Welcome to the Battle of the Lutheran Legends as Henry Mühlenberg faces Albert Schweitzer. Both born in Germany, one in the 18th century, the other in the 19th. Both Lutherans. Both with fascinating vocational and creative paths. But only one will advance to the Saintly Sixteen.

Yesterday, Canaire prevailed over Barbara 54% to 46% to make it to the next round.

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Henry Mühlenberg

Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg is credited with bringing Lutheranism to the New World, thereby earning him the title “Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America.” But his mark on this new land stretched beyond religion and far into the emerging country and the halls of U.S. government.

Born September 6, 1711, in Hanover, Germany, Mühlenberg was educated at the University of Halle and studied theology at the University of Göttingen where he joined with others in charitable works, including the founding of an orphanage. He was ordained in 1739.

A pastor with a great reputation, he responded to the 1742 missionary call from the far-flung German-speaking colonists in Pennsylvania who wished for leadership to worship in their Lutheran faith.

Despite the challenges and financial woes he faced, Mühlenberg excelled as a church planter and was a competent administrator, a detailed organizer, and an educator. He was known to express views against slavery on these shores.

While his ministry centered in the Keystone State, Mühlenberg started congregations in Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. His oversight eventually reached 80 congregations. His dedicated training of new pastors assured the span and reach of Lutheranism.

Mühlenberg’s impact cannot be underestimated. His legacy is intertwined with the roots of this country and lives on in religion, government, print, and education.

His significant accomplishments include the creation of the first Lutheran synod in America, known as the Pennsylvania Ministerium. He was successful in writing a uniform liturgy for Lutheran churches. Of equal significance, in 1761 the church constitution he penned was accepted, and his hymnal followed in 1786.

He strove to stay neutral during the Revolutionary War, despite his children taking active parts. However, in 1777 the British considered him an enemy.

Mühlenberg and his wife Anna Maria, the daughter of a prominent colonial leader, raised 11 children. Among them: Peter Gabriel, an ordained pastor and a Major General in the Continental Army who was elected to the U.S. Congress; Frederick, the first U.S. Congress Speaker of the House; Henry, Jr., a scientist who became president of Franklin College (now Franklin & Marshall); Elisabeth, married to Revolutionary War hero General Francis Swaine; Maria Salome, called Sally, wed to U.S. Congressman Matthias Richards; Eve, married to Emmanuel Shulze, whose son John Andrew Schulze was elected the sixth Governor of Pennsylvania. Mühlenberg’s great-grandson, William Augustus Muhlenberg, was a prominent Anglican priest.

Muhlenberg College, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was named in his honor following his dedication to education.

Mühlenberg died on October 7, 1787, in Trappe, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia, where he is buried.

Collect for Henry Muhlenberg
Loving God, shepherd of your people, we thank you for the ministry of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who left his native land to minister where called; make us mindful of our own vocation to serve where you call us; in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (GCW 2015)

— Neva Rae Fox

Albert Schweitzer

Some people would label Albert Schweitzer an over achiever: theologian, philosopher, medical doctor, missionary, author, musician, Nobel Prize winner, and more. But when we read about the remarkable life of Albert, we see someone who lived a scriptural conviction of “with God, all things are possible.”

Albert Schweitzer was born January 14, 1875, in Alsace, Germany (now in France). His father and grandfather were Lutheran ministers, laying the foundation for his desire to study theology and philosophy at the University of Strasbourg. Albert’s studies culminated in a doctorate in philosophy with a focus on Kantian theology and became a licensed pastor. He is well known for the publication of his research in The Quest for the Historical Jesus. Concurrently, Albert continued his musical studies in piano and organ that helped fund his educational pursuits and then later, medical missionaries to Africa. His study of music was in “J.S. Bach: le musicien-poète (1905).”

During his mandatory military service requirement, Albert experienced a mystical epiphany while studying Matthew. In his studies, he heard God’s call to “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew10:8). Part of his philosophy of this experience can be found in his treatise “A Philosophy of Civilization” published in 1923.

Upon his return home, Albert enrolled in medical school, specializing in tropical and infectious disease with the intent to be a medical missionary to Africa. Prior to leaving, he published his medical dissertation on “The Psychiatric Study of Jesus.” Then, in 1913, Albert and his bride, Helene Breslau, set sail for Lambaréné  in what is now Gabon, Africa. There, Albert and Helene treated over 2,000 patients suffering from complex diseases such as leprosy, malaria, yellow fever, smallpox, dysentery, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, and other maladies of .

Albert would continue to perform to raise money for his mission. He best known for his presentation of Bach’s work. That money led to the building of the Schweitzer Hospital in  Lambaréné  including over 70 outbuildings and a refuge for those with leprosy.

Albert continued to write prolifically about his experiences, research, and studies in philosophy, theology and music. He went on to publish additional works including: “The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle,” “Bach’s Organ Works ,” and “The Problem of Peace in the World Today.” Albert was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952.  The prize included a $33,000 dollar award that Albert and Helene reinvested in the hospital to continue his work, long after he died.

Collect for Albert Schweitzer
O God, who endowed your servant Albert Schweitzer with a multitude of gifts for learning, beauty, and service: Inspire your Church that we, following his example, may be utterly dedicated to you, that all our works might be done to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (GCW 2015)

— Anna Courie