Maryland Churches Doing "Great Things for God"

Maryland, 1893

A Minister's Trip in Caroline Co.

Rev. J. W. Fogle writes up his recent trip through Caroline. He says The M. E. Church at Ridgely under the faithful pastoral care of W. W. Sharp, has been visited by a gracious revival and the people are planning to do "great things for God." Subscriptions are being taken to build a much needed church which will cost about $3,000. It has never been the writer's lot to visit a more intelligent and wide awake people than live in this enterprising town.

The people of Hillsborough also share the labors of Rev. W. W. Sharp, and the revival fires have begun to burn. Several have professed having faith in Christ, and the interest generally is increasing. The M. E. Church here has had of late ample opportunity for testing the result of short term pastorates. In less than two years they have had four different pastors. But under the faithful ministry of the present pastor every interest of the church is being served and the church is taking on new life.

The pastor of Burrsville charge is Rev. J. E. Graham. Rev. Graham is an energetic, earnest man, and the interests of the church are being well served on this charge. The charge now consists of four appointments, namely: Wesley, Thawley's, White's and Sheppard's.

Thawley's has had a great revival.

The extra meeting at Wesley was good, and much interest is manifested in the general work of the church. The Epworth League there is working by the motto, "Look up, Lift up."

White's is moving on to victory in Jesus' name.

Sheppard's Church, located at the junction of the roads leading from Burrsville and Denton to Greensborough has known better days than at present. But a revival of religion would cause the church there to "put on her strength."

At Greensborough the veteran soldier in God's army and one who has worn the laurels of victory through years of hard fighting, ministers to the congregation of the M. E. Church in holy things. The revival fires are burning, and this church, conservative in its nature, is inquiring "for the old paths."

It is proposed to render the oratorio, "Esther, the Beautiful Queen," at Masonic Hall, Denton, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, December 26 and 27. Sixty persons will take part, among them some of the best musicians in the county. Prof. James Swann has been for several weeks training the voices, and this should guarantee the success of the entertainment.

The grand Christmas bazar to be held in Mozart Hall, Greensborough, on December 14, 15 and 16, will be under the auspices of the ladies of Holy Trinity Church, and will be an interesting event. Mozart Hall will be a bower of beauty during the progress of the bazar.

Rev. J. D. C. Hanna, of Asbury M. E. Church, Wilmington, will preach on Burrsville circuit tomorrow as follows: Wesley, 10:00 a. m., Sheppard's, 2:30 p. m., and White's, 7:15 p. m.

—Denton Journal, Denton, Maryland, Dec. 9, 1893, p. 3.

The Rev. Samuel A. Diehl's Work of 45 Years

Pennsylvania, 1920

Rev. Samuel A. Diehl, a native of New Oxford, and pastor of the Mt. Carmel Lutheran charge, consisting of Mt. Carmel congregation, at Moulstown, and St. Paul's, New Baltimore, who, on February 1st, handed in his resignation, to take effect June 1, 1920, has given the statistics of his 45 years' work in Pennsylvania and Maryland, during which he spent 28 years in Pennsylvania and 17 in Maryland. During his ministry Rev. Diehl baptized 1076 infants and 163 adults; confirmed 630 catechumens; received into church membership by letter 348 persons, and 106 by restoration; officiated at 724 funerals; joined in wedlock 352 couples, and preached 5,610 sermons.

—New Oxford Item, New Oxford, PA, Feb. 19, 1920, p. 6.

Subjects of Sermons in Some of Our City Churches

Frederick, Maryland, 1904

At St John's Catholic church yesterday Fr. W. J. Kane preached at the second mass at 10 a. m. on "The Importance of Salvation."

At the Evangelical Reformed church Dr. Eschbach preached in the morning from I Peter 5:8, "The work of the enemy of souls against us."

The services at the Presbyterian church yesterday were conducted by Rev. T. Freeman Dixon, pastor, who preached from Daniel 4:27, in the morning and from Numbers 21:17-18.

The services at the Methodist Episcopal church were conducted yesterday by Rev. L. A. Thirlkeld, pastor, who preached in the morning on "Sweet Meditation of God" and in the evening on "Fishing in Deep Places."

The services yesterday at the United Brethren church were conducted by the pastor, Rev. O. W. Stinespring. The subject of his morning sermon was "Believing Better than Seeing." At night his subject was "Working Together with God."

The services at Grace Reformed church yesterday were conducted by Rev. E. L. McLean. In the morning he preached upon "The Yoke of Christ," St. Matthew 11:30. The subject of a practical sermon in the evening was "The Value of Time," St. John 11:9. Announcement was made that Rev. McLean would preach to Columbia and Lynch Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons next Sunday evening.

—The News, Frederick, Maryland, June 20, 1904, p. 4.