Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-03


English Lutheran Church yesterday
morning. the pastor. the Rev. Samuel
schwarra. preached a sermon in which
he gave an interesting historical sketch
of the congregation. II was the last
Sunday in which services Will be held
in the church. until the completion OF
improvements. which viii be COM
meuced this week. In the meantime
the corgregation viii worship in Odd
Fellows hall. Rev. Mr.. Schwarm said
in substance:
Il is not good for an individual or an
organizauou-and especially not for
Christian congregation-,o forget the
past. If there have been blessings
and victories. because Of Gods help,
they should De recounted. ard God
should be praised continually for them
The Lord tells his ancient people 10
Remember the days Of old and con-
slider the years of many generations,
to ask of the elders and they VIII tell
thee. and 20 inquire Of the former age;
FOR shall they not teach thee?" etc.
There is much encouragement and
help TO be derived from the struggles
and victories Of our predecessors. il We
study them with the proper spirit. If
God was with those who were in the
same work before us. and helped them
and gave them deryerance in times Of
trial and made their hearts sing for
low He win also he with us. II We. call
uuor Him ana trust Him. for it is His
wo-E s-iu. and lie VIII carry it on so
long as there is any need for it.
There are also specially favorable
Zines for recalling past history. In
times Of great trials, when We need
especial help. We should resort to the
history Of Gods dealing with US in the
past and take hope for the future; and
then. also. in times that mark q new
epoch in the life of a congregation, the
history Of the past should be carefully
studied for its lessons of caution and
encouragementr. We. as a consrega-
ton. are at such q time now. We are
to-day TO take leave of the old chapel
FOR the purpose Of tearing down and
building larger Let us stop for little
while and glance over the past history
of our congregation and praise the Lord
for all OF the blessings and triumDhs
Of this congregation and ask Him for
His mercisul cons.d- ration and over
ruling OF all mistakes. if any have been
made. and implore Him for a larger
measure Of success for the future.
The history Of this congregation has
been a history Of great struggles. for il
was begun at a time when sectional
strife was rending our government and
disrrust and disturbances in society
reisned everywhere; and, also, at a
time when the missionary work Of the
Lutheran Church was almost entirely
unorganized.
The English Lutheran Synod Of Nir-
ginia. az It's annual convention in New
Market. Va. October. 1855, resolved TO
send a travelling missionary into
Northwestern Virginia to look after the
scattered members Of the Recommendation
in that region. The Rev. Thos. W.
posh. having frs been licensed, was
appointed 20 this responsible and ardu-
GUS work. Accepting the appointment,
he proceeded early in the following No
vembsr to- the field assigned him.
Proceeding along the b. * o. railroad,
be preached at an accessible points,
and wherever he could ind any mem
bers of the English Lutheran Church.
He bought lot and organized a church
at Grafton. He reached Wheeling
early in the year 1859. Rev. Dcsh
sneut several weeks ondeayoriug 20 as
certain what material rV1ld be found
for organizing the English Lutheran
Church. In this work be was greatly
aided by the Rev. VIM. Berkemeier, at
that time pastor of lions Evangelical
Lutheran Church. on Market street,
who. also. with the consent Of his
Council. offered The use Of his church
for services in the English language
every Sunday afternoon.
In the spring of 1853. after having re-
portcd prospects 10 his synod the mis-
sionary formally organized a eougrega-
ton of about fourteen members. Az
Caster of the same year the first COM
munfon was celebrated by the new con-
sre4atioa. and fifteen more members
were added.
In the fan Of 1889 the Synod Of Viz
einia constituted Wheeling a mission
station and INSTRUCTED the missionary
IN give all his time to that field, pro-
yiding al the same time for his support
Having leased the Baptist Church on
Eighteenth street. Cthen Clay street,
for TWO years. the regular services were
held there after July. 1889. As early
as that date in the history OF The church
there was a large Sunday school, en-
bracirg not only the children from the
few families Of the church, but also
from famuies in many neglected neigh
bcrhoods. And at this time already
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