The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-17
Farewell Services at Bart's.

May 5 was day of special interest at
Bart's U. B. Church, in Union Township,
Adams county. Preparatory to the razing of
the old church, to give room for better and
more up-to date one, farewell service was
held Many friends of this old-established
church came out to give final farewell to the
old building, in which they had so often en-
joyed themselves.
Rev. Lewis Kohr, of Hanover, who had
served that church AS its pastor for twenty
years at three different periods, was present
and preached an able sermon at p. m. and
gave many "reminiscences of the past. Rev.
kohr said that be preached his first sermon
at Bart's January 9, 1876, at 2 p. M. taking
for his subject "Naaman, the Leper," based
on II Kings, s: 10. Yesterday he preached
en- the subject of Genuine Religion" basing
his remarks on Phil. l: 6, "He which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ" He outlined
in very able manner what genuine religion
really is, and said in part that some people
think it is only notion; but he showed in
most forcible argument that it is not notion,
but real change of the heart and life, begins
at conversion, and has its dwelling place in
the heart; that it is founded on knowledge,
enlarges and fills the heart and gives knowl.
edge of ourselves, of God and his work, and
elevates from degradation and the prison
house of sin into heavenly bliss; that it is EN-.
during in principle and will withstand all the
abuses brought upon it by a cold and cruel
world, and will drive away all fear from the
human heart; that it is tried religion, which
was illustrated in the lives of Joseph, Job and
many others; that it will bring friend and foe
together; that it is perpetual and will serve Its
subjects throughout eternity.
Rev. Kohr said that the work of the United
-, Hh,,o Hrotin fro1noo6 MT
this community early in the forties by the
Revs George Rymal and j. W. F. Fulkerson.
members of the Virginia Conference, who
we're followed by the following clergymen
Revs. J. C. Smith, w. B. Raber, Bra
shear, Samuel Enterline, Frederick Grim,
George Snyder, J. S. Wentz, Alexander
Trpner, Peter Carl, J. B. Jones, John Clare,
William Craumer, A. Rudisill, L. R. Cramerr,
]. l.. Nicholas, W. ]. Beamer, NJ. M. Burt,
ner, j. E. Kleffman, Lewis Kohr and j. B.
Koontz, the present pastor. The first preach
ing done in this community was just over the
line in Maryland, at the home of John Jones.
There was at that time so much timber land
in this community that the Rev. W. B. Raber.
going from Littlestown to the Jones home to
ELL his appointment, found it necessary to take
with him a Ratchet and mark the trees, that
he might be able to find his way out again.
The first church was built at this place in 1852
under the pastorate of Rev. J. S. Wentz. He
stated that under the passionate of the Rev.
Frederick Grim there were 108 conversions
at one meeting, which was held in the Spring
of the year. This church has the distinction
of being dedicated three times. Rev. Kohr
served this appointment at three different
periods-from 1877 to 1882; again from 1888
to 1891, and from 1894 to the fall of 1905.
David Baughman, the only surviving member
of the building committee in 1852, who is now
in his Goth year, made the closing prayer.
At 7.3O the pastor, Rev. j. B. Koontz, of
Hanover. preached final farewell sermon
from the text found in Psa. 26: 8, 'Lord,
have loved the habitation of Thy house. ="
The foundation for the new house of wor.
ship has been dug, and work of building will
begin at once. John F. Rohrbaugh, of Han, =,
over, is the architect. Howard Wampler. of
Pleasant Hill. will do the brick work, and
Harry X. Wentz, of West Mannheim, the car
penter work.