harge
of the congregation there. Muehlenberg was, of course, a pastor there
also, but in the division of labor, the actual care of the congregation
was committed to Brunnholtz. That Muehlenberg was consulted and gave his
consent is to be supposed, but that he gave way to the desires and plans
of his associate is natural. At the Trappe, where Muehlenberg lived and
had charge, he introduced an arrangement which was different from that
at Philadelphia, and which may naturally be supposed to represent his
views, as the other did those of Brunnholtz. As it is the earliest
written document having at all the nature of a congregational
constitution which has come down to us from the Halle men, an account of
it may well deserve a place.

CONSTITUTION OF THE TRAPPE CONGREGATION, 1750.

"In the year of our Lord 1750, May 27, in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church called Augustus Church, in Providence township, Philadelphia
County, the following persons" (twelve names given) "were elected as
church council, by the whole congregation, at a free election, by a
majority of votes, under certain conditions for life. The before-named
elected elders and church councilmen hereby promise, before the most
Holy God and the Christian congregation, by their own signature, by the
help of God, faithfully to observe and execute the following Articles
and Duties, to the best of their ability, so long as they remain in
office, to wit:

"1. They shall strive, as they hope for their soul's salvation, that the
Evangelical doctrine, according to the foundation of the apostles and
prophets and our symbolical books, be ever more fully apprehended by
their own souls, and that it may be adorned by their godly conversation,
to the end that they not only rule well their own households but also be
examples to the whole congregation. Should, however, which may God
avert, any one of them fall away from the pure Evangelical doctrine and
organization, and unite with some sect or with none, or fall into open
sin against the Ten Commandments of God, then the pastor and other
church councilmen shall admonish him, as prescribed in Matt. 18, and
should the admonition be of no avail, he shall be removed from office,
and shall have no right in the church, school, or their property, until
he heartily repents and amends.

"2. They shall keep all deeds of church and school property and all
accounts of church and school building funds and of all collections and
alms in