Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-07-25
MORAVIAN CHUR CHI.
LAYING THE CORNER STONE

MUKAVIAN If1UnGn.
LAYING THE CORNER STONE.
LARGE CONCOURSE OF PEOPLE
A PRESENT.
In the pear 1853. small colony
of Moravians from the banks Of the
Delaware River, near where now
stands the aourishing town Of Bethls'
hem, Northampton county, Pa, and
some from Bohemia, and some from
Germany, and some from Bavaria, all
speaking the German tongue, and un:
), derstandiug but little of English, con-
!, cludedto found new home for. the
enjoyment Of their religious privileges
in Western Maryland. Following the
trail of the Delaware Indians, in theii
migratory journeys toward the setting
! sun, they pitched their tent near
Owings' creek, and finally selected thu
present village Of Graceham - tbs
site Of their infant colony. Weshave
no tradition left;asIto who was tht
leader Of Head mn u The movement
But among the early members of the
colony who came, hither, as apart and
parcel of citizens Of Frederick county
and State of Maryland, may, be men
toned the Seisaes, the Willhides, the
Boilers, the Creagers, the Colliaowers,
the Harbaughs, the Mosers, the We'll
lers and numerous others whose pat
ronymics have faded from our memory
Shortly after their settlement they
built a log church; they put down
the corner stone: they put a German
Bible in it, Hymn Book, the silver
and copper coins in use at that period,
an old Almanac, and paper to show
that George III was King Of England
and ruler in America, and that all
this vast wide expanse Of country was
subject to the rule Of "Our rightful
lawful King" over the waters Of the
dark blue sea. In this old log built
church the fathers Of the Hamlet wor-
shipped for more than fifty years. But
time wore on, and the edi6ce gave way
to q more elegant, enlarged brick
structure. About SIS or 60 years ago,
the present brick edifice at Graceham
WAS built. In the corner. stone who're
it was laid was deposited the Bible,
the coins of the 10th century, the
name of the Preacher in charge. the
public journals Of the county, the
name of the President Of the United
States and the Governor Of Maryland,
etc. The old log church showed the
loyalty of the people of Maryland to
the British King George Rex"-but
Revolution came. the contest OF 76,
and swept away the old landmarks
of monarchy. The second corner
stone OF the Brick Church. the deposit
Of the box contained the Magma Charta
Of Freedom and that e R :la! ( az
-.-~~t.sc rrUw q - Z s. = n ~
onward progress Of time brings US to
the new church in Mechanicstown.
Last Sunday morning large con-
course Of members of the Moravian
church. and numerous body of spec.
tators assembled about 10 o'clock in
Water street to witness the laying Of
the Corner Stone Of the l!ew Moravian
Church in Mechanicstown.
The Right Rev. VIM. Bigler, Bishop
of Lancaster Pa, officiated. He
opened thu ceremonies by prayer to
the Great Jehovah, which was accom-
panied by the singing Of Hymns and
an Invocation to the Throne Of Grace
for blessings on the exercises Of the
day. Brother Joseph L. Clewell. the
Pastor in charge of the Graceham
church, then read the contents Of the
Box to be placed in the corner stone
then laid.
The Bishop made some remarks
connected with his pastorship in the
City of New York, and the laying Of
the corner stone in the City Of Gotham,
which was full Of interest.
TIE audience sang Praise God
from whom all blessings fow," when
the Bishop pronounced the Benedic-
ton, and the crowd dispersed.
In the morning at the Lutheran
church Bishop Bigler preached a ser
mon suitable to the occasion; and in
the afternoon Rev. VIM. H. Rice, Of
York, Pa, delivered sermon on the
same subject.
A basket contribution was lifted on
both occasions, and we understand the
contributions were quite liberal.
Since the above was in type we have
received the following on the same
fubject:
The interesting services connected
with the laying Of Corner Stone Of
Morayian Church in Mechanicstown,
took place Yesterday Sunday .Julyl9],
according to previous announcement.
A large assemblage were on the ground
at 10 o'clock, and the service was
opened with the Re De,tm dudamas
read by Bishop B1aLER, Of Lancaster,
who also read portion Of scripture
suited to the occasion. This was fol-
lowed by the reading Of a hymn by
Rev. L. P. Clewell, which being lined,
was sung by the whole assembly. The
Rev. VIM. II. Rice, from York. Pa,