USA > South Carolina > History of the German settlements and of the Lutheran church in North and South Carolina : from the earliest period of the colonization of the Dutch, German, and Swiss settlers to the close of the first half of the present century > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
A strong effort was made at this time by Rev. Nussmann to place the Lutheran Church in North Carolina once more in connection with the parent Church in Germany, and this time he accomplished his purpose. His object was threefold: his con- gregation, St. John's, had money on deposit in Europe, which had been collected for its benefit previous to the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, and the amount, £90 sterling, was certainly worth the attempt to secure for the benefit of that congregation ; besides, devotional books and German school-books were greatly needed every- where, and, in order to obtain a supply of them, application was made to the Mission Society at Helmstaedt, Duchy of Brunswick, to send books in exchange for the money that was coming to
283
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
that church, which could then be sold among the Germans in North Carolina, and more than the same amount of money realized from their sale. But the greatest necessity of all was a supply of German Lutheran ministers; accordingly, as is stated in Rev. C. A. G. Storch's journal, a call for several Lutheran ministers to labor in North Caro- lina was sent by Rev. Nussmann to Rev. Dr. Velt- husen, in Helmstaedt, Germany, and by this means Rev. N. endeavored to preserve the Lu- theran Church in this State from becoming entirely extinct, for in all human probability this would have been eventually its fate, if help, in the supply of ministers, had been delayed several years longer, when Revs. Nussmann and Arndt were called to their long rest.
For the purpose of taking these matters into consideration, particularly those bearing upon the welfare of St. John's Church, a meeting of the church-council was called on the 30th of .Septem- ber, 1787, which convened at the pastor's house, and the following business was transacted :
As before stated, many charitable persons in Europe had safely deposited a considerable amount of money in London, some time before the Revo- lution, for the benefit of "the congregation at Dutch Buffalo Creek, Mecklenburg County," which had been appropriated in part for the wel- fare of that church, and of which &90, sterling, were still remaining on deposit in that city, and which, it was feared, this congregation had for-
284
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
feited, on account of the action of its members in the Revolution; it was, therefore,
" Resolved, That if those benefactors would still have the kindness to permit this amount to be ap- propriated to the welfare of this congregation, as was at first intended, that the money should always be considered as a fund belonging solely to the church.
" Resolved, That from the interest of this fund the yearly salary of the pastor shall be supple- mented.
" Resolved, That no part of the principal shall be touched without the consent of the donors."
This fund had accumulated in 1843 to fifteen hundred dollars, and was then all consumed, con- trary to this resolution, in erecting the present church edifice, in which the members of St. John's Church now worship.
" Resolved, That this amount of funds shall not be sent in money, but, as the congregation is de- sirous of obtaining books, especially those pub- lished by those five learned philanthropists in Helmstaedt, Revs. Abbots Velthusen and Heuke, and the Professors Crell, Klügel and Bruns, for the benefit of the Christian religion in America; it is. ordered that a part be printed by St. Michael's Day, and the other part by next Easter Day, and it is requested that the first four numbers be pur- chased, and strongly but not expensively bound, and then be sent over to us.
" Resolved, That the whole Society, or a part of the members by order of the Society, be permitted
285
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
to appropriate the whole or a part of this money in the purchase of those expected books, which are to be sent to us.
" Resolved, That these resolutions be inscribed in the church-book.
" Resolved, That the chest, in which these books are to be sent, shall be directed M. C. D. B. C.," supposed to signify Mecklenburg County, Dutch Buffalo Creek.
This abstract of the proceedings of St. John's church council, held at the time and place above- mentioned, is taken from the old church-book, still extant and written in the German language.
The efforts of Rev. Nussmann and his congre- gation were crowned with success; the money was secured, the needed books were sent, and in com- pliance with the request of Rev. Nussmann, a sec- ond edition of one of those books, named at first " The Helmstaedt Catechism," was published, and received the title "North Carolina Catechism." A copy of its title-page is inserted here in its original language, for the benefit of all those who under- stand the German:
"Nordcarolinischer Katechismus, oder Christ- licher Religionsunterricht nach Einleitung der heiligen Schrift, entworfen von Johann Caspar Velthusen, Doctor und ordentlichem Lehrer der Theologie, erstem Prediger in Helmstaedt, und General Superintend; auch Abte des Klosters Marienthal."
It is a book containing 254 pages, published in 1788, in the city of Leipzig, by Siegfried Lebrecht
286
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Crusius, and also incloses Luther's smaller cate- chism in its pages. It informs us of the degree of interest which the Church in the Fatherland took in our ecclesiastical affairs in this section of our country. Its chief importance at this time is its historical value, giving us an insight in the manner in which the practical affairs of our churches in the Carolinas were conducted at the time of its publication. This is furnished us in its preface, in which Dr. Velthusen reports some interesting facts concerning the Lutheran Church in North Carolina and Charleston, informing us of the departure of Rev. C. A. G. Storch (Stork) from Helmstaedt to his future field of labor in North Carolina.
The preface to this " North Carolina Catechism " reads as follows : "This second edition corresponds verbatim with the first, which I then denominated the Helmstaedt Catechism, because it is likewise necessary for the use of the Catechetical Institute of this place.
"In the meantime two very strong congrega- tions in North Carolina have most feelingly de- clared themselves willing to accept with gladness the preachers which we expect to send out to then. Rev. Mr. Storch is already upon the sea on his way thither."
"We have also the assurance from other por- tions of America, that the choice of our books of instruction are suitable to their wants. Besides, various of these books have also been introduced in Charleston, by the approval and support of the
287
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
congregation, for the instruction of their youth." (Here follows the description of the condition of the Lutheran Church in Charleston, already quoted on another page.) "I have, therefore, given the above title to this Catechism from motives of love and regard to my friend, Rev. Nussmann, as such has been his desire from the beginning. May God bless the use of this book, my dear brethren, for your and your children's everlasting salvation. " HELMSTAEDT, May 1st, 1788."
From one of the Helmstaedt Reports we are informed how these books and letters intended for Rev. Nussmann were sent to him. Dr. Velt- husen says: "We had formerly sent everything which was intended to reach Rev. Mr. Nussmann, as we were requested, to the address of Rev. Mr. Daser, but who has now left Charleston, and has moved to Orangeburg District, where he must await such opportunities as the country market- wagons afford, before Rev. Nussmann could re- ceive our letters, sent over through the kindness of friends in London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Altona and Bremen."
Rev. Mr. Daser also mentions a fact in his letter, which is worthy of notice, and assists us in obtain- ing an insight into the condition of the Lutheran Church in the interior of South Carolina at that time.
Dr. Velthusen states: "Rev. Mr. Daser men- tions two congregations in South Carolina that are in search of a pastor, but the assurances were not sufficiently distinct and satisfactory to propose
288
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
this call to one, whose welfare at the present time is even dearer to us than our own, or even to permit any one to make a journey upon such an uncertainty; for we have determined upon the principle, never to send any one as a preacher to America, except under such circumstances which would induce each one of us cheerfully to make this journey ourselves, if our individual circum- stances would permit, in dependence upon God and upon the good cause; for we despise, with all our hearts, every uncalled-for emigration from the Fatherland, and all wandering about in the world as adventurers."
These two vacant churches in South Carolina must have been the one in Barnwell District, and Salem Church at Sandy Run, Lexington District, so supposed from the fact that all the other charges in that State appear to have been supplied with pastors that same year, when the Corpus Evan- gelicum was organized; and also, that Rev. Daser, residing in Orangeburg District at the time he wrote, was nearest to these two congregations, and was doubtless specially interested in their welfare.
Section 4. The Corpus Evangelicum, or Unio Eccle- siastica in South Carolina, and the Ordination of Rev. J. G. Bamberg.
We have now arrived at that period in the his- tory of the Lutheran Church in the Carolinas, when the first attempt was made, in connection with the German Reformed ministers, to organize
289
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
some kind of ecclesiastical body, that should have the supervision of all the German churches in the interior of the State of South Carolina.
This body was organized in Zion's Church, Lex- ington District (County), November 13th, 1787, and consisted of Lutheran and German Reformed ministers, together with lay deputies from the churches belonging to both denominations. It had the double name of Corpus Evangelicum and Unio Ecclesiastica, doubtless so given with the view that neither denomination could have occa- sion to object to the title and to its undenomina- tional character. Its principal object was to make special arrangement for the proper incorporation of all the German churches by legislative enact- ment, which were located in the interior of the State; the Lutheran church in the city of Charles- ton having already secured its charter of incorpo- ration. The ordination of a candidate to the office of the ministry indicated that the performance of this duty seemed to be also one of its objects; and the general oversight and welfare of all the churches in its connection, as was manifested by the pres- ence of lay delegates, claimed a large share of the attention of that body.
The Lutheran congregation in Charleston never connected itself with that body; neither did the two Lutheran ministers, Revs. Faber and Martin, who resided there; but for what reason is not stated. .
The Corpus Evangelicum was short-lived, as might have been expected, and as all such mixed
25
290
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
ecclesiastical bodies must necessarily be. A union of denominations cannot be otherwise than false, where the united parties are not agreed either in doctrine or practice, for each party feels that it is not laboring specially for the upbuilding of its own denomination, and thus zeal and energy are paralyzed, and the heart grows weak. Such a union becomes the parent of indifferentism.
It is a Utopian dream ever to expect a union of all orthodox Christian denominations in this world, and every attempt to effect a union of this kind must finally become inoperative. Royal edicts, as in Prussia, may for a long time keep two or more denominations in an organized eccle- siastical connection, and galvanize such a union into a certain kind of life; but no sooner are such edicts revoked, than the former state of things is restored, with, perhaps, the forming of a third denomination where once but two existed, thus making the division still greater.
It is admitted that this is taking but a philo- sophical view of the case. The question, Is it right in the sight of God ? is quite another matter, which need not now be discussed, as we have at present to deal only with historical facts. It is well known that such an ecclesiastical union was formed in South Carolina-an account of which may be found in Rev. Dr. Hazelius' History of the American Lutheran Church, pp. 118-121, which, however, is not here inserted, because the constitution and report of the proceedings of that body are preferred, as translated by Dr. Hazelius,
291
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
and inscribed in the church book of St. Peter's congregation, near Lexington Court House, South Carolina, in which church-book the orginal Ger- man copy was found.
Constitution of the Corpus Evangelicum.
Whereas our legislature, in virtue of a petition, has incorporated the major part of our Evangeli- cal Zion in this free State, consisting of fifteen congregations, as a lawful society, with full power to constitute and make such by-laws, orders, and regulations as they may deem proper for the wel- fare of such a society, and to administer a salutary church discipline; therefore, the undersigned met on the 12th day of August, 1788, in the Lutheran Salem's Church, Sandy Run, and resolved that the following articles shall be signed and sealed by us, and be kept inviolably by every member of the fifteen evangelical churches, as a general Church discipline, and that every person, who is desirous of becoming a member of this Church, shall sign and observe these regulations, as fol- lows:
ARTICLE I. All the Christian congregations, in- corporated as aforesaid, shall form one corpus evangelicorum under the title: Unio Ecclesiastica of the German Protestant Churches in the State of South Carolina. Each and every congregation is depending on this corpus, by which all things concerning Church and religion shall be managed
292
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
and directed, and the free course of the gospel be promoted within its bounds.
ARTICLE II. Whereas it would be highly detri- mental, if members of the Lutheran and Reformed Confessions, who in this State live near each other, and attend the same churches, should be separated, therefore we have agreed to this eccle- siastical union, by which, however, it is not to be understood that any member of either confession should forsake his confession, but that both Lu- theran and Reformed, who are members of one or the other incorporated churches, and who have hitherto united in the attendance on worship, shall continue to enjoy the same rights and privileges, without the least reproaches in consequence of their respective confessions.
ARTICLE III. Each of the united evangelical congregations agrees herewith, in accordance to the design expressed in their petition to the legis- lature, to establish and preserve among them a Directory of their churches as long as a majority of the fifteen churches agree to the same, which Directory shall consist of the ministers of said con- gregations and two delegates, suitable lay-members of each of these churches. Under the general superintendence of this Directory all affairs re- lating to churches shall be judged and regulated; as for instance, the reception and dismission of preachers, their election, examination, ordination, and induction, the establishment and regulation of churches and schools, where there are none at present, the improvement of such as are in exist-
293
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
ence, the manner of Divine service, so that uni- formity may exist in this matter, the collections in churches, and the proposition in what manner a fund may be collected gradually for several neces- sary expenses, and, in general, whatever may be of importance for the furtherance and welfare of the whole body, as well as of each individual church.
ARTICLE IV. The officers of this Ecclesiastical Directory consist of a president, chosen from the ministers, a church council, selected from the deputies of the respective congregations, a secre- tary, and a warden; which officers are to be chosen yearly, on the second Wednesday of Jan- uary, by the plurality of the votes of the whole Directory; and the place of meeting may be changed, provided it is a convenient and central situation.
ARTICLE V. Whenever a member of these in- corporated churches should be cited before this Directory, such member promises to appear before the same, unless prevented by some extraordinary hindrance; and any member chosen to fill an office in the Directory engages to accept the office and to perform its duties, unless very special cir- cumstances should prevent him from so doing.
ARTICLE VI. Every congregation is to reply in writing to the Directory, and to give an account of the state of their church. In all cases of im- portance seek advice from the Directory; but each incorporate church elects yearly on Easter Monday the necessary church officers, viz .: two
294
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
elders, four wardens, a secretary, and a church treasurer. The officers of the last year are to give an account of the state of the church prop- erty to the newly-elected officers, and deliver to them all and every part thereof. And it is here- with agreed that all the church officers shall take an oath before a magistrate, that they will faith- fully and honestly administer the property of the church.
ARTICLE VII. The Directory is to keep a book of record of all its regulations and ordinances. But each congregation shall keep its own minutes and church register through the medium of their ministers and secretaries, and it shall be the duty of the latter to register all the regulations concern- ing the temporalities of the church made by the vestry and ministry concerning the same. The books, which are to be kept by the minister, shall be mentioned below.
ARTICLE VIII. Wherever the major part of the members of a congregation should belong to the Reformed Church, such a liturgy, formula, and catechism are to be used as the Reformed Church in the Palatinate or Switzerland make use of; but where the divine service has hitherto been per- formed according to the ceremonies of the Lu- theran Church, the Würtemberg or Halle formula shall be adopted. The Marburg Hymnbook, in its second edition, remains in use in our churches of both confessions.
ARTICLE IX. Every congregation has the un- doubted right to elect, call, and to approve of its
295
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
own minister; but whenever a parish is vacant, it shall be the duty of its officers to apply to the Direc- tory in this case, as in all cases of importance, to propose a suitable candidate, and being approved by the congregation, and they promise to give him a support, it shall be the duty of the Directory to deputize two ordained ministers to install the new preacher in his parish.
ARTICLE X. Every congregation promises here- with, and obligates itself, to make up a salary by subscription, according to its ability, and regularly to pay the same; likewise to treat its minister with respect, and not to dismiss him from its ser- vice without a proper cause. Nevertheless, the minister shall have the right and privilege to accept a call from any other congregation, if Providence should so direct. Each congregation, likewise, fixes the contingent fees of the minister according to their respective abilities.
ARTICLE XI. The preacher, in any of these in- corporated congregations, promises on his part, and binds himself before God and the Church, to administer his holy office, to adorn it by an unin- peachable walk and conversation. In the discharge of the duties of his holy office, whether public or private, he shall appear in his ministerial dress, which is to be provided by the congregation. He shall preach every Lord's day an evangelical and edifying sermon, and afterwards catechize the youth, except when baptism, communion, or a marriage is to be celebrated, or in case that he has to visit the sick. He shall yearly keep a fast
296
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
and prayer day in his congregation, preach a har- vest sermon, and celebrate in his church the high festivals of Easter Sunday and Monday, Pentecost Sunday and Monday, Ascension Day and Christ- mas Day, and other festivals of the Christian Church, such as Good Friday, New Year, &c. He likewise promises to continue his theological studies, and not to depart from the principles of our holy religion, and to warn his hearers against the sects which divide the Church, and to endeavor to prevent the growing evil. He shall also ad- monish his household and children to walk in the fear of God, and in every respect is he bound as a faithful steward of God to act conscientiously in his public and private vocation. Unless it is abso- lutely necessary, he shall not absent himself too far from his congregation, and shall submit to every regulation which either has been made or may be made by the Directory.
He shall, at least once every year, make a state- ment to the Directory of his parochial duties, according to a formula which he is to receive. He shall frequently visit the schools, and seriously admonish the parents to educate their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He shall be diligent in exposing, and warning against, the vices and immoralities which may creep or prevail in congregations. In regard to marriages, and everything connected with the same, he is to act with circumspection, and he shall endeavor to preserve good morals, peace, and harmony, both in the Church and families.
297
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
Every quarter he shall call a meeting of the church officers, to counsel with them concerning the temporal and spiritual state of the congrega- tion, examine the account of the church treasurer, and keep an exact account of these proceedings in his own book, as the secretary has to preserve a similar account in his. If hitherto no register of baptisms, communicants, confirmations, marriages, and deaths has been kept in a congregation, the minister is to make diligent search in his congre- gation, whether any records of former times may be discovered, and if not, he shall henceforth keep such a record, a model of which shall be sent to them by the president. Every minister, who is cited to appear before the Directory to answer to any accusation which may be brought against him, is bound to appear before the same, and to submit to the decision thereof.
ARTICLE XII. A copy of this act and church discipline shall be made and deposited in each of our united and incorporated congregations; this copy shall be subscribed and sealed by each mem- ber, and it shall frequently be read to the congre- gation. Whosoever desires to become a member of the church or Directory has to subscribe and seal this discipline before he can be admitted to a vote in any election held by the church.
ARTICLE XIII. We herewith agree to keep a box in every church, into which every attendant on divine worship may cast his contribution, ac- cording to his ability and good will. The amount of these contributions shall yearly be declared
298
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
before the Directory. This money is to be applied for the purchase of baptismal and communion ves- sels; ministerial gowns, however, are to be pro- vided by private collections in the congregation.
ARTICLE XIV. We will make application by letter to our brethren in the faith in Europe to consider our weak state, and especially to supply us with ministers and schoolmasters.
ARTICLE XV. As far as it is possible we will aid the poor in our congregations.
ARTICLE XVI. We shall not interfere in cases which, according to law, ought to come before our civil magistrates, and in all respects submit to the laws of our country.
ARTICLE XVII. If any person in the congrega- tion should have a complaint against his minister, he is to make it known to the church council and wardens, and if these officers are unable to bring the difficulty to an amicable settlement, they are bound forthwith to acquaint the president with the circumstances by a written communication, who is then to take the matter in hand.
ARTICLE XVIII. All the families of our united evangelical congregations bind ourselves solemnly to attend regularly divine service agreeable to our duty; to labor earnestly for the propagation of our holy religion; frequently to attend the means of grace; to avoid sectarianism as much as possible ; and to walk carefully according to the prescription of pure doctrine.
ARTICLE XIX. Our united zealous endeavor shall be directed to promote the welfare of our
299
IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
Church, the extension of the religion of Jesus, as well as of our Zion; and with the adoption of this discipline we make a beginning of this endeavor. May God further grant his richest blessing.
ARTICLE XX. Should it hereafter be considered necessary, after due reflection, to change, abro- gate, or disannul any of these Articles of Disci- pline, or add anything to the same by the Church assembled in Directory, such resolution shall be added as a lawful by-law to these regulations, and which member soever shall wilfully resist these rules, and will in nowise agree to the same, can- not find fault with the Church to which he has hitherto belonged, nor with the Directory, if he shall be deprived of the benefits and claims to either.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.