USA > Pennsylvania > The German Pietists of provincial Pennsylvania : 1694-1708 > Part 23
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In addition to the above enumerated stations, Daniel Falkner for a time served all the congregations, Gerinan and Dutch Lutheran, between Albany and Staten Island. This was after the death of the Rev. Joshua Kocherthal in 1719, and of his brother Justus in 1723. In the old Kocher- thal Church Register appears the following entry in his handwriting :
347 Theo. Freylinghausen Chambers in "The Early Germans in New Jersey," Rev. J. W. Mann " Annotations Hallische Nachrichten," vol. ii, p. 227.
345 This church was replaced in 1756 by a stone one built in Pluckamin, upon the site now occupied by the Presbyterian Church. Ibid.
349 Pluckamin is a town in Bedminster Township, Somerest County. . It is pleasantly situated at the foot of Basking Ridge. It is about six miles nortlıwest of Somerville.
350 Potterstown or Pottersville is in Hunterdon County on the road lead- ing from Somerville to Philipsburg.
351 Ari van Guinea, vide, p. 323, also sketch of Justus Falkner.
852 An exhaustive argument upon this subject will be found in the pre- viously quoted work of Mr. Chambers.
353 " Annotations Hallische Nachrichten," vol. ii, p. 226.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
" Anno 1724 ultima Die Mensis Septembr beate defunc- torum et Kocherthalii et Fratris partes exolvere vocatus Baptizavi Seqventes Daniel Falckner. Past. ad Mühlstein et in Montib. prope flumem Rareton."
[In the year 1724, on the last day of September, called in the place of the saintly deceased Kocherthal, and iny saintly brother, I, Daniel Falkner, pastor at Mühlstein and on the river Raritan, baptized the following. ]3 354
In this extended field of labor did the German Theoso- phist serve well and faithfully until the arrival from Europe of the Rev. W. C. Berkenmeyer, nor did his zeal and interest abate in the New York congregations after the arrival of the official successor to his deceased brother. For when the question was agitated for building a new and enlarged church in New York city, and the enterprise lagged for want of funds, the now aged Pietist and pastor personally interested himself and otliers by collecting money from his own charges in New Jersey. It was largely due to his influence and efforts that the task undertaken by the strug- gling Lutherans in New York city was successfully accom- plished. A record of two subscription lists from the Jersey congregations has fortunately been preserved, and both are headed by Daniel Falkner personally. Rev. Berkenmeyer, the pastor in charge, acknowledges the receipt of both lists in the church records under date of June 23, 1727.
"On the 23d of June have I received, at Kalverak, from Falkner, on the second Sunday after Trinity, 1727,3 335
* at Raritans. At Mühlstein they have for the building of the Lutheran Church caused to be subscribed."
A fac-simile of the original entry, with the names attaclied, is liere given. This interesting record was photo-
351 List of names missing.
3:35 Illegible.
327
An Ancient Subscription List.
If as fung Let's go Klaverax ontvangen cone misfive vun Falkener de 1/27. Som. 2. Tar. waarom desfe lyst oadvent on & leite order die trop) yffchers op haritand. aan Mullstein haber, Lief Mam futher fin Ling
Dan. Fakatner 0, 12,01,
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356 FAC-SIMILE OF DOMINIE BERKENMEYER'S ENTRY IN THE CHURCH REGISTER.
328
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
graphed by the present writer from the original which is still in possession of the New York congregation.
Attention is here called to the fact that Rev. Berken- meyer, who was a great stickler for ecclesiastical ethics as is shown in his controversy with Van Diren, 357 never once questioned the validity of Daniel Falkner's ordination or riglit to perform the sacred functions. This fact is repeat- edly proven by his numerous entries in the church records as well as by his correspondence.
Wlteh finally the Dutch Lutheran Church at the south- west corner of the Breit-weg and Priester Gasse 358 was completed and dedicated to its pious uses, on the fourth Sunday after Trinity (June 29, 1729), and named after the Holy Trinity, Daniel Falkner, the former Pietist of Erfurth, Theosophist on the Wissahickon, and now serving as a regular ordained pastor in East Jersey, was one of the most venerable and honored clergymen who officiated at the altar upon that festive occasion. Further, the warmest thanks were extended to Dominie Falkner at the time by Pastor Berkenmeyer and his congregation for the assistance the former liad rendered to them.
Strange, indeed, it seems that this should be the same man who was so persistently vilified and maligned by Pas- torius, and wronged by Sprogel and his co-partners. Out- side of the accusations in the Pastorius MSS. not a word or line can be found to corroborate the charges against this pioneer missionary, who labored in the vineyard of the Lord until the end of his days.
356 In the preceding subscription list the name of Arie van Guinea, Jr., will be noticed. This was a son of Ari van Guinea and Jora his wife, mentioned elsewhere in this book, vide, p. 323, supra and sketch of Justus Falkner.
557 Zenger, 1728.
358 Broadway and Rector Streets.
329
Casper Stöver.
As Daniel Falkner grew older and became unable to serve his widely scattered congregations with that regu- larity which had been his custom, he requested two of the congregations to secure another pastor. Before long a candidate presented himself. He was from Pennsylvania, and his name was Casper Stöver. He was willing to assume the charges, provided Falkner would ordain him to the ministry. This the latter refused to do, after hearing Stöver's trial sermon. Consequently the old Theosophist remained in charge for about two years longer, acting not only as clergyman but also as physician.
A letter written at this period represents Falkner as ageing rapidly ; but he was still bodily active, his eyes were clear and sharp, and did him good service in gathering herbs and simples for curative purposes. He was, however, somewhat eccentric, and upon that account liad more or less trouble with some of his parishioners. The discon- tented ones finally appealed to Dominie Berkenmeyer, the senior in New York. This resulted in a personal visit to Rockaway on Thursday, September 9, 1731, by Berken- meyer, with two of his elders, viz .: Hannes Lagrangie and Heinrich Schleydorn.
An interesting account of this journey is found in Berken- meyer's Diary. 359 It is headed : "IMMANUEL-Relation von der Raretauner Brief | nach Hamburg W aus meinen diario und paquet 19 der Neu Yorkische Briefen \\ in diese Continuation des Loonenburgischen, Albanische | Protocolli eingeruckt."
It states that the trio, on September 9, 1731, went by water to Elizabetlı Point, where they were inet by mem- bers of one of Falkner's congregations. Three spare horses were furnished, and the party rode until nightfall.
359 Archive of the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, Penn.
42
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
After a short rest, they again started at two o'clock in the morning and proceeded on their journey, as the cool night and the bright moonlight was preferable to the torrid heat of the sun.
Arriving at the end, Berkenmeyer first went towards Falkner's house, where the visitors were met with the unsatisfactory statement that the pastor had left at day- break and had gone into the woods to gather herbs, also that he had gone on a fishing excursion with his son-in-law. A servant girl, however, was sent out into the woods to search for Falkner, and, as she did not return for some time, Elder Schleydorn also went in search of him.
The search proving unsuccessful, Falkner's daughter offered to go, but just as she was about to start, her father and his son-in-law were seen approaching leisurely from the woods, whither they had gone in search of medi- cinal herbs, which were supposed to be gathered while tlie dew was yet on them. Falkner greeted his visitors cordi- ally, and as his morning's occupation was uppermost in his mind, he called their attention to some differences between similar herbs in America and Europe. Botany and cura- tive herbs had but little interest for the three strangers, so they at once broached the subject of their visit. To their joy the old Theosophist, without hesitation, offered to re- sign any of his charges as soon as a successor should arrive, if such an act upon his part would lead to permanent harmony.
From the hospitable home of Dominie Falkner the trio journeyed to Rockaway (Whitehouse), where the new church building 360 was being made ready for service. They arrived at eight o'clock in the evening (Friday, Sep- tember 10, 1731), and found their intended host, John Bal-
360 At Potterstown.
331
A Church Dedication in New Jersey.
thazar Pickel, busily engaged in arranging the pulpit and seats for the morrow.
On the next day (Saturday, September 11), preparatory communion services 301 were held, and the church was solemnly dedicated to its pious uses according to the Ortlio- dox Lutheran ritual. Upon the following day, Sunday, the Holy Communion was administered to about thirty persons, at which service both Rev. Berkenmeyer and Daniel Falkner officiated.
On Monday, September 13, 1731, a congregational meet- ing was held at the house of Peter Kasner, Im Gebirge [in the hills or highlands] at which, in reply to an address by Dominie Berkenmeyer, the venerable Falkner told the strangers "How much pleasure it had afforded his people as well as himself to have been able to assist them in the building of their new church in the city."
He further stated " that he acknowledged that city to be their modern Athens, whence their help and succor must come in the future. For this reason he had prayed con- tinually and fervently, during both his sainted brother's lifetime and Kocherthal's, that they would not neglect the isolated German congregations in the Jerseys. In conclu- sion he thanked the Reverend Senior and his deputies for their trouble and offers of assistance in settling any con- gregational differences that existed or should arise at any future time. As to his own personality, he declared that, although he was without means, he was perfectly willing to resign any or all of his charges so that the congregations should be served better and more regularly. He, however, cautioned them that his charges were precarious, as the congregations were apt to make promises, but they failed to keep their obligations, and there were no means at hand
. 361 Vor-beichte.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
to ensure sustenance to any man who should come to them from some distant land."
The outcome of this meeting was that calls to London and Hamburg were issued and transmitted to Europe. Both of these documents were signed by Daniel Falkner as Pastor loci. Before dismissing the Council, Dominie Berk- enmeyer made an address, in which he extended hearty thanks to Pastor Falkner for his love and charity towards the people inder him. He then proceeded to admonish the assembled church officers and members to extend all die reverence and courtesy within their power to Pastor Falk- ner for his consideration towards them. An agreement was also drawn up on this occasion and signed by all pres- ent. A fac-simile of it is here reproduced from the original draft in the Berkenmeyer Diary.
It was well toward the end of the year 1734 before the Rev. John August Wolff arrived from Europe in response to the two urgent calls sent out at the above meeting. During this interim of three years Pastor Falkner continued as best he could to serve liis numerous and scattered con- gregations. The selection of Pastor Wolff proved a most unfortunate one, and it was not long before direct charges were made and proven against the new pastor, who was thereupon debarred from officiating by the church officials.
During these troubles we again find the old Pietist active in supplying the congregations, and raising his voice in the interests of religion and morality as against the conduct of Wolff. Several letters written by Falkner to Dominie Berkenmeyer and Pastor Knoll upon this subject are still in existence.
The last trace which the present writer could find of the now aged and venerable Daniel Falkner, whose years were extended beyond the scriptural limit of three score and
333
The New Jersey Council.
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FAC-SIMILE OF ENTRY IN REV. BERKENMEYER'S DIARY RESPECTING THE AGREEMENT OF SEPTEMBER 13, 1731.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
ten, is about the year 1741. He was then living in retire- ment with his daughter in the vicinity of the present New Germantown, in Hunterdon County.
Just when he was called from the Church militant to join the Church triumphant is not ascertained. Careful research has failed to disclose records which would give information as to either his death or burial. There can be but little doubt that he died in full communion with the church of his forefathers in the hope of a blessed resurrec- tion, as did most of his former brethern of the Chapter of Perfection who established themselves upon the banks of the Wissahickon.
Fortunate, indeed, was the discovery in the Berkemneyer Diaries, Trinity Church records and Furly correspondence, of the references to Daniel Falkner, as they afford us a true insight into the life and character of this Pietist, Theoso- pliist and student, who was so active in the early days of Pennsylvania's history, and whom hitherto we had known only as a dissolute character from the scurrilities of Pas- torius. There is no evidence whatever to show that Daniel Falkner ever revisited Pennsylvania, or took any interest in the affairs of either the land company or such of his former companions as remained on the Ridge. Nor is there any evidence to show that he profited even to the value of a single shilling by his attorneyship.
Perhaps at some future day additional records may be found in connection with the Frankfort Company which will give still further insight into the life of this pious pil- grim : " a fellow-struggler, compassionate and expectant of the Body of Christ awaiting the Arch-Shepherd and King of Heaven with ardent longing " 110 longer, but now a par- taker of the rewards due to the faithful servant in the realıns of bliss.
JOHANN GOTTFRIED SEELIG.
EELIG, who for a short time succeeded Kelpius as Magister of the now greatly diminished Theosophi- cal Brotherhood, was a native of Lemgo, a town of some importance in Lippe-Detmold, where he was born in 1668. He was one of the original pro- ARMS OF CHUR-BRAUNSCHWEIG, 1694. inoters of the Chapter of Per- fection and the scheme of emigration to America. In all contemporary accounts his name is mentioned as one of the principal characters of the Brotherhood. Seelig was a theo- logian as well as a scholar, and prior to his connection with the Pietistical movement was a licentiate or candidate for orders, who was licensed to preach and teach theology. Seelig was noted for his examplary piety and austere man- ner, and next to Kelpius was, so far as our knowledge goes, the most gentle and lovely character among the Mystic Brotherhood.
He resisted all offers to return to the world and its temp- tations with the same determination as his Magister. Wealth and power had no charin for this devout Mystic. Of all the members of the Fraternity, he was the nearest
336
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
to Kelpius, who was wont to speak of him as his "dear Seelig " (lieber Seelig).
Even the lionor accorded him by the remaining Theoso- phists as Magister after the death of Kelpius was too great for him. He practiced the humility that he professed, and said he would rather live the life of an humble recluse, clad in coarse woolen homespun in his cheerless anchorite cell, than be clothed with any show of worldly authority or . power,; a condition which he lield to be inconsistent with his profession.
So after a short time Seelig renounced his right of suc- cession as Magister in favor of Conrad Matthäi, clad him- self in pilgrim garb, and retired to one of the small log cabins that were on the tract, where he spent his time in mystical speculations and devout meditations, in which the spiritual bridegroom bore an important part.
The pious ascetic, however, did not live in idleness, but tilled a garden for his support, taught school, instructed adults in religion, and, as he was an expert scrivener, did much of the early conveyancing about Germantown. As a matter of fact it is said that many of the older German- town deeds are in his handwriting.
Like nearly all German studiosi of that period he had been instructed in a liandicraft in his youth. In his case it was one that proved itself of great value not only to the old recluse but also to the community at large. This was the bookbinder's art, and he had brought a full complement of tools with him to this country. All the Jansen imprints were bound by him, as were also the earliest editions of the Sauer press. Prominent among the latter was the edition of the Zionitischer Weyrauchs Hügel, oder Myrrhen Berg, a hymn book of over 800 pages, printed by Sauer for the Ephrata Community.
Rev. Mühlenberg's Tribute. 337
There is an Ephrata tradition, which is undoubtedly cor- rect, that Seelig afterwards instructed several of the Zionitic Brotherhood 362 in his art, and thus introduced book-binding among them ; so that Ephrata for a time became the most extensive bindery in America. Further, it is more than probable that Seelig had some knowledge of the printer's art, and was one of those who induced Reynier Jansen to assume the responsibility of the Friend's press,303 and after- wards assisted him in its management.
Not the least of Seelig's labors was the giving of instruct- tion, religious and elementary, to the young of both sexes. That his efforts in this line bore good fruit is attested by the tribute accorded him by the Patriarch Mühlenberg, 364 who in his reports to Halle writes : 365 " Several years ago an inquiry was made of me from Germany in reference to certain candidatii theologie who came to this country some considerable time before my arrival. In the first years of iny sojourn here I met one of them, Herr Seelig, who lived in the above-mentioned vicinity (Roxborough) eight miles from the city, 366 after the manner of an anchorite, and instructed the children of the vicinity.
" To this old and venerable candidatus our fellow-sister 367 went to school in her tender youth, and received through his instructions gentle impressions of true piety."
362 A branch of the Ephrata Community.
363 L'ide p. 105, supra.
364 The Rev. Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg, the first Lutheran minis- ter sent out from Halle. He is usually called the Patriarch to distinguish him from his three sons who were all ordained in the ministry.
365 XIV Continuation, folio 1256.
366 This distance was computed from the old Court House at Second and Market Streets, up Second Street and Germantown Road to Germantown was five miles ; thence to Roxborough, as the roads then went, three miles; total eight miles.
367 A member of his congregation. Vide " Merkwürdige Exempel," No. 1, 1769.
43
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
On account of Seelig's austere mode of life and the coarse pilgrim habit worn upon all occasions, he became known among the inhabitants as " der Heilige Johannes." As the devout recluse became older, and the inroads of age were making themselves felt, it appears that he left the cabin near the Wissahickon and took up his abode in a somewhat similar structure on the farm of William Lever- ing, which was either especially built for him or else placed at liis, disposal. Trustworthy traditions in the Levering family,368 which have been handed down for generations, inform us that this cabin was in the valley back of the present Leverington Cemetery in Roxborough, and was near the home of William Levering. 369
What the precise relations were that existed between the mystic recluse and William Levering is not known at the present day, except that they were those of intimate friend- ship. The same traditions tell us that " Seelig, while living on the Levering farm, predicted men's lives, when requested, after the manner of the astrologers of the middle ages."
When the old recluse verged on threescore and ten, he became so feeble that he was frequently confined to his cabin. During this period he was frequently visited by the early Moravian evangelists, Böhnisch, Spangenberg, Nitschmann and Neisser. He was well known to the Count Zinzendorf, who paid him several visits. Seelig was
"Genealogical Account of the Levering Family," page 19.
369 William Levering was the son of Wigart, the emigrant. He came to Pennsylvania with his father in 1685, when he was eight years old ; the family removed from Germantown to Roxborough in 1692; their plantation or farm adjoined that of the Kelpius Community. The Lever- ing family subsequently intermarried with the Righters, who bought the former tract after the disbandment of the Community. Wigert Levering, the emigrant, died February 2, 1744-45, at the age of ninty-seven years ; his son, William, died in the fall of 1746, in his seventieth year.
339
Death of Seelig.
one of the two " Hermits" whom the Count could not per- suade to join forces with him in his evangelistic movement.
There is a tradition connected with Seelig, somewhat similar to that of Kelpius. During his last sickness, when he felt that his end was approaching, he expressed the desire to William Levering that his staff (stab), a peculiar cane which he had always carried, should be cast into the Schuylkill immediately upon his death. This request was complied with, and as the rod touched the water it exploded with a loud report. His death is thus noted in the Levering family Bible : "John Sealy, hermit, died April 26, 1745, aged 77 years."
In the Ephrata Manuscripts it is stated that he was buried on the farmn. But whether on the Levering farin 370 or beside Kelpius and others, who rested under the shadow of the Tabernacle in the orchard on the then Righter plantation, cannot be determined.
From the old record we further learn that it was at the close of a bright spring-like day that the small cortège wended its way from the humble cabin in the Levering valley bearing the remains of the devout recluse to the grave. The mourners were sincere, for Seelig, like Kelpius, had been singularly beloved and respected.
Prominent among the number were such as once belonged to the Community on the Wissahickon. The only names, however, that have come down to us of the latter are Con- rad Matthäi, who conducted the services, and his two assist- ants-Daniel Geissler,371 foriner Famulus to Kelpius, and Christopher Witt, now " Practitioner of Physic" in Ger- mantown. As the last rays of the sun gilded the horizon,
870 There was a private burying ground upon the Levering farm at that time.
371 Daniel Geissler died a few months after Seelig.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
the relics of the old Theosophist were lowered into the grave, the mystic incantation thrice repeated, while the released dove coursed in wide circles through the air until lost to view in the distance.
The last will and testament of Johann Gottfried Seelig bears date September 17, 1735, and in it he is described as "John Sehlee of Roxborough, in the County of Philadel- phia, Gentlemen." He bequeathed the whole of his estate to his "ffriend William Levering Sent of Roxborough," and appointed him executor. The will is witnessed by Matthew Holgate, John Baldt and John Gruber.
The inventory of his estate contains the following items : 25 shirts, 4 coats, 2 jackets, 2 hats, 2 pairs of shoes and slippers, 7 pairs of linen drawers, 3 planes, 2 saws, I glue- pot, 54 glass bottles, 5 book-binder's presses, I Saddle and bridle, I scale, gold and silver weiglits, 5 Bibles, 14 books, 10 works of Jacob Böhme, 120 Latin, Dutch and Greek books.
Just
ustus Falckner
DOMINIĘ JUSTUS FALKNER.
J USTUS FALKNER, born Nov. 22, 1672, was the fourth son of Pastor Daniel Falkner,372 the Lutheran pastor at Langen- reinsdorf, Crimmitschau, Zwickau, Saxony.
He was the younger brother of Daniel Falkner, ARMS OF CHUR-SACHSEN A. D. 1694. who came to America with Kelpius and Köster, accompanied him upon his return to Pennsylvania in the year 1700, and, together with Jawert, Storch, Sprogel and others, reinforced the Community on the Wissahickon. When Justus Falkner left Europe he was yet in his diaconate, and a candidate for orders (Can- didat Theologic). Subsequently lie had the proud distinc- tion of being the first person to be ordained to the holy ministry within the bounds of the Province of Penn, if not in the New World. From that time until his death in 1723 he served as pastor of the oldest Lutheran congregation in America. 373
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