USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 25
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* Before geologists had surmised the great age of our globe, Rev. Walter, on purely biblical grounds, maintained that it was more than six thousand years old. Among other things, in the article De Creatione, he sets forth his views as follows :
" How God created the world, reason knows not. The Bible teaches us that it was made out of nothing by the Son, John 1 : 3-10; Heb. 1 : 2-10.
" The usual explanation of the history of creation, namely, that God created the whole universe in six days about six thousand years ago, is unsatisfactory. For, 1. There is no evidence that Moses intended to give a history of the crea- tion of the whole universe. In Gen. verse 1, he speaks of the creation of the universe as a whole ; but in verse 2, and the verses following, only of our globe, and not of the universe. In verses 14-18, he does not speak of the creation of the celestial bodies, but only of their appointment or destination to a particular purpose, Gen. 9 : 13; 41 : 14; Exod. 4 : 16; Num. 10: 31; Isa. 55 : 4; Jer. 1 : 5. Hence Moses speaks here (in verse 2 and afterwards) not of the creation of the universe, but only of the remoulding or refitting of our globe. But, 2. This theory is encumbered with insuperable difficulties, for if we adopt it we must then admit, a. That in verse 1, 'heaven and earth' denote the materials out of which the universe of worlds was after- wards formed. b. That light was three days before the sun was made c. That night and day alternated before a sun was. d. That herb, grass, &c., grew before the sun was made. e. That the work performed on the fourth day was immeasurably great as compared with that of other days. Our planet, a grain of dust, it would have required five days to fit out, whilst the sun, moon, and all the stars needed only one! N. B. The structure of our globe proves it to be older than six thousand years. What account, then, does Moses really give of the creation of our globe ? Answer. 1. That God created it, verse 1. 2. As to the time when it was created it is not stated. The phrase, 'in the beginning,' does not point out any definite time, John 1 : 1, 2; Heb. 1 : 10. Our globe may be thousands of millions of years old ; we know nothing for certain respecting its age. 3. In verse 3, only the remoulding of our earth is described, and here our chronology begins. 4. Whether living beings dwelt on our globe before this remoulding of it took place, Moses does not inform us. That a change or changes took place, previous to the one of which Moses speaks, seems to receive countenance from 2 Pet. 3 : 5, 6. 5. Moses knows nothing of a chaos out of which, as some suppose, all things sprung into being. 6. This globe, before it was remoulded, was entirely covered with water, verse 2. Hence, everywhere the signs of a once existing
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Having completed the prescribed course of theological studies, Mr. Heim visited some congregations and preached for them a few times, so that they might be able to judge whether he would suit them or not. Hence, in the minutes of Synod, June, 1814, it is stated that " The congregations at Lewistown, Mifflintown, in Tuscarora Valley and Greenwood Township, request that Mr. Heim, applicant for licensure, may be permitted to serve them as pastor, and they therefore pray Ministerium to give him a Can- didate's license. On motion, it was Resolved, That in case Mr. Heim stands a satisfactory examination, he be permitted to ac- cept a call from these congregations."
Mr. Heim presented himself before the Synod of Pennsylvania, convened at Easton, Pa., and passed a satisfactory examination, and on the 8th of June, 1814, received license to preach. "The call from the congregations in Mifflin County, namely, Tuscarora [near Perryville, now Juniata County], Pfoutz's Valley [now in Perry County], Greenwood Township [probably New Buffalo], Lewistown, and Decatur Township [northeast of Lewistown], was now read, and on motion it was Resolved, That as Catechist, under the supervision of Pastor Walter, Rev. Heim have permis- sion to accept the call of the congregations aforesaid."
Mr. Heim moved to Juniata County, on a parcel of ground on the old turnpike-road, about two miles east of Mifflintown. He
sea are discovered. 7. The general remoulding of our globe took place in the following order : a. On the first day a powerful wind dispersed the dense vapors so that the rays of the sun could break and shine through them. The earth or globe was lightened, and therefore the alternate change of day and night began. b. On the second day still more vapors from the water ascended as clouds. Thus the atmosphere was formed, verse 6-10. c. On the third day the remaining waters on the globe sought their level, and from them dry land came forth. As the sun had since the first day warmed the earth, vege- tation was now brought forth. d. On the fourth day the ascended vapors had been so much dispersed that the sun, moon and stars could again be clearly seen. e. On the fifth day living creatures moved in the sea and in the air. f. On the sixth day the dry land was ready for all beasts-man last. 8. The days were either time-periods or natural days-the latter is the safest opi- nion." This may serve as a specimen of Rev. Walter's method of teaching. Of course verbal enlargements were made on each topic presented.
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entered on the discharge of his ministerial labors without delay. On the 18th of June, ten days after he had received license, he preached near New Buffalo in the forenoon, and at Liverpool in the afternoon of the same day ; on the 19th, he preached the first time at St. Michael's in Pfoutz's Valley and at Nieman's or St. John's Church; on the 26th, he preached for the first time in Tuscarora Valley (Rice's Church) near Perryville and at St. Mary's Church at Mifflintown ; and on the 3d of July, he preached the first time in Decatur Township at Straub's Church, about six miles northeast of Lewistown, and in the afternoon of the same day at Lewistown. These eight congregations-three in Perry County, one in Snyder, two in Juniata, and two in Mifflin, -constituted his regular charge, and he preached to each congre- gation once every four weeks. We should think he had more than enough to do to supply this extended field of labor ; but we find that he added, from time to time, other congregations to his charge. Thus, on the 10th of September, 1814, he says : "I preached in Sherman's Valley from Matt. 16 : 24." This was probably at Bloomfield, and only on a visit. He preached also occasionally at what he calls "Stollenberger's School-house," some- where in the vicinity of Liverpool, and also at Snow's Church in Snyder County. He says : "On the 18th of June, 1815, I preached for the first time at Lebanon Church (at Loysville) from Matt. 9 : 13," and " on the evening of the 22d of Decem- ber, the same year, at Thompsontown, from Eph. 5 : 14."' On the 23d of May, 1816, he laid the corner-stone of Zion Church at Blain, and then preached also regularly there. Afterwards, in 1817, he added also to his charge St. Peter's Church in Spring Township and Christ's Church at Bloomfield. Thus his charge now embraced all Mifflin County, all Juniata, and all Perry, ex- cepting Mount Zion Church on Fishing Creek; and from 1818 to 1828, he had upwards of eighteen preaching-places to supply, some twelve of which were regularly organized congregations, and from thirty to forty miles apart.
At the convention of Synod in June, 1819, at Baltimore, Rev. Heim received ordination. With patient perseverance and untir-
*
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ing zeal, he prosecuted from year to year the great and glorious mission his blessed Master had assigned him.
In the spring of 1828, he ceased to preach at Lewistown and in Decatur Township, and moved from Juniata County to Loys- ville, Perry County, where the congregations had bought a par- sonage and about fifteen acres of land for the pastor's use. Some years after this, he bought a farm on Sherman's Creek, about two miles south of Loysville, on which he erected a large grist-mill. This enterprise resulted in great pecuniary loss to him, though he did not allow it to interfere in the discharge of his ministerial duties. Experience taught him that two things cannot be at- tended to at the same time without loss in one or the other. So he let his mill-property suffer, and gave himself to preaching Jesus to perishing sinners.
In 1833, he resigned the congregations on the northeast of the Juniata River in order that the Liverpool charge might be formed, and in 1835, at the request of Synod, he gave up the congrega- tions he had hitherto served in Juniata County, so that his labors were hereafter confined to the congregations southwest of the Ju- niata in Perry County, namely, Blain, Loysville, St. Peter's, St. Andrew's (Shuman's), Bloomfield, and Fishing Creek. These six congregations, we should think, would certainly demand all his time and pastoral care ; but not so,-in 1840, he added to them St. John's (Bealor's), and in 1842 Ludolph's (Germany) Church, and visited occasionally a number of preaching-stations. These eight congregations he then retained and served faithfully till his Lord and Master said, " Well done, thou good and faith- ful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
In February, 1848, Father Heim sustained a severe loss in the death of his beloved wife, who had so long shared with him in all the changes of life, and upon whom, in his almost constant ab- sence from home, devolved the care of the family. This bereave- ment afflicted him sorely and preyed much on his mind, especially as he was himself feeling the weight of years gathering fast upon him. His companion was no more, and he became restless, be- cause he felt lonely. He, however, submitted his will to the
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will of his Heavenly Father, and waited patiently till his change should come. He labored to the last, knowing that his labors would soon cease on earth forever. Thus death found him occu- pying the post the Lord had assigned him. On Sunday, the 16th of December, 1849, he preached his last sermon. His subject was a fit one-The Sanctification of the Sabbath-with which to close the labors of life, and the discourse, it is said, was an able one. A few days after this, he set out to attend a funeral ; but on his way going, he became sick and was with difficulty per- suaded to return. He, however, returned home, and soon after took his bed, from which he arose no more. His disease was typhoid fever. He was conscious of the approach of death ; but he did not fear, and was ready and anxiously waiting to depart. He was patient amid all his suffering, resigned himself wholly to the will of his Heavenly Father, found rich consolation in the promises of God's word, had a sure hope of life eternal by faith in the atonement of the blessed Redeemer, and thus he calmly and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, on Thursday evening at about 9 o'clock, the 27th of December, 1849.
On Saturday, the 29th, a great multitude of people assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the remains of their aged pastor. They mourned as children for their departed father. His body was conveyed to the old church and placed in front of the pulpit, from which, for more than thirty-four years, he had preached the glorious Gospel of the Son of God. The Rev. Jacob Martin opened the funeral services in the English language, by preaching a suitable sermon from Heb. 15 : 7, 8. The Rev. C. H. Lein- bach, of the German Reformed Church, then delivered a discourse in the German language from 1 Pet. 5 : 4. As all the people assembled could not be accommodated in the church, Rev. D. Gans withdrew with some of them to the school-house and ad- dressed them there. When these services had come to an end, the remains of Father Heim were committed to the earth by the side of the grave of his wife. Long will the dcar people to whom he preached remember Father Heim. Soon after a suitable stone
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was erected, marking his resting-place near the gate of the grave- yard, and bearing the following inscription :
what I
Therefore
say unto
be ye
HOLY
you, I say
also ready.
BIBLE.
unto all,
And
Watch.
In Memory of The Reverend John William Heim, who was born August 8th, 1782, Died Dec. 27th, 1849, Aged 67 years, 4 mos. and 19 days. The deceased was Pastor of the Lutheran congregations connected with the Lebanon Church for upwards of 32 years .*
The tombstone erected over the grave of Mrs. Heim, bears the following inscription in the German language :
Hier Ruhen die gebeine von Catharina, Ehe Frau von dem Ehrw. J. W. Heim. Sie war geboren den 3ten März, 1780, und Starb Februar 11ten, 1848, Alter 67 Jahr, 11 Monat und 8 Tag.
* Having taken charge of Lebanon Church in June, 1815, as his journal and the minutes of Synod most clearly show, Rev. Heim was pastor of the Lebanon Church, not 32 years as stated on his tombstone, but 34 years and about 6 months.
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The following statistics of Father Heim's official ministerial acts were collected by the Rev. Jacob Martin : "During his long ministerial life of 35 years and about 6 months, Rev. Father Heim was instrumental in collecting and organizing 10 congregations. He baptized 6456 infants and 132 adults ; confirmed 1831 cate- chumens, and attended 1017 funerals."*
It yet remains for us to state some of the more prominent traits of Father Heim's character. And here we may be brief, much having been already said respecting him in the foregoing pages.
1. His personal appearance. He was of somewhat more than medium stature, compactly built, had a full chest and was broad across the shoulders, walked erect, and was possessed of great muscular power, and in every way calculated to endure a great amount of labor and exposure. He had an athletic constitution, enjoyed general good health, was active and full of vigor, and his energy seemed to continue unabated to the end of life, and few men exceeded him in physical strength. When advanced in years, he stooped somewhat when he walked, but was active and showed few signs of declining strength or loss of vigor. His features were expressive and his complexion was fair; and he was genial, and sincerity and goodwill beamed from his piercing eye. His hair hung loosely over his forehead, and in his old age was white as snow, adding much to his venerable appearance in
the pulpit and out of it. He loved his tobacco-pipe dearly, and was a good marksman. His faithful dog invariably accompanied him wherever he went. In his dress he was simple and plain, and the only thing that distinguished him as a clergyman, whether in the pulpit or out of it, was a white cravat and a black coat, the latter of which was by no means and at all times the finest- not always broadcloth, but sometimes homespun. Withal this, his appearance was neat, and inspired respect, and his simplicity, honesty and Christian spirit won the esteem and admiration of all who made his acquaintance.
2. His mental endowments. With regard to these we can say
See Lutheran Observer, January 18th, 1850.
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but little, having no means whereby to form an opinion. We presume, however, that he was blessed with a good mind, well balanced, and of great energy. To this presumption we are led by the fact, that for so many years he controlled, held together, built up, and satisfied the varied wants of so many and remote congregations. Of his literary attainments we may say, that he read the Latin and Greek languages, and also perhaps the He- brew. But, as an active pastor of a large charge, he could, from the nature of the case, bestow little attention on the classics. He was practical, and studied to practice. He was, however, the patron of education, and would never consent to ignorance in the ministry, being himself educated in all the departments of know- ledge essential to a pastor's highest degree of usefulness.
3. His courage and intrepidity. It is said that David Lewis, the robber, at a time lay in wait for him on Tuscarora Mountain. When Rev. Heim, then in his prime, passed slowly along and observed Lewis approaching him, he said, " By God's help, I am your match," and so saying he also demonstrated his ability to meet his foe. Lewis eyed him, fell back, and permitted Mr. Heim to proceed without molestation. He frequently swam his horse at night across the Juniata, when the river was boisterous and overflowed its banks. He travelled often by night over mountains and through dismal forests; but was never known to express fear of anything living or dead. To reach an appoint- ment, he never turned from the direct road on account of high water, mountain, or any other threatening danger. But with all his bravery, he was not reckless. His language was : " If God wants me there, I must be there in time ; but to be there in time, I must take the nearest road, though that road lead through water or fire. God will protect me, as he did Jonah and the three Hebrew children."
4. His punctuality. He was remarkable for punctually fulfil- ling his engagements. It is not known that he ever failed to fill his preaching appointments, and he was always sure to be on the ground at the set time. When his forenoon and afternoon ap- pointments were from ten to twelve miles apart, he seldom or
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never stopped to eat a regular meal. He usually, in such case, carried a crust of bread in his pocket, and on horseback ate what he carried. And then, no matter whether it was warm or cold, wet or dry, or whether he had waters or mountains to pass, he pressed forward, and lo ! at the appointed time he made his ap- pearance. During his ministry of more than thirty-five years, he was but once absent from the annual convention of Synod, and that was in 1840, when Synod convened at Pittsburg, Pa., and when he was sixty years old. What a reproof this to some of our present generation of ministers ! Though Synod convened in Philadelphia, Reading, Baltimore, Frederick, Md., in short, no matter where it met or how far off, Father- Heim was there in good time. And then, be it remembered, he travelled all on horseback, and to go to and return from Synod in this slow way took sometimes from two to three weeks. To attend Synod in those days was, we should think, an item of no mean importance in a minister's life. Rev. Heim, we are told, never owned or travelled in any sort of conveyance; but, on the contrary, he always kept one of the best of horses, and that for the best of reasons. Though he enjoyed not the easy and expeditious means of travelling we do, he was nevertheless more punctual in fulfil- ling his engagements than most of us are to meet ours.
5. His great self-denial and excessive labor. It is perhaps impossible to convey in words an adequate idea of the self-denial he endured, and of the real amount of labor he performed. His field of labor at one time and for fifteen years embraced an area of not less than fifty miles from north to south and thirty from east to west, having the North Mountain on the south and Jack's Mountain on the north, the line of Union County and the Susque- hanna River on the east, and the line of Huntingdon County, Shade Gap, and Round Top on the west. The Juniata rolls its blue waters through the centre of this area from the northwest to the southeast, and at right angles cuts through a number of mountains, which range from the northeast to the southwest. This field which he supplied alone, is now occupied by sixteen ministers. He preached regularly at about eighteen different
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places. In following his appointments over this extended territory, he was often from home from three to four weeks at a time, preaching the Gospel, and penetrating into the dark forest and mountain spur to speak to the destitute the word of eternal life. His family, not hearing of him for so long a time, was often thrown into deep distress on account of him, and knew not where to seek or find him. He was so venture- some, and regardless of danger, that when he thought duty called him, then no persuasion would restrain him. In winter, in cold and through deep snow, he pressed his way over streams and mountains, through dismal forests and deep valleys. Frequently did he swim his horse at night across the Juniata when high and overflowing its banks. At that time the river was not bridged, and to reach his appointments he was obliged to cross and re-cross it frequently. Often did he carry with him a long pole with which to push away the floating ice and driftwood, and thus enable his horse to swim the stream without obstruction ; some- times, when the river was frozen, he led his horse, and, with a pole in his hand, struck the ice as he proceeded in order to ascer_ tain its strength. Once, as he used to relate, his horse became entangled in the rushing stream and threw him. Then, said he, " I was truly in danger; but by the help of God, I caught hold of the tail of my horse, and the poor beast, apparently knowing my perilous condition, struggled hard, and landed me safely on the shore." He suffered much from exposure to wet and cold. He used to say, " The colder it is, the faster I ride." This was philosophical. Once, in crossing Tuscarora Mountain at Ickes- burg, he found the cold hand of death steal gradually over his frame. Arousing himself from the stupor into which he had fallen, he afterwards said, "I then called to mind that this stupor was a bad sign. I threw myself instantly out of my saddle, and commenced to shake the snow off the limbs that hung over and closed the path. Thus I worked my way down the moun- tain, past Quillen's Rock, and then only became aware how near eternity I had been." Nothing, so far as his will was concerned, prevented him from reaching his appointments in time. Hence, he is said to have travelled so much at night. No matter at what
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hour at night he was called upon to preach a funeral sermon, perhaps, twenty miles off, he was instantly up, got ready, and commenced the nightly journey in order to reach the house of mourning in good time. The facilities for travelling were not then what they are now. He did all his travelling on horseback. Then the streams were not bridged, and the roads were not graded, thrown up, and piked. How Father Heim was able to reach all his appointments, or how he could endure all the labor and hardship to which he was subjected, we know not. Sure we are that he must have had an almost iron constitution, and vigor and strength not equalled by many, if any, of our present race of ministers. Eternity will only fully disclose what Father Heim, in the discharge of his ministerial duties, suffered and endured, not only from the elements and incessant labors, but also from wicked, faithless, and ungrateful men, so that he could with no small degree of propriety adopt the language of St. Paul : " In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren ; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings „often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and naked- ness. Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." (2 Cor. 26-28.) " But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20 : 24.)
6. His deep interest in the benevolent operations of the Church. The cause of missions and beneficiary education lay near his heart. He preached frequently on these subjects. And annually he paid over at Synod a comparatively large amount of money to support these causes, and from his own pocket he advanced at different times respectable sums. The American Tract and Bible eauses also enlisted his hearty co-operation. For years he was one of the managers of the Perry County Bible Society. Against the vice of drunkenness he preached often and with great energy, and for so doing received the maledietions of many who ought to
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have blessed him for his efforts to reform them. He preached in all his pulpits on the advantages of Sabbath-schools, and from his annual reports at Synod we learn that he established one wherever he preached. There was not a good cause that did not receive his cordial support.
7. His efforts in behalf of education. Having in his young days taught school, he always took a deep interest in the pros- perity of schools, and visited them wherever and as often as he could. He says : "On the 3d of February, 1817, I visited the school at Lebanon Church, and was forcibly reminded of the fact that in a teacher of children great patience and perseverance are required." His idea was that the school should serve as a nursery of the church. Hence, he sought to establish congrega- tional schools, in which the children were to receive instruction in the Catechism and be trained in piety. This was an excellent idea, and he carried it out to some extent. Would that such a system of schools prevailed yet ! These schools he visited regu- larly and examined the pupils. Afterwards, when the public system of common schools was introduced, he visited them still, but ceased to make his influence so prominently felt,-the schools were in a great measure taken out of his hands. In 1825, he was chosen one of the first directors of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., and in May, 1831, was present at and took part in the solemnities connected with the laying of the corner- stone of the Seminary edifice. For this Institution he collected and aided in collecting many hundreds of dollars in his charge. He was also elected one of the first directors of Pennsylvania College at the same place. For both these institutions of the Church he did what he could, and induced a number of young men from Perry County to prosecute their studies there.
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