USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 3
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on the twelfth of May, 1799 (Whit Sunday), I received the Lord's Supper, and was received as a member into the Evangelical Reformed congregation. Some weeks after, I felt a desire to study for the ministry, and it seemed to me no other way than I must preach, and I believed I had a personal call of God to the holy office of the ministry.
"When I announced this to Mr. Weyberg, he at once assisted me and I was his student. After I had studied seven months and three days, then I for the first time preached, at which time I was seventeen years and four months old. I was one year a student under Rev. Weyberg, and God favored and blessed my undertakings. After Mr. Weyberg and I parted, which occurred December, 1800, I returned to my parents, and at times served three to four congrega- tions. In October, 1801, I betook myself to Rev. Storch (Lutheran minister), and was several months under his tuition. After that, in April, 1802, I went to the Rev. Andrew Loretz, in Lincoln County, and was under his tuition something over ten months. He ordained me March the 6th, 1803, at Savitz Church, Rowan County, ten miles from Salisbury, and so, in the name of the Holy Trinity, was I ordained as a Reformed minister, and received permission to ad- minister the Holy Sacrament, so that the Triune God would favor and bless me, and all my labors and undertakings be blessed.
"The persons who petitioned Pastor Loretz to ordain me are the following, viz .: William Schmetter, John Shuman, Michael Peeler, Joseph Correll, Christopher
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Loefler, Henry Barringer, Adam Correll, Christian Shuman, Nicholas Shupping, Ludwig Bieber, Jacob Meisenheimer, Henry Casper, Chirstopher Lyerly, Jacob Reide and Frederick Seibert.
"And when ordained, I was twenty years, two months, two weeks and four days old. O, Almighty, bless and protect me-grant me a full measure of Thy Holy Spirit, so that I may discharge my holy calling acceptably. O Jesus, let Thy light shine upon me, and give me strength that I may preach Thy Word with understanding, power and boldness. O Holy Spirit, lead me, give me strength in weakness, and bestow Thy blessing upon my labors, and Thy name shall receive the praise in a world without end. Amen."
From a minute diary kept by Mr. Boger, we learn that during the several years he was engaged in his studies before his ordination, he was wont to supply, at irregular intervals, the churches of Cold Water, Crooked Creek, Rocky River, Savitz, Lingle's and Bear Creek. Yet in the year 1800 he assisted in all the labors incident to a common farm-hand on his father's farm. After his ordination, he had charge of the Reformed Churches in that region until he was relieved, in part, by the Rev. Daniel B. Lerch, in the autumn of 1830. The increasing demand for preach- ing in English demanded this change. Yet Mr. Boger still continued to minister, until eventually, in 1847, he gave up his loved life-long work. He died among his kindred and the people he loved and labored for,
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on Monday, the 19th day of June, 1865, at the good old age of eighty-two years, five months and four days. His work sums up thus: More than thirty years pastor of from four to seven churches; baptized one thousand nine hundred and nineteen children; received six hundred and twenty-seven persons into membership with the Church; married two hundred and one couples, and preached three hundred and eight funeral sermons. Of the sermons he preached during his ministry, we find no perfect record, but they number at least one thousand six hundred and sixty- three. The life of this humble, incompletely educated ioneer minister in the Reformed Church was not an idn one, and to him doubtless the continued existence of the Church in Cabarrus, Stanly and Rowan Counties is, under God, largely due.
After the departure of the Rev. H. Dieffenbach and the death of Rev. A. Loretz, "the care of all the Churches" was too much for one man. Accordingly, when Synod met at Frederick, Maryland, in 1813, the churches in Guilford, Orange, Randolph and Lincoln Counties, and those in Rowan east of the Yadkin River, set forth in letters their sad condition on account of the want of the ordinary means of grace. Their des- titute condition was feelingly portrayed. In these letters they most earnestly entreated Synod to send them ministers, or at least some one to visit them. The situation is pathetic. There would be a different story to record to-day if regular pastors could have been located in these churches. But, unfortunately, Synod did not have the ministers to send as pastors
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for these churches. But Synod did the best that could be done under the circumstances in the appointment of Rev. James R. Reily as a missionary to this region. He was given thirty dollars a month in addition to what the congregations might contribute to his support. The Synod was deeply touched by the strong appeal from the Southern churches. The Rev. Dr. Becker made an earnest address in favor of sending Mr. Reily on a missionary tour among them. When it was de- cided to send him, Dr. Becker proposed that Synod commend him to God. The Synod knelt in prayer and prayed the blessing of God upon Mr. Reily in his new work. He started to the South in the latter part of August, traveling on horse-back the long distance. He had at least one thrilling experience, which was also very unpleasant, on the way down. One day, having lost his way, he was overtaken by nightfall where he could find no suitable place to lodge. He stopped at a cabin where there was no one but an old woman, whose appearance was anything but pre- possessing. He climbed a ladder to the attic, which was to be his sleeping-room. Not being favorably impressed with his surroundings, he took the precau- tion to drive his knife-blade into the door-post, so as to secure the latch. This proved to be a wise fore- thought. About midnight he heard two men in an undertone conversation with his hostess, who had pretended to be living alone. In a little while, they climbed up to his door and tried the latch without rapping. But the knife-blade held it secure. Then they demanded that he open the door, and in a few
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minutes he told them to come in. But they at once discovered that he was ready for them, for in each hand gleamed a pistol. They fled precipitately down the ladder and hastily left the house. The design of these men was no doubt robbery, and perhaps murder.
In due time Mr. Reily reached the field in North Carolina, where he spent nearly four months preach- ing, catechizing, visiting and administering the Sacraments. He confirmed one hundred and sixty- nine persons and baptized one hundred and thirteen. In 1814, Mr. Reily made a favorable report of his mis- sionary work in North Carolina. This missionary tour led to the formation of the Board of Domestic Missions.
Synod met at Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, in 1814. Several congregations in this State sent up a statement of their need of a minister. Mr. William Hauck, a pious young man who had grown up among them and who had studied for the ministry, had been preaching to these congregations for some time. They, therefore, asked that Mr. Hauck be placed over them as a minister. He was examined by a committee and the examination was reported satisfactory. He was accorded license to preach for three years, and was instructed to report annually to Synod. Mr. Hauck attended the sessions of Synod at Carlisle, Pennsylva- nia, in 1818. Here he was examined for ordination by a committee. The report stated that his examina- tion gave entire satisfaction and recommended his ordination. He was ordained on the night of Sep- tember 8, 1818, by Revs. J. H. Hoffmeier, W. Hendel
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and L. Mayer. It is not known how long Mr. Hauck preached in North Carolina before he was licensed, in 1814. After his licensure, he remained in the State until 1819, when he removed to Wythe County, Vir- ginia. In 1827, a report to Synod stated that six or eight years prior to that date the South Carolina churches had been served by him. It is probable that he left Virginia about 1821 and went to South Caro- lina, where he remained a short time. He came to North Carolina a second time before 1831, for in that year he was pastor of the Davidson County churches (formerly designated the congregations on Abbott's Creek in Rowan County), and was chosen the first president of the Classis of North Carolina. In 1836, he removed to the State of Missouri, where he died.
In 1815, when Synod met at Easton, Pennsylvania, William Weinel, who was licensed at that session, was commissioned as a missionary to North Carolina for the specific purpose of accepting a call to churches in this State. He was paid the monthly salary of thirty dollars allowed to other missionaries. Mr. Weinel visited the churches in North Carolina as directed by Synod. But instead of accepting a call to any of those churches, he accepted a call to West- moreland County, Pennsylvania. Synod was not pleased with this latter action of his, and so stated in the minutes of 1816. Again in 1816 requests were sent up from different congregations in North Caro- lina asking that measures be taken to send ministers to them, as provided by the constitution of the Synod. The people were becoming more and more anxious.
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To them it appeared that Synod was not doing all that could be done towards providing them with the means of grace. Rev. William Weinel had visited them, but he had not remained as he had been requested to do. In answer to their urgent appeals, Synod took the fol- lowing action: "Resolved, that one or the other of the candidates for the ministry instructed by Rev. Samuel Helfenstein be appointed to this mission." Mr. Helfenstein was instructed to send one of these young men to North Carolina the next spring, if the funds needed for traveling expenses should be in the treasury. In 1817 it was reported that a beginning was made to send itinerant missionaries to Carolina. That same year a collection was taken, amounting to sixty-seven dollars, to pay the expenses of J. R. Reily and John Zulich on a missionary tour to North Caro- lina. Neither of them was, however, able to come, and they were excused by the Synod in 1818. At the same meeting of the Synod, Messrs. H. Scholl and Daniel Kieffer, theological students, were appointed to go to North Carolina, but in 1819 it was reported that neither of these men had carried out the instructions of Synod, whereupon "Synod was much displeased and ordered them to pay back the money they had received." However, Rev. H. Dieffenbach visited the North Carolina churches in the early part of the year 1818.
The latter part of the year 1818 and nearly the whole of the year 1819 witnessed the coming of two young men to the churches in the South, Revs. Jacob Scholl and John S. Ebaugh, whose labors were a great bless-
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ing to all the congregations. During many months they itinerated through all the sections of the State where were Reformed Churches, preaching the Gospel and administering the ordinances of the Church. Their labors were richly blessed, and many precious souls were brought into the kingdom of God.
The churches in North Carolina sent up another petition to the Synod of 1819. It is touching to notice these pathetic appeals for ministers year after year. During the Synodical year 1819-20 Rev. George Leidy made a missionary visit to the North Carolina Reformed Churches. At the meeting of Synod at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1820, he gave an interesting account of this tour. "At first he visited the six congregations in Guilford, Orange and Randolph Counties. These congregations are in a very flourishing condition, and they are willing to give a minister a sufficient salary. They have been visited for the last six or eight years by several missionaries of the Synod. They expressed an earnest longing for a settled minister of the Gospel among them. He served them with preaching and instruction of the youth. In one of the congregations he confirmed thirty-six persons and celebrated the Holy Communion with one hundred and forty-nine communicants. It is a very beautiful and flourishing congregation. The number of catechumens and com- municants would have been considerably larger if cold and disagreeable weather had not set in at the time. These congregations especially deserve the attention of Synod. In them a true love for religion and a special inclination to the order of the Evangelical
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Reformed Church is manifested. Then he visited the four congregations in Rowan County on Abbott's Creek (now Davidson County). He found that these people were served from time to time by Rev. George Boger." He next visited the six congregations in Lincoln County. "These congregations offer a good opportunity of labor for the kingdom of Jesus Christ, especially if they are soon provided with a faithful minister, who can serve them in both languages. These last congregations are also recommended to the Synod."
Rev. John Rudy located in Guilford County in 1821 and remained in the State until 1824. After he left, the churches served by him called the Rev. Preston of the Presbyterian Church, who promised to serve them until they could secure the services of a minister of their own denomination. Those in Lincoln County called the Rev. Mr. Bell, also of the Presbyterian Church. Up to this time, the church in Lincolnton had been vigorous and strong. But the 1827 report says of it: "This congregation once flourishing is now rent and divided."
When Synod met in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, in 1828, John G. Fritchey and John H. Crawford were ordained in answer to overtures from churches in North Carolina. Mr. Fritchey located in Lincoln County and Mr. Crawford in Guilford. This was the beginning of better things for the Reformed Churches in North Carolina. In 1829, these young ministers addressed a letter to Synod, pointing out the inviting opening that was offered to the Church. The next
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year Rev. Daniel B. Lerch accepted a call to the Rowan churches, succeeding Rev. George Boger, who had resigned on account of advancing years. Rev. William Hauck was pastor of the Davidson County churches. The congregations were now at last sup- plied with ministers.
The Synod at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1830, took the following action: "Resolved, that these brethren of North Carolina be permitted to organize a Classis of North Carolina; and that the brethren in Virginia be advised to connect themselves either with the North Carolina Classis or with the Classis of Maryland, until prepared to organize a Classis of their own." This action was carried out the next year.
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CHAPTER III.
FOLLOWING THE ORGANIZATION OF CLASSIS.
1. The First Meeting of Classis.
ITHERE was vastly more involved in the gathering of four ministers and an equal number of elders at Clapp's Church in Guilford County on the 21st day of May, 1831, than was at the time thought of. Those men assembled as representatives of the Reformed Churches in North Carolina in obedience to instructions given by the Synod of the German Reformed Church at Hagerstown, Maryland, September 26, 1830, for the purpose of organizing the Classis of North Carolina. They met on Saturday morning. They were men characterized by a deep spiritual life. Evidence of
this is found in the fact that they spent two days and evenings in religious services before entering upon the organization of the Classis proper. The record says that on Saturday the day and evening were spent in addressing the throne of Grace, preaching the Word of truth and in singing the songs of Zion. Four ser- mons in all were preached on Saturday, two by Revs. D. B. Lerch and William Hauck in German, and two by Rev. J. G. Fritchey in English.
The Sunday following was a great day for the Re- formed people who had come together, and its memory was cherished through life by those whose happy
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privilege it was to be present and enjoy the inspiring sermons. For long years their hearts echoed the sen- timent of Peter: "Master, it is good to be here." At an early hour the spacious church was filled to over- flowing. At the first service of the morning, Rev. J. H. Crawford preached an English sermon, on "The Duty and End of the Gospel Ministry," from Collossians 1: 28, 29. Rev. Wm. Hauck preached a German sermon ; he was followed by Rev. D. B. Lerch in an English sermon. The Lord's Supper was then administered to a large number of the professing people of God. Following these prolonged services, Rev. J. G. Fritchey preached a sermon in English. A prayer-meeting was held in the church at night.
At nine o'clock Monday morning, May 23d, Revs. William Hauck, John G. Fritchey, D. B. Lerch and John H. Crawford, and Elders Col. Philip Hedrick, Col. John Hoke, Adam Roseman, Esq., and Col. Daniel Clapp met to formally organize the Classis. Rev. Wm. Hauck and Col. Philip Hedrick represented the churches in Davidson County; Rev. J. G. Fritchey and Col. John Hoke, those west of the Catawba River; Rev. D. B. Lerch and Esquire Roseman, those between the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers, and Rev. J. H. Crawford and Col. Daniel Clapp represented the churches in Guilford and Orange Counties. Rev. Wm. Hauck was elected President; Rev. J. H. Crawford, Recording Secretary; Rev. J. G. Fritchey, Corresponding Secre- tary, and Rev. D. B. Lerch, Treasurer. The above- named ministers were the only pastors in charge of churches in North Carolina at the organization of the
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Classis, though Rev. George Boger was living in the State at that time. It was expected that he would attend this initial meeting. A resolution was adopted expressing the deep regret of Classis at his absence, and respectfully soliciting his presence at the next meeting. Rev. John Brown, who was pastor of the churches in Rockingham and Augusta Counties, in Virginia, was also expected to attend the meeting and assist in organizing the Classis. But he was unable to be present. He, however, wrote an interesting letter expressing great regret at being prevented from attendance upon the first meeting. The Classis in- structed the corresponding secretary to write a letter to Rev. John Brown, assuring him of the high esteem in which he was held by the brethren in North Caro- lina, and begging his attendance at the next meeting. A letter was also read from Samuel Bookman, an elder in South Carolina, earnestly entreating the ministers of the Classis to visit and preach for the congregations in that State. In answer to his appeal the Classis directed the ministers present each to visit those churches at least once before the next annual meeting.
The delegates present at the first meeting repre- sented seventeen congregations in North Carolina. These were Emanuel's, Grace, St. Paul's, St. John's and Daniel's, in Lincoln County; Grace, Bear Creek, Savitz's and Coldwater, in Rowan, Cabarrus and Montgomery Counties; Coble's, Clapp's, Schumaker's and Stoner's, in Guilford and Orange Counties; Beck's, Emanuel's, Leonard's (Pilgrim) and Sower's (Beulah), in Davidson County. The statistical report shows that
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Rev. John Brown was pastor of seven churches in Rockingham and Augusta Counties, in Virginia. Rev. George Boger is reported without a charge.
The treasurer of Classis, Rev. D. B. Lerch, received the first funds for that body from the hands of Rev. Wm. Hauck from three churches in Davidson County, as follows: Beck's, $2.75; Leonard's, $1.75; Sower's, $1.35; total, $5.95. It seems that none of the other congregations had thought of the need of funds. That was a beautiful spirit manifested by those three Davidson County churches. While the amounts were small compared with present-day ability, the devotion to the interests of the Reformed Church which prompted the donation deserves high commendation. These same churches have contrib- uted to the Classis in subsequent years much larger sums for various objects of benevolence, but no con- tributions since have been given from a more beautiful spirit and thoughtful devotion. That gift was aug- mented by an offering made by the members of Classis, amounting to $4.35. The Classis, therefore, began its first year's work with the modest sum of $10.30 in the treasury. It was a small sum of money, but it was a nucleus to which succeeding years added much larger gifts.
One of the subjects calling forth most earnest dis- cussion at the first meeting of Classis was the urgent need of more ministers. The members put themselves on record as recommending the necessity of making still greater exertions for the conversion of precious souls. They state that there were still vacant con-
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gregations in North Carolina that, in anguish of soul, had vainly cried: "Come over and help us." But they were conscious that promised visits from ministers to vacant churches would not meet the requirement of growth, and they, therefore, pledged themselves to appeal solemnly to the Synod for help, as well as to the Missionary Society, which was a sort of mission board. If those earnest appeals for ministers could have been answered in those early days, there would be a different story to tell to-day. For long periods of time churches remained without pastors. The wonder is, not that more rapid progress was not made, but that any of the congregations were able to remain intact through those long, discouraging years.
2. The Classis in Growth.
The time fixed for the second annual meeting of Classis was June 9, 1832, and the place chosen was Pilgrim Church in Davidson County, more generally known in those years as Leonard's Church. This was one of the oldest congregations in North Carolina, and in colonial times was officially designated "The Dutch Congregation." As at the first meeting, no official business was transacted on Saturday, but the entire day was devoted to religious services. On Sunday services were held in the church and in the grove at a stand at the same time. Four sermons were preached and the Lord's Supper was observed. There were present at this meeting Revs. Wm. Hauck, George Boger, J. G. Fritchey, J. H. Crawford and D. B. Lerch, and Elders Jacob Leonard, Sr., Henry Sechler, David
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Ramsour, Col. Daniel Clapp and Jacob Holshouser. The Classis had not then yet adopted the rule of having a Stated Clerk, or permanent secretary. Hence, in the election for officers the former Secretary, Rev. J. H. Crawford, was chosen President. The subject upper- most at this meeting, as well as at the first and many subsequent meetings, was that of securing additional ministers. The following resolution is intense with earnestness: "Resolved, that a committee be appoint- ed to make early and earnest application to the Mis- sionary Society of the German Reformed Church for a missionary to labor in the destitute places within the bounds of this Classis one year, and that the mem- bers of this Classis assiduously endeavor to raise a fund to support him. Resolved, that all the ministers belong- ing to this body visit the destitute congregations in South Carolina during the present year, the same as last year." As a result of this effort Rev. W. C. Bennet was sent to South Carolina as a missionary October 17, 1832, by the Missionary Society of the Reformed Church. This is so stated by Rev. D. Zacharias in a letter to Classis dated November 1, 1832, written from Harrisburg, Pa. Rev. Bennet took charge of six churches in the Lexington and Newberry districts in that State, viz .: Little Hollow Creek, St. Matthew's, Zion's, Upper Hollow Creek, Zion's and Bethlehem- two of the congregations being called by the same name, Zion. But Mr. Bennet did not long remain in South Carolina. He attended the third annual meet- ing of Classis at Savitz's Church in 1833, and was then enrolled as a minister of Classis. Six months later
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he succeeded Rev. Wm. Hauck as pastor of the churches in Davidson County. These South Carolina churches received occasional visits from the North Carolina pastors from time to time, and were reported in the statistics of Classis up to and including the sev- enth annual meeting, at Lower Stone, in Rowan County, 1837. After that year they were not reported at all, and were lost to the Reformed Church. No dis- position was ever made by the Classis of any property that they may have held. There was no shepherd and the sheep were scattered. It is a familiar story, re- peated many times since. It has always been diffi- cult in the Reformed Church in North Carolina to keep the ranks of the ministry unbroken. As early as the fourth annual meeting of the Classis at Grace Church, in Lincoln County, now Catawba, in 1834, a movement was inaugurated which it was fondly hoped would relieve the situation. At that meeting it was "Re- solved, that Classis form itself into an Education Society and Auxiliaries, within the bounds of this Classis." The first article of the constitution adopted was the following: "This society shall be called the Education Society of the North Carolina Classis, of the Reformed Church; the object of which shall be to aid in the education of indigent and pious young men, within the bounds of this Classis, for the Gospel min- istry." One of the provisions was that any person paying two dollars annually should be a member of the Society; and any person paying twenty dollars should be a memberforlife. The annual meetings of the Society were to be held on Saturday previous to the
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