THE PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY; XVII, 3, 241-262 The Founding of the German Churches of Pennsylvania

Citation preview

THE

MAGAZINE

PENNSYLVANIA OF

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. Vol.

1893. No. 3.

XVII.

THE FOUNDING OF THE GERMAN CHURCHES OF PENNSYLVANIA.1 BY

A

century

ago

JOSEPH

HENRY

DUBBS,

D.D.

were gen of Pennsylvania of two widely-contrasted as " church known popularly people" In more recent times this classification affected by the rise of new denomina

the Germans as consisting

erally recognized were classes, which " sect people." and somewhat has been tions ; but in a general

There way it is still understood. or disrespectful use in the of these nothing was of the distinction the and terms, very simple. ground " were in the Fatherland those who church people" The as by law established : Lu to the churches, had belonged or Roman Catholic. The Moravians theran, Reformed, as " church people," were also recognized because in a gen the churches in doctrine, and eral way they agreed with as a to be brotherhood rather missionary preferred regarded ecclesiastical than as a separate organization. Concerning was

invidious

the Roman 1 An

address

Catholics delivered

April 17, 1893. xvii.?16 Vol.

it need before

only be said that they wrere few

the Historical

(241)

Society

of Pennsylvania,

242

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

an important did not constitute element in life of the province. in Indeed, Philadelphia, in Lancaster, and Canawauga, Goshenhoppen, a close community es constituted ; and the successful

in number

and

the religious no less than they tablishment dices, was

in the face of ancient of these missions, preju the least of the achievements of the Jesuit

not

order.

" sect The distinction between the church and the peo The latter represented ple" was broad and unmistakable. were not recognized bodies which, in Europe, by the gov ernment the object of un and had frequently been made they were much church people," for it is always the attracts attention. the unusual which they differed Though a at could be recog themselves, they glance wridely among a sur to said have been nized their garments, peculiar by vival of the ordinary of the attire of the German peasantry

persecution. righteous more picturesque than

some

In

"

respects

by the long been discarded included all the minor bodies, " or Dunkards, and Amish, Brethren," and Schwenkfelders, besides others which have passed away, a trace of their existence, such as Labadists, leaving hardly all of and "New Not Born," Gichtelians, Inspirationists. of for them were Menno the "Breth Simonis,1 disciples ren," or Dunkards, though they adopted many Mennonite sixteenth century, " world's people." such as Mennonites

which The

had

sects

in the born founded by men who were were of Jakob and Church disciples actually and not all of them were of G?rlitz; the mystic Boehme, at all ; did not baptize for the Schwenkfelders Anabaptists, but if we except a few sectarians who have now disappeared, peculiarities, Reformed

were

communities all of these varying against agreed in testifying war and its attendant and it is not without reason, horrors, " the peace sects." called that they are sometimes therefore, of these sects is peculiarly The early history fascinating on

account 1 Also

Goebel,

of

written I., p. 191.

the peculiarities

Simon,

Simons,

and

or, if you

Symons

please,

; pronounced

the

oddi

Seemons.?

The Founding ties of their more written

of the German leaders.

For

Churches this

of Pennsylvania.

243

it has been reason, perhaps, arti in the form of popular that peculiar Anglo-German

about, especially of the development characterizes the greater part of the State of not be forgotten that It should, however, Pennsylvania. the sects, after all, constitute but a small part of the German are of the State, and that in some counties population they were in the first field in That almost unknown. may they a not to and it is be doubted be that conceded, general way cles, than life which

to the established at churches many Germans who belonged in to because settle other provinces, first preferred Pennsyl sense " the land of the as in a peculiar vania was regarded the obscure foun ;" but it did not take long to exhaust In some instances, from which the sects were derived. such as the Dunkards the whole sect and Schwenkfelders, was so to in others the and de America, body emigrated an to in ceased the that it occupy important place pleted before of the middle ecclesiastical Germany. history Long in the of the last century the sects had come to be greatly as the houses of important minority; though publishing were of and of the monks in Saur Ephrata Christopher sects

tains

an influence their hands, than that to greater they exerted have justly entitled their numbers might which them. Who ever would understand of the German the development life make himself of Pennsylvania familiar must, therefore, with the history of the German churches. There evangelical are German to con churches besides these, but I venture sider my theme in the popular sense, as it would have been a century ago. a farmer German understood Even in by is too broad to be properly this sense the subject treated in crave your a single discourse, and I must if I indulgence the should say little or nothing who Moravians, concerning of their own, and the Roman have a splendid history Cath increase in numbers in and olics, whose extraordinary a source of constant fluence is If I should, astonishment. at any time appear to give undue prominence unfortunately, to the religious I am personally denomination with which connected,

I hope

the deficiency

will

rather

be attributed

to

244

The Founding

want

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

of

than to any lack of disposition information to do full justice to others. " The two so-called Lutheran churches?the evangelical" and the Reformed?have since the days of the Reformation of German been the main channels life. To relate religious

be to tell the story of Protestantism in to the describe their world; Germany peculiarities be to enter on the field of theology, would and to attempt in a single lecture what has been made the theme to include of volumes. The Lutheran of thousands Church?the church m a special sense of Martin needs neither Luther?certainly nor It included from the beginning the eulogy. description and of German Scandinavian and Protestants ; great body would

their history

and

even

in

it has

until it is knowTn prospered on The Reformed the other Church, of being "least known curious anomaly

this

country the land.

throughout the hand, presents In history and doctrine it has it is best known." because so closely to the forms of Protestantism allied been with are most familiar and Scotland that it has which England It is, in fact, the old been identified with them. frequently of national

churches

which

derive

their movement in which the great religious origin Zwingli and Calvin were the most prominent leaders, and in its early centres were Zurich, Geneva, its most and important history one has found a in its Some certain history Heidelberg. on whose to the river Rhine, banks so many of its analogy its origin from comparatively ob dwelt ; deriving members in Switzerland, it gathered scure sources tributaries from est

of the

series

from

plains The churches

it flowTed onward

while

and Germany, of Holland.

France

of the German founding was in Pennsylvania

Lutheran

to refresh

the

and Reformed

simultaneous, practically ante the Lutheran Church though Church by a few years, and are date those of the Reformed and satisfactory. Both churches rather more complete the

founded nies,

earliest

some

preceded

of

in other colo congregations were and both in Penn in New York, of Christians other nationalities who by

of their

particularly

sylvania

records

earliest

of the German

The Founding

Churches

a similar form of faith. professed were in doctrine, and Lutheran with the German Lutheran operated

245

of Pennsylvania.

The

Swedish

their

pastors missionaries.

churches co freely We

are

informed that in 1703 the Swedish pastors, by Acrelius a in Wicacoa and ordained Church Rudman, Sandel, Bj?rk, who had been invited to take student named Justus Falkner, " a of Germans in Falkner's congregation Swamp, charge of in Philadelphia which received its name from him."1 County, is the oldest German it appears, Lutheran congrega This, In tion within the present of the United States.2 territory we a trace this way connection between the German may The the Swedes who had preceded them. on Dutch churches the of the German Reformed dependence was even more complete. of their own confession churches

Lutherans

These

and

churches had

were

not

numerous

the Delaware, along on the Peter Minuit, early ground. of the earliest Swedish colony, had been

been

though they the leader, in 1638, a deacon of the Reformed and a Dutch

Wesel,3 Castle

in 1642.4

The

Bensalem

and Neshaminy, liest Reformed churches

the German

Church

Reformed

Lutheran

Dutch

church

in the German was founded

city of at New

Reformed

in Bucks

congregations were the County,

in Pennsylvania,

and

antedate the one

except congregations, From the Bensalem record we

at ear all at

learn Swamp.5 the 4th of June, 1710, the Rev. Paulus Van Vleck a church at White Marsh. This may be regarded organized as a Dutch it was founded by a Hollander ; church, because but as we find a German Reformed settled there preacher ten years later, it becomes that the church was or probable in the interest of the Germans. In those days the ganized

Falkner's that on

national

difference in ecclesiastical counted for nothing mat and the relations of the of Reformed ters, people Pennsyl vania to the Dutch of New York and New Jersey were most 1"

of New p. 214. History Sweden," Halle Dr. C. W. Schaeffer's Reports," p. 54. translation, " 3 of the Immigration," etc. Kapp's History 4 Corwin's of the Reformed "Manual Dutch p. 307. Church," 5 Dr. B. M. Schmucker, Lutheran Church 1887. Review, July, 2"

246

The Founding

intimate

and

churches

it was

of the German

fraternal.

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

Of

the purely German Reformed to assign priority to the congre at Skippack, Montgomery and gation County (now extinct), to fix the date of its organization at 1726 or 1727; but it is now known that a Reformed church was built in German once

usual

town

in 1719, and that John Philip Boehm for the preached at Falkner's churches White and Marsh, Swamp, as as at least The first 1720. Reformed early Skippack

Reformed

was founded in 1727, and its first of Philadelphia was The oldest consecutive pastor George Michael Weiss. church records are those of the church at New Goshenhop in January, pen, Montgomery County. They were begun church

Heinricus who styles 1730, by the Rev. Johannes Goetschius, a native of Zurich in Switzerland. himself Helv?tico Tigurinus, as con ten congregations he enumerates On the title-page a are his charge. scattered They stituting through region is now occupied Reformed which by at least a hundred ministers. In a

letter

received recently I am informed

city librarian, Z?richer Geschlechtsbuch,

from that

Dr. Herman it is stated

Escher, in the MS.

at that Moritz Goetschius, pastor a set to letter sail for America. Saletz, According written 30,1736, April by his son, he landed at Philadelphia, after he had stepped on shore. The but fell dead immediately son was but seventeen years old at the time of his father's death, as to preach in Pennsylvania, but at once began probably an assistant to his relative, John Henry These Goetschius. about

1736

in this country, and it affords to be unknown to announce them on this interesting occasion. an in article in the The late Dr. B. M. Schmucker says, " the Review for Lutheran Church July, 1887, Throughout and Delaware the Reformed the Schuylkill district between were than the Lu earlier somewhat formed congregations

facts appear me pleasure

theran allied

congregations of churches

in their vicinity;"

and for some time and

the

Falkner's

Trappe, Philadelphia, seats of the German Lutheran Church Swamp were the main The earliest in Pennsylvania. existing congregational was Lutheran record of St. Michael's Church, Philadelphia,

of the German

The Founding

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

247

in 1733 ; but its or Stoever, by the Rev. J. Caspar in dates from the arrival of Muhlenberg, existence ganized were at first be added that the Reformed It might 1742.1 in the majority; and, indeed, in a report presented decidedly at Breda to the Synod of South Holland, in 1730, convened " to the it is stated that at that time the Reformed holding more old confession than one-half constituted of the whole begun

number

about fifteen It thousand." being [of Germans], for most of the early immigrants not well be otherwise, from the region of the Rhine, and along the whole was course of that river the Reformed the leading church.

could came As

to other parts of Germany, the great migration extended in numbers, the Lutherans in Pennsylvania rapidly increased and long before had become the end of the century the larger formed

body. Church

opportunities sented different even in Europe

it must be confessed that the Re Indeed, in many its early respects. failed to employ for denominational advancement. It repre

and included elements which nationalities, had never been completely harmonized. Of this character were the Huguenots who had lingered awhile in Germany, but had never been Germanized. thoroughly were so There the Reformed many points of contact between and

the English that where the latter were already churches, a separate organ in the field the former rarely attempted ization. To their mind the English churches were Reformed was recog of the Presbyterians also ; and the government nized as in most respects like that with which they had been in the Fatherland. familiar in the Indeed, 1743, before of Holland took the of Reformed churches Synods charge a letter to the of Pennsylvania, they addressed Presbyterian of it would not be Synod Philadelphia, inquiring whether to consolidate practicable and German Reformed

the Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, into a single body; but national and the prejudices interfered, probably Presbyterians tacitly declined the union. Dr. Briggs, in his "American Presby his regret that this grand expresses terianism," opportunity 1(1Halle

Reports/'

Reading

edition,

pp.

64 and

65.

248

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

it was better ; but perhaps neglected Church was left to work out its mission

was

Whatever Lutheran

may have and Reformed

been

the

that the Reformed in its own way. doctrinal of the position

it is certain that their churches, time of their first settlement in this

at the social relations intimate. the country were most They had passed through same mill, it is and the grist was very much While alike. to relate on this occasion the history impossible manifestly in Europe churches and America, it cannot be of these was similar, and that in many denied that their development came contact. the closest into they places It has sometimes been said that the sects left their Father " wThile the church land on account of religious persecution, no to for America than purpose emigrated people" higher If such a statement to improve their temporal condition. at all, it must be done with many qualifications. was ever more atrocious than that which the persecution to endured of Salzburg from 1728 Lutherans 1732, before and religious elements played an im they fled to America; is accepted

No

portant part in the sufferings Historians in the Palatinate.

of the Reformed tell us that

and Lutherans

by the terms of in 1648, religious had freedom the treaty of Westphalia, to Protestants. This freedom was, however, been granted never more apparent than real ; and such as it was it would if it had not been expected?in accord have been granted ance with and Mazarin?to the policy of Richelieu promote and

dissension,

thus "

to aid

in the final

dismemberment

of

three confessions"?Roman The Catholic, but and Reformed?were formally recognized; were a vast difference in the positions which they a secret article to occupy. in the treaty, By severally made itself to main it is said, the imperial government pledged were wherever there Catholic tain Roman worship people that in villages which who desired it, and it often happened

Germany. Lutheran, there was

a few Roman on this Catholics, Protestant, prevailingly of the secured churches. possession permanent pretence, and the their peace with Rome, Some of the princes made

were

servile

company

of their

flatterers

was

only

too

ready

to

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

249

" The their follow says L?her, government," example. " the and almost everywhere cared nothing for the people, dissenters. to be in which power oppressed party happened the in the Palatinate, where This state of things was worst as in four times their religion electors had changed many was to follow the The whole country expected reigns. was to and whoever its of submit, rulers, unwilling example staff and than to take up his pilgrim's could do no better leave his native That

under

land." such

circumstances

a matter

occurrence

religious cannot

persecution be doubted,

was

but of frequent was in the prevailing but a single element after all it misery at present it is difficult Of this misery of the Fatherland. all the relations It embraced to form a proper conception. and it seemed, of life, civil, social, and religious; says a "as if hope had left the earth forever." writer of the period, In a general way it may be said that this misery was the on unceasingly went the result of the wars which during centuries. and the earlier part of the eighteenth seventeenth Many from

writers

the great Palatinate migration in 1674 and 1675, and raids of Turenne, was the of 1688-'89 which the invasion

have

derived

the destructive

from especially of direct result

sequestration by the French estates of the Duchess Elizabeth hereditary king a of Palatinate Charlotte Orleans, who had been princess. is concerned said that as far as Pennsylvania these It maybe dates are too early ; but it is true that in those dreadful days of

violent

the

the

the German

who

had

hitherto

clung with peculiar first soil, began in large numbers in modern distant lands. No in country refuge In one year Worms, times had been so dreadfully desolated. and many other Mainz, Speyer, Mannheim, Heidelberg, cities and villages were either burned or utterly devastated. attachment to seek a

The

castle

people, to their

native

of Heidelberg,

the chief

residence

of the Electors

was ruined, and its remains of the Palatinate, still stand as a memorial The barbarity of that awful time. of the inva sion was in The French general, unexampled history. near it is said, cut down all the vines on the hill-sides Melac,

250

The Founding

of the German

thus depriving Heidelberg, of subsistence, and driving homes in the dead of winter.

Churches

the people thousands

of

of Pennsylvania. their

from

of them

Many and multitudes and Holland, friend wonder that, as a German

in Switzerland

sole means their

found died once

humble a refuge of starva

told me, " the peasants of the Palatinate still call their dogs Melac," but that the name is given only to curs of inferior degree. In their profound misery the suffering people of the Rhine to their hereditary have turned country might naturally in rulers for sympathy and relief, but all authorities agree no had that of this the German period declaring princes of the responsibilities of their position. They conception a multitude are described of petty as, in general, tyrants, or culture to render them respecta without enough dignity " Prince said God forgive ble. them, concerning Eugene less do they them, for they know not what they do; much tion.

No

and least of all, what they are." they want; all countries the Palatinate but the only, surrounding " dreadful suffered this War," period. intensely during needs be "is a terrible monster said Turenne, that must

know

what

Not

and

all

the Rhine

Hesse, Alsace, Upper provinces, were and Wurtemberg Baden-Durlach, swept by constant was overcrowded and with Huguenots raids. Switzerland extreme. and the poverty of the people became Palatines, and the ships of Hamburg Trade had found new channels, fed,"

at their wharves. of and Bremen The peace lay rotting con an it in of but interval 1697, brought peace, Ryswick, out of the War of the Spanish tinued only until the breaking if in is doubtful the condition it 1701. Indeed, Succession, of this interval tolerable of the people was more during The soldiers who robbed than it had been before. peace their booty, and in the land had at least been prodigal with some fragments to their original had returned this way now means even owners of subsistence this uncertain but ; was taken away, though rulers did not hesi their merciless to distrain the goods of soldiers tate to send out companies on were the verge of starvation.1 of a people who already 1 Der

Deutsche

Pionier,

xiv.

271.

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

251

to to Christopher Saur, the great migration due to an official from the British invitation " " In 1704," he says, after the Duke of Marl government. at the battle of Schellen had defeated the French borough

According was America

berg

the invited Anne of England Queen to find a home and trans in America, at her own expense." If thousands thither

(Blenheim), suffering Palatines

ported many the queen actually than doubtful,?she

extended

this invitation,?which soon discovered that

is more she had

probably she certainly the sufferers too'generous, though pitied reason and did all in her power for their relief. A sufficient was the fact that the for the migration of the Father misery land still continued and wa3 even increasing. For several was the the harvests and the of winter 1709 years failed, " severest that had ever been known. It was so cold," says been

the birds froze in the air and the wild beasts "that L?her, " in the forest." the Then said one to another, Let people us go to America, and if we perish, we perish !" It is not our purpose to relate the story of the emigration. It has often been told, and no one can doubt that, compared on the way the sufferings with of the German emigrants and in the forest, the trials of the in the Fathers Pilgrim were It is no very gentle century preceding experiences. on that the joyous dwellers became by the Rhine a the way solemn The I theme is one on which people. as more not would willingly it appears particularly linger, to have received the attention which it properly deserves.

wonder

The

may not be bril pictures which presents imagination are but full the of heroism of endurance. liant, they patient to the For our present purpose to call attention it is enough that in trials their the German fact, greatest pioneers were a sustained consciousness. by profound religious Through all their sufferings confes they held firmly to their ancient sions. father it as his duty to have his Every regarded children baptized, and as soon as they were able to learn, to see to it that and the for confirmation they were prepared Holy Communion. German immigrant

In the might

iron-bound have

been

chest of almost every found at least a Bible,

252

The Founding

of the German

a

and a catechism. hymn-book, established they were especially in the home and in the school.

often

been

hold

for

Churches Before

of Pennsylvania.

their

churches

were

to cultivate religion In my own family, I have house-father the house gathered careful

the on every Sunday and I still afternoon, have in my possession which the great Palatinate catechism to memory, every one in the family committed proof pas this and all. All could the sages not, however, supply we wants and find of public that instruction, accordingly informed, instruction

were in sufficient numbers settled they a a to and school. In church found proceeded parochial use a some instances was set aside for the farm of the good and though the schools are now no longer school-master; in ancient there are still a few teachers strictly parochial,

wherever

Germans

German

settlements who enjoy glebe and stipend for playing the organ on Sunday. was a very important In early days the school-master per were few in number. For ministers many years sonage. of immigrants Several had, indeed, been accom companies von Kocherthal In 1708, Joshua panied by their pastors. " to the had led his of Lutherans Palatine" congregation and in 1709, John Frederick banks of the Hudson, Hager " was ordained in London for service among the Reformed in the same region. Seventeen Palatines" years later, it is Michael Weiss, the earliest Reformed said, George pastor was in Philadelphia, but also the leader of a "colony;" I conceive, ? The minister, what were these among so many a great personage, was like a in popular estimation who, was and who diocesan almost constantly travelling, bishop, could not be ex circumstances under the most favorable to visit each pected than once a month. the school-master

more frequently congregations this reason, in the best churches, a kind of vicar, who in the absence

of his For

became

from an approved read sermons sometimes the pastor some of these collection. European Naturally enough, and irregularly talent as public speakers teachers developed for both churches, assumed the pastoral office. Fortunately some congregations which there were from the beginning of

The Founding

of the German

Churches

253

of Pennsylvania.

to be served

declined

berg make

called their

ministers ; but it must by unordained that for many years there was great confusion. than these autodidacti, as Muhlen objectionable were bold pretenders to who, unwilling them, to honest assumed be ministers labor, living by

until

their

wickedness

be

confessed Much more

claimed

to be of noble

to learn

that their

titles

found descent, secured

In the records of the Lutheran seen the name of Baron may have been a better man have

Reformed himself

Church

the most

them

out.

Some

of

them

I have not been

able though them special consideration. churches of Berks County I von Geresheim, Adolf who I suppose ; and of all pretenders von Reidemeister.

than

wicked

in the called

Har Cyriacus Spangenberg a story of one of these fellows who entered tells the baugh " a in state of announced the Follow intoxication, pulpit text, me !" and then fell reeling the pulpit down stairs. Then one of the elders arose and said, "No, brethren, we will not was ended. him," and the career of that evangelist arose sects were this which period gloomy During mostly to but served alienate from the church of short-lived, many this cause the Reformed their fathers. From Church was, I think, and to illustrate my the chief sufferer, I meaning need but refer to the defection of John Peter Miller. In and John B. Rieger, M. Weiss he company with George had been sent to Pennsylvania of Heidel by the Consistory follow

brilliant his young man who had just completed at the University. For four years he was pastor of the Reformed at Tulpehocken, Church but then fell under " the influence of Conrad Beissel, the magus of the Cones a and in became 1735 member of the monastic toga," at Ephrata, brotherhood of which he was afterwards for

berg,?a course

many years the leading spirit. The plan for promoting the unity of the German churches, which was in 1741 proposed and afterwards by Henry Antes, was so elaborated in its concep by Count Zinzendorf, grand in its purposes, that we may regret that it tion, so exalted did not prove more successful. were Seven synods held, at a plan of union was formed which was to be knowm which

254

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

as " The

" con in the Spirit." of God This Congregation as I have ventured to say on a previous occa gregation," " was founded in strict accordance with Zinzendorfs sion, to which retain every one might theory of Tropes, according his denominational at the same time he while peculiarities, a in connection with stood There was no unity. higher intention nonites, united highest rather

or Men of destroying the Lutherans, Reformed, as were but to be denominations, religious they of the confederation those who had reached the by was of fact the spiritual perception. grade Though

were the con than expressed, the Moravians implied in the whole movement. Zinzendorf had no trolling power a sect ; but to him it idea of establishing beautiful appeared the church a community that there should be within of elect souls who would more and more withdraw themselves from

worldly

affairs

to

live

a

life

like

that

of

the

angels

in

heaven."l

When

at first

as

movement if this well-meant might " to The ordain prove successful. proceeded congregation" for service in the Lutheran and Reformed ministers churches, of pious men and in each church there was a little company in its interest. It soon, however, labored became who not ready for the proposed that the churches were evident and conflicts. union, and in the end it led to controversies It seemed

the Lutheran

and Reformed

churches

were

severally had in the been most active a home found in the of the Unity generally " were of the and the last vestiges Brethren, congregation" swept away. that the evangelical churches must be It was now evident on the old historic but established lines, progress was greatly

consolidated, movement

the men

who

poverty of the people. They were by the extreme or to support pastors. to build churches I do not as were ever as those settlers poor suppose that they quite of New York, of whom Rupp relates in the province that an to to old horse be nine of them clubbed buy together impeded too poor

1"Historie Manual

of the Reformed Church," p. 193.

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

255

but they all for agricultural purposes, successively A few had brought with innumerable endured privations. to purchase them the means land; but the best land was to covered by the heaviest blows timber, and it took many of the forest. fell the mighty monarchs in Others were

used

actual want, tous system, poor

after the inauguration of the iniqui especially even then called a " traffic in souls," by which were to sail to America without persuaded

people and without their passage, that fully understanding paying as were be sold to Redemptioners. they were The German of Pennsylvania churches in sorely not be and it was need of help, evident that it could on this side of the ocean. secured The country was still too young in an extensive and too poor to engage scheme of missionary In 1730, Pastor activity. George Michael and Elder Jacob Reiff went to Holland Weiss and Germany to collect money for the Reformed of Phila congregations and in 1733, Daniel Weissiger, in Skippack, and Pastor John Christian Schultze John company sent to Germany Daniel Lu Sch?ner, was by the United in theran New and Hanover, Philadelphia, congregations to collect contributions for their brethren New Providence in The results in each case were unsatisfac Pennsylvania. delphia

and

with

at any rate, directed these missions, of the American churches. men as the of influence such court Through Ziegenhagen, in and at Franke and his London, Halle, preacher coadjutors a bond of union was formed which continued unbroken for to and the contributed of the many years greatly prosperity tory and unpleasant; to the attention

American

but

condition

Church.

Lutheran

The

Reformed would natu turned for aid to the Palatinate, but in its de rally have the church of that country recommended condition pressed in Holland. them to the care of their brethren The trust was accepted, and for more than sixty years the Reformed churches of Pennsylvania remained under the special care of the Classis As a direct sent

to America,

of Amsterdam. result

of

each

two men were arrangements of whom may be regarded as, in a these

256

of the German

The Founding

special Melchior

sense,

the

he went he firmly was of his church. It chiefly through the German Lutheran ministerium of

in 1748. By his voluminous he prevented the zeal of European friends and induced faithful cold, pastors?Brunn come to his aid in and others?to Kurtz, church.

"the of Basel, at last he passed when our Federal Constitution, the land.

Annoni

Michael rank

Reformed

and wherever

that was founded

correspondence from growing Schaum, holtz, the establishing

the

Henry patriarch

in America," reached Philadelphia no claimed than that higher dignity soon extended the sphere of his influence

laid the foundations

Pennsylvania

denomination. " called the

he

to Georgia,

from New York influence

is often

of Pennsylvania.

Church

in 1742. Though of a simple pastor,

his

of his

organizer who Muhlenberg,

of the Lutheran

Churches

He

have might after God's

been called, like own heart;" and of the adoption of

pastor away, in the year his name was honored was

throughout

sent to America

in 1746, with to the Superintendent, organize less learned than Muhlenberg, but he was perhaps unequalled. He was a

Schlatter, who of Missionary churches, was

and energy in Holland but had lived long enough of Switzerland, familiar with its lauguage. he became to become Though in of churches and imme Germantown Philadelphia pastor for zeal

native

extensive missionary jour diately after his arrival, he made in Pennsylvania, churches the neys, visiting widely-scattered and Virginia. New Jersey, Maryland, By rude bridle-paths to another, he took his way from one settlement enduring can an adequate con we form of which hardly privations ception. to promise the people he preached he induced Wherever for the support of a settled min to pay a specified amoujit a " ccetus," which in establishing In 1747 he succeeded ister. from a synod only in the fact that its proceedings differed " in Holland. to revision fathers" His were by the subject sum in the collection of the in 1751 resulted of visit to Europe ?12,000, churches,

which and

was on his

invested

for the benefit

of the American

return

to this country

in the following

The Founding

of the German

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

257

of whom he wras accompanied by six young ministers, and The Otterbein afterwards became Stoy distinguished. " was of Schlatter's which translated Appeal," publication was the indirect cause into English by Rev. David Thomson, " of the of the for the Promotion of the organization Society the God Germans" and the of establish among Knowledge ment German of the so-called schools. In order charity to this scheme to attract attention in England, it is possible year

was grossly of the Germans that the condition exaggerated. as were not com They only represented ignorant beyond " as but fast like unto wood-born parison, becoming savages." an It was even suggested that unless their children received

English education, they might finally join with the French and drive Lutherans, resolutions

the English in 1754,

from and

the continent the Reformed,

of America.

The

in 1756, adopted at such insinuations.

their indignation expressing an utter failure, and Schlatter, schools proved charity to become their superintendent, was who had been persuaded some the chief For time the sufferer. Lutheran personally and Reformed ministers sustained him, but the people were The

and

excited greatly He subsequently

his

became

was

was influence entirely destroyed. a chaplain in the British army, and of Louisburg. His later years were

at the siege present at Chestnut in retirement spent

near Hill, Philadelphia, in October, 1790. Schlatter's public ministry did not occupy a decade of years, but it was brilliant and fruitful. From the fund which he had collected, and which was in Holland, invested of the " c tus," every member an annual until The unexampled 1793, received stipend. of of Holland the Church must always be remem liberality bered with gratitude; think that, but, after all, I cannot where

after

he died

were really needed. if the whole amount had been devoted to the establishment of a literary and theological As a guardian institution. the Church of Holland was kind " c but stern. no The tus" was allowed liberty of action ; it was not even permitted to confer the rite of ordination. with minute accounts of each partic Every year its minutes, the first

It would

Vol.

have

years, been

xvii.?17

these benefactions

better

258

of the German

The Founding

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

and sometimes case, were sent to Holland, years elapsed before a question could be definitely settled. As the synods of Holland to receive communications declined in German, was conducted or Dutch, the correspondence in Latin and, " c as one of the secretaries of the tus" says in an extant " it is difficult in writing to have to choose be document, a one tween which has and another language forgotten wThich one has never learned." In short, the properly was whole cumbrous in the extreme, and it is arrangement ular

not

that

surprising

pendently. Dr. John

some ministers

to labor inde preferred eminent was the Rev. who exerted an extensive influence his field of labor was in the South.

these

Among Joachim Zubly,

the most

in Pennsylvania, though It will be remembered that he subsequently ber of the Continental Congress.

became

a mem

on the synods of the Reformed churches dependence all the disturbances continued of Holland of the through was finally until 1793, when the correspondence Revolution " c a synod. and the tus" became It is the concluded, The

of the latter event which the Re anniversary to celebrate. of this country now proposes Church which is an engraving There and represents Muhlenberg in German each other Schlatter fashion. The embracing is historical, which it depicts interview and there can be no doubt that these good men were intimate The friends. centennial

formed

of the fraternal relations of is, however, suggestive picture the ministers of the two churches the whole colonial during On all important and questions they stood together, period. controversies between there were no denominational them of the name. No doubt these relations which were worthy were both

influenced of Pietism1 by the prevalence as is well known, Muhlenberg and ; for, to the school of and Halle, many belonged

greatly churches

coadjutors 1 Pietism,

a name

applied

and the cultivation Jacob teenth

Spener, century.

later mysticism,

of

the

Lutheran

The

term

but

to a movement

of a higher

it is here

spiritual

in behalf

his of

religion

life, inaugurated by Philip

in the latter Church, to include is often made used

of personal

in

in its original

part of various

meaning.

the

seven

forms

of

The Founding

of the German

Churches

259

of Pennsylvania.

of a very similar type. pioneers were Pietists it could not well But apart from this similarity of sentiment, be otherwise than that, as educated men living in agricultural churches the pastors of neighboring should communities, seek each other's society and become acquainted. intimately of ritual and obser There were always certain peculiarities the Reformed

vance

services of the two churches the religious by which must be confessed could be distinguished that after ; but it more distinctions became very the first generation important " con of the denominational obscure. The development " a to later sciousness" Union" churches, period. belongs in common which were occupied by both denominations, but they had hitherto been erected only in cases of necessity, now became numerous. an have served Though they may are now as in their day, they purpose important regarded an obstacle to progress. Under the best conditions, union are like houses

churches

; there occupied by several families as well be avoided. which might were in of Pennsylvania fortunate a long series of their pioneers highly exerted an influence which extended far

are possible complications churches The German among numbering educated men who beyond Lutheran

the

of their immediate denomination. The was honored of scholars by the presence and scientists and Helmuth, like Muhlenberg, limits

Church

like Kunze

the entomologist and Melsheimer, the botanist, ; and in the occur names of Reformed Church the the of such history " men as Daniel author of Moral Otter Gros, Philosophy," and Hendel. Otterbein, bein, Weyberg, in later his years founded bered, religious from which Methodist sprang pattern, as the United is known Brethren which

be remem

it will societies

after

the

the

denomination in Christ, though in connection with the

he personally, like Wesley, remained church of his fathers. were It has been said that the Germans new conditions, to themselves commodating isters have been especially blamed for not use The

of

the English

imputation

may

language not be

in the entirely

too and

slow

in ac

their min

the encouraging services of the church. undeserved

; but,

pos

260

of the German

The Founding

sibly,

if we

were

familiar with not be severe.

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

our circumstances, a of The language people and there is a natural pre all

the

judgment might in a day, is not to be changed in favor of the That sumption speech of one's forefathers. at a later date was the change of language the occasion of aware ; but I really do not serious conflicts we are painfully were the pioneers unduly prejudiced. Muhlenberg, was an excellent in English every linguist, preached on his voyage to America, had and unless Schlatter Sunday think

who

made

himself

familiar with English he would hardly have a in the British army. Sometimes, chaplain appointed a form of speech the pioneers it must be confessed, employed " which was hardly the king's English," except that it was was earlier Georges. of the kind which the spoken by a is I cannot vouch, There that in the days story, for which been

of

the Revolution

the

pastor

of

the Reformed in what

Germantown

Church

of

he

fondly sup a British occasions

occasionally preached to be English. On one of these to the found his way into the church, and remained end under the impression that the sermon was, as usual, in German. At its conclusion delivered he said to one of was so never that he before knew that German the elders

posed officer

he had understood like English; one-half of nearly said. the minister what " It was the patriotic dream of the to establish founders" in this country a cultured German with liter community, not to institutions that could fail command We ary respect. of their earnest have no time to give an account labors in

much

the highest credit this direction. Certainly and Helmuth for the establishment

Kunze

to Drs. belongs of the German

of Pennsylvania, in its of the University which department in the cause of higher service education. day did excellent " in Franklin derived this From was, 1787, department" at in whose the best German interest Lancaster, College, were for a time united. elements Without undervaluing men of the patronage of such distinguished the importance as Benjamin and Benjamin Franklin the chief honor Rush, for the establishment

of that institution

undoubtedly

belongs

The Founding

of the German

Churches

261

of Pennsylvania.

:Helmuth,1 ministers Hendel,2 Weyberg,3 was which the institution E. Muhlenberg.4 Why was not founded under such brilliant auspices immediately now be difficult more to explain successful it might ; but had no endow apart from the fact that the new institution to four German

and H.

from the be and that there were mentioning, differences of opinion concerning policy and man ginning one it to must evident who has studied the be any agement, were unduly its that the of subject promoters expectations to not and fail could be exalted, disappointed. consequently

ment

worth

the fact that the tree which They did not fully realize had planted must have time to grow, and that years pass before they could expect to taste its fruits. It has 1

Justus

Heinrich

intimated

been

frequently

Christian

that

was

Helmuth

in

fluence

the Lutheran

2 Wilhelm

was

Hendel

in 1762 by the country churches ing Reformed the second Lancaster, as one of was regarded

"

calls him

was

and

Church,

early Germans

born May

in Philadelphia, ; died February Germany Lutheran of 1769 ; ica, Church, pastor Trinity Zion's 1780-1820. He Church, Philadelphia, an

eminent

of

the Palatinate.

author.

He

the

best

of his

preachers

to

votion the

the

During the American of

early history 4 Gotthilf Heinrich

He

1763-1790.

1790.

26,

; in

Of

his

in Philadelphia" was

sent

Revolution

cause. the German

to this

He

ranks

;

Harbaugh

He died of yellow He

came

to

of the Reformed Street

Reformed

died in Philadelphia, he

Reformed

Dr.

time.

fever, September 29, 1798. 3 was a native of Switzerland. Dietrich Weyberg Caspar as an ordained in 1762, and was pastor minister America Church of Easton, 1763, and of the Race Pennsylvania, ber

extensive

of Holland, and was pastor of the follow synods :Lancaster, 1765-1769 1769-1782 ;Tulpehocken, 1782-1794 1794-1798. He ; time, Philadelphia,

the St. John of the Reformed Church."

Church, Philadelphia,

to Amer 1769-1779

Lancaster, an exerted

of the Yellow Fever

a native

in Bruns

16,1745, ; came

5,1825

wick,

" publications, his Brief Account now is best known. (1793)

the

they must

Septem

was

for his de imprisoned men the foremost in among in this country. Church

Ernst the celebrated was Muhlenberg, botanist, son of the Rev. Henry the youngest Melchior He was born Muhlenberg. at New November Providence, 17, 1753 ; died at Lancas Pennsylvania, at Halle, Studied assistant ter, Pennsylvania, 23,1815. May Germany;

minister caster, College.

in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania,

1774 ; pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lan

1780-1815.

He

was

the first

president

of Franklin

262

of the German

The Founding

Churches

of Pennsylvania.

a rude and uncultured literature and people, abhorring as proper works science of the devil. In the light of their to devote much atten history they could hardly be expected of the social graces, but that as a tion to the cultivation

were

they w7ere exceptionally ignorant may be confidently a were That is abundantly they people reading extent the of Phila of the German book-trade by

people denied. proven

the last century. not themselves during Though a reverence for had traditional Their they learning. were and services solemn. furniture The dignified religious as complete an of the church was not regarded without to old and its the organ, accompaniment they sang grand

delphia

learned,

social life they were hos even In and their honesty then proverbial. pitable, to say that the darkest period in the history brief, I venture was not the earliest. of Pennsylvania of the German churches to from one language transition It came with the inevitable In

of the Reformation.

chorals

was

one was

and the other not fully neglected learned of the earlier period pastors acquired; had passed away, and their places were supplied by men who This was the same scholastic had not enjoyed advantages. men doubted whether the most eminent the period when as such, could claim to have a mission the German churches, when

another,

when

the

the It may be said to have extended through was in the of 1825 It the year quarter present century. and Reformed each established churches that the Lutheran a theological and these have gradually been fol seminary, in America.

first

by a long

institu literary and theological conflicts innumerable, through Through of deep the course of the occasional depression, periods To tell has since then been upward and onward. churches is not our present and prosperity the story of their progress in church eminent That they have produced men purpose. has been that their presence and state cannot be denied; our coun of the and felt in development theological literary has been ;but their best work try will be freely acknowledged lowed

done

series

trials

tions.

in obscure

it stands

revealed

of

and

places, and will not be known eternal in God's light.

to men

until