Shelby Tidings

Rev. Geo. S. Bright, Editor

A religious paper published monthly in the interests of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shelby, Ohio

January 1902, Vol 1, No 4

Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.

     The first day of the new year was a very happy one for Mr. and Mrs. Henry BEISTLINE.  It brought to them the golden anniversary of their marriage.  Their relatives and few friends were invited to their home on Second street to partake of a splendid dinner, served in honor of the occasion.  An address was made by Mr. DONALD, of Mansfield, a life-long friend of the aged couple, in which he recalled many incidents of joy and sorrow in the long life of Mr. and Mrs.

BEISTLINE.  The pastor also made a short address, expressing his joy, and the joy of the congregation because of the long and useful life of Brother and Sister BEISTLINE.  Following the address, the pastor, in behalf of the congregation, and in its name, presented the happy couple each with a five dollar gold piece.  Accompanying the gift was a letter which read as follows:

"In view of the fiftieth anniversary of your marriage, and remembering your long and untiring service in this church, and your uninterrupted interest in her welfare, and desiring to give expression, in some way, to our regard for you, and our happiness because God has spared you to see your Golden anniversary, we have deemed it fitting to present each of you with a gold piece of money.

Taking into account your value in the work of God's vineyard, your sterling Christian character and the purity of your life as we have observed it for many years, we deem this particular gift of gold most appropriate."

     Signed:

       Members of the Congregation.

     Mr. BEISTLINE tried to respond to the good words of Mr. DONALD and to those of his pastor, but his words were inadequate to express the feelings of his heart.  He requested the pastor to thank the congregation, and to assure his brethren of the church that their good wishes and their useful gifts were appreciated in the very highest degree.  Mr. and Mrs. BEISTLINE have been in this city since 1855, and have been members of our church since its organization, in 1859.  May God spare them to us yet many years.

Mrs. Margaret FINICLE.

     Mrs. Margaret FINICLE, one of the mothers of the church, fell asleep early in the morning of January 2nd.  Thus has the congregation lost one of its most exemplary and faithful members--one whose life was an inspiration to old and young.  Mother FINICLE was never absent from her place in the sanctuary unless the infirmities of old age prevented her coming.  Services were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. LANDIS, on the 4th of the month, and were very largely attended, attesting the veneration in which she was held by the people of the community.  Mother FINICLE was aged eighty-one years, nine months and fifteen days.

     P. F. SIMOKAT spent Christmas with his brother in Loudonville.

     Miss Virgie FENNER, of Shiloh, was the guest of Miss SHATZER for a few days recently.

     Mrs. Geo. R. WAITE enjoyed a visit from her sister, of Plymouth, during the holidays.

     The Sunday school has missed John LOVE, who has been ill with a severe cold for several weeks.

     Owing to the return to the city of Mr. and Mrs. SHEELY, the pastor and his family will have to "move" by the first of April.  A suitable house near the church is desired.

     Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. SAYLOR, formerly residing on Oak street, have moved to the farm of Mr. ANDERSON west of town, and will attend services at the Myers church hereafter.

     The ladies of the congregation had a very enjoyable "Fifty-cent" social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry WENTZ on Near Years eve.  A snug sum was gathered for the building fund.

     The home of Mother SKILES was full of Christmas cheer by reason of the gathering of her children and grandchildren for Christmas dinner.  The brothers SKILES, honored, as they are, in our community, are also an honor to their deserving mother.

     Charles BUSHEY and Charles SHATZER, after spending the holidays at home, returned, the former, to resume his studies at the state university, the latter, his professional duties in Wittenberg college.

     Hon. S. S. BLOOM, one of the oldest members of our congregation, has been confined to his room for some weeks by reason of illness.  We hope he will have a speedy recovery, and again appear in his place at the services of the church.

     We regret to announce the removal of Mrs. DIXON and son, Roy, to Carthage, Ill.  Mrs. DIXON has secured a position in the culinary department of Carthage college, having in mind the educational advantages of the institution for her son.  We wish them both well in the new home.

     The SHATZER home on East Main street was a very happy one during the holidays, because all the members of the family were united.  Mr. SHATZER was home from Tennessee and Charles from Wittenberg, and for the first time in five years the whole family was under the parental roof.  Many friends and neighbors shared the enjoyment.

     The pastor officiated at the funeral of Christaina F. SCHNECK, the aged aunt of John J. SHEARER, on the 18th of December.  The deceased had reached the advanced age of 84 and had been an invalid all her life time.  Mr. and Mrs. SHEARER say that she read but one book--the Bible--but read that every day.  Deprived of the power of speech and hearing, she still had the hope which maketh not ashamed.

     Mrs. Mary W. PIPER, the mother of Miss Pluma PIPER and Mrs. Dr. BRADEN, died at her home on Second street on the morning of the 31st of last month.  Brief services were held at the house, from which the body was taken to Wayne county for interment.  Mrs. PIPER had suffered for several years from a complication of diseases.  Three daughters and two sons survive.  May they all appropriate the consolations of God's word in their sorrow.

     Mrs. P. WARD has the sympathy of the entire congregation in her sorrow over the death of her daughter, Mrs. Milton MONN.  The funeral services were held in the United Brethren church on the afternoon of Dec. 3.  The floral tributes of friends were exceptionally profuse and costly, and were much appreciated by the sorrowing ones.  Mrs. MONN was an estimable and useful woman, a woman whose life had been consecrated to her Master, Jesus Christ.  Truly, God's ways are past finding out.  May He cheer the afflicted mother and the bereaved husband with the promises of His Holy Gospeel (sic), and gather the motherless children into

His bosom.

     The following are the names of persons who have paid their subscription to this paper since the last issue:

Mrs. C. V. CAMPBELL,

Mrs. C. S. ANDREWS,

Miss Nellie MAY,

Mrs. Geo. R. WAITE,

A. M. ZIEBOLD, M.D.,

Wilbur DeWITT,

M. T. LOVE, M.D.,

Abraham BUSHEY,

Wm. F. SHEELY.