LANCASTER COTJNTT. 229 



1756, and through an mterpreter, had a long conversa- 

 with Beissel, touching the condition of the country. 



Peter Miller was a native of Oberant Lantern, came 

 to America in 1730 ; soon after his arrival, was ordained 

 by a Scotch Synod, at Philadelphia; received as a mem- 

 ber of the Society at Ephrata, by being baptized in 1735, 

 and remained sixty-one years, to the day of his death, 

 September 25, 1796, a member thereof. — His remains 

 rest in the grave yard at that place. 



He was well known in the religious and literary 

 world. It is said, he translated the Declaration of Inde- 

 pendence into seven languages. His correspondence was 

 extensive ; he was visited by hundreds : General Lee, 

 David Rittenhouse, Count Zinzendorf, and several noble- 

 men of Europe, have been the guests of the establishment. 

 We have space to insert a few of his correspondents' 

 communications. The first is from a female; the other 

 is " a rhymic effusion,^ ^ by a young gentleman of Phila- 

 delphia, written many years ago, in consequence of a 

 visit he made Peter Miller, and to whom he dedicated 

 the Poem. 



September 29th, 1774. 

 Sir: — Your very respectable character would make me 

 ashamed to addres you with words merely of form. — 

 I hope, therefore, you will not suspect me of using any 

 such, when I assure you, I received the favor of your let- 

 ter with great pleasure. And permit me, sir, to join the 

 thanks I owe to those worthy women, the holy sisters at 

 Ephrata, with those I now present to you, for the good 

 opinion you and they may have of me. I claim only 

 that of respecting merit, when I find it ; and of wishing 

 an increase in the world, of that piety to the Almighty, 

 and peace to our fellow-creatures, that I am convinced is 

 in your hearts; and, therefore, do me the justice to 



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