The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-16

Tho synod went into session at Q o'clock.
the devotional exercises being conductc
by Rev. l.. II. Probst. The Synod OK
pressed especial regret at the unavoida-
bic absence of Rev. S. Rhudy, the only
survivor of the ministers who organized
this Synod fifty years ago in this church.
The report of the committee on literary
institutions was adopted.
The following report on the state Of
religion was adopted: Tho committee
on the state OF religion find much to en-
courage us in our work. The general
activity OF our congregations has shown
itself in enlarged contributions for
beneficence. in tho Sunday-school in
crease and in tho extension of our
bounds. The regular preaching of the
gospel has been uninterrupted and a
goodly number have connected them
selves with Gods people. In tho I'M
usual DEVELOPMENT of industrial inter
ests some have possibly been too much
absorbed, while others have used their
increased prosperity for Gods glory.
Tho Sunday school is receiving at
tcntion everywhere, and is proving a
strong aid in the mission work. Cat
cchizat ton does not receive attention it
ought in all our congrega tions. Being
distinctive feature Of our chnrch
work and always successful in estab-
lishlAg our youth in tho faith, it
should be part of every pastors work.
The usual resolutions of thanks were
passed.
The Synod advised that tho church at
Vinton and the Second Church at Roam
ollc should be one passionate, and Rev. j
appointed Il committee to accomplish
this result if practicable, and were re-
queSSed to repor. as soon as possible to
the mission committee.
Wednesday before tho fourth Sunday
in August, 1892, was selected as the time
for tho next meeting of the Synod, the
place being Burk's Garden, Tazewcll
county, Va.
The Trinity Mission Of Richmond, Va,
upon its own petition, was turned over
to the mission board of the United Sy-
nod.
AT half past ten o'clock tho jubilee
exercises in celebration of tho semi
centennial anniversary of tho synod
were opened by tho singing of an
appropriate hymn and reading of scrip
Allentown, Pa. The first paper was
read by Rev. j. A. Brown, his subject
being "Our Neurology" lie read list
of the members of the synod who havo
passed to their reward and gave inter
esting sketches of several of those who
had been, perhaps, best known.
There wcro Jacob Seherer, John A.
Greever and Gideon Scher. The facts
set forth by Rev. Mr.. Brown were in
themselves an eloquent testimony to the
earnest lives and faithful services Of
these consecrated brethren.
The second paper was read by Rev. ].
Is. Grcevcr on THE growth of tho work
of our Synod" The birth of tho Luth-
eran Church in this section goes back to
| seventeen and ninety, and that of tho
synod TO 1871. The speaker told in
earnest words some Of tho difficulties
early church and it's ministers cncount-
cred, and tho vicissitudcs through
which they passed.
Vicinity meetings wcro held by visit
ing ministers and by this means the
church was kept alive and congrcga-
tions held together. Thus was the seed
sown which is now bearing fruit.
Among the early missionaries were
Rev. w. l.. Gazor, of South Carolina;
Rev. Paul Hcnkel, of Pennsylvania,
and Rev. j. S. Butler, grandfather Of
ID. j. S. Butler, of Washington. In
1871, September 90, tho present synod
was born at st. Johns Church, situated
few yards from the site of the church
in which this session is being held.
The first Lutheran congregation organ
lied in any town was that gathered TO-
gether in Salem, Va. in 1853.
Rev. s. A. Rhudy was the first minis
ter who was regularly ordained by this
synod. He was ordained at it's first re-
gular meeting in Burk's Garden, Va.
The first contribution was thirty-two
dollars. The last report shows a con-
tribution OF 81, sci. rs for this, the fiftieth
year. Instead of a few scattering con-
gregations we now have cighty-thrce
congrega tions, over four thousand com
municants and nearly three thousand
Sunday-school pupils. The first enter
prise ever undertaken by this synod was
the raising of q fund for tho education
OF worthy young men for tho ministry.
This paper was followed by the ser.
mon by Rev. G. w; Spigglc, fratcrnal
delegate from the Virginia Synod. lilo
prefaced the sermon by few rem ,rks
appropriate to the jubilee celebration,
congratulating the Synod on the great
work it has accomplished and recount
ing some OF the reasons tho Synod has
for thankfulness and rejoicing. The
, text was taken from Luke, 7th chapter
and fifth verse, and he was rs appro-
pirate and happy in tho handling as in
the selection of his theme.
After the sermon and prayer the large
congregation which crowded the aisies
and galleries adjourned to tho grove for
another old-fashioned, plentiful and
most appctising basket lunch" This
community is famous for good living and
hospitality, and on this occasion the
hnncoEannorc no Oh - -. IL