LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW - Concordia Lutheran Seminary

92 LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW XII
which he received the previous year. While he recognized that Schultze had
probably misrepresented the reactions in London to his own “confused letter
out of New York”, Muehlenberg still had problems with Ziegenhagen’s
advice that he remain in his rural congregation. He wrote,
If I am to be a victim for Hanover and Providence, my remaining strength
will be expended. I cannot raise my children under such conditions but must
commend them to God. If the Reverend Fathers in mercy would release me
from carrying out this impossible task, then I will remain with one or even no
congregation but will stay in my home, lead my family in spiritual matters
through God’s grace and seek to supplement my earthly support through
honourable secular work. 129
For the next four years, Muehlenberg’s letters to London were directed not
to Ziegenhagen but to Albinus. As well, though letters were still directed to
Ziegenhagen and Francke jointly, some were also directed only to Francke.
On 22 February 1752, for example, Muehlenberg wrote to Francke,
“Regarding the New York situation, please confer with Court Chaplain
Ziegenhagen and send me your final directive. When I have before me the
word and statement of the Reverend Fathers, I can function joyfully and my
conscience will be at peace.” 130 These words have a strange ring to them,
given the fact that Muehlenberg must by this time have received the advice
separately from Francke and Ziegenhagen telling him in no uncertain terms
that they felt he should stay where he was and not go to New York.
In a brief note to Muehlenberg on 9 August 1752, Francke tried to mend
matters between Muehlenberg and Ziegenhagen. He wrote that Muehlenberg
had not correctly understood Ziegenhagen and that Schultze had twisted his
meaning further. 131 He followed this up with a carefully worded letter on
13 September 1752. 132 But, by the end of 1752, the development of the
church in Pennsylvania and hence the relationship between Muehlenberg and
the “Reverend Fathers” had reached a new phase. The Ministerium of North
America, which had been organized in 1748, 133 was meeting annually and the
Pennsylvania mission field was developing a distinct corporate identity.
With eight pastors and two catechists serving over twenty congregations at
the beginning of 1753, Muehlenberg had assumed a strategic leadership role.
Thus, the reports from Muehlenberg to Ziegenhagen and Francke now
focussed on the developments and conflicts in various congregations within
the Ministerium and not just within his own congregation. Francke continued
129 Muehlenberg to Albinus, New York, 1 June 1752, printed in Aland 1:515-524.
130 Muehlenberg to Francke, Providence, 22 February 1752, printed in Aland 1:496-507.
131 Francke to Muehlenberg, Poelzig, 9 August 1752, printed in Aland 1:529.
132 Francke to Muehlenberg, Halle, 13 September 1752, printed in Aland 1:530-38.
133 E. Clifford Nelson, ed., The Lutherans in North America, rev. ed. (Philadelphia: Fortress
Press, 1980) 49.