, composed of pastors and elders. A general
Synod of representatives, four pastors and two elders, from the Synod of
each province united the whole. We cannot but think that Muehlenberg's
familiarity with these arrangements in Mark Brandenburg was a part of
the training which influenced him in the organization of the church
here. And in Halle itself, Spener had earnestly advocated the advantages
of such arrangements. He fervently desired and commended the above
peculiar provisions, so unfamiliar to the Lutheran Church generally in
Germany.

CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, PHILA.

When Muehlenberg came to Philadelphia in December, 1742, he presented
his credentials and was accepted as pastor, in behalf of the
congregation assembled in the Swedish Church, by the three elders and
four vorsteher.

The first change made by Muehlenberg and Brunnholtz was in 1746, partly
for the purpose of legally securing the property. The deed of the
property, and the responsibility for debts incurred in erection of the
church, were in the name of four vorstehers. Under the law, trustees
could hold church property in trust, and twelve trustees were appointed,
to whom all these things were transferred. These trustees were named by
Brunnholtz and Muhlenberg, [tr. note: sic] the pastors being of the
number. There was no limit of time established, but a vacancy made by
death or removal was filled by election by the remaining trustees. But
these persons are afterward called elders. For legal purposes they were
trustees, and the property held by them as such. But they were a body of
elders, not elected by the congregation, but chosen by the pastors at
first, and self-perpetuating. They selected the vorsteher and presented
their names to the congregation to afford opportunity for objection. If
not objected to they were installed. These trustees, including the
pastors, with the vorsteher, elected by themselves, constituted the
church council. As at the time of the reformation, recourse was had to
the princes as rulers, so here in the beginning it was thought wisest
and safest to vest the government of the congregation in a few set over
them by authority. Under this arrangement, the administration of affairs
went on from 1746 until steps were taken to prepare a new constitution,
in 1762.

An address to the congregation in 1757, presents a survey of the whole
course of procedure. Brunnholtz says: "1. On the XII. Sun. p. Trin.,