Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-07-23
A HERO OF FAITH.

HERO OF r FAITH.
rosehing Trsbuss to the Late Rev. Dr. sluh.
Rev. B. Bausman d. D., in the Guardian.
The late DR.. Muhlenberg Of New York
was q man Of rare saintliness. A Lutheran
by birth and baptism, an Episcopalian by
and ordination, but above all
q Christian, he was in loving sympathy
with all Gods people Of every name and
order. When y student l saw him at \
certain college commencement, sitting ON
an elevated platform, then already ayener-
able gray-headed patriarch. through whose
face shOne the meek, mild, Christlike
spirit Of his soul. A certain brother Of
our Reformed church, tells me that more
than forty years ago, when Muhlenberg was
rector OF the Episcopal church mt Lam
caster. Pa. he was q scholar in his Sunday
school. When the rector left he spoke to
the scholars OH these words. Thou God
seest me-" My friend said that the father
ly tenderness with which he pressed home
these words greatly moved their young
hearts, and that it has followed him rs u
gracious blessing to this day. This verse
seems to have guided the gOod doctor
in all his dOinss. He lived as in Gods
sight, and his heart was transparent to
God and men. He was a life. long friend
Of DR.. Adams, now of the (Presby ran)
Union seminary Of New York. Once
Muhlenberg preached for his friend. for
which Bishop Potter officially ccnsurcd
him. DR.. Adams says that "mOre than
once l have said to my family, when IT.
turning from some interview with him, in
which he had hOnOred me with kiss. that
felt as if the Apostle John had embraced
me, and repeated in my ear some words
which had been whispered to him by the
Master whose bosom he had leaned on ut
the Supper"
In earlier years he wrote the well known
hymn in our Reformed hymn book.
II would not live alway, ! ask not to stay"
Like many other good men. his old age
did not approve all he had written i'm
younger life, and he was free to confess il
Ofthis hymn he said: IL do not believe in
the hymn at all it does not express the
better feelings Of the saint, and would
not write it now.'
To many good people this hymn has bc-
come very precious. But ~ the author
says, It does not express the better feel
ing of a saint" To the child Of God life
is a great blessing. Whether joy or ser-
row be our lot, we ought to accept it Will,
a thankful heart. and improve it piously
for the glory Of God. 1t is well to think
much Of the rest Of the grave and of our
home in heaven. But question whether
the reading of " Hervey's Meditati,ns
among the tOmbs cultivates the healthicst
kind Of piety. A restless eagerhess to get
away from the burdens and duties Of cart,
by being transferred to heaven may h,'
carried too far. To work in whatever
sphere God may place us with fidelity ami
cheerful cOntentment, until the LOr,i shall
call us home, is the prayerfnl spirit of
Christian.
In select social gathering Of patriarchs
of his age, where such men asWilliam Cul
len Bryant, Peter Cooper, tho well-kn"wn
millionaire philanthrOpist, and DIR. Adams,
were present, DR.. Muhlenberg was request
ed to ask blessing at the table, which h..
did in the following original lines {:
" Solemn thanks bc our grace tor the years
With their Iblessings ten-fold, and thou.h h this
Yet joyful our trust that through Christ twill
All here meet again at his table in heaven"
DIR. Muhlenberg spent the greatest part
of his life in works OF charity. lie
founded and presided over st. Lnke's
hospital, New York, and was chiefly in.
strumental in founding several other large
institutions of this kind. Many fields "t
usefulness with large salaries, were offered
to him but his compassionate heart pre-
ferred to serve and suffer for the relief OF
the unfortunate. In this service he
spent his private fortune. His
pure unselfish life secured liberal pub
lie confidence and support for the
institutions with which his name was con-
nected. Thus money flowed into their
treasures by the hundred thousands. !Ie,
might have amassed fortune, lived in
snowy affluence. Instead Of this he lived
a very simple life, and was frugal in his
food and raiment. His rooms were plainly
furnished, and when he died his whole
estate consisted of two twenty dollar gold
pieces-$4O in all-which he had laid by to
pay for his funeral. All he had and was
lie gave to Christ.
1t is well for us to hold up before our
minds models of Christian living like that
of DR.. Muhlenberg. Through painful dis
cipline God prepared him for his work.
The shadow of a great sorrow settled upon
his soul in his early years. He came out
Of the clouds traDstigured and transform
found than in America. Flie1ner of kai-
oCA LCllCl OA OClHhI, w VIZ siO
Rauhe Haus and Miller of Bristol, have
laid themselves on the Altar Of
Charity, as whole bnrnt offerings.
One of these is the fathcr-in-iaw
of Bishop GObat, Of Jerusalem !;
another a high official Of the Prussi:.n
ministry; all the almOners Of millions.
yet all poor for Christ's sake maxim. the
poor. orphans, Outcasts and cripples their
daily companions. Each of these four
renowned men leading a life of such Sc
we're simplicity as many day laborer's
family would scarcely accept. Suc!,
are tile true heroes of faith. Their motive
is not to wound or destroy, but to rclive
and save life. Not only to do good but to
be good oneself; not only to preach the
pure and meek spirit of Christ but to live
it to live His life, to love with his love,
"tO endure as seeing Him who is invisi-
bic this gives us Christlike character.
To Bo H 0bullt.
At the meeting Of the property commit
tee Of city councils, last evening, the chair
man, Mr.. Zecher, was authorized to dilect