Yellow Creek

(Hopewell)

(1872-)

Christian Family Companion Oct. 22, 1872 page 665 Vol. VIII No. 42

Editor’s Diary

Tuesday, Oct 1st. Preached at the Brethren's meeting-house again to the evening -. Lodged at brother Andrew Snowberger’s. They are in middling health. Brother Snowberger is declining, having attained his three score and ten. He has been laboring in the Master's cause for a number of rears, and although his time of service has about expired, his interest is unabated.

  Wednesday, 2nd. Brother Henry Harshbarger sent his son with conveyance to take as to brother Daniel Harshbarger's, where Elder Jacob Steel was awaiting our arrival, where he received us, and conveyed us to his house, by about two o'clock in the afternoon.

  We are now in the Hopewell congregation, of which brother Steel is the house-keeper, and brother Henry Clapper and his son David S. Chipper are ministers. This branch and the Snake Spring Valley had been one, until last Spring when it was divided. When brother Steel moved into the Snake Spring Valley congregation, brother Isaac Ritchey had the oversight of the church, and was ordained several years afterward, with John Holsinger, our grandfather. Richey was succeeded for a few years only by Elder Jacob Snyder, when he died. Since then Elder Steel has been presiding. At present he reports the congregation in a prosperous condition. One thing we are glad to remark. Brother Steel was for many years an inveterate tobacco chewer, and he is now abandoning the habit. Hope the Lord will give him strength to overcome the old enemy completely, and thus give proof to what we have so often affirmed that any one can quit it if he wills to do so. But it will only be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, to quit chewing and take to smoking.  

  Preached at eh Steel meetinghouse in the evening the attention was good enough for the preaching.

   Thursday, 3rd, Preached at 10 A. M. to a good Week-day congregation, principally members of the church. While In the midst of our discourse a brother took fits falling violently to the floor. It being something unusual to us, we were badly seared, and took our Beat, and the remainder of our discourse was disconnected. At the close of the day it was announced that next day a sister Burket would be buried.

  In the afternoon brother John B. Dilling gave us the use of his buggy to ride to his place, which lies in the direction of Saxton, whence we landed in good time for supper. They are pleasantly fixed, and are enjoying life about as comfortably as the rest of mankind. Preached in their schoolhouse at night, to an attentive audience. The Brethren of this vicinity are thinking of building a meetinghouse.

  Friday, 4th. After entertaining us for the night, brother Dilling sent his son with conveyance to take us to Saxton. Thence by railroad to James Creek. Brother John Brumbaugh met us at Marklesburg station and conveyed us to brother Henry B. Brumbaugh's, where we spent the remainder of the day very pleasantly. Preached at the James Creek meeting-house in the evening. Good at attention. Lodged with the family of our late brother Isaac Brumbaugh.

   Saturday, 5th. Meeting at the meeting-house again at 10 a. m. Very good attendance for a week-day, and we trust the brethren and sisters received some encouragement by coming to the house of the Lord.

  Dined at brother Robert Mason's in company with brother and sister George Brumbaugh, Elder of the church at James Creek. After spending another short season at brother H. B. Brumbaugh's, brother Mason took us to the station where we took the train of Tyrone.   Meeting brother and sister Quinn and the station, we changed cars and run out to Bald Eagle station. Here brother James Cox met us and conveyed us to his house, at the Cross Roads where we lodged.  There was preaching at the meeting-house, be we were too into for it.

  Sunday 6th.  Preached at the meeting-house at 10 A. M. and in the evening. Had a very good attendance, and good listeners.  It gave us much pleasure to meet our old neighbors and friends once more, and to talk them the things that pertain to the salvation of our souls. Dined with the family of our late brother Jacob Beck, and had a pleasant interview with our mute friends.  Lodged with brother Patton Cox’s, by the meeting-house, in company with brother Grabill Myers.

  Monday, 7th. This day had been set apart for visiting at Tyrone, but we could not reach town on account of the heavy rain-. Dined at brother Evan Nearhoof's. As the rain abated in the afternoon, we took the train at Bald Eagle, and reached town about 6 p. M. Lodged at brother W. M. Quinn's.

  Tuesday, 8th. Met a host of our old Tyrone friends, and passed a few friendly words. Pound our way to the meeting-house again by noon. The love-feast is to be held here this evening. At two o'clock an election was held for a minister and a deacon. Brother Conrad Imler was chosen to the ministry, and brother James S. Cox, deacon. The brethren were then installed to their office, and then a short intermission was granted. At four o'clock the examination services commenced, and in the evening the ordinances were observed according to the order of God's word. Had very good order and attention. In company with a number of other friends we lodged at sister Margaret Autelberger's. where we have three more deaf and dumb acquaintances.

  Wednesday, 9th. Visited brother Robert Henderson's, and sister Madison, at Birmingham, and thence to Tyrone where we spent the remainder of the day in visiting old friends, &c. Of course we stopped at brother Quinn's. And here we are writing out this report. All in pretty good order. Yesterday was election day, and this evening it is said: "The country is safe." Hope it is true. It generally is safe after the election.

  Thursday, Oct. 10. After a pleasant morning with our friends at Tyrone, we took the train, at 8:32 A. If. Tyrone has made great improvements during the year of our absence. The streets have been graded, and many new buildings have been erected, some of them fine business places. With Tyrone's enterprise, our Dale City would double itself every six months, (?) having the facilities it does have. Our old office has been converted into a furniture establishment, and makes rather an attractive appearance. But the cars soon conveyed us out of sight of our old home, and for awhile at least we shall not see it ; but there are m any kind friends whom we shall long remember. At Huntingdon we were joined by brother and sister H. B. Brumbaugh, and their son Harry. Our company landed safely at Mt. Union at 9:30,and were met by brother Robert Wakefield, and conveyed to his house for dinner. Brother Robert is the youngest minister in this, Aughwick congregation. After dinner we found our way to the meeting house, where the love-feast was appointed to be held, and when we arrived at two o'clock, services had already commenced. Brother S. R. Zug, of Lancaster county and brother Isaac Eby of Pery county were present. Had a pleasant season of about two hours. Then an intermission of about half an hour. Then the examination exercises commenced, and continued until near sundown, which made it rather late to commence the evening ordinances. Nevertheless the exercises closed by nine o'clock, apparently in good order. We had a good meeting. Lodged at brother Peter L Swine's, whose family we had not before visited Found them pleasantly situated. Brother Peter is in the fruit business, and we had an abundance of the best of grapes to eat. If the reader wishes to purchase grapes let him address as above at Shirleysburg, Pa.

  Friday, 12th. There was preaching again in the forenoon, and a reasonable attendance, of attentive listeners. Brother Zug spoke in the German language from Rom. 8: 1, and was followed by brother H. B. Brumbaugh, from Luke 2:30. Both discourses were interesting and instructive. This was our last meeting in this branch of the church, and we took leave of the brethren. This is an old congregation. It was organized with six members, Christian Long and wife, and two brethren Secrists, and their wives. They held a love-feast, and at the same time a choice for a minister, which fell upon brother Christian Long, Sen., who received five of the six votes. He was therefore their first minister, and Elder. Jacob Lutzy was the second. A brother Hanawalt was next elected. Then followed Peter Long. Andrew Spanogle and John King, Michael Bollinger, Christian Long and Grabill Myers, John G. Glock, John Spanogle, Abraham Funk, Enoch Eby, George Myers, P. L. Swine, J. R. Lane, Christian Myers, John Garver, Isaac Book, and Robert Wakefield. A number of these have moved away, and have become Elders of other congregations. One Abraham Price was also elected, who wished to be relieved of the office, which being granted, he joined the Roman Catholics. The congregation has twice held the Annual Meeting, and held the first District Meeting, of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In the afternoon brother Swine sent his son with conveyance, and took us to Mt. Union. Stopped with Peter  Bare, by the invitation of his wife, sister Catherine, where we are lodging, and are comfortably situated. Saturday, 12th. After enjoying the hospitality of Mr. Bare and family, for the night, we took the train for McVeytown, where we landed at about half past ten a. m., in company with a number of brethren and sisters. Our young sister Mollie Spangler conducted us to the house of brother Abraham Myers, where we were kindly received. Preached in the Mattawana school-house in the evening, to a full house of attentive listeners. Brother S. R. Zug assisted in the labor. We are becoming quite intimate. We always thought well of brother Z., but we love him more since we know him better. Lodged at brother Myer's.

  Sunday, 13th. Attended the regular forenoon meeting of the Brethren, at the Spring Run meetinghouse. The house was about full, and we had a good meeting. Foreign ministers present: John L. Beaver, of Buffalo Valley ; John B. Garver, Robert Wakefield, Aughwick

and brother Zug, and the brethren from the Lewistown, or Dry Valley branch, but they did not take their places behind the table, feeling themselves at home here.

   Dined at brother Peter S. Myer's, with a number of other friends, as a general dinner was not announced at the meeting-house, and the love-feast was published to begin at one o'clock. At the appointed time, or soon thereafter, public services were again opened, and continued for about two hours, we trust to profit. Then an election was held, in which brother Adam Rupert was chosen to the office of Deacon, and the church agreed to advance brother Abraham Myers to the second degree in the ministry. We made no discovery in the holding of this election, only that we observed a great inconvenience in requiring all those aged members to climb a long flight of stairs to give in their voice. It appears to us, as much voting as we have to do in our church, our meeting-houses should be provided with a small jury box, with a window, at which each member night give in his choice, and then pass on. This could be done at a very small expense, by having a few wide or paneled boards connected by hinges, which, when not wanted, could be folded up and put away, or set up on ends, in a circle or at angles, when needed.

  After the election the examination exercises were begun, and conducted with much solemnity. The remarks of the brethren were to the point, and the point itself is known to be a sharp one. Self examination is an important exercise. A large number of members communed in the evening, all the available space being occupied with tables. If the congregations continue to increase for a few years longer, our houses will be too small to accommodate the members. Then what will we do ? "Divide the congregations, says one, "and build more meeting-houses.'' That will do, providing we will then also adapt ourselves to the circumstances, for if we were to build ever so many houses and then still all come together to one house we would not help the matter any. We would therefore suggest that we make it a rule for our members to commune at home, at the communion meeting in their own congregation. Then they will not need to partake at the other meetings they may attend. Then let it be understood that the home members should first take their seats at the tables. Then if their is room left, let those be invited who may not have had an opportunity to participate at home or elsewhere. After that, if there is room, let the invitation be general to the members. We think this plan would work very well. We have known members to be crowded out at home, who were too poor to go away from home, by other members taking a their places who had been attending a dozen meetings succession. All this is for want of knowing the state of affairs; and it would have caused such members much uneasiness if they had known it at the time. Think of these suggestions, and use them as you think to the honor of God.

We had a good meeting at Spring Run.

H. H. H.