding consequent upon frequent misrepre- sentation. The church did not create the wrongs which afflict society, and, although she does not do her full duty to destroy the wrongs, the church stands as the great friend of the workingman. The Sabbath is dependent for its survival on the religious sanction of the community. When that religious sanction is gone, it will only be a question of time when the day will go too, and the work-
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ingmen who now neglect the Sabbath and have no use for the church need not be surprised if in time they will be compelled to work seven days in a week for six days' wages. The greatest event for any man is the awaken- ing of his conscience. Here is the real meaning of the service of the sanctuary. There is in every man a hidden kinship with something nobler than this fleeting and worldly life. That latent ability wants the stir of the ser- vice of God's house. These hymns of praise and prayers on the lips of multitudes will awaken your nobler nature, soothe you in your sorrows, heal your heartaches and in- spire you to nobler deeds than you have ever dared.'
"Rev. Dr. Gerhard made a financial statement. He said that the lot, the cost of the old structure and the new church represented a value of $40,000. The present build- ing, with contents, cost $28,000. The sum of $21,500 had been paid. There was a mortgage of some thousands of dollars and $5,500 unprovided for. He asked that this lat- ter sum be made up at the day's services. Rev. Mr. Strunck, Dr. Gerhard said, would make the appeal for this money.
"By the time the dedicatory services were a page in history, the audience was of the opinion that this minis- ter was the best money-getter in the Reformed denomi- nation. He sent the pastor, ushers and leading communi- cants throughout the audience to get subscriptions, and then began his pleadings. He illustrated the blessedness of giving to religion and the rewards for being liberal. He had his auditors in good humor from the start, and the subscriptions came rolling in. The total amount raised in the morning in subscriptions and cash contributions was $4,500 and for the whole day it amounted to $6,150.
"The Lord's Prayer; anthem, 'Te Deum;' hymn, 'From All That Dwell Below the Skies,' doxology and benediction completed the morning service.
" A regular Sunday school session was held at 2 P. M. 7
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"A mass meeting of the Reformed and other churches commenced at 3.15 P. M. and lasted several hours.
"The devotional services were as follows: Anthem, 'Ye That Stand in the House of the Lord,' by Spinney, choir; congregational hymn, 'When the Faithful Were Assembled;' 27th Psalm said antiphonally; lessons; 'Glo- ria Patri;' Apostles' Creed; general prayer, Rev. B. Baus- man, D. D .; hymn, 'Abide Among Us With Thy Grace.' They were conducted by Rev. J. W. Steinmetz, D. D., of St. John's Reformed Church.
"The first address of the afternoon was made by Rev. Henry Mosser, D. D., of the First Reformed Church. He based his remarks on the words found in the fifth verse of the 137th Psalm: 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.' The church, he said, stood in the same relation to the Christian to-day as did Jerusalem at that time. Just as the church of Israel found Jerusalem to be the true symbol of all that was dear, so St. Stephen's Church is a symbol of the worship and the presence of God to-day. Just as Jerusalem was a reality, so the devotion in the house of God must be a re- ality to the Christian to-day. The church, aside from be- ing a reality, is a power in the world, and stands as the exponent of the great kingdom of God. Every member of the church is an empire builder, and, if he be a true Christian, is an active, earnest worker in the cause of Christ.
"Rev. S. R. Bridenbaugh, D. D., of the Second Church, brought greetings from his congregation, and rejoiced with them in the fact that another substantial monument had been erected in honor of the Great King. Reading now has some sixty of these monuments, and each stands as a distinct recognition of true Christianity which per- vades the community.
"The anthem, 'O Come, Let Us Sing Unto the Lord,' by Barnes, was sung.
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"After the address by Rev. O. H. Strunck, the sub- scriptions were received and the collection lifted. The hymn, 'The Church's One Foundation,' was rendered. The choir of the Second Church assisted in the musical part of the service. The congregation was dismissed with the benediction by Rev. Mr. Strunck.
"The splendid auditorium made a fine appearance in the evening under the lustre emitted by the scores of in- candescent lights. The building was crowded.
"The choir charmingly rendered the anthem, 'O, How Amiable Are Thy Dwellings.' Rev. Mr. Gerhard read the invocation.
"The hymn, 'Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,' was sung by the congregation. The 84th Psalm was re- peated antiphonally.
"The pastor read 1st Kings 8: 1-34 as the lesson. The 'Gloria Patri,' Apostles' Creed and the prayers followed in that order. The hymn, 'Father, Son and Spirit, Hear,' was rendered by the congregation. Miss Bertha Doyle gave a vocal solo, 'Abide With Me,' in melodious tones.
"Rev. George W. Richards, Professor of Church His- tory in the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, was to preach in the evening, but because of serious illness in his family he was unable to be present. Rev. H. Y. Sto- ner, a 'son of St. Stephen's Church,' preached in his stead.
"Rev. Mr. Stoner's text was Nehemiah 2: 10, 'There was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Is- rael.'
"After saying that all Christian people were rejoicing at the erection of this edifice, he proceeded to describe some of the weaknesses of the Church to-day. He de- clared that into the work of Christianity should be thrown all the power that Christ can and does bestow for the ele- vation of humanity for a higher standard of Christianity. Do not only bring here your good will and prayers, but
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your labor and your dollars. The speaker drew a picture of what sorrow sin can bring into a home. If we are Christians of the right kind, we will do something to pu- rify and lift up such homes. We must not only have the thought to work for the saving of souls, but a determined mind to do it. Having grand ideas is not sufficient. We must crystallize them. If a man has faith and an indom- itable self-will he can accomplish what seems to be im- possible. But with God it is possible. We must be fear- less. Like Nehemiah, we must be governors and guard against the sinful powers from without that come to de- throne the temple of God. An indispensable essential is character. Salvation, if it be anything, is character. If we wish to be saved we must have a certain character. We must have holiness and purity. We must acquire a taste for that goodness necessary to enjoy the Holy Spirit. "Rev. Mr. Stoner declared that the church must com- bat the assaults of worldliness, indifference and sin. He said that religion was losing its grip on the masses. He asked why? Not because the music is not pleasing. Not. because there is no ability in preachers. Not because the ministers are not pure. The reason, he asserted, was that the church does not take hold of the children. We must have practical, earnest Christianity in the home. We should give the boys and girls such a start that no bad influences can move them when they grow up. We must work among them all the time. One hour a week at Sun- day school is not sufficient for their Christian cultivation, and to safeguard them against the evils of this world.
"Rev. Mr. Stoner declared the church is not awake and up and doing. There should be more Nehemiahs- fearless, resolute, earnest, upright, Christian, brave, lib- eral, prayerful men. Then the church will make greater strides. He trusted that St. Stephen's Church contained many Nehemiahs, who would do the will of God.
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"After the 'Gloria Tibi,' the Lord's Prayer was recited in unison, when Rev. Mr. Strunck resumed his appeals for subscriptions. While the offering was being taken, the choir sang 'O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem' with fine effect.
"Rev. Dr. Gerhard said a few words, in which he ex- pressed his gratification with the large attendance, the success of the services, the beauty of the church, and praised the congregation by saying that he never asked them for anything that they did not cheerfully give. He thanked the members and friends of St. Stephen's for their interest in the affair.
"The solemn act of consecration then took place. The pastor read the sacred words, as follows:
" 'The congregation who are here assembled, having erected this house for the worship of God, we now set it apart from all common and secular use, and, under the name of St. Stephen's Reformed Church, Reading, Pa., do hereby consecrate it to the worship of the Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.'
"The concluding features were prayers, the hymn 'Oh, Bow Thine Ear, Eternal One," doxology and benediction.
"Donations and presentations were as follows: Large window of the Marys at the empty tomb of Christ, with angel pointing upward, on the Ninth Street side, Mrs. C. S. Gerhard and family, in memory of her father, Benne- ville A. Glase; window to the left of the Marys, Sunday School, in memory of Daniel S. Klein, Assistant Superin- tendent and Elder; window to the right of the Marys, La- dies' Guild; window of St. Stephen, in pulpit recess, Geo. F. Lance, in memory of his daughter, Erminie Lance; al- tar, Mrs. C. S. Gerhard's Sunday School Class, in memory of Vanie Buckley Davis, a deceased member of the class; one of the pulpit chairs, Mrs. Susan Drexel's Sunday School Class; bookmarkers for lecturn and pulpit Bibles, Mrs. George B. Price and daughter; polished cross on al-
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tar, S. B. McCleas & Co., of Philadelphia; transom over main entrance door on Ninth Street, Junior Christian En- deavor Society; transom over main entrance door on Greenwich Street, Senior Christian Endeavor Society; tower windows on Ninth Street, Emma L. Westley; tower windows on Greenwich Street side, Elizabeth M. Wan- ner.
"The architecture of the auditorium is unlike any, in many respects, in Reading, and its massive open ceiling, magnificently carved altar, pulpit, lecturn, chairs, pretty pews, artistic oak wainscoting, exquisite windows, neat walls, fine chandeliers, perfect acoustic properties, roomy choir recess and conveniences combine to make a model of its style."
During the week following the dedication special services were held every evening.
On Monday evening the sermon was preached by Rev. John Philip Stein, pastor of St. Thom- as' Reformed Church.
Rev. D. W. Gerhard, pastor of Salem Re- formed Church, near Lancaster, brother of Dr. C. S. Gerhard, preached on Tuesday evening. Among other things he said :
"God's people have always found it necessary to take part in the services of the sanctuary. It is true, as is sometimes said, that we can pray and read our Bibles at home, but experience shows that those who do this most diligently are those who are also most regular in attend- ance upon public worship. It is necessary, in order to hasten our growth in grace. I congratulate the pastor and members of this congregation upon the splendid edi-
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fice which has been here erected. You are now equipped to do effective work. I pray God's blessings upon your labors."
On Wednesday evening Rev. Jas. R. Brown, pastor of the Schwarzwald Charge, occupied the pulpit. His text was Hebrews 10: 25, and he said in part :
"Some people move along the line of least resistance, some along the line of the greatest attraction, and some along the line of the strongest propulsion. This applies to church attendance. Some go because others go. The easiest and most natural thing is to go with their friends and acquaintances. Others go because they are attracted by the music, and other inducements. Then finally are those who feel themselves propelled by an inward feeling. They go because they want to go and worship the Lord. We ought to go to church, in order that we may help to keep up the external organization, to improve ourselves, and to help in this way by our example and influence to benefit others."
On Thursday evening the sermon was preached by Rev. W. Glase Gerhard, pastor of St. John's Reformed Church, Philadelphia, a son of Rev. C. S. Gerhard, D. D.
Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, pastor of St. Mark's Reformed Church, preached on Friday evening.
On Sunday evening, November 26, 1899, the pastor, Rev. C. S. Gerhard, D. D., began a series of special sermons, preaching on "An Open Door." His text was 1 Corinthians 16 :
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