The Democratic advocate., 1909-10-08
ELDER DANIEL P. sAYLER.
An Able Minister Of the Brethren
Church Before the War.


j. Il. Switzer, Of Cartervllle. Mo,
writing to the Gospel Messenger, in
dulges in some "reminiscences of
his early life in Maryland, and has
this to say of Elder Daniel r. Sayler,
who was prominent minister of the
Brethren Church before the war and
was we'll known in this county:
MY father was Maryland miller.
My uncle, Epbraim b. Repp, late of
Centerview, Mo, also Maryland
miller, learned the trade with Ed. ID.
r. Sayler, a Maryland miller. who
owned and operated a mill on Pipe
Greek Frederick county. was born
and reared to manhood In my fathers
mill, situated within two miles OF the
Beaverdam church, near where Bro.
d. p. Sayler was received into the
church, elected to the first and sec
ond degree OF the ministry, and or
dained as elder. Here he did, after
ward, a great deal Of effective preach
ing.
The last sermon, II was my priyi-
lege to hear him preach, was in this
church, in 1860. His text was Isa
t25:6. His sermon was indeed feast
to my soul. Two brothers. In going
home from the church. we're COM
menting upon the merits OF the dis
course. One OF them said How did
you like it," 1T was a feast OF fat
things" said the other. Yes, ii was
wine and milk and honey, and the
very marrow OF fatness. II was meat
and drink"
Solomon says: THE wicked are
afraid when no man pursueth, but the
righteous are bold as a lion" Bro.
Sayler was OF that well-rounded, full.
Arm and unfiinching nature that, on
all occasions. betokened perfect and
whole-hearted conviction and conf
denee In the doctrine and practice
OF the Church OF the Brethren. He
was firm as rock, and bold as lion.
He had no fear OF man, and was equ-
ally fearless In defending the Truth.
| His preaching was in demonstra-
/ ton OF the Spirit, and with power,
which, like the preaching OF Paul. Of
I ten aroused the ire OF those who OPP
posed him, but who floeked 10 hear
/ him. nevertheless. and were drawn
I by the clear, whole-hearted manner
I OF his discourse. His voice when most
animated assumed a higher pitch than
normal, but In the flights Of his ora
/ tory there WAS always the back
ground OF convincing reason. accom-
! panied by a very ready flow OF lang
uage and very little redundancy.
With Bro. SnyloF every word count.
ed Every sentence was full Of meat
and marrow His voice, though ant
mated and strong, was not unpleasant
iva glA FataAn fnff
and truthful II might be character.
lied as along the line OF plain. com.
mon sense-interBpersed always with
the most fair and Legitimate use oi
gospel quotations 10 back up his
theme.
Bro. Saylor would not shine--ney
or did shine-as an evangelist Some
times he seemed little enyious o
those who were drawing multitudei
into the church. but when II cam,
to solid gospel work. In defending
the faith. or denouncing departure;
from the faith once delivered to TN
saints" Bro Saylor had, IN his dnl
, and In his way. almost no peer.
He seemed never TO fear man o
deyil. He was al one time drawn be
! fore the County court as witness
in somewhat complicated case. Al
usual, the lawyers we're trying 10 con
! fuse the witness with questions
TO establish their respective cases.
Bro. Sayier did not escape III
was one OF the principal witnesses
His testimony did not suit the oppo
sltion at all II was too straight
forward. positive and unfiinehing. III
was piled with a number OF impatien
cross questions, the answers 10 whlcl
did not please the attorney. who be
came irritated to some extent, ant
finally hinted something about tn
! hypocrites in the Bible.
Bro Sayler eyed him sharply 70
moment and then said Woe Unit
. you lawyers. for ye load men will
burdens grieyous TO be borne. and y
) yourselves touch not the burden
with one OF your fingers"
The judge smiled and the lawye
made no further reference 10 tn
Scriptures