History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 87

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 87

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German Baptists ("Dunkers") .- Nearly simul- taneous and intermixed with the Mennonist emigra- tion came the German Baptists, who had been stigma- tized and persecuted in Germany under the name of " Anabaptists " (rebaptizers). They were a very pious, devoted people, differing little from the Mennonists, except in the rite of baptism, which, with them, is always administered by what is called "trine immer- sion," the penitent being dipped three times, face downward, in the name of the Trinity hence the appellation Dunkers (" Dippers"). They differ from

Mennonists also in strictly observing feet-washing and the love-feast, a sort of simple supper of plain food, to testify brotherly unity and love. They also differ from Mennonists in our county in holding revival meetings after the manner of English-speaking Bap- tists. In common with all denominations bearing the name of Baptist, they utterly reject infant baptism as unscriptural. The Bible is their only creed. The census of 1870 places the number of their congrega- tions or houses of worship, at nine. They are located from the mouth of the Perkiomen to the northward, generally along the tributaries of that stream. There have been some divisions in this denomination in Lancaster County and elsewhere, but none in ours. They distinguish the members of their society by the affectionate designation "The Brethren." Though a little out of the true order of time as to settlement, the next church to notice is the

Schwenkfelders .- This plain German sect are the worthy followers of Casper Schwenkfeld, a Silesian nobleman of learning and piety, who was contempo- rary with Luther, being born in 1490, fourteen years after the great reformer. The adherents of this church, which has become extinct in Europe, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734, and planted in our county and parts of Bucks and Lehigh what has increased to five or six congregations. Schwenkfeld organized no churches himself, but those in unity with him were much persecuted by both Lutherans and Catho- lics, and, as a consequence, they emigrated to l'enn- sylvania in 1734, arriving at Philadelphia September 24th, which day they keep as an annual memorial or religious festival, called Gedachtness Tag, held in rotation among their churches. Their testimony is uniform with all the other non-resistant sects, against war, oaths, lawsuits, a paid ministry and agreeing almost precisely with friends in non-use of the sacra- ments ; they differ, however, with the latter in read- ing prayers, electing preachers, singing and reading Scripture during worship and in dedicating children to God by a prayer at the meeting-house or home.

Their form of government is mainly congregational, the church at large being divided into two districts the upper and lower, each having a president and three elders, two trustees and a treasurer of the poor fund, and another for the school fund. Some of the most eminent citizens of our county are descended from this excellent people.

Episcopal Church .- The next denomination, in order of time to establish itself in our county in the colonial age was the Church of England, St. Thomas' congregation of Whitemarsh, founded in 1710, and abont ten years later St. James, of Providence (now Lower), and by 1832 the number had been increased to four, and in 1870 to ten, including "Swedes Ford," which strictly is Swedish Lutheran.

According to latest statistics at hand, the denomi- nation has about a dozen churches in the county. Being at first chiefly composed of English and Welsh

1 Pronounced by themselves as though spelled, " Menneest." 24

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

emigrants, and in close connection with the established church of the mother-country, it differs little in doc- trine and polity from that great English Protestant Church of the Reformation. It is proper, however, to remark that the Episcopal denomination in this country at that early day, was what is denominated " Low-Church," evangelical in doctrine and frater- nizing more or less with other Protestant sects in general Christian work. Being fixed in doctrine and polity, strictly under a learned and liberal Episcopate, it has been subjected to few changes, and differs in no essential doctrine from what is generally accepted among evangelical denominations. Though some- times charged with teaching in the ritual the doctrine of "baptismal regeneration," it is generally admitted that few hold that view in strictness at the present day. It differs also from Presbyterians and Reformed and agrees with Methodists in hokdling the Arminian view of free redemption, as against Calvin's belief in partial atonement, which, in fact, even few of the latter's followers hokl now in its original strictness.

The Episcopal Church is conservative, demanding the thorough training of its clergymen in perfeet ac- cord with the work of the Reformation, encouraging the utmost consistent latitude of individual judgment upon doctrinal points, and relying upon an intelligent, as distinguisbed from an impulsive following, incul- cating a broad spirit of tolerance among men, and constant in its organized efforts of philanthropy towards the poor and unfortunate. The service of the Episcopal Church is liturgical and therefore formal; while this is true, it is in the highest sense devotional, and when effectively rendered by pastor and people, it is both impressive and instructive. The pastoral work of the church includes great attention to the youth of the congregation. Its Sabbath-schools are nurseries to the church, and annual classes for confir- mation are usually drawn from them in all effectively conducted parishes.

Presbyterians .- Presbyterians, composed of Hol- landers, French, Scotch-Irish and a few English, founded three churches in our county in the early age, which had increased by 1870 to twelve, and now probably near fifteen. This denomination has always been distinguished for rugged defense of Bible truth, the Christian Sabbath, lay representation in Church courts or assembhes, and a parity in the Christian ministry. Its testimony in our State in favor of religious freedom, or non-interference of civil govern- ment in matters of religion, has been equal to that of other churches of its class. Its church system is purely representative, holding to two elements in government,-the joint and equal authority of the minister, with one or more lay ruling elders for each Church, (the "session," a primary church court), which governing officials are combined with a number of others into a Presbytery, the second church court, the former meeting at any time on call, and the latter statedly, twice a year. The Presbyteries over a large

territory, as a State, for instance, convene in a Synod once a year, which is composed of the same elements as a Presbytery, one minister and one elder (formerly composed of all the churches of a State), but now recently constituted to consist of a smaller number, chosen or delegated by the Presbyteries, but em- bracing a whole state. The whole denomination is finally represented (of the same elements) in the General Assembly for the United States. This last body meets annually, and is the fourth and highest court of judicature known to the denomination.

Thus the Presbyterians are noted for ecclesiastical law proceedings, for interminable disputes and hair- splitting about church matters. We have more to write of this subject under the topic, "Schisms."

Lutherans .- This most numerous denomination of Montgomery County was reported in the census of 1870 as having twenty-five houses of worship, now probably still more. Most of their ancestors came from Prussia and other German nations of Central Europe between 1710 and 1770, though doubtless some landed with Pastorius, who founded German- town before 1700. Like most of our early emigrants, they were refugees from religious disabilities in the Okl World, bringing a reformed faith, with sterling. moral and domestic habits, with them. From the date of the founding of the mother-churches of Old Goshenhoppen and St. Augustus,' at Trappe, their emigration and settlement must have been large and rapid during the period named, as Gordon, in his " Gaz- etteer " of 1832, puts down the Lutheran Churches of our county at eight, which by 1870 were increased as above. This denomination has probably undergone fewer changes by transplanting from Europe to America, and been less disturbed by schisms and dis- agreements amongst themselves, than any other. The church mainly accepts Luther's matured faith, as embodied in. the Augsburg Confession of 1530, and follows, with slight variations of form and doctrine, the worship established then. In belief, they are little distinguished from other orthodox sects, the chief difference being a slight leaning to the idea of the " real presence " of Christ in the Eucharist, they main- taining " consubstantiation " as against the former doc- trine of "transubstantiation," 1 while most Protestants who administer the Lord's Supper hold to the view that the " bread and the cup " in the ceremonial are merely symbolical and commemorative of the body and blood of Christ, as the great offering for human redemp- tion. This latter view, according to Smucker, is now most generally accepted by the Lutherans of the United States. The church in this country does not hokl to prelacy, though in Sweden and some other parts of Europe the church was so constituted ; but here they generally maintain the parity of the min-

1 "Of the Supper of the Lord, we teach that the true body and blood of Jesus Christ is verily present under the external signs of bread and wine in the Supper, and there communicated and re- ceived."-Augsburg Confession, art. x.

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istry and admit lay representation in the Synod and Ministerium. Many years ago, in churches sur- rounded by English-speaking people, some congrega- tions used but a small part of the liturgy and threw aside the vestments ; but in recent years an English liturgy has been generally adopted, while those which are wholly German in language continue to use the old ritual brought from the Fatherland. Some years ago a few of their congregations also held "pro- tracted meetings," but none do so at present.

Like most denominations, Lutherans have an or- ganization to promote church extension, but their great increase over some Protestant bodies is found in the practice of regularly catechising the youth at proper age, and inducting them into church fellow- ship by the rite of "confirmation." This keeps the membership full, as in Europe, where formal instruc- tion in religion with all state churches is a necessary part of secular education. The efficiency of this mode of keeping up church membership leads some to conelnde that it is a better method than that in vogue since the advent of Methodism, of "disci- pling " the people by "protracted meetings," as an adjunet of Sabbath-school instruction.1 The advo- cates of the latter system allege that religion learned in the former mode only fills the head, while the heart or affections are unreached by it.

Half a century ago, when Sunday-schools became common with English-speaking churches, there was much opposition to their introduction, as also special meetings for prayer amongst our German-speaking Lutherans; but they have now become general and valued as a further means of training the young.

The Lutherans of Montgomery County were settled north and westward from Lower Merion, through the central townships, to the Berks County line. The love of liberty natural to the Teutonic race made these people loyal to the patriotic cause through our great Revolmion, the Muhlenbergs becoming famous during that momentous struggle.

Reformed Church .- Contemporaneous with Luth-

1 EARLY SUNDAY-SCHOOLS, 1818 .- "The ladies of Norristown are certainly entitled to the highest praise for their exertions in estab- lishing a Sunday-school for the instruction of youth. This institution is founded on a broad and liberal basis, confined to no sex nor con- dition. Its object appears to be a general diffusion of useful know- ledge among the rising generation. This undoubtedly merits the ap- planse and patronage of every parent, guardian and master ; and, in- deed, of every friend of morality and good order within the borough and vicinity.

" There is no exercise of the human faculty so truly meritorious as when it is exerted in the cause of religion and virtue. The writer of this has the honor of an acquaintance with several of the ladies who conduct the school, and he deems it no more than justice to say that their abilities and acquirements are such as to warrant the assertion that youth will derive from them the best moral and religious in- structions, as well as the principles of polite education.

"The ladies, in this instance, have done themselves the greatest honor, and I do fondly hope they will not be obliged to struggle through the difficulties of their undertaking without experiencing that support which is due to such laudable efforts to improve the present condition and to promote the future happiness of mankind."-" A FRIEND TO YOUTH," Norristown Herald, Feb. 25, 1818.

erans, the old "German Reformed," or "German Presbyterians," came to our county from different parts of Germany, they only differing from their countrymen as Zwingli and Calvin disagreed with Luther about some non-essential doctrines and the proper form of church government. They were stern defenders of the Holy Scriptures as the sole rule of faith, and of the perpetuity of the Sabbath as a day of divine appointment. They also maintained that baptism took the place in the New that circumcision held in the Old Covenant. Equally with Lutherans, they resisted Roman Catholic authority and the claim of mere priestly rule in the Church of Christ, insisting, with English Presbyterians, that bishop, minister and elder were nearly convertible terms, and that lay believers had a right to equal rule with the clergy in church affairs. The Reformed denomination of our county in the early day gathered congregations nearly as fast as the Lutheran brethren, their number in 1832, according to Gordon, being seven, which by 1870 had increased to nineteen, and now is doubtless greater still. This church has suffered more from schismatic influences than Lutherans, though no serions open rupture has ever taken place, but rather disagreements, mainly consisting of "old " and "new " views of theology, and old and new measures, such as " protracted," night and prayer-meetings for the pro- motion of revivals, as also about the reintroduction of a liturgy, vestments, etc. One thing in our history stands to the credit of both Lutheran and Reformed in the colonial age, reaching down even to the present to some extent,-that they fraternized in building houses of worship, which, for more than a century, in some cases, have been occupied jointly and alternately by both denominations. That is amity in dissent,- a wholesome lesson to adjacent sects to live peacefully with each other ! As wealth and more frequent wor- ship have afforded the means and opportunity in re- cent years, however, the desire arose for separate buildings; so nearly all these union churches have di- vided, and, in most cases, one or the other erected new buildings. The greatest source of disquiet in all our ancient German Churches has been the lapsing of the German tongue and introduction of English to accom- modate the new generation, who do not fully under- stand the former language. The introduction of prayer-night-meetings and the Sunday-schools, which seemed innovations upon old customs, was for a while resisted by the elder members of the upper churches. In doctrinal views the Reformed are Calvinists, and nearly identical with Presbyterians. The Reformed Church will be further discussed under the topie of " Church Troubles or Schisms."

Baptists .- It is probable that the single Baptist congregation gathered by Welsh emigrants in Mont- gomery township (1720) antedated the earliest Lu_ theran and Reformed Churches, but it would seem that this society stood almost alone for nearly three-fourths of a century hence the German denominations were

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recorded first. The Baptist Churches in our county must therefore be set down as the children of revival preaching during the past half-century. In 1832 sta- tists show them as having two church edifices, which had grown by 1870 to eleven, and now probably sev- eral more. The first important accession was the founding of the Norristown Church, through revival labors of Elder Leonard Fletcher and others, in 1832-33. Its organization was also promoted by the transfer of a few members of the Great Valley Society in Chester County. Since that time the advance of the denomi- nation has been steady and uniform. Being the off- spring of revived religion, the churches of the connec- tion have taken the lead in protracted meetings, efforts for temperance, anti-slavery and other moral reforms. One of the first Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Conventions in the State was held at the Norristown Meeting-House in 1839 or 1840, and was presided over by Rev. Nathan Stem, then newly chosen rector of St. John's Episcopal Church.

Of all sects, Baptists are the most courageous defend- ers of religious liberty and strenuous opposers of gov- ernmental interference in matters of religion. This feeling was so deeply ingrained among them that for many years after our State fell into the New England custom of appointing a day of "public praise and thanksgiving" the denomination in this locality did not respond to the recommendation at all. Their church at large claims to have derived a hatred of church-and- state and infant baptism through the Waldenses of the Alps, who resisted both the Church and Empire of Rome for centuries. Whilst they generally subscribe to Calvinistic theology, except as to the form and proper subjects of baptism and concerning church government, they slightly differ among themselves on the doctrines of election, free grace and final persever- ance. Holding that immersion only is baptism, they resolutely maintain that those who have only been sprinkled in infancy or adult life have not had Chris- tian baptism at all, and, therefore, have not entered through the true " door of the church." In this view they are probably sustained by the letter of Scripture and the weight of ecclesiascical history ; but by mak- ing the form of an ordinance the essence of it, they ex- clude the rest of the Christian Church from the Lord's table very much as the Catholic Church does the laity from the use of "the cup " in the same sacrament. This exclusion, which is only a logical result of their belief, creates much prejudice against them among unthink- ing religionists of other sects, the latter calling them "close communionists." Their exuberant liberality and charity in other things fail them here. It is but jus- tice to all parties to this controversy, however, to add that in our locality they fraternize with other denom- inations in most departments of Christian work, and are highly estcemed on other accounts by all. It should also be stated that they differ from the rest of the Calvinistic family in holding baptism to be a sym- bol of death unto sin in the subject and a resurrection

to new life in the believer, instead of "a substitute " for circumcision in the Old Covenant, which the lat- ter teaclı now as a type of inward purifying of the heart by the blood of Christ, as enforced in the New Dispensation. During the past century the Baptist denomination of the United States (which is much separated into parties on other grounds), without di- vision in their ranks, was somewhat divided formerly about " old " and " new measures." Being strict con- gregationalists in church government, and each con- gregation supreme judge and dispenser of truth and order, and their associations having no judicial, but only advisory functions, there is considerable diversity of faith and discipline existing among them. Their stated convocations are made up of several delegates (of which the minister is one) from each church, elected at a church-meeting. Perhaps all the churches of Montgomery County belong to what is called New School or Revival Baptists.

Methodist Episcopal .- This is the next demanding notice,-the last of the first Reformation or the first of the new ? After two centuries of social and religious effervescence from the time of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin, Protestant Churches of Europe, and America also, had fallen into the ways of dead orthodoxy, when Wesley, Whitefield and others were raised up to "bring judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet." These men, fired with a new "zeal for God and perishing sinners," went preaching every- where and were soon joined by lay evangelists, carry- ing a " free gospel,"-the " necessity of the new birth and holy living to all." As in the beginning, somne be- lieved and repented while others derided or met them with open violence. To the amazement of the then reformed world, the signs following an earnest preach- ing of the gospel were nearly as marked as at the apostolic era. Camp-meetings, and others in churches, where they could be opened to them, were filled with anxious or wondering hearers, until thousands, many of them the most abandoned of society, "turned to God," and became as eminent for faitli and good works as they had been noted for wickedness and unbelief. These conversions were nearly as confounding to the church and outside world as was the healing of the impotent man by Peter and John at the beautiful gate of the Temple in Jerusalem. Many quiet, sedate religionists stood apart and wondered ; others sympa- thized or opposed, as they felt inclined. As, however, it was the outgrowth of the right of private judgment in religion, which all acknowledged, the work went on almost down to our own times, many Christian sects falling into the same way of disciplining the in- different and unconverted.

For many years the only Methodist house and so- ciety in our county was Bethel, in Whitpain township (1770), and some years later the Union, near by. According to the census of 1870, the houses of the de- nomination had grown to fourteen, some of them large, commodious edifices, and now the number is

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much greater. Although the Methodist body has no lay representation in the governing Conference, but, on the contrary, acknowledges Episcopal control, its preachers and members are perhaps less influenced by mere ecclesiasticismi than any other religious peo- ple in our community. Its ministers are noted for their outspoken boldness on all matters of faith, government and morals; indeed, their bishops being elected by the Conference, can hardly be regarded as prelates at all, even in their rule and oversight, there being really but one rank and grade among them. In the palmy age of Methodism, many years ago, their typical symbol was "Free salvation for all, and no predestination !" In that rallying cry they antagonized Presbyterians and Baptists of the period, as also the latter's doctrine of "final perseverance of the believer." But during the past half-century a better acquaintance has enabled each to learn of the other; hence most of the old acerbity between them

Inkitefield

has worn away and, doubtless, their bickerings have disappeared forever. It may be added here that their early efforts in evangelizing were largely carried on by preaching the terrors of the divine law against sin, and portraying in contrast heaven and hell and the tender sympathy of Jesus " for the chief of sinners." The very effective discipline of the church and the itinerancy of the clergy have spared them from schisms and "family disturbances." Occasionally the withdrawal of a few members of a particular con- gregation, with the permission of the bishop, takes place ; but such secessions only result in the founding of a new society of the same order, as a mission church. In all pecuniary and most social matters they are like Baptists congregationalists, the people managing things in their own way, only subject to church rules ; the supreme governing power, however, resides in the General Conference. Next to Friends, Methodists bore the earliest testimony against the sin- fulness of slavery, though in the South the society lapsed

badly, causing a rent in the denomination ; and they have been equally outspoken against the traffic in intoxicating liquors. The society derives its name from the habits of the two great founders, Wesley and Whitefield ; they were called so at Oxford University, because of their methodical attention to hours of prayer and other daily duties and their standing aloof from worldly follies.

Roman Catholics .- Nearly the last, though not the least denomination, that remains to be described (in order of settlement here) is that great body which claims to be known by its title, "The Holy Roman Catholic Apostolic Church, which was founded by the Apostles at Rome in the first century." Most of the carly settlers of Pennsylvania being Protestants, the few Catholics who located in our county at that period had no convenient church privileges except by going to Philadelphia. This continued until near 1835, when the first congregation was gathered at Nor- ristown and a house of worship erected the next year. During the past forty years, however, people of that faith have come in rapidly, and now in all centres of population parishes have been located, houses of worship built and pastors appointed, so that at present their churches number seven or eight. This most ancient of churches holds in common with nearly all Protestant denominations. the Nicene or Apostles' Creed ; nevertheless, in Biblical interpretation and ecclesiastical polity it claims exclusive authority, so that while the said formula of belief stands as a basis for all, Rome, or " The Church " has builded so much more upon it that the line of demarcation is broad and impassable between them. Some of the distin- guishing doctrines and customs of this great body may be stated briefly in contrast with Protestants as follows: She, the Catholic church, teaches that the trne and rightful interpretation of the Sacred Scrip- tures was committed to the Apostolic Church, of which Peter was made the head by the words of our Lord (St. Matt. xvi. 17, 18), and that Apostle became first Bishop of Rome; and that all rightful authority in religion has descended from him, and that the Popes are his successors; that the true church, so consti- tuted, holds, through the concurrence of Ecumenical Councils, all authority, as also the only right of inter- preting Scripture to the end of time.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 87

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534