The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-18

educated man, but had some rare natu-
raj talents which were coveted by not y
few lie commenced preaching without
any special preparation for this wori,
but endeagored earnestly and faithfully
in the fear of God to preach the gospel
and administer It's sacred ordinances. He
tried conscicntiously TO discharge bis du.
ty to his divine Master, as well as 70 his
people His work on earth is now done.
The weary laborer has been called to
his reward in Heaven
"Aslccp in Jesus blessed sleep"
The charge being again without a
pastor and losing many members by re
mova, seemed to decline. From the
time of its organization TO the present
period. il seemed like child 1t need
ed special care and nursing. On the lst
Of August, 1869, the present incumbent,
Rev. a. lloutz wai called to its pastor
ate. During his pastorate the charge
has made marked progress. The aliena-
ted members have generally been brought
back; the children catechised and con-
iirmcd; the church buildings improved
and the charge now rests on good fl
nancial basis. Its contributions are more
systematic and liberal; its Sabbath
schools somewhat improved; and the
charge has been materially strength
ened by the annexation of the Hidley
congregation from the North Susque-
hanna charge in 1871.
Though it is a small charge in com
parison to many others, and can afford
to pay rather a meagre support to pas
tor, yet its geographical position, internal
harmony and spiritual tone, have secured
for it the appellation of "a Bird of a
Charge"
TIE ST. JAMES CONGREGATION.
Occasionally in the latter part of his
ministry, Q82O-lS22) Rev. Jacob Delft
enbach preached in private houses and
in q school house located where the old
Pealer and Bellas graveyard is in Fish
ingcreck township. Tradition says he
was q fine German preacher and an ex-
cellent singer. After his death Rev.
John Nicholas Zeizer who resided below
Wilkesbarre preached here from perhaps
1922 to 1925. His son occasionally fill
ed his appointments. About the year
1925 there was Lutheran Reformed
log church built at New Columbus, The
Reformed congregation moved their
place of worship to this church and pro
cured the services of Rev. Isaac Shell
hammer. Here they worshipped till
lS40 when they moved to the Creveling
Gross Roads school house. Here they
remained till 1852 The St. James
church being now completed, they occu-
pied it and have continued there ever
since. While the congregation was wor-
shipping at the Gross Roads school house
the desire for some English preaching
was expressed on the part of a few
members Accordingly Rev. II. Funk,
who had already been preaching at the
old log church where the present st. Ga
briel church stands, was secured and he
became their regular English pastor,
while Rev. Isaac Shellhammer remained
their German pastor They continued
thus to have two regular pastors till
the close of Rev. |. Shellhammer's pas
torate III 1858 when the transition from
the German to the English language
was completed.
Rev. w. Goodrich became the Imme-
diate successor of Rev. III. Funk in 1854
and served this congregation with great
acceptance ,and success till 1865. Du-
ring his pastorate of this congregation
he baptized 67 and confirmed GA,
In the Spring of 1866 Rev. e. b. Will
son took charge of this congregation and
served them till 1868, during which
time he baptized Is and confirmed 8.
On the lst of August, 1869 Rev. a.
Houtz took charge of the congregation
and up to the present time baptized 81
and confirmed 81.
In December, 1878 this congregation
was incorporated under the title of the
st. James Reformed Church and adopt
ed the charter recommended by General
Snynod.
Thus, the st. James congregation, at
first like tenant, moved from one place
to another until it finally settled down
permanently in its present house of wor
ship. In its progress it has absorbed
kindred interests and elements, and now
has the form of solid phalanX. Its
membership is comprised of substantial
material. Here all are attentive and de-
vout i'll their worship. Here all from the
least to the greatest sing, Here are
found unity OF feellng, slngleness of pur-
pose and great church attachment.
Here parents generally bring their chill
dren to the church, have them baptized,
catechised and confirmed. The mem
bers of this congregation are noted for
their liberal support of their pastor and
benevolent objects; also for their attend
ance, those coming three and four miles
are as regular as those living near This is
a model congregation and has commend
ed itsell to the observing and unpreju-
diced community Within the last few
years, the congregation added number
of improvements to their church building
and surrounded the graveyard with a
neat picket fence. For number of
years a prayer meeting and sabbath
school have been successfully sustained
and conducted. The prospects of this
congregation are flattering, Here the
pastor and people, feeling their mutual at
tachment, can sing with profound sin
cerity the hymn, "Blest be the tie that
binds, our hearts in Christian love-
TO BE CONTINUED.
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