Post by Brother Ben on Nov 30, 2006 13:31:12 GMT -5
A while back I requested prayer for an elderly brother up in Ohio named, Charles Shofstahl. Brother Charles passed back in August and I looked to see if I updated that request and I though I'd do it in this way. I received a wonderful letter from Charles' wife, Darlene. He was such a joyful brother, he used to call my Darlene, his UN-wife. He was a defender of the faith and worked hard to publish the glad tidings of Christ. Below is a letter from sister Darlene Shofstahl and the last printed work brother Charles produced. Enjoy and remember his dear wife and family in your prayers.
............begin letter............
Dear Friends and Brethren,
As yo receive this last mailing of the Pilgrim Pathway, the press has stopped for the final words of our Editor have been written. His sojourning here as a pilgrim and stranger ended on August 10th, 2006, when after bidding his family and wife "goodnight," Charles H. Shofstahl quietly went to sleep only to awaken in the glorious realm of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to truly taste the reality of those things promised which until now he had only seen through faith.
As a writer, publisher, and pastor, Charles H. Shofstahl had one desire in life ~ to proclaim the grace and holiness of his sovereign God who had reached down in mercy and saved him from a life of self-centered ruin. He walked that pilgrim pathway for 38 years with his face turned steadfastly toward that better country, and delighted to talk of the Lord he loved. You might have known Charles through the printed page, or heard his words in person, or simply showed up on his doorstep. It doesn't matter how you knew him, the important thing is that you simply had the blessing of knowing him.
A two year battle with acute leukemia sapped his physical strength and kept him from so many things he enjoyed doing in his office and shop. With his love of life, he has always set goals and visions for the future. Two weeks before his departure, he was overheard at the hospital asking another brother to pray that he would just have enough time left, if God wills, to finish some of the tasks that were given to him. In spite of unfinished dreams and projects, during these last two years the beautiful flame of his love for the Master was rekindled and burned brightly. he knew that he was preparing to see his Redeemer soon, and as always with things that were most important to him, he took pen and paper and wrote his final thoughts for all the world to read.
Enclosed in the program are those final words, titled, My Farewell, written in May when he received the news that his journey on this earth was coming to a quick close. They are his final testimony ~ his last sermon ~ his encouragement to you whereever you are in your walk in this pilgrim pathway today.
On a balmy first day of the week, the day of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, Sunday, August 13th, 2006, the body of Charles H. Shofstahl was laid to rest surrounded by the singing of several hundred friends who came from many walks of life and whose lives he had touched in some way. A great lover of the old hymns, he had chosen his parting hymn, 'Jesus Lover of My Soul.' This very day he is experiencing those old words in their sweetest perfection:
As the press now lies silent and the last stamp is being placed on this final mailing, please know how grateful the family of Charles H. Shofstahl is for your love, prayers, and support of the ministry over the years. It is our prayer that you will be blessed, inspired, and renewed through these final thoughts of your frined and brother-pilgrim.
Now I lay me down to die,
To all my friends I say good-bye;
It's difficult to take a breath,
So I must close my eyes in death.
Our time is short on earth below,
To our long home we all must go;
The Lord has told us "Be prepared,"
And for my friends who all have cared,
I leave this message you to hear;
For you who came from far and near;
The love of Christ constraineth me,
To tell you of His love for me.
With joy I my Redeemer see,
And He's prepared a place for me;
My heart's not troubled, for I know,
That to my Saviour I now go.
And to you whom I dearly love,
I hope to see you soon above.
Trust not your righteousness to save;
But wear the wedding dress He gave.
Salvation's not in our good deeds,
And Moses' Law can't meet our needs;
So look to Jesus Christ alone;
His death and blood for sins atone.
So kindly weep a tear for me,
But I my Saviour soon will see;
And you who have been born again,
Will see the truth come from this pen.
The peace of God I wish for you;
Eternal life, the new birth too;
And when you cross the river wide,
I hope together we'll abide.
By Charles Shofstahl May 26, 2006
June 15, 1941 ~~*~~ August 10, 2006
.................end...................
Farewell my dear friend. You were a jewel. Enjoy the rest prepared for you!
............begin letter............
Bleatings From The Sheepfold
Dear Friends and Brethren,
As yo receive this last mailing of the Pilgrim Pathway, the press has stopped for the final words of our Editor have been written. His sojourning here as a pilgrim and stranger ended on August 10th, 2006, when after bidding his family and wife "goodnight," Charles H. Shofstahl quietly went to sleep only to awaken in the glorious realm of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to truly taste the reality of those things promised which until now he had only seen through faith.
As a writer, publisher, and pastor, Charles H. Shofstahl had one desire in life ~ to proclaim the grace and holiness of his sovereign God who had reached down in mercy and saved him from a life of self-centered ruin. He walked that pilgrim pathway for 38 years with his face turned steadfastly toward that better country, and delighted to talk of the Lord he loved. You might have known Charles through the printed page, or heard his words in person, or simply showed up on his doorstep. It doesn't matter how you knew him, the important thing is that you simply had the blessing of knowing him.
A two year battle with acute leukemia sapped his physical strength and kept him from so many things he enjoyed doing in his office and shop. With his love of life, he has always set goals and visions for the future. Two weeks before his departure, he was overheard at the hospital asking another brother to pray that he would just have enough time left, if God wills, to finish some of the tasks that were given to him. In spite of unfinished dreams and projects, during these last two years the beautiful flame of his love for the Master was rekindled and burned brightly. he knew that he was preparing to see his Redeemer soon, and as always with things that were most important to him, he took pen and paper and wrote his final thoughts for all the world to read.
Enclosed in the program are those final words, titled, My Farewell, written in May when he received the news that his journey on this earth was coming to a quick close. They are his final testimony ~ his last sermon ~ his encouragement to you whereever you are in your walk in this pilgrim pathway today.
On a balmy first day of the week, the day of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, Sunday, August 13th, 2006, the body of Charles H. Shofstahl was laid to rest surrounded by the singing of several hundred friends who came from many walks of life and whose lives he had touched in some way. A great lover of the old hymns, he had chosen his parting hymn, 'Jesus Lover of My Soul.' This very day he is experiencing those old words in their sweetest perfection:
Thou, O Christ art all I want,
More than allk in Thee I find:
Raise the fallen cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Thou of Life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee.
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise of all Eternity.
More than allk in Thee I find:
Raise the fallen cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Thou of Life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee.
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise of all Eternity.
As the press now lies silent and the last stamp is being placed on this final mailing, please know how grateful the family of Charles H. Shofstahl is for your love, prayers, and support of the ministry over the years. It is our prayer that you will be blessed, inspired, and renewed through these final thoughts of your frined and brother-pilgrim.
To the praise of the glory of His grace.
Deborah Shofstahl
for The Charles H. Shofstahl family
Deborah Shofstahl
for The Charles H. Shofstahl family
My Final Farewell
Now I lay me down to die,
To all my friends I say good-bye;
It's difficult to take a breath,
So I must close my eyes in death.
Our time is short on earth below,
To our long home we all must go;
The Lord has told us "Be prepared,"
And for my friends who all have cared,
I leave this message you to hear;
For you who came from far and near;
The love of Christ constraineth me,
To tell you of His love for me.
With joy I my Redeemer see,
And He's prepared a place for me;
My heart's not troubled, for I know,
That to my Saviour I now go.
And to you whom I dearly love,
I hope to see you soon above.
Trust not your righteousness to save;
But wear the wedding dress He gave.
Salvation's not in our good deeds,
And Moses' Law can't meet our needs;
So look to Jesus Christ alone;
His death and blood for sins atone.
So kindly weep a tear for me,
But I my Saviour soon will see;
And you who have been born again,
Will see the truth come from this pen.
The peace of God I wish for you;
Eternal life, the new birth too;
And when you cross the river wide,
I hope together we'll abide.
By Charles Shofstahl May 26, 2006
June 15, 1941 ~~*~~ August 10, 2006
.................end...................
Farewell my dear friend. You were a jewel. Enjoy the rest prepared for you!