The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-29
EDITORs COLUMBIAN :

EDITORS COLUMBIAN
The Harvest Home Reunion and fifteenth
anniversary of Rev. A, Houtz's pastorate
of the Orangeville charge on last Thursday
in the Megargle Grove at Orangevile was
very impressive. The committee on ar
rangements deserve great credit for their
taste manifested in the preparation of the
ground. The seating capacity was con-
sidered sufficient to accommodate four
hundred persons Probably not more
than half present could be comfortably
seated. The preachers stand was well
arranged, with an arch of evergreens
in front, which was decorated with large
golden letters, which were made to read
the suggestive text for the occasion, "Hon-
or the Lord with thy substance" of course
every body took the hint and threw in lib
orally when the contribution box went
around. The stand in form represented a
small structure with three gable ends, one
above the arch, the others at the ends of the
stand, the rafters representing the three
ends were also festooned with ,evergreens.
But all around and above was open space
except the foliage of the grove. The grove
temple was an inviting spot, not on account
of its beauty only, but on account of its
friendly shelter from the burning heat and
glaring rays of the sun and the basket dinner
of which all partook with hearty relish.
A spring of good cold water was near at
hand which slaked the thirst of man and
beast. Rev.W Goodrich, former pastor,
preached an able and comprehensive sermon
reviewing his labors from his "reminiscences
of the audience; and the growth andfr re-
sulting therefrom, while among this people
for period of nearly twelve years. Rev.
Nickel deli vered short address in Ger
man. Rev. Land spoke of Womelsdorf
Orphans Home at Bethany AS benetl-
ciary institution, and the duty and impor-
tance of the church to support literally and
sustain it, BY the way he was one of its
inmates, Revs, Strunk, Kohler and Gala
| way participated in the exercises. The
latter is a Baptist Minister at Berwick. The
closing exercise was in the nature of sur
prise for Rev. A. Houtz, by the presenta-
| tlon OF an elegant cane by Rev. Dechant in
behalf of the young members confirmed by
Pastor Houtz This was also an impress
sive scene mingled with little fun. A
| history of the Reformed Church, prepared
| by Rev, lloutz, from her primitive to her
present state in Columbia county, was read
by Rev. Kohler, Her history is both very
| interesting and instructive, once depen.
] dent mission field, now three or four sell
supporting and prosperous charges, also
contributing largely for missions The
vile charge was taken up and read in turn
commencing with st. James. But this Is
not all. We look around and see othel
spiritual fields, also in high state Of cul
tivation. Many other sister denomina
tions of which some are more powerful il
numbers, and wealth too perhaps, occupy
ing the same territory. These all hay,
their fields of labor and usefulness, ant
are prosperous and happy. Notwithstand
ing this community of neighboring demon
nations and of church homes, living il
peace and harmony and cultivating thei
respective spiritual fields TO their utmos
capacity, there still remains much spirtua
wilderness unoccupied, Does no one car
for this field of commons Is it beyond tn
power of cultivation ? Is it u spiritual parl
10 which all denominations resort TO
pleasure and amusement Grave consider
ations these, and great subject for theolo
gians. Yours, Aug 49, 1884 Y