The Death of Prof. August Kunze
By C. C. Lewis
The readers of the REVIEW were shocked to read in a recent issue of the sudden death of Prof. August Kunze, and they have doubtless waited anxiously for the promised particulars. Our brother had not been usually strong during the year. Some indications of failing health had been observed, and students had been concerned about the matter, and had suggested that he take a few days’ vacation. Finally he consented to do so, and left College View, Sunday, February 18, for a short visit with his brother, Charles Kunze, of Elida, N. M., his students taking charge of his classes while he was away. He remained at his brother’s about one week, and was not very well while there. Especially during the last day or two he complained of pain in his lungs, for which they gave him treatment. His brother was loath to have him start on his homeward journey. He reached Kansas City all right; for there Elder E. T. Russell met him in the union depot, and did not become aware of his serious illness, only noticing that he did not seem very strong. When he reached home, however, the next morning, February 27, he was thoroughly sick, his mind wandering part of the time. He still thought he was on the train. After a day or two, however, he improved in this respect, and was able to recall the fact that before reaching Lincoln he began to feel very ill, and with difficulty found his way to the street-car after getting off the train. He improved for a few days, and a serious termination was not expected. It was thought that long-continued study and sedentary habits had brought on nervous prostration, from which he would recover by taking rest and tonic treatments. For this purpose he was taken to the sanitarium daily in a wheel-chair, and was able to walk about the house, and sit in the sunshine on the porch. As late as Friday, March 9, on returning from treatment, he got out of the chair, and walked up the steps and into the house alone. By this time a difficulty of breathing, like a choking sensation, had developed. A medical council was held, and careful examination revealed grave valvular trouble of the heart. From this time his condition grew alarmingly worse. He was obliged to sit up constantly to breathe. But his mind grew clearer. He knew everything and everybody. Seasons of prayer were held for him, and on Tuesday the elders of the church were called in, and the directions of the apostle James were followed. But it was not the Father’s will that he should recover. Wednesday afternoon it was thought the end was at hand. His friends were permitted to see him. He had messages for them all, and invoked blessings upon them separately. For hours he quoted Scripture and prayed incessantly, although every word had to be spoken by itself after a gasp for breath. In this manner he prayed for his friends, for his classes, for the school, and that the Lord would choose his successor. Contrary to expectations, he lived twenty-four hours longer, passing to rest at 8:30 P. M., March 15. His last hours were more quiet, and his end peaceful. Perhaps not more than two hours before his death, he opened his eyes, and, recognizing his fellow teacher in the German department, said, “God bless Brother Grauer.” After death all trace of pain passed away, and in his casket he looked indeed as if he had but wrapped the drapery of his couch about him, and had lain down to pleasant dreams. An obituary containing the facts concerning his life will be furnished by Professor Grauer. I first became acquainted with Professor Kunze in the fall of 1886, when I returned, after a year’s absence, to finish my studies at Battle Creek College. He had recently embraced the truth, and had been employed as one of the teachers. We roomed and boarded together at the home of Professor Brownsberger, the first president of the college. I was in Professor Kunze’s class in Hebrew that winter, with Elders Uriah Smith and L. R. Conradi, and two or three others whom I do not now recall. We became fast friends and bosom companions. After this our paths diverged until we met again at Keene Academy in 1896. He had been teaching there a year. We labored together for five years. He remained at Keene a year after I went to Walla Walla, and then spent a year on the farm in Michigan. Then two years ago, we were both called to Union College, where I had hoped we might labor together for several years. Thus I have been closely associated with him for eight years, sustaining to him successively the relationship of roommate, pupil, and fellow teacher. This intimacy ought to qualify me to give a just estimate of his character and work. I shall mention only prominent characteristics. Professor Kunze was a diligent student and profound scholar. He delighted to be in his study surrounded by his books. His library is comprehensive and valuable, embracing chiefly reference works and works on literature, language, and theology. He was especially gifted in language, being a teacher of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, and English, and having a working knowledge of French and Spanish. He was a thorough teacher, informing and inspiring his pupils with his store of knowledge ready for every lesson. He insisted upon their doing thorough work. He was not satisfied to have them go along in a careless way. He believed they were in school to study and learn, and not to spend time. And he always set them an example of diligence in study.19 He was a careful critic, editor, and translator. He edited our German paper in this country and in the Old World. He translated into German several of our standard denominational books, such as “Great Controversy,” “Steps to Christ,” and “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.” He was a strict disciplinarian for himself as well as for his pupils. Nevertheless he was a generous and warm-hearted companion. His most intimate friends know how genial and hospitable he was as an entertainer at his own home. Above all, he was a praying and faith-exercising Christian. He loved the Lord and waited for his appearing. His mind was stored with Scripture, so that for hours while waiting for his release, he quoted word by word between the paroxysms of his labored breathing, but with unfailing accuracy, the precious promises of God. In the light of these qualities, and before the work of this useful life, how insignificant seem his human frailties. He now rests from his labors, but his works do follow him. It is difficult to estimate the loss which Union College sustains, and it will be hard to fill the place made vacant by his death. Let us join in one of his dying petitions that the Lord would choose his successor. Personally I feel that I have lost a strong supporter and a faithful friend,—one of a company associated together in former days, but now scattered afar or fast passing to their rest. I shall miss thee, dear friend,—miss thy glance of sympathy and approval, and thy words of cheer; miss thy strenuous embrace and hearty salutation after separation; miss the sustaining power of thy prayers of faith. But not for long! The battle will soon be over and the victory won. Then we shall meet, no more to part. Rest in peace! Thou hast fought a good fight. Thou hast finished thy course. Thou hast kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give thee at that day: and not to thee only, but unto all them, also, that love his appearing.