Ohio History Journal

BEGINNINGS OF LUTHERANISM IN OHIO.

 

 

BY PROFESSOR B. F. PRINCE, PH. D.

By the treaty of Fort Stanwix made with the Iroquois Indi-

ans in 1768, a large tract of land was opened to settlement in

Western Pennsylvania and other regions, reaching as far south

as Eastern Tennessee. The lands in Western Pennsylvania were

opened to purchase in 1769. They were much sought for by

residents of the eastern part of the State and by adventurers

from Maryland and Virginia. There were also Germans di-

rectly from the Fatherland who came into these regions desirous

of making a home for themselves and their children.

These settlements were a background for the pioneers who

came later into the territory which afterwards became the State

of Ohio. Though a few settlements had been made west and

north of the Ohio River by 1790, but little was done toward

building up the country until after the treaty of Greenville in

1795. The Indians of the Northwest were very jealous for

their country west of the Ohio River, and aimed at the exclusion

of the whites from that region. The splendid victory of Gen-

eral Wayne at the battle of the Fallen Timbers dissipated their

hopes and led them to cede more than one-half of the present

State of Ohio to immediate settlement. People from New Eng-

land States, from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky

and North Carolina came and occupied great stretches of land,

subdued the forests and made homes for themselves and their

posterity.

Some of the first Lutheran preachers in the State of Ohio be-

gan their work in Western Pennsylvania. In 1787 Johannes

Stauch, later changed to Stough, crossed the mountains from

Maryland and took up his residence in the Virginia Glades

situated in Southwestern Pennsylvania. He came as a teacher

and a layman. In common with other teachers who served in

German settlements, he conducted religious services on Sunday

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.       269

 

afternoons at which he read a German prayer and a German

sermon. Because of this he was called by the people a preacher,

and was pressed to do a preacher's work. They argued if he

could read sermons he could also read marriage ceremonies. In

emergency he did so without authority from Church or State.

Soon afterwards he obtained from the civil court the right to per-

form marriage ceremonies. After teaching for four years, Mr.

Stauch in 1791 began the work of minister and pastor, though

without license. In 1793 he presented himself before the Min-

isterium of Pennsylvania and after due examination was enrolled

as a licentiate of that body. Though he appeared at the meet-

ings of the Ministerium he was not ordained until 1804. Mr.

Stauch was no doubt among the very first Lutheran ministers

who served west of the mountains. He studied theology in his

own cabin, and long before his death was recognized as a faith-

ful and strong preacher of the Word. He became a valuable

pioneer missionary and laid the foundation of many churches in

Ohio. He was the type of many useful men who became pastors

in the Ohio field, men of limited education but of sterling quali-

ties of mind and heart.

There were many adventurers and irresponsible preachers

who visited and more or less disturbed the early churches of the

West. They were without synodical connection, some of them

capable, a few of them pious, but most of them merely seeking

a place for the funds received and the advantages that might

come from their position as preachers.

On such preachers the Ministerium of Pennsylvania kept a

watchful eye. These adventurers were generally anxious to be-

come members but could be admitted only after much scrutiny by

that body. There were some splendid men among the first

preachers in Western Pennsylvania, Revs. Lutze, Stauch, John

M. Steck, G. A. Reichard and Jonas Mechling, who were pious

and devoted servants and laid well the foundations for Lutheran-

ism in the regions where they ministered to the people. All

these men gave force and character to the work in Ohio because

of their connection for a long time with the same synod, and

their close relationship to the Ohio preachers in yearly confer-

ences after 1812.

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270       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

The Ministerium of Pennsylvania and the Synod of North

Carolina were not indifferent to the wants of the West. They

heard the appeals for aid and sent them traveling preachers,

though they gave but a pittance for their support. Their treas-

uries were not full. They would have done more if their synod-

ical funds had permitted. Some years they sent out a number

of traveling preachers; in others, because of a shortage of money,

they reduced the number to one. Then there was also a lack of

young men who were willing to enter the work or whose educa-

tion was of the character needed for the times. The older and

better educated found ample opportunities for exercising the

ministerial office east of the mountains. The Ministerium had

in its numbers persons who were educated in Germany and knew

what a theological education meant, and who insisted in holding

the educational standard so high that few persons cared, in the

absence of a suitable school, to enter the ministry. It was not then

in the power of the Ministerium to furnish all the men called for

from Ohio. Had it been able to do so, the history of the Lu-

theran Church within the State would be of a different char-

acter.

At the meeting of the Ministerium in 1804 three propositions

were presented to that body from the special conference of the

Lancaster district that looked toward progress in the Lutheran

Church:

1. Concerning an institution for the education of young

preachers.

2. Concerning a synodical treasury.

3. Concerning traveling preachers.

These propositions were adopted by the Ministerium, though

in lieu of an institution for the education of young men for the

ministry four pastors were designated as teachers for all candi-

dates who sought to enter the holy office. At this meeting a

petition was received from Columbiana county, Ohio, asking

that Mr. George Simon be admitted to the ministry. A license

was granted him as a candidate, and he was directed to minister

in the congregations that might ask for his services, but was also

admonished that the Ministerium desires that he receive further

instruction. Mr. Simon was undoubtedly the first recognized

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.         271

Lutheran minister to serve congregations in Ohio, at least the

first of whom record can be found on a synodical roll. His field

was in Columbiana county, and here were, perhaps, the first Lu-

theran congregations in our State, though not yet fully organ-

ized.

At the meeting of the Ministerium in 1805 there is this entry

in the records: "Mr. Jacob Goering reported the death of the be-

loved candidate, Mr. George Simon, from Ohio." No further note

or tradition is extant of his brief work, though it is believed that

he was a good man and gave promise of a useful life in the

Lord's cause among the people.

At the meeting of the Ministerium in 1805, it was resolved

that a traveling preacher be named for the district called New

Pennsylvania (in the State of Ohio) whose territory stretched

from New Madrid to Lake Erie. To this field Rev. William

Forster was appointed. His full name was likely William

George Forster. In the records of the Ministerium he is known

as William but in Ohio as George Forster. Rev. Forster's name

first appeared on the roll of the Ministerium in 1798. At that

time several congregations in Shenandoah county, Virginia, which

he was serving, asked that he be made a member of the Min-

isterium and thereafter serve them as an accredited minister.

Their request was granted and he remained there until 1806.

In obedience to the wish of the Ministerium he made a visit to

Ohio in 1805 which he reported at the meeting in 1806. After

his permanent arrival his field was in Fairfield county, which at

that time embraced also parts of Perry and other counties.

Through this part of the State ran Zane's tract. The land ad-

jacent to this tract was rapidly taken up with permanent set-

tlements, because it afforded the best route of travel into the

new State. Hence Fairfield, Perry and other nearby counties

early received a large influx of Pennsylvanians, Marylanders and

Virginians who were of German descent, and thus made the re-

gion an important one for the first Lutheran preachers. Here

in what is now Perry county, was formed one of the first Lu-

theran congregations in the State. It was at New Reading in

1805, and was the first religious organization in the county. It

is still in existence. In 1806 Zion's congregation was formed.

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272       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

The Church building was in joint use by the Lutherans and Re-

formed. Rev. Forster organized the Church at Somerset in

1812. This congregation became quite a factor in the Lutheran

history of Ohio. The first building was erected of hewed logs,

had a gallery, and a pipe organ built by one of its members.

Here the Synod of Ohio, now Joint Synod, was formed in 1818,

and to this place in 1846 it was voted to transfer the Lutheran

Seminary from Columbus, a purpose never carried out. There

are now seven Lutheran churches in the county, all under the

control of the Joint Synod of Ohio.

Rev. Forster continued his work until 1815, at which time he

died. He lies buried at Zion's Church, which he organized in

1806. He planted well, as the congregations of his ministry

still show. In 1811 he located at Lancaster, 0., where he was

pastor for a time.

There were times in the history of these early preachers when

things did not move smoothly with the various pastors. In 1813

Rev. Forster complains to the Ministerium of interference on the

part of Mr. Leist. The complaint was referred to a special con-

ference which decided that it was best for Mr. Forster to give up

one of his congregations named Ziegler's, in Fairfield county,

and for Mr. Leist to take the same.

Mr. Forster was somewhat disposed to do things in an un-

usual way. The congregations in Belmont, Jefferson, Guernsey,

and Washington counties, wishing that Mr. Anthony Geyer might

serve them, Rev. Forster granted him a license. When this ac-

tion was reported to the Ministerium it met its disapproval and

it resolved "that Rev. Lochman earnestly reprimand Mr. Forster

in the name of the Ministerium, for assuming the right to grant

Mr. Geyer a license."

Rev. John Stauch was the second traveling preacher sent to

Ohio by the Ministerium. We have already noticed his coming

to Western Pennsylvania in 1₇8₇, and his entrance into the

ministry. He continued to labor there for nearly twenty years

and met with much success in his work. But he was transferred

to another field. In 1806 the Ministerium passed this resolu-

tion, "That Rev. Johannes Stauch shall be paid for his labors

outside the congregations he has accepted in the State of Ohio

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.        273

 

just as other traveling preachers."  Mr. Stauch's advent into

Ohio was evidently made in 1806, though at the time of the

meeting of the Ministerium he is still noted as from Fayette

county, Pennsylvania. He made a report of the work done by

him at the meeting in 1807. He showed that he had traveled

1300 miles, preached 67 times, baptized 212 children, and that

he had spent one hundred and twenty days in the work. Dur-

ing the next year the low state of the funds prevented sending

out more than one traveling preacher, and that one for three

months only. Mr. Stauch was chosen for this service. The

other nine months were spent in his charge in Ohio. In the

minutes of the Ministerium of 1808 Mr. Stauch is located at

Lisbon, in Columbiana county. This place was the center of all

his future labors. In 1808 he reports 356 communicants, and

in 1809 fourteen congregations in Columbiana, Jefferson and

Trumbull counties, and five vacant congregations, with a com-

municant membership of 505, and three schools. In 1812 he

reports eight schools, and Forster reports four schools. From

reports made from time to time to the Ministerium, the early

Lutheran preachers in Ohio were very attentive to the instruc-

tion of the young. And so wherever possible they established

schools under the immediate care of the congregations. The

free public school system in the State was not in full operation

until a much later period, hence for this and other reasons

Church schools were maintained. The pastors could not give

them much personal service, for their numerous and widely scat-

tered congregations consumed all their time and energy. These

schools were conducted by laymen who knew some of the rudi-

ments of education.

Another person who had much to do with planting the Lu-

theran Church in Ohio was Rev. Andrew Simon, a brother of

Rev. George Simon, whose early death has been noticed elsewhere.

In 1808 Mr. Simon, who had been studying for a year past, was

granted $30.00 to enable him to continue his theological studies.

At the same meeting the following question came before the

Ministerium: "Whether it might be more useful and advantage-

ous that a young man be specially educated and set apart for the

work of a traveling preacher, or whether another preacher be

Vol. XXIII- 18

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274       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

sent out for this work, as is customary." This subject seemed

so weighty that further time was taken for deliberation. After

an examination of Mr. Simon as to his preparation for the work,

the Ministerium granted him a license and made him a traveling

"preacher to the small towns and northern parts of Pennsylva-

nia and to the State of Ohio." At the same time there was

passed a restriction that no traveling preacher should encroach

on the territory of a settled pastor.

Mr. Simon was the first traveling preacher who had not first

been a pastor. The general opinion prevailed that one could

not properly do such work without training in the pastoral re-

lation, and the practice had hitherto been to send only such out

on missionary tours. The experiment in the case of Mr. Simon

was quite favorable and was afterwards repeated with other men.

Rev. Stauch made a request at the meeting at which Mr. Simon

was licensed that the latter be sent to Jefferson and Trumbull

counties in Ohio. This request was made because the field had

become too large for one man to serve properly. Mr. Simon

evidently spent the year in the above-mentioned counties. The

people under his care sent their thanks to the Ministerium at its

meeting in 1809, and asked that Rev. Simon be made their per-

manent pastor, which it pleased the Synod to do.

Sometimes these pioneer pastors met face to face some prob-

lems hard to solve, especially when there was danger of offend-

ing the sense of propriety on the part of the Ministerium. Rev.

Simon was troubled with one concerning which he asked the

opinion of the Ministerium in 1811. There being few preachers

of any denomination in the new State, the people, whose love for

the ordinances of the Church was strong, being anxious to enjoy

sacramental privileges, often sought them at the hands of min-

isters of other denominations. Mr. Simon by letter raised the

question whether he was permitted to give communion to the

Reformed people. The answer from the Ministerium was "that

in case of necessity it might be given to any Protestant in good

standing, if he cannot have the services of his own pastor."

Rev. Simon was perhaps inclined to occasional departures

from strict Lutheran usage. In 1813 three congregations in Ohio

whom he was serving complain that Rev. Simon does not abide

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.        275

 

by the Old Lutheran form of doctrine, thus showing that the

laity of these times were often more churchly than the preachers.

The Ministerium took the matter in hand, and after due deliber-

ation directed Pastor Lochman to inform Mr. Simon of the com-

plaints and "admonish him not only to conduct himself more

circumspectly but also to abide by the pure old form of doctrine

and to make no innovations, or there would be hesitation about

renewing his license." Mr. Simon was a pastor in Montgomery

county in 1818.

Between 1805 and 1818 many calls were made to the Minis-

terium for traveling preachers and pastors for the work in Ohio,

all of which received attention and were granted as far as it was

possible. Besides Forster, Stauch and Simon, there were Tiede-

man, Dill, Leist, Henkel and others engaged in missionary work

in the State. Paul Henkel was especially active and where once

known, always sought for. He did not live in Ohio, but had his

residence for a number of years at Point Pleasant, Virginia. He

made many visits as a traveling preacher, mostly on his own re-

sponsibility, but at times in the employ of the Ministerium. He

began his missionary journeys among the sparsely settled districts

of Western Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and a little later in

Ohio and Indiana. His visits to Ohio were mostly made be-

tween the years 1808 and 1815. Unless under the employment

of the Ministerium he lived from the little support that might

be given him from the scanty means of the people whom he

visited. In his little two-wheeled cart he made his journeys

through the dense forests of Ohio searching out the sparse set-

tlements, here and there, of Lutheran people and ministering to

them, greatly to their comfort and satisfaction. In 1812 the

Ministerium fixed his salary at $33.33 per month for as much

time as he might spend in work. Traces and traditions of his

visits and labors are found in Southern Ohio as far west as Mont-

gomery and also in Champaign county. During his visits he

preached the Word, administered the sacraments, instructed and

confirmed the young, organized new congregations and encouraged

those he found already in existence. The young churches in

Montgomery county sought his services, begging him to cast his

lot with them.

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276      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Of the early preachers in the then West, Mr. Henkel was the

most remarkable and conspicuous. At 22 he became interested

in his personal salvation. He devoted himself at once to the

work of the ministry, but believed that thorough preparation

should be made for it. Under the tuition of Rev. Kruck of

Frederickstown, Maryland, he acquired a considerable knowledge

of Latin, Greek and other branches. In theology proper he made

fair attainments. In the minutes of the Ministerium of 1783,

at which time Mr. Henkel was twenty-nine, it states, "A certain

Paul Henkel in the name of several congregations earnestly asked

for license to preach and baptize children." After an examina-

tion in Christian doctrine and Christian character he was granted

license, which was accompanied with a number of monitory

rules for his future guidance, of which the first one was, "To

preach the Word of God in its purity, according to law and Gos-

pel as it is explained in its chief points in the Augsburg Confes-

sion and the other symbolical books." The license given in 1783

was renewed from year to year until 1792, when he received ordi-

nation. In his early ministry he favored the Altered Augsburg

Confession and was somewhat inclined to the new conditions

that began to influence many of the preachers of all denomina-

tions in the West. In 181O when elected to continue his travel-

ing visits to Ohio and other States, Dr. Helmuth was directed to

communicate to him this action, "And at the same time to advise

him to have no dealings with camp meetings if he should find

such departures from our evangelical ways." This was a period

when the camp meetings of Kentucky were creating a great stir

among the people west of the mountains. Few, whether in the

ministry or among the laity, escaped the influence of this re-

markable movement.

After a thorough study of the great Confession Rev. Henkel

changed his views and accepted it in its unaltered form and had

the twenty-one doctrinal articles published. Commencing with

a small work on baptism and the Lord's Supper, which he pub-

lished in 1809, Mr. Henkel continued his publications, including

hymn-books in both German and English and a catechism also in

both languages. He died in 1825.

Perhaps no man of his day was so influential as he among the

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.        277

Lutherans of the West. He was a model in character, in zeal,

and in theological views to all who met him, or read his books,

and sang his collection of hymns. He not only led five of his

six sons into the ministry, but through his efforts many other

young men were induced to take the same step. He molded the

character of future preachers and gave a trend to early Lutheran-

ism in Ohio. He was a man of clear convictions and a strong

teacher as well as preacher. By his own personal labors as a

pastor and missionary, by the young men whom he trained for

the sacred calling, by, his catechisms and other writings, he

wielded an influence in many of the Ohio Lutheran Churches

not only in his own day, but for years afterwards, making them

conservative and close adherents to a strict interpretation of the

Augsburg Confession.

While much praise is due the Ministerium of Pennsylvania

for its interest in the scattered Lutherans of Ohio we must not

forget the interest manifested in another quarter. The Synod

of North Carolina was formed in 1803. Rev. Paul Henkel was

one of its founders and one of its strong factors. Many Germans

from the South found their way into Kentucky, Ohio, and Indi-

ana. Their appeals came back to the Synod for preachers. In

1813 Rev. Jacob Scherer, a prominent member in the North

Carolina Synod went forth as a traveling missionary. He passed

through Tygart's Valley, Virginia, looking for neglected Ger-

mans, thence to Marietta, Ohio; from thence to Lancaster and

Dayton, baptizing both young and old on his journey. At Day-

ton he preached twice to the Germans, who, he says, were mostly

from North Carolina and were ready to build a Church. He

spent some time in the country adjacent to Dayton preaching to

large congregations and baptizing their children. He makes this

comment from what he had seen: "The spiritual condition of

Ohio is dark; people of all denominations are intermixed, and,

although they have many preachers among them, there appears

to be a want of such who have sound doctrine and are of good

repute." He was asked by the people about Dayton to become

their pastor, but he did not heed their request. Later he settled

in the State of Illinois and laid the foundation of many churches

in that region.

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278 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Numerous requests for pastors came to the Ministerium

from all parts of Ohio. The Miami country, the region about
Dayton, was particularly earnest in its call for not only one but
for several pastors. Germans from Pennsylvania as well as from
North Carolina had settled in the Twin Valley and vicinity in
considerable numbers. They were prospering greatly in ma-
terial things but were anxious for regular religious opportu-
nities. In 1809, though without a pastor, the Lutherans joined
with the Reformed in building a church for their common uses.
With this advantage they had to wait until 1815 before a per-
manent pastor could be secured. Again it was from Stark
county and the Scioto region that the demand was made, all
showing that the people had not forgotten the advantages and
satisfaction that come from the preaching of the Gospel and the
administration of the ordinances of the Church.

As a result of these earnest calls Mr. Tiedeman, Mr. Ru-

disill, and Mr. Dill were sent into the State to look after the re-
ligious wants of the people. In 1813 tile Ministerium expressed
itself as highly gratified at the results of sending traveling preach-
ers to Ohio. By them congregations were collected and organized,
some of which became quite flourishing. Already six to eight
pastors were located and had found plenty of work. Nor did
all the early ministers come from the East. Besides the Simon
brothers, others who were residents of Ohio and who had felt the
call to labor in the Lord's vineyard, were recommended and
finally admitted into the gospel ministry. Mr. John Reinhart,
who afterwards labored in Jefferson ocunty, Mr. Anthony Weyer,
who served congregations in Belmont, Jefferson, Guernsey, and
Muskingum counties, Mr. Abram Schneider and Mr. Weygandt
were among those received into the Ministeriurn of 1815 who
could be claimed as products of the Church in the West. These
young men were brought usually to the notice of that body by
petition from congregations who desired their services, and if
they could pass a satisfactory examination they were sent back
with the injunction to be diligent in study, and to remain in the
fields to which they were severally called and sent.

An important movement for the Lutheran Church in Ohio

occurred in 1812. Up to this time it was necessary for the min-

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.       279

isters of the State having synodical connection, at great expense

of time and money, to make a long and tedious journey across

the mountains to meet the Ministerium in either Pennsylvania

or Maryland. When there, they found many of the questions

with which the Ministerium had to deal of little interest to the

members from the West. To avoid this long and expensive

journey and to apply themselves to the consideration of questions

with which they were immediately concerned, the brethren of the

West felt that they should have a meeting of their own in which

they could discuss such subjects. Such a meeting was held in

Washington, Pennsylvania. At that time there were eleven

ministers west of the mountains who were members of the Min-

isterium. This meeting was held in the charge of Rev. Wey-

gandt on the 17th day of October in 1812. There were present

Revs. Stauch, Forster, Meyer, Huet, Reinhart, Leist, Weygandt,

and Heim. Those absent are mentioned as Revs. Steck, Simon,

Butler, and Paul Henkel. Another meeting was held in Fair-

field county, Ohio, in 1813, and one in Columbiana county in

1814. This latter conference asks the Ministerium for three

things:

1. "Whether the special conference might be represented at

the meeting of the Ministerium by one preacher and one

delegate.

2. "Whether the Conference may examine sermons and

diaries of the candidates without sending the same to the Min-

isterium for examination.

3. "Whether they, as they think proper, may permit their

candidates to take charge of congregations and likewise change

the congregations in their licenses."

The first and third requests were granted. To the second

they answered, "That the representatives for each time from the

western district shall bring with them to the Ministerium the

sermons and diaries of the candidates for the purpose of ex-

amination." The Ministerium was not yet willing that over-

sight in the training of ministers should pass out of their hands.

In 1817 the special conference of Ohio asked that they might

form their own Ministerium. This petition was denied, but it

was answered that they might draw up a plan by which partic-

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280      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

ular difficulties might be removed. Such plan was presented, and

it was voted by the Ministerium that the ordained ministers of

the special conference in Ohio, or a majority of them, be al-

lowed to license applicants as candidates or catechists, and renew

the license from year to year, but that each candidate and cat-

echist shall send one sermon and his diary to the Ministerium

meeting each year. The examinations were no light and easy

thing. The members of the Ministerium stood for thorough

indoctrination of all preachers admitted into their body; hence

they held control of candidates and catechists as long as possible.

In 1818 the western brethren resolved to do what had been

denied them the year previous, namely, to form a synod of their

own. For this purpose they met on the 1₄th day of September

at Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and founded the Ohio Synod.

There were present: Rev. John M. Steck, Greensburg, Pa.; Rev.

Johannes Stauch, New Lisbon, O.; Rev. Paul Henkel, Point

Pleasant, Va.; Rev. John Casper Dill, Germantown, O.; Rev.

Henry Weygandt, Washington county, Pa.; Rev. Jacob Leist,

Pickaway county, 0.; Rev. Johannes Reinhart, Jefferson county,

O.; Rev. Heinrich Huet, Somerset, O.; Rev. M. J. Steck, Lan-

caster, 0.; Rev. Schneider, New Philadelphia, O.; Rev. Wilhelm

Myer, Canton, O.; Rev. Mohler, Kittanning, Pa.; Rev. Andrew

Simon, Montgomery county, 0.; Rev. S. Man, Montgomery

county, 0. Rev. John Stauch was chosen President; Rev. Paul

Henkel was chosen Secretary; and Rev. Weygandt was chosen

Treasurer. The reports showed: communicants, 2,551; schools,

54; and preachers 14. They recognized three grades in the office

of minister, pastor, candidate or licentiate, and catechist.

The new synod licensed two men, Carl Henkel and M.

Wachter.

About the time of the organization of the Ohio Synod the

special conference thought it important to set forth its views

that its Lutheranism might not be called into question. There

had crept in among the churches men from Germany, some of

loose theological views and of doubtful morals. They had as yet

no synodical connection but were posing as Lutherans. They

were going about disseminating their modified doctrines to the

hurt of the churches. To meet the influence of these false

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.       281

teachers, a statement of the conference on baptism, the Lord's

Supper, conversion and prayer was written and published by the

secretary of the synod, Rev. Paul Henkel.

The Synod was urgently requested to send representatives to

the meeting of the first General Synod. At the second meeting

of that body in 1822 two delegates were sent; and it was decided

to unite with it. It failed to send delegates to the several suc-

ceeding meetings of that body. After the opening of the Semi-

nary at Gettysburg it refused all further overtures because of

dissatisfaction with the theology taught there and which to them

seemed to be dominant in the General Synod.

There were some problems with which the Ohio Synod had

to struggle early in its history. The first was the language ques-

tion. The Pennsylvanians, Marylanders, and Virginians who

were transplanted to Ohio soil found themselves under conditions

which made the use of the English language a necessity for

themselves and their children. By 1826 there were so many

churches and ministers who used the English language that the

Synod was compelled to have its minutes printed in both Ger-

man and English. In 1827 Revs. Andrew Henkel and M. J.

Steck were appointed a committee to translate the Catechism into

English; but in place of such translation, they recommended the

one in use by the General Synod, and their report was adopted.

They also resolved to use the English hymn book published by the

Pennsylvania Ministerium. By 1836 the struggle for a more

extensive use of the English language had become quite urgent.

An English Synod was formed by the Ohio Synod that year.

This new body was to hold close connection with the German

Synod, send a delegate to its meetings annually, transmit a copy

of its proceedings to that body, aid with one-half of the moneys

contributed to its synodical treasury the Theological Seminary

at Columbus, and recognize the Augsburg Confession of faith as

the unalterable symbol of the doctrine of the Synod. It was

later agreed that there should be an English professor in the

Seminary. Before this last action could be consummated the

permission for such professor was repealed, which action led to

the withdrawal of the English ministers from the Synod and the

formation of the English Synod of Ohio. This new Synod sent

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282      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

delegates to the General Synod in 1843 and commenced proceed-

ings for the establishment of an institution of learning which

resulted in the founding of Wittenberg College in 1845.

The second problem that confronted the Synod of Ohio

from its very beginning was that of missionary work in Ohio and

adjacent States. It must expect less from other Synods now in

the matter of assistance and in a measure take care of its own

field. In 1820 it licensed and appointed as a traveling preacher

Rev. Christian Espich, who soon after visited Clark, Champaign,

Preble and other counties and laid the foundation for numerous

churches, some of which were afterwards served by Rev. Henry

Heinecke, whose fame as a preacher and pastor is surpassed by

none in the Miami Valley.

About 1820 Rev. D. Schuh visited the scattered Germans

about Sandusky and founded churches. But it was impossible to

find enough men to follow up the places opened for work; hence

Highland, Guernsey, Belmont and other counties were almost

entirely lost to the Lutherans. In Cincinnati, where a congrega-

tion was formed as early as 1812, the guiding hand of the Ohio

pastors could not be exerted; hence for almost fifty years the de-

velopment of German churches there was along independent lines

and they were of little force in building up the Lutheran Church

in Ohio.

The third problem of the Synod of Ohio was the securing

and preparing men for the ministry. Now and then young men

signified their desire to enter the holy calling, but they were poor;

neither was there a school in which they might prepare them-

selves. In 1825 an effort was made to secure a library for such

young men, but the project failed for want of means. It was

then voted to take up collections for their support, and that these

persons should be divided out among the older pastors for in-

struction. Pastor Leist of Pickaway county took some students

and Pastor Schuh of Sandusky took some, but in two or three

years the plan came to an end for lack of financial support. In

1827 a committee was appointed to find a solution of the diffi-

culty. After two years of consideration the committee reported

that the time for the establishment of a school had not yet come,

as the means were not at hand to support it. But in 1830 it

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Beginnings of Lutheranism in Ohio.        283 was resolved to wait no longer. It was decided to establish a school under the title Theological School of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church of Ohio, to be located for the present at Canton, Ohio. Rev. Wm. Schmidt, pastor of the Church at Canton, who had been licensed in 1828, offered to conduct it without charge for his services for one year. An assistant was to be given him. Rev. Schmidt was born in Germany, educated in theology at Halle and came to this country in 1826. For one year he was editor of a paper in Philadelphia. He then came to Holmes county, Ohio, and gathered the scattered Lutherans into a Church organization near Weinsburg in that county. He was undoubtedly the best educated man among his colleagues and so best qualified to take charge of the new school. Rev. Schmidt drew up an elaborate course of study which covered a period of three years. It included German, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Logic, Psychology and Ethics in addition to other more practical branches. The Seminary was opened in October, 1830, with two students. In 1832 it was removed to Columbus, where it has since remained, although changed to several different locations in that city. By the establishment of this school it was hoped that the days of greater prosperity for the Lutherans in Ohio were at hand, but the failure to secure unity of feeling and purpose pre- vented the full realization of such hope. Springfield, Ohio.

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