Albright, Jacob

Albright, Jacob the founder of the Evangelical Association, was born near Pottstown, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1759. His parents were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in youth he was received as a member into its communion. About 1790 he was converted, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In October 1796, he commenced his work as an itinerant minister, preaching to the Germans in Pennsylvania and Virginia in a stirring, practical manner. In 1800 he organized the persons who had been intrusted to his care into classes or societies. The first three of these were formed in the counties of Bucks, Berks, and Northampton, in the state of Pennsylvania. Soon afterwards other classes were formed. His first colleague after this organization was John Walter, his second. was Abraham Liesser. A council was held November 3, 1863, at which these three and fourteen others of the society were present. Albright was recognised as their spiritual father, and his two associates, with the assent o.f the others, solemnly ordained him an elder, adopting the Holy Scriptures as their articles of faith and practice. At the first conference, held in November 1807, in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Albright was elected bishop. From the time of this conference session his health failed rapidly. On his way home from Singlestown he became so weak that he was compelled to stop at the house of Mr. George Becker, in Lebanon County. He died May 18, 1808. The immediate fruit of his labors: was the conversion of three hundred souls. His public prayers and sermons were powerful, penetrating, and convincing. See Yearkel, Albright and his Co- laborers (Cleveland, Ohio, 1883).