SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. ffiarott ffiarml? MISSIONARY AND WESTERN SECRETARY An Apprwtatum m -. N ,. \H~-^ REV. Wl E-^ARSON, D. D. BURLINGTON, IOWA THE GERMAN LITERARY BOARD 1905 P3 Copyright 1905 by R. NEUMANN Burlington, Iowa Press of Severinghaus & Beilfuss Company Chicago, III. CMAMPTON ACCES9tOft MKC80FT UBRABY JUL 25.1938 TO THE IN OUR HOME FIEJLD, AND TO THK NOBI,E: BANDS THAT MAKE) THE WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, THIS SKETCH IS DEDICATED. "Your fathers proved me, and saw my works forty years." Hebrews. FOREWORD. In our day there is a cry made for the simple life. There are others who show us the strenuous life. It is possible for the two types to be blended in the same personality. The subject of this sketch lived a strenuous life, yet so little occupied with thoughts of public recognition that it has been difficult to find the materials for a connected biographical story. Dr. Barnitz has shown the church an example of simple faith combined with a remarkable activity. The ac- count herewith submitted is partial, but it will serve to hint the devotion and rich labors of one who "being dead yet speaketh." The author of the Simple Life has said: "If a man, in his humble sphere, in the midst of the ignor- ance and faults that are his inevitably, consecrates himself sincerely to his task, it is because he is in contact with the eternal source of goodness." By that token we have in the life of Doctor Sam- uel B. Barnitz an illustration of contact with God conspicuous and singular. It was deemed 'best to allow Dr. Barnitz to tell a good deal of the story in his own graphic way. Hence the very free quotations from letters, journals, and reports. It would have been interesting to have o FOREWORD. come upon the address which he frequently delivered, "Twenty Years in a City Mission", but there was no memorandum of it remaining. Many who had heard the lecture, moved by the alternating pathos and humor of it, would have been glad to see it set out in type. Believing that there is an incentive value for others in all consecrated work, this brief sketch of one of God's devoted servants is given to his friends and to the Church. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. BIRTH AND ARLY YEARS 17 His parents Boyhood struggles At the public school Acts as porter Clerk in store Con- firmation First drawings to the Ministry First public prayer. CHAPTER II. STARTING FOR COLLEGE 23 Call to the Ministry More trials Prayer an- swered Enters college Active in Christian Work Health breaks Enters Theological Sem- inary Walks to Niagara. CHAPTER III. AS HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM AT COLLEGE 29 Dr. Grohs Letter Dr. Baugher, the elder Fears for his ozvn ability Reassured Dr. Lilly's testimony Popularity among the students Sanctified humor. 8 TABLE; OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. LEAVING GETTYSBURG 33 Revival Work Visits Philadelphia Meets Geo. H. Stuart Chaplain at Lutherville Anxiety about settlement Dark days Trial sermons Dr. Stork's call Dr. Butler's Assistant Returns to York. CHAPTER V. CALL TO WHEELING 38 Three Life Periods Dr. Baum suggests Wheel- ing Dr. Passavant Accepts Call Early Days at Wheeling The Civil War First Sunday Friends Dr. Baugher, Jr., his Assistant Sun- day School Work Mission conditions. CHAPTER VI. METHODS AT WHEELING 45 First Orphan Work No Early Records First converts Review of Four Years Summing up Results Buys Lot Lays corner-stone Dr. F. W. Conrad Eighteen Years Toil A Second Mission. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER VII. AN OLD-FASHIONED DIARY 53 Laments unworthiness Division of General Synod Prays for the young men Visits Jail Sermon Writing Despondent School Grows Declines society Visits New York Longs for a Church Twenty-nine Sent to Montreal At York and Gettysburg. CHAPTER VIII. AN IMPARTIAL ESTIMATE 65 Nearing the End at Wheeling Relation to the Railways Elements of Success Permanence Timely Help Benevolence Collections Spec- ial Contributions Churchliness Loyalty Catholicity Philanthropy Enterprise. CHAPTER IX. TRACT NO. 217 71 Pen Picture Mrs. Dr. Heilman Greatest Sun- day School Sunday ministrations Praying for bricks Stays panic Secret of his success. 1O TABLE Otf CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. CALLED AS WESTERN SECRETARY 75 Wider Field Farewell to Wheeling Disclaims merit Ministerial Sons First Report to Board Des Moines Eleven times elected Twenty Years in Held. CHAPTER XL A MODEL SECRETARY 80 A Mission Napoleon Railway Methods His Reports Day of Small Things Used the News- paper Plans for a Mission Journey Relations to General Council Advocates College and Sem- inary on His Field Dr. Clutz's Testimony Board of Education In Washington Other Services Declines other calls. CHAPTER XII. A MODEL SECRETARY'S REPORT 87 Monthly Reports Material for Historical So- ciety One at Random Kansas Missouri Rocky Mountain Synod Scandinavian Items Colorado Springs Pueblo Nebraska Illinois Indiana Iowa Miscellaneous. TABLE OF CONTENTS. II CHAPTER XIII. IN WEARINESS AND PAINFULNESS IO4 Overwork Longs for Rest Travels to Minne- sota to answer a letter Rich Return A Blessed Trio Apostolic Labors Zions-Bote Notice Posthumous Notes Last Communion. CHAPTER XIV. HIS WORK IN CALIFORNIA Ill Beginnings Sacramento Dr. Burnett's Testi- mony Women's Societies San Francisco Los Angeles Other Missions Analysis of Dr. Bar- nitzfs Character The End. CHAPTER XV. TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY 117 General Synod at Des Moines Committees Re- ceptions Services in St. John's Dr. Nelander Other Addresses Crowning Day Barnitz Day. CHAPTER XVI. HIS LAST SERMON 122 Whitsunday in Boulder Facing Home The Precious Name The Victor's Crown Going 12 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Home Denver Memorial A Great Gap Two Secretaries take His Field. CHAPTER XVII. DR. BARNITZ IN THE PEW 126 Dr. Wirt's Tribute Pastor and Parishioner Punctual in attendance Liberal Contributor Example to all His Prayers Addresses to the Sunday School Funeral Sermon. CHAPTER XVIII. A NOTABLE CORRESPONDENCE. 134 AFaithful Correspondent Mrs. Emma B. Stork Dead yet Speaketh Thanksgiving Mercies Recalled Wheeling revived California Easter In an Adobe House Labors Abundant Moody recalled Charles Stork. CHAPTER XIX. GREAT DAYS IN CHICAGO, WHEELING, ETC 142 A Platform Orator Conventions Montreal Washington Chicago Columbus Wheeling New York Dr. Schmuckers Appeal Liberal- ity. TABLE; OF CONTENTS. 13 CHAPTER XX. SNAP SHOTS FROM THE: FIELD 147 Winter and Famine Requisites in a Mission- ary Expense Account Des Moines Portland Sacramento Chicago Hamma Hall Varied Extracts from Reports Conclusion. CHAPTER XXL DR. BARNITZ AND THE) GERMANS I?O Dr. Barnitz of German stock His interest in German Synods Dr. Rosenstengel's Editorial notice Mr. Stifel's voluntary tribute. CHAPTER XXII. TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM 180 Memorials Dr. Rhodes Dr. Troxell Dr. Hamma A. F. Fox Dr. Hartman Judge Grosscup Dr. Heckert Lutheran World Ob- server Evangelist Dr. Heisler Dr. Kelly Dr. C. S. Albert Dr. SchnurDr. ClutzMrs. Hamma Mrs. Breckenridge Dr. Wirt Dr. Peschau W. L. Seabrook Hon. Thos. Dewey Dr. Waltz Dr. DunbarDr. Wolf Mr. Eckhardt Memorial Services. 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIII. A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE 188 Always promoting Women's Work Death an- nounced Memorial Services in Women's Con- vention Executive Committee Mrs. Maggart's Address Estimate of Character Incidents A Hero Dr. Ott's tribute. CHAPTER XXIV. FINALE 198 Family History Loyalty Death and Burial Memorial Tablet in St. John's His Life Text. ILLUSTRATIONS. Samuel Bacon Barnitz Frontispiece Dr. Barnitz in robe, 1861 35 The Old Church at Wheeling 48 Dr. Barnitz in 1867 62 The Trio, Barnitz, Baugher, Goettman 72 The Trio, after twenty-five years 82 Headquarters in Des Moines 95 St. John's Church, Des Moines 109 The California Synod 115 Dr. Barnitz in 1897 130 Last Picture, taken by Pastor Oehler 165 CHAPTER I. BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS. Samuel Bacon Barnitz was born in York, Pennsyl- vania, May 1 2th, 1838. His father was Samuel M. Barnitz, a son of "General Jacob Barnitz, an officer of the Revolutionary War, who carried in his body an enemy's ball thirty-two years". So the monument in the old Lutheran church-yard at York records it. The mother of Samuel Barnitz was Sarah Demuth, daugh- ter of John Demuth, one of the earliest German set- tlers of Pennsylvania. This godly mother consecrated her son from earliest childhood to the service of the Master and the Church. The father was immersed in business, having a large legal practice in the courts of York, Lancaster, and Dauphin Counties. It was the mother's influence which determined the life and call- ing of the son. The family was early broken and scat- tered. First came the death of one brother, who was preparing to enter the ministry; later a brother and sister were buried in one grave ; still later the father, after a lingering illness, died when the boy Samuel was but nine years of age. Then came the pinch of poverty, the reduced home, the small economies which left their impress upon the boy's whole after life. 17 l8 SAMUEL BACON BARNIT2. Those who knew Dr. Barnitz in his later years will understand the complete democracy of spirit which al- ways moved him. He lived the simple life. He was born in a simple community, and the deprivations of his early life were part of the education which fitted him the better to do the work to which he was called of God. Often in the midst of his soul-moving ad- dresses he would exclaim, "Thank God, I had a good mother!" She saw the coming poverty and prepared for it. She held the children together, moved into a smaller house, used her own patrimony in support of the little ones of the family, helping to meet later expenses in college and seminary. It is a story of parental sacrifice that has been often repeated in the families of preacher and missionary. The changes in family condition interrupted the boy Samuel's early education. Even the public school was too expensive a luxury. The modern custom of supplying the pupils with free books had not then been introduced. For lack of the required books, being unable to buy them, the boy was compelled to lose promotion. Yet he was made of the stuff that does not surrender to small difficulties, nor to great ones. He gathered bones on the public streets and alleys of York that he might buy the books for use in the public schools. Incredible as this may seem, it is a fact, the record of which remains in the hand- BIRTH AND EARLY Y^ARS. 19 writing of Doctor Barnitz himself. What a com- mentary on the changes of fifty years ! An ambitious, self-reliant boy willing to do any honorable or honest work that he might get an education. Fortunately for him the city's sanitary regulations were not then inaugurated. He would buy few books with the bones he could now gather in the streets of York. Young Barnitz also acted as baggage porter that he might gather up a few dimes between school hours, and so be able to buy the books for the next term. This willingness to fetch and carry never forsook him through all his later life. He was always doing errands of good for others, carrying his own heavy valises often to save the church's money, counting no service too menial if he might thereby serve Christ. In the year 1853 when only fifteen years old, the boy Samuel left the public school to enter the dry goods store of his uncle, Alexander Demuth. This place as clerk in a country store was also part of the boy's education. Many a young man has graduated from the counter to become manager, owner, legis- lator, preacher. In his place as clerk, Samuel Barnitz was a positive Christian influence to all about him. He was of such a trustworthy character that he was enabled to do his full duty to his employer and to those who were older, and thereby rapidly gained promotion. One-third of his salary was annually left in the hands of his uncle, to be saved for the pro- 2O SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. verbial rainy day, so that in case of sickness or accident his mother might have something to depend upon. During all these years the religious education of the boy was not being neglected. He was a child of God from birth, like Timothy, knowing the Scriptures from his youth. He never knew the date of his earliest religious impressions. He often said that he did not know or remember a time when he did not feel a desire to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Spring of 1856, when eighteen years old, Samuel Barnitz made a public profession of Christ's name through the ancient and honored Lutheran custom of confirmation. Though a child of God from birth and by baptism, not remembering a day when he was not consciously in accord with the gracious drawing of God's spirit, still he gathered new impulse of good from an open and avowed declaration of his purpose to live for the glory of God and the good of his fel- low men. From that day all things undertaken in God's name were always looked on by him as a tri- umphant success, even when they seemed to fail. Such is the contradiction of faith. This public confession of Christ occurred during the four years of service in the store of his uncle. It was then that he became deeply interested in the Bible and Sunday School cause. Then also came the first drawing towards the Christian ministry. He was a faithful clerk, but he was not satisfied as a clerk, feel- BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS. 21 ing a desire for some sphere of usefulness that was not then disclosed to him. An enthusiastic young man of eighteen, he entered with all his soul into the then comparatively new form of Christian work known as the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. A daily prayer meeting was con- ducted, the leader of which was in his turn Samuel Barnitz. His efforts for the spiritual welfare of those around him were very greatly successful. In the religious revival which swept over the country in the year 1857 Samuel Barnitz took a deep interest. He dated his call to the ministry from that time. From the record which he made in after years this extract is of deep significance: "I love to recall the revival season of 1857, as in it God gave me unmistakable evidence of a call to give myself to His service in the ministry. Even then He permitted me to lead souls to the cross. Oh, distinguished honor for one so un- worthy! Lord Jesus, keep me faithful!" The first prayer the lad Samuel ever made in pub- lic was long remembered in York. It moved the con- gregation to tears. The older members of the church knew the misfortune through which the family of the boy had passed, the death of the father, the strug- gles of the mother, and their sympathies were aroused 22 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. even to the melting of strong hearts. Many of the young companions of Barnitz in store, school, and church were at that time led to confess Christ before men. Thus early God gave His blessing to faithful testimony. CHAPTER II. STARTING FOR COLLEGE. The call to the ministry that came to Samuel Bar- nitz was of the old-fashioned kind. He was not in any doubt about it. The Lord had truly called, as He called the other Samuel in the ancient days. The call came not with audible voice out of the sky, nor in supernatural fashion in the night, but none the less was it deemed a call of God direct, unmistakable, that dare not be resisted. He had neither rest nor peace until he fully yielded and said "Here, Lord, take me, and send me, and use me for Thine own glory, and the good of my fellow creatures." Immediately, in con- sequence of this deep conviction, he left the store of his uncle to enter upon a course of preparatory study at the York County Academy, looking to a full course at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa. During the time of study at this Academy the embryo preacher began to preach and conduct meetings in the waste places, visiting the alms house, and helping as God opened the way in every kind of Christian work. There were dark hours just a little in advance, but the boy was unaware, and went forward courageously. In the Spring of 1858, the arrangements were all 23 24 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. completed for entering the College at Gettysburg. His delicate mother had prepared with her own feeble hands the clothing outfit such as the boy required during the college term. Then was the heart of the youthful candidate cast down by the clouds of thick darkness which fell in one night. His entire wardrobe was stolen and was never recovered. Must the young man go back to the store, or even carry baggage again ? We can assume that the diligence that characterized the man was then active in the boy, and there were likely no bones left in the streets of York to be col- lected. The money loss of the clothing was very con- siderable. Yet it was but the beginning of troubles, a kind of preparation for something more severe. The uncle, Alexander Demuth, was unfortunate in busi- ness, and in February, 1858, Samuel Barnitz and his mother were left without a dollar. All that had been so carefully reserved during the four years in the store, intended now for his education, all that his mother 'had received from her father's estate, was swept away from them in the moment they seemed most to need it. The perplexity and darkness of that hour for loving mother and devoted son, only those two disappointed hearts could ever know. They called on God in prayer, asking for light in their dark- ness. Nothing of cant or fanaticism ever entered into STARTING FOR COLLEGE:. 25 the religious experience of Samuel Barnitz. He was thoroughly practical in his ideas of prayer as in all other forms of faith's exercise. Consequently he was not surprised to find that his prayer was answered. His pastor, who knew of his plans for entering the ministry, when he learned of the financial loss that had overtaken the family, called to say that friends were ready to help. The means were soon provided by the congregation and others in York, so that there was no interruption to the plans for going away to college. In 1858, Samuel Barnitz entered Pennsyl- vania College, at the Spring term, and for a time was successful in pursuing his studies along with his class. The failure of the uncle, with the attendant perplexi- ties and lawsuits, preyed upon the mind of the stu- dent, so that at the end of the Summer term he re- turned home considerably broken in health. During this half year at college Mr. Barnitz impressed himself upon his fellow students by reason of his deep relig- ious zeal. He found much to occupy his attention in the isolation of a country village. His room-mate fell under the favorable influence of his consecrated and earnest spirit. The unconverted students in the various college classes were drawn to the subject of personal religion through the devotion of this fledg- ling from York. By the consent of the college authorities, young Barnitz, associated with others of like mind, began a 26 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. daily prayer meeting in the college chapel. The first meeting was led by its chief organizer, and the fruits of the meetings were long after seen and felt in the institution. Active in all good work in the college and in the community, conducting a Sunday School regularly two miles out of Gettysburg, the first year closed hopefully. The next year was begun in regu- lar course, with advancement to the next higher class, but the labors and application of the previous year, combined with worry over finances, compelled an abandonment of studies, with a temporary giving up of the idea of entering the ministry. The thought of defeat at the very beginning was intolerable. Melan- choly came; all was in gloom, the outlook dark. The physicians ordered the student to leave the col- lege and return home to recuperate. This was always regarded by Dr. Barnitz as the darkest hour of his life, as he saw the cherished expectation of his heart dissolve into nothing. He went back into business life, entering a store where he had an agreement that he might do only so much labor as his health would permit. Gradually he gained in strength so that he was shortly able to enter upon labors for the Tract Society, the Sunday School Union, and the Lutheran Publication House. The outdoor life in Western Pennsylvania, whither he was sent by the Tract So- ciety, brought back such a favorable condition of health that by a unanimous vote of the Theological SMARTING FOR COIrftEGtf. 2? Seminary faculty he was admitted to the theological school at Gettysburg without completing his college course. At the seminary he made good progress, by con- stant care, improving in health, so that his prospects for usefulness in the ministry grew brighter as time passed on. The daily prayer meeting at the college continued to interest the theological student, as did the country Sunday School previously organized. Samuel Barnitz was the kind of boy, man, missionary, and secretary that when he once took hold he never let go. During all the preparatory period, and while in the theological seminary, he tells us in the brief autobi- ographical sketch which he prepared at the request of Mr. Geo. H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, he was in greatly straitened financial condition. "I oftimes knew not where money to pay my board would come from, yet it always came in time. God never forsakes." One notable incident during the seminary career was the walk to Niagara Falls planned by Mr. Barnitz. Several congenial spirits entered into the project, and carried it out to the delight and benefit of the whole party. They did not go as hoboes, but it is needless to say they did not stop at any first-class hotels on the way. The party was strictly personally conducted by "Sam Barnkz," as he was familiarly known in those days. He arranged to represent the American Sunday 2& SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. School Union, and by writing ahead had the dates set for meetings, including entertainment of his party. In those days (the Spring of 1860), it was counted a considerable undertaking to start out on a tramping tour of such extent. Many are the traditions of the trail of sunshine, innocent sport, interesting incidents and strange experiences occurring during the jour- ney. The outing was most beneficial to the theological student, both in physical results, and in gathering that knowledge of men and things by which he was after- wards to be made successful. He was a born mission- ary, and turned even his vacation into a season of helpfulness to the great work to which he was called. CHAPTER III. AS HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM AT Dr. Barnitz was always a unique personality, im- pressing himself from college days upon those about him. One of his contemporaries has furnished a con- tribution recalling the York boy as he appeared at Gettysburg in the autumn of 1857. It is so nearly a photograph that we reproduce it entire: SAMUEL B. BARNITZ AT PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE. BY LEONARD GROH, D. D v OF OMAHA, NEB. It was in the Fall of 1857 we first met. He was in the Preparatory. I was Freshman. He hailed from the City of York, hence had enjoyed more advantages of culture than some of us, who had not seen life except as found on the the farm. He had lately made up his mind to become a min- ister of the Word. He was genial, sincere, enthusiastic. He had labored in Sunday Schools. His ready utterance, deep solemnity of voice, and manifest devotion, had gained him warm. friends and many favorable recognitions. There- fore he came with courage and a fair share of innocent self-complacency. The latter soon received several rude 29 3O SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. shocks. One of these came as follows : He called on Dr. Baugher, Sr., then President of the College. He found a young man in the office. This young gentleman was always neat, dignified, rather stylishly striking in appearance. He had the faculty of putting together most magniloquently, grandiloquent sentences to express very common-place ideas. When Brother Barnitz entered, Mr. H. was just getting off some of his fine phrases. Among the rest of the things said, he related his experience on his uncle's "villa," not far from Baltimore, which made a deeply discouraging impression on Brother Barnitz. He was greatly relieved, however, as he told me afterward, when Dr. Baugher drew down the corners of his month and asked Mr. H. how long he had lived on his uncle's "farm"? He also visited the Senior class-room and heard these learned gentlemen "scan Latin poetry." Other similar occurrences, with even some Freshman "passing by on the other side," not noticing him at all, had the effect Solo- mon's glory had on the Queen of Sheba. "There was no more spirit in him." He wrote to his pastor, Dr. Lilly, of York : "I'll come home. Can't stay here. I'll give it up. There's no use trying. I find that I know nothing at all!" Dr. Lilly quickly replied: "I am delighted with your letter. You are a very promising student. In three weeks you've learned that you knew essentially noth- ing. Some don't learn that much in a year Some even never learn it. You stay. I have the best hopes for you!" He stayed. To what purpose the church and the world know. He and I became good friends then. Our fraternal unity AS HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM AT COU.EGE. 3! continued unbroken as long as he lived. As I now recall him in those days, he was a youth whose longitude of stature and limb was somewhat out of proportion to their latitude. Tall, slender, black hair, abundant and glossy, fair of com- plexion, a pronouncedly rosy tint on the cheeks, describes him. (Here permit a long parenthesis. I speak freely of his appearance. During more than 40 years I was often taken for Brother Barnitz. I could never see myself, in this respect, as others saw me. The description above given wouldn't fit me badly, save that he was a little taller and more slender. Later on both added a black, full beard. As years passed hair and beard bleached, never becoming white in either of us. While I was taken for him in the East, so many years ago, it was the same in the West in later times. Even since he is asleep, having gone to "the spirits of just men made perfect," I was asked whether I wasn't Dr. Barnitz.) He did not finish his full course at College. Physicians ad- vised him to take a short cut into the ministry. The reason given was, he wouldn't live many years. The Lord granted him 42 years, with varied, abundant and successful labors in the sacred calling. His complacency, so rudely shocked at first, speedily came back to him. He learned that even Seniors hadn't reached the boundary of knowledge; that his friend H. had limita- tions; that the villa he described with such glowing beauty was a one-horse farm ; that some of these learned young gentlemen couldn't address a Sunday School or prayer meet- ing with half the edification he could. He was reassured. He 32 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. was liked at College. Genial, companionable, always dignified, he could never take part in any small tricks jf college boys. His earnest devotion always brought him to -FASHIONED DIARY. Several years after settling at Wheeling and while still a single man, Dr. Barnitz began to keep a daily journal, in the form of the old-fashioned diary. Owing to the pressure of other duties this record was discon- tinued after a half year elapsed, but the fragment which remains is an iteresting leaf out of the busy life. It abounds in introspections and lament over unworthiness and lack of successful enthusiasm in the work of building up the mission. Partly as a type of the old-fashioned diary, and partly to let the reader more intimately into the mind of the missionary, ex- tracts from this journal follow. On the fly-leaf is written, in the familiar chirography, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Immediately underneath, "Be- cause Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.' There are many things in this journal suggestive for a young pastor entering upon his first field, or for the missionary who would make his discouraging work the brilliant success which came to the young and in- experienced but zealous pastor at Wheeling. For these reasons the extracts from this journal have been taken freely and at such length. 53 54 SAMUEt BACON BARNITZ. It was during this year that the division of the General Synod, by the establishment of the General Council, threw the Pittsburg Synod into such turmoil. Reference is made to the matter in the course of the journal, especially under the entry for May 16, 1867. At the beginning of his ministry the mission was distracted by the divisions made by the Civil War. Now later Dr. Barnitz has the peace of his flock greatly disturbed by the unhappy synodical divisions which followed the disruption at Fort Wayne in 1866. "Jan. i, 1867, Tues. Spared to see the first day of another year. How good my Heavenly Father has been to me during 1866. How little I have done for His glory. How prone I have been to wander from Him. Have mercy upon me, O God of my salvation, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me ! Make 1867 the beginning of years to me a year of great growth in grace and spiritual strength a year of entire con- secration to my Blessed Master a year of increased energy and sanctified zeal! O God, if it please Thee, give unto us means to erect a House for the glory of Thy Holy Name. Jan. 2, Wed. I am glad to find in myself an increased de- sire for holiness of heart and life. My prayers for more grace are being answered. ... I feel an increased interest in the young men of the city and a desire to bring them into the fold of Jesus. Jan. 3, Thursd. I have been thinking much of my mother since Tuesday and have a great desire to see her. Must AN OLD-FASHIONED DIARY. 55 write so soon as my sermon is finished. I am happy in thinking that this year opens to me with much more promise than last year. This afternoon visited Mrs. N. the murderer of her own child. O, what a sad place is the prison! The Lord give me grace to speak to the inmates of Jesus and his Word and Love ! Frid., Jan. 4. Arose this morning with sweets thoughts of the mercy of my Heavenly Father. Am much interested in my sermon on "How old art thou?" I feel that time is rapidly flying, and that I must work more earnestly than ever before. "The night cometh." I have great reason to thank God for friends. Each new day adds new friends to my already large list and increases the love of those who have long stood by me. O, that I may show myself more worthy of the kindnesses of the people! Oh, my Saviour, keep me humble, and suffer not my successes to become a weapon against me at the hands of Satan ! Sat. 5th. In my study all day. I rejoice that my interest in the souls of men deepens. Parts of my sermon for to- morrow night have been written with tears of the deepest concern for the welfare of my hearers. Oh, Heavenly Father, may the worth of the soul be more and more impressed upon my heart. Spent the evening with Mrs. List and her dear family. Sund. 6. Blessed be God for the return of His Holy Day ! Praise the Name of my Heavenly Father for sweet refresh- 56 SAMUEli BACON BARNITZ. ing sleep last night. Congregation quite good this morning, and I felt the love of souls. Preached from Luke 13:6-10. Sunday School grand full of interest and life. O, such singing! It seemed like a foretaste of Heaven. Blessed Jesus, make the school more and more efficient ! Preached at night with great pleasure to a crowded house from "How old art thou ?" The Lord be pleased to own and bless His Holy Word ! Mond. 7. And am I yet alive? O, the mercy of God towards me is wonderful! I am so full of sinful thoughts and feelings as to be unworthy of the least of His favors. Feel very tired this morning, as I had but little sleep last night. To-day begins the week of prayer. I have service every night after to-night, this being the meeting night of the Y. M. C. Assn. Later Had a live and interesting meeting. Attended the Mite Society of the Episcopalian church. Tuesd. 8. Am much encouraged by the meetings ; the Spirit of the Lord is moving in our midst. Katie L very ill. O, that it may please the Lord to raise.her from her bed of sickness, and may He the Great Physician make this dispensation profitable to her. I plead for Katie that she may be a true child of God ! Retired with a heavy heart. Wed. 9. The morning is cold and bracing. My heart is sad. I seem to be deep down in the valley of despondency. AN OLD-FASHIONED DIARY. 57 ''Why art them cast down, O my soul ?" Why am I thus ? Why, O, why do I give way to such feelings? Heavenly Father, bring me up out of the pit, and give me a cheerful countenance! Katie is better this morning. I praise God for it. Night meeting quite interesting. One young man remained for conversation. God bless him! Thursd. 10. Beautiful Winter morning. Blessed be God for that providence which gives us the different seasons. This has been a most pleasant Winter. Our hills are cov- ered with garments of snow. "He giveth snow like wool." I am in better spirits than yesterday. Blessed God my Father keep me from despondency ! God's amazing mercy towards me fills me with wonder. "I'm a miracle of grace!" Our meetings are full of interest. O, that I had strength to follow them up with special effort. Frid. n. Am in good spirits, and greatly interested in my sermon for Sunday night on the "Sins of the City." Am greatly encouraged in my labors as one and another and another are asking the way to the Saviour. These are mostly young men who have been very wicked. Blessed be God that the truth has reached their hearts. O, Heavenly Father, help me to preach the truth in the love of it, and grant that more and yet more may seek life by faith in Jesus Christ. Sund. 13. I feel thankful and happy, and glory in the fact of being a preacher of righteousness, temperance, and judg- ment to come. Sunday School was very interesting. Over 300 58 SAMUSt BACON BARNIT^. present. Had a crowded church and preached with great earnestness. The Lord own His Word ! Frid. 18. Still alive, and on interceding terms with God! When I remember my shortcomings and then think of God's mercy, I am overwhelmed at it, and am led to cry out "Un- worthy! Unworthy!" Glory to God that He has deemed me worthy of the high position of a preacher of righteousness ! Every day, yea, every hour, I feel my unworthiness and won- der at the unlimited condescension of God. O, for a nearness to Him which I have never before felt ! O, for a more burn- ing desire to lead souls to a knowledge of the Son of God! O, for more stars in my crown of rej oicing ! Jan. 19. Was invited to a tea-party, but felt that my duty was in my own room preparing myself for the glorious work of to-morrow. I am glad that God gave me grace to refuse the invitation and to say No ! Jan. 24. I praise the LrOrd for the effect of last night's sermon. I yearn for souls. Give me souls, not honor, not praise, but souls! souls! O, how weak the instrument, but how mighty the power of God in the instrument. At least twenty stood up for Jesus. To God be all the glory! O, Father, I thank Thee for calling me to preach the gospel! Feb. 9. Saturday morning and no sermons, as yet, for to-morrow. Lord help me! O, for more sense in regard to taking care of myself. O, that my zeal were more in accord- AN OLD-FASHIONED DIARY. 59 ance with prudence! Here I am fairly exhausted, and with all the work of to-morrow before me. May I have strength given me for this day's study and to-morrow's labor. I can- not long continue strong at my present rate of working. I must be more careful, and yet there seems so much to be done for God's glory and the good of men that I cannot restrain myself. Sunday, Feb. 17. A blessed day has closed upon us as a congregation. There were ten persons confirmed, seven of them young men. The S. School was full of the glory of the Lord. The prayer-meeting to pray for the coming of Philip Phillips, was one of great delight and unusual power. March 7. This morning I mailed thirty additional letters to pastors and congregations asking for a collection at Easter. March 14. Off for New York. Had a kind and hearty reception from Bros. Wedekind and Ockershausen. Such friends amount to something. They tell my faults as well as my good qualities. They chide as well as praise. They re- prove and advise as well as commend. Blessed be God for friends ! April 4. Have already 'had five applications for church membership at Easter. One of them an old friend from York; two others from the Ohio Synod German church. I rejoice in this, as I feel that these young Germans will re- ceive much more good with us than in their own church. 6O SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. April 9. Had a plain talk with Bro. K , as to his duty in the church building. I want him to give $5,000.00. O Lord, incline him so to do! Soften his heart and make him to see his duty ! April 16. Have just been called to the jail to visit Minnie N . O, what a wretched place it is ! She lies upon a bed of straw, covered only with a coarse 'blanket. Truly, "the way of the transgressor is hard." It is hard to speak to such char- acters, very difficult to know how to treat them. I read to her the 51 st Psalm, and tried to tell her of the Saviour's love for sinners. April 19. "Good Friday" the day commemorating the crucifixion of the World's Redeemer. I am dull and stupid, unfit for the services of to-day. O, Heavenly Father, breathe upon me the Holy Spirit, and help me by faith, to see my Saviour on the cross. Help me to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts. April 20. How weak and frail is my poor body ! I seem scarcely able to endure anything in comparison to my labors of former years. Attended funeral of a young man who was cut to pieces on Balto. and Ohio Railroad. Truly, "In the midst of life we are in death." April 23. It is Katie L 's wedding-day. Bros. Baugher, Goettman and myself presented Katie with a beautiful family Bible. AN OLD-FASHIONED DIARY. 6l Thursd. 25. Commenced my sermon on "Church Build- ing." O, Heavenly Father, give me grace and wisdom and knowledge so to present the truth that it may redound to Thy Glory and the good of this community. Grant that very soon we may be permitted to dedicate a house to the glory of Thy Name. Mond. 29. Am tired and worn and weary and sad. I feel as I imagine the patriarch felt when he exclaimed, "O, that I had wings." The indifference and trifling character of some of the members of the church is almost unbearable. O Lord, give wisdom and common sense to those who seem to lack, and stir them to a proper appreciation of their high privileges ! Help me to speak plainly to such members, and give me wisdom to show them their duty ! If I were properly sustained by the membership, O, how much more I might accomplish ! May i. The first day of May! How rapidly the months pass away. O, my soul, awake to a sense of the shortness of life, and put on thy strength for renewed exertions in the Master's work! I am depressed and cast down. O, for a stronger faith ! If I am in the line of duty, why need I be dis- consolate? O, Precious Saviour, hold Thou me up, and take from me all thoughts of resigning my place as pastor of this mission. Lectured this evening from Psalm 92. Frid. 3. "How vain are all things here below, How false and yet how fair." 62 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. I realized this last night at Mrs. K.'s company. I did not feel at home on account of the worldliness of the entertain- ment. If I did wrong to remain, O Father, forgive me ! Sunday 12. Nine and twenty years old to-day. Blessed be God for His protecting care and forgiving mercy. Thursd. 16. Sad and gloomy ! Bro. Passavant is here to meet the council of my church and urge upon them adherence to the Pittsburg Synod. He says our leaving that body will result in the establishment of a second mission. I said to him: "God speed the work, and make it a success!" If my council and people will accept my resignation. I have no desire to remain in Wheeling ; but if not, and the Lord con- tinues to bless my work then I will remain. "I cannot do otherwise, God help me!" O, how painful to break with such brethren as Dr. Passavant, Roth, and others. For them per- sonally, I must entertain feelings of the deepest love. God bless them ! Sat. 18. Five years to-day since I first set foot in Wheel- ing. "Here I raise my Ebenezer Hither by Thy help I've come." How different my feelings now from what they then were. How many and great have been the changes! How unde- serving and unworthy I am, and have been, of God's great mercy to me. DR. BARNITZ IN 1867. AN OIvD-FASHIONED DIARY. 63 Mond. 20. Called on Mrs. Jno. L., with whom I dined just five years ago to-day. How kind she has been to me in the years which have passed away! At Y. M. C. A. Sent as delegate to Montreal. Wed. 22. I find my journal takes too much of my time, and must therefore give up the idea of making daily records. I will, however, endeavor to note any important changes in my daily life, and still have hope to keep up the connected history. May God, Our Father, continue to guide and direct me to His praise in all I undertake, for Jesus sake. Amen. The next entry is : Frid., May 31. Received my mother's picture to-day. O, how emaciated she looks ! How thin those hands which have so often ministered to my wants! How sunken those eyes which have so often looked in tenderness upon me! God bless my mother! In her declining years comfort her with still more comfort and hope. And is it so? Is mother really passing away so rapidly? Must I soon follow her to the grave? Great Comforter, help me to lean on Thee! Thursday, Aug. 8. At Gettysburg. Commencement Day. Many dear friends present. At noon received dispatch an- nouncing the purchase of the splendid church site at corner 4th and John St. Glory to God in the highest! 64 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. Sat. Aug. 10. At my York, Pa., home. Received a cordial greeting from mother and all the friends. Oh, how gratify- ing is this to me. Spent the evening with L. S. Lord, make known Thy holy will! Sund. Aug. u. (York, Pa.) Preached for Bro. Baum. Fifty years since the establishment of Sunday Schools in York, Pa. Uncle Sam'l Bacon organized the first school, and by the blessing of God, I am here to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary. O, what mercy flows from Heaven. Sunday, Aug. 25. Again at my Wheeling home. Lovely day! Preached upon the harvest season. Sunday School quite pleasa-nt. O, Lord, increase my faith !" Thus ends the last entry iv the journal. A prayer for faith. Through all the bodily weakness, to which reference is often made, and the consequent despond- ency of the spirit, there is still running the cry of tri- umph, the hunger for souls, the desire to build a house of worship for God's glory, and to make the Wheeling Mission a complete success. These were heroic days. The Apostles have had at least one successor in our time. Noble, self-sacrificing, devoted, we shall not soon see his like again in our church. CHAPTER VIII. AN IMPARTIAL ESTIMATE. Now that the work at Wheeling is coming to a close, we can sum up the result of twenty years' fidel- ity. There is another score of years in a wider field and then the life account is closed. It dwindles away looking back, but those who knew the worker can recall how full were the days and nights of travel, toil, plans, wrestlings with tangled affairs in missions, letters, reports, visits, and endless details of appoint- ments for himself and his brethern. He was the cham- pion transportation man in the Lutheran church. He traveled over every railway in the United States. If he ever paid his fare it must have been due to an acci- dent. He had passes without limit. He knew person- ally many of the leading railway men both East and West. They knew the self-denying work of the man. They honored his requests for transportation at re- duced rates for the missionaries and their families. He saved the church hundreds of dollars annually in this item alone. His bill for the expenses of the 65 66 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. month, when presented to the Board, would read: "Miles traveled during the month, 4,219 ; cost of trans- portation, $000.00." It is told of him that he once volunteered to get a poor student who called on him a pass to his destina- tion. They went together to the office of the General Manager. In a few minutes the beaming face of Dr. Barnitz appeared, the pass in hand. The student ven- tured to suggest, as they walked away: "Doctor Bar- nitz, you have a good deal of assurance !" "Assur- ance?" the Doctor replied; "my young friend, that is not assurance it is grace/' Returning to the final estimate we are to make of the splendid work at Wheeling, it is best set out as it was once described by Dr. F. W. Conrad, after visit- ing the field. He prepared an extended editorial on "Elements of Success in Mission Work," which ap- peared in the Lutheran Observer in May, 1882. With- out presenting this contemporary judgment in full, the summary of it should enter into the permanent record of Dr. Barnitz's faithful life-work. i. Permanence in the ministry. The mission dur- ing nineteen years had the services of but one pastor. With the shiftings of a borrowed and unscriptural itineracy the mission would either have had a sickly and precarious life or died in the hands of its ever- changing doctors, under their varied prescriptions and regimen. AN IMPARTIAL ESTIMATE. 67 2. Timely, adequate and continued assistance. The congregation could raise but $150 for the pastor the first year, to which the Home Mission Board added $200. In 1880 the mission paid $800 to the pastor, and in 1881 became self-supporting. The East Pennsyl- vania Synod, "A Steward of the Lord," the Church Extension Board, and special friends, lent a helping hand in procuring the lot and erecting the building. 3. Scriptural benevolence. Neither the poverty of the members, nor their own need of help, was regarded as exempting any one from the duty of giving to all the benevolent objects supported by the Synod. 4. Pastoral collections. Of the $3,950 paid for the lot, $2,400 were collected through the personal efforts of Rev. S. B. Barnitz, mostly in Pennsylvania. 5. Special contributions. These came from per- sonal friends, members of other denominations and citizens of Wheeling, who, although strangers, became its friends and supporters. 6. Churchliness. It was originated by a Lutheran synod (Virginia), adopted the basis and constitution, and practiced the usages recommended by the General Synod. It had a chancel with railing, reading-desk and baptismal font. Its pastor preached Lutheran doctrines, conducted divine service according to the Book of Worship, catechised the young, and celebrated the Church Festivals and the anniversary of the Refor- mation. 68 SAMUICI, BACON BARNITZ. 7. Loyalty. When, in 1866, the majority of the Pittsburg Synod undertook to transfer the pastors and congregations belonging to it from the General Synod to the General Council, Mr. Barnitz and others pro- tested against it; and when this proved unavailing, they united in maintaining the connection of the Pitts- burg Synod, according to its constitution, with the General Synod, and his congregation endorsed their course, remained firm, and retained its connection with the General Synod. In other words, Mr. Bar- nitz and his struggling mission, in this peculiar crisis, and under extraordinary pressure, maintained their loyalty, and have borne a significant part in developing the missionary spirit and advancing the progress of the Pittsburg Synod. 8. Catholicity. The pastor and people did not en- trench themselves in a sectarian mud-fort of exclu- siveness, but cultivated fraternal relations, and co- operated with the ministers and members of other orthodox Protestant denominations in every good word and work. 9. Philanthropy. This is broader than ecclesiastical enclosures, and takes in all mankind. Mr. Barnitz did not confine his efforts to purely denominational bounds, but went out into the highways and hedges, and min- istered not only to the moral but to the physical neces- sities of the poor and fallen. He sympathized with the intemperate, and became instrumental in reforming AN IMPARTIAL ESTIMATE. 69 many, and rescuing them from a drunkard's grave. He was the prime mover in establishing the Children's Home of the City of Wheeling, presided over it as its president. His influence was also felt in advancing popular education, and in -improving the condition of the poor, entrusted to the care of the city authorities. 10. Religious enterprise. His experience and knowledge of mission work brought his services into requisition at missionary conventions and synods. He stands at the head of our most progressive Sunday School workers, and has taken a leading part in in- augurating the new departure in the Sunday School periodicals and publications of the Church. He has been the master spirit at our general Sunday School conventions, and has done more than any other man in making our Sunday School work and literature known, and in securing our denominational right of representation on the committee of the International Series of uniform lessons, by his presence and efforts at the meeting of the National Sunday School Con- vention of the United States and Canada. All the foregoing and much more Dr. Conrad gives as part of the history of the Wheeling Mission, illus- trating the elements of success necessary in all mission work, and vindicating as he says in the end, "the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension for the assistance they rendered this good work, and to encourage them to go forward in establishing city 7O SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. missions, as well as to stimulate our pastors and con- gregations to redouble their efforts and quadruple their contributions to the cause of Home Missions and Church Extension." CHAPTER IX. TRACT NO. 217. Among the publications issued by the General Lit- erature Committee of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of our church is Tract No. 217. This is a pen picture of Dr. Barnitz, especially as he was known to a member of his school in Wheeling. Mrs. P. A. Heilman, wife of the pastor of St. Paul's in Baltimore, is the author of this beautiful tribute to the fidelity of her former pastor. Mrs. Heilman says that she had the privilege of years of observation, and desired to bear witness to the "full, rich life of Mr. Barnitz as a pastor to the nobility of soul and teach- ing, to the ever patient attendance upon the children and families of his Wheeling Mission." The incidents recited in this tract are so strikingly characteristic of the man that several of them are reproduced from one who was a former member of the Wheeling school, of which she says : "He made it what it was acknowl- edged to be, the greatest Sunday School in the State of West Virginia." 2 SAMUEt BACON BARNITZ. One night, in his early ministry, he was called to visit a sick person. Finding that a thief had entered his boarding-house and stolen his hat, he covered his head with a coat and walked more than a mile through the streets of the city to comfort and help the dis- tressed family. Through an accident a Swedish family was stranded in Wheeling. No one could talk with them. Mr. Barnitz found them in great distress, the mother sick, the children hungry, the father with no work. Mr. Barnitz soon had bread for the children and work for the father. Death robbed the poor one soon of the the mother, who, though she could not talk with the pastor, could understand sympathy and could feel the. loving prayers, and died with mute thanks in her eyes. In scenes like these was this great-hearted man con- tinually using up his strength and energy. He never seemed so tall and great as when, holding by the hand a little girl of six years, he led a procession of Orphan Home children to the cemetery to see one of their num- ber laid in the short grave. When his unlettered housekeeper, who loved and cared for his motherless children, was stricken with sudden death, he honored her with a dignified funeral from his own home. He brought from Canton, O., a Lutheran minister to conduct the burial service, while he and his children took the mourners' place in the pro- cession. TRACT NO. 217. 73 Two workmen talking one day of the need of rain, one said : "It will not rain to-morrow for Barnitz has his picnic and he has been praying a week for fair weather." When the infant class was needing enlarging he laid it before the school with prayer, asking each scholar to buy or beg a brick. On the next Sunday 7,000 bricks were piled up on the platform, several cartloads being sent in during the week. . Dr. Barnitz had great power over an audience. At a great anniversary once the Christmas tree took fire. There was a panic threatening. Instantly the com- manding voice rang out, "Sing!" Raising one hand to quiet the audience and using the other to beat the time, he led with his powerful voice, while the blaze was quickly extinguished. One Sunday morning an infant was presented at the altar for baptism. As he finished pouring the water on its head, the laughing babe seized and held one of his fingers. The ready smile on many faces was checked as Mr. Barnitz with simple words prayed : "Oh, Lord Jesus, as this little child has laid hold on the hand of Thy servant, so may it ever cling to Thee who alone art able to hold us safe amid the temptations of the world." Not the slightest tendency to irreverence was ever tolerated by Mr. Barnitz. Though witty by nature and possessing a fund of spicy humor which made him a 74 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. charming companion, he was never guilty of misplaced jesting. "And thus he went, this man of God, over the city, into homes and lives, helping, encouraging, rebuk- ing in love, strengthening in faith." Those who knew Dr. Barnitz best agree with the writer of this tract that his great work was in his sympathy for every kind of distress. This it was that brought him so close to the hearts of the mis- sionaries. He knew their sufferings. He had himself waded in the same waters. CHAPTER X. CALLED AS WESTERN SECRETARY. At the meeting of the General Synod in Altoona, in June 1881, the Board of Home Missions was author- ized to employ a Western Traveling Missionary, who v.as subsequently designated the Western Secretary, as distinguished from the General Secretary, who re- sided in Baltimore. As if by pre-arrangement, certainly by the unani- mous feeling of special fitness in the man, Rev. Samuel B. Barnitz, of Wheeling, W. Va., was, August 4th, 1881, elected to fill the newly created office. Dr. Bar- nitz took the call as a call from God to a wider field of usefulness. After prayer, consultation with his brethren in the ministry, and conference with his own congregation at Wheeling, he decided to accept the call extended to him, and so notified the Board. For nearly twenty years he had known the lights and shades of a missionary's life in a busy city. He had seen his church grow from a feeble folk to be a 7 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. great power in the community. But strong as the ties were that bound him to the smaller parish he saw the greater work, heard the voice of God, and without much difficulty decided that duty called him away. The farewell meeting in Wheeling indicated the strong hold which the missionary pastor had gained upon all the community. The largest church in the city (Presbyterian) scarcely held the people who came without regard to denomination. There were repre- sentatives present from every church in Wheeling, as well as from the Sunday School, temperance and phil- anthropic workers. Judge Johnson, of the Supreme Court, presided. The ministers of all churches were on the pulpit, the Matron and children from the Chil- dren's Home being on the right of the pulpit. The judge expressed their universal regret at parting, re- ferring eloquently to "Mr. Barnitz's long and active career as a Christian minister and philanthropist in our midst, and assured him that so long as there was a Sabbath School in Wheeling, so long as there was a man here who had been reclaimed from a fallen and profligate life, so long as there was an orphan who had been aided and comforted by his hand and voice, he would be remembered with kindly feelings." The others from all churches followed in turn to say they were losing an untiring laborer, a wise coun- sellor and a sympathetic friend. In his response Dr. Barnitz modestly disclaimed AS WESTERN SECRETARY. 77 right to so much praise for his work in Wheeling. The sorrows of life through which God had led him from his childhood, he declared, had prepared him for the work. When he first came to Wheeling some one told him there was no work for him in the city. He replied that it was very strange since there were in Wheeling twenty thousand people who never went to the House of God. Thus sorrowfully but confidently he went forth to the great West that was calling him. He had much comfort in the great changes wrought in the twenty years of his ministry, and often looked back upon those years with pleasure. The young men who entered the ministry from Wheeling through the influence of Dr. Barnitz's teach- ings were: Rev. C. A. Britt, Rev. F. S. Delo, Rev. F. G. Knapp, Rev. J. N. Zimmerman, and Rev. F. W. E. Peschau, D. D. Thus ended the first score of years in the busy pastor's life. He had been led of God in preparation for the larger field of the next score of years. He entered upon his new duties in the same Fall, render- ing his first report to the Board of Home Missions on the 2 ist of November, 1881. From that date to the end of his service, June 1 2th, 1902, the Western Secretary was in constant touch with the Board of Home Missions. He attended fre- 78 SAMUEl, BACON BARNITZ. quently in person the sessions of the Board. He ren- dered a full and detailed statement at each meeting of the Board of all his official acts during the preced- ing month, and thus laid before the official representa- tives of the General Synod whatever facts bore on the questions covering the territory over which his com- mission reached. He took up his residence at Des Moines, Iowa, whither he removed with his family, becoming members of St. John's Lutheran church in that city. Elsewhere in this volume it will be seen that in one of the years of Dr. Barnitz's service in the Western field he did not spend more than three active weeks of the year at Des Moines with his family, so closely and constantly was he devoted to the great work he had undertaken. Eleven times was he unanimously elected to the same position. Even in this Secretarial office he still retained the winning qualities which marked him as missionary and pastor. He was enlarging his sphere of usefulness. He became preacher, pastor, mission- ary and secretary, and for nearly twenty-one years gave all his strength, time and thought to the one purpose of his call, to build the church where there was none, and to "strengthen the things that remain." The full harvest from this faithful sowing will not be gathered till the end of time at the final in-gathering. It must be borne in mind, in estimating the personal sacrifices involved in this long term of devotion, that AS WESTERN SECRETARY. 79 Dr. Barnitz was one of the most domestic and home- loving men. He was devoted to wife and children, yet he gave himself unreservedly to the work of Field Secretary. He was in the field almost without a break for twenty-one years. CHAPTER XL A MODEL SECRETARY. Doctor Barnitz was in many respects an ideal sec- retary, especially for the wide field which he covered in the West. He was a tireless traveler. He planned out his campaigns in advance, like a missionary Na- poleon. There were certain things that entered into the making of the model secretary. Dr. Barnitz was most punctilious on such points as promptness, exactness, always meeting every engagement, replying to every communication, acknowledging every attention. In all these things he caught the railway spirit and culti- vated the methods of careful business men. It would be impossible, within the limits of a brief outline such as is here attempted, to set out in order a detailed account of the journeyings and labors of Dr. Barnitz. His reports to the Board he served make a wealth of material in which the historian of the Lutheran Church's development may mine in a coming genera- tion. The aim of this sketch is only to present a rapid survey of the most striking events of the life and toils A MODEL, SECRETARY. 8 1 of this man of God. The missions established on the Western field might have all been given by name. They would have made a goodly showing, as their num- ber is legion. The list of these missions which have become self-supporting might have been enumerated, together with the amounts they annually contribute to the support of the Boards of the church. These facts and figures are all recorded in the proper place. They have been reported to the General Synod at sundry times and are too much in the nature of dry statistics to be made a part of this history. The story of his work in the West for twenty years is really the history of our church in the West during that time. It was the day of small things when Dr. Barnitz began his duties as the first Western Sec- retary. There had been pioneers who did much in a sporadic way, but he first brought the entire field from the Ohio to the Rocky Mountains and later the Pacific Coast to the attention of the church. He was so completely identified with all that was done in these formative years that a history of his work would be a history of all the church development on this vast territory. His voluminous reports now in possession of the Home Mission Board will one day be used for the purpose of showing the methods we have adopted to develop a great church from diverse and scattered materials. He kept his eyes upon the whole field ; he 82 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. informed himself as to its needs ; he gave this informa- tion to the Board, and to the church ; he brought maps, charts and banners with him to the synods to stimulate interest in his work. He believed in reaching the mind through the eye as well as by the ear. In looking over the files of the Wheeling city papers for the twenty years of Dr. Barnitz's missionary service in that city, this thought is impressed on one. For a long time he is the only minister in the city who advertised his Sunday services. Throughout his entire ministry he was always watchful that the newspaper be used as a help in his work. Not for his own glory but to adver- tise the work and reach men. He would plan out a trip of 10,000 miles of travel, arrange with missions and missionaries for the dates, fix every detail of the journey beforehand, preach and lecture at fifty points by the way, write a full report of it all for the next meeting of the Board, and not seem to be busy to those who casually met him on the jour- ney. "It was," as Dr. Charles Albert described it after making such a trip in company with Dr. Barnitz, "a wonderful example of that painstaking care and splen- did executive power which characterized him and was one of the sources of his strength." By all legitimate means he sought to awaken an interest in his cause, arouse enthusiasm, stimulate giv- ing and multiply himself in usefulness to God's glory. He noted the important fields. His judgment was safe. 5 M a A MODSI, SECRETARY. $3 He could say that the Board should abandon a field as well as urge the inauguration of work. He did not believe in wasting the church's money by a duplication of machinery. In one of his early visits to the farther Northwest he was impressed with the wisdom of dividing the territory of the Pacific, allowing the General Council the Northern division, the General Synod to develop California and the Southern territory. To this view he brought the Boards and the compact though not absolutely binding, has been observed ever since. Dr. Barnitz made visits to the Northwest, and was on most friendly terms with missionaries of all branches of the church, but he never took steps to establish a mission that would infringe upon the territory of any other Board. He was the soul of honor in every personal and synodical engagement. He early felt the need of a ministry trained upon the field over which he had the supervision. For this reason he strongly advocated the establishment of a college and theological school at some point west of the Missouri River. He was active in founding Mid- land College in 1887, and the Western Theological Seminary in 1893, being a member of the Board of Education to the time of his death. The president of Midland College at the time of Dr. Barnitz's death, Rev. J. A. Clutz, has justly said: #4 SAMUEL BACON BARNIT2. "He was one of the most active and zealous of the friends of the new institutions, and gladly gave time and influence, and means also, according to his ability, to place them upon a safe and per- manent basis. And now he has gone, but his work and influence will abide, his name and memory will be remembered and cherished in all the years to come, as of one who wrought unselfishly and wisely for the building up of the church and the glory of God.' The Board of Education when it came to take action upon the death of Dr. Barnitz, its vice-president and a member of the Executive Committee, called the attention of the General Synod to the fact that he was one of the charter members of that Board, and fur- ther that he had never been absent from its biennial meeting. Nothing could better indicate the wide reach of the man's influence as well as his faithful attention *o every duty, even the smallest. He left a bequest for the Board of Education so that as long as the Board continues its work he might have a small share in aiding its noble endeavors. It was a touching and telling evidence of the con- fidence that attended all his goings that the day of his death a letter arrived at his home containing a check for $1,000.00 for the work of the Home Mission Board. All along his ministry the stream of benevolence A MODEL SECRETARY. 85 flowed from those who believed in the sincerity of the man and knew the value of his work. Nothing could divert him from his appointed work. We sat for hours on the seats that lined the Washing- ton streets watching the Inauguration of President Cleveland. In reality it was a prolonged conference on home missions. We went to the White House to attend a President's evening reception. Above the band, the crush of the people and the babble of the idiotic multitude, was Dr. Barnitz's serious word, won- dering where to get more money for his great work. We watched the legislators in the Senate halls, but their labors seemed to him dignified trifling beside his greater mission to make the country righteous, while they were aiming only to make it prosperous. He loved his home as much as any man who ever had a home, but he could remain away from it for weeks at a time that he might plant a new mission to prepare men, women and children for the eternal Home. Dr. Barnitz served twenty years on the Executive Committee of the International Sunday School Com- mittee. He helped to establish the Augsburg Teacher, and the Sunday School Lesson Helps, editing the news department of the Teacher for several years. He was the first editor of The Little Ones, and brought that child's paper to a large circulation. He was once called to the presidency of the Mid- land College, the building of which he zealously pro- 86 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. moted. He declined this call from purely consci- entious convictions, believing that he could do most good in the mission field. He was an active promoter of the work of the Young Men's Christian Association in its earlier days, and never lost his deep interest in that organization. In addition to all his other exacting duties Dr. Barnitz lectured several seasons at the original Cha- tauqua, and was one of the active founders of the Rock River Assembly at Dixon, 111. CHAPTER XII. A MODEL SECRETARY'S REPORT. Every member of the Board of Home Missions, during the time when Doctor Barnitz was the Western Secretary, will understand a little of the secret of the success of their agent in the field, by the careful reports that were sent in to the Board each month. These papers were most carefully written. They covered every point of the field touched by the Secretary during the month. Each report was fully indexed so that every item in it could be referred to at once by the Secretary of the Board. The missionaries in the vari- ous stations were commended, criticised, recommended for reduction or advance in allowance, or change of station, as the case might be, with such complete knowledge of the men and the needs of the field as made it clear to all the Board what their action should be. These reports would make a history of the mission field for the twenty years covered by Doctor Barnitz's term of service. It has been recommended that they be gathered up and placed in the Historical Society at 88 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. Gettysburg. The day will come when they would be invaluable, a kind of Hallische Nachrichten of West- ern missions that would make a mine of information for the future historian of the church. In order to give the people of our congregations some idea of the faithfulness with which their home mission money is used, it might be interesting to set forth one of these reports in the detail with which the Western Secretary sent them to Baltimore monthly. The report that follows was taken out of a pile in the General Secretary's office, selected at random, and is here given just as it came from Dr. Barnitz's hand. For obvious reasons the names of persons in some cases are omitted. The index is also omitted. The Secretary had a printed heading which made the open- ing of all the reports identical in form. The lapse of fourteen years since this report was prepared will make it the more interesting, in comparison with the present conditions. REPORT OF WESTERN SECRETARY, BOARD OK HOME MISSIONS, GENERAL SYNOD, EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN U. S. To meeting held November loth, 1891. I. KANSAS. A. THE SYNOD OF KANSAS. On acount of a railroad detention, I did not reach the Kansas Synod at Emporia, Ks., until Saturday noon, Octo- ber 24. This was a matter of regret to me, but as Home A MobEi SECRETARY'S REPORT. 89 Mission interests had been postponed until that time, and as they had spent a day or more "wrangling over the synodical secretary business," into which discussion the Board might have been drawn, it was perhaps an advantage to have been detained. The synodical meeting was not regarded as equal to the meetings of some other years, as the "who shall be greatest?" question was very manifest, and there were disputings about things to no profit. The debate on "admitting women as delegates to conferences," occupied nearly a day the debaters being Rev. F. M P., of Topeka, Ks., in favor, and Rev. J. M. C., of Kansas City, in opposition. While the synod raised more money in the gross than they raised in 1890, they have fallen short on apportionment, but give assurance that what is lacking will be more than made up this year. Times are still very hard, the new and splendid crops not yet being turned into money. The synod rescinded the action of last year concerning the evening services during the convention and set apart two evenings for the hearing of the Secretaries. The congregation and pastor at Emporia demanded that the general benevolent work of the church be presented by the secretaries of the various Boards, in order that the people might hear of the work from those directly engaged in it. i. BUNKER HiUv, EU.SWORTH, HAYS CITY, AND ADJACENT POINTS. It is proposed, if possible, to group these places, and for a 9O SAMUEt BACON BARNITZ. time, at least, place them under the care of one or two pastors or missionaries. At Ellsworth, nearly the entire congregation has been lost by removals, and all the points have suffered in this way. Rev. H. L. Yarger, formerly pastor at Ells- worth, secretary of synod, and member of Advisory Mission Board, will visit all the points this week, and, if possible, get me a complete report to mail with this. The best men in the synod are in hearty agreement with this plan, and believe that this manner of supplying the field will hold what we have until other members can be added, and will develop new territory in the country near the -towns and county seats. Meanwhile, I have given assurance to Rev. H. A. K. that he will receive his salary at the rate of $200.00 per year from Oct. I, until such time as the new arrangement can be reported and acted upon. This is but clue him as a most faithful and self-sacri- ficing man, especially as he continues to do the work. I have urged him to go forward with the work of building at Excel- sior, as that will add another church property to the field and make more permanent the organization at that point. Rev. E. B. K. has resigned at Hayes City, and has no doubt re- ported same to the Board. 2. MINNEAPOLIS. The delegate from this mission reported "everything in as good condition as can be expected, with no pastor on the ground. Sunday School, prayer meeting, and W. H. and F. M. Soc. kept up and doing well." Rev. J. F. S. visited the field on Sunday, Oct. 24, but I have no report of his visit, A MODEL SECRETARY'S REPORT. 91 neither of impressions received or made. See. of Synod, Yarger, will also visit Minneapolis at an early date and make full report. 3. MANCHESTER. Rev. J. A. B. has been supplying this field since the removal of Rev. J. F. A young man from the Synod of Indiana (G. C.), just ordained by the Synod of Kansas, preached for the congregations Oct. 24, with a view of becom- ing their pastor. Rev. J. P., former missionary, is now at Hardy, Neb. He is a good, straight, self-sacrificing man. He had left Emporia before I got there, so that I could not have a personal interview with him. Rev. H. L. Y. will visit this field on his trip to Ellsworth. 4. CHAPMAN. There is a great desire on the part of the Advisory Board of Synod of Kansas, the Synod itself, and the congregation at Chapman to secure a good pastor, and one of some ability. This is a necessity in order to give our church and work the right kind of standing and prestige in Chapman. The town has one of the State Normal Schools located in it, with several hundred students, and we must therefore have a good man in order that tht Lutheran church be properly represented. After careful inquiry, I am con- vinced that we had better make an appropriation of two hun- dred or two hundred and fifty dollars to Chapman, if thereby we can secure a pastor who will do us credit, rather than $100.00, (or no appropriation at all), for a man who cannot properly represent us. Rev. E. B. K., of Hays City, Ks., 92 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. preached at Chapman October 24. See letter from Chapman, Ks., marked A. 5. EMPORIA. The pews have been placed in the church at Emporia, and now our House of Worship at that place is a very "gem." The wise and careful builder, Rev: F. D. Alt- man, has in Rev. S. G. Dornblaser, our present missionary, a good successor, and the work at Emporia is doing well. Though the Board of Church Extension is pressing for the return of a portion of their loan, the congregation feel that their first duty is to reduce the amount asked from the Board of Home Missions, and to this end they promise to work. Our church stands well in Emporia. 6. LEAVENWORTH. Rev. F. D. A. will visit Leavenworth this week, and try to get the congregation to decide on a pastor. If Rev. Mr. C., of Fairfield, Iowa, has not been called to Ft. Madison, the congregation at Leavenworth will likely call him. If he is not available, Bro. A. will suggest Rev. A. J. H., who is very anxious for a field of labor, and whose physical condition is now equal to hard work. 7. OTTAWA AND GARNETT. Synod decided to grant the request of these congregations for a separation, and I had in- serted in the resolution "provided no additional appropria- tion be asked from the Board of Home Missions." The divi- sion is to take place by mutual consent sometime during the year. The field is said to be entirely too large and too im- portant for one man. There are also neighboring points re- A MODEL SECRETARY'S REPORT. 93 ported, which the pastor at Garnett says can be developed and served from Garnett Sunday afternoons. The Board of Church Extension have given the congregation at Ottawa permission to move the church building to a more central location, and it is thought that this change, and the fact of a number of new Lutheran families moving to Ottawa, will strengthen our work in this good county-seat. See letter marked B. It will not surprise me, however, if an additional appropriation is asked for Ottawa. Rev. D. S. A. talks of wanting "one of the best men that can be had for Ottawa." I kindly warned the Synod and Advisory Board that they must not ask for any more money for Kansas Synod territory than they have been receiving, but must reduce the appro- priations in favor of other needy States and territories. 8. VALLEY FALLS. The parochial report from this mission was said at synod to have been the best rendered for several years. Especially was this the case in the contributions. 9. WASHINGTON, GREENLEAF, AND BARNES. These points have all been temporarily placed under the supervision of Rev. J. F. S., pastor at Waterville. The "Joint Synod of Ohio" has sent a missionary to Washington, Ks., who has almost de- stroyed our General Synod work in that county-seat. Between the un-Lutheran, Methodistic, wild-fire practices of Rev. Mr. . and the conduct of this Joint Synod "disturber of the peace" of Zion, the work at Washington has been well nigh destroyed. There will be an effort made to wrest from us 94 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. the parsonage property, but the hope is that Rev. Mr. S. can prtvent it, hold together our faithful ones, and perhaps bring order out of confusion. 10. WELUNGTON. If Rev. Mr. B., known to members of the Board, is satisfactory, and aid to the amount of $75 or $100, be asked for, I believe it will be wise to grant it. It will have an admirable effect on the congregation at Perth, who have gotten it into their heads that "No Board cares for them." 12. WICHITA. Monday night, Oct. 26, was spent with this mission. A congregation of thirty gathered to hear of our Home Mission work, and seemed deeply interested. The hall has put on quite a changed and churchly appearance through the efforts of the faithful women of the little flock. ... It seems to me that the time has come to buy property, as bot- tom prices have evidently been reached, and if the Board of Church Extension could but see this, such encouragement would be given the congregation as no other thing can give the work at W. The missionary is making great sacrifices. The family are evidently doing without many things on the table, and in the way of clothing, to enable them to make ends meet and keep out of debt, and thus keep up the work and their own reputation for honesty. 13. KANSAS CITY. CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL. The main building of the "Children's Memorial" at Kansas City is now under roof, and the work of completion will be pushed with A MODEX SECRETARY'S REPORT. 95 vigor. The edifice will be completed some time in December, and will be alike creditable to the mission congregation and our Lutheran Church. II. MISSOURI. A. ST. JOSEPH. Document marked C is the report of Rev. Dr. J. A. Clutz, on the visit of himself and Rev. B. F. Crounse to St. Joseph, Mo. Letter marked D from Rev. Dr. Charles Martin, of St. Joseph, also refers to the opening of a mission at "St. Joe." . . . Without doubt, the right thing to do is to send a missionary to St. Joe, having an understanding with the Board of Church Extension that they will enter the field with us, following up our work by aiding in the securing of church property at an early day. Our experience everywhere has been that to organize without a regular pastor, and have the mission wait several months excepting in very rare cases, where good supplies can be regularly furnished is almost ruinous. Nearly all the mis- sions supplied by students from the Philadelphia Seminary for the General Council Home Mission Committee, remained vacant after the students returned to the Seminary, and have gone to pieces. If we have a field, the wise thing to do is to occu-py it with a good man, just as soon as it is possible to secure him. B. ST. Louis. SECOND CHURCH. There are some develop- ments in St. Louis of a very interesting character, which point to the early establishment of a second English Lutheran Church of the General Synod, which will no doubt soon man 96 SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. a third and fourth one. The matter must not be spoken of as yet outside of the Board, but unless all indications are at fault, the second church movement will soon be inaugurated. .... The colony only wait Dr. Rhodes' sanction to begin work. He will be wise to give it his entire and hearty favor, and thus make himself and St. Marks leaders in the movement. ... If St. Marks will only encourage the second church movement it will be, in the end, an advantage to them. The people who favor it live at such a distance from St. Marks that in time they will be lost to us, while a second church in their locality will save them to the Lutheran Church. This movement will be watched with intense interest, as it means much for the development of the work of the General Synod in Missouri and Central Illinois. Hail the Glad Day! III. THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD. This Synod held its first convention since organization in St. Paul's (Woman's Second Memorial) Evangelical Lutheran Church, Denver, Col., Oct. 28, 1891, and for a young and small synod showed much vigor and earnest church life. Eight pastors and three lay- delegates were present, and three pastors absent, one on ac- count of great distance, two on account of sickness. Of the members of synod, six are American, two German, and three Scandinavian. We have a most inviting field in Col- orado, if only suitable ministers can be secured to occupy it. ... I remained with the synod from the opening to the close, and helped on nearly every report, advising against many thingt, which did not seem wise, and suggesting others A MODEX SECRETARY S REPORT. 97 for the good of Zion. The members of the synod seemed deeply grateful to the Board for this visit and five days' work. A. DENVER, i. ST. PAUL'S. The application from this congregation will ask for same amount as last year, and in- deed it is difficult to see how Rev. and Mrs. K. can make ends meet and not belittle the work even with this appropria- tion. . . . Amid all their losses by removal, and all their other trials, they have raised $1,080.00 to pay on their church debt, and also several hundred dollars to pay on the parson- age. The Sunday School pleased me very much, especially the large class of young men. So also did the young people's society. . . . Rev. and Mrs. K., and indeed the whole con- gregation, seem to regret the need of asking the same amount as last year, but the success of the work demands that the pastor be, at least, comfortable, and free from financial em- barrassment. 2 SCANDINAVIAN. I do not believe that we are justified in continuing an appropriation to Rev. H. for this work. We have indeed very little to show for our expenditure in the way of a congregation or results. . . . He says they have $800 interest to pay, having borrowed money with which to build dwelling houses on the property. Some of these are now vacant, and the "investment" is not proving profitable. I told him it would not be right for us to appropriate Home Mission money to keep up that kind of speculation. I am sure that our money can be used to better advantage elsewhere. 98 SAMUEL, BACON BARNITZ. B. LEADVILLE. There is evidently not much harmony and not much love between the two pastors, Rev. S. and Rev. H. at this place. I told Rev. that at times he shows the very spirit of the devil, and seldom indeed the spirit of the Master. He says Secretary Hartman suggested a visit to Leadville on my part with a view to an investigation of the differences between the Swedish and Norwegian congregations worship- ing in the same church, and an adjustment of these difficulties. Such a visit would be futile and only involve our Board in matters of which we are now free. . . . The question in dis- pute has been the use of the church edifice owned by the Board of Church Extension, and we do well to keep our hands out of that business. C. COLORADO SPRINGS. Finding that Rev. H. had not given his resignation to the congregation at Colorado Springs, I told him that he should send it to the Secretary of the Church Council at once, in order that there may be no delay in filling the vacancy. ... On learning of Dr. H.'s resignation I at once opened correspondence with Rev. F. L. S., of Camden, Ind., concerning his accepting that mission, and believe he will do so. ... The Colorado climate may be the means of restoring him to vigorous health. ... A man of the order and ability of Bro. S. will soon have our church affairs in solid and substantial shape. D. PUEBLO. This growing manufacturing city ought to be occupied at an early day. Not only for the sake of Pueblo, A MODEL SECRKTARY J S REPORT. 99 but for the strengthening of the Rocky Mountain Synod, should we have an earnest American missionary in this city, and also for the sake of important points opening up in the neighborhood. The more we look at and study our Home Mission field, the more overwhelming it becomes, and the louder comes the cry and command to occupy ! occupy ! ! E. GYPSUM AND STARKVIUX New church edifices at these places are nearly ready for dedication the latter under the care of Rev. Mr. S., recently ordained by the Rocky Moun- tain Synod. IV. NEBRASKA. A. SIDNEY. The fearful drouth of last year, and the hard times incident to it, make it difficult to keep up the support of a pastor, and I should not be surprised, therefore, if the same amount be asked as heretofore. There must be a falling off in the contributions of the congrega- tion, or at least, no increase, until the new crops are turned into money. All these things must be taken into considera- tion with the application. The M. E. pastor could not be sup- ported last year, and their church was closed part of the time. This left our church the only one having regular services. B. BEATRICE. This mission seems much encouraged since the meeting of the Synod of Nebraska, and the dedication of their House of Worship. See Letter G. C. PAWNEE. See letter marked H. There is encourage IOO SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. ment in this mission also. The new church in the country congregation will be dedicated Sunday, Nov. 15. V. ILLINOIS. A. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD. As already reported, the convention of the S. Ills. Synod for 1891, was the best ever held by that body. If only we can strengthen this synod by opening a few new missions and thus adding a few good men, the results in a few years will be most fruitful. See letter marked I. i. CAIRO. Where shall we turn for a good man for this field? We ought to begin operations at an early day, lest a very favorable opportunity be lost. B. NORTHERN ILLINOIS. The convention of this synod was also a most excellent one, the contributions having been large- ly increased over former years. The work of the synod has been systematized by the officers, and there is order and de- velopment. The territory is one of the richest in the bounds of the General Synod, and ought to be a much greater power than it is in all our church work. The Freeport mission has been a prominent factor in the development of this synod, its pastor being "ready to every good work," and earnest in advocacy of all the benevolent work of the church. At my first visit in 1881 the offerings for Home Missions were $346.91, and at the recent convention they were over $800.00. Every department of the work has come up in almost the same pro- portion, and this is gratifying. A MODEL SECRETARY'S REPORT. loi VI. INDIANA. A. SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA. This synod shows signs of improvement superior to many and in- ferior to none. The increase in contributions over 1890 was thirty-five per cent, and the spirit of the convention most re- freshing. It was good to be there. The "toning up" is quite marked, and is due to efficient and wide awake officers, to visitation of charges by Secretaries and Professors, and to the new men sent in by the Board of Home Missions, and their influence, as also to the splendid work of the W. H. and F. M. Societies. The synod considered the most important matters they could discuss or hear of, to be missions and Christian education, and to these they gave most of their time. B. OIJVE BRANCH SYNOD. In this body also there is progress, marked progress, and it has come through our Home Mission work at Louisville, Ky., Richmond, and Indianapolis, Ind., etc. Rev. J. W. Kapp, Prest, has been most efficient in stirring up the old churches and looking out new points. The territory is one vast Home Mission field of richest promise. Oh ! that we had the men and money to go in and occupy it. VII. IOWA. A. SYNOD OF IOWA. The convention of 1891 was one marked by harmony and earnestness in every depart- ment of the work. Very grateful for the aid granted them by the Board, they feel they cannot ask more, but look with desire upon Clinton, Dubuque, Ottumwa, etc., as most prom- ising and desirable fields for Home Mission operations. 1O2 SAMUEt BACON BARNIT2. 1. FORT MADISON. As yet I have no report from Dr. Z., concerning congregational meeting held Oct. u, 1891, at which time they expected to elect a pastor and arrange to transfer the property to the General Synod. 2. COUNCIL BLUFFS. This new mission is doing splendidly, and Rev. G. W. S. is showing himself a workman that need not be ashamed. The need, the pressing need, is a church property. Application has been made to the Church Extension Board to help secure a lot. VIII. MISCELLANEOUS. A. The visitation of Synods and conventions of W. H. and F. M. societies this year has been very cheering and encouraging. In not a single instance were there reflections upon the Board, its policy, or its work. I have visited eleven synods and six W. H. and F. M. societies' conventions and 'have found enthusiasm on all sides. B. October meeting. C. Luther Day Observer. D. Box Work, etc., etc. That the November meeting may be "a great meeting," full of encouragement to every member of the Board and the whole church, is the prayer of Yours very gratefully, SAM'L B. BARNITZ, W. Scc'y. Des Moines, la., Nov. 7, 1891. A MODEL SECRETARY S REPORT. 1 03 This report has been given at length, though seem- ing not entitled to so much space for any matter con- tained in it, in order to put before the church what has been designated as a model report. The detail of it is its value. The situation at each point, and at the synods visited, is made luminous. The information is all pertinent, with no gossip, and no bias. Such a re- port makes the work of a Board member comparatively easy. The men, the fields, all stand before the Board in such clear light that in most cases the only thing to do is to act on the recommendation of the Secretary in the field. The marvel of Doctor Barnitz's work is in his attention to all the details. Nothing escaped him. No fact was unimportant, if it helped to open a field of Christian work. Month by month he poured forth a stream of Jn- formation concerning men, synods, new fields, money, and the way to get it, plans for enlarging the work, or contracting in some instances for the good of the church. The Board -was often bewildered by the wealth of material, and frequently the whole day would be occupied in disposing of the business created by Dr. Barnitz's report alone. CHAPTER XIII. IN WEARINESS AND PAINFULNESS. The best way to understand the manner of the work done by Dr. Barnitz as Western Secretary will be to look into his own record, made at the time. He no longer needed to keep the diary such as he had undertaken at Wheeling. His voluminous reports to the Home Mission Board at Baltimore, and his letters to friends, disclose a marvellous activity. He seemed frequently to be aware that he could not long maintain the pace at which he was then traveling. In one letter to a life-long friend in Philadelphia, he writes under date of March 20, 1894: "All you say concerning the 'rush' and 'push' for the things of this life is, alas ! too true. If anything, it is more true of the West than of the East. There are times when I fairly long for a little more rest, a little 'let-up' from the pressure and drive by day and by night. 'There will be rest by and by,' is a hymn I love to sing. Since March 3rd I have preached and talked publicly over twenty times, besides hundreds of miles I'M IN WEARINESS AND PAIN^ULNESS. IO5 of travel, and writing scores of letters, and pages of reports. Amid all this I have been kept well, and at times greatly refreshed in refreshing and helping others." There were no lengths to which he would not travel if he had a clue to lead to something helpful for his cause. The Board remembers well one case in the year 1899. Dr. Barnitz received a letter from a Lutheran layman in Minnesota, hitherto unknown to him, enclos- ing a gift for Home Missions. From some word dropped in the letter Dr. Barnitz concluded that here was an isolated brother longing for word of his church. Busy as the Western Secretary always was, he at once determined that it was his duty to travel hundreds of miles out of his way to find this solitary member of the church. This is the missionary spirit. For Dr. Barnitz to have an impulse for good was to follow at once. Hence he turned his course to Northern Minne- sota. Here is what he writes from the ground, after he had made the journey: "Nov. 22, 1899, O , Minn. In order to please and encourage a faithful but isolated Lutheran, I have made this journey of nearly nine hours each way. It has cost much weariness and some exposure, but Oh! the joy and blessing the visit seems to him words cannot 106 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. describe. The things of the Kingdom, and the church of his love and of his father's, are the up- permost things with him. The pastor who instruct- ed him more than forty years ago has a warm place in his heart, and as a 'Memorial' to him he has made a gift of $1,000.00 to our Western Theologi- cal Seminary. He has seen much sprrow and trial, as have all of us, but sanctified thereby, he 'brings forth fruit in old age.' He took me to see one of our disabled and retired ministers now eighty-seven years old and the visit was an uplift to him. We sang together the songs of Zion, and talked of the Master and His coming. The old man's daughter said : 'This will be a day to which father will often look back with great joy." What a scene was that ! The aged pastor, the aged layman, and the misionary who had traveled nearly a thousand miles to give the cheer of his presence. When the Saviour gave the promise to the meeting of two or three, He must have meant a special blessing for such a trio. Did it pay? Does it pay to do our Home Mission work on such lines? Most assuredly, in dollars and cents it pays ! Dr. Barnitz came away with an offering of a thousand dollars, and had others subsequently from the same source. But what a mean thing to introduce the commercial question in con- IN WEARINESS AND PAINFULNESS. IO7 nection with such a saintly and heroic piece of mis- sionary devotion. This was the method of the man. No sacrifice too great in order to promote his cause. Attending to every little indication of Providence that he might win a soul, make a giver, or comfort a stricken heart. The letter, from which the above extract is made, con- cludes : "Home, though to stay only thirty-six hours. The trip to Minnesota was a trying one physically, but a blessed one otherwise, and I can well afford weariness of body, in view of the good done and the hearts cheered. To-morrow morning I must up early, and off to Carthage, 111., for five addresses." Truly was it an Apostolic mission, which Paul's description fits at many points. "In labors more abundant; in journey ings often; in perils in the city; in perils in the wilderness; in weariness and painful- ness ; in watchings often ; besides those things that are without, that which cometh daily, the care of all the mission churches. . . . Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among us." An instance of Dr. Barnitz's carefulness in the details of newspaper notices, and seeming trifles, is found in the fact that in his weakness, only three weeks prior to his death, he wrote one of the German church papers, the Zions-Bote, under date of May 23, as follows: 108 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. "I regret that I must report my condition as very little improved by my California trip, and am now ordered by my physicians and Board to re- main at home for absolute rest. I will therefore do no traveling and no public speaking for some months to come, but will attend to important office work only and try to build myself up again. I had no idea of being so run down as I find I The July, 1902, number of the Missionary Journal, which appeared after the burial of Dr. Barnitz, con- tained a long budget of "Home Mission Items," writ- ten by him only a few days before his death. They were the notes made during his last missionary jour- ney on the Pacific Coast, covering the state of the churches in San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda, Sac- ramento, San Jose, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Boulder, Col., and Butte, Montana. Dr. Barnitz was in the San Francisco church April 20, 1902, less than two months prior to his death. A street-car strike was prevailing in the city, and he says in his notes : "It was a great compliment to the Board of Home Missions and their representative that some persons walked five miles in order to be present at that service." ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, UES MOINES. IN WEARINESS AND PAINtfULNESS. IOO, At night he spoke at Alameda to the Woman's Synodical Society, doubtless himself walking several miles to reach the appointment. Of Sacramento he writes : "When I remember what we did not have in Sacramento thirteen years ago and what we now have, I cannot but say, 'Behold, what hath God wrought.' " Here he went to the German church, for he would not slight any. He says : "I urged the boys to think of the ministry, and to liberal giving for the cause of Home Mis- sions. Pastor Oehler and his people greatly ap- preciated this call, as they had not expected to see me because of the condition of my health." Probably his last communion was in the course of this last missionary journey. He was seeking health, yet he turns aside on the way home to admin- ister the communion in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to a family cut off for years from their own church, "who had not seen a Lutheran minister since the visit of the Western Secretary two years ago." After describing this touching scene in the missionary's experience, he adds: "It was indeed the 'communion of saints/ and the manifest presence of our Lord and Saviour was felt. No pen can describe the joy it gave these peo- pie." IIO SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. Thus the end drew near, and in a few weeks the missionary, weary with his travels and forty years of carrying cheer to others, was set free from his labors to rest with his Master in Heaven. CHAPTER XIV. HIS WORK IN CALIFORNIA. The development of the Lutheran Church in Cal- ifornia is coincident with the period of Dr. Barnitz's period of service as Western Secretary. It was the part of his field which commanded his constant at- tention. As it grew he felt justly proud of the results. The members of the Board in the period of the inaugur- ation of the California work will recall the report of the Secretary on the Sacramento mission. His faith seemed almost audacious as he declared, after going over the ground with the missionary "We do not seem to have any Lutherans that we can discover, but there are thousands in the city unchurched, and the names on the signs of the streets indicate a Lutheran origin for many of the people, so we will go on with our work." The result is known to-day in the strong self-support- ing church in Sacramento under Dr. Hoskinson, the early missionary to whom we refer, and the only pastor from the beginning. One of our most active and intelligent laymen of the California Synod, G. G. Burnett, M. D., has fur- 112 SAMUEL BACON BARNIT2. nished by request a brief sketch of this California de- velopment under Dr. Barnitz. It is inserted in full, showing graphically the results of Dr. Barnitz's labors in one portion of his great field. Dr. Burnett writes under date of July i8th, 1905, as follows : The life of Rev. S. B. Barnitz, D. D., would not be com- plete without reference to the splendid work he accomplished on the Western coast of our continent, under the supervision of the Board of Home Missions of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the U. S., as its Western Secretary, and the direct support of the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. This latter society was founded about twenty years ago. From small beginnings in member- ship and receipts, it has become a powerful adjunct in fur- thering the work of the Board of Home Missions, through its thousands of members, and its tens of thousands of dollars in its annual available funds. As soon as organized, the ladies began to make inquiries about special fields of work, and it was but natural that Dr. Barnitz should be called into their councils. At that time Kansas and Nebraska were about the Western limits of the work of our church. With eyes ever open for future opportunities, Dr. Barnitz could easily see the possibilities awaiting the Church on our Western borders. Not a single English-speaking church existed along the Pacific coast, and to Dr. Barnitz's efforts in presenting the needs to the ladies, and the prompt acceptance of California as their special field of labor, is due the bright future in prospect for ttIS WORK IN CAUtfORNIA. 113 the church in that great State. The first mission established was in San Francisco, under Rev. O. C. Miller, now a chaplain in the cavalry service of the U. S. Army. It is a splendid monument of the women's work. In a little over one year it numbered nearly 200 members, became self-supporting, and owns a beautiful church structure, valued at $60,000.00. This marvelous work was speedily followed by Rev. C. W. Heisler, in Los Angeles, in the erection of a church; in Sacramento Rev. W. S. Hoskinson, D. D. by another; and in subsequent years by others in Oakland, Alameda, San Jose, San Diego, Riverside, etc., until at the present time California possesses 16 organizations, with 12 church buildings, valued at about $250,000.00, and an active membership of over 1,600. This is certainly a magnificent showing. To establish a church in a land where it was entirely unknown, would appear to laymen an impossibility; but persistance and constant effort has crowned the endeavor with success, and to Dr. Barnitz is largely due the success so far attained. His annual visits to the California Synod, and individual missions, was an in- spiration to pastors and people. His words of encourage- ment and advice were timely and of great value. His ad- dresses to Sunday Schools and the young people, were full of incidents and stories which delighted his hearers, and from which excellent moral lessons could be drawn. His ser- mons were instructive and elevating, and drew well-filled houses, and his audiences were always pleased and gratified. His advice and council was not confined to the pulpit or the missionary, but was widely felt in the homes of the members. 114 SAMUEL, BACON BARNITZ. He courted the acquaintance of members and accepted many invitations socially, bringing him into intimate friendship with the various occupants of homes and adroitly inviting their active participation in the various lines of church work. His private gifts and benefactions were numerous, and many per- sonal friends delighted to supply him with funds to thus dis- tribute, knowing full well they would reach the proper people. Many communion sets were sent to needy congregations, and the pressing necessities of missionaries relieved through the kindness of Dr. Barnitz, known only to those immediately in- terested. He was a large man in every way in heart, head, stature and sympathy. In frame and face he resembled one of our great presidents, and on the Pacific Coast was known as the Abraham Lincoln of the Church. When Dr. Barnitz was offered the degree of D. D., he hesitated a long time before accepting it. He felt the degree should be earned by hard study, and not received as a compli- ment from the institution tendering it, but the urgent request of friends, as well as the importance of the position he filled as Western Secretary, finally induced him to consent to its ac- ceptance. Dr. Barnitz was offered a salary of $4,000 per annum, to accept a Presbyterian pulpit. He declined the honor, saying that while he could use the money to excellent purpose, he was raised and expected to die a Lutheran, and could not conscientiously leave the church wherein all his interests and ambitions were centered. On one of his California trips he was given two diamond HIS WORK IN CALIFORNIA. 115 rings to sell and use the proceeds as he deemed best. He would exhibit the rings, tell their story, and solicit subscrip- tions to the fund. After collecting several hundreds of dol- lars, he used the money in various charities and returned the rings to their former owner, much to her delight. Traveling men are subject to many diseases, seldom affect- ing those of sedentary habits. Such diseases begin slowly, but advance with great rapidity. At the meeting of the General Synod in Des Moines, in 1901, on motion of Dr. Leisenring, of San Diego, Dr. Barnitz was granted three months' vacation to recuperate his health. The progress of his disease Bright's disease was too firmly fixed, and his next visit to California indicated to anxious friends its speedy termination. His attendance at Synod was an effort; preaching exhausted him, and for about two weeks he kept his room, attended by his faithful and devoted wife, and denied himself to all but a few intimate friends. One of the last sermons he ever preached was in the San Francisco church, in which he al- ways delighted to appear. The suffering he endured during the effort was painfully apparent. When he left that city friends were apprehensive he never would reach his home alive. He was mercifully permitted to do so, but in a few weeks his life went out, and with it another saint arose to Heaven. His was a busy life. He died as he desired, in the active service of His Master. He always expressed his great delight with the advance and growth of the California work, a work that is yet but in its infancy ; a work that to-day ought to be doubled in missions, and men to guide them; a work Il6 SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. that will ever hold in highest esteem the guiding hand, the cheerful greeting, and the magnetic presence of that prince of organizers, whom we shall hold in most tender memory as friend and brother, Dr. S. B. Barnitz. CHAPTER XV. TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. Doctor Barnitz entered with all his soul into the arrangements for the suitable observance of the Twen- tieth Anniversary of his Western Supervision of Home Missions. Fittingly it was the last great occasion in which he took a public part. He had been licensed to preach the Gospel in 1861. He had been called to the Western Secretaryship in 1881, and now in June, 1901, it was proposed by some of his friends to mark the anniversary of his appointment with a special service on one of the days of the meeting of the General Synod at Des Moines, Iowa. Accordingly a committee was appointed, consisting of Hon. W. W. Witmer, Chairman ; Rev. John A. Wirt, D. D., Vice Chairman ; Miss Cornelia Stein, Secretary. This committee, sup- plemented by a special anniversary committee, com- posed of leading laymen from all parts of the country,* * The names of the Anniversary Committee were : Samuel Killian, James Strong, C. E. Patric, D. K. Ramey, L. D. Calkins, Chas. F. Stifel, John L. Zimmerman, L. Helfrich, G. G. Burnett, Henry A. Bade, Wm. M. Ritter, Henry Sprick, Albert F. Fox, T. E. Dewey, Edward Vollrath, Daniel D. Frisbie, Henry W. Harter, C. N. Gaumer, John W. Johnson, Peter S. Grosscup, John Becker, H. H. Emminga, Amos Mil- ler, Geo. H. Knollenberg, Henry Denhart. 117 Il8 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. arranged to hold a reception in Doctor Barnitz's honor at the Hotel Savery, Saturday, June i, 1901, from three to five-thirty p. m. The anniversary exercises were held in St. John's Lutheran Church, Saturday night. It was the expec- tation of the committee, and the Board of Home Mis- sions by whose sanction the programs were arranged, that the Lutheran people of the General Synod would be interested enough in the man and his work to make the occasion a great rallying time for the cause of Home Missions as well as for honoring the Western Secretary. They were not disappointed. Fully five hundred friends attended the reception during the afternoon. A crowded church took part in the eve- ning exercises. The receiving party at the hotel con- sisted of Dr. and Mrs. Barnitz, Dr. and Mrs. J. A. Wirt, President W. S. Freas, Dr. M. W. Hamma, President of the Home Mission Board, Mrs. Hamma, special representative from the Women's Societies ; Rev. A. Stewart Hartman, D. D., General Secretary. At the evening exercises, Mr. Witmer presiding, the addresses were delivered by Dr. L. E. Albert, Dr. J. A. Clutz, Dr. E. Nelander, Mrs. A. V. Hamma, Dr. H. L. Wiles, Dr. J. H. Harpster, Hon. Peter S. Gross- cup, Dr. T. E. Schmauck, visiting delegate from the General Council. Generous contributions were received for missions TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 1 19 with kindly greetings, from friends in every part of the United States. Mrs. Hamma presented three hundred dollars to the anniversary fund, an offering from friends of Dr. Barnitz in the Women's societies. It was a red-letter day for the Western Secretary, the climax of years of travel and toil. His heart over- flowed with joyful appreciation of all the kind things said and done. He did not take it for himself, but for the cause for which his life was even then consuming itself away. It was the last great gathering. The next June he laid off the harness. The address of Dr. E. Nelander, pastor of the First Lutheran Church in San Francisco, covered many of the things which it was most proper to utter on such an occasion, and coming from one who occupied a conspicuous church within the field of the Western Secretary, there was an eminent fitness in the testi- mony given by him. Dr. Nelander said: "California has been in a large measure the scene of action of the Western Secretary. Twenty years ago Dr. Samuel B. Barnitz made his first tour as Western Secretary. Up and down these far-reaching prairies and beyond the Rockies he went, planting churches, preaching the Word, soliciting funds, stirring up the indifferent, enthusing flagging workers, bringing cheer and encouragement to the hearts of the faith- ful men and women who were laboring in the face of adver- sities known only to frontier missionaries. Dr. Barnitz has 120 SAMUEL BACON BARNtTZ. virtually planted every church on the Coast, and has dedi- cated all but one. No synod is under greater obligations to the Board of Home Missions and the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies than the Synod of California, and no synod more appreciates the services of the Western Secretary. Gloria in Excelsis is sung in the churches of the Capitol City, the Bay cities of Oakland and Alameda, in the Orchard City of San Jose, and down to the City of Los An- geles, to the orange groves of Riverside, Redlands and San Diego they are all praising God for the work of him we honor to-night. What a privilege it is to have achieved the successes of these twenty years ! The foundations have been laid, but who shall say what glorious superstructures are to be raised? How it would gladden the soul of our Western Secretary if the veil that hides the future were lifted, that he might look for a moment upon the consummation of his work. Dr. Barnitz, we are only glorifying God when we point you out to our children and say, 'Look well on that man, one of the noblest sights in the universe ; a man upon whose labors God has put His seal of favor; a man who realizes that he is in covenant with Almighty God.' For once there was the opportunity to show appreciation of our love for one of the heroes of our faith, while he was yet in the flesh and could know that we loved him and would always cherish the memory of his achievements." This occasion was unquestionably the crowning TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 121 point in the earthly ministry of Dr. Barnitz. It was his last year of active work. The shadows were already gathering. The heavenly light shone in the eyes that were now dimming. The presence of friends, letters, telegrams, greet- ings, congratulations, and generous outpouring of offerings for the cause he had so deeply at heart, all conspired to make the day the most triumphant in all his successful ministry. As the papers of the city, reporting the occasion fully, declared it "To-DAY BELONGS TO BARNITZ/' CHAPTER XVI. HIS LAST SERMON. One of the missionaries on the field in the care of Dr. Barnitz has furnished a report of the last sermon ever preached by this strong preacher. It was at the Whitsunday service in Boulder, Col., on the return journey from California, May 18, 1902, less than one month before his death. He had finished his Western tour, and was facing homewards, within two days of Des Moines and the rest of home, then a few more days and the Eternal Home. Rev. D. Burt Smith, the pastor and resident mis- sionary at Boulder, in telling of the service in the mis- sion on that Whitsunday, says that no worshiper at that day's service will ever forget the last ministry of Dr. Barnitz. He was* so weak in body that he could hardly stand, yet strong in spirit, carrying the congre- gation in deep devotion to the feet of Jesus. He chose a theme that was oftenest on his lips, "The Precious Name," and talked as a father might talk in telling his children of a long-trusted, often-tested friend, who had never failed him. "The tender monitions to the erring, the strong en- couragement to the working, and the confident com- mendation of all to Christ, so deeply moved the con- gregation that they ceased not to talk about what HIS LAST SERMON. 23 seemed to many 'his last message.' He seemed like some warrior laying aside his armor to receive the vic- tor's crown. He seemed to feel that he must tell a last word to the church before he went Home. It was a most pathetic service. It was the sacred sadness such as the disciples had when Christ told of His de- parture. The testimony of one who knew his Master's worth, whose life had proven that he knew, could not fail to speak with eloquence the simple eloquence of the soul. Like some mountain peak that pierces the clouds, enshrouding it, and bathes in the sunlight above, so he seemed to rise through the clouds of life and bathe his soul in the light of Jesus. "Would that all the church could have been present to see and hear. His face lighted with more than earthly light, and his voice, trembling with bodily weak- ness, told the truth as strongly as the thunder tells the lightning's way. It was a pleasure to be with him. Occasionally his jovial nature would force itself to the surface in spite of physical suffering. But the burden on his heart was the success of the missions, and the pulse of his life was the hope of continuing in his work for the church. We bade him good-bye. As he went away, one said, 'We will never see Dr. Barnitz again/ Another said, 'I wonder if he can reach his home ?' "And now that he has reached Home, we are glad that he left us a message to lift us up and make us 124 SAMUEL BACON BARNIT2. better. What a message was Dr. Barnitz's last ser- mon on 'The Precious Name of Jesus !' ' In his diary at Wheeling, nearly forty years before, he had written: "Am much interested in my sermon on 'The Name of Jesus/ " So it proved that his last sermon must have been the matured thought of one of his earliest sermons. Through all his days he knew but one Name. The words of this last sermon were spoken at the end of the California journey, and as it proved at the end of life's journey. He was making his last notes, which are given elsewhere. He was going home to fall asleep under his own roof which he had denied himself when in the vigor of health. It was a pathetic but a consistent ending to a life of faithful consecra- tion. Most appropriately the Board of Home Missions has decided to make the mission at Denver, where he uttered many of his earnest messages, a Memorial to Dr. Barnitz, to be known to the churches hereafter as the S. B. BARNITZ MEMORIAL. This Trinity mission is located on the south side of Denver, and with par- ticular fitness is in the State from which he uttered his last sermon-message to the missions he loved, and for which he literally gave his life a sacrifice. Mr. Beecher once recommended the man who was wondering how large a place he occupied in the world to go down to the river, thrust in his cane, withdraw HIS LAST SERMON. 125 it and look for the hole that was left. That may do in sarcasm for the average life of uselessness. Not so the life we follow here, setting down but a sample here and there of the many blessed things that occupied his time and filled his heart. Dr. Barnitz's death has made a gap which seems to widen as the years go by. The meetings of the Gen- eral Synod are not the same. The Home Mission Board and all the Missions feel his loss. One of the first acts of the Home Mission Board after the death of Dr. Barnitz was the sub-division of the territory, so that two men might cover the field and do the work which he did single-handed for twenty-one busy years. CHAPTER XVII. DR. BARNITZ IN THE PEW. Of all the tributes paid to the zeal, the humility, the faithfulness of Dr. Barnitz, none was more touch- ing than the testimony of -his Des Moines pastor, Rev. J. A. Wirt, D. D. As soon as the Western Secretary had established his residence in the capital city of Iowa, he at once identified himself with the local church. His entire family became an integral part of the congregation, fully co-operating in congregational and community work, setting an example to the great multitude of migrating people in the West who establish themselves in cities and towns without giving a thought to the church and the subj ect of a church home. The tribute of Dr. Wirt to Dr. Barnitz as one of his parishioners, is so just that it may well be set down here as a fair estimate of the spirit of the man in his entire course through what Carlyle calls "the scene of pilgrimage through this world." Dr. Wirt said : J26 DR. BARNITZ IN THE) PEW. I2/ "Much will foe said and much can be said of the Rev. S. B. Barnitz, D. D., as a soul-stirring preacher, a born missionary. a man of marked executive ability, good judgment, and rich in thrilling experiences on the frontier. While the writer came in touch with Dr. Barnitz frequently within the last seven years, and while we have often taken sweet counsel together concerning his great work, yet I was impressed most forcibly with Dr. Barnitz in his church pew. It has been said that it is not always desirable to have a resident minister as a parishioner. Whether or not this is ever true, it was evidently not true of Dr. Barnitz. He loved St. John's Church. He highly esteemed the pastor and family. Our relationship as pastor and parishioner could not have been more felicitous. He was as punctual in the discharge of his duties to his indi- vidual church as to the church at large. He was as enthusias- tic in the success of his home church as in any mission he ever planted. He was a beautiful exemplification of his own preaching in his liberal and systematic support of his church. This spirit was with him to the last. In a visit made him in his later days by the pastor, then engaged in liquidating the church indebtedness, he remarked, 'We have not yet made our contribution to the church debt, but we will.' And he did ! At no time in these seven years was Dr. Barnitz absent from any service of the church, when in the city. In public service on the Lord's Day he was a real inspiration to the pastor and an example to the whole congregation in his jrev- erent demeanor and interested attention. Not always, but often he would meet the pastor after the service to give a 128 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. word of encouragement and appreciation. Dr. Barnitz in the pew often preached to the preacher. His loyalty was not only manifested while in his home church, but was demon- strated throughout the whole church in expressions of good will and appreciation. Not alone in the congregation was his presence a benediction, but in every service of the House of God. His ardent prayers in the Wednesday evening service left the impression that he was on intimate terms with his Heavenly Father. They were uttered with such childlike faith and simple trust that all present felt that God heard and answered. His addresses to the Sunday School and to the young peo- ple have inculcated a missionary spirit such as could be pro- duced only by a presentation that Dr. Barnitz was able to render. Not only home missions, but all the beneficiary opera- tions of the church were noticed and emphasized. He often assisted in the Holy Comunion and preached in the pastor's absence, and when compensation was proffered, he would say, 'Whatever my services have been worth you may give to mis- sions.' The pew which was occupied by Dr. Barnitz in St. John's Church is mournfully precious because he is not, 'for God took him,' yet the beautiful influence of the life he lived will abide. Time will not efface the good impressions he made from the pastor to the smallest child in the church, his blessed memory will be cherished. Not until the church militant is lost in the church triumphant will the power of his example be fully appreciated." DR. BARNITZ IN THE) PW. 129 In addition to the foregoing tribute to Dr. Bar- nitz as a member of his congregation, Dr. Wirt gave utterance to an eloquent eulogy at the funeral in St. John's Lutheran Church. Extracts from this sermon are here given to show the estimation in which the Western Secretary was held by those in closest rela- tion to him. Dr. Wirt selected for the funeral text: "For me to live is Christ; to die is gain." Philip plans 1:21. "At this writing Paul had been in prison for two years. He was in doubt as to whether he would ever be released. Hence he writes most affectionately to this church and coun- sels them how they should live and ever rejoice in the faith of Jesus Christ. To him and for him all things worked for a single purpose, the exaltation of Christ and the diffusion of the knowledge of the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. The apostle 'had a single purpose, a well-defined object for which he sacrificed self that he might preach to a lost world Jesus and the resurrection. His theme was the same in the prison cell as on Mars' Hill. He would sacrifice 'him- self. He would cause his auditors to tremble by preaching the Word, but he would never sacrifice the truth or fail to declare the whole counsel of God. Just so far Dr. $. B. Barnitz was a Pauline preacher and apostolic in the pulpit and on the field. In these characteristics we see a beautiful imitation of I3O SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. Paul by him whom we to-day shall carry to his last resting place. Dr. Barnitz loved his own, but his great catholic spirit embraced mankind. He was happy when in barn, garret or sanctuary, he could tell the wonders of His love and the power of His grace to save men. From the humblest mission to the most important council of the church his one theme was Jesus and the resurrection. In these characteristics our beloved brother who sleeps in the cjsket before us was a beautiful imitation of Paul. His self-sacrificing spirit, for he never considered his own comfort, he never saved himself, was his controlling thought in the extension of the Master's kingdom. Duty was his watchword, let the cross be what it may. He traveled by night and by day, inspired by no other motive than the building up of Christ's kingdom. The work of missions was dear to his heart. He spoke of it from a thousand pulpits and in ten thousand homes. Well do we remember his pathetic stories told of the German and the Scandinavian in their struggle for a church of their fathers. He was untiring even to the last visit of the churches. Like Paul he was devoted to the missionaries. He wrote letters many, encouraging frontier men in their work. He preferred the frugal meal of the mis- sionary rather than the luxury of the best hotel. He used his influence to secure transportation for homesick wives and worn-out missionaries. He acted in the capacity of a general freight agent for the whole Lutheran church. His voice was heard annually on the floor of every District Synod in behalf of Home Missions. He best knew where the box might be DR. BARNITZ IN 1897. DR. BARNITZ IN THE P#\V. 13! sent which would prove a benefaction. He knew the tempera- ment of every missionary. He was in touch with every mis- sionary's home. Like Paul, the crowning success of Dr. Bar- nitz as a missionary was his beautiful Christian life. He loved his Lord. When conscious that the command came from his Master it was enough. Sacrifice was not considered. The Word was his rule of faith and practice. He was a man of prayer. For him to live was Christ. 'To die is gain.' This would sound like a paradox. Most men are afraid of death. They look upon it as the greatest calamity that can befall them. It is difficult for man to learn the most profound truth, one that needs no proof, that as truly as we are born into the world so also will we become the prey for death. To live a life of selfishness, to be conformed to this world, to live without God in the world, death approaches with many horrors, but when we have met the first proposi- tion of the text the condition is changed, death loses its ter- ror and becomes the vestibule through which we enter into our Father's house. No one so clearly demonstrated this as the Apostle Paul. In one instance he calls it gain, and in another victory. To the Christian it is both. The principal idea that was in the mind of the apostle when he said, 'To die is gain/ was that Christ would be mag- nified by his death. It must not be forgotten that in living or dying it was the apostle's desire to honor his Lord, 'Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.' It is being with Christ that is the great gain in death, to see Him as He is, to reign with Him in His kingdom, absent from the body and 132 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. present with the Lord. At one time he earnestly prayed when conscious of the power of sin, 'Who shall deliver me from the body of this death.' Now the great deliverance day is at hand. To be forever set free from sin, the shackles broken, the soul redeemed, is great gain. Where there is no sin there is no sickness, no sorrow nor death. The apostle fully compre- hended this and realized that it would be great gain. It is gain to enter into rest. 'There remaineth therefore a rest unto the people of God.' 'There the wicked cease from troub- ling, and the weary are at rest.' I can conceive of nothing that Dr. Barnitz so much needed as rest. He was weary and worn. Even the comforts of his sweet home could not afford the rest for which his soul longed. He needed a change of place. His earthly house was fast dissolving and he saw clearly his Father's house where there are many mansions. To enter in was infinite gain. In the last visit made by his pastor he said with child- like simplicity, 'I wish you would administer the Holy Com- munion to me for we know not what a day may bring forth.' Arrangements were made that he might once more partake of the broken body and shed blood of his dear Lord, but ere those arrangements had been completed he was called to eat and drink at the heavenly board. From the meeting of the General Synod in Des Moines a decline in Dr. Barnitz's health was quite noticeable. The sudden death of his oldest son was a severe shock. From this time the dissolution of his earthly house was perceptible. DR. BARNITZ IN THE P\V. 133 Patiently he bore his last sickness. His hope brightened and his faith became stronger as he approached 'the river's brink.' He had his house set in order so that when the final hour came he was able to say, 'the time of my departure is at hand.' Hopefully 'he entered into that rest which was pre- pared for him and all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. The beautiful life of this great missionary will live and con- tinue to influence the church until Christ's kingdom shall fully occupy our country. We commend the bereaved family to the love and help- fulness of Him who said, 'I will be a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows.'" CHAPTER XVIII. A NOTABLE CORRESPONDENCE. Amid all the multiplied work of Dr. Barnitz, both as Missionary at Wheeling, and as Western Secretary, there was always time to keep up an extended corres- pondence. As already intimated, one secret of the suc- cess which marked his whole course was his faithful- ness in attention to every little detail. This principle kept him busy with his pen. He not only believed in printer's ink, he believed in the written word. The wonder is that he did not get writer's cramp. On the railway train, late at night after a long journey, be- tween conversations when visiting missions, he would find opportunity to write his letters, make up his re- ports, and thus keep posted on his official and personal correspondence. One of his faithful friends and regular corres- pondents, was Mrs. Emma B. Stork, of Philadelphia, widow of Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D., mother of Rev. Charles A. Stork, D. D., of Baltimore. This correspondence in itself would make a volume that A NOTABLE) CORRESPONDENCE. 135 would outline the labors and spirit of Dr. Barnitz bet- ter than any biography. It was in contemplation at one time to publish this correspondence. Mrs. Stork has furnished with her own hand the motto and title page, as follows: "He being dead yet speaketh." "Selections from Letters of Rev. Dr. Sam'l B. Bar- nitz." We must be content with a chapter instead of a book, with here and there a clipping from letters writ- ten at length out of a full heart by a tired hand : "DES MOINES, IOWA, Nov. 29, 1900. Beloved and Helpful Friend in Christ our Lord. Among the multitude of blessings from the hand of our Heavenly Father for which we give thanks this Thanksgiving Day, your precious, helpful, uplifting and light-bestowing friendship, during nearly forty years, stands out prominently. 'Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. For His mercy endureth forever.' To-day you come before me many times, and I live over the past, and. recount the blessings of your friendship and that of your sainted husband and noble son, Charles, and the kindness of T. and W. Last Sunday I was in Chicago, that great city, at the dedication of another English Lutheran Church. Memory was very busy, and as I looked at eight General Synod pastors and home missionaries now preaching English in Chicago, and two preaching Ger- man, 'Behold what hath God wrought !' came to me, and I felt 136 SAMUEt BACON BARNIT2. a thrill of gratitude. You helped largely to produce these results, and many saved ones will rise to call you 'Blessed/ When I entered upon the work of the Western Secretary- ship, in 1881, and came to Chicago, there was no English Lu- theran Church of the General Synod, and only one of any kind in that great city. My heart yearned for many of our people who had not the means of grace, and I wrote Charles, at the same time that I made an appeal to the Board to open the work there. He laid the matter before you, and you both, with me, laid it before God, and you gave the first $1,000.00 for beginning a church edifice in Chicago. 'Grace English Lutheran Church' was started, and has become the mother of the other missions noted above. Each year will add to the number, yea, soon I believe, each month. Scores of souls have been saved, and hundreds are now being gathered into the Master's fold. On the fourth of November, the enlarged church at Lawrence, Kansas, where Bro. F. A. acted as sexton, when you took him up and helped him into the min- istry, will be dedicated. ... Do you wonder that I live over the past to-day, and am 'thankful at the remembrance of God's mercies?' And then the work at Wheeling, W. Va. 'Oh, precious, blessed, soul-rescuing work,' comes vividly to mind. You were a great factor in that work, often lifting the burden which to human view and human strength seemed breaking. That church has become two bands, the second having a Sunday School of over 200. 'The Children's Home' has grown out of it, and hundreds of the neglected and fatherless and motherless have been lifted out of the awful pit." A NOTABLE CORRESPONDENCE. 137 "SAN DIEGO, CAL. Reached California for the visitation of the missions, and to attend the California Synod, on Friday, April 6, and from that date until April 16, preached eight sermons and deliv- ered five addresses. During each day visited people who were discouraged, or who, amid the materialism of this country, are 'following the Savior afar off.' Petitions and letters come to me from parents and from -brothers and sisters in the East, to 'look up' and 'look after' dear ones who have left home. Sometimes I find them doing well true to their vows, but at other times I find unfaithfulness and forgetfulness of God. Then I remind them of the prayers of mother or father or sisters or brothers, and of the ardent longing they have to hear of their return to the loving Saviour. In some cases, they come to church, and are reclaimed by our home mission pastors, but in others, alas ! we can only commend them to God and His mercy. . . . This visitation to the Pacific Coast missions will require forty-five days. Then will come the Rocky Mountain Synod up to May 19. From there I must go directly to Cincinnati, Ohio, without stopping at my precious home, so that it will be more than ten weeks before I get to Des Moines. Indeed, have only been at home three weeks, all put together, during this year of 1900. But God has been very good. All glory to His Great Name, for He has kept me, preserving my health, giving me strength for a great deal of work, and giving me many friends and helpers. Palm Sunday was a glad day at beautiful Los Angeles, and Easter a glorious day at San Diego, Calif. Here SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. the palms arc so abundant and as large as in Palestine, and the decorations of the churches can therefore be very fine and appropriate. Our California missions are all under the care of the W. H. and F. M. Soc., excepting one, viz: San Diego." Describing one of his visits to a remote locality, where a few gathered in the 'Church in the house/ as in the New Testament days, he sa)s: "As the Scriptures were read in their 'adobe house/ and prayer offered, tears coursed down their cheeks. 'They wept when they remembered their Zion.' One of our home mis- sionaries had not seen a brother Lutheran minister in nearly three years. Not only the sacrifice and loneliness of our min- isters and people impressed me, but also the great need for the Gospel in these Western States. Oh ! what a field is open to us as a Church, and what responsibilities are upon us." "Los ANGELES, CAL. Reached here on Saturday afternoon, after four days and four nights on the train. On arrival, I commenced a report to the Board, and worked at it until ten o'clock on Saturday night. Sunday, preached twice, and made three addresses, with visits to the sick, etc., and yesterday wrote four hours on report, and mailed same to reach Baltimore for the meet- ing on the loth of April. Amid all this incessant work and travel, I have been kept well, and enabled to keep up wonder- A NOTABLE CORRESPONDENCE. 139 fully. To-day I am a little weary, and have a jaded feeling, and in a little while will go out among the flowers. . . . Would that you could see this part of our wonderful coun- try. Some spots make one think of the descriptions of the Garden of Eden. Neither pen nor tongue can describe the flowers or beauty of California. The air is redolent with sweet perfume, and all around is beauty, the beauty of our Father's handiwork. Geraniums grow to the second and third stories of the houses, and so also does heliotrope. Lilies grow so rapidly that they make hedges of them." "Leaving home March nth and returning March 2pth, made the trip eighteen days, and embraced in that time 4,006 miles of travel and twenty-two services. . . . The past thir- teen weeks have been one incessant strain. Speaking every day and night at the synods, watching the business, talking with the home missionaries over their work and trials, and sleep- ing mostly on the cars, almost prostrated me. It is really wonderful how I have kept up amid the ever-pressing work and its demands. 'As thy days so shall thy strength be,' has been verified over and over again to this unworthy servant of Christ." "Since September i8th, I have been out visiting synods, and making special efforts to secure funds for new Home Mission points, dedicating new churches, 'in labors abundant,' and sometimes, I fear, beyond my strength. It is often very difficult to control circumstances and 'entertainment.' 140 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. I must sleep in cold and badly ventilated rooms, and eat all manner of food without asking any questions 'for conscience sake,' or in order not to give offence to well-meaning and kind-hearted people." It would be possible to protract these quotations to a great length. They would cover every detail of the life-work of the Missionary and Secretary. They show him finding the members from the East in the mountains of the West, on the prairies, in mining camps, preaching in the Church of Sod, adobe hut and open field ; giving a Communion Service to one mis- sion, a box to another, and good cheer to all. Wher- ever the man moved there followed a trail of good. He never got away from his work. He did not know how to take a vacation. There was an all-consuming zeal which set an early limit to the strength and length of his life. It was evident after the Des Moines Conven- tion of the General Synod that it was likely his last appearance in that body. The varied character of Dr. Barnitz's labors can be realized by a paragraph from this correspondence in which he refers to the death of the evangelist, Mr. Moody : "Dear Mr. Moody! Many will rise to call him blessed. The announcement of his death brought to mind many labors with him in his earlier life and work. We were together in 1863, in mission work in saloon parlors in Chicago. We spent A NQf ABLE CORRESPONDENCE. 14! much time in prayer, at that time, asking God to show me whether I ought to leave Wheeling and enter upon mission work in Chicago. The indications to me were clear that my field was the Wheeling mission. Then we labored together in Baltimore in 1878, when your precious son, Charles, made such an impression upon Mr. Moody, as one of the ablest and most spiritual of preachers. Now he has 'entered into rest/ and will meet Charles, and Thane Miller, and Philip Phillips, and Geo. H. Stuart, and the hundreds of the Lord's servants who labored with him in the earth. So rest and praise come after ser- vice." CHAPTER XIX. GREAT DAYS IN CHICAGO, WHEELING, AND ELSEWHERE. Doctor Barnitz was always in demand as a plat- form speaker. He had .a convention style of oratory, with a stentorian voice, a happy manner in any pres- ence, a rich fund of anecdote, with a humor that was infectious. The greater the crowd, the keener his en- joyment of the occasion. He made a strong impres- sion on the audiences he addressed, and was known in all the churches because of his deep interest in tem- perance, missions, Sunday School work, and every other good cause in which all the Protestant churches enlisted through interdenominational methods. Among the notable conventions attended and ad- dressed by him was the Montreal Young Men's Chris- tion Association Convention, held while he was still at Wheeling, in 1867. The session of the General Synod in Washington City, in 1869, was a great occasion for the Wheeling Missionary, who with Gen. O. O. How- ard, was one of the chief speakers at a mammoth Sunday School meeting of all the Lutheran schools in 142 GREAT DAYS IN CHICAGO, ETC. 143 the capital. This meeting was held in the First Con- gregational Church. Another great occasion was the meeting in the Auditorium in Chicago, with President McKinley the guest of honor. It was a gathering of more than six thousand teachers and scholars from the public and parochial schools of Chicago and the suburbs. Dr. Barnitz was thoroughly in his element on such an occa- sion, and moved the vast throng with his eloquent, patriotic words. As he concluded with a happy illus- tration, he was greeted with the waving of more than six thousand flags and an enthusiastic round of ap- plause in which the President of the United States heartily joined. Another great occasion was the meeting of the Ohio State Sunday School Convention in the City of Columbus, in the year 1896. His good friend, Dr. H. Louis Baugher, appeared on the platform with him and was given a rising greeting. To this meeting Dr. Barnitz gave a carefully prepared address, the most of which may be found in the city papers of that date. His subject was "The Work and Rewards of the Sunday School Teacher." One paragraph of the ad- dress was unintentionally descriptive of himself, his work and reward: " Another reward is the perpetuating our influ- ence and our work after we are gone, by the mul- 144 SAMUEL BACON BARNIl'Z. tiplying forces for good. The widow who gave all that she had, has been preaching benevolence for eighteen centuries. The good Samaritan is still journeying, binding up wounds, building hos- pitals, opening orphanages. Paul still preaches from Mars Hill. Luther has been dead many years, but the Word he unbound still blesses the world. John Bun van sleeps undisturbed in Bun- hill Field, but the Pilgrim's Progress continues." Another noteworthy event of public character in Dr. Barnitz's life was the Quarto-Centenial of the Children's Home at Wheeling. He was called back to Wheeling, W. Va., in February, 1895, to take part in the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Children's Home in that city. It was a noble tribute to the founder and first president of the Home. The Opera House was filled, many prominent people con- nected with the institution sitting on the stage, together with scores of neatly dressed children of the Home. Up to that date nearly four hundred children had been rescued and saved. The first inmates of the Home were the wretched mother and two children referred to in the correspondence and diary of Dr. Barnitz. This charity still goes on as one of the incidental impulses of good which were abounding in this life of faith and works. That was also a very gratifying day when he was GREAT DAYS IN CHICAGO, ETC. 145 recalled to Wheeling again in 1891, to help lay the corner-stone of the enlarged new church, of which he had laid the first corner-stone twenty-nine years be- fore. A great crowd gathered to hear him tell of the Rock Christ Jesus as the true 'corner-stone of the Chris- tian hope. Dr. Barnitz was always eager to see that the Lu- theran Church was represented at every general gath- ering of the denominations. The Evangelical Alliance heard from him frequently. Shortly after his appoint- ment as Western Secretary he appeared in New York at a meeting held by the Evangelical Alliance forces and was introduced by President W. E. Dodge as a warm personal friend and a representative of the Lu- theran denomination. Dr. Barnitz in the address made on that occasion called the attention of the convention to the fact that Dr. Samuel Schmucker's Appeal for Christian Union, in 1846, was the inciting cause which led to the formation of the Evangelical Alliance. The address which followed was a strong vindication of the Lutheran Church in her catholic and fraternal spirit in relation to all other Evangelical churches. In temper and practice he was always able to rec- oncile his warm devotion to his own church, which he loved with all his soul, to his fraternal relations to all other Christians whom he also loved. He never confounded loyalty with narrowness. There was not a drop of bigotry in his veins. He would travel from 146 SAMUEI, BACON BARNITZ. New York to San Francisco in order to see j ustice done to his cause ; that Home Missions might have a hear- ing; that his church should not be slighted. Thus he made friends in all circles, and was known to the lead- ers in all the churches. He would not have gone across the street to make a convert to his own church from another church, CHAPTER XX. SNAP SHOTS FROM THE The correspondence of Dr. Barnitz sent in from the field was rich in common sense. It was full of sym- pathy for the mission, abounding in suggestions of helpfulness, covering every form of activity, securing transportation for the missionary and his family to some distant point, or preaching in a sod house to a little company who had not seen church or preacher for years. From this correspondence we have selected here and there a sentence for the purpose of showing the tact of the Secretary as well as the varied experi- ences that were crowded into the busy days of his life. These snap shots, as they might be called, are selected without reference to their chronological order, and ex- plain themselves as every good picture always does : "The Board will, I am sure, overlook or make allowance for any defects or mistakes in this report. It has been writ- ten with some difficulty, frequently laid aside in the middle of a sentence, and not taken up until the next day. That 1892 may be a blessed year for our missions and 147 J4 SAMUEt BACON BARN1T2. missionaries, and one of marked advancement in the work, is the prayer of Yours very gratefully, SAM'L B. BARNITZ, Western Sec'y." "Since we started, nearly every denomination has built a new and elegant church, with all the modern attractions of parlors, kitchens, etc. There is in B. also a great pandering to the too popular idea of 'sacred concerts,' Sunday night lec- tures, etc., etc., and a good deal of very 'thin gospel.' All these things make the work of building up difficult." "The missionaries engaged in keeping their people from starving and freezing have been able to do little else for sev- eral months, and their reports on services, etc., etc., are meagre, and will likely be until 'the calamity be over-past.' The blessedness of the work of relief, however, cannot be estimated." "They feel they must have a fairly good preacher and worker, AND THEY ARE RIGHT. The American population is an intelligent one, and the Americanized Bohemians are not far behind them. It will require an appropriation of perhaps $300.00 to place a good man at M., and the field is worth the money. The new missionary must be an orderly man, and get all documents, records, etc., etc., in good shape, binding the congregation and property in such way that it cannot be taken from the General Synod." SNAP SHOTS ROM THE FIELD. 149 "NORCATUR. I held services at this place Sunday morn- ing, Aug. 25th, and drove to Oberlin 19 miles in the after- noon. The trip was an intensely severe one, as the 'hot winds' were blowing, and literally 'cooking' whatever came in their way. With no top to the wagon, and the winds so strong as to forbid holding an umbrella, and at times even the wearing of a hat, the drive was exhausting and fairly consuming. But the journey was made, and the large audience at Oberlin, and the words of appreciation from some of our own sick and suffering people, and from many citizens of Oberlin, entirely compensated for the trials by the way." ''Every famliy and every member that could be reached was visited, though the heat was fairly exhausting. The at- tendance at worship Sunday morning was 31, at Sunday School 36, and at evening service 90." "Herewith find expense account to April 3Oth, the close of the business. It is rather a remarkable one showing 7,151 miles of travel, including all expenses of meals, sleepers, etc., at a cost of $16.55, or less than *4 of a cent per mile. Mean- while I have sent our own treasurer and synodical treasurer more than twice that amount from offerings along the way. There was also a donation of $10.00 on type-writing work, which, with the reductions heretofore made, has brought the expense of this part of the work far below the appropriation authorized for it. The postage it is difficult to reduce, as every letter must be answered, even though the letter con- 150 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. tains but little of importance. Then too, many letters or cards of cheer and encouragement, or of comfort in sorrow, must be written, and they do more good than can be esti- mated. Packages of literature, papers, etc., etc., are sent to new points to keep in touch with the people, until a mission can be opened." "The month has been another one marked by discomfort and anxiety in travel on account of floods, 'wash-outs,' and country roads almost impassable. Safety and help have been vouchsafed, however, and a large amount of work has been done." "More has been accomplished during 1896 than during any four years preceding. On these grounds, I plead for a continuation of the same appropriation." "I will, D. V., spend Sunday, May 30th, at Greenleaf and Barnes, and arrange 'on same trip for services at Effingham and Waterville. This will require a 'forced march' from Day- ton, Ohio, but it can be made by leaving Dayton early Friday morning, and journeying until Saturday evening. My work at the Woman's Convention will be completed by Thursday night, 27th." "Letter from Prof. E., is a characteristic one. At first, I thought I would pay no attention to it, but as that would have broken my fixed rule to answer every letter of every kind, SNAP SHOTS FROM THE) FIELD. 1$! I submitted the matter and my reply to Prest. Albert and Vice Prest. Parson, and after hearing from them that reply is all right, I mailed it." "I spent Sunday, April 25th, at Nevada, Iowa, formerly a mission, and a weak one, now developing into a vigorous congregation, making splendid returns for all our outlay, and all the labor and anxiety put upon it. New openings are being entered through this mission, and a second pastor will now be called for the country work. I had a cheering visit, excepting the drive to the country through 'mud to the horses' knees and beyond the hubs of the wheels/ A pair of splendid dray draft horses pulled us through the driver having fitted the conveyance with double-trees from one of the strongest transfer wagons." "I -believe we ought to place a good, live young man at McCook, and place the other work in the hands of a second or additional missionary. I say 'young man* only in the sense of man with a small family, who has vigor and 'gumption.' Secretary Hartman reports a number of 'splendid young men at Seminary at Gettysburg this year.' Can we not induce some of them to come West and 'endure hardships' for a few years, at least?" "I wrote one of the former members of Wheeling mission, to come to train for a greeting. Also said that if train passed earlier than 7 143 P. M. I would have stopped off for a I5 2 -v SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. missionary service. Train time had been changed, so that I did not reach W. until 8:18, which meant 8:48 local time. Immediately on arrival I was told that they had decided to hold a service at any hour train would come, and that the congregation was in waiting. I found about 70 persons at the church, who listened well to an appeal to become self- supporting as soon as possible, and to give more largely to missions." "The month sums up 3,035 miles of travel, twelve ad- dresses and sermons, two dedications, with $5,200.00 solicited and secured, and over one hundred letters and postals, with many papers, tracts, etc., sent out. All this, however, and much more could not meet the demands of the growing work. Oh, that the Church could be awakened to our Home Mission opportunities, and that the servants of the Church had double strength for the labor of extending and enlarging our borders, and 'strengthening the things that remain,' some of which are almost 'ready to die.' " MOINES. Could any outlook for success ever have been so unfavorable as the mission beginnings at Des Moines in 1865? The story of the beginnings here shows them to hair been more unpromising than those of any mission now on our list. As we heard the records and the story on Monday night last, and then looked around us at the beautiful sanctuary and large congregation, Dr. Clutz remarked, '/ have hope for W. and every other place.' SNAP SHOTS FROM THE) FIELD. I 3 As I had urged the new church enterprise from the day of reaching Des Moines, the pleasant (?) duty of asking for the money to meet all obligations was laid upon 'the Western Sec'y of Lutheran Missions.' Many said the amount needed, $3,600.00, could not be raised, and others doubted the wisdom of asking for it. Still others said, 'deduct the cost of parson- age, and try for church indebtedness only.' But we asked for the whole of it, and got it, to the surprise and joy of the large congregation." "Being obliged to return from California via Portland, Oregon, and resting there on Sunday, or rather expecting to rest there, I attended services at the General Council mis- sion, Rev. M. L. Zweizig, missionary. He received me most cordially, and insisted on an address to the Sunday School, and a sermon Sunday night. Two-thirds of the members of this mission are General Synod people, and of the very best. A more cordial greeting could not have been given me by any of our own missionaries, nor could any of our congregations have given closer attention or spoken kindlier words of appre- ciation. Bro. Zweizig said, 'You have done us all great good, and been most helpful to me, and I thank you for coming to Portland.' " "The success in San Francisco shatters to pieces the idea that 'Lutheran Material' consists only of persons of Lutheran parentage, Lutheran training or Lutheran countries. Bro. Miller has gone out after 'unsaved sinners' 'out of every nation 154 SAMUEt BACON BARNlfZ. under heaven,' and has demonstrated that both the 'original Yankee' and the 'original Californian' make good Christian Lutherans. We have reason to rejoice and give thanks to God for the success of this work." "By urgent request of the late Rev. Geo. D. Gotwald, our wise and faithful missionary at Kansas City, I had arranged to spend Sunday, Jan. I2th, with him, assisting him at Com- munion, and other special services of that day. Little did he or I think that we were planning for my presence at the side of his death-bed, and for his funeral services. He was very urgent as to my coming, and wrote me several times, after leaving him Decem. iQth, 1889. He said : 'It will be your last official visit to me, as we will be self-sustaining March ist.' " 'SACRAMENTO. The days spent in this Capitol City of the Golden-State May 9 to 14 were very busy ones, but full of cheer and encouragement on account of the progress of the work, and the noble spirit and self-sacrifice of the missionary and his excellent wife. The Board will recall our report of last year, in which we told of tramping Sacramento from end to end until foot-sore and weary, and rinding but one person a grand, good woman, who, with her daughter and two little grand-daughters, was ready to go into and push a Lutheran Church. We reported f a good field/ because of many unsaved people, and many people not identified with churches, and not a great deal of church activity in other denominations. Under SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD. 1 55 these circumstances, Missionary Hoskinson commenced his work, and laboring 'in season and out of season,' canvassing every street and every house encouraged by some and ridi- culed by others he has organized a congregation of splendid people, has good audiences, a nice beginning for a Sunday School, ladies' aid society, etc., etc." "There seems to be almost a mania in resignations, and for returning to the East. There are a number of reasons for this, but chiefly 'worn out with years of sacrifice and trial and isolation, and on salaries insufficient to keep their families comfortably.' In the great scarcity of capable men, openings are abundant at better salaries than our missionaries are re- ceiving. Their families grow weary of the sacrifices and struggles if even they do not, and being mostly from the East, become 'home-sick.' Other reasons and causes are also given, but the above are, I am sure, the principal ones. The faithful men in the Western mission field deserve sympathy and kind and cheering words. Putting ourselves in their places, considering carefully the difference in conditions and sur- roundings, is the only possible way to comprehend fully the sit-' uation." "Reaching Alliance Conference, Chicago, Rev. G. U. Wenner met me at door and said: 'Where in the world have you been, Barnitz? You should have been here an hour ago, and we should have had some word from you. I was assured 156 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. by Dr. Albert,, President of your Board, that you would be here, or that some representative would be present.' I re- plied, 'Well, Bro. W., this is the first intimation I have had of appointment or a desire to have me present.' He then called Rev. Dr. Strong, who said he was glad the Lutheran Church would be represented. I told Bro. Wenner I was greatly embarrassed to go to the platform without a moment's thought on the subject, or preparation for it, and without having even heard the principal paper, that I did not want to do injustice to our Church, but could tell the Alliance our policy and some things peculiar to our own Lutheran field. He said, 'that will do, and I am mighty glad you are here to do that.' " "Greatly would I enjoy a visit of several weeks at home, as I have been there but little since March indeed, very little during 1893. All engagements with synods, missions and women's societies have been met, and all correspondence kept up promptly and to date. The visitations since last report required over 3,700 miles of travel, 36 addresses and sermons, with interviews innumerable, and listening to many accounts of sacrifices and suffering. No accident has befallen me, good health has been vouchsafed, and uniform kindness in word and deed manifested at every synod, mission and con- vention. This Western trip, and the one to Kansas Synod, revealed sacrifice and suffering, which was a great drain on the sympathies of any one who has a heart and would have been on the purse had there been anything in it."' SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD. 157 "On Friday afternoon, March i6th, I met with the students of Hamma Divinity Hall, and for an hour and a half dis- cussed Home Missions. The session had closed at noon, but the students remained over by request of Dr. Gotwald for this service. The young men showed a deep interest in the subject of Home Missions, and some of them promised to con- sider the matter of taking hold of Western work. I have asked for a list of the brightest and best, so that I may know them when an application comes." "Would that every member of the Board, yea, and many members of our churches, could have been present at the congregational meeting. Such pleading for a continuation of Lutheran services, such readiness to sacrifice even of their food and clothing, that they may have the gospel, and the Church of their fathers in their midst, I have seldom witnessed. They deserve all the help we can give them without doing injustice to our other work." "In some moments it pleases God to give me, I see rising alone in the mists and darkness of past mistakes, our beloved Lutheran Church God's dear child whose whole beauty has never yet been fully disclosed. That she is divine, I know by her girdle of pure doctrine, and by that atmosphere of love, that, issuing from her as light from a star, moves with her more royal than a king's apparel. In this, too, I know her divinity, that she blesses those who wound her if such there be and like her Master, forgives even her enemies." 158 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. "It takes an immense amount of thought and labor to keep some of our missionaries encouraged, and to have them understand the exact situation of affairs, even in their own fields. On behalf of this New Mexico work, and to encour- age and 'help and strengthen our missionary there, I think I have written well nigh enough to make 'a book.' " "I was called to make a special trip to the East to seek a man for Denver. Rev. C. W. Heisler was sought for Los Angeles, Cal., and had no conception of going there until solicited by the Board. Gen'l Secy. Clutz and myself were instructed to seek Mr. Neiffer for Denver, after the resigna- tion of Bro. Heilman, who had been selected by the Board as first missionary, and I called at the last to lay it on his conscience that he ought to go to D. Indeed most of the men for our prominent missions have been sought after, and have themselves never made application to the Board for the positions they hold." "WOMAN'S CONVENTION, SYNOD of N. ILLINOIS. By special request and urging of the officers of this Society to present the cause of Home Missions, I was present on Monday evening, Oct. 2, though it required a journey of over seven hundred miles to accomplish this. I thought it wise to make it, as the Foreign work was to be presented by both Dr. Scholl, Secy., and Miss Dr. Kugler returned from India. We had an excellent meeting, a. ml the representatives of the SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD. 1 59 societies expressed a feeling of need that more must be done for the Home field." "There have been cases demanding plain, straight-forward criticism of men (for the good of the work), which criticisms have somehow or other gotten to the man, or men, and they have become personal enemies to the Secretary making them, and, unless 'Grace abounded,' have tried to injure them. Criticisms are not made in any unkind or unfriendly or per- sonal spirit, but solely in the interests and for the highest good of the work. I am sure our Board understands this." "KENTUCKY, FLORENCE, BOONE Co. In response to fre- quent requests from Rev. \H. Max Lentz, the faithful pastor of the Boone Co., Ky., churches, I wrote him I would give them Sept. 18 and 19. His letter tells of the appointments and his desire to have the people instructed regarding Home Missions. Three services were held: Monday, 7:30 P, M., Tuesday, 10 A. M., and i P. M. The churches were crowded and the people gave close attention, though a good many 'shook their heads' when the 'money for Home Missions' plea was made. They nevertheless gave something, and the few members interested in Missions expressed grat gratitude for the visit and its results. The pastor was cheered, as he felt, en- dorsed and 'backed up' in what he had been preaching, and in pleading for 'at least the little apportionment'" "SYNOD OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. This Synod was attended l6o SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. Sept. 8th to nth, and seven addresses and sermons delivered. Though the year has been a very trying one on account of drought, and several long vacancies, there are yet signs of improvement a growing interest in the work of the church, houses of worship improved, etc. This might not appear if we judge only from the treasurer's books, but even these would have made a much better showing had the farmers and fruit- growers not been impoverished by one of the severest droughts known in many years. Could we but fill the vacancies now existing with good, active men, it would not be long until the contributions for all our benevolent work would be doubled. Southern Illinois is a splendid field for us the material for many new churches, and the enlargement of the work already commenced is there, and it only needs careful cultivating by earnest and educated men and patient waiting to bring forth an excellent har- vest." "A letter from Rev. Cephas Baird, of Morristown, 111., says he has opened a new station at Osco, started a Sunday School, and commenced preaching. He says the field is one of rich promise, there bein^ a Scandinavian congregation nearby, numbering one thousand members. He asks for aid to the extent of one hundred dollars to develop this field, and asks for our influence for Sunday School Helps from the Board of Publication. I have written Supt. Boner, asking for a donation of books and papers, and have written Mr. Baird to move carefully, to confer with Adv. Board of Synod of SNAP SHOTS FROM THE lEU>. l6l N. Illinois, and report again. I have also told him of the condition of our treasury, and the overwhelming demands upon us, and expressed doubt as to the ability of the Board to extend aid at this time. It would do good, however, if the treasury will at all justify, to make a small appropriation from 'Special Mission' fund. This will encourage a mission in a field teeming with young people of our own household of faith." OUTLOOK. From present indications there will be much need and suffering in the states and territories west of Iowa the coming winter. In parts of the wheat belt of Kan- sas, the Dakotas, and Nebraska, there will scarcely be one bushel of wheat to the acre. Kansas and Western Nebraska are already suffering, and continued drought makes the out- look for corn and potatoes very gloomy. All these things must be taken into account in considering our Western Home Mission work, and the whole church should understand the sacrifices being made by the men and women on our list of missionaries. The crop prospects in many parts of the west have not been so gloomy for years, and this fact, with the general depression in business and the general lack of confi- dence, will make our work more difficult than it has been for many years. 'They that are strong should bear the infirmities of the weak/ and our strong churches and more highly pros- pered parts of the land will be called upon to help the needy and less prospered." 1 62 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. "Gifts TO HOME MISSIONS. With very great joy I am privileged to report a gift of two hundred and fifty dollars from my friend, Mr. , of Wheeling, W. Va., and one hun- dred dollars from 'A Child of the King, in His Name.' Mr. is the same who gave me five hundred dollars for special use at Thanksgiving. He is not a Lutheran, but having intro- duced a Lutheran church paper into his home in 1863 it has kept him informed as to our work, and brings forth fruit. He also handed me one hundred dollars for the Board of Educa- tion, and one hundred and fifty dollars for the Board of For- eign Missions. 'The Child of a King' is the same who gave me one hundred dollars as a birthday thank-offering, reported with Luther Day contributions. Bro. G. G. Burnett has also sent one hundred dollars, through Dr. Hamma, in part savings from railroad fare, because of special favors secured for him from numerous lines of railway. It is indeed pleasant to write of such gifts. With thanksgiving I can report free transpor- tation secured for Rev. Dr. Clutz from Atchison, Kas., to Baltimore, Md., and return, so that he can be present at the Jubilee Meeting in May." "Without presuming at all, I am free to say that neglect of the far west, even the churches and fields which seem weak now, will lead to the same results which neglect of towns and cities in Illinois and Indiana has led to, because of the policy of thirty and thirty-five years ago. It has been very truly said that 'as there are over 80,000 more Lutheran communicants in the states west of Chicago than in the states east of that SNAP SHOTS FROM TH tflELD. 163 city, our great work as a church in giving the faith of the fathers in the language of the children must be in the west, though the east, too, is full of opportunities as yet unim- proved.' " "CALIFORNIA. In response to letters from the missionaries on the Coast, urging a visit to the coming convention of the Synod, April 4th, and to the several missions on that territory, and especially to the dedication at San Diego, and hearing nothing to the contrary from the Board, I have planned to attend the Synod, reaching San Diego (D. V.) for the open- ing of Synod, and giving a Sunday, if possible, to each mis- sion in California. The card from the President is very urgent as is also the desire of the church at San Diego. I have written the Executive Committee of W. H. and F. M. Soc. that I will try to meet with them before going to the Coast, so as to carry any greetings they may want to send, and learn their views concerning their work in our hands in California." "I earnestly hope we may secure some good men from the seminaries and fill the vacancies in Kansas and Nebraska by the first of July. I cannot but feel, however, that there ought to be more teaching in our seminaries, and perhaps, more preaching also, as to what the Saviour means when He speaks of 'forsaking' father and mother, sister and brother, houses and lands, for His sake and the gospel's.'" IO SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. MIAMI SYNOD. Only one hour could be given to this Synod, in session at Urbana, Ohio. Synod promptly voted 'all the time the W. Secy, can use in presenting the work of Home Missions.' The hour from opening 9 A. M. to train time 10 A. M. was used in presenting the work and answer- ing questions. The Convention was a delightful one in every respect." "Brother O. has spared no pains to bring the congregations up to a realization of privilege and responsibility, the results of which are very manifest. A comparison with the benevolent reports of eleven years ago will show handsome growth in the grace of giving. There is also advancement in church order, catechization, etc. Indeed our Missions, as a rule, de- velop the synods with which they are connected." "Reached Los Angeles on Saturday morning at eleven- twenty and had a most cordial reception by Bro. and Mrs. S., and the members of the church. Held five services with the congregation and S. Schools and young people yesterday, and was much pleased with the attendance and attention. Every- thing here is in good condition. The people, as far as I have seen them (and I have met quite a number), are well pleased and entirely satisfied with Bro. S. He has done good work. The S. School is greatly improved in every way the debt has been reduced during the year one thousand dollars ; the audiences are larger than ever before, and there is every rea- son to be encouraged. Bro. S. does not see the encourage- SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FlU>. 165 ments as much as he sees the dark side of things. He thinks every member of the church ought to be in his and her place, and do full duty all the time and always. He is right in his view, but he cannot always have people just exactly as they should do. Bro. S. measures work out here too much with a Lebanon or Pennsylvania Lutheran tape line. So far as membership or active work is concerned, we have but little here, but so far as handsome church property and a field to be developed is concerned, we have a great deal. There were twenty-eight (28) at S. School, including officers, teachers and scholars, and twenty-three persons, men, women and children, at morning service. At night the audience num- bered over one 'hundred (100), but the Methodist minister had closed his church and brought his congregation to wor- ship with us. I learned, however, from one of our very best members, that the Methodists in the audience did not number over thirty (30), and that there were at least fifty (50) per- sons present who are not now identified with any church. * * * True piety, consecration and separation from the world are not elements of popularity in this section. At the office of the hotel, where I was stopping, they played cards all day Sunday." "MIDDLE TENNESSEE. I wish the Boards could see the improvements in church property, church-order, church music, mission interest, etc., etc., as I note them from visit to visit. They would say these changes are worth all the expense and all the sacrifice of visitation from year to year. And with l66 SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. better church-order and church-life, will come larger giving. Altogether matters look hopeful and encouraging. They have added new pews to the church, and with the appropriate church furniture, furnished by Dr. Ender's 'Bee Hive Sunday School,' the audience room has quite a churchly appearance. There will also be enough in the 'Furniture Fund' from the 'Bee Hive' to provide collection plates, which I have ordered for them the offerings heretofore in all the churches of the Tennessee Synod having been lifted with hats, and often the most forlorn-looking and greasy hats that could be found in the audience. Not unfrequently the 'Offertory' was some un- suitable chorus or gloomy hymn with inappropriate chorus, as 'Plunged in a gulf of dark despair Glory hallelujah!' All this is now changed in many of the churches, and there is such order and solemnity as becomes the House of God." ''NEW ENGUSH WORK. To look up a suitable location for a second English church in Chicago, I will arrange to meet General Secretary Hartman at such time as may best suit his plans and engagements, so soon as I am able to travel. The physician thinks I should not attempt to go from home this month, but I trust he is mistaken by a week or ten days. It is, however, as he says, 'necessary to be careful,' and this I keenly feel. For the first time since in the work, I was alarmed as to the results of my sickness, and more glad to get home than ever before in my life. Hence, as recovery is coming and strength returning, the part of wisdom is to be careful, SNAP SHOTS FROM TH FIELD. 167 even though the work be pressing. To this I know my ever kind and considerate Board of Home Missions will say a hearty 'Amen' Is there a good strong man in view for Chicago? The important factor in the new work ivill be the man!" "Reached Lima on Thursday, December 17, and, though in wretched physical condition, held a service with the congre- gation that evening, and looked over parts of the city next morning. The attendance at the service was very good for a week night, especially as there was much sickness in the city. My effort was to encourage the congregation and pas- tor to go forward with strong faith in God and greater confi- dence in their own efforts. I assured them of the support of our Home Mission Board, and told them of the success of other missions with not nearly such good prospects. Secre- tary Weber was to have been there the same evening, but was detained by sickness. The work at Lima needs the backing of the Board of Church Extension in order to make it suc- cessful. With a good lot bought by the Board, and a little help towards building, a church edifice can be erected the coming spring, and that will make the mission an assured suc- cess." "In response to letters I attended the dedication of 'Trin- ity' Lutheran Church at Louisville, Ky., January 23, 1895, the congregation paying expenses. The day was one of great interest to General Synod Lutheran Home Mission work. At l68 SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. the afternoon service over 300 people were turned away, though every spot on which a man or woman could sit or stand was utilized in the church building. It was estimated that half as many more people than the house was supposed to ac- commodate, were crowded into it at the afternoon service. 'Trinity/ the sixth English Lutheran church built in Louis- ville, Ky., in twenty years, has the best church edifice of any of them, and is magnificently located. What a splendid record for our Home Mission work. Six churches and good ones organized in twenty years ! And what a testimonial to the wisdom and breadth of view of Dr. S. A. Ort, pastor of the first church, who insisted upon the second. It can truly be said that the work of Home Missions has made the Olive Branch Synod the influential body it now is." "Conclusion. The Bill of Expenses herewith sent, shows 218 days of constant service, travel to the extent of 16,568 miles, 116 sermons, Home Mission talks and addresses before synods and women's conventions, over 900 letters and mail packages sent out, and more money raised in two places alone than covered the entire expense of $108.40. Scores of our missionaries have been helped by the personal solicitation of boxes of clothing, communion sets, etc., etc., and have been cheered and comforted by personal visitation and encourage- ment. In this time, also, since meeting of General Synod, many newspaper articles have been written on behalf of the work, and individuals visited with a view to stimulating them to larger giving. There remain yet many things to mention, SNAP SHOTS FROM THIC FllvtD. 169 and much correspondence to report, but this report contains probably all the Board will have time to consider at the Sep- tember meeting. The report has been written as I could catch the time, while en route from place to place." In such manner this modern apostle went over the great field, scattering sunshine, establishing, encourag- ing, doing the work of evangelist like a wise master builder. These snap shots will show better than any description could the arduous burdens under which Dr. Barnitz finally sank. "He saved others, himself he could not save/' CHAPTER XXI. DR. BARNITZ AND THE) GERMANS. The Western Secretary, being of Germanic stock himself, was always deeply interested in the develop- ment of our German work, both in the fostering of churches and the education of young men who could preach in both English and German. His addresses at synods were full of references to the demands made upon the Home Mission Board for the proper care of the next generation in our German Lutheran families. His reports to the Board abounded in appeals for workers to meet the great influx of population from the German and Scandinavian countries. During all the years of his work as Western Secretary he retained this interest in our growing German work in the West. It was through his activity that the General Synod was made aware of the importance of this work. The interest which Dr. Barnitz felt in the growing work of the German Literary Board made him refer frequently to the spirit of enterprise which was mani- fest in the German branch of the General Synod's work. His love for the Germans was deep-seated. It ran in 170 DR. BARNITZ AND THE) GERMANS. 171 his blood. His words of encouragement on the floor of the German synods were greatly appreciated. We append in this connection an extract or two from his reports to his Board, showing that he regarded this German work as a distinct branch of his great field : WARTBURG SYNOD. Three days and four nights were spent with this body, the Lutheran Parliament and Lutheran Women's Congress, all meeting in Chicago, Sept. 12-17. The Wartburg Synod is also 'coming up.' I was received most cordially, and listened to for an hour most patiently, and then asked questions for an additional half hour. There was no 'carping,' no unkind criticism not a word of objection to the Board or its work. There were earnest speeches of en- dorsement, and exhortations to pastors to lay the Home Mis- sion work before their people and urge increased giving. There were also requests for Home Mission literature in the German language, as well as for applications and reports to be gotten out in the same tongue. This synod has wonderfully changed for the better in the past five years. It is composed of fine-looking, intelligent men, mostly young men who are American in spirit and grow- ing in their adherence to the General Synod." "THE GERMAN SYNOD OF NEBRASKA. This body had a very delightful and harmonious convention at Schuyler, Neb. I was accorded an hour on the floor of synod, and as much more time as I wanted, and an hour before the congregation and synod in the evening. There was the utmost cordiality 172 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. thanks for the help we have given them. No complaints, no murmurings, but a hearty endorsement of all the work of the General Synod, and an urging of every pastor to bring up at least the apportionment." We attach a tribute of one of our German brethren, Dr. Wm. Rosenstengel, who for many years was as- sociated with Dr. Barnitz through ties of friendship in his work as missionary in Nebraska and New Mex- ico, and in the last years of Dr. Barnitz's life, as the editor of the Lutherischer Zions-Bote, the official or- gan for the Germans in the General Synod : "Rev. Samuel B. Barnitz, D. D., our Western Secretary of Home Missions, died at his home in Des Moines, Thurs- day, June 12, 1895, at 8 A. M. His death calls forth deep mourning in wide circles. Quickly and unexpectedly our beloved brother has been called out of our midst. We have before us his last letter, dated May 23, in which he speaks of a visit to one of our German pastors in Colorado, which had been a recreation to him. It is evident that he did not think of his end as being so near as it was. His intention was to rest for a few months, hoping to regain his strength during that time and then again continue his routine work. We can well imagine how hard it must have been for the tireless traveler and worker to become accustomed to the thought of inactivity, since he was one of the soldiers of the Lord who knew no other command than, 'Go forward!' He had DR. BARNITZ AND THE GERMANS. 173 no idea how his physical strength had been reduced. But out of his temporary rest in his earthly home there was to grow the eternal rest in the blessed home of light. Pastor Barnitz, owing to his official position, was in touch with many people. There are, we presume, but very few pastors in the General Synod with whom he was not per- sonally acquainted. He was known in most of the congrega- tions, an ever welcome guest. His secretaryship he has ad- ministered for twenty-one years, and when we take into con- sideration how the continual traveling with all its hardships, with its irregular life in eating, drinking, watching, and sleep- ing wears out the system, how manifold and often unex- pected were the demands on his powers, we need not wonder at his exclamation, 1 had no idea of being so run down as I find I am/ Our Germon pastors, especially those in connection with the two German synods in the West, will be deeply touched by the news of his departure. Who could think of our an- nual synodical conventions without his strong personality? He always was a welcome guest, and he loved to visit our synods. As no other of our American brethren, he knew how to appreciate our German work and its importance for the future of the General Synod in the West. He delighted in our steady and healthy growth. More than once he re- marked regarding the Wartburg synod: 'What a splendid body and a noble set of men you have.' And his opinion of the Nebraska synod was certainly on the same order. Dr. Barnitz, although a thorough American, had a genuine 174 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. German 'Gemuet.' He had an open heart for the sorrows and joys of his fellowmen. It was this prominent trait of his character which led all hearts to him. He who has often harbored strangers does not need instruction as to the con- ception, 'unwelcome guest.' Barnitz was none of these. He entered many a parsonage, and among these a great number in which it looked sparing enough, where the good house- wife was in embarressment how to prepare a comfortable resting place for the night But he was always content with what there was. Never would he complain about insuf- ficient hospitality. He appreciated Paul's words, 'I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound ; everywhere and in all things I am instructed to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.' Just such occasions and experiences were a hint to him to lend a helping hand, and I am convinced in more than one case the arrival of the well- filled missionary box at the Christmas season was the result of such visits. He was well-known in ,the East, he knew the well-established and wealthy congregations, and it required merely a hint to this or that missionary society to set to work immediately many helping hands. Dr. Barnitz is the author of the so-called 'box work/ which has developed into a regular benevolent system. I have before me a letter, in which a needy brother asks for a box; he closes his letter by saying: 'You cannot realize what a great help last year's box has been to my family and myself.' Indeed, our good Barnitz has erected for himself a lasting memory in the hearts of many, a monument more precious by far than a DR. BARNITZ AND TH GERMANS. 1/5 thankful generation could erect out of the best of stone; a monument not of marble, a monument in the memory of grateful co-workers of God, followers of Jesus Christ. Dr. Barnitz was a sober, conservative man. He had been in the work of the kingdom of God long enough, had made observations in all directions of church activity, to fully ap- preciate the word of the Savior: Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. In many cases of supplying missions in the West, he spoke the decisive word. His main object was to obtain faithful men. His first question used .to be, Is he a safe man ?' Much weight he laid on Christian character. Also in the work of higher education he was prominent. The establishment of the institutions at Atchison may be attributed to his efforts mainly. It will not be an easy matter for the General Synod to find a suitable successor for the blessed departed. But we will not forget that the interests of Christ's kingdom are not linked to an individual. The evening must come for every worker. Others step into the break and the work is con- tinued. Let us see to it that we fight the good fight and hold to the faith. Only they who fight well are crowned." Luth- eran Zions-Bote, 2 July, During the preparation of these pages a voluntary tribute came to hand from the pen of one of our well- known laymen in Pittsburg. It may justly be in- cluded under the heading of the present chapter, as the i?6 SAMUEL BACON writer of the tribute was originally a member of a German church in Wheeling. He is now a member of an English church in Pittsburg, and requests that his name be withheld. The letter, which follows, contains an incident in the life of Dr. Barnitz, while pastor in Wheeling, so entirely characteristic of the large heart and practical sympathy of the man that it is given en- tire. AUGUST i7th, 1905. "REV. W. E. PARSON, D D., WASHINGTON, D. C. My Dear Sir. Your letter to Dr. Turkic, referring to a Photograph of Drs. Barnitz, Baugher, and Goettman was shown me by the Doctor, he knowing that I had one of the pictures in my possession. I will gladly loan you mine for the purpose for which you want it and will send it with this mail to the same address as this. I value this picture of 'Barney,' 'Baughey,' and 'Getty,' as they called each other, very highly. Dr. Baugher once showed me another picture of the same group which was taken in their younger years; if that would be of use to you in the memorial you are pre- paring, Mrs. Baugher would no doubt let you have it. I was glad to learn that you are engaged in preparing this memorial to Dr. Barnitz. I was a boy in Wheeling when he first came there, but was never connected with his church, as I attended the German Lutheran Church with my parents at that time, but I remember his first appearance there very well. Perhaps a few words regarding his work in Wheeling DR. BARNlfZ AND TH# GERMANS. 1 77 may be of interest to you in this undertaking, so I will give them to you and you can decide whether or not they will be helpful to you in connection with what you may already have gathered. He entered upon his work in Wheeling with a great deal of push and energy. His ways did not take very well with the older and more staid Germans, who often spoke of his Yankee methods. Nevertheless he was well thought of per- sonally by them, and the results of his work were such as to command their respect and admiration. His greatest success was among the younger people and persons of American birth. He paid a great deal of attention to children, and picked many a child up in the streets and got it into his Sun- day School. His love and sympathy for orphans and home- less children soon enlisted the interest of other public- spirited and charitably inclined citizens, with whose financial aid he started The Children's Home. Of this Home he was president as long as he was in Wheeling. It grew under his direction to be one of the most helpful and popular institu- tions in the city. His work among the poor was not confined to children alone, but he brought comfort and relief to many a family in want and distress. Indeed he was as well known to the citizens at large of Wheeling, as a benefactor to the poor, as a minister of the gospel. During the war of the Rebellion, he was always a leader among those who worked for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers and soldiers' widows and orphans. One incident that occurred during the war shows his large-hearterness and 1 78 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. thoughtfulness. When the news of the fall of Richmond was received in Wheeling, a grand jollification meeting was ar- ranged for, to take place in the evening in the Court House. At this meeting a number of the most prominent citizens made addresses, and all were rejoicing over the great victory and the sure prospects of peace; everybody seemed enthu- siastic and happy. The tall form of Dr. Barnitz was seen in the audience, and soon the cry, 'Barnitz/ 'Barnitz/ rang through the building. He went to the platform and soon had the people quiet when he said in effect : 'Yes, we have good reason to rejoice at the great victory our troops won, and the sure prospects of the ending of this bloody war, but let us not forget the cost. How many widows and orphans are the result of this victory, who are mourning and despairing while we are rejoicing. It strikes me the right thing to do just now would be to appoint a committee to pass around the hats and secure money and subscriptions for the relief of those who have lost husband and father, or son or brother.' This proposition was taken up with cheers, and over three thousand dollars were raised that evening. Dr. Barnitz had a heart as big as himself, and I am glad it was my privilege to have known him when I was a boy and to frequently have had the pleasure of entertaining him at my home. I often wondered why no one took up the work of pre- paring a memorial for him, and am glad to know that such a work is in process now. I do not want anything I have given you here to go in with my name, but thought probably a little sketch of his life and work would be written and the DR. BARNITZ AND THIv GERMANS. 1 79 information I could give might not be known to the writer and might be helpful. I was born and raised in Wheeling, and lived there till the Spring of 1868. Wishing you success in this undertaking, I remain Sincerely yours, C. F. S." CHAPTER XXII. TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM. The memorial resolutions, tributes by synods, con- ferences and missionary societies, in memory of Dr. Barnitz would fill a large volume. The articles in the church papers and journals, the individual testimonials printed in the secular and religious papers, would make a second volume even larger. The private letters of condolence to the family, the outpourings of esteem and sorrow at his loss, would make still another book. But it is all written in God's book, where He keeps record of His faithful ones. Hence we shall not attempt to draw from any of these numerous testi- monials. There is an embarrassment of riches. But a few sentences gathered here and there from close friends, missionaries, ministers, editors, women's so- cieties, will make a green garland such as our friend himself would be pleased to see : "Helplessness appealed to him from many quarters, and to his Christ-like task he responded with a warm heart and a cheerful will. Thus he came, as God meant he should, to his 180 TRIBUTES 01? ESTEEM. l8l wider field in the Church in which he served so long and so well." REV. M. RHODES, D. D. "Only God knows the sum of the good done by his travels, his letters, his personal words, his brief but Spirit-breathing prayers, his wise and strong counsels, his quiet and generous gifts and tokens of esteem." M. F. TROXELI,, D. D. "We sincerely sympathize with our brethren, the missionary pastors and their families, in their loss of a loving brother and thoughtful friend, who was always tenderly considerate of their self-sacrificing toil and of their many privations for our Church's establishment and our country's evangelization, and who was ever watchful for opportunities to minister cheer and inspire hope in the heart of many a worn and disheartened laborer." M. W. HAMMA, D. D. A. F. Fox. A. STEWART HARTMAN, D. D. "We may take the work done by Dr. Barnitz as a model. It may be followed out to the fullest extent and nothing will be lost He has indicated by his own efforts how the work may be done and what can be accomplished.'' JUDGE PETER GROSSCUP. 1 82 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. "When shall we have another so unique, so filled with longings unutterable for the scattered children of the Reforma- tion, so thrilling in recitals of the hardships of the pioneers, so winning in all the graces that go to make up the orator." C. G. HECKERT, D. D. "Up and down this land, in his work as the General Synod's Western Secretary of home missions, Dr. Barnitz has been going for years, carrying the work of the Church on his heart, urging the pressing claims of our great work as a denomination, pleading for men and means to carry it forward, planting and strengthening the churches, and drawing con- stantly upon his sensibilities in sympathy with self-denying missionaries." The Lutheran World. "The extent of his travels and the celerity with which he moved from place to place, won for him the designation 'ubiquitous.' " The Lutheran Observer. "Samuel Bacon Barnitz entered upon his more public ministry in '61 when our country was in the throes of our Civil War. The young theologue was associated in Wash- ington with the then pastor of St. Paul's church, and now the editor of The Evangelist. We need hardly say that our personal relations were the most cordial and the work of min- istering to our 'boys in blue' was most blessed." REV. J. G. BUTLER, D. D. TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM. 183 "The home missionaries had no warmer or more sympa- thetic friend than good Doctor Barnitz." C. W. HEISUJR, D. D. "Dr. Barnitz was a man with a striking personality, gifted with a rare talent of natural eloquence, and often thrilled his hearers as the clarion's peal in the day of battle startles the soldier when it sounds the headlong charge." WIWJAM KEU,Y, D. D. "For two score years his name has been a most familiar one in the homes and churches of our General Synod, and the scores of churches which have been planted and developed under his guiding hand and fostering care will be his lasting monument." DR. A. S. HARTMAN, in Missionary Journal. "Sometimes his life looks to us like one long martyrdom, lit indeed with joy and blessed with visions from the Lord, but none the less a sacrifice." DR. C. S. ALBERT, in Augsburg Teacher. "In perils often, in labors abundant, almost overwhelmed with an extraordinary correspondence, prompt in answering every letter, prompt in meeting every engagement, that man's biography is the history of the Western home missions for two wonderful decades." G. H. SCHNUR, D. D. 184 SAMUEL BACON BARN1T2. "He seemed never to forget a name, or a face, or a kind- ness done. And he never wearied of serving his friends. No wonder he was so welcome everywhere, and so many were ready to serve him. He was ever sowing kindness and con- sideration, and he reaped the same." JACOB A. CUJTZ, D. D. "Others may do his work efficiently, but his great charms of personality, and his great and tender heart for all who were in trouble, his endeavors always to help lighten the burdens of our poor, struggling missionaries, such strong characteris- tics are hardly to be met again in our day or generation. Yes ! he was truly a friend to our Woman's Work." MRS. A. V. HAMMA. "A singular coincidence, on the day of his death the Executive Committee had just finished reading the report of his late visit to California, when the message came, 'Dr. Barnitz is dead.' This was his final report. Think you, there was not a pause, a silent weeping?" MRS. S. F. BRECKENRIDGE. "He was as punctual in the discharge of his duties to his individual church as to the church at large. He was as en- thusiastic in the success of his home church as in any mission he ever planted." DR. J. A. WIRT, his Pastor. TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM. 185 "From the struggling mission in a Western sod church, or third story in a hall, to the giant Sunday Schools of largest congregations up to that vast throng of thousands of children he and President McKinley addressed in Chicago Auditorium, he carried off the palm." F. W. E. PECHAU, D. D. "In the East how many there are, but in the West what an unnumbered company, from the Great Lakes to the Golden Gate, in thronged city, in obscure villages, in prairie sod house, in mountain cabin, who can say in truth : 'I loved him he was my friend." W. L. SEABROOK. "The sunshine and the clouds that passed over the faces of the audience to whom Dr. Barnitz was telling the story of his work, showed how thoroughly he was reaching their hearts, and the offerings showed as much." HON. THOS. E. DEWEY. "In the death of Dr. Barnitz, the Lutheran Church lost one of her best and most able leaders. No man ever reached the hearts of the people as did he." CORNELIUS ECKHARDT, A. M. "He came into hundreds of homes, as he did into ours, a very member of the family circle." REV. S. S. WALTZ, D. D. 1 86 SAMUSI, BACON BARNITZ. "We never came in touch with him without feeling the thrill of his enthusiasm. His devotion conquered the weak- ness of the flesh. He could not rest while there was so much to do. The final summons found him at work." REV. W. H. DUNBAR, D D. "Several colleges owe their establishment largely to his enterprise and zeal, while every department of church activity was indebted to his far-sighted and comprehensive enthu- siasm. His name, which has long been a household word among English Lutherans, became familiar to Swedes, Danes, Norwegians, and Germans, at whose conventions he was wont to appear." E. J. WOLF, D. D, LL. D., in N. Y. Observer. These testimonials might have been indefinitely multiplied both in number and extent. Instead, there have been selected only these single paragraphs from the numerous discourses, editorials, voluntary tributes, resolutions and printed memorials called out by the death of Dr. Barnitz. They are enough to show the standing to which this rare man of God had attained after more than forty years of fidelity, consecration of zeal in the service of Christ and the Church. Memorial services were held in many churches East and West. At Washington, the capital, he had frequent entrance to all our churches. Here he had served in his earliest ministry, glad to be able to com- TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM . 187 fort those in the hospitals in the first days of the Civil War. In Baltimore, Philadelphia, Burlington, Sac- ramento, Alameda, Oakland, San Jose, all over his wide field they met to recount his worth, lament his loss, and thank God that he had lived. CHAPTER XXIII. A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE:. The work of Dr. Barnitz brought him into con- stant correspondence with the Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society. He covered the territory on which so large a part of their work was done. He selected the fields and recommended missions as well as missionaries. He was actively engaged in their box-work, helpful in all their conventions, giving time, advice, addresses, securing transportation, and in all the ways which he so well knew, promoted every inter- est connected with their great and good work. It was eminently fitting that at their next conven- tion following his death they should turn aside from the ordinary program to spend an hour in memory of their cordial friend and helper. It seems fitting also that the action taken at that convention should be em- braced in the record of his services. His death seems to have given color to all the reports of the year. It entered into the addresses of welcome and was part of the farewell word. In the response to the address of welcome it was said : "We fondly recall the name A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE. 189 of one who was nearly always with us in our Biennial Conventions, and who was so greatly interested in our work." The president said in her address : "How we have all mourned the loss of our dear Dr. Barnitz, that true and noble friend of the women's cause. We can pay him no higher tribute than to say the world is better for his having lived in it." The treasurer's report said : "How much we miss the encouragement that was al- ways extended by the sainted Dr. Barnitz through let- ters sent by Mrs. Barnitz, always hopeful and faithful to the cause so dear to their hearts." The historian's report announced the death of but one honorary member "that of the Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Barnitz, who belonged, in a sense, to every synodical society." The executive committee made touching reference to the last report received from Dr. Barnitz : "On the I2th of June, while the executive committee was in session, and just as the last words of his report were being read, the word came, 'Dr. Barnitz has passed away'. The last words of that report were 'occupy, occupy, OCCUPY/ That was his parting mes- sage to the executive committee, and it is his parting message to the Woman's Home and Foreign Mission- ary Society, and to the women of the Lutheran Church. Dr. Barnitz was active in the organization of the So- ciety, and he was ever the constant friend and adviser of the Society." IgO SAMUEt BACON BARNlTZ. Then came the special Memorial Hour, when Mrs. S. F. Breckenridge made the prayer, after which Mrs. C. W. Maggart, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, read a beauti- ful tribute, from which the following extracts are taken : "The hour has arrived when we are called upon to do honor to the memory of one of God's noblemen. We miss the kindly face, the willing advice, the anxious and manifest sym- pathy of our friend, the Rev. Samuel Bacon Barnitz, D. D. It was about eighteen years ago I first met him. During the sixteen years of my life as a minister's wife, five and one-half years of which were spent in California, I have been on his territory. I have, therefore, been in close touch with him in his work, hence I am here to lay my personal tribute at his feet, as well as in some feeble way to pay the respect due in behalf of my sisters throughout the Church. It is fitting that Iowa should serve at this post, for Iowa was the center of his action for many years. While only one is called to speak, I am quite sure that there is a cloud of witnesses in these pews ready to applaud every good that may be said. . . . Do I hear someone say that such a life is that of the hero? Then I perfectly agree, and I confess that I am come here to join with you in the kind of hero-worship which recognizes braVe service in the cause of humanity's elevation and betterment. Wherein lay the power of this mighty pioneer ? The power of the man was the power of a great spirit, endowed with a great gift of free speech. A power among men because he A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE. 191 was so much a man, with a great fund of human sympathy, who, when called on to furnish spiritual comfort to one in need, and finding the greatest need a beefsteak, would invar- iably supply that first. A man with a rare sense of humor, and a gift for illustration that charmed and delighted, while il- luminating every subject with which he dealt His was a complex nature, dignified yet frank, bold yet ever respectful of the opinions and wishes of others, progres- sive yet conservative, firm yet tender as a woman. An incident under my own observation which showed this latter quality strikingly, was in a public service in one of our California missions. He had said the words which made the father and mother one, and they desired him to pronounce the words which should make the child one with the Holy Spirit in the baptismal vow. Accordingly, those hands always so ready in any service for his Lord, were laid in baptismal benediction upon the little one's head; then reaching down to the child he lifted him from his mother's arms into his own, folding him close to his breast and kissed him. What a pic- ture! Strong, dignified manhood, yet as affectionate, gentle and tender as a woman. Perhaps the dominant spirit in Dr. Barnitz was the spirit of self-sacrifice. He was not careful about himself when duty and necessity were at stake. When called to go to a remote field on the far-away skirmish line of the Church's interest, he heard the call and heeded, and alighting from the railway train he would board a farm wagon with no spring-seat, and perhaps face a blinding blizzard for two or three hours in the 19-2 SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. most uncomfortable conditions, arriving at the missionary's home to be treated to the very best they had, which would be very meagre, indeed. His careful eye would take in the situa- tion, and this home would be marked for a place of blessing, and ere long, to augment the meagre salary, a well-filled box would find its way there, packed and loaded with comfort and cheer. . . . He never forgot his friends. Who failed to re- ceive his New Year's greeting? His parish was the whole country. . . . For perhaps fifteen years prior to his death, his name appeared on the parochial report of the Iowa Synod with his benevolence itemized. And the total was more than any one of half the congregations in our synods. He not only preached benevolence, but practiced it. ... By education he was a home missionary, but far more than that, he was one by birth. While the training of his early ministry was such as eminently fitted him for the very important work that occupied his later life, we are led to believe that his life was providentially guarded, guided and directed for the great work laid to his hands." This woman's judgment was in all probability the correct estimate. So we have looked on his life in the treatment of it in these pages. So he himself looked on his life, always cultivating the thought that he was in God's hands, seeking the leading of Providence, de- siring to do only his Master's service in any humblest A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE. 193 place in the Kingdom. Now he -has risen to the exalted place, and is at rest with the Master. "There, grief is turned to pleasure Such pleasure as below No human voice can utter, No human heart can know ; And after fleshly weakness, And after this world's night And after storm and whirlwind, Are calm and joy and light." We follow this beautiful tribute from the women with a graceful notice that appeared in the Memorial Chimes, of Topeka, Kansas, Rev. H. A. Ott, D. D., editor. This may be taken as typical of the feeling of all the men who ever served in the mission work under Dr. Barnitz: "One more of the mighty men of Israel is fallen. One more has taken his place among the sainted dead who died in the Lord, and who likewise live in the hearts of thousands of friends. Dr. Barnitz fell asleep on the morning of June I2th, just one month after he had passed his sixty-fourth birthday. Of late he has been far from being a well man. His trip to the Coast, to attend the late California Synod, in which Mrs. Barnitz accompanied him, was hard on him, and dur- ing which he suffered a serious collapse. After his return to Des Moines, every day witnessed him grow- ing weaker physically until the end came. 194 SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ. Dr. Barnitz was born at York, Pa., May 12, 1838. His theological course was taken at Gettysburg. From 1861 to 1882 he was pastor at Wheeling, West Va. At the latter date he entered the services of the Home Mission Board and since then has devoted his energies most vigorously toward building up the Lutheran Church in the West. He demonstrated his fitness for this work as soon as he entered upon it, by his wis- dom, zeal, and his intelligent prosecution of the same. As a worker he was absolutely tireless, as hundreds of our Western pastors and missionaries will attest. East, west, north, and south he was constantly going, en- couraging both pastor and people, with voice and pen in his own happy way. For twenty-one years he spent large portions of each year living en route, his traveling effects in his great familiar grip, a load of itself. As a guest in a missionary's home he ever brought a ray of cheer and comfort, but after cheer- ful greetings and social exchanges, he was to be found in his room using his pen to do what voice and pres- ence could not do. He lived not only to see many churches founded in the West but whole synods estab- lished. He was perfectly familiar with every inch of the territory west of Chicago, and knew the precise worth of every man in the territory. We believe Dr. Barnitz used this knowledge faithfully and con- scientiously in the interests of his Board. In this regard it is but natural that his judgment now and A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE:. 195 then should clash with that of the men concerned, and the doctor thus became the object of unjust cen- sure and criticism. All this he was able to live down and at the last convention of the General Synod at Des Moines, an ovation was given him rarely given a man in church circles of any denomination. Dr. Barnitz was a liberal supporter of the benevo- lences of the church. His income was conscientiously tithed in the interests of his own home church, Home and Foreign Missions, and the church benevolences in general. Possibly as no other churchman he has figured in the development of the West. Herein the railroads recognized his activity and worth, and hon- ored him accordingly, and our Board has been saved thousands of dollars in transportation. In his con- ception of Lutheranism he was conservative, loyal to every stand taken by the General Synod in planting itself soundly on the unaltered Augsburg Confession, yet it cannot be said he ever made his Lutheranism obnoxious to his brethren ; however, his influence was strong along these lines. Bb&cmft j 'r The pen of Dr. Barnitz was mighty in the cause dear to his heart. Having the reputation of being the best known Lutheran preacher of his day, he used it accordingly. He made thousands of friends to mis- sions through his voluminous correspondence. His private note-book was literally a register of names, names gathered from all over the land, who were 196 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. never permitted to forget him because he constantly remembered them with birthday or New Year cards and occasional letters. In his thoughtfulness and tact- fulness as a secretary lay his largest power. As a speaker he was unique, with a personality somewhat like that of Lincoln, possessing a peculiar ability to tell touching incidents with which to powerfully illus- trate his subject. He was always an interesting man viewed from any standpoint. As a friend Dr. Barnitz was valued on every side. His heart was warm, sympathetic and tender, and his interest in those who loved him and those whom he loved never lagged. The moment he heard of their troubles or bereavements, their triumphs or successes, his pen was ready to weep or rejoice with them as the case might be, in the thoughtful message sent The writer rejoiced in counting him his personal friend. While a missionary under the Home Board he has had occasion to thank the Western Secretary for many helpful words of encouragement and confidence. The correspondence then began never ceased up to the day of his death, one letter reaching the Doctor the day after his death. 'Farewell, dear friend, a word that must be and hath been; A sound which makes us linger, yet farewell.' Dr. Barnitz will be greatly missed at our Confer- A WOMAN'S TRIBUTE:. 197 ences and our Synods ; however, his memory will ever linger with us like a pleasant thought. The Board of Home Missions will not find it an easy task to lay hands on a man who can take his place. Indeed, it will be quite impossible to find one who will be able to precisely fill it, for he had abilities combined in him rarely found within the compass of one man. Dr. Barnitz leaves a wife and two daughters to mourn his departure, and these have the warm prayers and true sympathy of thousands all over the Church." CHAPTER XXIV. FINALE). Doctor Barnitz was twice married. His home life was an ideal fireside. The lament of his heart was that he could be in his home so little part of the time. His sense of duty was so keen that every earthly consid- eration was subordinate. His first wife was Eliza Smyser, of York, Pa. Three children were born of this union, Sue List Barnitz, Sarah Eliza Barnitz, and Sam- uel Smyser Barnitz, who died at the age of six months. Dr. Barnitz was married a second time, to Eliza Park, of Martin's Ferry, O., who now resides in Phil- adelphia with her son and daughter. Two sons were born of this second union, David Park Barnitz, who died at the age of twenty-three years, preceding his father to the heavenly rest by a few months, and Fred- eric Bacon Barnitz, who resides with his mother. The domestic and family history of Dr. Barnitz has been scarcely touched, since these matters belong to the private life into which the church has little right to enter. At every point Dr. Barnitz was the same loyal, devoted man, affectionate father, and noblest citi- 19* FINALE. 199 zen. There is one word which might be applied to him with all the force of its meaning, and that is the word loyalty. To his friends, his family, his church, his missionary idea, his country, his Master, everywhere, he was moved by this passion. He remained single for several years at Wheeling, devoting all his energies to his mission building. When he had finally laid the corner-stone for God's House in November, 1868, then he was ready to lay the corner-stone of his own house. He was married the next month, in December, 1868, having passed his thirtieth birthday the preceding May. When Dr. Barnitz returned from his last missionary journey, to fall asleep in his own home, surrounded by his own beloved family, it was only too painfully evident that life's work was done. He also knew and was ready. He had been getting ready for sixty years. So he was not surprised at the last. Funeral services were held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Rev. J. A. Wirt, D. D., his pas- tor, having charge of the exercises. Many Lutheran clergymen were present, who united in a series of reso- lutions, the reading of which formed part of the serv- ice. The pallbearers were : Revs. H. L. Yarger, D. D., Luther M. Kuhns, L. P. Ludden, D. D., M. F. Troxell, D. D., R. Neumann, and F. W. Meyer. The address delivered on the day of the funeral, was (at the request of Dr. Barnitz), by Dr. M. Rhodes, of St. Louis. Subsequently a memorial tablet was set -2OO SAMUEX BACON BARNITZ up in the church, near the pulpit, of Italian marble, erected by the synod of Iowa. The unveiling of the tablet was made the occasion for a very appreciative service conducted by the synod which erected the tab- let. Doctor Yarger, Field Secretary of the Board of Church Extension, and Rev. W. H. Blancke, of Daven- port, Iowa, delivered the addresses in the morning. At night, Rev. C. W. Maggart, President of the Iowa Synod, delivered the tribute and unveiled the tablet. The inscription reads : "In Memory of Rev. Samuel B. Barnitz, D. D., Western Secretary of Home Missions of the General Synod, 1881-1902. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Their works do follow them. Erected by the Synod of Iowa." So we have followed imperfectly and for but a little way in the steps of this man of God. He might have said in the very words of his Master: "The zeal of Thine House hath eaten me up." Once he preached .a ringing sermon at the East Pennsylvania Synod on the words, "The Master is come and calleth for thee." It was the text of his own life. He had heard the call. He saw the vision, and with all his soul followed whither it led. Recently a missionary to the foreign field was asked, "Why do you persist in working to the breaking point?" The reply was such as Dr. Barnitz made al- ways with respect to the home field : "What is one to do when the need is so great and when that need must 201 be supplied ? We must work as hard as we can, and as long as we can, for this is a time of crisis in the his- tory of mission work." In that spirit he lived. In such a faith he died. And his works do follow him. THIS END.