The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-18
HISTORY
OF THE
ORANGEvlLLE REFORMED CHARGE.
PRIMITIVE PERIOD, 1S15-1S65.

In the year 1915 Rev. Jacob Deiffcn-
bach moved to Bloomsbury and took
charge of the weak and scattered inter
osts of the Reformed church in this and
adjacent counties. He was the first reg
ular Reformed minister who labored sys-
tcmaticaly and zealously for the upbuid-
| ing of these congregations. Previous TO
his arrival they had been visited only
occasionally by itiherants who in all
cases did not walk worthy of their voca
ton. The country being comparatively
new and thinly settled, and ministers be
ing scarce, these few feeble and scattered
congregations were without the necessa-
ry dispensers of the Word and Sacra-
ments. Mr.. Deiffenbachs field of labor
was long and wide; but he entered upon
its cultivation with much holy courage
and warm zeal. He was then in the
prime of life and had both the strength
and heart to work. He preached at
Bloomsburg, Mahoning, Catawissa, Bri-
arcreek, Mifllin, Salem, and occasionally
up Fishingcreck. He organized both the
Heller and the Fisher congregations
which at that time were worshpping in
school houses. His labor extended for a
time even to Conyngham, where he
preached during vacation, and cate
chised the children. For several years
he also preached once a month at New
port, five miles below Wilkesbarre. He
resided in Bloomsbury till the year | 1922
when he removed to Espy, and contin-
ued to preach till the year 1924, when
he was confined to his bed with consump-
ton to rise no more. lie died peaceful
ly and in the hope of blessed iesurrec-
ton, on the 18th of April, 1925, aged
Al years, l month and l6 days. He was
buried in the old union graveyard on the
hill in Bloomsburg. Through him the
| Reformed church in this county was
placed on firm basis and took organic
shape, and he may justly be regarded as
its founder in Columbia county. And
as we follow the outgrowth of his labors
as it developed into several well estab-
lished and self-supporting charges, we
can Justly pay this scriptural tribute to
his memory, "Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord from henceforth: yea,
saith the spirit, that they may rest from
their labours and their works do follow
them. Rev. xiv:13.
In the year 1929 Rev. Daniel S. Tobi-
as was ordained and installed pastor of
the (then) Bloomsburg charge and serv-
ed it till 1851. During his pastorate it be-
came necessary to introduce English SER
vice in addition to the German which
had been the only service hitherto rem
dered. Accordingly in the fall Of 1874,
Mr.. Henry Funk was called as an assist
ant English pastor to Rev. ID. S. Tobias
On the Sth of Dec 1914, he was ordain-
ed and installed at Orangeville by Revs
K. Keiffer and H. Harbaugh. He served
the English portion of this charge for
ten years with great acceptance and
faithfulness. Failing health compelled
him to cease his labor of love and at
length slow consumption had done its
work, and he fell asleep in Jesus, April
10th, 1855, age SO years, l months and
9 days. The Rev. w. Goodrich became
his successor Aug. 1st, 1854 and served
the charge with marked success till he
resigned Oct. 3rd, 1865
During this period of fifty years,
QSl5-G5) there was much home mis-
sionary work and reconstruction of
charges done. New preaching points
were taken up, congregations organized
and new charges formed. The de
mands for English as well rs German
preaching had to be met Mountains
had to be traverscd, rivers forded, deep
forests penetrated, and long and tedious
journeys over rugged roads had to lie
made. Indeed all that belongs to the
pioneer life of pastor had to be endul-
ed. The present generation cannot toe
highly appreciate the self-denyiug labor
of those pioneer pastors. The old mother
charge travelled much in her soul (and
we may add travelled much in her terri
tory but she gave birth to several flour
ishing charges.
TIE oRANGEvILLE REFORMED CHARGE.
| When Rev. William Goodrich resign
ed his pastorate of the old Bloomsbury
Reform charge Oct 9rd, 1869 it con
sisted of six congregations. Upon his
Recommendation it was divided into two
charges: the new Bloomsbury charge
and the Orangeville charge. The former
consisted of the Bloomsburg, the Heller'
and the Catawissa congregations. The
latter of the Orangeville, the Zion anC
the st. James congregation. The par
sonage in Orangeville was sold anC
those having stock certificates were pai(
their claims. The sacrificing of this par
sonage should not have taken place
The Orangeville charge, in which it wa
conveniently located should have mad'
special efforts to buy out the claims O
the other charge.
Thus, the Orangeville charge was part o
the old Bloomsburg charge. 1t commenced
without parsonage and with small
, membership, Its congregations wer
also suffering more or less from the de
J moralizing effects of the late civil war. /
, new pastor had to be called; the sub
, scription for the pastors salary had t,
be increased, and it must act independ
ent of its former help. When this ney
, charge started out, it was like an orphan
child, without a parsonage, without
pastor and with long established stand
ard of salary subscriptions too low t
reach anything like competent suppor
/ Indeed, the prospect was dark to some
Q but others walked by faith and believe
} that provision would be made to NEE
D the necessary demands They tool
4 heart and called pastor. The st, jaime
= congregation being the largest, the mos
{ support was expected from it, Ho'
. should the standard of subscription b
+ raised was an important question, A
n length, Captain John Beishline, (no,
f deceased) came to the most practical COZ
T. clusion and said, "We must double OF
5 subscriptions. | will double mine
c They all soldier like fell in rank and I'll
subscription went up.
l. On the lst of April Rev, +, b. Wilso
h was called to the pastorate of the o
angeville charge at salary of $500, Il
served the charge till the time his deaf
in May 1865, not quite two years. ii
/