Twelfth session of the Synod, Buehler's Church, Sullivan County, Tennessee, September 12-16, 1831.
Obituary of Rev. David Henkel.-We, the members of the committee, appointed to report the particulars relative to the last illness, death, &c., of our worthy and highly esteemed brother in Christ, the Rev. David Henkel (son of the Rev. Paul Henkel), a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, beg leave to submit the following:
This much esteemed and venerable fellow-laborer, having finished the work assigned him by Divine Providence, departed this life, June 15, 1831, at 9 o'clock in the morning, to the great grief of his friends and relatives; aged thirty-six years, one month, and eleven days. He was born in Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia, May 4, 1795. His last illness was Dyspepsia, which disabled him from officiating in a public capacity for the term of nine months. He bore his afflictions with a perfect resignation to the will of his Divine Redeemer. He embarked in the cause of his blessed Savior when a youth (A. D. 1812). And we are happy to say, to the praise of this worthy servant of Christ, that his assiduity and vigilance to study and deep researches into the truth of Divine Revelation have seldom been equaled by any. He remained immovable in the doctrines he promulgated to the end of his life. This venerable servant of the Lord had to endure many trials, crosses, and temptations, but he maintained his integrity through them all, trusting to the promises of his Redeemer; and notwithstanding the difficulties he had to encounter, he left a bright example to succeeding pilgrims. His ardent desire for the promotion of his Redeemer's Kingdom, and his love of truth, caused him to submit cheerfully to the difficulties connected with his official labors. When on his death-bed, being interrogated by his friends, whether he still remained steadfast in the doctrines which he had taught, he confidently answered in the affirmative. Being again asked, whether he feared death, he replied in the negative. The last words which he was heard to utter, were: " O Lord Jesus, thou Son of God, receive my spirit!" and in a few moments expired.
He entered into the holy estate of matrimony with Miss Catharine Heyl (Hoyle), daughter of Hon. Peter Heyl (Hoyle), of near Lincolnton, Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The perishable remains of this worthy brother were followed to the grave by his loving companion and seven children, together with a numerous train of mourners, who were left, to lament the loss of a kind father, an affectionate husband, a friend and benefactor. The body is deposited at St. John's Church, Lincoln County, North Carolina. The funeral sermon was delivered by the Rev. Daniel Moser, from Phil. 1, 21 - " For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Lord so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom!
The committee, appointed to draught the obituary notice of the Rev. David Henkel, requested the Secretary to add any particulars relative to his ministerial labors and writings which he may be able to obtain.
In conformity with the above request, I am enabled, from notes made by my lamented brother during his life time and other sources of information, to which I have had access, to give the following particulars, viz.:
He commenced his Gospel labors at St. Peter's Church, in South Carolina, where he preached his first sermon, November the 1st 1812, from which period up to the time he preached his last sermon at Philadelphia Church, Lincoln County, North Carolina, on Sunday, the 12th of August, 1830 where he administered the Lord's Supper, which concluded upwards of three thousand and two hundred sermons; delivered generally to crowded and attentive congregations. He baptized two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven infants, and two hundred and forty-three adults, and he confirmed one thousand one hundred and five persons.
During the whole course of his ministry, which was distinguished for industry and perseverance, in the cause of his Divine Master, he traveled in all seasons, even the most inclement, and frequently preached two and three times in a day, in the German and English languages. Besides which he maintained an extensive correspondence with many individuals, distinguished for piety and learning, and wrote the following works:
His first work, containing a sermon, entitled, " The Essence of the Christian Religion, and Reflections on Futurity," was published in 1817.
His second, called " The Carolinian Herald of Liberty, Religious and Political," published in 1821.
His third, - Objections to the Constitution of the General Synod, made its appearance, annexed to the Minutes of the Tennessee Synod, held in 1821.
His fourth, entitled " The Heavenly Flood of Regeneration or Treatise on Holy Baptism," published in 1822.
His fifth, " An Answer to Joseph Moore," who wrote in opposition to the doctrines contained in his Heavenly Flood, published in 1825.
He then draughted 6thly the Constitution, together with the remarks thereon, of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, in 1828: and annexed to the Minutes of the same year, his Treatise on Prayer appeared.
His seventh, A Translation from the German of Luther's Small Catechism, with Preliminary Observations by the translator, published in 1829.
His eighth, "An Essay on Regeneration," published in 1830.
His ninth, "A Treatise on the Person and Incarnation of Jesus Christ, in which some, of the principal arguments of the Unitarians are examined, - which has just left the press.
