ing the delicate task assigned them in the true spirit of christianity, and with a single eye to the union and harmony of the congregation, are ready and anxious to enter into a conference with the corporation, and flatter themselves, that their overtures will be met with the same spirit which dic tated this application, and which actuated the members of the congregation they represent. They have full confidence, that the good sense and Christian sentiments of the corporation will induce them to meet this overture without delay, and that an arrangement will be made, satisfactory to all parties, and which will reinstate the congregation in its former flourishing condition, so desirable to its best friends, and the prosperity of the Lutheran church. By order of the Committee.

Mr. George Honey, President of the Corporation.

(Signed) M. LEIB, Chairman. September 26, 1815.

NOTICE.

The Members of the German Lutheran Congregation, favorable to the introduction of divine service in the English, as well as German language in their churches, are earnestly requested to attend an adjourned meeting at the school house in Cherry-street, on Tuesday evening next, the 31st instant, at half past 6 o'clock.

Philadelphia, 30th October, 1815. (Committees to report.)

Observations addressed to the members of the German Lutheran Congregation, in and near Philadelphia, upon the subject of preaching only German, and the consequent decline of their Congregation.

THE sole object of all religious institutions among Christians, is to propagate the gospel. In this great point all the various sects agree. We behold as members of the Bible Societies established in the United States, Christians of every denomination. We see in them, the Quaker, the Episcopalian, the Methodist, the Baptist, the Catholic, the Universalist, the Presbyterian and Lutheran, however divided on other points, united in this first Christian principle, to disseminate the Gospel. The transactions by these societies of the Holy Scriptures into ever known language, for the purpose of gratuitous distribution, establishes this beyond the possibility of dispute. If the Scriptures be susceptible of being translated into all languages, the doctrines they contain can, with equal perspicuity, be preached and expounded in them all. The Christian religion is an universal religion intended for all mankind, and no system is in conformity to it, which is pinned fast to any language. In the exercises of devotion, if we have a heart filled with thanksgiving, and feel our dependence for support upon an all-merciful God, it is no matter in what language our prayers are offered. The prayers of the Frenchman and the Spaniard, of the German and American, are equally intelligible, and equally accepted. God is no respecter of persons-nor of language.

But we see further, not only Christians of all the various denominations mentioned, united to disseminate the gospel-but we see each different sect zealously striving to make proselytes to their particular tenets. The erection of churches, in which their own doctrines only are suffered to be preached, in every direction where there is a possibility to collect a congregation, is at once a demonstration of this fact. Within a very few years, in

this city and its liberties, how many Quaker, Baptist and Presbyterian meet. ing houses have started up? How long is it since the Episcopalians built a church, who, it is known, are now building another, perhaps, in some degree, to flourish upon the ruin of yours. And have not able and zealous preachers risen with them, and made proselytes and congregations? Have not these congregations been kept together and supported? Are they not in increasing and flourishing circumstances, whilst yours bears the strongest marks of de cay ? And can we for a moment doubt, but that these exertions and these institutions have the best effects upon the lives and morals of society? Are they not laudable and praise worthy? Should examples of this description be overlooked? Or should they be followed? Should we close our minds to the lessons of instruction they give us? Or should we profit by them ?-Let those who with sincerity believe the Lutheran tenets, put their hands upon their hearts, and conscientiously answer these inquiries, and act accordingly. It is hoped the foregoing observations have demonstrated-First, That the only object of religious institutions is to propagate the gospel, and that no Christian system depends upon language. Secondly, That as it is the practice of every Christian sect to make the way to a knowledge of their doctrines smooth and easy, it is likewise the duty of every one who conscientiously believes the Lutheran tenets, to aid in their support and propagation.

It will now be shewn, that, in consequence of the endeavor in this country to inculcate the Lutheran doctrines in the German language alone, the Lutheran worship and tenets have declined with the German language.

"There

The first Lutherans in the city of Philadelphia were Germans. They form ed a congregation, built a church, (St. Michael's) and obtained a charter from the Proprietary government, in the year 1765. This charter recites, that the communicating members of the congregation, amounted to above five hundred heads of families," were "too numerous to be conveniently seated in one house of worship," and authorizes the building of a second church. This second church (Zion) was built-the congregation increased and flourished, and, whenever service was performed, both churches was filled. But let us consider the condition of the congregation in 1765, fifty years ago, with but St. Michael's church. And what was its condition? That church could scarcely contain two-thirds of the then congregation. There were "above five hundred heads of families who were communicating members." were two, three, and four hundred children of the congregation baptized yearly." And were they neglectful of these children so baptized? Did not those who originally erected this Lutheran church care about their descend, ants, their posterity? Consult the records they have signed.-Let the deeds. of these our venerable ancestors, who now moulder in the grave-let Zion's church, (built for the youth of the congregation) a standing monument of their desires, reared by their industry, speak of them.-In these times past, there was an animation and spirit that well suited a religious society, a Christian congregation. What a sad reverse now! How inanimate, how dead, how spiritless, how deserted in 1815! Look at our places of worship. Look at the present congregation, and cannot more than all the attending (to say nothing of the communicating) members be accommodated in St. Michael's church, which was too small fifty years ago? The answer may be reluctant, but it must be-Yes! The number of children christened now, and the number of confirmants in each year, are small in the same proportion. There is of late no increase, but a constant dimunition. So long ago as the year 1780, when an act from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amendatory of the first charter, was obtained, a third church was authorized and contemplated to be built-but it never has been, while churches for the reception of all other religious persuasions, except the Lutheran, have since then been doubled and trebled. And to what cause is all this to be attributed, but that the preach ing in the Lutheran churches has been in a language not suited to the times, to the country, to the society where this congregation exists. In the early part of their establishment they flourished, because they were suitable to the

"

time, the country, the society--but now they are going to ruin and decay, be cause they are not adapted according to these circumstances as they now exist. Fifty years ago; Philadelphia did not contain a third of its present inhabitants. The Germans then were as large a proportion as any other description of the population. Where they existed in such numbers the German language in a great degree prevailed. They built churches, and preached in German, because it was generally understood. But what is the situation of things now? Is the German language in this large city understood by as many persons now as it was then? Look at your empty churches and schools, consult your families, your children, and you are fully answered. How very small then must the number, who understand German, be in proportion to the present large population? The character of the population has entirely changed, and how great the necessity of change and reform along with it! How important to adapt your churches to the times, and to the circumstances of society, by preaching in a language that now prevails. Can ingenuity itself devise, a reason, why in such a situation of things, the German language should be preached, in utter exclusion of the English? Why cannot German and English be preached in the same congregation, as well as they can both be spoken in the same family? This does not disturb the harmony of families, and how can it that of a congregaton? If Lutheranism is to be kept up, it is matter of imperious necessity to expound the doctrines of Luther in English, as well as German. Those who ask for English service have no disposition to do away the German. They are willing to put both languages on the same footing-to have the German preached as long as the English. They consider themselves, as Germans and the descendants of Germans, bound by honor and by duty to support the Germans and their interests, within any reasonable bounds. But they fear some of the Germans do not comprehend their own interests. They are dividing, they are separat ing the German family. They will lose the advantages they might reap in society, by maintaining a union and understanding with those born in this country, of German descent. If they persist in their adherence to German preaching alone, what do they do, but endeavor to cut off their own children along with others, from being partakers of the gospel benefits. A house thus divided against itself cannot stand. You, who send missionaries abroad, that are anxious about the conversion of the Indian and Heathen of every description, do not disregard the welfare and happiness of your own child or grand-child's soul, or the soul of your fellow citizen, because he does not un derstand the German. Neither the Indian or the Heathen understand it, and when you are concerned about those you will perhaps never see, those among whom you live surely deserve some of your solicitude and regard? Let it be recollected that English preaching is asked, upon condition that the Ger man goes and continues along with it. Reflect that this is a reasonable proposition. That it is so reasonable it should carry unanimously. That nothing else will unite, will harmonize the congregation, and put the apprehension that the German will be done away for ever at rest. You cannot deny it, and do your duty to your family, your neighbor, and your God. Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you, for that is the law and the prophets. It is the great Christian rule of justice. If you do not practise this now, perhaps, in a little while, you will have occasion to repent it in sackcloth and ashes. Then you will recollect who those were who wanted to secure your German, and who wished English preaching upon that principle alone Do not turn into enemies those who are disposed to be your friends. Circumstances that cannot be controled have given, or at any rate soon will give, a preponderance to those who desire English service. Your own sons every day increase their number, and what will your situation be, if, in the might of their power, they rise and obtain English preaching and English service, without any condition at all, as it regards the continuance of the Ger man. The present is the time to harmonize the congregation-do your duty as parents and members of society-unite-let the congregation revive and

Nourish-Its decline is seen, is felt-and no more wisdom is necessary to per ceive the remedy, than to be in the possession of common sense.

Extracts from an original German work, entitled, "Robinson the younger, an amusing book for children, appertaining to the general School-encyclopedia, by Joachim Henry Campe.-Fifth Edition, Reuttlingen, printed by John Jacob Fleischhauer, 1800."Intended to illustrate the meaning of the phrase "mit Leib und Leben."

The above work is partly narrative, and partly dialogue. Robinson's story is told by a father, to his children and family, and the observations made among them constitute the dialogue. The concluding part of the preface, page 16, is as follows: "Before I take leave of my reader, let me be permitted, to call the attention of those interested in the education of the young, to another design, which during the composition of this book, also became in my view, of much importance. By a true representation of real family-scenes, I wished to give to instructors, an example of parental and filial behavior, not entirely superfluous, such as ought necessarily to exist between a preceptor and his pupils. Where this happy deportment is once introduced with all its natural simplicity, many of the steeps and hindrances which impeded the progress of moral education, sink of themselves; but, where it is not,-well,-there recourse must be had to the circle of scholastic subtilities, where deviations are so manifold, where every thing is far from being settled throughout a seeming sufficiency of observations.

"Besides, this design contains the reason, why I rather introduced real,' than fictitious characters speaking; and generally preferred copying conver sation which was in my way and real, to making such as would have been secret or subtile."

According to the author Robinson lived upon a desolate island, and had rescued a savage, whom he afterwards called Friday, from his enemies who were about to destroy him. In pages 245, &c. the following narrative is contained :-"He (Robinson) gave him (Friday) also to understand by signs and gestures, that altho' he had taken him under his protection, yet it was only upon condition of the most implicit obedience; that he must therefore be content to do, or not to do, all that he, his Lord and King, should think proper to command, or to forbid. He made, use of the word Cacique, by which the savage Americans designate their chiefs, as he luckily remembered to have once heard.-More by this word, than by the signs connected therewith, did Friday understand the meaning of his Lord, and discovered his satisfaction, by repeating several times in a loud voice the word Cacique, at the same time pointing to Robinson, and then again throwing himself at his feet. Yes, to shew that he well knew, what the royal authority signified he grasped the spear, put the same into the hands of his Lord, and placed the point thereof upon his own breast, probably by this means to shew, that he was in his power mit Leib und Leben. (with body and life).

Page 373.

"Robinson startled, and asked hastily, who was there? "O Lord! O Lord! answered Friday, one-two-three-six canoes! In his anguish he could not recollect the number six.

"Robinson scrambled quickly up the hillock, and discovered, not without horror, the truth of what Friday had reported-Six canoes filled with savages that were just about landing.-He came down again in a hurry, encouraged the trembling Friday, and then asked him if he was determined to stand true in support of him, in case a battle ensued between him and the savages? Mit Leib und Leben, (with body and life,) answered he, who by this time had recovered himself, and recalled his warlike valor. Well then,

replied Robinson, we will try if we can prevent these barbarians, from ef fecting their horrible purposes. I will acquaint you with my designs upon the way, it is now no time to talk, but to do.-Page 378. "He who sees all, knows why we have ventured our lives, and no doubt will preserve us our lives, if of use to us. His will be done! Upon this he reached his hand to his fellow-warrior, and they reciprocally promised to stand true in support of each other, with the last drop of blood.” (Several of the savages were now killed.)

When the inhabitants of the island had increased to three besides himself it is said pages 387, &c. "The latter (Robinson) could not refrain from smiling at the thought, that he became constantly more like a regular Sovereign. The whole island was his property, his subjects who were all indebted to him for their lives, depended only upon his will, and were bound to venture for him Leib und Leben, (body and life,) if necessary."

Upon the prospect of a large increase of inhabitants it is said page 406, "Whoever wishes to live upon Robinson's island, and to partake of its conveniences, must bind themselves-page 404, 4thly, "without murmur to perform all sorts of labor, that shall be necessary for the good of the whole society, and in case of need to support the Lord of the island, mit Leib und Leber, (with body and life.")