More information on Henry S. Bassler INFORMATION TAKEN FROM "HISTORY OF PEACE IN ZION 1833-1983", ZIEGLERSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (Printed 1983) Membership Record of Keelor's The record was open on the first date of September, 1834. The fly leaf inscriptions are: This book belongs to the High German Reformed Congregation of Frederick Township. May God permit this book to contain such matters as shall give joy to their children and children's children. This their first pastor wishes. Signed: Henrich S. Bassler. After I, the undersigned, had spent 11 years among these people in the service of the Gospel, namely 10 years in the church and one year in a schoolhouse in the vicinity, I thought it wise to give up the congregation and to preach my farewell sermon on the 17th of March, 1844. The names of the communicant members of the Reformed congregation in the year 1834, and indeed at the first communion in the new Church. The following members were present: Jacob Hauch, Henry Krop, Daniel Hauch, Jacob Yost, Samuel Kieler, Conrath Kieler, Jacob Hauch, Samuel Krop, Daniel Krop, Henry Hauch, Sarah Faust, Magdalena Linsebigler, Charles Hauch, Henry Hauch, Phillip Christman, Henry Yost, George Freyer, John Hauch, Charles Beyer, Jacob Schneider, Rebecca Hauch, Sofia Bardman, Barbara Bardman, Jacob Hauch, Jr., Samuel Leidy, Jacob Faust, Samuel Christman, John Krop, Joseph Biding, Jonathan Neis, Noa Umstadt, Samuel Schneider, Elizabeth Christman, Magdelena Leister, Catharina Schwenk, Catharina Kraus, Anna Kieler, Elizabeth Hauch, Sarah Boyer, Leweina Kieler, Maria Magda Schneyder, Eleisa Dechant, Eva Yost, Maria Krop, Hanna Herbst, Elizabeth Kieler, Catherina Bardman, Easter Schneider, Sarah Weil, Maria Yost, Catarina Kieler, Reyel Neis, Dileina Kieler, Sarah Umstadt, Elisabeth B. Schneider. Bassler commenced the first record book of Calvary U.C.C., Barto (Niantic). (Now in possession of the Schwenkfelder Library, Pennsburg) in 1837. This book is in extremely poor condition and should be handled only by experts. It was found in 1959, by several boys playing at a "trash dump", which accounts for its deteriorated condition from exposure to the elements. It was rescued from a Bethlehem, antique dealer by two benefactors of the Schwenkfelder Library, Pennsylvania Pennsburg. The harmony of the two congregations using Niantic church continued to 1840, when on November 28, it was decided tha each congregation should elect separate elders, deacons, and treasurer. Each congregation assumed an equal share of the unpaid debt. In 1841, when the Goshenhoppen Classis, a local cluster of Reformed churches, was organized at Great Swamp Church, Spinnerstown, Pastor Bassler was one of two charter pastors. In 1842, in a parochial report to Goshenhoppen Classis, which he had helped form in 1841, Bassler wrote of his parish: "Vices are prevalent, cursing, drinking, cheating, lying, and the so-called frolics which should be looked upon by all as the gateway to hell...are prevalent...Only...the king of Kings can counteract these vices and sins". In 1843, Bassler departed for his third field, the Lykens Valley Charge. It is not presently known how many churches he served here for eight years. Then a call came from his native Lehigh county. Accordingly, he transferred himself to Millerstown, near Macungie. For two years and six months he labored on in a number of outlying points (again unknown) around Macungie. Henry Bassler was one of the founding fathers of Mt. Pleasant Seminary at Boyertown, in 1844-1845; and a founder of the town of Berrysburg, Dauphin county in 1848-1849. He was also the editor-publisher of a book, Dr. Jablonski's Vortreffliche Reden, a book of sermons on the 12th Chapter of Ecclesiastes, in 1849. A copy of this book is in possession of Schwenkfelder Library. When a recall to Dauphin county was sounded, he returned to his beloved Lykens Valley in 1854. But now disunion reigned, and rather than quarrel he quickly resigned. At his own instigation he offered to go abroad to Pleasant Grove, Fulton County, Indiana, in 1856. After two years he moved on to Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois. here he labored but one year. He always held that this people had not dealt kindly with him. He was glad to return to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. We find him residing in Berrysburg now. For six years he rested there, then once more he came to Lehigh County. Residing at Zionsville, he preached in the church at whose altar he and his mother had knelt forty-five years before. Six more years were spent diligently serving a large and heavy charge, which included the Christ (Huber's) Church, in Niantic, which was contemplating a new church building. P.A. Hoffman and L.J. Mayer, assisted Bassler in bearing his heavy ministerial load, at least in Niantic. In 1868, Pastor Bassler suffered a serious illness and for a period lingered between life and death. In a dream God assured him he would survive fifteen years longer. He rallied; lived precisely 15 years; and died. Next Bassler moved to Hegins, Schuylkill County, and took charge of six scattered congregations. Another six years was given to his great calling. Now, admonished by the infirmities of old age, he put down his pastoral staff. He moved to Millersburg, Dauphin County, in retirement in 1877. Here his faithful companion of life died in July, 1882, in her 72nd year of life. On the 17th day of February, 1883, at the age of 78 years, 6 months, and 6 days, in the Indian summer of life, Bassler too, died. Dr. C.Z. Weiser in funeral remarks called him: "A pulpit weather-vane. His whole life centered around his Master...He bore with busied hands and unwearied feet the bread of life wherever he went". In Illinois Bassler was heard to say: "My family tasted more dry bread than we ever saw before or since". Indeed things were so bad that Mrs. Bassler sold carpets and furniture to buy bread. The Bassler family numbered eleven children - seven sons and four daughters. All grew up except one lad who died at Berrysburg. I note from Little Herald, October 1920...Year 1833-1844. Rev. Heinrich S. Bassler began his ministry in 1833. He preached for one year in a school house. This confirms the tradition that there was an independant reformed congregation here anteceding the Union Church. The large contributions and work of the Reformed congregation in the creation of the first building are the result of an organization of a Reformed congregation in the Township. Rev. H.S. Bassler had married the daughter of his teacher Rev. Jacob William Dechant. In appearance he was a short man. He had the broad, thoughtful brow and the thin broad lips of a sympathetic preacher. He was a very aggressive preacher. He told this story of the Rev. Dechant, his teacher: It was customary among the students of Dechant's school to attend the services. Dechant in order to show them how to handle a text had them hand up to him every Sunday when in the pulpit a slip of paper on which the text was indicated. One Sunday a student handed up a paper on which nothing was written. Dechant took the paper, looked at it, saw nothing written on it, and then turning to the audience said: "Heir ist nichts, und da ist nichts" - Ausnichts had Gott die Welt erschaffen". Translated literally..."Here is nothing and there is nothing"-Out of nothing has God made this creation. Rev. Henry S. Bassler has been criticized by some for his spirit of unrest in the serving of so many churches in so many places. Dr. C.Z. Weiser said, "he itinerated from conviction". A man of humble beginnings, he went on against great odds, following the call of God in Christ Jesus, to minister faithfully to many people, the saving graces of an almighty God. Charges Served by Henry Bassler 01. Beaver Dam 1827-1838 (married October 1831) 02. Hilltown and Boyertown 1833-1843 03. Lykens Valley 1843-1851 04. Millerstown 1851-1854 05. Lykens Valley 1854-1856 06. Pleasant Grove, Indiana 1856-1858 07. Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois 1858-1859 08. Berrysburg, Pennsylvania 1858-1865 09. Zionsville 1865-1871 10. Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA 1871-1877