USA > Pennsylvania > The domestic life and characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German pioneer : a narrative and critical history ; prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German Society > Part 3
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The writer remembers that a daughter in a rural home had in the sixties of the closing century a novel method of awakening her guests, which she said she had learned from a professor of music, who had once stopped for a night at her home. He had severe toothache and could not sleep. He rose early in the morning and after a walk returned to the house, entered the parlor and played a number of selections on the piano. She was awakened by the music and so delightfully entertained, that she con- cluded in future to use this method of awakening her guests. She observed her rule when the writer was a guest at her home, and when he met the family in the
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The Barnyard and its Denizens.
morning, she told him the above and added : " I play first a grand march to awaken my guests, then a polka and a waltz to entertain them, and last of all a choral to signify that it is time to rise." But visitors in rural homes in earlier and later years have often been awakened by other sounds-the cry of the peacock, the gobbling of the turkey, the quacking of geese and ducks, the screeching of the guinea hen, the crowing of the rooster, the cackling of hens, the lowing of the cattle, the squealing of pigs and the barking of dogs.
While domestic animals yielded for the market a varied supply of meats, milk, butter, cheese, lard and tallow, and furnished hides for the tannery, the domestic fowls also fur- nished many supplies of eggs and coveted meats and yielded the settler a good reward for his toil in the care of animals and fowls.
2
Vignette from an old almanac.
CHAPTER VI.
DOMESTIC PIETY AND RELIGION.
HE German immigrants were generally Chris- tian people. In the old father- land they had enjoyed the privileges of churches and schools. They came to this western world with the faith which had been wrought in them by the Holy Ghost through the means of grace. Whilst but few came accom- Mappen bon Glogau. panied by pastors and teach- ers, they brought with them copies of the Bible, hymn-book, prayer-book, catechism, sermon-book and other devotional books. Court Chaplain Boehm, of London, rendered an important service to im- migrants sent from England to America by securing for them copies of Arndt's Wahres Christenthum. Starke's Gebet Buch was also used by many settlers.
The pioneers, when settled in this country, longed for the favor of churches and ministers of schools and teachers
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN. PIETY AND INDUSTRY.
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
and others will in due time show how this want was sup- plied. But religion entered into the daily life of the set- tler, and on this account its consideration belongs to that of his domestic life.
Religious books brought by immigrants were often seized by sea captains on arrival in this country for the pay- ment of most extravagant charges for services to immi- grants during the sea voyage.
Religious books were imported from the fatherland and sold in this country and some were also donated. Copies of these and of such as were Des Cif tinh Eroffreichen Lehrers, Detrn Johann Hrnorer brought by the immigrants themselves are thus to be Cúnrburg , Gimttidy Seftreiche Budxt Bom 2Bahren found among descendants of the pioneers and prized as Griftenflum, heirlooms.
Seilfamer Buffer berslider Heu und Leib uber bie Gunde and mahrem Glauben / auch beiingem Leben und &Banbd Cet rechten mabren Ebrifes Chiche dem aut beygefügten Beberen / Minmedunge I chaut Lauf ors Aurons, thò nottigen Repfiers:
German religious books were published in this coun- try at a very early day. In 1708 Justus Falkner publish- and cinxet Gatecherifben Einleitung bon 288. Btage ed the first book of a Luth- Paradies . Particins in groben Deud Und einigen befonbeen Regiftten / bermittelft meldbch mer cerfes Such auf alle Sena. und Erfttages, Foangdia und Quakte eran minister printed in Am- erica, a treatise in questions petmprácet and answers on the chief +749 doctrines of the Christian religion. The first century of German printing in America, 1728-1830-by Oswald Seidensticker, Phila- delphia, is an exceedingly interesting and valuable publi- cation, from which the following facts, touching the publi- cation of religious books in this country have been gath- ered.
In 1728 appeared Das Büchlein vom Sabbath, and Neun und neunzig mystische Sprüche, by Conrad Beissel, the
C
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former printed by Andrew Bradford, the latter by Benja- min Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin also printed for the religious enthu- siasts of Lancaster County in 1730-Götttiche Liebes und Lobesgethone, in 1732 Vorspiel der Neuen Welt, and in 1736 Jacobs Kampf und Rit- ZIONITISCHER SSeyranchs Siger ters-Platz. In 1739 Christoph Sauer, of Germantown, printed Zionitischer Weyrauchs Hügel ODET : SScyrrhen Berg, oder Myrrhenberg for the Ephrata Brethren. This was the first American book in Ger- man type. The book contains 654 hymns in 33 divisions, with an appendix of 38 hymns with separate title.1
Borinnen allerlen liebliches und mohl rieden Des nach Uisorbeter : Runit ju berarates Raud : Berd ja finden. Beffebend In allerlen Liebes . Surfungen ber in BOZE gefertigten Betten, melde fis in bitter End manderica Suplider onb liebliden tiereta ans gebildet. Als barinnen Der legte Ruff zu dem Abendmahl des grof ken GOttes auf unterfobicsliche Weile trefflich aus gebruderuk; 3um DienA Der in dem Abend . fandifchen Belt , Cheil als beg bem Untergang ber Connen ttoedten Rirde ejDites, und ju theet Ermenterung auf bie Ritternadnice Butunfft bes Brautigams ans Lut gegeben.
In 1742, Christopher Sauer printed Ausbund, a largehymn- book highly esteemed by the Mennonites. In 1742, Sauer Germantoms . Elbrudt ber Ebriftonb Cauet. . printed by order of Count Zin- zendorf Hirten-Lieder von Bethlehem, a collection of 360 hymns.
In 1743 Christopher Sauer, of Germantown, printed Biblia, Das ist die Heilige Schrift Altes und Neues Testa- ments, nach der Deutschen Uebersetzung D. Martin Luth- ers, quarto, to which he added an appendix of his own: Kurtzer Begriff von der heil. Schrifft. This was the first bible printed in America in a European language. The type was obtained from Heinrich Ehrenfried Luther in Frank- furt, to whom Sauer made a present of twelve copies of
1 For a full account of the issues of the Ephrata press, see German Sec- tarians of Pennsylvania, Volumes I. and II., by Julius F. Sachse, 1899.
BIBLIA,
Das ift:
Altes und Sentes
-
cfaments,
Rach der Deutschen Ueberfefung
Onit jebeš
Scartin
Butbers,
Capitels Furßen Summarient , auch beygefügten vielen und richtigen Parallelen;
Rebft einem Anhang Des Dritten und bierten Butchs Gfra und bes dritten Buchs der Maccabder.
ermantomn; Sebrudt ben Shriftoph sequr, 1743.
Fac-Simile of Title Page of the First Bible Printed in America. in an European Language.
ALISIS
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
his edition of the bible, all of which were given to distin- guished persons.1
In 1744 he printed Der Kleine Catechismus D. Martin Luthers. Mit Erläuterungen herausgegeben zum Ge-
Heine
afecDifiats
D. Martin Luthers.
Mit Erläuterungens herausgegeben sum Gebrand bes Lutherifche Bemeinen
in Penfolvanien.
Germanton Cibrudt ben Cbriftoph Can. $744
brauch der lutherischen Gemeinen in Pennsylvanien. This catechism was edited, prefaced and annotated by Count Zinzendorf.
1 For a critical account of Sauer and his German bible, see Sachse, German Sectarians, Volume II., pp. 1-68.
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In 1744, there was issued by the same press Das Kleine Davidische Psalterspiel der Kinder Zions. This work became quite popular with some sects-Dunkers, Men- nonites, etc .- as is evidenced by the numerous editions of the book. " Many of the hymns have the mystic coloring, sentimental style and bold allegorism found in the Ephrata books."
In 1745, Christopher Sauer printed Das Neue Testa- ment Unsers Herren und Heylandes Jesu Christi. 12mo. This was the first separate edition of the New Testament printed by Sauer.1
In 1746, he published Der Psalter des Königs und Pro- pheten Davids. Verteutscht von D. Martin Luthers. 16mo.
In 1747 appeared the first hymn-book printed at Ephrata entitled, Das Gesäng der einsamen und Verlassenen Tur- tel-Taube, nemlich der Christlichen Kirche. It contains only original material, consisting of 378 hymns, inclusive of those already in the Franklin books of 1730, 1732 and 1736.
In 1748 the Ephrata Brethren completed the printing of Tielman Jans van Braght's great work, translated into German from the Dutch and entitled in German Der Blutige Schau-Platz oder Matyrer-Spiegel der Tauffs- Gesinnten oder Wehrlosen Christen. It appeared in two volumes, bound as one, the first containing Introduction 56 pages, Text 478 pages and the Index 6 pages, the second containing : Introduction 14 pages, Text 950 pages, and Index 8 pages. This splendid folio is the largest, and, in some respects, most remarkable book of the colonial period. Pennsylvania Mennonites requested their breth- ren in Holland in 1745 to have the book translated into
. 1 Ibid.
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
efament
Linfers $ Crrn und Senlandes
Berteutfot Bon D. Scartin Suther. Mit Jedes Capitale Furtsen Saumarien, Stuch bengefügten vielen sibligen Parallelen.
Germantown: enrudt utb ld Rabin ben Ebriftopb Saur/' 1745
.
Title page of first edition of New Testament printed in America. See page 40.
1
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The Pennsylvania-German Society.
German, but were not gratified. The Ephrata Brethren un- dertook the laborious task, making the translation, manu- facturing the paper and doing the printing and binding.1
In 1749 Franklin and Böhm printed Der Kleine Cate- chismus des sel. D. Martin Luther.
In 1751 Benjamin Franklin and Johann Böhm printed Arndt's Wahres Christenthum. 8vo. Introduction, etc., 32 pages, the text 1,356 pages and 65 copper plate illustra- tions which were brought from Germany. This was the largest book printed in Philadelphia during the last cen- tury. The American preface was written by Rev. J. A. Christopher Hartwig, a Lutheran minister.
In 1752 Christopher Sauer published Geistreiche Lieder, a 12mo. hymn-book of 562 pages, containing be- side the hymns, an index, catechism, prayers, gospels, epis- tles, and destruction of Jerusalem. This was the first Re- formed hymn-book printed in America. In the same year he published Der Kleine Catechismus des Seligen D. Martin Luther. Nebst der Morgen- Tisch- und Abend- Gebeten-sieben Buss-Psalmen, ein Geistliches Lied und das Einmal Eins. In 1753 this was followed with Die Kleine Geistliche Harfe, a hymn-book for the use of the Mennonites. In 1753 he issued Neu-vermehrt- und Voll- ständiges Gesang-Buch, containing besides the hymns of Geistreiche Lieder published in 1752-the Psalms of Da- vid (L. Ambrosii translation) and the Heidelberg Cate- chism.
In 1753 the Lancastersche Zeitung contained an adver- tisement of Job. Habermann's Large Prayer Book. Both the large and a small edition of this prayer-book attained great popularity in America.
1 Ibid., p. 222, et seq.
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
Blufige &man Belag ober
Spiegel ta
Sehrlofen Driften,
Die um des Bengnus JEfi ihres Gelignta chers willen gelitten baben und fennd getodret morten, bon Chrift Beit an bis auf das Sahr 1660, Bormais ane untapetedlichen glaubwürdigru Chroniden, Srdcetite and Brugtiffin gifts let und ju Dollanbifeber Sprach heraus giganta Don T. J. V. BRAGHT, Fim aber forgfältigft ine Docteutfde überfeet tind Jums tiftennel and Ligt gebracht.
20109115
hoffe
EPHRATA in Penfylvanien, Duuds und Berlags Der Bruberfchaft. Anno MDCCXL VIIL
Title page of the celebrated Martyr Book. See page 40.
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In 1754 the Ephrata Brethren printed on writing paper Paradisisches Wunderspiel.
In 1755 Christopher Sauer published a second edition of the New Testament in German.
In 1757 Benjamin Franklin and Anthony Armbruster published Der Psalter Davids.
In 1759 Christopher Sauer printed Habermann and Nau- mann's Christliche Morgen- und Abend-Gebeten.
In 1759 Christopher Sauer published Vollständiges Mar- burger Gesang-Buch. Zur Beförderung des so Kirchen als Privat-Gottesdienstes. Mit erbaulichen Morgen- Abend-Buss-Beicht- und Communion-Gebetlein vermehret.
This was the first German Lutheran hymn-book pub- lished in America.
In 1761 Henrich Miller published Luther's Small Cate- chism translated into English by Rev. C. M. Wrangel, provost of the Swedish churches on the Delaware, and an intimate friend of Patriarch Muhlenberg.
In 1762 the Brotherhood of Ephrata published a new and enlarged edition of the hymn-book entitled Die ein- same Turtel Taube. In the same year Christopher Sauer, Jr., published a hymn-book for the Schwenkfelders, con- taining 760 pages, a third edition of Der Psalter des König und Propheten Davids and a second edition of the Marburger-Gesangbuch, of which the first edition ap- peared in 1759.
In 1762 Anton Armbruster published Kurtzgefaste Grund-Lehren des Reformirten Christenthums, and Peter Miller & Co. published Catechismus oder Kurzer Unter- richt Christlicher Lehre (in Reformirten Kirchen und Schuhlen).
In 1763 Christopher Sauer, Jr., published a second edi- tion of the Germantown bible in German. In his preface
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
arabiffdes under. piel,
cides fico
On Diefen legten Beiten und Sagen In Denen Abend Bandifchen- Belt Sheilen als ein Bord fpiel Der neuen Melt hervor gethan. Beftehende In einer gang neuen und ungemeinen Ging. Urt auf Seife Der Englifchen und bimm lifchen Choren eingerichtet.
Đã dann Das Dico Refie und des Camme; wie auch das holx Sild Safemos nis fait noch inchtern Beugnuffen aus der Bibel und andern Deiligen in liebliche Onclebyen gebracht. Beben nicht weniger der Suruf tet Braut des Lamine, famint det Zubereitung auf den berliden Dochjeits Lag trefflid Prafigurirt wird,
Stes .nach Englijden Choren Odfange- Seife mit biet snube; und. grofem Bing ausgefertiget bon einem
riesfamen,
De fooff in diefer Welt weder Klanten noch Titul fundet.
EPHRATÆE Sumptibus Societatis: 1 7 5 4 :
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he remarks : "So then the Holy Writ, called the Bible, appears on the American Continent for the second time in the German language to the renown of the German nation, no other nation being able to claim that the Bible has been printed in their language in this division of the globe."1
In the year 1763 the Germantown printer published Der Kleine Darmstädtische Catechismus, Herrn D. Martin Luthers, etc., also a second edition of the Reformed Hymn Book first published in 1753.
In 1763 Johann Brandmüller, of Friedensthal, near Bethlehem, published The Harmony of the Gospels and a hymn-book, both in the Delaware language. The trans- lation was by Bernhard Adam Grube, a Moravian mis- sionary.
In 1763 Henrich Miller printed Catechismus oder An- fanlgicher Unterricht Christlicher Glaubens-Lehre, a Schwenkfelder Catechism. He also printed in the same year "A hymn-book for the children belonging to the Brethren's (Moravian) Congregations."
In 1765 Christopher Sauer, Jr., published Johann Arndt's Paradies-Gärtlein.
In 1766 the most extensive collection of Ephrata hymns, numbering 725, entitled Paradisisches Wunder-Spiel, was published at Ephrata.
In 1767 Johann Brandmüller, of Friedersthal, near Bethlehem, published Die täglichen Loosungen der Brü- der-Gemeinde fur das Jahr 1767.
In 1770 Henrich Miller, of Philadelphia, published Augustus Hermann Francke's The Holy and sure way of Faith of an Evangelical Christian; German and English on alternate pages. The author was the famous founder of the Halle Orphanage.
1 The first Indian Bible was printed in 1663.
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
In 1776 the same publisher issued J. A. Freylinghausen's Ordnung des Heyls, nebst einem Verzeichniss der Wich- tigsten Kern-Sprüche der Heiligen Schrift, etc. Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen (1670-1739) was a renowned theologian and hymn writer of the pietistic school.
In 1787 Leibert and Billmyer, of Germantown, published Erbauliche Lieder-sammlung. This hymn-book was published by authority of the Evangelical Lutheran Minis- terium of Pennsylvania, compiled mainly by Patriarch Muhlenberg. It superseded the Marburger hymn-book reprints of which had till then been used by the Lutheran congregations of America.
In 1790 Michael Billmeyer, of Germantown, published Anhang zu dem Gesangbuch der Vereinigten Evangel- ish-Lutherischen Gemeinen in Nord Amerika. He also published in the same year Etliche Christliche Gebete.
In 1790 Carl Cist, of Philadelphia, published an edition of the Reformed Catechism. 124 pages.
In 1791 Michael Billmeyer published Erasmus Weichen- han's Christliche Beträchtungen uber die Evangelien, a quarto of 785 pages, which reflects the religious views of the Schwenkfelders.
In 1793 Michael Billmeyer published Rev. J. H. C. Hel- muth's Betrachtungen der Evangelischen Lehre von der Heiligen Schrift und Taufe; samt einigen Gedanken von den gegenwärtigen Zeiten. This was followed, in 1795, with a second edition of the Lutheran Hymn Book of 1787.
In 1795 Peter Leibert, of Germantown, issued a new edition of Dr. J. Habermann's Christliche Morgen- und Abend-gebeter auf alle Tage in der Woche, wie auch Magister Neumann's Kern aller Gebeter und Geistlicher Stundenwecker.
In 1795, Steiner and Kämmerer, of Philadelphia, pub-
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lished a new Reformed text-book : Catechismus oder Kur- zer Unterricht Christlicher Lehre wie derselbe in denen Reformirten Kirchen und Schulen Deutschlands wie auch in Amerika getrieben wird.
In 1797, the same firm issued Das neue und verbesserte Gesang-Buch, worinnen die Psalmen David's samt einer Sammlung alter und neuer Geistreicher Lieder-enthalt- ent sind. Nebst einem Anhang des Heydelbergischen Cate- chismus, wie auch erbaulicher Gebäter, a 12mo. of 766 pages. Heretofore the Reformed Churches of America had been contented with reprints of foreign books (1752, 1753, 1763 and 1772). A synod having been constituted independent of that of Holland in 1793, one of the first steps taken was a resolution to have a new hymn-book compiled, adapted to the needs of Reformed congrega- tions in America.
In 1799, Michael Billmeyer, of Germantown, published a second edition of the Reformed Hymn Book, of the ver- sion of 1797.
The list of religious books published in America might be continued, but enough have been cited for our purpose.
The reprint of so many books in this country and the publication of books prepared in America show that there was a demand for the same. Whilst many of the books were used at regular church services, they were also of great benefit to individuals and families in their respec- tive homes. The Bible was read at home, the prayer-book was regularly used and its pages soiled in the course of years showed how highly it was prized, the Catechisms and Sermon books (Hauspostille and others) were read at home worship and the hymn-book was the delight of true worshippers. Hymn tunes were often copied for home use. The writer saw not long ago in a book containing in
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Domestic Piety and Religion.
manuscript a sketch of the life of the original owner of the same and his drawings of designs for weaving, also at least fifty melodies with the first verses of as many hymns for use in the family. The reading of God's word and the pray- ers of the prayer-book, the singing of hymns, the reading of the sermons in the sermon-book, and the recital of the Catechism strengthened the pioneer and his descendants in their faith, quickened them in their walks in the truth and comforted them in their trials of life in this new world. The influence of religion in the home is forcibly illustrated in the life of Regina the captive. After her return to her home, her mother and she visited Patriarch Muhlenberg, who gives in the Hallische Nachrichten, an extended account of her capture, her life among the Indians, her surrender by the Indians and her remarkable experience, when brought with other captives to Carlisle, a town in the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania and her remarkable restoration to her mother. The account shows that home religion had a wonderful influence on Regina and sustained her during the years of her captivity. The simple repetition of the first lines of two hymns Jesum lieb ich ewiglich, etc., and Allein und doch nicht ganz allein bin ich in meiner Einsamkeit, etc., by the distressed mother, who had failed to recognize her daughter among the returned captives, was followed by the daugh- Sconce used in churches ter's recognition of her mother. in Lancaster county.
The mutual embrace of mother and daughter that affected the hearts of all the witnesses, has been the story always heard with gratitude to God for the power of religion in
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the domestic life of the pioneer. Regina's wish to have a copy of the Bible and a hymn-book for herself was grati- fied by Patriarch Muhlenberg who presented a copy of the Bible to her and furnished her money to buy a hymn-book. The Christian homes were the places where, before the erection of churches and school houses, the first ministers ' of the Gospel were welcomed to hold services. The house, the barn, the grove and the forest were the places where the pioneers gathered, hungry for the preaching of the Gos- pel and where ministers preached the word and admin- istered the Sacraments and the people united in prayer and the praise of God.
Illustration from an old reader.
CHAPTER VII.
CARE OF CHILDREN.
MOST important part of the domestic life of the pioneer and his descendants was the care of their children. The Psalmist of old wrote, " Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man : so are children of Wappen von Krefeld. the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them : they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate" (Ps. 127 : 3-5). The Apostle Paul wrote, " But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel" (I Tim. 5 : 8). The records of baptism kept by pastors and the entries of births and baptisms in the family Bibles show that Penn- sylvania-Germans often had large families of children.
The care of children required the proper supply of their bodily wants. Parents labored diligently that the home
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might be well supplied with food, and this was freely given at the appointed meals and at other times when children asked for food. Children of the former century were taught how to behave at the table. The model schoolmas- ter, Christopher Dock, considered it a part of his work to teach children rules for good behavior at home as well as in the school and in the church.
Prayers at meals taught children that their daily bread came from the Giver of all good gifts. Parents also sup- plied their children with clothing, suitable for wearing in the different seasons of the year. They taught them the proper care of garments, that there might be no sinful waste. Parents provided comfortable beds for their off- spring, that they might not suffer from cold in the days in which houses were without furnaces in cellars, and without hot-water and steam-heating plants. At the time when the services of a doctor of medicine could not easily be secured, a supply of remedies secured from the barn- yard, the garden, the orchard, the meadow and the forest was kept on hand for prompt use in days of sickness.
Parents also cared for the mental training of their chil- dren. They were anxious for the schoolhouse as well as the church, for the schoolmaster as well as the pastor. The family sustained a close relation to the schoolmaster, who was often entertained by families whose children were his pupils. Children were not merely sent to school and their entire mental training left to the schoolmaster. Par- ents assisted their children in learning their lessons at home, and when schools and schoolmasters were wanting parents were the teachers of their children. Such home instruction, though often very limited, showed the interest of parents in the welfare of their children. When this was neglected the young grew up very ignorant and were
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Care of Children.
in a most deplorable condition, as is evident from the testi- mony of Patriarch Muhlenberg and others, who in their first labors in this country were not only pastors, but also teachers and had adults advanced in years in schools at- tended by children. The German A B C Book and Spelling Book were frequently printed in this country, also Arithmetics, Readers, including the New Testament, Psalter and other books. The Catechism and Hymn- Book were also used in teaching the young to read. In many homes children would gather in the long winter evening at the table, at which meals were served during the day, that parents might assist them in learning their lessons. Some years ago the writer had as a parishioner an aged mother, a daughter of Jaebez Weiser, a descendant of Conrad Weiser, who told him of the customs that pre- vailed in her youth, which was that children gathered around the table in the evening, and were assisted by adults in learning their lessons, and were taught passages of Scripture and hymns, and that such had been the custom of her ancestors.
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