USA > Pennsylvania > The German Pietists of provincial Pennsylvania : 1694-1708 > Part 24
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The earliest record of Justus Falkner, found by the present writer, is recorded in the oldest register of the ven-
372 Vide page 302, supra.
373 The Dutch Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
JUSTUS FALKNER AS A STUDENT, FROM AN OLD SKETCH AT HALLE.
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Justus Falkner as Student.
erable University at Halle, Germany, which bears the fol- lowing title, viz :
" Catologus derer Studiosorum, so auf hiesiger FRIED- RICHS, Universität, immatriculiret worden. Nach Ord- nung des Alphabet's Eingerichtet. De Anno MDCXCIII."
The first entry upon the sixth page reads :
"FALCKNER, Justy, Langeramsdorf, Miss." " P. R. Thomasius, 1693, 20 Jan."
The above entry shows that Justus Falkner was one of the students at Leipzig who followed Thomasius to Halle upon the latter's expulsion from that city.
It has been stated that the reason why Justus Falkner was not ordained in Germany was that the young deacon, upon completing his theological course, felt that the re- sponsibility of the ministerial office in the German Church of that time was too great for him to undertake. This statement is evidently based upon בשם יהוה DISSERTATIO GRADUALIS, DU PLANTATIONE ECCLESIAE SVECANÆ IN the Latin note in Biörck's " Dis- sertatio Gradualis de Plantatione Ecclesiae svecanæ in America," in which he states :
AMERICA, QUAM, Suffragante Amp !. Senatu Philofoph. In Regio Upfal. Albenzo, PRÆSIDE, VIRO Amplisfimo atque Celeberrimo MAG. ANDREA
Ech. & Polit. Prot. Reg. & Ord. lo Audit. Guft. Maj. d. 14 Jun. An, MDCCXXXI. Exammandam modefte filit TOBIAS E. BIORCK. AMERICANO . DALEKARLUS.
"This man deserted his home so as to escape the burden of the Pastorate, yet now he submitted to be brought to himself by Rud- mann, Biorck and Sandel, 011 November 24, 1703."
With the exception of the above note, the present writer has found UPSALI/ Literis WERNERLANIS. nothing whatever to substantiate this presumption. In fact, the contrary seems to have been the case, and that he took an active interest in the ministry after liis course at the University was completed.
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That he was in close touch with Rev. Francke, under whom he had studied the Oriental languages at the Uni- versity,374 and who was now one of the recognized religious leaders in Europe, is shown by the fact that several of his hymns were incorporated by Francke in his revised hymn book : " Geistreiches Gesang Buch," Halle, 1697.
The most noted of Falkner's hymns is the one com- mencing with the line: " Auf! ihr Christen, Christi glie- der," on page 430 of the original edition.375 This hymn is a stirring, vigorous composition of eleven stanzas of six lines each. It was set to the melody " Meine Hoffnung stehet veste," and was well calculated to raise the religious fervor of the worshippers.
On a manuscript copy of this hymn, Falkner notes two references to the Scriptures as his theme, or the foundation of its composition, viz .: Eph. vi, 10; I John v, 4.376
Originally it was designated, "An encouragement to conflict in the Christian warfare," and was retained by Freylinhausen in his Gesang Buch of 1704, but it was sub- sequently relegated to the Anhang or appendix. 377
From the very outset the hyinn came into extended use in both Europe and America. It became a favorite revival hymn with the so-called Separatists, or dissenters from the orthodox church, and was incorporated into their hymn books ; a prominent instance being the Davidsche Psalter-
374 Rev. A. H. Francke was not called to the theological chair of the University until 1699, some time after Justus Falkner had left the institu- tion.
375 Copy in archive of the Moravian Church at Bethlehem.
Finally my brethern, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his 376 might (Eph. vi, 10).
For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I Jolin v, 4).
377 " Geistreicher Lieder," Halle, 1731. Hymn No. 634, page 769. Copy in possession of the writer.
一
" Auf ihr Christen."
345
395. Eel. Meine Boff nung ftebet ic.
21 un the ehriften, Chrifti Slieber! Die ihr nod) hangt an bem haupt; auf! macht auf!ermannt euch mie: Der, eh ihr merdet bingeraubt. Gatan beut an Den Streit Ehrifto und Der Chriftenheit. 2. Aluf! folgt Chrifto, eurem Delbe, tranet feineth flarden Hrm, liegt Der Gatan gleid) su Felbe mit bem gangen Sollen: Gomarin : find boch ber nod) vielmehr, Die Da flets find um uns her.
3. Nur auf Chrifi Blut cena: get mit (Sebet und Bachfam: feit, Diefes machet unversaget. und recht tapfre Rrieges:Peut ; Ehrifti Bint gibt uns Muth mieber alle Eeufels Brut.
4. Chrifti DeeresGreuges: Sah: ne, fo ca meif und roth ge: fprengt, iftfchon auf dem Sieges Vlane uns zum Erofte ausge: bángt ; mer hier friegt, nie er: liegt, fonbern unterm Creuße fiegt.
5. Diefen Bieg hat auch ents pfunden vieler Seilgen farder Mouth, da fie haben über runde frelich durch des Lanies Blut. Solten mir Dann alhier auch nicht ftreiten mit Begier. 6. XBer Dis Selaverey hur lie: limmerbar.
bet, Fleifthes Muh und Sicher beit, und Den &finden fichy ergie bet, ber hat wenig Luft zum Streit ; Den bic Dracht, Carans DRacht, bat ihn in Den Sahiaf gebracht.
7. Mber men die Bcisheirteb. ret, mas die Freiheit fur en Cheil, Deffen here su (5 Du fic) febret, feinem allerbochfie beil, fucht allein ohne Schein Chtifu frener Rnecht ju feyn.
8. Denn bergnug! auch mohl Das Leben, fo Der Brenbeit man: geln muß ? 2Ber fic (Ott nicht gang ergeben, hat nur Drub, Ungit und BerDruß; Der, Der friegt recht bergnugt, mer fein Leben felbft beliegt.
9. Drum auf! laft uns unter: minden in Dem Blute Moju Chrift, und an unfre Giirme binden fein Bort, fo cin Beugnif ift, das uns beat und ermedi, und nach) (Sortes Liebe fduncal 10, Unfer Leben fey verborgen init Ebrifto in (Dtt allen, auf bas mir an jenem Morgen mit ihm offenbar auch fern, Da Das Leid Diefer Beit werden mich ju lauter Freud.
11. Da GiOtt feinen treuen Rnechten geben wird Den Gina: Den Cohn, und Die Simrien Der Gerechten Rimmen an Den En: qes:Shon; Da fürwahr Gob tes Schaar ihn wird loban
FAC-SIMILE OF HYMN IN THE ZIONITISCHER WEYRAUCHS HUGEL.
44
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Spiel der Kinder Zions, Berlenburg, 1718. This was tlie first distinct hymnal publislied for the use of the Separatists.
In America it was incorporated in the celebrated Zioni- tischer Weyrauchs Hügel, of the Ephrata Community (Sauer, 1738, hymn 395, page 444) ; also in Der Kleine Davidische Psalterspiel der kinder Zions (Sauer, hymn 38, page 41), and ZIONITISCHER SSSegrands Siger a number of other early Ameri- can hymn books. It is also to be fomid in the Manuscript Hym- Oder : SSayrrhen Berg, nal of the Zionitic Brotherhood, which is known as the Para- Borinnen allerlen liebliches unb wohl riedbens Des nach Pipotheter : Runf su bereitetes Rauch : Berd ju finben. Beftebend .Sn allerten Liebes . SGurcfungen Der in GORE gehenligten Ceelen, melthe fic in order und manderien grifflichen und lieblichen Liebern aus gebildet. M16 Darinnen Der legte Roff zu dem Abendmahl des grof fen GUOntes auf unterfibresliche Werfe treffhd) ans gebrudetuf; Bum Dienf Der in dem Abend . Landifchen Belt . Sheil als bey Dem Untergang ber Connen ermedien Rirde ODItes, und in three Ermunterting auf Die Mitternachtice Buluntit Dis Brautigams ans Lidt gegeben. diesische Nadits Tropffen, 1734 (hymn II, p. 6).378 This hymn, after a lapse of two centuries, is still used by nearly all the Pro- testant denominations in Ger- many, and is retained in their hymnnology in America as well, the latest instance being its re- Barmantomu . Cytorudi ben Ehriftoch Gautr. tention by the Lutheran Church of the United States in their new German Kirchen Buch, wherein it is hymn 331. Especial attention is called to it in Stip's Unverfälschter Liedersegen (Berlin, 1851).
Julian, in his Dictionary of Hymnology, mentions the following translations into the English language : "Rise, ye children of Salvation " (omitting stanza four) in Mrs. Bevans' "Songs of Eternal Life," 1858, page 10. Three centos 379 have come into use, tlie translations of stanzas, one, three and nine, in Dr. Pagenstecher's collection, 1864 ;
378 Collection of Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
379 Cento, a composition formned by verses or passages from different authors disposed in a new order.
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Falkner's Hymns.
of stanzas one, five, nine and eleven in the English Pres- byterian Psalms and Hymns, 1867 ; and the Temple Hymn Book, 1867 ; and stanzas one, five and eleven in Laudes Domini, N. Y., 1884.
Another is : " If our all on Him we venture," a transla- tion of stanza three, as stanza two of hymn No. 1064 in the supplement of 1808 to the Moravian Hymn Book of 1801.380 Another celebrated hyinn attributed to Justus Falkner 381 is :
O Herr der Herrlichkeit, O Glantz der Seligkeit, Du Licht vom Lichte, Der Müden süsser Saft, Des grossen Vater's Kraft, Sein Angesichte.
This hymn is also to be found in Sauer's Psalterspiel (361) and in the Weyrauchs Hügel (475, p. 540).
It was toward the close of the young student's academic term at Halle that his elder brother Daniel returned to his native land as an emissary from America, and it was not a very difficult matter for him to induce his younger brother to accompany him on a mission having for its main object the spreading of the Gospel in the "Land of Darkness" (Abend-land).
The next official record of the subject of our sketch we find at Rotterdam in Holland, dated April, 1700, where the two brothers accept from Benjamin Furly a power of attor- ney to act in his stead in America.
As has been before stated, the two brothers, with a num- ber of companions, arrived at Germantown in August, 1700. Shortly afterwards we find him taking a more or less active part in the civic affairs of the German Township,
380 Hymn No. 509, edition of 1886.
Some credit this hymn to Dr. Petersen.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
and serving a term as Burgess. Although we have no direct record of the facts, he without doubt actively sec- onded his brother in organizing and ministering to the German settlers on the Manatawney tract.
According to the old minute-book "G," before quoted, he appears as joint-attorney with his brother for Benjamin Furly of Rotterdam, and was so acknowledged by William Penn during his second visit to the Province (1699-1701).382 In a subsequent entry, on the 19th of 1Ith month, 1701, Daniel and Justus Falkner appear as attorneys for the Frankfort Land Company, and produce a patent for some city property.353 Upon the 18th of the 12th month, 1701, both brothers again figure before the Land Commissioners in the interests of Benjamin Furly. At different times after the above entry they continue to press the claims of their clients.
On the 30th of the 6th month, 1703, Justus Falkner appears alone before the Commissioners, and as attorney of Furly produces a "return of 1000 acres in Chest'r County, "said to be in Pursuance of our Warr't dat. 16, 12 Mo., " 1701, and the Same Land appearing to be an Encroachin't " upon the Welch Tract within their Settlements, and "already granted to David Lloyd and Is. Norris, the same "is Rejected and disapproved of, and thereupon 'Tis "Ordered that the Same be Certifyed by Indorsement On " the said Return under Ye Comm'rs hands, which is accord- "ingly Done."
It is evident from the above official minute that the loss of this parcel of land to Furly was not through any fault of the Falkner brothers, as has been frequently stated by Pastorius. The charge by the latter that they sold the
382 Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, xix, 243-44.
383 Ibid, 249-50.
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Ministry in Pennsylvania.
above land for their own use and benefit is also hereby shown to be without any foundation.
The above entry is the last notice of Justus Falkner upon the official records of Pennsylvania. This attempt to recover the land for its rightful owner was evidently the beginning of the differences with Daniel Lloyd and Isaac Norris, which ended five years later in the Sprogel con- spiracy and the dispossession of Daniel Falkner.
That Justus Falkner, during his sojourn in Pennsylvania, was a man without reproach and one of exemplary piety, inay be judged from his subsequent career and the fact that his name is not even mentioned by the splenetic Pastorius, who so persistantly vilified the elder brother. Just what part Justus bore in the organization of the Lutheran con- gregation at Falkner's Swamp (New Hannover, Mont- gomery County, Penna.), the first German Lutheran con- gregation organized in America, or how often he was wont to visit the church or minister to his fellow-countrymen, cannot be told to a certainity ; nor can his sojourn among the Mystics on the Wissahickon be traced in detail. His intercourse, however, with Kelpius, Seelig, and the Swedish pastors, Rudman, Biörck, Sandel and Auren, is known to have been frequent and intimate.
An important historical error can now be postively cor- rected, viz .: "That Justus Falkner was ordained for the purpose of serving the German congregation at Falkner's Swamp on the Manatawney tract." It appears from his own memorandum that with the exception of a possible farewell sermon, he never served the Manatawney congrega- tion nor any other one in Pennsylvania after his ordination.
We now come to what is to us historically the most inter- esting episode in the career of the Saxon Pietist and Penn- sylvania Theosophist, and one in which he was the central
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
figure, and that is the first regular Lutheran ordination in the Western Hemisphere. The circumstances connected with tlie ordination of Justus Falkner at Wicacoa are as follows :
Andreas Rudman, the Swedish pastor at Wicacoa, had received repeated calls for help from the distressed Lutli- erans in New York, who had been without any clergyman to minister to their wants for some length of time. Conse- quently, after the arrival of Rev. Andreas Sandel, March 10, 1701-2, Magister Rudman gave their forlorn condition his earnest consideration, and finding their case as bad as had been represented concluded personally to take charge of the extended mission.
In pursuance of this resolve he, on July 5, 1702, installed Sandel as rector of Wicacoa, and on the 19th of the same month he preached his valedictory sermon. At the con- clusion of the sermon, he embraced the opportunity of making public Auren's Sabbatarian doctrine and implored his parishioners to be upon their guard and remain true to the Lutheran faitli. A confessional service and the Eucharist closed the impressive occasion. 38+
Early on the next day, July 20th, Rudman started for New York, accompanied by Mr. Thomas, a school- Church, who was in THE : and intended tosail R EXALTET receive ordina- OF : THE : PRO of Swedes, led by ION Matz Keen, Peter Keen, also acco111- GOD: SIVET of the way. master at Christ deacon's orders, for England to tion. A number Pastor Sandel, Rambo and Eric panied them part ":IERSE ITS : IN
AST:
Rudman, upon his arrival in New York, at once commenced to SEAL OF EAST JERSEY, gathier upand organize the Lutherans (Ger
A.D. 1703. man, Dutch and Swe- dislı) who were scattered over the large territory, which, in
38+ MSS. diary of Andreas Sandel.
35I
Dominie Rudman in New York.
addition to the embryo city and the valley of the Hudson, included Long Island and East Jersey as far west as the Delaware River. 385
After Rudman was well established in his new field of labor, he sent to Pennsylvania for his wife and young family, and all went well until the summer of the following year, when the yellow fever broke out in the citadel and town. In the latter part of August Dominie Rudman and his family were prostrated by the terrible scourge, and upon the death of his second son, Anders, he wrote to Philadel- phia for aid, stating that both he and his daughter were stricken with the disorder. 386
In response to this urgent appeal, Revs. Biorck and San- del at once made arrangements to go to his assistance ; but so slow were the imperfect means of communication at that time, it was not until September 13th that a start was made from Philadelphia to relieve the stricken pastor. The party arrived in New York on the afternoon of the 16th, where they found Dominie Rudman recovering, but his daughter still severely ill.387
Dominie Rudman never entirely recovered from this attack, and being of a frail constitution he realized, after anotlier year's trial, that on account of the rigor of the climate hie could not continue in charge during another winter. In this extremity, not wishing to leave the field uncovered, he bethought himself of the Falkner brothers, and finding that Daniel had married and was occupied with
385 Phillipsburg, opposite Easton, was the most westward station.
386 Sandel's Diary.
387 Sandel, in hisdiary, notes : "Sept. 17, 1702, we went looking about the town that day and saw the English Church and also the Dutch [Reformed ?] both of them edifices of beauty.
Sept. 20. "To-day we went calling on all who profess the Lutheran creed ; there are very few here."
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
Claro in der ladd geparkeerde verontineed to zyn getuigen wy met orfe eggene handen.
2 Datum Diese York ut Supra Fond. Rugman 5 3
/12
Zou
DOMINIE RUDMAN'S AUTOGRAPH AND ENTRY IN THE NEW YORK CHURCH REGISTER.
353
An Ordination at Gloria Dei.
the civic affairs of the German Township, hie invited the younger brother, October 27th, 1703, to come to New York and preach a trial sermon. This was followed three days later by a formal call from the congregation to serve them as pastor.
Justus Falkner acknowledged both letters under date of November 3, 1703, accepting the call, but refused to preach a trial sermon. As the people supported him in this refusal, Dominie Rudman fortliwith severed his connection with the New York congregation and returned to Philadelphia, where he acted as suffragan to the Archbishop of Upsala, assisted by Rev. Eric Biörck of Christiana,28% and Andreas Sandel of Wicacoa.
On Wednesday, November 24, 1703, lie ordained thie deacon (Candidat Theologic), Justus Falkner, to the holy priesthood, according to the ritual of the Swedish Orthodox Lutheran Church. The ceremony took place within the consecrated precincts of "Gloria Dei" (Old Swedes) at Wicacoa.
It was a solemn ceremony which was enacted upon that bleak November day within the bare walls of the Swedishi church on the banks of the Delaware. The sacred struc- ture, as yet bare and unfinished, lacked both tower and side projections. The interior, with its rough walls and exposed roof, earthen floors and liard benches, well matched the unadorned altar within the recess in the east, separated by a rude railing from the body of the church and its primitive surroundings.
Upon this occasion no pealing organ, witli a multitude of stops and pedals, vestured choir, or elaborate music made melody for the service. No long procession of robed
388 Wilmington, Delaware.
45
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
clergy, with mitred bishop surrounded by acolytes and led by the Cross-bearer, were present to add dignity to the scene and impress the beholder with awe.
The ceremony of ordination, although simple and devoid of all pomp and glitter, was none the less soleinn and im- pressive. This was greatly due to a number of the Theo- sophical Brethern from the Ridge, under the leadership of Magister Johannes Kelpius, who had come down from the Wissahickon to give éclat to the elevation of one of their number as Presbyter in the Lutheran Church.
The Theosophical Brotherliood, partly clad in the habit of the German University student, others in the rough pilgrim garb of unbleached homespun, occupied the front benches, while the rear of the church was filled with a number of Swedes and a sprinkling of English Churchmen and Dissenters. It is said that even a few Quakers and Indians were attracted to the church, and enhanced the picturesqueness of the scene.
The service was opened with a voluntary on the little organ 389 in the gallery by Jonas the organist,390 supple-
319 This is the earliest reference to a church organ in any Protestant church in America. It is not known to a certainty just where or when they obtained it. If it had been sent over from Sweden, that fact would un- doubtedly have appeared upon the records. There is a strong probability that this instrument was brought over by Kelpius and his party in 1694, and that it was originally set up in the Tabernacle on the Wissahickon.
The present writer has seen a letter by Kelpius in which reference is made to an organ, but all trace of this paper now seems to be lost. There is also an account that Dr. Witt and others of the Community built an organ at Germantown or Wissahickon at an early day. Among the musical instruments brought over by the Brotherhood was a virginal (a keyed instrument, something like a pianoforte). This afterwards reverted to the widow of Magister Zimmermann, and appears in the inventory of her effects.
The first church organ introduced into Christ Church, Philadelphia, was obtained in 1728 from Ludovic Christian Sprogell, who was one of the survivors of the Brotherhood on the Ridge.
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Rudman as Suffragan.
mented with instrumental music by the Mystics on the viol, hautboy,391 trumpets (Posaunen) and kettle-drums (Pauken). 392 After this they intoned the Anthem :
Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita, Imple superna gratia, Quae tu creasti pectora, etc.
While this was being sung, a little procession of six persons entered the church by the west portal. First came two churchwardens, then the candidate for ordination, with Rev. Andreas Sandel as sponser 393 by his side ; lastly, Revs. Erick Biorck and Andreas Rudinan, the latter as suffragan or vice-bishop.394
As the little procession reached the chancel rail, the two wardens (Eldeste) stood on either side of the railing, while the suffragan and the two priests entered within the chancel and ranged themselves in front and at either side of the altar, upon which were placed a crucifix and lighted tapers. The suffragan was robed in a girdled surplice, with chasu- ble 395 and stole, while the two assistants wore the black clerical robe 396 (Schwarze Taler). The candidate, wearing the collegiate gown of the German University, knelt before the rail, upon which a chasuble 397 (chor-hemd) had been previously placed.
390 The earliest mention of Jonas the organist is in Sandel's diary, under date July 20, 1702, as one of the number that accompanied Pastor Rud- mian part of the way ou his journey to New York.
391 Hautboy, a wind instrument, somewhat like a flute or clarionette.
392 Vide Kelpius Diary, Falkner, Sendschreiben and "Pennsylvania Magazine," vol. xi, page 434.
393 Sandel also acted as secretary of the Consistoriumi on this occasion.
394 l'ide " Hallesche Nachrichten," new ed., pp. 441, 478 ; also W. C. Berkenmeyer vs. Van Dieren, J. Peter Zenger, New York, 1728.
395 This garment was not strictly a chasuble, but a white lace garment similar to the Roman surplice.
Similar to the one still worn by the Lutheran clergy.
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
The anthem being ended, the suffragan, standing in front of the altar facing the congregation, opened the services proper with an invitation to prayer. Then turning to the east, while all kneeled, he repeated the following invocation.
[" Almighty and everlasting God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who himself has commanded us that we shall pray for laborers in thy harvest, we pray thy unsearchable mercy that thou wouldst send us right-minded teachers, and give thy holy and wholesome Word into their hearts and mouths, so that they without error may both correctly teach and perfectly execute all thy commandments, in order that we being taught, exhorted, comforted and strengthened by thy holy Word, may do that which is pleasing unto thee and useful to us.
"Grant us, O Lord, thy Holy Spirit, that thy Word may always remain among us; that it may increase and bear fruit, and that thy servant may with befitting courage preach thy Word, so that thy holy Christian Church 398 may be edified thereby, and may serve thee in steadfast faitlı, and forever continue in the knowledge of thee. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."]
The suffragan then arose and turned to the congregation, after which Rev. Sandel, acting as consistorial secretary, advanced to the chancel rail and read out the name of the candidate and the charge to which he was called.
The suffragan, then addressing the kneeling candidate, said : " Inasmuch as you, Justus Falkner, are called to the Holy office of the Ministry, and in order that you with us, and we with you, may rightly understand the sacredness of this calling, then let us hear the promise and the exhortation
397 Also known as a " Mess-hemd," a short white garment worn over the black robe wlien officiating at the altar.
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