Fifty-first Session of the Synod, Philadelphia Church, Gaston County, North Carolina, October 14, 1871.
Obituary of Rev. William Hancher.-We make up the following in regard to this venerable minister, from an address delivered by Rev. A. J. Brown, D. D., before the Evangelical Lutheran Holston Synod of Tennessee :
Rev. William Hancher, born in Frederick County, Virginia, September 7, 1788, venerable alike for his years and his long and successful work in the ministry, is entitled to special mention and honor on this memorable occasion. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry in 1836 and died in 1870, at the advanced age of four score and two years, minus only two days. From the time he entered the ministry, till disabled by disease, embracing a period of nearly forty years, he labored constantly and assiduously in this calling. He occupied during this time, for much of it almost alone, an extensive, and an important and fertile field in the territory of the Holston Synod, and faithfully and successfully did he cultivate and develop its resources. His labors were confined principally to Sullivan County. He was for years the pastor of the principal churches now composing the charges of his son, brother J. K. Hancher, his grand-son, Rev. William G. Wolford, and Rev. A. J. Brown. It was at an important and critical time in the history of the Lutheran Church in this country. It was in the midst of her transition state from German to the English language. At the time of his ordination, father Hancher was perhaps the only minister in the Tennessee Synod who could speak the English language only. Under the difficult circumstances by which he was surrounded, when so much valuable material was lost to the Lutheran Church in many other sections of country, he not only retained in the church in the field of his operations the old members, but also brought into it most of their children, and many others whose proclivities were by education and early associations anything else rather than Lutheran. To his labors are we largely indebted for the firm hold of Lutheranism in Sullivan County, and for its prosperity in after years.
Father Hancher was a man for whom nature had done much, and had he enjoyed in early life the advantages of thorough, mental culture, he might have attained distinction in any of the great departments of human activity and interest. But such was not the case. His youth, his early manhood, and much of his riper years, were spent in manual labor. We speak of him now particularly as a minister of the Gospel. Much as we may regret his want of education, it may have been the best for the church at that particular juncture in its history. . . . . . . . . While it is important, if not absolutely necessary, for the minister to be in advance of his people generally in education and general intelligence, it is not best that he should be too far in advance of them in these respects. For if so, they will fail to appreciate his labors and to be benefited to the fullest extent by them. But I am wandering from the subject, and will return.
For his work father Hancher had many fine, and some rare natural endowments. He was a ready speaker, and had a soft, mellow voice of sufficient volume and compass to address with ease to himself large audiences in the open air, and there was in his mental organism a deep, pathetic vein, which was clearly seen in his preaching, and seldom failed to be deeply felt by his hearers. We have witnessed moving scenes under the influence of his preaching.
Father Hancher was not a systematic sermonizer. While he attached great importance to soundness in doctrine, and gave prominence in his preaching to the distinctive doctrines of the Lutheran Church, his preaching was mostly practical and hortatory, and looked to the immediate conversion of sinners. His themes were generally such as treat of the deep innate depravity of the human heart, of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the glories and felicities of heaven, the shortness and uncertainty of human life, and the importance and wisdom of making immediate and speedy preparation for death and judgment. He preached as a dying man to dying men, deeply impressed with the importance of his mission and the tremendous responsibility which it involves. And he was successful in bringing many souls to Christ, which shall adorn his crown when the Master comes to make up his jewels.
During his life he received many evidences of the esteem and love of his brethren, and when he died, he died deeply lamented. Like a ripe sheaf, he has been gathered home into the heavenly garner, full of years and of honors.
