DAVID SNETHEN WARNER

I know not if of dark or bright      Shall be my lot. If that wherein my hopes delight      Is best or not. My bark is wafted to the strand      By breath divine. And on the helm there rests a Hand      Other than mine. One who has known in storms to sail      I have on board: Above the raging of the gale      I hear my Lord. He holds me when the billows smite;      I shall not fall: If sharp, 'tis short, if long, 'tis light—      He tempers all. Safe to the Land, safe to the Land—      The end is this: And then with Him go hand in hand      Far into bliss.                                        —Henry Alford.

Joy came to a peaceful farmstead one wintry day, October 29, 1857, in Livingston County, New York. The source of this joy was the advent of the sixth child to bless the home of David and Phylancy H. Warner. He was named David Snethen, receiving his first name after his father and his second after the maiden name of his mother, Phylancy Hold Snethen. Although full of life, he was always an obedient and studious boy. Until thirteen years of age, he was trained in that great nursery of American character -- the rural school. Hearing of the fame of the school recently started by the Free Methodists, his parents sent him to Chili Seminary in 1871, where he remained until his graduation in 1875. Here he came in contact with that master Christian, the Rev. B. T. Roberts, whose impress remained upon him to the end of his days.

In the stimulating atmosphere of the Seminary he sought the Lord, April 29, 1874. In those days the necessity of immediately crossing over Jordan into the promised land was held before the students. One week later he sought the experience of entire sanctification and the foundation of his spiritual life was firmly laid.

Immediately after graduating from the Seminary, he enrolled as a student at the University of Rochester and was graduated in 1879 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Dr. Anderson, the President of the University -- whose statement in an address at the dedicatory exercises of the Seminary to B. T. Roberts became famous, "Young man, you will find many people who will be willing to sacrifice you on the altar of Christian education" -- was deeply impressed with the piety of young Warner who always kneeled during prayer at chapel exercises while the other students stood. One day the President asked the young man why he always kneeled at chapel. Quickly he replied, "I always kneel when I pray as a matter of conscience." That fidelity to conscience characterized his whole career. In the year 1888, he was given the degree of Master of Arts by his Alma Mater.

The same year of his graduation, he was married to Louisa S. Conner, a woman of refinement who was the companion of his journey for a period of thirty years. To them were born two children -- David A., a successful attorney, and Susie L. In the year 1909 a heavy blow fell upon him in the passing of the wife of his youth. He was again married in 1913 to Verna B. Hanford, who still survives. Three children were born to this union, two of whom are still living, Robert Pearce and Mrs. Harriet G. Whiteman.

Rev. David S. Warner's public life logically falls into three divisions: his work as an educator, as editor of the Sunday School literature of the church, and as a minister of the gospel.

His teaching career in the schools of the Free Methodist Church began in 1879 in Spring Arbor Seminary under the principalship of Clark Jones. For four years he gave himself wholeheartedly to this institution and created a place in the affection of the church in Michigan which continued to his dying day.

We will let Professor Warner give his own statement concerning his going to Spring Arbor. In the Echo, an annual published by the Seminary, in the issue of 1924, under the caption of "Personal Recollections," written by Brother Warner, he says: "During the year 1878 and '79, Prof. Clark Jones (principal at that time) corresponded with me, as to my coming to Spring Arbor Seminary as teacher in Mathematics. The resources were slender then, and I was asked what was the least amount I would accept as wages. I was just graduating from the University of Rochester, New York. I intended to teach, and desired a position in our schools. I finally decided to offer my services for two dollars and seventy-five ($2.75) a week, with board and room. My offer was accepted, and I was on hand at the opening of the school year 1879 and '80. The four years spent in Spring Arbor, under the principalship of Prof. Jones, were busy years, and full of pleasant memories. A part of the time I taught twelve classes daily, and my subjects ranged from mental arithmetic to general geometry and calculus, with some subjects in the sciences thrown in."

Meanwhile Rev. Walter A. Sellew had opened the Gerry Seminary at Gerry, New York. Professor Warner returned to his native state and for another period of four years gave splendid service at Gerry. During these years he grew in stature not only as a teacher but as a preacher.

In 1893 he answered an urgent call to return to Michigan. He accordingly returned to Spring Arbor Seminary as Principal and continued to guide the destiny of the school for twelve years. Ripened by experience, yet possessed of the powers of manhood at high tide, these years at Spring Arbor represent the cream of his life as an educator. He was president of the board of trustees for many years and held that office at the time of his home-going. Thus he spent sixteen years as instructor and principal in addition to twenty-three as an outstanding trustee.

The truest picture of him as an educator can be given by some of his students. Rev. S. W. Stone gives this picture: "My first acquaintance with Professor Warner was in the year 1879, when he came fresh from Rochester University, New York, to take up work as teacher of mathematics at Spring Arbor Seminary, with Professor Clark Jones as principal. He was retiring in his nature and could easily bear encouragement. He was then a single man He was honest and conscientious. Being retiring, it took him a little time before he swung fully clear and was powerfully blessed. Well do I remember as we were walking to church one Sunday evening we heard a great noise in his home just by the old store and we said, 'Professor Warner is getting blessed.' That night he made the old chapel ring with his shouts of praises to God. We heard him take his first text. It was I Timothy 3:16, 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.' He was at home in the schoolroom, and with his firmness mingled a kindness that caused his students to respect and love him.

"In later years, as he for so many years had the full charge of the Seminary, drawing five hundred dollars for his pay, some one said to him, 'Professor, why do you stay here for five hundred dollars when you could just as well get fifteen hundred dollars as principal of some high school?' His reply was, 'It is worth one thousand dollars to be in this element.'

"He was a saint. He ripened with his years in saintliness. He retained his humility to the end. No doubt his rank among the redeemed will be recognized far more as a saint than any official position he ever held."

Rev. B. J. Vincent gives the following tribute: "I know Bishop Warner was a wise, patient, and successful teacher, for I sat in his classes for three years at the time he was principal of Spring Arbor Seminary. He had large resources of knowledge and he knew the scientific art of teaching; but the teaching he did by the sheer force of his character made his teaching service complete. With hundreds of others who had the same privilege that I had of receiving his instruction, I rejoice now that a kind providence placed me under his influence at a period when strong, godly men meant so much to my future life. He has gone. And yet he lives and will continue to live in the spirit and words and actions of those who partook of his spirit and knowledge and ideals when he was a teacher. He will long be remembered as editor, writer, bishop; but when those who knew him slightly in these offices have allowed the impact of his life upon theirs to fade from memory, those hundreds who sat at his feet as students day after day from one to four years or more will still clearly bear the stamp of his gracious personality. So 'God buries his workers, but the work goes on.'"

In the meantime the A. M. Chesbrough Seminary was in urgent need of an experienced man to administer its affairs. He answered the call and was principal from 1906 to 1908. Miss Adella P. Carpenter, who gave her life as a teacher in the school, contributes the following interesting side lights: "Others may write of the saintly character and life of Bishop Warner, but having spent two years in the work of the A. M. Chesbrough Seminary with him, I wish to relate only an incident or two.

"It was the custom for an inspector of the State Board of Regents of New York State to make us an annual visit, and on this one occasion he arrived early and was present at the chapel exercises. Professor Warner prayed, as he was wont to do, with unction. The inspector, sitting beside me, said, 'This is the kind of school I believe in. My parents were Christians. They sent me to Cazenovia, New York, to school when a boy. In that school I received a poise that has never left me. I believe in this school and am sorry to have Professor Warner leave it.'

"On another occasion, under his fervent prayer, Miss Emily A. Clark, Latin teacher in the school for four and one-half years, a member of a church, but unsatisfied in her Christian experience, came out into the clear light of conscious salvation. Miss Clark has been for many years laboring in North Nigeria, West Africa, under the Sudan Interior Mission, and among the trophies that shall crown Bishop Warner's work in heaven will doubtless be some from darkest Africa.

The second period of Professor Warner's service was in connection with the Sunday School literature of the church. He was first elected assistant editor of Sunday School literature for 1905-6, and at the General Conference at Greenville, Illinois, in 1907, he was elected editor. Re-elected in the General Conferences of 1911 and 1915, he filled the position for twelve years. His background as an educator fitted him for this field of service. Arnold's Practical Commentary on the Sunday School lessons was ably edited, and became a leading exponent of holiness teaching in the Sunday School world. All the Sunday School literature increased in circulation since it made an increased appeal to those outside our own denomination.

For many years he was one of the corresponding editors of the Free Methodist. His writings, like his ministrations in the pulpit, were plain, practical, orthodox and spiritual.

While editor of the Sunday School literature he realized a fond dream of his life -- a trip to Palestine. Upon his return he gave an interesting account of his journey which was published in book form with the title "Glimpses of Palestine and Egypt." He also wrote two small volumes -one on "The Holy Spirit" and the other entitled "The Book We Study," which is a brief tribute to the Bible. The latter contains three chapters, "The Authority of the Book," "The Excellence of the Book," and "The Power of the Book."

His work in the ministry began as supply in the pastorate on the Perry and Burke Hill Circuit in the Genesee Conference, 1883-4. During the period of his instructorship in the Gerry Seminary he went through the process of ordination. He was received into the Genesee Conference on trial at Parma Center, New York, 1885, General Superintendent Hart presiding; was ordained deacon at Akron, New York, in 1887 by General Superintendent Roberts; was ordained elder at Albion, New York, in 1889 by General Superintendent Coleman. For a period of time he devoted himself exclusively to the ministry. Appointed pastor of the Perry and Burke Hill Circuit, 1888-1890, he also served as stationed chairman of the Wyoming District during the last year 1889-1890. Next came a pastorate at Gerry from 1890 to 1892. He was then pastor of the Fredonia and Dunkirk Circuit and at the same time was stationed chairman of the Chautauqua District from 1892-1893. He then became principal of Spring Arbor Seminary and was pastor of the Spring Arbor church for several years while principal.

The General Conference held at Greenville, Illinois, in 1919, elected him bishop. Re-elected in 1923, he continued to serve in that capacity until the end of the quadrennium when his term of office was terminated because of fast failing health. When his health began to fail about four years before his death, an examination at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, revealed that he had internal cancer and that nothing could be done for him. It is remarkable how he kept up his work during the last four years with the shadow of death upon him.

The Lord whom he had served so faithfully during the years revealed Himself to him graciously during his affliction so that he was fully resigned to the will of his Master. He had no fear of death but continually praised the Lord while facing the inevitable. On Thursday night preceding his death, he was very ill and for a time went into a state of coma, but when he regained consciousness he was filled with praise, while his face was illuminated by the manifestation of the divine. He continued low until Sunday evening, May 13. His wife stayed by his side the whole day, realizing the time of parting was near. Just before the end he said to her, "Mama, I am near the crossing," and the white-sailed ship quietly slipped over the horizon. As he drew near the heavenly haven, angels ministered unto him, divine music enraptured his soul, heavenly light broke upon his vision and his spirit was borne into the paradise of God.

Before his passing, he calmly made all arrangements for his funeral with his lifelong friend, the Rev. J. T. Logan, editor of the Free Methodist. It was fitting that the funeral should be held in the Free Methodist church at Spring Arbor, Michigan, where he had given so many years of service. According to his plan, the Rev. J. T. Logan preached the funeral sermon from the text: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

The body was taken to Rochester, New York, for burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery to await the "resurrection of the just."

One of the crowning graces of Bishop Warner's life was his humility. Rev. F. A. Perkins gives the following incident: "I believe no one I have ever come in contact with has had the influence over my life and stamped upon my memory the impress of humility as Rev. David S. Warner.

"Some thirty years ago he visited one of our camp meetings in the East Michigan Conference, of which I was a member. At the early morning prayer meeting, Brother Warner was praying. I was especially attracted and greatly impressed with the earnestness and humility of his prayer, which increased in fervor until it became a veritable agony, as he seemed overwhelmed with a realizing sense of his unworthiness. He would cry out, 'I'm unworthy, I'm unworthy, I'm unworthy.' A great solemnity rested upon the entire encampment. Those who walked about the grounds did so with bowed heads, and any conversation was in low, subdued tones; and through all these years, many, many times I have seemed to hear his voice as plainly as on that day, sobbing out, 'I'm unworthy, unworthy, unworthy.' Again and again I have wept and repeated those words until my own heart has broken and melted as I have felt so deeply my own unworthiness.

This characteristic is illustrated by an incident from the pen of the late Rev. R. A. Thompson of Texas: "How sad my heart feels to read of the home-going of Bishop Warner, and yet how sweet is the sadness, rendered so by the fact of the great glory that is now his, and therefore our tears are full of joy, for the loss is only to this world.

"He was one of the meekest men I have ever known. I shall never forget with what sincere earnestness he came to ask forgiveness of the writer and Brother Vinson for an imaginary mistake made in a conversation on the train the day before."

Bishop Walter A. Sellew gave this summary of his life: "Bishop Warner was a Christian gentleman, with the emphasis on the Christian, and on the gentle and on the man. He Was essentially a holy man. Every phase of his being shone forth to those with whom he associated as expressing his communion with God. No one could be associated with him, even for a brief period of time, without feeling that he had been with Christ. All his speech, his actions and his spirit were Christlike. His speech was always seasoned with grace. I never heard him say anything which he afterwards had to retract or for which he had to apologize.

"It therefore goes without saying that he was a Spirit-filled man. He had 'an unction from the Holy One.' His preaching, his exhortations, and his testimonies moved the people who heard them. As long ago as when he was a student in the Rochester University and attending the Free Methodist church in Rochester, New York, his testimonies and exhortations are now remembered by those who are living and who heard them then. In his later years and after he was elected to the general superintendency his preaching was peculiarly characterized by the unction of the Holy Spirit.

"He was a very wise and careful administrator of church affairs. He carefully considered all matters coming before him, and his advice and counsel in all the activities of the church were sought for and had great weight with those who were associated with him in the councils of our denomination.

"He was also very happy and successful in his management of our Sunday School interests while they were under his jurisdiction. His editorship was especially pleasing and satisfactory, not only to our own people but to those of many other communions who had the opportunity of reading the literature which he so ably edited.

"His loyalty to his convictions and to the church vows which he had taken was very prominent in his character. His associates in any department of church work or in any religious activities always knew where he would be found when any question came up affecting such convictions and his church vows.

"He was equally successful in his connection with our educational institutions. He was a thorough and interesting instructor, a wise administrator, and had a splendid personality. He touched and blest so many people in all these various activities that eternity only will bring to light the vast amount of good he accomplished in his lifetime."

Of him Bishop A. D. Zahniser said:

"The subject of this tribute was a Christian scholar. With fair foundation in early life and a student all of his days, an instructor in the field of Christian education for many years, and extensive travel in home and foreign lands, he had treasured up a wealth of worthwhile knowledge and was a wise and safe counselor.

"Professor Warner might be regarded as one of the pioneers in the cause of purely Christian education in the Free Methodist Church, having spent a goodly number of the most useful

"I regarded Bishop Warner as a strong and able minister, a faithful and fearless defender of the truth, with a clear spiritual vision. He was a wise and well-informed executor; a dignified and deliberate presiding officer, always fair-minded, mild, kind, but ever firm and uncompromising.

"He was an author of superior ability in his field. His writings were smooth and clear; his English almost faultless; his matter interesting, instructive and inspirational.

"Brother Warner was the very personification of 'true holiness.' He was an able exponent of the doctrine of full salvation by precept, and exemplified it in his life. To know him intimately was to appreciate him, greatly love him, honor him and respect him. He was a man of a few and well chosen words and you knew just what he meant by what he said, a man in whose spirit there was no guile. Sincerity and honesty were spread all over his countenance. He was ever ready to hear with close attention the cause of the most humble and to give sympathetic counsel and aid. When it became necessary to administer reproof he could do so with such a kindly firmness as to produce the desired results and yet retain the confidence and respect of those he reproved. Loyalty in every relation was recognized as one of his outstanding characteristics."

We give the following articles from the pen of Bishop Warner:

Christ the First-Fruits

"But now is Christ risen from t dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (I Cor. 15:20). Whatever may have been the origin and nature of the Easter festival, it now brings to our minds most impressively the great doctrine, the glorious doctrine, of the resurrection. To the question, "If a man die, shall he live again?" the devout Christian heart can give as an answer the words of Jesus, "Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19). He may also refer to the strong assurance of Job who says, "I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another" (Job 19:25-27).

It was difficult for the disciples at first to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, though John, as soon as he entered the empty tomb on the resurrection morning, and saw the linen clothes lying and the napkin which had been about His head wrapped together in a place by itself, "he saw, and believed" (John 20:8). It was difficult, "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead" (John 20:9). It was specially difficult for Thomas to believe, for he was of a turn of mind to demand evidence that to him must be unmistakable, but Jesus favored him with just the evidence he desired and when he saw it, he said, "My Lord and my God."

The great battle of Jews and pagans against Christianity was over the resurrection of Christ. The New Testament Scriptures declare with all positiveness that He rose from the dead. The existence of the Christian church with all its institutions for the uplifting and salvation of mankind, and with all of its triumphs declares that Jesus lives.

The multitudes of transformed men, women and children through the atonement of Jesus Christ bear powerful testimony to the fact of His resurrection. If He were not the living Christ there would be no efficacy in the atonement; in fact, the atonement would be a myth: but the atonement of Jesus is efficacious. The fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem is efficacious. "Sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains." The blood of the slain, but risen Christ "cleanseth us from all sin."

Personal testimony enters to declare that Jesus lives. He who has been saved from sin experiences the power of the living Christ. He does not need to refer to treatises on the resurrection to be assured that Jesus lives. He has a consciousness that the living Christ is with him.

Jesus became "the first-fruits of them that slept." In him only we have immortality, but we have it in Him. It is eternal life to know Him. The body will go into the grave, unless the coming of Jesus should interfere, but not forever. It will come forth at the summons of the Son of God. We shall rise from the dead. We shall in our "flesh see God." The power that raised up Jesus will raise us up in God's own good time. Jesus said, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Rev. 1:18). He is "the first-fruits" and we shall follow. We have the right to declare, "Death is swallowed up in victory," and to exclaim, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:54, 55).

For Our Justification

Christ's death was essential to the procuring of our salvation. Without the shedding of blood there could be no redemption. The blood of beasts could not atone for man's sin. Man's blood could not atone for man's sin. The blood of the Infinite Being, the Christ, must be shed. Who should shed that blood? In His very nature He could not be a suicide and shed His own blood. A good man would not be guilty of such an act. The very shedding of His blood by accident could not answer the case. Christ's blood was shed of set purpose by wicked men, whose hatred of Him was stirred into madness by the words and works of Jesus and by His claims to deity. Their act was by no means divinely inspired, but was inspired by Satan himself. The Father was in no sense a party to the tragedy. The enemies of Jesus plotted to rid the world of Him who was most offensive to them. The Father permitted the Son to be betrayed into the hands of men who did to Him what they desired. His enemies did all that lay in their power to destroy Him, but they had no power to take His life. He laid it down of Himself. This is one respect in which His death differed from that of all the multitudes who have passed away. The death of our Lord opened the way from sin and destruction to holiness and heaven.

The resurrection of Christ made declaration of His deity to all the world to all ages. He was eternally God, but His resurrection was an indisputable evidence of this fact. There were several miracles of the restoration of the dead to life, the accounts of which are given in the Scriptures; but they were raised from the dead to die again, while Jesus was raised from the dead to die no more. He is alive, and is alive forevermore.

If He had not risen, there could be no such system as Christianity. With His resurrection stands the entire structure of our holy religion. Every Christian church, every Christian service, every Christian song, every Christian prayer, every Christian man, woman and child is a standing declaration of the resurrection of Christ. The hope of the Christian is without foundation if Christ did not rise from the dead. He did rise, and all the claims that He made and all the claims made by inspired writers with respect to His mission are valid.

He rose for our justification. He came to be the Savior of men. He has power on earth to forgive sins. He came to destroy the works of the devil. He lives to seal the contract made with humanity to be its salvation. His death was a propitiation for our sins; His resurrection marks the completion of His work of procuring our salvation. Our justification is assured and realized by His resurrection from the dead, and by this also we are certain of His ability to save to the uttermost and to keep.

Christ's resurrection assures us that we, too, shall be raised from the dead. Because He lives, we shall live also. We shall be like Him. We shall be satisfied when we awake in His likeness.