j with the halter, because of his zealous attachment to the cause of the IJevolution, he found it necessary to
\ tlce from the scene of danger. Disguised inider a blanket, and with a ride on his shoulder, he had nearly fallen into hostile hands tiirough tlie treachery of a
' Tory innkeeper, who had intentionally directed l»im to take the road by which the British were a|)priiaching. Warned, however, in season, lie succeeded in making his escape, and reached New Hanover in safety. Ke- lievcd for a time from professional duties, he engaged with great zest in the study of botany, and acquired that love for this favorite pursuit which afterwards so strongly manifested itself. On the election of his broth- er to a civil office he succeeded him as pastor. In the
MUHLENBERG
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MUHLENBERG
year 1780 he removed to Lancaster, where he labored ill the ministry with great efficiency, enjoying the un- interrupted regard of his congregation, and exercising an influence in the community which it is rarely the privilege of the most highly favored to enjoy, until his death, which occurred May 23, 1815. He was a man of vigorous intellect and extensive attainments. He was an able theologian, a good linguist, and was dis- tinguished as an Oriental scholar. Kis acquisitions in medicine, chemistry, and mineralogy were also con- siderable. As a botanist he had a European reputation, and was in correspondence with the most distinguished savans of the Continent. His Catalogus Plantarum and Descriptio Uberior Gramiiium are well known. His Flora Lancastriemis is still in manuscript, as well as several treatises in the department of theology and ethics. (M. L. S.)
Muhlenberg, Henry Augustus, a minister of the Lutheran Church, noted, however, more as a states- man than as a theologian, was the son of the preceding, and was born at Lancaster, Pa., May 13, 1782. He was largely educated by his father; and, after studying theology, was ordained for the ministry, and became pastor at Reading, Pa., in 1802. Poor health obliged him to resign in 1828, and he retired to live on a farm. He was, however, not suffered long to enjoy this life, for he was chosen member of Congress in 1829, and so continued until 1838, when he was made minister to Austria, a position which he held until 1810. He also held other political offices. He was a candidate for gov- ernor of his state in 1835, and declined in 1837 the sec- retaryship of the navy and the mission to Russia. He published the life of his uncle, Gen. Muhlenberg (Phila. 1849).
Muhlenberg, Henry Melchior, D.D., the pa- triarch of tlie Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amer- ica, was born Sept. C, 1711, at Einbeck, in Hanover, then a free city of Germany. He was the son of Nico- las Melchior and Anna Maria Kleinschmidt, originally Saxon, but who, like many of the earlier followers of the great Reformer, having suffered severely during the Thirty-years' War, which for a time threatened the ex- termination of the Protestant religion in Europe, re- moved to Einbeck. His father was well known in the community, and highly esteemed. He was a member of the city council, and also held a judicial appointment, from which he derived the necessary means for the sup- port of his family. His mother was the daughter of a retired officer, and is represented as a woman of sterling good-sense, great energy, and devoted piety. Henry was early dedicated to God in Christian baptism, and was carefully instructed by his parents in the principles and duties of the Christian religion. These influences were never effaced from his mind. In his j-outh he laid the foundation of that character which proved so valuable in his future life. In consequence of the death of his father his studies were interrupted, and he was thrown upon his own resources for a support; but his leisure hours were faithfully devoted to the acquisition of knowledge. Noth- ing could repress his love of stud v. His early life was years of privation and toil, yet without this preparatory discipline he would probably never have acquired those habits of self-reliance and systematic effort, that strength of purpose and heroic determination, which so promi- nently marked his subsequent career, and contributed so much to his usefulness in this Western World. From his twelfth till his twenty-first year j'oung Muhlenberg toiled incessantly in his efforts to assist in the mainten- ance of the family, yet during the intervals of repose he improved every opportunity afforded him for mental culture. On reaching his manhood he secured the po- sition of tutor in the school of Raphelius at Zellerfeld, and the time not officially employed he devoted to study. In the spring of 1735 he entered the University of Gottingen, where he remained for three years, tri- umphing over all the difficulties he encountered, and VI.^Zz