Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-08-13
New Lutheran Church Dedicated.

Last SUNDAY WAS Iou-IeI1oA N"J
for the Lutherans of Shepherdstown
and vicinity-indeed, it is not likely
that our ancient town has ever known
more important epoch in its church
history than this day, when the beau
tiful new church erected by st. Peter 8
congregation was formally dedicated
to the worship of God. The first GER.
vice was held the previous Sunday,
and during the week following there
was service each night.
Friday night an able sermon was
delivered by Rev. L. L Smith, D. D.,
president of the Virginia Synod, q
strong presentation of Gospel truths
and an exposition on what Is the real
church. Saturday night Rev. Q. Il.
hockey, of Waynesboro, Pa, a former
pastor of this charge, delivered the
sermon, and, anticipating the follow
ing days work, he made a ringing aP-
peal for generosity in gifts for Gods
house.
Sunday was the day fixed for the
dei.-.tlon OF the church. Showers
prevailed in the early morning, but
tb. clouds broke away and the rain
stopped before eight o'clock. By half
past ten o'clock, the hour for service,
the church was crowded with members
from town and country, friends of the
congregation and visitors from adJoln-
inc towns and distant cities. After
the opening service, the dedicatory GER
mon was preached by Rev. j. A. More
head, D. D., president of Roanoke COL
lepe at Salem, Va. DR.. Morehead to *
for his text the words, Except the
Lord build the house, they labor in
vain who build it" His address was
a classic. Beautiful in thought and
expression, powerful in its earnestness.
it made an impression upon the audi
ence that was 30 real as to be almost
visible and its effect was quickly dem
onstrated when opportunity came to
show practical appreciation. DR.. More
head spoke of the soul and the char
acter as the house to be built up in
beauty, and from this thought went to
the church. He spoke of its arohi-
lecture and the furnishings as symbols
of divine truths and expressions OF the
nobler ideals. He referred to the
great beauty of the church now to be
dedicated, the good taste of its ap-
pointments and the appropriateness
and significance of its lovely windows.
He said that in much travel IN this
country and Europe he had seen no
handsomer architecture and no more
tasteful and appropriate appointments,
considering the opportunities and
needs Of the people, than here, and
urged his hearers to give Of their means
to dedicate it without any obligation
whatever upon it. The closing of his
sermon was both beautiful and touch
ing and left an impression that will
cause him and his words long to be
remembered.
At the conclusion Of DR.. Morehead's
address, Mr.. H. @. Marten, treasurer
of the church building committee,
read his report, showing the amount
of the original contract, the cost OF
the additional work ordered, includ'
ing furnishings, etc. The report in
Dictated that about So, 500 was needed
to pay all obligations and clear the
church of debt.
Rev. O. Il. Hockey, a popular form
er pastor of the church, now took
charge of the exercises, and in an
earnest manner urged the congregation
to wipe out the debt. Mr.. Hockey
had been busy among the people for
several days, and the telling point Of
his work was at hand. he caused
large blackboard to be brought in.
upon which were figures aggregating
$3, 500, in sums ranging from 81 to
5000. He said that he wanted all of
the figures wiped from the blackboard,
and when this should be done the OBJ
legation would be cleared. R. s. NJ.
Hoffman was in charge of the black
board. B. s. Pendleton and John 81.
Schoppert were secretaries, and the
descons acted as assistants to Mr..
Hockey. In a few moments the fret
thousand dollars was wiped from the
blackboard in 5000 subscriptions.
Another thousand quickly followed in
blocks of $3.50 and 800. Then the
ffties were wiped out one by one, and
the forties and thirties began to dis.
appear. Soon the third thousand was
wiped out. By this time the congre.
CATION was interested and enthusiastic
and the scene approached the dramat.
ic. Faster than the secretaries could
write the names and amounts the
twenty.6ves, the twentie', the tens
and the fves were called out, and these
were followed by twos and ones.
1t was now apparent that the debt
was to be cancelled to the last penny
indeed, even after every figure had
been erased from the blackboard the
gifts still came in, for everybody pres
ert seemed to want to share in the
good work. AS one member express.
ed it, it seemed as though the money
fell from the heavens as the rain had
fallen few hours before. Not only
were the members of the Lutheran
Church very liberal, but persons of
other denominations responded as well,
while visiting friends from distant
places were cheerfully generous.
When finally the subscriptions had all
been received and the fragments we're
gathered up in the collection plates.
it was found that there was enough
III e. o,ora NJ. DaoLo,- ~ an ,a-