USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 3
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A NEW DENOMINATION IN COLONIAL AMERICA.
"Through such a Divine happening the Baptists (Breth- ren) in Pennsylvania became a congregation."
The importance of this event justifies these quotations and extended considerations. To Julius F. Sachse belongs the credit of working out many an interesting fact of the early history of the Brethren, and it is only fitting to quote in this connection his interesting descriptive sketch of the events of this memorable day of Organized Beginnings in .America. (See "German Sectarians in Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 1899.)
" Returning once more to our story, it was on the morning of Wednesday, December 25, 1723 (Christmas Day), that a num- ber of German settlers who had located within the bounds of the German township, wended their way towards the humble weaver's shop where Conrad Beissel had served his apprentice- ship, at the extreme end of the borough limits in what was known as Van Bebberstown. History has unfortunately failed to preserve for posterity the exact location of Becker's humble abode. This, however, is but of secondary importance. We know that it was in Van Bebber's township, on the North Wales road. Tradition strongly points to the vicinity of the present church, where the earliest meetings were held. However, be this as it may, upon the day in question the solemn scenes which took place on the Eder, in Germany, fifteen years before were to be repeated here in the western world and the foundation laid for a new Christian denomination. The seed sown in Germany was to be transplanted into our virgin land, where it was destined to take root and flourish far beyond any expec- tation of the devout band on either the Eder or the Wissahickon.
"It was a typical winter's day, and the air crisp and cold, the sky clear, the ground hard and frozen, with a thin covering of snow. Many were the sad memories of the Fatherland that came into the minds of these pilgrims in a far-off land, as they plodded over the frozen ground; separated, as it were, from both kin and church, they thought of the joyous Christmas at home.
"The day was a well chosen one for their object-the fer- vent desire to organize a church home for themselves, to found a new Christian sect in the New World. The series of devo-
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
tional meetings held by Peter Becker and his helpers was about to become the grain of seed which was to bring forth a mighty tree with wide-spreading root and branches. Their aim was to form a Gemeinde or commune of their own-to give them the benefit of religious instruction, and at the same time emanci- pate them from what Falkner calls 'the melancholy, saturnine Quaker spirit' which then prevailed in the province.
" It was well-nigh noon when the party assembled and devo- tional exercises were commenced. After these were over it was found that there were present seventeen persons who had been baptized in Europe, viz. :- Peter Becker, Johann Heinrich Traut, Jeremias Traut, Balser Traut, Heinrich Holzappel, Johannes Gumre, Stephan Koch, Jacob Koch, Johannes Hildebrand, Daniel Ritter, George Balser Gansz, Johannes Preisz, Johannes Kampfer, Magdalena Traut, Anna Gumre, Maria Hildebrand, and Johanna Gansz. These persons proceeded formally to organize themselves into a congregation, and constituted Peter Becker their Elder.
" Six postulants now presented themselves and asked to be baptized as by Scripture ordained, and then received into fel- lowship, viz .: Martin Urner, his wife, Catherina Urner ; Hein- rich Landes and his wife; Friederick Lang and Jan (Johannes) Mayle. Thus they became the first Anabaptists among the high Germans in America. In the church records this band of con- verts is always referred to as the 'First Fruits.' The immer- sion took place the same day. After a noon day meal had been served the party went in solemn procession down the old Indian trail, which led from the North Wales road to a ford on the Wis- sahickon, and thence beyond the ridge towards the Schuylkill. This trail, which long since has become a public highway, was known north of the township line successively as Morgan's and Trullinger's lane, now Carpenter Street. South of the dividing line the trail was successively known as Gorgas, Milner's, Gar- seed's and Kitchen's lane. The course of the creek at this point makes a sharp turn and here comes nearest to Germantown. The distance from Bebberstown, or the upper part of German- town, to the Wissahickon is but a short one. The distance trav- ersed by the party was about one and one-half miles; it was a short journey for the sturdy Germans of that day. The objec- tive point of the party was a level bank, or strip of land on the estate of Johannes Gumre, adjacent to the creek, where easy access could be had to the flowing water. The ravine of the
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A NEW DENOMINATION IN COLONIAL AMERICA.
Wissahicken is a rugged one, with towering rocks upon either bank, making the shore inaccessible, except in a few places.
"The strip of land in question is about two hundred yards north of Kitchen's lane. There, recession of the rocky ravine forms a space large enough to accommodate quite a respectable number of people. While the rocks are covered with ever- greens, the alluvial soil on the bank has fostered the growth of the catalpa and other deciduous trees. In former days, at the time of the scene we are now describing, when the country was yet covered with a fine forest growth, a rivulet broke over the rocky wall in the background and formed a picturesque water- fall as it leaped from rock to crag in its wild flight down to the bottom of the ravine.
"When the party reached the banks of the Wissahickon, the afternoon was already well advanced, so little time was lost. After a fervent invocation to the Throne of Grace and the reading of a passage from Luke XIV, the newly constituted Elder entered the water through the thin ice, leading by the hand the first candidate. This was Martin Urner, a native of Alsace, who had been brought up in the Reformed faith, and who, together with his two brothers, for a short time had been members of the Hermits on the Ridge.
"The scene was a solemn one. The small procession on their way to the creek was reinforced by some of the Hermits from the heights on the other side of the stream, and some others who were attracted out of curiosity, so that by the time the party arrived at the banks of the frozen stream the company was quite a goodly one-witnesses who were to assist by their presence at what was to be the founding of a new Christian denomination in America.
"Clear above the sound of the rushing waters and the rustle of the leafless branches rose the solemn German invocation and the singing of the baptismal hymn composed by Alexander Mack, 'Ueberschlag die Kost, Spricht Jesu Christ, wann du den Grund wilt legen.'2 Numerous as had been the mystic rites and occult incantations held on the rugged ravine and valley of this stream since the gentle Kelpius and his band settled there thirty years before, none were more fervent or brought so great and lasting results as this solemn rite upon the narrow strip of rockbound land on the shore of the Wissahickon. There stood the administrator deep in the cold water : before him knelt the
2 " Count the cost, says Jesus Christ, when the foundations thou wouldst lay."
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
rugged Alsatian ; thrice was he immersed under the icy flood. As he arose the last time the Segenspruch was pronounced and Martin Urner once more entered the material world to become a factor in the religious development of his adopted country. His wife, Catherina Reist, was the next candidate, followed by the other four persons, the same scenes being repeated in each case.
"Long before the solemn rite was ended the winter sun was well down over the Schuylkill hills and the sky covered with leaden clouds. The party now proceeded to the house of Jo- hannes Gumre where dry clothing was provided. In the even- ing a lovefeast was held, the rite of foot-washing was observed, at which the newly constituted Elder officiated as a token of his humility. This was followed by the breaking of the bread and the administration of the Holy Communion, and was partaken of by the seventeen constituents and the six newly baptized con- verts, making twenty-three members in all.
"Thus was perfected the organization of the first 'Congre- gation of the Brethren in America.'"
CHAPTER VI.
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR.
What a scene for a master's hand this reproduction of "The Last Supper," and we may well wish that it might have been placed upon canvas. But what we have is enough, and we are devoutly grateful. The spiritual bless- ings which we enjoy as the fruits of their labors would indeed in itself be enough. Let us be thankful for each fact of additional interest. It was Christmas Day. What an appropriate day for the memorial observance of the Ordi- nances, which He commanded! To that memorable day which should be dear to the heart of every Christian, is now added a three-fold interest for every member of the Church of the Brethren in America, viz: The First Organization, The First Baptism, The First Love-feast and Communion Service. There were twenty-three persons for the twenty- three years of the new century, surrounding the Lord's table. What a gathering from two continents, and vari- ous tongues and nations; and the aggregate number of miles this entire company travelled in fleeing persecu- tion and coming to the truth and this blessed fellowship, was more than sixty thousand miles. Not only the num- ber of persons that were there, but their names, are recorded, and what history they have made. Of the original eight at Schwarzenau, not one of them sat at this table. The Lord in His Providence has dealt kindly and leads us gently on. Not only have we the day and date, and the facts of the day, and the number of persons, and the names of the persons, but Mr. Julius F. Sachse gives us the reasonable assurance of the identification of the spot where these important events transpired. If so, there is added interest, as the present writer not only walked in their
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
footsteps over the historic route from Germantown and stood on the banks of the baptismal pool in the beautiful Wissahickon, but also stood within the walls where they were seated around the table of the Lord. These ruined walls are all that is left of the once comfortable home of John Gumre. Before me rolls the Wissahickon, famous in story and song, while on the hills above are towering forest trees, standing like sentinels, the guardians of these hal- lowed scenes. As I stand in the midst of these reflections, and as I look upon the rugged grandeur around me, and into the historic past, there comes such a flood of inex- pressible thought that I stand in silence and look up in mute adoration.
Immediate Results .- It is not difficult to understand that there were immediate results from these wonderful events which we have just cited, as well as remote and far-reach- ing. The immediate results were of a two-fold character,- internal and external. The effect upon the membership was very marked. It was a visible demonstration of the Lord answering the earnest prayers of the faithful ones. Such great blessings brought new life and hope to the congre- gation-indeed they had not been a congregation before. The desire that all might enjoy such blessings of fellowship as they enjoyed, was intensified. The truth must now be spread. Missionary enterprise was commenced. It has already been noted above that these memorable Christmas- day scenes "created a great stir among the people of the neighborhood." Here then were inside and outside results, incentives, opportunities. Steps were at once taken to im- prove these favorable opportunities, but the " winter proved to be an exceedingly hard and stormy one and the meetings were discontinued until spring. They were resumed early in May, and continued with great success. Efforts were also made to reach and influence the youth and to educate them in matters spiritually. Many were attracted to the services and 'taught to walk in the fear of the Lord and to
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ORGANIZED MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR.
love the Brethren.' As the fame of this awakening spread abroad there was such an increase of attendance that no room could be found large enough to accommodate the wor- shippers ; so, whenever the weather permitted, the assembly was held in the open air." (German Sectarians.)
There was, however, another immediate result. Such present blessings and such bright prospects for the future were not to be shared alone by those here in America. What glad news this will be to send across the ocean and what joy it will bring to the dear brethren and sisters in the far- away German Fatherland. They shall know of it soon that they may share in the joy of this good news and, perhaps, be induced to come to America and share in this promising work.
A Message to the Home Land .- The " Chronicon Ephra- tense " gives the following interesting account of this mes- sage: "Under these circumstances they deemed it well to make a detailed report of this new awakening to their Breth- ren in Germany. Therefore they prepared in common a writing addressed to them, in which they informed them that they had become reunited in Pennsylvania, and that hereupon a great awakening had resulted in the land, which was still daily increasing; that of the awakened several had joined their communion, to which they had to consent, as they dared not withstand the counsels of God." It would be interesting to know that message in full, to have the exact words and know the real heart throbs that pulsated through them, but we shall probably never know more than we know now. The above quotation, no doubt, gives us a fair con- ception of the scope of the letter, and we furthermore know the effect this and other reports had upon the Brethren in Germany. Two Continents are now interested in the strug- gles in this new and, to them, unknown world. Other messages go from time to time to the Home Land. The earnest prayers from both sides of the great ocean strengthen the hearts of the brave leaders, as they go forth, over the
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
hills and down the valleys, through the forests and across the rivers, bearing the message of the " Man of Galilee "- for he said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things what- soever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."1
Organizing for Work .- One of the strongest elements in a successful leadership is a proper organizing of the forces to be led, or directed. United and concerted action and effort is as necessary in church work, as it is in military or industrial matters, or in business enterprises. Elder Peter Becker and his coworkers saw an open door to a great field of opportunity, and they were wide awake to organize on a scale large enough to meet the needs. The subject was dis- cussed by the congregation which gave encouragement and hearty support. And so the year 1724 was destined to be scarcely less eventful and important than the previous year. No one who is a careful student can dwell upon the events of this year without feeling that they were of the utmost importance to the German pioneer settlers, and far-reaching in their influence and permanent results. It was deemed advisable that all the scattered settlements of Brethren should be visited at once and brought under organized spirit- ual influences. For this purpose a missionary party was organized, with Peter Becker as the leader. Its great im- portance justifies its careful consideration, for this is the most remarkable missionary tour to the frontier in all Penn- sylvania colonial history, and is absolutely without parallel in colonial times. Leaving industry and loved ones behind, these pioneer preachers of the gospel, and their assistants, with true German devotion to the cause they loved, marched forth, seven horsemen and seven footmen. On the fields of martial conquest there never marched a more gallant band than these in commission of the Prince of
1 Matt. 28: 19-20.
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ORGANIZED MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR.
Peace. It was a worthy representation of the importance of the cause they sought to establish, as well as a worthy representation of the work accomplished in their contin- ued devotion. What a mission was theirs, pushing out to the frontier lines to battle with callous indifference and skepticism, or mysticism and materialism among their fellow countrymen! And so October 23, 1724, was a memorable day for the Germantown Settlement, and what an impress- ive scene it must have been to behold the gathering of the company of cavalry and infantry, and then behold the company as it slowly moved out of the settlement, north- ward, over the old Indian trail. The scattered settlers have gathered in little groups here and there to discuss the jour- ney and mission of their neighbors and friends, and with deep interest watched them until they vanished over the slopes of the distant hills.
There is some confusion as to the route taken, and the stops made, especially as to the first stages of the journey. The Chronicon states, "They first went to Schippack." Sachse, in German Sectarians, says,-"The first stop was made in the beautiful Skippack Valley, where a number of Germans had settled. Here several meetings were held with much success." Brumbaugh, In The German Baptist Breth- ren, says "Their first visit was to Brother John Jacob Price on the Indian Creek." The facts likely are, members both on the Indian Creek and in the Skippack valley, or differ- ent places of Skippack township, were visited, for we are informed that some of the members of the emigration of 1719 settled in the Skippack, and we further learn that in the visitation of 1722, "they traveled through the regions of Skippack." The John Jacob Price referred to, settled, we are informed by the old records, " on a large tract of land on the Indian Creek, in Lower Salford Township," in 1721, and is the Johannus Preisz who was at the first lovefeast, and a minister of note, in the early church, in Europe and America, and likely the father of all the Prices in the Broth-
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
erhood. This, therefore, marks the establishment of an important field, or region, of activity, that later became the early Indian Creek Congregation, and, in later years, sub- divided into a number of congregations.
From the above named place, or places, more properly, they went northward, crossed the Perkiomen and continued on through Providence to Falckner's Swamp, when a halt was made at the house "of a Brother named Albertus." Here revival meetings were held, closing with a Lovefeast and Communion Service, which was attended, we are in- formed, by the Chronicon, "with great blessing." From here they went to Oley, in Berks County, near Douglass- ville, " where a similar work was done with similar bless- ing." From Oley the party went southward and crossed the Schuylkill, to visit their newly-baptized Brethren, going di- rect to the house of Martin Urner, one of the " First Fruits," " who, since his baptism, had permanently settled in Coven- try, Chester County, immediately opposite the present town of Pottstown."
" Martin Urner, from the time he came to Coventry, ex- horted his neighbors whenever opportunity offered, besides holding meetings at his own house on Sundays with more or less regularity. One of the results of his labors was that when Peter Becker and his party reached there they found two persons prepared for baptism in addition to the settlers who were ready to form a congregation.
"On the next day, November 7, 1724, a meeting was held in Urner's house, at which Elder Becker presided. The two candidates were baptized in the Schuylkill, and the ceremony was followed by the usual Lovefeast and breadbreaking in the evening.
"Upon this occasion was organized the Coventry Breth- ren Church, of which Martin Urner was made preacher. The following nine persons were the constituent members : Martin Urner, his wife, Catharine Reist Urner; Daniel
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ORGANIZED MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR.
Eicher and wife, Henrich Landes and wife, Peter Heffly, Owen Longacre and Andrew Sell."2
This seems to have been the end of the contemplated mis- sionary tour, two weeks had been spent, the usual time for a "series of meetings" at this time. It would have been about time for some busy preachers to go home, to look after the family and business. But these preachers were after their " Father's business." They heard of some awak- ened souls in the Conestoga country, and they decided to go there, which was then known as the western part of Chester county.
Upon leaving Urner's the party divided, the horsemen following the road and staying all night, Monday, Novem- ber 9, at the house of Jacob Weber, in the Conestoga Valley, near Weberstown, in Leacock township. The footmen took a shorter route, over the Welsh mountain, and spent the same night at the house of Johannus Graff "This was in Earl township, at what is now known as Graffsdale, at the lower end of Earl township. The original tract of 1,419 acres was situated on Graff's run, a branch of the Mühlbach (Mill Creek). Johannus Graff was the earliest and wealth- iest settler in the vicinity. The foundation stones of the cabin which he built in 1718 are yet to be seen upon the property of a lineal descendant."3 The next day, Tuesday, November 10, they journeyed to the house of Hans Rudolph Nagele, a Mennonite preacher, when both horsemen and footmen once more united, and passed the night of Tuesday, with Stephen Galliond.
Early the next morning two Brethren were sent to Henry Hohns, to announce their coming. On Wednesday, Novem- ber II, therefore, the party retraced their steps and jour- neyed towards the valley of the Pequea. The special pur- pose seems to have been to bring about an awakening among the Mennonites, who had been brought into great confusion by Bauman, in teaching his pernicious "Newborn" doc-
2 " German Sectarians."
3 Ibid., p. 100.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
trines. A largely attended meeting was held at Heinrich Hohns.
As its authors were directly interested, I quote from the Chronicon, an account of this meeting, and its immediate results : " A meeting was held at Hohn's on the following day, November 12 (Thursday), at which the Superintendent (Beissel) was present. At this meeting extraordinary re- vival-powers were manifested. The Baptists spoke with such power concerning baptism and the divine purpose con- cerning fallen man involved therein, that after the close of the meeting five persons applied for baptism, namely the aforementioned Hohn, his housemate, John Mayer and his house-mate, and Joseph Shafer, who were at once baptized in Apostolic-wise, by Peter Becker, in the Pequea stream. Soon a sixth one followed these, namely, Veronica, the wife of Isaac Frederick. Now the Superintendent (Beissel) fell into great perplexity. For, to withstand this ordinance of God seemed to him great presumption; at the same time, the calling of these people was not deemed important enough by him, for he had been the recipient of a weighty testimony from God, and feared that, if he associated with them, he might lose all the good he had reached through so much pain. Suddenly, however, his heart was enlightened by a bright ray from the Gospel, in whose light the whole pur- pose of God was revealed to him, namely, that Christ also had permitted himself to be baptized by one who was less than himself, and had said thereof : 'Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness'; and that, in order to make this work easier for us, God himself had thus gone before, and first sought out the field in which he would sow his grain of wheat.
"Consequently, after the Sister referred to before came out of the water, he came down from his spiritual pride, humbled himself before his friend Peter Becker, and was baptized by him on the same day in Apostolic-wise, under the water.
" After the baptism they spent the rest of the day in edify-
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ORGANIZED MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR.
ing conversation unto the praise of God, until evening, when a 'Lovefeast' was held at Hohn's, the first ever held in Conestoga since the country began to be cleansed from its heathenish inhabitants ; it was held on November 12, 1724."
There was one more meeting held at the house of Sig- mund Landert, at which time he and his wife were baptized. The leaders of the missionary party now informed the Brethren in the Conestoga, that on account of the distance from Germantown, they must arrange their matters as best they could, as a separate congregation. The little body of six Brethren and six Sisters now chose Conrad Beissel as their minister, and he remains in fellowship with the Breth- ren for about four years. The chapter following will treat of the history of Beissel, and his relation to the work of the Brethren in the Conestoga. After the kiss of peace was given, the Germantown Brethren started on their homeward journey on the fourteenth of November.
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