USA > Indiana > Our church, a history of the synod of Northern Indiana of the Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 16
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opened. After resigning the. Spencerville pastorate, he then served the Fairfield charge nine years, La Grange three years, Horeb seven years, Albion two years, Salem three years, La Otto and Bethlehem three years, and supplied vacant churches for two years, retiring from the active ministry in the fall of 1893. The compensation received was very small, but his love for the church is evinced in the fact that he gave to the churches over seven thousand dollars of his own money over and above the salary that he received. During his ministry he built and repaired six churches, organ- ized seven congregations, baptized 218 infants, and added to the membership of the church nearly five hundred. He served as President of the Synod for two years, as treasurer for nine years, as Director to Wittenberg College six years, and was elected three times as delegate to the General Synod. He has always enjoyed the fullest confidence of his brethren in the ministry, and in the evening of his life he presents a record that challenges the admiration of the entire church. To it she will ever point with pride, and the good that he has done will enshrine his memory in warm and loving hearts for many years to come.
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REV. LEVI RICE.
REV. LEVI RICE.
For more than a score of years one of the most useful and influential members of this Synod was Rev. Levi Rice. He was born near Lewisburg, Preble Co., Ohio, June 17, 1836. Ilis early life was spent upon the farm, but did not pass with- out storing his mind with useful knowledge. He received a thorough education in the public schools, and there qualified himself for the work of teaching. His efficiency in that capacity was soon recognized, and for eight successive years he taught in the schools of his native county. A number of cir- emmstances combined in shaping his religions character and life and in causing him to become identified with Christ's kingdom on earth. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in the year 1860. It was not a mere formal act, but an earnest, whole-hearted consecration. He entered upon his work for the Master with a zeal that never abated. His recog- nized ability as a teacher made him prominent in the work of the local church. He was called to superintend the Sunday school, was appointed class leader, served as steward and was made local preacher. All of these positions he filled with the utmost fidelity, and won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
During the year 1864 he found it necessary to break loose from all these associations and endearments of early life. He went westward and settled in the vicinity of North Manches- ter, Indiana. The following year, March 30, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan King, who has proved a faithful help-mate in all his self-sacrificing services for the Master. An opportunity opening for him to enter the active
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work of the ministry he now found it necessary to change his church relations. This he did in the year 1868 and became a. member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Feb. 8th of this year he was, on the recommendations of four ministers in this Synod, granted an Ad Interim license to preach the gospel by the President of Synod. Immediately he took up the work among the people where he lived. For a period of two years he served as a supply for the North Manchester pastorate dur- ing the temporary absence of the pastor. At the meeting of Synod, in the Fall of 1870, he was ordained by the laying on of hands, according to the solemn and impressive rite of the Lutheran church, before the congregation to whom he had been faithfully ministering. He served the Zion pastorate from that time to 1872, when he became pastor of the Fair- field charge. His labors here extended over a period of nine years, and during this time he organized, Oct. 23, 1875, St. Mark's Lutheran church in Auburn, the beautiful county seat of De Kalb County. He saw there an opportunity for the church of his choice, and although already burdened with the duties of a large pastorate, he felt that it must be improved, and assumed the additional care and labor of a new congrega- tion. He became pastor at La Grange, Ind., in 1881, and continued his labors until 1886, when be removed to Walton, Ind., and served this pastorate until the year 1892, when by reason of failing health he was forced to retire from the active work of the ministry. He removed to his little country home in the vicinity of North Manchester, where he began his minis- terial work. As a preacher he was earnest and devoted to the word of God, always proclaiming it with a simplicity that made it profitable to all of his bearers. As a pastor he was very
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faithful, ever ready to minister to those in need, and by his fidelity he always gained the love and confidence of his people. Through his efforts many were led to the Savior and rejoiced in the blessed assurance of forgiven sin and the precious hope of everlasting life.
He always enjoyed the largest confidence of his brethren in the ministry, and was often called by them to the highest positions of honor and trust that they could give. He served as Secretary of Synod during the years 1878 and 1874, and was elected President in 1875 and re-elected in 1877. He has served several terms on the Board of Directors to Witten- berg College, and was chosen at different times as Delegate to the General Synod. For a number of years he was a member of the Advisory Board of Home Missions, and also a member of the Pastors' Fund Association. The impress of his loving Christian spirit has been stamped upon the Synodieal meetings and is bearing rich fruit for the Master's kingdom. In many homes where he carried the light and cheer of the gospel, in many churches where he faithfully ministered the Word and Sacraments, and in the Synod to which his whole ministerial life was given, will his influence long abide to make the king- dom on earth more like the kingdom of Heaven. Under great bodily affliction he now lives in his quiet home, a noble example of the resignation to his Father's will which he has preached to others. Toward him the thought of the church is often turned, and the earnest prayer is breathed into the car of Heaven that the evening of his life may be cahn and peaceful as the close of a cloudless summer day.
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REV. S. KELSO
Was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Dec. 23, 1823. When he was about seven years old his parents removed to Richland County, Ohio, where his early life was spent with them upon . the farm. His educational advantages during that time were very fair, so far as the common schools were concerned. lle improved them and prepared himself for the work of teaching. Subsequently he attended for some time a select school in which he was better fitted for his work, and which created in him the desire for a higher education. Shortly after this he attended for one year the Otterbein University, and from private sources received some instruction in theology as a preparation for the ministry.
lle was licensed to preach the gospel by the Sandusky Conference of the United Brethren Church, Sept. 20, 1850, and entered what with that denomination is known as the itin- cruncy. His labors proved successful for the church, and on the 19th day of September, 1853, he was solemnly ordained to the sacred office of the Christian ministry by the laying on of hands by the bishop and elders of the same conference that had licensed him to preach. He continued his labors in favor with God aud man and enjoyed prosperity. Twice was he called to serve his church in the capacity of presiding elder, and was highly regarded and much beloved by the entire dis- triet to which his labors applied. In the year 1860 he changed his church relations and became pastor of the Congregational church at Lexington, Ohio. From Dee. 1, 1863, to Dec. 1, 1870, he served with gratifying success the Congregational church of West Millgrove, Ohio. During this period he was
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brought to look more closely into the doctrines and polity of the Lutheran church, and was so impressed with their serip- tural character that it drew him into the ministry of the Lutheran church. After due examination, he was received into the membership of the Synod of Northern Indiana at its ammal convention in 1871 upon the letter of dismissal from the Congregational Association of Ohio. Jan. 1, 1872, he took charge of the Walton pastorate and continued his labors until the 27th of November, 1875, when he resigned in order to accept a call to the Berrien Springs charge, where he remained until the latter part of March, 1879. Immediately he removed to Spencerville, Ind., to which place he had accepted a call, and served with favor until the Ist of Decem- ber, 1881, and then removed to Anburn, where his work con- tinued until the summer of 1883. In September of this year he went to Ilinois and served in succession the Lancaster, the Olney and De Soto pastorates during a period of seven years. He then returned to Indiana, locating in Logansport, but did not resume the active work of the ministry, excepting to sup- ply the Logansport Mission during the vacancy that followed Rev. A. B. MeMackin's death until the present Synodical year, when he began to preach for the Bethlehem and La Otto con- gregations.
Rev. Kelso served as Treasurer of the Synod of Northern Indiana from the year 1877 to the annual meeting in the year 1882, and was elected to represent his Synod at the meeting of the General Synod at Carthage, Il., and also at the meeting in Springfield, Ohio. He was an efficient member of the com- mittee to examine young men seeking licensure and ordination, and served in that capacity for several years. His abilities as a
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preacher of the Word are of more than ordinary character, and he has done faithful service in the pastorates to which he was called. Gentlemanly in all his intercourse with the peo- ple, and with a marked Christian courtesy in his relations to them, he has won his way into their hearts and will long be remembered by them. The pastoral relation changes, but the memory of him who faithfully guides the people in their search for a higher and better life, lingers with them and remains an incentive to action in the subsequent years of their life and toil,
" Ever remembered, Only remembered, By what he has done. " .
REV. JOHN G. BIDDLE.
Among the hills of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, there lived a family of pious and devoted Lutherans, whose sons were destined to be eminently successful ministers of the gos- pel of Christ. They were not rich in this world's goods, but they aimed to lay up for themselves treasures in heaven - and the influence which they exerted in the world was always up- lifting and helpful to men. It adorned the home with the beautiful graces of the Christian faith, and lingered in every community where they dwelt to tell of God's goodness to men and of his wondrous love in saving them from the powers of sin. In that home was born the subject of this sketch, on the 18th day of May, 1823. When a mere infant his parents removed to Ohio and settled upon a small farm in Tuscarawas county, near the village of Shanesville. There he received
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that culture that was so characteristic of his future life. In the great school of Nature he learned some of the most help- ful lessons. Amid the picturesque surroundings of childhood, the rich powers of mind and heart that were his by nature, gave quick response to the divine voices that spoke to him on every band. There were inspirations that came to his soul which broadened his sympathies and intensified his love, and there were aspirations that lifted him up into the realm of a larger life. But the early years of his existence were not dreamy, visionary ones -- for he was trained in the hard school of industry and manual toil. At the age of fourteen, his father apprenticed him to the gunsmith trade at which he con- tinued until he had attained his majority. Shortly after this he married the woman who stood faithfully by him in all his hardships and toils, and watched with him in those hours of in- describable anxiety when his soul was hovering on the confines of two worlds. For tive years after his marriage he continued at his trade when he removed with his family to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he purchased forty acres of land. It was mostly timbered land and required much hard work to bring it into a good state of cultivation. Ile labored inces- santly on his little farm turning to his former vocation only at convenient times. For six years he continued, and then laid aside his farming implements and the tools of the workshop that he might give himself wholly to the work of saving souls. Hitherto he had not been an idler in the vineyard, but the call now came for him to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. He obeyed that call, and at the first meeting of the Synod of North- ern Indiana, he was licensed to preach, Sunday evening, Oeto- ber 28, 1855, in the old Lutheran church in Columbia City, Indiana.
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The Parochial report of the next year shows that his pastorate contained three churches and four regular stations. The Salem congregation sent a paper to Synod testifying of his efficient services and -asking that he be continued on the pastorate. This was an unusual request, as the polity of the Lutheran church is congregational and the Synod has only advisory power. But he was only a licentiate and the church in their love and admiration for him desired not only to testify of his efficiency as a minister, but also to show their apprecia- tion of his work. During this time he resided in Syracuse, Kosciusko county, Indiana. His license was renewed for an- other year, and he continued a course of special study as was required at the time when he first received license. Sometime during the next year he removed to La Grange, Indiana, This congregation was included in his pastorate of the previ- ous year, and his labors were now continued in a part of the original charge that he served. He was ordained to the gos. pel ministry the next year, September 26, 1857, at Camden, Indiana, Rev R. F. Delo, preaching the sermon from Matthew 10:16. The story of his long and useful services in this charge can best be told in his own language in a report which was made and published by the request of the church council after his resignation had been presented.
"At the organization of the Synod of Northern Indiaua, eleven years ago, the members saw fit to give me license to preach the gospel, and directed me to La Grange and Union congregations. These were thirty miles apart. I found in La Grange 16 members, and those living far apart. . . In my lahors of eleven years on this work, I had the happy priv- ilege of baptizing 106 infants, 148 adults, confirmed 170, re-
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REV. JOHN G. BIDDLE.
ceived on profession of faith 173, by letter 74, organized nine congregations, built 3 houses of worship, preached 2868 ser- mons, attended 252 funerals, married 164 couples, visited and prayed with 438 families, traveled 9930 miles, expended of my own means earned before I entered the ministry $1200.00 for building churches and supporting myself while the church was not able to support me."
It is the record of an untiring and unselfish life and the appreciation of the pastorate was expressed in a long series of resolutions. His resignation took effect October 1st, 1866. The resignation was accepted with such reluctance that the retiring pastor agreed to supply them with preaching until a suitable man could be seenred. On the 16th of the same month Synod convened, and the large pastorate was divided and Rey. Biddle became the pastor of some churches on the territory now occupied by the Millersburg aud Middlebury pas- torates, he residing at Millersburg, Indiana. It appears that the organization previously effected in Millersburg had di- banded, and in May, 1867, Rev. Biddle organized a congrega- tion there with 37 charter members. The church building was erected under his supervision, and dedicated in January, 1868, Rev. H. Wells assisting in the services. The churches were greatly built up and strengthened during his pastorate. In the spring of 1873, he located in Elkhart and began the work which was so successfully carried forward until eut short by death. In the building of the church he was a hard worker, and in winning souls for Christ he was eminently successful. The Lutheran church in that city is very largely indebted to him for its present prosperity. His was a commanding influ- ence not only in every part of the city, but in the surrounding
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country as well. Everyone, young and old, knew and re- spected him. For everyone he had a kind and encouraging word, and multitudes flocked together to hear him preach. In the very midst of his popularity and usefulness disease laid its strong grasp upon him. For seventy-five days he lingered upon the bed of afffiction. The long and weary watchings and waitings by his side grew painful, as it became apparent that he could not recover. But into the darkness their shown a constant steady ray of light, no murmur ever escaped his lips; his faith did not fail him. The gospel he had so faithfully preached to others was his support. The halo of a perfect res- ignation seemed to rest upon him and made resplendent the scenes of his last days. Like another, he wanted ^ to depart and be with Christ." To him it was " going home," and on the evening of January 10, 1879, "he was not, for God took him." His death was as glorious as his labors had been, pa- tient and persistent, and it cast backward over his life the gleams of that fadeless lustre that came from the kingdom above. He was greatly loved. People thronged about his res- idence during his last days to enquire concerning him. Hun- dreds followed his remains to their last resting, place. The whole city felt the loss. The ministerial association declared that they had always found him " in full sympathy with every good work," and that he was by them, " a brother held in very high esteem." He is dead. For almost a score of years his labors have ceased. But he lives. His life, his work and his unselfish labors for the church are often talked of still. The influence that he exerted has been inwoven in character, and will abide not only in time but through all eternity. Glori- ons is the reward of such self-sacrificing devotion to Christ and
REV. D. 1 . BAIR. RI.V. J. A WEST. REV. L. S. KEYSER.
REV. J. N BARNETT. REV. B. F. GRENOBLE. REV. L. C. ROUTZAHN.
REV. J. W. THOMAS. REV. J. C. KAUFFMAN. IOSV. J. D. BROSY.
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his church. " They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmanent, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
REV. FREDERICK BIDDLE.
The history of some men's lives can never be written. Into them there enters so much of self-sacrifice that no words ean adequately portray the good which they have done. The world has received the blessings of their arduous toils, but has often failed to recognize its indebtedness to them. It was thus with the Master and is not unfrequently so with many of his most faithful and devoted disciples. Eternity alone can reveal the true story of their unselfish sacrifices for the up-lifting and the salvation of men. The ministry of Rev. Frederick Biddle has been a remarkable one. It has been abundantly blessed of heaven. Himself a modest, unassuming man, but wholly de- voted to the work of saving souls. He entered upon his min- istry with the deep conviction that he was called to lead men to Christ, and to strengthen and build them up in the faith of the gospel, and he has allowed nothing to turn him aside from this purpose or to binder him in attaining this end. Although his educational advantages were limited, he has proved a man of remarkable power in the preaching of the word. His favor- ite theme has been " Christ's unfailing love for men," and he has witnessed that love conquering the strongest hearts and subduing the most obstinate wills - men have come asking what they must do to be saved, and as they were pointed to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world they have found joy and peace in believing. Through his preach-
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ing more than two thousand souls professed their faith in the Savior, and over fifteen hundred of these were received into the various churches which he served. Some of the most inter- esting and successful revivals of religion ever enjoyed in the communities where he preached occurred during his ministry. In these he will long be remembered and those happily con- verted will often think of them with gladness, and will grate- fully call to mind the faithful preacher.
Rev. Biddle was born in Fayette County, Pa., in the year 1820. Ile was only about three years old when his parents removed to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. At the age of thirteen he began an apprenticeship in the village of Shanesville at the shoemaker's trade. Here he continued for a period of two years, and then went from place to place doing such work in that line as could be secured. During all this time he was also diligent in attaining an education. He applied himself to the study of the very things in which other boys of hi- age were receiving instruction in the schools. He read such books as he could secure and formed a habit of reading which aided very much in making him proficient in his life-work. Before he entered upon his apprenticeship at that early age he had been so deeply impressed with the thought of becoming a minister that he consulted with his parents concerning it. They were poor and could see no way in which he could be properly edu- cated for such a work, and so the thought was by them of nee- essity practically abandoned. But not so easily was it brushed aside by him. It lingered with him during the years of his apprenticeship, and in his subsequent work at his chosen voca- fion it became the incentive for faithful and studions efforts. Some years later he married a very pious and devoted young
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woman who had previously kneeled with him at the altar and been confirmed according to the custom of the Lutheran church. To her he had often talked of his desires concerning the minis- try, and they looked forward in fond anticipation to the work which they would together do for Christ and his church. But her health failed and it became apparent that their hopes must be blighted. He, however, attended school after his marriage for a period of two years and then gave himself to the work of teaching. She died in the year 1852, happy in the conscious- ness of the Savior's presence and love. For some time he con- tinned his work as a teacher, and was subsequently wedded to her who has been with him in all his years of self-sacrifice for the Master, as a beloved companion and co-worker in a com- mon cause. In the year 1858, at the fourth annual meeting of the Synod of Northern Indiana, he appeared before the examining committee who after thorough examination recom- mesded him for licensure which was granted. It was renewed one year later, and on Sunday afternoon, September 23, 1860, he was solemnly ordained to the work upon which his heart had been so long and so firmly set. The conviction that was so abiding and yet so often baffled at last led him to victory. Purposes inwronght by the spirit of God may be hindered but not defeated. He who cherishes them and pushes his way for- ward with firm determination will see the day of triumph. Immediately after his licensure by the Synod he removed to Van Wert, Ohio, and there began his labors for the Master Ile continued his labors for several years in that pastorate with great success. Several churches were organized and he added more than two hundred to the membership. It was a hard charge and required a great deal of travel. Sometimes when
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the roads were in condition that he could not travel on horse- back he would walk as much as fourteen miles and preach three times the same day. His appointments were always faithfully kept regardless of the inconvenience of reaching them. About the year 1861 he received a call from the pastorate then known as " Flat Rock," and removed hither. For a period of nearly nine years he labored with that people and God blessed his labors to the salvation of many immortal souls. At the expir- ation of that time he was called to the Horeb charge in Wells County, Indiana, where he continued until the death of his brother, Rev. John G. Biddle, at Elkhart, Indiana, when he was called to be his successor. For a period of eighteen months he served the entire pastorate and added many to its member- ship. The charge being then divided he continued his labors with the two country churches for seven years, when he accepted a call to the Moorepark church and served it for a period of nearly two years with gratifying success. After a few months' rest at his home in Elkhart he accepted a call to the Salem pastorate which he served about one and one- half years, and then accepted a call from the Bethlehem and La Otto congregations. He continued about 18 months when he was compelled to relinquish his labors by reason of sickness. Since that time he has not taken charge regularly although he has fully regained his health and preaches with the same energy and power that he did thirty years ago. Indeed his experience makes him a far more interesting preacher now than he was then. There is no " dead-line" for a man of his energy and consecration. His services are even more valuable for the church now than they have been at any previous period of liis history.
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