Lesher, Christian (1775-1856)
Christian Lesher, River Brethren (Brethren in Christ) bishop, churchman, and writer, was born in Lancaster, PA. He moved to Franklin, PA, about 1810, serving as bishop for River Brethren in that county from 1825 to 1856. His unique contribution was in his writings. His first work, Zeugniß der Wahrheit (Testimony of Truth) written in 1841 (no copies extant) and outlining discipline as found in Matthew 18, was printed in English translation in 1904 issues of the Evangelical Visitor. Several copies of his second book, Das kleine Geistliche Magazin (The Small Spiritual Storehouse, 1849), have survived. Theologically oriented, the book deals with such issues as the incarnation of Christ, predestination and free will, and the spiritual status of children. His third work, "Das Geistliche Uhrenwerck" (The Spiritual Clockwork, 1850) a devotional writing, is in manuscript form and may not have been printed. Bishop Lesher's writings are in the Brethren in Christ tradition of stressing the inner life and outer obedience.
Bibliography
Lescher, Christian. Zeugniß der Wahrheit: eine klare Anweisung nach dem Wort Gottes, wie Kinder Gottes in der Gemeinde Jesu Christi haushalten Sollen, oder Ordnung halten untereinander. 1841.
Lescher, Christian. Das kleine Geistliche Magazin, als ein Zeugniß der Wahrheit: bestehend in unterschiedlichen Stücken des Christlichen Erkenntnisses. Chambersburg, PA: M. Kieffer and Company, 1849.
Lescher, Christian. "Das Geistliche Uhrenwerck als ein Zeugnisz Der Wahrheit welches bestehet in Zwelf Betrachtingen." Original in Christian Lescher papers, Kittochtinny Historical Society Museum, Chambersburg, PA, English translation by Noah Good in Brethren in Christ Historical Library, Messiah College, Grantham, PA.
Lescher, Christian. Christian Magazine. translated by Laban T. Bechbill. Published by translator, 1971.
Lescher, Christian. "How to Keep Order in God's House." Evangelical Visitor (1 June 1904, 15 June 1904, 1 July 1904).
Schrag, Martin H. "The Brethren in Christ Attitude Toward the 'World'." PhD dissertation, Temple University, 1967.
| Author(s) | Martin H Schrag |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 1987 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Schrag, Martin H. "Lesher, Christian (1775-1856)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1987. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Lesher,_Christian_(1775-1856)&oldid=121218.
APA style
Schrag, Martin H. (1987). Lesher, Christian (1775-1856). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Lesher,_Christian_(1775-1856)&oldid=121218.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 518. All rights reserved.
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