A history of the German Baptist Brethren in Europe and America . rom that time to hisdeath the pious old man in his patient grief laboredand wept in memory of the fateful events in theConestoga country. More than this, however, wasendured. In December, 1728, Michael Wohlfahrtcame uninvited into the public meeting of the Breth-ren at Germantown, evidently sent by Beissel, andopenly assailed Elder Becker, Men and Brethren,thus saith the Lord, ye have gone mad; this is a citythat is destroyed! And unto you, Peter Becker, theLord saith, why dost thou declare my rights and hastmy covenant on thy li
A history of the German Baptist Brethren in Europe and America . rom that time to hisdeath the pious old man in his patient grief laboredand wept in memory of the fateful events in theConestoga country. More than this, however, wasendured. In December, 1728, Michael Wohlfahrtcame uninvited into the public meeting of the Breth-ren at Germantown, evidently sent by Beissel, andopenly assailed Elder Becker, Men and Brethren,thus saith the Lord, ye have gone mad; this is a citythat is destroyed! And unto you, Peter Becker, theLord saith, why dost thou declare my rights and hastmy covenant on thy lips, while yet thou hatest orderand throwest my words behind thee!() To all thishe gave no angry reply. Then began a most shame-less series of proselyting influences; and, since all theordinances of the Brethren were honored at Ephrata,it was easy to win all discontented members awayfrom the Germantown congregation. In 1738, as wehave seen, there was a large exodus, and constantlythis propaganda was continued. That it wrung the (i) Chronicon Epiiratcnse, p. Stone over Peter Beckers Grave Erected by Abrm. H. Casset. Some Leaders in Colonial America. 201 heart of Elder Becker cannot be doubted. Everycongregation in Pennsylvania, especially the German-town, Falckners Swamp, and Antietam churches, feltthe force of this movement. Even the Amwellchurch was saddened and sundered by the machina-tions of the followers of Beissel. Was Elder Becker right in standing steadfastly forthe practices of the church and upholding pure andundefiled the faith he had received? To us, of course,there is at once an assent. He was right. But whocould best confirm the righteous stand of this pioussaint of God? The best witness would be Beisselhimself. But he survived Peter Becker only tenyears. With his death ended the hope of ElderBeckers complete vindication; unless, (strange un-less!) unless some record from him is left to tell theright. Such a record is now in my possession. Aftermany years of p
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