IN MEMORIAM

The following resolutions were passed at the quarterly conference held at Paradise Chapel, Elmwood Circuit, Illinois Conference, June 5th, 1886.

Resolved, 1. That as our dear heavenly Father in his wisdom and kindness has seen fit to remove from among us by death our beloved brother, George Springer, a worthy and esteemed member of this quarterly conference, we kindly remember him, and will do what we can to comfort our widowed sister and her children.

2 That we as Christians will endeavor so to live and work for Jesus that we may meet our dear brother in heaven.      S. S. KEMP, Sec'y.

REV. H. H. GELBACH.

Rev. H. H. Gelbach was born on the 23d of May, 1826, in Lancaster County, Pa. He was the son of Henry and Christiana Gelbach. While he was quite young his parents removed to Lebanon County. He was married to Sallie Harper on the 17th of December, 1842 This union was blessed with four children — two of whom are dead and two survive the father. He was converted in February, 1842, and soon after his conversion joined the church of the United Brethren in Christ and about six months after his connection with the Church he was elected class-leader of Jonestown Class. At a quarterly conference held at Jonestown in May, 1843, he was granted quarterly conference license, signed by Father Jacob Rupp. He immediately entered upon the blessed work of preaching the gospel of Christ, making appointments of his own, and assisting the traveling preachers in holding protracted meetings, and filling their appointments. On the 13th of January, 1854, he became a member of East Pennsylvania Conference at a session of that body held at Lebanon, Pa.

He stood in a local relation till 1886, when he was appointed to Belleview Circuit, which charge he traveled, in connection with Rev. J. Shoop, for one year. In 1867 he was elected recorder of deeds and clerk of the Court of Quarter-Sessions of Lebanon County, which office he filled with credit and fidelity. He received his ordination as an elder at a conference session held at Mount Joy, Pa., in 1869. In the year 1870, when East German Conference was organized, he became a member of that body. He had charge of Salem Church, Lebanon, from 1869 to 1872, when he was elected presiding elder and was assigned to Susquehanna District.

The following year he was re-elected and assigned to Reading District. At the conference session of 1874 he was assigned to Lebanon Circuit, which he traveled for three successive years. His next charge was Union Circuit, which he traveled one year. In 1878 he was again elected presiding elder, in which capacity he served the Church for six consecutive terms, traveling Lebanon District four years, Susquehanna District one year and East District one year. At a conference held at Reading in 1883 he was appointed to Avon Circuit, which charge he traveled only six months when he was appointed presiding elder of Lebanon district, to fill the unexpired term of Rev. D. Hoffman, deceased. During the summer of this year he became afflicted with malarial fever, and at the conference session held at Allentown, Pa, in 1884, he felt that he was necessitated to relinquish the active work, at least for some time, on account of failing health. His health did not improve during the year, and at the last session of conference, held at Myerstown, he asked for a location for one year, which was granted. Since the last session of conference he preached twice. The last sermon he preached was the funeral sermon of a beloved child of the writer. He selected for his text the Savior's words, "She is not dead, but sleepeth." In that dark hour of bereavement he spoke words of consolation which will never be forgotten. On the 2d of last January, in the absence of the presiding elder, he presided at a quarterly conference in Salem Church, and on the following day he assisted in the communion services.

On the 10th of January he was present when the first services were held in the mission on Frye Street. On that day he complained of feeling unwell, and then followed long and weary months of suffering. While confined to his room he spent much of his time in reading and writing. During the first few weeks in May he wrote an essay for the ministerial association, and when that body was, in session in Salem Church he rallied sufficient strength to come to the church and with faltering voice read his production. It now became apparent that his end was approaching. On the 27th of June, after having held communion services in the church, we went to his room to give him the sacrament. The brethren sung that beautiful hymn, "Home, home, sweet home," at which all hearts were touched and he was almost overcome with emotion, praising God aloud for the glorious home that is prepared for the weary wanderer. He said, "My work is done. I tried to preach Christ and him crucified. I boast not of my work. All the good that has been accomplished by my labors has been through the power of God. I harbor ill feelings toward no one, and if it be the Lord's will to call me away, I feel that I am prepared to go." And then turning to the ministers present he said, "But, O brethren, continue in the good work as long as God spares you." From this time he sunk very rapidly, and all hopes of recovery were given up by those who daily visited him, for it now became evident that he was lingering in the last stages of consumption. On the morning of the 8th of July the writer was called to his bedside. He had passed a long night of suffering, and felt weak and exhausted. "Oh, I am so sleepy," he exclaimed several times. He spoke hopefully of the future and after giving directions to his family in regard to his funeral, and making a request to a friend in regard to his worldly affairs, he closed his eyes and spoke no more. The family was called to his bedside, and in the presence of a stricken companion and weeping children and sympathizing friends he fell asleep, calmly, to wake no more until the resurrection morning. He passed away without a struggle on the 8th day of July, at fifteen minutes before ten o'clock in the morning, aged 61 years, 1 month, and 15 days. He leaves an aged companion in feeble health; who feels her loss most keenly, and needs the sympathy and prayers of the Church, two daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren, together with many friends mourn his departure.

Thus, after having been successfully engaged for sixteen years in the itinerant work of the Church, filling the offices of circuit preacher, station preacher, presiding eider, and twice representing his conference in the General Conference, his labors have closed, toil is exchanged for rest, the cross for the crown. The voice is hushed, the lips are sealed, the eyes are closed, the hands are folded, and the weary sleeper is taking his long rest. As a minister he was eminently successful, and his labors bore abundant fruit in the conversion and salvation of many souls. As a preacher he ranked among the first in his conference, and thousands now living and many who have passed over the river have been thrilled by the power and pathos of the words that fell from the lips of the eloquent preacher now in his grave. The funeral services were held in Salem Church, Lebanon, on the 13th of July. A short service was held at the house, after which the ministers, about fifty in number, took up the solemn procession to the church, followed by the weeping family and a large concourse of friends. Rev. J. Shoop preached a very appropriate funeral sermon on the words, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord," in the German language, and was followed by the writer with a sketch of the life and labors of the departed in the English language. A long procession followed the remains to Ebenezer Cemetery, where, in the presence of a large number of ministers and many friends, they were laid away to rest.

D. S. LONGENECKER.

JOHN JAMES

REV. JOHN JAMES, a minister in the United Brethren Church, died July 8th, 1886. He was born February 13th, 1836, in Crawford County, Ill. He first came to Kansas in 1854; he then went to Iowa, where he lived until four years ago, when he returned to Kansas. He became a Christian when thirty-four years old, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but when he returned to Kansas he joined the United Brethren Church, of which he has been a consistent member up to the time of his death. He was licensed to preach by our church in 1882, and has continued a faithful minister and earnest worker ever since. His one aim ever seemed to be to lead as many souls to Christ as it was possible for him to do. In his death our church has lost a good worker; but we remember that our loss is his great gain. The past two years of his work were spent on Axtell Mission. He leaves a wife, two sons, and many friends to mourn their loss. His funeral took place from the Congregational Church on Saturday, July 10th, Rev. G. C. Lockridge preaching the sermon, assisted in the services by the writer.

V. Shaffer.

SUSANNA LlCHTENWALTER

SUSANNA LlCHTENWALTER died in Cedar County, Iowa, July 6th, 1886, aged 85 years and 6 months. She was converted over fifty years ago, and with her husband, now deceased, joined the United Brethren Church in Maryland. They moved to Iowa about thirty-five years ago. She leaves a family consisting of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, numbering fifty-four, nearly all of whom were present at her funeral services. Mother Lichtenwalter leaves to the Church children that have been brought up to honor God and extend the kingdom of Christ by their Christian influence and broad financial spirit. Some of them are well known to the Church in Iowa, and will no doubt have the sympathies and prayers of many in their hours of bereavement. She was in every sense a good, true woman. Early in life she opened her heart to Christ and home to God's, children. The itinerant always found a home and words of comfort in her home, as many of them know. But she has gone. The great, generous heart beats in this world no more. Her warm Christian greeting will be heard no more here. One month before her departure she was in her place at the church with the sunlight of God reflecting its light to all who came under her influence. Now she shines under the brightness of glory revealed in heaven. 

R. A. MOFFETT.

JANE RANTY

JANE RANTY was born October 11th, 1810, and died June 12th, 1886, at the residence of her son-in-law, J. J. Wolfe, near Stone Station, Randolph County, Ind., after five weeks of severe illness, which she bore with Christian fortitude. She peacefully fell asleep in Jesus, leaving a good evidence behind that all was well. She was married to Jacob Ranty, January 12th, 1830. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, four of whom, with her beloved husband, preceded her to the spirit world, where she has now going to join them. She joined the United Brethren church when in her nineteenth year, and lived a faithful Christian till death. She leaves behind three children—one son and two daughters—and many warm friends to mourn the absence of their loved and lost. She was interred at the Ritenour cemetery, Sunday, July 13th, 1886.

Francis Wolfe.

HATTIE S. LAUDY

HATTIE S. LAUDY wife of Rev. A. R. Laudy, of North Ohio Conference, died at Stryker, Ohio, April 21st, 1886, aged 26 years, 6 months, and 1 day. Sister Laudy was converted when fourteen years old, and was a faithful member of the United Brethren Church eleven years. She was a faithful, earnest, and efficient Christian worker. Her amiable disposition won her many friends. She was loved most by those who knew her best. Her life was one of faith. She died in its triumphs, leaving a husband, father, mother, brother and sisters, with many mends, to mourn their loss, while she now enjoys that rest promised the people of God.

D. B. Keller.

BERTHOLD FIELD HAMSHER

BERTHOLD FIELD HAMSHER died July 12th, 1886, aged 10 years. On July 6th the people of Decatur, Illinois, celebrated American independence. In the evening, in the "Old Square" of the city, while exhibiting the fireworks the torpedoes caught fire and exploded, wounding quite a number, among them the deceased. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Hamsher. This is indeed a very severe affliction to the parents.

A. O. Scott.

ALBERT FRANKLIN BREWER

ALBERT FRANKLIN BREWER, son of Denton and Sarah Brewer, died in the Union Pacific Hospital, in Denver, Colorado, July 22d, 1886, aged 23 years, 3 months, and 21 days. He was born in Congress Township, Morrow County, Ohio, where his parents reside. His remains were brought home by his father and were viewed by his mother, brother, sisters, and numerous friends, who mourn his early departure. He was a young man beloved by all.

J. J. MAUGER.

ABRAHAM F. SWARTSEL

ABRAHAM F. SWARTSEL, died at his residence near Farmersville, Ohio, July 10th, 1886, aged 47 years, 6 months, and 2 days. He was married to Sarah Gilbert, May 10th, 1863, Their family grew to consist of seven children—all boys. At the age of seventeen Brother Swartsel joined the Reformed Church, of which he continued a member until about three years ago, when be obtained a letter and joined the United Brethren Church. His wife from her youth has been a devoted member of our church, and several of their sons are members. He was in full accord with the distinctive features of our church, which made the change the more easy. The last year of his religious life was noted for a deeper spirituality and for more freedom and greater activity in religious duties. His death was very unexpected, but his end was peace. His last words to his sorrowing family were, "I am going home."

AMOS ADDISON SHEPARD

AMOS ADDISON SHEPARD died at Johnsville, Ohio, July 7th, 1886, aged 57 years, 5 months, and 18 days. He was born at Berlin, Conn., and came to Ohio when he was a young man. He was married to Eleanor Kepler, January 11th, 1857. Two of their children are dead, and three still live to comfort their, widowed mother. Bro. Shepard was converted about thirty years ago. He was aware for some time that death was approaching, and expressed a willingness to die. His thoughts were much on religion, which was a source of much comfort to him, The bereaved family may look for comfort to Him who has said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

A. Rodabaugh.

JOHN WILLIAM BURTNER

JOHN WILLIAM BURTNER died in Happy Valley, Shasta County, Cal., July 11th, 1886, aged 18 years, 5 months, and 11 days. He was the oldest son of Rev. G. W. Burtner of California Conference, and was a most promising young man, commanding the respect and love of all his acquaintances, and was greatly interested in the cause of Christ and in education. His death was an occasion of great sorrow to all his acquaintances. He was converted nearly three years ago at the conference camp-meeting held in Capay Valley, and has since been a faithful and consistent young soldier for the Master—faithful to attend and take active part in the services of God's housed and earnest in his daily life to live a worthy life. His death was very sudden and unexpected. Returning home sick after harvesting a few days, the physician was called and prescribed for him, and for several days he was thought to be rapidly recovering when suddenly he took a congestive chill from which he did not recover, dying in a few hours. On being made aware of his true condition by his physician and his father, in answer to his father's question as to how he felt about death and the future, he said, "If I have to die the Lord will take me in." How blessed to remember our Creator in the days of youth, and to trust the Lord in life that in the hour of death our trust fail not. A father, mother, three small brothers, and two baby sisters are left to mourn, but not without the Christian's hope of a reunion.

W. H. Klinefelter.

LEVI BULOCK

LEVI BULOCK died in Lima, Wis., July 9th, 1886, aged 86 years. He was a good neighbor highly respected citizen, and devoted Christian. He was born in Massachusetts. He moved to Attica, Erie County, N. Y., at the age of twenty-one years, and married his first wife there. He moved to Lima, Rock County, Wis, in 1842. His first wife died January 20th, 1844. He has had three wives since. The first three are lying with him in their tombs waiting the call of the Master. He leaves the fourth to follow him. She is a good Christian woman, beloved and respected as a kind step-mother. He leaves seven children. Six are Christians on their way to meet those who have gone before. Father Bulock joined the United Brethren at Lima over thirty years ago, and lived a consistent Christian until his death.

T. L. Eldred.

EDNA FINKLE

EDNA FINKLE died near Polo, Ill., July 18th, 1886, aged 71 years, 3 months, and 18 days. She was a great sufferer, for many months being afflicted with that dreaded disease consumption. She endured with patience being supported by the overcoming grace or God. She died a triumphant death, being glad when she recognized the chill of death upon her. Her faith and hope were well founded in Christ. Many relatives and friends mourn her departure, but not as those who have no hope.

C. B. Beaty.

ROSANNA ORSBORN

ROSANNA ORSBORN died July 18th, 1886, in the 80th year of her age, near Reedvllle, Meigs County, Ohio, She was born in Vanango County, Pa. She came to this county in 1845, where she lived up to the time of her death. She was the mother of nine children, three of whom preceded her to the spirit-land. The rest of the children, six in number, are following Christ. Four of them are members of our church, of which the deceased was a faithful member for thirty-five years. Though afflicted for years, she endured it all with patience. She was blind for eight or nine years; but to-day we believe her spiritual eyes are beholding celestial beauties. She has gone to meet her companion, who preceded her to the glory-world about twenty years. She leaves a wide circle of friends, together with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to mourn, but not without hope.

J. S. Turbin.

HUGH WATSON FLEENOR

HUGH WATSON FLEENOR died June 6th, 1886. He was kept until the 8th, Then after a funeral discourse, delivered by Rev. J. M. Watson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his sweet little form was deposited in Otterbein Cemetery, on Flat Rock Mission, Lower Wabash Conference.         

MAUD FLEENOR

MAUD FLEENOR died June 29th, 1886. Her funeral was conducted by Rev. Josiah Conrad, a minister of the United Brethren Church. Each of these funerals was attended by a large number of our friends. The people of this neighborhood and vicinity showed a kind Christian spirit in the affliction, death, and burial of our children who now rest with Jesus. They are buried side by side, and wherever we are called to go and work for the blessed Master our fondest memory in life will often fall upon these two little mounds and the kind words and sympathy that we have received from this noble people. Amidst all our disappointments and bereavements God has graciously manifested himself to us.

B. F. FLEENOR.

A. S. SHANKLIN

A. S. SHANKLIN died near Wellington, Iroquois Co., Ill., June 1st, 1886. He was converted and joined the United Brethren Church about nine years ago, under the ministerial labors of Rev. J. W. Noland, of Upper Wabash Conference, and lived a most devoted and exemplary life to the time of his death, which was triumphant. Even when the shadows were falling he exhorted his relatives and neighbors to meet him in heaven. In his death the Church has lost one of its most efficient members, the family a most devoted and kind husband and father. While we mourn the loss of one so good, it is not without hope.

W. H. Jones.

HENRY FRITZ

HENRY FRITZ, eldest son of Rev. G. Fritz, presiding elder of Ohio German Conference, died at his father's home, in Dayton, Ohio, of an osseous tumor, on the 16th of July, 1886. Early trained in the fear of the Lord, his maturer years were devoted to worldly rather than to spiritual ambitions. But after the malignant growth had begun its work, although its fatal nature had not yet been understood, he came under the influence of Mr. Torrey, a Y. M. C. A. worker, of Scranton, Pa., who led him to accept Christ as bis Savior. He seemed to have won a peculiarly rich experience, and the months of pain and exquisite, suffering which followed were borne with heroic patience. Prayer and song seemed to be his chief delights. He passed away in great peace. God has heard the prayer of these parents in a way they would not have chosen ; but they praise him none the less. The age of the deceased was thirty years. Services were conducted by Bro. Moeller, Pastor of the German United Brethren Church, assisted by the writer. The remains were buried at Spring Grove, Cincinnati, where further services were held by Brothers Ernst and Bremer.

E. S. LORENZ.

ELIZABETH SNYDER

ELIZABETH SNYDER, wife of Walter Snyder, of Blue Lick Class, near Lima, Ohio, died July 21st, 1886, aged 30 years, 7 months, and 21 days. Death laid his cold hand upon this sister, but she was ready to depart; and the departure was as one going home. The Church will miss her; the husband and the darling little children will miss her much more, I visited her and found that her faith was strong in the Lord. Her last words to me were, "I am praying for the Lord to take me home." May God support and comfort those who weep.

J. Q. Kline.

HIRAM J. SPANGLER

HIRAM J. SPANGLER, son of Jacob and Kate Spangler, died July 12th, 1886, aged 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days. He met his death suddenly by falling down the hay-hole in the barn. He was an obedient, industrious, and regular scholar of the United Brethren Sunday school at Union Deposit, Pa. Now he can sing with the saved in heaven. Many sympathize with this Christian and bereaved family.

P. L. Hains.