IN THE previous study of this present series (No. 11) mention was made of the fact that the German Reformed Synod of 1824 determined that an election should be held in those churches served by Winebrenner to decide whether Winebrenner should be their pastor. The election at Harrisburg was held on November 3, 1824. Winebrenner's opponents at the church did not attend the election and ignored the results (which were favorable to Winebrenner).

      Actually, the minority party hostile to Winebrenner had secured another pastor in March of the same year. He was Rev. Albert Helfenstein, son of Dr. Samuel Helfenstein. Consequently, they did not regard the results of the election as binding upon them--even though it meant contravening the desires of the Synod.

      Winebrenner apparently kept his friends apprized of events transpiring at Harrisburg. Sometime following the November 3 election he wrote to J. S. Ebaugh, pastor of the Carlisle Reformed Church, telling him of the election and its outcome. The following is a letter from Ebaugh to Winebrenner at Harrisburg offering advice on how to further proceed to re-establish himself in the Harrisburg Reformed Church pulpit.

      The letter is as follows.

Carlisle 25th Novm. 1824

Dear brother, Yours of last week duly came to hand, the contents of which gave me much pleasure. I have duly weighed the subject, and consulted Judge Hendel particularly upon it, and we are of opinion that you should duly apprize. the friends of Albert Helfenstine of the issue of the election, and provided they will not give up the church, then apply to the Supreme Court for a mendamous or to make them shew cause why they keep possession of the church. We are of opinion that the court will cut the business short, & without doubt reinstate you in your rights of the congregation. For you to proceed in any other way, will still open to them an opportunity of baffling you. However we decidedly think it the duty of your friends to avail themselves of the opportunity to throw out the present consistory¹, which they undoubtedly can easily do by voting. You might in the mean time apprize the President of Synod of affairs for your own satisfaction, but it is no use, to call a meeting of the classis, as they cannot enforce any measures at all.--I think you are duty bound to yourself and Synod, to proceed in the affairs and manner, and houst your opponent, by letting him know that if he will not obey the laws of the church, he must obey the laws of the State.²--We are well and desire much love to you all--Write very soon.

      I am your brother
                  J. S. Ebaugh

P.S. I delivered the books to Mr. Foreney but did not, as yet receive any money for them.

      ¹ It would appear that Winebrenner's main antagonists within the Harrisburg church were his former consistory. (Cf. No. 3 in this series.)
      ² As far as this writer knows the case never went to civil court. It would be interesting to know why.

[The Church Advocate (June, 1966), p. 13.]