The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-11-02
CHURCHSILVERANNIVERSARY
A joyful Event in the German Lutheran
Church.
SERMONS BY VISITING CLERGYMEE
The Twenty-iifth Anniversary Of the
Churcls s Foundation Here, as Well as the
Anniversary of Rev. John Gruhlers
Pastorate Celebrated Yesterday.


Yesterday was one of rejoicing for the CON
grcgatou of st. Johns Evangelical Lutheran
congregation and its pastor, Rev. John
Gruhler, as it marked the twenty-flth am
niversary of the foundation of the cOngrega-
tlon and the silver anniversary of Rev
Gruhler's pastorate Of the church. With
singular coincidence the day, being All
Saints Day, was also the tooth anniversary
of Reformation Day, established by the i'm
mortal Martin Luther so that the special
observance by the congregation was really
triple one
The services Of the day were of a very inn
pressiye character and the interior of the
church was beautifully decorated with palms
and flowers. The morning service opened at
10 o'clock and was conducted in the German
| language. IL was opened by the Schoppe
orchestra with selection from Haydn cu-
titled, The Heavens Are Telling, followed
by the choir, under the direction of Prof +.
leltz, singing the souI-iuspiriug hymn 'Thc
Lord Is my shepherd. The liturgie was
followed by the congregation singing hymu
after winch Rev. William Nackernagle, d, d.,
oil the Muehlenberg College, Allentown, de
livered an impressive sermon on text
taken from st. Pauls epistle to the Philip
plans, !, Bill. The sermon was an able
one and Rev. Nackernaglc took occasion
to congratulate the pastor and congregation
upon their long continued connection. Upon
the conclusion of sermon the choir rendered
lie joyful Unto the Lord and the Schoppc
orchestra closed the service with rendition
Of 'Neni Creator, by Milliards. The choir
was augmented for the ceremonies of the day
by the services of singers who had been
members IN past years Miss Ida Dorubach
| presided at the organ.
The afternoon session was devoted to Sun
day school exercises and the school was ad-
dressed by Dr. Wackernagle and Rev. Clymcr,
/ OF trackVllle.
The evening service opened at the usual
hour and the lesson OF the evening was read
| by Dr. Nackernagle. The sermon was de-
llveied by Key. Jmbenhcu, pastor of the
TRINITY Lutheran church of Pottsvile and
was a very impressive one. Rev. Umhcuhen
first congratulated Rev, Gruhler and the
congregation upon their relations Of twenty
five years and said there were abundant
evidences that the relations had been mutu-
ally pleasing ana acccutable. lie spoke of
continued pastorltc' and upheld them
with spirited argument lie said that
Whle there may DE some disadvantages
to having % pastor continue IN one church
Tor years there were also disadvantages in
frequent changes OF pastors. IN all cougre-
sauon' some Will become coo. and indifferent
ana IN many cases 1t is found that the
relations between the pastor and the congre-
CATION become strained, and this is more
/ frequently found where the pastor adhcrcs to
the preaching of the gospel ms he finds it,
There are times when the truth is repulsye
| to some people, but 1t is the duty Of Tpa-tOr
who said, 81 am not afraid to preach the