The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1891-04-16
snnafsssvn SERVICES


COnse err alton of DR. RondihaIsr sun.
Day TO the Eptscopaey of the
Morayiam Church.
DR.. Edward Ronthaler, the able and
beloved pastor of the Moravian
church is now Bishop of the Episco-
pacy of this Province. This title has
fallen on an eminently worthy man.
The conservation services were held
in the Moravian church, and opened
at eleven O'Clock Sunday morning.
Long before the hour arrived the
seating capacity of the church was
filed, and many who were anxious to
witness the exercises failed to gain
entrance for want of room.
The services were opened with an
appropriate male quartette, and
while this was being rendered the
three Bishops, who were to cond uct
the exercises, marched in, accompa-
MED by DIR. Ronthaler, the candidate.
all ofwhom wore long white robes.
AS announced Saturday evening,
the conservation service was con-
Quoted by Rt. Rev. Henry T. Bach
man. the President of the Northern
Moravian church. After reading
the Litany appropriate to the occa-
sion, scripture lessons were read from
l Peter, End chapter 1925; and st.
John 10th chapter 11-16.
Bishop Bachman then spoke of the
solemnity of the occasion which had
called him and his two other Brethren,
and termed it rare occurrence and
Of peculiar significance.
He said that this was the second
Pastor of this church to be ordained
Bishop, the first being the late Rev.
Emil DeSchweinitz, who was conse-
Grated to this office October 18th,
1874. The second is the President
of your Provincial Elders Conference,
DR.. Edward Rondthaler, whom two
of us have known from childhood,
and we all have learned and know
something of his labors. We have
confidence in his intellectual ability,
his christian devotion, and of his
promotion in church work. With
such confidence we are entitled to
proceed to the duties assigned us in
his conservation.
Bishop Bachman then said that he
desired to extend greetings to DR..
brethren in the Northern States. He
then read letters from the Unity
Elders Conference, of Germany, DR..
VIM. Taylor, of,England College, and
Bishop c. l.. Reinike, of the North
west. The latter was to have been
present on this occasion, but other
duties caused him to cancel his en-
gagement. The speaker closed with
these words: May the Holy Spirit of
Christ gather around Us and bless
these services We desire to be more
and more closely united. May God
bestow his blessings upon us all.
THE SERMON.
After the singing of hymn No. %,
entitled ''Veni Creator Spiritus," Rt.
Rev. |. NJ: lowering, pastor of the
church at Bethlehem, Pa, arose and
proceeded to deliver the sermon.
He said:
cannot keep back strange emo
tions at this time. This is the first
time | was ever here, but this occa-
sion makes me feel like 1 am at my
old home. The words of my text are
taken from II Corinthians, 1913,
''But we will not boast of things
WITHOUT our measure, but according
to the measure Of the rule which God
hath distributed to US, measure to
reach even unto you"
The watchword is stand fast and
hold to the tradition which has been
brought to you. In the solemn act
which you will witness to day is one
that means unity. The Bishops work
is a broad work. In this solemn act
we also see impeI sonated the work of
the past, which runs back to four
genera tions.
Our brother will be the 1S4th in an
unbroken line of Bishops of the uaitus
fat4m. He will be the 122nd since
the reorganization of the church, the
35th who has lived and labored in
America, the goth who has been con-
secrated in this country, the 2Oth
Bishop of the Unity now living, the
fifth living in this country, and the
second to be consecrated here in this
church.
We see the. church historic insti-
tuition, represented in a peculiar man.
ner by the Bishop, whom the church
chooses. We see the future work and
the good in the Episcopacy. To fill
it's place, it's mission, etc., the church
must preserve it's integrity and it's
individuality in furthering the work
of God. He who is the Chief Bishop
of souls is the symbol, and it is He
who carries the banner in his hand;
and the legion around us tells us who
the shepherd is, and points out our
duty.
Bishop lowering then spoke of and
explained the rights, privileges and
work of the Moravian Church, and
| said many other practical things in
his able discourse, and we regret we
have not the space to report it in full
DELIVERING THE CHARGE.
After singing two verses Of hymp
| No. 1877, RE. Rev Henry I. VanVleck
proceeded to deliver the charge in
| beautiful and impressive language
He spoke of DR.. Rondthaler's Jealous
work and capacity rs Deacon and
Presbyter of the church, and explr in.
ed the duties of the Moravian Bishop
by saying that the Office was that Of
an intercessor-to keep acquainted
with the church's trials, anil to ex
hort Love, Peace, Joy, Weakness,
Long Suffering, etc.
After the charge and an earnest
prayer by Bishop Bachman, the cen
secratiOn was performed by the three
Bishops placing their hands on thu
candidates head and repea ting tn.
words prescribed by the MoraviaI
ritual.
This interesting and impressive
service was then closed with the read
ing and singing of the Litany Dox
n