USA > Ohio > Stark County > Canton > History of the First Reformed Church, Canton, Ohio > Part 4
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FAUST AS PASTOR, PREACHER, AND MAN
been that the number of communicants is always from 65 to 75 per cent of the total membership. On this basis, the member- ship at Canton must have been at least 130 to 140 souls. The record of baptisms performed in Canton during the last eight years of Rev. Faust's pastorate is complete. An average of twenty-three infants each year received baptism. When it is remembered that during the first eight years of Rev. Theodore P. Bolliger's ministry when the reported membership was more than one thousand, the average number of baptisms per year was only twenty-six, it will be seen that the estimate of 130 to 140 members is very conservative. Furthermore, the record of the confirmations in Canton during the last five years of Rev. Faust's pastorate is also almost complete. The names recorded average fourteen for each year. The average annual number confirmed during eight years of Rev. Bolliger's minis- try is thirty-six. From this again it must appear that the esti- mate made above is very conservative; and that, in reality the actual membership must have been considerably higher.
CHAPTER VI REV. FAUST'S LAST SIX MONTHS
T HE hardships inevitably connected with his vast parish, had gradually undermined Rev. Faust's health. The intense earnestness with which he preached, and the vigor of his delivery caused him to perspire very freely while conduct- ing a service. Long rides followed nearly every service as he hurried on to the next appointment. By night and by day, in all kinds of weather and every degree of temperature, he pushed zealously on. After about ten years of this strenuous activity tuberculosis developed; but the faithful pastor never shirked his work, nor even hesitated for a moment. The prog- ress of the disease for two years was slow ; then a rapid change for the worse set in and during the last months of his life preaching became increasingly difficult. Sometimes his voice was so weak that the congregation found it hard to understand.
During this period when Rev. Faust clearly realized that his days on earth were numbered, and that another must soon be found to take his place, he must often have wondered where a successor could be found. All over the state of Ohio and adjoining states were many German communities calling anx- iously for someone to come and preach the Gospel to them; but the laborers were few and the fields lay waste. Even if Canton and its surrounding congregations succeeded in secur- ing a minister it would mean that some other charge would at once become shepherdless.
But though the workman falls by the wayside, the work always goes on; for God has a way of providing for his own. A successor was already found, though as yet unknown to Rev. Faust. One day in the spring of 1832 he stopped at Wirth's hotel about a mile west of Reedurban and met for the first time a young German by the name of Peter Herbruck. In the course of their conversation the minister learned that he had come to America some months before, had been in Canton only
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a few weeks, and was nineteen years old. The acquaintance soon ripened into a firm friendship. One day young Herbruck confided to his new friend that it had been his desire even from boyhood to become a minister of the Gospel. Immediately Rev. Faust challenged him to begin his preparation for the sacred calling and promised every assistance.
The subsequent occurrences, we will let the young man tell in his own words:
"After several weeks, I became acquainted with my prede- cessor Rev. B. Faust, who after he had learned to know me a little better, said to me, 'Young man, do not bury your talent in a napkin. We need ministers. Come to me, I will give you books to read and will assist you in every respect, if it is your desire to prepare yourself for the ministry.' I accepted the kind offer, borrowed books from him, and received instruction as often as I could visit him. About three months later, he gave me a text, Matthew 25: 31-46, saying, 'Now you write all you can on this passage of Scripture.' I did so and brought him what had been written. He read it over, making correc- tions and additions, here and there. As he was suffering from an affection of the throat and could not speak very loud any- more, he requested me to preach to his congregation at Osna- burg on this passage. I did so, and got a Pennsylvania Dutch compliment. I had a full house, and as I was leaving the church, I heard a young girl say to another : That boy can sure rattle it down. (Der Bub kanns aber h'runner rattlen.)
"The next Sunday I preached in Canton. My teacher was present. After the service he said, 'That wasn't so bad; but you talked too fast. Take a little more time.'
"On the third Sunday I was sent to preach at Uniontown, twelve miles north of Canton. My teacher had sent them word that his student would preach that Sunday. I was a stranger in Uniontown, knowing no one and known to no one. Also, I was young, about eighteen and one-half years old, and very bashful. In Uniontown, I found a full house, but was too bashful to introduce myself, and quietly sat down in the front pew among the old men. No one took me for the man who 3
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was to preach to them for I seemed to be too young and poorly clad for a preacher. I had at that time only one coat to wear and that was pretty thin at the elbows. Pretty soon I heard some one say : That young student is late, he ought to be here now. The Bible and hymnbook were on the communion table. I took the two books and climbed the pulpit steps which were rather high. As I was going up to the pulpit, I heard one of the old men say: Well yes, I guess we will get something fine today. (Nu ja, das wird mer heut e'mal eppis Schoenes gebe.) After the service I hurried away, and went back the same day to Canton twelve miles. After that I preached every Sunday for my teacher.
"I also wrote several funeral sermons, so that I might be partly prepared in case there would be a funeral. I wrote a sermon on Psalm 90: 10, 'The days of our years are three score years and ten, etc.' and another on Matthew 19: 14, 'Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, etc.' Soon thereafter an aged mother died, twelve miles north of Canton, and I was to have the funeral sermon. Now, thought I, my sermon on Psalm 90: 10 will just fit in. Early in the morning I started out. When I had reached the bereaved home and the funeral procession was at the point of starting to the cemetery, the son of the departed mother approached me and said : Here is the text chosen by my mother on which her funeral sermon is to be preached. I read the text and discov- ered that it was not suitable for a funeral sermon, and further- more that I was unable to get anything out of it to apply to a funeral occasion. So I begged the young man to excuse me because I was only a beginner, and had no ability to preach without preparation, and informed him that I had prepared myself to preach on another text that was more suitable. But his answer was, The sermon must be preached on the text which mother selected. Here it is written down in her own hand; and here are two dollars which she laid aside to pay the preacher. I saw that it was no use to refuse so I consented to use the text chosen. The cemetery was about a mile from the home, and I walked before the funeral procession, hoping to
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REV. FAUST'S LAST SIX MONTHS
gather a few ideas on the way. But, alas, a man walked beside me and gabbled all the way so that my head got dizzy, and I could not find a sensible idea. We reached the church, and also during the singing of the hymn I could not collect my thoughts, for the people had no hymn books and so I had to read the hymn line by line. I was filled with such terror that the sweat poured from me though it was rather cold and I thought surely this time I'll get stuck. When the song was nearly ended suddenly the thought flashed into my mind to read the text selected by the deceased, and then to preach the sermon which I had prepared. I did so. On our return to the house of mourning I was told that many of the people were amazed that I could preach such a sermon on a text that had not been given me until I had reached the home."
A most embarrassing incident occurred when the young student conducted his first service at a place a few miles north of Louisville. The gruff farmers, seeing his youth, said in his hearing: Well, he doesn't know anything. (Ja! der weiss nichts.) When the services began some of them even turned their backs towards him. But after the young preacher got started, he quickly caught their attention. Slowly they turned their faces towards him and listened attentively to the end.
Though the assistance of young Herbruck brought some relief to the afflicted pastor, Rev. Faust, he nevertheless contin- ued conscientiously to perform the greater part of his pastoral duties himself. Early in November of 1832, he rode out sev- eral miles to the northwest of Canton to conduct a funeral service. It was noted by the congregation that he was preach- ing with his old-time vigor. The exertion threw the speaker into a profuse perspiration. It was a raw and cold day. On the way home, he became chilled to the bone. As he reached his own door, a violent fit of coughing seized him and racked his enfeebled frame. Suddenly a stream of blood burst from his mouth. The long-feared hemorrhage had come. In his weakened condition he could not rally. A few days later, on Saturday, the tenth, "he gently closed his earthly career with- out a groan."
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In the next issue of the Canton Repository, the following beautiful obituary notice appeared :
"The Rev. Benjamin Faust, pastor of the Reformed Church, died at his residence in Canton Township, on Saturday the tenth of Novem- ber, of a pulmonary consumption with which he had been afflicted for several years, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. He has left a discon- solate widow and four small children to lament their irreparable loss. In him shone that excellence of character that demands the esteem of all, even an enemy, if he had one. A sense of conscious rectitude gave him peace of mind while sojourning here below, and enabled him to meet the grim tyrant death as a kind messenger, sent by his Lord and Master to conduct his departing spirit from a temporary and probation- ary state of existence to the mansions of eternal felicity. He bore his afflictions with a Christian resignation to the will of his Heavenly Father, and gently closed his earthly career without a groan. In his lectures he inculcated pure and unfeigned piety to God; and in his daily avocations, both by example and precept, he enjoined the strictest rules of morality ; and of him it may be truly said, "he died the death of the righteous."
The body was laid to rest in the church cemetery. The grave was located a few feet to the north of the rear entrance of the Reformed Church as it is at present. A simple stone marked the site for more than sixty years. Mrs. Faust, though still a young woman of only thirty-two years, did not marry again. For forty-two years, until her death on May 9, 1874, she did not cease to mourn the husband so early torn from her side. At her death she was buried in the Rowland cemetery. Her husband's remains were taken up soon after and buried again beside the faithful wife.
Rev. Faust should be held in grateful remembrance by the present generation of members of the First Church. He per- formed hard, exacting pioneer work with great zeal, for a per- iod of thirteen years. His friend and neighbor, Rev. J. W. Hamm, sums up his life and activities in the words: "He was a good man, earnest, zealous, and faithful to his trust, and beloved by all who knew him. He stood high both as a Chris- tian and as a minister of the Gospel."
CHAPTER VII PETER HERBRUCK'S YOUTH
F OR more than fifty years, Rev. Peter Herbruck served as pastor of the First Reformed Church of Canton. With the exception of the last thirteen years from one to eight addi- tional congregations also belonged to the charge. He labored not only in Canton but in all of Stark County and even beyond the boundaries of the county. From a youth of nineteen and one-half years when the blunt Pennsylvania Germans ad- dressed him familiarly as "Peter," he guided the destiny of these congregations until by the effectiveness of his ministry, his high standing in the community, and the impress of his striking personality, he was known far and wide as "Father Herbruck."
In this chapter will be given the story of his childhood and youth, with its various ambitions and dreams, as Rev. Her- bruck wrote them down himself.
"As I look back upon my past life, I see everywhere the wonderful guidance of God. I see how all the events of my life hang together like the links of a chain. I was born Febru- ary 8, 1813 in the village of Grossteinhausen, Canton Neuhorn- bach, Landcomisariat Zweibruecken, Rheinkreis Bavaria. Dur- ing my sixth year I was sent to school, and made good progress in learning, so that by my eleventh year I was known as the best scholar in the school, and according to the custom in vogue was allowed to sit up at the head. Our teacher was still one of the old style who was more apt in wielding hazel switches than in imparting knowledge. But, so far as I can recollect, I experienced the effect of his hazel rod only once.
"When I was fourteen years old, I was confirmed. Already in my eighth year the desire had awakened in my heart to become either a teacher or a preacher. Although I could see no possibility for becoming either because my father did not have the means, I could not rid myself of this desire. I
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dreamed of it at night. I already then had the knowledge that things which are impossible to man were not impossible to God. Hence I took my refuge to God in prayer not only at night when I retired but often during the daytime, beneath the open sky, I would take off my cap, sit or kneel beside a tree, and pray to God that he might open the way so that I could study and become a teacher or preacher. My prayer was not in vain. A few days after my confirmation, our minister, a venerable, old man, came to my father in our home and sought to per- suade him to send me to a higher school of learning. The min- ister said that for a while I should attend a preparatory school about five miles from my birthplace and later on he would arrange to have me attend a higher institution. My father agreed and sent me to the high school.
"How I rejoiced that my prayer had been answered! I gladly shouldered all the difficulties that were in the way. In order to save the board bill, during the first year I walked the five miles to school every morning carrying my dinner; and in the evening I marched home again. This was no small under- taking, especially in winter when the snow was deep and the path had not been broken. The following year my father was able to pay my board, and I was very glad. But during the third year, as winter approached my father declared that he was unable either to pay my board or to give me the money necessary for a few books. I talked it over with my teacher, and told him that I would have to give up my studies. 'Well,' said my teacher, 'I will think about it and see whether anything can be done.' The next morning when I came to school and had greeted my teacher, he said to me, 'Last night I considered your circumstances for a long time and now believe I have found a way in which you can help yourself. About an hour's walk from here there is a little village which has a teacher for instructing the children only during the winter. I can secure this position for you. Generally the teacher takes turns about in lodging at the homes of the children attending; hence you need pay no board and will be able to earn something. You can study your lessons each evening, and in the morning before
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you leave I will hear you recite. In this way you will be able to keep pace with your classmates here.' The plan just suited me. At once we went to the little village, and immediately a contract was made with the heads of the families to the effect that I should teach school for five months for twenty-two Gul- dens (about nine dollars). Every morning I walked the three miles to the village, taught the school, and returned in the even- ing. In the evening I generally studied my lessons until twelve o'clock, and recited them to my teacher the next morning at five or six o'clock. Then I would start to the little village to teach. The people were generally poor and had the custom of eating very early and very late. This did not suit me very well, for I could neither be there early in the morning nor remain until late in the evening. Therefore I contented my- self with one meal a day during this winter. The daily tramp of three miles going and three miles back; the terrible cold which I had to endure, for I had neither cloak nor overcoat; the constant pangs of hunger that I suffered, caused me to grow so thin that in the spring when I returned home my par- ents thought I must have consumption.
"Now the thought awoke in me to go to America, whither two others of the, students were also planning to go. I an- nounced my decision to my parents. My father was willing but mother did not want me to go. On the 18th of April, 1831, when I said farewell to parents and brothers and sisters, my mother said: 'I would rather see you carried out of the house in a coffin than see you go to America.' My journey lasted nearly four months from April 18 to August 16."
The first part of the journey was made largely on foot. By easy stages young Herbruck wandered through northwest- ern France, a distance of about four hundred miles to Havre. There a several weeks' wait ensued until an old French sailing vessel started for America. After being out several days a terrific storm broke over the vessel, tearing away the masts and creating general havoc aboard the old ship. The ship was so much injured that it had to be towed back to Plymouth, England, by another vessel. Another long delay ensued while
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the vessel was being repaired when a second start was made for America. Storms and reverses again pursued the ship, but finally the friendly coast of America loomed on the hori- zon. Here we will let Mr. Herbruck resume his narrative:
"On the 16th of August 1831, I landed in Philadelphia and trod for the first time on American soil. The next day I left Philadelphia, without a cent in my pocket and only the clothes which I had worn for four months during the entire journey. I had brought good clothes and a few books with me but these I had left with a man whom I owed about twelve dollars. The third night I lay, as Jacob once did, beneath the open sky, upon a pile of shavings as my bed, and the infinite canopy of heaven as my blanket. But I had no sweet dreams, I saw no ladder reaching to heaven upon which the angels of God ascended and descended. I was homesick and ill, thought of my mother and wished I had taken her advice. I could not sleep all night, but lay there with a high fever and headache. No father nor mother, no brother nor sister was beside my bed to nurse me, or to hand me even so much as a cup of water. Of the things that passed through my heart and mind, I will be silent. Only this I will say that almost the entire night was spent in weep- ing and prayer. And my prayer again was not in vain. The second day thereafter the Lord brought me another father and mother. It was in Berks County, in Heidelberg Twp., that an aged couple took me into their home and became to me as father and mother. Father Klopp who thus received me was eighty-one years old, a good and pious soul, as was also mother Klopp. Family worship was held each morning and evening. Father Klopp clothed me from head to foot. I taught school there during the winter, and did a little work mornings and evenings. In the spring when school was closed, I asked the old father what I owed him for clothes and board. He inquired, and I shall never forget that moment: How much money have you? I told him that I had about forty dollars. Then he said, Give me your hand and promise that you will remain a godly youth and serve the Lord. I gave my promise. Now, he said, you owe me nothing else; go in the name of
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God, and the Lord be with you. Having thanked these good people for all that they had done for me, I took my departure. My intention was to visit a friend in the town of Lebanon; but beyond that I did not know what I should do. Before I reached Lebanon, however, I met upon the road four or five wagons covered with white canvas. On the canvas in black letters stood the name, Ohio. I found that there were several fam- ilies moving to Ohio. Several young men of my age were walking behind the wagons. I soon became acquainted with them and they invited me to travel with them to Ohio. Before Lebanon was reached these young fellows and I had become such good friends that I decided to go with them. I did not visit my friend but travelled straight ahead towards Ohio. These families intended to go to southern Ohio, and at last we reached the Ohio River. While the people were engaged in getting the wagons upon a ferry boat to cross the river, a man who had been standing upon the bank stepped up to me and asked, Are you a German? Yes, sir, was my answer. Where are you going? was his further inquiry. My answer was, To southern Ohio. Do you have a profession? he then asked. I answered, No, but during last winter I taught school in eastern Pennsylvania. Well, he said, then you travel with me to northern Ohio, that is the proper place for you.
"I cannot tell why I did it, nevertheless, even though my travelling companions had become very dear to me, I tore my- self from them, and went with this stranger. We travelled together to New Lisbon. From there we went towards the north to Mahoning County where my travelling companion was at home. When we were about three miles north of New Lis- bon we came to a fine spring of water by the roadside. We slaked our thirst and rested there a while. I had a little prayer book in my pocket, and said to my travelling companion who was a Catholic, If you have no objections I will read a prayer. He answered, It is agreeable to me. I read a prayer. Sud- denly something strange seemed to be going on within me. I cannot describe the experience. It was as though I heard a voice saying: 'You are going the wrong way. Mahoning
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County is not the place for you to go. Go back.' I began to weep, not knowing what I should do. My companion asked, What ails you? My answer was, I cannot travel on with you. I wish to go back to New Lisbon. The man tried everything to persuade me from this intention; but it was no use. I offered him my hand and tore myself loose from him. Having reached New Lisbon, I made no inquiries concerning any road, for I did not know whither I would go. When I believed my- self to be in the center of the town, I turned towards the right, not knowing whither this road would bring me. I came to Canton and remained a few hours, looking around for an opportunity to learn some trade. Not finding anything, I went on at once. On the west side of the town, I sat down along the way under a tree. Suddenly my heart became so burdened that I began to weep. What will become of you? Your mon- ey has been spent in travelling, all but eight dollars, and the farther you go, the more sparsely the land is inhabited. I lay beneath the tree about two hours, weeping and praying. After I had thus exhausted myself in weeping, I arose and went on. But before three miles had been traversed, I again had a fath- er and a mother. I taught school again, having the children of a number of families, and in the household of Father Wirth I had my home. Father and Mother Wirth treated me like their own child and to the children in the home I was as a brother."
The tree beneath which young Herbruck wept and prayed was located near Tuscarawas Street, just beyond West Creek. To the end of his life Rev. Herbruck would point out the spot occasionally to his friends, and repeat the story of how God answered his prayers.
The Wirth family lived near Reedurban. With them Mr. Herbruck resided several months teaching school and studying theology and practicing at sermon writing under the direction of Rev. Benjamin Faust. During the last weeks of Rev. Faust's life, Mr. Herbruck made his home with them and preached for his teacher regularly.
CHAPTER VIII PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCES BEFORE HIS ORDINATION
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B EFORE considering the development of events in the con- gregations belonging to the Canton charge, a glimpse must be taken at the fortunes of the village itself. Canton was incorporated in 1822, but ten years later it was still a primitive, inland community of less than two thousand souls. The only means of communication with the outside world at that time were poor dirt roads almost impassible during some seasons of the year. Business was largely carried on by barter, and cash money was exceedingly rare. Until the Ohio Canal was com- pleted through Massillon in 1830, there was no cash market at all for grain. As a consequence oats, corn, and wheat had but a small value and could be readily traded in for twelve, fifteen, and twenty-five cents a bushel respectively. Before the canal was finished the only way to market grain was to haul it to Pittsburgh or the Ohio River; afterwards Massillon became a large grain center. Trade was thus diverted from Canton and business suffered greatly.
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