Genealogy of Michael A. Barnhart
Notes for Moses Hunsberger GOTTSCHALL
Rev. Moses H. Gottshall was ordained to the Ministry in the Schwenksville Mennonite Church, 12-3-1847. He was ordained to the full office of the ministry, a Bishop, in 1852. He presided over this church as pastor and Bishop for a period of forty-one years. He preached his last sermon at the Deep Run Mennonite Church, Bucks County, over which he also presided as Bishop, 10-21-1888, and passed to his rest four days later.
A tribute to the memory of Rev. Moses H. Gottshall, by his grandson, Rev. Harvey G. Allebach.
Rev. Moses H. Gottshall was noted far and wide as one of the most naturally eloquent ministers of his time in Montgomery County. This impression was shared by ministers and laymen alike of every denomination. There are few people of fifty years ago or over who lived in the northern half of the county at that time who do not recall his unique personality on and off the pulpit.
His paternal grandfather, Gottshall Gottshall, had moved from Towamencin to Frederick Township in 1781, and bought a tract of land which contained 100 acres, one mile west of Schwenksville. Here Moses H. Gottshall was born and lived all his life.
As a boy Moses H. Gottshall was an ardent student of the Bible, of keen mind and extraordinary powers of effective expression. His father was a deacon in the Mennonite Church, and Moses was reared in that faith. At that time ministers were chosen out of the congregation and by lot. On December 3, 1847, the lot fell on him, and he became pastor, of the Schwenksville Mennonite Church and continued pastor of that church for a period of forty-one years. As an evidence of esteem in which he was held to the end of his life no less than twenty-seven ministers, representing a variety of denominations attended the funeral services
His education, mostly in the German language, was very limited. He learned to read the German readily, and his main literary sources of inspiration were the Bible and several old volumes of sermons. He never prepared notes for use on the pulpit; His method of preparation being to close his eyes and to mumble his discourse in a subdued tone to himself. On the pulpit he drew illustrations from everyday life; his eyes kindled, his face became animated and his earnest dramatic manner held the spellbound attention' of all. The whole man with all his weight of character also projected itself into the utterance. His genial individuality, so well known and relished in everyday association, was a never-failing element of force in the sermon. For forty-one years, 1847-1888, he preached the gospel at Schwenksville, Pa., in connection with several other points.
He was a close friend and co-worker with Rev. John H. Oberholtzer. I remember the high tribute Father Oberholtzer paid to him while both were living. "There is no man among us that can match him." It was Oberholtzer that melted all hearts at Gottshall's funeral by indulging in a flood of personal reminiscent, 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.
Like John Knox, Moses Gottshall did not fear the face of man. He spared no one in his fiery zeal for righteousness against iniquity.
His presence in the sick room was a benediction. He came to minister to the needy soul, but God often mysteriously used his ministrations for the healing of soul and body. When he repeated those soul-stirring words, "Lo, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." It was as though the Good Shepherd Himself was by the sick man's side. Green Lane, Pa. 1910.
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