OF LANCASTER COUXTY, 



401 



Dr. Muhlenberg died at Lancaster, after a protracted illness, atte.ule.l with Krvat 

 physical .sufferings, borne with Christian fortitu.lc and resignation, July n, 1SG7 i„ tl,o 

 73d year of his age. 



Muhlenberg, Henry Ernst, D.D.,i was the youngest sr.n of llcnrv Melchior Muhlen- 

 berg, D. D., and was born at the Trappe, Montgomery county, Pa.', in tlu« yi-ar 17.-i:5. 

 The rvidiments of his education he received in his native place, and.' after the n'in..v:ii 

 of his father to Philadelphia, he attended the public schools in that city. In the Spring 

 of 17G3, when in the tenth year of his age, with Iiis brothers Peter ai"i<l Frederick, ho 

 was sent to Europe, to finish his Academic studies, and to lay the foundation of' hi» 

 theological course. After a voyage of seven weeks, tliey readied England, and s-H.n 

 after they sailed for Holland. The brothers proceeded directly to Halle, and young 

 Henry, having been placed under the care of an attendant, went by way of Oldenburg, 

 Bremen and Hanover, with the intention of visiting Eiid^eck, his father's native jdaee, 

 and in which many of his relatives still resided. On the journey an incident oceuiTcd 

 which showed the resolute purpose, wiiich even at that early period of his life he jjos- 

 sessed. Having been basely deserted by the man to whose protection lie liad U^en 

 confided, in a land in which he was an entire stranger, he commenced tlie long joiuney 

 on foot, without money or friends, in no way depressed or disposed to desjiond. As ho 

 approached the end of his dark and dreary jcmrney, when almost exhausted by tlio 

 fatigue, he was met by a stranger, whose benevolent heart was touched, when he lieaixl 

 the sad tale of the inexperienced youth, and pitying his helpless condition, lie gener- 

 ously carried him on his back to Einbeck, and cheered him by the way with the recital 

 of pleasant stories. He never ascertained the name of this kind friend wlio relieved 

 him in his lonely situation, but at the time he confidently believed that it was some 

 good angel, commissioned by Providence to afltbrd aid to him in this hour of need. He 

 Avas soon after sent by his friends at Einbeck to Halle, where he at once conunencecl 

 his studies, to use his own language, "among the orphan children at tlie Orplian 

 House." In this school he continued for some years, spending a larger time in the 

 highest classes than was necessary, as he had not yet reached tlie age re(piired for ad- 

 mission into the University. Tiiis he entered in the year 170i>, and remained a mem- 

 ber about one year. After an absence from his home of seven years, it was natui-al 

 that he should wish to return. He thought it desiral)le. also, to take advantage of Dr. 

 Kunze's company, who was about to sail for the United States, a trip across the ix-can, 

 in those days, being a much more formidable undertaking than at the present. During 

 his residence abroad, he had made good use of his time and opportunities, storing his 

 mind with useful knowledge, and disciplining it for futiu-e effort. He also sccui-ed tho 

 acquaintance of some of the most learned theologians of Gennany, with whom lie. in 

 after life, maintained a correspondence, and whose friendship he found of gi-eat value 

 to him. 



Dr. Muhlenberg arrived in this country in 1770. and was the same year onlainod by 

 the Synod of Pennsylvania, then in session at Reading. He immediately comnieneiMl 

 the work of the ministry, and w^as associated in his labors for many yeai-s. with his 

 father, who was still pVeaching in Philadelphia, and had charge of sevei-al congrega- 

 tions in the vicinity. He occupied this field till 177G. when, in conseciuenoe of his 

 attachment to his coimtry, and his devotion to the principles of the American Kevohi- 

 tion, he was obliged, with his family, to flee from the city on the approach of the Krit- 

 ish. Although he afterwards returned for a season, he was again forci-d to n-tiiv, 

 during the occupancy of tlie city by the enemy. Disguised under a blanket, and with 

 a rifle on his shoulder, narrowly escaping by the way with his life, he withdivw to tlio 

 coinitry, where, relieved for a time from professional duties, he engaged with git>at real 

 in the study of Botany. Here, no doubt, was awakened that anient an.l enthus.a.st.c 

 love for this favorite piu-suit, which afterwards so strongly manifested its*.lf. On the 

 1 Abrkl-ed from a sketch in the Evangelical Kevlew for April, l-5i. 



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