USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 11
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
ing and upbuilding unity and agreement may come for Jesus Christ's sake in the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The 4th day, Pentecost, May 27th, I preached on the other side of the river at the house of the late Von Nemmen's widow, the place of preaching having been chosen by Paul Jaquette by the river. When I with some words took my leave of them using for the occa- sion the text: "The Father draweth him," saying how I had been drawn with them for sixteen years, I being an instrument drawn by the Holy Spirit. That now the good God had let two come over, who easier than one can draw a load and burden.
I notified them that those teachers had called a ineet- ing at Christina the next coming Saturday, and that they on that side must come over that they may hear.
That they must, as heretofore, still hold together and help each other, for so they can have so much the more, and more ready services of these ministers, than they heretofore have been able to have of ine who have been .alone. And I promised them all my service and further- ance, and especially that they now with Mr. Hessellius' leave should have Mr. Lidenins more continuously with them.
Friday, June 5th, I preached at St. Georges, when I let them know that my time was up and that they must unite heartily with these two ministers sent over in my place by God and the authorities, so that they may give them service as I have, that I had already said much to the ministers on their account, but that if they do not come to the church the ministers will think they are not satisfied with the service at Christina, and in the meantime I promised to serve them occasionly.till they should be with Magister Hessellius.
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Now, though I have separated myself from Christina Church, but yet cannot at the right time this summer set out for Sweden to arrive in good time before winter, on account of my wife's condition, she being pregnant.
I have concluded to remain till the next spring, and in the mean time not to lie entirely idle, but to serve for the general good. And as for a time the English Priest at New Castle, Mr. Jacob Henderson, by reason of his marriage down near Annapolis in Maryland, was neces- sitated to be often at that place, he agreed with mne to. attend to his church at New Castle in his absence, for which I should have half of his income, he now and then coming up to them, till he by transfer can remain at home, being dismissed from New Castle and another from England being appointed in his place.
I therefore accepted his proposition and am to be with them every Sunday and Friday, and whenever else my service is needed by them.
A. D. 1714, January 15th on Friday, Mons. Gustaff Hessellius came down from Philadelphia with a heap of letters for me and Magister Hessellius and Mr. Lidenius, which have come over with Capt. Richardson from the Highworthy Bishop in Skara, Dr. Jesper Swedberg.
The first to me was dated Brunsbo in Skara, August 6th, 1713, which informed me among other things that the high worthy Bishop had written to the King for me to be appointed to the Old Copper Berget, and also that a school-master had been sent here from Skara with the promise of the Archbishop to procure for him a salary as soon as the King should come home.
This schoolmaster came in the autumn and kept school in Wiccacoe congregation. His name is Heer Bohn and he is a quiet and capable person.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
The 2nd letter dated August 12th same year was in answer to mine of May 5th, 1713, in which the High worthy Bishop as he had learned that I was to remain here this year, had been pleased to confer upon me the honor to be Provost over these Swedish Churches for the time that I remain.
The words run thus :- "Your Honorworthy's two letters I received at the same time yesterday. The first was of the same import as that received eight days before and was immediately answered. . To God be everlasting praise for upholding you in health, and as I understand that Magister Andreas Hessellius has already entered upon his duties now in this May month, may God give much happiness and blessing in the name of Jesus.
And as your worthiness for the present year does not come therefrom, I will therefore herewith request that your Honorworthiness will not uphold your hand from the congregations. And so that all may proceed in an orderly manner and that your Honorworthiness may have more abundant opportunity thereto, I make and order your Honorworthiness herewith to be Provost over the Swedish churches which are there in India, with the sincere wish that God will pour grace and blessing as heretofore so hereafter; I shall look to have proper statements of various matters, and for myself shall not fail to take care for your best interests both in general and particular.
May God help us to peace and our gracious King home again, and Herr Provost when you write home again write in such a manner that I can show the letters to the King and Royal Council. There has not yet come any answe with regard to the Stor Kopperberg (a) for no letter has been received from our King. All is
a. Great copper mine, used instead of Fahlun where it is stiuated.
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RECORDS OF
uncertainty and what one Post tells for truth the next upsets. He mentions that he has written to Magis- ter Hesseliius to be contented if it should not be just so here in everything as they would have it at once, for tribulation has not taken itself off either with Priest or people, for in Sweden also many churches have their hardships. To the others I beg the Herr Provost to present my humble greetings, etc., etc., and also to the Christly Swedish congregations collectively, with the sincere wish that God will grant them all spiritural and temporal blessings to their everlasting happiness. If I get good prayers for myself in return, I am richly paid for all my trouble and efforts.
God help and bless you all in Jesus' name. I remain your Honorworthy Sir Provost's Obedient servant and True Friend JESPER SWEDBERG.
Brunsbo, August 12th, 1713.
P. S .- I now write to the Bishop in London and thank him for the favors shown you in that country, and ask him to continue his goodness.
Now in what concerned the worthy Bishop's appoint- ment of me as Provost, and to superintend business among us Swedish ministers, I thought I should keep it to myself, but as Magister Hessellius had the same in his letter and came to congratulate me therefor, I then spoke my mind thereupon and said that notwithstand- ing, with due respect I appreciate the high honor never- theless I shall not exercise the office, because the time is now short and my thoughts only to hurry home, none the less shall be ready to whatever falls in my way that tends to advance the good of the churches, and as in duty bound will do them any service that I can.
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 159
The 3rd letter dated the 28th of same month and same year, had the following contents:
Honorworthy Sir Provost and Church Pastor.
Notwithstanding I have within a short time written several letters to your Honorworthiness, yet I am now induced to write and announce the happy tidings that his Royal Majesty has upon my humble representation favored you with Fahlun's Pastorate, for which the Royal commission has come written at Tamerlask near Adrianople, June 23rd, 1713. So does God care for and reward his own. Now in the Lord's name make haste home-the sooner the better-and faithfully labor in the vineyard, where the Lord's will and my wish sends you.
Thank God for the lawful and regular call and expect there every possible blessing from God. I am especially glad therefor because it is my birth-place.
His Royal Majesty has also on my humble represen- taticn promised a bell and organ and 600 Psalm books, and pay for a school-master. God be eternally glorified and His name be praised.
You must soon write to his Majesty a humble thanks- giving letter though short.
We have now again good tidings of his Majesty, and that he will soon come out of Turkey into Christendom and into his own realm.
Magister Tillag the late Provost Eckman's son-in-law had the call of the congregation aud the rescript of the Royal Council for himself. May God reward and comfort you and stir up your fellow laborers to like diligence.
If you delay after the first of May, let me know if I may correspond with the Consistory for a Priest, to carry
.
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RECORDS OF
on the service till your Honorworthiness shall come yourself.
Salute all your fellow laborers from me and beseecli them to be diligent in labor and to pull together. I shall gladly embrace every opportunity to promote their good.
I have written and thanked the Bishop in London and requested him to continue in his good offices and favor to the Swedish Churches out there.
. I also cordially salute your congregations. May God sustain and bless you all together in Jesus' name.
How is it? Cannot there be any heathen converted?
Good faith, good living will do much, and faithful prayer.
Logomachy questions and scholastic subtleties are good for nothing.
I have also newly written to all your colleagues. May they be faithfully directed by God.
Brunsbo, August 28th, 1713; which was my birthday, sixty years ago. To God be praise for mnot och ined.
(Trials and blessings.)
I constantly remain his Honorworthy, the Herr Provost's most willing and ready
for service Servant and faithful friend
JESPERUS SWEDBERG.
The 4th and last letter of the 18th of September of the same year is a short compend of the former with the addition. It is said that Stanislaus is coming into Poland with. 70,000 Turks, and our King with him with the P. S. that we must not by any means give Quakers, Calvinists and Heathen cause or occasion to speak ill of our teaching, which you in former years have frequently been reminded of, and to be in unity with the English Church.
1
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
However mnuch I was intending to go over in the Spring, yet now I was especially encouraged and enliv- ened by such an unexpected and overjoying letter to hasten so much the more and stout heartedly.
So I let the church here and at Wiccacoe and those on the other side all together understand that for their sakes I would remain a little longer, that they with so good opportunity might now show some sign of thank- fulness through me towards Sweden, especially as I through God's favor am the first Priest to return back again after such innumerable favors from home by send- ing over Priests and books for these many years, so that then I can speak in their favor with much more bold- ness, when I have the favor and honor to present myself there before a so pious King and so gracious authorities.
And that the collection be made by Easter, the last of March or the first of April, for it is my intention to go away in April ..
This was furthered by Magister Hessellius through a beautiful and discreet writing by him thereon read to the congregation here at Christina, the copy of which reads as follows:
As it now through God's all-wise providence and gracious pleasure has proceeded so far that His Royal Majesty of Sweden has not only sometime since called home his Highworthiness Herr Magister Ericus Biork who has been for a long time this Church's faithful, zealous and well deserving pastor and soul-watcher, but now furthermore by open commission graciously called him to be provost and church pastor in the important and widely celebrated city of Fahlun, at the great cop- per mines in Sweden, whereto may God his all clement blessings bestow.
II
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RECORDS OF
And as this Christly congregation is generally informed that the well-born, his Highworthiness Herr Provost, with his whole honorable family are now in the Lord's name intending after some few weeks, speedily to depart from here by ship to their Father's country to enter upon the high charge committed to him by God and the King, it becomes now the high duty and obliga- tion of us all not only to come before God with faithful prayers for a so dear and true teacher whom God for so many years has graciously blessed and continued in his Church for a sure pledge of his great grace in planting and sustaining Christianity in a land lying so far from Christendom, and has sustained him. through great labors and hardships, but each one for himself, all in common and each one in particular, without demur or further delay to the extent of his ability, contribute not only what may promote and be necessary for the journey of the Herr Provost but also as each one can easily make out new skins, peltry and other goods which here in this country are very common but for the sake of the distance and strangeness of the country be reckoned rare and curious in Sweden. This also would be a humble acknowledgment to God for his unspeakable grace and a humble token of admiration of our dear Sweden's King whom the All Powerful God has been pleased to use as his holy instrument to advance the Kingdom of Christ also here and as a sign of an upright love toward their faithful soulcarers.
It is however to be presumed, that none of the mem- bers of this church will indulge the foolish thought or be simple enough to believe, that any in Sweden and the less the high parties intended in this place, should for their profit or advantage desire this land's wares for in that land far more costly things in greater abundance are found as well as the common and small.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
But you are to consider that somethingthough of little value and very common here presented to them would nevertheless be received and accepted by them with satisfaction and pleasure so that a kindness so cheap here with us will be fully appreciated and acknowledged. So much and more are all bound to remember everyone I say so that through unthankfulness no one may bring God's disfavor upon himself Each one who will not, will with coldness and indifference tend to uproot our great benefits from Sweden, for we can recompense in no other way but by love and good-will towards the faithful people of Sweden and His Majesty's subjects who come here to devote their time to God's glory and the salvation of souls. And these benefits and kindnesses you may have further good hope of, when you send home in this manner this your former soul's shepherd so that he may be able to advance your interests before the high parties concerned in Sweden, with the best of recommendations and that this may be accomplished, may we all earnestly ask the All Merciful God.
Thereupon Mr. Springer, who from the beginning, 'afterwards all through and so likewise now at the end of my being here has always been the first to set for- ward what he understood to be for God's glory and the church's best good and also with him a no less faith- full and willing member of our congregation from the time that he first began to understand our language so that he could have the benefit of our Swedish Divine service (for he was an Englishman, but married among us) namely, Edward Robinson. Thereupon these two I say took the trouble early in March to go from house to house and exhort and persuade the people to now show a free heart for their own honor when it shall be re- ported at home, and they there get to know what each
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RECORDSOF
one has done in this business. I heard nothing to the contrary but that all were glad of such an opportun- ity to finally accomplish something for me, and promised to do their highest duty each one according to his ability. Mr. Sandali also moved in the business in the upper congregation, and Mr. Springer wished to go on the other side of the river, but it was very difficult; so Mr. Lidenius took hold and was unwearied, and did his best to set before the people the whole matter.
This year 1714, April 26, a Monday, there came up here to me, Lucus Stedham, Peter Mounsson, Edward Robinson and Matz Petersson of the Church Council, and talked with me about the old accounts, what is backstanding, and of the agreements and indebtedness. I answered them that it all stands set down in the church book and was published some Sundays before it was written in when they all should have come and heard the upreading, and so have righted anything contained in the church book, or seen if anything was left out which should have been inserted. But that I had heard of nothing missed, only if I now remembered right a day's work of Gabriel Petersson which was righted, but otherwise the whole stood in this reckoning which I read up to them.
I showed them receipts over the whole time of the building of the church, and thereupon all was at least all clean in writing in the church book.
Peter Mounson wished that I would give notice and opportunity for any who may think himself not righted to come and have it done now while I am still here, and I willingly consented to that.
Peter Mounson then began to talk of what was brought forward in my general meeting of the past year, which
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
was that no more should be paid to John Hanson Stell- man than was in my hands, for he said John Hanson was with him at one time and threatened angrily that he should not rely on me when I should be away, but would depend upon others of the Church Council to get his own. I answered that he need not fear, for John Hanson has no proper bond, but simply an acknowledg- ment that there was {220 owing him, but which is balanced by the account of payments made at sundry times as the statement will show.
A true and just account of what Capt. John Hance Stellman has at several times had of me in payment of the £220 which was borrowed of him when the church . at Christina was building as follows:
£ S
Discounted Mr. Stellman's subscription to the church,
5
0 0
1699. To paid Pieter Stalcop, 3
O 0
July 13th. To Several Books, O
6 3
Oct. 4th. " Freight of 4 Casks of Rum delivered at Christeen, 0
Nov. 3rd. To Alexander the Millwright,
3
0 0
" 20th. " A Black Stone Horse, 4
April 4th. " John Anderson Cock, 6
0 0
May 6th. " Paid Regner Von Culen's widow, 2
0 0
20th.
" James La Fost per order and in presence of Capt. Stellman, I
0 0
Aug. 18th.
" Charles Springer, 6
0 0
Sept. 5th.
30th.
" John Anderson Gioding,
15
0 0
Oct. 2nd.
" Alexander the Millwright, 4 0 O
.. 30th.
" John Anderson Gioding, I
5
0
Nov. 3rd. " Alexander the Millwright, 3
O
O
Dec. 6th. 1701.
" Mr. Stellman himself, 8
O
0
" 13th. " Wampum several times, 2 4 O
12 0
IO 0 1700.
" John Anderson Gioding, I 0 0
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RECORDS OF
Jan. Ioth. " John Anderson Gioding, I
£ s. d. 0 0 " 12th. " Pietter Stalcop, 4 0
April 20th. " Several books bound in this country, 3 15 O
May 28. To Peter Yocomb, I
O 0
June 2. To J. Hance himself, 5
O O
June 9. To Peter Yocomb, I
5 O I702. May 2. To Peter Yocomb, 6
0 0 I702.
May 2. To Pietter Jacquette, I4 0
N. B -From the year 1702 in the fall, to the year 1703 in the fall, there was nothing paid, because the money was stopped and attached in behalf of Matthias De Foss.
1703.
Aug. 7th. To Matthias De Foss, 12
O 0
Sept. 15th. To Christian Vinson,
4
IO 0
Oct. 30th. To Nicolass Quest, 19
8 0
1704, Nov. 6th. To Wholle Thomas's widow, 4
O 0
1705, Oct. 15th. To Robert Hayes, I
I3
8
1706, Aug. 9th. To Henry Snicker, 6
0 0
1705, June 19th. To Henry Boone, 0
II
6
1707, To paid Mr. James Couts per order,
20 0 0 IZI1.
Nov. 30th. To paid Mr. James Couts upon attach- ment, 40 0 0
Nov. 30th. To paid the widow Sarah De Foss on
attachment, 43 0 0
Nov. 30th. To paid Sarah De Foss on Stellmans
account. 6 0 0
246 5 5 A true and just account, as witness my hand this 26th June, 1714.
ERICUS BIORE.
Memorandum, That Simon Johnson at Elk River, paid to John Hanson four pounds on Mr. Biork's account, which must be added to this account,
I underwritten, do hereby make known and acknowledge that
5
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
I and John Hance Stellman have never made up our accounts nor settled them, although he has by me and others of the Churchwardens often been thereunto required, I do also acknowl- edge that I have given the said Stellman a note from under my hand and seal for 220{ in the year 1705, but it is sincerely to be understood as by the above account appears, that the principal is paid and the greatest part of the interest, for several years the money was attached, and for that time there is no reason that he should lawfully demand interest.
Moreover, the reason that I gave him my note for the above sum was, I gave it at his earnest request, he thinking there- by he should be discharged from the action that was com- menced against him by Col. John Evans, who then was Governor, for taking unlawful interest 10 per cent. Thinking that therein I could do Mr. Stellman a kindness without my own damage, and because he had been kind to us to lend us this money, I therefore could not deny him my note for the 2206, as witness my hand and seal this 26th day of June, 1714.
ERICUS BIORK.
S.
Thus I have as well as possible set down what has happened from the first day I came into this place till now my last, for the information of those who shall come after me and it is to be hoped that what is written of the congregation and myself, may not seem strange and that no unfair representation has been made, for nothing has been written to fault the congregation, for the organization was comparatively new, and it could not be expected that everything should have gone so straight forward and so right as in other much older churches.
The place in which we live and the times, customs and conditions, being under Quakers, etc., rendered it necessary to proceed in a different manner than if we could have help from any government or court.
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RECORDS OF
We could not accomplish everything as we wished, and what we have done some years ago might now per- haps be more wisely arranged, and what is now being arranged may be done better some years hereafter.
Whoever therefore reads or hears this will please to re- flect that nothing can be so wisely and prudently done that might not afterwards be done otherwise.
All beginnings generally have difficulties about them which if they are not by patience and perseverance overcome, can never go forward and much less come to a successful end.
I have never been so overcome by any obstacle that I did not always rejoice in it as a trial of my calling, and felt that it was a partaking with others in difficulties and trials, however little. In short let all who read, interpret all for the best and as time and circumstances will allow improve what can be improved, and so may he receive the same charity from his successors, as I now ask of those who come after me. "Homo sum humani a me nikil puto." And I assure the friendly reader that nothing knowingly has been done wrong.
So then
(a) May the Lord God grant to his Christina Church, There should never fail those who worship in the spirit and the truth,
And give grace to the shepherds to so watch the flock, That they with thy sheep may meet in Heaven.
My God, I thank Thee for all grace received the sixteen years in course that I have served thee here;
Herefrom, now called home and with Fahlun honored.
O me unworthy dust, far more than I thought to be worthy
Of God's and the *King's favor and our *Bishop's trust,
*King Charles XII, #Dr. Swedberg Bishop of Skara.
a. This is in sense in the original.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Whose care for souls here is written in the work itself.
My God what is well done is thine, but mine, what is inissed.
In faith it written, is in faith my name is written last. ERICUS BIORK.
Christina, June 29th, 1714. The day that I started on my long journey from here out to Sweden, with my dear wife Christina Peter Stalcop's daughter, and my chil- dren, Tobias, Magdalena, Catharina, Christina and Maria, with my brother-in-law, John Cornelius Van de Ver and his wife Maria, Peter Stalcop's daughter, and a fatherless child, Anna, Lylof Stidham's daughter who had lived with me from infancy.
Note a .- Tobias was the author of a work, Dissertatio Gradualis de Plan- tatione, Ecc. Suec. in America and signs himself Tobias Eric Biorck, Americano Delcarlus i. e., an American of Dalecarlia.
b .- Mr. Biork entered immediately on the pastorate of the church in the City of Fahlun, in Delcarlia, where he died in 1740.
CHRISTINA CONGREGATION'S
CHURCH BOOK
FROM THE YEAR AFTER CHRIST'S BIRTH, 1713, FOR THE FOLLOWING TIME TILL 1756.
THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN BY THE FORMER CHURCH WARDEN, WILLIAM VAN DE VER, FOR THE USE OF CHRISTINA CHURCH IN 1712.
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RECORDS OF
LETTER OF COUNCIL OF SWEDEN.
By His Royal Majesty's Present Royal Council be it known :
That as his Royal Majesty our Most Gracious King by his open letter, dated Head Quarters Smorgonia, in Lilhuania, the 21st February, 1708, has most graciously made known to the Swedish congregations in India, His High Royal care for them as well in general as in particular, with order to the proper authorities to send over to them ten copies in folios regalii of the Bible and a number of Swedish psalm books, and also to procure some good soulcarers to be sent by his Royal Majesty in place of the returning teacher of God's Word Ericus Biork, and he had appointed a very proper and capable man named Andreas Haquinius and with him an assist- ant in the ministry of the word, and he having been prevented by death here at home while preparing for his journey, and we considering it necessary-and the sooner the better-to carry out His Royal Majesty's Christly and Godly intentions for the spiritual care and prosperity of the said congregations to cheer them and provide for them good and efficient Priests. Therefore we in the absence of His Majesty far away, and in his great name in accordance with His Majesty's graciously given instructions, now after the departure of Mr. Ha- quiniaus have chosen and appointed His Royal Majesty's subject Magister Andreas Hessellius of whose learning, piety, discretion, grave manners and good gifts we have knowledge to be a priest in the Swedish Congregation in India in place of Ericus Biork. And we have also ordered the Priestman Mr. Abram Lidenius to be his assistant in teaching and preaching the Word, and any service necessary in the congregation. We also send over ten vols. of the Bible in folio regalii and three
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