The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-06-24

SIXTEENTH ASAsvKRsARY,-Ihe clfsI
English Evangelical Lutheran Church OF
this city commemorated the sixteenth
anniversary Of lie reorganization yester:
day. The congregation was organized
twenty yearS ago by Rev. Thomas W.
DoSh, Of the Virginia Synod, but, though
quite promising under his leadership, the
war and Its attendant excitement hin.
dered growth and active work for over
two years. Yesterday was the first Sun
day Of the seventeenth pastoral year un-
der Rev. BGrnitl, and the retrospect pre-.
scented In the anniversary discourse
showed the membership 10 have in.
creased from fifteen TO one hundred and
sixty, and the Sunday School from eighty
to an enrolment OF nearly six hundred,
and an average attendance OF between
four and Eve hundred. The neat chapel
has been built on the prominent location
on 18th street at a cost, including lot,
Sunday School addition and street i'm
proyements, Of $1,000. The debt on the
entire property ut the April statement
was s., 4S9 IS, which has been somewhat
reduced since that time. Entire har-
mony has prevailed 10 the congregation
through all It's history, and its indirect
work for the elevation Of humanity has
perhaps been even greater than its direct
work, which is regarded by many, both
here and abroad, as truly remarkable.
The pastor stated that 10 funerals alone
the years would show an average OF
twelve outside OF church or Sunday
School TO three who were members, "and
so," said he, ain almost every branch Of
Christian and humanitarian work-the
comparison Is about the same" 10 an
swer to the oft repeated question of"why
do you remain 10 Wheeling when fields
40 much more promising in comfort and
salary and perhaps even in usefulness
open 10 your" Rev. Barnitz said: "There
are some reasons which cannot be giyenin
publis discourse-they are too sacred Tor
publicity. may say, however, on an . c "a
sion like this, that l believe 1t both the
duty and privilege Of every one profess.
ing TO be Christian 10 count no work
too great u sacrifice which lifts up 4 man
or woman nearer to God. Many OF the
things which friends in Wheeling call
sacrifices, and for which they sometimes
compliment, are not such in one sense at
all. God has given me a sympathetic
nature, and in addition know what It
Is to be in need. and in sadness am at
home. With the Countess De Gasparin,
can say: Sadness hung over my era
die; child 1t lulIed me with its plants
a youth II stretched out its arms 10 me-
how many times have l cast myself in
theml Through life, / have felt it near
me; II have attempted 10 step aside, 1t
has beckoned me back; II il quits me for
an instant | stand amazed. Therefore,
having come from the school Of affection
cannot help weeping with them that
weep and deserve no credit for It"
The Sunday School hour was brim full
OF interest and Joy. The fellowship ser
vice, prepared by john C. searles, Of
Connecticut, for the great Atlanta Con-
vention, was introduced with excellent
impression, and the addresses OF Rev.
James Moffat, Of the Second Presbyter.
ian Church, and VIM. Alexander, Of
Bridgeport, were not only appropriate to
the occasion, but models Of brevity and
roundness. Letters and words of greet
ing came from a number Of friends in
and out Of the churches, prominent among
which was one from Thomas Hornbrook,
ESQ, full OF pleasantness and congratula.
tion. The blackboard lesson showed the
sixteen years journey oil the Church and
school under its present leader, and was
beautifully adapted TO the occasion.
IT, da.al 1aaoEaItn1a WaFa NINA ham,
tiful than words can describe. Mr..
Edward Bailey, the landscape gardener
and florist, very kindly arranged the
flowers and plants, displaying such excel.
emit taste as called forth universal admir-.
alton. Members and visitors would stand
for several minutes in wonder and enjoy
ment OF the rare scene. The flowers were
the gilt OF Mrs. VIM. Stamm, Thos. Horn.
brook, Esq, and VIM. Zane, the latter hav.
ing presented most artistic design. The
English Evan. Lutherans are grateful
people, and they will hold in remem.
brance as fragrant as the flowers they en-
joyed yesterday, the many friends who
help their arduous work. Z
The communion Of the Lords supper
was administered to large congregation
in the morning. and the anniversary ser.
mon, from which we make the above re-
port, delivered 10 crowded church at
night The pastor thanked everybody
and everybody else, and made compli.'
mentary mention especially OF the repre-
sen,atives Of the city press, who have al.
ways said kind WORD for the Wheeling
Lutheran Mission.