The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-10-14

the ausl ices of Mr. Lemke. 1t will be re-
membered that this much beloved priest col
lectcd money in Northern Cambria for the
purpose of building at his new home, and
the article given below will show how faith
fully he has performed that trust. 1t will
also prove interesting to the numerous and
earnest friends of DR.. Lemke in this county ::
ST. Michael's parish, of this city, is blessed
with pastor whose history illustrates i'll re-
markable manner the chances and changes of
human life. In the wars that desoated Eu-
rope in the early part of the century, PlTER
Henry LEMKE served several years with dis
tinction On leaving the army, he became
theological student, and, after diigent prepa-
ration, was admitted to the priesthood. For
season he Yed the church near his old home
in Germany but seeking new field of use
fuIness, he finally settled in Cambria county, j,
PENNSYLVANIA some thirty FIVE years ago.
Notes of the arduous labors and wonderful
success of this venerable pastor III the land of
Penn, lie before me. The details of his settle
ment in the dense wilderness, where he finally
gathered the largest congregation in Western
Pennsylvania, surpass in interest the glowing
pages of romance. His own hands aided in
subduiug a forest whose history dated from a
former century He shared in all the hard
shps and privations of the pioneers of ciYiiza-
ton and strengthened faint hearts by active
charities and noble words. The wilderness lit
erally blossomed around his footsteps while
his moral worth convinced all who listened to
his izculca tious that he was in earnest ia seek
ing to make mis- people prosperous and happy.
Where in the year OF grace 1910, monarchs
of the forest waved widely extended branches,
a prosperous community have pleasant homes
Carroiltown is described as possessing tasteful
dwellings, good hotels, thriving merchants and
art isans and Is surrounded by as industrious
an agricultural population as any town in the
commonwealth. One familiar with the
velous facts he atteSts, makes this remarkable
statement: And all this population, industry
and wealth is mainly owing TO the energy and
zeal of one man, and that man Rev. =. H.
LEMKE."
Testimonials in my possession set forth, in
well chosen words, the moral worth and amia
Bile character of pastor, whom the people of
CarroItown regard public benefactOr.
1t Is not my purpose to dwell on this inter
esting page of my neighbors history. His
manifold duties so fully engross his thoughts,
that he has but little desire 10 recall the scenes
and incidents of an eventtul life.
One more instance OF his efforts to do good
and | shall pass on to note his present WORK {:
Rev Mr.. LEMKE gathered the first congrega-
ton of Roman Catholic Christians i'll Kansas,
for whom he built church /; but while he was
absent in Europe, on business, the boIder ruff
fans applied the torch, and the pleasant sanctu-
ary shared the fate OF many attractive homes
This act of awless men was the means OF
Erecting the iuueIaJlSaDlS missionary 10
be h, The congregation OF st. Michael were
sadlv in need OF q faithful minister. They
were ew in number, po -se<sed but little wealth,
a helY, debt rested on their property, threat
euing ia forfeiture. Their church was small,
and desIItute Oi ornament. DESTROYS OF being
useful Mr.. LEMKE cIeerIuiy yielded TO BiSh-
op BAFLEY's request, and, during the last nine
Years, has Iauo: ed faithfully 10 promote the
best interests of an important. parish. 1t is
the testimony OF IL partial witnesses, that their
pustOr has earnestly sought to make his peo-
pie Intelligent citizens and devout Christians.
But the crowning glory of this eminent pas
to. 3 lite remains to be stated;
Desirous Of providing The means Tor erecting
Il new house of worship Tor his congregation,
he has Just decided, for their beneht, all his es
tate as a free gilt OF the value Of this dona
ton, some idea may be formed when 1 state
that it includes large portion of that hand
some plat of ground bounded IN part by Spring,
Magnolia and Bond streets.
His gilt is Il magnificent one, for it includes
ar his worldly wealth His pleasant home,
his money, securities, plats OF land, all his
property, he has cUusecratcd to holy uses. 4he
hu NIB est nlember OF his Il Jck is hardly As des-
titute ot what the world calls valuable posses
sors. the munster whose life has been
checkered by such wOnJrous vIcissstudes.
In this selfish age rarely hear OF men
whose virtues make their lives sublime. Many
give of their abundance and the world ap-
pIaUdS. But IN our InIuStj greatly OeioVeu by
those y, no enjoy hs friendship, We find Chris
tian minister derotiug his last dollar to the
service of the Redeewer whose escelleueies he
loves to proclaim.
On the spacious grounds adjoining the home
of the BENLD. .CTINE SISTERS, on Magnolia St.,
a substantial brick church, Tor the use of st.
! Mchael's congregation, is to be erected at
I early day. 1he work OF grading will be COM
menced forthwith. he site is very pleasant,
convenient Of access, and the sacred edi6ce will
soon be surrounded by the homes of prosper
Gus people The plans OF the proposed struct-
ure show that the basement is to be arranged
for school rooms.
That the munifeent donation of their pastor
may incite the congregation to diligence in
every good work. that he may find his
ward in the approving smiles OF the Saviour
whom he diligently serves, is the ardent desire
of ali who are familiar with the history of his
eventiul life. JANIS 5. DRAKE.