MUHLENBERG, HEINRICH MI:Lotion, D.D. 1711-1787; b. Einbeck, Hanover, then a free city of Germany. His parents were Saxon, but having suffered neatly in the thirty Years' war removed to Einbeck. His father was a member of the council, and held a judicial appointment. His mother was the daughter of a retired officer, and a woman of sense, energy, and piety. By them the son was religiously trained. The death of his father occasioned an interruption of his studies. His early life was one of privation and toil. From his 12th to his 21st year he toiled incessantly to assist in the support of the family, yet improved every leisure hour for mental culture and the acquisition of knowl edge. At the age of 21 he became tutor in the school of Raphelius at Zelleafeld. In 1785 lie entered the university of Gottingen, where lie remained three years. The influ ence of Dr. Oporin, who received him into his family, and employed him as an amanu ensis, was excellent, and from that time he became an active Christian. Graduating at Gottingen he went to Halle, where, besides studying he taught in the orphan house. He associated intimately with Franckc, Ce]larius, and Fabricius. By their advice he decided to prepare for the missionary work, and Bengal was selected as the field of his operations. Soon after his ordination, and while making arrangements for his departure to India, application came from Pennsylvania to Germany for some one to be sent to labor among the destitute of that colony. The faculty immediately selected Muldenberg, who was then in his 31st year. He reached America in 1742, to the great joy of the German Christians He found t! e church in a deplorable condition, the Lutheran popu lation having been much neglected. His arrival marked a new era in the history of the Lutheran church in the United States, its condition gradually improved, and frequent accessions were made to the ranks of the ministry, of men educated at Halle, and thor oughly devoted to their work. He took the pastoral care of the associated churches of
Philadelphia, New Hanover, and Providence, which had united iu calling a minister, and these three congregations were the principal scenes of his ministerial labors, though he preached in all the Lutheran churches of his day, and his aid was often requested from neighboring churches whose differences he seldom failed to reconcile. He often made long journeys to gather the scattered flock, preach the word, administer the sacraments, introduce salutary discipline, and perform other kind services. His influence was unbounded. The first three years of his ministry he resided in Philadelphia, the next 16 in Providence. In 1776 he resumed his charge in the country. During the war of the revolution his sympathy with the colonists excited great opposition, and his life was often in peril. Though advised- to remove into the interior from the scene of hostilities, he refused. He was extensive& known, and his views were well understood. Many of all classes, taking advantage of his position resorted to his house. "His home," says a contemporary, "was constantly filled with fugitives, acquaintances, mid strangers, with 'the poor and hungry, noble and common beggars. The hungry never went away unsatisfied, nor the suffering uncomforted." At his death there was deep and wide spread sorrow. In many places the bells were tolled, the churches shrouded in mourn ing, and funeral sermons delivered. Dr. Muhlenberg was a man of rare excellence. 'He possessed a combination of qualities which eminently fitted him for the duties to which he was called. Gifted by nature with great mental powers which were highly cultivated', he devoted himself fully to the fulfillment of his mission. His society was sought by the learned men of the day. The university of Pennsylvania conferred upon him the doc torate in divinity, rarely conferred in those days, and only upon those of unquestioned distinction.