Smyrna times., 1921-03-02
FIFTY YEARS IN AsBURY CHOIR
w. o. HOffecker Rounds Out Half Cen
tury of Useful Service and is Pre-
sented With Fine Reading Lamp i,

tury of Useful Service and is Pre-
sented With Fine Reading Lamp =
Sunday morning at the close of the
regular morning service at Asbury NJ.
E. Church the congregation paused to
hear words of tribute and see Walter
o. Hoffecker, director of the choir,
presented with a handsome electric
reading lamp as a testimony from his
fellow members of Asbury NJ. Z. choir
in commemoration of his rounding out
fifty years of efficient service, forty
of which he has been leader. The oc-
casion was complete surprise to Mr..
Hoffecker, who was deeply touched by
the act of good will and esteem. Pas
tor Nichels had risen to close the
morning service and requested the
congregation to pause for short
while. Mr.. L. NJ. Price, assistant
leader of the choir came to the plat
form and made the following few re-
marks:
1T was in February eighteen hundred and
seventy-one, just fifty years ago, that our
brother w. o. Hoffecker, Joined the choir of
this church and since the congregation has
shared in the benefit and pleasure of his min
istry, we requested Mr. Nichols to invite you
TO tarry for a few moments that you may al
so have part in our observance of his gold
en- anniversary. In the economy of God, there
is always man for the need, and when the
need for q chorister of this church arose, the
man was ready, fitted by nature, and by con-
secration for the service. The value of Broth
er Hoffeckers service has been increasingly
appreciated and it is fitting that we bring to
I 1.1N.
his efficient and faithful service for these fifty
years-forty<year of which he has been our
leader. During the years of his leadership,
there have been many changes in the member
snip OF the chair, some coming, some going,
still throughout it all, be it said to his credit
there has been preserved a spirit of unity and
good fellowship. We all cannot 20 back in
memory, to the day that Brother Hoffecker
Joined the choir, but we fall can recall with
pleasure, the happy associations of many years
! the privileges, the pleasures, and the songs
/ OF Zion, which we have sung together within
these sacred walls; and in recalling them &C
/ our leaders mind, we present to him this evi.
dence of our love and appreciation for this
| years that are past, and those that are "a
come. as an assurance made doubly sure, that
at 'Evening-time it shall be light"
Immediately following the above re.
marks Mr.. Hoffecker was presented
with the lamp and came forward ane
responded to Mr.. Prices speech anc
the presentation Of the gift with words
full of emotion, that showed his deer
appreciation of the compliment thai
had been paid him. AS Mr.. Hoffeck
er took his seat Mrs. Coverdale struck
up on the organ, BLESSED be the Ii,
That Binds," and the choir and con
gregation took up the refrain. Aftel
the benediction number pressed for
ward to extend congratulations to Mr.
HOffecker and to wish him many more
years of useful service. There ar,
few better known or more efficient
musical directors in the State thar
Walter o. Hoffecker. His reputation
has gone forth from Smyrna until ht
is in demand at Conference and Sun
day school sessions and all big gath
erings where music is feature of tn,
programs.