USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > The history of St. Stephen's reformed church, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1884-1909; by the Rev. Thomas W. Dickert > Part 9
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pearance of the walls. The vestibule and gal- lery are adorned with artistic stencil-work. The work has been greatly admired by all who have seen it, and many flattering comments have been passed on the ability of Mr. Imhoff as a fresco- artist.
The Ladies' Aid Society had $250 in its treasury when the work was completed ; and by making a loan of $250 additional for one year was enabled to pay for the work in cash. These noble women thus added another item to the list of many noble things they had done for the welfare and prosperity of St. Stephen's.
A double hymn-board was erected on the post nearest the pulpit between the sliding par- tition that separates the Sunday school room from the auditorium.
While this improvement was in progress, the church services were held in the Sunday school chapel.
The climax of improvements, however, was reached in the installation of the handsome pipe organ, which had been solicited by Dr. Ger- hard. It is the munificent gift of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, and one of the last organs which he gave outright. It was scheduled by Mr. W. L.
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
Mayer, Pittsburg, Pa., and built by Mr. M. P. Mæller, Church Organ Builder, Hagerstown, Md. It is one of the handsomest and most com- plete and up-to-date organs in our city.
The following are the specifications of the organ :
GREAT ORGAN.
1. 16 ft. Double Open Diap- ason.
2. 8 ft. Open Diapason.
3. 8 ft. Doppel Flæte.
4. 8 ft. Gamba.
5. 4 ft. Flute Harmonique.
6. 4 ft. Principal.
7. 223 ft. Nazard.
8. 2 ft. Piccolo.
9. 8 ft. Trumpet.
SWELL ORGAN.
10. 16 ft. Bourdon.
11. 8 ft. Open Diapason.
12. 8 ft. Stopped Diapason.
13. 8 ft. Viol d'Orchestre.
14. 8 ft. Æoline.
15. 4 ft. Rohr Flæte.
16. 4 ft. Violina.
17. 8 ft. Oboe and Bassoon.
18. 8 ft. Vox Humana(in sep- arate swell box with independent tremolo and expression ped- al).
CHOIR ORGAN.
19. 8 ft. Violin Diapason.
20. 8 ft. Melodia.
21. 8 ft. Dulciana.
22. 4 ft. Gems Horn.
23. 4 ft. Flute Traverso.
24. 8 ft. Clarionetto.
PEDAL ORGAN.
25. 16 ft. Double Open Diapa- son.
26. 16 ft. Sub Bass.
27. 8 ft. Octave Bass.
28. 8 ft. Violoncello.
COUPLERS.
Swell to Great.
Choir to Great.
Swell to Choir.
Swell Superoctave to Great.
Swell Suboctave to Great. Choir Suboctave to Great.
Choir Superoctave to Great.
Great Superoctave to Great. Great Suboctave to Great.
Swell Superoctave to Swell. Choir Superoctave to Choir.
....
....
THE PIPE ORGAN.
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Great to Pedal.
Swell to Pedal.
Choir to Pedal.
Pedal Superoctave to Pedal.
MECHANICAL ACCESSORIES.
Great Tremulant.
Swell Tremulant.
Choir Tremulant.
Wind Indicator.
Crescendo Indicator.
Great Coupler Cancel.
Swell Coupler Cancel.
Choir Coupler Cancel.
ADJUSTABLE COMBINATIONS.
Piston No. 1 Affecting
Piston No. 2 swell and ped-
Piston No. 3 al stops.
Piston No. 4 Affecting
Piston No. 5 great and ped-
Piston No. 6 al stops.
Balanced Vox Humana, individual expression pedal. Balanced grand crescenda pedal.
Total-46 stops, 1848 pipes, 41 pistons, 7 pedal move- ments.
The Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was reorganized on Friday afternoon, September 18, 1903, with Miss Mary E. Schoenberger as Superintendent .*
The Church Reconsecration and Carnegie Pipe Organ Dedication Services were held on Sunday, October 18, 1903, with special services
Piston No. 7
Affecting
Piston No. 8 choir and ped- al stops.
FIXED COMBINATIONS.
Pedal No. 1. "Full Pedal" Organ.
Pedal No. 2. " Pedal Organ Piano."
PEDAL MOVEMENTS.
Great to pedal reversible.
Balanced swell organ, ex- pression pedal.
Balanced choir organ, ex- pression pedal.
* The first society of this character was organized January 21, 1899, with Mrs. Ida E. Brumbach as Superintendent, but for some reason it disbanded in 1901.
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
morning, afternoon and evening, and every evening, except Saturday, of the week following.
The following are the programs rendered at these services :
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18.
Morning service, 10.00 o'clock-Prelude, "Now Thank We All Our God"-Ashford, by Mr. J. Wilson Klein, or- ganist of our church; anthem, "The Heavens Declare," W. B. Goate, by the choir of our church; invocation, by the pastor; hymn, No. 10, "Lord, Thy Glory Fills the Heaven;" Psalm 103 (read antiphonally); hymn, No. 441, "The Church's One Foundation;"' Scripture Lessons: St. Matthew 9: 1-8; Ephesians 4: 17-32; Gloria Patri; Apostles' Creed; general prayer, Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs, D. D .; hymn, No. 443, " Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken;" sermon, Rev. Joseph Henry Dubbs, D. D., Audenried pro- fessor of History and Archæology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa .; Kyrie; closing prayer, Rev. I. E. Graeff, D. D .; Lord's Prayer; offertory, " Communion in D," Batiste; offering; offertory hymn; anthem, "Can- tate Domino," Juan Alzamora; announcements; closing hymn, No. 679, "Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise;" doxology; benediction, Rev. I. E. Graeff, D. D .; postlude in E flat.
The attendance at this service was good. Dr. Dubbs preached a very edifying sermon on "The House of the Lord," based on Psalm 27: 4, "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." The musical selections were excellent and the congregational singing was inspiring. Many favorable comments were made on the beauty of the church and the magnificence of the pipe organ.
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Sunday School service, 1.30 P. M .- The Sunday School service was largely attended. Interesting and inspiring addresses were made by Rev. Dr. J. H. Dubbs and Chas. H. Leinbach, superintendent of St. Andrew's Reformed Sunday School.
Dedication service, 3.30 P. M .- Prelude, "Andante Pas- torale," Lemare, by Mr. W. S. Hollenback, organist of the Second Reformed Church.
Anthem, "The Lord Be a Lamp," Benedict, by the quartette and chorus of the Second Reformed Church; invocation, by the pastor; hymn, No. 277, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name;" Scripture Lesson, 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13; prayer, Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, pastor St. Mark's Reformed Church; hymn, No. 689, "Beautiful Savior;" address, Rev. James I. Good, D. D., pastor Calvary Re- formed Church; address, Rev. C. E. Creitz, assistant pas- tor St. Paul's Reformed Church ; Reconsecration and Dedication Service, by the pastor; hymn, No. 601, "Now Thank We All Our God;"' address, Rev. John W. Stein- metz, D. D., pastor St. John's Reformed Church; address, Rev. L. K. Derr, D. D., pastor Zion's Reformed Church; announcements; offertory, "La Devotion," Thayer; of- fering; offertory hymn ; anthem, "Hear My Prayer," Mendelssohn (Mrs. W. S. S. Coleman sang the solo in this anthem); closing hymn, No. 360, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds;" doxology; benediction, Rev. J. W. Steinmetz, D. D. ; postlude, "Marcietta," Dubois. This service was very largely attended. The music of the organist and choir of the Second Reformed Church was of a high order and was greatly appreciated. The greetings and remarks of the four pastors of our sister churches were most cor- dial and happy, and were very much enjoyed by the large congregation.
Christian Endeavor Prayer Meeting, 6.30 P. M .- Topic, "Great Men of the Bible: What Moses Teaches Us;" leader, Miss Maggie Wagner.
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
Evening service, 7.30 o'clock-Prelude in F, Lee Me- laigre, by Mr. J. Wilson Klein, organist of our church; anthem, "Gloria in Excelsis," Bordese-Noelsch, by the choir of our church; opening hymn, No. 214, "Nearer, My God, to Thee;"' invocation by the pastor; Psalm 96 (read antiphonally); hymn, No. 619, "Praise to the Lord! He is King Over all the Creation!" Scripture Lessons; Gloria Patri; Apostles' Creed; general prayer, by the pastor; hymn, No. 407, "My Faith Looks up to Thee;"' sermon, Rev. H. Y. Stoner, Reading, Pa .; Gloria Tibi; Lord's Prayer; announcements; offertory, "Pastorale in G," Flagler; offering; offertory hymn; contralto solo, "If I Were a Voice," Woodbury, by Miss Hattie I. Millard; closing hymn, No. 680, "Lord, Dismiss us with Thy Bless- ing;" doxology; benediction, by Rev. H. Y. Stoner; post- lude, "March in D," Batiste. This was the best attended service of the day. Both the auditorium and the Sunday School chapel were filled. The music by our organist and choir and the congregational singing were very inspiring and added greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion. Rev. H. Y. Stoner, formerly a member of St. Stephen's and later pastor of St. Mark's Reformed Church, preached a masterly sermon on "Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness," based on Psalm 96 : 9, "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness," and Psalm 100 : 4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: give thanks unto Him and bless His name." A large pro- portion of the members of the congregation and many visitors from other congregations attended the various services.
The decorations at these services were elaborate and beautiful. They consisted chiefly of autumn leaves and flowers, evergreens and ornamental plants. Four vases of beautiful flowers graced the altar. A large cross of white blossoms and autumn leaves was immediately in front of the altar. The sides of the pulpit and the pulpit
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steps were adorned with jardinieres containing ferns and other greens, and tall rubber plants added their charms to the scene. The baptismal font was filled with a hand- some bouquet of autumn flowers, and two neatly arranged baskets of flowers rested on the chancel railing. The decorating committee consisted of Mrs. Agnes Price, Mrs. Emma Derr, Mrs. Sue Drexel, Mrs. Alice Winkleman, Mrs. Vallie Lowe, Misses Ella Bickel, Ella Ludwig, Anna Heck, Maggie Ritter, Edith Lance, Ida Boyer, Mary Ree- ser, and Messrs. Samuel P. Faust, William J. Lowe, Mil- ton J. Coller, John D. Heck.
MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 19.
CHORAL SERVICE.
Prelude, Mr. J. Wilson Klein, organist of our church; anthem, "God is Our Refuge," Farmer-Noelsch, by our choir; invocation, by the pastor; hymn, No. 406, "Oh, Worship the King, All-Glorious Above;"' anthem, "O God, Our Father," Hummel-Noelsch; Scripture Lesson; Gloria Patri; prayer, by Rev. A. R. Bartholomew, D. D .; anthem, "The Famous Firmament," Batiste-Rogers; ser- mon, Rev. A. R. Bartholomew, D. D., Secretary Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Gloria Tibi; Lord's Prayer; anthem, "I am Alpha and Omega," Stainer; announce- ments; offertory; offering; offertory hymn; baritone solo, " Beautiful Visions of Paradise," Vernes, Mr. Harry U. Grant; closing hymn, No. 419, " So Let Our Lips and Lives Express;" doxology ; benediction; postlude.
This service was in honor of the choir, which has been rendering gratuitous service to the congregation for a number of years. Mr. J. Wilson Klein has been organist and director of music in our church for thirteen years. He handled the new organ very acceptably during these ser- vices, and gives promise of becoming a master in the art. The personnel of the choir during the special services was
11
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
as follows: Soprano, Anna Schleicher, Lizzie Titlow, Ger- trude Bickel, Agnes Levan, Carrie Sonen, Marjarie Frank- hauser, Helen Fleckenstein, Mrs. Mabel Myers, Vina Haag. Altos, Hattie Millard, Mrs. Annie Barto, Ella Mil- ler, Mame Marks, Maud Blyler. Tenors, John Laufers- weiler, Milton Seitzinger, William Whitman, John Myers, Abner Shearer, Thomas Bright, George Shugars. Bass, Luther Wrentzel, Daniel Whitman, Warren Hartman, Os- car DeLong.
The anthems, which occupied a prominent part in the evening's program, were well rendered and greatly enjoyed by those who were present.
The sermon of the evening, preached by Rev. A. R. Bartholomew, D. D., Philadelphia, Pa., the efficient Sec- retary of our Board of Foreign Missions, was a scholarly and animated presentation of the theme, "The Place of Music in Worship." It was deserving of one of our finest audiences, and we regret that the attendance was not larger.
We are sure when Dr. Bartholomew appears before us again, he will be greeted by a much larger congregation.
TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 20.
INAUGURAL RECITAL.
On Tuesday evening both the church auditorium and the Sunday School chapel were taxed to their utmost ca- pacity. Every available seat, as well as every foot of standing room, was occupied, and a number of persons were compelled to turn away. From twelve to fifteen hundred persons were present to hear the inaugural re- cital given by Mr. William Benbow, organist of Trinity Lutheran Church; Miss Anna M. Shearer, soprano, and Mr. Otto Wittich, violin. The recital was of a very high order, and was greatly enjoyed by the vast assembly, which was most attentive and orderly throughout the en- tire service. The pastor made a few remarks on Mr. An-
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drew Carnegie and his magnificent gift. The musicians were given the Chautauqua salute. The offering failed to express adequately the appreciation and admiration of the audience, but it came within a few dollars of the amount asked for by the pastor.
The following is the program which was rendered:
1. Toccata in F J. S. Bach
2. Vocal Scdo, a "The Little Thief" Leo Stern
b " Sweet Love, now I must Leave Thee" .. Rich. Strauss
3. Intermezzo in B flat. E. H. Lemare
4. Violin Solo, "Romance" in F Beethoven
5. Canzone. W. Wolstenholme
6. Allegro assai from Sonata I A. Guilmant
7. Vocal Solo, "Ave Maria"' Bach-Gounod With Violin and Organ accompaniment.
8. Fugue from Sonata in B flat. W. Benbow
9. Violin Solo, Andante from Concerto in E mi- nor Mendelssohn
10. a Capriccio Capocci
b Berceuse in D Lemare
11. Concert Overture W. Faulkes
WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 21.
PRAISE AND PRAYER SERVICE.
Prelude, by Mr. Ernest H. Artz, deputy organist Me- morial Church of the Holy Cross; anthem, "Praise the Lord" in C, C. O. Beck, by the choir of our church; open- ing hymn, No. 478, "Oh, for a Heart to Praise my God;"' invocation, by the pastor; hymn, No. 436, "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord;"' Scripture Lesson, Rev. C. H. Gramm; Gloria Patri; prayer, Rev. Jno. Phil. Stein, D. D .; hymn, No. 759, "Sweet Hour of Prayer;" address, Rev. C. H. Gramm, assistant pastor Zion's Reformed Church: ad- dress, Rev. Jno. Phil. Stein, D. D., pastor St. Thomas' Reformed Church; address, Geo. W. Wagner, Esq., dis- trict attorney of Berks county, representing the First Re-
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
formed Church; Gloria Tibi; Lord's Prayer; announce- ments; offertory, Mr. Ernest H. Artz; offering; offertory hymn; baritone solo. "The Savior's Command," Chip- man, by Mr. D. Warren Grant; closing hymn, No. 452, "Jesus, I live to Thee;" doxology; benediction, by Rev. Jno. Phil. Stein, D. D .; postlude, by Mr. Ernest H. Artz. The attendance at this service was fair. The greetings and addresses on "Praise and Prayer" by the visiting pas- tors were very interesting and edifying, and all who were present felt well repaid for attending the service. The music was well rendered, and added greatly to the edi- fication and enjoyment of those present.
THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 27. LADIES' AID SOCIETY SERVICE.
Prelude, "Meditation," Wm. Otis Brewster, by Mr. A. Stanley Keast, organist of St. Thomas' Reformed Church; anthem, " Send Out Thy Light," Gounod, by the choir of St. Thomas' Reformed Church; hymn, No. 648, "Sun of My Soul, Thou Savior Dear;" invocation, by the pastor; hymn, No. 144, " Work, for the Night is Coming;" Scrip- ture Lesson, by Rev. H. H. Rupp; Gloria Patri; prayer, by Rev. S. R. Bridenbaugh, D. D .; anthem, "The Sun Shall be no More," Woodward; address, Rev. S. R. Bri- denbaugh, D. D., pastor Second Reformed Church; ad- dress, Rev. H. H. Rupp, pastor Olivet Reformed Church; address, Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, pastor St. Mark's Reformed Church; Gloria Tibi; Lord's Prayer; announcements; of- fertory, "Intermezzo," Bruce H. Steane; offertory; of- fering; offertory hymn; duet, " Beloved, Let us Love One Another," Stainer, Misses Carrie Reinhart and Olie Shuck- er; closing hymn, No. 456, "A Charge to Keep I Have;" doxology; benediction, Rev. C. E. Schaeffer; postlude, "Festal March," J. Baptiste Calkin.
This service was held in honor of the Ladies' Aid So- ciety, who generously assumed the cost of frescoing the
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church auditorium. These devoted women have been do- ing a noble work for the congregation ever since the or- ganization of the society, and within recent years their contributions toward the improvement of the church have been very liberal. The society attended the service in a body and occupied seats reserved for them to the right of the centre aisle. About fifty members of the society were present.
The attendance at this service was very good. The pastors who were present presented the greetings of their respective congregations, and then eulogized the work done by the women in our churches. The addresses were exceedingly interesting, and were delivered in a happy vein, which made them all the more enjoyable. The mu- sic by the organist and choir of our nearest sister church was well received and greatly enjoyed by the congrega- tion.
FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 23. YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICE.
Prelude, by Mr. Fred. C. Moyer, organist of First Re- formed Church; anthem, "The King of Love My Shep- herd is," Shelley, by the choir of First Reformed Church ; opening hymn, No. 136, "Stand up! Stand up for Jesus;"' invocation, by the pastor; anthem, "Angelic Songs," Steanes ; Scripture Lesson, Rev. W. E. Harr ; Gloria Patri; prayer, Rev. W. E. Harr; anthem, "The Lord is My Shepherd," Morrison; address, Rev. W. E. Harr, pas- tor Faith and St. James' Reformed Churches; address, Dr. W. D. DeLong, representing the Young People's So- cieties of St. Stephen's Reformed Church; address, by the pastor; Gloria Tibi; Lord's Prayer; announcements; of- fertory, "Air Fantastique," Goaete; offering; offertory hymn; anthem, "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts," Verdi-Nevin; closing hymn, No. 725, "Jesus, Savior, Pi- lot Me;" doxology; benediction, Rev. W. E. Harr; post- lude, "Onward, Christian Soldiers," Ashford. This ser-
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
vice was held in honor of our young people in their organ- ized capacity in the Sunday School, Missionary Society, Mission Band, Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor, Junior Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor, and Ushers' Association. These organizations are all important in their place, and have done a great deal for the welfare and advancement of the best interests of the congregation. They are a great help to the pastor, and he has not asked anything of them that they have not cheerfully done. Any congregation with a number of active Young People's Societies such as these has a bright and promising future.
The organist and choir of the First Reformed Church rendered a most excellent musical program. The solos in the anthems were sung by Miss Sadie P. Miller and Mr. Fred. C. Moyer in a very impressive manner. The ad- dresses were both interesting and instructive. The at- tendance was good.
This service concluded the week's jubilee in honor of the reconsecration of our beautiful church auditorium and the dedication of our handsome pipe organ. With the exception of one or two evenings the attendance was all that could be desired. The offerings of all the services amounted to $235.80. Representatives were present and offered greetings from the other twelve Reformed con- gregations of Reading. All the pastors and assistants of these congregations, except three, were present. One was detained by sickness, and the other two by other en- gagements. The music throughout was of a high order, and left a deep and lasting impression on all who en- joyed it.
On Sunday evening, November 1, 1903, Rev. Mr. Dickert celebrated the first anniversary of his pastorate at St. Stephen's. The service was
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very largely attended. It was exactly twenty years since the pastorate of Rev. Calvin S. Ger- hard, D. D., began.
The pastor spoke on "A Year's Work for God," based on Acts 10: 29, 33, "I ask there- fore with what intent ye sent for me. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord."
He considered the following phases of his first year's work for God at St. Stephen's :
(1) The material improvements that have been made during the past year.
(2) The congregational statistics are as follows: Mem- bers added by confirmation, 50; by certificate, 31; by re- profession of faith, 32; total, 113. In the Sunday School about 250 scholars were added in all the departments. Losses by death: Adults, 10; infants, 5; total, 15. Fun- erals of those not belonging to the congregation, 16. Bap- tisms: Adults, 3; infants, 53; total, 56. Marriages, 24. Number communed at the four communions of the year, 1,618.
(3) The amount of money raised by the congregation during the year from all sources and for all purposes was about $5,000. This includes the payment of $1,000 on the debt ; the interest on the debt; the classical apportion- ment ; the support of a Japanese student for the Christian ministry ; current expenses and improvements.
(4) The spiritual growth of the congregation has been proportionate to the growth along other lines. We stand on a higher spiritual plane. The year has not been with-
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out discouragements and annoyances, but these have been far outweighed by the good that has been done and the pleasure derived from doing it.
As we enter a new year of grace, let us reconsecrate ourselves to God, so that we may continue to grow in grace and knowledge, and may do greater things to His glory and the welfare of His kingdom.
So closed the first year's work of the new pastor. It was an eventful year. He felt at home among the people of St. Stephen's and enjoyed his labors in their behalf.
CHAPTER IX AN ERA OF PROSPERITY
T HE next five years in the history of St. Stephen's Reformed Church marked an era of great prosperity. There was a marked increase in the membership of the congrega- tion and Sunday School, great ac- tivity on the part of the various organizations of the church, and liberal contributions for benevolence and con- gregational purposes.
At the annual congregational meeting, Jan- uary 13, 1904, Dr. John K. Seaman was elected elder, in place of J. Fred. Gerhard, whose term had expired and who declined renomination. At the regular consistory meeting, February 3, 1904, Dr. Seaman was elected treasurer of the congregation.
The organist, J. Wilson Klein, was granted leave of absence, February 14, 1904, to July 1, 1904. During his absence Ernest H. Artz ac- ceptably filled the position of organist.
" The Christian Visitor" having been pub- lished at considerable loss to the congregation,
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
it was decided on February 29, 1904, to discon- tinue its publication, and to issue an annual publication instead.
Easter Sunday, April 3, 1904, was a blessed day in the history of our church. Seventy- eight new members were received into the fel- lowship of the congregation-fifty by confirma- tion and twenty-eight by certificate of dismis- sion and renewal of faith. The offerings of the day amounted to $2,069.47, of which the con- gregation contributed $1,103.49 and the Sunday School $965.98. The treasurer was enabled to pay $1,500 on the mortgage, $572 for interest and $241.47 as the balance of the classical ap- portionment.
At a special meeting of the consistory held April 24, 1904, the organist's salary was in- creased to $25.00 a month.
At the consistory meeting on May 2, 1904, it was decided to make an effort to pay the bal- ance of our mortgage, $10,500, by the time of our twenty-fifth anniversary, March 16, 1909.
The congregational annual, entitled "The Year Book of St. Stephen's Reformed Church," was published in the summer of 1904. It con- sisted of thirty-two pages of reading matter and
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AN ERA OF PROSPERITY
a four-page cover. It contained articles of in- terest to the members of the congregation ; the annual parochial report; congregational statis- tics ; a complete directory of the congregation and Sunday School; the baptisms, marriages and deaths which occurred since the discontin- uance of "The Christian Visitor ;" the officers of all the organizations of the church, and table prayers. It was sent gratuitously into every home of the congregation.
On July 10, 1904, Thomas B. Jones, who had served as sexton of the church for almost sixteen years, sent his resignation to the con- sistory. Action was deferred until a week la- ter, July 17, 1904, when the resignation was accepted, to take effect August 1, 1904. The consistory elected a gentleman for the position on September 7, 1904, but he was found to be incompetent, and the position was declared to be vacant. At a special meeting of the consis- tory on September 30, 1904, Francis S. Hann was elected to the position at a salary of $18.00 per month, beginning October 1, 1904. On December 7, 1904, his salary was increased to $20.00 per month from January 1, 1905. At the same meeting the organist's salary was in-
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