mMM 
 
938.^7 
 
 JZSS 
 
 in th^ Citttu of ll^nr IJovk 
 
 l^ibrary 
 
 
 
Cohxxx.,^f 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 III wcTuJ 
 
 C 
 
 
 
 
 TITLE PAGE OF FIRST COETUS MINUTES 
 September 29, 1747. 
 
MINUTES AND LETTERS 
 
 THE COETUS 
 
 (German Heformcb Congregations 
 
 IB 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 1747-1792. 
 
 TOGETHEK WITH 
 
 THREE PRELIMINARY REPORTS OF 
 REV. JOHN PHILIP BOEHM, 
 
 1734-1744. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE EASTERN SYNOD OF THE 
 REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 REFORMED CHURCH PUBLICATION BOARD, 
 
 PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 1903. 
 
Copyright, 1903, 
 REFORMED CHURCH PUBLICATION BOARD. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ^ The collection of historical documents contained in this 
 
 " volume is all that remains of the official papers of the " Coetus 
 
 of Pennsylvania. ' ' By this name, which means a convention, 
 the organization of the Reformed churches in Pennsylvania 
 was known in the eighteenth century. During the forty-five 
 years of its existence (1747-1792), the Coetus stood in closest 
 connection with the Reformed Church of Holland. It was 
 one of the many mission fields of that great missionary 
 Church. It enjoyed, during that time, not only the guidance 
 and care of the ' ' Fathers ' ' in Holland, but also received men 
 and means to carry on the work. To this unselfish liberality 
 of the Holland Church, the Reformed Church of Pennsylvania 
 owes not only its existence, but also the preservation of its 
 official records. In return for the many acts of kindness re 
 ceived from Holland, the Coetus of Pennsylvania was ex- 
 pected to send yearly reports of its meetings and of the prog- 
 ress of its work to Holland. These records were most care- 
 fully preserved. Thus it has come to pass that, while many 
 of the minutes and letters were lost in Pennsylvania, nearly 
 all of them were preserved in Holland. By combining 
 the remaining documents in Pennsylvania with those in Hol- 
 land, the present collection has been formed. 
 
 The gathering of so many documents, from such widely 
 Q, separated sources, has been attended with much expenditure 
 
 ^ of money and labor. It was only made possible by the liber- 
 
 ri ality and zeal of the Rev. J. I. Good, D. D., who deserves the 
 
 g gratitude of the Church for his unselfish labor. In the in- 
 
 ^ troduction, he himself tells the interesting story how the docH- 
 
 ^ ments in Holland were found and copied. 
 
 ^ The publication of these documents is the outcome of the 
 
 interest aroused by the excellent historical exhibit, held in 
 
 (iii) 
 
 CQ 
 cs> 
 
 •K> 
 
iv FEE FACE. 
 
 connection with the sessions of the Eastern Synod of the Re- 
 formed Church, in Philadelphia, on October 16-21, 1901. 
 This interesting exhibit, so ably superintended by the Rev. 
 James Crawford, D. D., showed how much precious material, 
 bearing on the history of our Church, was still in existence. 
 The historical interest, then exhibited, culminated in an "His 
 torical Meeting, ' ' held in Heidelberg Reformed church, Phila- 
 delphia, on October 18, 1901, at 8 P. M. At this meeting the 
 suggestion was first made, by the writer, to bring about some 
 permanent results of the exhibit by the publication of the old 
 Coetus Minutes and the reorganization of the defunct His- 
 torical Society. Both suggestions were carried out. With 
 regard to the former, a special committee was appointed by 
 Synod, consisting of the Rev. James Crawford, D. D., Rev. 
 Prof. Wm. J. Hinke, and the Rev. Prof. J. H. Dubbs, D. D., 
 to supervise the publication of the Coetus Minutes. 
 
 Unfortunately, complications arose which prevented the 
 carrying out of the resolution of Synod. At the next meeting 
 of Synod, in 1902, the committee brought in new recommen- 
 dations, which were at once adopted by Synod, In accord- 
 ance with them the work was begun. 
 
 The editing of the volume was entrusted by the com- 
 mittee to the Rev. J. I. Good, D. D., and the Rev. Prof. Wm. 
 J. Hinke. They spent much time and effort in securing good 
 translations and in presenting the work in as accurate a form 
 as possible. The translations had to be made from Latin, 
 German and Dutch originals, and frequently the obscurity of 
 the original made the work of translation extremely difficult. 
 However, it is believed that by persistent efforts all difficul- 
 ties were successfully overcome. As to the translation itself, 
 it need only be said that it was the aim of the editors to make 
 it as literal as possible, without doing violence to the English 
 idiom. To obviate much confusion in the spelling of geo- 
 graphical terms, the present mode of spelling was adopted, 
 except where there was any doubt as to the identity of the 
 place. In names of persons, the English form was substi- 
 tuted for the German or Dutch in the baptismal or Christian 
 name, but the various spellings of the surnames were retained. 
 In the work of rendering the various documents into read- 
 
PBEFACE. V 
 
 able English, the editors had the efiScieiit assistance of the 
 Kev. John H. Secliler, D. D., who kindly read the whole manu- 
 script as it passed through the press. 
 
 The committee did not deem it wise to eliminate all refer- 
 ences to the various cases of discipline which occur in the 
 minutes. They are not only an important and necessary part 
 of the record, without which it would be incomplete and to 
 some extent unintelligible, but they also reflect great credit 
 upon the Coetus, because they show how high was the stand- 
 ard of morality among its ministers and how zealous they were 
 to maintain it at all hazards and under all circumstances. 
 
 The importance of these records for the history of our 
 church can hardly be exaggerated. They are absolutely in- 
 dispensable. Without them no connected history of the church 
 as a whole and of the individual congregations would be pos- 
 sible. To show the scope of their contents a few statements 
 will be sufficient. They refer to all the ministers who were 
 members of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, and now enable us 
 for the fir.st time to give the exact number, sixty- four in all. 
 Of these twenty-nine were educated in Pennsylvania and 
 thirty-five, educated in Germany and Switzerland, were sent 
 over by the church of Holland. Tw'O others, who were sent 
 over, (Muentz and Pick) never entered our church, the first 
 dying on the way and the second joining the Coetus of New 
 York. Besides these, twenty-four independent Reformed 
 ministers are mentioned, that is nearly half of those that are 
 known. Four students of theology and seven school teachers 
 complete the list of the leaders of our church during the 
 Coetus period. 
 
 Of Reformed congregations we find two hundred and three 
 mentioned. Of these two were in New York, ten in New 
 Jersey, twelve in ^Maryland, fourteen in Virginia, and all the 
 rest in Pennsylvania. However, it must be remembered that 
 the number of names does not represent the actual number 
 of congregations, as several names were often applied to the 
 same congregation in the course of its history. We may say, 
 therefore, that in round numbers we find here the record of 
 about one hundred and fifty Reformed congregations in Penn- 
 sylvania, besides those in the other States already mentioned. 
 
vi PEE FACE. 
 
 The interest of the Reformed people in civil affairs is shown 
 in the elegant Latin address, presented to Governor Morris in 
 1754, and the appropriate address to Washington in 1789, 
 together with his beautiful reply. 
 
 In the sphere of education the Coetus of Pennsylvania 
 showed its advanced position in the interest it took in the 
 charity schools, 1754-1760, and in the establishment of Frank- 
 lin College in 1787. 
 
 Thus tlie new records throw a flood of light upon the re- 
 ligious, social and political life of the German Reformed 
 people during the eighteenth century. 
 
 Finally, in presenting the complete work to the Church, 
 the committee expresses the hope that its publication may lead 
 to an increased interest in our history, and that in course of 
 time other valuable documents, which have been collected in 
 this country as well as abroad, may be published under the 
 auspices of the venerable mother Synod. In thus honoring 
 the memory of our fathers, we shall become their worthy suc- 
 cessors in the work of the Lord. 
 
 In the name of the Committee, 
 
 Wm. J. HlNKE. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 I. 
 
 The Discovery of the Documents in Holland, 
 
 BY the rev. J. I, GOOD;, D. D. 
 
 The story of historical research often reads like a romance, 
 and I give the discovery of the Holland records that it may 
 perhaps be an inspiration to others. 
 
 For nearly twenty years I had been ransacking Germany 
 and Switzerland to find materials for the basis of the history 
 of our Church in America. But the missing Coetus Minutes 
 eluded me. Finally, through the suggestion of the excellent 
 historian of the Dutch Reformed Church, Rev. E. T. Corwin, 
 D. D., I was led to write to Holland as early as 1892. I wrote 
 to Rev. Dr. Vos and to Rev. Dr. Rutgers, of Amsterdam, both 
 of whom said there were some records about Pennsylvania at 
 Amsterdam. In July, 1895, I visited Amsterdam and ar- 
 ranged to have the portfolio of Pennsylvania papers copied. 
 But when they came to me the next ^vinter I was greatly dis- 
 appointed, because of the many missing Coetus Minutes only 
 two came to hand. In the meantime Mr. Henry S. Dotterer, 
 of Philadelphia, had gone abroad for researches connected 
 with the " Perkiomen Region." He wrote to me that at the 
 Hague, in the archives of the General Synod, I might find 
 many interesting documents, as he had gone over them cur- 
 sorily in his work, but had not dwelt upon them, as his interest 
 was local, not ecclesiastical. I visited the Hague in the sum- 
 mer of 1896. I shall never forget the day, Monday, July 6, 
 1896, when the courteous keeper of the archives, Mr. Over- 
 man, laid before me the books and the bundles of the Penn- 
 sylvania correspondence. There, at last, were the long-sought 
 
 (vii). 
 
viii INTBODUCTION. 
 
 Coetus Minutes, and scores of other letters, whose significance 
 I did not know then, but appeared afterwards (as given in 
 my last volume, ' ' The History of the Reformed Church in the 
 United States "). I was dazed. It was the embarrassment 
 of historical riches. Wliat Mayer and Harbaugh and other 
 historians of our Church had long sought for but never found, 
 I was permitted to be the first of her ministers to see. That 
 day ran out into weeks, as I stayed and copied the CoetuB 
 Minutes, and came home with the complete set. Later, I 
 learned that I had been misled (though they meant it well) 
 by our Dutch brethren in America, who had been telling me 
 all the time to go to Amsterdam. It turned out that the 
 Dutch Church in this country had been most closely allied 
 with the Classis of Amsterdam, but our own Church had been 
 more closely allied with the Synod of South Holland, and, 
 therefore, most of the records were at the Hague instead of 
 at Amsterdam, 
 
 So anxious was I to get these reieords for the information 
 of our Church in America, that the next year (1897) I sent 
 Rev. Prof. Hinke to Holland to copy them, and he proved a 
 most painstaking and efficient helper in this work. Finally, 
 in 1898, I not only sent him, but also went myself, in order 
 to complete, if possible, the transcript of all the records; so 
 that by 1899 I had copied virtually the whole of the Holland 
 records, making about 4,000 pages. The total expense of the 
 copying, translating, etc., together with the expense of Prof. 
 Hinke, amounted to about $4,000, which, however, I cheer- 
 fully paid if thereby I could serve our Church, that her early 
 history might be cleared of mistakes, false traditions and mere 
 surmises, and be placed on the solid basis of fact. " All 
 things come to him who seeks them, ' ' provided he seeks them 
 long enough and happens to stumble over them as I did. 
 
 May this recital of the romance of our history stimulate 
 others to persevering research in the many avenues of our his- 
 tory in this country ! History is a sacred trust of Providence 
 to us. Let us prove ourselves worthy of God's confidence 
 in us. 
 
INTnODUCTION. ix 
 
 II. 
 
 Reformed Archives, 
 by rev. prof. wm. j. hinke. 
 
 The documents published in this volume have been gath- 
 ered, with but few exceptions, from four different archives, 
 two of which are in Holland and two in America. It will 
 serve a useful purpose if we present a short account of each 
 of these archives, arranging them in the order of their im- 
 portance. 
 
 I. ARCHIVES AT THE HAGUE, HOLLAND. 
 
 These archives, which are the property of the General Synod 
 of the Reformed Church of Holland, are now located in the 
 " Synodical Building," at 100 Java street, in the Hague. 
 The largest part of the valuable documents there preserved 
 was formerly the property of the South Holland Synod, but 
 when the Synod ceased to exist, in 1816, the archives passed 
 into the custody of the General Synod. At first they were 
 kept in the Cloister church, at the Hague, but were later 
 transferred to their present location. It is not a large collec- 
 tion of documents, but, in contents, it is unquestionably one of 
 the most important in the country. All the important manu- 
 scripts are kept in two large iron safes on the first floor. 
 Some old books and documents, lately added to the collection, 
 are preserved in bookcases standing in the same room. To 
 make this collection more accessible to students of history, the 
 General Synod of the Holland Church ordered the publica- 
 tion of a catalogue, which appeared in 1878, under the editor- 
 ship of the Rev. H. Q. Janssen.* The catalogue shows that 
 the whole material has been arranged under one hundred and 
 four numbers. Among them the original minutes of the six 
 early national Synods, from 1568-1586, deserve special men- 
 tion, because by these Synods the Church was organized and 
 the symbols of faith were adopted. Of other numbers. No. 17 
 is the most noteworthy, being a collection of seventeen large 
 
 * This book is entitled : Catalogus van het Oud Synodaal Archief. 
 Met Indices der oude Provinciale KerTcelyTce Archieven. 'b Gravenhage, 
 1878. 
 
K. INTEODUCTION, 
 
 manuscript volumes, containing the Acts of the famous Synod 
 of Dort, 1618-1619. 
 
 The documents which are of special importance for the 
 Reformed Church of Pennsylvania are the following: 
 
 1. Tlie Acts of the South Holla^id Synod. 
 They are contained in seventeen large folio volumes, under 
 No. 20 of the catalogue, each volume having from 600-800 
 closely-written pages. They cover the years 1576-1810, with 
 but one break, from 1609-1617, when no meetings were held. 
 The churches of Pennsylvania are first mentioned in 1728, 
 vrith w^hich year volume eight begins. From that date till 
 1810 the affairs of the Pennsylvania churches were regularly 
 taken up by the Synod in each annual session, and hence the 
 accounts of these deliberations cover many pages. A full 
 transcript of all items referring to Pennsylvania was secured. 
 
 2. The Acts of the Synod of North Holland. 
 The minutes of the North Holland Synod cover fifteen folio 
 volumes from 1621-1790, with loose copies of the minutes of 
 1791-1793 and 1795-1809.* A more complete set of these 
 minutes is preserved at Amsterdam, comprising nineteen folio 
 volumes, extending from 1572-1810. The early minutes of all 
 the pro\dncial Synods from 1571-1620 were printed in eight 
 octavo volumes at Groningen, 1891-1899, edited by Rev. 
 Messrs. Reitsma and Van Veen. The first reference to Penn- 
 sylvania in the minutes of the North Holland Synod is in 
 1728. From that date until 1810 there were annual reports 
 about the condition of the Church in Pennsylvania, all of 
 which were copied. 
 
 3. Acts of the Deputies of Both Synods. 
 The Synod of North and Louth Holland had a joint execu- 
 tive committee, called " Deputati utriusque Synodi." Four 
 members from South Holland and two from North Holland 
 constituted this committee. They met quarterly in joint ses- 
 sions, but the South Holland Deputies met alone every month. 
 At first the minutes of these two kinds of meetings, called 
 ordinaiy and extraordinary respectively, were kept in the 
 
 * No. 52, according to the catalogue. 
 
INTRODUCTION. xi 
 
 same set of volumes, but in 1761 the South Holland Deputies 
 began a separate set for their extraordinary meetings. 
 Hence, we have (under Nos. 32-33 of the catalogue) : 
 a. Acta Deputatorum utriusque Synodi : 
 Vol. I. 1641-1651.* Vol. IX. 1738-1746. 
 
 II. 1654-1666. X. 1746-1752. 
 
 III. 1667-1674, is missing. XI. 1752-1756. 
 
 IV. 1674-1694. XII. 1756-1758. 
 
 V. 1694-1713. XIII. 1758-1761. 
 
 VI. 1713-1723. XIV. 1761-1787. 
 
 VII. 1724-1730. XV. 1787-1808. 
 
 VIII. 1730-1738. 
 
 h. Acta Deputatorum Zuid Hollandiae extraordinaria : 
 Vol. I. 1761-1770. Vol. IV. 1787-1792. 
 
 II. 1770-1780. V. 1792-1803. 
 
 III. 1780-1787. VI. 1803-1816. 
 
 These minutes of the SjTiodical Deputies are of utmost im- 
 portance for our history, because they contain the full story 
 of what the Church of Holland did for the Reformed people 
 of Pennsylvania. The reports in the minutes of the Synods 
 are only summarized statements of the work of the Deputies 
 during the course of the year. It is to the minutes of the 
 Deputies that we must turn for the full record. Here we 
 find elaborate accounts of the steps taken to secure thirty- 
 seven ministers for Pennsylvania. Here the receipt of every 
 letter from Pennsylvania is noted, sometimes given in ex- 
 stract, but in important cases spread in full upon the minutes. 
 Here we also find extracts of all the letters sent to Pennsyl- 
 vania in answer to the reports received, as well as the reports 
 of the moneys devoted annually to this cause. In fact, we 
 have here the full machinery that kept our Church in motion. 
 The minutes of the Coetus of Pennsylvania will always re- 
 main more or less obscure, unless these minutes of the Depu- 
 ties be published which supply the missing links. Here are 
 the causes of which many of the actions of the Coetus were 
 the result. 
 
 * Xo Minutes of 1652 and 1653 are in existence. 
 
Xii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 4. Correspondence of the Synodical Deputies. 
 
 The correspondence of the Deputies with the churches in 
 Pennsylvania (but also containing letters exchanged between 
 the different ecclesiastical bodies in Holland) is at present 
 preserved in two bound volumes, one portfolio and one bundle 
 of loose letters.* 
 
 The bound volumes (74, I and 74, II) contain, according to 
 the catalogue, 98 and 50 numbers respectively. But, as often 
 several documents are put under one number, the whole num- 
 ber of separate documents is somewhat larger, namely 164, 
 covering the years 1731-1754. 
 
 The remaining letters, and especially the minutes of the 
 Pennsylvania Coetus, are preserved in bundle 92 B, contain- 
 ing 169 separate documents of the years 1752-1790. There 
 is only one document in this bundle of an earlier date, a peti- 
 tion from York, written on October 26, 1748. 
 
 Finally, the portfolio No. 86 contains 17 later documents, 
 from 1790-1806, most of them referring to the distribution of 
 the Pennsylvania funds held by the Synods. 
 
 5. Account Books of the Synods. 
 Two account books, under No. 75, give full statements of 
 how the Pennsylvania funds were accumulated, invested, ap- 
 plied to the needs of the Pennsylvania churches, and finally 
 distributed among the different Synods according to the ratio 
 of their contributions. 
 
 II. THE ARCHIVES AT AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND. 
 
 The archives of the Classis of Amsterdam are located in the 
 " Nieuwe Kerk, " near the royal palace. They contain the 
 following sets of documents relating to the churches of Penn- 
 sylvania : 
 
 1. The Acts of the (Old) Classis of Amsterdam. 
 The minutes of the Classis cover eighteen folio volumes, 
 closely written, extending from 1582-1810. From 1728-1810 
 (or in Vols. X-XVIII) are found many, but mostly short, refer- 
 ences to Pennsylvania, beginning with the application for 
 
 * For a photograph of these records, taken by the writer, see The Be- 
 formed Church in Pennsylvania, by Eev. Dr. J. H. Dubbs, facing p. 200. 
 
INTRODUCTION . 
 
 XIU 
 
 Rev. Mr. Boehm's ordination and ending with the distribution 
 of the Pennsylvania funds. 
 
 2. The Acts of the Classical Deputies. 
 As the Synods, so the Classis had an executive committee, or, 
 perhaps, more properly speaking, a board of foreign missions, 
 whose members were called " Deputati ad res exteras." At 
 a later date the Deputies for Pennsylvania became a separate 
 committee. The work of these Deputies is recorded in six 
 folio volumes, numbered XX-XXV, Beginning with Volume 
 XXII, we have many references to Pennsylvania. These vol- 
 umes contain not only the minutes of the Deputies, but also 
 numerous extracts of letters from foreign churches. Some 
 of the volumes present, indeed, a curious medley of minutes 
 and letters. 
 
 3. Classical Correspondence. 
 
 The Deputies of the Classis did not only keep copies of all 
 the letters sent to foreign churches, but they also made ex- 
 tracts, in Dutch, of all the letters received from abroad. 
 Hence we have again two sets of volumes: 
 
 a. The copy-books of letters sent to foreign churches. 
 There are seven consecutive volumes of such letters, numbered 
 according to the inventory. Vols. XXVI-XXXII, and cover- 
 ing the years 1648-1804. These volumes contain copies of 
 hundreds of letters, of which thirty-two are addressed to the 
 ministers and churches of Pennsylvania. 
 
 h. The following volumes contain extracts of letters from 
 foreign churches: Vol. XXXIII, 1759-1780, and Vol. XXXIV, 
 1780-1792. 
 
 Vol. XXXV is entirely devoted to Pennsylvania, containing 
 146 letters, both from Pennsylvania and Holland, covering 
 the years 1752-1772. At the other end of the volume the cor- 
 responding Acts of the Pennsylvania Deputies are entered. 
 Another volume, containing the letters and Acts of the Penn- 
 sylvania Deputies from 1772-1792, is apparently missing. 
 
 Besides these bound volumes of correspondence, there are 
 twenty-five portfolios of original letters from all over the 
 world. According to the Rev. E. T. Corwin, D. D.,* the fol- 
 
 * See Ecclesiastical Records of the State of New YorTc, p. 22, f. 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lowing countries are represented: Four portfolios containing 
 letters from the East Indies, three from Ceylon, seven from 
 the West Indies, two from Curacao and Surinam, one from 
 the smaller islands of the West Indies, two from the Cape of 
 Good Hope, three from North America, of which two contain 
 the letters of the Dutch Reformed churches of New York and 
 New Jersey, and, finally, one portfolio, with eighty-eight 
 documents, relating to the Reformed churches of Pennsyl- 
 vania. To these twenty-five other documents have recently 
 been added, which were found by Dr. Corwin in one of the 
 New York portfolios. The newly-found letters are especially 
 welcome, because they cover the earliest period, from 1727- 
 1745. 
 
 These are the documents relating to the Reformed Church 
 of Pennsylvania which are preserved in Holland. 
 
 III. THE ARCHIVES AT NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J. 
 
 In 1841 the State of New York sent the Hon. J. R. Brod- 
 head to Europe to secure transcripts of original documents 
 relating to the history of New York in England, Holland and 
 France, He was also requested by the Rev. Dr. Thomas 
 DeWitt, one of the pastors of the Collegiate Reformed Church 
 of New York, to search the archives of the Classis of Amster- 
 dam for documents bearing on the history of the Dutch Re- 
 formed Church. As the result of his mission, Brodhead ob- 
 tained about nine hundred pages of transcripts from the 
 Acts of the Classis and the Classical correspondence, and also 
 seven bundles of original letters from America, which the 
 Classis at first loaned, and in 1846 presented, to the Dutch 
 Reformed Church. Among these bundles were two with 
 letters from Pennsylvania.* The documents arrived in Amer- 
 ica in September, 1842, being delivered into the custody of 
 Dr. DeWitt, In the next month the Synod of the Reformed 
 Church, in session at Lewisburg, instructed its delegates to 
 the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church " respectfully to 
 ask of that body the use of the documents recently received by 
 them from Holland." (Minutes of 1842, p. 19.) In the 
 
 * See Amsterdam Correspondence, by Dr. E. T. Corwin, in Vol. VIII 
 of the Transactions of the American Society of Church History, p. 92, ff. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xrv 
 
 following year they were loaned to Rev. Dr. Le"\vis Mayer. 
 According to a note in his copy-book, he received them on 
 June 22, 18-13. He copied them carefully into two bounfl 
 volumes, known as the " Mayer Manuscripts." After the 
 death of Dr. jMayer, Synod made strenuous efforts to secure 
 his manuscripts, and finally succeeded, in 1856, when the 
 special committee, appointed for this purpose, reported that 
 they had secured the said documents, " consisting of the man- 
 uscript volumes, transcribed with great labor and care from 
 original sources, together with original letters, copies of J\fin- 
 utes of Coetus, etc." (Minutes of 1856, p. 90.) Dr. Har- 
 baugh used these volumes extensively in the preparation of 
 his " Fathers of the Reformed Church." Unfortunately, the 
 second volume has since been lost. The first volume contains 
 copies of sixty-two documents, from 1738-1775. They are of 
 more than usual importance, because a number of original's 
 have been lost. When Dr. DeTVitt died, the documents were 
 transferred to the archives of the Dutch Reformed Church in 
 the Sage Library at New Brunswick, N. J. According to the 
 index of Dr. Corwin, there ought to be seventy-four docu- 
 ments in this collection, but hardly sixty have survived, ex- 
 tending from 1738-1783. 
 
 The documents published from this collection in the present 
 volume are marked with the initials N. B. 
 
 IV. THE HARBAUGH MANUSCRIPTS. 
 
 The nucleus of the Harbaugh collection, which was until re- 
 cently at Lancaster, represents, without question, the rem- 
 nants of the Coetus archives. In 1817 the Synod of the Re- 
 formed Church passed the following resolution: 
 
 ' ' AVliereas, the letters and documents of Synod have much 
 increased, it was resolved to deposit them in the archives of 
 the Reformed Church at Lancaster, where some are preserved 
 already, and to ask the present minister. Rev. Mr. Hoffmeier, 
 clerk of Synod, to hand them to the consistory, with the re- 
 quest not to surrender any without the express order of 
 Synod." (Minutes of 1817. Session IV, article 11.) 
 
 That this resolution of SjTiod was carried out is shoAvn by 
 the fact that twenty-two credentials of elders attending the 
 
XVI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Synod of 1816 and thirty-six credentials of 1817 are now in 
 the Harbaugh collection. Synod continued to deposit docu- 
 ments at Lancaster till 1823, after which date the archives at 
 Lancaster seem to have been completely forgotten till 1838, 
 when Synod met in Lancaster. At that meeting a committee 
 was appointed " to examine the documents in the archives at 
 Lancaster, written in the Low Dutch language, and of which 
 it is not known whether they belong to Synod or to the con- 
 gregation." (Minutes of 1838, p. 54.) In the following 
 year the committee, consisting of Rev. Dr. Willers and elder 
 H. Puntius, made a lengthy report about nine Dutch letters, 
 seven of which were claimed as the property of Synod. In 
 the following year Synod ordered their translation and pub- 
 lication. They appeared in pamphlet form, under the title: 
 " Letters from Holland connected with the first organization 
 of the German Reformed Church in the United States of North 
 America. Chambersburg, 1841." It was the first effort of 
 Synod to publish historical documents. The letters thus 
 printed are the following numbers in the Harbaugh collection : 
 Nos. 46, 59, 62, 63, 65, 71, 72. Afterwards the records of the 
 Coetus were indexed by Dr. L. Mayer, as is shown by his en- 
 dorsements on many of the Harbaugh documents. He also 
 states, in a note on p. 151 of his own manuscripts: " I find 
 since that the autographs or copies, or both autographs and 
 copies, were deposited in the Coetal archives at Lancaster, 
 where most of them were lost." The collection numbered at 
 that time at least forty-seven documents, for that number was 
 put by Dr. Mayer on what is now Harbaugh MSS. No. 95. 
 
 When Dr. H. Harbaugh was pastor of the First church at 
 Lancaster, 1850-1860, not only the documents in the archives 
 of the congregation, but also the Mayer MSS., passed into his 
 keeping. With their help he wrote his excellent " Life of 
 Rev. Michael Schlatter " and the first two volumes of the 
 " Fathers of the Reformed Church." 
 
 After the death of Dr. Harbaugh, the documents which he 
 had collected were presented by his widow to the Rev. U. H. 
 Heilman, then her pastor at Lewisburg. In a recent letter 
 Rev. IVIr. Heilman states : ' ' After the volume had been in my 
 possession for ten or more years, I sent it to Dr. Dubbs, at 
 
INTBODUCTION. Xvii 
 
 Lancaster, for the use of the Historical Society of our Church. 
 It remained there until Dr. Dubbs informed me that the Soci- 
 ety had been dissolved. I suggested to Dr. Dubbs, and he 
 assented to this, that he should return the volume to me, which 
 he did in due time." 
 
 Examining the volume more carefully, we find that it con- 
 sists of three main parts. First the records of the Coetus of 
 Pennsylvania, from 1771-1793, in all forty-six documents, or 
 the following numbers in the collection: Nos. 30, 31, 37, 41, 
 45, 46, 48-52, 55-68, 70-77, 79-81, 83, 85-87, 89-92, 94. Sec- 
 ondly, the records of the congregation at Lancaster, consisting 
 of twenty letters addressed to the consistory, or Nos. 7-16, 
 25-28, 33, 42, 47, 78, 95, 140. Thirdly, the documents gath- 
 ered by Dr. Harbaugh himself from many different sources. 
 Rev. Dr. Wm. Helffrich presented fifteen letters to him in 
 October, 1857, as is shown by a note on document No. 88. 
 Rev. Y. H. Fries presented ten, Rev. John W. Weber four, 
 Rev. Thomas Pomp three, and Rev. George Wack two docu- 
 ments. The whole collection, indexed by the writer under 
 144 numbers, contains in all about 200 separate documents. 
 It is certainly the most important collection of German Re- 
 formed documents in this country, and it is indeed fortunate 
 that it has safely survived its checkered history. Twenty- 
 seven of its documents are published in the present volume. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1. 1734, October 18. First Keport of Boehm (Dutch) 1 
 
 2. 1739, January 14. Second Eeport of Boehm (German) 6 
 
 3. 1744, July 8. Third Eeport of Boehm (Dutch) 17 
 
 4. 1747, Sept. 29, ff. Minutes of First Coetus (German) 32 
 
 5. 1748, Sept. 28, ff. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German). 39 
 
 6. ' ' Nov. 21. Coetal Letter (German) 47 
 
 7. *' " Constitution of Coetus (German) 49 
 
 8. 1749, Oct. 20-24. Extract from Schlatter 's Journal (Dutch) . . 53 
 
 9. " Oct. 23. Schlatter's Commission to write Minutes 
 
 (Dutch) 54 
 
 10. ' ' Oct. 22. Decision of Coetus in favor of Schlatter 
 
 (Dutch) 55 
 
 11. " Oct. 23. Eesolution of Coetus in Lancaster case (Ger- 
 
 man) 57 
 
 12. " Oct. 24. Schlatter exonerated in Eeiflf case (German).. 58 
 13. 1750, Nov. 16, ff. Extract from Schlatter's Journal (Dutch). 60 
 
 14. " Dec. 13. Letter of Coetus to Lancaster congregation 
 
 (German) 60 
 
 15. 1751, Sept. 12. Eeference to Coetus of 1751 (Dutch) 62 
 
 16. 1752, Aug. 10-13. Minutes of Special Coetus (Dutch) 63 
 
 17. " Oct. 18-24. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster 
 
 (Dutch) 65 
 
 18. " Dec. 12. Minutes of Special Coetus (Dutch) 79 
 
 19. 1753, April 26-27. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster 
 
 (Dutch) 85 
 
 20. " Oct. 9-10. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Dutch). 91 
 
 21. " Oct. 10-12. Minutes of Eival Coetus at Cocalico (Dutch). 106 
 
 22. 1754, Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. Minutes of Coetus held in Philadelphia 
 
 (Dutch) 114 
 
 23. " Nov. 3. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (Dutch) 119 
 
 24. " Nov. 2. Address of Coetus to Governor Morris (Latin). 120 
 
 25. " Dec. 17. Coetal Letter sent to Classis (Dutch) 121 
 
 26. 1755, April 9-11. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Dutch). 123 
 
 27. ' ' June. Coetal Letter sent to Classis (Dutch) 132 
 
 28. " Oct. 8. Minutes of Special Coetus (Latin) 133 
 
 29. 1756, June 15-17. Minutes of Coetus held in Philadelphia 
 
 (Latin) 140 
 
 (xix) 
 
EX TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 30. " June 16. Letter of Coetus to Franklin (English) 148 
 
 31. " " Distribution of Donations (Latin) 149 
 
 32. 1757, June 8-9. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster, includ- 
 
 ing Minutes of Special Coetus, Aug. 24 (Latin) 150 
 
 33. " Sept. 30. Coetal Letter sent to Classis (Latin) 162 
 
 34. 1758, Sept. 14-16. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (Latin) . . 165 
 
 35. ' ' Oct. 17. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (Latin) 169 
 
 36. 1759, March 31. Distribution of Donations (Latin) 172 
 
 37. " Oct. 9. Minutes of Coetus held in Goshenhoppen (Latin). 173 
 
 38. 1760, May 28. Minutes of Special Coetus (Dutch) 184 
 
 39. " " Letter of thanks addressed to P. Stein (Dutch) . . 189 
 
 40. " Oct. 21-22. Minutes of Coetus held in Germantown 
 
 (Dutch) 191 
 
 41. 1761, June 24-25. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Dutch). 196 
 
 42. " " Distribution of Donations (Dutch) 200 
 
 43. " " Eeport of Alsentz on State of Church 
 
 (Dutch) 202 
 
 44. 1762, June 30, ff. Minutes of Coetus held at New Hanover 
 
 (German) 204 
 
 45. " Oct. 27. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 211 
 
 46. 1763, May 5-6. Minutes of Coetus held in Germantown 
 
 (Dutch) 213 
 
 47. " June 18. Eesolution of Coetus on Mr. Eothenbuhler 
 
 (English) 218 
 
 48. " Oct. 24. Minutes of Special Coetus (Dutch) 220 
 
 49. 1764, May 2-3. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (Dutch) 223 
 
 50. " Sept. 12. Extract from Minutes of Special Coetus 
 
 (Dutch) ■ 228 
 
 51. " Dec. 18. Letter of Coetus to Lancaster congregation 
 
 (German) 230 
 
 52. 1765, May 8-9. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Dutch). 231 
 
 53. " Oct. 16-17. Minutes of Special Coetus (Dutch) 238 
 
 54. 1766, Sept. 3-4. Minutes of Coetus held in Beading (Dutch) . . 242 
 
 55. 1767, Sept. 16-17. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Ger- 
 
 man) 252 
 
 56. 1768, Sept. 7-9. Minutes of Coetus held in Easton (German) . . 260 
 
 57. " " Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 273 
 
 58. 1769, Sept. 20-21. Minutes of Coetus held in Germantown 
 
 (German) 279 
 
 59. " Sept. 20-21. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 292 
 
 60. 1770, Sept. 19-21. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German). 295 
 
 61. " Dec. 7. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 304 
 
 62. 1771, Oct. 9-10. Minutes of Coetus held in Eeading (German). 307 
 
 63. ' ' Oct. 10. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 322 
 
 64. 1772, June 17-18. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Ger- 
 
 man) 324 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. , xxi 
 
 PAGK 
 
 65. 1773, Oct. 27-28. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Ger- 
 
 man) 335 
 
 66. ' ' Nov. 26. Coetal Letter sent to Synods and Classis (Ger- 
 
 man) 340 
 
 67. 1774, May 2-3. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German) . . 343 
 
 68. " June 6. Coetal Letter sent to Synods and Classis (Ger- 
 
 man) 347 
 
 69. 1775, May 10-11. Minutes of Coetus held in Lebanon (Ger- 
 
 man) 349 
 
 70. " May 12. Coetal Letter sent to Synods and Classis (Ger- 
 
 man) 352 
 
 71. 1776, May 1. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (German). 353 
 
 72. " May 2. Coetal Letter sent to Classis (German) 357 
 
 73. 1777, April 28-29. Minutes of Coetus held in Beading (Ger- 
 
 man) 359 
 
 74. ' ' April 29. Coetal Letter (German) 364 
 
 75. 1779, April 28-29. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Ger- 
 
 man) , 366 
 
 76. " April 28-29. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German)... 371 
 
 77. 1781, May 9. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German) 372 
 
 78. 1782, May 1. Minutes of Coetus held in Reading (German) . . 376 
 
 79. " " Coetal Letter sent to Classis (German) 381 
 
 80. 1783, May 14-15. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German). 382 
 
 81. 1784, May 12-13. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Dutch). 387 
 
 82. " May 13. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (Dutch) 392 
 
 83. 1785, April 27-28. Minutes of Coetus held in Reading (Ger- 
 
 man) , 394 
 
 84. " April 29. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 402 
 
 85. 1786, May 17-18. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German). 405 
 
 86. " " Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 409 
 
 87. 1787, June 5-7. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Ger- 
 
 man) 411 
 
 88. " June 5-7. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 415 
 
 89. " June 2. Extract from accounts of Widows' Fund (Ger- 
 
 man) 416 
 
 90. 1788, April 23-24. Minutes of Coetus held in Reading (Ger- 
 
 man) 418 
 
 91. " April 23-24. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 424 
 
 92. 1789, June 10-11. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German). 427 
 
 93. " " Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 431 
 
 94. " " Address of Coetus to "Washington and his 
 
 answer (English) 434 
 
 95. 1790, June 7-8. Minutes of Coetus held at Falkner Swamp 
 
 (German) 436 
 
 96. " June 20. Coetal Letter sent to Synods (German) 441 
 
 97. " July 6. Report on contributions from Holland (German). 443 
 
xxii ^ TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGZ 
 
 98. 1791, June 27-28. Minutes of Coetus held in Lancaster (Ger- 
 
 man) 444 
 
 99, 1792, May 6-7. Minutes of Coetus held in Phila. (German) . . . 448 
 100. " " Congregational report of Eev. Mr. Helffrich 
 
 (German) 452 
 
BOEHM'S REPORT TO THE SYNODS. 
 
 OCTOBER 18, 1734. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 18.) 
 
 True and desired statistics of the German Reformed con- 
 gregations in Pennsylvania, showing how many communicants 
 were found at the last Lord's Supper in each congregation, 
 draAvn up as follows by the undersigned : 
 
 Congregations. Communicants. 
 
 At Falkner Swamp were found, September 22, 1734 . . 63 
 
 At Skippack were found, September 29, 1734 41 
 
 At Whitemarsh were found, October 6, 1734 22 
 
 At Philadelphia were found, September 15, 1734 .... 88 
 At Germantown were found (according to the state- 
 ment of two elders, named Minck and Bentzel), in 
 
 the month of September, 1734. 30 
 
 At Conestoga were found, May 31, 1730 75 
 
 At Tulpehocken were found, June 28, 1728 27 
 
 At Goshenhoppen (according to the statement of some 
 members) about 40 
 
 386 
 (I wish to state that certainly one-half of the communicants 
 of these congregations arrived here not long ago, are poor 
 people; and partly servants.) 
 
 Further report from Pennsylvania regarding the above 
 mentioned eight congregations, including besides them sev- 
 eral places, which need to be provided for as much as possible, 
 — these are : Oley, and also Saucon, in whose neighborhood are 
 Macungie, ]\Iaxatawny and Great Swamp, where, not^vith- 
 standing their being scattered very far apart, yet a consider- 
 able number of people can come together. As the population 
 increases other congregations may be organized ; for the pres- 
 ent, however, although with much difficulty, they can suitably 
 be served by four ministers in the following manner : 
 
 1. By one minister, Philadelphia and Germanto^vn, which 
 are six Endish miles apart; and as Germantown is a very 
 
 (1) 
 
2 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 advantageous place, if the congregation there would fra- 
 ternally unite with that of Whitemarsh (since they are 
 very weak and but four English miles apart, and most of the 
 people are going to live at Germantown) the same might very 
 properly change its location [to Germantown], about which 
 I, as the regular pastor at Whitemarsh, have already spoken 
 to the elders of Whitemarsh, who also agree with me in ac- 
 knowledging this to be beneficial and serviceable, and in case 
 any order were given in this matter they would be willing to 
 obey. By means of such a union they would also be in a 
 better condition in due time to support a pastor themselves. 
 
 2. By the second minister, Falkner Swamp and Skippack, 
 which are about twelve English miles apart; and if he would 
 conduct services at each of these places once every three 
 weeks, he might between times, and on one Sunday, according 
 to opportunity, preach at Oley, and wherever it might be 
 necessary. 
 
 3. By the third minister, Conestoga and Tulpehocken, and 
 whereas Conestoga is spread over a great extent of territory 
 (almost if not more than seventy English miles from Phila- 
 delphia) , and has very many Reformed people, if they had a 
 faithful pastor of their own they might then be united [into 
 one charge], so that the pastor could conduct services at 
 two or three places, as it might be deemed advisable, and 
 besides have services every four weeks at Tulpehocken, 
 which is eighteen miles distant. Now this was the condition 
 of Conestoga and Tulpehocken at the period above mentioned 
 when at their request I administered the Lord's Supper to 
 them, and Conestoga accepted and subscribed to our Church- 
 Order ; and although they were scattered by Mr. Peter Miller, 
 I nevertheless hope, with the help of God, to restore them to 
 their former condition. 
 
 4. A fourth minister would greatly be needed at Goshen- 
 hoppen, about thirty-six miles from Philadelphia. He might 
 conduct services there every three weeks, and use the rest of 
 the time to feed the poor sheep at the end of the wilderness, 
 in the above mentioned Saucon, Macungie, Maxatawny and 
 Great Swamp, who thirst for the hearing of God's word as 
 the dry earth for water. Many people from these regions 
 have already been to see me in great sadness, and complained 
 
RECORDS OF 1734. o 
 
 of the pitiable state of their souls. There were also some, 
 who being: able to make the journey, have come at various 
 times to communion in the cong:regation entrusted to me at 
 Falkner Swamp, a distance of certainly twenty-five to thirty 
 English miles, and brought children for baptism, which jour- 
 ney, however, is impossible for old persons and weak or preg- 
 nant women, so that it is not to be wondered at (especially 
 when one remembers that there are children who for lack of a 
 minister cannot be brought to baptism until they are several 
 years of age) that my heart breaks and my eyes are full of 
 tears about this condition. But I cannot accomplish this 
 work alone, for my years are beginning to accumulate, and 
 my poor body is also getting feeble, since I must not only 
 make long journeys and preach, but also, because these poor 
 people are not able to support me, I must support my large 
 family with manual labor. 
 
 It is indeed true that three young ministers have been here, 
 namely, Mr. George Michael Weiss, Mr. Peter Miller, and Mr. 
 Bartholomew Rieger, coming from the Palatinate, but for 
 what they have done here I wish that God may forgive them, 
 because, after they had disturbed the congregations for a long 
 time, even those entrusted to my care, they again left and 
 abandoned the sheep misled by their shepherds. Neverthe- 
 less one of them is still in this country, namely, Peter Miller. 
 When this man could not bring the people over to his opinion, 
 he quitted the ministry altogether, and he is now a presser 
 of oil (Oly-persser).* But what he was after, and thought of 
 persuading the people to do, is plainly to be seen from this, 
 overlooking everything else : about two years ago he went 
 with one of his eldere, whom he had installed in the congrega- 
 tion at Goshenhoppen, into the house of a Seventh Day Bap- 
 tist, and there they allowed themselves to be called brethren 
 and to have their feet washed by him ; and this is the truth, 
 whereupon followed his complete degeneration. 
 
 I have now, for about eight years, ministered in my poverty 
 to the three congregations entrusted to me at Falkner Swamp. 
 Skippack and Wliitemarsh, according to our Church-Order. 
 
 * This phrase is obscure ; we give the literal translation and the 
 original Dutch. 
 
4 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 To them lias been added three months ago the congregation at 
 Philadelphia, which has entered on all points into a firm and 
 complete agreement with me. To this Church-Order none 
 of the three above mentioned young ministers would sub- 
 mit, but sought to live according to their own ideas, and 
 Miller, in my own presence, has called the Heidelberg Cate- 
 chism a work of men, adding that Christians were a free 
 people, and had no need of a head on earth, that Christ in 
 heaven was their only head, and that he would not allow 
 himself to be subjected to a human yoke, etc. MeauAvhile 
 the divisions which have hitherto prevailed have been, by 
 God's grace, mostly overcome, and the united congregations 
 and members live in peace. Those few who, in spite of every 
 admonition, will not as yet unite in love, according to the 
 rule of God's Sacred Word, we leave to their well-deserved 
 judgment. 
 
 Thus writes, acceording to truth, upon his inevitable re- 
 sponsibility before the judgment-seat of God, he who esteems 
 himself the least of all the servants of Jesus Christ, and un- 
 worthy of the Sacred Gospel, and testifies by his own signa- 
 ture. 
 
 October 18, 1734. John Philip Boehm, 
 
 Reformed Minister in Pennsylvania. 
 
 These foregoing statistics, and the additional submissive 
 report and the proposals made with due deference, we recog- 
 nize, according to our bounden duty, as useful, and tending 
 to promote the interests of our true church in Pennsylvania, 
 and we agree with them in every respect. Moreover, we, the 
 present ruling elders and deacons of the three congregations 
 at Falkner Swamp, Skippack and AAHiitemarsh, recognize and 
 honor the Rev. Mr. John Philip Boehm as a minister prop- 
 erly ordained by the Rev. I\Iessrs. Gualther DuBois, Henry 
 Boel and Vincent Antonides, ministers at New York and 
 Long Island, Avhich was done at the order of the Rev. Classis 
 of Amsterdam (to which Rev. Classis we sent a submissive 
 petition concerning it). This ordination took place in the 
 presence of three of us, as elders delegated for this purpose. 
 We also recognize him as our pastor, regularly called, and as 
 the faithful shepherd of our souls, who has hitherto admin- 
 istered his office, under the greatest trials, in such a manner 
 
FiECORDS OF 1734. 5 
 
 that we cannot complain in the least about any neglect on his 
 part. We wish that the good Lord may graciously preserve 
 him among us for many years in the same fidelity and zeal to 
 the best interests of his Church. This we sign with our own 
 hands, and dutifully confirm it, in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Done in our consistory at Falkner Swamp, October 18, 1734. 
 
 GosEN Thonis, Elder. 
 
 Sebastian Reiffschneider, Elder. 
 
 ■ SiGiSMUND Schmidt, Elder. 
 
 John Herb, Elder. 
 
 John Henry Schmidt, Deacon. 
 
 John Drinktdenhengst,* Deacon. 
 Done in our consistory at Skippack, October 27, 1734. 
 
 John Ulric Stephen, Elder. 
 
 Jacob Arent, Sr., Elder. 
 
 Philip Henry Soeller, Elder. 
 
 Christian Leeman, Elder. 
 
 John Dintenmeyer, Deacon. 
 
 Adam Kind, Deacon. 
 Done in our consistory at Whitemarsh, October 28, 1734, 
 
 William De Wees, Elder. 
 
 Christofpel Ottinger, Elder. 
 
 LuDWiG Knaus, Deacon. 
 
 John Michael Gleim, Deacon. 
 
 * Spelled thus in the original. 
 
BOEHM'S REPORT TO CLASSIS AND SYNODS. 
 
 JANUAEY 14, 1739. 
 
 (Amst. Portfolio, No. 3; Hague 74, i. 24.) 
 
 After his Reverence, Mr. P. H. Dorsius, minister at Jamine 
 [Neshaminy], in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, had shown to 
 me, the undersigned, on the 28th of November, 1738, in his 
 house at Neshaminy, the letters sent by the two Christian 
 Synods of South and North Holland, and after his Reverence 
 had read to me that the two Christian Synods for the sake of 
 convenience had authorized and ordained him as inspector of 
 the Pennsylvania Reformed congregations, his Reverence re- 
 quested me to give a report on the following questions : 
 
 1. How many German Reformed congregations there are in 
 Pennsylvania and how far they are from each other ? 
 
 2. How many elders, deacons and communicants there are 
 in each congregation and how many are served by me ? 
 
 3. How the congregations are supplied with schoolmasters 
 and precentors? 
 
 Therefore I have considered myself under obligation to 
 give his Reverence a dutiful specification and to make a full 
 report concerning all other questions. 
 
 As far as I know the congregations of the High German 
 Reformed people in Pennsylvania are these : 
 
 (1) Falkner Swamp (served by Boehm as regular minister) . 
 In this congregation there are always four elders and two 
 deacons. The Lord's Supper is administered twice a year. 
 The communicants on September 17th, 1738, were 89. 
 
 (2) Skippack (about twelve English miles from Falkner 
 Swamp and served by Boehm as regular minister). In this 
 congregation the same custom as to the Lord's Supper pre- 
 vails. Communicants on September 24th, 1738, were 36. 
 
 (3) Whitemarsh (about sixteen English miles from Skip- 
 pack. This Whitemarsh is not more than four English miles 
 from Germantown. Most of the people live still nearer, and 
 are about ten miles from Philadelphia. Served by Boehm as 
 regular minister). In this congregation there are only two 
 
 (6)' 
 
RECORDS OF 17 S9. 7 
 
 elders and two deacons, on account of the small number of 
 members, but as to the Lord's Supper the same custom pre- 
 vails as in the other two congregations. Communicants on 
 September 3d, 1738, were 29. 
 
 N. B. With regard to the congregation at Skippack we 
 must mention that it is so weak because for quite a time one 
 after another has continued the confusion caused by Do.* Weis 
 in the year 1728, which Henry Goetschi still continues at this 
 time and preaches to the followers of Reiff (although there 
 are very few of them) as if he were a regular minister. And 
 still another, by the name of John William Straub, has also 
 been bold enough to officiate as minister in all things. 
 Through him a considerable number of people have been 
 drawn away from the congregation. Otherwise it would be 
 again as strong. 
 
 (4) Philadelphia (is sei'ved by Boehm). It is six English 
 miles from Germantown. This congregation has accepted 
 the Constitution (which is in the Pennsylvania minutes of 
 the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and which is in use 
 there) in the month of July, 1734. The congregation has 
 thus far been served by John Philip Boehm, whom they ac- 
 cepted as their regular pastor. He holds services in this 
 congregation every four weeks. On September 10th, 1738, 
 the communicants present were 75. 
 
 (5) Germantown. With this congregation I have had no 
 personal relations, nor have I any exact knowledge about its 
 condition because, although it was often proposed to them, 
 they never would submit to any church order. Yet this much 
 is known to me (because I asked two of the elders, ]\Iinch 
 [Muench] and Benzel), that in the month of September, 1734, 
 there had been about 30 communicants. Since then John 
 Bechtel has preached for them and has undertaken to ad- 
 
 * minister the Sacraments. Then they also allowed the old 
 Guide [Guldin] to preach in their church, and now the Lu- 
 therans also make use of it, and thus the Reformed people 
 there are at present in a rather poor condition. 
 
 (6) Conestoga. This place is very far away, a distance 
 
 * The Dnteli Do. for Domine, minister, we retain to preserve the then 
 current title. 
 
8 COETUS OF FENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 of more than seventy miles from Philadelphia. The Reformed 
 people there have in fact organized themselves into three 
 congregations, the first which was started I call the Hill 
 church; it lies in the center. This I served (in agreement 
 with their call to visit them twice a year) on October 15th, 
 1727. And, as it was the first time that a [Reformed] com- 
 munion service was ever celebrated at Conestoga, there were 
 present 59 communicants, but these visits were made only a 
 few times. Then Do. Weiss slandered me in this congrega- 
 tion by a very abusive letter (which I have in my possession). 
 He thereby misled them and drew the congregation to him- 
 self. But soon afterwards he again left them, whereupon 
 Miller went there to carry on the work of Weiss. At that 
 time Miller drew also Tulpehoeken to himself. I warned 
 them frequently against this false spirit, but the misguided 
 and simple-minded people clung to him, until finally the 
 deception, with regard to which I had so faithfully warned 
 them, came to light, and this IMiller publicly went over to the 
 evil sect of the Seventh Day Baptists, and was baptized as a 
 Dunker at Conestoga in the month of April, 1735. He took 
 with him about 10 families, Lutheran and Reformed, from 
 the congregation at Tulpehoeken, who followed his example. 
 
 This caused a great alarm among the congregations. Those 
 that were kept by God sent therefore again messengers and 
 letters to me and once more asked for help, which I did not 
 dare to refuse. I again went to them, and there were on May 
 11th, 1735, in said first congregation, or Hill church, at Con- 
 estoga, 92 communicants. 
 
 On the same journey I administered the Lord's Supper, at 
 their own request, in the second congregation (the name of 
 which place is Cocalico) , which had been gathered at a former 
 time. There were present, as communicants, 60. 
 
 But as to the third congregation in Conestoga, which has 
 organized itself in the new town called Lancaster, I have no 
 information, for up to this time they acted according to their 
 own pleasure. They have never cared for church order, but 
 thus far have allowed themselves to be served by irregular 
 men. However, I hear that they have a pretty strong con- 
 gregation. 
 
 These three places lie in the Conestoga district, Lancaster 
 
BECOBDS OF I'/SJ. ,^ 
 
 southward, six miles to the Hill church, then six miles north 
 to Cocalico. 
 
 (7) Tulpehockeu (18 miles from Conestoga, is served by 
 Boehm). This place is about as far from Philadelphia as 
 Conestoga (both situated towards the northwest). It is a 
 pretty large place, and the congregation there had also con- 
 templated a division. But it seemed to me that it would be 
 better to have a meeting-place in the center, as it had been 
 in the beginning. With this plan the majority agreed, even 
 those who live at a great distance from the center. Then the 
 minister could supply the neighboring places, where already 
 many people live, and where still more are gathering, at the 
 times appointed to serve them as it might be arranged 
 later on. 
 
 Some years ago it seemed that Conestoga and Tulpehocken 
 could be served with difficulty, but if necessary by one minis- 
 ter. But since then both have spread to such an extent that it 
 is impossible for one minister to serve them as they should be 
 served. For this Tulpehocken has much increased since Miller 
 has become such a disgrace, and I travel thither, according to 
 their request, twice a year and administer the Lord's Supper. 
 On October 19th and 22d of last year [1738] there were pres- 
 ent as communicants in the two places 134. 
 
 N. B. When I administered the Lord's Supper there for 
 the first time, in the month of October, 1727, at the same time 
 as at Conestoga, there were only 32 communicants. In this 
 congregation there are, in accordance with our Church-Order, 
 four elders and two deacons. Two elders and one deacon 
 reg-ularly go out of office every year and just as many come 
 in, the same as in all the congregations which I serve. 
 
 (8) Goshenhoppen. Of this congregation I know little, 
 for it never wanted to be under our Church-Order, but 
 desired to be its own master. When Do. Weiss, as stated 
 above, came into the country and caused great confusion, 
 they faithfully adhered to him. When he traveled to Holland 
 in order to obtain the well known moneys collected there they 
 immediately clung to Miller, who, assisted by another person, 
 continued to serve Goshenhoppen. By their services at Skip- 
 pack, they kept the congregation there in a state of continuous 
 restlessness, which had been begun by Weiss. All my peti- 
 
10 COBTUS OF PEyySYLTjyiA. 
 
 tions, entreaties and warnings were in vain. After these 
 men had failed, they arbitrarily made Henry Goetschi their 
 pretended minister when he was hardly eighteen years of 
 aire, and but half a year before had received the Lord's 
 Supper for the first time from Do. Rieger at Germautowu. 
 Goetsehi then soon undertook to administer the Lord "s Supper 
 and to baptize, to install elders and to many people. In 
 short, he did what belongs to the office of a regular minister. 
 Goshenhoppen has him at the present time as its preacher. 
 and permits him to establish and to carry on all this disorder 
 from Goshenhoppen as a center, r.^^ :/y at Skippack. but at 
 other places also. He has done :. >. :or instance, at Oley, 
 where he has misled the congregation, which was established 
 by me in 1736 at their request, and he now also serves this 
 congregation. At Tnlpehocken he attempted to do the same 
 thing throngh three uncalled for visits, but he was refused. 
 Yet he continues such improi)er actions. 
 
 Meanwhile this Goshenhoppen is a congregation or a place 
 where a faithful shepherd and minister is greatly needed, 
 through whose wise administration a flourishing congregation 
 ought soon to be estsJslished. There are also several plac-es 
 near Goshenhoppen which should be provided for. as Great 
 Swamp and Saucon Creek. These, although they might be 
 served by the minister of Goshenhoppen with the adminis- 
 tration of the Sacraments and sometimes with a sermon, yet 
 need to be provided with readers who have the ability to cate- 
 chise, especially at Saucon Creek, because it is a somewhat 
 out'^f-the-way-plaee and many Keformed people live there. 
 
 (9) Oley. This place has been in such a condition &nee 
 I am in this country (which is now about 18 years) that it is 
 astonishing to hear about the many sects among them. The 
 worst were thofse who called themselves the "New Bom.'' 
 Without any hesitation they declared themselves to be equal 
 to God and greater than our Saviour; they pretended to be 
 free (from sin), and more such things which it would be 
 too much to relate here in detaO. However, after (Jod had 
 removed such shameless blasphemers of his name, the true 
 Chiistians met and desired to estabhsh, by the help of God, 
 a eongregatifm according to our true Reformed doctrine. 
 They therefore applied to me for help and aaaastance (of 
 
EECOEDS OF 17 39. 
 
 11 
 
 which I have proof). Whereupon I went there and found 
 M-ith heart-felt joy, after a careful investigation, a goodly 
 number of ver>' eager souls firm in our Reformed doctrines. 
 Then I began the Lord's work among them. I called the 
 congregation together and made them acquainted, according 
 to the best of my ability, %vith our Church-Order. The con- 
 gregation then elected four elders and two deacons, whom I 
 installed according to the Constitution and in accordance 
 ^vith the desire of the congregation on November 17th, 1736. 
 The congregation then desired me to %'isit them twice a year 
 (during the week) to administer the Lord's Supper and 
 baptize their children. TThen everything had been duly con- 
 stituted, after a preparatory service, I administered the Lord 's 
 Supper, and the communicants present numbered 40. 
 
 But scarcely had this been done when Henry Goetschi came 
 and acted as mentioned above, in the description of Goshen- 
 hoppen. Some who had long been separated from the Re- 
 formed church and had had intercourse Avith the above men- 
 tioned sects, as the New Born, used Goetschi in order to cause 
 confusion in the newly organized congregation. To make a 
 beginning they offered that if the congregation would accept 
 this Goetschi they would again come back to the Reformed 
 church and be helpful in all things. This pleased Goetschi, 
 who pretended to have lately been recognized and ordained 
 as a regular minister in Philadelphia. He immediately 
 preached in my place, and directly after the se^^'ice he bap- 
 tized a child before the congregation. When later on I called 
 the elders to account concerning this disorder they excused 
 themselves by saying they had not asked him to do so ; they 
 had thought that he was ordained, as he told them, and he 
 also acted as if I were satisfied with the arrangement. But 
 the consistory was thereby divided, because some of the elders 
 and deacons had not at all consented to let him preach unless 
 having p^e^^ously spoken to me about it, and since they now 
 heard the contrary they were all at variance. But those who 
 were led astray let everything pass, and Goetschi therefore 
 continued, and has acted up to this time as if he were an 
 ordained minister. At present I do not know how things are 
 there, but this much I know, that a part of the elders and 
 deacons whom I installed have until now withdrawn from 
 
12 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 the work. Nor have I been there since, because there has 
 been such a confusion through Goetschi that I could not bring 
 forth any fruit. But said instigators have soon been lost to 
 us, and have as yet aided very little tOAvards the building up 
 of the congregation. 
 
 From all this it may be seen how necessary it is that a very 
 faithful pastor be appointed to this congregation, that he 
 may seek the lost and bring back those who have gone into 
 error, so that even there the body of Christ may grow through 
 his grace. The minister of this congregation can also supply 
 the place which is called Cacusi, where (as I hear) likewise a 
 considerable congregation has gathered. This place is about 
 seven or eight miles from the center in Oiey. (Goetschi has 
 also presumed for some time to serve this congregation A^dth 
 all the means of grace.) A minister might likewise at the 
 same time serve I\Iaxatawny, -which is at a distance of ten 
 miles. 
 
 These are now the nine main congregations, mth their 
 preaching places, consisting of High German Reformed peo- 
 ple, in Pennsylvania, as far as they are loiown to me. together 
 with the statement how far they are apart from each other 
 and whatever other information was required. But vrhat- 
 ever God will permit to grow in the future and what members 
 he will gather when the number of inhabitants increases is 
 only known to him. However, I think that six ministers 
 would be sutiicient to serve these congregations. 
 
 Now concerning the church buildings in all these congre- 
 gations there have been erected the following (as far as I 
 know) : 
 
 Germantown. — A well built, pretty large stone church. 
 
 Conestoga. — The Hill congregation has a small log church. 
 The congregation at Lancaster has one of logs. 
 The congregation at Cocalico also one of logs. 
 
 Tidpehockcn. — There they have laid out, but not in the 
 center, a cemetery, and have erected on it a small church 
 building of logs, but not serviceable for public worship. 
 
 Goshenhoppcn. — As I have heard from people that live 
 there, they have built a pretty large church at that place, 
 which will be sufficient for them for some time, but it is 
 poorly made of wood. 
 
EECOEDS OF 1739. 
 
 13 
 
 Skippack. — A log church has also been built there, ten 
 years ago when Do. Weiss caused trouble in this congre- 
 gation. But Jacob Reiff caused the lot on which the 
 church stands to be transferred to his name. At present 
 he still refuses admission to the properly organized con- 
 gregation, and one irregular minister after another has per- 
 mitted himself to be used by Eeiff and his followers to keep 
 up the trouble in the congregation. This is the place which 
 Goetschi quite irregularly still serves, to the great hindrance 
 of a union in the congregation. For this reason the regular 
 congregation was obliged to buy a lot at Skippack, which is 
 at a very convenient place. But I fear that on account of 
 the poverty of the members, unless God sends some help by 
 his grace, the lot will be lost again on account of the debt 
 still resting upon it. This would be a great loss to the congre- 
 gation, since it would be difficult to obtain another lot. 
 
 At Falkner Swamp, Whitemarsh, Oley and Philadelphia, 
 and also in their neighboring places, there is as yet nothing. 
 Services are held -snth great inconvenience in houses and 
 barns. Except at Cacusi, near Oley, where, as I hear, they 
 have built a little log church for their use. 
 
 Now eonceraing the last point, how the congregations are 
 supplied vrith schoolmasters and precentors, there is, as far 
 as I know, nobody with a fixed position. ]\Iy congregation 
 at Falkner Swamp is well supplied. The name of the school- 
 master is John Reifschneider. There is also a schoolmaster 
 at Philadelphia ; his name is John Berger, who is known to 
 Do. Dorsius. But no one can make a li\nng by it. The rea- 
 son is that no school in the country can bring enough children 
 together for one to make a living by it (except Philadelphia 
 and Germantovi-n, where the people live near together). 
 ]Moreover, the congregations have not the means and are not 
 able at the time being to raise money enough to support any- 
 body. There is as yet in the whole country no dwelling either 
 for minister or for schoolmaster. Singing up to this time 
 had to be conducted as best we could. 
 
 This is what I have been able to report according to the 
 above mentioned request of Do. Dorsius. Nor do I believe 
 that I can be accused (if this report be investigated) of hav- 
 ing done anything useless against my better knowledge. But 
 
14 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 I have done all to the glory of God and the upbuilding of his 
 true church in this country. I sign myself 
 
 John Philip Boehm, 
 High German Reformed Minister in Pennsylvania. 
 January 14th, 1739. 
 
 The above report, which was made according to the desire 
 of his Reverence, Mr. P. H. Dorsius, minister at Neshaminy, 
 by his Reverence, John Philip Boehm, our beloved teacher 
 and faithful pastor, we, as the present members of the con- 
 sistories, have heard read from beginning to end and have 
 well understood. 
 
 Now, as we think that everything in the same is thoroughly 
 truthful, we can also officially attest (each consistory for its 
 congregation) that everything which concerns the same and 
 is stated above is according to the best of our knowledge in 
 reality so, as we do hereby, 
 
 Elders and deacons of the congregation at Philadelphia, 
 attest, January 28th, 1739. 
 
 Caspar Ulrich, Elder. 
 Nicholas Ewig, Elder. 
 Bernhard Sigmund, Elder. 
 John Wendel Brechbiehl, Elder. 
 Jacob Walter, Deacon. 
 John Gerhard, Deacon. 
 Elders and deacons of the congregation at Falkner SAvamp 
 attest, February 4th, 1739 : 
 
 Bastian Reifschneider, Elder. 
 Jacob Krausen, Elder. 
 John Tricktenhengst, Elder. 
 John Duenckel, Elder. 
 Andrew Wets, Deacon. 
 John Dietrich Bucher, Deacon. 
 Of the congregation at Oley attest, February 5th, 1739 : 
 Sebastian Gbef, Elder. 
 John Frederick Leibi, Deacon. 
 Henry Werner, Deacon. 
 
RECORDS OF 17 39. jg 
 
 Of the congregation at Skippack attest, February 11th 
 1739 : 
 
 Jacob Arnet, Elder. 
 
 Andrew Oberbeck, Elder. 
 
 Ulrich Stephen, Elder. 
 
 Adam Meyrer, Elder. 
 
 John Wuehrmann, Deacon. 
 
 Jacob Beyer, Deacon. 
 Of the congregation at Whitemarsh attest, February 18th, 
 1739: 
 
 William De Wees, Elder. 
 
 Christopher Ottinger, Elder. 
 
 Lewis Knaus, Deacon. 
 
 Philip Scherrer, Deacon. 
 Of the congregation at Tulpehocken attest, February 22d, 
 1739 : 
 
 Jacob Itzberger, Elder. 
 
 Barthel Schaefer, Elder. 
 
 Andrew Aulenbacher, Elder. 
 
 John Haak, Elder. 
 
 Jacob Wilhelm, Deacon. 
 
 John Knoll, Deacon. 
 
 Provisional repartition of the churches of the High German 
 Reformed people in Pennsylvania, and how these churches 
 may be combined and in the most convenient and useful way 
 be served by six ministers, according to the testimony of the 
 elders and deacons of a majority of the places, as contained 
 in the required and above-stated report : 
 
 I. For one minister, Philadelphia and Germanto^vn; he 
 might live most conveniently at [Philadelphia]. 
 
 II. Falkner Swamp and Skippack, to which also White- 
 marsh belongs. These are the three congregations of Boehm, 
 for which he was ordained by the Very Rev. Classis of Am- 
 sterdam through the Rev. ministers at New York on Novem- 
 ber 23d, 1729. Whitemarsh, because it is only four miles, 
 and partly only half that distance from Germantown, and 
 sixteen miles from Skippack, may with greater convenience be 
 joined to Germantown, whose people might there attend church 
 ser\dces. Do. Boehm and the elders at Whitemarsh are will- 
 
16 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ing to consent to this (if such a union should please our 
 reverend church fathers), and Do. Boehm desires to retain 
 Falkner Swamp and Skippack as his remaining two congre- 
 gations. The parsonage can most suitably be located at Skip- 
 pack, if the church lot which "was bought there can be re- 
 tained. Therefore he prays very earnestly for greatly needed 
 help, so that it can be kept by the congregation. 
 
 III. Conestoga, in which there are three places. The min- 
 ister could live most conveniently near the Hill church, from 
 which he would have to go six miles in opposite directions to 
 the other two places. 
 
 IV. Tulpehocken, where probably a place could be found 
 in the center, which would be most convenient for all. The 
 neighboring places here are Quittopehilla and Swatara, both, 
 as I hear, seven or eight miles or more above. They are 
 reported to be pretty strong congregations, but mostly of 
 poor people, who cannot help themselves at all. 
 
 V. Oley. There the same condition prevails, and perhaps 
 a suitable place may still be found from which Cacusi and 
 Maxatawny may be served. 
 
 VI. Goshenhoppen. As in the last two congregations, a 
 place might here also be found for a minister's chvelling, 
 which M^ould not be too inconvenient in order to supply Great 
 Swamp and Saucon Creek from it. 
 
REPORT OF REV. JOHN PH. BOEHM TO THE SYNODS. 
 
 JULY 8, 1744. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 33.) 
 
 A true account of the origin of the German Reformed con- 
 gregations in Pennsylvania, with the required statistics of 
 the communicants and their increase from time to time, to 
 which has been added a further report of the condition of 
 the congregations made by the undersigned, as follows : 
 
 Formerly, when there were no Reformed services in this 
 country, the Reformed people at Falkner Swamp, Skippack 
 and Wliitemarsh came together, and when they took com- 
 munion it was with the Presbyterians in Philadelphia, in 
 the year 1725. But because this appeared to some as not in 
 accord with our Reformed Church they stayed away and 
 became much scattered, as wandering sheep having no shep- 
 herd, which was very distressing to observe. 
 
 Accordingly they resolved once more urgently to request 
 me (J. P. Boehm), although for full five years I had declined 
 to do so, that I would become their pastor. This was so touch- 
 ingly represented to me by two of their number thereunto 
 commissioned that our hearts melted together in tears, and in 
 the name of all the people it was pressed upon my conscience 
 whether I had the courage to answer for it at the last judg- 
 ment if I should leave them thus without help and allow so 
 many souls to remain scattered among all kinds of sects, of 
 which this country is filled. I thought indeed that it would 
 be better for me if I could escape this yoke and support my 
 family with my work and agriculture, but I was convinced 
 by my conscience that I could not do otherwise. I allowed 
 myself therefore to be persuaded to this work. With humble- 
 ness of heart I addressed myself to the Lord's work, and 
 drew up with nij^ brethren, as well as we could, a Constitution 
 of the church, so that all things might be done in good order. 
 We divided the charge into the three congregations men- 
 tioned above, and when the Constitution had been presented 
 to and accepted by the whole people I was regularly elected 
 2 (17) 
 
18 COEirS OF PENXSYLVAXIA. 
 
 by each oue of the congregations, and a formal call was ex- 
 tended to me by the elders. Whereupon I began the ministry 
 of the Lord in his name. After I had preached a few times 
 to my dear congregations, namely, Falkner Swamp (which 
 place is at present called New Hanover township), Skippack 
 and Whitemarsh, which had entrusted themselves to my min- 
 istr^^, we celebrated the Lord's Supper, and there communed 
 for the first time on October 15, 1725. at Falkner Swamp 40 
 membei-s : in November, at Skippack, 37 members ; on Decem- 
 ber 23. at Whitemai'sh, 21 members. 
 
 This was the first beginning. 
 
 These, our services, were continued in the best order for 
 two years in such a manner that my heart rejoiced. More- 
 over, since that time again as many communicants arrived. 
 At that time a congregation was also gathered in Conestoga, 
 namely, the first (whicJi I used to call Hill church, the oldest 
 of the three, which are now associated together) ; also one at 
 Tulpehoeken (where now also two have come into existence, 
 six miles apart) . These two congregations at Conestoga and 
 Tulpehoeken likewise called me. They desired to be organ- 
 ized, which desire I granted, and began the work and minis- 
 try of the gospel among them in conformity to our Church- 
 Order. Subsequently the Lord's Supper was celebrated 
 among them, and there communed on October 14. 1727, at Con- 
 estoga, 59 members; on October 18, 1727, at Tulpehoeken, 32 
 members. (At both places for the first time.) 
 
 "Whereupon after that time Frederick Hillegas arrived in 
 this country with a companion. He also had two brothers, 
 called Peter and IVIichael, living at Philadelphia, but he himself 
 lived at New Goshenhoppen. He brought with him the well 
 known Mr. George ^lichael Weiss, a youthful preacher Twho 
 afterwards sailed for HoUand with the likewise well known 
 Jacob Reiff to coUect money, of which, however, they have 
 up to this date not yet rendered an account nor handed it 
 over), whom they sought to force in a violent manner and in a 
 shameful way into all my congregations here. Thus with this 
 Weiss they were a hindrance to me and antagonized me, inas- 
 much as Weiss immediately began in a rude manner to belittle 
 me vrith shameful letters, which I have now in my possession. 
 He ran around everywhere, tried to push me violently out 
 
RECORDS OF 1744. 
 
 19 
 
 of my office and preached in all my congregations without 
 first consulting me about it. His attacks became so rude that 
 although very few adhered to him. and they only at the instiga- 
 tion of Hilligas and Doctor Jacob Diemer, I began to fear that 
 our work, which we had carried on thus far in the name of the 
 Lord, might thereby indeed be ruined. Particularly did he 
 throw into confusion the congregation at Skippack, to which 
 the bold and impertinent Jacob Reiff, who had created a party 
 of his own. contributed materially his share. However 
 heartily and frequently I have admonished with regard to 
 this the congregation at Skippack. which separated at that 
 time, yet up to this day I have not been able to unite them 
 a^ain, because a party has been formed there which has been 
 kept continuously by one irregular minister after another 
 in the fire of disorder. TVhen Weiss went to Holland Peter 
 Miller preached there (who now for a long time has been a 
 Seventh Day Baptist) ; after him came Bartholomew Rieger 
 (whom I never considered, on account of certain evidence, 
 to be different from or more sound in the Reformed doctrine 
 than ]\Iiller). He preached there for some time. After that 
 they accepted young Goetschi. who also follows at present 
 the ^lora^dan teachers (although he was ordained for Long 
 Island by Do. Dorsius. who pretended to be inspector over 
 the German and Dutch churches in this country) . After 
 that they were served for many years by John "William Straub. 
 at one time schoolmaster in the Palatinate at Cronau (who 
 was dismissed there for adulter%^). But this people, besides 
 some others whom he had also lured away from the congre- 
 gation at Skippack, have again deposed him because of his 
 scandalous conduct (for in addition he is a great drunkard). 
 But I still hope that when Reiff has once been taken to ac- 
 count for the collected money he will have to give up the 
 church which stands upon his property, wherein I have not 
 yet been allowed to preach, being compelled to go with mj^ 
 little flock of organized people from one place to another, 
 and get along with houses and barns. If aid should then be 
 given to us in our helpless condition everything would come 
 right again, and it is possible that Skippack might then be- 
 come a fine congregation. But toward this I can contribute 
 nothing (if it remains as it is now^ . for I have no power here, 
 and we are also without help from the secular authorities. 
 
20 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 As regards the church at Philadelphia, j\Ir. Weiss also took 
 that out of my hands on his arrival, aided by the above 
 mentioned opponents; for I had then already preached there 
 a few times at their desire. But when he returned from 
 Holland, and had acted so unbecomingly about the collected 
 money wdth Reiff, he suddenly departed before Reiff came 
 back, which was a year later, and thus abandoned the con- 
 gregation. A\Tiereupon they allowed themselves to be served 
 by the aforesaid adventurers, and last of all by Bartholomew 
 Rieger, from wffom they again withdrew when they saw how 
 his affairs stood, but only when they were nearly ruined. 
 After all these things they called me (the entire congrega- 
 tion, man for man, signed the call; there were 42 signatures, 
 dated April 24, 1734, of which I enclose a copy*) and asked 
 me that I might come to their rescue. It seemed to me indeed 
 a very difficult matter to bring such a disorganized congre- 
 gation into order, but I ventured to do so after they had 
 requested me two or three times, and I began the Lord's work 
 there also, restoring them to such a good condition that up 
 to this time I serve them, even as my first three congregations, 
 once a month. Be it understood this refers only to the relig- 
 ious services; for regarding the aforesaid collections I have 
 no authority, but in this I did by their request what I could, 
 which, however, until now has not had much result. 
 
 To Tulpehocken, on account of the great distance, I go but 
 twice a year ; during the remaining time the two congregations 
 in that locality have religious services by means of sermons 
 read to them. They remain in good order, and do not allow 
 themselves to be in the least delighted ^vith the false apostles 
 of the Moravians (although these, especially Jacob Lischy, 
 have frequently sought until now in an artful manner to steal 
 in among them) . 
 
 What further concerns the growth and increase of the 
 several churches, it may be stated that in each of them, as 
 named herein, from their beginning to the present time, the 
 Lord's Supper has been administered every half year, accord- 
 ing to the Church-Order; but the congregations were much 
 
 * This as well as the other enclosures mentioned in this report have 
 not been printed. 
 
EECOBDS OF 1744. 
 
 21 
 
 disturbed up to the year 1734 by great disorders and con- 
 tinued personal attacks (notwithstanding that I had received 
 the sacred ordination to the Gospel ministry on November 
 23, 1729, from the Reformed ministers at New York^ there- 
 unto authorized by the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, as 
 appears from enclosure No. 2*). 
 
 But the statistics presented herewith will show what pro- 
 gress the above mentioned congregations have made after the 
 aforesaid year 1734 until to-day. 
 
 Members in : 
 1734 1737 1740 1743 
 
 At Falkner Swamp, 
 
 April 7 40 
 
 April 3 37 
 
 April 26 152 
 
 March 26, 131; April 24, 105 236 
 
 N. B. As the communicants largely increased the Lord's Supper was 
 
 held there twice each time. 
 
 At Skippack, 
 
 April 14 53 
 
 April 9 55 
 
 April 6 39 
 
 April 3 (Easter) 36 
 
 At Wliitemarsh, 
 
 April 21 24 
 
 April 16 15 
 
 AprU 13 59 
 
 March 13 51 
 
 At Philadelphia, 
 
 September 15 88 
 
 March 1 91 
 
 April 20 (Easter) 130 
 
 March 20, 98 ; April 17, 85 183 
 
 At Tulpehocken, 
 
 In May 103 
 
 In May 119 
 
 May 6, at one place, 124 | „_ 
 
 May 8, at the other place, 129 j ' " ' 
 
 ]\Iy further humble report, which I have to make to the 
 Rev. Christian Synod concerning the present condition of 
 
 * This document, Hague 74, I. 35, is identical with one found in a 
 Kecord book of the Collegiate Reformed Church of New York and pub- 
 lished in Mercersburg Review, 1876, pp. 549-553. 
 
22 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 each of these congregations in particular, with regard to 
 different matters, is submitted in view of the duty and obliga- 
 tion I owe to you, and their condition, as far as is known to 
 me, is as follows : 
 
 The congregation at Falkner Swamp has erected a well- 
 built frame church, which may last a long time, but they still 
 owe nearly sixty pounds on it. They have as yet no dwelling 
 house for either pastor or reader. 
 
 As regards the congregation at Skippack, there is a frame 
 church there, but Reiff had the cunning to have it placed on 
 his land, and thus he and his party have it under their con- 
 trol and in their possession. On this account I and my little 
 tiock, who hold loyally to the Church-Order, were compelled 
 (because we had no fixed place where we could hold our ser- 
 vices, and had to take refuge from place to place) to select a 
 place for that purpose. We bought therefore a plantation 
 of 150 acres for 220 pounds, but for lack of funds we sold 
 100 acres for 100 pounds and retained the 50 acres, upon 
 which already before this a building stood, which is new, and 
 was not erected for less than 100 pounds. It is suited in 
 every way for a parsonage, and upon that piece of land a 
 neat and suitable church and school house could be built, 
 right along the street. Indeed, as regards the location, stand- 
 ing in the midst, between the people's houses, it is more advan- 
 tageous and better located than the one standing on Reiff 's 
 land. This plan could be carried out for as little money as 
 Reiff would charge us for land and church. To this place 
 our good-hearted Reformed brethren in New York and on 
 Long Island, on the urgent request of the Hon. Consistory 
 there, have sent us 44 pounds. That amount and six pounds 
 in addition were paid in, so that we are still 70 pounds behind 
 in this. This place has now been rented with the condition 
 that we always retain the liberty of holding our services there. 
 And from the rent the interest is paid. But because we were 
 so discouraged and saw no help, my brethren did not want 
 to have anything more to do with it, but wished to sell the 
 land again or load the whole burden upon my neck. In order 
 not to let this place so lightly go out of our hands I pledged 
 myself alone for it, and I have yet till next August 1st, more 
 than a year's time, in which to pay. Should it now please 
 
HE COEDS OF 1744. 23 
 
 God to be gracious to us and to incline the hearts of our 
 Church Fathers in their liberality toward us, for which Ave 
 poor people have long waited, we will forever be- thankful to 
 them for it. Finally, I have not had until now a penny's 
 profit from this place, neither have I looked for it, but live 
 all the time, up to this date, in my own house. But because 
 of my inability I do not see how I can longer retain this prop- 
 erty, unless some one comes to my aid. 
 
 In the congregation at Whitemarsh we have as yet nothing 
 at all (in the way of a church building), but during all this 
 long time we have held our religious services always at the 
 house of Elder Wm. De Wees without any unwillingness on 
 his part or the least expectation of payment. That honest 
 man cherishes a steadfast and pious hope that God will yet 
 furnish means (to build a church). 
 
 At Philadelphia we had thus far, in common with the Luth- 
 erans, an old and dilapidated butcher's house, at an annual 
 rent of three pounds; finally this was raised to four pounds, 
 which we must now pay alone, for the Lutherans have built 
 a church there of 70 by 45 feet. From this, people, who 
 have experience in building conclude that it could not have 
 been erected for less than 1500 pounds,* which by their 
 own means they could do as little as the Reformed. Never- 
 theless the walls and roof are actually finished, so that they 
 must have received much assistance through collections ; from 
 whence we do not know. Likewise they have a stone church 
 in Providence township, of 50 by 38 feet, which is complete 
 in all respects; they now have four ministers. Regarding 
 the circumstances of one of them, Muhlenberg by name, 1 
 learn that his people give him what they can; he receives 
 this on account, and the remainder he receives from London, 
 whence he was sent hither. I have no acquaintance with the 
 others, but it appears that they prosper. It also looks as if 
 this church, in case we are left without aid, would be able to 
 do us considerable injury, for some young men are known to 
 me whom they have already won. 
 
 I and the Reformed Church officers at Philadelphia ad- 
 
 * This apparently high estimate is shown to be approximately correct 
 by the Hallische Nachrichten, new edition, Vol. I., p. 151. 
 
24 COEirS OF PEXXSYLVAyiA. 
 
 dressed our Lord Proprietor over two years ago for a plot of 
 ground. He consented, and finallr gave ns one, althougk 
 inside the citv. one acre in extent, for 50 pounds sterling at a 
 yeariy ground rent of six sMUings. from which he might hare 
 realized as mueli as 200 pounds, upon which we now since 
 that time bury our dead: before we had to bury our dead in 
 a negro slave cemetery. But what does this benefit us ? The 
 money for the land is now bearing interest, and the congre- 
 gation can scarcely raise from the incoming alms the annual 
 expenses of our meeting-house and this plot of ground. 
 
 Regarding the congregations at Tulpehocken. the one some 
 years ago bought 100 acres of land and built a small church 
 upon it (but which now is altogether too small), and, as I 
 recollect. I have heard from them that they have a debt of 
 about 30 pounds on land and church. The other congrega- 
 tion at Tulpehocken received as a gift a little piece of land 
 consisting of four acres, and erected upon it a tolerably large, 
 beautiful and well-built frame church. I heard when I was 
 last with them, and for the first time held services in the 
 church, and at the same time celebrated the Lord's Supper, 
 that they owed as much as 60 pounds, although they did not 
 yet have chairs or i)ews. Both these fine and very loyal con- 
 gregations well deserve to be served and guided by a godly 
 and faithful pastor. In the first congregation they have a 
 faithful reader and schoolmaster, Francis Layenberger, who 
 has been thus far a faithful watchman against the sects. 
 I trust that, although his income is very meagre, he may yet 
 be able to stay for a while. Li the second congregation one 
 of the elders is reader, and thus they continue their religious 
 services in the fear of God. living in good hope that God will 
 graciously help them. 
 
 Of Conestoga I cannot say much, since for a long time I 
 have not conducted the services among them. For some time 
 they accepted all they could get. and now they have nobody. 
 There are at present three congregations. In the new city 
 of Lancaster they had last ^Ir. John Barth. Rieger. but be- 
 cause he always had very much intercourse with all sorts of 
 people and all sorts of sects they took an aversion to him. 
 Toward the end of last year Count Zinzendorf attended his 
 church, of whom he made very much, and took him to his 
 
EECOEDS OF 17 U. o^ 
 
 house. On the next Sunday his sermon (as I have heard in 
 truth; was nothing but a glorifying and praising of the piety 
 and the doctrines of the Moravian brethren. It also hap- 
 pened that he (Eieger) and Zinzendorf were present at the 
 house of a certain man, Jacob Baurle; there the Count said 
 he must hasten to Philadelphia, for court was now in session 
 there, and as surely as his name was Count Zinzendorf he 
 would see to it that four men should hang, and nothing should 
 save them but the King's mercy. (,This arose from the fact 
 that Count Zinzendorf had made the Lutherans at Philadel- 
 phia believe that he was a Lutheran minister, whereupon 
 they took this Count for their preacher.) Afterwards he 
 installed one of his creatures named Pyrlaeus; then they 
 discovered his cunning tricks, and thrust the same, with the 
 aid of the Beformed but I was not present), out of the 
 meeting-house, which they had in comjnon. 
 
 For these words * a lawyer of Philadelphia caused Jacob 
 Bauerle to be summoned by the Court at Lancaster I have 
 this from the lawyer *s own mouth) . And now when Eieger. 
 who was present, was also made to give testimony, he excused 
 himself by saying "he had not heard it."' 1 have had this 
 only recently from the above-mentioned Jacob Bauerle "s own 
 mouth) , which, added to other grievances, induc-ed this people 
 to get rid of him. which they could readily do. as he was 
 engaged by them on certain conditions. Thereupon Sieger 
 went away from here, but his wife and children are still here. 
 What has become of him I do not know, but it is said here 
 that he has written to his brother from Leyden, in Holland. 
 
 The surrounding congregations, around or near Conestoga, 
 have long ago taken up with a man. Conrad Tempelman by 
 name (he is from Heidelberg), a tailor by trade, and have 
 made tiie same their minister. I know him. for he was 
 school teacher and reader in the Bill church when I serxed 
 them at the beginning. Of the same I noticed at that time 
 nothing wrong in his life or conduct, and since have heard of 
 him nothing but what was praiseworthy, especially that he is 
 very watchful against the sects, and that his congregations 
 are very much united. 
 
 * Jaeob Baurle had evidently eireiilated this story abont Zimendoxf, 
 and -when the latier heard of it he prose«ented Baurle for slander. 
 
26 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Regarding the congregation at Goshenhoppen, it has alsa 
 a suitable frame church upon a piece of land consisting of 
 50 acres, donated by some one, that all religions and sects 
 should have the privilege of building a church thereon, and 
 I lately learned from an old elder of theirs that the church 
 is paid for. Two years ago four of them bought a plot. 
 They intended to hand it over to the congregation for a par- 
 sonage if they M^ere reimbursed for their outlay. How much 
 it costs I do not know. This congregation up to this time has 
 claimed the privilege accorded to them in the letter which 
 Reiff had when he returned from his collecting tour, and 
 purported to be written by his Reverence, Doctor Wilhelmi, 
 of Rotterdam (whereof a copy may be found among the Penn- 
 sylvania papers*). Hence they will not submit to any ordi- 
 nances. And no matter how much I may admonish them, 
 they remain of the same mind. They had taken young Goet- 
 schi to be their pastor, but when Do. Dorsius arrived he with- 
 drew from them, went to him, and studied a year with him, 
 and after this year he was ordained as minister for Long 
 Island in the month of April, 1741, by Mr. Dorsius, assisted 
 by Do. Frelinghuysen, of Raritan, and still another (as I 
 learned afterwards), Tennant by name, of whom it was said 
 at that time that he was one of the Whitfielders. Meanwhile, 
 since Goetschi was no longer with them, Do. Dorsius has sev- 
 eral times administered the Lord's Supper to this people 
 before his journey to Holland. As I learned on Tuesday 
 after last Easter at Goshenhoppen from a ruling elder, it is 
 arranged that he shall again administer it to them in next 
 coming month of May. On this Tuesday after Easter, when 
 I happened to come to Goshenhoppen, I found this among 
 them: On Good Friday they had allowed the base deceiver, 
 Jacob Lischy, to preach in their church, who at the same time 
 baptized two children. When I represented to two elders 
 who were together on this Tuesday after Easter the impro- 
 priety of this act in the presence of several people, in having 
 permitted a Moravian to do such things, they answered me 
 that they themselves had held it up to him, but he had pro- 
 tested with an oath and called upon God to forsake him if 
 
 * It is preserved at Amsterdam, new letters No. 10. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1744. 
 
 27 
 
 he were a Moravian. He claimed to be a Reformed preacher 
 from Switzerland. Then I showed them his Moravian hymn- 
 book, entitled "Shepherd Songs of Bethlehem, for the use of 
 all who are poor and humble," which before this was his own 
 pocket hymn-book, and came to my hands in a wonderful but 
 honorable way, in which he had written his name with his 
 own hand ; when they compared the letter which he had writ- 
 ten to them with it and saw that it was his own hand- writing, 
 they realized his wicked conduct; the more so because when 
 they told him that I had this little book, he had denied it was 
 his, saying that he knew nothing of the book, that others could 
 easily write his name in a book; he could not prevent that, 
 and that for this reason he had long regarded me as a treach- 
 erous Boehm, of whom he had before heard in Holland, etc. 
 Then they acted as if they were very sorry. But one among 
 them, Michael Raclner, confessed that it was his fault alone 
 that Lisehy had come into the church. Whereupon I took 
 my departure. The next day I spoke with another ruling 
 elder, who Avas not present the day before. This one said to 
 me with a sad heart, almost with tears: "But what shall we 
 do?" Mr. Dorsius has told us we should not think that we 
 could get ministers from Holland. We should ourselves see 
 to it what Avas to be done. The Hollanders had said: "What 
 do the Pennsylvanians imagine themselves to be? They live 
 in a free country, have nothing to pay to any royal court, 
 yet want to give but 10 pounds in such a large congregation 
 to a minister; then we cannot provide them with ministers," 
 etc. Nevertheless I admonished them to remain steadfast in 
 prayer, and without being discouraged to wait upon God's 
 favor. As for me, I felt assured that if our pious Church 
 Fathers desired to admonish us or were displeased about 
 anything, they would not thus rudely present it, but speak 
 of it in amicable and friendly manner becoming to servants 
 of God. But according to my expectations the affairs of our 
 church would take quite a different turn under the provi- 
 dence of God and his guidance, etc. And thus Ave separated. 
 Lastly, the congregation at Germantown. This is in a sad 
 state, as regards loyalty to our true Reformed doctrine. Yet 
 many years ago they built a handsome stone church (on 
 Avhich there is as yet quite a debt). But in spite of all our 
 
28 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 admonitions, warnings and prayers tliey have constantly per- 
 mitted every errorist to associate with them. For when 
 Barth. Rieger, who, when he served Philadelphia also preached 
 for them occasionally, had left them, they allowed John 
 Bechtel to preach constantly to them, whom I had plainly 
 enough described to them in my first and second letter of 
 warning. Thus also old Samuel Guldi, who according to 
 his own statement was minister in the three principal churches 
 at Bern, in Switzerland (whence he was dismissed on account 
 of his pietism and came to this country) , has often preached 
 there. Meanwhile they also consented to have a sectarian 
 crowd gather there every Sunday afternoon, of whom one 
 had been before an Inspirationist, another a Pietist, Sepa- 
 ratist, and whatever other kinds might be mentioned. These 
 then assembled in the church, selected a passage of the Bible, 
 and then disputed about it. But they allowed no one to 
 compare Scripture with Scripture, but were of the opinion 
 that every question could be decided by every one's convic- 
 tion. The vulgar called these people Disputants, but they 
 called themselves The Free Assembly. Nevertheless these 
 antics soon amounted to nothing. 
 
 After this they let Count Zinzendorf and his Moravians 
 take possession of the church, who preached there awhile, 
 and the turner John Bechtel was one of his worst proselyters. 
 But since this Count Zinzendorf got into confusing quarrels 
 and contentions with those Separatists, who came down on 
 him too hard, he left this congregation of Germantown to his 
 brother, John Bechtel, went away and returned to Philadel- 
 phia. Then these thoughtless people permitted themselves 
 to be led astray by this Bechtel through his hypocritical and 
 smooth words, since he pretended that he would in the future 
 firmly adhere to the Reformed doctrine, and he brought it by 
 means of his sectarian creatures so far among them that, on 
 his promise henceforth to adhere to the Reformed doctrine 
 and always to teach the Heidelberg Catechism in its purity 
 in all its points, they engaged him on January 27, 1743, for 
 a year, as their pastor, giving him a testimonial thereof in 
 writing. But hardly a week afterwards he wanted a paper 
 signed by the four officers of the congregation, in which he 
 excepted the eightieth and the one hundred and fourteenth 
 
RECORDS OF 1744. 
 
 29 
 
 questions. On being asked why, he replied: The eightieth 
 question was unnecessary in this country and the one hundred 
 and fourteenth (he said) was not true, because those who were 
 converted no longer committed sin, and not only could keep 
 the Commandments of God, but it was very easy for them to 
 do so. Wliereupon the largest part of the congregation op- 
 posed him all the more, but however they might try to induce 
 liim (to leave) he had their paper, and they had to get along 
 with him that j^ear. 
 
 During that year he meanwhile established himself firmly 
 vnth his Moravians in the church. They built a gallery in 
 it, bought an organ for 60 pounds and put it on the gallery, 
 intending by means of tiiese heavy expenses — since the Re- 
 formed were so far back in their payments and unable to 
 pay — in this way to get this church under the control of the 
 Moravians. For this purpose they also offered to furnish 
 the money. But when the year agreed upon was up, on 
 January 27, 1744, they obtained control of the church and 
 got rid of Bechtel, whom they dismissed. But the costs of the 
 alterations and the organ had to be refunded. How they 
 were able to do this I cannot imagine. 
 
 ]\Ieanwhile if these people had a loyal disposition, upon 
 which we could rely, and if that congregation would let itself 
 be governed according to the Constitution, it would be of 
 great importance to offer them assistance. But I have not 
 yet been able to find the necessary requisites among them. 
 For when they were now rid of Bechtel, on the next Sunday 
 thereafter nearly all the Reformed people in the vicinity, 
 from far and near, came together (most of the Whitemarsh 
 people were also there) to consult in what manner the best 
 and most suitable measures might be taken that this congre- 
 gation might be brought into a good condition. At this time 
 (according to the testimony of the elder from Whitemarsh, 
 William De AVees) not a single member was present who did 
 not vote for this, to call me also at Germantown as their reg- 
 ular pastor, under the same conditions as is mentioned in the 
 enclosed letter C, on page 6, regarding the little Whitemarsh 
 congregation, that both of these congregations be brought 
 under our Church-Order and be combined. But because one 
 ought to deal very cautiously with such people, it happened 
 
30 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 that on Februaiy 20th last, as in passing I conversed with 
 one named Minck at his house in Germantown about these 
 matters, I gave him this as my resolution: That I was very- 
 glad that it had finally come so far, and that whenever they 
 would come and place themselves under our ordinances and 
 enter into our Christian communion, wherein already stood 
 the Whitemarsh congregation, whose regular minister of God's 
 Word I was, I should \^dth all my heart and gladly serve 
 them, and, until God would be pleased to send from elsewhere 
 other aid, would help them, to the best of my ability, in con- 
 ducting their religious services. And if they would agree 
 to this then I would expect from the congregation, or from 
 their elders in their name, a written certificate thereof, men- 
 tioning whatever they desired me to do. Whereupon I in 
 return would likewise let them have my answer in my own 
 writing. In ansAver to which this Minck replied, this shall be 
 done. Which, however, they did not carry out. And it 
 seems that the thought to be in subjection to church order, 
 when every one is not permitted to act in everything arbi- 
 trarily and according to his own pleasure, was not agreeable 
 to some. These then, acting on their own authority, on March 
 11th, allowed a vagrant to preach in their church, a lock- 
 smith by trade, living at Raritan, but who, as if he were 
 a country apostle, travels everywhere through the land to 
 preach; and thus they acted simply on their own authority, 
 without their four chosen elders knoAving anything about it, 
 much less appointing it or consenting to it, which I have 
 learned from the mouth of some of these four men, and I also 
 ascertained their displeasure at such proceedings. Wliicb 
 act does not appear to be of a more encouraging nature than 
 the previous acceptance of John Bechtel ; the more so as 
 Bechtel when preaching towards the end of his year one Sun- 
 day morning announced at the conclusion of the service that 
 in the afternoon just this locksmith (who was present) would 
 preach, which also took place. From which one can readily 
 judge that this man and Bechtel are about of the same sort 
 and played together under the same cover. Finally, before 
 Easter, they also went and asked Do. Dorsius at Neshaminy 
 to preach for them, and hence on Easter Sunday he preached 
 at Germantown. 
 
BECORDS OF 1744. 01 
 
 Do. Dorsiiis has also promised the people at New Goshen- 
 lioppen to administer the Lord 's Supper there on May 6, and 
 that on the 7th he would be at Old Goshenhoppen, situated 
 about four miles from Skippack, where the Lutheran and the 
 Reformed people wish to build a union church (whereby again 
 some members will be drawn away from Skippack, for until 
 now this district had belonged to Skippack), and on May 7th 
 he will there lay the corner-stone. On this occasion the 
 Lutheran preacher, Andres by name, and Do. Dorsius are 
 each to preach a sermon. Do. Dorsius asked said Lutheran 
 pastor to announce this from his pulpit for the benefit of his 
 Lutheran congregation, which he did on April 8th. After- 
 wards I Avas told by some of my elders who were present that 
 the Lutheran minister distinctly said: "Rev. Inspector Dor- 
 sius will administer the Lord's Supper on May 6 at New 
 Goshenhoppen for the Reformed people, and on the 7th ditto, 
 at the laying of the corner-stone of the union church at Old 
 Goshenhoppen, he, as well as myself (the Lutheran pastor), 
 will preach the first sermon" (which words a certain man 
 who had heard them told me with astonishment in my house 
 on the 16th of April) . 
 
 What all these things mean, — to foster the spirit of inde- 
 pendence in congregations which with difficulty allow them- 
 selves to be brought under church order; and to make no 
 attempt to lead them to something more edifying and whole- 
 some and what consequences this will cause in the future, — 
 all this time alone will show. J. P. Boehm. 
 
 April 20, 1744. 
 
 P. S. On May 6, Do. Dorsius administered the Lord's 
 Supper at New Goshenhoppen ; several persons from Falkner 
 Swamp communed there without saying anything. 
 
 On j\Iay 7, the corner-stone of the above-mentioned union 
 church was to be laid; a considerable number of people were 
 present, but the day was rainy. Do. Dorsius did not come. 
 It was then postponed till Whit Monday, May 34, old style. 
 Do. Dorsius again did not come. But an elder of New 
 Goshenhoppen was appointed to represent Do. Dorsius, and 
 thus the work was accomplished. Boehm. 
 
 July 7, 1744. 
 
 (On Sunday, July 8, Do. Dorsius was at Conestoga.) 
 
32 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 In the name 
 
 of the 
 Triune God, 
 
 Amen. 
 
 COETUS ACTS 
 
 of the Reformed Ministerium of 
 the congregations in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Philadelphia, September, 29th, 
 1747. 
 
 By 
 
 Michael Schlatter, V. D. M., 
 
 of St. Gall, Switzerland, 
 
 now the regular minister of the Reformed Church 
 
 which is being gathered for Christ in Philadelphia 
 
 and German town, 
 
 President pro tem. of the Coetus 
 
 under the supervision of 
 
 the Synods of South and North Holland. 
 (Hague 74, I. 46.) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1747. 
 
 33 
 
 (Tuesday) Septemher 29. 
 In the forenoon at 9 o 'clock all the members of the Honor- 
 able and Reverend Coetus proceeded from the parsonage to 
 the old church, Avhere the Rev. Brother Rieger preached on 
 the 133d Psalm in a devout and edifying manner, and to the 
 general satisfaction of his hearers. 
 
 Afternoon at 2 o'clock, 
 the first session. 
 
 This session, like all the following, was opened with fervent 
 prayer. In accordance \vith the desire of the Reverend 
 Deputies of the Synods of South and North Holland, the 
 writer of this, Michael Schlatter, presided. Thereupon the 
 names of the members present at the meeting were recorded, 
 and these were the following, namely : 
 
 From Philadelphia and Germantown. — Michael Schlatter, 
 V. D. M., and president pro tem., Daniel Bouton, John Gaul, 
 Christopher Meng, Paul Geissel. 
 
 Falkner Sivamp, Providence and Witpen Township.— 
 John Philip Boehm, V. D. M., Frederick Reimer, Conrad 
 Ribel and John Herpel, Michael Kleim. 
 
 Old and Neiv Goshenhoppen, Great Sivamp. — Georg Mi- 
 chael Weiss, V. D. M., Christian Schneider and Daniel Hister, 
 John Huth and Philip Ried, John Huber and Nicholas Mont- 
 bauer. 
 
 Schaeffer's Church and Erlentoivn* Congregation in Con- 
 estoga. — John Barth. Rieger, V. D. M., Michael Weidler, Philip 
 Rank. 
 
 Lancaster. — Vacant. 
 
 Tidpehocken. — John Stein, Valentine Unruh. 
 
 Skippack. — Jacob Arnet, Peter Speyker. 
 
 Indinn Field. — Michael Berger, Frederick Zoellner. • 
 
 Springfield. — Christian Schugg. 
 
 Blue Mountains and Egypt. — Abraham Wotring, Peter 
 Kocher. 
 
 Little Lehigh. — Henry Roth. 
 
 Saucon at Herzel's. — Anthony Lerch. 
 
 York (Jorgtown) . — Caspar Spengler. 
 
 It was further resolved that our General Coetus shall be 
 
 * Erlentown stands for Earl township, in Lancaster county. 
 
34 COST us OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 held annually on [St.] Michael's Day,* and shall be convened 
 by the president then in office. 
 
 (Wednesday) September 30. 
 
 SECOND AND THIRD SESSIONS. 
 
 My journal from June, 1746, to March 1, 1747, of which a 
 full copy was sent to Holland to the Reverend Deputies of 
 the Reverend and Christian Synods, and to the much Es- 
 teemed Classis of Amsterdam, was read by me word for word. 
 This journal, or record, was approved by the Coetus, its cor- 
 rectness acknowledged, and the following letter authorized 
 and ordered to be sent to Holland : 
 
 (Thursday) September 31.** 
 
 FOURTH SESSION. 
 
 Upon the written summons of his Reverence, Domine 
 Michael Schlatter, sent from Philadelphia to us, the under- 
 signed Ministers and Elders of the High German Reformed 
 Churches in Pennsylvania, that we appear in Philadelphia 
 on the 29th of September, 1747, in order to attend the afore- 
 said Coetus, we, the undersigned, have obediently appeared 
 here. At this Coetus Do. Schlatter clearly and distinctly 
 read his report to the Reverend and Christian Synods of 
 South and North Holland, and to the Classis of Amsterdam, 
 made under date September 22, 1746, December 15, and in 
 the month of May, 1747, consisting of seven or eight sheets, 
 commencing June 1, 1746, and ending with his greeting. 
 We have understood it well, and in accordance with his Syn- 
 odical instructions have read it in all the congregations, and 
 having approved the same we do hereby attest and confirm 
 its statements." 
 
 Done in our Coetal Assembly, held for the first time, in 
 Philadelphia under date. 
 
 Further did Do. Schlatter make a detailed report to the 
 Coetus of his journeys among the Reformed congregations 
 in Pennsylvania this spring and summer, which we considered 
 and discussed. Whereupon we requested Mr. Schlatter most 
 amicably and fraternally to have the kindness to take also this 
 
 * St. Michael 's Day is September 29th. 
 ** September having only thirty days, this date ought to be October Ist. 
 
RECORDS OF 1747. 
 
 35 
 
 trouble upon himself, besides his manifold duties, namely, to 
 make known to the Reverend Deputies of the Christian Synods 
 and to the Reverend Classis the acts of this our Coetus 
 now being held, which Do. Schlatter agreed to do, but 
 added the request that from the entire Coetus certain 
 men might be chosen and authorized who should examine the 
 aforesaid report, which his Reverence should at his conve- 
 nience afterwards write up in proper form, in order to ascer- 
 tain whether or not Mr. Schlatter had expressed the sentiment 
 of the Rev. Coetus, which proposition having been approved 
 of by us we have chosen the following men, namely: Mr. 
 Daniel Bouton, of Philadelphia; Paul Geissel, of German- 
 town; Frederick Reimer, of Falkner Swamp; John Huth, of 
 Goshenhoppen, who should comply with the request of Mr. 
 Schlatter and sign this our Coetal report in the name of us all. 
 
 Signed by the following persons: 
 J. P. BoEHM, V. D. M.,* Philip Rank, 
 
 G. M. Weiss, V. D. M., Peter Speyker, 
 
 John Earth. Rieger, V. D. M., Michael Berge, 
 Frederick Reimer, Caspar Spengler, 
 
 John Daniel Bouton, John Stein, 
 
 Paul Geissel, Henry Roth, 
 
 John Huth, Georg Ruth, 
 
 Christian Schneider, Anthony Lerch, 
 
 John Huber, Abraham "Wotring, 
 
 Michael Kleim, Peter Kocher. 
 
 Michael Weydler, 
 
 (Thursday) Octoher 1st** 
 
 FIFTH session. 
 
 I made a report of what I had done in behalf of the 
 brethren of our faith in Pennsylvania since the month of 
 March until the present time, as follows : Several letters were 
 read from Fred. Casimir Miller, Mr. Petersen, schoolmaster 
 at Indian Field, and Mr. Seyfert; also a few letters of a bet- 
 ter kind addressed to me from different consistories, from 
 Monocacy, Conewago, Lancaster, York, Donegal, Macungie, 
 
 * Verbi Dei Minister, i. e., Minister of God 's Word. 
 ** The original has September 31, but this is certainly a mistake. 
 
36 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Lehigh, Raritan, Cocalico, Little Lehigh, Saiicon, Forks [of 
 the Delaware], etc., all of which requested help of me and 
 asked for the Lord's Supper. Likewise a letter was read 
 and translated which was written to me by Do. Hoedemaker, 
 pastor at the Hague, dated April 20, 1747, stating that the 
 letters which I had sent to Holland by Philip Ullrich were 
 lost, but the first sheet of the Journal was duly received in 
 Holland, was considered satisfactory, and was taken up by the 
 Reverend Synods and the Reverend Deputies, I have also a 
 letter from Mr. Jacob Lischy, formerly a Herrnhuter or Mora- 
 vian preacher, written to me in the month of August of this 
 year. In this letter he requests to be received as a brother by 
 the Rev. Coetus, that he might in the future labor among and 
 with us as a true Reformed minister. 
 
 On May 1st I made a journey over the Susquehanna River, 
 preached in York, and administered the Lord's Supper to 151 
 persons, baptized 29 children; 112 men promised 28 pounds 
 and 200 bushels of grain. 
 
 In Conewago I administered the Lord's Supper to 80 per- 
 sons, baptized 21 children, and 46 men promised 11 pounds 
 and 60 bushels of grain. 
 
 In Monocacy I administered the Lord's Supper to 86 per- 
 sons, baptized 26 children, and 49 men promised 36 pounds 
 money and 86 bushels of grain. 
 
 In the congregation at Jeremiah Miller's, in Donegal, I 
 preached, and there 17 men promised 8 pounds and 38 bushels 
 of grain. 
 
 The congregation at Bastian Reyer's. where I administered 
 the Lord's Supper to 70 persons, promised 13 pounds and 
 about 100 bushels of grain. 
 
 Cocalico and Muddy Creek received me partly with cold- 
 ness and partly with rudeness. Particularly in Muddy Creek 
 did my instruction meet with little respect, because they were 
 satisfied with Do. Tempelman, who still preaches to them. 
 
 Regarding the said Mr. Tempelman, he appears to be an 
 honest, well-meaning person, and to be much liked by these 
 three above-mentioned and some other congregations, as Quit- 
 topehilla, Swatara, Donegal, etc. Therefore it Avas resolved 
 with regard to him that, since, in sincerity and to the best of 
 his ability, he has tried to keep these congregations together, 
 
BECOBDS OF 1747. 
 
 37 
 
 without seeking or finding much advantage thereby, and did 
 not set himself against our order, but was always ready to 
 make way for an ordained minister, therefore his ease shall 
 be reported to Holland, and inquiry be made whether, after 
 White Oaks, Cocalico and Muddy Creek have received an 
 ordained minister, he might not be ordained, and then Swa- 
 tara, where he resides, Donegal and Quittopehilla be given to 
 him. Oley, IManatawny, Maxatawny, Macungie, AUemaengel, 
 Lehigh, etc., are not yet ripe enough. They should be let 
 alone until their desire for true and regular ministers be- 
 comes greater. 
 
 In Saucon, Forks, Springfield, etc., the people are well 
 satisfied with Mr. Conrad Wierts, of Zurich, some few ex- 
 cepted. Poverty hurts the man much in his ministry, but 
 because he means well and no one can speak evil of him, 
 therefore the circumstances with regard to his person and 
 said congregations shall be favorably reported to Holland. 
 
 (Friday) October 2. 
 
 SIXTH SESSION. 
 
 Regarding Mr. Jacob Lischy, it was resolved that I and Do. 
 Rieger should travel, before winter sets in, to York, on the 
 Catores [Codorus], to examine the afi^airs and condition and 
 the feeling of the congregation there towards Mr. Lischy, and 
 then report everything, together with his above-mentioned 
 request, to Holland, and obtain advice whether we can or 
 ought to accept him if he should unreservedly submit to all 
 regulations and allow himself to be ordained anew. It is also 
 resolved that in the letter to Holland, Monocacy and Cono- 
 cocheague, in Maryland, and Shenandoah, Southbranch, Po- 
 tomac and Lyken Run [Licking Run], or Germantown [in 
 Virginia], be most favorably mentioned, and to intercede for 
 the same, that they may receive a minister for themselves, or 
 at least some other help. 
 
 In regard to the differences at Skippack, about the money 
 collected in New York for the church at Skippack by Do. 
 Boehm in the year 17 — , these have been settled in the follow- 
 ing manner: 
 
 1. When the names and the offer of the Reformed people, 
 who at present belong or desire to belong to the congregation 
 
38 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 at Skippack, was brought in there were found 18 men who 
 promised together 8 pounds 8 shillings for a pastor, who 
 should also minister to them. 
 
 2. Do. Boehm, who served the church at Skippack for more 
 than 20 years, has received little salary, and he says up to 
 this time he has never been able to induce the congregation 
 to make an effort to build a church with the money collected. 
 
 3. The congregation was almost entirely broken up, so that 
 a year ago there were not five families Avho remained loyal to 
 Do. Boehm. 
 
 4. Do. Boehm made the following proposition to the 
 Coetus,* namely: 
 
 Whether he might not properly apply and expend this 
 money collected in New York, consisting of 44 pounds, for 
 the church and congregation, which would be erected in "Wit- 
 pen township. 
 
 5. The Coetus made no objection to Rev. Brother Boehm 's 
 proposition, in case the congregation at Skippack would also 
 agree to it. 
 
 Whereupon the brethren from Skippack, as the repre- 
 sentatives of the congregation, Messrs. Jac. Arent and Peter 
 Speyker, agreed and settled with Do. Boehm before the whole 
 Coetus, as follows: 
 
 That Do. Boehm be permitted to use 40 pounds of the money 
 collected in New York for the church in AVitpen township: 
 the other 4 pounds, as well as the other collections raised in 
 Philadelphia and in other places for Skippack, shall be deliv- 
 ered by Do. Boehm to the people of Skippack. 
 
 * The name ' ' Coetus ' ' is derived from the Latin co for cum together 
 and the passive participle of ire to go, hence it means that which has 
 come together or a convention. It was first applied by John a Lasco 
 to a weekly conference of ministers, which he established in 1544 at 
 Emden, Germany. 
 
 See H. Dalton, Johannes a Lasco, Gotha 1881, pp. 252-258. 
 The name came to Pennsylvania more directly from Holland. The 
 Deputies of the Synods of North and South Holland called each of 
 their monthly meetings a coetus. In this sense the word is used on the 
 title page of the first Coetus-Minutes. Gradually it was transferred 
 from the meeting to the organization itself. The name Coetus indi- 
 cated, both in Holland and Pennsylvania, that the resolutions of the 
 respective bodies were not final until approved by the Synods of Holland, 
 
MINUTES OF THE SECOND COETUS OF THE 
 
 REFORMED CHURCHES IN PENNSYLVANIA, 
 
 HELD ON THE 28th OF SEPTEMBER, 1748. 
 
 (Hague 74, ii. 6, pp. 6-14.) 
 
 Preparatory to the meeting of Coetus a sermon was preached, 
 on Eph. vi. 23, 24 by Do. John Philip Leydieh, a Reformed 
 minister and member of this Coetus. This service took place 
 at 10 a. m. in the new church at Philadelphia. In the after- 
 noon at 3 o'clock the Coetus was opened by invoking the 
 fatherly blessing of God, the president being Mr. John Philip 
 Boehm, who was the first High-German Reformed minister 
 in Pennsylvania, ordained in 1728,* at present pastor in 
 Falkner Swamp, Providence and Witpen. 
 
 I. 
 
 It was resolved to decide on what day of the year, in 
 future, the annual meeting of Coetus should be held, which 
 should then be announced to the whole body, so that hereafter 
 every one might know what to do. After a deliberation con- 
 cerning this article it w^as resolved that the Coetus should 
 always be held on the last Tuesday in September, and that 
 the next meeting in 1749 should be held at Lancaster, in 
 Conestoga. This was then adopted by the Reverend Coetus, 
 and w-as announced to the whole reverend body. It was also 
 decided that the annual meeting shall be opened with a ser- 
 mon on this said Tuesday, in the morning at 10 o 'clock. 
 
 IL 
 
 No one shall be allowed to occupy a seat in this Reverend 
 Coetus but the orthodox and regular ministers, who are actu- 
 ally serving the Reformed people in Pennsylvania, together 
 with one of the elders of their congregations, who may accom- 
 pany them. 
 
 And in order to prevent all dispute and strife in this matter 
 
 * This is a mistake ; it ought to be 1729. 
 
 (39) 
 
40 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 among the consistories and congregations of the whole coun- 
 try it was required that each member of the consistory who 
 appears shall lay before the Coetus a satisfactory certificate, 
 signed by every other member of the consistory of his congre- 
 gation. These certificates shall be preserved, together with 
 the minutes of the Coetus, for all time, so that no one shall 
 be able to complain with regard to what may be done by those 
 who have been selected as delegates and what they, together 
 with their ministers, may transact and resolve in the Rever- 
 end Coetus. With respect to said certificates, there have been 
 only a few brought in this year, a matter which was over- 
 looked this time on account of the ignorance of some of the 
 members. However, it was resolved to allow no one here- 
 after to sit or vote in the Coetus, or to be heard, unless he has 
 shown a proper certificate from the consistory to which he 
 belongs. 
 
 III. 
 
 The president stated that a paper should be drawn up with 
 regard to the following instruction given to the Do. ]\Iichael 
 Schlatter by the Venerable Christian Synods of South and 
 North Holland: "That the members of the said Reverend 
 "Coetus should sign the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons 
 of the National Synod of Dort of 1618 and 1619, declaring 
 that they with heart and soul are devoted to the same and 
 will hold to them unalterably." The Reverend Coetus con- 
 sidered it right and necessary to do this, and thereupon the 
 following was submitted: "We, the undersigned ministers in 
 actual service in the Reformed congregations in Pennsylvania, 
 having appeared at the appointed Coetus in Philadelphia on 
 September 28th, 1748, together with the accompanying elders 
 from our congregations, do hereby affirm that we are devoted 
 heart and soul to the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons 
 of the National Synod of Dort of 1618 and 1619, and that we 
 shall unalterably hold to them, as we do hereby : ' ' 
 
 [Elders:] [Ministees:] 
 
 Frederick Reimer of Falkner John Philip Boehm, minister 
 
 Swamp. at Falkner Swamp, Provi- 
 
 JoHN Herpel of Providence. dence and Witpen, Pres. , 
 
 Michael Cleim of Witpen. p. t. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1748. 
 
 41 
 
 John Leim [Lein] of the first Michael Schlatter, V. D. M., 
 
 congregation in Conestoga, Reformed Minister at Phila- 
 
 organized May 31, 1730, delphia and Germantown. 
 
 where Do. Rieger preaches. John Philip Leydich, Re- 
 
 Daniel Bouton, of Philadel- formed minister in Pennsyl- 
 
 phia. vania. 
 
 John Heberling, of Tulpe- Dominicus Bartholomaeus, 
 
 hock en. V. D. M. 
 
 Nicholas Trewer, of Lancas- John Jacob Hochreutner, 
 
 ter, the new city in Cone- V. D. M. 
 
 stoga. 
 
 Now because Do. John Bartholomew Rieger refused to do 
 this he was requested to give his reasons in writing. He 
 then (as secretary) himself wrote down the following: 
 
 "With regard to the desire of a Christian Synod, namely, 
 the signing of a paper by all the members of the Coetus, that 
 they believe with all their heart and soilI what is contained 
 in the Heidelberg Catechism and the Acts of the Synod of 
 Dort, Anno 1618 and 1619, and hold to them unchangeably, 
 the said Do. Rieger has heartily and sincerely declared that 
 he felt some scruples concerning the article of the Synod of 
 Dort treating of predestination in the sense of Calvin, and 
 therefore submits this as a 'casum conscientiae ' to the judg- 
 ment of Synod. ' ' 
 
 Next in order was the consideration and deliberation by 
 the whole Coetus of the general welfare of the Reformed 
 churches in Pennsylvania. In order to serve this end it was 
 suggested that the Constitution be read, if the Reverend Coe- 
 tus so desires, which Constitution was drawn up at the very 
 beginning of our Reformed worship, in the year 1725, by Do. 
 John Philip Boehm, who was at that time elected by the 
 Reformed members in Pennsylvania, and all the elders and 
 members of the congregations. It was revised by the three 
 reverend gentlemen, and at that time corresponding minis- 
 ters, Gualther DuBois and Henry Boel, of New York, and 
 Vincent Antonides, of Long Island, and then it was sent to 
 the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam. The latter approved 
 and permitted its use, and in the year 1728 it was adopted, 
 and has remained in use among the first High German Re- 
 formed congregations and several others. 
 
42 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The reading of this Constitution was unanimously demanded 
 by the Coetus, and it was read. But in order not to detain 
 at the Reverend Coetus the delegates of those congregations in 
 which there are as yet no ministers, but who nevertheless were 
 sent to the Coetus, and who have come a great distance to 
 submit their affairs, therefore the deliberation of the above- 
 mentioned Constitution, after having been read distinctly^ 
 was postponed till toward the close of the sessions. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The delegates from Egypt and Heidelberg, in Bucks county, 
 and from Little Lehigh, have asked for a regular minister, 
 and have received as a unanimous answer from the Coetus 
 that if at least 50 pounds of Pennsylvania money can be 
 raised, then Coetus will send a request to the Venerable 
 Christian Synods to obtain a minister for them. 
 
 Further, the delegates of the contending party, unfavorable 
 to Mr. Lischy, offered their objections to Mr. Lischy in writing. 
 Whereupon the unanimous resolution of Coetus was that Mr. 
 Lischy should bring his confession of faith in writing, and 
 that it should be sent by the Coetus to the Christian Synods 
 and Reverend Classis of Amsterdam for decision, and that 
 until then the case of said Mr. Lischy shall be postponed. 
 But in the meantime, through a sort of compromise for the 
 sake of peace, Mr. Lischy, as an otherwise industrious minister, 
 shall be allowed to work among the scattered multitude of 
 people. 
 
 V. 
 
 The question came up whether any Reformed minister 
 belonging to this Coetus should in future be allowed to admit 
 from another district (where there is a regular minister be- 
 longing to this Coetus) any one to the Lord's Supper, to bap- 
 tize children and officiate at marriages whenever and wherever 
 he will, or whether every one should remain in his district and 
 only officiate among members that are enrolled in his congre- 
 gation or congregations, and belong to his district. Regard- 
 ing this fifth point it was resolved by the Reverend Coetus 
 that no minister of this Coetus shall admit any member of 
 the Reformed congregations, whether husband, wife or single 
 person, to the Holy Communion who formerly went to Com- 
 
RECOBDS OF 1748. 
 
 43 
 
 munion to another minister belonging to this Coetus, without 
 the former minister's knowledge, and unless a certificate be 
 shown. The same regulation shall hold for Holy Baptism 
 as for the Holy Supper. Cases of necessity, in which one 
 brother feels in duty bound to help the other, are excepted. 
 The minister who is so requested shall take no fee for his 
 labor, but shall perform it as for his brother, and therefore 
 he shall give a baptismal certificate to those caring for the 
 baptized child, and shall enjoin upon them to give this certifi- 
 cate to their regular minister, so that such a child may be reg- 
 istered in the regular book of baptism, in which the entry 
 belongs, for which registration those who care for the child 
 shall pay the usual fee to their regular minister. And with 
 regard to the proclamation and the officiating at marriages, 
 no minister shall take away anything from his brother's per- 
 quisites, but shall refer the parties to the place where they 
 belong. 
 
 And if it be done for one or more important reasons (ex- 
 cept hatred in any form, concerning which the minister ought 
 always to ask) , then it may be done on this condition, that the 
 officiating minister shall accept the fee and send it unasked 
 to the minister of the congregation or district to which the 
 parties belong. 
 
 And if any minister shall act contrary to this he shall 
 answer in the next Coetus to any complaint against him, and 
 shall defend himself and accept the decision of Coetus as final. 
 
 This, however, does not refer to people who do not belong 
 to any of our congregations, or who bring a license. They 
 are at liberty to select their minister. 
 
 But if contrary to our expectation one or the other party 
 belonging to one of our regular congregations, out of enmity 
 should have a ceremony, as mentioned above, performed by 
 others or by irregular persons, then they shall not be con- 
 sidered as members of the congregation under which they 
 stand until they shall have given ample satisfaction to the 
 officiating consistory of their congregation. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus then considered and declared what 
 was to be paid as a marriage fee by members of the congre- 
 
44 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 gations, and for the registration of a baptized child in the 
 baptismal record, and also for a funeral sermon. It was re- 
 solved by the Reverend Coetus to ask as a marriage fee 7 
 shillings and 6 pence, and for a funeral sermon 5 shillings. 
 But Holy Baptism shall be without any remuneration. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Question: Whether a man belonging to a Coetus congre- 
 gation may be considered a member of the congregation and 
 entitled to its privileges if he does not promise to contribute 
 annually, acceording to his means, to the maintenance of the 
 holy ministerial office, and does not actually contribute? It 
 was answered in the negative. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Another question: Whether the minutes of the Reverend 
 Coetus should not remain in the hands of the president of each 
 year, because he and the secretary are in duty bound to take 
 the greatest care to send faithfully, and without delay and 
 carelessness, the transactions of the Reverend Coetus and what- 
 ever else may be found necessary during the year to the Rev- 
 erend Deputies of Synod and Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, 
 in Holland, so that they may be informed of the transactions of 
 the Reverend Coetus and see what may be done by them for the 
 welfare of our Reformed Church in Pennsylvania? If this 
 question should be answered in the affirmative, then the presi- 
 dent must pledge himself with his own signature at the close 
 of Coetus to deliver up the minutes, together with the affixed 
 credentials, Avhich are to be kept with the minutes, well pre- 
 served and without additions, before the whole Coetus at its 
 next annual meeting, to the minister who then shall be chosen 
 president. The question was answered in the affirmative. 
 
 IX. 
 
 The ecclesiastical ordinances [Constitution] in all their 
 points were once more carefully considered, in accordance 
 with the resolution of Coetus (Article 3). The following 
 motion was then passed : 
 
 Since the Reverend Coetus acknowledges these ecclesiastical 
 ordinances in all their parts as very carefully constructed, 
 according to the necessities of this country, therefore Coetus 
 
EECOBDS OF 1748. 
 
 45 
 
 deems it advantageous to retain them as they have been used 
 from the beginning in our Reformed churches here in Penn- 
 sylvania to the present time, so that the Church in our whole 
 country may be governed harmoniously and in brotherly love. 
 However, if it should please the Reverend Christian Synods 
 and Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, as our godly Church 
 Fathers, to improve anything therein in order to further the 
 future welfare of our Church, we are heartily willing as your 
 children to accept the same with submissive an'd ecclesiastical 
 respect, and to be satisfied with your favorable answer and 
 confirmation of this matter, 
 
 X. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus may now select, according to its pleas- 
 ure, the next presidents for the following two years, so that 
 the retiring president can hand his pledges and signatures 
 concerning the Coetus minutes, as is stated above in Article 
 8, to his successor before the whole Coetus, 
 
 Whereupon there were elected for the year 1749 Do, Rieger, 
 and for 1750 Do. Weis, 
 
 The Reverend Coetus resolved that if the president of this 
 year should take a journey or die, according to God's will,* 
 the minutes of Coetus shall be entrusted to the minister who 
 was the last president (if he signs the pledge), which papers 
 the minister who holds the pledge of the deceased or absent 
 president shall then take care of. Likewise if the same should 
 happen to thp minister holding the pledge, his successor shall 
 try to obtain the papers, 
 
 XI, 
 
 It was resolved to print and sell the Church-Order, which 
 was read and approved of by Coetus. Do, Boehm will give 
 his service to this work, offering to use the surplus money for 
 church purposes, 
 
 XII., and Finally. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus requests Do. Michael Schlatter, as 
 Commissioner of the Reverend Synods, to faithfully write 
 
 * Kev. Mr. Boehm died, as he vaguely anticipated, within seven months 
 after this meeting, while on a journey to Egypt, Lehigh county, on 
 April 29, 1749. 
 
46 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 down the nature and conditions, and likewise the needs of the 
 congregations in Pennsylvania, and to report the same to the 
 Reverend Christian Synods and Reverend Classis of Amster- 
 dam. Therefore the following were authorized to certify his 
 report in the name of the Reverend Coetus after we have left, 
 namely : 
 
 The president, Do. Boehm. 
 
 The secretary. Do. Rieger. 
 
 Thus transacted in our Coetal meeting at Philadelphia the 
 28th of September, 1748, and signed in the name of all by 
 
 John Philip Boehm, Pres p. t. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 It has been considered necessary and useful to add the following, 
 namely : 
 
 That every Eeformed minister belonging to the Reverend Coetus shall 
 annually hand in to the Reverend Coetus, without fail, according to his 
 duty, a report concerning the members of the congregations entrusted to 
 him, how many have died, how many have been married, how many chil- 
 dren of both sexes have been baptized, and how many new communicants 
 have been admitted to the Holy Communion during the year, in addition 
 to the former number, which shall be given. 
 
 And, moreover, a regular formula of the certificate, mentioned in the 
 second Article of the Minutes of Coetus, shall be brought in, without 
 fail, by the elders who appear at the Coetus, namely, as follows : 
 
 We, the undersigned elders and deacons, actually in service in the 
 High-German Reformed congregation (or congregations) at N. N., have 
 elected by majority of votes our brother, N., to appear at the Reverend 
 
 Coetus of this year, , in our behalf. Whatever this our brother 
 
 will present, and together with our regular pastor, Rev. Mr. (in 
 
 case they have a regular pastor) will transact, resolve and subscribe 
 (except what is contrary to our Reformed Church and doctrine), shall 
 have full value and force among us, as if each one of us had been present 
 himself, presented it, transacted, resolved and subscribed to it. 
 
 In confirmation of all this, we set our own signatures hereunto, as we 
 do herewith. 
 
 Done in our assembly at N. on — , Anno . 
 
 John Philip Boehm, President. 
 Michael Schlatter, V. D. M. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1748. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 49.) 
 
 Eeverend Christian Synods of South and North Holland and Reverend 
 Classis of Amsterdam, Godly Fathers of the Church: 
 To the Eeverend Christian Synods and Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, 
 your most humble and obedient servant begs leave to send the second 
 minutes of the Coetus of our Reformed churches in Pennsylvania, held 
 on September 28th, 1748, in accordance with the unanimous resolution 
 of the Coetus, in its eleventh Article, in printed form. 
 
 The Reverend Christian Synods and Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, 
 will thereby see, it is hoped, that we desired nothing else but to keep our 
 still weak but true Church in this country in the pure doctrine, to govern 
 it in peace and harmony, so that by its extension the name of God might 
 be glorified and the kingdom of Jesus, our dearest and perfect Saviour, 
 be enlarged. 
 
 But as to Do. Rieger 's apology in Art. III., regarding that which I 
 consider the chief and most necessary thing, in which special caution is 
 required in this wretched country so full of sects, we submit the same 
 to the godly and careful judgment of the Reverend Christian Synods 
 and Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, awaiting your kind reply and in- 
 struction. 
 
 As regards the signing of the minutes of the Rev. Coetus by his Rev- 
 erence as secretary, this was impossible, as his residence is so far away 
 from mine; he resides at Conestoga. Moreover, I thought that, as he 
 excused himself from acknowledging and subscribing to the above- 
 mentioned main point, he would also hesitate to sign the entire minutes 
 in which this point is incorporated, because he would thereby contradict 
 himself, and hence it was omitted. 
 
 In the meantime the Eeverend Christian Synods and Reverend Classis 
 of Amsterdam may regard the minutes as entirely credible and suflficient, 
 inasmuch as all the other Rev. brethren and ministers who were present 
 signed it with their own hands, as did also the elders whom they had 
 with them and who are named in the minutes, not one of them having 
 raised the least objection. I am ready to send in, on demand, the orig- 
 inal, which is kept here. 
 
 Do. Schlatter has meanwhile gone to Lancaster, and preached there 
 November 13th, and I for him in Philadelphia, where I stayed until the 
 16th, on account of the printing [of the minutes]. 
 
 When Do. Schlatter came home on the 15th, he said he was commissioned 
 ±0 sign Do. Eieger 's name as secretary, but it was too late, as the printer 
 had completed his work. 
 
 Eegarding Do. Weiss, neither he himself nor any of the elders of his 
 
 (47) 
 
48 COETUS OF PEXNSTLVANIA. 
 
 three congregations, viz., Old and Xew Goshenhoppen and the Great 
 Swamp, appeared. I do not know what was the reason. 
 
 As to the case of Mr. Lisehv, mentioned in Art. IV., he has reserved 
 to himself the right to send his confession of faith to Do. Schlatter. 
 As for my part, I have good hope that he will be in the future a faithful 
 laborer in our true church. May God, the only searcher of hearts, give 
 him his blessing. 
 
 The heart-rending and most deplorable case of Do. Hoehreutner, our 
 dearly beloved and esteemed brother, I shall not touch upon here, because 
 Do. Schlatter will describe it in detail, he being better able than I to 
 describe it, having full knowledge of it. I content myself with saying 
 that he lost his life by an unfortunate gun-shot in Do. Schlatter's house 
 in Philadelphia. It was assuredly a hard blow for our Reformed Church 
 in Pennsylvania, and a still greater trial for the old and the young mem- 
 bers of the body of Jesus in our true church. The ways of God are 
 wonderful and always holy. 
 
 This is what I was ordered to send to the Reverend Synods and the 
 Reverend Classis of Amsterdam. I have done it according to my duty 
 and the best of my ability. 
 
 Imploring our omnipotent, faithful God and heavenly Father upon 
 my knees to preserve with his grace and blessing his true church in this 
 dangerous land against all wicked and false laborers, to support it by 
 his omnipotence, and graciously to keep it by his providence, which is 
 inscrutable, that it may be increased to the honor of his name. Amen. 
 
 To the same God who helps aU those who trust in him and to the word 
 of his grace, your most obedient and humble servant in Jesus Christ 
 commends the Rev. Christian Synods and the Reverend Classis of Am- 
 sterdam, as our godly Church Fathers, your persons, families and holy 
 service. With heart and soul I wish you blessing, life, and the eternal 
 crown for your great toil and the Christian care and solicitude which 
 you show for our still feeble and dependent but true Reformed Church 
 and all its faithful servants. We commend ourselves, with our whole 
 church and faithful feUow-servants (next to God, who is aU in all), 
 to the Reverend Christian Synods and the Reverend Classis of Amster- 
 dam for their continued fatherly and Christian affection, care and 
 solicitude. 
 
 Calling myself in all humility the most himible and obedient servant 
 of the Reverend Christian Synods of South and North Holland and the 
 Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, John Philip Boehm, 
 
 The first burden-bearer in all Pennsylvania, now merely pastor of the 
 newly- organized and still small congregation of Witpen, in Philadel- 
 phia county. Pro tem Coetts Praeses. 
 WiTPEX Township, ix Philadelphia County, November Slst, 1748. 
 
CONSTITUTION OF 1748. 
 (Hague 74, ii. 6, pp. 1-5.*) 
 
 The following are our church ordinances, heretofore dra^vn up, now 
 improved, -with obedient submission to the Very Reverend Classis of 
 Amsterdam, namely: 
 
 1. That the consistories which are now in service in the three congre- 
 gations at Falkner Swamp, Skippack and Whitemarsh shall be recog- 
 nized and remain in office for their appointed term, when all the mem- 
 bers of the congregation (as has been done heretofore), together with 
 the minister and consistories, shall elect new members of the consistory. 
 
 But, at the same meeting, all members of the congregations shall 
 transfer, each to his own consistory, all power and right hereafter from 
 year to year to elect officers by a majority vote of the consistories them- 
 selves, because with the growth and spread of the congregations it is 
 not feasible to bring together all the members just for this purpose. 
 
 The persons elected to the consistory shall be announced, each in his 
 ovm congregation, three Sundays, to ascertain whether any one has any 
 lawful objection to offer, and if not they shall, after the third announce- 
 ment, be installed in office. 
 
 And should it happen, which we do not expect of any one, that one 
 or more of the members of the consistory should give offence by his 
 conduct in any way whatsoever, or seek to create strife and division in 
 the congregation, he shall be promptly admonished by the remaining 
 members of the consistory to discontinue such conduct, and should any 
 one not heed the admonition he shall then be removed from office and 
 another member from among the number last in service shall be elected 
 by the minister and remaining members of the consistory and be regu- 
 larly installed ; then he shall serve as if he had been continuously in office. 
 
 2. Should one who has retired from the office of elder or deacon be 
 free two years he may thereafter be re-elected, or even sooner, should 
 this be considered necessary by the consistory then in office. 
 
 3. The elders, deacons and members of the three above-mentioned con- 
 gregations have recognized Do. John Philip Boehm as their regiilar 
 minister, and desire that with the grace of God he may yet long continue 
 in faithful service, according to the doctrine of the Eeformed churches, 
 as he has done hitherto. 
 
 X. B. Here it is to be observed that instead of the name of John 
 Philip Boehm, who was the first minister of these three Reformed con- 
 
 * A MS. copy of this Constitution made by Boehm himself and dated 
 March IS, 1744, is still in existence at The Hague, 74, I. 34. It agrees 
 verbatim with the one here printed. 
 
 (49) 
 
50 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 gregations in Pennsylvania, the name of the minister actually in these 
 congregations shall be clearly announced. 
 
 4. The minister, elders and deacons, and the entire congregation, shall 
 observe, both on the Lord 's day and on other days, the time when and 
 the place where divine service is appointed ; yet they may change the same 
 at pleasure. 
 
 5. The Sacrament of Baptism shall at all times be administered without 
 a fee after divine service. Besides the parents, witnesses shall be pres- 
 ent at the baptism, and this well-established custom shall not be lightly 
 changed. As witnesses at the baptism shall be chosen persons who have 
 confessed the pure doctrine of the Gospel, and whose lives are blameless. 
 
 6. The Holy Supper shall be administered twice a year in every con- 
 gregation in which divine worship is maintained. No one shall be ad- 
 mitted thereto unless upon confession before the consistory and evidence 
 of a godly life, or proper testimonials from another Eeformed congrega- 
 tion, in accordance with the Church-Order of the Synod of Dort of 1618 
 and 1619. 
 
 All the members shall always appeal' at the preparatory sermon, and 
 after the service shall come forward. In case they become careless in 
 this matter they shall be spoken to by the consistory as may be found 
 necessary. 
 
 The older members shall faithfully instruct the young in Reformed 
 worship, and shall see to it that they give faithful attention to the hear- 
 ing of the Word of God, both in preaching and in catechetical instruc- 
 tion, so that the youth may also be admitted to the Holy Communion. 
 
 All the members may commune in each of the three congregations, 
 and to this there shall be no lawful objection so long as they have the 
 same minister. 
 
 7. The bread and the wine for the Holy Communion shall always be 
 bought and provided by the deacons out of the alms that have been 
 collected, and afterward they shall give a faithful account of the same. 
 
 8. To meet this and other necessities of the church the alms shall 
 always be gathered by the deacons while the congregation leaves the 
 church, or otherwise, as the consistory may direct. 
 
 9. The members of the consistory, whether they be elders or deacons, 
 to whom is entrusted the church treasury or other property, shall annu- 
 ally render before the consistory an exact account of their stewardship. 
 For this purpose they shall keep a faithful record of all receipts and 
 expenditures, and when found correct the accounts shall be signed by the 
 minister and an elder in behalf of all as approved. 
 
 10. Should a member of the congregation, male or female, fall into 
 any sin, he shall be placed under the supervision of the consistory until 
 he promise and give evidence of amendment of life. 
 
 11. It shall be the office and duty of the minister to preach the pure 
 doctrine of the Reformed Church according to the Word of God, and to 
 administer the holy seals of the Covenant at their appointed time and 
 place; always to adhere to the confession of faith of the Reformed 
 churches and to the Heidelberg Catechism; to explain the same regularly 
 
RECORDS OF 1748. 5]^ 
 
 and consecutively; to hold catechetical instruction, etc. He shall give 
 special attention to church discipline and correct practice, together with 
 those who have the oversight of the congregation. 
 
 He shall not omit to hold divine service at the appointed times and 
 places without reasons of the greatest importance. 
 
 He shall also pray in the public congregation for our beloved King, 
 the King of Great Britain, and for the Government of this country. 
 
 12. At least once every half year the consistory shall hold a meeting, 
 but the minister shall enter in a book all church matters. 
 
 13. Should it happen that he be inclined to remove, either being called 
 elsewhere or for other weighty reasons, he shall give notice as soon as 
 possible to the congregations, so that they may not be left embarrassed, 
 but may in time secure another suitable man. 
 
 And, further, in all other things the minister shall conduct himself as 
 a faithful servant of Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep. 
 
 The minister, together with the elders and deacons, shall exercise 
 careful oversight over the congregation; they shall attend to the time 
 and place appointed to hold consistory meetings, and shall not absent 
 themselves without weighty reasons. 
 
 They shall faithfully administer, according to their best ability, every- 
 thing embraced in this discipline, each according to his office, and if any 
 one knows of any scandal concerning another, be that one an officer or 
 any other member, he shall feel conscientiously bound to make known 
 the same, not from envy or hatred, but to prevent all offense. 
 
 The accused party shall not be allowed to ask for the name of his 
 accuser, nor shall he stubbornly deny the sin charged against him nor 
 obstinately persist in the same. Those who thus act shall not be regarded 
 as members of the congregation until they promise and show amendment 
 of life. 
 
 And in case any one has anything to say against the doctrine or the 
 life of the minister, or of any other member of the consistory, or against 
 any member, he shall abstain from all disgraceful and slanderous lan- 
 guage, and shall not avenge himself, but shall make known the matter 
 to the consistory and leave it in its hands. 
 
 The same shall then be bound hereby to use all diligence to prevent 
 scandal as much as possible. 
 
 15. The ruling elders and deacons of the congregation shall at all 
 times faithfully see to it that in the most friendly way it be brought to 
 the attention of every member of the congregation, and every one else 
 who shows a disposition to manifest his love in this way, to make a free- 
 will offering to the minister's salary, and such contributions shall be 
 received by the consistory through a person appointed for the purpose 
 at the time most convenient to make the paj-ment, and shall then be paid 
 by this person at the appointed time to the minister on his fixed salary. 
 
 16. This Church-Order, which was sent by us with obedient submission 
 to the Very Eeverend Classis of Amsterdam in the month of July, 1728, 
 and which was approved by this very reverend assembly, is hereby en- 
 larged and established. So also what was added by the very reverend 
 
52 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ministers, Dos. Gualther Du Bois and Henry Boel, of New York, 
 and Vincent Antonides, of Long Island, appointed for this purpose 
 by the Very Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, and concurred in by the 
 three delegated elders of the three congregations at Falkner Swamp, 
 Skippack and Whitemarsh under the date of November 18, 1729, shall 
 be kept inviolate according to our best ability, in order that we may hold 
 steadfastly to the Heidelberg Catechism, all the formulas of unity and 
 the Synod of Dort. and neither we nor our descendants shall be per- 
 mitted to add anything thereto, to take anything therefrom, or to act 
 contrary thereto, nor to receive or to acknowledge any one as their reg- 
 ular minister before such a one, as well as everything else, be submitted 
 by the consistory of the congregations to the Very Reverend Classis of 
 Amsterdam or to their delegates and approved by the same, and at al! 
 times the answer received shall be final. 
 
 The preceding Church-Order of our three congregations mentioned 
 above shall be read publicly each year to the whole congregation at the 
 time of the installation of new elders and deacons, and that they may 
 adhere to it more firmly the new elders and deacons, before they are 
 installed, shall each year subscribe to it in their own hand-writing, and 
 shall then be properly installed in office in the presence of the congre- 
 gation. As we hereby do. N. N. 
 
EXTRACTS REFERRING TO THE COETUS HELD IN 
 PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 20-24, 1749.* 
 
 FIRST EXTRACT FROM SCHLATTER'S '''WAHRHAFTE ERZEHLUNG," 
 FRANKFURT, 1752, PP. 63 AND 64.** 
 
 As our annual Coetus was to be held this year in Lancaster, T went 
 thither on the 25th of the harvest month [September]. After the 
 Eeverend Assembly had been oj^ened on the 27th with a well arranged 
 and edifying sermon by Do. Leydich, the Reverend Brotherhood 
 learned with much joy that Mr. Steiner, sent hither by the Eeverend 
 Deputies of the Synod as minister, had arrived in good health, on the 
 25th, in Philadelphia. We resolved, for this reason, for the present 
 to discontinue our deliberations, because we did not know what kind of 
 orders his Reverence had brought from Holland. "We, however, ap- 
 pointed our next meeting to be held on the 20th of the wine month 
 [October] in my house in Philadelphia. 
 
 On the 20th of the wine month [October] Do. Rieger opened our 
 assembly, again convened, with an excellent, instructive sermon. Do. 
 Bartholomaeus sent word by the elders of his congregation, that, on 
 account of indisposition, he could not be present, and asked therefore 
 to be excused by this assembly. Also Do. Steiner, at this time, was 
 confined to bed by sickness, but through an elder of my congre- 
 gation here, transmitted his papers and testimonials. This Synod con- 
 sisted of five ministers, besides the two Dutch students mentioned 
 above, and sixteen elders, all of whom were provided with proper 
 credentials or testimonials. This meeting ended on the 24th with 
 hearty thanksgiving to God for the brotherly love and unity of senti- 
 ment which had prevailed in it, and each one returned well pleased to 
 his field of labor. That which was brought before this Synod and 
 was acted upon may be more fully seen in the minutes. 
 
 * The minutes of 1749, 1750 and 1751 are lost. In their place some 
 extracts are offered, taken from various sources. 
 
 * * Compare also the edition of the Rev. Dr. H. Harbaugh, Phila- 
 delphia, 1857, pp. 191, f. . 
 
 (53) 
 
(SECOND EXTRACT.) 
 
 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DO. SCHLATTER TO 
 WRITE AND SEND THE MINUTES. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 54.) 
 Reverend, Well Learned, Godly and Much Esteemed Sirs, 
 Deputies of the Reverend and Christian Synods of South 
 and North Holland: 
 
 We hereAvith request the Reverend Sir and Beloved Fellow- 
 brother, Domine Schlatter, pastor in Philadelphia and Ger- 
 mantown, that his Reverence may be pleased to have the kind- 
 ness also to take this trouble, besides his other duties, to 
 record faithfully the Minutes of our Rev. Coetus, together 
 with all that concerns the congregations of our brethren in 
 the faith, including their condition and whatever may serve 
 for their upbuilding, improvement and welfare. He is to 
 transmit the same to the Reverend Deputies of the Christian 
 Synods for their Christian deliberation, after the signature 
 of our president, Do. Rieger, or of his Reverence Do. J. Con- 
 rad Steiner has been duly affixed. 
 
 Done in our Coetal Assembly, October 23, 1749, and at- 
 tested by our own signatures. 
 
 John Bartholomew Rieger, Pres. pro tern. 
 George Michael AA^eiss, Sec. p. t. 
 John Philip Letdich, V. D. M. 
 (54) 
 
(THIRD EXTRACT.) 
 
 DECISION OF THE COETUS, IN FAVOR OF DO. M. 
 
 SCHLATTER, AGAINST THE OLD CONSISTORY 
 
 IN PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 (Hague 74, ii. 10.) 
 The resolution of the Rev. Coetus concerning the articles 
 of complaint against Do. Schlatter, which articles the elders, 
 against their promise, took away, so that Do. Schlatter 
 neither through verbal nor written representations could 
 obtain possession of them before the 20th of Februray, 1749-50. 
 
 Philadelphia, October 22, 1749. 
 Resolved, That the following resolution, unanimously and 
 deliberately taken by the Reverend Coetus, concerning the 
 quarrels and dissensions existing between Do. Schlatter on 
 the one hand and the elders of this congregation on the other 
 hand, shall be read to the Christian congregation [in Phila- 
 delphia]. 
 
 It reads verbatim as follows: 
 
 The aforesaid Coetus having been legally constituted by 
 the Rev. Synods of South and North Holland, and by the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam, the congregations in these regions must 
 submit to the same with dutiful reverence. In the presence 
 of God and in the fear of the Lord we have carefully looked 
 into and Aveighed every misunderstanding, and particularly 
 every complaint laid by the elders to the charge of Do. 
 Schlatter, who, for the sake of peace and love, has come to 
 the conclusion to leave everything, without any exception or 
 reserve, to the decision of the Rev. Coetus, and to be satisfied 
 
 therewith. 
 
 Now it appears that these complaints and charges m 
 their nature include nothing that is material, much less 
 anything that could show the aforesaid Domine * Schlatter 
 unworthy to continue in his office, or compel us to depose 
 him therefrom; on the contrary, since the Rev. Coetus 
 
 * Domine is the usual Dutch term for ministers. We use the ab- 
 breviation Do. for the singular and Dos. for the plural. 
 
 (55) 
 
56 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 finds that these complaints are mixed with much secret 
 bitterness, spite and envy, they indeed deserve special 
 censure. But in order that the Rev. Coetus may indi- 
 cate how much they have at heart the great law of love 
 proclaimed by our common and glorified Master, Jesus Christ, 
 it is the desire of the Rev. Coetus that all the differences 
 and their consequences, both on the part of Do. Schlatter 
 and on the part of the worthy elders, may be laid aside 
 and buried in eternal oblivion. And that as a result Do. 
 Schlatter be again accepted with affection, as before, so 
 that the evil results which might proceed from a contrary 
 course of action, not only in this but in all the other congre- 
 gations of this our land, mav be avoided, the glory of God 
 and of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be preserved, 
 and the salvation of immortal souls may be promoted. 
 
 But if, on the contrary, this our fraternal counsel, well 
 considered and taken in the fear of the Lord, should not be 
 approved or accepted by the elders, then the Rev. Coetus, 
 according to the rule of God's Word, and the principles of 
 our Reformed religion conforming to God's "Word, cannot 
 recognize them as true and sincere members of the church. 
 And we will be compelled to regard them, in accordance 
 with the command of the Lord Jesus, as disturbers of the 
 peace of God, who are threatened with the wrath and rejec- 
 tion of God, which wdll rest upon them by reason of the 
 evil that they bring upon themselves, their own souls and the 
 souls of others, until they sincerely recognize and acknowl- 
 edge their wrong, and repent and pray God for grace and par- 
 don, who has promised in his Word that all that the church 
 shall bind in the name of Jesus upon earth shall be bound 
 in heaven, and what on earth she shall loose shall be loosed 
 in heaven. 
 
 May the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ, grant 
 that this church and other churches may not be divided and 
 ruined by offences that may arise, and may he so join the 
 hearts of the pastors to the hearers and those of the hearers 
 to their pastors, that all schism and offences may be pre- 
 vented, peace and unity be preserved, and the kingdom of 
 Christ thereby be promoted and increased. 
 
 To which the entire Coetus, in the name of the Triune 
 
EECOBDS OF 1749. 57 
 
 God, saith Amen, and in confirmation of the same subscribe 
 their signatures. 
 
 John Bartholomew Eieger, Pres. pro tern. 
 George Michael Weiss, Sec. p. t. 
 John Philip Leydich, V. D. M. 
 John Conrad Steiner, V. D. M. 
 Philadelphia, October 21, 1749. 
 
 Publicly read in the church in the presence of a large 
 congregation. 
 
 (FOURTH EXTRACT.) 
 
 RESOLUTION WITH REGARD TO REV. MR. STEINER 
 AND THE LANCASTER CONGREGATION. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 51 (22), also Harbaugh MSS., No. 13.) 
 4. The congregation of Lancaster made known its request 
 and petition to the Coetus, intimating its desire to have 
 our esteemed fellow-brother, Conrad Steiner, for its regular 
 minister. After mature deliberation it was deemed necessary, 
 since his Reverence, Mr. Conrad Steiner, was very sick and 
 unable to attend the Coetus, to delegate two of our brethren 
 to ask him for his opinion in this case, and whether he 
 had sufficient confidence in the Coetus to be satisfied with 
 what Coetus might decide in regard to his welfare. In order 
 to accomplish this, Do. Weiss and Do. Ph. Leydich went 
 immediately to him in the afternoon and acquainted him 
 vdX\\ the sentiment of the Rev. Coetus. His Reverence was 
 heartily pleased with it, and in a Christian and brotherly 
 way aifirmed and immediately expressed his willingness to 
 be satisfied with and to approve of everything which the 
 Rev. Coetus might resolve with regard to him. 
 
 Whereupon, after mature deliberation and for good rea- 
 sons, it was resolved that it would be much more convenient 
 and useful for his Reverence and his family if he were to 
 serve, together with Lancaster, the vacant and forsaken con- 
 gregations in Muddy Creek, Earltown and Weisseichenland 
 (White Oaks), and this all the more since Lancaster could 
 be served from time to time by Do. Rieger, p. t. president 
 of the Coetus, who lives at Lancaster. The latter has made 
 the cordial offer to the congregation that if they could and 
 
58 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 would forget and forgive the old things Avhieh have happened 
 here and there, he would be willing and inclined to work 
 among them with the talents entrusted to him by God. and 
 this all the more since he considered himself in duty bound 
 before God to serve our Church with all his powers, so that 
 on the judgment day he might appear before his Lord and 
 Master Jesus Christ not empty and bare, but full of joy. 
 
 Since Do. Steiner has made known that for some reasons 
 he would rather live in the country than in the city, the Rev. 
 Coetus has resolved, because there is a comfortable parsonage 
 at ]\Iuddy Creek, which is eighteen English miles from Lan- 
 caster, and the aforesaid congregations are not far from it, to 
 assign this as his dwelling house, so that he may preach one 
 Sunday at IMuddy Creek, the next at Earltown, the third at 
 AVhite Oaks, and the fourth at Lancaster. 
 
 The worthy elders of the congregation in Lancaster, Paul 
 Weitzel and Caspar Schaffnor, did not accept the above 
 resolution of the Rev. Coetus, but most strenuously protested 
 against it, maintaining that they once for all would adhere, 
 according to the wish of the whole congregation, to the call 
 given to Do. Steiner by Do. Schlatter, and to the lengthy 
 letter sent to them by the aforesaid Do. Schlatter. 
 
 By order of the Rev. Coetus and in its name this is hereby 
 attested and aifirmed in behalf of said deputies (elders). 
 
 George Michael Weiss, Sec. p. t. 
 
 Philadelphia, October 23, 1749. 
 
 (FIFTH EXTRACT.) 
 
 RESOLUTION OF COETUS WITH REGARD TO THE 
 
 REIFF ACCOUNTS, EXONERATING REV. MR. 
 
 SCHLATTER. 
 
 (Saur-s Paper, Nov. 16, 1749, also Dec. 1, 1749.) 
 ' ' Since, for some time past, I have been very much annoyed 
 by painful and unproven charges in regard to the money 
 which, some eighteen years ago, was sent, through ]\Ir. Jacob 
 Reiif, by the Synods of South and North Holland, for the 
 benefit of the Reformed people in Pennsylvania, I have 
 thought it necessary, in order to establish my innocence and 
 contradict such slanders, to publish the present extract in 
 
BECOBDS OF 1749. 59 
 
 the public papers. It is an extract taken from a testimonial 
 which my reverend and beloved brethren in the ministry 
 gave me at their last meeting after they had investigated this 
 matter, and it runs as follows : 
 
 "After previous careful examination of the matter, and 
 agreeably to the witness of our conscience, we give to our 
 brother. Do, Schlatter, this testimonial, that publicly and to 
 all men may be kno^\Ti as follows : 
 
 "Mr. Schlatter, pastor in Philadelphia and Germantown, 
 in the matter of the money collected in Holland by Jacob 
 Reiff, by receiving 100 Spanish pistoles.* has done nothing 
 else than his duty, and has acted in accordance with the 
 express instructions sent over to him during the past year 
 by letter from the Reverend Synod of South Holland in 
 regard to this money, which instructions he has conscien- 
 tiously and faithfully followed, even though, previous to 
 the reception of these orders from Holland, out of love to 
 his congregation, Mr. Schlatter had already given to the 
 respected elders of his congregation nearly one-half of it, 
 Avhich action, however, he hopes to vindicate before the proper 
 authorities. This we have seen clearly and distinctly from 
 the account willingly submitted to us. In testimony whereof 
 this has been signed and confirmed by the signature of our 
 own names. 
 
 "John Barth. Rieger, Pres. p. t. 
 
 ' ' George Michael Weiss, Sec. p. t. 
 
 "John Philip Letdich, in Falkner Swamp. 
 
 "Michael Schlatter, Pastor in Philadelphia." 
 
 Philadelphia, October 24th. 1749.** 
 
 * A Spanish pistole is according to the Standard Dictionary $3.92. 
 
 ** The following references to the Minutes of 1749 are found in 
 Eupp's History of Berks and Lebanon Counties. Are these minutes still 
 in existence? P. 444. 
 
 "Messrs. Conrad Tempelman, at Swatara, and J. G. Wirtz, of Sacony, 
 were on probation, as appears from the minutes of the Coetus held at 
 Lancaster, October 20th, 1749. 
 P. 448. 
 
 It appears that besides at the Tulpehocken church there was none 
 ministering in spiritual things within the present limits of Lebanon 
 county prior to 1748 except Mr. Conrad Tempelman, who it seems from 
 the minutes held at Lancaster, October, 1749, had, though he was not 
 regularly ordained, preached at Swatara. " 
 
EXTRACTS FROM SCHLATTER'S "WAHRHAFTE 
 
 ERZEHLUNG," FRANKFURT, 1752, REFERRING 
 
 TO THE COETUS MEETINGS OF 1750. 
 
 p. 66. On the 16th [of November] our Christian Synod was opened 
 [in Philadelphia] in the usual way. I am prepared to make a state- 
 ment to the Christian Synods, as far as it is necessary, of what was 
 transacted in this assembly. 
 
 On the 13th of the Christmas month [December] a special Synod 
 was held in Philadelphia, in which it was unanimously resolved, that 
 inasmuch as many of our letters which we had sent over had been 
 lost, and we were being embarrassed more and more, I should be sent 
 over to lay before the Christian Synods oral and written reports con- 
 cerning the condition of the Pennsylvania churches, and humbly and 
 impressively implore effectual help and support. Three of our min- 
 isterial brethren engaged each to take his turn in attending to my 
 duties in Philadelphia, during my absence, to the best of their ability, 
 without respect to the trouble of travelling so great a distance.* 
 
 LETTER OF COETUS TO THE CONGREGATION IN 
 LANCASTER, DECEMBER 13, 1750. 
 
 (Harbaugh MSS., No. 16.) 
 To THE Christian and Reformed Congregation and their Worthy 
 
 Deacons and Elders in Lancaster: 
 Much Esteemed Members and Elders of the Honorable Congregation in 
 
 Lancaster: 
 
 The sad circumstances of the congregations in Philadelphia and in 
 other places in Pennsylvania have compelled us, as ministers being sub- 
 ordinate to church order and determined to uphold the same, to hold 
 again a meeting or Coetal assembly in Philadelphia at the time specified 
 below. This meeting was held for the purpose of finding ways and means 
 how this confusion could be checked. We discovered no more useful 
 means than to commission his Eeverence, Do. Schlatter, to travel to Hol- 
 land as soon as possible in order to make the necessary representations 
 to the Eev. Synods, as our dear Church Fathers, and to find out whether 
 we can obtain help and counsel from them with regard to the confused 
 condition in this country. We doubt not that with God's assistance we 
 shall secure this help. 
 
 We, the assembled ministers, make known to the worthy consistory 
 and members of your congregation this resolution of our Coetus to the 
 
 * See also the edition of the Eev. Dr. Henry Harbaugh, in his Life 
 of Eev. M. Schlatter, Philadelphia, 1857, p. 195 f. 
 
 (60) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1750. 61 
 
 end that, if you wish to share in the benefits of this journey, you will 
 obligate yourselves to dismiss your present pastor, Mr. Fock,* as soon as 
 the term of his engagement, being one year, comes to an end, he having 
 been admitted to the service of the ministry only for the time being, and 
 being everywhere in evil repute because of his conduct. As a proof 
 that you accept this our salutary demand, you will immediately send 
 a call to his Eeverence, Do. Schlatter, that you may be taken care 
 of. Meanwhile the brethren, Dos. Leydich, Weiss and Lischy, have been 
 commissioned by our Coetal assembly, after the dismissal of Mr. Fock, 
 to conduct church services among you whenever they can find an oppor- 
 tunity of getting away from their congregations. It will be your duty 
 to send them the necessary invitations in advance. 
 
 We trust that you will willingly accept this our request. Imploring 
 all true peace and blessing upon you we remain, honored congregation 
 and consistory, your devoted brethren in Christ, 
 
 John Philip Leydich, V. D. M., See. 
 
 Michael Schlatter, V. D. M., Philadelphia. 
 
 Jacob Lischy, Reformed Pastor across the Susquehanna. 
 
 Done in our Coetal assembly, Philadelphia, December 13, 1750. 
 
 * The spelling of this name varies. He himself writes A''ock in a 
 postscript to a letter of Schlatter, addressed to the Lancaster congrega- 
 tion, dated January 18, 1750, see Harbaugh MSS. No. 14. 
 
EXTRACTS REFERRING TO THE COETUS HELD ON 
 SEPTEMBER 12, 1751. 
 
 (Acts of Syn. Deputies, Vol, X., p. 592.) 
 
 Art. III. 
 
 There was handed to the Deputies by Do. Kulenkamp a High German 
 letter, written by Do. Leidig and Lischy, dated September 26, 1751, in 
 answer to the letter of the Eev. Classis of Amsterdam, dated June 22, 
 1751. 
 
 In this letter they report : 
 
 (1) That Do. Steiner tries to increase the number of his adherents 
 in Philadelphia from the new arrivals, and uses for this purpose as his 
 assistant a student from Hanau [Germany]. That he had also in- 
 duced Dos. Eieger and Weiss to give up their preaching for Do. Schlatter, 
 under the pretense that each one had to care for his own congregations, 
 and that no help could be expected from Holland. For this reason they 
 were not present at the Coetus, held on September 12th, although they 
 had been notified that a letter had arrived from Holland, being un- 
 willing, (as they said) to be under the Holland yoke. 
 
 (2) That Do. Bartholomaeus, as impos mentis [weak minded] was be- 
 ing treated in the hospital. 
 
 (3) That the great lack of ministers could not be overcome but by 
 Do. Schlatter bringing over some. 
 
 (4) That no peace could be expected in Philadelphia, unless they would 
 call a neutral man, because the union of Steiner 's and Schlatter 's parties 
 would be necessary to raise the minister's salary. 
 
 (62) 
 
MINUTES OF SPECIAL COETUS HELD IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, AUGUST 10-13, 1752. 
 
 (Hague 74, ii. 22.) 
 
 Philadelphia, August 13th, 1752. 
 Very Reverend, Very and Well Learned Sirs, Deputies of 
 
 Both Synods, etc. — Dear Fathers and Benefactors: 
 
 After setting sail under God 's gracious assistance on Pente- 
 cost, being j\Iay 17. 1752 (old style), from New Castle, we for- 
 tunately ran into New York in good health on Tuesday, August 
 8th (new style), and the Sunday thereafter, by the goodness 
 of God, we reached Philadelphia, where I lodged my brethren 
 and fellow-ministers, partly at my house, partly with my 
 relatives. But Do. J. Casper Rubel, even as on the journey 
 he was self-willed, chose likewise here so to act without any 
 change, and took lodgings at an inn, where he found an 
 opportunity to meet those who do not wish to subject them- 
 selves to the orders of the Very Reverend and Christian 
 Synods. When I came to the city I found Do. Weiss there, 
 who in his turn, to my great satisfaction, took charge of the 
 preaching service in my church. 
 
 Regarding the Rev. Brethren, Leydich and Lischy, they 
 had continued preaching here, under much inconvenience 
 and even reproach from the wicked and stubborn people, 
 nevertheless they had faithfully done their duty wdthout 
 missing a single service. 
 
 Do. Steiner had a quarrel with his adherents in Phila- 
 delphia more than six months before, and since that time has 
 not preached here, but resides in Germantown, where, as is 
 reported, he has agTeed to preach and conduct school for three 
 years ; however, on hearing of my arrival on the 14th last, he 
 preached here again in his house or church. 
 
 In my absence, and upon learning of the coming of more 
 ministers. Do. Steiner 's party sought to influence my party, 
 and persuaded ten or twelve of them to unite with them to 
 reject me after my arrival, the more since before my depart- 
 ure from Philadelphia I always said that in case the congre- 
 
 (63) 
 
64 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 gation had no love for me or confidence in me I would never 
 press myself upon it. Hence I asked permission of your Rev- 
 erences to remain with the congreg-ation or to leave it. Thus 
 these few, without carefully consulting about this with the 
 congregation, and against the intention and will of the same, 
 have entered into an agreement against me, and have resolved 
 to chose one of the new ministers, etc. 
 
 Immediately upon my arrival in Philadelphia the Rev. 
 Brethren, Leydich and Lischy, requested permission to come 
 here. This was very gladly granted without loss of time, 
 because Do. Weiss remained in town. Thereafter, on Monday, 
 the 10th, we began the first joint deliberations with the most 
 complete love and unity, and continued till to-day. First I 
 communicated to the aforesaid three brethren the Synodical 
 orders and instructions, and other letters. Furthermore I 
 respectfully requested them to give me some information of 
 the present condition of the several congregations. Having 
 learned this, I gave them my ideas with regard to the placing 
 of the six ministers, namely: Do. Otterbein at Lancaster, Do. 
 Stoy at Cocalico, Do. Waldschmidt at Philadelphia, besides 
 myself, Do. Rubel at Tulpehocken, Do. Wissler at Egypt, 
 Heidelberg, etc., and Do. Frankenfeld at Monocacy. This 
 not only met with the approval of the Brethren, but was also 
 afterwards agreed to by the new ministers, without a word 
 of opposition, with much gladness, excepting Do. Rubel. 
 He, after coming to the city, had deliberately taken the 
 pains, in a way that was condemned by all the brethren, 
 to make himself great and acceptable to the congregation, 
 and to make me despised and hated by the same. Thus 
 against every admonition of our Coetus, in disregard of all 
 ministers and friends, he allowed himself to be called as their 
 minister, in the most malevolent manner and in spite of us 
 all. However, he has been accepted by but a portion of the 
 congregation. What will be the result of this time alone will 
 show. We are all of the opinion that God has permitted this 
 in order to secure a blessed result for our remaining congre- 
 gations which love order, etc. Mich. Schlatter. 
 
 This is what we would briefly and in haste report to your 
 Reverences, as we intend to-day to leave this city and, God 
 being with us, go to our congregations, having resolved to hold 
 
BECORDS OF 11 52. 55 
 
 our annual Coetus on October 25th in Lancaster, and not with 
 the perverse people of this place. Then we shall transmit an 
 exact account, and under God's blessing, as we do now. com- 
 municate a dutiful and unanimous report. 
 
 George Michael Weiss, V. D. M., Michael Schlatter, 
 John Philip Leydich, H. W. Stoy, 
 
 Jacob Lischy, P. W. Otterbein, 
 
 John Waldschmidt, J. J. Wissler, 
 
 Theodore Franckenfeld. 
 
 MINUTES OF COETUS HELD IN LANCASTER, 
 OCTOBER 18-24, 1752. 
 
 (Hague 74, \. 74.) 
 Vreli'minarus 
 of the Reformed Coetus in Pennsylvania of October 18, 1752, 
 drawn up to our advantage and best interest. 
 
 On Wednesday afternoon, the 18th, all the following-named 
 ministers assembled in harmony in the school house at Lan- 
 caster to take counsel together and choose officers of the Coe- 
 tus. But before doing anything else the following articles 
 were subscribed by us all, so that we might labor in proper 
 unity and confidence : 
 
 We, Reformed ministers of God's Word, of the American 
 congregations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, etc., have resolved 
 voluntarily with all our heart, and bound each other mutually 
 by our subscription to the following articles : 
 
 1. To maintain, with God's help, our religion in all its 
 order on the foundation of the Synod of Dort held in the 
 years 1618 and 1619. 
 
 2. To be subordinate to the Reverend Christian Synods of 
 Holland in all gratitude, and on occasion to submit ourselves 
 to their fatherly counsel and Christian advice. 
 
 3. As regards our persons, office and congregations, we 
 will allow ourselves to be guided in all circumstances which 
 may arise, by the counsel, advice and judgment of our Coetus, 
 and submit ourselves thereunto in pursuance of the com- 
 mands of the Rev. Synods. 
 
 4. We pledge ourselves not only to promote the prosperity 
 and well-being of the Reformed congi^egations in this country 
 
 5 
 
66 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 in general and in particular, but also each undersigned brother 
 pledges himself to promote the other's bodily and spiritual 
 welfare, honor and esteem as if it were his own, fraternally, 
 faithfully, conscientiously and with all earnestness, in order 
 to induce, by the example of our unity and heartfelt love, 
 those who look up to us to imitate us and to lead a God- 
 pleasing life. 
 
 To observe all this faithfully each one pledges himself in 
 the fear of the Lord with all his heart. 
 Lancaster October 18, 1752. 
 
 G. M. Weiss, of Goshenhoppen, 
 J. B. RiEGER, of Schaeffer's church 
 M. Schlatter, 
 
 J. P. Leydich, of Falkner Swamp, 
 J. LiscHY, of York. 
 J. Waldschmidt, of Coealieo, 
 H. W. Stoy, of Tulpehocken, 
 P. "W. Otterbein, of Lancaster, 
 John Jacob Wissler, of Egypt, 
 Theo. Frankenfeld, of Monoeacy, 
 Jonathan Du Bois, of Northampton, 
 Conrad Tempelmann, of Swatara. 
 N. B. The last two signed on the 21st, after they were 
 ordained. 
 
 After this Do. Weiss, as the oldest minister, inquired of 
 all the brethren, one after the other, who at this present 
 session of Coetus should be appointed as president, assessor 
 and secretary. As a result Do. Schlatter was unanimously 
 elected president. Do. Weiss was thereupon chosen assessor, 
 and Do. Leydich secretary. 
 
 The first two accepted their offices readily, but Do. Leydich 
 desired to be excused, asserting that it was impossible for 
 him to sit so long, whereupon the secretaryship was offered to 
 Do. Stoy, who accepted it with the general consent of the 
 brethren. 
 
 Up to this time affairs went well, but Do. Rubel, who, 
 much against our will and permission, heedless of all 
 brotherly admonition, entered into the school house by force, 
 made an uproar, declaring with great temper and insolence 
 that Do. Schlatter was not and must not be president, since 
 
B ECO EDS OF 1753. 
 
 67 
 
 bo had no congregation and was not looked upon as a regular 
 minister. 
 
 This ]\Ir. Rubel in Philadelphia and elsewhere, has acted 
 hitherto contrary to the godly intentions and instructions of 
 the Christian Synods, contrary to our Coetal regulations, 
 and contrary to the welfare of our churches, and also here 
 did all in his power, with two men brought from Philadelphia, 
 to disturb us in our deliberations, undertaken in the fear of 
 the Lord, and if possible to scatter our Coetal Assembly. 
 He almost succeeded in his pernicious attempt, after one or 
 two elders sided Avith him, and especially caused Do. Leydich 
 so much trouble that his Reverence, to avoid great confusion 
 in his congregation, was compelled to leave our Coetus, and 
 thus for the time being, to prefer the quietness of his congre- 
 gation to the w-ell-being of our Coetus, This example Do. 
 AVeiss was compelled to follow against his will, by reason of 
 the causes just mentioned, namely, the obstinacy of an elder. 
 Upon Do. Wissler this affair had so much influence, although 
 without any grounds, unless it were out of friendship and 
 sympathy ^dth Do. Rubel, that he also left the Coetus, without 
 bidding his host good-bye. 
 
 In spite of all this the other brethren remained, bound 
 together in love, and on Thursday, October 19th, at the 
 appointed time, our Coetus was opened by the Rev. President 
 with a sermon on Haggai i. 14. Thus we continued on the 
 following days in peace and contentment, not without God's 
 assistance, to our mutual encouragement. We finally closed 
 on Tuesday, October 24, with a thanksgiving sermon by 
 Do. Waldschmidt, on Heb. xii. 14, after everything had 
 been faithfully recorded which had been investigated by us, 
 decided upon and resolved to the best interests of the con- 
 gregations. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 Thursday Afternoon {Sept. 19). 
 
 1. This session, as the following sessions, was opened and 
 closed with humble and fervent prayer by the Rev. President. 
 
 2. The Rev. President made known to the assembly, consist- 
 ing of nearly forty persons, the instructions and letters of 
 the Rev. Christian Synods of South and North Holland and of 
 
68 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 the Rev. Deputies thereof, handed to him for our Coetus. He 
 also read at the same time the minutes of the Synod of South 
 Holland of 1751, regarding Pennsylvania, and also some pri- 
 vate letters from the Rev. Deputy Hoedemaker. 
 
 Further, the Rev. President made mention, with great em- 
 phasis and a thankful heart, of the peculiar care, godly efforts 
 and exceptional benevolence of the Rev. Christian Synods of 
 South and North Holland, of the Christian Synods of other 
 provinces, as also of the reverend and generous Classis and 
 Consistory of Amsterdam, with which the very reverend bodies 
 had combinedly favored Pennsylvania and, particularly, the 
 six newly arrived ministers and himself, in a fatherly, noble 
 and cordial manner. He added that the benefactors men- 
 tioned above intended henceforth to take unreservedly to 
 heart the welfare of our congregations, and even to interest 
 the Corpus Evangelicum in Switzerland and the liberally- 
 inclined people in Great Britain in the same object, pro- 
 vided the Pennsylvania brethren would not, by improper 
 conduct, stand in their own light (i. e., obstruct these meas- 
 ures), but wnth thankfulness and a godly conduct show a 
 united and Christian spirit. 
 
 All these and many other elucidations and remarks were 
 read aloud and made known, not only to us ministers, but 
 also to more than thirty persons, elders for the most part, 
 and also some other well-meaning church members, to their 
 great encouragement, satisfaction, and gratitude to God. 
 
 3. The Rev. President reported that there had been sent 
 to him on the part of the Synods of South and North Holland 
 300 unbound octavo Bibles, for which his Reverence had to 
 pay as freight to Messrs. Shoemaker & Son, from Herborn to 
 Rotterdam 14 pounds, and from Rotterdam to Philadelphia 
 3 pounds and some shillings, thus nearly 18 pounds in our 
 country's money. 
 
 4. His Reverence also reported that 500 folio Bibles, printed 
 in Basle in 1747, had been given by the Rev. Classis of 
 Amsterdam to be considered as a present for those seeking 
 their salvation, and had been received free of freight ex- 
 penses, since neither Mr. Stedman, in Rotterdam, nor Capt. 
 Coatam claimed the least payment for the same. His Rever- 
 ence had expended but a half guinea as a present to the ship 's 
 
BE COEDS OF 1752. 
 
 69 
 
 crew, and but twenty shillings more to bring to his home the 
 eight large boxes in which the Bibles were packed, so that his 
 Reverence has expended for the 800 Bibles 19 pounds, 15 
 shillings and 6 pence, regarding which the Coetus was pleased 
 to take the following action : 
 
 a. That in the first place upon every pulpit, in which reg- 
 ular ministers officiate, a large Bible be placed as a gift. 
 
 b. Since there are many well-to-do people who gladly will 
 and can pay for a Bible, it was resolved, so that the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam need not be further burdened, to meet 
 the aforesaid expenses in the following manner: That 40 
 copies be set aside to be sold at 10 shillings apiece to church 
 membere who are seekers after truth and well-to-do. 
 
 c. It was considered necessary to have the unbound octavo 
 Bibles properly bound, to be able to give them gratis to needy 
 persons, and that 120 at the above-mentioned price be sold by 
 the ministers ; and it was further 
 
 d. Resolved to send Do. Weiss 24 copies folio Bibles, one- 
 half to be sold and one-half to be given to the poor, and with 
 the same understanding the others were assigned as follows: 
 
 Do. Rieger, 12 copies. Do. Stoy, 24 copies. 
 
 Do. Lischy, 36 copies. Do. Otterbein, 24 copies. 
 
 Do. Leydich, 24 copies. Do. Frankenfeld, 12 copies. 
 
 Do. Waldschmidt, 24 copies. Do. Tempelmann, 18 copies. 
 
 In reg'ard to Do. Wissler's portion nothing was determined 
 for various reasons. 
 
 In case the amount of the expenses should not be reached 
 by the sale of these Bibles, still others may be distributed 
 in the same manner, and the Rev. President declared himself 
 willing to give an account to Coetus of those which he might 
 distribute at Pliiladelphia or elsewhere. 
 
 e. It was regarded as necessary that the Rev. President, in 
 the name of Coetus, should write a most earnest letter of 
 thanks to the Rev. Christian Synods of Holland and the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam, and that he should most humbly and 
 urgently request their continued fervent prayers, care and 
 fatherly interest. 
 
 f. His Reverence was also charged to v/rite in the same 
 spirit to the Corpus Evangelicum in Switzerland, to the 
 Antistes of the ministers there, and to the Upper Consisto- 
 rium of the Electoral Palatinate (Kur-Pfaltz). 
 
70 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 g. Also to Mr. J. Stedman in our name, thanking him for 
 the free transportation of the 500 folio Bibles, and to what- 
 ever other persons such letters may be deemed necessary. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 {September 20) Friday Afternoon. 
 Certain members from York, of the congregation of Do. 
 Lischy, appeared with the request to change his Reverence to 
 another field, if it pleased the Coetus to do so, and to send 
 them one of the newly-arrived ministers. In pursuance 
 thereof they brought forward, on being asked why they 
 desired this change, the following objections, subscribed by 
 many names : 
 
 a. That Do. Lischy formerly belonged to the Moravians. 
 
 b. That his Reverence wished to rule over the people. 
 
 c. That there were several persons in the church who had 
 not received the Lord's Supper for a long period. 
 
 d. That his Reverence refused baptism to certain persons. 
 
 e. That for the reasons mentioned above his Reverence 
 was regarded as a hireling and scattered the sheep. 
 
 f. That nearly 60 persons desired to be served by another 
 minister. 
 
 Do. Lischy 's elders of the aforesaid congregation were 
 present, and answered the accusations just mentioned as 
 follows : 
 
 a. As regards the first complaint, his Reverence had in a 
 public sermon made sufficient repudiation of the same. 
 
 b. They knew of no such desire to rule. 
 
 c. Only a few irreconcilable people remained away from 
 the observance of the Lord's Supper, and they added that 
 they did not think the fault lay with the minister when cer- 
 tain persons persisted in harboring an unfounded suspicion 
 against him. 
 
 d. Do. Lischy was declared innocent of refusing baptism, 
 and but one instance was brought forward, that of the son- 
 in-law of the originator of all this trouble, to whom his Rev- 
 erence six weeks ago made the offer to baptize his child pub- 
 licly in church, but who wanted to have it baptized not by 
 Do. Lischy, but by another minister present at the time. 
 
 e. It was set forth that therefore Do. Lischy did not de- 
 
RECORDS OF 1152. 7I 
 
 serve to be regarded as a hireling; on the contrary more 
 trouble was to be looked for if these people should be granted 
 their unrighteous request. 
 
 f. Examining the number of the signers, it was found that 
 the names of many of them were added without their eon- 
 sent, others were persuaded and moved thereto without suffi- 
 cient reflection; moreover, the solemn call given anew to his 
 Reverence eighteen months ago showed how unjust was this 
 request of these people. 
 
 As a result the following resolution was submitted to them 
 by the Coetus: 
 
 With regard to the accusations of the discontented in York, 
 it has been found after careful deliberation that their present 
 complaints are weak, and insufficient for the removal of his 
 Reverence. Nevertheless, the matter shall be properly and 
 patiently investigated in due time ; but winter being at hand, 
 and it being deemed impracticable to decide such an affair at 
 once, the members of the congregation at York are given this 
 friendly admonition, to abide in quietness, patience and 
 Christian conduct, and to remember their duty tOAvard God, 
 their conscience, their pastor and their neighbors, comporting 
 themselves according to the law prescribed both for pastor 
 and congregation, and in the spring everything shall be 
 patiently and carefully investigated by two ministers com- 
 missioned for that purpose. 
 
 Signed, Do. Rieger, 
 
 Do. Schlatter, 
 Do. Frankenfeld, 
 Do. Stoy. 
 2. The Rev. President read a letter from the Rev. Coetus 
 of New York * concerning the examination and ordination of 
 Do. David Marinus, preacher at Achquachenonk. This was 
 a reply to a letter which the Rev. President had written to 
 the Rev. Coetus of New York in the name and by the order 
 of our Coetus, whereof the contents were : 
 
 ''An humble request and fraternal proposition to their 
 Reverences, Avhether it be practicable and acceptable to them 
 
 * This letter of the Coetus of New York is given in full in Acts and 
 Proceedings of the General Synod of the Kef. Protestant Dutch Church, 
 Vol. I, p. bcriv, f . 
 
72 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 to examine and ordain Do. Marinus by their Coetus in 
 the name of both Synods, since Mr. ]\Iarinus, with his con- 
 gregation, properly belonged to the Rev. Coetns of New 
 York," etc. 
 
 3. A letter, or defense and remonstrance, by Do. Steiner 
 was handed in, dated October 14, 1752. Our resolution re- 
 garding it appears from the follo"s\dng answer of the Coetus: 
 Rev. Sir and Friend: 
 
 Your extensive communication having been laid before our 
 Coetus, we have deemed it unnecessary, from lack of time 
 and for other reasons, to reply to all the contents of the same 
 point by point; meanwhile your reverence may be assured 
 that our Coetus would have taken all serviceable measures, 
 in the fear of God, to remove immediately the offences occa- 
 sioned by you, to your own satisfaction and best interest, 
 in the most impartial and considerate manner, if only, accord- 
 ing to the previous invitation of Do. Schlatter, you had been 
 willing to appear at our Coetus with the sincere purpose 
 and readiness to attain the object mentioned above, and 
 to be reconciled to Do. Schlatter and others, and further to 
 submit yourself to the just advice and counsel of our Coetus. 
 But whereas you thought it would have been prejudicial to 
 your character to have appeared before our Coetus, and it 
 also appears that you have scruples to be in connection with 
 us, i. e., to enter with us into fraternal union and subordina- 
 tion to the Netherland SjTiods, therefore we are compelled 
 (sit venia nobis) for this time to pass you by, leaving you 
 with God, and to let you do and write what seems good to 
 you according to your own mind and reflection. With this 
 view^ we have passed over the greater portion of your letter 
 without notice, judging that we have acted in good faith, so 
 that we can answer for ourselves in the presence of Jesus 
 Christ and the Rev. Synods of Holland. But what you re- 
 port about the congregation at Germantown, with reference to 
 its claim against Do. Schlatter to a portion of the money col- 
 lected by Jacob Reiff, we declare in a few words that we do 
 not wish to meddle with that, since we think that this matter 
 was settled long ago. In case of necessity Do. Schlatter will 
 be prepared to defend himself against Germantown before the 
 Christian Synods; on our part we would rejoice to see the 
 
BE CORDS OF 1752. 
 
 to 
 
 long-desired rest and peace of the Pennsylvania church after 
 its long-continued struggles, and we would enjoy the same in 
 the fear of God with a grateful heart. Finally, we thank 
 you for the accompanying well-meaning verses; on our part 
 each one of us will read them, and value and prize whatever 
 truth they may contain. God in Christ make you and us all 
 more perfect, i. e., humbler, heartier, more faithful and more 
 prudent in the work whereunto we have been instructed in 
 the schools of the church, and have been ordained by con- 
 sistories,* and have pledged ourselves to be under the juris- 
 diction of the church. In the name of all, farewell in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. J. B. Rieger. 
 
 P. S. The invitation mentioned above of Do. Schlatter 
 was unanimously approved in our Coetus by the brethren. 
 
 third session. 
 
 Friday Afternoon. 
 Concerning the ministers and their congregations: 
 
 1. Do. Rieger reports that his' congregation humbly re- 
 quests not to be omitted with regard to the benevolent con- 
 tributions; he knows of no discontent in his congregation. 
 
 2. Do. Lischy in regard to his congregation at Kreutz Creek, 
 where he resides, is able to rejoice in the promotion of peace, 
 unity and confidence ; but with regard to York he is troubled, 
 since mthin a few weeks, as mentioned above, discontent has 
 arisen there. 
 
 3. Do. Waldschmidt being asked about the condition of 
 his congregations, declared he was satisfied with Cocalico, 
 White Oaks and Seltenreich, but was troubled about ]\Iuddy 
 Creek, since Fred. Casimir Miiller, a hireling, was supported 
 by a part of that congregation, as may be seen more par- 
 ticularly from Do. Schlatter's journal. He desires to be 
 installed in his congregations, and declares that each of them 
 would contribute ten pounds and a reasonable amount of 
 grain, i. e., wheat and oats, which he was ready to prove in 
 writing ; finally he desired the advice of Coetus what to do in 
 the case of IMuddy Creek. Our advice was to go on preaching 
 
 * This statement does not refer to congregational consistories, but to 
 the highest church judicatory in each state and province of Germany 
 known as the " Consistorium. " 
 
74 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 there until it should please the Lord to remove this hin- 
 drance out of his way. 
 
 4. Do. Stoy thanks God for the blessing which he thinks 
 he has observed within a short time in the two congregations 
 at Tulpehocken, and in the third at Muehlbach; the fourth 
 congregation, called Tolpehil, he promises to visit, and if 
 possible to bring into a prosperous condition ; finally he is not 
 troubled about his salary, 
 
 5. Do. Otterbein knows nothing else but to glory in peace 
 and in God's goodness to him and his congregation. As the 
 call made out to him shows, that which he has to expect for 
 his salary is the sum of 45 pounds, etc. 
 
 6. Do. Frankenfeld rejoices with thanksgiving to God over 
 his three congregations of Frederick, ]\Ionocacy and Cono- 
 cocheague, in Pennsylvania.* 
 
 7. Do. Schlatter had no complaints to submit in regard to 
 his congregation at Witpen, located sixteen miles from Phil- 
 adelphia. 
 
 FOURTH SESSION. 
 
 (September 21) Saturday Morning. 
 Regarding the school teachers : 
 
 1. Do. Rieger states that his congregation is able to main- 
 tain one school teacher. 
 
 2. Do. Waldschmidt has school teachers in all congrega- 
 tions except White Oaks ; the school teacher at Muddy Creek, 
 in a memorial to the Coetus, requests its support. 
 
 3. Do. Lischy requests that his three school teachers be 
 supported for a while with benevolent contributions. 
 
 4. Do. Otterbein requests that his school teacher, for his 
 faithfulness and diligence, may not be passed over. 
 
 5. Do. Stoy petitions for a contribution to his school 
 teachers in Muehlbach and Tolpehil, desiring that the first in 
 particular may be favored for some time with a donation, 
 because he still owes three pounds for his passage, for which 
 debt the president has given security. 
 
 6. Do. Frankenfeld praises his school teacher in Monocacy,* 
 
 * This ought to be Maryland, for Frederick and Monocacy. 
 * This school teacher was Thomas Schley, as is shown by one of his 
 letters to Schlatter, Hague 74, I. 51 (14). 
 
RECORDS OF 1752. 75 
 
 and asks that the same, as well as another, by the name of 
 Taiiber, recently arrived in this country, may not be for- 
 gotten. The latter has been sent for a few weeks to Cono- 
 cocheague, with the consent of Dos. Lischy and Frankenfeld 
 and a recommendation from the president. 
 
 7. The president intercedes for a school teacher in his 
 congregation at Witpen, and he offers to the deliberation 
 of the Coetus whether the school teacher, and the poor chil- 
 dren who are unable to pay for their tuition and belong to 
 the rebellious congregation at Philadelphia, could not be taken 
 into consideration, so that he may also be encouraged to hope 
 that he will be remembered in the benevolent contributions, 
 since the children of poor people ought not to be neglected 
 on account of evil persons. The Coetus leaves it to the presi- 
 dent to do in this matter as he thinks best. 
 
 fifth session. 
 
 Saturday Afternoon. 
 
 1. The two Messrs. Du Bois and Tempelmann were exam- 
 ined yesterday, being the 20th of this month, the first by 
 Dos. Rieger, the president, and Waldschraidt, the other by 
 Dos. Lischy, Stoy, Otterbein and Frankenfeld. Both were 
 found orthodox, and the first particularly well versed in 
 languages and the other sciences. These brethren this 
 forenoon, before a numerous assembly and in our presence, 
 each delivered, in his mother tongue, a brief address or ser- 
 mon in the church here, whereupon they, again each in his 
 mother tongue, were ordained by the Rev. President to the 
 holy ministry ; finally they were given testimonials certifying 
 this. 
 
 2. Concerning Do. Bartholomaeus, it was resolved to write 
 to Mr. Conrad Weiser, and thereby ratify in the name of 
 the Coetus what the Rev. President and Secretary on August 
 31st of this year promised in his ( Weiser 's) presence, namely, 
 that Do. Bartholomaeus be relieved from the care of his con- 
 gregation. 
 
 3. The question was raised how Do. Bartholomaeus might 
 be aided in his distressing circumstances and his health, 
 wdth God's blessing, be restored. He himself desired in writ- 
 ing, in the presence and with the consent of his wife, that 
 
76 COETUS OF PEXXSTLVAXIA. 
 
 he might be sent by our Coetiis to his native country, thinking 
 that if he could see the Palatinate again his brain and con- 
 stitution might be restored. After careful deliberation it 
 was resolved to send him in the care of a trustworthy man to 
 Heidelberg at our expense, and that under no circumstances 
 should he trouble our dear fathers in Holland with impor- 
 tunities while passing through their country, but on the 
 contrary we commend him directly in the most urgent man- 
 ner to the Upper Consistory of the Electoral Palatinate. 
 Until his departure he will be supported at our cost. Fur- 
 ther, certain members of the Coetus have olfered to contribute 
 towards his traveling expenses and also to solicit aid from 
 others, so that if possible this brother, so worthy of compas- 
 sion, may be sent over to Europe with greater comfort. 
 
 sixth session. 
 
 Afteexoox.* 
 
 1. A certain young man was present by the name of Hecker, 
 who arrived in this country last year, and had begim to preach 
 %s-ithout ordination. He requested that he might be examined 
 and ordained by us. so that hereafter he might go on laboring 
 with honor and quietness of conscience in his so-called con- 
 gregations. He received this answer, that although he might 
 produce good testimonials, our Coetus nevertheless could not 
 possibly grant his desire, but according to its instructions 
 (from Holland) it was obliged not only to refuse his request, 
 but also to dissuade him from continuing his preaching, fur- 
 ther beseeching and admonishing him not to keep on in such 
 unadvised conduct, but to conduct himself peacefully and as 
 a Christian. 
 
 2. The Rev. President presented several petitions from the 
 congregations at Donegal, Indian Field, the new congrega- 
 tion at TVhite Oaks, Conewago, and other places, which de- 
 sired to be served occasionally with the Word and Sacra- 
 ments. These petitions were taken into consideration, and 
 the congregations will be attended to. with God's help by one 
 or the other brother as far as possible in the future. 
 
 3. In regard to the congregation at Conewago, located 
 on the other side of the Susquehanna River, it was resolved 
 
 * ProbablT this ought to be Monday afternoon. 
 
EECOEDS OF 1752. 77 
 
 that it should be supplied ad interim by Dos. Otterbein, 
 Lisehy, Frankenfeld, AValdsehmidt, Stoy, Rieger, Tempel- 
 mann and the president in turn, once a month, and Do. 
 Otterbein was appointed to make a beginning on November 
 5th of this year. 
 
 4. A representative from the congregation called Muehlbach 
 was present, requesting, if it might please the Coetus, to put 
 into his hands a permit to take up collections in order to pay 
 off in this way the debt of a stone church, which request for 
 various reasons was refused for the present. 
 
 seventh session. 
 
 (Tuesday) ]\Ioening. 
 It was resolved : 
 
 1. To pay to Do. Boehm's widow, in the name of the Synod, 
 4 pounds of this country's money, and for this purpose to 
 add to the 14 guilders which Do. Schlatter had received for 
 her from the SjTiod of South Holland 38 shillings, which Do. 
 Schlatter was willing to advance until they could be repaid 
 TO him. 
 
 2. Do. Schlatter has turned over to the wife of Do. Dorsius, 
 on receipt for the same. 47 guilders (Holland money), which 
 were given to him for her by the Synod. 
 
 3. The president handed to each minister upon request 
 two folio books bound in parchment, intended for baptisms 
 and church records, for which he paid in Holland 44 guilders 
 and 10 stuivers.* which sum is placed to his credit. 
 
 4. A letter sent by more than thirty members of the con- 
 gregation at Philadelphia was read, who of their o^vn accord, 
 ^nthout the knowledge of ]\Ir. Schlatter, humbly requested 
 Coetus that Mr. Schlatter might be induced to minister to 
 them, since they would have nothing to do with ]\Ir. Rubel 
 and his independent adherents. This matter being considered 
 in the absence of the president, it was resolved to exhort 
 these well-meaning persons to patience for the present, and 
 to refer them to the next Coetus to be held in the spring or 
 possibly earlier, because by that time one or more matters 
 may have more fully developed, and it was concluded to send 
 to them the following communication : 
 
 * A Dutch guilder is equivalent to forty and a stuiver to two cents. 
 
78 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Very Worthy Friends: 
 
 From the communication addressed to us we have observed 
 with pleasure your disposition and desire. We justly rejoice 
 over your praiseworthy conduct, that notwithstanding the 
 schism at Philadelphia, you nevertheless do not only give evi- 
 dence of proper gratitude towards our godly church fathers, 
 but have also a praiseworthy Christian desire to be ministered 
 unto by our beloved brother Schlatter. But after ripe delib- 
 eration we cannot for the present approve your request imme- 
 diately, but deem it to be more profitable for our brother 
 Schlatter to keep himself for the present somewhat quiet and 
 to continue in patience, the more so because he is prevented 
 at present by many other duties from giving his thought to 
 your special service. In the meantime we trust that you will 
 set your minds at rest, and, lacking a regular pastor, will all 
 the more zealously cling to the great Shepherd Jesus Christ, 
 to which Ave encourage you. Finally commending you to 
 God and the Avord of his grace, we remain your willing ser- 
 vants and affectionate friends in Christ Jesus, the Coetus of 
 Pennsylvania, in the name of all. Do. Scriba. 
 
 Further, the Coetus takes the liberty to ask you, the Rev. 
 Christian Synods, how we should act towards Dos. Steiner and 
 Eubel. And as Do. Schlatter labors in a congregation sixteen 
 miles from Philadelphia, but, so to speak, only ad interim, 
 and after having given up Philadelphia from necessity and 
 in order to avoid strife, now Avishes to rencAV his opposition 
 to the other party, but after taking counsel with us has found 
 it advisable to remain passive until some change might occur, 
 Ave find ourselves obliged not only to approve his action 
 hitherto, but also to be completely satisfied with his conduct, 
 as he in these and other things consults A\dth us and continues 
 to do the same. His trouble and care Avill appear from his 
 OAvn journal, of AA^hich an extract has been read and found 
 correct by us. We trust that he, at our request, may con- 
 tinue to make knoAvn the circumstances of the Pennsylvania 
 congregations faithfully, conscientiously, carefully and to our 
 general satisfaction, to the Rev. Christian Synods and Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam, and that he may retain the favor and 
 confidence of the same, to whom Ave commend him Avith all 
 fraternal affection. 
 
 LANCASTER;, Octobcr 25, 1752. 
 
KECOFDS OF 1752. 79 
 
 N. B. The Herman original was vouched for as our will 
 and decision, by our signatures, and the seal of the city 
 affixed at our request. 
 
 M. Schlatter, Pres. p. t., Tiieo. Frankenfeld, 
 H. W. Stoy, Sec. p. t., Conrad Tempelmann, 
 
 J. B. Rieger, Jonathan Du Bois, 
 
 Jacob Lischy, Dom. Bartiiolomaeus, 
 
 John Waldschmidt, G. M. Weiss, 
 
 Ph. W. Otterbein, J. Ph. Leydich. 
 
 N. B. The last two did not sign these minutes till May, 
 1753. 
 
 MINUTES OF SPECIAL COETUS, HELD LN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, DECEMBER 12th, 1752. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 75; Amst. Portfolio No. 31.) 
 
 Reverend and ^Ycll Learned Sirs, Deputies of the Reverend 
 
 and CJiristia)i Synods of Soutli and Nortli Holland, our 
 
 Dear and Benevolent Fathers and Brethren in Christ: 
 
 "When, with God's blessing, the Coetus at Lancaster had 
 
 adjourned and the minutes had been written and subscribed 
 
 to by nine brethren, unanimously and in love. Do. Schlatter 
 
 took the trouble to travel in person to Do. Leydich to request 
 
 him, and after that also Do. Weiss, if they would likewise 
 
 subscribe the same, after thej' had read them, so as not 
 
 to be looked upon in Holland as offending against good order 
 
 and fraternal love, but they refused to do so, and brought 
 
 forward nothing but trifling objections. 
 
 Therefore we resolved once more to assemble in extra ses- 
 sion at Do. Schlatter's house at Philadelphia, where at present 
 we are gathered in true unity of purpose, in the fear of the 
 Lord and by His goodness. 
 
 We deem it our duty to declare to your Reverences in 
 sincerity, fidelity and without guile the reasons preventing 
 us hitherto from most humbly communicating a gladdening 
 account of the state of our Pennsylvania churches, and what 
 thus far has thwarted your good intention, the execution of 
 your instructions, and a more pleasing progress. 
 
 An unhappy instrument was Do. Rubel, who set himself 
 in a most malicious, rude and disorderly manner against all 
 
80 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 our fraternal expostulations in Philadelphia, and served a 
 portion of the congregation there as minister. This has 
 caused a great commotion and scandal throughout the land. 
 People say, first of all, if the preachers betray one another 
 in so detestable a manner, having no regard for the church- 
 order to which their word is pledged, but on the contrary 
 giving evidences of disloyalty, rebelliousness and irregularity, 
 how can we be admonished and persuaded by the same to 
 peace, unity, yea, to eternal blessedness? Thus Do. Rubel's 
 reckless and unbecoming conduct did great harm, and, in the 
 second place, had great influence upon Do. Steiner, who, see- 
 ing how a younger preacher set himself with such confidence 
 against the instructions of the Rev. Synods and our Coetus, 
 took courage, and also asserted himself, and refused to act 
 in conjunction with our Coetus, except on condition that Do. 
 Schlatter be excluded, on the ground of old but unfounded 
 accusations, wherewith he seeks to brand Do. Schlatter against 
 all reason, in order to justify his unwarranted behavior 
 against him. And although we permit Do. Rubel and Do. 
 Sleiner to labor undisturbed in their congregations, yet 
 neither of them is satisfied, but they attempt to persuade 
 other brethren and congregations likewise to be disobedient 
 and independent, pretending that the promised donations 
 from Holland and elsewhere, which according to Do. Schlatter 
 were to be expected, were nothing but fraudulent invention 
 and falsehood, wherewith he led the people by the nose, so 
 to speak. Besides, these objections are having much influence 
 upon Dos. Weiss and Leydich, who, however, would doubtless 
 have remained steadfast and of a fraternal spirit, if Do. 
 Schlatter had brought Avith him a purse full of gold for 
 them; but there is no doubt that they will recognize their 
 inconstancy and thoughtlessness and come back to us, if only 
 those will be provided for on the part of the Christian Synods 
 who remain loyal to the orders of the Synods and in subordi- 
 nation to them. We are compelled to express our opinions 
 emphatically with regard to these two brethren, but as re- 
 gards their persons, we leave them with God, and believe that 
 they have more piety than wisdom and prudence. Their 
 actions, however, against us and our Coetus are felt by us for 
 the time being most painfully and keenly. Before we began 
 
BECOSDS OF 1752. g^ 
 
 this session their presence was requested several times in writ- 
 ing, in the most fraternal manner, by Dos. Schlatter and Rie- 
 ger, Lischy and Du Bois. From the first and last they re- 
 ceived during the last week an oral invitation, but their ansAver 
 was that they had already had too much expense on account of 
 the Coetus, and that they also must first get permission from 
 their congregations to attend. As regards Do. Wissler, 
 located at Egypt, at no great distance from Dos. Weiss and 
 Leydich, he is more of a friend to Dos. Steiner and Rubel 
 than to us, and we are also afraid that he will not come up 
 to our expectations. Neither did he come to this meeting, 
 but sent in writing the following excuses, viz., "that he had 
 an engagement to preach, and to marry a couple, that he had 
 to visit the sick and had house visitations on hand, nor could 
 he leave his "wdfe alone, and that he had no money for the 
 journey. 
 
 ' ' Further, he desired if anything was to be signed, that it be 
 done in his name by Dos. Weiss, Leydich or Frankenf eld. " 
 
 At this session we endeavored, but in vain, to make Do. 
 Steiner realize his duty, first in writing, then orally by Dos. 
 Otterbein and Stoy, and finally again by letter. With regard 
 to the congregation in Philadelphia, Do. Schlatter has thus 
 far remained passive, notwithstanding that there always have 
 been many people in Philadelphia who insisted that he should 
 again serve as their pastor even as before his departure. Your 
 Reverences can see from the Coetus minutes of this year that 
 from said people a request was handed in to Coetus, but it 
 was not deemed advisable at the time to do anything else in 
 the matter than to send the letter contained in the minutes 
 to these people. But now these people have learned that 
 we are again in session, and of their own accord have once 
 more insisted and petitioned that Do. Schlatter might be 
 induced by us to preach the Gospel to them in accord- 
 ance with our Coetal regulations, and to lead their souls 
 unto salvation. This matter seemed to us so important 
 and so very delicate that we did not discuss the matter 
 only among ourselves, but also consulted certain great 
 patrons, Presbyterian theologians and other friends, who 
 were unanimously of our opinion, that Do. Schlatter ought 
 not to withdraw himself, nor longer decline to preach in this 
 6 
 
82 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 place before orderly people desirous of hearing him. It was 
 even regarded by all the friends as the most efficient means 
 by which esteem for the Christian Synod, church discipline 
 and order, brotherly love, and the general care of those desir- 
 ing salvation, could be maintained, and on the other hand by 
 which the evil efforts of independent and disorderly people 
 could be counteracted. In consideration thereof Do. Schlatter 
 was fraternally requested by us to offer his services to this 
 good end, and to serve the above-mentioned people as their 
 pastor. Whereupon his Reverence declared himself willing 
 to undertake this work, relying upon God's help, after two 
 Presbyterian ministers had each of their own accord offered 
 his church to him for divine services. In consequence of 
 this, notice was given last Saturday, that on the follov/ing 
 day, and thereafter, services would be held in the large 
 and beautiful church mentioned above, which were held on 
 this occasion by Do. Stoy in the morning and Do. Rieger in 
 the evening, in the presence of a numerous and attentive 
 congregation which exceeded all our expectations. After 
 the sermon the following was read to the audience : 
 
 "After we, united ministers, had assembled once more, in 
 the name of the Lord, to consider some necessary matters per- 
 taining to the Reformed congregations, we learned that there 
 was not a small but a large number of right-minded and order- 
 loving people in this city who had had no part in the disorder 
 and confusion hitherto prevailing, but on the contrary have 
 shown themselves to be cordially and willingly devoted to the 
 order of our Reformed church, and wish henceforth to be 
 guided and assisted . by the Coetus. Consequently it was 
 deemed necessary by us that our dear colleague. Do. Schlatter, 
 after the repeated earnest solicitations he had received, should 
 preach here, in order to proclaim the Word of God to those 
 who seek their salvation and desire to hear him, and not with 
 the object of forcing himself upon a people who do not want 
 him, but only in fulfilment of his duty and obligation to care 
 for such as heartily desire his services, to which, as we trust, 
 God in Christ will add His pi-ecious blessing. ' ' 
 
 We must add most humbly and with all reverence, that 
 moved by the most tender esteem and gratitude, we assure 
 your Reverences that under God's blessing, with his aid and 
 
BE COEDS OF 1752. 33 
 
 the power of his Spirit, we shall continue to uphold, although 
 in feebleness, but faithfully and zealously, modestly, and as 
 far as possible, prudently, your commands and instructions, 
 and maintain our subordination to you. We are of good 
 courage that the same God who has blessed the efforts of your 
 Eeverences and through you those of our dear brother. Do. 
 Schlatter, will be pleased further to make his strong arm and 
 all-wise providence felt in this land. If your fervent prayers 
 with ours shall be acceptable to the glorified Jesus, the great 
 Head of the church, and shall be heard by the Father, there 
 can be no doubt that neither Satan nor his agents shall con- 
 quer us, as may be seen Jer. xv. 15-21. If only your Rever- 
 ences will be kind enough not to lose faith in us brethren, 
 but will be pleased according to your wisdom to judge those 
 reports that are current against us, by their own contents and 
 according to the merits of the several persons from whom 
 they may come, and will generously help us forward and 
 encourage us, then, in our feeble opinion, yet salvo meliori 
 [subject to correction] shall our opponents in vain stir up 
 strife, and the wavering come back of their own accord. 
 
 We cannot omit to note, in a few words, that Do. Schlatter 
 during his absence drew no salary from the congregation, 
 but it was paid to those of his colleagues who took his place. 
 And since that time he has had nothing but heavy expenses, 
 and, moreover, remains uncertain as to what remuneration 
 he will receive for his services here, which in all likelihood 
 will not be large during the first year. Further, in the name 
 of the Deputies, he has handed over to Dos. Weiss, Leydich 
 and Lischy, each one, 50 guilders, entrusted to him before 
 his departure from Holland, together with a letter and a 
 rider * from the Rev. Deputy Hoedemaker. 
 
 After wishing your Reverences God's most precious bless- 
 ings in all respects, we herewith commend ourselves to you 
 with the most dutiful gratitude and most respectful offer of 
 our feeble services. 
 
 * A Dutch gold coin worth fourteen guilders, or $5.63 according to the 
 Standard Dictionary. See Coins. 
 
84 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Your Reverences' most humble servants and grateful 
 brethren, 
 
 Philadelphia, December 12, 1752. 
 
 Henry Wm. Stoy, 
 
 J. B. RiEGER, 
 
 Jacob Lischy, 
 John Waldschmidt, 
 Conrad Tempelmann, 
 Ph. "W. Otterbein, 
 
 N. B. The last two did not sign this till May 29, 1753. 
 
 Jonathan Du Bois, 
 Theodore Frankenfeld, 
 Michael Schlatter, 
 George Michael Weiss, 
 John Phil. Leydich. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS HELD IN LANCASTER, 
 APRIL 26, 1753. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 79; Amst. Portfolio, No. 59.) 
 
 PEEFACE. 
 
 Lancaster, April 26th, 1753. 
 Inasmuch as Do. Schlatter received letters in the begin- 
 ning of March from the Rev. Christian Synods of South and 
 North Holland, which were dated by the Rev. Deputies of 
 both Synods, October 1752, and delivered to the Messrs. 
 Zacharias and Isaac Hope, of Rotterdam, with an order that 
 their friends in Philadelphia pay to him 2,523 guilders 
 [$1,009.20] Holland money in the name of the aforesaid 
 Synods, the aforesaid gentlemen paid to Do. Schlatter 
 through Messrs. Benjamin and Samuel Shoemaker, of Phila- 
 delphia, the sum of 360 pounds and 9 shillings, Pennsylvania 
 currency. This he reported to his colleagues, not only to 
 the undersigned, but also, for the sake of love and peace, 
 to Dos. Weiss, Leydich and Wissler, whom he invited in the 
 most friendly manner to a meeting at Readingtown (a newly 
 laid out city near Tulpehocken) on the 25th of this month. 
 Some of us submitted to him, salvo meliori [subject to cor- 
 rection], that for several reasons we would prefer, if accept- 
 able to him, to have the aforesaid meeting transferred to 
 Lancaster. To this proposition he agreed, and invited all 
 the brethren mentioned above to Lancaster, where at present 
 we have arrived through God's goodness, in health, and have 
 this day begun our meeting. 
 
 FIRST session. 
 
 The meeting was opened with a fervent prayer by Do. 
 Rieger. 
 
 1. Do. Schlatter suggested that another president be 
 elected in his place to preside over the meeting on this occa- 
 sion, but we unanimously requested him to please continue 
 as such, and to preside over our assembly without further 
 objections. 
 
 2. The president handed to us the letters of the Rev. 
 
 (85) 
 
86 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Deputies of both Synods, and at the same time left to the 
 meeting the disposition of the donations received by him. 
 He first handed in a bill for those thirty pounds sterling or 
 360 Holland guilders which he had borrowed on account 
 of the Rev. Synods the year before in NeAv Castle; hence 
 a large part of this sum was given to him in advance from 
 the donations. After this the donations were divided and 
 applied, in accordance with the Christian intention of the 
 Rev. Synods, in the following manner: 
 
 s. 
 
 3. To Do. Rieger, although he made no actual 
 claim, for the reason that he is blessed of God with 
 temporal possessions, was given the sum of 8 
 
 4. Do. Lischy having been asked how much he 
 could expect from his congregation, answered that he 
 could expect between 40 and 50 pounds, but the 
 amount was rather uncertain ; further, he stated that 
 since the arrival of the new ministers he had made 
 several expensive journeys; also that he had pre- 
 viously had considerable expense in the printing of 
 a certain circular,* adding that if only the said ex- 
 penses were in some way made good to him he \\t)uld 
 be fully satisfied; hence there was assigned to him. 
 
 Expenses for circular £ 5 
 
 Traveling expenses "15 
 
 Supplement to salary "10 
 
 — 30 
 
 5. Do. Stoy having been asked concerning the 
 
 circumstances of his congregation and the amount of 
 
 his salary, answered that he hoped to receive 40 
 
 pounds, hence there was assigned to him . . £ 27 10 
 
 Traveling expenses " 2 5 
 
 29 15 
 
 6. Do. Otterbein expected 45 pounds from his con- 
 gregation, and to him were assigned, inclusive of 
 50 guilders Holland currency, or £7. 10 s. 5 pence, 
 Pennsylvania currency, which were made over by 
 
 * It is entitled : Circular Schreiben der Vereinigten Eef ormirten Prc- 
 diger in Pennsylvanien, etc. Lancaster, 1752. 
 
BECOEDS OF 1753. 87 
 
 £. s. 
 
 the Rev. Deputies to his mother £ 22 10 
 
 Traveling expenses " 2 
 
 24 10 
 
 7. Do. Waldschmidt, who put his income at 40 
 pounds, drew , 27 10 
 
 8. Do. Frankenfeld could estimate his salary at 50 
 pounds, and received from us £ 17 10 
 
 For expenses * " 3 18 
 
 21 8 
 
 9. Do. Tempelmann being asked for the circum- 
 stances of his congregation, answered that although 
 the income from his ministry was not large, yet he 
 suffered no lack in temporal things, hence there was 
 assigned to him a honorarium of 6 15 
 
 10. Do. Du Bois stated that his income was 50 
 pounds, and because he w^as only ordained last fall, 
 
 there were allotted to him 10 16 
 
 11. To Do. Bartholomaeus who, through Do. 
 Schlatter's interposition, is at present in the hos- 
 pital at Philadelphia, where we are obliged to pay 
 for his board and the service rendered, was assigned 
 by order of Synods the sum of £ 35 
 
 Also to reimburse the Rev. Presi- 
 dent for expenses previously in- 
 curred for him "10 17 
 
 45 17 
 
 12. To the deserted wife of Do. Dorsius was as- 
 signed, inclusive of £6 which were given to her by 
 the Synod of North Holland, from the donations 
 
 the sum of 8 
 
 Brought forward 212 13 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 1. Do. Schlatter having been asked what he had 
 to expect in his present circumstances from his con- 
 gregations at Philadelphia and AVitpen, answered 
 that his income could not be estimated at more than 
 about 28 pounds, but if he should get more than that. 
 
88 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 £. 
 he was ready to render an account thereof, and left 
 it to our judgment to assign him as much as we 
 should see fit. After we had taken into account his 
 circumstances, it Avas resolved, in his absence, to as- 
 sign to him at present the sum of 60 
 
 For although it had been our desire to assign some- 
 what more to him on account of heavy traveling ex- 
 penses, expensive provisions, wood, and house rent 
 at Philadelphia, the more so because we were assured 
 that house rent, wood, and maintenance of a house 
 cost him 50 pounds, yet it was at the time impossible 
 to designate more for him, inasmuch as we had al- 
 ready disposed of most of the money, and had re- 
 solved to remember the school teachers. 
 
 2. As regards Dos. Weiss, Leydich and Wissler, 
 none of them appeared at our meeting on this occa- 
 sion, but they replied to two different letters of Do. 
 Schlatter, that if Dos. Steiner and Rubel were not 
 regarded as integral members of our Coetus, they 
 would not come, although they had resolved to come 
 to Reading. But they held back when the place 
 of meeting was changed, possibly for the reason that 
 at our last meeting in October at Lancaster they had 
 behaved themselves so obstinately, thoughtlessly and 
 offensively that they had thereby lost the esteem of 
 the congregation. Nevertheless we wished to ob- 
 serve our obligations toward them, and in the hope 
 that in time they would repent left for them in the 
 
 hands of Do. Schlatter 60 
 
 notifying them that the money would be given them 
 provided they approved the Acts of our several As- 
 semblies, also subscribed them, and for the remain- 
 der conducted themselves submissively as members 
 
 of the Rev. and Christian Synods and like us sub- 
 ordinate thereto. We further made known to them 
 most emphatically various considerations aiming at 
 unity. 
 
 3. Finally the following named school-masters 
 were aided from the donations. But we must make 
 
RE COEDS OF 1753. gg 
 
 this apology in advance. Dos. Steiner and Rubel by 
 a spirit of independence, Dos. Weiss, Leydich and 
 Wissler by imprudent conduct and unbrotherly 
 dealings, had maintained and increased the suspicion 
 and dissension existing between ministers and 
 churclies, so that after Do. Schlatter's arrival the 
 churches usually had to be handled very prudently 
 and carefully. Indeed, one hardly dared to influ- 
 ence them to their dutiful obligation to pay their 
 ministers, for fear they would, like those of Ger- 
 mantown, Philadelphia, Goshenhoppen, etc., with- 
 draw themselves, to the detriment of their own 
 welfare, from all good order, subordination and 
 Christian discipline, and thus make the confusion 
 general. This, Rev. Fathers and Brethren, is the 
 true and only reason why our ministry is so difficult, 
 our labor so fruitless, our religion so despised, our 
 income so uncertain, and the school teachers usually 
 are brought into the most deplorable circumstances. 
 For this reason also, they could not be remembered 
 at this time according to our desire and their de- 
 serts, and but a few of the most needy could be 
 rewarded and encouraged in the following manner: 
 
 £. s. 
 Brought forward 332 13 
 
 1. The school-teacher at Lancaster... £6 
 
 2. The one at Monocacy "6 
 
 3. The one at Witpen "4 
 
 4. The one at Tulpehocken "4 
 
 5. The one at Kreutz Creek "3 
 
 6. The one at Cothoras [Codorus] . . " 2 7 
 
 7. The one at Goshenhoppen "5 8 
 
 — — 30 15 
 
 Sum total £363 8 
 
 Regarding the school-teachers at Philadelphia, Coealico, 
 Falkner's Swamp, Frederick and other places who may be 
 in need, the Rev. President has taken it upon himself to assist 
 them as far as possible in another way. At the same time 
 the Rev, President has been instructed to have a small cate- 
 
90 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 chism printed, for the benefit and edification of the youth,, 
 on the same principle that last winter already, at his own 
 expense, he had a thousand ABC books printed, most 
 of which he had distributed for nothing and sold the re- 
 mainder for half price, in order that the youth might not 
 be neglected because of the lack of these books. The presi- 
 dent further reported that he had been compelled to take up 
 at New Castle the 30 pounds sterling, already mentioned in 
 the account, and had been forced to lose 30 guilders, Holland 
 currency, when the draft came in, since 30 pounds sterling 
 only equal the sum of 330 Dutch guilders. And at the same 
 time he suggested that the whole body could better bear that 
 loss than himself, hence 30 guilders were added to his ac- 
 count, in order that they may be refunded to him next year,, 
 inasmuch as this year there is no money in the treasury. 
 His account is as follows, namely, the above-mentioned 30 
 guilders, or rather 4 pounds 10 s. ; the contribution to the 
 widow Boehm, £1. 18 s. ; expenses of Coetus in Philadelphia 
 last November, 4 pounds; traveling and other expenses, 10 
 pounds; postage, 2 pounds; total of what Do. Schlatter is 
 entitled to draw in the future, the sum of £22. 8 s. 
 
 Finally, after prayer and thanksgiving to God by the Rev. 
 President^ we separated from each other in love and peace, 
 after unanimously subscribing the Minutes, and after having 
 wished one another blessing and prosperity. 
 
 Michael Schlatter, Conrad Tempelmann, 
 
 J. B. RiEGER, John Waldschmidt, 
 
 J. LiscHY, Jonathan Du Bois, 
 
 W. Stoy, Ph. W. Otterbein, 
 
 Theo. Frankenfeld, 
 Lancaster, April 27, 1753, 
 Philadelphia, May 29th, subscribed by 
 George Michael Weiss, 
 John Philip Leydich. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN LANCASTER, 
 OCTOBER 9-10, 1753. 
 
 (Amst, Portfolio, No. 61.) 
 
 Lancaster, October 9, 1753. 
 
 The following ministers, namely, Dos. Rieger, Lisehy, 
 Otterbein, Du Bois and Schlatter, came together in the fear 
 of the Lord, in order to reply to your Reverences' letter 
 addressed to our Coetus (and liitherto remaining in Do. 
 Leydich's hands) in the best possible and most dutiful 
 manner. 
 
 But in order to give your Reverences a proper idea of the 
 course of our affairs, we shall first of all insert an extract or 
 narrative from Do. Schlatter's Journal of what has occurred 
 since the end of April, since the adjournment of our Coetus 
 at which the 2,523 guilders received by us were distributed. 
 
 Do. Schlatter informs us that Dos. Weiss and Leydich, at 
 his fraternal and friendly invitation, paid him a visit in 
 Philadelphia on May 29th, when just by chance Do. Du Bois 
 was staying with him, being engaged in transcribing the 
 minutes of Coetus, towards whom they manifested the 
 greatest friendliness, expressing to him their sorrow concern- 
 ing the several differences that had arisen, and proposing 
 to effect a general peace, declaring as before God that they 
 had nothing against his Reverence, Do. Schlatter, nor had 
 written anything against him to your Reverences, but on the 
 contrary disapproved of Do. Rubel's unwarranted actions, 
 and were decidedly of the opinion that he would not long be 
 able to maintain himself. 
 
 Whereupon Dos. Schlatter and Du Bois declared that 
 there was not sufficient ground to believe their seemingly 
 sincere protestations, unless with a good conscience and cor- 
 dially they would ratify by their own signatures the several 
 Acts of our several Coetus meetings taken in their absence. 
 
 Thereupon Do. Schlatter read to them and allowed them 
 to read all the aforesaid Acts, which they voluntarily sub- 
 scribed, only making the exception that the remark made 
 at our second Coetus (namely, that they would have remained 
 
 (91) 
 
92 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 steadfast if Do. Schlatter bad brought with him a well-filled 
 purse of gold) was not the motive that made them leave the 
 Coetus, but that they had left only to maintain love and 
 peace among their congregations, inasmuch as they were not 
 in favor of subordination to Holland and to our Coetal insti- 
 tutions and directions. 
 
 The friendly attitude of these two brethren was so pleasing 
 to me, that of my own accord I addressed them, after the 
 departure of Do. Du Bois, as follows : " I think I can observe 
 that your purpose is peace, and it seems to me that, to my 
 extreme joy, you will sincerely seek to promote the well-being 
 of our distressed church affairs in the future. For this 
 reason I shall hand to each of you, although without orders, 
 ten pounds of the donations on account, in the expectation 
 that you will take no advantage (as has been done before) 
 of this my indulgence and sincere love towards you." 
 Whereupon they indeed accepted the money, but at tlie same 
 time demanded a larger sum from me, which at that time I 
 had to refuse for various reasons. 
 
 On July 10 I received an esteemed letter from the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam dated [April 2, 1753],* wherein, among 
 other things, express mention was made that those who under 
 inhatsoever pretext had left the Coetus must go ivithout the 
 donations imtil further orders from the Rev. Synods and the 
 Bev. Classis of Amsterdam aforesaid. A few days afterwards 
 I received a letter from Do. Leydich, in which he claimed with 
 all seriousness from me 19 pounds and a half more of the 
 donations, and this being refused, the above-mentioned pre- 
 tended love grew feeble, and he and Do. Weiss gave me to 
 understand that they would have nothing to do with me if 
 they could expect no more money from me. 
 
 Shortly afterwards I received several letters from the Rev. 
 Deputies and from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, among 
 others one for Do. Weiss and one for Do. Leydich. The first 
 I sent away at once, and the other I kept until the arrival of 
 Do. Leydich (whom I expected any day, as by promise on his 
 part). But a week later I learned that he had spent several 
 days in Philadelphia with one of my bitterest enemies. I 
 
 * A copy of this letter is still in existence, Amst., Vol. XXXI., p. 1. 
 
RECORDS OF 1753. 93 
 
 sent word several times with humble request that he would 
 come to me, as I had a letter for him, but he refused to 
 come and sent for the letter. But it happened that Do. Stoy, 
 of Tulpehockeu, who the Sunday previous had preached for 
 me here, was still in the city and offered to bring him to my 
 house. I gave him the letter for Do. Leydich, in case the 
 Domine would not accompany him, but he had the good for- 
 tune to induce Leydich, though with great difficulty, to come 
 back with him. 
 
 Here I must not forget, in passing, to mention something 
 which might be explained to your Reverences possibly to my 
 prejudice, as will appear from the following conversation 
 with Do. Leydich in the presence of Do. Stoy: 
 
 "Brother Leydich an (unintentional) accident or mistake 
 has happened to your letter from the Rev. Deputies of Synod, 
 inasmuch as I hurriedly opened it for my own; but as 
 you see, I have sealed it again with my own seal, and I 
 am ready to make you all proper apology before the Synods, 
 or to our Coetus, or elsewhere." "He promised with hand 
 and by mouth, taking God to witness, not to think evil 
 of me, and never to speak of it to anybody." (But before 
 Do. Leydich left Philadelphia he told the incident of the said 
 letter to Do. Rubel, who cast it up to Do. Stoy, to the latter 's 
 great astonishment.) After that I had a very pleasant con- 
 versation with him (Leydich), but at the same time informing 
 him (for reasons at the time best knoAvn to the Rev, Deputies 
 and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam and myself alone) that 
 for a while I would be merely an onlooker, and would have 
 little interest in Pennsylvanian affairs, but would expect the 
 well-being of the same to be promoted by others better than 
 by me. 
 
 In the meantime I cannot refrain from remarking with all 
 humility, that the letter addressed to our Coetus by the Rev. 
 Deputies of Synods, and enclosed in that to Do. Leydich, 
 has made Dos. Weiss and Leydich so overbearing and obsti- 
 nate that the dissension and distrust between the brethren 
 and churches has been greatly increased thereby; and Do. 
 Leydich assumed to have orders from your Reverences to call 
 a meeting of Coetus in spite of me, and imagined himself, 
 with Dos. Weiss, Steiner and Rubel, sustained in regard to the 
 
94 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 accusations brought the preceding year before your Rever- 
 ences against our Coetus, myself and others. Therefore most 
 of the brethren were invited only on the 5th of September, 
 after it was too late for them, to convene on the 10th of the 
 same month, in order to hold a Coetus at the house of Do. 
 Weiss. On the 10th of September, being the day set for the 
 Coetus, I was obediently present with a delegated elder, but 
 was received veiy coldly and contemptuously by the assem- 
 bly, especially by Dos. Weiss, Leydich, Steiner, Rubel and 
 Waldschmidt. I took the liberty to inquire where all the 
 ministers were, inasmuch as Dos. Rieger, Lischy, Otterbein, 
 Wissler and Du Bois were not present. I received a cool 
 reply, and in regard to the last, Do. Leydich said: "AVho can 
 think of eveiytliing ; he was forgotten ! ' ' On the other hand 
 Dos. Steiner and Rubel were present, each accompanied by 
 two stoutly-built elders, and besides there were present sev- 
 eral dozen strange elders or farmers. 
 
 I had scarcely been a quarter of an hour in this crowd of 
 people when Do. Rubel and some others began to attack and 
 abuse me bitterly, so tliat I was compelled to declare that if I 
 was only summoned to be abused, scolded and slandered, I 
 would prefer to return home immediately. But some prom- 
 ised me freedom from attack and better treatment, until I 
 finally saw an opportunity to submit calmly and modestly 
 that I must enter a protest against such an irregular Coetus, 
 since five preachers, and therefore the half of the qualified 
 brethren, were absent ; also that it was contrary to the intent 
 of my Rev. Church Fathers in Holland that more elders than 
 preachers should have a seat and a vote ; and finally that there 
 were certain preachers present who for the present could not 
 be admitted to a seat and a vote. The following reasons 
 prevented me from approving this Coetus with a good con- 
 science : 
 
 1. Do. Leydich had so arranged it that several young 
 preachers should stay with Do. Weiss and himself from the 
 5th to the 10th, possibly to prejudice them against me and 
 others. 
 
 2. The 10th fell upon a Monday, and most of the ministers 
 if they had wished to be present at the appointed time would 
 have had to spend Sunday in traveling, and to neglect their 
 congregations. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1753. 95 
 
 3. Goshenlioppen is in a corner of the country, and an 
 inconvenient locality for most of the brethren, since some 
 had to travel almost 150 miles or more. There was also no 
 pressing occasion for such a meeting. 
 
 4. No certificate was required from any minister or elder, 
 but all were granted a seat and a vote without distinction. 
 
 5. No sermon was preached or prayer offered, no president 
 chosen nor a secretary appointed; accordingly pen, ink and 
 paper were accounted unnecessary articles. Nothing but a 
 good-sized bottle of wine had the honor to stand upon the 
 table in the midst of the reverend brethren above mentioned. 
 All of this I, seated in a corner of the room, was forced with 
 sorrow to observe. 
 
 6. I can testify that I did not hear a word of edifica- 
 tion at this Coetus, except the Synodical letter to Do. Ley- 
 dich which was opened and read. In a word, this session 
 was opened with reproaches, continued with quarrels and 
 offenses, and finished with provocation and slander, so that 
 after attending it for two or three hours, with Do. Stoy and 
 others, I returned home again. 
 
 But before my departure I arranged with Dos. Stoy, Frank- 
 enfeld, Tempelmann and Wissler (the last arriving only as 
 we were leaving) to hold our regular annual Coetus on the 
 last Tuesday of the same month at Lancaster. To this end 
 I wished to take along the letter to our Coetus, in order that 
 the same might then be taken into proper consideration by 
 our absent brethren, but the letter was not entrusted to me, 
 and Dos. Rieger, Lischy, Otterbein and Du Bois have never 
 yet seen this letter of Synod. When Dos. Weiss and Ley- 
 dich had learned that the regular Coetus was appointed 
 they endeavored to prevent the same, and to thwart with 
 all their power our good intentions of sending a proper reply 
 to the Eev. Deputies. Immediately after Do. Stoy, myself 
 and others had left. Do. Weiss was chosen president, and they 
 arranged to hold, in spite of us, a so-called Coetus only 10 
 miles from Lancaster, in an inconvenient locality, at Cocalico, 
 and but 14 days after the authorized day fixed by themselves 
 some years ago,* so that thereby a division was caused, and 
 
 * Cf. Minutes of 1748, art. 1. 
 
96 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 some of the yoiing preachers did not know what to do, 
 whether they should attend Coetus on the 25th of September 
 or the 9th of October. 
 
 Meantime I, in all friendliness and brotherliness, invited 
 Dos. Weiss and Leydich to come to Lancaster on the 25th 
 (of which letter a copy follows here) : 
 
 "Although some time ago I had intended to let affairs take 
 their own course, yet they began to take such an unfortunate 
 turn that I could no longer be at ease. I have therefore 
 consulted with Do. Otterbein, of Lancaster, and others, and 
 Do. Otterbein was requested to write to Do. Weiss about as 
 follows : 
 
 "Although it was our duty to attend our regularly ap- 
 pointed annual Coetus, yet we were willing in order to prevent 
 great confusion and offense throughout the land to come to 
 them to Cocalico on certain conditions, namely, that it be 
 conducted decently, and not as at Goshenhoppen at Do. 
 Weiss 's house; that Do. Weiss for the time being could not 
 be recognized as president ; that Rubel and such a large num- 
 ber of elders must stay away; that the ministers (if possible) 
 ought first of all to come together, and then Coetus could be 
 held in conjunction with the elders at another more conve- 
 nient time, when it could be done with more edification." 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 But since from a letter of Do. Weiss, and other credible 
 reports, we had sufficient evidence that the conditions men- 
 tioned above would not be accepted, we assembled this day, 
 and for fear it would again turn out to be a Polish Parlia- 
 ment we passed the following resolution, namely : 
 
 Once more to send to Cocalico to Dos. AVeiss, Leydich and 
 others of the brethren, prejudiced by deceit and unwarrant- 
 able methods, a deputation from our midst, namely, Dos. Lis- 
 chy, Otterbein and Stoy, with two calmly disposed elders, and 
 thus anew to invite the same to accept the aforesaid conditions, 
 and to consider dispassionately what injuiy and harm has 
 already been done by their personal jealousy, false and un- 
 brotherly conduct, and might still be expected ; and that they 
 might have in view, out of love to God and his heritage, 
 their own best interests, to come over to us to Lancaster, to 
 
HECOEBS OF 1753. 97 
 
 help us promote, under God's guidance, with one aim the 
 best interests of the brotherhood and of the declining state 
 of the church. But alas, all was in vain. Our deputa- 
 tion was very coldly received and subjected to unbrotherly 
 treatment. It seemed as if they were hardened and blinded 
 by Satan, since they would not even listen to wholesome pro- 
 posals, but showed themselves tilled with anger, pride, wilful- 
 ness and desire to rule, appealing to your Reverences' orders, 
 by virtue of which they claimed that Do. Weiss was ap- 
 pointed president. Besides Steiner, Rubel and about 30 
 or more farmers were present, who (talking most overbear- 
 ingly) prevented our deputies from having any private con- 
 versation with one or other of the ministers, and abused 
 them and also the rest of us. Taking all this into considera- 
 tion, after the return of the aforesaid brethren, we deliberated 
 as to whether it would be practicable or advantageous if we all 
 should betake ourselves thither in a body (according to the 
 promise of one of our delegates, who had taken it upon himself 
 to persuade the others thereto), but we have unanimously 
 decided not to meet with them, or for the time being have 
 any communication with them, since we are profoundly con- 
 vinced that they are violating your Reverences' orders, are 
 frustrating through lack of judgment the well-being of our 
 Coetus in particular, and the upbuilding and edification of 
 our churches in general, and are seeking to bring themselves 
 into conflict with us. AVe could, in our judgment, do noth- 
 ing more as Christian men, except send them one more 
 friendly but earnest letter, which, however, Avas not well 
 received by them. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 Subsequently, after prayers on the subject, we took under 
 consideration what it would be our duty to report to your 
 Reverences in these dark and soul-trying circumstances. We 
 must confess, Rev. Fathers, that we are ashamed to commu- 
 nicate such disagreeable and distressing accounts. Never- 
 theless we shall make known to you the true condition of 
 affairs just as they are, and humbly pray and expect from 
 you well tried remedies, as from our physicians, whereby the 
 wounds and divisions of our Coetus may be healed, and 
 7 
 
98 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 the breaches of our Zion be repaired, and we at the same 
 time be cheered by our prayerful and careful Fathers, so 
 greatly inclined to pity, from whom we confidently expect 
 good counsel, effectual support and real help. Thus we take 
 the liberty to submit to your Reverences the following for 
 consideration : 
 
 1. It appears to us very distressing when we reflect (hav- 
 ing to deal with the poverty of Pennsylvania and the miser- 
 able condition of the ignorant peasantry among whom we 
 have to struggle without having any established authority, 
 as in the Fatherland), that it pleases your Eeverences 
 to treat such ministers as have caused and still continue 
 public schism, with equal consideration as ourselves, who 
 endeavor to conduct ourselves strictly according to church 
 order; that you honor them as brethren by your Reverend 
 letters, of which they openly boast before the lawless and 
 independent people, throwing suspicion upon us and pre- 
 tending that you approve of their actions and condemn us. 
 Especially since your Reverences in your letter to us have not 
 seen fit to communicate to us any direct and definite decision 
 regarding their unwarranted actions violating the 80th article 
 of our Church-Order.* 
 
 2. It seems strange to us (when one or another of the 
 brethren is accused behind his back by private letters not 
 authorized by Coetus) that your Reverences can consent to 
 accept such accusations as well founded, and without delay, or 
 any defense, place the accused in the wrong, or indeed con- 
 demn him utterly, not taking account of the persons, whether 
 they may not advance the accusations for personal reasons, 
 or whether they are faithful members of our Coetus, and 
 
 * The eightieth article of the Church-Order of the Synod of Dort 
 reads: 
 
 "Further, among the grave sins, which deserve to be punished with 
 suspension or deposition from the ministry, these are the most note- 
 worthy, false doctrine or heresy, creation of schism, flagrant blasphemy, 
 simony, faithless abandonment of one's service, or invasion into the 
 field of another minister, perjury, adultery, theft, habitual drunkenness, 
 in short, all those grave offenses which cause their author to lose all 
 respect before the world and are deemed worthy of excommunication in 
 case of an ordinary member of the church." Edition of Rotterdam, 
 1733, pp. 39 f. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1753. 
 
 99 
 
 well-wishers of your Reverences, and of the state of our Penn- 
 sylvania churches. (See the private letter to Do. Schlatter.) 
 
 Bear with us, Rev. Fathers, that we in singleness of heart, 
 yet not without courage, must declare and once for all inform 
 you that, you doing thus, we shall not be able to maintain 
 church order and discipline, nor to uphold our Coetus, nor our 
 reputation, nor to expect any fruit from our labors among the 
 churches. But we see ourselves compelled to testify without 
 reserve that we will have to pack our goods and, like foolish 
 and useless servants, seek our bread behind the plow [become 
 farmers], or in places where we may expect better results, 
 for there will never be a lack of one or more ambitious or 
 envious persons, without conscience, who will undertake to 
 build upon the ruins of another, if it costs no more trouble 
 than to send a couple of letters full of unfounded accusations 
 behind one's back to Europe, and if with such they can 
 attain their object, and are able to find welcome and credence. 
 Who of us would be able, with or without a family, to sleep 
 in peace or minister to his church, if those who have done 
 real service and given tried proofs of their care and love for 
 the poor Pennsylvania churches, are exposed to suddenly 
 falling into disfavor and disgrace? 
 
 3. Your Reverences informed us in the letter to our Coetus, 
 sent with Do. Schlatter the previous year, that he had ac- 
 cused no one either before the Rev. Synods or before your 
 Reverences, but that he had laid the affairs before you in the 
 best possible form, flattering himself with the good hope that 
 one or another would come to their senses and be convinced 
 that their best interests are cared for. But we are now forced 
 unitedly in our own defense to report the following : 
 
 a. Do. Weiss has not been loyal for the last three years in 
 his subordination to your Reverences nor to our Coetus, but 
 has claimed (like the rebellious people at Philadelphia) to be 
 independent with his congregation, and were it not for the 
 donations would trouble himself little about your Reverences, 
 since he had not by any means faithfully conducted the ser- 
 vices for Do. Schlatter in his absence (as is proved by the let- 
 ter addressed to your Reverences by Dos. Leydich and Lischy 
 in the year 1751) until he heard that Do. Schlatter had secured 
 something profitable. Further, he would have no scruples 
 
100 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 to intrude upon the neighboring congregation of Do, John 
 Frielinghuysen * had he not been restrained by one special 
 reason or another. Finally he shows such unheard of incon- 
 sistency, that he will in one hour oppose something which in 
 the nex^ he adopts and subscribes, as appears from the reso- 
 lutions taken by our Coetus against Do. Leydich, which he 
 readily signed and approved. 
 
 b. Regarding Do. Leydich. Ever since he came to this coun- 
 try he has gone into the three congregations in New Jersey^ 
 namely, Amwell, Rockaway and Foxhill, which w^ere at that 
 time served by Do. Schlatter, and, unknown to Do. Schlatter, 
 administered the IJoly Sacraments. And because Do, Schlat- 
 ter rebuked this irregularity, submitting that it was not 
 fraternal to take aw^ay the small remuneration which had 
 hitherto come to him from these congregations, Do. Leydich 
 was so much offended by it that since that time he has told 
 some of us that he had taken a just dislike to Do, Schlatter, 
 
 He has also attempted to secure a call to the aforesaid con- 
 gregations, but because they could not get the call (according 
 to his desire) signed and ratified by Do, Du Bois at New 
 York, and only called him for ten years, the affair came to 
 nothing. Meantime these three congregations were thrown 
 thereby into great confusion, and Rockaway alone is now 
 served by Do. J. C, AVirts, of whom mention is made in Do. 
 Schlatter's printed journal, pp. 11 and 23,** who through 
 the aid of Dos. Weiss and Leydich was ordained by an English 
 Presbytery *** while Do. Schlatter was in Europe. 
 
 Another thing which may give some light to your Rever- 
 ences in these confused circumstances, is that Do, Leydich con- 
 stantly allows himself to be guided and directed by certain 
 ambitious and obstinate elders (who are influential with Do, 
 Schlatter's sworn enemies at Philadelphia), They have 
 helped him to obtain possession of a piece of land of nearly 
 200 acres, having loaned, or at least secured for him, the 
 necessary money. For this reason he must carry out what- 
 
 * Jolin Frielinghuysen was pastor at Earitan, Six Mile Run, etc., N. J.,, 
 from 1750-1754. 
 
 ** See life of M. Schlatter, by Dr. H. Harbaugh, pp. 137 and 162. 
 
 *** The Presbytery of New Brunswick, on June 5, 1752. 
 
EECOFDS OF 1753. IQl 
 
 ever comes into their heads, and especially oppress and per- 
 secute those who will not be the slaves of these elders. Hence 
 Do. Schlatter and we must be thwarted in all our efforts. 
 
 It is also very strange to us that these two gentlemen have 
 made no mention to you of the receipt of the 50 fl. [florins- 
 guilders] from Do. Schlatter, although the following receipt 
 was given by Do. Weiss 's own hand : 
 
 Philadelphia, August 13, 1752. 
 
 Eeceived by order of Rev. Christian Synods of Holland, 
 from Do. Schlatter, immediately upon his arrival, Fifty 
 Guilders. George Michael Weiss. 
 
 On the same day of the aforesaid month received the same 
 amount. J. P. Leidig, 
 
 J. J. LiSCHY. 
 
 Yfe can pass over many other things with silence, since the 
 above will sufficiently show their character and conscience. 
 
 In one word we can declare, if Dos. Weiss and Leydich, 
 on the arrival of Do. Schlatter, had not played into the 
 hands of his enemies, and through fear of men proved false 
 to Do. Schlatter and made common cause with Do. Rubel, 
 neither Rubel nor the rebellious people at Philadelphia would 
 have dared to behave in such an irregular manner, and this 
 banner of independence would not have unfurled itself 
 through the land to the injury of the brethren and of both 
 Lutheran and Reformed congregations. 
 
 Meanwhile it is for us all, but especially for Do. Schlatter, 
 very distressing that we must inform your Reverences that 
 most of the new ministers are so inconsistent that nov/ for som'e 
 weeks they appear to be in league with Do. Weiss, etc. Pos- 
 sibly the following circumstances have caused this : Do. Wald- 
 schmidt is of an ambitious and avaricious temperament. What 
 the results of these two qualities are is known to your Rever- 
 ences without demonstration ; to which must be added that he 
 has had little of an education, and secured an opportunity 
 to study only after his 20th year. For a long time it was 
 hard to speak with him about Dos. Lischy, Rieger and others, 
 because they took Do. Schlatter's part, who could not or 
 would not admit that wheat and oats might pass as emolu- 
 ments of a minister, since a self-interested minister might 
 change all that he had to expect from his congregations into 
 
102 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 such products, and then might claim 450 guilders from the 
 Holland donations. It also pleases him to look upon the 
 rest of us ^vith contempt, because he also expects a letter 
 from your Reverences, and on this account has taken sides 
 with Dos. Weiss and Leydich, and has bought a piece of land 
 of more than 100 acres. 
 
 Do. Wissler has also bought a farm, but to our great sorrow, 
 lives on bad terms mth his wife, and is given to habitual 
 drunkenness. 
 
 Do. Frankenfeld is no less addicted to excessive drinking, 
 so that we are afraid he vnW labor among his congregations 
 with but little blessing if he does not change. AVe hope, and 
 pray to God, ha may change. 
 
 The last two probably look forAvard to a well-deserved 
 rebuke by the Coetus, and hence have gone over to Dos. 
 Weiss and Leydich in order to escape, since irregularities 
 are approved by them, for Dos. Steiner and Rubel (with whom 
 no conscientious person before this time would associate) 
 are among them the best of brethren. 
 
 THIRD SESSION. 
 
 Do. Schlatter, by virtue of the letter addressed to him in 
 the spring by your Reverences and the Rev. Classis of Amster- 
 dam, requested his dismissal from our Coetus, in order to be 
 relieved from service in this country. It is not very difficult 
 for us to predict what will be the consequences of Brother 
 Schlatter's dismissal and departure. Yet we cannot compel 
 him to struggle any longer among us in a work that is re- 
 warded with ingratitude, but can only reluctantly consent 
 to his dismissal; rather we are in duty bound to give him a 
 good testimonial, according to our best knowledge, as to his 
 zeal and faithful service rendered to us and the country, 
 that he may be able to gain his livelihood wherever the Lord 
 may be pleased to send him. Further, Do. Schlatter begs 
 to be relieved in the future from receiving the donations 
 intended for Pennsylvania, although he handed over to the 
 disposition of our Coetus the fl. 2,523, Holland currency, sent 
 by your Reverences to us, to our complete satisfaction, three 
 days after its receipt, in a friendly and brotherly way and 
 in all fidelity, as can be seen from the IMinutes recording this 
 
BE COEDS OF 1753. 
 
 103 
 
 transaction in April last, and which, as was incumbent upon 
 us, were sent over to your Reverences during the month of 
 May. Meanwhile we trust that in time faithful and loyal 
 brethren who seek to maintain your Reverences' instructions 
 and the lawful Coetus established by Do. Schlatter, in the 
 face of so much opposition, may not be ignored henceforth, 
 but the receipt and distribution of moneys be entrusted to 
 them. This, it seems, to us, excepting God's guidance and 
 his converting grace, will be the powerful means of bringing 
 the wavering to repentance, those deserving punishment to 
 tears, the thoughtless to their senses, and the schismatic to 
 peaeefulness, or, if necessary we shall thereby be delivered 
 from them. 
 
 Do. Schlatter has further communicated to us the above- 
 mentioned letter, from which we learned with astonishment 
 how he was accused before your Reverences so undeservedly 
 (being altogether innocent) by several unfaithful and false 
 ministers behind his back and ours, to the injury of us all, 
 which seemed to us so distressing that we resolved without 
 Do. Schlatter's knowledge to defend him before your Rever- 
 ences, and at the same time to confirm his own defense, which 
 he had already sent to you during the preceding month, and 
 now having been subscribed by us, is again about to be sent 
 to you. Among other things we can not refrain from re- 
 marking that we do not take Do. Schlatter's part merely 
 to please him, or from personal interest. But we are able 
 with a good conscience, and find ourselves even obliged, to 
 bear witness, that Do. Schlatter has conducted himself per- 
 fectly in accordance with your Reverences' intentions, and 
 has made himself liable to none of those accusations whereof 
 he seems to be suspected by your Reverences through the 
 above-mentioned letters : 
 
 1. Inasmuch as he has refused to the elder-s neither a voice 
 nor a seat, until your written injunctions had given him 
 occasion to do so; moreover, he has always acted in conjunc- 
 tion wdth us. 
 
 2. In no way did he force himself upon the Philadelphia 
 people, but Do. Rubel is the chief cause (as we are perfectly 
 convinced) of the division there, as appears from the various 
 minutes of our Coetus. 
 
104 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 3. We know of no superintendency, pre-eminence or un- 
 usual superior lordship, wherewith Do. Schlatter should have 
 shown himself among us, or whereof he made himself guilty. 
 
 4. Much less has he ever given any evidences of forcing 
 himself upon our Coetus, as stated, as continuous president 
 (Praeses perpetuus). On the contrary, at every meeting he 
 has resigned the presidency of his own accord, but our confi- 
 dence in him has caused him always again to accept the office, 
 the same as Do. Stoy the office of secretary. But at this 
 meeting we could in no way persuade them thereto, and Do. 
 Rieger was chosen president, and Do. Otterbein secretary. 
 In passing permit a brief remark, namely, that this and other 
 accusations have sprung simply from malice, since Do. Stoy 
 has been secretary ( without being accused) as long as Do. 
 Schlatter was president. 
 
 5. Do. Schlatter has done with the Bibles exactly as your 
 orders required, which did not reach him till eight months 
 after the Bibles were received. 
 
 6. With regard to the collected money of Reiff we pity 
 Brother Schlatter, who must constantly bear the blame of the 
 imprudence committed by Do. Weiss in connection therewith 
 20 years ago, and is repeatedly slandered and abused as a 
 deceiver, and we know not what else. Further, if your Rev- 
 erences were better acquainted with the circumstances of the 
 country and the irregular conduct of certain ministers, it 
 would certainly commend itself to your Reverences to com- 
 municate the letters intended for private persons to our 
 Coetus, and prevent thereby a harmful use being made of 
 them. We also beg and request you most humbly to send 
 back to us certified copies of the letters, accusing Do. Schlatter 
 and others, from Dos. Leydich, Weiss, Steiner and Rubel. 
 
 With reference to the elders, we wish as yet for some time 
 to be allowed to have the privilege of holding Coetus witho^ut 
 them, because their presence occasions expenses and some- 
 times even disturbance in the congregations (regarding the 
 pastor's salary), or even a peasant war, inasmuch as ignorant 
 farmers have as much or even more to say than the ministers 
 themselves in these sad times, when church discipline by the 
 very misconduct of certain ministers is set aside. Otherwise 
 it would be no trouble for us to get 30 or 40 elders together 
 
EECOBDS OF 1753. 105 
 
 to confirm what we have written. Hence we have the bold- 
 ness to warn your Reverences most respectfully that the large 
 number of signers is no warrant that what is written is true, 
 since it frequently happens that many are induced to sub- 
 scribe what they can neither read nor understand. 
 
 In conclusion, we modestly make known to your Reverences 
 that we are entirely resolved to abide by your orders, and thus 
 also from this time forth shall hold no more Coetus, nor 
 labor towards effecting any general reunion with the oppos- 
 ing brethren, and so forth, unless we shall have special in- 
 structions to do so from your Reverences and the Rev. Classis 
 of Amsterdam, and from them learn what we are to do with 
 the above-mentioned weak or disorderly brethren. We 
 patiently await how we ought and should conduct ourselves 
 in these deplorable circumstances. 
 
 Jac. Lischy, Minister at York, Kreutz Creek, Bermudian 
 and Codorus. 
 
 H. W. Stoy, V. D. M. at Tulpehocken. 
 
MINUTES OF THE RIVAL COETUS, HELD AT 
 COCALICO, OCTOBER 10-12, 1753. 
 
 (Hague 74, i. 83.) 
 
 Very Rev., Learned and Honorable Sirs, mueh beloved 
 Church Fathers of the renowned Synods of North and 
 South Holland: 
 
 In submission to your Reverences, we, your humble ser- 
 vants, have observed our duty, obediently to convey to your 
 Reverences the minutes of our Coetus held at Cocalico, the 
 lOth, 11th and 12th of October, of this year, and the most 
 submissive answer to your Reverences' most honored Synod- 
 ical letter, which was publicly and plainly read in our assem- 
 bly and taken to heart; not doubting but that altogether tliey 
 will be favorably accepted by your Reverences. After a very 
 edifying sermon on 1 Peter ii. 5, by Do. Weiss, Pres. p. t., 
 our Coetus was opened, when, after invoking the name of God 
 in the several sessions, the following resolutions were adopted: 
 
 1. "With regard to the congregation at I'hiladelphia. Al- 
 though Ave observed, from the pledge in Do. Schlatter's own 
 handwriting, that his Reverence had left the congregation 
 at Pliiladelphia free to receive him on his return as their 
 pastor, or not to receive him, nevertheless at our Coetus, in 
 order to remove all offense, and to prevent all disorder in the 
 future, for the promotion of the honor of God, for the up- 
 building of the Church and the restoration of the general 
 peace, it was unanimously resolved that both congregations 
 at Phihulelphia, abis, hitherto s('i)arated froiri ea.ch other, 
 should again unite in the spirit of love, and by the majority 
 of votes choose for their pastor one recommended and ac- 
 cepted by your Reverences, and recognized as a member of our 
 Coetus, outside of which we recognize no other lawful pastor 
 for the congregation at Philadelphia, To this end our presi- 
 dent, a.s well as other brethren, have offered their services, 
 to go down at any time at the desire of the congregation 
 and hold an election. 
 
 2. With regard to the congregation at German town. It 
 
 (106) 
 
BECOEBS OF 1753. 107 
 
 gave us particular satisfaction in our Coetus to receive both 
 from Do. Conrad Steiner (who has expressed his regret over 
 what took place at Philadelphia) and from his elder, Mr. Paul 
 Geissel, in the name of the congregation at Germantown, 
 their proposal and request to be recommended to your Rev- 
 erences, and to be received as members of our Coetus, and to 
 become subordinate thereto. They also request to have a part 
 in the subsidies, being in great need. After careful deliber- 
 ation we accepted their Christian petition, and deemed it 
 prudent to recognize and accept them henceforth as members 
 of our Coetus, and have a part in the subsidies with the 
 understanding that the congregation at Germantown should 
 be combined with another congregation. For this reason 
 we recommend them most heartily to your Reverences. 
 
 3. As regards the 200 guilders, Avhich are said to be in the 
 hands of Do. Schlatter, of the money collected by Reiff, we 
 have resolved in our Coetus that of this, 100 guilders should 
 be given to Germantown, and 100 guilders to Skippack, in 
 accordance with the definite instruction of your Reverences. 
 
 4. Upon the petition made by elder Abraham Sayler to 
 our Coetus, in the name of the congregation at Providence 
 (which until the present was regularly served by Do. Leydich 
 every four weeks), whether an arrangement could not be 
 made whereby the congregation there could be supplied every 
 fortnight. Our Coetus has considered it advantageous to 
 supply the congregation at Providence in turn, both by Do. 
 Leydich and by Do. Steiner. In accordance with this ar- 
 rangement divine services will be held every two weeks at 
 Providence. 
 
 5. Because the congregation across the Schuylkill * is in 
 the same condition as the church at Providence, therefore Ave 
 have resolved in our Coetus that the congregation across the 
 Schuylkill shall be supplied in like manner as the congrega- 
 tion at Providence. 
 
 6. In the judgment of our Coetus, the congregation at 
 White Oaks can be combined with the congregation at Bas- 
 tian Reyer's, and be supplied by Do. AValdschmidt. 
 
 * This must be East Vincent, in Chester Co., because Coventry, now 
 Brownback's, was scrve<l in 1753 by Fred. Casimir Mueller, as is shown 
 by the church records. 
 
108 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 7. In answer to the proposition made in our Coetus to 
 acknowledge and consider as a regular minister, according 
 to our Church-Order, Frederick Casimir Mueller (he is a 
 man leading a very offensive life, who has thrust himself 
 into the ministry and has caused much confusion in this 
 country), we in our Coetus have unanimously decided in the 
 negative, with the additional warning (to the congregations) 
 to be on their guard against such a man. 
 
 8. Our Coetus having well taken into consideration all the 
 circimistances of the congregation at York, across the Sus- 
 quehanna, which has sadly declined on account of Do. Lischy, 
 has considered it necessary, in order to remove all confusion 
 and to promote the upbuilding of the congregation there, to 
 direct Do. Tempelmann and Do. Waldschmidt to preside at 
 the election, to be held by the congregation for a pastor on 
 the 17th of October of this year, 1753, by a majority of votes, 
 and that only such a one may be accepted by the congrega- 
 tion as its pastor who shall be a lawful member of our Coetus 
 in submission to your Reverences. 
 
 Specifications of the salaries of each of the ministers in 
 Pennsylvania, who with their elders appeared at the Coetus 
 at Cocalico by the special direction of your Reverences, and 
 voted, namely: 
 
 Do. Leydich, who serves Falkner's Swamp (being the 
 earliest Reformed congregation founded in Pennsylvania) 
 and Providence, as well as Schuylkill, receives, according 
 to the subscriptions of the members of his congregations, 
 altogether a salary of 40 pounds. 
 
 Do. Rubel, who, upon confessing his hasty actions, has been 
 accepted as a member of our Coetus, receives as a yearly 
 salary from his congregation at Philadelphia, according to 
 the subscriptions, 50 pounds. 
 
 The congregation at Germantown, combined with Witpen 
 or Providence, raises for the support of its minister. Do. 
 Steiner, 40 pounds. 
 
 Do. Weiss gets for his yearly salary from his congregations 
 at Old and New Goshenhoppen, and at Great Swamp, 40 
 pounds. 
 
 The congregations at Egypt, Jordan and Heidelberg, being 
 served by Do. Wissler, contribute as a salary 35 pounds. 
 
EE CORDS OF 1753. 109 
 
 The congregations at Cocalico, Seltenreich and Muddy 
 Creek, contribute for their minister, Do. Waldschmidt, 35 
 pounds. 
 
 Do. Tempelmann receives as a yearly salarj^ from his united 
 congregations at Swatara, Quittopehilla, Tolpehille and 
 Rufack, [Hapho], 25 pounds. 
 
 Fredei'icktown and Conococheague contribute yearly as 
 salary for their pastor. Do. Frankenfeld, 40 pounds. 
 
 These ministers, just named, have received both in money 
 and Bibles from the hands of Do. Schlatter, according to 
 the receipts given to him, with all gratitude from the dona- 
 tions graciously bestowed upon us, the following amounts : 
 
 Do. Leydich has received in money 10 pounds and 16 shil- 
 lings; in Bibles, 18 Basle folio Bibles and 12 Herborn octavo 
 Bibles; 3 folio Bibles serve for the use of the congregations 
 on the pulpits, 15 have been sold by order of Do. Schlatter 
 at 10 shillings apiece, and 5 pounds thereof have been given 
 to the school-teacher of the church at Falkner's Swamp; the 
 other money for the Bibles is still in the hands of those to 
 whom the Bibles were sold. The Herborn octavo Bibles were 
 given away. 
 
 Do. Rubel has not received from Do. Schlatter either any 
 money or any Bibles, although he asked for both. 
 
 Do. Steiner similarly has not received the least contribution 
 from Do. Schlatter, although he made a request of Do. 
 Schlatter for a contribution. 
 
 Do. Weiss has received from Do. Schlatter in money 10 
 pounds and 16 shillings; in Bibles, 24 Basle folio Bibles, of 
 which he sold 12 by direction of Do. Schlatter at 10 shillings 
 apiece, the money being given to Do. Schlatter at his desire; 
 the other 12 were given away and placed upon pulpits. 
 
 Do. Wissler has received from Do. Schlatter only in money 
 one pound, two shillings and six pence. 
 
 Do. AValdschmidt has received from Do. Schlatter in money 
 27 pounds and 10 shillings; in Bibles, 30 Basle folio Bibles 
 and 7 Herborn octavo Bibles, of which 20 Basle folio Bibles, 
 at 10 shillings apiece, were sold by order of Do. Schlatter, 
 and the money given to him at his desire, but the remainder 
 of the large folio Bibles and all the small Herborn Bibles 
 were given away, and placed upon pulpits. 
 
110 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Do. Tempelmann has received in money 6 pounds ; in Bibles, 
 24 Basle folio Bibles and 12 Herborn octavo Bibles ; 12 Basle 
 folio Bibles were sold by order of Do. Schlatter at 10 shil- 
 lings apiece, and the money was given to him at his desire. 
 The remainder of the large folio Bibles and all the small Her- 
 born octavo Bibles were given away, and placed upon pulpits. 
 
 Do Frankenfeld has received from Do. Schlatter in money 
 20 pounds; in Bibles, 12 Basle folio Bibles and 24 Herborn 
 octavo Bibles, of which 8 Basle folio Bibles were sold, per 
 order of Do. Schlatter, at 10 shillings apiece, and 3 pounds 
 given to the schoolmaster Dupper [Tauber],* but the balance 
 is still in the congregation. All the Herborn octavo Bibles, 
 together with the remaining Basle Bibles, were given away, 
 and placed in pulpits. 
 
 The 150 guilders generously bestowed by your Reverences 
 have been gratefully received by Dos. Weiss, Leydich and 
 Lischy from the hands of Do. Schlatter, each in the propor- 
 tion of 50 guilders, and they have given to Do. Schlatter a 
 receipt therefor. 
 
 As regards the full amount, both in regard to the subsidies 
 and in regard to the Bibles, bestowed generously through Do. 
 Schlatter, we cannot render your Reverences any other report, 
 because Do. Schlatter up to this time has not yet consented 
 to give us any account. We have noticed with regret that 
 Do. Schlatter has dealt very arbitrarily in the matter of the 
 Bibles, so that he distributed some according to his own 
 pleasure before a Coetus was held. 
 
 Of your Netherland Church-Order, of which your Rever- 
 ■ences are pleased to make mention, none has as yet come to 
 our hands. 
 
 It causes us much embarrassment that your Reverences 
 should think that we cared little for you. We take the liberty 
 of answering you that we regard you with the most dutiful 
 esteem. That Do. Schlatter has not kept the promise made 
 to you grieves us very much. It was our duty long ago to 
 send most obediently a reply to your most esteemed Synodical 
 letter transmitted to us. To this end Do. Leydich proposed 
 in good time, even with the approval of and after consultation 
 
 * See Minutes of 1752, October, Session IV., art. 6. 
 
EECOBDS OF 1753. HI 
 
 with Do. Schlatter, to meet at Goshenhoppen, where inost of 
 the ministers, as Dos. Weiss, Leydieh, Steiner, Schlatter, 
 Rubel, Waldschmidt, Wissler, Stoy, Tempelmann and Frank- 
 enfeld, with their elders, assembled at the friendly invitation 
 of Do. Leydieh. But when Do. Schlatter appeared, much 
 chagrined, because he neither had given his consent that 
 Coetus should there be held nor was pleased that the 
 Synodical letter was opened and read, he not only prevented 
 the Coetus from being held at that time, but also gave occa- 
 sion among the brethren for great dissatisfaction, espe- 
 cially when he violently sought, against the desire and 
 wish of all, to take the Synodical letter with him. For 
 this reason we were compelled, being in the utmost extremity, 
 to send out a notice for a Coetus to be held at Cocalico 
 on October 9th of this year, 1753, and elected Do. Weiss 
 as president, at the special direction of your Reverences in 
 your most honored Synodical letter. He also called the Coe- 
 tus, in our name and by our order, to meet at the appointed 
 time and place, and all the brethren, both ministers and 
 elders, were most cordially invited, of whom all appeared 
 except Dos. Schlatter, Du Bois, Rieger, Otterbein, Stoy and 
 Lischy; for although the three last named came, they did 
 not remain, nor did they keep their promise made to us to 
 unite with us the next day, together with the other breth- 
 ren, in order to act in concert with us, although we had 
 employed every means and had made the most Christian 
 propositions to them, which might serve to promote the glory 
 of God, the upbuilding of the Church, and a brotherly har- 
 mony. Do. W^eiss and Do. Leydieh, in particular, declared 
 at our Coetus that in the beginning they had made great 
 concessions to Do. Schlatter, having even signed several let- 
 ters in Do. Schlatter's interest, touching his stay in Phila- 
 delphia as pastor, his election as president, the seating and 
 Toting of elders at Coetus, and the confirmation of the Min- 
 utes of the Coetus held in Lancaster, out of esteem for your 
 Reverences, who had placed great confidence in Do. Schlatter, 
 and out of gratitude to Do. Schlatter, who had taken great 
 pains (although he had not built upon good foundation in 
 his work) that Dos. Weiss and Leydieh might not appear 
 as though they would place any obstacle in the way of 
 
112 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 the work that had been begun, but much rather give every 
 assistance and promotion to such work. But since Dos. Weiss 
 and Leydich observed that all their efforts were fruitless and 
 in vain, and the people in Pennsylvania generally were not 
 pleased Avith Do. Schlatter, and the elders neither could nor 
 would give up their rights, and a great dissension arising in 
 Philadelphia, where the people appealed to the pledge given to 
 them by Do. Schlatter, and he by his actions sought his own 
 glory more than the glory of God, and looked more to his own 
 profit than to the welfare of our churches, therefore Do. 
 Weiss and Do. Leydich found themselves conscientiously 
 compelled, in order to counteract all confusion and to pre- 
 vent all disturbance, for the promotion of the glory of God 
 in the upbuilding of the Church, to bring Do. Schlatter to a 
 different view and to convince him of a better way, even by 
 fraternal representations to him at different times and occa- 
 sions. But in vain, for Do. Schlatter would not allow him- 
 self in any way to be guided by us, which was to our injury 
 and that of our churches in this country, which grieves us 
 very deeply. In this connection we have heard read, with 
 the greatest astonishment, a letter from Do. Schlatter to Dos. 
 Weiss and Leydich, written at Philadelphia under date Feb- 
 ruary 20, 1753, wherein he declares both Dos. Weiss and 
 Leydich to be good men, seeking the best, notwithstanding 
 that they had acted against his wishes. 
 
 We cannot omit to inform your Reverences most submis- 
 sively, that your latest, most honored Synodical and Classical 
 letters, besides other letters addressed to us, were tampered 
 with. For although Do. Schlatter received them together 
 from the Post Office in Philadelphia, sealed and in good con- 
 dition, yet it seems as if they had been for the most part 
 opened before they reached our hands, which has caused much 
 suspicion among us. In view of this, it is our most humble 
 petition to your Reverences that in case we are honored in the 
 future with a letter from your Reverences, you will do us the 
 favor to address the same either to New York to Do. Boel, 
 or to Philadelphia to Mr. Benjamin Shoemaker, so that the 
 president of Coetus can receive the same most honored com- 
 munication from their hands. And in order that this, our 
 present letter, may reach your Reverences unaltered, not 
 
EECOBDS OF 1753. l;[3 
 
 in the least changed against our \nsh and Avill by additions 
 or erasures (as we learned occurred on another occasion), 
 we have chosen from our midst certain ministers and elders, 
 who, before it is sent over, shall, in our name, hear it 
 plainly read, so as to ascertain whether it corresponds 
 A^th the original, in order that the same having been found 
 correct in every particular no one besides the president and 
 secretary may sign the writing in attestation of the same. 
 
 For the rest we thank your Reverences as well in general for 
 your fraternal love and favorable disposition towards us, as in 
 particular for your Reverences' very wise and Christian coun- 
 sel, confessing therewith our heartfelt sorrow over the distress- 
 ing condition of our church in Pennsylvania, adding this good 
 wish from your humble servants, that the great God will look 
 in favor upon us, that He may rule by His Spirit the hearts of 
 your Reverences (to whose generous and Christian judgment 
 we most obediently submit ourselves) and influence you in 
 the future not to abandon us, but much rather to give us your 
 fatherly support, as those most submissively depending upon 
 your Reverences; and recommending ourselves with most 
 dutiful respect to your Reverences' favor, we are, with great 
 esteem, yours, our most Learned and Honored Sirs, our much 
 beloved Church Fathers. 
 
 Signed in our name and by our order, your Reverences' 
 most submissive, most obedient servants, 
 
 George Michael Weiss, Pres. p. t., 
 John Ph. Leydich, Sec. p. t., 
 John Waldschmidt, V. D. M., pastor at Coealico, 
 J. Jacob Wissler, V. D. M., at Egypt, 
 John Miller, elder at Fallmer Swamp, 
 Abraham Sahler, elder at Providence, 
 Ernest Kurtz, elder at Philadelphia, 
 Paul Geissel, elder at Germantown. 
 Done in our Coetal assembly at Coealico, in Pennsylvania, 
 October 12, 1753. 
 8 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 OCTOBER 30, 1754. 
 
 (Hague 92, b. 13, and Amst. Folio, No. 75.) 
 
 copy of the minutes of the assembly op reformed minis- 
 ters held in philadelphix\, and transmitted on november 
 
 2nd to THE REVEREND DEPUTIES OF THE TWO REV. SYNODS OF 
 SOUTH AND NORTH HOLLAND. 
 
 Pnn.ADELPHiA, Octoher 30, 1754. 
 Very Reverend, etc.: 
 
 After Do. Schlatter by God's goodness had happily re- 
 turned from Europe, he invited us as friends and brethren 
 to assemble at his house in Philadelphia, in order dutifully 
 to consider the paternal instructions and injunctions of the 
 Rev. Deputies of the Classis of Amsterdam, which invitation 
 we all readily answered by our attendance. 
 
 SESSION I. 
 
 It was resolved (after the example of Do. Schlatter in his 
 letter to us) not to call this present assembly of the brethren 
 an ordinary Coetus, as at this time it was principally our 
 object to establish a perfect unity and Christian bond among 
 and between the ministers, for which the presence of the 
 elders was not strictly necessary. 
 
 Thereupon the honored letter of the Rev. Deputies of both 
 Synods was read, with their salutary instructions, together 
 Avith the Pastoral Letter of the Rev. Deputies of the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam (composed in connection wdth the Dep- 
 uties of both Synods and transmitted most kindly to us), 
 which letters were drawn up in April, June and July in the 
 Hague, Haarlem and Amsterdam, and placed in our hands by 
 Do. Peters, from which we have well learned the exceptional 
 care, wise and Christian resolutions, and highly necessary 
 instructions of your Reverences, and have accepted the same 
 most obediently with special esteem, in order to observe care- 
 fully such pious and fatherly rules and regulations with 
 God's grace, and thus in the future with redoubled zeal to 
 
 (114) 
 
RECORDS OF 17 Si. 
 
 115 
 
 become again worthy of your love and long-continned favor. 
 Hereupon Do. Schlatter communicated to us his written 
 dismissal of June 16th of this current year, received from 
 you at Haarlem, and then he took leave of us. 
 
 SESSION II. 
 
 In the absence of Do. Schlatter, we adopted the following 
 resolutions : 
 
 1. We found ourselves compelled heartily to confess (at 
 least a large part of us) that we have not properly come up 
 to the expectation of the Rev. Fathers in Holland, and, more- 
 over, have made ourselves unworthy of their atfection and 
 generosity, of Avhich confession several of us gave sincere 
 expression. 
 
 2. It was considered necessary to charge some one specially 
 with the care of our church affairs, and it was unanimously 
 resolved that Do. Schlatter, as he resides in Philadelphia, and 
 has the requisite experience, was the person most fitted for it, 
 and for this reason should be requested and appointed by us. 
 
 3. Further, Do. Schlatter was earnestly invited again to 
 attend our Coetus, and the present meeting as a member. 
 
 4. Do. Schlatter having appeared, all past differences were 
 laid aside in love, and he was again reconciled to Do. Steiner 
 and others, and each one of us vv^as ready to confess before 
 God in all sincerity in whatever we were convinced to have 
 given otfense or provocation. And as a result there was 
 effected under God's blessing a general, and, as it appears to 
 us, genuine peace, and thus was laid the foundation for our 
 future rest and edification. 
 
 5. Do. Schlatter was charged with the aforesaid commis- 
 sion. He expressed his appreciation of the confidence of the 
 brethren, and (with God's aid and our fraternal assistance) 
 he assured us that he was willing to continue to advance the 
 welfare of the churches in general, and of each of the breth- 
 ren in particular, with all his heart, and to the best of his 
 ability, as he had done heretofore, but that he could accept 
 the commission laid upon him only provisionally, until the 
 Rev. and Christian Fathers in Holland were able and willing 
 to approve of it and consent to it. 
 
 6. It was resolved to hold on Wednesday, April 9, 1755, 
 
116 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 a regular meeting of our Coetus in Lancaster, for which Dos. 
 Weiss, Rieger and Leydich were appointed as president, sec- 
 retary and assessor respectively. Moreover, Do. Weiss con- 
 sented to open said Coetus, if life and health should permit, 
 at 9 o'clock in the morning, with a sermon, and Do, Rieger 
 to conclude the same with another. 
 
 7. It was resolved that neither the president nor the secre- 
 tary, nor any one ha^ang occasion to write to Holland in the 
 name of the brethren, shall do so unless in conference with 
 the remaining brethren, and that the minutes of our Coetus 
 ought always to be drawn up, finished and dispatched before 
 the Coetus separates. Further, Do. Schlatter alone was au- 
 thorized by us to communicate to the Rev. Fathers in Holland 
 whenever it was necessary, and as accurately as possible, 
 whatever had been forgotten, or whatever of importance 
 might occur between tlie regular meetings. 
 
 SESSION HI. 
 
 An extract from the article concerning IMr. Caspar Rubel in 
 your Reverences ' latest letter, was made in writing and sent to 
 him, together with a special letter to his consistory, with the 
 request to consent to appear at our meeting the next day 
 at 10 o'clock, in order to listen to certain wholesome and 
 Christian directions contained in your letter. 
 
 Further, Dos. Schlatter, Stoy and Waldschmidt have re- 
 ceived from Messrs. Benjamin and Samuel Shoemaker 290 
 pounds Pennsylvania currency, being the two thousand 
 guilders kindly sent us last October through the Messrs. 
 Hope, of Rotterdam. 
 
 Do. Schlatter also handed over to each one of us a copy of 
 the Church-Order which you sent us through his Reverence. 
 
 Further, each one of us reported his income from his con- 
 gregations, as follows : 
 
 Do. Weiss reckoned his at 40 pounds. 
 
 " Steiner " 
 
 
 50 
 
 ' ' Leydich ' ' 
 
 
 40 
 
 " Du Bois " 
 
 
 50 
 
 " Stoy 
 
 
 36 
 
 ' ' AValdschmidt 
 
 
 30 
 
 ' ' Frankenf eld 
 
 
 40 
 
EECOEDS OF 1754. 117 
 
 Do. Lischy reckoned his at 45 pounds. 
 " Rieger " *' -2* " 
 
 " Tempelmann " 25 " 
 
 '' Otterbein " " 45 " 
 
 '' Schlatter " " 10 *' 
 
 Considering that the donations this year are not as large 
 as last, and taking into account the poor school teachers, we 
 have resolved this time (although it is hard for us) to sup- 
 plement our salaries only to the extent of 400 guilders, or 
 sixty pounds, and draw the other 50 giiilders next year, if 
 possible. Thus Do. Schlatter has drawn but 40 pounds of 
 the 300 guilders which you had set apart for him, and but 
 12 pounds 8 s. of the 22 pounds 8 s. that remained due to 
 him from last year; hence there remains to his credit the 
 sum of 15 pounds, or 100 fl. (guilders). 
 
 £. s. 
 
 Do. Weiss has drawn 20 
 
 ' ' Lischy 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 7 10 
 
 24 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 15 
 
 8 
 
 7 
 
 ..., 25 
 
 The deserted wife of Do. Dorsius 6 
 
 Do. Wissler's widow (he having died a month ago, 
 
 after a sickness of two months) 10 
 
 Coetus seal 4 
 
 ' ' Steiner 
 
 " Leydich 
 
 " Du Bois 
 
 '' Stoy 
 
 ' ' Waldschmidt 
 
 ' ' Frankenfeld 
 
 ' ' Otterbein 
 
 ' ' Rieger ' 
 
 ' ' Tempelmann 
 
 ' ' Bartholomaeus 
 
 267 7 
 The school-teachers were remembered in the following 
 manner : 
 
 * Thus in the orisrinal. 
 
118 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Tl 
 
 le school-teacher a 
 
 C I i 
 
 t Lancaster 
 
 ' Tulpehocken 
 
 ' Falkner Swamp 
 
 ' Providence 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 < 
 
 ' Seltenreich 
 
 ' White Oaks 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 < 
 
 ' Kreutz Creek 
 
 ' Conewago 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 
 ( 
 
 ' Conococheague 
 
 1 
 
 
 I 
 
 ' Philadelphia 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 22 
 
 
 Sum total 
 
 289 
 
 7 
 
 Meantime t\vo elders came from Mr. Rubel's congregation, 
 to whom was read the pastoral letter. It was also resolved 
 that said pastoral letter be read in all the churches on the 
 first Sunday in December. Finally Do. Schlatter was com- 
 missioned to write out the minutes and to send them off, and 
 also to prepare some Post Acta, as he shall deem profitable 
 for us all and for the best interests of our congregations, the 
 more since we have full confidence in his fidelity. 
 
 Philadelphia, November 2, 1754. 
 
 George Michael Weiss, 
 
 John Conrad Steiner, 
 John Ph. Leydich, 
 Conrad Tempelmann, 
 Theodore Frankenfeld, 
 John W^vldschmidt, 
 
 Phil. Wm. Otterbein, 
 
 JONATPIAN Du BOIS, 
 
 J. B. Rieger, 
 H. W. Stoy, 
 Jacob Lischy, 
 Michael Schlatter. 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO THE SYNODS, 
 NOVEMBER 3, 1754. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 13 b.) 
 
 Very Reverend Deputies, Dearly Beloved Fathers, Much Esteemed 
 Benefactors, etc. : 
 
 Through the sudden departure of the ship which is to take these 
 letters along, I am prevented from adding some proper Post Acta, which 
 I shall soon send with dutiful obedience, if the Lord grants me health 
 and strength. 
 
 At present I can only state with gratitude to God that our first meet- 
 ing has been held with a most desirable harmony, so that I can almost 
 flatter myself with the good hope that your Keverenees will henceforth be 
 gladdened with delightful reports about the blessed growth of congre- 
 gations and schools. 
 
 Do. Kubel seems to be uneasy and not well satisfied with the dismissal 
 which he received, saying that your Reverences had not understood his 
 letters very well. His congregation is not well pleased with his un- 
 becoming conduct, and seeks only an opportunity to rid itself of him; 
 meanwhile the members accuse each other of inconstancy and dis- 
 orderly conduct; however, they already begin to see that so doing 
 they will not accomplish anything but injury and confusion. For this 
 reason it is most necessary, if your Eeverenees approve of it, to seek 
 and to send over to us two or three pious, sensible and peace-loving 
 ministers for this and several other congregations. 
 
 I preach at present, at the unanimous request and advice of the breth- 
 ren, to the regular and loyal Reformed congregation in this city, not as 
 their settled pastor, but only out of love to them and as often as my 
 time and work will allow, until your Reverences will be pleased to send 
 them a minister. 
 
 With regard to the commission laid upon me by the Coetus, and my 
 reception as member of the same, I can unhesitatingly testify that 
 neither the one nor the other was sought by me directly or indirectly; 
 on the contrary I was compelled to be satisfied with it until your Rever- 
 ences will deem it advisable either to approve or disapprove of this 
 resolution. I also hope, with God's help, not to undertake anything 
 against your Christian and wise intentions, but to submit obediently 
 and strictly to the orders of your Reverences. 
 
 Finally, I take the liberty to recommend most humbly, the general 
 welfare of the congregations and of their ministers, as well as my own, to 
 your Reverences' tender care and further favor. Invoking all essential 
 blessings upon your congregations, offices, persons, and families, I call 
 myself with deepest and most tender respect Very Reverend and well 
 learned Sirs, Deputies of both Synods, honorable benefactors, your 
 Reverences' most humble, dutiful and unworthy servant, 
 Philadelphia, N'ovember 3, 1754. Mich. Schlatter. 
 
 (119) 
 
ADDEESS TO THE HONOEABLE EOBEET HUNTEE 
 
 MOEEIS,* Esq., GOVEENOE OF PENNSYLVANIA, 
 
 FEOM THE EEFOEMED CLEEGY OF THE 
 
 SAID PEOVINCE, NOVEMBEE 2, 1754. 
 
 (Translated from Pennsylvania Archives, 
 Vol. II., p. 185 f.) 
 
 Most Monordble Sir: 
 
 We congratulate ourselves and you, who by the appointment of the 
 wise and well-disposed Majesty, our most gracious King, have come to 
 us from England safely and in good health as a most excellent governor. 
 
 May God, the highest, greatest and best, bless all your acts, that you 
 may be able to govern us safely, agreeably, and successfully, and prosper 
 us. 
 
 This, most honorable Sir, which we sincerely implore for you and us, 
 our religion which we profess teaches us, and the of&ce which we hold 
 requires of us. But all of us who have subscribed our names as 
 ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, follow the teaching of the 
 church which we believe to be orthodox, commonly called Eeformed, 
 founded and established throughout Holland, England, Switzerland, 
 Palatinate, etc., which, even if we did not make mention of it, would 
 be well known to you through your knowledge of public affairs from 
 the Acts of the German Empire and other European states. Having 
 been imbued with, nourished by, and brought up in the doctrine and 
 discipline of this church, being devoted to God and our neighbors, hav- 
 ing left our native country, and having been called and sent to this 
 country, we must instruct, in the sound principles of Protestantism, out 
 of the Sacred Scriptures and the authentic Symbols, as many as desire 
 to hear us, especially Germans, the greatest number of whom dwells 
 scattered through all the counties of Pennsylvania, so that all of what- 
 ever kind and condition, in accordance with the measure of their capacity 
 and strength, divinely granted, may learn to understand the duties of 
 man as citizen and Christian. In this way fearing God, honoring the 
 King, loving our neighbors, leading, moreover, a quiet and peaceful life, 
 we may afterwards become partakers of that better life whose author 
 is Jesus Christ, blessed for ever. 
 
 May we be allowed to add this, most honorable Sir, the Christian re- 
 ligion does indeed not loosen the bonds of society, but rather strengthens 
 them, does not disturb the body politic, but pacifies it, does not wound, 
 but heal; in a word, piety establishes government. 
 
 Therefore, most honorable Sir, we ask submissively and earnestly with 
 that singular boldness which is becoming to a minister of the Gospel of 
 
 * E. H. Morris became Governor of Pennsylvania In October, 1754. 
 
 (120) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1754. 121 
 
 Jesus Christ, that you ■n-ill manfully and kindly favor and assist us in 
 this our duty to reach henceforth this most noble, catholic end. 
 
 We, in turn, will be devotedly mindful of your Honor in our private 
 and public prayers before God and our congregations. 
 
 Farewell, most honorable Sir, in God the Father of Lights reconciled 
 to us through Jesus Christ. 
 
 In testimony of our sincere devotion we indixidually subscribe our 
 names with unanimous consent. 
 
 Your Honor's most devoted and humble servants, 
 Philadelphia, November 2, 1754. 
 
 John Waldschmidt, Cocalico. 
 Theodore Feankenfeld, Frederick, Md. 
 Jonathan Du Bois, Northampton. 
 Conrad Tempelmann, Swatara. 
 Conrad Steiner, Germantown. 
 Michael Schlatter, Philadelphia. 
 John Bartholomew Eeeger, Lancaster. 
 John Philip Leydich, New Hanover. 
 Geo. Michael Weiss, Goshenhoppen. 
 Jacob Lischy, York. 
 P. W. Otterbein, Lancaster. 
 Henry William Stoy,* Tulpehocken. 
 
 COETAL LETTER SENT TO THE CLASSIS OF 
 AMSTERDAM, DECEMBER 17, 1754. 
 
 (Amsterdam Portfolio, No. 76.) 
 
 Very Eeverend and Well Learned Sirs, Very Highly Esteemed Fathers: 
 
 If ever the outlook has been such as to warrant good hope and happy 
 progress in churches and schools, such is the case at present. It seemed 
 as if several of the brethren were guided by another spirit, so that I may 
 flatter myself with the good hope (if it will please our glorified Saviour 
 as the Head of the Church to direct his servant and to guide his flock 
 most graciously) that your Eeverences shall henceforth be able to re- 
 ceive joyful news from these regions regarding the growth and increase 
 of the churches and schools. 
 
 Do. Eubel seems ill at ease, and not well satisfied with his dismissal, de- 
 claring that your Eeverences have not correctly understood his letters. His 
 congregation is decreasing, and the majority wish that they cotdd be rid 
 of him. Meantime they are accusing each other, to their great harm, of 
 their irregular and quarrelsome actions, and they begia to see that 
 their conduct, since Do. Steiner arrived in this country, has brought after 
 it nothing but injury, confusion, contempt and aversion against religion. 
 
 * The writer of the letter was probably Stoy, whose name is last, and 
 who was a good Latin scholar. 
 
122 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Therefore the brethren have charged me to humbly beseech your Reverences, 
 if it might please you, to send us two or three quiet, pious and peace- 
 loving ministers to take charge of PhilEidelphia and other vacant con- 
 gregations. At the same time, by the advice and request of the brethren 
 in general, I have consented to continue to minister to the regular, loyal, 
 but small, Reformed church in this city, merely out of love, and not as their 
 settled pastor, (in so far as my other office will allow this), until some 
 other minister may be appointed for it by your Reverences. With regard 
 to the above-mentioned commission laid upon me by the brethren, and 
 their act of receiving of me again as a member of Coetus, I dare unhesi- 
 tatingly assert that neither the one nor the other was either directly or 
 indirectly sought by me, but was (without saying too much) thrust upon 
 me, to abide by it until it might be found right and desirable by your 
 Reverences either to approve or to disapprove of such resolution. I 
 hope also, with God's help, never to undertake anything against your 
 Christian and wise purposes, but always to subject myself most obedi- 
 ently and strictly to your commands. The brethren have also unani- 
 mously requested me to visit all their congregations before the session 
 cf our Coetus in April, to call their consistories together, and to make 
 regulations with the assistance of the neighboring ministers about the 
 salary, etc., in order thus to be in a condition after this to send an 
 accurate report to your Reverences about the number, the increase, the 
 circumstances of. the congregations, and also about the merits of the 
 ministers, etc. I take this occasion to ask your Reverences what we are 
 to do with this or that minister, who should neglect one or more of the 
 congregations entrusted to him, for the sake of his ease, or because of a 
 hasty temper, or for other reasons, and would thus lose a part of his 
 salary, and whether such a one then dared to, or could, lay claim to the 
 subsidies sent by your Reverences, while the others, who in fidelity were 
 doing their utmost, might look on? 
 
 Whether, in case the Coetus, on reasonable grounds, should add a con- 
 gregation to any minister's previous charge in order to make his salary 
 more adequate, and such a minister should refuse this without sufficient 
 reason, he nevertheless may claim his full supplement from the donations? 
 It would have gratihed me if your Reverences had consented, or might 
 yet consent, to send over for our guidance the resolution concerning the 
 200 florins (guilders) from ReifE 's collection, taken last spring at the Hague. 
 Finally, I take the liberty (in the name and by order of the brethren), to 
 commend the welfare of the churches and their pastors, as also my oAvn, 
 in humility, to your tender care and further favor, and, after invoking 
 all essential blessings upon your churches, offices, persons, and families, 
 to call myself as long as I live, with deepest and tenderest esteem. Very 
 Reverend, Very and Well Learned Sirs, Deputies of both Synods, and 
 Rev. Deputies of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, your Right Reverences ' 
 submissive, dutiful and unworthy servant, Mich. Schlatter. 
 
 Philadelphia, December 17, 1754. 
 
 P. S. I ask most humbly to kindly communicate this letter to the 
 Rev. Deputies of the Synods. 
 
PROTOCOL OF THE COETUS OF THE REFORMED 
 CONGREGATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA, MARY- 
 LAND, ETC., HELD IN THE NAME OF OUR 
 SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, IN LANCAS- 
 TER, APRIL 9-11, 1755. 
 
 (N. B., No. 792.) 
 
 Wednesday, April 9th. The Coetus was opened with an 
 edifying sermon by the President, Do. Weiss. The first 
 [business] session was begun in the afternoon at three 
 o'clock with fervent prayer. 
 
 I. SESSION, p. M. 
 
 1. First of, all there were presented to the President and 
 the Reverend assembly certain necessary regulations for 
 consideration, in order that affairs might be conducted in 
 this and subsequent meetings of Coetus in a Christian, fra- 
 ternal, peaceful, edifying, and orderly manner, and thus our 
 Coetus be held in more respect. These regulations were 
 then unanimously subscribed by us all, namely, Dos. 
 
 1. George IMichael Weiss, p. t. President, pastor at 
 Goshenhoppen, 
 
 2. J. B. Rieger, Secretary, pastor at Schaeffer's Church, 
 
 3. J. Ph. Leydich, Assessor, pastor at Falkner Swamp, 
 
 4. Michael Schlatter, 
 
 5. Jacob Lischy, pastor at York, 
 
 6. AViLLiAM Otterbein, pastor at Lancaster, 
 
 7. William Stoy, pastor at Tulpehocken, 
 
 8. Theodore Frankenfeld, pastor at Frederick, Lid., 
 
 9. John Waldschmidt, pastor at Cocalico, 
 
 10. Jonathan Du Bois, pastor at Northampton, 
 
 11. CoNRiVD Tempelmann, pastor at Swatara, 
 
 12. J. Conrad Steiner, pastor at Germantown. 
 
 (123) 
 
124 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Voting Elders. 
 
 Christopher Heuser, John Lein, 
 
 John LIuelleb, John Michael Rein, 
 
 Peter Kohl, Jacob Kuntz, 
 
 Henry Bamberger, Peter Rentsch, 
 
 William Bennet, Henry Kolliker, 
 
 John Schutz. 
 
 2. The esteemed letter of the Rev. Deputies of both Synods, 
 under date October 9th, 1754, was opened, read, and received 
 with special gratitude. 
 
 3. Do. Rubel, having heard of tliis letter, desired an ex- 
 tract of such portion thereof as might refer to himself, which 
 was granted to his Reverence by the Coetus. 
 
 4. John Stellwagen, a delegate from Do. Rubel's congre- 
 gation in Philadelphia, was present, and respectfully peti- 
 tioned that it might please the Rev. Coetus to take the 
 distracted congregation of Philadelphia under its good care 
 and protection, and to devise suitable means for the restora- 
 tion of peace and unity among the members. He was able to 
 declare in the name of the congregation that now, by the 
 grace of God, they earnestly desire to be subject to the direc- 
 tion of the Rev. Synods and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, 
 to submit themselves also to our Coetus and church disci- 
 pline, and that they have come to the conclusion henceforth 
 to live in harmony \\dth the same. 
 
 It was in the highest degree agreeable to the Rev. Coetus 
 to hear that this congregation was beginning to learn that 
 its despotic and self-willed conduct threatened it with ruin 
 and destruction; that the members manifested sorrow that 
 for some years they had allowed themselves, through their 
 harmful conduct, to be brought into and kept in confusion; 
 therefore the Rev. Coetus appointed a committee consisting 
 of three ministers to investigate this matter thoroughly, and, 
 if possible, to employ such measures as will promote their 
 future peace and unity. 
 
 5. John Loescher, from Oley, together with Caspar 
 Griesheimer, appeared, being praise worthily concerned for 
 the increase of the Reformed Church in that district. Hith- 
 
BECOEDS OF 1755. 125 
 
 erto neither church nor schoolhouse had been established 
 there, notwithstanding it was one of the earliest settled, 
 well-to-do, and best fanning regions, but has always been 
 the haunt of the wildest and most unruly people and sects. 
 These people now humbly desire to be subject to our Coetal 
 institutions, to be served in the future by no other than a 
 minister approved and sent by the Coetus; it being further 
 noted tliat they had almost completed a stone church. Dos. 
 Steiner and Leydich were appointed to investigate this case 
 more fully. 
 
 6. Abraham Koerper appeared, requesting in the name of 
 the congregation in Reading that this new towm also might 
 be provided -with a minister approved by us, or at least with 
 some religious services by one or another of our members. 
 Dos, Lischy and Du Bois were appointed a committee to 
 investigate the matter. 
 
 7. Louis and Andrew Schryver [Schreiber] addressed us 
 in behalf of the congregation of Conewago, also requesting, 
 if possible, to be served by us, and Do. Otterbein was de- 
 signated to give these petitioners a further hearing. 
 
 8. A petition was read from the congregation at Witpen, 
 also requesting to be cared for by our Coetus. Both this 
 request, and the manner in which they might be served, were 
 referred to a committee. 
 
 9. The brethren began to institute among themselves a 
 "censura morum, exclusis laicis" [an investigation of con- 
 duct, the laymen being excluded] in love yet with earnest- 
 ness, and it was continued from the oldest to the youngest 
 according to the Church-Order. 
 
 II. SESSION, A. M. 
 
 April 10. 
 
 10. The "censura morum," begun at the first session, was 
 completed to the satisfaction of all, inasmuch as by God's 
 goodness there were brought forward no serious complaints 
 preferred by the brethren. May it now also please our 
 Master and Saviour Jesus Christ to begin, continue, and 
 graciously complete in us his "censura morum," revealing 
 the whole heart (Plebr. iv. 12), so that in the future wdth 
 
126 COETUS OF PENNS¥LVAMA. 
 
 holy fear we may walk circumspectly before Jehovah's face 
 in wisdom, and thus become wiser, humbler, more edifying, 
 more useful, and more Christ-like in thought, speech, and 
 act, and, thus blessed, may learn to labor and be a blessing 
 unto others. 
 
 11. The committee on John Loescher's request reported 
 that they were of the opinion that the Reformed congrega- 
 tion at Oley deserved particular attention, and suggested to 
 the Rev. Coetus to direct five or six ministers in turn to con- 
 duct divine service there once a month until further arrange- 
 ments could be made. Thereupon such ministering to this 
 church was committed to Dos. Weiss, Schlatter, Leydich, 
 Waldschmidt and Steiner. 
 
 12. The committee on Reading reported that in their judg- 
 ment two ministers should investigate the circumstances of 
 the congregation there, and supply the same once a month 
 on week days for the time being, as it is impossible to do so 
 on Sunday. The care of this congregation was committed 
 to Dos. Otterbein and Sto.y. 
 
 13. After this the committee appointed for Conewago 
 reported that it was necessary that one of the brethren should 
 in person investigate the case of this congregation, and then, 
 according to the circumstances, serve and assist the same 
 in the most appropriate manner until, under God's guidance 
 and the care of the Fathers in Holland, more ministers should 
 come over. The care of this congregation was committed 
 to Dos. Schlatter and Otterbein. 
 
 14. The committee on Witpen reported that this congre- 
 gation might be most conveniently served from time to time 
 by the minister of Germanto\Mi (which is only nine miles 
 distant) ; however, on condition that first of all they should 
 in some measure remunerate Do. Schlatter for his trouble, 
 who liad supplied them for over a year from Philadelphia 
 at least once a month, on Sunday. It was agreed that they 
 should pay him at least five pounds before their case would 
 be attended to, which money he did not wish to apply to his 
 o-v\Ti use, but to donate it to the new church in Lancaster; 
 only to remind the Pennrsylvania congregations thereby that 
 when ministers, with great labor, fidelity, and expense, have 
 
BECORDS OF 1755. 127 
 
 sowed the spiritual seed among thern, they on the other hand 
 are in dnty bound to set apart something of their abundance, 
 to give the ministers the opportunity to reap something for 
 tlieir bodily wants, and not henceforth and constantly to 
 imagine that preachers nnist count it an honor that the people 
 should talvc the trouble to come and hear the Word. 
 
 III. SESSION, p. M. 
 
 15. A report was made by the committee which had con- 
 sidered the circumstances of Do. Rubel's congregation in 
 Philadelphia. The committee ad banc causam [on this mat- 
 ter] was of the opinion that Do. Kubel should leave the 
 congregation, in accordance with the dismissal which he had 
 received from the Rev. Deputies of both Synods and the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam, and also on account of other circum- 
 stances affecting the congregation; and that hereafter it was 
 no longer necessary that Do. Schlatter should continue to 
 preach for a portion of the congregation in a separate church, 
 since he, together \\\\h. the other ministers, expected after 
 the departure of Do. Rubel to see the whole congregation 
 once more completely reunited. The connnittee therefore 
 submitted whether Do. Schlatter and Do. Rubel should cease 
 to preach in Philadelphia at once and the church be supplied 
 pro'V'isionally on alternate Sundays, twdce a month by the 
 remaining ministers, until a tit and regular pastor for said 
 congregation be found, set apart, and appointed. This pro- 
 posal, Avith unanimous consent, was at once changed into a 
 resolution of Coetus; but whereas the call of Do. Rubel 
 shows that the congregation must give him six months' notice 
 before his departure or dismissal, and he was also obliged 
 to act in accordance Avith this agreement, several ministers, 
 by peaceful proposals to Do. Rubel and his elders, brought 
 things so far with both that he resolved to preach his fare- 
 well sermon on the 26th of this month, on condition 
 that the church would pay him half a year's sa.lary, 
 and Coetus pledged itself to supply the church gratis 
 until they could obtain a pastor. JMoreover, Dos. Schlatter 
 and Rubel in all charity laid aside their personal differ- 
 ences. In all these efforts at peace the Rev. Coetus must 
 
128 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 praise tlie pacific conduct and the impartiality of our Rev. 
 brother Schlatter, and hereby publicly thanks him for the 
 trouble and the services rendered by him to that portion 
 of the congregation in Philadelphia which until this time 
 has remained subject to Synods and Coetus, which services 
 were undertaken at our request, and continued to the best 
 interests of the congregation. Further, we fraternally re- 
 quest him, besides his extended travels in connection with 
 inspection of the schools, now and then to preach, as oppor- 
 tunity may be afforded, in our churches and congregations, 
 whereunto may Jesus Christ sustain him with his grace, 
 
 16, Do, Schlatter gave an account, to our entire satisfac- 
 tion, of the 200 florins remaining of the money collected by 
 Reiff, and promised to pay 100 fl, to the congregation at 
 Germantown and an equal amount to that at Skippack. 
 
 IV, SESSION, A, M, 
 
 April 11. 
 
 17, It was resolved to communicate information in writing 
 concerning the removal of Do, Rubel, and the proposed re- 
 union of the congregation of Philadelphia, to the congre- 
 gation, -with the request, if it should seem acceptable, to give 
 notice to Do. Otterbein, that he may begin to preach to them. 
 
 18, An account was rendered by Do. Schlatter of the 800 
 Bibles to the satisfaction of the entire assembly, in which 
 he gave new proof of his honesty and fidelity, whereupon 
 a receipt covering this was furnished him by us. He still 
 has in his possession 50 folio and nearly 100 octavo Bibles, 
 the distribution of wliich was left to him. 
 
 19, A resolution was passed that no minister should be 
 permitted to preach within the bounds of another congre- 
 gation without the consent or the request of the pastor loci, 
 
 20, It was resolved that no member should be admitted 
 to the Lord 'a Supper by other than his own pastor or con- 
 gregation without the knowledge and certificate of his pastor; 
 also that Holy Baptism shall not be administered to a stranger 
 (except in case of necessity), 
 
 21, Every pastor is requested hereafter to report annually 
 the number of members in his congregations, with the annual 
 increase or decrease. 
 
RECORDS OF 1755. 129 
 
 22. A resolution was adopted concerning and against dila- 
 tores, aceusatores, calumniatores, etc. [tale-bearers, accusers 
 and slanderers], viz., that, according to the duty of the 
 brethren, each should luiselfishly help to advance the other's 
 honor and best interest in every way. Therefore each de- 
 clared himself ready, in case any brother in future might 
 learn that the reputation of one or another brother is at- 
 tacked, to quiet the accuser until the matter has been properly 
 brought before Coetus and the accused been declared guilty 
 or innocent. But in case the accusation should be serious 
 and threaten evil consequences, the officers of the Coetus 
 shall be informed, so that they may take effective measures 
 to remove the scandal. 
 
 23. Resolved that a minister from our number shall annu- 
 ally visit all our congregations in this country, to learn in 
 what condition ministers and congregations everywhere are. 
 Thereupon Do. Schlatter was unanimously chosen by us for 
 this purpose, with request that he Avould take with him the 
 nearest brother of each congregation, and thus make a visita- 
 tion of the cougi'egations as opportunity might be afforded. 
 
 V, SESSION, p. M. 
 
 24. Finally we came to deliberate concerning the schooljs 
 which are to be established in Pennsylvania according to the 
 plan of tlie New Society in London; and inasmuch as the 
 Rev. Coetus has a very good and favorable opinion of this 
 praiseworthy undertaking, it is resolved to send a letter of 
 thanks to the general trustees or superintendents in Phila- 
 delpliia. 
 
 25. Do. Schlatter Avas commissioned in our name to confer 
 Avith the noble Directors of the free schools, confidentially 
 and in good faith, concerning the proffered increase of our 
 salaries ; to fix the amount for those of the brethren who may 
 have need of it, and also the share which they deserve for 
 their efforts ; as also to answer the questions which the above- 
 mentioned Directors have laid before our Coetus in writing, 
 namely, how many ministers, and where the same are, how 
 many are yet required in addition to those already in service, 
 
 9 
 
;|30 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 and also how many school-teachera, and in what places they 
 are needed. 
 
 26. In answer to the proposition of the aforesaid Directors, 
 that one or two ministers, in addition to their usual labors, 
 should take the trouble to instruct some young men, who 
 should afterwards, wherever there is an opportunity, be 
 employed for school or church services, it was resolved that 
 Dos. Otterbein and Stoy be proposed as fit persons for that 
 purpose. 
 
 27. It was resolved to humbly submit to said noble Di- 
 rectors at Philadelphia, in name of the Coetus, the unseemly 
 conduct of the journalist Saur at Germantown, who is and 
 remains steadily an enemy of the Protestant Church, and 
 thus also of the new school enterprise, with respectful request 
 that they would consent to adopt measures which might, 
 if possible, prevent him from interfering with tliis useful 
 work or from creating prejudices against the Protestant 
 religion by continuing his efforts. 
 
 28. Finally Do. Schlatter was unanimously authorized to 
 prepare the official copy of the Minutes of Coetus, to trans- 
 late them into Dutch, and having made a summarized account 
 of the distribution of the handsome and generous donations, 
 to add the same to the Minutes ; and in case anything should 
 have been omitted to state the same truthfully and transmit 
 it carefuUy to the Rev. Deputies of both Synods and Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam. 
 
 "Was signed by: 
 
 William Stoy, George M. Weiss, p. t. Pres., 
 
 Theodore Frankenpeld, John Barth. Rieger, p. t. Sec, 
 
 John Waldschmidt, J. P. Leydich, p. t. Assessor, 
 
 Jonathan Du Bois, Michael Schlatter, 
 
 Conrad Tempelmann, Jacob Lischy, 
 
 Conrad Steiner, William Otterbein. 
 
ACCOUNT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE DONA- 
 TIONS RECEIVED FROM THE REV. DEPUTIES 
 OF THE TWO HOLLAND SYNODS AND REV. 
 CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, IN 
 APRIL, 1755. 
 
 L s. d. 
 
 Do. Weiss drew ' 35. 15 
 
 ' ' Eieger 15 
 
 j Do. Schlatter 45 
 
 I Rest of last year 14 
 
 Do. Leydich 35. 15 
 
 ' ' Lischy 37, 13. G 
 
 ' ' Otterbein 18 
 
 " Stoy 36. IS 
 
 ' ' Frankenf eld 36 
 
 ' ' Waldschmidt 36. 10 
 
 ' ' Du Bois 21. 5 
 
 ' ' Tempelmann 10. 5 
 
 ' ' Steiner 36 
 
 ' ' Bartholomaeus 19. 2 
 
 Mrs. Dorsius 5. 8 
 
 Traveling expenses of elders 15. 4 
 
 Pennsylvania currency 418. 15. 6 
 
 Eeceived from Messrs. Benjamin and Samuel Shoemaker, 418 pounds 
 8 shillings. 
 
 (131) 
 
COETAL LETTER OF JUNE, 1755, ADDRESSED TO 
 THE CLASSIS OP AMSTERDAM. 
 
 (N. B., No. 795.) 
 
 [Address in French.] To Monsieur Pfeiffers, Minister of the Gospel, 
 and at j^rcsent faithful, worthy, and learned Deputy of the Kev. Synod 
 of North Holland at Amsterdam, 
 
 Philadelphia, June, 1755. 
 Very Beyerend and Learned Sirs, Deputies of the Bev. and Highly 
 
 Esteemed Classis of Amsterdam, Highly Esteemed and Benevolent 
 
 Fathers, and Godly Benefactors, etc.: 
 
 I herewith, most obediently, send you the Minutes of our Coetus, held 
 in April, which in the original I transmitted first in the latter part of 
 April to Eev. Deputy Sandiford via London, and in the preceding month 
 (for fear of the war) via New York, with request that he would kindly 
 communicate the same to you. From these Minutes you will doubtless 
 have learned with joy how our last Coetus acted so unanimously, and 
 as I trust with blessed results, and that there is good reason to hope 
 that the Pennsylvania church affairs have (God grant it) reached a good 
 standing; also that I will be enabled, by reason of the general visitation 
 committed to me by the Rev. Coetus, to send towards fall an e?iact 
 report to Holland as to how strong all our churches are, how many 
 ministers are yet needed, how many schools, in what places they are 
 already erected, and where such are still lacking; also that, with God's 
 gracious help, I purpose to employ my leisure time gradually to intro- 
 duce good regulations among the ministers and the churches, to estab- 
 lish a Widow's Fund, and to seek to undertake other improvements, so 
 that even here we may arrive at last, with God's help, at regular church- 
 government, and further remain a worthy object of your love, favor and 
 compassion. Thus you, as well as we, may subsequently have great 
 reason to praise the goodness of God. 
 
 Before I conclude I take the liberty to implore God, in humility and 
 with all my heart and soul, that the Netherland Church and State may 
 forever flourish, continue to remain the glory of the earth, so that the 
 precious golden candle of the beloved Gospel light may spread abroad 
 its rays with lustre from you to the uttermost parts of the earth, to 
 enlighten those who live in darkness, and to bring joy to those who love 
 the purity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Netherland confession 
 of faith. I will only add that I, with the most complete respect, and 
 the most tender and sincere esteem, desire to count it all my life an 
 honor to be permitted to remain, Eeverend and Learned Sirs, your 
 Eeverences' unworthy but humble and most willing servant. 
 
 Mich. Schlati-er. 
 
 (132) 
 
LETTEE ON THE SPECIAL COETUS, HELD IN 
 LANCASTER, OCTOBER 8, 1755.* 
 
 (N. B., No. 818.) 
 Very Reverend and Learned Sirs, Venerable Fathers: 
 
 Your letters, Venerable Fathers, both the Synodical of the 
 1st of May and the Classical of the 2d of June, were duly 
 received by us about the end of last month. From their 
 contents we learn that our proceedings of the 2d of Novem- 
 ber of last year were transmitted to you. We trust that you 
 have likewise received the Acts of our regular Coetus, held 
 in Lancaster on the 9th of April and following days of this 
 year, 1755. Now therefore, as it is becoming, we shall make 
 a suitable reply to your letters. Venerable Fathers, referred 
 to in the beginning. 
 
 First of all, we ask your pardon, that, under urgent neces- 
 sity, we were unable to postpone the consideration of your 
 letters, on account of their importance, to the time of our 
 regular Coetus in the coming spring. But we were rather 
 compelled to meet in 
 
 SPECIAL SESSION. 
 
 To this action we were persuaded, first by the report that 
 Do. Christopher Muentz had been sent over to us by the 
 Christian Synods. Moreover, the war sweeping over this 
 country, and worse tlian the Parthian war, did not permit 
 delay. This war, which has begun to disturb our country, 
 particularly Pennsylvania, caused so great peril and terror 
 that neither our elders nor all our ministers were able to 
 attend our assembly. May God keep us from falling into 
 the hands of the barbarians, who are more savage than wild 
 beasts. 
 
 We now come to the contents of your letters. We have 
 learned from them that to our Coetal proceedings Do. Schlat- 
 ter added a letter, containing some other things of which 
 
 * For the date of this Coetus, see Minutes of 1756, Art. 3; 1757, pp. 
 156, 164; and 1758, p. 165. 
 
 (133) 
 
134 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 there is no mention in the proceedings themselves. This 
 appears to be not unlike fraud.* Nor can that be placed 
 to our account what is not contained in the proceedings 
 themselves. For the rest let Mr. Schlatter be responsible, 
 whom, if it could have been done with the permission of the 
 Rev. Fathers, we would have preferred as our amanuensis 
 to his being the superintendent. Indeed, the powers of 
 action, granted to him by us, had been circumscribed to such 
 restricted limits in order that he might do nothing whatever 
 without our knowledge. Neither was compulsion needed, 
 nor many persuasions, to induce him to assume such an 
 office. On the contrary, we saw that he was very eager for 
 it. Yea, of his o^vn accord he offered himself, and under- 
 took the work not unwillingly, knowing that the burden of 
 the schools would not be too great for him. Thus we assented 
 to Mr. Sclilatter's wishes for the sake of preserving friend- 
 ship. But now we not only submit to your demand, Vener- 
 able Fathers, again to dismiss Mr. Schlatter, but Ave also ask 
 your pardon for the error committed by receiving Mr. 
 Schlatter against your wishes, and we grieve that at least 
 some of us, through our too great love for Mr. Schlatter, 
 were not cautious enough, and suffered him to abuse our 
 simplicity and good intentions. 
 
 We also learn, with great sorrow, from your letters. Vener- 
 able Fathers, that our ecclesiastical affairs are no longer 
 carried on with the same zeal everywhere and by all in 
 Europe. But ratlier that the former zeal has waned at a 
 time when our affairs have hardly begun to be in a good 
 condition. But how quickly will they collapse if you deny 
 us your helping hand. May God incline your hearts to 
 render us still longer help. For our churches are numerous 
 and the number of Germans is everywhere large, but most 
 of them have recently been imported to this country and 
 thus far are poor. Many rich people have left the church 
 and live without it; many have sworn off all religion. 
 
 * This charge is altogether groundless, as Schlatter was definitely 
 authorized by the Coetus to wi-ite the Post Acta contained in the letter 
 of December 17, 1754, see Minutes of 1754, session II., art. 7, p. 118. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1755. 135 
 
 With reference to Do. Rubel and our actions regarding 
 him we believe, for good reasons, that we have not acted 
 unjustly, but according to your o^vn will and desire. But 
 that we may not, without reason, digress too far, we may 
 be allowed to refer you to our resolutions, which we have 
 sent over to you about all his doings, especially in what 
 manner he acted immediately after our arrival in Phila- 
 delpliia, how he disturbed our first Coetus, held in 1752 in 
 Lancaster, and how disgracefully he even persuaded others 
 to leave our Coetus. ^^atever other charges there were 
 we pass them by in order to spare him in lus absence; but 
 
 a. We have not only treated, in a dignified manner, the 
 conduct of the rebellious Rubel, but we have also acted in 
 accordance with your command. You demanded that those 
 who left and disturbed the Coetus should be excluded in the 
 distribution of your donations, see Acts of the Synod, March 
 31, 1753, sent to us through Do. Bernhard De Moor, our 
 Reverend Father, and at that time a Deputy of the Synods. 
 In these Acts, about the middle of the second paragraph, 
 are found these words: 
 
 "But no one shall be his own judge and no church shall 
 act independent of the Coetus," etc., to the end of the para- 
 graph.* Now Rubel is guilty of all these things above men- 
 tioned, as can be shown by many proofs, and is also partly 
 known to you, Venerable Fathers. 
 
 b. We have rendered an exact account of the distribution 
 of the subsidies, from the first of w^hich Do. Rubel was 
 excluded, which you have approved not only in private but 
 also in official letters. 
 
 c. We have always communicated to Do. Rubel whatever 
 was to be communicated. What Do. Rubel will answer to 
 this has about as much force of reason as the following: 
 He may say that he left us because we did not approve of 
 his wicked actions. Let who will speak thus. 
 
 d. You yourselves, Venerable Fathers, can easily infer 
 that the repentance which Do. Rubel showed when he asked 
 permission of you to leave Pennsylvania was only the indi- 
 
 * A cop7 of this letter is at the Hague, 74, i. 64. 
 
136 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 cation of antecedent deception. This deception, or rather 
 the shameful lying, of Do. Rubel we can also infer from the 
 fact that he complained about his salary, which we are 
 ordered to pay him in full to the present time by giving 
 him 400 guilders. We do not refuse this, because we cannot 
 refuse obedience. Meanwhile what we wish to remark con- 
 cerning it, with your Idnd permission. Venerable Fathers, 
 is the f oUomng : 
 
 1. Whence shall we give it? Out of our [last] contribu- 
 tions? Nothing is left of them. Shall we give it from the 
 next contribution? We shall do so. Hence because Do. 
 Rubel has received notliing [hitherto and is yet to be paid] 
 our salary has not been increased. 
 
 2. Our salary, fixed in Holland, does not exceed 450 Dutch 
 guilders. According to Pennsylvania money this is G7i/^ 
 pounds.* It may be that some of us are satisfied, but none 
 of us has ever been paid for all his labor and inexpressible 
 troubles, which Rubel certainly has not experienced in this 
 country, AVhile he could walk from his house into the 
 church, others had to live for days in the forests and were 
 compelled to travel alone on horseback a distance of six, 
 eight, ten and sometimes even twenty miles. 
 
 3. Each year, as we know for certain, Rubel received from 
 Philadelpliia sixty pounds as salary, besides house, rent 
 free. Consequently he never lacked more than seven and a 
 half pounds. We know indeed that he was not paid the 
 whole salary each year by the members in Philadelphia, but 
 when he left they had to pay him all tliat remained, to the 
 last penny. 
 
 4. Besides, there was also a certain congregation outside 
 of Philadelphia, visited by Do. Rubel from time to time, 
 which paid him liberally what he lacked in Philadelphia. 
 We admit what he received was outside of Philadelphia. 
 But if that is added to his salary, wliich we are to give him 
 
 * A Pennsylvania pound was half of the English pound sterling. The 
 latter being at present $4.84, the former ought to have been $2.42, but 
 in reality it was always more. Three pounds may be regarded as equiv- 
 alent to eight dollars. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1755. 137 
 
 at the order of the Reverend Fathers, he will receive more 
 than any of us, which is contrary to the German letter dated 
 Amsterdam, April 2, 1753, in which, after our salary had 
 been referred to as fixed at 450 guilders, we find these words : 
 "And not higher than that," namely, not more than 450 
 guilders. And although Do. Rubel could demand, according 
 to agreement, only 671/2 pounds per year, he will now receive 
 90 pounds. Thus, being rebellious, he has chosen in all 
 things the better part before all others, who have sought to 
 remain [faithful] in their positions. The success of the 
 wicked incites still others to disregard the warning inserted 
 by the Rev. Fathers into the German letter mentioned above. 
 
 With regard to the distribution of the benevolent contri- 
 butions or subsidies, made in the absence of the elders, this 
 was not done out of our own choice and desire, but according 
 to the express demand and order of the Reverend Fathers. 
 For what is plainer than these words: "Although the elders 
 have the privilege to attend the Coetus, they shall not have 
 the least voice in the distribution of the benevolent contri- 
 butions. Tliis belongs to the ministers alone." (See Acts 
 of Synod of March 20th and 21st, 1754, and March 31, 1753.) 
 According to these injunctions we have always rendered to 
 you an account of the money divided by us. Meanwhile 
 we have admitted the elders. May it not injure us! For 
 we shall carry out whatever we are commanded, because we 
 cannot be anything else but unprofitable servants, even if 
 we have done all things. 
 
 Your most agreeable and paternal admonitions, given 
 mainly to ministers about the manner of performing their 
 ecclesiastical duties and how to proceed in their congrega- 
 tions with the greatest care, are not only gladly received by 
 us, but we shall always follow them as much as possible, they 
 being most salutary counsels. 
 
 Further, we learn from your letters, especially the Class- 
 ical, that our condition has been described to you under a 
 sad and terrible aspect, by reason of the Papacy invading 
 this country. Whence this rumor comes is indeed unkno^Ti 
 to us, but you may believe it to be absolutely false. None 
 
138 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 of US knows many priests. Nor does any one in these regions 
 easily go over to the Catholic camp. In Europe this hap- 
 pens often on account of some advantage. But in this coun- 
 try there is no advantage in apostacy. "VVe know only one 
 Jesuit in the whole province of Pennsylvania. We do not 
 know any French Jesuits at all, nor v/ill they be tolerated 
 as long as we cannot be compelled to bear the French yoke. 
 Indeed, if there are any Catholics, they are converted through 
 the use of the Sacred Scriptures, which, as we ourselves 
 know, are as often in their hands as in those of others. 
 
 Finally we turn to those schools which by their proper 
 name are called Free or Charitable Schools, whose oversight 
 was entrusted to Do. Schlatter. Of what future use they 
 will be to us we do not know thus far. Apparently at least, 
 and most likely, they will not be of much public or private 
 service to our Church, because 
 
 1. The only object of these schools is the introduction of 
 the English language among the Germans, which is purely a 
 political matter, hence 
 
 2. Our German schools can expect nothing, as examples 
 show. 
 
 3. "What has appeared to us especially wonderful and 
 strange is, that the direction and management of these schools 
 under the auspices of the Trustees has been entrusted — the 
 Reformed in Lancaster, for example, having been entirely 
 passed over — to Moravians, Quakers, Separatists, perchance 
 even Deists and others of this class. Can you think of a 
 wolf caring for the pastures of fleece-bearing sheep ? 
 
 This, however, was somewhat changed after we had com- 
 plained about it, but not without hatred being aroused 
 against us; for when we objected to the arrangement as not 
 being in accordance wdth the wishes of the Rev. Fathers, 
 Do. Smith, the Secretary of the noble Trustees, in a letter 
 to Do. Otterbein responded: "The Fathers in Holland have 
 nothing to do in it." Indeed, on another occasion a certain 
 one of us was obliged to hear these words: "The Lutherans 
 are nigher to the Church of England than the Presbyterians 
 are." Which in fact we are experiencing, for in a certain 
 
BECOBDS OF 1755. 139 
 
 way to ns applies the saying of the poet: Vos non vobis 
 inellificatis apes.* 
 
 But an account as to what belongs to this whole work, and 
 in what manner it will be regulated and conducted, has been 
 published, and its scheme can be seen in a certain pamphlet, 
 printed in this place under the title: "A Brief History of 
 the Charitable Scheme for Instructing Poor Germans in 
 Pennsylvania." The gymnasium [college], for which we 
 hoped, has come to naught. 
 
 Finally, Venerable Fathers, we return our most sincere 
 thanks to you. O that we could show a worthy gratitude 
 for the unspeakable favor and kindness which you have thus 
 far bestowed upon us ! May God, the Greatest, Highest and 
 Best, preserve you and make you pillara in his Zion on earth 
 and finally give you the glorious appearance of his Son in 
 heaven above. 
 
 AYith this most fervent wish we conmiend ourselves to your 
 further protection and favor, Llost Venerable and Learned 
 Sirs, Reverend Fathers, your servants and most devoted 
 clients. In the name of all, 
 
 William Stoy, 
 
 * You are bees not making honey for yourselves. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 JUNE 15-17, 1756. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 17.) 
 Most Honorable and Learned Sirs, Venerable Fathers, 
 
 Zealous Deputies of the Synods of North and South 
 
 Holland: 
 
 Herewith we again submit to you, Venerable Fathers, the 
 Acts of our Coetus, held in Philadelphia on the 15th, 16th 
 and 17th of the month of June of this current year, 1756. 
 
 1. The opening of the Coetus, held on the days mentioned 
 above, wa-s made by Do. J. P. Leydich, Secretary p. t., who 
 preached before the public assembly of the Coetus on the 
 words. Song of Solomon 5. 2, the first part, at 10 A. M. on 
 the 15th of June. Wlien this meeting was ended Do. J. B. 
 Eieger was chosen President and Do. J. P. Leydich Secre- 
 tary, each one according to your decision. Venerable Fatliers, 
 by which you have determined the tenure of office. Like- 
 wise Do. Steiner was made Assessor. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 2. The time of the forenoon having elapsed, we came 
 together in the afternoon at 2 o'clock. This first regular 
 session was opened with prayer. Afterwards we deliberated 
 in what order and manner the present particular affairs 
 of the Pennsylvania churches might best be treated. And 
 thus we privately discussed the affairs concerning every 
 minister in turn, and then followed the discussion of the 
 morals (censura mo rum). 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 3. On the 16th of June w^e opened the second session at 
 8 A. M. First of all your letters were read to all the mem- 
 bers present, and were gladly received. They were those 
 sent to us in the last year, dated Amsterdam, the 2d of 
 June, as well as the Synodical letters dated Schydam, May 
 1st, 1755. To these letters, now again taken up, we re- 
 sponded by duplicates in the month of October of last year, 
 
 (140) 
 
EECOBDS OF 1756. 141 
 
 v.'liich answer wc hope has reached yon. There were also 
 read the Synodieal letters dated Breda, January 6th, 1756, 
 and the Classical, dated Amsterdam, January 13th, 1756, 
 and finally also the letter dated Schydam, November 25th, 
 1755, was handed to us, together ^^dth the money assigned 
 to us, namely, 2620 guilders Holland cuiTency, or, according 
 to our Pennsylvania money, 374 pounds 6 shillings, except 
 50 guilders, which were sent in the name of Do. Otterbein 
 to his mother. 
 
 4. To all these letters we now give an appropriate answer. 
 Nor could we do so any sooner because the former letters 
 were much delayed by the long journey of Do. Chr. Muenz, 
 
 Now with regard to the rules drawna up at the Coetus of 
 last year, and called for by the Venerable Fathers, we deemed 
 it well for reasons then obvious, but now partly removed, to 
 resolve : 
 
 a. That nothing be ordered or resolved unless at least by 
 far the greater number of those present, as well as the absent 
 ones, agreed to the matters to be determined. 
 
 b. Much less shall any one of us be allowed to do anything 
 according to his own wish and privately, but with the knowl- 
 edge and consent of all, or, in case of necessity and urgency, 
 at least with the consent of the majority, 
 
 c. Matters of any importance shall immediately and with- 
 out delay, in the presence of all or at least of the majority, 
 be entered upon the Minutes. 
 
 d. In any case which is doubtful, because of a tie in the 
 votes, the President shall decide the matter by a double vote. 
 
 e. None of us shall be allowed to go into the congregation 
 of another brother, or administer, in the same or outside, the 
 Sacraments to persons belonging to another congregation, 
 or in anywise infringe upon Christian order. A case of 
 necessity, growing out of a request of a sick brother, is 
 excepted, 
 
 f. ]\Iinisters, as well as elders, shall abstain from private 
 conversation during the Coetus, and attend only to the affairs 
 of the Coetus, 
 
 g. If — which is against our hope — a quarrel should arise 
 between ministers and elders, we shall not separate unless 
 it be adjusted and ended. 
 
142 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 5. There is nothing new in all this ; we have only revived 
 rules (that ought not to have been forgotten) on account 
 of reasons which, as we have said, were obvious, and can 
 partly be seen in our letter of last October. 
 
 6. Whatever we wrote in our former public acts about Dos. 
 Schlatter, Rubel, and the Philadelphia congregation has been 
 fulfilled in every respect. For after Do. Schlatter and Do. 
 Rubel had laid down their work in Philadelphia the burden 
 of serving the congregation, for a longer time jointly and in 
 turn, became too heavy for our ministers, nor was Do. Steiner, 
 who served the Philadelphia congregation alone for half a 
 year, any longer fitted for the work. Therefore we were 
 compelled in our last Coetus to help said congregation in 
 some other way. Especially because the death of Do. Muenz 
 (for he died on the way) greatly interfered with, our caring 
 for them with less difficulty. After this matter had been 
 more thoroughly deliberated upon (for necessity must be 
 taken into account) , we concluded that some one of us ought 
 to make a change, namely, that Do. W. Stoy, thus far min- 
 ister at Tulpehoeken, should resign at least for a year and 
 go to Philadelphia, although unwilling to do so, his congre- 
 gation equally suffering. JMeanwhile we would see whether, 
 during the course of the year, a new minister could be senf 
 over to us by tlie Venerable Fathers to supply our wants, 
 especially since Do. Stoy was by no means willing to pledge 
 himself for a longer time. About this affair the Philadel- 
 phians wished to write letters to the Venerable Synods as 
 well as to the Classis of Amsterdam. After the close of the 
 third session, on the 16th of June, we submitted our propo- 
 sition publicly to a congregational meeting in the church in 
 Philadelphia, and it was approved by all the members of the 
 Philadelphia congregation. But in order not to make vacant 
 the congregation at Tulpehoeken by the departure of Do. 
 Stoy we arranged the matter in this way, that Do. Wald- 
 schmidt should take upon himself the preaching of the Word 
 at Tulpehoeken (for he is nearest to this place), and that his 
 former congregations should be supplied with Word and 
 Sacraments as much as possible by Dos. Rieger and Otterbein. 
 Thus Do. Stoy was ordered to begin his ministry at Phila- 
 delphia on the 10th of July following, and Dos. Rieger and 
 
BECOBDS OF 1756. I43 
 
 Otterbein were commissioned to install Do. Waldsehmidt at 
 Tulpehocken on the 6th of the same month. We are of the 
 opinion that all of these things having necessarily been so 
 arranged, the burden of the ministers has not increased 
 against your will, Venerable Fathers. 
 
 7. The money which remained of the collection by Reiff, 
 and the Bibles, Avhich Do. Schlatter had kept in his hands 
 thus far, he gave up, as was proper, although he was sick. 
 Of these moneys the people at Skippack received 100 fl. and 
 those at Germantown also 100 fl. [florins or guilders]. 
 
 THIED SESSION. 
 
 8. In regard to the English schools, which were to be erected 
 and have been erected by the order of the most noble London 
 Society, we already gave our opinion in part, as much as then 
 seemed to be fitting, in our letter of the month of October of 
 last year. We confess that we had not formed the best opin- 
 ion about them, especially after our Coetus held in Lan- 
 caster last year. We could see in the movement nothing 
 but a political affair, which was altogether a damage to our 
 schools. And that which displeased us most was a certain 
 expression, to us seemingly very harsh, which Do. W. Smith, 
 the Secretary of the Directors of the schools, inserted in a 
 letter which he wrote to Do. Otterbein with reference to 
 them. These were his words : ' ' The Fathers in Holland have 
 nothing to do in it. ' ' You will not wonder that this appeared 
 somewhat strange to us. Matters assumed a different aspect 
 after we showed the Directors your decision about the schools, 
 from your letter dated Amsterdam, January 13th, 1756. The 
 letter which we sent to Mr. Franklin in this matter, who of 
 all the Directors was nearest at hand, you may see in the 
 following, under letter A. Franklin sent the delegates, with 
 the letter, to the Secretary, Do. Smith. After he had 
 read it, he showed to us not only more clearly the origin of 
 the schools from the London instructions, but also delivered 
 a certain sum of money to each one of us, as follows : 
 
144 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 £. 
 
 Do. Eieger 10 
 
 " Weiss 10 
 
 " Leydic]i 10 
 
 " Stoy 10 
 
 " Otterbein 10 
 
 " Steiner 10 
 
 " Du Bois 10 
 
 " Lischy 10 
 
 " Waldschmidt 8 
 
 ' ' Tempelmann 3 
 
 In the future we shall all strive to promote as much as 
 possible, for the glory of God, the public as well as the pri- 
 vate welfare of our Church, 
 
 9. With regard to the congregations at Canawaga [Cone- 
 wago], Reading and Oley, this is to be noted, namely, that 
 the first one desires to be cared for, by ministers "visiting her 
 in the future, in the same manner as hitherto. Do. Steiner 
 will take care of this charge. The people of Reading pre- 
 ferred to retain Do. Stoy, who for fourteen months led the 
 divine services at that place, but because this could not be 
 done they submitted to the resolution of the Coetus and 
 publicly agreed to accept Do. Waldschmidt as their minister. 
 They would rather be under the order of our Coetus than be 
 destroyed by worthless fellows and wolves. The people at 
 Oley, now as well as before, rather prefer to enter into the 
 kingdom of heaven by the broad way. They have again 
 chosen as their minister a man tainted with all kinds of vices, 
 a demagogue, because they hate seriouslj'' to relinquish the 
 sins of the world to follow Christ. Alas, the grief ! 
 
 10. An elder of a certain congregation beyond the Swatara 
 river appeared who complained of Do. Tempelmann. These 
 people erected a new church two years ago. When it was 
 built Do. Stoy was asked whether he would serve them. 
 Meanwhile a quarrel was stirred up by certain members of 
 that congregation, and for that reason he refused, admon- 
 ishing them that, ending the quarrel, they should serve the 
 God of peace in peace. At the same time he suggested to 
 them the means of reconciliation. But since Do. Tempel- 
 mann preferred to serve people badly organized rather tlian 
 
BECOBDS OF 1756. 
 
 U5 
 
 listen to honest friends and consult the brethren, we passed 
 the following resolution with regard to this affair: Whereas, 
 Do. Tempelmann is carrying a burden too heavy for stronger 
 shoulders, resolved that he must give up this congregation 
 in order that these people may make peace among themselves, 
 and, obeying the admonitions of the Coetus, become more fit 
 to accept help. 
 
 11. Since Do. Stoy takes charge of Philadelphia, and 
 the people of Germantown are not able alone to support a 
 minister, therefore we considered it best to allow Do. Steiner, 
 if he is willing, to succeed Do. Frankenfeld, who died, in the 
 congregation of Frederick, situated in Maryland, and that 
 Do. Stoy take the place of Do. Steiner, if he be so requested 
 by the people of Germantown. 
 
 FOURTH SESSION. 
 
 12. An elder sent by the congregation at Skippack, 
 called Witpen, appeared in our Coetus, asking that hence- 
 forth those people might be visited by us. We promised 
 them that Do. Stoy should visit them twice a year on Sun- 
 days, Do. Weiss in like manner twice, Do. Leydich once, and 
 during the v/eek as often as they themselves would see fit. 
 
 13. There came to us also a Pennsylvanian, Rudolph Bun- 
 ner by name, an honest and pious man as it seemed. He 
 asked help of us for his son, a young man of good talents. 
 He stated that his son had devoted himself to the study of 
 theology. The young man had already for some time attended 
 an English school in Philadelphia, and had made some pro- 
 gress in the Latin language. As this was no longer satisfac- 
 tory to the father, he preferred to hand over his son to one 
 of us, that according to the German custom he be well in- 
 structed in the subjects belonging to the study of theology. 
 We could not refuse the request of this man, but with this 
 condition as ratified by you. Venerable Fathers, that at the 
 proper time he should go to Holland to finish not only his 
 studies there, but also to be inducted into the holy ministry 
 by you in the legitimate manner. This the father of the 
 young man promised, his hope and confidence being placed 
 in your help, asking at the same time that we might most 
 humbly beseech you in his name to give your kind assistance 
 
 10 
 
146 COETUS OF FENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 to his son during his stay in Holland. AVith this condition 
 Do. Stoy took it upon himself to instruct him. 
 
 14. Here we must add that Do. Smith, the Secretary of the 
 noble Directors, asked us even a year ago to propose measures 
 by means of which upright young men might be prepared 
 for the ministry. To these proposals we gave no answer in 
 our letter to him up to the time of our present Coetus, when 
 Dos. Otterbein and Stoy informed us that five pounds had 
 been assigned to each of them to take hold of this work. These 
 two men, even at our last Coetus, agreed to this if they could 
 have remained together; but that sum of money is not suffi- 
 cient for any one. 
 
 15. During this session Do. Rubel met us, who with a 
 pleasant expectation had undertaken a long journey, expect- 
 ing now, as his portion, the money assigned to him. "What- 
 ever we have written in defense of our actions toward Do. 
 Rubel in the last year we hope has reached you. From these 
 statements it will appear clearer than daylight that we have 
 treated him in all things according to your command. Vener- 
 able Fathers. What kind of a man Rubel was is evident 
 from your own confession in the letter dated Amsterdam, 
 June 2d, 1755; the words are as follows: "However, he had 
 not properly submitted," and you wished him to be excluded 
 from your support. We do not want now to repeat all these 
 things, lest we weary you with a letter that is too long. One 
 passage only we may be permitted to quote from the Acts of 
 Synod, given at Leiden, March 31st, 1753, about the middle 
 of the second section: "Since Do. Rubel received, from the 
 congregation in Philadelphia 400 fl. every year, besides 63 from 
 the congregation outside of Philadelphia, we are unable to 
 see with what right Do. Rubel can demand more of the Fathers 
 than is contained in the definite agreement of the Fathers in 
 the letter dated Amsterdam, April 2d, 1753, and how he can 
 complain. The others having been called with the same 
 privileges and the same agreement as Do. Rubel are satisfied, 
 although they never received so much." Meanwhile we have 
 given to Do. Rubel 100 fl. to supply that which he was lacking 
 in Philadelphia for two years, namely, 1752 and 1753, expect- 
 ing that a definite decision of the Venerable Fathers would 
 be given to us in answer to our very clear proposition. For 
 
BECOBDS OF 1756. 
 
 147 
 
 we cannot doubt that Do. Rubel has written the most glitter- 
 ing lies, which he himself also brought forward in our Coetus, 
 namely, that he was not aware of his injustice in asking 
 400 fl. ; nor could he deceive U5 by his insatiable demand, in 
 spite of his donation, not made by will, but while living. 
 He gave publicly before tlie Coetus to the Philadelphia con- 
 gregation 100 fi., but the object was wicked. On the one 
 hand he wished to put the Philadelphia congregation again 
 under obligation to him and captivate it by flattery; on the 
 other hand to incite it against those ministers who constitute 
 the Coetus, and thus very ingeniously cause new trouble. 
 
 16. Finally we may be allowed to ask whether, if w-e must 
 hand over all that money to Do. Rubel, Do. Schlatter should 
 be treated in the same manner, who during the two years 
 mentioned received more than any one of us ? 
 
 17. The Coetus placed the sick Do. Bartholomaeus in the 
 care of Do. Stoy. 
 
 18. Coetus also resolved to write a letter to Do. Chandler, 
 a member of the most noble London Society, not only to 
 express our thanks for the support given us, but also to 
 describe the condition of the Reformed churches in these 
 lands, and also that of the schools, which we can never neglect. 
 Dos. Rieger and Otterbein were commissioned to write this 
 letter, 
 
 19. And whereas we have hitherto requested some new 
 ministers for this country, whose number Do. Muenz, sent 
 by the Venerable Fathers, could have increased if it had 
 pleased Almighty God to leave him among the living, we 
 must again ask you, Venerable Fathers, to continue your 
 zeal to help us. Even two good, strong men would be a great 
 help to us in such a great work, which already has almost 
 exhausted the strength of some, who, if they survive at all, 
 will be in danger of carrying that burden in sunshine and 
 rain even longer than they have carried it. 
 
 20. The sum of the distributed money which, as stated in. 
 the foregoing, was received by us of Messrs. Benj. and Saml. 
 Schumacher is found added under letter B. 
 
 21. Finally we implore you. Venerable Fathers, that you 
 will not refuse us your support and your exceedingly great 
 liberality, without which none of us could have subsisted 
 
148 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 thus far. We also express to you our highest gratitude for 
 the help extended to us ajid the Pennsylvania churches under 
 the favor of God. May God Almighty reward you with 
 grace, and, with manifold benediction, heap upon you the 
 varied gifts of his own omnipotent Spirit, through whom you 
 may here be a light and yonder the resplendent glory of 
 Christ. Amen. 
 
 "With this most fervent wish for you. Venerable Fathers, 
 most learned Sirs and zealous Deputies of the Synods of North 
 and South Holland, in the name of all the brethren we sub- 
 scribe ourselves, J. B. Rieger^ p. t. Praeses Coetus. 
 
 J. P. Leydich, p. t. Seriba. 
 
 LETTER OF COETUS TO B. FRANKLIN, JUNE 16, 1756. 
 (Hague 92, B. 17 A.) 
 
 Sir: 
 
 Our Coetus having received letters from the Eev. Synods of Holland 
 and Classis of Amsterdam, in which they, in a most friendly manner, 
 desire us to let them know by the first opportunity what we ministers 
 have received from tlie honorable Society in London as a supplement 
 to our salaries, concerning which we in our present circumstances can- 
 not give a satisfactory account, because some have received and others 
 not; therefore, we, in a most humble manner, desire to know whether 
 those are to receive any certain sum or not, that we may be enabled 
 to let our Eev. Fathers in Holland know who they are and who not. 
 Their words are as follows: "We find it very necessary and useful that 
 the Coetus take an interest in the schools already established (of which 
 we have the greatest expectations, and upon which we invoke heartily 
 the divine blessing), and concerning them confer in every way grate- 
 fully and amicably with the Messrs. Directors, appointed thereto by the 
 Honorable London Society. We desire also to learn from them whether 
 the Honorable Society has not already given something for the increase 
 of the salary of the ministers, and we request that such be, on each 
 occasion, made known to us without reserve, since this will tend to oui 
 gladness and encourage us the more to see to it that the number of 
 ministers be increased." In the name of the Coetus, 
 
 J. B. EiEGER, President. 
 
 J. P. Leydich, Clerk. 
 
ACCOUNT OF THE MONEY DISTRIBUTED. 
 (Hague 92, B. 17 B.) 
 
 The ministers have received : 
 £. 
 
 Do. Weiss 27 
 
 Do. Leidich 27 
 
 Do. Steiner 32 
 
 To the same because of Phil- 
 adelphia 10 
 
 Do. Kieger 20 
 
 Do. Stoy 31 
 
 Do. Otterbein 15 
 
 Do. Du Bois 18 
 
 Do. Waldschmidt 32 
 
 Do. Lischy 27 
 
 Do. Tempelman 10 
 
 Sum 251 
 
 We owed for reasons given 
 above : 
 
 Do. Schlatter 23 
 
 Do. Eubel 15 
 
 Sum 
 
 38 
 
 s. 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 We gave to the Elders for 
 
 
 
 their journey : 
 
 
 
 To Elder of Do. Leidich... 
 
 1 
 
 
 " " " Do. Weiss .... 
 
 1 
 
 
 " " " Do. Otterbein.. 
 
 1 
 
 
 " " " Do. DuBois .. 
 
 
 12 
 
 " " " Do. Stoy...... 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 To the teachers were given : 
 £. 
 
 At Lancaster 5 
 
 At Falkner Swamp 5 
 
 Keading 3 
 
 Cocalico 3 
 
 York 3 
 
 Creutz Creek 3 
 
 To a certain Achen 2 
 
 Philadelphia 6 
 
 To a certain Weigand 3 
 
 To a certain Merkley 2 
 
 Sum 35 
 
 To the widow of Do. Muenz. 12 
 
 " " " "Do. Wisler. 6 
 
 " " wife of Dorsius 4 
 
 For the support of Barthol- 
 
 omaeus 15 
 
 Sum 37 
 
 Total 72 
 
 Grand total . . 366 12 
 And thus there remain 7£ 8s. , which 
 latter sum was used for the ex- 
 penses of the Coetus. 
 
 Sum 
 
 Total 294 12 
 
 (149) 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN LANCASTER, JUNE 
 8-9, 1757, INCLUDING THE MINUTES OF A SPE- 
 CIAL MEETING, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 AUGUST 24, 1757. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 25 and N. B., No. 8421/2.) 
 
 Much Honored, Most Renowned and Most Vigilant Pastors 
 
 of the Church of Amsterdam, 
 Venerable Fathers: 
 
 Since in our Coetus, held last year in Philadelphia, we 
 had passed the resolution that the brethren should come 
 together for the regular Coetus to be held in the present year 
 in Lancaster on the 8th day of June (God willing), and as 
 we have now come together, being united in fraternal love, 
 we have transacted a few things which follow. 
 
 Acts of the Reformed Coetus of Pennsylvania, held in 
 Lancaster^ on the 8th and 9th of June, 1757. 
 
 The Reverend brethren who came together for the Coetus 
 of this year were the following: Dos. Rieger, Waldschmidt, 
 Otterbein, Stoy, Du Bois and Conrad Steiner. Dos. "Weiss 
 and Leydich were absent on account of severe sickness, with 
 which tliey were afflicted. Do. Tempelmann was absent on 
 account of his defective eye-sight; Do. Lischy on account of 
 the consciousness of his wrong doing, as will appear from the 
 Minutes. 
 
 After the above-mentioned brethren had assembled, the 
 Coetus was opened v^dth a public meeting conducted by Con- 
 rad Steiner, the Secretary of the Coetus during this year, 
 who preached on Mark vi. 12, which words were chosen by 
 me mostly for this reason, that in the present time, on account 
 of the very corrupt morals of men and the imminent, grave 
 calamities, conversion is the one thing necessary to change 
 men and avert the judgments of God, wherefore I seriously 
 and strongly urged the Reverend brethren to teach and incul- 
 cate this most necessary awakening. 
 
 The office of the President, which, according to the pre- 
 scribed order, Do. Leydich ought to have taken, was, on ac- 
 
 (150) 
 
BECOBDS OF 1757. 
 
 151 
 
 eount of his absence, entrusted to Do. Otterbein, and the office 
 of Secretary devolved upon me. 
 
 The first session was opened by the Moderator of the 
 Coetus offering up fervent prayer. AVhen this was ended the 
 elders of the congregations in Philadelphia and Germantown, 
 sent to our Coetus, were heard, who wished to know of us 
 first of all whether Do. Stoy, to whom had been entrusted 
 by our Coetus in the last year the care of both congregations 
 (Philadelphia and Germantown) only for the space of one 
 year, should remain with them any longer and discharge the 
 duties of his ministerial office. Asked about his opinion 
 concerning tliis question, Do. Stoy answered as follows : That 
 on account of his changed circumstances, mostly on account 
 of his restored health and renewed strength of body and soul, 
 and because of the lack of another minister, he promised 
 again to take upon himself the care of the congregations in 
 Philadelphia and Germantown, although before he had re- 
 solved in his mind and decided to return to the Fatherland, 
 about which matter, however. Do. Stoy will himself write 
 more at length in his own letter to the Venerable Fathers. 
 
 Secondly, the Germantown elder asked us especially that 
 by our command and authority the congregation of German- 
 town should henceforth, equally with the congregation of 
 Philadelphia, enjoy the ministry of Do. Stoy, that they might 
 have divine services, at least through the summer when the 
 days are longer, alternately in the forenoon and afternoon. 
 As this petition seemed to be just to us, and Do. Stoy also 
 immediately assented willingly, with the help of divine grace, 
 to undertake these desired duties, therefore we resolved that 
 this equalization of his labor in both places be rightly ob- 
 served in the future. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 1, A certain elder from the Seltenreich congregation ap- 
 peared in our Coetus, and stated that since the departure of 
 Do. AYaldschmidt to the congregation of Tulpehocken the 
 people of the Seltenreich congregation were desirous of hav- 
 ing the ministry of Do. Rieger, and petitioned us that he be 
 constituted their regular pastor by the Coetus. After Do. 
 Rieger had declared his ^villingness to help these people, the 
 office of the regular minister of that congregation was en- 
 
152 COETUS OF PENNSTLFANIA. 
 
 trusted to him by us, so that he may alternately visit the one 
 and the other flock over which he is placed and properly 
 discharge the duties belonging thereto. 
 
 2. Two elders appeared in our Coetus from the congre- 
 gation in York, and describing the lamentable circumstances 
 there asked our help. This matter, Venerable Fathers, is 
 about as follows: For a long time many and very serious 
 complaints have been made about Do. Lischy, the pastor of 
 the church in York. But through the counsel and help of 
 his friends, and mostly his outside supporters, they were 
 suppressed until about a year ago. Then a new and very 
 just cause was given to his parishioners to complain. They 
 were so offended and irritated that by far the greater part 
 refused to hear him any longer or recognize him as their 
 pastor. The members of the congregation at the Kreisskrick 
 [Kreutz Creek] have rejected him unanimously. The con- 
 gregation in York is sadly distracted and split into two parts ; 
 one party has rejected Lischy as an unworthy minister; the 
 second party, however, wishes to retain him, which latter is 
 stronger in number and influence. Since this more powerful 
 party, mindful of its duty and the bonds by which the con- 
 gregations are connected with our Reformed Coetus, has 
 notified us of these circumstances and at the same time asked 
 our help, we have become very anxious and doubtful as to 
 what we should do and in what manner we should best counsel 
 the people offended by Lischy, remove from their minds the 
 scandal that has been occasioned, and restore peace and 
 harmony. It is possible that this conduct of Lischy may be 
 considered by some as a pardonable fault, but we, on account 
 of various concurrent circumstances, cannot judge as lightly 
 of it. Nevertheless it was proposed by us to treat with him 
 in a friendly and brotherly way. Therefore 
 
 (1) We have invited Do. Lischy to a friendly conference 
 to be held between him, the elders of the church of York and 
 three ministers to be appointed by our Coetus. Since, how- 
 ever, Do. Lischy has thus far not listened to our counsel, but 
 rather accused us, without any reason, in letters written to 
 the President Rieger and Do. Otterbein, of unjust hatred 
 towards him and hostility, and has not been ashamed to 
 excuse his grievous fault with the most trifling reasons and 
 
BECOBDS OF 1757. I53 
 
 arguments of no weight whatever, and has thus given to many 
 a cause of suspicion that his mind is perhaps not averse to 
 the \\\e heresy of the old Nicolaites, and still tainted with the 
 contagious views of Zinzendorf, whom he once followed, 
 therefore 
 
 (2) "We resolved with unanimous consent that Do. Lischy 
 for the time being be suspended from the public exercise of 
 his office, and the congregations meanwhile be supplied by 
 Do. Otterbein as often as possible, until in our nest meeting, 
 which has now been held, all circumstances be more thor- 
 oughlj^ examined and all necessary and possible remedies be 
 applied to unite and build up the distracted congregation. 
 Yet Do. Lischy, with his followers, would not listen, so that 
 not only did he continue stubbornly to exercise his office, but 
 the church, closed against him, was also repeatedly forced 
 open by those who sided with him. 
 
 (3) "V^Hien the time of our meeting approached. Do. Lischy 
 Avas kindly invited by the President to be present, but he 
 refused to appear, and his absence and disobedience were 
 the cause of our not being able to come to any conclusion. 
 
 (4) Finally we again reminded Do. Lischy, through a 
 letter written in the name of the Coetus, of his duty and the 
 obedience which he owes to the Coetus, but to this day we 
 have not been able to reach the desired end. We deplore 
 meanwhile. Venerable Fathers, the pitiable condition of the 
 church in York ; we deplore our inability to help them, mostly 
 on account of the lack of ministers, and we deplore, above 
 all, that, through the bad example of that pastor, and the 
 quarrels of his members, the good people are more and more 
 offended, the Holy Spirit is grieved, the name and word of 
 God profaned, and our most holy religion, as well as the 
 holy ministry, exposed to the ridicule of enemies. 
 
 Those who have given up Lischy and have gone away from 
 him mourn and are troubled about his very bad example and 
 manners. The other part does not only care nothing about 
 it, but also imitate his bad example for their own indulgence, 
 as Ave can show from several examples. From this it is evi- 
 dent that Lischy, even if he could speak with angel tongues, 
 could nevertheless no longer produce good fruits by his min- 
 istry, at least not in York. 
 
154 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 As this matter is in such a condition, we urgently ask you, 
 Venerable Fathers, to communicate to us, without delay, your 
 most prudent counsel in this difficult case of Lischy, and 
 kindly aid us, who are helpless, with your valuable assistance, 
 that by it the stone of offense may at last be removed from 
 the midst of the congregation in York, and that peace and 
 the edification of the congregation be restored, which, accord- 
 ing to our judgment at least (if we be allowed to mention it), 
 cannot be done in any other way than by the removal of 
 Lischy from his ministry in York, with your authority, and 
 by putting another minister of better reputation in his place. 
 
 Since, however, the number of ministers in this country 
 has been much diminished, so that the few ministers who 
 are left can in no wise sufficiently care for every congrega- 
 tion, we ask this above all of you, Venerable Fathers, that 
 through your thoughtful care several suitable ministers be 
 sent to us who may become our co-workers in the work of the 
 Lord. Otherwise there is danger that the congregations 
 gathered thus far will in a short time again be dissolved and 
 be scattered. 
 
 P. S. It. is, however, true what Do. Stoy has noted in his 
 letters, that it is very dangerous to send new ministers to us 
 at this time. And yet if one or two ministers, learned, pious 
 and judicious men, under the guidance of God, would come 
 hither, they would be of great help to us and of great conso- 
 lation to many congregations, 
 
 SESSION in. 
 
 1. The question arose about Do. Otterbein and his min- 
 istry in the congregation in Lancaster. The elders of his 
 church asked us, his five years being ended for which he had 
 pledged himself to the congregation in Lancaster, whether 
 they might, in accordance with the wish and the hope of the 
 congregation, expect liis ministry for the future. 
 
 To this question Do. Otterbein gave the folloAving expres- 
 sion of opinion, in the presence of the elders : (1) He declared 
 he would not in the future bind himself to any congregation 
 for a fixed time; (2) He complained of many grievances by 
 which his mind during the time of his ministry had been 
 vexed in various ways; (3) He desired that all disorderly 
 
EECOEDS OF 1757. I55 
 
 customs be done away with as much as possible or changed 
 in the future through the just and legitimate use and exer- 
 cise of church discipline; (4) Finally he promised that if he 
 be allowed to act in this matter according to the conviction 
 of his conscience, and his hearers would obey him, he would 
 then further remain with them and discharge his pastoral 
 ofiQce. 
 
 To this declaration of Do. Otterbein we added the counsel 
 that he himself should speak with his people in a public and 
 friendly manner, should kindly give them his opinion, put 
 the conditions clearly before them, and in this way try to 
 incline and persuade them to his wish. 
 
 Our counsel was immediately approved by his elders, who 
 doubted not that they all would show themselves wilKng and 
 pliant. 
 
 N. B. "What we hoped has now really taken place. The 
 congregation in Lancaster has tiot only promised to their 
 pastor, whom they most earnestly longed to keep, the obedi- 
 ence they owed, but also the desired correction. Do. Otter- 
 bein has again taken upon himself the care of that congre- 
 gation. 
 
 2. Do. Du Bois laid before us the case of a minister who 
 stands connected vsdth our Coetus and is called to another 
 church. He wished to know of us whether in such a case 
 the minister is allowed by the Coetus to change from the 
 former congregation to the latter, and whether our Coetus 
 has the power to dissolve the connection of such a minister 
 with his former flock and dismiss him to another. We an- 
 swered that this could indeed be done, if this new call can 
 be considered legitimate, and there are reasons sufficient or 
 weighty enough why any one should leave his former con- 
 gregation and go to another. 
 
 3. When, moreover, Do. Du Bois related how in these 
 wicked and troublesome times four days throughout the year 
 are appointed by the Presbyterians for public and solemn 
 celebration, called days of repentance and prayer, we re- 
 solved to follow their example in this laudable custom, so 
 that the same days be indicated to our congregations, and 
 their pious observance be earnestly enjoined upon them. 
 
 4. After these things had been transacted. Do. Stoy ren- 
 
156 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 dered an account of tlie money given to Do. Bartholomaeus, 
 who remains in the same miserable condition, showing that 
 those 15 pounds which he had received from the Coetus in 
 the last year for his support had indeed been sufficient for 
 that purpose, but that besides an additional amount remained 
 to be paid to him, wliich Do. Schlatter had left unpaid. 
 
 These are the few things. Venerable Fathers, which we 
 have transacted in our regular Coetus of the present year. 
 
 [Special Coetus, August 24, 1757.] 
 
 Before we could transmit to you these our Acts your long 
 expected letters, the Synodical dated Leyden, April 14, 1757, 
 as well as the Classical dated April 4, 1757, arrived in Phila/- 
 delphia, agreeable to our wish. All the brethren, except Tem- 
 pelmann, hastened mthout delay to Philadelpliia on the 24th 
 of August to examine them, and we now answer the instruc- 
 tions point after point in the following manner. 
 
 N. B. In this meeting of Coetus Do. Leydich, who on 
 account of his health could not appear in our Coetus held in 
 Lancaster, but who now, through divine kindness, has very 
 well recovered from the sickness with which he suffered, 
 began to administer the office of President and to discharge 
 it successfully. 
 
 Concerning the letters written to you in the month of 
 October, 1755, which, however, owing to the wreck of the 
 ship that carried them, did not reach you, we resolved to 
 transmit to you a copy of them, together with these letters, 
 from which you can learn many thing-s with reference to 
 Do. Schlatter, Do. Rubel and the schools, which therefore 
 we do not want to repeat here. 
 
 N. B. The Secretary has here, through a slip of memory 
 or some other error, taken two e\ddently different things to 
 be the same, or rather mixed them up. The letters men- 
 tioned by the Secretary have not been lost through ship- 
 wreck. This at least is not kno^vn to me, who have written 
 and transmitted the same. I rather believe, not without 
 reason, that they were intercepted, and I am of the opinion 
 that they have not left these shores. The others are those 
 letters which during the last year were sent to the Rev. 
 Classis of Amsterdam which, as the ship that carried them 
 
BECOBDS OF 1757. I57 
 
 suffered sllip^^Teek at the island of Wliite [Wight], were 
 lost near England, as I explained at length in my letters 
 written on the 9th of September of this year. 
 
 (William Stoy.) 
 
 Now with regard to the schools, we can do but little to pro- 
 mote them, since the Directors try to erect nothing but Eng- 
 glish schools, and care nothing for the German language. 
 Hence, now as before, the Germans themselves ought to look 
 out for their schools, in which their children may be in- 
 structed in German, Schools, however, as well as churches, 
 in very many places suffer great loss through these trouble- 
 some times and the great misfortunes of war, which may our 
 Merciful God kindly and speedily remove. 
 
 Do. Tempelmann, whom you mention in your letters, is 
 through increasing age, and mostly through the loss of his 
 eyesight, fully disabled, and can no longer serve his congre- 
 gations, whose care the brethren have taken upon themselves 
 as much as possible. 
 
 With regard to the young man Bonner we fully understand 
 your wishes. He is still prosecuting his studies begun under 
 tlie supervision of Do. Stoy, and diligently sacrificing to the 
 Muses. The labor and care which Do. Stoy bestowed upon 
 his instruction we have somewhat compensated from the 
 Holland money. But as he can expect nothing to finish his 
 studies in Holland we shall earnestly recommend him to the 
 liberality of the Directors of the English charity funds that 
 finally he may reach the goal of his -v\dsh. 
 
 N. B. The letter which we were to write, according to 
 your wish, to Do. Chandler, was written during the last year 
 by Do. Rieger and was sent over to him and, as we hope, has 
 been received by him. 
 
 What you advised. Venerable Fathers, about Do. Rubel, 
 and about paying the money to him and to his congregation, 
 we have also duly noted. We shall not in the least resist 
 your wish, but exactly and carefully carry out your command. 
 
 The money, which in the present year you have again 
 caused to be transmitted to us, will shortly be paid by Mr. 
 Schumaker, and will be divided in the manner which the 
 enclosed specification shows. In what manner can we ex- 
 press our highest gratitude to you. Venerable Fathers, for 
 
158 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 your exceedingly great kindness toward ns, for so many and 
 so great favors bestowed upon us thus far, so tliat mostly 
 through your zeal to help us still longer it has come to pass 
 that the continuation of those subsidies, by which you have 
 aided us thus far, has been prolonged for these three j^ears 
 by the wonderful and most generous liberality of the power- 
 ful States of Holland and West Friesland? And as we owe 
 this continuation, according to the statement of your letter, to 
 the favor and help of the most noble Grand Pensionary, 
 Peter Stein, we include a letter to him, in which we express 
 to him as well as to the States the gratitude we owe. 
 
 But when we give to you. Venerable Fathers, a true and 
 definite description of the condition of affairs in these prov- 
 inces wliich we inhabit, as you have asked of us, the condi- 
 tion of our affairs must be so much deplored that it is really 
 similar to the one given by the letter of Ezekiel, which within 
 and without was filled with lamentations [Ez. ii. 10]. The 
 calamities of the war, especially those which arise from the 
 invasion of the Indians, Do. Stoy has pictured with such 
 vivid colors in his letters sent to you that I cannot add any- 
 thing more to his description. 
 
 I myself am an eye-witness to the miserable condition in 
 which most of the people are who reside on the borders of 
 the English province. For when I lately visited tlie Re- 
 formed brethren around the city of Winchester, in Virginia, 
 it pained me very much to see that the inhabitants, for fear 
 of the enemies, have not only neglected their former congre- 
 gations and no longer frequent their churches, but that even 
 their homes are deserted, and that jointly they have erected 
 some miserable fortifications in which they can live and de- 
 fend themselves in some manner against the invading enemies. 
 
 I myself held a meeting at a certain place, in which during 
 the last month seven persons were killed in a most miserable 
 manner by the very cruel Indians and fourteen carried into 
 captivity. Lord, have mercy ! 
 
 About the condition of our Reformed Church in this coun- 
 try, this ought to be Imown and noticed above all, that most 
 of the congregations, which have thus far been served by 
 legitimate ministers belonging to our Coetus, have remained 
 in dutiful and promised obedience to you, Venerable Synods, 
 
EECOEDS OF 1757. 
 
 159 
 
 and to our Coetus, and to a certain degree is fulfilled among 
 them what is written Acts ix. 31. 
 
 But with regard to our ministry, a heavy burden lies upon 
 our shoulders, by which we are oppressed more and more 
 every day. And although you have charged us most lovingly 
 to walk Vv'ith equal burdens in carrying the ark of the Lord, 
 yet this can hardly be done mthout heightening one 's burden 
 by another great one, on account of the places where the 
 brethren live and the scattered congregations situated either 
 nearer or farther away. For instance, as far as I am con- 
 cerned, I have my residence in Monocacy, Frederick, and I 
 am thus located in the midst of many and partly large con- 
 gregations, so that in single months, especially in summer, 
 in order to visit them, I must make a journey covering more 
 or less than 300 English miles. How great this burden and 
 how great this labor is left to your judgment. Venerable 
 Fathers. And thus every minister serves either more or less 
 congregations according to the circumstances in which he is 
 placed. 
 
 In order not to draw out this letter too long, which might 
 perhaps be burdensome to you, we shall add no more. 
 
 We close with the unanimous wish that you and the rest 
 of the ministry of the Holland Church, who faithfully pro- 
 fess the true Christian religion, heartily defend it, spread it 
 far and near over the earth, and show it in your lives, may 
 long enjoy health and success. This we earnestly ask of our 
 great and good Lord. With this wish we most humbly com- 
 mend ourselves to your former love and favor. 
 
 Most Venerable, Renowned and Esteemed Fathers, your 
 most obedient servants. John Conrad Steiner, Sec. p. t. 
 
 Given at Frederick, Maryland, November 9, 1757. 
 
 P. S. That which has been omitted I add in the following : 
 With reference to John Gasser, whom you mention, Vener- 
 able Fathers, in your Synodical letter, we wish to say that 
 he has never shown to us any letters, inasmuch as the Vener- 
 able Fathers have never left him any hope of clearing him- 
 self. This most ingeniously dishonest impostor already 
 offered himself five years ago to the Coetus. But knowing 
 him to be a rascal we did not consent to his wishes. And 
 coming as a robber at that time, as did those before the time 
 
160 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 of Clirist, he forced himself, with the greatest persistency 
 and fraud, upon the church of Christ, and served a certain 
 congregation in Pennsylvania. "When he became known there 
 and was driven out, he entered the province of Carolina, 
 having left his former wife behind, to whom he was never 
 joined in legitimate marriage. Thence applying to Europe 
 he brought testimonials with him. These we ignored. Tliis, 
 namely, is known to us, that most deceitfully he imposed upon 
 many in Europe. This is to be regretted. In the place of 
 books he brought hither firearms [sclopeta]. Finally I can 
 add that immediately after his arrival from Europe, about 
 eighteen months ago, I had a conversation with him in the 
 presence of Do. Steiner in Philadelphia, but he did not say 
 a word eitlier about the Venerable Synods or the letters given 
 to liim by them. W. Stoy. 
 
 LIST OF THE MONEY DISTRIBUTED. 
 
 Ministers : 
 
 £. s. 
 
 Do. Weiss 27 10 
 
 ' ' Eieger 25 
 
 ' ' Leydich 27 10 
 
 ' ' Steiner 37 10 
 
 ' ' Otterbein 25 
 
 ' ' Waldschmidt 30 
 
 ' ' Du Bois 17 10 
 
 ' ' Tempelniann 8 
 
 " Stoy 25 
 
 ' ' Bartholomaeus 30 
 
 Total 253 
 
 Widows : 
 
 Dorsius 8 14 
 
 Muenz ^ 
 
 Wissler ^ 
 
 Total 20 14 
 
BECOBDS OF 1757. 161 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 Schoolmasters : 
 
 Frederick 3 
 
 Conewago 1 10 
 
 Falkner Swamp 4 
 
 Tulpehocken 2 
 
 Philadelphia 6 
 
 White Oaks 2 
 
 Goshenhoppen 1 10 
 
 Lancaster 5 
 
 Total 25 
 
 Traveling expenses of ministers and elders 13 15 6 
 
 Do. Eubel .' 15 
 
 28 15 6 
 
 Balance in hand of President » 29 13 4 
 
 Grand total. 357 2 10 
 
 From the funds of the Most Noble London Society. 
 
 £. ■ 
 
 Do. Eieger 10 
 
 ' ' Weiss 10 
 
 " Leydich 10 
 
 ' ' Otterbein 10 
 
 ' ' Waldschmidt 8 
 
 " Steiner 10 
 
 ' ' Tempelmann. 2 
 
 ' ' Du Bois 10 
 
 " Stoy 10 
 
 Total 80 
 
 11 
 
LETTER OF DO. STOY TO THE CLASSICAL DEPU- 
 TIES, SEPTEMBER 30, 1757. 
 
 (N. B. No. 846.) 
 
 Most Eeverend and Learned Sirs, Beverend Fathers: 
 
 Whereas the Acts of our Coetus are not yet completed, but an oppor- 
 tunity of writing to you has come, I desire to inform you in advance, 
 Venerable Fathers, that your letters, not only the Synodical, but also 
 the Classical, dated April 14th and April 4th, have reached us, to which 
 the Acts of our Coetus will give you a due reply. 
 
 Other letters, dated Hague, May 4th, 1757, have been sent to us, which 
 when opened were found to contain a draft for 2500 guilders, or accord- 
 ing to our Pennsylvania currency 357 pounds 2 shillings 10 pence, which 
 you sent us as a new and most pleasant proof of your kindness, which 
 draft Messrs. B. & S. Shoemaker, to whom it was directed, received and 
 promised to pay in due time. 
 
 In noting the contents of the foregoing letters of the Classis I re- 
 member a certain complaint of the Venerable Classis, that we neglected 
 you. Venerable Fathers, and did not send letters to you the previous 
 year, as we had done to the Synods. 
 
 Pardon us. Venerable Fathers, I myself composed and sent those 
 letters, but the ship which was to convey the same having been wrecked 
 near England, at the so-called Isle of Wight, the letters in question 
 were lost with the ship. William Greenway was the captain of the ship. 
 
 Besides this. Venerable Fathers, since there are certain matters in 
 your Synodical and Classical letters which refer to me in particular, I 
 cannot by any means omit to mention them here. 
 
 First of all, I thank you most heartily for having so cordially and 
 paternally given your consent to my fond desire to return to my native 
 land, not having taken this ill of me. For I was compelled, as can 
 easily be gathered from my letters, to ask this permission which you 
 have granted to me. At that time I was hardly able to breathe freely, 
 and all the powers of my body had begun to fade away. During the 
 four years of my residence in America I hardly lived one day without 
 feeling the discomforts of bad health. The temperature in this country 
 is remarkable, and excessively heavy for Europeans. Few are ever 
 brought to this country without experiencing what happened to me. 
 Sickness is the usual means of restoring most people, provided only 
 they recover from it, as my experience proves. Last year, just after 
 I had sent you my letters, Venerable Fathers, I jvas thrown into a 
 violent fever, which was pronounced petechial fever [typhoid fever]. 
 My life hung in the balance. Meanwhile divine grace has restored 
 me and so increased my strength, which had been exhausted through 
 so long a period of severe illness, that I have never enjoyed happier 
 
 (162) 
 
BE COEDS OF 1757. 
 
 163 
 
 days in my life, as far as health is concerned, than after that time 
 when I recovered from that sickness. And as I was compelled to com- 
 plain in former times that we could not endure the climate and were 
 unaccustomed to many things, now I can say that I feel very well. 
 Hence I have determined to spend my strength, given anew by God, 
 hereafter in the vineyard of Christ, not doubting in the least that it 
 will meet your approval. 
 
 I hope that the same Jehovah who compelled me to endure so much 
 misery (for none, especially in this region, can escape it) wiU hence- 
 forth support me by His divine grace, through which I shall be able to 
 bear that which I could not otherwise do. 
 
 Hitherto brave in war, I nevertheless shudder at the ships of the 
 French pirates, who keep our shores everyu-here closed, as it were, and 
 I therefore dread a sea journey very much. In making mention of war 
 here, I remember reading in your letters that you greatly desire a most 
 accurate description of our condition by reason of the war. 
 
 Certain facts, which I had then learned, I sent already a year ago, 
 but privately in my letters to Do. Kessler, which, however, I believe 
 were lost, together with the Acts of our Coetus sent to the Classis, on 
 board the vessel which was wrecked on the English coast. With regard 
 to the horrors of war, which now rages on our shores, they are certainly 
 so great that they can hardly, nay not even at all, be described. Our 
 Indians, more savage than wild beasts, have either dragged away in- 
 numerable inhabitants of British America from our borders as captives, 
 or slain them in a most wretched and indescribable manner. Cold horror 
 shakes my body and an icy tremor runs through ray very bones when I 
 recall what I have seen myself and learned from hearsay. Neither would 
 the tiger nor the most ferocious lion rage so fiercely when meeting a 
 man, as these wild barbarians do. They scalp the living, and what is 
 more even the dead. I myself have seen them slay them and mutilate 
 their bodies with tomahawks. Like wolves they wander through the 
 continuous forests of these regions. They go and return unimpeded. 
 
 In this manner they have devastated our land far and wide. We 
 have lost some of our congregations either entirely or in part. The 
 place where Do. Wissler labored, when living [Egypt], has been piUaged 
 and robbed of its inhabitants. 
 
 The largest part of the people at Tulpehocken, among whom I lived, 
 have either fled, or were led into captivity, or killed by the Indians. 
 Beyond Tulpehocken three other congregations belonging to our Church 
 have been totally destroyed. Through such calamities it has come to 
 pass that we do not need at present any new ministers in Pennsylvania, 
 being in doubt where we could locate them. Outside of Pennsylvania, 
 in New Jersey, we have thus far only one congregation, called Amwell, 
 where a minister can live, which in the meantime is visited by me as 
 often as possible. And what is the result? While a double, nay, a 
 triple, war is going on, any one who comes over to us will be in peril. 
 Misery surrounds us everywhere. We can hardly defend ourselves, 
 whatever we may plan. 
 
164 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 You will perhaps wonder at me writing this. That you may under- 
 stand it more fully I would liie you, Venerable Fathers, to know that 
 this land is inhabited in the manner in which Tacitus reported that the 
 Germans inhabited theirs formerly. With few exceptions the people do 
 not live in cities. For the colonists here neither inhabit homes connected 
 with one another, nor do they live in villages. They settle down and 
 live wherever they find a spring, a river, or a grove which suits them. 
 Hence the incursions of the Indians are so easUy made. 
 
 Finally, with regard to the proceedings of our Coetus of the month 
 of October, 1755, which, as we now see from your letters, did not reach 
 you, but were lost, these, together with the Acts of our last Coetus, I 
 am about to send you again, according to your desire. Venerable Fathers. 
 May God Almighty bless you with a manifold heavenly benediction and 
 establish you as the pillars of the Church of Christ in these lands, and 
 at last raise you as statues of glory in heaven above. With this most 
 fervent prayer there commends himself to your former favor, most 
 Venerable Doctors and Eeverend Fathers, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. Stoy. 
 
 Given at Lancaster on the day before the Calends of October [Sep- 
 tember 30], 1757. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 SEPTEMBER 14-16, 1758. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 28; N. B. No. 855.) 
 Most Esteemed, Most Learned Sirs, Most Worthy Members 
 of the Classis of Amsterdam, Venerable Fathers in Christ: 
 Your letters, Venerable Fathers, the Classical, dated April 
 3d, as well as the Synodical, dated March 8th of the current 
 year, have not only been duly received, but they have also 
 been read at our regular Coetus, held on the 14th of Sep- 
 tember in Philadelphia, our members being all present except 
 Do. Tempelmann, who could not be present on account of the 
 loss of his eyesight. We learn from your letters that our 
 Coetal letter written in the last year was not yet in your 
 hands in the beginning of the month of March of the present 
 year. Nor could it be, for only of late has it left these shores. 
 The causes of this delay Do. Stoy has already mentioned in 
 his private letter sent to you, together with the Coetal letter. 
 Nevertheless we may be allowed to add in a few words that 
 Do. Steiner, at that time Secretary of the Coetus, on account 
 of other business, had so long postponed writing the Minutes 
 that the proper time to send them had elapsed, therefore 
 they could not leave the American shores till the month of 
 March. We know, however, that the ship which carried 
 them has arrived in England, and we have no doubt that you 
 have duly received them. The present letters will satisfy 
 your wishes, for we shall allow no delay. 
 
 We likemse leam that a transcript of those letters, written 
 in our Coetus in Lancaster on tlie 8th of October, 1755, if I 
 am not mistaken, has arrived. The first were lost; we know 
 not through what cause. This is now the second or third 
 copy which Do. Stoy has again transmitted to you in the last 
 year by order of the Coetus, the dating having been omitted 
 through some unkind fate. Meanwhile the contention be- 
 tween us and Do. Rubel, with regard to those 400 florins, has 
 long been removed, as you will see from our Coetus Acts of 
 the year 1756 and 1757 sent to you. Venerable Fathers. 
 
 (165) 
 
1(J6 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Twice, namely, have we paid to him the very high yearly 
 allowance granted by you to him, namely, 100 Dutch florins. 
 And likewise in this year he will again receive 100 florins for 
 the third time, when the money sent by you shall have ar- 
 rived. We learn from your Synodical and Classical letters 
 that a certain sum is to be sent to us, for which kindness 
 we return our sincerest thanks. But as we have not received 
 from the Venerable Fathers any other letters than those 
 mentioned above, so also the draft has not yet arrived. 
 
 The aim of the English schools, which for various reasons 
 we were not able at once to investigate, we shall help to pro- 
 mote according to our ability, however small that may be. 
 The deplorable distress of the war has not yet fully ceased. 
 Nevertheless the cruelty of the fierce enemies does not rage 
 as much as before, but through a long and wide region up to 
 our borders there lie many churches, thus far deserted, which 
 a few years ago were well established. 
 
 However, we shall follow, as best we can, your very cour- 
 teous admonitions given in your letters, Venerable Fathers. 
 
 After these introductory remarks, which may serve as an 
 answer to your letter, it now remains to transcribe the 
 
 Acts of our Coetus. 
 
 "With regard to Do. Alsentz, we wish to state that imme- 
 diately after his arrival he was sent as minister to the people 
 of Germantown. For on account of the lack of ministers 
 they had been content up to that time with the alternating 
 services of Do. Stoy, which he rendered in each of the two 
 cities, in Germantown, and in Philadelphia, as we mentioned 
 two years ago. But when Do. Alsentz arrived the people of 
 Germantown asked of us that he might be given to them as 
 their own pastor, at least until the time of our regular Coetus, 
 at which this matter might be more fully considered. We 
 consented willingly to this wish of the Germantown congre- 
 gation. Meanwhile it pleased the congregation of German- 
 town and Do. Alsentz to remain together still longer. To 
 that end the Germantown congregation, just mentioned, gave 
 Do. Alsentz a legal call, which, having been confirmed by the 
 Coetus, was accepted by Do. Alsentz. In the meantime there 
 had also appeared at the Coetus, from the congregation in 
 
BECOBDS OF 1758. Igy 
 
 Philadelphia, elders sent by one party, and two deputies, or 
 rather quarrelers, from the other party of the same church. 
 The elders, satisfied with the ministry of Do. Stoy, wished to 
 retain him against the wishes of the quarrelers from the other 
 party, who although they testified publicly that they had no 
 complaints against Do. Stoy, yet desired that Do, Alsentz be 
 given to them as minister. For the restless spirit of the 
 Philadelphians, especially of some of them, was always eager 
 for new things. With regard to this Do. Alsentz was asked 
 Avhether he would grant the desire of Philadelphia. He, 
 being frightened by these signs, disclaimed any love for 
 dissensions, stating that as long as he could be without them 
 he would eagerly avoid them, but he could not, nor would he, 
 refuse the call, once received, from the people of German- 
 town. The difficulty therefore remained unsolved. Then we 
 first consulted about Do. Stoy, whether he might still longer 
 remain in Philadelphia, but this could not be done, nor did 
 Do. Stoy intend to stay there. Nothing remained therefore 
 than that we should leave the Philadelphians to themselves, 
 after having counseled them peace, concord and improve- 
 ment of conduct, with the additional advice that if it seemed 
 feasible to them, to Do. Alsentz and the Germantown people, 
 he might henceforth serve them in the preaching of the Word. 
 
 But with regard to Do. Stoy and his further ministry in 
 this country (we wish to say), that having received a call 
 from the Lancaster congregation he accepted it, inasmuch 
 as Do. Otterbein, thus far the Lancaster minister, is thinking 
 of returning to the Fatherland, and has asked the Coetus 
 for testimonials of his life and ministry, carried on in our 
 midst, and at the same time has expressed the wish that we 
 should notify the Venerable Fathers of his intention. But 
 since Do. Otterbein thought that, on account of the devasta- 
 tion of the war and the fierce storms of the fall, it was neither 
 safe nor convenient enough to begin the ocean journey in 
 this year, as he otherwise intended, he concluded to remain 
 in this country until the spring, and undertook to preach 
 the gospel during the winter, and up to the present, to the 
 two congregations of Tulpehoeken. 
 
 Do. Du Bois, thus far a member of our Coetus, asked for 
 permission to apply to the Dutch Coetus which meets in New 
 
168 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 York, giving as a reason that our German language was very 
 difficult for him to understand, and especially for his elders, 
 who cannot understand the German clearly without an inter- 
 preter. Since, however, we could neither grant the wish of 
 Do. Du Bois in this matter, nor refuse it ourselves, we wish 
 to notify you, Venerable Fathers, of this matter, expecting 
 your counsel and wish. 
 
 Finally from the congregation in Reading, to whom Do. 
 Waldschmidt had preached the gospel under certain condi- 
 tions to supply their want, as we wrote two years ago, there 
 came a certain delegate to us asking whether it was not 
 possible that they be given their own minister. But since 
 this could not be done, we commissioned Do. Otterbein, who 
 is nearest to them, to go to that congregation for half a year 
 during the coming winter. 
 
 From the preceding paragraph it is easy to gather, Vener- 
 able Fathers, that our country and our churches in Penn- 
 sylvania have thus far labored with a lack of ministers, and 
 therefore we cannot but add at this place some necessary 
 remarks, which may tend to a clearer understanding what 
 ministers are needed here and there. But if those arrive 
 who have been called before this, there is no longer any need 
 of more ministers. We have come to the conclusion to advise 
 congregations which need ministers to send a legal call to 
 our Coetus, and we have promised to solicit from the Vener- 
 able Fathers new ministers fit for the circumstances, but 
 otherwise not. This will be the best means of looking after 
 ministers and churches, because if a minister thus called 
 arrives he may go where he is sent, and if the congregations 
 have lawfully called him he cannot so easily, without cause 
 or at pleasure, be rejected, as it has been customary thus far. 
 
 Finally may God grant to the glory of his name that liis 
 vineyard be duly planted in this land, flourish and bring 
 forth fruits of righteousness and peace. 
 
 But you, Venerable Fathers, may Jehovah through his 
 manifold blessings, and for the advancement of the kingdom 
 of his Son, lengthen your days in the land of the living and 
 crown you in the future world with the diadem of imperish- 
 able life. Witli this most fervent wish we sign in the name 
 of all. 
 
EECOBDS OF 1758. 169 
 
 Most Venerable and Learned Sirs, Esteemed Fathers in 
 Jesus Christ, your humble and most obedient servants. 
 
 John Conrad Steiner, Pres, pro tem. 
 John Waldschmidt, Sec. pro tem. 
 Given at Philadelphia, in our Coetus, on the 16th of Sep- 
 tember, 1758. 
 
 COETAL LETTER OF 1758, OCTOBER 17, 1758. 
 (Hague 92, B. 29.) 
 
 Your letter, Most Eeverend Sir, written to me on March 8th, at the 
 
 Brother in Christ, Gerlmrd Klein, pastor at Schiedam, William Stoy 
 
 sends Greeting: 
 
 Your letter, most reverend Sir, -written to me on March 8th, at the 
 order of the Eeverend Synod of South Holland, together with the letter 
 addressed to the Coetus under the same date, safely reached me at the 
 beginning of July of the present year, through Mr. Peters, the private 
 secretary of Mr. Penn, as will appear from the Acts of our Coetus. I 
 learn from the letter addressed to me the acquiescence of the Eeverend 
 Fathers in my proposal to remain still longer in this country. At the 
 same time I return most humble thanks for the kind wishes to which 
 they have given expression. May Jehovah graciously fulfil them! 
 
 Now I send you again, Very Eeverend Sir, the Acts of our Coetus, 
 which I urgently request you to submit to the Eeverend Synods at the 
 proper time. Meanwhile I must add a few things which are not con- 
 tained in the Acts themselves. 
 
 I notice in the Synodical letter a serious censure of the Eeverend 
 Fathers on our not very pleasant condition. If you please, Eeverend 
 Sir, we did not wish to act as critics. Pardon rather my simplicity and 
 candor who wrote that letter three years ago at the order of the Coetus, 
 not with the object to criticise the Eeverend Synods, be this far from 
 me, but because I thought, as the rest of the brethren, that not all the 
 members of the Eeverend Synods were of the same opinion, nor that 
 our affairs were equally well known to each one, wherefore it could 
 doubtless happen that different conclusions be drawn by this one or 
 that one, especially while our affairs were in turn considered by the 
 most worthy deputies. However, I ask that you will pardon the impru- 
 dence of your brethren. 
 
 From the Acts of our Coetus it can be seen that the congregation in 
 Philadelphia is again without a pastor. The affair of the Philadel- 
 phians has finally come to this pass, that as long as Philadelphia re- 
 
170 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 mains Philadelphia, no one "who knows the congregation wants to go 
 there. For they have again their own interest in view and have turned 
 their liberty into license towards the Coetus. Nevertheless I do not say 
 this about all and every one. Many members of that congregation 
 deplore their condition, but this has no influence upon the wickedness 
 and schemes of some, who want to be the first. There arrived mean- 
 while, immediately after our Coetus held in Philadelphia, Do. John 
 Wniiam Kals, well known in many places in Holland, and also to you, 
 Venerable Sir, as I learned from him. He brought letters of recom- 
 mendation, as I hear, from the most noble London Society, addressed 
 to Do. Smith, professor in the English College and Academy in Phila- 
 delphia. But which surprises me, although well known in Holland and 
 being aware of our relation to the Venerable Synods, he had no letter 
 to our Coetus. The Philadelphians elected this Do. Kals, whom I have 
 just mentioned, as their pastor. And whereas certain ones of Phila- 
 delphia make every effort to remain outside of our Coetus, but on the 
 other hand Do. Kals desires to be a member, we leave it to the Vener- 
 able Synods to decide what is to be done in this matter. Meanwhile 
 I fear for Do. Kals. Even as John at Patmos saw in a vision Jeru- 
 salem killing those who were sent to her, which will also happen to 
 those who come here [cf. Eev. xviii. 24 and xvii. 6].* 
 
 In our Acts Do. Otterbein is also mentioned, and his intention to 
 return to his Fatherland. God willing, he will come to Holland next 
 summer. He wiU not only be able to give the best and most accurate 
 description of the condition of our Church, but he can also show what 
 a sad labor it is to act as minister within the limits of Pennsylvania, 
 especially in these disastrous times of war, in which we are distressed 
 by a twofold evil; first the terrors of the war itself, and then the great 
 expenses. To this I wish to add, by way of anticipation, the answer 
 which Do. Otterbein gave me when asked why he wished to leave, 
 namely, because thus far the congregations had observed the custom of 
 dismissing a minister whenever it pleased them. This custom he wished 
 to break, that it might not do greater damage by spreading further. 
 This was also the reason why Do. Otterbein, immediately after our 
 Coetus, being called by the people of Philadelphia, declined their call, 
 well knowing that as he was called so he could be repudiated by them 
 after some time. The Philadelphians indeed thought that the ministers 
 would desire nothing more eagerly than that their hitherto flourishing 
 congregation should show its pity by allowing this one or that one 
 to remain as minister among them for perhaps the space of one year. 
 Moreover, they say they need not trouble themselves so much about 
 ministers accepting a call as about their resignation. 
 
 As far as I am concerned, I have definitely concluded to remain still 
 longer in this country, at least as long as God by his providence per- 
 
 * The statement of Stoy seems to confound the declaration of Christ 
 concerning Jerusalem with the vision in Eevelation concerning Babylon. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1758. 171 
 
 mits me. Meanwhile farewell. May your life be happy, Reverend Sir, 
 and let me, who live as in exile,* enjoy your favor. 
 
 Lancaster, October 17, 1758. 
 
 P. S. The draft has arrived, and signed by Messrs. Samuel and 
 Benjamin Shoemaker, merchants in Philadelphia, will be paid on De- 
 cember 13th of this year, i. e., after sixty days have elapsed. 
 
 I certainly think that I must add this, that Do. Kals, whom I have 
 mentioned above, as soon as he had learned the condition of the Phila- 
 delphians, left them again, and went into the province of New Jersey, 
 adjacent to Pennsylvania, not wishing, as he himself confessed, to be 
 troubled in his old age by the quarrels of the Philadelphians. Thus 
 he remained with them about six, or at most seven, weeks. 
 
 * He calls himself Tomitanus, after the city Tomis, near the Black 
 Sea, to which the Latin poet Ovid was exiled. 
 
LETTEE OF DO. STOY TO THE SYNODICAL DEPU- 
 TIES, MARCH 31, 1759. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 31.) 
 
 Very Honorable and Learned Sirs, Eeverend Fathers, Zealous Deputies 
 
 of the Synods of North and South Holland: 
 
 In the name and by order of our Coetus I am again commissioned to 
 report to the Eev. Fathers that the draft, assigned to us in the last year, 
 has reached us, and about the end of the month of January of this year 
 the money sent to us by the draft was paid by Messrs. Shoemaker, father 
 and son. 
 
 An account, showing the distribution of the donations, follows: 
 
 Ministers have received : Schoolteachers : 
 
 £. 8. £. s. 
 
 Do. Weiss SO Reading 3 
 
 " Leydich 30 Monacacy 3 
 
 " Steiner 35 Conewago 1 10 
 
 " Rieger 30 Creutz Creek 3 
 
 " Otterbein 30 Falkner Swamp and Provi- 
 
 " Waldschmidt 30 dence 4 
 
 " DuBois 30 Tulpehocken 2 
 
 " Stoy 42 10 Seltenreich 2 
 
 " Tempelman 8 Goshenhoppen 1 10 
 
 " Alsentz 30 Lancaster 5 
 
 For the support of Do. Bar- Traveling expenses of minis- 
 
 tholomaeus 15 , ters to the Coetus 18 10 
 
 Sum 385 14 
 
 Do. Rubel 15 
 
 Widow of Do. Dorsius 7 7 
 
 " " Do. Muentz 7 7 
 
 "■ " Do. Wissler 2 8 
 
 Since the above sum exceeds the sum of the transmitted draft by three 
 pounds, we added the excess from the money of the preceding year, 
 which remained in the hands of Do. Leydich. 
 
 But to you, Venerable Fathers, as well as to the rest of our high and 
 most renowned patrons and benefactors, we return our heartfelt thanks. 
 God, the Greatest, Highest and Best, heap blessings upon you in every 
 way. With this most fervent wish I sign myself in the name of all. 
 Most Venerable and Learned Sirs, Reverend Fathers, your most humble 
 servant, W. Stot. 
 
 Lancaster, on the day before the CaJends of April (March 31), 1759. 
 
 (172) 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD AT GOSHENHOPPEN, 
 OCTOBER 9, 1759. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 33; -N. B. No. 866.) 
 Most Esteemed and Learned Sirs, Zealous and Most Vigilant 
 
 Deputies of the Synods of North and South Holland, 
 
 Venerable Fathers: 
 
 Your letter, Dear Fathers, dated Schiedam, June 11th of 
 tliis current year, has been duly received, and the draft sent 
 to us as a marked proof of your care and favor has been 
 found enclosed in it, for which we return our sincerest thanks 
 to you. Venerable Fathers, who most kindly continue to sup- 
 port us and our churches, and like a father have promised 
 further to continue it. You have made mention of letters 
 sent to us some time ago. If these have been sent within 
 the present year we have not received them. For the last 
 Synodical letters, which are in our possession, were written 
 at Schiedam on the 8th of March, 1758. We regret there- 
 fore that the letters mentioned above have not reached us. 
 However, we see that our letter, written to you on the 14th 
 of September of last year, arrived, to which you respond at 
 length in your letters. Meanwhile we deemed it best to 
 assemble this year as a Coetus at the proper time, on the 
 9th of this month (October), at Goshenhoppen, at the home 
 of the sick Do. Weiss, especially since we received a few days 
 after your letter a letter from the Reverend Classis of Am- 
 sterdam, written on the 11th of June of this year. 
 
 Now then it remains to transcribe what has been trans- 
 acted in this country. By reason of the importance of the 
 affair, we take up first of all, according to our custom for 
 many years, the congregation in Philadelphia, whose restless 
 spirit, contrary to the presage and omen of its name, is 
 always stirring up new troubles. The whole matter has been 
 like sport and mockery thus far, and so it will be until we 
 shall leave this place. Do. Kals arrived, went to the scene, 
 was elected minister, resigned and went away. For the 
 whole aspect was so much that of a battle line that he per- 
 
 (173) 
 
174 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ceived with whom he had to do. Soon Do. Steiner* brought 
 about a new scene. We call it "new" only because of the 
 act itself, not because of the beginning. He had always his 
 adherents in Philadelphia, with whom he conferred secretly, 
 contrary to his oral and written statements, contrary to our 
 expectation, and above all contrary to the earnest and paternal 
 admonitions of the Venerable Fathers, made to him in your 
 Classical letter of July 16th, 1754, which has been read to 
 him, and with which we have at last openly reproved him. 
 Thus he has added falsehood to falsehood, and has made 
 himself a bad name by his shameful deception. For he 
 allowed himself to be called by the rebellious leaders in Pliila- 
 delphia, and has gone to Philadelphia against the wish and 
 without the knowledge of the Coetus. At least he asked 
 none of the brethren. Much less did he transmit his inten- 
 tion, as it would have been proper, to the Coetus, either by 
 letter or in any other decent manner. Do. Steiner indeed 
 excuses his action, saying that he could not do it because of 
 the winter and the violent storms of the opening spring. 
 But this threadbare reason is refuted by Do. Steiner himself, 
 who, during the time in which he said it had been too difficult 
 for him to send letters, did not only travel personally to 
 Philadelphia, whence the whole province was open for his 
 letters, but even later on, when he had enough time, he Y\^ould 
 not send any statement to the Coetus, and thus he acted 
 according to his own pleasure as a man who is a law unto 
 himself. However, there are other things most closely con- 
 nected with the call of Steiner. When Do. Kals arrived he 
 was called by the Philadelphians. Being called he desired 
 to become a member of our Coetus, which desire we have 
 communicated to the Venerable Synods and Classis. When 
 his desire became known, those who were secretly in touch 
 with Steiner used every effort to prevent it. For they are 
 unwilling to be subject to the Coetus, which they have re- 
 
 * In defense of Steiner it ouglit to be stated, that Stoy was his personal 
 enemy and hence no impartial judge; that the offense of Steiner was not 
 as great as Stoy wished to make it appear, it happened repeatedly with- 
 out calling forth any censure; Stoy gives no proofs for his many 
 assertions and finally he lost his membership in the Coetus because of 
 his rudeness of speech. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1759. 
 
 175 
 
 peatedly declared in private, although they do not profess 
 this openly and publicly, nor do they venture to do it through 
 others, as this would not agree with their maliciousness with 
 which they like to vex the Coetus, upon which they call when- 
 ever it is to their advantage; but if it happens otherwise 
 they act according to their own pleasure. Now when Do. 
 Kals was removed, the party of Steiner, his associates, thought 
 tlie proper time had come to call Do. Steiner. And there- 
 fore since the other ministers had been kept away or declared 
 unsuitable, they advised Do. Steiner, secretly and privately 
 by letters, that the proper time had already come. And thus 
 it happened that by the end of January or February Do. 
 Steiner came. Passing on his way through Lancaster he 
 gave as the cause of this journey, undertaken in such un- 
 favorable weather, that he wished to liberate his son from 
 his life as a common soldier. But it was false. For he went 
 to Philadelphia and preached there, and although he appeared 
 only as a guest, yet in reality he was there in order to lay 
 the call which he had received from his party before the 
 whole congregation. Returning from Philadelphia, Do. 
 Steiner lied again at Lancaster. For he said to Do. Stoy 
 and Do. Rieger that the Philadelphia congregation had unani- 
 mously tendered him a call, but he was uncertain whether 
 he should accept it. This was a double lie. In the first 
 place he was not called unanimously. Nor Avas it true, that 
 he said he was uncertain. Evidently he tried to disguise 
 his actions, since it is well known that for two years and even 
 longer he worked with all his might to be called back to 
 Philadelphia, whence arose all the difficulties and troubles 
 for Do. Stoy in Philadelphia, with whose full recital we shall 
 not detain you, Venerable Fathers, for we think we should 
 write a very unpleasant book. But we cannot omit to men- 
 tion among the worst proofs of Steiner 's malice that he not 
 only endeavored to sow the seeds of discord to the detriment 
 of those brethren whom he thought most earnestly opposed 
 to his scheme, but also instigated, during the last year, the 
 worst men in Philadelphia to bring suit against Do. Stoy, 
 that he might thereby be more quickly removed, and the way 
 to Philadelphia be opened for himself. For these and many 
 other reasons, which we pass over in order not to weary you. 
 
176 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 it happened that Do. Steiner at the Coetus of last year, moved 
 by singular piety and compassion, as he wished to appear, 
 proposed a certain change which he had been thinking about, 
 namely, of going for some time to Virginia, that there he 
 might be nearer to those poor Germans, almost altogether 
 destitute of the preaching of the Gospel, and sighing in a 
 dry land, whom at present he could only visit from time to 
 time from his congregation at Frederick, not with as much 
 fruit as if he were with them for some time. He said he 
 would confer with his congregation which he then served, 
 that it could be done peaceably, and that during the time of 
 his stay in Virginia he would visit them in the same way, 
 or oftener, as he had visited those in Virginia from Fred- 
 erick, All of this evidently tended to the end of freeing 
 himself from his congregation at Frederick by some pre- 
 tense, and this through the Coetus itself, through whose in- 
 strumentality he had been located there not without great 
 labor. It was a splendid idea, but the direction was towards 
 splendid Philadelphia, and not towards a barren and dry 
 country, where he could neither sacrifice to Bacchus or Ceres 
 [i. e,, eat or drink]. But that Do. Steiner under these wiles 
 had the way to Philadelphia even then in his mind we can 
 gather from the fact that, scarcely out of Coetus, after the 
 departure of Do. Stoy, he offered himself as a free minister 
 from Frederick, in the presence of Do. Alsentz, to the con- 
 gregation [in Philadelphia] which had been left vacant, and 
 which by right ought to have been left to itself. For who 
 would believe that within a few hours he could have totally 
 forgotten his pity for the Germans groaning in dry and 
 barren Virginia? 
 
 Truly we did not write to you last year of this proposition 
 of Steiner because we did not Imow its results, which we left 
 to Do. Steiner and his congregation, and because we deferred 
 it to be written this year. 
 
 Meanwhile Do. Steiner left Frederick with a heavy debt, 
 altogether unseemly, and truly to the greatest offense of all, 
 since more favors were shown to him there, as all can testify^ 
 than he deserved. Do. Steiner himself has not altogether 
 denied this, who three years ago, when the way to Frederick 
 was opened for him by great public labor of the Coetus and 
 
EECOBDS OF 1759. I77 
 
 private efforts of the ministers, openly thanked God in the 
 Coetus that he had delivered him at last from Sodom and 
 Gomorrali (namely, Philadelphia and Germantown), and 
 hoped that he should never permit him to return there. 
 Now one may have asked -which of the two would be so quickly 
 changed, Do. Steiner or Sodom and Gomorrah. It must 
 rather be declared that he ahvays silently and furtively cast 
 a sheep's eye at Philadelphia, nor did he wish to return 
 unless with a new and greater clamor. What then is more 
 dishonorable, perfidious and deceptive than the action of Do. 
 Steiner, who in our Coetus, held last year in Philadelphia, 
 as President, with the rest of the brethren, determined that 
 Philadelphia ought to be left to itself, and transmitted this 
 decision of the Coetus to the Venerable Synods signed by 
 himself as President, yet a short time afterwards he him- 
 self hastens to Philadelphia without the knowledge of the 
 Coetus and there becomes a minister. And finally, oblivious 
 to all honor and shame, he tries to persuade the members of 
 his congregation, who do not have a good but just opinion 
 of him, that Coetus has treated the congregation of Phila- 
 delphia unfairly and unrighteously, and had wished to de- 
 prive it of its liberty, and that he was the one who had the 
 courage and duty to expose this matter. He, as President 
 of the Coetus to enforce its acts in its name, himself accuses 
 these acts of injustice and unrighteousness! What will he 
 not say, if it only appears appropriate to him, to draw men 
 to his party? This corresponds with the earlier and detest- 
 able deeds of this man, of which we thought he had repented 
 long ago and was ashamed of them, when four years ago we 
 received him again as a member of Coetus. But a sad expe- 
 rience has taught us the contrary. For in what manner did 
 that perfidious man after his arrival on these shores, about 
 eleven years ago, agree to the Acts of the Coetus (then held 
 in Philadelphia) , with a lying mouth and hand, and promise 
 to go to Lancaster, whither he had been called. Yet he did 
 otherwise and acted his malicious part under the guise of a 
 severe sickness, of which he declared he had been seized when 
 he signed the Acts, and had become incapacitated in mind 
 and judgment. Afterwards he wished to palliate his offense, 
 though witnesses then present, even to this day, prove the 
 12 
 
178 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 contrary. Thus also now the cloak of pretense is not want- 
 ing to him for his most disgraceful perfidy, that he may not 
 appear quite so ungrateful to the Venerable Synods, Classis 
 and Coetus as he is. For comfort and ease he applied to 
 the Coetus, and always received the greater part. For in 
 some way we M^ere eager to assist the needy Do. Steiner when 
 in debt, but all in vain. Nay, how he thanks the Venerable 
 Synods and the Coetus ! After he thought that the Holland 
 subsidies would of themselves stop with the last year he 
 believed that hereafter he could act as he pleased with im- 
 punity, which before he had carefully concealed, the tricky 
 man and adept in fraud! Certainly we must grieve that a 
 man endowed with his external gifts, and besides useful for 
 his knowledge, will so greatly defile the doctrines which he 
 professes by such a disgraceful and profligate life, so that 
 if men only behold him and the life he lives, not one of them 
 can have any more faith in him. Many have acknowledged 
 this with grief. But thus he agrees with Philadelphia. For 
 why should a vagrant find fault with deception and a spend- 
 thrift with high living? 
 
 The Steiner affair is too unsavory. Would that we were 
 not compelled to sadden the Venerable Sjniods with it. Cer- 
 tainly we shall unwillingly describe two examples of Steiner 's 
 most iniquitous deception which were exposed at our last 
 Coetus. 
 
 In the past year, when Do. Stoy still lived in Philadelphia, 
 he had collected a certain sum, namely, three pounds and six- 
 teen shillings, equal to five and a half gold ducats in Holland 
 money, for the use of the Canawago [Conewago] congrega- 
 tion to build a sacred edifice there. He entrusted those 
 benevolent collections into the hands of Do. Steiner, minister 
 of that congregation at that time, asking him when on his 
 journey to [Frederick and] Conewago to give them to the 
 elders of this congregation, who had previously applied to 
 Do. Stoy for the purpose of obtaining these benevolent col- 
 lections. But Do. Steiner did not do this. He did not even 
 tell them that the money was in his hands till some time 
 afterward, and then he kept it most unjustly for salary. 
 There is nothing so sacred but what hands accustomed to 
 fraud will seize. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1759. I79 
 
 Furthermore, in accordance Avith the very proposition of Do. 
 Steiner, already twice a sum of thirty shillings (about ten 
 florins in Holland money) had been apportioned to the Cone- 
 wago schoolmaster from the Holland subsidies and the 
 friendly gifts of the Venerable Fathers, but the first time 
 that poor schoolmaster evidently received nothing, and the 
 second time he gave him only one-fourth of the annual sum. 
 Having learned this, when we questioned Do. Steiner at our 
 last Coetus, he gave this as an excuse: he wished to include 
 that money in his account with the Coetus this year, a thread- 
 bare excuse, which argued fraud itself, for money of this 
 kind cannot be included in later accounts. This money had 
 been handed over to Do. Steiner by order of the whole Coetus, 
 under his own presidency, through Do. Stoy, to whom the 
 care of receiving and distributing money had been entrusted 
 by the brethren, and therefore it was to be used only for 
 what it had been appropriated, and not for the use of Do. 
 Steiner, And I ask, if Do. Steiner wished to add that money 
 to the Coetus account, why did he not add his first annual 
 amount given to him at our Coetus last year, which sum he 
 fully retained. These things have been pressed repeatedly 
 upon Do. Steiner. He, becoming conscious of his wickedness, 
 used to reply by asking: v\^hy has not also Do. Stoy given 
 anything to the Philadelphia schoolmaster for the last year'? 
 
 He, as a drunkard, and as one openly involved in all the 
 Philadelphia quarrels to the detriment of the ministers, shall 
 be excluded from the whole Coetus with the full knowledge 
 of the brethren, Steiner himself not being ignorant of it, 
 and cast out consequently, together with his congregation, 
 not secretly, but publicly, which action has also been ratified 
 by the Venerable Fathers of the Amsterdam Classis in their 
 last letters. Moreover, all these things having been taken 
 into consideration at our last Coetus, we honestly thought 
 and concluded that Do. Steiner, the prime author and per- 
 petual supporter and instigator of every Philadelphia quarrel, 
 as well as a man fraudulent in every way, ungrateful, and 
 in the highest degree unworthy of the gifts of the Fathers, 
 should himself have to leave, together with his congregation 
 in Philadelphia, and be excluded from our Coetus, lest we 
 should have litigation and trouble with them. Certainly the 
 
180 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 more disgraeefiTlly he is discharged, the less likely is he to 
 be readmitted, even as a guest, over which we ourselves ex- 
 ceedingly grieve. For who would have thought of such a 
 nefarious crime on the part of Do. Steiner? We hope, be- 
 sides, that our decision will not displease you, Venerable 
 Fathers, having been supported indeed by your reply in the 
 letter of the Classis. 
 
 As to Do. Lischy, he has hitherto persisted in the same 
 hardness of heart in which he first began. Yet his fault, 
 by which, as he himself confessed with his own hand, he 
 has given public offense to many, could have been corrected 
 immediately at the beginning in a just manner for the public 
 good, and a public scandal avoided ; but he, fleeing from a just 
 censure, has himself prevented this. What action we have 
 taken with him is known to you, Venerable Fathers, from our 
 Acts of the year 1757. He was invited to appear publicly 
 at our Coetus and explain matters, but he failed to do so. 
 He was called to present himself before a committee of our 
 Coetus, but he did not come. He was unwilling to submit 
 himself to trial and the censure of the Coetus, but contrary 
 to your most express desire, Venerable Fathers, he appealed 
 to the Synods and Classis. We suspended him at first tem- 
 porarily from his ministerial functions, until the time that 
 the cause of the offense could be removed. He acted dis- 
 obediently, broke in the doors of the church by force mth 
 his companions, and proceeded to do what he thought proper. 
 For in this country we cannot compel him to submit. We 
 do not know whether he has reported his affair to the Vener- 
 able Fathers. We must surely deplore the arbitrariness with 
 which Do. Lischy turns the liberty of his piety, in spite of 
 public warnings, into an unrestrained license, and by which 
 he Has removed himself not only from ecclesiastical censure, 
 but even from the whole Coetus. Therefore, as we wi-ote to 
 you all about the Lischy affair two years ago, and as it is 
 nov/, we leave it to the Venerable Synods to be settled. 
 
 The status of our churches in this country is in other re- 
 spects quiet and peaceful, tending to a better edification, 
 especially after the calamities of war have begun to cease. 
 
 The service performed by the ministers is about the same 
 as when we wrote last year. The Frederick congregation. 
 
EECOBDS OF 1759. 
 
 181 
 
 haidng been left by Do. Steiuer, still needs a minister. Mean- 
 while it is \dsited as often as possible b}^ Do. Otterbein, to 
 whom it has also offered a call, which, however, he has hith- 
 erto refused to accept, partly on account of the Tulpehocken 
 congregations, which he is serving, partly on account of his 
 return to his native country, which he is still contemplating. 
 For war is the only cause which has kept him here on these 
 shores longer than he had intended. Indeed, in conformity 
 Avith the wish of the Venerable Fathers, who desired us to 
 persuade Do. Otterbein to remain here, he expressed his feel- 
 ings by saying he could and would remain if it were the will 
 of God and war should not cease, for he was unwilling to 
 expose himself to the dangers of war of his own accord when 
 no necessity demanded it. If there were no danger he would 
 return to his native country, at least temporarily, the will 
 of God permitting him, nor was he certain whether he would 
 ever return hither or not. 
 
 Do. Du Bois has hitherto remained a member of our Coetus, 
 and will continue as such, unless perhaps he be drawn away 
 elsewhere by a legitimate call. He was not present at our 
 last Coetus, because of the unfavorable health of his family, 
 chiefly his wife, who was very ill at the time. 
 
 Finally, Venerable Fathers, whatever you have wished 
 concerning our congregations and the members of the same 
 we shall take pains to carry out, even to the minutest point, 
 and shall make a most exact report of all things. But we 
 desire to ask your permission to postpone this till the next 
 opportunity, partly on account of the delay of these letters, 
 and partly because at our Coetus not everybody was ready 
 to give the facts necessary for a list of that kind, and, more- 
 over, the brethren live at a great distance apart from one 
 another. 
 
 We made no mention last year of the donations from the 
 most noble London Society, nor did w-e send a list. At the 
 time of our Coetus last year we had received nothing, and 
 immediately afterwards Rev. Prof. Smith, Secretary of the 
 Honorable Directors, undertaking a journey to England, was 
 prevented from giving the annual donations to some of us. 
 But tills year he paid each one both what was remaining and 
 what was our present annual sum. The sum was the same 
 
182 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 for both the last years as it had been at first, except that 
 Do. Alsentz, who was added to our number, was also included 
 among the beneficiaries of the most noble London Society 
 with eight pounds per annum. 
 
 Finally, we conclude with as much gratitude as we are 
 capable of for the immense benefits and the many acts of 
 kindness which j^ou have repeatedly showered upon us and 
 the Pennsylvania churches. May God, the Father Almighty, 
 our most merciful Father in Christ Jesus our Lord, reward 
 you for these things with his manifold benediction, you who 
 are so eager to be liberal in helping and lifting up the needy 
 for the eternal welfare of their souls. May Jehovah at last 
 crown you all with righteousness and give you unfading glory 
 in this life and in the future life. With this earnest prayer, 
 and very sincerely, in the name of all, most Venerable and 
 Learned Sii^s of the South and North Holland Synods, zealous 
 and most vigilant Deputies, Reverend Fathers, we sign our- 
 selves most humbly your most obedient servants, 
 
 John Waldschmidt, President. 
 
 J. B. RiEGER. 
 
 W. Stoy. 
 Given at Gosheahoppen, October 9th, 1759. 
 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE DONATIONS. 
 
 To Ministers : 
 
 Do. Weiss . . . 
 Kieger . 
 Levdich • 
 
 £. 
 30 
 30 
 30 
 
 Otterbein 37 10 
 
 Stoy 30 
 
 Waldschmidt 30 
 
 20 
 
 To Schoolmasters : 
 
 £. 
 
 Lancaster 8 
 
 Creutz Creek 3 
 
 Conewago 1 
 
 Reading 3 
 
 Goshenhoppen 1 
 
 Falkner Swamp 2 
 
 Tulpehocken 4 
 
 Expenses of Coetus and 
 
 Traveling expenses 14 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 339 9 
 Eemaining in the hands of Do. Ley- 
 dich, 56 £. 5 s. 7 d. 
 
 Du Bois 
 
 Alsentz 30 
 
 Tempelman 10 
 
 For supporting Bartholo- 
 
 meus 25 
 
 Widow Muntz 7 7 
 
 Widow Dorsius 7 7 
 
 Rubel's Donation made to 
 
 Philadelphia 15 
 
 P. S. In behalf of the noble merchants, Messrs. Benj. and Samuel 
 Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, we must inform the Venerable Fathers 
 that the draft had not been endorsed by the Venerable Synods, as is 
 customary. They have indeed not refused to accept the draft, which 
 was directed to them; however, they ask that hereafter it may not be 
 omitted^ But the first draft has not arrived. This is the second. 
 Most humbly I ask your pardon. Venerable Fathers, that I should have 
 been compelled to mention these things. I remain. Venerable Fathers, 
 youj most humble servant, John G. Alsentz. 
 
 (183) 
 
MINUTES OF SPECIAL COETUS, HELD AT FALKNER 
 SWAMP, MAY 28, 1760. 
 
 (N. B., No. 889.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned and Honored Sirs, and Fath- 
 ers in Christ: 
 
 Your honored letter, dated December 20, 1759, was received 
 by us with much pleasure, and opened at a private [or 
 special] meeting of Coetus. Through God's goodness there 
 appeared at this Coetus, Dos. Rieger, Leydich, Stoy, Otter- 
 bein, Waldschmidt, Du Bois and Alsentz. Do. Weiss ex- 
 cused, himself on account of infirmity. 
 
 As to the first point of your Reverences ' letter, namely, that 
 referring to the letter of June 11, 1759, the same not only 
 reached us safely, but was also answered in our Coetus of 
 October 9, 1759, and sent over with the first opportunity, 
 so that we entertain the well-founded hope of learning that 
 this answer has safely reached you. 
 
 As to the desired report on the condition of our churches, 
 we trust we shall now give satisfaction, flattering ourselves 
 with the well-founded conviction that our delay will have 
 caused no displeasure, since it was impossible for us, on re- 
 ceiving the letter of the Rev. Synods, immediately to reply 
 to. every point with certainty and truth. 
 
 We begin then with Lancaster. When Do. Stoy arrived 
 there in the year 1758, in the month of October, he found 
 about 100 families belonging to the congregation. Since 
 that time he has baptized up to the month of May, 1760, 116 
 children. During the same time he instructed in the Con- 
 fession of Faith, and received as members, 40 persons. Sixty 
 children are in attendance upon the school. 
 
 At Tidpehocken are two congregations, which are at pres- 
 ent still served by Do. Otterbein. In the one congregation 
 there are about 40 families, or about 80 members; in the 
 other, 25 families or about 40 members. In both congre- 
 gations 30 children were baptized during 1759, and no young 
 
 (184) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1760. 185 
 
 persons received into membership. In the former, larger 
 congregation, during last winter, 40 children attended school, 
 and in the other about 30 children. 
 
 At Cocalico, Do. Waldschmidt's charge, there are 120 
 members. In the year 1759 he baptized 50 children. Fifteen 
 young persons were instructed in the Confession of Faith, 
 and received as members. He could give no report about 
 the schools. 
 
 At Falkner Sivamp and Providence, Do. Leydich has at 
 present 102 families. In 1759 he baptized 32 children and 
 13 adults. He instructed 28 persons in the Confession of 
 Faith, and received them as members. About 60 children at- 
 tend the schools. 
 
 At Old Goshenhoppen Do. Weiss has 30 families, at New 
 GoshenJioppen, 45, and in the Great Swamp, 33. In 1759 he 
 baptized in the three congregations 60 children, and in- 
 structed 33 persons in the Confession of Faith and received 
 them as members. About the schools he could give no report. 
 
 At Germa7itown Do. Alsentz has now about 70 families, 
 and at Witpen about 20. At Germantown are about 160 
 members ; at Witpen, between 30 and 40. In both congrega- 
 tions during 1758 and 1759 (for in the month of February, 
 1758, he arrived there), he baptized 121 children, and one 
 woman of thirty-three years of age. During those two years 
 he instructed 33 persons in the Confession of Faith and re- 
 ceived them as members. About 60 children attend the 
 schools. 
 
 Do. Rieger, who serves Sehaeffer's Church and Seltenreich, 
 has not yet been able to render a report about his congre- 
 gations. 
 
 Do. Du Bois, of South and Northampton, was also unable 
 as yet to render a report. We are obliged, therefore, to 
 leave these till another occasion. 
 
 In this connection we must remark, in a general way, that 
 in the congregations many families consist of Reformed and 
 Lutherans, the husband being Reformed and the wife Luth- 
 eran, or vice versa. Husband and wife together attend the 
 church of their choice. There are also the sects and ad- 
 venturers (land-loopers), who frequently seek to persuade 
 
186 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 the church people with their talk and win them over. This 
 succeeds now very rarely, yet it confuses the minds of the 
 church members and makes them disinclined to aid in the 
 support of a minister. Thus there arises a state of indiffer- 
 ence everywhere, which makes our salary so small and our 
 ministry so discouraging. 
 
 Vv^e must indeed admit concerning what your Reverences 
 mention with regard to the continuance of the donations, 
 that a solicitation might have been expected from us, and the 
 need of these same donations might well have forced us to 
 make one. But when the Rev. Fathers had told us that their 
 High Mightinesses [The States of Holland and West Fries- 
 land] were not willing to contribute anything more for our 
 support, we dared not venture to do so without further word 
 from your Reverences; the more so, as the circumstances of 
 their High ]\iightinesses were entirely unknown to us. But 
 since it has now pleased the benevolent God and Father of 
 all mercies, by his wonderful guidance, without our co-opera- 
 tion, to supply our need in our difficult position by means of 
 your paternal concern, our hearts and hands are the more 
 extended toward heaven to thank the Eternal Father in 
 Jesus Christ, and to magnify his name, for the manifold bene- 
 fits which he bestows upon us. Ps. xxxiii. 21. 
 
 Being conscious that we are unworthy of your favor and 
 love, it is too difficult for our pen to express the thankful- 
 ness which our hearts feel we owe to you. Therefore, we 
 lay our hearts before your Reverences with the deepest ac- 
 knowledgment and appreciation of your love and benevol- 
 ence, together with all the dutiful praise and gratitude which 
 they may utter, and wish only that we were better fitted to 
 properly estimate your love and benevolence, and to make 
 ourselves worthy of them. Our labors will always be so 
 directed and our most fervent prayers will be that your 
 Reverences may have joy, not only here in return for your 
 trouble undertaken for the extension of Christ's kingdom, 
 but that also in glory you may enjoy the harvest of your 
 liberal sowing. 
 
 In accordance with your kind reminder, we send herewith 
 our cordial thanks to the honorable Sir, the Grand Pensionary 
 
RECORDS OF 1760. Igy 
 
 [Prime Minister] and their Honors, the High Estimable 
 Messrs, Burgomasters [of Amsterdam], with humble request 
 that they may be transmitted to them. 
 
 With regard to the Philadelphia congregation: it is still 
 in the same confusion. Many members of the congregation 
 can and will have nothing whatever to do with Do, Steiner; 
 and, therefore, the contentions will not soon come to an end, 
 Whiat Do. Steiner 's circumstances are, your Reverences will 
 have learned from our last Minutes, 
 
 The circumstances of Do, Lischy have been frequently 
 mentioned in our Minutes. But, since Do. Lischy, on account 
 of his scandalous conduct, had withdrawn from the Coetus 
 and appealed directly to the E-ev. Synods, therefore, nothing 
 more could be done by Coetus, after it had reported the 
 matter to your Reverences and the Rev, Synods, than to 
 see how Do. Lischy would present his case, and what might 
 be the decision of your Reverences and of the Rev, Synods. 
 And whereas he would, in no wise subject himself to the 
 censure of Coetus as illegalis [disorderly], and has not at 
 present appeared before Coetus (thus giving us reason to 
 doubt that he is really penitent) he has therefore been ex- 
 cluded from the Coetus, until we shall have received further 
 instructions from your Reverences and the Rev. Synods. 
 
 With pleasure we can now inform you that Do. Otterbein 
 has concluded to remain longer with us. He continues to 
 labor with much pains and blessing at Tulpehocken, and 
 sometimes travels also to Frederick in Maryland, in order 
 to keep together and feed with God's word the sheep left 
 without a shepherd by Do. Steiner, 
 
 We also take the liberty of reporting to your Reverences 
 that a considerable congregation in New Jersey, at a place 
 called Amwell, about thirty-eight English miles from Phila- 
 delphia, has handed to us a request for a pastor together with 
 a call to him. The congregation is large, and for four years 
 has been without a pastor. Do. Stoy, while he was still liv- 
 ing in Philadelphia, preached there sometimes during the 
 year, and Do. Alsentz now supplies them occasionally. Many 
 excellent people still remain, but as a general thing they are 
 beginning to decline greatly, especially the young people. 
 
188 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Therefore, we are the more constrained to trouble your 
 Eeverenees mth the request to send over to us an efficient 
 and faithful person, to be installed as pastor by us in that 
 congregation. The people are mostly from the County of 
 Berg and Neuwied [in Gemiany]. The congregation offers 
 fifty pounds annually, and a free residence. Besides this 
 there are several smaller congregations, several miles distant, 
 German as well as Dutch, which also greatly desire a pastor, 
 so that there will be no uncertainty as to support. The con- 
 gregation has also offered to help to pay the traveling expenses 
 if necessary. Our full confidence in your fatherly care 
 causes us not to doubt that our humble request will be 
 complied with. 
 
 Concluding, it is our heart's wish that the God of all 
 grace, and the Eternal Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ, be with your Reverences and with us all, through the 
 fellowship of the Holy Ghost. AVe have the honor to sub- 
 scribe ourselves, with all esteem, 
 
 Very Eeverend, Very Learned, Highly Esteemed Sirs and 
 Fathers in Christ, 
 
 Your Reverences' humble servants and brethren in the Lord, 
 
 John Ph. Leydich, Pres. 
 John George Alsentz, Sec. 
 
 Done in our Coetal Assembly, held at Falkner Swamp, 
 May 28, 1760. 
 
LETTER OF THANKS ADDRESSED BY COETUS TO 
 
 THE GRAND PENSIONARY OF HOLLAND, 
 
 PETER STEIN, MAY 28, 1760. 
 
 (N. B., No. 890.) 
 
 Most Noble, Wise, and Riglily Esteemed Sir! 
 
 Having understood, with the greatest joy, from the latest letters of 
 the Eeverend Deputies of the Classis of Amsterdam, that the hearts 
 of their High Mightinesses, the States [of Holland and West Friesland] 
 in general, and your own in particular, are again inclined towards us in 
 benevolent affection, in order to sustain the feeble and low estate of our 
 churches with your paternal eare and aid, and to supply our manifold 
 deficiencies with your favorable benefactions, we take, with all humility, 
 the liberty to lay before you with our feeble pen our hearty and thankful 
 acknowledgment. 
 
 The high favors and special manifestation of such great love have the 
 more filled our hearts with the greatest gladness and highest expression 
 of thanks, as all hope was nearly cut off from us, and all freedom taken 
 away, to transmit to you Our submissive request for the necessaay and 
 agreeable gift of your noble benevolence towards our support. And 
 whereas nothing was left to us but to commend our case to the Lord, 
 whose eternal faithfulness we could not doubt, and who has upon His 
 heart His churches as well as His servants, we must now say with Da\dd, 
 in Ps. xxxi. 21, " Blessed be the Lord: for he hath showed me his mar- 
 velous kindness. ' ' 
 
 The greater your affection and benevolence towards us now are, and 
 the longer they now have lasted, the less we have deserved them, and 
 the more do th&y demand our esteem, and the greatest capability of 
 estimating and valuing them. But the well-ordered ideas, the choice 
 words, and the elevated style fail us to praise and express worthily your 
 noble virtues, favors, love, and benevolence: hence, most noble Sir, we 
 cannot do otherwise than lay down before you our hearts in all humility, 
 hearts which burn with the most fervent and real gratitude, esteem, and 
 inclination for your temporal and eternal well-being. Eeceive, then, 
 these our hearts as pledges of our duty done, with that generosity where- 
 with you began to manifest toward us this unmerited favor: we here- 
 with openly confessing that we shall never be sufficiently able to express 
 and write down with enough praise and lustre your inestimable and 
 loving benefactions. 
 
 However, as your benevolence flows forth from a tender affection for 
 our Pennsylvania Zion, we assure you that, by God's grace, as we have 
 begun, so we will continue in our ministry, with all diligence to labor 
 among the congregations entrusted to us, that they may be prepared as 
 
 (189) 
 
190 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 vessels to God's glory; and we unite their hearts with ours in sincerest 
 petitions to the Father of all mercy that He will preserve your noble 
 and high person a long time in health, to the joy of your entire house, 
 and to the best interests of state and church, and that He will support 
 you with enduring strength and wisdom in your eminent but difficult 
 position, and crown all your efforts, both for your own high person and 
 for the state, land and church, with temporal and eternal blessings. 
 May our precious King Jesus cause you to behold the fulfilment of His 
 promise, that that which is done to the least of all His brethren, is done 
 unto Him, and shall therefore also be rewarded by Him hereafter with 
 an eternal reward of grace in abundant glory. 
 
 Concluding now, we request most himibly that these, our slight but 
 heartfelt expressions of thanks, be accepted with favorable hands as 
 our dutiful obligation, and that our churches and ourselves be kept in 
 your benevolent and affectionate remembrance, and their best interests 
 be advanced. We have the honor to subscribe ourselves most humbly, 
 with all respect and esteem. 
 
 Very Noble, Very Wise, and Highly Learned Sir, 
 
 Your submissive, most obedient and most dutiful servants, 
 
 John Ph. Leydich, Pres., 
 John George Alsentz, Sec. 
 
 Given in our Coetal Assembly, held at Falkner Swamp, in Pennsyl- 
 vania, May 28, 1760. 
 
 Address: To the Most Noble Sir, Mr. Peter Stein, Eaad Pensionaris, 
 at the Hague. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN GERMANTOWN, 
 OCTOBER 21 AND 22, 1760. 
 
 (N. B., No. 8941/2.) 
 
 Very Beverend, Very Learned Sirs, and Fathers in Christ: 
 
 Our Coetus was opened with, a sermon on 2 Timothy ii. 
 25-26, preached with impressiveness by Do. Otterbein. The 
 Llinisters present were, Otterbein, Stoy, Rieger, Weiss, Leydieh 
 Alsentz, Du Bois and Waldschmidt, with their elders. 
 
 SESSION I. p. M. 
 
 1. The letters were opened and attentively read; the one 
 from the Rev. Synods, dated May 5th, the other from the 
 Rev. Classis, dated May 12, 1760. 
 
 2. By previous order of the Rev. Coetus, Do. Leydieh 
 had visited every congregation and had found them in the 
 following condition: 
 
 (1) Regarding Do. Otterbein, mention was made in our 
 last letters of his stay at Tulpehocken (a congregation which 
 he has served for some time with blessing. But now upon 
 the advice of the Rev. Coetus his Reverence has been trans- 
 ferred to a large congregation at Monocacy (Frederick), 
 which was at a very great distance from any service, whereas 
 Tulpehocken can easily be supplied now and then by neigh- 
 boring ministers. 
 
 (2) Regarding Do. Rieger: his congregations were satis- 
 fied with him, if liis Reverence should continue in his zeal 
 (begun a little while ago). 
 
 (3) Regarding Do. Stoy: his congregation was very well 
 satisfied with his services and himself. 
 
 (4) Regarding Do. Waldschmidt: his churches were satis- 
 fied with his preaching, but wished he might be more dili- 
 gent in house-visitation and more careful in his conduct. 
 
 (5) The congregations of Do. Weiss having enjoyed his 
 sersdces in his younger days of health, are now also willing 
 patiently to bear ^Yith his age and feebleness. 
 
 (6) The congregation in Germantown is well pleased with 
 
 (191) 
 
192 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Do. Alsentz, and has also consented, with the approval of the 
 Rev, Coetus, that every fourth week he should supply Witpen, 
 a small place in the neighborhood, located ten miles from 
 Germantown. 
 
 (7) There is still good harmony between Do. Leydich, his 
 consistory and congregation, 
 
 (8) About Do. Du Bois, no complaints are heard; his con- 
 gregation is pleased with him, and has his [proposed] de- 
 parture under consideration. 
 
 (9) Do. Tempelman is stone blind, he preaches in his own 
 house, but very rarely. 
 
 3. A delegate from a portion of the congregation in Phila- 
 delphia appeared before us requesting help from the Eev. 
 Coetus. But Do. Steiner and his congregation having been 
 excluded, we await the reply from the Rev. Synods and the 
 Rev. Classis as to what shall be done with that portion which 
 is willing to subject itself to the Rev. Coetus. We think it 
 inadvisable to supply them under the present circumstances, 
 as we are of the opinion that it would only be throwing oil 
 upon the old fires of contention, and make the quarrel worse 
 instead of healing it, 
 
 4. It was resolved that Dos. Otterbein and Stoy should 
 travel through the congregations in order to \'isit them, 
 and to inquire into the circumstances and condition of each. 
 
 5. By order of the Rev. Synods 18 pounds were granted 
 to Mr. Steiner for his supply of Monoeacy, seven months, 
 extending from the middle of October to May. This reso- 
 lution was forwarded to him. 
 
 6. The school-teacher of Philadelphia, whose part of the 
 donations had been held back by the Rev. Coetus, on account of 
 his bad conduct, made a request for his portion, pretending to 
 have an order to that effect from the Rev. Synods, but as 
 nothing regarding this was found in your letters, his re- 
 quest was refused until he could show an order from the 
 Rev. Synods. 
 
 7. We gather with sorrow from the letters of tlie Rev. 
 Synods and Classis, that the same have no confidence in us, 
 that we have depicted the case of Do. Steiner in words too 
 harsh. We trust to make it a matter of conscience always 
 
EECOBDS OF 1760. I93 
 
 to write the truth, as we have done in this instance. AVe 
 would much rather have written well of Do. Steiner than ill. 
 But we have called the child by its name. We gave the 
 case as it presented itself, but overlooked many particulars, 
 and wrote in such a way that those who had but the least 
 knowledge of all the circumstances would be compelled to 
 say and admit that we had written very indulgently. If our 
 congregations should speak their minds in many particulars, 
 they would express themselves very differently. And indeed. 
 Rev. Fathers, on account of Do. Steiner, many of our mem- 
 bers do not regard us with much favor. 
 
 8. Regarding the complaints brought against Do. Stoy by 
 reason of his marriage, nothing in the way of scandal has 
 occurred. This we must say, that some of his enemies had 
 spread the report that he had kidnapped his wife at night, 
 which, however, by those who themselves spread the report, 
 was acknowledged in the presence of the whole Coetus to 
 have been a lying and malignant accusation. In this con- 
 nection we are forced to remark that it mil give us great 
 sorrow if the Rev. Synods are of the opinion that we were 
 unfair, and only sought, without Avell founded reasons, to sup- 
 press one complaining of him, and to acquit another in an 
 evil matter, or allow him to go on without speaking of it. 
 ]\Ioreover we must add to this, that the marriage was per- 
 formed in the house of Do. Stoy's father-in-law, in the pres- 
 ence of father, mother, and Dos. Otterbein, Leydich and 
 Du Bois. None of them noticed anything out of the way. 
 This is all we know. If the Rev. Synods or the Rev. Classis 
 had given a particular account of the charges, we would be 
 able to answer them more in detail. We can say nothing 
 of that of which we know nothing. 
 
 SESSION n. A. M. 
 
 1. Regarding the donations of the honorable London So- 
 eiety, we have hitherto received, but not mthout much diffi- 
 culty, what we have reported to the Rev. Synods and the Rev. 
 Classis. But as to last year, after two or three applica- 
 tions we were informed [by the Trustees] that the moneys 
 sent over last were so little that they could not make up 
 13 
 
194 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 their minds to give anything this year, until they should re- 
 ceive word from the honorable Society in London. It is 
 especially hard for us, that what we receive we get only by 
 begging. 
 
 2. Do. Lischy did not inform us of the friendly letter 
 %vritten to him by the Rev. Synods and Rev. Classis, and hence 
 we were in ignorance of it. His conduct is so offensive that 
 we can hold no fellowship with him, and seems to grow worse 
 from day to day so that one can hope for no good from 
 him in the future. 
 
 3. We recognize with gratitude the unwearied care of our 
 Rev. Fathers in Holland in their search for an efficient min- 
 ister for this our poor America, and we trust, should one be 
 sent over, that he may be appointed by the Rev. Synods or 
 Rev. Classis for Amwell, from which congregation we have 
 a call in hand, as we have already mentioned. 
 
 4. A congregation at Easton, a newly settled village, about 
 sixty miles from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, has sent in a 
 request for a suitable pastor and preacher. We have pro- 
 mised to make out a call, with fifty pounds for his yearly 
 support. Hence we herewith earnestly once more request 
 the continuance of the paternal care of the Rev. Synods and 
 Classis so as to provide these shepherdless sheep as soon as 
 possible with a godly minister. 
 
 5. The report of the condition of our congregations, accord- 
 ing to the request of the Rev. Synods and Rev. Classis, has 
 been completed and sent over, and we doubt not but that it 
 has safely arrived, and promise to comply henceforth with 
 the request annually. 
 
 6. Regarding the ability of our congregations to maintain 
 and pay the salaries of their pastors, they have been much 
 encumbered by the very heavy expenses incurred in the erec- 
 tion of their churches and schools. Moreover many started 
 with nothing; but we hope that after these burdens shall 
 grow less their ability will increase, and will suffice for that 
 pui'pose, [the payment of salaries]. We promise to do what 
 lies in our power to come up to the request of the Rev. Synods. 
 
 7. The draft, whereof mention is made, has not yet reached 
 us. We, with our congregations, acknowledge gratefully the 
 
BECOBDS OF 1760. I95 
 
 tender care of the Rev. Synods and Rev. Classis in coming 
 so paternally to the help of our feeble churches. These sev- 
 eral items of the first and second sessions have been approved 
 by us and the elders present. 
 
 Concluding, we herewith wish that the gracious wings of 
 the Triune God may enfold your reverend persons, families, 
 churches and land to the protection of all, and that He may 
 overshadow you with all blessings. We have the honor to 
 subscribe ourselves, with all esteem, 
 
 Very Reverend Sirs and Fathers in Christ, 
 
 Your obedient and faithful servants and brethren, in the 
 name of all, 
 
 John George Alsentz, p. t. Pres. 
 Jonathan Du Bois, p. t. Sec. 
 
 Done in our Coetal Assembly in Germantown, October 21 
 and 22, 1760. 
 
 P. S. In the congregation of Do. Du Bois there are 47 
 families; the number of members is at present 55. Fifteen 
 children were baptized from October, 1759 to October, 1760. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN LANCASTER, JUNE 
 24 AND 25, 1761. 
 
 (N. B., No. 900; Hague 92, B. 43.) 
 
 Herewith we have again the honor and the pleasure to 
 transmit, according to our duty, the Minutes of our Coetus 
 held in Lancaster, June 24 and 25. At this Coetus Dos. 
 Rieger, Leydich, Otterbein, Waldschmidt, Stoy, and Alsentz 
 assembled with their elders. Do. Du Bois, on account of 
 sickness (which is passing through the whole land and hardly 
 missing anyone, whether young or old, attacking them 
 severely with fevers and serious colds, but killing few) ; Do. 
 Weiss, on account of infirmity; and Do. Tempelman, on 
 account of the loss of his eyesight, could not be present. 
 
 Coetus was opened in the church -with a sermon on 2 Corin- 
 thians xiii. 13, preached by Do. Alsentz; thereupon our ses- 
 sion was opened in the afternoon with prayer. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 We took up, first of all, the visitation of the churches, 
 made by Do. Stoy, in which he found the following : 
 
 1. At Germantown and Witpen no complaint was heard, 
 either on the part of Do. Alsentz, or on that of the congre- 
 gation. 
 
 2-. At Falkner Swamp and Providence a sweet peace exists 
 between Do. Leydich and his congregations. 
 
 3. At Goshenhoppen he met Do. Weiss, who, on account of 
 old age and an almost constant sickness, cannot accomplish 
 as much as he gladly would, but does what is in his power, 
 according to the testimony of the congregation. 
 
 4. At Reading they need a pastor, but to provide them with 
 one is very hard and almost impossible. Some, indeed, desire 
 ■to make out a call, but other members are not yet ready to 
 vote for that. And thus we must continue the former 
 arrangement, to supply the congregation meanwhile by one 
 or another member of the Coetus, till some one else can be 
 found. 
 
 (196) 
 
BECOBDS OF 1761. I97 
 
 5. Cocalico and White Oaks are also still tolerably well 
 satisfied with Do. Waldschmidt. 
 
 6. Seitenreich and Schaefcer's church a,re also still pleased 
 with the services of Do. Rieger. 
 
 7. Do. Du Bois and his congregation were \nsited by Do. 
 Alsentz, and both found to be in a pleasing state. 
 
 8. No complaints were heard in the Coetus from Frederick 
 and Lancaster. 
 
 Thereupon a delegate from the congregation at Tulpe- 
 hocken appeared, who requested that Do. Stoy might occa- 
 sionally supply them, which was granted. 
 
 Again another delegate from the congregation on the Little 
 Swatara appeared with a letter from that congregation, re- 
 questing that a minister might be provided for them, as they 
 wanted none other than one from the Coetus. Do, Stoy took it 
 upon himself to visit this congregation also, to preach for 
 them and to get better acquainted with their circumstances. 
 
 A third delegate came from Reading, with a request from 
 the congregation tliere, and the congregation at Oley, that 
 they might have Do. Otterbein for their pastor. Whereupon 
 Brother Otterbein declared that he could not possibly leave 
 Frederick, wdthout sufficient reason, and accept other con- 
 gregations. 
 
 SESSION U. JUNE 25, A. M. 
 
 A short letter was read from the Do. Verster, President of 
 the Eev. Deputies of the South and North Holland Synods, 
 dated December 8, 1760, and received May 6, 1761. And as 
 the contents served as an accompaniment to the draft v/hich 
 had long been expected, our hearts were united in expressing 
 our cordial gratitude due for your loving and fatherly care 
 and support (which are still so necessary if we are not to fail 
 in our ministry), and we were ready to accept them with 
 humble hearts and hands, to estimate and praise their value 
 wdth cordial recognition, and to cause our most fervent sighs 
 and prayers to rise to the Eternal Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ for your reward and the outpouring of His heavenly 
 blessing upon your reverend persons, families, churches, and 
 country. 
 
1;)S COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 But we have to give expression to our surprise* that no reply- 
 has as yet been received to our Minutes of the month of June, 
 1760, and October, 1760, and as we cannot doubt that they 
 arrived safely, we are anxious about the reply. The last 
 draft, preceding the present one, was dated June 1, 1759, and 
 this present one December 8, 1760. There was also a letter 
 from the Rev. Deputies of Synods, dated May 5, 1760, and 
 received in the month of September (of the same year) ; and 
 as we replied to that immediately, we are very desirous of 
 receiving an answer. 
 
 We now find it necessary to say something about the dona- 
 tions from the honorable London Society. On June 16, 1756, 
 they were received for the first time, and it was stated at that 
 time that on the first day of July, of the same year, another 
 year should begin. After that we received these donations 
 three times. Consequently, at the beginning of July [of this 
 year] they are two years behindhand. We have made appli- 
 cation several times, but could obtain no reply. A few days 
 ago hope was given to Do. Alsentz that they would still be 
 continued for one year; but for the two years now nearly 
 completed we have as yet received nothing. Hence, we 
 shall address ourselves once more to the Trustees of the 
 Society, and shall be able to communicate the result in our 
 next letter. Regarding the free schools, we can hardly say 
 anything, because the entire matter has been taken out of our 
 hands. In general, we can say that there are still three 
 schools of which we know; tw^o of them are all English and 
 one half German. 
 
 The state of our churches is as follows : 
 
 At Lancaster there are about 100 families. Sixty-tw^o chil- 
 dren were baptized in the congregation from May, 1760, up 
 to this date in 1761. Two heads of families have died. Two 
 families formerly connected with the congregation have re- 
 turned, being received from the Moravians with whom they 
 had united. After instruction, 24 persons were admitted 
 
 * The other copy reads : ' ' "We must give expression to our surprise 
 that for so long no letter has been received from the Eev, Classis. The 
 last letter was dated May 12, 1760." 
 
BECORDS OF 1761. I99 
 
 as members at Pentecost of 1761. There are about 160 mem- 
 bers altogether. The school has an attendance of 70 children. 
 
 Up to this time Do. Otterbein has found about 80 members 
 in Frederick and baptized 40 children. The school is at- 
 tended by 40 children. 
 
 At Cocalico and White Oaks, Do. Waldschmidt has 50 fam- 
 ilies and 131 members. In 1761, after instruction, he re- 
 ceived as members 11 persons; 20 children were baptized. In 
 the one church 25 children attend school. 
 
 At Germantow7i and Witpen, Do. Alsentz has 190 mem- 
 bers. After instruction, he received as members at Easter, 
 1761, 27 persons. He baptized in both congregations, from 
 June, 1760, to June, 1761, 93 children and 4 adults. In 
 the vicinity around Germantown are six schools, three Ger- 
 man and three English, but how many attend school he can- 
 not very well determine. This much he discovered in all 
 families that, since three years, the children are encouraged to 
 study. This also appears from the fact that the inhabitants 
 of Germantown, of all sects, and a few from Philadelphia, 
 have combined and built an English and German school. It 
 was commenced, in the center of Germantow^n, last year, and 
 is now finished, which school has cost over 11,000 florins 
 (guilders). The German schoolmaster has begun to teach 
 there, and has between 60 and 70 children. And besides this 
 school there are four other schools. 
 
 The statistics of the congregations of Dos. Leydich, Weiss, 
 Rieger, and Du Bois will be sent later. 
 
 Finally, we remark that our harvest is much too great, and 
 the laborers are too few. But we cannot as yet clearly see 
 how this difficulty can best be met, either by the Rev. Synods 
 or by us. For although there is a lack of ministers, yet not 
 every one is suitable for this work. "We shall consider the 
 matter more fully and give the result in our next letter. 
 
 These Minutes of the first and second sessions have been 
 approved by us all. Concluding, we herewith wish that the 
 Lord may preserve your reverend persons, families, churches, 
 and entire Holland, by His gracious protection, quicken you 
 with all bodily and spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, and 
 turn your favorable and compassionate hearts further to- 
 
200 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 wards our Pennsylvania Zion. We remain and subscribe 
 ourselves, with all esteem, 
 
 Very Eeverend, Very Learned, and Highly Esteemed Sirs, 
 Members of the South and North Synods, 
 
 Your very faithful and obedient servants and brethren in 
 our Lord Jesus, by order and in name of all, 
 
 John George Alsentz, Pres. p. t. 
 
 Done in our Coetus, held in Lancaster, June 24 and 25, 
 1761. 
 
 Having read these Acts, they are approved by my own 
 signature, Jonathan Du Bois. 
 
 DISTKIBUTION OF THE DONATIONS SENT OVER 
 TO US, 1760-1761. 
 
 (N. B., No. 909.) 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Do. Leydich 30 
 
 ' ' Otterbein 30 
 
 " Stoy 30 
 
 " Waldschmidt 30 
 
 " Weiss 30 
 
 ' ' Alsentz 30 
 
 " Eieger 27 
 
 " Du Bois 20 
 
 ' ' Tempelman 5 
 
 Widows Muentz and Dorsius 10 
 
 For the support of Do. Bartholomeus 30 
 
 For the school-teachers, seven in number 14* 
 
 Traveling expenses to two Coetus meetings 27 15 
 
 313 15 
 
 There remains of the £337 17s. lOd 24 2 10 
 
 337 17 10 
 
 * The original reads £14.10, but this must be wrong, as the ten shill- 
 ings are not included in the sum total. 
 
BECOEDS OF 1761. 
 
 201 
 
 We add the statistics of the congregationa of the remaining brethren: 
 
 Do. Leydich has now in his congregations 105 families. He has bap- 
 tized 3S children; received as members 29 persons, counting the year 
 1760 to July 5, 1761. There are 170 members; 60 children attend the 
 schools. 
 
 Do. Weiss has 120 families. He has baptized, during 1760 and up to 
 the present time, 45 children and received 36 as members. 
 
 Do. Eieger has about forty families in his congregations. He bap- 
 tized 21 children and received two as members. 
 
 The state of Do. Du Bois's churches has not changed since the last 
 Minutes were sent over. He complains, with great sorrow, that his con- 
 gregation will completely decline for lack of a Low Dutch school. He 
 has applied all his efforts and labors in vain, which can easily be shown. 
 
REPORT OF DO. ALSENTZ REGARDING THE STATE 
 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CHURCHES, 1761. 
 
 (N. B., No. 9091^.) 
 
 Faithful presentation of some circumstances of the Reformed Church 
 in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The principal congregations in Pennsylvania are the following: 
 
 Philadelphia should be first, but by reason of the rejection of all 
 order, is left to itself until better times. 
 
 Lancaster, and two small congregations belonging thereto, are served 
 by Do. Stoy. 
 
 Frederick is served by Do. Otterbein. 
 
 Cocalico and White Oaks, by Do. Waldschmidt. 
 
 Seltenreich and Schaeffer's Church, by Do. Eieger. 
 
 Falkner Swamp and Providence, by Do. Leydich. 
 
 Goshenhoppen, by Do. "Weiss, but he is constantly sick. 
 
 North and Southampton, by Do. Du Bois. 
 
 Germantown and Witpen, by Do. Alsentz. 
 
 The congregations of Tulpehocken and Swatara earnestly long for a 
 pastor; Reading and Oley also. 
 
 York likewise, because Do. Lischy has taken his leave. 
 
 Easton, ditto. 
 
 Amwell, in New Jersey, ditto. 
 
 It is almost impossible to convey any idea with how much difficulty 
 all these congregations are maintained. Everything, so to speak, has 
 been started anew, and without hard labor not one congregation can be 
 buUt up. With faith, love, hope, zeal, patience, and readiness to serve 
 in preaching, catechizing, and family visitation, by constant riding 
 about (because the people are so scattered), we must carry on the work. 
 We have to suffer listening to reproaches on account of many ministers 
 who run about, being bad in doctrine and life. We have to suffer from 
 mockings; from many sectaries; from waiting for the approbation of 
 many misled souls, who say of a minister that begins well, we shall see 
 whether he will continue thus in his work. And although all congrega- 
 tions either request or invite us to serve them, it is impossible for the 
 few ministers to satisfy their own consciences and fulfil the purpose of 
 their ministry. But now there is the greatest likelihood that every- 
 thing will be shortly in a condition to repay the dOigence of faithful 
 pastors. Harmony in the congregations and among ministers is now re- 
 stored, and a great readiness [for united work] is manifest in very many 
 people. What other conclusion can there be but that the hearts of the 
 Rev. Synods and Rev. Classis, of Amsterdam, should be moved, on behalf 
 of God and these churches, to provide these vacant places with very 
 
 (202) 
 
EECOEDS OF 1761. 203 
 
 faithful ministers? As indispensable as ministers are, so impossible is it 
 that they can live on their incomes, for the following reasons: 
 
 1. Most of the churches ■wherein the people assemble are not yet even 
 paid for, and will not be paid for in less than three or four years. 
 
 2. Most of the members or families are poor, or but in moderate cir- 
 cumstances. Very few are well-to-do. Many of the poor sigh ; many of 
 them would gladly give if they only could. Many in moderate circum- 
 stances also have large families, and the schools to which they send 
 their children are very expensive. Many schools are being erected, and 
 thus take much from the contributions. 
 
 3. Many people become confused by the many sects, and do not know 
 as yet what churches they will attend. And if they come to church, they 
 are not at once willing to give anything for the support of a minister, 
 because they want to see first whether the minister, though beginning 
 his labors well, shall so continue. 
 
 4. Many families are partly Reformed and partly Lutheran. From 
 such not much can be expected, because their contributions are divided 
 between two pastors. 
 
 5. The war made everything expensive, especially in the cities, so that 
 a minister can no longer live as heretofore. 
 
 All that I can say is that matters are improving from year to year, 
 and I hope in a few years to see that the donations from Holland, 
 through the Eev. Synods and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, shall no 
 longer be so indispensable. At least, the ample donations could then be 
 lessened. For if the ministers of Pennsylvania are not sustained as 
 they have been, it cannot be expected that they can persevere. But if 
 we can continue by means of faithful ministers, no doubt within the 
 said three or four or five years the condition will promise more blessing 
 and self-support. 
 
 I must yet mention another congregation at Camp, and a second at 
 Ehinebeck, in Xew Netherland, or the province of Xew York. These 
 two united congregations greatly desire a minister, and are also in good 
 condition to support a pastor. They are ready to give ninety pounds 
 and a free residence, and also to bear the expenses of sending a minister 
 over. They invited me two years ago to become their pastor. But be- 
 cause I am in a locality which at present absolutely needs me, I have 
 been compelled to decline the wish of these congregations and three 
 other calls. But if it is possible to help these people now, by the inter- 
 vention of the Rev. Synods and Classis of Amsterdam, I shall consider 
 it a great pleasure to do so. 
 
 John George Alsentz. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1762. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 52.) 
 
 Actum, 
 
 New Hanover, in the State of Pennsylvania, June 30th and 
 following days, 1762. 
 
 Present: Dos. Du Bois, President; Stapel, Leydicli, Rieger, 
 Stoy, Otterbein, Waldschmidt. The Reverend Coetus, called 
 Pennsylvaniensis, was thus constituted. 
 
 The Coetus was opened, in accordance with the usual cus- 
 tom, with prayer by the President. 
 
 1. Simon Friesbach, a delegated elder from the congrega- 
 tion in Easton, submitted a petition of said congregation con- 
 cerning a minister. (The petition is annexed to the Minutes, 
 under Num. 1.*) The Coetus was pleased to return a written 
 answer to him, in which the congregation was notified that 
 this matter had not only been laid before the proper authori- 
 ties, but that also the Rev. Deputies of the Synods of South 
 and North Holland had considered the matter and had called 
 Do. Weyberg for them. Until the arrival of the latter, they 
 shall be served occasionally by the brethren of the Coetus. 
 
 2. An elder of the congregation at Providence appeared 
 before the Coetus, and, authorized by the congregation, an- 
 swered the question concerning Mr. Leydich, as follows : That 
 neither he nor anyone else in the congregation had any com- 
 plaint concerning Do. Leydich. He was then dismissed. 
 
 3. An elder from the Schuylkill congregation appeared. 
 Answer: He had no complaint to make against Brother Ley- 
 dich. Dismissed. 
 
 4. An elder from the congregation at New Hanover ap- 
 peared. He answered the same, and was dismissed, 
 
 5. Three elders from Old and New Goshenhoppen and 
 Great Swamp were admitted and reported that these three 
 congregations would remain inseparably together. They 
 
 * This document is no longer in existence. 
 (204) 
 
BECOBDS OF 176S. 205 
 
 then urgently asked that a minister of Coetus be given to 
 them in place of their faithful pastor Do. Weiss, now de- 
 ceased,* And if they might be permitted to name the min- 
 ister they would choose Do. Otterbein. The Eev. Coetus 
 took this under consideration and promised them to make 
 knoAvn the answer through Do. Leydich. After they were 
 dismissed Do, Otterbein refused their request because of 
 trifling reasons. 
 
 6. Peter Becker, the elder of the congregation at Selten- 
 reich, -was introduced. He was asked whether he had any- 
 thing to communicate. Answer: What he had to say might 
 be seen from the letter of the congregation which sent him as 
 delegate. He had nothing else to comnumicate. He was 
 dismissed and this request was marked: Number 2, 
 
 The Rev. Coetus ordered the request to be read by the 
 Secretary, and because it showed that the congregation had 
 split, and that delegates would be present to enter com- 
 plaints against Do. Rieger, therefore, it was asked: Who was 
 present to complain against Mr. Rieger ? 
 
 7. Then the elders from the congregation at Seltenreich, 
 ]\Iichael Dieffenderfer and John Brubach, entered and sub- 
 mitted a paper (annexed to the Minutes under number 3)* * 
 wherein the members of the congregation, whose names 
 were signed, charged among other things, that Do. Rieger, 
 without making a post-mortem examination, had given a 
 false certificate in the case of a man who was struck by a 
 stone and probably died from the effects. 
 
 Inasmuch as there were several names of members of the 
 congregation signed to the paper submitted by Peter Becker, 
 the Rev. Coetus determined to begin the investigation by 
 requesting elder Michael Dieffenderfer to examine the names 
 of the members signed to the memorial. He recognized five 
 as not entitled to vote, and when he read the sixth, Peter 
 Eckert, he said, that the latter was a Roman Catholic. 
 Therefore the deception was evident. Peter Becker admitted 
 
 * Eev. George M. Weiss died in August, 1761, see letter of David 
 Schultze to Daniel Eundle, dated February 3, 1776, in Norristown 
 Eegister of March 6, 1883. 
 
 * * Lost as the other documents mentioned in the Minutes. 
 
206 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 this, and when he was asked to examine the names under 
 Dieffenderfer's memorial, he also took exception to six, who, 
 although attending the Reformed church, yet had no houses 
 of their own. 
 
 Thus there remained under Peter Becker's memorial eleven, 
 and under Michael Dieffenderfer's sixteen, names of mem- 
 bers entitled to vote. Because the President could not speak 
 High- German, Do. Stapel was appointed to put the neces- 
 sary questions to Do. Rieger. Do. Stapel gathered more in- 
 formation from said elder Dieffenderfer concerning the de- 
 tails of this affair, after Do. Rieger had withdrawn. 
 
 8. Do. Rieger was called in: 
 
 Quest. 1 : Whether he had treated the man who was felled 
 from his horse by a stone, hurled by a citizen of Lancaster? 
 
 Rieger: ''Yes, but he had received him under his care 
 very late." 
 
 Quest. 2 : "Whether the man died while under his care ? 
 Rieger: "Yes." 
 
 Quest. 3 : W^hether the throwing of the stone was not the 
 cause of his death? 
 
 Rieger : " It might be that it was the original cause, but in 
 addition to it the man had gotten a fever and had been at 
 one time better than at another. ' ' 
 
 Quest. 4: Whether he could swear to it that the man did 
 not die from the throwing of the stone, but only from the 
 fever ? 
 
 Rieger: "He had not sworn to this, nor had the justice 
 of the peace required such an oath. ' ' 
 
 Quest. 5: Whether he had made an autopsy and carefully 
 investigated that no internal inflammation, caused by the 
 throwing of the stone, had been the cause of the fever and 
 thus of his death? 
 
 Rieger: "No, for such the justice had not required, and 
 the man had lived twelve days." 
 
 Quest. 6: Whether he had not hesitated, and whether he 
 was not forced to blush, first that, contrary to his oath as 
 a doctor and contrary to his ministerial conscience, he had 
 in such a doubtful case given a certificate to the effect that 
 the fever only, was the cause of his death, and second that 
 
liECOBDS OF 1762. 207 
 
 the perpetrator, who was rich, had not even been brought to 
 trial. Also, what he thought of such a certificate, in which 
 a person judges of a thing hidden from his knowledge? 
 
 Do. Rieger did not answer, but made all kinds of remarks 
 which did not affect the case, or improve his confession. 
 
 SESSION n. 
 
 9. Then all elders who were present, fifteen in number, 
 were summoned, and asked, after they had acquainted them- 
 selves with Do. Rieger 's case from his own confession, what 
 they thought of it. All answered, with the exception of Peter 
 Becker, who was silent, that it was to the congregations and 
 to them a most scandalous thing. They were then dismissed. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus concurred in the judgment of the 
 elders. Do. Rieger did not withdraw when the elders were 
 asked, but was now required to withdraw after he himself 
 had heard their sentiment, and after having indulged in 
 evasive remarks and spiteful words of his own, and as- 
 serted that he would not lay down his ministerial ofQce 
 as long as he lived, that this he had determined from youth, 
 etc. Thereupon the Reverend Coetus deliberated in brotherly 
 love, and resolved to consider the case so that if possible 
 Do. Rieger should accept advice, remain in honor, and the 
 congregations not be scandalized any more. 
 
 The deciding reasons were then compared with the doubt- 
 ful reasons. 
 
 DECIDENG REASONS. 
 
 a. Do. Rieger undoubtedly acted against his medical oath 
 and his ministerial conscience in that he gave in such a 
 doubtful affair, (since the body of the deceased had not been 
 duly and regularly inspected,) an affirmative attestation, 
 whereby the perpetrator was allowed to go free. 
 
 b. The case was a scandal to the public and to the con- 
 gregations. 
 
 c. The paper handed in by Peter Becker was suspicious. 
 
 DOUBTFUL REASONS. 
 
 These were without weight as: 
 
 a. He had not given the certificate under oath; but with- 
 
208 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 out any new oath he was bound to observe his medical oath 
 and ministerial conscience. 
 
 b. The justice had not ordered the inspection of the body; 
 which was not necessary, for the doctor should have done 
 this anyhow, if it was his intention to give a certificate. 
 
 c. That the patient died of fever does not justify the certi- 
 ficate, because Rieger had not been able to say clearly whether 
 it was a fever from the wound and inflammation, or other 
 fever which had no connection with the throwing of the stone. 
 
 d. The fact that twelve days elapsed before the man died 
 does not influence the giving of such certificate. 
 
 e. The petition of some members of the congregation can 
 not help him, because it is suspicious, and others, the majority, 
 protest against it. 
 
 Do. Stapel therefore formulated, after he had been re- 
 quested to do so, the following ecclesiastical counsel on this 
 point, with the approbation of Coetus : 
 
 "Numerous complaints have been presented against Do. 
 Rieger of Lancaster. Thus far they have been disposed of 
 without record in the Minutes. But in this new and most 
 scandalous accusation, substantiated by his own confession, 
 the Coetus of the true German Reformed ministers finds itself 
 compelled to pass a resolution to the effect, that they, the 
 members of Coetus, on account of the illegal certificate given 
 in such a doubtful case, recognize Doctor * Rieger no longer 
 as a minister, but must regard him as a man who acted 
 very indiscreetly in giving this certificate, and despising all 
 admonition. Yet out of usual love and kindness, and in the 
 best hope that Dr. Rieger will consider his own honor, they 
 will at present give him only the following 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL COUNSEL: 
 
 That, because the time of his agreement with his congrega- 
 tion has just ended, he should in his next sermon lay down 
 his office; or, if he should not do this, he must expect pun- 
 ishment and that his case and whole conduct will be re- 
 
 * The change in the title is intentional. He is treated no longer as 
 a minister but merely as a physician. The Fathers in Holland were not 
 satisfied with this summary action, see Minutes of October, 1763, 
 article V. 
 
RECORDS OF 1762. 209 
 
 ported to Ilolland to tlie Rev. Synods, etc., and perhaps 
 severer regnlations may result." 
 
 Do. Rieger came in to hear his sentence. He desired to 
 have the sentence read to him several times. The Secretary 
 informed him, for the third time, that if he wanted it 
 he might have a copy directly. At first Do. Rieger was 
 not satisfied with the ecclesiastical counsel, and in order to 
 continue the case in the old way and to prolong it, which 
 clearly appeared from his remarks, demanded a decisive 
 sentence. But when he was informed that he could obtain 
 the desired sentence without a further investigation, because 
 his own confession had relieved Coetus from a further in- 
 vestigation, he asked that the case be reported to Holland, 
 and he meanwhile be allowed to preach to those who signed 
 their names. But when the latter request could not bir 
 granted, since the majority of the congregation did not de- 
 sire him any longer, and the time, also, agreed upon had 
 expired, he had no more desire for the former [the final 
 decision] and seemed to accept our ecclesiastical counsel. 
 He asked what his friend Peter Becker would say, if he 
 should hear the ecclesiastical counsel. 
 
 Peter Becker and all the elders of all the Pennsylvania 
 congregations were called in and the said counsel was read 
 again, in their hearing. Then Peter Becker immediately 
 turned and asked that the congregation should not be for- 
 saken, but cared for as much as possible, which request was 
 granted. The elders accepted the counsel and were then 
 dismissed. 
 
 10. The elder from Germantown then came forward, and 
 asked that the brethren of the Coetus, in the absence of 
 pastor. Do. Alsentz,* would preach from time to time. This 
 was granted, and Do, Stapel was requested to be the first 
 to preach, 
 
 11. The elder Christopher van Asdalen, from the con- 
 gregation of Little Neshaminy [Kleine Chemni] had no 
 complaints against Do, Du Bois. He was dismissed. 
 
 * Alsentz had gone to Europe. He appeared before the Classis of 
 Amsterdam on February 4, 1762. He returned to Germantown in 
 October, 1762, see Minutes of May 4-5, 1763, article 9. 
 14 
 
210 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 12. Finally, the letter from Do. De Roehrs of Gouda, dated 
 August 25, 1761, was read with due reverence, and the money 
 sent from Holland, two hundred and seventy-eight pounds, 
 eleven shillings and three pence, Pennsylvania currency, was 
 received with a grateful heart and distributed as follows: 
 
 £. s. 
 
 Du Bois 30 
 
 Alsentz 30 
 
 LeycUch 30 
 
 Waldschmidt 30 
 
 Otterbein 30 
 
 Stoy 30 
 
 Rieger 15 
 
 Stapel 30 
 
 Do. Leydich also received for two schoolmasters, ... 4 
 
 ' ' Waldschmidt for the school at Reading 3 
 
 ' ' Stoy for the schoolmaster at Lancaster 5 
 
 The schoolmaster Meekly at Canowaken [Cone- 
 
 wago] 8 
 
 The widow Dorsius in Philadelphia 8 
 
 " Leydich for the widow of Do. Weiss at Goshen- 
 
 hoppen , 10 
 
 " Stapel for the widow of Do. Muentz in Phila- 
 delphia 6 
 
 * ' Bartholomaeus . 25 
 
 * ' Leydich in hand for Do. Bartholomaeus 15 
 
 To the Coetus, journey and expenses at Coetus 3 15 
 Traveling expenses for each minister present 
 
 Coetus, (1£ for each) 7 
 
 Traveling expenses for the elder from Easton 15 
 
 The elder Dieffenderf er 's traveling expenses 15 
 
 Total of all expenses 321 5 
 
 Note: The sum noted here, exceeding the 278 pounds, 
 
 11 shillings, 3 pence received from Holland, was paid by Do. 
 
 Stoy from the money in the treasury. He has also a small 
 
 balance in his hands, and will give an account of it. 
 
 Finally, it was resolved that in the fifth week after Easter, 
 
 1763, on Thursday, God willing, the annual Coetus shall be 
 
EECOJRDS OF J 762. 211 
 
 held in Germantown. The sermon shall be preached by Do. 
 Stapel. The Brethren shall be present in the evening under 
 penalty of one pound for absence, 
 
 Which is attested in the name of Coetus, 
 
 Caspar Michael Stapel, Secretary p. t. 
 Note : Because the Brethren have not handed in the reports 
 concerning their congregations, they were reminded that they 
 should send them as soon as possible, in order to transmit 
 tliem in the original. 
 
 COETAL LETTER OF OCTOBER 27, 1762. 
 (Hague 92, B. 53.) 
 
 Most Bevcrend, Most Learned Sirs and Fathers: 
 
 Your Eeverences will be pleased to receive, as enclosed, the Minutes of 
 the Kev. Coetus of Pennsylvania, held on June 30, 1762, and following 
 days. They would have been sent by the Secretary long ago if he had 
 been properly informed, as he is now. He, therefore, asks you kindly 
 to excuse his unintentional error. 
 
 But the two letters— that of April 6th, 1761, the copy of which was 
 brought over by Do. Alsentz, and that of February 5th, of this year- 
 were only lately received, after the Coetus had been held. For this 
 reason Do. Du Bois, the President, in consideration of the prevailing 
 circumstances and the season of the year, called a committee to German- 
 town, whereupon he, the Secretary, and Dos. Leydich and Alsentz came 
 together, and on the 27th of October wrote the following answer: 
 
 Since the letter of the 6th of April differs only in the one point con- 
 cerning Do. Lischy, we have to report that Do. Lischy, by resigning his 
 office, has himself removed all difi[iculties. 
 
 To the letter of February 4th, of the current year, we respond: 
 
 Ad 1. That we are very glad that you were pleased with our Coetal 
 Minutes. 
 
 Ad 2. Concerning the visitations of the congregations: they shall be 
 made as often as possible, although it cannot be done annually on 
 account of the great distances and the small number of ministers. 
 
 Ad 3. The congregation of Little Swatara has elected an adventurer 
 as its minister.* 
 
 Ad 4. With regard to the charitable gifts of the London Society, we 
 have less hope than our Kev. Fathers themselves. In the meantime, we 
 
 * The church records show that this adventurer was Frederick Cas- 
 imir Mueller. 
 
212 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 duly thank you for yoiir paternal care and exertion, wishing that a 
 different source might be opened for us. 
 
 Ad 5, We are sorry that the five other Classes seem to have become 
 cold in their love awakened by God and are, for the time being, un- 
 sympathetic. But we hope to God that, by consulting the Eev. Classis 
 of the South Holland Synod and by brotherly remonstrance, the cher- 
 ished hope of our Fathers may be realized for our welfare. 
 
 Ad 6. Do. Stapel has been received in a very brotherly spirit. Of the 
 arrival of the other minister [Weyberg], we have not yet heard anything. 
 We regret that he stays away, for the obstacles which are considered in- 
 significant in Holland are considered very great by our people. We are 
 therefore, discouraged, however much we are pleased with the safe 
 arrival of Do. Alsentz. 
 
 Ad 7. We are very much obliged for your very fatherly care, and we 
 shall not fail, aside from the enclosed letter of thanks to the honorable 
 Pensionary, to pray for the prosperity of the States of HoUand, since 
 they will be so kind as to support us for two more years, with 1000 fl. a 
 year. And after this we shall use all exertions (of which Dos. Du Bois 
 and Stapel have already made a beginning, and for which we hope a 
 good result) to make the congregations willing to seek means that a 
 minister may live after this without aid. Although we see that not 
 all congregations can do this. 
 
 It is this, which we have the honor to report for the present. We 
 commend our Fathers, the Synods, Deputies and Classes to the gracious 
 protection of the Most High, and ourselves to your further love, etc. 
 
 In the name of the Eev. Coetus of Pennsylvania, written and sub- 
 scribed by Caspak Michael Stapel, 
 
 p. t. Sec. Coetus Pennsylvaniensis. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN GERMANTOWN, 
 MAY 5 AND 6, 1763. 
 
 (N. B., No 928.) 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned, and Highly Esteemed Sirs 
 
 and Fathers in Christ : 
 
 Herewith we have again the honor and the pleasure of 
 transmitting to your Reverences the Minutes of our Coetus 
 held in Germantown, May 5 and 6, 1763. 
 
 At this Coetus, there were present : Dos. Stapel (President), 
 Alsentz (Secretary), Leydich, Du Bois, ^Yaldschmidt and 
 Weyberg; Do. Otterbein had asked to be excused on account 
 of the great distance of his charge, and his many, yes, all 
 too many, duties. Our Coetus was opened in the forenoon 
 with a sermon by Do. Stapel on 2 Timothy iv. 2, 3. 
 
 SESSION I. 
 
 Article 1. 
 After humble supplication by the President to the Highest 
 and Triune God, for light and aid, the object of our meeting 
 was presented. The question was then put to pastors and 
 elders regarding the state of our churches. This was 
 answered by all that love and peace prevailed, so far 
 as it was possible under the circumstances of these times. 
 The Lord be praised for this blessing. Further, we sub- 
 mitted the lettei-s of the Rev. SjTiods, dated April 14, 1762, 
 and of the Classis of Amsterdam, to our elders, in order to 
 ascertain Avhether in case the donations should now cease, 
 satisfaction could be given in the matter of our support. 
 The President and his elder answered in the affirmative. 
 He and his congregation were in such condition that he could 
 subsist. Do, Du Bois stated the same. Do. Leydich declared 
 that he received no more than 52 pounds Pennsylvania cur- 
 rency; he could not increase the figure, but if he must live 
 upon this he would direct and accommodate himself ac- 
 cordingly. Do. "Weyberg 's congregation, newly organized, com- 
 plained that it would be difficult for them; but for the sake 
 
 (213) 
 
214- COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 of having a pastor they would do all in their power to sus- 
 tain him. But they need encouragement. Do. Waldschmidt 
 does not receive quite 60 pounds, and cannot get beyond that. 
 Do. Alsentz prefers suffering to complaining, for his con- 
 gregation and means of support are the smallest. Many of 
 his members have need of pecuniary aid themselves, and 
 have nothing or but little to give. The place [Germantown] 
 is a very expensive one to live in. And under the present 
 condition of the church debt he could not expect from 
 the three congregations more than 56 pounds Pennsylvania 
 currency. On account of this [small] support he will be 
 compelled to change his residence [charge], although he is 
 laboring in his field with joy, good hope, and harmony. 
 Regarding Do. Otterbein we can say nothing in his absence. 
 
 Article 2. 
 
 Do. Weyberg, having arrived this winter from his 
 long journey Math a caU from tlie Rev. Synods, we read 
 the call in the meeting. He and his elders being asked if 
 they were satisfied \dth each other, and answering in the 
 affirmative, we have admitted him as brother under certain 
 conditions not openly expressed. It was recommended to 
 them to appear again -with his call, which they promised to do. 
 
 Article 3. 
 
 Two elders from the Reformed congregation in Phila- 
 delphia appeared with written authority, and in the name 
 of the other four elders, and six deacons, and 114 of the 
 principal families, expressing regret that they separated from 
 the Rev. Coetus under Do. Steiner, (who died almost a year 
 ago),* desired now to be received again. We have no ob- 
 jection, first to rescue this congregation, which, after Do. 
 Rotlienbuhler had preached there about half a year, was 
 brought into the greatest confusion by his scandalous con- 
 duct; and second to investigate their complaints against Do. 
 Rothenbuhler. 
 
 Article 4. 
 
 Hereupon Do. Rothenbuhler also appeared with two of his 
 
 * Steiner died on July 6, 1762, see appendix to his sermons, pub- 
 lished by his widow in 1763. 
 
BECOEDS OF 1763. 215 
 
 duped adherents, who are a feeble party, and requested to 
 be received under the care of Coetus. We took their re- 
 quest under consideration, 
 
 Ai'ticle 5. 
 A delegated elder of a congregation on the Lechaw 
 [Lehigh] requested that Coetus would persuade Do. Weyberg 
 also to supply their church. Whereupon Do. Weyberg de- 
 clared that he had already three churches, and hence it would 
 be very difficult to serve them also with the preaching of 
 the Gospel. But he would gladly do what was reasonable, 
 and occasionally preach for them. 
 
 Article 6. 
 A letter was read from the congregation in Lancaster, made 
 shepherdless by the departure of Do. Stoy,* requesting to be 
 supplied by the brethren of this Coetus, until ministers 
 should come over, for the speedy arrival of whom they had 
 good expectation. We arranged with Do. Waldschmidt, and 
 occasionally with one of the remaining brethren, to conduct 
 divine services for them. 
 
 Article 7. 
 
 A call was presented to us by the three congregations in 
 Weythall [Whitehall township] and Northampton County, 
 in which they earnestly desire to have a regular pastor, for 
 whom they are willing according to their ability to contribute 
 fifty pounds Pennsylvania currency per annum. If it were 
 possible to raise this sum to fifty pounds sterling, we would 
 humbly beg your Reverences to secure a pastor for them. 
 But as this sum [fifty pounds Pennsylvania currency] is too 
 small properly to support an honest man, we dare not ven- 
 ture to do so. However, should the Rev. Fathers know of a 
 way to increase that sum, the increase would be accepted with 
 f2ordial gratitude. 
 
 Article 8. 
 
 We inquired whether we could this year also undertake the 
 visitation of the churches. But we found that because of 
 
 * Stoy vveut to Europe in 1763 to stuJy medicine. 
 
216 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 the scarcity of ministers and the increase of their labors, it 
 could not well be done. We shall see what we can do next year. 
 
 Article 9. 
 
 The state of our churches is as follows : 
 
 Do, Stapel reported his condition in the previous Minutes. 
 
 Do. Du Bois's members and families have not been in- 
 creased ; he has baptized 10 children ; and 25 catechumens, of 
 whom 10 are children, are now under his instruction. 
 
 Do. Waldschmidt has 50 families in two congregations. 
 From the year 1762 until the present he has baptized 20 chil- 
 dren, and received 12 persons as members. 
 
 Do. Leydich has three congregations : at Falkner Swamp 54 
 families, at Providence 22, and across the Schuylkill 34 ; since 
 the year 1762 he has baptized among them 48 children, and 
 received 35 catechumens into membership. 
 
 Do. Alsentz has three congregations: One located in and 
 about Germantown of about 100 families, which are scat- 
 tered over the space of a German square mile ; one at Witpen 
 of 22, and one at Skippaek of 25 families. From the month 
 of October, 1762 (for that was the time when he returned from 
 Germany) to the present May, he has baptized 33 children 
 and one adult person, and received 23 catechumens as mem- 
 bers, to whom he gave instructions nine hours per week for 
 three months. 
 
 Do. Otterbein not being present, his report \^all be sent later. 
 
 Do. Weyberg has just commenced, therefore he can not 
 give a statement until next year. 
 
 SESSION n. 
 
 May 6th, A. M. 
 After the opening of our Coetus with fervent prayer for 
 aid and blessing from God Almighty, the Philadelphia affair 
 was investigated. We found that the behavior of Do. Rothen- 
 buhler had been very offensive to the congregation, scandal- 
 izing to every decent person, and a disgrace to God's church. 
 He had accepted a call from the elders and deacons in the 
 presence of the whole congregation of Philadelphia, in which 
 he consented that they might dismiss him in case of any 
 quarrels arising. They did this, for many reasons. We were 
 
RECORDS OF 1763. 217 
 
 obliged to approve of tliis dismissal, as the reasons were welJ 
 founded. We could not receive Do, Rothenbulder as a mem- 
 ber of Coetus, the more so as his conduct at Amsterdam and 
 New York was kno\\Ti. We admonished Do. Rothenbuhler 
 and his few adherents, in all charitj^ not to make the recent 
 division any worse, and we promised to give the congregation 
 aJl the assistance we could. 
 
 We extended a call to Do. Otterbein, which is now under 
 consideration. In this connection we humbly request the 
 Rev. Classis that it '\\dll kindly send several faithful men, 
 since several places are in need of preachers. If Frederick, 
 where Do. Otterbein is located, becomes vacant, then cer- 
 tainly two preachers would be required in Maryland for in 
 the regions of Maryland are nine strong churches. Do. Otter- 
 bein, in the last three years, has almost worked himself to 
 death. Lancaster is vacant, for Do. Stoy has declared he will 
 not preach any more. Tulpehocken is vacant; GoshenhoiDpen 
 also since the decease of Do. Weiss, Thus we have work 
 enough for five ministers. These places are able and willing 
 to support ministers \vithout the donations. If the land lies 
 waste, thorns vnll spring up. We implore therefore, that of 
 your fatherly love and good care you will help us. The re- 
 ward for such efforts will be great in heaven. 
 
 These Minutes were approved by the above-mentioned min- 
 isters, with their elders. Concluding we herewith recommend 
 your reverend persons, families, and churches to the precious, 
 and gracious protection of our Lord Jesus; and ourselves 
 and our churches to your charity, care and prayers. We 
 remain always, with all esteem, 
 
 Your Reverences', our Highly Esteemed Sirs and Fathers 
 in Christ, Most humble and faithful servants and brethren, 
 by order and in the name of all 
 
 J. George Alsentz, p. t. Sec. 
 
 P. S. Before there was opportunity to despatch this letter, 
 a letter was received from the Rev, Deputies of Synods, dated 
 February 26, 1763. It was opened in the presence of Do. 
 Otterbein, and an answer to it ^vill be found in part in these 
 Minutes, Articles 1 and 9. Leydich. 
 
RESOLUTIONS OF THE GERMAN REFORMED 
 
 COETUS ON THE CASE OF REV. MR. 
 
 ROTHENBUHLER. 
 
 (Pennsylvania Gazette, June 23, 1763. No. 1800.) 
 
 Philadelphia, June 18, 1763. 
 To the Public: 
 
 Whereas several reports have of late been spread about, as well in this 
 city as everywhere in the country, concerning the German Keformed 
 Church, Mr. Frederick Eothenbuehler, and the present elders and deacons 
 of the same, it is thought fit to insert in the public Gazette the resolves 
 of the German Eeformed Coetus in Pennsylvania concerning this affair, 
 to the end that the matter now in question may appear as in its true 
 light and every impartial reader be enabled to form a proper judgment 
 thereon, which we hope may contribute to the public good and to the 
 preservation of truth and peace. And for as much as suit has been 
 brought against the said Coetus, the further declaration which the same 
 Coetus shall make may hereafter be communicated to the public. 
 
 In the Name of God. 
 Deeply concerned as we are about the troubles and disturbances sub- 
 sisting in a church that has been established for the conquering and 
 bringing up the souls of men to the Great Shepherd Jesus, we cannot 
 but give you an answer to your unanimous request, hereby expressing to 
 you our hearty condolence and the result of our deliberations upon the 
 occasion. 
 
 I. That in the instrument of call, it is plainly expressed that the 
 present elders are acknowledged to be the lawful elders, and that the 
 same instrument was held to be valid by the members of the congrega- 
 tion. That the members of the congregation having, by the same in- 
 strument of call, invested the elders with the whole power of introducing 
 and dismissing the minister; and the minister, Mr. Eothenbuehler, hav- 
 ing on his part signed the same instrument of call as a lawful instru- 
 ment, and accepted thereof, it is evident and without contradiction that 
 the resolve of the elders cannot be reversed, neither by Mr. Eothen- 
 buehler nor by the members of the congregation; consequently, that the 
 instrument of his dismission is valid and doth not admit of any 
 exception. 
 
 II. The said elders having, in open church, signified to the congrega- 
 tion their desire of having a conference with them upon some matters 
 concerning Mr. Eothenbuehler, and on the then next following day sixty 
 or seventy members of the said congregation appearing, and Mr. 
 Eothenbuehler, in the presence of them, did behave himself so indecently 
 that they declared him to be unworthy of their pulpit and church, it is 
 
 (218) 
 
RECORDS OF 1763. 219 
 
 evident that the rest of the members either would rest satisfied with the 
 determination of the others, or that they did not care to trouble them- 
 selves about the church or the church minister. So that those persons 
 who did appear are to be considered as the pillars of the church, upon 
 which the edifice is to rest, and the others have no right to lay claim to 
 the church or to make disturbances in the same, but are now to be 
 considered as coming too late for deliberation, and, being blinded by 
 rebellious principles in these present disturbances, are loecomlng them- 
 selves the disturbers and the disturbed, who in this respect are entitled 
 to our compassion, and, in our brotherly love, are forewarned to avoid 
 greater detriment if they do persist in their resolutions. 
 
 III. Whereas, Mr. Rothenbuehler, with those of the congregation who 
 intend to retain him as their minister, have desired to be received into 
 our Coetus, we do hereby declare this to be our resolution, that as Mr. 
 Rothenbuehler has by his conduct, as well in Europe as in New York, 
 deserved censure and reproof, for which reason he has no testimonies to 
 produce from the Eev. Synods or from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, 
 and at New York has been disabled to hold an office in the church, and 
 has of late, towards his congregation at Philadelphia, and towards the 
 brethren of the Rev. Coetus in general, and to some of them in partic- 
 ular, behaved in a manner contrary to all the rules of decency, it would 
 be a great reproach for us to receive such as brethren who are a detriment 
 and disgrace as. well to the church as to us. Moreover, Mr. Stapel and 
 Mr. Alsentz have been, by the Deputies of the Rev. Classis of Amster- 
 dam, warned not to be in communication with him; and, therefore, as 
 desirous as we are to see faithful laborers in our Pennsylvania vineyard, 
 and to be in brotherly union vrith numbers of his people, in order to 
 bring the harvest of the Lord to its perfection, we cannot comply with 
 the request of Mr. Rothenbuehler and his adherents. 
 
 "We do wish our Saviour Jesus may heal the breaches of Zion and the 
 decay of the Church, by the ministry of an upright-hearted man, agree- 
 able to the heart of the Lord (as, at your desire, we shall endeavor to 
 Bend you one, and iu the meanwhile we will provide the church by the 
 service of our brethren), and that the Lord may be pleased, by Hi3 
 grace and spirit, to prepare pastors and teachers that His Church, being 
 planted in faith, may bring forth the fruits thereof, and adorned with 
 the same may appeaj in plenty and glory, without blemish, to His 
 praise. The God of peace be with you. Amen. 
 
 Done at our meeting in Germantown, May 6th, 1763. 
 Sealed with the seal of the Coetus. 
 
 Ministers. Elders. 
 
 C. M. Stapel, President, Cheistopher Meng, 
 
 J. G. Alsentz, Cleric, Adam Teitz, 
 
 John Ph. Leydich, Jacob Orndt, 
 
 Jonathan Du Bois, Joseph Fenton, 
 
 John Waldschmidt, Henry Winter. 
 
 Caspar Dietrich Weyberg. 
 
MINUTES OF SPECIAL COETUS, HELD IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, OCTOBER 24, 1763. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 65; N. B., No. 963.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned, Highly Esteemed Sirs and 
 
 Fathers in Christ: 
 
 The happy and joyful receipt of two letters, one from the 
 Rev. Synods, dated February 26, 1763, and one from the 
 R-ev. Classis of Amsterdam, dated ]May 19, of the same year, 
 as well as the circumstances of the congregation in Phila- 
 delphia, required a special committee (meeting.) It con- 
 sisted of Dos. Stapel (President), Du Bois, and Alsentz 
 (Secretary) ; which assembled in Philadelphia, on October 
 24th of this year, and we herewith have the honor to submit 
 the Minutes of the same with becoming humility to your 
 Reverences. 
 
 I. After we had ascertained the contents of the letters, 
 we found that they both agreed very nearly as to one point, 
 and that we had already presented the matter requested in the 
 transmitted IMinutes. AYhat is still lacking we shall satis- 
 factorily supply at a full Coetus meeting. 
 
 II. Hence we found it necessary to pay attention to sev- 
 eral particular things, namely, to express our complete as- 
 sent to the judgment sent over regarding Do. Lischy, know- 
 ing from experience that he is an uiLfit person, and neither 
 can nor will accomplish much, and therefore had better be 
 left to his own devices, 
 
 III. The trouble, vainly bestowed by your Reverences in the 
 matter of the donations of the London Society, demands our 
 gratitude, although it causes us regret. But the tender con- 
 cern for us does not permit us to grieve, and with gladness do 
 we hereby lay before your Reverences our thanks ; the more so 
 as we discover that vv^hen unkindness is about to suppress one 
 source of benevolence, the Lord, through your unwearied 
 efforts, opens another, since some Classes still feel inclined 
 to sustain and encourage us. to whom, we request, that our 
 
 (220) 
 
EECORDS OF 1763. 221 
 
 acknowledgment by these presents may be transmitted; and 
 being astonished over the gracious workings of God's pro- 
 vidence, we enjoy the desire of our hearts; and in joyful 
 thanksgi^^ug would gladly perform our duty. 
 
 IV. In reply to the matter of the distribution of the do- 
 nations, we need to remark that hitherto it was found most 
 ad\isable, for the important purpose of avoiding all quarrel- 
 ing, to make an equal division. And for this reason an equal 
 portion was assigned to Do. Stapel. But now we would leave 
 it to the Kev. SjTiods and Classis of Amsterdam to effect 
 the distribution yourselves according to your judgment. In- 
 deed we humbly beg you to do so after examining the 
 Minutes, and thus remove thereby in this country all suspicion 
 among the brethren, and the envy which is apt to lurk 
 beneath this. 
 
 V. The complaints concerning the treatment of Do. Rieger 
 pain us very much. We were as ignorant in this case as 
 your Reverences, until his guilt appeared clearly in the 
 latest complaints against him. We cannot find anything 
 more to say in excuse of him, than that by medicine and 
 worldliness he has been so captivated that preaching and 
 church-order do not go further with him than to recite a 
 chaos of words on Sunday, without the least concern how 
 many members he has, or what is the blessing and benefit 
 of his ministry for the inward and outward life of his people, 
 whereof the writer of this was an eye-^vitness. The coun- 
 sel of Coetus has not been accepted by him, but he con- 
 tinues in his careless ministry, and because there are so 
 few of us, we cannot take care of the congregation, but we 
 must look on with patience, until we can make better ar- 
 rangements. 
 
 VI. In order to save the congregation in Philadelphia, we 
 extended a call to Do. Otterbein, but after long deliberation 
 he could not at this time accept the call. And now being 
 most seriously at a loss what to do, and to quit ourselves of 
 our duty in this affair, we have consulted with the elders and 
 deacons, and laid these three propositions before them : 
 
 1. Whether they could and would wait until Do. Otter- 
 bein, considering the circumstances of his congregation, could 
 
222 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 with propriety come to them, which might perhaps occur in 
 five months. 
 
 2. Whether they would choose one of three ministers settled 
 in this country, namely, Dos. Leydich, Waldschmidt and 
 Weyberg, and seek to secure one by a regular call. 
 
 3. Whether they would extend a call to the Swiss minister 
 at Amheim [Holland] and let him come over. 
 
 The second proposition, alone, for various reasons, met 
 their approval. 
 
 Thereupon the congregation was called together, a sermon 
 and earnest admonition addressed to them by the Rev. Presi- 
 dent on October 25th, and Do. Weyberg was chosen by them 
 as pastor, by 107 votes more than were received by the two 
 other gentlemen. 
 
 Do. Weyberg having been informed of this, and taking the 
 call into consideration, accepted it, and is now preaching 
 there. May it please the Lord to use him as an efficient in- 
 strument, to save many souls out of that chaos, to open their 
 eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light, and 
 from the power of the devil to God, to receive the pardon 
 of sins, etc. 
 
 Concluding we herewith sincerely commend to your con- 
 tinued care and prayers this church, and all the congregations 
 entrusted to our care. We shall never be unmindful to ful- 
 fill, according to our feeble powers, our debt of esteem and 
 sincere gratitude before God and men. Even as also by these 
 letters we desire to lay down our hearts as pledges of our 
 most fervent prayers to the Lord for Holland's and your 
 reverend persons' Avelfare, in thankful acknowledgment of the 
 donations (we will not say the last) transmitted to and 
 received by us. 
 
 We remain ever 
 
 Your Reverences', our Very Learned Sirs, and Fathers in 
 Christ, 
 
 Obedient servants and unworthy co-laborers in the work 
 of the Lord, by order and in name of us all 
 
 J. George Alsentz, p. t. Sec. 
 
JIINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 MAY 2 AND 3, 1764. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 71.) 
 Revere7id, Very Learned, and Highly Esteemed 8irs and 
 
 Fathers in Christ: 
 
 With the most appropriate esteem we have again the honor 
 to submit to your Reverences the Minutes of our Coetus, 
 held in Philadelphia, May 2 and 3, 1764. 
 
 At present there are assembled: Dos. J. George Alsentz, 
 (President,) Weyberg, (Secretary,) Otterbein, Du Bois, and 
 Leydich, with their elders. Do. Waldschmidt was absent, for 
 what reason did not appear; Do. Stapel was detained by 
 floods, and arrived at the close of the meeting. 
 
 After a sermon preached in the church on the morning of 
 May 2nd by the Rev. President, on Hebrews xiii. 17, first 
 clause, the Coetus was opened at 2 o'clock P. M. with prayer. 
 
 SESSION I. 
 
 1, The letters of the Rev. Synods which had arrived safely, 
 dated May 3, 1763, and of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, 
 dated October 25, 1763, were first read. 
 
 These were discussed and it was resolved to send the fol- 
 lowing reply: 
 
 a. That Do. Weyberg was not only received very cordially 
 at Easton, but for the most urgent reasons was again re- 
 moved to Philadelphia, which caused great grief to the con- 
 gregation at Easton. But there was no other way out of 
 the difficulty, and we shall use our efforts to provide Easton 
 as soon as possible with another minister. 
 
 b. Regarding Goshenhoppen, we mention that it is provis- 
 ionally supplied with preaching with another minister, until 
 it shall be in a better condition to call a regular pastor. 
 
 e. With regard to Do. Rieger we cannot explain everything. 
 But his conduct as physician and minister is offensive to all 
 who know him. For this reason it has caused us much re- 
 proach and grief. 
 
 (223) 
 
224 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 And whereas we liave cautioned him every year, during the 
 last five yeai-s and earnestly requested him, to walk in love 
 and prudence and not to be so unchristian in his words and 
 deeds tov^^ards the church, church-order and his brethren, 
 
 And whereas he has given no ear to all our brotherly ad- 
 monitions, but even as physician, according to his own testi- 
 mony, has acted against his conscience and has given public 
 scandal, 
 
 Therefore we are compelled, if we do not wash to lose our 
 influence, to leave Mm to himself, until we shall see how pro- 
 vidence treats him and causes him to repent. He still 
 preaches, but his two small congregations are in a sad con- 
 dition, as Do. Alsentz learned by personal examination last 
 year. We do not know at present how to help him.* 
 
 d. Concerning the distribution of the donations, we have 
 given the particular explanations in the minutes previously 
 sent over. 
 
 e. The decision on Do. Lischy is fully in accord with our 
 wishes. 
 
 f . Church visitation has not been abandoned, but this sum- 
 mer everything possible will be done. 
 
 The vacant congregations are in a deplorable condition, and 
 we must commend the same to your Reverences in the most 
 urgent manner. Lancaster, Reading, York, Tulpehocken, 
 Wliitehall, Easton, Goshenhoppen, important places for 
 preachers, request, beg, and pray through us for help. And 
 as far as we can tell by experience, the help is more necessary 
 than fifteen years ago, at least quite as necessary. For (1) 
 There were not at that time as many adventurers as at 
 present. (2) The youth increase mightily in numbers, and 
 in ignorance, being everywhere surrounded by great tempta- 
 tions, and if the youth grow up in a corrupt church, we can- 
 not possibly exert a sufficient counter influence, so that kind- 
 hearted and willing men must become discouraged under the 
 burden and threatening storm of calamities. If we cannot 
 be assisted now, then our reputation is gone, and we must 
 see to it ourselves to escape the storm, and save ourselves 
 
 * A duplicate copy of these Minutes has a much shorter section, 
 differing in many, but unimportant, details. 
 
RECORDS OF 1764. 225 
 
 alone. The promised help being delayed almost cuts off all 
 hope. For all the above-mentioned churches are rather sad- 
 dened than made glad by the proposition made to them, that 
 they shall first send over the traveling expenses and then 
 await what kind of a man they may get, whether it be a 
 Bartholomaeus or a Hochreutiner. And besides, most of these 
 churches have enjoyed thirty pounds donations annually. Now 
 they stiniggle until they are able to support ministers without 
 donations. Some, in certain respects, do more than they can af- 
 ford, and that now they shall contribute in addition and in 
 advance fifty or sixty pounds, and transmit them for travel- 
 ing expenses, is impossible. And the worst of all is, that with 
 many, a suspicion arises that the fatherly love and motherly 
 care of our highly esteemed Holland Mother Church is not 
 only waning, but may suddenly cease. We do not know how 
 else to save ourselves than with the utmost determination to 
 dispose by prayer the hearts of the Rev. Synods and Classis 
 of Amsterdam, once more to look in pity upon our destitute 
 condition, and by a benevolent assistance, hitherto char- 
 acteristic of the Church of Holland alone, to send us min- 
 isters. Let us add that we are willing to give up our o^^ti 
 support and not think of our need, while our hearts are 
 wrung by the necessities of others. Accordingly it is our 
 voluntary resolution that the moneys intended for us by the 
 Rev. Synods and Classis, may be used for traveling expenses, 
 in order to secure help for the congregations and not for 
 ourselves personally. We shall see how with this generosity 
 we shall get along and at another Coetus render report. We 
 shall rejoice in the flattering hope that the Rev. Fathers shall 
 also be pleased to add a little more to it, and show a liberal 
 hand toward our present necessity, and send five or six min- 
 isters free from Duisburg or the Palatinate, as soon as 
 possible. If this our request is denied, we shall be compelled 
 to give up the Coetus. 
 
 SESSION n. 
 
 A. M., May 3. 
 1. Philip Jacob Michael appeared with an earnest petition 
 that he might be admitted as a member of Coetus. His 
 credentials, from far and near, show, that according to the 
 15 
 
226 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 rules of our Reformed Church, he has been faithful in doc- 
 trine, life and conduct for fourteen years, and constantly 
 served the same congregations in Maxatawny, and therefore 
 he does not deserve the name of an adventurer, or, Moravian. 
 Ee showed that twelve years ago Mr. Schlatter would not 
 recognize or admit him because of unfounded reasons. Where- 
 fore he would not apply again, although he labored con- 
 tinually in harmony with us. We can state this all the more 
 readily, because all his congregations are well known to us and 
 we know how he has unweariedly aimed for this end, and 
 even now in the 48th year of his age he supplies with the 
 greatest zeal twelve congregations. This earnest request and 
 petition we could not refuse. But since he has not been or- 
 dained, according to the order of our church, we herewith 
 request pennission, and proper authority from the Rev. 
 Synods to ordain him. And as several of our number have 
 heard him preach, and in his ministrations all is clearly in 
 accordance with the Reformed Church-Order in doctrine and 
 life, we expect that our request will not be in vain, so that 
 we may thus be strengthened, by bringing under our control 
 the congregations which he is serving, and comply with his 
 reasonable request. We would not put our pen to this were 
 we not convinced that it would be of advantage to us, and of 
 greater profit to his congregations. We expect at the earliest 
 opportunity a favorable reply from the Rev. Synods. 
 
 2. Some charges against Do. Leydich were investigated, and 
 found to be without foundation, and all trouble healed. 
 
 3. In the remaining congregations we find good harmony 
 and only this complaint, that the few ministers here are 
 compelled by riding to the vacant congregations to tire them- 
 selves out to such an extent that their own congregations 
 cannot have sufficient ministrations from them. 
 
 4. Resolved that our Coetus shall meet next year on Wed- 
 nesday in the second week of the month of May, 1765, 
 V. D. T. O. M. [by the will of G-od, the Greatest, Highest 
 and Best, i. e. Volente Deo, Tanto, Optimo, Maximo.] 
 
 5. The state of our churches herewith follows : 
 
 (1) At Germantown Do. Alsentz has baptized 44 children 
 and three adults, and after previous instruction, admitted 
 
EECOEDS OF 1764. 227 
 
 28 members. The three German schools are in good condi- 
 tion. Catechizing is held in public during the week and on 
 Sundays. Ninety-three heads of families have signed tlieir 
 names in the church book as members of the church. In the 
 two other congregations there are altogether about 50 families, 
 18 children were baptized and two received as members. 
 
 (2) At Amwell there are 50 families. Here everything is 
 in good order, but no further specification is given. 
 
 (3) At Frederick Do. Otterbein has between 60 and 70 
 families; 45 children have been baptized, 20 members were 
 received; and 60 children attend the schools. At Conoco- 
 cheague there are 30 families; 16 baptized, 5 received as 
 members, 30 children in the school. 
 
 (4) Do. Du Bois has 47 families at North and South- 
 hampton; 12 children baptized, and 5 persons received as 
 members upon confession of faith. 
 
 (5) At Philadelphia there are about 180 families, but the 
 number is daily increased under the ministry of Do. Wey- 
 berg. Since October, 1763, he baptized 46 children, and re- 
 ceived 70 members on confession; 90 children in school. 
 
 (6) From Dos. Leydich and "Waldschmidt no report was 
 received. 
 
 Concluding we heremth wish that the Great Shepherd will 
 graciously keep your reverend persons, families and churches, 
 and by His power make you fit through living faith for his 
 glory. Ourselves and our churches we humbly commend to 
 your reverend intercession and benevolent hearts. We are 
 now and always, -wdth all esteem. 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned, Highly Honored Sirs and 
 Fathers in Christ, 
 
 Your obedient, dutiful, and faithful servants and co- 
 laborers in the Lord's vineyard, 
 
 J. George Alsentz, President. 
 Caspar Diedrich Weyberg, Secretary. 
 
 N. B. The writer begs you to excuse the style, and to 
 take the good wall for the deed. 
 
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL 
 COETUS OR CONFERENCE, HELD IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 12, 1764. 
 
 (Amsteedam, Vol. xxxv. No. 122.) 
 
 They have received our letter of April 4, 1764. Do. Al- 
 sentz, as President, urged Do. Weyberg as Secretary, and 
 Do. Du Bois as the nearest minister, to meet for conference. 
 
 I. 
 
 They return thanks for the donations transmitted to them. 
 They will answer our letter after it has been considered in 
 the full meeting of the Coetus. 
 
 II. 
 
 Two elders from Amwell appear before them. Do. Stapel 
 was also requested, by letter and word of mouth, to appear. 
 They complain: 
 
 1. That Do. Stapel had long treated them without con- 
 sideration, threatened continually to leave them, and ad- 
 ministered his office very indifferently. 
 
 2. In order to get a wife he had made a batch of some kind 
 of lottery tickets, from which one was to be drawn for his 
 wife, (however none was simple enough to fall in with his 
 scheme) against which consistory and congregation protest. 
 
 3. That on July 28th he asked for his dismissal in writing, 
 because the consistory was not willing to save his honor and 
 make up his salary, concerning which they could prove the 
 contrary. 
 
 4. That he had first asked the members of his consistory to 
 appear at the drawing of his lottery. (He had about fifteen 
 or sixteen tickets, on one was written never in his life thus 
 to marry, on the otliers were the names of well known wo- 
 men, of whom he wished to select one.) But when they [the 
 consistory] refused to appear at his house, he threatened 
 them as usual to compel them by the authorities, and that he 
 would show them by an English minister and a justice of the 
 peace that he had a right so to act. 
 
 (228) 
 
BECOBDS OF 1764. 229 
 
 5. Afterwards he tried to win our favor by saying that the 
 Rev. Fathers somewhat despised the Palatinate churches, that 
 we should therefore leave the Holland Synods and the Coetus, 
 and then he would remain our minister. 
 
 All these points were signed by all the members of the 
 congregation. 
 
 They conclude (the writers of the letter) that Do. Stapel 
 should lay down his office for a while, until they could see 
 how to set this matter aright. 
 
 In connection \^dth this affair the elders do not wish to state 
 everything about his conduct, of which they know too much, 
 how bad it has been for some months. 
 
 They have veiy little hope for his improvement. He passes 
 his time partly in drinking, partly in thinking of the other 
 sex and partly in practicing medicine. They will report 
 about this matter more fully at the [next] meeting of Coetus. 
 
 They conclude mth hearty washes, commending themselves 
 and their churches to our love. 
 
 In the name of the Committee 
 
 J. George Alsentz, President. 
 
 Philadelphia, September 12, 1764. 
 
LETTER OF COETUS TO THE ELDERS AT LAN- 
 CASTER, DECE]\iBER 18, 1764. 
 
 (Harbaugh Mss., No. 26.) 
 
 Most Noble and Worthy Brethren, Elders and Deacons of the Beformed 
 
 Congregation in Lancaster: 
 
 The present committee, consisting of the President and Secretary of 
 the Eev. Coetus of Pennsylvania, having met at Philadelphia, have in- 
 vestigated and carefully considered the call and letters from Holland 
 concerning Mr. Hendel. 
 
 We deem it expedient to present this Reverend Gentleman to your con- 
 gregation, hoping that you will receive him with all the love and respect 
 which he deserves. We do not doubt that his ministry will be agreeable 
 to you all, and will tend to the salvation of your immortal souls. We 
 only regret that you have sent your delegated brother so early, without 
 our knowledge, which has only increased the expenses, and shows too 
 much zeal. 
 
 We wish, however, that your fervor may not too soon become cold. 
 
 You will have to refund a part of Do. Hendel 's traveling expenses, 
 which we advanced for him, namely, £13 of our money. This you vrill 
 please send, as soon as possible, to Do. Weyberg, at Philadelphia. Fin- 
 ally, we hope that you will make his salary £75, Pennsylvania currency, 
 besides his free residence. We shall see at our next Coetus meeting 
 what other arrangements mil be necessary. His service begins with his 
 introductory sermon. 
 
 We commend you to the loving care of the Great Shepherd, Jesus 
 Christ, and remain 
 
 Your fellow brethren in the Lord, 
 
 wishing and caring for your best interests, 
 J. Geo. Alsentz, President. 
 Caspar Dietrich Weyberg, Secretary. 
 
 Philadelphia, December 18, 1764. 
 
 (230) 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS, HELD IN LANCASTER, 
 MAY 8 AND 9, 1765. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 74.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned, and Tlighly Honored Sirs 
 
 and Fathers in Christ. 
 
 By the kind and forbearing providence of Jehovah our 
 Lord, we rejoice in sending with deepest obligations of es- 
 teem to your Reverences these Minutes of our Coetus, held in 
 Lancaster May 8th and 9th. Present are: Dos. Weyberg, 
 President, Alsentz, Secretary, Waldschmidt, Leydich and 
 Hendel, with their elders. Dos. Otterbein and Du Bois are 
 held back by heavy rains, and a fatiguing journey to Vir- 
 ginia, having to travel on horseback more than 180 miles. 
 
 The Coetus was opened with a sermon by the President, 
 Do. Weyberg on Isaiah Ixii. 6-7, to the satisfaction of the 
 whole assembly. 
 
 session i. 
 
 2 o'clock p. M. 
 
 1. The Rev. President put a question to the ministers and 
 elders present, regarding the state of their churches, to which 
 all answered, that the temporal affairs were good. 
 
 2. Hereupon the delegates from the other congregations 
 appeared : 
 
 a. Two from Tulpehocken again ask to have a pastor, and 
 for tlie comfort of their fellow members request information 
 when a minister may arrive. We gave them the promise to 
 send them the first minister on his arrival from abroad. 
 
 b. Easton, Greenwich, Plainfield, and the Bethlehem dis- 
 trict, request the same, in Do. Weyberg 's place. 
 
 c. Reading makes the same request. 
 
 d. Muddy Cieek and Seltenreich request the same. 
 
 e. York asks approval of a call to Do. Otterbein, which 
 is granted. 
 
 f. Conewago and Paradise desire to be supplied by the 
 minister who shall settle at York. 
 
 g. Lebanon, Swatara, New Hanover [ ?] united congrega- 
 tions, request that they may have a minister. 
 
 (231) 
 
232 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 3. The visitation of the churches was made as far as possible 
 by the President and the Secretary. Do. Weyberg visited 
 Germantown, Falkner Swamp, Lancaster, Whitehall and 
 Cohenzie, and found them in good order. Do. Alsentz visited 
 Providence, Vincent, Reading, York, Lebanon, Swatara, 
 Tulpehocken, Pequea, Tohickon, Oley, Amwell and Bethle- 
 hem in New Jersey [ ?] and Philadelphia. The shepherdless 
 congregations are waiting for ministers, and troubled about 
 their condition. The others are in a prosperous state. 
 Amwell has been brought into confusion because of Do. 
 Stapel, who does not preach any more at all, and has niined 
 more than he can ever build up again. He has withdrawn 
 himself from Coetus, and practices medicine. His reputation 
 is gone. All thoughts of second marriage are given up, and 
 smothered by sickness. The greater part of the congrega- 
 tion maintains itself well, and has entirely separated itself 
 from him, but groans under the debts made on his account. 
 We supply them as much as possible until they shall be in a 
 condition to call another pastor. 
 
 At Providence and Vincent, where Do. Leydich preaches, 
 matters are reasonably good. Philadelphia is flourishing. 
 Frederick and North and Southampton where Do. Otterbein 
 and Do. Du Bois are located respectively, cannot be visited 
 till next year. The scarcity of ministers and the many vacant 
 congregations, the necessarily frequent visitations of the 
 churches, and the neglect of one's ovm church, do not per- 
 mit the making of a thorough visitation. 
 
 4. Lastly, three letters were submitted and read from the 
 Rev. Fathers, the one of April 2d, the second of August 13th, 
 the third of October 1st, 1764. 
 
 SESSION II. 8 A. M. 
 
 Regarding the first letter, an answer written September 12, 
 1764 has already been transmitted by a committee, and must 
 now be in your Reverences' hands, 
 
 a. Concerning the distributions of the donations, it remains 
 to be mentioned that 450 fl. in Holland currency, is too little 
 even for the . country ; the cities demand almost again as 
 much. Accordingly we no longer locate a pastor in a con- 
 gregation without seeing to it that it can contribute 50 pounds 
 
RECOBDS OF 1765. 233 
 
 Sterling, which is equivalent to 560 fl. Hence we can not 
 state what is lacking of 450 fl. We retain for this reason the 
 usual di\'ision into equal portions, as nearly as possible, and 
 care for the Widow Bartholomaeus and the school-teachers. 
 
 b. The decision against Do. Rieger sustains our credit, and 
 we consider it a just resolution. 
 
 c. About foreign church-orders, we know nothing. We 
 hold to the Dutch and the Palatinate. Of Do. Schlatter's 
 church-order nothing has come to our knowledge. And that 
 Do. Stapel wanted to introduce novelties was entirely without 
 our knowledge or approval. 
 
 Letter II. To the letter brought over by Do. Hendel we 
 heremth reply that it has not only caused us special joy and 
 gladness to embrace this brother in good health, to locate 
 him at Lancaster in order to minister to this large congre- 
 gation, but we also thank you most cordially for securing 
 and sending such a man. 
 
 Letter III. The latest letter from the Rev. Classis of 
 Amsterdam reached us in the month of March, and we re- 
 solved to answer it as follows: 
 
 1. That we heartily wish we were in a condition to hold 
 our annual Coetus at such a time that the Rev. Fathers might 
 best be satisfied. But the mail across the ocean at that time 
 is so uncertain that it is almost impracticable. We have let- 
 ters of 1759, wherein the same complaint occurs about the 
 time, and then our Coetus was held in August and September, 
 Hence we know not what time is the best. But next year we 
 will begin to hold our Coetus later. 
 
 2. Whereas it was resolved to devote the moneys intended 
 as donations to the traveling expenses for the transporation 
 of ministers, it seemed to us unnecessary to specify further 
 what was needed here. But that our arguments, meant to in- 
 duce your Reverences quickly to send over some ministers, 
 have been taken so iU and misunderstood, grieves us very 
 much, and is altogether against our intention. We perceive 
 in our Minutes no accusation or reproach. If weighty rea- 
 sons are construed as reproach and humble requests deserve 
 harsh contradictions, we shall have to give fuller explana- 
 tions, or else our correspondence will fall into the utmost con- 
 
234 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 fusion. In every letter received during the period of three 
 or four years we found mentioned : 
 
 (1) That the subsidies should cease. 
 
 (2) That we should take care to secure our support from 
 the congregations. And while we were busy with this matter, 
 the letters of 1763 asked us to send traveling expenses for the 
 transportation of ministers. This being impossible for us, 
 we unanimously resolved to leave with you the donations, for 
 the traveling expenses of ministers, in order to obtain assist- 
 ance more quickly and more easily. We were far from ac- 
 cusing you of indifference, but the above-mentioned seemed 
 to many a plain proof that your Reverences were desirous 
 of withdrawing from us entirely, since not only the sub- 
 sidies were to cease but we were also to send over traveling 
 expenses, both of which would press upon us too heavily, and 
 hinder everything by being impracticable. Looked at in 
 this light we cannot think otherwise than that your Rever- 
 ences will not take this point so ill, but put another con- 
 struction upon it, which shall not serve to make us both sorry 
 but help to increase our mutual love and be more in accord 
 with our troubled circumstances. 
 
 3. Further, it seems very strange to us to find in the same 
 letter a warning against brethren in the other pro\'inces, who 
 amuse themselves with vagaries, and would build a Babel 
 in organizing Classes. We could not understand these ex- 
 pressions, nor reconcile them, since otherwise we should have 
 to believe that our most reverend mother-church in Holland 
 had been reared up as a Babel by the erection of Classes, 
 which no Reformed Christian here believes. But it would be 
 against nature and reason that the daughter shall always 
 have to remain a minor and inferior, that she should never 
 dare to grow into motherhood and womanhood; if our Zion 
 is to flourish the daughter must become a woman and 
 mother. The Presbyterians have given us an example in tliis, 
 and have prepared men; whereby their church flourishes. 
 And so in time it will have to be with our churches. Other- 
 wise 100,000 souls will be regarded not as a plantation of 
 Christendom, but as a confused and scattered flock. The 
 Rev. Synods and Classes are our best example in their be- 
 
BE CORDS OF 17 G5. 
 
 235 
 
 ginning and progress, and our regular ordination, after the 
 articles of our faith, gives us the right and the power so to 
 increas.e that we may arrive at riper years. But as long as 
 the mother lives, the daughter remains in her position. This 
 is our opinion, according to Holy Scriptures, the Acts of 
 Synod of Dort, and the history of the church. Moreover we 
 can never believe, that the Rev. Fathers look upon us as such 
 little creatures as to be unfit to extend and plant the church. 
 In that case we would have to be regarded not as brethren 
 and co-laborers, but as Gibeonites. Further, we are of the 
 opinion that it is very necessary to arrive at mature years, 
 else our church will not continue in existence. 
 
 Goshenhoppen, about which your Reverences inquire, has 
 taken ah old, ordinary man, a shoemaker [Jacob Riess] for 
 its minister, because we could not at once provide the members 
 with some one to their satisfaction ; and thus did Maxatawny 
 with Michael, and Carlisle with another, [John C. Bucher]. 
 Several would follow in their footsteps, could they but find 
 men who could memorize a sermon. Whenever such a min- 
 ister makes a success of it, v.-e are despised ; and if he proves 
 a failure, we have a double labor and burden to restore or- 
 der, to pacify the dissatisfied ones and to sustain the others, 
 on account of the parties that arise. For such reasons and 
 because of such circumstances we received into our Coetus 
 at the arrival of Do. Hendel one, John Daniel Gros, a well 
 educated man, who came over with him. The time in Holland 
 being too short, on account of the departure of the ship, 
 he could not further address himself to the Rev. Synods and 
 await their decision. Therefore he at once desired our 
 assistance here. We were obliged to take him from the ship, 
 because several shepherdless congregations wanted to take 
 him, engage him, and receive him as their pastor. To stop 
 and prevent all disorder, we examined him in theology and 
 languages, and found him exceedingly well versed. His de- 
 livery was defective, but his credentials from Marburg and 
 Heidelberg were genuine and fine. Mr. Hendel's testimony 
 to his conduct and diligence at the University of Heidelberg, 
 as long as he knew him there, was of very great weight with 
 us. In this manner we ordained him and located him at 
 
236 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ^ATiitehall, where he is serving four cougregations with zeal 
 and praise. We trust that this worthy man will be accepted 
 hy your Keverences, and that our action, demanded by the 
 state of affairs, will meet with approval. We can see no 
 reason why we should have left such a man without assistance, 
 and allowed confusion to enter into our church-order, since 
 we, as guardians, can and must look to injury and to order 
 so far as lies in us. We shall leave Mr. Michael to himself, 
 and say nothing further about him, because the Rev. Fathers 
 seem much disinclined to grant our request, and he being 
 aged does not press his case, and his congregations are satis- 
 fied vdth him without ordination. 
 
 The state of our churches is as follows: 
 
 1. Philadelphia has about 125 families; 108 children were 
 baptized from May, 1764, to May, 1765; 50 have been re- 
 ceived as members. Between 90 and 100 children attend 
 the schools. 
 
 2. At Lancaster Do. Hendel has found up to this time 93 
 Reformed families. In that congregation he baptized since 
 his arrival, about the middle of December, to May, 27 chil- 
 dren; received 39 persons as members, among whom were 
 15 young men, 20 unmarried and 4 married women, who came 
 from the Catholics and from the Mennonites. About 80 
 children attend the schools. Besides this he has visited York, 
 Donegal, Maytown, White Oaks, Lebanon, Kreutz Creek, Sel- 
 tenreieh and Muddy Creek. 
 
 3. At Providence and Vincent, where Do. Leydich preaches, 
 there are about 54 families, in the former 24, and in the other 
 30. In both congregations 32 children were baptized, 21 per- 
 sons received as members; most of the time 50 children in 
 school. 
 
 4. Cocalico and Cacusi consist of 50 families. Do. Wald- 
 schmidt received from 1763 to 1764, 13 members. Most of the 
 time 40 children attend school. From 1764 to 1765 the 
 families remained the same; but 38 members were received 
 from some distant families. The schools are very nearly 
 the same. In the two years 65 children were baptized. The 
 reason why he was not at the Coetus of 1764, was the hea^T 
 rains and great floods. 
 
EECOEDS OF 1765. 237 
 
 5. At Whitehall Do. Gros found 94 members in the one 
 congregation [Egypt] ; from the middle of December to May- 
 baptized 7 children, received 13 members. In the other con- 
 gregation, [ Schlosser 's] , there are 78 members; cliildren bap- 
 tized 8, received as members 7. In the congregation across 
 the Jordan there are 73 members ; 7 children baptized ; 5 mem- 
 bers received. In the fourth congregation, Allentown, there 
 are 83 members ; children baptized 6 ; received as mem- 
 bers 4. In five other, shepherdless congregations, Lecha, 
 [lichigh], Plainfield, at Droogeland [Dryland], Greenwich, 
 Lindau, he baptized 43 children, and found over 300 members. 
 
 6. At North and Southampton Do. Du Bois has 47 families ; 
 baptized 17 children; received 2 members. No school can be 
 kept there because the two churchjes are too far apart. 
 Therefore the children are taught by the parents, and by 
 constant catechizing. 
 
 7. At Germantown Do. Alsentz still has 93 families. He 
 baptized from May, 1764 to 1765, 30 children, received 12 
 members. Between 50 and 60 children attend the school. At 
 Witpen there are about 26 families ; 9 children were baptized ; 
 and the school has about 20 children, sometimes more or less. 
 Worcester has about 27 families, 12 children baptized. In the 
 school there are about 30 children. 
 
 Do. Otterbein's report did not arrive, and as it seems, was 
 lost upon the long journey. 
 
 These Minutes are approved by all (except Otterbein who 
 was absent) . 
 
 Concluding we herewith wish that the great Jehovah will 
 by grace and love cause your reverend persons, families and 
 churches, to increase and prosper to the glory of his name, 
 and to the welfare of our Church. We sign ourselves with 
 aU esteem. 
 
 Your Reverences', 
 
 Our Learned and Honored Sirs and Fathers, 
 
 Humble and faithful servants and co-laborers in the Lord's 
 vineyard, by order and in the name of the Rev. Coetus 
 
 C. D. Weyberg, President. 
 J. George Alsentz, Secretary. 
 
 Given at Germantown, May 23, 1765. 
 
238 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 P. S. In view of your pleasant promises and great trouble 
 we await wdth mueli impatience the arrival of five or six 
 ministers, who we hope and wish are on the way. On account 
 of the pressing need, we can not do otherwise than urge this 
 upon you once more in the most humble manner. 
 
 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COETUS OF 1765. 
 (Hague 92, B. 78.) 
 
 MINUTES OF SPECIAL COETUS, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 
 16 AND 17, 1765. 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned, Highly Honored Sirs and 
 
 Fathers in Christ: 
 
 The fortunate arrival of the four Brethren sent over by our 
 reverend and faithful fathers, the Synods and Classis of 
 Amsterdam, as well as their introduction into our vineyard, 
 required a special meeting, which would have been held im- 
 mediately, if the Secretary had been at home. These gentle- 
 men came just upon the day when the writer of this was 
 traveling to Virginia, in order to visit the abandoned sheep 
 there, which required three weeks time and is a journey 
 of over 200 miles. Difficult as it is for the body, it is soul- 
 refreshing to see that the Lord has also sheep in this wilder- 
 ness, who hear and know his voice. S. D. G.(Soli Deo Gloria). 
 The brethren were meanwhile sent to several places, to see if 
 they would accept a call from them. But in order to dis- 
 cuss the matter to better advantage a special Coetus was 
 called on the return of the Secretary, with the consent of the 
 Rev. President. 
 
 This Coetus was opened with a sermon by the Secretary 
 on John xviii. 36, first clause, "My kingdom is not of tliis 
 world. ' ' At this Coetus there were assembled : Dos. Weyberg, 
 President, Du Bois, Leydich, Waldschmidt, Ilendel, Gros, 
 Pomp, Berger, Henop and Alsentz. Zufall on account of a 
 serious illness, Otterbein on account of removal from Fred- 
 
RECOEDS OF 1765. 239 
 
 erick to York, just effected this week, were absent. The 
 elders of the ministers present and absent completed the 
 Coetus. 
 
 SESSION I. 3 P. M. 
 
 1. After the letters had been read, the Rev. President put 
 a question to Do. Pomp regarding the congregation of Falkner 
 Swamp, which Do. Leydich, on account of feebleness of mind 
 and body, can no longer serve, — whether he would take this 
 and the one across the Schuylkill in Vincent townsliip under 
 his care, and whether tliese congregations were willing to 
 provide the necessarj^ salary. On both sides the answer was 
 cordially in the affirmative. 
 
 2. Dp. Berger, having been asked whether he would provide 
 the church in Reading with the service of the gospel, and 
 whether that congregation was able and ^^dlling to contribute 
 the necessary salary, thereupon with the elder answered 
 they would try it until the next Coetus, and then would 
 give further report. 
 
 3. Thereupon followed Do. Henop, who had a call to 
 Easton. The question put to liim and his elder was answered 
 to complete satisfaction; that he was very well pleased there 
 and would take the congregation under his ministry; where- 
 upon the elder from Easton explained further that Easton, 
 Greenwich, Dryland and Plainfield were united, and these 
 congregations would provide 75 pounds, free residence and 
 necessary fire wood, per annum. An elder from a congre- 
 gation in Lecha [Lehigh] township appeared, which congre- 
 gation desired to be supplied by Dos. Henop and Gros, be- 
 cause it was situated between their charges; whereupon it 
 was resolved that the gentlemen mentioned should help as 
 much as they possibly could. 
 
 4. In the absence of Do. Zufall, two delegates were pres- 
 ent, with a letter from him, wherein he mentions his sickness 
 and improvement, and that he found it necessary to serve 
 four congregations, whereof he would make further report 
 in the future. These are: two in Tulpitoun [Tulpehocken 
 township] one on the Mulilbach, and one near Lebanon, 
 [Swatara] which are able, and very willing to contribute the 
 necessary salary. 
 
240 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 SESSION n, 
 
 October 17th, 8 A. M. 
 
 1. The elder from Frederick complains of the removal of 
 Do. Otterbein, and begs for help. This dear congregation, in 
 which is the greatest number of awakened and convicted souls, 
 cannot at present be provided for. But we admonished the 
 members to have a little patience, because we have good hope 
 of having two or three more brethren with us in a short time. 
 Then they would be cared for first of all. 
 
 2. Resolved that the Secretary shall convey the profound- 
 est and humblest thanks of ourselves and our congregations 
 to you, in the most emphatic manner ; but to this the Secretary 
 from lack of words is unequal. We, ministers and elders, 
 are convinced of the benevolent feelings of our reverend 
 mother-church. We praise the eternal goodness of God who 
 hath raised her up to be our friend. Our hearty diligence, 
 labors, cares and pains will be the constant pledge of our esteem 
 and thankfulness, and it mil be our joy to show that we 
 know how to value such indispensable aid. Our most diligent 
 efforts are directed to the end, that when we may appear before 
 the throne of the Lamb we may receive due praise. Our love 
 shall be the lasting bond by which we as true brethren shall 
 remain united to your Reverences. The expression of thanks 
 on the part of the congregations embraces all the best wishes 
 and prayers for the continued welfare of the Rev. Synods, 
 Classis of Amsterdam and the churches in Holland. The 
 good application and use of the aid thus obtained will call 
 forth the praise that is due from us. Herein is fulfilled what 
 is said in Proverbs xiii. 12. 
 
 3. The verbal message of the four gentlemen was heard, 
 conveying complaints over the withholding of our Minutes 
 and accounts, to which we reply that we do not laiow 
 whether we have properly understood this or what can be 
 meant thereby, for we have already received answers to all 
 our Minutes. As regards the accounts, we have mentioned 
 constantly that we have divided into equal parts, of which 
 a specimen is added, in order to avoid all suspicion and 
 jealousy. And as long as the Reverend Fathers are disin- 
 clined to appreciate the fact that we cannot possibly live 
 
BECOEBS OF 1765. 241 
 
 on 450 fl., and that we cannot say that we receive less, be- 
 cause we all have 450 fl. from our congregations, and several 
 have more than that, we must wait, if we would not render 
 a fictitious account, hoping that the Reverend Fathers will 
 admit that we have too little to live on and too much to 
 die, which is the truth in regard to the fixed 450 fl. And 
 therefore, we must say, Providence has watched over us 
 and has hitherto supplied our lack. If the Reverend Fathers 
 desire to know how much one or the other place requires to 
 live in it, this will be stated to them to the best of our 
 Imowledge and conscience. 
 
 4. Resolved to hold our Coetus (D. V.) [i. e. God willing] 
 in Reading on the first Wednesday in September, 1766, and 
 that every elder shall appear authorized by his fellow elders, 
 and not only with the consent of the minister. 
 
 In conclusion, we wish that the Great Shepherd of the 
 sheep will still raise up men after his own heart, and bring 
 them to your Reverences for the further supply of our 
 vacant places : Baltimore, Frederick, Muddy Creek, Lebanon, 
 Pipe Creek, Winchester and Amwell, where seven ministers 
 are required, and would also be supported if they were only 
 here. The same Great Shepherd preserve you within the 
 arms of his grace and love, permit blessing after blessing to 
 be showered down upon your services and houses, to the 
 magnifying of his name and to your eternal joy. We sign 
 ourselves with all esteem and humility, 
 
 Your Reverences', Reverend Sirs, Our highly esteemed 
 Fathers, obedient and most dutiful servants and co-laborers 
 in the work of the Lord, by order and in the name of all, 
 
 Caspar Wetberg, Pres., p. t. 
 John George Alsentz, Sec, p. t. 
 16 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1766. 
 (Hague 92, B. 85.) 
 
 MIN'UTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN READING, 
 SEPTEMBER 3 AND 4, 1766. 
 
 Herewith we have the honor and the pleasure to lay the 
 Minutes of our Coetus before your Reverences. Present are : 
 Otterbein, (President,) Hendel, (Secretary,) Leydich, Wey- 
 berg, Alsentz, Waldschmidt, Du Bois, Gros, Pomp, Henop, 
 Zufall, Berger. Coetus was opened in the church with a 
 sermon by the President on Luke x. 4, 5. Afterwards it 
 was resolved to hold our meetings likewise in the church. 
 Because Do. Hendel, on account language and the condition of 
 his hand,* was not able to act as Secretary, Do. Alsentz acted 
 in his stead. The Secretary [Do. Alsentz] however, stated 
 that he, together with Do. Weyberg, seemed to be suspected 
 of writing simply his own ideas, and that this suspicion 
 would disappear if he were directed to transmit the author- 
 ized copy, from which it would be evident that nothing was 
 written but what had been passed upon and subscribed to. 
 He further stated: "My respect for the Eeverend Fathers is 
 much too great that I should presume to entertain them with 
 my own ideas in the name of the Rev. Coetus. Far be it 
 from me ever to touch my pen, if I should awaken thereby 
 the suspicion of giving only my own thoughts." 
 
 SESSION I. 3 P. M. 
 
 First, a question was put by the Rev. President to all the 
 ministers and elders present, concerning the external and 
 internal condition of their congregations. To this it was 
 replied that externally everything was in good order, but 
 internally the seed was not yet in such condition as to promise 
 a full harvest; but many were able to show first fruits. 
 
 Art. I. With regard to Do. Zufall, complaints were pre- 
 
 * He was now suffering from shaking palsy, as is evident from his 
 entries in various church records. 
 
 (242) 
 
IlECOIWS GF 1766. 243 
 
 ferred against him by several members of the congregation 
 at Tulpehocken. But by a reconciliation everything was 
 peaceably settled, at least outwardly. 
 
 Art. II. Two delegates appeared from Frederick with the 
 request that they might again have Do. Otterbein as their 
 pastor. Thereupon it was resolved that Do. Otterbein should 
 serve them according to his ability, but that they must 
 exercise patience, until the promised two or three new min- 
 isters should arrive, and then the matter could be decided to 
 their best advantage. 
 
 Art. III. The congregation at Canagetschiek [Conoco- 
 cheague] , which is situated three English miles from Frederick 
 humbly requests through us, that the Reverend Fathers would 
 call a faithful candidate for them and send him over, Hassel- 
 bach by name, residing in or near Siegen, They are still 
 living in poverty and in the wilderness. They greatly need 
 support, and have good reason to hope that this man mil 
 come to them and be satisfied. 
 
 Art. IV. Old and New Goshenhoppen, as well as Great 
 Swamp, have dismissed their shoemaker, K-ies by name. They 
 earnestly request that we provide them with a minister. Re- 
 solved that they be taken under the care of Coetus, and that 
 they shall have one of the first new ministers. 
 
 Art. V. On account of the circumstances and necessities 
 of our Pennsylvania churches, a full discussion once more- 
 took place about our privilege to examine and ordain a fit 
 person according to the requirements of the case. Concern- 
 ing this it was resolved 
 
 1. That we repudiate the idea of an intention to separate 
 from the Rev. Synods and Classis of Amsterdam. 
 
 2. That we repudiate assuming authority higher than God 
 and the order of the church have given us. 
 
 3. That we in no way %vish or desire, nor has it ever been 
 our intention to be offensive in word or conduct towards your 
 Reverences. Much rather we take delight in the proper use 
 of and gratitude for such deeds of kindness as have been 
 bestowed upon our Zion by your Reverences. That which in 
 previous Minutes may have been the cause of grief and in- 
 dignation, is not so much to be ascribed to the heart as to our 
 
244 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ignorance of tlie Dutch language, in wliicli we cannot very 
 well express ourselves. "We accordingly ask your indulgence, 
 which we hope to obtain the more readily since our con- 
 sciences judge and declare us free from all meanness, in- 
 tentional offensiveness and ingratitude. Upon these pre- 
 mises we base our humble request, which, we flatter our- 
 selves, will find a hearing before your Reverences, and be 
 granted, namely, that we have permission to examine and 
 ordain in cases of necessity. And since we have precedents of 
 this in the time of Do. Sclilatter, when the Reverend Fathers 
 approved the examination and ordination of Dos. Tempelman 
 and Du Bois, we doubt the less that we shall have a favor- 
 able decision inasmuch as we have no other object than to- 
 gether with the Rev. Synods and Classis of Amsterdam to 
 build up and to extend our Zion. 
 
 Two instances will explain the situation more fully. 
 
 There are two or three congregations (the principal place is 
 Carlyl [Carlisle], a new city and congregation) adjoining the 
 mountains, v/hich are situated forty, fifty and sixty miles 
 from the nearest ministers. These people seek assistance, 
 but none of us can travel thither, unless perhaps once a 
 year. They dare not call a minister from Germany, because 
 they are too poor to support one. A person [John C. 
 Bucher] providentially appeared, made willing by the Lord 
 to serve these people, who devotes himself with all diligence 
 to learn the truth and to expound it to others, and is also 
 content to share the poverty of his hearers. Having been 
 organized two, three or four years, the congregation came 
 before the Coetus, with the request to examine and ordain 
 this man, who had served them so long. Coetus took a year 
 to consider the case, in order to investigate more fully the 
 character and conduct of this person. They appear again 
 with their teacher, and for the second time make the same 
 request. What shall Coetus do? To refuse them means to 
 keep the congregation in disorder. To send him to Holland 
 is impracticable, because of the poverty of the congregation, 
 because of the family of this minister, and besides, this con- 
 gregation would have to be fully ten months without re- 
 ligious services. We await a favorable decision from your 
 
EECOBDS OF 1766. 2-i5 
 
 Reverences as to what is most advantageous under sucli 
 circumstances. 
 
 TVe add another instance. There is a congregation 
 [Tohickon] much ruined by an adventurer.* The good ele- 
 ment had to withdraw, and the other part learned at last 
 to realize its mistake. These people come and desire aid 
 from Coetus and a regular minister. They cannot raise more 
 than thirty pounds, and to unite the congregation with others 
 is impracticable, because it is located quite out of the way, 
 and the nearest congregation is still under the influence of 
 the adventurer. AYe cannot call a minister, because of the 
 small salary; but there is a person,** [John C. Gobrecht] con- 
 verted by God's Spirit, who has a good knowledge of 
 theoretical and practical theology, is able to explain the prin- 
 ciples of Holy Scripture, and is well qualified to build up 
 a congregation through his example and preaching, lie lived 
 t\vo years ^\dth a minister [J. G. Alsentz] in order to be 
 better qualified. The said congregation hears this man, sees 
 the difference between a sincere and well instructed man and 
 an adventurer. The congregation wants to call that person. 
 He wishes to accormnodate them, but not without order of the 
 Coetus. They appear before Coetus with the request to ex- 
 amine and ordain him. To send him to Holland is im- 
 possible ; the candidate dreads the sea voyage ; the congre- 
 gation cannot wait so long, since the adventurer, who resides 
 in the vicinity, still has and seeks adherents in the congre- 
 gation, by which course new confusion and division would 
 certainly arise. The person referred to above and his quali- 
 fications being kno-^Ti to us through personal contact we have 
 the best prospect of saving the congregation. TVhat should 
 Coetus in this case be allowed to do? These things are not 
 a fiction, but the real truth and nothing but the truth. These 
 
 * The church records show that it was John Egidius Hecker. 
 
 ** This unnamed person must be John C. Gobrecht. As the Minutes 
 of 1767 show (p. 258) five new ministers had entered our church. Three 
 came from Europe (Wittner, Lange and Faber). Bucher, mentioned in 
 the last paragraph, was the fourth, and Gobrecht the fifth. He was 
 ordained September 28, 1766. See Fathers of the Eeformed Church, 
 Vol. II, p. 146. 
 
246 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 cases confront iis. Our purpose is in no way to place the 
 Reverend Fathers in the background, to separate ourselves, to 
 exalt ourselves. No, we are well content with the state 
 wherein we are; except that our hands are bound too tight 
 to labor faithfully for the Lord. We have no longing to 
 exercise any higher authority, but to be of service to our 
 Lord and his Kingdom. We banish all other thoughts. We 
 only wish that New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
 Virginia were as intimately known to the Reverend Fathers as 
 to us. In that case we should not have any disputes in our 
 correspondence, and our sincere desires would be fulfilled. 
 But the care, the love, the zeal, and noble gifts of the Rev. 
 Synods and Classis of Amsterdam, cause us to hope for a 
 favorable result and just decision for our churches. 
 
 SESSION II. 8 A. M. 
 
 I. The communication from the Rev. Synods, which came 
 to our hands safely three days before the Coetus, was taken 
 into further consideration, in answer to which we repeat 
 in the first place that we wish to soften all harsh expressions 
 in our Minutes which have grieved the Reverend Fathers, and 
 that we hope all suspicions of ingratitude on our part will be 
 far removed. 
 
 II. Regarding the case of Do. Stapel, we thought we had 
 given all needed information. But because it was not deemed 
 sufficient, we remark in addition, that by the laying down of 
 his ministry, by his contempt of the Rev. Synods and Classis 
 and Coetus, and by his complete withdrawal from the Coetus, 
 he has increased his disgrace. He could never have married 
 again, both because of the English laws, and because of his 
 conduct. By his irregular life he fell into consumption, and 
 in the month of March, 1766, died. Through him the con- 
 gregations ran deeply into debt, because they had made 
 promises beyond their ability, and when he performed his 
 work so poorly, many became unwilling to pay. It must be 
 added that he made the congregation pay from the date on 
 which his call was signed by the Rev. Synods. Thus the 
 four places are vacant, where Do. Stapel was located, Am- 
 well, Rockaway, Foxhill and Alexandria. 
 
RECOEDS OF 1766. 247 
 
 III. Regarding the distribution of the donations, v/e never 
 expected such a harsh rebuke, because 
 
 a. For a long time we have most humbly made request that 
 the Reverend Fathers M^ould be pleased to make the dis- 
 tribution themselves, in order to avoid all jealousies, but 
 received no decision concerning it. Hence we continued to 
 divide equally as nearly as it was possible. 
 
 b. It seemed to us unfair that Dos. Stapel and Weyberg, 
 who expressly at our recommendation, were called on 50 
 pounds sterling, amounting to 550 fl., should yet have equal 
 portions with the others who Avere called on only 450 fl., which 
 as Do. Stapel showed by a letter from a Deputy of Synod, 
 (was your decision). And he insisted so strongly that we 
 could not withstand him. We know that, without the do- 
 nation he had received 125 pounds annually from his four 
 congregations. "We have, each of us, been at great pains to 
 get seventy-five pounds from our congregations but none of 
 us have been able to succeed in this, except Dos. Weyberg and 
 Du Bois, who receive more than that. Most of us have now 
 reached sixty pounds Pennsylvania currency and it ^vill 
 hardly go higher during the next five years, because the 
 times are bad. How could we mention in previous years, 
 when we were trying to get seventy-five pounds, what was 
 lacking of 450 guilders, and make that up from donations? 
 And would it then still be just that two brethren should have 
 equal portions mth the others, when they are so far in ad- 
 vance of the others in call and salary; would not that make 
 the other jealous and cause contentions? Hence we found 
 it most advisable to abide by the equal distribution.* Do. 
 Weyberg indeed receives 150 pounds (Penn.) but if he, is to 
 live there (in Philadelphia) he must have that sum as well 
 as the others fifty pounds in the country. For house rent 
 costs him thirty pounds per year ; wood, twelve pounds, which 
 in the country costs nothing at all; meat four to six stuivers, 
 and thus in all other articles. Besides, more claims are made 
 upon ministers in cities than in the country. It is the same 
 in Germantown, where many articles are often dearer than 
 
 * This conclusion is rather surprising, but it is an accurate translation 
 of the original. 
 
248 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 in Philadelphia. Hence I can truthfully say (for my salary 
 amounts to seventy pounds Penn. yearly) that I have too 
 little to Kve on and too much to die. 
 
 As regards the widow of Do. Steiner, we may have gone 
 too far in her case, but he who has read Luke xi. 5-8, 
 Luke xviii. 1-5 will not find fault with us. For it was im- 
 possible for us to take revenge upon her on account of her 
 husband, considering her great poverty, her constant visits 
 and importunity. We felt compelled to look more upon 
 her need than upon the worthiness of the ease. 
 
 IV. Regarding Do. Gros, we must freely say, that to our 
 best knowledge and conscience, he is as upright a man and 
 as competent, diligent a person as can be desired. He has 
 labored with so much zeal and diligence in his four congre- 
 gations, where many new ministers would not have wanted to 
 locate by reason of the woods, rocks, water, and the rude- 
 ness of the people, that he has not only won the love and 
 esteem of his congregations in particular, but has secured 
 the friendship and commendation of all who know him. He 
 declares herewith that if there is any other offense of which 
 he is guilty than the one which he confessed with sorrow 
 immediately on his arrival in this country, he is willing to 
 undergo all censures which could possibly be decreed. Dare 
 we for this reason put a man away from us ? Dare we plunge 
 four or five congregations, which he has brought into the 
 best order and which have a high esteem for him, once more 
 into greater confusion than they ever were in before? And 
 especially here, where people look more upon what a man is 
 than what he has been? He was from the beginning very 
 humble, willing, active, well versed in all sciences and 
 languages ; he was with four poor, ruined congregations, which 
 were almost completely broken up by Indians and adven- 
 turers. "We are willing to leave that to the further investiga- 
 tion and judgment of the Reverend Fathers whether we have 
 now acted improperly, in that we have given to him a brotherly 
 share of the donations. We were convinced in our hearts 
 that the Reverend Fathers would rather help support such a 
 man than leave him starve. 
 
 The state of our churches is as follows: 
 
BECOEDS OF 1766. 249 
 
 Fliiladelpliia, Weyberg's congregation, has about 145 fami- 
 lies ; up to the month of September, he baptized 85 ; members 
 received 50; the school consists of 90-100 children, 
 
 Germantown, where the writer of this has now been nine 
 years, has, counting removals and additions, still 90 families; 
 32 children of the congregation have been baptized; 40 were 
 received as members; about 80 children attend the schools. 
 
 Witpen and Worcester, two small congregations ten and 
 fifteen miles from Germantown, are under my care ; they con- 
 sist of about 40 families. The one has now, near by the 
 church, a new schoolhouse and a teacher ; but the other con- 
 gregation, Witpen, is so much scattered that it could not well 
 keep a teacher. Yet one was employed up to last May. 
 
 At Neiu Hanover (otherwise Falkner Swamp) and Vincent, 
 Do. Pomp is located. In the first congregation there are 
 about 100 families or 200 members; in Vincent 30 families 
 or 100 members. In both congregations are good schools 
 and teachers. 
 
 At Easton, Dr. Henop has 27 families, he baptized 17 
 children, 7 attend school. At Greemvich he has 40 families; 
 36 children baptized; 8 admitted as members; 32 in school. 
 At Plain-field he has 24 families; 14 children baptized; 23 
 received as members ; 32 at school. At Dryland there are 33 
 families; 13 children baptized; 36 received as members; 36 
 in school. 
 
 Do. Waldsclwiidt baptized in his congregations on the 
 Cacusy and at Bern and in the neighborhood, 30 children; 
 received 23 as members; 55 children in the schools. 
 
 Do. Leydicli seems to have recovered, and ministers to 
 three congregations, at Frovidence, Tipper Milford, and across 
 the Schuylkill.* In the first he has 11, in the second 48, in 
 the third 51 families; a total of 250 members; he received 
 52 as members ; baptized 79 ; schools irregular. 
 
 Do. Gros has four regular and two irregular congregations. 
 At Allentown 34 families; 9 members received; 18 baptized; 
 Egypt 31 families; 12 members received; 7 baptized; at 
 Schlosser's 23 families; 9 members received; 9 baptized; and 
 
 * This congregation was Coventry, now Brownback 's, where Leydich 's 
 ministry began in May, 1766. His first baptism is dated May 19, 1766. 
 
250 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 across the Jordan 17 families; 12 members received; 12 bap- 
 tized. 
 
 The Treslacher and Lynn congregations embrace about 30 
 families, whom he serves on week-days. 
 
 Do. Du Bois is still at North and Southampton, but his 
 report seems to have been lost in the transmission hither. 
 
 Do. Otterbein is in the city of York, near which there are 
 also two other small congregations. We have not yet re- 
 ceived further information. 
 
 Do. Berger at Reading has about 140 families; in the first 
 year he baptized about 60 children; received 21 as members; 
 40 to 50 at school. 
 
 Do. Hendel at Lancaster has 105 families; baptized from 
 May, 1765 to September, 1766, 107 children; received as 
 members 40; at school are 50 to 60 children. Besides he 
 supplies a church on the Pequea and Conestoga. Has also 
 preached in Tulpehocken, Swatara, Lebanon, Muddy Creek, 
 Cocalico, York, Baltimore, Frederick; in Virginia at Win- 
 chester, Shepensburg [Stephensburg?], Stony Creek, Stauf- 
 ferstown [Strasburg], Woodstock, Schanador [Shenandoah] 
 and Messenutten [Massanutten] . 
 
 Do. Zufall has four congregations, at Tulpehocken, Muhl- 
 bach, near Lebanon, and Sv/atara. His report has not yet 
 been received. 
 
 We add the remark that in the country the schools begin 
 with the winter and stop with summer, and therefore no 
 certain account can be given of them. The minister cannot 
 do all that he wishes in this respect, because the people are 
 too much scattered. 
 
 We submit further the great need of the vacant congre- 
 gations : Baltimore desires a minister ; Virginia, one ; Am- 
 well, Rockaway and Foxhill also; besides the said Conoco- 
 cheague. We cannot do other\^nse than humbly recommend 
 these congregations to the care of the Reverend Fathers; and 
 your fidelity causes us to hope that these abandoned sheep 
 may yet be provided for. 
 
 Regarding our salaries we must mention that Dos. Wey- 
 berg and Du Bois received in full what was promised, i. e. 
 75 pounds. But the others have to struggle along. We had 
 indeed supposed we would get a suitable increase, but it has 
 
EECOSDS OF 1766. 251 
 
 not yet been realized. The great number of the poor, the 
 scarcity of money, the cessation of trade on account of the 
 Stamp Act, have thrown everybody back, so that most of 
 the ministers fall short of what they expected, for people 
 cannot give as much as before they thought of doing. IMost 
 of the congregations therefore have need of support in order 
 to pay the ministers. It will be hard for them; and of their 
 ability to meet all expenses, nothing very pleasant can be 
 written. 
 
 Regarding Do. Berger at Reading, the case is as follows : 
 The congregation promised us to do all that they could, and 
 when Do. Berger had been there four weeks he would not 
 change, but preferred to see how things would go. It was 
 his own fault that he obtained no better place, and to force 
 him to leave on account of the salary, would have caused 
 trouble for us. He is well content there, as is also the con- 
 gregation; but he complains that he needs twelve pounds 
 more to be able to live there. Do. Pomp at New Hanover, 
 saj's the same, so that a fountain of charity might well be 
 opened by the Reverend Fathers. Most of us are in need of 
 this fountain of refreshment and ask for it according to the 
 judgment and apportionment of the Reverend Fathers. 
 
 The account of the distribution of the 64 pounds 5 shillings 
 is as follows : Do. Bartholomaeus last year cost us 31 pounds 
 9 shillings, the Widow Dorsius 5 pounds, widow Muentz 2 
 pounds, 8 school-masters and a poor congregation each 2 and 
 3 pounds, together 83 pounds; total 64 pounds 9 shillings. 
 
 We ask, calling the Lord to witness as we kneel down be- 
 fore him, that he may faithfully preserve your reverend 
 persons, families, churches, and country. May he quicken 
 you with heavenly, blessing in body and soul, may he prepare 
 you unto his honor, praise and glory. 
 
 Next to our Supreme Lord we place ourselves under your 
 excellent fatherly care and love, Avith all esteem and humility, 
 and we remain always 
 
 Your Reverences', our Highly Learned Sirs and Fathers 
 in Christ, 
 
 Most dutiful and submissive servants, 
 
 By order and the name of all 
 
 (Seal) J. Geo, Alsentz. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OP 1767. 
 (Hague 92, B. 87.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OP PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN LANCASTER, 
 SEPTEMBER 16 AND 17, OP THE YEAR 1767. 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned, Highly Esteemed Sirs and 
 
 Fathers : 
 
 We have the honor and the pleasure to submit to your 
 Reverences the Minutes of our last Coetus. 
 
 The ministers present at this meeting are the follomng: 
 
 Du Bois (President), Hendel (Secretary), Leydich, Otter- 
 bein, AValdschmidt, Gros, Henop, Pomp, Berger, Lange, 
 Wittner, Faber, Bucher, Gobrecht. 
 
 The Coetus was opened in the church in Lancaster, with a 
 sermon on John x. 2-5, by Do. Otterbein, since Do. Du Bois 
 has not mastered the German language. Dos. Alsentz and 
 AVeyberg were absent by reason of severe sickness. 
 
 We trust that the Eeverend Fathers will excuse us if we 
 transmit these Minutes in the same language in which every- 
 thing in this meeting was discussed and recorded, since neither 
 the writer of this nor the majority of the ministers are able 
 to use the Dutch language. 
 
 SESSION I. 2 P. M. 
 
 Art.I. In the first place, a question was put by the Rev. 
 President to all the ministers and elders concerning the con- 
 dition of their congregations. The same was answered by 
 most of them that judging externally they were in a peaceful 
 condition, and in many places the labor of the pastors was 
 attended with blessing. A complaint was brought in against 
 Do. Berger, but it was peaceably settled. 
 
 Art. II. Against Do. Zufall a number of complaints were 
 again brought forward during the last year about his ex- 
 cessive drinking, and his consequent inability to perform his 
 duty in a proper manner. The matter was investigated on 
 July 6th of the current year at Tulpehocken, by Do. Otter- 
 bein (President), and Do. Hendel (Secretary), and found 
 
 (252) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1767. 253 
 
 to be in fact as represented. But even before tliis could be 
 reported to Coetus, and a resolution be adopted concerning 
 him, Zufall allowed himself to be called to Philadelphia, to 
 serve the congregation which separated violently about six 
 years ago from the orderly congregation, of which Do. AVey- 
 berg is pastor, and called a Swiss by the name of Rothen- 
 buhler to be their minister, but who died over a year and a 
 half ago. Do. Zufall 's departure was fixed for the time when 
 Coetus was in session, therefore he did not appear; but it 
 was unanimously resolved : That Do. Zufall, on account of his 
 intemperate habits and the acceptance of a call to a quarrel- 
 some congregation which has never belonged to Coetus, can 
 no longer be regarded as a member of Coetus, but is here- 
 with excluded from the same totally and for all time. This 
 resolution was conveyed to him in writing. 
 
 Art. III. Thereupon the elders of the congregations, which 
 Do. Zufall had served, appeared and requested that they might 
 again be provided, as soon as possible, with another minister, 
 since much offense had been caused by Do. Zufall and it 
 was to be feared that these congregations might be scattered. 
 The congregations which he has served are Tulpehocken, 
 Muhlbach, Kaemmerling, and Bethel. 
 
 Art. IV. A communication was also received from six or 
 seven deserted congregations in Virginia, which set forth 
 their sad and shepherdless condition in a touching manner, 
 as follows : that partly by adventurers, partly by a variety of 
 sects, they have hitherto been disturbed and scattered; they 
 beg earnestly for instant aid, lest they should go to pieces 
 altogether. We can do no more than commend all these 
 shepherdless congregations to the wise and kind care of the 
 Eeverend Fathers, in the hope that they, as has hitherto hap- 
 pened in the case of Pennsylvania, may be accepted by you 
 and be shown your fatherly love. 
 
 SESSION II. 
 
 September 17th, 9 A. M. 
 Art. I. Numerous complaints have come in from Do. Otter- 
 bein, Do. Lange, and the congregation in Frederick. The 
 circumstances of the case are as follows : 
 
254 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Wlien Do. Otterbein left Frederick for York, the congre- 
 gation was without a minister for a whole year. Hence, some- 
 times on Sunday, some members of the congregation would 
 come together, when one of them would read from the Bible, 
 or from a book of sermons, or they entertained each other 
 with religious conversation, also sometimes sang a psalm or 
 hymn, and prayed. Other members of the congregation did 
 nothing of this sort, but commenced to speak evil of them. 
 Thus matters stood when Do. Lange came there. And al- 
 though information of this had been given to him, never- 
 theless as soon as he settled in the congregation he allowed 
 himself to be won over by those who had despised and slan- 
 dered these gatherings. On this account he v^^as accused 
 before Coetus by many members of the congregation that in 
 public and private he had used all manner of improper and 
 contemptuous words against those who had attended these 
 gatherings, and had also accused them of sectarianism, with- 
 out furnishing any proofs of it. For this reason they no 
 longer attended his preaching. Further, they accused him 
 of having uttered thoughtless Vv^ords about divine things. 
 Some time thereafter while Do. Lange was in Frederick, Do, 
 Otterbein came there on private business, and preached on a 
 certain Sunday in that place. But afterwards Do. Lange 
 forbade him the pulpit, telling him that in the future, if he 
 should come there, he should not again preach in the church. 
 He ha,d all kinds of charges against Do. Otterbein 's sermons. 
 He accused him of despising religion, the sacraments, and 
 ministers, and also of causing division in his congregation. 
 He appealed in general as a proof of his charges to the 
 sermon which Do. Otterbein had preached the day before 
 at the opening of Coetus. Do. Otterbein replied to all these 
 charges which Do. Lange had brought against him, and de- 
 clared himself orthodox in every respect; and his sermon, 
 since all the ministers present had listened to it, he left to 
 their judgment. 
 
 After everything had been fully laid before us, Dos. Lange 
 and Otterbein both left, and after all the circumstances had 
 been carefully investigated this resolution was adopted: 
 
 a. That neither in general as to doctrine, nor in particular 
 
EECOBDS OF 1767. 255 
 
 in the sermon which Do. Otterbein preached at the opening 
 of Coetus does there appear any contempt of religion, the 
 sacraments, or the ministers. Neither can the division in the 
 congregation be laid to his charge. 
 
 b. That it is not against the teachings of our church, when 
 people sometimes come together to pray and read God's Word. 
 
 c. That no congregation belonging to this Coetus has any 
 right on its own authority, to forbid the pulpit to a member 
 of this Coetus, without the knowledge of the Coetus and 
 its permission. 
 
 d. That Do. Lange as soon as possible be removed to another 
 congregation, and that whenever the members of the congre- 
 gation at Frederick shall have become reconciled to each 
 other, they shall again be provided wdth another minister ; and 
 in case they call a member of Coetus, he may accept this 
 call with the approval of Coetus. 
 
 c. That Do. Lange, with reference to the thoughtless words 
 which he uttered in regard to divine things, shall make a 
 confession of the error he committed ; which he has also done. 
 
 Finally it was resolved that Mr. Lange, by reason of this 
 confession and a promise to mend his ways, be still regarded 
 as a member of Coetus, until such further witness should be 
 borne against him. 
 
 Art. 2. The congregations in Philadelphia and Germantown 
 request that during the illness of their pastors, they may be 
 supplied by the brethren from time to time; and therefore 
 it was resolved that Dos. Du Bois, Pomp, Faber, and Gobrecht 
 shall visit them in turn. 
 
 SESSION III, 2 o'clock p. m. 
 
 At this hour Do. J. Leydt as delegate from the Rev. Coetus 
 of New Jersey and New York appeared before this meeting, 
 with a communication in which the aforesaid Coetus pro- 
 poses, " That for the extension of Christ's kingdom in tliis 
 hemisphere, it would not be unserviceable, but much rather 
 useful and advantageous, to seek more fellowship with the 
 Coetus of Pennsylvania." 
 
 Do. J. Leydt also verbally declared that they had obtained 
 the privilege of erecting a college in New Jersey with the 
 
256 COETUS OF PEXXSYLVAXIA. 
 
 view of preparing yoiing men for the ministry of the church 
 and requesting that therefore they be supported and aided 
 so far as possible. This matter was fully discussed, and all 
 the circumst<inces of the case were carefully investigated and 
 considered and it was finallj^ resolved: 
 
 That, since we live verj^ close to each other and moreover 
 both have one and the same calling, which is to labor with all 
 our strength and faculties for the upbuilding of Zion, lest, 
 by reason of the numerous sects of all sorts and the increase 
 of other churches, our own church be enfeebled: therefore 
 it would be of ser-\-ice to accept the proffered friendship and 
 to enter into a closer fellowship Anth each other; but with 
 this understanding, that our natural union with the Reverend 
 Fathers be not in the least weakened, much less in any way 
 disturbed. 
 
 Regarding the erection of a College, we can still less re- 
 fuse to aid them in this enterprise, as much as lies within 
 our power, since we have for a long time already perceived 
 the usefulness of and necessity for such an institution; as 
 it would be much better if we could sometimes educate a 
 capable person here in this country, thereby sooner to be in 
 a condition to help the poor, lonely, and widely separated con- 
 gregations, and not be compelled, at the cost of the Reverend 
 Fathers, to have all our ministers come from Germany; the 
 more so because their fatherly faithfulness and care for the 
 Pennsylvania churches frequently does not reach its aim, 
 since by some more damage than good has been done, as the 
 examples of Stapel and Zufall plainly prove. We trust that the 
 Reverend Fathers Avill not disapprove of our action regarding 
 this, nor interpret it in such a way, as if the same had for 
 its object a separation from them, for this is by no means our 
 aim. The Reverend Fathers A^-ill see its usefulness, if they care- 
 fully consider the condition of the American Churches, and 
 compare it with the condition of the country; and es- 
 pecially will our conduct in the future convince them of the 
 sincerity of our intentions. 
 
 In particular do we ask for your approval and fatherly 
 support in the erection of a College, since this as a nursery 
 and training school for the establishment of our church in 
 
BE COEDS OF 1767. 257 
 
 this hemisphere, is very necessary, and its usefulness will 
 abundantly appear in the future, as experience has already 
 taught for several centuries in Europe. 
 
 Finally it was resolved that our next meeting of Coetus 
 be held in Easton, where Do. Henop is located, on September 
 7, 1768. 
 
 The state of our churches, and the location of the ministers, 
 are as follows: 
 
 In Philadelphia, where Do. "Weyberg is located, there are 
 about 150 heads of families; about 100 children attend the 
 school, and 101 have been baptized. 
 
 In Lancaster, where the writer of this is located, there are 
 about 110 families ; between 60-70 children attend the school ; 
 76 were baptized; 20 received into the church. 
 
 In New Hanover or Palkner Swamp, Do. Pomp is located. 
 He has 115 families ; 48 were baptized ; 20 confirmed ; he also 
 has a school throughout the whole year. 
 
 In Vincent he has 40 families; baptized 24; there is only 
 a winter school. 
 
 In York, where Do. Otterbein is located, there are 50 fami- 
 lies; 26 were baptized; about 40 children in the school. Be- 
 sides this he serves two other congregations, one at Paradise 
 and another at Kreutz Creek. 
 
 Do. Renop has 28 members at Easton; 16 children are in 
 the school, and 21 were baptized. In Plainfield he has 24 
 families; 11 children in the school; 24 confirmed, and 10 
 baptized. At Dryland he has 41 members, and 13 were 
 baptized. In Green-\vich there are 24 families; 34 were bap- 
 tized, and 7 confirmed. 
 
 These are the reports sent in up to this time, many being 
 delayed on account of the bad w^eather and lack of opportun- 
 ity to send them. 
 
 The congregations served by each minister follow: 
 
 Do. Leydich serves Providence, Upper Milford, and one 
 across the Schuylkill. 
 
 Do. Waldschmidt serves Cacusi and Bern. 
 
 Do. Gros serves Allento\vn, Egypt, Schlosser's congrega- 
 tion, and one across the Jordan. 
 17 
 
258 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Do. Berger has Reading and Meden Creek [Muddy Creek] .* 
 
 Do. Faber serves Old and New Goshenhoppen, and Great 
 Swamp.* * 
 
 Do. Lange is at Frederick. 
 
 Do. Wittner has Coealieo, Muddy Creek, Seltenreich and 
 Reyer's church. 
 
 Do. Bucher serves Carlisle, Donegal, Lebanon and Maytown. 
 
 Do. Gohrecht has charge of Tohickon, and surrounding 
 district. 
 
 As regards the general condition of the schools, there are 
 in the cities alone, and in few places in the country, such 
 schools as are kept all the year round; in most places there 
 are only winter-schools, and in many places none at all. . 
 
 In reference to the salaries, sufficient information has 
 already been given concerning them to the Reverend Fathers, 
 namely, that there are but very few who have a full salary. 
 Others lack more or less on account of the poverty of the 
 congregations, and the manifold outlays for churches and 
 otlier public buildings. Therefore help is very necessary to 
 lighten the burdens of the congregations, and to support 
 in some measure the ministers. 
 
 "We all pray that the infinite Jehovah may pour out the 
 streams of his blessings upon your reverend persons, families, 
 churches, and land, may give you his fatherly protection by 
 his great power, and by his grace prepare you for eternal 
 glory and the praise of his name. 
 
 "We commend ourselves and our churches to your fatherly 
 care and love, and remain, with all esteem, 
 
 Your Reverences', our very Learned Sirs, and Fathers in 
 Christ, 
 
 * The statement that both Berger and Wittner served Muddy Creek 
 can be reconciled. The church records show that Berger served from 
 1764-1766, vrhile the ministry of "Wittner began in October, 1766. 
 
 ** It ought to have been stated that Faber, Lange and Wittner were 
 new arrivals. Faber began his ministry in Goshenhoppen in November, 
 1766, and Wittner at Coealieo in October, 1766, as shown by the church 
 records. Lange began in Frederick about the same time. 
 
EECOEDS OF 1767. 
 Dutiful and obedient servants, 
 
 259 
 
 Ministers. 
 Jonathan Du Bois, Pres. p. 
 W, Hendel, Sec. p. t,, 
 W. Otterbein, 
 J. P. Leydich, 
 J. Waldschmidt, 
 D. Gros, 
 N. Pomp, 
 F. L. Henop, 
 
 F. J, Berger, 
 C. Lange, 
 
 G. Wittner, 
 
 J. Th. F.IBER, 
 
 Conrad Bucher, 
 Chr, Gobrecht. 
 
 Elders, 
 t., Paul Balliet, 
 Adam Haaq, 
 Matthew Seiler, 
 Kraft Huener, 
 George Steeg, 
 William Cornel, 
 George "Wack, 
 Balthasar Schafer, 
 "William Bosch, 
 Peter Becker, 
 Jacob Schuster, 
 John Dcerr, 
 EsAiAs Carl, 
 John Nehman. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1768. 
 (Hague 92, B. 89.) 
 
 MESrUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD EN" EASTON, 
 THE 7, 8 AND 9 OF SEPTEMBER, 1768. 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned Sirs, Highly Esteemed Fathers 
 
 in Christ: 
 
 We have the honor and pleasure to submit to your Rever- 
 ences, the Minutes of our Coetus, and commend them to your 
 Eeverences' favor. 
 
 There are present at the meeting: Dos. Hendel, (President), 
 Leydich, Henop, Pomp, Wittner, Bucher, Gobrecht, Daliker 
 and Gros, Sec. p. t. The absent are : Dos. Du Bois, on account 
 of sickness, "Weyberg, on account of the illness of his ^vite, 
 Waldschmidt, for the same reason, Otterbein, on account of 
 the death of his vrife. Lange has left the place of his min- 
 istry at Frederick, and so far as we know has settled in 
 Virginia ; his charge and residence are not yet kno^vn. Berger 
 was not admitted on account of his siLspension, concerning 
 which he received the necessary notification before the meet- 
 ing began. The detailed circumstances will be given later 
 in session two, article three. 
 
 The Coetus was opened with a sermon on Luke xiv. 23, 
 preached by Do. Hendel, in the Court House, since there is 
 no church in Easton. The sessions were held in a suitable 
 private house. 
 
 SESSION I. 2 P. M. 
 
 Art. 1. The first to which the Rev. President directed his 
 attention had reference to the purpose and the result of the 
 efforts of our ministry. Accordingly all the ministers and 
 eiders present were asked after the external condition of 
 their respective congregations. To this question most of the 
 ministers replied, that everything was quiet and in good 
 order, and the delegated elders confirmed the same with 
 written statements, signed by the congregations. The in- 
 quiry concerning Dos. Hendel and Wittner, and their re- 
 
 (260) 
 
EECOEDS OF 1768. 261 
 
 spective congregations, where this peace seemed to be dis- 
 turbed, was postponed to a more convenient time. 
 
 The second question related more to the ministers, con- 
 cerning the fruit of their labors. From their replies it 
 appeared, that in this respect also a marked gro"\vth was 
 noticeable from time to time; although with regard to the 
 masses the watchmen of Zion had great cause to lift up their 
 voices in lamentation. 
 
 Art. 2. A delegate from the congregation in Germanto^vn, 
 which place had become vacant by the death of Do. Alsentz, 
 requested that the congregation in Germanto^\^l, hitherto 
 having been united with ^'itpen and Worcester might be 
 separated and be provided with a pastor of its o^vn. 
 
 Whereupon it was unanimously resolved that the request 
 of the GermantowTi people could not as yet be granted, on 
 account of the lack of ministers, and that they shall be 
 jointly served in the same manner as by Do. Alsentz. This 
 decision was immediately communicated to the congregation 
 in writing in the name of the Coetus. 
 
 Art. 3. A delegated elder of Frederick complained that 
 the congregation there, during the pastorate and through the 
 fault of Do. Lange had been brought into great confusion, 
 and by his departure had become vacant, and that for this 
 reason a unanimous desire was prevalent among the members 
 for a prudent and faithful pastor. 
 
 Resolved, that a communication be sent to the congrega- 
 tion in which they are to be admonished to maintain peace 
 and good order among themselves and to be comforted with 
 the assurance that they will be recommended most urgently 
 to your fatherly care. Mr. Bucher was also sent thither to 
 assist in securing this object, and to report to Coetus, but 
 up to the present time no report has been sent in. 
 
 Art. 4. Two deputies from Tulpehoeken, Kaemerling, 
 Muhlbach and Bethel brought in renewed complaints con- 
 cerning the deserted condition of these congregations. They 
 look upon Do. Henop as a person, through whom these com- 
 plaints might be removed; to this end they actually extended 
 a formal call to him, and requested that the same might be 
 approved and confirmed by Coetus. 
 
262 COETFS OF PENNSYLFAXIA. 
 
 Eesolved. that the distressing state of these churches de- 
 serves to be taken to heart, and that every measure should be 
 taken to heal if possible tlie breach so wantonly made by 
 Mr. Zufall. It was also deemed necessary to pro\'ide these 
 congivgations with an experienced man, acquainted with the 
 government of tlie country, and for this reason the call was 
 approved. But whereas the congregations of Eastou. Green- 
 wich. Dryland and Plainfield opposed this strenuously, it 
 was left, to the decision of Mr. Henop whether and when 
 he would actually accept this call. 
 
 Art 5. Dos. Leydt. Hardenberg and Van Harlingen, dele- 
 gated ministers from the Kev. Coetiis of Xew York and New 
 Jersey, appeared empowered by the whole Coetus. both to 
 bring about a luiion between us and them for the best inter- 
 ests of the churclies, and to consult with us about a united 
 delegation to Europe to the Christian Synods. 
 
 SESSION II. S o'clock A. M. 
 
 September Sth. 
 Art. 1. After the proposal of the reverend delegates had 
 been fully discussed in a private session, held on September 
 Ttli. from 9 P. M. to 12 o'clock mid-night, the opinions of the 
 ministei*s were made kno\\Ti to the elders iu an open session 
 of the Coetus. It was resolved, with the approval of all, im- 
 mediately to order the Secretary of Coetus to make the fol- 
 lowing reply in writing : 
 
 a. That the Coetus of Pennsylvania considers a closer ac- 
 quaintance with tlie Rev. Coetus of Xew York and Xew 
 Jersey as of great serWce for the advancement of the Re- 
 formed church in this country. 
 
 b. That Coetus desires nothing more earnestly than to dis- 
 cover such measures as harmonize with the well being of our 
 congregations and leave the very close connection with the 
 Rev. Synods of North and South Holland and the Rev. Classis 
 of Amsterdam imdisturbed and thus strengthen a general 
 union of the church in these lands with the mother church 
 of the Xetherlands. 
 
 c. That Coetus recognizes with regret that the proposals 
 submitted by the delegates are entirely incompatible with 
 
BECOEDS OF 1768. 263 
 
 our manifold union with the Reverend Fathers; it is therefore 
 impossible for us to give our assent to the proposals. 
 
 d. That Coetus authorizes certain ministers to make other 
 proposals, which, when approved by the Rev. Synods, may 
 effect a general alliance and union. 
 
 8. That every opportunity which they may give us to make 
 united representations to the Rev. Synods and Classis of 
 Amsterdam for the best interests of our churches, would 
 delight us, 
 
 f. That the College also on our part will be commended to 
 the Christian and paternal protection of your Reverences, 
 in which alone we can join hands. 
 
 The letter containing these points was openly read before 
 Coetus and with the con.sent of Coetus was signed by the 
 President and Secretary, sealed and handed to the delegates, 
 to be conveyed to the said Coetus of New York and 
 New Jersey. 
 
 Afterwards the following report was made by Dos. Pomp 
 and Ilenop, who were delegated by Coetas to attend the 
 aforesaid Coetus held in New Brunswick, on the first Tues- 
 day in October. 
 
 That the members of the Dutch Coetus were not all pres- 
 ent, and nothing was done in this matter, since proposals 
 had been promised by the Reverend Fathers, which were 
 eagerly awaited. 
 
 We return to our own business, eagerly awaiting the decision 
 of the Christian Synods on this matter. 
 
 Art. II. Delegated elders, properly authorized, appeared 
 from Lower Saucon and Springfield, two large congregations, 
 which had been much injured by an adventurer,* but have 
 been pretty well restored by the ministry of Dos. Henop, 
 Pomp, Faber, Gobrecht and Gros. They requested that they 
 might be admitted to the fellowship of the Pennsylvania 
 Coetus, and be pro\'ided A^dth a regular minister. Resolved, 
 that there is no reason why such a request should be refused, 
 and that the circumstances of the.se congregations particularly 
 demand that they be provided with a godly minister, and that 
 
 * Mr. John Egidius Hecker according to the church record at 
 Springfield- 
 
204 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 therefore this congregation also be recommended to the pa- 
 ternal care of the Rev. Synods and Classis. 
 
 Art. III. This contains a sad story of Do. Berger and the 
 elders delegated by the congregation in Reading. In order 
 to furnish your Reverences with sufficient light upon this 
 ease, we must recall the Minutes of the Coetus held in Read- 
 ing, and particularly those of last year in Lancaster. At our 
 meeting in Reading an elder of the congregation at Muddy 
 Creek, to which Do. Berger ministered for some time, appeared 
 with a paper signed by most of the members of said con- 
 gregation, in which Do. Berger was accused of drunkenness 
 and other consequent irregularities of life. At Reading 
 everything was as yet quiet at that time, and this conduct 
 of Do. Berger was unkno-\vii, or at least not publicly known, 
 so that the matter was settled and Mr. Berger was given a 
 most fraternal admonition to amend his ways and to avoid 
 such irregularities. But so little heed was given to this 
 tliat on the contrary, instead of listening to such repre- 
 sentations, he returned more and more to his previous scan- 
 dalous life, without fear of God or shame before man, and 
 thereby fell into discredit with his best friends, and wherever 
 he was known drew upon himself the contempt of the people 
 by his extravagant debts. All these facts were presented in 
 a paper from the congregation in Reading to the Coetus in 
 Lancaster. The congregation voluntarily proposed to foi-- 
 give everything if Do. Berger would mend his ways. Do. 
 Berger with tears in his eyes promised the desired amend- 
 ment, and by his tears showed his sincerity. At the desire 
 of the brethren, he was asked to make a sincere confession 
 of his sin, a public apology, and a vow of true amendment 
 before the people. This he did, choosing 1 Tim. i. 15 as his 
 text. Besides, he was notified on the part of Coetus that in 
 case his intention or repentance was not sincere, and further 
 offense was given by liim, and other charges of this nature 
 were brought against him by the people, the President and 
 Secretary either in person, or through a committee, should 
 suspend him from his office. But all this made an impres- 
 sion upon this unhappy man only as long as he stood before 
 us as an accused person and as long as he promised amend- 
 ment before his congregation. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1768. 265 
 
 Mr. Berger continued his scandalous life as before, and 
 went to even greater length, so that there was not a tavern 
 in or near the city where he did not dishonor his name Avith 
 excessive drinking, swearing, scolding and making debts to 
 the disgrace of his brethren, and the members of his con- 
 gregation. AVhat happened? Accusations and reports came 
 in from every direction. Do. Hendel went therefore with 
 Do. Wittner to Reading, to get information concerning this 
 case, and Do. Pomp came the same day with a similar object 
 accompanied by Do. Faber. They found affairs in a very 
 sad condition. The congregation met, applied to these min- 
 isters, and sought advice in their distressing circumstances. 
 
 The ministers saw that there was no other way than to 
 suspend Do. Berger in accordance with the resolution of 
 Coetus, until he should change his conduct. They announced 
 this decision to Do. Berger, giving most weighty reasons. Do. 
 Berger requested the privilege of suspending himself, and 
 went to the place where the congregation was assembled and 
 declared himself to be unworthy to occupy the sacred office 
 in this congregation, declaring that he would change and 
 again show to the congregation a worthy course of life. But 
 even now he was satisfied with words. His conduct remained 
 as bad as before. His creditors of other denominations, since 
 they could no longer expect that the members of the Reformed 
 Church would, as before, assume their claims, pressed their 
 dues. ]\Ir. Berger was dragged from one magistrate to an- 
 other, and finally sent to prison. Thus matters stood when 
 the time approached for the meeting of Coetus. Berger 
 abused his brethren, threatened, and made his creditors be- 
 lieve that he was entitled to so much money from the Coetus 
 as would be sufficient to pay his debts. He thereby gained 
 his liberty. Then he went on foot to Easton, a distance of 
 fifty miles; but did not let himself be seen by his brethren 
 until the President preached his sermon. Then by his im- 
 pudence and accustomed recklessness he disturbed the whole 
 Coetus. The brethren held counsel, and to prevent all dis- 
 order, decided to ask him through two ministers to abstain 
 from taking his seat and voting, until his affair had been 
 decided and he had been found innocent. Berger repeated 
 
266 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 his threats, and appeared at the first session in a very boister- 
 ous manner. He struck with his fists upon the table, and 
 could not be brought to order except through stern threats. 
 
 His affairs were taken up as follows: 
 
 Two delegates authorized by the congregation appeared 
 with new accusations in writing, the whole contents of which 
 indicated that Berger continued in his scandalous conduct 
 and daily occasioned the greatest offense. Mr. Berger de- 
 fended himself very boisterously, and undertook to say that 
 the congregation was most to blame for his and its decline. 
 But these accusations were contradicted on the part of the 
 delegates by undeniable facts. Berger further charged the 
 congregation with holding back his salary. He made claims 
 for a whole year, although he had not served more than 
 seven months. The delegates showed that they had been will- 
 ing to pay him in proportion to the time he served them, 
 and that they had more than once offered him this; yeo, 
 he had actually been paid more than this sum, Coetus, T\dth 
 the consent of both, resolved that eight months' salary should 
 be paid him for the sake of peace. Having thus fully con- 
 sidered everything, the question was put to every one, whether 
 in the future Mr. Berger should be regarded as a member 
 of Coetus or as a minister. It was answered by ministers 
 and elders that not only should Mr. Berger have no longer 
 any fellowship with the Coetus, but that in general he 
 should be regarded as unv/orthy to exercise the office of a 
 minister. 
 
 SESSION III. 2 o'clock, SEPTEMBER 8tH. 
 
 Art. I. The congregations of Lebanon, Quittopehilla, 
 Heidelberg, White Ooaks and Raplio, presented through some 
 delegates a call to Mr, Bucher. A similar request was made 
 to Mr. Bucher by the delegates of the congregation in 
 Reading. 
 
 The congregations which IMr. Bucher had hitherto served, 
 represented the great distress to which they would be re- 
 duced by Mr. Bucher 's departure, as far and near no min- 
 isters could be found whom they could call to their aid in 
 case of necessity. 
 
 Resolved, that it be left to the conscience and wisdom of 
 
RECORDS OF 1768. 267 
 
 Mr, Buclier where and in what place he wishes to serve, 
 as he himself can know best where his presence and min- 
 istry are most needed; and that the other congregations 
 especially Reading, be recommended to the fatherly care and 
 protection of the Christian Synods and Classis. 
 
 As far as is knoAMi at present, IMr. Bucher has resolved to 
 remain in his charge. 
 
 Art. II. The congregation in Germantown sent a call to Do. 
 Daliker, who has been placed at Amwell [N. J.] . Do. Daliker 
 declined this call and determined to serve AmAvell, Alexandria, 
 Rockaway, Foxhill, and Valley, which last four congrega- 
 tions desire to be taken up into the fellowship of Coetus, 
 and to be united with Amwell. 
 
 Art. III. A strong Reformed congregation in Baltimore, 
 Maryland, sent a call to Mr. Christopher Faber, a person 
 who came to this country at the same time that Do. Alsentz 
 departed from this world. According to an undoubtedly 
 genuine certificate he had been examined by the Reverend 
 Consistory at Heidelberg, and had been ordained to the holy 
 ministry. 
 
 The congregation in Germantown requested the ministers 
 who had been invited to the funeral of Do. Alsentz, namely 
 Du Bois, (President.) Weyberg, Pomp, Paber, a relative of 
 the former, to give them this man until the next Coetus meet- 
 ing. The circumstances of this congregation made an ap- 
 proval of their request necessary, and thereby Coetus had an 
 opportunity of becoming better acquainted with him. The 
 testimony of the congregations of Germantown, Witpen, and 
 "Worcester, which he has served for more than half a year, 
 makes it evident that Mr. Faber has gained their love and 
 esteem by his zeal in the ministry and by his good conduct. 
 But since this man had no certificate from the Rev. Sjmods 
 and the congregation at Baltimore extended its call directly to 
 him and he moreover was willing to accept the call with the 
 consent of Coetus, it was deemed wise to approve this call, 
 and cordially to recommend him together with the whole con- 
 gregation to the Rev. Synods for favorable reception into 
 the Coetus. 
 
 Art. IV. A delegate from the three congregations in ^Vhite- 
 
268 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 hall and congregation in Allentown, (or Northampton,) where 
 the writer of this is at present located, brings a complaint be- 
 fore Coetns in which the first three congregations declare 
 themselves aggrieved by the last named. This congregation 
 has up to the present time refused to contribute its share 
 toward the parsonage which has been bought and is intended 
 as a residence for the ministers who serve them from time to 
 time. 
 
 Resolved, that it is considered unfair that said congregation 
 declines to assume its part of the work in which it has with 
 the other congregations a mutual share and benefit, and that 
 with regard to this, the congregation shall be urged by special 
 letter to contribute its share to the said parsonage; and in 
 case of refusal this congregation must allow its minister to 
 take in its place another congregation, which is willing to 
 consent to this agreement. 
 
 The congregation has acted according to the resolution of 
 Coetus, and now lives with the others in full harmony. 
 
 Art. V. A delegated elder from the congregations where 
 Do. Wittner is at present located, brings in statement from 
 three congregations that they are well satisfied with their 
 pastor, and have no complaints to make. But a statement 
 from the congregation of Reyer's church contains the fol- 
 lowing grievances: 
 
 1. That Do. Wittner is always late when he has to preach 
 for them on Sunday afternoons. 
 
 2. That he does not give sufficient catechetical instruction, 
 doing so only three or four times during the year. 
 
 From the examination of this delegate and of Mr. AVittner 
 it appeared that in both points the complaint is without 
 cause, inasmuch as this church is twelve miles (or four Ger- 
 man hours) from the others. Besides this, Reyer's church and 
 IMuddy Creek complain that they could not collect the min- 
 ister's salary this year. Reyer's church gives as a reason 
 for this, its poverty; Muddy Creek has been visited by a 
 destructive hail and all its crops were ruined. 
 
 Resolved, that measures be taken to obviate these complaints. 
 
 Art. VI. Two persons, Jacob "Weimer and Fredrick Faehring 
 appeared, being made willing by the Lord to devote the talents 
 
EECOEDS OF 1768. 269 
 
 entrusted to them to his glory and the upbuilding of our 
 churches. The first is a man forty years of age. He has 
 led a quiet and godly life, having labored unweariedly for 
 seventeen years in this pro\anee with catechizing, teaching 
 school, and reading of sermons to the edification of the 
 people living on the borders, who are shepherdless, desti- 
 tute, and impoverished by the Indian War. By means of 
 these useful labors and through the special help of God, he 
 has gained such a knowledge, that he is able to expound the 
 word of God through his oa\ti meditation, according to the 
 analogy of faith, and to apply it to the edification of souls; 
 a man who has from all good people the testimony of an 
 unfeigned simplicity and godliness. 
 
 The other is a man thirty years of age, whom God's provid- 
 ence deprived of his father during the early years of his 
 life, he thus becoming an orphan and a servant of others. 
 But God himself, in a special manner taking his father's 
 place, directed him so that he applied whatever he earned 
 in the sweat of his brow, with an extraordinary and voluntary 
 desire, to the study of languages and the truths which God 
 has revealed for our salvation. With this desire he went to 
 Princeton, where a college had been established. Through 
 a teacher in that College he became acquainted with Mr. 
 Du Bois, and through him with the members of Coetus. We 
 felt compelled to aid this man according to our ability and each 
 minister gave him something for maintenance and support, 
 so that through God's grace he might attain his object. It 
 is now more than three years that he has been receiving in- 
 struction with good success from Do. Alsentz, afterwards 
 from Do. AVeyberg, and at present from Do. Pomp, in langu- 
 ages and sciences, and now presents himself to Coetus for 
 examination. 
 
 This matter was fully considered by the whole Coetus, with 
 regard to the one as well as the other of these persons. And 
 hoping for the kind forbearance of the Synods and Classis 
 it was resolved that Jacob Weimer be examined, and the 
 other be given a preliminary examination and, according to 
 the result, undergo a final examination at another time. This 
 matter was entrusted by Coetus to Dos, Pomp, Henop and 
 Gros, after which the third session closed. 
 
270 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 SESSION IV. 8 o'clock a. M. SEPTEMBER 9tH. 
 
 Art. 1. The examiners made a unanimous and circum- 
 stantial report regarding the examen and tentamen. Jacob 
 Weimer gave his examiners a full and unexpected satisfaction 
 in both dogmatic and practical theology. Mr. Faehring 
 showed good progress, and satisfied his examiners very well. 
 
 Thereupon it was resolved to recommend these persons in the 
 most humble manner to the Christian Synods. And as 
 Coetus has the fullest assurance of the Christian zeal of the 
 Reverend Fathers for the extension of the Kingdom of Christ 
 in these lands, of which it has recently been convinced to its 
 greatest joy by the Synodical and Classical communications, 
 therefore an examination has been appointed for Frederick 
 Faehring in the approaching spring, the examiners being Dos. 
 Du Bois, Weyberg, Pomp and Faber, in order that this per- 
 son, as soon as the consent of the Rev. Synods and Classis 
 has been received, may be ordained and be assigned to some 
 vacant congregation. 
 
 The sad and destitute condition of the people on our 
 borders, and their desire for the AYord of God and the seals of 
 grace, which not only they themselves must forego but also 
 their children, and on the other hand the impossibility of 
 coming to their aid with qualified members [of Coetus], has 
 induced Coetus to go a step further in respect to Jacob 
 Weimer. In this we hope for the Christian indulgence of 
 the Rev. Synods and Classis. It was unanimously resolved 
 to grant him ordination, and to commend him most strongly 
 for favorable reception into the Coetus. 
 
 Art. 2. AVilliam Bausman, a delegate from Lancaster, in 
 behalf of a part of the said congregation, brought com- 
 plaints against Do. Hendel, their minister. 
 
 Mr. Pomp took the President's place. 
 
 1. The first complaint consisted of this, that he did not 
 visit the school often enough, nor examine the children. Do. 
 Hendel showed in his reply that he neglects nothing in this 
 respect, in so far as his duties and the necessary visitation 
 of the congregation permit. He offered to make a visit of 
 that kind each week if possible. The delegate is satisfied 
 with this. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1768. 271 
 
 2. The delegate took up another complaint, that catechizing 
 is not held every Sunday. Do. Ilendel showed in his reply 
 that a necessary supply of the congregation in Pequea, (which 
 must take place monthly on Sunday afternoons) and the 
 \'isitation of the congregation at Tulpehocken, enjoined upon 
 him by Coetus, had prevented him from holding catechization 
 every Sunday. 
 
 Resolved, that if in the first case the catechization cannot 
 be held in the afternoon the congregation must be satisfied 
 to have this loss made up by a catechization in the morning. 
 Both parties agreed to this. 
 
 3. [He complained] tliat by serving the congregation at 
 Pequea, the congregation in Lancaster is made to suffer. If 
 this congregation were not supplied [by Do. Ilendel] they 
 would be compelled to unite ^^'ith Lancaster, and thus united, 
 give them their assistance. They therefore request Coetus to 
 forbid Do. Ilendel engaging in this service. Do. Hendel stated 
 that it appeared to him very unreasonable that persons who 
 live over twelve miles from the city, (among whom are 
 found many aged, infirm and poor, and particularly a large 
 number of children, who cannot come to the city,) should in 
 this way be deprived of the opportunity for edification ; more- 
 over he offered to share the extra salary which is paid by these 
 people with the congregation in Lancaster, or to give it up 
 to them entirely. 
 
 Resolved, that if the half of said extra salary be sufficient 
 to compensate him for his trouble and expenses, then the 
 other half might be given as a favor to the congregation in 
 Lancaster. 
 
 The parties again gave their consent to this. 
 
 4. It was asserted by the delegate that the pastor kept many 
 children from the Lord's Supper. Do. Ilendel contends that 
 this has never happened except for the weightiest reasons. It 
 was concluded, (1) that Do. Hendel shall, like every minister, 
 act in this matter after the conviction of his owti conscience. 
 (2) That the officers of the church shall sustain him in this. 
 
 Then Do. Hendel presented the grievances which he had 
 against the congregation, or rather against a portion thereof : 
 
 1. That the things which were invented by certain persons 
 were presented as grievances of the whole congregation. 
 
272 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 2. That certain reflations, of which a copy lay before 
 the Coetiis, were arbitrarily made for the minister by a 
 part of the congregation and were accepted or subscribed 
 to by only 27 members, in which among other things it was 
 specified, that the minister shall supply no other congrega- 
 tion, that the congregation in certain cases has even the right 
 and power to dismiss the minister, and other things besides, 
 which have reference to the complaints brought forward. 
 
 It was concluded, (1) this action of the congregation was 
 contrary to the Netherland Church-order. A like de- 
 cision had been given in the case of the action of the con- 
 gregation against Do. Otterbein. 
 
 (2) The congregation was admonished to apply to the 
 Coetus in such eases. 
 
 Art. 3. By majority of votes it was determined to hold the 
 next Coetus in Germantown. It was appointed for the 3rd 
 Wednesday of September, 1769. 
 
 Thus drawn up in our Coetal assembly, held in Easton, in 
 Northampton County, on September 7-9, 1768. 
 
 In witness thereof confirmed by our own signatures given 
 at Easton, the 9th of September, 1768. 
 William Bausman, W. Hendel, p. t. Pres., 
 
 Christopher Dieckenschiedt, John Ph. Leydich, p.t. Clerk, 
 GoDFRiED Knauss, J. D. Gros, Clerk, 
 
 Peter Kocher, Fred. Lud. Henop, 
 
 John Fink, N. Pomp, 
 
 Martin Scheir, Conrad Bucher, 
 
 Matthew Seiler, John G. Wittner, 
 
 Philip Gruenewald, Christopher Gobrecht, 
 
 Abraham Jung, John Theobald Faber, 
 
 Frederick Dalliker. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1768. 
 (Hague 92, B. 90.) 
 
 Very Eeverend, Very Learned Sim, Very Venerable Fathers in Christ : 
 
 Your highly esteemed favors, dated The Hague, July 2d, 1767, have 
 safely come to haud. Their contents were carefully considered. It 
 was thereupon resolved to answer and duly present the following: 
 
 We are heartily glad. Very Eeverend Sirs, to have won your approval 
 by having the Acts of our Coetus also authorized by the Bignatures of 
 the elders. On the other hand, we regret to hear that we were not so 
 fortunate in the other point, respecting the admission of the elders 
 to the distribution of the charitable donations. We beg you there- 
 fore, Very Eeverend Sirs, to take the following remarks into kind 
 consideration, and to receive them favorably as motives of our actions 
 in this matter, also to favor us with your opinion on them. 
 
 We take it for granted that all the resolutions of the Christian 
 Synods relating to our church in Pennsylvania are meant for the wel- 
 fare of the same, and to this end we deem it our duty always to obey 
 and execute them to the best of our ability. But whenever we have 
 reason to believe that this purpose would not be realized, but rather 
 be thwarted, we consider it to be our duty to take exception, to state 
 our reasons for doing so, and to submit them to your profound wis- 
 dom and experience. Of this nature is the article on which you were 
 pleased to express your disapprobation. 
 
 Our congregations are poor, some more, some less so; the churches 
 and school buildings are dependent on the congregations. Ministers 
 and school teachers must live on voluntary contributions. The in- 
 habitants of the country are accustomed to great liberty in every 
 respect, and in no respect are they more inclined to abuse it than in 
 matters relating to churches and divine worship. To this must be 
 added an ignorance which in many persons seems incurable. There ia 
 no bond between the ministers and their congregations save the bond 
 of love, and — alas, that we must say it — with many the fear of losing 
 their minister, which awakens in both a desire to secure to the 
 minister the payment of his salary. But what would they do if they 
 had the written assurance before them that, what they could not raise 
 for the minister, would be made up by you, Very Reverend Sirs? 
 Would there be one congregation that would give to its minister what it 
 gives him now? Would not all congregations demand a supplementa- 
 tion, or else regard their ministers as treated inferior to others? 
 What sums would thus be required in order that ministers might be able 
 to live? You cannot be ignorant of the fact. Very Eeverend Sirs, that 
 great pains have been taken on the part of the ministers to bring 
 
 18 ( 273 ) 
 
274 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 about such an arrangement that in the future, as yoa repeatedly and 
 expressly demanded, a full salary might be secured.* This we can 
 not as yet accomplish as we would wish, although two, three, four 
 and more congregations have to be served at the same time by one min- 
 ister, and many a preacher has to serve on Sunday two churches that 
 are located seven, ten and even twelve miles apart. From the list 
 showing the distribution of the donations you have no doubt seen 
 that nothing was given to the ministers, and that this act, of which 
 you, Very Reverend Sirs, were pleased to complain, was not inspired 
 by selfish motives, though all ministers were in need of assistance. 
 Moreover it is difficult to keep the elders together long enough to act 
 upon the other matters. From our Acts of the present year you may 
 see that two days and a half were thus spent. The remainder of the 
 third day was taken up with the discussion of the letters of the Chris- 
 tian Synods and the Classis of Amsterdam. The ciders, as well as 
 most of the ministers, would have been compelled to remain over 
 Sunday, at the expense of their respective congregations, in Easton or 
 in other places on the way. Not to mention the fact that the do- 
 mestic circumstances of most of them demanded their speedy dismissal. 
 We are so far from denying to the elders the proper authority ac- 
 corded to them by the Netherland church-order that on the contrary, 
 we recognize them in every respect, as our Acts prove, as an integral 
 part of the Coetus. But in the consideration of the correspondence and 
 distribution of your charitable donations we hope that the Christian 
 Synods will permit an exception and give us the pleasure of securing 
 your consent if, according to the best of our knowledge and ability, 
 we prove the fidelity required of stewards even with regard to your 
 charitable donations by rendering an accurate report and account of 
 their distribution. 
 
 1. The gratification which you. Very Eeverend Sirs, expressed re- 
 specting the first fmits of our congregations was very encouraging 
 to us. We regard this as the only means by which we can live up 
 to the duties of our oflice and to our obligations to you, when we put 
 forth all our strength to urge upon our members the inner Christian 
 life and to prove by our conduct the necessity of the new birth. 
 
 2. The particulars of the extravagances of Mr. Zufall were reported 
 in the Acts of last year's Coetus, and thus we trust that the request 
 of the Christian Synods has been duly answered. 
 
 3. The congregation of Frederick is again vacant through the de- 
 parture of Do. Lange. We must consider this step as somewhat 
 arbitrary, and we are waiting for fuller explanation from Mr. Lange 
 himself of the particular causes and circumstances so that we can 
 send a detailed report of the case to the Christian Synods. 
 
 * The salary as originally fixed by the Synods was 450 guilders, but 
 for several years an attempt had been made to secure £75 Pennsylvania 
 currency for all the ministers of the Coetus, see Minutes of 1766, p. 247. 
 
BECOEDS OF 1768. 275 
 
 4. The remark which was made with regard to the request of the 
 congregation of Conococheague we shall follow in similar cases. 
 
 5. Old and New Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp are served by 
 Mr. Faber. 
 
 6. We wish that we may be fortunate enough in the future, in our 
 style of writing, to give no cause for displeasure, so that the sin- 
 cerity of our hearts may be judged from our words. 
 
 7. We are heartily glad that the request of the Coetiis respecting 
 Messrs. Bucher, Gobrecht and Gros, has met with a favorable reception. 
 Your fatherly kindness and care for our poor congregations has in- 
 spired us anew with respect, love and gratitude. We thank the Lord 
 for this encouragement and admire his goodness in furnishing ua again 
 with persons whom we can confidently recommend to your fatherly care 
 and protection. These are Christopher Faber, Jacob Weimer, and 
 Frederick Faehring, as mentioned in the Acts. We never entertained 
 the thought of exalting ourselves by said request. We wish to remain 
 in subordination to the Christian Synods and Classis of Amsterdam, 
 wherein we were placed by the Lord, and we humbly await special 
 permission to examine and ordain in the name of the Christian Synods 
 and Classis, suitable persons in case of necessity. "WTiat you. Very 
 Eeverend Sirs, mention of the days of Mr. Schlatter is very true. But 
 so many congregations have been founded since that time, and are still 
 being founded, which discharge their adventurers and seek properly 
 authorized ministers, that with the blessing of the Lord the whole 
 province and the principal places of the other provinces could, in a few 
 years, be fiUl of numerous and well organized congregations, if there 
 were sufficient ministers. There are less ministers at present in pro- 
 portion to the congregations than at that time [Schlatter's] and it 
 seems to us. Very Eeverend Sirs, that it would be safer for you to vest 
 such authority in a corporate body, such as our Coetus is, than in a 
 single man who might abuse this authority at will. 
 
 8. We greatly fear that through the regulations which you. Very 
 Eeverend Sirs, were pleased to make respecting the distribution of 
 charitable donations, discontent may arise among the members of the 
 Coetus, if the distribution according to this plan is to be left to the 
 Coetus. We think that this might be avoided if you, Very Eeverend 
 Sirs, would specify the persons or places that are to receive your chari- 
 table donations, or if the Coetus were at liberty to continue their 
 distribution in equal parts. It has not yet been possible to make an 
 accurate calculation as to the amount of each minister 's salary, partly 
 because not all the ministers were present, and partly because none 
 would like to appear in the light of having demanded more than his 
 brethren. (Moreover, because even in this point a change takes place 
 according to the nature of the times.) There is a truly fraternal 
 harmony among the members of the Coetus, for which we sincerely 
 thank the Lord; and there is not one among us who would not will- 
 ingly sacrifice a private advantage to the common welfare of the 
 
276 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Church. The salaries are not equal, but the exertion and the cost 
 of living are also very unequal. In the towns the expenses of living 
 are high. In the country, where a minister has four or more con- 
 gregations, and where, on Sundays, he has to hold services in two 
 churches which are seven, ten and even twelve miles ajjart, the riding 
 horses and the clothing (of which latter not enough can be provided 
 on account of the narrow and overgrown roads), take away the greater 
 part of the salary. Hence there are very few, if any, who notwith- 
 standing the most rigorous economizing can keep clear of debt. And 
 hence a fatherly contribution to each one would be weU bestowed. We 
 shall take care to furnish you, Very Eeverend Sirs, with a list of the 
 salaries before the next Coetus meets. 
 
 9. We return our humble thanks for the charitable donations with 
 which the Christian Synods have again gladdened our church in Penn- 
 sylvania. They have safely reached our hands, partly by drafts, 
 partly by checks to Dos. Weyberg and Otterbein. We hope that in 
 distributing the same we have carried out the intentions of the Chris- 
 tian Synods and Classis, and we look forward to your kind approval. 
 
 10. Do. Bartholomaeus died July 28th, 1768. Do. Alsentz, mourned 
 by his brethren and congregations, fell asleep in the Lord, October 
 25th, 1767. 
 
 11. The distribution of the charitable donations took place as follows: 
 
 £ s. d. 
 Cost of supporting Do. Bartholomaeus until his, death, 
 
 according to receipts 40 1.5 
 
 Funeral expenses 3 
 
 Paid to two viddows 11 
 
 To Mr. Wittner for his congregations, which were visited 
 
 by hail 18 14 9 
 
 To Mr, Otterbein, in consideration of the poverty of his 
 York congregation, and his great expenses by the long 
 illness and death of his wife, the 50 guilders (florins) 
 
 assigned to him were paid over 7 2 10 
 
 Expenses at the Coetus 1 5 3 
 
 The balance was left in the hands of Mr, Weyberg, to be 
 
 expended until next Coetus 10 19 3 
 
 12. We regret that so many scattered and shepherdless sheep in 
 Virginia and Maryland should be without your fatherly care. We pray 
 and implore the Lord of harvests that it may please him to incline 
 your hearts. Very Eeverend Sirs, toward so many poor people and 
 to make you the blessed instruments of hia will, in order to dis- 
 seminate the gospel of peace even in those regions, and to send 
 faithful laborers into that wild and extensive vineyard. 
 
 From New Lueneburg, a town in Nova Scotia, we receive the most 
 piteous appeals and requests for a regular minister. Eighty families 
 have not had the Word of God preached and the symbols and seals of 
 the covenant administered to them for seventeen years, and their 
 children grow up without being instructed in the mysteries of salvation. 
 
RECOUDS OF 1768. 277 
 
 13. We eagerly await the good resiJt of jour efforts, Very Reverend 
 Sirs, to send us the desired three ministers. We find ourselves com- 
 pelled to ask for three or four suitable persons in addition. May the 
 Lord, who walks amid the candlesticks [Eev. ii. 1] bless your 
 fatherly endeavors, in order that you may find such persons who 
 will become hallowed instrimients for his glory and for building up 
 our Church. 
 
 Besides we recommend to you. Very Reverend Sirs, the pastorless 
 congregations : 
 
 1. Tulpehocken, Kaemerling, Muehlbach, Bethel. 
 
 2. Reading. 
 
 3. GermantOTTn. 
 
 4. Saueon and Springfield. 
 
 5. Frederick. 
 
 6. Lebanon, Quitopehilla, Heidelberg, White Oaks and Rapho. 
 
 We wish that Virginia, Maryland and Nova Scotia be taken to heart. 
 
 14. The request of the congregation in Philadelphia is no act in 
 which the Coetus was implicated. We thank you. Very Reverend Sirs, 
 for your kind information respecting that matter. 
 
 15. We regret that we are still unable fully to answer the question 
 whether all the ministers in Pennsylvania conform to the ISTetherland 
 Church-order because many prea<:-hers are not familiar with the 
 Netherland Church-order, which is not to be had in this country. We 
 can assure you, however, that we heartily wish to conform as closely as 
 possible in this point to your desire. Dos. Hendel, Gros, Faber, 
 Wittner, Gobrecht, Bucher, and perhaps some others are not in pos- 
 session of copies of the Church-order. 
 
 The detailed circumstances of many ministers can not be given, be- 
 cause there is at present no good opportunity of sending letters. 
 
 Statistics of the congregations and the location of the pastors, are 
 as follows: 
 
278 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Weyberg 
 Du Bois 
 Hendel 
 Pomp . 
 
 Otterbein 
 Henop . 
 Faber . 
 
 Gros lives at J 
 Whitehall. 1 
 
 Leidig . . . < 
 
 Bucher , 
 
 AVittner . . - 
 
 Dalliker 
 
 Waldschmidt 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 Philadelphia 
 
 Keeps his former congreg. 
 North and Southampton. 
 Lancaster 
 
 1. New Hanover 
 
 2. Vincent 
 
 1. York 
 
 2. Paradise, and 3. Kreutz- 
 creek, are two small congr, 
 
 1. Easton 
 
 2. Dryland 
 
 3. Plainfield 
 
 4. Greenwich 
 
 1. Old Goshenhoppen . . . 
 
 2. New Goshenhoppen . . . 
 
 3. Great Swamp 
 
 1- Egypt 
 
 2. Schlosser's 
 
 3. Jordan 
 
 4. Allentown 
 
 1. Coventry 
 
 2. Upper Milford 
 
 1. Carlisle. 
 
 2. Falling Spring 
 
 3. Maytown 
 
 4. Middletown 
 
 5. Hummelstown. .... 
 
 6. Donegal. 
 
 P5 
 
 150 90! . 
 
 I 
 
 OJ 
 
 120 
 
 56' 
 
 82 
 
 100 
 
 30' 
 
 24 
 
 40 
 
 20; 
 
 80 
 
 50 
 
 26! 
 
 12 
 
 20 
 
 
 1 Fa 
 
 41 
 
 
 1 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 1 
 
 
 30 
 
 ) 
 
 
 90 
 
 Uo 
 
 22 
 
 30 
 
 1 
 
 
 20 
 
 9 
 
 ^ 
 
 25 
 
 18 
 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 Ml 
 
 30 
 
 17 
 
 
 1. Cocalico. . . 
 
 2. Maid en creek. 
 
 3. Seltenreich. . 
 
 4. Beyer's. . . . 
 
 1. Amwell. . ■ 
 
 2. Bethlehem. . 
 
 3. Rockaway. . . 
 
 4. Foxhill. . . . 
 
 5. Valley. . . . 
 Bern 
 
 2. Muddy Creek. 
 
 > I No report. 
 
 1 
 I 
 !■ No report. 
 
 No report. 
 
 1 90-100 
 1 70 
 40-50 
 
 ] Each Sunday two 
 of these congr. 
 have preaching 
 services. 
 
 In each congre- 
 gation is one 
 winter school. 
 Two cong. are 
 served every 
 Lord's Day. 
 
 ^ i No report. 
 
 J 
 
 j- No report. 
 
 We commend ourselves and our congregations to your fatherly care 
 and favor and remain, with profound respect and affection, 
 
 Very Eeverend and Highly Honored Sirs and Beloved Fathers in 
 Christ, 
 
 Your most dutiful and submissive servants. 
 In the name of all 
 
 W. Hendel, p. t. President. 
 J. D. Gros, p. t. Secretary. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1769. 
 (Hague 92, B. 93.) 
 
 MINUTES OP THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVxVNIA, HELD IN GERMAN- 
 TOWN, SEPTEMBER 20 AND 21, 1769. 
 
 Very Worthy, Very Learned, Highly Honored and Greatly 
 
 Beloved Fathers in Christ: 
 
 Since now again in the kind providence of our God, we 
 have met as a Coetus, we have not wished to neglect the duty 
 we owe in preparing the Minutes, and to commend them to 
 your Reverences for a favorable reception. The ministers 
 who are qualified members of the Coetus all appeared in 
 Germantown at the appointed time, each with an elder duly 
 authorized by his congregation. The names of these ministers 
 are: Gros, (President,) Leidich, Waldschmidt, Otterbein, Du 
 Bois, Weyberg, Hendel, Henop, Faber, Gobrecht, Bucher, 
 Wittner, Daliker and Pomp, (Secretary). 
 
 After Coetus had been opened wdth a very edifying sermon, 
 by Do. Gros in the Germantown church, on the words of 
 Matthew ix. 37-38, at 10 o'clock in the morning, nothing 
 else was done at the end of the service but to elect, by a 
 majority of votes, Do. Gros as President, and the writer of 
 this as Secretary. 
 
 SESSION I. 2 o'clock p. m. 
 I. First of all each minister Avas separately asked for the 
 blessing and fruit of his office. And although each one had 
 much to complain on this subject, yet there was none who, 
 in his opinion, had labored entirely without a blessing, the 
 one more, the other less. To judge of the spiritual condition 
 of our people, and to say Avith certainty how far the Lord 
 has come with his grace upon them, is a difficult matter for 
 ns. Yet we can report as certain, that here and there in 
 our congregations are many people of whom, to all appear- 
 ance, we may entertain good hopes. These people are dis- 
 tinguished in many things from the rude, worldly crowd. 
 They are honest and modest in the heavy labor of their busi- 
 
 (279) 
 
280 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ness ; they abhor the scandalous conduct of other people with 
 whom we come in frequent contact. They love their ministers 
 and make sacrifices for their support; they come diligently 
 to the place of public worship where they show themselves 
 devout and eager to learn ; and sometimes are found to have 
 family devotion. What more shall we say of these people? 
 Indeed we can not affirm that they all belong to the elect 
 people of God, in whom the Lord has begun the work of his 
 grace, but often we must see with pain and sorrow, here and 
 there, some among them who in times of temptation do not 
 stand the test but conform to the evil world. Nevertheless, 
 we also know to our comfort that here and there some do not 
 allow themselves to be overcome in temptation, but show their 
 faith by their fruits. 
 
 Those who are public evil-doers, and who thereby give of- 
 fense, are excommunicated according to God 's Word, but only 
 from the use of the Holy Sacraments, as long as they show 
 no true amendment. Those who have been excommunicated, 
 for the most part, come back to us again after some time, and 
 willingly subject themselves to our church discipline. 
 
 Church discipline is indeed a matter until now of great 
 difficulty, especially in congregations which are still very 
 weak and poor. If any one is excommunicated in such a con- 
 gregation he is usually obstinate under it, and he liesitates 
 often a vei*y long time before he consents to join again and 
 contribute by his person and conduct to the maintenance of 
 the congregation. For this reason the support of congrega- 
 tional work presses so much the heavier upon the others. 
 
 II. As regards the harmony between the ministers and their 
 congregations, Do. Gros, as President, put the question first 
 to each minister whether he lived in quietness and peace with 
 the congregation to which he was appointed. After that a 
 similar question was put to the delegated elder, whether the 
 congregations were really satisfied with their pastors. How 
 this question was answered, and what resolutions were passed 
 by Coetus appears from the following items : 
 
 a. The ministers who, in reply to the question submitted 
 to them, had no complaints against their congregations, were : 
 Dos. Du Bois, Weyberg, Otterbein, Waldschmidt, Leidieh, 
 Faber, Pomp and Bucher. Each of their delegated elders 
 
BECOEDS OF 1769. 281 
 
 likewise stated that the congregations under their care were 
 satisfied with them. 
 
 b. The ministers who had complaints and against whom 
 also complaints were made are: 
 
 1. Do. Hendel, who np to this time was located in Lancaster, 
 complained that there were seven or eight men, some of them 
 officers of the congregation and all of them self-willed and 
 obstinate men, who in a very rude manner found fault with 
 the best and most sincere performance of his duties, and 
 thereby constantly caused him vexation. The delegated elder 
 from Lancaster testified that Do. Ilendel not only expressed by 
 these complaints the feelings of the majority of the congre- 
 gation, but had also conducted himself in his office without 
 giving offense, as becomes a true minister of God's word. 
 
 These charges against Do. Hendel, which even in the pre- 
 xious year occupied much space in the Minutes of our Coetus, 
 were therefore at this time unexepected to us and very un- 
 pleasant. We resolved to offer him another charge and at 
 first thought that he would be a proper person for the con- 
 gregation in Frederick [Md.]. But since this congregation 
 had forwarded to the Reverend Coetus a call for Do. Henop, 
 and Do. Hendel declared that he had no inclination to go to 
 Frederick, as a large part of that congregation had been very 
 much against his brother-in-law, Mr. Otterbein, it was to b@ 
 feared that these people on account of his friendship ^vith 
 Mr. Otterbein, might dislike him. therefore we proposed to 
 Do. Hendel the congregations at Tulpehocken, which for want 
 of a faithful shepherd have been for a long time in great 
 peril. But Do. Hendel, who did not like to leave Lancaster, 
 because he himself knew how acceptable his ministry had been 
 up to this time to the largest part of the congregation and 
 might continue to be, — took this proposal into consideration 
 for several hours; and after several hours had elapsed de- 
 clared that he accepted the proposed charge at Tulpehocken. 
 We were much pleased with this, and at the same time we 
 sent a communication to the congregation in Lancaster, to this 
 effect, that Do. Hendel according to the resolution of Coetus, 
 on account of said complaints, would leave Lancaster, and for 
 the future had been assigned to the congregations of Tulpe- 
 hocken, and that the congregation in Lancaster now had 
 
282 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 permission to call another minister, but one who is a mem- 
 ber of the Reverend Coetus, We trust that these almost 
 ruined congregations in Tulpehocken, through the ministry 
 of Do. tlendel may again reach a blessed state of prosperity, 
 2. Do. Henop, who hitherto has served the congregations in 
 and about Easton, and has conducted himself during that 
 time so well that no one knows anyhing else of him except 
 what tends to his praise and conduces to our satisfaction, 
 complains on two points : 
 
 (1) About the great difficulties of his work, since on Sun- 
 day he has to ride nearly thirty miles and preach twice be- 
 sides, without counting the many difficult journeys which 
 frequently occur during the week. It can easily be inferred 
 that by reason of these fatiguing journeys a man not only 
 injures his health but must often neglect the necessary study. 
 
 (2) Do. Henop complains secondly of the unbelief and 
 scoffing at religion. These are the tares which the enemy 
 has sown in and about Easton, so that one is compelled to 
 endure not only much ridicule directed against our most holy 
 faith, but worse than all, to observe that here and there even 
 some members of the church are led astray by it. Although 
 Do. Henop has for some years opposed this evil ^vith all 
 diligence and courage, those members who had been misled 
 have not yet been won back. The remainder, who after all 
 constitute the majority, Do. Henop regards as people to whom 
 his teaching and faithful admonitions have been blessed, so 
 that they zealously labor with him against unbelief, and also 
 in many other respects prove themselves to be true Christians. 
 The delegated elder from Easton was questioned about this, 
 and testified that these complaints and representations of 
 Do. Henop were true, and that it Avould be a great loss to tlie 
 congregation there if they would have to give him up. 
 
 The case of Do. Henop was immediately taken up, and 
 with regard to it Coetus resolved to advise him to accept the 
 call of the congregation in Frederick, of which mention was 
 previously made. Do. Henop, who had been informed of this 
 call sometime before, and consequently had been able carefully 
 to consider the whole matter, immediately resolved to accept 
 the call. We were pleased that the congregation in Frederick 
 will now be provided with a competent pastor. 
 
RECORDS OF 1769. 283 
 
 Then there arose the question, how the congregation [in and 
 about Easton] should henceforth be cared for. This question 
 was also satisfactorily settled, in that a candidate of theology, 
 by the name of Pithan, had arrived this year * from Germany 
 in order, as he states, to visit some of his friends. He is from 
 the Palatinate, has studied at Heidelberg, and according to 
 credible testimonials has also been examined and ordained by 
 the Palatinate Consistory. Inasmuch as this person possesses 
 excellent proficiency in theology, and also very fine gifts of de- 
 livery, which are necessary for a minister of the Divine Word, 
 and applied to some members of the Reverend Coetus, for per- 
 mission to engage in preaching here and there for a time; 
 therefore it was resolved to gratify his wish, and to arrange 
 that he be recommended with the necessary instructions and 
 admonitions to the congregations at Easton, which has been 
 done. "With regard to this candidate we believe that we could 
 not have done anything better. If Mr. Pithan were a man 
 who might prove unworthy, he would quickly have forced 
 himself upon a congregation, and would have done our church 
 more injury than he can do now. For if he does not conduct 
 himself properly we can easily stop his ministry at Easton, 
 since these congregations are under the jurisdiction of the 
 Coetus; but should he conduct himself as a true minister of 
 God's Word, as from all appearances may be expected of 
 him, then we wish also to recommend him to our greatly be- 
 loved and honored Fathers in Holland. 
 
 3. Do. Gros, who is much beloved by the Reverend Coetus 
 as well as by his charge at Whitehall, this year received a 
 regular call from two large congregations, at Saucon and 
 Springfield, which last year already were commended to the 
 Reverend Fathers. Do. Gros showed considerable inclination 
 to accept this call, and complained especially on account of 
 the unfitness of his present dwelling at Whitehall.** He lives 
 in a very poor building, also at a place where no wholesome 
 water can be had; which to a minister in this country, who 
 
 * John William Pythan took the oath of allegiance at Philadelphia on 
 September 1, 1769. 
 
 ** In the year 1767 the four congregations of the charge bought 6 
 acres and a parsonage for £152, see Skizzen aus dem Lecha Thai., p. 14. 
 
284 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 has nothing to drink but water, may be a chief caus6 for com- 
 plaint, especially in the hot summer days, when through bad 
 water one 's health can easily be impaired. 
 
 The delegate from Whitehall was questioned concerning 
 this and replied that the congregations at Wliitehall were 
 well satisfied with Do. Gros, and that they would be sorely 
 grieved if they were forced to lose him. 
 
 We resolved to leave this matter to the decision of Do. 
 Gros, that he may determine for himself whether he could 
 leave the charge which he has hitherto had, and accept the 
 call to Saucon and Springfield. 
 
 Do. Gros thereupon declared, that the separation from 
 Wliitehall would be very hard for him, because he well knew 
 that his ministry among them had been blessed by the Lord 
 to the good of many souls, and for the future even more was 
 to be expected; that therefore he could not leave these con- 
 gregations unless Coetus would recommend to them in his 
 place the first capable minister whom the Reverend Fathers 
 might send over. This request was granted in the hope that 
 the congregations at Whitehall would see to it that their future 
 pastor need not make such complaints. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 8 A. M., SEPTEMBER 21ST. 
 
 1. Do. Daliker is accused by two men delegated from the 
 congregation in Am well of drunkenness, of wasteful house- 
 keeping and other frivolous conduct such as accompanies the 
 vice of drunkenness. He strongly contradicted his accusers 
 declaring that their charges were not based on truth. But 
 it now appears that he was accused not without cause, hence 
 the Reverend Coetus resolved to make a local investigation, 
 in order to learn of this matter with more certainty. The 
 ministers appointed for this purpose were: Dos. Du Bois,Wey- 
 berg and Henop, who immediately after the adjournment of 
 Coetus went to Amwell, where they found it advisable to call 
 a meeting of the entire congregation. After Do. Weyberg 
 had preached to the congregation, the investigation took place, 
 at which the members of the congregation declared nothing 
 else than all that which they had already brought up before 
 Coetus as complaints, and even worse offenses had been com- 
 mitted by him. Do. Daliker then completely ceased his min- 
 
BECOEDS OF 1769. 285 
 
 istrations at Amwell. He now serves three other congrega- 
 tions, wliich hitherto were united with Amwell, namely, Rocka- 
 Avay, Bethlehem, and Foxhill or Valley, which congregations 
 through delegated elders brought testimonials before Coetus, 
 declaring that they were still well satisfied with him. Under 
 these circumstances we do not find it advisable for the pres- 
 ent to do anything further. We prefer, with fear and pa- 
 tience, to await further development. 
 
 II. Do. Wittner, who serves four congregations in Cocalico 
 and its neighborhood was accused by his delegated elder in 
 the following particulars : 
 
 1. That he was accustomed to come late to church. 
 
 2. That during last summer he had neglected the instruction 
 of the children. 
 
 3. That he made no house-visitations, and was in general 
 very negligent in the duties of his office, to the injury of the 
 congi-egations. 
 
 Do. Wittner disputed tliese accusations and stated, that 
 especially two congregations remained far behind in the pay- 
 ment of his salary, and in consequence he had been in want 
 of many things, which had made the performance of his 
 duties severe and distressing. We gave Do. Wittner the 
 necessary admonitions and censured him for his negligence, 
 but as he made far-reaching denials of the said complaints, 
 we deemed it necessary to make a local inquiry through Dos. 
 Hendel and Buclier, which has already been done. 
 
 Do. Hendel afterwards reported that the charges against 
 Wittner were found to be in his congregations as they were 
 represented before Coetus. Besides Do. Wittner is known 
 among us as a person who for many years already has been 
 affected with melancholy, which ailment seems to be incur- 
 able, and makes him more and more unfit for the office of a 
 minister. We are therefore much concerned about him but 
 for the present can do nothing else for him.* 
 
 III. Do. Lange, who left Frederick in 1768, and went to 
 Virginia, where he settled according to his o^vn pleasure among 
 the scattered congregations, has again been compelled, as we 
 
 * For a much better judgment on Do. Wittner, see Coetal letter of 
 1773. "' " '"^ 
 
286 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 learn, to leave on account of his scandalous conduct. The 
 congregations there, which he served for some time, in a 
 letter rendered us a detailed account of the matter. From 
 this letter we learn that Do. Lange by his administration of 
 the Sacraments scandalized the people. He refused to bap- 
 tize any child unless he was previously paid. He adminis- 
 tered the Lord's Supper to unchaste persons, without the 
 previous ecclesiastical censure, to which they had exposed 
 themselves. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus knows not what else to do in this 
 matter than to count Lange among the lost brethren. 
 
 IV. Do. Berger, who was excluded from the Coetus last 
 year as an unworthy member, with the assurance that he 
 would be admitted again as soon as he Avould show true 
 amendment of life, has since served a congregation near 
 Reading in the mountains (where he also lives with his 
 family in great misery.) This congregation however has 
 never belonged to Coetus, and has never had a regular min- 
 ister. Mr. Berger came to us at Germantown with the re- 
 quest that we would restore him again to his former stand- 
 ing, and see to it that he might be recommended to another 
 place where he could make a better living. But inasmuch 
 as he has not yet given any proof of a true amendment of 
 life but has rather persisted in his scandalous conduct, which 
 to our sorrow is too well known in this country, therefore 
 nothing could be done on our part except to compassionate 
 him and give him well-meant admonitions to mend his course 
 of life. 
 
 V. Do. Zufall has not reported to Coetus for the last 
 three years. We have learned that he was married in the 
 past year. His wife, however, has left him. We cannot state 
 with certainty where he is living at present. 
 
 THIRD SESSION. 2 P. M. 
 
 1. Do. Otterbein informed Coetus that he intended to re- 
 turn to Germany next spring, in order to see and visit his 
 friends there. He has not yet made up his mind whether 
 he will come back or not. Meanwhile he earnestly urges that 
 the congregation which he is obliged to leave may be pro- 
 vided with a regular pastor in his absence. 
 
BECOEDS OF 1769. 287 
 
 2. The Reverend Coetus did not object to this intended 
 trip, but wished him a safe journey. To supply the church 
 in York, Do. Gobrecht came into consideration, who complains 
 of some members of his congregation at Tohickon, that they 
 very unjustly despise him in his ministerial office. So much 
 is true, that he shows himself in his conduct and in the per- 
 formance of his duties very faithful and diligent, according 
 to the measure of the gifts bestowed upon him by God. But 
 because he has to endure much from some obstinate members, 
 he manifested an inclination to accept the place in York 
 if Do. Otterbein does not change his plan of going to Ger- 
 many. Do. Gobrecht later changed his mind and will re- 
 main at Tohickon. What Do. Otterbein mil now do re- 
 mains to be seen. 
 
 3. Do. Faber, who for some time ministered to the con- 
 gregation in Germantown, and last year accepted a call to 
 Baltimore with our consent and recommendation, and there 
 ministers to two congregations, one in Baltimore and one on 
 the Pipe Creek sent to the Reverend Coetus two written cer- 
 tificates from each of these congregations, stating that Do. 
 Faber not only lived properly but also taught properly, in- 
 samuch as he taught the clear Word of God of the Old and 
 the New Testament faithfully and diligently, so that these 
 congregations are well satisfied with him. 
 
 The Coetus was pleased with this and took no further 
 action in reference to him. We desire for him the favor of 
 the Reverend Fathers in Holland, who have probably received 
 correct information about his conduct in Germany. 
 
 4. Do. Frederick Fairing,* according to the resolution of 
 Coetus passed in the previous year in Easton, was examined 
 last Spring by the Committee appointed for that purpose, 
 Dos. Weyberg, Du Bois and Faber, — and whereas these 
 brethren have found from this examination that he was a 
 man qualified for the ministry, they have also, according to 
 their best judgment, ordained him to the ministry, with the 
 laying on of hands, and assigned him until the next Coetus as 
 minister to the congregations in Germantown, Witpen and 
 Worcester, which greatly desired him. The said Coetus being 
 
 * Spelled th\is in the original by the secretary, Rev. N. Pomp 
 
288 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 now in session in Germantown, and the said three congregations 
 again presenting an urgent call to their beloved Frederick 
 Fairing, of whom they give excellent testimony; therefore 
 we have unanimously resolved to confirm this call, and to 
 order that Do. Fairing should continue to be the pastor of 
 the three congregations in Germantown, Witpen and Wor- 
 cester. However, we are somewhat fearful about this mat- 
 ter, as we have not received any information as yet of the 
 act on the part of the Reverend Fathers of the Holland 
 Synods and Classis of Amsterdam, qualifying him as minister, 
 which qualification we requested last year. Meanwhile there 
 was urgent necessity for taking such a step, because only 
 through such a capable man can the congregations continue to 
 make good progress. We venture to hope therefore, that the 
 Reverend Fathers will evince a kind indulgence with regard 
 to this man, 
 
 5. Regarding Do. Sto}^ who in letters to the Reverend 
 Fathers preferred accusations against us, as we have learned 
 from three letters wliich we have received from the Reverend 
 Fathers since the Coetus held in Lancaster, it was resolved, 
 in answer to the earnest request of the Reverend Fathers, 
 to mention three undeniable, and as w^e think, sufficient rea- 
 sons, why we have not yet received Stoy as a member of 
 Coetus since his last arrival from Germany. 
 
 (1) Do. Stoy, after his return from Germany, did not re- 
 port his presence to Coetus, although the Coetus has been 
 held twice, at v/hich meetings he might have presented him- 
 self,* but it was not done. 
 
 (2) It is also well-knowTi that during that time he lived 
 here as a private person conducting a small business; after 
 that time it once more came into his mind to become a min- 
 ister and without asking our permission he accepted a con- 
 gregation associated with Tulpehocken, which up that time 
 was under our Coetal jurisdiction; and this is the second 
 reason why we did not admit him. 
 
 (3) Mr. Stoy has slandered the Reverend Coetus several 
 times, and even in the presence of two members of Coetus, 
 
 * From this stateinent it appears that Stoy returned from Europe be- 
 fore September, 1767. 
 
RECOBDS OF 1769. 289 
 
 who heard him say: " The ministers in the Coetus are all 
 drunkards and good-for-nothing fellows;" but afterwards he 
 excepted a few, two or three, whom he still regarded as men. 
 However, we can bear such slanders from Stoy with patience. 
 IMoreover he is a man of such character that it is altogether 
 indifferent to us whether we are praised or vituperated by 
 him. We, therefore, trust that the Reverend Fathers of the 
 South and North Holland Synods and Classis of Amster- 
 dam will excuse us with regard to Do, Stoy. 
 
 6. In regard to the ministers who may be sent to us this 
 year by the Reverend Fathers, it was resolved that the first 
 one be sent to Wliitehall, so that Do. Gros may accept his 
 call to Saucon and Springfield; the second whom we expect 
 has been assigned to York in the place of Otterbein or in the 
 place of Do. Gobrecht, if he should accept the call to York 
 before that time, whereof mention was made above. But in 
 case more than two ministers come over, then Dos. Du Bois, 
 Weyberg, Gros, Faber and Pomp, the writer of this, are 
 hereby commissioned to appoint the same to the most suit- 
 able places. 
 
 7. The congregations which at present are in need of min- 
 isters are the following: (1) Saucon and Springfield; (2) 
 Reading, Avhich congregation desires that Do. Bucher may con- 
 tinue supplying them every fortnight, as he began to do this 
 summer, until they secure again a minister who shall reside 
 in Reading; (3) Lancaster, which since the departure of Do. 
 Hendel has not yet expressed to us its desire; (4) Amwell, a 
 large congregation, which has commended itself to our care. 
 However, we do not yet know whether it can contribute the 
 full salary for a minister; (5) Swatara and Conococheague. 
 
 8. It was resolved to hold the next Coetus again on the 
 third Wednesday of September, next year, in Philadelphia, 
 
 9. The location and the state of the churches of each min- 
 ister are as follows : It will be noted that in the first column 
 are number of families, in the second the baptized, in the 
 third the members received by confirmation. This report 
 extends from one annual Coetus to the next. 
 
 19 
 
290 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Do. Gros. 
 
 Do. Weyberg. 
 Do. Hendel. 
 
 Do. Du Bois. 
 Do. Leydich. 
 
 Do. Waldschmidt. 
 
 Do. Witner. 
 
 Do. Otterbein. 
 Do. Bucher. 
 
 Do. Henop. 
 
 Do. Gobrecht. 
 Do. Faber. 
 
 Dr. Daliker. 
 
 Do. Pomp. 
 
 Do. Weymer. 
 
 Places of 
 Kesibence. 
 
 Lives with family 
 at Whitehall 
 
 I 
 
 Lives with family f 
 
 in Philadelphia. \ 
 
 Lives now with f 
 
 family at Tulpe- -j 
 
 hocken. (. 
 
 Lives with family / 
 
 at Southampton. \ 
 
 Lives with family ( 
 
 at Falkner -< 
 
 Swamp. (. 
 
 Lives with family f 
 
 at Cacusi. \ 
 
 Lives with family j 
 in Lancaster Co. 1 
 
 Lives as widower J 
 in York Co. j 
 
 Lives with fam- f 
 ily at Lebanon. \ 
 
 Not married, lives 
 now at Fred- 
 erick. 
 
 , lives J 
 on. J 
 
 Not married 
 at Tohickon 
 
 Not married, lives 
 at Old Goshen- 
 hoppen. 
 
 Not married, lives J 
 at Kockaway. 
 
 Not married, lives 
 
 at Falkner 
 
 Swamp. 
 
 Serves four cong., 
 three in North- 
 ampton Co. 
 
 Congregations. |-5 
 
 S 
 
 AUentown . 
 
 Egy|)t . . . 
 
 Schlosser's . 
 
 Jordan . . 
 
 Philadelphia 
 
 32 
 34 
 
 40 
 17 
 
 160 
 
 Keports of Lancaster, 125 
 
 Northampton . . . 
 Southampton . . . 
 Coventry. 
 Upper Milford. 
 Pottstown. 
 
 Cacusi 
 
 Epler 
 
 Cocalico 
 
 Muddy Creek . . . 
 Zeltenreich .... 
 
 Reyer's 
 
 Serves several congr. 
 
 but reports only 
 
 about York . 
 Serves 3 or 4 congr. , 
 reports of Lebanon 
 Reports of — 
 Easton . . 
 Dryland . 
 Plainfield 
 Greenwich 
 Tohickon 
 Indianfield 
 Great Swamp 
 Old Goshenhoppen 
 New Goshenhoppen 
 Great Swamp 
 Rockaway . 
 Bethlehem . 
 Valley . . . 
 Fox Hill . . 
 
 50 
 
 90 
 
 M 
 
 O 
 
 30 
 
 35 
 
 64, 31 
 
 15 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 Falkner Swamp 
 Vincent . . . 
 
 Heydelberg 
 Lynn . . . 
 Lowhill . . 
 Greenwich, (Berks 
 Co. ) 
 
 40 
 
 31 
 
 50 
 
 15 
 
 25 
 
 24 
 
 40 
 
 17 
 
 28 
 
 14 
 
 22 
 
 18 
 
 45 
 
 21 
 
 28 
 
 21 
 
 30 
 
 16 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 80 
 
 24 
 
 30 
 
 16 
 
 50 
 
 40 
 
 28 
 
 38 
 
 }50 
 
 
 85 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 24 
 
 1-82 
 
 35 
 
 J 
 
 
 200 80 
 in 3 years 
 
 15 
 
 23 
 
 18 
 
 12 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 15 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 13 
 
 44 
 
 24 
 3 
 
 18 
 
 Do. Jacob Wejnner, who was recoininended to the Reverend 
 Fathers for favorable reception into the Coetus, appeared at 
 
BECOBDS OF 1769. 
 
 291 
 
 this meeting with an elder of his congregations, who gave us 
 a very good testimonial about him. 
 
 The original of this document was signed by all the quali- 
 fied ministers and elders as follows: 
 
 D. Gros, Pres., 
 
 N. Pomp, Sec, 
 F. Daliker, 
 
 C. BUCHER, 
 
 J. G, WiTTNER, 
 
 J. T. Faber, 
 Chr. Gobrecht, 
 J. Ph. Leidig, 
 C. Weyberg, 
 J. Waldschmidt, 
 W. Hendel, 
 F. L. Henop, 
 J. Du Bois, 
 W. Otterbeest, 
 
 Lewis Knauss, 
 Peter Becker, 
 John Jung, 
 Peter Fischer, 
 John Zeller, 
 Henry Linnbacher, 
 Henry Ditlo, 
 Henry Van der Hoff, 
 Jacob Ried, 
 George Jaeger, 
 Christian Meng, 
 Nicholas Jung, 
 Peter Roth, 
 William Stumpff. 
 
 This is certified by our own signature in the name of Coetus. 
 
 J. D. Gros. 
 N, Pomp. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1769. 
 (Hague 92, B. 94.) 
 
 Very Beverend and Very Learned Sirs, Dearly Beloved Fathers in 
 
 Christ our Lord: 
 
 The letters of the Eeverend Fathers, dated The Hague, the one Sep- 
 tember 20th, 1768, the other April 24th, 1769, were duly received by 
 us. The former, which arrived here last spring, contained the draft 
 ■which the Eeverend Fathers sent us, amounting to 85 Pounds, 14 
 Shillings and 3 Pence. Yet by these letters we have been both saddened 
 and encouraged. We are sorry that the Minutes and letters of our 
 Coetus were received by our Eeverend Fathers at such a late date, and 
 that on this account your fatherly favor diminished. Our dutiful love 
 joined to your faith, causes us to be grieved, when we see that we 
 are looked upon by our patrons as men, who neglect their bounden 
 duty and have become lukewarm and even cold towards their most 
 gracious benefactors. Yet in this we have such confidence in the 
 Eeverend Fathers as to believe that the apologies which we here make 
 will find a favorable and fatherly hearing. 
 
 Our Coetus is not held before the month of September and it is not 
 well possible to hold it sooner, both on account of the very great heat 
 of the summer, and also because of the work on the farms in which our 
 people are engaged at that time. Now when the Coetxis is held in 
 the month of September there is, as a rule, so much work that the 
 secretary can only briefly note the main points. Afterwards all the 
 members of the Eeverend Coetus subscribe with the understanding that 
 the secretary shall write out more fully at home the points noted 
 by him and that he shall present at the next Coetus a copy of the 
 minutes and letters as elaborated by him and sent to the Eeverend 
 Fathers. It is impossible for the "secretary to do this work in one 
 week. For at home he must correctly write out the minutes and let- 
 ters, and make three copies of ea.eh, one for the Eeverend Synods 
 of North and South Holland, and one for the Eeverend Classis of 
 Amsterdam, and the third for the Eeverend Coetus of Pennsylvania. 
 Perhaps four or more weeks pass before he can finish this work. 
 For at that time there are, as a rule, many sick people who must 
 be visited; there are also cases of death when the service of the 
 minister is required. Thus almost every day in the fall brings with 
 it official duties, which interfere with his work as secretary. But 
 when he has finally prepared the minutes and letters then it is neces- 
 sary that they should be signed by the president, and these two (the 
 president and secretary) often live at so great a distance from each 
 other that again considerable time passes before the signature can 
 
 (292) 
 
RECORDS OF 1769. 293 
 
 be obtained. When the minutes have been signeiJ a journey to Phila- 
 delphia must be made, to find out about ships that go either to Holland 
 or to England. But one does not always find a ship ready to depart, 
 so that there is often a delay of two or three weeks. Then the 
 winter comes on, the rirers are closed with ice and ships cannot sail 
 before spring. Thus it happens that our letters are not sent before 
 spring, which has occurred several times. The Reverend Fathers will 
 therefore excuse us that for several years our letters have come into 
 their hands at such a late day. In future we will, on our part, use 
 all diligence that our letters reach the place of their destination earlier. 
 
 We heartily rejoice at the ever continuing, earnest and unselfish 
 care which the Eeverend Fathers accord us. We must praise God 
 for it and give him our hearty thanks, that he in his eternal love and 
 wisdom has ordained the best ways and means to establish and preserve 
 his kingdom of grace in such a distant land. 
 
 The charitable donations which the Reverend Fathers have sent this 
 year and which we have duly received, as above mentioned, have been 
 distributed as well as possible, according to your fatherly direction. 
 They were: 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1. According to the letter of exchange of Mr. Shoemaker, 
 
 merchant in Philadelphia 85 14 3 
 
 2. Of Do. Otterbein by assignment 7 2 10 
 
 3. Remainder from last year 10 19 3 
 
 Total 103 15 10* 
 
 This time there were no ministers who desired a supplement to their 
 annual salary. There was indeed one in our midst who gave us to 
 understand that his yearly salary was too little, but as he owns con- 
 siderable real estate in this country, so that he can live without this 
 money, he allowed himself to be persuaded by our gentle remonstrances 
 not to ask for an increase. Others who likewise do not receive their 
 full salary, and who have no property of their own, are satisfied with 
 their small salary, and will rather suffer a little than be too burden- 
 some to the Reverend Fathers. 
 
 The above-mentioned sum was distributed as follows: 
 
 £ 
 
 1. To the two poor widows of Dorsius and Muenz 10 
 
 2. To five poor school teachers in our congregations 12 
 
 3. To Domines Henop and Pomp, whom we sent last year as dele- 
 
 gates to New Brunswick, for their fare 6 
 
 Total 28 
 
 The remainder has been divided among us so that each received 
 as his share 5 Pounds, 8 Shillings and 3 Pence. 
 
 * Thus in the original. It ought to be 16. 
 
294 COETTJS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 We thank the Reverend Fathers for these fatherly gifts, but es- 
 pecially do we thank the Most High Giver, the Father of Lights, from 
 whom all good and perfect gifts originally come. We also invoke his 
 grace and spirit, so that we may be found faithful servants, both be- 
 fore him and the Reverend Fathers, who truly employ the gifts be- 
 stowed upon them, for the glory of God and the spread of his kingdom. 
 
 When we again receive such charitable gifts we shall immediately 
 upon their receipt see to it that the Reverend Fathers be notified thereof 
 by the president or the secretary. We now enclose in this letter the 
 Minutes of Coetus held in Germantown, September 20th and 21st, 
 1769, and commend the same to the wise examination and favorable 
 judgment of the Reverend Fathers, being conscious that we are weak 
 men in whom there is a want of sufficient insight. We therefore expect 
 a fatherly judgment concerning them. 
 
 We are very sorry that we had to note many things in our Minutes, 
 which must incur the displeasure of the Reverend Fathers and which 
 may perhaps be harmful to us. But we are glad that we were able 
 to report with certainty many indications of the blessed progress of 
 our Church on this side of the ocean. Moreover we wish that four or 
 five ministers, concerning whom we wrote to the Reverend Fathers 
 two years ago, may soon come. 
 
 May the all-sufficient God and Father of all grace, who has raised 
 up the Reverend Fathers for the establishment of his kingdom in this 
 country, continue to preserve your dear persons in his gracious pro- 
 tection and pour our blessing after blessing upon your faithful ser- 
 vices and families for the spread of his kingdom and the glorification 
 of his great name. 
 
 We are in all humility and due reverence, your Reverences and Most 
 Learned Sirs, our Most Beloved Fathers' in Christ our Lord, obedient 
 and submissive servants, 
 
 The ministers and elders of the Reverend Coetus of Pennsylvania. 
 Signed in the name of all the members by 
 
 D. Gros, p. t. President. 
 N. Pomp, p. t. Secretary. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1770. 
 (N. B., No. 1097; Hague 92, B. 98.) 
 
 MINUTES OP THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD EST THE CITY 
 OF PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 19, 20 AND 21, 1770. 
 
 To the Reverend Ministers and Elders constituting the Chris- 
 tian Classis of Amsterdam. 
 
 With due reverence and love we hereby submit to our 
 Reverend Fathers the Minutes of our Coetus with the earnest 
 wish, that they may please God and meet with the approval 
 of our Christian Fathers. 
 
 The members of Coetus, both ministers and delegated 
 elders met in the sehoolhouse before divine service began. 
 The ministers were the following: Dos. Pomp, (President, 
 p. t.,) Weyberg, Leidig, Gros, Hendel, Faber, Wittner, 
 Daliker, Gobrecht, Du Bois, Waldschmidt, Weymer, Faeh- 
 ring, Henop, (Secretary, p. t.,) Do. Bucher was absent on 
 account of siclcness. 
 
 Do. Pomp, as President, opened the Coetus in the church by 
 a sermon on Rom. x. 17. After the sermon the first session 
 was appointed for 2. P. M. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 2 P. M. 
 
 Article I. 
 Do. Pomp, as President, asked each minister concerning 
 both the external and internal condition of his congrega- 
 tions. In regard to the former, many were satisfied, others 
 brought in complaints, which will be found later on. In re- 
 gard to the internal condition of the congregations, each one 
 found reasons to make sad complaints, like David, that the 
 faithful had become few among the children of men. But 
 some also found reasons to praise the goodness of God, be- 
 cause their work did not seem to be entirely in vain, and there 
 stiU remained well-founded reasons, to hope that God would 
 yet bless their work to many souls. The delegated elders 
 confirmed the reports of their ministers. May God at all 
 times give us sure grounds of such hope. May we also in the 
 
 (295) 
 
296 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 future, for our encouragement and comfort, find more per- 
 sons who have been brought from darkness to light, from 
 the power of Satan to God. 
 
 Article II. 
 Two members of the congregation in Baltimore brought in 
 their own name several complaints against Mr. Faber, which 
 were meant to show that Mr. Faber was not earnest enough 
 in his conduct, and not energetic and active enough in his 
 ministry. Mr. Faber, on the other hand, brought in various 
 complaints against his accusers, and also against Mr. Schwop 
 (a man who preaches in that district) that through him the 
 congregation had been brought into confusion. Therefore it 
 was resolved, because these ministers submit their case to the 
 judgment of Coetus, although they are no members of Coetus, 
 to take up this matter and investigate the accusations and 
 defenses lodged by both sides. But since, after the hearing of 
 the case, no definite information was obtained, as each party 
 equally appealed to witnesses, therefore Dos. Gros and 
 Gobrecht were appointed to visit these congregations, to care- 
 fully investigate the matter, to decide according to their con- 
 science and to report their findings to the Reverend Coetus. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 At Conococheague, which region is about eighty miles from 
 Baltimore, but also in Maryland, various quarrels have oc- 
 curred, which the writer qf this tried to adjust, but was 
 treated in a very unfriendly manner. It was therefore re- 
 solved, that Dos. Gros and Gobrecht shall also go there, and 
 investigate the case, and, if possible, adjust it. Do. Weymer 
 has been called to that place, and when there is peace in the 
 congregation, he will accept the call with the approval of 
 Coetus. The sects make strong efforts there, and the district 
 is populous. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 9 A. M., September 20th. 
 Article IV. 
 In the last session a complaint was lodged against Do. 
 Faehring by Sebastian Mueller, an elder of the congregation 
 at Germantown. The accusation was to the effect that Do. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1770. 297 
 
 Faehring had in a sly manner eloped with Mueller 's daughter. 
 But we could not come to a decision with regard to this case 
 and therefore it was taken up again to-day and more fully 
 investigated. Then the follo^Wng action was taken, that, al- 
 though Mr. Faehring had some cause for such procedure, yet 
 the way in which he had entered into wedlock was very offen- 
 sive and irregular. Mr. Faehring showed regret and re- 
 pentance and asked tlie Coetus for forgiveness. With this 
 Coetus was satisfied. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 The resolution of last year in regard to the four congre- 
 gations which Do. Gros serves, was confirmed. The resolu- 
 tion is as follows : that, because Do. Gros goes to Saucon and 
 Springfield, tlie congregations which he leaves shall be sup- 
 plied by the first capable minister who may be sent to us by 
 the Christian Fathers, in order that this vineyard, so prone 
 to turn into a wilderness, may not again, from want of 
 cultivation, be entirely destroyed and become unfruitful. 
 
 Article Yl. 
 
 The complaints, wliich in 1769 at Germantown were pre- 
 ferred against Do. Wittner on account of negligence in his 
 ministry, were investigated by the Committee appointed to 
 do this, Dos. Hendel and Bucher, and afterward by a com- 
 mittee, consisting of Dos. Gros, Pomp, Hendel, Bucher, Faber 
 and Gobrecht. Now since Do. Wittner, as well as his con- 
 gregations, declared, that he could no longer labor among them 
 with any success and for this reason they had released ea«h 
 other from their mutual obligation, the committee deemed it 
 advisable temporarily to dissolve the pastoral relation until 
 the next Coetus. After hearing the report of the commit- 
 tee it was resolved to confirm their action and to recommend 
 Mr. Wittner to the congregations at Worcester, Witpen and 
 Providence, of which the first two had thus far been served 
 from Germantown, and to propose to these congregations to 
 give Mr. Yvlttner a call. But we are afraid that these con- 
 gregations will not call Mr. Wittner, and prefer to remain 
 in their former, condition. Do. Wittner, on account of his 
 melancholy temperament, is despised and hated by everybody. 
 
298 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 If no congregation wants him as its minister, for wMcli office 
 he is unfortunately almost unfit, then we do not know what 
 to do and we shall become uneasy. 0, that the hand of God 
 might send able workers into this great harvest to remove 
 offense and injury which our Church has been compelled to 
 suffer for several years by some wolves, especially Zufall, 
 Berger and Lange. 
 
 THIRD SESSION. 2 P. M. 
 
 Article VIL 
 Since the departure of Mr. Hendel the congregation in 
 Lancaster has been supplied with preaching and catechizing 
 by a young man, named Casper Waek, according to his know- 
 ledge, which he gained in a three year's course of instruction 
 under Do. Weyberg. However, the congregation made an 
 urgent request for an ordained minister and gave a special 
 call to Do. Faber of Goshenhoppen. But since he had many 
 scruples with regard to leaving his congregations he asked 
 for four weeks time to consider, which was granted him by 
 the Reverend Coetus, and it was at once resolved that he 
 might accept the call without waiting for a further decision 
 of the Coetus. But if Do. Faber should not be willing to 
 accept the call, and desires to remain in Goshenhoppen, then 
 young Wack shall continue to supply the congregation in 
 Lancaster with preaching and catechizing as before, until the 
 congregation can be provided with a capable minister. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 The unfortunate congregation in Reading, which was both 
 externally and internally demoralized by Berger, extended 
 a call to Do. Bucher. But because he is not present, on ac- 
 count of sickness, it was resolved to leave the decision of the 
 case to the conscience of Mr, Bucher, because he best knows 
 the condition of the congregation, since he has supplied it 
 for a year as a branch congregation. 
 
 Article IX. 
 
 The congregation in York, which was served by Do. Otter- 
 
 bein, sent in the following petition, that provision might be 
 
 made to supply the congregation by the neighboring ministers 
 
 until the return of Do. Otterbein. Thereupon it was re- 
 
BECOBDS OF 1770. 299 
 
 solved, that the neighboring ministers shall go there as often 
 as their circumstances will permit and comply with the re- 
 quest of the congregation. 
 
 Article X. 
 
 A call came from the congregations of Muddy Creek, 
 Cocalico, Seltenreich and Reyer's Church for Mr. Gobrecht. 
 But because Mr. Gobrecht had many scruples about leaving his 
 congTcgations, four weeks time for consideration were given 
 him, and he was charged to report his decision to the Reverend 
 Coetus. 
 
 Article XL 
 
 An urgent petition came to us from the congregation at Am- 
 well, which Do. Daliker had left on account of dissensions, 
 that the Rev. Coetus might provide the same with an upright 
 minister. But because it is uncertain, whether this congre- 
 gation alone can support a minister, and moreover it is im- 
 probable that their request can soon be complied with, there- 
 fore it was resolved, that the congregation shall be served by 
 the neighboring ministers as often as possible, until we are 
 able to give them a minister of their own. 
 
 Article XII. 
 Because many of the elders were anxious to return home, 
 since some of them had been absent from their families for 
 more than a week, and at their own cost, and some having 
 from eighty to a hundred or more miles to their homes, there- 
 fore several asked to be dismissed. Only one other resolu- 
 tion was passed, namely that the coming Coetus should be held 
 in Reading on the second Wednesday of October. Then 
 Coetus was in so far concluded that each of the ministei-s 
 and elders present at the meeting signed the Minutes. That 
 which yet remained to be transacted was taken up on the fol- 
 lowing day by the ministers, all of whom were still present, 
 together with the remaining elders. 
 
 FOURTH SESSION. 
 
 9 A. M., September 21st. 
 
 Article XIII. 
 Mr. Pythan, of whom we had the honor to report in our last 
 
300 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Minutes, that he had been sent to Easton on trial, was accused 
 and convicted of an offensive and godless life. After earnest 
 remonstrances and censures he confessed his failings. We 
 have resolved to allow him to preach for a while longer in 
 Easton, and if only once more well-founded accusations 
 should be preferred against him, to declare him, mthout any- 
 further proceedings, by the president and another commis- 
 sioner, before the congregations, as a man unfit and unworthy 
 of the ministry, and to free the congregations of him, and 
 have them served by neighboring ministers until they can be 
 served by another minister ; and we will then have no further 
 communication with Mr. Pythan. 
 
 Article XIV. 
 More than once it has occurred that great confusion and 
 discontent have arisen, when ministers from other denomina- 
 tions, or such as were not members of Coetus, desired to preach 
 in our churches. Some members of the congregation some- 
 times wanted it, others were against it. Those who could not 
 gain their end were dissatisfied with the others, and thus there 
 arose at times want of love, coldness, and even hatred and 
 bitterness among the members of the congregation and often 
 also a coldness of many people against the church itself, on 
 account of these quarrels. Therefore it was resolved, in order 
 to prevent further strife and confusion, that no minister, who 
 is not under the Coetus, or dependent on the Coetus, or a 
 member of another Coetus of our Reformed Church, shall 
 preach in our churches and congregations; and also, that no 
 member of Coetus, by his own power and authority, and with- 
 out the Iniowledge and consent of the elders, shaU have the 
 liberty to allow another minister, to preach in the congre- 
 gation or church. 
 
 Article XV. 
 Likewise, for the sake of order and peace, the following 
 resolution was passed: If a minister labors with success and 
 blessing in a congregation, where there are two parties against 
 each other, and one party calls another minister to preach 
 sometimes for them, with the consequence that the other party 
 is provoked and offended thereby, so that both parties become 
 all the more estranged from each other, it is resolved in order 
 
RECORDS OF 1770. 
 
 301 
 
 to avoid such quarrels, that a minister, called by one party, 
 shall refuse the call. 
 
 Article XVI. 
 
 ]\Ir. Schwop, who already in the Coetus at Germantown 
 submitted to an examination, petitioned the Reverend Coetus 
 for ordination, and showed his willingness to be examined. 
 After his reasons had been considered it was resolved by a 
 majority of votes, that after his affairs (mentioned under 
 Art. II.) have been investigated, he shall be ordained by Dos. 
 Pomp and Hendel, after he has passed his examination, pro- 
 vided that the commissioners, Dos. Gros and Gobrecht, ap- 
 pointed to investigate his affairs, bring in no objections and 
 consider the ordination necessary from the nature of that 
 region and those congregations. The scarcity of faithful min- 
 isters especially in Maryland, induces us to accept as our 
 brother every one who may be a fit instrument for the edi- 
 fication and advancement of the Kingdom of God. We ex- 
 pect this of Mr. Schwop, and are therefore hopeful that the 
 Reverend Fathers will not be surprised by such steps, but 
 approve of them, especially because we seek nothing by them, 
 but the salvation of souls and the honor of our God. 
 
 Article XVII. 
 The status of the congregations is as follows : 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 Fam. 
 
 Bapt. 
 
 Conf. 
 
 Salary. 
 
 Weyberg ... - 
 
 Philadelphia . . 
 
 180 
 
 100 
 
 40 
 
 150 pounds. 
 
 Du Bois .... 
 
 Southampton . . 
 
 90 
 
 19 
 
 
 80 " 
 
 Pomp . . . . ^ 
 
 Falkner Swamp 
 Vincent 
 
 90 
 34 
 
 40 
 22 
 
 35 1 
 16 / 
 
 60 " 
 
 Hendel ... - 
 
 I 
 
 Tulpehocken . . 
 
 37 
 
 14 
 
 17 1 
 
 
 Miilalbacli .... 
 Bethel 
 
 34 
 32 
 
 11 
 
 9 
 
 9 1 
 13 
 
 70 « 
 
 Heidelberg . . . 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 Coventry . . . . ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Leidig . . . . < 
 
 Upper Milford. . V 
 Pottsgrove . . • j 
 Tobickon . . . ") 
 
 150 
 
 62 
 
 16 
 
 50 " 
 
 Gobrecht • ■ • j 
 
 Indian Field . . V 
 Great Swamp j 
 
 96 
 
 46 
 
 37 
 
 60 ■•' 
 
 f 
 
 Germantown . . . 
 
 52 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 Faehring . . . -j 
 
 Witpen 
 
 Worcester .... 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 
 
302 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Pastor. 
 
 Weymer 
 
 Dallicker 
 
 Henop 
 
 Faber 
 
 Waldschmidt 
 
 Place. 
 
 Heidelberg 
 Lynntown 
 Albany. . 
 Greenwich 
 [iLowhill . 
 
 fJRockawa^ 
 I Alexandria 
 j Valley and Foxhill. 
 r 'Frederick .... 
 
 Glade 
 
 In the Mountains,* 
 
 Old Goshenhoppen. 
 
 New Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Great Swamp . . . 
 
 Cacusi 
 
 Epler 
 
 Cocalico 
 
 Allegheny .... 
 
 Northampton. 
 (Allentown) . . 
 
 Egypt 
 
 Jordan 
 
 Schlosser's .... 
 
 i Saucon 
 
 I Springfield .... 
 
 Fam. 
 
 75 
 14 
 10 
 29 
 20 
 53 
 39 
 67 
 110 
 40 
 42 
 40 
 80 
 35 
 321 
 20 I 
 25 I 
 22 J 
 
 26 
 36 
 16 
 35 
 80 
 47 
 
 Bapt. Conf. 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 43 
 
 22 
 
 51 
 
 46 
 
 20 
 
 40 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 15 
 
 32 
 
 11 
 14 
 9 
 16 
 16 
 15 
 
 14 
 4 
 5 
 
 11 
 
 I's 
 
 11 
 13 
 10 
 15 
 18 
 30 
 18 
 
 45 
 
 22 
 
 Salary. 
 
 40 pounds. 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 65 
 
 50 
 
 70 
 
 N. B, When each of these charges [served by Do. Gros] is served sep- 
 arately, each makes up a salary of £70, namely, the first four and the 
 other two congregations, but because both are served at the same time 
 the salary was divided among all in proportion to the number of their 
 services. 
 
 Saucon and Springfield served on every fourth Sunday tiU Coetus. 
 
 Wittner made no report of his congregations or salary. 
 Nor did Bucher send in a report. 
 
 Article XVIII. 
 
 The charitable donations were distributed as follows: 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 To the two widows , 12 
 
 Traveling expenses of Dos. Gros and Gobrecht 
 
 to Maryland ,. . 6 
 
 To Do. Faehring, to pay a debt contracted by him 
 
 during his studies. . . ., 6 
 
 To each minister present at Coetus, 3 Pounds each 39 
 
 Do. Wittner, on account of pitiable circumstances 10 4 3 
 
 Five needy school-teachers, each 2£. 10s 12 10 
 
 Total 85 14 
 
 * Middletown, Frederick Co., Md., at the South Mountain. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1770. 303 
 
 Note. These 85 pounds, 14 shilings and 3 pence are ac- 
 cording to the present rate of exchange 600 guilders. 
 
 The assignment to Mr. Otterbein, Mr. Hendel has promised 
 to pay, because of the former's absence, at the next Coetus, 
 wherewith Coetus is satisfied. 
 
 Whereas the three pounds which each minister received 
 were regarded as a compensation for the troublesome and 
 expensive journey, Mr. Otterbein and Bueher were excluded 
 because of their absence. 
 
 After this had been transacted we parted in love from each 
 other and each one went again to his congregations. 
 
 May God endow every one, through the power of his Spirit, 
 with all the abilities and gifts, which are needed by the watch- 
 men who stand on the walls of Jerusalem. May he make us 
 faithful servants of Jesus Christ and all of us instruments, 
 whereby his holy Kingdom may be promoted and many souls 
 be brought into obedience to the cross of Jesus Christ. May 
 he do this for the sake of his eternal compassion and love. 
 Amen, Nicholas Pomp, p. t. President. 
 
 In the original signed by 
 
 Frederick Levs^is Henop, p. t. Secretary. 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO THE SYNODS, 
 DECEMBER 7, 1770. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 99.) 
 
 To the Reverend Sirs, Deputies of the Christian Synods of South 
 
 and North Holland. 
 
 Very Honored, Very Learned Sirs, Very Graciouts Fathers in Christ. 
 
 It was on May 16tli and 17th, 1770, when we had the honor to 
 receive, in good order, the letters sent by your Reverences, the one 
 dated October 9, 1768, and the other October 11, 1768, from the Hague; 
 and before we had an opportunity of presenting them to the Coetus 
 we were again so fortunate as to receive two other letters, of the 
 same contents, from Rotterdam, June 26, 1770, containing a draft for 
 six hundred guilders and an assignment of 50 guilders for Do. Otterbein. 
 
 In the contents of these letters Coetus found new reasons to praise 
 the goodness of the Lord, and, since Do. Henop, the present Secretary, 
 is too far away, the writer of this letter was appointed to acknowledge 
 the receipt of the same and to thank your Reverences for your per- 
 severing, fatherly solicitude, which you continue to show for our church 
 and for us, weak overseers, of the same. 
 
 We return, then, most hearty thanks for the unfailing demonstrations 
 of love, of which we have not only the most confident assurances, but 
 also the most real evidences, again before us. 
 
 The approval with which your Reverences received our transactions, 
 renew in us the tender emotions which children feel over the approval 
 of those to whose efforts and care their interests have been entrusted. 
 And we are glad that the privileges * accorded to us, place us in a posi- 
 tion to show our gratitude, whereas an external limitation of our 
 privileges would have left us only a sense of our obligation. We also 
 trust that the disposition of the donations will receive the approval 
 of the Christian Synods and Classis. We shaU use all our powers more 
 and more to deserve the great confidence your Reverences have been 
 pleased to place in our fidelity. For this reason we have taken the 
 pains to include our incomes in the i-eport on the state of the church. 
 Do. Bucher was not in attendance, and we regret that, owing to his fail- 
 ure to report, there is a blank; we are however fairly certain as to his 
 salary, which we estimate at about 70 Pounds. 
 
 It seems to us from a remark in the letters mentioned above, tliat 
 your Reverences have misunderstood the intention of the Coetns in 
 the request concerning the distribution of the donations, as if some .if 
 
 * This statement refers to the important privilege of ordaining min- 
 isters, provided the consent of the Fathers had been obtained. 
 
 (304) 
 
RECORDS OF 1770. 3O5 
 
 our number desired the apportionment to be made in Holland. Xo, 
 we have the pleasure to assure the Christian Fathers, that all the 
 members are well satisfied with equal parts, or willingly leave the 
 whole distribution to the judgment of the Christian Fathers. 
 
 The propositions made to us by the brethren in New York and 
 New Jersey, of which pour Reverences desire to be informed more de- 
 finitely, were essentially as follows: That a Synod should be organ- 
 ized, which should stand in fraternal co-ordination and correspondence 
 with the Christian Synods of the Netherlands: that the ministers of 
 each State constitute a Classis: and that delegates from each Classis 
 be sent to the Synod in order to take care of the affairs of the whole 
 church in this part of the world. Having declined these propositions, 
 as appears from our reports, no further representations have been made 
 since that time. 
 
 After the adjournment of the Coetus, the following changes oc- 
 curred, and we were commissioned to report them to the Christian 
 Synods and Classis. The delegates, Dos. Gobrecht and Gros were, 
 through the favor of God, so fortunate as to restore peace at 
 Conococheague (Art III) and Do. Weymer has accepted a call to 
 preach there, and is to receive a salary of about seventy pounds. Do. 
 Gros has accepted the call to Saucon and Springfield, but continues, 
 according to Art. V., to minister to the congregations he has left, 
 until the first minister, who shall be sent to us, can be installed there. 
 
 The congregations of which mention was made in article VI. of the 
 proceedings, have refused Do. Wittner. 
 
 Do. Faber has concluded to remain at Goshenhoppen. Lancaster 
 therefore continues vacant. 
 
 Do. Gobrecht has accepted a call, according to Art. X., to the con- 
 gregations in which Do. Wittner formerly preached. 
 
 Mr. Pythan was deposed on account of his continued ungodly life. 
 The congregations are therefore particularly commended to the fatherly 
 care of your Reverences. 
 
 The committee sent to Maryland, Dos. Gobrecht and Gros, provis- 
 ionally report, that Do. Schwop appears to them in many respects 
 worthy of recommendation, that he manifests eminent qualifications, 
 and, as far as they can find, seems innocent of the misconduct, charged 
 against him, namely injustice and dishonesty. With regard to the charge 
 of sectarianism nothing definite could be established. On the con- 
 trary many evidences of his innocence and piety came to light. How- 
 ever, they are of the opinion, that the question should be considered 
 by the whole Coetus, in order that nothing be done in so important 
 a matter, without the wise counsel of the Christian Synods and Classis. 
 We hope by the next meeting of the Coetus, to receive your fatherly 
 direction, and also to be able to report more fully on the needy con- 
 dition of Maryland. 
 
 From the proceedings and what we have communicated with regard 
 to the changes which have occurred since the meeting of the Coetus, 
 
 20 
 
306 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 your Reverences will easily see, how necessary it is for us to pray 
 God, continually to use your Eeverenees as blessed means for sending 
 faithful laborers into his harvest. 
 
 The Lord, the All-sufficient God, according to the riches of his grace, 
 bless your Eeverenees both in this, as well as in aU things affecting 
 your office, persons and several families. 
 
 "We have the honor, with due esteem and love to your Eeverenees, our 
 most gracious Fathers in Christ, to be your loyal servants, in the 
 name of all, Nicholas Pomp, President. 
 
 J. D. Gros, Secretary. 
 
 Done at Lower Saucon, December 7th, 1770. 
 
 P. S. The proceedings proper have been prepared by the Secretary, 
 Do. Henop, but the writer of this was authorized by him to transmit 
 a duplicate copy. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1771. 
 (N. B., No. 1103; Hague 92, B. 102.) 
 
 MINUTES OP THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN READING 
 THE 9th and 10th OF OCTOBER, 1771. 
 
 Very Fcvcrend, Most Worthy and Learned, and Especially 
 Much Esteemed Fathers in our Lord and Saviour Christ: 
 We hereby submit, with due reverence, to the Reverend 
 Fathers the Minutes of our Coetus, with the good hope and 
 cordial wish that they may please the great God, and also the 
 Reverend Fathers. 
 
 The Coetus was held in the Church, and both the ministers 
 and delegated ciders met there. The ministers were the fol- 
 lowing; Domines Henop (p. t. Pres.), AVeyberg, Faehring, 
 Pomp, Gros, Otterbein, Blumer, Boelim, Hendel, Bucher, 
 Weymer, Waldschmidt, Gobrecht, Wittner. Dos. Leydich and 
 Daelliker were not present on account of ill health. Do. 
 Du Bois was also absent, but for what reason is not known 
 to us. 
 
 Do. Henop, as President, opened the Coetus in the church 
 with a sermon on Matthew x. 16. After the service, the first 
 session was appointed for 2 P. M. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 2 P. M. 
 
 Article I. 
 Do. Henop, as President, asked each minister concerning 
 both the external and internal condition of his congregations. 
 In regard to the external condition of the congregations, each 
 one had reason to complain, and to wish that more progress 
 had been made, but every one was also hopeful of not losing 
 courage, and thankful to God because with some his ministry 
 had brought forth fruit. The delegated elders confirmed the 
 reports of their ministers. The Lord grant us grace that each 
 of us in future may have sure ground for such hope, and thus 
 each one for his encouragement and comfort henceforth find 
 more awakened souls. Each minister was also asked whether, 
 at the proper time, he conducted the usual catechization. On 
 
 (307) 
 
308 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 this point there were also no complaints from the delegated 
 elders. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Do. Boehm, who arrived here last fall, was sent to Lan- 
 caster, with the understanding that if the congregation in 
 Lancaster had no complaints to bring against him by the next 
 Coetus and should unanimously desire him as minister, he 
 should then be the minister there. And now since Mr. Boehm 
 has conducted himself so well that not the least improper 
 action can be charged against him in his life or in doctrine, 
 and has won the undivided love and esteem of his congrega- 
 tion, therefore a call was presented in which the congregation 
 requested that Mr. Boehm might continue its minister in the 
 future, which w^as approved by the Reverend Coetus. 
 
 In connection with this, we must mention to the Eeverend 
 Fathers something with regard to the congregation at Pequea, 
 about ten miles from Lancaster. Two men, delegates from 
 this congregation, presented complaints, as follows: They de- 
 mand to be served by the pastor of Lancaster — as was formerly 
 the case under the pastorates of Dos. Stoy, Otterbein and 
 Ilendel — in the afternoon of every fourth Sunday in summer, 
 and in winter whenever it is most suitable for the minister. 
 The congregation in Lancaster, however, will not agree to this, 
 claiming that the congregation and the number of its young 
 people are so large that its minister has enough to do in faith- 
 fully serving them, and for this reason refuses to allow its 
 minister to serve the congregation at Pequea. 
 
 But the people of Pequea think they have a claim on the 
 minister in Lancaster, and this claim, according to their state- 
 ment, consists in the following: At the time when Mr. Stoy 
 preached in Lancaster he also supplied the congregation at 
 Pequea. Now the congregation at Pequea had some money 
 in hand, and the congregation in Lancaster was about to build 
 a new church, and as it was too weak alone to raise the neces- 
 sary amount for a church, Mr. Stoy advised the congregation 
 at Pequea to contribute their ready money for the new church 
 in Lancaster, especially since at that time the people of Pequea 
 attended church there. Finally, the people of Pequea built 
 a church for themselves, partly because it was too far to go 
 
BECOBDS OF 1771. 309 
 
 to Lancaster, and partly because, on account of the weather, 
 it was very burdensome in ^vinter, ]\Ir. Stoy, at the same 
 time, assured the congregation at Pequea that in future it 
 should always be served by the minister in Lancaster, namely, 
 as stated above, in the afternoon of every fourth Sunday in 
 summer, and in winter whenever it might be most suitable to 
 the minister. This concession was approved by the congrega- 
 tion in Lancaster. Now, since the congregation at Pequea is 
 not served (as it had been by the three ministers named 
 above) by Mr. Boehm, as minister of the congregation in Lan- 
 caster, because the latter does not allow it, therefore the com- 
 plaint, mentioned above, was presented. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus deemed it just, and resolved that 
 either the minister in Lancaster should preach at Pequea 
 every fourth Sunday, or, if this can not be done, the congre- 
 gation in Lancaster shall return the money received under 
 such conditions and used for its church. This was recog- 
 nized as just by us, but was only our advice in the matter. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 A complaint was received from the Heidelberg congrega- 
 tion (situated in Berlis county), which was served by Mr. 
 Waldschmidt. The complaint stated that the church attend- 
 ance of this congregation had greatly decreased for several 
 years on account of the service of Mr. Waldschmidt. The 
 reason is that Mr. Waldschmidt had been somewhat lazy and 
 negligent in the ministry. For this reason the love of the 
 members of the congregation towards him had entirely van- 
 ished, and there were only a few who liked to hear him. 
 They, therefore, had deemed it advisable to consult with the 
 congregation in Reading (which is at a distance of about 
 seven miles) whether it would give them a share in its min- 
 ister, which the congregation in Reading granted. They, 
 therefore, allowed their minister to serve the Heidelberg con- 
 gregation every third Sunday. This was approved by the 
 Reverend Coetus. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 The congregation at Masata^Tiy, which was formerly served 
 by Do. Michael, but has been for quite a time without any 
 
310 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 minister, requested the Reverend Coetus to help it as much as 
 possible. This congregation has suffered very much, partly 
 through bad ministers, partly because for a long time they 
 have had no minister at all. There are only a few who really 
 I)rof ess the true doctrine of our religion ; the majority of this 
 congregation profess no religion at all. Yet it seems that 
 many souls could yet be saved and led to the true way of life 
 if a good minister could be placed over this congregation, as 
 is its desire. Some of our brethren have served the congre- 
 gation by request, and have noticed that most of the people 
 are very desirous and attentive to hear the Word of God. 
 They also asked for a continuation of these services, which 
 were held until the present time. To this end they appeared 
 this year before the Reverend Coetus and asked us not to 
 abandon them, but rather to seek the lost among them. It 
 was, therefore, resolved by the Reverend Coetus, in regard to 
 this congregation, that in future it shall be served, from time 
 to time, by the neighboring ministers, until we may be better 
 able later on to supply it with a minister of its own. The fol- 
 lowing were chosen to serve this congregation, namely : Domi- 
 nes Pomp, Blumer, Boos, and the Secretary. 
 
 Article V. 
 The congregation in Baltimore, which was thus far served 
 by Mr. Faber, is not yet harmonious, but the condition is the 
 same as a year ago. The Reverend Fathers will remember, 
 from the Minutes of last year, that quarrels arose in said con- 
 gregation, and that some members separated themselves from 
 those v/lio adhered to Mr. Faber and joined themselves to 
 Mr. Schwob, who sometimes preached there. Later, a report 
 will be given to the Reverend Fathers about Mr. Schwob. 
 The two deputies, Dos. Gros and Gobrecht, visited the congre- 
 gation in Baltnnore, and expected to make peace between the 
 two parties, and it seemed, after the conclusion of their labors, 
 as if peace had again been established. But in the present 
 Coetus, the party which separated from Mr. Faber again 
 brought in the old complaints against him, namely, that he 
 \vas not zealous and energetic enough in his ministry, and for 
 this reason they could not unite with the other party. But 
 the other party was satisfied wdth Mr. Faber, both as to his 
 
BECOEDS OF 1771. 311 
 
 doctrine and also as to his life and conduct. The opponents 
 of Mr. Faber built for themselves a house for divine services, 
 in which Mr, Schwob should preach. After both parties had 
 stated their complaints, the Reverend Coetus took the matter 
 under careful deliberation, and sought to do the best. Fin- 
 ally, the resolution of the Reverend Coetus was as follows: 
 Since Mr. Faber could no longer work with benefit to the 
 congregation in Baltimore, he should leave Baltimore as soon 
 as convenient for him. With this resolution both Mr. Faber 
 and the whole congregation were well satisfied. Because Mr. 
 Faber already knew of another congregation which he could 
 serve, he voluntarily proposed not to remain longer than a 
 month in Baltimore, and to leave as soon as it could most 
 suitably be done. The congregation in Baltimore was also 
 informed that if both parties would again unite, they should 
 have the right and liberty to call a minister from our Coetus, 
 whomsoever they wanted. They were also informed that the 
 new church built by the one party should in future no more 
 be used for divine services. If they call a minister from our 
 Coetus, they must see to it that the minister is called who re- 
 ceives the majority of votes from both parties. The same 
 being true of the congregation at Pipe Creek (which is also 
 served by Mr, Faber) , it was resolved that because Mr. Faber 
 serves this congregation together with Mr. Schwob, that none 
 of the two shall henceforth serve either Baltimore or Pipe 
 Creek. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus received a request from five congre- 
 gations in Virginia, namely, Louis-Steffenstown, Stauffers- 
 town, Muellerstown,* Winchester, and the congregation at 
 Roeder's. The petition and request consisted mainly in this, 
 that the Reverend Coetus send them a minister if possible. 
 But if this should not be possible now, to take measures that 
 the congregations be visited by ministers several times during 
 the year. They represented very touchingly that the need of 
 
 * The following identifications may be proposed : Steffenstown stands 
 for Stephensburg, Frederick Co.; Staufferstown for Strasburg, Shenan- 
 doah Co.; Muellerstown is Woodstock; and for the congregation at 
 Boeder's, see Fathers of the Eeformed Church, Vol. II, p. 154. 
 
312 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 their churches was very great, which was also confirmed by 
 Mr. Henop and Mr. Weymer, these two gentlemen having 
 visited these congregations and having personally seen their 
 sad condition. Since, however, we have not the means to help 
 them as they would like, we gave them the good assurance 
 that they shall be served by us, as much as possible, until we 
 may be better able to provide them with a minister of their 
 own. With this they seemed to be much pleased. 
 
 SECOND SESSION, 9 A. M. 
 
 Article VIL 
 We must also report something to the Reverend Fathers 
 concerning the two congregations. Upper Milford and Saltz- 
 burg, which were thus far served by Mr. Leydich. Mr. Ley- 
 dich, who could not be present at Coetus on account of ill 
 health, sent a letter to the Reverend Coetus, stating that, since 
 these congregations were at a great distance from him, and it 
 was very burdensome to him, on account of his age, to serve 
 them, he would like to see these congregations provided with a 
 good minister. He also proposed a man by the name of Steiner, 
 who had already occasionally served these congregations for 
 Mr. Leydich, and with whom the congregations had been well 
 pleased. (Concerning Mr. Steiner, mention is made below.) 
 But since Mr. Wittner has been without employment for some 
 time, and as he complained a great deal of his temporal circum- 
 stances, it was deemed advisable to propose Mr. Wittner to 
 these congregations, so that the good man, who is worthy of 
 pity, might be helped in this way. The resolution of the Rev- 
 erend Coetus was to the effect that Mr. Wittner should first go 
 to Mr. Blumer, and then Mr. Blumer and Mr. Wittner together 
 should go to the congregations mentioned above, in order to 
 preach a trial sermon there. If Mr. Wittner should please 
 them, then they should receive him as their minister; but if, 
 in this instance, he be again rejected, we must leave him to 
 the ^vise providence of God. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 Two congregations, Plainfield and Greenwich, and also the 
 larger part of the congregation in Easton, which were senj-ed 
 by Mr. Pithan, but are now entirely separated from him on 
 
BECOBDS OF 1771. 313 
 
 account of his scandalous and offensive life and conduct, ask 
 the Reverend Coetus for help, which was promised to them. 
 They set forth the distress and the injury to their congrega- 
 tions which had been caused by Mr, Pithan, and that, if they 
 could not soon receive help, in one way or other, they feared 
 that the congregations would become still more scattered, as 
 there were still a few adherents of Mr. Pithan. 
 
 N. B. The Reverend Fathers will remember, from the 
 ]\Iinutes of last year, that grave and severe complaints had 
 come in against Mr. Pithan. Wherefore, in accordance with 
 the teaching of Christ, he was reprimanded in a brotherly 
 way, and admonished by us not to act in such way in the 
 future, and that if any more such complaints should here- 
 after truthfully be preferred against him, the Reverend 
 Coetus would be compelled to prevent him from preaching 
 any longer in the congregations which are under the Coetus. 
 Inasmuch as Mr. Pithan continued in his offensive Kfe, which 
 consisted chiefly in drinking, the resolution of the Reverend 
 Coetus had to be carried out in his case, namely, that he must 
 give up his office as minister until he not only promises, but 
 also shows, real improvement. 
 
 Many members of the congregation in Easton being well 
 satisfied with his ministry, and not caring what kind of a life 
 Mr. Pithan led, separated from the other party, accepted him 
 as their minister, and thus supported him in his scandalous 
 life. In addition to serving the party in Easton, he serves 
 another congregation. Dryland. But the two congregations 
 mentioned above, and also the larger part of the congregation 
 in Easton, will not have anything at all to do -with Mr. Pithan. 
 The congregation at Dryland, which belongs to the three con- 
 gregations, was informed by letter that if in future they had 
 any dealings with Mr. Pithan, the Reverend Coetus would no 
 longer regard them as a congregation of the Coetus. 
 
 Article IX, 
 Concerning the congregation in Reading, it is knoMTi to the 
 Reverend Fathers, from last year's Minutes, that because Mr. 
 Berger, on account of his bad conduct, could no longer serve 
 the congregation, it gave a caU to Mr. Bucher, But since Do. 
 Bucher, from love to his congregations, could not very well 
 
314 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 accept the call, he declined it. Therefore the congregation 
 had to be ^vithout a minister until the arrival of Mr. Boos, 
 who at present serves it. In order to give the Reverend 
 Fathers more light on this affair, it will be necessary to report 
 the case at length. 
 
 For several years Mr. Boos had been expected, because we 
 had been informed by him that he would come. Therefore, 
 when he came there was joy not only among the brethren of 
 the ministry, but also among many vacant congregations. 
 But as much joy as Mr. Boos caused to all of us by his safe 
 arrival, so much disappointment he caused us, since he 
 brought with him no testimonials from the Reverend Fathers, 
 and from this we could see that he had not been sent. For 
 this reason we did not want to have anything to do with Mr. 
 Boos. But because many shepherdless congregations had 
 heard of his arrival, and since, by his sociable disposition, he 
 pleased these people very much, each congregation that had 
 no minister desired him as its minister. Many congregations 
 asked Mr. Boos to preach for them once, which he did. Those 
 congregations in which he preached showed a peculiar liking 
 for his preaching. Among others, he was asked by the con- 
 gregation in Reading to preach a trial-sermon there. It hap- 
 pened that four ministers came to Reading after Boos had 
 been there. The congregation in Reading requested these 
 four brethren, who were Dos. Gros, Hendel, Bucher and 
 Gobrecht, to appoint Mr. Boos as its minister. But the breth- 
 ren would not consent to this. They informed the congrega- 
 tion in Reading that this could not be done, because IVIr. Boos 
 had not been sent by the Reverend Fathers, and therefore 
 they could not conscientiously recommend him to any congre- 
 gation. But the congregation in Reading presented its great 
 need, how necessary it was to allow it to have Mr. Boos as its 
 minister. Notwithstanding the members of the congregation 
 had been informed of all the circumstances relating to Mr. 
 Boos, they still maintained their first resolution, that he be 
 given them as their minister. Finally the brethren gave 
 them this decision : They should have the liberty to accept 
 Mr. Boos on trial, but if he should prove to be unsatisfactory 
 to the congregation and to the brethren, the brethren would be 
 entirely blameless. Mr. Boos, during the time he has been in 
 
RECORDS OF 1771. 315 
 
 Reading, has so conducted himself that no complaints what- 
 ever Avere brought against him before the last Coetus, but, on 
 the contrary, by his good life, as well as by his teaching, he 
 has made himself so well liked in his congregation that the 
 members have given him a call and asked the Reverend Coetus 
 to allow Mr. Boos to continue as their minister, which request 
 was granted by the Reverend Coetus. 
 
 Article X. 
 A certain man, named John Christian Stahlsehmidt,* who 
 came to this country some years ago, requested the Reverend 
 Coetus to help him in his purpose. He requests to be pre- 
 pared for the ministry by able teachers. As Mr. Stahlsehmidt 
 seems to have many talents for study, Brother Weyberg, who 
 among us knows him best, has specially recommended him. 
 It was, therefore, resolved with regard to Mr. Stahlsehmidt, 
 that Brother Weyberg, w^ho among us is best able to do it, shall 
 take care of him, and after he has been instructed in the neces- 
 sary sciences, under the guidance of Mr. Weyberg, we will 
 further care for him. 
 
 Article XI. 
 . The Reverend Fathers wish to know of the Reverend Coetus 
 the reason why Mr. Stoy is no longer enrolled as a minister of 
 the Coetus. We have the honor to assure them that, much as 
 we should like to regard Do. Stoy as a member of the Rever- 
 end Coetus, yet it cannot be done, because it is to be feared 
 that if Mr. Stoy should be considered a member of the Rever- 
 end Coetus, he might do more harm than good among us, for 
 he is v/ell known to us. Therefore, the Reverend Coetus has 
 deemed it wise, lest the peace in our organization be disturbed 
 by Mr. Stoy, that it were better and more advisable not to 
 accept and receive Mr. Stoy as a member of Coetus. 
 
 Article XII. 
 
 Do. Gobreeht, concerning whom it was reported, in the last 
 
 ]\linutes, that the congregation of Mr. Wittner had given him 
 
 a call, accepted the call. His congregations, which were 
 
 vacant from that time, this year called Mr. Wack. Concern- 
 
 * Stahlsehmidt arrived in Philadelphia in August, 1770. See ' * Pil- 
 gerreise, ' ' p. 261. 
 
316 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ing Mr. Wack, the Reverend Fathers were given a short state- 
 ment in last year's Minutes, namely, that he had been under 
 the instruction of Mr. Weyberg. He is now far enough ad- 
 vanced, through his training, to be able to serve a congrega- 
 tion. The congregations at Lower Tohickon and Indianfield, 
 which have thus far been cared for by his ministry, and, 
 according to their statement, have also been edified by his 
 preaching, have shown such a desire for him as to give him a 
 unanimous call. Mr. Wack was therefore first examined in 
 the divine truths and the way of salvation, and, after he had 
 given satisfaction to the Reverend Coetus, it was resolved that 
 Mr. "Wack, for the time being, should continue to serve these 
 congregations with preaching and catechizing as before, but 
 we will defer the ordination until the Reverend Fathers have 
 first been notified. Whatever they will advise in this matter 
 vnll be done by us with regard to Mr. Wack. 
 
 In connection with this matter, we have also the honor to 
 report to the Reverend Fathers that the so-called Trumbauer's 
 church has brought in a complaint, stating that their brethren, 
 the congregations at Lower Tohickon and Indianfield will not 
 permit them in future to have a share in their minister, but 
 would like to keep the minister only for themselves. Con- 
 cerning Trumbauer's church, this must also be mentioned, 
 that it was formerly served by Mr. Gobrecht when he was 
 still serving at Tohickon and Indianfield. Since this congre- 
 gation cannot well be served in any other way than by the 
 minister of Tohickon and Indianfield, it was resolved by the 
 Reverend Coetus, and the two congregations were informed, 
 that they will not be provided with a minister until they unite 
 with their brethren and allow them to share in their minister. 
 
 THIRD SESSION. 2 P. M. 
 
 Article XIII. 
 
 The congregation in Amwell extended a call to John Neve- 
 ling, who at times had served this congregation. This John 
 Neveling is a cousin of Mr. Weyberg. He has been instructed 
 by Mr. Weyberg, and, to some extent, by Mr. Gros. Because 
 he diligently studied the necessary sciences, he soon advanced 
 so far that he was able to preach. He, therefore, appeared 
 
EECOBDS OF 1771. 317 
 
 before the Reverend Qoetus in order to be examined, which 
 was done. In regard to the languages, he has not yet the 
 the necessary knowledge, but in theology he is further ad- 
 vanced, so that we could be satisfied with him. Because the 
 congregation in Amwell had a special liking for him and his 
 sermons, and also believed that they were improved and edi- 
 fied by his sermons, it was finally resolved that Mr. Neveling 
 shall serve the congregation in Amwell with preaching and 
 catechization. If he further conducts liimself like a minister 
 in his life, teaching and conversation, so that no complaints 
 can be brought against him, we shall then proceed to qualify 
 him fully for his important office, but with this condition, 
 that it shall first be reported to the Reverend Fathers, and 
 when it has been approved of by them, then Mr. Neveling 
 shall be ordained and received into our Coetus. 
 
 Article XIY. 
 Besides Messrs. Wack and Neveling, another young man, 
 by the name of Wagner, was examined, who was under the 
 instruction of Mr. Hendel, and also for a time under that of 
 Mr. Gros. With regard to Mr. Wagner, Coetus passed no 
 other resolution at the last meeting than that he shall preach 
 and catechize in congregations where it is deemed necessary, 
 and if he shall be diligent in future and lead a Christian and 
 godly life, he shall then be given hope of being more fully 
 qualified for his work [i. e., of being ordained]. 
 
 Article XV. 
 Mr. Schwab,* of whom the Reverend Fathers have been 
 given a short report, this year again petitioned the Reverend 
 Coetus to be ordained. The two commissioners of last year, 
 Dos. Gros and G-obrecht, have carefully investigated the case 
 of Mr. Schwab, both among his congregations and among 
 his accusers, and they have found that none of the things 
 with which he was charged could be proved. On the contrary, 
 both delegated gentlemen have heard much good about him, 
 and his congregations give him the best testimonials. Since, 
 therefore, Mr. Schwab has been found innocent of these 
 charges, and, at the Coetus in Germantown, after he had pre- 
 
 * This is no dciiljt the original form of his name. 
 
318 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 viously been examined, had been given hope of being ordained, 
 therefore the Reverend Coetus has found it advisable to ex- 
 amine this man thoroughly, and if he should pass the exam- 
 ination, also to ordain him. To this end Dos. Henop and 
 Hendel were appointed. We assure ourselves that the Rever- 
 end Fathers Avill excuse us in this matter, especially since we 
 have the honor to report that in Maryland an ordained min- 
 ister is very much needed, the more so because, though there 
 are some there, they are, for the most part, very depraved 
 persons. Therefore it is necessary that a few upright min- 
 isters should be there. And, because we regard said Mr. 
 Schwab as a man who will earnestly labor to build up the 
 kingdom of God and promote the salvation of men, therefore 
 we deem it necessary to ordain him. 
 
 Article XVI. 
 
 The following congregations, the Organ church, Jacob's 
 church, Rosenthal church, and Dunkel's church, were for- 
 merly served by Do. Wejnner. But because Do. Weymer 
 accepted the call from Conocoeheague, of which the Reverend 
 Fathers were informed, and these four congregations were 
 vacant after his departure, they this year extended a call to 
 Mr. Steiner, who at times had served them. This Mr. Steiner 
 is a son of a former minister in Pennsylvania, who was Avell 
 known to the Reverend Fathers. Said Mr. Steiner has thus 
 far served as schoolmaster. Besides this, he has thoroughly 
 acquainted himself with divine truth and made considerable 
 progress in theology. Finally he began to preach and 
 served, mth the consent of some brethren, occasionally those 
 congregations that were without ministers. Among others, 
 he served especially these four congregations mentioned 
 above. As these congregations showed a special liking for 
 Mr. Steiner 's sermons, and, according to their statement, were 
 much profited by them, they asked the Reverend Coetus to 
 assign Mr. Steiner to them as their minister. They also pre- 
 sented the great need which would arise if this could not be 
 done. After the Reverend Coetus had given the case of these 
 congregations its mature deliberation, it was finally deemed 
 best that, because it seemed to be the hope of these congrega- 
 
BECOBDS OF 1771. 319 
 
 tions that they would be improved by Mr. Steiner's preach- 
 ing, Mr. Steiner should first be examined, and, if found able, 
 be allowed to serve the congregations with preaching and 
 catechization ; and if he should further diligently seek to lead 
 a Christian and godly life, we will then lend him a helping 
 hand in his future advancement, but Avith the condition that 
 nothing shall be done in the case of Mr, Steiner except what 
 the Reverend Fathers shall approve of. Hence, Mr. Steiner 
 has been accepted for the present, in accordance "with their 
 call, by the four congregations mentioned above. 
 
 In this connection we must also inform the Reverend 
 Fathers that another man, also a schoolmaster, by the name 
 of Weber, appeared before the Reverend Coetus and requested 
 to be examined in divine truth, and, if found capable and 
 sound in doctrine, to be allowed to supply with preaching and 
 catechization those congregations that are without ministers 
 and where such supply is necessary. After Mr. Weber had 
 been examined by the Reverend Coetus and had given satis- 
 faction, it was resolved with regard to him, as also with re- 
 gard to Mr. Steiner, to allow him to preach and catechize in 
 congregations where it is necessary, but at present to hold out 
 to him no hope of ordination. He shall also be under the 
 supervision of the nearest ministers, who shall carefully watch 
 his doctrine, life and conduct. Whatever else shall be done 
 with regard to Mr. Weber, we expect to learn from the Rever- 
 end Fathers. 
 
 Article XVII. 
 
 Finally, each of the brethren reported the status of their 
 congregations, as follows: 
 
320 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Pastor. 
 
 Place. 
 
 Mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Bapt. 
 
 Conf. 
 
 Salary. 
 
 School 
 Children 
 
 Weyberg . . . 
 
 Philadelphia . . . 
 
 200 
 
 113 
 
 46 
 
 150 pds. 
 
 
 Pomp • • • -^ 
 
 Falkner Swamp . 
 Over the Schuylkill. 
 
 90 
 40 
 
 40 
 20 
 
 26 \ 
 19/ 
 
 75 " 
 
 
 
 Tulpehocken . <. . 
 
 37 
 
 17 
 
 71 
 
 
 * 
 
 r 18 
 
 
 Swatara 
 
 32 
 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 Hendel . . - 
 
 Muehlbach .... 
 
 36 
 
 20 
 
 10 - 
 
 70 " 
 
 . 
 
 25 
 
 
 Heidelberg .... 
 
 23 
 
 12 
 
 61 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 Kaemerling's . . . 
 
 16 
 
 4 
 
 -J 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 Gros. • • • { 
 
 Lower Saucon. . . 
 Springfield .... 
 
 80 
 47 
 
 35 
 20 
 
 161 
 10/ 
 
 75 " 
 
 
 
 Allentown 
 
 
 38 
 
 7 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 Jordan . . 
 
 
 18 
 40 
 
 4 
 9 
 
 75 " 
 
 
 Bluruer. . . - 
 
 Effvpt . . 
 
 
 
 
 Schlosser's 
 
 
 20 
 
 13 
 
 1 
 J 
 
 
 
 Gobrecht . . ■ 
 
 Muddy Creek . . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Reyer's Church . 
 Cocalico .... 
 
 95 
 
 43 
 
 48 
 
 65 " 
 
 
 Seltenreich ... 
 Germantown . . . 
 
 70 
 35 
 
 45 
 
 19) 
 
 
 
 Faehring . . < 
 
 Witpen 
 
 26 
 
 _l 
 
 90 " 
 
 
 f 
 
 Worcester .... 
 Allegheny . • ■ 1 
 
 46 
 
 .30 
 
 16j 
 
 
 
 Waldschmidt < 
 
 Epler .'.... I 
 
 80 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 60 " 
 
 
 1 
 
 Little Cocalico. . J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 Alexandria , . 
 
 39 
 
 31 
 
 16) 
 
 
 
 Daelliker . . ■{ 
 
 Rockaway . . . '. 
 
 49 
 
 37 
 
 15 I 
 
 75 '^ 
 
 
 I 
 Weymer . . \ 
 
 Valley and Foxhill. 
 Troxel's 
 
 67 
 
 38) 
 
 45/ 
 
 25 
 
 5j 
 
 
 
 Hagerstown. . . , 
 
 70 
 
 30 
 
 60 " 
 
 
 ' 
 
 Lebanon . . . 
 
 35 
 
 19 
 
 -" 
 
 
 
 
 Quitopehilla . . . 
 
 28 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 Bucher. . . ■ 
 
 Warwick 
 
 Manheim 
 
 27 
 17 
 23 
 
 10 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 17 1 
 11 f 
 14 
 
 85 " 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Rapho 
 
 
 
 Donegal 
 
 24 
 
 9 
 
 5 J 
 
 i 
 
 
 '' 
 
 Frederick .... 
 Over the Monocacy, 
 
 120 
 
 55 
 
 26 
 
 
 tioo 
 
 Henop . . . • 
 
 in the Glade 
 Church .... 
 
 50 
 
 17 
 
 ■ 
 
 90 " ■ 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 Kittatinny Mts . . 
 
 54 
 
 25 
 
 isj 
 
 
 t32 
 
 Boehm. . . . 
 
 Lancaster. ... 
 
 150 
 
 66 
 
 §54 
 
 80 " i 
 
 60 
 
 Boos 
 
 Reading 
 
 80 
 
 38 
 
 40 
 
 75 " 1 
 
 86 
 
 f 
 
 New Goshenhoppen. 
 
 90 
 
 31 
 
 8) 
 
 1 
 
 
 Faber . . . \ 
 
 Old Goshenhoppen. 
 
 40 
 
 20 
 
 n 
 
 65 " j 
 
 
 I 
 
 Great Swamp . . . 
 
 40 
 
 12 
 
 iij 
 
 ^ 
 
 In all these congregations [of Do. Faber] tliere are schools 
 during the winter, and in each forty or fifty pupils may be 
 found for several months. 
 
 * All these congregations have school only in the winter. 
 
 1 2 schools. 5 1 school. J 8 married and 46 single. [Sec] 
 
BECORDS OF 1771. 321 
 
 Wittner coiild not send in a report, as he serves no congre- 
 gation. 
 
 Notliing was reported of the congregations of Dos. Du Bois 
 and Leydich, as they are absent. 
 
 Article XVIII. 
 After all this was transacted, it was yet resolved that the 
 next Coetns shall be held in Lancaster, the second Wednesday 
 after Pentecost. The Coetus was then adjourned, and each 
 of the ministers and elders present signed the Minutes. "We 
 parted in love from each other, and each one went back to his 
 congregations. May the Lord henceforth be with us, through 
 his grace and spirit, and make us, the longer we live, to be 
 more efficient for His praise and glory ! May He do this for 
 the sake of His eternal love ! Amen. 
 
 The names of the ministers and elders who signed the Min- 
 utes are as follows: 
 
 Frederick Henop, p. t. President, Conrad Scherer, 
 Caspar Wetberg, Lewis Karcher, 
 
 Christian Frederick Faehring, John Moore, 
 John Daniel Gros, William Heusbr, 
 
 William Hendel, Jacob Weber, 
 
 Nicholas Pomp, Nicholas Hauer, 
 
 John George Wittner, Nicholas Haller, 
 
 Jacob Weymer, John Neukomer, 
 
 Conrad Bucher, John Deier, 
 
 Christian Gobrecht, George Emerich, 
 
 Abraham Blumer, Lewis Schuy, 
 
 John Waldschmidt, Nicholas Botz, 
 
 Charles Lewis Boehm, Adam Heberly. 
 
 John Theobald Faber, p. t. Secretary, 
 21 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO THE CLASSIS * 
 OCTOBER 10, 1771. 
 
 Hague 92, B. 103; Harbaugh MSS., No. 30.) 
 
 Most 'Reverend, Most Learned, and Much Beloved Fathers in Jesus Christ: 
 The letter you sent with the two new ministers, Do. Bhimer and Do. 
 Boehm, was received by us, with great pleasure, in the month of Feb- 
 ruary of the present year, 1771. As you did not ask for a prompt an- 
 swer, we have thought best to wait until the next Coetus before answer- 
 ing it. 
 
 We rejoice heartily in the continuance of your fatherly love for our 
 poor congregations in this country, in that you have sent over to us two 
 new ministers for the service of our Church, besides a contribution of 
 400 guilders, together with an answer to the Acts of our Coetus, which 
 is no less agreeable to us. 
 
 On their arrival, the two new ministers were assigned to their fields of 
 labor. Do. Blumer was sent to Allentown, where there are four congre- 
 gations which have heretofore been served by Do. Gros. Do. Boehm has 
 been assigned to the congregation in Lancaster. More information con- 
 cerning these two gentlemen will be found in the enclosed Minutes. The 
 sum of 400 guilders, being your gift, making £60 in our money, has been 
 used in the following manner: 
 
 1. To Do. Wittner, incapacitated for service through lack of phys- 
 
 ical and mental strength, we have granted out of pity £10 
 
 2. To the two widows of Dos. Muentz and Dorsius 6 
 
 3. To five poor school teachers 5 
 
 4. To each of the ministers who was present at the Coetus, and a 
 
 member of the same, £2 10s., which makes in all 35 
 
 * The Coetal Letter sent to the Synods (Hague 92, B. 103) is prac- 
 tically identical with this Classical Letter, only the opening paragraphs 
 vary. The opening paragraphs of the letter to the Synods are herewith 
 given : 
 
 We received the answer to our proceedings of the Coetus in German- 
 town, which your Reverences dated September 20th, 1770, only in the 
 month of September of the current year, and learned from it, with great 
 pleasure, that the fatherly love of your Reverences towards our poor 
 church in this country yet continues. 
 
 For your Reverences have not only sent two ministers for the service 
 of our church, but also a letter of exchange for 400 guilders, besides an 
 answer to our proceedings, which is no less pleasing to us. The two 
 ministers, our beloved fellow-laborers, arrived here already in the month 
 of February of the current year, and were at once taken, in accordance 
 with the direction of our Coetus, to their fields of labor. 
 
 (322) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1771. 323 
 
 5. Traveling expenses of Dos. Gros and Gobrecht, whom last year we 
 
 sent to Baltimore 4 
 
 Total £60 
 
 The twenty-five copies of the Dutch Church-Order were duly received 
 from Do. Blumer and Do. Boehm. We have already disposed of them 
 according to your wishes. 
 
 We are especially well satisfied with the contents of your letter. We 
 are made aware by it that not only your fatherly love supplies us with 
 many gifts, but also that you spend much labor and thought in our be- 
 half. We recognize that we are greatly indebted to you, and we thank 
 you most cordially for each and every charitable donation, as well as 
 for your efforts on our account. But most of all are we thankful to 
 God, the Most High, for having blessed our labors to which he has called 
 us, for having sustained us so wonderfully, and especially for using the 
 love of your Eeverences as an excellent means to comfort and to 
 gladden us. 
 
 May the God of great blessings, and Jesus Christ the faithful Chief 
 Shepherd of the sheep, who has so abundantly blessed his Church in the 
 United Netherlands and made her the tender mother of so many needy 
 churches, continue to bless her more and more! May He especially bless 
 you, the guardians of such a highly- favored and flourishing Zion, for the 
 glorification of His great name, for the edification of souls, and for the 
 comfort of many other poor churches! 
 
 Finally, we remain, Most Eeverend and Most Learned Gentlemen, and 
 Much Beloved Fathers, in due humility and with great respect, your 
 obedient servants, 
 
 Frederick Lewis Henop, Fresident p. t. 
 J. Th. Fabek, Secretary p. t. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1772. 
 
 (N. B., No. 1130; Hague 92, B. 106; Harbaugh 
 MSS., No. 31.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN THE CITY 
 OF LANCASTER THE 17tH OF JUNE 1772. 
 
 Most Reverend, Most Learned, and Most Esteemed Fathers 
 
 in Christ: 
 
 In order to again submit to the Reverend Fathers, mth due 
 esteem, a report concerning the present condition and growth 
 of our Reformed Church, planted here through the grace of 
 God, we hereby send to you the Minutes of Coetus, held this 
 year, on June 17th, 1772, in the city of Lancaster. 
 
 May God, in his kindness, grant that the transactions of 
 this Coetus be blessed, and that they may tend to promote 
 the further growth of His Church in this country! 
 
 We further wish that the Reverend Fathers may derive 
 real pleasure from the same. We commend ourselves, to- 
 gether with all the Pennsylvania Reformed churches, next to 
 God, to the further protection and affection of the Reverend 
 Fathers, 
 
 The following were present : 
 
 J. Th. Faber, p. t. President, W. Hendel, 
 
 J. Waldschmidt, F. Henop, 
 
 J. D. Gros, N. Pomp, 
 
 F. Dalliker, J. Weimar, 
 
 Abr. Blumer, J. G. Wittner, 
 
 Chr. Gobrecht, C. Bucher, 
 
 J. H. Helfenstein,* J. G. Gebhard, 
 
 J. H. Helferich, Caspar Weyberg, 
 
 J. Du Bois, C. L. Boehme, p. t. Secretary. 
 
 Do. Leydich was not present, but in a letter excused him- 
 self on account of being unwell. 
 
 Do. Faber, as President, opened the Coetus mth an edify- 
 ing sermon on 1 Cor. iv. 1-2. After the service all the min- 
 isters, together with their accompanying elders, went into the 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy adds : Ph. W. Otterbein and B. Swob. 
 
 (324) 
 
BECOBDS OF 1772, 325 
 
 Reformed school-house, because it was most convenient for 
 us. Here the Coetus opened, after divine strength and assist- 
 ance had been invoked, and the following business was trans- 
 acted : 
 
 FIKST SESSION. 2 P. M. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 First of all, the usual question concerning the external and 
 internal condition of the congregations was put to all minis- 
 ters by the President, ]\Ir. Faber, which was answered by each 
 one. But as in this world we never can boast of anything 
 perfect, every one of the brethren had reasons to complain 
 because of the little progress and the few fruits of his work. 
 But, thank God, it also appeared that here and there persons 
 are won who are earnestly seeking the salvation of their souls 
 and the glorification of God's name. May the Lord further 
 grant grace and blessing, and may He equip and qualify, with 
 a true knowledge of self and the power of His Holy Spirit, 
 all those who have been, and may yet be, sent into His vine- 
 yard. 
 
 Then each elder handed in the testimonial of his congrega- 
 tion with regard to the minister, his doctrine, life and walk. 
 After these testimonials had been read, it appeared that all 
 congregations were satisfied with their ministers, which the 
 elders also orally confirmed. A¥hen questioned concerning 
 catechization, no complaints were heard from any congre- 
 gation. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Among other testimonials, the brethren who arrived here 
 last winter, namely, Dos. Helferich, Helfenstein and Gebhard, 
 brought in calls, each one from the congregations to which he 
 had been assigned until the present Coetus. Of this we will 
 now further report. 
 
 Do. Helferich was temporarily assigned to the congregation 
 in Maxatawny, which up to that time had been vacant, and 
 was therefore greatly reduced in numbers. This was in ac- 
 cordance with the promise given them by the Reverend Coetus 
 a year ago in Reading, of which the Reverend Fathers will 
 find more in the Minutes of the Coetus held in Reading last 
 year. (Art. IV, Session 1.) Since Do. Helferich has thus 
 
326 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 far served this congregation, and the latter has been induced, 
 on account of his praiseworthy conduct, to present a call to 
 him before this Coetus, therefore he was appointed as its 
 regular minister. 
 
 Do. Helfenstein, whom the congregation at Germantown 
 (after Do. Faehring had accepted a call from New York) 
 requested to supply it with all the services of the sanctuary, 
 also brought a very excellent testimonial of his life and doc- 
 trine, and therefore was assigned by our Coetus to this con- 
 gregation as its regular minister. The congregation promises 
 75 pounds Pennsylvania money. 
 
 Do. Gebhard, who, at his arrival, was engaged by the con- 
 gregations at Worcester, or Skippack, and Witpen (which 
 had been served thus far by Do. Faehring) , was also assigned 
 to these congregations, which had given him a call and very 
 excellent testimonials. The congregation promises 60 pounds 
 Pennsylvania money [as his salary]. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 The congregation at Frankford, which in the past was 
 served by Do. Faehring, asks that Do. Helfenstein, of Ger- 
 mantown, serve them every two weeks in the afternoon, but in 
 such a manner that no disadvantage shall arise to the congre- 
 gation in Germantown with regard to catechization. 
 
 Resolved : The congregation of Frankford shall thus be 
 served by the minister of Germantown (every other week, in 
 the afternoon), but with the condition that Do. Helfenstein 
 shall liold catechization in Germantown in the forenoon. 
 Moreover, two Sundays in the year shall be granted to the 
 congregation at Frankford for holding communion. 
 
 Article IV. 
 The congregations at Lowhill and Heidelberg ask to be 
 supplied by any of the neighboring ministers, and refer to 
 Do. lielferich as their nearest minister. 
 
 Resolved : Both congregations shall be supplied by Do. 
 Helferich. 
 
 Article V. 
 The Trumbauer congregation (w^hich a year ago already, 
 at the last Coetus, brought in a complaint, that the congre- 
 
RECORDS OF 1772. 327 
 
 gations at Tohickoii and Indianfield, since the time Mr. Wack 
 serves them, refuse to let him preach there, although Do. 
 Gobreeht, the former pastor, supplied the congregation) 
 again complain at this Coetus, and offered, if said minister, 
 Do. Wack, should be allowed to preach for them every third 
 Sunday, as they desired, to contribute one-third of his salary. 
 Resolved: That as had been done before by Do. Gobreeht, 
 so now the congregations at Tohickon and Indianfield shall 
 be served by Do. Wack, together with the Trumbauer con- 
 gregation. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 Some time ago the congregation at Trappe, which before 
 was united with Skippaek and Witpen, separated itself from 
 these congregations and was served by Do. Leydich. But, 
 since Skippaek and Witpen have extended a call to Do. 
 Gebhard, who arrived this winter, promising him sixty 
 pounds, Pennsylvania money, and are not able to raise this 
 amount for any length of time because they are as yet weak, 
 therefore they request Coetus to assist them in bringing about 
 a reunion between the congregation at Trappe and the con- 
 gregations at Worcester and Witpen. 
 
 Resolved : The congregation at Trappe shall again unite 
 with Worcester and Witpen, and recognize and accept Do. 
 Gebhard as its minister, and also contribute according to its 
 ability to his temporal support and the salary promised. To 
 this end Brother Leydich shall give up this congregation. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. JUNE 18tH, 8 A. M. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 Brother Du Bois again presented to the Coetus of Penn- 
 sylvania the praiseworthy founding of Queen College at New 
 Brunswick, and requested that the Reverend Coetus might 
 lend a helping hand to this work, and that each of the breth- 
 ren should recommend the college to his congregation. 
 
 Resolved : That, whereas there is nothing improper in this 
 request, and the founding of this institution is right and for 
 the welfare of the public, therefore the request of Brother 
 Du Bois be immediately granted. At the same time it was 
 promised that the Coetus of Pennsylvania would always deem 
 
328 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 it a pleasure to contribute something to such a worthy cause, 
 and each one expressed his willingness to recommend it to the 
 congregations entrusted to him. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 The brethren, Wack, Weber, Neveling, Wagner and Steiner, 
 who were examined last year by the Coetus held in Reading, 
 appeared and, partly themselves, partly their congregations 
 which they served thus far, petitioned Coetus for ordination. 
 At first they were put oif with hopes for next year, since by 
 that time we expect an answer from the Reverend Fathers in 
 regard to them. However, on account of the earnest petition 
 of their congregations and the representation of their great 
 need, that, although they had a minister in their midst, yet at 
 baptisms and other necessary ministerial acts they were 
 obliged to look elsewhere for an ordained minister, and thus 
 were only supplied with preaching, and concerning the ad- 
 ministration of the Sacraments they must still be regarded as 
 vacant, therefore the Reverend Coetus finally resolved to pro- 
 ceed as follows : 
 
 Resolved: The brethren named above (according to the 
 resolution passed in 1771 at the Coetus held in Reading) shall 
 once more be examined, peremptorily.* The place where this 
 shall be done shall be at the home of the President, Do. Faber. 
 Dos. Weyberg, Faber, Gros and Pomp were chosen as exam- 
 iners. If the result shall be satisfactory to the examiners, 
 the ordination shall take place. 
 
 Article IX. 
 Concerning the congregation in Baltimore, we are sorry 
 that we cannot yet report to the Reverend Fathers that a 
 union was effected. The congregation is in the same condi- 
 tion as last year and before; although the Reverend Coetus 
 has taken all pains and employed all possible means to effect 
 a reunion, yet there has been no result thus far. The Rev- 
 erend Fathers will remember from the Minutes of last year, 
 that the resolution of the Reverend Coetus concerning Balti- 
 
 * Ace-ording to the custom then prevailing in Holland, candidates for 
 the ministry had to pass two examinations, the first called examen 
 praeparatorvum, the second examen peremptoriuvi. 
 
BECOBDS OF 177 B. 229 
 
 more was to the effect that both Do. Faber and Do. Schwob 
 should no longer serve Baltimore, and also that the meeting- 
 house built by Schwob 's party should be put to another use, 
 and that the parties should harmoniously attend divine ser- 
 vice in the regular church. They were also promised by the 
 Eeverend Coetus (if they should follow this advice) that the 
 first minister who might be sent by the Reverend Fathers 
 would be sent to them. With this both parties were satisfied, 
 and united in the presence of the Coetus. Do. Faber imme- 
 diately left Baltimore, and now serves DanethaT\m [Taney- 
 town]. But, according to the statement and the written ac- 
 cusation of the other party, Mr. Schwob continued to preach 
 to his party in the meeting-house prohibited by Coetus. This 
 displeased the congregation, and it also looked around for 
 some one to preach for it in the old church. Now it hap- 
 pened that last v.dnter Do. Wallauer came into this country, 
 but without a recommendation from the Reverend Fathers. 
 The congregation in Baltimore heard of his arrival and sent 
 a delegate to engage Do. Wallauer in order to preach for it 
 until the next Coetus. Mr. Wallauer consented to do this. 
 
 Both parties appeared at this Coetus, the party that had 
 accepted Mr. Schwob as well as the one that had accepted Mr. 
 Wallauer. The latter party petitioned for Mr. Wallauer^ 
 adding a call with fifty signatures. But since we had been 
 warned by the Reverend Fathers in regard to Mr. Wallauer,^ 
 we could not receive him, of which the delegates from Balti- 
 more were informed. 
 
 Since no inclination for a union of the two parties could 
 be observed, Coetus was ready with new propositions to bring 
 about a union. The first proposition was not to take up the 
 ease of Baltimore in any way unless the two parties unite and 
 submit themselves to the Coetus, which will then take care 
 that they receive a minister. But this proposition was not 
 accepted. Then the delegates of the congregation in Balti- 
 more were asked whether they would allow Mr. Schwob to 
 preach in the old church. But their plain answer was: 
 * ' No. ' ' Then it was represented to Do. Schwob that, because 
 there are enough other places where he could preach, he should 
 give up Baltimore, as otherwise no union could be expected. 
 
330 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Mr. Schwob said that he, personally, did not insist, but his 
 party desired that he should preach for them. 
 
 In this connection we will inform the Reverend Fathers 
 that the brethren are not all of one mind in regard to this 
 case. Some appeal to the resolution at Reading, believing 
 that the parties will not unite until an unpartisan minister is 
 sent there. But others insist that Mr. Schwob 's party should 
 be assisted. The following questions relate to this subject. 
 They were approved by a majority of votes in Coetus, and 
 are hereby submitted to the judgment of the Reverend 
 Fathers : 
 
 Question 1. Whether a congregation which has accepted a 
 minister outside of the Coetus, and without the consent and ap- 
 proval of the same, is to be regarded as a congregation under 
 the Coetus, and whether or not Coetus could take care of such 
 a congregation? 
 
 Resolved: No. 
 
 Question 2. AVhether we could take care of members of a 
 congregation who submit themselves to the Coetus and desire 
 to be supplied with a minister ? 
 
 Resolved: Yes. 
 
 Then the following resolution was passed : 
 
 " The congregation in Baltimore shall be visited from time 
 to time by ministers of the Coetus, namely, by those who live 
 across the Susquehanna." 
 
 Article X. 
 With regard to the congregation at Pequea, which was re- 
 ferred to at length in the Minutes of last year, it may be 
 stated that it was formerly served by the ministers of Lan- 
 caster. But now the congregation in Lancaster has grown to 
 such an extent that a minister cannot very well be spared 
 there, on account of catechization and other ministerial 
 duties, which at times are very numerous. Therefore, Brother 
 Gobrecht, having been requested by the said congregation, 
 has agreed, because he has to serve other widely-scattered 
 ehurches, also to serve Pequea this year, every four weeks, on 
 a week day, with preaching and catechization, and also on two 
 Sundays to administer the Holy Sacraments. This was ap- 
 proved by our Coetus. 
 
RECORDS OF J77S, 33I 
 
 Article XI. 
 
 The congregation of Cacusi, otherwise called Heidelberg, 
 in Berks County, submitted the following complaint: The 
 congregation had greatly declined for some time because it 
 had no minister, and it finally had found itself entirely un- 
 able to secure a minister. But in order to build this congre- 
 gation up again, it had applied to the congregation in Read- 
 ing, when Mr. Boos (of whom mention shall be made in a sep- 
 arate article) arrived there, to be served by him from time to 
 time. The congregation in Reading, through neighborly love, 
 allowed Mr. Boos to preach in Heidelberg every third Sun- 
 day, which, up to this time, has been done by Mr. Boos. 
 From the testimonials produced, it appeared that the congre- 
 gation at Cacusi was much pleased with his preaching, and 
 through his ministry almost restored to its former condition. 
 
 But now the congrega,tion in Reading declares that it can 
 no longer allow its minister to serve said congregation, be- 
 cause it considers this, for certain reasons, harmful. There- 
 fore the congregation at Cacusi petitions the Reverend Coetus 
 that it might continue to be served by Mr. Boos, whereupon 
 the following resolution was passed : 
 
 Resolved, That as long as said congregation shall have love 
 and affection for Mv. Boos and feel edified by his sermons and 
 life, it shall be served by him. 
 
 Article XII. 
 
 The five congregations in Virginia, which appeared a year 
 ago before our Coetus and most earnestly requested a min- 
 ister of our Coetus, came again this year with a most urgent 
 request. But the Coetus, as in the previous year, was unable 
 to comply with their wish, and tried to encourage them once 
 more with good hope and consolation. The resolution of 
 Coetus, and the letter sent to them, are as follows : 
 
 Resolved : These congregations shall confer with each other 
 how they can raise a salary for the support of a minister, and 
 then make out a call, so that when ministers arrive here and 
 are willing, they may accept the call. In the meantime they 
 shall occasionally be supplied by ministers (of the Coetus). 
 Article XIII. 
 
 Brother Gros from Lower Saucon preferred the following 
 complaint against his congregations : 
 
332 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 1. That he had been compelled to do his work among his 
 congregations for a long time with sighs. Not only had they 
 paid no regard to the Word, which he preached to them in the 
 name of the Lord, but faithful admonitions and reproofs also 
 had been fruitless, and finally he had to preach to empty seats. 
 
 2. That these congregations had been entirely forgetful of 
 their duty towards their minister concerning his temporal 
 support, and had not given him a salary, so that it was almost 
 impossible for him to live. Do. Gros also presented the call 
 given to him by his congregations, in which they pledged 
 themselves to give a salary to their minister, but did not fix 
 an amount, from which Do. Gros drew the conclusion that at 
 that time said congregations might not have been sincere 
 towards their minister. Now, since this complaint was not 
 contradicted, either by the accompanying elder, or by any one 
 else, we were compelled to uphold Mr. Gros, and the follow- 
 ing resolution of Coetus was sent to the congregation at 
 Lower Saucon: 
 
 Resolved, Tha^t the members of the congregation at Lower 
 Saucon should in future be more reverential towards the 
 Word of God, more zealous in caring for their souls, and act 
 more lovingly towards their minister. If not. Do. Gros shall 
 have permission from our Coetus to accept a call from an- 
 other place at any time. 
 
 Article XIV. 
 
 Concerning Mr. Boos: The congregation in Reading again 
 presented a call for Mr. Boos, together with a commendatory 
 testimonial of his doctrine, life and walk, and at the same 
 time requested that ]\Ir. Boos might be left to them as their 
 minister next year. The congregation also orally petitioned 
 for his reception into our Coetus. But since we had been 
 warned by the Reverend Fathers with regard to Mr. Boos, the 
 following was conununicated in writing to the congregation in 
 Reading : 
 
 That the Reverend Coetus, by virtue of the last letter re- 
 ceived from the Reverend Fathers concerning Mr. Boos, could 
 not care for him, and still less admit him into our Coetus 
 without further and more favorable information from the 
 Reverend Fathers in regard to him. But Mr. Boos shall be 
 
BECOEDS OF 1112. 
 
 333 
 
 left to them, in order to perforin the duties relating to their 
 divine service, as long as no complaints are raised against him 
 and Mr. Boos succeeds in edifying them. 
 
 Article XV. 
 No other important business being on hand, and the Coetus 
 nearing its close, the brethren gave the status of their congre- 
 gations, as follows: 
 
 Pastor. 
 
 Weyberg . 
 Faber . . 
 
 Gobrecht . 
 Weimar . 
 Bluraer. . 
 
 Wittner 
 Du Bois 
 Dallicker 
 
 Henop . 
 Boehm . 
 
 Hendel . 
 
 Gros . . . 
 
 Pomp . . 
 
 Bucher . . 
 
 Helferich . 
 Helfenstein 
 Gebhard . 
 
 Place. 
 
 Philadelpliia 
 
 (Old Goshenhoppen . . . 
 New Goshenhoppen . . . 
 Great Swamp 
 
 {Muddy Creek 
 Sehenreich 
 Cocalico 
 Keyer's Church . . . . 
 Conococheague 
 
 (Allentown 
 Jordan . 
 Schlosser's 
 
 [Egypt . _ 
 
 (Upper Milford 
 Kastenberg 
 Saltzburg 
 
 North and Southampton . 
 
 (Rockaway 
 Valley 
 Foxhill 
 
 (Frederick 
 Glade 
 The Mountains 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 fTulpehocken 
 
 I Swatara 
 
 -j Muehlbach 
 
 Heidelberg 
 
 [ Kaemerlings 
 
 f Lower Saucon 
 
 \ Indiantield 
 
 Falker Swamp 
 
 f Lebanon and four congre- 
 \ gations belonging to it . 
 
 Will report next year. 
 
 Fam. 
 
 Bapi. 
 
 *300 
 
 70 
 
 I 170 
 
 37 
 
 ■ 443 
 
 46 
 
 86 
 
 30 
 
 ■ 82 
 
 38 
 
 ' 95 
 
 24 
 
 
 6 
 
 [ 134 
 
 60 
 
 [ 210 
 J 
 
 71 
 
 154 
 
 1- 146 
 
 71 
 
 216 
 
 J 
 
 
 } 87 
 
 32 
 
 102 
 
 37 
 
 1 161 
 
 103 
 
 Conf. 
 
 32 
 
 **23 
 
 15 
 47 
 41 
 
 30 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 40 
 
 t40 
 
 20 
 15 
 35 
 
 * Those who have subscribed to the building of the church exclusive of occa- 
 sional visitors. 
 
 ** Of whom three were married. 
 
 t Includes seven married people. 
 
334 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Coetus resolved to discuss where, God willing, it would 
 meet next year. Since, in the usual order, Coetus was to meet 
 in Philadelphia, Brother Weyberg stated that the congrega- 
 tion in Philadelphia had begun to build a new church, and 
 that they expected, under God's blessing, to finish it in good 
 time during next summer, and therefore asked whether Coetus 
 could not meet at the time of its dedication. This was not 
 only granted hy Coetus, but also found very commendable 
 and edifjang. 
 
 The Minutes were then signed by the brethren mentioned 
 in the beginning, and our Coetus was closed with prayer. 
 
 May Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of His flock, regard with 
 favor these transactions of his weak instruments and over- 
 look what is deficient therein. Finally, may He permit them 
 to serve for the further advancement of His Church and the 
 spread of His name. Amen. 
 
 J. Th. Faber, p. t. President. 
 C. L. BoEHME, p. t. Secretary. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1773. 
 
 (N. B., No. 1144; Hague 92, B. 109; Harbaugh 
 MSS., No. 37.) 
 Very Reverend, Learned and Venerable Fathers in Christ: 
 
 According to our duty, we hereby send you again the fol- 
 lowing report of the condition of the congTegations in Penn- 
 sylvania entrusted to our care. This report consists of the 
 Acts of our Coetus, held in Lancaster, October 27th and 28th, 
 1773. According to Article XVI. of the Acts of last year, 
 the meeting should have taken place in Philadelphia, about 
 Pentecost, in order to dedicate, on that occasion, at the re- 
 quest of the congregation, the new church built there. But 
 as they had not finished the building, our meeting was trans- 
 ferred to Lancaster as the most suitable place. May our 
 transactions be blessed, above all, to the glorification of Jesus 
 and the spread of His Church, but may they also give satis- 
 faction to our Reverend Fathers! We commend ourselves, 
 and all our Pennsylvania congregations, to your further pro- 
 tection and fatherly favor. 
 
 ACTS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COETUS, HELD IN LANCASTER, OCTO- 
 BER 27 AND 28, 1773. 
 Present. 
 C. L. Boehm, p. t. President, pastor at Lancaster. 
 
 W. Otterbein, " York. 
 
 Caspar AYeyberg, " Philadelphia. 
 
 John Phil. Leydich, *' Pottstown. 
 
 John Waldschmidt, " 
 
 W. Hendel, " Tulpehocken. 
 
 Conrad Bucher, " Lebanon. 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, " Germantown. 
 
 J. G. Gebhard, " Skippack. 
 
 Jacob Weymer, " Conococheague. 
 
 J. Christ. Gobrecht, " Cocalico. 
 
 N. Pomp, " Falkner Swamp. 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, " Maxatawny. 
 
 Frederick Henop, " Frederick [Md.]. 
 
 John' Th. Faber, ' ' Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Abraham Blumer, p. t. Secretary, ' ' Northampton. 
 
 (335) 
 
336 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, 
 
 Absent. 
 
 Do. "Wittner, pastor at Upper Milford. 
 
 Do. DaUiker, " " Valley, N. J. 
 
 Do. Du Bois passed into eternity during the past year. 
 
 Do. Faehring has accepted a call to New York; also Do. 
 Oros. See Art. X. 
 
 Vacant places, or congregations, desiring ministers : 
 
 Three congregations on the Lehigh. See Art. II. 
 
 Hanover, etc. See Art. XI. 
 
 The congregations in Virginia have been advised to send a 
 petition to the Reverend Deputies. See Art. VI. 
 
 SESSION I. OCTOBER 27tH, P. M. 
 
 The majority of the members of the Honorable Coetus 
 having met in Lancaster, first of all a sermon was preached 
 in the church by Do. Weyberg, on Luke xii. 49. Then, in the 
 afternoon, at 2 o'clock, the sessions began, and the following 
 business was transacted : 
 
 I. 
 
 Do. Boehm, who, at the opening of the session, had been 
 elected President, put the general questions concerning the 
 external and internal condition of the congregations. The 
 answers given showed (1) that, with regard to the external 
 condition, there are here and there some troubles, which will 
 be mentioned later on. (2) With regard to the internal 
 condition, each minister has some hope that his ministry has 
 been accompanied by good results and blessings; some hope 
 more, others less. 
 
 II. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus was asked for a minister by three 
 congregations on the Lehigh. These three congregations thus 
 far had had irregular teachers, and were in no connection 
 with the Reverend Coetus ; and because there is hope now that 
 some good may be done among them by a regular minister, 
 the Reverend Coetus deemed it well to help them. It granted 
 their request by allowing them to extend a regular call to a 
 minister of the Reverend Coetus. Until that time, they must 
 be satisfied with the service of the neighboring ministers. 
 
BECOBDS OF 177S. 337 
 
 III. 
 
 A congregation in Lower Tulpehocken, which was served 
 by Do. Stoy, but was left by him some time ago, asked, 
 through a delegated elder, to be served by one or the other 
 minister from the neighborhood, which was granted to them. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Trumbauer's congregation, in Bucks County, which was at 
 first served by Do. Gobrccht, and afterwards, from time to 
 time, by Do. Faber, asked the Reverend Coetus for Do. Geb- 
 hard. Because he has to serve only two congregations, and 
 may, with the consent of these, give every third Sunday to 
 said congregation, therefore the Eeverend Coetus has given 
 its consent to it, 
 
 V. 
 
 The congregation at Naconixum [Noekamixon], which thus 
 far was not connected with any other congregation having a 
 minister, requests the service of Mr. "Wack. Because there 
 appeared to be no obstacle to this, the Eeverend Coetus voted 
 that j\Ir. Wack shall serve the congregation from time to 
 time in as far as lie may do so without neglecting his other 
 congregations. 
 
 SESSION n. OCTOBER 28th, a. M. 
 VI. 
 Since several -congregations in Virginia, which were en- 
 tirely neglected until this time, have often, and now again, 
 asked for a minister, it was resolved that they shall be visited 
 from time to time by the ministers living nearest to them. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The same resolution as in the preceding article was reached 
 by the Reverend Coetus with regard to the congregations on 
 Holzon's River.* 
 
 vni. 
 
 Whereas the sad division in the congregation in Baltimore 
 still continues, and the one party extended a call to Do. Otter- 
 bein, and the question was put whether it would be advisable 
 
 * Perhaps Holston xiver in Virginia. 
 
 22 
 
338 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 for Do. Otterbein to accept the call, Coetus resolved: That^ 
 inasmuch as the other party is too much prejudiced against 
 Do. Otterbein, it would be better that some one else should 
 serve the congregation. Whereupon the elders of both par- 
 ties present at the Coetus extended a call to Do. Hendel, who 
 was given permission by the Reverend Coetus to accept it. 
 But in case Do. Hendel should decline, the congregation was 
 given permission to call some other member of the Reverend 
 Coetus. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Mr. Wack reported that a school teacher had dared to 
 baptize a child. The judgment of the Reverend Coetus being 
 requested in this case, it was resolved that such baptism was 
 invalid. 
 
 X. 
 
 Do. Gros having left his congregations in Pennsylvania, 
 about a year ago, and accepted a call in the State of New 
 York, sent a written statement to the Coetus justifying his 
 departure. The reasons why Do. Gros left his congregations 
 in Pennsylvania are, as he writes: 1. Unkindness, obstinacy, 
 negligence of the members in attending divine service; 2. in- 
 justice in withholding and retaining his salary. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Hanover, Abbottstown, Bermudian, and Silver Run ask for 
 a minister who would serve them in common. It was resolved 
 to care for them as soon as possible. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Since Do. Otterbein reports that he is determined to leave 
 the congregation in York, and the congregation therefore 
 asks for Mr. Wagner, it was resolved that, in case Do. Otter- 
 bein really leaves York, Mr. Wagner may serve it; however, 
 a written call shall be presented to the next meeting of the 
 Reverend Coetus for confirmation. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Finally, it was resolved that the next meeting of Coetus 
 shall be held on the second Sunday before Ascension, in 
 Philadelphia. 
 
EECOEDS OF 1773. 339 
 
 Now follow the statistics of the congregations, as handed in : 
 
 Fam. Bapt. Conf. 
 
 Weyberg, in Philadelphia 300 135 40 
 
 Boehm, in Lancaster 218 103 24 
 
 Leydich, in Pottstown, Providence and Coventry. . . . 136 56 22 
 Henop, in rrederick, Kittatinny Mountains, and 
 
 Glade church 188 107 62 
 
 Pomp, in Falkner Swamp and Vincent 107 66 42 
 
 Faber, in Old and New Goshenhoppen and Trum- 
 
 bauer 's 260 87 36 
 
 Bucher, in Lebanon, Quittopehilla, Warwick, Man- 
 
 heim, Eapho, and Donegal 162 127 15 
 
 Weymer, in Conococheague 86 45 24 
 
 In visiting the churches in Virginia 89 88 
 
 Gobrecht, in Cocalico, Muddy Creek, Seltenreich 
 
 and Eeyer 's 92 65 29 
 
 Helflfrich, Maxatawny, Langekirch [De Long], Hei- 
 delberg and Lowhill 118 65 13 
 
 Blumer, in Northampton, Jordan, Schlosser's and 
 
 Egypt 125 91 25 
 
 May the good and faithful Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who 
 gathered His flock by the service of the Word and the power 
 of His Spirit, and purchased it with His blood for God, fur- 
 ther preserve, spread and multiply the same, to the praise of 
 His glorious grace and the eternal salvation of men. 
 
 Charles Lewis Boehme, p. t. Pres. 
 
 Abraham Blumer, p. t. Sec. 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO SYNODS AND CLASSIS, 
 NOVEMBER 26, 1773. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 110; N. B., No. 1145.) 
 
 Most Eeverend, Most Learned, and Most Esteemed Fathers: 
 
 We feel honored by two letters from you, dated March 9th, 1772, and 
 March 11th, 1773, together with your answer to the Minutes of Coetus 
 held in Beading. In these letters you show your sincere love and care 
 for the Coetus of Pennsylvania, and the welfare of the church of this 
 country. You plainly and earnestly warn us against that which might 
 be contrary to your intentions. 
 
 We must begin our letter by confessing our fault, namely, that those 
 young men who were examined in Reading in 1771, and whose rigorous 
 examination was concluded in Lancaster in 1772, after they had satisfied 
 the appointed examiners (together with Mr. Schwob, who had passed 
 his examination before, being a man of forty years of age), were given 
 permission to administer the Holy Sacraments in those congregations 
 which they had until then supplied only with preaching. All this was 
 done before we received your fatherly warnings. From these we now 
 learn that we acted hastily, and hereby ask, hoping for a favorable an- 
 swer, your pardon of this hasty action of Coetus. However, said men 
 are not recognized as regular members of the Coetus, and have no vote 
 in our meeting until the Eeverend Fathers shall give their consent. 
 
 From Article 9 and the conclusion of the Minutes in Reading, 1771, 
 you infer that the Coetus appointed for Whitsunday of the following 
 year must be a special meeting, but it is the Coetus held on the 17th and 
 18th of June, 1772, in Lancaster, of which the Eeverend Fathers must 
 have received the Minutes long ago. The time of the meeting was 
 changed from fall to the beginning of summer, in order to send the 
 Minutes sufficiently early, that we may receive your answer before the 
 next Coetus is held. 
 
 The Reverend Fathers ask us whether the Coetus of Pennsylvania 
 received any charitable donations from the city and county of Groningen. 
 To this we answer, that for two years we have received no charitable 
 donations, except 150 fl. from you, the Most Eeverend Deputies of the 
 Eeverend Synods of North and South Holland, with a letter dated 
 March 9th, 1772; and 250 fl. from the Most Eeverend Deputies of the 
 Reverend Classis of Amsterdam, for which generous and kind gifts we 
 heartily thank you, praying to God that He may reward you. 
 
 To the question which you raise concerning Baltimore, whether those 
 of adverse opinion cannot be prevented by the secular government from 
 building a second church, we must answer that such cannot be done in 
 Pennsvlvania, still less in ^Maryland, to which State Baltimore belongs. 
 
 (340) 
 
BECORDS OF 1773. O-il 
 
 But Mr. Christian Faber,* who was formerly in Baltimore, but left it 
 for the sake of peace, in the hope of a reunion, must be distinguished 
 from Do. J. Th. Faber, who was sent by you, and who, from the begin- 
 ning until the present time, has faithfully served his congregation at 
 Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Do. Wittner conducts himself, in his small congregations, over which 
 he was placed, as it were, on trial, in such a way that as yet not the 
 least complaint has been brought against him. Heretofore his poverty 
 was the main cause of the miserable condition of his body and mind. 
 Since this has now, to some extent, been remedied, there is hope that his 
 ability to edify his people will increase. 
 
 Mr. Boos, against whom you so earnestly warn us, is not recognized 
 by the Coetus as a member; and with respect to Stahlschmidt, we will 
 not do anj-thing without your consent. 
 
 The Reverend Fathers finally ask for the causes why Do. Stoy is not 
 considered a member of Coetus. The cause lies in the fear of Coetus 
 that in future our meetings would be passed fruitlessly with unprofitable 
 discussions if Do. Stoy were present. A year ago he published a sar- 
 castic article against Coetus in the newspaper, and this year, after the 
 meeting of Coetus, sent to all the ministers a circular filled with the 
 most violent threats. 
 
 The charitable donations, amounting to 46 pounds 5 shillings, Pennsyl- 
 vania money, whose receipt was acknowledged above, were used as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 £ s. 
 
 Two schoolmasters 4 10 
 
 An old blind man 2 5 
 
 Two widows of ministers in Philadelphia 8 
 
 Total 14 15 
 
 The traveling expenses of the minister going to Holzon's Kiver must 
 be paid out of the balance remaining, according to Art. VII. The bal- 
 ance, amounting to £31 10s. was not used by the members of Coetus for 
 their traveling expenses this year, for reasons which we hereby take the 
 liberty to lay before you. 
 
 Most of us are in our best years, all are married except Do. Otterbein, 
 and the majority are blessed with children. Owing to our very arduous 
 work our strength is early exhausted, and none of us can save enough out 
 of his salary to enable his widow and orphans to live comfortably after 
 his death. Moreover, there are no institutions in this country which 
 care for widows and orphans. Now, in order not to leave our dear ones 
 entirely helpless after our departure, all the members of Coetus have re- 
 solved to establish a widows' and orphans' fund, into which every mem- 
 ber of Coetus, as long as he lives, is to pay annually a fixed sum, which, 
 
 • His correct name was John Christopher Faber, as appears from a 
 letter of his, preserved at the Hague, 92, B. 107. 
 
342 COETUS OF PEXXSYLVAXIA. 
 
 after Ma death, is to be paid out, with interest, to his widow and 
 orphans. But since we are too weak in number and means to make a 
 good start in this enterprise, we ask the Eeverend Fathers for permis- 
 sion to use for this purpose that money which remains of the charitable 
 donations, after duly providing for the present widows of ministers and 
 schoolmasters, and which thus far was used to defray the traveling ex- 
 penses of the ministers attending Coetus. 
 
 With respect to Do. Du Bois, deceased, we mention that his former 
 congregations cannot be supplied by any of us, for English and Dutch 
 mast be preached there at the same time. For this reason the Secretary 
 did not include those congregations among the vacant charges. They 
 hope to be supplied from Xew York. 
 
 Finally, since in your letter, dated Hague, March 9th, 1772, an entire 
 postscript of eight lines is stricken out, we take the liberty to ask the 
 Eeverend Fathers whether said postscript underwent this change already 
 in Holland or not. 
 
 In conclusion, we ask God for his richest blessing upon you, and com- 
 mend ourselves and our congregations to your fxirther love. 
 
 We remain, in due reverence. Most Eeverend Fathers, 
 Tour obedient servants, 
 
 C. L. BoEHM, p. *. President. 
 Abb AH AM Bltjmee, p. t. Secretary. 
 
 N02THAiiPT0y, November 26. 1773. 
 
:^rDsXTES OF COETUS HELD IN PHILADELPHIA. 
 :sLAY 2-3. 1774. 
 
 (N. B.. 1151: Hague 92. B. 116.) 
 
 The Coetus of Pennsylvania was held this time in Phila- 
 delphia. May 2d and 3d, 1774. 
 
 The following was transacted in the presence of — 
 Xame. Place. 
 
 Abr. Blumer, p. t. President, Xorthampton. 
 
 Caspar "Weyberg. Philadelphia. 
 
 John Phil. Leydich, Pottstown. 
 
 "VTiUiam Hendel. Tulpehocken. 
 
 N. Pomp, Falkner Swamp. 
 
 George TTittner, Upper !Milford. 
 
 Conrad Bucher, Lebanon. 
 
 C, L. Boehm, Lancaster. » 
 
 Albert HeLffenstein, Germantown. \ 
 
 J. G. Gebhard, SMppack. 
 
 J. H. Helffrich, Masatawny. r 
 
 J. C. Faber, Pipe Creek 
 
 Frederick DeUiker, Valley. 
 
 The following were absent: 
 
 Frederick Henop. Frederick, on aecouiit of a journey to 
 Virginia. 
 
 J. Th. Faber, Goshenhoppen, on account of the sickness of 
 his children. 
 
 VT. Otterbein. Baltimore, on account of his journey to that 
 place. 
 
 J. "Waldschmidt. 
 
 Jacob VTcNTiiar. Conococheague. 
 
 J. Christ. Gobrecht, Cocalieo, probably on account of a 
 freshet. 
 
 The congregations that desire to be supplied with ministers, 
 and for which, in the meantime, we try our best to provide, 
 are the following: 
 
 1. The congregations of Xew[?] Hanover. Abbottstown, 
 
 1.343)^ 
 
344 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Bermudian, Silver Run, and Kreuzkirehe [Christ church, 
 near Littlestown] . See Art. II. 
 
 2. The three congregations on the Lehigh. See Art. Y. 
 
 SESSION I. MAY 2d, 2 P. M. 
 
 On the previous day, i. e., the 1st of May, the solemn dedi- 
 cation of the newly-built church in Philadelphia took place. 
 There was a three-fold service,* which was opened by Do. 
 Weyberg himself, with a discourse on Ezek. xliii. 7. Do. 
 Blumer, President of the Coetus, chose for his text Rom. xii, 2. 
 
 Article I. 
 The answers to the usual questions by Do. Blumer, Presi- 
 dent, showed, as a rule, that the Lord had graciously looked 
 upon the zeal and diligence of His servants, and conferred 
 His divine and almighty blessing upon their important work. 
 
 Article II. 
 The following congregations. New Hanover, Silver Run, 
 Christ church, Abbottstown, and Bermudian, desired a min- 
 ister, as at the last Coetus (see Art. XI of the Acts sent last 
 year). Their earnest desire was complied with in so far as 
 permission was -given them to extend a regular call to any 
 minister from our Coetus, who shall be authorized to accept 
 the same, if he will, without further informing the Coetus. 
 Until this takes place, these congregations shall be served, as 
 far as possible, by the nearest ministers. 
 
 Article III. 
 Two delegates ** from Baltimore appeared, who, at the same 
 time that they handed in a petition in favor of Do. WaUauer, 
 
 * This threefold service consisted of a German sermon, by the Eev. 
 Mr. Weyberg, in the morning, an English sermon, by the Eev. Dr. Peters, 
 in the afternoon, when the Governor of Pennsylvania was present, and 
 a German sermon in the evening, by the Rev. Mr. Boehm, of Lancaster. 
 On the following day, Monday, May 2d, the Eev. Dr. Smith, Provost of 
 Philadelphia College, preached in the morning, and the Rev. Mr. Blumer, 
 of Allentown, in the evening. See " Pennsylvanische Staatsbote " of 
 May 10, 1774. 
 
 ** The original has * * Vorateher, ' ' but this word seems to be used here 
 in the general sense of officers or delegates, as there is no reason why 
 they should have sent their deacons to represent the congregation. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1774. 345 
 
 presented a paper from the congregation, which stated that 
 Do. Otterbein had arrived in Baltimore against the wish of 
 one party of the congregation, and also against the decision 
 of the last Coetus (see Art. VIII. of the Minutes of last 
 Coetus), and also bitterly complained of this, because they re- 
 gard Do. Otterbein as a hindrance to the union that might 
 ever be hoped for on account of prejudices against him. 
 
 Since the Reverend Fathei*s very likely know the nature of 
 the scattered congregation in Baltimore, and since, on the 
 other hand, the decisions of the Reverend Coetus, no matter 
 what they are, are very little respected, and since in general 
 so much time has already been consumed regarding the con- 
 dition of this congregation without effecting the desired 
 union, which has been the only aim of our efforts, it was re- 
 solved to submit this important case to the high and most 
 mature decision of the Reverend Sirs and Fathers. The case 
 at present is as follows : 
 
 The Reverend Coetus decided, according to said Art. VIII 
 of the last Acts, that Mr. Hendel, or another impartial min- 
 ister, would be better suited for Baltimore than Do, Otterbein, 
 because the latter has so much opposition through the preju- 
 dice of prepossessed enemies. 
 
 But Do. Otterbein, in his letter to the Coetus, appeals to his 
 liberty to accept a congregation according to his conscience, 
 when, if not to the many, yet to a few, it may be regarded s 
 means of edification, 
 ' Article IV. 
 
 The congregation of York, which was vacated by Do. Otter- 
 bein, gave a call to Do. Wagner. The Reverend Coetus al- 
 lowed Do. Wagner to accept the call. 
 
 Article V. 
 The congregations on the Lehigh had given a call to Do. 
 Steiner, but, after mature consideration of the affairs, and 
 from a knowledge of these congregations, it was thought better 
 to have them still served by neighboring pastors. 
 
 SESSION II. MAY 3d, P. M. 
 
 Article VI. 
 The desire of Do. J. Christopher Faber to be received as a 
 
346 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 member of the Honorable Coetus was presented. Taking into 
 consideration your consent, which appeared from the second 
 section of Art. XV of your last letter to our Coetus, and con- 
 sidering also the testimonials of his congregations, it was re- 
 solved to comply with his request. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 Finally, it was resolved to hold the next meeting of our 
 Coetus on the third "Wednesday before Ascension Day, in 
 Lebanon, Lancaster County. 
 
 Statistics of the congregations, as far as they were pre- 
 sented at the Coetus recently held: 
 
 Fam. Bapt. Conf. 
 Blumer, in Northampton, Jordan, Egypt, and 
 
 Schlosser 's Church 148 42 30 
 
 Weyberg, in Philadelphia 300 60 52 
 
 Hendel, in Tulpehocken, Muhlbach, Bethel, and 
 
 Heidelberg 181 88 43 
 
 Pomp, in Falkner Swamp and Vincent 95 62 t 42 
 
 Wittner, in Upper Milford, Saltzburg, and Kesten- 
 
 berg 50 42 
 
 Bucher, in Lebanon, Quittopehilla, Warwick, Man- 
 
 heim, Eapho, Donegal 155 64 
 
 Helffrich, in Heidelberg, Lowhill, and Maxatawny. . 102 29 20 
 
 Dellicker, in Alexandria, Eockaway, Valley, and 
 
 FoxhiU, for two years 109 115 25 
 
 Abraham Blumer, p. t. Pres. 
 Frederick Dblliker, i^- ^- S^(^- 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO SYNODS AND CLASSIS, 
 JUNE 6, 1774. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 117; N. B., No. 1153.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Learned and Honored Gentlemen, and Fathers in Christ : 
 
 We cannot refrain from expressing to you the great pleasure which 
 we had in the signal blessing which the Lord bestowed upon the Phila- 
 delphia congregation in the completion of its important church edifice. 
 It is a building which, in the opinion of competent judges, excels most 
 churches of this city in the most essential respects. 
 
 With the aid of God, Do. Weyberg, together with his helpers, have 
 happily overcome innumerable difficulties and obstacles, and have, by 
 this beautiful edifice, gathered the hitherto scattered congregation, with 
 a few exceptions, into one flock. 
 
 The assistance rendered, not only by the congregation itself, but even 
 by other denominations, convinces us that that is done in America which 
 has long and vainly been sighed for in Germany. Episcopalians, Pres- 
 byterians, Eeformed and Lutherans united their wishes and gifts, so 
 that the church edifice in Philadelphia, which cost about 7,000 pounds, 
 could be completed and consecrated. During a whole week, one day ex- 
 cepted, the congregation was admonished, two or three times a day, by 
 the best and most thoughtful sermons, that they should dedicate new 
 hearts and willing spirits in this new temple, in order that God might 
 dwell therein. 
 
 The welcome gift of 250 guilders was delivered to us by Do. Weyberg; 
 but as distributions to needy widows and other poor persons were made 
 quite recently, that is, in October last, we applied the entire sum to our 
 intended fund for the relief of ministers' widows. We hope that you 
 will endorse this, according to our opinion, most necessary project by 
 your continued benevolence. 
 
 Your request to furnish you with a list of the schools and school chil- 
 dren will be complied with at our next meeting, Deo volente [God will- 
 ing]. It would have been done now, but it was known only to very few. 
 Eespecting the schools, there is still great imperfection here, especially 
 in Jersey, where my congregations are. There is a lack of competent 
 German teachers; therefore, many schools must be provided with Eng- 
 lish schoolmasters, most of whom are imported Irishmen. If there was 
 here or there a German who knew something, he immediately took it into 
 his head to become a preacher. An application of this kind was mads 
 to this Coetus, but was refused. 
 
 You will, no doubt, remember that the candidates Neveling, Wack, 
 Wagner, Steiner and Weber, after having passed the examination, were 
 received into the holy ministry. You, Eeverend and Dear Sirs, did not 
 fail to express your disapprobation of said act, and your sentiments 
 
 (347) 
 
348 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 shall be duly respected in the future. But siuee the thing has been done, 
 would you not have the great kindness to incorporate into the Coetua 
 the above candidates, especially the three first named, viz., Dos. Neveling, 
 Wack and Wagner, who did their duty in the study of the original lan- 
 guages of the Bible. All their testimonials are as good as can be ex- 
 pected. If you, Eeverend Sirs, would give us this proof of your fatherly 
 affection, it would contribute much to raise them in the respect and esti- 
 mation of their congregations, which is necessary in this country. 
 
 We have, Eeverend and Dear Sirs, received such incessant proofs of 
 your solicitude for us and for our churches that each rightly-thinking 
 member of our assembly cannot be grateful enough for it. We, espec- 
 ially I for myself, express the fervent wish and incessant prayer to the 
 God who hears us, that the light of your sanctified knowledge and doc- 
 trine may continue to be the blessed m.eans in God's hand to win many 
 souls bought by the precious blood of Jesus. But we beseech you also 
 to pray, in fatherly affection, for us, as your sons in Christ, who have 
 no assistance to hope for from the secular power, but must, in our 
 onerous calling, expect everything from the divine power to convince, 
 that God may more and more open the doors of His Word for us to 
 preach with gladness and cheerful spirit the mystery of the crucified 
 Jesus. 
 
 Eeeommending ourselves to your high favor and fatherly affection, 
 we remain, with due respect and devotion. 
 
 Very Eeverend, Learned, and Honored Sirs and Fathers, 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 Abraham Blumee, p. t. Pres. 
 Fredrick Delliker, p. t. Sec. 
 West New Jersey, in the German Valley, June 6, 1774. 
 
 P. S. According to the request of Mr. Stearing, dated Hague, Novem- 
 ber 17th, 1773, wc report that Dr. Sonnemens is still alive, and that he 
 has himself informed his family of the fact. 
 
MINUTES OF COETUS HELD IN LEBANON, MAY 
 10-11, 1775. 
 
 N. B., No. 1164; Hague 92, B. 120; Harbaugh 
 MSS., No. 45.)' 
 
 The Coetus of Pennsylvania was held at this time in Leb- 
 anon, May 10th and 11th, 1775. 
 
 The following was transacted in the presence of — 
 Name. Place. 
 
 Fr. Dallicker, x>- t. President, Valley. 
 
 V^. Otterbein, Baltimore. 
 
 W. Hendel, Tulpehoeken. 
 
 C. Gobrecht, Cocalico. 
 
 A. Blumer, Northampton. 
 
 H. Helffrich, Maxatav/ny. . 
 
 P. Henop, Frederick. 
 
 N. Pomp, Falkner Swamp, 
 
 C. L. Boehm, Hanover. 
 
 J. Th. Faber, Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Jacob "Weymer, Conococheague. 
 
 J. W. Ingold, Skippack. 
 
 C. Bucher, Lebanon. 
 
 Absent were : 
 
 Caspar Weyberg, Philadelphia, on account of fear that the 
 enemy might attack the city. 
 
 George "Wittner, Upper Milford, on account of domestic 
 affairs. 
 
 John Phil, Leydich, Pottstown. 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, Germantown. 
 
 Christopher Faber, Pipe Creek. 
 
 John Waldschmidt. 
 
 The congregations which desire to be supplied with min- 
 isters, and for which we try our best to pro\dde, are the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 1. Lancaster, See Art. II. 
 
 2. The congregations: Organ Church, Jacob's Church, 
 Rosenthal and Dunkel's Church. 
 
 SESSION I. MAY IOtH, 2 P. M. 
 
 There was preaching, as customary, in the forenoon, by Do. 
 
 (349) 
 
350 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Dalliker, the President of Coetus, on Heb. iii. 1, after which 
 the following was transacted in the afternoon : 
 
 Article I. 
 
 From the usual questions, it appeared that the nature of 
 the condition of our churches is moderately hopeful, and we 
 pray the Lord that He may graciously increase the good, to 
 the honor of His name and the propagation of His true 
 Church. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Do. Boehm having left Lancaster and accepted the congre- 
 gation at Hanover, etc., according to the permission given him 
 in the last Coetus, under Art. II, two delegates from Lan- 
 caster appeared with a written call for Do. J. Th. Faber, who, 
 however, could not decide to leave his congregations. The 
 following advice was therefore given to Lancaster, by resolu- 
 tion of the Coetus: That Lancaster should have liberty (in 
 case the congregation could agree) to call any minister from 
 the Coetus, and any minister may accept the call without 
 waiting until the next meeting. Further, the congregation 
 shall be served by neighboring ministers as much as possible. 
 
 Article III. 
 Since the congregations on the Lehigh again presented a 
 call for Do. Steiner (see Art. V of the Minutes of last year), 
 permission was given him to accept the call, in accordance 
 with his desire, which, however, will not occur before fall. 
 The vacant congregations shall be visited by ministers of the 
 vicinity. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 In consideration of the great troubles and sad conditions 
 under which we now live, it was resolved that on the last 
 Wednesday of next June a day of general fasting, repentance 
 and prayer shall be held in all our congregations. 
 
 SESSION II. MAY IIth, 8 A. M. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 After mature deliberations, the Coetus finds it advisable 
 
 that Do. Otterbein continue his work in the congregation in 
 
 Baltimore. It appears from his report that he labors with 
 
 blessing, and that the opposing party is becoming quiet. 
 
BE COEDS OF 1775. 351 
 
 Article VI. 
 The course of Do. Boehm in leaving Lancaster was ap- 
 proved, on account of the promises given (see Art. II of the 
 Minutes of last year), because he has accepted these congre- 
 gations, namely. New Hanover, etc. 
 
 Article VII. 
 Do. Ingold accepted the congregations Witpen and Wor- 
 cester, which was approved by us. Said congregations were 
 formerly served by Do. Gebhard, who has accepted the con- 
 gregation in New York. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 The next Coetus shall be held, God willing, on the third 
 Wednesday before Ascension Day, in Lancaster. 
 
 Statistics of the congregations since the last Coetus: 
 
 Fam. Bapt. Conf. Schools. Pupils. 
 Dallicker, in Eockaway Valley and 
 
 Foxhill (of the eight schools, five 
 
 are English) 90 62 39 8 97 
 
 Hendel, in Tulpehocken, Host, Swa- 
 
 tara, Mnhlbach, Heidelberg 174 69 25 2 126 
 
 Gobrecht, in Coealieo, Muddy Creek, 
 
 Seltenreich, and Eeyer's 96 45 32 2 48 
 
 Blumer, in Northampton, Jordan, 
 
 Schlosser's, and Egypt 152 74 74 3 97 
 
 Helffrieh, in Heidelberg, Lowhill, 
 
 Maxatawny, and Long Swamp. . . 149 63 24 , . 58 
 
 Henop, in Frederick, Glade, Kitta- 
 
 tinny Mountains 206 54 26 2 159 
 
 Pomp, in Falkner Swamp and Vin- 
 cent 115 70 42 
 
 J. Th. Faber, in New Goshenhoppen, 
 
 Old Goshenhoppen, and Great 
 
 Swamp 254 44 33 
 
 Ingold, in Worcester and Witpen. . . 82 28 27 
 Weymer (three united congrega- 
 tions), in Conococheague, and a 
 
 visit to Virginia 97 95 116 3 70 
 
 Bucher, in Lebanon, Quittopehilla, 
 
 Warwick, Manheim, Eapho, and 
 
 Donegal 150 100 61 3 79 
 
 Weyberg, in Philadelphia 300 133 51 1 100 
 
 , Lancaster 183 97 41 1 
 
 Frederick Dalliker, p. f. Pres. 
 Conrad Bucher, p. t. Sec. 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO SYNODS AND CLASSIS, 
 MAY 12, 1775. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 121; N. B., No. 1165.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Learned and Honored Sirs and Fathers in Christ: 
 
 Your Eeverences prove, first of all, your contimaed affection, in that 
 you have not entirely disapproved of our proceedings concerning the re- 
 ception of the five candidates, Dos. Neveling, Wack, Wagner, Steiner and 
 Weber, into the holy ministry. Urgent necessity compelled lis to take 
 this step. We assure you, Eeverend and Dear Sirs, that your will and 
 pleasure in this respect shall be carefully complied with in the future. 
 We had another similar application, but refused it out of due regard to 
 your order. 
 
 In your communication, dated December 20th, 1774, you mention dona- 
 tions from the Eeverend Synods. Thus far we have not received them. 
 We rejoice, with due appreciation of your kindness, that you a,re willing 
 to assist us, and we are earnestly at work getting our intended Widows' 
 Fund into operation. You recognize our inability to properly carry out 
 this undertaking. We hope that you will not deny us your further aid 
 and support in this laudable work. 
 
 Last fall Do. Gebhard left his congregations, Witpen, and Worcester 
 on the Skippack, having received a call to New York, which place Do. 
 Faering had left to take charge of a Dutch congregation in New Jersey. 
 As you can see from Article "VTI, the newly-arrived brother, Do. Ingold, 
 has been appointed to serve these congregations. 
 
 You desire information regarding the congregations which have been 
 served by the late Do. Du Bois. They have been occupied by a minister 
 from New York, who can preach both English and Dutch. 
 
 We live in precarious times, the like of which, so far as we know, has 
 never been seen in America. The Lord knows what He has in store for 
 us, and especially for our beloved Church. May our hearts truly and 
 sincerely humble themselves before the Lord. Perhaps God, angry be- 
 cause of our sins, may then relent and leave a new blessing behind Him, 
 so that we may offer meat-offerings and thank-offerings to the Lord 
 our God! 
 
 Dear Sirs and Fathers, do not forget us in your prayers to the mer- 
 ciful God, that He may not entirely avert from us His fatherly face, but 
 always recognize us mercifully as His own. The Lord and His Spirit 
 be with, in, and among you, Reverend Sirs and Fathers, in all your im- 
 portant undertakings. ^ In sincere gratitude and due respect, we not only 
 caU ourselves, but are in truth, 
 
 Very Eeverend, Learned and Honored Sirs and Fathers in Christ, 
 Your most obedient and devoted servants, 
 
 Frederick Dalliker, p. t. Pres. 
 Conrad Buchek, p. t. Sec. 
 
 Lebanon, May IB, 1775. 
 
 (352) 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1776. 
 (N. B., No. 1169; IIarbaugh MSS., No. 49.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN LANCAS- 
 TER, MAY 1st, 1776. 
 
 Present. 
 Name. Place. 
 
 C. Gobreelit, p. t. President, Cocalico. 
 
 Wm. Hendel, Tulpehocken. 
 
 P. Henop, Frederick. 
 
 A. C. Helffenstein, Lancaster. 
 
 C. L. Boehm, Hanover. 
 
 J. Weymer, Conoeocheague. 
 
 C. Faber, Taney town. 
 W. Otterbein, Baltimore. 
 
 D. Wagner, York. 
 
 J. H. Hclffrich, Maxatawny. 
 
 J. W. Weber, Plainfield. 
 
 Ahseivt. 
 
 Do. Weyberg, Philadelphia, from fear of an attack by the 
 enemy. 
 
 Do. Leydieh, Pottsto-\vri, on account of infirmity of age. 
 
 Do. Faber, Goshenhoppen, on account of ill health. 
 
 Do. Bucher, Lebanon, for the same reason. 
 
 Do. Blumer, Allentown, on account of the confinement of 
 his "wife. 
 
 Pomp, Falkn«r Swamp. Waldschmidt. 
 
 Wittner, Upper Milford. Dalliker, Valley. 
 
 Neveiing, Amwell. Ingold, Easton. 
 
 Wack, Tohickon. Steiner, Lehigh. 
 
 Coetus was opened in the forenoon with a sermon. Be- 
 cause Do. Bucher was not present, who, according to the 
 usual custom,* was to preach, Do. Helffrich was appointed 
 to preach. After the sermon, Do. Gobrecht was elected Pres- 
 ident and Do. Helffrich Secretary. 
 
 * The custom referred to was, that the secretary of one year became 
 the president of the next, and preached the opening sermon, 
 
 (353) 
 23 
 
354 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, ; 
 
 SESSION I. 2 P. M. 
 Article I. 
 From the reports of tlie brethren, both in regard to the dis- 
 charge of their official duties and their results, it appears that 
 they diligently discharge the duties of their office in teaching 
 and catechizing. This was also confirmed by the elders pres- 
 ent. However, they generally complain that their labors, 
 although they .are not altogether without success, yet are not 
 as successful as desired. 
 
 Article II. 
 Do. Helffenstein having left Germantown and accepted the 
 call to Lancaster (for the acceptance of this call permission 
 was given, see Minutes of the preceding year, Art. II), the 
 congregation in Germanto\ATi asked for Mr. Stahlschmidt or 
 for Mr. Neveling. 
 
 (1) But because the Coetus could not well give its consent 
 to the call for Mr. Stahlschmidt, and because Mr. Stahl- 
 schmidt (who already at the Coetus in Reading, 1771, an- 
 nounced his intention to devote himself to the service of the 
 Church, and has been instructed during this time partly by 
 Do. Weyberg and partly by Do. Hendel), in consideration of 
 his abilities, did not consider himself capable of serving this 
 large congregation, it was resolved to refrain from writing 
 out a call to him. 
 
 (2) Coetus could not come to any decision with regard to 
 the call to Do. Neveling, because of his absence. The con- 
 gregation in Germantown was therefore advised to extend a 
 call to a minister of the Coetus, who shall have liberty to 
 accept the same without waiting for the next Coetus. 
 
 Article III. 
 Since there are several congregations near York which are 
 too distant to be served by Do. Wagner, it was deemed ex- 
 pedient to send Mr. Stahlschmidt, a man of thirty-five years 
 of age, to the congregations as catechist. 
 
 Article IV. 
 Several congregations at Shamokin asked to be alternately 
 visited by ministers. 
 
EECOnDS OF 1776. 355 
 
 Resolved: Ministers shall visit tliem several times in the 
 year to preach for them and to perform other ministerial acts. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 The congregations which were formerly served by Do. 
 Steiner, namely, the Dunkel's Church, Rosenthal, Jacob's and 
 Organ Church, asked for Do. Wittner or Do. Weber, or an- 
 other minister of the Coetus. 
 
 Resolved: Because the congregations which Do. Weber 
 serves are at too great a distance from the other ministers, 
 and said congregations can better be served by the neighbor- 
 ing ministers, therefore it is resolved that Do. Weber shall 
 remain so long with his congregations as they give him the 
 necessarj^ support, and the other congregations which Do. 
 Steiner left shall be served alternately by the neighboring 
 ministers. 
 
 Article VI. 
 Because at this Coetus the number of the ministers present 
 was so small, it was resolved that in future no minister shall 
 neglect the Coetus unless for very important reasons; other- 
 ^nse he shall be severely censured. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 Since thus far many ministers, living at a great distance 
 from the place where the Coetus was held, were compelled to 
 be absent from their congregations two Sundays, it was re- 
 solved that the next Coetus shall not be held on Wednesday, 
 but on Monday, and that on the preceding Saturday all min- 
 isters, with their elders, shall come to the place w^here the 
 Coetus is held, and divine service shall be conducted by the 
 ministers from a distance, and on Monday the Coetus shall be 
 opened with a sermon, as usual. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 It was resolved that the next Coetus shall be held on the 
 second Monday before Ascension Day, and, for want of an- 
 other agreeable and suitable place, on account of the present 
 war troubles, in Reading. 
 
 Statistics of the congregations : 
 
356 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Fam. Bapt. Conf. Schools. Pupils. 
 Gobrecht, in Cocalico, Muddy Creek, 
 
 Seltenreich, and Eeyer 's Church . . 89 46 19 3 65 
 
 Hendel, in Tulpehocken, Swatara, 
 
 Muhlbach, and Heidelberg 170 40 41 5 127 
 
 Henop, in Frederick, Mountains and 
 
 Glade 231 80 73* 4 160 
 
 Helffenstein has only been a short 
 
 time in Lancaster. 
 Boehm, in Hanover, Abbottstown, 
 
 Creutz [Christ's], Lischy's Church, 
 
 Bermudian, brought in no report. 
 "Weymer, in the three united con- 
 gregations in Conococheague. . . . . 100** 55 28 2 38 
 Paber, in Taneytown, Codorus, 
 
 Jerusalem, Zion's, David's and 
 
 Bleymeyer 's Church 232 59 52 
 
 Otterbein, in Baltimore, had no 
 
 report. 
 
 Wagner, in York 56 20 . . 1 30 
 
 Weber, in Plainfield, Greenwich, 
 
 Hanolden, Hamilton, and Mount 
 
 Bethel 120 50 15 . . 60 
 
 Helffrich, in Maxitawny, Long 
 
 Swamp, Heidelberg, and Lowhill. 150 80 28 4 115 
 
 The following gentlemen sent in their statistics : 
 
 Fam. Bapt. Conf. Schools. Pupils. 
 
 Weyberg, in Philadelphia 300 111 31*** 
 
 Faber, in Old and New Goshenhop- 
 
 pen, and Great Swamp 250 51 34 . . ... 
 
 Blumer, in Northampton, Allentown, 
 
 Jordan, Schlosser's, and Egypt... 147 64 32 3 83 
 
 * Harbaugh copy, 35. ** Harbaugh copy, 108. *** Harbaugh copy, 51. 
 
 May the great Shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, protect, preserve and multiply His congregations, 
 which He has bought with His blood and gathered by His 
 Spirit and Word! May He endow His servants and work- 
 men with the grace and power of His Spirit more and more, 
 so that they may truly feed with doctrine and wisdom the 
 flock entrusted to their care! May He give His blessing to 
 their work, that it may be to His honor, and the spread of 
 His kingdom, and the salvation of many souls I 
 
 In the name of the Reverend Coetus, subscribed by 
 
 J. Christopher Gobrecht, p. t. Pres. 
 John Henry Helffrich, p. t. Sec. 
 
COETAL LETTER SENT TO CLASSIS, MAY 2, 1776. 
 (N. B., No. 1170.) 
 
 Very Eeverend, Very Learned, Highly Esteemed Fathers in Christ: 
 
 In pursuance of our duty, we send the accompanying Minutes of 
 Coetus held in Lancaster, May 1st, 1776, to the Eeverend Fathers. On 
 account of the small number of the ministers present, it is but a brief 
 report of the state of the Eeformed churches in Pennsylvania. We 
 hope the same will be accepted by the Eeverend Fathers as satisfactory. 
 
 Do. Ingold, after the lapse of a year, left the congregations at 
 Worcester and Witpen, which he had accepted without the previous 
 knowledge of Coetus.* He left on account of differences which arose 
 between him and the congregation (in regard to the salary which the 
 congregation would not pay him, according to promise), and is supposed 
 to be settled at present in Easton. 
 
 It was the purpose of the Coetus to let these congregations, namely, 
 Worcester and Witpen, remain for some time without a minister, since 
 they conducted themselves so badly towards their first pastor, Do. Geb- 
 hard, that he found himself compelled to leave them and to accept an- 
 other call. At present these congregations have taken as their pastor a 
 bad person,** who, at the Coetus in Philadelphia, requested permission to 
 preach, but was refused, and who, nevertheless, here and there, recited 
 a sermon learned by heart to bad congregations. We cannot prevent 
 such occurrences, as we can get no assistance from the secular authorities. 
 
 Do. Otterbein is still in Baltimore. The contents of the 5th Article 
 of the Minutes of Coetus held in Lebanon, 1775, were not appi-oved by 
 all, but only by some, of the ministers. 
 
 Meanwhile, since Mr. Wallauer is said to have left Baltimore, we trust 
 that the dissensions will somewhat abate. 
 
 The Coetus has received twenty-eight pounds, Pennsylvania currency, 
 whereof ten pounds have been given to the widows, and, since no school- 
 masters made application, the remaining eighteen pounds were put in 
 the widows' fund. 
 
 We express our sincerest gratitude to the Eeverend Fathers for the 
 donations which we received. Since very few of the ministers receive 
 their full salary of 450 guilders from their congregations, and we need 
 our salary for our own support and that of our families, especially in 
 the present sad and troublous times, it is not the surplus of our salaries 
 which we devote to our widows' fund, but that which we take from our 
 necessary support. 
 
 * See, however, Jlinutes of 1775, Art. VII, and Coetal letter of 1775, 
 p. 352. 
 
 ** The church records show that this man was John H. Weikel. 
 
 (357) 
 
358 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The good God is indeed the Judge of the widows and the Father of the 
 orphans, yet it is our duty to care for our families according to our 
 ability, for when a minister dies and leaves a family, its members must 
 necessarily live in the greatest poverty, when, forsaken by the congrega- 
 tion and without any means of their own, they lack a proper support. 
 
 This has brought us to the resolution to establish a widows' fund, in 
 order thereby to afford some relief to the families we may leave in 
 destitution. 
 
 We have begun this fund not relying on our own strength, but de- 
 pending upon the providence of God, who shall awaken compassionate 
 hearts, willing to come to our aid with their means. 
 
 If the Eeverend Fathers knew our circumstances accurately, they surely 
 would not reduce their donations, much less withhold them, but rather 
 increase them, as they can bestow the same nowhere else better and with 
 more blessing. 
 
 We commend ourselves, and all the Pennsylvania churches, to your 
 further protection and paternal affection, and remain, with dutiful 
 submission, 
 
 Very Eeverend, Very Learned, and Highly Esteemed Fathers in 
 Christ, your most obedient servants. 
 
 Subscribed in the name of the Eeverend Coetus by 
 
 John Christ. Gobrecht, p. t. Fres. 
 John Henry Helffrich, p. t. Sec, 
 
 Lancaster, May 2d, 1776, 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OP PENNSYLVANIA, 
 HELD IN READING, APRIL 28-29, 1777. 
 
 (Harbaugh MSS., No. 52.) 
 There were present, Dos. : 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, ] . ■ ^t . 
 
 . y pastor m Maxatawny, 
 
 p. t. President, 
 Philip Leydich, 
 William Hendel, 
 Conrad Bueher, 
 Nicholas Pomp, 
 John Theobald Paber, 
 Christopher Gobreeht, 
 John William Weber, 
 Daniel Wagner, 
 C. Waek, 
 Conrad Steiner, 
 Samuel Dubendorff, 
 John George Wittner, 
 
 p. t. Secretary, 
 The absentees were, Dos 
 Weyberg, 
 Otterbein, 
 Henop, 
 Blumer, 
 Boehm, 
 Waldsehmidt. 
 Christ. Faber, 
 Dallicker, 
 Ingold, 
 Helffenstein, 
 AYeymer, 
 Neveling, 
 
 
 Pottstown. 
 
 Tulpehocken, 
 
 Lebanon. 
 
 Falkner Swamp. 
 
 Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Coealico. 
 
 Plainfield. 
 
 York. 
 
 Tohickon. 
 
 Lehigh. 
 
 Germantown. 
 
 Upper Milford. 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Frederick. 
 
 Northampton. 
 
 Hanover. 
 
 Taneytown. 
 
 Valley [N. J.]. 
 
 Easton. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Conococheague. 
 
 Amvv'ell. 
 
 The above-named ministers, with their elders, having 
 arrived in Reading, Mr. Helffrich preached in the morning 
 from Acts ii. 3, 4. After the service, they proceeded to elect 
 
 (359) 
 
360 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 a president and a secretary. Mr. Helffrich was made Presi- 
 dent and J. Wittner, Secretary. 
 
 SESSION I. 2 P. M., APRIL 28th. 
 Article I. 
 After the usual questions concerning the true condition 
 of the congregations and the service which the ministers per- 
 form in them, it appeared, from the reports of the ministers 
 and elders, that the ministers preach the divine Word with 
 mucli diligence and care; that they administer the Sacra- 
 ments, hold catechetical instruction, and visit the families, 
 but not always and in every instance with the desired result — 
 that men may be brought to true knowledge and improvement 
 of life; although the Lord here and there gives to His Word 
 power and blessing, so that thereby the divine glory and the 
 happiness of many men are promoted. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 The request of the congregation in Germantown to give 
 them Mr. Dubendorff as minister was granted. But as no 
 formal call had been drawn up, the congregation was directed 
 to send the call, in the near future, to the President for con- 
 firmation. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 The congregation in Easton, which Mr. Ingold serves at 
 present, complains that the congregations which were for- 
 merly connected with Easton had withdrawn several years 
 ago, and accepted Mr. Weber as their minister; but Easton 
 alone cannot support a minister, and therefore asks for a re- 
 union of the divided charge. 
 
 Resolution : Since the Coetus, in the absence of most of the 
 elders of said congregation, cannot decide anything in this 
 case, it was resolved that a commission, consisting of several 
 ministers, shall go to Easton on the 4th of June and consult 
 with the elders and members of all the congregations, and 
 consider ways and means how the people of Easton may be 
 helped. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 The congregations, Dunkel's Church, Rosenthal, Jacob's 
 
HECOBDS OF 1777. 361 
 
 Church and Organ Church, request that a man by the name 
 of liertzel may be examined and ordained, so that he may 
 become their minister. 
 
 The Coetus resolved : Since is was learned that said liertzel 
 is induced only bj'- temporal considerations to desire such an 
 important office, neither his desire nor that of the congrega- 
 tions can be granted; therefore, the congregations are re- 
 quested to avoid Hertzel, and to have patience until we can 
 supplj' them with a regular minister, especially since they 
 have thus far been served by the neighboring ministers, and 
 shall also be served by them in the future. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 The congregations in Shippensburg, Carlisle, Lower Settle- 
 ment and Hummelstown request us to examine and ordain a 
 man by the name of Runckel, so that he may be their minister. 
 
 Resolution: Since Runckel has, for some years, already 
 been instructed by several ministers, and has shown his dili- 
 gence in the holy office of the ministry, and also has good 
 testimonials from ministers and congregations, and since 
 these congregations are very far from us, so that they can 
 seldom be visited, therefore it was resolved that said Runckel 
 be examined, and, if found capable, be sent to the congrega- 
 tions as catechist. (This examination took place to the satis- 
 faction of Coetus.) For the present the Sacraments shall 
 be administered by other and regular ministers until Mr. 
 Runckel, if he passes a peremptory and rigorous examination 
 at the next Coetus, and if the approval of the Reverend 
 Fathers can be obtained, may receive ordination, and serve 
 said congregations as regular pastor. 
 
 SESSION n. A. M., APRIL 29th. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 Mr. Stahlschmidt (see Art. II and III of last year's Min- 
 utes) asked for a peremptory examination. 
 
 Resolution: Since Mr. Wagner alone cannot attend to the 
 regular divine services, nor to the many other ministerial 
 duties, because the congregations in the neighborhood of 
 York are widely scattered, it was resolved to proceed witli the 
 
362 COETUS OF FENNSTLFANIA. 
 
 examination, in the presence of the ministers and elders. Mr. 
 Stahlschmidt satisfied all examiners and auditors. He was 
 given a text, 1 Cor. iii. 9, from which to preach a trial sermon, 
 and was promised ordination, through Mr. Helffenstein and 
 Mr. Wagner, after his trial sermon had been preached and 
 accepted. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 As several ministers, partly with no excuse, partly with no 
 sufficient excuse, again neglected the Coetus and did not 
 appear, it was resolved, that if in the future any one shall 
 fail to attend, except in cases of the greatest necessity, he 
 shall be severely reprimanded, and a fine in money be im- 
 posed, which money shall be put into the Widows' Fund. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 Alas ! on account of the sad war, many a praiseworthy ob- 
 servance is omitted, especially in regard to the keeping of the 
 Sabbath Day and Christian exercises in the families at home. 
 People at present think more of arms than of God's Word. 
 It was, therefore, resolved that every minister shall take good 
 care in his congregation to observe and to preserve everything 
 which agrees with the duties of a Christian. 
 
 Article IX. 
 
 It was resolved that, God willing, our next Coetal meeting 
 shall be held on the third Sunday before Pentecost of the 
 next year in Lancaster, if existing conditions of the war 
 permit it. 
 
 Statistics of those congregations whose ministers and elders 
 were present: 
 
RECORDS OF 1777. 
 
 363 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 John Henry llelffricb 
 
 Philip Leydich 
 
 William Hendel 
 
 Conrad Bucher 
 
 Nicholas Pomp 
 
 John Theobald Faber 
 
 Christ. Gobrecht , 
 
 John W" Weber 
 
 C. Wack 
 
 Conrad Sfeiner 
 
 Daniel Wagner . . . 
 John George Wittner 
 
 CONGKEGATIONS. 
 
 Maxatawny 
 
 Long Swamp . 
 
 Heidelberg 
 
 Lowhill 
 
 Pottstown ...... 
 
 Coventry 
 
 New Providence . . . 
 Tulpehocken ..... 
 
 Swatara 
 
 j\Iuehlbach 
 
 Heidelberg 
 
 Lebanon . 
 
 Quittopehilla 
 
 Warwick 
 
 Manheim 
 
 Eapho 
 
 Donegal 
 
 Falkner Swamp 
 
 Vincent 
 
 Old Goshenhoppen . . "j 
 New Goshenhoppen . . . > 
 
 Great Swamp j 
 
 Cocalico ] 
 
 Muddy Creek [ 
 
 Seltenreich [ 
 
 Reyer's .J 
 
 Plainfield ^ 
 
 Greenwich j 
 
 Tohickon "| 
 
 Indian Creek [■ 
 
 Nockamixon J 
 
 Lehigh ........ S 
 
 Allen Township I 
 
 Moore Township . . . . j 
 
 York 
 
 Upper Milford ] 
 
 Salzburg > 
 
 Kestenberg J 
 
 Samuel Dubendorff, Germantown. (He has not handed 
 in any statistics, because he lias just arrived. ) 
 
 75. 47 
 57; 20 
 60 1 30 
 
 'a 
 
 •T3 
 
 .2 
 
 5 
 
 147 
 
 82 
 
 33 
 
 151 
 
 33 
 
 38 
 
 177 
 
 70 
 
 36 
 
 161 
 
 112 
 
 20 
 
 75 
 
 32 
 
 44 
 
 40 
 
 15 
 
 35 
 
 244 
 
 65 
 
 20 
 
 92 
 
 46 
 
 • • 
 
 143 
 
 40 
 
 
 110 
 
 55 
 
 29 
 
 95 
 
 110 
 
 98 
 
 50 
 
 22 24 
 
 40 
 
 The followinff sent in their statistics: 
 
 Do. Weyberg 
 Do. Blumer 
 
 Philadelphia 
 
 Northampton ~) 
 
 Jordan ! 
 
 Schlosser's i 
 
 Egypt J 
 
 300 124 
 
 145 
 
 60 
 
 100 
 90 
 
364 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 May the great God, who sent His holy Word into this part 
 of the world, cause it to be spread abroad, through the power 
 of His Spirit, to keep all teachers and listeners unblameable 
 in His grace till the coming of Jesus Christ. 
 
 COETAL LETTER OF 1777. 
 
 (Harbaugh MSS., No. 51.) 
 
 April ^9th, 1777. 
 Most Worthy, Most Learned, and Most Honored Gentlemen and Fathers 
 
 in Jesus Christ: 
 
 Notwithstanding the sad and hurtful war (may the Almighty soon end 
 it, for the happiness and the welfare of America and His whole Church), 
 which has already caused much distress in this country, and, alas, still 
 continues, God, by His wonderful kindness, has preserved us thus far, 
 so that we all, except a few in New York and New Jersey, were per- 
 mitted to administer our oflS.ce and to supply our congregations with 
 services in proclaiming the divine Word and administering the Holy 
 Sacraments. 
 
 For this reason, we held our Coetal m.eeting on the 28th and 29th of 
 April, of this year, in the town of Eeading, and have the honor to send 
 the Eeverend Fathers, in the accompanying articles and items, the Min- 
 utes of this Coetus and the matters transacted, of which we hope that 
 the Reverend Fathers will not disapprove. Our Eeverend and Highly 
 Honored Fathers will also please notice, from the Minutes, how many of 
 the brethren neglected the necessary attendance upon our Coetus, and 
 that therefore we have adopted the resolution under Art. VII. How- 
 ever, we must mention that some, on account of the war, and others, on 
 account of much sickness in their congregations, excused themselves in 
 writing; but we have no report, or reacon, from the majority why they 
 did not come. We also could not refrain from reporting the blessed 
 and flourishing condition of the congregation in Eeading. It is known 
 that Eeading in former years had fallen into a distracted and bad con- 
 dition. But Mr. Boos, by the assistance of the Most High, and by ex- 
 traordinary zeal and diligence in all parts of his laudable ministry in 
 the congregation, has brought it into sucb order that it is second to none 
 of the congregations of America. Mr. Boos is at present a learned and 
 brave soldier of Jesus Christ, and leads a blameless life. He is not only 
 beloved by the whole population of the considerable town of Eeading, 
 but all the members of the Eeverend Coetus also honor him with special 
 respect and friendship. Therefore, we all beg of our Most Eeverend 
 Fathers kindly to accept Mr. Boos, especially, since it would be detri- 
 
RECORDS OF 1777. 355 
 
 mental to our Church in this country still longer to reject such a worthy 
 and sincere servant of Jesus Christ. 
 
 We are very grateful for the 200 fl. received from Do. Weyberg, upon 
 the order of the Reverend Fathers. The money shall be used for the best 
 interests of the Church, so that we may be assured of the further care 
 and kindness of the Reverend Fathers. Moreover, we pray to Almighty 
 God for all spiritual and physical blessing, and for the unchanged and 
 continuous welfare of the families of the Reverend Fathers and the 
 whole Church of Holland, which, by divine providence, has for a long 
 time already been a nurse and preserver of so many poor ministers and 
 congregations in this country, and particularly in Europe. May the 
 Almighty be her protection and her very great reward! May He, by 
 His grace, preserve her in wholesome doctrine and holy walk! May He 
 bless and increase her faith, and may He grant that her active Christian 
 love may be a model and an example to aU believers on earth! May 
 the Lord also preserve us, by His faithful grace and most holy protec- 
 tion, especially in these dangerous times of war! May He make our 
 Fathers and brethren in Europe mediators and conciliators between the 
 kingdom of Great Britain and America, so that the desired sun of peace 
 may soon shine for the welfare of His whole Church! 
 
 We remain, with due reverence. Most Reverend, Most Learned, and 
 Most Esteemed Gentlemen and Fathers in Christ, yours obediently, 
 
 J. George Wittner, Sec. p. t. 
 Given in Upper Milford, Xorthampton County, May 6, 1777. 
 
MINUTES OF TEE COETUS OF 1779. 
 (Hague 92, B. 124; Harbaugh MSS., No. 55.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANL^., HELD IN LANCAS- 
 TER, APRIL 28th and 29th, 1779. 
 
 Present. Absent. 
 
 W. Hendel, President, Dos. Weyberg, 
 
 A. Helffenstein, Secretary, Neveling, 
 
 F. Henop, Dallieker, 
 
 N. Pomp, Leyclich, 
 
 J. H. Helferich, Yfittner, 
 
 J. Th. Faber, Bucher, 
 
 A. Blumer, Yfaldschmidt, 
 
 C. L. Boehm, Otterbein, 
 
 J. W. Ingold, Weymer. 
 
 C. Gobrecht, 
 
 D. Wagner, 
 C. Waek, 
 
 John Conrad Steiner.* 
 
 In the preceding year, 1778, the meeting of the ministers 
 and elders was appointed to be held in Lancaster. But be- 
 cause at that time the tumults of war were very great in that 
 section, and therefore only a few were present, nothing im- 
 portant was transacted, except only this: AVilliam Runckel, 
 a former schoolmaster in Tulpehocken, a man of good gifts 
 and of a Christian life, applied to the Coetus held in Reading, 
 1777, for admission to the ministerial office, having for several 
 years previously prepared for it. He was carefully exam- 
 ined and found qualified. Permission was given him to 
 preach, and he was also promised that, if he should diligently 
 study in the future and otherwise conduct himself as becomes 
 a faithful minister, perhaps ordination would be conferred 
 upon him. Now, Mr. Runckel, supplied Avith the best testi- 
 monials, again asked for ordination, and his congregation 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy adds : Christian Stahlsehmidt and John Wil- 
 liam Weber. 
 
 (366) 
 
EECOEDS OF 1779. 357 
 
 also, through their delegates, very urgently petitioned for it. 
 He was, therefore, again examined, chiefly in pastoral the- 
 ology'. Whereupon ]\Ir. Hendel and Mr. Wagner were com- 
 missioned to ordain him. 
 
 A. D. 1779. 
 
 On April the 28th the ministers, named above, met in Lan- 
 caster, most of them with their elders; the others, on account 
 of the extreme hard times, without their elders. Mr. Witt> 
 ner, who two years ago was Secretary, did not appear in the 
 meeting. Mr. Hendel, as one of the oldest of the brethren 
 present, was elected President, and Albert Helffenstein, Sec- 
 retary. Before the opening of the meeting, Mr. Henop 
 preached an edifying sermon on Matt. xi. 30. After earnest 
 prayer, the following business was transacted, beginning at 
 2 o'clock in the afternoon: 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The question was put by the President to all the ministers 
 concerning the internal and external condition of their con- 
 gregations. All replied that, although the external condition 
 of their congregations was much confused by the existing 
 disturbances, yet it was still endurable. But the internal 
 condition of the congregations is, unfortunately, very bad. 
 However, there are, thanks to God's gracious love, many souls 
 everyAvhere that sincerely seek God and heartily love Him. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Resolved, that the ordination conferred by a few ministers 
 upon Mr. Runckel be approved by the whole Coetus. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 The congregations, Manheim, Rapho, Wliite Oaks and May- 
 town, presented a call for Mr. Runckel as their regular teacher 
 and minister. The call was confirmed by the whole Coetus, 
 with the provision, however, that Mr. Runckel serve the con- 
 gregation in Carlisle every four weeks together with the con- 
 gregations mentioned above, and shall not cease serving Car- 
 lisle until permitted by Coetus to do so. 
 
368 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 Mr. Twifood, a candidate of the High Church [Episcopal] 
 of England, who for some years has supplied several congre- 
 gations of that Church with preaching, applied for ordination. 
 
 Resolved : After mature consideration of the request and all 
 the circumstances, that ordination cannot be granted to him 
 for the present, for the following reasons: 
 
 a. Because thereby the order of our Church would be over- 
 thrown, for such a request must come from the congregation, 
 through its delegates. 
 
 h. On account of the conditions of the Episcopal Church 
 the congregations must declare that they recognize a minister 
 ordained by us as their lawful minister. 
 
 If at a future Coetus the request should be presented in 
 this form, and Mr. Twifood should be supplied with good tes- 
 timonials and subject himself to all the regulations of the 
 Christian Church as they are in use among us, then, because 
 of the love we bear the members of the Episcopal Church, he 
 shall not be refused ordination. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 The congregation in Donegal applies, in writing, presented 
 by a delegate, for a minister, since Mr. Bucher, on account of 
 sickness, can no longer serve them. 
 
 Resolved: The congregation must either unite with Man- 
 heim, Rapho, White Oaks and Maytown in their call for Mr. 
 Runckel, or accept him as their minister without such call. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 The two congregations in Yv^orcester and Witpen send in a 
 memorial in which they ask to be supplied with a minister. 
 
 Resolved : Because the two congregations in Worcester and 
 Witpen behaved in an unchristian manner for several years, 
 and especially because they accepted as their minister a bad 
 man, an adventurer, who was neither called by God nor by 
 His Church, therefore it is first of all demanded of them that 
 they acknowledge, before the Reverend Coetus, in writing, their 
 unchristian conduct, ask for forgiveness, and promise hence- 
 forth duly to subject themselves to all Christian regulations 
 
EECOBDS OF 1779. 369 
 
 of the Reverend Coetus, Afterwards they may extend a call 
 to a minister of the Coetus. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 On account of vices and other irregularities frequently in- 
 vading the congregations, the question was asked liow to deal 
 ■with, and what to do to resist and check them as much as 
 possible. 
 
 Resolution: First of all we acknowledge, in deep humility 
 and self-abasement, our utter inability, and confess that, 
 without the grace of God, we cannot accomplish even the 
 least. However, in reliance upon divine help, we resolve the 
 following : 
 
 a. An earnest and hearty admonition shall be drawn up 
 and printed, addressing all men in general, and the members 
 of our congregations in particular. 
 
 &. We pledge ourselves, in the presence of the Chief Shep- 
 herd and Bishop of souls, with sincere prayer and supplica- 
 tion, to use, more than ever before, all earnestness and zeal, 
 both in public sermons and in pastoral \'isitation, and to be- 
 come instruments by which the kingdom of Christ may be 
 built up and the dark kingdom of Satan may be destroyed. 
 
 William Hendel, Nicholas Pomp and Albert Helffenstein 
 were appointed a committee to prepare the admonition, which 
 is to be printed. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 The question was asked where the Coetus shall be held next 
 year. 
 
 Resolved: Because this cannot be stated with certainty at 
 present, on account of the existing troubles, it shall be left 
 to the judgment of the brethren whose names are mentioned 
 first, to call a meeting when and where they think best. 
 
 J. W. Hendel, Pres. p. t. 
 Albert Helffenstein, Sec. p. t. 
 24 
 
370 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Statistics of 1779 of those congregations whose ministers 
 were present: 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Hendel 
 
 Helffenstein 
 Henop . . . 
 
 Pomp 
 
 Helffrich 
 
 Faber 
 
 Blumer 
 
 Boehm . 
 Ingold . 
 Gobrecht 
 
 Wagner 
 Wack . , 
 
 Stablschmidt 
 
 Ck>NGBEGATIONS. 
 
 Tulpebocken .... 
 
 Muhlbach 
 
 Heydelberg 
 
 Bethel J 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 Frederick ~| 
 
 Glade [ 
 
 At the Mountains ... J 
 
 Falkner vSwamp \ 
 
 Vincent / 
 
 Heidelberg 1 
 
 Lowhill I 
 
 Maxatawny ] 
 
 Longswamp ...... J 
 
 New Goshenhoppen . . . "| 
 Old Goshenhoppen . . . >- 
 
 Great Swamp j 
 
 Northampton ~\ 
 
 Jordan . I 
 
 Egypt . . j 
 
 Schlossei*'s J 
 
 Kreutz Church .....] 
 
 Abbotstown I 
 
 Bermudian | 
 
 David' s church, Hanover. J 
 
 Easton 
 
 Muddy Creek ') 
 
 Cocalico I 
 
 Seltenreich [ 
 
 Beyer's J 
 
 York "{ 
 
 Kreutz church J- 
 
 Schlosser's j 
 
 Tohickon \ 
 
 Indian Creek J 
 
 Quicker s ] 
 
 Freyen I 
 
 Bleymayer's . . . . f 
 Schierster's J 
 
 'a 
 
 'I 
 
 . 
 
 <u 
 
 C 
 
 o 
 
 ,3 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 178 
 
 69 
 
 58 
 
 5 
 
 246 
 
 87 
 
 36 
 
 2 
 
 219 
 
 89 
 
 23 2 
 
 106 
 
 75 
 
 40 2 
 
 145 
 
 138 
 
 60 4 
 
 1 
 
 270 
 
 69 
 
 48^ 
 
 143 
 
 59 
 
 48 4 
 
 159 
 
 111 
 
 85 4 
 
 30 
 
 13 
 
 5 1 
 
 74 
 
 48 
 
 25 2 
 
 109 
 
 40 
 
 27 3 
 
 90 
 
 33 
 
 40 1 
 
 1 
 
 104 
 
 56 
 
 28 
 
 3 
 
 135 
 
 137 
 105 
 
 120 
 
 147 
 
 148 
 35 
 35 
 
 105 
 15 
 
 61 
 
 Steiner's statistics are wanting. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1779. 
 (Hague 92, B. 125.) 
 
 Very Bevercnd, Learned, and Honored Sirs and Fathers in Christ: 
 
 From the accompanying Minutes your Eeverences ^vill gain a suffi- 
 cient idea of the present state of the congregations belonging to the 
 Pennsylvania Coetus. We wish, with all our hearts, that we could give 
 better news. But the times were, and still are, such as to compel us 
 humbly to recognize it as a special favor of the Lord that we have not 
 been utterly consumed. From this your Eeverences, with the wisdom 
 peculiar to you, will easily comprehend the difficulties which confront us 
 at the present time, both in our vocation and in our endeavor to earn a 
 living. Indeed, Venerable Sirs and Fathers, these difficulties are so 
 great that nothing but the divine grace and your fatherly affection can 
 enable us to overcome them. Your reply to the Acts of our Coetus, A. D. 
 1775, which has duly come to hand, was of such a nature. We rejoiced 
 at the kind approb^otion bestowed upon most of our proceedings and 
 resolutions, and we thank you heartily for the new support of which you 
 assured us, and for a continuance of which, being so much in need of it, 
 we again humbly beseech you. May the Great Shepherd and Bishop of 
 our souls, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, build up His Zion in all 
 places and to the ends of the earth. Especially may He, in the future 
 as in the past, permit His Church in Holland to remain like a city built 
 on a high mountain; and may He, from the fulness of His divine all- 
 sufficiency, pour out all manner of spiritual and temporal blessings upon 
 its high protectors and worthy servants, to the inspiration, comfort and 
 aid of other churches that humbly revere and sincerely love you as their 
 mother. The whole Coetus of Pennsylvania utters this wish and prayer. 
 In its name we subscribe ourselves, 
 
 Very Keverend Sirs and Fathers in Christ, 
 
 Your obedient, humble servants, 
 
 W. Hendel, Pres. p. t. 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, Sec. p. t.. 
 
 (371) 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1781. 
 (Hague 92, B. 127 ; N. B., No. 1180 ; Harb. MSS., No. 56.) 
 
 MINUTES OP THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, MAY 9th, 1781. 
 
 Since, because of the tumult of war, it could not be deter- 
 mined at the last Coetus where the meeting could be held next 
 year, the decision was left to a later time, when it was decided 
 to meet in Philadelpliia. 
 
 The opening of Coetus took place on the appointed day, 
 when Mr. Helffenstein publicly delivered a sermon, on 
 1 Cor. ix. 26-27, at 10 A. M. in the church there. 
 
 SESSION I. 
 
 The question concerning the condition of the congregations 
 was put to each of the brethren present. It appeared from 
 their answers that as they scattered the seed in the hope of 
 blessing, a few had come to a knowledge of their sin and con- 
 fessed the necessity of their redemption through Christ, but 
 the larger number were satisfied with an external discharge of 
 their religious duties. Especially did they regret that, although 
 the end of this terrible war should be prayed for in repent- 
 ance and faith, yet, on the contrary, the war still increases 
 the vanity, and many indulge, without shame and decency, 
 in the most abominable vices. 
 
 In order that the Reverend Fathers may more easily under- 
 stand this report, we hereby give the changes made by some 
 of the brethren: 
 
 Mr. Helffenstein left Lancaster and took charge of his old 
 congregation in Germantown, in the hope of having more 
 fruit there. 
 
 Mr. Faber has accepted Lancaster. He left Goshenhoppen 
 because they did not give him the necessary support, which 
 they were sufficiently able to do. 
 
 Mr. Dubbendorf left Germantown and accepted a congre- 
 gation, Lykens Valley, which is far distant. This old gentle- 
 man had the misfortune to come over with the Hessian troops, 
 
 (372) 
 
EECOEDS OF 1781. 373 
 
 and remained for quite a time among the British in New 
 York. Therefore, he was suspected of siding with the British, 
 and lost the confidence of the people in Germantown. 
 
 Mr. Gobrecht likewise left his congregation and accepted 
 McCallister, which congregation was formerly served by Do. 
 Boehm. 
 
 Mr. Wittner died on the 25th of December, 1779, and Mr. 
 Bucher on the 15th of August, 1780. 
 
 Mr. Ingold, since his arrival here, has not conducted him- 
 self according to the satisfaction of his brethren. His first 
 congregations were Worcester and Skippack, which he ac- 
 cepted without consulting the brethren. He agreed with 
 them upon a salary, which the people were unable to raise 
 another year, or did not desire to do so. At the close of the 
 year the congregation offered him a smaller sum, and said if 
 he should not be satisfied with this they would close the 
 church against him. Thereupon Mr. Ingold preached no 
 longer for them, but continued to live in the parsonage until 
 he no longer dared to remain there. He then moved to an- 
 other house in the neighborhood, where he wholly consumed 
 the gathered crumbs. His brethren were sorry for him, gave 
 him oral and written advice, and helped him to Saucon. But 
 here again he immediately left and went to Easton, hoping 
 to draw the united congregation to him. But this he could 
 not do, partly because they did not desire Mr. Ingold, partly 
 because they were served by other brethren whom they would 
 rather retain until a later time. But Easton being a small 
 congregation and unable to support him, and he, in addition, 
 losing the love of the people, and finally even being perse- 
 cuted, tried to gain the favor of Goshenlioppen. He offered 
 to take only as much salary as their kindness and free- 
 will should give. The result was that two small congrega- 
 tions allowed him to preach in their churches ; but the strong- 
 est congregation. New Goshenlioppen, protested against this, 
 and many persons also in the two smaller congregations did 
 not want to have anything to do with him until he should be 
 accepted by \he three united congregations as their minister. 
 Nevertheless, Mr. Ingold settled among these congregations 
 on his own account. Hence, there arose the greatest con- 
 fusion among them, which a committee of Coetus tried to 
 
37:i COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 settle. But Ingold opposed and frustrated the attempt of his 
 brethren. When all these actions of this man were placed 
 before Coetus, the following resolution was adopted: 
 
 a. That the three united congregations shall meet for the 
 election of a minister. ]\Ir. Ingold may be a candidate in this 
 election, if the congregations so agree. 
 
 h. That this action be recommended, in writing, to the con- 
 gregations, and Mr. Ingold likewise be advised to help in 
 bringing about this election; otherwise the Coetus will be 
 compelled to take extreme steps in his case. 
 
 SESSION II. 
 
 The congregations, Saucon and Springfield, desire a min- 
 ister, Coetus has allowed them to call one of the Coetus. 
 
 Mr. Dubbendorf complained, in a letter, of the poverty of 
 his congregations, which could not give him the necessary 
 support; also of the danger of entirely perishing, since his 
 life was in great danger because of the Indians. The Coetus 
 resolved to send him fifteen pounds from the money paid in. 
 
 The congregations which Mr. Gobrecht left asked for a 
 minister. The Coetus allowed them also to call a minister of 
 the Coetus. 
 
 The congregations which Mr. Bucher served extended a call 
 to Mr. Eunckel, and, if he should not accept, they ask that 
 these congregations might be served by neighboring ministers. 
 
 SESSION m. 
 
 The letters which Coetus received from the Reverend Fath- 
 ers are the following : Amsterdam, October 15th, 1778 ; Hague, 
 I\Iarch 9th, 1779 ; together with a draft for 450 Holland guil- 
 ders. When these letters were read, the Coetus, in all rever- 
 ence, considered itself under obligation to satisfy the request 
 of the Reverend Fathers. We are also grateful for the draft 
 and the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland, held in Am- 
 sterdam, July 28th, 1778. 
 
 Since the Reverend Fathers demand that the widows and 
 schoolmasters shall have a share in their kind gift, we shall 
 report to the Reverend Fathers in our next Coetus concern- 
 ing this, in case the draft should be paid. We hereby also 
 report, according to the desire of the Reverend Fathers, to- 
 
EECOBDS OF 1781. 375 
 
 gether with the statistics, the number and names of the con- 
 gregations which each minister serves, and by which the min- 
 isters have been called. 
 
 Statistics of the congregations: 
 
 Fam. Bapt. Conf. Scholars. 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, Germantown _ _ _ _ 
 
 Caspar Weyberg, Philadelphia — IGl 70 120 
 
 Abraham Blumer, Northampton, Jordan, 
 
 Schlosser 's, Egypt 141 69 71 135 
 
 William Runckel, Carlisle, Blaser's, May- 
 town, Kapho, Manheim, White Oaks 90 53 57 42 
 
 Caspar Wack, Tchickon, Indianfield, and 
 
 Swamp 110 72 21 40 
 
 William Hendel, Upper Tulpehoeken, 
 Lower Tulpehoeken, Swatara, Muhl- 
 
 bach, Heidelberg 169 80 48 51 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, Maxatawny, Hei- 
 delberg, Lowhill, Upper Milford, Salz- 
 burg 180 75 40 100 
 
 Nicholas Pomp, Falkner Swamp and Vin- 
 cent 150 60 48 — 
 
 Christopher Gobrecht, McCallister, Kreutz 
 
 Church, Abbottstown, Bermudian 147 58 158 — 
 
 Frederick Dallicker, Eockaway, "Valley, 
 
 Foshill 73 23 65 — 
 
 On account of the disturbances caused by the war, the num- 
 ber of Mr. "Weyberg 's families could not be obtained this year. 
 
 Concerning the statistics, we wish to remark that at the 
 next Coetus they shall be more fully transmitted. The Rev- 
 erend Fathers will until then delay their kind intention to 
 enter our names into their ministers ' book.* 
 
 At the close of the Coetus the question was raised as to 
 where the next meeting should be held, when Reading and the 
 third Wednesday before Ascension Day were decided upon. 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, Pres. p. t. 
 Caspar Weyberg, Sec. p. t. 
 
 * This Year Book, containing the names of all the ministers and the- 
 ological professors in connection with the Church of Holland, was en- 
 titled: Nnamregister der Predikanten so van de Nederdeutsche als 
 WalscJie en Englisclie Kerken, etc. Leiden, Boekdruckery, Van Damme. 
 It contained a full list of the Eeformed ministers of Pennsylvania, to- 
 gether with their congregations, at least from 1750-1797. Copies of 
 these years are in the Eoyal Library at the Hague. See, also, Coetal 
 Letter of 1786, See. 7. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1782. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 128; N. B., No. 11811/2; Harb. MSS., No. 57.) 
 
 Very Reverend Sirs, Especially Much Beloved Fathers: 
 
 We hereby send to your Eeverences the statistics of the 
 churches, and also the Minutes of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, 
 1782, hoping that your Eeverences will receive them and be 
 pleased with them. 
 
 MINUTES OP THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN READING, 
 IN PENNSYLVANIA, MAY IST, 1782. 
 
 The Coetus was opened at 10 A. M. in the church in Reading 
 with an edifying sermon by Brother Weyberg, on 2 Cor. iv. 6. 
 After the service, Mr. Weyberg was elected, by a majority of 
 votes, President, and Mr. Pomp, Secretary. 
 
 The ministers who were present with their delegated elders 
 were the following: 
 
 Weyberg, Pomp, Leydich, 
 
 Otterbein, Waldschmidt, Hendel, 
 
 Daelliker, Helffrich, Wack, 
 
 Wagner, Faber, Runkel, 
 
 Blumer, Neveling, Weber, 
 
 Boehm, Gobrecht, Henop. 
 
 The following did not appear, but sent in a written excuse 
 for various reasons: 
 
 Helffenstein, Ingold, Weymer, Dubbendorff. 
 
 On the same day, in the afternoon, the said ministers and 
 elders went into the school-house of the congregation, where 
 the sessions began with the invocation of the divine name, 
 and the following business was transacted : 
 
 1. The President asked each of the ministers present how, 
 and -v^dth what blessing, he had worked in his ministry. 
 These questions were answered to our joy, according to the 
 unanimous testimony of the delegated elders. Of these re- 
 ports we can only state in general, since it would be too 
 lengthy to report every answer in particular, that the holy 
 ministerial office in these sad times is everywhere more accept- 
 
 (376) 
 
BECOEDS OF 1782. 377 
 
 able to the congregations than ever before, and it is dis- 
 charged with great blessings to many souls. 
 
 2. Islv. Ingold, who was not present at the Reverend Coetus, 
 having left the congregations in Goshenhoppen half a year 
 ago, informed the Reverend Coetus, by a letter presented by 
 an elder, that he had begun to serve the congregations Easton, 
 Dryland and Greenwich. The Reverend Coetus was obliged 
 to approve of his action, because for several years it has been 
 thought ad\'isable to allow all vacant congregations to call a 
 minister of the Coetus according to their pleasure ; even as a 
 minister is also at liberty to accept such congregations at 
 pleasure. Since these privileges are found not to be disad- 
 vantageous, but rather beneficial, both on the part of the min- 
 isters and on the part of the congregations, the Reverend 
 Coetus intends to grant them also in future. 
 
 3. The congregations of Allen township, Moor township 
 and Lehigh with sorrow reported to the Reverend Coetus the 
 decease of Mr. Steiner, who had been their beloved minister. 
 They applied for another capable minister. After a careful 
 investigation of the circumstances, the Reverend Coetus an- 
 swered the delegates that the three said congregations, on 
 account of the congregation of Dryland, which immediately 
 after Mr. Steiner 's death had left them and united with 
 Easton, should unite with some other congregation, which 
 may be found either in Dryland or in Plainfield [township], 
 so that if they call a minister they may also raise the neces- 
 sary salary. 
 
 4. A congregation in Westmoreland County, a district near 
 Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania, a new settlement, where there was 
 no German minister heretofore, very earnestly petitioned for 
 an able minister, whom it promised eighty pounds annually, 
 together with other necessaries of life. Since Mr. Weber 
 showed an inclination for this congregation, the Reverend 
 Coetus resolved to recommend him, so that he may receive a 
 regular call to that place. 
 
 5. Mr. Daellicker informed Coetus why he had left his 
 former field in New Jersey, including the congregations Rock- 
 away, Valley, and Foxhill, and. a few months ago, accepted a 
 call from the congregations of Goshenhoppen. Said congre- 
 
378 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 gations which Mr. Daellicker left petitioned the Reverend 
 Coetus at this time for another able minister. This was 
 granted them in the same way as we are accustomed to treat 
 all other vacant congregations. But since the congregation 
 in Amwell, which is in the neighborhood of said three con- 
 gregations, and at present served by Mr. Neveling, is not able 
 to give a sufficient salary to a minister, therefore the Rever- 
 end Coetus resolved that this congregation shall unite with 
 the other congregations which Mr. Daellicker left, so that they 
 may unitedly call a minister, whom they can provide with a 
 sufficient salary, and also with a house, which should be 
 located in the center of the four congregations. 
 
 6. Some men appeared in the name of three other congre- 
 gations in West Jersey, from the places Nolton, Hartwich 
 and Newton, who likewise desired a minister to supply them 
 with the "Word of God and the Holy Sacraments. But the 
 Reverend Coetus could not promise them anything beyond 
 the liberty to call a capable minister of the Coetus, as is 
 allowed to all vacant congregations. 
 
 7. The congregations in Lebanon presented a written re- 
 quest to be henceforth supplied by Mr. Runckel ; and because 
 Mr. Runckel was not only willing to do this, but also showed 
 that he could serve the congregation from time to time with- 
 out neglecting his other congregations, the Reverend Coetus 
 confirmed this call. 
 
 8. Mr. Wack notified the Reverend Coetus that he had 
 accepted a call from the congregations in Saucon and Spring- 
 field. Since these congregations were at liberty, according to 
 a previous resolution, to call any minister of the Reverend 
 Coetus, the call was unanimously confirmed. 
 
 9. The congregations, Tohickon, Indianfield and Great 
 Swamp, which, by the departure of Mr. Wack, had become 
 vacant, asked, through delegates, for another minister. . The 
 Reverend Coetus could do nothing but give these congrega- 
 tions liberty to call a minister. This liberty was also granted 
 to several other congregations, namely, to the congregation 
 in Reading, which Mr. Boos has at last been obliged to leave, 
 and also to the four united congregations. Muddy Creek, Co- 
 calico, Seltenreich and Reyers, which were last served by Mr. 
 Gobrecht. 
 
HE CORDS OF 1782. 379 
 
 10. From the complaints of the congregation in Baltimore, 
 the Reverend Coetiis noticed, wdtli great sorrow, that Brother 
 Boehm, on account of physical infirmities, becomes more and 
 more unfit for the ministry. His infirmities are gout and 
 epilepsy, which commenced a few years ago, and increased to 
 such an extent that, by the unanimous judgment of Coetus, 
 he was declared unable to perform his ministerial duties. It, 
 therefore, devolved upon us to deliberate how both this dis- 
 abled brother and also the congregation, which asked for an- 
 other minister, might be assisted. After we all had taken this 
 afiair to heart, and given thought how, in such a sad case, 
 counsel and help might be given, a motion was finally made, 
 and unanimously adopted, that the congregation, for some 
 time to come, grant to Mr. Boehm the necessary support, but 
 at the same time shall have liberty to call another minister, 
 if it can give him a salary besides Mr. Boehm 's. But because 
 the burden of paying the salary of two ministers might be too 
 heavy for the congregation, especially in these hard times, 
 the Reverend Coetus resolved to have recourse to the Fathers 
 in Holland, and respectfully to ask them to send something 
 towards the support of Mr. Boehm. "We hereby ask for such 
 real help as the Reverend Fathers have given to us often 
 before. 
 
 11. Brother Weyberg showed the Reverend Coetus a bill 
 of exchange, dated Amsterdam, December 5, 1778, for 450 
 guilders, which sum, however, lias not been received thus far. 
 But the Coetus rejoices on account of the charitable donations 
 v.-hieh still continue to be given by the Reverend Classis of 
 Amsterdam to the poor congregations of this country. 
 
 12. The business having been finished, it was resolved to 
 hold the next Coetus in Philadelphia, on the third Wednesday 
 before Ascension Day. 
 
 Finally, the Minutes, of which this is a copy, Avere signed 
 in the original by all the ministers and elders, as is always 
 customary. But this copy is signed in the name of all by 
 
 Caspar "Weyberg, President. 
 Nicholas Pomp, Secretary. 
 
580 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Statistics of the Reformed Congregations in Pennsylvania and 
 Maryland, May 1st, 1782. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Caspar Weyberg . . 
 N. Pomp . . . . ^ 
 A. Helffenstein 
 
 Fr. Henop . . 
 
 John Helffrich 
 
 Fr. Daelliker . 
 Weber .... 
 
 W. Hendel . . 
 
 Th. Faber . . 
 
 C. Gobrecht . - 
 
 D. Wagner . . 
 Ph. Leidig . . 
 
 Caspar Wack . 
 Chas. Boelime . 
 
 Abraham Blumer. 
 William Kunkel. 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 Philadelphia 
 
 Falkner Swamp, R.* . 
 
 Vincent 
 
 Germantown 
 
 Frederick, R 
 
 Middletown 
 
 Glade 
 
 Maxatawny, R. . . . 
 
 Lowhill 
 
 Heidelberg 
 
 Upper Milford .... 
 
 Salzburg 
 
 New Goshenlioppen, R. 
 Old Goshenhoppen . . 
 
 Great Swamp 
 
 Plainfield, R. ...... 1 
 
 Hamilton .... j 
 
 Tulpehocken, R. . . ... 
 
 Host 
 
 Bethel. 
 
 Heidelberg . 
 
 At Blue Mountain 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 Hanover, R 1 
 
 Kreutz Ch. [Christ Church] ! 
 
 Abbots Ch I 
 
 Bermudian J 
 
 York 
 
 Trappe 
 
 Coventry 
 
 Pottstown . . 
 Lower Saucon, R. 
 
 Springfield 
 
 Nockamixon 
 
 Baltimore 
 
 Northampton .... 
 
 Jordan 
 
 Schlosser's 
 
 Egypt 
 
 Blaser's . .... 
 
 Maytown 
 
 Rapho . . 
 
 Manheim 
 
 White Oaks . ... 
 
 12000 
 
 85 
 
 45 
 
 165 
 
 
 ni 
 
 13 
 
 <v 
 
 
 f= 
 
 •^ 
 
 v: 
 
 &. 
 
 a 
 
 c3 
 
 o 
 
 m 
 
 U 
 
 151 
 
 63 
 
 40 
 
 4 
 
 15 
 
 12 
 
 45 
 
 33 
 
 92! 64, 
 
 155 
 
 96 
 
 70 
 151 
 
 * R. stands for residence (of ministers), 
 ■f- Sittings in the church. 
 
 31 ! 
 
 20; 
 
 170 33 
 
 65 25^ 
 
 43 21 ! 
 55 32; 
 
 300 4G! 
 
 24 
 
 22' 
 19' 
 12 
 30 
 
 28| 
 13 
 
 25 1 
 
 14i 
 
 8| 
 12 
 
 5! 
 
 82 47 
 
 35 
 
 64' 24 
 
 -45 i 
 
 36 1 
 32'; 
 
 140 
 50 
 30 
 
 71 
 
 25 
 15 
 
 130 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 55 
 22 
 26 
 24 
 60 
 
 58 
 
 50 
 
 46 
 53 
 11 
 12 
 
 7 
 7 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1782, ADDRESSED TO THE 
 CLASSIS. 
 
 (N. B., No. 1184.) 
 
 Very Feverend, Most Learned, and Most Esteemed Gentlemen and 
 
 Fathers : 
 
 Time will show whether the Eeverend Fathers have received the Min- 
 utes of the previous year, and whether these will have the same fortune. 
 
 In these Minutes the Fathers will criticize that the vacant congrega- 
 tions have been given liberty to call a minister of the Coetus. But the 
 Eeverend Fathers will notice that no minister, on this account, shall 
 leave his congregations without good cause. Since for the present time 
 no new ministers can be expected, we desire thereby to satisfy the 
 vacant congregations, and to retain them in the Coetus. 
 
 The draft to Mr. John Erkelens would have been paid long ago if our 
 paper money had retained its credit. I must state, to the credit of this 
 gentleman, that he will pay the money, to the satisfaction of Coetus, as 
 soon as the conditions of our country improve. 
 
 "We further commend ourselves to the favor of the Eeverend Fathers, 
 which we so long enjoyed, and call ourselves, in all sincerity. 
 
 Our Eeverend Fathers' most devoted and humble co-laborers, 
 
 Caspar Weyberg. 
 (381) 
 
MINUTES OF TI-IE COETUS OF 1783. 
 (Hague 92, B. 129; N. B., No. 1188; Harb. MSS., No. 58.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, MxVY 14th, 1783. 
 
 Present. 
 
 Pomp, p. t. President; Weyberg, Helffenstein, Hendel, 
 Otterbein, Leydich, Helffrich, Neveling, Wagner, Runckel, 
 Dallicker, p. t. Secretary. 
 
 Absent ministers who sent in excuses that were recognized 
 as valid: Dp. Dubendorf, in Lykens Valley; Do. Gobrecht, 
 in Hanover; Do. Wack, in Saucon; Do. Weber, in Fort Pitt. 
 
 Do. Ingold, in Easton, sent an excuse, but it was not valid. 
 
 Gentlemen who perhaps were unable to send in reasons for 
 their absence : Do. Waldschmidt, in Cocalico ; Do. Faber, in 
 Indianfield; Do. Blumer, in Whitehall; Do. Henop, in Fred- 
 erick; Do. Weymer, in Hagerstown. 
 
 The following ministers have changed charges since the 
 last Coetus in Reading: 
 
 Do. Theobald Faber left Lancaster and accepted Indian- 
 field, Tohickon, and Trumbauer's Church. 
 
 Do. Hendel left Tulpehocken for his former congregation 
 in Lancaster. 
 
 Do. Neveling left Amwell, in New Jersey, and went to 
 Reading, so that now that whole State, in which two or three 
 ministers are very much needed, is without a regular supply. 
 
 Do. Weber took charge of the congregations which called 
 him at the last Coetus, namely. Fort Pitt, HantowTi, Hemp- 
 field and Mount Pleasant, in Westmoreland County, State of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Vacant congregations in Pennsylvania: 
 
 1. Worcester and Witpen. 
 
 2. Tulpehocken and united congregations, formerly served 
 by Do. Hendel. 
 
 3. Allentownship, Moortownship, Lehigh, formerly served 
 by Do. Steiner. 
 
 (382) 
 
EE COEDS OF 17 S3. 333 
 
 4. j\Iuddy Creek, Cocalico, Seltenreieh, Reyer's, where Do. 
 Gobrecht was stationed. 
 
 In Maryland: 
 
 5. The one congregation in Baltimore, served formerly by 
 Do. Boehm. 
 
 In AVest Jersey : 
 
 6. Rockaway, Valley, Foxhill, supplied by Do. Dallicker. 
 
 7. Nolton, Hartwiek, Newtown, although partly served by 
 the former [Do. Dallicker]. 
 
 8. Amwell, formerly served by Do. Neveling. 
 
 The Coetus was opened, as usual, at 10 A. M., by Do. Pomp, 
 as President, with a sermon on John xvi. 8-11, well worked 
 out and applicable to the condition of our times. 
 
 SESSION I. 2 P. ]\I, 
 
 The President began with invoking the indispensable assist- 
 ance of God, who guides His Church. Then followed the 
 usual investigation concerning the benefit and spiritual bless- 
 ing of our common ministry. The answers of the few breth- 
 ren who had met showed that up to the present time it was 
 necessary to work under great difficulties, with more fear 
 than hope, and that we must persevere with constant watch- 
 ing and prayer if we would expect blessing and joy in eter- 
 nity. Yet it appeared to me as if a special joy and cheerful- 
 ness of spirit were to be seen in the ministers, and also in the 
 faithful elders, on account of the blessed times of peace, 
 whereby the Lord has crowned the physical and spiritual 
 struggle of true Republicans. To us, as American ministers, 
 under the supervision of the Reverend Fathers of Holland, 
 this change of our government must be especially welcome, 
 on account of the closer union with the Reverend Classis of 
 Amsterdam and the Reverend Synods, which can be expected 
 on account of the unrestricted fellowship now open to the 
 two republics, which God may further bless. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 In accordance with the custom now prevailing among us, 
 the congregations of Tulpehocken, etc., which earnestly peti- 
 tioned for a new minister, were given permission to call a 
 
384 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 minister of the Coetus and to accept him, if any one should 
 be -s^-illing to serve them. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 According to Article V of last year's Minutes, the four 
 congregations of New Jersey — Rockaway, Valley, Foxhill, 
 and Amwell — were advised to unite, in order to better sup- 
 port a minister, and because the ministers are few. But 
 three of them, namely, Eoekaway, Valley and Foxhill, again 
 appeared and showed the inexpediency of uniting with Am- 
 well on account of the great distance. Amwell also, since the 
 departure of Do. Neveling, did not make the least effort to 
 secure a minister, but was very careless in this respect. 
 Therefore these three congregations named above were again 
 declared to be united congregations, as before, without unit- 
 ing with Amwell. 
 
 Article lY. 
 
 The two congregations of Baltimore appeared before 
 Coetus, through delegates ; but, alas ! with the old accustomed 
 want of harmony, so that at present we must give up the 
 hope of union. It was resolved to let the case rest mth the 
 decision of the last Coetus, Art. X, only with this modifica- 
 tion, that the support of Mr. Boehm may cease, because the 
 year of the promised support is ended. 
 
 SESSION 11. MAY 15tH, A. M. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 A man by the name of Cyriaeus Spangenberg, of Reide- 
 meister, a cousin of Dubendorf, presented himself before 
 Coetus, desiring to be admitted to the holy ministry, by ex- 
 amination and ordination ; but inasmuch as, not only accord- 
 ing to report, but also according to his own acknowledgment, 
 he had already administered holy baptism without ordination, 
 and had made application to Mr. Boos, desiring him to confer 
 ordination upon him, who, however, it seems, was upright 
 enough to refuse to do it, and especially because his conduct, 
 as described by those who know him, is altogether more like 
 that of a soldier and la\\yer than a minister, the entire Coetus 
 agreed to refuse this request. 
 
BECOBDS OF 17 8S. 335 
 
 SESSION in. 2 P. M. 
 
 Since the Reverend Fathers will see from the list of vacant 
 congregations in what condition our churches are through 
 lack of ministers, and since we also have many proofs of their 
 paternal care regarding this want, therefore we are en- 
 couraged earnestly to petition that, by their kind help, some 
 able and approved ministers, perhaps three or four, may be 
 sent to this country from Germany. Since several of the 
 vacant congregations are from time to time served by the 
 brethren, it is infinitely better to secure a few honest men 
 than many who lack this quality. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 The bill of exchange for 450 guilders, dated Amsterdam, 
 December 5th, 1778, which, through your paternal love and 
 care, we received, is not yet paid. It may, perhaps, now be 
 done, the times being more peaceful. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 Finally, it was resolved that the next meeting of Coetus, 
 God willing, shall be held in Lancaster, on the second Wed- 
 nesday before Ascension Day. 
 
 Nicholas Pomp, Pres. p. t. 
 Frederick Dallicker, Sec. p. t, 
 25 
 
386 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Statistics of the Eefoemed Congregations Belonging to the Eev- 
 
 EEEND COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, MaY 14, 1783. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Nicholas Pomp . . . -j 
 
 Caspar Weyberg .... 
 Albert Hellfenstein . . 
 William Hendel .... 
 
 William Otterbein . . -| 
 
 Philip Leydich . . 
 
 ( 
 
 John Heniy Helffrich. 
 
 John G. W. Neveling 
 Daniel Wagner . . . 
 
 William Eunkel 
 
 Christ. Gobrecht 
 
 Caspar Wack . . 
 Fred. Dalliker. . 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 Falkner Swamp .... 
 
 Vincent 
 
 Philadelphia (sittings) 
 
 Germantown 
 
 Lancaster ...... 
 
 Baltimore 
 
 Antietam 
 
 Pottstown 
 
 Coventry 
 
 Trappe 
 
 Maxatawny .... 
 
 Heidelberg 
 
 Lowhill 
 
 Upper Milford . . . 
 
 Salzburg 
 
 Greenwich 
 
 Keading 
 
 York 
 
 Lebanon 
 
 Kamerling 
 
 Jones' 
 
 Hill Church .... 
 
 Donegal , 
 
 Maytown 
 
 Kapho 
 
 Manheim 
 
 White Oaks .... 
 
 Hanover 
 
 Christ Church . . . 
 Abbotstown .... 
 
 Bermudian 
 
 Lower Saucon . . . 
 
 Springfield 
 
 New Goshenhoppen . 
 Old Goshenhoppen . 
 Great Swamp .... 
 
 J 
 
 "a 
 
 
 c 
 o 
 O 
 
 85 
 
 36 
 
 25 
 
 45 
 
 20 
 
 
 2000 
 
 177 
 
 66 
 
 180 
 
 47 
 
 16 
 
 164 
 
 52 
 
 33 
 
 32 
 
 10 
 
 , 
 
 50 
 
 21 
 
 - • 
 
 152 
 
 29 
 
 32 
 
 175 
 
 92 
 
 35 
 
 100 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 78 
 
 28 
 
 25 
 
 169 
 
 124 
 
 47 
 
 125 j 65 
 
 i 
 
 75 1 32 
 
 50 30 
 
 951 37 
 
 45 1 18 
 
 37 12 
 
 46 
 
 37 
 
 17 
 
 8, 
 26 
 
 100 
 50 
 
 120 
 63 
 81 
 40 
 25 
 
 164 
 
 75 
 60 
 
 101 
 
 60 
 
 48 
 32 
 31 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1784. 
 
 (Habbaugh MSS., No. 61; Acts of Depp. 32, XIV, 
 pp. 392-395.)* 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN LAN- 
 CASTER, MAY 12, 1784. 
 
 There were present: 
 
 Henop, President, Weyberg, 
 
 Helffenstein, Dubbendorff, 
 
 Pomp, Runckel, 
 
 Weymer, Faber, 
 
 Gobreeht, Hendel, 
 
 Otterbein, ; Wagner, 
 
 Wack, Bliimer, p. t. Secretary. 
 
 Absent : 
 
 Dallieker, on account of the death and burial of his wife. 
 
 Ingold. 
 
 Waldschmidt. 
 
 Weber, on account of the great distance. 
 
 Boehm, died in the summer of the previous year, in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 Leydich, died also last winter. 
 
 Neveling, who ministered to the church in Reading, and, 
 in view of his age, might have been useful to the church for a 
 long time, was struck with apoplexy last autumn, and was 
 thereby disabled from further occupying his post. 
 
 Weber last year accepted a call from several churches near 
 Pittsburg, which is 300 English miles from Philadelphia. 
 
 Pomp went from Falkner Swamp to Baltimore, where for- 
 merly Do. Boehm was located. 
 
 Dallieker went from Goshenhoppen to Falkner Swamp. 
 
 SESSION I. MAY 12, 1784, P. M. 
 After Do. Weyberg, on account of the absence of Do. Dal- 
 
 • We follow the translated copy of the Hague, because it is more 
 complete. 
 
 (387) 
 
388 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 licker, who, by reason of the death of his wife, could not 
 attend our session nor take his place as President, had opened 
 the meeting with a sermon on Acts xxvi. 18, well adapted to 
 the circumstances of the day, and edifying, our business was 
 attended to in the following order: 
 
 I. 
 
 In answer to the usual question, each of the ministers 
 present gave information about the condition of his congre- 
 gations, from which it appeared that all the ministers enter- 
 tained the hope that their ministration would be followed 
 with a blessing from the Lord, some more richly, others less 
 so. In particular, some of the brethren gloried in the prog- 
 ress of the youth in knowledge and godliness. 
 
 II. 
 
 The congregations at Cocalico, Reyer's Church, Muddy 
 Creek and Seltenreich, which were formerly served by Do. 
 Gobrecht, but now for a long period have had no pastor, 
 urgently asked for a minister, and were given the promise 
 that they would be cared for as soon as possible. 
 
 III. 
 
 The congregations of Upper and Lower Tulpehocken, Hei- 
 delberg, and Swatara, where Do. Hendel was formerly 
 located, also request a minister; whereupon it was resolved 
 that the said congregations might call a minister of the Rev- 
 erend Coetus, and that if none of the ministers could decide 
 to accept such call, the congregations should be supplied with 
 a minister as soon as one comes over from Holland. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The congregations of Amwell, Rockaway, Valley and Fox- 
 hill, in New Jersey (of which the first was formerly served 
 by Do. Neveling, and the others by Do. Dallicker, but are now 
 combined with each other), have called Do. Wack as their 
 pastor; but since Do. "Wack has declined the call, these con- 
 gregations are promised that their supply will be attended to. 
 
 V. 
 
 The congregations of Worcester, Witpen and New Provi- 
 
BECOBDS OF 1784. 339 
 
 denee requested to have Do. Wynekhaus as their pastor. 
 This John Herman Wynekhaus was born at Altena, in the 
 County of Llark, ministered for two years to the congrega- 
 tion of Berchum, in the County of Limburg, and is provided 
 with the most praiseworthy testimonials, from the University 
 as well as from the Honorable Convention, and from that 
 congregation. Hence, although said Do. AVynckhaus was not 
 sent by the Reverend Fathers, we ask the Reverend Fathers 
 that Do. Wynekhaus be considered a member of our Coetus. 
 Meantime, consent was given that Do. Wynekhaus should 
 minister to the congregations named above until we shall have 
 received a reply from you. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The congregations of Old and New Goshenhoppen, and 
 Great Swamp, request Mr. Frederick William Van der Sloot 
 for their pastor. This Mr. Van der Sloot was born in Anhalt- 
 Zerbst, and, according to his testimonials, has preached fre- 
 quently, as candidate of theology, in the Cathedral of Berlin. 
 For two and a half years he acted as Inspector in the Joa- 
 chimsthal Gymnasium. As his other circumstances are the 
 same as those of Do. Wynekhaus, mentioned in the previous 
 article, the same action was taken regarding him: that he 
 shall minister to the said congregations until we have ascer- 
 tained the opinion of the Reverend Fathers. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The congregations in Allen township and Lehigh township 
 (where Do. Steiner formerly preached) have made out a call, 
 and presented it, for Do. Gobrecht, who is at liberty to accept 
 this call. But in case Do. Gobrecht should not accept it, these 
 congregations will be provided for as soon as new ministers 
 arrive. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The congregation in Reading has called Do. Henop ; and 
 if Do. Henop accepts this call, the congregations in Frederick, 
 made vacant thereby, will be permitted to call a minister of 
 the Coetus, and any minister thus called may accept the call. 
 
390 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 SESSION n. MAY 13, A. M. 
 IX. 
 
 Members of the congregations in Lebanon and the Hill 
 Church presented various complaints against their pastor, 
 Do. Runckel; among others, this: that Do. Runckel, at the 
 preparatory service before the Lord's Supper, examined and 
 tested the members of the church separately, two by two. 
 The opinion of the Coetus regarding this is : that although it 
 is necessary that a minister have knowledge of the standing 
 of the members of his church, yet, in order to obtain this, such 
 methods shall be used by which he may expect to produce 
 good results. 
 
 X. 
 
 From the two congregations in Baltimore, of one of which 
 Do. Otterbein is pastor, of the other Do. Pomp, several com- 
 plaints were presented of the one against the other. The 
 question was raised whether these two congregations shall 
 remain in their present condition, or be combined. The reso- 
 lution of Coetus was to the effect that these two congrega- 
 tions, so long as they adhere to the teachings and customs of 
 the Reformed Church, mil be regarded as [separate] congre- 
 gations belonging to Coetus, because no union can be expected. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Mr. Cyriacus Spangenberg, of Reidemeister, who last year 
 requested to be ordained and to be admitted to the ministry, 
 presented at this time also the same request to Coetus, where- 
 upon, after deliberation, it was resolved to await the answer 
 of the Reverend Fathers. 
 
 Resolved, That our next meeting of Coetus convene on the 
 second Wednesday before Ascension Day in Reading. 
 
 Frederick L. Henop, Pres. p. t. 
 Abraham Blumer, Sec. p. t* 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy is signed by all the ministers and nine elders 
 present. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1784. 
 
 391 
 
 Statistics of the Eeformed Congregations Belonging to the Coetus 
 OF Pennsylvania from May 14, 1783, to May 12, 1784. 
 
 Pastors. 
 
 F. L. Henop • 
 
 C. Weyberg . . 
 A. Helfenstein 
 
 S. Dubbendorff 
 
 N. Pomp . . 
 
 J. H. HeUfrich 
 
 Wm. Runekel 
 
 .T. Weymer . . 
 
 Fr. Dallicker . 
 J. Th. Faber . 
 
 Chr. Gobrecht 
 
 Wm. Hendel . 
 D. Wagner . . 
 
 C. Wack . . . 
 A. Blumer . . 
 
 Congkegations. 
 
 ;l 
 
 Frederick . . ■ 
 
 MiddletowD . . . 
 
 Glade 
 
 Philadelphia . . . 
 
 Germantown . . . 
 
 Lykens Valley . . 
 
 Schwaben Creek . 
 
 Baltimore .... 
 
 Maxatawny . . . 
 
 Lowhill 
 
 Upper Milford . . 
 
 Salzburg .... 
 
 Lebanon . . 
 
 Kamerling's . . . 
 
 Jones's ..... 
 
 Hill Church . - . 
 
 Donegal 
 
 Eapho 
 
 Manheim .... 
 
 White Oaks ... 
 
 Elizabethtown in Maryland, ~ 
 and three country con^ 
 gregations. Period cov' 
 ered is two years . 
 
 Falkner Swamp . . 
 
 Vincent 
 
 From Spring to May 10 
 
 Tohickon .... 
 
 Indianfield .... 
 
 Trumbauer's . . . 
 
 Hanover .... 
 
 Abbotstown . . . 
 
 Jacobs Church . . 
 
 Lischys Church J 
 
 Lancaster .... 
 
 York 
 
 Lower Saucon . . 
 
 Springfield .... 
 
 Northampton . 
 
 Jordan 
 
 Schlosser's Church 
 
 Egypt 
 
 ::1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 .2 
 
 r5 
 
 .a 
 
 a 
 
 CO 
 
 'o 
 
 O 
 
 152 
 
 76 
 
 27 
 
 3 
 
 , . 
 
 170 
 
 68 
 
 2 
 
 180 
 
 47 
 
 20 
 
 1 
 
 
 36 
 
 41 
 
 
 100 
 
 24 
 
 21 
 
 1 
 
 140 
 
 82 
 
 58 
 
 4 
 
 151 
 
 90 
 
 72 
 
 
 173 
 
 103 
 
 93 
 
 3 
 
 130 
 
 7 
 
 
 3 
 
 200 
 
 65 
 
 31 
 
 
 135 
 
 43 
 
 35 
 
 
 162 
 
 63 
 
 41 
 
 2 
 
 75 
 
 29 
 
 40 
 
 
 170 
 
 60 
 
 34 
 
 
 143 
 
 105 
 
 37 
 
 4 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1784. 
 (Acts of Depp. 32, Vol. XIV, p. 390, f.) 
 
 Very Beverend, Very Learned, Much Esteemed Fathers: 
 
 We herewith transmit to you the accompanying Acts of our Coetus, 
 held the 12th and 13th of May, of this current year, in Lancaster, and 
 request your opinion on the resolutions which we have adopted. At the 
 same time we have the honor respectfully to answer your Eeverences' 
 esteemed letter, dated Amsterdam, May 5, 1783. 
 
 The Eeverend Fathers desire to know the names of the congregations 
 of the deceased Do. Bucher, and of Do. Gobrecht. To this we reply that 
 Do. Bueher's congregations are the same as those served at present by 
 Do. Eunckel, which are mentioned in the enclosed statistics. The pres- 
 ent congregations of Do. Gobrecht are likewise found in the statistics, 
 and his former congregations are mentioned in the Minutes as vacant. 
 
 The draft for 450 fl. of December 5, 1778, concerning whose payment 
 you expect information, has not yet been paid. 
 
 The Eeverend Fathers state that they desire to receive an accurate 
 report of the state of the congregations and to obtain the opinion of 
 Coetus as to what can be done for their best interests. 
 
 They will be kind enough to observe the present state of the congre- 
 gations from the Minutes themselves. Besides the calls mentioned in 
 the Minutes, paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, another call was presented, 
 after the close of the Coetus, from the congregations in New Jersey, 
 Nolton, Hartwick and Newton. There are many vacant places here, 
 but few laborers. And even if one or another member of Coetus may 
 accept a vacant congregation, his former congregations thereby become 
 vacant ; and thus the Church in general is by no means advanced ; where- 
 fore we are greatly in need of several good and faithful ministers. 
 
 As sad experience has often taught us, that among those who offer 
 themselves for service in Pennsylvania many a one fails, it is the opinion 
 of most members of the Coetus that it woul4 be most advantageous to 
 the Church if young men could be prepared and qualified for the ministry 
 here in this country. However, to establish a school, in which the sala- 
 ries of at least three professors would have to be paid, is at present be- 
 yond our power, if we are not assisted by generous and loving support 
 from outside. 
 
 To paragraph six, in which your E-everences ask if it would not be 
 better that pastors and churches remained together a longer time, we 
 reply that as every congregation of the Coetus has the liberty to call a 
 minister, so every minister has the liberty to accept a call, especially 
 when he can hope to do more good in his new congregation than in the 
 former. It must also be remembered in this connection that several 
 congregations, on account of their great extent, are, in the highest de- 
 
 (392) 
 
RECORDS OF 1784. 
 
 393 
 
 gree, diflacult to serve, and a person who is otherwise of good bodily 
 constitution becomes old and weak by constant traveling, and therefore 
 accepts with gladness a less laborious ministry. Moreover, many of us 
 have been settled in our congregations for many years, and some of us 
 are yet in our first congregations. 
 
 We close with a cordial expression of thanks for your great affection 
 and active charity evinced toward the Pennsylvania churches and our- 
 selves. May the Lord be your reward and portion for this! We com- 
 mend ourselves and our churches to your further paternal remembrance, 
 and always remain, with dutiful esteem. 
 
 Very Reverend Sirs and Fathers, 
 
 Tour Eeverences' most devoted servants, 
 
 Frederick L. Henop, Fres. p. t. 
 Abraham Blumer, Sec. p, t, 
 Lancaster, May IS, 1784. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1785. 
 (Hague 92, B. 136; Harbaugh MSS., No. 66.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OP PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN READING, 
 
 APRIL 27th and 28th, 1785. 
 Present. 
 
 Blumer, p. t. President, Gobrecht, Hanover, 
 
 Northampton, Weymer, Hagerstown, 
 
 J. H. Helffrieh, p. t. Secre- Waldschmidt, Cocalieo, 
 tary, Maxatawny, Wack, Saucon, 
 
 Weyberg, Philadelphia, Wagner, York, 
 
 W. Hendel, Lancaster, Runekel, Frederick, 
 
 Dallicker, Falkner Swamp, Loretz, Tulpehocken, 
 
 Faber, Tohickon, Willy, Reading. 
 
 Ingold, Easton, Pernisius, Lehigh. 
 
 These ministers are all members of Coetus. 
 
 Herman Winckhaus at Worcester, concerning whom see 
 Art. II. 
 
 Absent. 
 
 Pomp, Baltimore, on account of important business. 
 
 Otterbein, Baltimore, on account of a journey to Virginia. 
 
 Helffenstein, Germantown, on account of sudden sickness. 
 
 Dubbendorff, Lykens Valley, did not send an excuse. 
 
 Weber, Pittsburg, probably on account of the great dis- 
 tance. 
 
 The following ministers have accepted calls from other 
 congregations : 
 
 Frederick Henop, who served Frederick, accepted a call 
 from Reading. When he intended to go to Reading, in the 
 latter part of October of last year, the Lord of life and death 
 placed him on a sick bed and, to the greatest regret of our- 
 selves and the congregation of Reading, called this most 
 worthy man from time into that endless eternity, where, as 
 we hope, he now enjoys the reward of faithful ministers. 
 
 William Runekel, who was in Lebanon, accepted a call from 
 Frederick. 
 
 (394) 
 
RECORDS OF 1785. 395 
 
 Peter Paul Pemisius was directed by the Coetus to the 
 congregations across the Lehigh. 
 
 Andrew Loretz was directed to the congregation in Tul- 
 pehocken. 
 
 Bernhard Willy accepted a call from Reading. 
 
 At 10 A. M. ministers and elders went into the church, 
 where the Secretary, Do. Blumer, delivered a profound ser- 
 mon, well suited to the occasion, on 1 Tim. i. 18, 19. After 
 the service, Do. Blumer was elected President, and J. H. 
 Helffrieh, Secretary. 
 
 SESSION L 2 P. M. 
 Article I. 
 The Coetal meeting was opened with a very earnest prayer 
 by the President. Then he asked, as usual, each of the min- 
 isters present concerning his official work, the external and 
 internal condition of the congregations. They all agreed in 
 their reports that, trusting to the grace of God, they strove 
 diligently to be faithful in their office by preaching and cate- 
 chizing, and that here and there they saw fruits of their 
 labor. Even the external condition of the congregations 
 warrants the best hope. They all wish that the Lord may 
 give more and more increase to their planting and watering. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 The congregations, Worcester, Witpen and New Provi- 
 dence, presented a call for Do. Winckhaus, concerning whom 
 see Art. V of last year's Minutes. They desired that this 
 call might be accepted and confirmed by the Reverend Coetus. 
 
 Resolved: Because this matter was reported to the Rev- 
 erend Fathers in last year's Minutes, but as yet no answer has 
 been received, therefore the matter remain in statu quo [in 
 its present state].* 
 
 Article III. 
 
 The congregation in Reading presented a call to the Rev- 
 erend Coetus for Do. Willy, and requested that the Reverend 
 Coetus might accept it and confirm it. Likewise the congre- 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy states more clearly that the call could not be 
 confirmed. 
 
396 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 gations in Tulpehocken, Swatara and Heidelberg asked for 
 the acceptance and confirmation of their call to Do. Loretz. 
 
 Resolved : The confirmation of the two calls shall take place 
 at the next meeting of Coetus, after the circumstances have 
 been investigated. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 As the congregations in Allen, Lehigh and Moor townships 
 asked the Reverend Coetus for a minister, Do. Pernisius was 
 proposed to them, and at once went to these congregations. 
 
 SESSION II. 9 A. M. 
 Article V. 
 
 The congregations in Cocalico, Muddy Creek, Seltenreich, 
 and Reyer's Church again asked the Reverend Coetus for a 
 minister. They shall be supplied as soon as possible.** 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 The congregations in Lebanon and the Hill Church, which 
 were formerly served by Do. Runckel, asked again to be 
 served by a minister of the Coetus. 
 
 Resolved: For the time being. Do. Loretz shall serve the 
 congregations in Lebanon and Tulpehocken, until they can 
 be supplied. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 The congregations in Carlisle and Lower Settlement had 
 given a call to Do. Dubbendorff. As Do. Dubbendorff had 
 not accepted the call, they asked for another member of the 
 Coetus as their minister. 
 
 Resolved: The congregations shall be allowed to extend a 
 call to another minister of the Coetus, who shall have the 
 liberty to accept the call. But if none shall accept the call, 
 they shall be served by the neighboring ministers. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 A proselyte, Mr. Chitara, a former Augustinian monk, ap- 
 
 ** The Harbaugh copy reads: "As it is very necessary that they be 
 supplied with a minister, it was resolved that the first minister who 
 arrives shall be assigned to them. ' ' 
 
BECOBDS OF 1785. 397 
 
 peared before the Reverend Coetus and requested to be ad- 
 mitted to the service of the Church. 
 
 Resolved: Since Mr. Chitara possesses the best testimon- 
 ials, and seems to have faithful and honest intentions, it was 
 deemed necessary to help him in every way. To this end it 
 was resolved that Mr. Chitara shall remain for a time with a 
 minister, who shall instruct him in those things requisite for 
 a minister to know, so that he may be of greater use in the 
 service of the Church, and, if deemed advisable, may be 
 ordained. This instruction and direction Do. Ilendel under- 
 took to give him. 
 
 Article IX. 
 
 The question was put, when and where the next meeting 
 of Coetus should be held. 
 
 Resolved, That it shall be held on the second Wednesday 
 before Ascension Day, in Philadelphia.* 
 
 Appendix. 
 
 1. As was stated in Art. VI of last year's Minutes, Fred. 
 Wm. Van der Sloot preached at Old and New Goshenhoppen 
 and Great Swamp. The former two congregations have now 
 locked the church against him on account of a very disgrace- 
 ful and unlawful act; but the latter congregation, namely, 
 Great Swamp, still allows him to preach. 
 
 2. Cyriacus Spangenberg von Reidemeister, who twice be- 
 fore asked for examination and ordination (see Minutes of 
 1783, Art. V, and Minutes of 1784, Art. XI), but whose re- 
 quest was refused on account of his bad character, caused 
 himself to be ordained, on recommendation and intercession 
 of his cousin Dubbendorff, by a careless and bad minister 
 named Philip Jacob Michael. Spangenberg preached to some 
 congregations in Shamokin. He likewise intended to do the 
 same as Van der Sloot. He also had a wife in Germany and 
 intended to marry another wife here. But on the day pre- 
 ceding his intended wedding, a letter of his wife from Europe 
 came to light, and thus prevented him from carrying out his 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy adds : ' ' Eesolved, That each minister shall an- 
 nounce several times to his congregations, that any one who moves into 
 another neighborhood must have a certificate from his minister." 
 
398 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 design. Through this act Spangenberg drew upon himself 
 the just hatred and disgust of all sincere souls, who even be- 
 fore thought little or nothing of him. 
 
 A man by the name of Roth appeared before the Reverend 
 Coetus and desired to be ordained and received into our 
 brotherhood (as he stated). But he showed, both by his 
 words and in writing, that he cared only for the honor and 
 the support. He was earnestly admonished to desist from his 
 intention, which would result in the ruin of himself and his 
 congregations. 
 
 There are still several of this stamp in the land, who secure 
 some followers in the congregations, and thereby bring about 
 confusion and separation. 
 
 May the King and Lord of His Church free His Church 
 more and more from such hirelings, and in their stead send 
 faithful servants into his harvest ! Amen. 
 
 A. Blumer, p. t. Pres. 
 
 J. H. Helffrich, p. t. Sec.^ 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy is signed by sixteen ministers and twelve elders. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1785. 
 
 399 
 
 •Basuadxg 
 
 •gajisrnbjaj 
 
 
 •aoTAjag 
 
 JO x-a^x 
 
 =fj 
 
 rt I Ol C3 I 
 
 _ ~ , - o <ii ^ "^ 
 
 2 OJ « i> 1) -t; i_i c-r^ ^ 
 
 <^ 
 
 <^ 
 
 
 
 
 -3 ii5 I ' 
 
 
 
 
 O o 
 
 
 •SJBXOqog 
 
 fe hp 
 
 •sxooqog 
 
 •parajguoQ 
 
 •pazi'jd'Bg 
 
 •eaijTOiB^ 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 THrHi-Hl-lT-dHrHl-lr-l c<S=r-l rH rH I— I ^ 
 
 (M 05 IM •* l-M Tfl . 
 
 !§ 
 
 
 ooooco 
 
 L^ o o 
 
 Ph 
 
 C3 F-H ' - 
 
 fl 60 
 
 O 
 
 £1. 
 
 
 
 r * 
 
 02-4-* 
 
 Sid 
 13 * 
 
 •=18. 
 
 as 
 
 pq 
 
 § 
 
 o 
 
400 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 •sasnadxg; 
 
 oo 
 
 c-a 
 
 •S8;israbj9j 
 
 ■^ 
 
 
 -^ 
 
 •aoTAjag 
 
 JO SIB9i 
 
 •IFO 
 JO n39x 
 
 
 •SJByoqog 
 
 •s|00qog 
 
 o 
 
 C<l 
 
 (M 
 
 ^ 1-i 
 
 •paniigaoQ 
 
 1— 1 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 
 •pazi^d^g; 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 C5 t^ 
 
 •sai^raiB^ 
 
 ;=; u 
 
 ^ 
 
 o J5 
 
 « a 
 
 g OJ & 
 
 ^^6 
 
 cd 
 
 ■73 
 
 O 
 
 « 
 
 
 rt 
 
 S e s^ 
 
 p4 
 
 ^s-oj ^ oj a 
 
 cs ' 
 
 <U 3 ^ 
 
 hI^i-^ 
 
 P^ o 
 
 o 
 
 
 So 
 
 O /^ 
 
 M a Q 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 o^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 fc^pfl 
 
 lU 
 
 " 0) 
 
 a 
 
 w 
 
 < 
 
BE COEDS OF 1785. 
 
 401 
 
 •sasnadxg; 
 
 a> 
 
 <^ 
 
 Sis 
 
 
 •sdjisinbjaj 
 
 5;!; 
 
 
 •aoiAjag 
 JO sjBa^ 
 
 O C cj 
 ^ 133 0) 
 
 
 JO jBa^ 
 
 eg' 
 
 •SJB|0q3g 
 
 o 
 
 Oi 
 
 2 
 
 (N 
 t^ 
 
 o 
 a, 
 
 £ 
 
 O 
 
 a. 
 
 
 o 
 
 T 
 
 •spoqog 
 
 o 
 
 c^ 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 1-1 
 
 o 
 
 r-l 
 
 •paoijgnoQ 
 
 I— 1 
 
 05 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 
 •pazudBg 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 QO 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 o 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 """ 
 
 •S9T^tniTJ^ 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Ph 
 
 MH 
 
 b 
 
 >% 
 
 O 
 
 a 
 
 a* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rt U 
 
 tu' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OO-^ 
 
 r: 5 "T- eS 
 
 CJ ^ S O r5 
 
 J^* ffi <1 O i-S H^ S3 Q 
 
 
 a, fr5 
 
 « 
 
 s 
 
 26 
 
 O -s 
 
 pq ^ 
 
 r^ "O -»J a> 
 
 '-' c c a 
 
 u Z) S be 
 
 "S "^ O t* 
 
 
 Sp 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1785. 
 (Hague 92, B. 136.) 
 
 Most Beverend, Most Learned, and Most Esteemed Fathers in Christ: 
 
 In the enclosed Minutes of our Coetal meeting held in Beading, April 
 27th and 2Sth, 1785, the Eeverend Fathers will please note the condition 
 of the Eeformed Church in Pennsylvania and Maryland. We desire 
 that the transactions contained therein may meet with your approval. 
 
 We received, in the month of June, 1784, the letter of the Most Eev- 
 erend Classis of Amsterdam, dated December 6th, 1783, together with 
 the enclosed draft of 200 fl., of which 100 fl. were sent by the Most 
 Eeverend Deputies of South and North Holland, and 100 fl. by the Most 
 Eeverend Classis of Amsterdam, intended for Do. Dubbendorff and Do. 
 Boehm. According to the desire of the Eeverend Fathers, we paid 
 100 fl. to Do. Dubbendorff and 100 fl., since Do. Boehm had died in the 
 meantime, to his widow. 
 
 We received with the greatest pleasure a letter of the Most Eeverend 
 Deputies of both Synods, dated Berkel, May 21st, 1784, and also letters 
 from the Most Eeverend Classis of Amsterdam, dated June 22d and 23d, 
 1784, together with an enclosed draft of 600 fl., of which 200 fl. were 
 sent by the Most Eeverend Deputies of South Holland and 200 fl. by the 
 Most Eeverend Classis of Amsterdam, for our Widows ' Fund, and 200 fl. 
 by the Most Eeverend Classis for Do. Dubbendorff and Do. Boehm. The 
 100 fl. intended for Do. Dubbendorff were sent to the latter by Do. 
 Hendel. Since the widow of Do. Boehm had again married, this money 
 was used, together with 33 fl. 12 st. [stuivers] (which we took from the 
 money intended for our Widows' Fund), to defray the passage of Do. 
 P. P. Pernisius, who, on his arrival with his daughter, after a long and 
 tedious voyage, still owed 138 fl. 12 st. for his passage. Immediately 
 after his arrival in Philadelphia, Do. Pernisius was sent to the congre- 
 gations in New Jersey. But he was with these congregations only a 
 very short time. Then they brought him back to Philadelphia, for what 
 causes we do not yet know, presumably because he was too old for them. 
 We, therefore, recommended him to the congregations in Lebanon, where 
 he would have become the neighbor of Dos. Loretz and Willy, but these 
 congregations likewise did not want him. By a great deal of persuasion, 
 we prevailed upon the Lehigh congregations to accept him. We do not 
 know how long he will stay there, but we hope for the best. Since very 
 few of the ministers, on their arrival in this country, receive a special 
 gift from their congregations (the members of the congregations being 
 often themselves in want of the most necessary things), we could not 
 obtain anything for Do. Pernisius. 
 
 We express to the Eeverend Fathers our most bounden and dutiful 
 thanks for their kind, charitable gifts and rich contribution, whereby 
 our Fund was anew replenished, it having become very weak by the loss 
 of the Continental money and by gifts to several widows. We were en- 
 couraged, by your kindness, to maintain our Fund by our contributions, 
 hoping that in future, also, liberal hearts will kindly support us. May 
 the God of rich blessing recompense you for your charitable gifts! 
 
 (402) 
 
BE COEDS OF 1785. 493 
 
 We should like very much to send you the statistics arranged as de- 
 sired by you, because it is necessary for the reasons enumerated in your 
 esteemed letter. Yet it is impossible for us to do so, for the following 
 reasons : 
 
 During the war the members of the congregations no longer sub- 
 scribed what they intended to give, at the end of the year, towards the 
 support of their pastors, for the current paper money or credit-bills de- 
 creased in value from day to day; and even now the subscribing is 
 omitted by most of the congregations, so that the majority of the min- 
 isters have no fixed salary, much less a stable salary; and even when the 
 salary is fixed annually, the minister cannot depend on it, for members 
 often move away in the midst of a year, or at the end of it, v.ithout 
 paying what they promised, and those who occupy their places [houses 
 or farms] are either adherents of another denomination or want to hear 
 the minister a year before they are willing to pay anything towards his 
 support. Many members are not willing, many are not able, to pay the 
 money which they promised, and to compel them by the law is not fitting 
 for a minister. Likewise, the salary is not paid at one time. Many 
 ministers must often wait a whole year, and even longer, until the 
 salary due them is received. Therefore only few ministers can give the 
 definite amount of their salary unless they keep an account of every 
 pound and shilling as they receive them. Just as little can the expen- 
 ditures be stated exactly, since the ministers have to pay out the money 
 as soon as they receive it. Many ministers must shape their expenses 
 according to their income, if they have not received any property through 
 marriage. The price of imported goods, and also the price of the 
 products of the country, change almost every week, and this renders the 
 daily expenses uncertain. Some ministers live on their own property, 
 obtained by marriage, but others dwell in parsonages. 
 
 For several years we have seriously considered a subject of great im- 
 portance for our Church in this country. But we are very much in want 
 of strength and power to realize this work. We take the liberty to bring 
 to your notice the matter itself, and the different motives which led ua 
 to such thoughts. We obediently ask for your opinion. 
 
 The matter which weighs upon us is, as was also mentioned in the 
 letters sent last year to the Eeverend Fathers, the establishment of a 
 school in the central part of the State of Pennsylvania, in which young 
 men might be prepared for the ministry. The motives which led us to 
 such thoughts are as follows: 
 
 1. Although the Eeverend Fathers in sending the ministers not only 
 have great trouble, but also great expense, yet some of the ministers 
 prove faibires, either by bringing a stain with them, or because they 
 cannot accommodate themselves to the ways of this country, and thus 
 the traveling expenses which, by the great kindness of the Eeverend 
 Fathers, they receive, do not quite answer the full purpose for which 
 they were given. 
 
 2. Many young men in this country, who have great ability, would 
 like to devote themselves to the service of the Church, if they only had 
 an opportunity, and many inhabitants have for some time had a greater 
 
404 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 confidence in natives than in foreigners who just arrived, because they 
 have several times fared badly. 
 
 3. The English, who are here, are now establishing a second school in 
 Carlisle, for which purpose they, at our last Coetus, desired our assist- 
 ance, and also some Reformed teachers. Since we had reasons to fear 
 that this might tend to suppress the German language, and even our 
 nationality, and might be to the disadvantage of our religion, for they 
 might accept a Reformed teacher only as a matter of form, we excused 
 ourselves on the ground of our inability. We fear that they will soon 
 establish the third school in the border regions, for they do not lack 
 support from their nation. 
 
 However humbly we may begin this work, which in our judgment is 
 so necessary and useful for our religion and language, yet two teachers 
 are required, whose salary is far beyond our ability if we are not gen- 
 erously supported by contributions from the outside. 
 
 This project does not at all aim at our separation from the Reverend 
 Fathers. This would not only be the basest ingratitude, but also the 
 greatest folly; ingratitude with respect to the many benefits received, 
 folly because of the benefits which we still hope for. We commit this 
 project to the wise and deep insight of the Reverend Fathers, and obe- 
 diently ask your opinion in this matter. 
 
 We cannot help believe that in this way your kind gifts would be em- 
 ployed to greater and larger advantage for the Reformed Church in this 
 country, since the Reverend Fathers do not tire in doing good unto us 
 and our congregations. 
 
 For several years Coetus has not received any request for Dutch min- 
 isters. 
 
 In a letter by his Reverence, Dr. Kessler, dated Amsterdam, October 
 5th, 1784, the Reverend Fathers desire of us the two other drafts of 
 450 fl. which are not yet paid. We can assure the Reverend Fathers 
 that they have not yet been received by us; if they should be discovered, 
 we wiU return them immediately. 
 
 May the God of peace, who can govern the hearts of kings according 
 to His will, incline to peace the hearts of those who are inflamed with 
 war against the United Netherlands! May Almighty God, who in for- 
 mer years saved this country from the hands of its enemies, also now, 
 and at all times, be a fiery wall around this country and its inhabitants, 
 so that no enemy may harm them! May He preserve them as the apple 
 of His eye! May He protect them under the shadow of His wings! 
 May he preserve their liberty and allow their commerce to flourish in all 
 parts of the world! May the kind God take the Reverend Fathers and 
 their dearest families under His fatherly prote3tion and attend their 
 ministry with much blessing! 
 
 We commend ourselves and our congregations to your fatherly cara, 
 and remain, with perfect esteem, 
 
 Most Reverend, Most Learned, and Most Esteemed Fathers, 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 Abraham Blumer, Pres. p. t. 
 John Henry Helffrich, Sec. p. t. 
 
 Reading, April S9th, 1785. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1786. 
 (Hague 92, B. 141; Harbaugh MSS., No. 74.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD MAY 17tH 
 AND 18Tn, 1786, IN PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 In the presence of Dos. : 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, Daniel Wagner, 
 
 p. t. President, Abraham Bluraer, 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, Nicholas Pomp, 
 
 Caspar Weyberg, Albert Ilelffenstein, 
 
 William Runckel, Caspar Wack, 
 
 William Ilendel, John Herman Winckhaus. 
 
 P. Paul Pernisius, 
 
 Ministers absent and excused: 
 
 Do. Gobrecht, in Hanover, on account of age and infirmity. 
 
 Do. Weber, in Pittsburg, probably on account of the too 
 great distance. 
 
 Do. Dubbendorff, in Lykens Valley, probably on account of 
 too great distance. 
 
 Also absent, without giving reasons therefor: 
 Do. Ingold, in Easton, Do. Faber, in New Goshen- 
 
 Waldschmidt, in Cocalico, hoppen, 
 
 Otterbein, in Baltimore, Weymer, in Hagerstown. 
 
 Changes in location of some of the ministers since the last 
 Coetus, held in Reading: 
 
 J. Theobald Faber left Indianfield, Tohickon and Trum- 
 bauer's Church, and has accepted his former congregations 
 of Old Goshenhoppen, New Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp. 
 
 Do. Wack, after several calls (as may be seen from Art. IV 
 of the Minutes of 1784), accepted the congregations Rock- 
 away, Valley and Foxhill, in New Jersey, and consequently 
 left Saucon and Springfield. 
 
 After the meeting of Coetus had been opened, as usual, at 
 10 o'clock in the morning, by Do. Helffrich, as President, 
 with an excellent analysis, exposition, and application of the 
 words of St. Paul, 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3, the session was begun at 
 2 o'clock in the afternoon by the reverend President, ^vith 
 
 (405) 
 
406 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 prayer for the indispensable assistance of the Lord and for 
 the blessed guidance of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The response or answer of the ministers to the customary 
 questions concerning the progress of the gospel ministry in- 
 dicated a condition of an alarming standstill. In general, it 
 is to be observed that the blessing of peace has rather been 
 attended with the sad consequences of display in dress, de- 
 bauchery and luxury, than with gratitude and humble recog- 
 nition of the wonders God has done for us. If America were 
 satisfied with the home-made clothing and the moderation 
 which, because of want, were necessary during the times of 
 the so-called Continental, or late war, how happy it would be ! 
 But now there are few, very few, who do not live above their 
 stations, so that a stranger on Sundays, or festival days, can- 
 not possibly tell whom he meets. The faithful minister, with 
 silent tears, grieves over hearts possessed of such extravagant 
 pride, for all his remonstrances are in vain. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Several pastorless congregations reported to the Coetus, 
 in order to be again supplied, namely, Reading, Tulpehocken, 
 Lower Saucon and Springfield, and also Indianfield, Tohickon, 
 and the congregation of Trumbauer's. The right, introduced 
 among us some time ago, was granted to all, to call any min- 
 ister of the Coetus who might be willing to accept their call. 
 Reading must especially be cared for, since this county-seat 
 has been so unfortunate in having bad ministers for more 
 than twenty years. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 Bernard Willy, by his scandalous behavior, has occasioned 
 the most deplorable confusion at Reading. For this reason 
 the meeting of our Coetus in Reading did not confirm his call 
 there. The protocol, showing the conduct of the unhappy 
 Willy, was approved by the entire Coetus. In connection 
 with th^'. case, it was resolved that in the future such, and 
 other, offenses shall be publicly announced before the Coetus 
 for information and warning. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 A gentleman, by the name of Philip Pauli, who spent his 
 
EECOIWS OF 1786. 407 
 
 school years in his birth-place, Magdeburg, and pursued his 
 subsequent studies at Berlin, in the Joachim Gymnasium, and 
 later studied theology in the University of Halle, having been 
 compelled to come to America by reason of deaths, which hin- 
 dered [his studies], because of sickness, made application to 
 us, in writing, requesting examination and ordination. This 
 gentleman has given instruction in the Latin language in the 
 Philadelphia Academy for more than a year and a half, and 
 during this time has preached very acceptably on Sunday 
 evenings, as was testified before the Coetus. It was, there- 
 fore, resolved that after satisfactorily passing his examina- 
 tion, he shall be ordained in the congregation that will call 
 him, which will probably be Reading. We hope that the 
 Reverend Fathers will approve our action. 
 
 Article V. 
 Mr. Chitera, the proselyte, of whom Art. VIII of the Min- 
 utes of Coetus, held last year, in Reading, makes mention, 
 has, in accordance with said article, pursued his studies for a 
 year, partly with Do. Hendel, but most of the time with Do. 
 Weyberg. The testimonials sent in about him were good. 
 Consequently, he was publicly examined by the majority of 
 our ministers. He showed a good and well-founded knowl- 
 edge. Wliereupon it was resolved that, with regard to ordi- 
 nation, he should wait another year, and meanwhile engage 
 in the duties of a pastor, excepting the administration of the 
 Sacraments, under the supervision of a minister belonging to 
 this Coetus. "VYe have supported this man, so destitute of 
 everything, especially because of the recommendation he 
 brought with him from Amsterdam, and have given him in- 
 struction, board and clothing, which has cost us altogether 
 £32. 3s. As our salary is very limited, this is rather hard for 
 us. We hope and expect, from the well-known kindness of 
 the Reverend Fathers, relief in this matter, and commend 
 Mr. Chitera himself to your favorable care and support. So 
 far as we know him, he is worthy of it. 
 
 Article VI. 
 Finally, it was resolved to hold our next annual Coetus on 
 the second Wednesday before Ascension Day, in Lancaster. 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, Pres. p. t. 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, Sec. p. t.* 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy is signed by eleven ministers and seven elders. 
 
408 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Statistics op the Eeformed Congregations Belonging to the Coettjs 
 OF Pennsylvania prom April 27, 1785, to May 17, 1786. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ns 
 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 (B 
 
 •T3 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 .2 
 
 
 a 
 
 CO 
 
 s 
 
 03 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 a 
 
 s 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 r 
 
 Maxatawny ~] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Heidelberg . . , 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 John H. Helfrich . . 
 
 Lowhill .... 
 Milford .... 
 Macungie . . . 
 
 
 
 216 
 
 117 
 
 84 
 
 4 
 
 146 
 
 
 Weissenburg . . 
 
 
 . ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fred. Dellicker ■ • • { 
 
 Falkner Swamp . 
 Vincent 
 
 
 ■I 
 
 218 
 
 102 
 
 43 
 
 3 
 
 70 
 
 Caspar Weyberg , 
 
 Philadelphia . . 
 
 
 
 *2000 
 
 183 
 
 61 
 
 1 
 
 120 
 
 Wm. Hendel . . . 
 
 Lancaster. . . . 
 
 
 
 166 
 
 68 
 
 37 
 
 2 120 
 
 Albert Helfenstein. . . 
 
 Germantown . . 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 180 
 
 46 
 
 12 
 
 — 
 
 100 
 
 A. Blumer - 
 
 Northampton . . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jordan 
 
 Schlosser's . . . 
 
 
 
 151 
 
 89 
 
 31 
 
 4 
 
 142 
 
 Egypt 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hanover ... 
 Christ Church 
 Abbotstown . . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C. Gobrecht .... 
 
 1 Jacob's Church . . 
 : Lischy's Church 
 1 Zion's 
 
 
 1. 
 
 165 
 
 48 
 
 85 
 
 4 
 
 135 
 
 
 i David's . . . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 D. Wagner 
 
 1 York 
 
 1 Lehigh ..... 
 
 
 
 78 
 
 45 
 
 80 
 
 1 
 
 50 
 
 P. Paul Pernisius . . - 
 
 Indian 
 
 Moortownship . 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 69 
 
 42 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 . 
 
 Dryland 
 
 
 J 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 State op Maryland. 
 
 Nicholas Pomp 
 Wm. Runkel . 
 
 Baltimore 
 Frederick 
 
 851 401 22 1 I 40 
 1021 641 46 1 60 
 
 State op New Jersey. 
 
 Caspar Wack . 
 
 Valley . . 
 Rockaway 
 Foxhill . 
 
 Came to these congrega- 
 tions only recently. 
 
 ■ Sittings. 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy adds : 
 
 Worcester 
 J. Herman Winkhaus 
 
 Wit pen .... 
 New Providence 
 
 126 
 
 37 
 
 52 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1786. 
 (Hague 92, B. 142.) 
 
 Very Eeverend, Highly Learned, Especially Much Esteemed Sirs and 
 Fathers : 
 
 The particulars which we have "the honor at present to lay before you 
 are in part unpleasant, very unpleasant, but the truth must be sincerely 
 adhered to. 
 
 1. Mr. Loretz, pastor at Tulpehocken, returned to his fatherland last 
 April. From the testimonials of Coetus given to him you will be able 
 to see the reasons of his return. In case he does not report to you, the 
 reasons are, in short, as follows: (1) His pronunciation was too unin- 
 telligible; (2) he objected to the expense of bringing his family over 
 to this distant land. 
 
 2. Mr. P. P. Pernisius is, in a certain sense, in the same position. If 
 it were not that he lacks money for the voyage, he would have left 
 America before this. This gentleman is useless in this country, and we 
 are greatly embarrassed on his account. Either to support him, or to 
 provide him with money for the return journey, exceeds our means. 
 Last year in Reading we had to pay over 20 pounds for his passage. 
 We expect counsel and help from the Reverend Fathers, as soon as pos- 
 sible, with regard to this man. Such aged ministers are the objects of 
 •uspicion among inquiring Americans. They say, "^Tiat is the reason 
 that a man who seems, at any hour, ripe for the grave, is apparently 
 compelled to undertake such a wearisome journey? Moreover, it is im- 
 possible for one so far advanced in years to adapt himself to the cus- 
 toms of the country. We heartily deplore that the Reverend Fathers 
 should have had so much trouble and heavy expense in connection with 
 these three natives of the Canton of the Grisons [Loretz, Pernisius and 
 WiUy], who have not in the least contributed to our relief nor to the ad- 
 vancement of our ecclesiastical affairs. 
 
 3. Just for this reason we repeat again our most earnest petition that 
 you support, with your favor, our plan with reference to the erection of 
 a school, since this, if not the only, is at least the safest and surest way 
 to provide our churches with honest and tried young men, well ac- 
 quainted, from their youth, with the customs of the country. The Rev- 
 erend Fathers themselves will see that it is very hazardous to continue 
 sending ministers from Europe, since they have too often proved failures, 
 and in the future may be equally bad. We would rather get along aa 
 best we can than further give offense to other denominations or sects, 
 for we all dwell together here. 
 
 4. I do not know, on account of the great distance, whether Do. 
 Helffrich, the Secretary of last year, answered your questions, frequently 
 repeated of late, concerning the frequent changes in the pastorates of 
 
 (409) 
 
410 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 our ministers. Among the causes are the smallness of the salaries and 
 the heavy expenses. If he does not observe the most careful economy, 
 a minister is lost, and to keep out of debt requires great pains. No 
 country preacher is able to give his children, especially his sons, an edu- 
 cation such as the paternal heart would wish or respectability requires. 
 The least paid school teacher in Germany is better off in this respect. 
 Therefore, a minister must certainly be excused when he endeavors to 
 better his condition as often as opportunity is afforded. The Eeverend 
 Fathers can see from the statistics, drawn up by Do. Helffrich, what is 
 left to most of us at the end of the year. This report is accurate, for 
 we have far too much respect for Holland to act otherwise. 
 
 5. Do. Neveling, who was formerly pastor in Eeading, whose misfor- 
 tune and affliction, by the unsearchable wisdom of God, has been reported 
 to you by Do. Blumer, as Secretary, is, with his numerous family, a true 
 and real object for your most tender sympathies, which must go out to 
 an unfortunate man who is unable to support himself and family. Mr. 
 Neveling, not wishing to be burdensome, has hitherto used up almost all 
 that he had ; now, however, necessity compels us, in behalf of this man, 
 most earnestly to entreat you, Reverend Fathers, to help him and hia 
 family, according to your well-known benevolence. 
 
 6. We do not know why we have received no answer to our Minutes 
 of the years 1784 and 1785, transmitted to you, nor any letters from you. 
 We daily look for them, with a most ardent longing. 
 
 7. In order properly to prepare the statistics of our congregations, 
 according to your desire, it would be very helpful to us if annually two 
 copies of the Ministerial Year Book,* or Register of ministers and pro- 
 fessors, printed at Amsterdam, were sent to us, one for the Secretary, 
 another for reference. 
 
 May the Lord ever cause the home and foreign churches to grow and 
 prosper, through your wise and paternal care, to the honor of .Jesus and 
 the glory of His kingdom of grace! May He bless your persons and 
 eminent families. We are sincerely, with all esteem and dutiful thank- 
 fulness, in the name of the Eeverend Coetus and our own, etc., 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, Pres. p. t. 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, Sec. p. t. 
 
 * See also p, 375, note. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1787. 
 (Hague 92, B. 143; Harbaugh MSS., No. 77.) 
 
 MINUTES OP THE COETUS OP PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN LANCAS- 
 TER, JUNE 5th, 1787. 
 
 Present. 
 
 Dellicker, President, Troldenier, 
 
 Helffenstein Secretary, Herman, 
 
 "Weyberg, Gobrecht, 
 
 Hendel, Weymer, 
 
 Pomp, Ingold, 
 
 Helffrich, "Wagner, 
 
 Blumer, K-unckel, 
 
 Faber, Weber. 
 Pernisius, 
 
 Absent. 
 
 Otterbein, Winckhaus, 
 
 Wack, Dubbendorff. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. JUNE 5tH, P. M. 
 
 On account of the dedication of our German High School, 
 founded by our esteemed Assembly, our Coetus was held a 
 little later than usual, in order to save traveling expenses to 
 those members of the Coetus who had been chosen as trustees. 
 As the President had not yet arrived, the Coetus was opened, 
 at the desire of the reverend members present, by the Secre- 
 tary, who offered a prayer. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The usual question concerning the external and internal 
 condition of the congregations was put to the ministers pres- 
 ent. Their answers, confirmed by their elders, were as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 In regard to the external condition, as far as the main- 
 tenance of di^nue service is concerned, there are great diffi- 
 culties — at some places more, at others less — yet true edifica- 
 tion is not wanting. In many places the work of the Lord is 
 
 (411) 
 
412 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 even very prosperous. But great watchfulness is required 
 on the part of the ministers against heresies, spiritualists, and 
 the mixing up of religion with others things. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. JUNE 6tH, A. M. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The congregations in Cocaiico, Muddy Creek, Reyer's and 
 Seltenreich ask the Reverend Coetus that Mr. Anthony Hautz, 
 who had studied under Do. Hendel, and for nearly a year 
 served said congregations laudably and with success, might be 
 examined and given to them as their regular minister. 
 
 Resolved, That the request of these congregations be 
 granted. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 The members of the congregation in Frankford petitioned 
 that Mr. Pauli might be ordained and given to them as their 
 minister. This gentleman was examined last year by a com- 
 mittee of the Reverend Coetus, and was found at that time 
 not yet prepared. Therefoie, it was resolved that Mr. Pauli 
 again submit to an examination before anything be done m 
 this matter. 
 
 THIRD SESSION. P. M. 
 
 Most of this afternoon was used to examine Mr. Hautz. He 
 passed the examination well, if circumstances are considered. 
 He was, therefore, declared qualified for the ministry and for 
 ordination. For urgent reasons, the following pledge was 
 placed before him, which pledge he read, and signed in the 
 presence of the whole Coetus : 
 
 In Nomine Dei. Amen. 
 
 " I, the undersigned, having been examined by the Eeverend Coetus 
 and found qualified for the holy ministry, having also been called as 
 pastor of the congregations, Cocaiico, Muddy Creek, etc., do hereby de- 
 clare and most solemnly pledge myself before God and His Church, that 
 I will live in accordance with the doctrines, customs and regulations of 
 our Church, Eeformed according to the "Word of God; that I will show 
 at all times due respect to the Christian regulations of the Eeverend 
 Coetus, and avoid every occasion to cause well-founded offense. 
 
 " Given on the sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord 1787. 
 
 Anthony Hautz." 
 
RECORDS OF 1787. 4^3 
 
 FOURTH SESSION. JUNE 7tH, A. M. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The congregation on the Tohickon, and those connected 
 with it, apply for a minister. 
 
 Resolved, That they shall have permission to call any min- 
 ister of the Reverend Coetus who has an inclination to go. 
 
 Article II. 
 Two men, Giesse and Roth, applied for a ministerial exam- 
 ination, but they were refused; the one being directed to his 
 school, the other to his carpenter's bench. 
 
 At present it cannot be decided with certainty where, if 
 the Lord grant life and health, the Coetus shall be held next 
 year. 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, Pres. p. t. 
 A. Helffenstein, Sec. p. t. 
 
 Statistics of the German Reformed churches, represented 
 by ministers and elders, assembled in Lancaster, June 5, 1787 : 
 
414 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 C. Weyberg. 
 A. Helffenstein 
 
 F. Dellicker . 
 
 John Faber 
 W. Ingold . 
 A. Blumer . 
 
 J. H. Helffiich 
 
 F. Herman 
 W. Hendel 
 
 C. Gobrecht . 
 
 W. Runkel 
 
 L 
 
 J. Waymer 
 
 N. Pomp 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 Philadelphia .... 
 Germantown .... 
 Falkner Swamp . . . 
 Vincent ..... 
 New Goshenhoppen . 
 Old Goshenhoppen . 
 
 Swamp 
 
 Reading 
 
 Northampton .... 
 
 Jordan . 
 
 Schlosser's 
 
 Maxatawny ..... 
 
 Heidelberg 
 
 Lowhill . .... 
 
 Upper Milford . 
 
 Macungie 
 
 AVeissenburg 
 
 Easton . . 
 
 Greenwich . . . 
 Dryland . . . . 
 Plainfield . . . 
 Lancaster . . . 
 Hanover . . . . 
 Christ Church . . 
 Abbotstown . . 
 Jacob's Church . 
 Lischy's Church 
 David's Church . 
 Zion's Church 
 Frederick . . . . 
 Middletown . . 
 
 Glade 
 
 Eocky Hill . . . 
 Conococheague • 
 Baltimore . . . 
 
 ^ 
 
 170 
 192 
 
 230 
 100 
 152 
 
 230 
 
 120 
 
 174 
 
 189 
 
 214 
 
 172 
 
 85 
 
 eq 
 
 185! 41 
 43] 18 
 
 120 
 
 67 
 
 31 19j 90 
 
 76! 93! 78 
 
 i 
 
 21i 21 40 
 
 92 54 151 
 
 163' 53 169 
 
 32 
 
 38 75 
 
 66 
 
 24 100 
 
 ■1171 
 15 40 
 
 *In two years. 
 
 The 
 
 Wagner, Weber and Troldenier had no statistics, 
 others, as mentioned in the Acts, were absent. 
 
 With regard to salaries, perquisites and yearly expenses of 
 each minister, it has been deemed better rather not to report 
 anything to your Reverences at this time, than something un- 
 certain. This whole matter is attended, in many cases, with 
 great difficulties, especially at the present time. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1787. 
 (Hague 92; B. 142.) 
 
 Most Eeverend, Most Learned, and Most Esteemed Sirs and Fathers in 
 Christ : 
 
 The enclosed Minutes, together with the statistics, will inform the 
 Eeverend Fathers concerning the present condition of our congregations. 
 The report of the Widows ' Fund will inform you about the drafts which 
 you kindly sent us. Otherwise, nothing important occurred, except that 
 Mr. Waldschmidt fell asleep in the Lord. 
 
 But a sad incident occurred, which grieves us all very much. It con- 
 cerns Mr. Neveling. This brother labored in the ministry for many 
 years in peace and blessing, but several years ago was stricken with 
 paralysis, which rendered him incapable of preaching and all other work. 
 As he has a large family of small children, he fares very badly in tem- 
 poral things. We, therefore, recommend him to your kind and benevo- 
 lent sympathy, in the assured confidence that your fatherly favor and 
 love will certainly not be bestowed in vain, nor without blessing to 
 yourselves. 
 
 Finally, we all wish heartily that the God of Abraham, Isaac and 
 Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be your shield and 
 your very great reward. 
 
 We remain, Most Reverend Fathers, 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 Fred. Dellicker, Pres. p. t. 
 A. Helpfenstein, Sec. p. t. 
 (415) 
 
EXTRACT FROM THE ACCOUNTS OF THE WIDOWS' 
 
 FUND. 
 
 (Hague 92; B. 145.) 
 
 We, the undersigned ministers of the Evangelical Reformed Church 
 and members of the Reverend Coetus in Pennsylvania, having taken into 
 consideration, at a former meeting, our outward circumstances, noticed 
 with some concern that our annual salary, even with careful economy, 
 is barely sufficient to support us and our families, much less to save some 
 money; and since, at the death of the father, even this ceases, the sur- 
 viving widow and orphans are necessarily thrown into straightened cir- 
 cumstances, the former being deprived of the necessary support in her 
 old age, the latter of a thorough education, therefore we have unani- 
 mously resolved to contribute something from our own means for the 
 establishment of a Widows' Fund, under the following conditions: 
 
 Art. 1. Every member shall contribute annually, as long as he lives, 
 the sum of two pounds, in specie, and whoever does not remit his pay- 
 ment on the day set for this purpose, shall pay a fine of one penny 
 per day. 
 
 Art. 2. The time of payment shall be the annual meeting of the 
 Coetus. 
 
 Art. 3. Whoever marries more than once shall each time pay double 
 the amount for that year, namely, four pounds. 
 
 Art. 4. In case a member should be excluded from the Coetus, he shall 
 be at liberty to continue his contribution, and, after his death, his widow 
 and children shall receive their share, as if no such exclusion had taken 
 place. 
 
 Art. 5. Whoever fails, three times in succession, to pay his contribu- 
 tion, thereby forfeits his right, and excludes his family from the benefits 
 of the Fund. 
 
 Art. 6. The annual interest accruing from the money thus deposited 
 shall be equally distributed among the widows of such ministers who 
 duly paid their contributions, and every widow shall receive her share 
 as long as she is a widow. 
 
 Art. 7. If a minister leaves no widow, but children, then the share 
 which would have fallen to the widow shall be paid to his child, or chil- 
 dren, under sixteen years of age, and each child shall receive an equal 
 share until the age, named above, shall have been reached. 
 
 Art. 8. If the Coetus, in case of extreme necessity, should need some 
 money to aid others [than widows], such money may be advanced from 
 the Widows' Fund with the consent of all the ministers present. But, 
 in order to secure the repayment of this money to the Widows' Fund, 
 together with the interest from the day when it was paid, either from 
 the donations from Holland, or, if they be wanting, from the personal 
 
 (416) 
 
RECORDS OF 1787. 4^7 
 
 property of the ministers, the President and Secretary of the Coetus 
 must obligate themselves and their successors, in the name of the entire 
 Coetus, by a bond to the Treasurer of this Fund and his successors. 
 
 Art. 9. The members shall obligate themselves, by their own signa- 
 tures, to observe these regulations. 
 
 The capital of the Fund is as follows: 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 I. 60 pounds. Continental money, being 33 
 
 II. 210 pounds, 9 shillings, 10 pence. Continental money, 
 
 being 115 g g 
 
 III. 189 pounds, 7 shillings, 8 pence, good money 189 7 8 
 
 Total £337 16 2 
 
 Beginning with 1781, the interest of the entire sum was divided among 
 three widows, Wittner, Bucher and Steiner. 
 
 The annual contribution of fourteen members amounted last year to 
 28 pounds. 
 
 The 100 fl. designated by the Reverend Fathers for Do. Boehm, who 
 died and whose widow married again, were used, together with 38 fl. 
 12 St. from the money designated for the Widows ' Fund, to pay the 
 necessary passage money of Do. Pernisius, as may be seen from the letter 
 to the Reverend Fathers, dated Reading, April 28, 1785. 
 
 Moreover, the Coetus borrowed 32 pounds from the "Widows' Fund 
 for Mr. Chitera, which, owing to the lack of charitable gifts, the mem- 
 bers of the Coetus must refund, together with the interest, according to 
 Art. 8 of this statement. 
 
 Extracted from the accounts of the Widows' Fund. 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, 
 Secretary of the Widows' Fund. 
 
 Maxatawny, June Sd, 17S7. 
 
 The Reverend Fathers had the kindness to send, in the year 1782, 
 a draft for 450 fl. to the Coetus. Of this donation we promised, 
 among others, to the very needy widow of Do. Wittner the sum of ten 
 pounds. But since this draft was returned, as it was not cashed, the 
 Coetus could not keep its promise, but had to put the widow off with 
 hope. 
 
 Of the three drafts of 450 fl. none has thus far come to light, except 
 the one which was returned to the Reverend Fathers. 
 
 27 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1788. 
 (Hague 92, B. 152.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN READING, 
 
 APRIL 23d and 24th, 1788. 
 Members present : 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, Pres., German town. 
 Caspar Weyberg, D. D., Philadelphia. 
 
 William Hendel, D. D., 
 Frederick Dellieker, Sec, 
 Abraham Blumer, 
 John Henry Helffrich, 
 Christopher Gobrecht, 
 Daniel Wagner, 
 Herman Winekhaus, 
 Frederick Herman, 
 John George Troldenier, 
 A. Hautz, 
 
 From Maryland: 
 William Otterbein, 
 Nicholas Pomp, 
 William Runckel, 
 
 Absent : 
 
 John William Ingold, 
 Jacob Weymer, 
 Caspar Wack, 
 William Weber, 
 Theobald Faber, 
 P. P. Pemisius, 
 Samuel Dubbendorff, 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Falkner Swamp 
 
 Northampton. 
 
 Maxatawny. 
 
 Hanover. 
 
 Tulpehocken. 
 
 Saucon. 
 
 Easton. 
 
 York. 
 
 Muddy Creek. 
 
 Baltimore. 
 Baltimore. 
 Frederick. 
 
 Reading. 
 
 Hagerstown. 
 
 Valley. 
 
 Pittsburg. 
 
 Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Coventry. 
 
 Lykens Valley. 
 
 After the reverend President had opened the Coetus on the 
 first day, in the morning at 10 o'clock, with a sermon on 
 2 Cor. V. 20, the usual questions, regarding the condition, 
 profit, blessing and edification of our ministry, were put in 
 the afternoon at 2 o 'clock, in the school-house, at a full Coetus 
 meeting. 
 
 Article I. 
 General complaints were, indeed, heard about the present 
 
 (418) 
 
EE CORDS OF 1788. 4I9 
 
 hard times, the great scarcity of money, and consequent severe 
 suffering, by which things the blessed influence of the Gospel 
 is much impeded. Nevertheless, some of the ministers de- 
 clared that they have experienced good hope, and real proofs 
 of true edification. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Mr. George Adam Guething presented himself for exami- 
 nation and ordination, which was granted him after a long 
 discussion, pro and con. The principal reasons why his re- 
 quest was complied with are the following: The congrega- 
 tions [Antietam, etc.?] in Maryland, which he serves, are very 
 feeble, and cannot contribute half a salary. Thus no min- 
 ister from Europe is deprived of a place through him. 
 Moreover, he labored in the congregations for several years 
 as catechist, under Do. Otterbein. Ordination has been 
 especially requested by him, for the reason that he might 
 render assistance to Do. Otterbein as well as to the congrega- 
 tions, since, on account of the distance of the locality, Otter- 
 bein cannot go there often. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 Mr. Chitera appeared in person for ordination, so that he 
 might be able also to administer the Sacraments. Since, on 
 the one hand, the Reverend Fathers have already given their 
 kind approval, and, on the other hand, this man has passed, 
 under the supervision of Do. Wack, through a period of pro- 
 bation lasting two years, instead of one, and has brought sutfi- 
 cient recommendation and testimonial of his conduct and 
 ministry in respect to preaching and catechization, it was re- 
 solved that he shall be ordained in his present congregation, 
 Knowlton, in Sussex County, New Jersey, according to your 
 will and the prescribed order of our Church. 
 
 Article IV. 
 Mr. Philip Pauli also applied, in writing, for a second ex- 
 amination. The last time he did not pass the examination 
 preparatory to ordination, and was consequently refused. As 
 two years have elapsed and, up to this time, he has been a 
 teacher in the Academy in Philadelphia, and has, from time 
 to time, exercised himself in preaching, and especially because 
 he has, together with Mr. Chitera, the consent of your Rev- 
 
420 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 erences, our highly esteemed Fathers, therefore a second ex- 
 amination has been granted him before the same examiners, 
 Do. Weyberg and two assistants. 
 
 Article V. 
 Do. Weyberg presented a communication to the Reverend 
 Coetus from a certain Mr. Pick, who landed at New York, 
 which communication was declared by the whole assembly, 
 both of ministers and elders, to be very insulting, rude, in- 
 considerate, and recklessly passionate.* "What else could Do. 
 Weyberg answer this man than the actual truth? He claims, 
 as your Reverences can see from his accompanying letter, that 
 he was called to Pennsylvania at the urgent request of the 
 
 * It is due to the memory of Do. Pick, who proved to be a useful min- 
 ister in the Dutch Keformed Church, to publish his letter: 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 150.) 
 
 New York, February 26, 1788. 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned Doctor, Especially Much Esteemed and 
 Honored Brother: 
 
 About twelve days ago I sent a letter to your Reverence, announcing 
 my arrival here, and inclosing at the same time letters from Amsterdam. 
 These have probably arrived. As Rev. Brother Gros is at present writ- 
 ing to you, and a friend promises to deliver the letters, I take the 
 opportunity to send you an extract of my first letter, for fear that it 
 has not reached you. 
 
 I arrived here entirely without money. The traveling money paid to 
 me at Amsterdam did not reach to defray my board there. Your Rev- 
 erence can imagine the dreadful famine which prevailed there during the 
 awful war, I was compelled to stay there more than three months. I 
 was not able to pay even my passage money; indeed, I had to ask the 
 captain to pay some of my expenses, I asked, therefore, [in my first 
 letter,] that either £100 might be sent to me, or some one might meet me 
 here. If the congregation [which called me] would agree to it, I would 
 be willing to have the money thus advanced deducted from my salary 
 from time to time. It is not only stated in my call, dated November 8, 
 1787, that the congregation would assist me at my arrival, but several of 
 the brethren belonging to the Amsterdam commission also assured me 
 that this would undoubtedly be done. 
 
 Without money I am, of course, unable to get away from here; but I 
 hope that your Reverence, in accordance with my first request, will have 
 the kindness to take such measures as will be satisfactory both to my 
 congregations and myself. 
 
 Awaiting a favorable answer, I remain, with sincere respect, 
 
 Your Reverence's most obedient and devoted servant and brother. 
 
 Pick. 
 
RECORDS OF 1788. 421 
 
 Coetiis of Pennsylvania. Of this we know nothing. That no 
 place is open is only too true. The only two places now 
 vacant are Reading, Avhich will have nothing to do with a 
 newly-arrived person, be he who he may, and Skippack, which 
 is too weak to pay a minister's salary, and can very easily be 
 supplied from Gerniantown. And even if places were vacant, 
 yet not one of them, not even Philadelphia, would undertake 
 to advance him at haphazard one hundred pounds, and from 
 a country church he would not get the fourth part. It awak- 
 ened well-founded suspicion how this man, as he states in his 
 own letter, could have spent, in such a short time, not only 
 the traveling expenses he had received, but besides make a 
 debt of one hundred pounds in an honorable way. His re- 
 quest, addressed to us, was read publicly, together with the 
 statement of Do. Weyberg that Mr. Pick, according to reports 
 from New York, was a learned man and a particularly good 
 preacher, but none of the elders present made any overture 
 for him. Consequently, the counsel of Do. AA^eyberg to him 
 was the only possible one, however ill it was construed by him, 
 that he address himself to the ministers of New York for a 
 place. The resolution of the Reverend Coetus in regard to 
 this man was, that his conduct (as mentioned above) be 
 totally condemned and Do. Weyberg be vindicated; further, 
 that the whole matter be reported to your Reverences, our 
 highly esteemed Fathers, together with a copy of his insulting 
 letter. To this I add his first letter, marked No. 2, from which 
 his demands, which could not possibly be granted, will become 
 evident. 
 
 Article VI. 
 The congregation in York, which Mr. Troldenier serves, is 
 somewhat divided. There are two parties, and hence two 
 testimonials were present, one in favor of that gentleman 
 and one against him. The complaints were that he was too 
 passionate, and that he had preached four or five times on one 
 text. But the truth is, that Mr. Troldenier has been too short 
 a time in America to adapt himself to the feelings of the 
 people, as his predecessor, Mr. AVagner, did. In considera- 
 tion of this, and because the testimony in his favor is pre- 
 ferred, it was resolved to admonish the congregation, in writ- 
 ing, to forbearance, peace, and unity, which was done. 
 
422 COETVS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Article VII. 
 Do, Otterbein and Do. Pomp, both of Baltimore, appeared 
 with their elders and testimonials from their congregations. 
 At first some ill feeling showed itself, but a more desirable 
 conclusion was reached than we anticipated. For, after Do. 
 Otterbein had explained that neither he nor his members had 
 written to Holland against Do. Pomp and his congregation, 
 as they had suspected, a mutual agreement was reached that 
 no party would place any obstacles in the way of the other, 
 but live peaceably together in the future. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 Do. Ingold left Easton about a year and a half ago and 
 accepted Reading. However, this man suited this congrega- 
 tion, in many respects, less than any one before. This ap- 
 peared even in the first half year. But, notwithstanding suc- 
 cessive quarrels, he maintained himself till the present time, 
 when Reading gave him his dismissal and requested Coetus 
 for permission to call another minister, which was granted. 
 What a peculiar man Ingold is, your Reverences can partly 
 gather from this, that he left Reading on the very day the 
 Reverend Coetus met there. Nevertheless, we do not mean 
 to say that Do. Ingold is alone to blame. Contrary conduct 
 usually begets the same in others. As I have heard since. Do. 
 Ingold ministers at present to the congregations Indianfield, 
 Tohickon, and Trumbauer's Church. 
 
 Article IX. 
 Finally, it was resolved that the next Coetus be held (God 
 willing) on the second Wednesday after Pentecost, in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 Albert Helffenstein, Pres. p. t. 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, Sec. p. t. 
 
 The statement handed in by our treasurer, Do. Hendel, of 
 the money last received is as follows: 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 The Hollnnd draft amounted to 67 10 — 
 
 Of this was placed in the Widows ' Fund 39 18 — 
 
 To Mr. Neveling 15 — — 
 
 To Mr. Chitern 9 — — 
 
 To Mrs. Wittner 3 10 — 
 
RECORDS OF 1788. 
 
 423 
 
 The two amounts given to Messrs. Neveling and Chitera 
 were only advanced. They shall be restored to the fund from 
 the draft promised for the same. W. Hendel, 
 
 Statistics of the Reformed Churches Belonging to the Coetxjs op 
 Pennsylvania, from june 6, 1787, to april 23, 1788. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 A. Helffenstein 
 C Weyberg 
 W. Hendel . . 
 
 F. Dellicker . 
 
 A. Blumer 
 
 J. H, Helflnch 
 
 Chr. Gobrecht . • . 
 
 I 
 D. Wagner 
 
 H. Winkhausen . . , -j 
 
 \ 
 
 F. Herman .... 
 
 A. Hautz 
 
 i 
 I 
 
 W. Otterbein 
 
 N. Pomp ... 
 
 W. Eunkel .... 
 
 CONttREGATIONS. 
 
 Germantown 
 Philadelphia 
 Lancaster . 
 Falkner Swamp 
 Vincent . • . 
 Northampton 
 Jordan . . . 
 Schosser's. . 
 Egypt . . . 
 Maxatawny . 
 Lowhill . . 
 Upper Milford 
 Macungie . . 
 Weissenburg . 
 Hanover . . 
 Abbotstown . 
 Christ Church 
 Jacob's . . . 
 Lischy's. . - 
 Zion' s . . . . 
 Tulpehocken . 
 Heidelberg . 
 Swatara . . . 
 Saucon . . 
 Springfield 
 Easton . . 
 Greenwich 
 Dryland . . 
 Plainfield . . 
 Muddy Creek 
 Heller's . . . 
 Seltenreich . 
 Beyer's . . . 
 
 
 
 S 
 u 
 
 G 
 O 
 
 Q 
 13 
 
 2 
 
 170 
 
 35 
 
 *2000 
 
 200 
 
 40 
 
 1 
 
 176 
 
 78 
 
 26 
 
 1 
 
 215 
 
 60 
 
 45 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 150 
 
 69 
 
 42 
 
 4 
 
 229 
 
 104 
 
 61 
 
 5 
 
 145 
 
 48 
 
 23 
 
 4 
 
 112 
 
 60 
 
 36 
 
 
 155 
 
 68 
 
 38 
 
 
 166 
 
 70 
 
 43 
 
 
 140 
 
 74 
 
 112 
 
 1 
 
 State of Maryi,and. 
 
 Baltimore . 
 Baltimore 
 Frederick ** 
 Middletown 
 Glade . 
 
 44 
 80 
 
 188 
 
 231 4 
 35 20 
 
 94 
 
 27 
 
 * Sittings. 
 
 ** The residence of the ministers is always at the place mentioned first. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1788. 
 (Hague 92, B. 152.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned Sirs, Very Venerable Sirs and Fathers: 
 
 In duly replying to your highly esteemed favor, we beg, in the first 
 place, to say that we received your first draft to the amount of £67 10s., 
 drawn on Mr. Hazelhurst, and that the money was duly delivered to the 
 Coetus by Do. Weyberg. We herewith express to you. Very Eeverend 
 Sirs, our dutiful and heartfelt thanks for this fatherly benefaction, and 
 the widows and orphans, in their otherwise forsaken condition, in their 
 hearts bless you for it. What more glorious task could the Fathers per- 
 form than support this Widows' Fund? Thus a worn-out minister, who, 
 with all sacrifice of labor and time, is unable to lay by something for his 
 family, can lay down his head without being tormented in his last 
 moments by the agonizing thought: " O God, how will it be with my 
 loved ones?" Once more, Very Eeverend Sirs, the God of widows and 
 orphans bless you for your gifts. 
 
 2. You express your surprise and displeasure with regard to Do. 
 Loretz's sudden departure from America. There were, indeed, other 
 causes that necessitated his leaving his congregation ; but as Tulpehocken 
 made no public complaint, and as the separation took place as quietly 
 as possible, we represented the case to the Fathers as mildly as possible, 
 and yet strictly according to the truth. The certificate of the Coetus 
 was granted to him, that in future, as one warned by experience, he may 
 do better as to body and soul, either in his native country or elsewhere. 
 Traveling expenses which he received ought to have been refunded, but 
 the necessary means were lacking. 
 
 3. As regards Do. Pernisius, he may, perhaps, in the first six months 
 of his sojourn in America, have enjoyed the love, or rather the patience, 
 of his congregations; but it ended with one congregation after another 
 dismissing him. Afterwards he maintained himself, as best he could, 
 for a considerable time in Philadelphia by practicing medicine, and with 
 much aid from Do. Weyberg, until three other congregations, viz., 
 Brownback 's, Neiss 's Church and Pottstown, which were formerly served 
 by Mr. Leydich, and which could neither support nor get a minister with 
 a family, engaged him, but of which one, viz., the Neiss 's Church, has 
 deserted him already. We do not like to state causes, nor do we think 
 we have a ri;^ht to do so before public complaints are made. How 
 agreeable and gratifying it would be to us if we could have rendered, 
 or still could render, useful some of the gentlemen who have cost you so 
 much! We have not been sparing in good counsels, but we cannot force 
 our counsels upon any one, and the proverb, ' ' He who will not counsel 
 himself, is not to be counseled " ["He who will not help himself, is 
 past help "], finds full application in the case of such ministers. 
 
 (424) 
 
BECOBDS OF 17 88. 425 
 
 4. In order to satisfy your inquiry respecting Do. Otterbein, we will 
 say that, to all appearances, none of the ministers, except the one com- 
 plaining—and in his case we had more of an historical narrative than a 
 complaint— has thought of charging that gentleman with heretical views, 
 or to call him to account for such. Do. Otterbein has grown old and 
 gray, and is almost disabled by the hard service of the Gospel in Amer- 
 ica. He has done much good, has zealously toiled for the salvation of 
 many souls. The aim of his ministry, even if it did not agree in every 
 respect with the opinions of all, is edification and blessing, for what else 
 should it be? He is a servant of the Lord who stands at the gates of 
 eternity to render an account of his stewardship. And as regards Do. 
 Pomp, he has the praise and good testimony of his congregation in his 
 favor. The erection of a church, undertaken by the latter, is necessary. 
 The population of Baltimore is increasing, and that both parties will 
 make use of the same church is not to be thought of. The floods have 
 really done great damage, and assistance is greatly needed, because they 
 will hardly be able to complete their work without charitable contri- 
 butions. 
 
 5. Respecting the letter of introduction given to Do. Pick, dated Am- 
 sterdam, November 15th, 1787, which has been sent to us, we have the 
 honor to say that we are extremely sorry that it is entirely beyond our 
 power to act upon your recommendation or order, which always has, and 
 will have, the first place with us. 
 
 You see yourselves. Very Reverend Sirs and Fathers, that all places 
 for ministers are occupied, except Reading, which will, presumably, be 
 occupied by Mr. Pauli as soon as he will have passed his examination. 
 Mr. Troldenier and Herman received the last [vacant] congregations, 
 so that there is not even a place of refuge left in case a minister should 
 no longer be able to agree with his congregation, a thing which may 
 happen here in America even to the best ministers. The Reverend 
 Deputies of the Reverend Synods seem to have inferred this from our 
 letter even before sending Do. Pick, for the Do. Van Marie writes, among 
 other things, under date, Delft, March 30, 1787: " In the meantime, it 
 seems that we no longer render a service to you by sending you minis- 
 ters. ' ' We hope, therefore, that, in your great wisdom, you will not 
 burden us with an impossibility. 
 
 6. As the Reverend Fathers have always manifested a very kind and 
 sincere interest in our welfare, we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure to 
 inform you of the honor done to the Coetus of Pennsylvania by the pro- 
 motion of two of its members. It has lately pleased the Academy of 
 Princeton, in the State of New Jersey, to bestow upon Messrs. Caspar 
 Weyberg and William Hendel, who never requested it, nor even thought 
 of it, the dignity and title of Doctor of Theology [D. D.], which took 
 place at their general assembly [Academic commencement], held last 
 autumn. The honor thus conferred upon the two Doctors is all the 
 greater since the Academy, as stated above, is not located in Pennsyl- 
 vania, but in New .Jersey, and entirely English. We see from it that 
 
426 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 the development of the German population, and merit begin to be re- 
 warded in America without regard to nationality. 
 
 7. The erection and establishment of a German High School in Lan- 
 caster also confirms my last thoughts. In order that you, Very Eeverend 
 Sirs, may understand the entire nature and arrangement of this very 
 useful institution, I enclose the charter granted by our Honorable Assem- 
 bly. Hence, I have nothing further to report than that the institution, 
 since its solemn dedication, on June 6, 1787 (a printed account of which 
 I likewise submit), has made quite favorable progress under its present 
 teachers and professors, of whom Do. Hendel is vice-principal. 
 
 8. Lastly, and in conclusion, we thank you once more, sincerely and 
 cordially, for all the support, benefactions and gifts which you, Very 
 Eeverend Sirs and Fathers, have been so graciously pleased to bestow 
 upon us from time to time. May the good God bless you because of 
 them ! May He keep you and your families, and may He always let your 
 sacred counsels have the desired success! 
 
 Thousands of immortal souls are brought, through your faithful min- 
 istry and prayer, to God in Christ Jesus. May the crown of righteous- 
 ness reward your life, wholly dedicated to the progress of the Gospel! 
 
 We remain, most respectfully, Very Eeverend and Learned Sirs and 
 Fathers, your most obedient and humble servants, 
 
 Albert Helffen stein, Pres. p. t. 
 
 I'^EDERICK DELLICKER, SeC. p. t. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1789. 
 
 (Hague 92, B. 159.) 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, JUNE 10th and 11th, 1789. 
 
 Present. 
 
 William Hendel, S. T. D.,* Pres. 
 Caspar Weyberg, S. T. D., 
 Frederick Dellicker, Sec, 
 
 Lanca.ster. 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Falkner Swamp. 
 
 Northampton. 
 
 Germantown. 
 
 Maxatawny. 
 
 Tulpehocken. 
 
 Easton. 
 
 York. 
 
 Abraham Blumer, 
 Albert Helffenstein, 
 J. Henry Helffrich, 
 Daniel Wagner, 
 Frederick Herman, 
 John George Troldenier, 
 
 From Maryland: 
 
 William Runckel, Frederick. 
 
 From New Jersey: 
 Caspar AA^ack, Valley. 
 
 Ludwig Chitera, Knowlton. 
 
 Present at the meeting as honorary members from the State 
 of New York : 
 
 Daniel Gros, professor and minister in New York. 
 N. Schneider, Albany. 
 
 Absent. 
 W. Otterbein, Baltimore. 
 
 N. Pomp, Baltimore. 
 
 Chr. Gobrecht, Hanover. 
 
 J. Weymer, Hagerstown. 
 
 J. W.Ingold, Indianfield. 
 
 W. Weber, Pittsburg. 
 
 A. Hautz, I^Iuddy Creek. 
 
 H. AVinckhaus, Saucon. 
 
 S. Dubbendorfe, Lykens Valley. 
 
 * S T D i. e., Sacrae Theologiae Doctor, equivalent to our D. D. 
 
 (427) 
 
428 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The Coetus was opened, as usual, on the first day at 10 
 A. M., by the President with an impressive sermon, on Acts 
 xi. 21, especially instructive for ministers. Then the mem- 
 bers of the Reverend Coetus met in the afternoon at 2 o'clock 
 in the school-house. 
 
 Article I. 
 The answers to the questions regarding the spiritual con- 
 dition, growth and establishment of active Christianity by the 
 service of the Word, lead us to entertain good hope, and in 
 regard to most of the ministers, well-founded hope, of the in- 
 fluence and blessing of the work of the Gospel. The im- 
 proved conditions of the times, the greater quietness, and the 
 general form of government, now well established, contribute, 
 as external means, much to this result. The elders present 
 were especially urged to render necessary support to the min- 
 isters by the exercise of very wholesome church discipline. 
 
 Article II. 
 Since only a minority of the absent ministers had sent in 
 excuses, it was resolved to require from these gentlemen, at 
 the next Coetus, a strict account of their conduct. Especially 
 the excuse about serving other congregations at the time of 
 Coetus, was declared invalid. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 Whereas, the other prominent religious denominations of 
 English and German nationality have sent their congrat- 
 ulations to the worthy General Washington on his elevation to 
 the highest office of the Government, therefore it was resolved 
 that we also send his Excellency, the President of the United 
 States of America, in the name of our churches and Coetus, 
 an address of congratulation. In order to draft it a com- 
 mittee was appointed, consisting of Dos. Weyberg, Gros and 
 Blumer, together with three elders, Colonel Farmer, and 
 Messrs. Grosskoup and Arend, both esquires. 
 
 The address itself, together with the answer of his Excel- 
 lency, we enclose in an accompanying newspaper. 
 
 Article IV. 
 A part of the Reading congregation sent, through a dele- 
 
BECOEDS OF 1789. 429 
 
 gated elder, a written request that their minister, Mr. Boos, be 
 received as a member of Coetus and his call be confirmed. But 
 since a large part, perhaps half, of the inhabitants [of Read- 
 ing] do not hold to him, and his conduct is still bad, therefore 
 the request was declined. Nevertheless, every help was prom- 
 ised to the congregation if it could be given in any other way. 
 
 Article V. 
 Do. Pernisius was publicly excluded from the Coetus, on 
 account of his great unworthiness. Details will be reported 
 in the letter. 
 
 Article VI. 
 Finally, it was resolved, on special request of the minister 
 acting in the name of his congregation, that the next Coetus 
 shall be held, God willing, on the second Sunday after Pente- 
 cost in Falkner Swamp, in order to solemnly dedicate at that 
 time the new church, which is to be built after the model of 
 the church in Philadelphia, the size excepted. 
 
 William Hendel, Fres. p. t. 
 Frederick Dellicker, Sec. p. t. 
 
430 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Statistics from April 23, 1788, to June 10, 1789. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Wm. Hendel 
 C. Weyberg 
 
 Fr.;pellicker 
 
 A. Bluruer . . 
 A. Helffenstein 
 
 J. H. Helffrich 
 
 Chr. Gobrecht 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 r 
 
 . ■! 
 I 
 
 D. Wagner < 
 
 J. Weymar** .... 
 
 N. Pomp 
 
 W. Eunkel j 
 
 Lancaster • . . 
 Philadelphia 
 Falkner Swamp 
 Vincent .... 
 Northampton . 
 Jordan .... 
 Schlosser's. . . 
 
 Egypt 
 
 German town . . 
 Maxatawny . . 
 Pleidelberg . . 
 Lowhill .... 
 Milford . . . 
 Macungie . . . 
 Weissenburg . . 
 Hanover . . . 
 Clirist Church . 
 Abbotstown . . 
 Jacob's Church 
 Lischy' s Church 
 David's Church 
 Zion's Church . 
 Tulpehocken . . 
 Swatara .... 
 Heidelberg . . 
 Hagerstown . . 
 
 :} 
 
 i 
 
 03 
 
 03 
 
 PQ 
 
 <D 
 
 E 
 
 a 
 
 
 r '■■ 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 y 
 
 W 
 
 178 
 
 92 
 
 35 
 
 2 
 
 * 
 
 191 
 
 40 
 
 1 
 
 — 
 
 86 
 
 40 
 
 2 
 
 174 
 
 100 
 
 40 
 
 4 
 
 180 
 
 35 
 
 9 
 
 
 288 
 
 172 
 
 41 
 
 5 
 
 13G 
 
 75 
 
 65 
 
 
 123 
 
 76 
 
 38 
 
 2 
 
 129 
 
 47I 
 
 22 
 
 4 
 
 66 
 
 140 
 
 70 
 75 
 
 Maryland. 
 
 Baltimore - 
 Frederick . 
 Glade . . . 
 MIddletown 
 
 60 
 198 
 
 30 
 111 
 
 40 
 95 
 
 * Uncertain. 
 
 ** He has five congregations. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1789. 
 (Hague 92, B. 160.) 
 
 If OS* Beverend, Most Learned, and Esteemed Sirs and Fathers: 
 
 We duly received the duplicate of your very esteemed letter of October 
 1st, 178S. Do. Weyberg also handed over to us 67 pounds 10 shillings, 
 which had been given to him by Messrs. Hazelhurst & Co., in payment 
 of the first draft. This money was used according to your will and order. 
 We all in general, and those aided by this money in particular, appre- 
 ciate, with the deepest feeling of gratitude, the kind support which the 
 Most Eeverend Fathers continue to grant us. May the good Lord re- 
 ward the givers by His supporting blessing! Concerning the former 
 draft, we gave due information in the last Minutes of 1788, sent to you. 
 
 2. We are sorry that you received, at so late a date, the Minutes of the 
 Coetus held in Lancaster in 1788. As the Eeverend Fathers inquire 
 after the cause, it is, no doubt, the fault of the Secretary at that time. 
 But perhaps this gentleman was prevented, by work or other circum- 
 stances, from speedily dispatching the Minutes. We trust that the last, 
 and also the present Minutes, will all the more speedily be transmitted 
 to the Eeverend Fathers. 
 
 3. With regard to your repeated recommendation of Do. Pick, and 
 with regard to the gentleman himself, we have had the honor to present, 
 at length, to the Eeverend Fathers the true circumstances and nature 
 of the affair in the last Minutes and letter. 
 
 4. We have to rejiort that the Lord has taken from us a brother, 
 namely. Do. Theobald Faber, late minister in New Goshenhoppen and 
 Great Swamp. His departure was unexpected. On November 2d, 1788, 
 a deathly weakness attacked him while in the pulpit. Having finished 
 half of the sermon, he, with difficulty, repeated the Lord's Prayer. He 
 was then carried from the pulpit, and an hour and a half later died in 
 the school-house. It was remarkable that his sermon was on death, for 
 he was just preaching on Jairus' daughter. Matt. ix. being the Gospel 
 lesson of that day. How dear he was to his people is proved by the fact 
 that, altogether contrary to the custom of this country, they gave him a 
 burial-place under the altar; also that they desire his oldest son for his 
 successor, if this is at aU possible. 
 
 5. Since the new Constitution and established government of the coun- 
 try bring changes with them, we notice, among other things, that the 
 several denominations throughout the States unite, form Classes, and 
 then Synods. This will also become necessary for us, the German Ee- 
 formed, and then the name, Coetus of Pennsylvania, would be too limited. 
 In this matter we await the opinion of the Eeverend Fathers. As the 
 establishment, growth and reputation of the Eeformed religion was 
 always the chief aim of your noble exertions, we hope that the informa- 
 
 (431) 
 
432 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 tion concerning the union of tlie High German Eefornied churches through 
 the extensive American States will be most agreeable and desirable to 
 the Most Eeverend Fathers. 
 
 6. But now I come to a case which can cause nothing but astonish- 
 ment to the Eeverend Fathers, as to how far the wickedness and ob- 
 duracy of man can go. In the middle of July, during the harvest of 
 1788, a cattle-driver heard the report of a gun in the forest near the 
 house of Do. Pernisius, which was a somewhat altered school-house. The 
 report of the gun scattered his sheep, and thus detained him a little. 
 When he came to the house he found Pernisius occupied with a bleeding 
 and already dead Danish beggar, who was known throughout the whole 
 region. Pernisius pretended that he had desired to help him, as he had 
 come to him with his wound, and asked that now, since he was dead, the 
 cattle-driver should help to bury him. But the man refused, since the 
 laws require a minute investigation of such a deed. Pernisius denied 
 having heard the report of a gun. Later a stab and a cut was found, 
 which, as all think, were intended to hide the shot. I must mention that 
 the beggar had a very vicious and exasperating tongue, which presum- 
 ably may have led the hot-headed Italian, Pernisius, to such a deed. 
 The selected jury, together with the justice, made a careful investiga- 
 tion. All the marks of a recently-fired gun were found in his gun; no 
 blood was found on the floor, except before the window, where the 
 beggar was found dead in the arms of Pernisius. The roads were de- 
 serted, on account of the harvest, and no house was near. The jury, in- 
 cluding some of his own people, had a general suspicion that he was the 
 perpetrator of the deed, for an examination of the body showed that the 
 small shot was concentrated in one point, which led to the belief that the 
 shot was very near and not from a distance. Pernisius was, therefore, 
 on suspicion, imprisoned in the county jail. There he would have had to 
 remain until the 6th of May of this current year, 1789, and would have 
 had to suffer the bitterest hunger, if Do. Weyberg had not pitied him, 
 and obtained bail for him through two gentlemen from Philadelphia, so 
 that he was allowed to go to Philadelphia, where he and his daughter 
 were largely supported by these gentlemen. Do. Weyberg, moreover, 
 paid for the two lawyers required, and the cost of the prison and the 
 court, without which Pernisius might, perhaps, have been hanged. All 
 this Mr. Weyberg did out of great esteem for the Eeverend Fathers, who 
 had sent this man, and also because he was a Eeformed minister; and, 
 besides, he and many others, who could not be acquainted with all the 
 circumstances, considered Pernisius really innocent. 
 
 In consideration of this, the Eeverend Coetus ventures to petition the 
 Eeverend Fathers kindly to refund to Do. Weyberg the costs of the 
 trial, of which a specification is enclosed, since, besides these, this gentle- 
 man has had great expense on account of Pernisius, and we, with our 
 limited income, cannot reimburse him. We all the less doubt the grant- 
 ing of our petition, since the Eeverend Fathers, on all occasions, were 
 willing efficiently to support noble deeds. 
 
 After all this was over, and Pernisius could again freely go about in 
 
RECORDS OF 17 SO. 43;^ 
 
 Philadelphia, it came to light what an ungodly man he was. Tie waa 
 proved to be a continuous drunkard, swearer and blasphemer, and also a 
 digger of hidden treasures and a conjurer of the deviL Whereupon, 
 after everything had been publicly presented to him in the Coetus, he 
 was excommunicated, as reported in the Minutes, with a touching ad- 
 monition of the President, which, however, as a hardened sinner, he an- 
 swered in a very impertinent manner. Now he has disappeared from 
 Philadelphia, no one knows exactly whither. 
 
 7. Finally, we can do nothing but pray to our Lord that He would 
 preserve, by His full divine blessing, the Most Reverend Fathers and their 
 high families; that He would advance His kingdom by their faithful 
 evangelical service, and that He would grant unlimited blessedness a« 
 their eternal reward of grace. 
 
 We remain, in deepest reverence. Most Reverend, Most Learned, and 
 Most Esteemed Sirs and Fathers, 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 William Hendel, Pres. p. t. 
 Frederick Dellicker, Sec. p. t. 
 
 1789. 
 Account of money paid out as court expenses and only part of the 
 house rent for Do. Pernisius, the money being Pennsylvania currency: 
 
 £ ■. 
 
 To the general advocate 3 . . 
 
 Sheriff.... 2 18 
 
 Jury 1 16 
 
 Court-crier 10 
 
 Prison-master 2 10 
 
 Support in prison 4 14 
 
 Two lawyers 7 . . 
 
 House rent 6 . . 
 
 Total 28 14 
 
 28 
 
ADDRESS OF THE GERMAN REFORMED COETUS TO 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 (American Museum, Vol. VI, p. 222, September, 1789.) 
 
 To the President of the United States: 
 
 The address of the ministers and elders of the German Reformed 
 Church in the United States, at their general meeting, held at Phila- 
 delphia, the 10th of June, 1789. 
 
 Whilst the infinite goodness of Almighty God, in His gracious provi- 
 dence over the people of the United States of America, calls for our sin- 
 cerest and most cordial gratitude to Him that ruleth supremely, and 
 ordereth all things, in heaven and earth, in unerring wisdom and right- 
 eousness, the happy and peaceable establishment of the new government 
 over which you so deservedly preside cannot fail but inspire our souls 
 with new and most lively emotions of adoration, praise and thanksgiving 
 to His holy name. 
 
 As it is our most firm purpose to support in our persons a government 
 founded in justice and equity, so it shall be our constant duty to impress 
 the minds of the people entrusted to our care with a due sense of the 
 necessity of uniting reverence to such a government and obedience to its 
 laws with the duties and exercises of religion. Thus we hope, by the 
 blessing of God, to be, in some measure, instrumental in alleviating the 
 burden of that weighty and important charge to which you have been 
 called by the unanimous voice of your fellow-citizens, and which your 
 love to your country has constrained you to take upon you. 
 
 Deeply possessed of a sense of the goodness of God in the appoint- 
 ment of your person to the highest station in the national government, 
 we shall continue, in our public worship and all our devotions before the 
 throne of grace, to pray that it may please God to bless you in your 
 person, in your family, and in your government, with all temporal and 
 spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Signed by order of the meeting, 
 
 Wm. Hendel, p. t. Praeses. 
 F. Dellicker, p. t. Scrioa. 
 (434) 
 
THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY. 
 
 I am happy in concurring with you in the sentiments of gratitude and 
 piety towards Almighty God which are expressed with such fervency of 
 devotion in your address, and in believing that I shall always find in you 
 and the German Reformed congregations in the United States a conduct 
 correspondent to such worthy and pious expressions. At the same time 
 I return you my thanks for the manifestation of your firm purpose to 
 support in your persons a government founded in justice and equity, and 
 for the promise that it will be your constant duty to impress the minds 
 of the people entrusted to your care with a due sense of the necessity of 
 uniting reverence to such a government and obedience to its laws with 
 the duties and exercises of religion. Be assured, gentlemen, it is by such 
 conduct very much in the power of the virtuous members of the commu- 
 nity to alleviate the burden of the important office which I have accepted, 
 and to give me occasion to rejoice in this world for having followed 
 therein the dictates of my conscience. Be pleased, also, to accept my 
 acknowledgments for the interest you so kindly take in the prosperity 
 of my person, family and administration. May your devotions before 
 the throne of grace be prevalent in calling down the blessings of heaven 
 upon yourselves and your country. 
 
 [Signed] George Washington.* 
 
 * A German translation appeared in the ' ' Philadelphische Gemein- 
 nuetzige Correspondenz, ' ' published by Melchior Steiner, in No. 4268, 
 dated Tuesday, July 7th, 1789. A copy of this paper was sent to Hol- 
 land, see Minutes of 1789, Article III. 
 
 (435) 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS OF 1790. 
 (Hague 92, B. 164; Harbaugh MSS., No. 80.) 
 
 Most Eeverend arid Most Learned Sirs, Especially Highly 
 
 Esteemed Fathers in Christ: 
 
 In accordance with our bounden duty, we send to your 
 Reverences the Minutes of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, held 
 in Falkner Swamp, June 7th and 8th, 1790. The ministers 
 and their delegated elders met there as early as Saturday, 
 June 5th, and on Sunday attended the following divine ser- 
 vices in the newly-built and very beautiful church. The 
 church was dedicated with devout prayer by Do. Dellicker, 
 and two edifying sermons, before large audiences; one in the 
 morning by Do. Hendel, and the other in the afternoon by 
 Do. Blumer. 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COETUS OP PENNSYLVANIA, HELD IN FALKNER 
 
 SWAMP, JUNE 7th and 8th, 1790. 
 
 Ministers Present. 
 
 Caspar "Weyberg, 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 William Hendel, 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 John Henry Helffrich, 
 
 Maxatawny. 
 
 Frederick DeUicker, 
 
 Falkner Swamp. 
 
 Abraham Blumer, 
 
 Northampton. 
 
 Christopher Gobrecht, 
 
 Hanover. 
 
 J. G. Troldenier, 
 
 Giddistown [Gettysburg]. 
 
 H. Herman, 
 
 Easton. 
 
 Caspar Wack, 
 
 Valley. 
 
 Daniel Wagner, 
 
 Tulpehocken. 
 
 William Runckel, 
 
 Frederick. 
 
 Herman Winckhaus, 
 
 Saucon. 
 
 Nicholas Pomp, 
 
 Goshenhoppen. 
 
 Ministers Absent. 
 
 William Otterbein, 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Samuel Dubendorf, 
 
 Carlisle. 
 
 William Weber, 
 
 Pittsburg. 
 
 J. W. Ingold, 
 
 Tohickon. 
 
 
 (436) 
 
BECOBDS OF 1790. 437 
 
 AVe received the sad information that Do. Helffenstein, 
 pastor in Germantown, and Do. Weymer, pastor at Hagers- 
 town, a short time ago finished the course of this life and en- 
 tered into their blessed rest.* The former, who died of con- 
 sumption, leaves a widow and four children, who are very 
 poorly provided for. The latter leaves only a widow without 
 children.** 
 
 There are at present four vacant preaching stations 
 [charges] : 
 
 1. Germantown. 
 
 2. Hagerstown. 
 
 3. Indianfield. 
 
 4. Baltimore, where Do. Pomp was last stationed. 
 
 The Coetus was opened on IMonday, June 7th, ^vith a ser- 
 mon by Do. Pomp, on 1 Cor. iii. 10, 11. After the ser\'ice, 
 the ministers met and elected Do. Dellicker, the late Secre- 
 tary, as President, and Do. Pomp as Secretary for this year. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 Article I. 
 At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the ministers and elders met 
 in the church. The meeting was opened by an earnest prayer. 
 Then the President asked each of the ministers and elders 
 what they had to report concerning the internal and external 
 conditions of the congregations. It was pleasant to hear, 
 from the answers to these questions, that there is peace every- 
 where in the congregations, and that the office of the ministry 
 is still acceptable and blessed to many souls, although at some 
 places more, at others less. 
 
 Article II. 
 Five congregations beyond the so-called Blue Mountains, 
 on the Susquehanna, in the region generally called Shamokin, 
 sent a delegate with an urgent petition for a young minister, 
 
 * In the church record at Hagerstown is the following notice about 
 "Weymer's death: " Jacob Weimer came to Hagersto-mi in the year 
 1770. He died on May 12, 1790. His age was 66 years." 
 
 ** The Harbaugh copy adds: " Do. Ingold was also absent. He has 
 not attended the Keverend Coetus for the last three years, and, on account 
 of his bad conduct, has also been rejected by his congregations. 
 
438 COEIUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 by the name of Rahaus, whom Do. Hendel had for four years 
 instructed in theology, and who had already for some time 
 supplied said five congregations with preaching and cate- 
 chization. They requested that Rahaus be examined and 
 ordained by the Reverend Coetus, so that in the future he 
 might also be able to administer the Holy Sacraments. 
 
 Thereupon, it was resolved to examine Mr. Rahaus and to 
 report the result of the examination to the Reverend Synods 
 of Holland. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 An elder from the congregation in Hagerstown appeared 
 before the Reverend Coetus and asked for another minister in 
 place of Do. Weymer, who, as already mentioned, had lately 
 finished his course and entered into his blessed rest. It was 
 resolved to give permission to this congregation to call another 
 worthy minister of the Coetus. 
 
 Article IV. 
 An elder from the congregation in York, which Do. Trol- 
 denier left half a year ago, asked the Reverend Coetus for 
 the ordination of Mr. Stock, a young preacher who arrived 
 here a year ago from Duisburg, Germany, having very good 
 testimonials concerning his learning and conduct, so that Mr. 
 Stock, who for some time had supplied the congregation with 
 preaching, might in the future be their regular pastor and 
 perform all ministerial acts. But as we are not permitted, 
 according to the last letters from Holland, to ordain any one 
 without the consent of the Reverend Synod and the Reverend 
 Classis of Amsterdam, it was resolved by a majority of votes, 
 and after much debating, to postpone the desired ordination 
 and to await the consent of the Reverend Fathers from Hol- 
 land. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 Article I. 
 On Tuesday morning, June 8th, Mr. Rahaus was exam- 
 ined * 1)efore the Reverend Coetus and found qualified to fill 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy adds, about his examination: " We found, to 
 our pleasure, that, considering the length of time he had studied, he had 
 gained a thorough knowledge of theology. ' ' 
 
RECORDS OF 1790. 439 
 
 tlie office of a minister. But since the same causes, on ac- 
 count of which ]\Ir. Stock was refused in yesterday's session, 
 do not permit his ordination, it was resolved to report the case 
 to ITollund and to ask the Reverend Fathers for permission to 
 ordain him as soon as possible, because said congregations in 
 Shamokin are in danger of many adventurers, and, on ac- 
 count of the great distance, none of us can easily supply 
 them.* 
 
 Article II. 
 The three united congregations in Goshenhoppen sent their 
 delegates with a call for Do. Pomp, thus far minister in Bal- 
 timore. They desired to have him as their regular pastor in 
 place of Do. Faber, deceased. But, as the parsonage of the 
 congregation is still occupied by the widow of Do. Faber, 
 whom one would not like to drive out, the congregations were 
 advised to provide a house for Do. Pomp, and to continue the 
 kindness towards the widow, as far as possible. 
 
 Article III. 
 The Reverend Coetus directed the President and Secretary 
 to answer the letters received from Holland, and to dispatch 
 the Coetal letter, together with these Minutes of the Coetus, 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 Article IV. 
 The next Coetus w-as, by a majority of votes, appointed to 
 be held in Lancaster, again on the second Sunday after Pente- 
 cost of the next following year. 
 
 The original concludes with the signatures of all the min- 
 isters and elders.* * But this, a true copy of the original, v;as 
 signed, at the order of the Reverend Coetus, by 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, Pres. p. i. 
 N. Pomp, Sec. p. t. 
 New Goshenhoppen, June 18, 1790. 
 
 * Another addition of the Harbaugh copy reads: " Mr. Pauli [was 
 also examined], who, at the close of the last Coetus, was to be examined, 
 and afterwards, if found capable, to be ordained." 
 
 ** The Harbaugh copy is signed by nine ministers and four elders. 
 
440 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 Statistics of the Congregations, 1790. 
 
 MiNISTKSB. 
 
 Weiberg 
 
 Hendel 
 
 Dellicker 
 
 Blumer 
 
 Helffrich 
 
 Gobrecht 
 
 Pomp . . 
 
 Wagner 
 
 Eunkel 
 
 Hautz 
 
 Troldenier 
 
 Winckhaus 
 
 Wack 
 
 Residences of 
 
 Ministers, 
 
 Philadelphia (1)* 
 Lancaster (1) . 
 Falkner Swamp (2) 
 Northampton (4) . 
 Maxatawny (6) 
 Hanover ( 7 ) . - . 
 Goshenhoppen . . 
 Tulpehocken . . . 
 Frederick, Md. (4) 
 Muddy Creek (4) 
 Gettysburg (3) . . 
 Saucon (2) ... 
 Valley (2) . . . . 
 
 
 
 'O 
 
 
 T 
 
 TS 
 
 <u 
 
 
 1 
 
 03 
 
 G 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 fe 
 
 w 
 
 U 
 
 W 
 
 **2000 
 
 185 
 
 35 
 
 1 
 
 180 
 
 80 
 
 36 
 
 2 
 
 i 218 
 
 77 
 
 — 
 
 2 
 
 1 173 
 
 63 
 
 29 
 
 4 
 
 230 
 
 121 
 
 71 
 
 5 
 
 143 
 
 68 
 
 92 
 
 3 
 
 200 
 
 40 
 
 52 
 
 3 
 
 1 97 
 
 91 
 
 65 
 
 2 
 
 1 190 
 
 80 
 
 39 
 
 3 
 
 i 148 
 
 62 
 
 66 
 
 4 
 
 72 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 ***65 
 
 30 
 
 24 
 
 2 
 
 65 
 
 27 
 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 75 
 
 42 
 
 69 
 
 150 
 
 185 
 
 70 
 
 120 
 
 106 
 
 110 
 
 91 
 
 50 
 40 
 
 * The figures in parentheses refer to the number of congregations 
 served by each minister. 
 
 ** Sittings. 
 
 *** The Harbaugh copy reads : 124 families, 72 baptized, 52 confirmed. 
 The numbers given in the text refer, perhaps, to one congregation only. 
 
 It is very much to be regretted that the brethren, who do 
 not attend the annual sessions of the Coetus, altogether 
 neglect their duty, neither excusing their absence nor even 
 sending in their ecclesiastical statistics. It is for this reason 
 that we are always obliged to send incomplete reports. 
 
COETAL LETTER OF 1790. 
 (Hague 92, B. 165.) 
 
 Most Reverend and Most Learned Sirs, Most Esteemed Fathers in Christ: 
 
 Some months ago we received the last letter of the Reverend Fathers, 
 dated October 29th, 1789. But with great displeasure we learn that at 
 that time you had not yet received our Coetal Minutes, and the enclosed 
 letters of 1788 and 1789. How this came to pass we do not know, for we 
 are accustomed to write out the Minutes immediately after the Coetua ia 
 held and to send them with the first ship. 
 
 Concerning the two drafts, each of 450 fl., which you sent to us in the 
 years 1787 and 1788, we have received only one, namely, 450 guilders. 
 What became of the other draft of 450 guilders we do not know. That 
 we received one of these drafts, namely, 450 guilders, we reported to you 
 in two letters, which were sent with the Coetal Minutes of 1788 and 1789, 
 in which letters we also expressed our due gratitude. The Reverend 
 Fathers vrill please continue their undeserved kindness towards ua, and 
 particularly inquire after the second draft of 450 guilders, which we have 
 not yet received, and see to it that we may receive the money. 
 
 The Reverend Fathers desire to know the nature and chief purpose of 
 the High School in Lancaster. We duly answer that said school failed 
 a year ago already, because, on account of the general hard times, the 
 professors did not receive their salaries. We, therefore, deem it un- 
 necessary to give to the Reverend Fathers a circumstantial report of this 
 Bchool. However, we must state in this connection that it did not enter 
 into our minds to sever the very important connection with the Reverend 
 Fathers, and that our chief purpose in establishing this school was to 
 have our German youth instructed in such languages and sciences as to 
 qualify them in the future to fill public oflfices in the Republic, and per- 
 haps hereafter, if this school should continue, to prepare young men for 
 the ministry. 
 
 The establishment of this school also occasioned that, in the year 1787, 
 the meeting of the next Coetus could not be decided upon; * for we 
 wanted to hold the Coetus at the place where the school was to be estab- 
 lished, in order solemnly to dedicate the school on this occasion. But 
 since at that time we did not yet know for a certainty whether the school 
 was to be placed at Lancaster or elsewhwere, we did not decide on the 
 place of the next Coetus. 
 
 Concerning Do. Anthony Hautz, whom we ordained and installed with- 
 out the consent of the Reverend Fathers, we must indeed confess that we 
 acted too hastily, and therefore cannot stand before the Reverend Fath- 
 
 * There seems to be some confusion here, as Franklin College waa 
 opened on June 6, 1787, while the Coetus was in session in Lancaster. 
 
 (441) 
 
442 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 ers. Although at that time opposition and remonstrances were not 
 wanting in the Eeverend Coetus, yet, by the majority of votes, it was 
 resolved that Do. Hautz should be ordained and admitted to the min- 
 istry. The pledge of Do. Hautz, the contents of which the Eeverend 
 Fathers desire to know, reads, word for word, as follows: 
 
 " I, the undersigned, having been examined by the Eeverend Coetus 
 and found qualified for the holy ministry, and having been called as 
 pastor of the congregations Cocalico and Muddy Creek, do hereby de- 
 clare and most solemnly pledge myself before God and His Church, that 
 I will live according to the doctrine, customs and regulations of our 
 Church, Eeformed according to the Word of God, and also that I will 
 avoid all occasions which might give the Eeverend Coetus reasonable 
 ground for offense. 
 
 " Given on this 7th day of June, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 
 1787. Anthony Hautz." 
 
 From this declaration the Eeverend Fathers may see how far Do. 
 Hautz is bound to the Netherland confession of faith and church form- 
 ulas, although no express mention is made of them, yet it is implicitly 
 intended, since his Eeverence is bound faithfully to follow the doctrine, 
 customs and ordinances of the Eeformed Church and to give no reason- 
 able ground for offense to the Eeverend Coetus. But the urgent reason 
 why this pledge was taken from Do. Hautz, was a suspicion of false 
 doctrine which some brethren had of him before his examination. But 
 although, in his examination, he declared himself orthodox, yet, for 
 greater satisfaction, the aforesaid pledge was taken. 
 
 The fatherly admonition of your Eeverences concerning the poorly- 
 attended schools, which was marked with the word " caret," we thank- 
 fully accept, and promise to use all diligence that the children every- 
 where be urged to attend school. 
 
 From the enclosed Minutes, the Eeverend Fathers will see what we 
 need at the present time and what we must ask for. 1. We ask to be 
 allowed to ordain the two candidates mentioned in the Minutes of the 
 Coetus, namely, Mr. Stock, for York, and Mr. Eahaus, for five congre- 
 gations in Shamokin. 2. We ask the Eeverend Fathers for a few up- 
 right ministers from Germany to serve the vacant congregations, which, 
 it is true, may be supplied in the meantime by other ministers, yet we 
 believe that, within a few years, additional upright ministers would be 
 desirable. The salaries of the ministers differ very much. In some 
 places the salary is a hundred pounds, but in others much less; it de- 
 pends upon the strength and ability of the congregation. 
 
 Concerning Do. Pick, we defended ourselves in 1788, and stated the 
 reasons why we would not accept him. But since we suspect that those 
 letters were lost, we hereby enclose a copy. 
 
 Finally, we assure the Eeverend Fathers that we will not neglect our 
 duties, and that we will earnestly strive not to become unworthy of your 
 Reverences. May the all-merciful God bless all your exertions, and pre- 
 
RECORDS OF 1790. 443 
 
 serve your dear persons and most esteemed families for the welfare of 
 His Church and the praise of His glorious name! 
 
 We remain, in due reverence, Most Reverend and Most I^earned Sirs, 
 Most Esteemed Fathers in Christ, your obedieut servants, 
 Signed in the name of the Reverend Coetus, 
 
 Frederick Dellicker, President. 
 Nicholas Pomp, Secretary. 
 GosHENHOPPEN, June SO, 1790. 
 
 P. S. The unfortunate minister Neveling, concerning whom we wrote 
 to the Reverend Fathers some years ago, stating what a misfortune had 
 befallen him, and for whose support we have also received something, is 
 still in very wretched circumstances and a burden to us. If, tlierefore, 
 the Reverend Fathers, in sending the charitable gifts, would tliink of 
 him, we should be very much obliged. 
 
 LETTER OF THE REV. NICHOLAS POMP TO THE 
 SYNODS, JULY 6, 1790. 
 
 (Hague 92; B. 167.) 
 
 Very Reverend, Very Learned Sirs, Especially Much Honored Fathers 
 
 in the Lord: 
 
 We herewith duly report to your Reverences that the Reverend Coetufl 
 of Pennsylvania received both drafts, which your Reverences sent us 
 during the years 1787 and 1788. It was, therefore, an error when I re- 
 ported, in the last letter, that we had received but one of the two drafts. 
 Do. Helffrich, who keeps account of the money received, showed me this 
 error, and gave me, at the same time, a copy of his account book, show- 
 ing how the two drafts had been received and applied. 
 
 The first draft of the year 1787 was received in the year 1788, and 
 amounted to £67 10s. Of this sum £15 were advanced to the unfortunate 
 brother Neveling, £9 to Mr. Chitera and £3 10s. to the widow of Do. 
 Widner [Wittner]. There remained £39 18s., which were put into the 
 Widows' Fund. 
 
 The second draft, of the year 1788, was received in the following year, 
 1789. It amounted to £67 10s. Of this the unfortunate brother Neve- 
 ling received £7 10s. The rest, namely, £60, was placed in the Widows' 
 Fund. Your Reverences ' devoted servant, 
 
 Nicholas Pomp, Secretary. 
 
 GosHENHOPPEN, JuJy 6, 1790. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS, HELD IN LANCASTER, 
 JUNE 27-28, 1791.* 
 
 (Hague 86. 11; Harbaugh MSS., No. 85.) 
 
 Very Worthy and Very Learned Sirs, Especially Much Es- 
 teemed Fathers in Christ: 
 
 "We herewith have the honor to send to your Reverences 
 the Minutes of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, held this year in 
 the city of Lancaster on June 27th and 28th, 1791. 
 The members present were : 
 W. Hendel, D. D., minister 
 W. Otterbein, 
 
 F. Dellieker, 
 A. Blumer, 
 
 J. H. Helffrich, 
 
 C. Gobrecht, 
 W. Runckel, 
 A. Hautz, 
 W. Weber, 
 
 G. A. Gueting, 
 J. G. Troldenier, 
 
 D. Wagner, 
 
 The absentees were: 
 Do. Winckhaus, 
 ' ' Herman, 
 " Pomp, 
 " Wack, 
 " Dubendorf, 
 
 n Lancaster. 
 Baltimore. 
 Falkner Swamp. 
 Northampton. 
 Macungie. 
 McCallister. 
 Frederick. 
 Harrisburg. 
 Westmoreland. 
 Antietam. 
 Gettysburg. 
 Tulpehocken. 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Germantown. 
 
 Indianfield. 
 
 Rockaway. 
 
 Carlisle. 
 
 Inasmuch as Do. Pomp, the Secretary of last year, was not 
 present, on account of indisposition. Do. Hendel was elected 
 
 * A translation of these and later Minutes was published by Eev. Dr. S. 
 E. Fisher in successive issues of the Messenger, beginning with July 12, 
 1854; also in separate pamphlet form, under the title, Acts and Proceed- 
 ings of the Coetus and the Synod of the German Eeformed Church, from 
 1791-1816. Chambersburg, 1854. Now exceedingly rare. The originala 
 were, unfortunately, destroyed in the Chambersburg fire. 
 
 (444) 
 
RECOEDS OF 1791. 445 
 
 President and Do. Wagner Secretary. The Coetus wa.s there- 
 upon opened with a sermon by the Secretary from the words 
 in 1 Cor. i. 18. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 Article I. 
 At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the ministers, together with 
 the delegated elders, assembled in the school-house, and, after 
 prayer had been offered, reports were presented as to the con- 
 ditions of the respective congregations. From these it ap- 
 peared that, for the most part, peace and unity prevailed in 
 the congregations, and there is an encouraging prospect that 
 the kingdom of Christ will grow and godliness increase. 
 
 Article II. 
 A request from Augusta county, Virginia, to be supplied 
 with several ministers, was read, and as there is hope that a 
 number of ministers will soon arrive from Europe, it was re- 
 solved that in case two ministers arrive, one of them shall be 
 sent to Virginia ; but should so many arrive that two can be 
 sent thither, it shall be done. 
 
 Article III. 
 As the Reverend Coetus has received no reply from their 
 Reverend Fathers concerning the ordination of Messrs. J. 
 Philip Stock and Jonathan Rahauser, and as the circum- 
 stances of the congregations are very pressing, it was resolved 
 that both these gentlemen be ordained, which ordination ac- 
 cordingly took place the same evening. 
 
 Article IV. 
 The following vacant congregations, at their request, ob- 
 tained permission to call ministers from among the members 
 of the Reverend Coetus: Baltimore, Hagerstown, Shippens- 
 burg, Saueon, and Springfield.* 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 Article I. 
 On the 28th, at 9 o'clock, the ministers and elders again 
 
 • The Harbaugh copy enumerates the following congregations : Cham- 
 bersburg, Shippensburg, Schoener's Church and Falling Spring. 
 
446 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 assembled in the school-house. A delegate from Philadelphia 
 then appeared, and reported that Do. Winckhaus was kept at 
 home because of sickness, and that the condition of the con- 
 gregation is peaceful and encouraging. 
 
 Article II. 
 A delegate from the congregation in Plainfield appeared, 
 and reported that it was the desire of that congregation to call 
 Do. Weber as its pastor. As, however, this congregation was 
 hitherto connected with the congregation in Easton, and no 
 delegate was present from the latter congregation, it was re- 
 solved not to do anything at present, but to postpone the con- 
 sideration of the subject until the next Coetus. 
 
 Article III.* 
 A letter was read from a committee of the ministers in the 
 State of Massachusetts, assembled in Boston, on the 24th of 
 June, 1790. It stated that they had sent a petition to the 
 Congress of the United States, asking it to see to it that no 
 edition of the Bible is published in these States without first 
 having been subjected to a close examination as to its correct- 
 ness, and requesting that all other religious societies also 
 should take the same action. As it is of the greatest import- 
 ance that the Word of God should be preserved pure and un- 
 adulterated in these States, it was resolved, in case Congress 
 has not yet done anything in this matter, to follow the Chris- 
 tian example of our brethren in Massachusetts and also send 
 up a petition on this subject. 
 
 Article IV. 
 Resolved, That the next Coetus be held on the fourth Sun- 
 day after Easter, in the coming year, in Philadelphia. 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy, as well as the translation of Dr. Fisher, con- 
 tains two very important articles, which were not sent to Holland. They 
 are as follows: 
 
 Art. III. It was resolved that the Coetus has the right, at all times, 
 to examine and ordain those who offer themselves as candidates for the 
 ministry, without asking or waiting for permission to do so from the 
 Fathers in Holland. 
 
 Art. IV. It was resolved that the Coetus each time furnish the Eev- 
 erend Fathers with a report of their proceedings, accompanied with suit- 
 able explanations when it is necessary. 
 
RECOIWS OF 1791. 
 
 447 
 
 Here follow, in the orifrinal the sif,matures of all tlie min- 
 isters and elders present.* This, however, is a true eopy of 
 the original. 
 
 Finally, we must report to your Reverences, with sorrow, 
 that our honored colleague, Do. C. D. Weyherj?, after having 
 been sick with dropsy for half a year, departed this life on the 
 21st of August. Ilis place is at present occupied by Do. 
 AVinckhaus. 
 
 \Ve now commend your Reverences to the faithful protec- 
 tion, grace and blessing of our adorable Chief Shepherd. 
 Signed, by order of the Reverend Coetus, 
 
 Wm. IIendel, Pres. p. t. 
 Daniel Wagner, Sec. p. t. 
 
 Statistics op the Congregations, 1791. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Congregations. 
 
 VV'^. Hendel Lancaster (1) . . 
 
 W. Otterbein Baltimore (1) . . 
 
 F. Delliker Falkner Swamp (3) 
 
 A. Blumer Northampton (4) 
 
 J. H. Helffrich 
 
 C. Gobreclit . . 
 W. Runkel - . . 
 A. Hautz . . . 
 J. G. Troldenier 
 
 D. Wagner . . . 
 W. Weber . . . 
 A. Gueting . . . 
 
 Macungie (6 
 McCallister's (4) 
 Frederick (4) . 
 Harrisburg (3) . 
 Gettysburg (4) . 
 Tulpehocken (6) 
 Westmoreland. 
 Antietam. 
 
 i 
 
 ■s 
 
 
 03 
 
 TZ 
 
 .3 
 
 
 "o 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 a 
 
 M 1 
 
 183 
 
 71 
 
 23 
 
 i: 
 
 60 
 
 24 
 
 12 
 
 1 
 
 2C.9 77 
 
 73 
 
 3 i 
 
 179 111 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 235 83 
 
 43 
 
 5 
 
 165, 68 
 
 54 
 
 1 
 
 220 
 
 142 
 
 37 
 
 2 1 
 
 108 
 
 28 
 
 — 
 
 3 
 
 90 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 186 
 
 83 
 
 66 
 
 ' 
 
 47 
 
 no 
 ir.2 
 
 188 
 
 95 
 83 
 
 160 
 
 * The Harbaugh copy is signed by eleven ministers and five elders. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COETUS, HELD IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, MAY 6-7, 1792. 
 
 (Harbaugh MSS., No. 89.) 
 
 first session. 
 
 The Reverend Coetus met this year on May 5, 1792, in 
 Philadelphia. The ministers and delegated elders appeared 
 on that day. On the morning of the following day Do. Wag- 
 ner preached an edifying sermon, on 2 Cor. iv. 6. After the 
 sermon, Do. Wagner was elected President and Do. Winck- 
 haus Secretary.* 
 
 The members present were as follows: 
 
 Dos. Hendel, Lancaster. 
 
 Wagner, Tulpehocken. 
 
 Blumer, Northampton. 
 
 Troldenier, Baltimore. 
 
 Pomp, Indianfield. 
 
 Helffrich, Macungie. 
 
 Wack, Rockaway. 
 
 Rahauser, Hagerstown. 
 
 Stock, Shippensburg. 
 
 * The translation of Dr. Fisher opens as follows : 
 " Very Reverend, Very Learned Sirs, and Highly Esteemed Brethren 
 
 in Christ our Lord: 
 
 " In consequence of the relation in which we stand to your Right Rev- 
 erences, we regard it as necessary to transmit to you our * Acta Coetua 
 Pennsylvaniensis ' of the present year, which were had in Philadelphia 
 on the 6th and 7th of May, 1792; in which place the Reverend ministers, 
 with their delegated elders, assembled on Saturday, the 5th of May, and 
 attended divine service on the following Sabbath. On the following 
 Monday the Coetus was opened by Do. D. Wagner, the President of the 
 present year, with a very edifying and appropriate sermon, from 2 Cor. 
 iv. 6, and Do. Winckhaus was elected Secretary." 
 
 This paragraph seems to imply that the Minutes of 1792 were really 
 sent to Holland. If such was the case, they never reached the Synodical 
 Deputies nor the Classis, for, in the proceedings of those bodies, they are 
 not mentioned. 
 
 (448) 
 
iii:coi;i)8 OF 1792. 449 
 
 Ilautz, llarrisburg. 
 
 Ruuckel, Frederick. 
 
 Wiuekhaus, Philadelphia. 
 
 Herman, (jlermantown. 
 The absentees were: 
 
 Dos, F. Dellicker, Falkner Swamp, 
 
 C, Gobrecht, j\IcCallister. 
 W, Weber, Pittsburg, 
 G, A, Gueting, Antietam. 
 W. Otterbein, Baltimore. 
 
 D. Dubendorf, Carlisle, 
 
 Article 1. 
 
 A call was presented from Saueon and Springfield town- 
 ship [which were formerly served by Do. Winckhaus*J for 
 Do. Mann [with the request that he be ordained to the minis- 
 terial office as soon as possible] , It was postponed for fur- 
 ther consideration. 
 
 The congregations of Easton, Greenwich, Dryland and 
 Plainfield then presented a call for a minister, but left the 
 Reverend Coetus to decide who should be sent to them. It 
 was resolved to give them permission to call any minister. 
 
 Article II. 
 It was moved that a committee be chosen to prepare such 
 fundamental rules as would make closer the bond of union in 
 the Reverend Coetus, each member of the committee to draw 
 up his ideas in writing, in order to compare them later on. 
 The following were appointed on this committee : Dos. Hen- 
 del, Pomp, and Blumer,* * 
 
 * The sentences in brackets in this and later articles are taken from 
 Dr. Fisher 's translation. 
 
 ** The translation of Dr. Fisher reads: 
 
 5, A member of the Eeverend Coetus stated that it was very desir- 
 able to have certain fixed rules introduced, which shall specifically define 
 the way and manner of conducting the business of the Coetus, as also 
 the duties of each individual member thereof, etc, in order that this 
 Reverend ^Ministerial Association may be united by closer bonds in sin- 
 cere brotherly love. It was, therefore, resolved to prepare fundamental 
 rules of the nature spoken of, and Domines Pomp and Blumer were ap- 
 pointed to attend to this duty and report at the next meeting of the 
 Coetus. 
 
 29 
 
450 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 The congregations of Old and New Goshenhoppen pre- 
 sented a call for Mr. John Faber, and asked that he be exam- 
 ined and ordained. The Reverend Coetus resolved that he be 
 examined on the following day by Dos. Hendel, Helffrich and 
 Pomp. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 Do. lierman, of Germantown, stated that Samuel Weyberg 
 [who had been instructed by him for some time past in the 
 sciences connected with theology] intended to submit to an 
 examination during the next year, with the request that, after 
 the examination had been successfully passed, he be granted 
 ordination, which was agreed to by the Reverend Coetus, 
 
 Article V. 
 
 A letter was read from Do. Gros [in which he stated that 
 the son of Do. Hendel, Mr. Wm. Hendel, had pursued theo- 
 logical studies under his direction to such an extent as to be 
 able not only to preach with great acceptance, but also to un- 
 dergo a rigorous examination, and therefore requested the 
 Reverend Coetus to appoint a committee to attend to this ex- 
 amination in the middle of October] . Whereupon it was re- 
 solved that a committtee be appointed to satisfy this request, 
 namely, Dos. Blumer, Helffrich and Pomp. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 Do. Stock reported that he had received a call from the 
 united congregations of Shippensburg, Chambersburg and 
 Sherer's. He asked the opinion of the Reverend Coetus con- 
 cerning it. After a full consideration of the circumstances, 
 it was decided that he should accept the call and proceed to 
 these congregations. 
 
 SECOND SESSION. 
 
 On May 7th the ministers and elders again met, at 9 o 'clock, 
 in the school-house. 
 
BECOBDS OF 1792. 45]^ 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The request, mentioned in the first session, with regard to 
 Mr. Mann was again taken up. It was resolved that at the 
 close of the session an examination on certain truths of our 
 faith be held Avith him by the committee appointed for the 
 examination of ^Ir Faber. 
 
 In accordance with the resolution of the first session, Mr. 
 John Faber was examined by Dos. Hendel, Pomp, Ilelffrich 
 and Blumer. [The committee made a report in reference to 
 the examination of Mr. Faber, and stated that he had not 
 given such satisfactory answers to the dogmatical questions 
 proposed as they had expected from him ; still, out of regard 
 to the Goshenhoppen congregations and his widowed mother, 
 the examination was approved], and, by a majority of votes, 
 he was recognized as qualified for the ministry, and it was 
 resolved that Dos. Ilelfi'rich, Blumer, Pomp and Dellicker 
 ordain him as soon as possible. 
 
 Article II. 
 Do. Pauli, of Worcester and Witpen, who had already been 
 ordained several years before, applied for reception into the 
 Coetus, which was unanimously granted by the Coetus [and 
 he Avas accordingly admitted to seat and vote]. 
 
 THIRD SESSION. 
 
 The committee appointed at the previous session to hold an 
 examination with Mr. ]\Iann on different fundamental articles 
 of faith, reported that it had resulted to their complete satis- 
 faction [and that Mr. Mann was found not only well-grounded 
 in theological sciences, but also pure in the doctrine of the 
 Church] . In answer to the question whether Mr. Mann 
 should be ordained, it was resolved that Dos. Blumer, Helff- 
 rich. Pomp and Dellicker ordain him [at such time as they 
 shall appoint]. 
 
 In answer to the question where the Coetal meeting should 
 be held next year, Lancaster w^as unanimously proposed, and 
 the fourth Sunday after Easter was appointed for the meet- 
 ing. 
 
 [The Reverend President thereupon dismissed the Coetus 
 
452 
 
 COETUS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 with prayer, and the brethren 
 
 ings of love.] 
 
 [Elders] 
 John Etris, 
 George KIemp, 
 George Wolf, 
 John Brunner, 
 Andrew Graff, 
 Herbert Hommer, 
 Peter Burckhalter, 
 Philip Dieffenderfer, 
 
 separated in the midst of feel- 
 
 Daniel Wagner, Pres., 
 G. H. Winckhaus, ^ec, 
 W. Hendel, 
 John H. Helffrich, 
 Nicholas Pomp, 
 George Troldenier, 
 Caspar Wack, 
 Abraham Blumer, 
 Wm. Runckel, 
 A. G. Hautz, 
 \ Jonathan Rahauser, 
 Philip Pauli. 
 
 Statistics of the Congregations Served by Do. John Henry Helff- 
 RiCH, FROM June 22, 1791, to May 6, 1792. 
 
 (Harbaugh MSS., 
 
 No. 91.) 
 
 
 
 
 Congbegations. 
 
 
 -13 
 
 a. 
 
 s 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 o 
 ,a 
 w 
 
 CO 
 
 u 
 
 Hevdelbere 
 
 48 
 30 
 28 
 22 
 50 
 30 
 38 
 
 23 
 13 
 14 
 12 
 28 
 11 
 21 
 
 23 
 18 
 
 35 
 
 * 
 6 
 
 45 
 
 Lowhill ... 1 
 
 35 
 
 Kutztown" : : : }BothinMaxatawny.{ 
 
 Upper Milford 
 
 Macungie 
 
 50 
 40 
 35 
 
 Weissenburg 
 
 36 
 
 Total seven congregations .... 
 
 246 
 
 122 
 
 76 
 
 241 
 
 * Several branch schools, but no school-house at the church. 
 
 The Eeverend Fathers, in their last letters, in the notes on the statis- 
 tics of the Pennsylvania churches, desired to know why so many churches 
 were combined and how they could be served by one minister. As my 
 congregations were mentioned, and I include even an additional congre- 
 gation in the above statistics, I regard it as necessary to state to the 
 Eeverend Fathers the reasons why I have so many congregations and 
 ehow how I serve them. 
 
BE CORDS OF 1792. 
 
 453 
 
 1. Several congregations are poor and weak, and altogether unable to 
 pay two ministers. 
 
 2. As many members live far away from the churches, which made it 
 difficult for old and young [to go to church J, they erected new churches, 
 with the assistance of the Lutherans, whereby the number of congrega- 
 tions, and consequently, also, the work of the ministers, was increased; 
 yet the salary was but slightly raised. 
 
 3. Churches cannot easily be combined with others, and hence would 
 have to be vacant. 
 
 4. I have in my neighborhood two men, named Hertzel and Roth, who, 
 although they could not be received by the Reverend Coetus (as can bo 
 Been from previous Acts), yet were accepted by congregations to ad- 
 minister the Sacraments to them without ordination. As soon as I 
 would insist upon giving up one cr more congregations against their will, 
 there might be some members in these congregations who would take up 
 with these two men mentioned above, and thereby cause great confusion 
 in the congregation. 
 
 I serve my congregations in the following manner: I preach twice on 
 three Sundays and once on the fourth. During the summer I conduct 
 catechization every Sunday in each congregation. I visit each congre- 
 gation every four weeks on Sunday, as most of the ministers do who have 
 four congregations. Whenever 1 do not preach in this or that church 
 on a Sunday, the schoolmaster must conduct the catechization, according 
 to my direction, as he conducts the schools during the wdnter. I instruct 
 and confirm the youth twice a year, in spring and fall; one year in one, 
 the next in the other congregations. 
 
 I baptize the children in the church, whenever I preach, unless they 
 are sick. Most of the marriages are solemnized at my house or in the 
 church where I preach, because my congregations want to spare me as 
 much as possible. The funerals cause me, at times, the hardest work. 
 If my members cannot accommodate themselves to me, they ask the 
 Lutheran minister, as I have many Lutheran funerals. 
 
 My otherwise strong constitution has been much weakened through 
 excessive work, through almost continual riding and increasing age. 
 But the Lord, in whose service I willingly consume my strength, has 
 powerfully assisted me, to the astonishment of myself and congregations. 
 For aU this I praise His name. I often intended to give up some con- 
 gregations, but neither through kind words nor earnest remonstrances 
 was I able to gain my purpose. The continued petitions, the touching 
 representations, and the great love of the people to me always frustrated 
 my plans. Hence, it is not possible to allow several congregations, 
 merely through ease, to remain vacant, nor can I accept an easier min- 
 istry. John Henry Helffrich. 
 
 The Secretary will add these statistics, together with the following 
 information, to the Minutes. 
 
INDEX OF PERSONS. 
 
 Antonides, Vincent, 4 
 Andres, Lutheran minister, 31 
 Alsentz, 166. 167, 176. 182-184, 187, 
 192, 195-197, 199. 200, 209, 213, 
 ,214, 216, 220, 223, 224.226.228,1 
 230-232, 237, 238, 242, 245, 252, 
 261, 267, 269, 276 
 
 Bartholo 
 
 117 
 
 276 
 
 Bechtel, John, 7. 28, 29, 30 
 Berger, F. J., 238, 239. 242, 250, 
 
 251, 2-52, 258, 264-266, 286, 298 
 Berger, John, 13 
 Boehm. J. Ph., 4, 14, 15, 17, 33, 35, 
 
 37-41. 45-46, 48-49,77 
 Boehme. C. L., 308, 320, 322, 324, 
 
 333, 334. 335, 339, 343, 344, 349, 
 
 350. 351, 356, 370, 379, 380, 402 
 Boei, Henrv, 4 
 Boos, 310, ■ 314-315, 320, 331-333, 
 
 341, 364, 378, 384, 428 
 Bucher, 235. 244. 252, 258, 261, 266, 
 
 275, 278, 285, 290, 297, 298, 302- 
 
 304, 313, 320, 324, 333, 335, 339, 
 
 343, 346, 349, 351, 353, 363, 368, 
 
 373, 374, 392 
 Bunner (Bonner), Jr., 145, 157 
 
 Chitara (Chitera), 396-397, 407, 417, 
 419, 422, 427, 443 
 
 Dellicker. 267. 278, 284, 290, 299, 
 302, 320, 324, 333, 336, 343, 346, 
 349, 350 351, 375. 377, 380, 382, 
 386, 387, 391, 400. 407, 408, 411, 
 414, 418, 423, 430, 434, 436, 440, 
 447. 449 
 
 De Wees, Wra.. 23, 29 
 
 Diemer, Dr. Jacob, 19 
 
 Dorsius, 6, 26, 30, 31 
 
 Dorsius, Mrs.. 77, 87, 117, 131,183, 
 200. 251, 293, 322 
 
 Du Bois, Jonathan, 66. 75, 79, 84, 87, 
 91, 116, 123, 131, 150. 155, 107, 
 ISl, 184, 185, 192, 195-197, 200- 
 201, 213, 216, 220. 227-228. 231, 
 237, 238, 242, 2.50, 252, 267, 270, 
 278, 284, 290, 301, 320, 324, 327, 
 333, 336, 342, 352 
 
 296, 
 359 
 270, 
 320, 
 339, 
 363, 
 405, 
 
 olomaeus, 41, 53, 62, 75, 79, 87, 1 Faber, John Chr., 267, 275, 287, 29 
 , 131, 147, 156, 183, 200, 251 ; ^ 310, 329. 341, 343, 345, 349, 35 
 ' » . > » » Faber, John Th., 252, 258, 2(i5, 27 
 
 278, 290, 297, 298, 302, 305, 
 323-324, 328. 333, 33.5, 337, 
 343, 349, 3.50, 351, 3.53, 3.56, 
 370, 372, 380, 382, 391, 400, 
 414, 431 
 
 Faber, John (Jr.), 450, 451 
 
 Faehring, 268-270, 275, 287, 
 301, 302, 320, 324, 336, 352 
 
 Fock (Vock), 61 
 
 Frelinghuysen, 26, 100 
 
 Gasser, John, 1.59 
 
 Gebhard, 324, 326, 327, 333, 335, 
 .343, 351, 352, 3.57 
 
 Giesse, 413 
 
 Gobrecht, 245, 252, 2-58. 275, 
 290, 297, 299, 301, 302, 305, 
 320, 323-324, 327, 330, 333. 
 337, .3.39, 343, 349, 351, 353, 
 363, 370, 373-375, 378, 380, 
 386, 389, 392, 400, 405, 408, 
 423, 430, 444, 449 
 
 Goetschy, 6, 7. 10, 11, 12, 26 
 
 Gros, 235, 237-239, 242, 248, 
 252, 2.57, 268, 269. 275, 278, 
 289. 290, 293, 297, 301, .302, 
 316, 317, 320, 323, 324, 328, 
 333, 336, 338, 427, 428, 4-50 
 
 Gueting, 419, 444, 447, 449 
 
 Guldin, 7, 26 
 
 Ilantz, 412, 423, 440. 441, 442, 
 
 449 
 Hecker, 76. 245. 263 
 
 Dubbendorff. 359, 363, 372, 374, 376, I Helffenstein, 324, 326, 333, 3.35. 
 382, .384. 391, 394, 396, 397, 402, 349, 354, .356, 362, 366, 370, 
 405, 444. 449 375, 376, .380, .3K6, 390, 394, 
 
 Du Bois, Gualther, 4 I 408, 411, 414. 423, 430. 437 
 
 (455) 
 
 296, 
 
 337, 
 
 287, 
 315, 
 335, 
 356, 
 382, 
 414, 
 
 249, 
 283, 
 .305, 
 331- 
 
 447, 
 
 343, 
 372. 
 400, 
 
456 
 
 INDEX OF PERSONS. 
 
 Helffrich, 324-326, 333, 335, 
 343, 346, 349, 351, 353, 356, 
 363, 370, 375, 380, 386, 391, 
 399, 405, 414, 423, 430, 444, 
 448, 450, 453 
 
 Hendel, 230, 231, 233, 235, 238, 
 250, 252, 270-272, 278, 281, 
 290, 297, 298, 301, 317, 318, 
 324, 333, 335, 337, 343, 315, 
 349, 351, 354, 356, 363, 366, 
 370, 375, 380, 386. 391, 397, 
 407, 408, 412, 414,' 423, 425, 
 430, 434, 436, 438, 440, 444, 
 448 
 
 Hendel, Jr., 450 
 
 Henop, 238, 239, 242, 252, 257, 
 263, 269, 278, 282, 284, 290, 
 302, 307, 312, 318, 320. 324, 
 335, 339, 343, 349, 351, 356, 
 380, 382, 389, 391, 394 
 
 Herman, 414, 423, 425, 444, 449, 
 
 Hertzel, 361, 453 
 
 Hochreutiner, 41, 48 
 
 339, 
 359, 
 395, 
 447, 
 
 242, 
 
 285, 
 320, 
 346. 
 367, 
 401, 
 427, 
 447, 
 
 261, 
 293, 
 333, 
 370, 
 
 450 
 
 Ingold, 349, 351, 352, 357, 360, 366, 
 370, 373, 376, 377, 382, 399, 405, 
 414, 418, 422, 437 
 
 Kals, 170, 171, 173, 174 
 
 Lange, 252, 253, 255, 261. 274, 285, 
 286, 298 
 
 Layenberger, 24 
 
 Leydich, 39, 41, 53, 54. 57. 61-64, 
 66, 67. 69. 78, 80. 83. 88, 91-94, 
 
 96, 100, 101, 107-109, 111. 112, 
 
 116, 123, 131, 140, 145, 150, 156, 
 172, 183. 184, 191. 192, 196, 200, 
 201, 204, 213, 216, 222, 226, 231, 
 238, 239, 242, 249, 251, 257. 278, 
 290, 301, 312, 320, 324, 327, 335, 
 339, 343, 349, 353, 363, 380, 386. 
 387 
 
 Lischy, 20. 26, 36, 37, 42, 48, 61-64, 
 66, 69, 70, 73, 77, 79. 83, 86. 105, 
 
 117, 123, 131, 150, 152-154, 180, 
 187, 194, 211, 220. 224 
 
 Loretz, 394-396, 400. 409, 424 
 
 Mann, 449, 451 
 Marinus, 71 
 
 Michael, 225, 235, 309, 397 
 Miller, Fr. C, 35, 73, 107, 108 
 Miller, Peter, 2-4, 8, 9, 19 
 Mori'is, Governor, 120 
 Muehlenberg, Lutheran minister, 23 
 Muentz, Chr., 133, 141, 142, 146 
 Muentz, Mrs., 183, 200, 251, 293, 322 
 
 Neveling, 316, 328, 347, 348, 352, 
 
 354, 378, 382, 386, 387, 410, 414, 
 422, 443 
 
 Otterbein, 64, 66, 69, 
 84, 86, 91, 96, 104 
 131, 140, 142, 150- 
 181, 183, 184, 187, 
 197, 199, 200, 205, 
 221, 227, 231, 237, 
 243, 250, 252, 253- 
 278, 281, 286, 289, 
 303, 335, 337, 338, 
 350, 356, 357, 386, 
 418, 419, 422, 423, 
 
 74, 77, 79, 81, 
 
 , 111, 116, 123, 
 
 ■154, 167, 170, 
 
 191, 192, 196, 
 
 213, 214, 217, 
 
 238, 240, 242, 
 
 -255, 272, 276, 
 
 290, 293, 298, 
 
 343, 345, 349, 
 
 390, 394, 405, 
 
 425, 447, 449 
 
 Panli, 406, 412, 419, 439, 451 
 
 Pernisius, 394-396, 399, 402, 405, 
 408, 409, 417, 418, 424, 429, 432, 
 433 
 
 Petersen, 35 
 
 Pick. 420, 425. 431, 442 
 
 Pomp, 238, 239, 242, 251, 252, 257, 
 263, 265, 267, 269, 270, 278, 293, 
 295, 301, 310, 324, 328, 333, 335, 
 343, 346, 349, 351, 363, 370, 375, 
 376, 380, 386, 390, 391, 394, 401, 
 408, 414, 418, 422, 423, 430, 439, 
 440, 444, 448-450 
 
 Pyrlaeus. 25 
 
 Pythan (Pithan), 283, 299, 305, 312, 
 313 
 
 Rahauser, 438, 442, 445, 448 
 
 Eeiff, 13, 18, 20, 22, 58, 107, 122, 
 128 
 
 Reiflschneider, 13 
 
 Rieger. 3, 10, 19, 24, 25, 28, 33, 35, 
 37, 41, 45-47, 53, 54, 62, 73, 74, 
 77, 79, 82, 86, 91, 104, 111, 116, 
 123, 131, 140, 142, 150, 151, 183- 
 185, 191, 196, 200, 201, 205-209, 
 221. 223, 233 
 
 Riess, 235, 243 
 
 Roth, 398, 413, 453 
 
 Rothenbuhler. 214, 216, 218, 219 
 
 Rubel, 63. 64. 66, 79, 89, 91, 93, 97, 
 103, 108, 109, 111, 116, 119, 124, 
 127, 128, 135, 136, 142, 146, 157, 
 165, 183 
 
 Runckel, 361, 366, 367, 374, 375, 
 378, 380, 386, 390-392, 394, 401, 
 408, 414, 418, 423, 430. 440, 447, 
 449 
 
 Schlatter, 32-34, 40, 41, 45-47, 54, 
 55, 59, 60, 62, 66, 69, 72, 73, 78, 
 79, 81-85, 87, 90, 91, 100, 102, 106, 
 111, 112, 114, 115, 117, 126, 129, 
 131, 134, 142, 147, 156 
 
 Schley, 74 
 
INDEX OF rERSONS. 
 
 457 
 
 Schneider, 427 
 
 Schwob, 296, 301, 305, 310, 317, 
 340 
 
 Seiflert, 35 
 
 Spangenberg, Cvriacus, 384, 390, 
 
 Stahlschmidt, 315, 354, 3t)l, 3(5(5 
 
 Stapel, 206, 208, 212. 213, 217, 
 223,228,229,246,247 
 
 Stein, Peter, 158, 18(5. 189 
 
 Steiner. 53, 54, 57. 62, 72, 81, 89 
 97, 107, lOS, 111, 115, 116, 
 131, 140, 142, 145, 150, 159, 
 174-180, 192, 214 
 
 Steiner, Mrs., 248 
 
 Steiner, Jr., 312, 318, 328-330, 
 350, 352, 355, 363, 370, 377 
 
 Stoy, 64, 66, 69, 74, 77, 79, 81 
 84, 86, 93, 95, 9(\ 105, 111, 
 123, 131. 142, 144, 145, 150, 
 156, 162, 166. 170. 175, 183, 
 187. 191, 192, 193, 196, 197, 
 215. 288, 308, 315, 341 
 
 Straub, 19 
 
 Stock, 438, 442, 445, 448. 450 
 
 329, 
 
 397 
 370 
 220, 
 
 ,94, 
 123, 
 169, 
 
 347, 
 
 , 82, 
 116, 
 151, 
 184, 
 200, 
 
 Tauber, 75, 110 
 
 Tempelmann. 25, 36, 59, 66, 69. 75, 
 
 77, 79, 84. 87, 95, 108-111, 116, 
 
 123, 131, 144, 150, 156, 157, 165, 
 
 183, 192. 196, 200 
 Tennant. 26 
 Troldenier, 414, 421, 425, 438, 440, 
 
 444, 447. 448 
 Twifood, 368 
 
 Van der Sloot, 389, 397 
 Vock, 61 
 
 Wack, 298, 315, 316, 327, 328, 338, 
 
 347, 348, 352, 363, 370, 375, 378, 
 380, 382, 386, 388, 391, 399, 408. 
 418, 419. 440. 444, 448 
 
 Wagner. 317, 328, 338, 345, 347, 
 
 348, 352, 354, 356, 361-363, 366, 
 370, 380, 386, 391, 401. 414, 421, 
 423, 430, 440, 444, 447, 448 
 
 Waldschmidt, 64, 66, 67. 69, 73, 74, 
 79. 84. 87, 94, 101. 107, 108, 109, 
 111, 116, 123, 131, 142-144, 150, 
 
 168, 169, 183, 184, 191, 196, 199, 
 200, 213-216, 222, 231, 238, 242, 
 249. 251, 2")7, 278, 290, 302, 309, 
 320, 335, 343, 349, 382, 394, 401, 
 405 
 
 Wallauer. 329, .344 
 
 Washington, 428. 434. 435 
 
 Webor. 319, 328, 347, 352, 355, 356, 
 360, .3(53. 366. 377. 38(1. 382, 387, 
 394. 405. 414. 418, 447, 449 
 
 Weikel, ;i.')7, 3(58 
 
 Weiser. 75 
 
 Weiss. 3. 8, 9. 18. 35, 45. 47. 54. 57, 
 62, 63, 66, 1)7. 79. 80. 83, 88, 91- 
 96, 99-101, 106. 108, 109, 111, 112, 
 116, 123, 131, 150, 173, 183, 184, 
 191, 196, 200, 205, 217 
 
 Wevberg, 204. 212-215. 222. 223. 227, 
 228. 230-232, 238, 242, 247, 250, 
 252, 257, 267, 2(59, 278, 284, 290, 
 298, 301, 315, 316, 324, 328, 33*- 
 3:^5, 339, 343-347, 349, 351, .353, 
 
 354, 356, 3(53, 375, 376, 380, 386, 
 387. .391, 400. 407, 40S. 414, 420, 
 423, 425, 427. 428, 430, 432, 440, 
 447 
 
 Wevberg, Jr., 450 
 
 WeVraer, 268-270, 275, 290, 296, 302, 
 312, 318, 320, 324, 333, 335, 337, 
 339, 343, 349, 351 . 356. 376. 382, 
 391, 394, 401, 405, 414, 418, 430, 
 437 
 
 Wierts (AVirtz\ 37. 59, 100 
 
 Wilhelmi, Dr.. 26 
 
 Willv, 394, 395, 400. 406 
 
 Winckhaus, 389. 394, 395. 400, 405, 
 408, 423, 440. 444, 446, 448. 449 
 
 Wissler. 64, 66, 69, 81, 88. 89, 95, 
 102. 108, 109, 111, 117. 163 
 
 Wittner, 252, 2-58, 265, 268, 276, 278, 
 285, 290, 297, 302, 305, 312, 320, 
 324, 333, 336, 340, 343, 346, 349, 
 
 355, 359, 363, 373 
 Wittner, Mrs., 417, 422, 443 
 
 Zinzendorf, 24. 28. 153 
 Zufall, 238, 239, 242, 252, 253, 262, 
 274, 286, 298 
 
INDEX OF PLACES. 
 
 Abbotstown, 338, 343, 344, 356, 370, 
 
 375, 380, 386, 391, 401, 414, 423, 
 
 430 
 Albany (Berks Co.), 302 
 Alexandria, N. J., 246, 267, 302, 320, 
 
 346 
 Allegheny (Berks Co.), 302, 320, 401 
 Allemaengel, 37 
 AUentown, 237. 249, 257, 278, 290, 
 
 302, 320, 322, 333, 356; see also 
 
 Northampton. 
 Allentownship, 363, 377. 382. 389, 395 
 Amwell, N. J., 100, 163, 187, 202, 
 
 227, 228, 232, 240. 246, 250, 267, 
 
 278, 284, 285, 289, 299, 316, 378, 
 
 383, 384, 388 
 Antietam. Md., 386, 419, 444, 447 
 Augusta Co , Va., 445 
 
 Baltimore, Md., 241, 250, 287, 296, 
 323, 328-330, 337, 340, 344, 345, 
 350, 356, 379. 380, 384, 386, 387, 
 390. 391, 401, 408, 414, 422, 423, 
 430, 437, 445, 447 
 
 Bermudian, 105, 338, 344, 356, 375, 
 380, 386 
 
 Bern, 249, 257, 278 
 
 Bethel, 253, 261, 277, 301, 346, 370 
 
 Bethlehem, 231, 232, 278, 285, 290 
 
 Blaser's, 375, 380 
 
 Bleymeyer's, 356, 370 
 
 Blue Mountains, 33, 380 
 
 Brown back's, 249, 424 ; see also 
 Coventry. 
 
 Cacusi (Hain's Church, Berks Co.), 
 12, 13, 16, 236, 249, 257, 290, 302, 
 331 ; see also Heidelberg, Berks Co. 
 
 Camp, N. Y., 203 
 
 Carlisle, 235, 244, 258, 278, 361, 375, 
 396, 404, 444 
 
 Chambersburg, 450 
 
 Christ Church ( Littlestown, Pa.). 
 344, 356, 386, 401, 408, 414, 423, 
 430; see also Kreutz Church. 
 
 Cocalico, 8, 36, 37, 64, 66, 73, 89, 95, 
 106, 109, 111, 185, 197, 199, 202, 
 236, 250, 258, 278, 285, 290, 299, 
 
 302, 320, 333, 339, 351, 356, 363, 
 370, 378, 382, 388, 396, 412 
 
 Cocalico, little, 320, 401 
 
 Codorus, 89, 105, 356 
 
 Cohenzie, N. J., 232 
 
 Conococheague (St. Paul's near Clear- 
 spring, Md.), 37,74, 75, 109, 118, 
 227, 243, 250, 275, 289, 296, 305, 
 318, 333, 339, 351, 356, 401, 414 
 
 Conestoga, 1, 2, 7, 8, 12, 16, 18, 24, 
 31,41, 47 
 
 Conewago, 35, 36, 76, 118, 125, 126, 
 144, 178, 179, 183, 231 
 
 Coventry, 107, 249, 278, 290, 301, 
 339, 363, 380, 386, 418; see also 
 Brown back's. 
 
 Cumry, 401 
 
 David's Church, 356, 370, 401, 408, 
 
 414, 430 
 De Long Church, 339, 452 
 Donegal, 35, 36, 76, 236, 258, 278, 
 
 320, 339, 346, 351, 363, 368, 386, 
 
 391 
 Dryland, 237, 239, 249, 257, 263, 278, 
 
 290, 313, 377, 399, 408, 414, 423, 
 
 449 
 Dunkel's Church, 318, 349, 355, 360 
 
 Easton, 194, 202, 204, 223, 224, 231, 
 239, 249, 257, 262, 278, 282, 283, 
 290, 300, 312, 357, 360, 373, 377, 
 382, 399, 414, 422, 423, 449 ; see 
 also Forks of Delaware. 
 Egypt, 33, 42, 64, 66, 81, 108, 163, 
 237, 249, 257, 278, 290, 302, 320, 
 333, 339, 346, 351, 356, 363, 370, 
 375, 391, 399, 408, 423, 430 
 Elizabethtown, Md., 391 
 Epler (Berks Co.), 290, 302, 320 
 Erlentown, 33, 57, 58; see also Selten- 
 reich. 
 
 Falkner Swamp, 1, 5, 6, 13-18, 21, 
 22, 33, 40, 49, 66,89, 108, 118, 183, 
 185, 196, 202, 216, 232, 239, 249, 
 257, 290, 301, 320, 333, 339, 346, 
 351, 363, 370, 375, 380, 386, 387, 
 
 (458) 
 
INDEX OF PI. ACES. 
 
 459 
 
 391, 400, 40R, 414, 423, 
 440, 447 
 
 Falling Spring, 278, 445 
 
 Forks of Delaware, 36, 37 
 
 Fort Pitt, 8812 
 
 Foihill, N. J., 100, 246, 
 27S, 1^85, 290, 302, 320, 
 351, 377, 382, 388, 405, 
 
 Frankford, 320, 412 
 
 Frederick. Md., 74. 89, 109 
 176, 180, 187, 191, 197, 
 227, 232, 238, 240, 243, 
 254, 258, 261, 274, 277, 
 285, 302. 320, 333, 339, 
 370, 380, 382. 389. 391, 
 408. 414, 423, 430, 440, 
 
 Freyen, 370 
 
 Funkstown. 401 
 
 430, 436, 
 
 250, 267, 
 333, 346, 
 408 
 
 145, 159, 
 199, 202, 
 250, 253, 
 281, 282, 
 351, 3o(i. 
 394, 401, 
 447 
 
 Germantown, 1, 2, 7, 12, 15, 27, 29, 
 106, 108, 126, 145, 151, 166, 185, 
 191, 196, 199, 202. 209, 214, 216, 
 226. 232, 237, 247, 249, 255, 261, 
 267, 277, 287, 301, 320, 326, 353, 
 360, 363, 372, 375, 380, 386, 39] , 
 400, 408, 414, 423, 430, 437, 444, 
 450 
 
 Germantown, Va., 37 
 
 Gettysburg. 436. 440, 444, 447 
 
 Glade Church, Md., 302, 320, 333, 
 339, 351, 356, 380, 391, 414, 423, 
 430 
 
 Goshenhoppen, 1, 2, 9, 12, 16, 26, 31, 
 33, 66, 89, 95, 108, 173, 183, 185, 
 196, 202, 204, 217, 223, 224, 235. 
 243, 278, 290, 302, 320, 333, 339, 
 351, 356, 363, 372, 373, 377. 380. 
 386, 387, 389, 397, 405, 414, 431. 
 439, 440, 450. 451 
 
 Great Swamp, 1, 2, 10, 16, 33, 108, 
 185, 204, 243, 278, 290, 301, 302, 
 320, 333, 351, 356, 363, 375, 378, 
 380, 386, 397, 400, 405, 414, 431 
 
 Greenwich, 231, 237, 249, 257,262, 
 278. 290, 312, 356, 363, 377, 399, 
 414; 423, 449 
 
 Greenwich (Berks Co.), 290, 302, 386 
 
 Hagerstown. Md., 320, 382, 401. 430, 
 
 437. 438, 44.5 
 Hamilton, 356, 380 
 Hanoiden. 356 
 Hanover, 336. 338. 343, 344, 350, 
 
 356. 370. 380, .382, 386, 391, 401, 
 
 408, -514, 423. 430, 440 
 Hantown. 3S2 
 Harrisburg. 447 
 Hartwick.' N. J.. 378. 382, 392 
 Heidelberg (Lehigh Co.), 42, 64, 108, 
 
 290, 302, 326, 339, 346, 351, 356, 
 
 363, 370, 375, 380, 386, 399, 408, 
 
 414, 430, 452 
 Heidelberg (Cacusi), 301, 331 
 Heidelberg (Tnlpehocken charge), 
 
 266, 277, 301, 320, 333, 340, 351, 
 
 356. 363, 370, 375, 38(», 388, 396, 
 
 400, 423, 430 
 Heller's. 42:^ 
 Hempfield, 382 
 Hill Church (Lebanon Co.), 380, 390, 
 
 391, .396; see also Quittopehilla. 
 Holzon's River, Va , 337, 341 
 Host Church, 351, 380 
 Hummelstown, 278, 361 
 
 Indian Creek, 363. 370 
 
 Indianfield, 33, 76, 290, 301, 316, 
 
 326, 33:', 375. 378, 382, 391, 400, 
 
 405, 400, 422, 437, 444 
 Indian township, o99, 408 
 
 Jacob's Church, 318, 349, 355, 360, 
 391, 401. 408. 414, 423, 430 
 
 Jeremiah Miller's Church, 47; see 
 also Donegal. 
 
 Jerusalem Church. 356 
 
 Jones's Church, 386, 391 
 
 Jordan, 108, 237, 250. 257, 278, 290, 
 302, 320, 333, 339, 346, 351, 356, 
 363, 370, 380, 391, 399, 408, 414, 
 423, 430 
 
 Kaemmerling, 253, 261, 277, 320, 
 
 333, 386, 391 
 Kastenberg (Kestenberg), 333, 346, 
 
 363 
 Kittatinny Mt. Church (Middletown, 
 
 Md.). 320, 339, 351; see also 
 
 Mountains. 
 Knowlton. N. J., 378, 382, 392, 419; 
 
 see also Nolton. 
 Kreutz Church, 344, 370, 375, 380, 
 
 886; see also Christ Church. 
 Kreutz Creek. 73, 89, 105, 118. 152, 
 
 183. 236, 257, 278 
 
 Lancaster, 8, 33, 
 60, 64, 65. 79, 
 167, 183, 184, 
 216, 224. 2^^(i, 
 
 257, 271 '-27 2, 
 298, 305, 3('8, 
 350, 351, 353, 
 382, 3(^6, 391, 
 430, 440, 447 
 
 Lebanon. 231, 1 
 
 258, 266, 277, 
 346, 351, 363. 
 396. 400, 402 
 
 Lehigh, 36, 37, 
 
 35, 
 
 40, 5 
 
 3, 57 
 
 ,58, 
 
 85.89.118 
 
 ,126 
 
 154. 
 
 196, 
 
 198, 
 
 202, 
 
 215, 
 
 232, 
 
 233, 
 
 236, 
 
 250, 
 
 278. 
 
 281, 
 
 289, 
 
 290, 
 
 320. 
 
 322, 
 
 333, 
 
 339, 
 
 356, 
 
 370, 
 
 372, 
 
 380, 
 
 401, 
 
 4('8, 
 
 414, 
 
 423, 
 
 232 
 
 236, 
 
 240, 
 
 2.50, 
 
 290, 
 
 320, 
 
 .333, 
 
 339, 
 
 378, 
 
 386, 
 
 390, 
 
 391, 
 
 215, 
 
 237, 
 
 239, 
 
 336, 
 
460 
 
 INDEX OF PLACES. 
 
 345, 350, 363, 377, 382, 389, 396, 
 
 399, 402, 408 
 Lehigh, little, 33, 36, 42 
 Lindau, 237 
 Lischy's Church, 356, 391, 401, 408, 
 
 414, 423, 430 
 Little Cocalico, 320 
 Long Swamp, 351, 356, 363, 370 
 LowhiU, 290, 302, 324, 339, 346, 351, 
 
 356, 363, 370, 375, 380, 386, 391, 
 
 399, 408, 414, 423, 430, 452 
 Lower Saucon, 263, 320, 331-333, 
 
 380, 386, 391, 405 
 Lower Settlement, 361, 396 
 Lower Tohickon, 316 
 Lynn (Lynntownship), 250, 290, 302 
 Lyken Run, Va. , 37 
 Lykens Valley, 372, 382, 391, 405, 418 
 
 Macungie, 1. 2, 35, 37, 399, 408, 414, 
 
 423, 430, 447, 448, 452 
 Manatawny (Berks Co. ), 37 
 Manheim, 320, 339, 346, 351, 363, 
 
 367, 375, 380, 386, 391 
 Massanutton, Va., 250 
 Maxatawny, 1, 2, 12, 16, 37, 226, 
 
 235, 309, 339, 346, 351, 356, 363, 
 
 370, 375, 380, 386, 391, 399, 408, 
 
 414, 423, 430, 440 
 Maytown, 236, 258, 278, 367, 375, 
 
 380, 386 
 McCallister, 373, 375, 447 
 Middletown (Pa.), 278 
 Middletown (Md.), 380, .391, 414, 423, 
 
 430; see also Kittatinny Mts. 
 Monocacy, Md., 35-37, 64, 66, 74, 89, 
 
 159.192; continued as Frederick, Md. 
 Moortownship, 3()3, 377, 382, 396, 
 
 399, 408 
 Mountains (Middletown, Md.), 302, 
 
 333, 339, 356, 370; see also Kitta- 
 tinny Mts. 
 Mount Bethel, 356 
 Mount Pleasant, 382 
 Muddy Creek, 36, 37, 57, 58, 73, 74, 
 
 109, 231, 236, 240, 250, 258, 268, 
 
 278, 290, 299, 320, 333, 339, 351, 
 
 356, 363, 370, 378, 382, 388, 396. 
 
 412, 423, 440 
 Muehlbach, 74, 77, 239, 250, 253, 
 
 261, 277, 301, 320, 3.33. 346, 351, 
 
 356, 363, 370, .375 
 Muellerstown (Woodstock), Va. , 311 
 
 Neiss's Church, 424 
 Neshaminy. 6, 209 
 
 New Hanover, 204, 249, 251, 257, 278 
 New Luneburg, Nova Scotia, 276 
 New Providence, 363, 388, 395, 400, 
 408, see also Providence. 
 
 Newton, N. J., 378. 392 
 Nockamixon (Bucks Co.), 337, 363, 
 
 380, 399 
 Nolton, N. J., 378; see Knowlton. 
 Northampton (Bucks Co.), 66, 185, 
 
 202, 227, 232, 237, 249, 279, 290, 
 
 301 , 333 ; see also Neshaminy. 
 Nortliampton (AUentown), 339, 346, 
 
 351, 363, 375, 380, 391, 399, 406, 
 
 414, 423, 430, 440, 447 
 
 Oley, 1, 2, 10, 13, 14, 16, 37, 124, 
 126, 144, 197, 202, 232 
 
 Organ Church, 318, 349, 354, 361; see 
 also Lynn. 
 
 Paradise (York Co.), 231, 257, 278 
 
 Pequea (Lancaster Co.), 232, 271, 308, 
 328 
 
 Philadelphia, 1, 6, 7, 13-15, 19, 21, 
 22, 32, 33, 39, 40, 55, 60, 62, 64, 
 77, 78, 106, 108, 118. 121, 123, 127, 
 128, 142, 151, 167, 169, 173-179, 
 187, 192, 202, 214, 216, 218, 221, 
 223, 227, 232, 236, 247, 249, 255, 
 257, 278, 290, 301, 320, 333-335, 
 339; 346, 351, 356, 363, 375. 380, 
 386, 391, 400, 408, 414 
 
 Pipe Creek, Md., 240, 287, 311 
 
 Pittsburg, 387, 394,405. 418 
 
 Plainfield, 231, 237, 239, 249, 257, 
 263, 278, 290, 356, 363, 377, 380, 
 399, 414,^ 423, 449 
 
 Potomac, Va. , 37 
 
 Pottsgrove, 301 
 
 Pottstown. 290, 339, 363, 380, 386, 
 424 
 
 Providence, 33, 40, 107, 108, 118, 
 185, 196, 202, 204, 216, 232, 236, 
 249, 257, 339; see also Trappe. 
 
 Quickel's, 370 
 
 Quittopehilla, 10, 36, 37, 109, 266, 
 
 277, 320, 339, 346, 351, 363; see 
 
 also Hill Church. 
 
 Rapho (Lancaster Co.), 109, 
 320, 339, 346, 351, 363, 
 380, 386, 391 
 Raritan, N. J.,26, 30, 36 
 Reading, 85, 125, 126, 144, 
 196, 197, 202, 224, 232, 
 251, 264-266, 277, 289, 
 313, 320, 331, 332, 364, 
 386, 389, 394, 395, 400, 
 414, 421, 422, 428 
 Rhinebeck, N. Y., 203 
 Rockaway, N. J., 100, 246, 
 290, 302, 320, 333, 346, 
 382, 384, 388, 405, 408, 
 Rocky Hill, 414 
 
 266, 
 367, 
 
 168, 
 239, 
 298, 
 378, 
 406, 
 
 267, 
 351, 
 444 
 
 277, 
 375, 
 
 183, 
 250, 
 309, 
 382, 
 407, 
 
 278, 
 377, 
 
INDEX OF PLACES. 
 
 461 
 
 Roeder's Church (Tiniberville), Va., 
 311 
 
 Salzburg, 312, 320, 346, 3t)3,375, 3b0, 
 
 3SG, 391, 399 
 Saucon, 1, 2, 10, 16, 33, 37, 59, 277, 
 
 283, 289, 293, 302, 305, 373, 374, 
 382, 399, 405, 423, 440, 445, 449 
 
 Schaeffer's (Lebanon Co.), 33, 66, 
 185, 196, 202 
 
 Schierster's, 370 
 
 Scblosser's, 237, 249, 257, 278, 290, 
 302, 320, 333, 339, 346, 351,356, 
 363, 370, 375, 380, 391, 399, 408, 
 414, 423, 430 
 
 Schoener's, 445 
 
 Schuylkill, across the, 107, 108, 204, 
 216, 320; see also Vincent. 
 
 Schuylkill (Coventry), 257 
 
 Schwaben Creek, 391 
 
 SeUenreich, 73, 109, 118, 151, 185, 
 197, 202, 205, 231, 236, 258, 278, 
 290, 299, 320, 333, 339, 351, 356, 
 363, 370, 378, 382, 396, 412, 423 
 
 Shamokin, 354, 397, 437 
 
 Shenandoah, Va., 37, 250 
 
 Shepensburg, Va., 250 
 
 Sherer's, 450 
 
 Shippensburg, 361, 445, 448, 450 
 
 Silver Run, 338, 344 
 
 Skippack, I, 5-7, 9, 10, 12, 15-19, 21, 
 22, 33, 37, 38, 149, 216, 326, 352, 
 373, 421 ; see also Worcester. 
 
 South Branch, Va., 37 
 
 Springfield, 33, 37, 263, 277, 283, 289, 
 293, 302, 305, 320, 374, 380, 386, 
 391, 399, 405, 406, 423, 445, 449 
 
 StaufFerstown (Strasburg), Va. , 250, 
 311 
 
 Steffenstown, Va,, 311 
 
 Stonv Creek, Va., 250 
 
 Swatara, 16, 36, 37, 59. 66, 109, 144, 
 202, 231, 232, 239, 250, 289, 320, 
 333, 351, 356, 363, 375, 388, 400, 
 423, 430 
 
 Swatara, little, 197, 211 
 
 Taneytown, Md.,329, 356 
 
 Tohickon, 245, 287, 290, 301, 316, 
 327, 363, 370, 375, 378, 382, 391, 
 400, 405, 406, 413, 422 
 
 Tolpehil, 74, 109 
 
 Trappe, 327, 380, 386; see also Provi- 
 dence. 
 
 Tresbach, 250 
 
 Troxel's Church, Md., 320, 401 
 
 Trumbauer's, 316, 326, 337, 339, 382, 
 391,405,406,422 
 
 Tulpehocken, 1, 2, 8-10, 12, 15, 16 
 18, 20, 21. 24, 33, 41,5!., (14, 66 
 74,89, 1(J5, 118, 142, 143, 151, 1515, 
 183, 184, 187, 191, liiT, l'Ui:, 217 
 224, 231, 239, 243, 250, 2(il, 277 
 281, 288, 301, 320, 333, 346, 351 
 35(), 363, 370, 3SU, 38:,', 395, 400 
 405, 409, 423. 430, 440, 447 
 Tulpehocken, Lower, 337, 375, 388 
 Tulpehocken, Upper, 376, 388 
 
 Upper lyiilford, 249, 257, 278, 29(1, 
 
 301, 312, 333, 346, 363, 375, 38(», 
 386, 391, 399, 408, 414, 423, 43(1, 
 452 
 
 Valley, N. J., 267, 278, 285, 290, 
 
 302, 320, 333, 346, 351, 377, 382, 
 384, 388. 405, 408, 440 
 
 Vincent, 107, 232. 236, 239, 2-19, 257, 
 278, 290, 3(H, 320, 339, 34(>, 351, 
 363, 37((, 375, 380, 386, 391, 400, 
 408, 414. 423. 430 
 
 Virginia, 37, 168, 176, 231, 238, 240, 
 250, 253, 276, 277, 285, 311, 331, 
 337, 339. 341, 351, 394, 445 
 
 Warwick (Lancaster Co.), 320, 339, 
 346, 351, 363 
 
 Weissenburg, 4(iS, 414, 423, 430, 452 
 
 Westmoreland County. 377, 382, 447 
 
 Whitehall, 215, 224, 232, 237, 268, 
 2S3, 289 
 
 Whitemarsh, 1, 2, 5, 6, 13, 15, 17, 18, 
 21, 23, 49 
 
 White Oaks (Lancaster Co.), 37, 57, 
 58, 74, 76, 107, 118, 196, 198, 202, 
 236, 266, 277, 367, 375, 380, 386, 
 391 
 
 Winchester, Va., 158, 240, 250, 311 
 
 Witpen (Whitpain), 33, 38, 40, 74, 
 75, 89, 108, 125, 126, 145, 185,192, 
 196, 199, 202, 216, 237, 249, 261, 
 267, 287, 301, 320, 326, 351, 352, 
 357, 368, 382, 388, 396, 400, 408 
 
 Woodstock, Va. , 250 
 
 Worcester, 237. 249, 261, 267, 287, 
 301, 320, 326, 351, 352, 357, 368, 
 373, 382, 388, 395, 400, 408 
 
 York, 33, 36-37, 66, 70, 73, 105, 108, 
 152, 202, 224, 231, 232, 236, 238, 
 250, 278, 287, 289, 290, 298, 838, 
 345, 354, 356, 361, 363. 370, 380, 
 386, 391, 401, 408, 421, 438 
 
 Zion's Church, 356, 401, 408, 414, 
 423, 430 
 
II^DEX OF SUBJECTS. 
 
 ABC books, 90 
 
 Alms, 50 
 
 Assessors, 66, 123, 140 
 
 Baptism, 3. 43, 44, 50, 128, 338 
 Bible, 66-69, 110, 128, 143, 446 
 
 Canons of Dort, 40, 41, 65, 235 
 
 Catechism, 90 
 
 Catechization, 227, 307, 453 
 
 Catholics, 137, 236 
 
 Charity schools, 129. 130, 138, 139, 
 
 143, 147, 148, 157, 166, 198 
 Charity school subsidies, 144, 161, 
 
 181. 193, 198, 211, 220 
 Church discipline, 50, 280 
 Church order of Boehm, 2-4, 7, 9, 11, 
 
 17,18,20,29,41,44,49-52 
 Church order of Dort, 98, 110,116, 
 
 233, 272. 274, 277, 323, 442 
 Church order of Palatinate, 233 
 Church records, 51 , 77 
 Church visitation, 115, 122, 129, 191, 
 
 196,211,215.224,232 
 Coetus, meaning of name, 38; to be- 
 come a Synod. 431 
 Coetus of New York, 71, 167, 234, 
 
 255, 262, 263, 305 
 College of New Jersey, 255, 256, 263, 
 
 327 
 Consistory, 49, 51 
 Correspondence with Holland, 54, 130, 
 
 292 
 
 Day of prayer, 350 
 
 Divine services, 50 
 
 Distribution of donations, 221, 224, 
 247, 275, 304, 3(i5 
 
 Donations from Holland, 77, 83, 85- 
 89, 117, 118, 131, 137, 141, 149, 
 16U, 162, 172, 183, 186, 198, 200, 
 203, 210, 212, 221, 232, 247, 251, 
 276, 298, 302, 322, 340, 341, 347, 
 357, 365, 374. 379, 381, 385, 402, 
 417, 422, 424, 431, 441, 443 
 
 Dunkers, 8 
 
 Elders, their certificates, 40, 46; their 
 
 duties, 50, 51 ; their privileges, 104, 
 111, 112,273, 274 
 Episcopalians, 347 
 
 Heidelberg Catechism, 4, 28, 40, 41, 
 
 50, 52 
 
 High school (at Lancaster), 392, 403, 
 404,409,411,426,441 
 
 Indians, 158, 163, 166, 374 
 
 Letters from Holland, 67, 86, 92, 112, 
 114, 124, 133, 137, 140, 141, 156, 
 162, 165, 169, 173, 184, 191, 197, 
 198, 210, 211, 213, 217, 220, 223, 
 228, 232, 239, 246, 273, 292, 304, 
 322, 340, 352, 374, 392, 402, 404, 
 431, 441 
 Lord's Supper, 6, 42, 50, 128, 271 
 Lutherans, 7, 23, 25, 31, 347 
 
 Membership. 44 
 
 Mennonites, 236 
 
 Ministers, their call, 217, 218, 222, 
 231, 239, 266, 299, 316, 332, 345, 
 350, 354, 367, 377, 378, 381, 383, 
 389, 396, 438, 450: their duty, 50, 
 
 51, 3(10, 362, 428; their fees, 43, 44; 
 their work, 453 
 
 Money, in Pa., 136; in Holland, 77, 
 
 S3 
 Moravians, 19, 20, 28, 198 
 
 New Born, 10, 11 
 
 Ordination, 
 
 288, 304, 
 
 446, 451 
 Ordination pledge, 412 
 
 5, 243-246, 275, 287, 
 IS, 340, 347, 348, 367, 
 
 Pastoral letter, 369 
 Pastoral reports, 128 
 Presbyterians, 17, 81, 234, 347 
 Princeton College, 269, 425 
 
 Register of ministers, 375, 410 
 Rules of Coetus, 141 
 
 (462) 
 
INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 
 
 463 
 
 Salaries of ministers, 116, 117, 136, 
 194, 230, 232, 2-41, 2-17, 250, 274, 
 276, 301, 302, 399-401, 403, 442 
 
 Seventh Day Baptists, 3, 8, 19 
 
 Singing of congregation, 13 
 
 Time of Coetus, 39, 233, 340, 355 
 
 Widows' Fund, 132, 341, 342, 347, 
 352. 357, 358, 362, 402, 416, 417, 
 422, 424, 443 
 
DATE DUE ^ 
 
 ' ' ' /■ ■- 
 
 Lii - - 'il 
 
 y\ii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 201-6503 
 
 
 Printed 
 in USA 
 
s 
 
 S - 
 
 
 < 
 
 oc - 
 
 CD - 
 
 CO J : 
 
 ^ > '■ 
 
 'D 
 
 — " r 
 
 = - - i xi .. 
 
 nj t ■ 
 3- S : 
 
 — — r'i 
 
 
 
 ru z 
 m 
 
 rxjS 
 
 '^2 
 
 — ' 
 
 z 
 
 3 
 
 r3 
 
 PHOTOCOPY 
 
Hi