USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 8
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In the year 1743 was the number of newly received mem- bers twenty-four, among whom was Jacob Sontag of whom particular mention is made afterwards. Anno 1744 only four persons were baptized, and brother Michael Pfautz chosen for the ministry. In 1745 four were baptized, and six brothers and six sisters from Amwell (probably in New Jersey) received. In 1746 thirteen persons, and in 1747 nineteen persons were added unto the church.
In the following year we find the following note. "In the year 1748 is our elder and overseer (MICHAEL FRANTZ) departed this life, and has exchanged time with eternity, after being well tried by affliction." To this are added a few lines of poetry, of which we have endeavored to make a translation.
Farewell on the chariot of God! We do not envy thee thy rest. By angels thou'rt carried the road Toward the abode of the blest; To join in that heavenly abode The host of the angelic choir, To sing and rejoice in thy God, To praise him forever and e'er.
When we stand still here at the death of the first elder and overseer, MICHAEL FRANTZ, and look back on the first fourteen years of this church, we are compelled to say to
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the glory of God, that the time of the ministry of this old Brother, who has died more than a hundred years ago, was richly blessed, inasmuch as the church increased "by the grace and blessing of God," and its numbers were multiplied from year to year in such a manner, that and until it grew in fourteen years from a little flock of 20 members to a company of nearly Two hundred. "This is the Lord's doing, and is marvelous in our eyes."
The year when the first teacher and overseer died, was a memorable and singularly blessed year for the church. As we read of Samson, Judges 16: 30, "The dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life," so we might say of MICHAEL FRANTZ, as blessed as his former years of ministry were, the year of his death was still more blessed. Of this we find the following re- corded in the manuscript already mentioned :
"In the year 1748, the 25th of September, Brother MICHAEL FRANTZ, overseer of the church in Conestoga and White Oak has laid his hand upon Bro. MICHAEL PFAUTZ (who, as we have seen already, had been chosen to the ministry in the year 1744), and has ordained and confirmed him in his place, with the united assistance of the Brethren. Thus the church has been blessed and enlarged by the grace of God through Brother Michael Pfautz, who has been ordained by the Elders to be an Elder." Again it says, "In this year brother Jacob Sontag was chosen as a minister (or deacon) in the church."
How much the share of each of these three ministers was in the great blessed awakening, which came this year upon the church, cannot be made out, and is also of no con- sequence, whether we know it; but this much we may safely believe, that they must have labored together in unity of spirit, without which unity no blessing can be expected. And whether the one sows, and the other reaps; whether the one planteth, and the other watereth; whether one stands with MosEs on the mountain, and raiseth up his hands in prayer, and the other with Joshua is fighting against Amalek, and the third stands by the side of him that prays, or him that fights (the battle of the Lord ) ; still "neither is
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he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."
And how great the increase was of this year 1748 we may gather from the following simple statements as they were recorded at the time :
In the year 1748 were baptized Brothers Ulrich, Shively, Henry Gibbel, &c.
March 6 in all
7 persons.
April 24
II persons.
May I
2 persons.
June 12 and July 24 15 persons.
August 7
6 persons.
August 14
4 persons.
September 4
2 persons.
October 16
4 persons.
October 23
6 persons.
Altogether in this one year, or rather within less than six months, 57 persons; truly a harvest-blessing not often re- peated, and reminding us of Pentecostal times.
To the encouragement of those who might think such blessed times happened of old, but are now-a-days rare among the Brethren, and to the honor of God and his word we cannot refrain from noticing, what we lately have learned, namely that during the past summer and fall (1854) the Lord has revealed himself as of old in different churches, and that for instance in one church not one hun- dred miles west from here there were baptized more than thirty, and in two other adjoining churches in the southeast over sixty souls. Blessed be the Lord for his grace which is yet to-day proving its efficacy for the salvation of the children of men!
But even in our dear Lancaster church it was not every year alike, for we find, that there were baptized in the year
1749 only
8 persons.
1750
14 persons.
1751
6 persons.
18 persons. 1752
1753
12 persons.
1754
10 persons.
1755
II persons.
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and then we find the following note: "Here I must say, that much trouble and temptation has fallen upon the over- seer, so that he has recorded nothing in seven years." These then were undoubtedly dark, gloomy times; not only for the overseer, but without fail also for the church. What a pity it is, when after the blessing of God having visibly rested upon a church, the enemy and destroyer of all good finds means again to make an entrance, and to cause confusion! And, oh, how should ministers and members be on their guard, that the temptation may not come upon them unawares while asleep!
Over those first fourteen years of the ministry of the second overseer Michael Pfautz hovered then quite a differ- ent providence. The first half from 1748 until 1755-seven years-were most eminently blessed, and the latter half from 1755 until 1762-again seven years-remind us almost of the seven years of famine, which Joseph pre- dicted unto Pharoah, where all the plenty should be for- gotten, that was before. Let us then, dearest members, make good use of the advice of Joseph, in plenteous years to gather and take care of all " spiritual blessings in heavenly places," when they are given us richly, that we may not want in times of distress and famine.
Without much research and thought this much is plain from the information at hand, beyond which we do not wish to go at the present time, that the seven years of trial of the overseer, Michael Pfautz, had now at last come to an end, that he came forth out of this trial of fire like fine gold, cleansed and purified, and that from now on he worked mightily and with rich blessings toward the up- building of the congregation, for in this same year, 1763, in which the aforesaid circumstance with Jacob Sonntag took place, we find that no less than eighteen or nineteen persons were added to the church through baptism ..
Here many of our dear readers might ask: "Were there then none at all baptized in the former seven years, and did then the work of God stand entirely still so long?" There- upon we can answer, that our records do not say so, but only state that much trouble and temptation had been en-
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countered by the Elder, and that, therefore, he had not written up anything. We may, therefore, conclude with some confidence that, notwithstanding nothing had been written up,1 the congregation of God in this community had continued its course, that meetings were held, and that the word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe in it, was preached, also that it showed its power toward souls at this time and made them willing to establish the bond of a good conscience toward God, and that consequently probably souls were baptized at this time, and their names were written up in Heaven.
Since we must soon again send back the little books (manuscripts) which have been entrusted to us, we still want to copy out the most important parts and postpone all further observations to the future. As is evident from the book written in Michael Pfautz's own hand, he worked on in the vineyard of the Lord from 1763 to his end; and from year to year, and from time to time, they who were saved were added to the church. Acts 2 : 47.
In the year 1764, we read in another little book, that "Christian Longenecker was chosen to the service of the church in peace and harmony on Dec. I, as a helper to the Elder. And in the year 1769, on May 4, he was ordained to the place of Michael Pfautz our Elder. I have come thus far through good and ill report."
Then it stands written: "On May 14, 1769 (ten days after the ordination of Christian Longenecker) our dear brother Michael Pfautz, the Elder of the congregation in Conestoga, fell asleep in the Lord, after much trial and suffering, in the sixtieth year of his age. God cared for him well, and made him an elect one in the furnace of affliction. He served and led as the Elder and overseer of the church in Conestoga and White Oakland, very nearly twenty-one years." They also sang for him the same lines which they sang for the first overseer (which are this time reproduced in the original German).
1 For names of persons baptized from 1755-1763 see "History of Conestoga," by D. C. Reber, p. -.
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN IN LANCASTER CO.
" Fahre wohl auf Gottes Wagen, Wir gönnen dir die Ruh', Dasz du von den Engeln wirst getragen Dem schönen Himmel zu, Dasz du bei der Engel Chor und Reih'n Dich ewig, ewig konntest freu'n."-
Now follows a list of those baptized, which is carried forward to the year 1799.
There are also written the disclosures of a drunkard and degraded person, on the 29th of autumn month, 1773. It is also worthy of note that after the names of all those baptized stands the word, "Gestorben," "died." Dear reader, this will also some time come to our name. There- fore, let us in time learn to die to sin and seek life in Christ's word and death.2
2 Published in the Gospel Visitor of 1855 by Eld. Henry Kurtz.
PART II.
GERMANTOWN GROUP.
CHAPTER I.
GERMANTOWN.
Introduction .- To write a complete history of the Mother Church, and the labors of her principal men, would fill a large volume. There are, of course, many facts buried in oblivion, that never can be recovered; and things so long forgotten, they can never be recalled. In the preceding chapters, necessarily, much of the early history of German- town has been interwoven with the history of the Brother- hood in general, during the time of organization, struggles, trials, and development in the first fifty years in America. Chapter X treats, especially, of Germantown at the time of a great crisis. Chapter XI treats of great changes of leadership, far-reaching influences of publishing interests and literary activity, and a period of rapid development of the work in general. In the present treatment of German- town, therefore, nothing further can be said in a special and detailed way of the earliest times, except on such points that especially need to be connected consecutively with later development. It must be remembered, too, that in so brief a space as can be allotted to the subject here, only a few of the more important matters can be treated, and some of them far too brief for the importance of the subject. This volume occupies so large a field, that it is manifestly impos- sible to say all on this important subject that should be said, and all that the reader would like to know. It is especially gratifying to know that much interest has been manifested in what has been written from time to time on German-
88
.....
Of
R BECKER.
Ke Bretkernin
GRAVE OF ELDER PETER BECKER, INDIAN CREEK.
E
GRAVE OF ELDER CHRISTOPHER SOWER, METHACHTON.
GRAVES OF ELDER PETER KEYSER AND WIFE,
GERMANTOWN.
-
GRAVE OF ELDER JOHN FOX, GERMANTOWN.
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GERMANTOWN.
town, and it is to be hoped more will be written in the future.
A Permanent Place of Worship .- In the beginning re- ligious services were held in the homes of the members, and, in the summer time, out of doors under some large trees, or in a grove; especially was this the case, when the assem- blies became too large to be accommodated in the homes. These services were held in the vicinity of Germantown, but considerable distances apart. It is interesting to trace the history of the present location of worship and it is all that can be said at this time. As the history of this old town is interesting, so also is the history of the mother congregation near it that has been in existence here for almost two hundred years. There is a large amount of historical matter bearing on the Germantown Church directly or indirectly; but it became much scattered years ago by careless or unfaithful custodians; and much of it being now in the hands of private individuals, it is difficult to collect and confirm the necessary facts for a much-needed reliable account of many points. There is considerable material lying on the surface, as is always the case, that passes current as history, and yet is entirely worthless to the reliable historian until confirmed by thorough research, and a careful study of original data. It would seem that in this respect Germantown has been singularly unfortunate in its experience of being at the mercy of the unscrupulous historian.
The usual reference is made that Johannes Pettikoffer received the ground as a gift, from one Peter Schilbert; and then some add that Schilbert had much difficulty in gaining possession of the land again, when Pettikoffer went to Ephrata, as he did in 1739. Now all this is sheer non- sense, the absolute creation of somebody's fancy, without a grain of truth, and yet these statements are copied again and again, apparently without any attempt being made to know the facts, when the records of the office of the Re- corder of Deeds are at all times accessible to all who care to investigate. It seems necessary, therefore, that a truth- ful account of this matter should be given, and doubly so,
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
for the reason that the facts and the truth are intensely interesting. In tracing the history of the ground, I can only give the bare statement of the transfers1 that were made from time to time. The evidence of ownership will be presented in each case in regular order, and it will be sufficient for the present study to begin with the ownership of Peter Shoemaker.
Peter Shoemaker to Johannes Pettikoffer .- On August 4, 1731, Peter Shoemaker, Turner, and Margret, his wife, sold to Johannes Pettikoffer for the sum of five pounds and five shillings ("to them in hand paid by the said Johannes Pettikoffer, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, and thereof do fully acquit and forever dis- charge "). This is perhaps enough to show that he did not get the lot from Peter Schilbert as a gift. This land carefully described in the deed is declared to be a half an acre and twenty perches, and constitutes what is now the northern half of the present Church property, or the part on which the church buildings are located. It will be seen by this deed, that Pettikoffer paid a fair price for his half acre, considering that it was nearly half a mile out of the settlement of Germantown as it then was, and that the settlement altogether had not more than twenty houses. He paid at the rate of fifty dollars per acre, entirely unim- proved. These original papers should be sufficient testi- mony to prove that Johannes Pettikoffer did, on August 4, 1731, acquire title to his half acre from Peter Shoemaker, and at a good price. But to some historians, it does not make much difference whether they say Peter Schilbert or Peter Shoemaker,-one Peter is as good as the other Peter. To them the facts of history are not so essential, they have plenty of fancy to fill the gaps.
Johannes Pettikoffer to Johannes Mack and Andreas Bonney .- On the twenty-second of August, 1739, Johannes Pettikoffer and Ann Elizabeth, his wife, sold the aforesaid half acre, together with the house he had built upon it, to Johannes Mack and Andreas Bonney, for the sum of sixty-
1 See "History of German Baptist Brethren," by the author, for brief quotations from the original parchment deeds, pp. 117-128.
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GERMANTOWN.
five pounds, each of the two holding a half interest. It will be noticed, that whereas he had paid for the ground five pounds and five shillings, Pettikoffer now receives on his sale sixty-five pounds, thus valuing his improvements fifty-nine pounds and fifteen shillings. It thus appears that there is no documentary evidence to sustain the old fable that Pettikoffer received the lot as a gift and then begged the money to build the house. This house was built in 1732, and because of its importance in later years, we shall give some description of its interesting history and notice it hereafter as the " Pettikoffer House."
Andreas Bonney to Johannes Mack .- The future deeds indicate that after Johannes Pettikoffer had vacated his house, Andreas Bonney, who owned the one-half interest of the property, lived in the house, or did so, on October 6, 1741, on which date he did devise by "his last will and testament," his half interest unto the said Johannes Mack for the consideration of twenty-nine pounds and ten shil- lings. Why Bonney sold his interest for less than he had paid does not appear but it may be that Mack had advanced some money, or that Bonney had lived in the house without paying rent, and so Mack would be entitled to a lower price for Bonney's half. This Bonney (Bony) was one of the original eight, at Schwarzenau, and had come to America with the second emigration, in 1729.
Johannes Mack to Peter Schilbert .- On July 20, 1742, Johannes Mack, stockingweaver, and Margrett, his wife, sold to Peter Schilbert the aforesaid property, house and lot, for the consideration of seventy-three pounds. Thus, it will be seen, that instead of Peter Schilbert being the original owner and giving this lot to Pettikoffer, as "his- torians " say, the ownership, as I have clearly shown, runs as follows :
Peter Shoemaker, Johannes Pettikoffer, Johannes Mack and Andreas Bonney, Johannes Mack, Peter Schilbert; and all these changes in the eleven years from 1731 to 1742. These old historic writings are exceedingly interesting,- quaint in their expressions, unique in conditions, and often intensely specific, and at other times very wordy indeed, and altogether too lengthy to be quoted here.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
Bastian and Johanna Hoech to Theobold Endt and Henry Slingloff .- It was evidently the intention of Peter Schil- bert to present this half acre and the "Pettikoffer House" to the Brethren congregation, but he died with the prop- erty legally in his possession. The deed of a later date says,-"The said Peter Schilbert dying (in effect) intes- tate." After some years of delay, this was finally accom- plished, as will be seen by the quotation that follows. The deed further recites,-("He having made only a noncupa- tive will) the right of the inheritance of his said possessions depending legally unto Johanna Hoech the wife of Bastian Hoech which Johanna being the only issue and heir of Abraham Schilbert who was the brother and heir at law of the said Peter Schilbert." On the twenty-sixth day of August, 1746, the said Bastian Hoech, and Johanna, his wife, deeded in fee to Theobold Endt and Henry Slingloff, two well-known Brethren. Just under what conditions, or why, is not apparent, but the property was held by them for fourteen years.
Theobold Endt and Henry Slingloff to Alexander Mack, Christopher Sower, Peter Leibert and George Schreiber .- The consideration at this transfer was ten pounds, and bears date August II, 1760. It is not difficult now to see the purpose of this new transfer, when it is noted that these four men to whom the property was deeded, were four of the principal men of the Brethren congregation. On the following day, these four men, the first two Bishops, and the other two perhaps ministers, issued, and published, the famous Declaration of Trust. They first make definite acknowledgment of the grant unto them, "by the direction and at the appointment of the persons who are members of the Religious Society or Community of the people called Dutch (German) Baptists and belonging to the Meeting of that People in or near Germantown aforsd."2
After having stated the grant, and the body under which they act, the Trustees declare the use, etc., under their trust, viz. : "To the use and interests hereinafter mentioned and declared and under the Conditions and Restrictions
2 The Declaration of Trust.
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GERMANTOWN.
hereinafter limited and Restricted and to no other use or purpose whatsoever, That is to say, One Room in the said Messuage (Pettikoffer House), to be made use of for a Meeting place of the said People living at or near German- town aforesaid and for such other as the said Community may think proper to admit thereto. The which Room may be improved or enlarged for the better convenience of the said Meeting at the discretion of the said Community in such Manner as they may think Meet And on Room and kitchen of the sade Messuage to be made use of for a dwelling place for some Widow woman of the said Society or Community to live in Rent free and that the said Society or Community Shall and do keep the said Messuage or Tenement of pieces or parcels of Land or ground in repair from time to time Towards the Charge of which they are to have the use, Rents Issues & Profits which may accrue or arise yearly from the remaining part of the premises."3
It is further expressly provided that in case this Society or Community shall cease to exist, the property shall be sold and the proceeds given to the poor. The entire Decla- ration is very interesting indeed, and it was the means of setting in operation influences that have ever marked the high ideals of the Brethren Church. Thus is established the first permanent place of worship, or a place especially provided for that purpose, but it is very probable that this same place had been used for some time for worship.
" The Old Folks' Home .- While the said Declaration of Trust tells us of the regular and permanent meeting-place, it also tells in a very interesting manner how one room and the kitchen were set apart for some widow to dwell ' rent free'; thus show- ing how early the Brethren thought of making special provi- sion and providing a home for the 'widows.' I know of no instance where any other denomination made a similar public provision for its widowed poor, at so early a date. The his- tory of this Home is interesting. While it is probably true that in a few years the congregation so increased that perhaps the entire home was needed for purposes of worship, we do know that when the new stone meeting-house was dedicated in 1770,
3 The Declaration of Trust.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
the 'Pettikoffer House' was set apart anew for the comfort of the widows, and it remained such a home until 1861, or a period of IOI years from the time it was first set apart. There are many people living to-day (1900) who remember the place well as the ' Widows' Home. I am indebted to Charles M. Benson, of Germantown, and also Rachel Douglass Wise, of Philadelphia, for facts that enable me to describe the 'Pettikoffer House' as it appeared fifty years ago. The main part of the house was about twenty feet long by sixteen feet wide, built of logs, with frame gables, and shingle roof. The house fronted south, with gables east and west. The spaces between the logs were chinked and plastered, and the entire house whitewashed. It had a good cellar, with an outside trapdoor, which was located between the pavement and the outside door leading into the east room. There were four windows and one outside door. There were two windows in the west gable towards the street, one up- stairs and one downstairs. Then there were two additional windows in the west room, one on the north side and one on the south side There were two rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs. At the east end of the east room, there was a large fireplace which was in constant use from 1852 until the time the house was taken down in December, 1861, so my informer tells me. The meeting-room was the west one, well lighted with three windows. The ceilings were of good height. The house was still in good condition in 1861, when it was torn down, after such an interesting history of one hundred and thirty years.
"Immediately to the rear of the above described house there stood many years ago a good-sized frame building, whose his- tory I have not been able to unravel. Many suggestions have been made of its probable history, but I have been unable to confirm anything so that I can safely regard it as history. I hope the future may yet reveal the purpose of this ancient structure."4
The Old Church .- On this same half acre which we have been considering, or the northern half of the present Church grounds, are located the Church buildings, consisting of the old stone meeting-house which was built in 1770, and the more imposing, modern stone one, built in 1896-1897. A' brief description of this old church building will be of
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