The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-05
A CHURCH-BUILDING PREACHER.
A Personal Sketch of Rev. ]. Albert Rond-
thaler, the Pastor of Tabernacle Church.

A little more than two years ago nearly every
one was predicting that the congregation
known as that of the Tabernacle Presbyterian
Church could not hold together six months
longer. The flock, bewildered by eccentric
shepherds. was in a condition to be stampeded
by very slight demonstration, and the scattered
members were likely to be distributed among
half dozen more different churches, never
again to be reunited. At this very unfavorable
juncture. Rev. j. A. Rondthaler was in some
way induced to come here and look over the
highly unpromising pasture. It is probable that
he was shown only the most verdurous patches In
it, his attention being carefully diverted from the
waste and barren spots, for in no other way can
his acceptance of the pastorship rendered him be
accounted for The flock, as he found it, con-
tanned 230 dismal, disconnected members. To-
day there are more than 500-hearty. robust,
earnest and hopeful.
Mr. Rondthaler is about forty-one years DID,
though he doesn't look it, with his auburn COM
plexion, with sidewhiskers and hair to match
He is of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and there is
thoroughbred strain of theology in the family,
his father, grandfather and great grandfather
having all been preachers. Mr.. Rondthaler is a
sort of theoloeic Mark Tapley. He came here
opportunity to be jolly under unfor-
tuitous circumstances, having declined
a call to Wanamaker's church, at Philadelphia
and also one to a large church at Baltimore.
He desired, he said, to enter into a work that
would be largely his own. and for ecclesiastical
architecture of the character desired the Taber
nacle Church filed his most exacting require
ments as it furnished little more than what had
once been excellent foundation. which, upon
inspection, he found greatly out of repair.
Mr.. Rondthaler is a church-builder, and he
determined the congregation ought to have a
new temple to worship in. He had in his time
built four churches, and the present beautiful
tabernacle is the result OF his fifth effort He
soon made the people of the Tabernacle Church
the leaven was in them before-the cheeriest
and most social of Christians. He himself is al
ways bubbling over with good nature, and it is
of such a sort as to be absolutely infectious.
He understands children better than most gen.
tlemen of the cloth, as he has six of his own,
and when he visits the Newsboys' Home or the
Reform School at Plainfield, the boys are glad to
see him. AT the latter place, when he puts in
an appearance they fairly howl with delight.
He has been summering at Maxinkuckee where
quite a number of his congregation sojourn
during the heated term, and where they built
him cottage. Next summer they propose to
build him chapel at the lake in which to hold
religious services. Mr.. Rondthaler handles
the oars with great skill, and is an
expert swimmer He has not had
days sickness for years. and his lakeside appetite
is something TO marvel at, his special vanites be-
lug u0VIeu eggs duU Irleu chicken, second JOINT.
He likes good cigar after a good dinner, and,
as he reads the Sunday Journal, will see this
sketch without his attention having been
called"
A short time ago he paid visit to the Reform
School at Plainfeld. A number of boys. when
called upon in the chapel, cited Scripture verses.
One of them quoted from the twenty-third
Psalm, fifth verse, the words Thou preparest
table before me in the presence of mine enc
mics"
'Now, my boy," said Mr.. Rondthaler Chow
many persons mentioned in that verse;"
yourselves God and enemies" was the
boys answer This rather surprised the clergy
man, who had thought the answer would be
two.
"Why do you say Yourselves, God and our
enemiesF" he continued "Why not God our
selves and our enemies?"
Because" said the boy, sits good thing to
have God between us and our enemies"
''My dear boy" said the surprised and graft
fed preacher, ''you have made a new and beau
tiful comment on that verse. That's bright
thought, deeper and better than much of our
theology"