USA > South Carolina > History of the German settlements and of the Lutheran church in North and South Carolina : from the earliest period of the colonization of the Dutch, German, and Swiss settlers to the close of the first half of the present century > Part 31
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3. Rev. Levi Bedenbaugh, a student of Lexing- ton Seminary, was licensed at the same time. His principal field of operations has been Coweta County, Georgia, where he is still laboring.
4. Rev. David Hungerpeler, was licensed in 1836, and died April 20th, 1840. He labored in Barnwell District, S. C.
5. Rev. William Berly, a graduate of the Lex- ington Seminary, was licensed in 1836, labored for a time in Newberry District, S. C., was elected the second Professor of the Theological Seminary at Lexington in 1850, whereupon he removed to
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Lexington Court-House in 1851, where he is still residing, laboring as pastor there.
6. Rev. William G. Harter, also a graduate of the Lexington Seminary, was licensed in 1837, labored in the States of South Carolina, North Carolina and Kentucky; he was called to his rest July 31st, 1864.
7. Rev. H. Stoudenmyer was licensed in 1838, and labored for a time in the State of Alabama.
8. Rev. S. R. Sheppard, a student of the Lex- ington Seminary, was licensed in 1838, labored for some time in Edgefield District, S. C., removed to the State of Mississippi in 1853, where he recently departed this life.
9. Rev. J. Kleckly was licensed in 1839, and labored in the State of Georgia, where he died a few years ago.
10. Rev. William H. Smith, of the State of Maryland, was elected assistant pastor to Rev. John Bachman, D.D., in 1839, was ordained by the South Carolina Synod April 24th, 1839, re- mained three years, and returned to the North.
11. Rev. S. Bouknight, licensed in 1840; he labors principally in Lexington District, S. C.
12. Rev. J. P. Margart, a graduate of the Sem- inary at Lexington, licensed in 1840, labored in Orangeburg, Newberry and Lexington Districts, S. C., removed to Alabama in 1862, where he still resides, making strong efforts to build up the Lu- theran Church in that State.
13. Rev. George Haltiwanger, Jr., a student of the Lexington Theological Seminary, was licensed
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in 1840, labored in Lexington District, S. C., until 1849, when he became the pastor of the Ebenezer charge in Georgia, where he labored to the close of his life; he died on the 10th of February, 1862.
14. "Rev. C. B. Thuemmel, formerly of the Synod of New York," took charge of the classical school connected with the Theological Seminary at Lexington, S. C., in 1841; he labored in that capacity three years, when he returned to the North.
15. Rev. J. Daily was licensed in 1840, and labored in Alabama.
Other ministers were licensed by the South Carolina Synod during this period, but as their names have been mentioned in connection with the North Carolina Synod, it is not necessary to insert them here again.
The Tennessee Synod was likewise blessed with a considerable addition to her ministerial strength, during the five years preceding the year 1840, as follows :
1. Rev. Abel J. Brown, was ordained a deacon in 1836, labored for several years in Lincoln County, N. C., but made his home finally in Ten- nessee, where he is still doing good service in his Master's vineyard.
2. Rev. Jacob Killian was ordained a deacon at the same time, and labored in Augusta County, Va., where he departed this life July 5th, 1871.
3. Rev. Jonathan R. Moser was likewise or- dained to the deacon's office in 1836, labored a number of years in Lincoln County, N. C., but
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finally moved to Missouri, where he is still resid- ing.
4. Rev. Henry Wetzel, was ordained deacon in 1837, is still laboring in Virginia.
5. Rev. Adam S. Link was ordained at the same time, but afterwards moved to Ohio, where he died, March 30th, 1862.
6. Rev. Jacob Stirewalt was likewise ordained deacon in 1837 ; he became pastor in New Market, Va., where he labored to the close of his life; he died August 26th, 1869, in his 67th year.
7. Rev. Albert J. Fox was ordained deacon in 1837, labored successively in North Carolina, Ten, nessee, and Alabama, but since 1855 has been re- siding near Lincolnton, N. C., where he is still laboring in the Lord's vineyard.
The following new congregations were organ- ized and new church edifices erected in the Caro- linas during the five years preceding 1840.
1. Luther's Church, in Rowan County, N. C., is first mentioned by that name in the minutes of 1830, but at what time the congregation was or- ganized is not stated. The Rev. Jacob Kaempfer was its pastor in 1830.
2. St. Enoch's Church, in Rowan County, N. C., is a colony from the Sewitz's or Luther Chapel congregation, and was organized in 1836; it is not stated when their church edifice was erected ; it was dedicated at some time during the fall of 1839.
3. St. Paul's Church, in Rowan County, N. C., is first mentioned in 1837, under the name of
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Holdshouser's Church, with Rev. S. Rothrock as its pastor. A new brick church has been recently erected and was dedicated July 21st, 1872.
4. St. Stephen's Church, Cabarrus County, N. C., was organized in 1837 by the Rev. P. A. Strobel, who was its first pastor. It was received under the care of the North Carolina Synod in 1838.
5. St. Matthew's Church, Rowan County, N. C., sent a communication to the North Carolina Sy- nod in 1838, "stating that they have regularly organized themselves into a congregation, and pray to be received under the care of Synod ; also, that they have chosen the Rev. B. Arey as their pastor."
6. St. Matthew's congregation, in Davie County, N. C., is first mentioned in 1839 in the minutes of the North Carolina Synod, when forty-three persons in that locality petitioned the Synod to send them a minister "to break unto them the bread of eternal truth, to baptize their children, and instruct their youth."
Two new church edifices were erected in old- established congregations during the year 1839, namely : St. Paul's Church, Orange (now Ala- mance) County, N. C., which was dedicated on the third Sunday in September, 1839; and Luther Chapel, in Rowan County, N. C., which was dedi- cated about the same time.
7. St. Paul's Church, Iredell County, N. C., and the above-named St. Matthew's Church, in Davie County, N. C., are mentioned in the minutes of
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the North Carolina Synod of 1840, as having " been regularly organized during the last synodi- cal year," and were received, in 1840, under the care of Synod.
In the bounds of the South Carolina Synod the following churches were added to the strength of the Synod.
1. St. Andrew's Church, Lexington District, S. C., was organized in 1835, and during the same year their church edifice was erected and dedicated. In 1835, they petitioned Synod for the pastoral labors of Rev. L. Bedenbaugh, but from the min- utes of 1836 it appears that Rev. M. Rauch was their first pastor.
2. Mount Zion Church, Newberry District, S. C., having been organized under the pastoral care of Rev. J. Moser, their church edifice was dedi- cated on the fifth Sunday in August, 1840.
3. Good Hope Church, at Cloud's Creek, Edge- field District, S. C., having been organized some time in 1839, their newly-erected church edifice was dedicated on the 19th of April, 1840. Their first pastor was the Rev. R. Cloy ; it was received under the care of Synod in 1840.
The labors of Rev. John Bachman, D.D., LL.D., having been for many years very arduous, inas- much as he was necessitated to preach three times every Sunday for the long period of twenty years, and frequently both in the English and German languages, his being the only Lutheran church in Charleston, S. C., at that time; besides, having also devoted much of his time to natural science,
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he and the renowned naturalist, J. J. Audubon, being associated together in preparing for the press " The Quadrupeds of America," his health at length became impaired, and, at the repeated solicitations of his congregation, to whom his life and labors were exceedingly valuable, he left his home on a visit to Europe, in 1838, believing that he looked upon the shores of his native land for the last time. He was absent eight months, and was received everywhere on his transatlantic tour with "sympathy, kindness, and untiring hospi- tality." He "returned in January, 1839, with health partially restored," and his congregation engaged the Rev. William H. Smith, of Maryland, as an assistant minister for a few years, until his health was re-established, when, in 1842, he once more assumed the entire charge of the pastoral duties of his church.
Section 4. Settlement of North-Germans in South- ern cities. Organization and Early History of St. Matthew's German Evangelical-Lutheran Church, Charleston, S. C.
Many years had now elapsed since the tide of German emigration to North and South Carolina had entirely ceased. The dependence for the in- crease of the Lutheran Church in those States rested mainly upon the descendants of the early settlers. However, about the year 1835, emigra-
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tion from North Germany found its way also to Southern cities, and every fall new emigrants from that portion of the Fatherland continued to arrive.
The largest number of these settlers located themselves in Charleston, S. C., but many have found homes in Wilmington, N. C., Savannah, Georgia, and other Southern cities. They are mostly natives of Hanover, Oldenburg, Holstein, Mecklenburg, and the once free cities of Hamburg and Bremen, although a number of emigrants from other German states may be found among them.
These North Germans are regarded as the direct descendants of those Saxon nations which con- quered ancient Britain, a portion of whom, after the Saxon conquest, located themselves perma- nently in England. That this is a fact established beyond dispute may be readily learned from the pages of history, and easily perceived from the contiguity of those North-German countries to England, their maritime character, and their lan- guage. It may not be generally known, that the North Germans speak two languages, the high German, which is the written language, taught at school and preached from the pulpit, and the low German (Platdeutsch), which is the original lan- guage of the ancient North Saxons, still spoken and generally used in those countries, and bears a remarkable resemblance to the present pure Eng- lish or Anglo-Saxon language. Hence, North Germans generally find no difficulty in acquiring a knowledge of the English language soon after
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their arrival in this country, and learn to pro- nounce it correctly with remarkable facility.
As the North Germans are natives of maritime States, they prefer mercantile to agricultural pur- suits, and hence they are generally found engaged in mercantile employments in our Southern cities, though not entirely confined to that kind of life.
Captain H. Wieting, a name familiar to all our North-German citizens in the Southern States, and his vessels, the "Johann Friederich," and the barque " Copernicus," of which successively he was commander, usually arrived, for some length of time, once a year in Charleston, S. C., filled with German passengers, who expected to make their future home in the South.
These German settlers, by means of their economy, good management, and excellent busi- ness talents, have acquired considerable property, and control a large portion of the commercial and other interests in the cities and towns where they reside.
The Lutheran faith being the prevailing re- ligion in North Germany, although German Re- formed and Roman Catholics may likewise be found there, these immigrants are generally mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and, upon their ar- rival in this country, usually attach themselves immediately to Lutheran congregations.
Rev. E. L. Hazelius, D.D., President of the South Carolina Synod, in his annual report of 1839, speaks of the first attempt of the native Ger- man citizens of Charleston, S. C., in establishing
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a second, and altogether German, Lutheran Church, in the following manner :
" A desire having been expressed by a consid- erable number of German citizens of Charleston, to have the Gospel preached to them in the language of their Fatherland, meetings of the Germans were held during my stay in the city and afterwards, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements ; and I have since learned that articles of a Church union were drawn up and adopted; that $500 had been collected, and about as much had been subscribed for the salary of a German preacher. I endeavored to encourage these friends to proceed in the good cause."
In the Charleston Courier may be found an account of the next steps that were taken in this direction.
"On the 3d day of December, A.D. 1840, the first German congregation was organized in this city, with the following founders: John A. Wag- ener, George Caulier, C. Heide, F. Mehrtens, F. Hilgen, J. Hürkamp, W. H. Hoops, J. Haesloop, J. Stelling, Geo. Rieke, J. H. Ostendorff, J. Schröder, J. Kleinbeck, C. Gerdts, J. Bauman, and L. F. Behling. The congregation so formed soon made arrangements for the erection of a place of worship."
They adopted a constitution for their govern- ment on the 9th of December, 1840, and soon afterwards purchased a lot on the corner of Hasell and Anson Streets, on which they erected a brick church edifice. In the election of officers, Col.
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John A. Wagener was chosen their first Presi- dent. In the month of October, 1841, the corner- stone of this (St. Matthew's) church was laid, at which time the congregation already numbered two hundred and twenty-five members. Their first pastor was the Rev. F. Becher, who had been, up to that time, a minister of the German Re- formed Church, but connected himself with the South Carolina Synod in 1841, after having taken charge of this new German Lutheran congregation.
However, the Rev. Mr. Becher did not remain long in Charleston. In 1842 the Rev. F. W. Heemsoth took charge of the congregation, and on the 22d of June of the same year, the new church was dedicated, and the newly elected pas- tor duly installed. "Rev. Mr. Heemsoth served the congregation until 1848, when he resigned and returned to his native country, where he now resides," and is the beloved pastor of a large Lu- theran church in Germany.
Section 5. Formation of the Western Virginia Synod, and Death of Rev. Henry Graeber.
It would not be proper to notice the formation of the Synod of Western Virginia in the history of the Lutheran Church in the Carolinas, were it not for the fact, that the territory of the Synod of Western Virginia was, for a long period of time, embraced in the limits of the North Carolina Synod, which watched over the interests of the
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Lutheran Church in Western Virginia with a mother's tender care, supplying that field with missionaries at first, and afterwards with pastors.
But the time had now arrived, when the old mother Synod was to be confined within the limits of the State from which she derived her name; all her ecclesiastical operations were henceforth to be devoted to North Carolina alone. The interests of the Church demanded that the brethren in Southwestern Virginia were to form a Synod for themselves, and the sequel has proved that this was a step taken in the right direction, for it has developed the energies of that portion of the Lu- theran Church in a most remarkable manner, both in missionary and educational enterprises.
Accordingly, on the 20th of September, 1841, a convention was held in Wythe County, Virginia, for the purpose of taking the preliminary steps towards the formation of a Synod, and on the 21st of May, 1842, "the ministers residing in Western Virginia, with their lay delegates, assembled in Zion's Church, Floyd County, Virginia." The
ministers, who registered their names as members of the newly formed Synod, were: Revs. Jacob Scherer, Samuel Sayford, Elijah Hawkins, John J. Greever, Gideon Scherer and Stephen Rudy. The officers of Synod then elected were: Rev. Jacob Scherer, President; Rev. Elijah Hawkins, Secretary ; and Mr. Joseph Brown, Treasurer. The strength of Synod then reported was, fifteen congregations and seven hundred and seventy- eight communicants.
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From the Synod of North Carolina, established in the year 1803, and which at one time embraced a large scope of territory, the following Synods have gone out, and are still doing good service in the vineyard of the Lord :
The Tennessee Synod, organized A.D. 1820.
The South Carolina Synod, organized A.D. 1824.
The Western Virginia Synod, organized A.D. 1842.
From these again the following additional Synods have been formed: The Georgia Synod, the Mississippi Synod, the Holston Synod, and the Concordia Synod. The Lutheran Church in the West, and particularly in Illinois, was also cradled and nourished in its infancy by the North Carolina Synod.
The Rev. Henry Graeber, who at one time wielded a considerable influence in the North Carolina Synod, and who, on account of his ster- ling virtues and power of his native intellect, as well as by his energy of character, accomplished much good, was now called to his rest, while yet in the strength of his years, and in the height of his usefulness. After a short illness he unexpect- edly departed this life, September 11th, 1843. The President of Synod, Rev. Wm. Artz, gives us the following account of this sad event, con- nected with a brief memoir of Rev. Graeber's life:
"When the names of the members of our min- isterial association shall be called, and every one present shall take his seat, the place of our worthy and beloved brother, the Rev. Henry Graeber,
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will be vacant. How sad! How unexpected ! He has ceased from his labors in the vineyard of the Lord on earth, and has entered the rest above, to reap the eternal reward which Jesus has prom- ised to all his faithful servants.
' His conflicts with his busy foes For evermore shall cease, None shall his happiness oppose, Nor interrupt his peace. But bright rewards shall recompense His faithful service here, And perfect love shall banish thence Each gloomy doubt and fear.'
" Our worthy brother, the Rev. Henry Graeber, was born of Christian parents in the State of Penn- sylvania, in the year of our Lord 1793, the 28th of January. He prosecuted the study of divinity chiefly under the able and pious instructions of the Rev. Messrs. Melsheimer and Lochman. He obtained license to preach the Gospel from the Synod of Pennsylvania, on the 7th of June, in the year 1818, and was shortly afterwards set apart to this holy work by the imposition of hands and prayer. Nine years of his ministerial life he spent as pastor of several congregations in Frederick County, Maryland, and the remaining sixteen years were spent in several congregations in Lin- coln, Rowan, and Cabarrus Counties, in the bounds of our Synod, of which he was an efficient mem- ber, and in which he repeatedly filled with honor the highest offices. He was a liberal supporter of benevolent institutions, and a warm and decided friend of an enlightened and educated ministry.
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He was himself an able and faithful minister of the New Testament, rightly dividing the word of eternal truth, and giving to both saints and sinners their portion in due season. And I need not add, in the presence of those who knew him long, and who knew him well, that through the course of his ministerial life, he uniformly adorned the doctrines which he preached by zeal, fidelity, firm- ness, and charity, and all those virtues that are so essential to the character of the Christian minister. He died of nervous fever on the 11th of September last, in the 51st year of his age. While his ashes sleep in the peaceful tomb, may his memory be cherished by us with fraternal affection."
His body lies entombed in the Organ Church graveyard, not far distant from the place where repose the remains of Rev. C. A. G. Storch, and where at this time the bodies of four Lutheran min- isters sleep until the morning of the resurrection.
The following epitaph has been inscribed on the marble slab which covers his mortal remains :
"Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Henry Graeber, who was born on the 28th of January, 1793; and departed this life on the 11th of Sep- tember, 1843. Aged 50 years, 7 months, and 13 days.
' The Gospel was his joy and song, E'en to his latest breath ; The truth he had proclaimed so long, Was his support in death. The grave is now his favored spot, To sleep in Jesus blessed, There, where the wicked trouble not, He laid his head to rest.' "
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Section 6. Endowment of a Second Professorship in the Theological Seminary at Lexington, S. C .- Memoir of Henry Muller, Sr.
The educational interests of the Lutheran Church in the Carolinas had now become so greatly developed, that it became necessary to endow an additional professorship for the Theo- logical Seminary at Lexington, S. C. Provision had been made for several years past to have a classical Professor connected with the Seminary, and the Rev. Washington Muller, Rev. C. B. Thuemmel, and Mr. S. E. Caughman had each successively been appointed to this position by the Board of Directors, and had acted in that capacity; but for want of a permanent endowment of this professorship, the arrangement was sub- jected to repeated interruption.
The discussion of this matter, as well as that of the location of the Seminary, during the year 1848, in the columns of the Lutheran Observer, brought the subject prominently before the Church, and at the next meeting of the South Carolina Synod, held at Sandy Run Church, in Lexington District, the President of Synod recommended "the ap- pointment of a special committee to investigate and report upon this whole subject."
The committee appointed in accordance with the recommendation of the President were: Revs. John Bachman, D.D., John F. W. Leppard and J. B. Anthony, of the clergy; and Messrs. George
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M. Fulmer, John C. Geiger and John Rauch, of the laity, who gave the matter a thorough and prayerful consideration, closing their lengthy re- port as follows :
" In the midst of our anxious and prayerful de- liberations, a providential and thrilling scene pre- sented itself, that gave a presentiment of God's favor and our prospect of success. One of our benevolent lay members, whose untiring zeal and liberality has ever kept him far in advance of all our other benefactors, and whose praise is in all the churches, rose to present to this object the sum of $4000, on condition that individuals from the various portions of our Church should pledge themselves to make up a similar amount, to be appropriated to the same benevolent object. From that moment we regarded the work as done. We have only to say to ourselves, to our brethren, the ministers, delegates, and members of our churches, ' go,' and in proportion to your circumstances, 'do ye likewise,' and the object of our anxious solici- tude and ardent prayers will be accomplished. We have been purchased by the blood of Christ-let us evidence our gratitude by contributing to send the light of salvation to those for whom he died.
" The Church demands these small pecuniary sacrifices-let us say to our people and to the world, we esteem it an honor and a privilege to respond to her call. Here, in the presence of the Living God, surrounded by the ministers, and fathers, and representatives of our beloved Church, let us resolve that ere we separate for our distant
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homes, nay, ere yon sun shall set, ere another night shall intervene to awaken the feelings of selfishness, or throw a shadow of doubt over the bright picture of Christian benevolence which is now before us, let us resolve in the strength, the fear, and love, and in imitation of our benevolent Master, whose office on earth was to go about doing good, that this work shall be consummated. Let us resolve with the pious men of old : 'O Jerusalem, if I forget thee, let my right hand for- get her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember not Jerusalem, my chief joy.'"
(Signed) JOHN BACHMAN, GEORGE M. FULMER,
JOHN F. W. LEPPARD, JOHN C. GEIGER,
J. B. ANTHONY, JOHN RAUCH.
This stirring appeal had the desired effect-the inspiration of a sense of this new duty and of love to the Church pervaded the whole assembly, and before the Synod closed that memorable day's session, the required sum was pledged, secured, and afterwards paid in as the instalments became due. An additional sum of $3223 was subse- quently added to this fund, through a seven months' agency of Rev. G. D. Bernheim, who was employed by the Board of Directors for this pur- pose.
The following resolution of thanks to Mr. Henry Muller, Sr., was then adopted :
" Resolved, That the thanks of this Synod be pre-
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