USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 28
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MARRIAGES.
William Glinn to Mary Tool, the 30th November, of New Castle County and Brandewyn Hundred.
Thomas Corcoran to Prudence Foresides, 26th of December, of Brandewyn Hundred.
Wm. Strode to Deborah Woodward. the 28th of December, both of Chester County and East Bradford Township.
On the 8th of November, 1748, Pastor Peter Tran- berg resigned his soul to his Saviour's hand, to be trans- ferred to the Heavenly joy. He took his leave of this world from the other side of the river in the house of Mr. William Von Neman, where he had gone to bury his (Mr. Von Neman's) parents, Mr. Olle Von Neman and his wife Magdalena Von Dever, who had died in Penn's Neck four days previously. His lifeless body was brought home and interred in its resting place, the Ioth day of November. He had been a faithful pastor over Racoon and Penn's Neck congregations for fifteen years, over Christina congregation for seven years, and over the Swedish Lutheran congregations in general, under many occuring vacancies, as well as many Eng- lish congregations, during the whole time he resided in America, viz .: twenty-two years.
Thus passes soon this race away, and others take its place;
The weary, lingering, lengthy day is closed in night's embrace; This world is but a shifting scene where nought but change is found;
Births, life and death, till God forbids, will roll a constant round. Blest is the man whose soul is given to Christ to keep and save, He trusts with gladness and content, his body to the grave.
When e'er the Royal Shepherd calls a pastor to his rest, And in his place another puts-Which then is the more blest? The one whose work in life is done, who rests in bliss above, Or his successor, who must still, with persevering love, An ever watchful guardian be to rear the lambs of God; He with less joy obeys God's will, than he beneath the sod.
CHRISTINA CONGREGATION'S
CHURCH BOOK
BOUGHT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CHURCH AND APPROPRIATED TO ITS USE IN THE BE- GINNING OF THE YEAR 1750.
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THIRD BOOK,
BEGINNING WITH THE Record of the Historian Rev. Israel Acrelius,
IN HIS OWN HAND-WRITING.
When the venerable consistory at Upsula had learned by a letter dated August, 1748, that the pastor over the churches at Rakoon and Pensneck, and provost over the Swedish Lutheran Churches in America, Magister Johan Sandin had been removed by death, the most worthy consistorinm aforesaid, took all necessary care to provide a worthy and proper priest to supply the above mentioned places. The Highworthy Doctor and Archbishop Herr Doctor Hinrich Benzelius had not yet entered upon his Arch-episcopal office, but was still in his former Bishopric of Lund, therefore the Professor of Theology, Herr Magister Engelbrecht Hallenius took upon himself the special care of this business, and verbally proposed to ine to take the appointments which at first I entirely declined, but finally asked that I might have some weeks to consider the matter, nevertheless, he dispatched the very next day the following written commission. Worthy and High-learned Herr Magister.
After the consistory had been apprised that the pastor over Rakoon and Pensneck, and provost over the Swedish Lutheran Churches in Pennsylvania, Magister Johan Sandin had been removed by death in the latter part of the last year, and the reception of instructions
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from the Highly Praised Royal Conciliar Colege with the Most Highworthy Herr Arch Bishop's direction that the consistory should look out some proper and capable priestman to exercise the same offices and immediately propose him humbly to his Majesty for appointment, has the consistory after much deliberation and consideration of the necessary qualifications for the trust become satisfied that they find them in your Worthiness, and herewith call your Worthiness to be pastor in Rakoon and Pensneck, and provost over the Swedish Lutheran Churches in Pennsylvania, with the assurance that after the performance of the duties of those offices for seven years you shall be called home to enjoy a proper promo- tion in the Diocese. The consistory awaits your answer by the next post.
And remain your Worthiness' Ready and willing servants,
OLOF CELSIUS, MATHEW ASP, ENGELBRECHT HALLENIUS, GABRIEL MATHESIUS, L. BENZELSTICRNA, LAUR NORIN.
Because Prof. Hallenius especially took charge of this work, and from my childhood with teaching, instruction and training had been my great patron and favourer so that he not only knew me best, but also wished espec- ially for my best good, therefore instead of declaring before the whole consistory, my reasons for not wishing the appointment and declining the charge, I preferred to communicate with him separately and gave him my answer, saying that I would rather face inevitable death than undertake this work, for I was entirely ignorant of
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 415
the English language; that Swedish was in our Ameri- can churches in a great degree forgotten and neglected, so that it might be that for the first year I could do little or no service in all the work necessary to be done in the various charges committed to me and pertaining to the proper duties of a priest and consequently I should be a disgrace to my bishop and consistory and my whole Fatherland before all the people, and especially as there are so many sects among the inhabitants, and moreover that the sects of the Hernhuters are said even now to be in our churches, both teachers and hearers being cor- rupted by whom I shall be antagonized at once at my arrival. That I have seen what commotions these folks had produced at home in Sweden and appre- hended much greater in America where there is freedom for every kind of religion and teaching. These witlı other reasons that cannot so properly be put down here, made this journey and this appointment intolerable to me so that I prayed with all my heart to be spared from the undertaking. But should the venerable consistory not find sufficient force in these reasons and by their legiti- mate authority are pleased to lay this yoke upon me or in lack of any other for the service. The honor of God and. the service of the church shall have hearty obe- dience, and no unwillingness, disobedience and disrespect shall hinder mne from going wherever in the world they might send me. The Lord's will be done.
Herr Prof. Hallenius considered this my simple answer of so much importance that he had it read in the consistory whereupon, was issued this later written commission.
Worthy and High learned Magister. As Herr Prof. Hallenius has to-day given into the
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hands of the consistory your Worthiness' written com- munication to the said Herr Professor, giving reasons and statements why you wished to be excused from the call of the consistory to the service of the Swedish Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania, and the, consistory do not find the causes and circumstances to be of the quality and weight that they on your Worthiness' side ought to hinder in so praiseworthy and christian purpose as this, and so the consistory cannot on account thereof alter their well-considered appointment, and so the con- sistory herewith inust the same well considered call pos- itively renew with the sure expectation that your Worthi- ness will look on it as a call from God and not refuse to serve the church of God even in a distant land, whose inhabitants truly need a shepherd and soul carer of proved capacity and experience, which qualifications the consistory are certain that your Worthiness posesses, and . will expect by the next post your Worthiness' favorable answer to this reiterated call.
Remaining .
Upsnla, March 15, 1740. Your willing Servants,
Olof Celcius, Matthew Asp, Engelbrecht Hallenius, Gabriel Matthesius, L. Benzelsteiner.
Laur Norin.
When I had received this second call from the con- sistory, with a private letter from Prof. Hallenius, and by the conversation of other zealous individuals been strengthened, I found myself by God's kind Providence entirely won over, and so finally by my answer to the consistory, accepted the appointment.
And now I was anxious to start on my journey by the first ship, but this could not be till the Doctor and Arch bishop came to Upsula, but to save time and take ad-
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 417
vantage of the season of the year, the doings of the con- sistory were sent from Upsula to Lund, and from the Arshbishop who was at Lund to His Royal Majesty in Stockholm, whereupon this commission was issued.
We. Fredrich, by God's grace Sweden, Gothe and Vende's, King, &c., Landgrave of Hesse, Prince of Hirschfeldt, Count of Catzenellenbogen, Dietz, Ziegen- hagn, Nidda and Schaumburg, &c., &c., &c., make known that for the supply of the offices of provost, and the pastorate of the churches of Racoon and Pens- neck in America, left vacant by the death of Magister John Sandin.
The Preacher Extraordinaoriness at our admiralty here in Stockholm, Magister Israel Acrelius on account of his solid learning, and good training has been humbly recommended to us. We have herewith and by virtue of our open authorization graciously willed to order him, Magister Israel Acrelius to be provost over the Swedish Churches in America, as also pastor of the Evangelical Churches at Racoon and Pensneck, where- with we grant him fifty pounds sterling per year as provost, over which he may be able to obtain from the churches as pastor. Let all to whom it may concern be diligent in the performance of the business.
For greater surety we have subscribed this with our own hand and caused it to be confirmed by our royal seal. FRIEDRICH.
Stockholm Council Chamber, May 29th, 1749.
C. RUDENSCHOLD.
Immediately after the arrival of the Archbishop, I was on the 29th of May called from Stockholm to the consistory to receive my instructions as provost. This our expedition was the first business done by Herr Dr. 27
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and Archbishop Henrick Benzelius, on his entrance into his Archbishopric and he gave to it great care and interest.
Just at this time a letter came from this church at Christina announcing the departure by death of the pastor Peter Tranberg. Thereupon as I had already been called, and by the King's commission ordered to the churches at Racoon and Pensneck, but this Chris- tina Church were very urgent to have me, and as neither of us now appointed priests were oldest either in years or ordination, but both similarly situated, I requested humbly to be transferred from Racoon and Pensneck to Christina.
The Herr Dr. and Archbishop was at first strongly opposed to it, and chiefly because the consistory had heretofore been informed that such changes from one church to another here in America had not been followed by good results.
The matter was then held under consideration for a long time and dragged on for some weeks.
Finally, by the forcible representations of some good men, who were my special favorers, the Archbishop acquiesced and sent a new proposition to his Royal Majesty for my transfer, after which this later communi- cation followed,
We, Friedrich, by God's grace, Sweden, Goths and Vende's King, &c., &c., Landgrave of Hesse, Prince of Hirschfeldt, Count of Catzenellenbogen, Dietz, Nidda and Schaumburg, &c., make known that whereas through the death of Pastor Peter Tranberg of the church at Christina, the pastorate stands vacant and for the transfer of the lately by us ordered provost over the Swedish Lutheran Churches in America, and pastor over
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
the Evangelical Churches in Racoon and Pensneck, Magister Israel Acrelius, on account of his sound learn- ing and correctness of living, humbly proposed to us. We herewith by virtue of this our open commission graciously will transfer the above named Magister Israel Acrelius to the pastorate of the above named church at Christina, in the place of the departed Peter Tranberg, wherewith we grant him fifty pounds sterling per year over what shall come to him from the pastorate.
And let all to whom it may concern be obedient in the performance of this. For greater surety we have subscribed this with our own hand and caused it to be confirmed with our royal seal.
Stockholm in the Council Chambers,
June 26th, 1749.
FRIEDRICH.
C. RUDENSCHOLD.
On account of this exchange my journey was delayed till sometime in the summer, but this was not the only reason. Magister Olof Parlin who was also appointed pastor at Wiccacoe and had also received his money from the royal treasury for the journey, fell sick of a severe fever and ague.
The Herr Archbishop would by no means have us separate from each other, but when it seemed hopeless to wait for his recovery, Preacher Extraordinaries Herr Eric Unander and I obtained leave to start on our journey and we took leave of the Herr Archbishop in Stockholm, and on the 20th of July in the evening I went on board ship from the wharf in Stockholm to go direct to London. The journey went favorably, glory be to God, yet we were four weeks on the passage and landed in the city the 17th of August.
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God wonderfully delivered me from two fatal dangers on this voyage. The first was, when on the 3Ist of July the captain and I went up from the ship to Helsingor to exchange some Swedish money, and we were in a little Danish boat
[Here a leaf is lost. ]
The text for the sermon was Sirach, 7th chapter, 40th verse: Whatever you are doing think on the end, etc., and the reflection drawn from it was, a christian's right thought upon the end.
After tlie service was ended the wardens and church council were notified to meet on the next Saturday, which was the 25th of November, that they might con- sult with reference to a suitable lodging for me. This was done at the request of Henry Colesberg.
Ist. On the day appointed there was a full attendance, and as I, from the the time of my arrival, had lived in the house of Pastor Tranberg deceased, and wished to re- main there, the parish authorities made an arrangement with the family for a room for me until there should be opportunity to build a house or procure rooms for me elsewhere, and also agreed that the congregation should pay the cost of my lodging, but other necessaries to be furnished by myself.
2nd. The vestry promised to provide wood for me which they did the following week.
I judge it to be necessary to keep the records of the church in the Swedish language withoutany mixture of English, but the writing will be in Roman letters instead of Swedish, as heretofore.
Ist. That they who understand Swedish and can write with English letters, may here find good reading,
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
as no Swedish American at present can read anything written with Swedish letters.
2nd. The latin letters are much used in Sweden at this time, and the use of them both in writing and printing is increasing fast, so that even those books which are in the monkish character will be printed in the style which was common before the monks altered the letters.
3d. I have bought a number of Swedish psalm books in the same style with the approval of the Archbishop, and as they seem to be in demand on account of the style, I have written for more, and also humbly requested that the books sent hereafter may be of the same sort, thus making the instruction .of the youth more easy. My successors who will reap the harvest of this, I hope will never deviate from this, and also will earnestly endeavor to keep up the knowledge of the Swedish language, their mother tongue, which is now much declined.
Following the example of my good old predecessors, especially the happily deceased Provost Magister Ericus Biork and Magister Andreas Hessellius whose ashes I re- vere in their graves, and whose memory shall be a per- petual blessing for their great zeal for God's glory, the improvement in faith and piety of the church here and the honor of their dear Fatherland in a so far distant re- gion of this world.
When I contemplate their official energy, their exem- plary walk and indescribable patience, I beseech my God that he will grant me in their spirit to be doubly laborious, nevertheless I shall deem myself happy if I shall be able to attain to the half of their performances.
Following their example I say, I will write down the present state of the church here, and these altertions,
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which our Sweedish congregations have undergone since so many different races, religions and sects have mixed themselves in such alterations as the first Swedish teach- ers could not have imagined. I read with reverence the most minute record of the transactions of the church under my very meritorious predecessors, and however unecessary some parts seem at first view, yet they ex- plain to the newly arrived teacher the character of the people and the state of the congregation in times past, and in what I shall myself record or cause to be recorded I presume on a like kind judgement by my successors.
The christian teaching is in a very sorrowful state, both as to quality and practice. From the time of the de- parture of Provost Andreas Hessellius no Swedish school has been kept, and the children have gone to English schoolmasters who have simply taught them to read. Some of the people have taught their children in the Swedish so far as they thought necessary. The late Pastor Tranbergis said to have sometimes catechized thechildren, but as no record was kept, I do not know what children they were, nor what prayers were used and taught. An- other sign of great ignorance and doctrine is, that the Lord's Supper is fallen into contempt.
Some few old persons, and very few of them, come thereto. The first time the communion was adminis- tered by me only two persons partook thereof, though this holy ordinance had not been celebrated in the church for long over a year.
There are many persons thirty, forty or more years old, who have never been to the communion. Baptisms have been deferred till the children were six, seven and eight weeks old, especially when the mother was sick, as the custom has been largely introduced for the par-
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
ents to stand as sponsors for their children. There is no certainty on what holy days services should be held The graves have been dug when the people should have been in church and after the service the corpse has been brought without any previous announcement and a new service asked for. On the women's side no song was heard, and hardly a single person made use of a psalm book, though the pews were well supplied with books, but they were mostly torn and loose from the cover.
Nobody seemed to care to announce their children for baptism, that their name, age and witnesses might be re- corded. All these circumstances were to me cause of great anxiety and consideration, at the beginning of my ministry, and how by the help of the Supreme, these errors and disorders might be corrected.
On the 27th of December a general parish meeting was called and the following matters ,were presented and acted upon.
Ist. That for the better order the service shall begin between St. Michael's day and the first of May at eleven o'clock, but for the rest of the summer at 10 o'clock.
2nd. The congregation were admonished not to delay the baptism of their children over eight days, or if it be cold wintry weather, or if they live at a great distance not over two weeks, otherwise a great responsibility will lie on the parents if their children should die unbap- tized.
3rd. I stated to them that I felt heartfelt pain and anxiety because the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper had come into great neglect and contempt ; that many old and decrepit people never come to it, and the youth care nothing at all about it. That some old people, sick, long confined in bed die without request-
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ing their teacher to come to them and administer the dear and blessed sacrament. The congregation was urged therefore to consider what this ordinance signifies. The parents to reflect upon their own state and duty and also to instruct their children.
4th. The fact that the Swedish language had very much fallen out of use was mentioned and that. the rea- son was that few of the youth came to church, and that they seemed not to comprehend how necessary it was to keep up the language if they expect any more Swedish priests, and how much greater the advantage to have preaching in the father language than in English and because such abundance of Swedish books liave time after time been sent over, and still more to be expected.
And that now also is a good time to get a Swedish school-master, because the student Herr Nils Forsberg is arrived here from Gotheberg and offers his service.
Some of the congregation seemed to be willing, and as ordinary school keeping did not seem practicable on account of the scattered situation of the families about the country, he was received into their houses taking up his abode first with one and then with another, and thus instructing their children.
5th. It was urged that timely notice should be given of baptisms and burials as they ought to be recorded in the church-book, and they were told how thoughtless it was in parents not to afford for their children certain in- formation of their age, &c., and that they must without delay give notice of their children who had been born within the last four years, as no record was made in the church-book during that time.
6th. Asmund Stedham being about to remove some distance from the church, resigned the office of sexton in favor of Peter Peterson. But Peter Peterson was not
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
content with the present wages 26, as next summer when the church will be repaired there will be much more to do than usual and more trouble for the sexton, wherefore he would rather serve for nothing on condi- tion that his successors should do likewise. Nothing was concluded about it.
ABOUT REPAIRING THE CHURCH.
On reminding them that the church needed great re- pairs and should at once be examined, I was immedi- ately asked if I wished a new house this year and when the congregation should attend to that. I was thankful for the offer, but decided that I was satisfied to board somewhere in the town until I had seen the church con- siderably helped, not being able with good heart to see' God's house in a decayed and rotten condition for our service while I myself should dwell comfortably. Every one was pleased with my answer, therefore the church was inspected and found in need of the following re- pairs.
Ist. At the south door a wall to support the long side which sinks down so that the arch in the church is in danger of breaking, the wall can be made so as to serve as a protection in stormy weather and from the heat of summer.
2nd. The roof was found much decayed.
3rd. The bell needs recasting having been cracked for many years, and it should be done next summer.
4th. The church should be rid of the nests of birds which are built under the arch over the pews, filling them with exccrement and nastiness, and also should be white-limed and the pews, should be washed. .
5th. The north and west doors which are entirely de- cayed should be made anew.
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6th. New windows with large panes, and to begin with, that by the pulpit which is so much decayed that it does not keep off the north wind from the preacher.
7th. A sacristy to be built at the outer wall from the door at the foot of the pulpit stairs, which door was mnade for that purpose when the church was first built.
To all these repairs etc. found necessary the congre- gattion willingly consented.
ABOUT THE ADORNMENT AND THINGS NECESSARY FOR THE CHURCH.
Ist. Around the pulpit there is an old cover of plush which is ragged and faded, and therefore should be taken away.
2nd. It was proved necessary according to the custom of the Swedish church for better order and facility in finding the psalms to make use of cipher tablets. The congregation who were entirely unacquainted with them could not at once see the use of them, but with good will left it to my pleasure. Farther on is the introduction of them.
3rd. To have a week day visiting apparatus to be in readness for visiting the sick, to administer the sacra- inent.
4th. Mass linen which is not only Swedish but English Church-vestment.
5th. A new altar cloth.
6th. Also a new chalice cloth.
7th A new church book.
In order to furnish these, the congregation were advised each one to contribute according to his ability, and thus show his honor, but nobody seemed disposed to do this, but all were in favor of taking it from the funds of the church.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Finally, it was asked if they intended to give me any inventarium, and what was the understanding with regard to that left by the late Pastor Tranberg. It was answered that what was left by him was of so little value that it was not worth while to require any account of it. And so there was no more inventarium.
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