dam constitution underlies the
Swedish organization, the influence of which on the German churches we
have described. The London book was in the hands of Muehlenberg and the
other German pastors in Penna., given to them by Ziegenhagen in London.
Muehlenberg became acquainted with the Dutch Lutheran constitution,
based on that of Amsterdam, in 1745, at the Raritan, and in 1750-1752 at
New York and Hackensack, where for two summers he was pastor of
congregations in which it prevailed. His estimate of it was very
favorable; he says: "These Pastors (of the Dutch Church in New York)
introduced a constitution, which they have prepared after the model of
that of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amsterdam, and it was
subscribed by them, as well as by the Elders and Deacons, and hitherto
the Agende of Amsterdam has been used, all which were very well suited
to the circumstances in America, and served to edification." The
influence of these two constitutions, of Amsterdam and London, on those
by whom the gradual completion of the work of organization in Penna. was
made was very prominent. The London Constitution was the basis of that
furnished by Ziegenhagen, Urlsperger and Francke to the Salzburgers, who
settled in Georgia, and exerted an important influence on later
congregations in that State and in the Carolinas. Having had the
continuous approbation and commendation of Boehme and Ziegenhagen, court
preachers at London, by whom, to so large an extent, the German
immigration to this country was directed and counselled in religious
matters, to whom nearly all correspondence was primarily directed, and
who stood so near to the sovereign of the colonies, by whom also the
calls to the Halle Missionaries were given them though the men were
chosen at Halle; this constitution came to the Halle Missionaries
clothed with great weight of authority. It is, therefore, right and
proper, that above all others, these two constitutions should receive
our careful examination. As that of Amsterdam is the earlier, and the
original basis of the other, we will first describe it, and then show
the modifications made at London.

The _Constitution of Amsterdam_ was originally adopted in 1597 and bore
the title "Kerkelijke Ordonnantie, for the government, in the doctrines
of the Divine Word, administration of the Sacraments and other matters
pertaining to the administration of the Church, of the Congregation and
Church at Amsterdam, which assembles