Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-06-25
PoTTsTowN, Pa, |
JUNE Is, 1881. (

JUNE Is, 1881
Eds. Independent:
For nearly a week | have been
a tramp" though in more hon.
orable than ordinary sense.
Thinking it might be an item OF
sufficient interest for the INDIE
PENDENT to give you brief and
random sketch of few men and
things that have come under my
observation, / herewith submit
what l write amid the hustle and
noise of railroad depot.
On Friday, June 10th i left our
modest little city for Harrisburg.
Nearly every one knows all about
the beauty and fertility OF this
valley, and the excellent accom-
modations and noted urbanity of
the G. V. II. II. officials, so | will
say no more about that. From
Harrisburg l took a run down the
beautiful Susquehannah on to
York. one OF the Oldest towns of
the Keystone State. lis look,
however, is no more ancient, be-
ing adorned now With many
splendid edifices, both public and
private, and many at this time in
course of erection. Returning TO
Harrisburg, l passed on through
Lebanon and Reading to Potts
town. A kind Of home-feeling
stole into my heart as | passed by
Lebanon, 1t being near the scene
of some seven years pastoral la
Dor, during which time many very
pleasant associations were formed.
For where Is the pastor whose
heart is not filed with q mixed
feeling of pleasure and pain when
in sight of a former charge? This
valley Is one of the finest In the
State in regard to surface appear
ance, fertility of soil, beauty of
buildings, and the integrity of its
people. Reading, 1.-THE city of
churches" is one of the largest
cities In the State, and Is SO gener-
ally known that / dispense with
any description of it. Pottstown
Is situated about 20 miles below
Reading, on the Schuylkill river,
and is about the size of Martins
burg. 1t is here that the Ev.
Luth. Synod OF Pennsylvania met
in convention this year. My at
tendance upon this convention
was the primary object of my pres
ent trip. My connection with
this body dates back o1848. This
is the mother synod of the Luth-
theran church in America. 1t
was founded in 1748 and this ses-
sion was its 134th. IL was the
only one then, but now there are
so If | mistake not, and these are
scattered all over the United
States, and over into Canada.
Less than half century ago this
body was entirely German, now
1t has been completely anglocised.
1t numbers at present over 200
ministers. With its lay delegates
itS uIUS uitGuG nidhSS ~ q oOhC-
what consumptive body, and is
rather drain upon the good peo-
pie who receive into its bosom.
Among its members are some of
the ablest divines of our country.
Prominent in body are those ID ID s
who were at different times pas
tor of the Lutheran church of
Martinsburg, Drs. Krautt, Siess
and Schumacher, the latter having
been my class-mate in the Theol-
ogical Seminary, and the others
college-mates during my college
days. Rev. Cutler may therefor e
congratulate himselfupon the fact
that he Is the successor of such
prominent men. May he follow
suit.
Synod adjourned last night and
this morning the members are
scattering in all directions 10 HE
homewards TO their families and
fields of labor, and Ia a few days
l hope TO do the same.
VIM. GERHARDT.
FIv Faua and Elv Tranc al