The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-09-24
Death of DR.. APPEL.

On Saturday last, September Il, Rev:
Thomas Gilmore Appel, d. d., Phi. D., died
in Lancaster, Pa. The Netc Era, of that
city publishes the following sketch OF his life
which will be read with Borrowing interest by
the members of the Reformed Church in this
county:
'Dr Appel was born near Easton, Pa, November
II, 1922 and was in the 69th year of his age. DE-.
Appel received his middle name from mother of
Scotch Irish blood and was born of Pennsylvani
spelling of the name being Aepfel. He mem
Der of family which is recognized with that OF
the Nevins in Reformed Church work and in the
history of her literary Institutions Three brothers
of the name were widely-knoWn ministers OF the
gospel and the second generation are coming TO
be known men of influence in their chosen pro-
fessons, and of social accomplishments 1t was i'll
large measure due to DR.. Appel's profound schol-
arship, wide range of philosophic thought, great
Franklin and Marshall College was enabled to
maintain its deserved place among wel[known
educational institutions of the State.
When ten years of age Dr. AppePs father removed
his family to Saegertown Pa; on French Creek;
crossing the State in the old-flshiOned covered
wagons There the future theologian worked tor
a time in his fathers mill, coming back after
time to attend the school of DR.. John Nanderveer,
who leading educator in Eastern Pennsyl-
vania for over quarter of a century. Young APP
pei became Junior at Marshall College, MERGERS
burg in 1915, when he was under 10 years of age,
graduating in 1850 He studied theology, but be-
fore he entered upon his first pastoral charge at
Greensburg, Pa, he taught school at NorrlStown
'iAS
EastOn Academy, and supplied Reformed charges
in that neighborhOOd. He had brief pastorates at
GreenSburg and MechanicSburg, Cumberland coun-
ty, and then settled in Greencaste, Franklin coun,
ty, Pa. BY this time he had attracted the general
notice of the church as student of thought,
clear earnest and scholarly preacher and theo-
logan of rare parts. When the movement was
started in 1888 to reorganize college at MERGERS
burg he the natural selection of the Regents
for President and he filled that position most ac
ceptably until the theological seminary was re-
moved TO Lancaster in 1871 when he was called to
t1n rboj rnf( History Testament
EXegeSiS. His services were also added TO the
teaching force of the Faculty of franklin and Mar
shall College and when DR.. Nevin retired from the
Presidency of that institution in 1877 Dr. Appel was
elected his successor choice that was Ratified by
the hearty assent of the Church ana the Alumni.
He filled that position with ability, and i'll man
ner that brought the institution to high state of
efficiency, retiring in 1887, when he was succeeded
by the present able President, Rev. John ;. Stair
DIR. Appel, however. retained his prOfessorship i'll
the seminary up to the time of his death. While
President of the college Dr. Appers special line of
teaching included ethics, aesthetics, moral phil
OSophy, and all of the branches OF metaphysics
and his labors at the college did not Interfere with
his work of instruction at the seminary.
DR.. Appel was as widely known us a preacher
and writer and as an educator His composition
work surprisingly large He was favorite preach
er. not only in the College Chapel, but on all spe-
cial occasions throughout the church, and while
his clear vigorous and ornate style never failed to
entertain, the earnestness and logic of his Chris
tan discourse always carried conviction. He had
been Il faithful pupil of DR.. Nevin, but with other
theol0gianS of the church has eXpounded ana eS
tablished the Christological system upon firm and
enduring basis, and attracted the respect of the
theological world.
After the death of Dr. Harbaugh, in 1867. DR.. APP
pei became editor of tine Mercersburg Review, now
the Reformed Church Quarterly, position he held
many years, with Rev. Dr. J. NJ. TlZel OF the First
Reformed Church, this city, as Associate Editor.
He IL frequent writer for the Messenger and
other periodicals. He served frequently as a dele
gate to Synod and the General Synod, IN both OF
which he was always conspicuous figure He
sent to the Reformed Alliance, in Philadel-
phia in $780, and to the Pan-Presbyterian Alliance
in Belfast Ireland, in 1884, when, with Rev. DIR.
BaIIsman, Elder George w. Hensel and other
impressed him greatly, and about which he wrote
and lectured not little, to the great entertain
ment and instruction of his readers and audiences.
Ever since the organization of the ClioSophic So
cety here he took an active part in its affairs and
its first President, being elected repeatedly to
the position. He a most delightful entertain
or, always prominent at social gatherings, and was
never happier than when surrounded by COM
pany of congenial companions.
Mr.. Appel was married AZ years last August to
Miss Emma NJ, daughter of the late John Miller,
of EaSton, who survives, together with the follow
ing and daughters: Anna, wife of Z. p. Nc
Kinstry Lancaster; John W. Appel, Esq, promi-
nent member of the Lancaster Bar; Catherine, wife
of Rev. Calvin S. Sagle, of Westminster, Md;
Charles H. Appel Lancaster; Vim. \. Apple, Esq,
also prominent member of the Lancaster Bar:
Minnie wife of Rev. L. f. COblentZ, Baltimore:
Rev. Henry II. Appel, pastor of the First Reformed
church, York, and Joseph Fl. Appel, ESQ., night ed
itor of the Philadelphia Times DR.. Appel is also
survived by two brothers. Rev. Theodore Appel,
formerly of the faculty of franklin and Marshall
College, and Rev. DR.. Joseph H. Appel, of Saeger-
town, Pa.
The funeral took place from Franklin and Mar
shall College Chapel Tuesday morning at lO.3O
O'Clock, interment being made at Lancaster eeme-