his hair grew entirely white. Even at an early age he had both a bent and a zeal for learning the ancient languages; and by his indefatigable diligence and the assistance of good books (which however were not plentiful, because his means were insufficient to procure them) he succeeded in acquiring a fair mastery of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, so that he knew these languages. Besides he had both the inclination and concern to devote himself to the Scriptures, in order to acquire the correct understanding of them; to this end his knowledge of the languages was extremely useful and serviceable, since by this means he was able to examine the original text of the Scriptures, so that this knowledge was of great assistance for the better understanding of them. He was also zealous in the practice of Christian doctrine, and in the confession of the untainted truth revealed by God through Caspar Schwenkfeld, desiring to apprehend and to comprehend it accurately and unalloyed. And this God granted him, so that he obtained an abounding knowledge of it. Moreover, all his life he kept a watchful eye upon it, to keep it pure and to avoid mingling with it accessory doctrines. * * *
"Upon his safe arrival in Philadelphia, he did not long remain in the city, but went into the country and, in accordance with the custom there, founded a home, since God had again blessed him so that he and his family could once more live peaceably. Moreover, his study of the Scriptures and Christian doctrine he at no time neglected, but devoted himself to them with the utmost diligence. And his liberty in Pennsylvania was to him a particularly momentous matter, which he regarded as a great divine favor and gift, bestowed upon the untainted testimony of the truth, that it might be cherished and practiced without hindrance.
"When to George Weiss had been assigned the charge of holding public worship, as well as the performance of the marriage ceremony, the preaching of the Word at burial services and the catechising of the children; and when in 1740 George Weiss quite unexpectedly heard the last summons, these duties were entrusted to him (Balthaser Hoffmann), even though a few times he secured release. Especially in 1749, when on his chest and in his bronchial tubes he had a sensation which made breathing difficult, and this gradually became worse until both singing and speaking were un- endurable. But in each instance he was again applied to, particu-
