Sixty-second Session of the Synod, St. Jacob's Church, Lexington County, South Carolina, October 14, 1882.
Obituary of Rev. John Silvanus Bennick.-Rev. John Silvanus Bennick, after several days confinement to his bed, departed this life at 8 P. M., on March 22, 1882; aged 44 years, 5 months and 29 days.
He was born, a son of Philip J. and Susan (nee Henkel) Bennick, in Catawba County, North Carolina, and came to New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, in the year 1859, where he entered the New Market Academy, and pursued a literary course with a view to the Gospel ministry.
In September, 1861, he entered the Confederate Army, in the infantry service, in which he continued till the surrender. As soon as he returned from the army, he resumed his literary branches, and entered on a theological course of study under the supervision of Rev. S. Henkel, D. D.
He entered the ministry of the Gospel in the year 1866, still, however, pursuing his regular course of studies under the direction of his preceptor, until he was well indoctrinated. After the death of the late, lamented Rev. Jacob Stirewalt, he received a regular call to that charge, and continued to labor in it most successfully and efficiently till June, 1880 when his health and strength partially failed. From this date, his charge being unwilling to accept his resignation, he continued to serve it, with occasional interruptions, however, till August, 1881. In September, 1881, he tendered his resignation, after which he performed few ministerial acts. He was most actively and energetically engaged in the work of the ministry for 15 years. Besides serving his large charge, he performed considerable missionary labor, often preaching on week days.
Three excellent church edifices of modern style were erected in his charge during his ministry, and one congregation organized, and an ordinary church erected for its occupancy. His ministerial acts, in regard to baptisms-infant and adult-confirmations, funerals, &c., were numerous. The number of marriage ceremonies performed was one hundred and sixty-five.
He was a grandson of Rev. David Henkel, one of the founders of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, and a nephew of Revs. P. C. Henkel, D. D., and S. Henkel, D. D.
He was naturally endowed with all the traits, qualities, and faculties so essential to the office of the ministry, and these with liberal attainments and indomitable energy, fidelity, and perseverance, gave him that success which so signally crowned his efforts.
On December 22, 1867, he entered into the holy estate of matrimony with Miss Elizabeth Emma, only living daughter of the late Peter J. and Elizabeth Wise of Rockingham County, Virginia.
His funeral services were rendered in Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Market, Va., and his body appropriately interred in the cemetery of said church, in the midst of a large and sympathizing concourse of people from the town and country. The services were rendered and a suitable sermon preached by Rev. J. Paul Stirewalt, accompanied with appropriate remarks and prayer by Rev. J. A. Snyder.
Thus a faithful laborer in the vineyard of Christ has been removed from the church militant to the church triumphant, to enjoy that crown of life secured by the Savior for all the faithful.
