He at once accepted an appointment of the American Tract Society to labor as colporteur among the Germans in Buffalo, N. Y. After a service of six months, two persons were converted and baptized, and his relations with the Tract Society ceased; but the American Baptist Publication Society commissioned him, and he continued his work. He labored fifteen years in Buffalo, organizing the first German Baptist Church of that city and being ordained as its pastor in 1849. He was also the first German to be ordained to the Baptist ministry in this country.

He labored also in New York City, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Albany, N. Y. At the latter place he organized the German Baptist Church, and baptized 130 persons in fifteen months. He was pastor at Albany when the War of the Rebellion broke out, and at once entered the army as chaplain, but was soon appointed Captain of Artillery, taking part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Falmouth, Chancellorville, Antietam and others.

He

now residing at Platte Centre, Neb. was born in Kronberg, Germany, May 17, 1819, and was converted in 1841 in the Reformed Church, and through reading "Pengilly's Baptism" and studying the Bible was brought to accept Baptist views. He had to endure persecution, and at one time was denied burial for his child owing to his having renounced infant baptism. In 1849 he was baptized in Buffalo, N. Y., by Mr. von Puttkammer, and in 1850 began preaching in Rochester, where the following year he organized the First German Church of that city with fifteen members, and was ordained as its pastor. When he left Rochester in 1858 the church membership had increased to eighty. He then labored ten years in Lycoming Co., Pa., with the churches where the recent Jubilee

meetings were held, during which time he reorganized the churches. For three years he served as editor of Der Sendbote, the German Baptist organ. In 1868 he went to Louisville, Ky., where he established the German Baptist Orphans' Home. Since then he has been preaching continually, and is now doing missionary work in Nebraska, preaching in both German and English, and is at present a member of the Board of the Nebraska State Convention. To the left on the picture is

First German He was born

REV. C. BODENBENDER, the beloved pastor of the Church of Buffalo, N. Y. in 1823 in Hesken, Germany. Was converted in Germany, and endured many persecutions for preaching the Gospel. At one time he was confined in prison for fourteen days, in company with three brethren and four sisters.

In 1849 he came to America, and from 1856 to 1861 labored at Newark, N. J. His other pastorates were at Tavistock and Berlin, Ont., Chicago, Ill., and he is now in his eighteenth year as pastor of the First German Church of Buffalo, N. Y., where he has labored very successfully. The church is not only self-supporting and a liberal contributor to all benevolent and missionary objects, but sustains without any outside assistance a missionary, who carries on mission work in an important field in the city.

Standing to the right is

REV. JOHN STUMPF, the pioneer of Canada. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1827, and in 1849 emigrated to America and settled in Ontario, where in 1855 he was baptized by Rev. H. Schneider at Woolwich. He has now been preaching for more than thirty-five years, doing pioneer missionary work. He organized the German churches at Hanover, Brandt, Carrick, Zurich, Arnprior, Mulgrave, Seabringville and others, all in Ontario, and he can relate many interesting incidents of his early work in Ontario. His labors have been owned of the Lord.

Standing to the left is our General Secre tary of German Missions,

REV. J. C. GRIMMELL,

who is also pastor of the First German Church of Brooklyn, N. Y. He was born in

Marburg, Germany, in 1847. His father was one of the first persons baptized by Dr. Oncken. Mr. Grimmell was converted and baptized in 1861 in Wilmington, Del. After the completion of his studies at Rochester Theological Seminary, he became, in 1861, the pastor of the First German Church of Buffalo, N. Y. In 1873 he accepted the pastorate of the First German Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he has accomplished a grand work for the Master. He is one of our foremost German Baptist preachers, and is able to draw and instruct delighted hearers. For the past seven years, in addition to his duties as pastor of a large city church, he has been the General Secretary of German Missions, a position which he has filled with great ability.

Rev. Konrad Anton Fleischmann.

This is a name greatly honored not only by our German brethren, but by all American Baptists. He was the instrument in God's hand for the founding of the German Bap

tist cause in the United States.

He was born in Nuremberg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, April 18, 1812. His parents were Lutherans, and he was brought up in that faith. At the age of 19, he left his native city to travel as a journeyman, as was customary among mechanics. Reaching Geneva, Switzerland, he came under the influence of earnest Christians, and, in 1832, was converted and joined the Separists, an organization of avowed believers only. In 1835 he was baptized in Basle, Switzerland, and yielding to a Divine call, entered a theological school at Berne, to prepare himself for the work of the ministry. Three years later he entered upon his labors at Emmenthal, and was ordained as pastor. He labored amidst severe persecutions, but with abundant blessings.

Returning to his native land in 1837, he received an invitation to visit the well-known George Müller at Bristol, England. After remaining some time in England, he left for the New World for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to his countrymen in America, whose spiritual destitution touched

his heart.

Arriving in New York in 1839, he at once commenced preaching in Newark, N. J., where, the following October, he baptized

REV. K. A. FLEISCHMANN,

his first converts, three in number. From Newark, he removed to Reading, Pa., laboring among the Germans in the regions

about.

It was at this time that he received an invitation from Jacob Michaelis, a traveling missionary, who had been preaching for some months in Lycoming County, Pa., to come out and help him, as many persons were being converted. Mr. Fleischmann at once answered the call, and spent some time earnestly preaching the Word of God, baptizing large numbers, and organizing the first German Baptist church in America.

He continued his labors among the hills of Lycoming County until 1842, when he removed to Philadelphia, where, the following year, he organized the First German Baptist Church of Philadelphia. Although Mr. Fleischmann's labors were now confined mainly to Philadelphia, he nevertheless found opportunity to make many extensive missionary tours.

In 1852, Mr. Fleischmann was instrumental in organizing the First Annual Conference of German Baptist Churches, which met in Philadelphia. Up to the time of his death, which occurred very suddenly in 1867, he was very intimately and actively identified with all the interests of the German cause in this land.

Mr. Fleischmann was a man of talent; he was winning, affectionate and eloquent in his discourses, and indefatigable in his labors, just such a man as was needed to lay foundations for the German Baptist churches of America.

The Germans in America,

The original German immigrants to America arrived on the ship Concord, October 6, 1683. They sailed from Amsterdam, and landed in Philadelphia. They were Quakers who left Germany to escape religious persecution. They settled in Pennsylvania, choosing that colony, it is said, in preference to New York, because the New York authori

ties did not treat them with any degree of civility.

Twenty-five thousand acres of land had been purchased from William Penn before leaving the other side, and the settlement of Germantown brought the new company into close proximity with the English colony at Philadelphia. The Germans were all good workers, and in every way were gilt-edged immigrants. They established a court, but had no cases; and while the Quakers were ⚫ partial to slavery, the German freemen were Jargely opposed to it, and it is said that one of their first acts was a united protest against slavery, but the English Quakers had not the courage to join them on the issue.

The Germans of New York City celebrated the landing of these Germans on Sunday afternoon, October 4th, with music and addresses.

Hon. Carl Schurz delivered an address, in which he said:

"When we look into history we find that the Germans did their best in the interest of their new fatherland. In comparison to

part of the American population-or, at least, just as much. Whenever the country was in danger the Germans were always ready to help in the defense. Washington took Germans for his body-guard, and a large number of Germans fought in the Revolutionary War. General Muhlenberg inspired his countrymen. The brave Herkheimer gave his life-blood on the battlefield of Oriskany, where the unfortunate Northwestern War was decided in favor of

mans.

WHAT IT HAS DONE.

The work of the American Baptist Home Mission Society among the Germans was commenced in 1846, when Rev. John Eschmann was appointed to labor among the Germans in New York City. In 1850, Rev. Sigismund Küpfer was appointed to St. Louis, Mo., but left after about one year, and worked among the Germans in Madison

County, Ill. Other missionaries were also appointed at about this time, but not much was done, the Society having but two or three German missionaries each year.

In 1863, 1866 and again in 1871 the Board secured the services of Prof. A. Rauschenbusch "to make a tour of inspection and exploration for the benefit of missions among the Germans." In 1870, co-operation with the German Conferences was begun and the work now made great advances, twenty-three missionaries being under appointment in 1871. This number was doubled during the next ten years, and in 1882 the Annual Report gives 46 German missionaries as having been at work during the previous year.

The total amount spent for our German work from 1846 up to 1882 was $122,348.21. Since 1882, up to the close of our last fiscal year (9 years), $123,588.69 was paid to missionaries among the Germans, making the

first yield of plenty. Work was pressing, and yet during the ten days that the stranger sojourned in their midst there were meetings daily, and much spiritual interest was manifested.

Our missionaries, Brethren Matzke, Domke and Penski, are enjoying an all the year revival. On Sunday, August 9th, I witnessed the baptism of eleven rejoicing converts, while at another station five more were thus following Christ. It was a feast for the soul. Round about that little lake stood rich sheaves dotting the yellow fields, while here were precious souls being brought into the Lord's own church garner. Within the past six months your three German missionaries have thus gathered sixty-three men and women into the churches of the New Testament.

NOVEL INTRODUCTORY EXERCISES.

These people of simple yet earnest manner believe that the preacher and the hearer

90. Of this amount the German Conferences in co-operation with the Society have paid $87,000.

WHAT IT IS NOW DOING.

During the past year 69 missionaries have labored among the Germans, in 18 States and in Canada. $13,807.84 was expended for this work, about one-half of it being contributed by the German churches through their General Mission Society. The Board also co-operates in the Church Edifice Department, and, during the year, three German churches were aided in the erection

of suitable meeting houses. The entire work is in a very encouraging condition, and the missionaries are doing earnest and faithful work.

Among the German Russians in
South Dakota.

BY REV. J. C. GRIMMELL, BROOKLYN, N. Y. During a vacation visit to the mission stations among the German Russians in McPherson and adjoining counties, South Dak., I had occasion to note some peculiar phases which will bear repetition.

A TWOFOLD HARVEST.

It was in the month of August. After two years of drought and consequent suffering,

truth. What good can a sermon do us if we are not spiritually prepared to listen to it? And how can the servant of God preach, except the Spirit which dwelleth in the church anoint him? are questions which they are ever endeavoring to answer. Thus they come together an hour before the regular time of service, and being seated, any one starts a song, generally of praise. After it has been sung there is a pause of solemn stillness, and then another song or a prayer by any brother or sister. Though the preacher of the hour is present, they expect no word of any kind from him. It is the church that comes waiting upon the Lord, craving the evidence of the Spirit's presence.

This custom prevails at every meeting, but especially on the morning of the Lord's day. It makes preaching easy. There is no strain about it. There is an atmosphere congenial to the truth presented. One wishes he could always receive such preparation betwixt the study and the pulpit.

There are no Sunday newspapers on the prairie. May that happy people never see one! It was no surprise, on one occasion, to have the sermon interrupted by a stalwart man, who arose crying to God to change his unregenerate heart.

UNIQUE CHAPEL BUILDING. One who has traveled through Egypt may

German Russians. I was struck with the similarity. In the ruins of an ancient Python I saw bricks made with straw, which Israelites in bondage probably reared against their will to the honor of an idolatrous king. In McPherson and McIntosh counties these brethren of the New Testament Israel devote such time as they may spare in preparing the same quality of brick, in order thus to rear chapels to the service of our great King-Jesus. How their eyes glistened as we dwelt on the comparison! The walls are brought to a height of twelve or more feet, covered by a roof of common shingles. After the walls have settled they may be encased with clapboards and the inside finished to suit the taste. They have already built three such chapels, giving labor and brick, and, of course, the land, and asking from the Church Edifice Fund merely the cost of the lumber. Their chapels are in every respect in advance of their own dwellings.

In spite of all the inconveniences which a Brooklynite must undergo in "roughing it". among these pioneer settlers, I enjoyed the vacation trip as a very rare treat. I thank God for this class of foreigners whom He is bringing to our land. May their fervent prayer for the Home Mission Society, a Society they have learned to esteem, be abund. antly answered!

Extending the Work.

Rev. J. C. Jordan is missionary in the important town of Bakersfield, Cal., but also keeps his eyes wide open and is ready to seize upon every opening for the Baptists. He sends the following from his field: "The work on this field is constantly brightening and enlarging. New settlements are calling for preaching. In one neighborhood, fifteen miles west, where a Baptist minister lives, a Sunday-school of twentyfive scholars has been organized. Here we hope to have a church soon. At Rosedale Colony I preach twice each month, and have a large attendance. At Delano, we have a house 35 x 45 feet and nearly paid for. It was a school house and we bought it and moved it on to our lots. This town in the near future will have a rapid growth. In Bakersfield we are gaining slowly. Its inhabitants are largely a non-church going people. Most of those who have come in during the past two years have settled in the Colonies

on small fruit ranches. We are, however, holding the church right along in the line of church work, and are steadily gaining. Great material advancement will be made in this country during the next ten years. Our desires are to keep step with the march in religious work.

Notes.

Rev. Moses Heath has labored for five years as City Missionary in Wilmington, Del. He has accomplished much, and his work has been very successful. With the first of October he resigned to enter a new work. May the Lord bless him on his new field of labor.

Rev. George D. Stevens is missionary at Cassville, Wis., but has been holding revival meetings at Mt. Ida, a pastorless church, where he has baptized thirteen, and there are yet others to follow. Mr. Stevens is the only ordained Baptist minister in a whole county of 37,000 inhabitants.

Rev. R. A. McGuinn is missionary pastor of the Beth Eden (Colored) Baptist Church of Oakland, Cal. The field is new, the strength small, and Methodism has a thirty years' growth, "and has grafted many milkand-water Baptists into its system." But the missionary feels encouraged, and reports the outlook as encouraging.

EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.

Rev. L. B. Fish.

Rev. L. B. Fish died at Kalamazoo, Mich., September 16, 1891, in his sixty-eighth year. During his residence in Nashville, Tenn., for several years prior to 1884, he gave instruction in music to the students of Roger Williams University. He was quite noted as a singer of sacred songs, and was a most delightful Christian brother.

Miss Carrie V. Dyer, now at Hartshorn Memorial College, favors us with an appreciative note concerning him. She says:

"During our acquaintance with that school it had no teacher in that department who was more successful than Brother Fish.

The interest which he felt in the school