Many Protestants of this Perswasion emigrated from Europe into this Colony at its iirst Settlement by the Dutch. When the Country Avas Surrendered to the Crown of England in 1GG4, the Ai'ticles of Capitulation seciu-ed to the Inhabitants their lieligious PriviledgeSj as well as their Possessions j and soon after the Surrender, Colonel Nicholls, Lieutenant Governor under the then Duke of York, by an Act under his Hand and Seal, licenced the Lutherans to send to Europe for a Pastor of their own Perswasion.

In 1668 M' Fabricius being then come over as the Pastor, Lovelace, Nicholl's Successor, by a like Act Confirmed that of Nicholls J and gave free Liberty to the Congregacon to exercise Divine Worship according to their Profession.

The Dutch in 1673 having reduced the Country, the Lutherans had then a Church witliin tlie Fortifications of the City, obtained Leave from Colve the Dutch Governor to Erect a Church on the Ground wliere the present Church stands ; the Ground being given in exchange for that whereon their first Church was Erected.

By their own Growth and Foreign Accessions they at this Day form a considerable Congregation cLiiefly consisting of industrious Mechanics & Labourers. And within a few" Years particularly their Number is much augmented ; and it is no more than Justice to this People to say, that they have always demeaned themselves quietly and irreproachably ; and tliat their Chui-ch is of Publick Utility as it afibrds the Means of Worsliip to multitudes of Foreigners, who are constantly settling among us, and who understanding only the German Language, would otherwise be deprived of tliat Benefit