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 19
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230 " Carl Gock's Verläumdungen, oder die Rechtfertigung der hoch-deut- schen Lutherischen und Reformirten Synoden," Reading, 1823.
231 Carl Gock was a local politician and for twenty years a regular delegate to the county convention. As long as the nominees were chosen by secret ballot Gock conducted a prosperous business by secretly selling his vote to all
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but it can hardly be doubted that its effect was permanently injurious to many of the churches of eastern Pennsyl- vania.
In the midst of the prevailing excitement the Free Synod was placed in a peculiarly unfortunate position. The elder members did not approve of the prevailing radicalism, and the younger ones-who had no personal grievances-soon felt that their synod had no apparent mission. Externally the schism appeared to prosper, for it included more than a hundred congregations, among which were churches in New York, Philadelphia, Allentown, Carlisle, and other important places. It was, however, a wise action when the Free Synod at its meeting in Philadelphia, in 1836, resolved to take measures looking towards reunion with the old synod. The latter body was no less wise when, at Baltimore in the same year, it resolved to admit the seceders without conditions, at the same time adopting a minute expressive of " sincere joy at the prospect of a union so essential to the best interests of the Church." The Free Synod held one more meeting, at Pottstown, in 1837, where the proposed plan was ratified, and thus a threatening schism was finally healed.232 The leading members of the
the candidates and then voting as he pleased. At last it was resolved to vote viva voce, and as Gock had already given his promise to three candidates and received pay "for value received," he found himself " unable to deliver the goods." Of course he lost the confidence of his constituents, and was never afterwards chosen a delegate from Albany Township. His last years were spent in the Berks County almshouse, where he was visited in 1863 by Dr. Harbaugh. Even then he rejoiced that he had written his books, and believed that he had prevented the clergy from becoming "the masters of the land." For an inter- esting account of Dr. Harbaugh's interview with Gock see The Guardian, for August, 1863, p. 256.
232 An organization composed in part of former members of the Free Synod maintained a weak existence for some years in central Pennsylvania. It was called the Independent Synod, but was more generally known as the "Stiely Synod," from the prominence of the brothers Isaac and Philip Stiely in its organization. Among its members, it is said, there were "independents " of several denominations. Of course, this synod exerted little influence, and naturally soon went to pieces.
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Carlisle.
schismatic body became in later years enthusiastic sup- porters of the institutions of the Church.
THE SEMINARY AT CARLISLE .- After two failures to establish a theological seminary the Church was naturally discouraged. A proposition was, however, laid before the Synod convened at Bedford, in 1824, which seemed to af- ford a prospect of better things. Dickinson College- founded in 1783, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church-had for several years declined in numbers and influence, chiefly in consequence of the establishment of other Presbyterian institutions, and it now occurred to the President, Dr. Cathcart, that the college might be strengthened by an alliance with the proposed theological seminary of the Reformed Church. An invitation was ac- cordingly extended to the Reformed Synod to establish its seminary in Carlisle, the professor of theology assuming the position of professor of history and German in Dickin- son College. The college, on its part, pledged itself, in consideration of such service, to provide a recitation room for theological teaching, and in due time to transfer to the Reformed Synod a part of the college campus for the erec- tion of a seminary building. Seminary students were to enjoy the advantages of instruction in the college, and the use of the libraries, free of charge. The plan looked well, and we are not surprised that it was approved by the Reformed Synod, though Hinsch-the leading representa- tive of the uncompromising Germans-placed on record a report which made it appear that the main purpose of the theological seminary was to be the preservation of German life and literature. It was resolved by the Synod that the call to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Helffenstein should be renewed, and that in case of his declination it should be placed in the hands of Lewis Mayer, then pastor of the Reformed
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Church in York. Once more Dr. Helffenstein declined, and Dr. Mayer accepted the call. The theological semi- nary was opened in Carlisle with a class of five students, March II, 1825. In a letter in the possession of the au- thor, written many years afterwards, Dr. Mayer says : " When I accepted that call the prospect of establishing a seminary was so dark and discouraging that no brother
Lewis Mayer
whose situation at the time was pleasant could have been induced to accept the professorship. I gave up a cer- tainty for an uncertainty, relinquished a better living and subjected myself to a series of untried labors, resolved, at the hazard of all that I held dear, if it were the will of God, to make the effort to lay the foundation of an institu- tion which I hoped would be a blessing to the Church for ages to come."
Dr. Mayer was in many respects a remarkable man. Though of a prominent family, his early educational ad- vantages had been limited, and his subsequent attainments are, therefore, a source of constant surprise. There can be no doubt that he possessed mental powers of a high order, conjoined with unremitting and life-long industry. Dr. Schaff calls him " a man of reverent and devout char- acter, clear and temperate judgment and profound learn- ing." "> 233 The same writer, however, deems it necessary to add that Dr. Mayer seems to have derived from De Wette and other contemporary German theologians certain views which were regarded as deviating from the strict ortho- doxy of the times. We now appreciate the fact that these
233 " Kirchenfreund," October, 1849.
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Lewis Mayer.
were minor matters which did not affect the thinking of his students to any appreciable extent, but in his later life they were made the ground of violent personal opposition.
The extent of Dr. Mayer's attainments is plainly indi- cated by his manuscripts. With the German and English languages he had become accurately familiar at an early age, and his knowledge of Greek and Latin was, for the time, remarkable. He had mastered the Dutch language and had some acquaintance with French. The natural sciences he studied with energy and enthusiasm. At a time when few appreciated the value of such things he laboriously gathered and transcribed ancient docu- ments, and planned on a large scale a "History of the Reformed Church" of which but a single volume has ap- peared. It must, perhaps, be confessed that in his histor- ical writings he lacked a certain sense of proportion which might have enabled him to accomplish his work without the unnecessary accumulation of details.
The arrangement with Dickinson College did not prove satisfactory. The financial difficulties of the institution in- creased, and the students manifested no desire to study the German language. For some time Dr. Mayer lectured to his students in the old Reformed church of Carlisle, but here even greater difficulties presented themselves.
The Rev. John S. Ebaugh 234 was the pastor of that church-a man of some ability, but eccentric and full of strange expedients. He conceived the idea that the Semi- nary ought to purchase the Reformed church and parson- age in Carlisle. The amount of the purchase money- $4,000-he proposed to collect in Cumberland County, os-
234 John S. Ebaugh, born, York Co., Pa., April 19, 1795 ; died, New York city, Nov. 2, 1874. Published "Heavenly Incense," an English version of Zollikofer's Prayer-book. General agent of American Bible Society. Pastor of Forsyth Street church, New York, 1844-51.
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tensibly for the Theological Seminary but actually to pay for this property and thus to enable his congregation to erect a new church at a more favorable location. Mr. Ebaugh secured a quasi-endorsement of this scheme from the Board of Trustees of the Seminary, but as this action was taken without the presence of a quorum it was de- clared invalid. Dr. Mayer opposed Mr. Ebaugh's plan, and the result was an intense conflict. Mr. Ebaugh finally joined the Free Synod, and of course failed to make the collections which he had proposed. 235
The financial condition of the Seminary was at this time very discouraging. There was no endowment, and the small salary promised to the professor by the synod was very irregularly paid. It was in this dark hour that one of the pastors started upon an enterprise that seemed romantic, if not absurd, but which not only brought im- mediate relief but accomplished great results in rousing the American Church to a sense of its duty.
James Ross Reily (1788-1844) was born in Myerstown, Lebanon County, and was of mixed Irish and German de- scent. He was in many respects a remarkable man. Though not highly educated he was a fine preacher, and was withal more energetic than most of his contemporaries. For his literary training he was no doubt chiefly indebted to his uncle, Dr. William Hendel, Jr. ; and in theology he was instructed by Dr. C. L. Becker, of Baltimore. Soon after his ordination, in 1818, he undertook an extensive journey through the southern states, saving many churches that were ready to die.
It was while he was pastor at Hagerstown that Mr.
235 "Geschichte des Theologischen Seminars der Deutschen Reformirten Kirche," Hanover, Pa., Daniel Philip Lange, 1831. This book is anonymous, but is carefully written and presents the facts in their proper order.
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Reily in Europe.
Reily conceived the idea of aiding the seminary by making a personal appeal to the Church in Europe. In prompt- ness of action he was not unlike Schlatter on his first voyage to America, for in a few weeks he had not only resigned his congregation but had secured the approval of synod for his undertaking. He sailed from Philadelphia in May, 1825, and returned to America in October of the following year. A full report of the incidents of his journey is contained in the minutes of synod for 1828.
In Europe Mr. Reily was received with great kindness, not to say enthusiasm. He attended the meeting of the synod of Holland and there received a gift of $400, be- sides many contributions from individuals. Afterwards he journeyed through Germany to Switzerland, and was everywhere most cordially received. The King of Prussia, after a pleasant interview, gave him 200 Reichsthaler and granted him the privilege of taking up collections in his kingdom. He also gave him a number of books for the library, some of them stamped with the arms of Hohen- zollern. In Bremen, Mr. Reily enjoyed the pleasure of meeting his old friend, Dr. B. Kurtz, who had just ar- rived in Germany to engage in similar work in behalf of the Lutheran Church in America.
From German papers of that date we learn that Mr. Reily's sermons attracted large audiences, and awakened great enthusiasm. This fact we conceive to have been mainly due to his evident sincerity, as well as to his plain and unassuming style. All classes vied in presenting con- tributions to his cause, and not the least touching were gifts of jewelry and fine embroidery which were afterwards sold for the benefit of the institution.
Unfortunately Mr. Reily was in bad health, and was fre- quently entirely disabled. Under the circumstances, his
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DICKINSON COLLEGE.
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Contributions for the Seminary.
mission must, however, be regarded as entirely successful. The net results were $6,695.55 in cash, and a library of several thousand volumes. The export duties on the library, amounting to about five hundred dollars, were generously remitted by the King of Holland.
The friends of the seminary were greatly encouraged by Mr. Reily's success, and about the same time contributions began to be received from other sources. The Rev. Jacob Beecher (written Buecher in the minutes) is said to have secured $10,000. Mr. Bernard C. Wolff-afterwards an eminent minister-collected about $1,200 in New York. · The contributions were not large, but in the list we observe a subscription of $200 from Col. Rutgers. John Jacob Astor gave $50, which is the only contribution on record from that well-known millionaire.
Though financial conditions were becoming more en- couraging the troubles of the seminary were by no means ended. The dissensions in the Board concerning the pur- chase of property still continued, and in 1829 Dr. Mayer, on his own responsibility, bought a property in York, Pa., and removed the seminary to that place. The synod approved of his action, though with the expressed proviso that the institution might hereafter be removed elsewhere, if such a course should be deemed advisable. It is possible that the removal from Carlisle was a mistake. In 1833 the Presbyterians transferred their interest in Dickinson College to the Methodist Church, under whose care it has grown to be an important and influential institution. With- out entering into particulars it is easy to see that at that time the Reformed Church might have secured a good foundation for its institutions, and that in this way many subsequent troubles would have been avoided.
THE SEMINARY IN YORK .- At York the seminary was
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reorganized on the IIth of November, 1829, and it re- mained there until the autumn of 1837. The number of students was generally from twelve to twenty-five. For several years Dr. Mayer was assisted by the Rev. Daniel Young, who was chosen assistant professor of theology.
FIRST SEMINARY AT YORK, PA.
Mr. Young was a brilliant man-a graduate of Union College, New York, and of the theological seminary at Princeton. Though educated in the Presbyterian Church he was of Reformed descent and entered upon his work with great enthusiasm-but his health soon failed and, while seeking its restoration by a journey in the South, he died at Augusta, Georgia, March 6, 1831.
Dr. Mayer's chief trouble was derived from the fact that his students lacked preparatory training. In a report to synod he said that he was compelled to refuse applicants who could " barely read and write." In 1831 it was found
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High School at York.
necessary to establish a classical department which was known as the High School of the Reformed Church. The school was, in 1832, put in charge of the Rev. Frederick A. Rauch, and it soon became very prosperous, so that there was a general desire that it should be raised to the rank of a college. Of course, under the direction of such a man as Dr. Rauch any school might be expected to ad- vance to such a position.
It was now proposed that the institutions of the Church
a
HIGH SCHOOL OF REFORMED CHURCH AT YORK, PA.
should be located at the place from which the most advan- tageous proposals were received, and the first place to present such proposals was Mercersburg, in Franklin County. The pastor of the church at that place was the Rev. Jacob Mayer (no relative of the professor), who fully appreciated the importance of securing the institutions for the town and left no stone unturned to accomplish his pur-
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pose. He succeeded in interesting the whole community, and the subscriptions received were unexpectedly liberal. It is true that, from our present point of view, the amount offered was entirely insufficient for the establishment of a college ; but the proposals sent from several other towns were on the whole less satisfactory, and it was in 1835 resolved to establish the institutions at Mercersburg and the High School was immediately removed to that place, but the seminary remained in York until 1836. The charter of Marshall College was granted by the legislature of Pennsylvania, March 31, 1836. The beginning was humble, but the results were of great importance in the history of the Church.
CHAPTER XIX.
MERCERSBURG.
Frederick Augustus Rauch-John Williamson Nevin -Philip Schaff- the Mercersburg Controversies.
ERCERSBURG is a pleasant village among the mountains of Franklin county. In early catalogues of Marshall College it is thus described : " It is more than usually retired, though within a short distance of the great thoroughfares of travel on different sides. At the same time it has the advantage of a daily mail. Few places, it is believed, furnish less occasion in the case of stu- dents, for distraction or dissipation of mind. It would be hard to find a location more favorable altogether to health. As respects scenery, it may be described as more than beautiful ; it is absolutely splendid. At the distance of from two to five miles, the mountains are thrown around it in a sort of half-circle, gracefully irregular and impos- ingly picturesque; forming a vast amphitheatre, from whose towering sides in every direction nature looks upon the beholder, through sunshine and storm, in her most
(295)
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The Reformed Church in the United States.
magnificent apparel. Strangers who are possessed of any taste are generally much taken with the situation, under the view now mentioned. It might well be selected for a summer retreat by such as wish to make their escape from the city during the hot months, without caring to follow the crowd to more fashionable but less graceful places of resort."
In this obscure place Dr. Rauch toiled until his early death. He met with difficulties of which we can hardly form a proper conception, but so far as we know he never complained. Not the least of his early difficulties was un- familiarity with the English language, but he soon sur- mounted it with all the skill of an accomplished philologist. As he was the originator of what has been known as the Mercersburg movement in philosophy and theology, it may be interesting to present a brief sketch of his remark- able career.
Frederick Augustus Rauch was born July 27, 1806, at Kirchbracht, in Hesse Darmstadt, where his father was
R.a. Ranch.
pastor. Concerning his boyhood little is known, except that he was very precocious. He studied successively at the universities of Marburg, Giessen and Heidelberg, and after serving a short time as professor extraordinary at Giessen, was appointed to a full professorship at Heidel- berg. As Rauch was at that time but twenty-four years old, his promotion naturally caused great surprise. Pro- fessor Schiedt says :236 "Such an appointment at so early an age has to my knowledge only once been repeated in
236" On the Threshold of a New Century," Philadelphia, 1900, p. 27.
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Rauch at Heidelberg.
this century-viz., in the case of Friedrich Nietzsche, who is by many considered the profoundest philosophical thinker of modern Germany."
That Dr. Rauch was a philosophical thinker of the highest order can hardly be doubted. He had been the favorite pupil of the great eclectic philosopher, Carl Daub, and though recognized as a Hegelian, many elements of his thinking were derived from Schelling and others of his great contemporaries. In theology he was ortho- dox and he was ordained to the ministry, though, as he himself acknowledged, it was not until affliction came that he fully appreciated the consoling power of the Christian faith.237
At the very moment when Dr. Rauch appeared to be entering upon a brilliant career at the University of Heid- elberg, an event occurred which entirely changed the cur- rent of his life. This event has never been fully ex- plained, but it is not difficult to comprehend its general character. The German governments, in pursuance of the policy inaugurated by Metternich after the fall of Na- poleon, were seeking by every possible means to repress the spirit of freedom that flourished in the universities ; and for a professor who was believed to entertain liberal
237 The general bent of Dr. Rauch's studies appears from the following list of his European publications :
I. "A Latin Treatise on the Electra of Sophocles."
2. "The Resurrection "-also in Latin.
3. "The Identity of the Hindoos, Persians, Germans and Slavs, as Indi- cated by their Language, Religion and Manners."
4. "A Critique of Goethe's Faust."
5. "A Treatise on Auricular Confession."
6. "Separation from the Church-a Treatise on Apostasy."
7. "The Will of God the Highest Principle of Morals-a Treatise on the Destiny of Man."
8. "A Book on the Literature of the Indians and Persians."
9. "Miscellaneous Articles and Sermons."
The above list appears in the Minutes of Synod, 1832.
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sentiments there was no mercy. On some public occasion Dr. Rauch said something which was construed as treason- able, and the same day he was compelled to flee for his life. He had a parting interview with his father at mid- night, and before daybreak had escaped beyond the border. At a later date he might easily have posed as a political refugee, but he always confessed that he had been impru- dent ; and could rarely be induced to discuss the subject.
Soon after his arrival in America, in 1831, Dr. Rauch found his way to Easton, Pennsylvania, where for some
MARSHALL COLLEGE, MERCERSBURG; ABOUT 1843.
time he supported himself by teaching music and by giv- ing instruction in German in Lafayette College. Here he made the acquaintance of the Rev. Thomas Pomp and of other Reformed ministers, on whose recommendation he was made principal of the High School at York.
To some of his difficulties in his new situation we have already referred. When the college was founded at Mer- cersburg he was for some time assisted by a single pro- fessor, Samuel W. Budd. The community failed to ap-
1
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Rauch's Psychology.
preciate him, on account of his imperfect knowledge of the English language ; but by his students he was sincerely admired. Having been appointed associate professor of theology he gave instruction to candidates for the ministry at the same time when Dr. Mayer was performing a simi- lar service for other students in York. In 1838, after a brief season of retirement, Dr. Mayer was elected Pro- fessor of systematic theology at Mercersburg, and on his acceptance the synod acknowledged its high appreciation of his " magnanimous sacrifice." For one year he taught in Mercersburg, but it was a year of trouble. As might have been expected, the systems of theology taught by the two professors failed to harmonize and there was a sharp conflict. In 1839 Dr. Mayer finally resigned, and received the thanks of synod for his "faithful and valu- able service." Rev. J. C. Becker, of Northampton County, was elected his successor, but he declined the appointment.
For nearly two years Dr. Rauch was the sole professor of theology, serving at the same time as president of Marshall College. During this period-besides writing a great deal for the church papers-he prepared for publication his " Psychology,"238 which may be said to have introduced this science to American students. This work was sub- sequently republished in many editions, and was long used as a text-book in leading American colleges. It was, however, according to Dr. Nevin, " only the beginning of what he wished and expected to accomplish as an author." Of much more account was to have been his "Moral Philosophy," a work on which his heart was greatly set, and which he hoped to publish in the ensuing summer. A treatise on æsthetics was intended to carry out and com- plete the scheme.239 There can be no doubt that constant
238 "Psychology or a View of the Human Soul," New York, 1841.
239 Preliminary notice to the second edition, IX.
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and unremitting labor undermined his physical strength and thus became the chief cause of his early death.
The special meeting of synod, convened at Chambers- burg on the 29th of January, 1840, for the purpose of electing a professor of systematic theology, was one of the most important in the history of the Church. It was a small body-numbering not more than thirty delegates- and no one could possibly have anticipated its action. Several candidates were proposed, but at their own request their names were withdrawn. Then, as by a common in- spiration, the synod unanimously elected the Rev. Dr. John Williamson Nevin, at that time professor in the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsylvania.240
All the members of that synod have long since passed away, but in former years the present writer was well ac- quainted with many of them ; and no one could furnish an adequate explanation of the reasons which influenced the mind of the synod in extending that remarkable call. That Dr. Nevin was not entirely unknown in Chambersburg may be taken for granted, as he had been born in Franklin County, and his "Biblical Antiquities " had been exten- sively circulated, though without attracting much personal attention to the author. The Rev. Samuel R. Fisher- then pastor at Emmitsburg, Maryland, was the only mem- ber of the synod who had heard him preach, and Dr. Benjamin S. Schneck, editor of the Weekly Messenger, had followed his course in the Presbyterian Church with
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