USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
8. His ability as a catechist. Having in the earlier part of his life taught school for a number of years, he possessed superior excellence as an expounder of the Catechism. His constant aim was to not merely inform the understanding, but also to impress and affect the heart by the truths he taught. He spared no pains to convey clearly to the minds of his catechumens the great
357
CHAPTER VII.
and solemn truths of the Christian system of doctrine as developed in the Catechism. His custom was, for some time, to meet a elass once every two or three weeks, and assign a large portion of the Catechism to be committed to memory. The one that could re- peat that portion best, took his seat at the head of the class. Afterwards he met his catechumens twice every day for a week or two before confirmation. The whole Catechism was committed to memory, together with a large number of proof passages from the Scriptures. He made sueh explanations as seemed to him to be required in order to a clear understanding of a subject by the catechumens. Much time was also devoted to singing and prayer. Thus, whilst bathed in tears himself, his catechumens were not unfrequently led to see their sins, and with tears to ask, " What must we do to be saved ?" No one can in truth say that Father Heim did not discharge his duty towards his catechuniens. If any of them continued to pursue a course of sin, it was their own fault, and not because he did not warn them or teach them aright. He did his utmost to save their souls from death. And, blessed be God, his labor was not in vain. There are still many among us who thank the Lord for what their aged pastor taught them, and who, through his instrumentality, were led to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He sowed the divine seed of the word of life, that still springs up and will bear fruit unto salva- tion long hereafter. Some, it is true, have forgotten his words of love and turned their baeks against his tears and prayers ; but they have done so to their own hurt and shame. Would to God such had but a tithe of the piety and Christian consisteney their aged, but now sainted, pastor had ! Father Heim! who is there that does not revere his memory now? He, a man of God, ex- cellent almost beyond comparison in all that constitutes a Christian and minister of the Gospel !
9. His ability as a preacher. As a preacher Father Heim was certainly not inferior, as is evinced most clearly by the fact that for more than thirty-five years he maintained his hold on the affections of the same people. His sermons were usually about forty minutes long, and sometimes he delivered them with great
358
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
power and effect. They were eminently Scriptural and practical. His voice was strong and clear, but his delivery was rather slow and drawling. He usually had a short sketch or skeleton of his ser- mon before him when he preached; but he never read his sermons from a manuscript, though he wrote many. Unfortunately they are all lost. He attempted only once or twice to preach in the English language, but not succeeding to his satisfaction he tried it no more. And strange and inconsistent as it may seem, he frequently imparted instruction to catechumens in the English language, whilst at the same time he set his face against the in- troduction of preaching in that language. This was one of the greatest errors he committed as a pastor. But it is human to err ; and whilst his judgment was at fault, his opposition to English preaching no doubt arose from a desire to do what he conceived to be right.
10. His mode of conducting worship. Father Heim observed the utmost simplicity in conducting religious exercises. He was never known to make use of a liturgy, except on sacramental occasions, and would have disdained the wearing of a so-called clerical robe in the pulpit. With regard to the gown, he would have said, as he did to one of his kind members who offered him the use of a worn-out umbrella, "Why, brother John, this um- brella will not protect me against rain, cold, or heat,-it is of no use to me." "Yes, yes, I know what you need most," said friend John ; "here is my drab-colored overcoat, with three shoulder mantles and a red fox-skin covering the collar." "That is the very thing I need most just now," replied the well-pleased pastor. And, truly, to him a good overcoat, however coarse and homely, was of far more importance than a broken umbrella or a silken gown,-these were of no use to him. As his preaching and mode of worship, so his dress was, simple and becoming a minister of the Gospel of Jesus. And when we remember the circumstances that must have continually surrounded him in the performance of official duties, we need not wonder that he dispensed with al- most every vestige of form and ceremony. He was fond of music, and in divine worship generally led the singing himself. He
359
CHAPTER VII.
preached often at night, and held prayer-meetings at school-houses and private dwellings, and in this direction his labors were fre- quently blessed with the happiest results. He never opposed genuine revivals of religion; but when properly conducted, he most cordially approved of them and promoted them. It is true, however, that he set his face, and justly, too, against those bastard excitements gotten up by foreign elements,-elements that de- spised knowledge and gloried in deriding the Catechism and cate- chetical instruction. Fanaticism said sometimes hard things of him-that he had no religion, &c.,-but Father Heim was not to be driven from stern duty by such unholy means. He knew that fanaticism was not religion, and was not to be ensnared by its high pretences. He suffered much from this uncontrollable spirit, from men who professed perfection in holiness, but possessed not even the appearance of the love, piety, consistency, and godly sincerity, which characterized him so strikingly. He lived his religion; and his godly life will ever give a stern rebuke to all the infamous slanders which wicked and yet rampant fanatical religionists can utter against him. On the other hand, formalism, that dead carcass of undying souls, realized under his faithful and pungent preaching a melting leaven in the truth. He classed the formalist and openly wicked under one head, and in a manner peculiar to himself, showed them that they travelled the same broad road. His words bore down at times with such crushing weight, that persons gave up all hope-deep darkness covered them and horror seized their souls. To such he would say: "Behold, the lamb of God." Oh, how he wept and prayed with and for the anxious souls of his people ! He used to say, "I must show you sin and hell before you will see your danger; but seeing what you are and where you are, I will then with joy point you to Jesus and heaven, for now you will believe what I say." Some- times when viewing his hearers, he would cry out from the depth of his heart, amid tears and in great agony of soul: "O my people ! O my people ! what can I do more for you than I have done. I have set before you life and death, heaven and hell. How will you appear before God in judgment ! I fear, O I fear,
360
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
some of you are yet in the broad way to hell. Let me call upon you once more to turn. I mean it well with you. I love your soul, and have often wept and prayed for it. O hear me then ! Turn, O turn, why will you die. Jesus will receive you if you come to him; but wait not, lest you lift your eyes in hell before- to-morrow's sun shall rise. I warn you for your soul's sake, for God's sake, for Jesus the dear Redeemer's sake, to flee the wrath to come ! Flee quickly, save your soul, and may God help you. I feel for you, must give an account for you. O, my God, what can I do more than I have done for you !" Here he would fold his hands, and burst out in a flood of tears under deep emotion. His head all white, his frame shaking, and his face furrowed with age and suffused with tears. Hard was the heart that did not break, and dry indeed the eyes that did not weep.
11. His doctrinal views. Luther's Catechism, as published in this country with additions, was his guide in preaching and cate- chizing. The Augsburg Confession, in the words of the General Synod, he received as a substantially correct exhibition of the fundamental doctrines of the word of God. We learn from those who knew him best, that he claimed liberty for himself and gave liberty to others on matters not fundamental; but, at the same time, he would not fellowship with any one who was unsound in his faith on any of the cardinal doctrines of religion as held by the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States. He was certainly orthodox in his religious belief. He was an unswerving friend and advocate of the General Synod and its doctrinal basis. He was chairman, in 1829, of the committee appointed to revise the Constitution of the General Synod, and also aided in preparing the Constitution for district Synods, and in revising the Catechism. The West Pennsylvania Synod elected him a number of times as its delegate to the General Synod.
12. His personal piety. He was a man of prayer, humble, consistent in his walk and conversation, full of faith and love, serving God with fear and doing good with joy. He was always dignified and yet always easy of access to the humblest, commu-
361
CHAPTER VII.
nicative, and yet never known to trifle. Jesus was his all; in him he lived, in him he died, and now with him he reigns and shines in glory bright.
" Now he resides where Jesus is, Above this dusky sphere ; His soul was ripen'd for that bliss, While yet he sojourn'd here. The Church's loss we all deplore, And shed the falling tear, Since we shall see his face no more, Till Jesus shall appear."
31
362
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
CHAPTER VIII.
GENIUS OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN PERRY COUNTY.
HAVING given a sketch of the history of each congregation as well as of the chief features of the life of Rev. Father Heim, we would yet add an outline of the genius and spirit of the Lutheran Church in Perry County as a whole.
In 1840, twenty-two years ago, there were in the county cight regularly organized Lutheran congregations,-now (June, 1862) there are twenty-five and eight preaching-stations ; then one pas- tor supplied the whole territory in the county with preaching,- now six ministers occupy the field and all have more labor than they can well perform ; then about 650 communicants were re- ported at Synod,-now about 1800 are reported. As some mem- bers are, however, during the year, prevented from coming to the Lord's table on account of age, sickness and other causes, we may put down the number of members, in Perry County, entitled to full communion, at 2200, who are distributed among the six differ- ent charges in about the following proportion :
Blain
charge,
.
450
Loysville
. .
.
450
Bloomfield
600
Petersburg
275
Liverpool
66
in Perry County, 275
Millerstown 66
150
.
The whole number of members at this time entitled to communion, 2200
Besides those who are entitled to communion, we also count our baptized children and youth, who are not yet admitted to the Lord's Supper, as members of the Church. Counting two of these
363
CHAPTER VIII.
to every communicant member, we have at this time in Perry County a Lutheran population of 6600. This estimate, we are sure, is rather too low than too high .*
In 1840, all the congregations worshipped in so-called union- churches, that is, in churches erected and owned conjointly with other denominations ; but now the Lutherans alone own twelve or fifteen in the county. The members and pastors have long since painfully realized the disadvantages and frequent sad effects aris- ing from such misnamed unions, and are therefore unanimously opposed to them wherever they can be prevented. They are con- vinced, by past experience, that it is best for all to erect no more such churches, and that then, when each denomination has its own houses of worship, there will be more cordial union among them, and each will be more useful, not being continually entan- gled in the affairs of another.
In 1840, all the preaching was in the German language; but at present two-thirds of the congregations require German no more at all, and the remaining one-third only one-half or occasionally. From present indications we are led to believe that before many years not a Lutheran congregation will need preaching in the German language. It is ten or twelve years since this language has ceased to be taught in our common-schools, and as the aged pass away, and the youth who know only the English take their place, the use of the German language must necessarily and be- fore long be among the things that were.
All the congregations take a deep and active interest in the various benevolent operations of the Church. The cause of bene-
* For the information of the members and all who may desire knowledge on the subject, we will subjoin the following estimate of the Lutheran popu- lation in the world : Sweden, 3,000,000 ; Norway, 1,500,000 ; Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Jutland and Greenland, 2,000,000; France, 500,000 ; Protest- ant Germany, 25,000,000 ; Prussia, 5,000,000 ; Austria, Hungary, Bohemia and Moravia, 1,500,000 ; Poland and Russia, 2,500,000 ; United States, 1,600,- 000; West India Islands, 100,000 ; Brazil, 100,000; South American States, 50,000 ; New South Wales, 5,000 ; Nova Scotia and the Canadas, 10,000 ; Holland, 600,000 ; England, 40,000 ; Italy, 500; Turkey in Europe, 15,000 ; Hindoostan, 10,000 .- Total, 43,530,500.
·
364
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
ficiary education, of Home and Foreign Missions, of Temperance, also of the Bible and Tract Societies, and all other causes that tend to extend the Redeemer's kingdom, receive their cordial co- operation and material aid.
Every congregation has its Sunday-school in successful opera- tion, and the cause of education in general receives encourage- ment and active support from all the churches. Of late years, especially, have education and intelligence made rapid progress, and we are happy to believe that on these points the Lutheran population of Perry County will, on the whole, bear a favorable comparison with any other community in this part of the State. To verify this, we need but recur to a few facts. About six years ago, the late Col. John Tressler, prompted by a laudable desire to promote education, erected at his own expense at Loysville a spa- cious and convenient edifice, where an Academy of the first order was opened and has since been deservedly well patronized. This excellent institution has done and is now doing a good work in that community. Besides this Academy, five or six other high schools, in different parts of the county, are largely patronized by the members, whose children receive at these institutions of learn- ing a liberal education. The following members of the Church in the county have graduated with honor at Pennsylvania Col- lege, Gettysburg : J. Andrew Tressler, Josiah R. Titzel, John M. Rice, David L. Tressler, J. R. Williams and Andrew T. Kistler ; Victor G. Tressler, Rudolphus J. Heim, David Elliot, John W. Tressler and John Kistler, pursued a pretty full course at the same College, and J. T. L. Sahm, Lemuel O. Foose and D. L. Mckenzie are there now. The following, from this county, have entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church : Revs. David Smith, John W. Tressler, John M. Rice, John Kistler and Michael G. Earhart, all of whom are now laboring successfully in the vine- yard of the Lord, and the following are now prosecuting their theo- logical studies with a view to the ministry : J. R. Williams and A. T. Kistler at the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and John G. Breininger in the theological department of the Mis- sionary Institute at Selinsgrove, Pa. This representation speaks
365
CHAPTER VIII.
well; but we sincerely hope that it is only the beginning of a glorious educational career in the Church of this county. With the introduction of preaching in the English language, ten or fifteen years ago, a new era on the subject of education com- menced. Of late years the members have evinced an unusual degree of interest in this noble cause, and we may cherish the pleasing hope that they will illustrate in Perry County the well- known fact, that the Lutheran Church is an educating and edu- cated Church. Her admirable system of catechetical instruction plays no small part in advancing education. The members in this county, especially the English-speaking portion of them, are a reading people, and secure and study the literature of their own Church, to which they are sincerely attached ; they are active, in- telligent, and go forward in every good cause; they receive the Lutheran Observer as their weekly adviser in general Church in- telligence ; and most of them have possessed themselves of a good family library of choice religious and miscellaneous literature. The prospects are certainly fair of soon seeing an ample harvest spring from this field of cultivated mind.
Each Lutheran congregation in the county has a weekly prayer- meeting, conducted by the pastor, or in his absence by a member of the Church-Council. These religious meetings for mutual edi- fication are generally well attended by the members, and we think there are few, if any, of the male members who would not lead in prayer at these meetings when requested so to do. During these exercises, in addition to the singing of hymns and the offering of prayer, a portion of God's word is read, which the pastor, if pre- sent, expounds. Most of them have also daily family-worship, conducted by the head of the household; and if any neglect this Christian duty, they are by the Church considered as remiss and subject to admonition and reproof by the Church-Council. Pa- rents are expected and required to teach their children the doc- trines of our holy religion as set forth in the Catechism.
Each pastor is expected, as often as possible, to meet the youth of his charge for instruction in the Catechism. This duty is, perhaps, nowhere more faithfully and thoroughly performed than
31*
366
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
by the Lutheran pastors in Perry County. The results of this kind of pastoral labor are often most cheering. If properly con- ducted catechization is a blessed means of doing good, and in the very nature of the case there can never be found a substitute for it. The Catechism is not only committed by the catechumens, but the pastor explains, illustrates, and by practical remarks ap- plies and enforces the truths so committed. Considerable time is also devoted to the singing of appropriate hymns and the offer- ing up of prayer to God. These exercises are usually continued for many weeks, and at last daily. During this time it almost in- variably occurs that some or perhaps all of the catechumens are by the truth awakened to a realizing sense of their sins and lost condition, and of their need of a personal and saving interest in the merits of the blood of Jesus Christ. Herc, then, is what may be called a revival. If the religious interest thus commenced ex- tends to others, as is often the case, then the pastor holds what may be called a protracted meeting. The members are exhorted to give themselves to special prayer in their families and closets, more frequent meetings for social prayer are held, at which the awakened persons are expected to attend for instruction and direc- tion. The pastor visits the families in the community where the meeting is held and in progress, prays with them, and admonishcs the careless of their duty and warns the impenitent of their danger. During each day an anxious meeting is held-or, if you prefer the expression, there is catechization,-when the pastor in- structs or advises the awakencd souls. Such meetings are held in the church if the number of the awakened is large; if their number is small, then the pastor visits them in their families, or gives them the needed instruction in the catechetical class, if they are catechumens. The preaching will of course be adapted to the occasion. The great object will be to humble the sinner by show- ing him what he is and to what he is exposed ; to point him to the only refuge, to teach him that the only condition on which he can be saved is the exercise of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to urge him to accept of the prof- fered salvation now. Those, then, who have been so instructed,
-
367
CHAPTER VIII.
who have intelligent views of the plan of salvation, and who give satisfactory evidence of having been born again by the Holy Ghost, are admitted to full communion by the solemn rite of confirmation. During such protracted meetings no unnecessary noise or any kind of confusion and disorder are encouraged or tolerated. Our pas- tors and members know that religion is not wild fanaticism on the one hand, nor dead formalism on the other. Hence, they preach with all earnestness, the absolute necessity of a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Ghost, and of good works as evidence of such a change. Protracted meetings, so conducted, have in this county been blessed with the most cheering and glorious re- sults. May the Lord multiply them, and fill the earth with His glory !
In their public worship, the congregations observe a Scriptural simplicity, studiously avoiding everything that would divert at- tention from the Cross of Christ. For the sake of uniformity in worship, and as a guide in the administration of the ordinances of · God's house, the Liturgy of the General Synod is used on sacramen- tal occasions, and on no other. The pastors have hitherto followed the example of Father Heim, decking themselves, not with gowns, but raiment becoming ministers of the Gospel and the house of God, and anxiously seeking, not to attract attention to them- selves, but to direct all attention to the blessed Gospel of the adorable Son of God. So may they continue to do !
All the congregations in the county have adopted the Formula of the General Synod, appended to the Lutheran Hymn-Book, as their rule for government and discipline, or a constitution in full harmony therewith.
As to their doctrinal position, the Catechism is the guide in the impartation of family and catechetical instruction. In addition to this, the pastors and congregations unanimously believe with the General Synod and the Synod of Central Pennsylvania : " 1. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 2. That the following fundamental doctrines of the Word of God are correctly taught in the doctrinal articles of the Augsburg
368
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Confession, viz., The existence of one God,-the Trinity of the Godhead,-the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ,-the universal depravity of man,-the Savior's vicarious sufferings and death, -- the justification of the sinner by faith in the Son of God,-the necessity of the Holy Spirit to regenerate and sanctify the soul,- the one Holy Catholic (or universal) Church,-the divine institu- tion of the Ministry, and of the sacraments of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper,-the necessity of repentance and good works,- the return of Christ to judge the world in righteousness,-the resurrection of the dead,-the everlasting blessedness of the right- eous, and the eternal punishment of the wicked."
The above is a brief summary of the doctrines every one must cordially believe that would be a member of the Church. It is a good, a Scriptural confession. And whilst Lutherans glory in their inheritance, and would not part with it, they are at the same time ever disposed to fraternize and co-operate with all other evangelical denominations in the promotion and advancement of the Redcemer's kingdom among men.
369
CONCLUSION.
CONCLUSION.
I HAVE now finished my task. The history of the Lutheran Church in Perry County is now before the reader. From the earliest stages of her rise and progress to the present time we have followed her with patient interest and marked her gradual growth and various operations with delight. The small cloud that rose between the mountains nearly a century ago, now covers the heavens,- the feeble vine that was planted in the wilderness has thrown out its branches, and now occupies the land from mountain to mountain. From the past we look hopefully into the future. Much has been done; much remains to be done. But the great Head of the Church lives, and she shall live and prosper. He guided her thus far, and will guide her safely and triumphantly to the haven of rest eternal in heaven. If she is true to Christ and her mission, her future career will exceed in glory her past history. May the Lord Jesus baptize with the Holy Ghost her ministry and laity. May she rise and shine, her light come, and the glory of the Lord rise upon her !
"I love thy Zion, Lord, The house of thine abode ; The Church, O blest Redeemer, sav'd With thine own precious blood. I love thy Church, O God ! Her walls before thee stand, Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand. If e'er to bless thy sons My voice or hands deny, These hands let useful skill forsake, This voice in silence die.
370
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
If e'er my heart forget Her welfare or her woe, Let ev ry joy this heart forsake, And ev'ry grief o'erflow. For her my tears shall fall ; For her my pray'rs ascend ; To her my cares and toils be giv'n, Till toils and cares shall end. Beyond my highest joy I prize her heav'nly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise."
THE END.
4140
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.