tibrarjp of tive ti^eolojical ^eminarjp 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 Rufus K. LeFevre 
 
 
PJ 
 
 i-Jlt 
 
^?"-*^ii3tas Ro^^i^^ 
 
 a^^. 
 
f MAY 21 1952 ^ 
 THE LIFK N^^y /,/..«.. ocu\V? 
 
 Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner, D. D. 
 
 OF THF 
 
 UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST, 
 WITH AN APPENDIX 
 
 CONTAINING A 
 
 NUMBER OF HIS SERMONS AND SKETCHES 
 
 REV. A. W. DRURY, D. D., 
 
 Author op ** Life op Ottkrbbin," 
 with an introduction by 
 
 REV. JAMES W. HOTT, D. D. 
 
 Published for John Dodds 
 
 BY 
 
 United Brethren Publishing House^ 
 dayton, ohio, 
 
Copyrighted, 1880. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Scope Taken — Family — Training at Home and at School — 
 Training from Life — Surroundings 17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Conversion — Joins the United Brethren Church— Class Lead- 
 er — Exhorter — Preacher — Preparation for the Work 29 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Attends Virginia Conference — The Field — The Session — 
 Joins Conference — Sent to Hagerstown Circuit — Year of 
 Success — Elements as a Preacher — Conference of 1832 — 
 Staunton Circuit — Itinerants' Home — Marriage — Confer- 
 ence of 1833— Ordained— Returned to Staunton Circuit 44 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Conference of 1834 — Elected Presiding Elder— Staunton Dis- 
 trict — Re-elected Presiding Elder in 1835, 1836 and 1837 — 
 Incidents — Sent to Shiloh Mission in 1838 and Returned 
 in 1839 — In 1840 and 1841 on Frederick Circuit — In 1842 
 Presiding Elder on Maryland District — Incidents from His 
 Maryland Work — In 1843 on Rockbridge Circuit — In 1844 
 and 1845 Assigned to Staunton Circuit — Character as a 
 Preacher — Personal Elements — Sermon at Franklin — Sup- 
 port of Church Interests— Extracts from Published Articles 
 
 — Home Life 63 
 
 V 
 
VI . CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTKR V. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Delegate to General Conference of 1S37 — Original Character 
 of the Church — Condition at this Time — A Constitution 
 Adopted — Delegate to General Conference of 1841 — Debate 
 on Constitution — Mr. Glossbrenner's Attitude — Clause on 
 Amendments — Acceptance of the Constitution — Other Acts 
 of the Conference 88 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Delegate to General Conference of 1845 — Educational Work 
 Begun — Elected Bishop — East District — West District — 
 Otterbein University Founded — Virginia Conference in 
 1847 — Camp-meeting Sermon — Middle District — Spirit of 
 the Church — Aversion to Lauding Men — General Confer- 
 ence of 1849 — Temperance — Secret Societies — Slavery — Re- 
 elected Bishop — Assigned West District — Holds Confer- 
 ences on Middle District — West District — East District — 
 Execi:tion of the L,aw on Slavery— West District 108 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 General Conference of 1853 — Extension of the Work — 
 Depravity — Course of Reading — Organization of Mission- 
 ary Society — Slavery — East District — First Round — Pre- 
 sides in the West — General Conference of 1857 — Infant 
 Baptism — Settlement of the Depravity Controversy — East 
 District — Church Dedications — L,ast Year of the Quadren- 
 nium — His Services and Character — Relation to Slavery — 
 Home lyife 145 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 General Conference of i86i — Returned to East District — Shut 
 Up Within the Confederate L,ines— His Work During the 
 War — Preaches to Southern Soldiers — His Loyalty to the 
 Union— Journey Through the Lines and Return — Close of 
 the War— General Conference of 1865 — His Course Dur- 
 
CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ing the War Approved — "Obnoxious Resolution" — Con- 
 troversy with McCue — Welcomed on the East District — 
 Holds His Conferences — General Questioning 174 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 General Conference of 1869 — Lay Delegation — Secrecy — 
 Union Biblical Seminary — African Mission — Ohio District 
 — Closing Address — Removal to Dayton, Ohio — In 1870 
 Visits Pacific Coast — Traveling by Stage — Colorado Mission 
 — Meeting of the Board of Missions in Baltimore — General 
 Conference of 1873 — Lay Delegation — Special Law — Under 
 a Cloud — West Mississippi District — Closing Address — 
 Made Doctor of Divinity — In 1876 Visits Pacific Coast — 
 General Conference of 1877 — Old Questions — Sermon on 
 Character of Bishop Edwards — East District — Sickness — 
 Railroad Accident — Churchville Church — Article on Lay 
 Delegation — Seminary Discourses 203 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 General Conference of 1881 — Pro Rata Representation — Ohio 
 District — First Round — Taken Sick — Dedication at Dayton 
 — Second and Third Rounds — Missionary Sermons — Leba- 
 non Valley Baccalaureate — Last Round — Sickness — Oppo- 
 sition at North Ohio — Faithfulness as Bishop — Change in 
 Sentiments — Golden Wedding — His Family — Congratula- 
 tions — Death of Mother Shuey — Sickness and Death of 
 Mrs. Glossbrenner — Bereaved but Still Battling 232 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Nineteenth General Conference — Bishops' Address — Changed 
 Attitude of the Church — The Commission — Producing 
 Causes — Embarrassments to Progress — Emeritus Bishop — 
 Expressions of Esteem — Last Address — Sermon — Imme- 
 diate Engagements — Session of Church Commission — 
 
Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE, 
 
 Further Work — Sickness and Death — Nature and Signifi- 
 cance of Life and Character — Personal Characteristics — 
 Secular Side — Social and Religious Character — Character 
 as a Preacher — His Eminence — Character as a Bishop — 
 Qualities as a Presiding Officer — Influence Immortal 254 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 SERMONS AND SKETCHES. 
 
 The Love of Christ — I Magnify Mine Office — Disputations — 
 Sowing Beside All Waters — The Open Door — Pray for the 
 Peace of Jerusalem — The Church — Look Upon Zion 295 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The hand that would trace the lines of a noble life 
 after that life has been transferred to the land im- 
 mortal, has set itself to the performance of a delicate 
 task. When the heart-throb ceases, and the soul goes 
 out into the world beyond, no one can replace among 
 the forces of earth the throbbing heart which has been 
 stilled, or stir again the strains of the voice hushed in 
 death. Then something has gone out of this world 
 which can never come again. 
 
 It is the mission of biography to trace out the footsteps 
 of a life as that life has placed them in the path of 
 human historj'. The biographer must approach the task 
 of reproducing, in a living form, the spirit, and thought, 
 and deeds of the departed. He should stand in closest 
 fellowship with the spirit of the times in which the 
 subjedt lived and toiled, and gather up the forces of 
 that life, and place on the thought and under the eye 
 of coming generations, those fadts and principles which, 
 in a peculiar sense, belonged to that life,^ and which 
 lifted it above the ordinary and made it illustrious. 
 He must set the deeds of that departed life in perspec- 
 tive outline upon the times in which it appeared, that 
 they may tell again their story of struggle and triumph. 
 
 Such a life as that of Bishop Glossbrenner deserves 
 to be lived over again a thousand times in the thought 
 
 ix 
 
X INTRODUCTION. 
 
 and heart of others, and especially among the people 
 of the Church in which he was the most conspicuous 
 figure for almost half a ceutury. 
 
 No man since the days of- Otterbein impressed his 
 spirit, thought, and charadter so strongly on the United 
 Brethren Church as did Bishop Glossbrenner; not that 
 he was copied or imitated, for he was unique in 
 charadler, and no man could ])e like him. He was as 
 the sun which shines gcnth" upon the earth. His .spirit, 
 and life, and thought shone benignantlj' iipon the Church 
 in all parts, and poured upon it an illumination, leading 
 men to a purer Christian service and a nobler manhood. 
 
 The writer will never forget the impressions made upon 
 his heart the time he first saw Bishop Glosisbrenner, 
 nearly thirty-five years ago. He was then in his prime. 
 He was a round-faced, splendidly formed specimen of 
 manhood, but gentle, and courteous, and humble as a 
 child. The writer, then a mere lad, watched with deepest 
 attention every word and adt of one so revered in his 
 father's home. How thoughtful and kind were his words. 
 With what benedidtions his hands clasped the little hands 
 of the children of that home, and how tenderl}- his right 
 hand rested upon the heads of those children whose 
 mother he had received into church fellowship many 
 years before, when she was but a maiden. With what 
 tenderness, and comprehensiveness, and thoughtfulness, 
 and earnestness he prayed for all at the family altar, and 
 then went his way. Who that ever saw Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner in the home, and heard his prayers at the home 
 altar, could ever forget him or cease to love him ? 
 
 Nor can the writer ever forget the time he first met 
 Bi.shop Glossbrenner at an annual conference. It was at 
 Edenburg, Virginia, in 1862, as the cloud of war was 
 
INTKODUCriON. XI 
 
 deepening and darkening over the whole sky of our 
 nation. No one felt the sorrow of the deepening shadow 
 so keenly as he. His love for the Church in Virginia 
 induced him to remain there and suffer with his brethren. 
 The writer, with five others, became members of the 
 conference at that session. With what hopefulness the 
 Bishop addressed this class of young preachers. With 
 what earnestness he preached before the conference on 
 the Sabbath day. How he spoke words of consolation 
 and hope which seemed to come diredlly from God to the 
 troubled hearts of that band of consecrated men who had 
 resolved to die, if need be, for Christ and the Church they 
 loved. With what deep solicitude he remembered, and 
 prayed for, that portion of the Church from which he 
 was painfully separated. The exalted opinion and tender 
 love for the BivShop awakened thus in early life, no 
 one could lose by association in after 5'ears. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner as a man possessed gentleness and 
 kindness in a large measure. He was no less a man 
 of strong courage and undoubted firmness. He had a 
 high sense of manly honor, and nothing so sorely 
 wounded him as for him to feel that any one cast over 
 him even a shadow of suspicion as to his own honor. 
 He was incapable of such a refle(5tion iipon one of his 
 brethren. In his home life he was most tender and 
 affedlionate. He was a typical Virginian and possessed 
 all those splendid, manly elements which charadlerize 
 the noblest phases of society in the State where he 
 spent most of his home life during the long term of 
 his general labors in the Church, and to which his 
 peculiar attachments drew him in the closing years of 
 his earthly pilgrimage. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, as a believer in the word of God, 
 
3Q1 INTKOitLCTluN. 
 
 and in the atonement of Christ, possessed a most satis- 
 factory experience and faith. He was a man of the 
 purest evangelical tj'pe. Doiibtings and questionings in 
 the presence of the word of God were to him unknown. 
 He was a man with implicit faith in Christ. He could 
 say with wonderful emphasis, " I know whom I have be- 
 lieved, and am persviaded that he is able to keep that 
 which I have committed unto him against that day." 
 His heart responded to ever}- claim of Christ, and his 
 faith was built alone upon the word of God. 
 
 As a preacher of the gospel, Bishop Glossbrenner stood 
 preeminent among his brethren. Our Church has had in 
 its pulpits no such voice of persuasive sweetness as his. 
 On his first charges he won the hearts of hundreds as a 
 preacher of surpassing tenderness, sweetness, beaut}', and 
 power. He was specificall}- a preacher of the word. He 
 di.scoursed upon the great themes of the gospel. He 
 spent no time on vague and fine theories. He depended 
 upon no dramatic effedt in the pulpit. With plain, earnest 
 truth and well chosen words, he illumined the minds and 
 softened the hearts of all who heard him. His was an 
 eloquence of the truth, not of the orator. He built up a 
 sermon as a pyramid of granite. He made a quotation from 
 the Bible mean more than any other preacher of his time. 
 He was marvelously uniform in his pulpit efforts. He 
 never fell below the dignity and rank of a bishop in his 
 sermons, while at times he rose to sublime strains of 
 eloquence. In a school-house, or humble church, with 
 a few dozen persons, he was as interesting, and striking, 
 and instrudtive, as when in the pulpit before hundreds 
 of entranced hearers. While he may not have been 
 unaffe<fted by circum.stance, he drew his inspiration 
 direcfllj^ from Christ and the truth he proclaimed. It is 
 
INTRODUCTION. XI 11 
 
 exceedingly fortunate that this volume should contain a 
 number of the sermons and sketches of sermons of the 
 Bishop as prepared and used by him. They exhibit the 
 thoroughness, clearness, and carefulness of his pulpit 
 preparation, and show us the great fields of truth to 
 which he delighted most to turn. But the printed page 
 cannot reproduce that deep and sustained earnestness, the 
 sharp and penetrating eye, the eloquence of silently 
 flowing tears of tenderness, sj'mpathy, and love, the 
 persuasive, winsome voice, and the deep pathos which 
 made him a prince of preachers. These elements can re- 
 main only in memor}-, the heritage of those who heard him. 
 As a superintendent in the Church, and as a shepherd 
 over the flock of God, Bishop Glossbrenner was a model. 
 Here he has had no equal in the Church. Forty years he 
 was an active bishop in a growing church, being seledted 
 to this its highest office every four years for this long 
 term, and ever with increasing esteem and confidence. 
 He died in the office he was so often chosen to fill. Though 
 intense in his S3anpathy for the Church, loyal to its every 
 interest, stridt in enforcing discipline, and scrupulously 
 jealous of every interest and institution of the Church 
 he loved, he was yet not an ecclesiastical bigot. Broad 
 and catholic in sentiment, and heart, and fellowship, he 
 cherished the purest esteem for all evangelical churches 
 and Christians, and was at home in any pulpit to which 
 he was invited. He not only kept abreast of the times, 
 but, conservative as was his nature, he was always in 
 the front rank of every progressive movement of the 
 Church. When he entered the ministry, the Church had 
 no missionary board, no foreign missions, no church 
 eredtion society, no educational institutions, no seminary 
 or college, no Sunday-school system or literature, and 
 
XIV INTKOULCTION. 
 
 no printing establishment. He saw these agencies rise 
 in the Church one after another in the progress of the 
 j-ears. He helped to give origin to these institutions, 
 and fostered them and loved them as a father loves his 
 child. Though his life and ministry spanned this great 
 era of progress, and growth, and new methods, the day- 
 he fell asleep in Jesus no man had a 3-ounger heart than 
 he, and none loved the advancing interests of the Church 
 more sincerel}-. 
 
 Thus, the active ministerial life of Bishop Glossbrenner 
 covered a great portion of the most interesting period 
 of the histor}^ of the Church. His name, and his 
 thought, and his toil, are linked with its life and 
 progress for half a centur}-, and span this era of its 
 mar\'elous development and growth. He figured con- 
 spicuously in the discussions of the great questions 
 which have agitated the Church at times dviring the past 
 half century. From this simple facl the biography here 
 presented has ver}- great historical value. 
 
 While the memor}' of Bishop (ilossbrenner is held a 
 sacred treasure to many personal friends, and most sacredly 
 cherished by a devoted family connedtion, it is as well the 
 rightful heritage of the Church in which he labored so long, 
 and which he loved so well. He used to say: "In the 
 church letme live; in the church let me labor; in the church 
 let me die; and in the church, and b}- the church, let me be 
 buried." His message was: "Tell the brethren all is 
 well; my home is over there." The Church has a wide 
 and undying interest in his life thus spent in its service. 
 
 It is a worthy crowning of a life-long friendship of 
 peculiar endearment, that Brother John Dodds, whose 
 prai.se is in all the churches, should so diligently and 
 liberally devote his attention and means to the memory 
 
INTRODUCTION. XV 
 
 of his friend and ours, as to assume all financial re- 
 sponsibility in the gathering- of materials and the 
 produdlion of this testimonial to the life and labors of 
 Bishop Glossbrenner. 
 
 Nothing has been omitted that would give interest and 
 value to this volume. Two splendid steel engravings of 
 the Bishop are given. The frontispiece presents him at 
 the age of about seventy years, or as he appeared during 
 the last term of his service as bishop. The other presents 
 him as he was twenty-five years earlier, when in the 
 prime and vigor of life. 
 
 Dr. A. W. Drury, the author of this volume, by the 
 research and painstaking investigation, and accuracy of 
 statement of fadl, for which he is so justl}^ noted, has 
 made an invaluable, beautiful, and undjdng contribution 
 to the literature of our Church, and of the country as well. 
 He has woven from choicest material a life story of rarest 
 interest. He has reproduced with a skillful hand in 
 these pages a life of imperishable and holy fame. 
 
 It was not until a short time before his death that 
 Bishop Glossbrenner so far deferred to the solicitations of 
 his friends as to consent to note down some of the facts 
 of his life for use in the preparation of a suitable memoir. 
 Of the limited number of pages that he wrote, as also of 
 accounts furnished bj^ his intimate friends, the author has 
 made a liberal use. 
 
 This volume needs from the writer no commendation, 
 either as it relates to the subjedt or the author; and yet it 
 is a pleasing task to snatch from a busy day a moment to 
 introduce to the public, and to coming generations, this 
 faithful portraiture of the life of one so long and so well 
 beloved, and one so highh- honored in the church of 
 Christ on earth. J. W. HoTT. 
 
 February i8, 1889. 
 
LIFE 
 
 BISHOP J. J. GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Scope Taken — Family — Training- at Home and at School 
 — Training from Life — Surroundings. 
 
 The life of every man has primary signifi- 
 cance to him that lives it. It takes an added 
 significance when it becomes a factor in shaping 
 other lives. It rises to a sublime dignity when it 
 devotes itself to the glory of God and the highest 
 good of fellow-beings. The life of any true man, 
 if viewed in connection with the purpose and 
 faith which have inspired and sustained it, cannot 
 fail to instruct and exalt. In the case of Bishop 
 Glossbrenner, in addition to the interest that we 
 have in him as an individual and an indefatiga- 
 ble toiler, we are led to view him as representa- 
 tive of the character and course of the particular 
 church with which his whole Christian life was 
 
 so closely identified. This broader view is not 
 a 17 
 
18 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 arbitrary, but natural and warranted by the facts 
 involved. Yet what a man himself has done, 
 and more particularly what he has been and what 
 he has become, must furnish the center point and 
 the guiding line for his written life. 
 
 Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner was born in Hagers- 
 town, Maryland, July 24, 1812. His parents 
 were Peter and Christiana Glossbrenner. The 
 founder of the Glossbrenner family in America 
 was John Frederick, who landed at Philadelphia 
 August 15, 1750. He subscribed his name at 
 that time, Johan Friederich Glassbrenner. Like 
 most German names, the name Glassbrenner had 
 its significance, its meaning being glassburner, the 
 one on whom it was first bestowed, being perhaps 
 a glass annealer. The home of the family in 
 Europe was in Rhenish Prussia. A satirist by 
 the name of Adolf Glassbrenner, born in 1810, 
 attained considerable distinction in Prussia. At 
 least two Glossbrenner families outside of that 
 founded by John Frederick Glossbrenner became 
 planted in America. 
 
 John Frederick Glossbrenner settled in Berks 
 County, Pennsylvania, as early as 1769. The 
 names Gottlieb, Frederick, Jacob Frederick, 
 Jacob, and Philip appear as the names of his 
 sons, all of whom were probably born in America. 
 After the death of John Frederick in 1788, the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 19 
 
 family separated, some of the members going to 
 York County, Pennsylvania, and some going 
 further west and after awhile finding their way 
 to Indiana. Gottlieb, the oldest son, with his wife, 
 Margaret, and their family, settled at Hagers- 
 town, Maryland. The name Gottlieb Glossbren- 
 ner appears in the records of the earliest Lutheran 
 Church at Hagerstown as a devout and faithful 
 member. He died in 1804. Eight sons and four 
 daughters were born to Gottlieb and Margaret 
 Glossbrenner. The names of the sons were John 
 George, John, John Gottlieb, Abraham, Frederick, 
 Jacob, Adam, and Peter. John Gottlieb is be- 
 lieved to have gone to New Orleans, and to have 
 there died, leaving a large fortune. Abraham, 
 Adam, and Peter married at Hagerstown and con- 
 tinued to reside there. The other members of 
 the large family of Gottlieb Glossbrenner rapidly 
 disappeared. 
 
 December 8, 1807, Peter Glossbrenner, the 
 father of the subject of this memoir, was married 
 to Christiana Shane (Schon), the daughter of 
 HLenry Shane, the keeper of a tavern in Hagers- 
 town. To this union were born four children, 
 "William, Jacob Adam, Jacob John and Catharine 
 Agatha. In the baptismal book of the Lutheran 
 Church at Hagerstown the names, with date of 
 birth and date of baptism, of all of the children 
 
20 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 of Peter and Christiana Glossbrenner are found 
 with the exception of that of Jacob John. This 
 chasm in the record may be due to the confusion 
 brought about by the War of 1812, or to the 
 fact of a change in the family residence. That the 
 baptism of Jacob John took place at the hands 
 of a Lutheran minister, either at Hagerstown or 
 elsewhere, in infancy or early childhood, is suf- 
 ficiently attested. He was probably given by his 
 parents the name Jacob John, as given above, 
 just as the brother next older was given the name 
 Jacob Adam, though in the latter case the name 
 Jacob was later placed second in order. The 
 same change was made in the former case when 
 both names were given in full. The future bishop 
 was known as a boy by the name Jacob, and 
 sometimes was addressed as a man by the name 
 Jacob J. Glossbrenner. In German families it is 
 common to find the same name given to more 
 than one of the sons in the same family, the name 
 repeated generally being the name of the father 
 or the father's brother. While the names are 
 bestowed thus freely, one of the names is often 
 with equal freedom dropped, or the order re- 
 versed. The absence of a decisive record has led 
 to doubt and conflicting statement as to the year 
 of Jacob's birth, though the evidence largely pre- 
 ponderates in favor of 1812 as against 1813, the 
 year formerly accepted. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 21 
 
 Peter Glossbrenner was a mechanic, or so to 
 speak, a manufacturer, his labor being bestowed 
 on the manufacture, on his own account, of the 
 wood parts of carriages, which he turned over to 
 a manufacturing establishment in Hagerstown. 
 He was industrious, and honored his trade, and it 
 in turn honored him. He was a soldier in the 
 War of 1812, serving in a company of artillery, 
 and in 1814 took part in the successful defense of 
 Baltimore against the British. The Glossbren- 
 ners had become thoroughly identified with the 
 spirit and institutions of the country in which 
 their lot was cast. A cousin of Peter Glossbren- 
 ner, also named Peter, served his country as a 
 soldier in the hour of need, Peter Glossbrenner, 
 with his family, moved, probably in 1815, to 
 Montgomery County, Maryland, where he re- 
 mained about two years, returning on the death 
 of his wife's father. After receiving the share in 
 the hotel falling to his wife, he proceeded to buy 
 out, one by one, the other heirs. The property 
 was not worth more than about one thousand 
 dollars, and there were as many heirs as there 
 were one hundred dollar shares in the property. 
 He built a shop on the same lot with the hotel 
 and continued to ply his trade. The hotel busi- 
 ness, however, was not entirely relinquished. The 
 prospects of the family, considering all of the cir- 
 
22 LIFE OF r.LO.SSBRENNER. 
 
 cumstances belonging to life at that early day, 
 were bright and satisfying. They little knew the 
 sad events that awaited them. By a distressing 
 accident the husband and father was taken away 
 from his family. In the year 1819 Peter Gloss- 
 brenner was kicked by a horse and died within 
 two days. The widowed mother was left with a 
 family of four children, ranging from eleven years 
 to one year of age. Jacob was in his seventh 
 year. The property bought was not yet half paid 
 for. The trial and struggle brought out the noble 
 qualities of the mother. Ever afterward, and 
 with regularity, the name of Christiana Gloss- 
 brenner appears on the church record among the 
 names of communicants. From necessity the 
 sons were early put to trades. William waa 
 placed in a cabinet-maker's shop, Adam in a 
 printing office, and later Jacob in a silversmith's 
 shop. The mother continued to make payments 
 on the property purchased, paying out on an 
 average one share a year, just as her husband had 
 begun to do. The children did what they could 
 for the support of the family, the sons, in after 
 years, relinquishing in favor of their mother all 
 claim that they might have had in the property 
 secured. 
 
 But the moral and intellectual training of the 
 orphan children was of the highest importance, 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 23 
 
 and must here receive our special attention. 
 Peter Glossbrenner had been traditionally, rather 
 than actively, connected with the Lutheran 
 Church. He bore a reputation for honesty and 
 solid qualities. He was firm, but kind toward 
 his children. He was strict in the requirement 
 that they should be regular in attendance at the 
 Sabbath-school. At this time Sabbath-schools 
 were in their infancy. But the Lutheran Church 
 at Hagerstown was fortunate in having as its pas- 
 tor, for a period of sixteen years, from 1815 to 
 1831, such an active, evangelical minister as Dr. 
 Benjamin Kurtz. Dr. Kurtz had strong convic- 
 tions as to the possibility and duty of bringing up 
 children in an intelligent, godly way. By tongue 
 and pen he sought to direct and stimulate the 
 moral and religious education of the children of 
 the church, and of course was a sincere and active 
 friend of Sabbath-schools. Bishop Glossbrenner, 
 in after years, confessed to the salutary influence 
 of this pious, scholarly, and wise-hearted man. 
 It was doubtless largely due to his influence that 
 the church at Hagerstown assumed such an evan- 
 gelical and earnest character. It was in Hagers- 
 town in 1820, and largely under the influence and 
 leadership of Dr. D. B. Kurtz, the friend of 
 Otterbein, and Dr. Benjamin Kurtz, that the 
 General Synod of the Lutheran Church, other- 
 
24 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 wise known as the Evangelical Lutheran body, 
 was constituted. Christiana Glossbrenner was 
 accustomed to lead her children to the services 
 of the church. Parents at that time were not 
 accustomed to attend Sabbath-school. She sought 
 to bring her children up in a moral and industri- 
 ous way, " so that they would not bring discredit 
 upon the name of Glossbrenner." She was a 
 woman of cheerful disposition, was patient under 
 hardship, and was noted for her industry and per- 
 severance. After living a widow for a number 
 of years, she was married in 1828 to a Mr. David 
 Dasher. She died at York, Pennsylvania, at the 
 home of her son Adam, at the advanced age of 
 eighty-four. 
 
 The secular education of the children of Peter 
 and Christiana Glossbrenner was limited in quan- 
 tity, but for the time and for the circumstances 
 ot the family, was fair in quality. The children 
 iirst attended a private school taught by a Mr. 
 Ricksecker. Mr. Ricksecker was a Lutheran, 
 and the school, while not sectarian, was largely 
 under the patronage of Lutherans. Dr. Kurtz 
 often came into the school to inquire how the 
 children were getting along, and to direct and 
 encourage in the work of their education. Mr. 
 Kicksecker, while an inconsiderable scholar, took 
 great delight in his pupils and seemed to have the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 2S 
 
 happy ability to awaken and stimulate them by 
 Hving, sympathetic contact. One of his methods 
 was to read something to his pupils and then to 
 have them rehearse the same in their own lan- 
 guage, a method showing real wisdom and a 
 generous, devoted disposition. Years afterward, 
 going into the office of a newspaper, of which 
 one of his pupils was editor, he accosted the 
 editor with the words, "You do the writing 
 here ?" Receiving an affirmative answer, he 
 replied with evident satisfaction, " I taught 
 you your letters." While in Mr. Ricksecker's 
 school, Jacob Glossbrenner was apt and studious. 
 In some things he excelled, but he welcomed the 
 help of his fellow-pupils in " doing his sums." 
 
 From the school of Mr. Ricksecker the children 
 of Christiana Glossbrenner went to the school of 
 John E. Hotiman. Mr. Hoffman was a much 
 better scholar and was better furnished as a 
 teacher than Mr. Ricksecker. His school, while 
 likewise not sectarian, sustained Reformed con- 
 nections. In his work in the school-room he in- 
 cluded exercises in mental arithmetic, which at 
 that time were quite uncommon, and showed that 
 the teacher was not dependent on a mere practiced 
 rote. It was this school-teacher who changed the 
 spelling of the family name from Glassbrenner to 
 Glossbrenner. Speaking of Bishop Glossbrenner, 
 
26 LITE OF GLOSSBRENNBR. 
 
 Bishop Weaver has said : " The power of concen- 
 tration, which is the master- wheel in the minds of 
 the most scholarly men, was strongly developed 
 in his mind. How he acquired this wonderful 
 power we may never know." May it not be that 
 the natural methods and the direct contact of 
 these early teachers, the only teachers he ever 
 had, may furnish at least a part of the desired 
 answer ? 
 
 When fourteen years of age Jacob Glossbren- 
 ner's schooling was brought to a close by the 
 necessity, or the supposed prudent requirement, 
 that he should learn a trade. While going to 
 school he had been a part of the time working 
 for board and clothes. His education in school 
 was confined to what he received in the short 
 terms of private school between his ninth and 
 fourteenth years. He received instruction in 
 nothing outside of the common branches. He 
 now began to learn the silversmith and watch- 
 making trade with Mr. Arthur Johnson, of 
 Hagerstown. He remained with him about two 
 years. He afterward pursued his trade for a 
 short time with Mr. John Reynolds, also of 
 Hagerstown. Mr. Reynolds was a member of 
 the Methodist Church, and was noted for his 
 sincere and earnest piety. The associates of the 
 young apprentice were young people of a respected 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 27 
 
 and self-respecting class. A considerable number 
 of them came to be honored and substantial 
 citizens. One of them, who is still living, speaks 
 of Jacob as a "grand boy." Others speak with 
 great tenderness of his warm-hearted and faithful 
 friendship. 
 
 We may now notice some of the other members 
 of the family. William, the oldest brother, died 
 when about thirteen years of age. Adam J. 
 Glossbrenner was apprenticed when nine years 
 of age to learn the printing business. By his 
 indenture he was to receive several months of 
 schooling each year. When he reached the age 
 of seventeen, he became foreman and manager 
 of the Ohio Monitor, published at Columbus, 
 Ohio. A year later he held a similar position on 
 the Western Telegraph, published at Hamilton, 
 Ohio. He soon afterward settled at York, 
 Pennsylvania, where, as editor and proprietor of 
 a paper, many years of his life were spent. In 
 1847 he was elected sergeant-at-arms of the 
 National House of Representatives, and was re- 
 elected to four successive congresses. He after- 
 ward served two terms as a member of the 
 ISTational House of Representatives. Of late years 
 he has made Philadelphia his home. Catharine 
 Glossbrenner was married to a Mr. Andrews. 
 She died about 1848. 
 
28 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Hagerstown, the home of the Glossbrenner 
 family, was founded in 1762, and Avas one of the 
 most interesting and important towns in western 
 Maryhuid. It was then as now the county- 
 seat of Washington County. The country about 
 is hilly and romantic, forming a part of the beau- 
 tiful Cumberland Valley. ^Man}^ Germans at an 
 early day settled in Washington County, but the 
 English population, always outnumbering the 
 German, brought about a rapid transition of the 
 German element to the English language and to 
 English customs. The mother of Jacob Gloss- 
 brenner could speak the German language 
 fairly well, but the father spoke it with 
 greater difficulty. He himself acquired httle 
 knowledge of the German from his parents. The 
 Reformed and Lutheran churches were early 
 established in Hagerstown, and soon after 1800 
 the United Brethren began to pay regular visits 
 to that place. Hagerstown, though early in the 
 century noted for its levity and irreligion, after- 
 ward came to share with all of the other parts of 
 "Washington County in the manifestation of alarge 
 measure of religious enthusiasm and activity. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Conversion — Joins the United Brethren Church — Class 
 Leader — Exhorter — Preacher — Preparation for the 
 Work. 
 
 Up to his twelfth year Jacob Glossbrenner was 
 a regular attendant of the services of the Lutheran 
 Church. He was much impressed by the earnest 
 sermons of the pastor, Dr. Benjamin Kurtz. He 
 was specially impressed by the distinctness and 
 earnestness with which the doctrine of a change 
 of heart was presented. He afterward became 
 less concerned and less regular in his attendance 
 at church. After he went to his trade he mingled 
 with gay associates and "went far from God." He 
 was a bright boy, well liked, and strictly moral, 
 but the claims of God were largely forgotten. It 
 is well that there are some persons who become 
 distinguished for piety, — many indeed there are, — 
 who have not in the first place trampled upon 
 their manhood and contaminated by their vices 
 the lives of others. 
 
 In his seventeenth year, while learning his trade 
 with Mr. Reynolds, he became awakened on the 
 subject of religion under the preaching of a 
 Methodist minister by the name of Gibbons, but 
 
 29 
 
30 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEK. 
 
 was not at that time converted. His convei*sion 
 occurred several months hiter at a meeting held bj 
 Rev. Wm. R. Rhinehart, a minister of the United 
 Brethren Church. Mr. Rhinehart was serving 
 his first charge under a regular appointment from 
 the conference, having been ordained in 1829 and 
 at the same time elected as a presiding elder. He 
 was also doing the regular work of an itinerant. 
 He had become a member of the conference in 
 1825, and while not traveling regularly, had 
 rendered efficient assistance in many special 
 meetings. He was a man of fine physique, 
 powerful voice, and unusual preaching talent. 
 He liad tremendous energy in exhortation. He 
 attracted attention everywhere by his wonderful 
 power as a singer. In his preaching and in his 
 methods he was bold, thorough, and unsparing. 
 
 In the course of the meeting held by him at 
 Hagerstown, young Glossbrenner, while inter- 
 ested, raised objections to the requirements urged 
 and the methods used. He, with some of his 
 intimate young friends, wrote a letter to Mr. 
 Rhinehart, signing themselves John Paul, or some 
 such fictitious name. They stated their objections, 
 specially naming the " mourners' bench," and ask- 
 ing Mr. Rhinehart publicly to meet the same. He 
 gave a sweeping reply from the pulpit. Afterward 
 learning that Mr. Glossbrenner was the leader of 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNBR. 31 
 
 the company, he labored with him privately and 
 succeeded in leading him to the altar and to 
 Christ. His young associates followed his 
 example, and were likewise converted. 
 
 It is easy for us, in following his life, to 
 pass hastily over the fact of his conversion. To 
 him the event meant everything of joy and hope. 
 It was not a mere turning about or taking the 
 course that sober reflection enjoined. It was a 
 new creation ; it was the opening of a fountain in 
 the heart that never ceased to send forth its 
 streams. It was the evoking of a song in the 
 soul that sent forth unceasing melody. It was 
 a new, conscious experience, a taking hold upon a 
 new destiny. His own words, written after his 
 race was nearly completed, were : "After exercis- 
 ing faith in Christ as my personal Savior I was 
 enabled to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full 
 of glory." He did not hesitate to use the language, 
 " to get religion," and to urge it as conveying a 
 definite sense and as expressive of the privilege 
 and duty of all. Some urge the practice of 
 religion at the expense of the thought given in 
 the well-worn words, " to enjoy religion." With- 
 out disparaging the former, how much better is 
 it, in order to bear one's own burden, and help 
 those who are without aim, faith, or comfort, if in 
 addition to correct practice, the heart is filled with 
 
32 LIFE OF (iLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 "joy unspeakable." The great facts at the basis of 
 evangelical religion in all the ages, and that 
 are foremost in the experiences and labors of 
 our times — repentance for sin and assurance 
 of salvation through faith in Christ — were 
 experienced by him in their profoundest mean- 
 ing, and became the creed and keynote of his 
 life work. 
 
 His conversion may with probability be placed 
 in the winter of 1829-30. Having found Christ, he 
 now united with the church. Religion is social 
 as well as personal. Among those who were 
 converted at the same time with himself and 
 subsequently with him united with the church, 
 were J. M. Hershey, afterward an honored 
 minister, Samuel Rhinehart, and "Wm. Nowell. 
 Among those who came forward as applicants for 
 membership at the same time, was a young man 
 named George Huzza. "When the question was 
 asked, "Are there any reasons why the applicants 
 should not be received?" an old member of the 
 church, a farmer, rose and objected to the recep- 
 tion of Huzza. He said that Huzza had bound 
 grain for him, and that he was too lazy to bind 
 his sheaves well, and that such a person could 
 not be a good Christian. Mr. Rhinehart, who 
 was officiating, ruled that the objection was not 
 relevant, and Huzza was received. Yet the old 
 
LIFE OF aLOSSBRENNER. 33 
 
 brother's judgment of character was justified by 
 subsequent occurrences. Huzza soon fell into 
 sin and afterward was arrested for robbing the 
 mails. Mr. Glossbrenner may have gathered 
 instruction from the incident; for throughout his 
 life, while not derogating from the grace of God, 
 he laid great stress, in his relations with ministers, 
 on natural, inward honesty and responsibility. 
 Persons having this foundation could, when 
 saved themselves, be useful in saving others. 
 Those defective in this important respect might 
 be cared for as sheep, but could not fill the place 
 of trusted shepherds. 
 
 At the time when Mr. Glossbrenner was con- 
 verted there was wide-spread religious interest 
 in western Maryland. Washington County, the 
 county in which Hagerstown was situated, 
 furnished the center of this interest. Dr. Benjamin 
 Kurtz was still the pastor of the Lutheran Church 
 in Hagerstown, and preached at many places in the 
 surrounding country. Hundreds were converted 
 in protracted meetings and camp-meetings held 
 by the Methodists. Among the United Brethren 
 there was more active effort, more revival 
 influence, and more denominational success 
 than at any previous period. Washington County 
 was the home of George A. Geeting, sen., and 
 Christian Newcomer. Here Otterbein's labors 
 
34 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 had early been bestowed. Here was Autietam, 
 where the great meetings were held. 
 
 !N^ewcomer's field lay largely in Frederick 
 County, and formed what was called Frederick 
 Circuit, or j^ewcomer's Circuit. The basis for 
 Geeting's work was Antietam, now Keedysville, 
 includins; also after a time Ilaoerstown. The 
 outgrowth of his labors was Ilagerstown Circuit. 
 The first United Brethren church in Ilagerstown, 
 a two-story log structure, with the audience room 
 above, was occupied for the first time May 24, 
 1805, Geeting preaching the first sermon. In 
 1807 both Geeting and Newcomer ceased to 
 confine themselves to the particular fields named, 
 and Hai^erstown Circuit and Frederick Circuit 
 were freely served by various preachers under the 
 appointment of the conference. Ilagerstown 
 Circuit was far the more fixed. Frederick Circuit 
 was sometimes merged in it, \vas sometimes con- 
 nected with some other work, and again at times 
 maintained its distinct character. A new brick 
 church was built at Ilagerstown in 1810 ou the 
 site occupied by the present church. It was in 
 this house that Mr. Glossbrenuer was converted 
 and united with the church. In 1827 and 1828 
 Rev. John Zahn was the preacher on Ilagerstown 
 Circuit. He was a man of fine presence, great 
 spiritual energy, and native preaching talent. In 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 35 
 
 his term of service there was great progress, and 
 the United Brethren congregation must have 
 ^•rown greatly in esteem among the citizens of 
 Hagerstown. While there are no records showing 
 who the preacher was in the year 1829, it is quite 
 probable that the preacher in immediate charge 
 during this year was Rev. John Krack, who 
 certainly had charge of Hagerstown Circuit in 
 1830. It is also probable that during 1830, as 
 well as 1829, Rev. Wm. R. Rhinehart was the 
 presiding elder. Rev. John Krack was a favorite 
 as a preacher and as a pastor. Beginning with 
 1831 he served the old Otterbein congregation in 
 Baltimore, remaining four years. So general was 
 the desire for his continued service that his 
 removal by the conference well-nigh produced 
 schism and revolt. In 1830 Hagerstown Circuit 
 was more than twice as strong as any other 
 charge in the conference. 
 
 Taking all of these things into account we see 
 what was the situation of things when Mr. 
 Glossbrenner became a member of the Church. 
 They may aid us in understanding the reasons 
 for his connecting himself with the church of the 
 United Brethren in Christ. It would seem 
 natural that he should connect himself with the 
 Lutheran Church, the church of his fathers, 
 especially in view of the influence of such a man 
 
36 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 as Dr. Benjamin Kurtz. Yet he felt the need of 
 more freedom than the Lutheran Church would 
 afford. While there was a revival element in the 
 Lutheran Churcli, there yet were diverse and 
 opposing elements. This would be inevitable 
 from the composition and traditions of the church. 
 Rev. Wm. R. Rhinehart was converted in a 
 revival in the Lutheran Church; yet when he 
 went to the meeting of the synod, expecting to 
 enter the ministry of that church, he was chilled 
 and turned away by the formal piety, and 
 opposition to revivals characterizing a large 
 party in the synod. Though Mr. Glossbrenner 
 was a boy in years, he reached his conclusions 
 by the awakened reason and elective instincts of 
 mature years. His connection with the United 
 Brethren Church was not the result of accident but 
 of choice; not the choice of calculation, but of pref- 
 erence. His decision may not have been the 
 right decision for all in like circumstances, but 
 no one can doubt that it was the right one for 
 him. There was just enough of opposing influence 
 to make decision necessary, and the decision then 
 declared never afterward came up for review or 
 reversal; never came up to vex, weaken, and 
 defeat. This carefulness in reaching conclu- 
 sions and constancy afterward was thoroughly 
 characteristic. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER, 87 
 
 His first work after becoming connected with 
 the church was to serve as leader of a band of 
 young persons about his own age. This was 
 soon after he united with the church. In after 
 years, in looking back to the meetings then 
 held, he said: "We had glorious times when in 
 our simplicity and singleness of heart we met 
 together to sing and pray and encourage one 
 another. The Lord met with us and filled us 
 unutterably full of glory and of God." The class 
 met once a week and the meetings were well 
 attended. The young leader was deeply impressed 
 with the responsibility of his position, and was 
 thus led to devote himself earnestly to the study 
 of God's word. Day and night it was his 
 meditation. As he applied the Scriptures to 
 the instruction of others, he was himself greatly 
 instructed and benefited. Throughout life he 
 recognized the great advantage gained by this 
 early and devoted study of the Bible. He felt to 
 rebuke the sloth of those who do not give careful 
 study to the Bible. Ignorance of God's word 
 and mutilated quotations he regarded as a just 
 ground of reproach. 
 
 Not long after his appointment as a leader, 
 while at a camp-meeting in "Washington County, 
 Rev. George A. Geeting, without any solicitation 
 or even expectation on his part, handed him a 
 
38 LIFE OF GLOtfSBRENNER. 
 
 license to exhort. He was told to be faithful as 
 an exhorter, and that as he had opportunity, and 
 as it was agreeable to the older brethren, he 
 might also ])reach. In tliat period many who 
 became eminent as preachers began their work as 
 exhorters. The license to exliort meant labor in 
 varied forms — in class and prayer- meetings, iu 
 closing meetings after the sermons of the regular 
 itinerants, and in their absence to till their place. 
 Such a. license could be given by a quarterly 
 conference or by two ordained elders at any 
 special meeting. Rev. George A. Geeting, while 
 not often chosen presiding elder, held a sort of 
 standing commission to the functions of the office 
 by the deference in which he was held and by 
 the demand for his presence and service. He was 
 a son of Rev. George A. Geeting, the friend and 
 associate of Otterbein, and lived at the place of 
 his father on the Antietam. lie was regularly 
 and actively engaged as a preacher ten or twelve 
 years. Even when not under any appointment 
 from the conference, lie continued zealously to 
 labor till the time of his deatii in 1842. 
 
 No one need be offended or disquieted at the 
 fact that Mr. Glossbrenner was led to assume 
 sacred functions without himself first announcing 
 that he was moved thereto by an inward call. 
 The church is vouchsafed the prompting of the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRE^KEK. 39 
 
 Holy Ghost, as well as is the candidate. In- the 
 United Brethren Church, in early days, many 
 who became eminent for their usefulness were 
 given license without themselves expecting any 
 such thing. John Knox, the Scotch reformer, 
 was thus chosen. The book of Acts tells us that 
 as " certain prophets and teachers " " ministered 
 to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, 
 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work 
 whereunto I have called them." May not the 
 dearth of ministers, so often deplored, be in large 
 measure due to the fact that the church to so great 
 an extent neglects the gift that is in it? 
 
 This license was the authority on which Mr. 
 Glossbrenner continued to exhort and preach 
 for the period of one year, from the spring of 
 1830 to the spring of 1831. He does not seem 
 to have questioned the judgment or right of his 
 brethren in giving him license. He was diligent 
 and active in the work committed to him. Rev. 
 John Krack, who was serving Hagerstown Cir- 
 cuit, took him much with him, and was quite 
 authoritative and firm in his requirements, but 
 withal considerate and discreet. A young man 
 was not asked where or when it would suit him 
 to preach, or what part of the service he would 
 take; but his work was assigned him, and to 
 resist was to resist at his peril. Hagerstown 
 
40 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Circuit then embraced "Wnsliing-tou and Frederick 
 counties in Maryland, and Franklin County ia 
 Pennsylvania. He once accompanied Mr. Krack 
 to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and was asked to 
 go into the pulpit and exhort. Though he had 
 previousl}'' preached and often exhorted, this was 
 the first time that he occupied a pulpit to talk to 
 the people. He entered the pulpit with fear and 
 trembling, feeling that he was unworthy to occupy 
 so holy a place. The church building was a small 
 stone structure with a heavy and capacious, though 
 not high, pulpit, which was often occupied by as 
 solid a bench of preachers as that day aflbrded. 
 
 During the year Mr. Glossbrenner frequently 
 preached to the colored people of Hagcrstown 
 and to the inmates of the poor-house. He also 
 preached at State Line, at Greencastle, and at the 
 house of Henry Burtner near Leitersburg. At 
 one time he, with several older ministers, went 
 out a few miles from Hagcrstown to a place 
 where an appointment was to be filled. The older 
 ministers put up Mr. Glossbrenner to preach. 
 The people felt that it was a shame to put up 
 "a little boy" when there were older ministers 
 present. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner soon came to be pointed to 
 with a degree of }>ri(le as the "boy preacher." 
 When he received license he was just entering 
 
V 
 
 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 41 
 
 upon his nineteenth year. He was even more 
 youthful in his appearance than would be in- 
 ferred from his years. His countenance was 
 bright and open, lit up with the light that glowed 
 within. While always modest and reserved, he 
 was not timid, and had a remarkable degree of 
 self-composure. His real strength at this time, 
 as largely through life, was in his tenderness of 
 heart, and earnest, fervid nature. He loved the 
 Savior, and he was confident of the love of the 
 Savior toward him. What he experienced for 
 himself he was anxious for others also to enjoy. 
 He had an extremely realistic conception of 
 the great facts in man's condition, and the 
 diverse destinies toward which men tend. He 
 would " cry and preach and preach and cry." Xet 
 his intent study of the Scriptures indicates that 
 his emotional nature was moved and supported 
 by a grasp upon eternal truth. !N^otwithstanding 
 his unusual success and the encouragements that 
 came to hira, he was not saved from the dis- 
 appointments and even despair that fall to almost 
 all who enter upon the work of the ministry. In 
 these experiences he sought counsel and support 
 from his seniors in the work. 
 
 When he received license his course for the 
 time being was decided for him. There was no 
 demand, however, for any particular amount of 
 
42 LIFE OF (ILOSSBREXNER. 
 
 liis time; uor avus lie Avithdrawn from whatever 
 his occupation might be. It was now lu'ccssaiy 
 for him to decide for himself what his life work 
 should be. He felt that he was called of God 
 to the work of the ministr}' . He counseled with 
 others and communed with his own heart. At 
 one time he proposed to a young associate that 
 they make their own appointments, and preach 
 and travel on the Lorenzo Dow plan. This would 
 mean, in the phrase of our day, to travel as 
 evangelists. For a time he assisted in holding 
 union prayer-meetings. At diiterent places God 
 had blessed his labors in exhortation and preacli- 
 ing to the conversion of souls. The sweets of 
 success in Christian woik moved him to give 
 himself in the fullest and freest manner to the 
 work of the Master. He also came to a clear 
 inward and fixed conviction of his call to preach 
 the gospeh This conviction, with the decision to 
 follow it, passed into the realm of the unques- 
 tioned and forever settled. 
 
 (Soon after he began to exercise in public. Dr. 
 Benjamin Kurtz visited him and offered to put 
 within his reach a collegiate education and a 
 thorough preparation for the ministry. It was 
 undei:stood that his hibors should be given to the 
 ministry in the Lutheran Church. He appreciated 
 the offer of an education, but he felt that it would 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 43 
 
 be improper to leave those who had shown such 
 care for his well-being, and to whom he stood 
 bound by the closest ties. Likewise he believed 
 that one called to the ministry should go forth 
 immediately. lie also shared, to a certain extent, 
 the prejudice of those among whom he moved 
 against " college-bred preachers." The prejudice 
 was due to the close association of education and 
 cold formality in the ministry of some of the old 
 churches. As time passed he changed his mind 
 quite largely on the subject of ministerial educa- 
 tion, especially in view of changed times; but he 
 never came to the conclusion that the coursia that 
 he took was not the right course for him at the 
 time and in the circumstances to take. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Attends Virginia Conference — The Field — The Session — 
 Joins Conference — Sent to Hagerstown Circuit — Year 
 of Success — Elements as a Preacher — Conference of 
 1832 — Staunton Circuit — Itinerants' Home — ISIarriage 
 — Conference of 1833 — Ordained — Returned to Staun- 
 ton Circuit. 
 
 Apkil 24, 1831 found Mr. Glossbrenner, in 
 company with Rev. Wm. R. Rhinehart, on his 
 way to Mill Creek, Shenandoah County, Virginia, 
 where Virginia Conference was to hold its first 
 separate session. All questions had been settled. 
 The last, and perhaps not the least difficult, was 
 settled by some good brethren, among whom were 
 the Hersheys, of Hagerstown, and the Doups and 
 Staleys, of Frederick County, who purchased him 
 an outfit — horse, saddle, bridle, and saddle bags 
 — the property of a deceased Methodist preacher. 
 Does anyone suppose that they ever regretted this 
 generous deed? When he started on horseback 
 to the conference, he took' with him all that he 
 possessed. When he put the Potomac River 
 between himself and his old home and began to 
 ascend the grand valley of Virginia, he felt that 
 a new hope and a new course were before him. 
 
 44 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 45 
 
 Prior to 1829 there were but four conferences in 
 the ITnited Brethren Church — Miami, Scioto, 
 Muskingum, and the old conference in the East. 
 The General Conference of 1829 authorized the 
 division of Miami Conference, and also of the 
 old conference in the East. All of the ministers 
 belonging to the latter, however, met together 
 once more in 1830. In the division, the one side 
 was called the Hagerstown and the other the 
 Harrisburg District; but after four years the 
 names, Virginia Conference and Pennsylvania 
 Conference, appear. Up to 1837 Frederick 
 County, according to the terms of the division, 
 belonged to Pennsylvania Conference, but it was 
 practicall}' retained from the first by Virginia 
 Conference. Pennsylvania Conference, as con- 
 stituted, was about one third stronger than 
 Virginia Conference, and inherited a field more 
 favorable for cultivation and extension. The 
 antiquity of the old conference was sliced length- 
 wise, as Virginia Conference held Washington 
 County, and, in fact, also Frederick County, 
 in Maryland, while Pennsylvania Conference 
 received Baltimore. Outside of Maryland the 
 only territory of Virginia Conference was the 
 Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia. 
 
 Between 1820 and 1830 the German and the 
 Englishjanguages stood on about the same foot- 
 
46 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 ing, but after 1830 and 1831, in the United 
 Brethren Church both east and west, the 
 English language rapidly supplanted the Gernuni. 
 In Maryland and Virginia the German was 
 less firmly planted than in Pennsylvania, and 
 was correspondingly less enduring. The division 
 of the old conference made the A-^irginia side 
 predominantly English. The work of the church, 
 however, continued to be largely confined to 
 people of German origin. The Church at this time 
 was entering on a new era. Virginia Conference 
 set sail with about twenty ministers in attendance 
 at the first session. It had in its possession in 
 Maryland two and one half church houses, and 
 the use of two union church houses in addition. 
 In Virginia it had one church building and a half 
 interest in another. The actual lay membership 
 was disproportionately small, as compared with 
 the number of ministers. At many of the preach- 
 ing places there were no enrolled members, and 
 at other places the preachers were satisfied with 
 a mere nucleus of actual members. The open 
 field, much of which was in a state of destitution 
 and neglect, pleaded for assistance with all of the 
 eloquence that could be breathed by famishing 
 and dying souls. 
 
 The conference met at Hickle's school-house, 
 on Mill Creek, April 27, 1831, Bishop Henry 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 47 
 
 Kumler presiding. There was but one bishop in 
 the church now, as Bishop Newcomer had died 
 the year previous. Bishop Kumler had united 
 with the old conference at a session held in 
 Hagerstown in 1814, had served as bishop since 
 1825, and was at this time fifty-six years of age. 
 He was a man of neat appearance, liad an experi- 
 ence and convictions of his own, and, wliile not 
 demonstrative, was persistent and firm. He was 
 intelligent, prudent, and impressed all with whom 
 he came in contact that he was charged with a 
 mission from God. He was a sincere and faithful 
 preacher, rather than a great preacher. He had 
 the talent, energy, and perseverance required by 
 the field over which he presided as bishop. Of 
 the ministers already named, Wm. R. Rhinehart, 
 J. Krack, G. A. Geeting, and J. Zahn were 
 present. Henry Burtner, who became a member 
 of conference in '1821, a man of solid worth, was 
 also present. Mr. Burtner, while he labored as 
 an itinerant, was very successful, and afterward 
 as a local preacher he was scarcely less useful. 
 He resided not far from Hagerstow^n, and early 
 took a friendly interest in Mr. Glossbrenner. 
 Rev. J. Houck was also a leading spirit. Rev. 
 George Patterson had the character and influence 
 that came from a longer term of service. Of those 
 who composed that little conference in 1831, one 
 
48 LIFE OF GLUSSBRENNER. 
 
 venerable man remains, Rev. John Haney, of 
 Marion, Minnesota. Rev. George Hoflman, an- 
 otlier member of that conference, died at Mt. 
 Solon, Virginia, in 1888. They both became 
 members of conference in 1830. 
 
 The first part of the session was occupied with 
 the examination of ministers. This meant that 
 they should declare their heart experience and 
 their intentions for the future, as well as the 
 struggles through which they may have passed 
 in endeavoring to build u}) the kingdom of God. 
 "When the question was asked. Who are the 
 candidates for the ministry? the names of "Wm. 
 Miller, J. J. Glossbrenner, Frederick Hisey, and 
 Jacob Haas were presented. The committee for the 
 examination of candidates consisted of Henry Burt- 
 ner, J. Krack, and George Patterson. The report 
 was favorable, and all of the candidates were 
 admitted. It was not then necessary that a 
 candidate should have had license previously, or 
 that he should have a fornud recommendation; 
 but it was necessary that the presiding elders or 
 other responsible members of the conference 
 should have good knowledge of his ability and 
 fitness. 
 
 During the session Mr. Glossbrenner preached 
 once in Mt. Jackson, near which place the con- 
 ference was held. It was his first sermon in 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNBR. 45/ 
 
 Virginia. When he was received into the 
 conference, he had not yet completed his 
 nineteenth year. His youth did not stand for a 
 moment in his way, as there was that in his 
 manner and bearing that drew to him the hearts 
 of the older ministers, and disarmed all opposi- 
 tion. The ministers of Virginia Conference 
 were almost all young men, and by these and 
 other young men who would soon join them, the 
 conference was to take its place in the foremost 
 rank in building up the kingdom of Christ. 
 
 While in - attendance at the session of the 
 conference, Mr. Glossbrenner's home was with 
 Mr. Andrew Funkhouser, whose memory is 
 sacredly treasured by all of the United Brethren 
 congregations in Virginia. An old gentleman, 
 then a boy living in the neighborhood, relates 
 that he became much interested in Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner while he was present at this session of the 
 conference. He noticed the excellent care that he 
 took of his pony. When others were praising the 
 qualities of their horses, he claimed that his horse 
 could out-travel any of them. When Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner preached at Mt. Jackson, his new 
 acquaintance went to hear him, and was greatly 
 surprised and delighted with the sermon. 
 
 At this session a strong temperance resolution 
 was presented by Wm. R. Rhinehart and adopted 
 
50 LIFE OF GL0S6BRENNEU. 
 
 by the conference. In the same connection it was 
 resolved that if Conrad Weist should not "quit 
 selling liquor and preach more," his "license 
 should be demanded." 
 
 Mrc Glossbrenner's name was at once placed on 
 the itinerant list, there being five names on the 
 list besides his own. The appointments for the 
 ensuing year were as follows: Hagerstown Cir- 
 cuit, J. J, Glossbrenner, with Wm. R. Rhinehart, 
 senior preacher and presiding elder; Mechanics- 
 town Circuit, "Wm. Miller, with G. A. Gecting, 
 presiding elder; Staunton and Woodstock circuits, 
 ^oah Woodyard, J. Ilaney, and Jacob Hauck, 
 with J. Zahn, presiding elder. Conference ad- 
 journed after a session of four days. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was greatly surprised when 
 it was announced that lie was to return to 
 Maryland and labor on Hagerstown Circuit. As 
 before indicated, he had taken everything that he 
 had with him, expecting that his work would be 
 in Virginia. By an arrangement of the presiding 
 elders in Maryland, the Hagerstown and Me- 
 chanicstown circuits were united and served as 
 one. Mechanicstown Circuit, so called from a 
 small town in the northern part of Frederick 
 County, corresponded in the main to Frederick 
 County, as Hagerstown Circuit corresponded in 
 the main to Washington County. The circuity as 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 51 
 
 finally arranged, had thirty appointments, and a 
 period of four weeks was required for one round. 
 The itinerants had two days' rest in four weeks. 
 At most of the appointments the meetings were 
 held in private houses or school-houses. Mr. 
 Rhinehart did active itinerant service outside of 
 his duties as presiding elder. Mr. Miller, the 
 colleague of Mr. Glossbrenner, was a fine preach- 
 er, and Mr. Rhineliart was very popular; and from 
 some cause, more or less evident, the two did not 
 get along pleasantly. As Mr. Glossbrenner was 
 but a boy, he got along smoothly, being, as he said, 
 too insignificant to excite envy or jealousy. 
 
 He was everywhere greeted as the " boy preach- 
 er." One of his appointments was at Rocky 
 Springs, near Frederick City. When Mr. Cor- 
 nelius Staley, one of the leading members, 
 came for the first time to hear him, he doubted 
 the wisdom of the conference in sending such a 
 boy. He listened attentively, however, and from 
 that time till the day of his death he regarded Mr. 
 Glossbrenner with the highest esteem, and treated 
 him with the greatest kindness. The meetings 
 at this place were in the house of Father Valentine 
 Doup. iN'aturally the preacher often staid over 
 night with Father Doup. The only objection 
 Mr. Glossbrenner had to him was that he came 
 to his room every morning with a candle, summer 
 
i>Z LIFE OF IJLUSSBRENNER. 
 
 and winter alike, at four o'clock, and said, 
 " Jacob, it is time to get up." This he did, not- 
 withstanding Jacob might have preached three 
 times the day before, and might then have sat up 
 late to study his books. The course of Father 
 Doup was an advantage in one way, however, as 
 it gave the young preacher additional time for 
 study. The society at this place was not large, 
 hut it comprised some of the best members with 
 whom the Church has been favored — the Doups, 
 Cronises, Staleys, Kemps, and others. It was 
 in this neighborhood that the first regular annual 
 conference was held in the year 1800. 
 
 When Mr. Glossbrenner made his first visit to 
 Mechanicstown he rode up to the house of Mr. 
 Weller, the usual stopping-place for preachers. 
 Mr. "VVeller came out to see what was wanted. 
 Mr. Glossbrenner told him that he was the junior 
 preacher and had come to fill his appointment. 
 Mr. Weller looked at him critically and then said,, 
 " I do not know what the conference means by 
 sending out boys to preacli." But after the first 
 sermon no one could gather a better congregation 
 than the " boy ", as he was called. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner's own words give us a glimpse 
 of the year's work from his own standpoint. 
 "My first year in the itinerancy was a year of hard 
 labor, but we had some precious revivals. Hav- 
 
LIFE UF GLUSSBRENNER. 58 
 
 ing as many appointments as I had, the question 
 arises, what time had I for reading and prepara- 
 tion for the pulpit? I did much of my reading in 
 the saddle, and at night when the toils of the day 
 were over. I was young and inexperienced and 
 was looked upon as th6 boy preacher. Of course 
 the brethren did not expect much and so did not 
 feel disappointed." 
 
 It may be said that no difference what expec- 
 tations they may have had, their expectations 
 were always more than realized. Mr. Glossbren- 
 ner as a preacher started out very much as he 
 continued, and as he was known in after years. 
 He may have been more emotional, and of course 
 was less perfect in his comprehension of doctrine, 
 but the type of his preaching was the same. The 
 great secret of his early success in preaching was 
 in this, that his thought, his experience, the 
 mission on which he was sent, and the occasions 
 that he met were in perfect accord. There was 
 in his preaching nothing arbitrary, nothing con- 
 trived. He was in accord with the particular 
 stage of the Church, with the condition of society, 
 with himself, and with God. It is to be feared 
 that in our day many young ministers spoil 
 themselves for enjoyment and efficiency in the 
 ministry, by their disregard and contempt for 
 the subtle conditions upon which joy and success 
 
54 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 in the ministry depend. The minister should 
 be himself, and should speak and work straight 
 out from an open, throbbing heart, and should 
 not be dependent for his inspiration on extra- 
 neous considerations. Under the good providence 
 of God Mr. Glossbrenner was so placed as to 
 have the benefit of the free actings of his own 
 heart, and through life he was spared the calamity 
 of losing this position of advantage. The Holy 
 Spirit moves on the lines of our thought and 
 thrones himself in the permanent and normal af- 
 fections of men. "With some, effort, education, and 
 practice may be necessary to enable them to come 
 into a natural, vital, and telling relation to things. 
 He was at home in his work from the beginning. 
 The salary of an unmarried preacher at this time 
 was eighty dollars, and of a married preacher one 
 hundred and sixty dollars. Not always, though, 
 were these amounts collected. 
 
 In 1832 the conference convened at Hagers- 
 town. Henry Kumler was again present as 
 bishop. J. M. Hershey and George Rymal were 
 received into the conference. They were valuable 
 additions to the itinerant force of the conference. 
 The appointments were as follows: Hagerstown 
 Circuit, John Dorcas and Peter Whitzel with Wm. 
 R. Rhinehart and H. Burtner as presiding elders; 
 Woodstock Circuit, J. Haney; Staunton Circuit, 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 55 
 
 J. J. Glossbrenuer and J. M. Hershey. George 
 Patterson was presiding elder for the two circuits 
 in Virginia. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner received his appointment 
 cheerfully. Staunton Circuit included the upper 
 part of the Shenandoah Valley, including par- 
 ticularly parts of Rockingham, Augusta and 
 Rockbridge counties. The circuit was about two 
 hundred miles around. Traveling in Virginia at 
 this time was romantic. The Shenandoah Valley 
 is one of the grandest valleys in our grand 
 domain. It lies between the Blue Ridge range 
 on the one side and ranges belonging to the 
 Allegheny system on the other, and is 
 traversed b}' the Shenandoah River. The valley 
 is diversified by hills and level tracts. The 
 Massanutten range springs up abruptly out of the 
 middle of the valley and after continuing for forty 
 miles as abruptly subsides to the common level. 
 This range lies between the north and south 
 branches of the Shenandoah River. For the year 
 1832 thd preachers in the lower part of the valley 
 and the preachers in the upper part of the valley 
 interchanged to a certain extent in their work. 
 Rev. Wm. R. Coursey became the colleague of 
 Rev. John Haney in the lower valley. At certain 
 points in their trips up and down the valley the 
 young preachers would meet. While not disposed 
 
66 I, IKK OK GLOSSBUEXNER. 
 
 to be light in their intercourse, they yet took 
 great pleasure in their journeys and in their 
 contact one with another. 
 
 The lower part of the valley was settled largely 
 by Germans from Pennsylvania. Some German 
 families also settled early in the upper valley. 
 The upper valley was, however, more largely 
 occupied by a population of Scotch-Irish, also 
 from Pennsylvania. All along the valley, though, 
 the earlier Virginia population poured over the 
 eastern range of mountains and gave their partic- 
 ular cast to these accessions from Pennsylvania. 
 Thus the whole people, by degrees, came to be 
 fashioned after the typical Virginia mold. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was entirely new to all of the 
 people on the circuit, and had again to pass 
 through all of the curiosity and wonderment of 
 being the boy preacher. The iirst time that he 
 came to Church ville, a brother-in-law of Rev. 
 George Hoft'man came with him to show him the 
 way. The church at Church ville, a fair brick 
 building, was owned by the United Brethren and 
 Methodists jointly. The Methodists were holding 
 their quarterly meeting at Churchville, but the 
 Methodist presiding elder said that the United 
 Brethren preacher should have his hour. A 
 large audience was assembled. When Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner rose to speak, the man who had come 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 57 
 
 along to pilot him put his hands to his face, but 
 as Mr. Glossbrenner proceeded, he withdrew 
 them altogether. "When the services were closed, 
 the presiding elder came around to the man, and 
 said: "You need not be ashamed of that boj. 
 He will make a strong preacher." A number of 
 similar incidents could be given. At one place a 
 good sister praised him extravagantly to his face. 
 Afterward a brother, known as Billy Edwards, 
 fearing the effect of such praise, said to him that 
 he should not be influenced by such flattery. 
 "Oh," said Mr. Glossbrenner, "such words go in 
 at one ear and out at the other." 
 
 Speaking of Mr. Hershey and himself, Mr. 
 Glossbrenner said: " We spent the year pleasant- 
 ly together. We had a prosperous year." 
 
 The house of Christian Shuey, about seven 
 miles from Churchvill^, was a home for the 
 preachers, about all the home that the two young 
 itinerants needed. His father's house had like- 
 wise been a rendezvous for the early United 
 Brethren preachers. Christian Shuey was a 
 noble-looking man, wealthy and generous, a 
 typical Virginian of the higher class. In his 
 house there was a room known as the preachers' 
 room. Here they would remain, rest, and study 
 in the time betw^een their rounds. Here they left 
 their soiled clothes and found them again in good 
 
68 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 order awaiting their return. The wife of Christian 
 Shuey was the daughter of Henry Geetiug, who 
 was the son of George A. Geeting, the co-laborer 
 of Otterbein. She took great interest in religion 
 and the work of the Church. She would not only 
 attend the camp-meetings, but she would arrange 
 to take a great many of her neighbors and friends 
 with her. While at Christian Shuey's Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner was very studious. He had a small stock 
 of books which he left at the house. Other 
 books he would take with him. He was quiet 
 and reserved. 
 
 During the year there sprang up a mutual re- 
 gard between Mr. Glossbrenner and Maria M., the 
 daughter of Christian Shuey. It may have been 
 love at first sight, as they were married after an 
 acquaintance of less than a year. The marriage 
 took place Feb. 14, 1833, Rev. John Zahn 
 officiating. The union was a perfect union of 
 hearts, and the blending of two lives into one was 
 never more complete. The marriage was in 
 many ways advantageous to Mr. Glossbrenner, 
 while Mrs. Glossbrenner, who declined the hand 
 of a wealthy suitor, never regretted the prefer- 
 ence that she gave. He was twenty years of age, 
 and she was three years his junior. They took a 
 wedding trip on horseback. Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 afterward, referring to it, said: "We started oft 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 59 
 
 two of the greenest, but two of the happiest 
 persons alive." For about a year they made 
 their home with Mrs. Glossbrenner's father. Mr. 
 Glossbrenner, referring to his early marriage, 
 said: " There is a notion that ministers especially 
 should not marry young. It is my opinion, often 
 expressed, that if a minister marries a suitable 
 wife — one who is pious and self-sacrificing, and 
 who is willing to submit to toil and privation for 
 Christ's sake — he cannot marry too young. But 
 if he makes a bad choice, he is too young though 
 he be forty years old." 
 
 Mrs. Glossbrenner afterward traveled with her 
 husband one or more times around his circuit. 
 The vehicle in common use at that time was a 
 two-wheeled gig, which furnished a rather luxu- 
 rious mode of traveling for the times. Traveling 
 in this way Mr. and Mrs. Glossbrenner, at the end 
 of the year, set out for Maryland to attend the 
 session of Virginia Conference. They made a 
 short visit at Hagerstown where Mr. Glossbrenner 
 preached. Mrs. Glossbrenner wore a dress of 
 black silk with white lace cuiFs. He thought it 
 too stylish, and feared that the people would think 
 her proud. He wished the lace removed, but she 
 made excuses and finally said she had no scissors. 
 He kindly ofi^ered to grant her the use of his 
 penknife for removing the objectionable lace. 
 
60 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 The part of the faithful itinerant's wife, with its 
 privations and sacrifices, so connects itself with 
 the work that he has to do, as to suggest the 
 propriety of her being granted a place in the 
 conference with him. It certainly seems suitable 
 that the young wife should have the initiation 
 that comes from accompanying her husband to 
 the conference. Especially at the first conference 
 is she the interested and interesting one. 
 
 The third session of Virginia Conference was 
 held at Pleasant Valley, Maryland, near the 
 present Rohrersville, beginning April 17, 1833, 
 Bishop Henry Kumler presiding. In the neigh- 
 borhood where the session was held there had 
 been, under the labors of Rev. John Dorcas, a 
 great revival in which more than one hundred 
 persons were converted, many of them being 
 leading persons in the community. At this 
 session William R. Coursey and George A. Shuey 
 were received. Mr. Coursey, who had been a 
 school teacher, had entered upon ministerial work 
 the year previous, becoming the colleague of Rev. 
 J. Haney on Woodstock Circuit. He was destined 
 to be a great power in building up the Church in 
 Virginia and Maryland. George A. Shuey was 
 the brother-in-law of Mr. Glossbrenner. He had 
 received a good education, and was an acceptable 
 preacher. He did not travel actively many years; 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 61 
 
 but as an example of an earnest, faithful Christian, 
 as a trusted counselor, and as an intelligent 
 supporter of the church, he will be held in honored 
 memory. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner, along with J. Houck and 
 George HofPman,was ordained at this session. At 
 this time ordination was conferred, if the candi- 
 dates were worthy, after a probation of two years 
 in the conference. Bishop Kumler, assisted by 
 Rev. William Brown, who within a month was 
 himself elected to the office of bishop, officiated 
 in the ordination. Bishop Kumler and Rev. 
 William Brown had both been ordained by Bishop 
 Newcomer, the former in 1816, and the latter in 
 1819. Bishop Newcomer himself had been 
 ordained by Otterbein in 1813. Through this line 
 how many now may trace their ordination. Of 
 this session Mr. Glossbrenner says: "This was a 
 very important and solemn session, as it was at 
 this conference that I was ordained elder in the 
 church of Christ. It was to me one of the most 
 solemn days of my life. To answer the important 
 questions proposed is to assume grave responsibil- 
 ities as ministers of Jesus Christ. The vows then 
 made are recorded in heaven." 
 
 The following are the appointments: Hagers- 
 town Circuit, John Dorcas and W. R. Coursey; 
 Woodstock Circuit, P. Whitzel and W. Knott; 
 
62 LIFE OF QLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 South Branch Circuit, J. M. Hershey; Staunton 
 Circuit, J. J. Glossbrenner and George Rjmal. 
 Win. Brown was presiding elder in Maryland, 
 and John Ilaney was the presiding elder in 
 Virginia. George Rymal, the associate of Mr. 
 Glossbrenner, was a giant in body and likewise 
 possessed of a poAverful mind. lie once grasped 
 a powerful colored man who had threatened to 
 whip him, and held him in his hands as helpless 
 as an infant, while he told him that unless he 
 would behave himself lie would pitch him over 
 the precipice on the brink of which they stood. 
 While not cultured, his strong sense and great 
 energy made him as a preacher highly effective, 
 often simply overwhelming. Mr. Glossbrennei- 
 found him a pleasant companion and a good 
 worker. The year was prosperous. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner w^as not in the distinctive 
 sense a revivalist. Yet he made the conversion 
 of the people a direct aim, and God blessed his 
 labors with frequent and genuine revivals. In a 
 quite equal manner, he prepared communities for 
 a true w^ork of grace, promoted revivals directly, 
 and built up those that were gathered into the 
 church. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Conference of 1834 — Elected Presiding Elder — Staunton 
 District — Re-Elected Presiding Elder in 1835, 1836 and 
 1837 — Incidents — Sent to Shiloh Mission in 1838 and 
 Returned in 1839 — In 1840 and 1841 on Frederick Cir- 
 cuit — In 1842 Presiding Elder on Maryland District — 
 Incidents from His Maryland Work — In 1843 on Rock- 
 bridge Circuit — In 1844 and 1845 Assigned to Staunton 
 Circuit — Character as a Preacher — Personal Elements 
 — Sermon at Franklin — Support of Church Interests — ■ 
 Extracts from Published Articles — Home lyife. 
 
 The conference of 1834 was held at Church ville, 
 Virginia. At this conference Rev. Wm. Brown 
 appeared as bishop. Since the division of the old 
 conference he had labored a part of the time in 
 Pennsylvania Conference. From 1825 to 1828 he 
 preached for the Otterbein congregation at Bal- 
 timore. In 1833 he was elected bishop. He rep- 
 resented the best type of the preachers in the 
 German-English stage of the Church, being a 
 man of sturdy sense, firm convictions, and 
 exhibiting the discipline and strength coming 
 from earnest conflict. One of the new members 
 admitted was Jacob Bachtel, one of the most 
 original, positive, and laborious ministers raised 
 up by the United Brethren Church. Twelve 
 
 63 
 
64 ^ LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 preachers were willing to labor as itinerants. The 
 conference adopted a resolution, introduced by 
 Rev. W. R. Rhinehart, looking to the publication 
 of a religious paper under tlie auspices of Virginia 
 Conference. The result was the publication at 
 Hagerstown, Maryland, of a few numbers under 
 the name Union Messenger, afterward Mountain 
 Messenger, Rev. "W. R. Rhinehart, editor. 
 
 At this session Mr. Glossbrenner was elected 
 presiding elder and assigned to the Staunton 
 District. The mode of his election was quite 
 novel. In early times the sessions of conference 
 were in the middle of the week. The bishop 
 chose liis own day and hour for preaching the 
 conference sermon. It was the method of the 
 discipline for the bishops to nominate the presid- 
 ing elders and, when elected, to assign them their 
 districts. At this time Bishop Brown, just as he 
 was ascending the pulpit steps to preach the con- 
 ference sermon, turned half about and said: "I 
 move that Bro. Glossbrenner be presiding elder. 
 All that arc favorable say Aye," Bro. Gloss- 
 brenner was elected, for the negative was not put. 
 
 A fact in the early history of the Church 
 as little understood as any other, is that the 
 first ministers of the United Brethren Churcli 
 were primarily local ministers. Bishop Asbury 
 criticised this feature. It was this that was the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 65- 
 
 principal thing in preventing a union with the 
 Evangelical Association in 1813. The presiding 
 elders continued to be of the local class after the 
 other preachers became more strictly itinerants. 
 In 1823 the old conference chose seven presiding 
 elders, all of whom were local except one. Mr. 
 Glossbrenner, just as some before him had been, 
 was an itinerant at the same time that he was a pre- 
 siding elder. As more came to be expected of the 
 presiding elder, the office came to imply more of 
 distinction. In itself the office was responsible, 
 as the presiding elders, with the bishop, appointed 
 the preachers to their fields of labor. "When Mr. 
 Glossbrenner was elected presiding elder, he was 
 not yet twenty-two years of age. Ills modest 
 manner, as well as his zeal and talents, marked 
 him as a proper recipient for whatever of honor 
 and trust there was to bestow. 
 
 Speaking with reference to this period of his 
 life, he says: " I had about sense enough to hear 
 with respect the advice and counsel of my older 
 brethren. Kow, however, it is too often the case 
 that young men taken into the conference are 
 hardly warm in their seats till they act and speak 
 as though they had little respect for the counsel 
 of the aged and experienced. Oh, how important 
 is the grace of humility in young ministers. He 
 that humbleth himself shall be exalted, while he 
 
66 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 that exalteth himself shall be abased." Later in 
 life a young minister wrote to him, asking what 
 he should do to become prominent in the church. 
 He answered that if he desired to rise in influ- 
 ence and desired to fill important positions, his 
 best plan was to be humble and fill faithfully 
 whatever positions were assigned him, and in due 
 time the church would say, Come up higher. The 
 young preacher seems to have profited by the 
 advice, for he afterward came to fill the position 
 of bishop. 
 
 Staunton District embraced Woodstock, Staun- 
 ton, and South Branch circuits and "Winchester 
 Mission. A presiding elder was to travel through 
 his district and preach as often as possible. He 
 was to appoint the quarterly and great meetings 
 and if possible attend them. He was to examine 
 whether the traveling and local preachers did 
 their duty ; was to change the local preachers, if 
 benefit were likely to result, and to change also 
 the traveling preachers, if it should seem advisable. 
 
 The fifth session of Virginia conference was 
 held at Hickle's school-house on Mill Creek, 
 beginning March 18, 1835, William Brown again 
 presiding. Six new members were received and 
 sixteen preachers were willing to take regular 
 work. Mr. Glossbrenner was continued presiding 
 elder on Staunton district. The district was 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 67 
 
 enlarged by the formation of two new missions. 
 Of the district at this time Mr. Glossbrenner says: 
 " The Virginia district extended from Rockbridge, 
 Virginia, to the Potomac River, and westward to 
 the Ohio River, from east to west three hundred 
 miles, and from north to south about one hundred 
 miles. The traveling on the district was done on 
 horseback. During the year five campmeetings 
 were held." The salary for the year was ninety- 
 five dollars. 
 
 March 19, 1836, Virginia Conference met at the 
 Geeting meeting-house in Washington County, 
 Maryland, Bishop Samuel Iliestand presiding. 
 Bishop Hiestand was born in Virginia in 1782, but 
 his ministerial career began while he was a 
 resident of Ohio. He was noted for his exemplary 
 character. As a preacher he was practical and 
 edifying. This conference session included a 
 Sabbath, but the conference sermon was not 
 preached till the following Wednesday. Mr. 
 Glossbrenner was re-elected presiding elder and 
 returned to Staunton district. The district 
 included a new mission, now regularly recognized, 
 in Jackson County, on the Ohio River. The 
 work within the conference territory was rapidly 
 extending. Mr. Glossbrenner's salary for this year 
 was one hundred and ten dollars and thirty-one 
 cents. The seventh session of Virginia Confer- 
 
t)8 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER, 
 
 ence was held in Bethel meeting-house, near the 
 present villageofChewsville, Washington County, 
 Maryland, beginning March 20, 1837, Bishop 
 Hiestand again presiding. Mr. Glos.sbrenner was 
 re-elected presiding elder and assigned to Staun- 
 ton district for the fourth year. Winchester 
 Circuit was now included in Maryland district, 
 but Staunton district was enlarged by a new 
 mission formed in Pendleton County. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner's greatest hardships were in 
 attending to the requirements of the work on the 
 Ohio River. Much of the way he followed a 
 bridle path through a sparsely settled country. 
 But a more hospitable people he never met. In 
 many neighborhoods the people had preaching 
 but seldom, and were anxious to hear the gospel. 
 On one of his trips to attend quarterly meetings 
 on the Ohio River, he stayed all night with a very 
 clever family who cared for him well and would 
 take no pay, but insisted that he should leave an 
 appointment for preaching on his return. Ke 
 made his arrangements accordingly. On his 
 return, after a long ride on the day when he 
 expected to meet his engagenicnt, high waters 
 liaving interfered with the speed on which he had 
 counted, darkness overtook him and he was 
 unable to find his way. He tied his horse to the 
 bushes, took his saddle for a pillow, and used his 
 
LIFE OF QLOSSBRENNER. 69 
 
 saddle blanket for a covering. The wilderness 
 was infested with wild animals, but he passed the 
 night unmolested. In the morning he found a 
 path that led him by early breakfast time to the 
 place where he had intended to preach. lie and 
 his horse w^ere well cared for, and he started 
 homeward with a thankful heart. 
 
 At another time when on his way to these 
 distant missions, after a hard day's ride, he called 
 at a cabin and asked lodging for the night. The 
 surroundings were not promising, but darkness 
 was coming on and he dared not undertake to go 
 further. The man of the house said that he might 
 stay and that they would do the best they could 
 for him. He saw that his horse was well secured 
 in a rail pen, and then went into the house tired 
 and hungry. The good woman of the house 
 proceeded to get him some supper, and he watched 
 her movements anxiously. She in the first place 
 baked a large corn cake, and then went out and 
 got a tin of milk and placed it on the table, 
 ^ovv, he thought, with the corn-dodger and a 
 pint of milk he could have a good supper. But 
 alas, the milk was fresh from the cow and he could 
 not drink it. So his supper consisted of the corn- 
 dodger, and he "was thankful for that. He could 
 not imagine where he should sleep. The house 
 included kitchen, dining-room, bed-room and 
 
70 LIFE UF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 parlor all in one room. The parents occupied the 
 only bed in the room. The children were tucked 
 away in a sort of trundle-bed, and his bed con- 
 sisted of a bear skin in the corner. lie arose well 
 refreshed and went on his way thankful that he 
 had had a place to rest his weary head. 
 
 The eighth session ot Virginia Conference met 
 March 21, 1838, at Shiloli Church in Augusta 
 County, Virginia. This was in the Christian 
 Shuey neighborhood. The United Brethren 
 worshiped at this time in a union church. After- 
 ward Bethlehem Church was built by the United 
 Brethren. Bishop Ilicstand presided. At this 
 session Jacob Markwood was admitted, Xo pen 
 can adequately describe the character and career 
 of Mr. Markwood. When received, he was little 
 past his twenty-third year. He was impetuous 
 and persevering. Nothing could daunt him. He 
 was so generous that he would give away his last 
 cent, and would even divide his clothes with one 
 in need. His fierj- eloquence, scathing denuncia- 
 tion, and relentless logic bore down all opposition. 
 No one has had more enthusiastic admirers, or 
 has written his name deeper in the hearts of the 
 people. Though a tew years the junior of Mr. 
 Glossbrenner, he soon took a place at his side in 
 the earnest work of the conference. At this 
 session Virginia Conterence formed a home mis- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 71 
 
 siouary society. Years before this, however, Mr. 
 Glossbrenner was engaged in the work of collect- 
 ing missionary money. 
 
 lie was now appointed to Shiloh Mission, the 
 principal appointments of which were at Shiloh 
 Church and at Churchville. Other appointments 
 in Augusta and Rockbridge counties were also 
 included. The Shiloh appointment was especially 
 strong and aspired to have something to do in 
 choosing its preacher, and desired more frequent 
 services. It now obtained preaching once in two 
 weeks instead of once in four weeks. After being 
 away from home so much of the time and having 
 to travel such long distances, the appointment to 
 Shiloh Mission would be a great relief. Besides 
 this was his home work. 
 
 The ninth session of Virginia Conference was 
 held at Jerusalem Church, Frederick County, 
 Maryland, February 25, 1839, Bishop J. Erb pre- 
 siding. Bishop Hiestand had died during the year. 
 Bishop Erb was serving his Urst term as bishop. 
 He became a member of tlie old conference in 1823 
 at a session held in Frederick County, Maryland. 
 He was a skilled organizer, and did much for the 
 promotion of the general work of the Church. At 
 this session J. Reubush was received. He proved 
 to be an untiring itinerant, a great revivalist, and 
 a veteran missionary. 
 
72 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Mr. Glossbreuiier was returned to Shiloh 
 Mission. During his period on this mission, bo 
 held along with Dr. Diddle, of the Lutheran 
 Church, an extensive revival meeting at Church- 
 ville. Dr. Diddle was then young in the ministry, 
 and in demonstrations of enthusiasm went beyond 
 Mr. Glossbrenner. He became the first president 
 of Roanoke College. The mission prospered. As 
 reported in the minutes of 1840, " Shiloh Mission 
 had supported its preacher the last two years." 
 The name was now changed to Rockbridge 
 Circuit. 
 
 February 3, 1840, the conference again, for the 
 third time in ten years, niet at Hickle's school- 
 house in Shenandoah County, Virginia, Bishop Erb 
 presiding. By this conference, Mr. Glossbrenner. 
 with George A. Shuey as assistant, was placed on 
 Frederick circuit, in Maryland. In the beginning 
 of the year, before going to their new field, Mr. 
 Glossbrenner and Mr. Shuey conducted, for the 
 most part, a precious revival meeting at Shiloh 
 appointment on their honife work. Two camp- 
 meetings were held in Maryland this year — 
 one near Frederick City, and the other near 
 Boonsboro. The latter was specially successful. 
 Rev. George A. Shuey, in a report of the meeting, 
 said: "Such pointed preaching, such pungent 
 convictions, sucli agonizing mourners, and such 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 73 
 
 clear conversious are rarely witnessed." Fifty- 
 seven joined the church. 
 
 The next conference was held at Rocky Springs, 
 on Frederick circuit, beginning February 22, 1841. 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was returned to Frederick 
 Circuit for another year. He had no assistant. 
 He was called upon this year to preach the 
 funeral sermon of Rev. George A. Geeting, who 
 died at his home in Washington County, Mary- 
 land, at the age of sixty-one. The funeral 
 sermon was very impressive and full of con- 
 solation. Mr. Geeting had been looked upon 
 for years as a father by his associates in the 
 conference. On Frederick circuit Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner met with the friends who had encouraged 
 him in his first efforts in the ministry ten years 
 before. The work during this second period of 
 service was pleasant and successful. 
 
 The next session of conference met at Spring 
 Hill, Augusta County, Virginia, April 4, 1842, 
 Bishop Erb presiding. By this conference Mr. 
 Glossbrenner was made presiding elder and placed 
 on the Maryland district, which included Hagers- 
 town, Frederick and Winchester circuits. The 
 work on the district prospered greatly. On Ha- 
 gerstown circuit, under Rev. D. Spessard, more 
 than one hundred persons were received into the 
 church. On Frederick circuit, under Rev. J. 
 
74 LIFE OF GLOiSSBRENNEK. 
 
 Bachtel and Rev. J. Mark wood, a number of 
 precious revivals were held. 
 
 In the period of his labors in Maryland, he was 
 on one occasion, sitting by the side of Rev. David 
 Spessard, who was preaching a sermon iu Jacob 
 Hoover's barn, in the Doup neighborhood, in 
 Frederick County. There were a great many 
 roughs in the districts about, and formal churcli 
 members gave them enough countenance to em- 
 bolden them. At this meeting there came to be 
 such misbehavior and disorder that the preacher 
 was compelled to stop. Mr. Glossbrenner arose 
 and the audience at once became as quiet as death. 
 He then repeated solemnly the verse of scripture: 
 "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, iiiid })erish : for 
 I work a work in your days, a work which ye 
 shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it 
 unto you." From that moment to the end of the 
 sermon there was the best of attention. 
 
 At another time, at Jerusalem Church, in the 
 course of a revival, a lady had come forward to 
 the altar. Her husband who was in the audience 
 began to make a disturbance, declaring that he 
 would take her away from the altar. At length 
 Mr. Glossbrenncr's attention was turned to the dis- 
 turbance, and he asked what was wrong. Some one 
 answered, " This man wants to come and take his 
 wife awav from the mourners' bench." Mr. Gloss- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 75 
 
 brenner said, "Stand away brethren, and let him 
 come forward." When he reached the side of- 
 his wife he fell down upon the floor and at the top 
 of his voice cried to God to have mercy on him. 
 
 On one occasion he was to preach at a place 
 where the people had been so much angered at 
 Rev. J. Markwood's plain preacliing and sarcastic 
 language that they wanted no United Brethren 
 preacher to come into the neighborhood. Besides 
 the people were all divided up by their sellishness 
 and jealousies. He went to the place in the face 
 of anger and threats, and preached from the text, 
 "For I perceive thou art in the gall of bitterness, 
 and in the bond of iniquity." He preached 
 plainly to the people in regard to their sins and 
 their strifes, and from the high plane of eternal 
 truth and noble standards, rather than from the 
 heat of his own feelings, rebuked their spirit and 
 actions. After the sermon the people came about 
 him and thanked him for his presence and faith- 
 ful words. 
 
 In 1843 Virginia Conference convened at Rohr- 
 ersville, Washington County, Maryland, Bishop 
 Erb presiding. Among those received were J. E. 
 Bowersox, J. W. Fulkerson and William Lutz. 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was assigned to Rockbridge 
 circuit. This was the same fleld that was knoAvn 
 a few years before as Shiloh Mission. 
 
76 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 In 1844 the conference met at Ohurchville, Vir- 
 ginia, Bishop Erb presiding. Mr. Glossbrenner 
 was sent to Staunton Circuit, with John Gibbons 
 as assistant. The year was crowned with good 
 success, " the preacher and people moving on with 
 great ent-onragenient.'' Throughout the confer- 
 ence, during tiiis year, more than five hundred 
 were received into the Church. 
 
 The next session of conference was at Jerusalem 
 Church, Frederick County, Maryland, beginnino 
 February o, 1845, Bishops J. Erb and Henry Kum- 
 ler, jr., presiding. Mr. Glossbrenner was returned 
 to Staunton circuit, but the following June the 
 General Conference assigned him to other work, 
 and his labors as an itinerant in Virginia Confer- 
 ence, as the event proved, were at an end. 
 
 Daring the fourteen years of his labors in Vir- 
 ginia Conference, his iiame at every session waa 
 on the list of those willing to take work. He 
 might easily have had his hands full of other 
 matters, but preaching was and continued to be 
 his chief work. 
 
 Referring to his early years in the ministry, 
 Mr. Glossbrenner said: "In these days we had 
 in Virginia no stations that atibrded large 
 salaries. Consequently there was no seeking after 
 soft places and large pay. Xone of the itinerants 
 imagined that they were adapted to till stations 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 77 
 
 only, but were willing to go to any mission or 
 circuit that might be assigned them. Since those 
 early days we have witnessed great changes. 
 Some men speak and act as though they had a 
 commission from Christ to fill important places, 
 and if those places cannot be obtained, they are 
 ready to leave the church of their fathers." 
 
 The territory occupied by Virginia Conference 
 was, for the United Brethren Church, a difficult 
 field. It was the only considerable part of the 
 United Brethren Church which was aftogether 
 within slave territory. A part of the Shenandoah 
 Valley was most haughty and intolerant in its 
 slave-holding spirit, being within the so-called 
 Tenth Legion, famed for its devotion to slave- 
 holding. While no large portion of the people held 
 slaves, those who did wielded a most dispropor- 
 tionate infiuence. The United Brethren Church, 
 by its principles, and aided by the fact that it was 
 almost exclusively confined to free territory, was 
 anti-slavery and what was more, was committed to 
 abolition. This militated against the freedom and 
 success of the work within the bounds of Virginia 
 Conference. Yet the ministers worked with an 
 enthusiastic, even chivalrous, devotion, drawing an 
 increased pleasure by triumphing over the hard- 
 ship and hatred that fell to their lot. Other parts 
 of the Church grew more rapidly, but none devel- 
 
(Q LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 oped better preachers or more devoted members. 
 
 As a preacher it was ever Mr. Glossbrenner's 
 motto to do his very best. In using scripture 
 quotations he sought not only to have a number 
 of proof-texts under each division of his sermon, 
 but to have the most suitable and most con- 
 vincing, and to give them accurately. Small 
 audiences and unfavorable circumstances mado 
 little difference v^ith him. In training himself in 
 the preparation of sermons, he made a study of 
 the British Sketches, and of the sermons of re- 
 nowned preachers, but he prepared his own 
 outlines and preached his own sernaons. His 
 associates in the ministry were accustomed to 
 obtain his outlines for their own study and im- 
 provement. 
 
 In preaching he was carried by a powerful 
 current of feeling, which called out all of his 
 powers and gave great fervor to his delivery. At 
 the same time the intellectual work, including the 
 drudge work and mechanical part of bringing his 
 materials together, and of joining the parts of his 
 sermon, was so perfectly done that in the moment 
 of delivery there was nothing to check the rush 
 of his thoughts, or deflect the current of his 
 emotions. Art perfected nature, and the human 
 blended with the divine in that grandest produc- 
 tion that crowns the effort of man — a true gospel 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 79 
 
 sermon. He had large interest in the truth, 
 sincere sympathy for men, and a regard for the 
 sermon in its own character as a sermon. The 
 character of his preaching was already formed 
 and its high plane already reached, while he 
 was doing the work of an itinerant in Virginia 
 Conference. 
 
 One who knew him well in this period of his 
 ministry furnishes the following description: 
 " Mr. Glossbrenner at this time was a sizable man, 
 noble and dignified in Ins form and bearing. His 
 eye was full of fire but at the same time expressive 
 of love and grace. His voice was melodious but 
 distinct and ringing, at times swelling into the 
 majesty of heaven's richest tones. He com- 
 manded the highest regard of his audiences, which 
 he carried at times in a transport of ecstasy to the 
 gates of Paradise. He was not too precise so as 
 to make the pulpit dull, nor did his avoiding of 
 eccentricity produce tameness. In the arrange- 
 ment and plan of his sermons he aimed to preach 
 Ijy giving the pulsations of his own feeling." 
 
 A single example may be taken as indicating 
 the power of his preaching. In 1845 Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner, Mr. Markwood, and Mr. Bachtel were the 
 delegates to the General Conference, which met 
 that year at Circleville, Ohio. By an arrange- 
 ment which the presiding elder of Virginia 
 
80 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 district had made with tliem, tliey were to remain 
 over Sabbath at Franklin, the county seat of 
 Pendleton County, and hold for him a quarterly 
 meeting. They started out on their long horse- 
 back journey and made the halt as arranged at 
 Franklin. Rev. J. W. Fulkerson was the preacher 
 in charge. Saturday morning !Mr. Bachtel 
 preached and the people said the sermon was 
 the best that they had over heard. At night 
 Mr. Markwood preached, and the i)eople were 
 astonished and said that this was the best sermon 
 they had ever heard. Sabbath morning Mr. 
 Glossbrenner preached on Governor Felix and 
 Prisoner Paul, and the audience, astonished beyond 
 measure, proclaimed this sermon to be beyond any- 
 thing to whicli they had ever listened. United 
 States Senator Pennybacker, who was present in 
 the audience, said, " I can say o± that man Gloss- 
 brenner what can be said of but few men — he is 
 a good man and a great man." 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was a careful shepherd, using 
 great patience and wisdom in caring for those 
 under his charge. His nuuiner and spirit were at 
 once a dissuasion against trifling and evil, and an 
 attraction toward that which was high and noble. 
 He sought to promote the publishing and mis- 
 sionary interests of the church, which were then 
 in their infancy. He was judicious and laborious 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 81 
 
 as a presiding elder, giving a hallowed character 
 to all religions work, and in a very special way 
 exerting an inspiring and exalting influence upon 
 those who came into the ministry under hia 
 superintendence. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was entirely in sympathy with 
 the Church to which he belonged. His love for 
 the church and zeal for its advancement sweetened 
 all of his hardships. His strength was not con- 
 sumed in friction or weakened by vacillation. He 
 did not write much for the press, yet there is a 
 series of five articles that appeared in the Religious 
 Telescope, in the year 1844, that should not be 
 passed over. His subject was, " Why I am a 
 United Brethren in Christ." 
 
 The following are the first paragraphs of the 
 first article : " I received a letter a short time 
 since from a Mr. Bishop, at present the pastor of 
 an Evano^elical Lutheran church in western Penn- 
 sylvania, in which the following question was 
 asked: 'Brother G., would you not like to come 
 to this country and labor in the Evangelical Luth- 
 eran Church?' After asking the above question 
 he informed me that there is a lucrative opening 
 which he holds out to me to induce me to do as 
 he before had done — leave the United Brethren 
 Church and become a Lutheran. The Rev. Mr. 
 Bishop says in so many words that if I would 
 
82 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 become a Lutheran I would be supported and 
 would not have to bury my talent and have my 
 zeal dampened and my energies crushed. Now 
 is not this wonderful? It appears that when ho 
 wrote to me he was not alone. There was a 
 preacher with him from Madison County, Indiana, 
 who is also a deserter from the United Brethren 
 Church. Now these two deserters no doubt 
 thought that by holding out as a bribe a rich con- 
 gregation, they would make another ungrateful 
 deserter. But they have missed their man this 
 time. Now let me say once for all that I am a 
 United Brethren, and as such I expect to live and 
 die. I will now give my reasons for being a 
 United Broth I'cn. 
 
 "First, I love the name. The name by which 
 we are recognized is certainly a very appropriate 
 one — United Brotliron in Christ. Brethren is the 
 term used by the Savior and the apostles. 
 And to speak of brethren being united is certainly 
 a delightful as well as a scriptural idea. But to be 
 United Brethren in Christ, how does that sound 
 in view of tlie declarations of the Scriptures?" 
 
 The spirit indicated in the above was a spirit 
 that could be trusted, and that likewise could not 
 but bo appreciated and rewarded. Not usually do 
 the appreciation and reward come first. Some 
 persons so far from having faith to look to God 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 83 
 
 and the time to come, cannot look from the dis- 
 appointment and shadows of one day to the 
 next day, to say nothing of the light and jo}^ of a 
 perfected and completed life. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner next proceeded to state and 
 support the doctrines held by the Church, first 
 showing in the following words the importance 
 of sound doctrine: "I would lay it down as a 
 correct principle that a man should be fully satis- 
 fied in his mind that the doctrines of the society 
 to which he unites himself are in accord with the 
 word of God. If he does not, he acts inconsis- 
 tently, and I might say dishonestly. I am aware 
 that the idea has got into the minds of some, that 
 a man can believe what he pleases and yet be a 
 Christian. I believe no such thing. The apostle 
 exhorts Timothy saying, ' Take heed unto thy- 
 self and unto the doctrine!' " 
 
 He presented in these few articles the doctrines 
 of the existence of God, the Trinity, the divine 
 and human natures of Christ, depravity, the ex- 
 tent of the atonement, justification, and the destiny 
 of the impenitent, evincing by his manner of 
 treatment that he had not studied theology in 
 vain. 
 
 He closed his last article with the following 
 paragraph : " And here let me say that wherever 
 regularly commissioned ministers of the United 
 
84 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Brethren Church are found, we shall find the same 
 doctrines taught. There are not among us what 
 may be called old and new school brethren; that 
 is, some advocating revivals of religion and others 
 opposing them; some advocating the propriety of 
 inviting mourners to distinguish themselves as 
 such by coming to the mourners' bench, and others 
 in their opposition misrepresenting the measure 
 and calling it a dangerous innovation; some con- 
 tending for heart-felt religion and others crying 
 out fanaticism. No, blessed be the name of the 
 Lord, United Brethrenism is the same in every 
 state, in every conference, and in every congrega- 
 tion. God grant that we may still preserve the 
 unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace." 
 
 Before closing this chapter let us notice Mr. 
 Glossbrenner in his home life, Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 sympathized with her husband's purposes and 
 work. She did her work for the cause of Christ 
 largely through him, enduring without complaint 
 the sacrifices and privations made necessary by 
 his calling. After their marriage they lived about 
 a year with her parents. They then moved into 
 a log house on a small farm on Middle River, sit- 
 uated about two miles from Churchville, the farm 
 being the gift of her father. These days of early 
 house-keeping, with the industry and frugality 
 necessary in the circumstances, were looked back 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 85 
 
 upon as very happy days. Indeed all hardships 
 that are not recognized as hardships at the time, 
 are sweet in memory. The little log house gave 
 place in time to a more comfortable dwelling. 
 After sojourning between two and three years in 
 Frederick County, Maryland, beginning with his 
 appointment to Frederick circuit in 1840, his 
 residence became fixed in 1843, for a number of 
 years to come, on the Middle River farm, where 
 he had first resided. Previously, however, he 
 had resided for a time in the Christian Shuej' 
 neighborhood. 
 
 The two oldest children of Jacob J. and Maria 
 M. Glossbrenner, bearing the names Catharine 
 Virginia and Eliza Victoria, were born prior to 
 the residence in Maryland. Two children, Wil- 
 liam Otterbein and Cornelia Doup, were born in 
 the period of residence in Maryland. The former 
 died at the age of eight weeks, while Mr. Gloss- 
 brenner was away from home attending to the 
 duties of his circuit. The two youngest children, 
 Marie Louise Josephine and Henrietta Clayonia, 
 were born in the years 1845 and 1850 respectively. 
 The name of the latter betrays the father's 
 partiality for Henry Clay, the great Whig leader. 
 
 The small farm, which was always well kept, 
 exacted considerable attention and personal labor, 
 not to the exclusion, however, of his duties as a 
 
86 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 minister. In the line of diversion, fishing, for 
 which the river near by furnished excellent 
 opportunities, afforded him perhaps the greatest 
 pleasure. 
 
 An honored Lutheran minister, whose ac- 
 quaintance with him from an early time was most 
 intimate, said: "I think I knew him well, and 
 in all of the relations of life, domestic, social, 
 political, and religious. I certainly esteemed him 
 a model man. If I were required to point to any 
 striking or distinguishing trait, I confess that I 
 would find it a puzzling task. He was so 
 perfectly rounded up that no single outstanding 
 attribute, as in many good men, was so marked 
 as to excel or oversbadow any other one or all the 
 rest. In his home he was the sun of the sur- 
 rounding group. With his children, his habitual 
 and overflowing kindness insured his unquestioned 
 authority and, on their part, cheerful obedience. 
 To crown tbe felicities of his home life, the Lord 
 gave to him a companion eminently fitted to 
 share the rule and satisfactions of this model 
 household." 
 
 In the social circle he took delight and was 
 agreeable, having much of the spirit to please 
 others rather than himself. He showed kindly 
 attention to the children in the families wdiere he 
 visited, being sincere, however, rather than 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 87 
 
 profuse, in his attention. Familiarly, by the 
 children, he was called Uncle Gloss. Older 
 persons saved time by the same abbreviation, 
 calling him Brother Gloss. The abridging or 
 transforming of names for convenience or from 
 friendship is a marked Virginia custom. It may 
 be proper to note that Mr. Glossbrenner, by his 
 temperament, by his residence in Virginia, and 
 more particularly through his marriage, became 
 a true Virginian, possessing the manner and 
 spirit of which that name is the symbol. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Delegate to General Conference of 1837 — Original Char- 
 acter of the Church — Condition at this time — A 
 Constitution Adopted — Delegate to General Conference 
 of 1 84 1 — Debate on Constitution — Mr. Glossbrenner's 
 Attitude — Clause on Amendments — Acceptance of the 
 Constitution — Other Acts of the Conference. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner's part in the General Con- 
 ferences of 1837 and 1841 and his relations to 
 the Church in its extended character, have been 
 reserved for a separate chapter. It was required 
 by the General Conference of 1833 that the annual 
 conferences put in nomination four persons as 
 delegates to the next General Conference, the two 
 securing the highest number of votes to be the 
 delegates. Mr. Glossbrenner was thus nominated, 
 and along with Rev. Jacob Rhinehart was elected 
 a delegate to the ensuing General Conference, 
 which met on the 9th of May, 1837, at German- 
 town, Ohio. To this time his work had been 
 confined almost cxckisivcly to Virginia and Mary- 
 land. Aside from the bishops he had met few of 
 the representative men of the Church. Sixteen 
 delegates representing eight conferences were in 
 attendance. The bishops present were Henry 
 
 88 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 89 
 
 Kumler, sen. and Samuel Hiestand, William 
 Brown being absent. The engrossing subject of 
 the session was the adoption of a constitution. 
 To understand the action of the conference it will 
 be necessary to take a view of the origin, compo- 
 sition, and tendencies of the Church. 
 
 The Church at this time numbered probably 
 about twenty-one thousand members. The organ- 
 ization and methods of the Church were far from 
 being complete or settled. The Church in its 
 distinct ecclesiastical character originated in the 
 year 1800. For the period before that, we speak 
 of a religious movement, which, from 1789 tended 
 decidedly toward denominational character. The 
 main influence in the founding of the Church 
 came from those who were actually or traditionally 
 connected with the German Reformed Church. 
 In 1789, out of seven preachers present at a 
 conference, five were from the Reformed side, 
 the other two being Mennonites. In 1800, eight 
 certainly and probably nine of the fourteen 
 preachers present at the conference were from the 
 Reformed side, the others being Mennonites. 
 After 1800 the preachers and members in general, 
 came to a much less extent from the Reformed 
 side, and to a proportionately greater extent from 
 the Mennonites and from other bodies, or from 
 outside all denominational lines. The result was 
 
90 LIFE OF GL08SPRENNER. 
 
 that almost a new founding: of the Cliurcli became 
 necessary, especially in view of the fact that 
 Otterboin and his associates liad given to the 
 Clmrcli :;t the iirst v^'vy liitic of formal cliaracter. 
 The Meinionites, or more i>ro}»er!y the heteroge- 
 neons elements tliat fonnd their way into the 
 Church, resisted such formal character. A regard 
 for ex})edient measures in building up the work 
 of the Church ])r(>voke<l suspicion. Many came 
 into the Churcli because of the absence of binding 
 customs and constraining forms, and these would 
 of course be especially strenuous in resisting their 
 introduction. At the same time those forms that 
 had imperceptibly l)een adopted were rigidly 
 adhered to. From one source, however, there 
 appeared a positive shaping tendency. The Men- 
 nonite element in the Church believed intensely 
 in righteousness, and were inclined to build up or 
 insure righteousness by particular and stringent 
 rules. Thus the tendency to oppose fixed forms 
 had its antithetic elements. 
 
 In order to understand the legislation of the 
 Church, it is necessary to understand also some- 
 thing of the intense religious spirit of the Church. 
 The doetrines, religious lite, and customs of the 
 Church were adhered to by the people with a zeal 
 which careless or formal Christians regarded as 
 fanaticism. Unionizing movements that gave an 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 91 
 
 unqualified regard to the old churches were 
 condemned, or regarded with distrust. When a 
 few years later, that grand institution, the Evan- 
 gelical Alliance was formed, the United Brethren 
 Church refused to send delegates. Bishop Russel 
 wrote, "How can we with the principles of our 
 church before us, unite with slave-holding 
 Methodists, with Calvinists, and with Lutherans 
 wlio hold to baptismal regeneration? An object 
 of the convention is to drive the old pope from 
 his seat, which in my opinion would only remain 
 vacant until the young pope, who is now sucking 
 the breasts of the Protestant churches, is weaned.'' 
 There was also suspicion as to an educated 
 ministry, lest the formalism with which it had 
 been associated in the past should take the 
 place of religious life. But these things, even 
 when viewed in the most unfavorable light, were 
 but the weaknesses or defects connected with 
 beliefs and experiences of essential importance. 
 Better have tlie weaknesses accompanying zealous 
 convictions than to have the amiability that 
 cherishes nothing and has nothing for which to 
 contend. The real life and strength of the Church 
 are shown by the triumph, through a long course 
 of years, over many obstacles, and the development 
 of the character and instrumentalities suited to 
 the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. 
 
92 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 At the session of the General Conference of 
 1837 there was, especially on the part of some, a 
 desire to have the fundamental principles of the 
 Church expressed in a constitution. Old churches, 
 originating in Europe, may have to content" them- 
 selves within the forms that they have inherited. 
 Only an American product, belonging, too, to the 
 nineteenth century, can cut its garment to suit 
 its needs, and form its instruments to suit its 
 occasions. In our day and country the same in- 
 telligence that originates, is the intelligence that 
 fashions the form and completes the structure. 
 
 A leading spirit in the conference was Rev. 
 AVilliam R. Rhinehart, who, while not a member, 
 had great influence in view of his being the editor 
 of the Religious Telcscoj^e, and was made the 
 secretary of the conference. At the beginning of 
 the session Mr. Rhinehart presented a written 
 constitution for the government of the Church, 
 and prayed its adoption. The constitution was 
 favorably received, and apparently without 
 amendment, was adopted by the unanimous voice 
 of the conference. The conference felt that in 
 adopting the final article of the constitution, 
 which declared that no subsequent General 
 Conference could amend the constitution without 
 a two-thirds vote of the conference, they had 
 exceeded their authority; so in a circular ap- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 93 
 
 p ended to the constitution the following language 
 was used : " We are well aware that we have 
 transcended the bounds given us by our discipline 
 which [transcending of bounds] will be found in 
 the constitution, article four, section two, declar- 
 ing that the said constitution can neither be 
 altered nor amended without a majority of two 
 thirds of a General Conference. The object of 
 this circular is (feeling that the government of 
 the Church is not as firm as it ought to be) to give 
 notice to our Church throughout the Union that 
 Ave intend to present a memorial to the next 
 General Conference, praying them to ratify the 
 constitution now adopted according to [making 
 it binding under] article four, section two." 
 Beyond the securing of definiteness, fixed charac- 
 ter, and harmony of practice, the constitution 
 presented little that was specially significant. 
 The only radical departure was that given in the 
 article on amendments, and that was referred to 
 the next General Conference for ratification. 
 
 The constitution, though not binding under the 
 final article, was yet designed to be binding from 
 the time of its adoption. The constitution began, 
 " We, as members [not we the members], of the 
 Church of the United Brethren in Christ" ordain, 
 and so forth. Thus the constitution did not 
 purport to come from the membership. The 
 
94 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEK. 
 
 members of the conference, according to previous 
 resolution, came forward on the next morning 
 after the adoption of the constitution, and soleiiin- 
 ly appended tlieir names, which would not have 
 been done in the case of a proposed constitution. 
 Then, by resolution, the number of delegates from 
 the different annual conferences to the next 
 General Conference was fixed in a jpro 7'ata way 
 in harmony with the constitution. Further, in 
 the printed discipline, edited by William R. 
 Rhinehart and William Hanby, the two persons 
 who were foremost in the adoption of the con- 
 stitution, at the place where the section had stood 
 in previous disciplines, on the members con- 
 stituting the General Conference, the note was 
 thrown in, " See constitution," just as was the 
 case after the adoption of the constitution of 
 1841, and has continued down to the present time. 
 It stands also as a fact that the provisions of the 
 constitution in whatever form they applied in 
 the interval before the General Conference of 
 1841, were as consistently adhered to as in the 
 circumstances of the case, could at all have been 
 expected. There is not wanting, however, decisive 
 testimony as to the intention of the conference. 
 Rev. William Hanby, a member of the conference 
 and one of the editors of the discipline, in 1839 
 while serving as editor of the Religious Telescope, 
 
LIFK OF GLOSSBRENNEK. 95 
 
 wrote the following, the extract being a part 
 of a reply to a question of Rev. William R. 
 Coursey : " Here we must confess that we do 
 not understand Brother Coursey, unless he is of 
 the opinion that the present constitution is void 
 and of no efiect. If so, we think he is mistaken. 
 It was not, by any means, considered that the con- 
 stitution would be null and void for four years, and 
 that therefore a petition should be offered to the 
 next General Conference, praying for the enact- 
 ment of a certain specification, as set forth in the 
 circular of the discipline. General Conference did 
 by uo means doubt their right to gather up the 
 detached principles of government as contained 
 in the discipline and throw them together in the 
 form of a constitution, and even make amend- 
 ments to them, but they did doubt the right of 
 declaring that that constitution should be neither 
 altered nor amended without a majority of two 
 thirds of a General Conference, and that was, we 
 think, the only object of the circular, and that is 
 the only specification set forth in the circular. 
 Presuming, then, that the constitution is equally 
 valid with other parts of the discipline, we refer 
 Brother Coursey to the second article in the 
 constitution as exhibiting a satisfactory manner 
 of procedure." 
 
 Other measures looking to the stability and 
 
96 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 upbuilding of the Church were adopted by the 
 conference of 1837, indicating a confidence in the 
 permanence and future success of the Church. 
 A constitution was drafted and adopted for the 
 publishing work of the Church. Methods for 
 the secure holding of the church property received 
 attention, as also the proper methods for carrying 
 forward the work of building church houses. 
 Henry Kumler and Henry Hiestand were re-elected 
 bishops, and Jacob Erb was chosen for the first 
 time. Extensive revivals prevailed throughout 
 the Church during the ensuing quadrennium, and 
 church spirit was carried to an advanced point. 
 The term "United Brethrenism," a term not 
 encouraged by all, came into quite general use. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner along with Rev. William R. 
 Coursey, was elected to represent Virginia Con- 
 ference in the General Conference of 1841. The 
 General Conference met on the 10th of May at 
 the Dresbach Church, Pickaway County, Ohio. 
 Bishops Kumler and Erb were both present. 
 Bishop Hiestand had died three years before. 
 Twenty-one delegates, five more than in 1837, 
 were in attendance. The delegates were men, as 
 a rule, of much more experience and agressiveness 
 than were the delegates of 1837. John Russel, 
 John Coons, H. G. Spayth, George Miller, Joshua 
 Montgomery, and Henry Kumler, jr., were among 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 97 
 
 the number. Sixteen of the delegates had not. 
 been present as delegates in 1837. On the after- 
 noon of the second day the subject of a constitution 
 was brought up. 
 
 About a half dozen short articles on the subject 
 appeared iu the Religious Telescope in the years 
 1840 and 1841, being almost entirely confined 
 to the desirability of a constitution and bearing 
 almost exclusively upon the proposed ratification 
 of the constitution of 18-37. In a published article 
 Rev. Joshua Montgomery set forth the spirit of 
 a considerable number of ministers in the Church. 
 He wrote: "Let us have a constitution now 
 while our Church, laity and ministers,are disposed 
 to be governed by the true spirit of Christ and 
 his word, and then should a part or all of us 
 depart from this spirit, still no rule in discipline 
 could be enacted contrary to the constitution until 
 that constitution is altered. Such alteration would 
 elicit discussion, and the laity of the Church who 
 always have had and always should have the 
 appointing of delegates to that body which is 
 to frame, or have the altering of said con- 
 stitution, would have an eye upon the man or 
 men who would so alter or amend the constitution 
 as to be derogatory to the Bible . . . and thus we 
 may be saved from that domineering spirit that 
 stalked at noonday in the Church of Rome, or 
 
98 LIFE OF GLOSSBKEXNKR. 
 
 that is now prevalent wherever the same unholy 
 and unscriptural church government rules the 
 people." The fact that the office or bishop was 
 recognized in the Church caused man}' to take a 
 decided attitude against episcopal arrogance and 
 usurpation. In his article, Rev, J. C. Whiter 
 desired the constitution to remain unchanged, 
 except that in addition to forbidding changes 
 except by a two-thirds vote of a General Confer- 
 ence, he would have thrown in that no rule 
 " contrary to the word of God " should be enacted. 
 Rev. H. G. Spayth and Rev. William R. Course}' 
 wrote articles opposing a constitution from con- 
 siderations drawn from the history of the Church. 
 According to their view, the Bible and the provi- 
 dence of God had given the Church being, and 
 guided it thus far, and would be sufficient for the 
 future. This is the sumnuiry of the discussion 
 prior to the General Conference. 
 
 In the resolutions and discussions on the 
 subject of a constitution, on the General Con- 
 ference floor, no reference whatever was made to 
 the instrument of 1837. How this came to be 
 thus is not altogether clear. A few considerations 
 may explain the matter somewhat. In the first 
 place, a very limited number had had anything to 
 do with the earlier instrument. Again the often 
 referred-to circular was so involved and unintel- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER, 99 
 
 ligible ill its wording as to seem to have reference 
 to the body of the constitution itself, rather 
 than exclusively to the article on amendments. 
 Still further, some of those who regarded as 
 valid the provisions of the constitution with 
 the exception of the article on amendments, 
 reserved the name constitution for the instru- 
 ment when so ratified as to put it beyond the 
 realm of leo-islation. Thus bewilderino^ and 
 conflicting positions were taken. Then there 
 were some who were opposed to a constitution, 
 who began to speak of the constitution as not yet 
 in forcCo There came to be no little confusion in 
 the latter part of the quadrennium. In some of 
 the annual conference districts not all of the 
 provisions of the constitution of 1837 were 
 observed in the election of delegates in the fall 
 of 1840, but in none of them were all of tlu' 
 provisions previously in force obeyed. Some sa^^' 
 in the confused state into which things had come, 
 an opportunity for a constitution of a difi'erent 
 character. Thus between those who desired no 
 constitution and those who desired a constitution 
 embracing difi'erent features, the constitution of 
 1837 went to the ground. Rev. William E. 
 E-hinehart, who stood so closely identified with 
 the constitution of 1837, had lost much of his 
 influence, having been constrained to resign his 
 
100 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 position as editor of the Religious Telescope iu the 
 middle of his term. 
 
 The discussion began on the motion " that a 
 constitution for the better government of the 
 Church be adopted." J. Montgomery, speaking 
 in favor of a constitution, said that " the object 
 of a constitution is to guard against apostasy; to 
 sustain a balance of power between the ministry 
 and the laity; that it is designed to establish 
 points of polity which should stand unalterable." 
 H. G. Spayth, J. McGaw, A. Biddle, J. J. Gloss- 
 brenner, and others, from the customary argu- 
 ments, stood opposed to a constitution. When the 
 vote was taken, fifteen voted in the affirmative 
 and seven in the negative, the bishop not in the 
 I'hair, casting his vote also. It was believed b}' 
 the minority that what had been sufficient in 
 the past would suffice for the future, and that 
 there was peril in anything that would interfere 
 with flexibility and an unfettered choice of 
 methods in the affairs of the Church, amidst the 
 contingencies that the future might reveal. But 
 when they were outvoted not one of them was 
 sullen or rebellious. A committee of nine, one 
 from each conference, was a})pointed " to draft a 
 constitution." The committee consisted of J. 
 Russel, J. J. Glossbrenner, George Miller, A. 
 Biddle, H. G. Spayth, J. Montgomery, William 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 101 
 
 Davis, H. Bonebrake, and H. Kumler, jr. When 
 in 1849 Mr. Glossbrenner was asked why, if he 
 was opposed to a constitution, he served on the 
 committee to draft one, his answer was, " If there 
 was to be a constitution I wanted to help to make 
 it as good as possible." So perhaps thought the 
 others; for a number of the delegates who were 
 opposed to a constitution served on the com- 
 mittee. The constitution as drawn up and finally 
 adopted by a large majority left out the jpro rata 
 principle of the constitution of 1837, included 
 among new items prohibition of connection with 
 secret combinations and slavery, and in the last 
 article made changes impossible " unless by re- 
 quest of two thirds of the whole society." The 
 statement that the form drawn up in 1837 was 
 now adopted "after some slight amendments," is as 
 unhistoric as the statement that the form of 1837 
 was a kind of " conventional constitution," which 
 the conference of 1841 was "to adopt, amend or 
 reject." This theory was first hastily announced 
 on the floor of the General Conference of 1849 
 when three delegates assailed the validity of the 
 constitution. As all criticism soon ceased, this 
 theory unchallenged was generally embraced, 
 even receiving the sanction of those who had 
 previously announced a different view. The 
 committee found it convenient to use some parts 
 
102 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 of the disregarded constitution. Some elements 
 were engrafted from the previous discipUne. The 
 change of expression from "Freemasonry" to 
 "secret combinations" was made with special 
 reference to Odd Fellowship which was just then 
 coming to the attention of the Church. The most 
 striking feature of the constitution of 1841, that 
 which gave to all of the others their importance, 
 was the article in regard to amendments. 
 
 What was meant by the language that no 
 alteration should be made in the constitution 
 " unless by request of two thirds of the whole 
 society " could not have been entirely clear at the 
 time. As far as the Church had any custom for 
 the expression of the will of the laity, it was 
 through the selection of the ministerial delegates 
 vvho should represent them in the General Con- 
 ference. The sole expression of the people in the 
 constitution of 1841 was of this character. There 
 were no petitions in advance and there was no 
 submission to vote afterward. We may readily 
 conceive that in view of the absence of precedent 
 and experience in obtaining expressions from the 
 laity, it would be difficult to give a statement of 
 the mode by which a suitable expression could be 
 reached. The General Conference of 1833 had 
 forbidden the enrolling of members where there 
 was opposition. The General Conference of 1837 
 
LIFE OF (iLi.tSSBRKNNEK. 103 
 
 made the apportionment of delegates to be elected 
 to the next General Conference because, as one 
 of the delegates expressed it, "Some of the annual 
 conferences hadi conscientious scruples about 
 numbering their Israel." It was not till 1857 
 that the Church presumed to give any statistics 
 relating to the entire membership. 
 
 If the word request did not mean an expres- 
 sion from the laity through their ministerial 
 delegates, it evidently is to be taken in the sense 
 of vote. It was at once translated into the 
 German word Stimmenzahl which carries that 
 meaning. The expression " whole society " was 
 sometimes used to distinguish the membership in 
 general from the ministry or the General Confer- 
 ence. The constitution of 1837 gave the power of 
 making changes to the General Conference com- 
 posed of ministerial delegates; the constitution 
 of 1841 gave the power of making changes to the 
 membership throughout the Church. The mean- 
 ing would therefore be a two-thirds vote in the 
 usual interpretation of the word. However, if 
 the word request should be pressed, the meaning 
 would certainly be an expression of the member- 
 ship through the choosing of the delegates who 
 should represent them in the General Conference. 
 In this manner the sentiments of the Church had 
 hitherto been expressed. 
 
104 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Some of the delegates to the conference of 1841 
 said, years afterward, that it was the intention to 
 make changes impossible. A delegate yet living 
 says that he doubts not that a few of the delegates 
 at the time preferred to have such a constitution, 
 but that it was not his view that they regarded 
 their desire as accomplished. Just before the 
 General Conference a leading member held up to 
 scorn the idea that church government had " ar- 
 rived at perfection," and that a form that " could 
 not be altered or amended" should be received 
 from the " chair of dictatorial infallibility." No 
 instrument that a number of persons have had a 
 part in framing is to be interpreted as though it 
 were the work of one person. There may be 
 elements that it is necessary to reconcile. A chief 
 justice of the United States has decided that even 
 the intention of those framing laws is not of itself 
 decisive as to what the construing should be. 
 The language and the drift are of the first 
 moment. The chief thing in this case is that 
 the article in question stands as the article regu- 
 lating amendments, aiul as such requires a 
 construction making amendments feasible. 
 
 Undoubtedly the principles of the constitution, 
 as far as their operation brought them into notice, 
 were generally approved. Whatever might be 
 developed afterward, there was then nothing to 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 105 
 
 .show that the provisions of the constitution were 
 not well advised. The party that did not believe 
 that the future could be trusted and that a 
 formal provision might prevent apostasy, and 
 the party that believed the Bible and the eternal 
 Spirit were the guide and pledge of the church 
 of Christ, went on with their work in harmony. 
 Happy would it be if the absence of mere 
 technicality and obstinate literalness might be as 
 conspicuous in the present interpretation of the 
 constitution as it was in regard to the method of 
 adoption. 
 
 The extent and diversity of material incorpo- 
 rated into the constitution are truly remarkable. 
 On the side of the expedient in method, we have 
 the itinerant plan and the guaranteeing of the 
 rights of local preachers. On the side of the 
 moral in practice, we have the prohibition of con- 
 nection with secret societies and slavery. In the 
 statement of religious truth, we have the confes- 
 sion of faith guarded by a provision of the 
 constitution. A striking provision also is the 
 placing of the government of the Cliurch in 
 the hands of ministerial elders, no lay elders being 
 recognized. For a new people just entering upon 
 their history, especially for a people that started 
 out in opposition to all existing forms, these 
 features are indeed remarkable. The Mennonite 
 
lUG LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 strictiiesij of life and the cleceptiveness by which 
 it came to be supposed that formal elements could 
 arrest decline of piety, furnish, at least in part, 
 the explanation. 
 
 At the session of General Conference in 1841, 
 Mr. Glossbrenner moved that the salary of 
 traveling preachers be increased. The motion 
 prevailed and the salary of a single preacher 
 was made one hundred dollars, and that of a 
 married preacher two hundred dollars. He 
 also introduced a resolution forbidding laymen 
 as well as preachers to vend or distill intoxi- 
 cating liquors. This motion also prevailed. 
 He also took an active interest in the adoption 
 of a resolution by which discussion of the slavery 
 question in the Religious Telescope was forbidden. 
 Some of the members favored the resolution 
 from the apprehension that if abolition were 
 advocated, state and national authorities would 
 interfere with the circulation of the Religious 
 Telescope in slave territory. Others feared that 
 in the precarious financial condition of the 
 publishing ofiice, if division of feeling were 
 caused, the paper could not be issued at all. 
 Some, however, bitterly opposed the resolution. 
 By the action of the conference, a constitution 
 for a general missionary society was formed. 
 While Mr. Glossbrenner was a delegate in the 
 
LIFE OP GLOSSBRENNER. 107 
 
 General Conferences of 1837 and 1841, and was 
 active and prominent in the latter especially, his 
 own part in ttiese conferences was not such as to 
 justify comprehensive description of the acts of 
 these conferences: yet for the better understand- 
 ing of his work and relations in the periods 
 following, a somewhat extended account of these 
 significant conferences seemed important. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Delegate to General Conference of 1845 — Educational 
 Work Begun — Elected Bishop — East District — West 
 District — Otterbein University Founded — Virginia Con- 
 ference in 1847 — Camp-meeting Sermon — Middle Dis- 
 trict — Spirit of the Church — Aversion to Lauding Men 
 — General Conference of 1849 — Temperance — Secret 
 Societies — Slaverj^ — Re-elected Bishop — Assigned West 
 District — Holds Conferences on INIiddle District — West 
 District — East District — Execution of the law on Sla- 
 very — West District. 
 
 The ninth General Conference assembled at 
 Circleville, Ohio, May 12, 1845. Bishops H. 
 Kuniler, sen., II. Knmler, jr., and John Coons 
 were present; Bishop Erb was absent. J. J. Gloss- 
 brenner, J. Bachtel, and J. Markwood represented 
 Virginia Conference. The Church was everywhere 
 extending its bounds, and many interests in the 
 newer as well as in the older parts of the Church 
 were to be cared for. A number of new confer- 
 ences were constituted. The St. Joseph, Illinois, 
 and Iowa were carved out of the bounds of the 
 Wabash. An additional conference was formed 
 by the dividing of Pennsylvania Conference. 
 Provision was also made by which White River 
 Conference was set oft' from Indiana Conference 
 
 108 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 109 
 
 in the following year. Thus five new conferences 
 were constituted. The delegates felt that much 
 of the future success of the Church was in their 
 hands. They sought to build soundly as well as 
 rapidly. Publishing interests received careful 
 attention. Four years before, Mr. Glossbrenner 
 had voted for restricting the discussion on slavery 
 in the Religious Telescope. lie now voted to re- 
 move the restriction; the motion prevailed, though 
 nine votes were cast in the negative. He voted 
 in favor of all measures looking to a better quali- 
 fied ministry. 
 
 On the motion to refer to the annual confer- 
 ences the proposition to found an institution of 
 learning, he voted in the afiirmative. To secure 
 the passage of such a resolution at this time re- 
 quired the explicit understanding that it was not 
 a part of the purpose to train men specifically for 
 the ministry. This was the first measure that the 
 Church had taken looking to the education of 
 her sons and daughters under her own auspices. 
 Under the license of this resolution, Otterbein 
 University was founded the following year, and 
 other institutions were founded in quick succes- 
 sion. Mr. Glossbrenner saw the propriety of 
 establishing and sustaining these institutions, and 
 later came to see the importance of institutions 
 for the special training of candidates for the Chris- 
 
110 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 tian ministry. But in these regards it can not 
 be said that he moved much more rapidly than 
 the body of the Church; and thus to tliose of the 
 most advanced aims, who were struggling 
 with great difficulties in building up educational 
 institutions, he seemed not to have sufficient 
 interest in the educational work of the Church. 
 This seeming lack was due in large part to quali- 
 lications that he threw in. He Avould have the 
 educational work advanced in such a way and at 
 such a rate as to conserve the elements that had 
 characterized the Church in its origin, and as 
 would hold the diiferent classes in the Church 
 together under the bond of common sympathy. 
 In one point of view, his moderate course has 
 been justified by facts. Some of the young peo- 
 ple of the Church, either because of their real or 
 supposed liberal education, or because of the 
 slowness of the Church in moving on progressive 
 lines, have become alienated and lost to the 
 Church. Thus have the efl[brts of the Church 
 been repaid. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner voted with the minority 
 against a resolution that the rule on temperance 
 should remain as it was. The minority demanded 
 more advanced measures. Early in the session, 
 in consequence of a proposition to change slight- 
 ly the language of the confession of faith, Mr. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. Ill 
 
 Glossbrenner moved that iu view of the constitu- 
 tion the General Conference had no right to revise 
 the confession of faith. The motion prevailed by a 
 vote of fifteen against eight. This fidelity to the 
 constitution and laws of the Church was thorough- 
 ly characteristic, and will appear hereafter on 
 many and diverse occasions. 
 
 At the hands of this General Conference Mr. 
 Glossbrenner received his first election as bishop. 
 He was already fairly well known to the Church. 
 Many of the ministry and laity of Virginia 
 Conference had become distributed through the 
 West. He had been a delegate to three succes- 
 sive General Conferences. It does not seem, 
 however, that he had been present at any annual 
 conference sessions, aside from those of Virginia 
 Conference, with the exception of a visit that he 
 made to Scioto Conference in connection with his 
 attendance at the General Conference of 1841. 
 His ability as a preacher, his orderly method, his 
 thorough sympathy with the Church, along with 
 his modest bearing, commended him to the dele- 
 gates as one not unworthy of the high and 
 responsible ofiice of bishop in the church of 
 Christ. He had not yet completed his thirty-third 
 year. He had been fourteen years a preacher, 
 however, and had stood for twelve years an elder, 
 having served five years as presiding elder. The 
 
112 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 fact that the old men of the couference gave him 
 their support would seem to indicate that youth 
 in his case was no great fault. His associates 
 were William Hanby, who had previously given 
 excellent satisfaction as editor of the Religious 
 Telescope, and J. Russel, a man of strong char- 
 acter and original methods, whose early home 
 was in Washington County, Maryland. JSTone of 
 the bishops elected had seen previous service in 
 the office of bishop. New hands were at the 
 wlicel. 
 
 The Churt'll was divided by the bishops into 
 three "dioceses." The first year Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner presided over the conferences in the East, 
 consisting of Virginia, East Pennsylvania, West 
 Pennsylvania, and Allegheny. The bishops were 
 to be itinerants as well as bishops. They were to 
 spend their time preaching and laboring in vari- 
 ous ways on their districts, and were also to 
 rotate on their districts. They were in conse- 
 quence to receive the regular pay of itinerants. 
 Hitherto there had been no regular provision for 
 the support of bishops. If there was money left 
 from some other fund, they sometimes received a 
 meagre allowance for expenses. Now collections 
 were to be taken up in advance, and the money 
 reported at conference. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's first conference was the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 11^ 
 
 Virginia, which met at Otterbein Church on MiU 
 Creek, Shenandoah County, Virginia, February 
 6, 1846. At this place he united with the con- 
 ference fifteen years before. He opened the 
 session by reading the twelfth chapter of II. Cor- 
 inthians, and by an appropriate address. This 
 was the Bishop's own conference, and here he was 
 treated not only with respect, but with love. Six 
 persons were ordained, J. W. Fulkerson, William 
 Lutz, and J. E. Bowersox being of the number. 
 The conference asked Bishop Glossbrenner "to 
 itinerate through his district as much as possible," 
 and pledged itself to do what it could to " support 
 him according to the disciplinary allowance." On 
 Sabbath he preached a " very appropriate, practi- 
 cal, and aftecting discourse." The session was 
 pleasant, and measures were taken looking to 
 larger efi^brts and more fruitful results. 
 
 The next conference attended by Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner was the Pennsylvania, which met at 
 Springville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 
 February 20, 1846. The General Conference had 
 authorized the division of Pennsylvania Confer- 
 ence, and a large number of the members expected 
 two sessions to be held in 1846, On the represen- 
 tation of some of the members. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner appointed a united session. Some 
 dissatisfaction was expressed, but the dissatisfied 
 
114 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 ones acquiesced with the best possible grace. 
 Bishop Glossbrcnner felt some trepidation in 
 going to this old, strong conference. It had 
 eiofhtv-eio^ht names on its roll of members. He 
 also felt an embarrassment in going to a confer- 
 ence that had as many German preachers as had 
 the Pennsylvania. Before going to the confer- 
 ence, and while laboring somewhat under these 
 embarrassments, Rev. Caspar Light, one of the 
 noble-hearted ones among the German preachers, 
 wrote to him, saying: "Come on, young English 
 bishop; we Germans will stand by you and hold 
 up your hands." " This," said Bishop Gloss- 
 brcnner, " encouraged me greatly." Among the 
 Germans Bishop Glossbrcnner always found 
 ready hearers and warm friends. He used simple 
 language and quoted many passages from the 
 Scriptures. A certain admirer of the Bisliop, 
 belonging to another denomination, once said 
 that it was not with him as it was with another 
 preacher of whom he had heard, who often used 
 the word philanthropy and other similarly de- 
 rived words. A lady, having heard this preacher, 
 said: "There is one thing that puzzles me. I 
 do not see how PAi7-anthropy could be 'such a 
 good boy, when his sister J/is-anthropy was such 
 a bad girl." Bishop Glossbrcnner had a fine com- 
 mand of crisp, idiomatic Anglo-Saxon, molded 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 115 
 
 upon the lips, the natural language of living 
 thought and burning emotion. 
 
 He opened the session of Pennsylvania Confer- 
 ence by, reading the fifth chapter of I. Peter and 
 making " appropriate remarks in the English 
 language." Bishop Kussel was present and deliv- 
 ered an address in German. On Tuesday fore- 
 noon at ten o'clock Bishop Glossbrenner delivered 
 the conference sermon, and Bishop Russel im- 
 mediately followed him in German from the same 
 text. Arrangements were made for separate ses- 
 sions of East and West Pennsylvania conferences 
 the following year. The conference expressed 
 " sincere thanks to Bishops J. J. Glossbrenner 
 and J. Pussel for the able manner in which they 
 had managed the business of the conference." 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's last conference, the 
 Allegheny, convened at Wayne Church, Mifflin 
 County, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1846. The session 
 was opened with a suitable address. Allegheny 
 Conference was one of the most enterprising of 
 the conferences of the Church. It had a number 
 of strong men. Isaiah Potter and J. R. Evans 
 were two of the four ordained to the office of 
 elder. 
 
 In making his trips to the conference, Bishop 
 Glossbrenner rode a large gray horse, somewhat 
 ungainly in appearance, but a fine traveler. 
 
116 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 "When necessary he could walk fifty miles a 
 day. In the early days of the United Brethren 
 Church, to have a good horse and to know how to 
 take care of him were prime requisites. Newcomer 
 was specially noted in both of these regards. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, in the fall of the same 
 year attended the conferences on the "West 
 district, consisting of Iowa, Illinois, "Wabash, and 
 St. Joseph conferences, along with Scioto Con- 
 ference. Leaving home August lOtli he came 
 by boat on the Ohio River to Cincinnati, reaching 
 Cincinnati August 15th. Here he remained till 
 the 18th, preaching twice for the United Brethren 
 conff relation. He then took boat for St. Louis. 
 A very pleasant company of people were on the 
 boat, among them a number of ministers. By 
 request he preached three times in the course of 
 the journey. From St. Louis he went to Colum- 
 bus City, Iowa, where on the 31st of August, 
 Iowa Conference convened. Iowa was not 
 admitted as a state till December of this year. 
 The attendance at this conference was very 
 limited, not half of the small membership of the 
 conference being present. This year there was 
 much sickness throughout the "West. The 
 preaching places were widely separated, and 
 the preachers were poorly supported. This was 
 the second session of the conference after being 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 117 
 
 regularly set off by the General Conference. 
 John Everhart was elected chairman, and F. R. 
 S. Bird secretary. A. A. Sellers was present, 
 and Christian Tronp was absent. Three new 
 members were received and three persons were 
 ordained. Bishop Glossbrenner was made the 
 bearer of sixty-six dollars of missionary money 
 to the itinerants of Iowa Conference. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner himself furnishes a de- 
 scription of itinerant life in Iowa at this time. 
 He draws the following picture: "I think that 
 I can give a tolerably correct account of a 
 missionary's life in this western world. My 
 brethren, in your imagination fix your eyes on 
 that missionary of the cross as he leaves his 
 humble cabin to meet his appointments. There 
 is little flour or meat in the house. His compan- 
 ion in toil and hardship gives him her hand and 
 seems to say, while her eyes are filled with tears, 
 * Husband, ours seems to be a hard lot, but go in 
 the strength of the Lord; we will still trust 
 him.' There stand his hatless and shoeless little 
 ones, saying, 'Father, when will you come 
 back?' He looks upon them and says, 'I can- 
 not tell; be good children and be kind to your 
 mother.' He then leaves them. ISTow follow 
 him as he travels through the lonely woods 
 or across the broad prairies. The tear falls 
 
118 LIFE OF (jLOSSBREMNER. 
 
 down his manly cheek, but still he feels, Woe 
 is me if I preach not the gospel. lie reaches 
 liis appointment, he enters the cabin, takes out 
 his Bible and hymn book, lays them down, and 
 his heart is lifted to God for divine assistance. 
 A hymn is sung. After pra^-er he stands up as 
 an embassador of God, gives out his text, and 
 preaches, not about the gospel, but the gospel 
 itself, not in word only but in power and 
 the demonstration of the Holy Ghost, and with 
 much assurance, commending himself to every 
 man's conscience in the sight of God. After 
 preaching he meets the class. The Lord is with 
 them, their souls are filled with glory, and for 
 awhile the missionary forgets his troubles and 
 privations, and rejoices in a title clear to mansions 
 in the skies." 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's second conference was 
 the Illinois, which met at Spring Grove, Wiscon- 
 sin Territory, September 14th. J. Denham was 
 elected chairman and Josiah Terrell, secretary. 
 Ten new members were received and six 
 candidates were ordained. Money received from 
 the older parts of the Church was also distributed 
 among the itinerants of this conference. The 
 year had been prosperous, and the outlook was 
 encouraging. 
 
 He next attended Wabash Conference which 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 119 
 
 met at Isaac Bolton's, in Yigo Cc mty, Indiana, 
 September 28th. Belonging to this conference 
 were a number of the prominent men of the 
 Church. "William Brown, J. C. MciTamer, James 
 Griffith and John Hoobler might be named. 
 The conference passed a resolution against 
 a proposed union of the United Brethren Church 
 with the Wesloyan Methodist Cliurch. The 
 proposition had been brought prominentl}' before 
 both churches and met with much favor; yet 
 botli churches were too well satisfied with their 
 separate organization and work to consum- 
 mate a union. Bishop Glossbrenner himself was 
 not favorable to the movement. One of the 
 prominent interests at this time was that known 
 as the benevolent fund, which aimed to provide 
 assistance for needy or worn-out itinerants or 
 their families. Large salaries were not encour- 
 aged even by the preachers, and they could not 
 have been commanded even if desired. This 
 movement enlisted much of the enthusiasm and 
 support that it deserved. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 gave himself with great zeal and success to the 
 building up of this fund. He raised for this 
 purpose a large subscription at Wabash Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 His next conference was the St. Joseph which 
 met at Leffel's school-house, Kosciusko County, 
 
120 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Indiana, October 12th. Leading members of this 
 conference were Francis Whitcomb, J. Fetterhoff, 
 J. Thomas and J. M. Hershey. This conference 
 was as much in favor of a union with the Wes- 
 leyans as the Wabash was opposed to it. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's hist conference for the 
 year was the Scioto, which met at Bethlehem 
 Church, Pickaway County, Ohio, October 26th. 
 He opened the conference by reading the second 
 chapter of II. Timothy, and by an appropriate 
 address. Scioto Conference was one of the okl 
 conferences, and in it were represented as much 
 intelligence, enterprise, and tried Christian char- 
 acter, and as high talent in the ministry, us could 
 be found in any of the conferences. Here were 
 found J. ■Montgomery, L. Davis, E. Van Demark, 
 J. Kretzinger, J. M. Spangler, D. Edwards, and 
 William Fisher. Bishop Hanby, though a mem- 
 ber, was not present. The great matter which 
 will make this session ever memorable, is that at 
 this session the first successful measures were 
 taken looking to the work of education under 
 the auspices of the Church. The conference 
 now took practical steps that led to the putting in 
 operation in the following year of Otterbein 
 University. The trustees appointed were L. 
 Davis, J. Dresbach, and AY. Ilanby. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner often referred with satisfaction to 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 121 
 
 the fact that he had the honor of presiding at 
 the conference session at which the educational 
 work of the Church was inaugurated. He re- 
 ceived a vote of thanks for the " able and courte- 
 ous manner " in which he conducted the business 
 of the conference. 
 
 February 8, 1847, he met with his own con- 
 ference in Virginia, at Mt. Hebron Church, 
 Washington County, Maryland, Bishop Hanby 
 presiding. Virginia Conference had the embar- 
 rassment of being in skive territory, and besides, 
 was vexed with a few cases of slave holding 
 within the Church. The editor of the Religious 
 Telescope, Rev. D. Edwards, who was present at 
 the session, had admitted into the columns of the 
 paper strong denunciation of all connection with 
 the "domestic institution." It was claimed by 
 Virginia Conference that the course of the paper 
 was a great hindrance to success in slave territory, 
 and it was proposed to establish a religious paper 
 under the direction of the conference. Steps 
 were taken looking toward the establishment of 
 a literary institution, and Bishop Glossbrenner 
 was placed on the committee to select location 
 and raise money for the same. The elFort did not 
 issue in success. Through a course of years, 
 propositions were made all over the Church, look- 
 ing to the establishing of academies and colleges. 
 
122 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Much was said and written on the subject. In 
 some parts of the Church liberal donations were 
 giveu. There was, so to speak, an educational 
 furor. i!Tot all of the efforts were well directed, 
 and after the first moments, the enthusiasm of 
 many cooled. 
 
 Through the plan of changing districts, and 
 owing to the fact that some of the conferences 
 were held in the spring and others in the fall, 
 Bishop Glossbrenner served two districts in 1846, 
 and presided over no conferences in 1847. 
 
 At a camp-meeting held in Virginia in the 
 period of Mr. Glossbrenuer's first term as hishop^ 
 he found himself in a rather serious situation, 
 from which he happily extricated himself. Eev. 
 W. R. Coursey, the presiding elder, preached on 
 Saturday from Matthew 18: 3: "Verily I say unto 
 you. Except ye be converted, and become as little 
 children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of 
 heaven." On Sabbath morning Bishop Russel 
 came upon the grounds and was pressed into 
 service. He selected the same text, which had an 
 unpleasant efiect on those anxious for the success 
 of the meeting. Monday morning Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner arrived, took the stand, and announced 
 the same text. Now the situation became pain- 
 ful in the extreme. A good sister within the altar 
 spoke up and said, "That text has been preached 
 
LIFE OP GLOSSBRENNER. 123 
 
 to death already." The Bisliop scarcely halting, 
 said, "Xever mind, sister, I will endeavor to raise it 
 up and put new life into it." The issue justified 
 the statement. The outcome could not have 
 been happier if the preachers had consulted and 
 every item been planned. Coursey was a good 
 talker and a close reasoher; Russel was a topical 
 preacher with critical expositions; "Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner," says an eye witness, " was in his 
 happiest mood of gospel power." As he pro- 
 ceeded in his inimitable way, many in the audi- 
 ence rose to their feet and others moved about 
 unconscious of what they did. 
 
 In the year 1848 he presided over the Middle 
 District, consisting of Miami, Indiana, White 
 River, Sandusky, and Muskingum conferences. 
 Miami Conference met at Miltonville, Ohio, 
 January 6, 1848. Henry Kumler, sen., was elected 
 chairman, and W. R. Rhinehart secretary. Ex- 
 bishops John Coons, Joseph Hoffman, and H. 
 Kumler, jr., were also members of the conference. 
 Miami Conference was the mother conference of 
 the West. There was indeed a line of extension 
 from the old conference in the East, through 
 Muskingum and Sandusky conferences, over the 
 northern part of Ohio on into Michigan, but 
 Indiana and Wabash conferences with their oif- 
 shoots are to be traced back to the Miami, the 
 
124 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 first session of which was held in 1810. At the 
 present session there were ninety-threef names of 
 members on the rolL The various interests and 
 enterprises of the Church received due attention. 
 The reform character of the Church stood con- 
 spicuously forth. 
 
 Indiana Conference met at Union meeting- 
 house, Orange County, Indiana, January 20th. 
 Daniel Shuck, Henry Bonebrake, L. S. Chitten- 
 den, Aaron Davis, and T. J. Conner were among 
 the best known ministers present. 
 
 White River Conference met at White Chapel, 
 Madison County, Indiana, February 3d. This 
 was the second session of the conference. Though 
 the conference was small, it was full of enterprise. 
 J. A. Ball, W. W. Richardson, C. W. Witt, D. 
 Stover, and J. T. Yardeman were among the 
 members present. In the previous session of the 
 conference, one of the preachers liad been charged 
 with public immorality for enlisting to serve in 
 the Mexican War. On this charge he was at 
 this conference expelled. The United Brethren 
 Church was quite thoroughly opposed to war in 
 any circumstances, but especially to the Mexican 
 War, on account of its being understood to be a 
 w^ar in the interest of slavery. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner at this session had his home with Mr. 
 John Lambert, with whose family he was familiar 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 125 
 
 in Virginia. ITothing pleased the Bishop more 
 than to meet throughout his travels those with 
 whom or with whose families he had been as- 
 sociated in Virghiia. He met ministers from 
 Virginia in almost every conference, and his love 
 for them, almost if not quite, amounted to 
 partiality. 
 
 Sandusky Conference met at Brett's Meeting- 
 house, Seneca County, Ohio, February 17th. 
 Leading members in this conference were H. G. 
 Spayth, George Hiskey, and J. C. Bright. This 
 conference was just entering on a career of un- 
 precedented activity. The conference resolved to 
 co-operate actively and liberally with Otterbein 
 University. The conference was the banner con- 
 ference in the work of missions. 
 
 The last conference attended by Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner, on this round, was the Muskingum, 
 which met at Connotton, Harrison County, Ohio, 
 March 3d. This conference was the third annual 
 conference formed, having been constituted in 
 1817. S. "Weaver, J. Weaver, and C. Carter were 
 among the members present. A. Biddle and W. 
 S. Titus, while not present, received transfers. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was asked " to give a short 
 history of the origin of the United Brethren 
 Church for the benefit of the young brethren in 
 the ministry, which he kindly and satisfactorily 
 
126 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 did, along with some appropriate remarks rela- 
 tive to the situation of the Church in the slave 
 states." 
 
 In the fall of 1848 he presided over the same 
 conference, over which he presided in the spring 
 of 1848. Miami Conference met September 20th 
 at Farmersville, Ohio. Among those received as 
 members was W. J. Shue}'. The finances of the 
 conference were improving at a rapid rate, and 
 }trominent laymen, such as T. Is. Sowers and 
 John Dodds, were being recognized and j^ut to 
 work. Indiana Conference met at Zion Chapel, 
 Dearborn County, Indiana, September 28th. A 
 field of hibor was recognized in Kentucky, J. 
 Blair being made presiding elder over the same, 
 with one preacher under him. White River Con- 
 ference met at Kingdom Chapel, Shelby County, 
 Indiana, October 6th. Steps were taken looking 
 to the establishment of a manual labor school. 
 T. J. Conner was received by transfer. Sandusky 
 Conference met at Walter's school-house, Lucas 
 County, Ohio, October 20tli. It sustained its 
 reputation for devotion to the local and gen- 
 eral work of the Church. Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner preached a "very plain and impressive 
 discourse." Muskingum Conference met at 
 Warner's meeting-house, Stark County, Ohio, 
 November 2d. An earnest missionar}' spirit 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 127 
 
 combined with a jealous care to maintain the old 
 landmarks, characterized the conference. J. "Wea- 
 ver was one of the two candidates ordained. "The 
 Bishop preached a very feeling and appropriate 
 sermon," Bishop Glossbrenner was present at 
 the session of Virginia Conference which con- 
 vened near Hagerstown, Maryland, January 25, 
 1849, and assisted Bishop Russel in presiding. 
 
 We have thus gone with Bishop Glossbrenner 
 to all of the conferences of the Church, fourteen 
 in all. Though scattered over a large territory, 
 they were one in traditions, purpose, and sym- 
 pathy. Tliere was harmony within and little of 
 admixture from elements without. Opposition 
 to all wickedness in the world and all secular 
 tendencies in the church of Christ was the nega- 
 tive pole, and love to Christ and the souls of men, 
 the positive pole governing the character and 
 activities of the Church. Opposition to theologi- 
 cal education, and the restricting of salaries to a 
 meager specified amount, were thought to be 
 necessary to keep the Church and its work from 
 beino; considered on the basis of secular thino;s. 
 Slavery, secret societies, and intemperance fur- 
 nished the special points for this opposition to 
 the world. It is not strange that along with 
 this intense opposition to worldly elements there 
 should be a stronsf force hohlino; the Church to- 
 
128 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 gether and giving it a homogeneous character, 
 ^o one understands aright the United Brethren 
 Church, who does not discern in its history an 
 earnest eiFort to reach the marked elements pre- 
 sented in the New Testament as helonging to 
 the kingdom that Christ came to estahhsh. But 
 no one will deny that there were weaknesses and 
 blemishes. Mistake and confusion may easily be 
 pointed out. The Church was a revival church 
 taking to itself from all classes of society and all 
 conditions of neglected humanity. As a body it 
 was mostly taken from Satan's side of the line, 
 instead of being taken from other folds or from 
 elements having a training in churchliness. Some 
 uutowardness, therefore, if not balanced by ad- 
 vantages, must yet be borne with. Converts were 
 licensed to }»reach in many cases immediately on 
 their conversion. Members and preachers were 
 in many instances irregular and unreliable. But 
 everywhere and always close discipline was ap- 
 plied to the correcting of abuses and the purifying 
 of the Church. One of the prominent things at 
 almost every conference session was the hearing 
 of complaints against ministers. This holds good 
 from the earliest times. Technicalities were not 
 allowed to stand in the way of the expulsion of 
 ofienders. It was something of a maxim, "Truth 
 and righteousness are above sympathy." 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 129 
 
 If at many places the life of Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner is allowed to merge itself in the history of the 
 church to which he belonged, it is because, as an 
 actual fact, the life of the Church iirst dominated 
 his own character and work. He was not 
 specially in advance of the Church or above it, 
 but a part of its throbbing power and guiding' 
 intelligence. If not much is found recorded of 
 the principal men of the Church, it is because it 
 was against the spirit of the Church to exalt the 
 names of men. Even now we cannot help giving 
 a degree of sympathy to words written in this 
 spirit by the editor of the Religious Telescope in 
 1848. After reproving zeal in hunting up facts 
 that would honor the name of Otterbein, the 
 editor said: " Otterbein seems to have purposely 
 avoided everything which in anyway led to man- 
 worship in his person. His highest ambition 
 seems to have been 
 
 'To be little and unknown, 
 Loved and prized by God alone!' 
 
 " Could we now consult him he would no doubt 
 exhort us to employ our time in becoming 
 acquainted with Christ, instead of following the 
 examples of those who would canonize and wor- 
 ship every distinguished leader in their respective 
 churches." This statement, right in large part, 
 
I 
 
 liiO LIFE OF GLOSSBRE]S•^■JiK. 
 
 hides from us, jnst as it chocks in the actors 
 themselves, the existence and manifestation of 
 individualized character and eftbrt. To speak of 
 a sermon as plain, practical, or feeling, was ahout 
 as much as it was allowable to say. The proper 
 thing, it would seem, is a fair setting forth from 
 proper sentiments of the character and acts of 
 worthy men. Others will thus be instructed and 
 inspired, and God will be honored. Proper rec- 
 ognition will encourage the actors, who, having 
 the assistance of the judgments of others in form- 
 ing a judgment of themselves, will be even more 
 likely to avoid a hurtful and exaggerated opinion 
 of themselves. 
 
 We now come to the tenth General Conference 
 which convened at Gerniantown, Ohio, May 14, 
 1849. Bishops Ilanl^y, Russel, and Glossbrenner 
 wore all present. Thirteen conferences were 
 represented by three delegates each, excepting 
 the Illinois, which was represented by one 
 delegate. In consequence of distance and the 
 prevalence of Asiatic cholera, no delegates wore 
 present from Iowa Conference. The General 
 Conference was composed of the strongest and 
 most aggressive members of the different annual 
 conferences. The leading questions were those 
 touching in some way the reform principles of 
 the Church. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 131 
 
 A resolution prohibiting the use of ardent 
 spirits as a beverage " passed with the utmost 
 enthusiasm." This was tlie point to whicli 
 Bishop Glossbreuner, with others, had been 
 laboring to bring the legislation of the Church. 
 In 1814 the Old Conference adopted a rule that 
 every member sliould abstain from strong drink 
 and use it only when necessity required. But 
 this was in advance of the ideas and practice 
 of the Church, as well as in advance of the 
 general practice among professed Christians. 
 The General Conference of 1821 formulated a 
 rule against distilling, on the part of ministers 
 and members, and laid it over for future action. 
 The General Conference of 1833 ordained that no 
 exhorter or preacher should distill or vend ardent 
 spirits on pain of not being considered for the 
 time of his disobedience a member of the Church. 
 At the same time all members were advised 
 against manufacturing and selling ardent spirits. 
 This advice was made by the General Conference 
 of 1841 a command. It remained for the Gen- 
 eral Conference of 1849 to forbid the using as a 
 beverage as well as the manufacturing and selling 
 of ardent spirits. Later (in 1873) to prevent 
 all ambiguity, the expression intoxicating drinks 
 was substituted for ardent spirits. 
 
 Rev. C. W. Witt, chairman on the committee 
 
132 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 on secret combinations, presented a report the 
 first clause of wliicli was the following: "Free- 
 masonry in every sense of the word shall be 
 totally prohibited and there shall be no connect- 
 ion with secret combinations." In 1826, before 
 the Morgan excitement, Miami Conference 
 declared that all ministers who should join the 
 Masonic fraternity should forfeit their connection 
 with the Church. In 1827 the conference in the 
 East declared that all preachers and members 
 who 'should connect themselves with the order of 
 Freemasons should lose their membership. The 
 General Conference of 1829 declared that Free- 
 masonry in every sense of the word should be 
 prohibited and that all who should connect 
 themselves with the Masonic fraternity should 
 cease to be members of the Church. This law 
 continued substantially unchanged until 1849. 
 At this time the expression "there shall be no 
 connection with secret combinations " was inserted, 
 being taken from the constitution of 1841. Later 
 changes have all had reference to the method of 
 enforcement. In 1841 when the constitution 
 was adopted, the Church had scarcely come into 
 contact with any secret society other than Free- 
 masonry. But in 1842 the Sons of Temperance 
 originated, and from that time on the whole 
 subject began to assume a different phase. In 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 133 
 
 the General Conference of 1849 Bachtel and 
 Markwood of Virginia Conference were opposed 
 to introducing language into the law that would 
 apply alike to all secret societies. H. Kuniler, 
 jr., Joshua Montgomery, David Edwards and 
 others made energetic speeches in favor of the 
 proposed law. Only two, Markwood and Bach- 
 tel, voted against the law, while two were 
 neutral, H. Burtner and William R. Rhinehart. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was in the chair during the 
 discussion. The discussion extended through 
 nearly a whole day and was able as well as 
 exciting. 
 
 The subject of slavery came before the confer- 
 ence in various forms. The Church had been 
 opposed to slavery from the beginning. The first 
 legislation on the subject was in 1821, when a 
 rule was adopted forbidding slaverj^, but including 
 a provision that the hire for slaves for a certain 
 time should be applied toward compensating their 
 masters. In 1837 this provision was stricken out 
 and the law against slavery made absolute. In 
 Virginia Conference, beginning as early as 1830, 
 there came to be a number of cases of slave-hold- 
 ing. As already noticed, a restriction was placed 
 on the utterances of the Religious Telescope in 
 1841, but this had reference to a prudent refrain- 
 ing, as was supposed, from embittering those 
 
134 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 favorable to slavery among whom the Cliurch 
 worked. The difficulties encountered were real 
 and not easy of solution. The perils in the 
 line of self-deception, cupidity, fear of popular 
 odium, and corruption of conscience, were very 
 great. The laws of the slave states made eman- 
 cij)ation difficult, and the law of the Church up 
 to 1837 was by its own statement to be subject to 
 state law. A member of the Church by marrying 
 into a slave-holdino; lumilv mii^lit become involved 
 in slavery without his active consent, and those 
 so disposed could reap the profits of slavery 
 without technically being slave-holders. In 1840 
 Virginia Conference dealt summarily with a 
 minister whose wife was understood to be the 
 owner of a slave, but finding itself in error as to 
 the facts, rescinded its action at the next session. 
 At this session of the General Conference earnest 
 measures were taken to carry out the law of the 
 Church in all cases. The delegates from Virginia 
 Conference w^ere frank in giving the state of the 
 case as to slavery witiiin the Church, and asked 
 for explanations as to the intent of the law and 
 the method of procedure. Both as to slavery 
 and secret societies, the prohibitory clause of the 
 constitution stood inconveniently in the way of 
 the slight modifications desired by some of the 
 delegates. In view of this, and from the fact 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 135 
 
 that the constitution had not been submitted to 
 the people, a motion was made that the constitu- 
 tion be expunged. Only three delegates, however, 
 voted m the affirmative. 
 
 At this session, West Pennsylvania Conference 
 was charged with not coming up to the discipHn- 
 ary requirements in regard to distilling, and 
 Miami Conference was charged with not throw- 
 ing its whole influence against connection with 
 secret societies. The Church, however, stood 
 almost as a unit on these questions as well as on 
 almost ever}^ other question. 
 
 During the session Bishop Glossbrenner ruled 
 against 2:rantin2: the rio-ht to the Otterbein con- 
 
 o CT* O CT" 
 
 £:rc2:ation in Baltimore to vote for delet^ates to 
 the General Conference, on the ground that they 
 were subject to their own particular discipline 
 instead of the discipline of the United Brethren 
 Church. Ilis decision was reversed by the con- 
 ference, this being almost a solitary case of an 
 appeal against his decision being sustained. At 
 this time local elders were first placed on the 
 stationing committees. 
 
 Mr. Glossbrenner was re-elected to the office 
 of superintendent in the Church, his colleagues 
 being David Edwards and Jacob Erb, the latter 
 having filled the ofi&ce of bishop the eight years 
 between 1837 and 1845. Bishop Edwards was 
 
136 LITE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 just entering on what proved to be a long and 
 noble career in the office of superintendent. He 
 was a man of strong convictions, courage in 
 announcing and maintaining the same, and in- 
 domitable energy. He was noted both as a 
 preacher and an administrator. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner was assigned to the West District, 
 including Miami, Indiana, Wabash, Illinois, and 
 Iowa conferences. By special arrangenumt. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner and Bishop Edwards, who 
 was assigned to the Middle District, exchanged 
 districts the first year. Bishop Glossbrenner thus 
 presided the first year over White River, St. 
 Joseph, Sandusky, Scioto and Muskingum con- 
 ferences. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner presided at the White 
 River Conference which met at Dublin, Indiana, 
 September 13, 1849. There was a large attend- 
 ance of members. The conference voted to co- 
 operate in the support of Otterbein University, 
 in view of a proposition to connect with the 
 university a manual labor department. Two 
 members were ordered to be reprimanded by the 
 Bishop for non-compliance with the requirement 
 to lift collections for missions. St. Joseph Con- 
 ference convened at Pleasant Phiins, Elkhart 
 County, September 27th, and was opened by an 
 appropriate address. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 137 
 
 The next conference was the Sandusky, which 
 met at Gilboa, Ohio, October 5th. The session 
 was marked by close attention to business, and 
 enthusiasm in the Lord's work. J. Lawrence 
 and J. C. Bright were leading spirits. A presid- 
 ing elder's district was formed in Michigan. 
 Ministers were sent out to missions with nothing 
 but territory and spiritual destitution before 
 them, and a small appropriation back of them. 
 The Bishop gave a wholesome lecture on care in 
 receiving members into the Church. On Sabbath 
 he preached an impressive sermon on "Winning 
 Souls," after which five persons were ordained. 
 "The occasion was solemn, melting, and refresh- 
 ing." 
 
 Scioto Conference met at Salem meeting-house 
 on Winchester Circuit, October 17th. Within the 
 bounds of the conference Otterbein University 
 had gone into successful operation two years 
 before. Circleville, where the Religious Telescope 
 was published, was within the conference bounds, 
 and in the periods between General Conferences, 
 Scioto Conference had the oversight of the paper. 
 In no conference was there a stronger body of 
 preachers. They were specially alert to the new 
 interests that were springing up in the Church 
 and demanding wise management and hearty 
 support. In coming to such a conference a more 
 
138 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEK. 
 
 magnetic and bracing atniospliere is always felt. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's last conference was the 
 Muskingam, which met at Berlin meeting-honse, 
 Mahoning County, Ohio, I^ovember 1st. Seven 
 candidates w^ere ordained. There had been an 
 increase in membership of eight hundred and 
 forty-three. The conferences were improving 
 greatly in the accuracy and fullness of their 
 statistics. The Church, east and west, was grow- 
 ing rapidly. On the West District the increase 
 for the year was about twenty-five per cent. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was present at the session 
 of Virginia Conference, at Mt. Hebron, Shenan- 
 doah County, Virginia, beginning March 7, 
 1850. He took an active part in the proceedings. 
 More than six hundred members had been re- 
 ceived into the Church during the year. 
 
 We now turn to Bishop Glossbrenner's labors 
 on his own district — the West District. The first 
 conference attended was the Iowa, which met at 
 Clark's Point, Lee County, Iowa, August 15, 
 1850. Christian Troup, who, more than any 
 other one was the founder of the conference, had 
 died during the year. The ministers were meager- 
 ly supported, and had it not been for assistance 
 contributed from abroad, especially by Sandusky 
 Conference, they w^ould scarcely have been able 
 to continue in the field. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 139 
 
 took great interest in looking after the comfort 
 and temporal support of the ministers under his 
 charge. This he did by urging their claims in the 
 older parts of the Church and by looking after 
 the benevolent fund. Illinois Conference met at 
 Lexington, Illinois, August 29th. Scioto Con- 
 ference sent the bulk of its contributions for the 
 frontier to this conference. Wabash Conference 
 met at Millford Church, Warren County, Indiana, 
 September 6th. Indiana Conference met at 
 Liberty meeting-house, Adair County, Kentucky, 
 September 20th. This was the first conference 
 session held in the -State of Kentucky. Indiana 
 Conference was now struggling to put on a 
 good basis Hartsville Academy, White River Con- 
 ference having voted to co-operate. The last 
 conference for this round was the Miami, which 
 convened at Seven Mile, Ohio, October 3d. 
 Twelve new members were received, among the 
 number being D. K. Flickinger and J. Kemp, jr. 
 It was resolved to found an institution of learn- 
 ing. After the Bishop's sermon on Sabbath a 
 good collection was taken up for missions in the 
 " far west," Iowa and Illinois being meant. It 
 may be remarked that at this time Dayton be- 
 longed to Springfield circuit. 
 
 March 7, 1851, Bishop Glossbrenner was pres- 
 ent at the session of Virginia Conference at 
 
140 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Bethlehem Church, Augusta County, Virginia. 
 Bishop Erb presided. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 presided over no conferences this year. 
 
 In the year 1852 he presided over the confer- 
 ences of the East District, Bishop Erb having 
 presided over the conferences of the West District 
 the fall of the preceding year. Allegheny Con- 
 ference met in Ligonier Valley, Pennsylvania, 
 January 80, 1852. J. 11. Sitman, J. B. Resler, I. 
 Potter, S. S. Snyder, W. H. S. Keys, D. Speck, 
 and W. B. Dick were among the active and 
 prominent members. Within the bounds of the 
 conference, Mt. Pleasant College had been in 
 operation for two ycjirs. 
 
 East Pennsylvania C^onference met at Mount- 
 ville, Pennsylvania, February 12th. After Bishop 
 Glossbrenner addressed the conference in English, 
 Bisliop Erb made an address in German. The 
 presiding elders elected were S. Voneida and J. 
 A. Sand. The German element largely predomi- 
 nated. Pennsylvania Conference met at Green- 
 castle, Pennsylvania, February 20th. Bishop Erb 
 assisted Bishop Glossbrenner in presiding. Among 
 the itinerants we find the names of A. Owen, J. 
 S. Kessler, W. B. Kaber, J. Dickson, J. C. Smith, 
 and Z. A. Colestock. 
 
 Virginia Conference met at Rohrersville, 
 Maryland, February 27th, Bishop Glossbreiiner 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 141 
 
 presiding, assisted by Bishop Erb. At this session 
 the crisis of the disagreement between Virginia 
 Conference and the discipline of the Church on 
 the slavery question was reached. During the 
 year very harsh articles had been written on both 
 sides. Bishop Erb had been assailed because of 
 words said in favor of a strict adherence to the 
 discipline. Bishop Glossbrenner had been held 
 in suspicion in consequence of the intemperate 
 utterances of some of his associates in Virginia 
 Conference. At this session it was resolved to 
 institute an examination into the cases of slave- 
 holding, take action upon them according to 
 their nature, give an impartial statement to the 
 next General Conference, if desired, and to ask 
 such legislation as could be complied with in 
 letter as well as in spirit. This change of attitude 
 betokened better things. It was proposed at this 
 session to allow a member who was understood to 
 be connected with a secret society to withdraw 
 free of complaint. Bishop Glossbrenner stated 
 that if the conference insisted on taking that 
 course, he would carry the matter to the General 
 Conference. The proposition was modified. 
 
 After this session of Virginia Conference, as 
 there was now a prospect that the ministers of 
 the conference would co-operate in a sincere and 
 earnest eftbrt to carry out the spirit of the dis- 
 
142 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 cipline, Bishop Glossbrenner resolved personally 
 to do wliat he could to bring about so desirable 
 a result. 
 
 At the first quarterly conference on Churchville 
 circuit, where he lived, he arose, to the astonish- 
 ment of almost all who were present, and moved 
 that the discipline on slavery be enforced to the 
 letter. Rev. George A. Shuey, his brother-in- 
 law, seconded the motion. What made the case 
 peculiarly difficult was the fact that of the two 
 slave-holders on the circuit, one was Christian 
 Shuey, Mr. Glossbrenner's father-in-law. Chris- 
 tian Shuey, from some cause, purchased a female 
 slave shortly after 1845, who with her children 
 born afterward, constituted all the slave property 
 owned by him. Mr. Shuey had already matured 
 plans for freeing himself from the evil of slavery, 
 yet he was not, at the time, prepared to come up 
 to the strict requirements of the discipline, but 
 spared the Church all difficulty from his case, by 
 surrendering his active relation to the Church. 
 The other case was that of a young num in the 
 Church who became a slave-holder by marrying 
 a lady who subsequently inherited slaves. He 
 likewise released the Church from all difficulty in 
 his case. "Peculiar cases" of slave-holding were 
 not wanting down to the time when the pen of 
 Abraham Lincoln with one stroke brought free- 
 dom to a whole race of slaves. 
 
LIFE OF GLoSSlillEXNER. 143 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's last round for the quacl- 
 renniuin was made on the West District. Miami 
 Conference lield its session at Pleasant Ridge 
 Chapel, Butler County, Ohio, beginning Septem- 
 ber 1, 1852. At the request of Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner, a presiding elder's district was formed in 
 Missouri, and H. Kumler, jr., that veteran mission- 
 ary, elected to preside over the same. General 
 Conference was asked to divide the conference ter- 
 ritory. Evergreen College, to be located at Seven 
 Mile, received due attention. Indiana Conference 
 met at Bethel Meeting-house, Clarke County, 
 Indiana, September 9th, and Wabash Conference 
 at Otterbein Church, Coles County, Illinois, Sep- 
 tember 17th. Iowa Conference met at Knoxville, 
 Marion County, Iowa, September 30th. The 
 territory occupied b}' the conference had ex- 
 tended into Missouri and w^ell toward the western 
 boundary of the State of Iowa. General Con- 
 ference was asked to divide the conference. 
 Illinois Conference convened at Rose Hill Church, 
 Rock Island County, Illinois, October 9th. This 
 young conference had grown up in eight years to 
 have four presiding elders' districts. Steps were 
 taken at this session to establish an institution of 
 learning. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was present at the session 
 of Virginia Conference, beginning February 11, 
 
14-1 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEK. 
 
 1853, at Mt. Hebron, Hardy Couuty, Virginia, 
 Bishop Erb presiding. On Sabbatb Bishop Erb 
 preached in German and Bishop Glossbrenner 
 in English. 
 
 In tlie eight years just reviewed, much of 
 Mr. Glossbrenner's traveling was by steamboat 
 on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He was car- 
 ried frequently from one conference to another 
 by private conveyance. Near home he made his 
 journeys on horseback. To a limited extent he 
 was also enabled to travel by railroad. 
 
 In this period of his labors as a superintendent 
 in the Church, by his abiding zeal for the spirit- 
 ual side of the work of the Church, by the spirit 
 of devotion which he sought to inspire at the 
 conferences, and by his careful and firm adminis- 
 tration of the laws of the Church, he did much to 
 prepare the way for the phenomenal activity and 
 success of the Church in the period on which it 
 was now just entering. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 General Conference of 1853 — Extension of the Work — 
 Depravity — Course of Reading — Organization of Mis- 
 sionary Society — Slavery — East District — First Round 
 — Presides in the West — General Conference of 1857 — 
 Infant Baptism — Settlement of the Depravity Contro- 
 versy — East District — Church Dedications — Last Year 
 of the Quadrennium — His Services and Character — 
 Relation to Slavery — Home Life. 
 
 The eleventh General Conference met at Mil- 
 tonville, Ohio, May 9, 1853. Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner and Eishop Edwards presided alternately. 
 The preceding quadrennium had been marked by 
 great prosperity. Beginning about 1850, a tide 
 of unusual success set in and extended to all parts 
 of the Church. There was intense zeal in extend- 
 ing the Church into new parts, and in developing 
 and strengthening it on ground already occupied. 
 The General Conference of 1853 had the large 
 conceptions and the courage to respond to the 
 new and enlarged demands upon it. Thus with 
 this session began a new era in the widening and 
 developing of the work of the Church. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner, in an opening address, spoke of the 
 encouraging condition of the Church, of the 
 important matters that would come before the 
 10 145 
 
146 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 coDfereuce, especially the missionary interest, 
 and closed with an exhortation to the members 
 to use Christian forbearance in their treatment 
 of one another throuo-hout the deliberations of 
 the session. 
 
 The great subject that made this General Con- 
 ference and the one succeeding it memorable, was 
 the depravity question. Bishop Glossbrenner's 
 relation to the controversy, from first to last, was 
 one of great importance. While his orthodoxy 
 was never called in question by the most ortho- 
 dox on the. radical side, he yet showed great 
 consideration for those who were understood to 
 hold liberal or unsound views on the subject. He 
 had confidence in them as brethren, and believed 
 that the differences were largely differences of 
 views rather than differences in the doctrines 
 held. The Church has always shown a disposi- 
 tion to keep clear of theological paradoxes. By 
 some the doctrine of total depravity was regarded 
 as the companion piece of Calvinism. Since 1841, 
 when the subject of depravity was made a part 
 of the examination of ministers, protests had not 
 been wanting. The controversy had been earnest 
 and many pens had been employed. Conferences 
 were distracted and the feeling of distrust was 
 becoming quite general. In the West, especially, 
 the doctrine of total depravity was resisted, and 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 147 
 
 many in the East, particularly the Germans, re- 
 garded it as unauthorized and subversive of the 
 truth. Early in the session Eev. I, Potter moved 
 that the question to applicants be made to read, 
 •' Do you believe in natural, hereditary, total 
 depravity as held by the Church?" After pro- 
 tracted discussion, resulting only in wider 
 separation, Bishop Glossbrenner proposed the 
 following amendment or explanation which was 
 adopted: "1. That by depravity is meant, not 
 guilt nor liability to punishment, but the absence 
 of holiness; which therefore unfits man for 
 heaven. 2. By natural depravity is meant that 
 man is born with this absence of holiness. 3. By 
 hereditary depravity is meant that this unholy 
 state is inherited from Adam. 4. By total deprav- 
 ity is not meant that a man or child cannot 
 become more unholy, nor that he is irrecoverably 
 unholy, nor that he is a mass of corruption, but 
 that this absence of holiness must be predicated 
 of all the faculties and powers of the soul." The 
 first three items in the amendment would not be 
 opposed by many. The last did not meet the 
 view, or did not express all of the meaning of 
 either party, but was accepted as a compromise 
 statement. The word complete was substituted 
 for the word total in the resolution and in the 
 amendment, being thus more in harmony with 
 
148 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 the explanation given in tlie fourth item of the 
 amendment. But even after Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner's amendment had prevailed, the resolution 
 was carried by a majority of but twenty-three to 
 nineteen. The prominent opponents of the res- 
 olution were J. Russel, J. Terrel, A. A. Sellers, 
 and F. R. S. Byrd. Rev. Wm. Davis, though not 
 a member of the conference, was a leading repre- 
 sentative of the liberal view. The subject will be 
 noticed again in connection with the proceedings 
 of the next General Conference. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was appointed one of a 
 committee of five to prepare a course of reading 
 for licentiates. A. course had been outlined in 
 1841, but it was not made compulsory. The two 
 following General Conferences were satisfied to 
 stop with the requirement that applicants be such 
 as would pursue a course of study in books rec- 
 ommended. The present regular and compulsory 
 course marked a great advance. 
 
 The General Conference constituted eight new 
 conferences; namely. Rock River, Erie, Des 
 Moines, Oregon, Michigan, Missouri, German, 
 and Auglaize, four of them being mission con- 
 ferences, and some of these not being stronger 
 than one of the mission fields of the older confer- 
 ences. The recog-nized conferences were thuj 
 made to number twenty-two. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 149 
 
 One of the most important acts of the General 
 Conference of 1853 was the organization of an 
 efficient general missionary society. The Chnrch 
 was a missionary church from the beginning. In 
 1816 the first beginning of a missionary society 
 was made in Miami Conference, and a small sum 
 was subscribed. Two years later the Old Confer- 
 ence also took action. Regular effort, however, 
 was not continued. In 1819 the conference in 
 the East after the preachers had received their 
 full amounts, — no one had received more than 
 one hundred dollars, — it was found that there 
 remained in the treasury sixty-six dollars and 
 twenty-four cents, and it was voted that this 
 amount, with fifty dollars specially contributed, 
 be sent to the "poor preachers in Ohio." Scioto 
 and Muskingum conferences formed home mis- 
 sionary societies in 1838. Virginia Conference 
 organized in 1839. Other conferences followed. 
 The General Conference of 1841 formed a 
 constitution for a home and foreign missionaiy 
 society, and elected officers. The constitution 
 contemplated the organization of local societies 
 throughout the Church, instead of recognizing 
 the annual conferences as branches, and all the 
 members of the Church as members. Outside 
 of the bishops, the officers were all selected from 
 one conference — the Scioto. A new board, con- 
 
150 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 stituted in the same manner, was elected in 1845 
 and re-elected in 1849. [N'otliiug was done before 
 1852 when two missionaries were appointed to 
 Oregon. Bishop Glossbrenner was one of the 
 vice-presidents elected in 1845. Of the board as 
 constituted in 1853 he was made the president. 
 
 The General Conference at this session ordered 
 the removal of the Telescope office from Circleville, 
 Ohio, to Dayton, Ohio. Bishop Glossbrenner was 
 favorable to a change, and had voted four years 
 before in favor of removal to Cincinnati. 
 
 At this session it was made plain enough that 
 the law of the Church on the subject of slavery 
 " said what it meant and meant what it said," as 
 Bishop Glossbrenner had previously stated in 
 reference to the cases of slave-holding that yet 
 remained in Virginia Conference. In view of 
 the fact that opposition to slavery raised up such 
 a barrier to the progress of the Church in slave 
 territory, and especially in view of the fact that 
 since slavery has been overthrown the prejudice 
 against the Church proves scarcely less a barrier, 
 some have concluded that it would have been 
 wiser and better for the Church to have gone on 
 preaching the gospel and seeking the salvation 
 of men, without enacting and enforcing restrictive 
 rules on slave-holding. But while, as in the case 
 of the early church, it may be allowed to be for- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENXER. 151 
 
 bearing when there is, on such evils as slavery, 
 neither an intelligent judgment nor an awakened 
 conscience, there comes a time, after the under- 
 standing and the conscience have been sufficiently 
 addressed, when policy, to say nothing of right- 
 eousness and justice, demands that no account 
 shall be taken of present costs and particular 
 losses. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was re-elected bishop, his 
 associates being D. Edwards and L. Davis, the 
 last named being elected for the first time. Bishop 
 Davis entered the ministry in Scioto Conference. 
 From the time when Otterbein University was 
 planned, he became the acknowledged leader and 
 the chief burden-bearer in the educational work 
 of the Church. Even now he could not be 
 wholly spared from what seemed to be pre- 
 destined as his life work. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 was assigned to the East district, including Vir- 
 ginia, Pennsylvania, East Pennsylvania, Alle- 
 gheny, Muskingum, Erie, and Scioto conferences. 
 A bishop, if married, was to receive the regular 
 salary of a married itinerant, being at first one 
 hundred and sixty dollars, then two hundred, 
 and being made at this time two hundred and 
 twenty-five dollars and traveling expenses, with 
 house rent not exceeding forty dollars. In the 
 early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church a 
 
152 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 preacher received eighty dollars, and if married, 
 his wife received eighty dollars. The General 
 Conference of 1853 closed with " an affectionate 
 address by Bishop Glossbrenner, a fervent prayer 
 by Bishop Davis, and the benediction by Bishop 
 Edwards." 
 
 September 30, 1853, Bishop Glossbrenner met 
 with the missionary board in a called meeting at 
 Dayton, Ohio. At this time the first steps were 
 taken that resulted in the sending of three 
 missionaries to Africa in January, 1855. All of 
 the missions of the Church, as well as the methods 
 for obtaining the necessary money for missionary 
 purposes, received due attention. This was the 
 beginning of a long line of missionary meetings, 
 and of wide-reaching efforts to extend the king- 
 dom of Christ. Rev. John C. Bright was the 
 enthusiastic and able corresponding secretary, 
 and in response to his efforts liberal contributions 
 flowed into the treasury. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's first conference was the 
 Scioto which met at Morris meeting-house, Pick- 
 away County, Ohio, October 5, 1853. He was 
 assisted by Bishops Edwards and Davis. The 
 time for the presence of the representatives of 
 general interests was at hand. Missionary Sec- 
 retary J. C. Bright, received in cash and subscrip- 
 tions fifteen hundred dollars for the Missionary 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 153 
 
 Society. Bishop Glossbrenner next attended the 
 joint -session of the Muskingum and Erie confer- 
 ences, beginning October 13th, at Newman's 
 Creek Chapel. At this conference the Missionary 
 Society received fifteen hundred and fifty dollars 
 in cash and subscriptions. The superintendent 
 was requested to preach in his travels through the 
 conference district, whenever it might be advisa- 
 ble, on the subject of depravity — an evidence that 
 such preaching was hardly necessary. One 
 morning at this session, when the conference was 
 called to order, no quorum was present. The 
 Bishop sent messengers to summon the absentees. 
 They were found busy clubbing down chestnuts 
 from the chestnut trees with which the church 
 was surrounded. When the truants returned, the 
 Bishop gave them such a fatherly admonition as 
 won their hearts to him, and at the same time 
 gave them a loftier ideal of their duties as mem- 
 bers of the conference and as ministers. 
 
 Allegheny Conference met January 5, 1854, at 
 Johnstown, Pennsylvania. At this session, "after 
 an able address by Brother Bright, followed by 
 Bishop Glossbrenner in his usual pointed and 
 feeling manner," the amount of two thousand, 
 three hundred and seventy-seven dollars was 
 pledged for the cause of missions. January 12th, 
 East Pennsylvania Conference met at Lebanon, 
 
154 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEIl. 
 
 Pennsylvania. J. C. Bright represented the 
 missionary interest and received for the mission- 
 ary work one thousand dolhirs. Rev. 11. Kum- 
 ler, jr., represented the interests of the Telescope 
 office. January 26th Pennsylvania Conference 
 met. A liberal response was made to the ap- 
 jDeals for general interests. On Sabbath Bishop 
 Glossbreimer preached in English and Rev. II. 
 Kumler in German. Virginia Conference met 
 at Edenburg, Virginia. liev. J. C. Bright pre- 
 sented with success the interests represented by 
 him. The sessions of all the conferences held 
 by Bishop Glossbrenner on this round were char- 
 acterized by harmony. The temperance question 
 occupied unusual prominence. Especially was 
 there manifested great devotion to the Church, 
 along with unfaltering confidence in its mission 
 and success. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrcnner's round of conferences 
 for the year 1854-5, began with Scioto, at Wester- 
 ville, Ohio, September 26, 1854, and closed with 
 Virginia, at Myersville, Maryland, January 26, 
 1855. Muskingum Conference convened at 
 Crooked Run, Tuscarawas County, Ohio; Erie 
 at Bazetta, Ohio; Allegheny at Mt. Pleasant, 
 Pennsylvania; East Pennsylvania at Reading, 
 Pennsylvania; and Pennsylvania at Chambers- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. The general interests of tlie 
 
LIFE OF ULOSSBRENNER. 155 
 
 Church were presented by persons appointed. 
 Bishop GlosslDrenner sapported these interests hy 
 his influence and advocacy, but his inflaence was 
 especially felt in encouraging the preachers in 
 their regular work. Conference sessions were 
 begun and closed by earnest exhortations by him. 
 Those receiving license to preach and those 
 elected to elder's orders were earnestly enjoined 
 to faithfulness. The minutes for the session of 
 Erie Conference say: "The conference sermon 
 w^as just what we needed. The power of 
 God accompanied the word. Sensations were 
 awakened and resolves made while Brother 
 Glossbrenner was delivering his solemn charge, 
 that will certainly tell on the destinies of many 
 immortal souls." In his annual report he speaks 
 of the strong and weak points of the different 
 conferences. He closed his report with the follow- 
 ing characteristic exhortation : " In conclusion 
 let me say to the ministers on my district, let it 
 he your highest ambition to be successful minis- 
 ters of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stand fast; be 
 of one mind; live in peace; and may the God of 
 all grace and comfort he with you, is the prayer 
 of your fellow-laborer in the gospel." There was 
 collected for him the amount of two hundred and 
 nine dollars and thirteen cents above the disci- 
 plinary allowance. This was applied to other 
 purposes. 
 
156 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 In the fall of 1855 Bishop Glossbrenner presided 
 at all of the conferences of Bishop Davis with the 
 exception of the Auglaize, then called Maumee, 
 and the Michigan. He was this quadrennium, 
 the only one of the bishops who had both hands 
 free to attend to the duties of superintendent. 
 Bishop Davis was largely occupied with his duties 
 in connection with Otterbein University, and 
 Bishop Edwards had the additional work of edit- 
 ing the Unity 3Iagazme and the Children's Friend. 
 The first conference attended was the Des Moines, 
 beginning August 8th at Attica, Iowa. The con- 
 ference asked the next General Conference to 
 rescind the depravity clause. This could not 
 have been very gratifying to the Bishop. Twelve 
 new preachers were received and the progress of 
 the conference was very gratifying. Iowa Con- 
 ference met at Muscatine, Iowa. Is'ine ministers 
 were received on transfers from other conferences, 
 among them Solomon "Weaver from Muskingum, 
 The first stepp were taken that led to the found- 
 in s: of "Western Colloo^e. A resolution unfavorable 
 to the union of the United Brethren and the Wes- 
 leyan denominations was adopted. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner next met with Rock River 
 Conference at Hazel Green, "Wisconsin. The 
 Bishop's Sabbath sermon greatly encouraged and 
 ytrenscthened the itinerants. Rev. J. C. Bris^lit, 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 157 
 
 who accompanied him, represented successfully 
 the missionary interest and in other ways exerted 
 an excellent influence. St. Joseph Conference 
 met at l!Torth Manchester, Indiana, and Sandusky 
 Conference at Newville, Indiana. At the latter 
 conference Bishop Glossbrenner ruled that no 
 member could be expelled without trial. At this 
 session every preacher was asked whether he be- 
 longed to a secret society, and all replied in the 
 negative. In another conference, not held by 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, every preacher in charge of 
 a work was required to ask each of his members 
 the same question. Sandusky Conference voted 
 in favor of the proposed union with the Wes- 
 leyans. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner then presided at the 
 sessions of all of his own conferences. He or- 
 ganized Canada Conference April 19, 1856. The 
 ministers present were I. Sloane, C. E. Price, R. 
 Light, and P. Flack. At an earlier period Rev. J. 
 Erb had been a successful missionary in Canada. 
 At its first session, Canada Conference received 
 four new members, among them A. B. Sherk. 
 
 The last year of the quadrennium Bishop Davis 
 held no conferences, his conferences being held 
 by Bishops Glossbrenner and Edwards. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner held the Miami for Bishop Edwards, 
 and Bisliop Edwards held the Scioto for him in 
 
158 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 return. The conferences presided over were, be- 
 sides his own, Des Moines, Iowa, Rock River, 
 and German, with Miami. German Conference 
 l)elonged to Bishop Edwards' district. He pre- 
 sided again this year over Canada Conference. 
 
 lie had now closed his work of presiding over 
 tlie conferences for the present term. Several of 
 the conferences at their last sessions passed re- 
 solutions requesting his re-election to the super- 
 intendencj. As a member of the Board of 
 Missions, and as president of that body, he had 
 labored earnestly for the success of the mission- 
 ary work. The publishing interests enlisted his 
 earnest sympathy and support. He formed the 
 closest attachments for Rev. J. C. Bright who 
 accompanied him in behalf of the missionary 
 work, and for Mr. John Dodds, who had already 
 begun to represent the publishing interests. His 
 regard for the educational work may best be 
 indicated through his own words, used in 1856: 
 " I look with pleasure and delight at our institu- 
 tions of learning. They shall have my prayers 
 and influence in their behalf; for they have been, 
 now are, and, I hope, will continue to be a bless- 
 ing to the Church." Yet with reference to 
 candidates for the ministry, he said: "Let us by 
 no means discourage good men who are filled 
 with the Holy Ghost, even though they in a 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 159 
 
 literary point of view are not so well qualified as 
 we might desire." 
 
 The twelfth General Conference met at Cin- 
 cinnati, Ohio, May 12, 1857. In consequence of 
 the large number of new conferences created at 
 the preceding session, the membership of the 
 present conference was greatly increased, there 
 being sixty-two delegates in attendance. Pros- 
 perity had crowned the labors of the preceding- 
 four years. The United Brethren Church had 
 obtained its full share of the results of the great 
 revival throughout the United States in 1856. 
 The bishops, in their address, said: "The object 
 for which our fathers, under God, founded the 
 Church, namely, the extension of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom, in the salvation of souls, is the all- 
 absorbing theme among our ministers and people. 
 The great Head of the church has been with us 
 in a remarkable degree." The statistics of the 
 Church, the first that were carefully compiled 
 from actual reports, showed the membership to 
 be 61,399. There were difi'erences of opinion on 
 many subjects that came before the conference, 
 but beneath all difterences there was a dominating 
 spirit of unity. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner moved that the committee 
 on revision be instructed to report favorably to 
 laying the question of lay delegation before the 
 
160 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER, 
 
 Church. Though the motion did not prevail, he 
 thus for himself indicated a conviction to which 
 he remained deeply devoted. 
 
 The question of the subjects of baptism had 
 for some time occasioned unrest and irritation in 
 the Church. Some persons spoke disparagingly 
 of infant baptism. He earnestly sought, both at 
 this and the preceding session of General Confer- 
 ence, to have the convictions and practice of all 
 respected. The spirit of concession and liberality 
 at the founding of the Church certainly took for 
 granted that there should be the same liberty as 
 to the subjects of baptism that there was to be as 
 to the mode. This view prevailed at this session 
 of the General Conference. 
 
 The question awaited with most interest was 
 the depravity question. The settlement at the 
 preceding session was no settlement at all, the 
 real difficulty not being touched. After various 
 motions were made, the subject was referred to 
 the committee on revision, who, after mature 
 consideration, reported the following question for 
 candidates for the ministry : " Do you believe that 
 man, abstract of the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, is fallen from original righteousness, and 
 is inclined to evil and only evil continually?" 
 The subject was pondered, rather than discussed. 
 Almost all seemed inclined to accept the report 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 161 
 
 as the settlement of a question that had given rise 
 to grave anxieties. The sincerity of both sides 
 was conceded. Bishop Edwards was in the chair. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was standing near him 
 resting his hands on the back of a chair. One or 
 two members were content to hold their misg-iv- 
 iiigs in silence. The question was put. The 
 result of the vote was fifty-seven in favor of the 
 ref)ort, to one opposing. The joy produced by 
 l)assing safely this crisis caused many to shed 
 tears. Bishop Glossbrenner leaned forward over 
 the chair on which he was resting his hands, and 
 wept like a child. The question was settled, 
 and has remained settled. The reason why a 
 settlement was possible may quite readily be seen. 
 There was not a radical difference in doctrine, but 
 rather a difference in view, caused by looking 
 from different standpoints. One side said that 
 we must take man as he is found, as he exhibits 
 himself, that man destitute of all noble feeling 
 and purpose, is purely a hypothetical being, that 
 divine grace had kept man from passing into such 
 character. Thus they took the standpoint subse- 
 quent to the bestowment of grace, and from this 
 standpoint it would be difficult to prove them 
 incorrect. The other side held that there were 
 points that this view did not reach, and that it was 
 easy from this standpoint at once to minify the 
 
162 LIFE OF GLOSSBllENNEh, 
 
 loss that man had siistahied, and the grace that 
 brought salvation. Carried out, this second view- 
 meant that actual man, not liypotheKcal man, is 
 found back of the grace that has been lent him; 
 that a definition of man's moral character should 
 take into view what he holds in his own right, 
 and not what he has the mere use of, even though 
 grace should have continued it with our first 
 parents, and it be descended in the form of an 
 economy under regular laws of inheritance to all 
 of their posterity. This grace, received without 
 volition, does not root out or cover all unholiness. 
 It may be viewed as a platform sustaining man 
 on a salvable plane, and continuing to him moral 
 ability. It may also be regarded under the figure 
 of a covering, through the crevices and seams of 
 which unutterable corruption and hopeless weak- 
 ness may be seen, and a glimpse obtained of what 
 man is in himself. Now which one of these 
 standpoints should be taken? The same men 
 sometimes take one and sometimes the other. 
 The Scriptures, to a certain extent, do the same 
 thing. It is settled, however, by the experience 
 of the church from the apostles down, that when 
 men are speaking theologically, in which case the 
 view must answer to the strictest fact, the stand- 
 point anterior to grace must be taken. Confusion 
 and ruinous inferences are thus avoided. Man is 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 163 
 
 made humble and divine grace is honored. At 
 the same time men are to be warned that they 
 will be held accountable for all that grace has put 
 within their reach, are to be addressed as at 
 present capacitated, without its being necessary to 
 explain at every moment that this strength was 
 forfeited, but in its present measure graciously 
 continued. Thus, according to our purpose, we 
 may use now one conception and now the other. 
 "We must however know, and be able to make 
 known the standpoint that we take. The 
 definition as adopted in 1857 had been broached 
 at the General Conference four years before, but 
 both parties were trying to reconcile their views 
 from the post-promise standpoint, while much in 
 the language used suited better the opposite 
 standpoint. In the history of differences in 
 ecclesiastical bodies there are few parallels to the 
 happy issue above described. Happy was it for 
 the conference and the Church that a settlement 
 that did not compromise truth, or involve unnec- 
 essary humiliation or bitterness, was reached. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was again re-elected. 
 Bishops Edwards and Davis being continued as 
 his associates. He was returned to the East dis- 
 trict. J. Russel was elected German bishop. 
 A very impressive address was delivered by 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, a fervent prayer was offered 
 
164 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 by Bishop Davis, and the benediction was pro- 
 nounced by Bishop Edwards. 
 
 The first year Bishop Glossbrenner held Mus- 
 kingum, Erie, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, East 
 Pennsylvania, Virginia, Canada, and Parkers- 
 burg conferences. The last named was organized 
 by him. Among the charter members of this 
 conference were J. Bachtel, Z. Warner and J. W. 
 Perry. The second and third years he visited the 
 same conferences. lie traveled largely through 
 his district, making special visits to Tennessee 
 and Canada. In this period he labored also for 
 the establishment of the first Ena^lish (/ono-reo^a- 
 tion in Baltimore. 
 
 He ofiiciated frequently at the dedication of 
 churches. In ITovember, 1859, he dedicated a 
 new church on Ilagerstown Circuit. He then 
 went to Morgan County, Virginia, to dedicate 
 another church. A large congregation assembled, 
 filling the house and occupying the ground about 
 it. Just as he was reading his text, news came 
 that the governor of the State had issued orders 
 that the militia of Morgan County must be in 
 Bath by two o'clock. Great excitement prevailed, 
 but still the congregation was held together. 
 But just as the appeal was about to be made for a 
 small amount of money to clear the house of in- 
 debtedness, other exciting news was received. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 165 
 
 and the congregation broke up completely, some 
 escaping through the windows and all disappear- 
 ing beyond recall. This was in the time of the 
 John Brown excitement, in the period between 
 Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry and his execu- 
 tion. Here we have a portent of the long and 
 bloody struggle and the great social disturbances 
 that were at the door. 
 
 In noticing tlie work of the last year of the 
 quadrennium, we will be a little more minute and 
 full, as this will prove the last year for a consider- 
 able period when Bishop Glossbrenner's labors will 
 extend over any considerable portion of the Church. 
 The most of the conferences of Bishop Davis this 
 year were held by others, Bishop Glossbrenner and 
 Rev. J. Lawrence holding the largest number of 
 them. Bishop Glossbrenner first met with Min- 
 nesota Conference at Bice Lake, Minnesota, 
 August 10, 1860. Among the ministers present 
 were E. Clow, M. L. Tibbetts, J. Haney and J. W. 
 Fulkerson, the two latter having been co-laborers 
 Avithhim in Virginia. He next held Iowa Confer- 
 ence at West Union, Iowa. Among the members 
 present were S. "Weaver, D. Wenrich, M. Bowman, 
 W. W. Bichardson and C. Briggs. Bev. George 
 Miller, a member of acknowledged ability, whose 
 labors had been mostly bestowed in the East, had 
 died during the year. Bev. J. Lawrence, the 
 
166 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 editor of the Religious Telescope, added the inspir- 
 ation of liis presence. Rock River Conference 
 was held at Spring Ilill, Illinois. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner preached the conference sermon with his 
 accustomed earnestness and power. Bishops 
 Glossbrenner and Davis were both present at the 
 session of Miami Conference at Beavertown, 
 Ohio, and assisted Bishop Edwards in presiding. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner preached the conference 
 sermon. 
 
 The first conference on his own district was 
 the Muskingum which met at Perryville, Ohio. 
 J. Weaver was elected chairman. J. A. Crayton 
 was chosen one of the presiding elders. Many 
 members, year by year, had been received into 
 this conference, and many preachers had been 
 raised up. The conference suli'ered much, how- 
 ever, from emigration, ISTearly a thousand mem- 
 bers had been received during the past year. On 
 Sabbath, Bishop Glossbrenner preached in the 
 " leafy grove." Erie Conference mot at Pleasant- 
 ville, Pennsylvania. Sixteen preachers were re- 
 ceived, besides those coming on transfers, and 
 eight were ordained. More than a thousand 
 members had been received into the Church. 
 There were five presiding elder's districts. J. G. 
 Baldwin, C. Carter, and J. Hill were among the 
 members present. Allegheny Conference ]\\ot at 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 167 
 
 Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Among those ordained 
 were H. A. Thompson, G. W. M. Rigor, and 
 E. B. Kephart. I. Potter, J. R. Sitman and J. B. 
 Resler were elected the presiding elders. East 
 Pennsylvania Conference convened at Pine Grove, 
 Pennsylvania. Nearly a thousand members had 
 been received. John Christian Smith, one of the 
 devoted pioneer preachers, had died during the 
 year. Among those ordained were E. Light and 
 J. Young. The conference requested their dele- 
 gates to vote for the re-election of Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner. Pennsylvania Conference met at York, 
 Pennsylvania. Here Bishop Glossbrenner had his 
 home with his brother, Hon. A. J. Glossbrenner. 
 On Sabbath B. Eberly, II. AY. Rebok, and II. Y. 
 Hummelbaugh were ordained. 
 
 Virginia Conference met at Hagerstown, Mary- 
 land. Ex-Bishop Erb was present and was asked 
 to serve as chairman. Rev. S. Yonneida was 
 present, representing the publishing house. J. 
 !Markwood was elected presiding elder over the 
 whole conference formed into one district. The 
 setting off of Parkersburg Conference in 1857 
 had greatly reduced the extent of territory. The 
 work in Virginia Conference was difficult, espe- 
 cially for an anti-slavery church. But the hard- 
 ship along with the steadfast devotion of the 
 Church developed an earnestness and intensity 
 
168 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 of life rarely found elsewhere. The preachers of 
 the conference laid great stress on conversion and 
 experimental godliness. Preachers and people 
 were characterized by a thrilling experience and 
 a bold confession of Christ. Held back by prej- 
 udice and depleted by emigration, Virginia 
 Conference was yet far from being a forlorn 
 hope. Parkersburg Conference met at Union 
 Church, Mason County, Virginia, The confer- 
 ence was growing rapidly. A subscription for 
 missions was taken, amounting to over five 
 hundred dollars. At the various annual confer- 
 ence sessions, year by year, amounts, varying 
 from a few hundred dollars to two or three thou- 
 sand, were subscribed either for missions or for 
 educational purposes. Canada Conference con- 
 vened at Young's Chapel, Niagara Circuit, March 
 28, 1861. A. B. Sherk, D. B. Sherk, and J. G. 
 Mosher were present. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner had now filled the office 
 of bishop for sixteen years. The great civil war, 
 which was just at the threshold, made a broad 
 gap in his work as a bishop in the Church, thus 
 dividing into two not very unequal parts the 
 period that he spent in the bishop's office. His 
 work before the war was somewhat dissimilar to 
 wdiat it was afterward, as the character of the 
 Church in the later period was quite difterent 
 
Eng.'byJSugustus Rol)in,N>- 
 
 BISHOP J- J. GL0SSBRENNER,1859 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBKEiNNEU. 169 
 
 from what it was in the earlier period. In the 
 earlier period the Church was more to itself; in- 
 dividual feeling was stronger and was given a 
 freer field. Denominational zeal was intense and 
 triumphant. In these sixteen j-ears Bishop 
 Glosshrenner had ordained over three hundred 
 ministers. 
 
 In the pulpit he was even, strong, and possessed 
 of an ineft'able power in reaching the hearts and 
 exciting the best feelings of men. In an article 
 written in 1856, the following, in respect to his 
 energy in preaching, occurs: " ITo preacher of 
 ordinary constitution should copy his voice, un- 
 less he is tired of his life. Not one man in a 
 thousand could preach a quarter of a century as 
 Mr. Glosshrenner has done. Let no young man 
 out of love for the man attempt to modulate his 
 voice a la Glosshrenner.'" His conference sermons 
 were noted for their suitability to the ministers, 
 to whom they were addressed. One of his favorite 
 texts was: " But none of these things move me," 
 etc., (Acts 20 : 24.) A number of the most suc- 
 cessful itinerants of Allegheny Conference once 
 came up to the session of the conference and 
 asked to be given a local relation. On Sabbath 
 the Bishop preached with great power from the 
 text just quoted, showing the solemn grandeur of 
 the work of the faithful minister. The preachers 
 
170 LITE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 reversed their decision, and, though late, were 
 glad to take work. 
 
 In his examination of ministers, he was some- 
 times quite strict, using what he was pleased to 
 call the " fine sieve." His presence and example 
 were ever a stimulus to higher character and 
 truer self-respect as men, and greater faithfulness 
 as Christian ministers. When to talk meant to 
 vie with others in light conversation or in any 
 way a sacrifice of self-respect, he held his peace. 
 
 llis health was firm and his endurance un- 
 surpassed, llis appearance was still youthful. 
 His name had been so long before the Church 
 that some who liad not seen him thought him to 
 be an elderly man. On one occasion, on being 
 introduced to an aged brother, he was asked if 
 he was old Father Glossbrenner's son. He replied 
 that he was the old gentleman himself. With 
 the exception of at times wearing short side whis- 
 kers his face was uniformly clean-shaven. It was 
 something of a motto with him that a minister 
 should have a clean face and a pure heart. He 
 impressed everyone that tidiness and gentility 
 were entirely consistent with godliness. 
 
 About 1855 he sold his phice on Middle River, 
 where he had been living since 1843, with a view 
 to moving to Ohio; but on the death, in the same 
 year, of his daughter who had been married to 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 171 
 
 Rev. D. K. Flickiiiger and was living in Ohio, he 
 changed his purpose and took up his residence in 
 Churchville. Churchville assumed the character 
 of a village about 1880, and in 1847 attained the 
 rank of a post-office village. It still remains a 
 small hamlet sequestered amid lofty hills. In 
 plain view about it are bold heights and the 
 outlines of mountain ranges. It is the trading 
 center of the broken and romantic country about 
 it. It owed its name to the fact that two churches 
 were located there at an early day. More lately 
 the churches have been increased to four, not 
 including a small meeting-house occupied by the 
 colored people. By the village flows a stream, 
 known as Jennings' Branch, which gave its name 
 to the place before a village name was necessary. 
 The people of Churchville and the neighboring 
 country, like the people of Augusta County in 
 general, are of the most sturdy and most intelli- 
 gent classes of the Old Dominion. In the South 
 the best and most honored people have not been 
 wont to seek the towns. In or adjoining this 
 quiet, unpretending village, Bishop Glossbrenner 
 found a home congenial to his tastes. Here, 
 when his rounds of labor were performed, he 
 found a retreat and drew comfort and strength 
 from all that was noble in nature and all that was 
 sweet in home. He lived in a rented property for 
 
172 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 about two years. He then bought a small tract 
 of land about one mile from Churchville and 
 placed suitable and tasteful improvements upon 
 it. To this place he gave the name Floral Hill. 
 It was a pleasant place to reside, and much of the 
 family history was connected with this home. 
 
 The following paragraph written in 1860, in 
 which Bishop Glossbrenner refers to the charge 
 industriously circulated, that he was not clear of 
 the sin of slavery, gives a glimpse of his house- 
 liold: "As regards myself, I have to say that I 
 never have been, am not now, and, unless my 
 opinions should be very much changed from what 
 they are now (which I think is not likely to be 
 the case), I never shall be connected with slavery. 
 I have living with me at this time a colored girl 
 about twelve or fourteen years old who was born 
 free, and a little colort'd gii-1 that I am trying to 
 rear and educate properly, whose freedom is 
 secured to her in writing when she is twenty-one 
 years old, and also a little Irish boy who is placed 
 in my care till he is twenty-one. These compose 
 all who are under my care with' the exception of 
 my own children." The slave child mentioned 
 was one of the children of the slave woman 
 belonging to Christian Shuey, before referred to. 
 Christian Shuey neither sold nor gave away slaves. 
 About 1855, this child, when three years old, was 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 173 
 
 taken into Bishop Glossbrenner's household. 
 She was owned neither by Mr. nor Mrs. Gloss- 
 brenner, her freedom having previously been 
 stipulated by Christian Shuey, who afterward 
 provided by will for the freedom of all his slaves, 
 when they should reach certain years. The care 
 which Bishop Glossbrenner bestowed upon the 
 less fortunate ones whom he took to reside with 
 him, assisted them to a position in which the^^ 
 were able to provide well and honorably for 
 themselves. Living in a slave state, he did not 
 fail to urge upon the whites, whether slave- 
 owners or not, their obligation to look after the 
 spiritual welfare of the oppressed race. 
 
 He early saw his children converted and taking 
 their place as members of the Church. He sought 
 carefully to guide their spiritual growth and 
 prudently and tenderly to guard their welfare in 
 every respect. While he was affectionate even to 
 fondness, he did not injure or imperil by over- 
 indulgence. His home was to him a comfort and 
 an inspiration, and to others it was a pattern of 
 what a Christian home should be. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 General Conference of 1861 — Returned to East District — 
 Shut Up Within the Confederate Lines — His Work 
 During the War — Preaches to Southern Soldiers — His 
 Loyalty to the Union — ^Journey Through the Lines 
 and Return — Close of the War — General Conference of 
 1865 — His Course During the War Approved — "Ob- 
 noxious Resolution" — Controversy with INIcCue — 
 Welcomed on the East District — Holds His Conferences 
 — General Questioning. 
 
 The thirteenth General Conference met at 
 Westerville, Ohio, May 13, 1861. At no time 
 before had the rate of increase equaled that of 
 the preceding four years, and at no time since 
 has the rate been excelled. The membership was 
 now 94,453. The increase in four years had been 
 more than thirty-three thousand. The accession 
 of such large numbers of new members would 
 put to severe test the traditional principles of the 
 Church — challenge their correctness, if not modify 
 their character. Ninety delegates, besides the 
 four bishops, were entitled to seats in the General 
 Conference. The secrecy question, in diiferent 
 forms, received the attention of the conference. 
 Lay delegation and pro rata representation re- 
 ceived no considcral)le encouragement. The 
 
 174 
 
LIFE OP GLOSSBRENNER. 175 
 
 business of the conference was faithfullj and 
 satisfactorily attended to. 
 
 Bishops Glossbrenner and Edwards were re- 
 elected. The third bishop selected was Rev. J. 
 Markwood, whose name has already often been 
 mentioned. Rev. Daniel Shuck, of Indiana Con- 
 ference, was elected bishop of the Pacific district. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was returned to the East 
 district. He had taken no prominent part in 
 the proceedings of the General Conference. His 
 mind, as well as to a great extent the minds of 
 all, was occupied with grave forebodings as to 
 the issue of national aftairs. He had not been 
 present at the session of the Board of Missions, 
 which met just before the General Conference. 
 The Confederacy had already been inaugurated. 
 Sumter had been compelled to surrender, and 
 excitement everywhere prevailed. Virginia, the 
 state in which his home was situated, had cast 
 her lot with the Confederacy. Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner had been a "Whig and a great admirer of 
 Henry Clay. Of the four candidates for the 
 presidency in the field in 1860, he had preferred 
 to cast his vote for Jolin Bell, of Tennessee, the 
 candidate of the Constitutional Union party, to 
 which party the Whigs in the southern states 
 naturally tended. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner returned home after the 
 
176 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 adjournment of the General Conference, and im- 
 mediately all communication with the North was 
 cut off. When the first word was received from 
 him, about the middle of August, he had not 
 after his return home received a letter or paper 
 from the North. He managed in August to send 
 a letter by a circuitous route to the North, asking 
 that some one attend for him his conferences in 
 Ohio. He had not before this in the sixteen 
 years of his work as superintendent, failed to 
 meet his conferences according to appointment. 
 In this letter he said: "As to national matters, 
 I will only say tliat I am praying daily that God 
 may have mercy on us and restore peace once 
 more to our country." He closed by saying, 
 " The preachers in Virginia are on their fields 
 doing all that they can." 
 
 From this time we follow him as fully as we 
 are able to trace him on the Confederate side of 
 the lines. His home was in the Shenandoah 
 Valley, the scene of a large part of the opera- 
 tions of the war, and was included in Confederate 
 territory till the final collapse of the Confederacy. 
 It is not necessary that extended references 
 be made to battles and campaigns, or even 
 to the condition of the people south of the line. 
 His life and his life's errand were on the side 
 of the kingdom of peace. The prejudice with 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 177 
 
 which the United Brethren Church, as an 
 anti-slavery church, was regarded, was now 
 fanned into a flame by the exciting events of the 
 times, and moreover all ordinary restraints were 
 removed. At the time it was thought by many 
 that Bishop Glossbrenner's duty and his safety 
 alike required that he should seek to escape to 
 the Korth. But even if it had been possible, he 
 felt that it was his duty to remain. His family, 
 his wife's relatives, what property he possessed, 
 all were in the South. He felt, too, that his duty 
 to the Church required him to remain, and it has 
 been stated by many persons in a situation to be 
 acquainted with the facts, that his remaining in 
 Virginia was the means, more than anything 
 else, of preserving the United Brethren Church 
 in Virginia throughout the long and fearful 
 struggle. He was widely known throughout the 
 state of Virginia, and was admired as a preacher 
 and respected as a man by all classes of society. 
 His prudence and his counsels were a guide to 
 the Church, and the veneration for him was 
 largely its shield. Bishop Markwood, who had 
 been assigned to the West Mississippi district, 
 with the understanding that he would move to 
 his district, came out of Virginia through the 
 lines, and through the war made his home in the 
 :N'orth. 
 
178 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENXER, 
 
 The preachers soiitli of the Confederate lines 
 met reguhirly for four years in annual conference 
 sessions, while that portion of Virginia Confer- 
 ence, lying north of the lines, had likewise its 
 resrular sessions. The southern half met first at 
 Edenhurg, February 14, 1862. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenncr opened the conference by reading the 
 first chapter of II. Timothy and by " an affec- 
 tionate and appropriate address." Three of the 
 faithful preachers during this trying period were 
 J. W. Howe, C. B. Ilamniack, and G. Kymal. At 
 this session the itinerant force w^as strengthened 
 by the reception into the conference of J. W. 
 Hott, J. K. I^elson, C. T. Stearn, A. M. Evers, 
 J. M. Cantor, and II. A. Bovey. T. Brashear 
 was elected presiding elder. At one time during 
 the ensuing year the Federal forces under General 
 Banks swept up the valley and rescued a large 
 territory from the Confederates. Encouraged by 
 this, llev. Brashear, the presiding elder, ventured 
 publicly to pray for the success of the Union 
 arms. On the return of the Confederates he was 
 compelled to flee for his life. He passed through 
 the lines, advising other United Brethren preach- 
 ers to follow, as it was unsafe to remain. 
 
 In 1863 the conference met at Keezletown. At 
 this session J. W. Kiracofe was received as a 
 member. " In view of the distressed condition 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 179 
 
 of the country, the wickedness of the unconverted, 
 and the lukewarmness of professed Christians," 
 the conference resolved that they, by the help of 
 God, would use their " greatest eftbrts to dis- 
 seminate the principles of reformation, morality, 
 and religion, and know nothing among the people 
 but Christ and him crucified." Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner was asked to serve as presiding elder. 
 
 In 1864 the conference met at Freeden's Church 
 in Rockiugham County, and in 1865 at Mt. Zion 
 Church in Augusta County. At each of these 
 conferences Bishop Glossbrenner was asked to 
 serve as presiding elder. In 1865 his salary 
 was made " seven hundred dollars, Confederate 
 paper." 
 
 During the war he was cheerful, courageous, 
 and as fully occupied in preaching as at any 
 time since he was elected bishop. He preached 
 frequently and at times somewhat regularly for 
 other denominations. But one church building- 
 was erected by the United Brethren south of the 
 lines during the war, and for that he crossed the 
 lines into West Virginia in order to obtain the 
 glass. He preached frequently to audiences of 
 Confederate soldiers. Once he preached at the 
 request of Stonewall Jackson. At another time, 
 just after the battle of Manassus, he preached from 
 a stump to a large audience of southern soldiers, 
 
180 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 preaching a sermon that was very impressive and 
 often spoken of. At one time a southern soldier, 
 after hearing him preach, remarked that he had 
 often thought that he would like to hear Paul 
 preach, but that now he was satisfied, for he had 
 heard a preacher that came up to his idea of Paul. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenuer on one occasion made a 
 special visit, taking a number of others with him, 
 to see General Jackson. In conversation with 
 the general, he remarked: "I cannot wish you 
 success, but my daughters who are with me can." 
 Jackson, who was as famous for his prayers as 
 for his battles, was not offended at this frankness. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's daughters — three of them 
 were living at home at this time — inclined in 
 their sympathies, witli most who were about 
 them, to the southern cause. It was with plea- 
 surable devotion that they met with others to 
 scrape lint to be applied to the wounds of those 
 wounded in battle. 
 
 It was generally well understood that Bishop 
 Glossbrenuer did not sympathize with the 
 southern cause. The wife of a southern officer 
 had her home with the Bishop's family. This 
 officer frequently, for longer or shorter periods, 
 was at the Bishop's house. Some of the Confed- 
 erate officers were anxious for something more 
 explicit with reference to the Bishop's sentiments. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 181 
 
 They therefore asked the officer whether he had 
 heard him express any decided sentiments. The 
 officer replied that he had not. They then said, 
 " Does he pray in his family?" The answer was, 
 " He never fails to pray." It was then asked, 
 "On which side does he pray?" The officer 
 replied, " K everybody prayed like Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner, there would never be any war." The 
 officer could doubtless have discovered more of 
 information to his superiors, had not his friend- 
 ship for the Bishop inclined him to reticence. 
 
 At the close of 1863, Bishop Glossbrenner 
 applied to the Confederate authorities for a pass 
 with a view to attending Pennsylvania Confer- 
 ence, as also the northern half of Virginia Con- 
 ference. This pass was obtained from President 
 Davis, and his adjutant general, Cooper, through 
 the influence of Colonel Baldwin, a representa- 
 tive in the Confederate congress. He took with 
 him his daughter Josie, then eighteen years of 
 age, and journeyed north in a carriage. It was 
 his desire to enter the Union lines at Martins- 
 burg, and to cross the Potomac from that point. 
 The first Union picket that he met was a young- 
 Mr. Bonewell, son of Rev. J. W. Bonewell, of 
 the United Brethren Church. This young man 
 recognized him, having seen him at his father's 
 house at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He was 
 
182 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 obliged to detain him until he obtained permis- 
 sion to admit liim. Once within the lines, the 
 authorities at Washington were applied to by 
 telegrapk to grant permission for liim to cross 
 the Potomac into Marvlund. But the regula- 
 tions were so strict with reference to crossing in 
 the neighborhood of Martinsburg, that the desired 
 permission could not be obtained. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner then returned to near 
 Winchester to the home of Rev. Jacob Ilott. 
 Rev. Jacob Ilott had accompanied him to Mar- 
 tinsburg. At this time his son, Rev. J. W. Ilott, 
 returned from his circuit. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 had not seen him for a considerable time, as after 
 he joined the conference in 1862 his field had 
 been for the most part north of the confederate 
 lines. When the Bishop met him he kissed him. 
 Rev. J. W. Ilott told him that he was satisfied 
 that he could j^ass through ^Morgan County and 
 cross the Potomac at anotlier point where the 
 authorities were not so strict. He loaned him 
 some money and accompanied him. TheBishop 
 preached several times on week nights on the 
 way. They came to the house of Mr. John Daw- 
 son, an honored member of the United Brethren 
 Church, and a well-known and widely influential 
 man. Largely through the influence of Mr. 
 Dawson, the Bishop was permitted to cross at 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 183 
 
 Alpine, landing at Hancock on the Maryland 
 side. He first went to Ilagerstown. After a 
 short halt, he went by railroad to Chambersburg, 
 Pennsylvania, having received a special invitation 
 from friends. He was dressed in a well worn 
 suit of gray, such as was almost universally worn 
 in the South. He looked haggard and much 
 older than he did two years before. 
 
 Bishop Markwood was summoned by telegraph 
 to meet Bishop Glossbrenner at Chambersburg. 
 When he came and met Bishop Glossbrenner 
 in Brother J. Hoke's parlor, he fell on his neck, 
 and great sobs told the depth of his feelings. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, too, was deeply moved. 
 Kcither of them spoke for a few minutes. They 
 then sat down and told each other of their expe- 
 riences since they had last seen each other. When 
 it was announced that Bishop Glossbrenner 
 would preach, the house was thronged with peo- 
 ple who expected him to say something about 
 conditions in the South. But he did not speak 
 of these things. Afterward Bishop Markwood 
 addressed a meeting called with a view to obtain- 
 ing funds for a refugee United Brethren preacher 
 fi'om Virginia, whose house had been sacked by 
 the Confederates. With all the power of invective 
 he denounced southern rebels and their northern 
 sympathizers. The intense Union feeling at 
 
184 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Chambersburg was naturally displeased with the 
 reticence of Bishop Glossbrenner. Letters also 
 came from friends in various parts of the Church, 
 in which, if his loyalty to the Union was not 
 called in question, it was at least pressed upon 
 him to make decisive statements as to his senti- 
 ments and conduct, something which he could 
 not do, as he expected to repass the lines and 
 continue to reside as before. 
 
 In order to return, it was necessary that he 
 should have a pass from the Federal authorities. 
 Brother Hoke, accompanied by Col. A. K. Mc- 
 Clure, the present editor of the Philadelphia TimeSy 
 went with him to see Major General Couch, 
 commander of the military district of the Sus- 
 quehanna. The General received him kindly, 
 asked questions in regard to southern officers 
 with whom he had been acquainted before the 
 war, and then asked in regard to the condition 
 of the southern army. Bishop Glossbrenner said 
 that he knew nothing that would be advantageous 
 to the Union cause, and if he did, he would feel 
 himself under obligation to communicate nothing 
 in view of his being away on a pass. The Gen- 
 eral responded, " That is all Ave ask of you when 
 you return — to keep silence as to what would be 
 of aid to our enemies." He added that of course 
 he had no objection to his telling what he saw. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBllENNER. 185 
 
 namely, that the whole country was a training 
 camp, and swarming with preparation for the 
 spring campaign. Tlie Bishop answered that he 
 was fully aware of the obligations under which 
 he would be placed by receiving a pass, and 
 would consider himself bound as stated. General 
 Couch gave him a pass wliich was good as far 
 as his authority extended. On another occasion 
 when General Couch was present he asked the 
 Bishop's daughter to sing " Bonny Blue Flag" and 
 ''Dixie." lie wanted to hear a southern girl sing 
 them. The Bishop's stay at Chambersburg was 
 in the early part of February, 1864. He did not 
 reach the North in time for Pennsylvania Confer- 
 ence. His friends at Chambersburg made him a 
 present of a suit of clothes. It was not just to 
 their notion to see their bishop attired in gray. 
 Besides, his suit was much the worse for wear. 
 
 On his way home he presided over the northern 
 half of Virginia Conference at Boonsboro, Mary- 
 land. Here J. K. Nelson, J. W. Hott, and 
 J. Harp were ordained. This part of the con- 
 ference had been quite successful in its work, 
 notwithstanding the interruptions of the war. 
 Bishop Markwood was also present. After some 
 of his fiery remarks with reference to the rebels. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner turned to some one who was 
 present and simply said, "Jakie is very much 
 
186 LIFE UF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 excited." It is due to say that while their tem- 
 peraments were just the reverse of each other, 
 the relations between Bishop Glossbrenner and 
 Bishop Markwood were never strained, and that 
 they remained one in sympathy, in labors, and 
 patient endurance of hardness. 
 
 Before returning, Bishop Glossbrenner pur- 
 chased a wedding outfit for his daughter Cornelia. 
 On his return he crossed the Potomac as he 
 came, preached a number of times in Virginia on 
 the Union side of the lines, and proceeded toward 
 his home. Ilis return course was much more 
 difficult than his passage down the valley, lie 
 was compelled to Journey a part of the wa}* by 
 night, walking in front and holding a handker- 
 chief at his back so that his daughter could see to 
 drive. Going down the valley he had secreted 
 his horse one night in a smoke-house. 
 
 On this trip he drove a horse by the name of 
 Jackson. On the Maryland side of the Potomac, 
 in speaking to his horse he called him Jackie. 
 This was afterward told at his expense, as though 
 he felt aware that the name Jackson was not so 
 popular in Federal territory. The horse was well 
 under the Bishop's control as indicated by an 
 incident. Mr. and Mrs. Glossbrenner were once 
 riding behind him when he became frightened 
 and started to run away. In the eftbrt to hold 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 187 
 
 him the lines hroke. The Bishop calling him by 
 name said, " Now Jackson, you won't run oft' with 
 us," and thus continued to talk to him till he 
 quieted down and stopped. 
 
 The burning of Chambersburg occurred a few 
 months after the Bishop's return. The Confed- 
 eracy lingered for a year, drawing its support from 
 the very wretchedness of the people, and inflict- 
 ing upon them every hardship by the endeavor to 
 maintain the hopeless struggle. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner was subjected to no losses save what fell 
 to him in common with the people about him, 
 through the impoverished condition of the coun- 
 try. At the wedding of Rev. J. W. Kiracofe, at 
 which good coffee was served, the Bishop re- 
 marked, " This tastes like the United States." 
 
 He continued to preach and serve the Churcli 
 in Virginia, notwithstanding the dangers and 
 embarrassments, Avhich increased as the war ap- 
 proached its close. He sometimes preached 
 while the roar of cannon was plainly heard. One 
 of his subjects for these troublous times was 
 "The Peaceable Kingdom of our Lord." The 
 most extreme calamity of the people of the Shen- 
 andoah Valley, was the ravaging of the valley by 
 Sheridan to cut oft' supplies for Richmond. But 
 what seemed to be a calamity proved a blessing, 
 as it hastened the inevitable, and at the same 
 
188 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEK. 
 
 time lessened the cost iu human life. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner preached at Evers' school-house on 
 the very day wlien Eiehmond fell; preaching 
 with wonderful power on the text, "lie that 
 believeth not is condemned already." After the 
 sermon a lady of unusual intelligence remarked, 
 "That man knows what is in the hearts of all 
 men." At this meeting a collection was taken 
 amounting to one hundred and ninety-two dollars 
 Confederate currency. While the United "Breth- 
 ren preachers were compelled to handle Confed- 
 erate money, they lost fully as little by so doing 
 as any other class of persons. They did not give 
 it time to depreciate in their hands. 
 
 Richmond fell on the night of April 2, 1865, 
 but a remnant of the Confederacy still remained. 
 It was now time for the next session of the 
 General Conference. Bishop Glossbrenner had 
 been in doubt as to whether he would be able to 
 attend, but he was urged by his friends on the 
 Union side of the lines to make the effort. 
 "Without much difficulty he passed down the 
 valley and crossed the Potomac and came to 
 Clear Springs, Maryland. He proceeded to Lis- 
 bon, Iowa, where he met with the Board of 
 Missions, May 9, 1865. To a great extent he was 
 a stranger. He had not met with the Board of 
 Missions since 1860. Things throughout the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 189 
 
 country had progressed beyond measure since the 
 beginning of the war. Of the four political 
 parties in 1860, none expected or demanded the 
 abolition of slavery in the states where it already 
 existed. Slavery was now of the past. The 
 United Brethren of the Korth had been loyal to 
 a fault in support of the Union cause. It was 
 resolved by the Board of Missions, " in view of 
 the antecedent history of the United Brethren 
 Church, that it was peculiarly fit and incumbent 
 upon it", to occupy the Southern field. But, alas, 
 the reward of moral pioneering and past fidelity 
 was not to be so easily reached. If God always 
 rewarded at once, and in kind akin to losses 
 sustained, all service would be for a consideration. 
 Prejudice on the one side and lack of adaptation 
 on the other have made the South to a large 
 extent a closed field to the United Brethren 
 Church. 
 
 General Conference met at "Western, Iowa, 
 May 11, 1865. The bishops' address indicated 
 fair advances, especially along certain lines. In 
 the number of members there was a reported loss 
 of 4,642. This was accounted for by the inevitable 
 losses of the war, the voluntary withdrawal of 
 some " from sympathy with treason," and the 
 dismissal of others " for the same cause." 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, ascertaining that reports 
 
190 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 were in circulation assailing his loyalty during 
 the war, asked the privilege of making a state- 
 ment to the conference. lie spoke in substance 
 as follows : 
 
 Four years ago when we last met in quadrennial 
 session, the circumstances under which we assembled 
 were vastly different from those under which we are 
 assembled now\ Then we were just on the eve of the 
 terrible war which has since swept with its destroj'ing 
 force over the land. Now the conference, the countrj-, 
 and indeed the whole world rejoice in the victories of the 
 Union and the prospect of immediate peace. ^ly share 
 in this rejoicing was equall}' great, until after coming to 
 this conference, I learned that my loyalty to the countrj- 
 and faithfulness to the Church were suspected. Since 
 then my peace has been disturbed. 
 
 I feel it to be due to the conference and to the Church 
 that I make a statement of the course I have pursued 
 during the war. From the last General Conference I 
 went, bound in spirit, to my home in Virginia, not 
 knowing what would befall me there. I found the 
 people in a state of great excitement. The hearts of 
 many of our people were sinking within them. The}- 
 asked what shall we do ? I answered, "Stand still, and 
 all will be well." A small proportion thought it would 
 be best to establish a southern F^nited Brethren Church. 
 I rejoice that such a church was never set up b}- the 
 United Brethren in Christ. 
 
 The question has been asked why I did not leave 
 Virginia and go to the North. I felt it to be my duty to 
 remain with the Church and to link my fortunes with 
 theirs. There were hours of gloom, of darkness, of deep, 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 191 
 
 deep distress. But we could go to God for help. I felt 
 it to be my duty to stay and strengthen the weak, com- 
 fort the afflicted, and, if possible, keep the flock together. 
 If I had left, others would have left. If the ministers had 
 all left, the Church would have been scattered and per- 
 haps destroyed. The report has gone forth that I and 
 my fellow-laborers were obliged to take the oath of 
 allegiance to the Southern Confederacy. Such was not 
 the fact. If such a proposition had been submitted, it 
 would have been indignantly spurned. But we were free 
 from conscription, and as long as we were allowed peace- 
 fully to preach the gospel, we regarded it as our duty to 
 remain with the flock and fulfill the duty of faithful 
 shepherds. Doing this, the Church has been kept 
 together. 
 
 Happily I have not had to wait till to-day to declare 
 my sentiments respecting the Church and the Govern- 
 m^ent. I gave my testimony in the days of darkness and 
 distress. The conference have known me for a long 
 time. Can they believe my word ? I would be glad to 
 have an expression. If any one is not fully satisfied 
 with me and my record, I hope he will say so. I cannot 
 assist in presiding over this conference if I should think 
 the members of the same suspect me of disloyalty to 
 the Church or to the Government. 
 
 This address carried at once the sympathies of 
 the conference overwhelmingly to the side of 
 Bishop Glossbrenner. A resolution of approval 
 and confidence, moved by Bishop Markwood, 
 was carried. Two members, however, dissented, 
 x^ear the close of the war Bishop Glossbrenner, 
 whose course lay past where the Confederate 
 
192 LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 
 
 army was encamped, liad, according to request, 
 taken with him to the camp the horse belonging 
 to Captain Hanger, wlio, in the spring of 1864, 
 was married to liis daughter. Those dissatisfied 
 might have added that the Bishop had bought 
 the wedding dress for his daughter, and in this 
 way also had given aid and comfort to the 
 enemies of the Government. Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner readily admitted that he was compelled to do 
 and endure many things contrary to his choice. 
 His actions should be considered rather in the 
 light of the conduct of the thousands of Union 
 people in the South than according to the ideas 
 of the zealous loyalists of the North. Henry 
 Kumler, jr., at the time one of the bishops, was 
 one of these most opposed to the course of 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, and most emphatically did 
 he indicate his displeasure. But, though harsh 
 and even belligerent while occasions lasted, he 
 was thoroughly honest, and when his spirit was 
 soothed by time, could make due allowance for 
 the situation and temperament of another. 
 Speaking of the session of the Allegheny Con- 
 ference, which occurred a few months later, he 
 made the following entry : " At this conference 
 I became reconciled to Bishop Glossbrenner. I 
 have learned that caution, or rather conservatism 
 is his infirmity, and that my own infirmities arc 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 19S 
 
 much greater than his, no doubt." The sermon 
 which Bishop Glossbrenner preached on the first 
 Sabbath of the session, was remarkable for ita 
 tenderness and force, and drew to him in special 
 nearness, the hearts of the members of the General 
 Conference. 
 
 While the conference was in session, news was 
 brought that Jefferson Davis liad been captured. 
 Calls were made for a speech from Markwood, 
 who at the time was presiding. lie declined, 
 saying that the business of the conference must 
 go on without interruption. The cries being 
 persisted in, Bishop Markwood said: "The con- 
 ference ought not to waste time in rejoicing over 
 the capture of that infamous, villainous, black- 
 hearted rebel." It was proposed that tlie doxol- 
 ogy be sung. Bishop Glossbrenner remarked that 
 if the doxology were sung, " it should be sung 
 with feelings of reverence and true thankfulness." 
 Tlie doxology was sung. 
 
 An event in the session was the introduction 
 of the following resolution, on which the yeas 
 and nays were called: " Besolved, That we are in 
 favor of placing every inhabitant, black and 
 white, on an equality before the law, and hereby 
 pledge our influence and efforts to secure the 
 complete enfranchisement of the negro with all 
 the rights of an American citizen." All voted in 
 
 13 
 
194 ' LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 favor of the resolution except the delegates from. 
 Virginia and Parkersburg conferences. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner voted for the resolution. While it 
 expressed his sentiments, he did not regard its 
 introduction as required, or the manner in which 
 it was urged as properly considerate of Avhat was 
 involved. The resolution, known as the obnox- 
 ious resolution, raised a worse storm in Virginia 
 than any through which the Church had yet 
 passed. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was re-elected bishop and 
 assigned to the East district. Bishops Edwards, 
 Markwood and Shuck were also re-elected. The 
 new bishop elected at this conference was Rev. J. 
 "Weaver, of Muskingum Conference, the present 
 well-known and honored senior bishop of the 
 Church. The salary of bishops was made seven 
 hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
 The storm of prejudice which Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner met on his return to Virginia was excited 
 by Major McCue through some articles published 
 in the Staunton Spectator. Fifteen years before, 
 this same man as a magistrate had caused copies 
 of the Beligious Telescope to be burned in the 
 public square by a village postmaster. In the 
 first article, alluding to Bishop Glossbrenner and 
 the United Brethren Church, he said: "The 
 prominent man of this denomination has for 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNEft^ 195 
 
 years been a citizen of Aiignsta. He married in 
 a Ijighly respectable connection and has reared 
 a most interesting family, and commanded the 
 respect of all avIio knew him up to the session of 
 the General Conference. . . . He was often 
 invited to fill the pulpits of Presbyterians, Meth- 
 odists, and Lutherans. . . . "Whilst most 
 persons thought his sympathies were with the 
 North in our late conflict, yet they gave him 
 credit for the quiet and prudent course that he 
 pursued." In his articles he assailed the Church 
 and appealed to prejudice, saying that the reso- 
 lution of the General Conference meant social 
 equality, if not intermarriages between the races. 
 In reply Bishop Glossbrenner said, "If I must 
 lose the esteem and respect of other denomina- 
 tions because I have said a word in favor of the 
 freedmen, so be it. I will still enforce the duty 
 of doing justly to all men of every race and 
 color." In another reply Bishop Glossbrenner 
 wrote as follows: "It is still a subject of com- 
 plaint that as ministers we failed to pray for the 
 success of the Confederacy. To pra}' is a solemn 
 act of worship, and I feel that I am responsible 
 to God alone for the manner in which tliis duty is 
 performed. "With the light I had I could not sec 
 that it would be for the glory of God, for the 
 good of his church, or for the happiness and 
 
IDG LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 prosperity of tlie people that the Confederacy 
 should be established. Yet I felt that I was 
 ignorant and short-sighted, and consequently 
 that it was best to pray that God would defend 
 the right and overrule all of our national troubles 
 for his glory and the good of all men, in all con- 
 ditions of society; and that he would make the 
 wrath of men to praise him and the remainder 
 of that wrath restrain." This paragraph, better 
 than anything else, shows Bishop Glossbrenner's 
 feelings and course in relation to the great civil 
 war. In this, the only controvers}^ through the 
 press occurring in the long period of his public 
 life, he showed himself no unskillful controver- 
 sialist. He sharpl}' referred to a four-column 
 article of his opponent as presenting nothing 
 formidable except the length; and in justifying 
 his course in reference to the freedmen, brought 
 forward the opinions of a number of southern 
 statesmen. 
 
 At the close of the war. Bishop Glossbreny^er 
 stood in the prime of his matured powers. He 
 was still on the youth side of forty-five. As a 
 bishop one half of his career was yet before him. 
 The disadvantages that weighed upon the Church 
 were largely removed. New duties and new 
 difficulties were to be met. The Church, in view, 
 action, and life, was more nearly one with the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 197 
 
 nation and the churclies of the land than ever 
 before. 
 
 The spirit of Bishop Glossbirenner and his kind 
 reception by the people appear in the following 
 paragraph from his pen : " "Wherever I have 
 visited thus far I have found a hearty welcome 
 and have been treated in the kindest manner by 
 my brethren, both in the ministry and laity, I 
 often think that no one has greater reason to 
 thank the Lord for good, firm, and tried friends 
 than I have. They have stood by me in sunshine 
 and in storm. God bless them, and may they 
 always realize that in God they have a sympa- 
 thizing and unchanging friend. And may God 
 give me grace and wisdom that I may so live that 
 none will ever be ashamed to say, ' I am Gloss- 
 brenner's friend,' " 
 
 His susceptibility to friendship and gratitude is 
 further indicated in the following language used 
 by him after describing a visit to Baltimore: 
 " The second Sabbath after leaving home was 
 spent in Hagerstown, the place of my nativity. 
 In this town I embraced salvation by faith in 
 Christ. Here too I united with the Church of 
 the United Brethren in Christ, and here I com- 
 menced my labors as an itinerant minister of the 
 gospel. In this place reside some of the tried 
 friends of my youthful days in tlie ministry, 
 
198 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 whose kind deeds and Christian counsels will 
 ever be held in grateful remembrance. It was 
 gratifying to me to spend three or four days here, 
 visiting and conversing with old acquaintances 
 and preaching to the people the word of life. 
 
 In the fall of 1865 Bishop Glossbrenner, after a 
 tour to Parkersburg Conference, presided over 
 Erie and "Western Reserve conferences. His 
 time between his conference sessions was now 
 largely occupied with dedicating churches, and 
 preaching here and there throughout his district. 
 In the spring of 1866 he met his conferences in 
 Pennsylvania, with the exception of the Pennsyl- 
 vania, which was presided over by ex-Bishop 
 liussel. 
 
 At the session of East Pennsylvania Confer- 
 ence the venerable ex-Bishop Pussel was also 
 present, and was requested by Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner to close an afternoon session with 
 remarks and jirayer. He rose, and slowly and 
 solemnly spoke as follows — "Dear brethren: I 
 say dear brethren in sincerity and truth; not 
 because it is customarj', but because I feel that 
 you are indeed dear to me. I have more hope 
 now for the success of the United Brethren 
 Church, than I have had for many years. It 
 shall live. Viewing the ditferent denominations, 
 I think we are nearest the apostles. I have 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 199 
 
 enjoyed this session of conferenco greatly, and 
 likely it will be the last I shall be able to attend. 
 In all probability, I shall soon be on earth no 
 more. In Christ is my sole trust for time and for 
 eternity." One who was present further describes 
 that when, from feebleness and depth of emotion, 
 the venerable father broke down and was unable 
 to lead in prayer, Bishop Glossbrenner kneeling 
 by his side, with a full heart led the devotions in 
 his stead, and prayed with a tenderness and 
 power unusually impressive. The sobbing of the 
 people all over the large congregation could be 
 beard, and to all present it was a most affecting 
 time. 
 
 Virginia Conference met at Rohrersville, Mary- 
 land, February 8, 1866. The two parts which 
 had been separated by the war, were now happy 
 in being able to assemble together. The Church 
 in Virginia had been much reduced and weak- 
 ened. Bishop Markwood made the remark, 
 ^' There is no United Brethren Church in Vir- 
 ginia." Bishop Markwood was present at the 
 conference, utterly broken down, having been 
 compelled to relinquish the work on his district. 
 But the Church in Virginia was by no means all 
 gone, and soon the reviving and gathering 
 together became everywhere noticeable. The 
 other conferences held by Bishop Glossbrenner 
 were the Parkersburg and Canada. 
 
200 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 The rule against instrumental music in church 
 services, had been violated by some of the con- 
 gregations in the Church, especially the college 
 congregation at Westerville, Ohio. Some of the 
 conferences passed resolutions condemning the 
 innovations. The bishops. Bishop Weaver not 
 concurring, issued an address, asking that the 
 rules of the Church be respected, that the peace 
 and harmony of the Church might not be dis- 
 turbed. Though Bishop Glossbrenner had no 
 special objection to the use of instrumental music 
 in worship, yet he wished to have all of the laws 
 of the Church obeyed. 
 
 The second and third years of the quadrennium 
 Bishop Glossbrenner attended all of his confer- 
 ences. November 22, 1866, he organized the 
 Tennessee Mission Conference with five members 
 in attendance. He greatly enjoyed meeting Rev. 
 J. lienbush, the tried missionary. He has always 
 taken a special interest in tlie work in Tennessee, 
 partly, no doubt, because it is southern work. 
 
 The conferences of the East district took action 
 in 1867 on the question of securing a parsonage 
 for tlie bishop of the district. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner used his influence to promote the 
 enterprise. The result was the erection of an 
 excellent bishop's parsonage in the city of 
 Baltimore, into which Bishop Glossbrenner and 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 201 
 
 his family moved in 1868. This made him more 
 accessible and more convenient to the district. 
 In 1867 Lebanon Valley College was founded, 
 and of this institution he was an earnest friend 
 and patron. 
 
 In the fall of 1868 he expected to attend the 
 conferences of the West Mississippi district in 
 the place of Bishop Mark wood, who Avas not 
 expected to be able to meet his conferences. But 
 the latter surprised his friends by making a 
 beginning on the district, though he was after- 
 ward compelled to relinquish the undertaking. 
 
 The last year of the quadrennium Bishop 
 Glossbrenner attended all of his conferences, with 
 the exception of the Tennessee which was presided 
 over by Rev. D. K. Flickinger. Erie, Western 
 Reserve, Pennsylvania, East Pennsylvania, Alle- 
 gheny, Virginia, and Canada all passed resolutions 
 highly complimentary to Bishop Glossbrenner, 
 and requesting his return to the East district. 
 Already for sixteen years he had been regularly 
 in charge of this district. 
 
 Toward the close of the quadrennium there 
 was scarcely a subject connected with the polity 
 or work ot the Church that was not under dis- 
 cussion. Lay representation had the lead. Then 
 followed 2)ro rata representation and modification 
 of the secrecy rule. The presiding elder's office 
 
202 LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 
 
 and the bishop's office came in for their sliare of 
 investigation. The state of the African mission 
 occasioned serious perplexity. New questions 
 were introducing themselves to attention and 
 refused to be turned away without a reasonable 
 answer. Bishop Glossbrenner, as a man who 
 believed that the future might have something 
 wiser and better to reveal, at any rate something 
 that new conditions and exigencies might require, 
 could not but share, to a certain extent, this spirit 
 of unrest and anxious questioning. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 General Conference of 1869 — Lay Delegation — Secrecy — 
 Union Biblical Seminary — African Mission — Ohio 
 District — Closing Address — Removal to Dayton, Ohio 
 — In 1870 Visits Pacific Coast — Traveling by Stage — 
 Colorado Mission — INIeeting of the Board of Missions in 
 Baltimore — General Conference of 1873 — Lay Delega-. 
 tion — Special Law — Under a Cloud — West Mississippi 
 District — Closing Address — Made Doctor of Divinity 
 — In 1876 Visits Pacific Coast — General Conference of 
 1877 — Old Questions — Sermon on Character of Bishop 
 Edwards — East District — Sickness — Railroad Accident 
 — Churchville Church — Article on Lay Delegation — 
 Seminary Discourses. 
 
 The fifteentli General Conference assembled at 
 Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Alay 20, 1869. Since 1817 
 all of the General Conferences had been held 
 in Ohio with the exception of that of 1865, which 
 w^as held in Iowa. The increase in members 
 since the last General Conference was 18,311, the 
 total membership being 108,122. The delegates 
 of the General Conference came together with 
 greater differences of views on church questions, 
 and with greater independence of spirit than had 
 characterized the delegates of any preceding 
 General Conference. Bishops Glossbrenner, Ed- 
 
 208 
 
20-1 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 wards, "Weaver, Markwood, and Shuck were all 
 })resent. 
 
 The subject of lay delegation came up for a 
 large share of attention. The bishops appointed 
 a special committee on this subject, who reported 
 a change of constitution making lay delegation 
 possible, to be submitted to a vote of the member- 
 ship of the Church under such regulations as the 
 bishops might adopt. The report of the commit- 
 tee was rejected. Thirty -two of the delegates, 
 however, were disposed to favor it. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner made an inefl'ectual effort to secure 
 a reconsideration with a view to a different result. 
 
 The secrecy question in one form or another 
 occupied more than three full days of the session. 
 A majority report forbidding all connection with 
 secret societies was adopted by seventy-two votes 
 in the affirmative against twenty-five in the 
 negative. Those voting in the negative were in 
 favor of an advisory rule. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 voted in the affirmative. He spoke in favor of a 
 motion to submit an amendment to the constitu- 
 tion, touching the article on secret combinations. 
 While the constitution remained as it was, he felt 
 compelled to vote in favor of a universal prohibi- 
 tory rule. 
 
 An important act of the General Conference 
 was the adoption of measures that led to the 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 205 
 
 establishing of a theological seminary. When 
 the educational work of the Church had its 
 beginning, everyone disavowed the idea of intend- 
 ing to secure an educated ministry. Up to 1865 
 this continued to be the prevalent sentiment. In 
 the General Conference of 1865, it was proposed 
 to bury out of sight the word "preacher-factory,"' 
 and an effort was made to attach theological 
 departments to some of the colleges. This, how- 
 ever, was not successful. The bishops in their 
 address at the present session commended the 
 subject of theological education to the attention 
 of the conference. A committee reported a plan 
 similar to that urged in 1865, but the conference 
 would be satisfied with nothing less than an 
 independent institution, and the requisite meas- 
 ures to that end were adopted. 
 
 An important point in the measures of the 
 session was the action in regard to the African 
 mission. The question as to the abandonment 
 of the mission was submitted by the Board of 
 Missions. The general sentiment was that the 
 mission should be better manned and supported 
 or else be abandoned. This was Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner's sentiment. Shortly after the mission 
 was founded, he had deplored in a published arti- 
 cle, the difficulty in obtaining volunteers for the 
 mission. The conference voted to keep the door 
 
206 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENKEK. 
 
 open; and afterward, Bishop Glossbrcnner was 
 one of the number that chose Rev. J. Gomer and 
 wife as missionaries, under whose labor the Afri- 
 can work has had so harge a degree of success. 
 
 Bisliops Glossbrcnner, Edwards, and "Weaver 
 were re-elected bishops. Rev. J. Dickson, of 
 Pennsylvania Conference, was elected to take the 
 place of Bishop Markwood, whose afflictions dis- 
 qualified him for further service. The bishops 
 were to visit by turns the Pacific conferences. 
 Bishop Glossbrcnner was assigned to the Ohio 
 district, consisting of Scioto, Sandusky, Auglaize, 
 Miami, Ohio German, North Ohio, Western 
 Reserve, and Canada conferences. He Avas re- 
 elected president of the missionary society. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrcnner at the close of the session 
 made the following remarks: 
 
 I go away from this General Conference to commence 
 my seventh term as one of the superintendents of the 
 Church. Although in j^our wisdom 50U have deter- 
 mined that I should occupy a different field of labor 
 from that which I have been occupying for the last 
 sixteen years, I go willingly, I go cheerfull}'. It would 
 not do very well for us, as superintendents of this 
 Church, who from 3'ear to year instruct our brethren 
 to take their fields as clieerfull}' as possible, to mur- 
 mur at the appointment that we may receive at 
 3'our hands. ... I trust that the members of the 
 East district will receive the dear brother (Bishop Wea- 
 ver) that comes after me with the same Christian charity 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 207 
 
 and forbearance that you have always exercised towards 
 me. You have one to preside over you who will take a 
 deep interest in all of your interests. . . . During^ 
 this session you have elected a new superintendent, one 
 who has never labored with us in this department of the 
 work. I rejoice to be able to saj- that you have elected a 
 tried man. . . . Although I have been in this position 
 for twenty-four years, I am glad to be able to say to-day, 
 that from the first down to this time there has never 
 been anything between us — your superintendents — to 
 cause an unpleasant feeling. 
 
 My brethren, let me say to you all as ministers of the 
 Church of the United Brethren in Christ, go out into the 
 world walking by the same rule, minding the same 
 thing, contending for the faith once delivered to the 
 saints. Above all things labor to maintain in this 
 Church, the pure and unadulterated principles of the 
 gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; and never, never fail 
 to insist upon this one great truth, that men must seek, 
 must find a personal and experimental interest in the 
 atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 In the fall of 1869 Bishop Glossbrenner at- 
 tended his conferences on the Ohio district. In 
 December, 1869, he with Mrs. Glossbrenner took 
 up his residence at Dayton, Ohio, occupying 
 rooms and taking boarding with the family of 
 Rev. W. H. Lanthern. Hev. D. K, Flickinger 
 boarded at the same place. The years spent by 
 Bishop Glossbrenner in Dayton were among the 
 most pleasant in his life. He gave himself to 
 the work of his district with great zeal and faith- 
 
208 LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 
 
 fulness. He connected himself closely with the 
 work of the locjil church in Daj'ton, to which he 
 and Mrs. Glossbrenner transferred their member- 
 ship. He was, when at home, an attendant of 
 the prayer and official meetings. He was always 
 ready to preach when called upon. He served 
 on the executive committee of the missionary 
 board. Throughout the entire term his labors 
 were given closely to the Ohio district. In 
 August 1871 he delivered an extended address 
 at what was intended to be the dedication of 
 the new building of Otterbein University. In 
 consequence of the incomplete state of the build- 
 ing, the formal dedication did not take place till 
 the following May, at which time Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner delivered a short address. 
 
 In fultillment of his duty assigned by the 
 General Conference, he visited in the spring of 
 1870 the conferences of the Pacific coast. Bishop 
 Weaver had visited these conferences in 1869. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner at a much earlier period had 
 arranged to make a visit to the Pacific confer- 
 ences, but the great difficulties in the way had 
 prevented his carrying out his purpose. It was 
 not till 1869 that the great trans-continental rail- 
 Avay was completed. 
 
 On leaving home Bishop Glossbrenner, Mrs. 
 Glossbrenner accompanying him, first went to 
 
LIFE OS" GLOSSBRENNEK. 209 
 
 Canada to preside over Canada Conference, which 
 met at New Dundee, Ontario, April 14, 1870. 
 After the session he remained a week visiting 
 dift'erent fields of labor and preaching on an 
 average once per day. He then went to Buffalo, 
 New York, whence Mrs. Glossbrenner departed 
 for Virginia, and he for Shueyville, Iowa, where 
 he had an appointment to dedicate a church. He 
 preached a magnificent sermon from one of his 
 favorite texts — " Upon this rock I will build my 
 church." The presence of a number of families 
 from the bounds of Virginia Conference at 
 Shueyville, was doubtless the reason for his being 
 requested to dedicate the church. He visited 
 Western, and preached in the cliapel of Western 
 College. 
 
 On the 2d of May he took the train for Sacra- 
 mento, California. He gave, in a series of twelve 
 letters in the Religious Telescope, an account of 
 what he witnessed from the time of his leaving 
 home till the time of his return. The first whole 
 night on the cars, having an entire seat to himself, 
 and " not having as much extended humanity as 
 Bishop Weaver," he did not take a Pullman 
 sleeper, and saved his four dollars for " harder 
 times." In referring to the scenery of the Sierra 
 Nevada mountains he said: "I am in the midst 
 of mountains covered with majestic pines. I am 
 
210 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 reminded of the scenery of the Virginia moun- 
 tains, which, so beautiful and grand, attracted my 
 attention and filled me with delight, as in my 
 youthful days I crossed and re-crossed them as an 
 itinerant minister. Some of the happiest and 
 perhaps most successful years of my ministry 
 were spent among the mountains and hills of 
 Virginia. In looking back to those days, and 
 thinking of her majestic mountains, her fruitful 
 hills and valleys, her beautiful rivers, and her 
 people proverbial for their hospitality, I feel like 
 exclaiming, ' A-^irginia, with all thy faults I love 
 thee still.' " 
 
 He reached Sacramento on May 7th after a 
 continuous journey of five days. He was met 
 by friends and conveyed to Alexander Valley 
 where, on May 12th, California Conference con- 
 vened. The condition of the conference was not 
 one of thrift. There had been great difficulties 
 to surmount and there were few unreserved 
 itinerants. Few of the ministers had taken up 
 their missionary collections, and collections for 
 the support of the bishop had been entirely 
 neglected. It was expected that the Pacific con- 
 ferences would at least meet the expenses of their 
 superintendent. Bishop Glossbrenner had re- 
 fused in the cases of other mission conferences 
 to allow missionary funds to be drawn on for his 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 211 
 
 support, and in this case after some " scolding" 
 the brethren were convinced that they were fully 
 able to do what was expected of them, and 
 responded to that extent. Years afterward the 
 brethren of California Conference wrote, " Bishop 
 Glossbrenner's paternal tenderness and deep piety 
 are referred to with pleasure and profit." 
 
 He next proceeded by stage to the place of 
 holding Oregon Conference, traveling a distance 
 of six hundred miles, largely over a wild, moun- 
 tainous country. The undertaking was quite 
 formidable, yet he had cause for gratitude. Al- 
 luding to a peril that befell Bishop Weaver in 
 traveling over the same route, he said: " Bishop 
 Weaver was fortunate that he did not go over the 
 embankment, when one of his mules got over. I 
 feel that I am more fortunate, for none of our 
 mules got over the bank at all, and I did not 
 have the unpleasantness of a big scare." Oregon 
 Conference convened at Philomath, Oregon, May 
 26th. Sermons were preached every day at eleven 
 A. M. and at seven and a half P. M. throughout 
 the five days, including the Sabbath, of the ses- 
 sion. The Bishop was greatly delighted with the 
 wonderful scenery about Philomath. At this 
 time, however, neither the college there located, 
 nor the conference was in a thriving condition. 
 
 He next proceeded to the place of holding 
 
212 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Cascade Conference, journeying a considerable 
 part of the way by boat on the AVillamette and 
 Columbia rivers. lie made stops at Salem and 
 Portland, at both of which places he preached. 
 He also attended a camp-meeting held about 
 sixteen miles from Portland. After continuously 
 viewing the marvelous scenery on the Columbia 
 River, he felt himself almost " sated with magni- 
 ficence." At Dallas City he laid aside his 
 accustomed reserve and registered himself Bishop 
 of the United Brethren in Christ, and in return 
 received the best accommodations and attentions 
 that his hotel could afibrd. In all his journeys 
 on the Pacific Coast he received the most respect- 
 ful treatment and the largest favors, material and 
 otherwise, that any minister of the gospel could 
 desire. Such favors were not given simply to the 
 dignitaries of the church, but to all ministers. He 
 greatly appreciated the cordiality with which he 
 was received by the representatives of other 
 churches, pastors, college presidents, and others. 
 Even civil officers and business men seemed to 
 feel that in a visitant from the "States" they had 
 a comrade. 
 
 Cascade Conference met on the camp-ground 
 at Mill Creek, Washington Territory, June 16th. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner preached every day of the 
 session. The secretary of the conference wrote: 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 213 
 
 " "We will long remember his kindness and coun- 
 sel, and earnestl}' pray that the Lord will preserve 
 his health and strength for many years to come, 
 so that he may be permitted to visit us once more 
 in these ends of the earth." 
 
 He was now ready to begin his homeward 
 trip. He journeyed five hundred miles by stage 
 to Kelton on the Pacific railway. On this jour- 
 ney a half- fare permit saved him thirty-seven and 
 a half dollars. On his return course he stopped 
 to visit the infant mission in Colorado. One 
 missionary. Rev. St. Clair Ross, with two local 
 ministers, constituted the ministerial force. The 
 prospect, however, was hopeful. On Sabbath 
 Bishop Glossbrenner preached to a respectable 
 congregation under a large cotton-wood tree on. 
 the bank of the South Platte River. He halted 
 again in Illinois, where he dedicated two churches. 
 He then proceeded to his home in Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 We cannot pass by a pleasant trip enjoyed by 
 Bishop and Mrs. Glossbrenner along with a num- 
 ber of friends. In August, 1872, the Board of 
 Missions met in Baltimore, Maryland. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner planned the trip to Baltimore, so 
 as to give to the party a pleasant sojourn in the 
 " hill country of Maryland." The party, besides 
 Bishop and Mrs. Glossbrenner, included Dr. and 
 Mrs. Berger, Rev. W. II. Lanthern and wife, 
 
214 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Mrs. T. X. Sowers, Rev. D. C. Kninler, and 
 others. They went hy the picturesque Baltimore 
 and Ohio route. On their way they halted at 
 Harper's Ferry and devoted a day to clinihing 
 the hills, and contemplating the grandeur of that 
 romantic spot, and coinniuiiing with the history 
 of the tragic events there enacted. 
 
 Thence the party proceeded to Keedysville, 
 Maryland. Here Bishop Glosshrenner had 
 arranged to have the members of the company 
 distributed to friends whose known hospitality he 
 had enjoyed in years agone. The battle fields of 
 Antietam and South Mountain added to the 
 strange impressiveness of that region in which 
 valley, mountain, streams, and sky enter into such 
 surprising combinations. On the first Sabbath 
 r3ishop Glosshrenner preached at Keedysville, 
 Mr. Lanthern at Boonsboro, and Dr. Berger at 
 Rohrersville. Revs. J. W. Hott and W. 0. 
 Grimm, the ministers in charge of these points, 
 contributed much to the enjoyment of their 
 guests. The second Sabbath, with some of the 
 intervening time was spent in and about Freder- 
 ick City. On Sabbath Bishop Glosshrenner 
 preached at Rocky Springs, Mr. Lanthern and 
 Mr. Kumler at Georgetown, and Dr. Berger at 
 Baker Valley. In Washington County, the 
 " Gibralter of the United Brethren Church," and 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 215 
 
 Frederick County where the first two of the 
 regular annual conferences were held, the com- 
 pany were richly regaled with history from the 
 heroic days of the Church. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 had his own special reasons for gladness of heart, 
 as he journeyed over territory, every part of 
 which suggested the events of his first years in 
 the ministry. He had planned all of the details 
 of the trip with that forethought and exactness 
 characteristic of all his undertakings. The meet- 
 ing of the missionary board in Baltimore passed 
 ofl:' pleasantly. One of the features was the discus- 
 sion of a number of topics previously assigned. 
 After the session, Bishop and Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 spent some time in Virginia, 
 
 The sixteenth General Conference assembled 
 at Dayton, Ohio, May 15, 1873. Immediately 
 upon the opening of the session Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner preached the opening sermon, taking as 
 his text, " What was it that ye disputed among 
 yourselves by the way?" — Mark 9:33. The 
 sermon was able and apposite, and delivered in 
 the Bisliop's well-known earnest and eifective 
 manner. Bishop Edwards had preached the 
 opening sermon of the preceding General Con- 
 ference, but the plan of an opening sermon has 
 not been suffered to become a custom. The 
 report of the bishops showed a membership of 
 
216 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 125,658, an increase for tlie quadreiunum of 
 17,357. Bishop Glossbrenner took a larger part 
 in the proceedings of the conference than he had 
 taken in those of other conferences of the recent 
 past. 
 
 Lay delegation received very favorable consider- 
 ation, a proposition to submit to the merabersliip 
 of the Church an amendment to the constitution 
 authorizing lay delegation, being adopted b}' a 
 majority of ninety to twelve. The details of 
 taking the vote were left to the decision of the 
 bishops. But neither the conference, nor as it 
 afterward proved, the bishops could agree on the 
 method to be followed. 
 
 The secrecy question came in for a large meas- 
 ure of attention. Bishop Glossbrenner voted 
 against the resolution by Avhioh it was proposed 
 that in "cases of special law," names of members 
 might be erased without the consent of the class. 
 The resolution, however, prevailed. He voted 
 along with the great majority of the conference 
 that a motion to limit the prohibitory character 
 of the rule on secret societies to Freemasonry 
 could not be ontertainod^ in view of the language 
 of the constitution. 
 
 It may as well be frankly stated that through- 
 out the session Bishop Glossbrenner rested under 
 the disfavor of the nuijority of the delegates. It 
 
LIFE OP GLOSSBRENNER. 217 
 
 was their opinion that he had not been faithful 
 up to the measure of his authority and ability in 
 enforcing the secrecy law. This opinion was due 
 in part to the fact that the failure to carry out 
 the law belonged especially to the East district 
 where he had been continuously for four terms the 
 presiding bishop. The law enacted in 1869, that 
 thereafter no bishop should remain on the same 
 district longer than one term, had special reference 
 to his case. The fact that in the Ohio district, 
 over which he had presided during the preceding 
 quadrennium, the law was not generally carried 
 out, did not cause the majority in the conference 
 to think better of his administration. It re- 
 mained yet to appear that under the administra- 
 tion of any and all of the bishops, no difference 
 how strenuous they might be, the change of 
 sentiment and practice would yet go forward. If 
 it were the purpose to write a defensive life of 
 Bishop Glossbrenner, it might be shown, no 
 matter what his individual sentiments might be, 
 that no bishop of the United Brethren Church 
 has had a clearer conception than Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner, of what the constitution and laws of the 
 Church require, or has been more careful and 
 uniform on every variety of subject in the proper 
 enforcement of the same, than he. He was 
 churchly in his sentiments. He could vote for 
 
218 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 changes in the constitution luid in the laws, but 
 while they remained unchanged he was not the 
 one to trample upon them. 
 
 It was the purpose of a number of the dele- 
 gates to do what they could to prevent his re- 
 election as bishop. Some were not unwilling 
 that he should be re-elected, but they desired 
 that he should be chosen by the smallest vote 
 possible. "When the vote was taken he received 
 eleven more votes than the necessary number to 
 elect; Bishop Edwards who received the highest 
 number of votes, receiving thirty more than the 
 required number. All of the bishops were re- 
 elected — Glossbrenner, Edwards, Weaver, and 
 Dickson. Bishop Edwards was elected president 
 of the Board of Missions in the place of Bishop 
 Glossbrenner, who had been president of the 
 board from the organization of the society. 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was assigned to the West 
 Mississippi district. This appointment, especially 
 in view of the hardships involved to a man of his 
 years, he now being sixty-one years of age, was 
 another indication of the current of feeling in the 
 conference. lie felt that in this act it was the 
 purpose of some at least to force him to resign. 
 The knowledge that he was held in suspicion and 
 that some of his best friends of other years were 
 disjDosed to put a stigma on his character and 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 219 
 
 work, could not fail to cause excruciating pain to 
 a nature as highly sensitive as his. One whole 
 night in the first part of the session he spent in 
 prayer and anguish before God. He obtained 
 victory and composure in his own soul, through 
 which he was sustained in all the experiences 
 that followed. 
 
 At the close of the session, after some remarks 
 by Bishop Weaver, Bishop Glossbreuner spoke 
 as follows: 
 
 I have not been disappointed at all in the report of the 
 stationing committee. It is just such as I have been 
 expecting for the last two or three days, and is such a 
 report as I could not help expecting, from circumstances 
 that I will not now name. As old as I am, sir, after 
 forty-two years in the itinerancy of this church, without 
 the loss of a year, I feel that if I am not sufl&ciently 
 strong in some respects, I am sufl&ciently strong in heart 
 to go forward and do whatever this church requires me 
 to do. It ma}^ have been expected by some that I would 
 resign. I don't resign. I go to my district to do as best 
 I can. Glossbrenner is not constitutionally made as 
 some other men are, and he cannot re-make himself 
 And here permit me to say that during this General 
 Conference, some things have occurred that pained me 
 deeply, wounded me deeply, but I lay all these things 
 aside. And, my dear brethren in Christ, and fellow- 
 laborers in the gospel of the Son of God, whatever yoit 
 may imagine, my motives, in the sight of Him who sees 
 your hearts and my heart, have been pure. Whatever 
 my administration has been in this church for the last 
 
220 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 forty-two years, I am willing that it should be inspected 
 at any time by anj' department in this church. I think 
 that whenever there are serious complaints against the 
 actions or course of one of the bishops of the Church, 
 they should be brought to the General Conference and 
 then let the individual meet them. 
 
 A great many years ago I was on the district to which 
 you have now assigned me. The second conference that 
 was held in Iowa I had the pleasure of holding. I have 
 visited that district of countrj^ since then, and I have no 
 doubt that if the providence of God permits me to go to 
 the West Mississippi district, I shall find there brethren 
 good and true. I believe it in my heart, and I am not 
 afraid to trust the brethren there, and I hope that they 
 are not afraid to trust me. . . And now, brethren, 
 let us all go away from this General Conference deter- 
 mined that in the strength of our Master we will main- 
 tain the bonds of fellowship in the bonds of peace. . . 
 This church has had my youthful days, it has had my 
 riper years, and, God willing, it shall have the years of 
 my old age. Whether I live long or die soon, I hope to 
 die at my post. 
 
 In 1873 Bishop Glossbrenner was. honored with 
 the degree of Doctor of Divinity, if the receiving- 
 of such a degree should be spoken of as adding 
 honor to one of his recognized standing. In 
 connection with a published announcement of 
 the conferring of the degree, bestowed by Otter- 
 bein University and Lebanon Valley College at 
 the same time, the foHowing statement appeared: 
 •' The degree could not have been more worthily 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 221 
 
 bestowed. The Bishop has been for a long series 
 of years one of the most interesting expounders 
 of God's word, in which he displays remarkable 
 soundness and skill." Bishop Edwards, himself 
 no mean theologian, said, "I regard Bishop 
 Glossbrenner the best theologian in the United 
 Brethren Church." Bishop Edwards was sur- 
 prised that Bishop Glossbrenner was sent to the 
 West Mississippi district at the preceding session 
 of the General Conference, but said he, " Of all 
 us bishops, he is the man for the field. He can 
 give the people there more sound theology than 
 all of the rest of us together, and that is what 
 they need above all things else." He did not 
 usually present his theology as theology, but it 
 was not the worse theology for that. But what- 
 ever his deserts might be, he felt compelled to 
 decline the title conferred. In his letter declining 
 the title, he said: "Your action in thus conferring 
 so high an honor on one so unworthy as myself 
 will be held in grateful remembrance. Yet for 
 reasons perfectly satisfactory to myself, if not to 
 many of my friends in and out of the Church, I 
 most respectfully decline the proffered title." He 
 felt that the title would not lit him. It certainly 
 did not indicate his real distinction. Later, when 
 the title was bestowed anew, he neither declined 
 nor accepted, leaving it with his friends to use 
 the title or not. 
 
222 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 His conferences for the quadrennium were 
 Iowa, Minnesota, East Des Moines, West Des 
 Moines, Fox River, Wisconsin, Eock River, 
 Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Osage, and Missouri. 
 He did not move to his district, but returned to 
 his home in Virginia. He remained considerable 
 periods on his district, however, Mrs. Glossbren- 
 ner some of the time being with him. 
 
 In 1876 he visited the Pacific conferences, and 
 in returning held Colorado Conference. His 
 route in making this visit was almost identical 
 with that followed in 1870. California Confer- 
 ence was held at Rohnersville, Humboldt County, 
 California, at the extreme western point of the 
 United States. To reach the place a steamboat 
 voyage from San Francisco was necessary. The 
 amount of staging necessary to reach Oregon 
 Conference had been lessened by the extension of 
 railroads. Just before reaching the place where 
 Oregon Conference was to convene, while being 
 carried in a private conveyance, he met with a 
 sad mishap. A single-tree broke and the horses 
 becoming frightened were about to run away. 
 He jumped out of the carriage, lighting in a 
 mire. He sunk so deep as to almost despair of 
 getting out. When he succeeded in extricating 
 himself he was minus a shoe which he never re- 
 covered. He was taken to his destination feeling 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 223 
 
 and looking " very little like a bishop." Walla 
 Walla Conference met in connection with a 
 grove meeting abont six miles from Walla Walla. 
 The Conference had been dissolved the year 
 before by the Board of Missions and at this time 
 was restored by the order of the Board of Mis- 
 sions. Bishop Glossbrenner took a strict course 
 in organizing the conference anew, and it began 
 its second period as a conference with largely 
 improved prospects. 
 
 Colorado Conference was held at Long Moun- 
 tain. This place was near the St. Vrain River, 
 just at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The 
 congregation on Sabbath was so large that it was 
 necessary to repair to a grove. Here the wagons 
 and buggies filled with people were formed into a 
 circle. A large number of listeners occupied the 
 enclosed space. The Bishop preached from a 
 wagon brought to a convenient place. He spoke 
 with unusual freedom and power. While in 
 Colorado he received his first intelligence of 
 the death of Bishop Edwards. In concluding a 
 letter to Mrs. Glossbrenner he wrote, " Just this 
 moment I received the sad intelligence of the 
 death of my co-laborer. Bishop Edwards. I can- 
 not help but weep. Thus one after another falls, 
 but the Master will raise up others to take our 
 place. The Lord bless and comfort his family." 
 
22-4 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 On this trip Bishop Glossbrenner was successful 
 in collecting a number of interesting specimens. 
 He had acquired a very creditable amount of 
 exact knowledge in the natural sciences, which 
 contributed largely to his skill and pleasure in 
 making collections. 
 
 After his return he first visited the work in 
 Dakota Territory. While here, he with others 
 engaged in an exciting antelope chase, which 
 proved more tiring than successful, lie enjoyed, 
 though, the excitement. In July he began his 
 last round of conferences for the term, Missouri 
 Conference being the first held. liock River 
 was the twelfth and last conference held on his 
 own district. In consequence of the death of 
 Bishop Edwards, the superintendent of the East 
 district, he held the Tennessee and East German 
 conferences, and assisted Bishop Dickson in 
 presiding over Virginia and Pennsylvania confer- 
 ences. 
 
 In holding the last session of some of his 
 conferences on the West Mississippi district, he 
 gave a formal farewell to the ministers and 
 friends. These occasions were not occasions of 
 prevailing sadness, but seasoiis in which the 
 anticipation of meeting again about the eternal 
 throne was the predominant thought. In view 
 of the one term rule he could have little expecta- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 225 
 
 tion of returning to the district. He had greatly 
 endeared himself to the brethren in some of the 
 western conferences, by his efforts to secure aid 
 for them in their distress and peril occasioned by 
 loss of crops. In closing his last annual report 
 he used the following language: "Some of you 
 I expect to see at the approaching General Con- 
 ference, but the most of you I do not expect to 
 see again till we meet with the general assembly 
 and church of the first born, in our Father's 
 house above. Stand firm; endure hardness as 
 good soldiers of Christ. ' Only let your conversa- 
 tion be as it becometh the gospel of Christ; that 
 whether I come and see you or else be absent, I 
 may hear of your affairs that ye stand fast in one 
 spirit, with one mind striving together for the 
 faith of the gospel.' " 
 
 The General Conference convened at West- 
 field, Illinois, May 10, 1877. The membership 
 of the Church was now 144,881, a gain for the 
 preceding term of 19,223. At this session the 
 bishops were not called on to vote on the ques- 
 tions on which there was a division of sentiment. 
 The old questions were again the prominent ones. 
 The secrecy law was made as nearly self-executing 
 as it was possible to make a law. "While Bishop 
 Glossbrenner consented to the law, he earnestly 
 desired that it should be somewhat amended. A 
 
 15 
 
226 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 plan for a modified p'O rata representation failed, 
 by a single vote, of adoption. Lay delegation 
 was earnestly discussed, but all propositions 
 looking in the direction of lay representation in 
 the General Conference were rejected. Action 
 was taken, however, opening the way for lay 
 delegation in the annual conferences. This was 
 an important step. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner opposed sending represen- 
 tatives to the Methodist Ecumenical Conference 
 to convene at London. He had previously pub- 
 lished an article, condemning the perversion of 
 history by which some sought to make the 
 United Brethren Church a branch of Methodism. 
 The General Conference took action, resulting in 
 the sending of representatives, though not as 
 regular delegates. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was re-elected bishop by 
 a truly complimentary vote. Bishops Weaver 
 and Dickson were also re-elected. To fill the 
 place of Bishop Edwards, deceased, and to supply 
 the Pacific Coast with a resident bishop, Rev. M. 
 Wright, of White River Conference, and Rev. N. 
 Castle, of St. Joseph Conference, were made 
 bishops. Bishop Glossbrenner was sent to the 
 East district. He was elected president of the 
 Board of Missions. On the first Sabbath of the 
 session he preached an able and impressive ser- 
 mon in memory of Bishop Edwards. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 227 
 
 He went forth from this session of the General 
 Conference to enter upon his ninth term as 
 hishop. A writer present at the session wrote of 
 him: "Age sits gracefully upon him, and he 
 maintains his mental and physical powers with- 
 out abatement." Yet he himself was conscious 
 that his strength for service was not up to the 
 mark of other years. The East district com- 
 prised the Allegheny, Eastern, Pennsylvania, 
 East Pennsylvania, Virginia, Parkersburg, Erie, 
 Muskingum, and Tennessee conferences. During 
 the quadrennium he continued to reside at 
 Churchville, Virginia. The bishop's parsonage 
 at Baltimore was rented, the proceeds going to 
 pay a debt on the property. Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner met all of his conferences throughout the 
 quadrennium with the exception of Allegheny, 
 Pennsylvania, East Pennsylvania, Virginia, and 
 Eastern in 1880, which Bishop Dickson presided 
 over in his stead. His failure to meet his con- 
 ferences was due to sickness. 
 
 On his way to Allegheny Conference, which 
 was to convene at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 
 Eebruary 18, 1880, he stopped at Chambersburg 
 where he had consented to spend a Sabbath, and 
 to preach morning and evening. He preached a 
 very impressive sermon in the morning. Toward 
 the close of the sermon his strength perceptibly 
 
228 LIFE OF QLOSSBRENNEK. 
 
 failetl, but liis physical exhaustion and apparent 
 illness only added force to the words with which 
 he closed, which were as follows : " The few days 
 I may yet have to live let me spend in the 
 church, laboring for the church, and when 
 I die, let me be buried by the church, and 
 at the resurrection let me come up with the 
 church, and with the church be forever with the 
 Lord." He was too ill to preach at night, and 
 rapidly became worse till the most serious appre- 
 hensions were excited. His wife, coming to be 
 present with him, failed to reach*^ Hagerstown for 
 the regular train and was tendered a special train 
 to Chambersburg. A remarkable thing manifest 
 in this sickness, as also in later seasons of sick- 
 ness, was the overawing influence of the Bishop's 
 i:)resence upon his physicians and others who 
 came near him in ministering to him. It was the 
 mysterious power arising from gentleness, self- 
 control, and suffering. He received the best care 
 that skilled physicians and kind friends could 
 render, and after the lapse of several weeks was 
 sufficiently recovered to return home. The form 
 of his disease was given as typhoid pneumonia. 
 Before and after this illness he was subjected to 
 severe attacks due, as was thought, to torpidity 
 of the liver and indigestion, but the real nature of 
 which was not known till near the time of his death. 
 
LIFE OF OLOSSBRENNER. 229 
 
 In 1879, when Bishop Glossbrenner was passing 
 through Chambersburg on his way to Virginia 
 Conference, the car in^which he was riding sud- 
 denly left the track, fell over an embankment, and 
 turned upon its side. He was sitting, in company 
 with Rev. M. Bulger, near the stove, and as a 
 result of the accident was somewhat burned and 
 otherwise injured. He was kindly cared for at 
 the home of Mr . A. H. Rice, and was soon able 
 to resume his journey. As a result of the accident 
 his clothes were considerably injured. The rail- 
 way authorities directed him to send for a 
 merchant tailor and have his injured suit replaced 
 by an entirely new one at the company's expense. 
 When his measure was being taken, he noticed 
 that the tailor was taking measurements for his 
 vest. He said, " My vest was not injured. I can 
 only receive in the place of what was actually 
 spoiled." With all of his traveling by public 
 conveyance, it is somewhat remarkable that with 
 the exception here given, he was spared all 
 serious accident. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's regard for the laws 
 which as bishop he was to administer, is indica- 
 ted by a single example. At the session of the 
 Muskingum Conference immediately after the 
 drastic measures of the General Conference of 
 1877, a motion was made nullifying tlie law 
 
230 LIFE OF GLO.SSHKENNER, 
 
 of the Church respecting secret societies. 
 Bishop Glossbreniier refused to entertain the 
 motion, and being overruled, left the chair. 
 Though the motion was put and carried, he 
 insisted that it should not he recorded as a part 
 of the proceedings of the conference. 
 
 A consummation in which he took great satis- 
 faction was the completion and dedication in 1878 
 of a handsome, commodious, and well-furnished 
 church to take the place of the little antiquated 
 United Brethren Church at his home at Churcii- 
 ville. To this enterprise he contributed personally 
 over five hundred dollars, and aided otherwise by 
 his influence and counsels. 
 
 In March, 1881, he published a masterly article 
 in the Religious Telescope on lay representation. 
 The article occupied seven full columns and was 
 a comprehensive and thorough presentation of 
 the argument in favor of lay representation. No 
 article more scholarly or exhibiting more of per- 
 sonal conviction was ever given by him to the 
 press. In the first part of the article he adduced 
 scripture examples, such as the choosing of an 
 apostle to take the place of Judas, the choosing 
 of the seven deacons, and the example of the 
 apostolic conference. In the second part he con- 
 sidered the subject in the light of the history of 
 the Christian church. 
 
LIFE OF QLOSSBRENNER. 281 
 
 In May, 1881, Bishop Glossbrenner, at the 
 request of Dr. L. Davis, preached the baccalau- 
 reate sermon before the students of Union 
 Biblical Seminary, preaching an excellent sermon 
 on the call, qualifications, and rewards of the gos- 
 pel minister. On another commencement occasion 
 of the Seminary, he preached the annual sermon 
 on Sabbath evening. At yet another time he 
 delivered the diplomas to the graduating class of 
 the Seminary, his presentation words to each 
 member of the class, and his address finally to all, 
 being made up almost wholly of passages from 
 the Scriptures, happily selected and charmingly 
 and impressively given. Never did the words of 
 scripture appear more fitting, or the Bishop's skill 
 m quotation appear to better advantage. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 General Conference of i8Sr — Pro Rata Representation — 
 Ohio District — First Round — Taken Sick— Dedication 
 at Dayton — Second and Third Rounds — Missionary 
 Sermon — lyebanon Valley Baccalaureate — Last Round 
 — Sickness — Opposition at North Ohio — Faithfulness 
 as Bishop — Change in Sentiments — Golden Wedding 
 — His Family — Congratulations — Death of Mother 
 Shuey — Sickness and Death of Mrs. Glossbrenner — 
 Bereaved but Still Battling. 
 
 The eighteenth General Conference convened 
 at Lisbon, Iowa, May 12, 1881. Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner read an extended address from the board 
 of bishops. The membership reported was 159,- 
 367, an increase during the quadrennium of 
 14,486. The increase was by no means what it 
 should have been. Distracting differences in the 
 Church on polity and discipline account in part 
 for the slender gains, but other causes were 
 equally potent. The majority in the conference 
 were still in favor of strenuous anti-secrecy legis- 
 lation, but the conference was so equally divided 
 and the opposition was so iirm, that both sides 
 were contented to leave the question where they 
 found it. Those who sought a modification of 
 the law of the Church, however, became en- 
 
 232 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 233 
 
 couraged and elated, tlu'ongli various acts of the 
 conference bearing* more or less directly on the 
 law on secrecy. 
 
 Pro 7^ata representation in the General Confer- 
 ence was favorably acted npon; so that the 
 annual conferences were alloAved from two to 
 four delegates each according to numbers. Since 
 1841 each conference, whether large or small, had 
 had three delegates. The conference of 1841 was 
 constituted on the j^^o rata basis. The conference 
 of 1837 was made up of two delegates from each 
 annual conference. Before that time conferences 
 were divided into sub-districts, each of which 
 elected two delegates. 
 
 Throughout the session Bishop Glossbrenner 
 presided in his turn. He made no extended 
 speeches, but his rulings while in the chair, and 
 his suggestions when not in the chair, were clear 
 and calculated to facilitate the work of the con- 
 ference. The first Sabbath he preached in his 
 inimitable way from Isaiah 32:20 — "Blessed are 
 ye that sow beside all waters." After the services 
 Bishop Weaver said to lym, " I consider that the 
 master sermon of your life." The second Sabbath 
 he preached at Toledo, Iowa. He was re-elected 
 bishop by a large vote, and placed on the Ohio 
 district. His colleagues were Bishops Weaver, 
 Dickson, and Castle of the old board, and E. B. 
 
234 LIFE OF CiJ.USSliKliNNER. 
 
 Kephart, of Iowa Confereuce, who for thirteen 
 years liad ably served as the president of "Western 
 College. During the qiuidrennium Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner continued to reside at his old home at 
 Church ville, Virginia. 
 
 After presiding two terms over other districts, 
 it was a great pleasure to him to return to the 
 Ohio district. The district included Miami, 
 Auglaize, JSTorth Ohio, Sandusky, Central Ohio, 
 Ohio German, Scioto, Western Reserve, Ontario, 
 and Kentucky conferences. With a single excep- 
 tion hereafter referred to, his welcome to the 
 district was most cordial. Auglaize Conference 
 at its first session after the General Conference, 
 declared as follows: "We as a conference wel- 
 come our venerable bishop, J. J. Glossbrenner, to 
 our midst and are satisfied with the able and 
 impartial manner in which he has presided over 
 us." Sandusky Conference expressed itself as 
 follows: '■'•Resolved, That we hail with exquisite 
 delight the return of J. J. Glossbrenner as the 
 presiding bishop over this district." He attended 
 all of his conferences in the fall of 1881, with the 
 exception of the Western Reserve and the Scioto. 
 After presiding a half day at the former he was 
 taken sick and was obliged to give up his work 
 and return to his home. Dr. L. Davis presided 
 for liim at Scioto Conference. After a sickness 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 235 
 
 of two or three months he was again able to re- 
 sume preaching. He assisted Bishop Dickson in 
 presiding at the ensuing session of Virginia Con- 
 ference, and at the joint session of Pennsylvania 
 and East Pennsylvania conferences. Pennsyl- 
 vania and East Pennsylvania conferences, which 
 had been united by the General Conference, met 
 this year in Harrisburg in joint session. The con- 
 ference sermon was preached by Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner on Wednesday evening, at the opening 
 of the session. On Sabbath morning he preached 
 in Zion Lutheran Church. 
 
 April 30, 1882, he dedicated Summit Street 
 United Brethren Church at Dayton, Ohio. He 
 preached characteristically from Matthew 16:18. 
 One who had heard him often in the years gone 
 by, wrote : " He brought from the treasury 
 things new and old. He touched all points 
 within good range of his theme. The universal 
 verdict was that a burning message had indeed 
 come from God. His voice was clear and musical 
 as when we first heard him a quarter of a cen- 
 tury ago. For nearly an hour and a half the vast 
 audience waited upon his words with the most 
 profound interest and attention. His entire dis- 
 course was characterized with strength and 
 pathos, and telling effect. . . . He seemed to 
 be inspired with new vigor. It is doubtful if he 
 
236 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 has preached so grandly for years. Oh ! what a 
 man to preach Jesus and his gospel, Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner is." This dedication occurred on the 
 Sabbath of the commencement week of Union 
 Biblical Seminary. The following Wednesday 
 after an address by Dr. II. A. Thompson, the 
 seminary building was, by Bishop Glossbrenner, 
 formally dedicated to God. 
 
 This year Bishop Glossbrenner attended Onta- 
 rio Conference and all of his Ohio conferences. 
 On coming to Dayton to be present at the session 
 of Miami Conference, he arrived in time to bo 
 present at the funeral of ex-Bishop Heiiry 
 Kumler, jr. They had served together in the 
 bishop's office. They had not always seen alike 
 or been able to act in accord, but they knew how 
 to esteem each other and be friends. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner made some affecting remarks. He 
 closed with the words, " Goodbye, Uncle Henry, 
 we shall meet again in the morning." . At the 
 session of Miami Conference he was quite feeble. 
 At his request Dr. L. Davis preached the confer- 
 ence sermon on Sabbath morning, preaching a 
 very appropriate and impressive sermon. 
 
 In December he left his home in Virginia to 
 till engagements in preaching and dedicating 
 churches in Michigan and Ohio. After reaching 
 the place of his first appointment, he became so 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 237 
 
 indisposed that he was compelled to abandon all 
 of his engagements. He first came to Dayton, 
 Ohio, from which place he was accompanied by 
 Rev. J. K. Billheimer as he proceeded to his 
 home. In 1883 he attended all of his Ohio 
 conferences along with Ontario Conference. 
 
 In May, 1884, he attended the session of the 
 Board of Missions and on Sabbath delivered a 
 specially prepared sermon on missions. 
 
 In June by invitation he preached the bacca- 
 laureate sermon before the students of Lebanon 
 Valley College. He spoke from Titus 2:6: 
 " Young men likewise exhort to be sober 
 minded." The sermon abounded in wise counsels 
 and fervid incentives to a pure and useful life. 
 At this commencement the degree of Doctor of 
 Divinity was conferred on him a second time. 
 He neither accepted nor declined the honor, but 
 left the matter " with the college, the Church, 
 and the Lord." His grandson, Wallace Hanger, 
 was one of the graduating class of this year. The 
 Bishop took much interest in the education of 
 his grandsons. He had hoped that some of them 
 would enter the ministry, and in such a case he 
 stood ready to assist them in taking a course in 
 Union Biblical Seminary. He had given his 
 daughters good educational advantages, one of 
 them having studied two years at Otterbein 
 
238 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 University, another having been a student at 
 Cottage Hill College, and the others having at- 
 tended other institutions. 
 
 In August, 1884, Bishop Glossbrenner began 
 his last round on his district for the current term. 
 He was in fairly good health. His first confer- 
 ence was the Miami. Here he had great pleasure 
 in meeting with the brethren, and had great free-, 
 dom in preaching. He reached the place of 
 holding the next conference, the North Ohio, in 
 feeble condition. He was not able to be present 
 at all the first day, and only able to be present 
 for short periods afterward. On Saturday, in 
 view of the seriousness of the attack which he 
 felt coming on, he started for his home. Revs. 
 W. J. Shuey, J. W. Hott, D. K. Flickinger, and 
 B. Fritz each filled his place at one or more con- 
 ferences. At Scioto Conference Dr. L. Davis, in 
 speaking on a resolution of sympathy for Bishop 
 Glossbrenner in his affliction, spoke as follows: 
 
 "I have been in the ministry and Scioto Con- 
 ference forty-six j^ears; but the Bishop is a little 
 older in years and also is my senior in the 
 ministry. . . . He seems to be passing away 
 from us, and this reminds me that my departure 
 cannot be distant. I have always regarded 
 Bishop Glossbrenner not only as a man of great 
 powers as a preacher of Christ but as a model 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 239 
 
 bishop. From every consideration this handling 
 of the name of our bishop is tender to me, even 
 as he himself comes very near to my heart." 
 
 The exception before referred to, as to the 
 general cordiality with which Bishop Glossbren- 
 ner was received by the Ohio district, was with 
 Korth Ohio Conference. Here prior to the first 
 session of the conference, after the General Con- 
 ference, a determined eflbrt was made through 
 the distribution of circulars, and the use of various 
 means to effect a combination, to prevent his pre- 
 siding. In the first session the conference refused 
 to pass his ofi^icial character, and in manifold ways 
 indicated their displeasure at his presence among 
 them. His presiding, however, was not directly 
 resisted. At the next session his character was 
 allowed to pass, though in such a way as to leave 
 the tension unrelieved. At the third session most 
 bitter and obstinate opposition was ofit'ered. Had 
 not various considerations come in to modify the 
 course fully resolved upon, the desperate counsel 
 of excluding him from the chair would have been 
 followed. As far as he was concerned he would 
 have gladly left the conference to its own way, 
 but duty urged him to remain at his post, and to 
 this course he was advised by his friends. It is 
 due to say that not all in the conference approved 
 of the extreme course proposed. 
 
240 LIFE OF (JLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 What had Bishop Glossbrenner done to deserve 
 this treatment? If his course had long been 
 culpable, why was this treatment reserved to be 
 visited upon him at this late day; and if there 
 was aught to charge against his recent adminis- 
 tration, why was he not confronted with specific 
 charges? If his wliole course was deserving of 
 censure, wh}- did the General Conference continue 
 to elect him bishop, and why did not other annual 
 conferences discover his unfaithfulness? The 
 answer is not difficult to find. At the Lisbon 
 General Conference, those who were in favor of 
 existing legislation on secret societies felt that 
 the majority on which they had long beeii relying 
 would soon pass into the minority. At least, 
 they believed that this would be the case unless 
 something unusual should be done to stay the 
 tide. A less extreme class thought that this 
 could be done through the circulation of papers 
 and addresses, and this course was resolved upon. 
 Others were not satisfied with this. Some of the 
 members of jSTorth Ohio Conference held Bishop 
 Glossbrenner responsible for the change of 'senti- 
 ment that had been going on in the Church, or at 
 least thought that he might have found methods 
 to resist the course that. things had taken. No 
 specific charges could be framed, because there 
 were no offences to adduce. Bishop Glossbrenner 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 241 
 
 euforced, on this and every other subject, the 
 legishition laid down by the General Conference 
 as strictly as any one that ever held the office of 
 bishop in the United Brethren Church. He did 
 not make law of his own, thereby taking the 
 place of the General Conterence; and in executing 
 law he did not invade the prerogative of the 
 annual conferetice, thereb}' subverting the polity 
 of the Church. Bishops in the United Brethren 
 Church have little episcopal power. Dr. L. Davis 
 has said that when he was bishop, about the only 
 power that he found himself to possess was the 
 power to appoint a presiding elder, in case of a 
 vacancy. If a bishop should choose, however, he 
 could head a party, introduce division, and in 
 particular instances might carry out his will. 
 One of the earlier bishops once said of himself 
 that when he was very anxious for the success of 
 a measure, he made a strong speech just at the last 
 and then put the question before sitting down. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner was early and sincerely 
 opposed to secret societies, and from this position 
 he never changed. At one time he declared with 
 evident feeling that if persons were not satisfied 
 with the Church on this principle of opposition 
 to secrecy, they should go elsewhere. He himself 
 also, at an early day, held the favorite radical 
 opinion that the preachers were chargeable with 
 
242 LIFE OP GLOSSBRKNXER. 
 
 misleading the people, or at least with censurable 
 weakness in yielding to temptation to increase 
 unlawfully their membership. Nine tenths of 
 those who were now on the liberal side and had 
 held membership in the Church for twentj'-five 
 years, stood at the first where he had stood. 
 They came to see that the difficulty was in the 
 nature of the case, and the nature of external 
 force and the mechanical action of law as a 
 remedy. Those who have lived and -wrought and 
 suffered in the field where the difficulties have 
 been greatest, those who have had no other desire 
 than to see the kingdom of Christ promoted, 
 those who have had a stake in the future of the 
 Church, in a special way those who have had 
 children growing up in the fold of the Church 
 and entering with hope the work of the Church 
 — very many of these have seen that a change of 
 method would be necessary if the Church was not 
 to relinquish its mission. The ministers have 
 not led in bringing about this change of view, 
 nor have they been ready and unquestioning 
 followers. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner slowly yet clearly came to 
 sec that some change of method would be neces- 
 sary. In his own personal convictions and by the 
 character of his preaching he stood committed to 
 the simple power of the gospel as the regenerat- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 243 
 
 ing and conserving power on which the work and 
 purity of the Church depended. Yet he trusted 
 that the w^hole Church in a regular way would 
 suit itself to changed conditions and manifest de- 
 mands. He w^as, too, far from anticipating 
 legislation that he might have reason to believe 
 would soon be granted. It could easily be shown 
 as a fact that liberal sentiment grew more 
 rapidly under the administration of bishops 
 reputed as radicals than under his administration. 
 That his sentiments on some features included 
 gradually underwent a change has already been 
 stated. The right to thus change, and the right, if 
 he so chose, to seek a change in the law of the 
 Church, will not be disputed by any fair-minded 
 man. His course may, with great justice and ad- 
 vantage, be regarded in the light of the following 
 description by ex-President Porter of a conscien- 
 tious man : " The truly conscientious man will 
 always hear reasons and give reasons in reference 
 to his beliefs and his actions. He is always ready 
 to revise his opinions on the semblance of a reason. 
 He is never afraid to consider a new truth, or to 
 view an old truth in a new light, but seeks illu- 
 mination from every quarter. The willfully blind, 
 the doggedly obstinate, the passionately intoler- 
 ant, the mulishly persistent in respect to those 
 opinions of duty which they have blindly in- 
 
244 LIFE OF GLU.S.SBKENXER. 
 
 heritcd or adopted as partisans, are greatly 
 deficient in the characteristic signs of a conscien- 
 tious spirit." 
 
 No other conclusion is possible than that the 
 gloom and disappointment resulting from the 
 prospective failure permanently to maintain the 
 old methods, lay at the basis of the treatment that 
 Bishop Glossbrenner received. He was too gentle, 
 noble, and restrained to reply in kind to the 
 severe accusations that were indulged in against 
 him. Ko one ever heard from his lips or saw 
 from his pen a harsh or uncharitable word in 
 regard to those who literally wearied themselves 
 to cause him pain. 
 
 AYe now turn to events connected with the 
 home life of Bishop Glossbrenner. February 14, 
 1883, was the fiftieth anniversary of his married 
 life. It was resolved by his family and friends 
 that the reaching of the golden milestone in the 
 married life of Bishop and Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 should be appropriately celebrated. 
 
 A brief notice of the immediate family of the 
 Bishop will enable us better to appreciate the 
 happiness of this joyous occasion. Out of a 
 family of six children, one died in infancy, and 
 five, all daughters, grew up to adult life. The 
 oldest daughter, who was married to Rev. D. K. 
 Flickinger, D. D., died in the brightness of 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 245 
 
 young life. The next oldest was married to Rev. 
 W. B. Yonce, D. D. She died early leaving two 
 children. Cornelia D., the oldest of the three liv- 
 ing daughters, was married to Mr. H. H. Hanger, 
 at present a merchant at Churchville. Jose- 
 phine, the next oldest, was married to Rev. J. II. 
 Turner, principal of the Lutheran Female Semi- 
 nar}', at Lutherville, Maryland. Henrietta C, 
 the youngest, was married to Rev. L. A. Fox, 
 D. D., a professor in Roanoke College. Mr. 
 Hanger is a member of the United Brethren 
 Church. Revs. Yonce, Turner, and Fox are all 
 ministers in tlie Lutheran Church, all of them 
 scholarly and able men, and all engaged in the 
 work of instruction. The marriage of the Bish- 
 op's daughters to these ministers of the Lutheran 
 Church, outside of a destiny that is credited with 
 shaping these relations, is to be set down to their 
 visiting at Salem, Virginia, at which place Roan- 
 oke College of the Lutheran Church is located. 
 Two of them attended for a while a female semi- 
 nary there, having their home meanwhile with 
 an aunt. Late in the Bishop's life. Rev. J. Davis, 
 D. D., of the Lutheran Church, an early and firm 
 friend of the Bishop, jocosely asked him why he 
 could not come over into the Lutheran Church, 
 where he could have a pleasant settlement as 
 pastor, and would not have so much of travel 
 
246 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 and hardship to endure. The Bishop replied in a 
 similar vein, "Xever! Yon Lutherans have kid- 
 naped my children, and now you want to kidnap 
 me. - If I get out of the United Brethren Church 
 I will try all of the rest first." 
 
 Surrounded by their children and grand-chil- 
 dren, along with kind friends and esteemed neigh- 
 bors, Bishop and Mrs. Glossbrenner, in surveying- 
 past mercies and present blessings, had every 
 reason for devout joy and gratitude. At Church- 
 ville, almost all of their married life had been 
 spent. Here for four or five years they had been 
 living in a comfortable and beautiful dwelling, 
 planned and fitted up by themselves, as the place 
 where they would spend their closing days. In 
 this pleasant home they now welcomed their 
 guests. The aged mother of Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 was still living near Churchville, but was too fee- 
 ble to be present. A few quotations will now be 
 given from letters and addresses. Professor 
 Turner addressed Mr. and Mrs. Glossbrenner in 
 the following beautiful words : 
 
 How much of sorrow and joy in fifty j^ears ! What 
 have these fifty years been? History has not written 
 down all these events. These fift}^ years of your life 
 have been important years to the world, and to the 
 church especially. There were few missionaries then; 
 now everywhere the Christian religion is preached. And 
 now to you, my dear father and mother, may there be 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 247 
 
 added to your history many years. Fifty years ago jour 
 bridal tour was not in a palace car. No words of sjmi- 
 pathy whispered then over wires to friends hundreds of 
 miles away. Truly, these have been fifty years full of 
 events. What of the next fifty years ? No couple cele- 
 brates the close of the second fifty years in this world. 
 Fifty years from now will find us enjo3-ing other scenes. 
 I\Iay God give you many returns of j^our marriage day, 
 and may we all meet at the marriage supper of the Lamb. 
 
 Bishop Glossbreiiner made an appropriate 
 and affecting address, speaking in substance as 
 follows : 
 
 A number of our relatives and acquaintances are not 
 here. We give you a cordial welcome. This is an 
 important occasion to some of us. Marriage is a solemn 
 contract. It cannot easily be broken. I have been mar- 
 ried four times in my life. All to which I have been 
 married are alive. 
 
 My first solemn covenant was when I embraced Christ. 
 Then I consented to live for Him and to die for Him. 
 From Him I have not been separated. At eighteen I 
 embraced religion, and have no cause to regret it. 
 
 The second covenant was, when I became a member of 
 the church. It is somewhere found in the Scriptures, 
 As a young man marrieth a virgin so shall thy sons 
 marry thee. I have not felt like leaving the church. 
 The church has been faithful to me. It is better to hold 
 on to this covenant. These covenants were entered into 
 when I was young. 
 
 The third marriage was when I took the vows of a 
 Christian minister — when I consecrated myself to Christ 
 fully. The church has branches. I joined with the 
 
248 LIFE OF GLOS^BKK^NEll. 
 
 United Brethren in Christ as a minister. The Chnrch 
 was then small. It was then weak. The Church has 
 treated me well. In the church let me live; in the 
 church let me labor; in the church let me suffer, if need 
 be; in the church let me die, and stand at last with the 
 white-robed throng of the church triumphant. Some 
 hardships I have passed through, but not alone ; my 
 wife, my true and faithful companion, endured them 
 with me. The cares of my family in the earlier years of 
 my ministry rested on my wife. A good wife is a bless- 
 ing of God. She never said locate. My salary at first 
 was eighty dollars, afterward, when married, it was for 
 some years one hundred and sixty dollars. Now we are 
 monuments of grace and mere}'. 
 
 The Church has grown. Our work has not been in 
 vain. Our church then numbered 20,000 members; 
 now it has 160,000 members. But we can see results 
 specially satisfactory in Virginia Conference. Then it 
 embraced Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland — fift}'- 
 two years ago, when I joined it. In these bounds four 
 and a half meeting-houses only were ours. Now we have 
 two hundred and nine churches. I do not regret that I 
 am wedded to this church. We all should be thus 
 wedded, and then be steadfast. 
 
 The fourth union was the marriage the anniversary 
 of which we to-day celebrate. It has not been broken 
 these fifty years. These years have been spent in love and 
 confidence. There are not many so favored. I can only 
 say, "The Lord is good; his mercy endureth forever." 
 
 While the Bishop spoke, Mrs, Glossbreniier Siit 
 near and coukl not restrain the tears which the 
 crowding memories of past years forced from her 
 eyes. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 249 
 
 The following extract is from a letter addressed 
 to the Bishop by a layman of a sister church at 
 Harrisburg, Penusylvania: 
 
 How glad I would be to take you and your good wife 
 by the hands, look into your eyes, and give you my 
 hearty and affectionate congratulations, but distance and 
 the condition of my health forbid it. During the past 
 autumn I was confined to my room six weeks, and have 
 only been once out of the city since. It is just about 
 four years since I was so fortunate as to meet you. Dur- 
 ing that time I have heard you preach five times. The 
 subjects and manner of presenting them are so deeply im- 
 pressed on my mind, so vividly before me, that I recall 
 them in their order : " He is not here ; for he is risen." 
 ' ' Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. ' ' ' ' Solomon, my 
 son, know thou the God of thy fathers," etc. "Blessed 
 are ye that sow beside all waters." " Giving thanks 
 unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers 
 of the inheritance of the saints in light." The last you 
 preached in ovxr church, and it seemed as if the glory of 
 the Lord shone around j'ou, and the King in his beaut}^ 
 was there. I write of this because I know it will be 
 grateful for an old soldier of the cross to be assured that 
 words fallen from his lips have been a benediction to an 
 erring, wayward soul. How many weary, wretched 
 wanderers you have comforted with the " unsearchable 
 riches of Christ ' ' is known only to the INIaster. Doubt- 
 less many, like the writer, who onlj- "see men as trees 
 walking," secretly thank you for clearer conceptions of 
 the King's highway 
 
 I give you my sincere congratulations that your life 
 has been protracted, and pray that 30U may yet live long 
 
250 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 to hear children's children call you blessed. 'May every 
 good attend 3-011 so long as j-ou both shall live, your gold 
 to diamonds turn, and then a peaceful, painless passage 
 to joys immortal and full of glory. 
 
 These quotations will bo concluded with tlie 
 following letter from Dr. L. Davis, who on the 
 evening of the golden wedding, celebrated at his 
 home in Dayton, Oliio, with a number of friends, 
 the entrance upon his seventieth year: 
 
 Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner: — My Dear Brother: I 
 cannot refrain from expressing my regret in not being 
 able to be with you at your "golden wedding" on the 
 14th inst. I can well remember the first time we met in 
 life's journe}'; namely, in 1841, as you were on yoMX way 
 to the General Conference Avhich met near Circleville, 
 Ohio. Since that time we have often met in almost 
 every relation of life known to ministers of the gospel, 
 and it is pleasant to know that our personal attachments 
 are strong and abiding. It adds to the pleasure to be- 
 lieve that this friendship and brother!}' love will continue 
 till the last. You are my senior in years and also in 
 the ministry but a little. On the 14th of this month the 
 same day of your "golden wedding," I shall enter into 
 my seventieth year. So with us the time to pass from 
 labor to reward is near. ]\Iany of those who started in 
 life when we did and bravely worked for the INIaster by 
 our side, have already passed over the river of Death and 
 are now safe in Heaven. In due time I trust we shall 
 join them. Meanwhile, let us do what we can for the 
 peace and prosperity of our common Zion. Oh, for this 
 let us live and .strive to the last. ]\Irs. Davis joins me in 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 251 
 
 congratulating you and Sister Glossbrenner on this 
 fiftieth anniversary of your married life. Peace and love 
 to you and yours. Yours truly, lyEWis Davis. 
 
 When remarks were concluded, Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner arose and led in singing, " Here I'll raise 
 mine Ebenezer," and Rev. C. W. Stinespring, 
 the pastor at Churchville, led in prayer. After- 
 ward a rich repast was enjoyed. It is needless to 
 add that many congratulatory letters and many 
 valuable and appropriate presents were received. 
 
 This hour of social joy had scarcely passed 
 until the shadows began to fall. Within a little 
 less than a year the mother of Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 was taken to her eternal rest. Much of the time 
 the Bishop was in feeble health, and Mrs. Gloss- 
 brenner, who had been in delicate health for 
 several years, began rapidly to fail. When 
 Bishop Glossbrenner returned sick from North 
 Ohio Conference on his last round for the quad- 
 rennium, his coming was unexpected. Such was 
 the state of Mrs. Glossbrenner's health that the 
 next day, had he not arrived just when he did, a 
 dispatch would have been sent calling him home. 
 When he looked upon his wife and she looked 
 upon him, they could not express themselves 
 except by tears. He was placed in one room and 
 she in another room, with simply a hall between 
 them. She was able to cross to his room just 
 
252 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 twice, and after that he was able to cross to her 
 room once or twice each day to remain a short 
 time. Their spirits were so bound to each other 
 that it seemed if one should be taken, the other 
 could not be restrained from going also. It was 
 uncertain which might be taken first. 
 
 At length, October 14, 1884, Mrs. Glossbrenner 
 passed into the life beyond, aged sixty-seven 
 years, ten months and sixteen days. The 
 Bishop's deep sense of the momentous realities 
 beyond, and their dependence on a state of 
 preparation here, was indicated by the fact that 
 two days before the departure of his beloved 
 companion, he, by earnest inquiries and sure 
 encouragements, sought to prepare her mind for 
 the impending change. The funeral was attended 
 by Rev. J. L. Grimm, who had been well ac- 
 quainted with the deceased. In an obituary 
 sketch he said: "She was a quiet and unosten- 
 tatious woman, combining a cheerful spirit, a 
 sound discriminating judgment, an independent 
 and refined mind, and a warm heart." She had 
 been a Christian and a member of the United 
 Brethren Church from the age of fifteen. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner was able to be taken to the church 
 to be present at the funeral service, but was too 
 feeble to go to the cemetery. In his bereavement 
 he was wonderfully sustained by divine grace. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 253 
 
 But life never was, never could be to bini what 
 it was before this saddest of all earthly losses. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hanger at once occupied his house 
 with him, and he had all of the tender care that 
 it was possible for a loving daughter to bestow. 
 
 By degrees he began to improve, and came to 
 have a considerable measure of strength. The 
 disease with which he was struggling was largely 
 local, and when it would intermit in its severity, 
 his heart for work and further service became 
 strong as in other years. This, added to a spirit 
 next to unconquerable, made him desire to be in 
 the field, even when his best friends, those who 
 would have enjoyed his labors most, could they 
 have been bestowed without such cost and risk to 
 himself, would have preferred that he spare him- 
 self from all taxing exertion. 
 
 In the spring of 1885 he resumed his preaching. 
 He attended Ontario Conference, preached the 
 annual sermon before the students of Union 
 Biblical Seminary, attended the session of the 
 Board of Missions, and at the meeting of the 
 General Conference at Fostoria, Ohio, seemed to 
 be in the enjoyment of a large measure of 
 strength. 
 
CHAPTER XT. 
 
 Nineteenth General Conference — Bishops' Address — 
 Changed Attitude of the Church — The Commission 
 — Producing Causes — Embarrassments to Progress — 
 Emeritus Bishop — Expressions of Esteem — Last Ad- 
 dress — Sermon — Immediate EngagementvS — Session of 
 Church Commission — Further Work — Sickness and 
 Death — Nature and Significance of Life and Character 
 — Personal Characteristics — Secular Side — Social and 
 Religious Character — Character as a Preacher — His 
 Eminence — Character as a Bishop — Qualities as a 
 Presiding OflScer — Influence Immortal. 
 
 The niiieteentb General Coiifereiicc assembled 
 at Fostoria, Ohio, May 14, 1885. This was the 
 last General Conference that Bishop Glossbrenner 
 would be permitted to attend. Forty-eight years 
 before he attended his first session of General 
 Conference as a delegate from Virginia Confer- 
 ence. !N'ot one who was a delegate with him at 
 that session was now alive. Hiestand, Erb, 
 Coons, Hauby, and the elder Kumler were 
 honored members of that early conference. Rev. 
 A. Biddle and Rev. Josiah Davis were the only 
 living ones of those who served as delegates with 
 him in 1841. The only survivors among his 
 fellow-members in the General Conference of 
 
 254 
 
LIFE OP GLOSSBRENNER. 255 
 
 1845, at which time he was first elected bishop, 
 were Rev. Josiah Davis, at present a minister in 
 the Universalist Church, and Rev. John Hoobler, 
 who was in attendance as a visitor at the session 
 of 1885. Rev. J. B. Resler and Rev. Daniel 
 Shuck were the only delegates in the General 
 Conference of 1885 who had served as delegates 
 as early as 1853. Thus Bishop Glossbrenner 
 stood as the remnant of an earlier generation. 
 Russel, Hanby, Erb, Edwards, Markwood, and 
 the younger Kumler, all of whom had served 
 with him in the office of bishop, were gone to 
 their long home. Among those present as 
 bishops, Bishop Weaver, who in term of service 
 ranked next to him, was twenty years his junior 
 in the office of bishop. The Church, which in 
 1845, when he was first elected bishop, numbered 
 30,000 members, now numbered 168,573 members. 
 The gain for the quadrennium just closed was 
 10,861, a gain relatively quite small. By the 
 ohange in the method of representation, the 
 number of delegates elected was 121, instead of 
 141, the number that would have been elected at 
 the ratio of three to a conference. 
 
 Altogether, the session of General Conference 
 for this year was the most interesting and signifi- 
 cant since the first General Conference in 1815. 
 Since 1849, especially since 1869, there had been 
 
256 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 dissatisfaction and controversy in respect to the 
 rigid anti-secrecy legislation of the Church, which 
 legislation was required by the article of the 
 constitution which declared, " There shall be no 
 connection with secret cond)inations." The op- 
 position had been rapidly gaining ground for a 
 number of years, and it now became evident that 
 if a course could be taken that should be decided, 
 and yet not violent, the great majority of the 
 Church would sustain it. The bishops in their 
 address, which was read by Bishop Glossbrenner, 
 opened the whole question through the following 
 recommendations : 
 
 "1. In that it is admitted that our present con- 
 stitution has not been as yet submitted to a vote 
 of the whole society, that you determine whether 
 the whole subject under consideration is or is not 
 yet in the hands of the General Conference. 
 
 " 2. Should you determine that it is yet in your 
 hands, then transfer the whole subject from the 
 realm of constitutional law to the field of legisla- 
 tive enactment. . . . 
 
 " 3. That you limit the prohibitory feature of 
 your enactment to combinations, secret and open, 
 to which the Church believes a Christian cannot 
 belong. 
 
 " 4. Should you decide that this constitutional 
 question is beyond your control and in the hands 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 257 
 
 of the whole society, then submit the above prop- 
 ositions properly formulated to a vote of the 
 whole society, and let a two-thirds vote of those 
 voting be the authoritative voice of the Church 
 on the subject." 
 
 While the address was not prepared by Bishop 
 Glossbrenner, he yet indorsed the recommenda- 
 tions contained. As early as 1869 he had spoken 
 in favor of submitting to the membership an 
 amendment to the constitution touching the sub- 
 ject of secret societies. A large committee was 
 appointed to which were referred the constitu- 
 tion, the confession of faith, and the law on 
 secrecy. The course of the bishops in taking 
 this action was extraordinary in nothing save 
 that it was a departure from the negative course 
 on the subject that at this time was expected of 
 them. That the whole subject should be made a 
 matter of inquiry should have been surprising to 
 no one. If more thorough and comprehensive 
 measures were contemplated, it was because pre- 
 vious delays and refusals to satisfy long-existing 
 wants had deepened and consolidated demands. 
 
 The committee appointed reported in favor of 
 the recognition of the constitution as binding 
 under its own article regulating changes. This 
 liberal way of passing by defects in the adoption 
 of the constitution, this refusal to be governed by 
 
 17 
 
258 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 petty technicality, plainly called for a like liberal 
 spirit in interpreting the constitution, particu- 
 larly the indefinite article in regard to changes. 
 The committee also reported in favor of the 
 appointment of a commission which should revise 
 the constitution and the confession of faith, and 
 submit the same as amended to the vote of the 
 Church, two thirds of those voting to be sufficient 
 for approval. Pending the adoption of this report, 
 the most able debate in the history of the Gen- 
 eral Conferences thus far, took place. Both sides 
 displayed ability, knowledge of the principles 
 involved, and strength of conviction. The report 
 was adopted by a vote of seventy-seven to fort}-- 
 two. Bishops Glossbrenncr, Weaver, Castle and 
 Kephart voting in the affirmative. Whatever may 
 be said of the steps to revise the confession of 
 faith at this time, there certainly seems to be in 
 the course pursued as to the constitution, no vio- 
 lence to the recognized constitution, and no clash- 
 ing with the general usage in connection with 
 perplexed and emergent times and conditions. 
 
 The same committee reported a law on secret 
 societies, excluding members of all secret socie- 
 ties "at variance with the word of God," and 
 infringing on the rights of those without their 
 pale; violations to be dealt with as in other cases 
 of disobedience to order and discipline. After 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 259 
 
 an amendment which added as another distin- 
 guishing mark, "injurious to Christian char- 
 acter," the report was adopted by a vote of 
 seventy-six to thirty-eight. The report was 
 proposed by members of the committee holding 
 radical anti-secrecy views, and was accepted by 
 the full committee as a compromise measure. 
 On the vote to adopt before the General Confer- 
 ence, members divided for the most part on party 
 lines. Bishop Glossbrenner in explaining his 
 vote cast on the affirmative side, said, "It is 
 known to the ministers of this church, east and 
 west, north and south, that I have been recog- 
 nized as a modificationist for years, although I 
 did not impose my views on those with whom 
 I associated." That anyone who voted for the 
 law was entirely pleased with it is very doubtful. 
 
 This was the outcome of a long course of 
 effort to exclude from the Church all members 
 of secret societies. The rigorous policy had had 
 great advantages in its favor. To begin with, 
 it had almost the unanimous sentiment of the 
 Church in its favor. Then it became embodied 
 in law and the constitution before the great mul- 
 titude of secret societies arose. It had, moreover, 
 the support of men of distinguished ability and 
 firm convictions, who in fostering sentiment, in 
 securing the enactment and enforcement of law. 
 
260 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 and in applying the whips of party discipline, did 
 all that was possible for the wisest and ablest 
 leaders to do. If they failed, in whole or in part, 
 it was because they contended against the in- 
 evitable. On the other hand, the growth of the 
 opposite sentiment in the minds of the ministers, 
 was not so much owing to a conviction that 
 connection with all or any secret societies was 
 harmless, as to the fact that in certain circum- 
 stances members of the Church were easily per- 
 suaded that they might innocently form such a 
 connection, and the fact that serious complica- 
 tions were the result. There would be other 
 members to whom the harm would not be 
 apparent. When ministers viewed particular 
 cases, and then considered the eflect of discipline 
 on their charges, they hesitated to proceed 
 against offenders. Others zealous for the law, 
 would succeed them, and in the effort to carry 
 out discipline, hundreds of congregations were 
 broken up. Thus the facility of getting into 
 difficulty and the ruinous cost of escaping from 
 the difficulty kept every prosperous congregation 
 in the Church, especially in the cities, constantly 
 on the eve of an explosion. Ministers might 
 themselves have firm convictions as to the recti- 
 tude of the law of the Church, but the difficulty 
 was that the law could not commend itself to 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 261 
 
 every man's conscience. Bishop Glossbrenner, in 
 the light of unnumbered disasters to the most 
 hopeful congregations, concluded that the law 
 that made such occurrences not only possible but 
 inevitable, might be wisely and rightfully mod- 
 ified. 
 
 Undoubtedly the .tendency in the different 
 Christian denominations is to insist on a purer 
 and stricter Christian life. But there is also a 
 tendency, inherent in Protestantism itself, in 
 cases in which applications are not evident, to 
 use every moral means toward creating in the 
 individual the governing power of nobler sen- 
 timents and higher character. The United 
 Brethren Church receives a large part of its 
 increase by conversions from those strangers to 
 its history, and the polity of the Church places 
 the rulership with the membership in general. 
 The secret of security is therefore in true con- 
 version and a genuine and earnest spiritual life. 
 The denomination that would justify its existence 
 and secure the surest lease on the future will 
 make intense evangelical character its distin- 
 guishing characteristic. 
 
 Since 1865 the consciousness of the United 
 Brethren Church, especially as regards the re- 
 lation of the Church to God's kingdom in 
 general, had been more or less disturbed. Ear- 
 
262 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 lier it had been an earnest and propelling 
 conviction that the older denominations failed 
 largely in fnlfilling the purpose of the church 
 of Christ, and in view of this dereliction and 
 perversion, largely in the direction of formalism, 
 a special burden was laid upon the United Breth- 
 ren as a people. An improvement in the older 
 churches and the touching upon their circle at 
 more numerous points, as also a more intimate 
 acquaintance with denominations differing less 
 widely in character, along with the gathering of 
 new members from the most diverse sources, led 
 to indeliniteness and uncertainty as to the special 
 mission of the Church. Also the turning of so 
 much attention to enterprises to be built up 
 within the Church had, for the time, as regards 
 some features, a limiting and bewildering effect. 
 The reduced gains of the Church for a number of 
 years prior to 1885, may be referred, in part, to 
 this confused consciousness, as it has been termed, 
 as regards the mission and relations of the 
 Church, rather than exclusively to the distrac- 
 tions arising from the secrecy question. The 
 lowest point was reached in 1881, when there 
 was an actual loss in membership. Since that 
 time the conditions seem to have changed thor- 
 oughly and permanently for the better. The 
 Church of the United Brethren in Christ has 
 
LIFE OF GLUSSBKENMER. 263 
 
 borne the suspense of these general conditions, 
 and has sustained the strain of the most trying 
 internal conflict as perhaps no other denomina- 
 tion in America could have done. In all of this 
 period, the conserving, vitalizing, and guarding 
 influence of Bishop Glossbrenner was as helpful 
 as it was necessary. He kept to his work of 
 preaching the gospel as the sufiicient and only 
 remedy for tke evils of the world, and as the 
 sufficient and only security of the church of 
 Christ. In calm and in storm he urged patience 
 and faithfulness, the things which were not 
 uncertain, the things on which there was no 
 division. How often through a period of forty 
 years, at the close of conference sessions, annual 
 and general, or in giving a solemn charge to 
 ministers, he quoted the words of scripture, and 
 how beautiful and fit they appeared on his lips: 
 " ;N"ow I beseech you, brethren, by the name of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same 
 thing, and that there be no divisions among you; 
 but that ye be perfectly joined together in the 
 same mind and in the same judgment" (I. Corin- 
 thians; 1:10); and again, " Let us walk by the 
 same rule, let us mind the same thing " (Philip- 
 pians, 3: 16). 
 
 Prior to the meeting of the General Confer- 
 ence, Bishop Glossbrenner had felt that if he 
 
264 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 could finish up his tenth term of service he would 
 do well. About the time of the General Confer- 
 ence, however, his health had improved much 
 beyond his own expectations. At a number of 
 places where he preached, his friends thought that 
 he had strength for another term of service, and 
 thus expressed themselves to him. They thought 
 that he preached as well as at any time in his life, 
 and greatly desired that his services should be 
 retained. Influenced by these views and by the 
 over-estimate of his own strength, into which one 
 of his temperament is so liable to fall, he 
 unwisely, as events soon proved, allowed friends 
 in the General Conference to cast their votes for 
 his re-election for a new term of service. On 
 taking up the ballots it- appeared that he received 
 more than half of the number of votes necessary 
 to elect. Thus did many of the delegates indicate 
 their esteem for him, while there were others who 
 meant no less esteem in voting for younger and 
 more vigorous men. 
 
 After results were announced, the office of 
 emeritus bishop was provided for, and to this 
 honored position Bishop Glossbrenner was 
 elected by a rising vote. Rev. J. W. Hott 
 oifered the following preamble and resolutions 
 which were adopted by a hearty rising vote: 
 
 " Whereas, Bishop J. J, Glossbrenner has 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 265 
 
 faithfully served the Church as one of its bishops 
 for forty years; and, 
 
 " Whereas, During the past quadrennium he 
 has sulfered much in personal afSictiou and sore 
 bereavement which befell him in the death of 
 Sister Glossbrenner, who over a half century was 
 his faithful companion in the toils of the Church 
 in the kingdom and patience of Christ; and, 
 
 " Whereas, On account of the gathering in- 
 firmities of years, this conference has relieved 
 him from the toils formerly demanded of him, 
 and has given him the relation of bishop emer- 
 itus; therefore, 
 
 ^'Resolved, 1. That Bishop Glossbrenner has the 
 united confidence and affection of our hearts, and 
 that we will ever remember him in our prayers. 
 
 " 2. That while we have exacted no duties at 
 his hands, we will warmly and cheerfully wel- 
 come him to our conferences in any duty which 
 he, in counsel with his associates, may deem 
 himself able to perform." 
 
 " The conference was carried on a wave of 
 sympathy and love," as led by Bishop Weaver, 
 almost, if not quite all of the members came to 
 the platform and gave to Bishop Glossbrenner 
 the hand of good will and parting salutation. 
 Many wept. The aged Bishop stood meanwhile, 
 his entire form swaying witli emotion. His mind 
 
206 LIFE OF ULOSSBRENNER. 
 
 going back to the time wlien Otterbeiu clasped 
 Boehm in his arms and exclaimed, " We are 
 brethren," he uttered the beautiful words: "We 
 are sons of Ottcrbein. We are fellow-servants of 
 our ascended Lord. We are brethren in the 
 common hope of the life to come." He was born 
 the year before Otterbein died. Putting his term 
 as bishop with the terms of II. Kuniler, sen., and 
 I^ewcomer, a complete line would be formed 
 leading back to the founding of the Church and 
 the superintendency of Otterbein. 
 
 At the conclusion of the session Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner addressed the conference in the followinor 
 
 O 
 
 cheerful and encouraging words: 
 
 "Will you allow me just about two minutes ? 
 I have no doubt but that the bishops whom 3'ou 
 have just elected all feel good, are fully satisfied, 
 and will go on their w^ay rejoicing to their fields 
 of labor. But I doubt whether tliey feel much 
 better than I do. I feel perfectly happy and 
 perfectly satisfied with what you have done in 
 my case, and especially do I feel grateful in my 
 heart for those good, kind, encouraging expres- 
 sions which you have made to me during the 
 session of this conference. I look back through 
 the history of my life for forty years, and I am 
 glad to say to-night that in these forty years I 
 have labored with my associates in the episco- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 267 
 
 pacy with delight, and that during these forty 
 years we have had no difficulties among us to 
 settle. We have encouraged one another in our 
 work and labor of love. A number of those who 
 have labored with me in this department have 
 gone to their long home. Quite a number that I 
 could mention just now, who were engaged with 
 me in this work, have gone to their rest. And 
 now I say to you, as my brethren in Christ, stand 
 fast, be firm, maintain the truth as it is in Christ. 
 Hearken unto the voice of the divine Master, 
 ' Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee 
 a crown of life.' And, my beloved brethren, 
 while I cannot labor with you in the active work 
 as formerly, I bid you Godspeed. My prayer shall 
 be for your prosperity wherever in the providence 
 of God you may be called to live and labor, to 
 suffer and to die. And now I hand this gavel to 
 the next oldest bishop in this church, and I hope 
 that from him it will go down to the next, and so 
 on for the next hundred years." 
 
 Bishop Weaver then addressed the conference, 
 making appreciative and affecting allusions to 
 his senior associate. Thus was concluded the 
 nineteenth General Conference, it being the 
 thirteenth that Bishop Glossbrenner had been 
 permitted to attend. By the conference he was 
 re-elected president of the missionary board, and 
 
268 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 also as a member of the conimission to revise the 
 constitution and confession of faith. On the first 
 Sabbath of the session he preached a " grand ser- 
 mon on the Saints' Inlieritance." 
 
 After General Cbuference Bishop Glossbrenner 
 returned to Virginia. He preached the annual 
 sermon before the students of Shenandoah Insti- 
 tute at Dajton, Virginia. He then arranged to 
 fill a number of appointments for July, August 
 and September, but was compelled, after filling 
 his first appointment, to abandon the rest. He 
 was taken sick at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where 
 he was kindly cared for at the pleasant home of 
 Mr. J. H. Seltzer. On going to Ilarrisburg, being 
 still quite indisposed, he received the kindest at- 
 tention at the home of Rev. D. S. Early. He 
 spent the hot months of the summer at the 
 homes of his daughters at Lutherville, Maryland, 
 Salem, Virginia, and Churchville, A^irginia. In 
 October he preached the dedicatory sermon at 
 the opening of the audience room of Otterbein 
 Church at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 In November he went to Dayton, Ohio, where 
 assembled on the 17th of the month, the commis- 
 sion to revise the confession of faith and the 
 constitution of the Church. The commission 
 consisted of twenty-seven members, representing 
 the best intelligence, truest piety, and most re- 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 269 
 
 sponsible character of the Church. Twenty -five 
 of the twenty-seven members were present. The 
 session continued through six days. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner served on the committee that pre- 
 pared and reported the revised confession of 
 faith. He took a deep interest and an active 
 part in the entire work of the commission. His 
 influence was in favor of a conservative course. 
 A clear statement of principal things and a firm 
 adherence to tried methods, were the features 
 sought by him. He believed in growth and 
 in adjustments to suit a larger work and new con- 
 ditions, but elements wholly foreign were repug- 
 nant to him. The revised confession difiered 
 from the old confession chiefly in being more 
 clear and full. The revised constitution provided 
 for lay delegation in the General Conference, gave 
 to the General Conference the power to legislate 
 on secret societies, and in various respects com- 
 pleted and harmonized the polity of the Church. 
 Prospective wants as well as present conditions 
 were regarded. The commission arranged that 
 the vote of the membership for the approval or 
 rejection of the revised confession and constitu- 
 tion should occur in November, 1888. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner's having a part in the 
 commission alienated from him some of his 
 warmest and most esteemed friends. He felt 
 
270 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 keenly the loss of their friendship. By individual 
 members of the Church the action of General 
 Conference in constituting the commission was 
 bitterly condemned. The acts and motives of 
 those who participated in the adoption of this 
 method to lead the Church out of almost hope- 
 less distraction were freely censured. The gen 
 eral interests of the Church were purposely 
 embarrassed, and disaft'ection was industriously 
 promoted. Alluding to such things, Bishop 
 Glossbrenner, in a letter, expressed himself as 
 follows: "That difference of opinion on many 
 questions should exist, is not to be wondered at. 
 It will always be so. !N"one can claim infallibilitj-. 
 On many questions we must agree to disagree. 
 If my brother does not agree with me, I will not 
 cast him off and impugn his motives. To his 
 own Master he stands or falls. The spirit mani- 
 fested in some directions by some men I conceive 
 to be contrary to the gospel; and when I hear 
 their bitter speeches, and see their hard sayings 
 in print, I simply feel to say, ' I have not so 
 learned Christ.' I wish to follow peace with all 
 men, and holiness, without which I cannot live 
 happy or die in peace." 
 
 In the winter of 1885 and 1886 he spent two 
 months in traveling and responding to various 
 calls for his services. Tlie following spring 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 271 
 
 he attended East Peniisylvaina Conference 
 at Mountville, and Pennsylvania Conference at 
 Ilarrisburg. At Harrisburg, according to his 
 own desire, he filled on Sabbath morning the pul- 
 pit of Memorial Church. Between this church 
 and himself there had sprung up, from a partic- 
 ular cause, an estranged feeling, lie desired to 
 manifest to the church his good will and Chris- 
 tian fellowship. He also attended Virginia 
 Conference at Berkeley Springs. At all of these 
 conference sessions he assisted Bishop Dickson in 
 presiding. 
 
 Leaving home early in the following April, he 
 filled a long and varied line of engagements. He 
 first visited a short time at the home of his 
 daughter, at Salem, Virginia. Here he preached 
 a, sermon and made an address to the students of 
 Roanoke College. He then went to White Pine, 
 Tennessee, where he preached once, and addressed 
 the students of Edwards Academy. He had a 
 special interest in the welfare of the Church in 
 Tennessee. He attended the commencement 
 exercises of Union Biblical Seminary at Dayton, 
 Ohio, and then went to Roanoke, Indiana, where 
 the missionary board met. Thence he went to 
 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent several 
 days, giving an earnest talk at the prayer-meeting 
 of Memorial Church. He then filled appointments 
 
272 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 in quick succession at Sinking Springs, Reading, 
 Myerstowu, Lebanon and Annville. At Ann- 
 ville he attended the commencement exercises of 
 Lebanon Valley College. He afterward preached 
 at Mount Joy, Mountville, Lancaster, York 
 Haven, Mount "Wolf, and re-opened St. Paul's 
 Church near Mount Wolf. His last sermon — 
 the last for this line of appointments and the last 
 for his life — was preached June 27th at the dedi- 
 cation of a church near Parkton, Maryland. He 
 arrived at home June 29th, after an absence of 
 nearly three months. Above his expenses he 
 received in remuneration sixty dollars. The 
 General Conference had asked those receiving 
 the benefits of his services to give him suitable 
 remuneration. His eagerness to be in the work, 
 however, was not to be restrained by temporal 
 couoiderations. After his return from this trip 
 he wrote to a friend, calling him his bishop, aud 
 gave a full report of this his last itinerant work. 
 He concluded his report as follows: "I am 
 somewhat weary, but in good health and spirits. 
 The Master has called me to work, and with 
 the strength that he gives me, I am willing to 
 work. I feel more and more every day that my 
 time for working will soon be past. Pray for 
 me that 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENMER. 273- 
 
 . . . ' with my latest breath 
 I may but gasp my Savior's name. 
 
 Preach him to all and cry in death 
 Behold, behold the L,amb.' " 
 
 He was anxious to work, but traveling was 
 becoming specially wearisome to him. Being 
 left without a special work, he was much per- 
 plexed as to what and how much he should 
 undertake to do. He was now asked to take 
 charge of George Street Church in Baltimore, and 
 signified his acceptance. He was very anxious 
 that the United Brethren Church begin a work in 
 "Washington City, and would have willingly en- 
 tered upon labor there. Beginning with the last 
 of July, he had consented to fill a number of ap- 
 pointments in Pennsylvania, including a church 
 dedication, and to assist at a number of camp- 
 meetings. When urged to limit the amount of 
 his labor b^" said, "I will make no rash promises." 
 But alas, his enfeebled body had responded to the 
 demands of his imperious and devoted spirit until 
 it no longer had strength to respond. After July 
 8th he became disqualified for all work, although 
 his hope that he might yet be able to labor for 
 the Master did not desert him. Recovering some- 
 what, he was able to be about the house for a 
 time. In August he was able to be taken to a 
 health resort in the mountains, known as the 
 
 18 
 
274 LIFE Ul!' GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 Lone Fountain, but returned after a week with- 
 out Laving received the expected benefit. 
 
 It now became evident that the mahxdy under 
 which he was suffering was cancerous tumor of 
 the stomach, a disease attended with great dis- 
 tress, and which finally, depriving the patient of 
 all nourishment, leaves him to die by sheer 
 exhaustion. He had already passed the limit at 
 which the disease usually terminates in death. 
 His constitution, notwithstanding his age, con- 
 tinued to resist the preying of disease, for yet 
 months to come. Notwithstanding indications 
 at times that the attack might pass off as had 
 other attacks, every unfavorable alternation car- 
 ried him lower, lower than he had yet been. 
 
 While in health, he had in his preaching, 
 spoken in an intensely realistic way, of passing 
 down into the cold valley of death and of entering 
 upon the glories on the other side. His preach- 
 ing was now put to the test in his own case. 
 With both eyes open, conscious of all the weak- 
 ness and distress that mortals pass through, he 
 faced the dread monster Death, and his confidence 
 remained unshaken. He was not exempted from 
 the severest trials, but he was given grace to bear 
 them. Without murmuring, and with constant 
 faith in God, he bore all his sufferings and the 
 suspense of his lingering disease. The whole 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 275 
 
 Churcli watched with anxious sympathy for 
 every announcement as to his condition. 
 
 While lying sick, coming to understand that 
 some difficulty existed between a brother min- 
 ister of his own conference and himself, he wrote 
 to him saying that he wished all differences ad- 
 justed "before he crossed the river," The brother 
 visited him and both were rejoiced in the removal 
 of the cloud that had rested upon their fellowship. 
 
 A presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, who visited him in November, wrote: 
 ^' As I looked upon him, lying upon his bed, 
 reduced to a shadow of his former self, and 
 scarcely able to raise himself up at all, I thought 
 of his vigorous, manly form when first I became 
 acquainted with him and heard him preach 
 nearly fifty years ago ; but now how is the strong 
 stafi* broken and the beautiful rod. Notwith- 
 standing his extreme physical debility, his mind 
 is remarkably clear and his confidence is strong 
 in the Lord." 
 
 Immediately after this, Mr. John Dodds, of 
 Dayton, Ohio, a bosom friend of the Bishop 
 through nearly all of his public life, went to 
 Churchville to visit him, and remained from 
 Saturday to Monday evening. To Bishop Gloss- 
 brenner this visit was a source of boundless 
 comfort. As he had strength, he spoke of the 
 
276 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 conferences over which he had often presided, of 
 brethren in all parts of the Church, and of the 
 various institutions and general interests of the 
 Church. These references were all with deepest 
 tenderness, and often with weeping eyes. His 
 love for the Church and desire for its peace and 
 prosperity, always so sincerely felt, never shone 
 out more touchingly than now. In this conversa- 
 tion he said that his work was done. He hoped 
 that others would carry forward the work of the 
 Church with increased success. He would have 
 been glad to live to the next General Conference 
 and see a favorable issue from the present crisis in 
 the Church. He said " If I could preach again, 
 just once more, I would preach Jesus; I would 
 preach from his words to the disciples on the 
 Sea of Galilee, ' It is I, be not afraid.' " He said, 
 "My title is clear, not because I have preached the 
 gospel, but alone through the love and mercy of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ." After Mr. Dodds had 
 bidden him good-bye, leaving him lying in his 
 bed, quiet, but deeply aflected, he started to leave 
 the house. The family also stepped outside. 
 Looking back, they saw the Bishop standing 
 near the door, having gotten out of bed unas- 
 sisted. "With hand uplifted and with streaming 
 eyes he said, " Brother Dodds, tell the brethren it 
 is all right. My home is over there." 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 277 
 
 He continued to grow weaker until the morn- 
 ing of January 7, 1887, when he calmly fell 
 asleep in Jesus. His last words were " My 
 Savior." The last service in which he shared 
 was a service of song and prayer in his own room 
 a week before his death. At the time of his death 
 he was seventy-four years, five months and thir- 
 teen days of age. He had been fifty-six years a 
 minister and forty-two years a bishop. He had 
 not lost a single year from the active work of the 
 ministry. He had requested that arrangements 
 for his funeral be simple and plain, and that 
 brethren in the ministry bear his body to its last 
 resting place. He also desired that some one 
 who had been associated with him in the general 
 work of the Church, Bishop Weaver if possible, 
 preach his funeral sermon. In all these respects 
 his desires were fulfilled. 
 
 The following from the pen of Dr. Hott, 
 written in the chamber of death on the morn- 
 ing of January 11th, before the funeral services 
 at the church, is too beautiful to be omitted : 
 
 On the casket, on a large, heavy silver plate, are 
 these words: 
 
 ' ' BLESSED ARE THE DEAD 
 WHO DIE IN the; lord." 
 The hands that have for fifty-six years been lifted up in 
 pointing out to men the way of life, lie emptj- on the 
 
278 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 breast. In the chamber about are the evidences of taste, 
 love, his own peculiar life. Across the room against the 
 wall hangs a life-size bust portrait of his companion, 
 with whom he walked the way of life more than fifty 
 years, upon which he so often looked during these 
 months of suffering, and whose name he called when his 
 feet were down far in the waters of the Jordan. On the 
 door hangs the pouch containing the beautiful canes 
 with which his latest tottering steps were sta5-ed, gifts 
 of friends. At the foot of the casket is his rich librarj^ 
 from which he was long accustomed to draw help in his 
 great work. Everywhere are the evidences of his own 
 peculiar life and love and labor. But in the midst of it 
 all he is asleep, blessed sleep, asleep in Jesus. He is 
 dressed in a plain clerical black suit, such as he wore in 
 the pulpit, with a white tie iipon his neck. His e5'es are 
 deeply sunken under his great brow, and over them 
 hang those heavy black eyebrows, the like of which are 
 seldom seen. His broad, smooth brow is as natural as 
 life, and his thin, gray, silken hair upon his round, well- 
 formed head seems the picture of life. His lips, just a 
 little parted, retain their splendid mold, and look as if 
 they were about to speak. His entire face, except the 
 wasted thinness, wears its smooth, calm mold of beauty. 
 In his countenance there are no traces of sorrow or 
 anguish, or of bodily suffering. The appearance is pleas- 
 ant and welcoming as life. The features and countenance 
 are those of trust arid hope. 
 
 The sermon of Bishop Weaver was a just and 
 iitting tribute to his departed associate. At times 
 he was ahnost unable to proceed on account of 
 the tender and stronir emotions that filled his 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 279 
 
 own heart. The body of Bishop Glossbreuner 
 was laid to rest beside that of his wife in the 
 union cemetery near Churchville. Here in the 
 little cemetery by the roadside, overlooking the 
 romantic scenery that had charmed his heart in 
 youth and afforded him solace in age, in this spot 
 which he had assisted in planning and where he 
 desired his ashes to rest, his body was tenderly 
 placed, awaiting the resurrection of the just. 
 
 This chapter will be concluded with a review 
 and a more connected description of the life and 
 character of Bishop Glossbreuner. In his case 
 an evenness that seemed to exclude all striking 
 characteristics was itself the most distingnishing 
 characteristic. His real greatness was concealed 
 under the mask of his modest nature and perfect 
 self-control. He was even, balanced, and mature 
 in knowledge of self. His best efforts included 
 the harmonious and full exercise of all the powers 
 of mind and heart. Within his pliant glove 
 there were sinews of iron. His determination, 
 while not demonstrative, was perfect in calcula- 
 tion and persistent in execution. 
 
 In traveling almost constantly on the cars, 
 through so many years, he never but once missed 
 a train. When the time came for him to leave 
 for his work, no considerations could divert or 
 delay him. With him gentleness often accom- 
 
280 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 plished what a display of force would have been 
 unable to achieve. He was cheerful without 
 lightness, and easy without familiarity. He bore 
 meekly popularit}' unsought. Until late in his 
 life he never repeated conpliments bestowed upon 
 him. The apprehension of failing powers toward 
 the last caused him to take greater notice of the 
 estimates of others. In a certain manner, he 
 always cared for the esteem and good will of 
 others. He was not one of those who affect to 
 despise public sentiment and at the same time 
 demand that this same 2:)ublic sentiment shall 
 praise them for their audacity. "VYith the true 
 sentiments of a gentleman he claimed respect for 
 himself, and as freely responded to the claims 
 and feelings of others. He did not possess a few 
 thoughts or cherish a tew sentiments at extremes, 
 with a barren waste between; neither did his 
 mind and heart occupy a solitary middle point, 
 with wastes to the right and left. 
 
 In his secular affairs he was cautious and care- 
 ful. He received property to the amount of 
 several thousand dollars from his wife's father. 
 This, together with tlie provident management of 
 his faithful wife, gave him a freedom to engage in 
 the work of the ministry that he would not other- 
 wise have had. It was necessary, however, that 
 he add his planning and effort that he might 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 281 
 
 respectably rear and educate his children, and 
 prudently provide for wants that might confront 
 him. lie was hospitable at his home and charita- 
 ble toward the needy. He early made himself 
 and one of his daughters life directors of the 
 missionary society. He gave to church interests 
 here and there. It was the opinion of some that 
 he was worth from fifty to sixty thousand dollars, 
 and that he therefore should have given more 
 freely to the various calls that came to him. 
 Referring to a request for a donation of one 
 thousand dollars to one of the interests of the 
 Church, he said that he had already given one 
 hundred and seventy-five dollars in money and 
 two hundred dollars in subscription to that inter- 
 est, and could do no more at that time. His 
 property was mostly in land, which yielded small 
 returns. His resources were further lessened by 
 interest that he must meet on borrowed money. 
 At his death he left an estate valued at about ten 
 thousand dollars outside of insurance that he 
 carried on his life. A part of this came into his 
 hands after he ceased to receive salary from the 
 Church, and all of this and more was properly to 
 be set down to the amount received through the 
 family of Mrs. Glossbrenner. The first year that 
 he served as bishop he received thirty-six dollars 
 above his traveling expenses. Before the war he 
 
282 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 was simply eutitled to from two hundred to 
 three liundred dollars per year. After the war 
 he received from seven hundred and fifty to one 
 thousand dollars per year, with an increase to 
 fifteen hundred dollars per year for the last 
 term that he served a regular district. Bishop 
 Glossbrenner never complained of the amount of 
 his salary, even when it was the most meager, 
 and when it became somewhat more adequate, 
 it was gratefully acknowledged. "Writing in 
 1884, he said: "Sometimes we hear ministers 
 boasting of what they have done for the church. 
 I have nothing to boast of in that direction, but 
 would rather thank God for what the church 
 has done for me." 
 
 In his social relations he was sincere, devoted, 
 welcoming and reciprocating the warmest friend- 
 ship, lie could not, however, simulate respect 
 and confidence that were not felt, and his caution 
 naturally limited his closest friendship to a re- 
 stricted circle. 
 
 His character as a Christian rested upon his 
 unreserved acceptance of the divine authority of 
 Christianity, and a life hid with Christ in God. 
 A freshness, a living trust in God in ordinary as 
 well as in unusual circumstances, and habitual 
 devotion characterized his religious life. His 
 prayers in his family, and when a guest among 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 283 
 
 friends, as well as in the public congregation, 
 were models of tenderness and appropriateness. 
 Repentance toward God for all sin, trust in him 
 for all grace, and the claiming of the exalted 
 privilege of Christian assurance through the 
 witness of the Spirit — the crowning facts in all 
 evangelical experience — were most conspicuous in 
 his life and work. 
 
 His pre-eminent success as a minister was 
 largely due to his unvarying devotion to his 
 work. Herein, perhaps, lies the chief value of 
 his life as an example to young ministers. Having 
 satisfied himself as to his duty, his course was 
 from that moment settled. When hardships or 
 unpleasant duties confronted him, he did not go 
 back over the question of his call to the ministry 
 and canvass again the reasons for his particular 
 direction in life. He did not rely for success 
 upon supposed genius or upon favor. "What the 
 world most needs is an inspiring model to men 
 of a " sound mind, a pure heart and ordinary 
 o;ifts and attainments." 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner will be remembered 
 chiefly as a preacher of the gospel. With him 
 sympathy for the truth and sympathy for men 
 stood in fair proportion to each other. The 
 former was sufficiently strong to make him a 
 student, and to impel him in his general prepara- 
 
284 LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 
 
 tioii, especially in causing him to lay up in his 
 mind a rich store of scripture truth. The latter 
 predominated in the direct preparation of his 
 sermons. lie sought to bring from his text and 
 subject what would meet the wants of his hearers. 
 There are three kinds of unity — the logical, unity 
 from the standpoint of a leading idea; the emo- 
 tional, that attained through the government of 
 a master emotion; and lastly, the unity efteeted 
 by the organizing power of a particular purpose. 
 If these are combined, as far as in particular cases 
 they admit of combination, they give us the ideal 
 structure of a sermon. We then have fidelity to 
 subject matter, a predominant sentiment, and an 
 energy brought to bear npon the will. Bishop 
 Olossbrenner's sermons always evinced unity in 
 one or more of these forms. He preached doc- 
 trinally — not the obscure doctrines, but the great 
 evangelical truths of the Christian system. He 
 generally made out from three to five general 
 divisions, often with a number of subdivisions 
 under each. But notwithstanding the minute- 
 ness of his subdivisions, he swept on through his 
 subject without the least check to the current 
 of emotion at first excited. His applications, 
 which generally accompanied, were the natural 
 outgrowth of his entire treatment. There was a 
 just balance and a proper reciprocal help be 
 
LIFE OF QLOSSBRENNER. 285 
 
 tween his head and his heart. While he often 
 wept in his preaching, it was when the thoughts 
 that filled all minds put others into the same 
 mood with himself. His language was the 
 simple, natural expression of his thought, and his 
 action, always graceful and appropriate, was an 
 unconscious enforcement of his message. It was 
 the rarest thing for him to recall a word or to 
 change a sentence that he had begun. He had 
 the enviable ability of giving to the most elabor- 
 ate preparation the character of spontaneous 
 utterance. His preaching was attended by 
 marked unction. Seldom was this indefinable, 
 persuading, conquering, and consoling power 
 absent. Most persons, in giving the peculiarity 
 of his preaching, would name at once his large 
 and apt use of scripture. Every point must be 
 enforced by scripture, not any passage that 
 seemed to have a bearing, but the passages 
 most appropriate and forcible. This feature con- 
 stituted much of the beauty as well as the force 
 of his preaching. In his preaching there was no 
 extravagance, no sensationalism, no display of 
 ingenuity. He rarely introduced anecdotes by 
 way of illustration. He approved their use by 
 others when judiciously introduced, but the use 
 of them by himself was not harmonious with his 
 disposition or style of preaching. He never 
 
286 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 sacrificed the dignity of the pulpit, or trampled 
 upon the proper decorum of a Christian minister. 
 
 It is not too much to say that he was recog- 
 nized by persons of all degrees of culture as one 
 of the grandest preachers of the gospel that our 
 land has produced. Once having preached a 
 dedicatory sermon, a number of ministers of 
 other churches being present, a very clerical and 
 able Episcopal minister became so excited over 
 the grand scriptural sermon of Bishop Glossbren- 
 uer that he rushed up to the pastor of the United 
 Brethren congregation saying, "It is wonderful, 
 wonderful indeed. Never has there been such 
 preaching since the days of St. Paul. That man 
 ought to be set up somewhere as a model for all 
 other preachers to copy." Said a layman well 
 qualified to judge: "I have heard, during my 
 frequent visits to !N"ew York and Philadelphia, 
 the most distinguished preachers this country can 
 boast of, but Bishop Glossbrenner stood pre- 
 eminently above them all, in my opinion, as a 
 plain, inspiring, eloquent, and spiritual gospel 
 preacher." 
 
 lie delivered, especially in later years, the same 
 sermons many times, and frequently before the 
 same audiences. Ilis sermons, however, were 
 always fresh, often improving in interest with 
 repetition. The secret of this freshness was 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBREXNER. 287 
 
 doubtless in this that he knew how to take sub- 
 jects that had divinity in them. He did not 
 build his sermons on conceits. The same springs 
 would always yield refreshing to his own soul, 
 and thus to the souls of those that heard. It 
 would be perilous to most preachers to attempt 
 to draw from s'ome of the texts that furnished 
 the basis for his most noted sermons. They call 
 for too much knowledge of the deep things of 
 God, too much of the wine of the kingdom, and 
 too great a familiarity with the speech of Canaan, 
 for the ordinary preacher to make them the basis 
 for a sermon. 
 
 He spoke from the standpoint of one already 
 grounded in the Christian faith, and rarely laid 
 his premises in the requirements of the worldly 
 understanding. He was like a Matthew declaring 
 to the Jews that their long looked-for Messiah 
 had come; or like a John revealing to Christians 
 the mysteries of the inner life and the glories of 
 the saints' inheritance. What is most surprising, 
 though it ought not to be so, is that from this 
 exalted position he reached also most successfully 
 the mind and the heart of the worldly and un- 
 believing. For this world, next to an experience 
 in the heart, he preached the duty and the joy of 
 Christian fellowship; and for the world to come, 
 the climax of his descriptions was reached in the 
 
288 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENMEK. 
 
 portrayal of tlie cliurch militant gathered into 
 the presence of its divine Head, 
 
 While he delighted in large audiences and im- 
 portant occasions, he was successful much beyond 
 the ordinary before a small audience. The sum- 
 mer before the death of Mrs. Glossbrenner, he 
 with Mrs. Glossbrenner spent ' some time at 
 Stribbling Springs, not far from his home. He 
 preached a number of times in the parlor of 
 that health resort, to the great delight of the 
 proprietor and his guests. His preaching carried 
 an agreeable surprise to both those who were 
 accustomed to hear the usual preaching of the 
 day, and to those who rarely listened to sermons. 
 He preached the gospel, depending on the savor 
 of the gospel to interest, rather than on outside 
 elements or attendant adornment. He preached 
 Christ as the universal Savior and the supreme 
 attraction. 
 
 Bishop Glossbrenner never with pleasure de- 
 voted himself to writing. He wrote for the 
 press only when occasion required. In his private 
 letters he rarely went beyond the matter in hand. 
 Later in life, when it l)ecame necessary for him in 
 his preaching to depend more on manuscript, he 
 wrote out in full or in large part a number of 
 sermons. In speaking from manuscript, while 
 hampered somewhat, he yet spoke with great 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 289 
 
 effectiveness, especially for one whose earlier 
 efforts were confined to extemporaneous delivery. 
 Barring the aristocratic arrogance and narrow- 
 ness which in the minds o± many are associated 
 with the episcopal office, Bishop Glossbrenner 
 was every inch a bishop. There was much of the 
 churchman in him. He had clear ideas, strong 
 convictions, and noble feelings with respect to 
 the church general. At the same time he dis- 
 cerned in the particular church to which he 
 belonged, his relations, opportunities, and obliga- 
 tions as toward the general church of Christ. 
 One who knew well the deep, permanent feelings 
 of his life, has said that when he sung his favorite 
 lines beginning, " I love thy church, God," 
 he sung with the full conviction that they ap- 
 plied to his own particular church, and through 
 the same to the church general. He often em- 
 phasized the importance of keeping to the old 
 landmarks, meaning the preaching of the gospel 
 in its simplicity, insistence on a genuine expe- 
 rience, and simplicity in worship. In doctrine he 
 was thoroughly Arminian, being thus in hearty 
 accord with his church. He was once asked by a 
 minister of a Calvinistic church what the United 
 Brethren believe. He answered "We believe what 
 you preach." "While he did not attach as much 
 importance to outward elements as do some, he 
 
 19 
 
290 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 yet had a clear conception of the genius and 
 importance of the visible, organized church. He 
 approached the subject, however, from the side 
 of the inward, spiritual kingdom. He expected 
 the conquest of the world, the triumph of sound 
 doctrine, the ennoblement of character, and exem- 
 plary life, primarily and most effectually througii 
 evangelical truth and an evangelical experience. 
 He had also the instinct of law and government. 
 In modifying polity or discipline he took an 
 intermediate course. One who served with him 
 on the board of bishops said of him: "The 
 conservative tendencies of his nature would not 
 allow him to be the first to embrace the new, nor 
 would his sound, manly judgment sufter him to be 
 the last to forsake the old. He cannot be cata- 
 logued with those who believe that all wisdom 
 belongs to the past." 
 
 As an administrator of law, he was wise and 
 eflicient. He was well acquainted with the 
 discipline of the Church and with general eccles- 
 iastical usage. As a presiding officer it would be 
 difficult indeed to find his superior. He always 
 gave close attention to what was before the house, 
 and knew what its position was. He never be- 
 came confused or impatient. He sought to be 
 fair and impartial. He started out from a few 
 well known principles, which he kept steadily in 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 291 
 
 view. He attended strictly to his own duties, 
 and allowed the conference as a body, and the 
 individual members to do their part. "While 
 never indifferent to the effect of proposed meas- 
 ures, he usually suppressed his own preference 
 till the conference had given its decision, and 
 often then, in a few earnest and well chosen 
 words, he advised as to the prudent execution of 
 the purpose of the conference. Under his presi- 
 dency the dignity of the body over which he 
 presided was never allowed to suffer. 
 
 "When requested by conferences to administer 
 a reprimand, he scored to the line, but by loving 
 admonition showed that the purpose was to 
 secure amendment and not to inflict pain. 
 
 His decisions were given with great promptness 
 and rendered in the most concise and transparent 
 language. They went right to the point at issue. 
 He never repeated his statements, or undertook 
 to argue. Once after giving a decision that was 
 not exactly to the mind of Rev. John Bright, 
 whom he always esteemed, the latter said, " Well, 
 I will not argue with the Bishop." The Bishop 
 replied, " I certainly will not argue with you." 
 At one time a minister who had been guilty of 
 a gross offense, persisted in an effort to obstruct 
 the action of the conference. The Bishop said to 
 him with emphasis, " Sit down." Some one at 
 
292 LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 
 
 once moved the expulsion of the offender. The 
 motion was put and carried. The Bishop then 
 addressing him said, " The Church opened wide 
 its door to receive you; it now opens wide its 
 door to let you go out. Go ! " The ground of 
 his success as a presiding officer was doubtless, to 
 a great extent, his perfect self-control. He never 
 abused his authority or used it beyond what was 
 necessary. His course thus disarmed personal 
 hostility. His authority was preeminently that 
 of right, and love, and gentleness. He expected 
 proper order and was firm in his positions, and 
 carried a reserve of resource which it was the 
 heiglit of temerity to attempt to withstand. 
 
 That Bishop Glossbrenner had no faults, or 
 tluit he had no equals in particular gifts and 
 graces, is by no means asserted. He was human. 
 He was far from claiming infallibility for himself. 
 But taken all in all, — his equanimity of tem- 
 per, his rich gifts harmoniously blending, his 
 persistence in a well defined course, his character 
 as a man and a Christian, his eminence as a 
 preacher of the cross and as a bishop in the 
 church of Christ — his like has not appeared in 
 the history of the Christian denominations of our 
 country. Well may the Church of the United 
 Brethren in Christ, with whose lot he cast his 
 fortunes, and whose good he continually sought. 
 
LIFE OF GLOSSBRENNER. 293 
 
 cherish his memory, imitate his spirit, and zeal- 
 ously promote the work to which he devoted his 
 life. While he lived there was no fixed limit to 
 his own growth and advancement. His faith, his 
 hope, and the sweetness of his spirit grew even 
 more rapidly and manifested themselves even 
 more fully, as his years grew few. In his work 
 he planted for the present and the future alike, 
 and imposed no barriers to the best possibilities 
 that the ages might reveal. 
 
 This attempt to portray the life and work of 
 the noble, the unwearied, the sainted Bishop 
 Glossbrenner, may fittingly be concluded in the 
 following language of an honored colleague on 
 the board of bishops, who confessed to seeing 
 everywhere the impress that he had left upon the 
 Church : " In his work he was like one depositing 
 the life germs of the great forest, and not tarry- 
 ing for their development. His work consisted 
 in depositing germs of the Christian life in the 
 hearts of men and in society, and so shaping the 
 current of thought in his own church as to supply 
 the conditions of an almost endless development. 
 Some men's work seems to be finished and to 
 cease when the hand that wrought it is palsied in 
 death. Kot so with Bishop Glossbrenner's work; 
 his is a living something that will develop with 
 the ages." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 SERMONS AND SKETCHES. 
 
 The Love of Christ — I Magnify Mine Office — Disputations — 
 Sowing Beside All Waters — The Open Door — Pray for the 
 Peace of Jerusalem — The Church — Look Upon Zion. 
 
 Many persons who have listened to the sermons 
 of Bishop Glossbrenner, and others who have not 
 had that pleasure will be glad to have placed within 
 their reach some of his sermons and sketches. Some 
 of the sermons are considerably abridged, and none 
 of them have the fuller amplification which 
 attended his impassioned delivery. In some cases 
 the sermons are preserved only in the abridged 
 or unexpanded form. 
 
 SERMONS. 
 
 THE LOVE OF CHRIST. 
 
 "That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory,' 
 to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ;■ 
 that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being 
 rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend withi 
 all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;, 
 and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that| 
 
 295 
 
296 APPENDIX. 
 
 ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him 
 that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or 
 think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be 
 glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world 
 without end. Amen." Ephesians 3: i6-2i. 
 
 Every heart should overflow with gratitude to 
 Christ that a way was opened for men to speak to 
 God. It is now the dut}' and privilege of men 
 to pray. We are taught to do so by the examples in 
 the Old Testament. God, after recounting what the 
 people needed, said, " For all these things will I be 
 inquired of." Christ said, "Ask, and it shall be 
 given you; seek, and ye shall find." Paul said that 
 men should pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands. 
 This duty is so clear that we arrive at the following 
 conclusions : 
 
 It is impossible for men to be saved unless 
 they pray. They cannot be regenerated without 
 prayer. They cannot maintain their holy relation 
 to God without prayer and watchfulness. It is also 
 our duty to pray for others as well as ourselves. 
 Many are ready to admonish, but slow to pray for 
 their erring brethren. Paul has left us an example 
 in this. He not only labored for their conversion, 
 but constantly bore them to a throne of grace, that 
 they might stand fast in the faith. This we see in 
 the prayer before us. This is one of the most 
 spiritual prayers ever offered to a throne of grace. 
 It certainly encourages us to ask most largely of our 
 heavenly Father. 
 
 1. The first great cardinal l)l('ssing asked for by 
 
APPENDIX. 297 
 
 the apostle was strength. As Christians we need 
 nothing so much as this. We are so weak that Ave 
 can do nothing without divine strength. Strength is 
 important. Physical and intellectual strength may 
 be increased by proper use. Man may be a giant in 
 these regards, but without spiritual strength he will 
 be a very weak man. The apostle refers here un- 
 doubtedly to divine strength, because he speaks of the 
 strength of the inner man, and of the Spirit of God as 
 the agent by which this strength was to be communi- 
 cated. Christians may become stronger in the Lord 
 every day. The prophet declares that " they that 
 wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they 
 shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run 
 and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." 
 The church needs more divine strength to-day. It 
 may be secured by calling on the name of the Lord. 
 It is true, however, that many professors become 
 weaker every year, and eventually become entirely 
 shorn of all their strength. Have you as much 
 strength as when first converted? This you can 
 determine by the fact that temptations that you 
 overcame then, overcome you now. It is seen in 
 your lack of courage to perform your religious 
 duties as promptly now as then. Then you could 
 stand up in church and out of it and declare what 
 God had done for you ; now you are afraid or 
 ashamed to open your mouth for God. Then you 
 had power to mount up as on eagle's wings ; now 
 you are struggling along in the lowlarid. Then you 
 
298 APPENDIX. 
 
 could make the world your servant; now the world 
 makes you its servant. In view of these things the 
 apostle might well pray as he did. The Bible shows 
 where saints were strengthened. See Daniel in his 
 great trial. See the Hebrew children in the fiery fur- 
 nace. Hear the apostle when commanded to desist 
 from preaching Christ, say, "We ought to obey 
 God rather than men." Hear Paul exclaim in the 
 midst of his suffering, "None of these things move 
 me." Why? Because God gave them strength 
 according to their desires and needs. 
 
 2. Another important blessing prayed for by the 
 apostle was, that Christ might dwell in their hearts 
 by faith. Many think it mysterious that Christ 
 should dwell in the heart. It is a mystery, to be 
 sure, but we rejoice that it is a reality. The apostle 
 says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Trifle 
 with it or repudiate it, but know, oh man, that 
 Christ dwells in the hearts of his people by faith. 
 What are all your forms and ceremonies worth 
 without an indwelling Christ ? Living, saving faith 
 lays hold of Christ and brings him into the heart. 
 The devil as a strong man keeps the palace, but 
 Christ, through our faith, drives him out and takes 
 up his abode there. Christ dwelling in the heart 
 brings peace and joy. With all your knowledge of 
 theology you may not with that alone be able to 
 resist infidelity, but with an indwelling Christ you 
 may accomplish it. 
 
 3. The tliird great blessing prayed for was, to 
 
APPENDIX. 299 
 
 " be able to comprehend with all saints Avhat is the 
 breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and 
 to know the love of Christ." There is too much 
 lingering about the shore; launch out, there is 
 deeper water before you. 
 
 (1.) Its length. Can you find the beginning of 
 God's love ? Look into your own heart ; there you 
 will find a beginning; then go back. Think of 
 your good father and mother; of primitive Chris- 
 tians ; of the apostles ; of the prophetic age ; of the 
 patriarchal age ; back to the first great promise ; yet 
 back in your mind, and you will find Jesus in the 
 bosom of the Father before the world began. But 
 follow his love the other way. Start again with 
 your heart. You found his love when sin rolled 
 from your burdened heart. Amid your trials, temp- 
 tations, griefs, and woes, Jesus has stood by you and 
 strengthened you. He brought you out of every trial 
 as gold from the crucible. Go on till death, then 
 Jesus takes you through the valley of the shadow of 
 death. Follow on till your soul reaches the home of 
 the blest ; there Jesus will gird himself and lead you 
 to green pastures of eternal joy. 
 
 "When we've been there ten thousand years 
 Bright, shining as the sun ; 
 We'll have no less days to sing God's praise, 
 Than when we first begun." 
 
 God's love is like himself. " It is from everlasting 
 to everlasting." 
 
300 APPENDIX. 
 
 (2.) Its breadth. How broad is its redeeming 
 influence ! It reaches every man. Broad as the 
 world ! Because of this I can say, 
 
 "Come, sinner, to the gospel feast, 
 Let every soul be Jesus' guest." 
 
 I can proclaim everywhere that " whosoever shall call 
 upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." " Ho ! 
 every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." 
 "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life 
 freely." You can go Avliere no Bible or preached 
 gospel has reached, but you cannot get beyond the 
 reach of the redeeming influence of the love of God. 
 It spreads over immortality. Heaven is made up 
 of the love of God. . 
 
 (3.) Its depth. You may see it in the redemption 
 of your soul and mine from the ruin into which we 
 had fallen. We were deep down in the horrible 
 pit; his great unbounded love reached down and 
 lifted us up, and placed us upon the rock of eternal 
 ages. It lifts the drunkard from the gutter, the 
 thief and the murderer from their wretchedness 
 and guilt.' Aye, it reaches the worst of sinners. 
 
 (4.) Its height. It raises us up from degradation 
 most deep and fearful, to a life of happiness and 
 peace on earth, and to a glorious heaven of inefiable 
 love and glory beyond the earth. 
 
 4. The fourth great blessing the apostle prayed 
 for was a knowledge of his love. It is important to 
 know his love in the heart. If you do, you will 
 
APPENDIX. 301 
 
 consecrate your life, your all to his service. No 
 sacrifice will be too great for you to make that you 
 may honor and glorify him. You will not forsake 
 his house. You Avill keep the world under your 
 feet. Christ will be " all in all " to you. At home 
 or abroad, on land or on sea, among friends or foes, 
 you will never forget the love of God that saved 
 you, that redeemed you, that keeps you. 
 
 May his love ever dwell richly in your hearts 
 through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 THE MINISTERIAL OFFICE. 
 "I magnify mine office." Romans 11:13. 
 
 The faithful minister of Christ will never be 
 found speaking of himself in the language of osten- 
 tation or self-importance. Those who have been 
 most distinguished for their zeal and usefulness in 
 the Christian church have had the most humble 
 views of themselves, as is evident from their ex- 
 pressions in regard to their felt unworthiness to fill 
 so distinguished an office as that of a minister of 
 Christ. Especially was this the case with the 
 apostle. Distinguished as he was by his transcen- 
 dent talents, his literary attainments, his ardent 
 piety, his labors, privations and sufferings, and by 
 his unparalleled success in preaching the gospel, yet 
 he esteems himself less than the least of all saints, 
 not worthy to be called an apostle. Under a deep 
 sense of his own unworthiness, he was overwhelmed 
 with the condescension of God in putting him in 
 
302 APPENDIX. 
 
 the ministry. And it was in view of the dignity 
 and importance of the office to which he was called 
 that he uttered the language of the text, "I magnify 
 mine office." I glory in it, I esteem it my highest 
 honor. However others may despise, or hate, or 
 account the preaching of the cross as " foolishness," 
 he was not ashamed of it, but gloried in the blessed 
 employment. 
 
 I. Permit me, my brethren, to call your attention 
 to the importance and dignity of the ministerial 
 office. I am aware, however, that for us to speak 
 of the dignity of the office may excite a smile 
 among those who can see no dignity in any office 
 or situation that is not connected with the pomp 
 and glitter of outward appearance. Independent 
 of every other consideration, that office cannot 
 be mean that has been instituted to proclaim the 
 plan of redemption which had its origin in the 
 divine mind ; for nothing short of infinite wisdom, 
 such wisdom as God alone possesses, could have 
 devised such a plan of salvation as that revealed in 
 the gospel. In which plan all the attributes of the 
 Deity harmonize, and God can be just and the 
 justifier of all who believe. To make known to a 
 rebellious world this divine plan of reconciliation, 
 is a work of dignity and importance. That office 
 cannot be mean that the Son of God condescended 
 to bear, for the word which we preach " first began 
 to be spoken by the Lord," and while he sojourned 
 upon earth, he was chiefly employed in the work to 
 
APPENDIX. 303 
 
 which you are called. That office cannot be mean, 
 whose end is the recovery of man to his original 
 purity and happiness. 
 
 1. The dignity and importance of the office will 
 appear from the several names and titles, by which 
 it is designated in the word of God. Those who bear 
 the sacred office are called ministers, because they 
 are the servants of God and the church; and 
 pastors, because they are called to perform the 
 pastoral or shepherd's office. Christ says to them, 
 Feed my lambs, feed my sheep. They are called 
 bishops as having oversight. They are styled em- 
 bassadors, because they are the representatives of 
 the King of heaven, authorized to negotiate between 
 rebels and their offended Sovereign "and in Christ's 
 stead" to propose to their fellow-sinners a treaty of 
 peace, written with his own hand and sealed with 
 his own blood. They are called stewards of the 
 mysteries of God, because intrusted with the keys 
 of knowledge and discipline, and authorized to dis- 
 pense divine ordinances, and to bring out of their 
 treasures, things new and old. They are called 
 watchmen on the walls of Zion, because they are 
 to sound the alarm of danger and to watch for souls, 
 as they that must give account. They are spoken 
 of as angels of the churches, because they bear 
 the messages of the living God to dying men. O, 
 how important is this relation ! How unspeakable 
 the honor of such an office ! The honor of this 
 office, however, is not that of the world. It is not 
 
304 APPENDIX. 
 
 such as worldly men either covet or appreciate. It 
 consists not in external pomp, or splendor, or wealth ; 
 not in dignities and titles derived from an unhal- 
 lowed alliance with secular power ; nor shining in 
 the circles of fashion, nor in filling uppermost seats, 
 nor receiving greetings in the market, nor in being 
 called Rabbi. No, the honor of the faithful minis- 
 ter is of a higher and nobler kind. It consists in 
 bearing a resemblance to his divine Master who 
 went about doing good. The jeAvels which shall 
 decorate his crown are souls saved by his instru- 
 mentality, who shall shine as stars in his crown 
 when all earthly honors shall have vanished forever. 
 2. The importance of the ministerial office is 
 manifest from its powerful influence on all the 
 best interests of man for time and eternity. An en- 
 lightened, pious, and devoted ministry such as the 
 gospel requires, always has had and alwa3's must 
 have the happiest influence on human society. 
 Look at the world around, and you will find society 
 elevated or degraded according to the ministers of 
 religion. " Like priests like people " is a proverbial 
 saying founded on a just observation of facts. What 
 nations are most distinguished for civilization, in- 
 telligence, and refinement, for domestic virtue and 
 social order, and every improvement adapted to 
 promote the happiness of man ? Where is knowl- 
 edge most generally diffused ? Where do schools, 
 academies and colleges most flouri.sli ? Where are 
 the liberties and the rights of man best understood 
 
APPENDIX. 305 
 
 and maintained? Precisely in those nations and 
 communities where the people have been blessed 
 with the labors of a faithful ministry ; the effect has 
 been such as might be expected from a general 
 diffusion of the pure principles of the gospel. Look 
 at Scotland, England, and the United States, the 
 land of the Pilgrims, as contrasted with pagan na- 
 tions, and with nations nominally Christian but 
 destitute of an enlightened, faithful ministry, where 
 ignorance is the mother of devotion, and you will 
 readily see the importance of the ministerial office. 
 3. But it is principally from its influence on the 
 spiritual and eternal welfare of mankind, that the 
 gospel ministry derives its importance. It has 
 " pleased God by the foolishness of preaching, to 
 save them that believe." The glory of God in the 
 salvation of souls, is the great, the supreme object of 
 the sacred office. And who can compute the worth 
 of the soul? Endless in its existence, boundless in 
 its capacity of improvement, destined to ceaseless 
 progression in happiness or woe. Surely the redemp- 
 tion of the soul is precious. For this the Son of 
 God came down from heaven, and expired on the 
 cross. We are not redeemed with corruptible 
 things, as silver and gold, but with the precious 
 blood of Christ. But this redemption will avail 
 only to them that believe. And how can men 
 believe on him of whom they have not heard, 
 "and how shall they hear without a preacher"? 
 However useful and indispensable other instrumen- 
 
oOG APPENDIX. 
 
 talities may be, the living teacher mu!?t necessarily 
 accompany thern, to give energy and action and 
 direction to the whole. The employment of the 
 faithful minister is one of the most delightful and 
 interesting in which we can he employed. It is 
 adapted to call forth into vigorous action all our 
 intellectual powers, to exercise every grace and 
 virtue and generous affection of the heart. Amidst 
 all the difficulties, toils, privations, and sorrows 
 which attend, there are pleasures which the world 
 cannot give or take away. When God is pleased 
 to bless the labors of a faithful minister — to pour 
 out his Spirit, and accompany his word with al- 
 mighty power, with what intense interest does he 
 witness a " shaking among the dry bones ;" stubborn 
 sinners pierced to the heart with the arroAVS of con- 
 viction, crying "What must we do to be saved?" 
 anxious crowds thronging the way to Zion, " weep- 
 ing as they go ;" and with what thrilling delight 
 does he share the joy of angels over one sinner that 
 repenteth. How intense is his joy when he directs 
 the trembling penitent to the world's Redeemer, 
 and points out to him the ability of Christ to save, 
 and when the penitent looks, believes, and is saved, 
 and with a countenance expressive of joy unspeak- 
 able, and full of glory, exclaims : 
 
 " My God is reconciled, 
 
 His pardoning- voice I hear, 
 He owns me for his child, 
 I can no longer fear." 
 
APPENDIX. 307 
 
 At such a time how does the heart of the faithful 
 minister leap for joy, and how thankful to God he 
 is that he was ever thought worthy of being placed 
 in the ministry. 
 
 II. We are now to consider the corresponding 
 qualifications and duties of the minister of the 
 gospel. 
 
 1, Native talent. .This I mention first because 
 it is fundamental. Without it you can never, by 
 any process, become strong men. Neither education 
 nor grace supplies constitutional defects. A man 
 may have the requisite piety, and he may have been 
 favored with the best facilities for extended culture, 
 and yet not possess the kind or measure of native 
 talent appropriate to a work so formidable and 
 responsible as that of the ministry. 
 
 2. He should be a man of practical good sense. 
 Everyone is acquainted with ministers of talent, 
 intelligence, and piety, whose influence is feeble and 
 who can never accomplish much for Zion, because 
 of a deficiency of that indefinable, yet invaluable 
 quality, denominated common sense — an element of 
 character that is not quite as common as its name 
 imports. Nothing is a substitute for it, or can make 
 up for its absence. Where it is wanting, respect 
 and confidence are wanting, and the man's influence 
 is almost a nullity. Experience has taught the 
 church some lessons upon this subject, which it is 
 undesirable should be repeated, and the question, 
 "Has he good sense?" should be propounded re. 
 
308 APPENDIX. 
 
 specting every candidate for the ministry. Has lie 
 practical wisdom ? Is he careful, circumspect, judi- 
 cious? Is he one whose footsteps may safely be 
 trodden by his successors, and whose influence none 
 may have occasion to deplore ? The man who dis- 
 cards prudence as a superfluity, or discretion as an 
 incumbrance, even under the pretence of being 
 guided by the Spirit, is useful nowhere as a 
 minister. 
 
 3. Extensive knowledge. Lord Bacon said, and 
 so parrot-like have said a million others, "Knowl- 
 edge is power." Trite as may be the expression yet 
 how true is the sentiment. It is as true in morals 
 as in physics, in religion as in philosophy, in the 
 minister of Christ as in the artisan or the statesman. 
 We would not prescribe the measure of the knowl- 
 edge necessary, nor how or Avhere it must be 
 acquired, but we hesitate not to say that other 
 things being equal, the more copious the intellectual 
 acquirements of the minister, the greater the ability 
 to do good. Talent to be useful must be cultivated ; 
 the mind must be trained and disciplined, and 
 furnished with an appropriate fund of knowledge 
 to be able to teach others. 
 
 It seems to be generally admitted that literary 
 attainments are desirable if not absolutely necessary 
 to a minister of the gospel. There is no branch of 
 knowledge which may not be useful, and there is 
 much that is indispensable. Studies apparently 
 most remote from theology will afford much assist- 
 
APPENDIX. 309 
 
 ance is solving difficulties in the sacred Scriptures, 
 or in repelling the assaults of adversaries. He Avho 
 would approve himself as a scribe richly furnished, 
 and prepared to bring out of his treasures things 
 new and old, must be, to the end of his life, a 
 diligent, persevering student. 
 
 Paul himself, though a giant in intellect, brought 
 up at the feet of Gamaliel, and well versed in the 
 literature of his time, did not cease from study even 
 in his old age. We find him when a prisoner at 
 Rome nearly at the close of his life, sending for his 
 books, but especially his parchments. The apostle's 
 own practice again explains his rule to embrace the 
 wide field of general study. His introduction of 
 heathen aphorisms in the illustration or application 
 of sacred truth, proves that he apprehended no nec- 
 essary debasement of its purity from an intermix- 
 ture of human learning. Stephen mentions it to 
 the honor, not to the discredit of the .Jewish law- 
 giver, that he was learned in all the wisdom of the 
 Egyptians. We are taught by St. Paul's epistles 
 that we may avail ourselves of every human aid to 
 spread the blessings of the gospel. All these 
 human aids are valuable gifts of God and only 
 cease to be blessings when they are abused. It is 
 true that the gospel may be preached with great 
 energy by ministers possessing very inconsiderable 
 literary attainments. It sometimes happens that 
 the most successful ministrations are conducted by 
 men of very moderate acquirements, and indeed the 
 
310 APPENDIX. 
 
 cliaraeter of the gospel seems to require that in 
 most cases (where the true doctrine is preached) it 
 should give more honor to zeal and diligence than 
 to genius and learning. But it is also true that 
 God is pleased to make himself knoAvn by the use 
 of cultured means, and when such means are used 
 in subordination to his grace, he will honor the 
 means. Let us then honor human learning. Every 
 branch of knowlege which a good man possesses, he 
 may apply to some useful purpose. If he possessed 
 the knowledge of an archangel he might apply it 
 all to the advantage of man and the glory of God. 
 Many of us, my brethren, who in the early years of 
 our ministry were deprived of a literary training, 
 owe a mighty debt of gratitude to human learning 
 for a translation of the Bible, which otherwise 
 Avould have been to us a sealed book, a dead letter 
 in an unknown tongue. Are we not indebted to the 
 same source for the explanation of its difficulties^ 
 and for many powerful defenses of its authority, 
 which enable us to meet with at least some degree 
 of success the assaults of the enemies of the gospel, 
 and to give an intelligent reason for the hope that is 
 within us? 
 
 " Give attendance to reading," " Study to show 
 thyself approved unto God," is the advice given by 
 the apostle. To Avhom? To a novice, or a young 
 man just converted? No, but to a convert of 
 many years standing, who had been blessed from 
 his childhood with an excellent spiritual education, 
 
APPENDIX. 311 
 
 who was endowed with good natural talents and spir- 
 itual gifts, and favored with pre-eminent religious 
 advantages under the apostle's personal tuition, and 
 whose early elevation in the church showed a satis- 
 factory improvement of his privileges. Such advice 
 given to an elder under such circumstances, and in 
 an age of inspiration, carries with it the weight of 
 authority, and should serve as a rebuke for negli- 
 gence under our comparative disadvantages. 
 
 Brethren,- look out upon the fields of science and 
 theology spread out before you for exploration and 
 occupancy, and apply yourselves to the acquisition 
 of all the knowledge you can attain to fit you for 
 the great work of saving souls and building up 
 the church of God. " But remember after all that 
 the Bible should be considered your principal text- 
 book, and should be carefully read and studied, that 
 you may bring from its rich treasures the precious 
 truths of life, and from its crystal fountains the 
 waters of salvation, with which to irrigate and 
 fertilize the heritage of the Lord," If there ever was 
 a time when the ministers of the gospel should be 
 like Apollos " mighty in the Scriptures," and thus 
 be able to stand up in the defense of the plain, the 
 pure and unadulterated doctrines of the Christian 
 religion, it is now. 
 
 Infidelity is not dead, it is alive and active, but 
 masked. It is no less hostile to the pure doctrines 
 of the gospel now than heretofore, but has simply 
 changed its mode of attack. It even subscribes to 
 
312 APPENDIX. 
 
 the Christian scriptures, but puts an entirely new 
 gloss upon them, and by philosophizing would 
 make them teach another religion — a religion un- 
 known to the apostles, the fathers, and church 
 general. There is also latitudinarian liberalism 
 Avhich is in fact treason against the truth, which is 
 characteristic of the present age. It is seen in this 
 country, it is seen in Europe. It permeates our jour- 
 nalism, our politics, our theology. It is more dan- 
 gerous and more mischievous than open infidelity. 
 It smiles with fawning obsequiousness on all, and 
 frowns on none but the man who contends ear- 
 nestly "for the faith which was once delivered unto 
 the saints." In proportion as men recede from 
 "sound doctrine," they sap the very foundation of 
 personal godliness, lower the tone of morality, and 
 enfeeble the exercise of Christian benevolence. 
 This liberalism, as it is called, is advocated by some 
 of the most popular teachers of our day, encouraged 
 by some of the most extensively circulated and 
 popular journals of the country. A religion, there- 
 fore, must rise under these last touchings and 
 finishings of art, where infidels may be received 
 into the church without conversion, or where 
 they may be converted with scarcely a perceptible 
 change in doctrine, heart, or life ; where the thought- 
 less, and the gay, and the beautiful, and the 
 dissipated, may float together down the stream, to 
 the sound of music, and drink the Lethean cup, 
 and wake not till in perdition they are heard to 
 
APPENDIX. 313 
 
 exclaim, " I am tormented in this flame." Breth- 
 ren, ''let the word of Christ dwell in you richly," for 
 it is the " two edged word," the word of the living 
 God, which being accompanied by the Holy Spirit 
 can overcome the influences exerted by these open 
 and secret enemies of the truth. 
 
 4. Another qualification is piety. For the lack 
 of this, no talents, however [brilliant or attractive, 
 can compensate. It is expected that he who would 
 engage in the holy work of the ministry, be a 
 Christian, that he have for himself and furnish 
 to others the most satisfactory evidence of a spirit- 
 ual union with the Savior. If serious doubts 
 exist on this point, whether in his own mind or in 
 the minds of others, his ability to do good will be 
 essentially crippled. Let the man therefore who 
 would be a minister, ask this question as the ante- 
 cedent of every other inquiry — Am I a Christian ? 
 Without " the washing of regeneration and re- 
 newing of the Holy Ghost," how can the man 
 discharge the great duties of the pastoral office ? I 
 speak not here of this great and essential change 
 merely as a personal concern of the deepest interest, 
 nor of the meanness and drudgery and wickedness 
 of hypocritical services, nor of the dreadful condi- 
 tion of that man, who after preaching to others, 
 shall himself be a castaway forever. I speak of 
 it as a qualification for the ministerial office. With- 
 out this, how can he speak or act for God; how 
 feel for ihe glory of Christ, or take a lively interest 
 
314 APPENDIX. 
 
 in the salvation of souls? (an he be concerned for 
 the salvation of others, who neglects his own ? How 
 difficult as well as dreadful to preach an unknown 
 Savior ! He may study and understand the doc- 
 trines of religion as a theory. He may defend 
 the truth against its adversaries. He may expound 
 the Scriptures as a biblical critic. He may make 
 a display in the pulpit "as one who has a pleasant 
 voice, and can play well upon an instrument." 
 But how can he preach with interest, truths which 
 he does not practically believe, or urge motives he 
 does not feel ? How shall he direct the anxious, 
 the inquiring soul ? How feed the sheep and the 
 lambs ? How comfort others with the consolations 
 whereof he is not himself comforted? Nor is it 
 enough for a minister to be a man of piety ; he 
 ought to be a man of fervent piety — burning with 
 zeal for his Master, " full of faith and of the Holy 
 Ghost." The tone of piety in the church will 
 usually accord with that of the minister. There 
 cannot be a greater curse to the church and to 
 society than a lifeless, ungodly ministry. Wherever 
 it is found, a blighting and withering influence 
 attends it. 
 
 How many and sad are the lessons taught us by 
 the history of the church as to the great evils 
 arising from an unconverted ministry. How 
 sadly the Jewish church suffered from false proph- 
 ets. It was an unconverted apostle that betrayed 
 the Lord of glory. For how many years were the 
 
APPENDIX. 315 
 
 boasted successors of the apostles the vilest of men. 
 And how even now in Europe the lowest infidelity 
 is decked in the robes of the ministry. In Eng- 
 land, the merest worldlings, because second or 
 subsequent sons of the gentry, are promoted to 
 church benefices, and in our own country in com- 
 munions regarded as evangelical, an unsanctified 
 ministry often proves a curse to the people among 
 whom they mingle. " Be ye clean that bear the 
 vessels of the Lord." " Be blameless and harmless, 
 the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a 
 crooked and perverse nation." Be "ensamples to 
 the flock," of which the Holy Ghost may make 
 you overseers. Be patterns of good works. How 
 important the caution of the apostle. Take heed to 
 yourselves, to thyself, for how awful is it to appear 
 as a minister without being a Christian. How diffi- 
 cult, how dreadful to preach an unknown Christ. 
 Baxter remarks, " Verily it is a dreadful calamity 
 for the church to have unregenerate and inconsist- 
 ent pastors ; and to have men to become preachers 
 before they become Christians, and to be sanctified 
 by dedication at the altar as God's ministers before 
 they are sanctified by hearty dedication to Christ as 
 his disciples, and so to worship an unknown God, 
 and to preach an unknown Christ, an unknown 
 Spirit, an unknown holiness and communion with 
 God, and a peace that is unknown and likely to be 
 unknown forever. Surely he is likely to be a heart- 
 less preacher that has not the Christ and grace that 
 
816 APPENDIX. 
 
 he preaches to others in his own heart." Remember 
 3'ou are ministers of a holy God. You hold in 3'our 
 hand a holy revelation. Give no offense in any- 
 thing, that the ministry be not blamed. Abstain 
 not only from that which is positively evil, but 
 " from all appearance of evil." A minister should 
 be as Caesar wished his wife to be — above suspicion. 
 This, my brethren, is an awfully important thought 
 — that the minister for the want of experimental 
 and practical holiness may lose his soul after all 
 his labors. He may indeed occupy the place of a 
 minister, and perhaps do some good in the world 
 and yet be destitute of piety. God may restrain him 
 from overt sins, his religious education and enlight- 
 ened conscience, his habits of application, and his 
 intellectual orthodoxy may accomplish something 
 toward supplying deficiencies of imparted grace ; his 
 attainments as a scholar and his power over the 
 minds of men as a teacher may render his work 
 somewhat pleasant, while his pride of character, if 
 he be a hypocrite, and his false hopes if he be a self- 
 deluded man, may give buoyancy to his mind 
 which shall induce him to fulfill his ministry to 
 the last. Yet all the while he may live and die an 
 ungodly man. His church may mourn over him 
 when he sleeps in the dust, his fellow-laborers in 
 the work of God may stand around his grave and 
 say, Alas, my brother ! and many an honest pane- 
 gyric may be uttered in commendation of his 
 literary attainments and his brilliancy as a pulpit 
 
APPENDIX. 317 
 
 orator, Avhile he himself is lifting his eyes in hell, 
 being in torment. He has appeared in the presence 
 of his Judge and uttered that last plea of a ground- 
 less hope, "Have I not prophesied in thy name?" 
 but he has received the final answer, " Depart from 
 me, I never knew you." If we should weep while we 
 thus speak, perhaps there are those who would not 
 sympathize with us. Yet who would not weep? 
 0, is there one of all the race of Adam more to be 
 pitied than such a minister ? With all its dregs 
 of woe, he must drain the bitter cup of agony, and 
 taste all the bitterness of death. He perhaps saved 
 others, himself he did not save. He who wept over 
 Jerusalem, I am sure, were he on earth, would weep 
 over such a man. Could angels weep, they would 
 flood the pulpit of such a minister with tears. None, 
 none but the veriest devils could be indifferent to 
 such a doom. Yet there have been and are such 
 ministers. 0, that we might be more faithful to 
 our own souls ; that we might be more faithful to 
 one another, love one another more, and pray for 
 one another, lest we come to that place of torment. 
 It is a sacred office which the embassador of the 
 cross holds ; but there is nothing in it which will 
 save from hell if we be destitute of experimental 
 and practical piety. 
 
 III. The duties of the ministerial office. 
 
 1. To preach. For this you have been called, 
 qualified, and sent forth. What should you preach ? 
 " Preach the word." God says, " Preach the preach- 
 
318 APPENDIX. 
 
 ing I bid thee." Preach the unsearchable riches 
 of Christ, not the husks of old speculations and 
 arid dogmas; not the chaff of human philosophy, 
 fluttering its brief hour amid the changing winds 
 of opinion ; not the debris of outward forms and 
 vain superstitions, gathered from the dust of the 
 dark ages ; but the simple gospel of Christ, quick- 
 ened by the breath of the Almighty, and lodged as a 
 living power in throbbing human hearts. This is 
 what each man " dead in trespasses and sins " needs. 
 This is what the world, hoary with guilt, needs for 
 its renovation. In the Bible there is knowledge for 
 the head, experience for the heart, and a rule of 
 practice for the life. 
 
 2. How preach the word? Preach faithfully, 
 zealously, patiently, perseveringly, seriously, and 
 affectionately. 
 
 My brethren, in conclusion, let me add that in 
 order to be successful in your work, there must be 
 the exercise of strong faith. Upon this principle, 
 as an element of moral influence, the Savior, when 
 teaching his disciples, constantly insisted, and he 
 availed himself of every fitting occasion to summon 
 it into lively exercise. If opportunity offered for 
 the relief of suffering by miracle, he proposed to 
 them the inquiry, " Believe ye that I am able to do 
 this ?" When the disciples failing in their attempts 
 to expel a demon, asked him to explain the cause of 
 their failure, he simply replied, " Because of your 
 unbelief." And liow strongly did he assure them of 
 
APPENDIX. 319 
 
 the wonders they should perform if they only had 
 faith like a grain of mustard seed. " All things 
 are possible to him that believeth." He who be- 
 lieves anything can be done is generally the man to 
 do it ; for his faith calls forth his latent energies and 
 enables him to achieve results which, without faith, 
 would be impracticable. In all the camp of Saul 
 there was not a veteran who could safely have en- 
 countered the champion of the Philistines, for not a 
 man of the host had faith in God sufficient to brace 
 up his courage and nerve his right arm for the con- 
 flict. Such faith was found only in the youthful 
 shepherd, and as he believed, so he proceeded. His 
 confidence lifted him above the fear of peril that 
 made the sternest warriors quake, and called forth 
 his inward energies to one sublime effort, and the 
 headless trunk of his mighty antagonist soon lay 
 stretched in the valley which had rung with his 
 boastings. See the triumphs of faith as presented 
 in the epistle to the Hebrews. Paul knew by what 
 he had seen and felt that faith gives to the mind 
 nerve, steadiness, and onward force. " This is 
 the victory that overcometh the world, even our 
 faith." A timid child in company with his father, 
 as long as he feels the warm pressure of the paternal 
 hand, will walk confidently through pathless 
 forests or on the brink of a precipice. So the minis- 
 ter of Christ with simple reliance upon the promises 
 of God, will press his way through difficulties and 
 dangers most appalling, and will triumphantly ex- 
 
320 APPENDIX. 
 
 claim, " I will fear no evil : for thou art with me." 
 What could the first preachers of Christianity have 
 accomplished without it ? What but confidence in 
 their Master's promise and presence could have 
 given them such heroic boldness, such indomitable 
 courage, such unfaltering perseverance, such power 
 of endurance ? Sustained by it they did and sufiered 
 what impostors could never have done or sufiered. 
 They were men that hazarded their lives for the 
 name of the Lord Jesus. " Lo, I am with you alway, 
 even unto the end of the world," was their unfailing 
 suppdrt. This unfaltering faith in the divine prom- 
 ises made them strong, so that with great power gave 
 they witness, and thrones trembled, idols were cast 
 down, and truth and holiness were welcomed by 
 liberated thousands. Faith is the link which 
 connects the impotence of the creature with the 
 omnipotence of Jehovah, so that the creature is en- 
 couraged to attempt the greatest things, even though 
 conscious of personal inability to do the least things. 
 Faith lays hold of a strong Christ, and lying low 
 and looking high the minister declares, " When I 
 am Aveak then am I strong." Thus allied to the 
 mighty he is endued with power, and he can meet 
 unmoved the shock of any trial. For as Arch- 
 bishop Leigh ton says, the firmest thing in this 
 world is a believing soul, and he can execute any 
 service, however difiUcult. It is faith that enables 
 him to say, "I can do all things through Christ who 
 strengtheneth me." 
 
APPENDIX. 321 
 
 ' O, for a faith that will not shrink, 
 
 Though pressed by every foe, 
 That will not tremble on the brink 
 
 Of any earthly woe. 
 That will not murmur nor complain 
 
 Beneath the chastening rod, 
 But in the hour of grief or pain 
 
 Will lean upon its God." 
 
 DISPUTES AMONG CHRISTIANS. 
 
 [Preached by Bishop Glossbrenner before the General Con- 
 ference convened at Dayton, Ohio, May 15, 1873.] 
 
 ' ' What was it that ye disputed among yourselves ? ' ' Mark 9 : 33. 
 
 Brethren, members of the General Conference, 
 representatives of the United Brethren in Christ: 
 If we address you to-day with the same plainness 
 of speech which Ave are accustomed to use when 
 addressing the laity, we trust you will receive what 
 we shall say as coming from one who has no other 
 end in view but the glory of God and the peace and 
 prosperity of that branch of God's zion which we 
 to-day represent. 
 
 The Apostle Paul speaks of easily besetting sin. 
 What he refers to may be the sin of our constitu- 
 tion, the sin of our trade ; that in which our worldly 
 honor, secular profits, and sensual gratifications are 
 most frequently felt and consulted. The minister of 
 Christ is not an exception to the general rule ; and 
 we trust you will not be startled at the declaration 
 that spiritual ambition is the besetting sin of the 
 ministerial profession. It is not meant that the laity 
 are free from the vice which we have designated 
 21 
 
322 APPENDIX. 
 
 US especially besetting the ministry, for there are in 
 many congregations laymen who are often more 
 anxious for their own consequence than for the 
 prosperity of the church ; more proud of what they 
 have done for the church than humble in view of 
 their sins ; more concerned for their own glory than 
 for the glory of God. Nor do Ave mean to imply that 
 the evangelical clergy of our dav and land are worse 
 than the clergy of other ages and of other climes, 
 nor that they are inferior in holiness of heart and life 
 to the people to whom they minister, for we seriously 
 doubt whether there ever was in any age, on the 
 whole, a body of ministers superior to the Protestant 
 clergy of our country. Yet our proposition is true. 
 The politician is exposed to one kind of temptation, 
 the merchant to another, the man of leisure to a 
 third, and the poor laborer has his grievous besetting 
 sin. But the fearful temptation, the besetting sin of 
 the ministerial profession, we believe is spiritual 
 ambition. 
 
 The profession of a minister secures him to a con- 
 siderable extent from the danger of many of the 
 coarser and more animal sins. I know there are some 
 terrible examples in every branch of the Christian 
 church, which have made the lovers of zion sick at 
 heart, showing that the coarsest and vilest sins may 
 for a time be covered by the mantle of hypocrisy in 
 the ministry. But the disgust and anguish with 
 which the grieved church expels them from her 
 bosom shows that such sins are felt to be unnatural, 
 
APPENDIX. 323 
 
 even monstrous. When such cases occur we shudder, 
 and ask the question, Are these gross acts of im- 
 morality common among the ministry? Bitter 
 tears fall from the eyes of God's children over a 
 desecration so awful ; and we almost feel as though 
 the days of demoniacal possession had returned, and 
 God had allowed Satan in triumph to plunge his 
 victims in the festering sloughs of pollution. 
 No, no; God is merciful. The ministry as a class 
 have not so far fallen. These are not the besetting 
 sins of the ministry. Such degradation only exists 
 among the ministry, as a rule, in those lands where 
 doctrine is first debased; where truth falls in the 
 streets, and people and priests are sunk together in 
 gross moral pollution; where darkness worse than 
 Egyptian broods over the entire land, and every 
 department of society bears witness that the " whole 
 head is sick and the whole heart faint." 
 
 The minister in America occupies in many re- 
 spects a sheltered position. He is girt around 
 by a wholesome moral sentiment. The virtues 
 of his predecessors and his contemporaries in office 
 have created an impression that he ought to be 
 a man of God in moral character, in exclusive 
 devotion to the duties of his office, in purity, in 
 zeal, in charity, in kindness. And we bless God 
 that it is so. Yet, my brethren, it is true that 
 he may be exempt from the terrible sins which 
 would bring disgrace upon himself and sorrow 
 to his brethren, and yet not be free from the sin 
 
32J: APPENDIX. 
 
 of spiritual ambition, and rush upon the avenues 
 that are still open. No eye of man is upon the 
 heart, no mind is privy to its secret musings. To 
 rise in the church, to gain extensive influence, to 
 control ecclesiastical judicatories, to attain high 
 literary distinction, to become the center of admir- 
 ing assemblies, — these are all within the minister's 
 grasp without an action which perhaps Avould ever 
 be known to be contrary to his Christian profession. 
 The tempter may whisper, low at first and then 
 louder, that talents such as he possesses are too much 
 confined in obscurity. And in foolish and wicked 
 musings like these he wastes the time his Savior has 
 given him to work in, forgetting that he has placed 
 him in an appropriate position, and will say, with- 
 out the necessity of any writhings and struggles of 
 vanity, when the time arrives, " Friend, come up 
 higher." 
 
 "This propensity to spiritual ambition is strength- 
 ened by the minister's studies. All literature is full 
 of it. Even Christian literature is full of it. You 
 hear it in sermons. It lurks in commentaries. In 
 all other literature it appears without measure and 
 without stint." " The volumes that occupy those 
 shelves in your study, and that look down upon 
 you from day to day, till they have become your 
 cherished friends and companions, venerable for 
 their piety, instructive for their information, amus- 
 ing for their wit, half worshiped for their lofty 
 intellect, almost every one contains this poison ; 
 
APPENDIX. 325 
 
 almost every one feeds your ambition and fosters 
 your pride. Only one is entirely free — pure in pro- 
 portion to its greatness, humbling in proportion to its 
 unapproachable elevation — that is the Bible." This 
 sin, spiritual ambition, appears to have been the evil 
 for which the Savior called his disciples to account. 
 I. That we must all expect to be called to an 
 account by our divine Master. 
 
 1. We are all now professedly in the way, follow- 
 ing Christ as our teacher, our example, our guide. 
 Here we are upon trial ; this is our probation ; and 
 it concerns us therefore that what we have to do we 
 should do while in the way, and so do it that at 
 the end we may be approved by the Master. 
 
 2. There will be a review of what occurs in the 
 way, for " God shall bring every work into judgment, 
 with every secret thing, whether it be good or 
 whether it be evil." All will be produced as evi- 
 dence for or against us. 
 
 3. The account must be given to our Lord Jesus, 
 for we call him Master and Lord as the disciples did ; 
 and to him we are accountable as scholars and ser- 
 vants, how we spend our time. He is our judge, for 
 " The Lord is our lawgiver," and to him the Father 
 hath committed all judgment. For "he will judge 
 the world in righteousness by that man whom he 
 hath ordained." 
 
 Now this is a good reason — 
 
 (1.) Why we should judge ourselves and prove our 
 own work, and see that our matters be right and 
 good against that day. 
 
326 APPENDIX. 
 
 (2.) It is a good reason why we should not judge 
 one another, or be severe in our censures one of 
 another. We thereby invade Christ's throne, for it 
 is his prerogative to call his disciples to an account ; 
 and though he designed them to be one another's 
 helpers, he never intended they should be one 
 another's judges. "We shall all stand before the 
 judgment seat of Christ," and therefore must not 
 judge one another. "Who art thou that judgest 
 another man's servant? to his own master he 
 standeth or falleth." Each one of us must give an 
 account of himself to God. 
 
 II. Among other things that we must give an 
 account of is, what we have talked among ourselves. 
 We are apt to make a light matter of this, as 
 though words were too insignificant to be taken 
 notice of by Him who is to be our judge, forgetting 
 his saying, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and 
 by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Sometimes 
 when we have talked at random what comes upper- 
 most without regard to God or man, we think to turn 
 it off with an excuse that it was but talk, and "words 
 are but wind;" but we wretchedly mistake, and 
 terribly cheat ourselves if that be true which our 
 Savior said — and true undoubtedly it is — that not 
 only for every profane and wicked word, for every 
 false and spiteful word, but for " every idle word 
 that men shall speak," they must give account in 
 the day of judgment. Nay, and so shall their doom 
 be according as they have talked while in the way. 
 
APPENDIX. 327 
 
 Christ does take notice of our words ; and we should 
 speak while here as his ministers, representing as 
 we do a portion of his beloved zion, as though we 
 heard him saying to us as he said to the two 
 disciples going to Emmaus, " What manner of 
 communications are these that ye have one to 
 another?" Should we not be very careful, my 
 brethren, that our speech be always " with grace, 
 seasoned with salt," that it may be "good to the 
 use of edifying, that it may minister grace " to those 
 who hear us? We should be careful that we do 
 not say that which must be unsaid by repentance. 
 What we talk among ourselves with the usual 
 freedom of conversation, we do not expect to 
 hear again, and we allow ourselves great liberty. 
 Remember, there are tale-bearers and mischief- 
 makers who take pleasure in revealing what you 
 have said, and thus stir up strife and contention ; 
 but whether it is thus called up by tale-bearers or 
 not, it will not escape the cognizance or judgment 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we talk anything that 
 is good among ourselves to the use of edifying, 
 Christ takes notice of that, and we shall hear of 
 it again to our comfort in that day when those who 
 thus confess Christ before men shall be owned by 
 him, before his Father and his holy angels. When 
 those " that feared the Lord spoke often one to 
 another " for their mutual comfort and encourage- 
 ment to hold fast to their integrity in a time of 
 general apostasy, the Lord hearkened and heard it, 
 
328 APPENDIX. 
 
 and " a book of remembrance was written" for them, 
 in which were entered all those pious conferences of 
 them that " feared the Lord and that thought upon 
 his name ;" and the day will come when that book 
 will be opened. There is not a good word coming 
 from a good heart, and directed to a good end, but it 
 is heard in secret and shall be rewarded openly, 
 even though there may be those who now ridicule 
 such a thought. 
 
 If we talk anything that is ill among ourselves ; 
 if " any evil communication " proceeds out of our 
 mouths, calculated to corrupt the mind and man- 
 ners of others, Christ observes that too, and will 
 manifest his displeasure, and we shall hear of it 
 again, either by the checks of our own consciences 
 in order to our repentance, or at the day of " the 
 revelation of the righteous judgment of God," when 
 according to Enoch's prophecy, the Lord will come 
 to reckon with sinners, not only for all their un- 
 godly deeds, but for all their hard speeches. It 
 will be asked sooner or later what you said in 
 such a company, proudly, vainly, filthily; why 
 you gave yourselves to foolish talking and jesting, 
 when your words should have been "like apples 
 of gold in pictures of silver;" what it was that 
 you said in the general convocation of your 
 ministerial brethren when 3'ou sat deliberately, sat 
 magisterially, and spoke against your brother whose 
 good name you should have protected. Think, my 
 brethren, that a l)ird of the air may carry what you 
 
APPENDIX. 329 
 
 have said to the ears of some who you hoped 
 would never hear your uncharitable and unkind 
 speech. 
 
 Let this consideration oblige us all to take heed 
 to our ways, that we offend not with our tongue, 
 and to keep our mouth as it were with a bridle, 
 that we may say nothing but what we can bear to be 
 told of again. And we have need to beg of God 
 that by his grace he would set a watch before the 
 door of our lips, a double watch upon the door of 
 our hearts, out of which the mouth speaks, that 
 nothing may proceed from them to his dishonor. 
 
 III. As our other discourses by the way will 
 have to be accounted for, so especially will we be 
 called to account for our disputes among ourselves. 
 We are not to infer from the language of Christ 
 that all disputation is sinful. Neither are we to 
 infer that disputation always results in evil, or is 
 unprofitable. The Savior himself declared that he 
 was about his Father's business, when he had 
 been" in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, 
 hearing them and asking them questions. The 
 ministry of our Lord, in one sense, was a perpetual 
 controversy. St. Paul's epistles are, most of them, 
 controversial. The apostles came at truth by "much 
 disputing" among themselves, (Acts 15:7), and 
 they convinced both Jews and Gentiles by disputing 
 with both. (Acts 17:17; 19 : 8.) There are disputes 
 that are of use and are profitable, and should be 
 encouraged, and for which we shall have no cause to 
 
330 APPENDIX. 
 
 be ashamed when we shall be called to account by 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 If wo dispute for the convincing of atheists and 
 deists, and other enemies of our hoh' religion, or 
 for the confirmation of those who were in danger of 
 being led astray by their delusions; if we "earnestly 
 contend for the faith which was once delivered unto 
 the saints," and with meekness and fear both in- 
 struct others that " oppose themselves," and give a 
 reason for our own hope that is in us; if we fairl)^ 
 and calmly discuss lesser matters between us and 
 our brethren, that we may find out the truth, and 
 have our mistakes rectified, or if we cannot thereby 
 come to be of the same mind, that yet we may see 
 that even those we differ from may have so much 
 color of reason on their side as that they may still 
 differ from us and yet not forfeit their reputation 
 either for wisdom or piety ; if we, with prudence and 
 mildness, debate our cause with our brother himself, 
 and go not forth hastily to strife; if we tell him his 
 fault between us and him alone, l^efore we tell it to 
 the world or to the church, in order to a friendly 
 accommodation, — these are disputes which will pass 
 well in the account, when they come to be called 
 over again. 
 
 Our disputes, however, are too often such that 
 when we come to be asked about them, as the dis- 
 ciples were, we shall, like them, be ashamed and 
 liold our peace, and be sorry to have them called up 
 again ; and have nothing to say in our own vindica- 
 
APPENDIX. 331 
 
 tion, and, as it was with the Sphesian assembly^ 
 when we are called in question we can show no 
 t?ause whereby we may justify ourselves. This will 
 be the case : 
 
 1. When our disputes are conducted in a bad or 
 unchristian temper. Let us keep the full possession 
 and government of our own spirits, in all our dis- 
 putes. Let us carefully suppress all inward tumults, 
 whatever provocation may be given us. The liberty 
 to dispute is not the liberty to reproach and perse- 
 cute those who differ from us. Bigotry and persecu- 
 tion are not the children of light, but of darkness. 
 Our very enemies, who are in a state of ignorance 
 and error, demand our pity and prayers. And the 
 one even who has injured us, we are commanded 
 to forgive, and to " heap coals of fire on his head," 
 — not to consume him, but to melt him down into 
 kindness and peace. As to different parties who 
 profess the same religion, nothing can be more in- 
 compatible with the spirit of the gospel than to deal 
 in invective and reproach. Yet alas! how much is 
 it the case, that when others do not agree with us in 
 everything we think, we feel at liberty to indulge 
 in severity. 
 
 What was said of Salmasius may be said of 
 some contracted, bigoted people : " They seem 
 to have erepted their throne on a heap of stones, 
 that they may have them at hand to throw them 
 at everyone that passes by." But is this the 
 spirit of the gospel ? What must we say of the 
 
332 APPENDIX. 
 
 man who in his disputes is governed by a spirit so 
 contrary to the spirit of our Master? Is he a 
 follower of the Lamb? How is it, then, that he is so 
 much like a lion ? Does he profess to imbibe the 
 meek and lowly spirit of Jesus? How is it, then, 
 that he is as morose and fierce as a winter's day ? Does 
 he call himself sound in the faith, and yet trample 
 on the law of love ? My brethren, let the spirit of 
 kindness be exhibited in all your disputations. 
 And while men are no more made to feel alike than 
 to look alike, still the minister should be " of good 
 behavior," — "no striker," " not a brawler." "He 
 must have a good report of them who are without ;" 
 he must " be patient ;" " in meekness instructing 
 them that oppose themselves." There are times w^hen 
 he must without flinching contend for the faith ; 
 when he must call " damnable delusions " by their 
 right names, and rebuke sharply the enemies of 
 gospel morality ; but he must speak the truth in 
 love, in order to show that he is influenced by 
 the spirit of Christ in all he says. " A bad temper 
 is a bad thing anywhere, but it is especially out of 
 place in the ministry. A minister that gets drunk 
 with passion often does more harm than one who 
 gets drunk with wine. A man of commanding 
 talents with high passions and a malignant temper 
 is no blessing to any people. He may be pious in a 
 modified sense, so as to be saved by fire, but if a 
 minister, he is a minister not of the spirit, but of 
 the letter of our religion." 
 
APPENDIX. 333 
 
 Sir Henry Wolton so disliked angry disputation, 
 that he ordered the following inscription to be put 
 on his monument : 
 
 " Here lies the first author of this sentence — 
 The itch of disputation is the bane of the church; 
 Seek his name elsewhere." 
 
 In the early days of the Reformation, when dis- 
 putation ran high, Philip Melancthon being on his 
 way to a conference at Spire, called to see his 
 mother. This good woman asked him what she 
 must believe amidst so much angry disputation, and 
 repeated to him her prayers, which he found con- 
 tained nothing superstitious. "Go on mother," 
 said he, " to believe and pray as you have done, and 
 never trouble yourself about religious controversies." 
 It is said of this great and good man, that he longed 
 for death for two reasons: 1. That he might enjoy 
 the much-desired sight and presence of Christ and 
 the heavenly church; and, 2. That he might be 
 freed from the cruel and implacable discord of 
 divines. Even Luther, who was no small contro- 
 versialist and who did not always, as I think, 
 exhibit the sweetest temper, used to pray in the 
 following manner : " From a vainglorious doctor, a 
 contentious pastor, and nice questions, the Lord 
 deliver his church." " The following little parable 
 or story," says Bishop Patrick, " I have somewhere 
 met with out of Anselm : There were two men, 
 says he, who, a little before the sun was up fell 
 
^34 APPENDIX. 
 
 into a very earnest dispute concerning that part of 
 the heavens wherein that glorious body "was to rise 
 that day. In this controversy they sufifered them- 
 selves to be so far engaged that at last they fell 
 together by the ears, and ceased not their buflfetings 
 till they had beaten out each other's eyes ; and so it 
 came to pass that when, a little after, the sun did 
 show his face, neither of these doughty champions 
 could discern one jot." So it is often with angry 
 disputants. 
 
 2. But our disputes are often such as we may be 
 justly ashamed of, on account of the matter of them. 
 What was it that we disputed among ourselves? 
 Perhaps it was something above us, some secret 
 thing that belongs to God, and which even angels 
 desire in vain to look into ; things which we did not 
 and could not understand ; things about which it 
 was presumptuous for us to dispute. Perhaps it was 
 something below us, not worth disputing about, 
 especially with so much warmth and violence. Per- 
 haps it was but a trifle, a mere strife of words, a 
 thing of no value, as if we only wanted something to 
 wrangle about ; so inconsiderable a thing that, no 
 matter how decided, the costs are much more than 
 the damage. In the reflection, we may justly blush 
 to think that we should make so much ado, so great a 
 noise about nothing. Perhaps it was something 
 foreign to us, that we were in no wise concerned in. 
 Our Lord, after his resurrection, twice checked his 
 disciples for vain curiosity, once in inquiring con- 
 
APPENDIX. 335 
 
 cerning another's affairs, when Peter asked concern- 
 ing John, " What shall this man do ?" Christ 
 answered him, " What is that to thee ? follow thou 
 me ;" and at another time in inquiring concerning 
 God's counsels : " It is not for you to know the 
 times or the seasons." 
 
 A young minister once asked an aged divine 
 whether a Roman Catholic could be saved. " You 
 may be saved," said the aged minister, " without 
 knowing that." 
 
 A certain one asked the Savior, " Lord, are there 
 few that be saved ?" Our Lord answered and said, 
 " Strive to enter in at the strait gate." 
 
 Perhaps it was something indifferent, like the 
 controversy among the primitive Christians con- 
 cerning the observance of days, and making a dis- 
 tinction of meats, which the apostle himself does 
 not undertake to decide, but leaves each side to 
 proceed according to their own judgment, without 
 imposing their practice upon the rest, since they 
 might be of either mind and be accepted of God ; 
 only he forbids them to fall out about it, or to 
 despise or judge one another. 
 
 If we would not be ashamed when we are called 
 to account by our Lord, let us never lose the charity 
 we ought to have for our brethren who may differ 
 from us, nor violate the sacred law of love. Our 
 Lord foresaw and foretold that the preaching of the 
 gospel would occasion much division ; that it would 
 set men at variance, and be the subject of much dis- 
 
S36 APPENDIX. 
 
 pute ; and therefore he thought it very requisite to 
 bind the command of mutual love the more strongly 
 upon his followers. Because there was danger lest 
 love should be lost in these disputes, he makes it one 
 of the fundamental laws of his kingdom. The " new 
 commandment" was that we love one another. Love 
 is the badge of his family, by which all men may 
 know who are his disciples. See how true Christians 
 love one another. Let us, therefore, in all our dis- 
 putes keep ourselves under the commanding power 
 and influence of holy love ; for that victory is dearly 
 bought which is obtained at the expense of Chris- 
 tian charity. Let us manifest proper regard for our 
 opposers, and not trample upon any, nor set those 
 "among the dogs of our flock," whom, for aught we 
 know, Christ has set with the lamljs of his. Let us 
 never bring a " railing accusation " against any. 
 Michael, the archangel, though he Avas sure he was 
 in the right — and the glory of God was nearly con- 
 cerned ; and it was with the devil he contended — 
 would not thus attack his adversary. The scourge 
 of the tongue has driven more out of the temple 
 than it ever drove into it. Let us always put the 
 best construction on our brethren's words and 
 actions that they will bear, not " digging up mis- 
 chief" as evil men do, nor " rejoicing in iniquity," 
 but " rejoicing in the truth," hoping the best as far 
 as we can. 
 
 Let us not aggravate matters in variance, nor by 
 *S:ained innuendoes and misrepresentations make 
 
APPENDIX. 337 
 
 either side worse than it is ; for that is a method 
 which may harden one side but can never convince 
 the other, nor can it be used with any other design 
 than to make the contending parties hate one 
 another ; and whose kingdom that serves the inter- 
 ests of, it is easy to say — not Christ's, I am sure. 
 Let us not judge our brethren and decide upon their 
 spiritual and eternal state and pronounce on them 
 an anathema because they are not in everything of 
 our mind, or cannot in every particular fall in with 
 our measures. They who do so usurp a divine pre- 
 rogative, take the " keys of hell and death " out of 
 the hando of Christ, and show themselves to be as 
 destitute of the fear of God as they are of love to 
 their neighbor. 
 
 Let us often think of the account we must shortly 
 render to our Master, of all our disputes with our 
 fellow-servants by the way. Let us consider how 
 our disputes will look at that day, and what our 
 reflections will be upon them. 
 
 When the apostle asks, " Where is the disputer 
 of this world ?" " Perhaps," says the excellent 
 Archbishop Tillotson, " he here intends to insinuate 
 that the wrangling work of disputation hath place 
 only in this Avorld, and upon this earth, where there 
 is only dust to be raised, but Avill have no place in 
 the other, where all things will be clear and past 
 dispute. And a good man would be loath to be taken 
 out of this world reeking hot from a sharp conten- 
 tion with a perverse adversary, especially if that 
 
338 APPENDIX. 
 
 adversary be a brother, and not a little out of coun- 
 tenance to find himself in this temper translated 
 into the calm and peaceful regions of the blessed, 
 "where nothing but perfect charity and good will 
 reign forever." Again let me advise you, my breth- 
 ren, to cultivate a true love for all that love our 
 Lord Jesus Christ ; but never permit 3'our Christian 
 liberality to degenerate into that indifference which 
 regards all principles alike. Men who regard all 
 principles alike have no principles of their own, 
 and are not to be trusted. Principles are important, 
 but they need to be adorned by the graces of the 
 Spirit to render them attractive. 
 
 IV. Of all disputes, Christ will be sure to call us 
 to account for our disputes about precedence and 
 superiority. This was the dispute here ; " Who shall 
 be the greatest ? " Alas, how soon did this spirit of 
 ambition manifest itself among the disciples. On 
 one occasion the mother of James and John, insti- 
 gated no doiibt by them, asked of Christ that these 
 her sons might sit, the one on his right hand, and 
 the other on his left, in his kingdom. And here we 
 find them again disputing "who shall be the 
 greatest." Christ does not determine the matter as 
 it might justly be expected he would have done, if 
 he had intended Peter or any other of them should 
 have a primacy and supremacy above the rest. No ; 
 he is displeased with them for starting such a ques- 
 tion, and disputing about it, because it was an indi- 
 cation that they aimed at being great in the world 
 
APPENDIX. 339 
 
 and were ambitious of it ; and wherever preferments 
 were to be had, they would quarrel among them- 
 selves which should get the best. Over and above 
 the meanness of their first education, when they 
 were bred as fishermen, which might have done 
 something to curb aspiring thoughts, and the good- 
 ness of their late education, when they were trained 
 up to be apostles, which might have done much 
 more, there are several reasons why this desire for 
 preferment was very displeasing to our Lord and 
 Master. 
 
 1. Because it came from a mistaken notion of 
 his kingdom, which they had learned at the feet of 
 their scribes, and had not yet unlearned, though 
 they had sat so long at Christ's feet — so hard is it to 
 conquer the power of prejudice. They still expected 
 that he would exercise a temporal jurisdiction, that 
 he would break the Roman yoke from off their necks, 
 establish a temporal kingdom, and exalt them to 
 places of dignity and honor. This was a great mis- 
 take, and the constant tenor of Christ's life and doc- 
 trine might have convinced them that it was so ; 
 that his kingdom was not of this world, but was 
 intended to be spiritual — the laws and powers of it, 
 the rewards and punishments of it, all spiritual ; 
 that he was to rule by his spirit in the spirit of his 
 subjects. He taught them that the design of his 
 kingdom was to refine men from the dross and 
 dregs of worldliness and sensuality, and to raise 
 them up to a holy, heavenly, spiritual, divine life. 
 
340 APPENDIX. 
 
 and to teach them to look down upon all earthly 
 things with a lofty contempt. Such Avas the nature 
 of Christ's kingdom, and therefore it could not but 
 be displeasing to him for them to covet earthly 
 greatness. 
 
 2. He was displeased with them because the 
 spirit of ambition they manifested was contrary to 
 the two great lessons of his school and laws of his 
 kingdom — humility and love. It is against the 
 law of humility to desire to be the greatest, and 
 against the law of love to strive or dispute who 
 shall be greatest. Had not Christ taught them both 
 these lessons by precept and example ? Had he not 
 made it the first condition of discipleship, that who- 
 soever would come after him must deny himself? 
 Does not the great law of love oblige us in honor 
 to prefer one another? What unapt scholars, then, 
 were they who had not learned such plain and 
 needful lessons as these ! How well for us that we 
 have a kind Master who does not expel us from 
 the school as dull scholars, but gives us his Spirit to 
 open our understanding, and bring things to our 
 remembrance. 
 
 3. He was displeased because it was repugnant 
 to the example which he had set them, and the copy 
 he had given them to follow. The Avord of command 
 which the Master gave them was, "Follow me;'* 
 do as you see me do. But when they were disputing 
 who should be greatest, and each aiming at pomp 
 and power, they were far from resembling him, 
 
APPENDIX. 341 
 
 " who was among them as one that served," and 
 " came not to be ministered unto but to minister." 
 
 4. Another reason why the Savior was dis- 
 pleased, was because he saw that spiritual ambition 
 would be, more than anything else, the bane of the 
 church in after times ; would be the reproach of its 
 ministers, an obstruction to its enlargement, the dis- 
 turber of its peace, and the origin of all the breaches 
 that would be made upon its order and unity. 
 " If," says a clear and forcible writer, " we would see 
 the results of spiritual ambition in its general 
 effects upon the church and the world, let us go 
 back and see the fearful results of this terrible sin 
 in that system which culminated in the tenth cen- 
 tury, when it had worked out its results in plunging 
 the world into the midnight of the dark ages. . . . 
 The man who tampers with or encourages this 
 spirit is no wiser than he would be who should 
 gaze into the basilisk's eyes, linger under the upas 
 tree, put forth his hand admiringly to feel the 
 texture of the smooth tiger's skin, speculate scien- 
 tifically amid the pestilence that walketh in dark- 
 ness, and sport with the lightnings of heaven." 
 
 Ambition is a terrible serpent within the soul. 
 Some of its most hateful companions are envy and 
 jealousy — the meanest, most hateful, and painful of 
 passions. Envy leads to " evil surmisings." If the 
 envious man can find nothing against his brethren, 
 he will surmise there is something. If he can find 
 nothing in their actions to judge, he will judge their 
 
342 APPENDIX. 
 
 hearts. If there is nothing visible, he thinks there 
 is something secret; and from thinking there may 
 be something, he will judge it is very likely there is 
 eomething, and from likely there is, he will conclude 
 there is, that "surely there is some plot working." 
 Says Henry: "If our ambition tempts us to envy 
 others and seek their downfall that we may occupy 
 their positions, it would help very much to keep 
 down this passion if we would consider how many 
 there are above whom we are placed. Instead of 
 fretting because they are preferred before us in honor, 
 power, gifts, graces, or usefulness, we have reason to 
 bless God if we, who are less than the least, are not 
 put hindmost." " Beware of envy," for envy is the 
 " rottenness of the bones." 
 
 Jealousies exist in families, among men of busi- 
 ness, among politicians, lawyers, physicians, among 
 men of science; and this spirit of jealousy, mean 
 and hateful as it is, exists in the heart of the spirit- 
 ually ambitious minister, greatly to his discomfort 
 and to the circumscribing of his usefulness. I 
 believe that the ministers of the gospel, as a class, 
 are the best men on earth ; but with less envy and 
 jealousy of one another, they would be vastly im- 
 proved. 
 
 Ambition leaves marks upon the countenance 
 and in the life. A man need not try to hide his 
 character. He may succeed for a time, but it is like 
 hiding "the ointment of his right hand, which 
 bcAvrayeth itself." Character is well defined by 
 
iPl'ENDIX, 343 
 
 BiMhop Butler to be '' that whole frame of mind by 
 which one man acts differently from another."' The 
 spiritually ambitious minister shows his character 
 like ether men ; and all Christians know it to be 
 "Utterly inconsistent with his profession ; and the 
 gradual loss of the confidence of the best and wisest 
 follows. 
 
 The plans of the ambitious man often fail, because 
 «Jod orders and disposes all things. Now when one 
 has not been unduly anxious about a matter, and 
 has cordially left it to God, he can easily bear dis- 
 uppointment; but when he has set his heart on a 
 ■case, has plotted, and contrived, and sinned to gain 
 it, the disappointment goes to his heart like a 
 dagger. 
 
 Finally, my brethren, let us not strive who shall 
 be the greatest, or who shall have the highest prefer- 
 ment, or who shall be most honored, but acquiesce 
 in the lot Providence carves out for us, not aiming 
 at great things or striving for them. Let us strive 
 who shall he best, not who has been best — that is a vain- 
 glorious strife — and humbly contend who shall be 
 most humble and stoop the lowest for the good of 
 others, and who shall labor most for the peace, 
 purity, and prosperity of the church. This is a 
 gracious strife — a strife that will pass well in our 
 account when all our disputes shall be reviewed. If 
 we covet, let us "covet earnestly the best gifts" — 
 covet to be " rich in faith and good works." If we 
 will be ambitious, let it be our highest ambition 
 
344 APPENDIX. 
 
 to do good, and therein to be accepted of the Lord. 
 If we will aim to excel, let it be in that which is 
 virtuous and praiseworthy, and in a holy zeal for 
 the honor of God and the advancement of the true 
 interests of Christ's kingdom. Let us, then, go 
 before in zeal, and yet be willing to come behind 
 in humility and self-denial ; do better than others, 
 and yet, in love and lowliness esteem others better 
 than ourselves. 
 
 Especially let us strive to excel ourselves, and do 
 more good than we have done. And when we 
 remember the blessings of our youth, and the love 
 of our espousals, instead of leaving that first love, 
 and cooling in it, let our advanced years contend 
 earnestly to excel our early ones, that our last days 
 may be our best days, and our last works our best 
 works. 
 
 My brethren, let us all look for a fresh baptism of 
 the Holy Ghost. After the baptism of the Holy 
 Ghost on the day of Pentecost, Ave do not find the 
 disciples contending who should be greatest, but we 
 find them submitting themselves to poverty, labor, 
 persecutions, and to death itself, that they might 
 win souls to Christ. And if the Holy Spirit is 
 poured out upon us while we are here as the repre- 
 sentatives of Christ and his church, our conversa- 
 tion and our disputes will be such as will bear 
 inspection when the Master shall call us to account. 
 
 Let us gird on the armor afresh, and fight val- 
 iantly for the right. Our Church must grow or die. 
 
APPENDIX. 345 
 
 There is much to be done by us for the spread of 
 gospel truth. Therefore for our Church's sake, for 
 the sake of perishing souls, for the sake of our 
 beloved country, for the sake of Him dearer to 
 us than all besides — our crucified Savior — let us 
 maintain purity in doctrine, purity in the ministry, 
 purity in the membership, purity in discipline; 
 then, and only then, may we expect permanent 
 prosperity. 
 
 Above all things, my brethren, "have fervent 
 charity among yourselves." And now, brethren, 
 " I commend you to God, and to the word of his 
 grace, which is able to build you up " and cause you 
 to abound in every good word and work to the 
 praise of his glorious name. Amen. 
 
 SOWING BESIDE ALL WATERS. 
 
 "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." — Isa. 32:20. 
 
 I. What are we to sow ? We reply briefly, and 
 at once, in the words of Christ, the " good seed " of 
 the kingdom ; that is, the seed of eternal truth, the 
 truth as it is in Christ, the truth which is accord- 
 ing to godliness, or in other words, the doctrines, 
 privileges and practices of Christianity as revealed 
 in the gospel of Christ. It is this seed which taking 
 root in the soil of the human heart, shall grow up 
 and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and 
 some a hundred fold. Not everything bearing the 
 semblance of the divine will ripen unto immortality. 
 No seed which is of human invention is capable of 
 
346 APPENDIX. 
 
 producing a result so stupendous and beautiful. It 
 is the simple, but omnipotent truth of God, given 
 us in Christ and made vital by the Holy Spirit. 
 " Descending from heaven as a power it ascends 
 thither as a growth." " For as the rain cometh 
 down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not 
 thither but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring 
 forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, 
 and bread to the eater : so shall my word be that 
 goeth forth out of my mouth : it shall not return 
 unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I 
 please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto 
 I sent it." 
 
 What the world needs is not the husks of old 
 speculations and dogmas. All this is not sufficient 
 to rescue a world sunken in iniquity, to holiness, 
 happiness, and to God. Neither is it sufficient that 
 lectures and well written essays on moral reform be 
 scattered like leaves of autumn among the people. 
 What is necessary is the simple gospel of Christ, 
 quickened by the breath of the Almighty, and 
 lodged as a living power in throbbing human hearts. 
 This is what each man dead in trespasses and in 
 sin needs. This is Avhat the Avorld hoary with guilt 
 needs for its renovation. Gospel truth as a miracle 
 of grace, as a life-giving seed must be sown in its 
 fullness among all people for a witness. God's word 
 is perfect, converting the soul, while the statutes of 
 the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The gospel 
 is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is 
 
APPENDIX. 347 
 
 the two-edged sword which alone can pierce even to 
 the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the 
 joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts 
 and intents of the heart. The word of truth, the 
 gospel of our salvation, is not in word only, but 
 in power and in demonstration of the Holy Ghost 
 and in much assurance, thus commending itself to 
 every man's conscience in the sight of God. In this 
 word of truth is that knowledge which makes men 
 wise unto salvation ; that experience that satisfies 
 the heart, and presents to us Christ as our pattern, 
 whose mind we should imbibe and whose example 
 we should follow. Oh, that the heart of the Church 
 and of its entire ministry might be impressed with 
 this great truth, so that we may cease from strife, 
 and from questions that tend to no profit, and that 
 we may turn our entire energies to spreading 
 the knowledge of the truth to the ends of the earth. 
 God's truth is the great rectifier of all error and of 
 all evils. This alone purifies the heart. Hence the 
 prayer, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy 
 word is truth." All other reformations are but 
 partial and apparent, like the skin drawn over the 
 cancerous sore, while its fiery roots are spreading 
 within. 
 
 This divine seed, by its holy power, produces a 
 radical, a total change; it forms us new crea- 
 tures in Christ, and makes us partakers of the divine 
 nature. The members of the body and the faculties 
 of the soul are alike affected by its blessed influence. 
 
348 APPENDIX. 
 
 Those eyes that were once evil and full of adultery, 
 are now turned to Heaven with pious adoration, or 
 gushing with tears of penitence for sin. That heart, 
 that once was a cage of unclean birds, is now the 
 temple of God. When the heart is opened as was 
 the heart of Lydia for the reception of this divine 
 seed, and the seed germinates, the obstinate becomes 
 mild; the self-willed, submissive; the careless, 
 thoughtful ; and the dissolute, holy. 
 
 This is proved by the testimony of example. Yea, 
 I am addressing some who can bear witness, and 
 glory in the thought that they are trophies of this 
 power, and who stand in the church as monuments 
 of the word of grace. 1 might mention some who 
 were, like the Corinthians, the slaves of sin, and say, 
 "Such were some of you: but ye are washed, 
 but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the 
 name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit :>f our 
 God." 
 
 II. Who are the sowers ? Some of the sowers 
 stand in the porch, some around the altars, some in 
 very obscure corners; but the duty of all Christians 
 is to hold up and to hold forth the word of truth. 
 Think not that this noble work is confined to the 
 pulpit. It is true that God in his wisdom does call 
 men and set them apart as sowers of the precious 
 seed, and whose life business it is to cry, ! earth, 
 earth, hear the word of the Lord. But all Christians 
 should be co-workers and fellow-helpers in the truth. 
 It is one of the devices of hell to forl^id all but the 
 
APPENDIX. 349 
 
 regularly authorized ministers to tell sinners around 
 them the way of life. 
 
 The Sabbath-school teacher is a sower of precious 
 seed, and if he feels as he should feel the responsibil- 
 ity resting upon him, he will say, Come unto me, 
 ye children, and I will teach you the fear of the 
 Lord. 
 
 The pious, though obscure, mother with her chil- 
 dren grouped around her, with the Bible upon her 
 knee, instructing them in the way of life, is a sower, 
 and the seed thus sown with tears and prayers will 
 not be in vain. The friend who deals faithfully 
 with the soul of his friend, the young men banded 
 together for works of benevolence and mercy, — these, 
 no less than the minister, are co-workers with God 
 and are holding forth the words of life. You may 
 be jioor and obscure, and hold no rank in the 
 church ; but may not a private in the army fight as 
 valiantly for his country as the officer that com- 
 mands? May he not die fighting for the colors 
 Avhich he may not carry ? If it is not his business 
 to train recruits he may enlist them. To this 
 work of sowing divine seed and enlisting recruits 
 for Christ, the gospel calls all who are looking to the 
 cross for salvation. " The Spirit and the bride say, 
 Come. And let him that heareth say, Come." The 
 Master hath need of the active service of all his 
 servants. Multitudes in our most highly favored 
 places are dying in their sins ; and though every 
 minister were a flaming fire, and every preacher a 
 
350 APPENDIX. 
 
 Whitfield they could not overtaka the work before 
 them. No person should be considered converted 
 unless so converted as to take a living, loving 
 interest in the conversion of others. 
 
 III. Our next inquiry is, where shall we sow? 
 " The field is the world." " Go ye into all the world, 
 and preach the gospel to every creature." " Thi.* 
 gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the 
 world for a witness unto all nations." All men 
 everywhere need the gospel. Men everywhere are 
 depraved. All have sprung from the man whose 
 guilty fall corrupts his race and taints us all. The 
 unchanged hearts of men everywhere are deceitful 
 above all things and desperately wicked. Men are 
 not only depraved, but all have sinned and come 
 short of the glory of God. All who do not receive 
 Christ by faith are in a state of condemnation and 
 are under the curse, for the wrath of God abideth 
 upon them. But how can men believe on him of 
 whom they have not heard, and how can they hear 
 without a preacher ? Hence the necessity of sowing 
 the seed of the kingdom everywhere ; at home and 
 abroad, in civilized and in heathen lands, in cities 
 and villages, in the valleys and upon the moun- 
 tains, among the rich and poor, high and lowly. All 
 need the gospel, and we, like the apostles, should go 
 everywhere preaching the word, and as all men 
 everywhere need salvation from the pollution of sin, 
 and need deliverance from its guilt and condemna- 
 tion, we should rejoice to be permitted to say : 
 
APPENDIX. 351 
 
 "Come all the world, 
 Come sinner thou, 
 All things in Christ are ready now. " 
 
 Sow everywhere; for unlike all other religious, 
 Christianity is adapted to universality. Every- 
 where, in all soils, in all climates, the seed of the 
 kingdom germinates and grows. We are to sow 
 everywhere, because the Master commands it. 
 
 IV. How should we sow ? 
 
 1. Liberally. Like Carey, we are to expect great 
 things from God. *' We must attempt great things 
 for God." The Lord loves a cheerful giver; so he 
 loves a cheerful and liberal sower. He that sows 
 sparingly will reap sparingly. " Freely ye have re- 
 ceived, freely give." He that withholdeth the bread 
 from the hungry deserves the curse. 
 
 2. Sow with decision of character. True great- 
 ness and extended usefulness in any department of 
 life depend largely upon this. But especially is 
 this true of the sowers of this precious seed. A 
 double-minded man is unstable in all his ways, 
 and he who is turned from his course by every 
 wind of opposition can never expect to reap a 
 golden harvest, or achieve anything for the Master. 
 Paul, Knox, Luther, Otterbein, Wesley, wrought 
 through their character as well as by their words. 
 
 3. Sow in faith. "All things are possible to him 
 that believeth." "According to your faith, be it unto 
 you." This nerves the soul to deeds of noble 
 daring. Witness David in the camp of Saul. This 
 
352 APPENDIX. 
 
 is the principle that connects the impotence of 
 the creature with tlie omnipotence of God. " This 
 is the victory that overcometh the world, even our 
 faith." Have faith in the inspired account of 
 man's moral condition. Believe Avhat God has 
 promised. My brethren, unbelief makes God a 
 liar, poisons the source of Christian confidence, 
 cuts the nerves of all spiritual exertion, tends to 
 discouragement and despondency. It is the little- 
 ness of our faith that makes us dwarfs, cowards, and 
 narrow-minded in our conceptions of duty. 
 
 4. Sow with prayer that God may accompany 
 the seed sown by his Holy Spirit. The blessedness 
 of such a course is manifold. The trusting are 
 blessed in heart. It is the industrious worker that 
 is happy. The idler and pleasure seeker are the 
 unhappy ones. What is your experience? The 
 laborer who is in the field at early morn plowing on 
 the mountain side, or scattering the golden seed in 
 the fruitful valley, has no time to be wretched. 
 
 5. Sow in hope also. In the sphere of religion 
 it often happens that the sower becomes also the 
 reaper. Oh, what glorious sheaves are gathered 
 even now in the field of toil! How many expe- 
 rience the fulfillment of the promise, " He that goeth 
 forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall 
 doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his 
 sheaves with him" ? At the close of life's weary day. 
 the sower has wept tears of joy as he gazes upon 
 the fair harvest waving before his eyes. He sees 
 
APPENDIX. 353 
 
 only the pittance which has been spared from the 
 expense of a wanton ostentation. As long as avari- 
 cious Christians shall so extend their plans of busi- 
 ness with the increase of their capital as to always 
 be straitened in the midst of their gains — and as 
 long as parents shall labor to amass wealth for their 
 offspring only to paralyze their enterprise, and cor- 
 rupt their morals, and insure their ruin — so long the 
 corrupt cause of God on earth must move slowly. 
 There is this day in the Church of the United 
 Brethren in Christ, in the hands of her member- 
 ship, capital enough to more than quadruple the 
 number of our missionaries now in the field, and 
 without the retrenchment of a single comfort neces- 
 sary to their happiness or the welfare of their 
 children. Is there a Christian here who cannot for 
 the year to come double the amount of his benev- 
 olence? Is there one who will not now purpose 
 in his heart to do it ? Brethren, the time is short in 
 which we have opportunity to express our boundless 
 obligations to the Savior. The fashion of the world 
 passeth away. Next year our tongues may be 
 employed in celestial praises and our substance be 
 in other hands. What remains, then, but that this 
 day we dedicate ourselves and all we have anew to 
 him who washed us in his blood ? The missionary 
 enterprise to which we pledge ourselves this day 
 may tell quickly in the very heart of Satan's empire 
 and cause light to spring up in the retreats of deep- 
 est darkness. 
 
354 APPENDIX. 
 
 ' V. I close by noticing the blessedness of those 
 "vvho are sowing the precious seed, and of those who 
 are sustaining them in their work of faith and labor 
 of love. There is a three-fold blessedness. There is 
 a blessedness in the heart. The industrious and 
 self-sacrificing worker is a happy man. The lover 
 of himself and the world is the unhappy man. 
 What is your experience, my brother? Are you 
 now industriously sowing this precious seed ? If so 
 you are happy. A blessedness is experienced in the 
 work itself — a work in which angels might delight 
 to share — and in the sympathy and gratitude of 
 others, and likewise in the hope of the harvest to 
 come. Oh ! what glorious sheaves are gathered even 
 now in the fields of toil ! "He that goeth forth and 
 weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come 
 again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with 
 him." Often at the close of life's weary day the 
 sower has wept tears of joy as he has gazed upon 
 the fair harvest waving before his eyes. He sees 
 sowers who have been brought to Christ through 
 his labors. He sees that the wilderness and the 
 solitary place are made glad and that the desert 
 rejoices and blossoms as the rose. 
 
 Who can describe the thrill of joy that passed 
 through the frame of the dying Boardman, when 
 borne upon a litter he gazed upon the Karen con- 
 verts going down to the river to be baptized in the 
 name of Jesus ? The death of Gordon Hall far from 
 kindred and home was like the coronation of a king. 
 
APPENDIX. 355 
 
 His last words were a sort of triumphal shout : 
 ^' Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy- 
 Ghost." 
 
 And Avhat shall I say of the last harvest, the final 
 coming and kingdom of the Lord, when the proper 
 reward of the sower and the fruit of his toil shall 
 be revealed ? " The harvest is the end of the Avorld, 
 and the reapers are the angels," and the sheaves, 
 unnumbered myriads of glorified spirits. For "the 
 ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion 
 with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads : 
 they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and 
 sighing shall flee away." Then the sea shall give up 
 the dead that are in it. The silent wilderness and 
 solitary graveyard among the mountains, and the 
 lone mission field shall give up the dead that are 
 in them. They shall come, myriads upon myriads, 
 from all lands and from all seas, beautiful as angels 
 and crowned with glory. For the seed of God has 
 ripened, and the last field is reaped. Earth's weary 
 sowers are there ; but oh, how changed, how glorified, 
 as they mingle with the happy throng ascending 
 the shining way chanting with angels the song of 
 the harvest home. In loud anthems they sing. 
 Worthy is the Lamb to receive honor and glory 
 and blessing. 
 
 Lo, these are they, the Lord's sowers; blessed 
 reapers now. Yonder is Luther with his Germans, 
 singing Gloria in Excelsis. There is Calvin chanting 
 the amazing grace of God. Wesley strikes his harp 
 
356 APPENDIX. 
 
 and mercy's free rings out on the air. Otterbein, 
 Geeting, and Newcomer are there at the head of a 
 great host — their spiritual children. Yonder is 
 Carey with his Hindoos. There is Judson with his 
 Burmans, glorious now as angels of God. Stretch- 
 ing far away among the shining ones you discover 
 dear friends, long missed on earth now glorified in 
 heaven. Oh, yes, my brethren, some who were fel- 
 low-laborers with you here are now standing there. 
 Tears, anguish, death, are all forgotten, swallowed 
 up in the joy of harvest. Happy sowers ; happy 
 reapers! "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." 
 Onward, right onward, ye men of God, sowing seed 
 beside all waters. Faint not, in due season you 
 shall reap. Standing before you as your bishop on 
 this holy day, permit me to say that after nearly a 
 half century in this good work, my present feeling 
 is. Let my eye-sight decay, let my body bow down 
 wath the weight of j'ears, let my gray hairs and 
 trembling limbs admonish me that soon T shall 
 lie down in the grave ; but while I live let me still 
 have a place among those sowing the gospel seed. 
 I have a hope, a blessed hope that I with you, shall 
 reap in joy. 
 
 THE church's open DOOR. 
 
 [Delivered in the United Brethren Church in Germantown, 
 Ohio, upon the anniversary of the Board of Missions, Sabbath 
 morning. May 4, 1884.] 
 
 Text: "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no 
 man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept 
 my word, and hast not denied my name." — Revelation 3:8. 
 
APPENDIX. 357 
 
 This figurative language is of the easiest inter- 
 pretation, and may be thus explained : I have 
 placed in your way every means and privilege and 
 opportunity of becoming fully acquainted with, 
 and profiting by my gospel, which is able to make 
 you wise unto salvation ; and I am determined there 
 shall be no effectual opposition or hindrance to 
 prevent its full effect. But it has a still further 
 important meaning. I have placed before you 
 every possible facility for propagating the gospel. 
 You yourselves have it in its purity and there shall 
 be no hindrance to your spreading it abroad. I 
 have set you before a door opened ; go forward in 
 your work. That this is the decided meaning of 
 the language in the text will be perfectly apparent 
 by a comparison of this language with that 
 used in other parts of the sacred volume. I am 
 anxious, my brethren, that this subject should be;. 
 well fixed in your minds, because it is my purpose 
 to adapt it to a practical use of vital interest to you 
 in your character as Christians and ministers. Let 
 us then see the meaning of these terms as elsewhere 
 used. 
 
 When Paul is giving a reason for his remain- 
 ing in Ephesus as late as the feast of Pentecost, 
 instead of going immediately to Corinth, he says, 
 " For a great door and effectual is opened unto 
 me;" that is, as no one can doubt, he found so 
 many prepared to receive the gospel, and God 
 had been pleased to grant him such success among 
 
358 APPENDIX. 
 
 them that lie was determined to stay a little longer, 
 hoping to be able to win more to Christ. The fact 
 of the history shows that a great door had been 
 opened for the establishing of a most flourishing 
 church at Ephesus. Again, in the second epistle to 
 the Corinthians, giving some further reasons why 
 he could not come to Corinth as soon as they 
 desired, he said, " When I came to Troas to preach 
 Christ's gospel, ... a door was opened unto me of 
 the Lord." In his epistle to the Colossians he exhorts 
 his beloved brethren to continue in prayer and 
 thanksgiving, and makes it a particular request that 
 in their supplications they would pray both for him 
 and his fellow-laborers that a door of utterance 
 might be given them to speak the mystery of 
 Christ ; that is, that- they themselves might be 
 enabled to open their mouths boldly in the name 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ, and find the way prepared 
 into the hearts of their hearers for the entrance of 
 the word of life. Peter represents the Lord as 
 having opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 
 When our Lord Jesus Christ represents himself as 
 taking in his omnipotent hand the key Avhich is to 
 open the door of the gospel, and Avhen he declares 
 that he openeth, and no man shutteth, it is equiva- 
 lent to the declaration that he either has removed or 
 will remove every obstacle which may obstruct the 
 progress and triumph of evangelical truth. It 
 appears to be in consideration of their faith and 
 purity of doctrine that he had seen fit graciously to 
 
APPENDIX. 359 
 
 bestow these blessings on the church at Philadel- 
 phia. '• I know thy works. Behold, I have set 
 before thee an open door, and no man can shut it : 
 for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my 
 word, and hast not denied my name." I find it is 
 the opinion of some commentators that a slight 
 censure is couched under these terms, as if from 
 their opportunities they ought to have a great deal 
 of strength instead of a little. This opinion is by 
 no means satisfactory, and does not agree with the 
 general tenor of the commendation ; for it requires 
 more than a little spiritual strength to keep the 
 word of Christ and not to deny his name, especially 
 in circumstances of peril and of death. I am fully 
 inclined to the belief that the term "little strength" 
 here used, applies more particularly to the civil and 
 political circumstances of the church and city, 
 and means that they had very little wealth or 
 political influence, and consequently no very great 
 means of accomplishing the object set before 
 them. But this view gives a very important 
 emphasis to the whole. Thus you Christians have 
 kept my word and have not denied my name. You 
 must learn, and you must spread abroad the gospel. 
 But I know the condition of your church, by provi- 
 dential circumstances. You have no great wealth, 
 or influence, or political power. You have but 
 little strength, but be not discouraged, for I will 
 compensate, and more than compensate, for all these 
 disadvantages under which you labor. Go on 
 
360 APPENDIX. 
 
 zealously and jxH'sevovingly, for I have set before 
 you an open door, and no man can shut it. These, 
 brethren, are the i)artieulars, so far as they are 
 immediately connected with the church at Phila- 
 delphia. But as whatsoever was written aforetime 
 was Avritten for our learning, I feel particularly 
 anxious that a subject of so much importance 
 should be brought to a more decided practical bear- 
 ing on our own circumstances and conditions as a 
 preliminary step to the practical deductions I 
 would draw. I would observe that it is the prerog- 
 ative of the Lord Jesus Christ to remove obstacles 
 out of the way of the spread of the gospel. 
 
 The, progress of the gospel in the world has 
 always had to contend with violent opposition from 
 without. The kings of the earth stand up, and the 
 rulers take counsel together against the Lord and 
 his anointed. Sui^erstition has sometimes col- 
 lected its devotees into one malicious group to 
 assail the servants of God with their ignorant 
 clamor and their vile persecutions. Sometimes the 
 regal scepter, sometimes the sacerdotal robe, some- 
 times the voice of senates, and sometimes the force 
 of arms and the terrors of death have been lifted up 
 against the progress of the gospel. To use the 
 figurative language and the facts of Jewish history, 
 as employed by another to illustrate this thought, — 
 "JNIany a mountain has risen up to check the 
 progress of Zerubbabel, many a Pliaraoh has been 
 determined to prevent the increasing population of 
 
APPENDIX. 8G1 
 
 Israel, many a Rabshakeh has insulted and blas- 
 phemed the name of God at the very walls of 
 Jerusalem, many a Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and 
 fury has committed the Shadrachs, Meshachs, and 
 Abednegos who were determined to resist idolatry, 
 to be cast into a burning fiery furnace." And many 
 a Herod, when he bathed his sword in the blood of 
 James, has proceeded to take Peter also as a victim 
 to his wrath. But, my brethren, the hearts of kings 
 are in the Lord's hands. Their lives are at his dis- 
 posal, their decrees are subject to his control, and all 
 their powers are dependent upon him. Therefore 
 he can open a door for the preaching of the gospel, 
 and no man can shut it. And notwithstanding the 
 power of monarchs, the policy of the priesthood, 
 the pride of philosophy, the abuse of the vulgar, the 
 ranting of infidels, and the terror of martyrdom in 
 its most distressing forms, Jesus Christ has kept 
 open the door for the transcendent triumph of his 
 own truth. So it has been, so it is, and so may 
 it ever be ; for whosoever shall oppose the progress 
 of the gospel in any of its forms shall be anathema 
 maranatha, for he loves not the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 But the fact to which I would more particularly 
 call your attention, and which is most intimately 
 connected with my text, is the fact that the Lord 
 Jesus Christ has to us, as a people, opened a wide 
 door for the dissemination of the gospel. This is a 
 fact of which a doubt cannot l)e entertained. We, 
 
362 APPENDIX. 
 
 as a nation, have by our commercial relations 
 intercourse direct or indirect Avith every j)ortion of 
 the habitable globe. Our ships are familiar with 
 every sea, and their sails whiten every port, far or 
 near, which the enterprise of man has yet dis- 
 covered. Our adventurous citizens are found in 
 every clime, from the frozen to the torrid zone. 
 They have followed the Indian track through the 
 forests, and they have climbed the great mountain 
 summits, while their eyes have rested on the un- 
 ruffled waters of the Pacific. God has further set 
 before the people of this nation an open door in 
 that he has given them a sufficiency of wealth to 
 enable them to spare largely to carry on the great 
 work of evangelizing the Avorld. Therefore I say 
 Christ has set before the American peoi)le an open 
 door by giving them enough and to 8])aro. lie has 
 set before us an open door because the great machin- 
 ery is already in motion. The Bible cause, the 
 missionary cause, and the tract and the Sunday- 
 school cause are all so many mighty engines by 
 which his kingdom is to be advanced in the world. 
 This being the fact, the resulting obligation is that 
 to us to Avhom this great door of opportunity is 
 opened, there must be no backwardness in discharg- 
 ing the duty God expects and requires. And let me 
 tell you, l)rethren, disregard it or not, as you please, 
 if one individual among you to whom God has 
 given the least opportunity to do good, refuses, for 
 such refusal he will be accountable to the Judge of 
 
APPENDIX. 363 
 
 all men, and may hear from his lips, You knew 
 your duty, and you did it not. 
 
 I. You may improve this open door by your 
 prayers. God has declared himself a prayer-hearing 
 and a prayer-answering God. For what should we 
 pray? 
 
 Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit ; for it 
 is not by might nor by power, humanly speaking, 
 that the great work of missions is to be carried on 
 successfully, but by the Spirit, saith the Lord. The 
 rain is not more necessary to moisten the seed, the 
 sun is not more necessary to bring it to maturity. 
 Hence, I would observe, prayer appears to be of the 
 utmost importance in connection with every attempt 
 for the conversion of heathen nations. It will be 
 found that in proportion as Christians are earnest in 
 their sifpplications for others their devotions will be 
 profitable to their own souls. Our bosoms warm 
 and expand in praying for our fellow-creatures. 
 This is not vain speculation, but the voice of expe- 
 rience. The best and happiest Christians are those 
 who pray and labor most for the conversion of 
 sinners. Prayer for ourselves is never so acceptable 
 to God as when accompanied with intercession for 
 others — prayer in the closet, prayer on those occa- 
 sions when we meet to consult as to the best plans 
 of operation. It was while the church at Antioch 
 was praying and waiting on the Lord and fasting 
 that the Holy Ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas 
 and Saul for the work whereunto I have called 
 
364 APPENDIX. 
 
 them." As the Spirit descended on the day of Pente- 
 cost it appears that in every age of the world prayer, 
 a spirit of prayer, for this great object has been the 
 precursor of real success. Never is a mission more 
 likely to prosper than when it is begun in the spirit 
 of earnest prayer for the accomimnying influence of 
 the Holy Spirit ; and if ever this Spirit departs from 
 us " the glory has departed" from our mission work. 
 God help us pray believingly and without ceasing 
 for the power of the Holy Spirit to render all means 
 which may be employed for the conversion of men 
 effectual. It is " not by might nor by power," but 
 by the Spirit, that means are attended with a saving 
 energy. 
 
 Had we millions of the most learned, eloquent, 
 and holy preachers in Christendom to send forth, and 
 all the funds that could be asked or desired for this 
 enterprise in which we are engaged, all would be in 
 vain unless the power of the almighty Spirit accom- 
 pany our labors. While, therefore, we labor with 
 unwavering perseverance for the conversion of the 
 world, while we raise funds with growing lil^erality, 
 Avhile Ave select, instruct, and send forth the most 
 devoted missionaries we can find, and while we 
 employ all the means in our power for imparting 
 the gospel to every creature, let us remember that all 
 will be unavailing unless the Holy Spirit accom- 
 pany and give energy to the means employed. He 
 that planteth is notliing, he that watereth is 
 nothing, but God that giveth the increase. Oh, it 
 
APPENDIX. 365 
 
 is sweet to the believing Tieart to lean on God, to 
 plead his promises, and to rejoice in the assurance 
 that though man cannot succeed by reason of his 
 weakness, He with whom all things are possible, and 
 who cannot lie, has promised that the whole earth 
 shall be filled with his glory, and that he is able and 
 faithful to give success. In earnest prayer for the 
 Holy Spirit's influence everyone can unite; and 
 every tear in the closet, every prayer in the heart 
 over those who are dead in their sin, every prayer 
 lifted up in retirement where no eye sees but the 
 eye of Him who seeth in secret, affords a most 
 important means of entering within the open door 
 of opportunity. 
 
 In this great age of Christian effort it may be said 
 that no prayer is complete unless it embraces in its 
 heart-speaking language the immortal interests of 
 our fellow-men ; and that a man's religion may well 
 be doubted, even though he goes regularly upon his 
 knees before the throne of grace, if he stints and 
 stifles his petitions within the miserable and con- 
 tracted compass of his own bosom. Oh, with what 
 fervor did the holy men of old pray for the progress 
 of the gospel of God. "Awake! awake! put on 
 strength, arm of the Lord ! " was the prayer of 
 Isaiah. Awake as in the ancient days, in the gener- 
 ations of old. 
 
 Within later years Christians have been much 
 more alive to the importance of this dut}" ; and one 
 of the holiest alliances which was ever made was 
 
366 APPENDIX. 
 
 that alliance of intercession which for several years 
 has brought thousands of Christians once in each 
 month to kneel before the mercy-seat of heaven to 
 supplicate with God for the cause of missions. 
 There is amazing grandeur in the idea that in Asia, 
 in Europe, in America, and, no doubt, also in Africa, 
 thousands of voices are lifted up with one consent, 
 which for Zion's sake will not hold their peace, 
 and for Jerusalem's sake will not rest "until the 
 righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the 
 salvation thereof as ar lamp that burnetii." I am 
 constrained to believe that the success of missionary 
 labor in recent years at home and abroad has been 
 given to us as an answer to the prayers of those 
 many thousands who have made the cause of Christ 
 the subject of their special petitions. 
 
 11. An open door is set before us to be entered 
 through personal exertion. 
 
 Brethren, the very purpose for which the benefits 
 of Christianity have been brought to you is that 
 you should not live unto yourselves, but unto Him 
 who died and rose again ; it is said in another 
 place that none of us liveth to himself There is 
 not a man or a woman in any congregation making 
 a part of the Church of the United Brethren in 
 Christ, but has influence over others; and there is 
 not one but could bring some accession to the cause 
 of Christ, and thus come to " the help of the Lord 
 against the mighty." Time was, my brethren, when 
 the Israelites were captives to Jabin, king of Canaan ; 
 
APPENDIX. 367 
 
 but ty the word of the Lord they were aroused to 
 assert their liberty, and under the prophetic direc- 
 tion of Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, they were 
 called to throw off the ignominious yoke. The 
 tribes of Reuben, of Asher, and of Dan, more distant 
 from the immediate scenes of oppression, refused to 
 leave their homes to assist their afflicted brethren. 
 The battle was fought without them, and without 
 them was the victory won. When the victors 
 returned they raised the voice of triumph ; and as 
 the tide of inspiration rolled along, thus sang Deb- 
 orah, " Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel 
 when the people willingly offered themselves." She 
 then recapitulates the tribes who thus offered them- 
 selves to the cause of God ; but when she comes to 
 mention the tribes of Reuben, Dan, and Asher she 
 breaks into the mournful strain, Reuben, why 
 abodest thou among the sheep-folds to hear the bleat- 
 ing of the flocks ? Dan, why didst thou remain in 
 the ships? Asher, why continued thou on the 
 shore ? " Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that 
 jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high 
 places of the field. The kings came and fought; 
 then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the 
 waters of Megiddo. . .Curse ye Meroz, said the angel 
 •of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; 
 because they came not to the help of the Lord, to 
 the help of the Lord against the mighty." Would 
 you, my brethren, prefer to resemble the ungrate- 
 ful and selfish tribes of Reuben, Dan, and Asher? 
 
368 APPENDIX. 
 
 Was the deliverance of Israel from the yoke of Jabin, 
 king of Canaan, a matter of greater moment than is 
 the deliverance of your brethren from the captivity 
 of sin, and ignorance, and superstition, and death? 
 Strive, then, by your personal influence and endeav- 
 ors with others to advance the cause of Christ. It 
 is your duty, founded on the benefits of Christianity 
 which have been brought and laid as a free gift at 
 your very doors. Refuse that exertion, refuse 
 that personal influence and endeavor, and as on the 
 inspired scroll of history it is written, so shall it 
 be against you, " Curse ye Meroz, . . . curse ye bit- 
 terly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not 
 to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord 
 against the mighty." But offer yourselves, my 
 brethren, like the other tribes of Israel, willingly to 
 God, and it shall be written, " They that be wise 
 shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and 
 they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for 
 ever and ever." 
 
 My brethren, there is not in the Bible a plainer 
 maxim than that he who receives the gospel, is 
 bound to make that gospel known. Heaven is not 
 farther removed from earth than is true religion from 
 every approach to selfishness. In opposition to the 
 religion of selfishness, indolence, and seclusion, that 
 Avhich the Bible enjoins is active, practical, and 
 diffusive, full of charity and good fruits, seeking 
 out like our great Example the abodes of destitution 
 and sorrow, instructing the ignorant, lifting up the 
 
APPENDIX. 369 
 
 depressed, opening wide the gate of life to the 
 perishing, pouring the beams of day on those who 
 sit in the shadow of death. Brethren in Christ, 
 wake up to your personal responsibility, and " view 
 the day of retribution." Think how you will hear, 
 
 " From your Redeemer's lips the awful words, 
 Thy brother perishing within thy gates, 
 Thou sawest. Thy brother hungered, was athirst, 
 Was naked, and thou saw'st it. He was sick. 
 Thou didst withhold the healing; was in prison 
 To vice and ignorance, nor didst thou send 
 To set him free. Oh, ere that hour of doom, 
 Whence there is no reprieve, brethren, awake 
 From this dark dream of inactivity and selfishness." 
 
 III. You can, my brethren, help forward the 
 cause of Christ by your liberal contributions. 
 
 That this is the duty of Christians it would be an 
 insult to attempt to prove. I boldly and fearlessly 
 assert that if you believe the Scriptures you cannot 
 doubt it. However little you may reflect upon it, 
 brethren, yet you are but stewards of the bounty 
 which God has bestowed upon you; and for the 
 exercise of that stewardship you must render up an 
 account to God. It is useless to keep back the 
 truth that the wealth you enjoy is not your own. 
 It is given of God for the purpose of employment 
 to do good to your fellow-man. When primitive 
 Christians embraced Christ they counted all things 
 loss for him and his cause ; and the surrender was 
 an honest, whole-souled transaction, never to be 
 reconsidered, never to be regretted. Hence from the 
 
370 APPENDIX. 
 
 hour of their conversion they made little account of 
 property. If it was confiscated, they took joyfully 
 the spoiling of their goods, assured that in heaven 
 they had a better and more enduring substance. 
 When the cause of Christ required it, how ready 
 were they to lay all at the feet of the missionaries. 
 Poor as were the first Christians, they were liberal 
 to a degree seldom surpassed. We from our much 
 give little; they from their little gave much. 
 " Their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of 
 their liberality." Baptized covetousness was the 
 product of a later age. Have we this spirit of 
 benevolence and sacrifice? Let us not evade the 
 question, but answer it. Why is it necessary for so 
 much to be said and done by the pulpit and the 
 press, by corresponding secretaries and traveling 
 agents, to obtain our scanty supplies of missionaries 
 and gather from one hundred and sixty thousand 
 United Brethren, at the rate of forty cents each, 
 enough to send those few missionaries to millions 
 of perishing heathen. Jesus, is this thy church? 
 Are these the people whom thou didst redeem by 
 thy precious blood, and who with the first throb- 
 bings of the new heart have severally inquired, 
 " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" When 
 Kochet-Thing, the Karen convert, was in this 
 country, he was urged on a certain occasion to 
 address a congregation in respect to their duty to 
 give of their means to send out missionaries and 
 support them. After a moment of downcast 
 
APPENDIX. 371 
 
 thoughtfulness he asked, with evident emotion, 
 " Has not Jesus Christ told them to do so ?" " Oh, 
 yes," was the reply, "but Ave wish you to remind 
 them of their duty." "Oh, no," said the Karen, 
 "if they will not obey Jesus Christ they will not 
 obey me." He in his simplicity considered the 
 command of the Master all sufficient. 
 
 It has been said that in the hearts of our brethren 
 there are streams of benevolence — ice-bound, it may 
 be, and pent up in the rocks of ignorance and preju- 
 dice ; yet, if but a Moses go to them and smite those 
 rocks, the stream of charity will flow forth to 
 gladden all the desert. Indeed ! and had the primi- 
 tive Christians such Horeb hearts, yielding nothing 
 to the cause of God, nothing to the claims of a 
 suffering, dying world until smitten by a foreign 
 force ? Was the missionary enterprise in their day a 
 crouching mendicant, wandering among the churches 
 soliciting with a pauper's importunity the parings 
 of liberal incomes, and then proclaiming at every 
 corner the name and residence of every donor of 
 twenty-five cents, lest, forsooth, if his reluctantly 
 bestowed contribution should not be trumpeted, 
 he might cease to care for the will of the Lord Jesus, 
 and lose his interest in the salvation of the world, 
 and the missionary treasury feel no more of the 
 overflowings of his benevolence? Tell me, men 
 and brethren and fathers, were such the Christians 
 of the age of Barnabas and Philemon and Polycarp ? 
 
 Thus, my brethren, with prayers, with personal 
 
372 APPENDIX. 
 
 efforts, and with pecuniary exertions yon may, and 
 I am persuaded you Avill, improve this open door. 
 The object of all the means employed is to convey 
 the news of salvation to those who are perishing. 
 That object will not be accomplished until every 
 idol temple shall have been utterly abolished and a 
 temple to Jehovah erected in its room ; until this 
 earth, instead of being a theater on which mortal 
 beings are preparing by crime, for eternal death, 
 shall become one universal temple in which the 
 children of men are learning the anthems of the 
 blessed above, and becoming meet to join the gen- 
 eral assembly and church of the first-born whose 
 names are written in heaven. 
 
 Members of the United Brethren Church, from 
 the habitation of his holiness the Lord Jesus Christ 
 looks down upon you, and as he calls to j^our mind 
 your highly privileged political condition, your 
 blessed country, your glorious opportunities, he 
 says, in language that cannot be misunderstood, 
 Behold, I have set before you an open door ; and as 
 you value the eternal interests of your fellow-men, 
 and as you estimate divine favor, let not the opportu- 
 nity be neglected. If you have been backAvard and 
 lukewarm, be so no longer. 
 
 0, my beloved brethren, let this subject dwell in 
 your hearts, and let it animate you whenever in the 
 providence of God you are called either for personal 
 effort or for pecuniary aid to enter the open door. 
 Neglect to do so and at the day of doom the dark 
 
APPENDIX. 373 
 
 banner which shall wave over your head Avill be, 
 " Curse ye Meroz," and in the flames of the passing 
 universe and in the melting of the elements will 
 sound, " Curse ye Meroz," and on the brazen gates 
 of hell will be written in characters of eternal fire, 
 "Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants 
 thereof; because they came not ... to the help of 
 the Lord against the mighty." 
 
 If any man, however, is smitten with fear, let him 
 retreat. If any man is faint-hearted, let him draw 
 back. If any man tremble at his proportion of the 
 charges for evangelizing the whole world, let him 
 depart. If any man is alarmed at the noise which 
 precedes the last conflict, let him hide himself with 
 his money and talent in the earth ; but let all M^ho 
 love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and wait for 
 his appearing and glory, give themselves anew to 
 his service, and break the earthen vessel and lift up 
 their voices and shout ; and the victory, and more 
 than the victory shall be given to the people of the 
 saints of the most high God, and a great voice out 
 of heaven shall be heard saying, Behold the taber- 
 nacle of God is with men and he will dwell with 
 them, and they shall be his people, and God him- 
 self shall be with them and be their God. 
 
 SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY. 
 
 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that 
 love thee. — Psalm 122:6. 
 
 I. What is implied in prosperity and when may 
 it be said the church is in a prosperous condition? 
 
374 APPENDIX. 
 
 1. The prosperity of the church does not consist 
 in outward splendor and show. It may possess all 
 the massive grandeur and sublimity of the Gothic, 
 all the rich and tasteful embellishments and all the 
 fine proportions of Greek architecture, and yet be 
 like the whitened sepulchres and garnished tombs of 
 the prophets, beautiful without, but within filled 
 with dead men's bones and all uncleanness; poor 
 and miserable. Nothing of mere external appear- 
 ance can be taken as an evidence of prosperity. 
 
 It is not that all its arrangements are comfort- 
 able and pleasant, or that it has splendid houses 
 of worship, which constitutes the prosperity 
 of the church. Permit me here to offer a pass- 
 ing remark lest I be misunderstood. I do not 
 believe that we can devote too much to give the 
 house of God a dignity, and grandeur, and a 
 beauty of appearance which may honor him in 
 whose name it is erected. The gathered gold of ages 
 was expended in the building of the first house ever 
 erected as the place for the name of the Lord of 
 hosts, and gold and silver and the highest devices of 
 the artists were made subservient to the solemnities 
 of worship. But this may all be and yet a church 
 may be sunk in spiritual penury. On the other 
 hand the richest things of the Spirit may have a 
 place in the church unsightly in its form and 
 mean in its embellishments. I have seen, and so 
 have some of you, my brethren, the house of God 
 built of logs which the axe of the worshiper hewed 
 
APPENDIX. 375 
 
 out of the sturdy oak or the lofty pine, and we have 
 seen it when it had no ornaments ; where the rude 
 and ungarnished pulpit served only to bear the 
 Bible, and yet we have sometimes, in such condi- 
 tions, felt and known that God was present and that 
 there was a spirituality in the hearts of those who 
 Avorshiped which gave evidence of spiritual pros- 
 perity, with which no gold, and no silver, and no 
 embellishments can possibly compare. 
 
 2. Again, it is not the wealth or high standing 
 of those who come to the house of God which con- 
 stitutes the prosperity of the church; for it is a 
 melancholy fact that comparatively few are those 
 among the wealthy and the elevated in society who 
 become the humble disciples of the meek and 
 lowly Savior. These cases, however, do sometimes 
 occur, and when they do, it becomes a matter as well 
 of gratulation as of notoriety and remark. While on 
 the other hand there might be a church where there 
 Was no individual raised in temporal circumstances 
 above the necessity of laboring with his hands to 
 procure his subsistence, and where learning and 
 science found no entrance, and yet be prosperous 
 beyond the power of language to convey, in the 
 graces and virtues which are noticed and valued 
 in the sight of God. 
 
 3. Numerical strength alone is no evidence of 
 prosperity. 
 
 4. Multiplication of forms and ceremonies is no 
 evidence of prosperity. 
 
376 APPEXDLX. 
 
 I will now notice what are evidences of pros- 
 perity. 
 
 I. There must he purity. In what? 
 
 (1). In doctrine. God never did, does not now, 
 and never Avill hless and own false doctrine in the 
 conversion of souls. The importance of maintain- 
 ing pure doctrine is placed in the strongest light 
 by the language of the word of God which rep- 
 resents true religion under the beautiful and appro- 
 priate figure of walking in truth, and walking 
 Avith God who is the great source and model of all 
 truth. These figures may be considered as teaching 
 the importance of sound doctrine, but the sacred 
 articles abound with declarations more direct and 
 solemn. Notice the following : " Hold fast the form 
 of sound words which thou hast heard of me." " Ear- 
 nestly contend for the faith which Avas once deliver- 
 ed unto the saints." "Take heed unto thyself and unto 
 the doctrine," etc. "Whosoever . . . abideth not in 
 the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." Hold fast the 
 faithful word that you may be able " by sound doc- 
 trine both to exhort and to convince thegainsayers." 
 
 As long as purity of doctrine continues to be 
 ])reached and generally received in the church, the 
 effect is uniformly benign. The word has free course 
 and is glorified, sinners are convinced and con- 
 verted, saints are edified and comforted, and the 
 membership of the church walk together in the fear 
 of God and in the consolations of the Holy Ghost. 
 But in proportion as impure doctrine gains ground 
 
APPENDIX. 377 
 
 in the church, everything good declines. Discord, 
 strife, division, and moral desolation become more 
 and more prevalent. The prevalence of doctrinal 
 error and the decline of practical religion have 
 always gone hand in hand. And there is another 
 fact equally remarkable and instructive. When 
 false doctrines have begun to appear in any church, 
 the course has too commonly been from one degree of 
 heterodoxy to another until the lowest depression is 
 reached. When a church apostatize from purity of 
 doctrine, they with deplorable frequency have been 
 found to continue in the downward course until 
 they reach the bottom of the declining plane. 
 
 2. Purity in the ministry. A ministry that is 
 pure imbibes the spirit of Christ and possesses a 
 large portion of the mind that was also in him. 
 
 Men may hold the truth with intelligent accuracy 
 and contend for it with earnestness without submit- 
 ting to its power. No minister is pure unless he 
 receives the truth in the love of it ; unless he un- 
 feignedly yields to Christ his love and confidence as 
 his great high priest and king as well as his prophet. 
 A pure minister is not only sound in faith, but also 
 a converted man ; a cordial, devoted, experimental 
 Christian ; a man full of the Holy Ghost ; who 
 speaks that which he knows, and testifies to that 
 which he has experienced ; Avho loves his Master and 
 his work above all things, and who accounts it his 
 highest honor to be like Christ, and his meat and 
 drink, to do his will. 
 
378 APPENDIX. 
 
 He rejects the aspirings of carnal ambition. He 
 is willing to learn of him who was meek and lowly 
 in heart. A pure minister is one who lives daily 
 under the power of that religion which he preaches 
 to others, who walks with God, who maintains a life 
 of fellowship with the Father of his spirit, and with 
 his Son Jesus Christ. His hatred of sin, his self- 
 denial, his meekness, his forgiveness of injuries, his 
 benevolence, his conscientious regard for truth and 
 justice in every thing, his deadness to the world, his 
 condescension to the poorest and weakest of his 
 flock, his disinterestedness, his holy zeal and dili- 
 gence, all bear witness that the love of Christ 
 constrains him, and that the glory of Christ is the 
 great end for which he lives. 
 
 A church will never experience or enjoy the pros- 
 perity so much desired under the ministration of a 
 proud, high-minded, selfish, trifling ministry. The 
 minister must be pure above suspicion. He must 
 be able to say to his flock, follow me as I follow 
 Christ. He must be an example to his flock. A 
 pure minister is one of whom the enemies of religion 
 Avill be compelled to say, we can find no fault in this 
 man unless it be in the worship of his God. 
 
 3. Purity in the membership. A church com- 
 l^osed of members, no matter how numerous, who 
 are strangers to the regenerating grace of God, not 
 born of the Spirit, without a personal experimental 
 interest in the death and righteousness of Christ, is 
 not in a prosperous condition. The strength of a 
 
APPENDIX. 379 
 
 church is the purity of the faith of those who 
 compose the membership of the church ; is the fact 
 that they are building alone for salvation on that 
 foundation than which none other can be laid, Jesus 
 Christ and him crucified ; is in the deep emotion of 
 the hearts of those who compose the stated worshipp- 
 ers ; is in the purity and holiness of their lives, and 
 in the consistency of their Christian walk and con- 
 versation ; is in the affections of their hearts fixed 
 on eternal things. 
 
 When you see the members of a church regular 
 and systematic in their attendance, devout in their 
 demeanor in the house of God ; when you see them 
 anxious to embrace every opportunity of becoming 
 wise unto salvation; when you see them deeply 
 engaged in the things of personal religion ; when 
 you find them active and zealous in whatever may 
 advance the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom ; 
 when you see them adorning the doctrine of God, 
 their Savior, and in a crooked and perverse genera- 
 tion seeking to keep themselves unspotted from the 
 world; when Bible, missionary and Sunday-school 
 associations are fostered and encouraged, and thus 
 ■when superadded to personal piety there is a noble 
 and elevated standard in their benevolence, then the 
 church may be represented as in a prosperous con- 
 dition; and then, no matter what its outward 
 condition, the high and lofty One that inhabiteth 
 eternity looks down with complacency on the work 
 he himself hath wrought ; and whether he writes it 
 
380 APPENDIX. 
 
 on marble or on humbler materials he gives to that 
 church the noblest commendation that a church 
 ever received. 
 
 4. Purity in the administration of discipline. 
 Mark the evil of defective discipline. You have 
 read the censure which fell upon the church of 
 Thyatira. Was it not in consequence of not 
 having dealt with that woman Jezebel, who was a 
 member of the church, as she deserved, by cutting 
 her off from the communion of the church and 
 drawing a long and well marked line of distinction ? 
 But a!B she was a woman of power, of wealth, of influ- 
 ence, of great cunning, they appear to have been afraid 
 to excommunicate her, and it was for this the church 
 of Thyatira was censured. For God will not only 
 have his people holy but he will have them hate and 
 abhor every approach to evil. And, my brethren, 
 I do think that want of discipline is now one of the 
 trying sins which presses its heavy weight upon the 
 Christian church. Are not members too often 
 allowed to entertain what heretical notions they 
 please, to be just as inconsistent as they please, just 
 as worldly-minded and covetous as they please, 
 neglect the means of grace as they please, and yet 
 we must not offend them? 
 
 But, my brethren, the church of Christ should be 
 composed of those who are true believers in him 
 and are truly converted by his grace; for God never 
 intended that his religion should be placed in any 
 guardianship but tlint of piety of heart and life. 
 
APPENDIX. 381 
 
 The Christian church, I may say it in the face 
 of this congregation, has an awful amount of cen- 
 sure standing against her for want of purity in the 
 administration of discipline. From the highest 
 collective body down to the local government of 
 individual churches, there is too much trusting to 
 everything more than piety. 
 
 Why is it that there is so much inconsistency in 
 the Christian profession ? Why, simply because we 
 are afraid of giving offense by telling an inconsist- 
 ent, worldly-minded professor of religion that he 
 has no part or lot in this matter, and that he had 
 better make no profession than not to give the 
 heart and life to God. 
 
 Fear to exercise discipline brought a censure on 
 Thyatira, and it will always bring a censure from 
 God, let the condition of a church be what it may. 
 But in the administration of discipline we must 
 be careful to proceed according to the principles and 
 teachings of the New Testament scriptures. 
 
 5. If a church is to prosper there must be the 
 cultivation of peace and union among the members. 
 Sometimes diversity of opinion may be an occasion 
 for derision and contention. It is not to be expected 
 that we should all think alike concerning everything 
 in this world, however near we may be to each other 
 in association, or however bound to each other by 
 the strong cords of affection. 
 
 Yet diversity of opinion in the church has often 
 proved very injurious. Some have differed from 
 
382 APPENDIX. 
 
 others in doctrine, pretending to greater discoveries, 
 insinuating that their fellow-nienihers are not ortho- 
 dox; that there is a sad falling of!' as to the great 
 truths of the gospel, and that professors are strangely 
 changed from what they were formerly. These 
 and similar charges have been circulated and re- 
 peated until the minds of many have been poisoned ; 
 a coldness has taken place, prayer meetings have 
 been neglected and finally an oi)en division has been 
 produced. 
 
 In order to avoid strife and division, learn to cul- 
 tivate a meek and quiet spirit. Meekness is one 
 distinguishing badge of Christianity. We expect 
 others to bear with us; we must bear with them. 
 Everything ma}' not be according to my mind, but 
 if I be a Christian I must not easily be offended. 
 Let me rather try to conquer by meekness, and thus, 
 perhaps, \[ shall win the soul of my brother while I 
 possess my own. How many divisions might have 
 been prevented, how many churches would still 
 have been peaceful if this happy disposition had 
 been cultivated. 
 
 But it may be asked, is a man to sit down quietly 
 and sacrifice truth to peace? By no means, but the 
 fact is that very often truth is not the object but 
 something inferior under its garb. I therefore 
 repeat, study meekness, forbearance, kindness, char- 
 ity, and this will doubtless prove a very powerful 
 antidote against division and discord in the church. 
 
 How plain the teachings of the gosj^el touching 
 
APPENDIX. 383 
 
 the importance of cultivating peace. " Keep the 
 unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." "Follow 
 peace with all men." *' Blessed are the peace- 
 makers." Remember, my beloved brethren, our 
 God is the God of peace ; that the Captain of our 
 salvation is the Prince of peace ; that the gospel is 
 the gospel of peace ; that our heaven is the residence 
 of everlasting peace. To the blessed abode of peace 
 may we look under every disquietude on earth; 
 and there may we all arrive at last. Be united : 
 union is strength ; united we stand. Be united in 
 your prayers ; be united in your efforts. 
 
 6. It is an evidence of prosperity when the 
 blessed Savior is in the church by his Holy Spirit. 
 Then the minister will not live, preach, and labor in 
 vain ; then the gospel will not come in word only to 
 the hearers, but in power ; then the gospel will be 
 the power of God unto salvation. 
 
 Finally we are to pray for the peace of the church. 
 What is more suitable or necessary ? Such blessing 
 God will be delighted to grant. Such prayer will 
 bring prosperity to the church and praise to God. 
 
SKETCHES. 
 
 THE CHURCH. 
 
 Text: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and 
 upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell 
 shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16: 18. 
 
 I. What is meant by the church? 
 
 1. Primary meaning, congregation or assemblage. 
 
 2. Congregation of believers. Church at Colosse. 
 Corinth. Seven churches of Asia. In private 
 houses, Aquila and Priscilla, Nymphas. 
 
 3. Used to represent the whole body of Chris- 
 tians. Christ the head of the body ; head over all 
 things to the church. 
 
 4. God has always had a church — Abel, Abra- 
 ham, ark, bondage in the wilderness. 
 
 5. The church and the world form two distinct 
 communities. " If ye were of the world." " My 
 kingdom is not of the world." " Ye are a chosen 
 generation." Efforts to unite church and world 
 jnust be vain. Laws and subjects. 
 
 6. Eepresented by various figures. Garden, vine- 
 yard, sheep-fold, a well constructed building, " Ye 
 are God's husbandry; ye are God's building." 
 '•Christ as a son over his OAvn house." "Lively 
 
 384 
 
APPENDIX. 385 
 
 stones." Show the analogy. Conspicuous position. 
 Compartments. Refuge. 
 
 II. The foundation. "On this rock." Some say- 
 Peter, others his confession, others still Christ him- 
 self. "Behold, I lay in Zion." Christ is the 
 stone which the builders rejected. Foundation of 
 apostles and prophets, Christ himself being the 
 chief corner stone. " Other foundation can no man 
 lay." Immovable, strong. 
 
 III. Security. " The gates of hell." The grave. 
 The figure in the text. Subtlety, malice, and power* 
 of infernal regions. Church always has had ene- 
 mies. Infant church. Continued existence and 
 triumph assured. 
 
 Apply. — 1. A lesson of Christian charity. 
 
 2. Are you willing to live and labor for the 
 church ? " For her my tears shall fall." 
 
 3. Some of you may say, " I have no interest in 
 the church." I thank God I do not feel so. 
 
 4. Some once in the church are now in the world. 
 Can you not express your longing for restored fel- 
 lowship in the lines, — 
 
 " To you my spirit turns, 
 
 Turns a fugitive unblessed; 
 
 Brethren, where your altar bums 
 
 Oh receive me into rest ? 
 26 
 V 
 
386 APPENDIX. 
 
 LOOK UPON ZION. 
 
 Text: "Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine 
 eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that 
 shall not be taken down ; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever 
 be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken." 
 — Isaiah 33 : 20. 
 
 I. Take a view of the church as presented in 
 this scripture. Terms here employed, Zion, Jeru- 
 salem, city ; these terms, though used to represent 
 the Old Testament church, are equally applicable to 
 the Christian church. *' For Zionh sake — " " Walk 
 about Zion—" "It shall be said of Zion—" "Of Zion 
 it shall be said—" "Let the children of Zion—" "Out 
 of Zion the perfection of beauty — " " Jerusalem which 
 is above." " A city that is set on a hill." " City 
 of the great King." " City of the living God—" 
 " Glorious things are spoken of thee, city of God." 
 Order and laws of this city. Charter of its privi- 
 leges. A quiet habitation. Peace within her walls 
 and prosperity within her palaces. He who reigns 
 is the Prince of peace. Gospel of peace. Inhabi- 
 tants at peace with God and in communion with 
 him. How tranquilizing is the voice which says, 
 " Be still and know that I am God." Be still, 
 anxiety and fear, " I will never leave thee." Be 
 still, impatience, I am God and the times and 
 seasons are in my hands. City of our solemnities. 
 All connected with the church is solemn ; preach- 
 ing, hearing, praying. 
 
 II. Is this church secure? "It shall not be 
 
APPENDIX. 387 
 
 taken down." The true church can never fail. It 
 is a kingdom that cannot be moved. God will pre- 
 serve unto himself a people. In the ark. Abraham 
 chosen. Preserved in Babylon. Behold the Chris- 
 tian church. It has met the most violent opposi- 
 tion. The infant Jesus. The infant church. Prisons 
 and torture. Multiplied through persecution. .Jew- 
 ish hate. Greeks put the church in the crucible of 
 their philosophy. Magistrates threw her votaries 
 to wild beasts and into the fiery furnace. But 
 blessed be God, despite the Jews she was the church 
 of God still ; despite the Greeks, the foolishness of 
 preaching has gone on conquering the world; de- 
 spite the magistrates, she has come forth from the 
 lion's mouth with no rent in her drapery ; and from 
 the furnace, and the smell of fire was not found 
 upon her robes. The storm beat her, the tempest 
 rocked her, the lightning scathed her, but still she 
 Avent forward from conquering into conquest. Is 
 she not secure ? 0, if thus in infancy, poor, without 
 letters, without the support of the powerful, she has 
 fought her hardest battles and obtained the victory, 
 has come up out of the wilderness "fair as the 
 moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with 
 banners," is she not secure? Now art and science 
 are consecrated to her service. Kings have become 
 her fathers and princesses her nursing mothers. 
 The world's most gifted sons and daughters worship 
 at her altars. The press is scattering her Bibles 
 like the leaves of autumn. Her missionaries en- 
 
388 APPENDIX. 
 
 compass the globe. Her members shout hallelujah 
 from the tombs of the patriarchs to the coasts of the 
 Pacific. 
 
 But will the time ever come when the church 
 shall extend through the whole earth ? Let us hear 
 what God the Lord says touching this matter. "The 
 kingdoms of this world — " " Ask of me — " " Alt 
 the ends of the world shall remember." " Even 
 from the rising of the sun — " " I will gather all 
 nations — "/'The Lord's house shall be established 
 in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted 
 above the hills ; and all nations shall flow unto it." 
 
 III. The subject should receive proper attention. 
 Look upon Zion. Angels look upon her with com- 
 placency and delight. Look upon her, sinners. Look 
 upon the true Christian. Remember Zion stands, 
 even though you oppose. Look upon Zion that you 
 may long to join her holy society. Can you observe 
 the order and joy of her children and not desire a 
 place with them ? Does not j^our heart say, " How 
 amiable are thy tabernacles ?" Say " I will go with 
 thee." " Thy people shall be my people — " Look 
 upon Zion, Christians, with wonder and gratitude. 
 Behold your spiritual birth-place, .3'our final home. 
 "One thing have I desired — " Look, and resoh'e 
 there to abide. Labor and pray for her prosperity. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Allegheny Conference, 115. 
 Appearance, Personal, 79, 170, 278. 
 
 Bachtel, Rev. J., 63. 
 Baltimore, Residence at, 200. 
 Benevolent Fund, 119. 
 Boy Preacher, 40, 51, 56. 
 Bright, Rev. J. C, 152. 
 Brown, Bishop William, 63. 
 Burtner, Rev. H., 47. 
 
 Depravity, 146, 160. 
 
 Discipline, Enforcement of, 141, 229. 
 
 Doctor of Divinity, 220, 237. 
 
 Dodds, John, Visit of, 275. 
 
 Doup, Valentine, 51. 
 
 Education, 109, 158. 
 Edwards, Bishop D., 135. 
 Enieritus Bishop, 264. 
 Erb, Bishop J., 71. 
 
 Castle, Bishop N., 226. Frederick Circuit, 34. 
 
 Chambersburg, Sickness at, 227. 
 
 Chambersburg, Visit in, in 1864, 183. Geeting, Rev. George A., 38, 73. 
 
 Church Commission, 258, 268. General Conferences : 1837, 88; 1841, 
 
 Churchliness, 289. 96; 1845, 108; 1849, 130; 1853, 145; 
 
 Churchville, 171. 1857, 159; 1861, 174; 1865, 189; 1869, 
 
 Civil War, 175. 203; 1873, 215; 1877, 225; 1881, 232; 
 
 Confession of Faith, iii, 269. 1885, 254. 
 
 Confidence in the Future, 100, 105, Glossbreuner, Hon. A. J., 27. 
 
 Constitution, 92, 97, 256, 269. 
 Controversy in Staunton Spectator, 
 
 194. 
 Course of Reading, 148. 
 Coursey, Rev. William R., 60. 
 
 Davis, Bishop L., 151- 
 
 Davis, Dr. L-, Appreciative Words 
 
 by, 238, 250. 
 Dayton, Residence at, 207. 
 
 389 
 
 Glossbrenner Family, 18. 
 Glossbrenuer, Bi6hop J. J.: 
 
 Birth, iS. 
 
 Bishop, III. 
 
 Conversion, 29. 
 
 Death, 277. 
 
 Estate, 281. 
 
 Family, 85, 173. 244. 
 
 Home Life, 84, 170. 
 
 Leader of a Class, 37. 
 
 Licensed, 37. 
 
390 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Marriage, 59. 
 
 Ordained, 61. 
 
 Presiding Elder, 64. 
 Glossbrenner, Mrs. Maria M., 252. 
 Golden Wedding, 244. 
 
 Hagerstown Circuit, 28, 33. 
 Hanby, Bishop William, 112. 
 Hartsville Academy, 139. 
 Hiestand, Bishop Samuel, 67. 
 Hoke, Jacob, 183. 
 Hott, Rev. J. W., 182. 
 
 Infant Baptism, 160. 
 Iowa Conference, 116. 
 
 Kephart, Bishop E. B., 233. 
 Krack, Rev. John, 35. 
 Kumler, Bishop H., Jr., 192, 236. 
 Kumler, Bishop H., Sen., 46, 61. 
 Kurtz, Dr. Benjamin, 23, 42. 
 
 Lay Delegation, 159, 204, 216, 226, 230, 
 
 269. 
 Lawrence, Rev. J., 165. 
 Loyalty to the Discipline, 217, 240. 
 Loyalty to the Union, 190, 195. 
 
 Markwood, Bishop J., 70, 175. 
 Maryland, Visit in, 213. 
 McCue, Major, 194. 
 Mennonites, 90. 
 Miami Conference, 123. 
 Missionary Society, 149. 
 Missions, 70, 106. 
 Muskingum Conference, 125. 
 
 North Ohio Difficulties, 239. 
 
 Ordination, 61. 
 Otterbein University, 120. 
 
 Parsonage, Bishop's, 200. 
 
 Pastor, 80. 
 
 Pennsj'lvania Conference, 45, 113. 
 
 Personal Characteristics, 86, 279. 
 
 Pleasant Valley, 60. 
 
 Preaching, Early, 40, 53, 78. 
 
 Preaching, Character of, 169, 283. 
 
 Presiding Officer, 290. 
 
 Progressiveness, 293. 
 
 Pro Rata Representation, 233. 
 
 Reform, 130, 150, 1S9. 
 Reformed Church, 89. 
 Reubush, Rev. J., 71. 
 Rhinthart, Rev. William R., 30. 
 Russel, Bishop J., 112, 19S. 
 Ryraal, Rev. George, 62. 
 
 Salary of Bishops, 112, 151, 281. 
 Salary of Preachers, 54, 106. 
 San- jsky Conference, 125. 
 Scioto Conference, 120, 137. 
 Secret Societies, 132, 204, 241, 258 
 
 269. 
 Sermons : 
 
 Disputes Among Christians, 321. 
 
 I Magnify Mine Office, 301. 
 
 Love of Christ, 295. 
 
 Spiritual Prosperity, 373. 
 
 Sowing Beside All Waters, 345. 
 
 The Church's Open Door, 356. 
 Shenandoah Valley, 55. 
 Shiloh Mission, 71. 
 Shuey, Christian, 57, 142. 
 Shuey, Rev. George A., 60. 
 Sketches .- 
 
 Look Upon Zion, 386. 
 
 The Church, 384. 
 Slavery, 106, 109, 121, 133, 141, 150, 172, 
 
 1S9. 
 Staunton Circuit, 55. 
 
 Pacific Tours, 209, 222. 
 
 THMrKRANCB, 49, io6, 131. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 391 
 
 Troup, Rev. Christian, 138. 
 
 Union Biblical Seminary, 204. 
 Union Biblical Seminary Discourses, 
 
 231- 
 United Brethren Church, Character 
 
 of, 90, 127, 261. 
 United Brethren Church, Devotion 
 
 to. 81. 
 United Brethren Church, Origin of, 
 
 89. 
 
 Zahn, Rev. 
 
 Virginia Conference, 45. 
 
 Virgjinia Conference. The Field of, 
 
 177. 167- 
 
 Wabash Conference, 118. 
 Weaver, Bishop J., 194. 
 Weaver, Bishop J. — Funeral Dis- 
 course, 278. 
 Western College, 156. 
 White River Conference, 124. 
 Wright, Bishop M., 226. 
 John, 34. 
 
BX9878.8.G5D7 
 
 The life of Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner, 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminat7-Speer Library 
 
 1012 00021 2847