ciple of Abel Noble.

"From the uncouth dress, the recluse and asceticklife of these people,
sour aspects and rough manners might be expected; but on the contra-
ry, a smiling innocence and meekness grace their countenances, and a
softness of tone and accent adorn their conversation, and make their
deportment gentle and obliging. Their singing is charming, partly
owing to the pleasantness of their voices, the variety of parts they carry
on together, and the devout manner of performance. The families
belonging to the society are about 40, whereof about 135 persons, in-
cluding the single brethren and sisters, are baptized and in communion.
This was their state in 1770. They had their existence as a society,
on Nov !2, 1724, when Conrad Beissel, Joseph Shaffer, John Moyer
and wife, Henrick Hehn and wile, and Veronica Frederick, were bap-



Tunksr Baptists. 433

tized in Pequea liver by Rev. Peter Baker. The same day, these seren
incorporated into a church, and chose Conrad Beissel to be their min-
ister. After this, they continued some time at Mill-Creek ; and then,
removing about three miles northward, pitched on the land of Rudolph
Neagley, in Earl township. Here they continued about seven years,
and hither resorted many to see them, some of which joined their
society. Here they began their economy, the men living by them-
selves on the fore-mentioned lands, and the women also by themselves
on the adjoining lands of John Moyly. Here Conrad Beissel appoint-
ed two elders and a matron to preside over his church in the wilder-
ness, binding them by a solemn promise, and at the same time giving
to each a Testament, to govern according to the rules of that book*
Then he withdrew, and made as though they should see him no more.
This was done in 1733. He travelled northward till he came to th
spot where Ephrata or Tunkerstown now stands, and with his hoc
planted Indian corn and roots for his subsistence. But he had not
been long in the place, before the society found him out, and repaired
to his little cot ; the brethren settling with him on the west banks of
Cocolico, and the sisters on the east, all in sight of one another, with the
river running between them. The next year they set about building
their village, beginning with a place of worship. The village is in-
closed with a large ditch, and fortified with posts, and rails, and
quicksets."

The author of the foregoing account has also given biographical
sketches of the ministers by which these churches were supplied. The
most distinguished of which, were Alexander Mack, Conrad Beissel,
and Peter Miller.

"ALEXANDER MACK, was born in the year 1680 at Schrisheim, ifl
Germany. He was educated a Calvinist, but embraced the Baptist
principles, in 1708, arrived in this country, with many of his congre-
gation, in 1729, and became a minister of Beggarstown, in the town-
ship of Germantown, near Philadelphia, the same year, where he con-
tinued till he died^in 1735- Mr. Mack was a man of real piety.
He had a handsoffe patrimony at Schrisheim, with a profitable mill
and vineyards thereon ; but he spent all in raising and maintaining his
church at Schwardzenau, whereof he was father, and father of all the
Tunkers.

"C0NRAD BEISSEL, founder of the society at Ephrata. This was
his real name ; but when he became a Baptist, he assumed the name of
Freidsam Gottrechf;, and gave new names to all the brethren and sisters.
He was born in 1690, at Eberback, in Germany. Bred a Presbyterian.
Arrived in Boston, in 1720. Thence he and his two companions,
Stunts and Steifrel, travelled '.vest ward to Pennsylvania, and lived as
hermits about Mill-Creek, and the Swede-Spring in Lancaster county.
He embraced the principles of the Baptists in 1724. Died July 6,
1768, and was buried at Ephrata.

As for his character, I give it in the words of one who knew him
well. " He was very strict in his morals, and practised self-denial

VOL. 2. 55



434 Tunktr Baptists.

and mortification to an uncommon degree. Enthusiastick and whim-
sical, he certainly was; but an appaient devoutness and sincerity rail
through all his oddities. He was not an adept in any of the liberal
arts and sciences, except musick, in which he excelled. He composed
and s-et to musick, in three, four, six, and eight parts, a folio volume
of hymns, and another of anthems. He published a dissertation on
the fall of man, in the mysterious strain ; also a volume of letters.
He Heft behind, several books in manuscript, curiously written and
embellished."

PET**. MILLE*. He was born in 1709', in the bailiwick of Kaifer-
lautern, in Germany ; had his education in the University at Heiide-
bera: ; came to this country in 1730, and settled with the Dutch Presby-
terians in Philadelphia: there he was ordained by Rev. Messrs. Ten-
nant Boyd, and Andrews, the same year. He embraced the principles
of the Baptists in 1735. and in 1744 received another ordination from
kev. Conrad Beissel, to be prior of the society at Ephrata. Dr. Doug-
las, in his history of the provinces, saith, that he is a good scholar, and
writes fine latin."*

The main body of Tunker Baptists in America are, at present, as
they ever have been, in Pennsylvania. But besides those in that State,
there were, in the year 1770, according to Mr. Edwards, (who took
unwearied pains to learn their history, and ascertain their numbers) in
Maryland, 4 churches of these people, in which were 9 ministers, and
382 members. The number of families, out of which the 4 churches
were collected was 169.

In Virginia were 2 churches which contained together 56 members.
The number of ministers was 3, and the families 100.

In North- Carolina were 3 churches, 4 ministers, 88 families, and
100 members.

In South-Carolina, there were at the same time 3 churches, but one
minister, whose name was David Martin. He was a native of Penn-
sylvania, and is said to have been a man of some distinction, and t
have borne an excellent character. The families were 63, and the
number of members 108.

There was, also, a church of the Tunkers at Amwell, in New-Jer-
sey, which was formed in the year 1733 ; it is now in a comfortable
condition.

From the whole, it appears by Mr. Edwards, that there were of the
Tunkers, in America, about 40 years ago, 28 churches, in which (ex-
cepting the one in New-Jersey) were 14^5 communicants ; and that
to these churches, appertained upwards 'of 20 ordained ministers or
bisbnp-,, and nearly the same number of exhorters. And the number
of 1'unker families was 669, which, allowing five to a family, Mr.
Edwards's uniform and probably correct mode of computation, makes
the whole population of the Tunkers 3345-

By a statement of Mr Edwards for 1790, it appears, that of
the Tanker Baptists there was at that time one church in New Jersey,
1 5 in Pennsylvania, 7 in Maryland, and in the more southern States,

* Edwards's History of the Baptists in Pennsylvania, p. 6490.



Tunker Baptists. 435

10 ; making in all 33 ;* so that they had received the addition of five
hurdies in 20 years. But what has been their progress since the last-
mentioned date, or what is their present situation as to numbers, &c. I
have not been able to learn. I am informed by Dr. Rogers of Phila-
delphia, and others, that * it is, at present, a fixed principle with them,
to make no communication ; and that they feel hurt when interroga-
ted respecting their society." Indeed, they have always been shy of
the English, and suspicious of encroachment and exposure ; and under
these circumstances, it is surprising how Mr. Edwards, without an ac-
quaintance with the German language, could gain uch correct and
extensive information respecting them, as he has recorded in his his-
torical works.

Many of the churches mentioned by him have become extinct, and
ethers have suffered great diminutions, and it is generally believed that
their society is declining ; but still they are considerably numerous in
Pennsylvania and Maryland, and small detachments of them are to be
found in most of the southern and western States. While they have
declined in some places, and become extinct in others, they have emi-
grated to remoter regions, and formed new establishments, some of
which are very large. One of these is in the Allegany Mountains, in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in a place called Brothers' Valley,
near the town of Berlin, about 200 miles westward of Philadelphia.
There is, also, another large society in the Red-stone county, beyond
the mountains, on Jacob's-Creek, in the counties of Fayette and West-
moreland. It is believed, that some other societies have been formed
in Pennsylvania, since Mr. Edwards's account was taken ; but I have
been able to learn nothing respecting them.

These people have also become adventurers to the western State?
of Ohio and Kentucky ; and some of them, I have been informed,
have settled not far from Detroit, in the Michigan Territory.

The following anecdote of a preacher from that country, by the
name of John Messemer, was related to me by the Rev. David Jones,
of the Great Valley, Pennsylvania, to whom it was related by Mr.
Messemer himself.

" While visiting my brethren in these parts," (said the Tunker in
his broken English) " I thought I would go to de city of Philadelphia,
and hear some of de preachers dere. I first went to hear de Univer-
salists ; and I found dey preach no hell dere, but dey seem have no re-
ligion too. I neit go to hear de Methodists, and dey preach all hell,
but dey seem have good deal religion too. I next go to hear de Bap-
tists, and dey preach some bell and some teaven, and this I thought
was de rightest way."

It is difficult to say what are the definite doctrinal sentiments of
the Tunkers ; it is said, however, that they hold the doctrine of uni-
versal salvation, and hence they are often called Universalists ; but
this sentiment they are not forward to advance, nor strenuous to de-
fend ; and it is probable they maintain it with some peculiar qualifi-
cations.

The Tunkers still maintain their former simplicity, and most of
those distinguished religious maxims and peculiar domestick habits,

* Edwards's History of the Baptists in New-Jersev, p. liT



436 Mennoniics.

which Mr. Edwards ascribes to them. But by the best information I
can gain, they have much depreciated as to vital religion, and appear
too generally contented with keeping up their external forms, while but
little of the power of godliness is to be found amongst them. But as
they have not conformed to the unscriptural traditions of men, but
have, in the midst of their lukewarmness and declension, preserved es-
sentially the primitive mode of administering the ordinance of Bap-
tism, we shall give them a place among the American Baptists.

Menncnites.

"THESE have their denomination from the personal name of Men-
no Simon, a native of Witmars, and a man of parts and learning, who
carried the reformation one step farther than either Luther or Calvin ;
and who, no doubt, would have been ranked with the chief reform-
ers, had there not been some cross-grained fatality attending the lau-
dable deeds of Baptists, to prevent their having, in this world, the
praise they deserve. He was born in the year 1505. Got into or-
ders in 1528. Continued a famous preacher and disputer to 1531,
when he began to suspect the validity of many things in the church
cf Rome, and among the rest, that of infant baptism. He discovered
his suspicions first to the doctors of his own fraternity ; but they,
resolving all to the authority of the church, relieved him not. Then
he visited Luther and many besides, who had, at the time, avowed
the word of God to be the only rule of faith and practice in relig-
ious concernments. What satisfaction they gave him, touching oth-
er matters, I do not find ; but their grounding infant baptism on
consequences and expedience, rather than on any express precept or
precedent, increased his suspicion. He then betook himself to the
close study of the New-Testament and ecclesiastical history ; and find-
ing no traces of it in the first and second century, nor yet in the
word of God ; and strong indications of believer? baptism in both, he
renounced the former, and embraced the principles of the Baptists,
notwithstanding the disgrace which the profession had been brought
under by the appearance of some Baptists in the insurrection of those
times, which were common throughout most parts of Germany.*
These insurrections were not of the religious kind, but struggles of
the people for civil liberty against the tyranny and oppression of the
princes. In some of these, not a Protestant of any denomination was
found. In none of them were the Protestant Baptists either the agi-
tators or the most r.umerous ; no, not in that of Munster. The con-
trivers of this, and the first that appeared in it, are well knoVm to be
of other denominations ; and though three Baptists, one by his wealth,
and the other two by their superior 'skill and courage, became princi-
pals in fighting the tyrant and defending the town, yet, had they not
the quilt of the plotters rev of the first insurgents ; nor were the
Bapti.-ts, under their command, many, in comparison of the other citi-
zens and boors which made the whole body of the madmtn of Mimster,
us they are called. Nevertheless, the blame of the whole, is fixed on
ihe Baptists, contrary to all fair dealing and the historical evidence of

* fa\ cmi.es fere german;s partes Uac contagio pervask.

Slcidans Hist, b. 4./>. U$.



Mennonites. 437

facts, and follows them to this day even in foreign countries. Menno
continued preaching and planting churches in the vaikms parts of the
low countries, for a course of about thirty years, and died in peace,
January 31, 1561, after having been hunted like a partridge on the
mountain by both Protestants and Papists. The faith and order of
this eminent reformer may in some measure be gathered from the
fragments of his works which are now extant. A General Baptist, as
that character is understood in Great-Britain, he certainly wat; btil
I have not seen sufficient evidence of his being what is now called
an Arian or Socinian. I rather think that the term Arminian or
Remonstrant, would better suit his religious sentiments. But the
Mennonites in Pennsylvania, and in other parts of the world, have
somewhat deviated from Menno, in matters both of faith and practice ;
particularly in that of baptism. He, in his Declaration concerning
Christian baptism in water, printed in 1539, page 24, expressly saith,
" After we have searched ever so diligently, we shall find no other
baptism besides dipping in water, which is acceptable to God, and main-
tained in his word." After which he adds, page 39, " Let who will
oppose, this is the only mode of baptism that Christ Jesus instituted,
and the Apostles taught and practised." Accordingly Menno was
dipped, and did dip others. His successors did the same, except when
they made proselytes in prisons, or were hindered from going to rivers ;
and this they excused from a consideration of necessity ; just as Cyp-
rian, in his 69th epistle, excuses the usage of sprinkling or pouring in-
stead of dipping, because the subjects were confined to their beJs,
which made it be called Clinical Baptism. But, as in Africa so in Eu-
rope, what was done at first, out of a supposed necessity, became af-
terwards to be practised out of choice. What excused the Mennon-
ites in Europe, excuse them not in Pennsylvania. In the former they
made converts in prisons, whom they could not lead to the water, and
therefore fetched water to them. In the former they were hindered
from going to rivers, and therefore did as well as they could in the
inner chambers ; but in Pennsylvania, every one may do what is right
in his own sight, without either fear or shame. It is earnestly prayed,
therefore, that the Mennonites of America will return to follow Menno
in an affair wherein he was so eminent a follower of Christ, and his
Apostles ; especially as so many of the common people have desired a
restoration of immersion, and have gone off to the Tunkers for the
want of it. Touching the subjects of baptism, the Mennonites still
retain their integrity, by administering the ordinance to none but those
who profess faith and repentance, and make vows of subjection to the
Gospel of Christ ; which keeps up the distinction between world and
church ; for where baptizing infants prevails, there can be no world,
all are church ; but they do not prefer dipping. Their common meth-
od is this : The person to be baptized kneels ; the minister holds his
hands over him, into which the deacon pours water, and through
which it runs on the crown of the kneeling person's head ; after which
follow imposition of hands, and prayer. The parents sometimes insist
on their children's being baptized before they will consent to their
marriage ; which I wish they would not, lest any be forced to a
thing, which should be a matter of personal choice, following convic-
tions and calls of conscience ; for then only is baptism what it should
be, the answer of a good sonscience towards Cod. i Peter, iii. $i.



438 Mennonitcs.

" Th principles and practices of the Mennbnites in Pennsylvania
may be seen in their Confession of Faith, published at Philadelphia, in
1727. This confession, as far as it goes, is orthodox ; and is no other
than a translation of that framed and published at Dordrecht, in 1632,
by deputies from all the Mennonires in Einope. But as the book is
scarce, I may be allowed to mention some particulars.

"The Mennonites do not, like the Tunkers, hold the doctrine of
general salvation ; yet, like them, they will neither swear nor fight, nor
bear any civil office, nor go to law, nor take interest for the money
they lend, (though many break through this last.) Some of them yet
wear their beards; nor are the ancient rites of washing feet. &c. wholly
out of use among them. They, like the Tunkers, use great plainness
of speech and dress. This last is so capital a point with them, that
some have been expelled from their societies, for having buckles to
their shoes, and pocket-holes to their coats. Their chuich government*
like that of all Baptists, is wholly democratical or republican. Their
ministers they choose by balloting ; and when two or more are thus
nominated, they leave it to the decision of lots, which shall be the man.
They do not pay them ; nor do their ministers assert their right to a
livelihood from the Gospel. They are put into their office, by the lay-
ing on of the hands of the presbytery, attended with fasting and prayer.
They call their ordained ministers bishops, which term, though as scrip-
tural as pastor, elder, &c. other dissenters avoid, ab if they were conscious
that the proper office of bishop is not among them. The brothers are al-
lowed to speak in the church by way of exhortation or expounding, but
are not permitted to preach publickly, till they obtain license from the
church. These they call preachers, helps, exhorters. Their aim in
America, is to have a pious ministry rather than a learned one ; but in
Europe they covet both, and have a college among them for the pur-
pose.* The epithets which these people give themselves in their writ-
ings are, Harmless Christians^ Revengelesi Christians, Weaponless Christians,
&c. and as such are they considered by the rulers ot the province, and
by those of ether States. Remarkable, on this subject are the words
of the Dutch ambassador (Van Benning) to Monsieur de Turenne :
The Mennonites are good people, and the most commodious to a
State of any in the world ; partly because they do not aspire to
places of dignity ; partly because they edify the community by the
simplicity of their manners, and application to arts and industry ; and
partly because we fear no rebellion from a sect, who make it an article
of their faith never to bear arms." Their industry and frugality
they carried with them to Pennsylvania, and thereby are become very
wealthy. Some Mennonite families were in the province as early as
the year 1692, who came hither from New. York government, which
at first belonged to the Dutch, and was called New-Netherlands, ex-
tending from the river Delaware to the river oi Connecticut. They set-
tled in the neighbourhood, now called Germantown and Frankfort, &c.
Other families soon followed ; and after them many came directly from
Europe, insomuch that May 23, 1708, there was a church settled at
Germantown, consisting of 52 member!-, which exists to this day, and
is not only the first in the province, but, in some sort, the mother ef all

* At Amsterdam.



Tunker Baptists. 439

the res.t. In about 16 years after, this church had branched out to
Skippek, Conestogo, Great-Swamp, and Monatony, and become five
churches ; to which appertained 16 ministers, viz. Rev. Messrs. Jacob
Goottschalk, Henry Kolb, Martin Kolb, Cleas Johnsen, Michael Zei-
gler, John Gorgas, John Conerads, Cleas Rittinghausen, Hans Burg-
hahzer, Christian Heer, Benedict HircHy, Martin Beer, Johnnes Bo\v-
man, Velter Clemer, Daniel Langanecker, and Jacob Beghtly. The
present ( 1 770) state of the Mennonites in this province is as follows :
ist, Their churches, which contain many branches, are 13. ad, The
meeting-houses belonging to them are 42. 3d, Their ordained
ministers or bishops are 15. 4th, Their probationary or licensed
preachers are 53. 5th, The families are about Rio, which, allowing
5 to a family, contain 4050 souls ; whereof 1448 persons are baptized
and members of their churches. This account, I believe, is pretty ex-
act, except the county of Lancaster hath introduced any error into it ;
for in that county I have not met with as much readiness to give me
the information I sought, as in the other counties ; owing, I believe to
a suspicion, that a knowledge of their state would some way or other
be to their prejudice.

" In the year 1 743, the Mennonites began a settlement in Frederick
county, Maryland, 56 miles N. W. from Annapolis, and 122 S.W. from
Philadelphia; and in 1770, according to Mr. Edwards's account,
their society had increased to about 400 families, in which, allowing 5
to a family, were 2000 souls, whereof 861 were baptized. In this
large community were five ordained ministers or bishops. The Men-
nonites, also founded a society in Augusta county, Virginia, in the
year 175 2, which, at the time above-mentioned, had increased to about
100 families, whereof 52 were baptized."*

From the foregoing accounts it appears, that there were ef the Men-
nonites in America, in the year 1770, 15 churches; about 20 ordained
ministers or bishops, as they call them ; between 50 and 60 probation-
ary or licensed preachers ; 2361 communicants ; 1310 families ; and,
allowing 5 to a family, 6550 souls. Their number has probably de-
creased since that period, although they are at present considerably
numerous. But as they have chaneed the administration of baptism,
from immersion to affusion, and thereby not only departed from the
only scriptural mode of administering this ordinance, but also from
the example of the noble founder of this sect, we shall wholly leave
them cut in our enumeration of the American Baptists.

* Erfjwards's History of the Baptists in Pennsylvania, p. 90 r93.



44O Missionary Societies.

CHAP. XIX.

Missionary Societies.

THE most considerable institution of this kind among the Baptists
in America was formed at Boston in 1802. It must be considered as
an appendage of the Warren Association, as its principal promoters
were members of that body. Since the Boston Association has been
formed, it has been patronized by both of these communities. About
the time this society arose, there were many Macedonian cries from
different parts of the country, and a number of zealous preachers stood
ready to go forth to labour among the destitute, provided they could
have some assistance to bear them on the way. In this posture of af-
fairs, proposition was made by Dr. Baldwin and others for establishing
a society upon a missionary plan. Many were fearful of engaging in
the undertaking ; but an attempt was made, which has been crowned
with abundant success. The first year they received but about 150
dollars, but their receipts have increased yearly, so that they have
now in eleven years received about 12,000 dollars ; most of which has
been expended in sending missionaries in the District cf Maine, in No-
va-Scotia, in the Canadas, and in the back settlements of New.Hamp-
shire, Vermont, New- York, and some other States.