Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-05-22
FIFTY YEARS 400.
Dedication Of the German Reformed
Church In MartlnSburg.

4 - N(SHNAAA wv Ill 21f0it 11QNA Va
fifty years ago. found communica-
ton CLEANED from the German Reform
ed Messenger Of June, 1916, which,
think, may be OF interest, at least to
the older citizens of Martinsburg, and
especially the members OF the church
to which it relates. If you think it
worth publishing, it is at your dispos-
al. VIM. GERHARDT.
CONSIDERATION or NEW CHURCH AT
MARTINSRURc, VA.
On last Sabbath. the SYST of May
lUS46), the new German Reformed
church, in Martinsburg. Virginia, was
appropriately set apart for the wor-
ship of Almighty God. Notwithstand.
ing the cloudy weather, which had
continued from the commencement of
the exercises on Thursday evening
previous, the church. which is sub.
stantial, commodious, beautiful, brick
edifice of Grecian architecture, was
| filled by 10 o'clock. with an anxious
and devout congregation. The open
ing services were. conducted by the
pastor of the congregation, the Rev.
D. G. Bragonier; the dedicatory serv-
ices were performed by the Rev. DIR.
Zacharias, and the conservatory dis
course pronounced by the Rev. +.
Heiner from Ps. so: 2. sOut OF Zion.
the perfection Of beauty, God hath
shined.
The morning exercises were all very
appropriate to the occasion, and of a
truly interesting and delightful char
acter. After the usual services were
brought to close, liberal subscrip-
ton and collection, amounting to
some $500 were taken up to liquidate
the balance OF the church debt, which
was understood to be some $500 BY
CHS time, no doubt. the full amount
necessary to the liquidation of the en-
tire debt. has been secured through
the efforts of the efficient pastor and
officers of this liberal minded and ac-
tive congregation. The German Re
formed church at Martinsburg is not
large, consisting only of some 80 fam
lilies, perhaps; but they have noble
and generous spirit, and are willing to
contribute largely of their means to
the support Of the institutions of
Christianity. They have a mind to
work; and being united and harmoni-
GUS in their views, feelings and efforts,
| they have reason to believe that the
Great Head Of the Church will crown
their exertions in His cause with en-
couraging success; and happy is that
people whose love for each other ce-
ments them together and makes them
feel that they are all one for Christ.
The services commenced on Thurs
day evening and closed on the follow
ing Monday, and were attended, it is
believed with happy results. The
congregations were generally large,
attentive, and solemn. have seldom
witnessed more interesting series OF
religious exercises.
In the Martinsburg congregation
there is an unusually large proportion
of aged persons. During my stay in
the place, | dined with an old lady
Mrs. H. member Of the church,
who reported herself as being 81 years
of age, and she seemed to have all the
vivacity and pleasantly OF girl OF q.
The infirmities of age have not come
upon her, and it is not impossible that
she will live to see her one hundredth
year. The people generally look
strong and healthy. In place OF the
same size Of Martinsburg, never saw
before as many large, robust, fine
looking people; and they are as kind
and clever as they are hale-looking
and agreeable. DIR. r.. who was prov
identially detained over Sabbath, and
myself shall not soon forget our pleas
ant coiouru amongst them. S. r.