Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-08-09
Two Venerable Men.

During our recent trip east we took oc-
caSion to visit two venerable men, hum
we had not seen for many years, and for
both of whom we feel a Nenerution that
Will last as long rs life itself
The first onc-Wolker Stcpncu-wu~ our
first teacher. in Womclsdorf Bcrks Co..
Pa, which Is our native home, and where
the first ten years OF our life was spent
He now stays with his son, DR.. John ste
phen, ut Calvindale Farm, some five miles
from Womelsdor, il ninety two years OF
age, hale and hearty, in full possession OF
his mental faculties, ana reads the nnest
newspaper print without the aid of glasses.
We spent several very pleasant hours
with the good old man and left him with
reluctance. His parting adnonitions,
given in II prOfuSion OF tears. were so kind
and tender that we shall never forget
them while we live. May his end be calm
and peaceful, as his life was long and use
ful. His memory ill be precious ~ han.
dredS OF his former pupils.
Walker stephen was born at Rephoe
Ireland, Aug. II, l7SJ. He left Ireland at
an early age and went To Scotland, where
Glasgow, but never pr,tcticed medicine.
He adopted the profession OF teaching, and
taught at Bigger, Scotland, ST John. y. Il. i.
Chester and Lancaster counties, in Penn
Sylvania, and came TO WomelSdorf in 1921 .
whore he taught school and served as =. :.
superintendent for over forty consecutive
years. Three generations of W Womclsdorf'S
good people, have been his pupils. and
room, carried on the arms OF their par
cnts.
Mr.. stephen retired from active life only
about ten years ago, and now divides his
time between reading, meditation ana
prayer, calmly awaiting to be called 10 his
eternal home.
In religion Mr.. stephen is Presbyte-
rian, in Politics an early aud rigid Adolf
ZIONIST, having east the only vote pollcd in
BcrkS Co. in 1910. for James e. Biraey
then and in 1874 the Abolition candidate
for President.
To the second of the two old fathers re-
fered 10 in the heading we are related by
the ties OF consanguinity MS well rs by
those of the warmeSt friendship. Oar
uncle the Rev. n e. DciEingcr, il still
known TO some OF the older citizens of
PennS Valley, especially OF Aaronsburg.
He was born in Bernstein, Kingdom of
WCrtcmburg, Germany, Oct. 3rtl, l7.5, ana
l. therefore nearly eighty two Years OF age.
lie came To America in lsl7, and started
for Ohio at once, but on his way through
Penns Valley hc MAS pursuadcd 10 stay.
and followed his trade ss q weaver. for
some time in a little shop on the farm of
Col. J. L. Coburn. then owned and accu.
pied by Sebastian MNSsCr father ui Philip
H. Mu>Scr Esq. late OF Millhcim. dcCc.,s-
ell. He entered the ministry in Jane. lSla
having first pursued a theological course
With DR. Endrcss at Lancaster. there be-
ing no Lutheran College or Seminary in
America nj that t1ne. Hr settled at E,.s
htIlii. -AAlslluS %. Ia. NiltfN ne SIM re-
sides and breaches to some OF his first ami
only congregations, covering i period OF
hfty years. His charge 1T first was com
posed of the entire territory now cOnstitu-
ing Adams county, or which lie still serves
four congregations, the nearest being -four
miles distant from his home. lie enjoys
excellent health, is II hearty eater aud has
good sleep. He patiently awaits the call
of death. and soon expects 10 be gathered
to the fathers in a better world above.
We asked the old gcntfcBnn for the
numerical results OF his long. pastoral
labors-the number OF baptisuIS, coufir-
nations, marriages and deaths, which
must. in the aggregate, number many
but he prefers not to have them
published until after his demise.
Such aged fathers are not OF the present
they are isolated but precious monu-
mcntS of n former End better generatiOn.
In our fast days-faSt IN inventions and
improvmcutS-fsISt in STYLES of ii wing. I'm
modes OF travel, in luxury. and fast in de-
geneTacy and sin. we are npt 10 consider
their habits and modes of thinking au-
and obsolete but their stcyling
temperate living. modest desires
and untiring industry, are qualities which
we of later generation should more stu
diously cndeavcr TO initiate.