USA > Delaware > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 2
USA > Pennsylvania > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 2
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In entering from a city street the quiet churchyard of Gloria Dei one is carried back for generations. The green grass on the well-kept graves, the dignified old church, lovingly preserved, and the cherubs still guard- ing the representation of the Holy Bible on the gallery within the sacred. edifice, and the safe built into the
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GLORIA DEI (OLD SWEDES') CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
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porch to guard the ancient records, show a worthy care of antiquity. Rev. Dr. Collin's tablet, with an inscrip- tion composed by Rev. Dr. H. J. Morton, is on the wall, and we read : "He was the last of a long line of mis- sionaries sent by the Mother Church in Sweden to give the Bread of Life to her children on this distant shore."
Dr. Collin's wife, Hannah, is commemorated by an inscription written by himself, noting " her piety, neat- ness and economy," and gentle affection "with which she sustained him through many trying years, and his grief for her which shall not cease until he shall meet her in the land of the living."
Dr. Ducachet wrote Dr. Clay's inscription thus : "He was a man of lofty virtues-a Christian of exemplary holiness, a priest of unsurpassed fidelity-a-pastor of rare diligence, tenderness and discretion. His congre- gation have here placed this stone to tell of their admir- ation, their reverence and their sorrowing love." "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith .- Acts xi : 24."
The body of Margaret, daughter of Rev. Andrew Rudman, and wife of Andrew Robeson, is buried here. Two children of Rev. Mr. Sandel have one double head- stone. Wertmuller, the artist, was buried here by Dr. Collin. His mother died at Claymont, Delaware, and was brought here for burial. Her mother was a daugh- ter of the artist Hesselius, and her sister married Rev. Eric Unander.
Rev. Snyder B. Simes has long been the faithful rec- tor of Old Swedes' Church, and he kindly guided me to its relics. A vestryman, Park McFarland, Jr., also gave valuable information.
Rev. James W. Ashton, of Olean, New York, writes me that his maternal ancestors, named Marsh, lived on
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ground adjoining the Wicacoa Church. In the Revolution the inmates of the house yet standing in Christian Street were forced to leave by the British. Colonel Marsh, of this family, was in the American army. Mr. Ashton has a French clock which was then buried.
There were Swedes on the Elk River in Maryland, and at other places on the eastern shore and Apoqui- meny (Middletown), Delaware. The faithful mission- aries strove to care for them, but eventually their lan- guage was lost in the English tide and they connected themselves with English churches.
At first, in Christina, matins were "celebrated on Christmas with lights burning in crowns and arms made of wood for the purpose." "The bell hung in a wal- nut tree near the church, but as the squirrels continually resorted there for the nuts, and built their nests upon the arches of the church, by which the roof was injured, a neat little wooden tower was erected upon one of these outbuildings of the church, and the walnut tree was cut down." In Christina there was a demand for English service, and so that language was used in the afternoon when convenient to the pastor, Mr. Tranberg.
Queen Christina's instructions to Governor Printz read: "Above all things, shall the Governor consider and see to it that a true and due worship, becoming honor, laud and praise be paid to the Most High God in all things." The instruction of the young in Christianity is enjoined.
At Christina, after a year's vacancy, Acrelius was sur- prised "that the people came quite unitedly to church, listened to the preaching with much attention, sang their Swedish hymns without a leader, and some of them astonishingly well. Besides, they brought to the church children for baptism, and mothers to be
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churched." However, certain disorders needed cor- rection. The church was cleaned and altar-linen pro- cured.
CHURCH UNITY.
In 1710, Christ Church, Philadelphia; was enlarged and its rector and people asked permission to hold ser- vice at Gloria Dei. The Swedish service ended at eleven. Then the English service began and " a Swedish hymn was sung as a stronger token of unity " during the English service. This continued for three successive Sundays. In 1715 the English held service here some time, and " in recognition of this kindness the English made a present of altar-linen to the Wicacoa Church. When an English church was opened the Swedish clergy were invited. The English had no Bishops to consecrate their churches. In 1713 Biork and Sandel were at the opening service of Trinity Church, Oxford, Philadelphia. On May 19th, 1715, Pastor Sandel assisted at the laying of the foundation of St. David's Church, Radnor. After a sermon at a private house, a procession went to the church site and after prayer "each one of the clergymen laid a stone." The Swedish Church was called "a sis- ter of the English Church." When the English clergy sent letters to Queen or Parliament, or the Bishop of London, or to the Society, the Swedish clergy signed them, and when the Swedish clergy went home the Eng- lish clergy signed testimonials for them. They received the Holy Communion from each other and administered the Sacrament to each other's communicants. Ought we not to learn a lesson in this and not go backward in relations with Sweden ? In parish vacancies English min- isters were called to assist. Dr. Clay says of the Swed- ish Church, "They retained it (the Episcopate) not
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merely in name, but as seems to be well established, in the possession of the true Apostolical succession." The Swedish clergy signed a petition .of the English clergy asking for a Bishop, in 1705.
THE CLERGY.
From 1696 to 1786 the Swedish Government sent 24 clergymen to New Sweden, generally providing an out- fit and meeting the expenses of the voyage out, and the return voyage when after faithful years of labor they were welcomed to pastorates in their native land. Dr. Reynolds thinks that the Swedish Government spent at least $100,000 on the churches here, and perhaps twice that amount. He refers to the historical sermon of the late Rev. O. Perinchief, rector of the Swedes' Church, Upper Merion, 1873. Money was then scarce and Swe- den was suffering frequently from financial embarrass- ment. The Thirty Years' War had brought the country almost to bankruptcy.
Among the clergy And. Hesselius, Tobias E. Biorck and Acrelius performed literary work. Biorck wrote a small quarto in Latin on the planting of the Swedish Church in America (Upsala, 1731). It was dedicated in English verse to Count Chas. Gyllenborg, a Swedish Senator and Chancellor of the University of Lund. Magister John Campanius Holm, Preceptor in the Or- phans' House in Stockholm, came with Governor Printz as government chaplain and pastor of the Swedish congregation. The party sailed on the ship Fama, while the ships Swan and Charitas accompanied this vessel. The father of Campanius was Jonas Peter, clerk of the congregation of St. Clara. Lawrence Charles Lockenius and Israel Holgh were sent to the
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colony in these times. Mr. Holgh soon returned to Sweden and became pastor in the island of Sokn, West Gothland. When. Mr. Fabritius grew infirm the Swedes appealed to Sweden for more clergy and afterward to the Lutheran Consistory in Amsterdam. When Rud- man, Biorck and Auren arrived from Sweden they were well entertained by Governor Francis Nicholson of Maryland, and by Swedes in Maryland, who informed the Pennsylvania brethren of their arrival, who came "with tears of joy" to conduct them home. In this case the clergy chose their congregations. Mr. Rud- man having been first chosen had the first choice and settled upon Wicacoa, while Mr. Biorck took Tran- hook. Mr. Auren remained with Mr. Rudman some- time before he entered on his travels over the coun- try.
In the company of Governor John Claudius Rising came a clergyman named Peter, who remained less than two years. No surname is given. In early days the Swedes and Danes had no surnames, but this case may be simply an omission in the chronicler. The Apostolic name is the only description of the man. The Swedish clergyman Matthias came in the fourth colony, in 1656, but returned to Sweden in two years. The Dutch had then taken possession of the colony and the Swedish Government were ignorant of it. Rev. John Campanius Holmensis was here six years, and studied the country and the Indians zealously. He had con- stant intercourse with these wild people. He returned to Sweden in 1648. And. Haquinius was appointed successor to Biorck, but died before entering on the voyage to America. A student named Abelius Sels- koorn performed divine service for a time at Sandhook (New Castle).
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Rev: John Eneberg was pastor of Wicacoa two years "after Provost Lidman's departure," and became pas- tor of Christina in 1733. He was unmarried, and lived in the houses of the Swedes. In 1742 he re- turned to Sweden. Rev. Peter Nordenlind was a min- ister who arrived before Acrelius's departure. Rev. John Sandin assumed the care of Racoon and Penns- neck in 1748. The joy of the people in receiving their new pastor after a vacancy of five years was soon clouded, for in six months " he fell asleep in the Lord." He labored to instruct the people, and all loved him.
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CHAPTER III.
WILMINGTON.
LAY-READERS AND TEACHERS.
I N a vacancy at Tinicum the aged Anders Bengtson read in church, Moller's Postilla ("sermons on the Gospels.") At Tranhook, Charles Christopher Springer was a faithful lay-reader who kept the church records. Hans Stalt, a Swedish schoolmaster in New Jersey under Biorck, used to read Postilla on Sundays when the people could not go to church at Christina. Sven Colsberg was a schoolmaster "on the Christina side." Springer was a Swede who was forcibly carried. on board a ship at London and sold in Virginia for five years' service, but found his way northward at the end of that time. He died in 1738, aged So, and was buried in the church yard. His son Charles succeeded him as vestryman. John Goding taught at various points in the Christina parish, under Rev. And. Hesselius, and had good success in instructing the children in Christian truth. Nicholas Forsberg also instructed the youth in Christian doctrine in Acrelius's day.
REORUS TORKILLUS .- When Peter Minuit, after Queen Christina had succeeded her father Gustavus Adolphus, came with his colony to the Delaware, Rev. Reorus Torkillus, from East Gothland, was the clergyman of these emigrants. He died in Fort Christina, September 7th, 1643, aged 35. He had been a professor in a Got- tenberg college. He married here and had one child. He was the first Swedish clergyman at Christina.
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Trankook (Cranchook) Church was standing at Chris- tina in 1697 when Mr. Biork arrived here. It had been in use since 1667. In 1699 it was last used for Divine service. There was a burial ground at the place. John Stalcop gave the ground for the new stone church, which was consecrated on Trinity Sunday, being called Trinity Church, and for a long time the annual commemoration was kept. Here the Swedish customs were still ob- served and "bridal pairs came to the services in church with crowns and garlands." Four hornblende rocks, the corner-stones of Crane Hook Church, remained to mark its site.
The Jersey people who crossed the Delaware River in . boats to attend service in Tranhook Church were some- times kept away by the dangerous condition of the river, especially in winter ; but it was a pretty picture on a pleasant summer day to see the old and young in Swedish attire coming in their boats from Jersey and from New Castle and Brandywine Hundred ; and when the simple services closed there was many an inquiry as to family, health, and the condition of cattle and crops, and the last letter from dear old Sweden, months on its way, when daily or weekly papers were unknown. Sometimes tears fell on a new-made grave. If the old tale of love was whispered in the church yard it was sanctified by the place. The companies returned home refreshed by the services and the association with dear friends as heavenly delights.
WILMINGTON.
Miss Elizabeth Montgomery's "Reminiscences of Wilmington " was written in the author's old age, and is remarkable for its constant pious references to texts of Scripture as bearing on local history, and its hopeful
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view of a future life as it records the passing away of a generation of old friends. Would that Christian historians generally could oftener thus acknowledge God's hand. The heathen writers loaded their narra- tives with mythology; shall we be less religious than they ? Miss Montgomery's volume is very vivid and interesting. She was a churchwoman and dearly loved Old Swedes' Church in Wilmington. In speaking of an early Swedish colonist, she says : "In old age he set his house in order, trimmed his lamp and waited for the messenger to guide him to a peaceful home." A female of the Stille family, of Swedish descent, is de- scribed in her 84th year as regularly walking over three miles to church. In 1849, the Rev. Gustaf Unonius (of the Swedish Church in Chicago, where I once heard him preach in Swedish, he now officiates in Stockholm,) visited Wilmington, and was the first Swede who had preached there since Rev. Lawrence Girelius left in 1791. In Trinity Chapel he was much struck by the appearance of a wealthy farmer whose dress and manner seemed to take the clergyman back to Sweden. The Swedes long strove to retain their old customs. They were amiable and noted for integrity. Miss Montgomery introduced to the aged Joseph Springer the infant Cora Monges of the sixth generation in the maternal line from the old Swedish rector of Trinity Church, Rev. Petrus Tran- berg, whom Mr. Springer remembered. The old man took the child in his arms and his "eyes flashed with joy." He then told how in winter snows his mother and father on horseback would ride to the old Swedes' Church and sit in church without fire. He would ride on one of the horses behind his father. He well re- membered the pastoral visits of Mr. Tranberg to their family. The pastor would sit on a wooden block at the
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corner of the immense fire-place in damp weather, drying his feet while his host talked with him, seated on another block, about the fatherland, in Swedish. Mr. Springer died aged 92 years, and was buried in the Swedes' cemetery.
It is said that when the church was built women car- ried sand in their aprons to help the workmen.
At the dedication of Trinity Church, Wilmington, Rev. Mr. Biork writes thus to Hon. Charles Wystrom : "Mr Rudman and I were clad in white surplices, made after our manner as well as could be done, but other church vestments could not be procured here. The Rev. Mr. Auren preached afterward at the celebration of the Lord's Supper, where we made a collection of about two hundred dollars."
Acknowledgment is due to Mr. E. F. James for the use of the accompanying engraving of Old Swedes' Church, Wilmington.
The Rev. Mr. Tranberg's widow long survived him. His only son Andreas was an army officer and was buried at Old Swedes'.
Rev. Dr. Charles Breck, formerly rector of Trinity Church, Wilmington, wrote Dr. Clay that Henrietta M. Allmond gave money by will to repair Old Swedes' Church, which had not been in condition for use. It was re-opened in 1842. It was again repaired in 1856 by "the great liberality of the lamented Alexis I. Dupont."
The Rev. Mr. Tranberg's well-built house stood over a century. "The workmanship was so superior that people came from New York and Philadelphia to see it, and his descendants occupied it to the fifth generation." The mantel once held carved figures and porcelain jars, while the walls contained portraits of Mr. and Mrs.
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Tranberg. The mahogany high backed chairs, and "tables with innumerable legs closely carved," and china cups from Sweden were remembered.
Major Peter Jaquett was a Revolutionary officer who was buried in Old Swedes' cemetery. There lie also the remains of Bishop Alfred Lee and his wife.
The Rev. Provost Lawrence Girelius was the last Swedish minister of Wilmington, and was a lovable. man. He had a foreign accent, his aspect was vener- able, at funerals he was specially solemn. Peter Davis, a deserter from the Hessians, was his man-servant and sexton, and zealously guarded the church. He had many quaint ways and words. One Christmas he dusted a cedar in church with flour to represent snow. Mr. Girelius held Trinity Church twenty-three years and a half. He left in 1791. Provision for his family de- manded a return to Sweden. He was a faithful and be- loved pastor and just before death dictated to his son a letter to his Wilmington congregation. He was chair- man of the Board of the Wilmington Academy. One of the early General Conventions met in this Academy. Mr. Girelius 'preached in it to the Cincinnati Society of Delaware.
Rev. Provost Andreas Borell was pastor in 1762. He died unmarried in 1767 or 1768. His death oc- curred on a Sunday morning. All the Swedish clergy were at his funeral. He was handsome and his manner very attractive.
The Swedish Governor, Peter Minuit, died at Chris- tina and was buried there in 1641.
The place where Fort Christina and the first church in the fort arose was a picturesque spot on the winding Christina creek, where steep rocks formed a quay for vessels. The rocks have been blasted: This was the
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home of Rebecca Hoffman, Miss Montgomery's mother, and annually she visited it and the church. The second church was built in 1667 during the British rule. This was Crane Hook Church. The Dutch often became members of the Swedish Church. To Old Swedes' Church came canoes, and batteaus, and in winter, sleds and jumpers, and horseback riders, and rough wagons. Once but one chair (chaise) came. Family wagons, phaetons and chariots were used in after years. Many formerly walked to church. There was a large congre- gation.
It is noteworthy that Peter Brynberg, a printer o Swedish descent, had a book store in Wilmington and .was one of the publishers of the American Prayer Book.
CHURCH SERVICES AND MISSIONARY WORK.
On Sundays there were two sermons, the first "be- tween the first and second ringing of the bells, when a morning hymn was sung, or ' O God vi lofve tig,' ' We praise Thee O God.'" The sermon was on the cate- chism. At the second sermon-time, the first sermon was repeated and the people examined on what had been before said, the teacher going through the aisles. This was in summer. In short winter days a chapter of the Old Testament and one of the New Testament was read and explained. In the wide parish the clergyman preached in private houses in Pennypack, Amasland, Kalkonhook, and twice or thrice yearly at Manathanim, and once at Egg Harbor.
LARS LOCK, OR LOCKENIUS .- In Rev. Dr. William M. Reynolds's Introduction to Acrelius's New Sweden, which he translated from the Swedish, mention is made of the fact that from 1655 to 1693 the few Swedes left by
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Rising, their last governor, by enrollment, were over Goo, while doubtless many were not enrolled. He adds : "These people still cherished the simple faith of their ancestors, and were very anxious to have the ser- vices of the church and a regular minister."
Upon the overthrow of the Swedish administra- tion in 1655, one minister, Lars Lock, who had come to this country with Governor Printz in 1642, remained with them and continued to officiate until 1688, when he was removed by death, or "fell asleep in the Lord," as Springer expresses it. Acrelius describes him as God's instrument in sustaining the Swedish Churches. He held both Tinicum and Christina twenty-two years, but finally was chiefly employed in the latter parish. In old age he became lame and could not do his clerical work. He left many honest Christian descendants in Repapo, who clung to the Swedish Church. The reader will notice the Latinizing of Lock's name, according to the fashion of the day. In Springer's letter to Post- master Thelin, he is styled Laurentius Caroli Lockenius. At Trankook, Lock " calls himself Pastor Loci." The tendency to Latinize may be seen in the names of other Swedish pastors. Lock "was the only one who re- mained in the country and took care of the poor and scattered Swedes, preaching at Tenakong and Fort Christina until the day of his death." He ministered to Swedes and Hollanders.
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CHAPTER IV.
WICACOA CLERGY.
J ACOBUS FABRITIUS .- In A.D., 1677 Rev. Jacob, or James, Fabritius was called to aid Mr. Lock in the growing population from what is now Philadel- phia to Wilmington and New Castle in Delaware, and Salem in New Jersey. He officiated mostly in the Dutch language, which the Swedes appear to have learned during the ten years of Dutch power, before the Duke of York took the " Netherlands territory from the North (Hudson) to the South (Delaware) rivers, in in 1644." Fabritius worked until he became too old for service. He was a native of Germany, or, some thought, of Poland. He was called from New York. He could hold service in the Swedish tongue. "His first sermon was delivered at Wicacoa on Trinity Sunday of the year 1677. Five years afterwards he had the misfortune to become blind, and continued so until the time of his death, which was nine years later." He is thought to have served two years longer than this. He strove to care for the congregation, notwithstanding his bodily infirmity. He lived in Kensington, which was then above Philadelphia, and went by canoe to Wicacoa and Tranhook Church (Wilmington), and even to Mary- land. When he walked a person went before him with a staff, leading him. As Lock was lame and Fabritius blind, the people were served by those who could sym- pathize with their pains of body. Springer's letter touchingly says of Fabritius : "He is also an admirable
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preacher, but, God's blessing on him, he is so aged, and has lost his sight for so long a time, yet he is one who has taught us God's pure and true word, and adminis- tered the holy sacraments among us." Rudman says he died in 1693 or 1694. Anders Bengsten then became lay reader.
PROVOST ANDREAS RUDMAN .- Acrelius refers to Su- perintendent Andreas Rudman's manuscript in the Wicacoa Church-Book as an aid to his history. Rud- man collected information from the oldest American Swedes. In the mission of three clergy, in 1696, An- drew Rudman, of Gestricia, "a district in the Province of Norrland, candidate for the Degree in Philosophy," was the one first called. He pressed the building of Gloria Dei Church so zealously as to pledge the best articles in his house for money to further the building. "Castleman's Adventures" relates that he worked in the erection of the church to pay his subscription by labor. His health was poor, and he begged his friend, Andrew Sandel, to come from Sweden to assist him. He served the Dutch in Albany, N. Y., for a time, but returned to Philadelphia and held the English church at Oxford (Trinity) for years, and also the English church (Christ Church) in Philadelphia, until he died in 1708. He was buried in Wicacoa Church, " a long pro- cession of English and Swedes " attending the funeral. Pastor Biorck preached from Ps. 73: 24, "Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." The faithful clergyman chose this text him- self for his own funeral. He had been in America eleven years, and was not forty years old. Ilis wife "was of the Mattson family, and two daughters, Gertrude and Anna Catharina Rudman," survived him. He mar- ried in this country. Some of his relatives are now
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living in this land, Mats Mattson, father-in-law of Mr. Rudman, built the first house at Gloucester, N. J., where the Dutch had had their Fort Nassau.
PROVOST ANDREW SANDEL (provost in 1714, died at Hedemora, Sweden, 1744.)-Andrew Sandel, of Upsala. was a theological student who was ordained by Bishop Eric Benzelius. In London, on his journey to America, the President, Mr. Leyoncrona, received him kindly, being always glad to aid the Swedish missionaries. Sandel succeeded Rudman at Gloria Dei, where he labored faithfully seventeen years, beloved and respected, and was remembered reverently " by children and chil- dren's children" after death closed his earthly toil. San- del returned to Sweden in 1719. After his departure Mr. Arvid Hernbom alternated for a time with Hessel- ius and Lidenius in the services at Gloria Dei.
JUSTUS FALKNER .- This German student was ordained by Rudman, Biorck and Sandel in 1703, and "had a congregation of Germans in Falkner's Swamp" (Pa.), which was named from him. He was a Lutheran minis- ter. The Swedish clergy did not generally ordain, as they had bishops.
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