Origin and progress of the German missions in the Methodist Episcopal church, including an account of the Christian experience of some of the converts from popery and infidelity, as furnished by themselves

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Preface

In arranging the materials for the present work, the author has done the best he could, for the limited time allowed him from his ministerial and other pressing engagements. Whether it should be favorably or unfavorably received by the Christian public, he will have tne satisfaction of having discharged, what, after due reflection, he deemed a duty— that of snatching from oblivion some important facts calculated to strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of the friends of missions.

When our German missions were commenced, we had but one solitary missionary in the field. Some of our brethren were in favor of giving up this small beginning ; and concluded that our operations and success could be but very limited. Others, again, appeared to be confident that new fields of usefulness would open, and that the Lord of the harvest would convert and send forth men competent to the work. And such, to a wonderful extent, has been the result. Some of the very first German converts in Cincinnati, and other places, have become devoted and successful missionaries. Several ministers, too, who had previously been preaching in English, thought that a larger sphere of operations presented itself in

4 PREFACE.

the German work, and entered accordingly. In this way the cause has been gradually increased; and, from present indications, we may safely say, we have but just entered on the threshold. Much, under the blessing of God, is destined yet to be accomplished.

It may indeed be thought out of the ordinary course, to publish a history of these missions at this early period of their existence. But when we look at the extraordinary work of grace which has been wrought, and at what remains to be done ere the thousands of our German population are brought under the influence of the Gospel of Christ, we deem it, as before remarked, our duty to give these accounts to the Christian public, in order to excite them to greater diligence and zeal in this glorious cause.

There are many persons who, although they have frequently read of German missions, in detached and scattered fragments, yet have very incorrect views of their general character and importance ; and who frequently ask the question, " Can any thing be done, on an extensive scale, for the Roman Catholic and infidel Germans ?" or, "Are many of them converted under the labors of our missionaries?" Such questions will be answered in the following pages.

That the blessing of the great Head of the Church may accompany the perusal of the following pages, is the author's sincere prayer. Adam Miller.

Cincinnati, 0., July, 1843.

Introduction

The Methodist Episcopal Church has been decidedly missionary in her character and operations through every period of her history; and while it has been the 'constant aim of her ministers to obey the injunction of the Savior, " Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," they have uniformly depended on the agency of the Holy Spirit for the accomplishment of their great object — the diffusion of " Scriptural holiness over these lands." Encouraged by the declaration of the great Head of the Church to his disciples, " Lo, I am with you always," these self-denying and holy men have gone to " distant, barbarous climes," to publish "glad tidings of great joy" to those who are "perishing for lack of knowledge." Many of her early missionaries, whose memories we should cherish with veneration, have, after successive years of industrious toil, and a noble sacrifice of the interests of this world, fallen at their posts; and are now reaping the reward of their labors in the Church triumphant. But notwithstanding this, the missionary spirit continues to live in our Church. The venerable M'Kendree, while, by an eye of faith, he viewed the prom-

8 INTRODUCTION.

ised rest, looked also on the marshaled host following in the rear, and exclaimed with his departing breath, " All is well."

It is to her missionary character that the Methodist Episcopal Church, under God, owes her widely extended, and still extending, influence. Her sphere of operation has not been confined within the borders of civilization. Some of her ministers have gone to proclaim the Gospel of the grace of God to the untutored Indian in his wigwam, and others to the shores of injured, insulted, and long neglected Africa, offering precisely the same Gospel to the sons of Ham.

While these missionaries were laboring in distant fields, supported by the prayers and contributions of their Christian friends at home, the Church, watching the openings of Providence, so as to be able to make farther advances into the territories of moral darkness, beheld the situation of the thousands of Germans who annually come to seek a home for themselves and their families in this land of freedom. She saw the hand of an all-wise Providence opening the way; and, following this opening, she sent her servants to preach to this people in their own native language, to invite them to come and partake of a full and free salvation by faith in the atonement of Christ. Numbers have already heard and obeyed the invitation ; and, with humble joy, they now can testify that " Christ has power on earth to forgive sins;" and that they have " found redemption

INTRODUCTION. 9

in his blood, even the forgiveness of their sins." Among those who have thus been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, are numbers who were Roman Catholics ; and instead of counting their beads, instead of paying a considerable part of their income to be saved from purgatory or to have their time therein shortened, instead of calling upon departed saints to pray for them, they now come directly to a throne of grace, in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ ; and in this, the only right way, find "peace, and righteousness, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

In the following pages the opportunity is afforded to some of our German Methodists of testifying to their English brethren, who have taken such a deep interest in their welfare, that the Gospel of Christ to them has been " the power of God unto salvation." The writer has often been delighted and edified in listening to the religious experience of our German brethren in love feast and class meeting; and he thinks that others would be equally delighted and edified to learn the " reason of the hope which is in them."

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS

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Chapter I. Observations On Germany

In a history of our German missions in this country, it may be proper, in the commencement, to say a few things in reference to Germany itself. It is situated in the heart of Europe, and includes a large territory of country, extending from the Baltic Sea to the Alps, and from the borders of Holland almost to the Turkish dominions. In this vast extent of country one common language is spoken, properly called the German. There is, however, a considerable difference of dialect in the different states, or provinces of Germany ; and this difference is much greater than is generally found among the American or foreign English. This may be accounted for from the fact that the Germans, in their own country, have not contracted those migratory habits which characterize the people of this country — their civil regulations raising many barriers to their emigration from one part of the country to another.

Hence most of them are brought up in the immediate neighborhood in which they are born, and live to old age without so much as traveling beyond the borders of their own state. This is especially the case with the peasantry of Germany. Mechanics, however, generally travel to perfect themselves in their profession, yet uniformly retain the dialects of their respective provinces. Owing to these circumstances, the German language has become greatly corrupted among many of the uneducated class of community. Provincialisms have crept in, or have descended from the original Germans which prevailed before the language arrived at its present grammatical accuracy. The language of the pulpit, the bar, and the schools, however, is the same throughout all Germany ; and continual efforts are made to introduce a uniformity into the language by instructing the youth at school in pure German. There is a great difference between the German and the Dutch languages. They are, in fact, two different and entirely distinct languages. The former is spoken in Germany, and the latter in Holland. This is a distinction not generally known in this country. All Germans, by most people, are called German or Dutch indiscriminately ; while there is in reality as much difference between German and Dutch as between German and English.

Chapter II. Immigration Of Germans To America

The tide of German immigration to America commenced with the early settlement of the New World, and continued with a gradual but small increase for a long time. Within a few years past, however, there has been an astonishing augmentation. Thousands on thousands have recently come to seek a home in our country. In 1842, the New York Sun reported the arrival of upward of fourteen thousand German immigrants at that port in the short space of a few months, and stated that nearly the whole of them without delay removed to the west in order to settle down on the lands purchased by them in the new states and territories. Numerous extracts might be made from public journals containing similar statements, but the above is sufficient to show the rapid influx of the Germans into our country.

It is very difficult to ascertain the precise number of Germans in the western states. Various and widely differing statements have been made, some undoubtedly too high, while others have fallen much below the real number. A man of extensive acquaintance with the history of the west, estimates the German inhabitants in Ohio alone, at four hundred thousand. This I am inclined to think is much too high. That the number is very great, however, is 2 known to all who have paid any attention to the subject. In some parts of Ohio, whole villages have sprung up within a few years, composed of an almost entire German population. Here they have their own schools, and the religious services are likewise all performed in their own language. By this means, in these places, as well as in densely populated German settlements, the language will he perpetuated to generations yet to come. The great majority of these immigrants are of the laboring class, whose well known tiaits of character are industry and economy ; consequently, a large proportion of them are not only tillers, but actually owners of the soil. The oppression which they have endured in their fatherland, makes some of them the more sensible of the privileges they enjoy in this, their adopted country, and leads them more readily to appreciate the blessings of our free institutions. Others again will doubtless abuse their privileges and blessings. Multitudes of them, not having been permitted, as a general thing, to read the Scriptures, and to think for themselves in matters of religion, are enveloped in that thick darkness which always has been, and always will be, the result of the Papal system. Many of the Protestants are Christians only in name. The great truths of the Gospel have never been urged upon them. Numbers of the clergy in the old country are themselves strangers to the power of the Gospel, having been brought up to the ministry by the choice of parents or guardians, as persons are brought up to the other professions, merely for the sake of emolument, while a Divine call to the ministryis lost sight of. "Like priests, like people," is an old adage, and is generally a true one. There are, however, evangelical Gospel ministers in Germany, who stand up against the darkness and corruptions that pervade the whole community; but these are comparatively "few and far between."

Chapter III. Commencement Of German Missions

Sometime before the work of preaching to the Germans in their own language was commenced by the Methodist Episcopal Church, the necessity and importance of it were seen and felt by some, who freely expressed their opinions on the subject. In the year 1835, when the Rev. Thos. A. Morris, now Bishop Morris, was editor of the Western Christian Advocate, a letter was addressed to him, under date of March 9th, 1835, in which some reference was made to the spiritual destitution of many of the Germans, and the importance of preaching to them in their own language. The writer of the letter, having had a knowledge of the German language from childhood, though by that time having forgotten a great part of it, declared his willingness to abandon some other favorite studies, and devote himself wholly to the study of the German; and expressed a readiness to go to any field of German labor to which the Church might call him. In an article, referring to this letter, the editor makes the following remarks :

" The German immigrants are becoming numerous at several prominent points in the west, and will probably continue to increase for years to come. From their general habits of industry and simple modes of living, they will probably enjoy good health, and be a very fruitful race, and accumulate much wealth, in this land of peace and plenty. Most of them are said to be Papists either by profession or education. Those who belong to the Lutheran or other Protestant sects, finding little or no provision for their religious instructions here, except in English, which they do not understand much, and love less, are naturally led from the religion of their fathers, to seek places to worship among those speaking their own dialect. Many Christians feel concerned for the spiritual welfare of these strangers in a strange land, and ask the question, What can be done for the Germans among us ? The plan too generally pursued does not appear to answer the purpose. The Protestants, who ought to be actively employed, by every suitable means, to bring these strangers and sojourners among us to the saving knowledge of the truth, seem to be too well content with standing off, complaining of « His Holiness, the Pope,' for sending them over to us, and trying to excite alarm by vociferating, 6 Foreign conspiracy,' « Inquisition,' ' Mother of harlots,' &c. And while all this well-meant, but fruitless outcry is going on, the Papists are laying a foundation deep and broad enough to secure and perpetuate a general influence over them and their children, by simply providing for them the means of religious worship (such as it is) in their own language. Who does not see, that in this they are wiser than their Protestant neighbors ?

" But what can be done toward saving the German immigrant? On this subject our opinion has been for sometime made up, which we will venture to express in few words. We ought to go to work and aim to excel our ' Catholic neighbors ' in every good work ; but especially, we should supply the Germans with Bibles, tracts, Sunday schools, and a preached Gospel, in their own language. This would be a much more successful method of leading them from Popery to the saving knowledge of the truth, than that of newspaper war with the Jesuits.

"This subject, on which we have often reflected before, was called afresh recently by reading a letter from one of our young preachers of German descent, who thinks it his duty, for the present, to study English and German, rather than Latin and Greek. We approve his decision ; for though it is highly commendable in our young ministers who can, to study the dead languages, the knowledge of English,

German, and French, promises much more immediate usefulness in our country."

From the above it will be seen, that this subject was viewed as one of great importance. But, at this time, the question, Where shall we get a suitable man to engage in this work ? remained unanswered. The young man above referred to, for want of reading and practice in speaking, was not yet prepared ; and no other one, in the west, was known of, as adequate to the task.

It may be proper here to observe, that at the conference in Cincinnati in the autumn of 1833, the subject of a mission to the Germans in Cincinnati was strongly talked of by the Book Agents, the Rev. Messrs. C. Holliday and J. F. Wright; and if a suitable man could then have been obtained, it is probable a commencement would have been made.

During the year 1835, Mr. Wm. Nast, now favorably known as the editor of the Christian Apologist, was converted to God, after having passed through a long struggle with unbelief, and many doubts and fears. The writer having been acquainted with him previous to his conversion, and learning his deep mental gloom and anxiety, while under the awakening influence of the Spirit of God, could but feel a deep interest in his welfare, and hope that the great Head of the Church would lead him in a way he had not known, and make him an instrument in his hands of much good to his countrymen. When his conversion took place, of course those hopes were strengthened; and, blessed be God, since then have been fully realized.

Mr. Nast having had the advantages of a good university education in his own country, was, in the year of his conversion, licensed as a local preacher in our Church, and immediately commenced his ministerial work.

A short time before the session of the Ohio conference, which was held in Springfield, O., August 19th, 1835, a letter was published in the Western Christian Advocate, over the signature of John Glanville, of St. Louis county, Mo., of which the following is an extract:

" Dear Brother Morris, — Your mentioning some weeks since the interest you felt in the spiritual welfare of the German immigrants in the west, and the letter you inserted over the initials of 6 A. M.,' induce me to request you to use your influence to get some one or more preachers of that description transferred to this conference. We have vast numbers of Germans in this and some of the adjoining counties. Many of them are Protestants, and all are sheep without a shepherd. They cannot understand our preaching, nor do they like to attend our meetings ; but any thing in German will call their attention. Could we have a German missionary here, I am satisfied good would be done among them."

In reference to this letter, the editor made the following remarks :

" German missionaries are much needed, not only in Missouri, but in Cincinnati and various other parts of the western country. The Germans desire something done ; our people are willing, yea, anxious, to support such missions : our General Superintendents, we are sure, feel every disposition to act: God is willing to crown the effort with success ; and now is the time to strike. We have waited long enough, too long, for Providence to do the work without any co-operation on the part of the Church. The only difficulty which appears to us, is in the obtaining men of the peculiar qualifications necessary for the work: they must not only possess deep piety, a sound understanding of the doctrines of the Gospel, and the spirit of sacrifice in common with their brethren, but must be able to speak the German language fluently. There are, doubtless, a few ministers of our order who can speak it with sufficient plainness to be understood ; and if the work be only commenced in good earnest, the Lord will raise up young Germans to carry it on with success. Is it not, at least, our duty to make the effort? To this question thousands of pious hearts will respond an affirmative answer."

From the following pages the reader will learn that the above predictions were not fanciful speculations indulged in from a momentary impression ; but that they were uttered as the result of mature reflection, and that they have literally been fulfilled.

At the Ohio conference of 1835, the Kev.

Wm. Nast came recommended from Mt. Vernon circuit, as a suitable person to be received into the itinerant connection, and was accordingly received, and, for the year, appointed missionary to the Germans of Cincinnati. This was the first regular appointment of the character alluded to our Church ever made. Brother Nast arrived at his post and commenced his labors about the middle of September. In his commencement he met with many discouragements, arising from various sources. It may be proper here to mention some of the difficulties with which he had to contend ; and by which his want of success, to the extent that was anticipated by the friends of the enterprise, may be accounted for. They are noticed not only as historical facts ; but also for the purpose of showing that commencements, apparently unsuccessful, in matters of religion, often prove eminently prosperous when we are fully brought to realize our own inefficiency, and consequently that we should not hastily abandon a good work because we do not meet with immediate great success.

Brother Nast, though a native German, had spent seven or eight years previous to his entering the ministry among the English. During a great part of this time, he was engaged as Professor of Ancient Languages in a college, and of course had very little occasion to use his native language. This want of practice, for so long a time, made it difficult for him in the commencement of his work to preach in his mother tongue.

Moreover this was his first year in the ministry ; and, as a matter of course, he lacked the experience which is so essential to ministerial success. The mentioning of this cannot be viewed as undervaluing the talents and zeal of our first German missionary ; for all are aware that some of the qualifications requisite for the ministerial work can only be obtained by personal observations and forming an extensive acquaintance religiously with men and things.

There was also found to be great opposition to the undertaking amongst the Germans themselves. A spirit of persecution arose, which, had it not been for the excellent laws of our country that guaranty to all persons the privilege of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own conscience, would frequently have broken out in mob violence.

Amid all his discouragements, however, the missionary persevered with untiring diligence. He visited from house to house, as far as he could gain access to the people. And after laboring several months, under the embarrassments just enumerated, with others besides, he made a report to the Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from which we take the following extract:-—

"I arrived at my post on the 15th of September. On taking a retrospective view of the first quarter of my probationary ministry, I mourn and tremble, when I reflect on what I might and what I ought to have done. At the same time, I thank and praise my God, that though it seemed as if I had no liberty to speak as I ought to speak, yet his Spirit found way to some hearts. One young German rejoices in the pardon of his sins,* and five others are desirous to be taught the way of salvation. When I look at myself, I am cast down ; but, blessed be God, I am not in despair. What should I fear, while power is given me to believe that I am engaged in the work of God. I have met with a most violent opposition from my countrymen. In the German paper printed in this city, I have been repeatedly attacked in the spirit of the most bitter contempt ; but it had the good effect of drawing out a congregation. On Sabbath I have hitherto preached only in the evening, partly from the want of a meeting-house, and partly because I could not expect a congregation during the church hours of the other German ministers. But I made two appointments in the vicinity of Cincinnati, one in the house of a converted Catholic. My hearers there are a few Catholic families that have been searching the Scriptures for sometime. I feel as if the Lord had prepared the way. For all these openings of a kind Providence, I desire to be thankful, and request the people of God in their prayers to remember the German mission at Cincinnati."

* This young man in a few years became a preacher, and has ever since been one of our most successful German missionaries.

Here we see the dawn of a glorious work among the Germans, which has gradually increased, until hundreds have already been made the subjects of the converting grace of God; and still the work is deepening and widening — spreading east, west, north and south ; and the cry is heard in various directions, " Send us German missionaries." Prejudice has been removed from the minds of many ; and they are no longer satisfied with the outward forms of religion, but wish to enjoy it in ail its life and power. Many who have been at ease in Zion, and who have had a name to live, while they were dead, have, through the preaching of our missionaries, been brought to an experimental knowledge of salvation. Among these are some who were brought up in the Roman Catholic Church, and others in the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches. Others, again, have come to us from the ranks of open infidelity, and even several from the Jews. Many of them have indeed been brought in at the eleventh hour, their gray hairs and trembling limbs telling, m language not to be misunderstood, that they had well nigh finished their earthly pilgrimage. They were brought to see themselves sinners, and sought and obtained the pardon of their sins. Several have already died in the triumphs of living faith, and have gone to reap their glorious reward in the " house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Many heads of families have been converted, and, in some instances, whole households, including husband, wife and every child old enough to know good from evil. The writer is personally acquainted with a number of such families ; and he is rejoiced to state that in some cases, the husband, who was formerly dissipated and intemperate, disagreeable and abusive to his family, has now erected in his domestic circle the altar of devotion. All the members of the family live in harmony, and dwell in a quiet and peaceful habitation. Instead of contention and discord, the voice of prayer and the songs of praise are heard. A happy change, indeed! Many will thank God in time and in eternity, that the Methodist Episcopal Church ever sent her missionaries among them.

From a small beginning in the latter end of the year 1835, this glorious work has gradually spread; and now we have a missionary in nearly every principal town and city in the west, in which the German population is numerous. Having already referred to the origin of this work, we shall now notice its progress and extension up to the present time. And while we record, with gratitude to the great Head of the Church, the revivals of religion among the native Germans, we will also give an account of the personal experience of some of them, by which it will be seen that the effects of evangelical conversion are the same among all classes of men, however varied their language, education, habits and prejudices.

Of hundreds of Germans it may be said, 3

26 ORIGIN AND FROGRESS OF

that they who were once not a people are now the people of the Lord. They have been led in a way which they knew not. The object of many of them in immigrating to America, was the accumulation of wealth — the laying up of treasures on earth ; but now they have found the pearl of great price, and are endeavoring to "lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal." And the language of their glad hearts is, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

Chapter IV. Progress Of The Work During The First Year In Cincinnati

At the end of the second quarter, the missionary reported nine members received, and says, " These, together with five old members of the Church, who lend a helping hand, make up a good class. Though little has been done, none but the Lord could do it ; and he who has commenced the good work is able to carry it on. We will thank him for what he has done, and trust him for what is to come ; but if I should not succeed in winning my countrymen to Christ, I would beseech my brethren not to give up the German cause. The Germans, generally speaking, are not like those who hear the word, and anon, with joy receive it, but having no root in themselves endure but for a while. They will not lay their hands to the Gospel plough until they have fully made up their minds." With this little band the missionary continued to labor ; and some of those who at first made great opposition, now began to look on with indifference.

The number of members reported on the class-book at the close of the third quarter, was twelve. These, with their pastor, were looked on with disdain by their enemies ; yet they were firm to their purpose, offering up their daily prayers for their countrymen. The General conference was in session at this time in Cincinnati. The Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society was in attendance as a delegate ; and during his stay, he received the missionary's third quarterly report, to which he made the following preface, which was published in the Western Christian Advocate : " Cincinnati, May 24, 1836.