The story of a consecrated life : commemorative of Rev. Charles S. Schaeffer, brevet-captain, U. S. V.

Front matter

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Contents

iAPTER PAGE

A Foreword I

I. Ancestry — Birth — Religious training — Tendencies to wrong-doing — Interest in games — Education — Business career 5

Chapter I

When Dr. Lyman Beecher once was asked what was the greatest thing in the ministry, he replied, " Not theology, or philosophy, or controversy, it is saving souls." Charles S. Schaeffer, whose memoir is contained in these pages, was not without distinction as a patriot and Christian, yet his highest excellence was shown in his passion for saving souls. He was born November 1 6, 1830, in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., an important suburb of that city. The family traces its ancestry on the father's side to an immigrant from Holland, and on the mother's side it is of German descent.

Charles' father, John Schaeffer, was born December 2, 1 79 1, and his mother, Sarah Stoever Schaeffer, February 8, 1791. They were joined in marriage December 12, 181 2, and their union was blessed with six sons and the same number of daughters, Charles being the eighth child.

John Schaeffer was a man of considerable intelligence, in good circumstances, highly respected in the community, and himself and wife members of the First Presbyterian Church, Germantown. He was interested in all the activities of that church, and a faithful and successful Sunday-school teacher. His family, trained alike by precept and example, was regular in attendance on the ministration of the Lord's house and the services of the Sunday-school.

It was the custom of these pious parents to accompany their large family to church, and as they passed up the aisle and took their seats in the oldfashioned high-backed pew it was an incident quite inspiring to behold, which, sad to say, in these late years is seldom witnessed. The habit of church-going thus established was found in after life by Charles to be a source of strength, when amid the temptations of a great city the young man sought and found a congenial church home.

The home atmosphere, though truly pious, was sunny and sweet. Family worship was strictly observed, and the children were brought up in " the nurture and admonition of the Lord." No constraint was put upon conscience in matters of religious opinion, and the effect of this was seen in maturer years, when the children united with the denominations of their choice, representatives of the family joining the Methodist Episcopal. Episcopal, Presbyterian, and, Charles, the Baptist Church.

Referring to these childish days Charles writes :

" During my infant days I was taught to lisp the name of Heavenly Father, to pray to Him on retiring for the night and on rising in the morning. I was also at a very early age led to the Sabbath-school, where lasting impressions were made upon my youthful mind. I took particular pleasure in being present, and often felt the force of truth presented by faithful teachers. To the week-day infant-school I was sent at a very early age, where, in connection with mental culture, religious instruction was given."

Charles was a thoughtful, affectionate, tenderhearted, conscientious child, somewhat reticent, and possessed of a certain tenacity of purpose, prophetic of that resolution which determined him, with true Pauline spirit, among the people to whom he gave his life, " not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified."

There characterized him a certain gentleness and winsomeness that made him a general favorite ; yet he was brimful of mischief and boyish faults, and often disobedient, so much so that in the " Diary" he deplores the folly and sinfulness of his early life.

It is the fortunate experience of some persons, either because of hereditary tendencies or favorable surroundings in the formative period of life, to enter upon the activities of youth and early manhood with a trend towards truth and righteousness. This was true of our subject. If for a moment he stepped aside into the gayeties of the world, and engaged in the dance or the amusement of the theatre, or in the coarser indulgences of worldly companionship, it was not without painful scruples of conscience, whose strenuous guiding hand soon turned him into the right way. Concerning this period he records in his "Diary :"

" But notwithstanding all the outward good, and surrounded in the providence of God by every restraint, yet within was an evil heart which continually led me into sin, and, indeed, into open transgression.

" I remember particularly the sin of Sabbathbreaking; first associating with wicked companions, then absence from the Sabbath-school, and, finally, riding out on the Sabbath, and in an unguarded moment partaking with those in my company of the intoxicating bowl. But I bless God that in this last act He brought such conviction of guilt to my soul that I was obliged to relinquish ever again riding out with associates for pleasure on the Sabbath.

" I also connected myself with a dancing-school, and went several times into the pleasures of the ball-room ; but in all I had a reproving conscience, and felt that I was doing wrong. What particularly affected my mind on these occasions was my consciousness of the fact that my mother with aching heart was praying that her son might not

be led into temptation Games at cards,

checkers, dominoes, etc., were peculiarly attractive to me, although I may say not to the neglect of my lessons, but had an exceedingly bad tendency, bringing me into evil companionship."

An interesting incident apropos in this connection survives in the family. The barn back of the tree-embowered old homestead was the scene of many a joyous romp and childish escapade. On one occasion, as his sister tells the story, Charles, with a group of merry companions, had hidden away in an inner recess of this building, where they felt secure from unwelcome intrusion, to engage in a game of cards, an amusement positively prohibited. The game was progressing to their satisfaction, when Charles, having turned up a card that suited his purpose, in great glee exclaimed, " Boys, clubs are trumps !" Just then, from the depths below, — they were in the hay-mow, — there smote upon their startled ears an awful voice — " Clubs are trumps ? I'll club you" — that brought consternation into the hearts of the little company, and broke up that source of amusement in that place for all time.

It was the voice of the dear old father, who, coming suddenly into the barn, had surprised the culprits, and had been surprised himself by sounds to which his ears were quite unused.

In the accepted meaning of the term Mr. 9

Schaeffer was not an educated man. It had not been his privilege to enjoy the advantages of a liberal training. Having in view a business career, it was thought sufficient, alike by his parents and himself, that he should receive a good English education. He was accordingly early sent to the public schools, where he passed through the several grades with credit, pursuing his studies with the thoroughness which characterized him in all that he undertook. Among his papers after his death was found a certificate from the principal of the grammar-school which he last attended commending him for faithfulness in study and excellent scholarship. He subsequently took a business course in Crittenden's Commercial College, where he graduated with distinction and received a diploma.

It was not, however, until after his conversion that he awoke to a realization of the importance of a thorough mental training; and, as not infrequently happens when mind and heart are touched by the Holy Spirit, a new impulse was given thereby to all his faculties. He became painfully conscious of his lack of intellectual culture, and sought by private study and careful reading to remedy the defects of his early education and qualify himself for larger usefulness. He gave much attention at this time to the study of languages, and, possessing a superior voice, he also became proficient in vocal music. Mr. Schaeffer was in an eminent degree what so many successful men have been — a self-made man. He was as truly educated, in the real sense of the term, by the use of circumstances, by experience and observation, by the study of books and of men, as if he had taken a college course.

It is evident that the training he received was the best possible for the successful performance of the work to which in the providence of God he was afterwards called. It was not the astute scholar and skilful exegete who could best mould the masses of rude and uncultured people to whom his services were so freely given. Thrown by the fortune of war and the Emancipation Proclamation upon the sympathies and benefactions of the country, these freed people required special treatment, educational and otherwise. Poor, dependent, improvident, ignorant, the degraded victims of a gigantic national crime, they could not be reached and helped by ordinary methods. To lift them up one must stoop to their low level. For its successful accomplishment this work claimed the man of practical ideas and broad sympathies, one in touch with the needs and woes of men, and not only imbued with the missionary spirit, but possessing the missionary education as well. It required also the capable and experienced administrator, one who could plan and execute, — in a word, a specialist. Under God, all this Mr. Schaeffer was. If so fortunate as to be able to bring him before the reader as he really was, we shall see that his religious experiences, his training in church and mission work in his native city, and his contact with men and life in the army qualified him in an eminent degree not only for " labors more abundant," but also for the extraordinary success which crowned his ministry among the colored people of Southwestern Virginia.

Moreover, it seems probable that Mr. Schaeffer's deep interest in educational work among the freedmen had its inception and found its stimulus in his personal experiences of the disadvantages resulting from a lack of early study, and the difficulty of acquiring knowledge after the active work of life had begun.

At the age of seventeen, having a desire to enter upon a business career, he relinquished his studies and entered the employment of Mr. Lehr. a dry-goods merchant, whom he faithfully served for nine years. At the expiration of this period his employer, desiring to retire from active business, arranged with his clerk to succeed him. Concerning this important step the following record is found :

June J, 18^6. — " Making arrangements for entering business as successor to my employer. .... Have made it a subject of prayer, and committed it all into the hands of my precious Lord. I feel, if it be His will, He will prosper me in the undertaking; if for my good, He will check my prosperity. If I acknowledge Him in all my ways, He will direct my steps. Lord, give me grace and strength to do my part in the contract."

He had been consumed for years by an earnest longing to preach the gospel. And that he felt the grave responsibility of the new undertaking is clearly shown by the following record :

July I, 1856. — " A new era in my history, not opening as I could humbly desire were I qualified to become a minister of the gospel ; but as it appears the will of the Lord, after years of earnest, unremitting prayer I commend all my interests into His hands. Whatever may be my future, prosperity or adversity, or changes of any kind, Thy will, O Lord, may it be wrought in me and through me, to the praise of Thy holy name."

As one reads between the lines, it is seen that it was not without serious misgivings that he submitted to what seemed to be the will of God; yet he engaged in this enterprise with a determination to succeed, and was controlled by a profound sense of the obligations he assumed as a business man. Again his " Diary" records :

July 4, 18^6. — " Feel the responsibility that rests upon me to prove faithful to my trust. First to my Lord and Master, and then to those who have committed their property to my care. I realize my position is only that of a steward, and as far as the Lord enables me, I am to act faithfully in this capacity."

The new business began prosperously, the first year's profits paying for " the amount of stock on hand at the commencement of the venture." This period of progress was followed by the " financial panic of 1857," during which credit was almost destroyed, great mercantile houses and banking institutions failed, specie payments were suspended, and business generally became paralyzed. The new concern did not escape the eft'ects of this overwhelming depression. The sales fell off in a large amount, and a considerable deficit was discovered in " stock takings," which could only be explained on the ground that goods had been surreptitiously removed. The volume of sales increased somewhat as time went on; but a year later a larger deficit was found in the stock account, and although every effort was made to find the " leak," it was without avail.

In May, 1859, in the hope of improving the business, a removal was made to a new location, but in the following April the " Diary" records :

" Have found for a certainty that for a long time influences have been working against my business. At the old stand, although I knew of goods having been stolen from the door by ' shoplifters' and from the counters, yet I did not know the extent to which it had been carried on, notwithstanding every precaution was taken against it. Also, behind the counters, one or more in whom I had placed the greatest confidence proved recreant to their trust. I almost despair of success under the circumstances, notwithstanding my new and successful opening with a new force of hands."

The difficulties increasing in the course of the ensuing twelve months, and finding it impossible to make headway in the maze of embarrassment which involved him, Mr. Schaeffer determined to close up the business.

Under date of February 7, i860, he writes:

" The waves of trouble are passing over me. My feet sink in deep waters Find temporary relief in the closet of prayer O

God! my God! forsake me not, yet Thy will be

done Lord, be near Thy servant; above

all, take not Thy Holy Spirit from me."

During these days of trial he was taken seriously ill, concerning which he writes : " Felt very near the eternal world. The Lord's arms of love beneath me."

As soon as he became convalescent a meeting of creditors was called at his bedside at which he was urged to continue the business, but, being unwilling to assume further risk in the use of borrowed capital, he positively declined to do so. In

IS a few days, at the request of his creditors, an assignment was made to his father. As soon as possible thereafter the business was discontinued and distribution made of the proceeds. Concerning this trying episode in Mr. Schaeffer's experience he says : " All that I received during the entire years of my business has been my regular weekly wages, such as I could have commanded in any retail house in the city." And with regard to paying his creditors the balance due them he writes : " With the Lord's help my heart and hand will cheerfully be given to the task."

This pledge to himself he subsequently faithfully kept.

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Chapter II

The most extraordinary phenomenon, perhaps, in human experience is the change wrought in man by the Holy Spirit — that revokition in consciousness and Hfe which we denominate interchangeably conversion and regeneration. It was a marvel to the " Master in Israel" ages ago, and it is no less a marvel to-day. He found it difficult to accept it as truth, even on the authority of our Lord Himself. But it has since come to countless multitudes not only authenticated by Jesus Christ, but as a fact scientifically, that is to say, experimentally, demonstrable. Men know that they have " passed from death unto life" and " been born from above" because of certain radical and clearly defined spiritual experiences and exercises, which have their legitimate consequences in a thorough change of heart and life. But the Holy Spirit's method of operation is as difficult of explanation now as then. Nicodemus did not understand it. Jesus did not attempt to make it plain. His sufficient word to him and to us, who even do not understand " earthly things," is, " The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh nor whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Since, then, in the lower realm of 2 17 nature we do not know the law of the wind, is it to be expected that in the realm of the spiritual — that higher realm of nature, the supernatural — we should be able to understand the law of the Spirit? He insists that we shall, alike in the natural and in the spiritual, reason from the effect to the cause.

Sometimes, like the wind, the Holy Spirit, in His regenerating office as a gentle zephyr, woos the heart, and sometimes, as the blast of a tornado, shakes the soul to its very centre; but in each case it is a different operation of the same Spirit, and the effect upon life and character is the same.

It was the latter experience which marked this epoch in Mr. Schaeffer's life, and the consequences, as seen in his immediate and subsequent career, were as pronounced as is the change from darkness to light. At a very tender age the Holy Spirit began His benignant work of grace in the heart and conscience of this impressible child. He speaks of having been deeply moved when seven years old by the death of two younger brothers. But the struggle which ended in his conversion he describes as follows :

" At the close of the last quarter of a dancing-school to which I was attached it was proposed that it terminate with a ball. Accordingly, arrangements were made and managers appointed.

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About this time a revival of religion was in progress in the Methodist Church, and as it advanced the interest increased among the unconverted. In the providence of God, one of our managers was led to attend the meetings. His soul became concerned on the subject of religion, and through the grace of God he was made the recipient of its saving influence. About the time the ball came off he gave in his testimony for Christ and united with His people. This incident became a source of much uneasiness to my mind, and although I engaged in that night of revelry, yet it was with a stinging conscience, particularly on its close, and resulted in its being the last time of my entering a place of that kind

" During another revival in the same church I felt deeply the Spirit's operations, but thought that I could serve the Lord in secret, and thus attempted to satisfy my mind. The hay-mow became my place of prayer, and often with many tears did I entreat God to have mercy upon me; but having a divided heart, my prayers were not answered. This too became my place of resort when I had been committing sin or felt in peculiar danger, previous to a thunder-shower or some phenomenon in nature which aroused my fears and made me feel something of the ' powers of the world to come.'

" Thus I continued sporting on the brink of ruin until God by His Spirit opened my eyes to my danger, and forced such conviction of sin upon my mind that I was led to hate the pleasures in which I once delighted. The house of God now hecame the choice of my heart and constant place of resort, but in the midst of the greatest trouble of mind. Having but a vague conception of the plan of salvation, and being without a spiritual adviser, and unwilling to communicate my feelings to any one, I continued long in this condition, seeking rest and finding none.

" I now began to attend the meetings of the Eleventh Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pa., often accompanied for encouragement by my friend E , to whom by degrees I unfolded my feelings.

" Several times I was on the eve of speaking to the pastor in regard to my soul's troubles, but failed to approach the subject. This state of mind continued several months, when one Sabbath afternoon I providentially heard a sermon from the words, ' Who then is willing to consecrate his services this day unto the Lord?' and although the sermon was particularly addressed to the people in behalf of a worthy benevolent object for which the minister pleaded, yet at that time and in that place the truth was forced upon my mind that if I would find peace of soul, I must be willing to make a full and entire surrender of myself to the Lord. In that hour began the final conflict. Every prop on which I had leaned, one by one, gave way. The good resolutions I had formed, and my own efforts to consecrate myself to the service of Christ, both failed me, and I stood on the verge of despair. Some few weeks after hearing this sermon I retired rather earlier than had been my custom to my room and rest for the night. I felt on that occasion that the last struggle had come, that either hell must receive me as its victim, or an almighty hand be outstretched for my salvation. With these feelings I prayed, and, surely, as I had never prayed before. My life, my eternal interests, appeared all to depend upon the result of that hour of holy besieging of the throne of grace. I cast myself upon my bed in a state of hopeless despair. Thus I fell asleep, and became unconscious of the awful agony of soul which I had endured in my waking hours."

" About midnight I awoke. A consciousness of all that had transpired came vividly to my remembrance; my entire past life seemed to rise before me; death, judgment, and eternity were in view. The stillness of the hour also added to its solemnity, and as I lay almost motionless, —

" ' I saw one hanging on a tree In agony and blood ; He fixed His languid eyes on me, As near His cross I stood.

" ' O, never till my latest breath Shall I forget that look ; It seemed to charge me with His death, Though not a word He spoke.

" ' My conscience felt and owned the guilt, It plunged me in despair ; I saw my sins His blood had spilt And helped to nail Him there.

" ' A second look He gave which said, I freely all forgive ; This blood is for thy ransom paid ; I die that thou may'st live.'

" I felt it all ; the eyes of my understanding were enlightened; the burden which had pressed upon me was cut loose ; my soul was at liberty : I had ' songs in the night.' Thus I fell into a gentle, peaceful sleep, from which I awoke on the morrow as upon an entirely new state of existence. From that memorable night a sweet calm took possession of my soul, and the precious volume of inspiration, which previously had appeared without consolation, now become as honey to my taste."

The new-born child of God, according to a law of spiritual affinity, must needs seek the fellowship of his brethren and make public confession of allegiance to Jesus Christ. These became objects of chief concern to Mr. Schaeffer. After " careful investigation" he reached the conclusion that " immersion" is the only scriptural baptism. Wandering from place to place in search of a church home, he was invited by a friend to attend a service of the Tenth Baptist Church, Philadelphia. Concerning this to him providential event he records :

" I consented, and shortly found myself entering those sacred walls. The service was held ill the lecture-room, and the place being crowded, one of the deacons stood near the door in order to seat those coming in. As I advanced his hand was extended and a welcome given to the stranger. It went like magic to my heart. I felt the kindness, and immediately decided that I had found my home. The service throughout charmed me, the singing, the experiences of six candidates for baptism, the petitions for God's blessing upon all present, and, very particularly, the seasonable remarks of the pastor, brought me to the conclusion that this people should be my people, as I felt in my very soul that their God was my God."

The subject of union with the church being settled, he sought his first interview with the pastor, Rev. Joseph H. Kennard, D.D., that eminent man of God, acquaintance with whom had subsequently so marked an influence in developing his Christian character and stimulating his spiritual life. He thus writes under date of April 26, 1850:

"With Joshua, let others do as they may; as for me, I will serve the Lord. At noon, after a season of earnest prayer, in which my soul was much comforted, my steps were directed in my first visit to my pastor. I felt to be under the influence of th^ divine Spirit, inasmuch as my mind was entirely absorbed with eternal things and unconscious of what was transpiring in the natural world. On reaching his residence, I was received by him very kindly, unfolded my heart's experiences and exercises, and informed him of my determination to serve the Lord. He expressed his joy that I had come to such a decision, and after words of counsel arranged for me to relate

my experience before the church I left

him with a lightened heart."

As illustrating the beautiful spirit of loving confidence existing between father and son and in the home circle, note the following :

April 20, 1850. — " This morning, on leaving for the city, I made known to the home circle my peculiar relations to Christ and my determination to serve Him. At my request, father attempted to read the first psalm, but his emotions choked his utterance. He then presented me to the throne of grace for God's blessing to rest upon me. There not only was liberty given him, but my own soul received strength, being filled with joy and peace in believing."

On May 3, 1850, he made a public confession of Christ, " with much trembling, yet distinct and clear, so that all present (the place being very much crowded) might hear from my own lips what great things the Lord had done for me."

On May 5, 1850, he was baptized into the fellowship of the Tenth Baptist Church, and thus makes note of the event :

" A memorable day — the day of my espousals

to the Church of Christ My soul sweetly

strengthened and comforted at the mercy-seat. .... Here my pen fails to describe the heavencreated experiences of my soul. ' My cup ran over.' I had joy in the Holy Ghost. Again in the afternoon, at the table of my Lord, with what solemnity of mind I viewed the dying Jesus — His broken body and shed blood."

Very soon the young Christian's life begins to assume form and color and to crystallize into character. Moreover, its general trend will in the main be determined by its early surroundings. As its environment is healthful or hurtful, stimulating or depressing, so will it be fruitful or barren, Christlike or worldly.

The church into whose fellowship Mr. Schaeffer was thus happily baptized was a centre of intense religious activity. Its membership was large, devoted, and well-organized. Under the benignant administration of its saintly pastor, it either took the initiative or was in the forefront of almost every denominational movement at home and abroad. In perpetual revival, its prayer and preaching services were crowded, impressive, and spiritual. Its large and noble band of consecrated young men and women was alert for any call for service or duty. The pastor's mere suggestion usually carried with it the force of a command, and his loving smile of approval was a sufficient reward for work faithfully done. Young and old alike profited by his wise counsels and fatherly regard. Few could resist the contagion of influences so charged with spiritual power.

Forth from this church, and from under this training, ministers and laymen in large numbers have gone into all parts of this land, and into foreign lands, to live and work for Jesus Christ. Catching its impulse, young Mr. Schaeffer was gradually but resistlessly swept forward as upon a tide of ever-advancing and widening Christian service.

About this time he began inditing a record of his life. " My object," he says, " in keeping a diary is simply for self-profiting, by which upon the close of each day I may be brought into solemn consideration of the past; also, as an aid to devotion and a record of events."

In nothing more than in the writing of this record is his earnestness of purpose and stability of character shown. For almost uninterruptedly, during a period of forty-nine years, in sickness and in health, in camp and field, amid exhausting travel and the fatigue of a life crowded with work, in the poor cabin of the liberated slave and in the quiet retirement of his own home, the daily record ceased not to be regarded as a solemn duty and was almost invariably made. If circumstances absolutely forbade, a memorandum was jotted down and afterwards transferred to a larger volume. Several such volumes have thus accumulated, and are esteemed a precious legacy. Their pages tell a remarkable story of a consecrated life, and sometimes furnish glimpses of experiences almost too sacred to reveal.