I was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 25th of March, 1797. My parents followed the occupation of farming, and both were members of the German Reformed Church. I received my English and classical education in the Glades school, in Frederick city, Dickinson College, and Philadelphia, under Dr. Samuel Helfenstein, of that city. I read and studied theology for three years. I was set apart, and solemnly ordained to the office of the Christian ministry, in the fall of 1820, at a Synodical meeting in Hagerstown, Maryland. From thence, I proceeded to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where I was settled as pastor of the German Reformed charge.

      I was, parentally and providentially, restrained from the paths of vice and immorality. And as my mother trained me, from youth up, in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and instructed me in the great principles and duties of religion, I was graciously brought to feel my obligations to God at an early age, and my mind was deeply exercised on the subject of my soul's salvation. These convictions, however, would sometimes wear off, and then be renewed again. Hence, I continued sinning and repenting for a number of years, till in the winter of [29] 1817, when deep and pungent convictions laid hold of my guilty soul. Then, like Job, "I abhorred myself" [Job 19:19],--like Ephraim, "I bemoaned myself" [Jeremiah 31:18],--with the prodigal, I said, "I will arise, and go to my Father" [Luke 15:18],--and with the publican, I cried, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" [Luke 18:13]. And after "chattering like the swallow," and " mourning as a dove" [Isaiah 38:14], for three or four weary months, my poor woe-fraught soul found redemption in Immanuel's blood, even the forgiveness of sins. It was on Easter Sabbath, in the city of Philadelphia, in the presence of a large congregation of worshipers, that Jesus, the "Sun of Righteousness" arose, and shone upon my soul, "with healing in his wings" [Malachi 4:2]. Truly, that was the happiest day of my life! My darkness was turned into day, and my sorrow into joy. Jesus became the joy of my heart, and the centre of my affections. His people became lovely and precious in my sight. His word was my delight. In it I beheld new beauties and beatitudes. Sin, that dreadful monster, became more odious and hateful to my soul. Zion's welfare lay near my heart. My bowels yearned for the salvation of sinners. I was in travail for my friends and kindred. I felt constrained to join with "the Spirit and the bride" [Revelation 22:17], and say to all, Come, O, come to Jesus!

      The work of the Christian ministry now became the uppermost desire of my heart. This desire, [30] some how, seemed a pent up fire in my bones, from youth up. When but a boy, I longed, and sometimes attempted to preach to my comrades. In later years, my mind became strongly impressed with the duty of preparing myself for the gospel ministry. I opened my mind to my parents, and requested them to have me educated with a view to that office. My mother readily consented, but my father strenuously opposed me. To divert my mind from this subject, and to induce me to abandon the idea of the ministry, he made various propositions. One was, to send me to Baltimore, and to have me become a merchant. Another was, to send me to Frederick city, to read law, or study medicine. Anything, he seemed to think, would be preferable to that of becoming a preacher of the gospel. However, none of these proposals had any charms for me; and the more I was opposed, the stronger my inclinations and desires grew for the Christian ministry. I felt, and sometimes said, nothing, I believe, in all the world, would give me permanent satisfaction and contentment, but preaching the gospel. My father at last yielded to my wishes,--sent me to school,--had me educated, and assisted me far beyond what I expected. Thus the Lord, "whose I am, and whom I serve" [Acts 27:23], opened my way, and enabled me to prepare for my high vocation. And, after receiving a three years' theological training and course of [31] instruction, I was solemnly set apart to the holy office and work of the ministry, at the age of twenty-three years.

      For five years I remained in connexion with the German Reformed Church. During this period, some glorious revivals of religion took place both in town and country, and scores of precious souls were happily converted to God. These moral phenomena being new and strange things to the people, intense excitement and vehement opposition ensued. In consequence of these, I was brought to conceive more fully and clearly the errors and corruptions of the church, in her ministry and membership. This led me to a closer and more careful study of the Scriptures; and this, in turn, led to a change of views, in relation to the subjects of baptism, confirmation, feet-washing, church titles, government, discipline, &c. Under God, and through these marvelous changes and reformations, I was led to fall back upon the primitive and Scriptural platform of establishing churches, administering ordinances, and teaching the way of the Lord more perfectly.

      "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."--Jude 3. [32]

[THW 29-32]