ARTHUR DEFRANCE ZAHNISER

NOT CHANGED, BUT GLORIFIED Not changed, but glorified! Oh, beauteous language      For those who weep, Mourning the loss of some dear face departed.      Fallen asleep. Hushed into silence, never more to comfort      The hearts of men, Gone, like the sunshine of another country,      Beyond our ken. O dearest dead, we saw thy white soul shining      Behind the face, Bright with the beauty and celestial glory      Of an immortal grace. What wonder that we stumble, faint and weeping.      And sick with fears, Since thou hast left us—all alone with sorrow      And blind with tears? Can it be possible no words shall welcome      Our coming feet? How will it look, that face that we have cherished      When next we meet? Will it be changed, so glorified and saintly      That we shall know it not? Will there be nothing that will say, "I love thee,      And I have not forgot?" O faithless heart, the same loved face transfigured,      Shall meet thee there, Less sad, less wistful, in immortal beauty      Divinely fair. The mortal veil, washed pure with many weepings.      Is rent away, And the great soul that sat within its prison      Bath found the day.                                                         —Anonymous.

Methodism in England was born in the blazing fire of a far-reaching revival that continued unabated for half a century; Methodism in the United States was born in the fervor of a revival continuing for several decades until a church that was not became the greatest in the land; Free Methodism was born in a rekindled flame of evangelism, and her life depends upon keeping that flame aglow. Among her sons of varied talents, Free Methodism has brought forth no greater fire-crowned prophet of evangelism than Arthur DeFrance Zahniser.

He was born near Mercer, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1865, and passed away on August 14, 1935. In 1894 he was married to Miss Sarah J. Carrier, a well-balanced Christian woman who was an adornment to his home and a true helpmeet in the work of the Lord. Of four children, two survive, Mrs. Bernice Weidman and Mrs. Lefa Snyder.

In October, 1890, he joined the Pittsburgh Conference on trial. Two years later he was ordained deacon. In 1894 he was ordained elder. He served the following circuits as pastor: Hickory, one year; Philipsburg, two years; and Bradford, three years. He was then elected district elder, serving the Greensburg district three years, Rochester district four years, and Pittsburgh district four years. In 1911 at the General Conference at Chicago, he was elected General Conference Evangelist, which office he held until elected bishop in 1927. He was re-elected at the General Conference at Winona Lake, Indiana, just before his death in 1935.

This brief outline of his ministerial career is given to supplement the following autobiography which he wrote upon request, just before his last General Conference, in 1935.

Autobiography by Bishop Zahniser

I was born near Mercer, the county seat of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. All the Zahnisers in the United States, now numbering approximately 3,000, are the direct descendants of one Valentine Zahniser who, en route from Germany, died and was buried in the sea. His widow, with her four-year-old son, Matthias, arrived in the United States in 1753. The family were of the respectable, middle class, usually thrifty. My mother's people were of French and Irish descent.

Our immediate family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. I was the senior of the boys.

My parents, and their ancestors for several generations, were Calvinists (Presbyterians) . As a child, I learned the Ten Commandments, the Children's Catechism, etc. I attended Sabbath school and church services regularly, until I left home to attend school at Grove City, Pennsylvania.

In early life I was reared in a highly moral and religious community. I do not recall a man who lived in that immediate vicinity who used profane language or who drank intoxicants, though practically all the men (including church officials) used tobacco. I had a very interesting and happy childhood. The enrollment in our district school one year numbered sixty students. Thirty-nine of these were Zahnisers. I was not regarded as a brilliant student. I was much too interested in fun and frolic to take my school work very seriously. However, I managed to keep along with my classes. I received my first standard grades at an examination for teachers when sixteen years of age, but was too young to be given a certificate. This I received about two years later.

When I was about thirteen years of age my father was elected prothonotary of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. At the close of his term of office, he purchased a farm near the county seat of Forest County, Pennsylvania (Tionesta) . The moral standard in the new community was lower than in our former home neighborhood. I was susceptible to this new environment. Having already formed the tobacco habit, I naturally acquired others commonly practiced by my new associates I became known far and wide in this vicinity as a fun-loving and fun-making young man.

It was in this new community that we first contacted Free Methodism. I heard some powerful preaching from great preachers, such as Rev. J. T. Michael, Rev. R. W. Hawkins, Rev. J. Barnhart and Rev. J. S. MacGeary. Though I knew little or nothing about homiletics or systematic theology, I recognized the ability of these great men. However, my Presbyterian background rather inclined me to look upon them as unorthodox and therefore not to be taken too seriously.

There were a few years in my life (17 to 22) into which I crowded many attempts at various occupations, canvassing, taking small contracts, working on salary, etc. I finally secured an interest in a small lumber manufacturing business, employing six or eight men. I decided to finish a business course in view of permanently entering the business of manufacturing, buying and selling lumber.

PROVIDENCES LEADING TO MY CONVERSION

I had engaged to work on a salary for a few months, preparatory to my school plan. In this period were many vital, interesting and even thrilling experiences. The lack of time and space forbids their record here.

It was reported that the boiler in the plant where I worked was not safe. This news reached my people. They became concerned for my safety. My brother, Jacob, who had been converted in a Free Methodist revival, but now backslidden, dreamed that the boiler had exploded and that I was killed. He saw my mangled body lying on the ground, and cried out, "Oh, my brother is lost. Had I remained faithful he might have been saved!" The dream so distressed him that he started at four o'clock in the morning and made a three-hours' drive to see if I were safe. I returned home with him over the week-end. He related this dream to me. It did not appear to impress me seriously. I recall that I replied, "Oh, of course, one would feel better about the death of his friends if they were Christians." My people, especially my mother, urged that I should not continue my work at that place, but since it was so vitally related to my plan, I could not consider such a course.

Arriving at my boarding house on Monday morning, I discovered that the daughter in the home had the measles. Not having had this disease, I did not feel free to enter. I secured a man to take my place.

On my return home, I found a Free Methodist revival meeting in progress, conducted by Rev. S. Sager, assisted by his brother, L. A. Sager. I attended the meeting just as a sort of pastime, or a place to meet the young folk. My good Presbyterian mother, without my knowledge, had sent my name to the Fulton Street prayer meeting in New York, requesting them to join her in prayer for my conversion.

MY CONVICTION

One memorable night, without any conscious previous conviction on this occasion, after the Christians had gathered to pray for the seekers, a German man, who called himself "Brother Will," who had drifted into the meeting, began to pray in broken English, then shifted to pure German and back to broken English. He lifted his hands heavenward. The Holy Spirit fell on the altar service. He spoke to my soul (though I did not recognize His person), saying, "That is God. You have known your duty all your life. Heaven or hell -- take your choice. This is your last chance."

I began to pray. I had not offered a prayer of any sort for years or since I had ceased praying the childhood prayers my mother had taught me. I promised God that if He would permit me to live until an opportunity was given to "arise for prayer" I would be the first man on my feet. At the close of the altar service the opportunity was given. I arose and stood, it seemed, for almost a minute. The preacher appeared to think I was "making fun," and spoke of the danger in mocking God. My older sister came to me at the close and said, "Oh, brother, don't make fun; don't mock God." When assured that I was really in earnest, she hurried home to tell the good news to my mother who, while rejoicing, quietly said, "Oh, I have been expecting that."

MY CONVERSION

I presented myself as a seeker at the public altar the next night. Then followed an extended period of earnest, continuous seeking. I appeared to be wholly ignorant as to how to make a full and unconditional surrender to God and exercise saving faith in the Word of God through the provisions of the atonement. There seemed to be a vague consciousness that there must be something real and tangible in religion, a conscious contact with God. For this I diligently sought.

In the midst of my earnest quest an engagement previously made fell due. My promise was out. What must I do? My mother heard me say that I was going to carry out the plan. However, in answer to her prayers the Lord sent two young men, one of whom had prayed through the night before, to invite my brother Jacob and me to evening dinner and to go with them to church.

I took the newly-converted young man out alone and earnestly demanded of him that he tell me most solemnly whether sleeping over his seeming "happy religious experience" he felt the same now. He assured me that he did. I replied, "Well, Charles, it appears to me that I might as well be dead and buried as to get religion the way these folk are preaching it; but I am going to do it, if I never laugh again, if I never have any more pleasure; I will settle it."

I wrote a letter to the party most directly concerned in the social arrangement about as follows. "Doubtless you have heard that I am seeking religion at the Free Methodist revival. I am most miserable. My presence tonight could not add to your pleasure. I am sending Mr. in my place. He is a fine young man. I am coming out of this revival either a real Christian or an avowed infidel. You will hear from me later."

As I was about to enter the church that night the burden lifted from my heart and mind. It appeared that a combination of all the good sensations I had ever experienced came into my life. I hardly knew how to account for this condition. I had supposed that to be religious I must feel solemn. I tried to repress this conscious delight, even to reproach myself for it. The preacher preached a strong sermon on hell, but I could not feel badly or solemn. I went to the altar to try to get "a religious frame of mind." I attempted to think of the funeral of my grandfather to accomplish this. I found myself rejoicing in my attempt to feel solemn.

Suddenly I awoke to the fact that God had lifted the load of sin from my troubled heart. The Spirit had answered with my spirit. I was a new creature in Christ from that hour. It was all so supernaturally natural, so simple, yet so wonderful! I was immediately filled with a love for souls.

I was clearly led of the Spirit to unite with the Free Methodist Church. I have never doubted this leading nor regretted it for a moment. I am persuaded that this denomination offers a greater challenge to my faith, courage and consecration, and gives a better opportunity for real sacrificial service in soul-saving, than any other in the church world.

An early experience in cross-bearing I will give here. At the close of the revival, the pastor announced that I would lead the midweek prayer meeting. I protested, but he refused to change the plan. The first part of the week was one of fear and trembling. I had been the president of literary societies, and belonged to debating clubs, but had never tried to do anything religious. The temptation to remain at home was strong. I tried to argue that it was unfair and unwise to ask a young convert to do this. There was no way out of it. I went from my prayer room to the church. The audience room was packed. "Captain Jim" Zahniser sat in the back seat. He was a bright, intelligent man of years, but sarcastically critical. I tried to enlist every available person to take the lead, but all refused. I could scarcely hold the hymn book to give out the first hymn; but, after singing and prayers, as I began to read the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit came on me. I commented and exhorted and Captain Jim and all the rest looked small to me. This was a great victory.

MY SANCTIFICATION

Some few weeks after my conversion I was awakened by a strange circumstance to the fact that though my regeneration was so marvelous, the sin principle remained within my heart. For six months I sought publicly and privately for heart purity. I confessed the depravity of my nature to God, consecrated my redeemed powers anew to Him, pleading the merits of the blood of Christ, and reached the great and gracious day of Pentecost!

En route home from my daily duties, the Holy Spirit's baptism sealed the work to my happy soul.

MY CALL TO PREACH

This call was a great surprise, as this course had never been in any of my dreams, desires or thoughts. My preparations and plans were altogether along a different line. The conviction came in a quiet manner, but was very clear. Nothing less than this would have been considered. I did not mention it to others. Exhorter's license was practically thrust upon me. I was almost forced into the work.

My election to the office of district elder was a shock and a surprise. My election as general conference evangelist was unsought and undesired.

It is perhaps superfluous to state that I never expected to be elected to my present relation as bishop. I knew, of course, by the votes received on former quadrennial occasions, that I was being thought of by some for the position. However, I never believed that I would be elected until the vote was announced. I have striven for eight years to fill this important and responsible office. I have earnestly sought divine help. Whatever of success I have attained in my unworthy efforts I attribute to the help of the Holy Spirit. I would not if I could now exchange my career as a humble minister in the Free Methodist Church for anything the world has had to offer in church or state. If I were privileged to start life over again, I would come over the same course. The highest honor God can confer upon any person is to call him into His service and work. The most exalted privilege a young person can have is to lay a well-prepared life at the feet of the Lord and Master, to spend and be spent in His service.

At the base of the life of A. D. Zahniser was a radical conversion, so deep and thorough that it separated him once and forever from the world and set him apart for God. And he never joined that chasm of separation by a bridge of compromise. To him there were two colors -- things were either white or black. His black and white never faded into a neutral gray. Nancy C. Morrow, one of the pioneers of the Oil City Conference, gives this personal picture of his conversion:

It was in the early eighties that a family of high respectability by the name of Zahniser located on a farm three miles west of Tionesta, which contained a fine "mansion house" -- a memorial of the palmy days of oildom.

The eldest of that family was an attractive young man who soon became a popular member of a gay young company. Ere long a revival of pure and undefiled religion reached that rural community, which did not in the least appeal to the young man, who remarked to his father while on their way to church one evening, "I'd rather go to hell than be a Free Methodist." To him the father replied, "Arthur, if you are ever converted you'll have to be a Free Methodist."

The Spirit of the Lord was abroad; the earnest prayers of his Presbyterian mother prevailed, and Arthur Zahniser was truly born of God. There was no mistake about it. . .

Like a valiant soldier of the Cross, he put on the whole armor of God, ready with courage to face the enemy of souls.

At a baptismal service the young soldier stepped towards the river with the minister (Rev. D. B. Tobey, we believe), closely followed by the mother clad in simple black, who knelt on the cobblestones in silent prayer as the twain advanced for the immersion -- a heavenly scene never to be forgotten.

Six years before his death a severe heart attack prostrated him and it was thought his work was done. As far as human skill is concerned he had come to the end of the journey. One of the pioneer preachers of the Pittsburgh Conference, Rev. D. B. Tobey, was noted through the years for his great faith in divine healing. Hundreds of people were healed in answer to his prayers. He was summoned far and near to anoint the sick. The Lord spoke to Brother Tobey, then an aged superannuate, to anoint his life-long friend. He hurried to Pittsburgh, went into the room where Bishop Zahniser was hovering at the gate of death, and said, "Arthur, the Lord sent me to anoint you. God is not through with you yet. It is His will to raise you up and give you added years of service. God raised him up and added six of the best years of his life.

He was advised by his friends to take his work more moderately that he might live longer, but his passion for souls and his zeal for the work of God caused him to disregard the pleadings of his loved ones, although it possibly shortened his days.

Like the stars in the heavens, he lived near to God. His Master revealed to him that the end of the way was near. He privately said at the General Conference at Winona Lake that his work was almost done and the Lord was putting some finishing touches on him to prepare him for heaven. He could already see the distinct light of the celestial city. A special unction of heaven was upon him at the General Conference and at the last three conferences on the Pacific coast. Of his last Sunday at the Washington Conference, he wrote in his last letter: "Yesterday was a great day at Burlington, Washington (seat of the conference) . Wonderful love feast. I baptized thirteen or fourteen babies and preached in the morning. The people shouted me down before I was quite through. As it was, I got in about forty-five or fifty minutes rapid fire. I conducted both ordination of elders and deacons in the afternoon, and preached the seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Free Methodist Church."

He prevailed upon his daughter, Mrs. Snyder, to accompany him to his conferences. On Monday morning after the Washington Conference he took a train en route to the West Kansas Conference. They were about to change cars at Laramie, Wyoming, Wednesday morning at six o'clock. He arose from his berth and as he dressed he suffered a heart attack. His daughter gave him a stimulant, but as they waited for the train to pull into Laramie, he peacefully dropped his head and was with the angels. "And he was not, for God took him."

As a Man

As a man, A. D. Zahniser was a blend of firmness and kindness. Anyone acquainted with him knew him as a man of clear-cut convictions -- convictions extending into all the details of his life. The lines of spiritual demarcation he always kept distinct. His loyalty to his convictions, maintained at all costs, was one of the factors which made him the pungent preacher he was. The vow of Spurgeon, found in his "Little Secret Diary," may well apply to Brother Zahniser: "I vow to glory alone in Jesus and His cross, and to spend my life in extension of His cause, in whatsoever way He pleases. I desire to be sincere in this solemn profession, having but one object in view, and that to glorify God. Help me to honor Thee, and live the life of Christ on earth!"

At the same time he was the soul of kindness and sympathy. He loved people regardless of age or position, and they in turn loved him. His friends were numbered by thousands. Mrs. J. M. Daniels gave this picture of him in the home, which was universal:

But those of us who had the privilege of ministering to him in our homes knew something of the alluring grace which he possessed. As said of the Master, his gentleness did make him great.

He was so appreciative of the little things; the song of the birds, the beauty of the trees, the flowers upon the dinner table, the comfortable bed, the soft breeze which came in through the window, the cool drink which had been prepared for his comfort; and how he rejoiced for the new day with its gladness and its opportunity for service. Truly he had an excellent spirit within him.

He was of such a genial disposition and he walked so closely with his Lord that his own spirit was so gladdened that he was able, in a peculiar way, to gladden the hearts of others.

Rev. W. N. Coffee emphasized the same trait from a different angle:

Bishop Zahniser was a magnanimous man, and in the fullest sense of the word; too great for envy, jealousy or selfishness, giving credit where credit was due; conceding too much sometimes when his opponents were contentious; sincere in his praise of others; true to his convictions; not disposed to hold others to his individual opinions, when self-evident principles were not involved.

His was a benevolent spirit, kind and loving, holding no ill will toward those who opposed him, but manifesting the spirit of the innate gentleman always. He was a humble man. He was perhaps one of, if not the greatest, evangelist of his denomination, possibly of any denomination, in recent years, yet apparently unconscious of it. Beautiful in his humility, unostentatious and unassuming, he was universally loved.

He was sociable and approachable by any and all. It was a real pleasure to have him in the home. The old folk, the young folk and the little children all appreciated and loved him. He was capable of doing the church a vast amount of good, and did.

He was kind and careful in his administration as a bishop, and considerate to the last degree, going almost any length to avoid unnecessary trouble, yet fearless when trouble had to be met.

As an Evangelist

While Bishop Zahniser successfully filled every position in which he was placed and was wise as a counselor and administrator, yet the pulpit was his stronghold. He was a God-called evangelist. His life furnishes unmistakable evidence of his separation for his specific Christian service. If Paul was able to prove his apostleship by the transformed lives of those converted under his preaching, certainly no one would doubt that A. D. Zahniser followed in the succession of the chiefest of the apostles. Evangelism was the central passion of his life. His capacity for pioneering and organizing was all bent to the end of saving souls. Since the height of his striving was conscious obedience to the divine will, he was in the line of apostolic succession, called to be an evangelist "by the will of God."

The biographer of Hudson Taylor points out that the basic cause of the remarkable success of the China Inland Mission was due to the love of souls which was born in the hearts of the converts: "Among all the characteristics caught by the converts from their missionaries at this time, none was more important in the results than love for souls, that sure evidence of a heart in fellowship with the Lord Himself. When this is not found in the missionary, is it ever developed in the native helpers? And can anything make up for its absence in either the one or the other? Learning, eloquence, natural gifts, all, all go up in the balance as lighter than nothing, if not permeated with this supreme endowment."

One of the sure signs of the genuineness of A. D. Zahniser's work as an evangelist was the desire of those converted under his ministry to become fishers of men. It is a life on fire that kindles others. His life was on fire, and he spontaneously kindled that fire in the hearts of others. It was the logic of heaven -- spontaneous combustion. "Why is it Mr. Wesley is able to set men on fire with his words?" asked one who heard the great preacher. The reply was, "It is because he is on fire himself." One of the distinctive fruits of his soul-stirring evangelism was the large number of young men and women who entered the ministry. He was not only a "fisher of men" but also a fisher of ministers. God-called preachers are practically always born in revivals of religion. In the mighty revival held by Dr. Redfield at Middletown, Connecticut, which had such a profound influence on B. T. Roberts, twenty-five preachers were born. His will be the crown of a servant who turned many to righteousness and above all inspired many to preach the uncompromising gospel of Jesus Christ.

As a Writer

Although confessedly not called as a writer, yet what limited amount he wrote for the Free Methodist was typical of his preaching -- clear in thought, direct and pointed in language. It is well to preserve one of his articles for coming generations.

Christocentric

Jesus Christ is the great center around which circles all the moral and spiritual interests of all created human intelligences from the beginning of time into the measureless future of eternity. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made." To know Him is to possess a wisdom and understanding that "passeth knowledge." "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The Bible is the one and only book that leads to a true knowledge of Him. To sincerely and faithfully search it is to find Him! "Search the Scriptures . . . for they are they that testify of me."

From the closing of the gates of Eden's garden, through unfolding sacred history of the fallen and redeemed race, to His coming in the clouds, Christ is the center and the circumference, "the Alpha and the Omega." The destiny of men and nations are settled according to their knowledge of and attitude toward Him.

What a dismal history of a hopeless horde of human creatures, with an almost useless career and uncertain destiny, would be the record of the race without the Christ. What a meaningless message would be the Old Testament -- its types, shadows, priesthood, sacrifices, sabbaths and men -- separated from the promises and prophecies of the Messiah!

Prophecy is "a miracle of knowledge with reference to future events" or God revealing future events through men under divine inspiration. The great prophet Isaiah challenged the heathen "gods" to prove their boasted power and wisdom thus: "Let them bring forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things what they be, that we may consider them and know the latter end of them; or declare us things to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter that we may know that ye are gods."

The revelation of the Messiah by prophecy, through the millenniums of the Old Testament, furnishes the most positive proof that the Bible is the word of God, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jehovah declares: "I am God, and there is none else; I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done . . . I have spoken it and I will bring it to pass; I have promised it and I will do it."

So Christocentric are the Scriptures of the Old Testament that the life of Christ, from His ancestry and virgin birth by way of Pentecost to His final coming again to reign could be written from the inspired statements of these sacred records.

Concerning the ancestry of the Messiah, more than eighteen hundred years B. C., when the Father of the Faithful had passed the crucial test of loyalty, obedience, and faith, Jehovah gave him promise that the Redeemer of the human race should come through his posterity: "And in thy seed [Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Jacob, in blessing his sons, assures Judah that "Shiloh" shall be of his tribe: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be." Of the father of David it was declared: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth."

By prophetic vision through three hundred years, Malachi beholds John Baptist, "the Forerunner," heralding the coming Messiah and cries out: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me."

Jehovah, in pronouncing sentence after the fall, foretold the virgin birth of His Son: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; it [the seed of the woman, Christ] shall bruise thy [Satan's] head." The prophet Isaiah, in the plainest possible language, iterated this great truth more than seven centuries before "the angel Gabriel was sent forth from God" to announce to the modest maiden of Nazareth the miraculous conception: "Behold a virgin [Mary] shall conceive and bear a son, and thou shalt call His name Emmanuel."

And where, I ask, is this wonderful child to be born? The prophet Micah does not hesitate to answer, though centuries and generations lie between -- in Bethlehem: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He [Christ] come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting," from eternity to eternity. The prophet Isaiah, under divine inspiration, looking down through more than seven centuries, sees the child and His mother in Bethlehem's stable, and as if standing by the manger cradle, with the wise men and shepherds he joins in the celebration of that first Christmas morning, and just as the angel's song is dying in the distance he starts a new song: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

Further history of the life of Him "of whom Moses and the prophets did write" is prohibited for lack of space, though the inspiration leads on the hilltops where history and prophecy meet, revealing most clearly the whole life of the incarnate God among men, centuries and millenniums before the Babe of Bethlehem breathed the atmosphere of our earth. Oh, let us pause at this Christmas morn and celebrate from the very depth of our redeemed hearts this event that marked the dawn of a new and eternal day.

Rev. J. T. Logan preached his funeral sermon from the great question raised by Job, "If a man die, shall he live again?" Before his dust was carried out to be laid in the cemetery at Greenville, Illinois, thirty-one fellow soldiers gathered around his casket to sing the paean of victory, "Servant of God, Well Done!"

He was unduplicatable. His heart was so big it took in the world. There was a swing of triumph in his soul which fired men to rise to the call of the gospel. He was a prince with God and prevailed.

Bishop Zahniser died at a propitious time; his work was well-nigh complete. Six years as pastor, eleven as district elder, sixteen as evangelist, eight as bishop mark the span of his holy warfare. He did not linger in decrepitude to outlive himself. The church crowned him with grateful benedictions; he tarried only for the good-night kiss of the Lord he served, and awoke from a transient earthly slumber to behold the glory ineffable.