Becker, Karl Christian Ludwig

Becker, Karl Christian Ludwig D.D., a German Reformed minister, was born in Anhalt-Coethen, Germany, Nov. 17th, 1756. He pursued his preparatory studies in a gymnasium near his native place, and at eighteen entered the University of Halle, where he studied four years. Thence he went to Bremen, where he spent fourteen years as a candidatus theologiae, preaching occasionally for the pastors of that city, and devoting part of his time to preparing young men for the universities. While at Bremen he published An Exposition of the 53d Chapter of Isaiah, a Treatise on the Best Mode of Converting the Jews, and two volumes of Sermons — all able works. In 1793 he emigrated to America, bearing with him the most flattering testimonials from the ministerium of Bremen. He immediately received a call from several German Reformed congregations in Northampton County, Penn. In March, 1795, he became pastor of the German Reformed congregation in Lancaster, Penn. In 1806 he took charge of the Church in Second Street, Baltimore, Md. In 1810 he published a volume of Sermons, which was well received. He died suddenly, July 12th, 1818. There being in Dr. Becker's time as yet no theological seminary in the German Reformed Church in America, many of its ministers pursued their theological studies with him. He possessed a strong mind, and was thoroughly educated. Ardent and impulsive, he was frequently "caught up," while preaching, into an overwhelming strain of impassioned eloquence and tender feeling, swaying the congregation as the wind moves a forest. He wrote and preached only in the German language. See Harbaugh, Fathers of the Germ. Ref. Church, 2, 65.