Born: Kentucky, 1797.Died: Illinois, 1870.
Born: Kentucky, 1797.
Died: Illinois, 1870.
Joseph Hostetler was a remarkable man. He is properly classified with the pioneer preachers of Indiana, but his services in Illinois entitle him to this notice here. He was of German blood and German Baptist parentage. Though a typically mischievous boy, under the influence of his mother he very early in life learned to love the Scriptures, particularly the biographies of the Old Testament characters. In the great revival of 1811 he wished to enter the church, but his parents thought him too young. But one of his companions, of his own age, was received upon the following experience, which illustrates the prevalent thought of the time on the subject of conversion. When asked to describe the work of grace upon his heart, the lad sobbingly replied:
"I don't know as I has any work of grace to tell. I is a poor sinner."
"Do you believe in Christ?" asked the leader.
"Oh, yes, ever since I can recollect."
When further asked if he had dreamed anything remarkable, he related, in substance, as follows: He went to bed as usual in great distress; dreamed that he was going he knew not where, when the devil met him and was hurrying him off toward hell; thinking himself lost forever, just then a young man met them and rescued him; and that he then awoke in a transport of joy. Whereupon, a gray-haired deacon arose and said:
"Brethern [sic], I have been a Baptist for twenty-five years, and ef I ever heerd a experience of true grace, this boy has given us one. So it is with the poor sinners; They are goin' they know not where tel the Lord meets em. I can interpret this dream. He's powerfully converted. Glory to God."
This incident impressed young Hostetler deeply. As he had no such experience, he read the Bible through and with remarkable persistence searched the New Testament, where he learned that his faith in Christ and repentance toward God should be expressed in his public confession of the Lord Jesus and his baptism "for the remission of sins." In his nineteenth year he was thus received into the German Baptist Church by his uncle, Adam Hostetler.
Shortly thereafter he was married and about the same time authorized by the church to preach. On that solemn occasion his uncle presented him with a small Bible, saying: "Preach and practice only what you find in this Holy Book." Many things were yet confused in the thought of this young preacher, but he made daily use of the Bible and an English dictionary. About 1824 the first volume of the Christian Baptist fell into his hands, which he read with eagerness, but not with entire approbation. He was strong, self-reliant, clear-minded, purposeful, and with a tremendous capacity for work, both physical and mental. In mature life he spoke both the English and German languages with equal ease and fluency. He was noted for the accuracy of his speech, both in his private conversation and in his public addresses.
Mr. Hostetler came to Illinois in 1832 and settled on a farm about twenty miles east of the then village of Decatur. There he served as a pioneer farmer and preacher, organizing in that year what was then called the Okaw Church. He entered Decatur the same year to preach. The Methodists and Presbyterians had preceded him, and, according to the custom of those days, bitterly denounced his discourses as Campbellism, Romanism, infidelity, etc. Such men as he are never intimidated, and a number of the people, hearing his message, believed in Jesus Christ and were baptized.
The first church in Decatur, that was Christian only, was organized there by him in 1833. He moved there the next year, and during his two years' residence supported his family by the practice of medicine, for which he had fitted himself by his unflagging industry. He returned to Indiana in 1836. During this period of four years, he met Bushrod W. Henry, a mighty, resolute and deeply religious Baptist preacher. He also met John W. Tyler, also a Baptist minister of fine mind. Both of these men had come from Kentucky to Illinois in the early thirties. Under the guiding influence of Mr. Hostetler, Mr. Tyler discarded his "articles of faith" for the Scriptures solely and dropped his denominational name for Christian only. Mr. Tyler conducted the obsequies of Mr. Hostetler, and in his funeral discourse stated this fact as it related to himself. Mr. Hostetler returned to Lovington, Ill., in 1861, where he passed the remnant of his days. He was a self-reliant and aggressive leader of men.