Fort Wayne, 1 October [1838]

Dear Brother in the Lord!

After you had left me at the train station in Havre De Grace, I felt like a stranger in a strange land for the first time. This feeling lasted for a day, until I arrived at Zelienople, not far from Pittsburgh. I bought a horse there and trotted out through the forested land, cheerfully and joyfully. I felt much better then. Whether I was alone or traveling in the best of company, I could, any time I wanted to, merely pull out my beloved Paul Gerhardt book or New Testament and put them back in my pocket when I was done. Sometimes my heart was so full of the sweet, cheerful grace of my Savior, that I had to laugh, to sing loudly, to have a joyful heart and to praise my Lord. America is a strange place. Outside of church, I still haven't heard anyone sing. I still can't believe that Americans can travel and work in such a beautiful forest, and not sing. It's doesn't endear me to the people's personality.

From time to time I grow weary, since I am a stranger to riding on uninhabited wilderness trails. Many times, however, it is pleasant, especially if Christian brother brings refreshments to me. Although I wasn't supposed to begin my missionary activity in Ohio, I was forced by luck, as the world speaks of it, to minister in Allen and Putnam Counties, because I found a few German settlers who hadn't heard a sermon in years. They tearfully begged me to stay with them awhile. I stayed in two settlements for eight days. I preached every day, one of the days I preached twice. I confirmed a young husband, who had been instructed, but hadn't as yet received Holy Communion. I baptized 13 children, ten of them at the same time, most of them almost fully grown up) a mother of two children, and a grown up, 18 year old girl on whom the Lord's mercy seemed to work in a special way. The people were so delighted to receive God's Word and the Bread of Life once more, that I couldn't thank the Lord enough for His love, because, at the very beginning of my ministry, He had led me to such hungry hearts.

I arrived here in Fort Wayne eight days ago. I have already preached five times here and in two neighboring settlements, baptized and conducted funerals. And now the people want very much to keep me. They deeply morn the loss of sainted Brother Huber [Rev. Jesse Hoover], who died several months ago, and whose work here was blessed extraordinarily. Should it be the Lord's will, to allow me to stay here, may He give me the strength and the faithfulness to work the way Huber did. I've told the church council of the local congregation to write the executive committee their Church Body about it. However, I would have to travel on farther in the morning and would return here in four weeks to find out the answer. I am happy to do the Lord's Will, and now may He guide the Committee's heart as He wills. I am content with everything, as long as I know that I am working where the Lord wants me to work.

It will probably be a few years, dear brother, before I will see you in Baltimore again. Even then, perhaps, only if I return to my beloved Germany. May the Lord grant that we will meet again as effective and profound disciples of our Lord, having much to tell each other about His love and mercy, and His great saving faithfulness with which he has worked for our souls. Now, be well! Lock me away in your prayers, I beg you sincerely. The Lord grant many blessings to your church and your home. May He prepare you with His power, and richly build you up, should your work be hard. His peace be with you and

Your brother in the Lord,

Fr. Wyneken

Notes:

Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith with the Assistance of Erika Bullmann Flores from Lutherische Kirchenzeitung und Allgemeines Schulblatt 15 November 1838. Cols. 3-4. The translators have placed it in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text.

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