The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-30
GRAVEYARD PEABODYS.
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THE LUTHERAN CHURCH SCANDAL
Minister Without 4 salary-Church Build.
ing at His Own Cost He Provides a
Cemetery to Bury His Flock and Gets
Abused for It-Particulars Of His
Scheme as Related by Him.
SELF Denial OF the State
ments Against Him

the Rev. w. +. Geissenhainer, pastor of st. Paus
Lutheran church, with reference to various asser-
lions made by some persons connected with his
church that he was not acting in straightforward
manner In relation TO some matters In the church
over which he presides. The whole affair, however
does not emanate from the church, but has refer
ence more particularly to great cemetery scheme
which the venerable pastor, his friends and sons
conceived and brought to maturity.
REPoRTER-"There Is a report that you and your
congregation are at variance upon some important
questions
Eyes, unfortunately, there has been malignant
and untruthful statement published against me-
averring tnat and my congregation are not only in
the midst Of differences, but that positive es
arrangement has taken place consequent upon
charge alleged 10 have been made in reference to
some money matters"
.swhat were the difficulties alleged as to fnancer
.'in order that your paper and its readers may I'M
Gerstand my exact position. will brienv recite my
connection with the church. First, have been
now upwards OF
THIRTY YEARS Az A MINISTER
In this city. When first commenced, and my cali
certified, distinctly stated that could take no
salary from my congregation; for, having means OF
my own, l wanted to MAKE the work in every
way-and what 1t was in my heart-a labor
OF love. Having collected q congregation we next
set to work to build a temporary place OF worship
where the Germans whom | had drawn together
could engage in their devotions. Al that time many
OF my flock were poor--very poor-and 1 did not ask
a great deal OF assistance from them TO erect the
structures gave the principal portion OF IL myself.
felt IL to be my duty Since that time those poor
commandments have In most instances become rich,
many OF whom now have large amount OF pro-
perry in New YORK. The Germans, you know, are
saving. thrifty race Of peoples they economic and
store up their money j like TO see II, because it
enables them to get on In the world. Time rolled
on and we managed to increase In numbers, and the
numbers were prosperous; 80 1t was proposed TO
bun Id the present permanent ana splendid house OF
God in which we now worship.
ut rs said you erected this at your own cost"
THAT statement as published is also wrong.
gave literally; indeed. my heart prompted me TO do
SO, for loved
THE IDEA OF 4 HANDSOME CHURCH;
but did not give even half the amount OF the cost
of the building. My congregation did the whole
work almost all among themselves. We have now
Sunday school, In which about seven hundred chill.
dren taught the principles OF Christianity, and
must say feel happy when see their bright and
cheerful faces IN gong III and out on Fifteenth
street. With regard 10 any disagreement between
myself and nv congregation, nothing could be more
cruel and unjust. For thirty years many OF them
have been communicates under my teaching; we
have got on happily together IN good report and in
evil report. without any break or hitch tnat might
must discredit the reporrr
GLOW DO you prove. Doctor, that they discredt
the reportr
s'Simpy by stating that better state OF harmony
could not exist so tar can understand. 1 have
NINE HUNDRED CONSTANT CoMMuNIcANTs,
besides large number who regularly attend all
the services OF the church. New members are con-
stantly joining the church. and only a few days
since confirmed 1873 young people vino desired al
mission within the pale OF inc Christian Church."
lin what then, does the scandal emanater
."Wel, / believe II was commenced a short time
q
few OF the stockholders of the Lutheran Cemetery
Corporation met to express what they called ''indg
natIonv regarding one thing which, next TO the
Church. hold as being the work OF my heart, mat
ter in which would spare nothing so that 1t might
"lon can doubtless furnish some Interesting In.
formation regarding t11srn
"No,n continued the reverend Old gentleman, at
would be neither my desire nor would II be just
that should vaunt over the greatest thing ever
did: though possess live and healthy interest in
providing a place where the poor and the rich
NAY BURY THEIR DEAD
together to the latter at a moderate charge, and
to the former In many Instances without cost. NY
sons election as President Of the corporation has
stirred up the baseless scandal you have named.
must, OF necessity, refer you 10 him for all the
tails OF TINS large undertaking.
Mr.. w. r. GelssenhaiDer, Jr., accordingly entered
upon the real or the grievance. lie said that
his father desire 10 have place where they
might bnIy their dead at less cost
than that imposed at Greenwood Cemetery. with
that farm OF thirteen acres was selected at
Meadow Village L. J.; but when they ascertained
they had
NOT MONEY ENOUGH TO Buy IT.
Rather than allow the matter 10 fall through he
bInself bought eight acres AZ cost Of $1,000 the
remainder being purchased by the society for $4,000
No sooner was It bought than the Legislature at
Albany brought In Dill TO stay private individuals
from using any Land in the State as a cemetery.
They had recourse "a the act for corporations. and
legal charter was subsequently granted. enabling
them 10 form corporation and carry on the work.
Tney formed under exactly the same law as a
savings bank The Grst purchase OF a plot was the
first sum Of money placed IN their treasury.
rHE COST
for roads and ornamental planting &C, exceeded
sneir revenue the first year by 81 $50; the second
year was deficiency OF $2,os0; 10 the third year,
$3 500 In the fourth year, 1920 the NTH year.
$,70l In the sixth, $4,000: In the seventh, 81 500
and IN the eighth year. s.. BOO
Zach year theee DEFICIENCIES were provided for
by my father, so that at the end OF March 1900 the
corporation was indebted 10 him In The sum Of
$4,000
"But you have considerably more than thirteen
acres ~
".Certaisly. In order TO carry out our plan we had
TO buy Harpers farm, adjoining on the opposite side
OF the road to our grounds, at cost Of $4,000 The
question was how 10 raise the money. My father
agreed to buy 1000 lots nj ten dollars each and
lend us $4,000 10 addfioD 10 enable 10 pay the