Fisher, Samuel R, Dd

Fisher, Samuel R., D.D.

a prominent minister of the (German) Reformed Church, was born at Norristown, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1810. From his earliest chilthood he evinced a spirit of piety, and became a full member of the Church when only fourteen years of age. About this time he entered the family of his pastor, the Reverend George Wack, in part as servant-boy and partly as student. Here he remained five years. In 1829 he matriculated at Jefferson College,. Cannonsburg, and graduated in 1834. Soon afterwards he began the study of theology in the Seminary of the Reformed Church, then located at Carlisle. He was licensed to preach in 1836, and became pastor of the Reformed Church in Emmittsburg, Maryland. He remained here only about three years, when, in 1840, he became identified with the Publication Society of the Reformed Church, located at Chambersburg, Pa. In 1864 the establishment was removed to Philadelphia, where Dr. Fisher continued his labors, with slight changes, as editor-in-chief of the Reformed Church Messenger and superintendent of the publication interests of the Church. He died at Tiffin, Ohio, whither he had gone to attend the General Synod, June 5, 1881. During a period of forty years or more, Dr. Fisher acted as stated clerk of the Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States. The duties of this office he performed with scrupulous exactitude and fidelity. In the meantime, also, he filled other stations of honor and responsibility, serving for many years as a member of the board of visitors of the theological seminary and as treasurer of the board of education. In every position which he occupied he rendered full and complete satisfaction. He was a man of good natural endowments, fine culture, and great skill in the practical application and use of his acquirements. He was also noted for his extraordinary energy of character, perseverance, sterling integrity, and wonderful endurance. The amount of work which he accomplished was enormous. Besides the large amount of writing done as editor of the Messenger and stated clerk of the Synod, he published, Exercises on the Heidelberg Catechism: — Heidelberg Catechism Simnplified:— Family Assistant, a book of devotions: — The Rum Plague, translated from the German. He was also a frequent contributor to the Guardiarc and the Mercersburg Review. See Ref. Church Mess. June 15, 1881. (D.Y.H.)