PENSYLVANIA 111 



The clergy of the German nation, it was to be ex- 

 pected, would scatter not only the seeds of the gospel 

 but those of scientific enlightenment as well. However, 

 among the few ministers in all America a few only can 

 give their mind to these things and fewer yet will. 

 With the exception of several worthy men, chiefly in 

 the larger towns, the services of the clergy are very 

 ambiguous. Their position is not an agreeable one. 

 They depend absolutely on the caprice of their congre- 

 gations who (to use their own expression) hire a pas- 

 tor from year to year at 20-30 or more pounds. And 

 so the ministers are often obliged to take charge of 

 several congregations if they are to earn a passable 

 support. Many of them, after the manner of the 

 Apostles, have to carry on another occupation for a 

 living. Mr. Kunze recently paid a visit to a worthy 

 colleague beyond the Schuylkill. When he came into 

 the house the pastor's wife asked him, ' Do you wish to 

 see the pastor or the cobbler ? ' the pastoral office not 

 bringing in enough to support the little family, the son 

 added to the income by shoemaking, in which his father 

 lent a hand. Congregations may dismiss their minis- 

 ters so soon as they have the misfortune to displease. 

 But before that pass, much must happen ; the pastor 

 preaching no strict morality, out of recompense and 

 Christian love little faults on his part are overlooked. 



To be sure, all the clergy in America (outside the 

 English establishment) were without support from the 

 civil authorities, which not inducting them left them 

 to their congregations entirely. Each sect was per- 



sylvania Society, held its first meeting Sept. 15, 1784, the 

 President is Colonel Lutterlobe. 



