Seybert was the first bishop of the Evangelical Association and led the new church into the frontier of Ohio and westward. He travelled some 175,000 miles on horseback and by carriage, preaching, organizing churches and missionary societies, and providing his preachers with nearly 24,000 German language books. These quotations are taken from Samuel P. Spreng, The Life and Labors of John Seybert, First Bishop of the Evangelical Association (Cleveland: Published for the Evangelical Association by Lauer & Mattill, Agents, 1888).
“I am fully translated into the marvelous light and liberty of the people of God…I am therefore enabled to enjoy my travels, possessing as I do a healthy body, a contented mind and a quiet conscience, especially in this halcyon period of the year, when bright sunshine and gentle winds mingle the perfume of the flowers with the golden glory of the harvest fields. My heart is filled with peace.”From Seybert’s journal, around July 1825 (p.85)
“Tell your daughter to consecrate her youthful years to the service of God; above all let her follow Jesus in humility, avoid pride, and God will bless her.”Letter to a friend, March 2, 1826 (p.98)
“December 31, 1830: I have traveled three thousand nine hundred and twenty-four miles during the past year (on horseback), and the Lord has been very good to me. I feel moved to prayer and adoration in deep humility before God, because He has been so kind, good, and merciful unto me, and has frequently permitted me to preach the Word with great liberty.”(p.120)
“July 7, 1834: This evening I had services near Lebanon, Pa., and we were blessed with a marvelous manifestation of the eternal life of God. The friends from town are still shouting on their way home – I hear their voices now praising God on the highway, while I am writing this journal entry. This air is so clear and still this evening, too. I guess the Lord has bidden the wind to be still, so that his praise may be heard afar!”(p.146)
“If there were more of the Spirit and qualities of Jesus among us in general, there would be less of the cares of the world to absorb our time, engage our attention, and exhaust our energies.”From “An Appeal to the Ministry of the Evangelical Association,” 1839, (p.203)