At the age of fifteen he was employed as an assistant in the Harrisburg Academy, and subsequently gave private instruction in Latin, Greek, and German. Early train- ed to industry and self-reliance, he formed those habits of mental discipline which gave so much strength to his future character. He studied theology under the di- rection of Rev. Dr. Geo. Lochman, and was licensed to preach in 1815 by the Synod of Pennsylvania. He im- mediately received a call to Baltimore as assistant min- ister to his uncle. Rev. Dr. J. D. Kurtz. He remained in this position for a brief period, and then accepted the invitation to become pastor of the Ilagerstown charge. During this period of his ministry his labors were crown- ed with the most abundant success. On a single occa- sion he added to the Church one hundred and fifteen members. Very reluctantly he resigned the position, and in 1831 took charge of the Lutheran Church in Cliarabersburg. But in the midst of his usefulness, with the brightest jjrospects of success, his labors here were abruptly terminated by the failure of his health. He removed to Baltimore Aug. 24, 1833, and commenced his career as editor of the Lutheran Observe?: The paper became an engine of great influence in the Church, and, although physically disciualified to perform regular pul- pit labor, in his editorial capacity he was permitted ev- ery week to preach the Gospel and to advance the inter- ests of the Church. He died Dec. 29, 1865. Dr. Kurtz possessed an intellect of no common order, a resolute will, and remarkable personal power. He was an active, vigorous thinker. He had acquired habits of close ap- plication, of careful and keen observation, a fondness for analytical research, and the investigation of intricate questions. His mind was clear and logical, and in con- troversy he had scarcely a superior. He readily com- prehended a subject, and knew how to grapple with any truth that claimed his attention. Had he entered the legal profession, for which he was originally intended, or political life, to which he was so well adapted, he would, no doubt, have risen to the highest position, to a rank C(iual to his most distinguished contemporaries. As a preacher he was very much gifted. In his earlier years, and in the maturity of his strength, he was re- garded by many as the most eloquent speaker in the State of ^Maryland. He was plain, tlioughtful, argu- mentative, and forcible. He gave utterance to the great truths of the Gospel with an energy and an unction that carried conviction home to the hearer. He was a clear, prolific writer, skilfid in repartee, pungent in rebuke ; a man of independent spirit, fond of excitement, and ;vork- ed best ;vhen under its influence. He was, in the full sense of the term, a public man, and few men in the Lu- theran Church of this country have wielded a greater power tlian he. His name was a tower of strength in connection with any enterprise that engaged his atten- tion. His public career, extending over half a century, was identified with the most important events in the history of the Lutheran Church during that period. The recognised leader of a central school in the Church, the public representative of a party whose views he adopt- ed, his sentiments on all subjects were regarded with fa- vor. His words were received as oracular. His life was one of ceaseless activity. Laborious, self-sacrificing, a man of great industry and unwearied perseverance, he never yielded to any obstacle that was not absolutely insuperable. Notwithstanding his daily routine of duty, and the multiplicity of his engagements, he found some time for authorship. His books were generally well re- ceived by the public ; some of them passed through sev- eral editions. The following embraces a list of his publi- cations : First Principles of Religion for Children (1821) : — Sermons on Sabbath-schools (1822) : — Faith, Hope, and Charity (1823) : — Address on Temperance (1824) : — Pas- toral Address during his absence in Europe (1827): — Ministerial Appeal, Valedictory Sermon, Ilagerstown (1831) : — A Door opened of the Lord, Introductory Ser- mon, Chambersburg (1831) : — Lnfant I>apiism ami Af- fusion, tcith Essaijs on Related Subjects (Baltimore, 1840) :
KURTZ
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KUVERA
— Theological Sketch-bool-, or Skeletons of Sermom, care- fully arranged in systematic order, so as to constitute a eoraplftc Body of Divinity, partly original, partly select- ed (1844, 2 vols.) : — Why are you a Lutheran? (1847) : — Prayer in all its Forms, and Training of Children (18yG) : — Lutheran Prayer-hook, for the use of FamOies and Individuals (1856) : — The Serial Catechism, or Pro- gressive Instruction for Children (1848) : — Design, Ne- cessity, aiul Adaptation of the Missionary Institute at Se- linsgrove. Pa. (Inaugural Address) (1859): — The Choice of a Wife — Lecture to the Graduating Class of Theo- logical Students iu the Missionary Institute (18G3) : — The Condemned Sermon — Experimental, not Ritual Relig- ion, the one thing needful; preached before the West Penns^-lvania Sj-nod (18C3) : — Believers belong to Christ: Sacramental Discourse delivered before the IMarj-laiid Synod (1865). He was also co-editor of the Yeai'-hook of the Reformation (1844). See Evang. Rev. 1866, p. 25 sq. ; Lutheran Obsei'ver, Jan. 5 and 12, 1866. (M. L. S.)