SAMUEL BAKER

Samuel Baker, Sr., owned two hundred acres of land near Gormley, from the third to the fourth. He married one of Bishop John Doner's daughters. His family was John, Christian, Samuel, David and four daughters. John married Barbara Cober on December 25, 1837. Witnesses were Jacob Cober and Susan Baker. John Baker was born April 15, 1817. He was chosen a minister for Nottawa district. He was one of the first ministers and used to preach nearly all German. A number of his grandsons were ministers and deacons in the church, namely, Isaac Baker, his son, was a minister who later went out west. Henry Hahn was a deacon and his son, Fred, a minister. He also went to Saskatchewan. Catherine Baker married John Swalm and his son, Isaac, was chosen a minister and later bishop of Nottawa. After his death his son, E. J. Swalm was chosen and is still serving at that place. Elizabeth married Conrad Swalm July 24, 1846. Lydia married Aaron Sheffer who was chosen deacon of Nottawa. Their sons, George, is a minister of that place, and Harvey is a deacon there. Their daughter, Elsie, married Earl Sider of Cheapside. According to Jonathan Baker's history his family was all born in Markham district except the two youngest. About the year 1856 he settled in Nottawa township. I have been told he carried a bag of flour on his back from Barrie to his home. Christian Baker, another son, married Susanna Stickley. Witnesses were John Baker and Eva Stickley. Jacob Fisher married Eva Stickley January 19, 1840. He died and his widow became Christian Baker's second wife. Christian Baker's son, Cephas, was chosen deacon of Nottawa and his son, Charles, became a minister at that place. Christian Baker left Markham in 1862 I am told by Mrs. John Forester of Gormley, a daughter who was two years old when they left. She is now ninety-two years old and remembers Peter Cober and Samuel Snider preaching every eight weeks. They used to pass buns around at eleven o'clock to keep the children quiet. The writer well remembers when there was meeting in his own home that mother always had a plate of cookies for the small children. Christian Baker had meetings in his own home and used to hold Love feast in the new barns.

Samuel Baker, Jr., was born in 1823. At the age of twenty-four he was converted and united with the Tunker church. He was married near that time to Christina Heise. She was a sister of Christian who had the old homestead. She proved a faithful, devoted wife and mother. In 1872 he was elected a minister and in 1882 bishop of Markham and Nottawa which at that time were one district. Elder Fred Elliott, in writing his obituary, says he possessed very little education. He was a careful reader and a deep thinker. He never considered himself a revivalist yet he often made touching appeals that awakened the tender emotions of his hearers. There was a sweetness in his manner and a countenance that reflected the peace and love that dwelt in his soul. He was a humble and faithful servant of Jesus Christ who minded not high things but condescended to men of low estate in labor abundant. He spent his means freely in the Master's service. The church in Michigan owes a debt of gratitude to his memory. Bishop Baker was endued with a tactful spirit and a kindly manner. He was deeply reverenced by his people and all who knew him. He was deeply concerned about the welfare of the church and often said to me, "Fred, get to the meeting and do all you can as far as your health permits to build up the church." He was a father to the poor and a helper in time of need. He had a smile and a kindly word for everyone. He had numbered among his old friends many who occupied high positions. Sir William Mulock, chief justice of Ontario, was one who held him in high esteem. These are a few of his words written to me since Bishop Baker's death. "He was a splendid type of man, the very salt of the earth and his life was an eloquent teaching of nothing but good." He was in his ninety first year. He was a sufferer of neuralgia and feebleness. His daughter, Catherine Wideman, was a widow. He had a family of six children. He died in 1914 on the old homestead where he was born. The funeral was conducted by J. W. Hoover of Toronto and Fred Elliott assisted by Peter Steckley. Text: II Timothy 4: 6-8.

Rest, faithful servant, rest,
Thy day of toil is past,
The years of exile now are over
Safe home, safe home at last.

Bishop Samuel Baker, I am told by Mrs. Asa Sider of Stouffville, would often on a Saturday afternoon go out and visit the backslidden members and those who had hard feelings against one another and have things settled. He also visited the sick and gave them a word of encouragement.

Samuel Baker was a prosperous farmer. His son, John, worked the farm for a number of years. After his death it was sold to Peter Brillinger and is now worked by his son Roy.

The last I remember of Samuel Baker he sat on a rocking chair as he was very feeble and gave out the hymn:

My home is in heaven, my rest is not here,
Then why should I murmur when trials appear,
Be hushed my dark spirit the worst that can come,
But shortens my journey and hastens me home.

It is not for me to be seeking my bliss
And building my hopes in a region like this,
I look for a city which hands have not plied,
I pant for a country by sin undefiled.

The thorn and the thistle around me may grow,
I would not recline upon roses below,
I ask not my portion, I seek not my rest,
Until I arrive in the home of the blest.

This hymn was often sung by our old ministers:

Straight is the way, the door is strait,
That leads to joys on high,
It's but a few that find the gate,
While crowds mistake and die.

Beloved, self must be denied,
The mind and will renewed,
Passion suppressed and patience tried,
And vain desires subdued.

Flesh is a dangerous foe to grace,
Where it prevails and rules,
Flesh must be humbled, pride abased,
Lest they destroy our souls.

The love of gold be banished hence,
That vile idolatry,
And every member, every sense,
In sweet subjection lie.

The tongue, that most unruly power,
Requires a strong restraint,
We must be watchful every hour,
And pray but never faint.

Lord, can a feeble helpless worm,
Fulfill a task so hard?
Thy grace must all my works perform,
And give the free reward.