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Gottschall, Moses H. (1812-1888)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1888 Nov 15 p. 3
Birth date: 1815 Mar 25
text of obituary:
(Für den "Bundesboten.")
† Prediger Moses Gottschall. †
Freitag, den 26. Oktober, Abends 11 Uhr, starb zu Schwenksville, Montgomery Co., Pa., nach einem nur fünftägigen Kranksein an Blasenentzündung Aeltester Moses Gottschall im Alter von 73 Jahren, 7 Monaten und 1 Tag. Bruder Gottschall war der Sohn von William Gottschall und dessen Ehefrau Magdalena, geborene Hunsberger. Den 3. Dezember 1847 wurde er nach vorhergegangener Wahl der Schwenksville Gemeinde ins h. Predigtamt eingeführt, und im Jahre 1852 wurde er zum Bischof oder Aeltesten ordinirt. Mit einer starken Konstitution und mit einer guten Gesundheit, sowie mit einer mehr als gewöhnlichen Sprechgabe gesegnet, ward es ihm gegönnt, mit großer und anhaltender Thätigkeit in seinem Amte zu wirken. Nicht nur über seine Gemeinden und innerhalb unserer Gemeinschaft erstreckte sich seine Thätigkeit, sondern auch nach außen wurden seine Dienste gesucht, um das Wort zu verkündigen, namentlich bei Leichen.
Bruder Gottschall war einer der ältesten Prediger unserer östlichen Konferenz, deren Sitzungen er regelmäßig beiwohnte und immer einen thätigen Antheil an deren Verhandlungen nahm. Er hatte ein reges Interesse für den Aufbau unserer Gemeinschaft im Allgemeinen, und beides, die Mission und die Schulsache schienen ihn, namentlich in letzter Zeit, besonders zu interessiren. Trotz seines Alters und seiner verschiedenen Erziehung sah er, wie unsere Zeitverhältnisse mehr Bildung und ein größeres Maß von Thätigkeit erfordern und wie besonders der Weg gebahnt sein sollte, so daß der Prediger des Evangeliums ungebunden und ungehindert seinem Amte warten kann.
Gott erwies ihm die Gnade, bis an sein Ende in seinem Amte thätig sein zu können. Nur fünf Tage vor seinem Tode hielt er seine letzte Predigt und theilte das Abendmahl aus in der Deep Run Gemeinde. Schon Nachts zuvor hatte er einen kleinen Anfall, der sich aber in solchem Maß milderte, daß er seine Amtsgeschäfte verrichten konnte. Seine Predigt, welcher er Röm. 14, 7-13 zu Grunde gelegt hatte, soll eine mehr wie gewöhnlich ernste gewesen sein. Nachdem der Gottesdienst vorüber war, wollte er noch einigen Kranken das Abendmahl in ihren Häusern darreichen, wo er aber dann von solchen Schmerzen überfallen wurde, daß er dieses nicht mehr thun konnte. Bis den nächsten Morgen hatten seine Leiden wieder etwas abgenommen, so daß er die Heimriese, etwa 25 Meilen, antreten konnte. Die lange Fahrt schien jedoch zu viel für ihn gewesen zu sein, denn als er heimkam, wurde er von beinahe unausstehlichen Schmerzen befallen, die auch trotz aller ärztlichen Anstrengungen mit kurzen Unterbrechungen, während welchen er etwas Ruhe hatte, anhielten bis an sein Ende.
Mittwoch, den 31. Oktober, fand sein Leichenbegängniß beim Schwenksville Versammlungshause, wo der Verstorbene die letzten 41 Jahre das Evangelium verkündigt hatte, statt. Eine außerordentliche Menschenmenge wohnten der Leichenfeier bei. Beinahe dreißig Prediger von verschiedenen Gemeinschaften waren zugegen. Bruder N. B. Grubb leitete den Gottesdienst im Leichenhause, unterstützt von den Brüdern C. H. v. d. Smissen und S. M. K. Huber, letzterer Prediger den benachbarten Reformirten Kirche. Im Gotteshause gab Bruder S. Ott einige Verse aus einem von der Familie des Verewigten gewählten Liedes aus zum Singen. Bruder L. O. Schimmel verlas Apg. 20, 17-38, worauf Bruder J. S. Moyer ein Gebet sprach. Die Leichenrede hielt Bruder A. B. Schelly über 5. Mose 34, 5. 7. 8. Ihm folgte Bruder J. H. Oberholzer mit einer kurzen Anrede und Gebet, worauf Bruder J. Meschter noch einige Verse zum Singen vorlas. Den Dienst am Grabe vollzog A. B. Schelly, und Pfarrer Smith von der lutherischen Kirche ertheilte den Segen.
Bruder Gottschall hatte sich zweimal verheirathet. Zum ersten Mal mit Hannah Clemment. Diese Ehe ward gesegnet mit 4 Söhnen und 4 Töchtern. Im Jahre 1856 starb diese seine Gattin und er verheirathete sich später mit Maria Schelly, mit welcher der Herr ihm einen Sohn und eine Tochter schenkte. Aus erster Ehe überleben ihn zwei Söhne und zwei Töchter. Aus zweiter Ehe nebst der Gattin der Sohn, Prediger und Aeltester William S. Gottschall, sein bisheriger Gehülfe und jetzt Nachfolger im Amte. Nebst der Familie betrauern seinen Hingang die Gemeinden, denen er für lange Jahre treulich vorgestanden und gedient, wie seine Mitarbeiter am Dienst des Evangeliums, unsere Gemeinschaft, die durch seinen Tod einen kräftigen Arbeiter verloren, sowie seine ganze Umgebung, als deren treuer Freund und Helfer er sich stets erwiesen. Doch, wir trauern nicht wie die andern, die keine Hoffnung haben. Wir glauben, der Herr hat den treuen Arbeiter zu sich gerufen, um ihm den verheißenen Gnadenlohn zu geben. Und wir sind versichert, daß, wenn auch ein Pfeiler gefallen ist, die Grundfeste unbeweglich bleibt. Der Herr, der einen treuen Arbeiter hinweg gerufen, wird auch dafür sorgen, daß andere treue und tüchtige Arbeiter seinen Platz einnehmen werden.
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1888 Dec 13 p. 3
text of obituary:
Nachruf.
Die Leser des "Bundesboten" sind bereits von dem Tode meines l. Vaters und Predigers, Moses Gottschall, in Kenntniß gesetzt worden. Doch möchte ich hier noch etwas von seinem schweren Leiden und vom Abschiede aus diesem Leben mittheilen. Tief sind die Beweggründe zum Trauern am Sterbebette eines geliebten Vaters; denn scheiden — ja scheiden! thut weh! Schon viele haben das erfahren, die mit Thränen in das Grab der l. Eltern schauten, besonders wenn die Sterbenden viel zu leiden haben, wie dies bei meinem l. Vater der Fall war. Seine Schmerzen waren fast unausstehlich, so daß er ausrufen mußte: "Ich bin auf der Folterbank." Er hätte können ausrufen mit dem l. Heiland: "Ach, lieber Vater, nimm doch diesen (Leidens)-Kelch von mir, doch nicht mein, sondern dein Wille geschehe." So mußte er vier Tage lang leiden. Wenn aber auch sein Leiden so groß war, so wird nun seine Freude bei seinem Heiland, dem er so lange gedient, noch viel größer sein, denn er gab uns ein gewisses Zeugniß einer lebendigen Hoffnung. — Sein Leben im Amte hatte eine Aehnlichkeit mit den des Propheten Mose, der unter vielen Prüfungen und Trübsal die Gemeinde Israel vierzig Jahre durch die Wüste führte. Der Herr hatte den Verstorbenen auch berufen eine Gemeinde vierzig Jahre zu führen, als treuer Hirte. — Da der Herr Mose nach einer langen Reise bis an den Jordan brachte, ihn auf den Nebo führte und ihm auf Pisga's Höhe das verheißene Canaan zeigte, ließ Er ihn daselbst sterben. Auch meinem l. Vater gewährte er vor seinem Tode herrliche Blicke in das himmlische Canaan; denn er sagte, er sehe den l. Heiland, und Er rufe ihm zu, näher zu kommen. Nachher sagte er, wenn der Herr ihm nochmals Gnade erweise, wolle er dann seinen Leuten sagen, wie es dort drüben aussehe. Aber wie der Herr dem Mose diese Gnade nicht schenkte, der wohl auch gerne seinem Volke von der Herrlichkeit des verheißenen Landes mitgetheilt haben würde, so gab Er auch ihm diese Gelegenheit nicht. — Er starb in demselben Zimmer und an derselben Krankheit, an welcher sein Vater und sein Großvater gestorben. Trotz den vielen Thränen, die wir ihm schon nachweinten, freuen wir uns doch seiner Erlösung.
Moses C. Gottschall
Schwenksville, Pa.
The Mennonite obituary: 1888 Dec p. 40
- Birthdate: 1815 Mar 25
text of obituary:
It is with deep regret that we write the obituary notice for these columns of one of the oldest and the most influential ministers of our Eastern Conference, Bishop Moses H. Gottschall, who, like the blowing out of a candle, quietly breathed his Spirit into the hands of Him who gave it birth.
Brother Gottschall was born near Schwenksville, Montgomery county, Pa., in the house where he lived all his lifetime, on March 25, 1815. He was the sixth son of William and Magdelane Gottschall, of a family of 13 children. While still young in years, with the faculty of piety and reverence highly developed, he became a member of the Mennonite Church at Skippack. He was twice married. His first wife was Hannah Clemens, to whom he was married Feb. 6, 1840. This union was blessed with eight children, of whom four are still living; the oldest son, Moses, being the Junior deacon of the congregation of which his father has been the pastor for nearly half a century. His first wife having died, he married Mary Shelly, July 18, 1857, who survives him. This marriage was blessed with two children, one of which only survives, the Rev. William S. Gottschall, upon whose shoulders the priestly mantle of the father has fallen, and, who is now the only pastor of Gottschall’s congregation and bishop of the district over which the father presided for two decades past.
Deceased was called to the Ministry of the Gospel after the order of the church, and was accordingly ordained, December 31, 1847. A year or two later he was ordained a bishop. During his ministry he was the regular minister of Gottschall's and Bertolet s congregations, besides constantly presiding over a number of congregations as bishop. In 1855 he was instrumental in organizing the church at Bowmansville, Pa., and in 1865 the First Mennonite Church, of Philadelphia, was organized with him as pastor and bishop. He retained his position as bishop for twenty years when the charge became an independent bishopric. His last sermon was delivered in the Deep Run Church, on Sunday, October 21, five days before his death, in connection with the administration of the Lord’s Supper. It seems that that sermon was preached under the influence of the premonition that with that service his ministry should close. The sermon was based on Rom. 14:8—14. From that service he went home, took his bed, from which he never rose. His illness covering a period of only five days, was, however a season of suffering beyond description. But he bore it all in patience and with Christian fortitude. Quietly resigned to the will of Him in whose service he spent his life. That same Savior, whose comforting influence he so often commended to others, was now his stay and support.
As to the whelming flood he came, And all around his soul gave way, The Savior’s promised help and name Was then to him his hope and stay.
After giving to those around him assured evidence of this faith, and abiding confidence in his Savior he fell peacefully asleep in Jesus, on Friday evening, October 26, 1888, at 11 o’clock. Aged 73 years, 7 months and 4 days.
Funeral services were held on the following Wednesday in the presence of a large concourse of people. The services at the house were conducted by N. B. Grubb, who was assisted by C. H. A. van der Smissen, A. M. Fretz, S. M. K, Huber and Jacob Meschter. Interment at Gottschall's church cemetery, where A. B. Shelly conducted the services and preached from Deuteronomy 34: 5, 7, 8.
He was assisted by S. Ott, L. O. Shimmel, J. S. Moyer, J. H. Oberholtzer and O. P. Smith. Twenty-eight ministers attended the funeral, from which the pall bearers were selected, who, as devout men of old carried Stephen to the grave, bore the mortal remains of our departed brother to the tomb, where in solemn consecration it was committed with “earth to earth, dust to dust, and ashes to ashes."
Brother Gottschall was popular from the very first as a preacher; and being a fluent speaker, endowed with more than ordinary power of speech, could draw the people and hold their attention, as few ministers of our day are able to do. In his views he was liberal, but in his convictions unshaken. More than any other minister in his time was he called upon to officiate among all classes and upon all occasions, and always responded cheerfully. Fearless and undaunted would he hew the tree of truth, though the chips fell on all sides; regardless of friend or foe, he would declare the truth as it was in Jesus. His conduct of life was so even and regular, that enmity could not stand before him. The writer regrets very much that no record of his work is left behind, as it would teach many of the younger ministers of self-sacrificing service for the Master of which they are ignorant. He never received a salary for his service and for many years would even refuse a gift from a friend. While he would refuse a salary for himself, the tide of progress and religious activity swept him along, enabling him to leave with his people, to whose spiritual wants he had ministered so unceasingly with the spirit of unselfishness for nearly half a century, his conviction in word and deed, that the church that would prosper in our day and do its work for the Master must have an educated and a paid ministry. It seemed to be to him a special privilege, just before his departure, to offer a liberal subscription to the endowment fund of Bethel College, now in course of erection by our church. We rejoice over the noble and unselfish example.
“Down to the shore of death's dark flowing
There came a weary, trembling soul,
That—faint with mortal weakness—feared
To cross the cold, black waters;
And looked with dread upon their wild,
Discordant surging;
And,—looking,—lingered and held back,
With soft but anguished pleading:
When,—lo!—upon the angry tide there fell
A wonderous holy calm;— [spread
And swift across the drear expanse there
A flood of golden light; —
And forth from out the light in pitying love
There swept [arms
The Savior's pierced hands and the Almighty
—And,—ere he knew it, he was
Safe in Heaven."
N. B. Grubb.
The Mennonite obituary: 1888 Dec p. 48
text of obituary:
Gottschall. — In Schwenksville, Pa., on October 26, 1888, Rev. Moses Gottschall, aged 73 years, 7 months and 1 day. Funeral services October 31, at the house by N.B. Grubb and the church by A. B. Shelly. Interment in cemetery at Gottschall's church.
The Mennonite obituary: 1910 Oct 13 p. 5
text of obituary:
Now and then a man in the pulpit is known and read of all men as sent of God. There are no dissenting opinions. Power and fitness are stamped upon every utterance, and subdue all hearers. Such a man wields a tremendous influence because his messages have an angelic sanctity and authority. And it must be borne in mind, too, that all this power and sanctity and influence are so great not by virtue of what the man says, but by virtue of what be does: so that if his life is at all consistent, it is his character that clothes his word with these attributes. Men say his speech is eloquent: even so; but it is because the whole man is eloquent that the speech can be. The stream cannot rise higher than its source.
My maternal grandfather, Rev. Moses H. Gottschall, was a man of this type. Gone to his reward twenty-two years ago, well-nigh forgotten by most of those who were not in close touch with him, his memory is still potent and blessed to those who sat and moved under the spell of his personality on and off the pulpit. I have spoken about him to many of the latter class, and have noted how invariably all seemed to be thrown into a sort of rapture at mention of his name. "Moses Gottshall!" they would exclaim with transfigured face, “I never can forget him!”
For forty-one years—1847-1888 —he preached the gospel at Schwenksville, Pa., in connection with several other preaching points. He built up those various congregations, and founded several additional ones, among them the First Mennonite Church of Philadelphia. He was one of the pioneers in the organization of the General Conference, and a close friend of and co-worker with the late John H. Oberholtzer. I remember the high tribute Father Oberholtzer paid to him while both were still living. “There is no man among us that can match him,” was in substance the eulogy then spoken in private. It was Oberholtzer that melted all hearts at Gottshall's funeral by indulging in a flood of personal reminiscenses, revealing the David-and-Jonathan friendship that had existed between them so long, and setting a halo of glory upon the crown of esteem the departed had already worn before death.
I asked one of the twenty-seven ministers that were present at the funeral. “What did you think of grandfather?" “He was one of your straight up-and-down men,” was the prompt rejoinder. This was a reference to his fearless preaching. Like John Knox Moses Gottshall did not fear the face of man. He spared no one in his fiery zeal for righteousness against iniquity. I well remember, as a boy, the significant nods and glances exchanged between pews after some besetting sins of the day and the neighborhood had received the most merciless flaying and excoriation. At such times the guilty one would often be to cowed by the legion of eyes turned upon them that their humbled consciences were forced to exclaim in the language of Hagar. "Thou God seest me!" It was a judgment day in miniature.
His pulpit manner was intensely dramatic. He repeated conversations between men, mimicked their attitudes and expressions, conventions and mannerisms, and heightened the realism of the scenes by making use of the Pennsylvania-German dialect. He employed the homely language of his neighbors with a force similar to that commanded by Hosea Biglow in the Yankee dialect and by Ian McLaren in "A Doctor of the Old School," and could thus most effectively drive home a wholesome lesson. With singularly telling effect he would weave into his scripture references the sturdy common sense of his stock and people expressed in the most pithy and happy way.
Most vividly recalled by me after so many years are the climaxes of his dramatic periods. His earnestness would gather momentum, his eyes would flash fire, his delivery would double its speed, his voice would awaken reverberating echoes throughout the building, his toil-crooked, brawny right hand would be poised above his head and tremble ominously like the dreaded lull before the storm, and presently come down with terrific force into his left palm, or upon the pulpit or the Bible. Every eye would be busy winking in anticipation of the crash. Every one felt relieved when the tension was over. As a child, I was almost afraid of these outbursts.
After the services, which in those days were bi-weekly, his home became the Mecca of a file of carriages, all rolling along as if in funeral procession. Men loved to hang upon his words in private as in public. He was no double personality, a mere sourfaced monk at church, and a mere jolly friar at home. His ordinary conversations were sermons. It was the only thing he could do. He was thoroughly himself whether before one man or a thousand, and this every one appreciated. The preacher’s home on a Sunday afternoon would be bursting with cheerfulness and life. Dishes rattled, children ran in and out, men were gathered in knots, singing accompanied by the organ filled the air by fits and starts, yet no unseemly noise or disorder would outrage the sanctity of the Sabbath—nothing suggesting a picnic. The table groaned under the load of wholesome farm produce, and usually there were several tables. After dinner all gathered in the parlor and prepared for religious discussion. The preacher furnished the theme, as every one expected. Then sometimes for hours together he poured out the originality of his mind and the richness and fulness of his experience. This was the after-dinner feast, more keenly relished by all than the food upon the table.
It is difficult to decide whether he loved the children more than they loved him. He generally had one or more upon his knee, while at work edifying the parents. Often he would interrupt the serious part of the program to sing some amusing ditty to the little one or dance it to and fro or up and down. It is safe to say that he filled a large niche in the conscious life of the children that had enjoyed his geniality.
His presence in the sick room was a benediction. If the truth were acknowledged, he cured as many people as the doctor—cured them by mental suggestion, as we love to put it in these more scientific days. He came to minister to the needy soul, but God often mysteriously used these ministrations for the healing of soul and body. When he repeated those soul-stirring words (in German, of course): “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and staff do comfort me," it was as though the Good Shepherd Himself was by the sick man's side.
One more reminiscence and I close. He was riven to singing — singing at his work and in his periods of leisure. Passionately fond of the rare old German hymns, and endowed with a strong, true, melodious voice, he nearly always had a song in his mouth. While hoeing corn under the summer sun he would repeat over and over in a kind of undertone, some old melody. Often while seated in the rocker near the fire, when the winter sun was at its setting, he would hold an old hymnal in his hand and sing stanza after stanza, throwing his heart into the music while seemingly lost in the visions opened up to him by the noble sentiments of the hymn. I loved my sainted grandfather for his singing, and there is nothing in my memory of him that can possibly be sweeter or more sweetly haunting.
The Mennonite obituary: 1928 Jan 12 p. 7
text of obituary:
Rev. Moses Gottshall was born March 25, 1815, and died October 6 [sic 26], 1888. On December 5, 1847, he was ordained to the gospel ministry in the then Gottshall's church, which is now known as Eden church, Schwenksville, Pa. On Sunday, December 4, last, the congregation observed the 80th anniversary of the ordination with special services. Rev. N. B. Grubb, who was brought up in the church and for ten years was the assistant to Rev. Gottshall, gave a resume of the life, work and character of Moses Gottshall. The nature of the address was largely reminiscent. On this occasion, there were present besides Rev. N. B Grubb, four persons who had been admitted into the church by him.
- Find a Grave Memorial ID: 47016610