r Committee has injected into the general
Reformation influence the question of the wider influence of the
Reformation. Practically every section of the country has taken up the
discussion of the religious influence of the Reformation, also of the
influence of the Reformation on every side of life."

On the roll of Former Pastors, in the Appendix, are recorded the names
of men who laid the foundations of the present congregations. Their
labors and their sacrifices entitle them to a place in a book of
remembrance. Some names are missing. We tried hard to obtain them. For
these lacunae we offer our apologies to the historians of the next
centennial. In 1918 we were still struggling with the problem of
statistics.

Nowhere are ministers forgotten so soon as here in New York. The
congregations themselves are rapidly engulphed in the ceaseless tides
of humanity that sweep over the island. Now and then some beloved
pastor is remembered by some faithful friends, but in a few years the
very names of the men who built the churches are forgotten. Like the
knights of old:
"Their swords are rust,
Their steeds are dust.
Their souls are with the saints we trust."

Before ending the story of which a faint outline has here been given, we
recall with affection and reverence some of the men whose outstanding
personality has not yet faded from our memory. Their labors prepared the
ground for the harvests which a younger generation is now permitted to
reap.

Stohlmann was the connecting link with the earlier periods. He was an
able preacher, a warm hearted pastor and a conscientious man.

Geissenhainer, the pastor of St. Paul's, which he organized in 1841
after having been an assistant of his father in St. Matthew's since
1826, was another connecting link with the past.

Held of St. John's was a pupil of Claus Harms. His eloquent sermons
attracted great congregations to Christopher Street.

After fourteen fruitful years in St. James' Church, Wedekind was called
to Christopher Street in November, 1878, to succeed Pastor Held. Here he
labored for twelve years, edifying the church and inspiring St. John's
to bcome one of our most efficient congregations. Under his direction at
least four young men of the congregation were led into the ministry. He
died April 8, 1897.

[illustration: "Augustus Charles Wedekind, D.D."]

Under a quiet exterior Krotel concealed a forceful personality. He was a
born leader and took a large par