Though separated by the ocean, the Church in Amer- ica was always in close sympathy with the Church of Germany, the profound reaction against Rational- ism, which began to reveal its presence there during the second decade of the present century, was almost simultaneous with a revival of a better faith in the bo- som of the American Church. The first decided indi- cations appear in the records of 1815, and from that time onward with gradually increasing clearness.^ In that year we meet the first recognition of the Heidel- berg; "^ Catechism. In all the records preceding this time, we find no reference to any confession of faith.
GERMAN REF. CH. IN^ A^IERICA 826 GERMAN REF. CH. IN AMERICA
In 1820, the sj'nod enjoins on all ministers to use no other book but the Heidelberg Catechism in the in- struction of 3'outli jireparatory to confirmation. The ■want of literarj- and theological institutions seems to be n)ore deeply- and generally felt. Earnest and per- severing efiorts are made to establish a theological sem- inary. In isl'j the constitution is revised and amend- ed. The territory is subdivided into classes; a classis corresponding to a presbj'tery in the Presbyterian Church. And the synod, instead of being a general convention of all the ministers and one elder from each parisii. as it had been since ITiT, becomes a delegated body composed of ministers and elders chosen by the classes.
The revival of faith and activity resulted finally, af- ter a struggle against much opposition extending through seven years, in the creation of a theological seminar}' ijy the Synod of Bedford, Pa., in 182-1. The Kev. Lewis Jlaj^er, D.D.,was chosen professor of the- ologJ^ The seminary opened at Carlisle, Pa., the fol- lowing spring. Removed to York in 1829, the insti- tution was finally, 1835, located at Mercersburg, Pa., ■where it still remains. AVitli the seminary was re- moved also to JNIercersburg the high-school opened at York in 1830. This school, under a charter granted bj' tlie Legislature of the state, became Marshall Col- lege in 183G.
The opening of the theological seminary constitutes the most important epoch in the historj' of the Church in America. Followed soon after by the creation of a classical institution of a high order, it was the means of quickening the historical faith and dormant ener- gies of the Church. Though several decades of years ■were necessary in order to unfold the moulding power of these institutions in the sphere of philosophy, theol- ogy, and practical life, yet a new impulse ■was at once given to thought and life. The standard of qualifica- tion for the ministrj"- was elevated. A much larger number of pious young men responded to the call of God to preach the Gospel. The ministrj' increased rapidly. Religious periodicals ■were .established : first, one in English, 1828; and several years later, one in German, 183G. A board of domestic missions and a board of beneficiary education were created. The be- nevolence of the people was evoked. Greater zeal manifested itself for the extension of the Church. AI)out this time, also, some men were admitted to the ministry who could preach acceptably in English, and were thus prepared to meet the wants of the younger membership in the cities and larger towns ; wants arising from the growing prevalence of that language among the German people ; for, until 1825, with per- haps but two or three exceptions, all the pastors con- ducted public worship exclusively in the mother tongue ; in consequence of ■which, scores of families, who preferred the English language, had, during the previous fifteen or twenty years, in particular locali- ties, passed over to other denominations. The transi- tion, tliough generally gradual, caused no little dissen- sion and confusion in nearlj' ever}- congregation where the change was felt to be necessar}', owing to the firm.- ness with which the older people clung to German worship. At present this ditlicultv has been surmount- ed throughout nearly all portions of tlie Church west of the Susf|uehanna and south of the Potomac, where the English language is now generally used either ex- clusively or in conjunction with the German ; but east of the Susquehanna, where the Pennsylvania dialect of the German language has been perpetuated among not less than fift}' thousand of her people, and whei-e the great majority of ministers conduct public worship h\ the mother tongue, the problem still awaits solution.
Though the theological seminary and the gradual introduction of the English language both met a great ■ft-ant and proved to be a great good, j'et> the Church was therel>3' exposed to new and serious dangers. This spiritual awakening united positive and negative ele-
ments. It w-as the assertion and development of the old faith, and, at the same time, a reaction against what was defective and wrong in her American history. This reaction, modified by contact with the Presbyte- rian, Methodist, and other denominations, for a -while confounded what was true and good in the past with what was false and evil, and was disposed, with the abuse of catechisation, confirmation, the observance of the great festivals of the Church year and other cus- toms, to set aside these customs themselves, and thus ignore the historical character of the German Reform- ed Church. The false tendencj' prevailed most gener- ally' among the congregations that had introduced the use of the English language. The German sections of the Church enjoyed a large measure of protection. As the prevalence of the German language deprived them of the advantage of fellowship with the English denominations, so it shielded them also measurably against the transforming influence of a foreign spirit.