Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1902 — Had True Christian Spirit. [ARTICLE]

Had True Christian Spirit.

An exchange unusual if not unprecedented in church history and marked by the spirit of true brotherly feeling lately took place between the Methodists and Lutherans in Roanoke, Va. When they were at the height of their prosperity the Lutherans built a handsome stone house of worship, which cost them SBO,OOO and which seats 700 persons. They got a fine organ and everything of the best and costliest style and In their enthusiasm expended more than they intended and had to borrow SIB,OOO. Then came a squabble about the pastor and the choir, the attendance fell off and-the congregation was sadly divided, until, having lost its best men, the society found it difficult to raise the money to pay the interest on the debt in addition to the regular running expenses. In the meantime the Methodists had prospered and needed a new and larger church. The Lutherans heard of it and offered the trade. The offer was accepted. The Methodists took the sßo,ooo< church off their hands, assumed the mortgage of SIB,OOO, paid them $20,000 cash and gave them In exchange their ol<d boose of worship.