The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-25
Nv.


Of Pennsylvania offered to all sects not only
brought a great number OF Quakers to
that province, but likewise representatives
OF many other oppressed scots. Among
the latter were the Mennonites, or Ana
baptists. who In their beliefs and practices
were very similar to the QuakeIs. Like
the latter, they refused to bear arms or take
oaths. As early as 1882 articles OF agree
ment had been signed between the burgo-
masters OF Amsterdam and a society OF
Mennonites. grant OF land at Hornkill
on South River (the Delaware) was made
to the sect. A number Of enigrants availed
themselves OF the opportunity in 1884,
however, after the conquest Of New Neither
land by the Duke Of Yorks expedition,
the NJ ,nnonite colonists were plundered
Of all their effects by the English. The
marauding party took what belonged
to the Quaking Society Of Plookhoy to
very MALE" After William PENIS Holy
Experiment was fairly under way, other
Mennonites, prosecuted alike by Prot
estants and Catholics. left their homes
In Germany and Switzerland, and settled
In Pennsylvania alongside Of the Quakers,
To whom they were 90 near akin in religious
beliefs. The first permanent society in
North America was organized at German
town, near Philadelphia, In 1888. This Men
nonite emigration was followed by many
another from various parts OF Germany.
Some OF the newcomers purchased land
in Lancaster county. The Mem onite leader
was Francis Daniel Pastorius, OF whom
It Is recorded that no was an enthusiastic
scholar, .studying science, philosophy,
Jurisprudence, or whatever came to hand,
and reading eight or ten languages"
Among those who had sought an asylum
In New Amsterdam were Dutch Lutherans
BY 1855 they had become 30 numerous
that the Calvinist ministers OF the Estab-
lished Dutch Reform Church began to fear
for their supremacy. For time the Luth-
Grams were subjected to fines and irnprison-
ment at the hands OF the dominant church,
but after New Netherland fell into the
hands OF the English they were encouraged
to bring over their own minister from Hol-
land, and were permitted to worship after
their own fashion. Many Lutherans went
from Holland, Sweden and Germany to
the Delaware country. Swedish Lutherans
came In 1895 and In the following year, and
Joined the Swedish settlement on the South
River. Reorus Torkillus was their first
pastor. He was succeeded by Campanius,
who did missionary work among the Indians
and translated Luther's Catechism into the
Delaware dialect. The first Lutheran
church in Pennsylvania WAS built in 1916
More than eighty years later three OF the
Pennsylvania congregations sent to Ger
many for pastors. and in l7+2 Henry Mel
chior Muhlenberg WAS cent 10 them. Mah-
lenberg, who was born in Hanover, Ger
many. has been called the Patriarch OF the
Lutheran Church In America" Before
M1hlenberg came to Pennsylvania the
German Lutherans. already numerous in
the province, had gradually become very
indifferent in religious matters. Many. in
fact, carried indifference to such a pitch
that 1t had become proverbial TO speak OF
them as belonging to the Pennsylvania
Church. M1hlenberg set to work, and
during his long ministry did much to bring
about a frmer organization and more