USA > Pennsylvania > York County > Memorial of the Fiftieth Year, 1836-1886, St Paul's English Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 2
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" We all within our graves shall sleep, A hundred years to come ; No living soul for us will weep, A hundred years to come, But other men our land will till, And others then our streets will fill, And other birds will sing as gay, And bright the sun shine as to-day, A hundred years to come."
SERMON BY REV. JONATHAN OSWALD, D. D.
" Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." I Sam. vii. 12.
" Alleluia : for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Rev. xix. 6.
FRIENDS, MEN, AND BRETHREN : This is the Semi-Centennial of St. Paul's English Evangelical Lutheran Church in York, Pa. The older Evangelical Protestant churches in our town, preceded us by many years, and whether we have been worthy co-laborers with them in the Master's vineyard or not, we commit to their impartial and friendly decision. We think that " the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad " this day, and have much reason to rejoice ; and, moreover, it is manifestly true also that "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy," and "he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
I was repeatedly requested and solicited to speak on this interesting and important occasion-interesting to the members of this congregation -interesting and important to all intelligent Lutherans in this commu- nity, indeed both here and elsewhere, since it is not only commemorative of that which the fathers here have wrought, but also of an era in our own branch of the Christian Church in this place, or intimately allied with it, i. e., closely connected with the time when it was decided whether we should have a respectable future here, or perhaps any future at all worthy of the great name of the Lutheran church. I, at all events, am thankful and glad this day, that I remained in this town and fought it out on the line of duty, not only for one, but for many years, so that when our great High Priest shall come and wave his consecrating hand over Nature's length and breadth, this shall not only constitute a part of the territory of
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which it is said " I saw no temple therein ; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it," but the arena also of joyful memories of duty done, of contest and of victory.
The Lutherans in Pennsylvania are generally Germanic in origin, and inasmuch as the language of the country is English we must needs also ultimately become an English speaking church, or utterly fail ecclesiasti- cally in this western land.
Not to dwell particularly on our Lutheran church or congregations in other portions of our common country, suffice it to say, they have all had their season of transition from some language to the English like our- selves, or they have it now, or may expect to have it in the future sooner or later, or perish. But the way of all is now made plain and compara- tively easy by the example of those who have gone before them, by the experience and success of the Lutherans of the Eastern and older states.
We might say that every denomination, or perhaps rather every church, has her peculiar battle, and if faithful, her distinctive victory. Our con- flict or battle then fought was a Lutheran Pennsylvania linguistic contest. But inasmuch as Lutherans never persecute unto death, no blood was shed, yet was our Ark sometimes so shaken that there was room for apprehend- ing the gravest results. But we nevertheless worked on hoping for the best, although we sometimes asked the question, "will our Lutheran church have a future, not only in Pennsylvania but in America?" It was a time that tried men's souls who understood their position. For purely. English speaking churches the way appeared unobstructed. They had seemingly only to go up and possess the land ; but clouds and darkness rested on our way, protesting voices were heard all around us, and obstructing elements filled our path before us with unceasing contest or battle.
The era of transition from the German to the English language was a
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great trial to many of our Lutherans in Pennsylvania. Not to the truly enlightened indeed, who knew something of the glory of their ancestry, whether national, intellectual, literary, ecclesiastical or even military. In our history (not to the exclusion of others indeed) the true church of Jesus Christ may be clearly traced, by the separation from the world of many of our members, by the holiness of our ministers and faithful ones, by the glory of our principles, by their blood shed rather than abjure their precious faith, and by their bones also which bleached on or were buried in many a battle-field, thus bequeathing to us, their unworthy but honored successors, our blood-bought privileges. The long and bloody wars which the Teuton Protestants (chiefly Lutheran) were obliged to wage, for the noble purpose of rescuing the Protestants of the German empire from the tyranny of the Catholic house of Austria, were terrible and desolating to the Fatherland. The battles which they fought were most sanguinary. At Lutzen, Nov. 16, 1634, where Gustavus Adolphus, the great Lutheran King and General, fell in the moment of victory, it is said whole regiments, which, kneeling down sang praises to God in the morning, lay dead and silent in the evening, on the field where they fought during the day. The victories they achieved over the enemies of Protes- tantism, were great and the results lasting and most glorious.
The transition period before referred to was also not very trying to very ignorant Lutherans in this State, for such neither understood nor cared for any of these things. But we may readily imagine it was far other- wise with the bigoted, who, having read the words in the German version of the sacred Scriptures " Adam wo bist du?" concluded hence that the language of the Almighty Himself was German, and therefore a language not to be lightly esteemed or abandoned under any circumstances. To the semi-intelligent or half Americanized in language, the trial was great also; and for a time losses were considerable, especially in our older cities
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and settlements which were first affected by the change of language, and rendered still more disastrous by the mistaken policy of some of our predecessors in refusing English preaching, and also by the fear which silly or unwise Lutherans entertained, lest by their adherence to their paternal church, they should be confounded or classified with the "Dumb Dutch;" not knowing that Lutherans, in native talent, thorough educa- tion, and high civilization are second to none, and that they are of many nationalities and languages. Some of them indeed are Dutch, multitudes are German, French, Swedes, Finns, Danes, Russians, Norwegians, Hun- garians, Indian, and Negro, etc., and many of them have preaching in no other language but the English. But if we have lost members in some places in this state and country, so have other denominations also suffered losses ; and besides we have had our gains, so that we have no reason to complain in this particular ; especially as the troublesome Anglo- Germanic contest is past in this part of our vineyard, and our progress is now rapidly onward and upward, and all around us know, that genuine Lutherans the world over, whatever their language, are on the side of neither the Pope, the Turk, nor the devil, but are for God and His Christ. Some persons of whom we should have expected better things were scanda- lously ignorant of us in this country, even in our day : of this I can bear witness. But there has been an improvement recently in this respect. Men will learn, but it is wonderful how slowly they advance in knowledge. Luther shook the world, and especially the continent of Europe; and yet my own great-grandfather when travelling in the old country, came to a Catholic village, and it was rumored abroad that a Lutheran had visited their place, and the people flocked together to see a Lutheran, having been informed that Lutherans grew and carried tails like any other beast.
I was asked to speak on this occasion. My request, however, was that I be excused and that others occupy your precious time. But my request
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was refused. The reasons assigned for this refusal were, first, That it would be no Semi-Centennial unless I was heard from, and secondly, That I knew more about the history of this church than any one else.
Now the first reason is founded on a mistaken idea, for I assure my friends that fifty years constitute half a century whether I am heard from or not. The second reason I will not ignore, inasmuch as those who might have known as much or more than I know on this subject, have passed away from earth, and as I hope have gone up from this tent of Israel to the habitation of the ransomed and blood-washed hosts. But the fact of my knowing more of the history of this church than any one now living, is the grand reason of my wishing to keep silent. Not that I am ashamed of the history of this church ; far from it, there is nothing in it to be ashamed of, but much to admire. Nevertheless I would rather be silent, inasmuch as my speaking might on the one hand prove an of- fense to some, and on the other some might construe it into boasting-a thing I both despise and hate.
As respects my purely theological training, it is sufficient to say in this place that Rev. B. Kurtz taught me 'Theology for about one year in Ha- gerstown, Md., my native State. Afterwards I read privately at home for about six months, and then finished my theological studies after a three years' course in the Seminary at Gettysburg. Yet in more than half a century spent in studies largely Biblical, I have not advanced far beyond my mother's theological teaching, except in some specialties and techni- calities, seldom used except occasionally in company with theological friends and peers.
In the summer of 1829, the year of my graduation at Gettysburg, I came to York to take charge of the English portion of Christ's Lutheran Church, as the assistant and the associate of Dr. J. G. Schmucker, who preached in the German language, and who was one of the ablest and
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most advanced Evangelical preachers in his day and generation, and whose body I committed to the earth in 1854 in the hope of a glorious resurrection.
How nearly I was connected, in time, with the transition era in our Lutheran Church from the German to the English language, I may be per- mitted by an incident to show. The handsomest (as I thought in my boyhood) man I ever saw, or according to my ideal of manly beauty I ever expect to see prior to the resurrection of the just, and for whose very early death, I witnessed the shedding of bitter tears, appointed English preaching in his large church on a certain occasion, and when he came to fill his appointment, found the door locked, and turned away only say- ing: "Beware that the door of heaven be not shut for thee also some day." This happened west of the South Mountain, about sixty miles from this place. When I came east of the mountain some fourteen or sixteen years afterwards, I was the first Lutheran minister called to an English charge in Pennsylvania, west of the Susquehanna, and at a very small salary. After defraying the expenses of my education, and also aiding in the manumission of some slaves, who in part belonged to me, I had but little left. But salary, much or little, neither perplexed nor an- noyed me in the least degree. I expected that I would always have a sufficiency for my wants and hitherto I have never been disappointed. My views and principles were clearly and freely expressed to a venerable man in a country congregation in which my services were solicited. He said that they were accustomed to give the preacher so much (stating the sum) yearly. I answered that I cared nothing about that, that if I should be pleased with them and they were satisfied with me, they would support me also, and if not, we would better part.
During my somewhat protracted ministry my salary was meagre, my perquisites small in amount. I certainly presented three dollars to those
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.
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ยท more needy than myself for every one dollar which I received as a gift. Nevertheless I met all my obligations ; I wronged no man. As now, I owed no man anything but love. I tried to practice that which I preached, in things financial and temporal as well as in things spiritual and eternal. "How shall I proceed or conduct myself as a stranger in this place, that I may be successful in my calling?" a young man in- quired of me many years ago. I replied, " Keep your tongue in subjec- tion and pay your debts." He followed the advice and success attended him. How it happened that I prospered as well as I did, with my small salary, I scarcely know, except that there was a Providence in it, and I may have been intended to build up Lutheranism in York, which was at that time beginning to show signs of decay, or perhaps rather of disin- tegration, on account of language. The anglicized Lutherans of York were all scattered or scattering. But they all returned when they had English preaching of their own. There was not one missing so far as my information extended. This is an interesting fact which redounds to the honor of the Lutherans of York of that day. I have no recollection just now of any who were fully identified with us and who during my pas- torate permanently left us, but I do know that some of the most useful members here at present may have been looked for and expected else- where.
After the church election of 1835, I informed Dr. Schmucker that I would build a new church, to which he assented. Without this my com- ing to York would have appeared, and would indeed have been a vain thing. Yet as a man of large experience, he might have, and perhaps did, regard my intention and utterance as futile. But friends of the en- terprise arose, and thus our thought and our effort were crowned with success. But our thought, our intention, our friends, and our labors would have availed nothing except for a favoring Providence. As we
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succeeded, and as there is no such thing as chance, our success must have been according to a Providential arrangement, for certain it is that not a hair falls from an old man's head, nor a tear from an infant's eye, that is not under the surveillance of Christ, who wields the mightiest and controls the weakest things to promote His own wise and gracious purposes.
When I came to York, fifty-six years ago the coming summer, for one year only, I was visited about the close of the year by several gentlemen with the request or call to remain another year, and I consented. I was waited on by a delegation at the end of the second year for the same pur- pose, and I again consented to remain, and the same thing occurred for the third time, and I refused to remain any longer, and yet after further and earnest solicitation by other equally responsible parties, and an offer of an increase of salary, I again consented to remain at York for the third time.
Thus it appears I had one call to come to York before I left Gettysburg (the promise I certainly had), or soon after I left and reached home in Maryland, and four successively when I was here, not to come but to re- main in York, as assistant pastor in Christ's church, and all the five calls in less than four years. Surely it was no wonder I came to this place when called, and still less wonder that I remained in the same place after such repeated solicitations or calls, and so it happened that when the "adversaries" endeavored to shut me out they failed, and lo "a great door and effectual was opened unto me," and I continued in this town and labored, until in the progress of years I became so enfeebled by dis- ease, induced somewhat perhaps by work and exposure, that it would have been unwise, inexpedient, and wrong in me to attempt a removal and impose myself on others, and as there was no necessity for it, I was glad to tarry and rest until now, and will be until I enter that better rest which "remaineth for the people of God."
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THE FIFTIETH YEAR.
When I came to this place, I was like the son of David who was destined to build the temple, "young and tender," and without experience also. But as my lot was cast among a diversified people, some of whom were good, kind, considerate, and upright, and some were neither, I soon acquired the necessary experience, and advanced in knowledge, notwith- standing the adverse opinion of one (not a Lutheran) who frequented our services, that I was a clever but a very stupid man. Of course I was not offended. I quarrelled with no one. I led a peaceable life. I was only learning, acquiring experience, growing in knowledge of men and things and I knew that the man entertained a secret respect for me, for unfortu- nate as he was in speech in conversation with many others, I never knew him but once to have occasion to choke off a brief but profane expletive in my presence.
Some may be ready to conclude from the preceding that it was no wonder I remained in York so long, as there was no opposition to me of any consequence, but only solicitations or calls to remain year after year. But wait, when the determined or set time for my ecclesiastical decapita- tion in York had fully come, I had opposition enough to satisfy any reasonable man who might covet that sort of thing-opposition unexpected, secret, high-handed, earnest, and the most undignified and utterly unworthy of any people bearing the Christian name. Some years ago I read that formerly the heathen of Madagascar persecuted the Christian converts in their island to death. Their chief or one of their chief complaints against them was that the Christians would not lie ; and perhaps I might have received more lenient treatment also from some persons in York fifty years ago, if I could have been induced to engage in quarrels but I would have been ashamed to compromise my Christian character by disputes and wranglings.
I have been informed at different times, and by various parties who
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seemed familiar with the fact, that my exclusion from the Lutheran pulpit in this town was all arranged for before I came to York-prior to my first call even. I charge no men or set of men with this crookedness, but will only say that if this report is founded in truth the conduct of those en- gaged in this business was anything but upright or worthy of a Christian people.
Judging from my surroundings, about one-half of the members of Christ's church would have gone with me when I left, I was told more than half ; I was informed that all of the members except twenty-nine of this populous old church voted for me even when they knew that if successful the opposition would take advantage of the charter and ignore my election. Much as I may regret the wrong done to me by some of the old church, yet I love Christ's Lutheran church, the members of which are all so friendly to me now. I took twenty-seven who were in full communion with us when I went out of the old church. But there were some other estimable and useful people who were with us in heart and hand and purse and soon were one with us in all things. "Only preach in the German language also," it was said to me, "and thus and thus would be the re- sult." But I refused, inasmuch as I deemed it inexpedient then, and I still think that it would have been a mistake if I had yielded. You may perhaps wonder at all this, and so have I, especially that the hearts of so many people were inclined to me, and for so many years also, when I am so unworthy, and according to my opportunities have been so unsuccess- ful in my ministry also. But perhaps you might be more surprised if I should tell you that but for the kind intervention of several real friends who assured the Church Council (not St. Paul's) that they would certainly fail, I would have received another call as temporary pastor to the same church from which I went out more than fifty years ago. It has been said that I am not sufficiently appreciated in this place. My own opinion is
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that I am, and perhaps have been, appreciated only too much occasion- ally.
Those who imagine that when I left Christ's church I met with no op- position in our enterprise, are much mistaken. Many were the difficul- ties which the fathers and I met with and overcame, the benefits of which you, the children and successors, now enjoy. As for myself, having out- lived all or nearly all my earliest co-laborers I am glad to meet and wor- ship with you who stand in their place in this beautiful earthly house, hoping to meet with them and you all in that better house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, and join with the united throng in singing the new song (Rev. v. 9), whose theme is atoning blood, its keynote re- deeming love, its harmony the sustained and blended voices of adoring spirits, and the choir the redeemed tenantry of both earth and heaven.
Why the pre-arranged plan before mentioned, for my expulsion from the Lutheran pulpit in York did not wholly succeed I know not, except that God disposes of man's proposals "and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and things which are despised, hath God chosen." (I Cor. i. 28.) With all or nearly all the official congregational authorities stirred up and arrayed against me, when I had done nothing to offend, and when not the shadow of a chance for success in an election was extended to me, nor intended to be by the church officials, I at this remote day, without a particle of ill will towards any, cannot otherwise but regard the whole thing as farcical and cowardly. Humanly speaking, it should have met with entire success. But it failed in the most vital point, that is in getting me out of town, and I can imagine no other reason for its failure but that before assigned. However, whatever may have been the intention of those engaged in the matter of my expulsion from the Lutheran pulpit in this town, it all eventuated for good to me personally and what is of immeasurably
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greater importance in good for the Lutheran church in this community. I went out of one church it is true but the mistake of my opponents, if they intended my annihilation, was to leave me in York at all, to engage in building up another church of greater glory than the first. St. Paul's now is and has been for some years past the most prominent in the Synod of West Pennsylvania, although its founders were stigmatized in my day as " fippennybit " men, whose enterprise would result in a sheriff's sale. The members of this church are now and for years have been called to worship by the costliest bell in town, instead (as one of our op- ponents suggested) of being notified by a horn. When the first house had been built and paid for and had accomplished the purpose of its erection, although much enfeebled by disease, my heart was set on the erection of a new church, a house suitable for the times, and did all I could in the way of encouraging the enterprise, especially too as our pastor was not troubled with a foggy brain, and therefore well fitted for the work. I assured my friends that buzzards devoured only the car- casses of the dead, but of active living moving men, never. Of the results of this teaching ye are witnesses this day. Therefore, ye members of St. Paul's, still move forward ! If possible be leaders of the host, and not loiterers moving slowly, and falling back in any good word and work. Work the works of God always. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom he hath sent." Love God who hath "so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son into the world that who- soever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life," a life enduring as the years of God and bright as heaven. Let God be in all your thoughts-His being, His benevolence, His beneficence, His amazing condescension, His marvellous grace, the preciousness of atoning blood and the excellency and greatness of Christ's salvation. "What are you thinking of?" I once inquired of one of our boys of ten or twelve years,
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who was just then crossing the Jordan, and whose countenance indicated deep and solemn thought, and his ready and distinct and to me most satisfactory answer was "I am thinking about God." With such thoughts I imagine Abraham, the father of the faithful, died, and the patriarch Jacob was gathered to his people, and Moses also went up from the heights of Pisgah to the encampment of the angels. With hearts filled with thoughts of God always-God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-you are safe in life and in death. You have nothing to fear. Let Sodom burn, it is behind you. It is enough that Jerusalem will ever shine before you, and all the thunders, and the voices and the cries of things dissolving and crumbling within and without, cannot overturn the foundation on which you stand, secure as beneath the shadow of the Om- nipotence of God.
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