Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

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numerous German settlers were generally poor and were scattered throughout a well-nigh boundless wilderness, that many sections had no church centre what- ever that the congregations which existed were without order, forms of worship, or rules of discipline, and lacked synodical unity, that church buildings were few and inadequate, and that there was not one fellow-pastor on whom he could rely for support or encouragement. Yet with all this he succeeded. He set to work at once with the greatest energy and earnestness. “ His first sermon in Pennsylvania he preached at New Hanover, November 28th, in an unfinished log structure, his second at Philadelphia, December 5th, in a carpenter shop, and his third, December 11th, in a barn at Providence (Trappe).” These were the three churches that had sent such urgent appeals to Halle for pastoral help. After careful consideration Muhlenberg decided to make his residence at New Provi- dence, now Trappe, where, in 1743, Augustus Lutheran Church, a large stone structure still well preserved, was erected under his own supervision. His local pastorship was confined principally to the three congregations, Philadelphia, New Providence, and New Hanover, but these never received his whole attention. The great field of destitute Lutheranism, which included the provinces of Pennsyl- vania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia, necessitated frequent journeys full of hazard and hardship. Now we find him in Tulpehocken, now in Lehigh, now in the Conestoga sections of Eastern Pennsylvania. Next he is on a trip to visit the churches on the Raritan, New Jersey, the upper Hudson of New York, or serves a brief pastoral supply in the city of New York. Again he is on his round of visits to the churches of Maryland and his scattered country- men in Virginia. Having visited the Salzburger Lutherans in Georgia on his way to Pennsylvania, he undertakes another journey thither when already bent with age and its infirmities. From every quarter calls for help came to him, to all of which he sought to respond in person. Only once was he obliged to refuse a requested visit when an appeal reached him from Nova Scotia. Wherever he went, he established order and removed contention. His great work ever was to shepherd, instruct, encourage, organize, and superintend the many destitute and scattered flocks. In all this work he was so wonderfully prospered that the fame of his fervent piety and extraordinary ability spread to all parts of the country. Muhlenberg’s chief hinderance in the beginning was lack of pastoral help. After many appeals and patient waiting, the long-needed assistance came in the persons of Peter Brunnholtz, John Nicholas Kurtz, and John Helfrich Schaum, who were sent forth by the authorities at Halle and arrived at Philadelphia, January 26th, 1745. Fields of labor were readily found for them, and by and by more missionaries arrived from the Mother Country and everywhere the great work began to show wholesome progress. On August 14th and 15th, 1748, the 13

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of the German St. James Chapel, a stanch friend of missions. He remained nine weeks and studied English. He set sail for his American destination June 13th and, after a stormy and eventful voyage, during which he suffered from sickness and other discomforts, landed at Charleston, S. C., September 22, 1742. He proceeded to Ebenezer, Georgia, where the Salzburger Lutherans had a flourish- ing colony, and spent some time with the pastors, Revs. Boltzius and Gronau, who greatly appreciated his helpful visit. On November 25, 1742, Muhlenberg reached Philadelphia, a poor unknown young man thoroughly imbued with the missionary spirit. In America Muhlenberg met with almost insuperable difficulties which required not only a good Christian heart, a clear practical head, and a strong, energetic will, but also a strong physical constitution and an enormous amount of vitality. All these qualifications he possessed and many others which future necessities brought to light. He arrived in Pennsylvania sixty years after William Penn’s first visit to his province and in that time great changes had occurred. Emigrants of all nationalities and beliefs resorted thither in ever increasing numbers until in 1752, as reports tell us, the total white population reached 190,000. The Germans numbered about 90,000 and arrived so fast that for many years their number embraced about one-half of the entire number of white settlers. By far the great majority of the Germans were Lutherans. Many congregations were springing up, but usually were flocks without shepherds. Many self-ordained ministers, of all men least fitted to be pastors, took advantage of the spiritual destitution existing everywhere among the Lutheran brethren and had themselves elected as leaders of congregations. Great church leaders of other religious denominations had preceded Muhlenberg and were misleading the hungry Lutheran sheep. The most active of these was Count Zinzendorf, the founder of Moravianism, who represented himself as a regularly ordained Lutheran pastor sent to satisfy their wants. His real design was to change the Lutherans into Moravians and in his efforts had gained many adherents. In a rather spirited conversation Muhlenberg made evident to him the authenticity of his mission, and Zinzendorf was obliged to relinguish his plans in this direction. Muhlenberg, by his pleasing personality, his admirable Christian character, his deep personal insight, his ready mental grasp, his wonderful organizing and administrative ability, and his presevering efforts, soon succeeded to restore confidence and orderly worship among many of his German brethren in the flesh and faith. In this brief sketch it is impossible to give a full description of his herculean task. In order, however, properly to appreciate the greatness of his work and how well he fulfilled his mission, it is necessary to remember that when he arrived in this country he was young, inexperienced and a total stranger, that the

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first synodical meeting was held at Philadelphia. Hitherto the united pastors, who recognized Muhlenberg as their head, merely held personal consultations on church matters, but this was soon found to be inadequate. The synodical form of church government is representative in character and therefore corresponds best to the civil institutions of this country, as it also does to Protestant principles. Consequently Muhlenberg and his clerical brethren wisely adopted this form. Henceforth the meeting of the synod occurred regularly, and each gathering gave evidence of a gradual but steady growth. One interesting phase of our subject’s career still remains to be treated and that is his family life. Shortly after his arrival in America, his services were required at Tulpehocken, where reigned, at this time, a troublesome confusion characteristic of the time. Thither Muhlenberg went on his errand of peace and ministration. This visit brought him in contact with Conrad Weiser, a famous provincial officer and Indian interpreter, whom he led back from the erratic fanaticism of his Ephrata community-life to the staid moorings of sound Biblical church-life, and Weiser could present no better gift in return than his eldest daughter, Anna Maria, to whom Muhlenberg was married on April 22d, 1745. Subsequent years proved that the choice was a happy one. She “ always proved herself a faithful partner to her husband’s joys and sorrows, toils and cares.” Her situation was exceedingly trying because of her husband’s frequent and prolonged absences caused by his pastoral duties, yet she patiently submitted, realizing, no doubt, his important mission, thus contributing very largely to its success. The marriage was blessed with eleven children, the care of whom developed almost entirely upon her. That she performed this duty well is proven by the long line of honored descendents to which belong men famous as scientists, artists, statesmen, military heroes, poets, preachers and diplomats. Our own college has witnessed the truth of this in choosing its first president and the late professor of English from this family. After more than forty years ot active service in this country, Muhlenberg’s labors were closed in death, October 7th, 17S7. He was buried in the shadow of the old Augustus Church where thousands have since stood in the deepest veneration. His epitaph reads ‘‘ Oualis et quantus fuerit non ignorabunt sine lapide futura saecula.” None could be truer. He is now universally honored as the “ Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America.” 14