Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-05-10
Eastern Conference Of ttae
Pittsburgh Synod OF the
English Lutheran
Church,

Pittsburgh synod OF the
, English Lutheran
Church.
The Eastern Conference of the
Pittsburgh Synod Of the English
Lutheran Church convened at Zelieno-
pie, Butler county, Pa, Tuesday, May
2, 1882, at 9 o'clock, A. M. The Pres
ident, Rev. J. IT, A Kitzmiller, con-
Quoting the opening service.
Reports of the condition of the
churches, given by the pastors of the
different charges, were very favorable.
The programme consisted largely in
the discussion of practical questions
that enter into the doctrine and life of
the church.
OF these questions the first was the
Lords day-its institution and obser-
vance. Despite the common opinion,
held largely by the opponents of the
church, that the Lutheran church re-
garded the Lords day of no divine
authority, but merely human insti-
tuition. the observance of which was
no more necessary than the observance
of Christmas, Good Friday or Ascension
day; it was established that the con-
fessions of the church and the writings
of the reformers, taught that the Lords
day was established by divine authori-
ty, and that the moral and religious
teachings of the old Sabbath apply
with equal authority to the Christian
Lords day. The worldly employ
ments and enioyments so commonly
INDUCED in at present, were condemn
ed as transgressions of Gods positive
law.
The success of the Sunday school
was the second theme Many of the
prevailing ideas of such success, were
condemned as low, false and ruinous
Over against these the success attained
through teaching-not history-not
good stories and such sentiments, but
truth, such success was emphasized
as the only success.
Church government, as conserva'
tor of church doctrine, was the third
theme discussed. Discipline was re.
garded not as convenience but as a
necessity. 1t was the positive duty
of the church to enforce discipline,
whenever required. The pastor and
his council are not at liberty to pass
the matter over in special cases. All
Israel sutfered-so long as Achan's sin
was unpunished. Better ten grains oi
wheat than ten bushels of tares; better
handful of pearls than a sea full OF
pebbles.
Under the topic catechisatien, il
was conceded that children should be
| instructed and led on in the way OF
the truth, rather than suffered to grow
| up in the admonition of Satan, to be
converted in after life A course in
the school of sin was in no way es-
| sential to great attainment in holiness
rather was it detrimental to great
holiness.
Butler was selected as the next
place of meeting In regard to vacant
congregations it was resolved that
Saxon and Sarversville congregations
be referred to Rev j. @. Waters for
supply until the meeting of Synod ;
that Freeport and ST. Matthew'S con-
gregations be referred to the president
of conference for supply that the con-
gregations constituting the Crooked
Creek charge be referred to Rev. j..
Sarver, of Leechburg, for supply; that
Jerusalem congregation be referred to
Rev. j H. Kline.
The hospitality of the good people
of Zelienople was both general and
generous and highly appreciated by
every guest. G. w. {.
For want of space we have had to
cut the above down a little.-ED
POrfersviIle Items.
|q Mr. Ramsey, Of Harlensburg, Law
renee county, is building large store
house in Portersville, on the old lot
that A. II. Aiken, Esq. once owned
and had a store on until burned down
some years ago.
Mr.. Jacob Pisor has received from
"Unele Sam" his pension and bought
the lot that John L. Jones once own
ed, paying $500 for it. He drew
81 $50 of a pension, strong illustra-
tion of the patriotism and liberality of
our government
A rather singular case of lightning
occurred near here on April 10, last.
There was tree stood two rods from
the corner of Mr.. IS barn. Six
fest from the tree there was a straw
stack, and one rod from it there was
hay stack. On that evening young
lady went out to milk and had got
upon fence, near the tree, waiting for
the cows to come up. She was on
the fence but a minute or so before the
tree was struck by lightning and torn
into pieces, the pieces being thrown in
every direction for distance of ten or
fifteen rods, and yet strange to say,
neither the girl, the stacks or the barn
were injured She experienced a
shock for moment and got off and
away from the fence just before
large piece of the tree fell upon it,
where she had been sitting.
OLD FRIEND.