eign correspondence is given in the “Halle'sche
Nachrichten,” published from time to time at
Halle, beginning with the year 1744, and later
collected in one large volume (Halle, 1787). In 1784
the University of Pennsylvania conferred on him
the degree of D. D. Dr. Muhlenberg accepted the
symbolical books of the Lutheran church, and on
this basis organized congregations and synods,
though the rigor of his doctrinal position was
modified by the orthodox pietism of Halle. On
7 Oct., 1887, the centennial of his death, exercises
were held at his grave in Trappe, Pa. See
“Biographical Sketch of H. M. Muhlenberg,” by J. G.
Christian Helmuth, added to a eulogy pronounced
at his funeral (Philadelphia, 1788); “Memoir of
the Life and Times of H. M. Muhlenberg, D. D.,”
by Martin L. Stoever, D. D. (1856); “Early
History of the Lutheran Church in America,” by
Charles W. Schaeffer, D. D. (1857); “Autobiography
of H. M. Muhlenberg, D. D., up to the Year
1743,” found in his own handwriting in the
archives at Halle, by William Germann, D. D.
(Allentown, Pa., 1881); “Halle'sche Nachrichten,”
new ed., with annotations (Allentown, Pa., and
Halle, Germany, 1886); and “Life and Times of
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg,” by William J.
Mann, D. D. (Philadelphia, 1887). Dr. Muhlenberg
was the father of eleven children. — His son,
|
|
John Peter Gabriel, patriot, b. in Trappe, Pa., 1 Oct., 1746; d. near Philadelphia, Pa., 1 Oct., 1807, was sent when he was sixteen years of age, with his two brothers, to be educated in Germany. While at Halle he enlisted in a regiment of dragoons, but was released through the intervention of friends, returned to this country in 1766, studied theology, and was for a time pastor of Lutheran churches in New Germantown and Bedminster, N. J. In 1772 he removed to Woodstock, Va., where many Germans from the middle states had settled. In order that he might enforce the payment of tithes, it was necessary that he should receive Episcopal ordination, and to secure this he went to England, where he was ordained priest. He continued to labor in Virginia until 1775, when his ardent patriotism and military spirit induced him, at the solicitation of Gen. Washington, with whom he was acquainted, to accept a colonel's commission. After he had received his appointment he took leave of his congregation in a sermon in which, after eloquently depicting the wrongs this country had suffered from Great Britain, he exclaimed: “There is a time for all things — a time to preach and a time to pray; but there is also a time to fight, and that time has now come.” Then, pronouncing the benediction, he threw off his gown, displaying a full military uniform. Proceeding to the door of the church, he ordered the drums to beat for recruits, and nearly 300 of his congregation responded to the appeal. To a relative, who subsequently complained that he had abandoned the church for the army, he said: “I am a clergyman, it is true, but I am a member of society as well as the poorest layman, and my liberty is as dear to me as to any man. Shall I then sit still and enjoy myself at home when the best blood of the continent is spilling? . . . . Do you think if America should be conquered I should be safe? Far from it. And would you not sooner fight like a man than die like a dog?” Muhlenberg at once marched with his men to the relief of Charleston, S. C., and his “German regiment,” the 8th Virginia, gained a reputation for discipline and bravery. He was present at the battle of Sullivan's Island, and, after taking part in the southern campaigns, was promoted brigadier-general in 1777. After being engaged at the Brandy wine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown, where he commanded the 1st brigade of light infantry, he was made major-general at the close of the war, before the army was disbanded. He had been in 1774 chairman of the committee of safety of his county, a member of the house of burgesses, and in 1776 he was a delegate to the State convention. On returning to civil pursuits he was at once elected a member of the Pennsylvania council, was in 1785 chosen vice-president of that state, with Benjamin Franklin as president, and served as presidential elector in 1797. He was elected a member of the 1st congress, and re-elected to the 2d and 3d, serving from 4 March, 1789, till 3 March, 1795. He was again elected afterward, and served from 2 Dec., 1799, till 3 March, 1801, in which year he was chosen to the U. S. senate as a Democrat, but resigned before congress met, having been appointed by President Jefferson supervisor of the revenue for the district of Pennsylvania. In 1803 he was made collector of the port of Philadelphia. A statue of Gen. Muhlenberg, by Blanche Nevin, has been placed in the capitol at Washington, D. C. See “Life of Major-General Peter Muhlenberg,” by his great-nephew, Henry A. Muhlenberg (Philadelphia, 1849). — Another son, Frederick Augustus Conrad, b. in Trappe, Pa., 1 Jan., 1750; d. 4 June, 1801, was also educated at Halle, Germany. On 22 Sept., 1770, he and his brother, Henry Ernest, returned from Germany. He was ordained to the ministry on 25 Oct., and became his father's assistant. In 1773-'6 he was pastor of Christ German Lutheran congregation in New York city, where he was very successful and highly esteemed, but, on account of his sympathies with the patriots during the Revolution, he was compelled to leave New York, and resided for a time with his father at Trappe. In 1777 he moved with his family to New Hanover to take pastoral charge of that part of his father's field of labor, and soon afterward of the congregations at Oley and New Goshenhoppen. He was well known to the British as a supporter of the American cause, and on that account suffered a great deal, but his friends exerted themselves in his behalf. The necessity was felt at this time that the Germans should have a representative in congress, and, as he seemed to be peculiarly qualified for this post, he was elected, 2 March, 1779. In August of the same year he laid aside his pastoral office and entered on a political career, in which he was eminently successful. Until the end of his life he was called on various occasions to the highest posts of honor and responsibility, being a member of the Continental congress, twice speaker of the Pennsylvania legislature, and twice speaker of the U. S. house of representatives. — Another son, Gotthilf Henry Er-
