Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-23

the people generally, and he enters upon
his second decade as a minister mere
with every encouragement and the pros
pect of enlarged success.
HISTORY OF HIS LIFE.
The story of DR.. Menzers life is an in
teresting one. He was born on the 9th
day Of March, 1888, at Lausanne, SWit1-
erland, where his father, the Rev. Z. w.
Mcneil, from Saxony. had founded the
excellent MoravlGn Institution for young
gentlemen, that Is now in Prangins, on
the lake Of Geneva His mother. Emma
A., nee Wuilemier, was from Neuchatel.
Switzerland In 1913 his father followed
a call as pastor, first In Mines, then In
st. Hppolyte, Department du Gard, In
the South of France. and there he lived
with his parents, until, In 1850, his
father took him to Germany. where he
began the study OF German language.
After having spent two years at Koe-
nigsfed In the Black Forest, Baden.
he was received in 1852 as young student
at the Paedagogium (college) OF
Niesky. Silesa, where, in 1851 he was
graduated "summa cum laude." Then
he entered the theological seminary of
the Moravian Church. at Guadenfeld.
Upper Sllesia, where he received
thorough education In theology, philoso-
ply, and other sciences.
WORK AS AN EDUCATOR.
In 1850 Mr.. Mcneil passed his last ex-
aminations with first honors. During the
next eight years he taught as professor,
first in Konigsfeld and Lausanne. then
from 1866 to 1868 as "ordlnarius'' Of the
highest classes at the Niesky College.
On the 18th OF August, 1868, he was or
dained a minister Of the Gospel by the
Moravian Bishop. +. Roichel. and served
at several places, also as assistant OF his
father during the last years of his
fathers ministry. During his vacations
he travelled great deal from the Car
pathlan and Sudetic mountains TO the
Alps and Apennines over Austria. Ger
many. Switzerland. France, Scandinavia,
and Italy. and spent also a whole sum-
mer at Christianla, Norway. In order 10
study the Norwegian language.
After his fathers death, In 1874. Mr.
Mcneil left the old countries and came
TO the United States. where, In Septem-
Der, 1874, he accepted a call as pastor OF
the two German Lutheran churches of
Dansvilie and Perkinsville. in Western
New York. While there. on Tuesday af-
ter Easter. March 80. 1875. he was united
in marriage to Miss Marie b. Rasmus-
sen, Of Rudkjoe ching, Denmark. In 1880
he accepted a call as pastor OF the Ger
man Evangelical Protestant church in
Albany, n. Y. During his passionate there
the beautiful new church building OF that
congregation was erected. His influence
began also to make itself felt In wider
circles He was instrumental in the for
nation OF the Atlantic District of the
German Evangelical Synod Of North
America, and served for many years as
secretary. then as president, Of that dis
trict
HIS RESIDENCE IN RICHMOND.
In 1886 he accepted call to St. Johns
German Evangelical church, in Rich
mond, and on the 18th OF February he
arrived here with his devoted wife and
his seven children. Here. on the 1ith Of
October, 1892, he had the great misfor-
tune TO lose his wife, and on Nav g.
1895, his youngest son, Hermann, follow
ed his mother 10 the Heavenly Home.
Surrounded by his nine children, the pas
tor now lives here In our midst, and the
longer he stays the more he feels deeply
attached to his congregation, as well as
TO this glorious Southland and our beau
tiful city. In June. 1894. he was honor
ed by being made a doctor Of divinity
by Washington and Lee University, at
Lexington, Va. In August, 1885, the Gen.
eral Conference of the German Evangeli-
cal Church OF North America assembled
in Elmhurst, ILL.,, and made him president
OF the Board Of Directors OF all the insti-
tutions OF learning Of said Church. Since
the beginning Of his pastorate here DIR.
Mcneil has at ell times been faithfully
ct work to promote the welfare OF his
church. An Indebtedness Of 5000 has
been paid TO the last cent: the church
building has been thoroughly repaired
and beautified; an amount OF over 81. 900
has been set aside as an organ fund, and
within a few weeks new and beautiful
organ. with 20 stops and Lab pipes, will
be dedicated in st. Johns German Evan
gelical church. Many changes have taken
place in these ten years; many sad and
dark hours. as well as many bright and
happy days have come and passed away
but the congregation and their pastor fee,
more than ever united by the bonds OF