USA > Pennsylvania > The Reformed Church in Pennsylvania : part IX of A narrative and critical history, prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German Society > Part 10
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We have no desire to consider the merits of this painful controversy. In justice to the memory of Boehm it is, how- ever, necessary to say that his strictures were not original . and that he sincerely believed in their truthfulness. Ac- cording to his own declaration he was but following the example of his patron Gerardus Kulenkamp, pastor in Amsterdam, who in 1739 had issued a similar publication. He might, indeed, have referred to many writers, for the presses of Germany and England teemed with similar
138 Abridged titles of these publications are as follows :
I. GETREUER WARNUNGS BRIEF an die Hochteutsche Evangelisch Re- formirten Gemeinden und alle deren Glieder in Pennsylvanien, zur getreuen Warschauung von denen Leuthen, welche unter dem nahmen von Herrn- huther bekandt seyn. ** * Nach dem exempel eines Ehrwürdigen Kirchenraths von Amsterdam in Holland. Und nun vor dem allmächtigen Gott tragender Pflicht und Schuldigkeit halben geschrieben von mir Joh: Ph : Böhm, Hochteutschen Reform. Prediger der mir anvertrauten Gemeinden in Penn- sylvanien zu Philadelphia : Gedruckt bey A. Bradford, 1742. 8vo, iv, 96 pp. 2. AUFRICHTIGE NACHRICHT ans Publicum, über eine von dem Hol- ländischen Pfarrer Joh. Phil. Böhmen bei Mr. Andr. Bradford edirte Läster- schrift gegen die so genannten Herrnhuter, das ist, Die Evangelischen Brüder aus Böhmen, Mähren u. s.f. Welche jetzo in den Forks von Delaware wohnen. Herausgegeben von George Neisser, aus Sehlen in Mähren, Schulmeister zu Bethlehem. Cum approbatione Superiorum [B. Franklin]. 4to, 18 p.
3. ABERMAHLIGE TREUE WARNUNG und Vermahnung an meine sehr werthe und theuer geschätzte Reformirte Glaubensverwandte wie auch all andere, die den Herrn Jesum lieb haben, sein Heil. Evangelium und seine Heil. Sacramenten in höchsten Werth halten. Philadelphia, Isaiah Warner und Cornelia Bradford, fol. 4 pp .- Seidensticker.
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The Reformed Church in America.
Schmähschriften. The writer has, for instance, in his library, a collection of no less than seven tracts by Henry Rimius, translated and published in London between 1753 and 1757, which are more keenly controversial than any- thing written by Boehm. The latter was no doubt misin- formed ; but there is no occasion for supposing that he was intentionally scurrilous or unjust.
In his Warnungs Brief Boehm refers affectionately to his early friendship for Henry Antes. He says: "God only knows what took place between Antes and myself, as both our hearts were bound together in a hearty love to the divine truth in our Reformed doctrines. And he has not forgotten, I am sure, how he was one of those who by
Abermahlige treue Warnung und Vermahnung an meine fehr werthe und theuer gefchâtzte Reformirte Glaubens-verwandte, wie auch alle andere die den Herren JESUM lieb haben, fein Heil. Evangelium und feine Heil. Sacramenten in hochftem werth halten. Denen fambt und fonders wunfche ich, dafs fie, durch die Gnade JESUCHRISTI, die Liebe feines Himmlifchen Vatters, und den Krafftig-wûrcken- den beyftandt Gottes des Heil. Geiftes mogen bewahrt werden vor allem Irrthum und Schaden ihrer unfterblichen Seelen. - Amen.
Alle fambt Geliebte.
M' IT euch aber meinen Religions verwandten will ich zuforderft reden, und allen andern wehrten Chriften mag es zur nachricht dienen.
Es ift aller orthen in diefem Lande Penflumien völlig offenbahr, dafs einige von unferer Ref. Religion fo unvorfichtig in dem von Chrifty ihnen Marci 14 v. 18. anbefohlenen wachen und baten fich bezeigen, to dafa es dem Teuffel welcher herum gohet wie ein b:ullender Lowe und fuchet welchen er verfchlingen moge, falt ein leichtes ift, folche in dem wahren Chriftenthum fchlaffende, in der neugierigkeit aber uin fremder, ja fal; Icher Lehre. nach zu lauffen fehr wackere Menfchen, auf den tchad.ichiten Irrweg, zu ihrer Seelen ewigen fcha- den zu verkeiten, und endlich gar zu veríchlingen.
Ich habe vorm' Jahr, nach meiner pflicht und fchuldigkeit," meinen getreuen Warnungs Brief gegen die fo- genante Herrn-huther, (die am ende des Jahrs 1741 in dis Landt gekommen find) und deren feelverderbliche und gewiffen verwüftende Lehre heraus kommen laffen, welcher in 6 und 1-4 Bogen kleinen Druck beftehet, und auch Nachricht gegeben, dafs er bey Kapper Ullrich und Michel Hillegas in Philadelphia, bey Jacob Built- mann in Germantown, buy Gabriel Schuler und Peter Speicher in Schipbach, bey Henrich Turinger im Falckner- Seinwam, bey Ifaac Levand in Oly, und bey Forg Unruh in Dolpibacken zu finden feye. Worinnen alle wahr- haftige Nachricht, wie ich he aus Holland (welches son Hoher Univerfiat zu Leyden in Holland geapprobirt it) und and in orthen her habe. Und bin ich gewifs, dass ein jeder, der diefen Brief recht einfichet und mit andacht betrachtet, wird den felben nicht allein um alles alhier unter uns vom Herrn hutern bifher gepaffirten dingen, als wahrheit beurtheilen konnen; fondern fich auch vor diefer Herrn-hutifchen Greuel-Lehre, zu feiner Seelen ewigen buften zu huten wiffen. Es fcheinet aber dafs die geringe koften umb diefen Brief an hebammen,
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Henry Frey.
his tears brought me to it that I put the yoke (of the min- istry) on my neck."
It is evident, we think, that Antes hesitated long before he fully identified himself with the Moravian community. When Henry Frey went to Germany he and William Frey charged him upon his conscience to give them a faithful
Aufrichtige
NACHRICHT
ANS
PUBLICUM,
·Über eine Von dem Hollandifchen Pfarrer JOH. PHIL. BOHMEN bei M. Andr. Bradford edirte
Lâfterfchrift
Gegerr Die fo genannten HERRNHUTER, Das ift, Die Evangelifchen Brûder aus Böhmen, Mábren, u.f.f. Welche Jetzo in den Forks von Delaware wohnen. Herausgegeben von GEORG NEISSER, aus Seblen in Mähren, Schulmeifter zu BETHLEHEM.
Cum . Approbatione Superiorum.
PHILADELPHIA, Gedrukkt und zu haben bei B. FRANKLIN. MDCC XLII.
account of whatever he had observed among the Mora- vians, promising that "if the community did not answer expectations and he should return to Pennsylvania, they would defray 139 his charges." Frey had been one of the
139 " A True and Authentic Account of Andrew Frey," London, 1753, P. 65.
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" Associated Brethren of Skippack," who met in 1738 at the house of "Stoffel" Wiegner. According to a note
efantmachung.
ne mich dermahlen in cinige Linterfuchung cinzulaffen, ob eseine Bnaden: Dcimfuchung Gottes vor ein Land, Stadt oder Saus fer, wenn Anechte Chrifti Dahin ommen von der Art und Natur unfers Bruder Ludwigs, und ohne mir Muhe zu geben zu bemeifen, Daf Diefer genugfam betante Bruder ein Anecht Befu Chrifti fen, weil Die Rede jestnicht von einem Ab und Dieweil,fondern nur von einem Bie und BBann ift, fo habe nach erfordern Der Sache vor jett mer fo viel feinethalben befant machen follen, daff weil man in verfchicdenen Somone fchips verlangen getragen hat, ihn annoch von Befu zeugen ju boren, und ihm fole che's eines theils feine Gemeine Einrichtungen au Bethlehem und nazareth,andern theils feine Reifen unter die Indianer bisher nicht verftattet; gleichmol aber die von anfang beffimmte Beit feiner QBieder guruct- Reife fchr heran nahet, fo ift er ge= fonnen nach feiner geendigten lenten Reife, welches ohngefch: au Gude unfers Dt= tobers fenn mochte, fo viel moglid) in alle Zomnfchips zu founen, und Dafelbft zu predigen wohin inan ihn verlangen murde.
Es werden Dahero alle diejenigen, welche entweder fhon, oder noch nicht def= halber Unfuchung gethan insgefamint freundlich) gebeten, fich difffalls in zeiten, entiveder ben mit in Saltner-Schwamm oder in Bethlehem, oder ben den Brudern, die fich hie und da in den Zomnfchipen aufhalten fcbrifft oder mund lich au melden, und zugleich County Zomnfchip und Ort zubenennen wo er of: ne Contradiction predigen toune, Damit er gleich nach feiner guructfunfft von Den Indianern, feine Beit geborigermaffen eintheilen, und jedem benzeiten nach= richt geben fonne, no und wenn Er in diefem oder jenem Ort predigen werde.
Man hoffet, daß Diefee fonft ungewöhnliche Robertifement un defto weniger jemand anftoffig fenn werde, je weniger man Licherfluß an Der Predigt ces Evangelii in diefem Lande hat, und es wird auch nicht vor unsthig an achten fenn, meil alle folche Precautiones faum hinlänglich find, gewiffen Leuten benz jubringen, mie fchr viel daran gelegen, Die Beit recht aus gutauffen, welches auch Damit quermeifen ift, daf als man ihnen wifend machte, daß man fich ihrer Rinder und deren Huferziehung halber da und dert mit ihnen befprechen wolle, gar niemand fam, zu beftiminter Beit, und es fibiene, als ob niemanden et= mas dran gelegen fen. Es haben fich doch aber eine fo grofe Anzahl feit der Brit desfals gemeldet und fo beweglich), daß es uns recht nahe gegangen, co ihnen darum abfhlagen zu muffen, weil wir nach verfaumter Beit, da es hatte tennen Regulirt werden, nun unter Jahr und Lag nicht im Stande find, Thuen an willfahren.
3d) wunfche Deswegen, Dafi Die, Denen Daran gelegen Bruder Submig predigen zu hören, fich der rechten Beit bedienen, und desfale an geberigem Art melden megen; denn er ift willig, aber nicht treibend in felchen Gadxn.
Das habe ich befant machen wollen in unfers Bruder Ludwigs Mbres fenbeit, aber mit feinem Borwifen.
Friedrichs Comnfitip in Phil. County
Den 15 Erpiember 1742,
Benrich Antes.
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The Grave of Antes.
added by the editor of his book, he was " a Baptist who wore a long beard, living as a solitary in the garden-lodge " at Herrnhag. He was a natural growler, and- after he left the Brethren he attacked them violently in print. His book is of no value; but in it he frequently refers to his " old neighbor," Henry Antes, who, he tells us, in 1748, has " laid his head in their lap and been honored with the dignity of a beadle."
It was, indeed, in that year that Antes removed with his family 140 to Bethlehem. Here he was active in every good work and was very highly esteemed. In 1750141 he left Bethlehem and returned to his farm in Frederick township. Though there was a disagreement he never separated from the Moravians,142 and was often called to Bethlehem for consultation in important matters. He died in 1755 and was buried on his farm, about halfway between Falkner Swamp and Keeler's churches. Ten Brethren came from Bethlehem and bore his body to its rest. His tombstone bears the following inscription :
140 Henry Antes was married in 1726 to Christina Dewees, a daughter of William Dewees, the leading member of the Reformed Church of White Marsh. They had eleven children, of whom three died in childhood. Six of these children were baptized by Boehm, three by Spangenberg, 'and in two instances the name of the officiating minister does not appear on the record. The family record, with notes, was published by I. D. Rupp, in June, 1872, in the Reformed Church Messenger. The surviving sons became eminent men. See "On the Frontier with Col. Antes," by E. McMinn, 1900. A daughter, Elizabeth, was the wife of the Rev. Nicholas Pomp, of the Reformed Church. 141 For accounts of his later years see Harbaugh, Reichel, McMinn and others.
142 At the same time we do not doubt that Antes regarded himself as a member of the Reformed Church. L. T. Reichel says : "Zinzendorf never so much as thought of separating from the Lutheran Church, to which he had from his youth been devoted with pure affection." Kirchenfreund, I., p. 93. In a similar sense we may say that Antes never thought of changing his con- fession of faith, but remained to the end "the pious Reformed man of Fred- erick township."
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The Reformed Church in America.
Hier ruhet Heinrich Antes : Ein Kleinod dieses Landes ; Ein redlich kühner Handhaber der Gerechtigkeit Und treuer Diener Vor Welt und Gottes Leut. Entschlief In Friedrichs-Town den 20 Julii 1755 Seines alters 54 Jahr.
The epitaph may be translated, though it loses its beauty in translation :
Here rests Henry Antes An Ornament of this Land ; An upright, fearless Administrator of Justice, and a faithful servant Before the world's and God's people. Fell asleep In Frederick-Town July 20 1755 Aged 54 years.
" The congregation of God in the Spirit " was continued after the seven early conferences in a somewhat different form. There was a series of General Synods of Penn- sylvania which, after Zinzendorf's return to Europe, were organized and directed by Spangenberg. These synods
14I
The Reformed Collegium.
ordinarily met every three months. Though the minor sects were no longer represented, there was a Lutheran consistorium and a Reformed collegium, besides the gen- eral meeting of the Brethren. The Reformed collegium was organized at the 15th meeting of the synod; and at the 17th meeting it was resolved that the Lutheran and Reformed ministers shall mutually have the privilege of attending each other's meetings, though without the right of voting. The Reformed organization seems to have drawn to it certain English elements which may have been originally Presbyterian. In the extant minutes of this body, held in Philadelphia, August 12, 1746, it is stated that there were present three ordained Reformed ministers, one ordained English preacher, three unordained English preachers, and seventeen elders and deacons.143 In this connection we find the names of Utley and D. Bruce, who are called Reformed ministers, though they are not known in the history of the German church. After Schlatter had founded the Coetus, Reichel tells us, the Reformed colle- gium naturally dissolved, and "the Reformed churches which had been served by Brethren either joined the Unitas or their members were scattered among other con- gregations." The church of the Brethren had also be- come more consolidated, and had organized its ministry in three orders, as had hitherto been usual only in Europe. It felt an earnest call to the work of foreign missions and was therefore more willing to retire from a task which had now been taken up by others. The twenty-eighth synod of the "Congregation," held at Bethlehem, October 23-27, 1748, accordingly became the first synod of the Unitas Fratrum in America. After this date a few Lutheran and Reformed ministers continued for several years to attend
143 L. T. Reichel in Schaff's Kirchenfruend, II., 103.
.
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The Reformed Church in America.
the synods as visitors, but the organization was completely Moravian.
The first period in the American history of the German Reformed Church had now ended, and the second was about to begin. There had been much confusion, but there were also many examples of self-sacrificing devo- tion. The highest ideals of the pioneers had not been at- tained; but their labors had left a permanent impression on the life and character of the Church.
-
FETT AMPEL, SUCH AS USED BY THE EARLY GERMANS IN LANCASTER COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
SCHLATTER AND HIS MISSION.
St. Gall-Schlatter's Early Life-Mission to America-Extensive Jour- neys-Founding of Coetus-Two Voyages to Europe-Charity Schools -Later Years.
C HE city of St. Gall, the capital of the Swiss canton of the same name, is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. No other town of any importance oc- cupies so high an eleva- tion among the mountains. Though still surrounded by ancient walls it has re- ARMS OF THE BOEHM FAMILY. cently become a manufac- turing center of no mean importance. During the Middle Ages it was celebrated all over Europe as the seat of a Benedictine abbey-founded in the seventh cen- tury by the Scotch monk Gallus-but in the days of the Reformation the town became Protestant, and its monastic institution gradually declined, so that in 1805 it was en- tirely suppressed.
(143)
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The Reformed Church in America.
It was in this city that Michael Schlatter was born, July 14, 1716. His father, Paulus Schlatter, was a book- keeper, but belonged to an old and influential family. His mother, Magdalena Zollikofer, was descended from a dis- tinguished family, which had produced a number of emi- nent ministers and devotional authors. 144 Closely related were the Stähelins, Wegelins and other families which held a prominent position in church and state.
Concerning Michael Schlatter's youth little is known. He was a vigorous son of the mountains, and may have found it difficult to discover an outlet for his superfluous energy. Having for some time attended the gymnasium of his native place he received special instructions from Professor Wegelin ; but he was of a restless, roving dis- position, and finally without the knowledge of his parents he went to Holland where the family had relatives. Here he learned the Dutch language, and was on the 27th of Dec., 1736, matriculated at the University of Leyden. Sub- sequently he went to Helmstadt in Brunswick, and prob- ably studied in the university of that place. He travelled for some time in the company of a Mr. Huerner, of Berne, but in 1739 we find him again in St. Gall where on April roth he was examined for the ministry and duly licensed. Then he went to Holland and served for some time as a private tutor. He returned to Switzerland in 1744 and became vicarius at Wigoldingen in the canton of Thurgau, where he was no doubt ordained. On August 17, 1745, he was appointed Sunday-evening preacher at Linsebuehl, a
144 Casper Zollikofer (born 1707) and George Joachim Zollikofer (1730- 1788) were the authors of many popular hymns. The latter was pastor of the Reformed Church of Leipsic, and was regarded as the foremost preacher in Germany. Two prayer-books, published by members of the family, are still in popular use.
THE REFORMED CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA.
REV. MICHAEL SCHLATTER.
REV. W. OTTERBEIM.
I45
Schlatter in Holland.
suburb of his native city of St. Gall. The position was as unpromising as can well be imagined.
On January 9, 1746, Schlatter-without saying much to any one-left St. Gall and started on another journey to Holland. It is said, on the authority of a Holland docu- ment, that he had learned that the church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was vacant, and that at first he proposed to offer himself for that pastorate.145 At Heidelberg he was cordially received and recommended to the Synod of Holland for the work in Pennsylvania. After a diffi- cult journey through the snows of a severe winter he ar- rived at the Hague in March, 1746.
For eighteen years the church of Holland had been di- rectly interested in the German Churches of Pennsylvania, but circumstances had hitherto prevented the accomplish- ment of the plans which had been proposed for their ad- vantage. Dr. Good has shown how two currents had met in Holland in 1728, influencing the Dutch Church to care for the Reformed colonists in Pennsylvania. One of these was derived from the petition of John Philip Boehm for ordination ; the other came from the report of George Michael Weiss which called the attention of the Palatine consistory to the sad condition of their countrymen in Pennsylvania, and induced them to appeal in their behalf to the Synod of South Holland. To this might be added the fact that the sufferings of the exiled Palatines were still fresh in the memory of the people of Holland. They had not forgotten the days when thousands of innocent fugitives from French invasion had found a temporary refuge in the Netherlands on their way to a foreign land.
The Hollanders had always been celebrated for their
145 Article in the Reformed Church Messenger for Oct. 25, 1900, by the Rev. George Merle de Fere Zacharias.
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The Reformed Church in America.
liberality. When Louis XIV. invaded the Netherlands he said : " I am afraid God will not suffer me to conquer that country ; the people are so generous that He will surely protect them." Holland, we know, was in those days the greatest commercial nation in the world ; but we are apt to forget that its missionary work extended as far as its flag was known. The Church of Holland appears to have been the first to appreciate the fact that Christian work should be performed with at least as much earnestness and direct-
CONCORDIA RESPARVA CRESCUN
HOLLAND ESCUTCHEON.
ness as is manifested by successful merchants in the trans- action of their ordinary business. If the churches of Penn- sylvania were to receive aid, the work of relieving them must become a branch of the missionary activity that cen- tered in Holland, and must be conducted according to the somewhat formal methods which were already employed in the Dutch colonial churches.
147
Schlatter's Instructions.
There were, it is true, certain difficulties which at first sight appeared to be almost insurmountable. The Ger- mans of Pennsylvania were not of Holland speech or nationality ; they had not been trained to acknowledge the national confessions of the Netherlands, and it would re- quire much labor to bring them into full accord with their new ecclesiastical relations. What was needed was a man who could speak the language of both nationalities ; who was willing to be the confidential agent of the Dutch synods, and might serve as a personal link between the old world and the new.
It is at this point that Michael Schlatter appears upon the scene. He had heard of the destitution of the churches of Pennsylvania, and from the depth of his soul he cried : " Here am I, send me !" His qualifications for the work were unmistakable. He had been educated in Holland and was supposed to be orthodox according to Dutch standards ; he spoke the languages of Holland and Germany with equal fluency ; and was withal a republican Swiss who might be expected to conform most readily to the customs of a country where royalty was practically unknown. Hence we are not surprised that when Schlat- ter appeared before the Dutch synod there was a general feeling that the hour and the man had come. His service was accepted and he at once received the necessary in- structions for his momentous mission.
These instructions were plain and unmistakable. In a slightly abbreviated form they were as follows :
I. He was to visit the different settlements ; to organize churches where this had not been done; to ordain elders and deacons and prepare proper church records.
2. He was to ascertain what amount each congregation could give towards the support of a settled pastor, and to
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organize the scattered congregations into convenient charges.
3. To visit the ministers already in the field, and in- duce them to unite in the organization of a Coetus or Synod, for the oversight of all the churches.
4. To pay annual visits to ministers and consistories ; to promote harmony between them; to see that salaries were promptly paid, and to report regularly to the Church of Holland ; and finally,
5. When this work was accomplished to preach for other pastors, as he might be invited, having an eye also to such destitute points as might come to his knowledge.
All this seems like a large order, but Schlatter did not shrink from what it involved. He seems to have been as ready to start on his journey as the clerk of some great commercial house would have been if he had been or- dered to report in Sumatra or Borneo. His instructions were dated on the 23d of May, 1746, and on the first of June-nine days later-he set sail for America. There was no loitering by the way, no elaborate preparations, no long visits to be paid to friends ; he simply went at once where duty called him. Like St. Paul he might have said : " This one thing I do !"
The public career of Michael Schlatter is full of illus- trations of his extraordinary energy. He landed in Boston after a dangerous voyage on August 1, 1746, where he was cordially entertained by an eminent Dutch merchant, the Hon. I. Wendell-an ancestor of the poet Oliver Wendell Holmes-but without lingering an unnecessary hour he bought a horse and rode to New York. Here he stayed just long enough to pay his respects to the Dutch " dominies," and then he was off for Philadelphia. On the evening of his arrival he held a consultation with
149
Missionary Journeys.
the officers of the Church, and next morning rode out to Whitpain, in Montgomery County, to visit the Rev. John Philip Boehm, the oldest Reformed minister in America. The following may serve as an illustration of his restless activity : On the 18th of September he preached in Phil- adelphia and Germantown, and induced both congrega- tions to accede to the plans of the Fathers in Holland ; next day he rode to Old Goshenhoppen, in Montgomery County, where he preached on the following day for the Rev. George Michael Weiss. On Wednesday he went to Skippack on a financial mission, and next day to Oley, Berks County ; thence next day to Tulpehocken, in what is now Lebanon County, a distance of 29 miles, where he administered the communion; next day to Lancaster, to preach on the following day; and immediately after the sermon started for Philadelphia, where he arrived on the 26th and preached for the congregation of which he had now been chosen pastor. All this, it will be observed, was done in little more than a week, but it was actually one of his least extensive journeys. In April, 1747, he journeyed by way of Lancaster and York to the churches at and near Hagerstown (Conecocheague) and Frederick (Monocacy) in Maryland, a trip which required about two weeks. In the same year he made four other extensive missionary journeys, and everywhere he was most cordially received. His most extensive journey was made in 1748, when he explored the field in Maryland and far down into the valley of Virginia. These were difficult and dangerous expeditions, and we are told in his " Diary " how he made his way by rude bridle-paths from one settlement to another -crossing the Susquehanna in a freshet, encountering " rough and wild wildernesses," and at one time terrified by a " fearful rattlesnake." Hardly less interesting, though
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