The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-01-10
Presbyterian ].
ANNIVERSARY
!. SERVICES
10 Year Passionate
of ReU. .Stoefzer
Celebrated

The service held n the Presbyte-
rjan Church Sunday morning. eeie.
bratina the tenth anniversary Of Rev.
H. G. stoetzer's pastorate, was most
interesting and helpful.
In recognition Of the occasion
large cluster OF eaIIa lilies had been
placed :, front of the pulpit .whieI:
with an umbrella palm and a fem
made. pleasing decoration.
The church was filled will, = most
7ttentive ard appreeiative eongrega-
ton; the large choir under the direc.
tlen OF Mrs.W. C. WaddelI furnished
Inspiring music. and the sermon Ct
the pastor hased on The saith Psalm,
was strong and helpful.
Before beginning his sermon, Mr..
stoetzer took occasion to thank the
officers OF the church and their wives
for beautiful gift, and loyal note
OF eonGratuIation and eommendation.
Ten years ago Rev. Mr.. stoetzer
entered upon his ministry in the Fair
lnont Presbyterian Church, coming
here from his first charge In Carlisle,
Pa. AT tnat time, the church. .Wtiic
in no sense disorganized or discord-
ant. was passing through a severe
trial and its leaders were dishearten-
cd and depressed. Fortunately for tine
church, call had been extended to
MIR. stoetzer and by him accepted. Ig.
rorant of the status of affairs, Mr..
s.oetzer entered upon his abers viii,
zeal and deveticn-a zeal and devo-
t?an that have not ahated.
One year of the ten was spent at
Saranak Lake, N. ", "in cold stor-
age" as Mr.. stoctzer expresses It;
but the other nine have been full OF
faith, ont yood works in this growing
city. attesting his fidelity to duty, and
binding to him as will, "hooks OF
steel" the hearts of Ills parishioners.
Nor arc Mr.. Stoetzer's friends and ad.
mirers confined to his own eonsrega-
tion; he is beloved by many In other
denominations and has won golden
opinions from all sorts OF people.
Mr.. Stoetzer is thoroughly equipped
for H.; high calling. His preparation
was extensive and thorough. Gradu-
ating from the West Virginia univef
sity. he entered Princeton where lie
took his masters degree, and later
entered Princeton Theological Sem.
mary completing the four year course.
| MIR. Stoetzcr has not ceased to be 4
student He is a discriminating read
er, and keeps abreast of the most ad-
vdnced thought.
AS pastor he is indefatiaabIe and
is supported by loyal, united and de.
voted people.
At the time Mr.. stoetzer's pastorate
began here the Presbyterian Church
had membership Of one hundred ard
eiuhty.four; now its membership is In
excess of five hundred OF the num-
Ter u the church when Mr.. stoetzer
came not more than a hundred re-
rain. There have been in the ten
years five hundred and twenty.four
accessians to the membership. The
p1stor has otticiated at one hundred
and seventy-sik funerals, at ninfH-
five weddings, and is untiring in his
rrinistrations to the sick and the sor.
rowing. His Interest in young men
and his soIieitude for them is one OF
the strong points of Mr.. Stoetzer'G
character. and his influence over ther
enc of the gratifying results Of his
ministry. 1t is no disparagement to
other ministers to say that Mr.. stoet-
zer is one Of the most Influential and
Beloved Of Fairmont's pastors.
With the evening service a series
of meetings began which will continue
two weeks. In these meetings the
pastor will be assisted BY Or. "A. NJ.
Buchanan, of Morgartown; Rev.
Hugh A. Smith, OF Mannlngton, and
DR.. Thomps On. of pittsbvre.