The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-11-17
CoBSER sronR LAYING. - English

large audience assembled AZ the usuA
place of worship on Saturday after
noon, TO take part in the ceremonies
connected with the laying OF the corner
stone ofthe Chapel about to be erected
at the corner OF Fourth and John
streets. The exercises were commenced
by the singing OF the introit:
aol come let Us sing to the Lord"
Prayer was offered by Rev. R. ".
Dodge, of the Fourth Presbyterian
Church, and a sermon by Rey. DR..
Conrad, of Philadelphia, from Ne
hemiah II, 90. The Reverend Doctor
presented and also discussed. the follow
ing truths: The laying OF corner
stone Is, III.
1. A significant act.
II. Areligious act.
! Ill. a symbolic act.
After the sermon the Sunday School
children united in singing: "Savior
come in;n and this concluded process
sion was formed, headed by the minis
tiers and officers OF the Church.
The rick and beautiful banners ofthe
Sabbath School were borne aloft at diff.
fereht points in the procession, which
moved in excellent order to the site of
the new building. Here a large crowd
awaited the coming congregation, and
EXERCISES AT THE STONE
were commenced with the introit, 81
was glad when they said INTO me, ~ &c.
Rev. w. n. Mullenix, OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, leadin an appropri-
ate and impressive prayer, Rfter which
Rev. MIR. Dodge, of the Presbyterian
Church, made an address full OF con-
graduation and hearty sympathy.
While Mr.. Dodge was speaking, the sun
oil
ahone In lustie and brillianoy, as if
smiling appreciation upon the solemn
services. The speaker, noticing the
rays of the god of Day, expressed the
desire OF his heart that "s9 also ma y
the Sun of Righteousness shine into
the hearts of the members of the church
and smile approval and success upon
this enterprise. until the cap-stone shall
be brought with shoutings OF grace,
grace unto IL; yea, until we all meet In
the church triumphant in Heaven"
At the conclusion of'Mr. Dodge's ad.
dress the children rendered in most
beautiful manner "The Song of the
OF Philadelphia.
This concluded, the Apostles Creed
was repeated by tue. Pastor and the
Church Council, and the following
Historic statement OF English Evan
gelical Lutheran Church. Wheeling,
WY dsg WIS IetAu Dy rev. Dee d. bhEnllLs
"Uhe congregation for which this
building is being erected, was organ
lied by Rev. Thomas w. Bosch, in the
year 1850. The organization and first
communion services were held in Zion's
German Lutheran Church, Centre
Wheeling, OF which Rev. VIM. Berke-
meyer WAS at that time pastor. Rev.
w. n. PassavRnt OF Pittsburgh, preach
ed the communion sermon from the
words fonnd in Solomou's Song, chap
ter ii, verse A. Tho otlcers of the Church
al that; time were
ELdeTs-Uriah SEepp, Joseph Britt,
Sr. @
Deaeons-sAbraham 81. Detwiler, Dam
lei Il. Hoxie.
and to Rev Thos. w. Bosch, as agent,
under God, belong the honor of hRving
commenced the work OF the wheeling
Mission, and carefully nurtuFing II FOR
the first two years of lis existance.
During the ministry ofMr. Bosch much
good was accomplished, and the mem.
bership increaHetl to twenty-five The
Clay street baptist Church was leased
for a Term OF years, and everything
promised well until the breaking out OF
hewar In 1861, Mr.. Bosch having gone
70 his native home in the Valley of
Virginia, did moi again returni and
from June 1861, TO June 1862, the mis-;
slOhl nnu ihuL 4lltAe Iek uitE. atteuuduCe-
Gut OF from Its pastor and its mother,
1t was left as an orphan child to drift
along alone amid the dark days Of that
eventual year. Alone did say2a Oh,
mol not alone, for GOD was regarding
IL with special favor, and faith
ful few were, ever and anon,
looking to the everlasting hills for
for help, and crying to God to reclaim
his child. Those prayers, like the
prayers otferedin faith, were heard and
answered. They were not mere prayers
without effort, but petitions accompR-
MED by persistent Iabors to obtain
Missionary. The Pittsburgh Synod,
with It's characteristic energy and at
that time efficient Missionary leader,
DIR. Passavant, needed lthespetition OF
the little band, took the enterprise
under its fostering care and made APP
for its support. On the l6Ih
of June 1862, 4he present pastor Rev.
Is. Barnitz,3 entered upon his
labors as spiritual guide and leader
OF the work of the Mission. at that
time the membership numbered Just
eighteen with scarcely males enough to
fill the Offices. The Sunday School was
small and very insufficient with no.
truce of the Teachings of the Church to
be found in 1t, and everything looked
gloomy indeed.
The Baptist church continued to be
the place of worship until the members
OF that denomination felt IL q duty to
call pastor and resume active opera
lions, at which time the CONGREGATION
WAS obliged to seek other quarters.
The German Lutheran Church on
Fourth street was then renIed, for ar
service aud Sabbath School,
and occupied for three months, ut the
end OF which time the pastor and con-
sistory decided against any further oc.
cupancy by the English congregation,
From the German Lutheran Church
on Fourth street, we removed to the
hall in Odd Fellows Building, corner
Of Fourth and Monroe streets. This |
lall was httedup at aniexpense ofover
me thousand dollars, and still contin-l
les TO be our place Of worship. Not.
all these changes and the
many difficulties incident upon them.
3od has signally blessed the Church.
md has given us special tokens of His
presence and favor. From the time OF |
be reorganization OF the Church, July, /
So, to the present date, one hundred |
Ihd fourteen persons were added by
,aptism and confirmation, and twenty
ive(by certificate. The present mem
,ership numbers lilo. In August, 1867,
he lot on which the Chapel is now
building was purchased at "a cost OF |
s $50. -
Mr.. George Fricker was the bidder in
ne name OF the congrega ton, and he
with George heeiine, ESQ, of Bridge.
'ort, Ohio, nobly advanced 81. 500 with
nut Interest, to remove all encum-
France upon the property and secure
o the mission "a CLEAR and unencum.
oered title. BY the blessing and heIpI
q God, we have been enabled to Iioui.l
ihle our debt 10 the former OF these
brethren, and have money enough in
Ins hands OF the treasurer TO pay the
T. N Na.aw n. 4 =.
N the name OF the Father, Son and
dolY GHOST. ON a lot fraa frcr,, 80.