The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-25

The first regular Reformed service in
this neighborhood was held in 1S42 by
Rev. u. 5. Tobias in the old Sucker
school house located where the Zion
graveyard is in Fishingcreek township.
Previous to this time the few Reformed
families in this locality worshipped eth
or at the old Mcllenry log church locat
ed short distance west OF Orangeville
or ut the old log church at New Colum-
bus. In the winter of 1913, or about
that time, Mr.. Tobias was assisted by
one Rev. Loader in holding protracted
meeting. There being good sleighing,
the people came from near and far in
great sled loads AS the school house
was too small, they obtained permission
to hold their service in the old church ut
Saltwater. After occupying this church
one week, they were denied further priv
ilege, and they were obliged to return to
the school house. During this revival
number made profession of religion
who virtually became subsequently the
founders Of the Zion congregation. This
Sucker school house continued from
1912 to 1857 as a preaching point, ,and the
congregation, without church organiza-
ton was served by Rcvs d. s. Tobias,
II. Funk and w. Goodrich. On the
18th of February, 1857, the Zion church
was dedicated and on the following Sat
urday the Zion congregation was organ
lied with thirty members. These were
principally from OraugeviIle and the st.
James congregation. Rev. Goodrich, in
q. al, 81, ln,l
continued to serve this congregation till
1865 During his pastorate of this CON
gregation he baptized 81 and confirmed
80 During his brief pastorate, of less
shan two years, Rev. L. b. Wilson bap-
tzed 4 and confirmed 81 and Rev. A.
Iloutz to present time baptized "a and
confirmed 80. This congregation in the
way of baptisms and combinations, has
made equal progress with the other con
gregations of the charge, but 1t has sus-
tanned more losses by death than they.
Death has laid its relentless grasp upon
number of its members and depleted
its ranks. This congregation, however,
has not been retrogradiug, but has been
making progress slowly. The attend
ance is good and there exists a harmoni
Gus feeling among the members. 1t is
surroundedb by considerable counter intlu
encc which seems to retard its progress
somewhat There has not been enough
self independence maintained in the con
gregation and Sabbath school, Without
fear or favor, the Lords Prayer, the ter
commandments, catechism and Apostles
Greed should be used. Rather than sacri
flee the doctrinal expressions of our faitl
to the caprice of few persons who il
faith and religious culture differ from
lis, we had rather sacrifice the favor
and attendance of those who woulC
make disturbance.
There is n number of young persons
in this neighborhood who are not regu
larly connected with any religious de
nomination. Having attended various
kinds of religious service, they are mucl
unsettled in theirreligiou so pnions, and
going from one church to another, have
become vasciating and tritlng. Attempt
ing TO be everything they are nothing
Their energies are scattered and feeble
without n church name and without ;
church home Far better would it bs
if they would identify themselves with ;
church of their choice and fill their pla
ces in that vineyard. We want NOR,
concentration of church life and energ,
in this congregation. A free and unre
served display of our creed, doctrine anC
faith, and bold advocacy of and adhe
sion to the same. AS congregation
who enjoys a. charter furnished by til,
General Synod, we should obey tina
charter as our constitution. To be les
compromising and more Independent a
church, is the best attitude we can as
sumo.
About the .year 1880, Aunt Savill;
Pealer started Bible class in the oil,
Sucker school house, which was kept NJ
for years, and finally developed into th,
present Zion Sabbath school She ma,
therefore, he regarded as the founder o
the Zion Sabbath school, and perhap
in certain sense, the founder of til,
Reformed church in that neighborhood
AZ the Sabbath school gave rise to tn,
preaching point. The Sabbath schoo
during the last few years has mad
considerable progress in the number o
its attendants, but number is not th,
highest end. Its main object should b.
to prepare for the church if it is the nur
scry of the church. In so far as thi
object is not reached, the Sabbath schoo
is Il failure. The Sabbath school, n
all events, should be under the direction
of the church
The planting of shade trees was woe
fully neglected when this church wa
built. Had this been attended to at th
time. the church would now besulTound
ed by. a beautiful grove, We recon-
mend that n rod of additional ground b.
leased or purchased on the south sid
and that there be suitable trees plante,
around the church.
In the winter of 19S0-9l, the Zio
church was greatly improved in the in
terror by new gallery, pulpit, carpets
matt ug, painting, kalcimiuing of tn
walls and an organ; also by new char
delier and bracket lamps.
Lest the reader should think my crit
cisms severe, l simply recommend then
as suggestions.
THE oRANGEvlILE REFORMED CoNGRE-
CATION.
The first regular Reformed service wa
held in the old Union log church, locat
ed at the MclIenry graveyard, two o
three miles west of Orahgeville. Thi
church was jointly owned by the Luth
-erans and Reformed 1t had CALLER
on three sides, and an old fashioned pul
pit. Rev Jacob Deiifenbach preache,
here during his ministry in this county
Q8l51S24) 1t is quite probable tina
each denomination worsbipping her
during that period, did not have servic
more than once in II month. Rev. Iii
rose became Rev j. Deiffenbach's sue
cessor and served this congregation. fe,
years, Tradition says he was a fin
speaker. very gentlemanly in his appear
ance and had very agreeable and al
tractiye wife Death soon ended hi
useful career and for years bis remain