The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-10-11
A DEMAND
FOR THE KEYS
Evangelical Church War Reaches a
Crisis Here.
"NO SURRENDER" THE CRY
The Anti-BOwmaniteS Preparing to
Leave, But Insist Upon Legal Pro-
cess Before Quitting.
mo SURRENDER" THE CRY

The first gun of the Evangelical church
war was fired yesterday afternoon by the
appearance in town of Rev. W. Il. Fred
ericks, the Bowmanite clergyman Of
Tamaqua, who came to make a formal
demand for the keys of the local church.
As was anticipated, the demand was
met with a refusal on the part of the anti
Bowmanites, and the latter are still in
possession of the church property.
Rev. Fredericks is a short, medium built
man Of middle age and speaks with tender
tone. He has an easy-going manner and
evidently has resources for emergencies.
He called at the HERALD Office this morn
ing and stated the object of his visit to
town. He said he came here expecting to
find some members of the church
who were not allied with the
Bowmanites having read in the news
papers that there were half a dozen, but
upon arrival here found himself as a
stranger in strange land. He acquainted
himself as much as possible with the town
in a short space of time and sought the
trustees of the church, but found that
several of them were in attendance at the
Reading conference of the church author
tiles.
The visitor eventually found three of
the trustees, Messrs. r. Stocker, M. g.
Gessly and David Faust, and made de-
mand for the keys of the church, but the
delivery was refused, the trustees stating
that their board had decided not to vacate
without an order from the court. Mr..
Fredericks then stated that he would con.
suit his attorney, ex-Judge Ryan, of Potts
Vile
Rev. Fredericks was appointed by the
Bowmanite conference last February to
take charge of the Shenandoah, MahanoY
vile circuit, but withheld the exercise of
his authority pending the decision of the
Supreme Court.
At the same time Rev. Boyer was ap-
pointed to take charge of the Shamokin,
Frackvillesand Ashland churches. Rev.
Boyer is at present located at Shamokin.
81 came here under legal advice" said
Rev. Fredericks this morning, 'and under
that advice should have made the demand
for the keys of the church in the presence
of at least one layman, but as l could not
find one here willing to assist me l sup
pose I must return to my lawyer and see
what the next step is to be. From observa-
tions have made am inclined to believe
that there are a number of the congrega.
tion disposed to join us, but a pressure
brought to bear prevents them. think
that we will yet be able to lay the matter
before them in such a manner as to show
that we love them and want them to re-
turn to the church, and believe they will
ultimatelyIdo so. The keys of the Lans-
ford church have already been surrendered
to me-"
"With so many churches under your
care you will not be able to fill the pulpit
here every Sunday" the reporter replied.
eve have not arranged that yet," Mr..
Fredericks replied. "Our present work is
to secure the church property. Ipresume
we will be obliged to make arrangements
for local preachers until the conference
meets next February"
Rev. Lichtenwalner, o. S. Kehler, John
L. Hassler, M. l.. Kemmerer and Henry
Sampsell, authorities of the anti Bow
mantle faction, are in Reading attending
the conference on the affairs of the church,
and therefore are not cognizant of Rev.
Frederick's visit. One officer of the
church seen to-day said that the demand
tor the keys of the church had been re-
iected because the congregation had
rights which it could not surrender
If the court says the church must be sur
rendered the order will be obeyed, because
while the claimants are legally right and
morally wrong, there is no disposition to
defy the course of the law. The congre
cation expects to hold service in the church
next Sunday.
The congregation is practically holding
on the church property until the Bowman
ties secure possession by due legal process,
and this the congregation believes will be
the result. The followers of Rev. Lichten-
walner have already appointed commit.
tee of five to look for a site for church
several influential gentlemen having
pledged themselves for amounts sufficient
to make a start
Before leaving town to-day Rev,
Fredericks said that he would probably
pay another visit to town and assert his
rights before the close of the present
week, although his action was altogether
subject to the advice of his counsel and
it was possible that action would be post,
poned until next week.