Library of the Theological Seminary PRINCETON c NEW JERSEY From the Library of Professor Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield 1922 BX8080.W34 J36 1899 Janzow, C. L. Life of Rev. Prof C. F. W. Walther / Warficld Library Life of vV Rev. Prof. C. F. W. WALTHER. D. D. fly C. L. JANZOW, * Edited by The Revision Board, English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri a« o. States. AMERICAN LUTHERAN PUBLICATION BOARD, PITTSBURG, PA. J 899. CONTENTS. PAGE Preface^ ......... 7 Childhood and Youth^ ..... 9 The Student^ . . . . . . . .13 Tulor in Cahla. Pastor in Braeunsdorf^ . 17 The Emigrant^ . . . . . . .21 The St. Louis Pastor, 24 Organizer and President Missouri Synod, . . 30 Professor and Doctor of Divinity, ... 34 The Champion of True Lutheranism, . . .38 The Man of Letters, ..... 44 The Advocate of English Mission Work, . . 48 Father, Christian!, Gentleman and Companion, . 52 Faithful Unto the End, 58 •C.c/.^^^- f^-^K PREFACE. It is but too true that "our fathers find their graves in our short memories." Significantly therefore are we admonished : "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God : whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Hebr. 13:7. Sketches of lives, such as the one here offered, therefore, require no apology. They are needed aids to preserve hallowed memories of God's good gifts, the record of "footprints in the sands of time" fraught with encouragement, in- spiration and comfort on life's varied course. May the work of the author, who, amid the activity of a large charge, kindly consented to prepare this booklet, abound in blessings upon its readers. For the AMERICAN LUTHERAN PUBUCATION BOARD, H. B. HEMMETER. Pitisbarg, Pa. Ndhembtr 1899. CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. On the twenty-fifth day of October, 1811, in Lang- enchursdorf, a village in Saxony, Germany, a son was born to a pastor whose ancestors, for generations, had been ministers of the Gospel, the Reverend Gottlieb Heinrich Wilhelm Walther, and his wife Johanna Wil- helmina Walther, nee Zschenderlein. When baptized, the babe was named Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther. The parents, having mourned the loss of two sons, were greatly rejoiced at the birth of this their eighth child; still, they certainly did not imagine that their beloved Ferdinand would become the most eminent theologian of the Lutheran Church in the nineteenth century, and in a country far west of the German fatherland, in America. Ferdinand received a tender mother's care. His father was somewhat severe, at times even stern, toward his children, so that they stood in awe of him. For instance, little Ferdinand was once severely pun- ished because he had seated himself on the sofa. Still, though severe, the father was not wanting in kindness and affection, as is shown by the fact, that on one oc- casion he made little Ferdinand, then three years old, 10 LIFE OF WALTHER. an extra Christmas present, because he was pleased with him. Santa Claus, namely, as is customary in Saxony and other parts of Germany, visited the houses of the good Langenchursdorf people on that Christmas eve, asking the children to say a prayer, a verse, or a pas- sage of Scripture, and entered the house of Pastor Walther also. When little Ferdinand's turn came, he prayed with folded hands : Jesus' blood and righteousness My jewel is and festive dress, With this shall I fore God prevail When I the heavenly portals hail. This so pleased his father that he gave the boy a "Dreier" (a small coin) as an extra present. This oc- currence, moreover, made a great impression on little Ferdinand. He thought : This certainly must be a good verse, if papa gives me a "Dreier" for reciting it. Im- pressed upon his heart and mind, it accompanied him through college and rationalism. It was the aim of Pastor Walther to educate his chil- dren well, and toward the accomplishment of this, con- sidering his means, he made liberal allowances. Up to his eighth year, Ferdinand was instructed in the ele- mentary branches by his father, and in the school of his native city. At the age of eight, he left his father's CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. H house to attend the city-school of Hohenstein. In his tenth year, he entered the college at Schneeberg, where he remained until September 20, 1829, when he was graduated with the highest honors, being not quite eighteen years of age. All this time Walther had been under the instruction and influence of rationalistic teachers. Speaking of his college days, about fifty years later, he gave expression to this sad statement: "I was about eighteen years of age when I left college, and I had not yet heard one sentence quoted from God's Word by a true beHever. Up to that time I never had a Bible in my possession, not even a Catechism, but only a miserable text-book of pagan morals." And again : "My dear. God-fearing father had taught me from earliest childhood that the Bible is the Word of God. But very soon I had to leave my father's home — being not quite eight years old — and came into contact with unbelievers. The his- torical faith I never have lost. Like an angel of God it has accompanied me through life. But during those eight years of my attendance at college, I lived in an unconverted state." Before graduating, it was not Walther's intention to study theology, as he desired to devote himself to music ; but when he informed his father of his predilec- 12 LIFE OF WALTHER. tion, he met with the reply : "If you want to become a musician, you will have to shift for yourself; if, how- ever, you will study theology, I will give you a 'Thaler' per week." It was evidently due to divine guidance that Walther turned from music to theology. He was a chosen ves- sel unto God to bear His name before many, and to rear the banner of true Lutheranism in distant coun- tries. He was confirmed in his resolution to enter the ministry by reading of the pastoral work and self-sac- rificing labors of Rev. J. F. Oberlin, and some good tracts, which he had received from his brother Her- mann. THE STUDENT. In the latter part of October, 1829, Walther matricu- lated at the University of Leipzig as a student of theo- logy. His resources were extremely meager. From his father he received a "Thaler" a week ; from another source, a little fuel. By giving private lessons, he earn- ed enough to barely cover his expenses. He did not even possess a Bible, until one day he bought a cheap edition when he had but a few pennies in his purse, trusting in Providence to provide the means of subsis- tence the next day. And God did provide! On the next day a peasant from Langenchursdorf visited the poor student and brought him a letter from his father containing a present of an extra "Thaler." Walther made faithful use of the Bible he esteemed so highly, and it was but natural that his scholars should share the benefits of his studies. One of his pupils writes of him : "To Walther I owe my salvation. Be- fore coming to him, I did not know that I was a sinner; I knew nothing of Christ and his grace, nothing of the Bible. To my present dear teacher I am indebted for all this. I, a poor, weak, sinful human being, am un- 14 LIFE OF WALTHER. able to repay him, but God will certainly reward him for leading a soul heavenward." At the University rationalism held sway among pro- fessors and students. Of the former only two defended Christianity, while among the latter a small number had accepted Christ. These assembled on certain days of the week for the reading of Scripture, prayer, and mu- tual edification. Walther was a member of this circle, and the meetings proved of untold blessing to his soul. The leader of this pious band of students, Candidate Kuehn, was an earnest Christian. He had passed through all the terrors of the Law — through inexpres- sible anguish of soul — before he reached a joyful as- surance of salvation through Christ. Unfortunately he imagined that every one must pass through the same experiences, and endeavored to convince the stu- dents that their Christianity did not rest on a firm foundation until they had, like himself, been tortured by the terrors of hell and anguish of despair. The con- sequence was a gloomy, morose Christianity. The books used were also of a character to crush rather than to uplift and comfort a seeking soul. The precious promises of the Gospel did not seem to apply to such sinners as they were. Walther also labored under this delusion, he also thought that the old man THE STUDENT. 15 in US must be utterly destroyed before we can comfort ourselves with the assurances of divine grace. At that time he passed through the "Slough of Despond." Prayer, weeping, fasting, wrestling, was all in vain : the peace of God had departed from his soul. When he was thus in the very depths of despondency, he became acquainted with a most pious family, named Barthel. Heavenly peace prevailed in this household. Mrs. Barthel especially took a loving interest in the strange youth, comforted him with evangelical pas- sages from Scripture, prayed for him in earnest prayer. And God heard the prayer. The cloud of gloom van- ished, and in its place blissful peace took possession of his soul. Several pastors had advised Walther to write to Rev. Stephan, in Dresden, for counsel. This he did, and the reply was such as to assure him of the grace of God, and fill his soul with inexpressible gladness. During the winter 183 1- 1832 his studies were inter- rupted by an apparently fatal lung trouble. Being compelled to leave the University, he returned to his home. Even in this affliction the hand of Providence is evident, for, during the time of his convalescence, he studied Luther's works most assiduously, and there laid the foundation of his theological knowledge and gained his firm conviction of the Scripturalness of Lutheran doctrines. 10 LIFE OF WALTHER. Having regained his health, he returned to the Uni- versity, in 1832, and remained till Easter, 1833, when he was graduated with high honors. In September he was examined previously to being licensed to preach. In the course of the oral examination, conducted by the learned Dr. G. B. Winer, he was asked to explain Romans 3 :28, and whether Luther was correct in in- serting the word "allein" (alone) — allein durch den Glauben: by faith alone — which is not found in the Greek text. Walther replied in the affirmative. The professors and students present derided the "pietist and mystic" for his ignorance. Winer, however, continued the examination, and, after Walther had borne out his assertion with striking proofs, turned to the learned audience with the remark: "Gentlemen, this young mystic understands St. Paul better than any one of you." It is needless to state that this remark silenced the sneers most effectively. TUTOR IN CAHLA. PASTOR IN BRAEUNS- DORF. For various reasons Walther could not enter the ministry immediately after his graduation from the University. Before taking charge of a pastorate, he was, according to usage, subjected to another exami- nation, which was passed in 1836. The intervening years he spent at home, and as tutor in Cahla in the house of Senator Loeber, a brother of the sainted Rev. G. H. Loeber, Altenburg, Mo. (ti849). He was called to the pastorate of Braeunsdorf, Saxony, by the pious Count of Einsiedel, and ordained for the ministry on the 15th of January, 1837. More than 100 of his fu- ture parishioners came to Langenchursdorf to escort their pastor to his new home. Much to Walther's joy, the ordaining Superintendent ordained him according to the Apostolic-Lutheran rite, and not according to the rationalistic formula, commonly in use. He was pledged to preach the Gospel in accordance with the Book of Concord. His inaugural was an earnest of his future pastoral activity. Preaching from Jeremiah i :6-9., he prefaced the sermon by remarking that the consid- 18 LIFE OF WAJLTHER. eration of the importance and difficulties of the ministry, the thought of the account which he would have to render before God, the feeling of his own weakness and inability, indeed tended to weigh him down; still a Christian minister should rejoice on the day of his in- stallation, and that, mainly for the three reasons found in his text, namely: (i) that he comes, not by his own choice, but by God's call; (2) that he comes, not with his own wisdom, but with God's Word; (3) that he comes, trusting not in his own power, but in God's help. Spiritually, the congregation was in a deplorable con- dition. The poor people had not heard the living, quickening Word for many years. The true, living faith and a corresponding spiritual life were unknown. The ignorance, both in secular and religious matters, was appalling. The religious instruction in the school consisted in inculcating morality, a marvelous mixture of error and truth. Walther's task was a stupendous one. With all fidelity and earnestness, he endeavored to enlighten his flock, sought to show them their er- rors, and to lead them to the Savior. It is natural that his course provoked hostility. His main enemies were the superintendent of the district and the teacher at his own school. Both of these men were rationalists of the TUTOR IN CAHLA. PASTOR IN BRAEUNSDORF. 19 deepest dye, and combined to counteract the influence of Walther, the latter as a spy, the former as a perse- cutor. In the biography of Buenger, Walther gives a graphic description of the conditions obtaining in the State-church of Saxony, which was Lutheran in name, but not in fact. The candidates of the ministry were indeed obligated to preach the Word of God in con- formity with the Confessions of the Lutheran Church, but this was, according to Walther, nothing but a comedy. The most important institutions were vir- tually public renunciations of the Confessions. The "Book of Forms" contained orders for worship which denied cardinal doctrines of Holy Writ. The prescribed prayers were of such a character that a conscientious pastor could not use them in the pulpit or in private. The hymnal even was contaminated by the religion of reason. The school-books were leavened by rational- ism. Repeatedly Walther deviated from the prescribed forms, was reported to the Superintendent, who insti- tuted legal proceedings against him, the costs of which Walther was obliged to bear. The great majority of pastors, especially the more influential superiors in of- fice, were pronounced heretics. Owing to the fact that citizenship implied church-membership, it was impos- 10 LIFE OF WAXiTHER. sible to exercise church-discipline, to suspend and ex- communicate manifestly impenitent sinners from relig- ious privileges. All these abuses weighed heavily upon the mind and consciences of such as were earnest and pious believers of the Gospel. They would gladly have organized a "free church," but were not permitted to do so. As long as they remained in their fatherland, they were compelled to remain in membership with an ut- terly corrupt, despotic, tyrannic state-church. Small wonder indeed, then, that the oppressed Luth- erans of Saxony sighed for relief and cast about for some avenue of escape. They heard of the distant America, where every one was permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. In the year 1838, the second year of Walther's min- istry, the famous Rev. Stephan, of Bremen, called upon all whose consciences were oppressed by the existing conditions, to emigrate to America in order to enjoy the religious liberty offered by this country. A num- ber of families from various walks of life responded, among them Walther. He resigned his charge, and to- gether with his brother Hermann, joined the company of those who were looking and longing for freedom, and were willing to forsake their country, kith and kin for the inestimable privilege of serving God in all sim- plicity and purity of heart according to the Word of Holy Writ. THE EMIGRANT. On the i6th Sunday after Trinity, 1838, Walther de- livered his valedictory sermon to a weeping congrega- tion. The parting was sad; for all, even his opponents, had learned to know him as an honest, upright man, who sought their welfare. Though he erred in leaving the charge to which he had been divinely called— an error which he afterwards saw and confessed — God held His protecting hand over him. He was to have taken passage on the "Amalia," but not arriving in time went aboard the "Johann Georg." The ''Amalia," after leaving port, disappeared and has never been heard of since. The "Johann Georg," however, left Bremer- hafen, November 3, 1838, and, after a stormy voyage, arrived at New Orieans, January 5, 1839. Thence the Saxon emigrants, about 800 in number, proceeded to St. Louis; but the majority of them soon settled in Perry County, Mo. There Walther took charge of the flock at Dresden and afterwards of that at Johannis- berg. Great poverty prevailed among the settlers, but, what was worse, ecclesiastical anarchy threatened to ruin them. Stephan, their leader, turned out to be a 9S LIFE OF WALTHER. deceiver, and the colonists were stunned and bewilder- ed. Many now doubted that they constituted Chris- tian congregations, that they had authority to call min- isters and to exercise church-discipline, that their min- isters were divinely called and really ministers, that they had a right to remain in this country. Walther, too, was, for a time, tossed about by doubts and fears. But again diligently studying Luther and other church fathers on the burning questions of the day, he soon became firmly convinced and certain of what was right, and obtained peace of heart and mind. In April, 1841, he held a public disputation at Alten- burg and showed powerfully and convincingly that the congregations were still Christian congregations, that the Lord Jesus and his Word and Sacraments were still among them, that God had a people and a church also at this place. Like thunderbolts his clear, forcible arguments, taken from Scripture and fortified by quo- tations from the Confessions and Luther and brought to bear with fiery eloquence, smote the opponents and completely silenced them. To the oppressed and wounded hearts, however, thirsting for truth and con- solation, Walther's words were a healing balm. Thus, then, was he the instrument of God to preserve the Saxon colonies from utter ruin. In the midst of all this THE EMIGRANT. 33 turmoil he assisted several of his friends (Fuerbringer, Brohm and Buenger) in founding a high school in a rude log cabin. In that school were to be taught Reli- gion, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, French, English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Natural History, Mental Philosophy, Music and Draw- ing. That rude log cabin in the wilds of Perry County, Mo., has since given way to the well-known Concordia College, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and the theological Concor- dia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., a most beautiful and magnificent building, from which hundreds of young men have issued forth, well equipped, to preach the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ in the German, English, and Norwegian languages in America, Europe and Australia. THE ST. LOUIS PASTOR. On the 8th day of February, 1841, Walther was called by the First German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of St. Louis to succeed in its pastorate his sainted brother, the Rev. Hermann Walther. The vocation was in Walther's hands before the celebrated Altenburg disputation, but certain scruples delayed hi.^ accepting it. On April 26, same year, however, he de- clared before the congregation in St. Louis that, since all obstacles had now been removed, he would accept the call. He had recovered his health, he explained; the manner of calling him had been in no wise con- trary to the divine order; his errors in the matter of emigration were not such as to make him unworthy of the holy office i Tim. 2,'- 7', Tit. 1:7); the congregation, being Christian indeed, was entitled to the rights and privileges of a Christian congregation. On the third Sunday after Easter, Jubilate, he preached his inaug- ural sermon. As Lutheran pastor of St. Louis, however, Walther was far from enjoying rest. A number of turbulent, separatistic spirits in the church were a thorn in his THE ST. LOUIS PASTOR. 38 flesh. Charging the new pastor with pursuing hierar- chical tendencies, they tried their utmost to induce the congregation to discharge him, or even to disband. They did not succeed, however, since Walther fortified the congregation against them by clear testimonies taken from Scripture, the Confessions, Luther, and the Church Fathers. Walther remained, and his charge grew. Even at this early date, while yet laboring under heavy financial burdens, the congregation was led by Walther to provide conscientiously and systematically for the needy and unfortunate, not only in its own midst, but also in the old home across the waters. Pastor Walther drew up for his church a constitution based upon the Lutheran Confessions. It was dis- cussed in many congregational meetings, finally adopt- ed, and signed by the voting members in 1843. -^^ the same time, the name of the church was changed into "Trinity Congregation." After Walther's "Trinity Constitution" many hundreds of Lutheran congrega- tions have modeled theirs. Up to 1842 the services of Walther's flock had been held in the basement of Christ Episcopal Church of St. Louis. It now became necessary for the Lutheran congregation, numbering 112 voting members and 325 souls, to erect a church-building of its own. The 36 LIFE OF WALTHER. foundation of this edifice was laid June 22, 1842, on Lombard Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. On December 4th of the same year, the new church was dedicated. The next year, "Trinity," urged by Walther, joined the group of congregations fostering the College at Altenburg. Pastor Walther, already at this time, wished that institution removed to St. Louis; but ow- ing to the attitude of the Perry County congregations with regard to this matter he refrained from urging his plan. In 1844, the burden of pastoral work having become too great for Walther alone, Candidate J. F. Buenger, since 1840 in charge of the parochial school connected with Trinity Church, was called as second pastor of the congregation. The two pastors worked together in great harmony for many years until death separated them. Walther took great pains to have excellent parochial schools established. One such was soon opened in the northern section of the city, on Franklin Avenue. Then a congregation (Immanuel's), with Buenger as second pastor was branched off in this vicinity. Hereupon another school and later a congregation, in connection with the College and Seminary, was organized in the THE ST. LOUIS PASTOR. 27 southern part of town. Rev. J. T. Brohm became pas- tor of this, "The Holy Cross Congregation," Soon after, another congregation— "Zion's"— was formed in the northern district, with Rev. C. D. Boese as pastor. These four district churches formed one joint congre- gation. Walther was first pastor, and Pastors Wyne- ken, Brohm, Buenger, and Boese were assistants. Thus, in the course of time, four large congregations, each having a parochial school with two to four classes, came under Walther's pastoral care. Although pro- fessor in the College and Seminary, he remained, to the end of his life, pastor of this Lutheran congregation in St. Louis. Walther, as pastor, was very conscientious in com- posing his sermons, and never went into a congrega- tional meeting without being thoroughly prepared. His sermons were worked out in detail, faultlessly, logical in arrangement, precise in diction. While their form satisfied the most refined taste, their contents were eminently doctrinal and edifying. In his delivery, Walther showed a rare gift of eloquence, which riveted the attention of his audience to his theme and held it spell-bound to the end. He brought the knowledge of divine truth home to his hearers, urging them to be- lieve firmly in their Saviour Jesus Christ and exhorting 28 LIFE OF WALTHER. them to lead pious Christian lives. He despised rea- son as a source and foundation of doctrine. The wis- dom and authority of men were not his staff. He based his teaching on the revealed word of God and impressed upon his hearers the necessity of rejecting every doc- trine not in accordance with Holy Writ. Whoever heard Walther preach could not help feeling, "This man wants to assure me of salvation and lead me on to it." To false doctrine, in whatever guise it appeared, he was a foe, whom to know was to fear. And yet, with how childlike a faith could he comfort such as were perplexed with grief and stricken with despair! With what fatherly care would he labor to guide aright others whose conscience was oppressed with doubts or temp- tations! He would study most scrupulously the spir- itual wants of every soul entrusted to his care. At congregational meetings it was his wont to act as ad- visor, to lecture on practical and doctrinal subjects, to reprove meekly but firmly those uttering false opinions, and thus to lead the congregation to wider knowledge. It was often a task for him to settle difficulties, to bring about unanimity in certain questions, and to govern the unruly. And these labors increased as the years rolled on. For many years, on some evening in the week, in a school hall on Barry Street, he gave lectures for edi- THE ST. LOUIS PASTOR. 39 fication to both old and young people of his congre- gation. For several years he lectured, in a crowded hall, on "The Right Form of a Truly Lutheran Con- gregation, Independent of the State." At his sugges- tion, a Lutheran Young Men's Society was organized. Its object was to lead these young people in the right path and to interest them in church affairs. Last, but not least, he undertook, in 1844, the publication of a parish paper, "Der Lutheraner," which contributed its share to the spreading of genuine Lutheranism with- in, and far beyond, his congregation. The first issue of "Der Lutheraner" appeared September i, 1844. That parish publication now ranks as the leading Ger- man church-paper throughout the Lutheran world. THE ORGANIZER AND PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD OF MISSOURI, OHIO, AND OTHER STATES. The "Lutheraner" brought Walther into contact with other Lutherans besides the Saxon immigrants, and through it he became instrumental in bringing about a union of such pastors and congregations as ad- hered firmly to Lutheranism sound in both doctrine and practice. Such men were Rev. C. F, D. Wyneken, justly called the Lutheran Evangelist of North Amer- ica, Dr. Wm. Sihler, Rev. J. T. C. Selle, Rev. A. Craemer, and others, together with their congrega- tions. Pastor Wyneken, for instance, after reading the first number of the "Lutheraner," which had fallen into his hands, joyfully exclaimed: "Thanks be to God! There are some more Lutherans here in America!" Wyneken's hopes for the Lutheran Church in this country were revived. He saw the day dawning. He and his friends held a meeting and agreed to sever their connection with the unionistic synods to which they belonged, and to form a union with the churches rep- ORGANIZER OF THE GERMAN LUTHERAN SYNOD. 31 resented by Walther. They advocated the organiza- tion of a Lutheran Synod together with the Saxon im- migrants. Walther's "Lutheraner" served as the organ by which the truly Lutheran doctrine was diffused amongst the Saxons and the congregations in the Eastern and Middle States, and in which the plan of organizing a Lutheran Synod on the basis of the Lutheran Confessions was published and discussed. Preliminary conventions were held at St. Louis and at Ft. Wayne. In organizing the new church body and framing for it a strictly confessional constitution, all acknowledged Walther as leader. The synod, i. e., a number of congregations organized into a church body upon the basis of unity of pure doctrine and practice, was not to exercise any judiciary or governing power; its superintendence was to be strictly advisory. The draft of the constitution was, through the "Lutheran- er," submitted to the congregations for approval, and finally adopted. Each congregation joining Synod was a member, and would be entitled to send to the conventions its pastor and a lay delegate, who would be voting members. A pastor, however, whose con- gregation had not joined Synod, could be received only as an advisory member. Congregations desirous of joining Synod were obliged to submit their constitu- R m ^' fl^WMol f 1 f' i ■ ' J ■ r*-fTV [I- • •' ' ~«L ''*'■ " t i: 1 ORGANIZER OF THE GERMAN LUTHERAN SYNOD. 33 conventions of the Joint Synod, which meets triennial- ly, but also the annual sessions of every one of the many district synods, generally leading the doctrinal discus- sions. The Reports of these synodical meetings are a treasury of true Lutheran doctrine. For a number of years, at such district conventions, Walther illus- trated the topic that "Only the Lutheran Church in All Its Doctrines Gives All Honor and Glory to God Alone." He certainly was an instrument of God in maintaining unity of doctrine and practice throughout that large church body which the Synod of Missouri in the course of time had through God's blessing grown to be; nay, furthermore, he was instrumental also in this that other synods likewise assumed the same firm attitude. When, in 1878, the burden of the presi- dency, in addition to numerous other duties, became too heavy for him, he was relieved, in order that he might devote himself wholly to the more necessary work of instructing future Lutheran pastors in Con- cordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. With reference to doctrine and practice he exercised the strictest discip- line in the Synod, even as he had done in his congre- gation. He also lent a helping hand to consummate the union of a number of genuinely Lutheran Synods into "The Synodical Conference," being at one time its President. The heritage which he thus has left, is a blessed one, and will be, as long as a truly Lutheran Synod of Missouri exists. PROFESSOR AND DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. When the Concordia College of Perry County was received by the young Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, and removed to St. Louis, Walther was chosen Professor of Theology and President of the Faculty by Synod. His congregation was very reluc- tant to part Avith him, but when arrangements were made permitting him to remain their pastor, they finally consented. For thirty-six years Walther now instructed hundreds of students — future pastors and professors — with untiring zeal, profound learning, and minute fidelity. Happy were the young men who had the good fortune of being taught by him ! In his very first lecture he would win their hearts by his kind and loving words ! He would lay bare to them their spirit- ual condition and show them their future calling, and his telling words went home! His course of instruc- tion comprised Encyclopaedia, Hermeneutics, Exege- sis, Homiletics, Dogmatics, and Pastoral Theology. He would give his students a bird's eye view over the various branches of learning, and especially over that of theology. He maintained that theology is not a PROFESSOR AND DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. 35 science in the modern sense of the word, but "a prac- tical habitude of the mind comprising the knowledge and acceptance of divine truth together with an apti- tude to instruct others towards such knowledge and ac- ceptance and to defend such truth against its adver- saries." He gave his students excellent rules for the sound interpretation and explanation of Holy Writ. Guided by Luther, the Lutheran church fathers, and the fathers of the ancient orthodox church, he led his students into the Scriptures and showed them how to practically explain certain books, chapters, and pas- sages of the holy volume. He taught them how to make outlines or sketches of sermons, doctrinal and yet practical, on the pericopes or on "free texts," for general and special occasions. Sermons had to be written out in full, were read to him and the students for criticism, and then had to be committed to memory verbatim. Great stress did he lay on dogmatics, or doc- trinal theology. As text-book he used "Baieri Com- pendium Theologiae Positivae." He not only correct- ed erroneous and misleading statements of this book, but also enriched it with many quotations from Luther, the Symbolical Books, the Lutheran dogmaticians (Chemnitz, Gerhard, Quentstedt, Calov, Hunnius, Hol- laz, and others), and the fathers of the ancient church 36 LIFE OF WALTHER. such as Augustin and Chrysostom. Frequently he would state a doctrine in his own words. Thus his students received a comprehensive and systematic in- struction in doctrinal theology, and were therefore well founded and grounded in the various doctrines of the Word of God. How to properly perform the functions of their sacred office, when to apply the Law and when the Gospel, and how to guide a congregation and lead it to a wider knowledge of its rights and duties: he taught his students in his lectures on Pastoral Theol- ogy. He also solemnly charged every student to be- ware, on the one hand, of becoming a servant of men, and, on the other hand, of disregarding the divine rights of a Christian congregation. He earnestly warn- ed against hierarchical tendencies. In his lectures on Friday evenings he imparted much practical knowledge and sought to fill the hearts of his students with a holy, fervent zeal for their high and responsible calling. What great things have been accomplished by him as Professor of Theology, the Lutheran Church can never forget; and, though he — being very modest — consid- ered himself a very poor instructor, when time ends and eternity dawns that great and glorious day will reveal him to be a bright star in the galaxy of the faithful teachers of Jesus Christ. PROFESSOR AND DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. 37 By resolution of the Joint Synod of Ohio, the de gree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him. This event was celebrated on the 25th day of January, 1878, in the aula of Concordia Seminary. Formerly he had declined this honor, offered him by German Uni- versities, because of the heterodox attitude of their fac- ulties. But when a whole church-body, at that time confessing- true Lutheranism, asked him to accept this title, he submitted, although he declared himself un- worthy of the honor. THE CHAMPION OF TRUE LUTHERANISM. From the time that the Saxons settled in Perry- County, Walther was called upon to defend the Luth- eran doctrines. At Altenburg he exposed the errors held concerning the Christian Church, and vanquished his opponents, who had been spreading the false doc- trine. At St. Louis, from the very beginning of his pastorate, he had to deal with separatists. Then fol- lowed the controversy with the Rev. A. Grabau, of Buf- falo. Pastor Grabau and his followers held "that the Lutheran Church is a visible church outside of which no one can be saved; that a minister not called in ac- cordance with the ancient 'Kirchenordnungen' (church forms) was not properly called ; that ordination by other clergymen was by divine ordinance essential to the validity of the ministerial office; that God would deal with us only through the ministerial office; that a min- ister arbitrarily elevated by the congregation was un- able to pronounce absolution, and what he distributed at the altar was not the body and blood of Christ, but mere bread and wine; that through her Symbols and Constitutions and Synods the Church at large must de- THE CHAMPION OF TRUE LUTHERANISM. 39 cide what is in accordance or at variance with the Word of God; that the congregation is not the supreme tri- bunal in the Church, but the synod as representing the Church at large; that the congregation is not author- ized to pronounce excommunication; that Christians are bound to obey their minister in all things not con- trary to the Word of God, for instance, in building a church, school-house, or parsonage." These errors of Grabau and his friends were, in part, the very same in which the Saxons themselves had once been enshroud- ed. When Walther and his colleagues now pointed out to Grabau and his followers their Romanizing tenden- cies, a controversy ensued which lasted till 1866. In November of that year a colloquy was held at Buffalo. There the majority of the Buffalo Synod declared them- selves convinced of the truth as set forth by Walther, withdrew from the Buffalo Synod, and joined the ranks of the Missourians. Meanwhile differences of opinion on doctrinal mat- ters had sprung up between the Missourians and their friend and helper across the ocean, Pastor Wm. Loehe, of Neuendettelsau. The latter held wrong views re- garding the Ministerial Office, Chiliasm, and the bind- ing force of the Confessions. In order to prevent a rupture. Synod sent Walther and Wyneken to Germany 40 LIFE OF WALTHER. to confer with Loehe. Though many obstacles were removed, a complete understanding was not reached. Loehe soon resumed his hostile position over against Missouri. In 1856 and 1857 Walther had to defend the truth against some of his old friends in his own synod, who proclaimed chiliastic errors. This was very painful for him. Since, according to God's Word, only the truth is to be proclaimed and error not to be tolerated, synodical connection was severed with those who tena- ciously adhered to the false doctrine and refused to re- nounce it. Walther also raised his voice against the unionistic practice of allowing ministers of other de- nominations to enter Lutheran pulpits, and members of other denominations to commune at Lutheran altars. This pulpit and altar fellowship with the heterodox, he showed to be contrary to God's Word, and maintained that Lutheran pulpits are for Lutheran ministers only, and Lutheran altars for Lutheran communicants only. The idolatry and anti-Christian tendencies of lodges and secret societies, he condemned in strong terms; even so the bone and marrow consuming evil — usury. Doctrines revealed in the Bible, he refused to consider "open questions," holding that questions decided in God's Word cannot be "open." Others, again, on THE CHAMPION OF TRUE LUTHERANISM. 41 which the Word of God is silent, he refused to have "closed," maintaining- that the Church cannot develop doctrines or establish articles of faith, as that would be adding to the Scriptures. For this he contended 'n the colloquy held at Milwaukee, in 1867, between rep resentatives of the Iowa Synod and representatives of the Missouri Synod. Iowa regarded the doctrines of the Church, the Ministry, Chiliasm, and Antichrist as "open questions," while Missouri held that these doc- trines were clearly set forth in the Bible and therefore in no sense open questions. When, in 1880, former scholars and friends attacked his doctrine on Election and Predestination, into which the doctrine of Conversion was also drawn, he held high the banner of true Lutheranism unfurled by the For- mula of Concord. Though the controversy raged fiercely, he defended the truth victoriously. Clearly and powerfully and convincingly did he show that the only causes for election to eternal life are the grace of God and the merits of Christ. Any and every expres- sion implying that the least little cause is to be found in man, in his conduct, faith, or works, he rejected. He was the foe of synergism as well as of Calvinism. With the Formula of Concord he confessed that "the eternal election of God not only foresees and foreknows the 42 LIFE OF WALTHER. salvation of the elect, but is also, from the gracious will and pleasure of God in Christ Jesus, a cause which procures, works, helps, and promotes what pertains thereto." That all men, by nature, are sinners and to- tally corrupt; that the natural, unconverted man can resist but not assist the grace of God; that man is saved by grace alone through faith, or that man's sal- vation is the work of God alone — he taught and defend- ed until his dying day. Firm, inflexible, and unflinching in these doctrinal controversies, he yet bore with meekness, forbearance, and fortitude the calumnies, the hatred, and the some- times almost Satanic assault of his adversaries. How these doctrinal controversies, taking place in the Luth- eran Church itself, agitated him, how they distressed and wounded his heart, may be seen from an occur- rence of the year 1880. After a discussion on the "Fore- knowledge of Faith," he grasped the hand of a former pupil and, looking into his eyes, said : "I ask you upon your conscience, in the presence of God, Do you not believe that this controversy on Election will shiver our dear Missouri Synod into fragments? Alas! what will become of us? How many will remain?" The pastor answered: "Dear Doctor, I do not believe that any will leave us, excepting perhaps seven or eight, THE CHAMPION OF TRUE LUTHERANISM. 43 who are not and have not been Missourians at heart, i. e., such as heed the Word only, though it be con- trary to all reason. And furthermore, we have thus far never asked, What is expedient? who will remain, and who will leave? but in every controversy only this, What has God said? what is his revelation on this point? So it will and must be this time. And, thank God, you have been the foremost in our ranks to de- fend divine truth against all human wisdom and reason, not concerned about expediency or consequences, but confidently committing these to the hands of God; and surely God will, this time also, strengthen you true and faithful to His Word in spite of all opposition." Walther fervently pressed the young man's hand, and while tears trickled down his cheeks, said: "God bless you for these words, my friend. Onward in God's name, for His honor and glory ! The die is cast. We will confess unto the end!" Walther's clarion voice was heard not only through out the Lutheran Church. Atheism and Rationalism, the errors of the Calvinistic and Reformed Church hi all its branches, the anti-Christian heresies of the Ro- man Catholics — all ever found him an alert, unwaver- ing, uncompromising, and victorious antagonist. And it cannot be denied that his exposing the errors of other denominations had a very great and good effect. THE MAN OF LETTERS. Walther, as an author, was very productive. In the "Lutheraner," the church-paper of which he was edi- tor-in-chief for more than thirty years, he published hundreds of articles that were highly instructive and of great value to the Lutheran Church. We call atten- tion to his learned yet popular articles on "The Luth- eran Church," "Absolution," "Baptism," "The Lord's Supper," "The Means of Grace," "Justification," "Con- version," "Sanctification," etc. Since 1855 he published "Lehre und Wehre," at first as his own periodical, later by authority of Synod. Ar- ticles and essays, discussing the burning theological questions of the time and showing profound medita- tion and scholarly treatment, flowed for upward of thirty years from his editorial pen. Through the me- dium of these two periodicals Walther's voice has been heard throughout the world. Many hundreds of his sermons and orations, deliver- ed to his congregation on Sundays and festival days, at confessional services, funerals, and weddings, to synods and conferences, have appeared in print. They THE MAN OF LETTERS. 45 are a repertory of thought, models of elevated and withal popular diction for many thousands of pastors, and for many millions of readers a means not only of edification, but also of acquiring a more thorough knowledge of Lutheran doctrine. These sermons are to be found in his "Evangelien Postille" (Gospel Postil), "Epistel Postille" (Epistle Postil), "Gnadenjahr" (Year of Grace), Goldkoerner" (Grains of Gold), "Fest- klaenge" (Festal Chimes), "Brosamen" (Crumbs), "Casual Predigten" (Casual and Miscellaneous Ad- dresses), "Predigtentwuerfe" (Outlines), and in the "Homiletisches Magazin." Besides these there is an excellent volume containing his prayers and addresses for congregational meetings. "Die Stimme unserer Kirche in der Frage von Kirche und Amt" (The Voice of Our Church on the Question of Church and Minis- terial Office) is a book that shed a volume of light on the topic handled. "Die rechte Gestalt einer vom Staate unabhaengigen Ortsgemeinde" (The Proper Form of a Local Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Independent of the State) contains admirable instruction as to the rights and duties of a Lutheran congregation. It should be in the hands of every voting member of the church. For zealous, conscientious ministers Walther's "Pastorale" (Pas- 46 LIFE OF WALTHER. toral Theology) is the best text-book and guide in the faithful performance of their official duties. The lead- ing thoughts of the two last-mentioned volumes have been reproduced in English in the "Theological Quar- terly" (1897). Besides these, some of Walther's ser- mons, and the pamphlets and treatises published by him during the "Election Controversy," have been translated into English. Walther's doctrinal theology is embodied, as a system, in his revised and greatly en- larged edition of "Baieri Compendium Theologiae Positivae;" by parts, in his treatise on "Justification/' in his essays on points of doctrine published in the an- nual Reports of district synods, and in other writings. On a certain night in the week, generally on Friday, the Doctor was wont to lecture before his students on some important topic. For these lectures he prepared only outlines and notes, but his hearers wrote down in short-hand what he said in detail. Some of these short- hand lectures have already appeared in print, e. g., Ten Lectures on the Law and the Gospel, first series; and again, Thirty-nine Lectures on the same subject, sec- ond series. Other series of such lectures, on "Conver- sion and Justification," "The Inspiration of the Scrip- tures," "The truth of the Christian Religion," "The Lord's Supper," "Secret Societies," etc., have not as yet been published. THE MAN OF LETTERS. 47 There is extant, moreover, a large number of writ- ten "Opinions" on cases of conscience, rendered either by the Professor alone or in conjunction with the Theo- logical Faculty of St. Louis, as well as a great part of his very extensive correspondence. He furthermore wrote several hymns (composing also the music), which were published in various Collections, e. g., "Anthem for Good Friday and Easter," "Prayer in the Tempest," and the song, "I Am a Christian." His literary work, as far as published, fills a long row of royal octavo volumes, gems in a pastor's library. God gave to the Lutheran Church a rare treasure in the writings of this man. They will be highly prized as long as a truly Lutheran Church exists, and millions will grow in knowledge of divine things, be comforted and edified by reading and studying them, and bless his memory. THE ADVOCATE OF ENGLISH MISSION WORK. Walther was a German from head to foot, but a Ger- man American. He served, in the first place, the Ger- man Lutheran Church. Still he had a very ardent love for English mission work. Fully recognizing the fact that the language of our country is English, and that therefore the children or at least the grandchildren of German immigrants would become to a great extent Americanized in language also, and aware of the con- sequent impossibility of retaining for many generations the descendants of German Lutherans in the folds of the German Lutheran Church — he very heartily ad- vocated Lutheranism in the language of the country. Although he did his utmost in encouraging German Lutherans to cultivate the German tongue, he yet sup- ported the plan of erecting an English Lutheran Acad- emy when he had been but fifteen years in this country. Together with his friends Wyneken and Brohm, he tried to remain in touch with the English Lutherans in the southern states. In 1875, he met in conference with pastors from the Tennessee and Holston synods, among THE ADVOCATE OF ENGLISH MISSION WORK. 49 whom were Revs. J. R. Moser, P. C. Henkel, and A. Rader. Having ascertained that they were one in faith with the Missouri Synod, he was in favor of carrying on Enghsh mission work together with them. It was mainly due to his encouragement that, in the spring of 1879, the Southeastern District Conference of Missouri and, in the fall of the same year, the West- ern District of the Missouri Synod expressed their wil- lingness to take up English mission work conjointly with these English brethren, and that, in 1880, a Board for English Missions was elected by the Western Dis- trict. In 1879, a pastor had been appointed by Synod to visit the English brethren assembled at Niangua, Mo. But the pastor was unwilling to go alone, and upon ascertaining that the English cause met with lit- tle sympathy from a great number of Missourians, he would not go at all. Then it was Walther who urged him to go. At about 10 p. m. one day in October after a conference, the venerable Doctor almost implored that pastor to go by all means, and to go alone, if no one would go with him. Grasping his hand, Walther spoke words to him which indelibly impressed them- selves upon his memory. "Dear pastor," he said, "God has brought us into this country, and without our merit has given us the pure doctrine also for this very pur- 60 LIFE OF WALTHER. pose that we should proclaim it in the language of this our country, the English language. But alas ! so far we have not done what we ought to have done, and I fear God may punish us on account of our ungrateful neg- ligence, and take away from us Germans the great blessing bestowed upon us till now, because we have not done in the English language what we ought to have done in our country." These words induced that pastor not only to go to Niangua at that time, but to embrace the English cause for life. Walther also assisted with his advice when in 1882 the first English Lutheran missionary of the Missouri Synod was called. And again, at the convention of the Western District in the fall of the same year, he gave utterance to a very remarkable sentiment. In the con- stitutions handed in for examination by a number of congregations that applied for membership in the Mis- souri Synod, a paragraph was found to the eflfect that the pastor of the congregation was to preach in its church in German only. When the report regarding these congregations was read and attention called to this paragraph. Dr. Walther said: "Such a paragraph in the constitution of a German Lutheran congregation may have been of some good thirty years ago, but it is of no good in our days. I consider it hurtful to the THE ADVOCATE OF ENGLISH MISSION WORK. 51 spreading of the kingdom of God through the Luther- an Church." Not long before his departure, even on his death-bed, he labored for the English cause. It was he who cherished and advocated the plan that all those little English congregations existing in 1887 within the bounds of the Synodical Conference should, if they made application (which they did), be received as an "English Mission District" into the Missouri Synod and thus come into membership with the Synod. He foresaw rightly that in the near future the Eng- lish-speaking element would greatly grow in numbers. Its needs he bore in mind. Far from being averse to English mission work, he was its warmest friend. THE FATHER, CHRISTIAN, GENTLEMAN AND COMPANION. On the 2 1 St day of September, 1841, at Dresden, Perry County, Mo., Walther was, by Rev. E. Keyl, united in marriage to Miss Christiane Emilie Buenger, daughter of the late Rev. Jacob Friedrich Buenger, pastor at Etzdorf, Saxony, Germany. Six chil- dren were the issue of this union. The eldest daughter, Christiane Magdalena, is married to Rev. S. Keyl, of New York City; the eldest son, Her- mann Christoph, born October 25, 1844, died July 24, 1848; Constantin and Ferdinand, twins, born Feb- ruary 23, 1847, are still alive, the latter having been pastor in Brunswick, Mo., since 1871 ; Emma Julia, born July 27, 1849, was the late wife of Rev. H. Nie- mann, Cleveland, O. ; and Christian Friedrich died at the age of one year in 1852. The married life of the Walthers proved to be a very happy one. Certainly, trials and tribulations were not wanting; but in His good providence God likewise sent many a joy. One source of happiness to them were their grandchildren. Walther rejoiced especially over FATHER, CHRISTIAN, GENTLEMAN AND COMPANION. 53 his first grandson. On the 23rd of August, 1885, death bereft Walther of his good and pious spouse, and he very keenly felt the loss. In fact, he never quite rallied from his sorrow until the day when he, too, was called away. Walther was a true and faithful Christian, i. e. a man who acknowledged himself to be a poor sinner, but clung in firm faith to his dear Savior Jesus Christ. A living faith was within him, tried and cleansed by many temptations. In hundreds of letters he used to sign himself as "Your most humble companion in troubles and the Kingdom," "Your companion longing most fervently for the life hereafter," "Your sincere brother in Him who loved Himself to death for us and now is sitting on the Throne in order to pour out upon us the gifts of His earnings," etc. He knew his old Adam well, and bravely and watchfully fought against him on every side. Whoever came into contact with Wal- ther would observe this. In the humblest manner he would apologize where he had been harsh. In great humility his faith shone forth before God and men. Although God had done great things through him, he did not crave for renown, but rather tried to avoid ev- ery honor bestowed on him, giving all praise and glory to God. He was a man of fervent prayer. All that 54 LIFE OF WALTHER. heard him pray or read his prayers can testify to that. Far from being overbearing toward inferiors, he al- ways showed the utmost friendliness and amiabiUty. He once declared that he considered the least one in the assembly who could bring the Word of God against him or his opinion, so much superior to himself as God is higher than any man. He even challenged the devil to prove to him that he had ever impressed the sim- plest layman as being impatient of contradiction. When at one time a young pastor, formerly his scholar, asked his indulgence for differing with him on some point, the Professor said: "Dear Pastor and Friend, I know you and understand you. You will not contra- dict in a matter like this except your conscience be un- easy, and you will not cease contradicting until you have convinced me, or I you. Would to God, all spoke so frankly to me ! That were very good and laudable ! Such frankness I love and esteem. But I detest such men as come to me with great show of reverence, deep bows, hat under the;ir arm, and 'Doctor, Esteemed Doctor!' in speech and manner, but send Walther across the street with a kick as soon as the 'Venerable Doctor' has turned away and does not see them." Walther's authority, as pastor and writer, being real- ly very great, so that his opinion was asked on almost FATHER, CHRISTIAN, GENTLEMAN AND COMPANION. 55 every important question, it was certainly divine grace that kept him humble and guarded him against falling from grace through self-esteem and haughtiness. He writes : "This" is yet a consolation to me, that I am at least a monument of God's great mercy." Very exact and conscientious in the discharge of his numerous duties, Walther was also exceedingly anxious to avoid giving oflfense in anything he said or did. An amiable, polite, polished Saxon in his whole bearing, he could converse with the simplest as well as with the most highly cultured, with high and poor ahke; yet he became stern and uncompromising as soon as divine truth was questioned. Endowed with remarkable con- versational and musical talents, he was able to entertain company pleasantly for hours. He appreciated a good joke; his own always had a pious point. Many stories might be told of his utter unselfishness and ready hospitality. Let one suffice. Many a time families of poor pastors were for months table-guests in his small dwelling. He once in such an amiable manner invited a poor, sick pastor to stay with him that the man thought it an offense to decline. After he had himself nursed the poor man for more than six weeks, Walther declared, he was convinced that in the person of this poor pastor he had taken the Lord Jesus 56 LIFE OF WALTHER. Christ into his house. To those enjoying his hospital- ity and afraid of being burdensome to him, he would say : "I thank the Lord for deeming me worthy to serve you." Had he chosen to accept compensation for his liter- ary work, he could have accumulated a fortune and have died a very wealthy man. Many thousands of dollars were offered to him for his manuscripts by peo- ple not belonging to the Missouri Synod. But he never took a cent. All the thousands, even hundred thou- sands of dollars netted from his writings flowed into the treasury of the German Synod of Missouri. His manner of dealing with rude and unchristian people may be illustrated by the following instance. While on a journey in company with other ministers, he met an atheistic Jew, who took delight in mocking the pastors and scoffing at religion in a very vulgar and hateful manner. One of his friends looked at Walther as if to induce him to silence the mocker ; but the Doc- tor quietly shook his head. When, after a while, the scoffer had exhausted his stock, Walther began to talk to him in such a quiet, polite, and yet firm manner that the man was thrown into the greatest confusion, and was not only silenced, but had the laugh turned on him. Yet the rebuke and treatment was not such as to exas- FATHER, CHRISTIAN, GENTLEMAN AND COMPANION. 57 perate the man. On the contrary, when the boat landed, the Jew went up to Walther and, grasping his hand while apologizing for his rude and arrogant im- pudence, assured him of his esteem. FAITHFUL UNTO THE END. In a wonderful manner God watched over the life of this man whom He had destined to do great things in His kingdom. When as a young man he had been given up by the doctors, God restored him to health. Although he had a weak body all his lifetime and was often on the verge of the grave, yet God enabled him to achieve a task seemingly impossible for one man. God prevented his taking passage on the "Amalia," a ship that was never heard of again. Twice God saved him from being drowned. The old Apostolical doctrine, which Dr. M. Luther had brought to light again at the time of the great Re- formation, God again set forth through Dr. Walther. Through him God preached the doctrine of reconcilia- tion through Jesus Christ with fervid eloquence from the pulpit. Through him He instructed hundreds of gifted young men and equipped them for the ministry of the Gospel. Him He made instrumental in the erec- tion of a great theological institution and various col- leges. Through him He gathered hundreds of thou- FAITHFUL UNTO THE END. 59 sands into one church-body, confessing the same doc- trine and observing the same practice. Through this man He shed the pure Gospel-Hght over North Ameri- ca, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, in the German, English, Norwegian, and other tongues. Through this theologian He gave to the Lutheran Church a pure presentation of all Bible doctrines, and to congregations in every part of the globe gems of theological literature, both instructive and edifying. He made him a theologian, great, learned, in the school of prayer, temptation, and meditation. He preserved him as a true and faithful servant in His kingdom, a firm believer, and a conqueror of Satan, world, and flesh. Now his work was done. God called His weary child home to rest. His last lecture (before the West- ern District in 1886) on the theme "The Fact that only by the doctrine of the Lutheran Church all glory is given to God, an incontrovertible proof that its doc- trine alone is the true doctrine" — he closed with the words: "Yonder, when God will have taken away from us the old flesh, our doctrine will be no theory only, but we shall practice it also. O Lord Jesus, thereunto help us all. Amen." — He was urged to take a vaca- tion, but did not comply. Since his birthday, October 60 LIFE OF WALTHER. 25, it became apparent that he was growing weaker and weaker. Since November, 1886, he was confined to his couch. On the i6th of January, 1887, the fif- tieth anniversary of his ordination to the holy ministry, his golden jubilee, was celebrated in all Lutheran churches of St. Louis, and by many others at home and abroad. He was able to sit up and welcome the deputa- tions sent to congratulate him. He remarked: "To God alone, not to me, all glory is due— to Him who out of unmerited grace was pleased to use me, a poor sinner, to do His work. In my lifetime I have exper- ienced much praise and much reproach from men, but believe me, dear brethren, I have become indifferent to both. Away, away, my God, from this evil, wicked world!" Although very weak, he dictated to his son a letter of thanks to all that had congratulated him. It was a severe trial for the man accustomed to hard work to lie there unable to do anything. He was, however, very patient. He complained of his sin, and shed tears of joy when consoling Gospel words were spoken to him, saying: "Oh, that good comfort!" Often he sighed: "O Lord, have mercy upon me!" and then prayed : "Jesus' blood and righteousness My jewel is and festive dress." FAITHFUL UNTO THE END. 61 He was confident that God would not forsake him in the hour of death. On the 5th of May, when an old church-member visited him, he prayed the entire 23rd Psalm: "The Lord is my Shepherd," etc.— Wh^n the brethren had left him to attend the synodical meeting at Ft. Wayne, he spoke of the assembly of the pa- triarchs and prophets above, remarking: "Oh, that will be glorious." He prayed very frequently, and asked his pastor to pray with him. So Pastor Stoeckhardt prayed with him on the evening of the 6th of May: "Should this night prove the last for me In this dark vale of tears, Then lead me, Lord, in heaven to Thee And my elect compeers, for Jesus' sake. Amen." When asked whether he was ready and willing to die in firm trust and reliance on the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ whom he had proclaimed during his lifetime, he replied firmly and distinctly, "Yes." To- ward midnight he once more opened his lips saying, "It is enough." From that time he did not speak any more. All Sunday, May 7, 1887, he was dying, but gave signs that he understood Pastor Stoeckhardt, Prof. Schaller, and his son. Pastor Ferdinand Walther, when they spoke words of comfort to him. He over- came death and its horrors through Jesus Christ, the 62 LIFE OF WALTHER. Prince of life, clinging in this hour to Him who had been his trust in life. At half past five o'clock in the afternoon of the seventh of May, 1887, he peacefully departed this life to enter into the blessed rest of the saints. When the message of his demise reached Ft. Wayne, the Monday morning session of Synod was made a mourning service. By request of Synod the funeral was deferred until the 17th of May. Rev. H. Birkner delivered an English funeral sermon. Pastor Stoeck- hardt spoke in the aula of Concordia Seminary on i. Cor. 2:2. In Trinity Church, Rev. H. C. Schwan, President of the Joint Synod, preached the German funeral sermon on Psalm 90. Prof. A. Craemer deliv- ered an address on 2 Kings 2: 12. At the grave. Rev. O. Hanser, of Trinity Church, and Rev. Prof. L. Lar- son, of the Norwegian Synod, spoke. The latter bore witness there at the grave of the great benefits and blessings which the Norwegian Lutheran Church had derived from the deceased. "May that faithfulness in keeping the divine truth as well as that striving for sin- cere sanctification, to which Walther and the Synod whose first man he was have so faithfully exhorted and so powerfully led us on— may this faithfulness— that is our sincere wish and prayer to-day— long survive the FAITHFUL UNTO THE END. 63 beloved departed one, in our synod as well as in his own! May it be so for Jesus' sake. Amen." These were the closing words of Prof. Larson. The Norwegian Synod was officially represented at the funeral by its President, the Rev. Mr. Preuss, and by Prof. Larson; the Minnesota Synod, by its Presi- dent, the Rev. J. C. Albrecht ; the Wisconsin Synod, by Profs. Notz and Graebner. Hundreds of outsiders were present from the Missouri and other Synods. Never before in America have there been attendant on the funeral of a divine so many ministers of the Gospel and theologians. The city of St. Louis had never wit- nessed a larger, grander funeral. But we cried within our hearts: "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof !" He was gone, and had left us behind to mourn his loss. And yet we know that to him it was gain ; for "blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." The child that prayed Jesus' blood and righteousness My jewel is and festive dress, With this shall I fore God prevail When I the heavenly portals hail !" 6* LIFE OF WALTHER. was now at home, at rest in the Father's house; and on that glorious day of resurrection he will come forth in bliss and glory, wearing the crown of righteousness and praising with transfigured lips and great rejoicing the Lamb of God, which bought him, and brought him there. May God grant us to be steadfast in faith unto the end for Jesus' sake. ERRATUM. On page 6i, fifth line from bottom, read Saturday instead of Sunday. o?''"' Pf.nceiof) Theological 5emm3r>-Speer Library 1 1012 01045 5501