-1 
 
 J. GORDON MELTON 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 SANTA BARBARA 
 
 Gift of 
 
 THE INSTITUTE 
 
 FOR THE STUDY OF 
 
 AMERICAN RELIGION
 
 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH 
 OF CANTON, OHIO
 
 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH 
 as remodeled and enlarged in 1898 
 
 PARSONAGE 
 Built in 1890
 
 HISTORY 
 
 If 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH 
 
 CANTON, OHIO/ 
 
 BY 
 
 REV. THEODORE P. BOLLIGER 
 
 PASTOR SINCE ^907 
 
 CENTRAL PUBLISHING HOUSE 
 CLEVELAND. OHIO
 
 TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRST CHURCH 
 
 whose graciousness has sustained me; 
 
 TO THE CONSISTORY 
 
 without whose helpfulness my pastoral activities 
 could not have prospered; 
 
 TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ITS 
 FAITHFUL CORPS OF WORKERS 
 
 this volume is gratefully dedicated.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE First Reformed Church of Canton and its early pastors helped 
 largely to make Reformed Church history in Ohio. The Church 
 was in the midst of the problems, turmoils and movements of the last 
 century. The author kept constantly before him a fourfold aim : First, 
 to give the story of the humble beginnings and the growth of the First 
 Church; secondly, to show the close relation between the First Church 
 and the development of the Reformed Church in Stark County and 
 beyond, through the congregations which were associated with it as a 
 parish ; thirdly, to sketch the religious movements and ecclesiastical bat- 
 tles in which the First Church took a leading part ; fourthly, to indicate 
 the conditions and the development of Canton from period to period. 
 
 The gathering of the material was fraught with great difficulties. 
 The first church record, kept in common by the Reformed and Luther- 
 ans before 1829, disappeared long ago. The first record kept by the Re- 
 formed Church alone after 1829, contains only a list of the baptisms, 
 and several lists of communicants and confirmations. The second 
 record containing the account of the congregational meetings, dates 
 back only to 1859. This record unfortunately is so brief and incom- 
 plete, that it does not even mention the lawsuit of the Lutherans 
 against the Reformed, nor the fact that a new church was being 
 erected. The facts had to be literally dug out from many mines. 
 
 The chief sources of information were the minutes of the synods, 
 the classes, and various church organizations. All the minutes of the 
 Eastern Synod from 1793-1830; the Ohio Classis from 1820-23; the 
 Ohio Synod from 1824-1881 ; the Independent Synod of Ohio from 
 1846-1852 ; the Columbiana Classis ; the North German Classis ; the St. 
 John's Classis ; and the First Church and all its organizations, were ex- 
 amined page by page, and every piece of information that seemed of 
 value was carefully copied out and used. 
 
 The second important sources of information were the histories of 
 Stark County, the earliest newspapers published in Canton, and the 
 earliest church papers of Ohio. The first twenty volumes of the oldest
 
 vi FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO 
 
 German newspaper published in Canton, and the first forty volumes of 
 the "Canton Repository," were examined column by column and all re- 
 ferences to the Reformed Church utilized. In the same manner the oldest 
 church papers published in Ohio, "Der Evangelist," "Die Kirchenzei- 
 tung," "The Western Missionary," and "The Christian World," as well 
 as every issue of the "Almanac," were consulted. Especially valuable 
 also were the books of Dr. J. G. Buettner for the period from 1830-45, 
 and the "Reminiscences of Rev. Peter Herbruck." These reminiscences 
 were prepared about 1875, at the request of Rev. H. J. Ruetenik, D.D., 
 but had been so completely lost that neither Dr. Ruetenik nor the family 
 of Rev. Herbruck knew that they were still in existence. From the writ- 
 ings of Dr. Buettner and Dr. Herbruck many of the most interesting 
 incidents of this book have been gathered. 
 
 It yet remains for the author to express his indebtedness to those 
 who gave assistance in the preparation of this volume: to George B. 
 Frease, manager of the "Canton Repository" for permission to consult the 
 early volumes of his newspaper; to Mrs. M. M. Herbst, the daughter 
 of Peter Kaufman, one of the earliest publishers of a German newspaper 
 in Canton, for the use of all the extant volumes ; to Dr. James I. Good 
 who freely offered rare books and helpful information; to the authori- 
 ties of the Central Theological Seminary, Heidelberg College, Lancaster 
 Theological Seminary and the Central Publishing House, for free access 
 to old minute books, manuscripts and periodicals. Without this co- 
 operation, the material for this volume could not have been gathered. 
 Last of all, though not least to the author's heart, he desires to thank 
 his dear friends and predecessors the Rev'd John B. Rust, Ph.D., D.D., 
 and the Rev'd Frederick C. Nau for writing the story of their own pas- 
 torates. 
 
 A clearer understanding of the hard pioneer life of the fathers, of 
 the struggles through which they passed, of the success and victories 
 which they won, will put iron into the blood of the present generation, 
 will stimulate loyalty, and arouse to better service. May this volume 
 contribute somewhat to this desirable end. T. P. B.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. THE EARLIEST DAYS 1 
 
 Stark County 110 years ago. First Reformed settlers. 
 First religious services. First Reformed Minister. Rev. 
 Mahnenschmidt's life. Some sermon outlines. 
 
 II. CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE 8 
 
 The first church building in Canton. References in min- 
 utes of Synod to Canton. Religious conditions in Canton 
 and vicinity. The first confirmations. Rev. Mahnen- 
 schmidt's literary efforts. Canton in 1816. 
 
 III. THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER 16 
 
 Benjamin Faust's youth. Education, Marriage. Condi- 
 tions in country congregations. The Ohio Classis. Pe- 
 culiar customs. A bad trip to Synod. 
 
 IV. RELOCATING AND BUILDING 22 
 
 Reasons for relocating. Description of new building. 
 The cemetery. Ohio Synod organized. Movement for 
 union with Lutherans. Faust's missionary zeal. Two in- 
 teresting facts. 
 
 V. FAUST AS PASTOR, PREACHER AND MAN 28 
 
 Sunday School interest. Bible society work. Sermon out- 
 lines. Synod resolutions at death. Size of Canton con- 
 gregation in 1832. 
 
 VI. REV. FAUST'S LAST Six MONTHS 32 
 
 Suffering from tuberculosis. Meets young Herbruck. 
 Trains him. Herbruck's first attempts to preach. Death. 
 Obituary notice. Grave. Mrs. Nancy Faust. 
 
 VII. PETER HERBRUCK'S YOUTH 37 
 
 Peter Herbruck's home. School days. Begins teaching. 
 Starts for America. Walking through France. Ocean voy- 
 age. A night in the open. Teaching. Strange start for 
 Ohio. Turned north by a stranger. A voice leads him 
 westward. Distress. A new home. 
 
 Til
 
 viii FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO 
 
 PAGE 
 
 VIII. PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCE BEFORE His OR- 
 
 DINATION 43 
 
 Canton in 1832. Seeking a successor for Rev. Faust. 
 Herbruck's first winter. Disappointed at Xenia. Her- 
 bruck's explanation of the reason. Marriage. A conver- 
 sion in jail. A service at the gallows. Ordination. 
 
 IX. GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 52 
 
 Permit to perform marriages. Contract with congrega- 
 tions. Moving to town. Experiences with the new horse. 
 Shifting the congregations. Peculiar action of the Synod. 
 In the flood. A typical Sunday. Popular preaching. Ex- 
 periences with Pennsylvania Germans. Union movements. 
 
 X. THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE REFORMED 
 
 CHURCH IN OHIO 63 
 
 Training ministers formerly. Attempting to found a 
 seminary. Dr. J. G. Buettner. Seminary opened in Can- 
 ton. The professor wants the Canton congregation. Rea- 
 sons for failure of seminary. A balky horse and a mud- 
 hole. A missionary trip to Indiana. A mishap. A rob- 
 ber. Finding former members. 
 
 XI. THREE PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 74 
 
 Change of language. Dr. Buettner's experience in Osna- 
 burg. Evils of liquor drinking. Temperance resolutions. 
 An old-time protest. Difficult position of German minis- 
 ters. Classis organized. Temperance sentiment in Can- 
 ton. New Measurism. Invading Canton. Excesses. Syn- 
 od disapproves. The Osnaburg revival. The fight that 
 didn't come off. Synod ignores the Germans' protest. De- 
 fects of New Measurism. The virtues. 
 
 XII. THE HERBRUCK SYNOD 87 
 
 Causes that led to organization. Columbiana Classis at 
 Osnaburg. The fateful resolution. The secession. An 
 amazing new-measure report. Discourteous hosts. Inde- 
 pendent Synod organized. Reasons set forth for this action. 
 Growth of the Synod. Reaction among new-measure men. 
 Ohio Synod reverses its action. North German Classis. 
 More dissensions. St. John's Classis. Congregations in 
 Canton parish. Two testimonials given Rev. Herbruck.
 
 CONTENTS ix 
 
 PAGE 
 
 XIII. SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS AND BUILDING 
 
 THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH 96 
 
 Canton from 1830-50. Estrangement between Reformed 
 and Lutherans. Plans to separate. The Reformed decide 
 to build. Rev. Herbruck chops down a tree. The Luther- 
 ans sue. Rev. Herbruck gets a new law passed. Louis 
 Gibbs' help. The settlement. The bells. 
 
 XIV. THE CORNER STONE AND ITS CONTENTS AND THE 
 
 DEDICATION 105 
 
 Laying the Comer stone. Opening the Corner stone in 1914. 
 The Contents. Sketch of history of the Church by Rev. 
 Herbruck. Accounts of the Lawsuit. Names of members 
 of the women's societies that helped. Description of the 
 church. The dedication. 
 
 XV. THE INEVITABLE ENGLISH AND A FEW OTHER 
 
 THINGS 114 
 
 The demand for English. The losses. Rev. Herbruck's 
 position. The aid offered if an English congregation should 
 be organized. The ill considered location of the English 
 congregation. Regretable consequences. Little pictures of 
 congregational life from 1862-75. Rev. Herbruck becomes 
 a "D.D." 
 
 XVI. CLOSING YEARS OF DR. HERBRUCK'S LIFE 121 
 
 Failing strength. 50th Jubilee. Total ministerial acts. 
 Death. Funeral services. Death of Mrs. Herbruck. Can- 
 ton in 1895. 
 
 XVII. EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST. . .124 
 
 Birth. Educational training. In the Waynesburg charge. 
 History of this charge. A scrap in Church. Rev. Rust's 
 first connection with the Canton Church. The call. The 
 installation. A review of Rev. Herbruck's career. 
 
 XVIII. THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. B. RUST 132 
 
 The first church roll. English introduced. Temperance 
 agitation. Church remodeled. Loose ideas of Church 
 membership combatted. Berchtold Ruf and family. Brave 
 stand for law and order. The "wets" get excited. A fa- 
 mous victory. Resignation. Rev. Rust goes to New Phil- 
 adelphia. Literary activities.
 
 x FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO 
 
 PAGE 
 
 XIX. LIFE AND PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK STRASS- 
 
 NER, D. D 139 
 
 Rev. Strassner's early life. Education. Wyoming Val- 
 ley experiences. Work at Canton : the parsonage, revising 
 the roll, Y. P. S. C. E., Church hymnal. Mrs. M. A, Beh- 
 mer. Troubles. Successes. Resignation. Founding Grace 
 Church. Last days. Two prayers. 
 
 XX. THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 146 
 
 Boyhood. School days. College and seminary. Call to 
 Canton. Building the Sunday School addition. Dedica- 
 tion. Memorial windows. Sunday School growth. De- 
 fects in building. Fate of the old cemetery. Missionary 
 society. New organ. Basement finished. Renovating. 
 Language question. Resignation. Rev. Nau in the East. 
 
 XXI. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INCORPORATION 156 
 
 The "Agreements" of 1810 and 1822. First distinctly Re- 
 formed constitution. Revisions. Incorporation in 1897. The 
 Constitution. Article 1 Statement of faith. 2 The Con- 
 sistory. 3 Duties of Consistory. 4 Consistory meetings. 
 5 General duties. 6 Reception of Church-members. 7 
 Arrivals. 8 Elections. 9 Visiting ministers. 10 Language. 
 11 Improvements. 12 General Constitution. Incorporation. 
 
 XXII. REV. THEODORE P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST 
 
 CHURCH 164 
 
 The first sermons and the call. Early life. Desire for 
 the ministry. School life. In Wilkes-Barre. Marriage. 
 New Philadelphia pastorate. Canton. Language question. 
 The church-roll. Debt paying campaigns. Contributions 
 of the Church. Improvements to property. Temperance 
 agitations. Billy Sunday and the First Church. Writing 
 this history. Ministerial activities. Religious and indus- 
 trial forces of Canton. The men in the consistory. 
 
 XXIII. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 180 
 
 Early days. Rev. Faust as a Sunday School man. Ear- 
 lier ideals of Sunday School work. English introduced. 
 The superintendents. Departments. Birthday offerings. 
 Growth since 1875. The present officers. The teachers.
 
 CONTENTS xi 
 
 PAGE 
 
 XXIV. THE SINGING, THE ORGAN AND THE CHOIR 185 
 
 The first congregational singing. The first organ and 
 organist. The second organ. The third organ. The 
 present organ. The choir. The directors. 
 
 XXV. THE GERMAN SCHOOL 188 
 
 Why it was built. Theodore Mueller. Karr and 
 
 Haushalter. Gruessie. B. F. Schwier. Rudolph 
 
 Leonhart. The passing of the old building. 
 
 XXVI. THE GERMAN LADIES' AID SOCIETY 192 
 
 Early societies. Organization of present society. Pur- 
 pose. Their good works. Death benefits. Faithful old 
 officers. 
 
 XXVII. THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN EN- 
 
 DEAVOR 195 
 
 Value of the society. Organization. Some early mem- 
 bers. Flowers for the altar and the sick. Junior Society. 
 List of presidents. Hard times. Present officers. 
 
 XXVIII. THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 198 
 
 Why organized. Object. The sewing-circle. Visiting. 
 Working for a classical organization. Organizing the 
 Classical. Regular programs. The Auxiliary Woman's So- 
 ciety. The Emma Ziemer Circle. Present officers of these 
 societies. Former presidents. 
 
 XXIX. EXPANSION 202 
 
 Buying lots for a fourth church. Lowell Reformed. A 
 site for a fifth church. Maple Ave. Sunday School. How 
 the present churches propose to help.
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1 First Reformed Church and Parsonage Frontispiece 
 
 2 Page of Sermon Outlines by Rev. Mahnenschmidt 1 
 
 3 Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt 8 
 
 4 Signature of all the Pastors 16 
 
 5 The Church Erected in 1824 22 
 
 6 Sermon Outline by Rev. B. Faust 28 
 
 7 Rev. Peter Herbruck at Forty-five Years 87 
 
 8 The Third Church Building Erected % 
 
 9 The Interior of the Third Building Erected 105 
 
 10 The Contents of the Corner Stone 107 
 
 11 Trinity Reformed Church 114 
 
 12 Rev. Peter Herbruck, D.D 121 
 
 13 Rev. John B. Rust, Ph.D., D.D 124 
 
 14 Interior of Third Church Building after Remodeling 132 
 
 15 Rev. F. Strassner, D.D 139 
 
 16 Mrs. F. Strassner 139 
 
 17 The Grace Reformed Church 144 
 
 18 Rev. Frederick C. Nau 146 
 
 19 Rev. Theodore P. Bolliger 164 
 
 20 Interior View, Front, 1916 173 
 
 21 Interior View, Rear, 1916 173 
 
 22 The Elders 179 
 
 23 The Deacons 179 
 
 24 The Sunday School Officers 180 
 
 25 The Adult Teachers 184 
 
 26 The Intermediate and Junior Teachers 184 
 
 27 The Primary Officers and Teachers 184 
 
 28 The German School 188 
 
 29 The Ladies' Aid Society 192 
 
 30 Officers and Charter Members of Ladies' Aid Society 194 
 
 31 The Former Christian Endeavor Presidents 195 
 
 32 The Woman's Missionary Society 198 
 
 33 The Presidents of the Woman's Missionary Society 201 
 
 34 The Proposed Lowell Reformed Church 202 
 
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 CHAPTER I 
 THE EARLIEST DAYS 
 
 THE history of the First Reformed Church and of the city 
 of Canton is closely interwoven. Both passed together 
 through the hard, poverty-filled pioneer days ; both entered 
 together into a long period of slow growth and difficult prob- 
 lems ; and both attained to the goal of prosperity and large 
 influence. 
 
 It is difficult for the present generation, surrounded by 
 comforts, conveniences, and opportunities constantly multiply- 
 ing, to imagine the hardships and struggles of the early days. 
 At the beginning of the last century, deep, dark forests 
 stretched in almost unbroken continuity where now are found 
 the fertile fields, rich orchards and smiling gardens of Stark 
 County. The Indian war-whoop still frequently resounded in 
 the forests and human blood often flecked with crimson the 
 innocent grasses and bushes. Wolves, bears, panthers, deer 
 and other wild animals still roamed the woods ; game birds of 
 every description abounded, and all the common fur-bearing 
 animals such as muskrats, minks, beavers, and otter were free- 
 ly caught. Then about 1805 the white man came. 
 
 In 1805, Bezaleel Wells secured a tract of land about five 
 miles square located about the forks of the Nimishillin which 
 included the present location of Canton. The tract was sur- 
 veyed and a site for a town selected and laid out in lots in 
 1806. During this year the first settlers arrived and the first 
 cabins went up. After three years the number of inhabitants 
 in Canton was only twenty-seven, though a considerable num- 
 ber of settlers had taken up land in the surrounding country. 
 Canton was then the western boundary of civilization. The 
 mail was brought in only once a week from New Lisbon. The 
 Postoffice was a drawer behind the bar of a tavern located on 
 the square. 
 
 The first settlers were able to carry but a few things into
 
 2 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 the wilderness. Every convenience was lacking. Meal had 
 to be ground by hand or was brought long distances on horse- 
 back. The first iron stove was not brought in until about 1825. 
 Before that cooking was generally done on the open fire. The 
 teakettle hung on a crane; the skillet was set on the coals, 
 potatoes were baked in the ashes and baking was done in rude- 
 ly contrived ovens. Dishes were of pewter or, more likely, 
 fashioned out of wood. The log-cabins consisted generally 
 of a single room. Every inch of space was valuable, hence 
 beds were built high so that the children's trundle-bed could be 
 slipped underneath when not occupied. A tallow-candle, or 
 the fire on the hearth, furnished the only light. 
 
 Though the Indians had given up all claim to the land 
 east of the Tuscarawas River, it was still their custom to hunt 
 and fish wherever fancy led them. They were also inveterate 
 beggars, often appearing at lonely cabins, and by threatening 
 miens, securing what they wanted. The women and children 
 especially were kept in constant fear. Preceding the war of 
 1812 with England, the Indians were in a restless, ugly mood, 
 for England was following its ancient custom of stirring up 
 the aborigines against the settlers. After this second war was 
 over, the Indians rapidly removed farther to the west and 
 northwest, and all Indian danger was over. 
 
 Amid such conditions the First Reformed Church of Can- 
 ton had its origin. The early settlers for the greater part 
 were Germans who had pushed out into the wilderness from 
 Pennsylvania and Maryland. These were nearly all Reformed 
 or Lutheran. But few were the possessions which could be 
 carried to their new homes, but among these few a Bible, pray- 
 erbook, and often a hymnbook or a small volume of sermons 
 was seldom lacking. During the first years the people were 
 found but irregularly by a minister. Rev. John Staugh, a 
 Lutheran minister, visited the new settlement and conducted a 
 service as early as 1806. About the same time John Peter 
 Mahnenschmidt, who was then serving several Reformed con- 
 gregations in Washington County, Pennsylvania (southwest 
 of Pittsburgh) also visited the people. Thereafter at long
 
 THE EARLIEST DAYS 3 
 
 intervals he would return and conduct services. In those 
 days denominational barriers were not high nor menacing, and 
 Reformed and Lutherans gladly met in one common service 
 regardless of the denominational affiliations of the preacher. 
 During the long intervals when no regular preacher was avail- 
 able, the faithful ones were accustomed to gather together and 
 conduct an informal service among themselves. A hymn or 
 two would be sung without organ or any other musical instru- 
 ment, a prayer would be offered or more commonly read, and 
 someone would read a sermon, followed perhaps by a free 
 word of exhortation. With another hymn the service would 
 be closed. One of the early pioneers testifies to the influence 
 of these gatherings in these words, "Many of those who wit- 
 nessed these religious exercises in the then wilderness cannot 
 have forgotten the zeal, the good feeling, the solemnity that 
 was apparent. God smiled graciously on the first settlers and 
 conferred on them many and rich blessings while employed in 
 rearing homes in these wilds." On his first visits to Ohio, Mr. 
 Mahnenschmidt informs us, that he preached in houses, school- 
 houses, little log-cabins, barns, and even under the green trees 
 "greatly to the joy of the people." 
 
 The first regular place in which services were conducted 
 was the barn of Michael Rieth. The name is spelled "Reed" 
 in all the published histories of Stark County. This spelling is 
 incorrect. Both the father and the children wrote the name 
 "Rieth" as can be seen in certain documents on record at the 
 County Courthouse. The Rieth family settled in Canton in 
 1810, but the land was bought earlier. Mr. Rieth owned the 
 quarter section just north and west of Twelfth Street and 
 Maple Avenue, N. E. He had a large barn built of logs with 
 a spacious threshing floor. This floor served as the auditor- 
 ium. The conveniences offered were not such as would please 
 our soft and delicate age. The pews were simply rough slabs 
 hauled in from the sawmill and laid on a log support. The 
 pulpit was probably formed by a log of proper length tipped on 
 end. There was always a scarcity of hymn-books, and the 
 preacher was generally obliged to read the hymns line by line,
 
 4 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 waiting between lines for the audience to sing what had been 
 read. All classes and conditions of men attended. The serv- 
 ices offered a welcome opportunity not only to satisfy their 
 religious needs ; but also to gratify their social instincts, and 
 discuss financial and agricultural affairs. When the weather 
 was too cold to hold services in this barn, private houses and 
 the large room of a tavern were occasionally substituted. The 
 services were conducted by Rev. Staugh and Mr. Mahnen- 
 schmidt as they had opportunity to visit our community. Some 
 reminiscences of the first quarter century are worth preserving. 
 In summertime the smaller boys and girls generally went to 
 meeting barefooted. The youth of both sexes, however, desir- 
 ing to make a more genteel appearance, would frequently carry 
 their shoes and stockings along, slip into them just before 
 reaching the meeting-place, and just as promptly slip them off 
 again when the congregation scattered. 
 
 As John Peter Mahnenschmidt was the first Reformed 
 preacher who conducted services in Canton, and since he gath- 
 ered together the scattered Reformed believers and organized 
 them into a congregation which still stands as a monument to 
 his zeal and fidelity, and is counted today as the third oldest 
 Reformed congregation in the State of Ohio ; it is fitting that 
 this chapter should close with a brief sketch of his career. 
 
 John Peter Mahnenschmidt was the third Reformed min- 
 ister to settle permanently in the State of Ohio. He was born 
 in western Pennsylvania in 1783. The place and county are 
 no longer known. His father was a pious schoolmaster. From 
 him the son early learned to love righteousness and hate iniqui- 
 ty and to dedicate his life to the service of God. After thor- 
 ough instruction in the Bible and the Catechism he was con- 
 firmed when about sixteen. Until eighteen years of age John 
 Peter worked for his father at home. After that we find him 
 making his own way through life. In the summer he worked 
 as day-laborer, during the winter he taught school in Somerset 
 and Washington counties in south-western Pennsylvania. Dur- 
 ing this time he became very active religiously. Wherever he 
 lived he at once gathered the believers together in regular
 
 THE EARLIEST DAYS 5 
 
 meetings for prayer and the development of the spiritual life. 
 Truly devoted to God himself, he never wearied in seeking out 
 others and urging them to repentance; and the Lord largely 
 blessed his efforts. The people strongly urged him to give 
 himself to the work of the ministry, but he shrank from the 
 thought under a deep sense of his own unworthiness. The 
 struggle that ensued caused him great anxiety and many tears. 
 
 About this time while teaching school in Somerset County, 
 a death occured in the neighborhood. As no minister was 
 available, he was earnestly solicited to hold a funeral service. 
 Though filled with fear and misgivings he finally consented, 
 and conducted a service which gave great satisfaction. Nev- 
 ertheless he still hesitated to decide for the sacred calling of 
 the ministry. He was then nineteen years old. 
 
 Shortly after he went to Washington County to teach 
 school. The Reformed minister of the community having 
 died, the people soon urged him so earnestly to become their 
 pastor that finally he consented and began to serve them regu- 
 larly about 1806, when twenty-three years of age. The strug- 
 gle to make the final decision had thus extended over a period 
 of four years. These congregations in Washington County 
 were served from 1806-11. 
 
 In those early pioneer days, ecclesiastical affairs were not 
 conducted in that orderly and regular way to which we are now 
 accustomed. Church discipline and Church laws were little 
 known. So it came to pass that Mr. Mahnenschmidt, zealous 
 and devoted though he was, fell into the grave irregularity of 
 beginning his ministry before being licensed by the synod to 
 preach or having been ordained as a minister. He performed 
 the usual ministerial acts, and administered the sacraments 
 without first obtaining church authority. In 1811 he finally 
 applied to the synod to license and ordain him. Though his 
 irregular action during the previous five years was indeed 
 against him, his consecration and devotion were so manifest, 
 that the committee to whom the request was referred reported 
 that "This young man expressed regret for his error, and 
 stated that he did it through ignorance. In other respects he
 
 6 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 is worthy to be received." At the next meeting of the synod 
 he was therefore licensed and given authority to serve congre- 
 gations in the capacity of minister, though he was not ordained 
 until 1817. That the synod made no mistake in taking this 
 action was later attested by forty-two years of a singularly 
 devoted ministry. 
 
 The same year in which Rev. Mahnenschmidt was li- 
 censed, he came to Ohio, and became pastor of about a dozen 
 congregations in Columbiana and adjoining counties, his min- 
 istry reaching from 1812-1857. He died in Canfield, Ohio, on 
 July 11, 1857. 
 
 After coming to Ohio he visited Stark County at stated 
 intervals, preaching in Canton, and several neighboring con- 
 gregations, such as the Warstler, the Sherman's and the Paris 
 Church. These were all at that time union Reformed and 
 Lutheran Churches. Rev. Mahnenschmidt's connection with 
 the First Reformed Church of Canton dates from 1806 or 
 1807 and lasted until 1818 when Rev. Benjamin Faust became 
 the resident pastor of the Canton Charge. 
 
 Before Rev. Mahnenschmidt was finally ordained to the 
 ministry, the Synod required (as it did of all young ministers) 
 that he submit annually an outline of the sermons preached, 
 so that the older ministers might judge of his progress in ser- 
 monizing and caution him against any error in doctrine. One 
 of these pamphlets of sermon-heads has been preserved in the 
 archives of the First Reformed Church of Lancaster, Pa. 
 Through the courtesy of the present pastor of the Church, the 
 Rev'd W. Stuart Cramer, it is possible to present a fac simile 
 of a page of this pamphlet at the beginning of the chapter, and 
 add the translation here. These outlines are of special interest 
 to the Canton church because without a doubt some of them 
 were used in the regular preaching trips which Rev. Mahnen- 
 schmidt made to Canton during the period in question.
 
 THE EARLIEST DAYS 
 
 Springfield 
 
 On Luke 5 : 32. "I am not come to call the right- 
 eous but sinners." 
 1. The sinners who are called to repentance. 
 2. The righteous. 
 
 Good Hope Church 
 
 On Rev. 22: 14. "Blessed are they that 
 commandments." 
 1. The commandments. 
 2. The keeping of the same. 
 
 do his 
 
 Salem's Church 
 
 On Gal. 6 : 15. "For in Christ Jesus neither " 
 1. That which does not avail. 
 2. That which does avail. 
 
 Columbiana 
 
 On the same notes. 
 
 Bordman 
 
 On Acts 3 : 19. "Repent ye therefore" 
 1. True repentance. 
 2. The fruits thereof. 
 S.The infinite advantage. 
 
 In Liberty 
 
 On the same notes.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE 
 
 IN this chapter the development of Canton and the Re- 
 formed congregation will be traced from 1810 to the com- 
 ing in 1818 of Rev. Benjamin Faust, the first resident pastor 
 of the Reformed congregation. 
 
 When Canton was laid out in 1806 by Bezaleel Wells, three 
 parcels of ground were dedicated for public purposes. The 
 plats where McKinley Park, the Central High School, and the 
 First Presbyterian Church are now located were marked 
 respectively as being intended "For a cemetery", "For a 
 School," and, "For a House of Worship." 
 
 The plot dedicated to church purposes was 200 by 200 feet 
 in size and was located between Tuskarawas and Seventh 
 Streets, and Wells and Plum Streets. Plum Street was later 
 renamed in honor of the most eminent citizen whom Canton 
 has had, William McKinley; Tuskarawas Street gradually 
 became more dignified and so the "k" was changed to a "c." 
 Seventh Street is now called Second Street S.W. 
 
 Canton in 1810 had about two score inhabitants, and could 
 boast of two stores, two mills, a grist-mill and a saw-mill, four 
 taverns, and a number of shops conducted respectively by a 
 butcher, a tailor, a shoemaker, a carpenter and a wheelwright. 
 A tanyard was also in operation. A school-teacher, a doctor 
 and a lawyer had already settled in Canton, but as yet no 
 preacher of the Gospel was on hand to minister regularly to the 
 spiritual needs of the people. 
 
 The occasional visits of Rev.'s Staugh and Mahnenschmidt 
 had, however, already inspired the people with the thought of 
 building a modest, little church which would serve as the home 
 for the Reformed and the Lutheran congregations which were 
 in the process of formation. The people of each denomination 
 were too few in number, and too poor in purse, to attempt the 
 erection of separate church buildings. Furthermore, their res- 
 
 8
 
 REV. JOHN PETER MAHNENSCHMIDT 
 Taken after death. Only picture known to be in existence
 
 CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE 9 
 
 idence in eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland had made them 
 familiar with the idea of union churches, owned by the two 
 denominations, and used alternatively by the Reformed and 
 Lutherans. The denominational barriers between the Re- 
 formed and Lutheran churches during that period were almost 
 obliterated both in this county as well as in the fatherland. The 
 beloved German tongue made a bond of union more strong than 
 denominational watchwords, and hence the pioneer Reformed 
 and Lutherans quickly came to a satisfactory understanding, 
 effected a suitable form of organization, took possession about 
 1810 of the lots which had been dedicated for church purposes, 
 and at once began preparations to erect a little church. The 
 people were all poor and could give but little money ; but tim- 
 ber was plentiful and their arms were strong, and the folks 
 donated their labor, so that after some months a small frame 
 church was under roof. Even' before the building was plas- 
 tered and the interior had been finished the first services were 
 held. This modest house of worship served the two congrega- 
 tions as a church-home for about thirteen years. 
 
 Unfortunately all the church records of this period have 
 been lost, and it is no longer possible from contemporary doc- 
 uments to give the exact dates when each congregation was 
 organized, or the union of the two took place. Neither has 
 the date when the first church-building was begun or finished 
 come down to us, nor the time and the details of the dedica- 
 tion. Since the date 1810 for the beginning of the church 
 enterprise is well authenticated in the history of Canton, and 
 since necessarily the two congregations must have had some 
 form of organization before the union building project could 
 have begun ; it appears certain that the date 1810 cannot be too 
 early for the organization of the First Reformed Church. 
 
 The author of this history has gone carefully through 
 thousands of pages of the first English and German news- 
 papers published in Canton with the hope of finding definite 
 dates for the organization of the congregation and the building 
 of the first church. The search, however, was in vain. 
 
 In the minutes of the "Synod of the German Reformed
 
 10 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 Church in the United States of America," the congregations of 
 Columbiana and Stark County are mentioned early. In 1809 
 three congregations sent a request to the Synod to be supplied 
 with a regular minister. As there was no minister available, 
 the synod could only resolve, "That these congregations be 
 replied to by letter and have encouragement extended to them." 
 Three years passed by and still no minister could be sent. Then 
 in 1812, the Synod resolved to send certain ministers into that 
 western country in order to visit the members of our church 
 residing there, and offered to pay their expenses. Once more 
 nothing came of it. Again the following year there came to 
 the Synod from Ohio, "Several requests and calls from desti- 
 tute congregations and neighborhoods in which their sad con- 
 dition on account of the want of the ordinary means of grace 
 was very feelingly portrayed." One of these urgent petitions 
 came from congregations in Stark County. The congrega- 
 tions referred to were Canton and Warstler's for certain and 
 probably also Sherman's. Again the Synod had to answer that 
 nothing could be done and the congregations were informed 
 that they should continue, "To hope that in the future the 
 Synod would be able to send them missionaries." The Synod 
 also appointed a special day of humiliation and prayer for the 
 sad religious condition of the country. 
 
 No further petitions were sent to the Synod from Stark 
 County. The members of the Canton and the surrounding 
 congregations were now being visited, at long intervals, indeed, 
 but yet regularly, by Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt, who had 
 removed to Ohio in 1812. 
 
 Rev. Mahnenschmidt in a brief auto-biographical sketch 
 which he prepared, has left a number of interesting glimpses 
 of religious and moral conditions as he found them in the var- 
 ious communities which he served. The people had been so 
 long destitute of regular religious instruction, and the youth 
 especially had grown up with so very few opportunities for 
 hearing the Gospel that, "Wild and uncultivated as was the 
 country itself, so were also the inhabitants, especially the youth. 
 During the week the people labored on their farms, and the
 
 CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE 11 
 
 Sabbath was devoted to hunting. I often heard the report of 
 guns on the Sabbath, to the great grief of my heart, while rid- 
 ing from one of my preaching points to another. These things 
 often caused the silent tear to start as I rode along in medita- 
 tion. I contended against this evil with all my might and held 
 before them the sin fulness of their conduct. There were also 
 many sinful customs prevalent at that time. Many were in the 
 habit of collecting together to hold shooting-matches on which 
 occasion there was often much drunkeness, causing shameful 
 profanity of God's name, and the whole seldom ended without 
 a fight. Many too were in the habit of frequenting the dance. 
 Against all these things I took a decided stand ; and often in 
 no smooth or measured style did I warn them against these 
 and such like services of the devil." 
 
 Of his work in Canton, Rev. Mahnenschmidt has one 
 interesting paragraph which must also be quoted. "I preached 
 to a very large number of persons in the town-hall. They 
 pressed me very earnestly to preach for them regularly, urging 
 that there were many young persons who ought to be instructed 
 and confirmed." It would appear from this that the little 
 union-church was too small to hold the people who desired to 
 hear Rev. Mahnenschmidt at that time, and also that the Re- 
 formed congregations of Canton and vicinity felt able to sup- 
 port their own minister. Of his subsequent work in Canton, 
 Rev. Mahnenschmidt writes further, "At this place there was 
 a Lutheran minister with .whom I had before been acquainted 
 who offered to instruct these young people in the Heidelberg 
 Catechism, and prepare them for confirmation. At length I 
 received a letter requesting me to come and complete their 
 course of instruction and confirm them. When I arrived I 
 found about fifty catechumens. These, however, were not all 
 young persons; there were among them fathers and mothers 
 who were old enough to be my parents. I held catechetical 
 instructions with them for one week, and then confirmed them, 
 and administered to them the Holy Communion, while many 
 tears of joy and of sorrow were shed. I also afterwards con- 
 firmed thirty-odd more in the same place."
 
 12 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 Rev. Mahnenschmidt could give Canton only infrequent 
 services. His field was very large. For many years he served 
 ten regular congregations besides preaching occasionally at a 
 number of additional points. It is almost inconceivable how 
 he could carry the burden of his labors for so long. Of the 
 time of his most strenuous activity he writes feelingly, "I was 
 at this time a young man (he was about thirty years old) ; yet 
 I often felt exhausted, having no rest day or night." 
 
 As the years went by more ministers were available and 
 Rev. Mahnenschmidt was able to give over some portions of 
 his vast field to younger hands. Rev. Benjamin Faust took 
 charge of the congregations in Canton and vicinity in 1818; 
 and Rev. Henry Sonnendecker served another large portion of 
 the field lying partly in Stark and in Columbiana County from 
 1820 on. Rev. Mahnenschmidt himself retained the congre- 
 gations lying in the vicinity of North Jackson in Mahoning 
 County. 
 
 The additional leisure which the smaller field made pos- 
 sible was used partly in literary work. Rev. Mahnenschmidt 
 was a writer of more than ordinary ability. Sermons and 
 poems came readily from his pen. His chief literary produc- 
 tion, however, which has come down to us was an edition and 
 arrangement of the Heidelberg Catechism in German. This 
 book was published in 1834, in Canton by Peter Kaufmann. 
 It was extensively used by the Reformed congregations in this 
 section of Ohio. Occasional copies may still be found in some 
 of the old German families. In the course of time this modest 
 catechism was entirely forgotten. In the year 1913, Mrs. M. 
 M. Herbst of Canton, a daughter of Peter Kaufmann, sent a 
 copy to the author of this history ; and later also presented him 
 with a number of additional copies, so that now Mahnen- 
 schmidt's Catechism will be preserved in the libraries of two 
 of our Educational Institutions. Mrs. Herbst still lives in the 
 old Kaufmann home which is now the oldest building erected 
 in Canton. In the attic of the old home the Catechisms had 
 peacefully reposed for seventy-five years. 
 
 In this edition of the Catechism, Rev. Mahnenschmidt
 
 CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE 13 
 
 divided all the longer questions into several parts, and inserted 
 numerous additional questions of an explanatory nature. The 
 determination to publish it sprang from the observation, as is 
 stated in the preface, that "It appeared to be too difficult for 
 many children and especially the young folks to memorize the 
 entire Catechism." Therefore, the original questions, "Are 
 simplified so that thereby they may become more intelligible 
 and retainable for the understanding and memory of the 
 youth." 
 
 The book also contains much additional matter of value, 
 such as a brief summary of the three parts of the Catechism ; 
 seventeen pages of questions and answers entitled, "First Milk 
 of Truth for Sucklings in Age and Understanding"; twenty 
 pages of hymns in part original; prayers and scripture selec- 
 tions for various occasions ; and excerpts from Dr. F. A. Lam- 
 pe's book "Heiliger Brautschmuck." 
 
 The work is excellently done, and must have been well 
 adapted to the needs of the age for which it was written. As 
 an example of his method the treatment of question 60 may be 
 taken, which in the original is long and difficult. It appears as 
 follows : 
 
 How do we become righteous before God? 
 Only by true faith. Rom. 5 : 1. 
 
 What is true faith? 
 
 A hearty trust that God is gracious to me for the sake of Christ. 
 
 For whose sake is the sinner justified? 
 
 For the sake of the satisfaction and righteousness of Christ. 
 
 How is the sinner justified through the righteousness of Christ? 
 The righteousness of Christ is granted the sinner by God, and 
 reckoned to him as though it were his own. 
 
 From what is the sinner declared free by virtue of this j ustification ? 
 From the guilt and punishment of sin. 
 
 Of what is he assured? 
 
 Of the right to everlasting life. 
 
 Rev. Mahnenschmidt thus appears to us as an able writer, 
 a zealous pastor, an effective preacher, and withal a man of 
 unspotted character and reputation. He was able to stay in
 
 14 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 the harness almost to the end of his life. In the notice of his 
 departure the papers said of him, "The Rev. John Peter Mah- 
 nenschmidt has gone to his blessed reward. . . . He was very 
 successful in winning souls to Christ. He died as he lived, 
 firm in the faith, and with an assurance of a glorious immor- 
 tality." 
 
 During the period that Rev. Mahnenschmidt was serving 
 the Canton Church the little village increased in population 
 until in 1817 there were more than 500 inhabitants. In the 
 Canton Repository of December 12, 1816 there is an excellent 
 description of the village, its business places, and its future 
 expectations. This description bears the title, "Topographical 
 View of Canton, Ohio." Since it throws so much light upon 
 the conditions amid which the Reformed people were trying to 
 establish a congregation, and also because it is worth preserv- 
 ing for its historical interest, it may fittingly be placed at the 
 close of this chapter. 
 
 "Canton is situated on a beautiful eminence which rises in 
 the midst of an extensive plain. Excellent well water may eas- 
 ily be obtained on the highest ground ; and the town, though 
 formerly somewhat subject to fever and ague, is now by the 
 draining off of stagnant water, rendered wholly free from that 
 disorder. 
 
 "On the east and west side of the town flow the two branch- 
 es of the Nimishillon, which form a junction about one and 
 one-fourth mile south of the town ; to which point it is believed 
 the Nimishillon will be declared navigable. These branches 
 are crossed by four bridges, two of which are 200 feet in 
 length and of a good construction. A small stream of water 
 (Shriver's Run) runs directly through the town which drives 
 a fulling mill, waters three tan yards and then passes off to the 
 Nimishillon. The shortest distance to the Tuscarawas River 
 is eight miles, and to the Cuyahoga twenty-five. The distance 
 between the heads of navigation on these rivers is about eight 
 miles, and there is a considerable pond about midway of these 
 points which sends out a stream to each river. 
 
 "The first house in Canton was erected in the summer of
 
 15 
 
 1806. The population at this time is about 500. There is at 
 present a temporary courthouse and jail, but the foundation is 
 laid for a new and elegant Court-House, 44 by 44 feet. Can- 
 ton contains a printing office and news-paper establishment, 
 two houses for religious worship, one for the German Luth- 
 erans and one for the Presbyterians ;* a bank with a capital 
 of $100,000.00; nine stores which employ a capital stock of 
 fifty-five or sixty thousand dollars; four taverns; four tan- 
 yards, three of which are in operation and possess the advan- 
 tage of large capitals ; one nail manufactory ; one of tin and 
 copper ; two of hats ; one blacksmith shop on a large scale ; one 
 clock and watch-maker; one gun-smith; three saddlers; three 
 cabinet makers ; two wheelwrights and chairmakers ; one chair- 
 maker and painter ; five shoe-makers ; three tailors ; a pottery 
 and a number of house-carpenters and joiners. Within four 
 miles of the town are seven grist-mills, three saw-mills, one 
 oil-well, one fulling mill, and two carding machines for wool 
 and cotton. 
 
 "It is believed that a mason, a cooper, a brewer, one or two 
 more black-smiths and shoemakers would find a sufficiency of 
 business here. Some lots in the town-plot remain unsold which 
 can now be purchased to advantage. The population of the 
 county is between seven and eight thousand and constantly 
 increasing. Many judicious persons believe that Canton holds 
 out a flattering prospect to men of enterprise." 
 
 If the "judicious persons" referred to could come back 
 and see the Canton of today with its amazing diversity of 
 industries and business enterprises ; and its large and splendid 
 church edifices and congregations, they would certainly feel 
 proud of their prophetic judgment, and could boastfully de- 
 clare : We told you so. 
 
 * The writer of this description is evidently confused here. He 
 calls the German Reformed congregation, Presbyterian. This was a 
 common error among the English at that time. We also know that the 
 two congregations occupied the same house of worship, not two separate 
 buildings as stated. There was no other church-building in Canton at 
 that time.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER 
 
 IT was a day of rejoicing in the history of the struggling 
 Reformed congregations in Canton and vicinity when the 
 message was received that Rev. Benjamin Faust would accept 
 their call and become the first resident pastor. 
 
 Benjamin Faust was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, 
 (In the baptism certificate still in possession of the Faust fam- 
 ily, the name of the state is spelled Pinselfane) on November 
 19, 1797. When the lad was only nine years old, the family 
 moved to Ohio and settled in Canfield, Trumbull County. Edu- 
 cational facilities were very few in those days, and the farm 
 and the forest were insistent in their demands for work, still 
 young Benjamin managed to secure the first elements of an 
 English education. A story from his youth has been preserved 
 which is worth recording. One day while working in the for- 
 est with a companion (John Geisweid) Benjamin broke the 
 middle finger of his left hand. The injury seemed very dan- 
 gerous to the two lads and help was far off. Hence, after a 
 few moments of earnest consultation the decision was reached 
 that heroic methods must be applied, and an immediate ampu- 
 tation was imperative. So Benjamin laid his finger on a stump 
 and Geisweid with one neat stroke severed the finger from the 
 hand. 
 
 Previous to this already, young Faust had expressed a 
 desire to give himself to the work of the ministry. The phy- 
 sical handicap which the loss of the finger laid upon him prob- 
 ably also had its influence; for the following year (1814) he 
 began the study of theology in earnest under the direction of 
 Rev. J. P. Mahnenschmidt. The next four years were spent 
 in teaching district school in Springfield Twp., Columbiana 
 County, conducting singing schools and continuing his prepa- 
 ration for the ministry. His theological studies were directed 
 
 16
 
 SIGNATURES OF ALL THE PASTORS OF THE FIRST 
 REFORMED CHURCH
 
 THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER 17 
 
 by Rev. Mahnenschmidt and Rev. John Staugh, the Lutheran 
 minister who had conducted the first religious services in Can- 
 ton. Young Faust also made occasional addresses and Gospel 
 talks as the opportunity offered. In 1818 he was licensed to 
 preach by the Synod of the Reformed Church, and the follow- 
 ing year was ordained to the work of the holy ministry. Rev. 
 Mahnenschmidt had been anxiously awaiting the time when 
 he could turn over a part of his vast field to another man, and 
 hence Rev. Faust took charge of the Stark County congrega- 
 tions, serving Canton, Osnaburg, Paris, Martin's, Sherman's, 
 Zion's, Bethlehem, and Heinrich's. The location of the first 
 three congregations is familiar to all. Martin's congregation 
 was near Mapleton. Sherman's is in Bethlehem Twp., ten 
 miles southwest of Canton. Zion's was near New Berlin. 
 Bethlehem was in Navarre. Heinrich's is now known as the 
 Warstler Church, north of Canton. Rev. Faust also organized 
 and served several other congregations. 
 
 The pastorate began in 1818, probably immediately after 
 he had been licensed. Two important events occurred in 1819, 
 for Rev. Faust was both ordained and married during the year. 
 The Canton Repository of April 30, 1819 has the following 
 brief notice: "Married On the 15th inst., by the Rev. Antho- 
 ny Weyer, the Rev. Benjamin Faust to Miss Nancy Rank, both 
 of the vicinity of this place." Benjamin was a few months 
 past twenty-one, while Nancy was not yet seventeen. They 
 made their home on the Georgetown Road, on the site where 
 their grand children for years conducted the well-known Faust 
 greenhouses and nursery. 
 
 The condition of the congregations served by Rev. Faust 
 and the circumstances of the people have been indicated in the 
 previous chapter. A few quotations from the reminiscences 
 of Rev. Henry Sonnendecker will throw additional light upon 
 the difficulties that had to be faced.* 
 
 * Rev. Henry Sonnendecker was born in Washington County, Penn- 
 sylvania in 1792. He was licensed and ordained by the Synod of the 
 Reformed Church at the same time that Rev. Benjamin Faust was. Was 
 
 2
 
 18 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 "The members of our church which were scattered here 
 and there, in the mostly uncultivated wilds, living in small huts, 
 were like sheep without a shepherd, and without meadows and 
 flowing waters. Who would not have taken pity upon these 
 lambs of Jesus?" Where no church buildings had yet been 
 erected, he says, "We contented ourselves with worshiping in 
 private houses, school-houses, and barns. Nay, sometimes 
 even the sacrament was administered in barns ; but even here 
 the Lord blessed his people, and permitted them to feel that 
 he is bound to no locality but is everywhere present, wherever 
 men will call upon him." In the northwest corner of Wayne 
 County was a small union-church served by Rev. Faust, and 
 Rev. Anthony Weyer.* Of this he says, "The members of 
 the two congregations had built themselves a small, log-church, 
 which as yet, however, contained neither pulpit, altar, nor prop- 
 er seats. It was, indeed, no very large, splendid or costly 
 building, still the young congregation was well satisfied with 
 it, and the Lord was pleased also to look graciously down upon 
 us and bless his precious word to the upbuilding of his congre- 
 gation." 
 
 The territory covered by the one synod that the Reformed 
 Church had at this time was so large that in 1819 it was divided 
 
 pastor in Wayne County (Wooster, etc.,) and Stark County, from 
 1820-1831, and in Columbiana County 1831-1851, and died at North 
 Lima, Ohio, October 16, 1851. Mr. Sonnendecker received his first 
 religious impressions from Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt and in early 
 life was greatly influenced by the missionary and evangelistic zeal of 
 Mahnenschmidt, and prepared himself for the holy ministry under his 
 direction. In 1818-1819 Rev. Sonnendecker made a number of trips 
 through Stark County and four neighboring counties. Scattered con- 
 gregations and groups of Reformed believers were hunted up and the 
 sacraments were administered. These reminiscenses were published in 
 the "Western Missionary" in 1849. The quotations given refer espe- 
 cially to experiences made upon his missionary trips in 1818-1819. 
 
 * Rev. Anthony Weyer was the first resident minister in Canton. 
 He took charge of the Lutheran congregations in Canton and vicinity in 
 1812, and served the union Reformed and Lutheran congregations until 
 his death in 1829. He was thus closely associated with both Rev.'s Mah- 
 nenschmidt and Faust.
 
 THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER 19 
 
 into districts, and in 1820 an Ohio Classis was formed. Of the 
 five ministers present at the organization two, that is, Rev. J. 
 P. Mahnenschmidt, and Rev. B. Faust had been associated 
 with the Canton congregation. The others were Revs. H. Son- 
 nendecker, Geo. Weiss and Thomas Winters. The elder from 
 the Canton Church was George Wirtz. The new classis in- 
 cluded five ministers, fifty congregations, and about 1800 mem- 
 bers. The Canton charge alone had ten congregations and 
 about 300 who had communed during the year. The actual 
 number of members enrolled must therefore have been at least 
 four or five hundred. The Canton charge thus constituted 
 about one-fourth of the new classis. 
 
 Rev. Faust reported that he had baptized 191 children, 
 confirmed 100 young people and buried 24 persons during the 
 preceding year. There were also eight Sunday Schools in the 
 charge. As it was impossible for the pastor to visit the con- 
 gregations oftener than once in several weeks, the Sunday 
 School meeting with a sermon read occasionally by some suit- 
 able person served to hold the people together. 
 
 The Ohio Classis met in Canton in 1821. The church 
 proved too small to hold the people, and therefore the religious 
 services and business meetings had to be held in the courthouse. 
 The Canton charge reported an increase of communicants to 
 540. 
 
 The statistical reports of the charge are very incomplete 
 during the first quarter century and frequently are altogether 
 missing. Enough are still on record, however, to show a steady 
 and gratifying increase from year to year. In the summing up 
 of the reports of the pastors to the classis, there appears an 
 almost unanimous tone of joy and gratitude. Such expres- 
 sions as, "Peace and unity prevailed in the congregations," 
 "The preaching of the Gospel was attended with the divine 
 blessing," "New congregations were gathered," and others of 
 the same tenor occur each year. 
 
 Among the Church customs that prevailed in the Canton 
 charge at that time and for a long period thereafter, mention
 
 20 FIRST REFORMER CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 should be made of several now entirely forgotten. First, the 
 sexes were carefully separated, the men sitting on one side of 
 the aisle and the women on the other ; and, woe, unto the luck- 
 less individual that did not heed the unwritten law. His 
 strange conduct furnished fruitful material for discussion for 
 many weeks especially for the women. Second, the singing 
 would strike us as most peculiar now. There was no organ, 
 and hymnbooks were very scarce. Hence the minister was 
 obliged to read the hymn line by line, pausing between lines 
 while the congregation sang the line read. Third, the deacons 
 and elders invariably sat in the pews placed besides the pulpit. 
 These were considered as seats of peculiar honor. From there 
 the entire audience was in plain view, and any disturbance or 
 inattention was sternly suppressed. Fourth, the funerals were 
 very simple occasions. An undertaker and a hearse were 
 unheard of luxuries. Kindhearted friends and willing neigh- 
 bors gladly volunteered their services. They washed and 
 dressed the body and laid it into the coffin, rudely made by the 
 village carpenter. The coffin was carried to the grave by four 
 men, often on their shoulders. If the distance was too far, a 
 second relay of four would take turns at carrying. 
 
 Canton at this time was still a straggly village in the back 
 woods. There were but few roads and these were generally 
 in a miserable condition. Walking and horseback riding were 
 the general mode of locomotion. Under these circumstances 
 there was no market for the produce which was raised in the 
 community. Everything was sold at ridiculously low prices. 
 Eggs were four cents a dozen, butter six cents a pound, oats 
 sold at twelve cents, corn at fifteen, and wheat at twenty-five 
 cents a bushel. Very little money circulated. Exchange was 
 mostly by barter. The people generally were very poor. 
 
 The village of Canton itself presented an ill-kept appear- 
 ance, as is clear from the following notice which appeared in 
 the Canton Repository in the spring of 1821, by order of the 
 constable :
 
 THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER 21 
 
 CLEAR THE STREETS! 
 
 "The subscriber once more requests that the 
 citizens of Canton would remove their woodpiles 
 from off the streets. Those who do not comply 
 with this request in a short time will be dealt with 
 as the law directs, without respect of persons." 
 
 An incident from the life of Rev. Faust further illustrates 
 the general poverty of the times. In 1822, he was sent as del- 
 egate to the Synod which was to meet in Harrisburg, Pa. The 
 journey of 350 miles had to be made on horseback and by stage 
 coach. This mode of traveling was too strenuous and some- 
 where in Pennsylvania Mr. Faust fell seriously ill. For sev- 
 eral weeks he was under the care of a physician. When his 
 money was all gone he had to borrow to get back home and 
 arrived there thirty dollars in debt. The following year the 
 Synod being notified of his sad circumstances (traurigen Um- 
 'staenden) took up an offering of $19.15 for his benefit. Three 
 years later by a special resolution, the new Synod of Ohio also 
 gave him permission to retain the offerings which the congre- 
 gations were required to take up each year for the expenses 
 of the Synod, and apply them to the discharging of his indebt- 
 edness. It took four years until these synodical offerings 
 amounted to the $30.00. It will be interesting to note from 
 what small beginnings our congregational offerings have 
 grown, and therefore the figures are here appended : 1824, 
 $7.00 ; 1825, $10.75 ; 1826, $6.37^ ; 1827, $5.87. 
 
 The reader must keep in mind that during these years, the 
 Canton congregation was exerting every energy to complete 
 the new church and pay off their indebtedness. Hence, the 
 very small offerings for other purposes.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 RELOCATING AND BUILDING 
 
 THE first church building was occupied by the Reformed 
 and Lutherans for about twelve years. Towards the 
 end of this period a sentiment for relocating gradually devel- 
 oped. Several reasons had arisen to make a relocation desir- 
 able. It seems that the majority of the members lived east of 
 town and therefore the location of a new church more than 
 half a mile farther east would be more convenient. Further- 
 more, the old building was entirely too small to accommodate 
 the growing congregations ; and it was necessary for all spec- 
 ial services to forsake the church and go to the large hall in 
 the courthouse. The chief reason, however, lay in the fact 
 that other denominations were preparing to organize congre- 
 gations in Canton, and the Reformed and Lutheran people 
 feared that another church might be erected on the plot of 
 ground which Bezaleel Wells had dedicated, "For a House of 
 Worship." In fact, it was believed that any other cangrega- 
 tion might claim the right to make use of the old church and 
 even of the new, if it were erected on the old site. 
 
 These considerations were sufficient to cause the two con- 
 gregations to appoint a committee to draw up "Articles of 
 Union and Association." These were approved by each con- 
 gregation and signed by the joint committee on June 5, 1822. 
 This committee consisted of Rev. Benjamin Faust, Rev. 
 Anthony Weyer, Fred Albright, George Wirt and Jacob Rupp. 
 
 A satisfactory location was soon selected about a quarter 
 of a mile outside of the limits of the village to the east, on the 
 site where the First Reformed Church and the First Lutheran 
 Church and the two parsonages are now located. The land 
 was bought from Bezaleel Wells for $80 and was 198 by 396 
 feet in size. The deed is dated May 16, 1823 (but it was not 
 recorded until October 6, 1825) and contains the following 
 provisions, "For the sole use and benefit and behoof of the 
 
 22
 
 RELOCATING AND BUILDING 23 
 
 said United Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran and 
 Evangelical Reformed Churches, to be by them occupied and 
 enjoyed in common for the purposes of erecting and preparing 
 thereon a house of public worship, a schoolhouse, and a cem- 
 etery or burying ground in conformity to the articles of union 
 and association between the said Evangelical Lutheran and 
 Evangelical Reformed Churches." George Wirt and George 
 Snider were the trustees of the United Congregations. 
 
 Material and money for the new church were rapidly sub- 
 scribed, the labor also was largely donated, and in about a 
 year's time the building was ready for use. The members in 
 their poverty could give only small sums, the funds collected 
 were not sufficient to completely finish and furnish the new 
 church, hence it was used more than five years before it was 
 finally finished. No details of the service of dedication have 
 come down to us. Even the date of dedication is doubtful. 
 
 The new church was erected at the east end of the tract 
 purchased, on the site where the Lutheran Church now stands. 
 It was a brick building, almost square, and very high. The 
 interior would doubtlessly strike present day church goers as 
 rather odd. A gallery ten or twelve feet from the floor ran 
 around the east, south, and west sides. The pulpit was on the 
 north side and was raised to the level of the gallery. A steep, 
 narrow stairway with a railing led up to the pulpit on one side. 
 The pulpit itself was so small that only two persons could 
 occupy it at the same time. Over the pulpit a canopy of wood 
 was fastened. This canopy was painted blue on the lower side 
 to represent the sky. Above the canopy was a huge yellow 
 star. The pews were most primitive in style. The end piece 
 was square at the top, and the backs were nailed on straight up 
 and down. The seat also was straight and level. The design- 
 ers of the pews evidently planned to make the seats so uncom- 
 fortable that the brethren would have to stay awake from sheer 
 physical discomfort. After the church was finally completed 
 the demand arose for a better seat, and more comfortable pews 
 were installed. 
 
 The church was warmed by two great stoves heated with
 
 24 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 wood. Large logs reposed beside the stove, and were fed to 
 the flames as necessary. Originally home-made candles fur- 
 nished the light for such evening services as were held. The 
 earlier reports of evening services frequently speak of meet- 
 ings by candle-light. Later oil-lamps were introduced. Three 
 entrances led into the church, a door being located in the exact 
 middle of the east, the west, and the south sides. One path led 
 straight east to Herbruck Court; another ran in a slanting 
 direction until it emerged on Tuscarawas Street at the point 
 where the dividing line between the Reformed and the Luthe- 
 ran Church property is now located. 
 
 The remainder of the lot not occupied by the church 
 building served as a cemetery for over forty years. The dead 
 of both congregations were buried there and also occasionally 
 non-church members. It would seem that at a later period the 
 Reformed Consistory was especially lenient in granting permis- 
 sion to bury those who were not members of the congregation. 
 This led to a vigorous protest in 1854 from the Lutheran con- 
 gregation, which resolved to notify the Reformed that "As the 
 deed for the church ground gives the right to a burial-place 
 only to the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, we are of 
 the opinion that the burial ground, in harmony with the pro- 
 visions of the deed, shall be only for the use of the congrega- 
 tions, and the Secretary is to notify the Reformed Consistory 
 to this effect, so that they may also act according to the provi- 
 sions of the deed." 
 
 Two movements were developing in the Reformed congre- 
 gations during this period. The one aimed to foster the Re- 
 formed interests with greater zeal ; the other strove to effect a 
 complete union with the Lutheran church. The first move- 
 ment, in 1824, led to the formation of an independent Ohio 
 Synod. The Ohio Classis met that year in New Philadelphia 
 in the courthouse of Tuscarawas County. After a long dis- 
 cussion it was unanimously decided to declare the Ohio Classis 
 an independent Synod with the name "The High German, 
 Evangelical-Reformed Synod of Ohio." Several reasons were 
 stated for taking this vital step, such as: the refusal of the
 
 RELOCATING AND BUILDING 25 
 
 Synod to permit the Ohio Classis to ordain its own candidates 
 for the ministry, and demanding the long journey to the east 
 to be examined and ordained; the demands of the religious 
 conditions in Ohio which made immediate help imperative ; the 
 long and expensive journeys over the mountains; the feeling 
 that the money which their long journey required had better be 
 spent in Ohio for the good of the Church. 
 
 Rev. Faust, who was still saving to pay off the debt in- 
 curred on his disastrous journey to the Synod in 1822, was 
 enthusiastically in favor of the organization of the new "Synod 
 of Ohio." The Ohio Synod at its organization had only eight 
 ministers present, among them were J. P. Mahnenschmidt, B. 
 Faust, Henry Sonnendecker and William Reiter, a young 
 clergyman whom Rev. Faust had aided in preparing for the 
 ministry. Eleven ministers representing about sixty congre- 
 gations, and 2500 members entered the new organization. Of 
 this number the Canton charge alone furnished ten congrega- 
 tions, ten Sunday Schools, and about 600 members; that is, 
 one-sixth of the congregations, and about one- fourth of the 
 members. Race suicide was not yet a problem in those days as 
 is evident from the fact that there were 286 baptisms in the 
 Canton charge during the preceding three years. 
 
 The second movement aimed to effect an organic union 
 with the Lutheran Church. Some of the pastors had followed 
 their theological studies partly under the direction of Lutheran 
 ministers, and felt very fraternal towards the Lutheran minis- 
 try as a consequence. Others were serving union-congrega- 
 tions and the relation was proving pleasant and profitable ; 
 hence arose the desire for a permanent, organic union of the 
 two denominations. The Ohio Synod sent two delegates reg- 
 ularly to the Lutheran Synod of Ohio and received their del- 
 egates. The same number of copies of the minutes of the Ohio 
 Synod was sent to the Lutheran Synod, as was sent to the 
 Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church, and the minutes of 
 the Lutheran Synod as well as of the Eastern Synod were 
 examined regularly by a committee whose duty it was to report 
 on items which might interest the Ohio Synod. These efforts
 
 28 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 were kept up for a decade and more; but gradually as the 
 Reformed consciousness became clearer, the movement waned 
 and then died. In the Canton charge the feeling of close rela- 
 tionship to the Lutherans survived long after it had died in the 
 denomination at large. 
 
 During the first years of the Canton charge all the services 
 were conducted in the German language. As soon as the min- 
 utes of the Ohio Synod were also printed in English (this 
 occurred for the first time in 1826), Rev. Faust also asked for 
 a certain number of English copies. This number was in- 
 creased from year to year, indicating a gradual coming in of 
 the English in some of the congregations. 
 
 During this period Rev. Faust displayed a remarkable 
 missionary zeal. The names of several new congregations are 
 recorded, such as, Schaber's, Paulus, Peter's, Israels and 
 Union. Additional Sunday Schools were also organized, 
 bringing the number up to fifteen. For several years more 
 Sunday Schools were conducted in the charge than there were 
 congregations. It is evident that Rev. Faust started Sunday 
 Schools in every locality where he preached occasionally, even 
 before conditions were ripe for organizing a congregation. 
 
 On the front page of the oldest church-record that is still 
 in the possession of our congregation two interesting notes are 
 written. The first refers to the purchase of the book as fol- 
 lows, "This book belongs to the Reformed congregation of 
 Canton, Stark County, Ohio. It was bought January 1, 1829. 
 Until then the Reformed and Lutherans ("Luderaner," as it is 
 spelled) had a common church-book. This book was paid for 
 from offerings of the Reformed Church. Into this book will 
 be entered the baptized, confirmed, communed, etc." The price 
 of the book is given as $2.12^. It is most unfortunate that 
 the first church-record, which the two congregations kept in 
 common, has been lost. Neither the Reformed nor the Luth- 
 eran people have any record as to the disposition which was 
 made of it. The historical data which it must have contained 
 would be simply invaluable at the present time for establishing 
 the precise facts concerning the organization of the congrega-
 
 RELOCATING AND BUILDING 27 
 
 tions, the building and cost of the churches, and other items 
 which with our present meager knowledge can only be guessed 
 at. 
 
 The second note refers to a disastrous storm which swept 
 over Canton in 1829, during which lightning struck the church 
 and created a great deal of damage. This was especially hard 
 for the congregation as the building was still but incompletely 
 furnished, and a debt yet rested upon it. This experience 
 made such an impression upon people and pastor that the fact 
 and the date were put on record. It happened July 18, 1829.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 FAUST AS PASTOR, PREACHER, AND MAN 
 
 IN the last chapter the remarkable activity of Rev. Faust as 
 a pastor has been indicated. Not content with serving 
 the seven or eight congregations of which he took charge when 
 he entered upon his pastorate, his apostolic spirit was mani- 
 fested in the eagerness with which he sought out other oppor- 
 tunities of service. At least five other congregations were 
 gathered through his efforts, and the number of Sunday 
 Schools connected with the parish was increased to fifteen. 
 The "Beobachter," a German weekly newspaper published in 
 Canton, in December of 1827 had a notice of a special Sunday 
 School parade to be held on New Year's Day. After the par- 
 ade a speech was to be given at the courthouse. The item 
 further stated that, "The friends and enemies of the movement 
 are courteously invited to be present." Though no names are 
 given it appears certain that Rev. Faust and the First Re- 
 formed Sunday School were included. 
 
 In the same newspaper about a month later mention is 
 made of the organization of a Stark County Bible Society with 
 branch societies in Canton, Paris, Waynesburg, etc. The pur- 
 pose of the society is stated thus, "This society relying upon 
 divine assistance will put forth every effort to supply every 
 family in Stark County, that does not now possess a copy of 
 the Holy Scriptures, with a copy during the next three years." 
 Rev. Benjamin Faust was vice-president of the county organi- 
 zation. The society succeeded in its efforts and a large num- 
 ber of Bibles was put into the homes of Stark County. 
 Throughout his life Rev. Faust never shielded himself but 
 expended time and energy freely even beyond the limits of his 
 own congregation. 
 
 As a preacher he was accounted a speaker of eloquence 
 and power. Intense earnestness and vehement action charac- 
 terized his delivery. This prodigal expenditure of physical 
 
 28
 
 SERMON OUTLINE OF REV. FAUST 
 
 M>it> in possess/on oA F/rs/ Reformed Church. Only one other is known to be in existence. 
 
 As the paper had been folded, the upper half containing the record 
 
 of several births and baptisms is reversed.
 
 FAUST AS PASTOR, PREACHER, AND MAN 29 
 
 and nervous energy and the hardships incident to serving so 
 large a field literally wore him out, and his health was broken 
 down at an age when he should have been in his prime. Judg- 
 ing by several sermon outlines which have been preserved, Rev. 
 Faust was a clear, forcible, logical thinker. Though his edu- 
 cational advantages had been rather meager, he made the most 
 of the talent entrusted to him. It would seem, however, that 
 opportunity had been denied him to master the intricacies of 
 German orthography. In the formation of his letters he dis- 
 plays a real genius in the originality of his designs ; in capital- 
 ization and spelling an amazing independence of recognized 
 standards is in evidence. But in his sermons there was sub- 
 stance and heart, as the two outlines which are given will dem- 
 onstrate. 
 
 John 3 : 16-21. Gospel Lesson for Monday after Pentecost. 
 Text. Verse 16. "God so loved the world 
 
 Theme. The Foundation of our Saving Faith. 
 1. It is laid in the love of God. 
 II. It demands faith, not personal merits. 
 III. It gives a great promise. 
 
 The above outline in the handwriting of Rev. Faust is pre- 
 served as a precious relic by his descendants. The second out- 
 line given below was written upon a loose sheet of paper and 
 was found lying between the pages of the church record pur- 
 chased in 1829 by the Reformed congregation. 
 
 Text. Thess. 5 : 6. "So then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but 
 
 let us watch and be sober." 
 I. The sleep of sin into which all have fallen. 
 II. The awakening which is necessary. 
 III. The watchfulness which is imperative. 
 
 As a man Benjamin Faust stood high in his congregations, 
 in the community, and in the Synod. His early death at the 
 age of only thirty-five was felt as a great loss to the church in 
 Ohio. Only once, so far as the writer has been able to find, 
 did the Ohio Synod pass a special resolution commemorating 
 the death of one of its members or put into its minutes a beau-
 
 30 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O 
 
 tiful eulogy in referring to that member. That one exception 
 occurred at the death of Rev. Faust. The Synod thus bore 
 witness to the great respect and love in which he was univer- 
 sally held. The resolution of the Synod was as follows : 
 
 "Synod also called to mind the blessed death of the Rev. Benjamin 
 Faust, of Canton, Ohio, a warm friend and worthy member of our 
 Synod, who now no more needs our praise for his faithfulness and 
 toils, having been translated beyond the scenes of earth, to receive, in 
 a better life, the reward of his labors. He left behind him a wife be- 
 loved, children not yet grown up, relatives, a number of esteemed and 
 beloved congregations, and us his sincere and faithful brethren in the 
 faith to mourn his early death. He has shown us an example of piety 
 which is worthy of our imitation, and which leaves us the sweet assur- 
 ance that we shall only for a brief period be separated from him." 
 
 Rev. John W. Hamm, a neighboring pastor during the 
 last six years of Rev. Faust's life, wrote of the deceased as fol- 
 lows: "Over his vast field, he travelled and labored in his 
 Master's cause with marked fidelity, zeal, and perseverance, 
 during the whole period of his public life. His efforts were 
 not in vain. In these flourishing churches, which he aided in 
 founding and building up, are still seen, and will continue to 
 be seen, the fruits of his earnest ministry, his labors and his 
 cares. He now rests in peace. His reward is in heaven." 
 
 Before closing this chapter an attempt must be made to 
 estimate the size of the Canton congregation at the time when 
 Rev. Faust laid down his work. The problem is beset with dif- 
 ficulties owing to the incomplete statistics that are still on rec- 
 ord, and the fact that generally the statistics which are avail- 
 able, refer to the entire charge, not to an individual congrega- 
 tion. However, a careful comparison of all the figures involved 
 will yield a result which will be sufficiently accurate. In 1829 
 the names of 99 members are recorded as having communed on 
 May 24. Probably the percentage of those who communed in 
 comparison with the total membership ran higher in those ear- 
 lier days in the small congregations than they do in the age in 
 which we are now living ; and hence a simple comparison may 
 not be absolutely correct. The experience of many years in 
 the Central Synod and also in the individual congregations has
 
 FAUST AS PASTOR, PREACHER, AND MAN 31 
 
 been that the number of communicants is always from 65 to 75 
 per cent of the total membership. On this basis, the member- 
 ship at Canton must have been at least 130 to 140 souls. The 
 record of baptisms performed in Canton during the last eight 
 years of Rev. Faust's pastorate is complete. An average of 
 twenty-three infants each year received baptism. When it is 
 remembered that during the first eight years of Rev. Theodore 
 P. Bolliger's ministry when the reported membership was more 
 than one thousand, the average number of baptisms per year 
 was only twenty-six, it will be seen that the estimate of 130 to 
 140 members is very conservative. Furthermore, the record 
 of the confirmations in Canton during the last five years of 
 Rev. Faust's pastorate is also almost complete. The names 
 recorded average fourteen for each year. The average annual 
 number confirmed during eight years of Rev. Bolliger's minis- 
 try is thirty-six. From this again it must appear that the esti- 
 mate made above is very conservative ; and that, in reality the 
 actual membership must have been considerably higher.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 REV. FAUST'S LAST SIX MONTHS 
 
 THE hardships inevitably connected with his vast parish, 
 had gradually undermined Rev. Faust's health. The 
 intense earnestness with which he preached, and the vigor of 
 his delivery caused him to perspire very freely while conduct- 
 ing a service. Longjrides followed nearly every service as he 
 hurried on to the next appointment. By night and by day, in 
 all kinds of weather and every degree of temperature, he 
 pushed zealously on. After about ten years of this strenuous 
 activity tuberculosis developed; but the faithful pastor never 
 shirked his work, nor even hesitated for a moment. The prog- 
 ress of the disease for two years was slow ; then a rapid change 
 for the worse set in and during the last months of his life 
 preaching became increasingly difficult. Sometimes his voice 
 was so weak that the congregation found it hard to understand. 
 
 During this period when Rev. Faust clearly realized that 
 his days on earth were numbered, and that another must soon 
 be found to take his place, he must often have wondered where 
 a successor could be found. All over the state of Ohio and 
 adjoining states were many German communities calling anx- 
 iously for someone to come and preach the Gospel to them; 
 but the laborers were few and the fields lay waste. Even if 
 Canton and its surrounding congregations succeeded in secur- 
 ing a minister it would mean that some other charge would at 
 once become shepherdless. 
 
 But though the workman falls by the wayside, the work 
 always goes on ; for God has a way of providing for his own. 
 A successor was already found, though as yet unknown to Rev. 
 Faust. One day in the spring of 1832 he stopped at Wirth's 
 hotel about a mile west of Reedurban and met for the first 
 time a young German by the name of Peter Herb ruck. In the 
 course of their conversation the minister learned that he had 
 come to America some months before, had been in Canton only 
 
 32
 
 REV. FAUST'S LAST SIX MONTHS 33 
 
 a few weeks, and was nineteen years old. The acquaintance 
 soon ripened into a firm friendship. One day young Herbruck 
 confided to his new friend that it had been his desire even from 
 boyhood to become a minister of the Gospel. Immediately 
 Rev. Faust challenged him to begin his preparation for the 
 sacred calling and promised every assistance. 
 
 The subsequent occurrences, we will let the young man tell 
 in his own words : 
 
 "After several weeks, I became acquainted with my prede- 
 cessor Rev. B. Faust, who after he had learned to know me a 
 little better, said to me, 'Young man, do not bury your talent 
 in a napkin. We need ministers. Come to me, I will give you 
 books to read and will assist you in every respect, if it is your 
 desire to prepare yourself for the ministry.' I accepted the 
 kind offer, borrowed books from him, and received instruction 
 as often as I could visit him. About three months later, he 
 gave me a text, Matthew 25 : 31-46, saying, 'Now you write 
 all you can on this passage of Scripture.' I did so and brought 
 him what had been written. He read it over, making correc- 
 tions and additions, here and there. As he was suffering from 
 an affection of the throat and could not speak very loud any- 
 more, he requested me to preach to his congregation at Osna- 
 burg on this passage. I did so, and got a Pennsylvania Dutch 
 compliment. I had a full house, and as I was leaving the 
 church, I heard a young girl say to another : That boy can sure 
 rattle it down. (Der Bub kanns aber h'runner rattlen.) 
 
 "The next Sunday I preached in Canton. My teacher was 
 present. After the service he said, 'That wasn't so bad ; but 
 you talked too fast. Take a little more time.' 
 
 "On the third Sunday I was sent to preach at Uniontown, 
 twelve miles north of Canton. My teacher had sent them word 
 that his student would preach that Sunday. I was a stranger 
 in Uniontown, knowing no one and known to no one. Also, I 
 was young, about eighteen and one-half years old, and very 
 bashful. In Uniontown, I found a full house, but was too 
 bashful to introduce myself, and quietly sat down in the front 
 pew among the old men. No one took me for the man who 
 3
 
 34 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 was to preach to them for I seemed to be too young and poorly 
 clad for a preacher. I had at that time only one coat to wear 
 and that was pretty thin at the elbows. Pretty soon I heard 
 some one say : That young student is late, he ought to be here 
 now. The Bible and hymnbook were on the communion table. 
 I took the two books and climbed the pulpit steps which were 
 rather high. As I was going up to the pulpit, I heard one of 
 the old men say : Well yes, I guess we will get something fine 
 today. (Nu ja, das wird mer heut e'mal eppis Schoenes gebe.) 
 After the service I hurried away, and went back the same day 
 to Canton twelve miles. After that I preached every Sunday 
 for my teacher. 
 
 '"I also wrote several funeral sermons, so that I might be 
 partly prepared in case there would be a funeral. I wrote a 
 sermon on Psalm 90 : 10, 'The days of our years are three score 
 years and ten, etc.' and another on Matthew 19 : 14, 'Suffer the 
 little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, etc.' 
 Soon thereafter an aged mother died, twelve miles north of 
 Canton, and I was to have the funeral sermon. Now, thought 
 I, my sermon on Psalm 90: 10 will just fit in. Early in the 
 morning I started out. When I had reached the bereaved 
 home and the funeral procession was at the point of starting 
 to the cemetery, the son of the departed mother approached me 
 and said : Here is the text chosen by my mother on which her 
 funeral sermon is to be preached. I read the text and discov- 
 ered that it was not suitable for a funeral sermon, and further- 
 more that I was unable to get anything out of it to apply to a 
 funeral occasion. So I begged the young man to excuse me 
 because I was only a beginner, and had no ability to preach 
 without preparation, and informed him that I had prepared 
 myself to preach on another text that was more suitable. But 
 his answer was, The sermon must be preached on the text 
 which mother selected. Here it is written down in her own 
 hand ; and here are two dollars which she laid aside to pay the 
 preacher. I saw that it was no use to refuse so I consented to 
 use the text chosen. The cemetery was about a mile from the 
 home, and I walked before the funeral procession, hoping to
 
 REV. FAUST'S LAST SIX MONTHS 35 
 
 gather a few ideas on the way. But, alas, a man walked beside 
 me and gabbled all the way so that my head got dizzy, and I 
 could not find a sensible idea. We reached the church, and 
 also during the singing of the hymn I could not collect my 
 thoughts, for the people had no hymn books and so I had to 
 read the hymn line by line. I was filled with such terror that 
 the sweat poured from me though it was rather cold and I 
 thought surely this time I'll get stuck. When the song was 
 nearly ended suddenly the thought flashed into my mind to 
 read the text selected by the deceased, and then to preach the 
 sermon which I had prepared. I did so. On our return to 
 the house of mourning I was told that many of the people were 
 amazed that I could preach such a sermon on a text that had 
 not been given me until I had reached the home." 
 
 A most embarrassing incident occurred when the young 
 student conducted his first service at a place a few miles north 
 of Louisville. The gruff farmers, seeing his youth, said in 
 his hearing: Well, he doesn't know anything. (Ja! der weiss 
 nichts.) When the services began some of them even turned 
 their backs towards him. But after the young preacher got 
 started, he quickly caught their attention. Slowly they turned 
 their faces towards him and listened attentively to the end. 
 
 Though the assistance of young Herbruck brought some 
 relief to the afflicted pastor, Rev. Faust, he nevertheless contin- 
 ued conscientiously to perform the greater part of his pastoral 
 duties himself. Early in November of 1832, he rode out sev- 
 eral miles to the northwest of Canton to conduct a funeral 
 service. It was noted by the congregation that he was preach- 
 ing with his old-time vigor. The exertion threw the speaker 
 into a profuse perspiration. It was a raw and cold day. On 
 the way home, he became chilled to the bone. As he reached 
 his own door, a violent fit of coughing seized him and racked 
 his enfeebled frame. Suddenly a stream of blood burst from 
 his mouth. The long- feared hemorrhage had come. In his 
 weakened condition he could not rally. A few days later, on 
 Saturday, the tenth, "he gently closed his earthly career with- 
 out a groan."
 
 38 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 In the next issue of the Canton Repository, the following 
 beautiful obituary notice appeared : 
 
 "The Rev. Benjamin Faust, pastor of the Reformed Church, died 
 at his residence in Canton Township, on Saturday the tenth of Novem- 
 ber, of a pulmonary consumption with which he had been afflicted for 
 several years, in the thirty- fourth year of his age. He has left a discon- 
 solate widow and four small children to lament their irreparable loss. 
 In him shone that excellence of character that demands the esteem of 
 all, even an enemy, if he had one. A sense of conscious rectitude gave 
 him peace of mind while sojourning here below, and enabled him to 
 meet the grim tyrant death as a kind messenger, sent by his Lord and 
 Master to conduct his departing spirit from a temporary and probation- 
 ary state of existence to the mansions of eternal felicity. He bore his 
 afflictions with a Christian resignation to the will of his Heavenly Father, 
 and gently closed his earthly career without a groan. In his lectures he 
 inculcated pure and unfeigned piety to God ; and in his daily avocations, 
 both by example and precept, he enjoined the strictest rules of morality; 
 and of him it may be truly said, "he died the death of the righteous." 
 
 The body was laid to rest in the church cemetery. The 
 grave was located a few feet to the north of the rear entrance 
 of the Reformed Church as it is at present. A simple stone 
 marked the site for more than sixty years. Mrs. Faust, though 
 still a young woman of only thirty-two years, did not marry 
 again. For forty-two years, until her death on May 9, 1874, 
 she did not cease to mourn the husband so early torn from her 
 side. At her death she was buried in the Rowland cemetery. 
 Her husband's remains were taken up soon after and buried 
 again beside the faithful wife. 
 
 Rev. Faust should be held in grateful remembrance by the 
 present generation of members of the First Church. He per- 
 formed hard, exacting pioneer work with great zeal, for a per- 
 iod of thirteen years. His friend and neighbor, Rev. J. W. 
 Hamm, sums up his life and activities in the words : "He was 
 a good man, earnest, zealous, and faithful to his trust, and 
 beloved by all who knew him. He stood high both as a Chris- 
 tian and as a minister of the Gospel."
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S YOUTH 
 
 FOR more than fifty years, Rev. Peter Herbruck served as 
 pastor of the First Reformed Church of Canton. With 
 the exception of the last thirteen years from one to eight addi- 
 tional congregations also belonged to the charge. He labored 
 not only in Canton but in all of Stark County and even beyond 
 the boundaries of the county. From a youth of nineteen and 
 one-half years when the blunt Pennsylvania Germans ad- 
 dressed him familiarly as "Peter," he guided the destiny of 
 these congregations until by the effectiveness of his ministry, 
 his high standing in the community, and the impress of his 
 striking personality, he was known far and wide as "Father 
 Herbruck." 
 
 In this chapter will be given the story of his childhood and 
 youth, with its various ambitions and dreams, as Rev. Her- 
 bruck wrote them down himself. 
 
 "As I look back upon my past life, I see everywhere the 
 wonderful guidance of God. I see how all the events of my 
 life hang together like the links of a chain. I was born Febru- 
 ary 8, 1813 in the village of Grossteinhausen, Canton Neuhorn- 
 bach, Landcomisariat Zweibruecken, Rheinkreis Bavaria. Dur- 
 ing my sixth year I was sent to school, and made good progress 
 in learning, so that by my eleventh year I was known as the 
 best scholar in the school, and according to the custom in vogue 
 was allowed to sit up at the head. Our teacher was still one 
 of the old style who was more apt in wielding hazel switches 
 than in imparting knowledge. But, so far as I can recollect, 
 I experienced the effect of his hazel rod only once. 
 
 "When I was fourteen years old, I was confirmed. Already 
 in my eighth year the desire had awakened in my heart to 
 become either a teacher or a preacher. Although I could see 
 no possibility for becoming either because my father did not 
 have the means, I could not rid myself of this desire. I 
 
 37
 
 38 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 dreamed of it at night. I already then had the knowledge that 
 things which are impossible to man were not impossible to God. 
 Hence I took my refuge to God in prayer not only at night 
 when I retired but often during the daytime, beneath the open 
 sky, I would take off my cap, sit or kneel beside a tree, and 
 pray to God that he might open the way so that I could study 
 and become a teacher or preacher. My prayer was not in vain. 
 A few days after my confirmation, our minister, a venerable, 
 old man, came to my father in our home and sought to per- 
 suade him to send me to a higher school of learning. The min- 
 ister said that for a while I should attend a preparatory school 
 about five miles from my birthplace and later on he would 
 arrange to have me attend a higher institution. My father 
 agreed and sent me to the high school. 
 
 "How I rejoiced that my prayer had been answered! I 
 gladly shouldered all the difficulties that were in the way. In 
 order to save the board bill, during the first year I walked the 
 five miles to school every morning carrying my dinner ; and in 
 the evening I marched home again. This was no small under- 
 taking, especially in winter when the snow was deep and the 
 path had not been broken. The following year my father was 
 able to pay my board, and I was very glad. But during the 
 third year, as winter approached my father declared that he 
 was unable either to pay my board or to give me the money 
 necessary for a few books. I talked it over with my teacher, 
 and told him that I would have to give up my studies. 'Well,' 
 said my teacher, 'I will think about it and see whether anything 
 can be done.' The next morning when I came to school and 
 had greeted my teacher, he said to me, 'Last night I considered 
 your circumstances for a long time and now believe I have 
 found a way in which you can help yourself. About an hour's 
 walk from here there is a little village which has a teacher for 
 instructing the children only during the winter. I can secure 
 this position for you. Generally the teacher takes turns about 
 in lodging at the homes of the children attending; hence you 
 need pay no board and will be able to earn something. You 
 can study your lessons each evening, and in the morning before
 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S YOUTH 39 
 
 you leave I will hear you recite. In this way you will be able 
 to keep pace with your classmates here.' The plan just suited 
 me. At once we went to the little village, and immediately a 
 contract was made with the heads of the families to the effect 
 that I should teach school for five months for twenty-two Gul- 
 dens (about nine dollars). Every morning I walked the three 
 miles to the village, taught the school, and returned in the even- 
 ing. In the evening I generally studied my lessons until twelve 
 o'clock, and recited them to my teacher the next morning at 
 five or six o'clock. Then I would start to the little village to 
 teach. The people were generally poor and had the custom of 
 eating very early and very late. This did not suit me very 
 well, for I could neither be there early in the morning nor 
 remain until late in the evening. Therefore I contented my- 
 self with one meal a day during this winter. The daily tramp 
 of three miles going and three miles back; the terrible cold 
 which I had to endure, for I had neither cloak nor overcoat; 
 the constant pangs of hunger that I suffered, caused me to 
 grow so thin that in the spring when I returned home my par- 
 ents thought I must have consumption. 
 
 "Now the thought awoke in me to go to America, whither 
 two others of the students were also planning to go. I an- 
 nounced my decision to my parents. My father was willing 
 but mother did not want me to go. On the 18th of April, 1831, 
 when I said farewell to parents and brothers and sisters, my 
 mother said : 'I would rather see you carried out of the house 
 in a coffin than see you go to America.' My journey lasted 
 nearly four months from April 18 to August 16." 
 
 The first part of the journey was made largely on foot. 
 By easy stages young Herbruck wandered through northwest- 
 ern France, a distance of about four hundred miles to Havre. 
 There a several weeks' wait ensued until an old French sailing 
 vessel started for America. After being out several days a 
 terrific storm broke over the vessel, tearing away the masts 
 and creating general havoc aboard the old ship. The ship was 
 so much injured that it had to be towed back to Plymouth, 
 England, by another vessel. Another long delay ensued while
 
 40 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 the vessel was being repaired when a second start was made 
 for America. Storms and reverses again pursued the ship, 
 but finally the friendly coast of America loomed on the hori- 
 zon. Here we will let Mr. Herbruck resume his narrative: 
 
 "On the 16th of August 1831, I landed in Philadelphia and 
 trod for the first time on American soil. The next day I left 
 Philadelphia, without a cent in my pocket and only the clothes 
 which I had worn for four months during the entire journey. 
 I had brought good clothes and a few books with me but these 
 I had left with a man whom I owed about twelve dollars. The 
 third night I lay, as Jacob once did, beneath the open sky, upon 
 a pile of shavings as my bed, and the infinite canopy of heaven 
 as my blanket. But I had no sweet dreams, I saw no ladder 
 reaching to heaven upon which the angels of God ascended and 
 descended. I was homesick and ill, thought of my mother and 
 wished I had taken her advice. I could not sleep all night, but 
 lay there with a high fever and headache. No father nor 
 mother, no brother nor sister was beside my bed to nurse me, 
 or to hand me even so much as a cup of water. Of the things 
 that passed through my heart and mind, I will be silent. Only 
 this I will say that almost the entire night was spent in weep- 
 ing and prayer. And my prayer again was not in vain. The 
 second day thereafter the Lord brought me another father and 
 mother. It was in Berks County, in Heidelberg Twp., that an 
 aged couple took me into their home and became to me as 
 father and mother. Father Klopp who thus received me was 
 eighty-one years old, a good and pious soul, as was also mother 
 Klopp. Family worship was held each morning and evening. 
 Father Klopp clothed me from head to foot. I taught school 
 there during the winter, and did a little work mornings and 
 evenings. In the spring when school was closed, I asked the 
 old father what I owed him for clothes and board. He 
 inquired, and I shall never forget that moment: How much 
 money have you? I told him that I had about forty dollars. 
 Then he said, Give me your hand and promise that you will 
 remain a godly youth and serve the Lord. I gave my promise. 
 Now, he said, you owe me nothing else; go in the name of
 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S YOUTH 41 
 
 God, and the Lord be with you. Having thanked these good 
 people for all that they had done for me, I took my departure. 
 My intention was to visit a friend in the town of Lebanon ; but 
 beyond that I did not know what I should do. Before I reached 
 Lebanon, however, I met upon the road four or five wagons 
 covered with white canvas. On the canvas in black letters 
 stood the name, Ohio. I found that there were several fam- 
 ilies moving to Ohio. Several young men of my age were 
 walking behind the wagons. I soon became acquainted with 
 them and they invited me to travel with them to Ohio. Before 
 Lebanon was reached these young fellows and I had become 
 such good friends that I decided to go with them. I did not 
 visit my friend but travelled straight ahead towards Ohio. 
 These families intended to go to southern Ohio, and at last we 
 reached the Ohio River. While the people were engaged in 
 getting the wagons upon a ferry boat to cross the river, a man 
 who had been standing upon the bank stepped up to me and 
 asked, Are you a German ? Yes, sir, was my answer. Where 
 are you going? was his further inquiry. My answer was, To 
 southern Ohio. Do you have a profession? he then asked. I 
 answered, No, but during last winter I taught school in eastern 
 Pennsylvania. Well, he said, then you travel with me to 
 northern Ohio, that is the proper place for you. 
 
 "I cannot tell why I did it, nevertheless, even though my 
 travelling companions had become very dear to me, I tore my- 
 self from them, and went with this stranger. We travelled 
 together to New Lisbon. From there we went towards the 
 north to Mahoning County where my travelling companion was 
 at home. When we were about three miles north of New Lis- 
 bon we came to a fine spring of water by the roadside. We 
 slaked our thirst and rested there a while. I had a little prayer 
 book in my pocket, and said to my travelling companion who 
 was a Catholic, If you have no objections I will read a prayer. 
 He answered, It is agreeable to me. I read a prayer. Sud- 
 denly something strange seemed to be going on within me. I 
 cannot describe the experience. It was as though I heard a 
 voice saying: 'You are going the wrong way. Mahoning
 
 42 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 County is not the place for you to go. Go back.' I began to 
 weep, not knowing what I should do. My companion asked, 
 What ails you ? My answer was, I cannot travel on with you. 
 I wish to go back to New Lisbon. The man tried everything 
 to persuade me from this intention; but it was no use. I 
 offered him my hand and tore myself loose from him. Having 
 reached New Lisbon, I made no inquiries concerning any road, 
 for I did not know whither I would go. When I believed my- 
 self to be in the center of the town, I turned towards the right, 
 not knowing whither this road would bring me. I came to 
 Canton and remained a few hours, looking around for an 
 opportunity to learn some trade. Not finding anything, I went 
 on at once. On the west side of the town, I sat down along 
 the way under a tree. Suddenly my heart became so burdened 
 that I began to weep. What will become of you? Your mon- 
 ey has been spent in travelling, all but eight dollars, and the 
 farther you go, the more sparsely the land is inhabited. I lay 
 beneath the tree about two hours, weeping and praying. After 
 I had thus exhausted myself in weeping, I arose and went on. 
 But before three miles had been traversed, I again had a fath- 
 er and a mother. I taught school again, having the children 
 of a number of families, and in the household of Father Wirth 
 I had my home. Father and Mother Wirth treated me like 
 their own child and to the children in the home I was as a 
 brother." 
 
 The tree beneath which young Herbruck wept and prayed 
 was located near Tuscarawas Street, just beyond West Creek. 
 To the end of his life Rev. Herbruck would point out the spot 
 occasionally to his friends, and repeat the story of how God 
 answered his prayers. 
 
 The Wirth family lived near Reedurban. With them Mr. 
 Herbruck resided several months teaching school and studying 
 theology and practicing at sermon writing under the direction 
 of Rev. Benjamin Faust. During the last weeks of Rev. 
 Faust's life, Mr. Herbruck made his home with them and 
 preached for his teacher regularly.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 BEFORE considering the development of events in the con- 
 gregations belonging to the Canton charge, a glimpse 
 must be taken at the fortunes of the village itself. Canton was 
 incorporated in 1822, but ten years later it was still a primitive, 
 inland community of less than two thousand souls. The only 
 means of communication with the outside world at that time 
 were poor dirt roads almost impassible during some seasons of 
 the year. Business was largely carried on by barter, and cash 
 money was exceedingly rare. Until the Ohio Canal was com- 
 pleted through Massillon in 1830, there was no cash market at 
 all for grain. As a consequence oats, corn, and wheat had but 
 a small value and could be readily traded in for twelve, fifteen, 
 and twenty-five cents a bushel respectively. Before the canal 
 was finished the only way to market grain was to haul it to 
 Pittsburgh or the Ohio River; afterwards Massillon became 
 a large grain center. Trade was thus diverted from Canton 
 and business suffered greatly. 
 
 It was not until 1829 that the first coal-stoves replaced the 
 open fire-places and the homemade contrivances in use. Coal 
 was brought from Pike Township to the south of Canton. Cus- 
 toms and fashions were still very simple and democratic. Cal- 
 ico was the prevailing material for ladies' fine dresses to be 
 worn for calls, parties and religious services ; while home-spun 
 was generally worn about the house. Milliners had not yet 
 invaded the village; their work as well as that of the dress- 
 makers was performed by the women who happened to be 
 handiest with the needle. Walking and horse-back riding was 
 the general mode of conveyance. Women as well as men 
 became expert in handling horses. The people in Canton, as 
 well as in the country congregations were poor, or just emerg- 
 ing from poverty. One-room log cabins constituted the ordin- 
 
 43
 
 44 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ary farmhouse ; a two-room cabin gave indications of increas- 
 ing wealth ; a three-room house was luxury. 
 
 Such were some of the village conditions that confronted 
 young Herbruck at the death of his preceptor. Having become 
 inured to hardships, however, these gave him no concern ; but 
 the situation in the charge itself was both difficult and discour- 
 aging. Rev. Faust had been favorably known throughout the 
 county and had been exceptionally able as a pastor and preach- 
 er; while Herbruck was a stranger not yet twenty years old. 
 Furthermore his entire education and experience for the work 
 of the ministry had consisted in reading a few theological 
 books under the direction of Rev. Faust for about three 
 months ; supplemented by writing about a half dozen sermons 
 and preaching perhaps a dozen times. He was further handi- 
 capped by being able to speak only the German language, and 
 being unfamiliar with American ways and customs. Besides 
 this, as he confesses in his "Reminiscences," he was exceed- 
 ingly timid and desperately poor. Under the most favorable 
 circumstances he could not hope to be ordained to the ministry 
 before he was of age and that date was still fifteen months off. 
 
 The congregations of the charge at once began the search 
 for a new pastor. Until this search should be crowned with 
 success, Mr. Herbruck was invited by the various congrega- 
 tions to continue the regular preaching services and to instruct 
 the youth in the catechism. For the special ministerial acts 
 such as administering the sacraments and confirming the young 
 people, Rev. J. W. Hamm was called upon. Rev. Hamm was 
 pastor of the Manchester charge near Canal Fulton and was 
 not only the nearest neighboring pastor, but also supervised 
 the theological studies which young Herbruck was diligently 
 continuing. 
 
 The hardships of that first winter were such that they 
 would have driven him from the work in utter discouragement 
 had he not been so certain of his divine call to the ministry. 
 He gives us a glimpse of some of his experiences in the fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
 "I made nearly all my trips on foot, because I was too
 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCES 45 
 
 poor to buy a horse. Neither did I possess an overcoat or 
 mantle. During the winter I walked eight, ten, fifteen and 
 even twenty-four miles, on foot, through deep snows. Often 
 I slept under a so-called clapboard roof, and in the morning 
 could easily write my name in the snow on my bed covers. In 
 addition to the Canton congregation, I served for two years 
 two congregations in Carroll County. The one in the town of 
 Carrollton about twenty-four miles from Canton and the other 
 known as the Hursh Church five miles north of Carrollton. 
 I preached every four weeks in each congregation, at the one in 
 the morning, and in the afternoon at the other. Generally I 
 would return home after the close of the afternoon service; 
 reaching Canton at eleven or twelve o'clock and even later, 
 according to the condition of the roads. In another congrega- 
 tion I also preached for nine months. During these nine 
 months, I made the trip ten times, travelling nine miles there 
 and nine miles back. For preaching ten times and traveling 
 180 miles on foot I received the handsome sum of $1.50, that 
 is fifteen cents a sermon plus a trip of eighteen miles. In my 
 time I preached to twenty-one different congregations, but this 
 one was the stingiest of them all." 
 
 During these months the charge was diligently seeking for 
 a permanent pastor. The Uniontown congregation elected 
 Rev. J. W. Hamm and thus separated from the Canton charge 
 to become a part of the Manchester charge. The remaining 
 congregations of the charge decided to extend a call to Rev. 
 David Winters, who was then serving the Dayton charge ; or, 
 if he would not accept the call, it was to go to Rev. David Long, 
 then serving the four or five congregations of the Somerset 
 charge in Perry County. As both these men preached accept- 
 ably in both German and English they were eminently fitted 
 for the work of the Canton charge. A request was therefore 
 sent to the Ohio Synod which met in the spring of 1833 to con- 
 firm this action and arrange for the installation of the one or 
 the other of these ministers. In case neither of them would 
 accept the offered call, a further request was sent asking that 
 Peter Herbruck should be licensed and ordained so that he
 
 46 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 might become the pastor of the Canton charge. The consis- 
 tories furnished him with the necessary recommendations and 
 petitions and sent him to the meeting of the Synod of Xenia. 
 
 High hopes filled young Herbruck's heart as he prepared 
 to go to Synod. Had he not for a space of six months faith- 
 fully preached the Gospel to the people ? Had he not zealously 
 conducted the catechetical classes ? Had he not diligently con- 
 tinued his theological studies, and had not the consistories giv- 
 en him splendid testimonials? Possibly it hardly occurred to 
 him that his youth and insufficient preparation might make it 
 necessary for Synod to postpone both his licensure and ordina- 
 tion. Of the journey Mr. Herbruck says : 
 
 "A week before the convening of the Synod I started out 
 carrying with me good recommendations and a request from 
 the consistory of the Canton charge. On foot I went to Mas- 
 sillon, from there on a canal boat to Columbus, and then again 
 on foot to Xenia. The road between Columbus and Xenia was 
 so miserable that I could hardly get on; and was obliged to 
 rest at a farmhouse along the road for an entire day. At last 
 I reached the goal of my journey. The Synod was already in 
 session. I presented my documents and a committee was 
 appointed to examine me." 
 
 The committee appointed to conduct the examination 
 reported to the Synod that they had examined the candidate in 
 church history and theology, and found that he was not yet 
 ready for licensure. The Synod thereupon appointed a com- 
 mittee of which Rev. J. W. Hamm was chairman which should 
 supervise Mr. Herbruck's further studies, and, if in their opin- 
 ion, the candidate, before the next meeting of Synod was suf- 
 ficiently prepared, the committee was authorized to issue a 
 ministerial license to him. 
 
 This action of the Synod was a grievous disappointment 
 to the young candidate for licensure; especially because Rev. 
 Winters declined the call issued to him, and Rev. Long was 
 uncertain whether he would ultimately accept or not. The 
 Synod requested Rev. Long to visit the congregations in and 
 around Canton during the summer as a sort of official supply-
 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCES 47 
 
 pastor until the matter was definitely settled. Before this plan 
 could be carried out, the cholera scourge which swept over 
 Ohio that year, claimed him also as a victim less than a month 
 after the meeting of Synod. 
 
 Rev. Herbruck believed to the end of his days that the 
 action of the Synod in refusing to license him in 1833 was 
 caused not so much by his youth, or his lack of preparation, as 
 by the determination to withhold the license so that one of the 
 older and experienced pastors might secure the desirable 
 charge. 
 
 In describing his experiences at the Synod and afterwards, 
 he says : "Even before the examination I heard remarks here 
 and there to the effect that the young man would not do for 
 the Canton charge, and that someone else must be stationed 
 there. The examination was held. I do not know what the 
 committee reported, as I was not permitted to be present dur- 
 ing the hearing and discussion of the report. After the adop- 
 tion of the report I was called in and informed that the Synod 
 had decided that I should study a while longer under the care of 
 Rev. Hamm, who would examine me again when he thought 
 proper. The entire matter looked somewhat queer to me, but 
 I was unable to alter it. Rev. Hamm not being present, the 
 resolution of the synod was sent to him. I talked the matter 
 over with a minister of the Synod and he quieted me by say- 
 ing: Be perfectly contented. When Rev. Hamm calls the 
 committee together in a few weeks, everything will be all right. 
 I perceived that there was something back of it all, but what it 
 was, I could not tell. At the close of the Synod I started out 
 (per pedes apostolorum) on foot for Columbus. After hav- 
 ing walked some distance one of the brethren of Synod caught 
 up with me riding in a double rig, and also on his way to 
 Columbus. I expected an invitation to ride along with him as 
 far as Columbus. But instead of that he called out, goodbye, 
 and hurried past. Reaching Columbus, I again went aboard 
 a canal boat and rode to Massillon, and from there went on 
 foot to Canton. Hardly had I reached Canton when I was 
 informed by a member of the consistory that a minister, whom
 
 48 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 I had met at the Synod, was coming to preach a trial sermon 
 and become a candidate for the Canton charge. Now I saw 
 clearly why I was still to study for a while under Rev. Hamm. 
 The minister came, preached to several of the congregations of 
 the charge, and demanded that an election should be held. So 
 the congregations voted between him and me with the result 
 that I was elected by a large majority." 
 
 Some months later in the fall of 1833, Rev. Hamm called 
 his committee together at Manchester, and the coveted license 
 was granted at last. 
 
 It may have been partly from sheer gladness that he was 
 finally in possession of his ministerial license that Mr. Her- 
 bruck decided to get married. For some months before the 
 death of Rev. Faust, he had become a member of the Faust 
 household, giving his time to study and assisting in the work 
 of the parish. After Rev. Faust's death he remained with the 
 Faust family. About a mile or so further east on the George- 
 town road was the farm of Jonathan Holwick. In the Hoi- 
 wick home there was a daughter named Sarah, then about six- 
 teen years old. Peter and Sarah soon became interested in one 
 another. Interest quickly ripened into love, and love led to a 
 happy marriage on November 21, 1832. The ceremony was 
 performed by Rev. J. W. Hamm. The groom was three 
 months less than twenty-one years of age, and the bride was 
 just sixteen and one-half. During the first year of their mar- 
 ried life, the young couple made their home with the bride's 
 parents. Over the spring which supplied the household, a lit- 
 tle house had been built. The upper part of this spring-house 
 had a room which had been used for various purposes. This 
 room was now fixed up and became the study where the young 
 preacher worked over his books and sermons, and grappled 
 with vexing pastoral problems. And these came thick and fast. 
 
 On the day following the wedding an event occurred which 
 made a profound impression upon the entire community and 
 especially upon the youthful candidate for the ministry. Chris- 
 tian Bechtel, a German, who may possibly have been a member 
 or at least an adherent of one of the congregations served by
 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCES 49 
 
 Rev. Herbruck, had come home drunk some months before, 
 and in this senseless condition had killed his wife while she 
 was sleeping. After an attempt to escape he gave himself up, 
 and was condemned to death. Under a deep sense of his duty 
 towards the wretched man, Mr. Herbruck says : 
 
 "I often visited him in prison, and admonished him to 
 repentance and conversion, and also prayed with him. His sin 
 was a heavy burden upon his heart, and he fervently besought 
 the Lord for pardon. According to his own testimony, he also 
 received mercy and forgiveness." 
 
 The conversion of the criminal and the remarkable con- 
 fession which he drew up stirred the entire county to the very 
 depths. The confession closed with these words, "Standing 
 as I do on the confines of two worlds, I would fain raise my 
 voice in the language of warning and exhortation, to all who 
 may hear the tale of my guilt and its consequences. Let them 
 shun the rock on which I split, avoid the intoxicating cup as 
 you would the enemy of your souls. To that I can safely 
 trace my present condition." 
 
 The execution was to take place on November 22, 1833. 
 On the evening before, a minister who had but recently come 
 from Germany visited Mr. Herbruck. "This minister directly 
 denied the divinity of Christ. The next morning we went 
 together to the prison. Seven or eight ministers were gathered 
 there. The condemned man begged us to pray with him again. 
 After the prayer, he himself also began to pray. His prayer 
 was so earnest and fervent, that the bystanders were moved to 
 tears. I noticed that during this prayer, my guest who denied 
 the divinity of Christ, dropped his hat, and repeatedly smote 
 his breast." 
 
 At eleven o'clock, the condemned man was led out to exe- 
 cution. Rev. J. P. Mahnenschmidt and Peter Herbruck 
 walked by his side. The gallows had been erected on the com- 
 mons just east of Walnut Street, between Fourth and Sixth 
 Streets, N. E. A multitude estimated to have numbered at 
 least twenty thousand, coming from far and near, had assem- 
 bled. After an English sermon had been preached, Rev. Mah- 
 
 4
 
 50 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 nenschmidt preached in German and "closed the service with 
 prayer." During this time, Mr. Herb ruck and his guest had 
 stood side by side. The criminal's last words were, "May the 
 blood of Jesus Christ the son of God cleanse me from all sin." 
 This scene quite vanquished the visitor's unbelief. With the 
 tears streaming from his eyes, he exclaimed: "You are right, 
 would to God, I had your faith." 
 
 During that winter Mr. Herbruck performed all the usual 
 pastoral duties of the charge. By his discreet conduct and the 
 faithful performance of his work he so won the hearts of the 
 people that when the Ohio Synod met in Canton, May 17-21, 
 1834, seven of the congregations, namely, Peter's, Zion's, Paris, 
 Bethlehem, Martin's, Carrollton and Hursh* submitted a call 
 to Peter Herbruck, asking that the call might be confirmed and 
 he be ordained and installed as their pastor. The remaining 
 congregations of the charge, that is, Canton, Osnaburg, Warst- 
 lers (or Heinrichs) and Sherman's had been supplied for some 
 time by Rev. John Pence, and having given him a call desired 
 that he might be installed as their pastor. The Synod granted 
 this petition provided that Rev. Pence would accept the call. 
 
 During this meeting of the Synod Peter Herbruck, who 
 had now become of age, was finally licensed and ordained to 
 the ministry, and with him also two other candidates, G. H. 
 Zumpf and Geo. Schlosser. The ordination of three candi- 
 dates for the ministry at one service was so extraordinary an 
 event that a congregation that crowded the church had assem- 
 bled (May 21). Rev. T. Winters delivered a short but inter- 
 esting and touching address on the words found in John 21 : 
 16, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? He saith unto him, 
 Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, 
 Feed my sheep." After the ordination had taken place, "the 
 
 * In the statistical report of 1834, Baiden's schoolhouse is also 
 named as a congregation belonging to the Canton charge. At that time 
 however, this was simply an occasional preaching point, the organization 
 of the congregation taking place at a later date. The correct spelling 
 of the name is "Bethunds." The location was four miles north of North 
 Georgetown, in Columbiana County.
 
 PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCES 51 
 
 congregation united in a song of praise, while the clerical 
 brethren came forward, and, amidst praise and joy, gave these 
 newly initiated brethren into the ministry the right hand of fel- 
 lowship, and with hearts full of joy, and amidst sighs, tears, 
 and praises of God, offered them pastoral advice and congrat- 
 ulations." The entire service was then closed by a prayer of 
 which a few sentences ought to be preserved here, "Almighty 
 and eternal God, O, thou great Head and Bishop of thy 
 Church, Jesus Christ, bless what we have done in accordance 
 with thy holiness, that it may redound to thy glory, and the 
 building up of that part of thy Zion which we represent. Give 
 to each one of thy spirit and grace, that we, patiently and 
 faithfully, may do the work of evangelists, and make full proof 
 of our ministry. Bless them (the newly ordained candidates) 
 and us with the greatest and richest of thy blessings in time, 
 and when our pilgrimage shall end, receive us to thee and the 
 church of the first-born in heaven ; for the Redeemer's sake."* 
 With this service of ordination, the ministry of Rev. Peter 
 Herbruck, which was to extend to more than a half century, 
 really began. 
 
 * The report of the ordination service is taken from the Minutes of 
 the Ohio Synod. The quotations in Rev. Herbruck's words are taken 
 verbatim from his "Reminiscences."
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 
 1834-1837 
 
 ONE of the first acts of the new minister was to hurry to 
 the courthouse and secure his license permitting and 
 empowering him to perform marriage ceremonies. The license 
 issued by the Court of Common Pleas stated, "You are hereby 
 licensed to solemnize marriages within the state of Ohio and 
 so long as you shall continue a regular minister of the German 
 Reformed Church." For this license a fee of one dollar had 
 to be paid. 
 
 A second very important matter that had to be attended 
 to was the drawing up of a brief contract between the minister 
 and each congregation. Sometimes this contract consisted 
 simply in a verbal understanding of the obligations resting 
 upon either party; more often it was drawn up in a dignified 
 legal fashion. The following agreement made between the 
 Osnaburg congregation and its minister will serve as an exam- 
 ple of the manner in which these were worded. 
 
 "We, the undersigned, members of the German Evangeli- 
 cal Reformed Church of Osnaburg, Stark County, Ohio, obli- 
 gate ourselves to pay to the Rev'd Peter Herbruck the amount 
 opposite to our name, either in person or through the consis- 
 tory for the year extending from to - . 
 
 "On his part the Rev'd Peter Herbruck obligates himself 
 
 to preach every weeks in German unless prevented by 
 
 sickness, or other extraordinary occurrences, such as funerals, 
 attendance on Synod, etc., and to baptize the children, confirm 
 the youth, administer the Lord's supper, and look after the 
 spiritual welfare of the congregation." 
 
 It will be remembered from the last chapter that the Can- 
 ton, Osnaburg, Warstler, and Sherman's congregations of the 
 
 52
 
 GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 53 
 
 Canton charge had extended a call to Rev. John Pence. When 
 he finally declined the call and these congregations were shep- 
 herdless the consistories of Canton, Osnaburg, and Warstlers 
 arranged with Rev. Herbruck to supply their pulpits until defi- 
 nite arrangements were agreed upon. The Sherman's congre- 
 gation, however, chose the Rev. Geo. Schlosser. 
 
 During the fall of this year, Rev. Herbruck .moved to town 
 into the new home which had been built at the corner of Tusca- 
 rawas and Herbruck Streets, N. E. This house which is now 
 number 1003 Tuscarawas Street, East, stands today as it was 
 originally built with the exception of the kitchen addition in the 
 rear and the one-story addition on the east side. It served as 
 the family home until death called the aged couple home; a 
 period of sixty-three years. 
 
 About this time also, Rev. Herbruck secured a horse to 
 carry him to his various pastoral appointments. This part of 
 the story, however, he can tell us in his own words : 
 
 "In the fall of 1834, I finally got a horse and also an over- 
 coat. The horse was only three years old, and not properly 
 broken, while I' was no rider. On account of my awkwardness 
 in handling the animal the little beast acquired the habit of 
 going backwards, whenever it was frightened. On one occa- 
 sion while going home the young animal became scared and 
 began going backwards. I tried with the whip to drive it for- 
 wards; but the more I whipped it, the faster it went back- 
 wards. A farmer working in the field along the road cried 
 out to me : Say, preacher, turn around and point the rear end 
 of your horse towards Canton, and you will get there faster. 
 Falling off of the horse became so much of a daily habit with 
 me, that when I rode away in the morning and returned in the 
 evening, with only one or two tumbles to my credit, I counted 
 it a lucky day. 
 
 "One experience, however, I shall never forget. I had a 
 funeral twelve miles from Canton, and was returning home 
 about eleven or twelve o'clock at night. I had to go through 
 a dense woods through which there was only a very narrow
 
 54 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 footpath. It was so dark that I could scarcely distinguish my 
 horse's head. Some animal, probably a cow, was lying in the 
 path, and jumped up suddenly. My horse became frightened 
 and galloped away through the woods with me. I expected 
 nothing else but to be killed. I tried to stop the horse and 
 pulled with all my strength on the reins. Suddenly these 
 broke, and I tumbled head over heels, backwards from the 
 horse. Crawling around on hands and knees, I finally found 
 my saddle bags, and then worked my way out of the woods. 
 At the nearest farmhouse, I awoke the people, and asked for a 
 lantern. The request was freely granted, but as I was about 
 to leave, the farmer said: Hold on, possibly your horse is 
 standing down by my barn. Sure enough, so it was. So we 
 fixed up the bridle, and I reached home without further mis- 
 haps. 
 
 "Conditions in my congregations at that time seemed very 
 satisfactory. The number of members was on the increase, 
 and there were but few annoyances from without. But things 
 were not to remain so very long." 
 
 In order to clearly set forth the conditions in the congre- 
 gations of the charge and especially to show the independent 
 manner in which the individual congregations frequently acted 
 without consulting the others, a few of the "annoyances" that 
 came must be described. 
 
 After Rev. John Pence had refused the call extended to 
 him, the four congregations arranged for themselves for the 
 supply of their pulpits as already described. The Osnaburg 
 congregation divided into two factions. Some of the people 
 wanted Rev. Herbruck, the others invited Rev. Geo. Schlosser 
 to preach for them. The Bethlehem congregation in Navarre 
 and the Sherman's congregations also invited Rev. Schlosser. 
 The question arose: Who is the legal pastor? The matter 
 was referred to the Synod in 1835. The answer of the Synod 
 was in the form of a compromise. Rev. Schlosser was to 
 serve Osnaburg until the end of the year, after which time 
 Rev. Herbruck was to have the congregation. As a compen- 
 sation for giving up Osnaburg, Rev. Schlosser was to keep the
 
 GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 55 
 
 Bethlehem and Sherman's congregations. The congregations 
 of the Canton charge at the end of 1835 were Canton, Osna- 
 burg, Zion's, Paris, Martin's, Warstlers (or Heinrichs), Car- 
 rollton and Hursh, with Sherman's wavering between Her- 
 bruck and Schlosser. Besides these congregations already or- 
 ganized there were also several additional preaching places 
 where occasional services were held. 
 
 The Synod met in Osnaburg in 1837. In the absence of 
 Rev. Herbruck, who was called away to conduct a funeral 
 service in one of the distant congregations, a petition signed 
 by only eleven members was presented requesting the Synod 
 to declare the Canton congregation vacant because Rev. Her- 
 bruck had never been elected by the congregation, the consis- 
 tory only having chosen him. 
 
 The Synod immediately, without waiting until Rev. Her- 
 bruck was present, referred the matter to a committee. The 
 elder from Canton was appointed on this committee. It may 
 be that the ministerial delegates had been more verbose than 
 usual ; it may be that the dinner had been too sumptuous ; at 
 any rate, the Canton elder was just taking a quiet nap. Sud- 
 denly someone poked him in the ribs and whispered : You are 
 on the committee in the Canton matter. Immediately he 
 jumped to his feet exclaiming, "Mr. President, I can't go to 
 Canton ; my horse is a couple of miles from here in a pasture." 
 The president explained that the committee was not to go to 
 Canton, but do its work in Osnaburg. So the elder declared, 
 "Well, then I will serve." 
 
 The committee having investigated the matter reported : 
 "We cannot consider Bro. Herbruck as legally called pastor of 
 said congregation because he has received his call from the con- 
 sistory only, and not by a majority of the congregation; but 
 if the congregation chooses to retain him as their minister, or 
 to call any other, let them declare it by a majority of the votes 
 of the whole congregation." 
 
 When the committee offered its report to the Synod it was 
 adopted without any discussion except by the elder from Can- 
 ton. He did not seem to be able to understand why the elec-
 
 56 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 tion by the consistory should not be considered quite sufficient. 
 He recalled how the consistory had twice (the first time when 
 he was elected provided neither Revs. Winter or Long would 
 accept the call ; the second time, after Rev. Pence had declined 
 the call extended him) already elected Rev. Herbruck to serve 
 the Canton charge, hence to order still another election by the 
 congregation seemed to him to be a work of supererogation. 
 He was "a unique Pennsylvania German" as Rev. Herbruck 
 designates him ; so he got up and made the following speech 
 as reported in the Herbruck "Reminiscences": "Gentlemen, 
 We have had two elections already. The first time Peter won 
 it; and the second time Peter won it again." However, this 
 laconic plea did not change the fact that the congregation had 
 never been given a chance to vote whether Rev. Herbruck was 
 to be the pastor or not ; hence, the report of the committee was 
 adoptd. 
 
 Taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration 
 it is evident that the Ohio Synod showed Rev. Herbruck but 
 scant courtesy in this matter. In the first place since the Syn- 
 od was meeting in a congregation of the Canton charge, the 
 question certainly should not have been disposed of in the 
 absence of the pastor who was acting as the host of Synod. 
 Secondly, on his return an opportunity should have been ac- 
 corded him to be heard. This was denied him with the state- 
 ment: "It is too late now." Thirdly, the petition itself with 
 the signatures was not properly investigated. Had this been 
 done it would have been seen, "that of the eleven signers, sev- 
 eral were Lutherans, several called themeslves Reformed but 
 had not belonged to the Canton congregation for a number of 
 years, the rest were relatives of a certain minister who was 
 anxious to secure the congregation for himself, and hence fur- 
 nished the incentive for this entire occurrence." Since the 
 Synod had decided that the congregation must hold an election 
 for pastor, this "certain minister" at once announced himself 
 as a candidate. "An election was held, and, behold, "Peter 
 won again." (The quotations are all taken from the Herbruck 
 Reminiscences.)
 
 GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 57 
 
 During this time Rev. Herbruck was engaged in zealous 
 missionary activity. The names of several new congregations 
 appear in the statistical reports. These were Israel, Franklin 
 (several miles east of Paris), Georgetown in Columbiana Co., 
 Bethund's (also spelled Baden's and Baiden's) schoolhouse 
 four miles north of Georgetown. For an account of this work, 
 Rev. Herbruck's own description will be given : 
 
 "About the year 1837 I began to preach in the town of 
 Franklin near the eastern boundary of Stark County, and 
 founded a new congregation there. A year later, I received an 
 invitation to come to North Georgetown in Columbiana Coun- 
 ty. I went there and preached in an old log church. The peo- 
 ple begged me earnestly to come regularly every four weeks 
 and preach to them. I promised to do so provided they would 
 build a new church. They agreed to do that and before the 
 close of the first year the new church was completed. Soon 
 after, I served the Bethund's congregation located four miles 
 north of Georgetown. I preached at these places for several 
 years and both were in a flourishing condition when I gave 
 them up. During my administration there I received a con- 
 siderable number of persons by confirmation into the congrega- 
 tion. But I had to make some hard trips, because both congre- 
 gations were about twenty-three miles from Canton. When 
 it was impossible to leave home on the previous day, which 
 happened frequently, I was obliged to start out at one or two 
 o'clock on Sunday morning. One of my return trips from 
 there I have not forgotten. It was night, and I had to pass 
 through a woods four miles across. Just as I got into the 
 woods, a violent storm broke loose accompanied by a pouring 
 rain and frightful lightning flashes. About a mile beyond the 
 woods, I had to cross a valley, which was flooded. The road 
 was narrow and the fences on either side were barely visible 
 anymore. I believed it possible to cross if I kept in the mid- 
 dle of the road with my horse and buggy. After having 
 reached the middle of the valley I suddenly thought of the 
 bridge which led across a little stream there. I thought that 
 the bridge must have been carried away. Suddenly I seemed
 
 58 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 to hear a voice saying: Do not go a step further, you are in 
 great danger; but it was impossible owing to the narrowness 
 of the road to turn around. There was no other way to escape 
 except to back out of the valley with horse and buggy which 
 took several hours to accomplish. Then I was obliged to take 
 a long round-about way which did not bring me home until 
 sunrise the next morning. On the way home, I learned that 
 the bridge had actually been carried away." 
 
 Rev. J. G. Buettner, D.D., who lived in Canton from 1838- 
 39 and served the Osnaburg congregation and the German 
 Evangelical congregation of Massillon, gives many vivid de- 
 scriptions of church conditions in Stark County and the exper- 
 iences of ministers during that period, in his book, "My Life 
 and Journeys in North America." Describing a typical Sun- 
 day he says : "When there is no one to lead the singing, which 
 happens frequently, then the minister must almost contract 
 consumption on account of his much singing and preaching. 
 After the morning service he jumps on his horse, chases five 
 to seven miles to another congregation where the same labor 
 must be repeated. Soaked by rain, covered by mud, with teeth 
 chattering from the cold, or in summertime panting from the 
 heat, the pulpit is entered to conduct the service. Then per- 
 haps there are several children to be baptized at different 
 homes, or without a moment's warning the minister may be 
 asked to conduct a funeral service." 
 
 Owing to the strenuous pioneer conditions education was 
 greatly neglected. The interests and thoughts of the people 
 moved in narrow circles ; as a consequence the thinking was 
 apt to be very crude, and the manners rude and familiar. Plain 
 sermons, in homely speech and with everyday illustrations 
 found greatest acceptance. If the words were accompanied 
 with vigorous gestures and loud tones so much the better. 
 "Furthermore if the minister with a pious demeanor was also 
 somewhat careless as to his outward appearance, and possessed 
 a jovial and familiar manner he speedily became popular. This 
 popularity was still further enhanced if he could swing an ax 
 vigorously, handle a plow dexterously, perform all the usual
 
 GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 59 
 
 work on the farm, and unhesitatingly mounted a load of 
 manure and drove to the field. Then the farmers estimated 
 him as a true apostle." A common pastime of the people was 
 to put catch questions to the minister to test his orthodoxy. 
 Frequently during or at the close of a sermon some "brother" 
 would take the pastor to task and controvert some point in the 
 sermon. 
 
 Rev. Herbruck during these first years had a great variety 
 of such annoyances. Several of these will be given. 
 
 The majority of his parishioners were Pennsylvania Ger- 
 mans, and so frequently misunderstood the meaning of his 
 high German sermons. On one occasion he was emphasizing 
 the necessity of starting a German school. To make the mat- 
 ter still more impressive he said among other things, "We need 
 not be ashamed to be Germans. Where was printing discov- 
 ered? In Germany. Who invented gunpowder? A German, 
 etc., etc." Unfortunately some of the American Germans 
 failed to grasp the purpose of the sermon, and scattered the 
 news that the preacher had declared that Americans were not 
 worth a shot of powder. Great indignation broke out. In 
 order to set matters right it was necessary for Rev. Herbruck 
 to draw up a written statement, signed by a number of intelli- 
 gent people, denying the rumors which were being circulated. 
 In spite of all this the enmity engendered endured for some 
 years. 
 
 Again when the cornerstone of the Zion's church was laid 
 Rev. Herbruck was invited to dinner by one of the members. 
 Upon leaving the minister said, "You and your wife come and 
 see me sometime ; but not during the next three weeks for I 
 am going to Synod and then will visit in Pennsylvania, and will 
 not get back until three weeks from next Thursday." Then 
 the minister promptly dismissed the matter from his mind. 
 But not so the erstwhile host. Promptly on Thursday morn- 
 ing three weeks later he arrived with his wife for dinner. Now 
 it had so happened that Rev. Herbruck and his wife had been 
 called away by some church duties on that day, nevertheless 
 their absence greatly incensed the man. He left exclaiming,
 
 60 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 "Na, that's a nice preacher; here he invites a fellow to come 
 and eat with him, and when you come he isn't at home. I'll 
 never visit him again." So he stayed away from church for 
 two months. Suddenly one Sunday morning he appeared 
 again. After the benediction, while the congregation was still 
 assembled, he broke out, "I can't stand for such a preacher as 
 Herbruck is any longer. I know something entirely too evil 
 about him." Then the man hurried from the church. Imme- 
 diately some of the leading members surrounded the pastor 
 and inquired as to the meaning of the scene. Rev. Herbruck 
 told them that the only possible cause known to him for the 
 outbreak was his absence from home when the man had called 
 with his wife to visit the preacher. The bystanders contended 
 that the man could not be so foolish, that there must be some 
 other cause. So a delegation was formed to go out and inter- 
 view him. Sure enough, the only cause of grievance was as 
 the minister had stated. The burst of laughter that greeted 
 the foolish fellow so nettled him, that he asserted, "Well, I 
 know something still worse." So Rev. Herbruck asked : Now, 
 what is that? The answer came, "You have said that your 
 horse was never fed at the church." The minister then asked 
 the bystanders : Did you ever have any oats in the barn during 
 the summer? (The barn was beside the church and was used 
 for putting up the horses during the services.) "No." Did 
 you ever feed my horse ? "No." Then, have I told an untruth ? 
 "No." But the man was not so easily subdued and declared, 
 "Well, you should not have said so anyhow, and especially to a 
 Methodist preacher." The consequence was that he held a 
 grudge against the pastor for years. 
 
 Just one more incident will be given. One Sunday after- 
 noon, Rev. Herbruck was invited to stay over night at the home 
 of a member of one of the distant congregations. He declined, 
 saying that he had left a sick child at home and must hurry 
 back. On the way home he met Rev. Schlosser who informed 
 him that the child was much better. Then Rev. Herbruck 
 accepted the invitation of another member to remain over night. 
 When this news reached the first man, he became furious and
 
 GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE 61 
 
 called the preacher a liar and some other things. The gossip 
 became so serious, that Rev. Herbruck had to make a public 
 explanation from the pulpit of the facts, and present a written 
 certificate signed by Rev. Schlosser stating that his original 
 plan of going home had only been altered by the information 
 given by Rev. Schlosser that the child was out of danger. 
 
 During this period the relations between the Reformed 
 and Lutheran denominations and ministers were very close. 
 The Ohio Synod and the Lutheran Synod interchanged dele- 
 gates from the beginning. In 1834 the Ohio Synod "accepts 
 with rejoicing" the offer of the Lutherans to admit Reformed 
 students for the ministry to their seminary at Columbus "with 
 common and equal privileges." A few years later the Ohio 
 Synod declared itself in favor of an organic union with the 
 Lutheran Synod in these words, "We are convinced of the 
 infinite benefit of such a union, not only as it concerns the con- 
 gregations but also for the ministers." A committee on union 
 was also appointed. Nothing came of this movement, mainly 
 because the Lutheran ministers were unwilling to enter into 
 such a union. Many of the congregations and pastors of both 
 denominations, however, were working together in perfect 
 harmony. Rev. Herbruck in the union congregations used 
 either the Reformed or the Lutheran catechism for his cate- 
 chetical instruction, according to the preference of the catechu- 
 mens. On the days when the Reformed minister was officiat- 
 ing at one of the other congregations, his Lutheran colleague 
 would instruct the union class from both catechisms. There is 
 also abundant evidence that Rev. Herbruck frequently con- 
 firmed those who preferred the Lutheran faith as Lutherans, 
 and the rest as Reformed at the same serivce. 
 
 A little incident which occurred at one of the meetings of 
 the Synod deserves to be given here. Each elder who was sent 
 as a delegate by a charge would be called upon to answer any 
 questions which might be put concerning conditions in the con- 
 gregations. One of these delegates who was in attendance for 
 the first time was asked by the president of the Synod : "And 
 how is your minister getting along?" He answered: "Well,
 
 62 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 he is getting along pretty good, he already has a cow and a 
 pig." My dear brother, said the president, preserving his grav- 
 ity with difficulty, we do not inquire about that, but rather, 
 how does the congregation like the minister? Quite unabashed, 
 the elder answered : "Oh, as to that, we like him awful well." 
 (Wir gleichen ihn arg gut.)
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE 
 REFORMED CHURCH IN OHIO 
 
 THE title of this chapter was the official name of the first 
 educational institution of the Reformed Church west of 
 the Pennsylvania boundary. This institution was located in 
 Canton, possessed just one teacher who was ordained in our 
 church as theological professor, and after a precarious exist- 
 ence of about eighteen months, quietly died. 
 
 This movement to found a seminary in Canton was of so 
 much importance in itself, and the relations between the move- 
 ment and the Canton charge were so close that some of the 
 chief facts concerning this seminary project must be presented. 
 
 Most of the ministers in Ohio during the first third of the 
 last century were men who had very meager educational advan- 
 tages, and could make but small claim to scholarship. Their 
 preparation for the ministry consisted for the most part in 
 reading a few theological books and books of sermons under 
 the direction of some older minister, writing a few sermons, 
 and immediately going out and trying the sermon on some 
 audience. The dearth of ministers was so great that every 
 man who could speak with some acceptance was quickly chosen 
 by a congregation. The Synod was very lenient in its educa- 
 tional requirements and ordinarily ordained every man who 
 had received a call and whose character was above reproach. 
 The clergy so trained had but little real scholarship, but were 
 generally men of good common-sense, knowledge of human 
 nature from practical experience, and possessed a keen under- 
 standing of the needs of the people. Nevertheless the neces- 
 sity of an educational institution for training a sufficient num- 
 ber of ministers became yearly more insistent. 
 
 As early as 1833 the Ohio Synod had declared its inten- 
 tion "of establishing an institution for the education of worthy 
 
 63
 
 64 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 young men for the Gospel ministry, that the vacant places of 
 the West may be filled with the Word and Gospel of life." 
 However, the Synod was too weak numerically and the congre- 
 gations were too poor financially to carry out the project. Two 
 years later the West Pennsylvania Classis, also feeling the need 
 of a seminary in the West, entered into negotiations with the 
 Ohio Synod concerning the feasibility of uniting into one body 
 and thus maintaining a seminary together. As a result of these 
 negotiations the Ohio Synod and the West Pennsylvania Clas- 
 sis met together in Osnaburg in 1837, and a new organization 
 was effected to be known as "The High German Evangelical- 
 Reformed Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States." A plan for 
 founding a Theological Seminary was also proposed, but defi- 
 nite action was deferred until the next annual meeting. 
 
 One of the ministers of the West Pennsylvania Classis in 
 attendance at Osnaburg was Rev. John Godfrey Buettner. Rev. 
 Buettner had received his theological training in Germany, hav- 
 ing studied in the universities at Leipsic and Jena, and received 
 the degree of doctor of philosophy from the latter institution 
 in 1834. The same year he also came to America and was 
 licensed and ordained by the West Pennsylvania Classis the 
 following spring. The Classis appointed him as a missionary 
 among the Germans, and for two years he travelled in Ohio, 
 and as far west as St. Louis ; another journey carried him to 
 some of the eastern states. After the meeting at Osnaburg 
 he was instructed to continue his missionary explorations and 
 travel in the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, according to 
 his own judgment and pleasure. In travelling westward from 
 Pittsburgh, Dr. Buettner came again to Osnaburg only a few 
 months after his previous visit. 
 
 In the last chapter it was stated that the congregation 
 at Osnaburg had been divided into two factions ; the one desir- 
 ing Rev. Geo. Schlosser, the other Rev. Peter Herbruck. The 
 Synod in 1835 had decided the controversy by declaring that 
 the congregation should belong to Rev. Herbruck from New 
 Year's day in 1836. The Schlosser faction, however, seems to 
 have paid no attention to this decision and Rev. Schlosser con-
 
 THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN OHIO 65 
 
 tinued preaching until the summer of 1837. The feeling of 
 the two factions towards one another cannot have been very 
 pleasant, and finally Rev. Schlosser decided to give up Osna- 
 burg. Just at this juncture Dr. Buettner visited Osnaburg the 
 second time, intending to remain only a day or two. He was 
 asked to preach again ; the two factions were willing to unite 
 and extend him a call to become pastor, and after some hesita- 
 tion he decided to remain. This meant an abandoning of his 
 missionary travels ; but, as he says "The congregation promised 
 a salary of $100.00 for the year, which was about double the 
 best previous amount given." Of the people of the village at 
 that time Dr. Buettner further says "Nearly all the inhabitants 
 speak German, so that one can easily imagine himself to be in 
 a German village. Nowhere else in the West did I find anoth- 
 er village in which so much German was spoken." 
 
 Dr. Buettner also began to preach in Massillon. The 
 German congregation there had been rent by factions and strife, 
 and many of the members had left the church in disgust and 
 refused to have anything further to do with it. Dr. Buettner 
 was determined to try to gather the congregation together again 
 and hence began services in the basement of the Baptist church. 
 The audiences after some weeks began to increase, the scat- 
 tered members came back, and the congregation was reorgan- 
 ized. A new constitution was adopted and the congregation 
 was incorporated as "The German Evangelical-Protestant 
 Church of Massillon." In the former constitution of the 
 church a ludicrous article had been incorporated, reading, 
 "Whenever the preacher preaches more than one hour it is per- 
 missible to give him a sign which, however, shall not cause any 
 disturbance." This time-limit was omitted in the new consti- 
 tution. 
 
 Dr. Buettner began his work in Osnaburg in August. The 
 following spring the union meeting of the "Synod of Ohio and 
 Adjacent States" was to take place at Wooster. At this meet- 
 ing the proposed plan for a theological seminary was adopted 
 and an election for professor was held. There were six nom- 
 inees for the position. Dr. Buettner received seven more votes
 
 66 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 than all the rest together. The Synod fixed his salary at 
 $250.00 a year provided the new professor furnished the lec- 
 ture room himself; or, if the Synod furnished the room, the 
 salary was to be $230.00. The new seminary was to be located 
 in Canton whither Dr. Buettner was instructed to move. He 
 was also to continue as pastor at Osnaburg and Massillon. 
 
 Dr. Buettner sometime during the summer moved to Can- 
 ton with his wife whom he had married in Osnaburg and occu- 
 pied a house on the- west side of Market Street, south, between 
 Second and Third Street. The site is now occupied by the 
 Dumont Grocery store. 
 
 The service of inauguration for the new professor took 
 place in our church on August 14, 1838, and was in charge of 
 Rev. Herbruck, who also read the service of installation. Rev. 
 Geo. Schlosser led in prayer, Rev. C. L. Daubert preached the 
 sermon, and Dr. Buettner delivered an address. "The Canton 
 Repository" in its issue of August 23, gave the following ac- 
 count of the affair: "At the late meeting of the German Re- 
 formed Synod of Ohio and the congregations in connection 
 with it from other states, among other things it was resolved 
 to establish a theological seminary. The Rev'd Dr. J. G. Buett- 
 ner was selected professor, and we are happy to learn, that for 
 the present at least, this institution is to be located in Canton. 
 On the 15th inst., Dr. Buettner was regularly installed Profes- 
 sor of the institution. We learn that active arrangements are 
 in progress to commence operations at an early date. The cit- 
 izens of Canton ought duly to appreciate the importance of 
 such an institution, and patronize it accordingly." 
 
 The committee of the Synod who had the arrangements 
 for the opening of the Seminary in charge also inserted a 
 lengthy advertisement in the "Repository" which appeared in 
 eight issues. The advertisement stated that, "The Rev'd Dr. 
 J. G. Buettner is a man whose theological and philological 
 acquirements recommend Him to all who desire a thorough 
 theological education and whom the committee feel proud to 
 recommend to the Christian public for his orthodox doctrine, 
 integrity and moral worth. All lectures will be given in the
 
 THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN OHIO 67 
 
 German and English language if required, and no efforts 
 spared to qualify students to preach in both languages." 
 
 The Seminary opened on October 1, with two students ; 
 but, owing to the ambitious and difficult course of studies which 
 Dr. Buettner had planned, one of them stayed only three weeks 
 and the other about one year. They then hunted up another 
 preacher who was not quite so learned an easy matter at that 
 time and studied under his direction. 
 
 Dr. Buettner during his professorship conceived the idea 
 also that he ought to serve the Canton congregation since Rev. 
 Herbruck had quite enough to do even without the local con- 
 gregation. The manner in which he undertook to carry out 
 his plan is vividly described by Rev. Herbruck as follows : 
 
 "For several years things had run along smoothly, when 
 
 suddenly a certain Prof. B and the Rev. Sch appeared 
 
 at my house. After we had dinner together, Rev. Sch 
 
 said : "Now I will tell you why we came here. The Herr Pro- 
 fessor would like to have your congregation here in Canton." 
 I answered that I could not give up the congregation to the 
 Herr Professor. The Professor then said, "If you do not give 
 up the congregation of your own accord, I will get it anyhow." 
 
 "At that time the church building belonged jointly to the 
 Lutherans and the Reformed. The Herr Professor went to 
 the Lutheran minister and secured permission from him to 
 preach on one of his Sundays, and announced his object to the 
 Reformed people who were present. But the consistory of the 
 Reformed congregation soon notified the Herr Professor that 
 he could not be used. Thus this incident also was settled." 
 
 Some months after this when the Herr Professor also 
 found himself without any students, he resigned, and returned 
 to Germany. About the only thing that remained of the Sem- 
 inary was an old-fashioned stove, which was exhibited for 
 years as a relic of the ruined hope. Then the stove also dis- 
 appeared, and the last memento of the seminary was gone. 
 
 In 1848, a second attempt was made to found an educa- 
 tional institution in Columbus with the name, "The Ohio Liter-
 
 68 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ary and Theological Institution." This attempt also did not 
 prosper. 
 
 Finally in 1850, Heidelberg College in Tiffin was opened 
 with seven students, in rooms rented for recitation purposes. 
 This venture proved an immediate success, and has developed 
 into the magnificent educational institution of Heidelberg Uni- 
 versity at Tiffin, Ohio, and Central Theological Seminary now 
 located at Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 It is in vain now to dream of what might have been if the 
 Canton attempt at founding an educational institution had been 
 a success. It is useless to speculate on the tremendous loss to 
 Canton as a community and the local Reformed congregations 
 because the project failed. Nevertheless the thought of what 
 we have missed in intellectual quickening, Christian culture, 
 and educational advantage is enough to make every member of 
 the Reformed Church here hide his face in the dust and weep 
 bitter tears. 
 
 Reasons might be enumerated to account for the failure of 
 the seminary here. Aside from the fact that the general church 
 membership had but a scant appreciation of the need of such 
 an institution and gave it very meager support, a number of 
 other causes were also operative. Thus, Dr. Buettner was a 
 strong union man and used all his influence to bring the Re- 
 formed and Lutheran Synods into one corporate organization. 
 The Reformed denominational consciousness, however, was 
 too strong, and the majority of the membership were opposed 
 to his activities in that direction. Then also, he was a man of 
 thorough scholarship, and planned a course of study absolutely 
 appalling to the students who recalled the quick and easy route 
 by which their own pastors had broken into the ministerial 
 ranks. Besides this he could not adjust himself readily to the 
 shocks which American customs and ways constantly gave his 
 German predispositions. In addition, he was strongly opposed 
 to evangelistic services, and revival meetings while many of 
 the Ohio ministers were very much in favor of them. All 
 these causes worked together to prevent the success of the 
 Seminary.
 
 THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN OHIO 69 
 
 The experiences through which Dr. Buettner passed as 
 travelling missionary, pastor, and professor, he later embodied 
 in two volumes of about four-hundred and fifty pages each, 
 entitled "My Residence and Travels in North America." This 
 work is especially valuable for its interesting descriptions of 
 Reformed church-life as it was found in 1834-40. Two other 
 books of abiding value also came from his pen, namely, "A 
 History of the High German Reformed Church in the United 
 States," and "A Brief History of the Reformation." After 
 his return to Germany (1840) he continued his work as pastor 
 to the end of his life. 
 
 During the time that Dr. Buettner lived in Canton, Rev. 
 Herb ruck zealously attended to the work of his vast parish, 
 and even extended his missionary activities to Portage County 
 and founded a new congregation there. Of his work and 
 experience in connection with this new congregation, he says : 
 
 "I also founded a congregation in Portage County, twenty- 
 two miles from Canton. A journey which I once made there, 
 still stands out vividly in my memory. One day coming home 
 from one of the country churches, my neighbor saw how tired 
 my horse was. So he said to me: "Mr. Herbruck, you are 
 killing your horse. Now I have a strong horse in the barn, 
 that is doing nothing, use it occasionally, and let yours rest." 
 I gladly told him that I would be delighted to accept his kind 
 offer. Several days after, I was to conduct a funeral service in 
 Portage County near Limaville. So I went to my neighbor 
 and asked for his horse for the next day. "Certainly you can 
 use it," he said, "I will bring it over early in the morning." The 
 next morning he brought the horse over, and helped me to hitch 
 up. A young man from Canton was to accompany me. Just 
 as we were driving away, my neighbor said: "Mr. Herbruck, 
 I must caution you on a certain point so that you will not be- 
 come frightened if it should happen. This horse once in a 
 while when it has to pull hard becomes stubborn and refuses 
 to go on. In such a case just coax it a little and it will start 
 out again." I asked whether the beast had the habit of kick- 
 ing and he said, No. So we drove off. After going about three
 
 70 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 miles, we came to a mudhole several rods across, and extend- 
 ing the entire width of the road. I said to my companion, 
 Now we are in for it, you know what my neighbor said. If 
 we drive in here and the horse stops, what will we do? He 
 said, "I will get out of the buggy and the horse can pull you 
 through all right." So he got out. But even so, I did not dare 
 to drive through the mud. So I began to philosophize, thinking 
 to myself, My neighbor says if the horse has to pull very hard, 
 it will stop. How would it be therefore if you were to get out 
 of the wagon and sit on the horse, and then it will not have to 
 pull but carry you. So I got up on the horse, and drove into 
 the mudhole. In the very middle the horse stood still. So 
 according to the instructions of my neighbor I began to coax, 
 but it was no use. Then I gave it a couple of jabs in the ribs 
 with my heels. Suddenly, platsch, the horse lay down in the 
 mud, with the preacher still sitting on top. My companion at 
 once came to my assistance and we unhitched the horse and 
 led it out of the mudhole. Then we pulled the buggy over 
 ourselves and hitching up again drove on. But we both were 
 certainly sights to behold. My boots were full of water and 
 mud, and my trousers were mud beplastered to the knees. 
 
 "On the way I stopped at one of the deacons of the Peter's 
 congregation. He loaned me a pair of boots, stockings and 
 trousers. On my return I found that his wife had cleaned all 
 my things in fine style, so I got into them and drove home. But 
 I never borrowed that horse again." 
 
 Though it may not belong to the general subject matter of 
 this chapter, nevertheless since it adds to an understanding of 
 the social and church conditions of that period, the account of 
 a missionary trip made by Rev. Herbruck in 1840 will be 
 appended. The narrative has been considerably condensed 
 from the original account as written down by Rev. Herbruck. 
 
 "In the year 1840 I received an invitation to visit Miami 
 County, Ind. A number of families lived there rather close 
 together who had formerly been members of one of my con- 
 gregations. For several years they had heard no sermon there 
 nor been able to receive the Lord's supper. So in the summer
 
 THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN OHIO 71 
 
 of 1840 I started out in company with a member of the Canton 
 congregation. We went on foot to Massillon. From there we 
 rode by canal boat to Cleveland, and then across the lake to 
 Toledo. As the canal was not yet completed from Toledo to 
 Defiance we had to hire an Irishman with two horses and a 
 spring wagon to take us to Defiance. A Catholic priest whom 
 we had met on the boat had joined our company and together 
 we had to pay $4.50 to make the trip. Night overtook us in 
 the midst of the woods and we found lodging for a few hours 
 in a little log cabin. By one o'clock in the morning the jour- 
 ney was resumed. Though the stars shone brightly it was very 
 dark in the woods. The road was new, many stumps still 
 stood even in the wagon tracks, and mud holes were a plenty. 
 The priest dropped asleep, but when ever the wagon hit a 
 stump he would jump up greatly frightened. This won't do, 
 he said, we must start something to keep awake. So we decid- 
 ed that each one was to sing a song. We did so. But while 
 the Irishman was singing he forgot about his driving, and sud- 
 denly upset us into a bottomless mudhole. I was sticking in 
 the mud where it was deepest and the wagonbox lay on top of 
 me. I heard the priest groaning, for he had been injured. 
 But when the driver pulled the box off of me and I crawled 
 out of the mud looking like a mudturtle, he had to laugh in 
 spite of his pain. Fortunately the wagon had not been broken, 
 so we turned it right side up and drove on. From that time 
 on the priest had no difficulty in keeping awake without sing- 
 ing. By twelve o'clock we were in Defiance. From there we 
 travelled on the canal to Ft. Wayne. At Ft. Wayne the priest 
 left us and we hunted up a German tavern. 
 
 "A few years before this visit, a relative of my wife had 
 lodged in Ft. Wayne over night, and had been robbed of 
 $500.00, which he had placed under his pillow. As he suspect- 
 ed the proprietor of being the robber he described both the man 
 and the place to us upon his return. The place where this man 
 had been robbed was a small log cabin; hence we carefully 
 avoided such a lodging place, and selected a nice, new frame 
 tavern instead. But as soon as I saw the proprietor, I began
 
 72 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 to suspect that he was the individual who had stolen the 
 $500.00. After supper I sat down on the bench in front of the 
 house. A stranger sat down beside me and we fell into a con- 
 versation. I asked him whether the tavern was considered 
 safe. Oh yes, said he, I think it's all right, the proprietor 
 seems to be making money. Not very long ago, he lived in a 
 small log cabin, and now he has erected this fine frame build- 
 ing. When I heard that, I was certain that I had got into the 
 very place, I had wished to avoid. So I called my companion 
 and said to him : I won't stay here, and told him why. But he 
 laughed and said, We have two pistols with us, and can take 
 care of ourselves. At bedtime we asked for our satchels, and 
 obtained them only with considerable difficulty. The room 
 assigned us had neither lock nor bolt, so I placed a table before 
 the door and a chair on the table leaning against the door in 
 such a way that if the door were moved the chair must fall 
 and awake us. Placing the pistols close at hand we tried to 
 sleep. I could not sleep, however, and about twelve o'clock 
 I heard someone creeping cautiously up the stairs. I awoke 
 my companion. In a moment the door was pushed slightly. I 
 called but received no answer. In a little while the door was 
 pushed again. Then I jumped up, seized a pistol and called, 
 Whoever is there, stay out, or I will shoot. The clicking of 
 the hammer as the pistol was cocked frightened the fellow and 
 we heard him hurrying down the stairs. If the poor scamp 
 had known what a poor shot I was, he would have had no fear. 
 I do not believe I would have shot, and even if I had, I would 
 never have hit him. I always did have the habit when shooting 
 off a pistol or gun of carefully closing my eyes. 
 
 "The next day we rode down the canal to Huntington. At 
 that time Huntington was a little village of about eighteen 
 houses, if I remember rightly. In the neighborhood were a 
 number of families formerly belonging to my parish in Ohio. 
 These I looked up. In the second home that I entered, the 
 father and children greeted me with tears, saying that the 
 mother had been buried four weeks before, but they had been 
 unable to find a minister to conduct a service. So I acceded
 
 THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN OHIO 73 
 
 to their wish and conducted a funeral service in a school house 
 before a reverent congregation. In the village of Huntington 
 I also preached in a schoolhouse and conducted a funeral serv- 
 ice. One of the farmers loaned us two horses and so my com- 
 panion and I also rode to Miami County, where I preached in 
 private houses four times, administered the Lord's Supper, and 
 baptized a number of children. I was told that no Reformed 
 minister had ever visited that community before. On the re- 
 turn trip from there, a forest several miles in extent had to be 
 traversed. Suddenly we came upon a clearing in which there 
 was a little log cabin. A woman was standing at the washtub 
 before the door. She looked at us very closely and suddenly 
 cried out: Isn't your name Herbruck? After receiving my 
 answer, she hurried to us, and began to weep, saying, "Oh, how 
 glad I am to see you again. How often I have thought of you, 
 and desired to hear you preach." I discovered that I had con- 
 firmed her in the Zion's congregation. 
 
 "Having returned the borrowed horses in Huntington, we 
 started for our dear homes again."
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 
 
 F^URING the first ten years of Rev. Herbruck's pastorate, 
 *-** three perplexing questions gradually forced themselves 
 upon the attention of the congregations as well as the pastor of 
 the Canton charge. These questions had to do respectively with 
 the change of language from German to English, with the tem- 
 perance agitation which was sweeping over the state, and with 
 the new measure fanaticism that threatened to subvert Re- 
 formed denominational consciousness and customs. 
 
 The first question that demanded consideration was the 
 language in which the services should be conducted. In 1826, 
 the minutes of the Ohio Synod were printed in English for the 
 first time. That year Rev. Faust requested only ten English 
 copies for all his congregations, but within four years the num- 
 ber of English copies needed had increased to one-fourth of 
 the entire number requested by the charge. The cause of this 
 rapid change to the English is very plain. The majority of the 
 early settlers were Pennsylvania Germans. Their children 
 grew up with only scant school opportunities at best ; and such 
 educational facilities as were available were all English. Con- 
 sequently there was an ever lessening number who could read 
 and use the German. It was almost imperative therefore that 
 the pastor of the Canton charge should be able to officiate in 
 both languages. This seems to have been the chief reason why 
 the congregations hesitated at the beginning to call Mr. Her- 
 bruck as regular pastor. After he had taken complete charge 
 of the congregations there thus remained little groups of mem- 
 bers throughout the charge who wanted some English preach- 
 ing. In Canton this group, not seeing any way of attaining 
 their desire united in 1837 with a like group from the Lutheran 
 congregation and organized an English congregation which 
 later became the Trinity Lutheran church. Similar losses of 
 members occurred in the other congregations of the Canton 
 
 74
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 75 
 
 charge. In 1837 Dr. Buettner declared that Osnaburg was the 
 most German village which he had found in Ohio; neverthe- 
 less when he became pastor some months later he found it nec- 
 essary to conduct his catechetical instructions in English as 
 well as German. The language question for thirty-five years 
 remained a constant source of irritation in the congregations ; 
 for although Rev. Herbruck later became quite proficient in the 
 use of the English language, he would never consent to use it 
 for a public address or sermon. 
 
 The second question with which the congregations and pas- 
 tor had to grapple had to do with the use of intoxicating 
 liquors. The use of intoxicants was all but universal. The 
 social customs and ideals of the people "almost enforced the 
 habit of drinking in ordinary intercourse." Drunkenness and 
 its attendant evils had increased to a point "of which it is diffi- 
 cult for us at this date to form a clear conception." About 
 1830 a great wave of temperance agitation swept over the coun- 
 try. The movement did not aim especially at the prohibition 
 of the manufacture or sale of intoxicants, but rather sought to 
 combat drunkenness by breaking down the prevalent vicious 
 social usages, and upholding and inculcating total abstinence 
 as the ideal and duty of the Christian. At the beginning the 
 movement was entirely religious without attempting to invoke 
 the law or secure prohibitory legislation. 
 
 The early pastors of the Reformed Church in Ohio fre- 
 quently speak of the prevalence of drunkenness and Sabbath- 
 breaking, and hence, quickly gave their support to this temper- 
 ance movement, which showed promise of effecting a decided 
 reformation. The sentiment in the Synod was, however, not 
 unanimous and tremendous discussions were aroused. These 
 discussions were especially acrid in the second district of the 
 Ohio Synod to which the Canton charge belonged. 
 
 After the union of the West Pennsylvania Classis and the 
 Ohio Synod had been consummated considerable differences 
 of opinion developed. It was hoped to facilitate the process 
 of amalgamation by dividing the territory into three districts 
 which would meet as district Synods annually, and as a Gene-
 
 76 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ral Synod every three years. The former West Pennsylvania 
 Classis became the first district ; the congregations in Virginia 
 and Ohio east of Marietta, Zanesville, Columbus and Toledo 
 were in the second district; all other congregations farther 
 west constituted the third district. This division was made in 
 1839. 
 
 In 1841 the second district after a heated discussion passed 
 the following resolution : "We consider the use of intoxicating 
 liquors as being most injurious to the morals and health of the 
 people ; therefore we advise the members of the congregations 
 and the pastors of our district to join the Temperance Associa- 
 tions ; and we as ministers herewith declare that we will abstain 
 from the use of such liquors." 
 
 Against this resolution eight of the ministers presented a 
 minority report which is recorded in the minutes together with 
 their names. In this report the protesting brethren solemnly 
 aver their opposition to the resolution passed, "Because on no 
 page of Holy Scripture can we find that the use of excellent, 
 spirituous liquors is forbidden or accounted as injurious ; and 
 we are unwilling to burden the consciences of our congrega- 
 tions with human enactments. But we do agree with that 
 which the apostle says in the Epistle to the Philippians in the 
 third chapter in the second half of the fifteenth verse.*" 
 
 This advanced position on the temperance question, taken 
 by the Second District of the Ohio Synod, did not stand by 
 itself in the Reformed Church ; but was probably inspired by 
 the resolutions of the older Synod in the East taken the year 
 before which stated that "The Synod considers the influence 
 of intemperance as a deplorable hindrance to the spread of the 
 Gospel and equally detrimental to the temporal and eternal 
 interests of mankind : therefore, be it resolved, First, that we 
 
 * The ministers who signed this minority report were A. Begeman, 
 Peter Herbruck, D. Rahauser, J. Schlosser, N. Franz, J. Schmidt, A. 
 Neu, D. Marburger. The quotation referred to is as follows: "And if 
 in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto 
 you." The quotation seems as inappropriate as the contents of the reso- 
 lution to which it was appended.
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 77 
 
 will not only abstain from the use of spirituous liquors for 
 ourselves, but also, as much as in us lies, will support the cause 
 of temperance in our congregations, by our influence ; Second- 
 ly, in view of all the information presented concerning the evil 
 effects of intemperance, the Synod considers the manufacture, 
 the sale, and the use of spirituous liquors as an evil, which 
 should be banished from the church." 
 
 That these temperance resolutions of the higher church 
 courts would arouse violent opposition was to be expected; 
 that the pastors of German congregations would have no sym- 
 pathy with them was but natural. Throughout the Second 
 District up to the beginning of the temperance agitation those 
 who sold intoxicants were considered quite as respectable 
 church members as any others, the taverns were the common 
 meeting-places for the Germans, while the tavern-keeper was 
 generally one of the most liberal supporters of the church. The 
 German pastors found themselves in a serious predicament. If 
 they supported the temperance movement many members would 
 turn away from the church and withhold their financial sup- 
 port ; if they tried to remain neutral, the friends of the move- 
 ment were alienated and their bitter criticism was aroused. 
 Even if the members of the German congregations left to 
 themselves might have been able to work out the problem in 
 their own way, they were not permitted to do so ; but became 
 the objects of violent attacks by their American neighbor- 
 churches. The German pastors were publicly assailed as "dead 
 bones," "stumbling blocks," "dutch preachers," and such like 
 pet epithets. Hence it can be easily seen that many congrega- 
 tions and some pastors looked askance at the prominence which 
 the Synod resolutions gave the question. 
 
 The division of the Ohio Synod into three district-synods 
 which met annually did not prove satisfactory. Instead of uni- 
 fying the Synod it threatened to disrupt it. As the meeting of 
 the first General Synod of the three districts approached in 
 1842, it became clear that some other plan must be adopted. 
 The meeting was held in our Canton church, and marked an 
 epoch in the Reformed church history of Ohio. The district
 
 78 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 plan was abandoned,and in its stead the territory of the Synod 
 was divided into five classes,* which were to meet annually in 
 the spring; while the Synod was to meet annually also, but in 
 the fall. The Canton charge became a part of the Columbiana 
 Classis. Furthermore a plan was adopted for closer union 
 with the mother Synod in the East. The Ohio Synod adopted 
 the constitution of the mother Synod, and agreed to an inter- 
 change of the reports on the state of religion and statistics, 
 each Synod agreeing to print both reports in their own minutes ; 
 besides this, each Synod was to send two fraternal delegates 
 to attend the meeting of the other, such delegates having the 
 right to join in the deliberations and to vote. 
 
 The ministers who had opposed the temperance resolution 
 in the Second District the year before, brought in a complaint 
 at this meeting; but the Synod permitted the resolutions to 
 stand. As the agitations continued, the Synod finally in 1844 
 passed the most drastic resolutions of its history in the words : 
 "Resolved, that this Synod considers the custom of drinking 
 brandy or using spirituous liquors as most injurious, and de- 
 structive of all principles of true piety. Resolved, further- 
 more, that this Synod decidedly disapproves of the use of 
 spirituous liquors by the ministers, and takes the position that 
 all who are guilty in this particular justly deserve the severest 
 censure of this body to which they belong." 
 
 Though the Synod had spoken thus clearly, the opposing 
 minority would not acquiesce. This is indeed greatly to be 
 regretted. Had the support been unanimous among the min- 
 isters, the temperance sentiment and position of the Reformed 
 Church in Ohio would have been already seventy years ago, 
 as advanced as it is today. Though Rev. Herbruck was entire- 
 ly conscientious in his attitude of opposition to the temperance 
 convictions of the Synod, that fact did not shield him against 
 the untoward consequences that followed. Throughout the 
 charge in the various congregations were little groups who 
 
 * The names given the classes were Miami, Lancaster, Columbiana, 
 Sandusky, Westmoreland, and Erie. The first four were in Ohio, the 
 last two were in Pennsylvania.
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 79 
 
 were utterly opposed to the liquor traffic. Some of these mem- 
 bers bitterly criticized the attitude of the pastor; others sim- 
 ply left the Reformed Church. This departure caused a two- 
 fold loss : it removed the leaven of "dry sentiment" which was 
 sorely needed in that age of general intemperance; and fur- 
 thermore, other and most undesirable elements were attracted, 
 and for a half century the congregations of the Canton charge 
 became the welcome haven of liquor dealers, saloon-keepers, 
 and bartenders. Even as late as 1880, the sentiment of the 
 Canton congregation was such that a saloon-keeper was per- 
 mitted to act as a Sunday-school teacher and leader of the 
 choir. 
 
 The third and most momentous question of all had to do 
 with the so-called "new-measures" movement. These "new- 
 measures" borrowed largely from Methodist and Presbyterian 
 sources, consisted of series of revival meetings, meetings for 
 prayer and relating of religious experiences, and especially the 
 use of the mourner's bench. The mourner's bench was simply 
 the front pew which the preacher urged those to occupy who 
 professed "conversion," desired "to get religion," or wished to 
 "consecrate" their lives anew to God. As long as these new 
 methods were introduced judiciously and used with proper 
 decorum they met with comparatively little opposition, and real 
 good was accomplished in awakening apathetic church-mem- 
 bers satisfied with the mere outward forms of religion. As 
 the movement spread, however, the enthusiasts for the new 
 measures among the ministers were quite swept from their Re- 
 formed moorings and fell into astonishing excesses. Probably 
 nowhere in Ohio did these excesses surpass the heights reached 
 in Stark and surrounding counties between 1840 and 1846. 
 Furthermore it is difficult to conceive how events more strenu- 
 ous and exciting could have transpired anywhere than within 
 the bounds of the Canton charge. 
 
 Most of the neighboring Reformed preachers had gone in 
 for the "new measures" with great enthusiasm, but Rev. Her- 
 bruck was determined to adhere faithfully to "the old foun- 
 dations and customs" of the Reformed Church as he had
 
 80 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 always held them. The "new measure" men made an effort to 
 win him over to their side. The effort and its result make 
 interesting reading in Rev. Herbruck's own words : 
 
 "At that time, I was the only Reformed minister in Stark 
 County, so far as my recollection goes, who still held to the old 
 foundations and customs of our beloved Reformed Church. At 
 the beginning the attempt was made to persuade me with nice 
 words to adopt the 'new-measure' ideas. One minister came 
 to my house and used all his powers of persuasion in the effort 
 to swing me into the movement. Among other arguments he 
 said : You are not being supported by your congregation as 
 you ought to be. This also used to be my condition ; but since 
 I have gone in for the 'new-measure' ways, the same people 
 who used to pay one or two dollars, now pay five or ten. You 
 see 'new measurism' brings bread into the home. I promptly 
 told him that I wanted no bread that had to be earned by vio- 
 lating my inner convictions ; rather than do that, I would hang 
 my black coat on a handy peg, and go out into the woods and 
 split fence rails."* 
 
 A more strenuous method of persuasion was now adopted. 
 Eight or nine of the new-measure men invaded Canton, secured 
 the use of the Presbyterian church and conducted revival meet- 
 ings, continuing for several weeks. Sermons were preached 
 on themes intended to arouse the careless church members and 
 the unconverted ; such as, the lost nature of man, hell and its 
 terrors, man's helplessness, the necessity of conversion, justifi- 
 cation by faith only, heaven and its joys, etc. The purpose of 
 the meetings was not only to lift up the religious conditions of 
 Canton but also to alienate the Reformed people from their 
 pastor, create a division, or even drive him from his congrega- 
 tion. The speakers did not even refrain from indirect public 
 attack upon Rev. Herbruck as he testifies : 
 
 "Every imaginable arrow was aimed at me. In a treacher- 
 ous manner, the most disgraceful falsehoods were circulated 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 81 
 
 about me; always avoiding however, the mentioning of my 
 name."* 
 
 Possibly the cause of this wrathful conduct was to be 
 found in the fact that when the "new-measure" men began their 
 meetings, Rev. Herbruck began a series of meetings also : 
 
 "I began to hold services each evening in my church in 
 order to keep my church members away from those meetings. 
 I knew of no Reformed minister who could be secured to 
 assist ; hence, the two Lutheran ministers came to my aid, Rev. 
 Fast, and Rev. Lehman. Rev. Lehman from Columbus 
 preached each evening for an entire week."* 
 
 At the meetings conducted by the new-measure men great 
 stress was laid upon the mourner's bench. The penitents were 
 urged to come forward so that prayer might be offered in their 
 behalf. When they finally declared themselves as "converted," 
 the congregation would join with them in crying: "Glory! 
 glory! blessed be Jesus! Hallelujah !f" Only those who had 
 gone through such a volcanic experience were declared as being 
 true Christians. "The anxious-bench was made the machine 
 for conversion, and, as it were, the gateway to heaven."* 
 
 With the exaltation of the mourner's bench (or anxious 
 bench) there followed the depreciation and elimination of the 
 Heidelberg Catechism and all catechetical instruction. 
 
 "The Catechism was laid aside, as not being needed any- 
 more. One of the ministers who had adopted these new meas- 
 ures boldly asserted : We are not obliged to use the catechism 
 any more. If a father has a young horse, and rides him until 
 he becomes old and stiff; that's no reason why the son should 
 go on riding the stiff, old beast"* 
 
 These revival meetings generally paved the way for the 
 introduction of prayer meetings. At the beginning of the new- 
 measure movement these prayer meetings were conducted 
 quietly and with decorum, very similar to the meetings common 
 in our day. However, as the movement spread and developed, 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences. 
 
 f Dr. Buettner. 
 
 6
 
 82 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 disorder and noise became common. Several persons might 
 be praying or testifying at the same time, accompanied "occa- 
 sionally with many sighs, groans, moans, and exclamations."f 
 The disorder assumed such alarming proportions, that the 
 church judicatories were obliged to pass a number of regula- 
 tory resolutions. The Second District, within whose bounds 
 the waves of fanaticism were running highest, resolved in 
 1841, "While one is praying the others are to be silent, and 
 pray along in mind and spirit. All noise and all boisterous 
 ranting (Toben) by which the natural emotions are excited 
 (erhitzt) is to be avoided." The Ohio Synod in its general 
 meeting in Canton in 1842, resolved, "That this Synod disap- 
 proves of disorderly conducted protracted meetings, or several- 
 day meetings, the introduction of the mourner's bench, the 
 loud praying of women in mixed assemblages for prayer, as 
 also, the loud praying of several persons at the same time. This, 
 however, does not refer to orderly protracted meetings and 
 prayer meetings." 
 
 As the new-measure movement reached its zenith, it be- 
 came necessary to take still more drastic action, which was 
 done in 1849 in the following words, "This Synod discounte- 
 nances and hopes that all ministers and members of the church 
 will discountenance all disorder, noise, and confusion in pub- 
 lic worship ; such as, more than one praying at the same time, 
 shouting during public preaching, etc., all rant and wild-fire; 
 as not in our opinion in accordance with the standards of our 
 Church, the spirit of religion, or the teaching of the Bible. The 
 Synod exhorts the brethren to be careful in all things to con- 
 duct their religious meetings in decency and in such order as 
 accords with God's house, and not to violate the constitution 
 and standards of our church in letter or in spirit." New- 
 measurism must indeed have been prospering riotously to call 
 for such treatment. 
 
 The necessity of resolutions like these given, becomes the 
 clearer when we further consider certain occurrences that took 
 place within the Canton charge. About 1840, Rev. Abraham 
 
 t Dr. Buettner.
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 83 
 
 Keller came to Osnaburg and served the Carrollton and Hersh 
 (or Hursh) congregations in Carrollton County, and the St. 
 Martin's and Uniontown congregations in Stark County. At 
 the beginning of his ministry he had been opposed to the "new- 
 measures," but later developed into an ardent advocate of the 
 same. After coming to Stark County he soon joined hands 
 with the group of eight or nine new-measure men who had 
 already conducted the Canton revival, for the purpose of hold- 
 ing similar meetings in the other congregations of the charge'. 
 Dividing themselves into two teams the various congregations 
 were invaded. In Osnaburg the Reformed ministers were 
 joined by ministers of other denominations. A wave of reviv- 
 al enthusiasm swept through the community. Many went to 
 the mourner's bench and professed conversion; among these 
 were also a goodly number of Reformed people. Prayermeet- 
 ings were held in the homes of the "converts." In the Sunday 
 School some of the "converted" began to kneel with the chil- 
 dren and engage in long prayers for their salvation. The cat- 
 echism and catechetical instruction were ridiculed. Disorder 
 and noisy demonstrations crept in. This aroused the larger 
 and more conservative portion of the congregation who were 
 loyal to Rev. Herbruck and his ways, and they rose up and 
 attempted to put a stop to the raging of the "wild-fire," as they 
 called it. Then the converts from various denominations 
 Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans and Reformed 
 decided to build a union-church. In less than two weeks a 
 log-church was ready (1842) and Rev. Keller took charge of 
 the new congregation. This aroused violent quarrels and bit- 
 ter animosities. The new congregation loudly boasted : "Now 
 we have the pure Gospel. Before this we were in a state of 
 blindness and irreligion with our pastor, but now we are en- 
 lightened, converted, regenerated, sanctified and saved. Our 
 former pastor was never converted and is unfit to preach the 
 Gospel. His preaching was hay, straw, and stubbles. We are 
 praying constantly that he may be converted and receive the 
 Holy Ghost; because otherwise he is a very good and agree- 
 able man."
 
 84 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 But, alas, after a few months, dissensions and quarrels 
 broke out among the "converted, enlightened, etc.," and finally 
 after many bitter disappointments, Rev. Keller had to give up 
 the Osnaburg field. Several of his children had died, his "con- 
 verts" had largely returned to the church they had left, and 
 frequently the poor man was put to hard straits for his daily 
 bread ; but Rev. Herbruck continued to preach in Osnaburg 
 for about thirty years more. 
 
 About the same time that the first team of "new-measur- 
 ites" invaded the Osnaburg field, the second team started in to 
 hold revival meetings in one of the country congregations. The 
 description of what happened there will be given in Rev. Her- 
 bruck's own words: 
 
 "Protracted meetings were begun in one of my country 
 congregations in a barn which they rented. The leader of the 
 
 new-measure men, Rev. S again slandered me in every 
 
 possible way, but always refrained from mentioning my name. 
 These impudent slanders finally aroused me to an action, which 
 later I greatly regretted. In my entire life I never had a taste 
 for scrapping. I do not remember ever having had a fight with 
 anyone even as a boy. But when these bold insinuations con- 
 tinued, I suddenly lost my good nature. I armed myself with 
 a heavy stick, put five dollars into my pocket, and marched to 
 the barn accompanied by a powerful man. My purpose was to 
 give the fellow a thorough thrashing, and then proceed to a 
 justice of the peace and pay my fine. But the dear God, 
 thanks be unto Him, so directed the matter that I could not 
 
 carry out my project. When I came to the barn Rev. S 
 
 was not there. I told some of the people who were there what 
 my intentions had been. From that time on the insinuations 
 ceased. So the scheme seems to have been worth something 
 anyhow !"* 
 
 These unlawful invasions of the charge of a fellow-minis- 
 ter aroused Rev. Herbruck to send a protest to the Ohio Syn- 
 od, "begging the Synod urgently to put a stop to these mis- 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 THREE PERPLEXING QUESTIONS 85 
 
 chievous disturbances. My complaint was laid on the table, 
 and was not even considered worthy of an answer."* 
 
 As the Synod thus had shown itself unwilling to protect 
 its German ministers who preferred to walk in the conserva- 
 tive, old-Reformed paths, these ministers determined to defend 
 themselves. This defense reached its climax in the formation 
 of an independent Synod in 1846. This Synod became popu- 
 larly known as the "Herbruck Synod," and its history will be 
 given in the next chapter. 
 
 In this place it seems proper to give an estimate of the 
 benefits and the injuries wrought by the new-measure move- 
 ment. 
 
 That it worked out grave injuries in the church cannot be 
 denied. A shallow and superficial type of church-life and 
 Christian-life was fostered by the methods used to gain mem- 
 bers and converts. Quarrels, divisions, censoriousness, intem- 
 perate speech, spiritual conceit and pride were the general 
 accompaniments of a revival effort. The departure from the 
 spirit and the usages of the Reformed Church was so violent 
 that the Church was threatened with absorption into the strong- 
 er denominations whose methods were being so enthusiasti- 
 cally adopted. The repudiation of the catechism and all relig- 
 ious instruction of the youth meant the loss of the finest aid to 
 piety that the church possessed. Some parts of the Ohio Syn- 
 od have never recovered from the non-Reformed elements 
 which were then introduced into its life. To this day the cate- 
 chism and religious instruction are tabood by certain of its 
 ministers ; others have limited the period of instruction to a 
 few weeks with scarcely an effort to enrich the mind with any 
 of the wonderful answers of our Catechism; and only a few 
 of its ministers give religious instruction the prominence it 
 occupies in the German Synods. 
 
 But on the other hand it must also be acknowledged that 
 the movement served to arouse the church spiritually as it had 
 never been aroused before. Many prayer-meetings and devo- 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 86 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 tional meetings during the week were started where none had 
 ever existed ; Sunday-schools were transformed into opportun- 
 ities for teaching religious truths instead of the German lan- 
 guage ; family-worship was begun in numberless homes where 
 before it had been looked upon as "a species of saintly affec- 
 tation." The curse of intemperance and impurity was dimin- 
 ished, and even successfully suppressed in many localities. 
 Especially was the entire church aroused to the danger of mere 
 formalism and lifeless orthodoxy that was content with being 
 confirmed and partaking of the Lord's Supper occasionally, 
 and leading a "reasonably decent" life, without having any 
 notion of a real heart experience. The emphasis which the 
 new-measure movement placed upon a personal, religious ex- 
 perience and heart assurance had a quickening, spiritual effect 
 upon the foes as well as friends of the movement. Interest in 
 missions was also aroused, more young men for the ministry 
 offered themselves, the spirit of benevolence increased, and 
 thousands of new members were won. In the year 1843 alone, 
 the total increase in Ohio as a result of this movement was 
 1536 souls. 
 
 Though we may still deplore the extravagance and fanat- 
 icism into which some of the leaders of the movement fell ; 
 and though we may regret the turmoil and violent scenes enact- 
 ed within the bounds of the Canton charge ; those who dispas- 
 sionately judge the matter will probably be willing to concede 
 that it required something "powerfully strong" to arouse the 
 people from their religious self -contentment.
 
 REV. PETER HERBRUCK 
 At age forty -five
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 THE HERBRUCK SYNOD 
 
 1C* ROM 1846-1852 about a score of German ministers main- 
 * tained an independent Synod. This Synod called itself 
 officially "The German Synod of the High German Reformed 
 Church of Ohio and Adjacent States." The popular name by 
 which it was known among the people, however, was "The Her- 
 bruck Synod" ; so called after Rev. Peter Herbruck who was 
 the main leader and spirit in effecting and maintaining the 
 organization. Since the secession from the Ohio Synod took 
 place in the Osnaburg church, and all congregations of the Can- 
 ton charge joined the new Synod with their pastor, the "Her- 
 bruck Synod" thus becomes of peculiar interest to us. 
 
 The causes which led to the organization of this indepen- 
 dent Synod have already been discussed in the last chapter. 
 The friction created by the transition from the German to the 
 English became more and more acute as time passed. Finally 
 in 1844 the Ohio Synod decided that English congregations 
 might be organized within the bounds of German congrega- 
 tions even when these were opposed. This decision of Synod 
 threw the German ministers into a very belligerent frame of 
 mind. The opposition of the German ministers in eastern Ohio 
 was increased by the fact that the English pastors were nearly 
 all new-measure men ; and this sanction of the Synod to organ- 
 ize English congregations meant in numerous cases not only 
 the division of congregations and the erection of rival churches, 
 but also the arousing of great bitterness between former fel- 
 low-ministers and fellow-members. Just how much influence 
 the temperance agitation had in bringing about the secession it 
 is difficult to say, but doubtlessly it must be rated as a strong 
 contributory cause. 
 
 Rev. Herbruck who had become the generally recognized 
 leader of the old-Reformed, anti-new-measure men had ad- 
 
 87
 
 88 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 dressed a protest to the Synod in 1844, asking for suitable leg- 
 islation against the arrogant fanaticism of the new-measure 
 agitators from which he had suffered. The Synod not only 
 ignored the request, but also gave permission for the organiza- 
 tion of rival English congregations in German fields. This 
 was too much. The German ministers began to discuss means 
 of redress privately, but it was not until the meeting of Colum- 
 biana Classis at Osnaburg in 1846 (June 3) that the complete 
 break came. 
 
 The animosities broke out as soon as the opening sermon 
 had been delivered, as described by Rev. Herbruck : 
 
 "Father Sonnendecker was president of the Classis. Ac- 
 cording to the constitution he was to preach the opening ser- 
 mon. He excused himself by explaining that he was sick, and 
 not prepared to preach a set sermon, and contented himself 
 with delivering a brief but very appropriate address to the 
 Classis. Hardly had the aged father sat down, when one of 
 the new-measure men jumped up, and said, 'That was no open- 
 ing sermon, etc., etc.' The aged father was insulted in such 
 a way that the tears stood in his eyes. The next step was, that 
 all of them began speaking English, though every one could 
 speak German. This was done to prevent those of us who 
 could not speak English from taking part in the debate. I 
 begged the gentlemen to use the German, saying that the con- 
 gregation was German, and the members of the Classis were 
 all German. The answer given me was : 'We will speak as we 
 wish, for this does not concern anyone else.' "* 
 
 Rev. J. W. Hamm was elected president. One of the Ger- 
 man men immediately made the motion, "That we declare our- 
 selves independent of the General Synod of Ohio."f The 
 motion was "strongly opposed by the valiant brethren of the 
 cross, and our Reformed Zion."f 
 
 When the time for the noon recess arrived the motion was 
 still under discussion. During the noon hour the German 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences. 
 
 t Minutes of Columbiana Classis. The secretary was an ardent 
 new-measure man.
 
 THE HERBRUCK SYNOD 89 
 
 brethren got together under the leadership of Rev. Herbruck, 
 because, "I and some of the other brethren saw that things could 
 not continue in this fashion any longer. We met in a private 
 house and discussed the matter. The decision was to separate, 
 and organize a new Synod which would stand firmly upon the 
 old foundations and customs of the Reformed Church. A can- 
 vas of the members of Classis disclosed the fact that our party 
 had a majority of one. At the opening of the afternoon ses- 
 sion one of our number made the motion that we separate 
 from the old Ohio Synod, and form a new synod under the 
 name of "The German Synod of the High German Reformed 
 Church of Ohio and Adjacent States."* 
 
 The resolution as formulated by them read, "Whereas, the 
 so-called new-measure men have made powerful attacks upon 
 our congregations, and have destroyed the peace and quiet in 
 many places ; Therefore, resolved, that we declare ourselves 
 independent of the General Synod until said Synod adopt 
 measures to arrest such innovations/'f 
 
 A vigorous discussion followed. When the motion was 
 put, it carried by a majority of one, and "the following brethren 
 seceded: Revs. P. Herbruck, H. Sonnendecker, J. W. Hamm, 
 F. Ruhl, C. Zwisler and George Weber."f 
 
 As soon as the result had been announced, "Things began 
 
 to happen. The leader of the new-measure men, Rev. S , 
 
 was present though he was not a member of the Columbiana 
 Classis. He arose and said to the new-measure men: You 
 are now the Columbiana Classis ; those who have thus torn 
 themselves away have no business here any more. You must 
 now organize and go on with your business. The brother 
 who had been elected as president at the morning session was 
 in sympathy with us but was unwilling to be at odds with the 
 other faction. So he left the president's chair and withdrew. 
 The father of the leader of the new-measurites was on our side, 
 he at once arose, sat down in the president's place and declared, 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences. 
 
 t Minutes of Columbiana Classis.
 
 90 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 Now I am president, and not one of you can take this place 
 from me. The leader of the new-measurites nevertheless 
 insisted that officers should be elected and business should pro- 
 ceed. A tumult arose. During the excitement an elder of the 
 church went to the leader of the new-measurites, grabbed him 
 by the collar and shoved him out of the church. Like a swarm 
 of bees his adherents followed him, and the men of the old 
 school were alone. Then we adjourned to meet on October 3, 
 of the same year in New Lisbon, Columbiana County, when the 
 new Synod was to be organized.*" 
 
 The new-measure men went at once to the union-church 
 which had been built four years before under Rev. A. Keller 
 and reorganized by electing Rev. Keller as president. The 
 remnant of Columbiana Classis contained only four ministers 
 (A. Keller, A. Stump, F. Stump, N. Pfaltzgraf). Aroused by 
 the exciting scenes through which they had just passed, they 
 got together and solemnly composed and adopted a report in 
 which the following remarkable words occur. "It might be 
 thought by some that the secession of some brethren is an un- 
 happy event for the Classis, but we cannot but hail it as a 
 gracious epoch in our history by which we have at once been 
 rid of men who oppose the spirit of piety and every sacred 
 institution of our holy religion. We cannot regard it as a 
 blessing to any Church to have in their midst men who oppose 
 prayermeetings, protracted meetings, revivals of religion, etc., 
 and we bless God that we are rid of such material. Imploring 
 God's blessing upon us in the future, we can trust in him for 
 blessed results."f 
 
 When the exciting day at last drew to its close and the 
 ministers found their way to their places of entertainment a 
 new surprise awaited some of them. The news of the day's 
 happenings had been carried throughout the congregation. 
 "A great excitement arose among the members of the 
 church. The members in favor of the new-measures, who had 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences. 
 
 t Minutes of Columbiana Classis.
 
 THE HERBRUCK SYNOD 91 
 
 a minister of the old school as guest at once told him to get 
 out. The members in favor of the old school ways did the 
 same to their new-measure guests."* 
 
 According to the resolution adopted at Osnaburg, the 
 seceding ministers met in New Lisbon on October 3. Although 
 only six ministers had voted at Osnaburg to leave the Ohio 
 Synod, there were ten present at the organization and eight 
 more requested to be received as members of the new Synod. 
 Most of them were from Ohio and Pennsylvania. To us the 
 most important action of the meeting was the statement of the 
 reasons for the secession. This document was written by 
 Rev. Herbruck, who was chairman of the committee which 
 had this matter in charge. This statement was addressed 
 to the pastors and members of the entire Reformed Church, 
 and expresses the keen regret of the new organization that 
 separation should have been made imperative by the excesses 
 of the new-measure men, and "the evil treatment which we 
 have received from them." The following reasons for the 
 secession are then set forth: "Departure from the ancient 
 usages, doctrines, and symbols of the Reformed Church, and 
 the introduction of the mourner's bench and its accompani- 
 ments. The invasion of our congregations by the new-meas- 
 ure men, whereby peace has been destroyed, and faction and 
 hate engendered. The ways and means employed by the new- 
 measure men to establish a spiritual hierarchy in the church."$ 
 
 The new Synod also declared its firm adherence to the 
 Bible, the Heidelberg Catechism, all the doctrines, usages and 
 symbols of the Reformed Church, and adopted the old consti- 
 tution of the Ohio Synod. It furthermore declared that, "We 
 are prepared at any moment to unite with the Ohio Synod again 
 so soon as the causes of our complaints have been removed, 
 the evils done away with, and the transgressors punished." 
 
 During the brief history of the "Herbruck Synod," twen- 
 ty-five ministers were on its roll, but the greatest number at 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences. 
 
 t Minutes of the "Herbruck Synod" for 1846.
 
 92 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 any one time was only eighteen. Already at the first session 
 the cause of foreign missions was unanimously recommended 
 to the congregations, and in home missionary work consider- 
 able activity was shown. "After several years the Synod also 
 decided to publish a church-paper entitled, The Evangelist. 
 A goodly number of subscriptions had already been gathered,"* 
 and one number of the paper was published ; but the first num- 
 ber also was the last. The paper was discontinued because the 
 Synod had reached the decision to unite again with the Ohio 
 Synod. 
 
 The sentiment in the Columbiana Classis and the Ohio 
 Synod had been changing very rapidly. The fanaticism of the 
 new-measurites had produced a reaction. In the old Colum- 
 biana Classis grave conditions had developed. Several new 
 ministers had been ordained after very insufficient preparation. 
 A number of these drifted into theological vagaries. Views 
 absolutely at variance with the teachings of the Reformed 
 church were proclaimed. The sessions of the Classis seethed 
 with theological debates. These experiences had a very sober- 
 ing effect upon the others. The Classis began to legislate 
 against, "all disorder and confusion" at a public service; as 
 well as, "everything that destroys the solemnity of worship and 
 the spirit of devotion." The Catechism and catechetical in- 
 struction were emphasized again, and were introduced once 
 more by some of those who had discarded it; and "the dis- 
 orders and errors of fanaticism" were condemned. 
 
 At one time three of the ministers were suspended for 
 heresy and refusal to obey the authority of the Church ; one 
 left the Reformed Church, several died, and finally only three 
 ministers were left in the Classis. 
 
 The Ohio Synod also had changed from its position of 
 1844. The permission to organize English congregations with- 
 in the bounds of existing German congregations was revoked ; 
 the complacent ignoring of the complaints of the German min- 
 isters against new-measure excesses gave place to stern reso- 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 THE HERBRUCK SYNOD 93 
 
 lutions aiming to restore order and comity. Because the Ohio 
 Synod thus acknowledged its errors and reversed its previous 
 actions, and also frequently urged the "Herbruck Synod" men 
 to come back, a number of the ministers returned to the old 
 Synod. Furthermore "a number of well educated young men 
 from the East"* had been received, and "as the temperament 
 of the Synod was changing, and the hindrances seemed re- 
 moved"* the eighteen left were ready to return to the old 
 Synod. 
 
 The following plan of reunion was agreed upon in 1851. 
 The Ohio Synod was to create a Northern German Classis and 
 a Southern German Classis, the line running through Colum- 
 bus east and west. All the ministers preaching in German 
 were to have the privilege of uniting with the one or the other 
 of these Classes. The "Herbruck Synod" under this plan was 
 to become the nucleus of the new Northern German Classis. 
 In accordance with this agreement the Northern German Clas- 
 sis met in Akron, Ohio, June 23, 1852 and organized. 
 
 It would seem that now there ought to have been peace, 
 but not so. The old friction with Columbiana Classis which 
 now again numbered five ministers continued. Two of their 
 ministers invaded the fields of their neighbors in the Northern 
 German Classis. The old quarrels threatened to break out 
 again. At a special meeting of the Northern German Classis, 
 held in 1853, in Canton, at which Rev. Herbruck was again 
 the dominant figure, the Classis decided to send an ultimatum 
 to Synod demanding that Columbiana Classis should be dis- 
 solved, or some other plan of removing the grievances should be 
 immediately found, or else the Northern German Classis would 
 again declare itself "free and independent," although "nothing 
 but an unavoidable necessity would drive us to such a step." 
 Rev. Herbruck helped to draft this ultimatum. One of the 
 main reasons for this drastic action seems to have been the 
 determination to permit only the use of the German language 
 in the Classis and the congregations belonging to it. The dif- 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 94 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ficulty was finally adjusted by the Ohio Synod in 1854 by auth- 
 orizing both the Northern German Classis and the Columbiana 
 Classis to dissolve, and then, after arranging the fragments 
 into two parts to suit themselves, to organize two new Classes. 
 This plan proved satisfactory to both Classes ; hence they dis- 
 solved, and the German ministers organized the St. John's 
 Classis* at Massillon, on June 21, 1854. Since that time the 
 Canton congregation has remained a part of this Classis. The 
 first regular meeting of the Classis was held in the Canton 
 church in October following the organization. 
 
 It seemed both necessary and appropriate that the story 
 of these difficulties with the Ohio Synod should be presented 
 somewhat at length because Rev. Herbruck was the main fig- 
 ure in the movement for an independent Synod, and was heart- 
 ily supported in every step that was taken by his congregations. 
 That he had abundant justification in that period of religious 
 fanaticism and synodical hesitancy to deal vigorously with the 
 situation, has been made plain by the facts presented. It is 
 clear that the secession of so large a number of ministers made 
 a deep impression upon Synod, and immediately brought about 
 a reaction in favor of the more conservative ways and customs 
 of the fathers. While we may at the present time deplore that 
 the secession occurred, the German ministers were confronted 
 by what they considered a dread disease, and the surgeon's 
 knife promised the speediest cure. 
 
 During this period the following congregations belonged 
 to the Canton charge : Canton, Osnaburg, Paris, St. Martin's, 
 St. Peter's and Zions, whose locations have already been given. 
 St. John's in Massillon, which had been reorganized by Dr. 
 Buettner, was also supplied by Rev. Herbruck during the inter- 
 vals when they had no regular pastor. 
 
 The number of communicants in all the congregations var- 
 
 * Other names that were also considered were Canton Classis, or 
 Heidelberg, North Ohio and Salems. After the strenuous scenes 
 through which the ministers of the new Classis had passd the name St. 
 John's seemed most appropriate. The name has proved itself a pro- 
 phecy.
 
 THE HERBRUCK SYNOD 95 
 
 led between 450 and 742. The baptisms averaged 120 each 
 year and the confirmations 78. 
 
 It was a requirement of the Independent Synod that each 
 congregation should send an annual report giving the opinion 
 of the membership as to the work of the pastor and the con- 
 dition of the congregation. Sometimes each consistory sent a 
 separate report; more generally a joint report was signed by 
 the several consistories. A number of these reports have been 
 preserved. Two of these will be given as fair samples of all 
 of them. The spelling, punctuation and capitalization of the 
 originals are retained : 
 
 "We the undersigned Members of the Church, do hereby 
 
 sartify that we are dewly Satisfied with Mr Rev P Herbruck as a 
 teacher of the Gospel in our midst and wish him to remain teacher in 
 our Church." 
 
 The second testimonial will be left in the German as writ- 
 ten: 
 
 "Wihr die unter schriebenen bezeigen hier mit das die gliter vohn 
 der gemeinte felig zufrieden sein mit Peter herbruck Pretiger."
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS 
 
 AND 
 
 BUILDING THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH 
 
 DURING the years from 1830-1850, Canton was almost 
 completely at a standstill. The building of the Ohio 
 Canal through Massillon in 1830 was a staggering blow to the 
 town. Massillon grew rapidly, and became the center of trade 
 and shipping for two score miles around. Grain, furs, and 
 various products in large quantities were shipped out. The 
 number of settlers in the county increased. 
 
 "Fast fell the forests, 
 Cabins by night-time grew ; 
 Like bees to honey, 
 Each settler others drew." 
 
 But though farming boomed and prospered, Massillon 
 alone received the benefit, and Canton lagged and languished. 
 In twenty years, an addition of scant five hundred inhabitants 
 could be recorded. Then in 1851, the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne 
 and Chicago Railroad was built from Pittsburgh as far as Can- 
 ton. Immediately the town felt the impetus of new life. In- 
 dustries were established, the population increased, and Canton 
 rapidly forged ahead. 
 
 The growth of the town was a great benefit to the Re- 
 formed church. As a large number of the new inhabitants 
 were Germans and Swiss, the congregation increased consid- 
 erably in membership. The union church-building which had 
 served the Reformed and Lutheran congregations for thirty 
 years became too small for the audiences, and furthermore was 
 in need of extensive repairs. 
 
 The relations between the congregations had also gradual- 
 ly become rather strained. During the first forty years of their
 
 THE THIRD CHURCH BUILDING 
 Dedicated 1862
 
 SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS 97 
 
 history the two congregations had worked together with scarce- 
 ly a consciousness of any denominational distinctions. The 
 children of both congregations were instructed alternatively by 
 the pastors of either denomination ; and the members of each 
 congregation had the right to vote for the officers of the other 
 congregation. Until 1829 the two congregations also kept 
 their church records in the same book. 
 
 During these years numerous efforts were made to effect 
 an organic union between the two denominations. The efforts 
 proved futile and came to a definite end about 1840, be- 
 cause the two bodies began to clearly apprehend their denomi- 
 national distinctions. The gulf was widened still more by the 
 new-measure movement in the Reformed Church. Theologi- 
 cal attacks of great bitterness were made, and accusations of 
 heretical teachings were hurled by Lutheran divines against the 
 Reformed ministers. Gross misrepresentations of the doctrines 
 of the Reformed Church were also widely circulated. These 
 occurrences in the denominations at large still further estranged 
 the local congregations in Canton. 
 
 In 1855 the Lutheran congregation made the first move to 
 secure a separation by appointing a committee to confer with 
 the consistory of the Reformed Church to ascertain "whether 
 one of the congregations might not be willing to purchase the 
 rights of the other in the property ; and under what conditions 
 this might be accomplished." 
 
 As a result of this conference it was agreed to submit to 
 each congregation the following propositions to be voted on : 
 
 1. Whether the church-building should be repaired or improved 
 
 jointly. 
 
 2. Whether one congregation should purchase all the rights of the 
 
 other. 
 
 3. Whether the church should be pulled down and the materials be 
 
 divided equitably between the two congregations. 
 
 The two congregational meetings disclosed such a variety 
 of opinions that no common ground could be found. Some 
 wanted to simply repair the old building, others wanted to 
 repair and enlarge the building, still others wanted to erect a 
 
 7
 
 98 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 new building jointly on the same site as the old, again others 
 wanted a new building on a different site, and a few wanted to 
 separate from each other entirely. As no agreement seemed 
 possible the matter was dropped for several years. 
 
 During these years the Reformed congregation continued 
 to grow in membership, and "as our congregation increased in 
 membership, the desire became strong to possess our own build- 
 ing so that services might be held each Sunday ; for on account 
 of owning the building with the Lutherans we could hold serv- 
 ices only every other Sunday."* 
 
 Several congregational meetings were called "to discuss 
 the matter, but as soon as the raising of seven or eight thou- 
 sand dollars was mentioned, the people got scared and dispersed 
 without definite action."* 
 
 The need became so imperative that finally in 1858, Rev. 
 Herbruck determined on heroic action : 
 
 "I drew up a subscription list and wrote my own name at 
 the top for $150, which was equal to a year's salary from the 
 congregation. Then I went from farm to farm and in the 
 town from house to house and in three or four weeks $4000 
 had been subscribed. Then I called the congregation together 
 again, presented the subscription list, and tried to show the 
 people that this amount would suffice to get a new church under 
 roof ; and when we were that far the good Lord would supply 
 ways and means to finish the building. Then the people took 
 new courage."* 
 
 After the congregation had decided to build a new church, 
 the next step was to select a suitable site. The people were 
 unanimously of the opinion that the church ought to be built 
 on the western half of the large plot owned by the two congre- 
 gations, and a committee was appointed to confer with the 
 Lutheran congregation to ascertain whether they would agree 
 to this, or whether they preferred to buy the Reformed share 
 of the property or would sell theirs. The committee was 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS 99 
 
 promptly informed that the Lutheran congregation would not 
 accept any of the propositions. 
 
 "A second proposition was then made the Lutheran con- 
 gregation; namely, whether they would give us the right to 
 build, provided we presented them with our share of the joint 
 property, including the church building, with all its contents 
 such as bell, stove, etc. This proposition, also, was rejected."* 
 
 The cause of this uncompromising attitude was the pastor, 
 Rev. Nunemacher, who had been in Canton for only a year, 
 and persuaded the people that a fine, new church erected by the 
 Reformed people so near the old building would result in a 
 large loss of members to the Lutherans, since, "No one would 
 then go to the old church any more." 
 
 "Another congregational meeting was then held to deter- 
 mine the next step. At this meeting a lawyer, whose wife was 
 a member of our church, was present, and he persuaded us to 
 go ahead with our building project, by saying that the Lutheran 
 congregation could not prevent us from building and also that 
 they could never claim a share in the new building. Owing to 
 the assurances of this lawyer we decided to begin building."* 
 
 A building committee was then appointed to take charge of 
 the matter. Conrad Schweitzer was made treasurer of the build- 
 ing-fund, and Ludwig Ohliger, Peter Preyer, Heinrich Berg- 
 man, Joseph Herschy, Johannes Glass, and Christian Vogelge- 
 sang were the other members of the committee. The committee 
 at once began the work of formulating plans for the new build- 
 ing and securing more subscriptions. Most of the work of secur- 
 ing the necessary funds devolved upon the pastor. Members of 
 other denominations also extended a helping hand. One of 
 these "gave $100, another $50, and still another $25. Even 
 quite a number of Catholics offered their help."* All of the 
 heavy lumber necessary for the entire building was donated by 
 Mr. Meyer, who at that time owned extensive tracts of timber- 
 land about Meyer's Lake. The circumstances connected with 
 the donation were so interesting that the older members of our 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 100 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 congregation still delight in telling them. It must therefore be 
 a matter of peculiar gratification to the present generation that 
 the story has been preserved as written down by Rev. Her- 
 bruck himself : 
 
 "One day as I was going up the street I met a man who 
 was a Catholic. He possessed a large tract of timber near the 
 town. He said to me, 'I hear that you are going to build a 
 new church.' That is our intention, Mr. Meyer, was my an- 
 swer. 'Well,' said he, 'I will make you a nice offer.' So I 
 inquired what sort of an offer he had to make. Then he an- 
 swered, 'If you will come out to my home, I will show you a 
 tree, and if you will chop down that tree yourself, I will not only 
 give you that tree but as many more as you will need for beams, 
 posts, rafters, etc., for the entire church.' I immediately pulled 
 out my little subscription book and said : Mr. Meyer, I accept 
 your offer with gratitude; please, put it down into my little 
 book with your name. Then I also will sign my name agreeing 
 to chop down the tree which you will show me. So we made 
 the contract together. 
 
 "Several days after I went to the home of Mr. Meyer with 
 three members of the building committee. He showed me a 
 tree about three feet in diameter. An ax was offered me which 
 had a new handle. This handle was rather rough. I began 
 chopping away. After about three hours, the tree fell; but 
 the blood was running from my hands. But everyone who 
 saw that stump had to laugh for it certainly was frightfully 
 mangled. Not being used to handling an ax, I had struck a 
 new place with every lick. The stump was, as the Pennsylva- 
 nia German would say, 'schrecklich verkrutzt' (frightfully 
 scratched up)."* 
 
 This tree was carefully laid aside and was later given the 
 honor of being used as the center timber in the steeple. In the 
 course of time it has become so hard that it is practically impos- 
 sible to drive a nail into it. It is quite certain, therefore, that 
 the old tree would again draw first blood from any minister 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS 101 
 
 who would be unfortunate enough to be obliged to chop it in 
 two. 
 
 The reason why the Catholics of Canton were so willing 
 to assist in the erection of a Protestant church was found in 
 the personal friendship between Rev. Herbruck and Rev. John 
 Baptist Uhlman, the priest in charge of the St. Peter's Catho- 
 lic Church. He also gave valuable suggestions concerning the 
 arrangement and architecture of the contemplated building. 
 This friendship between the two ministers continued until Rev. 
 Uhlman returned to Germany. As a farewell gift he presented 
 Rev. Herbruck with a complete set of the sermons of the noted 
 German Protestant preacher, Franz Volkmar Reinhard. 
 
 The advertisement given the new church project by the 
 chopping down of the first tree by the pastor helped very sub- 
 stantially in securing the promise of further building-material 
 and subscriptions, so that the successful completion of the 
 church was assured. When this fact was perceived by the 
 Lutherans, they decided to hinder the building by every means 
 available, and a long-drawn-out legal contest ensued that 
 proved very expensive to both sides, created much bitterness 
 of feeling, and finally resulted in a compromise whose terms 
 were the same as those previously offered by the Reformed 
 people. 
 
 This part of the history we will take verbatim from the 
 reminiscences of Rev. Herbruck : 
 
 "The building material was finally brought to the place 
 where we were going to build. The foundation was almost 
 completed when the Lutherans brought suit against us. The 
 sheriff came with an injunction, and we had to quit working. 
 For almost two years the matter was before the court. The 
 trial was postponed from time to time intentionally in order 
 that our material and foundation might be ruined. In fact it 
 was necessary later on to tear out the entire foundation. 
 
 "Then our opponents made every effort to stir up the peo- 
 ple who had subscribed for the building, so that they would 
 refuse to pay their subscriptions. They boasted that the church 
 would never be built. In the meanwhile the war between the
 
 102 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 North and the South broke out and many of the members lost 
 their courage. But I felt that I could not give up the project 
 so easily. From the judge I learned that there was no law in 
 the state of Ohio according to which joint church-property 
 could be divided. When I learned this, I started for Colum- 
 bus to see whether the legislature would not soon pass such a 
 law. Another man from our county who was intimately 
 acquainted with several members of the legislature accompan- 
 ied me. I also was well acquainted with two members of the 
 legislature. The one was and remains to this day an active 
 member of the Reformed church and the other had Reformed 
 parents. My journey to Columbus was not in vain. In a 
 short time a law legalizing the division of joint church-proper- 
 ty was passed.* 
 
 "Now we went to court again requesting the division of the 
 joint church-property. The request was granted. However, 
 the Lutherans found yet another way open to still further 
 delay our building operations; for they could appeal to the 
 Supreme Court. This was promptly done. They knew that 
 now they would have to pay us half the value of the old church 
 building ; but by appealing, they believed that our church build- 
 ing could be delayed several years. In this way they hoped 
 to force us to renew our former proposition to them, namely, 
 to give them our share in the old church. 
 
 * This bill was introduced by Jacob A. Ambler, a member of the 
 House of Representatives, and was passed March 26, 1859. It is very 
 brief, containing only four sections. Of these the first and most im- 
 portant forms more than one-third of the bill and is worded as follows : 
 
 Section 1. That in all cases where two religious societies or congre- 
 gations, by gift or purchase, have procured land upon which to erect a 
 house of public worship and other buildings for church or school pur- 
 poses, and for a burial ground and cemetery, in common, and either of 
 said societies or congregations shall be desirous of abandoning the 
 joint or common use of said house of public worship or other erections, 
 it shall be competent for the court of common pleas upon application of 
 either of said societies or congregations, to make partition of the use of 
 said common property, except the burial ground and cemetery, which 
 may continue to be used in common.
 
 SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS 103 
 
 "In the spring of 1861, a citizen of our town took up the 
 matter. Although no member of the Reformed church, he was 
 nevertheless a true friend of the Reformed congregation. This 
 citizen, whose name was Louis Gibbs, visited the leaders of 
 the Lutheran congregation in their homes and with his suave, 
 gentle, and persuasive speech succeeded in removing the 
 existing difficulties by means of two committees appointed by 
 the two congregations. The joint property was divided. The 
 Lutheran congregation took the eastern half, and the Reformed 
 congregation took the western half. According to the terms 
 of the settlement the Reformed congregation was forced to 
 present their interest in the old church to the Lutherans. 
 
 "The long-drawn suit, as well as the interruption in the 
 building, caused the Reformed church a loss of at least one 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 "A new building committee was selected consisting of Lud- 
 wig Bauereis, Heinrich Schack, and George Deuble. Conrad 
 Schweitzer remained as treasurer of the building fund. 
 
 "Now the building commenced again. The first founda- 
 tion was torn out and replaced by a new one. A true friend 
 and member of the church who had already subscribed $200, 
 also donated the large, cut stone for the new foundation. Dur- 
 ing the first summer the 'building was put under roof without 
 any debts. During the winter new subscriptions were gath- 
 ered. Most of the lumber for the inside work I received from 
 the members of the country congregations which belonged to 
 the charge. In the spring work began again. While the car- 
 penters and plasterers were completing the interior work, our 
 women were busily engaged in collecting money for a bell. The 
 bell was ordered, but, instead of one bell, two arrived. The 
 dear friend who had already furnished the stones for the new 
 foundation, had ordered a second bell at his own expense. This 
 bell he named after his own name the "Schweitzerglocke." 
 This name he had engraved in the bell. In the fall of 1862 it 
 was possible to dedicate the church to the Lord free of debt. 
 In the corner stone of the church a document was placed which
 
 104 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 will narrate to the folks of a later generation, how the Re- 
 formed church of Canton was treated by a Lutheran church.* 
 The names of the members of the two societies of women 
 who assisted loyally in raising funds for the new building, as 
 well as much additional information concerning the erection 
 of the building itself will be given in the next chapter. 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 gs 
 
 1 
 
 HH ft
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THE CORNER STONE WITH ITS CONTENTS 
 AND THE DEDICATION 
 
 THE work on the new church progressed so favorably that 
 by June 23, 1861 the corner stone could be laid. The 
 rapid progress of the building operations was due largely to 
 the untiring efforts of Rev. Herbruck. He displayed an "un- 
 wearied zeal, and feared no effort nor exertion to bring the 
 work that had been begun to a successful conclusion."* 
 
 A great multitude had assembled to witness the ceremon- 
 ies of laying the corner stone. As many as could find room 
 crowded into the old church. Every square inch of space was 
 occupied by the audience which was estimated at about eight 
 hundred souls. Rev. Robert Kohler, pastor of the Mt. Eaton, 
 Ohio, church, preached the German sermon on the text Ezra 3 : 
 10-11, "And when the builders laid the foundation of the tem- 
 ple of Jehovah, they set the priests in their apparel with trum- 
 pets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise 
 Jehovah . . and they sang one to another in praising and giving 
 thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his loving- 
 kindness endureth forever." Rev. Buckingham, pastor of the 
 First Presbyterian Church then delivered an English sermon, 
 choosing for his text I Chron. 22: 19, "Now set your heart 
 and your soul to seek after Jehovah your God ; arise therefore, 
 and build ye the sanctuary of Jehovah God, to bring the ark of 
 the covenant of Jehovah, and the holy vessels of God, into the 
 house that is to be built to the name of Jehovah." 
 
 At the close of this service the audience marched over to 
 the site where the new church was being built. An immense 
 crowd surrounded the foundation walls and overflowed into 
 the cemetery adjoining. The people in attendance were esti- 
 mated at not less than twenty-five hundred. They had come 
 
 * Report in "The Evangelist." 
 
 105
 
 106 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 not only from Canton but also from all the country congrega- 
 tions served by Rev. Herbruck. The music was furnished by 
 the choirs of the Canton and Paris congregations, who sang 
 alternatively both at the service and the corner stone ceremon- 
 ies. The pastor displayed "the usual articles for the corner- 
 stone, a Bible, a hymn-book, a catechism, etc." These were 
 placed into a copper box which was thereupon soldered shut 
 and deposited in the iron receptacle sunk into the corner stone. 
 The pastor then spread a layer of plaster upon the top and the 
 work was completed. The services were brought to a close by 
 the reading of the 96th Psalm by Rev. Herbruck, prayer by 
 Rev. Buckingham, and the benediction by Rev. Herbruck. The 
 offering amounted to $54. An unusual innovation for a Ger- 
 man church was introduced in the taking of this offering ; for, 
 to the amazement of the audience, some of the women of the 
 congregation passed around and collected the money. 
 
 The contents of a corner stone are always of peculiar inter- 
 est to the later generations. Rev. Herbruck in his "Reminis- 
 cences" had declared that "into the corner stone of the church a 
 document was placed which will narrate to the folks of a later 
 generation how the Reformed Church of Canton was treated 
 by a Lutheran Church." Owing to the meager scraps of infor- 
 mation preserved from that period of our history, the consis- 
 tory decided to open the corner stone and have the enclosed 
 documents copied. After the publication of this history, all 
 the original contents of the corner stone together with a copy 
 of the history and the latest published roll of the members will 
 again be deposited in the original receptacle and walled in as at 
 the beginning. 
 
 When the church was enlarged and remodelled in 1899, a 
 new front was put on the entire building. The corner stone 
 was thus completely hidden behind the new brickwork. Al- 
 though scores of members were still living who had walked 
 by the corner stone countless times, not one could be found who 
 was willing to assert with absolute assurance whether the stone 
 was on the southwest or southeast corner of the old part of 
 the building. Opinion however, seemed to incline towards the
 
 THE CORNERSTONE AND THE DEDICATION 107 
 
 southeast corner. Accordingly Elder Godfrey Snyder and the 
 pastor attacked the job of getting out the coveted documents 
 on Wednesday afternoon, September 9, 1914. It proved to 
 be a laborious undertaking owing to the new brickwork which 
 had been built entirely around the corner, making it extremely 
 difficult to get to the desired point. About ten bricks were 
 removed from the face of the old wall which made it possible 
 to dig behind the new portion without disturbing it. Elder 
 Snyder did practically all of the work, the pastor being obliged 
 to content himself with furnishing the necessary encourage- 
 ment. The inside bricks and plaster were found in perfect 
 condition and extremely solid. After about two hours labor 
 the iron lid of the corner stone receptacle was struck. That was 
 a glad moment for the workers ; but much hard digging was 
 required before the copper box could finally be cut open and 
 the contents removed. 
 
 In the meantime several more people had assembled and 
 were waiting for the moment when the contents buried for 
 more than half a century should be brought forth. Among 
 these were Elder Adam Thomas, Karl Raber, Karl Snyder, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Bolliger, and several small children. 
 
 Sunk into the corner stone was a strong iron box eleven by 
 eight by six inches in size, covered by a close fitting lid. With- 
 in this was a heavy copper box soldered shut so as to be per- 
 fectly air and water-tight. Within this box the following ob- 
 jects were found: a large German Bible 7^4 by 5 by 2 inches 
 in dimensions; a German union hymnal prepared for Re- 
 formed and Lutheran congregations, published by Wilhelm 
 Radde of New York, and still extensively used by union con- 
 gregations ; a Heidelberg Catechism ; copies of four newspa- 
 pers, namely, "Der Deutsche in Ohio" dated June 19, 1861, 
 published in Canton; "Der Evangelist," Cleveland, Ohio, of 
 June 15, 1861 ; "Die Reformierte Kirchenzeitung," Chambers- 
 burg, Pa., of June 1, 1861, and "The Western Missionary," 
 Dayton, Ohio, of May 2, 1861 ; two historical documents, one 
 written by Rev. Peter Herbruck, and the other by Dr. Danzi- 
 ger; eleven coins, namely, four Indian-head cents, two eagle
 
 108 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 cents, three old style cents bigger and heavier than a quarter, 
 one half-dime and one three-cent piece. Two of the big cent 
 pieces had portions punched out of them. The donor of these 
 probably desired these bits as souvenirs. In addition to these 
 articles the tinners who did the tinwork and the painter wrote 
 their names on a card and threw it in so that their name and 
 fame might not be lost to the coming generations. The tin- 
 ners were Lewis M. Slusser, John J. Clark, H. V. Russell. The 
 painter was E. Stover. 
 
 The document written by Rev. Herbruck in which he gives 
 a sketch of the history of the congregation is of so much value 
 that it alone would have abundantly repaid the labor of open- 
 ing the corner stone. The translation of this interesting ac- 
 count is here given, with two corrections which are placed in 
 brackets : 
 
 "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost, Amen." 
 
 "The corner stone of this church was laid in the year of 
 our Lord, 1861, on Sunday, the 23d day of June; during the 
 time that Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States, 
 and William Dennison was Governor of the State of Ohio; 
 and at the time when the secession of several states from the 
 Union had brought about a civil war. 
 
 "The church was built by the First Reformed congregation 
 of this community, and is to have the name The Reformed Je- 
 rusalem's Church. The congregation was gathered by Rev. J. P. 
 Mahnenschmidt, who, however, as he was not stationed here, 
 visited the congregation only from time to time; until in the 
 year 1820 [The date is not given correctly. It should be 1818.] 
 a regular pastor was obtained in the person of Rev. B. Faust. 
 In the year 1823, the Reformed congregation united with the 
 Lutheran congregation of this place in buying a piece of ground 
 for a burial place, because the two congregations at that time 
 were still weak and without means. 
 
 "However, there never existed that peace and harmony that 
 should have been present. Frictions and dissensions unfor- 
 tunately came up frequently. But regardless of this, and in
 
 THE CORNERSTONE AND THE DEDICATION 109 
 
 spite of the fact that the growth of the Reformed Church was 
 deliberately hindered, the membership during the last twenty- 
 eight years increased more than sevenfold, and it is plainly to 
 be seen that the Lord has been with us. The congregation 
 now numbers almost 300 members. [The figures given do not 
 agree with the facts and conclusions presented in Chapter V. 
 The most probable explanation is that Rev. Herbruck's mem- 
 ory led him to confuse individual members and families at the 
 moment of writing this document. Canton had almost 300 in- 
 dividual members in 1861. One-seventh of this number would 
 be about forty. The records still extant prove that this num- 
 ber if taken as individuals is far too small ; but if it represents 
 families the result would be about 130 to 150 individuals, which 
 agrees with the conclusions of the fifth chapter. The "frictions 
 and dissensions" spoken of did not begin until about 1840.] 
 In the year 1859, the Reformed congregation decided to build 
 a church for their own use. They immediately began the build- 
 ing on the same piece of ground which, as has already been 
 said, had been bought by the two congregations together. But 
 when the foundation was barely half finished, the Lutheran 
 congregation brought suit against the Reformed congregation, 
 and building had to be postponed. Every proposition of the 
 Reformed congregation for a peaceable solution of the matter 
 was rejected by the Lutheran congregation. Yea, even when 
 the Court of Common Pleas had rendered its decision and had 
 ordered a division of the joint property, the Lutherans appealed 
 to the State Supreme Court. Although there were no pros- 
 pects that the Supreme Court would render a different verdict 
 than the one already given by the Court of Common Pleas, they 
 nevertheless sought to hinder the building as long as possible. 
 
 "In the spring of 1861, a citizen of our town took up the 
 matter ; although no member of the church, he was neverthe- 
 less a true friend of the Reformed congregation. This citizen 
 whose name was Louis Gibbs, visited the leaders of the Luth- 
 eran congregation in their homes and with his suave, gentle, 
 and persuasive speech succeeded in removing the existing 
 difficulties by means of two committees appointed by the two
 
 110 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 congregations. The joint property was divided. The Luthe- 
 ran congregation took the eastern half, and the Reformed con- 
 gregation took the western half. The project was then taken 
 up anew by the congregation, subscriptions were gathered, and 
 all necessary arrangements were made to bring the building to 
 its completion. 
 
 <( The long-drawn suit, as well as the interruption in the 
 building, caused the Reformed church a loss of at least one 
 thousand dollars. Mr. C. Schweitzer was elected treasurer 
 of the building fund by the congregation, and the brethren 
 Ludwig Bauereis, Heinrich Schack, and George Deuble con- 
 stituted the building committee. All these brethren are very 
 enthusiastic in the good work, and are assisting it with great 
 self-denial and sacrifice. 
 
 "Rev. P. Herbruck has been the minister of the congrega- 
 tion for twenty-nine years. The present consistory consists 
 of the brethren Jacob Liphart and Ludwig Bauereis as elders ; 
 and Heinrich Schack, Johannes Weber, Michael Miller, and 
 Daniel Schmidt as deacons. 
 
 "To assist in the building, two woman's sewing societies 
 were also formed, namely, a Woman's Society, and a Maiden's 
 Society. 
 
 "The Woman's Society consists of the following sisters : 
 Mrs. Langhaus, President. Caroline Deuble, Treasurer. 
 
 Sophie Harshold, Katherine Paar, 
 
 Nanetta Schweitzer, Mary Glass, 
 
 Elizabeth Schilling, Barbara Schmidt, 
 
 Caroline Dewies, Elizabeth Blum, 
 
 Marie Ohliger, Rosina Hexamer, 
 
 Katherine Leiter, Louise Stahler, 
 
 Mary Herbruck, Barbara Kuhr, 
 
 Christine Grofmiller, Rosina Mack, 
 
 Caroline Blum, Katherine Vogelgesang, 
 
 Frau Bauman, Anna Bauereis, 
 
 Susanne Deuble, Caroline Gibbs, 
 
 Magdalena Schack, Charlotta Glass, 
 
 S. Herbruck, Katherine Schmidt, 
 
 Maria Baemer, Elizabeth Vogelgesang, 
 
 Katherine Weber, Katherine Delb. 
 
 Frau Merz,
 
 THE CORNERSTONE AND THE DEDICATION 111 
 
 "The Maiden's Society consists of the sisters : 
 
 Caroline Schuff, President. Catherine Einnerich, 
 
 Lorena Schuff, Lorena Rank, 
 
 Aurelia Bauhof, Elizabeth Heingartner, 
 
 Elizabeth Schuff, Mary Miller, 
 
 Sarah Smith, Catherine Kaufman, 
 
 Louise Rank, Elizabeth Ulrich, 
 
 Louise Stabler, Elizabeth Schack, 
 
 Louise Glass, Mary Boas, 
 
 Anna Ulrich, Amelia Herbruck, 
 
 Susanna Schack, Helena Koehler, 
 
 Amelia Stuerhoff, Blandina Miller. 
 
 "The following preachers were present at the laying of the 
 corner stone : R. Koehler, Rev. Buckingham, and the local pas- 
 tor, P. Herbruck. 
 
 "Rev. R. Koehler preached from the words of Ezra 3 : 10- 
 1 1 in the German language, and Rev. Buckingham on the words 
 found in I Chron. 22 : 19. 
 
 "When the building of this edifice was begun two years 
 ago, the building committee consisted of the brethren Ludwig 
 Ohliger, Peter Preyer, Heinrich Bergman, Joseph Herschy, 
 Johannes Glass, Christian Vogelgesang and Father Koenig. 
 
 "These men were all very enthusiastic for the good work, 
 especially did Ludwig Gluger distinguish himself in the work." 
 P. HERBRUCK, Preacher of the congregation. 
 
 "Mr. F. Dressel built the foundation of the church. 
 
 "Mr. McGregor furnished the foundation stones. 
 
 "Mr. John Schuff laid the foundation stones. 
 
 "Mr. H. Biemendoerfer did the carpenter work." 
 
 In addition to the above document, there was also a second 
 written by Dr. Danziger in which another brief historical 
 sketch is given. As this is a mere repetition of the facts pre- 
 sented by Rev. Herbruck, it is omitted, with the exception of 
 the close, which contains some interesting information on the 
 price of the "means of living," which is given in part. Wheat 
 was selling at $1.00 a bushel, oats for 25 cents, rye for 50 cents, 
 corn for 35 cents, potatoes for 25 cents. Butter was eight
 
 112 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 cents a pound, and eggs were seven cents a dozen. "Provisions 
 have fallen in price owing to the war with the southern states." 
 
 Although the breaking out of the Civil War, and the con- 
 sequent demoralization of business and industrial conditions, 
 added to the difficulty of raising the needed funds, the members 
 of the congregation worked on undismayed. During the sum- 
 mer, the walls went up, and the roof was put on without in- 
 curring any debts. Then during the fall and winter a new 
 campaign for subscriptions was carried on. The wood for 
 finishing the inside was given by members of the country con- 
 gregations. In the spring (1862) the carpenters and plasterers 
 could be started to work again. The Women's Societies were 
 working and collecting to secure money enough for a bell, and 
 finally in the fall all things were ready for the dedication. 
 
 The dimensions of the new church were 80 by 48 feet with 
 a height of 28 feet. The steeple was 145 feet high and could 
 be plainly seen over the entire town that did not boast of many 
 high buildings at that time. Two bells had been installed in 
 the tower; the one had been secured by the diligence of the 
 women, the other had been presented by Conrad Schweitzer. 
 The windows contained only plain glass, and were protected 
 without by huge shutters. The organ was placed in the center 
 of the gallery, and the pulpit stood in the center where the 
 choir loft now is.* The pews were perfectly straight with 
 square ends and were arranged so as to give a wide central 
 aisle, and a narrower aisle on each side. The necessary heat 
 was furnished by a giant stove placed in the center of the 
 building, with about forty-five feet of stove-pipe leading to the 
 chimney near the northwest corner. The church was seldom 
 used in the evening, though provisions were made for lighting 
 the auditorium by means of lamps fastened to the walls and 
 provided with reflectors. 
 
 Sunday, October 5, was selected for the day of dedica- 
 tion. A great multitude of people assembled. The five coun- 
 
 * The recess, where the pipe organ now stands was not built until 
 Rev. Rust's pastorate ; at which time also the window west of the organ 
 recess was walled shut.
 
 THE CORNERSTONE AND THE DEDICATION 113 
 
 try congregations still served by Rev. Herbruck sent large del- 
 egations. "The new house of God could not contain them all. 
 In the church at least 800 persons had assembled." Rev. Rob- 
 ert Kohler, pastor of the Reformed Church in Akron, preached 
 at the German service in the morning on the subject "The Great 
 Significance of the House of God." The text was taken from 
 Gen. 28: 17, "How dreadful is this place! this is none other 
 than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." After 
 the sermon, the building was dedicated by the pastor to the 
 service of the Triune God. In the afternoon an English serv- 
 ice was held. Rev. Buckingham of the Presbyterian Church, 
 Canton, preached. By a peculiar coincidence he had selected 
 the same text that had been used by Rev. Kohler in the morn- 
 ing. In the evening Rev. David Kaemmerer, pastor of the 
 Reformed Church at Wooster, preached on the text, Psalm 26 : 
 8, "Jehovah, I love the habitation of thy house, and the place 
 where thy glory dwelleth." At each service the building was 
 crowded with attentive hearers. 
 
 An offering of $150 was brought during the day. A debt 
 of several hundred dollars still rested upon the new building. 
 
 The Canton congregation had now grown to such a mem- 
 bership that the people demanded one service each Sunday. 
 This necessitated the giving up of several of the country con- 
 gregations belonging to the charge, leaving only the Canton, 
 Osnaburg, Paris, and St. Jacob's (Cairo) congregations to be 
 served by Rev. Herbruck. The pastor's salary also was cor- 
 respondingly increased. During the first twenty years, the 
 Canton congregation paid Rev. Herbruck less than $100 a year 
 as salary; during the next ten years, he received $150; as one 
 after another of the country congregations had to be dropped 
 because Canton demanded more of the minister's time, the sal- 
 ary was increased until in 1870 it amounted to $750 without 
 parsonage.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE INEVITABLE ENGLISH AND A FEW 
 OTHER THINGS 
 
 WHEN the new church was dedicated, all the regular 
 services of the Canton congregations were still con- 
 ducted in German. Already during the pastorate of Rev. Ben- 
 jamin Faust some English had been necessary and was willing- 
 ly granted. When Rev. Peter Herbruck became pastor of the 
 charge he was unable to officiate in the English language ; and 
 in later years, although he became quite proficient in English, 
 he steadily refused to use it for public discourse or sermon. 
 As early as 1837 a small group of members left the Canton 
 congregation and united with the English speaking Lutherans 
 in the organization of the Trinity Lutheran Church. During 
 the next fifteen years, the controversies that raged over the 
 questions of temperance, change of language and the new- 
 measure movement caused the loss of scores of members in 
 Canton. 
 
 The coming of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1851 started 
 a boom in population and industries. Manufactories for the 
 production of harvesting machinery, farm implements, tools 
 and other necessities were erected. A large influx of popula- 
 tion followed. The town grew from 2000 in 1850 to 4000 in 
 1860, and had reached 9000 in 1870. Many of the new-com- 
 ers were Germans and Swiss, for these were the years of a 
 phenomenal German immigration. The Reformed congrega- 
 tion therefore grew rapidly and actually contained a larger 
 number of German adult members than ever before. Under 
 these circumstances Rev. Herbruck became the more deter- 
 mined not to permit any English to be used at the regular serv- 
 ices, even though the American born members and their chil- 
 dren might ask for it. 
 
 After the new church was built the demand for some Eng- 
 
 114
 
 H 
 
 M 
 
 I 5 5 
 
 -i "- 1 
 
 S. w
 
 THE INEVITABLE ENGLISH 115 
 
 lish became insistent. Rev. T. H. Good, D.D.,* in 1871 de- 
 scribes the situation in Canton in these words, "The organiza- 
 tion (of an English congregation) was delayed much too long. 
 Twenty years ago (that is about 1850) we should have had 
 such a congregation. We have lost immensely by the delay. 
 If the families that were once members of the Reformed 
 Church, but are now scattered among other English organiza- 
 tions in Canton, were gathered together, they would make by 
 far the wealthiest and strongest congregation in the place."** 
 
 Though Rev. Herbruck was absolutely opposed to the in- 
 troduction of English into his German congregation, he grad- 
 ually became convinced that an English congregation ought to 
 be organized to prevent the constant loss of Reformed mem- 
 bers to other denominations on account of the language. He 
 also offered to assist an English organization to the extent of 
 his ability. The development of this new attitude will be 
 given in his own words : 
 
 "Several years after our church had been built, the Ohio 
 Synod of the Reformed Church held its annual session in the 
 new building (1864). A number of the English brethren did 
 not seem to like it very well that the congregation was still all 
 German. I received many a broad hint that English ought to 
 be introduced speedily. Not very long after the Synod meet- 
 ing I got a letter from one of the prominent English brethren 
 in which he said, "Brother Herbruck, there must be English 
 preaching in your congregation." I answered, "No, in my con- 
 gregation there will be no regular English preaching. The con- 
 gregation is German and shall remain German." Soon another 
 letter came reminding me that unless English was introduced, 
 our young people would soon be lost to the congregation. My 
 answer was, "Canton lies before you. If the English brethren 
 desire an English congregation, let them come and organize 
 
 * Dr. Good had been a professor in the college and the theological 
 seminary, Tiffin, Ohio for a score of years, and was intimately acquaint- 
 ed with the conditions in the congregation. 
 
 ** Christian World, Oct. 19, 1871.
 
 116 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 one." I offered to assist them to the extent of my ability; 
 but refused to permit regular English preaching in my congre- 
 gation. 
 
 "When it was finally discovered that Brother Herbruck 
 could not easily be persuaded to do something which he did not 
 consider to be good, the decision was reached to organize a new 
 congregation in the city of Canton."f 
 
 On November 24, 1870, the consistory unanimously au- 
 thorized the pastor to call a congregational meeting to vote on 
 the question of allowing an English congregation about to be 
 organized, the use of the church. This congregational meeting 
 was held January 22, 1871. One hundred and two votes were 
 cast. Of these only sixteen were opposed to the granting of 
 the request. It was also resolved, that, "The church may be 
 occupied by the Second Reformed congregation when not used 
 by the German congregation ; the Second congregation paying 
 half for heating, cleaning, and lighting the church." 
 
 On April 6, the consistory of the mother-church and the 
 consistory of the Second congregation "when regularly organ- 
 ized" met and drew up rather elaborate and legally phrased 
 "Articles of Agreement" which were signed by all the mem- 
 bers of the two consistories. In these articles it was stipulated 
 that, "The congregation, when regularly organized, styled the 
 Second Reformed Congregation, may have the use, for divine 
 service, of the German Reformed Jerusalem's 'Church, at such 
 seasons or hours when not occupied by the German congrega- 
 tion, their minister being umpire as to time, from April 1, 1871 
 to April 1, 1872; provided they will agree ... to pay expenses 
 according to the number of times occupied by their congrega- 
 tion during the year, for cleaning, warming, and lighting the 
 church . . . for the payment of which money the said consis- 
 tory of the Second part, do individually and collectively bind 
 themselves and their successors in office." 
 
 Rev. J. B. Schumacher became the first pastor of the new 
 congregation, which he organized with eighteen charter mem- 
 
 t Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 THE INEVITABLE ENGLISH 117 
 
 bers. In a few months the number had increased to thirty 
 and the desire arose to acquire their own church property. 
 
 Rev. Herbruck heartily sympathized with this plan and 
 offered to support it handsomely. His experiences in this con- 
 nection are graphically described by himself : 
 
 "About this time the Baptist church offered their building 
 for sale, intending to build a larger church on a new location. 
 It was a brick building, almost as good as new, near the center 
 of the town, and of about the same size as the building later 
 erected by the English Reformed Church. I went to the offi- 
 cial board of the Baptist church and inquired concerning the 
 price. The church and lots were offered me for $4000. Then 
 I made the English Reformed congregation the proposition to 
 buy this church ; offering personally to give $200, and one of 
 my sons promised $500. In this way the congregation itself 
 would have had to raise only $3300. My well-intended propo- 
 sition was at once refused. The $200 from me and the $500 
 from my son were indeed fondly desired, but the English 
 church must remain close to the German. A lot was there- 
 fore bought near the German church and about $3300 was 
 paid for it. Then a frame church was built for about $3500. 
 If my advice had been accepted, the English congregation 
 would have had a church almost in the center of town, and 
 would have saved $3500, besides a considerable number of 
 splendid members."* 
 
 The Second congregation received some missionary aid at 
 the beginning, and Rev. Herbruck believed that some of the 
 leaders in the Ohio Synod had deliberately directed the Sec- 
 ond congregation to choose the East Tuscarawas Street loca- 
 tion almost opposite the mother-church, because it had been 
 determined that "Brother Herbruck must be made to pay some- 
 thing for his stubbornness,"* in not introducing English serv- 
 ices into his congregation. "The church to be built will there- 
 fore be put just as near as possible to the German church of 
 Bro. Herbruck. The reason for this can easily be imagined."* 
 
 * Herbruck Reminiscences.
 
 118 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 On Sunday, September 1, 1871, the corner stone was laid, 
 and in a few months a neat frame church 40 by 36 feet with 
 a bell-tower had been erected. 
 
 The purpose of the location opposite the old church soon 
 revealed itself. Strenuous efforts were made to get members 
 of the mother-church to go over. These efforts were contin- 
 ued for several years. Perhaps the methods used were not 
 always discreet nor in accord with congregational courtesy; 
 the inevitable result was a feeling of estrangement between the 
 two congregations. It is certain that the development of the 
 Reformed Church in Canton was thrown back for a quarter of 
 a century by the short-sighted policy which dictated the loca- 
 tion of the Second Church. The kindest judgment that the 
 present generation can pass upon it, is that it was a strategic 
 error. 
 
 The first frame building gave way to a commodious brick 
 edifice in 1890, and this in turn was abandoned when the Trin- 
 ity Congregation moved into the "fine, Greek Classic structure 
 which stands so majestically on the slope of North Market 
 Street Hill," in 1914. The membership now numbers 1554, 
 with a Sunday school enrollment of 1700. The total annual 
 offerings for all benevolent purposes are about $6000. 
 
 The minutes of the consistory during this period reveal 
 some striking little pictures from the shifting congregational 
 life, which give an insight into some of the problems which had 
 to be faced. Numerous cases of discipline occurred. Among 
 the causes which were counted as sufficient for exclusion from 
 church membership we find the following: refusal to pay the 
 subscription for the building of the new church, berating the 
 pastor without cause or reason, being general stumbling blocks, 
 disturbing the congregational harmony, etc. One man was 
 promptly and properly disciplined, "Because he declared at an 
 election that if Herb ruck would resign he would furnish a keg 
 of beer to be drunk at the church." 
 
 During the period from 1862-75, it is plain that strenuous 
 efforts were put forth to raise the standards for membership. 
 In 1869 it was made a rule that, "No member who has ceased
 
 THE INEVITABLE ENGLISH 119 
 
 attending the public worship and the Lord's Supper without 
 cause shall be permitted to vote at elections that pertain to any 
 spiritual matters." In 1870, all delinquent members were ad- 
 monished that they must either do their Christian duty or else 
 they "would have their names stricken from the church regis- 
 ter." In 1871, the treasurer was instructed not to receive any 
 money from those whose names still appeared on the roll "who 
 do not lead a religious life that conforms to the requirements 
 of our constitution or the tenets of our church." During this 
 year the custom was also introduced of receiving members on 
 six months' probation to determine whether they would prove 
 desirable acquisitions or not. The practice was continued for 
 a number of years. Finally in 1874, the consistory unanimous- 
 ly declared that, "We would hail with delight the upbuilding 
 of a young men's Temperance Society in our midst" and steps 
 were taken to organize such a society. Though but little prac- 
 tical benefit came from the attempt, the fact that the consis- 
 tory took such action gave notice that a new era was inevitably 
 dawning. At the same time the consistory also declared that, 
 "We have watched with painful feelings, the gross immorality 
 and careless demeanor of many who claim to be members of 
 our church, and who also refuse in anywise to support the 
 church, therefore, all such members who continue in their 
 sins and refusal to do their Christian and church duties shall 
 have their names stricken from the roll." 
 
 The reason for this better attention to church discipline 
 must be found in the fact that Rev. Herbruck had gradually 
 given up all the congregations outside of Canton, and hence 
 could exercise more careful pastoral oversight in his one re- 
 maining congregation. 
 
 In 1862 when the Canton church was dedicated there were 
 still six congregations in the* charge. During the next years 
 St. Martin's, St. Peter's, and St. Jacob's were dropped, Paris 
 in 1871 and Osnaburg in 1872. 
 
 Soon after the dedication of the new church, a parochial 
 schoolhouse was also erected, and a school was maintained for 
 many years. Such information as is still available concerning
 
 120 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 this interesting phase of congregational activity will be present- 
 ed in a later chapter. 
 
 The cemetery that occupied most of the church plot except 
 where the church stood was gradually abandoned. After the 
 West Lawn Cemetery was opened many of the bodies were 
 removed from the church's burying ground; but occasional 
 interments still took place until 1874 when the congregation by 
 a vote of thirty-one to ten forbade any further burials. Three 
 soldiers of the Civil War are still buried there. Their names 
 have been forgotten, the site of the graves must be guessed at, 
 but each year on Memorial Day three G. A. R. flags are placed 
 on the probable site of the graves. There they wave until wind 
 and weather have torn them to shreds, as mute reminders to 
 the passer-by, that the ground had once been hallowed to the 
 departed by the tears and sorrows of the living. 
 
 The first year that the Canton congregation alone was 
 served by Rev. Herbruck, he reported to the Classis that there 
 were 494 members in the church, and 200 enrolled in the Sun- 
 day school. Thirty-six had been confirmed, and 89 baptized, 
 and $293 were given for benevolence. 
 
 In 1875 Heidelberg College recognized the long and influ- 
 ential career of Rev. Herbruck by granting to him the honor- 
 ary title of Doctor of Divinity.
 
 REV. PETER IIERBRUCK, D.D. 
 At the time of his fiftieth anniversary, 1881
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 CLOSING YEARS OF REV. HERBRUCK'S LIFE 
 
 THE last ten years of Rev. Peter Herbruck's pastorate 
 were unmarked by any special event in the development 
 of the congregation. The number of additions from year to 
 year made up for the losses, and also showed a slight increase. 
 The physical vigor of the pastor under the strenuous activities 
 of half a century had been depleted. Though he still forced 
 himself to meet all his appointments,* his hold was gradually 
 slipping. Frequently, especially during the last five years, he 
 would have to stop after speaking for a few minutes and say 
 with a sigh, "I am too weak to preach any longer, we will have 
 to close for to-day." 
 
 The natural result was a gradual scattering of the congre- 
 gational forces. The congregation still loath to lose their aged 
 pastor made various efforts, from 1880 on, to secure his son, the 
 Rev. Emil Herbruck of Akron, Ohio, as assistant pastor. Fail- 
 ing in this effort, several other ministers were invited to preach 
 trial sermons with the view of becoming assistant pastor, but 
 no suitable assistant could be secured. Rev. Herbruck there- 
 fore continued his labors until January, 1886. 
 
 One event of these years, however, stood out and is still 
 frequently spoken of by the older members of the church, and 
 that was the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Rev. 
 Herbruck's landing upon American soil, and the forty-ninth 
 anniversary of his permanent connection with the Canton con- 
 gregation as pastor. The joyous event occurred on Sunday, 
 December 4, 1881. 
 
 The church was festooned with evergreens. The pulpit 
 was decked with flowers, on the north wall of the church was a 
 
 * At the fiftieth anniversary service, Rev. Herbruck stated that only 
 six times during all the years of his pastoral labors had sickness pre- 
 vented him from meeting an appointment. 
 
 121
 
 122 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O 
 
 large inscription in evergreens reading, 1831-1881, and every- 
 where banners were on display. At the morning service Rev. 
 H. J. Ruetenik, D.D., of Cleveland, Ohio, a lifelong friend of 
 the pastor, preached in German on the parable of the ten vir- 
 gins. "It was an able sermon full of good thoughts and valua- 
 ble suggestions, the principal lesson drawn from the text being 
 the necessity of, at all times, being ready to avail ourselves of 
 the various opportunities for advancement that are given us 
 throughout our life." 
 
 Rev. Herbruck then gave a sketch of his life with many an 
 anecdote both droll and serious. 
 
 In honor of the occasion the Ladies' Aid Society presented 
 the pastor's wife with a silver tea set, and the congregation 
 gave the pastor a gold medal. On one side, "In raised work 
 of yellow gold was a Bible with a crown resting upon it, both 
 encircled with a laurel wreath." On the reverse side was a 
 suitable, honorary inscription. At the afternoon service var- 
 ious ministers of the town gave brief congratulatory addresses. 
 In the evening Rev. Joseph Keller, D.D., Randolph, Ohio, 
 preached. 
 
 Rev. Peter Herbruck continued his labors until January, 
 1886, after which he lived in quiet retirement at the old home- 
 stead, corner of Tuscarawas Street, East, and Herbruck Court, 
 until his death. After his retirement he still worshiped fre- 
 quently with his former flock and performed many ministerial 
 acts, such as baptisms, funerals, and marriages. The total 
 number of these ministerial functions performed during his 
 long career as pastor has been given as follows : baptisms 5938, 
 confirmations 2717, marriages 2611, funerals 2560.* 
 
 During the closing years of his life, Rev. Herbruck was 
 very feeble. For several days before his death, the end was 
 hourly expected. Finally on Sunday, September 22, 1895, he 
 breathed his last. 
 
 * These figures were published at the time of Rev. Herbruck's 
 death. The author has no means of testing their accuracy. There i 
 considerable discrepancy in the figures as published at various times.
 
 CLOSING YEARS OF REV HERBRUCK'S LIFE 123 
 
 The funeral services were held on the following Tuesday. 
 Rev. F. Strassner, D.D., and Rev. S. C. Goss, D.D., conducted 
 the services at the home. The pallbearers were all ministers 
 of the Reformed Church, namely John H. Beck, Alf. G. Ber- 
 key, N. A. Ernst, S. G. Goss, D.D., J. J. Lebermann, D.D., and 
 J. P. Stahl. From the house the funeral cortege proceeded to 
 the Trinity Reformed Church. Addresses were delivered by 
 Rev. Joseph Keller, D.D., president of St. John's Classis, Rev. 
 E. R. Williard, who spoke for Ohio Synod and Tuscarawas 
 Classis, and a representative of the Canton Ministerial Federa- 
 tion. The "Canton Repository" closed its account of the fune- 
 ral services with the appropriate and sympathetic words, "As a 
 preacher he had few equals, as a pastor he was beloved, and as 
 a father he was kind and reserved." 
 
 A little more than two years later, on November 24, 1897, 
 Mrs. Herbruck also was called to her reward. 
 
 The faithful couple who had lived happily together for a 
 period of sixty-three years, fifty-three of which were spent as 
 pastor and pastor's wife of the First Reformed Church, now 
 lie buried side by side in West Lawn Cemetery. 
 
 During this period from 1831-1895 that Rev. Herbruck 
 was pastor in Canton he saw the backwoods village of less than 
 2000 population, without any means of communication with 
 the outside world except poorly-kept dirt roads, evolve into a 
 thriving, up-to-date, industrial center of 28,000 souls, with 
 three railroad systems giving perfect transportation facilities. 
 The few shops, stores and mills of the early days, securing 
 their supplies by wagon from Pittsburgh or the Ohio River, and 
 serving only the immediate community, had been transformed 
 into a receiving and distributing center, sending the diversified 
 products of more than two hundred manufacturing plants into 
 all parts of the world. The feeble congregations worshiping 
 in humble, poorly equipped buildings had grown to great num- 
 bers assembling in spacious, comfortable and imposing edifices. 
 But few men are permitted to thus grow up with a community 
 and witness its progressive evolution.
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST 
 
 REV. John B. Rust at the special request of the author, 
 kindly consented to write the history of his own pastorate 
 in Canton. The narrative is given as prepared by him. In 
 addition to the story of his work in Canton, he has also woven 
 in many valuable historical incidents from the field which he 
 previously served. As this field once also formed a part of 
 the vast parish served by the Rev. Peter Herbruck, this addi- 
 tional historical material, most of which is not given elsewhere 
 in this book, is included. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Rust was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 5, 
 1856. His father, Rev. Herman Rust, was pastor of the First 
 Reformed Church of Cincinnati for twelve years. Later he 
 was called to the "German Professorship" in Heidelberg Theo- 
 logical Seminary, and the "Professorship of the German Lan- 
 guage and Literature" in Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio. 
 Young Rust attended the public schools in Cincinnati and Tif- 
 fin, and then took the full classical course in the college and 
 seminary, graduating in the spring of 1879. During the fol- 
 lowing winter he began his work as pastor of the Waynesburg 
 charge. 
 
 The narrative that follows is given as prepared by Rev. 
 Rust. 
 
 "In the winter of 1879 and 1880 Rev.. J. B. Rust entered 
 upon the pastorate of the Waynesburg Charge, Stark County, 
 Ohio, about twelve miles south of Canton. This was his first 
 field of labor. Rev. F. Strassner, pastor of Christ Reformed 
 Church, in Orrville, Ohio, thought at one time that he would 
 assume the care of the Waynesburg charge himself, but after- 
 wards changed his mind and used his influence to find a suit- 
 able incumbent instead, for that charge, which consisted of 
 three congregations, St. Paul's Reformed Church in Waynes- 
 burg, St. Paul's Reformed Church in Mineral City, and the 
 
 124
 
 REV. JOHN B. RUST, PH.D., D. D.
 
 EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST 125 
 
 Salem's Church, Osnaburg Township. The latter congrega- 
 tion was organized by a group of seceders from St. Martin's 
 Reformed Church, because they were not permitted to hold 
 weekly prayermeetings in their house of worship and in their 
 homes, and aspired after a warmer and more lively expression 
 and method of religious life. The mother-church refused to 
 befriend them and condemned their "Schwaermerei." In the 
 hope that they might unite again at some future day with the 
 St. Martin's congregation, they secured a piece of ground large 
 enough for a small church, and a burying ground adjoining, 
 and just as large as the property of the St. Martin's congrega- 
 tion. On that spot they built a white frame church large 
 enough to accommodate their membership, but for constitution- 
 al reasons they organized as an Evangelical Church in the near- 
 by hamlet of Mapleton, and when their house of worship was 
 completed, Rev. Peter Herbruck conducted the dedicatory 
 services, having been invited to do so because he had offered 
 his assistance for a merely nominal gift, in order, if possible, to 
 guide the faithful flock back again into the Reformed Church. 
 Finding themselves unable to support a pastor independently, 
 they united with the Reformed congregation in Alliance, and 
 were served by the Rev. August C. F. Schade, Ph.D., a gifted 
 and brilliant German pulpit orator, who, during that time, 
 resided in Malvern, a village almost midway between the 
 Salem's church and Mt. Union. Through the efforts and 
 direct instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Schade, the Salem's con- 
 gregation, on the plea that they were an Evangelical church 
 knocking at the door of the Reformed Church for admittance, 
 were received into the fellowship with the Central Synod. At 
 one time during the pastorate of Rev. J. B. Rust; the two con- 
 gregations, largely under the mild guidance of Mr. Paul Gei- 
 ger, entered into a compact of union, but through uncalled-for, 
 unwise, unjustifiable remarks made by a few shortsighted per- 
 sons, the noble plan was defeated. The two churches never 
 united again. They did not even become reconciled, despite 
 the fact that intermarriages among the members of those 
 organizations frequently occurred. St. Martin's Church was
 
 126 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 finally taken down and rebuilt in the village of Malvern, where 
 the congregation abandoned the use of the German language 
 entirely, and changed its character and temperament through- 
 out, until it was finally dissolved, because of removals and loss 
 of support, as a part of the Robertsville Charge, which at that 
 time consisted of the Malvern, Robertsville, and Paris church- 
 es. Rev. Dr. J. J. Leberman organized the Robertsville con- 
 gregation, and served Paris, Robertsville, and Osnaburg, in 
 connection with the Louisville church, for many years. 
 
 "Rev. J. H. Klahr, residing in or near Navarre, for quite a 
 number of years preached in Mineral City and Waynesburg. 
 In Waynesburg, the Lutheran and Reformed people worshipped 
 in the same church, and during the pastorates of Rev. Klahr, 
 and Rev. Cronenwirth, the latter a narrow and bigoted Luth- 
 eran, a conflict arose concerning the hours of worship. The 
 Lutherans were the aggressors, it seems, by reason of the fact 
 that they periodically, without consulting the Reformed pastor 
 or his consistory, appropriated the Reformed day of service. 
 As a result the ministers met at one of these services and 
 engaged in a hand to hand tussel for supremacy. It was the 
 Reformed hour of worship. Rev. Klahr had already entered 
 the pulpit, an old-fashioned elevated enclosure, and the gate in 
 the chancel- rail was closed behind him. When the Rev. Mr. 
 Cronenwirth approached, he was beaten back and vanquished 
 by a liberal and forcible application of the Bible as a weapon 
 of defense in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Klahr. The excite- 
 ment was intense and the scene a memorable one. The bad 
 odor of the affair continued to cling to the church for a long 
 time. The incident led to the withdrawal of both pastors and 
 the separation of the congregations. The case was taken to 
 court. Attorney C. M. Bousch, of Meadville, Pa., represented 
 the Reformed congregation, and Mr. Peter Sherer furnished 
 the principal part of the money. Mrs. Reinhardt, a leading 
 member, the mother of the late Rev. James Reinhart, was also 
 very helpful. After the Lutherans failed in their effort to 
 oust the remnant of Reformed people in and around Waynes- 
 burg from their rightful interest in the joint property, they
 
 EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST 127 
 
 disposed of their undivided half ownership in the church and 
 grounds and erected a new Lutheran church on the eastern 
 border of the village. Rev. Klahr continued to preach in Min- 
 eral Point for a little while longer. At this juncture Rev. F. 
 Strassner seized the reins of influence in behalf of the charge, 
 as already stated, and planned to secure a pastor to succeed 
 Rev. Klahr. Ever since the incumbency of Rev. J. B. Rust as 
 pastor of the Waynesburg Charge, that field of labor has never 
 been vacant very long at any time. During the six happy and 
 prosperous years that Rev. Rust spent in the charge, he fre- 
 quently visited in the home of Rev. Peter Herbruck in Canton. 
 He stood upon terms of close friendship with all the immediate 
 members of the Herbruck family. When "Father" Herbruck, 
 who had devoted the greater part of his life to his Canton pas- 
 torate, began to feel the infirmity of age, he besought his son, 
 Rev. Dr. Emil P. Herbruck, then in Akron, to assume the direc- 
 tion of Jerusalem's Reformed congregation, and the people 
 without a dissenting voice, seconded the earnest wishes of their 
 aged pastor by twice extending an urgent call to his gifted son 
 in Akron. During one of those visits he urged Rev. J. B. Rust 
 to indicate his willingness to consider an invitation in case he 
 should be unable to respond to his father's desire. But, even 
 after he had expressed his readiness from the pulpit to become 
 his father's assistant, and then his successor, he finally declined 
 the call which had been given him by the congregation. Some 
 time later on, Father Herbruck was overcome with weakness 
 one Sunday morning in the pulpit, and had to be removed to 
 his home. His long and faithful public service thus came to 
 an end, and as a result, Rev. J. B. Rust, pastor of the Waynes- 
 burg charge, was invited to preach a trial sermon. Believing 
 and hoping that Father Herbruck would recover his strength 
 again, he offered to act as his substitute for several Sundays 
 during the aged pastor's illness. An appointment was made, 
 and after the service the consistory gathered around the visit- 
 ing minister, in the church, and earnestly expressed to him 
 their desire that he should become the successor of Father 
 Herbruck. They asked him if he would give favorable con-
 
 128 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 sideration to a call. He answered in the affirmative, on the 
 one condition that he be permitted also to preach in the Eng- 
 lish language in the church. The members of the consistory, 
 among them the lamented Elder Frederic Hipp, at once, with- 
 out hesitation and most enthusiastically, confessed to him the 
 absolute need of both German and English preaching in their 
 church. Nevertheless he returned to Waynesburg with the 
 solemn conviction that that large, conservative German con- 
 gregation would never consent to introduce even the limited 
 use of the English language at that juncture in their history. 
 A few weeks later the call was actually received, and the young 
 minister found himself at the parting of the ways. The call 
 came during a canvass of the Waynesburg charge by Henry 
 Leonard, "The Fisherman," in the interest of Heidelberg Col- 
 lege, and that good brother, for a number of cogent reasons 
 named by him, pleaded with the Waynesburg pastor not to ac- 
 cept the call, but to remain unquestioningly in the quiet, unos- 
 tentatious, more peaceful and less hazardous country parish. 
 "The Fisherman's" advice was listened to with respectful atten- 
 tion and the Canton call accepted. Rev. J. B. Rust moved to 
 Canton by wagon overland in December 1885, and located in 
 rooms in the home of Mrs. Susan Deuble, a widowed sister of 
 Rev. Peter Herbruck, who lived at No. 92 North Market Street. 
 The late Rev. Jacob Dahlmann, D.D., of Akron, Ohio, preached 
 the installation sermon, and Rev. Frederick Strasser, D.D., of 
 Orrville, Ohio, conducted the installation, on Tuesday even- 
 ing, January 19, 1886. 
 
 "When Father Herbruck came to Stark County, Canton 
 was a mere village. One day during a visit in the Herbruck 
 home, while he was still pastor of the church, Father Herbruck 
 took Rev. Rust with him in his buggy, to make a series of pas- 
 toral calls in the western part of the city, and pointed out the 
 spot to him, along West Tuscarawas Street, just opposite the 
 Dueber-Hampden buildings, where he, as a stripling of seven- 
 teen years, fresh from Germany, and unable to find employ- 
 ment in Canton, sat down under a tree, homeless and alone, 
 apparently forsaken by everyone, and wept in sorrow and
 
 EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST 129 
 
 hopelessness. A farmer, on his return from the village, found 
 him there, sitting under the tree, took him home, and gave him 
 food and shelter. Not long after this event he became ac- 
 quainted with the Rev. Benjamin Faust, who induced him to 
 enter upon the work of parochial school teaching in Canton, 
 and to prepare himself for the Gospel ministry. 
 
 "Rev. Mahnenschmidt and Rev. Sonnendecker occasionally 
 preached for the Reformed people, but Rev. Benjamin Faust 
 was the first Reformed pastor who resided in Canton. The 
 first resident Lutheran minister is said to have been Rev. An- 
 thony Weyer. Rev. Faust became associated with the church 
 in 1818. The Lutheran and Reformed people worshipped in 
 the same church, the old frame building in West Tuscarawas 
 Street, until 1823, and in the new brick church until 1862. 
 Rev. Faust became seriously afflicted with bronchial trouble, 
 and was compelled to retire from the active ministry. He died 
 in 1832 and his body was laid to rest in the God's Acre imme- 
 diately back of the present Reformed church edifice. When 
 Rev. Faust could not longer minister to the congregation, Rev. 
 Peter Herbruck, not yet twenty years old, was instructed to 
 take full charge of the church. For a long time, as necessity 
 demanded, in view of the condition of the period, Lutheran 
 and Reformed pastors served the adherents of both confes- 
 sions interchangeably, in neighborhoods in which it was im- 
 possible at that early day, to gather sufficient support for sep- 
 arate pastoral service. A little later on in the history of the 
 country, union churches were erected conjointly by the Luth- 
 eran and Reformed people in country districts and village cen- 
 ters. Father Herbruck therefore in a number of instances 
 gave catechetical instruction to Lutheran and Reformed chil- 
 dren, and organized his classes accordingly. He used both 
 Luther's smaller catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism, in 
 response to the demands of the time, and the request of the 
 parents. Finally the increase of population, the growth of 
 denominational strength and needs, the language problem and 
 other causes, called in a new era, in which the so-called union 
 church was gradually abandoned, and the distinctively denom- 
 9
 
 130 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 inational churches began to be built, to escape all the evils and 
 to avoid all the half-hearted compromises associated with the 
 union church. This' occurred also in Canton. In 1860 the 
 Reformed congregation withdrew from the union and erected 
 their own church on the west corner of the block of lots in 
 East Tuscarawas Street, where the two churches still stand. 
 Mr. Conrad Schweitzer, Sr., liberally supported this enterprise. 
 Rev. John Baptist Uhlmann, rector of St. Peter's Roman Cath- 
 olic Church, manifested warm interest in the erection of the 
 Reformed church, and gave valuable suggestions on the subject 
 of church architecture to Rev. Peter Herbruck. Born in Con- 
 stance, Baden, February 19, 1804, and ordained by Archbishop 
 Bernard Boll, September 17, 1828, he came to America from 
 the Diocese of Freiburg to escape the disturbances of the Revo- 
 lution of 1848, and by Bishop Rappe was appointed pastor of 
 St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tiffin, Ohio. In May 1856 
 he was transferred to St. Peter's Church, Canton, Ohio. In 
 June 1864 he was sent to St. Mary's Church, Sandusky, where 
 he remained until July 1865, when he left the Cleveland dio- 
 cese to return to his native land. He died at Bonndorf , Baden, 
 February 18, 1882. Father Uhlmann was a man of deep and 
 varied learning and an eloquent pulpit orator. When he left 
 Canton, he presented Father Herbruck w.ith a complete set of 
 the sermons of the great German Evangelical preacher, Franz 
 Volkmar Reinhard. Father Herbruck often spoke kindly of 
 Father Uhlmann to the writer of this sketch. He revered the 
 memory of the man to the end of his life. 
 
 "At an earlier day Father Herbruck periodically held serv- 
 ices at a great many outlying points, ministering to the spiritual 
 needs of the scattered and primitive communities of that day. 
 He preached in Paris, Osnaburg, New Berlin, Bethlehem, 
 Georgetown, Cairo, Uniontown, Carrollton, and other points. 
 Many of his journeys were made on foot. He walked all the 
 way from Canton to Carrollton every four or six weeks, on 
 Saturday, a distance of twenty-four miles, preached on Sunday, 
 and on the following Monday walked back to Canton. The 
 people paid $15 annually toward his support. They were poor,
 
 EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST 131 
 
 and money was scarce. Thus at great personal sacrifice and 
 amidst trying conditions, he served his Master by the labor he 
 performed to extend the Kingdom of God. Finally when the 
 congregation in Canton became so large that it taxed all his 
 powers and energy to meet the needs of so many people, he 
 withdrew from the country charges and devoted himself wholly 
 to the Canton field."
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. B. RUST 
 
 THE field into which Rev. J. B. Rust entered in January, 
 1886 was not strewn with roses. After a congregation 
 has become inured for fifty-three and one-half years to one 
 pastor it has become so thoroughly fixed in its traditions and 
 ideals that a new pastor would find many problems waiting to 
 be solved. Rev. Herbruck had always conducted the affairs 
 of the congregation in a manner rather independent of the 
 judicatories of the church; while the new pastor was zealous 
 for "the principles of good order, and the provisions of the 
 constitution of the Reformed Church." 
 
 Four things stand out most prominently in this pastorate 
 of nearly four years : 
 
 First. A roll of the members was made and put on record 
 for the first time. The nominal members of the congregation 
 were scattered all over Stark County. Multitudes claimed to 
 be members who never 'attended a service or contributed any- 
 thing to the support of the church. Hundreds communed at 
 Easter-time who were never seen again until the next Easter. 
 Rev. Herbruck had kept no written church-roll. It had been 
 his custom to carry the roll in his memory. The last report 
 which he made to Classis mentioned 600 members. This figure 
 did not stand for individuals who could be relied upon, but 
 rather represented an estimate of the number who claimed to 
 be members. The first task to which the new pastor and the 
 consistory addressed themselves was the drawing up of a writ- 
 ten roll. "The names and addresses of all the members of the 
 congregation, individuals, and families, parents and children, 
 were secured and duly registered in a church-book, or record." 
 Unfortunately many who had long before forfeited every claim 
 to membership, when approached, blithely said : Why, sure, we 
 are members of the First Reformed Church. During the sub- 
 
 132
 
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 THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. B. RUST 133 
 
 sequent years many of the "dead branches" who had thus got 
 on the roll had to be lopped off. 
 
 Secondly. English was introduced. Rev. Rust had re- 
 fused to consider a call to Canton unless English should be 
 introduced. "The members of the consistory at once, and most 
 enthusiastically confessed to him the absolute need of both Ger- 
 man and English preaching in their church." For half a century 
 the First Reformed Church had been a feeder for the other 
 churches of Canton, and for fifteen years, scores had been 
 obliged to transfer to Trinity Reformed Church on account of 
 the language. The new pastor soon introduced English even- 
 ing services. "This forward step was taken without friction 
 or misgiving, because all the members of the congregation fully 
 realized the need of it in order that the young people, who pre- 
 ferred the English, might be given a more potent reason to 
 show their continued loyalty to the church." 
 
 Thirdly. An advanced temperance position was taken. 
 The traditions and habits of a considerable portion of the mem- 
 bership were decidedly "wet." The innocuous nature of the 
 temperance resolutions which had sometimes been passed by 
 the consistory is demonstrated by the fact that the church har- 
 bored a score of saloon-keepers as members. The "wet breth- 
 ren" vociferously declared themselves in favor of "temperance 
 according to the Scriptures." This phrase was interpreted as 
 meaning full liberty to drink spirituous liquor when not car- 
 ried to gross excess. Rev. Rust broke a brave lance with this 
 "bunch" as he describes later in this chapter. His courageous 
 stand aroused tremendous opposition, but by faithful reasoning 
 from the Scriptures, he "allayed the storm, silenced the objec- 
 tors, converted blind and angry opposition into sense and rea- 
 son, and ushered in the dawn of a better era in the congrega- 
 tion in relation to consistent Christian conduct." 
 
 Fourthly. The church property was improved. An addi- 
 tion was built on the north side of the church, so that the organ 
 which had been in the gallery for a quarter of a century could 
 be placed in front of the audience. The instrument was also 
 impoved. The alterations cost more than $3000.
 
 134 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 The detailed narrative of these events will now be given 
 in Rev. Rust's own words: 
 
 "Rev. John B. Rust succeeded Rev. Herbruck in the au- 
 tumn of 1885, in response to the united action of the congre- 
 gation, and the fraternal endorsement of the aged pastor. 
 Father Herbruck, when this change came, had served the con- 
 gregation for fifty-three years and six months. Very few pas- 
 tors thus far in the history of Ohio have enjoyed so unusual 
 a blessing and experienced so great an honor. In view of this 
 fact it proved to be a difficult undertaking, both for the new 
 pastor and for the church, to take up duties, responsibilities 
 and burdens which had been fulfilled and borne with unfailing 
 constancy for so many years by Father Herbruck, trained to 
 the task by ripe experience. During his term of service, Fath- 
 er Herbruck baptized, confirmed, and married thousands of 
 persons, and thus in the course of time gathered around him 
 one of the largest congregations in the German wing of the 
 Reformed Church west of the Allegheny Mountains. But the 
 record of all this work was incomplete. At least the incom- 
 ing pastor could not find any data to help him. During the 
 Easter services, for example, people came to the church to 
 receive Holy Communion, who claimed to belong to the con- 
 gregation, and yet were seldom or never seen in the church at 
 any other time. They had the idea that if they 'made their 
 Easter' their obligation to God and His Church was discharged, 
 and the faithful few could attend to the balance. Therefore 
 the new pastor and the consistory inaugurated a plan by which 
 the names and addresses of all the members of the congrega- 
 tion, individuals and families, parents and children, were se- 
 cured and duly registered in a church-book, or record, pur- 
 chased for the purpose. The congregation was not 'reorg- 
 anized' as some supposed, but simply placed upon record as 
 completely as possible, in obedience to the principle of good 
 order and the provisions of the Constitution of the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 "Near the beginning of the new pastorate an improvement 
 was made in the church edifice by the erection of a suitable
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. B. RUST 135 
 
 extension at the rear of the auditorium for the pipe-organ, and 
 to accommodate the choir back of the pulpit platform, which 
 was enlarged and built further out into the body of the church, 
 to overcome an unfortunate and trouble-some echo. An organ- 
 tuner from Pittsburgh had charge of the work of removing 
 the organ from the choir-loft to the new place provided for it. 
 The improvement cost the congregation somewhat over three 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 "A little while before this alteration was made, on a dark 
 and dreary Sunday, a young man, who was closely allied with 
 several Swiss singing societies, especially the Griitli Verein, and 
 who had frequently taken part, with his fine tenor voice, in 
 the singing of the choir, came to the altar-railing immediately 
 after the close of the service and asked for an interview with 
 the pastor. At the conference after dinner in the pastor's 
 study the man expressed an earnest desire to prepare for the 
 Gospel ministry. He had entertained the desire for a number 
 of years, but the opportunity to realize it had never been pre- 
 sented to him. He had taught school in the old country, and 
 officiated at funerals. He was a sculptor by trade. He be- 
 longed to an excellent Swiss family. His avocation, however, 
 at that time was not in keeping with his call to the ministry. 
 He promised to give up all and follow Christ. He entered 
 Calvin College in Cleveland, and when that school was by syn- 
 odic action forbidden to teach theology, he moved to Tiffin 
 with his family, and entered the Heidelberg Theological Sem- 
 inary. He carried with him most excellent grades in scholar- 
 ship, both in German and French, won in the schools of Swit- 
 zerland. His father became an elder in the Second Reformed 
 Church in Tiffin, and loyally supported the cause of Christ in 
 the community. He was a skillful wood-carver, and made all 
 the emblems for the new church when the present house of 
 worship was built. The son, after having served the Reformed 
 Church in two German-English parishes, in one of which, 
 Berne, Indiana, he built a beautiful church, was called to the 
 superintendency of the Orphans' Home in Ft. Wayne, and with 
 the help of his noble companion, his wife, managed the affairs
 
 136 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 of that institution with eminent and unusual success for many 
 years. The two oldest daughters married ministers, and the 
 youngest of them, a graduate of Heidelberg University, is the 
 wife of a teacher by profession. One of the sons, also a grad- 
 uate of Heidelberg University, and of the Central Theological 
 Seminary in Dayton, is at present a successful pastor in Ohio. 
 It was worth while going to Canton to find the Rev. Berchtold 
 Ruf and his family. 
 
 "During the earlier part of the pastorate of Rev. J. B. 
 Rust, prominent members of the "Law and Order League" 
 called to see him and invited him to speak at one of their early 
 spring meetings in the City Hall in defense of Sabbath observ- 
 ance in the summer months. The travel to Meyer's and Con- 
 gress Lakes seriously affected church attendance and interrupt- 
 ed the growth of true Christian life in Canton. He counselled 
 with his friend and neighbor, Mr. George Deuble, the organist 
 of the church, and a son-in-law of Father Herbruck, who ad- 
 vised the minister to attend the meeting, but admonished him 
 to be prudent. The address before the "Law and Order 
 League," in which the open Sunday saloon was named as one 
 of the chief causes of Sabbath desecration, aroused great 
 excitement and animosity in the congregation, with which 
 about twenty saloon-keepers were connected. A spy who had 
 been present at the Law and Order meeting, in his enthusiastic 
 attachment to the cause of "personal liberty," exaggerated the 
 conservative attitude, at that juncture, of the Reformed pastor, 
 who ere long discovered that the Prohibitionists in the League 
 were also displeased with him, because he had not been radical 
 
 enough for them in denouncing the liquor traffic. Mr. T. , 
 
 a member of the consistory at that time, probably by uninten- 
 tional misrepresentation, called forth a storm of protest in the 
 congregation, and made a rather drastic word-attack upon the 
 pastor himself. The women of the church, however, loyally 
 supported the minister and justified and defended his action. 
 Two weeks later he preached a sermon on law and order, and 
 in honor of the Lord's Day, to a congregation that filled every 
 available seat in the church and numbered not less than nine
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. B. RUST 137 
 
 hundred or a thousand people. The courageous presentation 
 of the truth, on the basis of Holy Scripture, allayed the storm, 
 silenced the objectors, converted blind and angry opposition 
 into sense and reason, and ushered in the dawn of a better era 
 in the congregation in relation to consistent Christian conduct. 
 Like the Battle of Blenheim: 'It was a famous victory.' 
 
 "Religious service in the English language on every Sun- 
 day evening was introduced without delay soon after the open- 
 ing of the new pastorate. This forward step was taken with- 
 out friction or misgiving, because all the members of the con- 
 gregation fully realized the need of it in order that the young 
 people, who preferred the English, might be given a more 
 potent reason to show their continued loyalty to the church. 
 
 "The temporary impairment of his health, which made it 
 impossible for him to attend properly to the duties of so large 
 a congregation, numbering seven hundred and fifty (750) com- 
 municants at that time, and about four hundred (400) pupils 
 and teachers in the Sunday school, led the pastor, Rev. J. B. 
 Rust, to hand in his resignation on July 14, 1889, with heart- 
 felt regret. This important step was unavoidable in the Prov- 
 idence of God. In the month of September, 1889, he quietly 
 withdrew from the field, and for one whole year retired from 
 active parish work and responsibility, until, called to the Re- 
 formed Church in New Philadelphia in the Autumn of 1890, 
 as the successor of the late Rev. O. J. Accola, D.D. This 
 closes the account, in the main, of the transitional pastorate of 
 the Rev. J. B. Rust, Ph.D., in Canton, Ohio, the third pastor in 
 the history of Jerusalem's Reformed Congregation." 
 
 Rev. Rust remained in New Philadelphia eight years. Dur- 
 ing that time the congregation erected a beautiful and spacious 
 church which is a credit both to the congregation and the com- 
 munity. 
 
 After a further brief pastorate of one and one-half years 
 of the Robertsville charge, Rev. Rust resigned, and removed 
 to Tiffin in 1899 where he has lived ever since. During this 
 period he has served the Bascom charge in Seneca County for
 
 138 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 nine years, and then became "delegated pastor" of the Findlay 
 congregation. 
 
 Dr. Rust has been a frequent contributor on historical and 
 theological subjects to the "Christian World," the "Reformed 
 Church Messenger," and the "Reformed Church Review." He 
 is the author of a three-hundred and fifty page book entitled 
 "Modernism and the Reformation," published in 1914, and 
 "The Life and Labors of Dr. Herman Rust," published in 1916. 
 He has also delivered series of lectures in Heidelberg College 
 on "Comparative Religion" and "The History of Music." 
 
 As pastor of the Canton charge, Rev. Rust was confronted 
 by a series of difficult and ugly questions and problems which 
 were handled with peculiar ability and fearlessness. His name 
 is held in grateful remembrance by a large number of members 
 who are still faithful adherents of the Canton Reformed 
 Church.
 
 \
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 THE LIFE AND PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK 
 STRASSNER, D.D. 
 
 SIX weeks after the close of Rev. Rust's pastorate, the con- 
 gregation extended a call to Rev. Frederick Strassner, 
 D.D., then serving the Christ Reformed Church in Orrville. A 
 salary of $1000 a year was promised him, but as the parsonage 
 had not yet been erected, the pastor had also to pay the rent 
 out of this. 
 
 On January 1, 1890, the new minister was installed. He 
 was a man ripe in experience and service, who could look back 
 upon more than thirty years of successful pastoral activity. 
 Before presenting the chief events of his Canton pastorate, a 
 brief sketch of his previous life and work will be given. A few 
 years before his death, Dr. Strassner wrote a rather full ac- 
 count of his early life, intended for his children. This account 
 was placed at the disposal of the writer, and will be freely used. 
 The facts and quotations that follow are all taken from this 
 narrative. 
 
 Rev. Frederick Strassner was born on February 22, 1831, 
 in the city of Bremen in Germany, of pious Reformed ancestry. 
 
 He was the thirteenth child in a family of fifteen. Of his 
 mother he declared, "She was always happy. The prayers she 
 taught us children were not in vain. Well do I remember them 
 yet, they were the means of leading me nearer to God." He 
 attended the parochial school of his native city, was confirmed 
 at the age of fourteen, and became an apprentice to a fresco 
 painter. 
 
 When seventeen years of age a severe attack of ague 
 which would not yield to medical application, took hold of him. 
 A change of climate was recommended. A married sister and 
 brother had emigrated to America and urged the parents to 
 send him too. Accordingly in 1848, he started for America in 
 a sailing vessel, as all the friends and relatives agreed that this 
 
 139
 
 140 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 was much safer than taking a steamship, because only so could 
 he "avoid the danger of fire on the ocean." 
 
 The English vessel on which he embarked required sixty 
 days to make the trip to New Orleans, and young Strassner 
 being an apt student, spent much of his time in acquiring a 
 working knowledge of English. One of the ship's crew, an 
 Irishman, took much interest in the youth and acted as his 
 teacher. The consequence was that his early English had a 
 very decided Irish brogue. 
 
 His fellow passengers "were mostly fugitives who had 
 participated in the revolution of 1848 and were happy to have 
 escaped the clutches of the German government. They gave 
 vent to their joy by singing and dancing." The journey was 
 uneventful with the exception of a near-tragedy ; for one day 
 "the vessel ran between two great rocks hidden from the sur- 
 face. The shock and grinding noise were very perceptible. 
 There was a great commotion and the faces were blanched. 
 Prayer books were in great demand and the knees were bent." 
 However, the boat got off safely, having sustained but slight 
 injury, and favored by calm weather the journey continued to 
 its destination. After their fright, however, "there was no 
 more dancing or foolish talking and jesting, and all were anx- 
 ious to land on solid ground." After landing at New Orleans 
 a further journey of six days up the Mississippi River was 
 required to reach St. Louis, where his sister lived. 
 
 The next years were spent in working at the carpenter's 
 trade and acquiring a better knowledge of English. From St. 
 Louis, young Strassner then went to Cincinnati and there, to 
 his great joy, found a little Reformed mission whose pastor 
 was Rev. Herman Rust, who influenced young Strassner to 
 give himself to the work of the ministry. Rev. Herman Rust 
 was the father of the Rev'd J. B. Rust, who later became suc- 
 cessor to Rev. Herbruck as pastor of the Canton church. Of 
 his experiences in Cincinnati, Rev. Strassner says, "I had now 
 found a church-home and entered heart and soul into spiritual 
 labor. Later I was overcome by the Holy Spirit and my con- 
 viction was plain that I must enter the ministry. My mind
 
 LIFE AND PASTORATE OF REV. F. STRASSNER, D.D. 141 
 
 was so much engaged in this new revelation that I was hin- 
 dered in my daily occupation." 
 
 He yielded to this revelation and determined to prepare 
 for the ministry. Largely by his own efforts he worked his 
 way through Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., 
 and later entered the theological seminary at Mercersburg, Pa.* 
 While studying at Mercersburg he also acted as assistant to 
 Rev. Geo. Wolff, D.D., pastor of the Paradise charge. One 
 experience during this time made a deep impression upon the 
 young theological student, for he describes it in full: "Dr. 
 Wolff asked me one day to ride his big black horse, a frisky 
 animal. I had no experience with horses; but took my first 
 lesson. A woman with a big clothes basket was met on the 
 road, and the horse would not pass. In the struggle, the saddle 
 turned and I hung on the side, holding the reins while the 
 horse was running full speed. So I jumped in front of the 
 horse to stop him. He jumped over me, taking off part of my 
 coat-tail. In due time, however, I returned the horse." 
 
 After completing his course of study at Mercersburg, he 
 was licensed by Susquehanna Classis in 1859, and immediately 
 began missionary work in Lucern County. From Wilkes- 
 Barre as a center he served a number of congregations in the 
 famous Wyoming Valley.f Five years were spent with much 
 success in this pioneer work. At first the young theologue 
 attempted to cook his own meals or "board around." This 
 proved thoroughly unsatisfactory, and he decided to found a 
 home of his own. His heart had already chosen, but his cour- 
 age was small. "Then I appealed to her pastor. The answer 
 was favorable." A most happy marriage speedily followed. 
 
 After leaving Wilkes-Barre, Rev. Strassner served the 
 following charges in Ohio: Berwick, three years; Lancaster, 
 two years ; Union charge near Lancaster, three years ; Orr- 
 
 * Mercersburg Theological Seminary was removed to Lancaster, 
 Pa., in 1871 and is now known as the Lancaster or Eastern Theological 
 Seminary. 
 
 t Wilkes-Barre was also the first field of labor of Rev. Theodore 
 P. Bolliger, who spent nearly five years there.
 
 142 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ville, eighteen years ; Canton, First Church, six years ; Canton, 
 Grace Church, ten years. 
 
 During the six years' pastorate of Rev. Strassner, the 
 First Church made a number of very decided advances. 
 
 The first work undertaken was the building of a parson- 
 age. The Strassner family moved from Orrville in March, 
 and on April 25 ground was broken for the parsonage. The 
 building committee consisted of Rev. Strassner, Jacob Schwin- 
 gle and John Class. The contract was let for $1939. The 
 congregation raised by subscriptions $480, the Ladies' Aid So- 
 ciety promised $100, in addition, and $1500 had to be borrowed. 
 The house was ready for occupancy by the end of September. 
 The entire cost of the building including levelling off of the 
 ground, walks, sewer, etc., was $2002. 
 
 The second important work was the revising of the roll 
 of members. As has been stated in previous chapters it had 
 been the custom of Father Herbruck to carry the church-roll 
 around "in his head" ; but this was of no help to his successor. 
 Rev. Rust aided by the consistory at once began the task of 
 putting those who claimed membership on record. So many 
 of these nominal members refused to perform the most elemen- 
 tary duties of church members, that the work of sifting the 
 chaff from the wheat had to be faithfully taken up. This work 
 had already begun under Rev. Rust, and was carried to com- 
 pletion by Rev. Strassner. Fifteen months after his pastorate 
 began, the number had been reduced from 743 nominal mem- 
 bers to 436 actual members. From these statistics it would 
 appear that the sifting out process was vigorously and zealous- 
 ly carried through. 
 
 Third. A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor 
 was organized June 1, 1890. This was one of the earliest so- 
 cieties in the Reformed Church in Ohio. It gave invaluable 
 training to a host of the young people of the church, and has 
 aided in developing some of the most active workers that the 
 congregation has had. In 1894, a Junior Society was also 
 organized and gathered in about sixty of the Juniors. The 
 organization of these societies so long ago by Rev. Strassner
 
 LIFE AND PASTORATE OF REV. F. STRASSNER, D.D. 143 
 
 speaks very highly for his spiritual vision and understanding 
 of the needs of the young people under his pastoral care. 
 
 Fourth. The Reformed Church Hymnal was introduced 
 in 1893, and was ordered to be used in all the worship of the 
 congregation. The Hymnal superseded various collections of 
 Gospel songs and ditties that had been in use at the English 
 services. 
 
 Fifth. The work of the consistory was made more effec- 
 tive by the organization of committees to which were entrusted 
 specific phases of congregational activities. The principal 
 committees created under this plan were: Membership, Sick 
 and Charity, Music, Sunday School, Prayer Meeting, Offer- 
 ings, and Ushers. 
 
 The death of Mrs. M. A. Behmer, which occurred on Eas- 
 ter morning, April 14, 1895, should also be recorded as one of 
 the noteworthy events of Rev. Strassner's pastorate; for this 
 aged mother in Israel, whose life was full of faith and good 
 works, is the only member of the congregation who has ever 
 left a legacy of which the church was the beneficiary. She 
 gave $1975 to the local church and $2000 to various institutions 
 and benevolences of the denomination. May her noble exam- 
 ple stimulate to imitation ! 
 
 The last year of Rev. Strassner's pastorate was filled with 
 trying experiences. A certain portion of the congregation was 
 becoming dissatisfied and did not hide their sentiments ; sever- 
 al members elected into the consistory refused to serve ; many 
 requests to be dismissed to the Trinity Reformed Church were 
 made. The consistory and pastor both finally realized that a 
 continued successful ministry was not to be expected, and 
 therefore they accepted the pastor's resignation on January 5, 
 1896. Rev. Strassner continued his labors until after Easter 
 of that year so that the youth under instructions might yet be 
 confirmed. The pastorate terminated on May 1. 
 
 In spite of this troubled ending, Rev. Strassner's pastor- 
 ate as a whole must be accounted as largely blessed and suc- 
 cessful. Two hundred and nineteen members were added to 
 the Church by confirmation alone. The Sunday School enroll-
 
 144 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ment increased from 300 to 480. The gifts for benevolence 
 grew from an annual average of $107 during the previous pas- 
 torate to an average of $197, not counting the large individual 
 gift of Mrs. Behmer in figuring this average but only the nor- 
 mal congregational offerings. The average annual contribu- 
 tions for congregational purposes increased from $1536 to 
 $2559. One of the reasons alleged for dissatisfaction with the 
 pastor was that he preached too many "financial sermons," and 
 urged the "grace of giving" too insistently. A comparison of 
 the number of members with their gifts will prove that only 
 heroic methods could possibly have answered. The marked 
 musical ability of Rev. Strassner's sons and daughters, which 
 was freely contributed, also added in no small degree to the 
 success of the pastorate. 
 
 After closing his labors with the First Church, Rev. 
 Strassner immediately began preaching in the old United 
 Brethren Church* on Thirteenth Street, S.E. St. John's Clas- 
 sis gave permission to organize a new congregation at the annu- 
 al meeting held May 12-14, with the proviso, however, that 
 "The congregation to be founded must be located at a distance 
 of not less than a mile from the First Church, and must not 
 interfere with said Church." Under this authorization, a mis- 
 sion was organized in March, 1897. The mission prospered, 
 and in about two years decided to secure a church-home of its 
 own. Lots were bought at the corner of Market Street and 
 Thirteenth S. E., and a neat little church was erected. The 
 church and lots cost $5000, of which amount $3000 had been 
 secured by the day of dedication. The church was dedicated 
 on December 3, 1899. Rev. F. C. Nau and Rev. F. Mayer, 
 D.D., of Youngstown, delivered the dedicatory sermons. At 
 this service, Dr. Strassner said, "Three years ago we did not 
 have a Bible and now we have a church of our own. Our 
 children can eat of the fruit of the tree we have planted, and 
 only the future will reveal the good that will be brought forth." 
 
 * This church is now used by the St. Paul's African Methodist 
 Episcopal congregation as their place of worship.
 
 GRACE REFORMED CHURCH 
 South Market Street and Thirteenth
 
 LIFE AND PASTORATE OF REV. F. STRASSNER, D.D. 145 
 
 At first the new church was known as the South Market 
 Street Reformed Church ; later the name was changed to Grace 
 Reformed Church. 
 
 Dr. Strassner continued his labors until 1906. The 
 church was improved and paid for, and the membership in- 
 creased to over one hundred. After preaching more than half 
 a century, he retired from the active ministry and spent his 
 last years with his children. During the last months of his 
 life, he was very feeble and helpless. The Lord called his faith- 
 ful servant home on June 24, 1911. 
 
 During a large part of his ministry Dr. Strassner was also 
 active with his pen, contributing frequently to the Church pa- 
 pers and periodicals. He also edited a parish paper for a num- 
 ber of years, while pastor of the Orrville charge. In 1873 he 
 issued a little book of "Devotions for children." From this 
 book of prayers two brief extracts will be given. The first 
 is a morning prayer to be used "when entering on the duties of 
 the day." 
 
 "O Lord, let the Spirit of Jesus abide in me that I may 
 work while it is day : the night cometh, when no man can work. 
 Help me to fear Thee and keep Thy commandments ; to watch 
 and pray that I enter not into temptation ; O gracious God, 
 the Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Defend me 
 by Thy power ; guard me against sin and error ; and so order 
 the events of this day, and so sanctify my thoughts and deeds 
 that they may promote Thy glory, and the welfare of my fel- 
 low men, through Jesus Christ, my Saviour." 
 
 The second extract is a part of the prayer for Sunday 
 evening: "Forgive, I entreat Thee, O heavenly Father, all my 
 sins and shortcomings of this day, the coldness of my devo- 
 tions, the dullness of my prayers, the distractions of my 
 thoughts. Write Thy law in my heart, and enable me to show 
 by a holy, unblamable and useful life, that I have not enjoyed 
 Thy Sabbaths in vain. Thus prepare me more and more for 
 the enjoyment of the eternal Sabbath which knows no setting 
 sun." Amen. 
 
 10
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 
 
 EV. Frederick C. Nau and the writer were classmates for 
 four years at Calvin College, Cleveland, Ohio, graduating 
 together in 1893, and have maintained a close friendship 
 through the years. Rev. Nau, therefore, very willingly con- 
 sented to describe the events of his own pastorate for this his- 
 tory. The story will be given in his own words, without any 
 changes, except the insertion of some additional matter which 
 will be included in brackets in the body of the text. 
 
 Rev. F. C. Nau was born in Columbus, Ohio, December 2, 
 1871, where his father was principal of the German High 
 School. His education was begun under the guidance of his 
 father, and continued in the public schools at Mt. Eaton, Gal- 
 ion, and New Bavaria, in Ohio, where his father, who had 
 given up his career as pedagogue, had been serving the Re- 
 formed congregations. Of his experiences as a youth at New 
 Bavaria, Rev. Nau writes in a serio-comic vein as follows : "I, 
 the oldest son, was hostler, woodchopper and manager of 
 about two acres of Henry County muckland. My chief am- 
 bition was to excell as a corn-cutter and husker. I always 
 earned one dollar per day and board, for threshing, binding 
 wheat, carrying sheaves, cutting or husking corn in that prim- 
 itive land. I attended country school, walking to school 
 through the woods in deep snow, and slush or mud, for one and 
 one-half miles each morning. I was janitor of the school one 
 whole winter. I opened the schoolhouse, built the wood-fire, 
 swept the schoolroom every day, and received the princely 
 sum of five cents a day. I was the most energetic kid in that 
 section. I could lick anything that came along; that is, any- 
 thing within size and reason. 
 
 "One Saturday evening, August, 1887, when I, the ebul- 
 lient youth, returned home from the cornfield, my father put 
 the quietus on my rural and pugilistic proclivities by solemnly 
 
 146
 
 REV. FREDERICK C. NAU
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 147 
 
 announcing to me that he and mother had decreed, that the 
 next week I should go to Calvin College. I started out with 
 a new trunk and a suit that cost seven dollars. My career 
 there was uneventful." 
 
 After a year spent in Calvin College, Mr. Nau interrupt- 
 ed his college work to teach a district-school in Henry County 
 during the winter (1888-9). That fall he was glad to go back 
 to college again, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of 
 Arts, in June, 1893. During his college career he gave evi- 
 dence of possessing exceptional intellectual abilities, and ex- 
 celled especially as a speaker and debater. In the fall of 1893, 
 he entered the Heidelberg Theological Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio, 
 taking the full course and graduating in May, 1896. The sub- 
 sequent events we will let Rev. Nau describe in his own words. 
 
 "In the summer of 1896, Frederick C. Nau had just com- 
 pleted his theological studies at Heidelberg Seminary, Tiffin, 
 Ohio, when the Jerusalem's German Reformed Church of Can- 
 ton, O., which had become vacant through the resignation of 
 the Rev'd Frederick Strassner, D.D., wrote to Tiffin, request- 
 ing Dr. John H. Peters, President of the University, to recom- 
 mend as a temporary supply a student, who could preach both 
 German and English. Dr. Peters referred the consistory to 
 Frederick C. Nau, who had graduated from the Seminary a 
 few weeks before, had been licensed to preach by Erie Classis 
 at its last meeting, held on Kelley's Island, and who was still 
 residing at Tiffin. He supplied the pulpit for three Sundays, 
 when he was nominated by the consistory, and at an election, 
 held on Sunday morning, June 21, 1896, was unanimously 
 chosen by the congregation to be its pastor. He accepted the 
 call sent him, and arrangements were at once made by St. 
 John's Classis for his ordination and installation. A special 
 meeting of Classis was called and held in the old frame school 
 house of this church, on the afternoon of the last Thursday in 
 July. The call to the new pastor was approved, he was received 
 into Classis and a committee, consisting of Rev. A. G. Lohmann, 
 Rev. John H. Rust, D.D., and Rev. John H. Beck, was appoint- 
 ed to ordain and install him at a service to be held in the
 
 148 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 church that same evening. Rev. Lohmann preached the ser- 
 mon and the other members of the committee conducted the 
 ordination and installation services. Prayer was offered by 
 Rev. Henry Nau, father of the newly-elected pastor. 
 
 "This new pastorate began most auspiciously.* The peo- 
 ple were united and manifested a will to work. 
 
 "In September of 1896, the pastor was united in marriage 
 with Miss Engelina C. Cantieny, of Lima, O. Mrs. Nau be- 
 came an earnest worker in the church, being active in the Sun- 
 day School, in Christian Endeavor, and the Missionary Society. 
 She organized and taught a large young ladies' Bible Class. 
 [Two daughters were born to Rev. and Mrs. Nau while in 
 Canton, namely Catherine Lodwina and Dorothea.] 
 
 "Early in 1897, the question of building an addition to 
 the church, for Sunday School purposes, was considered, and 
 the consistory was authorized by the congregation to begin the 
 raising of a building fund. To enable the church to borrow 
 needed moneys to carry forward the building operations, action 
 was taken to have the church legally incorporated. This was 
 done, June 30, 1897, and the old name 'Jerusalem's German 
 Reformed Church' was changed to 'The First German Re- 
 formed Church of Canton, Ohio.' 
 
 "On the 17th of April, 1898, the congregation voted to 
 build a large addition to the west side of the church. On July 
 27, the contracts were let. Mr. George Whike received the 
 contract for general construction, Mr. Martin Weiler for the 
 stone work, and Mr. L. B. Hartung for heating and lighting. 
 [The building committee originally appointed consisted of 
 Phil. Weber, Chas. Seeman, Carl Spanagel, Henry Rupp, Jacob 
 Schwingel, Martin Weiler, and L. B. Hartung. A few weeks 
 later the committee was enlarged so as to include the entire 
 consistory and the trustees. Chas. Seeman was made chair- 
 man and Phil. H. Weber, the secretary of the complete commit- 
 tee.] 
 
 * The first sermons which Rev. Nau preached in Canton were on 
 the following texts : for the German sermon, John 10 : 9 ; for the Eng- 
 lish, Matth. 6 : 33.
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 149 
 
 "During the course of construction of the new building, 
 services were held in the old Narwold Candy factory on Ma- 
 honing Street, which had become vacant shortly before this 
 time, and was generously offered to the congregation, by the 
 Narwold brothers, for the holding of services until the com- 
 pletion of the new building. 
 
 "The new building was completed and dedicated in Jan- 
 uary, 1899. The dedicatory services were held on Sunday, 
 January 22. [The Church was beautifully decorated for the 
 event. The pulpit platform was almost hidden by palms, 
 lilies and other plants. At the rear suspended from the walls 
 were two large flags of our country.] 
 
 "The German sermon was preached in the morning, by 
 Dr. H. J. Ruetenik, of Cleveland, president of Calvin College, 
 and the English sermon, in the evening, by Dr. John H. Prugh, 
 of Grace Reformed Church of Pittsburgh, Pa. [Dr. Ruetenik 
 chose for his subject, 'The Foundation of the Church'; Dr. 
 Prugh, The Mission of the Church.'] Rev. S. E. Neikirk, 
 of Wooster, Ohio, made the appeal for special contributions. 
 These amounted to about $1300 for the day. There was a 
 fellowship meeting in the afternoon, when a number of city 
 pastors brought greetings from their congregations. The cost 
 of the new building, including the carpeting and frescoing of 
 the old church, the furnishing of the basement later, and the 
 numerous other improvements, amounted to about $18,000. 
 [The entire cost of the new building alone was about $12,000 ; 
 the remainder was expended for extensive repairs on the old 
 building and the items given above. A debt of $5000.00 re- 
 mained on the day of dedication. The Sunday School room 
 and the church auditorium at that time were separated by great 
 rolling doors ; but these persistently refused to work satisfac- 
 torily and had to be torn out a few years later. The basement 
 was fitted up only as a social and dining hall, and was not 
 arranged for Sunday School purposes until 1905.] 
 
 "The fine memorial windows were placed in the church at 
 this time by the Frauenverein and some of the families of the 
 congregation. [These were presented as follows : North side,
 
 150 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 by Mr. and Mrs. John Obergefell; east side, by Mr. and Mrs. 
 J. L. Arnold, Mrs. Anna Behmer, Frauenverein, memory of 
 Rebecca Rupp; south side, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Paar, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Jacob Schwingel, Mrs. Mary Ohliger, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Jacob Hexamer.] 
 
 "All of these changes proved of benefit to the congregation. 
 The results justified the expenditure of the moneys. The ap- 
 pearance of the new church was a marked improvement over 
 the old. The fronts of the two buildings were matched, and 
 the west plot of ground, occupied only by the little frame 
 school house was covered by a fine brick structure. The new 
 building was planned chiefly for work. The fifteen class- 
 rooms and the entire arrangement, made for more effective 
 teaching and greater efficiency in general. The present large, 
 flourishing Sunday School is due largely to two factors : the 
 modern Sunday School building and equipment, and the selec- 
 tion of a young man (William Daberko) for superintendent, 
 who possesses marked talents and qualifications for this work. 
 He knows how to co-operate with pastor and consistory ; how 
 to select competent teachers and work with them, how to 
 organize and inspire the school and make wise use of the ma- 
 terial equipment at hand. 
 
 [A few weeks after the dedication of the remodelled 
 building certain aggravating defects began to disclose them- 
 selves. The roof persisted in leaking and staining the new 
 frescoing; the rolling doors between the two auditoriums 
 showed a pernicious habit of bulging and balking at most inop- 
 portune moments, the pews stuck to the worshipers and re- 
 fused to let go, and the heating plant did not behave as a 
 church institution ought. This all required extra exertion and 
 expense for the consistory.] 
 
 "The old frame school house, which for twenty years un- 
 der Dr. Peter Herbruck's pastorate, had served the purposes 
 of a German parochial school, was sold for $100, and removed 
 from the church grounds. Before the erection of the new 
 Sunday School structure, this schoolhouse was used by the
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 151 
 
 Primary Department of the Sunday School, and for the usual 
 social and business meetings of the church. 
 
 [On June 4, 1899, the congregation deeded to the city of 
 Canton, a strip of land six feet wide, running the entire length 
 of the lot on the west side, to be used only for sidewalk pur- 
 poses, provided the city bear all the expenses connected with 
 the laying of the walk and completing the improvements con- 
 templated.] 
 
 "In the year 1900, the large churchyard back of the church 
 which had been a cemetery from the earliest times of the con- 
 gregation's history, was graded and terraced. This was made 
 necessary by an unfortunate occurrence. When the contractor 
 began work on the new basement, he instructed his men to 
 dump the excavated ground on the church yard. The old 
 grave stones were laid flat on the graves and the whole ceme- 
 tery was covered with the new ground about three feet deep. 
 This was done without instructions from the consistory and 
 while the pastor was absent from the city. It was all done so 
 suddenly and speedily, that there was no chance to prevent it. 
 It was a disappointment to the people, and the only way of 
 making even partial reparation, was by grading and terracing 
 the grounds. The old tomb-stone of the Rev. Benjamin Faust, 
 the predecessor of Dr. Herbruck, because of its historic value, 
 ought to be dug up and erected again at some future day. It 
 lies immediately back of the rear door of the Sunday School. 
 [The body of Rev. Benj. Faust, however, had been removed 
 many years before and only the stone was left to mark the 
 former site of the grave.] 
 
 "The growing work of the church at this time suggested 
 the idea of increasing the number of members of the consis- 
 tory. This was done at a congregational meeting, held Decem- 
 ber 28, 1900, when the number was increased from twelve to 
 eighteen. 
 
 "For some time there was a desire prevalent among the 
 younger women of the church for a second woman's organiza- 
 tion. The 'Frauenverein' was large and flourishing and doing 
 a splendid work, but there were many younger women in the
 
 152 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 congregation, who were not affiliated with this society. This 
 fact prompted the organization of the 'Woman's Missionary 
 Society.' The pastor invited those who favored a missionary 
 society to meet on a Sunday afternoon of January, 1902. 
 Seventeen came out for the meeting, which was held in the 
 Primary room of the Sunday School, and after a brief discus- 
 sion, an organization was effected. This was the first English 
 Woman's Missionary Society of Central Synod. 
 
 "During this year (1902) the question of installing the 
 Individual Communion Service came up for consideration. 
 There were arguments pro and con. Many of the devout 
 German members could not conscientiously vote for the new 
 way. It was therefore decided to use both services, the old 
 historic service with the common cup, in the morning of com- 
 munion Sunday, and the individual cups in the evening. This 
 arrangement gave general satisfaction. 
 
 "In the year 1906 the new organ was purchased. Andrew 
 Carnegie gave $1500, one-half of the cost. The heirs of Elder 
 Henry Rupp contributed $1000 out of his estate, and the con- 
 gregation raised $500. This organ constantly reminds the 
 congregation of one of its most devoted and faithful members, 
 Elder Henry Rupp. His death occurred on Sunday morning, 
 January 15, 1905, shortly after he had partaken of the Lord's 
 Supper. He was hastening up the hill, at the public square, 
 to get the Canton-Akron interurban car to take him to his 
 home along the New Berlin road when he suddenly fell to the 
 sidewalk. He was carried into a near by store in an uncon- 
 scious state. When the pastor arrived a few minutes later, 
 he was shocked to see the beloved elder dead. He passed 
 away with the joy and peace of the Holy Communion in his 
 heart. As Mr. Rupp was a widower and without children, 
 the only heirs being his brother John and his two sisters, they 
 were asked to give $1000 toward the new pipe organ, which 
 they very willingly did. The organ is therefore called 'The 
 Rupp Memorial Organ.' At the dedicatory services held on 
 Sunday, January 26, 1906, the morning sermon was preached 
 by Rev. John H. Bosch, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and the evening
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 153 
 
 sermon by Rev. S. E. Neikirk of Wooster. [Rev. Bosch 
 preached on Psalm 150, and Rev. Neikirk chose Rev. 5: 9, 
 'And they sung a new song.'] This new instrument was great- 
 ly needed. The old tracker-action organ was small and after 
 forty years of constant service was quite well worn out. The 
 new organ has two manuals, tubular-pneumatic action, twenty- 
 two speaking stops and 1200 pipes. At the beginning of Rev. 
 Nau's pastorate, Mr. L. A. Clewell, who had been the efficient 
 and faithful organist for many years, resigned. Mr. Harry 
 Ballard become his successor and served throughout this pas- 
 torate and far into the next. 
 
 [In the fall of 1904 the Sunday School offered to com- 
 plete the basement and fit it up for Sunday School purposes, 
 and pay all the expenses. The congregation gladly gave its 
 permission and the work was completed during 1905 at a total 
 expense of $1648. The primary department of the Sunday 
 School was then assigned to the new rooms, which relieved the 
 congested condition upstairs that had greatly handicapped the 
 growth of the school. In the course of three years the Sun- 
 day School paid off the entire expense of this improvement.] 
 
 "During the year 1906, the last payment on the debt in- 
 curred by the building of the Sunday-School addition was made 
 and the church was free at last. But another small debt was 
 incurred immediately after the liquidation of the mortgage in- 
 debtedness. The church needed to be frescoed again and other 
 improvements made. The cost of these improvements amount- 
 ed to $1276. 
 
 "The language question was discussed frequently, frankly 
 and seriously in this congregation for many years. This is the 
 one difficult problem to solve in a German-English church. It 
 must be said, to the credit of the people of The First German 
 Reformed Church, that at no time did they allow the German- 
 English question to cause serious dissensions among the peo- 
 ple. The membership wanted that arrangement of the two 
 languages, which would be for the general welfare of the whole 
 congregation, and whenever a vote had been taken the minor- 
 ity, in the true American spirit always yielded to the majority
 
 154 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 vote. The Sunday School and evening services were made 
 English during the two preceding pastorates. In 1907, by a 
 vote of 270 to 116, taken on Sunday morning, July 6, it was 
 decided to hold English morning services every alternate Sun- 
 day. This vote was taken shortly after Rev. Nau had resigned 
 and was preparing to leave for a new field of labor. 
 
 "Having for some time had a desire to go East, and hav- 
 ing within a year, received two calls from the eastern section 
 of our Church, one from the First Reformed Church of Leba- 
 non, Pa., and another from St. Mark's Church of Easton, Pa., 
 Rev. Nau decided to accept the call from Easton. According- 
 ly he presented his resignation to this congregation on Sunday 
 morning, June 6, 1907, just eleven years after preaching his 
 first sermon in Canton. He closed his pastorate the last Sun- 
 day in July, and preached his initial sermon in Easton the first 
 Sunday in August, 1907. 
 
 "During this period of eleven years the membership of the 
 congregation increased from 524 to over 1000. There were 
 444 baptisms, 405 confirmations, and over 400 accessions by 
 certificate and reprofession of faith. Did they all remain true 
 to their church ? Alas, not all ! The sad fact remains in our 
 modern churches, that so many of those who unite with the 
 churches do not continue faithful to the end. But it has always 
 been so. It is not easy to keep the faith and conserve the spir- 
 itual life. 
 
 "The one who had the honor of serving this congregation 
 for eleven years, can never forget what this church did for him. 
 It gave him his first opportunity in the Christian ministry. It 
 dealt with him most kindly and generously throughout his pas- 
 torate. He will always hold the dear old church of Canton in 
 grateful remembrance. Every hour of the day he is reminded 
 of the old friends by the gold watch he carries in his pocket, 
 which is a beautiful Christmas gift from this congregation. It 
 is now a good many years old, but it is just as bright and true, 
 as it was on that hallowed Christmas night, when it was pre- 
 sented to him."
 
 THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK C. NAU 155 
 
 [Since leaving Canton, Rev. Nau has served St. Mark's 
 Church, Easton, Pa., for two years, and St. Mark's, Reading, 
 Pa., for seven years. Since June, 1916, he is serving Grace 
 Church, Pittsburgh. 
 
 Wherever he has served the membership of his congrega- 
 tions has very materially increased, and he has made for him- 
 self an enviable reputation as a clear and forceful speaker with 
 a helpful and inspiring message. 
 
 In the First Reformed Church in Canton, a large circle 
 of sincere friends holds his name in grateful remembrance. 
 
 Rev. Nau has also served the church at large by acting 
 as president of Reading Classis, member of the Sunday School 
 Board of General Synod, and delegate to General Synod. He 
 has also contributed occasional articles to the church papers, 
 the Reformed Church Review and other periodicals.]
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INCORPORATION 
 
 IN 1810 when the Reformed and the Lutheran congrega- 
 tions decided to begin the erection of a little chapel on 
 the site which Bezaleel Wells had dedicated "for a house of 
 worship," they adopted certain agreements which were to reg- 
 ulate their mutual relations. Twelve years later when a new 
 site was about to be purchased the two congregations adopted 
 "Articles of Union and Agreement," which were to regulate 
 all matters concerning the joint ownership of the property and 
 the rights of each congregation. During this period the two 
 congregations had one church record in common. Unfortu- 
 nately this book, which contained the invaluable account of the 
 beginnings of the congregations and these "Articles of Union 
 and Agreement," has been lost. A most diligent search in the 
 records and archives of the Stark County Courthouse also 
 failed to discover any trace of them. 
 
 Isolated references to these "agreements" which are found 
 in the history of our congregation, disclose that they contained 
 several most interesting features which should be emphasized. 
 Thus, the members of each congregation had the right to vote 
 for the officers of the other congregation also ; and in the call- 
 ing of a new minister by either congregation, the members of 
 both were allowed to vote. Furthermore, the pastor of each 
 congregation regularly gave catechetical instruction to the 
 youth of both congregations together, at such times when the 
 other pastor was serving in some other section of the vast par- 
 ish, which was being served in common. On the days of con- 
 firmation either pastor would confirm the catechumens as "Re- 
 formed," or "Lutherans" according to their preference. 
 
 During the "new measure" excitement (1838-1846) the 
 two congregations began to draw apart. The denominational 
 distinctions were still more emphasized after 1846, when, as a 
 consequence of the adoption of a new constitution by the Ohio 
 
 156
 
 THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INCORPORATION 157 
 
 Synod, Rev. Peter Herbruck worked out a distinctly Reformed 
 constitution for the Canton congregation. He introduced, 
 however, a number of unique articles which have been retained 
 to the present time, although the constitution has been several 
 times revised and frequently amended. A careful reading will 
 disclose these odd features without further comment. 
 
 The last revision occurred in 1897, when the congregation 
 was incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio. At that 
 time the name and nature of the church was legally changed 
 by the adoption of the following resolution, "Resolved, that 
 this congregation be changed from an association under the 
 name of the First German Reformed Jerusalem's Church, to a 
 corporation under the name of, The First German Reformed 
 Church of Canton, Ohio; and that all the rights, title and 
 interests in and to, any and all, real and personal property 
 which it now owns, pass to and vest in the church under the 
 new incorporated name, and that the title to the real estate be 
 legally transferred by the trustees of the association to the new- 
 ly elected trustees of the corporation." 
 
 The constitution as revised and adopted in 1897 will here 
 be given in a free translation from the German. Later amend- 
 ments will be indicated in brackets. 
 
 THE CONSTITUTION AND CHURCH RULES OF THE FIRST 
 GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO. 
 
 As it is a commonly accepted proposition that no social 
 organization or union of individuals for attaining a common 
 goal, can exist without order and laws, we, the undersigned 
 members of the First German Reformed Church, here in Can- 
 ton, Stark County, in the State of Ohio, have found ourselves 
 persuaded to draw up the following Constitution and Church 
 Rules ; and obligate ourselves by our own signature to precise- 
 ly follow and support the same. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 The First German Reformed Church in Canton recognizes 
 no other foundation for its faith and life than the Gospel of
 
 158 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, as it is contained in the Holy 
 Scriptures. 
 
 ARTICLE II. THE CONSISTORY. 
 
 1. For managing the affairs of the church a mass meeting 
 of all the members of the church shall be held on the first Sun- 
 day of each year, [amended as follows : "On a Sunday in De- 
 cember"] on which occasion a consistory shall be elected by 
 ballot, consisting of four elders, eight deacons, [amended De- 
 cember 1900 to read: "Six elders and twelve deacons"] and 
 three trustees. [When the new constitution of the Reformed 
 Church in the United States went into effect in 1908, this arti- 
 cle was interpreted in accordance with Article 9 of the general 
 constitution of the church, and the consistory was declared to 
 constitute the board of trustees of the congregation.] 
 
 2. The day of the election shall be announced each year 
 by the minister of the congregation, fourteen days before the 
 day determined upon for the election. 
 
 3. It shall herewith be perpetually established that the 
 minister of the congregation is and remains a member of the 
 congregation without interruption, so long as he serves in his 
 official capacity; he shall also, whenever present, be chairman 
 at every meeting of the consistory. 
 
 4. Whenever a member of the consistory dies or moves 
 away, the vacant office shall be filled at a special, general elec- 
 tion, which is to be announced, fourteen days before, to the 
 congregation by the minister. 
 
 ARTICLE III. THE DUTIES OF THE CONSISTORY. 
 A. The Duties of the Preacher. 
 
 1. It shall be the duty of the preacher to preach the Gospel 
 pure, unadulterated, and free from human additions or arbi- 
 trary perversions; and to administer the holy sacraments; 
 wherein, at the sacrament of the Holy Supper, he is to adhere 
 strictly to the directions as given in I Cor. 1 1 : 23-29. 
 
 2. It shall be the duty of the preacher to prepare the youth 
 and the adults for reception into the church and partaking of
 
 the Holy Supper, by instructing them in the essential truths of 
 the salvation of the Christian religion. He shall also visit the 
 sick and constantly labor to the end that the members of the 
 church shall lead a Christian life. 
 
 3. The preacher shall go before his congregation in a truly 
 Christian manner of life. If he should cause offense, or 
 which God may prevent be guilty of gross sin or vice, he 
 shall be warned and admonished by the other members of the 
 consistory in a brotherly manner ; and if he gives no heed, and 
 incorrigibly becomes a stumbling-block and offense to the 
 church, the consistory has the right to accuse the preacher 
 before the Classis to which he belongs, and to deny him all 
 official duties in the congregation until the matter has been 
 definitely decided by the Classis or the Synod. 
 
 4. Furthermore it shall be left to the preacher without 
 restraint, to conduct a Christian devotional hour, on some even- 
 ing of each week, in no other way, however, except that the 
 preacher begins the devotional hour with singing and prayer, 
 and then reads and explains [in the constitution as originally 
 adopted the words "Hermeneutically and exegetically" fol- 
 lowed here] a chapter from the Old or New Testament. In 
 case it is impossible for the minister to conduct the devotional 
 hour himself, it is permissible for any member of the congre- 
 gation having the ability to conduct the same. 
 
 B. The Duties of Trustees* 
 
 1. They shall seek by the grace of God to preside over 
 their own home and also the congregation, and go before them 
 in the way of a Christian deportment. 
 
 2. They shall see to it that the property of the congrega- 
 tion shall be secured against loss and injury, and the buildings 
 be kept in good condition. 
 
 3. That deeds and other important documents belonging 
 to the congregation are safely preserved. 
 
 4. That all debts which may exist, are reduced and can- 
 celled in the manner most advantageous for the congregation. 
 
 * The entire consistory now constitutes the Board of Trustees.
 
 160 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 C. Duties of Elders. 
 
 1. They are to go before the congregation with a Christian 
 deportment. 
 
 2. They are to see to it that evangelical doctrine, and 
 Christian discipline in the congregation are maintained and 
 continued. 
 
 3. To visit the school on occasions and make provision 
 that good order is observed therein, and the children are right- 
 ly instructed. 
 
 4. Should quarrels and disagreements exist in the congre- 
 gation, they shall seek as much as possible to reconcile the 
 quarreling factions in order to restore peace. 
 
 5. When the preacher requests it, they shall go with him to 
 visit the sick. 
 
 6. They shall see to it that the account of all expenditures 
 and receipts of the congregation are correctly kept, and finally, 
 aid in carrying out all further measures for advancing the wel- 
 fare of the congregation. 
 
 D. The Duties of Deacons. 
 
 1. They shall go before the congregation with a pious ex- 
 ample. 
 
 2. At public and private services and in particular at the 
 distribution of the Lord's Supper they shall extend all neces- 
 sary assistance. 
 
 3. They shall gather the offerings, and keep a record of 
 the same, and hand them over to the treasurer or the financial 
 secretary. 
 
 4. They shall see to it that the laborers in the word of God 
 are supported, and provided for, and kept according to the 
 command of Christ; and finally, they shall secure good dis- 
 cipline and order, and promote the same. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. CONSISTORY MEETING. 
 
 1. The consistory shall regularly meet once a month, to 
 consider all matters that will advance the welfare of the con- 
 gregation.
 
 THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INCORPORATION 161 
 
 2. A mere majority of the members of the consistory shall 
 constitute a quorum, which shall be authorized to open the 
 meeting and dispose of the business on hand. [Amended, No- 
 vember 15, 1896 to read, "Seven members of the consistory 
 shall constitute a quorum, and shall be authorized to open a 
 meeting and transact business."] 
 
 3. The proceedings of the consistory shall be entered into 
 a record designated for that purpose, and it shall be a stated 
 duty, to announce the most important resolutions to the congre- 
 gation, on the following Sunday. 
 
 ARTICLE V. GENERAL DUTIES OF THE CONSISTORY. 
 
 1. It shall be the duty of the consistory to see to it that 
 every member of the congregation leads a Christian life; and 
 in case any member should be guilty of an opposite act, the 
 consistory shall cite him to appear before it; and if the error 
 is proved, the consistory shall admonish him once or several 
 times ; if no amendment ensues, the consistory has the right to 
 suspend such a member from partaking of the Lord's Supper 
 until such a time that amendment of life is shown ; or even to 
 exclude him from the congregation. 
 
 2. Two members of the consistory are empowered to call 
 a meeting of the consistory. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. RECEPTION OF CHURCH-MEMBERS. 
 
 1. No one shall be confirmed who has not begun or attend- 
 ed the instruction of the minister, unless the minister and the 
 consistory consider that the applicant has a sufficient knowl- 
 edge of religion, or are satisfied that he is receptive and qual- 
 ified thereunto. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. ARRIVALS. 
 
 1. Applicants for membership who cannot present a good 
 recommendation from the congregation from which they have 
 departed, and are entire strangers to the consistory, shall be 
 received only on six-month's probation. If they prove them- 
 selves during this period as good members, their names shall 
 be entered upon the roll of the regular church-members. 
 11
 
 162 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 2. When members of the Protestant-Evangelical church of 
 Europe or other countries come into the local congregation, 
 and abide here permanently, it will be their duty, if they desire 
 to become members of our church, to make application to the 
 consistory or a member thereof; the consistory shall then 
 acquaint such newcomers with our constitution and church 
 laws ; if they express a willingness to abide by the church laws 
 thus brought to their attention and to support the same, then 
 their names shall be entered into the church-record, and they 
 shall be considered as members of the congregation. Recep- 
 tion of members shall take place before the assembled congre- 
 gation. 
 
 3. No one can be considered a member of the congregation 
 who does not support the church and minister according to his 
 ability. A neglect of this duty without sufficient cause shall 
 be considered as though such a member had withdrawn from 
 the church of his own accord, and his name shall be erased 
 from the roll of members of the congregation. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. CONCERNING ELECTIONS. 
 
 1. No election shall be counted as legal which has not been 
 announced fourteen days beforehand, according to Article II, 
 Section 2. 
 
 2. When a minister resigns the congregation, it shall be 
 the duty of the consistory to advertise the vacant charge, and 
 as soon as one or more candidates apply for the position of 
 pastor, the congregation shall vote for one of the candidates 
 recommended by the consistory, on a day announced before- 
 hand; and if the candidate receives a two-thirds majority of 
 all the votes cast by members in good and regular standing, he 
 shall be considered the choice of the whole congregation in view 
 of which a call shall be extended to him. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. ITINERANT AND VISITING MINISTERS. 
 
 A minister who is a stranger coming into the congregation 
 and desiring to preach in the place of the minister stationed 
 here, must apply to the consistory or a member thereof; and
 
 THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INCORPORATION 163 
 
 shall be permitted to preach with the permission of the consis- 
 tory or the regular minister. 
 
 ARTICLE X. CONCERNING THE LANGUAGE. 
 
 Both languages shall be used in this congregation. The 
 sermon in the morning shall be in German and in the evening 
 in English. [By a vote of the congregation taken on Sunday, 
 June 30, 1907, this article was changed by a majority of 270 
 to 116, so as to hold German services only every two weeks in 
 the morning.] 
 
 ARTICLE XI. IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CHURCH PROPERTY. 
 When repairs are necessary on the church or parsonage 
 which shall exceed a cost of $50.00, the consistory shall call a 
 congregational meeting to consider the matter. No improve- 
 ments shall be started, however, until sufficient funds are in 
 hand or have been subscribed. 
 
 ARTICLE XII. THE GENERAL CONSTITUTION. 
 All questions which cannot be decided by this constitution, 
 shall be determined according to the general constitution of 
 the Reformed Church in the United States. 
 
 In 1897, the congregation decided to be legally incorporat- 
 ed under the general corporation laws of Ohio as a "corpora- 
 tion not for profit," in order "to provide a place of worship 
 for its members, to be conducted, according to the rules and 
 discipline of the Reformed Church in the United States ; to 
 promote the interests of the Christian religion, and to receive 
 and hold donations and bequests and funds arising from other 
 sources for the benefit of said corporation." 
 
 The articles of incorporation were filed with the Secre- 
 tary of State on November 29, 1897, and are recorded in Vol- 
 ume 73, Page 228, of the Records of Incorporation.
 
 CHAPTER XX11 
 
 REV. THEODORE P. BOLLIGER AND THE 
 FIRST CHURCH 
 
 DURING July of 1907, Rev. F. C. Nau, who had just re- 
 signed the Canton pastorate, wrote to Rev. Theodore P. 
 Bolliger, who was then serving the New Philadelphia church, 
 inviting him to supply the Canton pulpit some Sunday during 
 August. Now it happened that Rev. Bolliger had been grant- 
 ed all of August as his vacation, but that he could not leave 
 New Philadelphia until after the first Sunday of the month, 
 so he promptly informed Rev. Nau that the only Sunday on 
 which he could preach would be the first, and that he was will- 
 ing to come only with the express understanding that he was 
 not a candidate for the pulpit, and would not consider himself 
 as being placed under any obligation to the congregation, if he 
 preached. 
 
 With this understanding Rev. Bolliger spent Sunday, 
 August 4, in Canton. He taught the German class, made a lit- 
 tle speech to the Sunday School, preached morning and even- 
 ing, and talked to the Christian Endeavor Society. In the 
 morning he preached on Luke 19: 41, in the evening on Eph. 
 3 : 14-16. The subjects were, "Die Traenen unsres Heilan- 
 des," and "The Christ Dwelling Within." He was received 
 most cordially, but not a word or hint was given that might 
 have been construed as indicating that the sermons were looked 
 upon as "trial sermons." Two days later, Rev. Bolliger went 
 west for a month and gave no further thought to his Canton 
 visit. 
 
 During the next weeks the Canton people heard several 
 other ministers, and by the beginning of September, the consis- 
 tory had come to a decision, for at the meeting held on the 
 third, the following resolution was unanimously passed, "That 
 the committee composed of Brothers Seemann and Daberko 
 interview Rev. Bolliger and see if he would accept a call from 
 
 164
 
 REV. THEODORE PHILIP BOLLIGER
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 165 
 
 this church if it were extended to him." This committee met 
 with Rev. Bolliger and very frankly discussed with him cer- 
 tain needs and problems of the Canton church ; but had to be 
 content to wait a week before he could give them a definite 
 answer. At the end of that period he consented to have his 
 name go before the congregation as a candidate for the pulpit. 
 The next communication that he received was the official noti- 
 fication that he had been unanimously elected on Sunday, Sep- 
 tember 29. 
 
 On Sunday, November 17, the new pastor conducted his 
 first services. The first services are always of peculiar inter- 
 est to both pastor and people and many of the members will be 
 glad to be reminded of the themes and the outlines of the first 
 sermons. In the morning the text was Acts 4: 12, "Es ist in 
 keinem Andern Heil, ist auch kein andrer Name den Men- 
 schen gegeben, darinnen wir sollen selig werden." The sub- 
 ject was, "Der Weg zur Seligkeit." Erstens, Der Weg der 
 Menschen ; zweitens, Der Weg Gottes. In the evening the 
 text was I John 4: 16, "God is love; and he that abideth in 
 love abideth in God." The subject was, "God is Love." First, 
 the Meaning of these Words ; secondly, the Obligations of this 
 Wondrous Truth. These were given as the obligation of con- 
 fession, of loving others, and of abiding in God. Though the au- 
 diences were not large, the new pastor felt like a stranger in a 
 strange land, being gazed upon by the curious natives who 
 were wondering how he would "pan out." 
 
 At this point the author somewhat reluctantly must inter- 
 rupt the story of the Canton pastorate to talk about himself a 
 bit. The previous pastors all had to submit to the embarrass- 
 ment of furnishing personal details of their lives, and so to be 
 consistent, and not show himself undue favors, it will be neces- 
 sary for him to go through with it also. For the paragraphs 
 dealing with himself, the author prefers to speak in the first 
 person. 
 
 In the little village of Newville, Ind., now known as Vera 
 Cruz, I was born on Friday, the thirteenth of December, 1872. 
 Much of the primitive forest was still standing, the swamps
 
 166 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 had not yet been drained, and during the summer everybody 
 had the maleria or the ague. My earliest recollection of apple- 
 butter is that it always had a bit of quinine hidden beneath the 
 surface. We got it during summer as regularly as our meals. 
 My second earliest recollection has to do with the mysterious 
 sounds in the tree tops, and the nuts under the trees. These 
 seemed to lure me on ; and one day the lad of four became the 
 most talked-of personage in the village by following the voices 
 into the woods, becoming lost, falling asleep and not being 
 found until many hours later. The next clear recollection has 
 to do with the desire of some day preaching, even as my father 
 did. When nearly six years of age, my father for the sake of 
 our health moved to Kansas. There my boyhood was spent at 
 Hiawatha and New Basel, where I attended the public schools. 
 I learned to read German as early as I learned the English, and 
 a wonderful acquisition it was to me. At New Basil, we lived 
 twelve miles from the nearest railroad, in a community largely 
 of Swiss people, with conditions raw and primitive. Every- 
 body was poor. There were no luxuries and few of the neces- 
 sities of life. My father had a salary of $400 a year which 
 frequently was not paid in full, and in addition had a neat par- 
 sonage and received all the meat and flour that the household 
 of ten required. Spending money for children was unknown. 
 About twice a year father would give each one of us a nickel. 
 It was often a matter of days until all the various de- 
 sires of childhood had been weighed and the best purchase 
 decided upon. All about us were the great prairies rolling in 
 unbroken majesty as far as the eye could see. It seemed a 
 wonderful life; it was in fact a life of simplicity and poverty. 
 The country schools were fine for that day. Through slush, 
 mud, snow and Kansas blizzards I tramped one and one-half 
 mile, morning and evening. But the school-term lasted only 
 six months of the year, and I had a keen passion to learn and 
 a voracious appetite to read, while there were but few books in 
 English in my father's library ; so, perforce, I literally learned 
 my schoolbooks by heart. Then I turned to father's German 
 books, and took up history, theology, poetry, some of the great
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 167 
 
 dramas, and even the doctor-book. I shall never forget the 
 tremendous upheaval of soul that Schiller's poems and dramas 
 brought me. Before I was sixteen, I had read and knew inti- 
 mately more German literary masterpieces than are now 
 taken up in an ordinary college course. The German Bible 
 also passed into my very life's blood. I learned all its precious 
 stories, could repeat hundreds of verses by heart, and knew 
 scores of the old German hymns and songs. My love for Ger- 
 man literature, history and genius dates from those years. 
 
 During all my boyhood days, I secretly nursed the hope of 
 becoming a minister some day. But during the terrible crop 
 failures of the eighties, and the hardships and sacrifices of 
 those years in the parental home, I despaired of ever being 
 able to go to school ; so my mind began to contemplate the ques- 
 tion of getting into something in which I could make money. 
 When I was about fourteen years old, Rev. E. V. Gerhart, D.D., 
 president of the Lancaster, Pa. Theological Seminary, at- 
 tended the dedication of the Reformed Church in Abilene, our 
 countyseat. My father took me with him to pay our respect 
 to the venerable old man. Suddenly Dr. Gerhart turned to me 
 and asked, And are you going to follow in your father's foot- 
 steps and also enter the sacred calling of a minister of the Gos- 
 pel? In my confusion I hesitated a moment, and my father 
 answered : I am afraid not, he wants to get into something in 
 which there is money. The good doctor then spoke to me per- 
 sonally for a few moments on the matter. I do not remember 
 a word he said, but I do know when I left that room, my mind 
 was determined, and my future was settled. About a year later 
 my father told me one day very quietly that he was going to 
 send me to Calvin College, Cleveland, Ohio and inquired wheth- 
 er I had any particular profession for which I wanted to pre- 
 pare myself. As I look back now, I see that we both had been 
 too reserved towards one another. I had always felt drawn 
 towards the ministry; he had prayed that I might enter this 
 sacred calling; but we never got together until then. So in 
 September, 1888, 1 started for Cleveland, Ohio.
 
 168 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 By heroic sacrifices and endless self-denials, father kept me 
 in college for five years. To this day, I cannot understand how 
 he did it. The tears stand in my eyes as I write of it. If I 
 have been of any use in the Reformed Church it is the love and 
 sacrifice of my dear parents to which much of the credit must 
 
 go- 
 Knowing the price which my parents were paying to keep 
 me in school, I determined to give them full value by faithful 
 application. During the five years, I stood at the head of every 
 class, during every month without a break, graduating in June, 
 1893, as valedictorian. After a year spent in teaching school 
 in Kansas, I entered the Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pa., 
 in the fall of 1894, taking the full three years' course. The 
 Biblical languages and church history appealed especially to 
 me. In Hebrew I took first honors. At the graduating serv- 
 ices, I represented the New Testament Department by reading 
 a thesis on the subject, "Biblical Theology the Norm of Doc- 
 trinal Development." In a class of twenty-seven, with few ex- 
 ceptions graduates of various colleges, I ranked with the three 
 highest for the entire three years. 
 
 A few days after graduation, I was licensed by Lancaster 
 Classis at Manheim, Pa., and on June 27, 1897, began my labors 
 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., as pastor of the St. Luke's Church. On 
 July 25, a committee appointed by Wyoming Classis ordained 
 me to the holy office of the ministry ; and the prayers of my 
 parents were answered at last. 
 
 The most important event of that year, next to my ordina- 
 tion, was getting married. On November 17, I was united in 
 marriage to Elizabeth Mohr of Burbank, Cal., previously of 
 Haskins, Ohio, and a former student at Calvin College. In the 
 course of the years, four children arrived to gladden the parson- 
 age, namely, Lydia Aurelia, Louise Virgilia, Katherine Marie, 
 and Theodore Karl. 
 
 I remained in my first field for four years and four months. 
 During the last year, the Plymouth congregation also formed 
 a part of the parish. Both congregations were small, the peo- 
 ple were mine workers for the most part, and the two great
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 169 
 
 coal strikes in the coal fields during those years prostrated in- 
 dustries, impoverished the people, and demoralized church 
 work. Nevertheless, 175 new names were added to the rolls. 
 
 On the first Sunday of November, 1901, I began my min- 
 istry at New Philadelphia, Ohio, and remained there just six 
 years to the day. During this period a church debt of several 
 thousand dollars was paid, a $3500 parsonage was built, the 
 church was entirely renovated, an addition for the primary de- 
 partment was built, the benevolences were increased yearly to 
 four times the best previous figure, and 252 new members were 
 added to the church. 
 
 I have always given the best there was in me to my con- 
 gregation, my classis, and my synod, and these have not been 
 unappreciative. During my ministry I have been elected to the 
 following church positions : President of St. John's Classis, 
 1903-5 ; Board of Trustees of Central Synod, 1904-7 ; Treasurer 
 of Central Synod, 1905-6 ; Treasurer of St. John's Classis since 
 1905 ; Board of Church Erection of the three western German 
 Synods since 1908 ; President of the Sunday School Board of 
 Central Synod, 1908-9; President of Central Synod 1911-12; 
 Delegate to General Synod, 1905, 1908, and 1914. I was also a 
 member of the commission that issued the "Survey of the Re- 
 formed Church," and wrote the church history section and a 
 few other lessons for the third volume of the "Advanced Teach- 
 ers' Training Course," besides being a frequent contributor to 
 the church papers and other periodicals. 
 
 In addition to the college and seminary work already men- 
 tioned, I have pursued special work under the direction of the 
 University of Chicago, in Old Testament prophecy, and for 
 additional work in sociology, economics, and psychology, re- 
 ceived from the Illinois Wesleyan University the degree of 
 Bachelor of Philosophy in 1904, and Master of Arts in 1908. 
 
 After these unseemly and egoistical wanderings in my per- 
 sonal experiences, we will now return to the more humble voca- 
 tion of the historian. 
 
 The most important events of Rev. Bolliger's pastorate 
 since 1907 can best be presented by grouping them topically.
 
 170 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 The language question loomed up rather threateningly at 
 the beginning. During the three previous pastorates the Eng- 
 lish had been introduced gradually, until towards the end of 
 Rev. Nau's ministry the Sunday School was practically all 
 English with the exception of the pastor's class, and all serv- 
 ices* were English except the Sunday morning worship. When 
 the vote was taken by the congregation a few weeks before 
 Rev. Nau left on the question whether an English service 
 should be introduced every two weeks in the morning it was 
 carried by considerably more than a two-third's majority. The 
 consistory decided that the new order should not go into effect 
 until the new pastor should take charge, and that during the 
 vacancy the German morning services should be continued. 
 
 When Rev. Bolliger began his work and the English serv- 
 ice actually displaced the German, a very considerable feeling 
 was aroused. Some threatened to boycott the English services 
 entirely, others vowed they would cut down their subscriptions, 
 still others forbade their children to remain for the English 
 sermon. It was rather freely predicted by some that the 
 church could not pay its bills on account of the displeasure of 
 the German members. One old lady said to the pastor, "I'm 
 only going to live a few years yet, and so long as I live, they 
 might have kept up the German. I don't care what they do 
 after I'm dead." But subsequent events proved that the fear 
 of harm to the congregation was groundless. Not a single 
 member stayed away on account of the language and not more 
 than two or three actually reduced their subscriptions. The 
 German members have stood nobly by their service, and have 
 made it the service with the highest average attendance, in 
 spite of the fact that not more than twenty Germans have been 
 added during the past ten years, as compared to 592 English. 
 Our German-speaking members stick. 
 
 The pruning of the Church-roll was the next pressing 
 problem. A few weeks before Rev. Bolliger arrived in Can- 
 ton, Rev. Nau wrote him a letter of congratulation in which he 
 said : "The one great problem for which I could devise no solu- 
 tion was the awakening of the negligent ones. I tried my best
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 171 
 
 and failed. I sincerely hope you may solve it successfully." 
 Just how serious a problem it was the new pastor did not real- 
 ize until he had visited, or tried to locate, every person that was 
 found on the roll. Some surprises were met during the first 
 months of visiting. Some denied that they had ever joined the 
 church, others declared they were done with the church, others 
 explained they had liked Rev. Nau and hence permitted their 
 names to be enrolled but did not wish to be members any longer 
 since he had left. The large majority of these "negligent 
 ones" made profuse promises for the future. 
 
 The consistory and pastor then decided upon a systematic 
 campaign to win the backsliding ones back. Countless visits 
 were made by them and committees of faithful men and 
 women. The slogan was emphasized, "Every member attend- 
 ing, working, praying and giving." (See Heb. 10 : 25, Js. 2 : 17, 
 1 Thess. 5:17, Acts 20 : 35.) No name was removed from the 
 roll until every means to win them back had been tried. The 
 consistory surpassed in its patience even the requirements of 
 our constitution. When finally, the process of purification was 
 completed, it was found that of the 1046 members reported by 
 Rev. Nau to Classis in 1907, a total of 382 had disappeared. 
 Of this number 337 simply did not attend or support the church 
 in any manner, at any time, during the present pastorate; the 
 rest maintained a nominal relation to the church for a while 
 and then also had to be dropped. 
 
 The gap created by these erasures has been more than 
 filled by the addition of 338 by confirmation, including the 
 youth of the church and adults, and 274 by reprofession and 
 dismissals from other churches. The additions by letter from 
 other churches have always been rather small. The total num- 
 ber of members, according to the last report to classis, is 1078. 
 This number also includes a certain small group, whose names 
 are retained in the hope that they may again be awakened, and 
 become active in the kingdom of our God. 
 
 Two dept-paying campaigns have been carried to a suc- 
 cessful conclusion during this pastorate. The Sunday School 
 had offered to pay for the improvements made in the basement
 
 172 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 in 1905, amounting to nearly $1700. When Rev. Bolliger be- 
 gan his pastorate, this debt with accrued interest, still amounted 
 to about $1600. The Sunday School, under the enthusiastic 
 guidance of superintendent William Daberko, at once began 
 planning to pay off the debt, and before the end of the first 
 year it was paid in full. 
 
 The money borrowed for the improvements made in 1906, 
 amounting to $1087, was not repaid until 1913. Before start- 
 ing on his vacation that year, Rev. Bolliger outlined a plan to 
 the consistory by which it was proposed to raise this amount 
 during October. Then the pastor left for several weeks. Lo, 
 and behold ! when the parson returned, he was gladdened by 
 the news that Superintendent Daberko had again pushed the 
 matter to a successful conclusion during his absence, and the 
 entire debt was out of the way. 
 
 At last the church was free ! 
 
 The contributions of the church have steadily increased. 
 The church raises funds for a twofold purpose ; namely, for the 
 local congregational expenses, and for the support of the benev- 
 olent enterprises of our denomination. In the nine and one- 
 half years of Rev. Bolliger's pastorate a total of $41,084 has 
 been raised for congregational purposes, and $9881 for benev- 
 olence. This would be an average of $4319 for ourselves, and 
 $1040 for others, annually. The lowest amount given during 
 the period annually for congregational purposes was $3361 ; 
 the highest was $6348. The lowest benevolent offerings were 
 given during the first year amounting to $570; the highest 
 were $1626. 
 
 In order to see clearly the handsome increase in the con- 
 tributions of the congregation, the average for the last eight 
 years of Rev. Nau's pastorate will be given by way of com- 
 parison. For congregational purposes including the cost of 
 the Sunday School addition the average was $4304 ; for benev- 
 olent purposes $474. It will thus be evident that the spirit of 
 sacrifice which is the spirit of Christ, has increased very sub- 
 stantially.
 
 O .> 
 
 "o 
 a e
 
 REV T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 173 
 
 Many improvements on the church property have also 
 been made. The basement has been re-frescoed and re-var- 
 nished two times, several new toilet rooms were installed and 
 the heating plant thoroughly overhauled. During the sum- 
 mer of 1910, the entire church was re-laid with a heavy Brus- 
 sels carpet at an expense of $1400. Several years later, a new 
 roof was put on the entire Sunday School wing of the build- 
 ing. The most thorough renovation which the building has 
 ever received was given it in 1916. The entire building was 
 frescoed and re-decorated, the woodwork was stained to a dark 
 oak, the pews were refinished in dark oak, and a new lighting 
 system was installed. The old chandeliers with their unpro- 
 tected electric lights so trying to the eyes were removed, and 
 replaced with an indirect system most agreeable to the eyes and 
 most beautiful in its artistic effects. The exterior of the 
 church was also thoroughly repaired and painted, and a new 
 roof placed on the older portion of the building. The total 
 expense of the entire work amounted to nearly $3000. In 
 order to keep the church property in good condition, it is nec- 
 essary to expend an average of about $450 a year in repairs. 
 Mention should also be made of the transformation of the old 
 cemetery into a little park. In 1909, maple trees were set out, 
 which in a few years will transform the old "God's acre" 
 into as pretty a spot as can be found anywhere in Canton. 
 
 The temperance agitations, which have swept over Ohio 
 during the last few years, have not left the First Church with- 
 out profound modifications. In previous chapters it has been 
 shown that the traditions and affiliations of the congregation 
 have not always been very "dry." When the committee delegat- 
 ed by the consistory of the church to interview Rev. Bolliger 
 at New Philadelphia, as to his willingness to consider a 
 call to Canton, he very frankly informed them that he 
 believed in total abstinence as the duty and ideal of a Chris- 
 tian, that he preached his convictions without hesitation, and 
 would continue to do so wherever he was pastor; and hence 
 had his doubts as to whether they really desired to consider 
 him. The committee informed him that the consistory had
 
 174 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 discussed that very point; but had nevertheless unanimously 
 resolved to present his name to the congregation for election 
 as pastor. By a peculiar coincidence, the second Sunday School 
 lesson that the new pastor had to teach was on temperance; 
 namely, Rom. 4: 12-23, and he very candidly, yet as consider- 
 ately as possible, stated just what his convictions were in the 
 matter. The same convictions were also freely expressed in 
 his pulpit utterances. The members seemed to accept this 
 sort of preaching very patiently; the only criticisms heard 
 were from hardened backsliders and rank outsiders. 
 
 In 1909, came the first great fight for county local option. 
 Rev. Bolliger presented the cause from the pulpit, and private- 
 ly. As the campaign progressed, the situation in Canton be- 
 came very tense. Attacks were made upon the church, the 
 consistory and the pastor in the local German paper, and copied 
 throughout the state by the German press. At first these 
 attacks were simply ignored. Emboldened by the silence of 
 the pastor, a number of articles were inserted in the German 
 paper that were offensive and scurrilous. The editor very 
 freely offered Rev. Bolliger all the space he might desire to 
 answer these communications. A merry warfare ensued. A 
 few quotations from the retorts which he published, may be 
 of interest as indicating the intensity of the situation: "The 
 statements as made are absolute lies. The article is filled with 
 senseless folly, inaccuracies, and ignorance of the most com- 
 mon facts of history and Christianity. The writer lacks even 
 the most elementary conception of the real meaning of Chris- 
 tianity." Notice was also given that any further articles con- 
 taining statements of a slanderous nature against Rev. Bolliger, 
 or his church, would start something that would put an effective 
 stop to them. Thus ended the newspaper controversy. 
 
 Some of the "wet" sympathizers within the fold, then be- 
 gan to agitate the matter of silencing the preacher, among their 
 fellow members. This gave occasion to the preaching of two 
 special sermons at the climax of the excitement. In one of 
 these Rev. Bolliger said: "If it were ever possible for the time 
 to come, when I cannot stand in my pulpit, and preach on any
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 175 
 
 subject whatsover that seems necessary, in any manner that 
 seems most effective, and hit just as hard as the case requires; 
 then, I can always quit the pulpit, and go out and haul manure, 
 and raise cabbage heads, successfully." The agitators evident- 
 ly concluded that there was no telling what the parson might 
 start, and hence sweet tranquility gradually settled down on 
 the troubled waters. Since then there have been two other 
 campaigns for state-wide prohibition ; each time the issues 
 were freely discussed from the pulpit, and the men urged to 
 help "Make Ohio Dry." 
 
 Throughout these eight years of the most intense temper- 
 ance agitation that the state and our community has ever 
 known, not more than half a dozen persons have actually with- 
 drawn from the church on account of the pastor's advocacy of 
 the prohibition movement, and none of these had been very 
 active as members. Furthermore, during these years, not one 
 member has ever protested to the pastor personally against 
 the position which he occupied. 
 
 The temperance question in the First Reformed Church is 
 settled. It is not possible ever again, to even consider a return 
 to the former ways and practices. 
 
 The "Billy Sunday" Campaign during January and Feb- 
 ruary of 1912 also marked an epoch in the congregation. 
 
 The consistory had unanimously decided to co-operate 
 with the other churches of Canton in carrying through the 
 union evangelistic campaign under Mr. Sunday's direction. 
 Rev. Bolliger had cautioned them that "Billy Sunday" had a 
 way of stirring folks up, arousing their resentment, and mak- 
 ing the "wets" especially gnash their teeth. Nevertheless, all 
 were in favor of his coming. 
 
 As the time set for the campaign approached, the forces 
 of unrighteousness united in a fierce campaign of intimidation. 
 The men in business, who were members of the First Church, 
 were signalled out for bitter attacks. The superintendent of 
 the Sunday School had to hear the angry snarl again and again : 
 We will never buy another cent's worth of goods from you. 
 The grocery keepers were told : You can't support Billy Sun-
 
 176 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 day and do business with us. It was intimated to the pastor: 
 Unless you keep quiet we will injure you as much as possible. 
 The week before the campaign opened these threats reached 
 their climax. A few quotations from an address which Rev. 
 Bolliger delivered several times, immediately after the close of 
 the campaign, while the experiences were still frsh in the 
 mind, will best set forth this phase of the attack. "Several of 
 the men of the consistory got cold feet and wanted to quit; 
 faithful old stand-bys were frightened and said: Its going to 
 break up the church; others declared: The preacher had no 
 business getting us into anything like this. When the matter 
 was put up to me by an elder, I said : Tell them they can't quit 
 now; they can't back down; they have to go through with it. 
 I'm going to fight it through to a finish. But I will promise 
 you this right now, when the campaign is over, if it is the hon- 
 est belief of the congregation that the church has been injured, 
 I will hand in my resignation at once. I will not embarrass you. 
 We will not quarrel. We will just kiss, and say good-bye, in 
 perfect peace." 
 
 Then the campaign began, and in a few days "Billy" had 
 won the town. In about two weeks, men in the congregation, 
 who had vowed not to attend a single meeting, could be seen 
 standing at the door of the tabernacle at twelve o'clock, so as 
 to make sure of a seat at the two o'clock men's meeting. And 
 as for the sisters who had sputtered loudest against "Billy's 
 slang," they could be seen hurrying up North Market Street 
 with the red-book in their hands, going so fast, an ordinary 
 young person could never catch up with them. 
 
 As for the results in the congregation, they were good. 
 More than a hundred members reconsecrated themselves to 
 the service of God; about a score united with the church of 
 whom we had known nothing before; and at least seventy, 
 whom the pastor and members had tried unsuccessfully to 
 bring to the point of decision before, became so awakened spir- 
 itually, that it was now easy to win them. Other beneficial 
 results also followed: the average attendance of the Sunday 
 School took a great leap forward ; the missionary society had
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 177 
 
 a tidal wave of applicants who wanted to become active ; men 
 and women came forward to offer themselves as Sunday School 
 teachers; the prayer meetings took on new life; and, for a 
 while at least, religion became the chief thing. 
 
 To be sure, the waters sank back into quieter channels 
 again ; some who started out most enthusiastically have grown 
 cold once more ; but, those who got close to the work in those 
 days, still testify to the abiding blessing which the campaign 
 brought them. 
 
 Looking back after five years, the author is still ready to 
 stand by the estimate of the movement which he made in the 
 address already referred to: "In that tabernacle originated the 
 mightiest, religious upheaval that Canton has ever had. The 
 dry-bones in the churches rattled like three-score Dutch wind- 
 mills in a storm. The brethren were shot so full of holes, they 
 looked like a thirteen-cent sieve after seven years usage. The 
 animals were aroused, and gnashed their teeth, like a herd of 
 demons devouring a lost soul. Sinners were pounded until 
 they cursed, and pounded more until they groaned, and pound- 
 ed again until they cried: God be merciful to me a sinner. 
 Impulses were received whose full fruitage only eternity will 
 reveal. Lives were made over and are already blessing others." 
 
 The entire membership had become so interested before 
 the end of the campaign was reached, that no one ever recalled 
 that the parson had offered to resign, if it were thought that the 
 church had suffered loss. 
 
 Though this chapter will not be the last in the completed 
 book, it is the last to be written. In closing his long and ardu- 
 ous task the author would again drop into the first person for 
 a few "closing remarks." 
 
 The writing of this book has been purely a labor of love, 
 undertaken to acquaint our membership with some of the stir- 
 ring scenes, through which our congregation has passed. Had 
 I correctly estimated, at the beginning, the tremendous difficul- 
 ties to be surmounted, I could hardly have mustered up cour- 
 age enough to begin. I was determined not to let the work of 
 the parish suffer on account of these historical investigations, 
 12
 
 178 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 and so robbed myself of many hours of sleep and recreation. 
 But, if the narrative awakens in the heart of the members an 
 interest in their splendid history, a deeper love to their church, 
 and a greater loyalty to the kingdom of God ; then, indeed, am 
 I richly rewarded. 
 
 I have given to Canton nearly ten of the best years of my 
 life, and have received abundant evidence that the love and 
 affection of the people is mine. 
 
 216 times have I heard the tinkling of the wedding bells, and 
 seen the newly married couple go forth facing the future 
 with shining face. 
 
 253 times have I baptized little children, and consecrated them 
 
 to God and his church. 
 284 times have I stood beside the open grave and repeated the 
 
 mournful words: "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust 
 
 to dust." 
 612 new members have I received into the church, of whom the 
 
 greater part have remained faithful and active until 
 
 now; but some, alas, have fallen away. The church 
 
 has become stronger, more liberal, more efficient. To 
 
 God be all the glory ! 
 
 Not only has our own church prospered but all the relig- 
 ious forces of Canton have great gains to record. Ten years 
 ago the Young Men's Christian Association could hardly exist 
 at all; today it has a fine, well equipped, $250,000 building 
 with a total membership surpassed by only half a dozen cities 
 of the country. The Young Women's Christian Association 
 has a record scarcely less laudable. All the churches have 
 grown. It would be difficult to find another city the size of 
 Canton containing so many up-to-date church edifices, occupied 
 by so large and aggressive congregations. In the matter of 
 big and enthusiastic Sunday Schools no other city surpasses 
 Canton. 
 
 In material prosperity and growth of population, these ten 
 years mark an amazing development. There are now more 
 than three hundred factories, producing over a thousand dif-
 
 Js 
 
 3s 
 
 s l 
 
 --co 
 
 " 
 
 a: o- 
 
 n
 
 BIS 
 
 II
 
 REV. T. P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 179 
 
 ferent products, and employing 18,000 persons, with a month- 
 ly payroll of $1,000,000. Canton is a city of homes; most of 
 our 72,000 citizens dwell by their own hearth and beneath their 
 own rooftree. New people are constantly pouring in, lured 
 by the hope of good wages offered by the multiplying indus- 
 tries. This gives the pastors ever increasing numbers to win 
 for Christ and the Church. 
 
 In industrial centers such as Canton all religious work is 
 beset with many difficulties, but our heavenly Father has 
 always granted a sufficient measure of success to faithful effort, 
 to keep courage and go forward. 
 
 The members of the consistory have always supported the 
 pastor most loyally, and co-operated with him most willingly. 
 The present consistory consists of the following men : Elders : 
 J. C. Feldheimer, William Feller, Alfred Raber, Chs. Seemann, 
 Godfrey Snyder, Adam Thomas. Deacons: H. J. Boldt, F. 
 W. Buchman, J. F. H. Deibel, Aug. Daberko, H. K. Fenwick, 
 Albert Frey, N. O. Hexamer, William Hohler, E. E. Link, O. 
 J. Lotz, John Marquardt, Frank Smith.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 
 
 NONE of the records of the Sunday School during the first 
 sixty years of its existence have come down to us. In- 
 deed it is probable that during most of this period no written 
 records were kept. The exact date of the founding of the Can- 
 ton School can no longer be determined. The minutes of the 
 first meeting of the Ohio Classis in 1820 contain the statement 
 that the Canton charge had ten congregations and eight Sunday 
 Schools. Since Canton had the largest congregation at that 
 date, it is certain that there was also a Sunday School. Though 
 it is not possible to show any written proof for the assertion it 
 is at least very probable that the Sunday School was organized 
 about the same time as the congregation. From 1812 on, Rev. 
 Mahnenschmidt visited the Canton field regularly, and con- 
 ducted catechetical classes and divine services. He would not 
 fail to provide some means of teaching the young, during the 
 long intervals between his visits. Hence, the year 1812 may be 
 accepted as marking the humble beginnings of the present pros- 
 perous school. 
 
 Originally the teaching of the Bible and religion was not 
 emphasized as it is now. The Sunday School was at first 
 looked upon as a convenient arrangement, for teaching the 
 scholars to read and understand enough of the German lan- 
 guage, so that they could learn the chief question of the cate- 
 chism in the mother tongue. As the scholars acquired some 
 facility in reading, the Bible was placed in their hands as the 
 only text book. Rev. Benjamin Faust was an enthusiastic 
 Sunday School man and worker for the general distribution of 
 the Bible. In 1827, he was vice-president of the Stark County 
 Bible Society, whose avowed purpose was to put a copy of the 
 Word of God into every home of the county. 
 
 The general plan and purpose of the Sunday School con- 
 tinued without change until the time of the new-measure move- 
 ISO
 
 II 
 
 I a
 
 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 181 
 
 ment. That movement forced the congregations to put a larger 
 emphasis upon the religious and spiritual aspects of the Sunday 
 School work. But the ideals did not rise very high in the de- 
 mands made upon the character of the teachers ; for even as 
 late as 1880, the chief requisite seems to have been the ability 
 to teach the German language. If the individual was able to 
 do that, saloon-keepers or bar-tenders were accepted as teachers 
 without arousing any serious antagonism. 
 
 The Sunday School was entirely German until the close 
 of Rev. Herbruck's pastorate. When English services were 
 introduced at the beginning of Rev. Rust's labors, English 
 classes were also formed in the school, although the opening 
 service and the singing were still conducted in German. The 
 number of English classes gradually increased ; for the younger 
 generation was nearly all English. The phenomenal wave of 
 German immigration to Ohio reached its crest even before Rev. 
 Herbruck had closed his labors. Within a decade, the number 
 of Germans coming to Canton had shrunk to quite insignificant 
 proportions. Hence, the amount of English used in the school 
 increased very rapidly. From 1886 to 1916 the school has 
 grown from an all-German to an all-English organization, with 
 the exception of the German class taught by the pastor, whose 
 membership is made up, for the most part, of individuals of 
 German and Swiss birth. 
 
 During the first years of the transition period, the super- 
 intendent had to be German ; then an English and a German 
 superintendent were appointed, and co-operated in conducting 
 the school ; then the German superintendent was dropped. 
 
 The names of all the early superintendents have disap- 
 peared in the mists of the past. It is no longer possible to 
 secure the names even of the superintendents during the latter 
 part of Rev. Herbruck's pastorate. Probably the reason why 
 their personalities did not impress themselves upon the memory 
 of the older members who are still in the church, is to be found 
 in the fact that in those days the place filled by the superin- 
 tendent was rather insignificant, and the further fact that the 
 school was looked upon as being intended only for the children
 
 182 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 and young folks, and hence, the adult portion of the congrega- 
 tion hardly knew who was acting as superintendent. 
 
 During the last third of a century the following superin- 
 tendents have served : 
 
 German English 
 
 Christoph Leonhart 188590 Phil Weber 1890 91 
 
 Alfred Raber 189199 J. F. H. Deibel 189299 
 
 Fred Schweitzer 1900 Howard Dine 1900 
 
 Alfred Raber 190104 William Daberko 1901 
 
 The school is now divided into the following departments : 
 Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Adult, and Home. A Cradle 
 Roll of 125 members is also maintained. The points of effi- 
 ciency of a front-line school, as generally recognized in the 
 Sunday School world, have all been attained. 
 
 The benevolent spirit has been carefully fostered, and large 
 gifts are annually offered. Five regular special days are ob- 
 served each year, namely: Foreign Mission, Children's Day, 
 Rally Day, Home Mission, and Christmas. As a rule, the Chil- 
 dren's Day offering is given to the Sunday School extension 
 work of the Reformed Church; the Christmas offering to the 
 Fort Wayne Orphans' Home ; the beneficiary of the Rally Day 
 offering is designated by the teachers themselves; while the 
 mission-day offerings are sent to the respective boards conduct- 
 ing the work. The Easter offering is divided between home 
 and foreign missions. 
 
 Since 1910, the school has also emphasized the Birthday 
 offerings. Each member is sent a card of congratulation on his 
 birthday with a little envelope into which an offering may be 
 put. From these offerings a $500 church erection fund has al- 
 ready been given to the Board of Church Erection of the three 
 German Synods. These offerings since November of 1914, 
 have been devoted to the making of a monthly payment of $20 
 on the lots which were purchased for the site of the fourth Re- 
 formed church in Canton. A second $500 church erection 
 fund has also been given by Mrs. Fred Narwold, a member of 
 the school, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Sophia Benecker, 
 who was killed on Sunday morning, July 6, 1912, while cross-
 
 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 183 
 
 ing the railroad tracks on her way to Sunday School, where she 
 was enrolled as a member of the German Bible class. 
 
 Special offerings for benevolence are also frequently taken. 
 Aid has thus been extended to war sufferers, flood sufferers, 
 hospitals, Salvation Army, Y. M. C. A., Bible Society, Harbor 
 Mission, Winnebago Indians, etc., etc. The total, for benevo- 
 lence alone, during the last five years, 1911-1916, reached the 
 handsome sum of $3132. 
 
 Neither has the school been unmindful of the local congre- 
 gational needs. Many hundreds of dollars have been con- 
 tributed towards rebuilding, repairing, renovating, re-carpeting, 
 Sunday School furniture and equipment, etc., etc. 
 
 The growth of the school numerically can be given only 
 from the time when Canton formed a parish by itself, and the 
 statistics of the Canton School appear in the published minutes 
 of the Synod. Beginning with 1875 the enrollment at the end 
 of each five-year period is given : 1875, 200 ; 1880, 250 ; 1885, 
 300; 1890, 300; 1895, 475; 1900, 420; 1905, 750; 1910, 780; 
 1915, 950. 
 
 The school in recent years has been especially fortunate in 
 having a splendid corps of workers. Many of the teachers 
 have served for years with great ability and conscientiousness. 
 The measure of success which the school has had is due entirely 
 to the faithful efforts of the teachers and officers. 
 
 At the present time (January 1917) the working force con- 
 sists of. 17 officers and 36 teachers whose names are recorded 
 below. 
 
 OFFICERS 
 
 WILLIAM DABERKO Superintendent 
 
 H. A. DEIBEL Assistant Superintendent 
 
 AUGUST SCHWITZGEBEL Secretary. 
 
 LAWRENCE OFFENBURGER Senior Secretary 
 
 WARREN LINK Junior Secretary 
 
 LESTER H. HIGGINS Treasurer 
 
 EMMA GRETHER Rec. Secretary 
 
 CARL E. SNYDER Birthday Secretary 
 
 C. R. BROWNEWELL Librarian 
 
 CARL RARER Assistant Librarian 
 
 ETHEL C. MILLER.. ..Pianist
 
 184 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 MRS. PAULINE BEITER Supt. Cradle Roll 
 
 MRS. KATHERINE RICH Assistant Supt. Cradle Roll 
 
 MRS. FRED BOYDELATOUR Supt. Home Dept. 
 
 MRS. WM. GEHRING Assistant Superintendent 
 
 ANNA ENZMANN Supt. Primary Department 
 
 HAZEL TROUTNER Secretary Primary DepL 
 
 MRS. R. W. DOURM Visitor Home Dept. 
 
 MRS. EMMA TROUTNER Visitor Home Dept 
 
 JOHN MARQUARDT Usher 
 
 CLARENCE BAAB Usher 
 
 H. K. FENWICK Usher 
 
 TEACHERS 
 
 Letta Anderson, Martha Lahm, 
 
 Mrs. Sam. Bachtel, Thomas Leahy, 
 
 Minnie Baab, Estella A. Miller, 
 
 Gertrude Biller, Clara L. Miller, 
 
 Mrs. D. M. Binns, Leah Neher, 
 
 Aurelia Bolliger, Pauline Nelson, 
 
 Rev. Theo. P. Bolliger, Estella L. Narwold, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Bolliger, Hilda Nelson, 
 
 Grace Boydelatour, Mary Offenburger, 
 
 J. F. H. Deibel, Faith E. Pecher, 
 
 Mrs. H. A. Deibel, Amelia Riniker, 
 
 Ruth Feldheimer, Elsie Schaub, 
 
 Elsie Fisher, Chas. Seemann, 
 
 Mrs. Emma Frank, Florence M. Studcr, 
 
 Emma Grether, Pearl Snyder, 
 
 N. O. Hexamer, Mrs. Katherine M. Thorn, 
 
 Wm. G. Hohler, Mrs. Adam Thomas, 
 
 Blanche Hohler, Mrs. Albert Trachsel.
 
 
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 CHAPTER XXIV 
 THE SINGING, THE ORGANS, AND THE CHOIR 
 
 THE congregational singing during the first thirty years 
 would be judged as very crude from the modern stand- 
 point, for there were neither songbooks nor musical instru- 
 ments. The early members had come from various parts of 
 Germany and Switzerland, as well as from various eastern 
 states. Though a German hymnal was apt to be a part of the 
 family possessions, the chances were that hardly two would be 
 alike. Under such conditions the only solution of the difficulty 
 was for the minister to first read the stanzas to be sung, and 
 then read them again line by line, waiting between lines for the 
 congregation to sing them. In many cases the minister also 
 had to be the leader of the singing. This was a very consider- 
 able additional burden to him, as Dr. Buettner testifies, "When 
 there is no one to lead the singing, which happens frequently, 
 then the minister must almost contract consumption on account 
 of his much singing and preaching." (See Chapter IX.) 
 
 About 1840, a union hymn book for Reformed and Luther- 
 an congregations was introduced, and three years later an organ 
 was bought. "It had only five registers and was entirely too 
 small," but its use so stimulated the desire for better singing 
 that the first choir was organized. About 1850, George Deuble 
 became the director of the choir and the organist, and remained 
 in this position for 35 years, serving for most of the period 
 without salary. 
 
 The first organ served for thirteen years, and then was dis- 
 placed by a fine new instrument. Rev. Herbruck waxes quite 
 enthusiastic in his description of the new acquisition saying: 
 "The present organ has thirteen registers and is put up in an 
 elegant style. It has a beautiful sound, and its internal con- 
 struction is so convenient, that I never saw an organ to equal it. 
 If anything should get out of order, one can with the greatest 
 ease come to any pipe or to any of its mechanical parts." The 
 
 185
 
 186 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 organ was dedicated on Sunday, July 13, 1856. The church 
 was crowded and "the well-practiced choir sang." Rev. D. 
 Kaemmerrer, pastor of the Orrville church, preached on the 
 text Psalm 147 : 7, and Rev. Buckingham of the Canton Presby- 
 terian Church chose Psalm 98: 5. When the Reformed con- 
 gregation separated from the Lutheran in 1862, the right of the 
 Reformed people in this second organ had to be surrendered to 
 the Lutherans. 
 
 A third organ was purchased for the new church, and in- 
 stalled in the exact middle of the gallery. As money was scarce 
 only the most necessary parts were bought at first. The organ 
 was used in this incomplete condition for seven years. In 
 1869, the consistory sent "for the pipes and keys necessary to 
 finish the organ, at an additional cost of $322." During Rev. 
 Rust's pastorate, the organ was removed from the gallery and 
 placed in the front of the auditorium, into the addition which 
 had been built for the purpose. The instrument was also re- 
 built and enlarged. During the following pastorate, the organ 
 was again improved by adding two registers at an expense of 
 $175. Just before Rev. Nau began his labors the organ was 
 given another improvement which cost $230.00, and a motor 
 was installed a little later. The old familiar handle that had 
 worked the bellows for thirty-five years thus entered into its 
 well-deserved rest. 
 
 Eight years later an agitation began in the congregation 
 for a new and modern pipe organ. The purchase of such an 
 instrument became possible in 1905 through the generosity of 
 the heirs of Henry A. Rupp, an old and faithful member of the 
 congregation, who contributed $1000. An additional $1500 
 was given by Andrew Carnegie. These two gifts with the ad- 
 dition of $600 given by the members, and $500 allowed for the 
 old organ, made it possible to install the handsome and emi- 
 nently satisfactory instrument still in use.* 
 
 * This instrument was built by the A. J. Schantz Organ Company, 
 Orrville, Ohio. The old organ was then entirely rebuilt by the Schantz 
 Company, and sold to the First Christian Church of New Philadelphia, 
 Ohio, where it is still in constant use.
 
 THE SINGING, THE ORGANS, AND THE CHOIR 187 
 
 The organ was dedicated Jan. 28, 1906. The sermons 
 were preached by Rev. J. H. Bosch, Fort Wayne, Ind., who 
 spoke on the last Psalm in German, and Rev. E. S. Neikirk, 
 then pastor of the Wooster, Ohio, church, whose text was Rev. 
 5 : 9, "And they sung a new song." The concert given by the 
 choir the following Tuesday was declared "the finest ever given 
 in the church." 
 
 From the time of its organization down to the present, the 
 choir has been one of the most pleasing and efficient aids 
 to the worship through song. Though during these seventy 
 years it has passed through numerous ups and downs, and 
 changes of personnel, the congregation has never lacked a 
 group of willing singers sacrificing time and talent to aid the 
 public worship. Many a successful, well-attended, and finan- 
 cially remunerative concert has also been given. Tradition 
 still bears witness to the "wonderful singers of bygone days and 
 the ability of the old choir in song." The congregation cer- 
 tainly is indebted to them. 
 
 The list of organists who have served is as follows : George 
 Deuble, 1850-1886 ; L. A. Clewell, 1886-189S ; H. J. Ballard 
 1898-1914. Ervin L. Leslie, 1914. The first three men 
 served as choir-directors as well as organists, with the excep- 
 tion of brief periods when different directors assisted. Three 
 directors, however, have served for longer periods, namely : T. 
 Dillwyn Thomas, 1914-15 ; Aubrey W. Barlow, 1915-16 ; J. S. 
 Stoner, 1916.
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 THE GERMAN SCHOOL 
 
 *"1^HE large German immigration from 1860-80, which 
 * brought many new residents to Canton from Germany 
 and Switzerland, meant a corresponding increase of members 
 for the Canton Church. Even before the new church dedicated 
 in 1862 had been quite paid for, the project of building a 
 schoolhouse was launched. The members took enthusiastical- 
 ly to the idea of having a parochial school, in which their be- 
 loved mothertongue could be taught. A frame building was 
 erected on the southwest corner of the church ground, on the 
 site which is now covered by the Sunday School room. 
 
 No written records concerning the school, or the teachers 
 and their length of service, have been preserved. It has been 
 necessary to gather the facts largely from the recollections of 
 the pupils who attended the school. The length of service and 
 the time assigned to each teacher are only approximately cor- 
 rect. The first teacher's name could not be ascertained, though 
 he taught for two years, from 1866-7. 
 
 As the second teacher the congregation was peculiarly for- 
 tunate in securing Theodore Mueller, who had been born in 
 Stargard, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany, and received his 
 education there. Upon arriving in Canton, he was engaged to 
 teach the school, which he did with much skill and acceptabil- 
 ity. In addition to teaching, he also assisted Rev. Herbruck in 
 his pastoral activities, preaching occasionally for some of the 
 outlying congregations. He was licensed by St. John's Classis, 
 in 1869, and preached regularly thereafter until his death. On 
 one of these trips he contracted pneumonia, and died December 
 29, 1870, at the early age of thirty-six years. Rev. Herbruck, 
 in a letter written soon after Mr. Mueller's death, gave him 
 this testimony, "He was a good husband to his wife, a good 
 father to his children, an active member of the church, and a 
 true servant of the Lord." The congregation, in appreciation 
 
 188
 
 o 
 
 li 
 
 IE
 
 THE GERMAN SCHOOL 189 
 
 of his faithful services, erected a small house, located on the 
 spot where the Wheeling and Lake Erie round house now is, 
 which was occupied for years by the family of the deceased.* 
 
 During the first years the teaching was entirely in German, 
 and the teacher was compensated by the tuition-fees paid by the 
 parents of the pupils, amounting to fifty cents a month for each 
 pupil. Mr. Mueller did not consider this a good plan and 
 labored to secure the introduction of some English. He count- 
 ed it as an especial achievement that this plan ws sanctioned 
 by the congregation, and that the Canton school board declared 
 its willingness to rent the building, pay the salary of the teach- 
 er, and conduct the school as a part of the public-school sys- 
 tem, with one-half of the time being devoted to the German 
 language. 
 
 Mr. Mueller died before this plan could be put into opera- 
 tion. The unexpired term from January to June, 1871, seems 
 to have been taught by Karr. He was followed proba- 
 bly for one year by Haushalter. At least, these men 
 
 taught for a short period, and their names do not appear in the 
 records of the Canton school board as having been employed 
 by them. Hence, it is probable that for some unknown reason, 
 the operation of the contemplated plan was delayed. 
 
 The first teacher employed by the board was Grues- 
 
 sie, who taught from 1872-77. This man was a unique char- 
 acter, and impressed his peculiarities upon the memories of the 
 pupils in such a way, that an abundance of school incidents are 
 still told with great gusto. One day the schoolmaster took a 
 little nap during the teaching hours, an occurrence which hap- 
 pened somewhat frequently. One of the older boys took ad- 
 vantage of the opportunity, and put several small mice into the 
 master's violin with which he was wont to lead the music. 
 Lest the mice escape the boy also pasted paper over the open- 
 
 * At that time the entire southeastern quarter of what is now Can- 
 ton was covered with fields and orchards of idyllic beauty. Mrs. Muel- 
 ler has declared, "We lived there as in paradise." The widow, Mrs. 
 Mueller, and the two children, Theodore and Emma, have remained 
 members of the First Church throughout the years.
 
 190 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 ings. After a while the master awoke and seeing that it was 
 about closing time gave directions to put the books away and 
 prepare for the closing singing period. Now when he began 
 to play, things began to happen. The mice squeaked and 
 scampered about, and the pupils roared. Much incensed, the 
 teacher demanded the name of the perpetrator of the trick. 
 No one would betray him. So the master promised a thrash- 
 ing to everyone in the school, and proceeded to put his threat 
 into execution. The older pupils took their medicine with a 
 grin ; but when the teacher began to chastise the smaller ones, 
 the guilty boy could stand it no longer, and jumped up and 
 attacked the teacher. In the scuffle that ensued, the violin was 
 broken over the boy's head, and the boy's school-days ended 
 then and there. 
 
 On another occasion a boy giggled while watching a mouse 
 play hide-and-seek in the schoolroom. Refusing to explain 
 his unseemly conduct, he was locked into the cellar. The lad 
 at once took out the frame of the window, crawled out, put the 
 frame into place again from the outside and scampered off. 
 This strange disappearance greatly mystified the teacher, who 
 could not understand how the boy had got out of the locked 
 window. 
 
 Mr. Gruessie is also remembered on account of little, two- 
 line, funny jingles, which he used to compose and get off at 
 the expense of the pupils. Some of these are still to be heard 
 when his former scholars are in a reminiscent mood. 
 
 From 1878-80 Mr. B. F. Schwier was in charge. No par- 
 ticular incidents concerning his incumbency have been pre- 
 served. 
 
 The last teacher was Rudolph Leonhart (1881-5). He 
 was a man with several college degrees and splendid abilities. 
 He was also the author of a number of novels which acquired 
 some little fame, such as, The Treasure of Montezuma, The 
 Wild Rose, Through Blood and Iron, Children of the Outlaws, 
 and others. At the time of his service in Canton, he was an 
 old man, rapidly becoming blind. Though teaching with great 
 acceptability, his physical infirmity was a handicap which some
 
 THE GERMAN SCHOOL 191 
 
 of the bad boys of the school occasionally used, to perpetrate 
 the mean little trick of pinning a pig's tail to the teacher's 
 coat, which contributed considerably to the merriment of the 
 entire school. Mr. Leonhart's eyesight finally became so poor, 
 that he was forced to give up his teaching, but even after total 
 blindness had come, he zealously continued his literary activi- 
 ties. 
 
 After 1885, the old building was used for many purposes, 
 such as choir rehearsals, band practice, catechetical instruc- 
 tion, consistory meetings, society meetings, social gatherings, 
 and on Sunday it was occupied by the Primary Department of 
 the Sunday School. 
 
 In 1899 the building was sold to the Gibbs Manufacturing 
 Company for $100, and was removed to their plant, where for 
 years it has been used as the office of the concern.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 THE GERMAN LADIES' AID SOCIETY 
 
 THE German Ladies' Aid Society has been in continuous 
 operation since 1879. It had, however, two predecessors, 
 which, during the years that the church was being built, had ren- 
 dered most valuable service. These earlier organizations, which 
 were known as "The Woman's Society" and "The Maidens' 
 Society", busily sewed, served suppers, and collected by per- 
 sonal solicitation, in order to secure funds for the large bell 
 still in the steeple and for part of the interior furnishings of 
 the church. When the church was all paid for, the organiza- 
 tions were allowed to disband. 
 
 After an interval of about fourteen years, the need of a 
 woman's aid society became insistent again, and hence, in 1879, 
 a new organization was effected. The minutes of the first 
 meeting, recorded in the handwriting of Rev. P. Herbruck, 
 read as follows: "The Woman's Society of the Reformed 
 Jerusalem's Congregation of Canton, Ohio, was organized Feb- 
 ruary 19, 1879. Mrs. Lydia Hexamer was elected as chair- 
 man, and Mrs. Susanna Deuble as treasurer. The society will 
 meet once every two weeks. Each member will pay, if possi- 
 ble, ten cents at each meeting. The monies are to be expended 
 for home and foreign missions and other benevolent purposes." 
 
 The women united with the new organization with glad- 
 ness, and within a year forty-six members were enrolled. The 
 organization of the society during the days of Rev. Herbruck's 
 pastorate was unique. The officers elected merely had the 
 honor of the position ; for the pastor presided at the meetings, 
 recorded the minutes, took charge of the money, disbursed 
 it according to his best judgment, and simply reported his 
 actions to the society. 
 
 The members worked with remarkable faithfulness to 
 secure funds. In addition to the regular monthly dues of 
 
 192
 
 THE GERMAN LADIES' AID SOCIETY 193 
 
 twenty cents, the women secured considerable amounts from 
 sewing, suppers, bazaars, special offerings and gifts. 
 
 The list of disbursements during the first years displays 
 a truly remarkable array of benevolent and good works. It 
 will prove of interest to give the complete list of the first two 
 years. 
 
 For cleaning the church $30.00 
 
 " missions 10.00 
 
 " groceries for a sick man 2.05 
 
 " the blind minister Z 5.00 
 
 " clothes for poor children 3.90 
 
 " Catherine 2.05 
 
 " the church paper for two inmates of the infirmary 4.00 
 
 " chairs in the church 64.00 
 
 " the classical contingents 30.00 
 
 " the Tract Society 5.00 
 
 " Christmas gifts for the Sunday School 5.50 
 
 " a jubilee present to Rev. 34.00 
 
 The society was also active in giving much necessary help 
 to the congregation. Thus we find it helping to build and 
 paint the parsonage, pay the taxes, sewer assessment, street- 
 paving, repair the organ, fix up the furnace, paint the church, 
 remodel the church, pay part of the janitor's salary, etc., etc. 
 
 All together the record of the society is one to be proud 
 of ; and the good work has continued until this day. 
 
 Early in the history of the society, the custom also arose 
 of presenting a small gift to the family of diseased members 
 where there appeared to be need. This custom gradually led 
 to the creation of a special "funeral fund" in 1899. From this 
 fund the family of "every member in good standing" was to 
 be "entitled to twenty dollars at her death." The burden of 
 maintaining this funeral fund became too heavy, after the tran- 
 sition of the congregation from the German to the English 
 language, had made it impossible to prevent the rapid decrease 
 of the number of active members. When the society realized 
 that its entire income was being used up to pay the funeral 
 claims, it decided in 1916 to abolish the death benefits entirely, 
 
 13
 
 194 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 and work only to assist congregational and denominational 
 lines of activity. 
 
 The Woman's Society at the period of its greatest pros- 
 perity numbered 140 members. Since all the meetings of the 
 society are conducted entirely in German, it has been impossi- 
 ble for years to secure new members except at long intervals. 
 As nearly all the members are advanced in years, deaths have 
 been very frequent. The present membership is eighty. 
 
 During the last twenty-seven years, Mrs. Flora Heidrich 
 has served as the active and efficient president. Of the char- 
 ter members who were present at the organization of the soci- 
 ety in 1879, four remain as active members until now, namely : 
 Mesdames Elizabeth Arnold, Susanna Krieg, Katherine Paar 
 and Katherine Schwingel. 
 
 The present officers are : President, Mrs. Flora Heidrich ; 
 Recording Secretary, Mrs. Bertha Zurcher; Treasurer, Mrs. 
 Minnie C. Hartung; Treasurer, Flower Fund, Mrs. Caroline 
 Schaub. The last three have held these offices for a score of 
 years.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN 
 ENDEAVOR 
 
 A MONG the organizations connected with the church, the 
 * * Christian Endeavor Society has been one of the most 
 fruitful agencies in training active workers. A long and 
 splendid list of elders, deacons, Sunday School superintendents, 
 teachers, and leaders in the missionary societies, received their 
 initiation into active Christian service in this society. The 
 young people of the church were trained through it in public 
 speaking and prayer; they learned to co-operate with others 
 through the committee duties; they acquired a sense of re- 
 sponsibility for the success of the church ; they became educat- 
 ed in church and missionary activities; and finally, they in- 
 creased in the grace of giving. 
 
 Before the organization of the Christian Endeavor Socie- 
 ty, a young people's society known as "The Willing Workers" 
 had been in existence. This society seems to have had for its 
 main object the giving of financial assistance to the church and 
 hence could not meet the needs of the spiritual development 
 of the young people. 
 
 Dr. Strassner, a few months after beginning his pastorate, 
 induced the younger members of the congregation to organize 
 a Christian Endeavor Society. The minutes of the first meet- 
 ing when a temporary organization was effected read as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 "Canton, Ohio, June 1, 1890. The Young People of the 
 German Reformed Church met at 3 P.M. Miss Lizzie Walker 
 acted as president ; Miss Mary Speck as secretary. We or- 
 ganized a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor." 
 
 On the tenth of June, the society met again, and formed a 
 permanent organization. The usual officers of a Christian 
 Endeavor Society were elected for a term of six months only. 
 Dr. Strassner became the first president. The committees 
 
 195
 
 196 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 appointed were called : music, calling, missionary, temperance, 
 and relief. 
 
 During the first six months the society used the topics as 
 appointed for Christian Endeavor societies ; but the members 
 were a little chary about signing the pledge and adopting a dis- 
 tinctly Christian Endeavor constitution; hence, the end of the 
 year was reached before the first pledges were signed. Among 
 these first signers appear the names of several who later ren- 
 dered good service as members of the consistory ; viz. : Fred 
 Baker, J. F. H. Deibel, Chris. Sander, Charles Seemann, Adam 
 Thomas and Phil Weber; and also the following who have 
 made a noble record as Sunday School teachers: Katie Elbel 
 (Leidig), Leah Neher, Minnie Snyder, Gertrude Talbot (Nist) 
 and William Daberko. 
 
 In addition to the well-known work carried on by Chris- 
 tian Endeavor societies, our society early assumed certain def- 
 inite tasks which would help the church. In 1892, the practice 
 of furnishing flowers the year around, for adorning the com- 
 munion table during the church services, was begun and has 
 been faithfully kept up to the present. Each Sunday evening 
 these flowers are then distributed to the sick and shut-ins. 
 Special missionary pledges have been made from time to time 
 and faithfully paid for long periods. The society has also con- 
 tributed for special needs of the church as occasions arose. 
 
 A Junior Endeavor Society was also organized Novem- 
 ber 3, 1894, and flourished greatly for a period. The problem 
 of a successful Junior Society has always been solved, when a 
 capable and consecrated superintendent was to be found. When 
 such a leader was not at hand, the society went to sleep. Prob- 
 ably the fact that the catechetical classes have always been 
 especially stressed by the pastors, has made the carrying on of 
 a Junior Society peculiarly difficult. After prolonged periods 
 of rest, the Junior Society has been several times reorganized. 
 The following rendered good service as superintendents and 
 assistants: Mrs. F. Strassner and Mary Speck (Sander), 
 
 1894-96; Mrs. F. C. Nau and Leah Neher, 1897 ; Mrs. 
 
 Clara Weiss, 1903-4; Mrs. Gertrude Nist and Mrs. Clara Ray,
 
 THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF C. E. 197 
 
 1906-7; Estella Miller, 1908: Marie Smith, 1914-15; Pearl 
 Snyder, 1915. This list does not include all those who were 
 active in Junior work ; for generally a committee appointed by 
 the senior society aided the superintendent in charge. The 
 names of the entire committees are unfortunately no longer 
 on record. 
 
 At first the presidents of the senior society were elected 
 for a term of six months only, and changes were rapid. More 
 recently the term was extended to one year and re-elections 
 have been frequent. Since 1908 the president's term has be- 
 gun in October of each year. A complete list of the presidents 
 and the time during which they served is here given. 
 
 Rev. F. Strassner, 1890 Minnie Schneider, 1905 06 
 
 Charles Seeman, 1891 Gertrude Talbot (Nist), 190708 
 
 Louise Bauhof Katherine Enzmann 
 
 (Newacheck), 1892 (Binns), 1909 
 
 Mary Speck (Sander), 1893 Chas. W. Arnold, 1910 
 
 Leah Neher, 1894 N. O. Hexamer, 191112 
 
 Mrs. Louise Newacheck, 1895 Elsie Schaub, 1912 13 
 
 Chris. Sander, 189596 Andrew Huber, 1914 
 
 J. F. H. Deibel, 189799 Ernest Miller, 191415 
 
 William Daberko, 190003 Pauline Nelson, 1916 
 
 Arthur Schaub, 1904 Pearl Snyder, 191617 
 
 The membership of the society in the days of its greatest 
 popularity was over one-hundred. Since the organized Sun- 
 day School classes have multiplied and become active, the 
 Christian Endeavor Society has found it increasingly difficult 
 to maintain a large membership. Though the present member- 
 ship is only fifty, the effective training work of the society has 
 not been diminished. 
 
 The present officers are: President, Pearl Snyder; Vice 
 President, Louise V. Bolliger; Recording Secretary, Warren 
 Link; Corresponding Secretary, L. Aurelia Bolliger; Finan- 
 cial Secretary, Hilda R. Schmidt; Treasurer, Pauline Nelson.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII 
 THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 
 
 organization of the Woman's Missionary Society 
 sprang from the need of an English speaking society 
 which could assist in missionary and congregational activities. 
 The women of the church who could not speak the German lan- 
 guage were unable to co-operate with the German Ladies' Aid 
 Society, and hence, an agitation was begun to call a new organ- 
 ization into existence. 
 
 The consistory gladly sanctioned the plan February 7, 
 1902 in the following resolution, "A motion prevailed that the 
 consistory recommend a new organization called 'Ladies' Mis- 
 sionary Society' or some other appropriate name." During 
 the following months the women interested got together, and 
 by the beginning of 1903 they were ready to organize. Seven- 
 teen ladies met January 18, 1903. Rev. Nau acted as tem- 
 porary chairman and explained the work and organization of 
 a missionary society. The first officers elected were Mrs. Clara 
 Weiss, president; Mrs. Eva Thomas, secretary; Mrs. Kate 
 Thorn, treasurer. 
 
 The object of the new organization which was known at 
 first as "The Ladies' Missionary Society" was stated in the 
 constitution adopted, as being twofold ; first, "To awaken and 
 foster the missionary spirit in our church and to labor earnest- 
 ly and systematically in behalf of the missionary interests of 
 the Reformed Church in the United States, home and foreign 
 missions alike"; secondly, "To labor earnestly to further the 
 work of the local church in all its departments by attending 
 regularly the Sunday services, by working for the Sunday 
 School, by fostering the spirit of sociability, and by helping the 
 church in every possible way." A monthly contribution of at 
 least ten cents per member was also decided upon. 
 
 Several months after the organization, a membership con- 
 test was inaugurated. The society was divided into two 
 
 198
 
 |H
 
 THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 199 
 
 groups: the one carried the national colors, red, white, and 
 blue; the other had the Reformed Church colors, black, red, 
 and orange. By the end of the first year the membership had 
 thus been increased to sixty-eight. 
 
 During the first five and one-half years, the organization 
 operated simply as a congregational society distributing its gifts 
 from time to time according to its preference. Home and for- 
 eign missionary objects received about half of the total income ; 
 the remainder was given to various congregational needs, such 
 as, music fund, cleaning the church, building and repair fund, 
 etc. 
 
 At the February meeting, 1905, the society entered upon 
 a new phase of work which is thus introduced in the minutes, 
 "Motion was made and carried that a sewing-circle be organ- 
 ized to make articles for which ready sale might be found." 
 This sewing circle, though conducted by the missionary society, 
 extended an invitation to the ladies of the entire church to 
 assist. Many responded, and this circle has continued without 
 interruption until now. The women have given ungrudgingly 
 of their time and skill, and thus largely increased the funds 
 available for the distinctive work of the missionary society. A 
 number of highly successful bazaars and suppers have been con- 
 ducted in the past, and the society has made for itself quite an 
 enviable reputation on account of the excellency of these 
 affairs. At the present time the sewing-circle confines itself 
 almost entirely to quilting, and work is brought to it from all 
 parts of Canton. 
 
 From the beginning also, congregational visiting has been 
 emphasized, until now, at every meeting, from forty to one hun- 
 dred vivits are reported. In case of sickness, flowers are car- 
 ried to the afflicted ones. 
 
 A new era in the work of the society dawned, when the 
 members got the vision of the larger work which could be done 
 if they were affiliated with the Woman's Missionary organiza- 
 tions of the Reformed Church. As St. John's Classis had no 
 woman's organization, the society decided in September, 1907, 
 "To join the Tuscarawas Classical Society until such a time
 
 200 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 that St. John's Classis might be organized." In order to avoid 
 the complications which might follow connection with another 
 classis and synod, the matter was reconsidered at the next 
 meeting, and the decision was reached to first make the effort 
 to organize a Woman's Missionary Society of St. John's 
 Classis. 
 
 Rev. Bolliger, in the name of the society, overtured St. 
 John's Classis for permission to organize a classical woman's 
 society, and also to appoint a committee to carry the project to 
 completion. Both requests were granted, and Rev. Bolliger 
 was made chairman of the committee requested. The other 
 members of the committee were Rev. A. Zimmerman and Elder 
 John Kaderle. After an extended correspondence with pas- 
 tors and societies, delegates from seven societies met in Can- 
 ton, April 23, 1908, as guests of the Canton society. Five of 
 these societies had already voted in favor of entering a classi- 
 cal organization. The committee appointed by Classis had 
 worked out a suitable constitution, which was adopted, and a 
 temporary organization was effected, with Mrs. Catherine Da- 
 hinden, the president of the Canton society, as temporary pres- 
 ident. At the annual meeting of St. John's Classis during the 
 following June, the proposed constitution was adopted, and 
 immediately afterwards the delegates of the missionary socie- 
 ties met, effected a permanent organization, and started in to 
 do systematic missionary work. 
 
 The Canton society at the beginning assumed the full ap- 
 portionment for only forty members ; but by the end of two 
 years the work had won such a place for itself that the entire 
 membership has been reported ever since. 
 
 The Woman's Missionary Society of St. John's Classis 
 now includes thirteen organizations with 320 members. Of 
 this number the Canton societies furnish 125. The organiza- 
 tion of the Classical society was due entirely to the efforts put 
 forth by the Canton society and its pastor; and the continued 
 highly successful development of the woman's missionary 
 interests in the Classis, has been largely dependent upon the 
 earnest work of the Canton members. They have great rea-
 
 o $ 
 
 " 
 
 5 
 
 i 

 
 THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 201 
 
 son to look with maternal pride upon the vigorous robustness 
 of their numerous offspring. 
 
 No small measure of the success attained by the Canton 
 Society has come from the programs presented. From the 
 beginning, each meeting was planned to give some definite mis- 
 ionary information and inspiration. During the last years the 
 text-books as used by the Woman's Missionary Societies 
 throughout the land, have been studied by the members who are 
 most interested, and the various chapters are used as the basis 
 for the monthly programs. 
 
 Two auxiliary missionary societies were called into exist- 
 ence during April, 1916. The "business girls" of the congre- 
 gation were practically barred from the Woman's Society by 
 the fact that all meetings were held during the afternoon. To 
 enlist these young women in the work, the "Auxiliary Woman's 
 Missionary Society" was organized. The present officers are, 
 Mrs. Martha Bachtel, president ; Miss Edith Daberko, secre- 
 tary; Miss Hazel Troutner, treasurer. The membership num- 
 bers twenty. 
 
 The younger girls were organized into the "Emma Ziemer 
 Missionary Circle," which now has twenty-four members. The 
 officers are : Miss L. Aurelia Bolliger, president ; Miss Blanche 
 Hohler, secretary; Mrs. Beulah Mock, treasurer. 
 
 The total receipts of the older society since its organiza- 
 tion have been $2536. The entire amount was given for mis- 
 sionary, benevolent, and congregational purposes. 
 
 The present officers are: Mrs. Jennie Mack, president; 
 Mrs. Clara Trachsel, secretary; Mrs. Winifred Walker, treas- 
 urer. 
 
 In the fifteen years of its existence the missionary society 
 has had only seven presidents, namely, Mrs. Clara Weiss, Mrs. 
 Emma Whaler, Mrs. Catherine Dahinden, Mrs. Etta Kitson, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Bolliger, Mrs. Eva Thomas and Mrs. Jennie 
 Mack.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 EXPANSION 
 
 " I ^HE Reformed churches of Canton have caught a vision 
 * of the possibilities before the church in a growing, indus- 
 trial community such as ours, and are determined to push the 
 organization of other congregations in the unoccupied portions 
 of Canton. 
 
 The beginning was made in 1914 by the purchase of two 
 lots on the corner of Arlington Ave. and Third St. N.W. Each 
 one of the existing congregations made itself responsible for a 
 certain proportion of the purchase price; namely: Trinity, 
 eight-thirteenths; First, four-thirteenths; Grace, one-thir- 
 teenth. In 1916, a third lot was purchased, giving a plot 80 by 
 140 feet with an annex of 40 by 40 feet. The total cost of 
 the site was $3350, which is being paid off in monthly install- 
 ments. Including the interest, sewer assessments, taxes and 
 other incidentals the lots will cost the three older churches 
 $3700. 
 
 At the petition of the Canton churches, the Board of Home 
 Missions of the Reformed Church commissioned Rev. O. P. 
 Foust as missionary. He began his work on September 1, 1916. 
 On October 29, a congregation was organized with forty-eight 
 members. On January 20, 1917, the congregation was incor- 
 porated with the name "Lowell Reformed Church." Imme- 
 diately after the incorporation, the lots were deeded to the new 
 organization without any encumbrance whatsoever. 
 
 The Lowell congregation is planning to build the Sunday 
 School unit of its own church home during the summer of 1917. 
 Owing to the great increase in the price of labor and building 
 material, this part of the building will cost about $14,000. The 
 church auditorium will not be built until the growth of the con- 
 gregation makes it necessary. The erection of the Sunday 
 School unit at the present time was made possible only by the 
 loan of $7500 made by the Home Mission Board. The Lowell 
 
 202
 
 s 
 
 Is 
 
 5T n 
 
 9- n 
 
 t* 
 *l 
 
 tn Pi 
 
 * 
 
 , 
 1
 
 EXPANSION 203 
 
 Church on Easter Sunday increased its membership to one hun- 
 dred. 
 
 A site for a fifth Reformed church has already been pur- 
 chased by Tuscarawas Classis, on Twenty-third St. N.W. for 
 $2100. It is expected that in a year or two at the most, a build- 
 ing can be erected there. 
 
 A Sunday School has also been conducted for two years on 
 Maple Ave. N.E. The school, which is under the fostering 
 care of the Trinity Church, has an enrollment of about one hun- 
 dred. The prospects for securing suitable lots, and putting up 
 a temporary building for more efficient work, are very prom- 
 ising. 
 
 Stark County a few years ago, when a census of the church- 
 es was taken, had more Reformed congregations than any other 
 denomination. Reformed people have been pouring into Can- 
 ton from these congregations, and many of these have been lost 
 to our church, because the work of planting missions had been 
 so long neglected. Now, however, our people are awakening 
 to their duty. The churches already established have resolved 
 to dismiss without any effort to hold them anyone who 
 desires to unite with one of the mission churches. This policy, 
 followed out for a few years, will make it possible to plant a 
 Reformed church in every part of Canton that is now without 
 a place of worship. This Canton missionary work will great- 
 ly bless the older congregations, will extend the borders of our 
 Reformed Zion, and build up the kingdom of our God. "To 
 Him be all the glory, forever and forever."
 
 INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Ambler, Jacob A., secures a 
 new law for Rev. 
 Herbruck 102 
 
 Auxiliary Woman's Mis- 
 sionary Society 201 
 
 Behmer, Mrs. M. A., leaves 
 
 a bequest to church.. 143 
 
 Bells in tower 103,112 
 
 Benecker, Mrs. Sophia, me- 
 morial fund 182 
 
 Benevolent Offerings 144, 172 
 
 Billy Sunday Campaign 175-7 
 
 Bolliger, Rev. Theo. P., call 
 
 to Canton 164-5 
 
 Life 165-9 
 
 First sermons in Canton 164-5 
 
 Education 167-8, 169 
 
 Charges served 168-9 
 
 Church positions held. . 169 
 Results of Canton pas- 
 torate 170-77 
 
 Reasons for writing the 
 history of the First 
 
 Church 177 
 
 and Preface 
 
 Bosch, Rev. J. H 152,187 
 
 Bousch, Att'y C. M 126 
 
 Buckingham, Rev Ill, 113, 186 
 
 Buettner, Dr. J. G., de- 
 scribes minister's work 
 
 in 1834-45 58-9 
 
 Educational training . . 64 
 Professor at Canton... 64-7 
 Literary activities 69 
 
 Canton, in 1805 1 
 
 In 1810 8 
 
 In 1816 14-15 
 
 In 1821 20 
 
 In 1830 43-44 
 
 From 1830-50 96 
 
 From 1850-70 114-15 
 
 In 1895 123 
 
 Six feet of land deeded 
 
 to 151 
 
 In 1917 . . 178-9 
 
 PAGE 
 Cemetery of the 
 
 church 24, 36, 120, 151 
 
 Choir 185,187 
 
 Christian Endeavor Society 142 
 
 History of 195-6 
 
 Organizes a Jr. Society 196-7 
 
 Former presidents 197 
 
 Officers 197 
 
 Church Records 9, 26, 156 
 
 and Preface 
 
 Church Roll, 118-19 ; 132, 142, 154 
 170-71 
 
 Columbiana Classis 78, 88-90, 92, 93 
 Congregations belonging to 
 Canton parish under 
 Rev. Mahnenschmidt. . 6, 17 
 
 Under Rev. Faust 17,26 
 
 Under Rev. Herbruck 45, 50, 
 
 52-53, 54, 55, 57, 94, 113, 
 
 119-120, 130 
 
 Consistory, increased 151 
 
 Members 179 
 
 Constitution of the congre- 
 gation, first constitu- 
 tions 22, 156 
 
 Reformed constitutions 
 
 and revisions 156-7 
 
 Present constitution.. 157-63 
 
 Corner stone, laying of 105-6 
 
 Opening of 106-8 
 
 Contents of 108-13 
 
 Contract, minister's 52 
 
 Cramer, Rev. W. Staurt... 6 
 
 Cronenwirth, Rev 126 
 
 Customs, old-time 4, 20 
 
 Dahlmann, Rev. Jacob, D.D. 128 
 Danzinger, Dr., document 
 
 in corner stone Ill 
 
 Dedication service, in 1862.112-13 
 In 1899 149 
 
 Emma Ziemer Circle 201 
 
 English entering the con- 
 gregation, 26, 45, 74, 114-16 
 113-4, 137, 153-4, 157, 181 
 
 206
 
 206 
 
 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Faust, Rev. Benjamin, life 
 
 and work 16-21 
 
 Trip to synod 21 
 
 Helps to organize Ohio 
 
 Synod 25 
 
 Missionary activities . . 26 
 S. School work 19, 26, 28, 180 
 Officer of Stark Co. Bi- 
 ble Society 28 
 
 Pulpit orator 28-9 
 
 Resolutions of Synod at 
 
 death 30 
 
 Size of Canton congr... 30-31 
 
 Last six months 32,35 
 
 Trains a successor . .32-33, 42 
 
 See also 108-9, 129, 151 
 
 Faust, Mrs. Nancy 17,36 
 
 First Reformed Church, first 
 
 members 2 
 
 First services 3-4 
 
 First building 9 
 
 First mentioned by synod 10 
 First confirmations ... 11 
 Congregations in parish 17 
 
 Conditions in 1818 18 
 
 Relocating and building, 
 
 second edifice 22_24 
 
 The cemetery 24 
 
 Name chosen about 1850 157 
 Third edifice and sepa- 
 ration fr. Lutherans 96-104 
 Description of church. 112 
 Pictures from congre- 
 gational life, 1862-75 118-19 
 Building improved in 
 
 Rev. Rust's pastorate 135 
 Enlarged and remod- 
 eled under Rev. Nau 148-150 
 
 Renovation of 1916 173 
 
 "Fisherman, The" 128 
 
 Foust, Rev. O. P 202 
 
 Funerals 20, 34-35 
 
 Gerhart, Rev. E. V., D.D. . . 167 
 
 German school 119, 150 
 
 History of 188-91 
 
 Gibbs, Louis 103, 109 
 
 Good, Dr. J. H 115 
 
 Grace Reformed Church... 144-5 
 Gruessie, 189 
 
 Hamm, Rev. J. W., 36, 44, 45, 46 
 47, 48, 88, 89 
 
 Heidelberg College 68, 128 
 
 Herbruck, Rev. Emil ....121, 127 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Herbruck, Rev. Peter, early 
 
 life. 37-9 
 
 First experiences in 
 
 America 40 
 
 Starts for Ohio 41 
 
 Reaches Canton 42 
 
 Meets Rev. Faust 32_3 
 
 First preaching efforts. 33-5 
 
 Supplies Canton 44-5 
 
 Experience at Xenia. . . 46-8 
 
 Marriage 48 
 
 Visiting a murderer. . . 49-50 
 Elected pastor by part 
 
 of the charge 50 
 
 Ordained 50 
 
 Pastoral experiences . . 53-58 
 
 Missionary zeal 57 
 
 Experience with Dr. 
 
 Buettner 67 
 
 Missionary trip to In- 
 diana 70-73 
 
 New-measure excite- 
 ment 79-85 
 
 Starts independent synod 87-95 
 
 Two testimonials 95 
 
 The D. D. degree 120 
 
 50th jubilee 121-2 
 
 Last years 122-3 
 
 Mrs. Herbruck's death. 123 
 See also.. 127, 128-31, 134, 192 
 Herbruck Synod, causes of 
 
 organization 87-9, 91 
 
 History of 91-94 
 
 Herbst, Mrs. M. M 12 
 
 Horsemanship, Rev. Her- 
 bruck's. . 53-54, 57-58, 69-70 
 Hymnal of Refor"d Church 
 
 introduced 143 
 
 Incorporation of congr. 157, 163 
 
 Indians 2 
 
 Individual communion service 152 
 
 Kaemmerer, Rev. David. .113, 186 
 
 Keller, Rev. Abraham 83-4,90 
 
 Keller, Rev. Joseph, D.D... 122 
 
 Klahr, Rev. J. H 126-7 
 
 Koehler, Rev. R Ill, 113 
 
 Ladies' Aid Society, First 
 
 Societies 110-11, 192 
 
 Present society 192-4 
 
 Funeral fund 193 
 
 Officers 194 
 
 Present gold medal to 
 Rev. Herbruck . 122
 
 INDEX 
 
 207 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Language question, see English. 
 Lawsuit with Lutherans 97-104 
 108-10 
 
 Lebermann, Rev. J. J. f D.D. 126 
 
 Leonard, Henry 128 
 
 Leonhart, Rudolph 190-91 
 
 Long, Rev. David 36, 46 
 
 Lowell Reformed Church.. 202-3 
 
 Mahnenschmidt, Rev. J. P... 2 
 
 Life 4-5 
 
 Begins work in Canton 6 
 
 Sermon outlines 7 
 
 Describes early condi- 
 tions 10-12 
 
 Edits the catechism 12-14 
 
 Helps organize the Ohio 
 
 Synod 25 
 
 Preaches at the gallows 49 
 
 See also 129 
 
 Maple Ave. Sunday School 203 
 Marriage license f. ministers 52 
 
 Massillon 65 
 
 Ministers, early education of 63, 67 
 
 See also 32-34 
 
 Mueller, Theodore 188-9 
 
 Murderer comforted 48-50 
 
 Nau, Rev. F. C., Life 146-8 
 
 S. S. addition built 148-9 
 
 Dedication 149 
 
 Description 150 
 
 Result of pastorate 151-4 
 
 Activities since leaving 
 Canton 155 
 
 Neikirk, Rev E. S 153, 187 
 
 New-Measure Movement, 
 
 origin 79 
 
 Methods 80-81 
 
 Excesses 82-5 
 
 Estimate of 85_6 
 
 Synod resolutions against 82 
 In St. Martin's Church 125 
 
 New Philadelphia, Ohio 
 
 Synod organized .... 24 
 Served by Rev. Rust. . . 137 
 By Rev. Bolliger 169 
 
 Northern German Classis.. 93-4 
 
 Ohio Classis, organized ... 19 
 
 Meets in Canton 19 
 
 In New Philadelphia. . 24 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Ohio Synod, organized 24 
 
 Decision in Osnaburg 
 
 controversy 54-5 
 
 Queer treatment of Rev. 
 
 Herbruck 55-6 
 
 Divided into districts.. 78-9 
 Temperance resolutions 
 
 76-7, 78 
 
 Divided into classes ... 78 
 New-measure resolutions 
 
 82, 92_3 
 Reunion with Herbruck 
 
 Synod 93-4 
 
 Organs 152-3, 185-7 
 
 Organists 153, 187 
 
 Osnaburg 64, 65, 66, 83, 87-90 
 
 113, 119 
 
 Parsonage 142 
 
 Pence, Rev. John 50, 53, 54 
 
 Pennsylvania Germans, Rev. 
 Herbruck's experiences 
 
 with, a compliment . . 33 
 
 A knock 33-4 
 
 An insult 35 
 
 A loyal elder 55-6 
 
 A misunderstood ser- 
 mon 59 
 
 Preaching they liked. .. 58-9 
 A disgruntled parish- 
 ioner 59-60 
 
 A would-be guest 60-61 
 
 An elder's ridiculous 
 
 answer 61-62 
 
 Prugh, Rev. John H., D. D. 149 
 
 Reed, Michael, see Rieth. 
 Rieth, Michael, services in 
 
 his barn 3-4 
 
 Robertsville charge 126, 137 
 
 Ruetenik, Rev. J. H., D.D. 122, 149 
 
 Ruf, Rev Berchtold 135-6 
 
 Rupp, Elder Henry 152, 186 
 
 Rust, Rev. Herman, D.D. 124, 140 
 Rust, Rev. John H., Ph.D., 
 
 D.D., early life 124 
 
 First pastorate 124-8 
 
 Results of pastorate 132_4 
 
 Temperance fight 136-7 
 
 Resignation 137 
 
 Literary activities 138 
 
 Saint John's Classis 94 
 
 St. John's Classis Woman's 
 
 Missionary Society 199-200 
 Salem's Church . 125
 
 208 
 
 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Schade, Rev. Aug. C. F..D.D. 125 
 Schlosser, Rev. George 
 
 50, 53, 54, 60, 64-5 
 
 Schumacher, Rev. J. B 116 
 
 Separating from Lutherans, 
 
 causes 97 
 
 Attempts at amicable 
 
 settlement 97-9 
 
 Decision of Reformed 
 
 to build 98-101 
 
 Lutherans sue 101-3 
 
 Settlement 103 
 
 Rev. Herbruck's story 
 
 of the lawsuit 108-10 
 
 Sermon notes, by Rev. 
 
 Mahnenschmidt 7 
 
 Rev. Faust 29 
 
 Sewing Circle founded 199 
 Singing by congregation in 
 
 early times, 3-4, 20, 35, 58 
 185 
 Sonnendecker, Rev. Henry 
 
 17-18, 19, 25, 88, 89, 129 
 
 Staugh, Rev. John 2, 4, 8, 17 
 
 Strassner, Rev. Frederick, 
 
 D. D 124, 128 
 
 Early life 139-40 
 
 Prepares for ministry. 141 
 
 Charges served 141-2 
 
 Results of pastorate... 142-3 
 
 Resignation 143-4 
 
 Organizes Grace Church 144 
 
 Closing days 145 
 
 Literary labors 145 
 
 Synod, early references to 
 
 Canton Church 9-10 
 
 Temperance, early conditions 11, 75 
 Synod resolutions for. 76_9 
 Ministerial protests ... 76, 78 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Temperance, early conditions 11, 75 
 Predicament of German 
 
 pastors 77, 78-9 
 
 Consistory resolutions 119 
 Rev. Rust's time... 133, 136-7 
 
 Rev. Bolliger's time 173-5 
 
 Theological Semin'yi need of 63 
 Synod resolutions con- 
 cerning 62-3 
 
 Dr. Buettner 64-7 
 
 Reasons for failure 68-69 
 
 Twenty-third St., N.W., lots 203 
 Trinity Reformed Church, 
 necessity of an Eng- 
 lish church 115-16 
 
 Organized in First Ch. 116-17 
 Secure own church pro- 
 perty 117-18 
 
 Relocate 118 
 
 Draw members from 
 First Church 133, 143 
 
 Uhlmann, Rev. John Baptist 130 
 Union, organic with Luth- 
 erans discussed. . .25, 61, 97 
 
 Wells, Bezaleel 1, 8, 22 
 
 Weyer, Rev. Anthony 18 
 
 Williard, Rev. E. R., D.D. 123 
 
 Winters, Rev. Thomas 45, 50 
 
 Windows, memorial 149 
 
 Wolff, Rev. George, D.D... 141 
 Woman's Missionary Soc'y 151-2 
 
 History of 198-201 
 
 Sewing Circle founded 199 
 
 Programs 201 
 
 Presidents 201 
 
 Officers 201 
 
 Woman's Missionary Soc'y 
 
 of St. John's Classis 199-200 
 
 Zumpf, Rev. G. H. 
 
 50
 
 BX 
 7W