USA > Indiana > Clinton County > Mulberry > Minutes thirty-third annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1903 > Part 4
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1. That Synod nominate a Board of Directors, or Trustees, com- posed of five clergymen, and four laymen, who are members of this Synod; which Board shall become a Corporate Body, which shall be self perpetuating, and which shall own, control, and manage the Institution.
2. That the doctrinal basis and religious instruction in the In- stitution, shall be in harmony with the doctrinal basis of this Sy nod.
3. That this Board of Directors, shall annually report to Synod, the condition, progress, and work of the Institution for the information of Sy nod.
Report of Committee on Beneficiary Education.
Your Committee on Beneficiary Education would respectfully . report :
1. During the past year, aid was granted to Andrew M. Sappen- field, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn .; Oliver O. Yung, Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kans .; Sylvester L. Boger, Lima College, Lima, Ohio.
The report of the work done, and the behavior of each beneficiary, are entirely satisfactory.
2. We recommend the following aid to be extended during the ensuing year:
Andrew M. Sappenfield (at discretion of the Committee) $100
Oliver O. Yung. 100
Calvin Brewer (at discretion of the Committee). 100
Sylvester L. Boger 100
Total appropriation recommended. 8400
3. The aid voted to Howard E. Snyder at the last convention . was not given, because of his not attending during the year, any of our educational institutions.
Calin Brewer did not request the help of Synod, but by employ- ment secured in Greenville, supported himself. The change in Thiel College, necessitates his application for aid the ensuing year.
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We recommend that diligent search be continued for men from our territory, to prepare themselves for the ministry. The demand for more laborers increases. THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was received, considered by items and adopted.
The Committee on Parochial Reports and Appor- tionments made its Report. While under consideration, the time for adjournment arrived.
Synod adjourned at 11.45 o'clock a. m. to meet at 7.00 o'clock p. m.
The President pronounced the Benediction.
SEVENTH SESSION.
ZION'S CHURCH, Mulberry, Ind. Sat., June 13, 1903, 7 p. m.
Devotional services were conducted by the Rev. H. B. Reed. The roll was called. The minutes of the morning session was read and adopted.
The consideration of the Report of the Committee on Parochial Reports and Apportionments, which was before Synod at the close of the previous session, was resumed.
The Report was adopted as here follows:
Report of Committee on Parochial Reports and Apportionments.
1. We recommend, that all those congregations which will pay their apportionment for the years ending 1903, 1904 and 1905, be excused for all deficits of the past.
2. We herewith submit the tabulated statistical reports for the past year. This report shows an increase in membership of 432 over all losses. (See appendix).
3. We have made the following apportionments for the year 1903-1904. (See table, Page 46).
4. We recommend, that beginning with next year, the apportion- ment be based upon the number who "communed during the year." THE COMMITTEE.
The report was adopted.
..
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APPORTIONMENTS 1903-1904.
Parishes and Pastors.
Congrega- tions
Home Miss'ns
Synodical
Missions
Forcign
Education
Expenses
Synodical
Total
Alexandria, Rev. J. C. Dietz.
Our Saviour ..
18 90 47 50
2 10
2 94
1 26
25 20
Anderson. Rev. William J. Finck
Mt. Zion's
15 00
1 651
2 70
1 20
20 55
Chicago, Rev. W. L. Hunton, Ph.D. Holy Trinity. Rev. A. D. Crile
Rev. Z. M. Corbet.
St. Mark's.
33 50
3 68
2 10
2 94
1 26
. 25 20
Rev. P. J. Gerberding
St. Matthew's
40 05
4 45
6 23
2 67
53 40
Rev. H. B. Reed
St. Peter's ..
Rev. M. E. Haberland
St. Luke's ...
Rev. J. R. E. Hunt
St. John's
51 50
5 66
9 27
Rev. L. P. Pence
Atonement
10 80
1 20
1 68
72
14 40 85 65 47 95
Colburn, Rev. P. C. Wike ..
Zion's-
35 00 30 00
3 30
2 09
3 32
1 52
25 93
Corydon, Rev. J. V. Sappenfield
Mt. Solomon
66 00
7 26
11 88
5 28
90 42
Detroit, Rev. J. A. Miller.
St. Paul's
18 901
2 10
2 9₣
1 26
25 20
( Zion's
18 50 17 00
1 87
3 06
1 34
23 27
/ St. John's
18 00
1 98
3 75
5 25
2 25
45 00
458 27
Gila, Rev. M. L. Wagner (supply)
Union
2-
25
11
70
5 20
89 15
First English. ( St. John's
30 00 35 00
3
1 54
2 52
1 61
11 70
10 35
4 60
78 76
Newberry, Rev. A. L. Boliek
Mt. Zion's
35 63
Rochester, Rev. G. F. Dittmar.
St. John's
14 00
1 54
2 52
1 12
19 18
South Bend, Rev. Wm. Eckert
Holy Trinity
26 551
2 95
4 13
1 77
35 40
( St. Paul's
15
00 1 65
2 70
1 20
20 55 41 10 15 07
Syracuse ( St. John's
18 00
53 00
6.83
9 541-
4 24
73 61
Wallace. Rev. I. Whitman
Emmanuel .
14 50
11 50;
1 26
3 17
93 1 53
68 11 64
Salem's
55 50
6 11 9 99
4 44
76 04
Whitestown, Rev. D. L. Reese ..
)St. Mark's
68 50
7 53
12 33
5 48
93 84
( St. James'
50 00
5 50
9 00
4 00
68 50
Total Amount Apportioned Total Amount Appropriated
2272 80 251 64 403 76 178 35 3106 55 2300 00 250 00 400 00 175 00 3125 00
2 40
41 10
Hicksville, Rev. L. Hogshead
Lost Creek ( Zion's
Zion's
10 35
1 15
1 55
7 15
6 31
2 52
4 05
1 80
30 87
St. Paul's
4 51
7 38
3 28
56 17
Emmanuel .
30 00
3 30
5 40
1 21
1 98
88
24 66
Vandalia, (vacant)
St. James' ( Phanuel
46 50
5 12
8 37
3 72
63 71
19 86
{ Philadelp'ia, ( Union
8 50
17
16 65
7 40
126 72
Mishawaka, Rev. M. E. Boulton
First English
j Zion's
89 05
Mulberry, Rev. W. J. Seiberling
i Fairhaven.
St. Peter's
57 50 22 50 26 00 41 00
2 86
4 68
2 09
25 34
St. Jacob's.
Elgin. Rev. Paul W. Roth
Holy Trinity ..
Ft. Wayne, Rev. S Wagenhals, D.D.
Holy Trinity
Frankfort, Rev. H. K. Lantz
St. Paul's
5
66
9 27
26 76 4 12
70 55
( St. John's
3 85
6 30
2 80
2 40
41.10
/ Bethel
Decatur, Rev. H. Peters
First English .. 51 00
5 61
9 18
4 08
69 87
L. W. Steckel (supply) St. James'.
18 90
48 40
5 60
7 84
3 36
65 20
29 25
3 25
4 50
5 22 8 54
3 80
65 06
132 50
14 57
23 85
10 60
181 52
Wicker Park_
175 50
19 30
31 59
14 04
2 68
1 95
38 95 70 55
Claremont, Rev. J.M.G. Sappenfield St. James' 62 50
6 90
11 25
5 00
19 00
2 03
3 33
3 24
1 44
24 66
33 75
334 50 51 50| 65 00 92 50
10
3 30
5 40
6 30
17
2 80 1 12 69 93 -5 20
19 18
'Lafayette (supplied).
13 80 18 60
13 95
65 00
Syracuse, Rev. S. D. Myers.
2 40
11 00
1 98 3 24 1 44
1 59
2 61
1 16 92
16 85
Goshen, Rev. Geo. P. Kabele
47.95
14 00
36 80:
60 21
1 48
E. Germantown, Rev. A. H. Ar- baugh (supply)
5 40
6 03
4 12
240 43 45 89
[ St. John's
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Report of Committee on Educational Institution.
In accordance with the instructions given at the last meeting of Synod. your Committee continued its work of paying for and equip- ping, the building purchased in January. 1902, for the purpose of opening an Academic School. The success met with was such, that they were able to open the school, September 8, and continue it for a period of eight months, closing May 6. The number of students en- rolled was twenty-three, mostly in the High School grades, and the average attendance for the year was eighteen. The school was under the care of Prof. G. M. Moser, who deserves our thanks, not only for the work he has done, but also for the sacrifices he has made, in its behalf. We most heartily indorse his work. The income of the school for the past year, was $225.00. The receipts of the Committee for the year, ending June S, 1903, were $365.96, and the expenditures $335.70, leaving a balance in the treasury of $30.26.
We recommend, in agreement with the action of Synod, establish- ing the relationship of Synod to the proposed Academy, that the formulation of the Constitution and By-Laws, be left to the Board of Directors, to be elected under this action of Synod, to be submitted for approval, at the next Convention.
THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was adopted as above.
The consideration of the proposed plan for "Unifi- cation of English Mission work," was made the first order for Monday morning.
The following Resolution, offered by Dr. G. H. Ger- berding was adopted.
Resolved, that we as a Synod, do hereby most earnestly request the Rev. Dr. A. Spaeth, to complete the Life of the Sainted. Rev. Dr. Chas. P. Krauth, and have it published as speedily as possible.
Election of Trustees.
Under Election of Trustees, the term of A. G. Web- ber, Esq. having expired, he was re-elected, as a Trustee of the Chicago Synod, for a period of three years, making the list of Trustees as follows:
.
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Mr. Nels Johnson, Chicago, term expires 1904;
Mr. C. T. A. Anderson, Chicago, term expires 1905;
A. G. Webber, Esq., Decatur, Illinois, term expires 1906.
Election of Delegates to the Meeting of the General Council.
The President appointed the following brethren as tellers:
Rev. A. L. Boliek, Messrs. L. W. Steckel, Wm. F. Klus. The Election resulted as follows:
Clerical Primarii-Rev. H. Peters, Ex-officio, Rev. G. H. Gerber- ding, D. D., Rev. L. Hogshead.
Clerical Secundi-Rev. W. L. Hunton, Ph. D., Rev. Wm. J. Finck, Rev. M. L. Wagner.
Lay Primarii-H. S. K. Bartholomew, Robert Erickson, George Perschbacher, .
Lay Secundi-C. T. A. Anderson, J. Otto Hoereth, M. L. Deck.
By vote of Synod, the President was instructed to appoint a Nominating Committee of three members, whose duty it would be to nominate a Board of Directors for the Colburn Academy. The President appointed the following brethren: Rev. G. H. Gerberding, D. D., Rev. A. D. Crile, Mr. M. L. Deck.
The Committee reported that it had nominated the following for members of the Board of Directors:
Clerical-Revs. I. Whitman, W. J. Seiberling, H. K. Lantz, Wm. J. Finck P. C. Wike.
Lay-Messrs. George Rorabaugh, O. J. Mennen, Wm. Brewer, John Cook.
The Report was adopted.
Rev. G. H. Gerberding, D. D., was re-elected "Keep- er of the Archives."
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Resolution of Thanks.
The President of Synod was instructed to extend the thanks of the Chicago Synod, to the Pastor and Members of the Mulberry parish, at the Services Sunday evening, for their kind hospitality in entertaining Synod.
Report of the Keeper of the Archives.
The Keeper of the Archives would report, that he received a pack- age of documents from the Secretary of Synod, and also a large box from the Stirewalt family. These documents will be carefully pre- served in the library of the Seminary.
The Report was adopted. G. H. GERBERDING.
Synod adjourned at 10:10 o'clock, to meet Monday morning at 8 o'clock.
The President pronounced the Benediction.
EIGHTH SESSION.
ZION'S CHURCH, Mulberry, Ind. June 15, 1903, 8 a. m.
Devotions were conducted by the Rev. Jno. V. Sappenfield. The roll call was dispensed with. The minutes of the previous session were read and adopted.
In consideration of the proposed plan for"Unification of English Mission Work," Synod reaffirmed its action taken at Nappanee, Ind., in 1902, to wit :-
Resolved, that we regret that on account of the very partial acceptance of the principles of the centralization of missions through- out the Synods of the General Council, it has been impossible on both sides to carry out the agreement made in 1892 between the General Council and the Chicago Synod, then the Indiana Synod, but that we stand ready at this time, to express our complete approval of those principles, and assert our willingness to co-operate in their application, just as soon as a sufficient number of General Council Synods are ready to take a similar step.
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Voted that the Chicago Synod recommend the fol- lowing change in the above proposed plan:
"That the Synodical Superintendent of Home Mis- sions, instead of the President of Synod, be ex-officio, a member of the General Council Home Mission Board."
Report of Committee on Absentees and Excuses.
Your Committee on Absentees wishes to submit the following Report :
1. We have heard the excuse of the Rev. A. D. Crile. for his ab- sence of sessions at this Synod, prior to Friday morning.
2. The following brethren have explained the necessity of their absence at Synod after Friday evening, Rev. J. A. Miller, Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D., Rev. J. C. Dietz, Rev. J. R. E. Hunt, Rev. M. E. Haberland, Rev. Z. M. Corbet, Mr. Robert Erickson, Mr. Geo. A. A. Dieckmann. Rev. A. C. Anda gave excuse for absence Saturday. Rev. P. C. Wike wished to be excused Sunday. Revs. M. E. Boulton and Geo. F. Dittmar gave reasons for absence after Sunday evening. Rev. Mr. Boliek gave reasons for absence Saturday. Mr. P. J. Brock and Mr. Ed. C. Bartholomew gave reasons for their absence Monday.
Your Committee recommends that these brethren be excused.
The Report was adopted. THE COMMITTEE.
The Secretary was instructed to have 2,500 copies of the Minutes of this Convention printed.
Voted that the names of the Congregations at Cris- man and Portland, Ind., be no longer carried on our "Roll of Congregations," owing to changes made with the cog- nizance of the Chicago Synod.
The Secretary reported that the brethren received at this convention of Synod, as well as those ordained on Sunday morning, had signed the Constitution.
Rev. M. L. Wagner reported progress in his work of compiling a History of the Indiana Synod.
His Report was received, and he continued in his work.
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The President appointed the Standing Special and Committees as follows:
Standing Committees.
Examination-Revs. S. Wagenhals, D.D., G. H. Gerberding, D.D., M. L. Wagner, A. D. Crile, J. R. E. Hunt.
Home Missions-Revs. W. L. Hunton, Ph. D., A. C. Anda, G. H. Gerberding, D. D., P. C. Wike, L.Hogshead; Messrs. C. T. A. Anderson, J. Otto Hoereth, Prof. S. R. Meck, George Roth.
Foreign Missions-Revs. Geo. P. Kabele, S. D. Myers; Mr. E. P. Troxel.
Education-Revs. A. D. Crile, H. B. Reed; Mr. M. L. Deck.
Benevolence-Revs. M. L. Wagner, A. L. Boliek; Mr. Geo. A. A. Dieckmann.
Discipline-Revs. J. M. G. Sappenfield, S. Wagenhals, D.D., G. F. Dittmar, W. J. Seiberling, H. K. Lantz.
Reception of Congregations-Revs. Z. M. Corbet, M. E. Haberland; Mr. Thos. Sowers.
Parochial Reports and Apportionments-Revs. Wm. Eckert, I. Whitman, M. E. Boulton; Messrs. E. C. Bartholomew, M. Rudisill.
Special Committees.
Synodical Paper-Revs. W. L. Hunton, Ph. D., Geo. P. Kabele, W. J. Finck; Messrs. C. T. A. Anderson, H. S. K. Bartholomew, Karl A. Wernle.
Board of Directors, Colburn Academy (nominated by Synod)-Revs. I. Whitman, W. J. Seiberling, H. K. Lantz, Wm. J. Finck, P. C.Wike; Messrs. Geo. Rorabaugh, O. J. Mennen, Wm. Brewer, John Cook.
The minutes of this session were read and approved. Synod voted to adjourn this Convention at 9 a. m.
Then, after singing Hymn 274 in the Church Book, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," the Thirty-third Con- vention was brought to a close, according to the pre- scribed order in the Church Book.
HARRY B. REED, Secretary.
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RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND ADDRESSES,
WEDNESDAY MORNING: Opening Services- Liturgical Services by the Secretary and Treasurer. Synodical Sermon by the President, based on II. Kings, 6:17. Preparatory Service and Holy Communion.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON- Paper by Rev. Wm. J. Finek, "The Inner Call to the Ministry." Discussion opened by Rev. G. H. Gerberding D. D.
WEDNESDAY EVENING: Foreign Missions- Services in charge of Rev. G. P. Kabele. Addresses by Revs. G. H. Gerberding. D.D., and M. E. Boulton. Offerings for Foreign Missions.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON- Paper by Rev. J. R. E. Hunt, "The Error of Universalism." Discussion opened by Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D.
THURSDAY EVENING: Education- Services in charge of Rev. S. D. Mvers. Addresses by Revs. Geo. P. Kabele and H. B. Reed. Offerings for Educational Work.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON- Paper by Rev. Geo. F. Dittmar, "The Relation of the Pastor to the Sunday School." Discussion opened by Rev. P. C. Wike.
FRIDAY EVENING: Benevolence- Services in charge of Rev. M. L. Wagner. Addresses by Revs. Wm. Eckert and A. L. Boliek. Offerings for Benevolent Institutions.
SUNDAY MORNING: Sunday School- Services in charge of the Superintendent. Addresses by Revs. G. H. Gerberding, D. D., and W. L. Hunton, Ph. D., A. C. Anda, and Mr. C. T. A. Anderson.
ORDINATION-Services in charge of Officers of Synod; Ordina- tion Sermon by Rev. I. Whitman; Candidates ordained, Paul W. Roth, Paul J. Gerberding, L. P. Pence.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Memorial Services- To Revs. Jno. Good and M. J. Stirewalt, D. D. Addresses by Revs. M. L. Wagner and J. M. G. Sappenfield.
SUNDAY EVENING: Home Missions- Services in charge of Rev. W. L. Hunton, Ph. D. Addresses by Revs. A. C. Anda and L. Hogshead. Offerings for Home Missions.
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REGISTER OF CONGREGATIONS.
NAME
PARISH
LOCATION
Holy Trinity ...
Holy Trinity. . La Salle av. and Elm st., Chicago
Wicker Park ..
Wicker Park. . N. Hoyne av. and Le Moyne st .. Chicago
St. John's ......
Englewood . Indiana av. S. of Sixty-first st., Chicago
St. Mark's.
Lake View. . Clark st. and Addison av., Chicago
St. Peter's.
Humboldt Park
Spaulding av. and Le Moyne st., Chicago
St. Matthew's .
Mandell
. Flournoy st., near Forty-seventh av., Chicago Kimbell Hall, Hayes st., nr. Kimbell, Chicago
St. Luke's
Logan Square
Francisco and Mariana aves., Chicago
Atonement
Englewood
St. James'
Vandalia
First English
Decatur
. N. Main and William sts., Decatur, Illinois
St. James'
Claremont
Claremont, Richland county, Illinois
Union
Holy Trinity. .
Elgin . Elgin, Illinois
Holy Trinity.
Fort Wayne
. Wayne and Clinton sts., Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Holy Trinity. .
South Bend South Bend, Indiana
First English ,
Mishawaka Mishawaka, Indiana
First English ..
Goshen
Goshen, Indiana
Zion's ..
Lafayette Lafayette. Indiana
Whitestown, Indiana
St. James'
Whitestown
Near Darlington, Montgomery county, Indiana
Salem
Whitestown
· New Augusta, Indiana
Union
Whitestown
. East of Whitestown, Indiana
St. Paul's
Syracuse
Benton, Elkhart county, Indiana S. W. of Nappanee, Kosciusko county, Indiana
Syracuse
Syracuse
Syracuse, Kosciusko county, Indiana
St. John's
Syracuse
.. Nappanee, Indiana
Emmanuel
Wallace
Phanuel
Wallace
Philadelphia
Wallace
. Near Milligan, Parke county, Indiana
Bethel
Colburn
. Pettit, Tippecanoe county. Indiana
Zion's .
E. Germantown
East Germantown, Wayne, county, Indiana
St. Jolin's. ...
E. Germantown Middletown, Henry county, Indiana
St. Jacob's
E. Germantown
Millville, Henry county, Indiana
St. John's
Rochester
Bruce Lake, Fulton county, Indiana
Zion's .
Mulberry . Mulberry, Indiana
Fairhaven
Mulberry
Near Mulberry, Indiana
St. Paul's
Frankfort
Frankfort, Indiana
Our Saviour
Alexandria
Alexandria, Indiana
St. Jolın's
Anderson
Anderson, Indiana
Mt. Zion's
Anderson Ovid, Madison county, Indiana
St. Peter's
Newberry . Newberry. Greene county, Indiana
Mt. Zion's
Newberry
Monroe City, Knox county, Indiana
Mt. Solomon Corydon . Near Corydon, Indiana
Zion's
Hicksville Hall's Corner, Allen county, Indiana
St. John's
Hicksville Hicksville, Olio
Lost Creek
Hicksville . North of Hicksville, Ohio
St. Paul's
Detroit
Cor. 16th st. and Stanley av., Detroit, Michigan
Emmanuel
Syracuse
Near Hillsboro, Fountain county, Indiana
St. John's.
Colburn
Near Owasco, Carroll county, Indiana
Zion's
Colburn
. Colburn, Tippecanoe county, Indiana
Rochester . Tiosa, Fulton county, Indiana
St. Paul's.
Near Alamo, Fountain county, Indiana
St. Mark's
Whitestown
Gila Gila, Illinois
Sixty-ninth st., Chicago Vandalia, Illinois
St. James'
Avondale
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Rev. John Good.
The Subject of this sketch was born of Christian parents in Eastern Tennessee in 1823. He was baptized in infancy, and in early man- hood was catechised and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
We know very little of his earlier life. He grew up under the rigid Lutheran preaching of the Henkels and their co-workers, and imbibed many of their ideas, as to missionary and educational work.
His literary advantages were very limited, yet under the spell of the controversies that raged during those years, he availed hinself of every opportunity to master the doctrines of his Church. He was a close student of the Confessions, and of the Scriptures, and was a great admirer of the publications of the Henkels.
In early life he moved to Boone Co., Indiana. Here under the influence of Rev. E. S. Henkel, he determined to prepare for the Gospel Ministry.
In 1848 he was recognized by the Synod of Indiana, as a Student of Theology, and was licensed to exhort and catechise in October of that year. The next year he was ordained to the office of Deacon, and served several congregations as an assistant to Rev. E. Rudisill, and during this period, he received special Theological instruction from Revs. E. S. Henkel and E. Rudisill.
On September 25th, 1850, he was ordained Pastor, and served a number of congregations in Indiana in that capacity, until 1856, when he removed to Iowa. There he labored in connection with his brother, Rev. Christian Good, in the capacity of a missionary among the scat- tered members of our Church. In 1859 he was present at the last con- vention of the Synod of Indiana, and after the dissolution of that body, he at once issued a call to the ministers and delegates present, to convene the next dav, for the purpose of organizing a new Synod. This convention was held, and the Union Synod was formally organized. He remained in Iowa until 1881, when he removed to Whitestown, Indiana, and assumed charge of the Alimo, now Wallace parish. In 1882 he was received into this Synod. In 1890 he retired from the active duties of the ministry.
He entered into rest, June 25, 1902, aged about 79 years.
MARTIN L. WAGNER.
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+
Rev. Miles Josephus Stirewalt, D. D.
Rev.M.J. Stirewalt. D. D., was descended from a family prominent in the affairs of the Lutheran Church in North Carolina and Virginia, in the early history of our Church, and also noted for their patriotism during the Revolutionary War. He was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, Ma , 8, 1835, was baptized in infancy b. Rev. John N. Stirewalt. and after a thorough course of catechetical instruction under the Rev. Timothy Moser, was duly confirmed.
His early educational advantages were very limited, and it was not until he was a grown young man, that he decided upon the ministry as his life work. He first had determined upon the avocation of a mechanic, but Providence had designed otherwise. By diligent effort, he prepared himself for entrance into William and Emory College, where he took a partial classical course, making fair progress in literature, the sciences, mathematics and the Greek, German and Latin languages. In 1857, when twenty-two years of age. he was received by the Tennessee Synod as a Student of Theology. The next year he was ordained a Deacon, and September 15th, 1859, he was ordained a pastor. During this time, his Theological studies were under the direction of Rev. Dr. Polycarp Henkel.
He served congregations in North Carolina and Tennessee during the trying times of the Civil War, and suffered much because of his Union sentiments. In 1865 he visited Indiana, and preached in a number of congregations of the Union Synod. The next year he inoved to this State, locating at New Augusta. He served various parishes in the State, until his death, excepting a few years when he served as a missionary in Kansas.
In the movements that resulted in the organization of the Indiana Synod, he was a leading spirit. We cannot enter into details here, but suffice it to say, that in the diplomatic work which resulted in the union of the three Synodical elenients represented, he deserves, in mny humble judgment, first place. For years he labored amid great dis- couragements, and great was his joy when the new Synod was organ- ized and entered upon its humble mission.
-
- 56-
As a preacher, Dr. Stirewalt was of the Henkel type, earnest, argumentative, and clinching every proposition with copious Scripture quotations. He was plain and direct in his sermons, and eminently successful in presenting the more profound doctrines in the plain everyday language of the people. At times he became eloquent, and would hold his audience spellbound.
In private life, and in the. social circle he was companionable, full of good humor and pleasant witticism, though at times there was a discoverable tinge of melancholy in his temperament. He was keenly sensitive, and nothing pained him so much as to think his motives were questioned, or if he thought his labors were not sufficiently ap- preciated, but these feelings he would express only to his most inti- mate friends.
He fell asleep in Christ, and in peace, after a lingering affliction, Sunday, February 22d, 1903, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.
MARTIN L. WAGNER.
INDEX.
Absen tees
28, 50
Application for Membership
12
Applicants for the Ministry
7
Apportionments
46
Appropriations to Missions
38
Archives, Report on
49
Auditing Com., Report of
41, 42
Benevolence ..
32
Beneficiary Education
44
Calls Accepted ..
12
Chicago Seminary
16
Committees, Regular
19
Special
20,51
Standing.
19. 51
· Conferences
17,31
Congregations Organized
14
Corner Stone Layings
13
Deaths
10
Dedications and Reopenings
13
Delinquencies
26
Delegates to General Council,
Election of.
4S
Dieckmann Home, Report of 21, 30
Dismissals
11
Education
44
Educational Institution
47.48
Examination, Report on
18, 41
Foreign Missions
29
General Council
35
Home Missions, Report on
32
Home Missions of Gen. Council .. 3.5
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