The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-10-08
ALL WITH
THE PASTOR
A Test of Declaration in the Evan
gelical Church Yesterday.
A FIGHT FOR PRINCIPLE
Rev. Lichtenwalner Declares This is the
Position Of Evangelicals Opposed to
Government by the BowmaniteS.

Ou w eSu CnetTN SlCeeli yesterday we're Oh |
more than the ordinary character. The |
meetings were something akin to revivals !
The worshipers seemed TO have special !
inspiration and there was a distinct spirit !
of sadness among many of them which is |
only observed when something extraor- |
binary has occurred, or is about to occur |
The decision of the Supreme Court !
granting to the Bowmanite faction of the
Evangelical Association all the church |
property was referred to by the pastor, |
Rev. Lichtenwalner, whose voice trembled |
with emotion at times. At the morning
service a test of sentiment was made and
there was unanimous declaration that
if the pastor should be compelled to va.
cate the church under the decision, the
congregation would accompany him. A
test was also made in the Sunday school
yesterday afternoon with similar result
Last evening the church was crowded,
the members evidently turning out strong
because they had reason to believe that,
as anti-Bowmanites, it would be the last
Sunday evening on which they could hold
service in the church, the trustees having
been notified that the Bowmanites would
in all probability claim the church prop
erty during this week. Some of the
members are inclined to make stand for
the property until the last legal resort in
this county can be exhausted, but others,
with the trustees and pastor, are not in
cined to hold out after notice to quit the
church is legally served any longer than
necessary to secure place of worship.
During the service last night repeated
reference was made in the prayers and
sermon to the unsettled condition of the
church's affairs. Rev. Lichtenwalner
read the lesson from the XLVI Psalm
God is our refuge and strength, an ever
present help in trouble. XXX The Lord
of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is
our refuge" The text for the sermon was
taken from Ephesians III, "A 49, For this
| cause l bow my knees unto the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ"
Upon the conclusion of his sermon Rev
Lichtenwalner stated that he wished to
make few remarks regarding the effect
of the Supreme Court decision on the
church. He said that while the Bow
NANTES were right in law they were
morally wrong. In reference to the
manifests published in yesterdays Phila-
delphia Press, the pastor criticised Bishop
Bowman and other signers for patroinz-
ing Sunday newspapers. AS to the invi-
tation for all churches to enrol themselves
under the Bowmanite banner, Rev.
Lichtenwalner said that could not be
done without sacrifice of principle. The
pastor then asked for an expression of
sentiment. The congregation arose in
the pews in body and it was announced
that the decision was unanimous to stand
by the pastor.
The organ of the church was removed
| last week by trustees of the church who
ara personally responsible for some in.
debtedness and are holding the instru-
ment as security. The singing during
the services were therefore without ac.
compartment yesterday. In case the
congregation is Obliged to quit the church
arrangements will be made to hire a hall
until arrangements can be made for the
purchase of the old edifce from the
Bowmanites, or the erection of new one.
A member of the congregation said to
with reference to the status of the contro-
versy in the Evangelical Association, as it
effects the Shenandoah congregation, are
clear The congregation never has ac-
cepted the Interpretation of the discipline
as given by Bishops Esher and Bowman
They h We never signifed their willing
ness to abide by the tyranical measures of
the majority in the present struggle.
They have always believed that Bishops
Esher and Bowman were legally tried and
suspended from Office, and hence they
could not and would not receive the
preachers appointed by them to fill the
| Shenandoah pulpit They now stand by
their former declarations and resolutions.
To do otherwise would mean little less
than The sacrifice of manhood, saying
nothing of religious convictions. They
believe the time has come when every
lover of religious freedom among them
ought 10 assert his rights TO think and to
act according to his own convictions.
The congregation, therefore, with the
exception of, possibly, half dozen
members, are willing and determined to
stand by the principles of the fathers OF
the church, property or no property,
Principle is Intimately higher and more
valuable than property. No one can see
the justice in the proceedings which will
wrest the property from about $50 mem.
bers in good standing and place it in the
hands of six. The Supreme Court decision
affects the Reading Sixth street church
alone. Other churches, and the Shenan-
doah among them, cah only be gotten by
due process of law. Every one of the