preachinw the Word and administering the sacraments, introducing salutary discipline for the goveniment of the churches, and performing other kind services, in his desire to repair the waste places of Zion and promote the cause of genuine piety. The care of the churches rested upon him. lie had the confidence of the people; his presence everywhere inspired hope. His opinions were valued ; his influence was boundless and unprec- edented. The first three years of his ministry in this country, Dr. JIuhlenberg resided in Philadelphia; the next sixteen at Providence. In 17GI he returned to Philadelphia, and remained fifteen years, the condition of things in the congregation there requiring his pres- ence. In 177G he resumed his charge in the country. During the War of the American Revolution, because of his devotion to the principles involved in the strug- gle, he excited against him tlie most violent opposition, and his life was often exposed to imminent peril. He ■was warned and entreated to remove farther into the interior from the scene of hostilities, but he always re- fused. He was extensively known, and his relations to the Revolution were well understood. Many took ad- vantage of his position, and persons of all classes resort- ed to his house. "His home," says a contemporary, "was constanth' filled with fugitives, acquaintances and strangers, with the poor and hungrj', noble and common beggars. The hungry never went away unsatisfied, nor the suffering uncomforted." The last few years of his life Dr. Muhlenberg's health gradually declined. His mind, in prospect of death, was calm, sustained by a humble yet firm reliance ujion the Saviour of sinners. When the summons came, with entire, composure, and in confident expectation of a blissful immortality, he yielded up his spirit, and rested in the bosom of his God. His active and useful career terminated Oct. 7, 1787. His death was the occasion of wide-spread and unafl'ected sorrow. The people grieved that they should no longer see his face and listen to his paternal counsels. He was the friend and father of all, and all regarded it as their duty and privilege to mourn "their father, friend, example, guide removed." In many places the bells were tolled, the churches enshrouded in mourning, and funeral sermons delivered, in grateful remembrance of the departed, and as testimonials of the respect his worth everywhere inspired. The honored remains of the patriarch peacefully rest near the church which was so long the scene of bis earnest labors, and in which he so often dispensed the symbols of the Saviour's love among the jjcople of God, and animated them in their Christian pilgrimage by the hopes and consolations of the Gospel. The history of Dr. INIuhlcnberg's life is the history of one of the noblest minds, consecrating its learning, its affections, its influence, its energies, to all the interests of the Church and of humanity, to the glory and service of that Saviour who redeemed him with his own precious blood. He possessed a combina- tion of qualities which peculiarly fitted him for the du- ties he was called to perform. Gifted by nature with the highest powers, which had been brought under the ^influence of the best culture; endowed with a noble heart, which had been sanctified by divine grace and disciplined in the school of affliction; and in the pos- session of a physical constitution which in early life had been inured to labor; with an ardent, active piety, an earnest and enthusiastic devotion to the work, nothing seemed wanting for tlie successful accomplisliment of his mission. He was the man kindly raised up by Providence for the particular emergency rcepiired at the time in this western liemisphcre. The most sanguine expectations of bis success were entertained by those who selected him for the mission. These expectations were more than realized. His praise is deservedly in all the churches. He has left a name fragrant with the richest honor attainable in this life — that of a good man, sincere in his professions and upright in his con- duct, widely esteemed and greatly beloved. His society was sought and his influence courted by the learned
men of the day. By the special invitation of the fac- ulty he attended the Commencement exercises of Prince- ton College, and from the University of Pennsylvania he received the doctorate in divinity, a distinction in those days rarely conferred, and only upon those whose claims to the honor were unquestionable. See Hel- muth, Denkmal der Liebe v. A chtunf], etc. (Phila. 1788) ; Stoever, Life of 11. M. MiiMenherfi (Phila. 1856) ; Evang. Qu. Her. (Luth.) i, 390. m\. (^\. L. S.)
Muhlenberg, John Peter, a Lutheran minister, was the oldest son of Henry ^lelchior Muhlenberg, and was born at the Trappe, ^Montgomerj' County, Pa., Oct. 1, 1746. His early education was conducted by his fa- ther and Dr. Smith, of Philadelphia. In the sixteenth year of his age he, with his two brothers, was sent to Germany to be educated at the University of Halle. On his return to this coiuitry, in 1768, he was ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church, and was for a season pastor of churches in New Germantown and Bcdmin- ster, N. J. In 1772 he removed to Woodstock, Dun- more County (now Shenandoah), Ya., where many Ger- mans from the Middle States bad settled, and, forming themselves into a congregation, requested Dr. Muhlen- berg to send them his son as their rector. These Lu- therans, in consequence of the laws then existing in Virginia on the subject of Church establishment, had organized as members of the Swedish branch of the Lutheran Church, and in order that their minister might enforce the payment of tithes, it was necessary that he sliould be invested with episcopal ordination. Accordingly Mr. Muhlenberg repaired to England for the purpose, and in connection with Mr. White, after- wards the venerable bishop of I'ennsylvania, was or- dained as priest by the lord bishop of London. He con- tinued his labors in Virginia till 1775, when his ardent patriotism and military spirit induced him, at the solic- itation of general Washington, with whom he was on the most intimate terms, to accept a colonel's commis- sion in the army. It is said that after he had received his appointment he preached a valedictorj- to his con- gregation, in the course of which he eloquently depict- ed the wrongs our country had suffered from Great Brit- ain, and then added that "there was 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 deliberately laid aside his gown, which had thus far concealed liis mili- tary uniform, and, proceeding to the door of the church, ordered the drums to beat for recruits. Nearly three hundred men enlisted under his banner, with whom he immediately marched to the protection of Charleston, South Carolina. He was present at the battle of Sul- livan's Island, and performed a conspicuous part in all our Southern campaigns. Having been promoted in 1777 to the rank of brigadier-general, he held command in the battles of Brandywine and (Jermantown, and shared the dangers and responsibilities of Jlonmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown. He continued in the ser- vice until the close of the war, and was then promoted to the rank of major-general before the army was dis- banded. After the war, under the old constitution of Pennsylvania, he was elected vice-president of the state, with Benjamin Franklin as ])resi(lent. He was chosen for several terms as a representative in Congress, and also served as a presidential elector. In 1801 he was selected by the Legislature of Pennsylvania as I'nited States Senator. He was likewise honored with several executive appointments, .lefferson appointed him su- pervisor of the revenue fur Pennsylvania, and afterwards collector of the port of Philadelphia, wliich oflice he continued to hold during Madison's administration. He retained the confidence of the government till bis death, and enjoyed the esteem of the community. He died at his residence near Gray's Ferry, Philadelphia, Oct. 1, 1807, and was buried by the side of his father at the Trappe. See Anderson, Hist, of the Colonial C/iurc/ies of Ureal Britain, iii, 269, (M.L. S.)