Frostburg mining journal., 1882-12-09
Correspondence.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Held In the Reformed Church,
FrostbstrO, First Sunday
before AdUent, 1852.

10 the MINING JOURNAL:
AS is generally known, our "mouh.
tain town" has recently passed
through a very sad period in it's his
tory, the Angel of Death having en-
tered our thresholds and removed
from their earthly homes those near
and dear to us. Many happy, bright
faces and youthful hearts, that greeted
us as families during the past summer,
now have their faces turned toward
the Gates of Jerusalem the Golden,
and in the peace of Paradise are
awaiting the dawn of the glorious
Resurrection day.
Nor have the young alone been re-
moved by death. The aged father
and the middle-aged mother have
been taken from the bosoms of their
families and gathered to their fathers.
Whilst the Lutheran and Methodist
congregations have also suffered, yet
most heavily of all has our dear Re-
formed church been bereft, especially
the Kemp and Wenk families.
According to a very old German
custom memorial sermon is insepa-
rably connected with the observance
Of funeral rites. In conformity with
this custom the Pastor primaylus Of
this congregation, Rev. DR.. Ruhl, de-
cided to hold special Memorial Ser
vice, as many of those who recently
died could not, on account of the ma
lignant type of disease, be taken to
the church. At no period during his
pastorate of fourteen years has our
congregation been so sorely afflicted.
Sunday, Nov. 25th, being the last
Sunday in the church year, was deem
ed very appropriate day on which
to celebrate such solemn services.
The entire congregation had felt for
weeks past that it was passing through
a very solemn season hence old and
young earnestly prepared themselves
for its observance. The younger
members were carefully trained in q
full choral service, whilst the parents
actively co-operatsd.
In the morning service sermons in
German and English were delivered
by pastor Ruhl and his assistant, Ii
ceutiate Zacharias, and many eyes
were dimmed with tears when the
memory of those who now sleep in
Jesus was recalled.
The main memorial service was
held in the evening. Long before the
appointed hour the church was filled
to replstion, 80 that many had to seek
the services of other congregations.
The Professional hymn, "Angels of
Jesus" sung by the Sunday Schools in
two choirs, began the service. Az
they slowly moved from the vestibule
up the two aisles, preceded by two
cross-bearers, tears of silent joy gilt
tered in many eyes. The Invocation
and the Prayers from the Burial Ser
vice of the Liturgy were read by the
pastor, the congregation and school
kneeling. Then followed the hymn :
Lord, in this Thy mercy's day,
On our knees VIC fall and pray"
Sung by the School, still kneeling.
All rising now repeated the Apostles
Creed, after which the Scripture Les
son for the Burial of the Dead wan
read. The Schools now sang abide
with Me; fast falls the eventide )" af-
ter which the Gospel of the Resurrec-
tion was read. The German custom
of singing "Alleluiah" three times e.
ter reading the Holy Gospel was fol-
lowed by responses and the Eucha-
ristic Prayer from the Communion
Service, which produced very devo-
tional impression upon sll. A hymn
telling of the peace and Joy of the
heavenly country, Jerusalem the
Golden was sung by the Schools, af-
ter which the pastor delivered the
Memorial Address. During the Offer
tory the hymn
"Be near me when I'm dying,
o show thy cross to me"-
Was beautifully sung by one of the
choristsrs, which was followed by the
Litany of Jesus. This last was the
central act of worship in the entire
service, for in it both pastor and con-
gregation seemed to reach that focal
reality which, in sorrow and joy,
should be the one object Of alteration,
namely, the Person of our Divine
Human Lord Jesus Christ. AS the