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 26
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"The cause of changing the time of meeting of the Synod from Trinity Sunday to this day was explained, namely : that at the last Synod of the Lutheran ministry in Pennslvania, a general de-
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sire was expressed, if possible, to effect a more in- timate union with all the Synods of our Church in the United States; which was officially communi- cated by the officers of their Ministerium to our secretary, and in private letters from other reverend sources. This information was then communicated to ministers of our Synod, and particularly to our reverend president, and all such who, in the vicin- ity, could be informed thereof, united in opinion, that towards a union of our Church in this exten- sive country all possible assistance ought to be ren- dered on our part. But as the Synod of Pennsyl- vania and adjacent States was this year to meet in Baltimore on Trinity Sunday, and the officers of their last Synod had invited us to send a deputy or deputies to the same ; the consideration whether this Synod would send deputies could not be post- poned to the same day, and for that reason this meeting was called at this time. And after the said letters from the reverend secretary, Endress, of Lancaster, and the reverend president, Loch- man, were read, this Synod unanimously approved of our present meeting.
"It was further unanimously agreed that our reverend president, with the consent of two or three ordained ministers residing in his vicinity, is authorized to call a Synod, and to make other orders and regulations which will not admit of delay; and which should be valid until the suc- ceeding meeting of the Synod."
This would have all been well enough, if the matter which claimed their earlier attention had
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been urgent; also if the time of the meeting of Synod had not been "firmly fixed."
That the question, concerning the establishment of a General Synod, did not require speedy action at that time is evident from the fact, that the meet- ing in Baltimore in 1819 was simply an annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Synod; where the question was to be discussed as to the propriety of organizing a General Synod; it was certainly in- judicious haste on the part of the North Carolina Synod to disarrange its own Church affairs, merely to send a deputy to a meeting of the Pennsylvania Synod; at which meeting no steps could possibly be taken, except to discuss the question and call for a convention of delegates from all the Synods. The North Carolina Synod should have had more respect for its own legislation at its last meeting, and let "firmly fixed " remain so, until reconsid- ered and changed at a regular meeting of Synod.
" After deliberating on the manner how a de- sirable union of the whole Church might best be effected, it appeared unnecessary to send more than one deputy at the beginning of an attempt towards a union; because if one deputy of each now existing Synod was elected, they could form a constitution of our general Church, which would then be laid before the different Synods for accep- tance.
" According to this view, our secretary, Gottlieb Shober, was elected to attend the Synod at Balti- more, and, in the name of this Synod, endeavor to effect such a desirable union.
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"Resolved, that if he accedes to a constitution for the purpose of uniting our whole Church, and that constitution be in accordance with his instructions received from this Synod, it be adopted by us; but if such constitution be not in accordance with his instructions, the same must first be communi- cated to our next Synod ; and only then, if adopted, can it be binding upon us.
"A committee to form instructions for our deputy was appointed, namely : the Revs. Robert Johnson Miller, Jacob Scherer, and Mr. Jonas Abernathy." The committee afterwards reported, and the " instructions were considered, paragraph after paragraph, amended, and then unanimously approved." These instructions were not published in the minutes. Rev. Shober attended the meeting of the Pennsylvania Synod in Baltimore, and labored with a committee of said Synod in pre- paring a plan for the organization of a General Synod; this plan was published for general distri- bution among all the ministers and delegates of the several Lutheran Synods in the United States, a copy of which is found reprinted in the minutes of the Tennessee Synod of 1820, from which it is seen that Rev. Shober was the only delegate that appeared upon the floor of the Pennsylvania Synod from other Lutheran Synods.
The next step, that was taken for the organiza- tion of the General Synod, was the convention of delegates from the several Synods in October, 1820, at Hagerstown, Maryland, at which conven- tion a constitution was adopted for the government
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of the future General Synod. At this convention four Synods were represented, namely: The Penn- sylvania, the North Carolina, the New York and the Maryland-Virginia Synod. The Ohio Synod at first adopted the proposed "Plan " of the Penn- sylvania Synod, but afterwards reconsidered its action, and withdrew from the enterprise; the Tennessee Synod never became connected with the General Synod. The North Carolina Synod elected Revs. R. J. Miller, Peter Schmucker and Mr. John B. Harry as deputies to the convention at Hagerstown, Maryland.
The first session of the General Synod was held in October, 1821, in Fredericktown, Maryland. Delegates present from the North Carolina Synod were Revs. G. Shober and D. Scherer.
Section 13. The First Rupture in the Lutheran Church in America, and the subsequent forma- tion of the Tennessee Synod, A.D. 1819 and 1820.
It may be seen from the preceding sections, that dissensions were beginning to arise in the Lutheran Church in the Carolinas. This state of things might have been expected, when ministers from other denominations, still holding fast to their un- Lutheran principles, were admitted as members of the Synod; and when no theological seminary was established, in which the future ministers might be trained alike in the doctrines and usages of the
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Lutheran Church. Doctrinal differences were at first not very apparent, except on the ordination question ; however, it was perceptible, as early as 1816, that everything was tending towards a dis- ruption, and that only some occasion or circum- stance was wanting to produce it.
This event was not long delayed, for in the year 1819 the Synod of North Carolina held its sessions six weeks earlier than the appointed time, which, with the transactions of that meeting of Synod, furnished the occasion to rend the Church asunder.
The persons who became the leaders in this division were Rev. Gottlieb Shober, on the part of the North Carolina Synod, and Rev. David Henkel, on the part of the withdrawing party, that afterwards formed the Tennessee Synod.
Rev. Shober was a man of decided opinions, unyielding in everything which he considered right, as may be seen from a sketch of his life in the Evangelical Review, vol. viii, pp. 412-414; " with a mind that knew no dissimulation, a lofty independence, an ardent temper, and a character decidedly affirmative, he frequently experienced difficulties, and encountered points other than pleasant, in his pilgrimage through life, and which a disposition more pliant could have averted." " The lineaments of his countenance gave indica- tions of a strong and active mind." "He was one of the most active defenders of (the) General Synod, as he had also been prominent among its early founders." But Rev. Shober was no Lu- theran, he was a member of the Moravian Church,
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and never disconnected himself from communion with the same; he lived and died as a member of that Church. This information the writer received from his own daughter, the widow of Bishop Herr- man. He merely served the Lutheran Church in the capacity of one of its ministers, being the pas- tor of several neglected Lutheran congregations in the vicinity of his place of residence, Salem, N. C. It may be readily perceived that no com- promise could be expected on his part, in the difficulties which distracted the Lutheran Church at that time.
Firm as was the Rev. G. Shober, he found his equal, in that respect, in Rev. David Henkel, who, though a young man then, was equally as decided and unyielding in his opinions. He was a hard student and well educated, not only in the German and English languages, but also in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Theology, all of which he had prin- cipally acquired by private study and close appli- cation. He was the best informed candidate for the ministry the North Carolina Synod had at that time, and wielded even then a considerable influ- ence in the Church. It is not to be supposed that he would readily yield his opinions to others, or permit himself to be led about at the will of even those who were older than himself, when he be- lieved his cause to be just. In him the Tennessee Synod had a champion who could not be easily overcome. He had a mind that was clear, active and penetrating; he was quick in discerning an advantage, and not slow in making use of it.
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These characteristics are gathered principally from his own writings.
The difficulty was at first a personal one, and, as admitted by the North Carolina Synod (English minutes of 1820, p. 6), " errors had been committed on both sides;" but it soon took a wider range; a strong opposition was created to the formation of the General Synod, and, in the heat of controversy, doctrinal differences between the two opposing parties became manifest, which widened the breach already existing, and all attempts at reconciliation during the meeting of the North Carolina Synod, which convened in Lincolnton, N. C., May 28th, 1820, proved unavailing.
On the 17th of July of the same year, Revs. Jacob Zink, Paul Henkel, Adam Miller, Philip Henkel and George Easterly, with delegates from the Tennessee congregations, met in Solomon's Church, Cove Creek, Green County, Tennessee, and organized the Tennessee Synod. Rev. David Henkel could not attend this meeting, but ac- knowledged himself a member of the new organi- zation. The separation between the two contend- ing parties was now fully effected, and both Synods labored industriously in their own selected spheres of usefulness; not, however, without considerable opposition to each other, and the publication of controversy.
Although divisions in the Church are always to be dreaded, and, except in cases of doctrinal dif- ferences, always to be avoided, nevertheless, when they do occur, they sometimes effect good in vital-
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izing dormant energies, and in re-establishing the pure faith of the Gospel. Such was the case in this division; it increased the number of minis- ters, it provided for the wants of so many neg- lected congregations, it made ministers and lay- men all the more energetic, zealous and faithful in the discharge of their duties, and it resulted in an enlarged increase in the strength of the Church.
But God made use of this division in the Church in accomplishing a special purpose for the welfare of the Lutheran Church in America:
Firstly, In attracting attention once more to the pure doctrines of the Lutheran Church, as con- fessed by the early Reformers, and in awakening inquiry into those truths, which the symbols of the Lutheran Church exhibited. So gradual and yet so sure were the departures from the confessed faith of the Church, as well as the assimilation to the teachings and practices of other denomina- tions, that for a long time it awakened no alarm, and but a learned few had any idea of what the faith of the Lutheran Church was; admirers of Luther there were in abundance, even ·among other denominations, but very few knew anything of the secret which made Luther the conscientious, fearless and zealous man that he was. Multitudes admired Luther's energy and labors, but they knew little of the faith which actuated his labors, and of the doctrines upon which that faith was based. Had they known it and experienced it themselves, more would have been accomplished
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at that time in the Lutheran Church in America, and divisions would not have occurred; then also there would have been less manifest desire to unite all denominations into one Church, but a stronger desire to advance the interests of that Church, to which God has given a peculiar field of labor.
Secondly, By means of this division the symbols of the Lutheran Church were translated into the English language. This was a want that had long been felt, but before that time no one possessed the patience and energy to apply himself to the task. There was an abundance of anxious desire manifested by some to make the Lutheran Church in America an English, as well as a German Church, but no anxiety manifested itself to an- glicize the faith of the Lutheran Church, that is, to translate its confessions and theology into the English language. All honor then to the Ten- nessee Synod for undertaking this work, which has accomplished more in preserving the faith of our fathers in this country than any similar under- taking in the English language.
Thirdly, The Lutheran Church in America has had its publication boards and societies in abun- dance, which have doubtless accomplished a good work; but the oldest establishment of the kind is the one in New Market, Virginia, which dates its existence as far back, at least, as 1810, for the minutes of the North Carolina Synod were printed there at that time. It was established by the Henkel family, and has continued under their management to this day; at the time of the divi-
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sion in the Lutheran Church in North Carolina, it came at once into the service of the Tennessee Synod, and has issued more truly Lutheran theo- logical works in an English dress than any similar institution in the world. We may well say, " What hath God wrought?" How imperceptible have been his purposes! How brightly they shine forth now!
CHAPTER V.
FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TENNESSEE SYNOD TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, A.D. 1833.
Section 1. A Glimpse into the History of some of the older Congregations.
St. John's Lutheran Church, Charleston, S. C .- Nothing contributes more to the prosperity of a congregation than the voice and presence of a liv- ing and faithful ministry ; the want of an efficient and useful pastor for the short time of only one year is of incalculable injury to any church, not that the building up of a congregation is the work of man, but that Christ has so ordained, that pas- tors should watch over and " feed the flock of God." Disarrange the relationship between pastor and
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people, and no promise is given that a congrega- tion will be blessed. The voice of a living minis- try must be heard; the faith of a people is built up by the preached word and the administered sacraments.
This was also exemplified in the Lutheran Church in Charleston. Before the arrival of their pastor, the Rev. John Bachman, in 1815, the con- gregation had greatly declined, but from that time it commenced to improve, and soon enjoyed a high state of prosperity. Their new pastor possessed the confidence of his people and of the community at large, and was peculiarly fitted for the work intrusted into his hands.
The " small wooden church erected in colonial times," soon became filled with devout worshipers, and became too small to accommodate the grow- ing congregation. "The commanding attain- ments, and the attractive geniality and social habits of the new pastor, won so rapidly the ad- miration and esteem of his good people and the public, that the erection and dedication of the present handsome temple became almost at once a matter of necessity.
" A committee of twenty-one was appointed to in- quire into the expediency of building a new church, who reported favorably, and in July, 1815, Mr. F. Wesner's contract for the wood work of the edi- fice, and Mr. J. F. H. Horlbeck's for the brick work, were accepted. The new building was dedicated on Sunday, January 8th, 1818, by the Rev. John Bachman."
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God blessed the labors of his servant, and made him a shining light in the Church, laboring in harmony with his brethren, and accomplishing much good. A few years after his arrival in Charleston, Rev. Bachman connected himself by marriage with the family of a former and greatly beloved pastor of this congregation, the Rev. J. N. Martin, whose son's daughter became the new pastor's partner in joy and sorrow, and thus were the past and present happily linked together, and all circumstances, together with the pastor's unre- mitting and appreciated labors, contributed to the growth and prosperity of the congregation.
St. John's Church, Salisbury, N. C .- In the year 1818, whilst the Episcopalians were worshiping in this church, they made the proposition to erect a new frame church, the old log building being greatly out of repair. The members of the Lu- theran Church agreed to this proposal, and also aided in the building of the new house of worship.
However, this arrangement gave rise to serious difficulties ; as soon as the new church was com- pleted, the question of its dedication arose, and the Lutherans were fearful that, if the church would be consecrated by a bishop of the Episcopal Church, they would forfeit their right and title in the property. And thus it was, whilst the Lu- therans claimed the land on which the church stood, the Episcopalians claimed the building. Whose then was the church ? Who had the right to worship there ? These questions seriously agi- tated the minds and feelings of both parties; but
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before any very decisive hostile steps were taken, and in order to effect a compromise, the Lutherans agreed to purchase the interest in the building to which the Episcopalians laid claim, gave their bond in the meantime for the amount agreed upon, and afterwards raised the funds by sub- scription to liquidate the debt.
In August, 1822, the President of the North Carolina Synod, Rev. G. Shober, sent a written communication to the members of the Lutheran Church in Salisbury, which was publicly read to them. It is herewith inserted in order to show the sad state of this congregation at that time.
" RESPECTED FRIENDS, MEMBERS OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH BY BIRTHRIGHT OR OTHERWISE:
"Being appointed by the Lutheran Church in our last Synod, President of the same for one year, I regard it as being part of my duty during the recess of the Synod, to have a constant eye towards the preservation of the same in all its rights, priv- ileges and possessions, and to encourage the re- vival of former congregations.
"I am convinced, by the reading of the deed of conveyance from Mr. Beard, deceased, to our Church, for a lot of ground, near or in Salisbury, where the church now stands, that we have an undoubted right for the same; that there was, for many years, regular service performed by the Rev. Senior Stork, is well known, and it only abated
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on account of his disability to attend. It is my opinion that we, as a Church, are acting disrespect- fully to the donor of the lot and to his heirs, who, by that deed, are expressly charged to protect us in the right and privileges of the same, and that it is a dereliction of duty in the members of our Church not to preserve the lot and burying-ground, particularly for the interment of the heirs of the donor, and members of our Church and their de- scendants, and also from being a general burying- ground.
"I therefore beg leave to advise you now to elect elders and trustees, whose duty it is, accord- ing to law, to preserve the property of the church as trustees (particularly if the heirs of the donor decline acting as such), and also to give to them the necessary authority to regulate all external things according to the constitution and rules of our Church.
"I beg leave further to propose that if you agree to revive a congregation according to our rules, by appointing elders and trustees, to appoint a time when the church can be dedicated by our ministry and according to our form of worship, when two or three ministers of our Church will attend for that purpose; other preachers may also be invited to attend and to preach the word, all for the purpose of causing a revival of true religion for our department of the Church of Christ, by whose Spirit alone it can through the word be effected. But it is to be observed that only such Lutheran ministers as are in union with our
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Synod, and such who bring and show credentials of being duly appointed in other States, can be admitted. The standing of each minister must be inquired into by the elders, who have the power to admit or refuse.
"In expectation that the Lord will bless your exertions for the revival of the congregation of the Lutheran Church,
"I remain, your humble servant, "G. SHOBER."
This communication, sent by Rev. Shober to the remaining Lutherans of Salisbury, had the desired effect of once more rousing and encourag- ing them to action. On the 20th of September, 1822, the following articles, drawn up by Hon. Charles Fisher, member of Congress, for the pur- pose of reorganizing the old Lutheran congrega- tion, were sent around to the citizens of Salisbury for their signature :
" Salisbury Lutheran Church.
"We, the subscribers, believing that the cause of religion will be promoted by re-establishing the Lutheran congregation which formerly existed in the town of Salisbury, and believing, moreover, that it is a sacred duty we owe to the memories of our fathers and predecessors no longer to suffer the church and the graveyard where their bodies are at rest to lie in neglect and disregard, do hereby agree to unite our names and efforts to
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the purpose of reviving the congregation, keeping the graveyard in decent order, and for other pur- poses properly connected with a work of the kind. We further agree to meet at the church on such day as may be fixed upon for the purpose of con- sulting together upon such subjects as may be con- nected with the establishment and prosperity of the congregation.
"Dated and signed by
JOHN BEARD, SR., JOHN H. SWINK,
CHARLES FISHER,
BERNHARDT KREITER,
DANIEL CRESS,
LEWIS UTZMANN,
PETER CRIDER,
H. ALLEMONG,
JOHN TREXLER,
M. BRUNER,
JOHN BEARD, JR.,
JOHN ALLBRIGHT,
PETER H. SWINK,
HENRY SWINKWAG."
MOSES BROWN,
Through the efforts of Mr. John Beard, Sr., the devoted friend and firm member of the Lu- theran Church at that time, funds were collected for the purpose of inclosing the graveyard, which had long been neglected.
For some time no regular pastor could be ob- tained, and the energies of the members again lay dormant until the year 1825, when brighter pros- pects dawned upon this neglected congregation, and once more revived the hopes of its members. A meeting of a respectable number of the citizens of Salisbury and its vicinity was held in the church on the 3d of September, 1825, for the purpose of adopting measures to reorganize a Lutheran con- gregation ; John Beard, Sr., was called to the chair, and Charles Fisher appointed Secretary.
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" After due deliberation as to the best method of accomplishing the object of the meeting, it was unanimously resolved, that a committee of two per- sons be appointed to draft an instrument of writ- ing, and offer the same for the signature of such persons in the town of Salisbury and its vicinity as are disposed to aid in the formation of a Lu- theran congregation in this place, either by becom- ing members of said congregation, or supporters thereof. Messrs. John Beard and James Brown were accordingly appointed to compose said com- mittee.
" It was further resolved, that a committee, con- sisting of George Vogler and Robert Mull, be and are hereby appointed to offer a subscription list to the good people of Salisbury and vicinity for the support of a Lutheran clergyman for preaching part of his time for one year in the town of Salis- bury. The meeting then adjourned to meet again the following Monday.
"CHARLES FISHER, "Secretary.
" At a subsequent meeting George Vogler was appointed treasurer, and Henry C. Kern recording secretary of this society. It was also resolved that a Bible be purchased and deposited in the church, to be the property of the same forever. The church council elected at this meeting were: Elders : Messrs. John Beard, Sr., George Vogler, Moses Brown. Deacons : Messrs. Nathan Brown, George Fraley, and Henry C. Kern."
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In the year 1826, the Rev. John Reck, having received and accepted the call tendered him, be- came the pastor of this church; the number of communicants at that time was but fourteen, which, however, steadily increased under the faith- ful ministrations of their pastor, who was greatly beloved by the people, and through his zeal and energy accomplished much for his Master's king- dom.
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