The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-04-30
WHAT HE HAS DONE.
Brief Review Of the Work Of Rev.
PA. Heilman During His Pastorate
In Bloomsbury.

The pastorate of Rev. P. A. He'll
man, who for the past six years has
efficiently served the Lutheran con-
gregation Of this place terminated last
Sunday. At the services both morn
ing and evening, the auditorium was
crowded to the doors, many being
unable to gain admittance. He is an
exceptionally fine pulpit orator, and
as a pastor, he was eminently success
ful. He is a man of strong sympa-
thies, and he was always ready to
lend helping hand to any one in
distress. Whilst he was a Lutheran
minister, yet he was always in accord
with any movement which had for its
object the advancement of the Mas
ters Kingdom. He came among us
an utter stranger, but by his affable
manner soon won a host of friends
whom he has retained to the last.
He is man of strong conviction, and
wrong was wrong, and SO pronounced
wherever he found it. AS a citizen,
he was always in the van in any re-
form movement. The esteem in
which he was held by his congrega-
ton is evidenced by the fact, that,
when his health failed and he decided
to resign, the congregation proposed
to give him vacation of six months
or year, and an increase of salary.
He will be missed not only by his
congregation, but by host of friends
who have learned to love him for his
consistent christian life.
Rev. Heilman became pastor of
the Lutheran church Jan. I, 1890.
At the first communion there were
IoS members present, at the last ,a4.
The Sunday School has increased
making more room a.repeated necess
ity, and twice the rooms were enlarg-
ed until all the space in the lecture
room is occupied. The audience
room has also been repaired and all
the room possible gained.
A new parsonage was built costing
over $4,000 close to the church, max
ing 4 cost in repairs and building
during this pastorate Of about
$4,000, twenty-five hundred of
which had been provided before, the
balance has been secured during the
past six years, this with the current
expenses including pastors salary and
benevolence, which amounted to
$3669.55, makes the sum of $2s,-
10000 dispensed during Rev. He'll
mans ministry here.
The addition to the membership
have been 3oS. Infant Baptisms 100.
Catechumens taught 4SI. Losses by
death, dismissal and removal 100
leaving net gain of 2oS. Whole
number of funerals attended 1874.
Marriages 81. Sermons preached 572.
The present pastorate closes with 4
harmonious and well organized
church. Every department in flour
ishing condition. The Woman's Mis-
sionary stands first in the synod, and
the congregation always exceeds its
apportionment. The Ladies Aid
Society, of which Mrs. F. C. Eyer is
President, and Mrs. d. w. Weiss
Vice President is most vigorous and
active and assumed $500 of
the recent Indebtedness. The Sunday
School pledged itself to provide for
6S shares of the debt at ten dollars a
share. Mr.. VIM. Brooke is the
efficient Superintendent and Prof
Mauser assistant. The Endeavor So
ciety has large membership and
holds most interesting meetings every
Sunday evening. The Junior Endeav-
ors had to be divided because of its
numbers and the ages of the men,
beIs. The church greatly regrets the
departure of its present pastor yet
they will all heartily fall in with his
successor whoever that may be.
Rev. Milton f. McLinn of Virginia
breaches next Sabbath morning and
evening and is spoken of as very
earnest and practical preacher.