Middletown transcript., 1877-06-09

ngntnlng and roar OF thunder was almost In
cessant. About halEpast two binding glare
Of lightning followed by tremendous and in
slant crash of thunder startled the people from
their sIumbers and scared some pretty nearly
out of their wits. Next morning the cause of
the great crash was ascertained to have been
the striking by lightning of the stable of Mr..
Joseph Geary, at the east end of the town. The
building was struck at the gable and the bolt
passed down and killed the horse of Mr.. Geary
in the stable beneath. It passed through the
hay NOV without doing any harm to anything
until it reached the horse. The loss is quite
severe to Mr.. Geary.
Fire In EIkton.
A FIRE that threatened at one time to be
pretty big one, and considerably scared the
people, broke out in the rear Of the store room
of james McKinsey, dry goods merchant, III
Elkton, on Monday morning The building
was brick but the woodwork after all the hot
and dry weather we have had lately, was as
dry and combustible as frst-elass kindIing,
and it was soon employed in flames, and moth
ing Of the stock could be rescued and all was
consumed. The FIRE next seized the hardware
store of John Alexander adjoining, and it too
was destroyed, though the greater part of the
contents was saved. This is the third time
Mr.. Alexander has suffered from fire. The
Exchange Hotel was on fire in several places
but was saved by the exertions of the people.
The confectionery store of Mrs. Henry next to
Alexander's hardware store, was pulled down
to prevent the spread of the flames and by
plentiful application of water the fire was
brought under control and its ravages stayed
At one time it was feared that the efforts Of the
citizens would not be sufficient to stop the FIRE
and a general conhagration was feared. A |
despatch was sent to Wilmington for assistance
and two engines were gotten ready and placed
upon a special freight train and were about
ready to start when word was received that
the fire was subdued and their services were
not needed.
The two burnt stores were the property Of
Mr.. E. G. Hurn and were worth about $4,000
or $4,000, and were insured in the Cecil Fire
Insurance Company for 81, l,25O. The confec-
tionery store that was pulled down belonged to
F. A. Ellis, and was worth about $500, and
was insured for $3.50. Mr. Alexander's stock
was insured in the Farmers Mutual Company
of Delaware for $l40O, which will probably
cover his losses. Mr.. McKinseys stock was
insured in the Home Insurance Company, of
New York for $1,000, and in the York, Pa.
Company for $500, fully covering his losses.
The damage to the Exchange Hotel will
amount it is thought, to some S4OO or $500.
The furniture was also considerably damaged.
A Growing Church Trouble.
After the greatest prosperity in Asbury NJ.
E. Church for the last two years, it seems that
the last year of Mr.. Kramers pastorate is to be
an exception. 1t has been known for some
time past that the pastor held views on the
and the Second coming of Christ,
not in accordance with the practical views of
the Methodist denomination.
Of late the Reverend gentleman referred to
has become more aggressive in his ideas, and
on Sunday evening in his sermon, came out SO
strong in favor of the idea that the soul at
death rests with the body in the grave until
the resurrection, that he was interrupted by
one Of his leading members.
Mr.. Furgeson, the gentleman who interrupt
ed him, stated that great many members of
bis congregation were in the dark in regard to
bis views in relation to the condition Of the
soul after death and he thought it was due to
them that they should know exactly where he
stood upon the subject.
Mr.. Kramer requested Mr.. Ferguson not to
interrupt him while preaching, but to come to
him after service and talk the matter over. Mr..
F. we understand did 60 TO Mr.. Kramer after
service, when, we are informed that quite a
sharp colloquy ensued.
The circumstance has created considerable
excitement in Methodist circles, and at the
Preachers meeting on Monday morning COM
mittee of ministers was appointed to wait upon
Rev. Mr.. Kramer, and confer with him in re-
ference to his doctrinal Yiews.-Repa5liean.
The preachers meeting, Of the NJ E. Church.
On Monday morning, appointed a committee to
wait upon Mr.. Kramer, in reference to certain
complaints by members of his congregation of
the doctrine he is preaching.
There seems to be difference of opinion as
to the extent Of the dissatisfaction in his con-
but more than one of the members
have expressed themselves quite forcibly on the
subject condemning his doctrines as those of
the second advent, and in opposition to their
belief.
Mr.. Kramer stated to a reporter this morn
ing, after some hesitation in speaking about
the matter, that no official action whatever has
been taken. He considers that the committee
has no authority in the matter, as it was ap-
pointed by an irresponsible body, the preach
srs' meeting being nothing but voluntary :
without legislative powers. The
had waited upon him Immediately
after the adjournment of the meeting, and,
though he did not consider himself obliged to
answer them, he told them his belief which is
that mans only hope of future state is by re-
'urrection through Jesus Christ.
Mr.. Kramer states that he is firm believer
N all the cardinal doctrines of Christianity,
but simply holds that man does not exist as a
ghost after death, and that his only hope of
she future is in the power Of Jesus to raise him
IN the resurrection day.
He says he cannot say that his congregation
s dissatisfied, as the meetings are very large
md attentive. Beyond the interview above
referred to there has been no intercourse, as
ret, between Mr.. Kramer and the committee.
Every Eceniag and Commercial. II