USA > Pennsylvania > The German Pietists of provincial Pennsylvania : 1694-1708 > Part 15
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Both of these churches, the early history of which is cotemporary with that of our band of German Pietists, are now among the most venerable historic landmarks of the great city of Philadelphia with its million of inhabitants.
To return once more to the scene of the early labors of Kelpins and his followers. Of the tens of thousands of pleasure seekers who annually pass along the Wissahickon, from the purse-proud aristocrat who rides behind prancing steeds and liveried servants down to the weary and foot-sore
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The Ephrata Manuscript.
toiler who on a Sunday seeks after a breath of fresh air, how few of this vast number know the derivation of the names " Hermit Spring" and "Hermit Lane," or have even heard the name of Johannes Kelpius, the pious and learned Magis- ter of the Theosophical Fraternity, who settled there two centuries ago in the unbroken wilderness to commune with the Diety according to the dictates of his conscience and benefit the spiritual condition of his fellowmen.
The old Ephrata MS., in referring to the closing period of the original Community, and to such as remained stead- fast, states : " Dispensing religious instruction and charita- ble attentions to their neighbors who came to cultivate the adjoining wilds, they rendered their habitation the seat of piety and usefulness. Thus while years rolled on in rapid succession the few remained steadfast in their faith and patiently watched for the revelations they so fondly antici- pated. These faithful ones, however, followed each other to the shades of death and a happy eternity without accom- plishing the work of their devotion and self-denial. They were laid side by side in what was once their garden, and their requiems were sung by the remaining brethren. Their history may be closed in the language of the Apostle,-
"'These all died in faith, not having received the proin- ises, but having seem them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." > 23
Notwithstanding that every vestige of these early religi- ous pioneers has passed away, the effects of the truths they taught is yet felt, not only among the German element in Eastern Pennsylvania, but throughout the whole State and country wherever the slightest trace of the Pennsylvania- German is to be found.
239 Heb. xi, 13.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
The benign influence exercised by the various Pietistic sects of Provincial Pennsylvania upon the rude pioneers of various nations and races that were attracted to the Province in the early days of our existence will endure for ages to come. Though the personality of the actors themselves may be lost in oblivion, and even their names be forgotten in the modern struggle for wealth and power, yet in our annals the story of these self-sacrificing enthusiasts, with their legends and traditions, will ever remain one of the brightest and most romantic episodes.
THE TABERNACLE IN THE FOREST, ACCORDING TO AN OLD MANUSCRIPT.
THE LOCATION OF THE TABERNACLE.
ORE or less uncer- tainity has thus far existed among wri- ters upon Kelpius and the Hermits on the Ridge as regards the actual location of the original'settlement and the tenure by which they held their land. There are no documents whatever on record to show that this or THE CAVE OF KELPIUS, 1894. any other land in the vicin- ity was ever held in fee-simple by either Kelpius or the Fraternity. All accounts that have come down to us agree to the fact that 175 acres were given them, shortly after their arrival, by Thomas Fairman, who was then deputy surveyor general. 234 If any title was passed it does not appear to have been placed on record.
It has, however, been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the portion of the tract, once the site of the Tabernacle of the Mystic Brotherhood, is identical with the estate now known as "the Hermitage," owned by the Prowattain family.
234 Fairman was not commissioned-surveyor general until 1702.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
This is situated on the east side of Hermit Lane, in Roxborough, in the Twenty-first Ward of Philadelphia, and extends down to the Wissahickon. The strip of land along the banks of the creek is now included within the bounds of Fairmount Park, having been acquired by the city under the Act of April 14th, 1868.
Now the question naturally arises : How happens it that here are 175 acres of land without any record of having been either bought or sold, until about fifty years after the gift of Fairinan ? Nor does this identical plantation ever appear to have been in the name of the person who is accredited with having given it to the German Theosophists.
A careful search reveals to us the fact that at least a part of the land in question was contained in a grant of 200 acres made in 1689 by William Penn to Thomas B. Vic- aris,235 and that Thomas Fairman was in charge of the property, as well as the adjoining one to the eastward, which extended to the Schuylkill, and was also supposed to contain " 200 acres," granted by William Penn to John Jennett, by patent dated January 20, 1685.236
Jennett, on March 18, 1698, sold to Mathew Houlgate eighty acres of this land, which adjoined the Vicaris tract. Mathew Houlgate the elder, who was for some time either a member of the Community or else intimately connected with the same, erected the first fulling-mill on the Wissa- hickon. This was in 1720, and was an undertaking in which he does not seein to have prospered.
Vicaris, according to the records, under date of August 4, 1741,237 sold to Michael Righter seventy-one acres of land
235 The patent is not on record. Another account names Richard and Robert Vicaris as the original patentees.
236 Patent Book A, p. 104. Exemplication Book No. I, p. 86.
237 Deed Book FT W 103, p. 365.
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" The Righter Ferry."
adjoining the Houlgate or Jennett tract, which one Peter Righter had bought at sheriff's sale, December 6, 1728.2%8 This grant included all the improvements erected or made by the Theosophiical Community, viz., the Tabernacle, several small log cabins or houses used by the Hermits after disbanding, the cave of Kelpius, a large orchard planted by the Mystics, and other improvements, such as fencing and cleared ground.
Two months after the above conveyance, October 27, 1741, Peter Richter transferred his seventy-one acres to Michael Richter.239 This gave the latter a plantation of 151 acres, which, without doubt, included all the land once occupied both by the Community and the Hermits who succeeded them.
The Rigliters or Richters, it is said, were originally con- nected in some manner with the Brotherhood. A legend, which appears trustworthy, states that Peter Righter, the first of the family in America, came over with Daniel Falk- ner in 1700, but soon after left the Community and built a stone house on the banks of the Schuylkill a short distance above the mouth of the Wissahickon, where he also estab- lished a ferry. This was some years prior to the death of Kelpius.
This ferry was kept by successive generations of the Righter families, until the building of the Manayunk bridge removed any necessity for its maintainance.
The above 151 acres of land remained in possession of Michael Rigliter until his deatlı, which occurred some time in 1783. His will is dated January 29, 1783, and under its provision three commissioners were appointed by the heirs to effect a division of the real estate. They apportioned
238 Record Book A D B 142, p. 485.
239 Deed Book H 9, p. 367.
208
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THE OLDEST KNOWN MAP OF GERMANTOWN.
(Original in library of Hon. S. W. Pennypacker.)
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
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After Two Hundred Years.
199
100
S
10
Norristown
150
120
Fairy
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SCHOOL
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and now included within the corporate limits of the city. By George S. Webster. Esa .. Chief Bureau of Survive Contour Map, showing the tract formerly occupied by the Theosophical Community, after a lapse of two centuries,
27
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
the above 151 acres to Peter Righter (2),210 Marchi 13, 1787, and from him it passed to Daniel Rigliter about the year 1818.
It was from Phoebe Righter, the widow of the last named, that the direct proof was obtained of the former tenure of this land by the Mystic Brotherhood.
The tract remained in the Righter family until the year 1848, when a part of it, containing sixteen acres and six- teen perches, which included the site of the Tabernacle and the Kelpius cave and spring, together with one of the Her- mit's cabins, was sold by the heirs of Daniel Righter to Evan Prowattain, a merchant of Philadelphia.
The new owner at once commenced a series of improve- ments so as to make the place suitable for a suburban resi- dence. A large mansion house was built near the former site of the Tabernacle, and upon its completion was called " The Hermitage."
Shortly after this mansion was finished and the grounds laid out, the whole estate was leased to Col. Benjamin Chew, of Germantown, who made the place his home for a num- ber of years. The old log cabin in which Phoebe Righter had passed so many years of her life was at that time in a dilapidated condition.
A gentleman with antiquated taste, who visited the Her- mitage during the first year of Col. Chew's occupancy, writes : "On the picturesque grounds of Evan Prowattain, the residence of Col. Benjamin Chew, are the old hut and the spring of Kelpius. About the hut there is some con- troversy. The settled opinion seems to be, however, that it was either the dwelling or the site of the dwelling of Kel- pius. It is built of logs, pointed or mortised at the ends,
240 Deed Book D IS, p. 632, deed of Daniel Thomas, Mathew Holgate and Anthony Cook to Peter Righter.
2II
The Hermitage Grounds.
and now rotted under the exposure of years. A rickity door and front window gave it the appearance of a tene- ment, and the chances are that a few more years will witness the demolition of the old landmark.
" It stands on the side of an acclivity, and in the days of Kelpius the foxes burrowed in the cellar. It is now used as a tool-house and a chicken-coop. A few rods from this, farther down the hill, is the spring. It lies at the foot of an old cedar tree. The water is black and cold. Just below tlie spring is a stone cave, which looks like an old spring- dairy or milk-house. It is said that Kelpius hollowed this out and built it with his own hands.
" Below the hill the glen lies still and always shadowy. Here in [time past] these Magi and Herinits wandered with thoughts of another world. Froin the Herinitage, as far up the creek as the red bridge, a deep glen or gorge fol- lows the north side of the Wissahickon. This was of old a favorite spot with the Hermits, the scene of their wanderings."
A visit to the Hermitage grounds by the present writer, in June, 1894, just two hundred years after the arrival of the German Theosophists in Pennsylvania, reveals the fact that a few salient features of interest are still in ahnost the same primitive condition as they were when Kelpius and his associates first trod upon its virgin soil. Other features may still be traced by vestiges and traditions.
The object of this visit was to go over the ground care- fully, make a critical examination of whatever was thought to bear upon the former occupancy of the Mystics, and sift as far as possible such of the legends and traditions as hover about the place. Arrangements were also made to photo- graph such relics as should prove of historic value or interest as illustrations to this work.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
The most important relic found was the ruin of the sub- terranean cell or cave once occupied by Magister Kelpius. This anchorite cell, as before stated, is not a natural forma- tion, but was built against the hillside with an arched roof, which was covered with about three feet of soil and then sodded. Upon it there is now quite a growtli of timber of considerable girth.
This cell or " Einsiedler-hütte" has now caved in, and is partially filled in with stones and soil. Originally it formned a room sixteen feet long by nine feet wide in the clear, and eight feet high. Entrance to the cave was had by an arched doorway, which faced towards the south. This entrance is now partly choked up with dirt and debris.
Reared on either side of the old doorway are two janıb- stones, which were placed against the cave during the tenure of Col. Chew, for the purpose of lianging a door so as to bar the access to the old retreat. This became necessary on account of the frequent visitors who came to view the spot. Upon either side of the opening two large trees have grown, and now stand like silent sentinels to guard the scene.
A few yards from the entrance to the cell, just beyond the fence shown in the accompanying photographic repro- duction, is the crystal spring, which in Kelpius' time gushed forth from amid the roots of an ancient cedar tree. The water is still as clear and cold as of yore, and invites the thirsty pilgrim of to-day to quenchi liis thirst out of its rock-bound basin. It is still known as "the Hermit's Spring." 241
The old hut, as described in the account above quoted, was repaired and enlarged, shortly after the sketch was written, by another room and an additional story. It now
241 Or " Kelpius' Spring."
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The Glen in the Forest.
serves as a comfortable "tenant" house for the hired help or " farmer" of the estate. The size of the original cabin may, however, easily be traced from the dimensions of tlie cellar or basement beneath the house. This cabin, similar to the anchorite cell, was built against the hillside, and faced towards the south.
There is but little to impress the chance visitor with the fact that any part of this structure ever served as the soli- tary habitation of the recluse philosopher or Theosophical student who here passed his days in voluntary seclusion and exile for the purpose of perfecting himself in spiritual holiness and aiding his fellow-countrymen, who had jour- neyed so far from the Fatherland, to better their condition and enjoy the promised religious liberty.
Of the Tabernacle no trace whatever could be found. There is a vague tradition that the present mansion, 110w temporarily deserted and tenantless, stands upon the foriner site. This has some show of probability, as from the porch, when the trees are leafless, may be seen the foriner camping- ground of the Hessian troops, beyond the Wissahickon, during the British occupation in 1777-78; a fact which appears to agree with the Hessian letter, written at camp about the time of the battle of Germantown, wherein the writer states that the former "Kloster" of Kelpius was visible from their camp.242
But by far the most interesting spot within the bounds of the Hermitage estate is the level wooded glen a few yards west of the Kelpius cave, which tradition points out as the spot where the public gatherings and open-air ser- vices were held during the favorable seasons. This spot, now after the lapse of two centuries, is as secluded, romantic and beautiful as it was when the Theosophical Mystics
212 Ephrata MSS.
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wandered among its shadows, enjoying the breezes and quenching their thirst from the springs that bubble forth here and there and unite in rills to feed the Wissahickon. One such rill is known even to the present day as " Hermit Run."
Except that some of the primitive forest trees are now replaced by those of second growth, little or no change has taken place in this romantic spot. The hand of modern art has not yet defaced any of its prominent features. The same wealth of wild flowers covers the ground during the spring and summer, while an occasional bird sings his song high up amid the verdant branches. Thus it presents almost the same vast, silent and unmolested solitude as when Kelpius, Falkner, Seelig and Matthai, here in one of God's first temples, wandered among the trees and sought spiritual inspiration amidst the beauties of primeval nature.
The photographic reproduction will give some faint idea of the beauty of the glen. Could the stones and older trees but speak, they might tell of many a mystic incantation and magical exorcism here performed during the hours when graveyards were supposed to yawn. Perchance they could give reports of questions in occult philosophy and alchemy once argued and mysteries of unwritten Cabbala communicated by word of mouth from magister to neophyte under obligations of secrecy.
'The steep hillsides that extend from the glen and plateau down to the Wissahickon are still covered with trees of a primitive growth. But few thus far have fallen victims to the axe of the wood-cutter, except for a stretch directly in front of the Prowattain house, where the owner had a vista cut, so that from his porch he could see the park drive.
As to the burial-place of Kelpius and Matthai nothing definite was to be ascertained. Several records state that
215
Moravian Records.
the former was buried within the garden of the Community. Two direct records state that Mattliai was buried at the feet of his former Magister.
From the Moravian records the writer is inclined to believe that the above traditions are true, and that both philosophers were buried in the large orchard, planted under the direction of Kelpius and Falkner on the plateau north or west of the present Hermit Lane.
The strip of land bordering on the Wissahickon and originally a part of the Hermitage property, was taken some years ago for public purposes, and is now included within Fairmount Park. It includes the gorge at the base of the hill, and extends up as far as the red bridge.
This glen or gorge on the north bank of the stream is 110w a favorite resort for family picnics and children's parties, coming during the hot season from the built-up parts of the great city to enjoy the cool and rustic retreats afforded by the shady shore.
Few among the tens of thousands are aware of the legends hidden in the signs erected by the Park Commission : Her- mit Glen, Hermit Bridge, Hermit Lane.
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PART II. THE HERMITS ON THE WISSAHICKON, 1708 - - 1748.
28
Johannes Kelpins Tranfrancus
MAGISTER JOHANNES KELPIUS.
J OHANNES KELPIUS will always remain one of the most picturesque characters of our early history ; the more so on ac- count of a certain air of mys- tery and romance which has thus far enshrouded his per- sonality.
But few of his labors in KELP VON STERNBERG. America have been recounted in these pages. Unfortunately, in his modesty, he left but little written record of the great work performed by him during the fourteen long years that he lived on the banks of the romantic Wissahickon. How earnestly he sought to improve the morals and spiritual condition of the rude and heterogeneous population that was then scattered through Eastern Pennsylvania, is shown by the many traditions and legends that have survived for two centuries.
By reason of his scholarly attainments, devout life, inde- pendent bearing, and, it may be said, broad humanity, together with his repeated refusals of worldly honors and civil power, that were at various times thrust upon him,
Autograph of Kelpius, from Mumford letter, p. 129-136.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
the Magister on the Wissahickon stands out in bold relief as a prominent example of piety and disinterestedness.
There can be but little doubt that this devout scholar, who thus voluntarily banished himself from the Fatherland, home and friends had many difficulties to contend with, both within and without the Community, and that his posi- tion at the head of such a Fraternity was anything but a sinecure. There were conflicting interests to equalize and, upon more than one occasion, stubborn ininds to combat. When internal dissensions threatened the Fraternity it was always left to Kelpius to use the olive branch.
Thus far but little was known of the Magister's antece- dents, except that lie was a native of Transylvania (Sieben- bürgen). Now, after the lapse of two hundred years, it has been the good fortune of the writer, during a late visit to Europe, to gain at least a slight insight into his history.
After considerable inquiry it was learned that a book on Transylvanian savans had been published sometime during the last century. Diligent inquiry, however, failed to obtain either a copy of the coveted volume or any informa- tion of value.
It was during the weary search for this work that the writer strolled into an antiquariat in the ancient city of Halle.243 Turning over many volumes, almost ready to give up the search, he found an old book, not catalogued and apparently much the worse for wear. It proved to be the one so long sought for.214
From this book it is learned that our Magister was the son of Pfarrer George Kelp, of Halwegen, who at the time of his death, February 25, 1685, was the incumbent at
243 F. W. Schmidt, Halle, a S.
244 Sievert's Nachrichten, von Siebenbürgischen Gelehrten und ihren Schriften. Pressburg, 1785.
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The Antecedents of Kelpius.
Denndorf, a town in the district of Schässburg (Segesvar) in Transylvania.
Pfarrer Kelp had three sons : Martin (1659-1694), George and Johannes, the subject of our sketch, who was born in 1673. The exact birthplace of Johannes is not known to a certainty, but it was probably Halwegen, a town in the same district as Denndorf. At the time of Martin's birth the father was resident pfarrer at the former place.
Shortly after Pfarrer Kelp's death, Johannes, who was of a studious nature, received an offer of assistance from three of his father's friends.245 The young orphan then deter- mined to continue his studies, but away from his native heath, and selected the high school at Tübingen. But on account of the warlike movements in that vicinity and the troublesome times it was concluded to send the young stu- dent to the renowned High-School or University at Altdorf, a town near Nuremberg, in Bavaria, then at the height of its fame.
Here the young student received a thorough scientific and religious education. He graduated in 1689, at the youthful age of sixteen, and was honored with the title of Magister, or, as it is stated in the old records of the former University, " der freien Künste und Weltweisheit Doctor," doctor of philosophy and the liberal arts.
His thesis upon this occasion was a treatise on natural theology :
" Theologie Naturalis, seu Metaphysicce Metamorphosin, sub moderamine Viri-M. Dan. Guilh. Molleri, pro summis honoribus, & privilegiis philosophicis legitime obtinendis, die 15 Jun., 1689. Altdorfii."
This thesis was published in several editions, both quarto
245 Count Valentine Franck, Burgomaster Michael Deli, and Notarius Johann Zabanius.
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and octavo. It was while a student at Altdorf that the young philosopher attracted the attention of the principal tutor of the institution, the Reverend Johannes Fabricius [Altdorfinus ], and in the year following his graduation (1690) a book was printed bearing upon the title-page the names of both master and scholar, which at that day was an almost unheard-of honor to a student.
The title of this work, which is divided into eighteen chapters, is
"Scylla Theologica, aliquot exemplis Patrum & Doctorum Ecclesia qui cum alios refutare laborarent, fervore disputa- tionis abrepti, in contrarios errores misere inciderunt, ostensa, atque in materiam disputationis proposita, a Joh. Fabricio, S. Theol. P. P. & M. Joh. Kelpio. Altdorfii, 1690, octavo.
This work is divided into sixteen chapters and a sum- mary. The foriner treat on Tertullian, Pope Stephen I, Gregory Thaumaturgus, Arius, Marcellus, Jovian, Jerome, Augustine, Pelagius, Faustus, Bishop of Riez, Eutyches, Berengarius, Amsdorf, Stancar of Illyricum, Flacius and Huber. The concluding chapter or summary deals with the royal road between Scylla and Charybdis.
This work was followed in the same year (1690) by a third book. It was an essay on the question whether heathen ethics [meaning the Aristotelian ] were fit for the instruction of Christian youth. Printed at both Nüirem- berg and Altdorf, entitled :
" Inquisitio, an Ethicus Ethnicus, aptus sit Christiane Juventutis Hodegus ? sive : An juvenis christianus sit idoneus auditor Ethices Aristotelicae? Resp. Balthas. Blosio, Norimb. 1690."
This valuable treatise, to which is added the poetic con- gratulations sent to him upon the attainment of the degree of Magister, went through several editions, octavo and
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Magister Ludwig Brunnquell.
quarto. Some of them are dedicated to his patrons who sent him to the University, viz., Count Valentine Franck, a noble of the Saxon nation ; Michael Deli, Burgomaster of Schässburg; and Magister Johann Zabanius, provincial notarius at Hermannstadt. Other editions have a some- what different preface, and are dedicated to his Nuremberg patrons-Paul Baumgartner, Karl Welser von Neunhoff, J. Paul Ebner von Eschenbach, and Joh. Christoph Tucher.
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