Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-10-22
Clal.sIii OF GOD.


CIiC.s.M OF GOD.
East Pennsylvania nLidership-Eeiinion,F Fec
Washing and ttio Lords supper.
The reunion meeting Of the elders ana
laymen of the East Pennsylvania eldershiI
took place in the Fourth street Bethel,
Harrisburg, ON Wednesday evening, and i'll
addition to the regular attendance of the
eldcrship, there was a very large presence
Of the members of the church. as well as
many from other Christian demonstrations
of the city.
Rev. Siglcr announced the object of thc
meeting to be q reunion, 4 rejoicing over
the progress and prosperity OF the churc!,
Of God at the end of its first half century
of eX;.;tancc. 1t was an occasion when
those who had borne the burdens and faced
the embarrassment OF a labor such as are
required i'll the Lords vineyard might well
meet together for rejoicing over the gath
cred fruits of their labor to look into each
others faces tcnderly and grasp hands de
vOted!y Cor a continuance of the work.
Addresses were then made by Elders ".
l.. jones and A. Swartz in support OF the
observance of the ordinance of feet wash
ing. 1t was argued that it was as incun,-
bent to follow the Lords injunction in
this particular as il is to gather around Inc
Lords table, break bread and drink wine
in cOmmemorat;on of his broken body and
spilled blood. The Lord had commanded
Ill this to lie done in remembrance Of
Him.
The ceremony was then proceeded Will,
the feet Of the men being washed by men,
nj >.>rx IL,
saints were arranged Oh both sides OF the
altar, and the ceremony was proceeded
with amid great rejoicing. song and e::ul-
tation. Those who did the washing were
girled with large napkin, and carrying
a large basin passed from saint to saint.
kneeling, washing their feet, then clasp
ing hands and exchanging the holy kiss.
Elder Sigier during the ceremony washed
the feet Of 4 coIored pastor, the act being
one of the most impressive Of the evening.
At the conclusion of the feet washing.
Elder Siglcr announced that the Lord ;;
Supper would next hc observed, and in
vited all Christians present to participate.
lie said the table was an open Onc-frec to
all cOnlers who were followers of the Lord
Jesus.
Elder Lavc.'ty led tiic ceremony o.: the
communion, briefly remarking upon its i'm.
preSSiycncss rs a memorial of ChriSt'S love
and as one of His last acts before the cr,lci-
fixion. Prayer followed, when the COM
municants came forward, the sisters on
one side Of the altar and the brethren on
the other Elder SieIer served the elders
who served tic bread and wine. and nj
the conclusion Of such services, called one
of those at the table to dismiss the com
municants with an cXhortation and the
usual blessing. These cxhoTtations were
usually in reference to the ordinance con
nected with the occ.sion Of the semi
centennial, many Of the addresses being
touchingly beautiful. Eac;; set of COM
municants were served by different elders
1t may be mentioned in this connection
that the ceremony of the Lords Supper.
rs administered in the Church OF God, in
the olden time, was by seating the com
nunicants at 4 long table. on both sides,
the bread and wine being showed along
from one to the other, by those who par
ticipated the cider in the meantime. at
the head OF the table, calling to mind typi-
cal bread and wine rs the broken body and
spilled blood of the Lord and Master.
During the ceremonies the regular choir
music was dispensed with, those in the
altar and among the elders and congrega-
tion singing such familiar hymns as the
inspiration Of the moment suggested.
At the conclusion Of the communion Ell
der Sigicr made brief reference to the SER
vice of the evening-its reunion objects,
and the gathering of the saints, witt, the
impressive religious character OF all the
and thcn asked Cor the singing
Of hymn, after which prayer followed,
the benedict!on. and the congregation was
dismissed
The eldcrs!lip met in devotional exercise
yesterday morning when Tho usual praise
and prayer were had. the attendance
being of elders and laymel.
At nine o'clock the regular icrEla! ses-
sion Of the eldership began, the first busi-
ness in order being the election Of a pre-
siding officer.
Elder c. Price, of Shippcnsburg, was
selected speaker for the ensuing year
Elder f. l.. Nicodemus. of Newburg,
clerk Elder J. Hafleigh, of
financial clerk Elder Samuel
KIisley, OF Crrstown, treasurer.
On motion OF Elder George Sig!cr. Rev. |
7. II. Drake Gree Baptist), Rev. J. Har-
per Blacl; (Mcthodist). Rev. ). W. War
iel (EvangeIicaD, Rev. J. X. Quigley C. |
B. in Christi and Elder Il. F. Bolton
(West Pennsylvania elders!,ip) were re-
ceived as advisory members.
A preamble and resolution offered by
Elder Siglcr, on the liquor traffic, elected |
an animated discussion. bu! We're finally |
adopted by a unanim ous vote. Adjourned
till o'clock p. m.
Afternoon Session.
Opened with prayer at 80 p. Ill.
Elder Seilhamer presented the minutes |
of the educational convention which We're
read, and, on motion, the report was rc-
ceiycd and referred TO the general commit |
tee.
The treasErers 5 report was received and |
referred.
Elder :Siy.cr offered resolution provid- |
ing for n committee Oh general subjects.
The report OF the standing committee |
was received, which shows the condition |
Of the churches and church property |
throughout the eldership. Adopted. |
A committee for the purpose Of arrang-