July 22, 2017
Devotions: Lutherans in North America: The Arrival of Rev. John Ernest Gutwasser

The Lutheran Consistory in Amsterdam, ignoring the attitudes of the Dutch Reformed pastors in New Netherland to allow other religions to take hold in their territory, the consistory ordained the Rev. John Ernest Gutwasser and sent him to New Netherland in 1657 – much to the displeasure of the Reformed Congregation. Their response was to request he leave immediately. Rev. Gutwasser would write to the Lutherans in Amsterdam reporting to them that the authorities passed ordinances and established heavy fines against those holding private and public meetings, hoping to scare the Lutherans. In fact, Gutwasser was told he was forbidden to preach or conduct any services. Two years would pass before he finally relented and left.

When the English captured the territory in 1664, the way was paved for religious freedom in New Netherland. Articles of Capitulation were written providing that the “Dutch shall enjoy the liberty of their consciences in divine worship and church discipline” – exactly what the Dutch refused to offer the Lutherans. In fact, the new English Governor assured the Lutherans that “They may have liberty to send for one or more pastors” and could “freely and publicly exercise their religion according to their conscience.” It would take five years before Rev. Jacob Fabritius would arrive in New York to lead the Lutherans in New Netherland.

The year was 1669 – and Rev. Fabritius hit the ground running, so to speak. He installed elders and deacons as lay officers and began the planning of a small wooden church to be built in New York. He requested hymnals and Catechisms to be sent from Holland as well. But, all was not roses and sunshine. Soon the congregations were complaining to the Lutheran consistory in Amsterdam about Rev. Fabritius’s love of wine and brandy. He cursed too much – and seemed to like to dress in a soldier’s uniform. He married a woman who had five children and dressed them all in red. And, it appears that he paid little attention to his flock. The request of the congregants was heard in Holland, and Rev. Fabritius was soon preaching his farewell sermon and installing the new pastor – Rev. Bernard Arnzius. Rev. Arnzius was a young, unmarried man described by lay people as “a capable man whose life conforms to his preaching”.

While the pastor in New York, he oversaw the building of church and parsonages in New York and Albany. Rev. Arnzius would pastor in this territory for twenty years until his death in 1691. It would take another eleven years before another pastor would be sent to fill the vacancy.

Pastor Dave