USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > The history of St. Stephen's reformed church, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1884-1909; by the Rev. Thomas W. Dickert > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
His enemies, the chief priests and the scribes, sought to kill Him, and finally succeeded in having the sentence of death pronounced upon Him. He was made to wear a crown of thorns, was mocked and scoffed, and nailed to the cross to die in agony. Never did the chief priests and scribes give expression to a profounder truth than when they looked at Him in His awful agony, mocking Him, and saying: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save." He could not have saved others if He had saved Himself. It was in giving Himself that He became the Savior of the world.
That scene on the cross was the sublimest expression of the truth which Jesus had laid down when He said: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." In giving Himself for oth- ers He manifested the greatness of His love.
140
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
The example of Jesus has been the inspiration for all the Christian centuries. Those who serve God and hu- manity best are those who walk in His footsteps and fol- low His example.
II. THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER. Among these the Christ- ian minister stands in the forefront. As he is true to his calling as a pastor and a preacher, a disciple of Jesus, a teacher of His blessed truth, and a dispenser of the bless- ings of Christianity, he must give himself for others.
The true minister of the Gospel thinks not of himself, not of his personal welfare and aggrandizement, when he enters upon the duties of his sacred office, but he thinks of the welfare, the happiness, and the salvation of others, and he manifests his love best when giving himself for others, laying down his life for others, not in a single sac- rifice, but by daily laboring for those whom God has en- trusted to his care.
Such a pastor and preacher, such a minister of the Gos- pel, was Dr. Gerhard, whose departure you mourn. He was the only pastor you have heretofore known as a con- gregation, and it may be truthfully said that he gave him- self for you. This congregaiion and this beautiful house of worship stand as evidences of and monuments to his love and devotion to his people. He gave you the best that was in him, and at no small cost. Every sermon, every pastoral visit, every prayer, every baptism, every marriage ceremony, every funeral took some of the vital energy, which during the past four years was ebbing away more rapidly than it was being replaced, and at last the decline was so rapid that it could not be checked, and he fell asleep in the midst of his work, as it were, giving himself for others.
Thus must every pastor give himself for his people, and as he is true to his sacred calling, he will deny himself day by day in order that in Jesus' name he may preach the truth that makes men free, lead his flock in the green pas-
141
A NEW PASTOR
tures and by the still waters of heavenly grace, encourage the young, befriend the friendless, comfort the sorrowing, bring peace to the dying, lift up the fallen, save the lost.
My Christian friends, it is no small thing to be a true minister of the Gospel of Christ. It means the giving of one's self to his calling, the laying down of one's life for his friends.
III. THE MISSIONARY. The missionary furnishes us an- other noble example of Christian self-sacrifice, and the life of a missionary is in many respects the most Christ- like life that can be lived. The greater the sacrifice, the more Christlike it is. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus laid down His life not only for His friends, but for stran- gers, for outcasts, for His enemies, for all who will be saved.
The missionary leaves his home and friends, goes among strangers, among aliens, among those who often are his bitterest foes. He goes for Jesus' sake, because of Jesus' example, of Jesus' command, of Jesus' help. He goes because he loves souls and is prepared to give himself that he may save others. God bless the growing. army of consecrated men and women who have gone forth into the world under the banner of the cross to win souls for Jesus. They shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.
IV. PATRIOTS. The true patriot who loves his country in times of war and of peace gives his life for its welfare. When peace and prosperity smile upon him and his coun- try, he holds dear its fair name, and does all within his power to maintain its integrity and honor, to promote its welfare and advancement, to guard its safety and pros- perity, and to defend its institutions and interests. In time of danger and attack he goes forth to fight for its preservation and to die, if need be, for its perpetuation. It is just as honorable to live worthy of your country in times of peace as to die nobly for your country in time of
142
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
war, and the true patriot is prepared to do both. His name will be inscribed in the hall of fame among those of whom it is said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
V. PARENTS. Parents, too, are among those who give themselves for others. Only a father and a mother know how much of their lives they must give for their children. In the family life are found some of the world's noblest heroes and heroines, and though their names may not be recorded in worldly halls of fame, they stand among the foremost of those recorded in the book of the Lamb in heaven, where only those are admitted who truly love.
VI. EVERY CHRISTIAN. The life of every true Christ- ian must be a self-sacrificing life. As you lead a pure and noble life for Jesus' sake, as you are true to your confir- mation vows, as you labor for your church and for hu- manity, as you try to make others happy and help save the lost, you manifest your love, which is at its best when you give yourself for others.
"That we spent we had, That we kept we lost, That we gave we have."
On Sunday morning, November 23, 1902, Rev. Thomas W. Dickert was installed as pastor of St. Stephen's Reformed Church by a com- mittee of Reading Classis, in the presence of a large congregation. Revs. H. Y. Stoner and C. E. Schaeffer delivered addresses, and Rev. C. E. Creitz conducted the installation.
At the evening service the newly-installed pastor preached his inaugural sermon on the subject "God's Fellow-Workers," based on the
143
A NEW. PASTOR
text, 1 Cor. 3: 9, "For we are God's fellow- workers : ye are God's husbandry, God's build- ing." He spoke as follows :
This congregation has thus far known only one pastor, who was the founder, the promoter, and the director of it. You will all agree with me when I say that he was a devoted and self-sacrificing pastor, laboring incessantly, and often too hard, for the welfare and comfort and sal- vation of his people; that he was an earnest and fearless preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that he was a profound and masterly scholar, whose worth was recog- nized far beyond the bounds of this congregation and city, and even beyond those of our denomination; that he was a wise counsellor and friend, who would not consciously mislead or misdirect any one; that he was a noble and consecrated Christian, whose daily life preached more ef- fectively than even his eloquence in the pulpit.
The loss of such a pastor, the first pastor of this con- gregation, serving it faithfully for nineteen years, build- ing up a large membership and erecting such a beautiful building-two lasting monuments to his love and devo- tion; the loss of such a pastor, loved and respected and honored, is indeed great and well-nigh irreparable.
To assume the responsibility of taking up so great a work laid down by so great a man is no small undertak- ing, and makes one tremble with timidity. And, my dear friends, if it were not for the fact that I realized that it was God's hand that was guiding your sainted pastor and you as a devoted people in making this choice, and that it was God's voice calling me in the call that you ex- tended to me, I should never have dared to assume the labors of so responsible a position. Sacred and secular history both give undoubted evidence that whenever God has called and men have obeyed, His name was glorified and His people were blessed. It would be cowardly, in-
144
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
deed, yea, cowardice bordering on infidelity, to hear the voice of God calling one to assume a certain position and to hold back with fear. And it was only because I felt that God would call no one to a duty which with His di- vine help he could not perform that I gave a favorable re- ply to your call.
Moreover, my dear friends, it would not be telling the whole truth, and it would be doing you a great injustice, if I did not add that it was also because I had faith and confidence in you as a devoted and consecrated people of God, because I could see in your faces that you were a people with whom I could labor in love for the glory of God, and for our mutual happiness, comfort, welfare and. salvation, that I undertook to be your pastor, your teach- er, your spiritual guide. It was with the confidence that you would make due allowance for my inferiority to your former pastor, for my less matured mind and less exten- sive experience; and that you would give me your hearty co-operation and support, that I was willing to assume the responsibility of the position into which I was officially installed this morning.
And, my friends, the brief experience of a few weeks has helped to confirm this faith and confidence in you, which I hope may grow still stronger as the days go by. I have been received very kindly and courteously by all whom I have met, and have had many expressions that assure me of your co-operation and helpfulness, all of which I most highly appreciate.
These introductory remarks lead me to the theme on which I can speak but briefly: "God's Fellow-workers."
What I have said to you is in harmony with the words of our text, "For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building."
There is a great deal in this chapter, from which the text is taken, which bears directly on our theme, and par- ticularly on the relation which we shall sustain as pastor and people.
145
A NEW PASTOR
It is the thought that we are God's fellow-workers that encourages and comforts and inspires a pastor on assum- ing the responsibilities of a higher, more laborious, more exacting pastorate. If he were to enter upon the work alone, he would falter at the outstart and fail in the end.
There are three factors which enter into the life and development and progress of every congregation. These are all suggested by the expression, "We are God's fel- low-workers." These three factors are all necessary and all essential. If any one were missing, the sacred tri- angle would be broken and the work would fail. These factors are God, the members of the congregation, and the pastor. These are the fellow-workers. I have given them in their logical order, and also in the order of their importance.
I. GOD. God is first in order and first in importance. Without God there would be no congregation and no pas- tor. Without the help and guidance of God, the work of congregation and pastor would be worth little or nothing.
And this is the thought that St. Paul wished to impress upon the minds of his Corinthian friends. There were lit- tle factions among them. Some said: "I am of Paul." Others said: "I am of Apollos." He was a little pro- voked at them for these expressions. He asks, "What then is Apollos? and what is Paul?" And he also answers the questions: "Ministers," are they, " through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered ; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that wa- tereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; but each shall re- ceive his own reward."
There are some pastors who are fond of saying, "I have done this," putting God in the background. There are some congregations who say, "We have accomplished this," forgetting to give God the praise. In this congre-
10
146
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
gation wonderful work has been done, remarkable prog- ress has been made, but it was not your sainted pastor alone who did it (and he would be the last to claim the honor, if he were here), and it was not you people alone who accomplished it, but it was God, who blessed and re- warded the labors of both pastor and people laboring to- gether in love as God's fellow-workers.
I do not come among you with the egotistic spirit of expecting to perform a great work by my own strength. Nor do I come here because I expect you to do something phenomenal by means of your own resources. But I come here and enter upon this difficult work in the hope that under God's guidance and with His help and blessing you and I may accomplish a great deal for His glory, for the extension and upbuilding of His kingdom, and for our own happiness and salvation.
There was a great difference between Paul and Apol- los. Paul says: "I planted, Apollos watered ; but God gave the increase." You will find as we become better acquainted that there is a great difference between the pastor whose departure you mourn, and the one whom you have called to take his place. It would be unnatural if it were otherwise. But I think we may truthfully and appropriately say your lamented pastor did the planting, that you have called me to do the watering, and that if we labor faithfully together we may expect God to give the increase.
This thought has reference to you as God's husbandry, or tilled land.
The companion figure which St. Paul uses is when he speaks of you as God's building.
In this connection we may also appropriately quote the expression of St. Paul, when he says: "According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise master-builder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon." How truly we can say that your first pastor
147
A NEW PASTOR
laid the foundation of this congregation, and in the provi- dence of God another has been called to build thereon. And I must heed the caution of St. Paul when he says, " But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon."
What is the foundation which was laid, and upon which we must continue to build? St. Paul tells us when he says: "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
I am sure that that is the foundation on which this congregation rests. You have a beautiful building, but you are a more beautiful one. This building with all its beauty will fade and decay and pass away, but you, as God's building, will endure for ever and ever, and will grow more beautiful as the endless ages of eternity roll on. To keep on building on this foundation, I have come to you. Let us realize now and at all times that we need God's help and God's blessing, that without Him we can- not do anything that is worth doing and that will endure.
God is the first and most important factor.
II. MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION. The second fac- tor in order and importance is the membership of the con- gregation, the men, women and children who are banded together in love as a flock who call unto themselves a shepherd.
I take you as the second factor, because a pastor with- out a congregation is a sorry sight, and a pastor who does not have the confidence, the affection, the co-operation and the support of his congregation is in a still more sorry plight.
I know, my dear Christian friends, from my own ob- servation, and from the lips of your sainted pastor, that you are an earnest, consecrated, affectionate and devoted people. I have all confidence in you, and believe that you will help to make my work in your midst as agree- able and profitable as possible.
In olden times the best picture to set forth the respec- tive duties of pastor and people was that of a large wagon
148
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
into which all the men, women and children clambered, and the poor pastor had to play the part of the horse and draw them up the steep and difficult hill to heaven.
All this has been changed, and to my mind the better picture is that of Moses lifting up the rod of God, sup- ported on the one side by Aaron and on the other by Hur. So the consistory and congregation stand on one side of the pastor holding up his arm, and the women and young people in their different organizations stand on his other side and lift up his arm, and God gives the victory to these fellow-workers with Him.
III. THE PASTOR. The last in order and in many re- spects the least in importance among the factors is the pastor. I do not mean to say that his work is unimpor- tant. Far from it. Many a congregation has had the un- pleasant experience, which in the providence of God you were spared, of being without a pastor, and they were like a flock without a shepherd, like a ship without a rud- der. They knew not what to do nor whither to go, and longed for a teacher and a guide.
The pastor is vitally related to God and his congrega- tion, and is responsible to both. Only as he is true to God can he be true to his congregation. If the congre- gation is not in harmony with God, how can the pastor be in harmony with the congregation and at the same time true to God?
God has sent me to you to labor among you for His glory and for your good. I must preach the truth of God boldly and fearlesssly. I must use the Word of God as a two-edged sword, though it may pierce even to the divid- ing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow. Though the plain and powerful truth may hurt, it will not be my intention to hurt, but to save. If my sermons come home and arouse your passion, there is something wrong with you, and you had better set yourself right with God.
The pastoral work is the harder and the more impor- tant part of a minister's duties. You must remember that
149
A NEW PASTOR
I am only flesh and blood, and cannot do the impossible, but I shall cheerfully minister to all your wants, and shall comply with all your reasonable and consistent demands, even at the cost of personal comfort and ease. I shall en- deavor to be a true and faithful teacher, and a safe and trustworthy guide. I shall endeavor, with the help of God, to set you a noble and worthy example in my daily walk in life.
At a special meeting of the consistory held after the evening service, November 23, 1902, President Milton J. Coller appointed Lemon H. Hertz to escort Rev. Mr. Dickert to the president's chair, and he became ex-officio presi- dent of the consistory.
At the regular monthly meeting of the con- sistory, December 3, 1902, the pastor's salary was increased to $100 per month, beginning with November 1, 1902.
Memorial services in honor of Dr. Gerhard were held on Sunday, March 1, 1903. At the church service in the morning Rev. H. Y. Sto- ner spoke of him as " a man, a preacher and a pastor," basing his remarks on Matthew 26: 13. Rev. Thomas W. Dickert spoke of him as "a scholar, a theologian, and an author," basing his remarks on Revelations 14: 13.
The Sunday school held a memorial service in the afternoon. Addresses on the life and
150
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
work of the deceased pastor were made by Dr. W. D. DeLong, S. P. Faust, M. J. Coller, A. J. Shartle, Rev. D. W. Gerhard, of Lancaster, brother of the deceased, and Rev. Thomas W. Dickert.
The Christian Endeavor Society held an appropriate service in the evening. Harvey Sheetz, Dr. J. K. Seaman, A. J. Shartle, Dr. W. D. DeLong, Miss Ella Miller and Rev. Thomas W. Dickert spoke at this gathering. Many kind words were said of the late pastor of St. Stephen's.
At the consistory meeting held March 4, 1903, the pastor, Elder H. K. Ritter and Dea- con W. D. DeLong were appointed a committee to receive bids for frescoing the church.
At a joint meeting of the consistory and the ushers of the congregation on March 11, 1903, the ushers expressed the desire to organize an Ushers' Association. The request was granted with the understanding that the organization should at all times be under the direct super- vision of the consistory. The Ushers' Associa- tion was organized April 13, 1903.
In March, 1903, the pastor began the pub- lication of a sixteen-page monthly church pa-
151
A NEW PASTOR
per called " The Christian Visitor." In the in- troductory number the pastor said :
"The members of St. Stephen's Reformed Church re- ceived an ANNUAL VISITOR during the past fourteen years, containing a directory of the congregation and other items of interest. No doubt the appearance of this annual was awaited with interest, and the copy was immediately read and carefully preserved.
"After careful consideration we concluded that it would be well to increase the number of visits of the par- ish paper and to enlarge its scope. If it is a good thing to have a VISITOR of this kind to come into every home once a year, we believe it is a much better thing to have its visits occur monthly, bringing words of cheer and en- couragement.
" We have seen proper to call this monthly paper THE CHRISTIAN VISITOR, because it is in a measure to take the pastor's place. The pastor hopes to visit every family in the congregation at least once a year, and in cases of sick- ness and distress more frequently, but it will be impossi- ble for him to make as many visits as he would wish, therefore THE CHRISTIAN VISITOR is to take his place and bring to the homes of the members of the congregation such information and encouragement, and admonition and comfort as the pastor would give if he could visit every home as frequently in person. By means of THE CHRISTIAN VISITOR the pastor will multiply himself twelve- fold, and pastor and people will be enabled to keep in closer touch than they could without this assistance.
"We hope, therefore, THE CHRISTIAN VISITOR will be given a kind and cordial welcome in your homes and in your hearts, and that you will learn to love and cherish it."
The Easter services on Sunday, April 12, 1903, were marked by mingled feelings of joy
152
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
and sorrow. The departed pastor was missed, but a liberal memorial offering was laid upon the altar in his honor. Seventy-eight new mem- bers were received-forty-eight by confirmation and thirty by certificate of dismission and re- profession of faith. The number communed was 535. The memorial offering amounted to $2,091.03, of which the congregation contributed $1,074.48 and the Sunday school $1,016.55.
At a special meeting of the consistory on April 26, 1903, it was decided to award the con- tract for frescoing the church auditorium to Mr. Berthold Imhoff, of Reading, for the sum of $500.
Mr. J. Wilson Klein resigned the office of financial secretary of the congregation on May 24, 1903. At the regular meeting of the con- sistory held June 3, 1903, Mr. Alvin J. Shartle was elected to fill the position.
During the spring and summer of 1903 ex- tensive improvements were made to the church property.
The primary room of the Sunday School was too damp and uncomfortable for the best interests of that department. The cement floor of the room was covered with a board floor
153
A NEW PASTOR
raised a few inches and made of good flooring. This was done in an excellent and satisfactory manner under the supervision of one of the teachers of the department, who is a good car- penter. It was soon found, however, that the wooden floor was somewhat more conducive to noise by moving chairs and shuffling feet than the cement floor had been, and an additional improvement was made by covering the floor with a neat matting.
Among the repairs and improvements to the auditorium and chapel may be mentioned the repair of the roof to prevent leakage and dam- age to the church walls; the painting of the woodwork on the outside of the building; the varnishing of the doors; the retouching of the doors and furniture in the auditorium; the hanging of small doors in the library ; the hanging of swinging doors at the entrance to the choir loft; and other minor improvements. The greater part of this work was done by me- chanics and artisans belonging to the congrega- tion.
Five dozen Reformed Church Hymnals, a number of Sunday School Hymnals and some Christian Endeavor Hymnals were added to
154
ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
these respective departments for the improve- ment of the facilities for praise and worship.
But one of the most marked improvements was the beautifying of the walls of the church auditorium. This was made possible by the devotion and zeal of the members of the Ladies' Aid Society, who volunteered to assume the cost of this improvement. As already stated, Mr. Berthold Imhoff, of our city, was engaged to do the work. The congregation erected a scaffold- ing at a cost of nearly two hundred dollars, which it was not deemed proper to require the Ladies' Aid Society to assume. Mr. Imhoff and his assistants performed the task very satisfac- torily. The walls are finished in handsome scroll-work, conforming in every respect with the Gothic style of architecture and harmoniz- ing beautifully with the rich designs and colors of the windows. On the south side, above the pipe-organ loft, is painted a beautiful life-sized angel, bearing a harp, emblematic of praise. Another angel, bearing a streamer, adorns the wall on the west. The handsome border run- ning around the entire auditorium above the wainscoting is a masterpiece in the art of fresco- painting, and adds largely to the attractive ap-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.