The Lutherans of Berbice. 75 



In 1769 a step long contemplated (since 1753) was taken by petition- 

 ing the Court for a grant of 500 acres of land known as De Kleine 

 Maripaan (Augsburg). The Court, however, put such a heavy tax on the 

 acquisition of new land, that the plan of having an estate, had to be 

 abandoned until some time after, when the Community was allowed to pay 

 the tax in ten annual instalments and Mr. Botzer then proceeded to lay 

 out the estate ( Augsburg). Their funds being in very low water again, 

 and the Receiver General pressing for acre money, some of the other 

 members, Messrs. J. A. Pool and Co., and Mr. J. Van Nooten, of Amster- 

 dam, advanced the required sum, more slaves were bought and an exten- 

 sion of the cultivation undertaken. 



In 1774 their debts were so pressing that security for payments was 

 made by a formal deed. 



In the year 1813 differences arose between the members, and the 

 Court was petitioned by some of them to enquire into the management 

 of their funds, depleted by mismanagement, the high death-rate of their 

 Ministers, and the expenses incidental to bringing them from Holland to 

 Eerbice. 



In 1832 the regulations in force for the guidance of the Community 

 were very stringent to prevent self-interest in the management of its 

 affairs " which shall be observed with great exactness." An account of 

 their transactions was to be submitted to their Community. Power was 

 taken to make alterations in the management of Church properties, and 

 the rules were required to be registered in the Colonial Secretary's Office. 



No slave could hold a vote or become a member of their administra- 

 tion. The Sacrament was to be administered twice a year, Ministers were 

 to keep a Register of Baptisms and Marriages. 



In 1875 a Commission was appointed to enquire into the affairs of 

 this body in consequence of a petition of one Joseph Hicken and others, 

 under the chairmanship of Mr. Attorney General Haynes Smith. The 

 opposing factions were represented by counsel, and as an outcome of this 

 it was agreed that the Bank (British Guiana, now the Royal Bank of 

 Canada), would not permit any of the capital to be touched, and that it 

 was better to defer legislation. The dissension appears to have arisen 

 out of the improper disposal of funds and the attempt to sell one of the 

 properties. 



Matters continued in this unsatisfactory condition until 1888 when a 

 Bill to provide for the administration of the Funds of the Community 

 was passed by the Combined Court. 



The Committee appointed by the Court to report heard counsel as 

 representing the Established or Reformed Lutheran Church, and the 

 Evangelican Lutherans as represented by the Attorney General (the 

 Chairman) who represented the Trustees appointed by the Court. 

 Various objections were raised by Dr. Belmonte to the powers given in 



