USA > Pennsylvania > The German Pietists of provincial Pennsylvania : 1694-1708 > Part 21
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Rathelf, in speaking of his (Köster's) poetical powers, 305 mentions that he held in special reverence St. Bernhard's hymn,-
" Iesu dulcis memoria, Dans cordi vera gaudia, Sed super mel et omnia Eius dulcis praesentia."
This he paraphrased and published as a decachordon or hymn of ten chords, in the Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German,
304 " Tel a été encore Henri Bernard Köster, qui dans un autre livre allemand, imprimé a Berlebourg en 172.4, promettoit de démontrer, par des calculs d'arithmétique et de géométrie, les mystères de la trinité, de l'incarnation, etc., jusqua'a ceux de l' Apocalypse."
305 Rathelf, page 510.
295
The Mystery of the Triad.
Sigur
ber Dreneinigen gottlichen Gr. cheinung auf Dem heiligen Berge/
gemäß Dem Drenangel / mobon aud etwas ben Kottero fin Unfang Bu feben. Figur Mpha.
Der obere Cheil des Alpha A, der Drevange !! Die Dreneinige Dereinigung ieder Perfonen Des gotto lichen Defens mit einander.
3
I
. ..
2
2
3
I
3
FAC-SIMILE OF MYSTIC CHART IN KOSTER'S "HARMONIE."
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
French, English, Dutch, Sclavonic, Arabic and Persian tongues.
The three standard Lutheran hymns : "Vom Himmel hoch da kom ich her ;" " Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott ;" and " Behalt uns Herr bei deinem Wort," were also para- phrased by him, and published in the same manner in the following tongues : German, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Frenchı, Swedish, Danish, Sclavonic, English and Dutch.
After Köster, for some unknown reason, became tired of Berleburg, he went successively to East Friesland and Holland, back to East Friesland again, and tlience to Bre- men ; and finally, to Hanover, where son of Pastor Bus the languages. As phist became weak Magistrat gave Lutheran Orplian gradually feebler his wants were care
in 1735, he came lie instructed the chen and others in the old Theoso- er, the Hanoverian him a living in the age. Becoming in body and mind fully provided for. Notwithstand- ing the encroacli- ARMS OF THE CITY OF HANOVER. ments of age, he still stoutly maintained that he had solved the problem of life, and that he would not undergo a physi- cal death,-a claim which certainly seemed to gain credit as the lamp of his life continued to flicker until the century mark was almost in view.
" This," continues his friend and biographer, Rathelf (1739), " is the life of our old Herr Köster, a man who is familiar with most of the languages of this world, and who not only understands them, but can speak them. To give an example : his custom is to repeat his daily prayers in the Hebrew, Greek, Boliemian and German languages, which he considers to be the four holy tongues."
----
THE BREITENHAUPT HOUSE IN NORDHEIM, GERMANY.
AT ONE TIME THE ASYLUM OF KOSTER.
NEGATIVE BY JULIUS F. SACHSE, JULY, 1894.
THE PIETISTS OF PROVINCIAL PENNSYLVANIA.
297
Burial of Köster.
However, the best proof of this is his numerous writings, both those printed and those still in manuscript. Besides the works already enumerated, the following title is known :
" De Uitlegging der 22 lettres des heiligan Hebrewischen, en der 24 letters des heiligen Griekschen, en des daarmede overeenkommenden Boheemischen Hoogh-en Nederduitschen Alphabeets." Printed at Amsterdamn in octavo.
Köster, notwithstanding his physical infirmities, con- tinued to teach languages and to expound his mystical deductions until the end of his eventful life.
For a short time he seems to have been an inmate of the Breitenhaupt institution in the ancient Hanoverian city of Nordheim : a charitable founded by the celebra with whom we became chapters of this narra turned to Hanover, days in the year 1749, eighty-seven years.307 the old Mystic was buried torchlight, according ARMS OF THE AN- CIENT CITY OF NORDHEIM. within the precincts
home which had been ted Senior Breitenhaupt, acquainted in the earlier tive. 306 He finally re- where he ended his at the ripe old age of Tradition tells us that as was then the custom, by to the Lutheran ritual, of the old God's acre that formerly surrounded the Aegidien Kirche in Hanover.
Resting far away from the scenes of his early struggles and triumphs in the western world, though ridiculed by contemporary writers305 and forgotten by his kin in the Fatherland, his memory still lives in the history of the Pennsylvania Germans.
Henmit Spring and Hermit Lane, within the bounds of
306 Page 54, foot note 69, ibid.
307 " Zuverlässige Nachrichten von Jüngstverstorbenen Gelehrten." Schmersahl, Zelle, 1751.
30% Adelung, " Geschichte der menschlichen Narrheit," vol. vii, p. S5, et seq.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
one of the finest natural parks in the world, still refer to the band of mystic philosophers who settled here, of whomn the subject of our sketch, Henrich Bernhard Köster, was once a leader. The congregation of Christ Church in Philadelphia, in the establishment of which he was so prominent a factor, even at the present writing is celebrating its bi-centennial. .
pfal. 87,5.6. Die Mutter Gion mitb fagen : Ein Mensch und tin Denfch if in ihr gebühren/ under felbft/ Der Soche Herbat fie gegründet. Jehovah wird es in DerSchrift Der regierenden Roleter und herren nach freuen Geifheits,Zahlen ausgerechnet erzählen ; Derer nents lich Die in ihr gebühren find.
1. Ach duf mein Berg / und fcbau dorthin ! Da Gottes Licht von Mnbegin Don Juca Bramm und Reich befannt Erfchallt ins grofe Himmels - Land!
2. Sinatifi da Licht und Wonne blind't/ Dahin der rechte Mufgang windt/ Da Gem in Bamachbs Erde blub't! Da Japheth mit Ileffiarub's!
3. Yum Lebens - Bieg ! sur freuden = Welt! Jum dolonen Schwerer im Pracht : Gesch! Erweiter Geif / new Pafia = Lamm! Des neuen Galeins Glang 'Dlam.
4. Des Jafpis neu = befprengte Ziu Mit feinem weiten Gappbir - Blau 1 Eröffnet Dir dein Bergens = Virt Rel Jefchun / Der Alles wird.
5. Er Logos aller Reiche Reich macht Bions Mumen wahrlich reich)! In einer Redy in einem wort/
Erhalt er all s / Der treue yorr.
6. Denn feine Grunde fich'n/ eriff / ÆEr wver und Kommt/ JEfus der Chrift ; 3m Offenbahrungs = X und .D : Zamach der Aufgang macht uns fish.
Srélich bin ich alle Gfunden / Doller Groff und berglich frob/ Weil ich habe den gefunden / Der das Mpba ift uns 1 Der Den Ochluffer Davids bat | Und mir zeigt Des Simmels Pie.
FAC-SIMILE OF ONE OF KOSTER'S HYMNS IN THE "HARMONIE."
Daniel falckner
DANIEL FALKNER.
Der Mittampffende/ Mitleyden de/ und Mitboffende an dem Leibe JEfu | eingepflangte MitEnecht / ermarrend meio nes Eres birtens und sims melos Königs in febnlichem Derlangen
EXT to Kel- pius and Köster, Dan- iel Falkner (Falck- ner) was the most prominent charac- ter of the Theo- Daniel Salciner/ Burger und Pilgrim in Penfylvanien in Norden America. sophical Brother- hood in America. He was not only one of the leading spirits FROM FALKNER'S MISSIVE TO GERMANY, 1694. of the movement in Europe, under whose auspices the Chapter of Perfection for the New World was organized, but he was also after their arrival in Pennsylvania, the executive and financial head of the party, and upon him devolved the arduous task of locating the Community and providing for their shelter and sustenance.
Shortly after his arrival in 1694, he thus gives his impres- sion of the social and religious condition of the Province.309
"It is a country that supports its laborers abundantly : there is plenty of food. What pleases mne most is that one can be peasant, scholar, priest and nobleman all at the same time without interference, which of all modes of living has
309 Sendschrieben, August 7, 1694.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
been found to be the best and most satisfactory since patri- archial times. To be a peasant and nothing else, is a sort of animal life ; to be a scholar and nothing else, such as in Europe, is a morbid and self-indulgent existence; to be a priest and nothing else, ties life to blunders and responsi- bilities ; to be a nobleman and nothing else, makes godless and riotous.
" The religion most generally professed in this Province is that of the Quakers, who have their name fromn quaking or trembling. Having in their collective body been active for a long time in holding up to the kings and nations of Europe the signal of contrition, they now must themselves passively confirm the truth of this signal on account of the pride and foolish arrogant ignorance of their members."
After making mention of the Keithian schiisin, he con- tinues : "Here, then, there is an opening for a great har- vest, which the Lord opens for us wider and wider, giving us strength to make his Philadelphic Word a foundation on which Jerusalem can descend from above.
" Ye European Churchwomen, consider, unless you put off your soiled garments of religion you cannot enter into the Philadelphia which the Lord awakens anew out of a little pebble and a paltry mustard seed, rather outside of your European Babylon than within it, as the future will show."
Our knowledge of Daniel Falkner has thus far been mainly based upon certain defamatory entries and epistles made by Daniel Francis Pastorius, who was his bitter opponent.
That the founder of Germantown may have had some cause for his enemity towards some of the Theosophical en- thusiasts who established themselves upon the borders of his bailwick may be assumed, as upon the very day of their
301
Character of Daniel Falkner.
arrival they commenced regular Church services in opposi- tion to the gatherings patterned after the Quaker meetings and presided over by Pastorius.
Then followed the bitter controversy between Köster and the Friends, wherein Pastorius acted as champion for the latter. Now, even before the wounds had healed that were inflicted upon him by the bold and impetuous Köster, Falk- ner returns to America, and without any preliminary notice to Pastorius supercedes him as agent for the Frankfort Company, and asks him to account unto him for his stewardship.
The old strife between Pastorius and the Mystics on the Wissahickon was now renewed with all its acrimony on the part of the former, and as Kelpius refused to be drawn into the controversy, Pastorius aimed the darts of his fiery temper at Daniel Falkner who, however, like his fellow- mystic Köster, was equal to his opponent.
That the Saxon Theosophist was by far the abler poli- tician and diplomat of the two, and that Pastorius was out- generaled by his opponent, has already been fully set fortlı in these pages, and will be still further illustrated in the following sketch.
It will also be shown that Daniel Falkner was not quite so dissolute a character as Pastorius would make him appear. The facts here given are based upon various official docu- ments and Church records, most of which have been undis- turbed for more than a century, and were unearthed by the writer only after a long and tiresome search upon both continents.
" Daniel Falkner, Citizen and Pilgrim in Pennsylvania in North America. The fellow-struggler Compassionate and expectant of the body of Jesus. A transplanted fellow- servant, awaiting the Arch-shepherd and King of Heaven
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
with ardent longing." Thus the pious pilgrim signs him- self during his visit to Europe.
The two Falkner brothers, Daniel and Justus, were Saxons from Langen-Reinsdorf (formerly known as Lan- gen-Rehnsdorf, and Langeramsdorf ), near Crimmitschau, Diocese of Zwickau, situated in that part of Saxony for- merly known as the Markgravate of Meissen, and they were scions of an old Lutheran family. Their ancestors 011 both sides had been ordained Lutheran ministers.
Their grandfather Christian Falkner, (died November 5, 1658), as well as his son Daniel Falkner (died April 7, 1674), father of the subjects of our sketcli, were both pas- tors of Langen-Reinsdorf. The latter left four children, viz .: Paul Christian, born February 2, 1662 ; Daniel, born November 25, 1666 ; a third child of which we have no record ; and Justus, born November 22, 1672.
All the sons were educated with the same object in view, and were eventually ordained to the holy ministry. 310 It is, however, an open question whether the subject of our sketch was ordained prior to his depar- ture to America in 1693 or during his visit to Germany in 1698-1700. But it is more likely that it was during the latter period.
Daniel Falkner's connection with the Pietistical movement in Germany dates from its introduction into the ancient city of Erfurth, where he was ARMS OF ERFURTH. a licentiate, and presumably attended or taught at the University, and we find him not only second- ing Diaconus Augustus H. Francke in the formation of the
310 According to the Berkenmeyer papers there can be no doubt what- ever as to Daniel Falkner's regular ordination.
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303
The Excommunication by Koster.
local Collegium Pietatis, but also a believer in, and syin- pathizer with, Anna Maria Schuckart, alias "the Erfurth Prophetess." This woman was the ecstatic servant of Licen- tiate Johann Gottfried Schmaltz (not "Lieutenant," as erron- eously stated on p. 21 supra), who was also proscribed as a Pietist. She attracted much attention by her ex- travagant utterances while in an ecstatic con- dition. Among other prophie- cies, she foretold the future greatness 'of Francke and the success of the Ameri- can enterprise.
She becomes of import- ance in our narrative from the fact that Kelpius, in his Diary, mentions the excommunication by Kös- ter of both Falkner and the Erfurth Prophetess upon the very day that the " Sara Maria " passed into the Capes of Virginia. This entry in the Kelpius Diary has always been THE OLD UNIVERSITY AT ERFURTH. somewhat of a conundrum to students of Pennsylvania-Ger- man history, and has led at least one writer to suppose that the woman was among the passengers on the ship. There is nothing, however, to give color to this assumption, or that she ever left Germany.
Spener, in a letter to Francke dated May 8, 1693, writes that Falkner had confessed to him that hie awakened the religious ecstasy in Anna Maria Schuckart through an
311 Cramer, Beiträge, p. 302.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
Intensa imaginatio in divine matters.311 Here we may find the solution of the conundrumn in Kelpius' Diary.
There can be but little question that Falkner, during the voyage, repeated this confession or statement, and when it came to the knowledge of the austere Köster, who acted as the chaplain or spiritual director of the party, the latter publicly read the ban of excommunication to Falkner who was present, and in absentio over the Erfurth Prophietess in Europe.
[ There were a number of woman who became identified with the Mystical and Pietistic inovements of that day. Mention lias already been inade in the course of this work of Jane Leade, Johanna von Merlau, and Rosamunde von Asseburg (p. 61 supra). 312 Francke mentions three inaid- servants in connection with his work at Erfurth who were subject to trances, ecstasies and visions. He designates them as "beautiful examples of God's mercy." 313 'They were Katlıarine Reinecke, servant to Oberkominissar Pra- torius in Halberstadt; Magdalena Elrichs, servant to Pas- tor Sprögel in Quedlinburg; and Anna Maria Schuckart, servant to Licentiate Schmaltz in Erfurth.
The last-named prophesied in 1691 that the city of Erfurth would suffer great misfortune for the banishment of Francke. She further claimed to have the power to dis- tinguish devout from wicked persons by the inere sense of feeling.
312 Rosamunda Juliane von der Asseburg, born 1672, was the most cele- brated of the ecstatic women of that period. Her alleged visions of Christ and the Deity were credited by a number of leading divines, notably Dr. Peterson and his followers.
It is a curious fact that she was a descendant of the Countess von Asse- burg, whose picture is shown in the Cathedral at Magdeburg, and who, according to the old legend, returned to life after her burial during an attempt at grave robbery by the sexton.
313 Cramer, Beiträge, p. 162 ; Sachsse, Ursprung, etc., p. 241.
Anna Maria Schuckart.
305
After Francke's expulsion followed him to Halle, and writes : "As I prayed with extasies, and in this condition in the regular cadence of the elegant action of her hands ; than anything I had thus far short time before I had about such of her fail were 'known to me, well from me." Upon sion he writes : " With more wonderful things at Erfurth. Upon dif in the presence of exuded head
LET
STREET VIEW IN OLD ERFURTH.
from Erfurth 314 the woman in a letter to Spener 315 he them, Anna Maria fell into recited many lovely verses strophe, and with a right which moved me more heard or seen. But a spoken to her privately ings (gebrechen) as which she received a subsequent occa- Anna Maria still have happened than ferent occasions here, many witnesses, she blood from her fore- and hands, so that it streamed from her. The blood was not only seen upon her, but was distinctly noticed to exude from her skin like perspiration. As various persons were present who
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
expressed some doubt as to the actual circumstances (be- schaffenheit), they were now convinced by their own evi- dence. Yesterday she sang a hymn continuously for two hours, during which time a number of peculiar matters took place."
In the year 1692 a book was published laudatory of these three ecstatic women, under the signature of Francke, " Eigentliche Nachricht von Begeisterten Magden, 1692." A year later, after Francke became connected with the new University at Halle, lie repudiated this work together with any endorsement of the ecstatic visionaries. ]
When Daniel Falkner returned from Europe it was with- out doubt his intention to resume his interest and activity in the Theosophical Community which had been established by his instrumentality. In addition to the power of attorney, empowering him to act for the Frankfort Com- pany and Benjamin Furly, as before mentioned, Falkner brought a deed of gift for 4000 acres of land from Catherina Elizabeth Schutz, widow of Jacob van der Walle, who was one of the original purchasers of the German tract.
This indenture, dated the first of March, 1700, sets forth that she hereby gives her share of land, consisting of 4000 acres, unto some pious families and persons (by which 110 doubt the Community is intended) who are already in Penn- sylvania, or intend to go thither this year, as likewise unto such as shall follow them in time to come; among whom Daniel Falkner, who hath settled there already, and Mr. Arnold Stork, who dwells at present at Duisburg, but will
314 Vide, Acta des Magistrats zu Erfurth. Acta der Stadt Archiv, Erfurth, Abtheilung X. A I., No. 13. Untersuchung gegen die, den Pietismus anliengenden Personen abt. X. A. I., No. 15. Francke returned to Er- furth, June 17, 1695, to attend the trial of Christina Hirshhausin. Records examined by writer August, 1894.
315 Cramer, Beitrage, 263.
307
A Charitable Bequest.
shortly transport himself, shall be constituted and appointed as attorneys, as well for themselves and their families, to take part thereof as also according to their good pleasure and conscience to cause to participate other pious families, especially the widows among the same, viz., the widow Zimmermann,316 and other two widows with their children being of Duisburg, etc.
It also contains the following provision : “ Forasmuch as I also understand that George Müller of Friedrichstadt is resolved to transport himself with his family unto Penn- sylvania, my will is that he with his family shall be one participant of this donation." This deed, according to the records, was presented in open court, on the 16th day of the 12th month, 1702-3.
Signed We have here Les delivered the first effort, so inthe presence of far as known, looking toward the establish- Francis Daniel Sartorius. ment of a trust for the Daniel Falckner aid of indigent widows in Pennsylvania. Just what benefit, if any, the intended FROM AN OLD DEED IN THE PENNY- PACKER COLLECTION. beneficiaries derived from the gift cannot be told. That the charitable scheme miscarried, however, was no fault of the subject of this sketch. When, towards the end of August, 1700, Daniel Falkner arrived in Germantown, together with his brother Justus and his companions (among whom were Johann Jawert and Arnold Stork), the former at once, in the name of the Frankfort Company, demanded fromn Pastorius an account of his stewardship and a delivery of the company's property.
316 The widow of Magister John Jacob Zimmermann, vide page 47, supra.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
It was only after a considerable demurrer upon the part of Pastorius, nominally on account of Kelpius' refusal to act, that the transfer was made to Falkner and Jawert. Tliis property consisted of the land, houses, crops in and above ground, horses, cattle, household goods, farming utensils, and other property, besides arrears in rent and other good debts due and payable to the said company, amounting to over two hundred and thirty pounds sterling. 317 Falkner at once, took vigorous hold of the tangled affairs of the company and attempted to straighten them out. He also
Francis Daniel Pastorius.
AUTOGRAPH OF PASTORIUS.
took a lively part in the civil government, all of which tended to sever the fraternal ties that once bound him to his former companions.
It has been repeatedly stated that Falkner's power of attorney from Furly was void, as a similar document had been given to Reynier Jansen, which antedated the former's. The truth is that the Jansen authority had been revoked by Furly, but by an oversight the fact was not mentioned in Falkner's document. This, however, was subsequently rectified. In August, 1702, a new letter was sent by Furly to the Falkner brothers, and in the accompanying letter of explanation we read :
317 Pennypacker's Colonial Cases; Pastorius MSS; Penna. Papers ; Archives S. P. G ; London Letter Book, xii, folio 206.
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Furly to Falkner.
Mass Justus & Damit Falkner 19. And worthy, I &
"That my last letter of Attorney sent you, is owned, at last, as sufficient tho not signed by 2 there willing, tho the things were too generally therein mentioned, nor my letter of Attorney to Renier Jansen were not therein revoked. * I told you finally that I would have sent you a Letter of Attorney, in the manner of the Governours to Me, but that I had no skill, nor time to do it. But should take care to have it done in England Authentikely and now having received from England a copy of a Letter of Attorney so ample to all intents and purposes as possible.
"In which all care is taken to obviate all objections, & to give you all power, as I, all former letters of Attorneys are revoked, in so far as they have not been executed & confirmed in so far as anything by Virtue thereof has been legally done, etc." 318
R roman BergamoSuply 1
FAC-SIMILE OF HEADING AND SIGNATURE OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER.
318 Letter in full, " Pennsylvania Magazine," vol. x, pp. 474-5.
a life of dissipation. As many of Falkner's acts, together Falkner's accession to wealth and power he entered upon are without any foundation. Pastorius intimates that after
PASTORIUS ACCOUNT OF FALKNER FROM THE FRANKFORT PAPERS AT THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
he paulis not ait do attorney for the so fo Company , casting himself Roiliter Mortuus Whereupon Daniel Falkner plais the Sol, maki Bonefires of the Company's flax in open Street, giving a Piece of eight to one Day to show fim in his Jurken Fit a touse in Thilas, and to another a Bit to fight him his Lips, &r. Inso much that Pis Fulow Attourney Johanes do an advertisement on the Meeting house at Germantown, but no loog thanks play any fient or other left one to the Company unts thon Falkner. Tea and the then Bailif and Burgesses of the Germantown Esporation acquainted toyer-so (company of the in) minisation of this their OHtourney herepist a letter, which ( as they afterwards Sid hear, miscarried
In the = forer year 1700 at the end of the 6.5 month (Angus tanick Falhner , Joka Jawert being arrived here, Began along with fernandes helping to administer the tamis . fuirs, to whom the so Peteries Delivered up the land, houis barn Stable, Porn int. above ground, pastel, howshots goods, Utenfils, &e, and besides in Birgis of aranti o office Jefts one to the Company about 230. hoping, they would do Avernets with Better Succes, than he Signified to the Partners in Germany that Pe was able is capable of do Kanself " But soon after Johanes.
invalidity of Falkner's right to act for Benjamin Furly, charges made by Pastorius and others, in reference to the It will be seen from the above document that all the
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
310
3II
Falkner as a Citizen.
with his efforts to recover the company's property, are matters of record, it is well to receive these statements with some allowance.
The immediate cause for the final rupture between Falk- ner and liis former companions in no manner reflects upon the former. It happened within a year or two after his return to America, when lie renounced his profession of celibacy, married, and evidently settled down to become a farmer and a useful citizen.319 There seems to be no record of his 'marriage or who his wife was. The first positive information upon this episode in his career is the mnemo- randum found in Pastorius' writing, among the Frankfort papers, which states that " his own wife desired others to look for him in the woods, where it was thought he might have killed himself, he being above a week from home and nobody knowing where to find him."
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