FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 Di-rlstan 2 £i> 
 
 Sectlom l^lYf 
 
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 j^sj/6 V. £ Y~ <E- 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
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APR 22 1932 
 
 
 ot tbe 
 
 (Jerman ^Baptist UBretbren 
 Cburcb 
 
 (Reprinted from PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY ANNUAL, 1900) 
 
 GEORGE N. FALKENSTEIN 
 Pastor Brethren Church, Germantown, Pennsylvania 
 
 LANCASTER, PA. 
 
 THE NEW ERA PRINTING COMPANY 
 
 1 901 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 To the memory of our Spiritual Ancestors with the hope 
 that their self-sacrificing devotion may be a constant inspi- 
 ration unto us who have entered into their labors, 
 
 By the Author. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ♦fP^ISTORY has always been a most attractive field to 
 ■I*/ me for study and investigation. The most impor- 
 tant and helpful phase must ever be the Philosophy of 
 History. When I became pastor of the Mother Church at 
 Germantown, eight years ago, I had as fair a knowledge 
 of the History of the Brethren as could be gained from our 
 scanty records. I never dreamed of the wealth of his- 
 torical data that, lying hidden and buried, awaits the faith- 
 ful investigator. As soon as I was fairly settled in my 
 charge and began to breathe the historic associations of my 
 surroundings, I entered with enthusiasm upon the study of 
 the History of the Brethren Church. I was distressed to 
 find the facts of our history so scattered and that practically 
 the sources were utterly inaccessible to our people. Many 
 visitors came to look upon the old scenes and were in- 
 variably interested in my recitals of the History of the 
 place. I was pressed for years by friends to publish my 
 information and investigations. But not having the means 
 nor time to prepare for publication, I purposed to accum- 
 mulate the facts. I however wrote some and delivered a 
 number of historical addresses from time to time. I dif- 
 fused largely the knowledge I had gained in this way, 
 and had many inquiries by letter, asking many questions 
 and through my extended correspondence much of my in- 
 formation found its way into print. The result was a his- 
 torical awakening all around and an increased demand 
 that I write our history. When I could not, others entered 
 into my labors. 
 
 (v) 
 
vi Preface. 
 
 When the request to write came from the Executive 
 Committee of the Pennsylvania-German Society, I could 
 no longer refuse. The sketch herewith was published in 
 the Society's annual volume of 1900. It here appears as 
 a refrint at the earnest request of many friends. These 
 friends have been a constant encouragement to me in my 
 labors, and I herewith express my sincere thanks. 
 
 I must also thank Mr. Julius F. Sachse for the work of 
 illustrating, so successfully done. 
 
 No one is more conscious than I of the imperfection 
 of this sketch, because of incompleteness in working out 
 historical details. I have, however, faithfully labored to 
 have this account as free from error as possible, and I 
 sincerely believe that the careful reader will recognize this 
 fact. This account was written in the midst of many 
 exacting duties and I wish to acknowledge the assistance 
 of my faithful wife in the preparation of the manuscript 
 for publication. 
 
 With the sincere hope and prayer that it may do some 
 good, I now commit this little volume. 
 
 G. N. Falkenstein. 
 
 1901. 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1. Brethren Church (Frontispiece) 
 
 2. Brethren Church and Parsonage 17 
 
 3. Title-page Alexander Mack's book 18 
 
 4. Morris House, Germantown 24 
 
 5. Interior Brethren Church 24 
 
 6. The Old Market Square, Germantown 25 
 
 7. Seal of Germantown, 1691 28 
 
 8. An Ancient Germantown Grist Mill 31 
 
 9. An Old Germantown Landmark 38 
 
 10. Map Showing Baptistry 40 
 
 11. The Baptistry on the Wissahickon 41 
 
 12. Main Street, Germantown 43 
 
 13. The Old Shumacher House 51 
 
 14. Alleged Portrait of Beissel 54 
 
 15. On Market Square 62 
 
 16. Relics of Brethren Church 63 
 
 17. Heidelberg, Germany, 65 
 
 18. Grave Stone Alexander Mack 69 
 
 19. Old Pine Cottage . 72 
 
 20. Relics of Brethren Church 72 
 
 21. The Old "Monastery" 73 
 
 22. The "Wyck" House 80 
 
 23. Title of Hymn 82 
 
 24. Baptismal Certificate 89 
 
 25. The Livezey House 104 
 
 26. "Woll-rad" 105 
 
 27. " Faden-haspel " 106 
 
 28. Spinning Wheel 107 
 
 29. An Old Copper Plate 108 
 
 30. Brethren Church and Parsonage 113 
 
 31. New and Old Brethren Church 113 
 
 32. Parsonage, built 1756 114 
 
 33. Ancient Seals on Deeds 120 
 
 34. Signatures, Declaration of Trust 128 
 
 35. Signature Alexander Mack 137 
 
 36. House of Johannes Mack 134 
 
 37. In the Cemetery, Germantown 137 
 
 (vii) 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 INTRODUCTION 9 
 
 CHAPTER I. The Origin of the Brethren. The Name. 
 
 Story of the Reformation. German Pietism 11-16 
 
 CHAPTER II. The Organization of the Brethren. Schwartz- 
 enau. Practice of Primitive Christians Persecution and Pov- 
 erty 17-24 
 
 CHAPTER III. The First Emigration to America. A Period 
 of Persecution. Alexander Mack, an Evangelist. Seeking 
 Religious Freedom. Religious Differences 25-30 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Gathering the "First Fruits" in America. 
 
 December 25, 1723. The roll. The Love-feast 31-37 
 
 CHAPTER V. Growth of the Congregation. Celebrating his 
 Birthday. Immediate Results. Religious Activity. A Mes- 
 sage to the Home Land , 38-42 
 
 CHAPTER VI. Missionary Enterprise in the Brethren 
 Church. A Missionary Tour to Frontier Points. Coventry 
 Brethren. Conestoga. Return to Germantown. Lessons and 
 Results. The Home a Sanctuary 43-50 
 
 CHAPTER VII. The Second Emigration. Dark Days and Trials 
 of Fire. Conrad Beissel. His Wanderings. An Apprentice. 
 Befriended. His Ingratitude. His New and Strange Doc- 
 trines 51-61 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. Alexander Mack. Birth. Occupation. Mar- 
 riage. Life-work. His Character. His Death and Resting- 
 place. His Seal Discovered 62-71 
 
 CHAPTER IX. The Reaction. Elder Peter Becker. His Stead- 
 fastness. Alexander Mack, Jr. Koch's Visions 72-79 
 
 CHAPTER X. Early Congregations. Germantown. Great 
 Swamp. Abraham Duboy. Coventry. Oley. Cocalico. 
 Conestoga. Whiteoakland. Great Swartaro. Little Swar- 
 taro. Northkill. Codorus. Little Conewago. Conewago. 
 Bermudian. Stony Creek 80-103 
 
 (ix) 
 
x Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Industrial Life. Home Industry. A Type. A 
 
 Bee-hive of Industry 104-112 
 
 CHAPTER XII. The Mother Church at Germantown. The 
 Unwritten History. History of the Present Location. Un- 
 truthful Accounts. Original Deeds Quoted. Unique Docu- 
 ments. Deed of Trust. The Old Folks' Home. The Old 
 Church. The Weaver Log-house. The Select School. The 
 Cemetery. Alexander Mack, Jr. Baptismal Records. Mack 
 Family 113-140 
 
 APPENDIX. 141-152 
 
 PART A. Faith 'and Practice 141-148 
 
 PART B. Church Government 148-150 
 
 PART C. Statistics i5°-i5i 
 
 PART D. Educational Interests 151 
 
 PART E. Missionary Fields and Foreign Work .... 151 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ♦fFN our complex modern life, 
 it is a wonder if we can stop 
 for a moment and look back upon 
 the simplicity of long ago. Sur- 
 rounded by luxurious extrava- 
 gance, we cannot realize the 
 narrow limits of life and the con- 
 stant self-sacrificing circumstances 
 of our common ancestry. To-day, 
 as we look at this great Commonwealth of ours, some men 
 are impressed with its magnificent proportions and are 
 charmed with its gilded dome. Some there are who look 
 upon it merely as so much political machinery with immense 
 possibilities for the advancement of personal ends. But it is 
 more than a political spider web — more than a social com- 
 pact or civil alliance with repellent national prejudices. It 
 has a history. It is no longer an English settlement on the 
 Delaware — it is no longer Penn's province. It is more than 
 the dying cadence of strains of martial music — more than 
 a relic of colonial days. 
 
 It is a building with foundations and superstructure. 
 The builders were building in the century that is past. In 
 
 (9) 
 
io The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 times of political upheaval and civil strife — and in times 
 when the storms that try men's souls were raging, the 
 building has given evidence of endurance and extraordi- 
 nary strength. The members of the Pennsylvania-Ger- 
 man Society have assigned to themselves the pleasant 
 duty of telling to the world the history of the German in- 
 fluence in the foundation and development of this build- 
 ing, so remarkable for security, strength and beauty. 
 We have cleared away much of the rubbish. We have 
 examined the marks and inscriptions on the walls, and the 
 interpretation of them has been an astonishment. There 
 have been discoveries as real as those in the Babylonian 
 excavations. The foundation stones tell the story of the 
 integrity, industry, devotion and the virtues of faith and 
 hope and love of our German ancestors. 
 
 We honor ourselves in the study of the measure of in- 
 fluence of the religion of our fathers, whose love for the 
 home was more perfect because of love to God, and whose 
 faith in life was more constant because of faith in Him. 
 When we understand better the -far-reaching influence of 
 that pious devotion, we shall grow in appreciation of the 
 rich legacy of our inheritance. 
 
 Thanking you for the recognition, that the Brethren 
 church has been a factor in Pennsylvania history, I trust 
 that a historical sketch of this people will show that they 
 have also contributed elements of strength to our beloved 
 Commonwealth. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Origin of the Brethren. 
 
 N account of frequent confusion, it is well to 
 notice the name in passing. The name first 
 selected was "The Brethren," and this has 
 always remained the choice above all others, 
 but to distinguish us from other denomina- 
 tions and to give recognition to our origin, the legal cor- 
 porate title is " The German Baptist Brethren." If the 
 reader desires, however, to be intelligent upon the subject, 
 it is necessary to remember that there are several localisms 
 and terms of contempt which came into more or less promi- 
 nence in the early history of the denomination. Thus the 
 words " Dunker" and " Tunker," and their plurals, come 
 from dunken or tunken, meaning to dip, or immerse. 
 These, of German origin, are of frequent occurrence 
 and correct enough ; Dunker, being smoother than Tunker, 
 is preferred. Die Dunker is familiar to many. " Ger- 
 man Baptist" is legally sanctioned and is much used, 
 Baptist being derived from the Greek verb bafitizo, to 
 immerse. The word " Dunkard," or " Dunkards," is 
 used by two classes of persons. The first, those who are 
 
12 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 either too ignorant to know or do not care for the laws 
 of language ; and, secondly, by those who do know and 
 want to use it with its true meaning of contempt. Accord- 
 ing to the laws of language the word " Dunkard " is a 
 hybrid, and, therefore, should not be used by anyone who 
 desires good English. The root is derived from the Ger- 
 man, dunken, and the suffix, ard, is from the French and 
 always carries with it the idea of contempt, in such words 
 as blackard, drunkard, laggard, etc. The word " Dunk- 
 ard," therefore, should be used only by the ignorant and 
 the malicious. There are other names, localisms of earlier 
 times, not used now. 
 
 For the origin of the Brethren church, we must go back 
 to the German Fatherland, the place of so many scenes of 
 religious devotion and conflict. For, as a religious coun- 
 try, Germany stands unique, and in the summing up of 
 its religious interests and activities, is without parallel in 
 the annals of history — the length of time of its religious 
 history, its extreme and diversified character of doctrine, 
 its orthodoxy and heterodoxy, its mysticism, rationalism 
 and materialism, its bitterness of ecclesiastical antagonism, 
 at times, its blind following of dogma, and, at other times, 
 its activity in a sincere and pious and intelligent devotion 
 to Christianity. These things will always mark Germany 
 as a vast and most fruitful field for the student of church 
 history. In this land, the home of the Reformation, and 
 in the midst of this history and these surroundings, was 
 born the Brethren church. 
 
 It is to be sincerely hoped that the day is not far distant 
 when some earnest German student and investigator will 
 give us a complete and intelligent history of the times and 
 conditions and circumstances that contributed to the birth 
 and development of the new denomination, but a few facts 
 
Story of the Reformation. 13 
 
 and dates must suffice as a proper introduction to that part 
 of the history assigned to the present writer. 
 
 The story of the Reformation is a marvelous one. The 
 intense activity and wonderful progress of the reform in- 
 fluences stirred to the very utmost the antagonism of the 
 Catholic church. To counteract the influences of the 
 Reformation and to stop its rapid progress throughout 
 northern Europe, the Catholic church concentrated its en- 
 tire energy to the development and spread of Jesuitism. 
 " Its object is not to lead souls to a life-giving communion 
 with their Saviour, but only to secure obedience to the 
 Church and to increase the adherents to the Papacy." It 
 seems sad to contemplate what a great change had been 
 brought about in a hundred years from the time of the 
 Reformation. The organized power of the church had 
 been brought into requisition. Is it too strong a picture 
 to quote the words of Baur : " A century after the Refor- 
 mation, and even earlier, Germany presented a mournful 
 spectacle. Jesuitism pressed like an incubus on the na- 
 tional mind, and even when Luther's teaching still pre- 
 vailed, it was forgotten that the Christian calling consists 
 of sincere faith, and of a life which originates therein. 
 Even in the Protestant church faith was in danger of be- 
 coming a mere intellectual assent ; pure doctrine had as- 
 sumed the form of law ; there was a zeal in the defense 
 of it with which zeal for a life of love did not keep 
 pace." The existence of such extreme conditions must 
 soon produce a reaction of far-reaching and permanent 
 results. We do not have to wait long for the change. 
 Out of the darkness two powerful voices were heard. 
 In due time all Germany listens to their earnest exhorta- 
 tions. The first of these was Johann Arndt (b. 1555 ; d. 
 162 1), the pious author of True Christianity (Wahres 
 
14 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Christenthum), popular still, after a lapse of 300 years. 
 The second was Jacob Boehme (b. 1575 ; d. 1624), a 
 dreamer and noted mystic writer, and perhaps the father 
 of the mystic philosophy of the 17th century. There was 
 profound interest taken in the writings of these two men, 
 and the results produced were as diversified as the doctrines 
 they advocated. There began a new era of agitation and 
 spiritual unrest and the ecclesiastical power was ready to 
 punish all who dared to express their convictions at vari- 
 ance with the doctrines of 
 
 £errn 3i)l)<inn Krnbrf/ an y ot the three established 
 
 2** corral, ««*«~™« w m<*t™t churches. While there was 
 
 <5(iintlld)«(5JifTrfi(i)e23ii*fC rn iJ rihinlistir form slit v 
 
 25om^Oi)rcit COld ' ntuallstlc formality, 
 
 ftffcifpti 
 
 there was some active piety, 
 and there was also some wild 
 fciifomfrsufif/ kiquricsK ■* wi ub« w* eswbe religious excess by those 
 
 unbroal)tfm^laub«n/au(t)bft!i^m£rtxnunl>SSanNl ° , . 
 
 a*.*. .,i*St J /&^.*. who used religion as a cloak 
 kn.M.<iii.iiM for their maliciousness. In 
 
 mil crtKUJluCm «m*<ttcta m» Ma «rfMwo)b _ , , . 
 
 oubeinft5<uf*ttij(iKiiSinifitun9Wii388.ata«m the midst of this restless con- 
 
 <8uflai/ 2)«dt9« ««&»• ^w«* OanuKK. 
 
 •?♦»• 
 
 9«r«bie?.&4rtUift/ fusion ' in the latter half of 
 
 » .,. < 1 BM £" **"* ,— «*-.— the 17th century, there came 
 
 Unbwnrxfont*rn9tfflifhrn/ wmrtttlfl bkukii raft ' -> 
 
 "^SMgKEJ^^ upon the scene of action 
 
 many sincere and devoted 
 men and great leaders of 
 thought. They were Pietists in principle, in the better 
 sense, and had much to do in moulding the thought 
 and doctrine of their generation and the succeeding 
 century. 
 
 After all discussion fro and con, it must be admitted that 
 Philip Jacob Spener (b. 1635; d. 1705) was the father 
 of "Pietism," in its better sense. Though he remained 
 in communion and fellowship with the Lutheran church, 
 his energies were devoted to the promulgation of the best 
 
German Pietism, 15 
 
 thoughts and conceptions of "Pietism." Another leader 
 that has enriched the world by his practical piety and be- 
 nevolence was August Hermann Francke (b. 1663 ; d. 
 1727), the father and founder of the famous Halle Institu- 
 tions — the Halle Orphanage, educational institutions and 
 publishing house. As an estimate of these two men, I can 
 do no better than quote the clear and concise statement of 
 a German scholar and historian : " The Pietism of Spener 
 and Francke was a religion of the heart, a faith which was 
 to make a new creature. It sought entrance into the heart 
 to cleanse it by repentance, and to create in it a new life of 
 faith ; it sought entrance into the houses, to turn them into 
 sanctuaries, into schools to transfer the doctrines of the 
 catechism from the head to the heart, and into the abodes 
 of poverty to offer the consolations of the Gospel." * Such 
 was Pietism in its best sense, in the church, but unappre- 
 ciated by cold and unyielding orthodoxy. It was driven 
 out of the church. Leaders of thought were by no means 
 agreed as to faith and doctrine. All had their following. 
 To the above might be added the names of Jeremias Fel- 
 
 binger (b. 1616; d. ); Gottfried Arnold (b. 1666; d. 
 
 17 14) ; Ernst Christoph Hochmann von Hochenau (b. 1670 ; 
 d. 1721); and many others, each one earnest, and no doubt 
 a firm believer in the doctrine he advocated ; sharing the 
 love of their friends and followers, and the hate of their 
 enemies ; and each one contributing his share towards the 
 breaking up of the stony and unfruitful fields of orthodoxy. 
 Many sincere men felt that corruption and error existed in 
 all three of the established churches — Catholic, Lutheran 
 and Reformed — and that such corruption can be cleansed 
 and error corrected, only by infusion of piety and spiritual 
 life — a life of faith and practical benevolence. They 
 
 1 William Baur, Religious Life in Germany. 
 
1 6 The German Baftist Brethren. 
 
 hoped to succeed by a kind of destructive method, but 
 failed to gauge the strength of the ecclesiastical power. 
 
 It required brave men to stand up and say that the 
 church needed to be reformed, and the greater the bold- 
 ness of the declaration, the more the church resented such 
 declarations. There was antagonism, dismissal, retaliation 
 and bitter strife. Such were some of the conditions from 
 within. And some who escaped from the ritualism and the 
 oppression of ecclesiastical power, went wild in the other 
 extreme, and declared against all organization and all 
 ordinances. There were lawless men, and so Pietism was 
 regarded as a strange aggregation of all religions and ir- 
 religion. Persecution was rife. Civil and ecclesiastical 
 powers combined to mete out just and unjust punishment 
 to the guilty and the innocent. Many sincere and earnest 
 souls suffered untold hardships and punishment and torture. 
 Many turned away into rationalism and unbelief. But there 
 were braver souls than all these, in whose hearts burned the 
 unquenchable desire for deeper spiritual life. They had 
 sought in vain in the church, and turned away with other 
 Pietists only to find themselves still unsatisfied and uncom- 
 forted. They saw the whole field of chaos, strife and con- 
 fusion, but they had hope in their hearts and they saw the 
 dawn of the coming day. They bravely faced their per- 
 secutors, turned to the Bible for comfort and in earnest 
 prayer to the Lord for guidance. Among these were those 
 in whose history we are especially interested. — Earnest 
 Seekers After the Truth. 
 
BRETHREN CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, GERMANTOWN. 
 
 stituted. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 The Organization of the Brethren. 
 
 N noticing this organization, it would be im- 
 possible for me to give a better description 
 than that given us by eye-witnesses, mostly by 
 Alexander Mack, Sen., the first minister and 
 organizer of the Brethren church as now con- 
 This account was originally published as a Pre- 
 face to a small edition of Alexander Mack's Exposition 
 and Defense of New Testament Doctrine. This exposi- 
 tion was first circulated (probably in manuscript) in July, 
 1713 ; a German edition was printed in America in 1774 ; 
 an English edition followed in 1810; and an English and 
 German edition in i860. Strange to say the book has 
 been out of print for many years, and copies of the earlier 
 editions are now very rare. I quote from the edition of 
 1810: 
 
 81 It pleased God in the beginning of the last century to 
 cause his saving grace to be experienced, and the voice of 
 his mercy to be heard by many, stirring them up to repen- 
 tance, and awakening them from the sleep and death of 
 
 (i7) 
 
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Schwartzenau, 19 
 
 sin to seek salvation and permanent rest in Jesus, who, 
 viewing at the same time the general defection and depar- 
 ture from the genuine principles of Christianity? and feel- 
 ing their minds devoutly pressed, and inclined to bear a 
 testimony to the truth ; and for this purpose private meet- 
 ings were established, for the edification and building up 
 of the newly awakened souls ; this laudable undertaking, 
 which however soon powerfully opposed by the jealous 
 and embittered ecclesiastics, influencing the earthly power 
 and commencing a series of persecution in various places, 
 namely : in Switzerland, in Wurtemberg, in the Palatinate 
 and at Hesse Cassel, where they were cast out as exiles ; 
 but the Lord provided for them a place of rest, or security, 
 in Wittgenstein, under the protection of a prince, eminent 
 for his moderation, where also the awakening power of 
 God had previously found its way to the hearts of some 
 honorable females of his court ; there at a place called 
 Schwartzenau, in the vicinity of Berlenberg, liberty of 
 conscience was graciously afforded them. Wittgenstein, 
 though a rough and barren country, by becoming the place 
 of refuge to the awakened, who now very generally re- 
 sorted to Schwartzenau, became in the course of a few 
 years a place of considerable repute, though otherwise 
 little thought of. 
 
 " Of the number that collected here, there were few of 
 different opinions, habits and manners ; they were all de- 
 nominated Pietists, but they considered each other as breth- 
 ren ; here circumstances very soon occurred which led to 
 conclude that the salutatory counsel of our Lord, Matthew 
 18, ' if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his 
 fault between thee and him alone, etc.,' is not acceptable, or 
 practicable, where a fraternity is unorganized by obedience 
 to the truths of the gospel ; here also some turned back 
 
20 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 again to the religion from whence they came out, being 
 offended at the discipline of the cross ; others fostered a spirit 
 of libertinism, more to be dreaded in its consequences than 
 their former depravity ; there were some, however, who, 
 notwithstanding this state of perturbation, were sincerely 
 desirous of finding the footsteps of the primitive Christians 
 and following and imitating the example of Jesus Christ; 
 and apprehend and appreciate the testimony and commands 
 of the head of the Church ; being fully convinced of the 
 necessity of faith and obedience, in order to the obtaining 
 salvation ; their solicitude paved the way to the discovery 
 of the ordinance of baptism, which they considered as the 
 door to that union and organization which they earnestly 
 desired. The subject of baptism underwent various dis- 
 cussions among the Pietists and spoken of in such manner 
 as to grieve the hearts of lovers of truth. 
 
 "Till in the year 1708, eight persons entered into a 
 covenant with each other, by the help of God, to endeavor 
 to attain to the answer of a good conscience by rendering 
 obedience to all the commands of the Lord Jesus and fol- 
 low him as their good shepherd and leader through good 
 and evil report. Those eight persons, of whom five were 
 brethren, and three sisters (the names of the Brethren 
 were as follows : George Graby and Lucas Fetter, of 
 Hesse Cassel ; Alexander Mack, of Schreisheim, in the 
 Palatinate ; Andrew Bony, of Basle, in Switzerland, and 
 John Kipping, from Wurtemberg ; and the names of the 
 sisters were Johanna Bony, Anna Margaretta Mack and 
 Johanna Kipping), covenanted with each other as brethren 
 and sisters under the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, to 
 dwell together in the unity of faith, as a society ; by con- 
 sulting history, they found that the primitive Christians in 
 the first and second centuries uniformly were according to 
 
Practice of Primitive Christians. 21 
 
 the command of Christ planted into the likeness of his 
 death by a baptism in water by a three-fold immersion ; 
 not resting their faith however upon the authority of his- 
 tory, they searched the scriptures of the New Testament, 
 and finding explicit testimony to that import, they became 
 desirous of practicing a means so strongly recommended 
 by the example of our Lord, and emphatically enjoined 
 by his written precept, believing that it became them thus 
 to fulfill all righteousness. 
 
 " But who should now administer the ordinance to them 
 was a difficulty not soon got over. One of their number, 
 who labored among them in the Word, visited the soci- 
 eties in different parts of Germany to collect the opinion 
 of the awakened generally upon the subject of baptism ; 
 the greater number acknowledged that immersion was the 
 mode practiced by the Apostles and primitive Christians, 
 but still endeavoring to satisfy themselves that a handful 
 of water by pouring would answer the same end, provided 
 it was administered to proper subjects only. 
 
 1 'The consciences of the before-mentioned could, how- 
 ever, find no satisfaction in these ; they therefore desired 
 him who was their minister to baptize them by immersion, 
 according to the example and practice of the first and best 
 Christians and all primitive believers. He felt a diffidence 
 to comply with their request on account of his not being 
 baptized himself; he desired, therefore, first to be bap- 
 tized before he could conscientiously baptize any of them. 
 They betook themselves to fasting and prayer, in order to 
 obtain help and direction in this case from Him who is the 
 restorer of paths to dwell in, for they were all desirous to 
 be baptized. In this dilemma a testimony of Scripture 
 revived in their minds : ' Where two or three are gathered 
 together in My Name, there am I in the midst.' Where- 
 
22 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 fore, with an unshaken confidence in the precious promise 
 of God, they cast lots which of the four brethren should 
 baptize him who was so anxiously desirous of being bap- 
 tized ; they pledged their word at the same time that it 
 should remain a secret upon whom the lot fell, that no one 
 might take occasion to call the society by the name of any 
 man, as was the case with the Corinthian church, which 
 was sharply reproved by the apostle. 
 
 11 The crisis for the camp to move forward was now ar- 
 rived ; they were now made willing in the day of the 
 Lord's power. Accordingly, they went out in the morn- 
 ing to a stream called the Aeder, and there he upon whom 
 the lot had fallen baptized the brother who had discovered 
 so great anxiety to submit to that ordinance ; this being 
 done, he was now acknowledged as duly qualified. He 
 baptized him first by whom he had been baptized, and the 
 remaining three brethren and three sisters. Thus were 
 these eight, at an early hour in the morning, baptized in 
 the water by a triune immersion ; and after they came up 
 out of the water and had changed their clothes, they were 
 filled with joy, and by the grace of God this expression 
 was revived in their minds with peculiar energy : ' Be ye 
 fruitful and multiply.' This is recorded to have occurred 
 in the before-mentioned year, without reference to month 
 or day. 
 
 " After this evidence of their love to God, by obeying 
 his command, they were powerfully strengthened and en- 
 couraged to bear testimony for the truth in their public 
 meetings, to which the Lord added His blessing, and 
 believers were more and more obedient, so that in the short 
 space of seven years their society became numerous, not 
 only at Schwartzenau, but also at divers places in the Palat- 
 inate. A society was likewise formed at Marienborn, to 
 
Persecution and Poverty. 23 
 
 which the awakened from the Palatinate attached them- 
 selves, for in endeavoring to form a society for themselves, 
 they were persecuted and banished. And even at Marien- 
 born their external privileges were soon blasted, for as the 
 light diffused itself the truth spread, and their numbers 
 increased ; it excited alarm and envy ; persecution arose ; 
 they were driven out as exiles, and under the direction of 
 providence found an asylum at Crefeldt, under the juris- 
 diction of the King of Prussia. 
 
 " Within this short space of time, it pleased God to 
 awaken many laborers among them, and send them into 
 His vineyard, whose names and places of abode are as fol- 
 lows : John H. Kalkloser from Frankenthal ; Christian 
 Libe and Abraham Dubois from Epstein ; John Nass and 
 others from the North ; Peter Becker from Dilsheim ; John 
 H. Traut and his brothers ; Henry Holtzappel and Stephen 
 Koch ; George B. Gantz from Umstadt, and Michael Eck- 
 erlin from Strassburg ; the greater number of whom re- 
 sorted to Crefeldt ; some few, however, attached themselves 
 to the society at Schwartzenau. But as they found favor 
 with God and man, so enemies of the truth were found, 
 and persecutions, because of the word, were instituted in 
 divers places ; here then were those who took joyfully 
 upon them the spoiling of their goods ; others experienced 
 bonds and imprisonments for years, some also for shorter 
 periods ; one of their number was confined on board of the 
 gallies, and coupled at the galling bar with execrable mis- 
 creants ; from these distresses they in time were all con- 
 scientiously delivered, their lives being given unto them 
 for a prey. 
 
 " The persecutions which they suffered, the poverty, trib- 
 ulation and imprisonment that they experienced, only made 
 them the more joyful, and they became prepared for new 
 
2 4 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren 
 
 dispensations of trial ; their graces were tried by being 
 arraigned before another tribunal, men of learning and 
 abilities proved them with hard questions, with a view to 
 sap their steadfastness with questions to the number of 
 forty, which the reader will find proposed, with their solu- 
 tions towards the sequel of this treatise. 
 
 " About that time it was deemed expedient to issue this 
 for the instruction of the uninformed, in which every im- 
 partial and unprejudiced reader will find sufficient matter 
 connected with this Preface to justify the occasion of this 
 production." 
 
 Y," 
 
 THE MORRIS HOUSE, GERMANTOWN. 
 

 3 O 
 
 > n: 
 
 _ ^ 
 
 s g 
 
THE OLD MARKET SQUARE IN GERMANTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The First Emigration to America. 
 Persecution. 
 
 -A Period of 
 
 HAT childlike faith and unfaltering trust ! 
 Such pious devotion was the seed of a 
 church. What self-forgetfulness ! It 
 was early in the morning, in 1708 ; this 
 is all we know. The day and the month 
 are studiously avoided. They covenanted not to reveal the 
 name of the one who baptized the leader, and they kept 
 their vow ; we shall never know on whom the lot fell. They 
 had travelled over Germany to collect the opinion of the 
 awakened upon the subject of baptism, they had diligently 
 searched history for Apostolic and primitive Christian prac- 
 tice, they prayerfully studied the New Testament ; there 
 was but one conclusion. The crisis came and the camp 
 moved forward. They knew the consequences but they 
 faltered not. Alexander Mack was not the " founder" of 
 the Brethren church as some say, but, being an evangelist 
 of note, he was the natural leader and was chosen as the 
 first minister. Blessing and prosperity followed the new 
 
 (25) 
 
26 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 congregation, and converts were added in such numbers 
 as to arouse the spirit of envy in the established churches ; 
 opposition and persecution were at once instituted. The 
 twenty-one years of the church's existence in Germany 
 were eventful years. We know the struggle, but history 
 is silent on many things we should like to know. The 
 Schwartzenau congregation flourished and in seven years 
 the society was numerous. There was a congregation es- 
 tablished at Marienborn, to which the awakened from the 
 Palatinate attached themselves. These members were all 
 driven out as exiles, but found a refuge or asylum at Cre- 
 feld, under the jurisdiction of the King of Prussia, whence 
 also came the congregation from Epstein. Notwithstand- 
 ing fines and imprisonments, cast out of their homes, and 
 driven from province to province, they increased in num- 
 bers constantly. They found temporary refuge in Prussia, 
 Holland and Switzerland, but there was no promise of an 
 abiding place anywhere. Their persecutors pressed them 
 hard everywhere. Finally their hearts almost sank within 
 them. Regretfully, they turned their eyes away from the 
 beloved " Faderland " and looked wistfully, hopefully, to 
 the land of promise in the New World. Brave souls those, 
 who, in those days, could face the horrors of an ocean 
 voyage, in unseaworthy, comfortless, death-breeding old 
 hulks. But there was hope beyond, as an anchor to their 
 souls. Did they not count the cost, nor measure the sacri- 
 fice? They could not realize all, but they trusted Him 
 whom they followed, and for His sake they were willing to 
 endure all things. The uncivilized Indian was to be pre- 
 ferred to the enemies at home, inhospitable shores to a land 
 of persecution ; they would find some new friends for those 
 they left behind, and at great sacrifice, they would have 
 other homes for those of their childhood. The enjoyment 
 
Seeking Freedom. 
 
 27 
 
 of religious liberty, in the " province of peace," would pay 
 for all they leave behind, and all they should endure, and 
 the darkness of the hour of the sacrifice of all things, 
 proved to be just preceding the dawn of the day of their 
 salvation. 
 
 And so was thrust out from a nation this people, and we 
 have the unique example in history of the emigration of an 
 entire religious denomination ; but we shall see how their 
 literature, their religious activity, their pious devotion and 
 spiritual influence have enriched Pennsylvania history. 
 
 Seeking Religious Freedom and Liberty of 
 
 Conscience. 
 
 Crefeld was destined to furn- 
 ish the first company of faithful 
 for the voyage of faith. Here 
 there had been many trials and 
 scenes of persecution and many 
 were now ready to do anything 
 or go anywhere, so there was 
 but the assurance of religious 
 freedom and liberty of con- 
 science. To these people the 
 endearments of home remained 
 * only as a sad memory — they 
 were all exiles and pilgrims among strangers and enemies. 
 The story of this journey and voyage to America, so mo- 
 mentous in its results, is briefly told. The company consis- 
 ted of about twenty families, it is said, and organized with 
 Peter Becker as their leader. He was a minister at Crefeld 
 and is known as a man gifted in prayer with earnestness 
 and fervency, and as a sweet singer, but not noted as a 
 preacher. They came in the year 17 19 ; that is almost all 
 
28 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 we know. The voyage is said to have been a stormy one, 
 which is likely true. Landing at Philadelphia, the pro- 
 cession moved to Germantown, the place that was to be so 
 inseparably connected with their future history. It would 
 be exceedingly interesting to know the names of all of 
 those that composed this company, but we must be satisfied 
 with the names of those that sat at the love-feast and com- 
 munion service, four years later. 
 
 The principal settlement was made in Germantown, while 
 small settlements were made at distant points — some scat- 
 tering to Skippack, Falckner's Swamp and Oley. There 
 were new experiences awaiting these hardy pioneers, as 
 they marched forth into the primeval forests. The reliance 
 upon God, taught them in the school of bitter persecution, 
 
 no doubt served as their 
 support and comfort in 
 many a new trial and 
 dark hour. They were 
 face to face with a series 
 of struggles. They were 
 struggling to conquer 
 the forest wilds, to 
 make them fruitful fields. 
 They were struggling to 
 establish homes. They 
 were struggling to adapt 
 themselves to new and 
 strange conditions and 
 circumstances in life. And, above all, they were struggling 
 to adjust religious differences and prejudices that marred 
 their fellowship and prevented their united effort in Chris- 
 tian work. But Germantown was from the first the leading 
 settlement and was destined to become the great center of 
 
Religious Differences. 29 
 
 religious influence and activity for the next century and a 
 half. It is readily understood, therefore, why German- 
 town and its great religious activities should receive special 
 consideration, since the history of Germantown for the first 
 one hundred years is really the history of the church. 
 Here were the ablest ministers and the most gifted hymn- 
 writers — from here came the Bibles and hymn-books and 
 the greatest missionary enterprise. 
 
 It is sometimes sad to record the facts of history, and it 
 may seem sad to some to record this fact of religious dif- 
 ferences among the first Brethren in America, and the con- 
 sequent first three years of spiritual drought. Historians 
 have seized the opportunity of speaking of " jealousies and 
 bickerings " among themselves, without stopping to con- 
 sider reasons or results. In considering the religious con- 
 dition at this time, it is necessary to make a careful inquiry 
 into the cause or causes, in order that we may understand 
 future results. To the careful student and the impartial 
 investigator, it is gratifying to know that differences in 
 views produced discord among them, or at least lack of 
 full fellowship. It only proves that the real spirit of the 
 Brethren church was at variance with the mystic influences 
 and all kindred forms of error which some had absorbed 
 in Germany. Crefeld was a general asylum for the per- 
 secuted and among the refugees all shades of belief ob- 
 tained. Some of the Brethren did not wholly escape the 
 influence of the disciples of Boehme. There was pro- 
 longed trouble in the Crefeld congregation. The members 
 discussed their differences while crossing the ocean, and the 
 agitation was kept up after they came here, and in fact, con- 
 tinued until some left the communion of the church. These 
 things hindered the work for three years, and saddened 
 many hearts, but the worst is yet to be told in the years to 
 
3o 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 come. There were earnest souls praying for relief from 
 this spiritual famine, and the Lord soon answered in re- 
 freshing showers of spiritual awakening, and we are about 
 to record a most important event in the religious history of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
AN ANCIENT GERMANTOWN GRIST Mil,!,. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Gathering the First Fruits in America. 
 
 OR several years after their arrival there 
 was no religious effort made by them, but in 
 the fall of 1722 several of the Germantown 
 brethren — Becker, Gommere, Gantz and the 
 Trauts — visited the scattered Brethren. In 
 the fall of the following year there was an occurrence 
 which finally bridged over their separation and brought 
 them to organize themselves into a church. This event 
 was the application of six " persons on the Schuylkill " 
 for baptism. These " persons on the Schuylkill" lived 
 thirty-five miles up the river, and comprised Martin Urner 
 and his wife and four neighbors. This organization of 
 the Germantown church and baptism of these first six con- 
 verts took place on the 25th day of December, 1723. * 
 
 The Chronicon Efhratense gives the following ac- 
 count: " In August of the year 1723 a rumor was spread 
 through the country that Christ. Libe, a famous Baptist 
 teacher who had long been in the galleys, had arrived in 
 Philadelphia. This moved some newly awakened persons 
 
 1 See Urner Family, p. 9 ; Isaac N. Urner, U,.D , Philadelphia, 1893. 
 
 (31) 
 
32 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 on the Schuylkill to go forth to meet him. The whole 
 thing, however, was a fiction. These persons were per- 
 suaded by the Baptist (Brethren) to go with them to their 
 meeting, during and after which they heard so much of the 
 Germans' awakening that they went home very much edi- 
 fied. Soon after a second visit was made to Germantown, 
 by which both parties were so much edified that the Ger- 
 man Baptists (Brethren) promised them a visit in return, 
 which they made four weeks afterwards with great bless- 
 ing. The newly awakened ones were thereby stirred up 
 still more, so that they begged to be received into their 
 communion by holy baptism. This was the occasion of 
 important proceedings among the Brethren in German- 
 town, for they still had in mind the misunderstandings 
 which had arisen between them and their brethren at Cre- 
 feld. Besides, they were indeed a branch of a congrega- 
 tion, but yet not a congregation that dared to presume to 
 administer the sacraments. The worst was that they were 
 divided among themselves and had only lately commenced 
 to draw nigh to one another again. After they had seriously 
 pondered over all these things in the spirit they finally 
 agreed to consent to the request. Accordingly, after the 
 candidates for baptism had chosen Peter Becker as their 
 baptizer, they were baptized in the stream Wiskohikung 
 (Wissahickon), near Germantown, on December 25th, of 
 the year 1723. And as these were the firstlings of all 
 baptized among the high Germans in America, their names 
 shall be here recorded and given to posterity, namely : 
 Martin Urner and his female housemate, Henry Landis 
 and his housemate, Frederick Lang and Jane Mayle. The 
 evening following they held the first love-feast ever cele- 
 brated in America at John Gommere's, which created a 
 great stir among the people of that neighborhood, Peter 
 Becker, mentioned before, ministering at the same. 
 
December 25, 1723. 33 
 
 " Through such a Divine happening the Baptists (Breth- 
 ren) in Pennsylvania became a congregation." 
 
 The importance of this event justifies these quotations 
 and extended consideration. To Julius F. Sachse belongs 
 the credit of working out many an interesting fact of the 
 early history of the Brethren and I desire to quote in 
 this connection his interesting descriptive sketch of the 
 events of this memorable day of Organized Beginnings in 
 America. It is taken from his excellent volume, issued 
 lately, entitled German Sectarians in Pennsylvania (Phila- 
 delphia, 1899). 
 
 " Returning once more to our story, it was on the 
 morning of Wednesday, December 25, 1723 (Christmas 
 Day), that a number of German settlers who had located 
 within the bounds of the German township, wended their 
 way towards the humble weaver's shop where Conrad 
 Beissel had served his apprenticeship, at the extreme end 
 of the borough limits in what was known as Van Bebbers- 
 town. History has unfortunately failed to preserve for 
 posterity the exact location of Becker's humble abode. 
 This, however, is but of secondary importance. We know 
 that it was in Van Bebber's township, on the North Wales 
 road. Tradition strongly points to the vicinity of the pres- 
 ent church, where the earliest meetings were held. How- 
 ever, be this as it may, upon the day in question the solemn 
 scenes which took place on the Eder, in Germany, fifteen 
 years before were to be repeated here in the western world 
 and the foundation laid for a new Christian denomination. 
 The seed sown in Germany was to be transplanted into 
 our virgin land, where it was destined to take root and 
 flourish far beyond any expectation of the devout band on 
 either the Eder or the Wissahickon. 
 
 " It was a typical winter's day, the air crisp and cold, 
 
34 The Ger?nan Baptist Brethren. 
 
 the sky clear, the ground hard and frozen, with a thin 
 covering of snow. Many were the sad memories of the 
 Fatherland that came into the minds of these pilgrims in a 
 far-off land, as they plodded over the frozen ground ; 
 separated, as it were, from both kin and church, they 
 thought of the joyous Christmas at home. 
 
 11 The day was a well-chosen one for their object — the 
 fervent desire to organize a church home for themselves, 
 to found a new Christian sect in the New World. The 
 series of devotional meetings held by Peter Becker and his 
 helpers was about to become the grain of seed which was 
 to bring forth a mighty tree with wide-spreading root and 
 branches. Their aim was to form a Gemeinde or com- 
 mune of their own — to give them the benefit of religious 
 instruction, and at the same time emancipate them from 
 what Falkner calls ' the melancholy, saturnine Quaker 
 spirit ' which then prevailed in the province. 
 
 " It was well-nigh noon when the party assembled and 
 devotional exercises were commenced. After these were 
 over it was found that there were present seventeen per- 
 sons who had been baptized in Europe, viz. : Peter Becker, 
 Johann Heinrich Traut, Jeremias Traut, Balser Traut, 
 Heinrich Holzappel, Johannes Gumre, Stephan Koch, 
 Jacob Koch, Johannes Hildebrand, Daniel Ritter, George 
 Balzer Gansz, Johannes Preisz, Johannes Kampfer, Mag- 
 dalena Traut, Anna Gumre, Maria Hildebrand, and 
 Johanna Gansz. These persons proceeded formally to or- 
 ganize themselves into a congregation, and constituted 
 Peter Becker their elder. 
 
 " Six postulants now presented themselves and asked to 
 be baptized as by Scripture ordained, and then received 
 into fellowship, viz. : Martin Urner, his wife, Catherina 
 Urner ; Heinrich Landes and his wife ; Friedrich Lang 
 
The First Fruits. 35 
 
 and Jan (Johannes) Mayle. Thus they became'the first 
 Anabaptists among the high Germans in America. In the 
 church records this band of converts is always referred to 
 as the * First Fruits.' The immersion took place the 
 same day. After a noonday meal had been served the 
 party went in solemn procession down the old Indian trail, 
 which led from the North Wales road to a ford on the 
 Wissahickon, and thence beyond the ridge towards the 
 Schuylkill. This trail, which long since has become a 
 public highway, was known north of the township line 
 successively as Morgan's and Trullinger's'lane, now Car- 
 penter Street. South of the dividing line the trail was 
 successively known as Gorgas, Milner's, Garseed's and 
 Kitchen's lane. The course of the creek at this point 
 makes a sharp turn and here comes 
 nearest to Germantown. The dis- 
 tance from Bebberstown, or the 
 upper part of Germantown, to the 
 Wissahickon is but a short one. 
 The distance traversed by the party 
 was about one and one-half miles ; 
 it was a short journey for the sturdy 
 Germans of that day. The objec- 
 tive point of the party was a level 
 bank, or strip of land on the estate arms of canton uri. 
 of Johannes Gumre, adjacent to 
 
 the creek, where easy access could be had to the flowing 
 water. The ravine of the Wissahickon is a rugged one, 
 with towering rocks upon either bank, making the shore 
 inaccessible, except in a few places. 
 
 "The strip of land in question is about two hundred 
 yards north of Kitchen's lane. There recession of the 
 rocky ravine forms a space large enough to accommodate 
 
36 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 quite a respectable number of people. While the rocks 
 are covered with evergreens, the alluvial soil on the bank 
 has fostered the growth of the catalpa and other deciduous 
 trees. In former days, at the time of the scene we are 
 now describing, when the country was as yet covered with 
 a fine forest growth, a rivulet broke over the rocky wall in 
 the background and formed a picturesque waterfall as it 
 leaped from rock to crag in its wild flight down to the bot- 
 tom of the ravine. 
 
 " When the party reached the banks of the Wissahickon 
 the afternoon was already well advanced, so little time was 
 lost. After a fervent invocation to the Throne of Grace 
 and the reading of a passage from Luke xiv, the newly 
 constituted elder entered the water through the thin ice, 
 leading by the hand the first candidate. This was Martin 
 Urner, a native of Alsace, who had been brought up in 
 the Reformed faith, and who, together with his two broth- 
 ers, for a short time had been members of the Hermits on 
 the Ridge. 
 
 "The scene was a solemn one. The small procession 
 on their way to the creek was reinforced by some of the 
 Hermits from the heights on the other side of the stream, 
 and some others who were attracted out of curiosity, so that 
 by the time the party arrived at the banks of the frozen 
 stream the company was quite a goodly one — witnesses 
 who were to assist by their presence at what was to be the 
 founding of a new Christian denomination in America. 
 
 " Clear above the sound of the rushing waters and the 
 rustle of leafless branches rose the solemn German invoca- 
 tion and the singing of the baptismal hymn composed by 
 Alexander Mack, * Ueberschlag die Kost, Spricht Jesu 
 Christ, wann du den Grund wilt legen.' ■ Numerous as 
 
 , " Count the cost, says Jesus Christ, when the foundations thou wouldst lay." 
 
The Perfected Congregation, 37 
 
 had been the mystic rites and occult incantations held on 
 the rugged ravine and valley of this stream since the gentle 
 Kelpius and his band settled there thirty years before, none 
 were more fervent or brought so great and lasting results 
 as this solemn rite upon the narrow strip of rock-bound 
 land on the shore of the Wissahickon. There stood the 
 administrator deep in the cold water ; before him knelt the 
 rugged Alsatian ; thrice was he immersed under the ice 
 flood. As he arose the last time the Segenspruch was 
 pronounced and Martin Urner once more entered the mate- 
 rial world to become a factor in the religious development 
 of his adopted country. His wife, Catharina Reist, was 
 the next candidate, followed by the other four persons, the 
 same scenes being repeated in each case. 
 
 " Long before the solemn rite was ended the winter sun 
 was well down over the Schuylkill hills and the sky cov- 
 ered with leaden clouds. The party now proceeded to the 
 house of Johannes Gumre where dry clothing was provided. 
 In the evening a love-feast was held, the rite of foot-washing 
 was observed, at which the newly constituted elder officiated 
 as a token of his humility. This was followed by the 
 breaking of the bread and the administration of the Holy 
 Communion, and was partaken of by the seventeen constit- 
 uents and the six newly baptized converts, making twenty- 
 three members in all. 
 
 " Thus was perfected the organization of the first ' Con- 
 gregation of the Brethren in America.' " 
 
AN OU> GERMANTOWN LANDMARK. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Growth of the Congregation. — Celebrating His 
 Birthday. 
 
 HAT a scene for a master's hand this re- 
 production of "The Last Supper," and 
 we may well wish that it might have been 
 placed upon canvas ! But what we have 
 is enough, and we are devoutly grateful. 
 The spiritual blessings which we enjoy as the fruits of their 
 labors would indeed in itself be enough. Let us be thank- 
 ful for each fact of additional interest. It was Christmas 
 Day. What an appropriate day for the memorial observ- 
 ance of the Ordinances, which He commanded. To that 
 memorable day which should be dear to the heart of every 
 Christian, is now added a three-fold interest for every 
 member of the Brethren church in America, viz., The 
 First Organization, The First Baptism, The First Love- 
 feast and Communion Service. There were twenty-three 
 persons for the twenty-three years of the new century, sur- 
 
 (38) 
 
Immediate Results. 39 
 
 rounding the Lord's table. What a gathering from two 
 continents, and various tongues and nations ; and the ag- 
 gregate number of miles this entire company travelled in 
 fleeing persecution and coming to the truth and this blessed 
 fellowship, was more than sixty thousand miles. Not only 
 the number of persons that were there, but their names, are 
 recorded, and what history they have made. Of the origi- 
 nal eight at Schwartzenau, not one of them sat at this table. 
 The Lord in His providence has dealt kindly and leads us 
 gently on. Not only have we the day and date, and the 
 facts of the day, and the number of persons, and the names 
 of the persons ; but Mr. Julius F. Sachse gives us the 
 reasonable assurance of the identification of the spot where 
 these important events transpired. If so, there is added in- 
 terest, as the present writer not only walked in their footsteps 
 over the historic route from Germantown and stood on the 
 banks of the baptismal pool in the beautiful Wissahickon, 
 but also stood within the walls where they were seated 
 around the table of the Lord. These ruined walls are all 
 that is left of the once comfortable home of John Gumre. 
 Before me rolls the Wissahickon, famous in story and song, 
 while on the hills above are towering forest trees, standing 
 like sentinels, the guardians of these hallowed scenes. As 
 I stand in the midst of these reflections, and as I look upon 
 the rugged grandeur around me and into the historic past, 
 there is such a flood of inexpressible thought that I stand 
 in silence and look up in mute adoration. 
 
 Immediate Results. 
 It is not difficult to understand that there were immedi- 
 ate results from these wonderful events which we have just 
 cited, as well as remote and far-reaching. The immediate 
 results were of a two-fold character — internal and external. 
 
4° 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
t o 
 
Religious Activity. 41 
 
 The effect upon the membership was very marked. It 
 was a visible demonstration of the Lord answering the ear- 
 nest prayers of the faithful ones. Such great blessings 
 brought new life and hope to the congregation — indeed 
 they had not been a congregation before. The desire that 
 all might enjoy such blessings of fellowship as they en- 
 joyed, was intensified. The truth must now be spread. 
 Missionary enterprise was commenced. It has already 
 been noted above that these memorable Christmas-day 
 scenes " created a great stir among the people of the 
 neighborhood. " Here then were inside and outside re- 
 sults, incentives, opportunities. Steps were at once taken 
 to improve these favorable opportunities, but the " winter 
 proved to be an exceedingly hard and stormy one, and the 
 meetings were discontinued until spring. They were re- 
 sumed early in May, and continued with great success. 
 Efforts were also made to reach and influence the youth 
 and to educate them in matters spiritually. Many were 
 attracted to the services and * taught to walk in the fear 
 of the Lord and to love the Brethren.' As the fame of 
 this awakening spread abroad there was such an increase 
 of attendance that no room could be found large enough 
 to accommodate the worshippers ; so, whenever the weather 
 permitted, the assembly was held in the open air." 1 
 
 There was, however, another immediate result. Such 
 present blessings and such bright prospects for the future 
 was not to be shared alone by those here in America. 
 What glad news this will be to send across the ocean and 
 what joy it will bring to the dear brethren and sisters in the 
 far-away German Fatherland. They shall know of it soon 
 that they may share in the joy of this good news and, per- 
 haps, be induced to come to America and share in this 
 promising work. 
 
 1 Account of German Baptist Brethren in German Sectarians. 
 
42 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 A Message to the Home Land. 
 The Chronicon Efhratense gives the following interest- 
 ing account of this message : " Under these circumstances 
 they deemed it well to make a detailed report of this new 
 awakening to their Brethren in Germany. Therefore they 
 prepared in common a writing addressed to them, in which 
 they informed them that they had become reunited in Penn- 
 sylvania, and that hereupon a great awakening had re- 
 sulted in the land, which was still daily increasing ; that 
 of the awakened several had joined their communion, to 
 which they had to consent, as they dared not withstand 
 the counsels of God." It would be interesting to know that 
 message in full, to have the exact words and know the real 
 heartthrobs that pulsated through them, but we shall prob- 
 ably never know more than we know now. The above 
 quotation, no doubt, gives us a fair conception of the scope 
 of the letter, and we furthermore know the effect this and 
 other reports had upon the Brethren in Germany. We 
 shall notice later the history of the original Schwartzenau 
 congregation. Two Continents are now interested in 
 the struggles in this new and, to them, unknown world. 
 Other messages go from time to time to the Home Land. 
 The earnest prayers from both sides of the great ocean 
 strengthen the hearts of the brave leaders, as they go forth, 
 over the hills and down the valleys, through the forests and 
 across the rivers, bearing the message of the " Man of Gal- 
 lilee " — for he said, " Go ye therefore, and teach all na- 
 tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
 Son, and of the Holy Ghost : Teaching them to observe all 
 things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am 
 with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." 1 
 
 1 Matt. 28 : 19-20. 
 
SCENE ON MAIN STREET, GERMANTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 Missionary Enterprise in The Brethren Church. — A 
 Missionary Tour to Frontier Points. 
 
 HE year 1724 was destined to be scarcely less 
 eventful and important than the previous 
 year. No one who is a careful student can 
 dwell upon the events of this year without 
 feeling that they were of the utmost impor- 
 tance to the German pioneer settlers and far-reaching in 
 their influence and permanent results. It was deemed 
 advisable that all the scattered settlements of Brethren 
 should be visited at once and brought under organized 
 spiritual influences. For this purpose a missionary party 
 was organized, with Peter Becker as the leader. It was 
 the first of a series, but this — the most remarkable mission- 
 ary tour to the frontier in all Pennsylvania colonial his- 
 tory — is absolutely without parallel. Leaving industry 
 and loved ones behind, these pioneer preachers of the gos- 
 pel, with true German devotion to the cause they loved, 
 marched forth, seven horsemen and seven footmen. It 
 was a worthy representation of the importance of the cause 
 they'sought to establish, as well as a worthy representation 
 
 (43) 
 
44 The German Baftist Brethren. 
 
 of the work accomplished in their continued devotion. 
 What a mission was theirs, pushing out to the frontier 
 lines to battle with callous indifference and skepticism or 
 mysticism and materialism among their fellow-countrymen. 
 And so October 23, 1724, was a memorable day for the 
 Germantown settlement, and what an impressive scene it 
 must have been to behold the gathering of the company of 
 cavalry and infantry, and then behold the company as it 
 slowly moved out of the settlement, northward, over the 
 old Indian trail. The scattered settlers have gathered in 
 little groups here and there to discuss the journey and mis- 
 sion of their neighbors and friends, and with deep interest 
 watched them until they vanished over the slopes of the 
 distant hills. 
 
 From the description of " The German Baptist Breth- 
 ren " I quote the following i 1 " The first stop was made in 
 the beautiful Skippack valley, where a number of Germans 
 had settled. Here several meetings were held with much 
 success ; thence they went northward, crossed the Perkio- 
 men and continued on through Providence to Falckner's 
 Swamp, where a halt was made at the house of one Al- 
 bertus, who, it appears, was in communion with the party. 
 Here revival meetings were held, which closed with a 
 Liebesmahl in the evening, followed by the breaking of 
 bread ; thence they journeyed to Oley, in Berks county, 
 near Douglassville, where similar work was done with the 
 same results. From Oley the party went southward and 
 crossed the Schuylkill, going direct to the house of Martin 
 Urner, one of the * First Fruits,' who, since his baptism, 
 had permanently settled in Coventry, Chester county, im- 
 mediately opposite the present town of Pottstown. 
 
 " On the next day, Saturday, November 7, 1724, * * * 
 
 1 German Sectarians. 
 
Coventry Brethren. 45 
 
 a meeting was held in Urner's house, at which Elder 
 Becker presided. Two candidates were baptized in the 
 Schuylkill, and the ceremony was followed by the usual 
 love-feast and bread-breaking in the evening. 
 
 " Upon this occasion was organized the Coventry Breth- 
 ren Church, of which Martin Urner was made preacher. 
 The following nine persons were the constituent members : 
 Martin Urner, his wife, Catherine Reist Urner ; Daniel 
 Eicher and wife, Henrich Landes and wife, Peter Hoffly, 
 Owen Longanacre and Andrew Sell. 
 
 " From Coventry the revivalists journeyed towards the 
 Conestoga country, as the western part of Chester county 
 was then known. Upon leaving Urner's the party divided, 
 the mounted men keeping to the road and passing the 
 night of Monday, November 9th, at the house of Jacob 
 Weber, who then lived in the Conestoga valley, evidently 
 near the present Weberstown, in Leacock township. Those 
 on foot took a shorter route, probably over the Welsh 
 mountain, and stopped at the house of Johannes Graff. 
 This was in Earl township, at what is now known as 
 Graffsdale, at the lower end of Earl township. The origi- 
 nal tract of 1,419 acres was situated on Graff's run, a 
 branch of the Muhlbach (Mill creek). Johannes Graff 
 was the earliest and wealthiest settler in the vicinity. The 
 foundation-stones of the cabin which he built in 17 18 are 
 yet to be seen upon the property of a lineal descendant. 
 
 "The footmen passed the night under the hospitable 
 roof of Johannes Graff, and on the next day journeyed to 
 the house of Hans Rudolph Nagele, a Mennonite preacher, 
 where both horse and footmen again united. 
 
 " The night was passed at the house of Stephen Gal- 
 liond. Early upon the next day, Wednesday, November 
 nth, the party retraced their steps and journeyed towards 
 
46 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 the valley of the Pequea to bring about an awakening 
 among the Mennonites who had settled there, many of 
 whom had become followers of the seductive Bauman and 
 his noxious * Newborn ' teaching. A large gathering was 
 held at the house of Heinrich Hohn on Thursday, No- 
 vember 1 2th, at which Beissel was present. 
 
 " At this meeting, according to the old records, extra- 
 ordinary revival powers were manifested. The evangelists 
 spoke with such force concerning apostolic baptism and the 
 Divine purpose concerning fallen man involved therein, 
 that after the close of the meeting five persons felt con- 
 vinced and applied for baptism. These candidates were 
 Heinrich Hohn and his wife, at whose house the revival 
 was held ; Johann Mayer and wife and Joseph Schaffer. 
 The party at once proceeded to the Pequea, and the ordi- 
 nance was administered to them by Peter Becker. Before 
 the rite was concluded, another person, Veronica Fried- 
 richs, the wife of a local miller, presented herself as a can- 
 didate and was accepted. During this service on the banks 
 of the placid Pequea, much fervent spirit manifested itself 
 among all present, and no one was more impressed than 
 Conrad Beissel. He had felt for some time past that longer 
 to withstand the ordinance of God was presumption. To 
 overcome this craving and ease his conscience, Beissel, 
 some time previous to this pilgrimage, attempted to baptize 
 himself. This questionable act, however, failed to con- 
 vince him, and the uncertainty of its efficacy left him in a 
 very unenviable state of mind. Yet he considered his old 
 master" and the others present so far beneath him in every 
 respect that it would be too great a humiliation for his 
 proud spirit to receive baptism at their hands. 
 
 " The stepping forth of Veronica Friedrichs, the fervent 
 prayers and pious ejaculations, all tended to increase the 
 
Baptism of Beissel. 47 
 
 excitement of Beissel ; well may it be assumed that it 
 reached a fever heat, and that his mental conflict was a 
 fearful one. He, too, longed to enter the water and be 
 plunged beneath the flood, and through it again enter the 
 material world cleansed from all taint and sin. While he 
 felt himself called to fulfill a mission to preach the Gospel 
 himself, yet his pride forbade him to humble himself, as 
 he considered, to bow to his old master and receive the 
 rite at his hands. 
 
 " While Veronica was being baptized the excitement 
 rose still higher. Suddenly, in the very midst of the solemn 
 rite, Beissel remembered how it was recorded in Scripture 
 that even Christ had humbled himself to be baptized by so 
 lowly a person as John. The scene on the banks of the 
 Pequea upon that November day was certainly an impres- 
 sive one ; religious enthusiasm was wrought to a high pitch 
 and reached its culmination when Conrad Beissel an- 
 nounced his intention to be baptized in * apostolicwise,' 
 and importuned Peter Becker to administer the rite. No 
 preparations were made, but as Veronica Friedrichs was 
 led up the slippery bank, Beissel humbly entered the freez- 
 ing water and knelt before the elder, who after a short 
 invocation immersed the candidate thrice, face forward, 
 under the cold flood." 
 
 After the conclusion of this baptismal service, all retired 
 to the house of Heinrich Hohn, where was held a Love- 
 feast and Communion service in the evening. There were 
 several more meetings held in the neighborhood and Sig- 
 mund Landert and his wife were baptized. On the 14th 
 of November, the Germantown missionaries started on their 
 homeward journey. To bring out important lessons may 
 be regarded as sufficient reason for devoting much space 
 to a description of these events. We are much indebted 
 
48 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 to the Chronicon for dates and facts of these early years 
 that brought such important results. 
 
 Lessons and Results. 
 
 It is desirable to comment briefly on a few lessons and 
 important results while these scenes are fresh in mind. 
 For, it may readily be seen, there are considerations far 
 beyond their local setting. Here are characteristics that 
 have made history. Elements of strength and principles 
 of action, adopted in Germany, are here reestablished, 
 and have directed the progress of the church ever since. 
 Alexander Mack was an evangelist of note before he 
 organized the Brethren church, and there are many evi- 
 dences of the missionary activities of the church while yet 
 in Germany. This tour, after the organization in America, 
 was the first step in that missionary enterprise which has 
 been such an important factor in the life of the Brethren 
 church. As an immediate result, one church was organ- 
 ized and the foundation laid for another one, both of these 
 becoming prosperous and important in a few years. In 
 this house-to-house visitation there was social converse 
 and personal instruction regarding spiritual things ; and we 
 shall never know out of how many homes was driven the 
 spirit of indifference and materialism by the erection of the 
 altar of prayer. Let us emphasize that thought in this 
 connection. If there is any one thing in which the Breth- 
 ren church has distinctly stood above other things it is the 
 exaltation of the home and family life. 
 
 But this evangelistic tour did not simply demonstrate the 
 missionary enterprise in which the Brethren church was 
 born ; nor was the organizing of one or two congregations 
 the only result. The seed of the gospel was sown in many 
 homes along the way. The awakened interest in religious 
 
The Domestic Sanctuary \ 49 
 
 matters was wide-spread, and many a German home re- 
 ceived a blessing. The Germantown congregation received 
 much encouragement and inspiration from the success of this 
 work. But there is one more thing to be added to these 
 results, though it mars the brightness of our picture. As 
 already noted above, Conrad Beissel was one of the bap- 
 tized converts in the Conestoga. He soon fomented a 
 schism that in a few years brought sadness to many hearts 
 and homes and lives. 
 
 The Home a Sanctuary. 
 It has already been noted that the preaching services 
 were held in private homes, the homes of the members. 
 There is no higher type of the Christian home than was 
 found among these early German settlers. Here, indeed, 
 there was earnest Christian devotion ; here was the family 
 altar ; here was the Bible and the hymn-book, the constant 
 source of instruction and blessing ; and here, also, there 
 was careful religious training of the children. But the 
 typical home of which I am speaking is not yet complete. 
 This home was a sanctuary. Here gathered parents and 
 children, old and young, for the public preaching service. 
 No other power on earth can equal in far-reaching influence 
 this combination of the home and the church. We need 
 not wonder, therefore, that it is stated in the old records 
 concerning the first awakening or revival, that " it was 
 especially among the young." This was no doubt a rather 
 " primitive " way, but it suited the times and the circum- 
 stances, was eminently successful, and crowned thousands 
 of homes with the richest blessings the gospel can give. 
 I am not speaking of an isolated circumstance, but of a 
 universal condition and the halo of glory of these home- 
 sanctuary scenes has brightened and blessed the lives of 
 
5o 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 thousands and thousands of Pennsylvania-Germans. There 
 were homes in which such a sanctuary existed for two and 
 three generations, and grace and blessing is the heritage of 
 the family unto this day. For forty-seven years there was 
 not a church or meeting-house among the Brethren. The 
 first one was built at Germantown in 1770, and there were 
 but few for the next ten or twenty years. There are in exist- 
 ence to-day many old Pennsylvania homesteads, homes of 
 the " old families," that were built with special reference 
 to the sanctuary altar, and the accommodation of the 
 " meetings." We shall know fully about the " first meet- 
 ing-house " a little later. 
 
THE OI.D SHUMACHER HOUSE, GERMANTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Second Emigration. 
 
 N a few years a great change was effected in 
 America. By the close of 1724 there were 
 three congregations organized : German- 
 town, Coventry and Conestoga. The latter 
 was organized soon after the visit from Ger- 
 mantown, and Conrad Beissel was selected as the preacher. 
 Many converts having been made, and the general condi- 
 tions of things being encouraging to the new settlers, many 
 favorable reports were sent to the members still in Ger- 
 many or different parts of Europe. It will be remembered 
 that the first emigration came from the Crefeld congrega- 
 tion. It is necessary now to trace the history of the orig- 
 inal Schwartzenau congregation during the sojourn in 
 Europe. For twelve years this congregation enjoyed a fair 
 degree of liberty and unbroken prosperity, at Schwartz- 
 enau, in the province of Witgenstein. But in the year 
 1720 a great change came. Upon the death of the mild 
 and friendly count who ruled this province the entire body 
 of Brethren was driven out of the hitherto friendly terri- 
 
 (50 
 
52 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 tory. Thus while the members left Crefeld for America, 
 in 1 7 19, the members of the mother congregation were 
 refugees from their home in Schwartzenau, the following 
 year. They found a temporary rest and home at Seruster- 
 vin or Westervain, in West Friesland. It was at this place 
 that they received the news of the promising mission fields 
 among the Germans in Pennsylvania. They decided to 
 cast their lot with their friends and brethren in the New 
 World, the land of religious liberty. They sailed from 
 Rotterdam, in July, on the good ship Allen, James Craigie, 
 master, and qualified at Philadelphia, September 15, 
 1729. l And now we enter upon a new era in the history 
 of the Brethren in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Dark Days and Trials of Fire. 
 
 We are in the midst of years that are full of history. 
 There are dark days that are full of new and strange and 
 sad experiences. We cannot study all of these things in 
 detail, but we must be satisfied with a rapid sketch, a kind 
 of panoramic view of the principal facts and results. As 
 has already been stated, in treating of the religious condi- 
 tion at the time of settlement in this country, some members 
 had not entirely escaped the influence of mysticism at Cre- 
 feld and other places, and they brought some of it to this 
 country. For a time it prevented their fellowship, but was 
 finally swallowed up for a time at least, in the general in- 
 terest of the revival services. But the spirit of mysticism 
 was only waiting for a favorable opportunity for its de- 
 velopment, through the leadership of some one. This op- 
 portunity was seized by Conrad Beissel, the new convert 
 
 1 Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XVII., p. 18. See also Mor- 
 gan Edward's History 0/ the Baptists in Pennsylvania, Part IV., p. 66, con- 
 cerning persecution in Germany. 
 
Conrad Beissel. 53 
 
 and preacher of the Conestoga congregation. He was a 
 strange character, living a life of dreamy solitude in the 
 Conestoga country. He was a poor, uneducated man, with 
 a strange history in Europe. His most marked character- 
 istic seems to have been his wonderful capacity to absorb 
 all new and strange beliefs wherever found — whether the 
 extreme and sweeping grounds of Pietism, or the ethereal 
 conceptions of the Rosicrusian Mystics, or the solitary 
 meditations of the Hermits on the Wissahickon, or the new 
 doctrine of the Kiethian Quakers on French creek. He 
 seemed to have had the unique experience, too, of coming 
 in contact with more strange doctrines than any one else, 
 and so his own beliefs passed through many evolutions 
 from time to time. 
 
 Conrad Beissel. 
 
 It is not my purpose to write a life of this man and to 
 give a full account of his work, but it is manifestly neces- 
 sary to give some facts and details that are needful for a 
 proper understanding of the historical connection with 
 the Brethren church. Conrad Beissel was born in April, 
 1690, at Eberbach, in the Palatinate. His father was a 
 dissolute journeyman baker, who died two months before 
 the child was born. The orphan boy received the name of 
 Johann Conrad Beissel. He had a devout mother, but she 
 died when he was only seven years of age, and it seemed 
 as if his last blessing had gone. He grew up in a state of 
 the most abject poverty until old enough to learn a trade, 
 when he was apprenticed by the local authorities to a master 
 baker. To his previous life of poverty and wretchedness 
 was now added that of unrestrained frivolity, assisting his 
 master in fiddling at dances. After serving his apprentice- 
 ship he started out as a journeyman baker traveling from 
 
54 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 place to place. He was for a time at Strasburg where he 
 was first introduced into Inspirationist and Pietistic circles. 
 It was here that he came into fellowship and association 
 
 with Michael Eckerlin whose 
 four sons played such an im- 
 portant part in the Ephrata 
 community years after. From 
 Strasburg he journeyed to 
 Mannheim where he remained 
 for a time, but was compelled 
 to leave on account of trouble 
 with his master's wife whom 
 he called Jezebel. His next 
 stop was Heidelberg where he 
 had varied experiences. "Here 
 he experienced an enlighten- 
 ment of the Spirit." He at- 
 tended revival meetings and 
 devoted himself to his business 
 in which he was successful. 
 He now again turned to mystic 
 circles and joined the local Ros- 
 icrucian chapter. When this become known, he was expell- 
 ed from the town and this unfortunate experience seems to 
 have made an end of his business as a baker. He wan- 
 dered about, almost starving, finding some employment at 
 wool-spinning and other means of livelihood. " He so- 
 journed for a short time among the Tunkers at Schwart- 
 zenau." After much wretchedness and tribulation and per- 
 secution, he resolved to leave the Fatherland for the wilds 
 of the New World and join Kelpius on the Wissahickon. 
 In spite of the protests of his friends, he prepared to carry 
 his project into effect ; crossing the ocean, he arrived at 
 
 ALLEGED PORTRAIT OF CONRAD 
 BEISSEI,. 
 
Beissel as an Apprentice. 55 
 
 Germantown sometime in the fall of 1720. Among his 
 companions across the ocean were George Steifel, Jacob 
 Stuntz, and Simon Koenig. On reaching Germantown, 
 great was his surprise and sore his disappointment to learn 
 that Kelpius was dead some years, the chapter of Perfec- 
 tion broken up and its members scattered far and wide. 
 There was a remnant of the community left who lived the 
 solitary lives of hermits and among these was Conrad Mat- 
 thai whom Beissel consulted as to what he should do. 
 Matthai gave him good advice by telling him to remain at 
 Germantown and learn the weaver's trade or art and Beis- 
 sel determined to follow such advice for the time being. 
 He indentured himself to Peter Becker who was a master- 
 weaver of Germantown, for the term of one year, but left 
 before the time had elapsed. It will be remembered from 
 the preceding pages that when the first Brethren congre- 
 gation in America was organized, December 25, 1723, 
 Peter Becker became the Elder, as he had heretofore been 
 the leader. As an apprentice he became a member of the 
 family of Peter Becker and it will thus be seen that for the 
 space of almost one year he was the companion and asso- 
 ciate of the leading man of the Brethren and from this time 
 on dates his historical connection with the church. He 
 gradually yielded to the acceptance of the doctrine of the 
 church, until impressions received from other sources di- 
 rected him into other channels of faith. These two men 
 were greatly grieved as they beheld the spiritual indiffer- 
 ence of their countrymen. Various historians of the times 
 describe the condition of the Germans as most lamentable, 
 amounting even to unbelief, assigning various reasons for 
 such condition. The Chronicon states that the cause for 
 such indifference to spiritual things is : " The great free- 
 dom of this land was one cause of their being thus sold 
 
56 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 under the spirit of this world, through which all godly in- 
 fluence has been lost, and each one depended upon him- 
 self." The foregoing biographical facts of Beissel were 
 mainly taken from German Sectarians, by Julius F. 
 Sachse, that excellent work on the Ephrata monastic com- 
 munity. I quote from the same, page 53, in order to locate 
 Beissel and the place of his future operations upon leaving 
 Germantown : " Determined to carry out his original pur- 
 pose, Beissel, at the expiration or breaking of his inden- 
 ture, in the fall of 172 1, in company with his former com- 
 panion, Stuntz, journeyed to the Conestoga valley ; and 
 there, in a secluded spot, in the primitive forest beside a 
 spring of water, the two wanderers built themselves a log 
 cabin. This was on the banks of the Miihlbach (Mill 
 creek), a branch of the Conestoga. The branch rises in 
 the Welsh mountain in the eastern part of Lancaster 
 county, and, after an intricate course, empties into that 
 river at the dividing line of Pequea and West Lampeter 
 townships. 
 
 "The exact situation of this historic spot can, after the 
 lapse of a century and three-quarters, be given to a cer- 
 tainty, thanks to some old surveys, maps and records, 
 which have been found and located after a long and patient 
 search extending over years of time. The site of Beissel's 
 original cabin in Lancaster is upon the grounds of Miss 
 Marianna Gibbons, about half a mile north of the Bird- 
 in-Hand Station on the Pennsylvania railroad, and agrees 
 with the old record, which states that it was eight miles 
 from the junction of the Miihlbach with the Conestoga." 
 
 It was in this hut on the Miihlbach, where Beissel laid 
 the foundation for his Monastic Commune ; but many 
 changes were yet to be brought about and many impres- 
 sions to be made on his mind to become foundation stones 
 
The Hut on the Muhlbach. 57 
 
 in his future system. From here he soon visited the Laba- 
 dists on the Bohemia Manor and their communal life made 
 deep and lasting impressions upon his mind. He found 
 much to interest him and much that he afterwards used in 
 his own community. About the same time he visited also 
 the Sabbatarians at Providence and Newtown in Chester 
 county. It was not long until the Sabbath was duly ob- 
 served in the log cabin by Beissel and his companions, 
 which now were Isaac Van Bebber and George Steifel in 
 addition to Stuntz. 
 
 For a time all was quiet and peaceful in the hut on the 
 Muhlbach, but dissension soon arose and dark clouds of 
 trouble threatened the heretofore contented group. When 
 the dissensions arose, Steifel was the first to leave. For 
 some time he lived a solitary recluse life, when he became 
 acquainted with the Moravians and moved to Bethlehem, 
 where he died a few years later. 1 
 
 The severe life was too much for Van Bebber and he 
 soon left with impaired health. Beissel seems to have re- 
 gretted his leaving and the following account of the part- 
 ing is recorded in the Chronicon: " He took leave of the 
 Superintendent (Beissel) with much love, and protested 
 that it was not possible for him to live in that way. The 
 former gave him the following counsel to take with him : 
 ■ Know that when you are successful in the world, God 
 has forsaken you ; but when all misfortune comes upon 
 you here, then know that God still loves you.' After 
 many years he froze both hands and feet in a shipwreck 
 and was put under the care of Christopher Witt in Ger- 
 mantown. There he remembered this farewell, and sent 
 his last greeting to his old friend." 
 
 Misfortunes seem to come now to Beissel in rapid suc- 
 
 1 See Moravians' Records. 
 
58 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 cession. Soon after losing these two companions he was 
 away from the cabin for a time. During this temporary 
 absence, Stuntz sold the hut and kept the money as part 
 payment for loans he had made to Beissel. Although he 
 was now homeless and without companions and probably 
 without any means whatever, he was not despairing. He 
 shouldered his axe, penetrated deeper into the forest and 
 before the close of the summer of 1723, he had erected 
 for himself a log cabin about one mile from the former 
 place. This cabin was located beside a beautiful spring 
 and it was here that he was joined by Michael Wohlfarth 
 and the two became life-long friends. It was the follow- 
 ing year, 1724, when the thrilling scene was enacted, 
 already recited in preceding pages, and Conrad Beissel 
 received baptism at the hands of Elder Peter Becker. 
 And now for a few years he is in fellowship with the 
 Brethren church, and, having learned something of the 
 past history of the man, we shall better understand his 
 career during these eventful years. 
 
 After the departure of the missionaries from German- 
 town, who had created such a stir, Beissel was selected as 
 the leader and the new congregation of twelve members 
 was formally organized. Scarcely was this accomplished 
 when he began to present his doctrines regarding the Sab- 
 bath and defended certain Jewish laws in abstaining from 
 meats, such as pork, etc. Agitation and discussion upon 
 these topics soon produced lack of harmony and restless- 
 ness which laid the foundations for dissension and confu- 
 sion. The confusion seemed about complete, when, soon 
 after, he presented his mystic speculations which produced 
 so marked an effect that, while some thought him inspired, 
 the others thought him crazy. There were a number of 
 converts, however, and among those baptized by Beissel, 
 
BeisseVs Ingratitude. 59 
 
 was his friend and companion, Wohlfarth. Communica- 
 tion between the Sabbatarians on French creek and Beis- 
 sel and his adherents, became more and more frequent, 
 and he presented his Sabbatarian views more positively 
 and most bitterly antagonized those who differed on doc- 
 trine. This bitterness against the Brethren was carried by 
 those who went to proselyte to all the settlements and 
 finally reached Germantown ; and when Elder Peter 
 Becker and some others came on a visit to the Conestoga, 
 Beissel attacked him most bitterly in public in his sermon. 
 Thus was the breach constantly widened, and the Cone- 
 stoga congregation itself was divided into two parts : those 
 who adhered with Beissel to the Sabbath and those who 
 adhered to the Lord's Day or Sunday. The leader of the 
 latter was Johannes Hildebrand, who had moved to the 
 Conestoga from the mother congregation at Germantown. 
 It was very evident that matters could not go on at this 
 rate and it seemed almost out of the question to restore 
 harmony and reach a peaceful settlement. Beissel made a 
 special effort to reach and influence the various Brethren 
 settlements and that he succeeded will be noted further on 
 in the history. These circumstances bring us to the latter 
 part of the year 1728, and I desire to quote in this connec- 
 tion a paragraph from German Sectarians, page 138. 
 " The Germantown Baptists now reproached Beissel for his 
 ingratitude toward them, as it was at their hands that he had 
 received baptism. This, instead of rallying him, only 
 tended to increase his vehemence against his former friends. 
 At the same time he was forced to acknowledge the truth 
 of their argument. How to overcome this dilemma was a 
 serious question. At last, however, a way was found out 
 of the difficulty, which was worked to their own satisfac- 
 tion. This was the novel proposition to renounce the 
 Becker baptism and return it to the old congregation, and 
 
60 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 then to have such of the Beisselianer as had been immersed 
 by Becker rebaptized. This strange scene was enacted 
 toward the close of December, evidently in the Miihlbach 
 or the Conestoga. Upon the appointed day a general 
 meeting of the Sabbatarians was held, during which three 
 brothers and four sisters were selected for the chief cere- 
 mony. It had been decided that it was proper for the Sab- 
 batical number to be the foundation of the rebaptized con- 
 gregation. The number seven and the two sexes were 
 therefore chosen. According to the teachings of the Rosi- 
 crucians the number seven represents the union of the 
 square and the triad, and is considered the divine number, 
 in the same sense in which forty is the perfect numeral. 
 Jan Meyle and Beissel were the first to enter the icy water ; 
 special hymns were sung, and after an invocation, in which 
 both men renounced their former baptism, Meyle immersed 
 Beissel thrice backwards, and immediately afterwards re- 
 peated the operation thrice forwards, thus baptizing the 
 candidate. Beissel then repeated the same ceremony upon 
 Meyle and the others in turn. This act completed the 
 separation between the Germantown and Conestoga Bap- 
 tists." This babyish act of Beissel in his desire to " return " 
 his former baptism, has received no end of ridicule, but if 
 we can overlook his self-righteousness and self-exaltation 
 and his ambition to lead, the poor man is to be pitied rather 
 than laughed at. This was the condition of things when 
 Alexander Mack with the larger part of the Schwartzenau 
 congregation arrived in the following year, 1729. Several 
 attempts were made at reconciliation, but without success. 
 The Rosicrucian was now more than a mystic ; he was 
 partly a Jew and a strict Sabbatarian, on which latter doc- 
 trine the separation partly came about. But not this alone, 
 nor was this all of his system. He was a Labadist, and 
 had already advocated celibacy and a communal life. One 
 
Sabbatarianism. 61 
 
 of his special missions now was to invade the sanctity of 
 the home, separate husband from wife and wife from hus- 
 band and parents from children. To many a home, for 
 peace and happiness, he gave sorrow and separation and 
 many of the victims were filled with remorse and regret. 
 Thus was the separation complete. By the very nature of 
 the case, the system of doctrine and the character of the 
 leader and defender of that doctrine, complete separation 
 was an absolute necessity. Some historians and others 
 have regarded and classed these people as a branch of the 
 Brethren church. This seems strange to anyone who has 
 studied the system of doctrine of these people. That the 
 German Sabbatarians or Seventh Day Baptists under Beis- 
 sel were a schism or split in the first place from the Breth- 
 ren church is unquestioned ; but his Monastic Community 
 is no more a branch of the Brethren church from which he 
 separated than the Lutheran church is a branch of the 
 Catholic church. There could be nothing more foreign in 
 doctrine or more opposite in practical working. While the 
 Master said: " Go ye into all the world, and preach the 
 gospel to every creature," 1 Beissel sought to confine his gos- 
 pel behind cloister walls. The system was inherently selfish 
 and was destined to die with the brain that conceived it. 
 It was a system whose very foundations were so fallacious 
 in character as to bring about its own destruction and an- 
 nihilation. But owing to the peculiar conditions and cir- 
 cumstances of those early times, the system flourished for 
 a number of years, and its adherents fairly worshipped its 
 author. Long since, however, has the stern hand of des- 
 tiny laid low the actors, and while time has silenced the 
 turmoil and the turbulence, and has gently stilled the sobs 
 of broken homes and soothed the heart-aches, let us cover 
 over these scenes of the past with the mantle of charity. 
 
 I Mark 16 : 15. 
 
HOUSE FORMERLY AT N. E. COR. OE MAIN ST. AND MARKET SQUARE. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Alexander Mack, the Patriarch. 
 
 E have already traced, in the preceding 
 chapters, the Origin and Organization 
 of the Brethren church in Germany. 
 Then tracing the First Emigration, fol- 
 lowed the church in America in its organ- 
 ization, in its growth and development, and in its vicissi- 
 tudes for a period of ten years. In the last chapter, reference 
 was made to the original congregation of Schwartzenau in 
 its wanderings in Europe and the emigration to America in 
 1729. Upon his arrival, Alexander Mack again became 
 the leading spirit of the church, as he had been in the 
 beginning, in the capacity of the ' 'leader and first minister" 
 at the time of organization in 1708. Some so-called histor- 
 ians speak of him as the " founder " of the Brethren church, 
 but in no sense is he either the founder or the foundation. 
 He was only one of eight to organize the work, but because 
 of his previous experience and activity as a minister and 
 evangelist, he naturally became the leading spirit. 
 
 As to foundation, we accept the words of the Apostle 
 
 (62) 
 
THE GERMAN BAPTIST BRETHREN. 
 
 RELICS OF THE BRETHREN CHURCH AT GERMANTOWN, 
 
 ANCIENT CANDLE-STICKS 
 
 PARCHMENT DEEDS 
 
 COLLECTION BASKETS 
 
 POOR BOX 
 
 COOKING UTENSILS 
 
 COFFEE URN 
 
 ROTS AND BUCKETS 
 
 SKIMMER 
 
 J. F. SACHSE, PHOTO. 
 
Alexander Mack. 63 
 
 Paul, I Corinthians, 3: 11: "For other foundation can 
 no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." It 
 may be well to recall Alexander Mack's recital of the cove- 
 nant of the eight : " Under these circumstances some felt 
 themselves drawn powerfully to seek the footsteps of the 
 primitive Christians, and desired earnestly to receive in 
 faith the ordained testimonies of Jesus Christ according to 
 their true value. At the same time they were internally 
 and strongly impressed with the necessity of the obedi- 
 ence of faith to a soul that desires to be saved. * * * 
 
 M Finally, in the year 1708, eight persons consented to- 
 gether, to enter into a covenant of a good conscience with 
 God, to take up all the commandments of Jesus Christ as 
 an easy yoke, and thus to follow the Lord Jesus, their 
 good and faithful shepherd, in joy and sorrow, as his true 
 sheep, even unto a blessed end." 
 
 This is a clear statement of those who, having come 
 from different beliefs, accepted Christ and His gospel as 
 fundamental principles. There is no other creed or con- 
 fession to-day, but the Brethren still accept the New Tes- 
 tament as their rule of faith and practice. 
 
 Birth. — Because of the importance of his ministry and 
 leadership for twenty-seven years, it will be of interest to 
 relate briefly such biographical facts as have come down to 
 us. It may be said, however, that we know but little about 
 Alexander Mack. He was born in 1679 at Schriesheim, 
 about midway between Mannheim and Heidelberg, in the 
 Electorate of Palatia or the Palatinate, now forming a part 
 of the grand duchy of Baden, in southern Germany. Of 
 his parents we have little positive information. From what 
 his biographers say of him, we know that his parents were 
 respectable, wealthy and religious. 
 
 Inasmuch as "After the Reformation Heidelberg was 
 
64 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 long the headquarters of German Calvinism and gave its 
 name to a famous Calvinistic catechism," it is altogether 
 likely that Alexander Mack received careful instruction in 
 the Heidelberg catechism, since he was born and raised 
 only a few miles from that city. Elder James Quinter 
 writes ' in 1867 : " Although we know but little of his ances- 
 tors, it appears he descended from a very respectable and 
 wealthy family. He was a Presbyterian (Reformed), and 
 educated in the Calvinistic faith. Of his literary acquire- 
 ments we know nothing but what we can gather from his 
 writings, and from these it does not appear that he had a 
 classical education." 
 
 Occupation. — It seems that in early life he was a miller 
 and operated his milling interests. Morgan Edwards, writ- 
 ing 2 in 1770, says: "He had a handsome patrimony at 
 Schriesheim, with a profitable mill and vineyard thereon, 
 but spent all in raising and maintaining his church at 
 Schwarzenau." 
 
 Marriage. — In the year 1700, at the age of twenty-one, 
 he was married to Anna Margaretha Klingin, a native of 
 the same place and about his own age. To this union were 
 born five children, three sons and two daughters. 
 
 Life-work. — His life-work began at an early age. 
 He was only twenty-nine years of age when the church 
 was organized and he was chosen the first minister, but he 
 had been active already for a number of years before this 
 time. Being dissatisfied with the religious system in which 
 he had been brought up, he directed his prayerful atten- 
 tion to the scriptures in searching for " the old paths," for 
 he was anxious to ascertain the mind of the Lord as therein 
 revealed. This soon brought persecution and in a few 
 
 1 Memoir of Alexander Mack, Sen., Brethren 's Encyclopedia. 
 
 2 Materials toward A History of the American Baptists, Vol. I., Part IV. 
 
Alexander Mack. 
 
 6s 
 
 
66 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 years he was an exile from his splendid estate at Schries- 
 heim. He took his wife and little ones, and with many 
 others found refuge at Schwarzenau under the mild rule 
 of Count Henry. Here he found many active Pietists and 
 among them Ernest Christoph Hochmann von Hochenau 
 who was an active evangelist and with whom Mack trav- 
 eled much, for they held much in common. There is no 
 doubt but that Hochmann's Confession of Faith encouraged 
 and confirmed Mack considerably in his own growing con- 
 victions ; but Hochmann seemed to lack the courage of 
 his convictions and his work ultimately came to naught and 
 he died in sorrowful poverty. The work organized here 
 in 1708, as has already been noticed, continued for twelve 
 years, or until 1720 ; when upon the death of the mild and 
 friendly Count, they were driven to Holland. But the 
 year 1720 is emphasized for sadness in addition to perse- 
 cution and exile. From Quintets Memoir, I quote as fol- 
 lows : " But he had domestic afflictions to endure, as well 
 as those arising from persecution. In 1720, twenty years 
 after they were united in the bonds of matrimony, and 
 twelve years after they were united to Christ by a living 
 faith and gospel obedience, his companion was taken from 
 him by death. She is said to have been a meek Christian 
 and virtuous wife. She found in death, what she and her 
 husband had sought in vain for on earth, a calm retreat 
 from the storm of persecution. Within one week of the 
 death of his wife, his oldest daughter, then about six years 
 old, also died. It is said that the child was uncommonly fond 
 of its mother. And out of regard perhaps to the fond- 
 ness which existed between the mother and child, as well 
 as out of regard to the circumstances of persecution under 
 which the father and child were placed, the Lord in His 
 wisdom and goodness may have taken the little daughter 
 
Mack in America. 67 
 
 to the quiet home of the mother where it could enjoy her 
 fond caresses, rather than leave it where it must endure 
 the hardships and troubles of persecution in common with 
 its father. Thus in about one week, in addition to the 
 troubles consequent upon the great persecution which was 
 then raging, he had to bear the loss of a kind and Chris- 
 tian wife and a dear little daughter. 
 
 " After seeking unsuccessfully for a retreat from perse- 
 cution in his native country, he with his three sons, and a 
 number of his brethren, emigrated to America in 1729, and 
 settled as a poor man, poor in this world's goods but rich 
 in faith, on a small lot of ground near Germantown, in the 
 vicinity of Philadelphia." 
 
 His company consisted of about thirty families and so 
 large an addition to their numbers greatly stimulated the 
 Brethren in Pennsylvania. But the heart of this devoted 
 man was saddened when he found the sad condition of 
 things among his brethren, the result of the Beissel seces- 
 sion. His life was full of heroism, however, and his true 
 courage and moral bravery failed him not now. He went 
 resolutely to work, once more, to win the last great battle 
 of his life. Perhaps he little realized that it was to be the 
 last great struggle. After several vain attempts to recon- 
 cile Beissel, all efforts were concentrated to bring harmony 
 out of the confusion and chaos, and once more organize 
 his forces for united Christian work. The result of the 
 efforts is perhaps best indicated by pointing to the fact 
 that a number of churches were organized in the course 
 of a few years. The following is at least a partial list of 
 the churches and the dates of their organization : The Oley 
 Church, in 1732; the Great Swamp Church, in 1733; 
 Amwell Church, New Jersey, in 1733 ; the Cocalico 
 Church, in 1735 ; the White Oakland, in 1736; the Cono- 
 
68 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 wango, in 1738 ; and others soon afterwards. But he saw 
 only a part of the fruits of his latter labors. His life was 
 too intense, too full of sacrifice and service, to last long ; 
 and at the early age of fifty-six, on February 19, 1735, he 
 peacefully passed away. He had sacrificed all, he lived 
 a hero, he died a martyr. He lived not long, but so well. 
 Morgan Edwards exclaimed of him : " He was a man of 
 real Piety." 
 
 Though he probably was not classically educated, his 
 writings have lived for two hundred years. He was per- 
 haps not an eloquent preacher, but his consistent life and 
 consecrated devotion wonderfully impressed the truth he 
 professed. He was truly loved and deeply mourned by 
 those who followed his leadership. His death at this time 
 was a very serious loss, coming as it did so soon after the 
 confusion of Beissel secession ; and it would certainly have 
 proven fatal if his followers had builded on the person- 
 ality of their leader. But he was so anxious about the truth 
 that he had carefully eliminated his own personality. Per- 
 haps the truth of this statement is best illustrated by the 
 following incident. Some time before his death, he said 
 to his family, " Now when I am gone, don't mark my 
 grave, or they might sometime want to erect a monument 
 over my grave." The family was grieved to think that 
 his grave should be lost sight of, and so they protested 
 against an unmarked grave. It is said he then yielded to 
 the wishes of his loved ones and gave them privilege to 
 place his initials on a small stone slab. This incident 
 seems well established as a fact ; it is at any rate entirely 
 consistent with the man's life and character, and the unpre- 
 tentious blue-stone, scarce two feet in height, has been a 
 silent witness for more than a century and a half, to multi- 
 tudes of his followers. 
 
Death of Alexander Mack. 
 
 " His Christian character appears to have been that of 
 a primitive follower of Christ. Humility, zeal, self-denial, 
 and charity were conspicuous among the graces that 
 adorned his character. The high estimation in which he 
 was held by his brethren is seen in the circumstance that 
 he was chosen by them to be their minister. He was the 
 first minister in the little Christian community organized 
 at Schwartzenau in 1708, and labored zealously and suc- 
 cessfully to enlarge the borders of their Zion. Of his 
 private character as a Christian father we may infer favor- 
 ably from the circumstances that all his sons became pious 
 and were united to the church before they had completed 
 their seventeenth year. And what seems somewhat re- 
 markable, they all made a public confession of religion in 
 the seventeenth year of their age." 1 
 
 The graveyard connected with the 
 Brethren church was not opened 
 until near the close of the century, 
 so when Alexander Mack died in 
 1735, there was but one in the 
 neighborhood, called the Upper 
 Burying Ground of Germantown, 
 and here with loving hands his 
 body was laid away, to rest for one 
 hundred and fifty-nine years. This 
 place has long since been but little 
 
 used and many removals have taken place within recent 
 years. Because of the growing neglect of the place, it 
 was very desirable that his remains should be removed to 
 the well-kept cemetery of his own brethren and laid in 
 the midst of his descendants, now consisting of six gen- 
 erations buried here. A proposition of removal was pre- 
 
 1 Quinter's Memoir. 
 
7o 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren 
 
 THE FIRST MINISTER !• 
 ANDORCAhlZfR OF THE 
 |CHURCH OF 'THE BRETHREN.' 
 IN THE YEAR 1*08 
 BORN AT SCKRlESHEim. ' < 
 GERMANY. I&/9. 
 CAME TO CERMANTOWM 
 1729. DIED |735 . v 
 ■^REMOVED FROM V 
 OE'S'^URYINC CRpWND^ 
 
 ' 'tfj 
 
 sented to some of the descendants and they quickly con- 
 sented, scarcely one of them knowing of his place of 
 burial. The removal took place on November 13, 1894, 
 at which time brief funeral services were held in the 
 historic meeting-house, conducted by the author of this 
 
 sketch, assisted by Rev. T. T. 
 Myers, of Philadelphia. On this 
 occasion descendants of the fifth, 
 sixth, seventh and eighth genera- 
 tions were present to the number 
 of twenty-five. During these 
 long years, there stood over his 
 grave a small slab of Pennsyl- 
 vania blue-stone marble, with the 
 following inscription : Hier Ru- 
 hen I die gebeine | A. M. | gebor- 
 en 1679. I gestorben 1735. | Alt 
 56 Yahr. This slab was retained as a foot-stone, and for a 
 head-stone there was erected a plain white marble slab 
 about five feet in height, with the following inscription : 
 Alexander Mack, Sr. | the first minister | and organizer 
 of the I Church of "The Brethren" | in the year 1708. | 
 Born at Schriesheim, | Germany, 1679. I Came to Ger- 
 mantown | 1729, died 1735. | Removed from | Axe's Bury- 
 ing Ground, | 1894. l Thus his remains now rest in the 
 midst of his own people, and beside those of his son and 
 successor, Alexander Mack, Jr. He has to-day a numer- 
 ous descent, some account of which is given in the appen- 
 dix to this sketch. 
 
 It would be interesting to have a list of the baptisms per- 
 formed by Alexander Mack, but aside from the seven of 
 
 See illustrations. 
 
Seal of the Brethren. 
 
 7i 
 
 the original members that he baptized, there are no records 
 of his work in this line. 
 
 His Seal. 
 
 Some years ago a few descendants made some investi- 
 gation for the purpose of recovering the seal of Alexander 
 Mack, but without success and it is now feared that it will 
 never be found. Such a seal indicates the prominence of 
 his family. What the character of this seal was, in its 
 symbolic representation, was probably unknown for nearly 
 a century. While the seal is probably lost, we know its 
 character from an impression that was recently discovered. 
 The Brethren church of Germantown has an interesting 
 collection of old parchment deeds. While we were examin- 
 ing these documents from 
 their historic interest, Mr. 
 Julius F. Sachse dis- 
 covered the impress of 
 Mack's seal accompany- 
 ing an official signature. 
 The impression is in red 
 sealing-wax and is in 
 perfect condition. The il- 
 lustration herewith shows 
 that the seal consisted of 
 several symbols, each of 
 which had a religious sig- 
 nificance. The entire combination constitutes a remarkable 
 index to the character of its owner. In the center is the 
 cross, which means sacrifice ; the heart means devotion, 
 and placed on the cross, further means sacrificed in devo- 
 tion ; the branches of the vine, mean fruit-bearing. Thus 
 the seal reads : a devoted, fruit-bearing, sacrificed life. 
 How significantly true this is of the life of Alexander Mack ! 
 
THE OIJ) PINE COTTAGE, GERMANTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Reaction. 
 
 HE history of the Brethren church for the first 
 twenty-seven years, viz., 1708-1735, has been 
 given with a good deal of detail, since this 
 period is the most important historically in the 
 present treatment. The scope of this sketch 
 will not admit of the same fullness in treatment from 
 this time on, but it is necessary to notice some important 
 events and changes. The death of Alexander Mack in 
 1735 proved to be a very serious loss. That the work 
 received somewhat of a stunning blow for the time being, 
 and that some of the workers were thrown into confusion, 
 is very evident and is not to be wondered at, when the cir- 
 cumstances are carefully considered. There are a number 
 of distinct elements that enter into this consideration, each 
 one of which is, indeed, important. We may name as 
 fruitful subjects for consideration, such elements as the 
 work, the workers, the discouragements, the conditions of 
 the times, and others might be added to the list. 
 
 (72) 
 
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Elder Peter Becker. 73 
 
 1. The work was in many respects a new one under 
 these circumstances and presented many difficulties and 
 unsolved problems. Much energy was needed to push the 
 work, and such an important event as the loss of a leader 
 would easily affect its progress. 
 
 2. The workers were from different communities, the 
 subjects of different educational influences, and trained 
 under the influence of very varied religious impressions. 
 They felt the need of the harmonizing influence of a com- 
 mon training. They needed a leader who was able to 
 command their love and respect, which would constitute a 
 bond of common union in times of little differences. In 
 Mack they had such a leader, and they keenly felt the loss 
 when he died. 
 
 3. Many were the discouragements. The views and 
 doctrines of the early Germans were very varied and di- 
 vergent. All shades of belief were accepted and pre- 
 vailed. Agitation was rife. Beissel led a powerful influ- 
 ence in opposition, strengthened by the recruits from all 
 sources. 
 
 4. There seemed to have been at this time a period of 
 religious excitement, the natural extreme of the previous 
 indifference that existed a decade or two before. It was 
 also the result of the great agitation in religious doctrine, 
 and the marked antagonism and opposition of some of the 
 workers. 
 
 Then, too, it must be remembered that it was not an easy 
 matter to change back again to the leadership of Becker. 
 This is no discredit to Elder Peter Becker, who had been 
 such an efficient support of the work from 1723 until 1729, 
 at which time Mack took full charge of the work. While 
 Becker was not a noted preacher, he was a sweet singer 
 and gifted with more than ordinary power in prayer ; he 
 
74 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 was a conscientious and devoted worker ; he was quiet and 
 conservative in time of crisis ; and he must ever be re- 
 garded as a judicious and faithful leader for six years 
 previous to Mack's coming to America, as well as twelve 
 years after his death. It will be remembered that in de- 
 scribing the organization of the church in America, the life 
 of Peter Becker is intimately interwoven with all the his- 
 tory of that event, and space therefore forbids a separate 
 treatment of his life. Further reference will also be made 
 to him and the importance of his work. 
 
 In some respects, the time of Mack's death seemed most 
 unfortunate. A great crisis was approaching among the 
 Germans in Pennsylvania. Beissel was especially active 
 and aggressive, and while he had confined himself to the 
 Brethren settlements in various places, he now branched 
 out and began to proselyte among the Lutherans and Re- 
 formed in the Tulpehocken aud other places. It was in 
 1735 that Rev. Peter Miller and Conrad Weiser and other 
 prominent Germans accepted Beissel's doctrine, and re- 
 moved to Ephrata. Beissel now seemed to put forth every 
 effort possible to destroy the Brethren congregations. He 
 organized large parties, sometimes as many as twelve in a 
 party, to visit the settlements of Pennsylvania and New 
 Jersey. He laid claim to following the Brethren's doctrine 
 in the observance of all the commandments of the New 
 Testament and everywhere threatened the church. He 
 found in after years that his work was too aggressive, for 
 he had many converts he could not hold, and many he did 
 not want, for he could not assimilate and use them to his 
 own ends. This at least partly explains the reason why so 
 many prominent persons, who became converts of Beissel, 
 remained at Ephrata only long enough to find out the man 
 and the character of his work. 
 
Alexander Mack, the Younger. 75 
 
 It is not strange, therefore, that there should be a serious 
 reaction when Mack died, owing to the time and condi- 
 tions in which he died. The newly organized churches 
 (organized in the years immediately preceding his death) 
 indicated the prosperity and progress of the cause for 
 which he stood. But the organizations were too new to 
 endure much of a strain. They needed time to grow, as 
 well as time to crystallize the doctrine and concentrate their 
 strength. There was not time enough to do all of this. 
 As may be expected, the most serious effect was at Ger- 
 mantown ; because here were those who knew him best 
 and loved him most, and therefore most deeply mourned 
 the loss of his personal presence. These had come with 
 him in 1729 and had never known any other leadership 
 and ministry than his. Among these were Alexander 
 Mack, Jr., then a young man of 23 years of age, very ac- 
 tive in the church, but disheartened when his father died 
 whom he dearly loved. He became somewhat despondent 
 and believed that he too would soon die. There were others 
 who became indifferent and were ready to drift with cir- 
 cumstances. Under these distressing conditions, there 
 comes upon the scene a new and strange character. He 
 was not a stranger, however, but an old friend and be- 
 liever, who now turns into a strange history. He was a 
 believer already in Germany, and according to the old 
 record, he was a minister at Crefeld before 1715. He 
 came to Germantown in 17 19, in the first emigration, and 
 sat at the first Love-feast table on December 25, 1723. In 
 some way or other a great change came over the man. 
 He early leaned to Beissel, and yet Beissel was unfriendly 
 to him, because he and Henry Traut visited Stuntz who 
 had been excommunicated by Beissel. He was especially 
 intimate with Traut, who was at one time a professed be- 
 
76 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 liever in the teaching of the Hermits of the Ridge, and 
 had taken the vow of celibacy, but afterwards married a 
 widow. This man was Stephen Koch. He states that 
 the immediate cause of his spiritual unrest was the death 
 of Traut, January 4, 1733. His troubles multiplied. He 
 had been seized with the spirit of mysticism. He was 
 strong under the conviction that he should take the vow of 
 celibacy, and yet he was betrothed to a widow. In addi- 
 tion he states that he was a great sufferer from physical 
 ailment, so that he at times lay for days in the greatest ex- 
 tremity. 
 
 Under these circumstances, Koch began to have ecstatic 
 visions, which he related from time to time, and some of 
 which were published, first in Germany and also by Chris- 
 topher Saur, of Germantown, 1 "Apparitions of Spirits," 
 1st edition, 1744; 2d edition, 1748. The nature of these 
 apparitions may best be given by an example, as related 
 in his own words: "On the third of May, 1735, at Ger- 
 mantown, as late at night I went behind the house into the 
 orchard, it being bright moonlight, there came to me a de- 
 lightful odor, partly from the blossoms of the trees, partly 
 from the flowers in the garden, whereat I sobbing spoke 
 to God : ' O, my God, everything is in its order and con- 
 tributes to Thy glory and honor, save I alone ! For I am 
 created and called by a holy calling to love Thee above 
 everything and to become a pleasant savor unto the glori- 
 fying of Thy name. Now, however, I behold the contra- 
 diction, for I not only do not love Thee as I ought, but am 
 also become an evil smell in Thy nostrils. Alas, unfor- 
 tunate that I am ! Must I then pass my days in such mis- 
 
 1 See list of publications on Sower Chart, by Chas. G. Sower, Verschiedene 
 alte und neuere Geschichten von Erscheinungen der Geister, ist Ed., 1744 ; 2d 
 Ed., 1748. 
 
Visions of Stephen Koch. 77 
 
 ery? I gladly would love God, the highest good, but I 
 cannot. The world with all its glories cannot satisfy my 
 sad spirit, for I ever see before my eyes spiritual and bod- 
 ily death.' 
 
 "While I thus lamented to God, it seemed to me as 
 though suddenly a flame of God's love struck into me, 
 which entirely illumined me within, and I heard a voice 
 say to me : ' Yet one thing thou lackest.' I asked, * What 
 is it then?' The answer was, * Thou dost not know God 
 and never hast really known him.' I said, * Yes, that is 
 so, but how shall I attain to it? ' Then it seemed as though 
 I were beside myself. But when I came to myself again, 
 I felt an inexpressibly pleasing love to God in my heart, 
 and on the other hand all anxiety, with all the temptations 
 of the unclean spirits, had vanished. Yea, it seemed as 
 if all my transgressions were pardoned and sealed, and 
 day and night there was nothing else in my heart but joy, 
 love and praise to God." 
 
 These visions continued from time to time for several 
 years, and Koch freely related them and sought every op- 
 portunity to promulgate his strange doctrines. In this work 
 he had plenty of help from Ephrata, as frequent visits were 
 made from there to Germantown. He now determined to 
 live a secluded solitary life, and retired to the quiet of 
 Wissahickon. He greatly influenced with his visions the 
 young Alexander Mack, still grieving over the death of 
 his father; also Henry Kalckglasser and others. He 
 readily induced Mack to retire with him to the Wissahickon. 
 There was much agitation, and Koch made converts until 
 the congregation was more or less divided. Receiving all 
 possible encouragement, Koch now commenced to hold 
 public meetings of his own, which meetings were fre- 
 quently addressed by Peter Miller and others from Ephrata. 
 
7 8 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 The crisis was finally reached, and Koch and his adher- 
 ents marched out of Germantown, most of them never to 
 return. They journeyed to Ephrata, there to bury them- 
 selves in seclusion behind monastic walls. A few, when 
 they realized their disappointment, repented and returned ; 
 others there were who died in the sadness and solitude of 
 their disappointment. Perhaps most of this exodus took 
 place March 27, 1739. It was a sad day for Germantown ; 
 
 THE OLD " MONASTERY " ON THE WISSAHICKON. 
 
 many valuable members had been lost, and some of the best 
 families were represented. There was probably only one 
 thing that maintained Germantown under these circum- 
 stances, and that was the faithful devotion of Elder Peter 
 Becker and those who stood with him. 
 
 The following names are given as composing the exodus 
 of 1739 : Stephen Koch ; Heinrich Kalckglaser, and wife ; 
 Valentine Mack, and wife Maria (Hilderbrand) ; Louis 
 
Exodus to E-phrata* 
 
 79 
 
 Hocker, his wife Margretha, and daughter Maria ; Johan- 
 nes Hilderbrand, andjwife ; Johannes Pettikoffer, and wife 
 Anna Elizabeth ; the widow Gorgas and her children. 
 Among the single persons who joined the celibates at 
 Ephrata, besides Koch, were Alexander Mack, Johannes 
 Reismann, Christian^Eckstein, Heinrich Hocker, Martha 
 Kinsing, Miriam Gorgas and Elizabeth Eckstein. 
 
 The chapter that follows indicates the condition of 
 things, thirty years later, among the Brethren congrega- 
 tions in Pennsylvania. Alexander Mack's return will be 
 considered in the chapter L on Germantown. 
 
THE "WYCK " HOUSE GERMANTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Early Congregations. 
 
 T has already been noted that the Brethren, on 
 coming to America, were scattered into dis- 
 tant parts of the country, settling in the vari- 
 ous places that offered conditions best suited 
 to their tastes. In due time these scattered 
 settlements became congregations which at an early day 
 well covered the entire eastern part of Pennsylvania. 
 These congregations, at first small and struggling, in due 
 time had many accessions to their numbers, until many 
 families were represented in the membership, wherever 
 these congregations were located. Hundreds of German 
 families were thus enrolled before the close of the cen- 
 tury, and tens of thousands of Pennsylvania-German de- 
 scendants find that their ancestors were enrolled as mem- 
 bers of the Brethren church, in the early German settle- 
 ments of eastern Pennsylvania. For lists of members of 
 these early congregations, we are largely indebted to 
 Morgan Edwards, that thoughtful and far-seeing historian, 
 
 (80) 
 
Beggar stown . 8 1 
 
 who gathered so much valuable information in his Ma- 
 terials towards a History of the American Baptists. In 
 some cases the lists of membership he gives are practically 
 the only ones in existence. I freely quote from him in 
 the materials for this chapter. See as above named, Vol. 
 i, Part IV. 1 He wrote in the year 1770. 
 
 Beggarstown. — Germantown. 2 
 
 "This takes its distinction from a little village of the 
 above name, in the township of Germantown, eight miles 
 northwest from the city. The meeting house is of stone, 
 thirty feet square, erected this year, on a lot of eighty 
 rods, the gift of one Peter Shilbert. On the same lot 
 stands their old building erected by one John Pettikoffer 
 for his dwelling house in 1731. The families belonging 
 to this congregation are about thirty ; whereof fifty-seven 
 persons are baptized and in the communion of the church. 
 This was their state in 1770. For their beginning we 
 have no further back to look than December 25, 1723. 
 
 "The membership in 1770 was as follows : Alexander 
 Mack, minister, with his wife and daughter, Christopher 
 Sower, exhorter, with his wife and son, Margaret Boyer, 
 deaconess, George Shriber and wife, Henry Slingluff and 
 two daughters, Philip Weaver and wife, Richard Roob, 
 Michael Keyser, Peter Keyser and wife, Peter Lybert 
 and wife, John Slingluff and wife, Henry Slingluff, 
 Anthony Snyder and wife, Jacob Bowman and wife, Jus- 
 tus Fox and wife, John Kime, Conrad Good, Conrad 
 Stamm and wife, Hannah Stamm, Mary Baker, Sarah 
 
 1 The copy I had access to was kindly loaned by its present owner, Chas. 
 M. Benson, Germantown. The book was once the property of Henry Sharp- 
 nack. 
 
 2 See chapter on Germantown. 
 
82 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
Abraham Duboy. 83 
 
 Baker, Susannah Baker, Eve Fith, Elizabeth Boyer, Mary 
 Bossert, Margaret Herszback, Magdalen Mellinger, Eliza- 
 beth Roob, Christian de Lashet and wife, William Spyra 
 and wife, Nathaniel Shryber, Katharine Shryber, Henry 
 Sharpnack and wife, Mary Nyse, Rudolph Harly and 
 wife, Mary Fend, Sybelia Ent. 
 
 11 Greatswamp. 
 " This society is distinguished by the above name, which 
 is a name of a tract of land called the Greatswamp. The 
 meeting is kept at the house of Mr. John Frick in Upper- 
 milford township, in the county of Bucks, about 40 miles 
 northwest from Philadelphia. The families belonging to 
 the society are about 20 whereof 28 persons are baptized. 
 Thus stood things with them in 1770. Their beginning 
 was in this manner. In the year 1733 one Salome Miller 
 and Joseph Miller her brother, John Brech and wife, Peter 
 Longanacre and Peter Rhode were baptized by Mr. John 
 Naass. In 1735 were baptized by Mr. Peter Baker and 
 Mr. Martin Urner, one Hanse Zuk and wife, John Sleifer, 
 and John Frick and wife ; and the same time had the Lord's 
 supper administered to them by Mr. Peter Baker. This 
 was the period of their existence as a society; and 11 their 
 number. They have existed for 35 years without any 
 remarkable event, except that count Zeinzendorf took 
 away some of them in the year 1752. At first they were 
 visited by ministers from other parts, and increased fast. 
 Several of the Mennonites joined them. But since that 
 time the increase has been inconsiderable. The first settled 
 minister they had was 
 
 "Rev. Abraham Duboy. 
 " He was born in 1679 at Epstein in Germany. Bred a 
 Presbyterian. Embraced the principles of the Baptists in 
 
84 The Germci7i Baptist Brethren, 
 
 1712. Came to America in 1728. Settled at Perkiomen ; 
 and from thence went to the Greatswamp in 1738, where 
 he died and was buried March, 1748. Since that time Mr. 
 John Frick hath preached to them ; but is not ordained." 
 It seems that Duboy was a minister already in Germany 
 and was a man of considerable prominence. He joined 
 the church in the Marienborn district, but a few years later 
 joined the mother congregation at Swartzenau and became 
 an assistant to Alexander Mack. He was a modest, pious 
 and devoted man. He was unmarried. A. H. Cassel, 
 the antiquarian, relates of him that he had a strange pre- 
 sentiment of his death. On the morning of the day on 
 which he died he informed the family where he lived that 
 the time of his departure had come. He dressed in a 
 shroud and invited the family to join him in singing " Nun 
 fahr ich hin mit Freud en, ins rechte Vaterland" etc., then, 
 after a fervent prayer, he reclined on a couch and breathed 
 his last, as one would fall into a quiet sleep. 
 
 The following is the list of members as given by Morgan 
 Edwards : John Frick, exhorter, and wife, Laurence Er- 
 boch and wife, Andrew Meinzinger, John Demud and wife, 
 John Sleifer and wife, Henry Kun, Philip Goodman and 
 wife, Philip Deal, Frederick Deal, John Redroch and wife, 
 Egite Christian and wife, Lodowick Christian and wife, 
 Jacob Staut and wife, Mary Christian, widow Rinker, 
 Catherine Rinker, widow dinger, widow Crayling, Freny 
 Trissel. 
 
 Coventry. 
 
 This was the second congregation organized. It had a 
 large number of accessions from time to time and has main- 
 tained a continuous existence until the present time. It 
 has furnished many members for colonization in different 
 parts of the country. The church has had an efficient 
 
The Coventry Church. 85 
 
 ministry. Its first members were " The First Fruits of the 
 Church in America," as already noted in the organization 
 of Germantown. Because of its early importance, it will 
 be of interest to give some detail of its history, at least its 
 earlier history. 
 
 Professor I. N. Urner, as an introduction to his history 
 of the Urner Family ', writes a sketch of the history of 
 the Coventry church, from which I quote as follows : " As 
 the Urners were the founders of the Coventry Brethren 
 church, and its preachers and bishops for the first eighty- 
 seven years of its existence, a sketch of its history seems 
 the proper introduction to the genealogy of the Urner 
 family. 
 
 " The Coventry church took its name from the township 
 in which it is located, and the township is supposed to have 
 received its name through Samuel Nutt, an early settler 
 and iron-master, who came from Coventry, in Warwick- 
 shire, in England. The township first took the name 
 Coventry in the year 1724, the same year in which the 
 church was organized. * * * At its formation, the town- 
 ship of Coventry comprised not only the land along the 
 Schuylkill River, now North Coventry, .East Coventry, 
 South Coventry, but all of the upper part of Chester 
 County, and even a part of the present county of Lan- 
 caster." 
 
 The organization of this congregation on November 7, 
 1724, has already been noted in Chapter VI., and its con- 
 stituent members named at the same time. 
 
 " While it had many accessions, its growth in number 
 was retarded by heavy colonizations from the Church. 
 The members were mostly farmers, and while the land was 
 good, the lands in other localities were better. Some 
 moved to what was then called the Conecocheague, now 
 
86 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 embraced in Franklin and Perr} T counties, in Pennsylvania, 
 and Washington County, Maryland ; some to the Shenan- 
 doah Valley, in Virginia ; and some to Carroll and Fred- 
 erick counties, in Maryland, where the Urners, the Wolfes, 
 and the Crumbachers are still found." 
 
 The Coventry Church was in charge of Elder Peter 
 Becker of Germantown, from the time of its organization 
 until 1729. The first resident minister was Martin Urner, 
 who was ordained to the Eldership by Alexander Mack, 
 Sr., in 1729, at which time he took upon himself the care 
 of the church. The following account is given of this 
 Martin Urner, Sr., in Urner Family: "Martin Urner, 
 the founder of the Coventry Brethren church, and its first 
 bishop, was born in Alsace, then a province of France, in 
 the year 1695. The family had been driven by religious 
 persecution out of the Canton of Uri, Switzerland, whence 
 the name Urner, and took refuge in Alsace. About 1708, 
 Ulrich Urner, with his three sons — Jacob, Hans and Martin 
 — emigrated to Pennsylvania, and is said to have settled 
 for awhile at Roxborough, near Philadelphia. In 171 2 
 the name of Martin Urner appears among the settlers of 
 Lancaster county. In 1718 he bought a tract of four hun- 
 dred and fifty acres of land of the Penns, in what is now 
 called Coventry township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, 
 on the Schuylkill river, immediately opposite the present 
 town of Pottstown. On this property, now called Bell- 
 wood, he and his descendants lived long years afterwards, 
 and on part of the land the Coventry Brethren church and 
 the Coventry Brethren graveyard are located. He died 
 in 1755, and was buried in the Coventry Brethren grave- 
 yard." 
 
 Thus it will be seen Martin Urner was born in 1695 ; 
 came to America in 1708 ; was baptized in 1723 ; was or- 
 dained in 1729, and died in 1755. 
 
Coventry Brethren. 87 
 
 Morgan Edwards gives the following view of the church 
 in 1770: "This takes its distinction from the township 
 where most of the members reside, in the county of Ches- 
 ter, 37 miles from Philadelphia. Coventry is on the banks 
 of the Schuylkill, opposite to Potsgrove. These people 
 have no public place of worship, but hold their meetings 
 in a kind of rotation at five private houses. The present 
 minister is Mr. Martin Urner, who has to his assistance Mr. 
 Peter Reinhart. The families belonging to them are about 
 22, whereof 40 persons are baptized. This was their state 
 in 1770." 
 
 While they had no meeting-house in 1770, they probably 
 built their first house in 1772, two years after Germantown 
 had been built. The Martin Urner referred to in the account 
 of Morgan Edwards, is the second Martin Urner, nephew 
 of the first. He was a son of Jacob Urner and was born 
 in 1725, one mile northeast of the present town of Potts- 
 town, in New Hanover township, then in Philadelphia 
 county, Pennsylvania, but now in Montgomery county. He 
 joined the church at an early age, and was a very active 
 and prominent preacher in his day. After the death of 
 his uncle in 3755, he was ordained elder or bishop of the 
 Coventry church in 1756, and was in charge of the con- 
 gregation until his death in 1799. The church flourished 
 under his ministry. This second Martin Urner was an in- 
 timate friend of the second Alexander Mack of German- 
 town. 
 
 "List of Preachers of the Coventry Brethren Church 
 from 1724 to 1893," according to I. N. Urner: 
 
 
 Born. 
 
 Died. 
 
 Martin Urner, Sr., 
 
 1695 
 
 1775 
 
 Martin Urner, Jr., 
 
 1725 
 
 1799 
 
 Jonas Urner, 
 
 1772 
 
 1813 
 
88 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Born. Died. 
 
 Casper Ingles, 
 
 
 
 Peter Rinhart, 
 
 1733 
 
 1806 
 
 Martin Rinhart, 
 
 1757 
 
 1820 
 
 Abraham Rinhart, 
 
 1770 
 
 1842 
 
 George Price, 
 
 *753 
 
 1823 
 
 John Price, Sr., 
 
 1782 
 
 1850 
 
 John Price, Jr., 
 
 1810 
 
 1879 
 
 Jacob Harley, 
 
 1786 
 
 1842 
 
 John Harley, 
 
 1812 
 
 
 David Keim, 
 
 1802 
 
 
 Peter Hollobush, 
 
 1805 
 
 1872 
 
 Jacob Conner, 
 
 1834 
 
 
 Isaac Urner Brower, 
 
 1844 
 
 
 Jesse P. Hetric, 
 
 1844 
 
 
 John Y. Eisenburg, 
 
 1840 
 
 
 List of members in 1770, of the Coventry Brethren 
 church : 
 
 Martin Urner, minister, and wife, Peter Reinhart, ex- 
 horter, Owen Reinhart, Henry Dasker and wife, Nicholos 
 Harwick and wife, Abraham Grub and wife, Christian 
 Monsieur, Barbara Miller, Barbara Welty, Frederick 
 Reinhart and wife, Barbara Urner, Elizabeth Ingles, 
 Catherine Grumbacker, Catharine Boch, John Eiker, Jacob 
 Pfauts and wife, Abraham Boch, Andrew Woolf, Easther 
 Switser, Wendle Danfelsner, Henry Bear and wife, Jacob 
 Sweitser and wife, Maud Reinhart, Jacob Light and wife, 
 Philip Waggoner and wife, Eliz. Holderman, Anthony Ber- 
 nard and daughter, John Light and wife. 
 
 Oley. 
 
 44 This society takes its distinction from the township 
 where most of the people reside, in the county of Berks, 
 fifty-four miles northwest from Philadelphia. The present 
 
THE GERMAN BAPTIST BRETHREN, 
 
 S3r/r 
 
 DUNKER BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. 
 
 JOHANNES REYER BORN HUG. 9, 1800; BAPTIZED SEPT., 1825. 
 
 ENGRAVED BY C F. EGELMAN. ORIGINAL IN SACHSE COLLECTION. 
 
Cocalico, 89 
 
 preachers are Mess. Martin Gaby and Jacob Joder, but not 
 ordained. The families belonging to the place are about 
 twelve, whereof twenty persons are baptized. This is their 
 present state. They had their beginning about 1732, when 
 one Ritters, Shilbert, Blanth and others, did unite for com- 
 munion of saints, having Peter Baker to their assistance. 
 Since this time they have no ordained minister, but are 
 visited by Rev. George Kleine. This church is much re- 
 duced by reason of removals of families to other parts, par- 
 ticularly to Conecocheague in 1743." 
 
 It will be noticed that here, as elsewhere, Peter Becker, of 
 Germantown, was active in organizing the work, and that 
 the Oley church, like Coventry and, in fact, all the early 
 congregations, lost heavily by colonizations to other parts. 
 Thus all the congregations furnished their quota towards 
 making up the advance guard that gradually carried the 
 influence of the church into every new territory in the 
 opening up of the Great West. For many years they were 
 visited by Elder George Kleine, of the Tulpehocken, so 
 active and helpful in many places. While Martin Gaby 
 was not ordained in 1770, he was ordained some years later. 
 
 The membership in 1770 was as follows : Martin Gaby, 
 exhorter, and wife ; John Joder, exhorter, and wife ; Con- 
 rad Price and wife, David Price and wife, David Kinsey 
 and wife, Jacob Baker and wife, Christian Kinsey and 
 wife, Peter Kleine, Liss Ellis, Margaret Harpine, Catha- 
 rine Plank, Daniel Kleine and wife. 
 
 Cocalico. — Conestoga. 
 " This society is distinguished by the above name which 
 is the name of a little river near to which the people re- 
 side, in Cocalico township and county of Lancaster, 60 
 miles w n w from Philadelphia. The minister is Rev. 
 
90 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Jacob Sonday, who has Mr. John Landis to his assistance. 
 Mr. Sonday was born in Germany in 1700, came to this 
 country in 1735, was ordained in 1763, at which time he 
 took on him the oversight of the church. He married 
 Mary Landis by whom he has one son. The families be- 
 longing to the society are about 53 whereof 86 persons are 
 baptized. This is their present state. They originated 
 about the year 1735, when the following persons separated 
 from the church of Ephrata and became a distinct society 
 viz. : Michael Pffauts, Rant Woolf, John Frantz, Emick 
 Reyer, George Reyer, John Landis, Samuel Good, Henry 
 Sneider, Philip Rouland and others, having Rev. Peter 
 Baker to their assistance. The first minister they had was 
 Rev. Michael Frantz, a native of Switzerland. He was 
 ordained in 1734, and the next year took on him the over- 
 sight of the church. He died in 1748 and was buried at 
 Cocalico. After his death Rev. Michael Pffautz and 
 others preached to them until their present minister was 
 ordained." 
 
 The above account is concerning the Conestoga congre- 
 gation. It will be remembered that there was a great 
 missionary tour undertaken from Germantown, in the fall 
 of 1724, led by Elder Peter Becker. See Chapter VI. for 
 full description. Upon this occasion there were a number 
 baptized in the Conestoga country, and a church was orga- 
 nized on November 12, 1724, with Conrad Beissel as min- 
 ister. He soon preached his strange doctrines, and in 
 1728 left the Conestoga church and took many members 
 with him to form his new organization, which ultimately 
 he located as the Ephrata Monastic Community. The 
 Germantown Brethren took care of the remnant for some 
 time, until about the year 1735, when they were organized 
 according to the above account. Elder Michael Frantz 
 
White Oakland. 91 
 
 was their first minister and leader. He was born in Switz- 
 erland in 1687; came to America in the year 1727, and 
 settled on the Conestoga. He proved a giant of strength 
 to the little congregation, and in a few years of his min- 
 istry it prospered greatly and there were several hundred 
 accessions. He was an energetic and efficient workman. 
 His ministry was not long, for he died in 1747 or 1748; 
 but he left the work in a well-organized condition, and he 
 was succeeded in the Eldership by Michael Pfautz, whose 
 ministry was equally efficient and successful. He was 
 born in Germany in 1709, and came to America in 1727. 
 Having been ordained by Elder Frantz just a few weeks 
 before his death, Elder Pfautz remained in charge of the 
 congregation for more than twenty years, during which 
 time large numbers were added to the Church by baptism. 
 He died in 1769, and was succeeded by Elder Jacob Son- 
 tag ; but it seems that Elder Christian Longenecker of the 
 Whiteoakland Church, was in charge of the congregation. 
 In 1770, the membership was as follows : Rev. Jacob 
 Sonday and wife, John Landis, exhorter, and wife, Peter 
 Eychelberger and wife, Michael Frantz and wife, Henry 
 Mohler and wife, Peter Reyer and wife, Tobias Millar and 
 wife, Christopher Becker and wife, Elizabeth Lessley, 
 Catharine Harlacher, Ann Mohler, Magdalene Millinger, 
 Daniel Ballinger and wife, John Rosh and wife, Daniel 
 Reyer and wife, John Reyer and wife, Martin Meyer and 
 wife, Jermiah Woolf and wife, George Schwarts and wife, 
 Jacob Landis and wife, David Landis, Christopher Wes- 
 tenberger and wife, Jacob Sponhauer and wife, Christopher 
 Widder and wife, Jacob Knodel and wife, Salome Har- 
 lacher, Barbara Frantz, Catherine Reyer, Margaret Lan- 
 dis, Barbara Steiner, Barbara Schob, Henry Schneider 
 and wife, Daniel Hollinger and wife, Christopher Reyer 
 
92 The Germa?i Baptist Brethren. 
 
 and wife, John Meyer and wife, Samuel Good and wife, 
 Eva Sychrift, Jermiah Woolf, Jr., and wife, Jonas Joner 
 and wife, Jacob Heller and wife, Mrs. Histant, Mrs. Moser, 
 Mrs. Behr, Christopher Haas and wife, Jacob Harnley and 
 wife, Magdalene Landis, Mary Frantz, Magdalene Bel- 
 lenger, Mary Koch, Barbara Koch, Henry Schneider, Jr., 
 and wife, Susannah Landis, Catherine Landis. 
 
 The Conestoga church had an able, aggressive and 
 efficient ministry, and before the close of the century, there 
 were probably five hundred baptized members, the work 
 of those years. Many of these members, scattered by 
 colonization, far and wide, laid the foundation for many 
 new congregations in this and other States. 
 
 Whiteoakland. — White Oak Church. 
 " This society is distinguished as above from a tract of 
 land so called, in the parish of Warwick, Lancaster county, 
 75 miles west by north from Philadelphia, and two miles 
 from Lititz. They hold their meetings at private houses. 
 The minister is Rev. Christian Longanacre, who was born 
 November n, 1732, in Raffo township. Ordained May 
 15, 1769, at which time he took on him the care of the 
 church. He married Margaret Geib by whom he had six 
 children. The families belonging to the society are about 
 39, whereof 65 persons are baptized. This is their present 
 state. They began in this manner. About the year 1729 
 one George Reyer, John Langanacre and others came 
 from Germany and settled in this neighborhood. After 
 them came several more from other places who in the year 
 1736 united together and had the Lord's Supper adminis- 
 tered to them by Rev. Michael Pffautz. He was their 
 first minister but lived at Cocalico. He married Catherine 
 Schluch by whom he had four children. Was ordained 
 
Big Szvatara. 93 
 
 in the year 1735. Died May 21, 1769, leaving behind 
 him a good character." 
 
 The list of members in 1770 was as follows : Rev. Chris- 
 tian Langanacre and wife, John Zug and wife, Christian 
 Zug and wife, John Langanacre and wife, John Pffautz 
 and wife, Henry Kuensing, Jacob Kuensing and wife, 
 Christian Krabiel and wife, Jacob Zug and wife, widow 
 Huber, Catherine Bitner, Elizabeth Reir, Abraham Flohry 
 and wife, Conrad Gingle, George Mohler and wife, Eliza- 
 beth Huft, Martin Schuh and wife, Henry Giebel and wife, 
 Barbara Eby and four daughters, Henry Eter and wife, 
 Elizabeth Langanacre, Henry Langanacre and wife, Ul- 
 rick Langanacre, John Hackman and wife, Henry Stholer 
 and wife, John Lautermilch and wife, George Kleine and 
 wife, Catherine Gish, John Frantz and wife, Ann Huber, 
 
 Fronica , Catherine Reyer, Salome Borgart, Mrs. 
 
 Kratzer, Conrad Hausser and wife, and George Stohler 
 and wife, Jacob Hershy and wife, Andrew Eby and wife. 
 
 Greatswartaro. — Big Swatara Church. 
 " This church is so distinguished from a river near to 
 which the people dwell ; and sometimes by the name of 
 Eastconewago which is another river that runs through the 
 neighborhood. The meeting is held chiefly at private 
 houses in the township of Mount Joy, county of Lancaster, 
 20 miles from Lancaster and 86 miles west by north from 
 Philadelphia. Their preachers are Messrs. George Miller 
 and Adam Hammaker, but not ordained. The families 
 belonging to the congregation are about twenty, whereof 
 39 persons are baptized. This is their present state. 
 They began in this manner. In the year 1752 the said 
 George Miller embraced the principles of the Baptists, and 
 soon after, his wife. Others moved hither from White- 
 
94 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Oakland, and in the year 1756 united into a society, hav- 
 ing Rev. Michael Pfautz to their assistance. He con- 
 tinued to visit them while he lived ; and after him, others. 
 They purpose soon to ordain Mr. Miller to be their min- 
 ister." 
 
 The 39 members in 1770 were as follows: George 
 Miller, exhorter, and wife and daughter, Adam Ham- 
 macker, exhorter, and wife and daughter, Peter Eritzstone 
 and wife, Philip Roemer and wife, John Buck and wife, 
 John Eter and wife, Jacob Metsegar and wife, Henry 
 Thomas and wife, Christopher Branser and wife, Mar- 
 garet Thomas, Philip Reicker and wife, Peter Bersh and 
 wife, Henry Stohner and wife, Wendel Merich and wife, 
 Frederick Hess and wife, Jacob Eter and wife, George 
 Balshbach and wife, George Henry and wife, Barbara 
 Henry, Freny Cass. 
 
 Little Swatara Church. 
 " This church also takes its distinction from a river of 
 the above name, in the township of Tulpehocken and 
 county of Berks, twenty-five miles from Reading and 
 eighty-one miles northwest from Philadelphia. Some of 
 the people live in Bether township, in Lancaster county. 
 They hold their worship in private houses. Their preacher 
 is Mr. Peter Heckman, but is not ordained. The families 
 belonging to the society are about nineteen, whereof forty- 
 five persons are baptized. This is their present state. 
 Their beginning was in this manner: About year 1745 
 one George Besher settled in this neighborhood, and one 
 Michael Frantz, Peter Heckman, John Frantz and others. 
 These were baptized by Rev. George Kleine, and in 1757 
 coalesced into a church, having the said Kleine to their 
 assistance. He has ministered the Lord's supper to them 
 
NorthkilL 95 
 
 ever since, but they purpose soon to ordain Mr. Peter 
 Heckman." 
 
 The members were as follows : Peter Heckman, minis- 
 ter, and wife, Jacob Heckman and wife, Michael Frantz 
 and wife, Nicholas Gerst and wife, Jacob Moyer and wife, 
 George Beasher, David Marge and wife, Simon Menich 
 and wife, John Frantz and wife, Christian Frantz and wife, 
 Rose Shnables, Jacob Smith and wife, Liss Kentzel, Adam 
 Henrich, Mrs. Cyder, Philip Zeigler and wife, Jacob Bren- 
 eisen and wife, David Kleine and wife, widow Benedict, 
 Elizabeth Benedict, Sophy Kish, Leonard Sebalt and wife, 
 John Grove, Jacob Baker and wife, Jacob Deal and wife, 
 Hans Stohler and wife, Jacob Beshor and wife. 
 
 NORTHKILL. 
 
 This is an illustration of how each scattered settlement 
 became an organization, wherever there were a few mem- 
 bers to form a nucleus. It shows too how some relatively 
 small congregations maintained their existence under very 
 unfavorable conditions. Because of an unfavorable fron- 
 tier position and colonization to other parts, Northkill made 
 very slow progress for many years. We know little of its 
 early struggles except what Morgan Edwards records. I 
 might take his facts and dress them up in other language, 
 as others have done, but I have preferred in this case, as in 
 the case of the other congregations, to use his own language, 
 which is often interestingly quaint. In this region of the 
 Tulpehocken, there is by that name to-day a strong and 
 flourishing congregation and has been for many years. 
 
 " This little society is distinguished as above from a 
 small river called Northkill, in the townships of Tulpe- 
 hocken and Bern, county of Berks, 15 miles from Reading, 
 and 71 miles northwest by west from Philadelphia. The 
 
g6 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 minister is Rev. George Kleine. He was born at Zwein- 
 brecken in Germany, October 9, 1715. Came to America 
 in 1738. Was baptized in 1739 by Mr. Naas of Amwell 
 in the Jersey. Ordained in 1757 by Revs. Michael Pfautz 
 and Martin Urner. He married Dorothy Repman by 
 whom he has seven children. The families belonging to 
 them are seven, whereof 11 persons are baptized and in 
 fellowship. This is their present state. They began to 
 be a church about the year 1748 when one John Stump 
 and sister, Frederick and wife, with a few more, had the 
 Lord's supper administered to them by the Rev. Michael 
 Pfautz. About two years after, their present minister 
 settled among them. The society was reduced to its now 
 low estate, by the removal of families to other parts." 
 
 The members were as follows : Rev. George Kleine, 
 minister and wife, Valentine Lang, Elizabeth Reiler, Eliza- 
 beth Stump, Sarah Solenberger, John Stohner and wife, 
 Mary Stohner, Susanna Mackley, Elizabeth Brandel. 
 
 Codorus. 
 
 It has already been noticed in connection with the his- 
 tory of different congregations in Lancaster county and 
 other sections in the eastern part of the State that there 
 was much colonization at an early day. This migration 
 and colonization was first to the southern counties of Penn- 
 sylvania and then into various counties in Maryland and 
 Virginia and even south as far as North Carolina. It was 
 not until after the Revolutionary War that western emi- 
 gration was open to any extent. The Brethren at an early 
 day crossed the Susquehanna, entered what is now York 
 county, and occupied hundreds of its fertile acres. The 
 strong congregations within the county to-day attest their 
 prosperity for one hundred and sixty years. 
 
Little Conewago. 97 
 
 The following account is given of early settlements that 
 "became permanent: " This society is distinguished as 
 above from a river that is called Codorus, in a town- 
 ship of the same name in the county of York, 11 miles 
 from the town of York, and 99 miles west by south from 
 Philadelphia. The preacher is Mr. Henry Neff, but he is 
 not ordained. The families belonging to the place are 
 about twenty whereof thirty-five are baptized and members 
 of the church. This is their present state. They began 
 to be a church about the year 1758 when one Rudy Yunt, 
 Peter Brilharth, John Brilharth and others, united for com- 
 munion of saints, having Rev. Jacob Tanner to their as- 
 sistance. This Tanner left them to go to Monocasy ; 
 since, they have been supplied from other places. Mr. 
 Neff will soon be ordained." 
 
 The membership in 1770 was as follows : Henry Neff, 
 exhorter, and wife, Jacob Tilman and wife and daughter, 
 Jacob Spitler and wife and two daughters, Peter Brilharth 
 and wife, Jacob Neiswanger and wife, Ann Neiswanger, 
 Catherine Beightley, Elizabeth Leip, George Beary and 
 wife, John Harold and wife, Rudy Yundt and wife, Wil- 
 liam Spitler and wife, Christian Eby and wife, Wendel 
 Baker and wife, Michael Berkey and wife, George Ettor 
 and son, Mathias Sitler and wife, Susanna Weltner. 
 
 Little Conewago. 
 " This society is so distinguished from a branch of the 
 river Conewago near to which the people made their set- 
 tlements, in the township of Hanover and county of York, 
 20 miles from the town of York and 107 miles west by 
 south from Philadelphia. The preachers are Messrs. 
 Jacob Moyer and James Henrick, but are not ordained. 
 The families belonging to the place are about 40, whereof 
 
98 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 52 persons are baptized. Their beginning was in 1738 
 when one Eldrick, Dierdorff, Bigler, Gripe, Studsman 
 and others united into a church, having Rev. Daniel 
 Leatherman to their assistance. He left them and went 
 to Monocasy ; after him they had Rev. Nicholas Martin 
 who also quitted them to go to Conecocheague ; of both 
 which we shall speak when we come to the Baptists in 
 Maryland. Their successors are the present ministers, 
 before mentioned." It seems the volume promised on 
 Maryland was never issued ; at any rate I have no 
 knowledge of such volume being in existence. 1 Many 
 members went to the Conecocheague and to Monocasy, 
 from the various congregations in Pennsylvania ; and 
 among them were prominent and efficient ministers, but 
 we know little of their work in the early days. The scores 
 of congregations of the present day, however, attest the 
 faithful devotion of these pioneers and the success of the 
 migration to the " Southland." 
 
 The membership of the Little Conewago congregation 
 in 1770 was as follows : Jacob Moyer, exhorter, and wife, 
 James Henrick, exhorter, and wife, Hans Adam Sneider 
 and wife, Barbara Sneider, George Wine and wife, John 
 Geiny, Daniel Woods and wife, Henry Geiny and wife, 
 Joseph Moyer and wife, Nicholas Housteter and wife, 
 Christian Housteter, Rudy Brown and wife, Dobis Brother 
 and wife, Jacob Miller and wife, Michael Koutz and wife, 
 Mrs. Powser, Mrs. Moyer, Stephen Peter, wife and 
 daughter, Maud Powser, George Peter, Henry Tanner 
 and wife, Michael Tanner and wife, John Moyer and wife, 
 Jacob Souder and wife, Henry Hoeff and wife, Hesther 
 
 1 1 am informed by J. F. Sachse that the volume on Maryland was written, 
 but not published, and in MS. form it burned in the late fire of the Baptist 
 Publication Society. 
 
Conewago. 99 
 
 Weise, Christian Etor, John Peter Weaver, Barbara Bear, 
 John Swarts and wife, Liss Bearing, Great Hymen. 
 
 Conewago. 
 
 "This society also takes its distinction from a river of 
 the above name near to which the people reside, in the 
 township of Reading, county of York, 14 miles from the 
 town of York and 101 miles west from Philadelphia. 
 Their preacher is Mr. George Brown, who is not ordained. 
 The families are about 45, whereof 77 persons are baptized. 
 Their beginning, as a society, was in the year 1741 when 
 John Neagly, Adam Sower, Jacob Sweigard, Peter Nei- 
 per, Joseph Larzcho, etc., did unite for communion of 
 saints, having to their assistance Rev. George Adam Mar- 
 tin, of whom more hereafter. Next to him were Rev. 
 Daniel Leatherman and Nicholas Martin, of whom we 
 shall speak when we come to Maryland." 
 
 The following were the members in 1770: George 
 Brown, exhorter, and wife, Peter Werds, John Heiner and 
 wife, Peter Fox and wife, Anthony Dierdorff and wife, 
 John Dierdorff and wife, Nicholas Moyer and wife, Manass 
 Bruch and wife, Michael Basserman and wife, David 
 Erhard and wife, Ann Mummard, Daniel Baker and wife, 
 Abraham Stauffer and wife, Henry Dierdorff and wife, 
 John Burckholter and wife, Christian Fray, Andrew Trim- 
 mer and wife, Ustace Reinfel and wife, Samuel Arnold, 
 Peter Dierdorff and wife, Barnet Achenbach and wife, 
 Mary Latzcho, Catherine Studyker, John Neagley and 
 wife, Michael Brissel and wife, Velte Brissel and wife, 
 Mathias Bouser and wife, and daughter, Laurence Bake- 
 ner and wife, Nicholas Bakener, Philip Snell and wife, 
 Nicholas Bakener, Jr., and wife, Adam Sower and wife, 
 and two daughters, Adam Dick and wife, Marilis Baker, 
 
IOO The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Henry Brissel and wife, David Brissel and wife, Sarah 
 Brissel, Henry Rudibush and wife, George Waggoner and 
 wife, Jacob Miller, Mrs. Martsh, Rudolph Brown, George 
 Reeson and wife. 
 
 Bermudian. 
 
 "This society also is distinguished by the above name 
 of a little river, in the township of Warrington and county 
 of York, 15 miles from the town of York and 102 miles 
 west by north from Philadelphia. Most of these people 
 observe the seventh day of the week for sabbath, and are 
 to be considered as the offspring of Ephrata church. 
 Their preacher is Mr. Henry Lowman, who is not ordained. 
 The families are about 40, whereof 58 persons are bap- 
 tized. They began to be a church in 1758 when Philip 
 Gebel, Peter Beissel, Henry Lowman and others united 
 for communion of saints, having Rev. Conrad Beissel to 
 their assistance. Afterwards Rev. mess. Peter Miller and 
 George Adam Martin and others officiated among them." 
 
 It will thus be seen that the Bermudian congregation was 
 in the first place under the control of Beissel influence. 
 After the death of Beissel, and Peter Miller ceased to visit 
 the place, and Martin removed to Stony Creek, in Bedford, 
 the congregation passed under the influence of the Breth- 
 ren and has so remained until the present day. 
 
 The following is a list of members in 1770 : Henry Low- 
 man, exhorter, and wife, Frederick Reuter, wife and daugh- 
 ter, Daniel Fahnstick and wife, Peter Henry, wife and 
 mother, Dietrick Fahnstick and wife, Paul Traub and wife, 
 Sebastian Shalles and wife, John Cook, wife and son, 
 Peter Bender and wife, Melchoir Webber and wife, John 
 
 Bence, wife and daughter and four sons, Frick, John 
 
 Lehn and wife, John Messerbach and wife, John Miller, 
 wife and two sons, George Reiss, George Neiss and wife, 
 
Stony Creek. 101 
 
 Benjamin Gebel and wife, Philip Gebel, Peter Beussel, 
 wife and son and daughter, Philip Beussel and wife, Bel- 
 zar Smith and wife, Adam Weyley and wife, Mrs. Dorothy, 
 Stauffer, Elizabeth Foltz. 
 
 Stony Creek. 
 
 " This is also denominated from a little river of the above 
 name, in the township Bruederthal (alias Brotherstown) in 
 the county of Bedford, 30 miles from Bedford and 245 
 miles west by north from Philadelphia. The minister is 
 Rev. George Adam Martin, of whom mention has been 
 made before. He was born near Landstuhl in Germany 
 in the year 17 15. Was bred a Presbyterian. Embraced 
 the principles of the Baptists in 1737, and was ordained by 
 Peter Baker in 1739. Afterwards he resided at Little 
 Conewago, where some misunderstanding arose between 
 him and the people and occasioned him to remove to An- 
 titum. In the year 1762 he adopted the sentiments of the 
 seventh-day Baptists, and preached at Bermudian. From 
 thence he went to Stony Creek this year. He married one 
 of the Knippers and has many children. The families be- 
 longing to the place are 12, whereof 17 persons are bap- 
 tized and may be considered as the constituents of the 
 church, viz. : Rev. George Adam Martin and wife, Henry 
 Roth and wife and daughter, Henry Roth, jun., and wife, 
 George Newmoyer, Philip Oswald and wife and daughter, 
 Abraham Gebel and wife, Philip Kimmel and wife, Mr. 
 Widdebarger and wife. This church also is the offspring 
 of Ephrata (for the most part) ; the seventh-day sabbath is 
 kept." 
 
 From the above account of Martin, it will be noticed 
 that he had a rather checkered experience in roving about 
 from place to place. He is said to have been a man of 
 
102 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 good education. He was a man of excellent ability and at 
 one time of great promise, but he was unsettled in his con- 
 viction that his work amounted to little, considering his 
 prominence and ability. He ended his days at Stony 
 Creek, and this congregation soon after passed to the con- 
 trol of the Brethren, and there are to-day many congrega- 
 tions in Bedford and Somerset counties. 
 
 "Thus we see that there are in this province fifteen 
 churches of Tunker baptists, to which appertain eight or- 
 dained ministers, elders or bishops, and thirteen exhorters 
 or probationers, and four meeting houses ; the reason of 
 their having no more places of worship is, that they choose 
 rather to meet from house to house in imitation of the 
 primitive Christians. We see also that their families are 
 about four hundred and nineteen, which contain about two 
 thousand and ninety-five souls allowing five to the family, 
 whereof seven hundred and sixty-three persons are bap- 
 tized and in communion." 
 
 It must be noted that the above account of statistics in- 
 cludes the Ephrata congregation with one hundred and 
 thirty-five members. It may be stated in passing that 
 Beissel is already dead and the Monastic community has 
 commenced to decline, but it is not necessary in this con- 
 nection to describe Ephrata, because it forms no part of 
 the Brethren congregations of 1770. In compiling this 
 chapter on early congregations, I have largely used the 
 materials and accounts of Rev. Morgan Edwards. In 
 many important facts, we are almost entirely dependent 
 upon him, and I desire to give full recognition to the value 
 of his writings and descriptions of the early congregations 
 of the Brethren. Because of the frontier conditions, the 
 records of the scattered congregations are singularly in- 
 complete. I have here presented in this chapter a compre- 
 
Morgan Edwards. 103 
 
 hensive view of the church in the province of Pennsylvania, 
 a few years before the breaking out of the Revolutionary 
 War. I cannot in this connection give account of the 
 church in New Jersey and Maryland and farther south. 
 I have now described the organization and establishment 
 of the Brethren church, and have to some extent traced 
 its history for half a century. I have indicated, somewhat, 
 the onward steps of conquest and progress across the 
 frontier lines in the days of Penn's province. I hope it 
 may be of interest to present some proofs that these people 
 contributed elements of strength that were laid deep in the 
 foundation of the commonwealth. In the opening of new 
 territory, after the close of the Revolutionary War, the 
 Brethren church presented her full share of her sturdy 
 sons and daughters to organize the new industrial life and 
 lay the foundations of the great commonwealths of the 
 Middle West ; and long before Ohio, Indiana and Illinois 
 had reached the development of Statehood the Brethren 
 church was well established there, and to-day 80,000 of 
 her communicants are citizens of other commonwealths 
 than Pennsylvania. 
 

 
 ■ - ^fesiTili i liT^If *> y 
 
 r Jr f:-^? ^ >^ rftS-i/. 
 
 syls?^ 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Industrial Life. 
 
 HAVE been considering the history of the re- 
 ligious activities of the Brethren church, both 
 as to their origin in Germany and a part of 
 their onward progress in America. In this 
 consideration I have confined myself to the 
 religious life, and its relation to the religious life and spirit- 
 ual activity in the growth and development of the province 
 into a great State. But our great commonwealth is not a 
 religious institution ; its great arteries of trade and com- 
 merce and industry, throbbing and pulsating with such 
 
 tremendous 
 
 energy. 
 
 indicate the most intense industrial 
 
 activity everywhere to its remotest bounds. As citizens, 
 what has been their relation and influence in the social,, 
 civil and material interests in commonwealth buildings? 
 The social characteristics have ever been a marked fea- 
 ture in the life of this people. In their religious wor- 
 ship from house to house, their hospitality was ever large 
 enough to invite the entire assembly. Indeed, hospitality 
 is part of their religion, and they feed the multitude as the 
 Master did of old, and hospitality is the basis of their 
 
 (104) 
 
~1 = 
 
Industrial Life. 
 
 105 
 
 charity to the poor, and the needy. They have been a posi- 
 tive factor in laying the social foundations of domestic hap- 
 piness. Mutual helpfulness and hospitality builds a great 
 social bulwark, a defence against poverty and wretched- 
 ness. Their simplicity of life is a fundamental principle 
 in their faith, and was at once one of the most effectual 
 means to self-support ; and their simplicity and habits of 
 economy have ever been a sure foundation for material 
 advancement and a serviceable competency. True to their 
 
 WOIX-RAD OR ZWIRN-RAD. 
 
 faith and doctrines, the Brethren must ever be kind friends 
 and good neighbors, and suffer wrong if need be from 
 their neighbors and associates that they may gain them or 
 retain them as friends, rather than redress the wrong by 
 process of law and so make them their enemies. But 
 
106 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 aside from their religious, social and civil characteristics, 
 the Brethren led an intensely active industrial life. In 
 the rural districts they were first of all engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits, and a majority of the members of the 
 
 FADEN-HASPEL- 
 
 Brethren church of to-day are still largely interested in the 
 various departments of agricultural industries. 
 
 In the township of Germantown and other parts of Phila- 
 delphia county adjacent to the settlement of Philadelphia, 
 the Brethren were early engaged in a variety of industries, 
 and helped to lay the foundations of many important 
 manufacturing industries for which Philadelphia became 
 noted from time to time. It is interesting to look over the 
 old deeds and study the long and varied list of occupations, 
 indicating the industrial activity. Elder Peter Becker was 
 a master weaver, and early contributed his share toward 
 making Germantown what it has been for almost two cen- 
 turies, a center for weaving and knitting industries. With 
 each succeeding generation, the mills have become larger, 
 
Industrial Life. 
 
 107 
 
 the looms and machinery more perfect, and the business 
 more complex and extensive. Alexander Mack, Jr., 
 followed in the same line of work, besides his very exten- 
 sive work in the church ; and for his day and times, he 
 had a large manufacturing establishment, with a variety of 
 
 UPRIGHT SPINNING WHEEI,. 
 
 products ranging from knitting stockings to weaving blank- 
 ets. The Saurs became printers, bookbinders and book 
 publishers, and the family has continued in the publishing 
 business for a century and a half. The Leiberts were 
 printers and publishers for several generations, and pub- 
 
io8 
 
 The German Baftist Brethren, 
 
 lished some of the earliest hymn-books the Brethren had. 
 Some of the Schreibers were bookbinders. 
 
 Additional reference will be made to literary and pub- 
 lishing interests in the sketch on Germantown, in the 
 
 "ENGRAVED COPPER PIRATE of dirck keyser." 
 
 chapter that follows. The Keysers were tanners, and for 
 several generations had an important business. There were 
 tailors and twiners and shoemakers and many others. 
 
Industrial Home Life. 109 
 
 Then there were masons, and there were carpenters, and 
 there were plasterers, and other like occupations. These 
 suggestions which I have made indicate the life of the 
 Brethren in an industrial sense, both in the rural districts 
 and also in and around Germantown and Philadelphia. 
 To be sure there were also merchants and dealers of various 
 kinds, as circumstances demanded the development of such 
 business. But before leaving this industrial life, I must 
 say that it was not always exclusively agriculture in the 
 country or rural district. There were many instances 
 where there was a combination of country and town, or of 
 farming and manufacturing, a combination of industries. 
 I can best illustrate by describing an actual example to 
 indicate this type of industrial life and activity. 
 
 In order to make the illustration understood, it is neces- 
 sary to give some detail of the history of this actual 
 family. It is necessary to refer to different epochs, in 
 order to show the development of the family as well as 
 the industry, or I should rather say the industries. I will 
 say, however, that the family when complete, consisted of 
 father and mother, and seven sturdy sons and six daugh- 
 ters ; and there seemed to be nothing especially unlucky 
 about the number thirteen in this case. Early in life, the 
 family lived on a small place and life was begun without 
 means. In the summer time the father tilled the few acres, 
 with such help as his growing children could give him ; 
 besides he assisted his neighbors at busy times. In winter 
 time he made shoes for his neighbors and friends, going 
 from house to house, and remaining at each home long 
 enough to meet the demands of the family. Meanwhile 
 in these early years, spinning and weaving was also com- 
 menced. The family was taught that self-help was the 
 first step towards self-support. The house on the little 
 
no The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 homestead was not very spacious, and was entirely with- 
 out plaster upstairs. The older children were girls, and 
 had now grown well towards womanhood, and we shall 
 notice how they found a way to plaster the second story 
 of the home. The father had given the land for a new 
 church close by, and when the church was completed it 
 was found that there was considerable mortar left. The 
 young ladies proposed that if the father would secure the 
 mortar, they would see to it that the upstairs would get 
 plastered. He secured the mortar and they did the plas- 
 tering. These are a few indications of the earlier family 
 life. The scene has changed, and years have passed. 
 The father has years ago been elected a minister in the 
 Brethren church, and has devoted much time to study and 
 self-improvement in order to meet the demands of circum- 
 stances. He has commenced the study of medicine, under 
 the direction of two able physicians in the nearby county- 
 seat. He has also commenced to settle estates, write 
 agreements, wills, deeds, and other legal papers. The 
 family has moved some miles away from their former home 
 on a farm of two hundred and thirty acres. Here there was 
 new life and increased activity. Agriculture was carried on 
 on a much larger scale. There was plenty of opportunity 
 for ambitious robust young women to make themselves 
 useful, as well as to make some money. I take pleasure in 
 quoting here from the words of one of the girls who took 
 part in these activities : " The place was the scene of active 
 busy life. The girls were toiling in the fields day after 
 day during the summer months. Corn had to be planted 
 with hoes ; the grain was cut with sickles. The women 
 made their hand and received as much per day as the men, 
 — fifty cents during harvest for cutting grain with sickles, 
 twenty-five cents for corn-planting and hay-making, except 
 
Industrial Home Life, 1 1 1 
 
 the men received fifty cents per day for mowing with the 
 scythe." She further says: "When the summer work 
 was over, the girls found plenty of work in the house at 
 the spinning-wheels. In our family, three spinning-wheels 
 were kept running from about four weeks before Christ- 
 mas until about the middle of March. These were kept 
 going from four o'clock in the morning until nine in the 
 evening." It may be noted in passing that five or six girls 
 could keep the wheels going by relieving each other from 
 time to time. Here is an argument in favor of the wheel. 
 These girls went " wheeling" early, and what robust girls 
 they became ! But let us continue the study of the indus- 
 trial life. She continues : " There were three looms kept 
 running also, one of which was usually run by one of the 
 girls." It should be noted that the father, soon after com- 
 ing to the large farm, made ample provision for the large 
 family as well as the increasing manufacturing plant and 
 industrial establishment. He built a large addition to the 
 farmhouse, and in this addition there was a room, about 
 40 feet long by 30 feet wide, which was for the accommo- 
 dation of the looms and other machinery. By removing 
 the looms, this room became an assembly room with ample 
 accommodation for preaching services several times a year. 
 Her story grows in interest as she proceeds. She says : 
 "We manufactured flannels, towels, coverlets, etc." "In 
 the basement, underneath the big room, mother did the 
 coloring of the yarns, etc. There was the walled-in kettle 
 to color blue. This kettle was used exclusively to color 
 blue — while other kettles were used for various other 
 colors. Everybody made his own yarn in those days. 
 Then the people brought it to the shops and had it manu- 
 factured into goods." 
 
 This description of one who took part is brief, but it 
 
112 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 gives us a vivid picture of the busy scenes around the 
 family hearthstone. Such energy and activity and en- 
 terprise of long ago, would even do credit to a present-day 
 family with modern opportunities and better advantages. 
 But I have omitted a part of the industry. Nearby was a 
 milling plant, run by water power, where plaster of Paris 
 was ground, as well as flax-seed. After the oil was pressed 
 out by crude machinery, the oil-meal was sold to the neigh- 
 bors for feed for the cattle. This milling plant was later 
 turned into a carding and weaving establishment and, later 
 still, into a grist and flour mill. All in all this family was 
 a marvel of industrial activity ; and yet it is a true example 
 of a true type, of which there were many constituents. 
 The Brethren church has been singularly blessed with 
 many such intelligent, energetic, industrious families. The 
 father, who was the head and soul of all this industry, must 
 have been a busy man ; and yet this was the least impor- 
 tant as a factor in his busy life. As a physician, he had 
 a large practice, and that for many years. He was emi- 
 nently successful as a practitioner. In drawing up legal 
 papers and transacting legal business, his work was never 
 called into question by any lawyer or judge. As a min- 
 ister, he traveled far and wide, and preached much. He 
 was for many years a Bishop. As deacon and minister 
 and Bishop, he served the Brethren church for forty-nine 
 years. I hope this chapter, though brief in its scope, may 
 to some extent illustrate the industrial life of the early 
 members of the Brethren church, and that it may prove 
 of interest to its readers. 
 
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BRETHREN CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, GERMANTOWN. 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 The Mother Church at Germantown. 
 
 ^jCSBfcfr T seems to me eminently proper that even in 
 8H this short sketch of the " History of the 
 Brethren Church," there should be one chap- 
 ter especially devoted to the Mother Congre- 
 gation at Germantown. The name of Ger- 
 mantown has a universal charm and interest to all those 
 who have any knowledge of or taste for the historical 
 accounts of the settlement of Pennsylvania. Many his- 
 torians have delighted themselves, in the true spirit of 
 investigation, to make extensive research in order to con- 
 firm the important facts of the settlement of Germantown, 
 and present the many interesting phases of its more than 
 two hundred years of history. Others have contented 
 themselves with garbling from the general legendary ac- 
 counts of common folk-lore, or have joined the general 
 squabble of arguing on controverted points of minor im- 
 portance. Dr. Oswald Seidensticker, who died a few 
 years ago, has written most interestingly on his profound 
 investigations of early German life in America. Mr. 
 
 (113) 
 
ii 4 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 ^ & kj 
 
History of the Brethren. 115 
 
 Julius F. Sachse, in his German Pietists and other his- 
 toric studies, has written in a most interesting manner of dif- 
 ferent phases of Germantown history. By far the most 
 learned and exhaustive treatise on the Settlement of 
 Germantown ever written, was that by Hon. Samuel W. 
 Pennypacker as published in the Pennsylvania- German 
 Society's Annual of 1898. The Judge has spent years in 
 the most profound research of all historical matter of 
 many countries and languages, that would throw any light 
 on the beginning of German emigration and the settle- 
 ment of Germantown in 1683. As the history of this old 
 town is interesting, so also is the history of the mother 
 congregation that has been in existence here for one hun- 
 dred and seventy-seven years. There is a large amount 
 of historical matter bearing on the Germantown church, 
 directly or indirectly ; but it has become much scattered 
 years ago by careless or unfaithful custodians, and much 
 of it being now in the hands of private individuals, it is 
 difficult to collect and confirm the necessary facts for a 
 much-needed reliable account. 
 
 There is still a wealth of good material, and of sufficient 
 magnitude, to make a large volume of history ; but he who 
 will write the "History of the Brethren Church of Ger- 
 mantown," to be worthy of his subject, must be diligent 
 and energetic in his researches, and must be withal a 
 thoughtful and painstaking student. There is considerable 
 material lying on the surface, as is always the case, that 
 passes current as history, and yet is entirely worthless to 
 the reliable historian until confirmed by careful study and 
 research. It would seem that in this respect Germantown 
 has been singularly unfortunate in its experience of being 
 at the mercy of the unscrupulous historian. 
 
 In the scope of this chapter I cannot devote any space 
 
n6 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 in useless arguments in trying to settle controverted points ; 
 but I shall confine myself largely to the presentation of the 
 two following lines of thought : 
 
 i . I shall present some studies in original research, which 
 may correct some misstatements of would-be historians ; 
 and, 
 
 2. I shall aim to record some important facts and events, 
 that are unrecorded at present, or else too briefly recorded 
 to be intelligent. I regret very much that I cannot devote 
 a liberal space to biographies of the prominent men that 
 have made the history of the Germantown church what it 
 is — so full of earnest Christian devotion and noble deeds 
 in the spirit of self-sacrifice. 
 
 History of the Present Location of the 
 Congregation. 
 
 It will be manifestly of interest to know something of 
 the history of the ground where the congregation is at 
 present located, and when and how possession was secured. 
 But it is necessary to give the facts in regard to this matter, 
 for the additional reason that there have been some false 
 and misleading statements made regarding the history. 
 These statements are copied again and again, apparently 
 without any attempt being made to know the facts, when 
 
 >x* 
 
 K?Sf*» fftv*n*f*t 
 
 the records of the office of the Recorder of Deeds are at 
 all times accessible to all who care to investigate. The 
 usual reference is made that Johannes Pettikoffer received 
 the ground as a gift, from one Peter Schilbert ; and 
 
Leasehold of the Brethren. 117 
 
 then some add that Schilbert had much difficulty in 
 gaining possession of the land again, when Pettikoffer 
 went to Ephrata, as he did in 1739. Now all this is sheer 
 nonsense, and is the absolute creation of somebody's fancy. 
 The evidence of ownership will be presented in each case 
 in regular order. It will be sufficient for the present study 
 to begin with the ownership of Peter Shoemaker. I have 
 before me the original parchment papers, 1 consisting of the 
 lease for one year, and the deed issued the next day, which 
 indicates the transfer from Shoemaker to Pettikoffer. This 
 lease is a strip of real parchment thirty and a half inches 
 long and four and a half inches wide. The deed is twenty- 
 three and a half inches long and eleven and a half inches 
 wide. I quote from the deed as follows: "THIS IN- 
 DENTURE made the fourth day of August In the year of 
 our Lord One-thousand seven-hundred and thirty-one BE- 
 TWEEN Peter Shoemaker of Germantown in the county 
 of Philadelphia in the province of Pensilvania, Turner, & 
 Margret his wife of the one part And Johane Pettenkoven 
 [Johannes Pettikoffer] of Germantown aforesd Stocking- 
 knitter of the other part WITNESSETH that thesd Peter 
 Shoemaker & Margret his wife for & in consideration of 
 the sum of five Pounds & five shillings lawful money of 
 Pensilvania to them in hand paid by thesd Johanes Petten- 
 koven The receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge 
 & thereof do fully acquit & forever discharge thesd Johanes 
 Pettenkoven his heirs & assigns by these presents HAVE 
 Granted Bargained Sold Aliened Enfeoffed Released & 
 Confirmed And by these present DO Grant Bargain Sell 
 Alien Enfeoff Release & Confirm unto thesd Johanes Pet- 
 tenkoven (In his actual possession now being by Vertue of 
 one Indenture of Bargain & Sale to him thereof made by 
 
 1 The property of the Brethren church. 
 
n8 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 them thesd Peter Shoemaker & Margret his wife for one 
 whole year bearing Date the day before the date hereof & 
 by force of the Statute made for transfering uses into pos- 
 session) And to his heirs & assigns A CERTAIN Piece 
 parcel of Land Situate lying & being in the Adjacent side- 
 land of thesd Germantovvn Beginning at a stone by the 
 North East Side of the high way leading from thesd Ger- 
 mantovvn to North Wales being also a Corner of Johanes 
 Mock's land thence by the Same & other land North East 
 forty perches to a post set for a Corner thence North West 
 two perches Eight foot & three inches to a post set for a 
 Corner thence by thesd Peter Shoemaker his land South 
 West forty Perches to a stone set for a Corner by thesd 
 highway & by thesd Highway South fifteen degrees East 
 two perches Eight foot & five inches to the place of Be- 
 gining Containing a Half acre & twenty perches of land 
 TOGETHER with all & singular the buildings Woods 
 Underwoods Meadows Ways Waters Watercouses fishings 
 fowlings hawkings huntings Rights Liberties priveledges 
 Improvements Hereditaments & appurtenances whatsoever 
 thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining And the 
 Reversions & Remainders Rents Isues & profits thereof 
 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD thesd Piece or parcel of 
 Land Hereditaments & premises hereby granted & Re- 
 leased or Mentioned so to be with their appurtenances unto 
 thesd Johanes Pettenkoven his heirs and assigns TO the 
 only proper use & behoof of him thesd Johanes Petten- 
 koven his heirs & assigns forever." 
 
 Then follows the usual condition of the " yearly rent 
 of a half-penny " ; the usual "warrant"; and after that 
 the declaration of rightful ownership, to show the right 
 to transfer. I have quoted about one-third, so much indi- 
 
Leasehold of the Brethren, 119 
 
 cates the usual amount of specific detail and legal wordi- 
 ness. 
 
 Signed by 
 
 Witnessed by 
 Henry Pastorius. 
 
 On the reverse side of the deed, is the receipt in which 
 Shoemaker acknowledges having received of Pettikoffer the 
 full amount of five pounds and five shillings as the purchase 
 money mentioned within. It will be seen by the claim of 
 this deed, that Pettikoffer paid a fair price for his half acre, 
 considering that it was nearly half a mile out of the settle- 
 ment of Germantown as it then was, and that altogether 
 the settlement had not more than twenty houses. He paid 
 at the rate of ten pounds, or fifty dollars, per acre, en- 
 tirely unimproved. These original papers should be suf- 
 ficient testimony to prove that Johannes Pettikoffer did, 
 on August 4, 1 73 1, acquire title to his half acre from Peter 
 Shoemaker. But to the unscrupulous historian, it does 
 not make much difference whether he says Peter Schilbert 
 or Peter Shoemaker. 
 
 This strip of ground now described as forty rods long 
 and two rods and eight feet wide is the north half of the 
 present church property, or the part on which the church 
 buildings are located. The year preceding, or 1730, 
 Peter Shoemaker sold to Johannes Mack, located immedi- 
 
120 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 ately to the south of this, a strip twenty-one perches long 
 and four perches wide, also a half acre, at two pounds and 
 ten shillings. A part of this strip now forms the south 
 
 -itA'. 
 
 & 4Uk+XV*f ATUtji 
 
 half of the church property, or the part on which the par- 
 sonage is located. It will be noticed by the foregoing 
 that Mack paid just half as much for his half acre, as 
 Pettikoffer did for his half. 
 
 The deed is signed as follows : 
 
 er- 
 
 Witnesses 
 
 John Gorgas, 
 
 his 
 Henery X Fridrick, 
 
 mark 
 Richard Robb. 
 
 On the twenty-second day of August, 1739, Johannes 
 Pettikoffer and Ann Elizabeth, his wife, sold the half acre, 
 
THE GERMAN BAPTIST BRETHREN. 
 
 J, F. SACHSE, PHILA, 
 
 ANCIENT SEALS ON DEEDS 
 AND DOCUMENTS OF THE QERHANTOWN CHURCH. 
 
Leasehold of the Brethren, 121 
 
 together with the house he had built upon it, to Johannes 
 Mack and Andreas Bonney, for the sum of sixty-five 
 pounds, each of the two holding a half interest. This 
 house was built in 1732, and because of its importance in 
 later years, we shall give some description of its interest- 
 ing history and notice it hereafter as the * * Pettikoff er 
 House." It will be noticed, that whereas he had paid for 
 the ground five pounds and five shillings, he now receives 
 on his sale sixty-five pounds, thus valuing his improve- 
 ments at fifty-nine pounds and fifteen shillings. 
 
 It thus appears that there is no documentary evidence to 
 sustain the old fable that Pettikoffer received the lot as a 
 gift and then begged the money to build the house. 
 
 Because of the importance of several statements, I quote 
 at some length from the following deed : " THIS INDEN- 
 TURE made the twentyeth day of July in the year of our 
 Lord one-thousand seven hundred and forty-two BE- 
 TWEEN John Mack of Germantown and the county of 
 Philadelphia, Stocking-weaver, and Margrett his wife of 
 the one part and Peter Shilbert of Germantown aforesaid 
 yeoman of the other part WHEREAS an Indenture made 
 the twenty-second day of August one-thousand seven-hun- 
 dred thirty-nine between Johannes Petenkoven of German- 
 town aforesaid stocking-knitter and Ann Elizabeth his wife 
 of the one part and the said John Mack and one Andreas 
 Bonney of the other part the said Johannes Petenkoven 
 and Ann Elizabeth his wife for the consideration therein 
 mentioned did grant release and confirm unto the said John 
 Mack and Andreas Bonney A CERTAIN messuage or 
 tenement and piece or parcel of land thereunto belonging 
 situate in the adjacent Side Land of Germantown aforesaid 
 containing by Computation half an Acre and twenty 
 perches of Land to hold the one full equal and undivided 
 
122 The German Baftist Brethren. 
 
 moiety thereof unto the said John Mack his heirs and 
 Assigns forever and to hold the other full equal and un- 
 divided moiety thereof unto the said Andreas Bonney his 
 heirs and assigns forever Under the yearly Rent of one 
 half penny lawful money of Pennsylvania payable to Peter 
 Shoemaker his heirs and assigns As in and by the said 
 recited Indenture Relation thereunto had appears AND 
 WHEREAS the said Andreas Bonney did make his last 
 will and Testament in writing bearing Date on or about 
 the sixth Day of October one-thousand seven-hundred 
 forty-one and therein and thereby devised in these words 
 or to the Effect following viz. : * And I leave unto the said 
 John Mack and to his heirs forever the house and lot 
 whereon I now dwell (being the same Messuage) for the 
 consideration of twenty-nine pounds ten shillings money of 
 Pennsylvania with full power to keep or sell the same at 
 his pleasure and if the same John Mack should sell the 
 same house and lot to any person or persons I give him 
 full power and authority to sign seal and deliver deed or 
 deeds of sale to the purchaser for the same according to law ' 
 as in and by the same last will and Testament duly proved 
 and entered in the Register General's Office at Philadel- 
 phia Relation thereuntohad appears NOW THIS IN- 
 DENTURE WITNESSETH that the said John Mack 
 and Margrett his wife for and in consideration of the sum 
 
 of seventy-three pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania to 
 them in hand paid by the said Peter Shilbert HAVE 
 granted bargained sold released and confirmed and by 
 these presents do grant bargain sell release and confirm 
 
Leasehold of the Brethren, 123 
 
 unto the said Peter Shilbert and to his 
 
 heirs and Assigns, etc." 
 
 This deed also declares the sale of a small triangle that 
 is required to give a half interest in the well of water on 
 the south side. The deed is signed by John Mack and his 
 wife, and Richard Robb is the witness to the transaction. 
 
 There are several points of interest in regard to valua- 
 tion and occupancy that might be noted in this connection. 
 While Pettikoffer had paid five pounds and five shillings 
 for the half acre lot without improvements, he sold the 
 same lot with the house he had built for the sum of sixty- 
 five pounds in 1739. It will be noticed that Bonney willed 
 his half to Mack in 1741, twenty-nine pounds and ten 
 shillings, or at the rate of fifty-nine pounds for the entire 
 property, which was just fifteen shillings less than the dif- 
 ference between Pettikoffer's buying and selling price, or 
 the value of the house alone. It will be noticed further 
 that Mack sold to Shilbert for the consideration of seventy- 
 three pounds, which was a considerable advance, but which 
 included a half interest in the well. This deed is inter- 
 esting in the next place because it tells us who occupied 
 the house after Pettikoffer left it in 1739. It seems that 
 when Pettikoffer sold and moved to Ephrata, Bonney took 
 possession of the newly acquired premises in which he had 
 half interest, or at any rate we find him in possession 
 October 6, 1741, when he made his will, for he says, 
 " the house and lot whereon I now dwell (being the same 
 messuage)." Thus, instead of Shilbert being the origi- 
 nal owner and giving this lot to Pettikoffer, as some ac- 
 counts say, the ownership, as we have clearly proved, 
 runs as follows : Peter Shoemaker, Johannes Pettikoffer, 
 John Mack and Andrew Bonney, John Mack, Peter Shil- 
 bert ; and all these changes in the eleven years from 1731 
 to 1742. 
 
124 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 It seems to have been the intention of Peter Shilbert to 
 present this half acre to the Brethren congregation, but he 
 died with the property legally in his possession. After 
 some years of delay, this was finally accomplished, as 
 will be seen by the quotation that follows. This deed was 
 issued on the eleventh day of August, 1760. After trac- 
 ing the ownership from Shoemaker to Shilbert, and giv- 
 ing a description of the half acre, and also of two small 
 triangles, the deed continues with the following recital : 
 " AND WHEREAS The said Peter Shilbert dying (in ef- 
 fect) Intestate Possessed of the said Messuage and three 
 pieces of Land & premises (He having Made only a Nun- 
 cupative Will) The Right of the inheritance of his Said 
 Possessions Depending Legally unto Johanna Hoech the 
 wife of Bastian Hoech which Johanna being the only Issue 
 and Heir of Abraham Shilbert who was the Brother and 
 Heir at Law of the Said Peter Shilbert AND the said Bas- 
 tian Hoech and Johanna his wife in and by a Certain Deed 
 Roll or writing under their Hands and Seals bearing date 
 the Twenty sixth day of August Ao : Di : 1746 did for the 
 consideration therein Mentioned (among other lands of 
 which the said Peter Shilbert died Possessed of) grant and 
 Convey the said Messuage and three pieces of Land (by 
 the name of the little place and House near Germantown) 
 unto the said Theobold Endt and Hennery Slingloff in ffee 
 NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH That the 
 said Theobald Endt and Henery Slingloff For and in Con- 
 sideration of the sum of Ten Pound Lawfull money of 
 Pennsylvania to them in hand paid by the said Alexan- 
 der Mack Christopher Sower Peter Libert and George 
 Schriber the Receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged 
 HAVE granted bargained Sol Released and Confirmed 
 and by these presents DO grant bargain sell Release and 
 
Leasehold of the Brethren. 125 
 
 Confirm unto the said Alexander Mack Christopher Sower 
 Peter Libert and George Schriber and to their Heirs and 
 assigns the said Messuage and above described three peices 
 or parcels of Land thereunto belonging, etc." The deed 
 closes with usual provision for paying the yearly half penny 
 rent and the proper Warrant, and Theobald Endt and 
 Henry Slingloff dispose of the property which they had 
 held for the term of fourteen years. 
 
 It is not difficult to see now what was the intention, when 
 it is noted that the four men to whom the property was 
 deeded, were four of the principal men of the Brethren 
 congregation. These four men were simply four trustees, 
 to hold the property " in trust " ; and on the day following, 
 they published a Declaration of Trust. In the opening 
 part of this Declaration, Alexander Mack, Christopher 
 Sower, Peter Libert and George Schriber, formally ac- 
 knowledge having received the property from Theobald 
 Endt and Henry Slingloff ; and then the important docu- 
 ment continues as follows: "NOW KNOW YE that 
 the said Alexander Mack, Christopher Sower, Peter Lib- 
 ert and George Schriber do hereby acknowledge and de- 
 clare that the said Messuage or Tenement and three peices 
 of Land or ground was so as aforesaid granted unto them 
 in Trust nevertheless by the direction and at the appoint- 
 ment of the persons who are members of the Religious 
 Society or Community of the people called Dutch (Ger- 
 man) Baptists and belonging to the Meeting of that Peo- 
 ple in or near Germantown aforsd To the intent only that 
 they the said Alexander Mack, Christopher Sower, Peter 
 Libert and George Schriber and such or so many of them 
 as Shall be and continue in Unity and Religious Fellow- 
 ship with the Said People and remain members of said 
 Meeting whereunto they do now belong Shall stand and 
 
126 The Gcr?na?i Baptist Brethren. 
 
 be Seized of the said Messuage or Tenement three peices 
 or parcels of Land or ground & premises So Conveyed to 
 them as before recited To the use and intents hereinafter 
 Mentioned and declared and under the Conditions & Re- 
 strictions hereinafter limited & Restricted and to no other 
 use or purpose whatsoever, That is to say, One Room in 
 the said Messuage to be made use of for a Meeting place 
 of the said People living at or near Germantovvn aforsaid 
 and for such other as the said Community may think proper 
 to admit thereto The which Room May be improved or 
 enlarged for the better convenience of the said Meeting at 
 the discretion of the said Community in such Manner as 
 they may think Meet AND one Room and kitchen of the 
 sade Messuage to be made use of for a dwelling place for 
 some Widow woman of the Said Society or Community 
 to live in Rent free and that the said Society or Commu- 
 nity Shall & do keep the said Messuage or Tenement 
 & peices or parcels of Land or ground in repair from 
 time to time Towards the Charge of which they are 
 to have the use Rents Issues & Profits which may ac- 
 crue or arise yearly from the remaining part of the prem- 
 ises PROVIDED always nevertheless that if it should 
 so happen that a Regular Society & Community of the 
 said People Should cease to be kept up at & near German- 
 town and that they should decline ;holding up their Said 
 Meeting That then and in such case it Shall & may be 
 Lawfull for the said Alexander Mack Christopher Sower 
 Peter Libert and George Schriber or the Survivors or Sur- 
 vivor of them in the said Trust To sell and Dispose of the 
 said Messuage or Tenement three pieces or parcels of 
 Land or ground & premises and to make & execute a ffee 
 Simple Deed of Conveyance for the Same to the purchaser 
 And the money arising by Such Sale to Distribute (chiefly 
 
Leasehold of the Brethren. 127 
 
 or mostly) to & amongst the Poor belonging to the said 
 Society in or near Germantown aforsd (not exempting the 
 poor of other Societies from Some part thereof) and to be as- 
 sisted in Making the said Distribution by & with the ad- 
 vice & consent of the Elders & other Discreet persons of 
 the Same Society holding Community and keeping a regu- 
 lar Meeting at the next or nearest place to Germantown 
 aforsaid To which Meeting the accounts of such Distribu- 
 tion Shall be made & Submitted PROVIDED also that 
 neither the said Alexander Mack Christopher Sower Peter 
 Libert & George Schriber nor any of them Nor any person 
 or persons Succeeding them in this Trust Who Shall be 
 declared by the Members of the Said Society for the time 
 being to be our of unity or Church fellowship with them 
 Shall be capable to execute this Trust or stand seized 
 thereof to the uses aforsaid Nor have any Right or Interest 
 in the premises or any part thereof whilest they or any of 
 them Shall So remain BUT that in all such cases as also 
 when any of them or others Succeeding them in the Trust 
 aforsaid Shall happen to Depart this life Then it Shall & 
 may be Lawfull to and for the said Members as often as 
 occasion Shall require to make choice of others to Mannage 
 the said Trust and to execute the Same instead of those or 
 Such as Shall so fall away and be out of unity with the 
 said People called Dutch (German) Baptists or depart this 
 life, etc." The Declaration further contains the provision 
 that the said Trustees shall assign their Trust to other 
 Trustees whenever asked to do so by the congregation ; 
 and also contains the acknowledgment that they act simply 
 as Trustees and in no other capacity whatsoever. 
 
 The Pettikoffer house is getting interesting in its history. 
 By the above quotation it is clearly set forth that one room 
 of the Pettikoffer house was duly set apart and devoted 
 
128 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
Old Folks' Home, 129 
 
 by the congregation of the Brethren for religious worship ; 
 and we know from many proofs that they so continued to 
 worship in the said house until July 8, 1770, when their 
 new meeting-house was dedicated, or for a period of ten 
 years. It is altogether likely, however, that during the 
 period of holding services from house to house, meetings 
 were frequently held in the Pettikoffer house, as well as 
 others in the immediate vicinity. For we do know that 
 prior to the year 1760, a number of members had settled 
 in the neighborhood. 
 
 The Old Folks' Home. 
 While the said Declaration of Trust tells us of the reg- 
 ular and permanent meeting-place, it also tells in a very 
 interesting manner how one room and the kitchen were set 
 apart for some widow to dwell " rent free " ; thus showing 
 how early the Brethren thought of making special provis- 
 ion and providing a home for the " widows and fatherless." 
 I know of no instance where any other denomination made 
 a similar public provision for its widowed poor, at so early 
 a date. The history of this Home is interesting. While 
 it is probably true that in a few years the congregation so 
 increased that perhaps the entire house was needed for 
 purposes of worship, we do know that when the new stone 
 meeting-house was dedicated in 1770, the Pettikoffer house 
 was set apart anew for the comfort of the widows, and it 
 remained such a home until 1861, or a period of 101 years 
 from the time it was first set apart. There are many peo- 
 ple living to-day who remember the place well as the 
 " Widows' Home." I am indebted to Charles M. Benson, 
 of Germantown, and also Rachel Douglass Wise, of 
 Philadelphia, for facts that enable me to describe the Pet- 
 tikoffer house as it appeared fifty years ago. The main 
 
130 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 part of the house was about twenty feet long by sixteen 
 feet wide, built of logs, with frame gables, and shingle 
 roof. The house fronted south, with gables east and 
 west. The spaces between the logs were chinked and plas- 
 tered, and the entire house whitewashed. It had a good 
 cellar, with an outside trapdoor, which was located be- 
 tween the pavement and the outside door leading into the 
 east room. There were four windows and one outside 
 door. There were two windows in the west gable towards 
 
 y£tyS 4** J*» ~> 
 
 y**/h* 
 
 & 
 
 the street, one upstairs and one downstairs. Then there 
 were two additional windows in the west room, one on the 
 north and one on the south side. There were two rooms 
 upstairs and two rooms downstairs. At the east end of the 
 east room, there was a large fireplace which was in con- 
 stant use from 1852 until the time the house was taken 
 down in December, 1861, so my informer tells me. The 
 meeting-room was the west one, well lighted with three 
 windows. The ceilings were of good height. The house 
 was still in good condition in 1861, when it was torn 
 down, after such an interesting history of one hundred and 
 thirty years. 
 
 Immediately to the rear of the above-described house 
 there stood many years ago a good-sized frame building, 
 whose history I have not been able to unravel. Many 
 suggestions have been made of its probable history, but I 
 have been unable to confirm anything so that I can safely 
 regard it as history. I hope the future may yet reveal the 
 purpose of this ancient structure. 
 
Brethren *s Sanctuary \ 131 
 
 The Old Church. 
 
 N this same half acre that we have been con- 
 sidering, or the northern half of the church 
 grounds, are located the church buildings, 
 consisting of the old, which was built, as stated 
 before, in the year 1770, and the new, built in 
 1896-1897. It is interesting to note the completeness of 
 this old building, considering the time at which it was 
 built. Not only was it complete in its appointment, but it 
 was substantially built, as may be noted from the fact that 
 it is still standing and from the additional fact that it is 
 still doing good service and in most excellent state of 
 preservation. It is thirty feet square, built of stone ; the 
 walls are eighteen inches thick. There was a large well- 
 appointed basement, under the entire building, of good 
 height, where there was a large fireplace for cooking and 
 making the necessary preparation for lovefeast occasions. 
 In the corner, near the fireplace, is a large flat stone built 
 into the wall. This stone was hollowed out trough-like, and 
 on it the waste water was poured to drain out of the build- 
 ing. The floor in the audience-room is characteristic and 
 interesting. It is yellow pine, very hard and full of pitch. 
 The boards were carefully selected, almost every board 
 has a heart in it, consequently there are no sap boards, and 
 there has been no decay in all these years. But there is 
 another reason why the floor boards are neither decayed 
 nor worm-eaten. The floor rests on a bed of mortar, which 
 is supported by a layer of split oak lath. The distinguish- 
 ing mark of the hand-made nails (long narrow heads), 
 is visible in every board. About twenty-five years ago, 
 the audience-room was remodeled, the windows were 
 arched, the ceiling was raised and new seats put in. 
 
132 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Formerly the ceiling was about eight feet high, plastered 
 and whitewashed ; and a heavy wooden girder, supported 
 by two posts, was visible. There was a large loft, very 
 roomy and well-lighted, supplied by four windows, two in 
 either gable. It seems to have been built and arranged 
 for some special purpose, perhaps largely unknown at this 
 time. There was an outside entrance to this loft, making 
 access easy, and without disturbing in any way, or enter- 
 ing, the audience-room. Many years ago, this front gable 
 was rough-cast, covering up all traces of this loft-door and 
 windows, and all knowledge of them seems to have been 
 lost until three years ago when we restored this front. 
 Upon removing the rough-cast, there were the distinct out- 
 lines of the door and windows visible. At this time I made 
 the following measurements : The door was four feet, 
 three inches wide and six feet, six inches high, a very large 
 door, if it was a single door. The windows were three 
 feet, two inches wide and four feet, six inches high. This 
 loft seems to have been extensively used for storing the un- 
 bound sheets of publications that required months to run 
 through the press. It is said that Christopher Sower so 
 occupied the place, with his third edition of the Bible, in 
 1777, and that the unbound sheets were confiscated by the 
 British soldiers, and used for gun-wads and for bedding their 
 cavalry horses. The old meeting-house is still in constant 
 use — being open on Sunday, for the Sunday-school ser- 
 vices, and on Thursday evenings, for the prayer-meeting. 
 The council and business meetings are also held here. 
 
 The south half of the church grounds needs to have a 
 brief account in this connection. The church came into 
 possession of this portion many years after acquiring title 
 to the north half. It was noted in the early part of this 
 chapter that this part was purchased from Peter Shoe- 
 
Johannes Mack. 133 
 
 maker in 1730 by Johannes Mack. On the twenty-ninth 
 day of August, 1751, Johannes Mack and Margaretha, 
 his wife, sold the same to Christopher Sower, and we are 
 informed that the place consisted of " two Messuages or 
 Tenements and seventy-eight perches of ground." On 
 the twenty- fourth day of September, 1753, Christopher 
 
 oiAj&iouA 
 
 Sower and Catharina, his wife, sold the same to Philip 
 Weaver, for the sum of sixty pounds. On the eighteenth 
 day of March, 1796, John Weaver, Philip Weaver and 
 Susanna Keyser, three children and heirs of the above 
 Philip Weaver, deeded the property to Abraham Keyser, 
 for the sum of four hundred pounds ; and on the following 
 day, the said Abraham Keyser deeded the same, for the 
 same amount, to Philip Weaver, one of the sons and heirs 
 
 ^j^ ^ 
 
 IPrt^^+t" 
 
 of the first above mentioned Philip Weaver. On the 
 fourth day of April, 1804, Philip Weaver and his wife, 
 Ann, sold the same to the Trustees of the Brethren con- 
 gregation, for the consideration of four hundred and thirty 
 pounds. On it was located the present parsonage, which 
 the first Philip Weaver erected as his dwelling in 1756. 
 
J 34 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 The Weaver Log-House. 
 
 IMMEDIATELY to the rear of the parsonage 
 there stood for many years an ancient-looking 
 house, which was frequently known as the 
 " Weaver Log-house," and which he had oc- 
 cupied before building his spacious stone 
 house. But by whom it was built and when, is now an open 
 question, for the deed of 175 1 informs us there were then two 
 houses. This log-house was an interesting old house, at 
 any rate, and stood until January, 187 1. It was built of 
 logs, as intimated, and was covered with tile. The roof 
 was high and very steep, and presented a very striking 
 appearance. The building was about eighteen or twenty 
 feet square, and had but one room upstairs, and one room 
 down. There were no windows upstairs. There were 
 two windows down, and there was one door. In the west 
 part of the room there was a large bakeoven, with the 
 opening from the outside. There were a large chimney 
 and fireplace. In its latter years, this house did service 
 only as a summer kitchen, but it was still in fair condition 
 when it was removed, after serving at least five genera- 
 tions of the Weaver family. 
 
 A Select School. 
 HE parsonage just referred to is now one hun- 
 dred and forty-four years old, and has been 
 the property of the congregation for ninety- 
 six years ; and yet, strange to say, it was 
 never occupied by the pastor or minister, until 
 the present pastor occupied it seven years ago. Its history 
 as a parsonage is therefore short and not very important, and 
 yet memorable to a few people. Your humble servant will 
 
§ » o 
 
 c ^ 
 
 Co 
 
A Select School. 135 
 
 look back with interest, and remember the cozy old stone 
 house as the place where he wrote this sketch and where 
 he prepared more than seven hundred and fifty sermons. 
 The family can well look back to the place where seven 
 enjoyable years were spent. To two people the place will 
 be doubly interesting — two little people, five and two years 
 old, Alexander Mack and Esther Eva. Some day they 
 may be much interested in the fact that they were born in 
 the old parsonage at Germantown. But the place has 
 history and plenty of it ; and many an aged person sitting 
 in silent meditation in the closing years of their lives, and 
 reviewing the years of their childhood, will remember with 
 pleasure the school days spent in this old house. This 
 school opened more than seventy-five years ago, continued 
 for many years, and was presided over by a sweet-faced 
 woman, a member of the congregation. The schoolroom 
 was about fifteen by twenty-five feet, and had at times 
 seventy scholars. The teacher was Susanna Douglass, 
 and in addition to the regular school curriculum she taught 
 sewing, knitting and fancy work. Her daughter, Rachel 
 Douglass Wise, is still living in Philadelphia, at the age of 
 eighty-eight years. Upon a certain occasion, the mother 
 went to visit her sisters in Virginia, going by boat, as the 
 only means of travel, and remained six weeks. During 
 this time the daughter, Rachel, then fifteen years of age, 
 taught the school. She used to rise at four o'clock in the 
 morning to set the copy-books. Many, in their latter days, 
 are delighted to see their schoolroom once more. This 
 schoolroom is now occupied by the pastor's study and the 
 dining-room. 
 
 These are a few short chapters of the unwritten history 
 of the Germantown church, and there are others to be 
 written. 
 
136 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 The Cemetery. 
 HE cemetery is a very interesting place. So 
 far as grave-stones indicate, the first burial 
 took place in 1797. Nearly all the old fami- 
 lies of Germantown are represented, and in 
 some cases many of the same family and sev- 
 eral generations. In a few cases five and six generations 
 are buried. Among the ministers buried here are the fol- 
 lowing : Alexander Mack, Sr., Alexander Mack, Jr., Peter 
 Leibert, Peter Keyser, Christian Van Laushett, John Van 
 Laushett, Jacob Spanogle, Christian Custer, John W. Price, 
 Amos Cowell and others. 
 
 Among other noted persons buried here may be named 
 Miss Harriet Livermore, in an unmarked grave ; the woman 
 who prayed in our National Congress in 1832, the " Evan- 
 gelist," "The Guest" of Whittier's Snow Bound, the 
 "Pilgrim Wanderer" in the Holy Land and in Egypt, 
 the " Watcher" on Mt. Sinai in the immediate expectation 
 of the coming of Christ. After she had wandered all over 
 the world, her tired body was laid to rest in this beautiful 
 God's acre, in the midst of these historic surroundings. 
 
 The cemetery is still much used as a burial place, and 
 is an ideal little spot. Everything pertaining to it receives 
 constant attention and care, and everything is in good con- 
 dition. 
 
 Alexander Mack, Jr. 
 HAVE briefly traced some outlines of the 
 history of the Brethren congregation at Ger- 
 mantown, and have spoken of a few of the 
 now historic surroundings. It is perhaps about 
 as much as should be said in a sketch of this 
 character. When a history of this congregation is written in 
 
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 5 m 
 
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 O m 
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 Z 
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 z m 
 
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 m 
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List of Baftisms. 137 
 
 full, much space needs to be devoted to Alexander Mack, 
 Jr., and I think I cannot close this part without a few state- 
 
 ments. It will be remembered that in the Koch excitement 
 and exodus in 1739, he went to Ephrata. In the course of 
 a few years, however, he returned to Germantown and was 
 destined to become his father's eminent successor. He 
 was probably elected to the ministry in 1748 ; and in 1749 
 he was ordained Bishop of the Germantown congregation. 
 It is strange that the work of this man is so little known. 
 He was a man of great energy and far-reaching influence. 
 He was the most eminent man, beyond doubt, that the 
 Brethren church has ever had in America, considering the 
 times and circumstances of his eventful life. He was an 
 able man as a preacher and counselor in church work. He 
 was well known and greatly beloved all over the church. 
 He was a gifted hymn-writer, and wrote much in defense 
 of the church doctrines. For more than half a century, he 
 served the church ably and faithfully. His work in organ- 
 izing congregations and ordaining elders was very exten- 
 sive. His life was a great blessing to many and was full 
 of good deeds. He died at the ripe age of 91 years, 1 month 
 and 20 days. 
 
 Some of the baptisms performed by Alexander Mack, 
 Jr., at Germantown, after the year 1766 : 
 
 1766. — May 15, Margretta Hartzbach. 
 " October 3, Nathaniel Schrieber. 
 
 u October 17, Henry Schlingluft, Jr., Catharine 
 Schlingluft, Dorothea Fox. 
 
138 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 1767. — July 12, Charles Lang. 
 
 44 August 7, Anna B. Van Lashett and Elizabeth Schling- 
 
 luff. 
 44 August 16, Jacob Bauman and Maria Barbara, his 
 
 wife. 
 11 October 2, Conrad Good, William Spira and Maria 
 Spira. 
 1768. — March 27, Christina Schlungluff, Jr. 
 
 " September 25, Hannah Stamm. 
 1769. — May 14, Sarah Baker. 
 
 44 July 2 7> Christopher Saur, Jr. 
 
 44 September 3, Michael Keyser, Sarah^JV^ack and 
 
 . Susanna Baker. 
 44 /October 5, Peter Keyser and Hannah, his wife, Henry 
 Sharpnack and Sarah, his wife, John Schlingluff, 
 Conrad Stamm, Maria Fendt, Elizabeth Raab. 
 1770. — September 2, John Weber, William Leibert, Dirock 
 Keyser and Rachel, his wife. 
 44 September 30, Julius Roberly and Appolonia, his wife. 
 1 77 1. — May 19, Thomas Langstroth and Catherine, his wife, 
 Hannah Mack, Hannah Stier. 
 44 September 8, John Kaempfer. 
 
 44 November 10, Rudolph Harley and Barbara, his wife, 
 
 John Harley and Margaretta, his wife, Ulrick Stouf- 
 
 fer and Hannah, his wife. 
 
 1772. — April 19, Michael Corbit, Garehart Clemens and 
 
 Gertrude, his wife, Jacob Landis and Maria, his wife. 
 
 1773. — January 4, John Prisz. 
 
 44 January 20, Phillipina Vernon. 
 1774. — March 27, Edmund Langstroth. 
 
 44 May 12, Edward Bright and Elizabeth, his wife, Eliza- 
 beth Painter, Ruth Silence. 
 " July 3, Cornelius Neisz, William Heisler, David 
 Meredith, Jacob Raab, George Duke, John Leibert, 
 Anna Leibert, Susanna Hinckle, Hannah Knorr, 
 Lydia Keyser, Catherine Bauman. 
 
List of Baptisms. 139 
 
 1774. — October 16, William Prisz and Susanna Knorr. 
 Here occurs a break in the records for the period of 
 nine years. 
 
 1783. — October 20, Susanna Weaver, John Weaver's wife, 
 
 and Catherine Keyser, Michael Keyser's wife. 
 1785. — March 6, Emanuel Fox and his wife, Margarett, Jacob 
 
 Zigler and Lydia Kulp. I very much regret that 
 
 I cannot present a complete list of his baptisms, 
 
 but it has been impossible to confirm a part of the 
 
 list. There is no complete record extant. 
 The following is a partial list of baptisms by Christopher 
 Sower : 
 
 1748. — November 3, Elizabeth Weiss, Catherine Buchmarin, 
 
 Susanna Miller. 
 1749. — April 2, Jacob Ganz. 
 1755. — May 18, Andrew Menichinger. 
 1758. — March 26, Uly Rinder and wife. 
 1 78 1. — July 15, George Becker and his wife, Catherine, 
 
 Nancy Becker, their daughter, Catherine, daughter 
 
 of Frederick Stamm. 
 1783. — November 6, Adam Weber. 
 
 1784. — June 10, Martin Urner and wife, Barbara Baugh. 
 When Christopher was dead and Alexander Mack was past 
 seventy-two years of age, the second Martin Urner baptized 
 some at Germantown, and the following is perhaps a complete 
 Jist: 
 
 1784. — August 15, Derick Keyser and his wife, Elizabeth, 
 
 and Susanna Weaver, Philip Weaver's daughter. 
 1785. — September 25, Nicholas Oliver, Benjamin Lehman, 
 
 and Peter Keyser, Jr. 
 1786. — September 14, Henry Rinker, William Keyser and 
 
 his wife, Barbara, Elizabeth Lehman and Mary 
 
 Heisler. 
 1788. — September 4, Charles Hubbs and his wife, Mary, 
 
 Catherine Clemens and Hannah, the daughter of 
 
 Derick Keyser. 
 
140 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 Mack Family. 1 
 
 1st Gen. 
 
 Date of Birth. 
 
 Place. 
 
 Date of Marriage. 
 
 Date of Death 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Alexander 
 
 1679 Germany 
 
 1700 
 
 Germany 
 
 1735 
 
 
 
 <( 
 
 
 «< 
 
 
 1720 
 
 Anna Margaretha 
 Klingen. 
 
 2d Gen. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 John Valentine 
 
 
 «( 
 
 (?) 173" 
 
 America 
 
 1755 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 <c 
 
 ( ? ) i73i 
 
 11 
 
 8-II-1758 
 
 Maria Hildebrand 
 Mack. 
 
 John 
 
 
 <t 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 Sneider. 
 
 Alexander 
 
 1-28-1712 
 
 «« 
 
 1- 1-1749 
 
 «« 
 
 3-20-1803 
 
 Ordained, 1749. 
 Edwards. 
 
 
 9-25- x 725 
 
 
 1- 1-1749 
 
 
 5- 6-1811 
 
 Elizabeth Nice ^ 
 Mack. 
 
 3d Gen. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 William 
 
 10-31-1741 
 
 11 
 
 10-13-1772 
 10-13-1772 
 
 (< 
 
 
 Blacksmith. 
 Agnes Gantz 
 Mack. 
 
 Anna Maria 
 
 10-29-1752 
 
 M 
 
 6- 6-1769 
 6- 6-1769 
 
 <( 
 
 4- 5-1770 
 
 Death in child- 
 birth. 
 Husband. 
 
 3 Sarah Marg. 
 
 12-23-1753 
 
 (( 
 
 2- 2-1776 
 
 11 
 
 9- 8-1799 
 
 Baptized, 9-3-1769. 
 
 
 2-I7-I753 
 
 
 2- 2-1776 
 
 
 1-23-1822 
 
 Husband, Jacob 
 Zigler. 
 
 4 Hannah 
 
 9-10-1755 
 
 II 
 
 8-27-1775 
 
 <« 
 
 4- 6-1816 
 
 Baptized, 5-19- 
 
 1771. 
 Husband, Adam 
 
 
 1-20-1756 
 
 
 8-27-1775 
 
 
 8-30-1815 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Weaver^ 
 
 Alexander 
 
 1-18-1758 
 
 it 
 
 
 11 
 
 3-26-1760 
 
 Ljdia 
 
 1- 4-1761 
 
 it 
 
 1779 
 1779 
 
 7-I5-I788 
 
 <t 
 
 12-14-1785 
 
 Baptized, 3-6-1785. 
 Husband, Dielman 
 
 Kulp. 
 Husband, John 
 
 Lentz, Baker. 
 
 7 Elizabeth 
 
 5- 2-1763 
 
 (( 
 
 
 " 
 
 5-29-1770 
 
 Died of smallpox. 
 
 8 Anna Marg. 
 
 7-31-1765 
 
 (I 
 
 8-22-1784 
 
 ii 
 
 5 -29-1838 
 
 Baptized, 3-6-1785. 
 
 
 1764 
 
 
 8-22-1784 
 
 
 3" 2-1833 
 
 Baptized, 3-6-1785. 
 Husband, Eman- 
 uel Fox. 
 
 1 Three generations of Alexander Mack's family, the third being Alexander Mack, Jr.'s, children. 
 
 
 
^2*-uJL 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 HE brief sketch of the history of the Brethren 
 church having been presented, it will be of 
 interest to present a few subjects in the form 
 of an Appendix, such as the main points in 
 church doctrine, government, statistics, edu- 
 cational interests, missionary fields, etc. 
 
 Part A. Faith and Practice. 
 Elder D. L. Miller, editor of The Gospel Messenger > 
 the principal church paper, has compiled a twelve-page 
 pamphlet on "The Brethren," descriptive of "Faith and 
 Practice," etc. This pamphlet is issued as tract No. 42, 
 by the " General Missionary and Tract Committee," Elgin, 
 111. I make the following abstracts : 
 
 Introduction. 
 " The Brethren are a large body of Christians, whose faith and 
 practice are not generally known outside of their immediate 
 localities. The errors in the books that attempt to describe the 
 Brethren, as they call themselves, have been both numerous and 
 lamentable. Starting with Buck's ' Theological Works ' and 
 ending with the ponderous encyclopedias and standard diction- 
 
 (14 ) 
 
142 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 aries, error after error is found, and the faith and practice of the 
 church have been greatly misrepresented. The statements that 
 the Brethren are celibates, that they discourage marriage, that 
 they do not marry outside of their own fraternity, that they keep 
 the seventh day sabbath, that they live in communities, and other 
 similar errors, set forth in the books, always have been without 
 foundation. These misstatements, to be found in nearly all the 
 standard works, show a lack of care, in obtaining correct infor- 
 mation, that is far from commendable. 
 
 u Faith and Practice. 
 n The Brethren hold the Bible to be the inspired and infallible 
 Word of God, and accept the New Testament as their rule of 
 faith and practice. In the subtleties of speculative theology the 
 church takes but little interest. She is chiefly concerned in giv- 
 ing willing and cheerful obedience to the plain, simple com- 
 mandments of Christ Jesus. The Brethren are, in every respect, 
 evangelical in their faith. They believe in the Trinity, in the 
 divinity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit, and in future rewards 
 and punishments. Faith, repentance and baptism are held to be 
 conditions of salvation. These three constitute true evangelical 
 conversion, and upon them rests the promise of the forgiveness 
 of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 " Baptism. 
 11 Baptism is administered by trine immersion. After being 
 instructed in the principles of the Gospel, and having faithfully 
 promised to observe the same, the applicant is taken down into 
 the water, and, kneeling, reaffirms his faith in Christ and prom- 
 ises to live faithful until death. He is then baptized for the re- 
 mission of his sins, into the name of the Father, and of the Son 
 and of the Holy Ghost, the administrator immersing the appli- 
 cant face forward at the mention of each name in the Trinity. 
 The administrator then lays his hands on the head of the kneel- 
 ing candidate and offers a brief prayer on behalf of the one 
 baptized, and he rises to be greeted as a brother, with the right 
 
Trine Immersion, 143 
 
 hand of fellowship and the kiss of love, to walk in newness of 
 life. 
 
 "The Brethren follow closely the practice of the apostolic 
 church, and admit none into fellowship until they have been 
 baptized. In the language of Peter to the Pentecostians they 
 tell all believers to c repent, and be baptized in the name 
 of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- 
 ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' Acts 2 : 38. Holding that 
 baptism is only for believers, and those who have repented, they 
 oppose infant baptism. Infants can neither believe nor repent, 
 hence they are not proper subjects for baptism. Christ having 
 sufficiently atoned for them, all children who die before coming 
 to a knowledge of good and evil will be saved. 
 
 11 In defense of trine immersion they hold that the great com- 
 mission, given by Christ, and recorded in Matt. 28:19, Revised 
 Version, 4 Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
 Son, and of the Holy Ghost,' teaches a three-fold action. As 
 there are three persons in the Trinity, each one of the Divine 
 Three is honored in this form of baptism. As the three Persons 
 constitute one God, and a belief in each of these one faith, so 
 the three dippings constitute one baptism. In favor of their 
 practice they have the testimony of all Greek scholars, who have 
 examined the subject, the practice of the entire Greek church, 
 and reliable history. These all show that trine immersion was 
 the almost universal mode of baptism for centuries succeed- 
 ing the apostolic age. Changes were gradually made from trine 
 immersion to sprinkling, but the church that made the change, 
 the Roman Catholic, still retains the three actions in applying 
 water to the candidate. Nearly all the Protestant churches that 
 practice sprinkling retain the same form, thus testifying to the 
 truth that the commission teaches a three-fold action in baptism. 
 Their baptism is accepted as valid by all religious denominations 
 of any note whatever. 
 
144 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 " LOVEFEAST AND COMMUNION. 
 
 11 The Agape, or Feast of Love. 
 " The evening before his death, our Blessed Master, after hav- 
 ing washed his disciples' feet, ate a supper with them and insti- 
 tuted, in connection with this sacred meal, the communion — the 
 bread and cup. The apostles, led by the Holy Spirit, followed 
 the example of their Great Leader and introduced the agape into 
 the apostolic church. This feast of love, of which all the Chris- 
 tians partook, was a full meal, was eaten in the evening, and is 
 called by the apostle Paul the Lord's Supper. The communion 
 of the bread and wine was given in connection with this meal. 
 The lovefeast was kept up in the primitive church for four cen- 
 turies, but as the church grew in numbers and wealth, it lost its 
 first love and spirit of fraternity, and the feasts of love were dis- 
 continued. The Brethren, in their reformatory movement in 
 1708 restored these lovefeasts, and in this particular still follow 
 the example of Christ and the practice of the apostles and primi- 
 tive Christians, and keep the feast of love. A full meal is pre- 
 pared and placed upon tables, used for that purpose, in the 
 church, and all the members partake of the supper. 
 
 " Feet-washing. 
 11 Before eating supper, the religious rite of washing feet is 
 observed. Their authority for this practice is found in John 13 ; 
 1— 1 7. * He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; 
 and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth 
 water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and 
 to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. * * * 
 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also 
 ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an ex- 
 ample, that ye should do as I have done to you.' The Brethren 
 do not stand alone in the practice of this rite. The Greek 
 church, with ninety million communicants, has adhered to feet- 
 washing, as she claims, ever since the days of the apostles, and 
 the patriarch of Jerusalem engages in feet-washing to-day near 
 the spot where Jesus himself gave the example and the precept. 
 
The Communion. 145 
 
 *' In their practice of the ordinance of feet-washing at love- 
 feast occasions the Brethren follow very closely the example of 
 the Master. Water is poured into a basin, a brother girds him- 
 self with a towel and washes and wipes his brother's bared feet, 
 and in turn has his feet washed. The rite is in this way performed 
 over the entire congregation. The sisters wash the sisters' feet 
 and all the proprieties of the sexes are most rigidly observed. By 
 this ordinance the Gospel principle of humility is set forth and 
 by its observance all are placed on a common level. The 
 rich and poor stand alike together in the great Brotherhood es- 
 tablished by Christ. 
 
 ii The Supper. 
 
 " After observing the ceremony of feet- washing, a blessing is 
 asked upon the simple meal spread on the tables, and it is eaten 
 with solemnity. It is held to be typical of the great supper at 
 the end of the world, when Christ Himself will be master of 
 ceremonies. The important lesson is taught that we are all 
 children of one common family, members of one common 
 brotherhood, having one common purpose in view, and the bond 
 of fraternity and loving fellowship is shown by eating together 
 this sacred meal as did Christ and His disciples and as did the 
 primitive Christians. At the conclusion of the meal thanks are 
 returned and then, as the members are seated around the table, the 
 right hand of fellowship and the kiss of charity are given. The 
 salutation of the kiss of love in worship and in customary greet- 
 ings, as enjoined by the apostles, is never observed between the 
 sexes. 
 
 ii The Communion. 
 
 " The Communion is then administered. This consists in 
 partaking of the bread and wine in commemoration of the suf- 
 ferings and death of our adorable Redeemer. In the Lord's 
 Supper we are pointed forward to the evening of the world, to 
 the great reunion of the saints. In the communion we are 
 pointed back to the cross. The emblems are passed from hand 
 to hand by the brethren, while the officiating minister breaks the 
 
146 The German Baptist Brethren, 
 
 bread and passes the cup to the sisters. After this a season of 
 earnest devotion follows, and then a hymn is sung and the services 
 are closed for the evening. Love-feasts are held in each congre- 
 gation usually once or twice each year, but as the members visit 
 from congregation to congregation, during the love-feast season, 
 they engage many times in this service during the year. 
 
 "Other Principles of Faith and Practice. Non-confor- 
 mity Principles. 
 
 81 Plainness, 
 
 88 The Brethren claim to be, and are in many respects, a 
 peculiar people. Plain dressing is taught and required, and a 
 general uniformity is observed, but this is regarded as a means 
 to an end. They believe that the New Testament teaches 
 plainness in attire, 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 1 Pet. 3: 3, and that by a 
 general uniformity of habit, marked enough to distinguish the 
 church from the world, Gospel plainness may be made a living 
 fact instead of a dead letter, as it has become in many other 
 churches whose discipline strongly insists on plain dressing. 
 
 11 Non-litigant. 
 88 The Brethren are not allowed to go to law with one of their 
 own number, nor with others, without first asking the counsel of 
 the church, and it is rare indeed for a brother to be engaged in a 
 lawsuit. Among themselves differences are adjusted personally, 
 or by the church, in accordance with the Christian law of tres- 
 pass given by the Master. Matt. 18 : 15-20. 
 
 ''''Non-resisting and Non-swearing. 
 "The Fraternity is strictly non-resistant, as well as non-liti- 
 gant. It is held that Christ is 4 the Prince of Peace,' that His 
 Word is 8 The Gospel of Peace,' hence His servants can not 
 go to war and fight. * For the weapons of our warfare are 
 not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of 
 strongholds.' 2 Cor. 10:4. They take no active part in pol- 
 itics, and 'swear not at all.' If called upon to testify in 
 
The Anointing. 147 
 
 the courts, they simply affirm, without raising the hand or kiss- 
 ing the Bible. In this they literally obey the command of Christ 
 who said, ' Swear not at all. But let your communication be, 
 Yea, yea ; Nay, nay : for whatsoever is more than these cometh 
 of evil.' Matt. 5:34-37. 
 
 u Secretism. 
 u No brother may become a member of any secret or oath- 
 bound society, the Brethren holding that the Gospel of Jesus 
 Christ is fully sufficient for all the wants of humanity. All the 
 converts who are identified with such orders are required to 
 sever their connection with them before they can be adopted 
 into the family of the Brotherhood. 
 
 " Marriage. 
 11 The Brethren hold that the marriage bond can only be dis- 
 solved by death. Divorce and remarriage are practically un- 
 known among the membership. It is held by some that those 
 who have been divorced for a violation of the sanctity of the 
 marriage vow and remarried before conversion, might be received 
 into church fellowship while their former companions were liv- 
 ing, but the rule has been against even this much leniency, and 
 they hold, with Paul, that the woman which hath a husband is 
 bound by law to her husband so long as he liveth : but if the 
 husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 
 Rom. 7 : 2. 
 
 " The Anointing. 
 "They, in compliance with the instruction of the apostle 
 James, 5 : 14, 15, anoint the sick with oil. This rite is admin- 
 istered only by the request of the sick. The elders are called 
 and the sick member is raised to a sitting posture. After the offi- 
 ciating elder applies the oil to the head three times, two elders 
 then lay their hands on the head of the sick, and offer a prayer 
 for the anointed one." 
 
148 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Temperance. 
 The positions of the Brethren church on the subject of 
 liquor and tobacco — on her temperance principles — are in- 
 dicated by the following brief, but clear, statement : 
 
 " On the question of temperance and prohibition the Brethren 
 have, for more than a century, given no uncertain testimony. 
 They are one of the oldest temperance organizations in the 
 United States. More than one hundred years ago a decision was 
 passed, forbidding any of the members to engage in the manu- 
 facture or sale of intoxicants. They forbid the use of all alco- 
 holic or malt liquors as a beverage, in public or private. They 
 request the members not even to have dealings with saloon 
 keepers. They discourage the use of tobacco, and the rule is 
 that no brother can be installed in office who uses tobacco without 
 making a promise to quit it. All applicants for baptism, who 
 are addicted to the tobacco habit, are advised to abstain from its 
 use before they are received into church fellowship." 
 
 Part B. Church Government. 
 On the subject of Church Organization and Church 
 Government, I quote the following from Eld. D. L. Miller, 
 on " Church Government." 
 
 ''^Church Government. 
 " The Brethren have a republican form of church government. 
 Each congregation is independent in the management of its local 
 affairs, such as the election of deacons, ministers, elders, or 
 bishops, and in matters of local church discipline ; but is subject 
 to the entire Brotherhood through District and General Confer- 
 ences. A number of congregations, usually in the same State, 
 conveniently located, are formed into a District, and these hold 
 annual conferences, to which each congregation sends two dele- 
 gates, either lay-members, deacons, or ministers. Questions, 
 local to the District, are discussed and settled by the District 
 Conference, but those of a general character are sent to the 
 
Church Government, 149 
 
 General Conference, or Annual Meeting, as it is commonly 
 called. This is also a delegated body. The Districts each elect 
 one delegate, who must be an elder, to serve on the Standing 
 Committee, and each congregation, with a membership of two 
 hundred or less, may elect one delegate. Congregations with a 
 larger membership may send two delegates. The delegates 
 may be selected from the laity or the church officials ; the 
 Standing Committee and delegates form the official body of the 
 Conference. Any member present may take part in the discus- 
 sion of questions, but the voting is confined to the delegates, two- 
 thirds of the votes cast being required for a decision. 
 
 11 The General Conference is also a great annual reunion for 
 the Brethren. They come together from all parts of the 
 Brotherhood, and it is not unusual for thousands of them to as- 
 semble at the place of meeting. 
 
 " The decisions of the Conference are to be adhered to by all 
 the members of the church. An examination of the book of 
 Minutes of the Annual Meeting shows that questions referring 
 to church doctrine rarely come before the Conference, proving 
 that there has been a firm adherence to the principles of the 
 Gospel, as originally adopted by the church. But the applica- 
 tion of those principles, in special cases, and the best means to 
 carry them into effect, have been subjects of frequent discussion 
 and decision by the Conference. The tendency of the Confer- 
 ence and the annual reunions is to unify the Brethren in all their 
 church work, and it is a fact that there is rarely found so large 
 a body of religious people so closely united on the doctrines and 
 principles to which they hold. 
 
 " Elders, ministers and deacons are elected by the church from 
 among her members, such as she may deem qualified for the 
 important work to which they are called. Each member, with- 
 out reference to sex, has a right to cast a vote. Ministers, after 
 giving full proof of their faithfulness and ability, are advanced 
 to the i second degree' of the ministry. They are then author- 
 ized to baptize, solemnize marriage, and make and fill appoint- 
 ment for preaching the Word. Elders, or bishops, who pre- 
 
150 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 side over the congregations, are chosen from the ministers in the 
 second degree. No salaries are paid, but poor ministers, and 
 those who are sent out as missionaries, are properly supported." 
 
 Part C. Statistics. 
 The Brethren church has about 100,000 communicants 
 — of this number Pennsylvania has nearly 20,000. There 
 are 6,000 members east of the Susquehanna. While the 
 entire church emigrated to Pennsylvania, on being driven 
 out of Germany, this State always has had a larger 
 membership than any other. The rest of the membership 
 is widely scattered. There are a few small congregations 
 in New Jersey, a good membership in parts of Maryland, 
 Virginia and West Virginia. These are the principal set- 
 tlements on the Atlantic Coast. There are no congrega- 
 tions in New England, as may be expected from the dif- 
 ference of language in the first place. There is a mission 
 in Brooklyn, N. Y. There are a few organized churches 
 in North and South Carolina, and one in Georgia, and a 
 few in Florida. Because of the position of the church on 
 the question of slavery, there was little work in the South. 
 As is well known, the Brethren took an advance position 
 against slavery at a very early day. In 1797 the church 
 in Conference action abolished and prohibited slavery, and 
 if members still persisted in the unholy business, they were 
 expelled. This action was taken sixty-six years before 
 the nation abolished slavery. Of late years the work has 
 been spreading south somewhat. Leaving the Atlantic 
 Coast, we find the strongest States in membership to be the 
 following : Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas 
 and Nebraska. All the other States and Territories 
 throughout the Great West and Central portions, are repre- 
 sented in the membership. Reference to the mission fields 
 will indicate the membership in foreign countries. 
 
Statistics. 151 
 
 The church has about 2,500 ministers in all departments 
 of her work. There are about 850 organized congrega- 
 tions, with about 1,100 church buildings. 
 
 Part D. Educational Interests. 
 I cannot in this connection trace the history and de- 
 velopment of the educational system as it exists to-day in 
 the Brethren church. It will be sufficient for the present 
 purpose to name the principal institutions, to show the ex- 
 tent and distribution of the work in the several States. The 
 following is a list of the institutions in existence to-day, 
 arranged chiefly in the order of their establishment : 
 
 I. 
 
 Juniata College, 
 
 Huntingdon, 
 
 Pa. 
 
 2. 
 
 Mt. Morris College, 
 
 Mt. Morris, 
 
 111. 
 
 3- 
 
 Lordsburg College, 
 
 Lordsburg, 
 
 Cal. 
 
 4- 
 
 McPherson College, 
 
 McPherson, 
 
 Kan. 
 
 5- 
 
 Manchester College, 
 
 North Manchester, 
 
 Ind. 
 
 6. 
 
 Bridgewater College, 
 
 Bridgewater, 
 
 Va. 
 
 7- 
 
 Fruitdale College, 
 
 Fruitdale, 
 
 Ala. 
 
 8. 
 
 Smithville Collegiate Institute, 
 
 Smithville, 
 
 Ohio, 
 
 9- 
 
 Maryland Collegiate Institute, 
 
 Union Bridge, 
 
 Md. 
 
 10. 
 
 Elizabethtown College, 
 
 Elizabethtown, 
 
 Pa. 
 
 In addition to these, there are several private institutes 
 and normal schools. 
 
 Part E. Missionary Fields and Foreign Work. 
 The General Missionary and Tract Committee controls 
 all the extensive publishing interests of the Church, located 
 at Elgin, 111., and the income of the said interests is de- 
 voted by the committee to Missionary Work at Home and 
 in Foreign Fields. The following list will indicate the 
 fields in foreign countries, as conducted for the Church : 
 
152 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren. 
 
 Denmark, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Philadelphia and 
 Smyrna in Asia Minor, and India. All of these coun- 
 tries and places have organized churches. There are at 
 present six missionaries in India, and four more are to 
 sail this month. There is a large Orphanage maintained 
 in connection with the work in India, and this year the 
 Church has sent to that large field, $20,000 for the famine 
 sufferers. 
 
 The General Mission Board carries on work in many 
 fields at home. The publishing house, controlled by the 
 Missionary Committee, publishes the Gospel Messenger 
 (the principal organ of the Church), the Sunday-school 
 literature, various books and many tracts. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ^PPENDIX 141 
 
 Arndt, Johann 13 
 
 Arnold, Gottfried 15 
 
 gECKER, Peter 23 
 
 leader 27 
 
 Becker, Peter, Missionary Tour . . 43 
 
 leader 73 
 
 Bermudian Church, History of . . 100 
 
 Members, in 1770 100 
 
 Beissel, Conrad,<baptized by Elder 
 
 Peter Becker 47 
 
 His History and Wanderings 53-56 
 
 At Conestoga 56 
 
 The Foundations of Monastic 
 
 Commune 56 
 
 His Companions leave 58 
 
 Fellowship in the Brethren 
 
 Church 58 
 
 The Congregation divided ... 59 
 Re-baptism and Separation . . 60 
 Character of his Doctrine ... 61 
 
 Boehme, Jacob 14 
 
 Bony, Andrew 20 
 
 Bony, Johanna 20 
 
 Brethren, Name 11, 12 
 
 Origin 12 
 
 Organization 17 
 
 The Baptism 20, 21, 22 
 
 First Members 20 
 
 Emigration to America .... 25 
 
 Persecution 26 
 
 Settlement 28 
 
 Gathering the First Fruits ... 31 
 Baptism and L,ove Feast . . . 31-38 
 
 Results 39 
 
 Missionary Tours 43 
 
 Second Emigration 51 
 
 Germantown Brethren 113 
 
 Industry 104 
 
 Faith and Practice 141 
 
 Statistics 150 
 
 I 
 
 QATH0I4C Church 13, 15 
 
 Codorus Church, History of . . 96 
 
 Members, in 1770 97 
 
 Conestoga Church, History of . 89-90 
 
 Members, in 1770 91 
 
 Conewago Church, little, History 
 
 of 97 
 
 Members, in 1770 98 
 
 Conewago Church 99 
 
 Members, in 1770 99 
 
 Coventry Church, History of. . 84-86 
 
 Members, in 1770 , 88 
 
 Ministers of 87 
 
 Crefeld 72 
 
 J)UBOIS, Abraham 23 
 
 life of 83 
 
 Dunker, see Brethren. 
 
 £CKERUN, Michael 23 
 
 Edwards, Morgan, Account of 
 
 Brethren Congregations, in 1770 . 102 
 
 Exodus from Germantown .... 78 
 
 pA^CKNER'S Swamp 28 
 
 Felbinger, Jeremias 15 
 
 Fetter, I,ucaa 20 
 
 Francke, August. Hermann .... 15 
 
 QANTZ, George B 23 
 
 Germany 12 
 
 Germantown 28, 29 
 
 Church, in 1770 81 
 
 Members 81 
 
 The Mother Church 113 
 
 History of the present location. 116 
 
 The Old Folks' Home 129 
 
 The Old Church 131 
 
 The Weaver I^og House . . . . 134 
 
 Select School 134 
 
 The Cemetery 136 
 
 Alexander Mack, Jr 136 
 
 Mack Family 140 
 
 53 
 
i54 
 
 Index. 
 
 Graby, George 20 
 
 Greatswamp, in 1770 83 
 
 JJOCHMAN, Ernst Christoph . . 15 
 Holtzappel, Henry 23 
 
 INDUSTRIAL Ufe 104 
 
 Industries 106, 107 
 
 Introduction 9 
 
 gALKLOSER, J. H 23 
 
 Kipping, John 20 
 
 Johanna 20 
 
 Koch, Stephen 23, 75 
 
 His Visions 76 
 
 Goes to Ephrata 78 
 
 I ANDIS, Henry 32 
 
 Lang, Frederick 3 2 
 
 Libe, Christ 23 
 
 Luther 13 
 
 Lutheran 15 
 
 ]J ACK, Alexander, Sr., History 
 
 of Brethren 17 
 
 Baptized 20 
 
 Leader 25 
 
 His Leadership in America . . 62 
 Birth, 63; Occupation, 64; 
 Marriage, 64 ; Life-work, 64 ; 
 His Character, 69 ; Removal, 
 
 69 ; His grave, 70 ; His Seal . 71 
 
 The Loss of the Churches ... 74 
 
 Mack, Anna Margaretta 20 
 
 Mack, Alexander, Jr 136 
 
 Mack Family 140 
 
 Maylc, Jane 32 
 
 Jam 60 
 
 J^ASS, John 23 
 
 OCCUPATIONS 106, 107 
 
 Oley, History of 28, 88 
 
 Members, in 1770 89 
 
 pALATINATE 19 
 
 Pietism, Best Sense 15 
 
 Pietists, History of 14, 16 
 
 REFORMED, Reformation. . . 13, 15 
 Reaction 72 
 
 3CHWARTZENAU - . . 19 
 
 - Skippack 28 
 
 Spener, Philip Jacob 14 
 
 Stony^Creek Church, History of . 101 
 
 Members, in 1770 101 
 
 Swatara,'Big, History of 93 
 
 Members, in 1770 94 
 
 Swatara, Little, History of ... . 94 
 
 Members, in 1770 95 
 
 T;ROUT, J. H 23 
 
 Tulpehocken,(Northkill), His- 
 tory of 95 
 
 Members, in 1770 96 
 
 JJRNER, Martin 32 
 
 ^yHITE OAK Church, History of 92 
 Members, in 1770 93