The Hope and Joy of Many Bentheimers:

In reading a number of the letters written by people from Bentheim there is a common thread that one will find. Jesus Christ was central to many who lived in that area and of those who emigrated.

This importance of faith in Christ is also evident in other ways in the lives of emigrants and their descendants.

Two such excerpts from letters are found below. This is just a beginning sampling of these statements. If you know of similar statements as found in letters written to family members and friends it is hoped that you will share them with us. If possible, we would like to include quotations on this page

. . . . There you can see too because of sin we have to suffer. We do not have an abiding place here. Our home is in heaven. We have to seek salvation while we can find it, before the hour of grace is past; that it may not go with us as with the virgins who found the door locked . . .
Letter from Albert Scholten to his brother dated Nov. 26, 1870

. . . Eight weeks ago brother Lambert had much pain. He confessed then that Jesus was his comfort. . .
Letter from Albert and Mina Kraker to his sister dated February 17, 1889

Another Bentheim descendant whose Christian faith was most important was George Henry Beld (1903-1979), Plant Manager of the American Motors Plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more than 40 years he was a member of the consistory of Grace Reformed Church, and for nearly 50 years he was a Sunday School teacher there. He is one of many descendants of Bentheimers who devote significant time to organizations that are important to them.

In her article on "Memories of the Glupker Family from Hohenkorben" Emma Mae Gray gives an glimpse into her grandfather's life. She states that following meals he (Jan Hendrik Glupker) would read a full chapter from the Bible and that would be followed by a long prayer in Dutch. Their lives were filled with hard work on the farm. These devotions etc. gave direction to their lives as "their lives revolved around the church."
Translated from Aus der Grafschaft Bentheim in die Neue Welt 1640-2002; Geschichten und Daten von Auswanderern und ihren Nachkommen by Gerrit Jan Beuker, Swenna Harger, Loren Lemmen, Gregor G. Santel, Freimuth Schulze and Hubert Titz.

[HOME]