Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-02-18

several congregations OF the charge,
preaching the gospel, catechlsing and
confirming the young, and administering
the sacrament of the Lords supper.
He continued his missionary tour into
North and South Carolina. After being
engaged for six months in this kind of
work. he returned northward, and took
charge Of the congregations in Wood
stock. and vicinity, from which he had
received a call. He labored with varied
success in the charge for period OF two
years, when he resigned and moved to
Westminster, Nd, Rev. Leidy was sue
ceeded by
REV. JACOB MAYER.
Rev. Mayer became pastor OF ST..
Paul's in the year 1922 or beginning
ofls23. lie continued his labors here for
three years, when he resigned and NOV
ed to Pennsylvania.
After the removal Of Rev. Mayer the
charge extended call to
REV. DIErRIC GRAVES.
Rev. Graves accepted the call and
moved to Woodstock in 1880. His pas
torate was very short, it did not extend
oyer one year. 1t seems he did not please
the people, of the Woodstock charge, nor
the people, him. lie was very grave in
his manner, had "A serious countenance
and an earnest look. His preaching was
plain. practical, and convincing. Though
he was pastor here for only twelve
months. yet he is still remembered by
the elder members. aud is spoken OF as
Father Graves
The next pastor called was,
REV. JAG. FOLLMER DIEFFENBACHER.
Rev. Diencnbachcr moved to Wood
stock. and began hi, duties in his new
field Of labor, May the 10, 1852.
The charge at that time was composed
of five congregations, namely, Wood
stock or st. Paurs. Pine, Salem, Zion.
and Frieden's. Rev. Dieflcnbacher Is
still kindly remembered and often
spoken OF by the older members OF the
congregation. lie Is represented as an
excellent preacher, a faithful pastor and
rs kind and good man.
lie wa. an uutiring worker both in
and ont Of the pulpit. aud his labors
were crowned with Success. During his
pastolate the entire charge was in a
good. healthy condition.
Shcrtly before he came to Woodstock
he was severely afflicted in the death OF
hi. wife. who was a Miss Officer, OF
Carlisle, Pa.
On the ;st of October, 1888, he con-
sumateda second marriage, with Miss
Dorothca. daughterof George Hotel, OF
Shenandoah County. Mr.. Dieiienbacher
is still living at the advanced age OF y
years.
The fruit Of this union was four sons,
three of whom entered the ministry
Though long since dead, yet he con-
tinues to preach the word through his
sons.
A circumstance occurred in 1887. which
doubtless shortened the pastorate oi
Rev. Diefcnbacher at Woodstock.
lie was called upon and urged by sew
eral ministers Of other denominations
in the town. to deliver an address in be-
half of the Colonization Society. lie
consented to do 50. and AT the appointed
time, in the presence Of large audience
i'm the Lutheran Church, preached a
faithfuland fearless sermon on the Col
onizltion Of the black man. showing tie
benefits that would flow from it, both ia
the white and the black man. His adj
dress was based upon Gal. WHO, "a
we have opportunity, letu' do good unto
all men,
His discourse created Il political breeze
aud wa> made the preteXt fer accusation
against him. Everything that was pos
,ible was done by hi- accusers to heal
odum upon him, and also TO have hi"
convicted before the civil court, as
violator 81 the law. lie was even PLACED
within the walls Of the prison for
short while.
The feeling in the community raj
high, the subject was earnestly debated
pro and con. But the excitement sOol
abated. foi the man OF God was honor
ably acquitted and discharged.
After this Rev. Deflsdbacher's sta!
in Virginia was short. Having suffered
both in mind and body, from passn;
through such conflict, and belicvin!
that another could be more useful in hi
field. he resigned the charge at the clos
of the year 1898, and moved to western
Pennsylvania.
REV. WE. COLLEFLOWER,
was Rev. Diellenb2cher's successor. II
moved to Woodstock. andtntcred upo
the duties OF the pastoral Office. in th'
spring OF 1889 1t appears from tn
fragmentary records Of that date. tina
there was some contention among tn
members. as to the constitutienality o
Rev. Colle1ower's call. He seems no
to have been the unanimous choice
the people, and not having the heart
cooperation. sympathy and support
the entire membership, Inc resigned th
charge in 1910, being pastor but a littl
over Il year.
REV. JEREMIAH HELLER.
In the year ls4O, Rev J. Heller b'
came the pastor aud continued to ser'
the charge for the space OF three year
t The salary not being adequate to b
support, Rev. Heller along with h
= ministerial labors, engaged in teaehin
r school. lie resigned the field in the IA