“He was an original man, and said and did things differently from other persons… A very good man, he suffered persecution for his zeal for the truth.”
On This Page John Christopher Hartwig (1716-1796) Language Conflicts in New York City Attacked for His Orthodoxy at Rhinebeck, New York Hiatus in Pennsylvania Return to New York A Very Good and Most Eccentric Man Publication Information John Christopher Hartwig (1716-1796) Of the early history of this individual we have no information.
Some idea of the high estimation in which Mr. Handschuh was held by the Christian community of different denominations, may be gathered from the account given in the papers of that day of the funeral services. It is said, that out of regard for the memory of the deceased, at one o’clock, P. M., eight bells of the Episcopal church were rung, in addition to the three of our own schoolhouse, which produced considerable sensation in the city [of Philadelphia].
How refreshing the thought, that we too, if we are faithful, shall meet and mingle with those who lived and served God in past ages of the church, of whom the world was not worthy; that we shall recognize those whom as Christians we loved on the earth, but whom, as glorified spirits, we shall love still more in heaven.
On This Page Introduction: The American Lutheran Founding Fathers Peter Brunholtz (1724(?
“Some there are, whose names will live, Not in the memories, but the hearts of men. Because those hearts they comforted and raised. And where they saw God’s images cast down, Lifted them up again, and blew the dust From the worn features and disfigured limbs.”
On This Page Walter Gunn (1815-1852) Missionary Calling Influence on Other Students Appointment to India Health Concerns “Yes, Jesus is with me.
It is seldom that the church is called to mourn the premature death of one, so highly gifted as the subject of the present sketch. He was a young man of rare attainments and extraordinary promise. Endeared to all by his talents, his virtues and his piety, he was taken away in the morning of life, and from a scene of active and useful exertion.
Semper honos nomenque tuum, laudesque manebunt.
“The people of Israel must ever be regarded with an interest unrivaled by that which attaches to any other of the nations of the earth… what picture of national history could ever display lights so bright, or shadows so deep and dark as this? No people ever stood on such a pinnacle of moral elevation, none ever fell into such an abyss of crime: no nation ever possessed such true grandeur, none ever groaned in such a depth of misery.
January 27th, 1854, will long be remembered in the city of Reading. It was the day when nearly the whole community crowded to the sanctuary, not to listen to the voice of the pastor of the church, but to gaze for the last time on his lifeless remains, and to pay the last tribute of respect to one who was highly esteemed in life. His voice was silent in death, but his virtues were still fresh in the remembrance of the people.
Among all who have occupied a prominent position in the history of the Lutheran church in this country, perhaps there is no one who is entitled to a higher rank than
J. George Schmucker, D. D.
On This Page Baptists in Virginia. Circuit Preaching Call to York County, Pennsylvania The “Boy Preacher” Retirement to Williamsburg, Pennsylvania “He honored God, and God did honor him.” One of the founders and advocates of the General Synod Intelligence and Learning Published Works Eloquent Preacher Theological Views A man of prayer Unwavering faith in God’s promises Great moral courage Publication Information He was born, August 18th, 1771, in Michaelstadt, in the Duchy of Darmstadt, Germany.
It was said… at the time of his death, that many generations must pass away, before the world could look upon his equal. From all accounts, he must have been a most extraordinary man, gifted with rare endowments of intellect, and possessed of the noblest qualities of the heart.
On This Page Early Life Publications Committed To The Flames Irresistible Power in the Pulpit Chronological Facts Ministerial Training Relocation to Hagerstown, Maryland Heartfelt Grief Publication Information Early Life In early life his opportunities for the cultivation of his mind were limited, and yet so active were his native powers, and so faithful was he in the improvement of the advantages he subsequently enjoyed, that he soon rose to an eminent position, and his name has been transmitted with high lustre to posterity.
“The first Lutheran minister, ordained in this country to preach the gospel.”
John Nicolas Kurtz was born in Lutzelinden, in the Principality of Nassau-Weilburg, and immigrated to this country in 1745. He came to the United States as a Catechet, and for two years after his arrival, engaged in the business of teaching as well as preaching, “in consequence of the entire absence,” to use his own language, “of competent teachers and the lamentable ignorance of the youth of his parish.
The transition from Dr. Helmuth to his intimate friend and colleague is very natural. Dr. Schmidt would, perhaps, have never abandoned the country of his birth, had it not been for his fond devotion to the friend of his youth, animae dimidium suce, separation from whom seemed so painful and almost insupportable. Such instances of friendship are rare, and yet how beautiful, how honorable to humanity! A well tried friend, one of kindred spirit and congenial tastes, cannot be too highly valued.