REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES (GERmAx) was founded by emigrants from those provinces of Germany in which the Reformed church prevailed. Driven by persecution at home and encouraged by William Penn's offered gift of land. a large number of them settled in Pennsylvania in the early part of the 18th century. Their first minister was rev. George M. Weiss, who, with 400 members, settled in Mont gomery where a congregation was organized and a church built—the first of the denomination in America. Every year the number of emigrants increased, not only from Germany, but alsb from other states of Europe. Some of them settled in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina; but the larger portion went to Pennsylvania, east of the Susquehanna. They were destitute of ministers, organized churches, and teachers, and, in a great degree, of books. Poor at first, they were indus trious, prudent, and moral. so that their temporal and social condition gradually improved. The formative period of the church began in 1746, when rev. Michael Schlatter, a Reformed minister from St. Gad, Switzerland, was sent to labor in America. He visited nearly all the German settlements. preaching, organizing churches, settling pastors, and establishing schools. In 1747 he organized the first synod. He then visited Europe to solicit aid, and having traveled through Holland, Switzerland, Germany, and England, obtained a large fund, the interest of which was devoted to the support of ministers and teachers in America, and to purchase Bibles for distribution among the people. lie also persuaded sonic young ministers to emigrate to America, five of whom went back with him. The church retained a position subordinate to the church of Ilol land for 46 years, during which time emigration increased, but the spiritual destitution continued. For 150 churches, there were not more than 22 ordained ministers. In 1793 the synod assumed the right to govern itself, and to have the sole care of their churches in America. The succeeding period of 30 years is not easy to describe. The people
increased in numbers and wealth. Congregations multiplied. Many Germans went westward, and churches were planted in Ohio. The ministers also increased in number, from 22 to 82. But the standard of education among them was lowered. Instead of graduates from the universities of Europe, a majority of the young ministers were from the American church, and of imperfect education. And with the want of learning there came also an ignorance of its value. Ecclesiastical disorder also followed; laymen some times administered the sacraments, and some ministers were disposed, as individuals, to ordain men on their own judgment. The influence of rationalism in Germany and of deism in England was disastrous. But the reaction in Germany extended also to this country, and the revival of faith increased in power. After a struggle of seven years, the theological seminary was commenced at Carlisle in 1825; was removed to York, 1829; to Mercersburg, 1835; and continued there until removed to Lancaster, 1871. The establishment of this seminary and of Marshall college in connection with it, marks a new epoch in the progress of the church. The standard of ministerial qualification was raised, the number of students enlarged, and a spirit of philosophic thought evoked which has produced a distinct and much-controverted movement in theology and church life. See MERCERSBIIRG THEOLOGY. The education thus provided supplied the means for introducing worship and preaching in the English language; and from 1825 to the present time, amid much opposition, that change has been progressing. In 1879 a declaration of faith was prepared, designed as a settlement of differences in the church. and setting forth the Heidelberg catechism, in its historical sense, as the standard of doctrine. In that year, according to official reports, the church contained 6 synods. 45 classes, 714 ministers, 1374 congregations, 151,761 communicants, and 91,637 members not confirmed. The amount of contributions reported was $586,481.