Fourteenth Session of the Synod, St. John's Church, Lincoln County, North Carolina, September 9-12, 1833.
Obituary of Rev. Philip Henkel.-Before these Minutes could be put to press, the sad and heartbreaking news was received, that our much beloved brother and fellow-laborer, in the Lord's vineyard, the Rev. Philip Henkel, departed this life, October 9, 1833.
For the satisfaction of his friends and relatives, we subjoin the following brief account
The deceased was a son of the Rev. Paul Henkel, and a fellow member of the Lutheran Tennessee Synod, of which he also was one of the first framers. He was born on the 23d September, 1779, in Pendleton County, Virginia.
In early life he imbibed the principles of the Christian religion, and in a short time became a zealous defender of the same. In 1800 he commenced his Gospel labors in the Lord's vineyard, in whose service he continued with undaunted zeal, for 38 years and 3 months, during which time he preached upwards of four thousand three hundred and fifty sermons, of which one hundred and twenty-five were funeral sermons. He baptized four thousand one hundred and fifteen infants, and three hundred and twenty-five adults; and confirmed to the Christian Church one thousand six hundred and fifty persons.
At the present session of our Synod, we frequently had the pleasure of hearing him proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here he was also, (but alas, for the last time!) nominated President of our Synod. And after the close of the Synod, he proceeded, in good health, to visit the congregations in Guilford and the adjacent counties. After he had arrived in Randolph County, North Carolina, he preached in Richland Church, on September 21st from Col. 3, 1-5. (His last sermon on this earthly stage!) Being invited by a neighboring friend, he retired to his house, where he was at the same evening attacked with the bilious fever, to which, after a short illness, he fell a victim. He departed this life on Wednesday, the 9th of October, 1833. On the day following, he was buried at Richland Church.
His earthly abode was 54 years and 17 days. A short time before he expired, he said : "If it is the will of the Lord, to take me to rest, I am willing." And then repeated the following lines (which also were the last words that were heard from his lips):
"Christ is my life alone,
To die is gain for me;
I give myself to be his own
O may I ever with him be."
