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The German Catechisms
When the German settlers moved to North Carolina, they brought with them a strong religious tradition.  The Reform or Lutheran Churches were the focal points of the community, providing both religion and education.
A few of the books from this era remain today.  At left is the title page of The Bible Handbook for Self-Examining Readers that belonged to Barbara Rudisill of Lincoln County, NC.  
This very book is described in an article, reproduced below, on the catechisms published in eighteenth century Germany for the German community in the Carolinas.  Although the article focuses of the settlers in Cabarrus and Rowan Counties, it is obvious the many German settlements had contact with one another.
The article below is from The Charlotte Observer, October 28, 1951.  I found in folded inside Barbara Rudisill's Bible Handbook, presumably put there by my grandfather A. B. C. DePriest who had the book at that time. The article gives many insights into the life of the eighteenth century German communities.  Do let me point out though two errors in Mr. Reap's work. (1) He refers to the Germans as Dutch, and (2) he places the southward movement from Pennsylvania to North Carolina in the 1720's, when really it did not begin until the late 1740's.

Lutherans Kept Contact
North Carolina's Catechism Printed In Germany In 1788

BY CHARLES A. REAP
(Editor, Albemarle Enterprise)

ALBEMARLE -- About 1725, the Pennsylvania Dutch began a southward movement in considerable numbers.  They had heard of the fertile Catawba River valley west of what is now Charlotte, and it was their aim and hope to settle in this valley.
When they crossed the Yadkin east of Salisbury, they learned that the Scotch-Irish had landed at Charleston, moved up the rivers and settled in the Catawba valley ahead of them.  The Pennsylvania Dutch then settled on the west side of the Yadkin in the Rowan-Cabarrus section and established the old Lutheran churches of Organ and St. John's.
The Scotch-Irish found a strong Presbyterian section around the Charlotte area with Davidson college as a cultural center, while the Dutch settled in the Rowan-Cabarrus section established old North Carolina college at Mt. Pleasant as a cultural center.
These Dutch pioneers kept in close touch with the Lutheran church in Germany and obtained their books, Bibles and catechisms in the early years from Germany.  The first "North Carolina Catechism" was printed in Leipzig, Germany in 1788, and a reproduction of the title page accompanies this article.

THE TITLE PAGE

The North Carolina
CATECHISM
Or
The Christian
RELIGIOUS TEACHING
For Instruction
In the Holy Scripture

Drafted
By
Johann Caspar Belthusen
Doctor and ordained teacher of theology, First Pastor in Helmstaddt, general superintendent.  Also Ubte of the Cloister Marienthal.

Second Edition.

Leipzig.
By Siegfried Lebrecht Crusius
Also to have
In Helmstadt in the Furst. Orphanage, 1788
(Price, unbound 5 ggr., bound 6 ggr)

The "Catechism" contains nearly 300 pages and represents a vast amount of work and Biblical references.  This book belonged to the great-grandfather of the writer.  It contains many abbreviated words, and many chapter are naturally devoted to Biblical questions and answers.  The preface (Vorrede) consists of two pages.  It is of much historic value in the Dutch settlements of North Carolina and requires careful reading to fully appreciate it Carolina significance and purpose as given by the author, Belthusen.

THE PREFACE

Its English translation follows:
"This second edition comes word for word like the first, that, I, at that time called the Catechism of Helmstadt, while the next use was appointed for the Catechism Institute of this place.  Already two very large churches in North Carolina have declared themselves desirous in an active way to take up and maintain the preacher which was sent them from here.  Also our first preacher, Mr. Storch has already crossed the sea.  Already we have the assurance from America itself that our instruction books fit the needs of that place.
"Several of the same (books) are being imported into Charleston by the Church which is a model of Christian compatibility to behold.  I consists of Lutherans, Reformed and Catholics.  All live peaceably together after the example of their preacher, Mr. Mag. Febers, even though educated in different fundamental principles attend diligently the divine services and carry on maintenance by the same manner.
"I have therefore, out of love and respect for my friend Nussman given the title of this catechism as was his wish at first.  The `Question book for Parents and Teachers' is covered in this larger instruction book.  The first and second catechisms (thru prayer and the latter also thru transcribed questions prepared suitable for children) are word for word extractions from the same (book).  The Bible handbook for self-examining readers is an enlargement of the ideas and sentences contained therein.  The verse register of the Catechism refers itself likewise on this presently completed instruction book for teachers and parents, but especially applying to preacher, and a certain portion also for the ambitious youth, with a summary to facilitate at a glance the whole systems Christian religion.
"In my writing and views I have failed many times and possibly here and there have erred, but the scripture references themselves, if one or the other is not fully understood right away by every reader or scholar as I think of it in my mind, are hopefully sufficient for him who seeks Godly truth in the Holy Scriptures, in order to correct himself thru the serious meditation of their contents, the spirit enlightening and reassuring of the heart toward God and to an ardent love of religious studies.
"God let a special blessing be on you, my brethren, for I have endeavored to bring this book closer to you and your children, the use of the same to your everlasting welfare.  Helmstat, May 1, 1788."
The two large churches referred to in the above preface were undoubtedly Organ church in Rowan county and St. John's church in Cabarrus count.  The "Mr. Storch" was Rev. Charles A. Storch, early longtime pastor of Organ church and for many years president of the Synod in North Carolina.  The "friend Nussman" was early pastor of  St. John's church near Mt. Pleasant, and buried there.  Pastor Adolph Nussman came to Carolina about 1773.

GERMAN LANGUAGE USED

The German language was used by the Dutch pioneers well into the nineteenth century. The Bible, catechism and other books of the people were in German.  In 1811, Paul Henkel wrote a shorter catechism of the Lutheran church.  It was printed in the German language by the Ambrose Henkel Co., in New Market, Va.
But the use of the German language in the Lutheran church limited greatly its work among all the people of North Carolina.  Evidently all books of the Lutheran church in North Carolina were in German language until about 1817.  Great need was felt for Lutheran church books in the English language.  "This caused a resolution in the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran German and English church in North Carolina, A. D. 1816, by which their secretary was charged to compile an abbreviated history of the rise, progress and present situation of the said church, with rules and discipline of the same in the said and neighboring states." G. Shober of Stokes county was secretary to the Synod and submitted the Lutheran Church book in English in October, 1817.  It was adopted and 1,500 copes ordered printed.

PASTOR STORCH

It is of interest to note that the same "Mr. Storch" mentioned in the preface of the Leipzig catechism of 1788, was pastor Charles Augustus Storch, president of the Synod of October, 1817, mentioned in the preceding paragraph.  This Synod passed a resolution asking the president to visit all the churches, but he declined on account of ill health.
These Dutch pioneers were a thrifty folk and carved a rich heritage out of the Piedmont forests.  They lived well from their own vine and fig tree, granary and kraut barrel (not pork barrel).  They would have spurned government subsidy, parity and 40 hours a week.)  These study pioneers built dams and mills on the streams to grind their grain, and shops on their farms for furniture, cedar pails and wrought iron.
That they were readers and thinkers is evident from the types of books in their homes.  Their cultural initiative found perhaps highest historic expression in John Stirewalt building pipe organs from which Organ Church derived its name.  One of the old pipes from Organ Church, the C-sharp, is supposed to be in the Cox family now.  Dr. R. A. Goodman of Newberry College, Newberry, S. C., has a picture frame made from wood of the old organ cabinet, and has two hand wrought nails that were used in the first organ.
It is said that there are very few copies of this first North Carolina catechism in existence today, and this story is given that it may be of historic value and interest to many people in the Carolinas.