Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-08-05
The strasburg Convention.

not only prohtaole Dut very ENJOY
able gathering. The Strasburg folks
exhibited the traditional Virginia hos
pitaity, and entertained the delegates
and visitors in style worthy of the
highest praise. Mr.. ]. W. Eberly, in
his address of welcome, referred to the
manner in which the hearts and homes
of the people had been opened, but he
did not tell half of the kindnesses and
courtesies in store for their guests.
The convention Wednesday morn
ing elected Mr.. Geo. NJ. Beethoven
president, H. L. Snyder secretary, and
FL. Weltzheimer was chosen assistant
secretary-giving Shepherdstown
full share of the honors. The business
sessions were conducted in a system
attic and expeditions manner, and the
excellent programme that had been
arranged was executed most satisfac-
torily. Many topics of interest in the
Sunday school work were discussed by
ministers and laymen, and practical
questions were considered by the del
egates during the sessions.
The convention was fortunate in
having present some of the leading
men in the Lutheran Church. Rev.
S. A. ort, D. D., president of Witten-
burg College, Springfield, Ohio, and
Rev. H. Louis Baugher, D. D., Of York,
Pa, publisher Of the Lutheran World,
were guests Of the convention and took
a prominent part in the proceedings,
DR.. Ort delivered an able and earnest
address Tuesday night on "The Aim
of Sunday School Work and how to
Reach it" 1t was an impressive and
thoughtful effort, and held the undi-
vided attention of very large audi
ence. DR.. Ort was called upon several
times during the convention to express
his views upon the various topics, and
always spoke with force and ability,
DR.. Baugher on Thursday night ad-
dressed the convention on "The Rela-
ton of Children to the Gospel" 1t
was not only a thoughtful and learned
argument, but was an intensely inter-
esting speech on subject peculiarly
appropriate to the occasion. The
Doctor was at his best, and made a
most effective address. Other inter-
esting addresses on pertinent topics
were made by the clergymen and lay
men during the session. DR.. Dreher
and Prof. Painter, of Roanoke College,
were also present and took part in the
discussions.
The convention was largely attend
ed-there were many delegates from
the Sunday schools and the people of
the community evinced great interest
in the proceedings. Every session was
enjoyed by full house. Thursday
the Sunday school of Woodstock at
tended in body. The convention will
meet next year at Salem Church, near
Staunton, in Augusta county,
The sessions of the convention were
held in st. Paul's Lutheran Church,
of which Rev. Luther L. Smith, form
er resident Of Shepherdstown, is pas
tor. Mr.. Smith has large and pros
porous and influential congregation.
His church is a hundred years old,
but the structure in which they wor-
ship now is handsome and stylish
structure erected few years ago. 1t
is on a commanding site, built of brick
with high tower, and the inside fin
ish is in polished oak. 1t has hand
some stained glass windows, is nicely
carpeted, and is altogether comforta-
bic and beautiful place of worship. The
choir is an unusually good one, and
rendered excellent music and plenty
of it during the convention. The min
istry Of Mr.. Smith has been very sue
cessful at Strasburg, and he has the
esteem not only of his own flock, but
of the people generally.
As stated above, the church was
founded over a hundred years ago.
The Virginia Assembly passed the fol-
lowing act December 10, 1896; "Be
it enacted by the General Assembly,
that it shall be lawful for the commits
sioners to raise by lottery the sum Of
$4,000 to be applied towards complet-
ing a Lutheran Church in the town of
strasburg and county of Shenandoah. "
Times have changed. Imagine
church being built by means of lot
terry these days.
1t was the writer's good fortune to
be entertained in the home of Mr.. ].
W. Eberly. He has a large and COM
Portable dwelling on Main street, and
his heart is big, too. No effort was
spared by him and his most excellent
wife, and his parents also, for the en-
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