USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I > Part 24
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This deeply affected S. He wished for an opportunity to tell them what a great sinner he was, and to ask them to pray for him. Scarcely had he conceived the thought when the minister turned to him, saying, "Friend Schafer, how is it with you?" Crying audibly, he said, "I am a great sinner ; pray for me." Then he fell on his knees, and mightily cried to God for mercy. During his soul-struggle he knew not how he prayed or what occurred, except that God's people were earnestly praying for him. After agoniz- ing for two hours, God, for Christ's sake, spoke peace to his soul. He could hardly realize how God could accept so great a sinner, but experienced that "where sin had abounded grace did much more abound." The news that "ungodly Schafer" was converted spread with telegraphic speed. Christians rejoiced, yet with fear, lest he would not "hold out." Others made sneering remarks and mocked. He met with much opposition, persecution and severe temptation, but he prayed much for strength to overcome. He fully realized that "if he would live godly in Christ Jesus, he must suffer perse- cution."
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HIS EXPERIENCES IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
The next morning after his conversion he resolved to say noth- ing of his new life, but being full of gladness, he could not re- frain from telling his school all about it. Being determined to lead a Christian life, he told the pupils he would also be a Christian teacher, and would henceforth open and close the school with prayer, which he did. He also held weekly evening prayer-meet- ings in his school-house. Before his school year closed he had the joy of seeing most of his pupils converted. In this he was gen- erally sustained by his patrons. But one man took his children out, saying, "he sent them to learn to read, not to pray." There being much snow this winter, many knee-marks could be seen in the woods adjacent to the school-house, where penitent and newly con- verted pupils had knelt to pray. S. said, "During the time of recess the voice of prayer could be heard in almost every part of the woods."
On his first return home, after his conversion, he told his wife of his new experience. She coolly replied, "We will see." He re- garded this on her part as very reasonable, in view of his past life. He asked her if he might begin family worship, to which she re- plied, "Yes, as long as you live accordingly." Her compliance gave him great joy. The same evening he reared the family altar and maintained it through life.
About two months after his conversion Rev. Wolf, an aged local preacher, gave opportunity to join the church, and invited Schafer to unite. S. replied, "Yes, if you deem me worthy to be a member among you I will; but if I find you are not sincere I will want to be released again, and whenever you find me not upright tell me, and you shall be rid of me." On these conditions he joined the Evangelical Association. When he united with the church he informed himself in the Discipline, and studied it, and learned to love and admire it, always regarding it very important for church- members.
His class-leader, Henry Downey, also a local preacher, had fre- quent Sunday appointments. In his absence he would appoint someone to lead the prayer-meeting. Schafer was asked to lead one, to which, after some hesitancy, he consented. At the specified time he opened the meeting with singing and prayer. Then he read a Scripture lesson and attempted to give an exhortation according to custom, but instead an indescribable feeling of loud praises to God overcame him. After this he frequently was called on to lead. About 3 months after his conversion Yambert, the circuit preacher,
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requested him to go seven miles "to Rausch's to hold a prayer- meeting in a private house on a Sunday, in the place of Bro. Dow- ney, who was required to go with Yambert to another place to help 'in a big meeting.'" Schafer, with an unconverted brother- in-law, arrived at the appointed place and told them his mission. He was urged to preach, saying nearly all present were uncon- verted, and expected preaching. He first decidedly refused, but finally yielded and made the attempt. His text was Rom. 5: 8, 9, "But God commendeth his love," etc. Though he began with fear and trembling, he soon felt the power of God, and spoke with great liberty. Some regarded the fact that he preached without proper authority as presumption, and some preachers were illy affected until they learned from Rausch's that they had prevailed upon him to preach. Thereupon Yambert inquired of S. as to his state of mind, to which he replied, "That I am convinced that God had something for me to do, but what, I do not know." But for him, in his circumstances, to go out into the Gospel field, was impossi- ble now, and God would not call a man to impossibilities, but that he was in the hands of God and the brethren." Then Yam- bert drew up a recommendation which was signed by the entire class. He was examined before the Quarterly Conference by Jos. Long, then Presiding Elder of the Ohio District of the Western Conference, and on May 3, 1830, the Annual Conference licensed him as a preacher on probation, and also received him into the itinerancy.
He was poor, his family large, his wife yet unconverted, and he was largely dependent on worldly people for employment. These things caused him sore conflicts. After the first year his environ- ments improved. His wife became converted with others, and a class was organized, with himself as leader. The Lord blessed them temporally and spiritually, and he now went out frequently to preach, and was often called to conduct funerals, and filled ap- pointments for circuit preachers, and even went 100 miles to Miami Circuit, and stayed four weeks at a time. Thus he served six years as local preacher. Then he attended Conference session in March, 1836, at Bro. Goodwin's home in Wayne Co., Ohio.
HIS ACTIVE MINISTRY
Being urged to take work at this session, he consented to try and arrange his affairs so that he might, after harvest, if there was an opening. His health was good. The Lord prospered him in his work. After harvest he, with his family, attended a camp- meeting, held on the farm of his friend Bright. His three oldest
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children were converted. During this meeting he preached once. After his sermon his wife, who had been unfavorable to his preach- ing, said to him, "Now you shall no longer be kept from the Gos- pel field by me, for I am now fully convinced that you are called thereto, and if a door opens to you, enter." From this time on she never complained of his long absence from home, leaving her to care for the family, nor in any way hindered him in his itinerancy. Rev. Brickley, Presiding Elder, having received a request from Rev. John Lutz, on Miami Circuit, for help, asked Schafer to meet this request.
He left home the last part of Sept., 1836, with the Presiding Elder for Miami Circuit, and at the age of 39 years he entered upon his itinerancy. Inexpressible fears assailed him lest he should not succeed so late in life, and, possibly, bring his family to want, and grave doubts as to his call to the itinerancy assailed him. Upon their arrival a quarterly meeting was held. He found in Bro. Lutz a good and congenial colleague, and, although younger in years, he yet had considerable more experience. They arranged their appointments and started on their extended circuit, which reached over to Mt. Carmel, Ill., where Lutz had begun Gospel work in the spring of this year. About bi-weekly they met each other for mutual encouragement and rehearsal of their adventures and experiences. This term of five months was a good schooling for him, learning many heretofore unknown things, especially the value of much prayer. Returning home he found the family re- signed to his absence, which greatly encouraged him, and he ar- ranged for another year.
Lacking a horse for travel, since he had to leave the one he had used at home for farming, and having no money to buy an- other, Bro. Bright gave him one, assuring him that as long as he was willing to travel on the Gospel field he should never want for a horse. He gratefully accepted it as from God. At the Con- ference of 1837 he was sent to Crawford Circuit with Peter Goetz as colleague. The work was extensive, yet more new appointments were taken up, which was one of Schafer's characteristics. It took six weeks to make a round, preaching daily. Roads were very bad and streams unbridged; studying was done in the saddle; homes mostly with one room, affording no privacy. Before har- vest they were almost compelled to quit work, owing to the scarcity of breadstuffs and provender. Their horses had to live on grass, and had little time to graze. The horses became so poor that they could scarcely travel. But a bounteous harvest followed, discour- agements vanished, and the Lord's work prospered. There was al-
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most a universal spirit of revival awakened, resulting in a great ingathering of souls. This field was so extended that two "double- handed" circuits were made of it. His family remained well and prospered, which greatly encouraged him.
In the spring of 1838 he was assigned to Mansfield Circuit, with H. Longbrake and Jos. Hummel as colleagues. Soon their field became so enlarged that they could not work it adequately. The Presiding Elder, Samuel Baumgartner, made two circuits out of it, calling the eastern end Wayne Circuit, to which Schafer was sent with Hummel, who, after three months, became reprobate and was expelled. This left S. all alone till near Conference time, when he received a young helper in Abr. Niebel, with 20 ap- pointments, which he filled every two weeks. In Liverpool, Medina Co., he had a great revival, in which G. F. Benner and J. G. Wol- pert were converted, who later became prominent ministers in the Evangelical Association. J. J. Kopp said of Schafer: "On a cold winter's day he traveled 30 miles to fill his appointment here. He arrived late in the evening. There were already quite a num- ber of people present. As there was no bedroom where he could go into secret prayer, he went out after he laid aside his outer gar- ments, as cold as he was, into a field of snow for prayer. The thought that he should pray for them in the cold snow so impressed the people that they began to weep. That night the power of God was manifest, and a goodly number of souls were saved."
In the spring of 1839 the Conference met for the first time in a new church building in Greensburg, Stark Co., Ohio, instead of in a private house. Bro. S. was ordained elder. To him this was a very solemn rite, and an incentive to a more earnest conse- cration for work. He was sent to Lancaster Circuit with C. Au- genstein. This field took in his home, for which he was grateful to the brethren. At this time all ordained elders were allowed to at- tend the General Conference, which this year convened at Mill- heim, Center Co., Pa. Schafer attended. He said of this trip: "This journey over mountain and valley on horseback was very difficult and tiresome for man and horse, but it was the most con- venient method of traveling, for of buggy-riding little was known by Evangelical preachers, and less yet of railroad travel." At this General Conference (his first) he formed the acquaintance of many of the best and strongest men of the church. While sitting in their midst he said to himself: "How glad I am to find myself in company with such men of God. I would not have forfeited this privilege for the whole world." Of special interest to him was
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the election of John Seybert as Bishop, who was almost unani- mously elected as the first Bishop of the Evangelical Association. Returning home he found his colleague hard at work. The Balti- more Circuit was attached to their field, Rev. Lutz of the Baltimore field having been sent as missionary to Illinois. This gave them superabundance of work. The veteran John Dreisbach volun- teered to help them, which greatly pleased S., but D. soon had to retire, due to physical disability. J. G. Zinser, P. E., sent them John Schafer, a brother to A. B. S.
In 1840 he was sent to Miami Circuit with Levi Heiss, with instruction to give Dayton, Ohio, special attention. This circuit extended into fifteen counties in south-western Ohio and eastern Indiana. His colleague often failed to meet his appointments, and hence Schafer's were not announced. This fact made him much additional labor, but he managed to preach once in three weeks in Dayton, and once in six weeks at the other points. His effort in Dayton resulted in the organization of a class of 21 mem- bers in the spring of 1841.
In 1841 the Conference divided Miami Circuit. The part ly- ing in Ohio was given to Schafer, with John Nicolai as colleague. They arranged to preach in Dayton alternately once a week. At the end of this Conference year the class numbered 30 members. In 1842 Schafer was again sent to Lancaster Circuit, which now was much smaller, bringing him the more often home to his fam- ily, relatives and former associates. This caused him great con- cern, remembering that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." But the year's work was successful. In 1843 he was sent as missionary to Dayton. Steps were now taken to build a church. Services were meanwhile held in a room of the old "City Seminary." By collecting on adjoining fields he secured enough money to begin a church building in June, and was ready for dedication on the first Sunday of Sept., 1843. From this time on the work prospered with frequent conversions. A flourishing Sunday-school was brought into being. Also catechetical instruc- tion was given, and a German week-day school was held in the church, and through the pupils gained access to many parents. In October of this year he again attended General Conference at Greensburg, Ohio, this time as an elected delegate. He was ap- pointed as its secretary. The Illinois Conference was formed by General Conference act, detaching the State of Indiana and Illi- nois. In 1844, at the Ohio Conference session, the Illinois Confer- ence was formally organized, and Schafer was elected Presiding Elder and assigned to the Indiana District, with this understand-
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ing, that if he desired, after four years of service, he might again return to the Ohio Conference.
He now, for the first time, moved his family, choosing for their home E. Germantown, Ind. His district embraced the entire State of Indiana, and before his term closed extended from Defi- ance, Ohio, south-west to Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The fields were 4 to 6 days' travel apart; entertainment was very poor, roads bad, and traveling all by horseback. Thus he experienced great ex- posure, deprivations and fatigue, but all for Christ's and the church's sake. In 1847 he was elected delegate to General Con- ference, held in New Berlin, Pa. In 1848 he concluded to remain a year or two longer in the Illinois Conference on account of the lack of men. He was re-elected Presiding Elder. The Indiana District having been divided, he was assigned to the Wabash Dis- trict. He felt greatly relieved in having a smaller district. But the next year Augenstein resigned as Presiding Elder, so Schafer was again obliged, by Conference act, to serve the original In- diana District. After another year's service on this vast field he resigned at the Conference session of 1849, and returned to the Ohio Conference, taking charge of Dayton, which was assigned to him by the Ohio Conference. Here, for the first time, they were permitted to live in a "parsonage"! It was six years since he left Dayton, and he found many changes. The first church had been transformed into a parsonage, and there was a new church under construction on the front end of the lot, on which the par- sonage stood. The basement was finished, where preaching serv- ices and Sunday-school could be conveniently held. Schafer, with his officers, labored hard to complete the church during the year, but did not quite succeed.
Rev. D. S. Oakes has the following to say of Schafer as a man: "He was a wise counselor, faithful friend, devoted Chris- tian, a typical Evangelical preacher and staunchly loyal to the church. He was a sympathizer with others, comforting and en- couraging them. To a Presiding Elder succeeding him, he wrote concerning hardships, bad roads, etc., etc., 'When you get into such places, think that Schafer has been there too.' Writing to a young preacher, in 1863, who had a very large circuit, by way of counsel and cheer, he said, 'Remember, you will not always have to travel circuits.' He had a fine intellect, acute perspective and clear, con- structive faculties, and a retentive memory. He was careful to a fault, precise and methodical in keeping his accounts, dates, etc., and very punctual. He was about 5 ft. and 9 in. high, broad- shouldered, deep-chested and muscular. He was bald, but wore
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a wig which seemed so natural that few suspected his artificial covering. His forehead was broad and high, his eyes mild and keen, his nose prominent, his countenance open and frank, his appearance impressive, and his entire mien marked him as a leader among men."
His pulpit demeanor and address were imposing and authori- tative, without haughtiness or assumption. His preaching was generally clear, Scriptural, unctuous, convincing, and "in the power and demonstration of the Spirit." Sometimes he was eloquent and almost overwhelming. He was a good expositor, free from vagaries and hobbies. When his mental and physical powers began to lessen on account of infirmities he sometimes would fail in his pul- pit efforts, which greatly mortified him. He had good command of both English and German, his voice was clear and resonant, and, on the whole, he was far more than an ordinary man. The Indiana Conference owes much to him for his faithful, self-sacri- ficing pioneer work. He instigated, planned and dedicated more churches in our Conference than any one man.
ADAM R. SCHAFER (1831-1885)
This man of God was born in Lacock Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., Oct. 4th, 1831, and fell asleep in Jesus, Decatur, Indiana, April 15, '85. When but 13 years old he was thrown upon the cold world, an orphan among strangers, which necessarily circum- scribed him in every way, and not least in the securing of a suit- able school training. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm, where he proved himself industrious and frugal. When 19 years of age he removed to Ohio, near New Berlin, and continued farming. Jan., 1854, he entered into marriage with Catherine Ream, and removed to near Greensberg, Summit Co., Ohio. It was here, in '54, under the gracious influence of the Gospel, that he espoused the cause of Christ, being soundly converted to God. He first united with the German Reformed Church, but, later, both he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as class-leader for six years.
HIS REMOVAL TO INDIANA AND WORK IN THE CHURCH
In March, 1855, they moved in the Salem Church neighbor- hood in Elkhart Co., Ind., and there joined the Evangelical Asso- ciation, as there was no Methodist Episcopal Church there. Here he proved himself a true and loyal member, and soon was hon- ored with the class leadership and superintendency of the Sunday-
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school. From his spiritual birth on he was an earnest and faith- ful worker, proving himself worthy of confidence and responsibili- ty, and developed his best talents for his subsequent life as a preacher.
HIS CALL TO PREACH AND MINISTERIAL WORK
Repeatedly he heard the call of God to preach, but, owing to his limited education, he hesitated, but finally, as the call became more persistent, he yielded and fully consecrated himself to the min- istry. In the fall of 1870 the Salem class recommended him to the Annual Conference, being also endorsed in this by the Quarterly Conference. In Sept., 1871, he was licensed by the Indiana Con- ference as preacher on probation, and with S. Kiplinger was as- signed to South Bend Circuit. In the spring of 1872, H. L. Fisher, his Presiding Elder, transferred him to Elkhart Circuit to assist Jos. Fisher and Wm. Wildermuth. In Sept., 1872, he was sent with Adam Hartzler to DeKalb charge. From 1873-5 he served Twin Lakes Circuit. From 1875-7, Noblesville Circuit. From 1877-9, New Paris Circuit. From 1879-81, Edgerton Circuit. From 1881-4, Waterloo Circuit. In 1884 he was assigned to Deca- tur Mission. At the Conference held in Dayton, April 3, 1885, he was assigned to Mishawaka charge. On Monday, the 5th, he re- turned home well and happy, ready to pack up and move to his new field. On Wednesday night he began to complain of pains in his right arm and side. On Thursday he told his family that he was sick, saying, however, not to be worried, that it will all come right again. But instead he grew worse, until, a week later, he died.
He was cut down in the vigor of his life, when yet a goodly number of years might have been given to the Gospel ministry. But God willed it otherwise. The loss to the family and to the Conference was his gain. He was survived by his wife and five children. His body was entombed in the cemetery close by the Sa- lem Church, which was their church home prior to entering the ministry. D. S. Oakes, P. E., had charge of the obsequies; the brethren A. Geist, M. Krueger, D. Martz, I. B. Fisher, G. Hoch- stedtler, J. E. Stoops, J. M. Dustman and R. Riegel participated.
He was ordained deacon in Sept., '74, and elder in '76. "As a minister he was earnest, loyal and faithful to his trust. He was not a sensational preacher, nor a revivalist, but, rather, a clear, constructive and systematic teacher of the Word. He was above the average in his preaching, sometimes sublimely eloquent. It was no uncommon thing for his ministerial brethren to say, after
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he was through preaching, 'Brother Schafer preached like a Bishop.' He was held in the high esteem of the Conference. He died at his post."
CHARLES SCHAMO (1824-1911)
This brother was born in Lebanon, Pa., April 5, 1824, and died in Hicksville, O., June 26, 1911. His body was interred in this place. At the age of 27 years he was converted in Pennsylvania. In '47 he was married to Rachel Tobias. Four children were born to them. He was licensed to preach in Sept., '63. His wife died July 12, 1864, leaving him with 2 children. This greatly dis- heartened him, and he thought of quitting the ministry and find a home for his children. At the suggestion of his brethren he married Mrs. Rebecca Wyant, Oct. 1, 1864, his wife's sister, who was then a widow having some children but no home. This gave the children a home. To them 5 children were born, 3 of whom died in infancy. He was ordained as deacon Sept., 1865, and as elder in '68.
EVENTS THAT LED TO HIS CONVERSION
Bro. Schamo was reared under irreligious influences. He be- came wild and lived a reckless life as a young man, and although he was given to great profanity, he never contracted the habit of drinking. In his youth he was a canal-boat driver. This was a rough life and was conducive to grave evils. He drove canal-boats between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. One day, while riding a mule, he was thrown in the canal having a depth of 30 ft. of water, and came near drowning, but, being a good swimmer, he managed to save himself. All his sins and wickedness loomed up before him, and he saw what an ungodly life he was living. From this time on he began to consider his soul's welfare.
Another incident occurred in his experience as a boat-driver which nearly cost him his life. The cook of the boat by mistake put rat-poison into the biscuit-dough in place of soda. A number of men died from eating the biscuits. Schamo became very ill also, and he said, "I would not have minded to have died if I had been saved." Drinking a lot of sweet milk saved his life. He also was a great dancer in his youth, even hiring out to dance for money to satisfy the carnal pleasures of others. But at a certain revival meeting, held near Lebanon by a minister of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, he was seized with great conviction and resolved to live a better life. He told his chums, about 10 of them, that he was go-
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ing to the altar. They laughed at the idea, but he arose to his feet, and, as he left them, said, "Good-bye, boys, I am going." He did so, and on the second night he was wonderfully converted deep into eternal life, affecting a great change in his life. He united with the Evangelical Association.
HIS CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY AND CALL TO PREACH
At once he became active in the service of God, and soon he felt the call of God to preach the Word. But, having a very lim- ited education, he declined the call. He, however, remained active in the church and for God. Wherever he went he hunted up the people of the Evangelical Association. About this time he went to Reading, Pa., and became a member there, following the trade of a shoe-maker. He was later elected class-leader, in which office he served for some years. In '49 he moved with his family to Day- ton, O., where he continued his trade, and later on moved to Green- ville, O. Here he had many misfortunes and reverses in his busi- ness and domestic affairs. His wife was ill much of the time; nothing seemed to go right. God's favor was not upon him. All the while he felt that he should preach, but kept refusing on account of his meager education. Finally he moved on a 10-acre farm near Greenville, but here he did not prosper either. His wife kept fail- ing. She urged him repeatedly to yield to the call of God, believ- ing that His displeasure was upon them because of his refusing to preach. Finally, after resisting the call for 18 years, he yielded. The Indiana Conference licensed him in '63, and he was assigned to DeKalb Circuit. While on this field his noble wife died.
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