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Center for the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage TELESCOPE-MESSENGER United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio I Vol. 26 No. 2 Summer 2016 Rev. Frederick Krecker's Journal by Robert Stokes R ev. Frederick Krecker is one of several Rev. Krecker's first assignment as a minister Krecker's who appear on the ministerial lists on trial was to the Lebanon Circuit with two other of the Evangelical Association/Church in its and more experienced pastors Rev. Francis history. The Frederick Krecker who is the subject Huffman and Rev. D. Mertz.3 The preaching of this article was born in 1816 in Philadelphia, points listed for the circuit were the homes of Pennsylvania. An early Evangelical Association individuals. Entries evaluating the meetings preacher named Jacob Schnerr founded the first contained generalizations such as" ...h ad a good Evangelical Church in Philadelphia in 1835. It congregation," " ...t he listeners were orderly," was in this church that Frederick Krecker heard "Not many people congregated," or " ...t he the ca!l to ministry.1 meeting was very deep." In the 183 8 Annual Conference of the East After preaching one evening Rev. Krecker Pennsylvania Conference, Frederick Krecker was noted, "I held an hour of confession which was received as a preacher on trial.2 The remainder of very blessed. I felt especially that evening the this article is based on a journal kept by Rev. grace of God in great measure." Perhaps this was Krecker and now in the United Methodist a time that would be labeled a "testimony Archives at Drew University. The transcript of meeting." the journal was prepared by Rev. Walter S. Boyer Services were held almost every evening and with assistance from several individuals who usually three times on Sunday. Comments about helped translate the first ten years of the journal persons as mourners or "finding the Lord," from German to English. All quotations are from indicate the services were almost always the transcript prepared by Rev. Boyer. evangelistic. Biblical texts usually were listed in The majority of the daily entries deal with the the journal and appeared to be rarely repeated. routine of the pastoral vocation-pastoral visits When comments were made about the meetings and preaching. Also noted are family concerns they were usually positive. However, one and visits to Rev. Krecker's mother and other notation said: "The people were very rude as members of his family. Usually noted in each some ran out of the service, but some were day's entry is a number representing the number touched." Another entry noted that the godless of miles traveled that day. Occasionally national did damage to the host's best wagon and he was events are mentioned and weather is a continual not willing to have the meeting longer. concern, particularly if it influenced the daily Throughout the summer of 1838 most of the activities. time was spent on the camp meeting circuit. One A review of the entries over 50 years show activity was called "A Great Assembly." About how pastoral responsibilities changed because of once a month all of the pastors on one or more of the gradually increasing size of the conference the circuits gathered on a weekend at one (and denomination). But the journal also reveals location. There would be numerous preaching the growth in Rev. Krecker's view of the pastoral services with Holy Communion at one or more of role as a result of maturity and experience. the services. After these sessions Krecker usually 1 commented "We had a wonderful blessed time." "Bro[ther] Shoeyer and I visited him in the Inn of At one of these meetings at least six ministers the Widow Shindel. As we stepped into the next were listed as attending. During a meeting in room ... a few minutes later he entered. He is of October, Krecker noted that the meeting was middle height, slender built, approx. 50 years old, moved from the barn, where they usually his hair is silver gray and his whiskers are red. His assembled, to the house because it was too cold. head in front is bald. His nose and chin stand out, But, he noted, there were eight converts. his neck short: all told looks like a lawyer." Another meeting took place at a time that But Krecker did not stay in Lebanon long. At might seem unusual to us-Tuesday, December the next Annual Conference he was assigned to a 24 through Friday, December 28. At least four relatively new congregation in Buffalo, New ministers were present. The closing comment one York! He stayed at Buffalo Station for two years evening was: "We had three souls ready for and in 1842 was transferred to Rochester (NY) confession and one woman regained grace after Mission. At the end of that year the mission was we had prayed with her until midnight." Clearly discontinued and Krecker was sent to the Lake at that time the Evangelical Association did not Circuit with Rev. H. Sauer. treat Christmas as we do today. For instance, 1842 was an important year, however, because Christmas Day in 183 8 saw Krecker preaching at on February 19th Frederick married Isabella his home church in Philadelphia. He preached Weidemeyer. Gradually he began to write his three times that day and saw "many converts journal in English, because his wife was not pleading for mercy." fluent in German and felt "left out" in Krecker' s journal for the first seven months in conversations and in reading German. It appears ministry noted that he traveled 1,555 miles. His that from the beginning of his ministry, probably salary was $57.36 against expenses of $29.80 for because of his upbringing in primarily English warm clothing and $57.00 for horse and carriage. speaking Philadelphia, Frederick was bi-lingual. Indeed it was not until 1855 that the East Indeed in 1844 he was appointed to transcribe the Pennsylvania Conference could report that for the Annual Conference proceedings from German first time all preachers were "paid in full."4 into English. About a year after entering the ministry (June The life of a pastor's family, particularly in the 18, 1939), Frederick Krecker recorded some 19th Century, was not an easy one. At his next personal reflections on the year. "Read in the assignment, Germantown, he and his wife had to afternoon Shillings, L.S. and the memories of live for a year with another family. This did not Bramwell, from which I received deep wisdom. I work out well and after a year Frederick and his felt the importance of my position daily more and family moved 15 miles to Worcester, another more as well as my being able to do it justice, town on the charge. There were few parsonages with God's help. I am able to dig deeper and pray at that time in the denomination. for more grace of God and will daily on my knees At this point we move about 20 years ahead in read a Chapter of the Bible and pray [to] God for the ministry of Frederick Krecker. By this time he a light and knowledge of His word. God may help was ordained. For a number of years he was either me to hold [to] my resolution." assistant secretary or secretary to the Annual Krecker' s travels on the Lebanon Circuit took Conference. In 1850 he was assigned to take him as far west as Linglestown and Clarks and conference proceedings in English. 5 He had Fishing Creek valleys and east to Newmanstown served as the presiding elder on the Lebanon and Womelsdorf. Most of the preaching points District for three years, and by the time we get to were in private homes, but frequently attempts 1860 he had been a delegate to the General were made to secure school houses for meetings. Conference on a number of occasions. It appears that all preaching was in German and The 1860 Annual Conference was held in all journal entries were in German. Annville, Pennsylvania, and began with a While on the Lebanon Circuit Rev. Krecker missionary conference on April 28. As was recorded an account of a meeting with President usually the case standing committees were Martin Van Buren on June 24, 1839. The appointed at the outset of the conference and then president was on his way to New York City. the character of the preachers was examined. This 2 was "soon concluded with great honor to the persons were elected to serve as trustees to build preachers." District boundaries were adjusted in a new church. Several hundred dollars was some cases as the conference continued to grow already subscribed and a lot was available. requiring realignment of churches. Assignments Much time and effort was given to "protracted were read at the end of the conference and meetings" or what we might refer to as Krecker was appointed to Bethlehem with Rev. "evangelistic services" or revival services. Fall H. Kempfer, a young minister, as his colleague. was the primary time for these meetings. In 1860 The preaching points included Bethlehem, one was held for three weeks at Springtown. A Freemansburgh, Coopersburg, Flinthill, Grovers, meeting was held for two weeks at Brother Pleasant Valley, Springtown, Williamstown, Border's at Swope Mountain. "Isaac Laubach and Swope Mountain, and Hellertown-a ten-point his wife and a girl got converted at this meeting." charge! No wonder Frederick needed a colleague. A review of the meeting in Bethlehem during Krecker had been assigned to Philadelphia January 1862 states: "In all over 50 professed to Station for the preceding two years and that finding the Lord during these meetings. The assignment required little travel. Now he had to greater part of them united with us in society. It get his carriage out of storage where it had been lasted 32 nights." for two years and buy a horse at a cost of $120. Such services were also a part of the life of the Household goods were sent by rail from Methodist Church. Krecker's journal mentions Philadelphia to Bethlehem. Nonetheless the move numerous times when Evangelical pastors seemed to please him as Easter Monday found participated in special evangelistic services in him tending garden and feeling that his health Methodist churches and vice versa. An 1851 was improving now that he was living in the entry refers to a revival at St. Georges Methodist country. Church in Philadelphia where 30 people were By examining a week's schedule in the brought to salvation. journal, a preacher's activities can be noted. On In 1863-64 Krecker was assigned to the Sunday Krecker preached at Springtown in the Montgomery Circuit. Towns on this appointment morning and at Bethlehem in the afternoon. On included Trappe, Schwenksville, Limerick Monday evening he was at Freemansburg and Square, Hatfield, Hilltown, Rock Hill, and preached in English. The journal always noted Phoenixville. Much of the ministry in when he preached in English. On Tuesday he had Phoenixville was to Germans working in the a funeral for a small boy and in the evening held rolling mills. Many new converts and 30 new a prayer meeting and elected class leaders. members were a result of this ministry. Rev. Wednesday he visited families and held a prayer Krecker was on this circuit for two years, but it meeting. Thursday must had been an off day, but appears that he was reluctant to leave this charge Friday found him visiting a large number of according to his journal. families in Bethlehem and then he preached at The next move was to Cressona and it came Pleasant Valley. Saturday there was preaching at during the middle of the Civil War. Occasionally Grovers. Sabbath services included preaching in particular battles are mentioned but the journal English in the afternoon at Springtown and in the shows great concern for the future of the country. evening at Coopersburg ·i h Brother Landis' July 4th was called Anniversary Day rather than house. His final comment was: "This was a good Independence Day and was spent in a local park. day's work," and he had traveled 10 miles. One year the attendance was 238 children and On May 27th Frederick wrote of a glorious teachers and another year at Stanch's Grove there two-day meeting at Brother Landis' barn. As a were 300 children and 250 adults. Although it result they formed a new class, took several into was a pleasant day, it was hot with the the Society [Association], and "many became temperature reaching 95°. convicted of sin." While most meetings were held But the inflation caused by the Civil War in homes and barns, it appears that there were discouraged Frederick as he cites the high prices church buildings at Freemansburg, Springtown, and the need for more salary in his journal. In Bethlehem, and Williams Township. A new 1864 his journal notes that he voted for Abraham church was built at Grovers and at L. Otts three Lincoln. 3 The next section of Krecker's journal into a solemn covenant with God to devote examined is 1876-his 37th year in ministry at the myself fully to his service, and asked him in my age of 58. One year earlier his son Augustus had prayers to open the way for me and lead me to been received into the Conference as a preacher such people as were earnestly engaged in serving on trial. An older son, Frederick, Jr., had already the Lord. He heard and answered my prayers, for completed training as a medical doctor and was a in two weeks after that I was informed where I successful practicing physician. But he felt a call could find such people and on the 19th of January to missionary work and in 1876 was licensed to I first heard Brother Jacob Schnerr preach the preach in the Conference. Shortly thereafter he, plain and simple truths of the Gospel, through his wife, and three children departed for Japan. which, I was led to a happy change of heart." There Rev. Dr. Krecker "became the founder of Then Krecker tells that at 8:30 "we commenced the first and most important missionary project of our Watchnight and had a blessed meeting." its kind in the history of the denomination."6 But In Hazelton the "protracted meeting" or in his seventh year of service, April 26, 1883, Dr. revival services continue to occupy an important Krecker died of typhoid fever. place in the local church. One began on Sunday Meanwhile Father Krecker was assigned to evening January 2nct. "On Sunday evening the Hazelton, a well-established charge. The first church was crowded. Thirteen persons were at the Sunday after Annual Conference he traveled to altar, most of them coming forward to seek a the new parish, met the current pastor, preached, deeper work of grace, and many were powerfully and met with several classes, one of which used blessed." On Monday eight families came "some the English language. Because the current pastor to seek pardon for their sins and others to obtain was ill, Rev. Krecker and his family were unable more religion." It appears that the meetings to move into the parsonage for another month. continued through the whole month with mention During that time lodging and meals were taken of mourners coming to the altar and sometimes with lay members. "no conversions." On the last Sunday nine new Krecker' s Sunday schedule at Hazelton members were received into the church. included preaching in the morning and again in Early in January Father Krecker's wife the evening with Sunday school in the afternoon. became ill. "The Dr. said it was 'dropsy' and the The record shows that there were 137 scholars heart beats are very weak." Dr. Frederick and a large number of "grown" persons in Krecker, Jr. (who had not yet departed for Japan) attendance. Lay people usually had the took his mother to his home in Lebanon. Her responsibility for conducting prayer meetings condition continued to worsen, however, and held on different evenings. Krecker mentioned Father Krecker made a number of trips back and visiting four of them. forth from Hazelton. Although notified that her Visiting parishioners was of high priority for condition had worsened, he hurried, but was not Rev. Krecker. Less than a month after arriving at able to get to her bedside before she died on Hazelton he wrote: "Visited quite a number of February 19, 1876 at the age of 56. Services were families where I had not yet visited." A month held in Cressona on the 21st and burial was the later he noted that he and his wife visited six next morning. families and had supper with another family. Immediately following his wife's burial, Rev. The presiding elder visited and conducted Krecker left for Annual Conference in Schuylkill Quarterly Conference meetings on Saturday. He Haven. He was reassigned to Hazelton but now a would then do the preaching at both services on widower with no children at home he did not need Sunday with the evening service usually in a parsonage. Household goods were sold and English. Holy communion was usually meals were arranged at parishioner's homes. He mentioned in connection with the presiding moved into two rooms and Brother Fox, a elder' s visit. Methodist member, moved in with him. They In Father Krecker' s journal for December 31, paid $12 a month rent. 1875 he mentions the process that led to "a A casual reading of Krecker's journal reveals change of heart." "This last day of the year how much death was a part of the lives of families reminds me of a time 40 years ago that I entered at this time. Scarcely a month went by when death 4 was not mentioned in the journal. Whenever a persons. Many tears were shed at parting. This member of the clergy died, even friends in other camp meeting will be long remembered by many denominations, traveled miles to attend the whose souls were so abundantly blessed." The service. It is really sad to note the deaths of many fact that after 100 years many of the camp children often of diseases forgotten today. Two of meeting tabernacles still exist and services are Isabella and Frederick's children died early and still being held in them speaks to the impact they both of them were buried in Montgomery County had on the church. (Phoenixville-Pottstown area). In the Annual Conference of 1887 a request One cannot write about ministry in the 19th was made and approved that because of ill health Century without mentioning camp meetings. Rev. Frederick Krecker, who had served the They occupied most of the pastors' schedules denomination for 50 years, be continued in from late June through mid-September in most itineracy but without assignment, thus allowing years. In Krecker's first year, 1838, one was held him to preach wherever and whenever he wished. in Hatfield (about 15 miles north of Philadelphia) However, on December 17, 1888 Frederick and there was a large attendance with "many deep Krecker died ending a remarkable career in in repentance." "On the last night, Friday, the ministry. revival was kept going all night. At daybreak they Even this cursory review of Rev. Krecker's said goodbye and six souls found forgiveness." journal over 50 years opens one up to new Another meeting in Allentown also mentions information and great appreciation for the men another Friday "all night" meeting. At the who shaped the pastoral ministry and the laity beginning of September he wrote truthfully: "I who faithfully supported and continued to bring am tired of traveling and loss of sleep." others under the message of the Gospel. They In July 1849 the camp meeting season began provide a window on the growth of the with 3,000 or 4,000 in attendance. Communion Evangelical Association branch of our United was held on Friday and there was still a mention Methodist Church in the 19th Century. of farewell at Sunrise. That summer meetings I was most impressed with the dedication were held at Emmaus (near Allentown) and these preachers brought to the task of sharing the Upper Mt. Bethel through the Lehigh Gap. These Good News. Krecker's "change of heart" that included two Methodist pastors from New Jersey. came early in life provided the motivation for his The meetings continued with an English speaking life of ministry. This commitment he renewed in one at Waynesburg7 and another on the Milford his journal with personal reflections often on Circuit (east of Scranton), each of which certain anniversaries and on the last day of the Frederick attended and did some preaching. year. In 1856 while serving as presiding elder at Lebanon the Germantown camp meeting had 18 Telescope-Messenger tents. The following week at Chester 4,000 to Is published twice yearly by the Center 5,000 attended. The summer concluded with For the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage meetings at Northampton a few miles north of United Theological Seminary Allentown on the Lehigh Circuit, "In one 1860 4501 Denlinger Road camp meeting, I counted at least 13 preachers Trotwood, OH 45426 who were present to participate in the preaching, prayer meetings, and youth services." Editor: Robert L. Frey In August 1875 journal there was an extensive Printer: Mound Printing Co. Inc. description of ·a camp meeting held near Bethlehem where Sunday attendance was about Correspondence should be sent to the editor at 7,000. A September 2°ct entry reads: "I spoke 1356 Hidden Creek Drive before we had the communion service and 35 Miamisburg, OH 45342 preachers and 394 members were at the Lord's table. At 10 PM we got ready to bid each other [email protected] farewell. A ring was formed just inside the circle of tents in which there must have been nearly 500 5 Much sacrifice was required of these early [The Conference even attempted to start churches pastors because of heavy travel schedules and in Florida.] Frederick Krecker was elected as a meager salaries. Often only the hospitality of lay delegate to General Conference seven times. His members made it possible for these pastors to gift as a writer was used extensively by the continue their work. denomination for conference and general church I was also impressed by the way pastors were responsibilities. continually assisting one another. They assisted As one of the longest serving Evangelical by preaching for someone else when they were in Association pastors in the history of the the area. Many names are listed when there was a denomination, Frederick Krecker is a somewhat protracted meeting, a camp meeting, or other unusual example of pastors of the day. His gatherings. This also extended across missionary/doctor son is better known than is he, denominational lines, especially with Methodists. but perhaps this article will rectify that oversight There was strong support for the Annual and remind us of the dedication to the church and Conference, the connectional church as a whole, the Kingdom displayed by preachers like and its mission outreach at home and abroad. Frederick Krecker. Citations and Notes: 1 Ammon Stapleton, Flashlights on Evangelical History, 1908, p. 43. 2 S.C. Breyfogel, Evangelical Landmarks, 1888, p. 89. 3 Ibid., p. 95. 4 Ibid., p. 150. 5 Ibid., p. 125. 6 Raymond Albright, A History of the Evangelical Church, 1942, p. 291. 7 This town name might be incorrect because the present city of Waynesburg is located south of Pittsburgh and well outside of the East Penn Conference boundary. This and a number of other towns recorded in Krecker's journal may well have had their names changed between then and the present. Robert P. Stokes is a retired clergy member of the Susquehanna Conference (formerly the Central Pennsylvania Conference) who lives in retirement at Cornwall Manor, Pennsylvania. The Hawk's Nest Kid by Wilson A. Shearer T his memory producing incident occurred on When I got back to the parking lot I was totally the second day of the Bonebrake Seminary shocked to see just the back end of the bus chorus tour in 1953. On March 4 our bus left the disappearing down the road and around a curve. site of our first stop in Charleston, West Virginia. They assumed everyone was on board, so they Taking Route 60, a slow and curve-filled road for left-without me! I sat down on a stump to wait, a bus, on the way to Staunton, Virginia, we came telling myself not to worry because soon I'd see upon Hawk's Nest State Park which has a scenic the bus coming back for me. The entire park was overlook of a deep river valley. The driver totally deserted. In 1953 there were no businesses stopped so we could stretch our legs and see the or homes in the area-not even a public telephone view. When it was time to return to the bus I spied or restroom. Also there was not much passing a second trail back to the parking lot and without traffic at that hour of the day. speaking to anyone began walking a circuitous After 30 minutes of waiting, I decided that route up the hill through the forest. I did not care apparently the bus was not coming back because that no one was following me. no one missed me. Later I was told the people in 6 the front of the bus thought I was in the back and recruited by some of the chorus members to keep vice versa. It was a chilly, overcast day. I was me company during my supper. wearing a light jacket and no hat as I stood beside Later, during the concert, Harlan Snow, the the highway like a hitchhiker hoping for a ride to director, introduced me to the congregation as somewhere. "The Hawk's Nest Kid." He continued to do this Quite a few cars passed me before a kind at all eight remaining concerts on the tour. couple stopped to ask what I was doing there Always whenever we boarded the bus thereafter, alone-and offered to help. After a hasty chorus members loved to shout, "Where's the explanation, I hopped in their car and they took Hawk's Nest Kid? Don't leave without Wilson." me to the next village which I think was named Until graduation in the Class of 1954 I was Hico. I went to a phone booth and called the never able to escape teasing references to that police. They heard my sad plight and didn't unprecedented incident. Apparently in the entire hesitate when I asked them to call or radio ahead history of the seminary chorus tours, I was the on Route 60 to have an officer stop the bus and only one that was ever left stranded on a remote tell them they were missing a chorus member. By mountainside. [Well actually it was not that the time this was accomplished the bus was far unprecedented. Although Wilson might have down Route 60 in a town named Rainelle. With been the first, about a decade later another chorus great chagrin, Walter Schutz, the faculty adviser member missed the bus and had to make a and chorus manager admitted to the police that herculean effort to rejoin the group. But that will Wilson Shearer was not on board and had been have to wait for another issue.] left behind at Hawk's Nest Park. The faculty member who seemed to enjoy the I was told the bus could not tum around and story most of all, and used every opportunity to would wait for me at Rainelle as long as possible. call me "The Hawk's Nest Kid" was Dean Bruce But the chorus had to be in Staunton in time for a Behney. Even when I returned to campus as a special radio broadcast late that afternoon. If I graduate that was always what he called me, couldn't catch them, I'd have to hitchhike all the followed by a mutual hearty laugh. way to Staunton since there were no commercial buses going in that direction. Wilson Shearer is a retired UMC pastor living in To make a long story short, I could not catch Hagerstown, Maryland. He is one ofa well-known them. I had only enough money to buy a warm family ofm inisters, including his brothers Dan and Monroe. hat and a hamburger. It was about 168 miles from Hawk's Nest to Staunton. After 60 years I do not From the Editor remember the exact number of rides I had to It is time to renew you membership. If secure with my thumb, but there were many. possible use the United Theological Seminary When I finally arrived at the church the chorus website to do so. The address is was preparing to give a concert. The chorus http://united.edu/telescope-messenger- members had just finished eating supper and were newsletter/ getting up from the tables. At my entrance there When you get to this page click on the box titled was a lot of yelling and clapping by not only the "Subscribe" and it will give you further chorus members but also the church folk who instructions. were aware of the incident. With a red face due to If you do not have access to the internet the a combination of exposure to the chilly winds new and renewing membership is $20. Please while waiting for rides and the embarrassment of send this amount to: the unwanted attention I was reunited with my The Center for the EUB Heritage chorus mates. But I was very hungry! United Theological Seminary The cooks at the church fixed me a heaping 4501 Denlinger Road plate of delicious food and sat me down at a large Dayton, OH 45426 table with seven empty chairs. I was seated on Should you wish to provide more support for one of the chairs and the other six were soon the Center a supporting membership is $50 and occupied by giggling high school girls who were greater amounts are welcome. 7 United Theological Seminary I NON-PROFIT Center for the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage ORGANIZATION 4501 Denlinger Road U.S. POSTAGE Dayton, OH 45426 PAID DAYTON, OH I PERMIT No. 579 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Conference Announcement The University of Indianapolis will host a conference titled a Celebration of the Forward-Looking Legacy of the Evangelical United Brethren Church on Tuesday November 1, 2016. The conference will be held at the University Heights UM Church located at 4002 Otterbein Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227 (across the street from the University of Indianapolis). Registration will begin at 11:15 am followed by a luncheon at 11:45 am. The cost of the luncheon is $25 and those who desire to attend the luncheon should send a check by October 22 to: Dr. Michael G. Cartwright University of Indianapolis SW-204 1400 East Hanna Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227-2697 Conference speakers will include luncheon speaker Dr. Eugene Sease, past president of the University of Indianapolis and keynote speaker Dr. D. Stephen Long of Southern Methodist University at 1:15 pm. Small discussion sessions will take place from 2:45 to 4:00 followed by an All Saints Day worship service. There will be no charge for those attending all events but the luncheon. 8