In 1743 Rev. Bartholomew Zauberbühler, a Swiss minister of the gospel, attempted to displace the Rev. John Giessendanner (1721-1761) from his charge in Orangeburgh and make himself the pastor of these churches. In the counter-petition we find the reason for a sudden use of the English language in the year 1741. In this year Rev. John Giessendanner has been asked to preach once every fortnight in English, "which he hath since performed"(see red text)
The following counter-petition against Mr. Zauberbühler from the Orangeburg settlers is found in vol. xi of Journals of Council, pp. 139-143, and dated March 6th 1743:
| "Read
the humble petition of the German and English inhabitants
of Orangeburg and the adjoining plantations, showing to
his Excellency, to whom it is directed, that the
petitioners heartily congratulate his Excellency on his
auspicious ascension to the government of this Province,
hoping that by his judicious care and power not only
their present grievances, but likewise all other
misfortunes may evaporate and vanish. And ye said
petitioneers humbly beg leave to acquaint ye Excellency,
that above five years ago the German minister happening
to die**, Mr. John Giessendanner, by the consent and approbation of your said German petitioners, went to Charlestown with the intention to make his application to the Rev. Mr. Alexander Garden, Commissary, to admit him into holy orders, to preach in German in this township; and when the said Mr. John Giessendanner came to Charlestown aforesaid, he accidentally met with one Major Christian Motte, who acquainted him that he ought not to trouble the said Rev. Alexander Garden with the affair but to go with him to some certain gentlemen, who, if they found him sufficient, would directly give him orders according to his desire; upon which the said Mr. John Giessendanner, being then a stranger to the English method of proceeding in such cases, accompanied the said Major Christian Motte, and was by him introduced to an Assembly of the Presbytery, who after examination presented him with orders to preach, which he has since done in German constantly for the space of five years to the inexpressible satisfaction of the congregation at Orangeburg; and about two years ago your said English petitioners, being fully sixty miles from any other place of divine worship, some of whom had not been favored with an opportunity of hearing a sermon in the space of seven years, observing the said Mr. John Giessendanner to be a man of learning, piety, all knowledge in the Holy Scriptures, prevailed with him to officiate in preaching once every fortnight in English, which he hath since performed very articulate and intelligible to the entire satisfaction of ye said English petitioners, and always behaves himself with sobriety, honesty and justice, encouraging virtue and reproving vice. "And
the said Mr. John Giessendanner lately observing great
irregularities and disorders being committed almost every
Sabbath day by some wicked persons in one part of the
township, publicly reprimanded them for the same, which
reproof so exasperated them that they threatened to kick
the said Mr. John Giessendanner out of the church if he
offered to preach there anymore, and have lately sent for
one Bartholomew Zauberbühler, a man who not long ago
pretended to preach at Savannah town, but as your said
petitioners are informed, was soon obliged to leave that
place and a very indecent character behind him. The last
week he arrived at Orangeburg, and upon the last Sabbath,
he, the said Bartholomew Zauberbühler had his wicked
adherents associated together, and pretended that the
said Bartholomew Zauberbühler had brought with him a
power from the Hon. William Bull, Esq., late
Lieutenant-Governor of this Province, his Majesty's Hon.
Council, and the Rev. Alexander Garden, Commissary, an
order to expel the said Mr. John Giessendanner from the
church, and to preach there himself, and some of ye said
petitioners demanded a sight of his said authority, but
he refused to produce it, which occasioned great
animosities and disorders in the congregation, and when
the said Bartholomew Zauberbühler makes his second
appearance at or near Orangeburg, which he declares shall
be at ye expiration of three weeks, there shall certainly
be more disturbance and confusion than before, unless
some powerful means be used to obstruct it. "Signed by John Harn, and above forescore more subscribers.* * (Note Salley) All efforts to find the original of this petition, with the names appended, have been unsuccessful. |
(Note Joop) to avoid
misunderstandings:
** Refers to Hans Ulrich Giessendanner (1686-1738), who, although
German speaking, was of Swiss origin.
He acted (upon their request) as their first minister, but was,
for as much as we know now, never ordained.
full details on
Rev. Hans Ulrich
Comment Joop:
© Joop Giesendanner, the
Netherlands