84 John Bachman, 



Bachman, became its Pastor. From that time the 

 Lutheran Congregation in Savannah began to pros- 

 per." 



" Having completed liis kibors in Savannah, he 

 extended his visit to Ebenezer, for he had learned 

 that though a Lutheran congregation still existed 

 in that place, its aged pastor (Rev. John E. Berg- 

 man) was fast sinking into the grave." Mr. Berg- 

 man was a learned and exemplar}^ German minister. 

 His son (Rev. Christopher F.) had received a clas- 

 sical education, and had studied for the ministry 

 under his lather ; but, not being aware that Luth- 

 eran ism had an existence in the South, he had 

 taken a license to preach under the auspices of 

 another denomination. ''This was the source of the 

 most unfeigned regret, both to his father and his 

 father's congregation." 



" The discerning mind of Dr. Bachman soon 

 penetrated the difticulty under which the younger 

 Bergman labored, and he was made the instrument, 

 in the hands of God, of giving a new direction to 

 Rev. C. F. Bergman's theological views, thus secur- 

 ing his services to the Lutheran Church, and cheer- 

 ing the last hours of a venerable servant of Jesus 

 Christ." 



One of the difficulties alluded to is explained by 

 the Patriarch Lutheran Missionar}^, H. M. Muhlen- 

 berg, in his *' Journal." " Rev. J. E. Bergman was 

 averse to the introduction of the English language 

 in the public services, though the spiritual interests 

 of younger generations demanded the change." 



