Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-02
PASTOR UPHOLDS
FIGHT OF CHURCH.
Rockville Courthouse Dispute
Likened to Ancient
Struggle. -
Special Dispatch to The Star,

special Dispatch TO The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, September a.
Before large congregation, Rev. DR..
Henry x. Pasma. pastor of the Rock
VILE Presbyterian Church, delivered
sermon yesterday morning, based on the
text from the Book of Nehemiah, And
Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear,
and for the people had mind 10
work" The sermon treated fully the
courthouse situation as it affects the
Presbyterian Church.
THE character Of Nehemiah the
pastor said, "is that of an all-around
man of God: a man Of prayer. and
man of works, holding in the one hand
the trowel for building the walls OF
Jerusalem and with the other the sword
to defend the interests of the cause OF
God. The problems which faced Nehe:
mia1 and his small band OF workers OF
old reminds me strongly OF the present
situation which is thrust upon our
church.
"First the ridicule of the persons OPP
posing the work of Nehemiah-San-
ballath and Tobiah and their hench-
men. as they scoffed. What do these
feeble Jews? Will they sacrifice? WIN
thew revive the stones out of the heaps
of rubbish?' Our congregation has mad
a full measure of that sort OF thing.
And the other, the unreasonable tnlng'
contemplated by the conspirators, san
ballath and Tobiah, the would-De
breakers-down of the Old Testament
church. to obstruct and make impos-
sible the work of idealism, necessary
for the life the Jewish nation, not only,
but even so, for the life of the world.
Would Hinder Future.
'rThe purposes of the county officials.
n maturing, would seem 70 seriously
hinder, If not render impossible, the ~
ture work of the Presbyterian Cnurcl.
1t grieves us to think. that church
which. as early as 172S, began 10 pro,
mote the finest and noblest interest so1
neople living in what later came 10 De
called Montgomery County. and whlcn
counted amongst its membership 1oik
that were the very backbone OF the
community-Gatton, Claggett, SpateS,
Magruder, Offutt, Scott, Chopper, Fisher
perry Bradley, Muncaster, Young,
Orrne. Douglass, Wilt. Lodge, Peter
BeaN. Councilman, Dowd, washington,
watkins, Searl-should be made 10
feel as if forces were at work ttat
would break down the church..
DR.. Pasma then pointed out the mo-
snired Nehemiah and his workers.
"Sunpose." continued the preacher,
"that the work and program OF TINS
church is based upon idealism ana re-
iipious sentiment, so seriously discount
ed by not a few in our Grass material-
istic ase-what of It? Were not tne
things which we hold precious today
horn from sentiment? The Declaration
of independence, the Constitution OF
the United States, are born from senIl-
nent which stirred the hearts OF tne
patriots of 1774. Our home. the nesresC
thing to heaven on earth, IS porn Oh We
sentiment of love. Even GOO hin lss
n,ent of salvation, was inspired by the
sentiment Of love.
What Our Fathers Did?
eve are moved profoundly by the
Thought of what our fathers did Ior
nlr congregation. The church Duliolng
stands as memorial to their 1aitn'
their self-denial, in the cause OF SIoo'
Their first church building was oS
stroyed by fire. But in 1875 they repulit
this splendid brick structure. In money
values of today, they built a churcn
costing no less than 100000. They
toiled for it, they shaved to pay the
debt on the church building, that they
might be able to transmit to their
posterity a debtless church building.
And why should their chlldren now NC
taddled with a heavy church debt, or
have to accept an inferior structure?"
The pastor quoted Sir Walter Scott, IN
"Rob Roy" MY feet stand upon native
soil. and my name is MacGregor." Il
am sure" said Rev. M. Pasma. that
there is in this congregation sufncient
unadulterated Scotch-Irish Presbyterian
blood to cause us to say with SCOTS
hero, "Our feet stand upon soil, hallowed
by the faith, conservation, and the
noble toll of our forefathers."
"The Presbyterians do not care to
have this church matter brought into
the courts. The difference between
them and the courthouse building com
mittee. as to the price to be received
for the church building, when closely
analyzed. is really so small that long
drawn Tout litigation, which would hold
back the building Of the courthouse Tor
months, seems absurd. If. however, the
necessity is thrust upon them, the
Presbyterians will let the law take its
course. even If justice and a fair deal
must be sought in the highest court of
the land"