Theobald '/.'underling 
 
 A Spirit'iial Sprinp^time 
 in the 
 Garden of Youth 
 
 BX8565 
 
 .5.w% 
 
£ibrarjpoft:he theological ^mimvy 
 
 PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 The Instate of 
 Samuel Henry Gapp 
 
A Spiritual Springtime 
 
 in the 
 
 Garden of Youth. 
 
A Spiritual Springtime 
 
 IN THE 
 
 Garden of Youth 
 
 The Awakening in the Moravian College at 
 NiESKY, Germany, 
 
 ox AND ABOUT NOVEMBER 13, 1841. 
 
 Portrayed from Oral and Written Communications 
 
 The Rev. Theobald ^Vuxderung 
 1892 
 
 TRANSI.ATED FROM THE GERMAN. 
 
 [Rev. Theobald Wunderling. the author of this pamphlet, was one of the greatest 
 German preachers The Moravian Church has ever produced. Several pub- 
 lished volumes of his sermons have enjoyed a very wide circulation. He was 
 a powerful pulpit orator with a childlike faith in he Bible and the Blood.] 
 
 June 1913 
 
 Published by the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, 
 Moravian Church, Nazareth, Pa. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/spiritualspringtOOwund 
 
A SPIRITUAL SPRINGTIME IN THE GARDEN 
 OF YOUTH. 
 
 OHAPTER I 
 
 Conditions in the College before 1841. 
 
 During the decade preceding the year 1841 three faithful men 
 had the spiritual oversight of the College, Bro. J. Kleinschmldt, 
 Bro. Ernst Reichel and Bro. G. Tletzen. 
 
 Of conditions in the College before Bro. Kleinschmldt entered 
 upon his duties in 1832 Bro. H. Plitt writes: — 
 
 "The spirit prevailing in the College may be thus portrayed: 
 Over against religious knowledge and the properly required at- 
 tendance upon the church services and the Holy Communion there 
 ruled an estrangement of the heart from God, an unscrupulous dis- 
 regard of His commandments, of the rules of the Institution and o! 
 school duties, ridicule of holy things and impurity in speech and 
 conduct. Bro. Kleinschmidt stood, as it were, before a barricaded 
 stronghold. When and how should he make a breach in the de- 
 fences? His faith in the word of God and especially in the doc- 
 trine of free grace was firmly established, as was the case with f e v 
 at that time, and he was a man of deep conscientiousness, faithful- 
 r.ess to duty and love for the young people. The chief method that 
 he employed was the care of individual souls. Once in four weeks he 
 had personal interviews with the students in which he urged upon 
 them a confession of their transgressions of God's commandments 
 and of the rules of the Institution, and a conscientious observance 
 of their duties. It cannot be denied that in so doing he knew how 
 to probe the conscience deeply. This aroused obstinacy, hatred 
 and even personal affront on the part of some, great reserve on the 
 part of others. The ungodliness of some of the leading spirits, 
 especially among the older boys, became steadily worse. This 
 state of things induced Bro. Kleinschmidt In 1836 to apply to the 
 governing Board for a release from his office as he was holding it 
 to no effect. However, before the matter was decided he resolved 
 to have personal interviews once more. These interviews the stui- 
 dents afterwards styled "the deplorable" interviews because this time 
 the faithful man appeared really deserving of pity to his spiritual 
 wards. On this occasion he ventured to put the students of the upper 
 rooms individually upon their conscience whether he should continue 
 
 3 
 
to act as their spiritual guardian, or not. He would do so in the same 
 manner as heretofore. If they continued to refuse and oppose, 
 would give it up and go. This made a deep impression. The mo3t 
 of them said, "We cannot refuse to have him," and some of them 
 obtained from that time in the fiirst place a personal confidence in 
 this until then most hated man, and later another idea of duity and 
 conscience as well as of the shamelessness of lying to their spiritual 
 guardian. Some also thereby entered into a different relation to 
 the Saviour, and again learned to pray. Therefore 1 can testify for 
 myself and for some of my comrades who left the school with mo 
 in 1839: This last period of our life in the College was a time of 
 blessing and of happiness which shines brightly before our souls' 
 vision all our lives. Other classmates, it is true, felt themselves 
 embarrassed and almost insulted by Bro. Kleinschmidt's incisive ex- 
 amination and exhortation, and only maintained a still greater r"?- 
 serve. ^Some still prevaricated, and deceived him, a few in an all 
 the more artful manner." 
 
 In 1839 Bro. Kleinschmidt was appointed assistant Minister 
 at Niesky, and Bro. Ernst Reichel became his successor in the 
 College. 
 
 We who entered the College after 1839 received, partly from 
 Bro. Kleinschmidt's pastoral labor in the preparatory school, partly 
 from the faithful, kindly and earnest efforts of our new spirituak 
 adviser, Bro. Ernst Reichel, the impression of a divine power that 
 was rebuking and gently calling us. He was a faithful intercessor 
 for us, and could therefore hope for that which could not yet be 
 seen. Buit the honestly pious resolutions, endeavors and struggles 
 that had ibeen brought about by the grace of God in the hearts and 
 lives of some students were carefully concealed, in order to escape 
 the jeers of comrades. Thus, for instance, one boy procured a 
 French New Testament in order to read it with the pretense Jf 
 learning the language. 
 
 In September Bro. Tietzen succeeded Bro. Ernst Reichel in of- 
 fice, also just the right person, a man of loving zeal and wisdom, at 
 the right time, as the further account will show. 
 
 Some of the tutors also, who had charge of us outside of class 
 hours and were pious brethren, together with two teachers, quietly 
 gave us good advice. But above all we later learned that a pray- 
 ing band among those brethren had been as an hearth from which, 
 many sparks of (blessing had been scattered abroad by the Spirit 
 of God. Thus the Lord had made use of many pioneers secretly 
 preparing His way, and many a heart certainly felt that there must 
 be a change, and perhaps desired it, but could not yet decide to open 
 the door at which the Saviour was knocking, while in others' the 
 seeds of an earnest life of prayer were germinating. 
 
 And yet, when the Saviour himself, came with the direct, 
 quick-working power of His grace, causing such a radical change in. 
 
 4 
 
the condition of so many cold hearts and of the entire Institutio;i 
 it seemed to us that the power of God had suddenly broken forth 
 over a field of the dead, to give them new life. For, until shortly 
 before this, notwithstanding so much preparation of the way, the 
 conditions in the College were still of a very sad character. 
 
 Those who entered the College after being brought up in the fear 
 of God and being directed to the Saviour had to sustain a serious 
 conflict, to which a boy of that age is not equal, having either to 
 give up the relation in which he had stood to the Saviour and to 
 sin, and to swim with the stream of levity, which was my experience, 
 or to endure mockery and oppression, as did my brother Theodore. 
 Our teachers, if they knew how to inspire respect, we obeyed as long 
 as we were under their observation. The tutors, some of whom were 
 unsophisticated but earnest and pious brethren, we had little respect 
 for, ridiculed them and paid little attention to their requirements. 
 The daily services of the congregation were for the most part at- 
 tended with reluctance; some of us at once settled ourselves for a 
 nap; others, instead of the liturgy or hymn-book, took story-books 
 along. Wit that ridiculed sacred things was very common. Even 
 in September, 1841, if not in a malicious, yet in a thoroughly fri- 
 volous manner, fun was made of the prayer-meetings of the tutors, 
 which had been observed. The rules of the Institution were broken 
 without scruple, whenever detection seemed improbable. Cheat- 
 ing in school-tasks was not infrequent. 
 
 There was an utter lack of discipline in the treatment of the 
 younger scholars by the older ones. In a classical 'boarding-school 
 it will always be necessary to insist that the older room-companies 
 'be respected by the younger ones; but at the time in question the 
 latter endured a thralldom against which there was no protection. 
 The former, being the stronger, used their power in deciding trifling 
 matters unjustly and generally with personal violence. A member 
 of a higher room-company often compelled a boy of a lower one 
 to do for him something that was against the rules, for instance, to 
 go out of an evening and buy something from the baker. If the 
 boy demurred he was beaten, and woe to him if he comiplained! 
 
 The arrogance of the students, who at that time looked down 
 with the foolish pride of a boy upon all people of a different class, 
 must also be mentioned. But truth requires the statement that 
 these foolish views of class-idistinctions were prevalent in the con- 
 gregation at that time. Our teachers, also, were largely governed 
 by the same spirit of the times. 
 
 Such is the picture of conditions in the College of those day%, 
 in so far as they were apparent to all. What sin and shame were 
 hidden ibeneath this exterior, God knew. But He also knew the 
 secret tendencies here and there towards a betterment of these 
 conditions. Such tendencies, however, did not yet venture into 
 the light. 
 
 5 
 
That this state of affairs in the College continued until within 
 a few weeks of November 13, 1841, is shown by an article in the 
 Bruederbote of 1867 by "A", who was a member of the highest 
 room-company in 1841, and after twenty-five years writes as 
 follows: — 
 
 "Until September, 1841, the College was very similar to a field 
 full of dead men's bones. Special stress must be laid upon the pre- 
 valent levity, that powerful weaipon of the enemy, of which he made 
 use among us also, to stifle conscience whenever it was about to 
 awake, and to destroy the germ of every better impulse. Light- 
 minded we arose in the morning and light-minded we retired at 
 night; in a light-minded way we made fun of everything that should 
 have been sacred to us; we had no respect for age or rank; every- 
 thing was material for our wit. I do not know how the times in 
 which I lived compared with former ones; let that pass. One thing 
 is certain: there was a bad spirit among us, an unholy spirit, that 
 'became none so ill as future ministers of the Church. There was 
 urgent need of a change. And it came." 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 The AwakeniBg of a Small Group in September 1841. 
 
 The first testimony regarding that time is given 'by the above- 
 named member of the highest class, "A, ' a young man of physical 
 strength, youthful spirit and lively disposition, who made no pre- 
 tense to be other than he was, and had many friehds. In a letter 
 to a friend in December 1841 he wrote as follows: — 
 
 '"When Prince Reuss was sick in Stonsdorf, I often spoke of U 
 with one of his sons, an acquaintance of mine. I would have 
 liked to comfort him and his 'brothers, but did not know how to do 
 it. As yet I had felt no desire to direct them to the 'Saviour, and 
 a false shame kept me from doing so. When they were suiddenly 
 sent for at night on the twenty-sixth of .eptember, an anxious and 
 restless mood took possession of me which I could not repress. I 
 felt the need of a confidant, but who should it be? I had no inti- 
 mate friend in our room and therefore turned to a friend of Prince 
 Reuss in the third room, George von Heinitz, whose feelings, as 
 he told me, were like my own. From that time we knew one an- 
 other and our daily intercourse had reference to our mutual 
 friend. I once said to him, "If we could only do something for 
 him!' and he replied, 'That we can; we can pray the Saviour 
 to comfort him with His abundant comfort, which is indeed the 
 best.' This made a deep impression upon me, and from that mo- 
 ment I began to reflect more upon my own condition. Then the 
 Saviour revealed to me all my faults in succession; but, thank God, 
 He also granted me the power not to be too greatly frightened by 
 Ihem, but to cast all my care upon Him. 
 
The whole week, Septemiber 2 6 to October 2, in which the 
 death of the Prince occurred, was a memorable one for me, especi- 
 ally the evening on which the message announcing his death was re- 
 ceived and the day of the funeral (October 1) on which my thoughts 
 were so taken up with this matter that I could not fix my attention 
 on my studies. During these days I also became acquainted with 
 another friend of the Prince. 
 
 The first one of the tutors who had charge of us to whom I un- 
 burdened myself was Moritz Geissler, the tutor in the third room, 
 to whom I had for some time felt drawn. It was the first time that 
 I spoke more at length about myself with such a brother. I then 
 indeed obtained more light on my wickedness and my inability ',o 
 help myself, but I was so glad for that walk that I thanked the 
 Saviour on my knees for it. 
 
 lAbout this time one or two of us heard a fervent prayer which 
 Bro. Hagen, the night watchman for both Institutions offered in 
 his little attic room, beseeching the Saviour to draw us all unto 
 Himself, and this also made a deep impression upon us. 
 
 When the Princes Reuss returned from the blessed death-bed 
 of their father, and had been received by us, their friends, in the 
 most cordial manner, they related how King William IV had come 
 to Stonsdorf several times and also on the day the Prince died, 
 from the near-by Erdmannsdorf, and had given expression to his 
 grief at th9 death of his friend. At the funeral he had accompani- 
 ed the mother and her children, and gave the former his arm until 
 they reached the grave. 
 
 As we, the friends of the orphaned sons of the Prince, became 
 conscious upon trying to comfort them that they as yet had not 
 shared in the blessings we had received, we covenanted together to 
 pray unweariedly that the Lord would draw them unto Himself. 
 But this intercession was extended more and more until it became 
 a petition for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire In- 
 stitution. 
 
 'On the Saturday after the return of the Princes the Lord's 
 Supper was celebrated. I had anticipated it with feelings very differ- 
 ent from previous ones, and the Saviour bestowed upon me such a 
 blessing as 1 had never yet received on a similar occasion. During 
 the following week He permitted me to become acquainted in a re- 
 markable manner with a relative of the Stonsdorf Princes who was 
 one of us. Bro. Tietzen had held a very earnest evening service on 
 the topic of prayer and afterwards I asked that boy if he had en- 
 joyed it. Thereupon he began to speak so freely with me that 1 
 could not help loving him at once, especially when upon my remark- 
 ing that I had not much time to spare as I had a difficult trigono- 
 metrical problem to solve, he said: "Only ask the Saviour to help 
 you and you will succeed!" Quite put to shame I thanked him for 
 this good advice, but in my thoughtlessness, forgot to pray, and 
 
 7 
 
could not at all find the solution of the problem. For an instant I 
 was more inclined to swear than to pray, but then I remembered 
 the advice given me, followed it, and after brief study found the 
 desired solution. 
 
 At the end of this week it occurred to me more than ever that 
 as yet I had not become better acquainted with any one of my 
 classmates, except with "B' , and this became an urgent subject of 
 my prayers." 
 
 His comrades had remarked a change in his character and con- 
 duct, could not understand it and formed wrong opinions. This 
 probably induced him to write: "In the first two weeks of November 
 the Saviour brought it about that we comrades of the first room had 
 a general conversation with one another. Whoever had to come 
 to an understanding about anything with another, did so quite 
 voluntarily and openly before the approaching Holy Communion. 
 At an earlier time I did not like festal occasions, but for weeks I 
 anticipated this one with joy". 
 
 Of the effects of this conversation a third mem^ber, "C" of the 
 first room gives the following testimony: " 'A' kept me almost as the 
 last with regard to the proposed interchange of experiences, evi- 
 dently because he thought me least likely to favor it. At last, on 
 the sixth of Novemiber, a Saturday afternoon, he asked me to take 
 a walk with him. It was a specially fine late autumn day. We 
 walked out the road to Trebus as far as the sign-ipost, where ws 
 separated, as he wanted to visit some one in Trebus. Timidly at 
 first, but then withouit reserve, he told me what the Lord had done 
 for him and how it came about. If he feared that he would meet 
 with an inimical disagreement on my part, his fear was groundless. 
 I felt as on the early day in spring when the ice has been thawed. 
 Oh I had felt for a long time that I must experience a change, and 
 now the hope for it was so near realization. I remember distinctly 
 that as 1 returned alone l was in a quietly glad expectant frame of 
 mind." 
 
 A fourth member, "D" of the first class writes on the twelfth 
 of November to a friend in Gnadenfrei: — "So you can sometimes 
 really think that you have been born again. I must call you very 
 happy in sometimes having such blessed hours. I never have such. 
 The most that I have attained to is the consciousness that the Lord 
 is leading me, and by means of my devious ways desires to teach me 
 that this world can give me nothing, and that, if I really desire to 
 find peace and joy He alone can give them to me. And, thank God, 
 I have this blessed assurance. For without Him all conversation 
 about the best and most sacred things, aJbout the salvation of the 
 soul or the delightful exiperiences of believers, is of no use." 
 
 The small group of friends thus banded together, which ac- 
 cording to the record in the diary of a teacher at that time number- 
 ed about fifteen in the College before the thirteenth of November, 
 
anticipated with joy the celebration of the Holy Communion on the 
 approaching festival day, November 13. Of this Bro. Moritz Geis- 
 sler, named above, reports: — 
 
 ■• 'Then', one heard them say, "will that which we have experi- 
 enced be fully sealed; we shall receive power to resist sin, shall be 
 filled with love and be able to pray more fervently for others also,' 
 and their eyes shone for joy. Was it strange that we brethren 
 united in praising the Lord and in beseeching Him that He would 
 not put to shame the longing and tne faith of this small company of 
 boys, and would cause His sacred fire to inflame the hearts of tbe 
 others? This was our prayer, especially on the afternoon of Novem- 
 bed 12, and early on November 13." 
 
 My personal recollection of these occurrences in the College be- 
 gins with Friday, November 12. I was in the third room. One of 
 my comrades took me aside and told me of several students who 
 were seeking the forgiveness of their sins, and that some had re- 
 ceived it; that he was one of them, and I should also seek the Lord. 
 His words moved me greatly; I believed 1 was grieved that I had 
 not been told sooner. For I thought that I, for whom the Savioar 
 had done so much, and who had so often in vain promised Him to 
 be faithfuil, ought surely to have part in this matter. 
 
 On the same day "A ' had come to my oldest brother Theodore, 
 who writes as follows in his diary: — "In the evening I became un*- 
 expectedly acquainted with the religious experience of "A", who had 
 been recently awakened and had fornied a more intimate acquain- 
 tance with several of the boys in the house. I had often been in un- 
 certainty about him. This evening I was as happy as a child." — 
 
 The simple cliildlike private confidences above narrated became 
 for many, as they had already been for some, as kindling sparks of a 
 hidden fire that constantly spreads farther. The days that followed 
 prove this. The hearth on which this fire burned, however, was 
 really the rompassiionate heart of our Saviour. We shall never lose 
 the impression that in those days the divine power worked in a 
 wonderful, direct manner; yes, He did according to His promises as 
 an answer to the express petition of that band of brethren among 
 the tutors, "I will give them an heart to know me that I am the 
 Lord." (Jer. 24; V.) 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 The Spread of the Awakening in the College after JNoveniber 13, 1841. 
 
 The thirteenth of November passed very quietly for all those 
 who as yet knew nothing of the hidden glowing of the divine fire 
 in a number of their comrades. On Saturday the centenary cele- 
 bration of November 13, 1741 was celebrated. It was distinguished 
 from the annual celebration of the day only by a jubilee-psalm 
 which pretty plainly lauded the Brethren's Church as the OUurch 
 
in Philadelphia («ev. 3; 7-12.) I do not think that the addresses 
 in the morning and afternoon services helped to promote the awaken- 
 ing of our hearts. Yes, I rememiber that at the lovefeast in the 
 crowded little meeting-hall there were several comical occurrences 
 that amused us greatly. But when we had returned from the Holy 
 Communion in the evening to our room, the third, something 
 unusual and powerfully surprising took place. "A" came from the 
 first room to ours, spoke a few simple, earnest words, gave us his 
 hand and embraced us. At once all shared his emotions. With a 
 grasp of the hand all with scarcely a word pledged themselves lo 
 the Saviour. Then we were quiet. Thus it was iilso in the first 
 room. 
 
 In these days that call those times to our remembrance I had a 
 conversation with one who had been a participant as a memlber of 
 the second room company. Before the Communion we had known 
 little or nothing of that which had transpired among the group of 
 fifteen, and after the Communion there was little said. Now, after 
 the lapse of fifteen years we asked ourselves. What did we really 
 experience that evening? If we were required to give an iutelligeat 
 account of the occurrence, we would be perplexed. We could only 
 say: An undefined, but great and holy something came upon us that 
 so deeply stirred and moved us. This must have been the Holy Spirit. 
 In our later intercourse came the mutual comprehension and expres- 
 sion of that which had occurred. 
 
 Before the thirteenth of November but Mttle information of 
 what had taken place had reached the second room, inasmuch as 
 there were no such particularly intimate relations between the first 
 and second rooms as there were between the first and third. There- 
 fore the experience of some in the second room was similar to that 
 which has been mentioned. My brother Theodore knew more 
 beforehand and had been awakened already at home, and hence 
 could describe more clearly that which took placs on the thir- 
 teenth of Novemiber, writing in his diary as follows: — 
 
 "A memorable day not only for me, but for our whole College' 
 In the Holy Communion the Saviour poured out His grace upon us in 
 such a manner that there was afterwards a remarkable agitation 
 and communion of spirits. Nearly all in the first and third rooms ex- 
 perienced the grace of God. That evening I, too, was more spiri- 
 tually happy than ever before. Everywhere friends met together 
 and pledged themselves to the Saviour, and every one was ready to 
 converse about the principal matter. The close uniom of hearts that 
 subsisted between the tutors and two teachers of the preparatory 
 school, who treated us boys with such lovingkindness, had a power- 
 ful effect among uis." 
 
 What "A" twenty-five years later writes in the Bruelerbote con- 
 cerning that which he and those united with him on the one hand, 
 
 10 
 
and that which those newly impressed on the other hand received 
 on this day, is of importance: — 
 
 " It is not easy to say anything about this day and to describe 
 the blessings which we received. It was a festal day in the full sense 
 of the word; a day on which the Lord desired to seal and complete 
 that which He had through the Holy Spirit begun during the preced- 
 ing weeks. But the Lord desired also to take more and more complete 
 possession of the entire Institution on this day. Its peculiar charac- 
 teristic in comparison with the preceding ones was evidently that 
 the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was almost general, while during 
 the preceding days and weeks only a few at a time were added to 
 the number of the awakened. So it came to pass that the blessing 
 of this day consisted for some in that they were confirmed in the 
 grace they had received and for others who on this day came to a 
 decision and full assurance (Ger. "breaking through") in that they 
 were filled with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, while for still 
 others the awakening and with it the conflict of light with darkness 
 first began. But all had received, although in different ways the 
 blessing intended for all; upon all a spirit of love and reconciliation 
 had been poured out and power from above had been given to thCiii 
 it with astounded emotion the same token of peace from the Lord 
 as they partook of the Holy Communion, and this, as the best 
 leaven, was gradually to leaven the whole lump." — 
 
 Bro. Class, the paternal head of the Unity's Institutions, had 
 already during the preceding weeks, by means of the tutors, stood 
 in close relations with the movement. He had also, early in the 
 morning of this day seen a rainbow in the western sky (it was seen 
 also in Herrnhut and Gnadenfeld) and with others recognized in 
 which had been granted to the fathers on this day a hundred years 
 ago. 'He relates further concerning this day: — • 
 
 "Today we saw in the looks and tears of soma of the boys and 
 felt in the grasp of their hands what was taking place in them. 
 Some were seen here and there praying in secret for the forgiveness 
 of those sins of which they had today been convinced. A calm and 
 peaceful spirit prevailed in the house. 
 
 There was good ground to hope that the wall of separation in 
 the case of some would soon fall. But this was to take place al- 
 ready on that evening. On this day I had as yet heard nothing 
 about it. When I arose on the morning of the fourteenth (Sun- 
 day) such a powerful feeling of thankfulness overcame m3 that I 
 could not at all explain it to myself. The text for the day struck me 
 as remarkable, without my comprehending it fully. It was: "Thus 
 saith the Lord of hosts: If it be marvellous in the eyes of the rem- 
 nant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in 
 mine eyes?" (Zech. 8; 6.) 
 
 About 8 o'clock I went into the preparatory school. On« of 
 the brethren met me and with thankful joy told me what had takea 
 
 11 
 
place on the preceding evening. I cannot describe my feelings. I 
 hastened home to give my wife the good news. Now, upon reading 
 the text again, I understood it, for 1 saw it fulfilled before my eyes. 
 
 After preaching a boy of the third room came to us. With 
 joy beaming in his face he told us of the grace that had been be- 
 stowed upon him and his companions. 
 
 Already on this day, when one entered the College, one sa.v 
 here and there a face from which the peace that Jesus gives shone 
 forth in an indescribable manner. In the halls or in the refectory 
 two, three or four were standing together conversing about be- 
 ing saved. 'From this day on some boys were constantly sought by 
 their comrades, so that all their sipare time was taken up and some- 
 times engaged days beforehand. 
 
 On the fourteenth of November, Tuesday, my brother Theodore 
 Wunderling writes in his diary: — 
 
 "Today the rejoicing continued. New acquaintanceships and 
 uiuions of hearts! Everywhere friendly countenances, everywhere 
 little gatherings! In the preparatory school also some were impres- 
 sed. Especially after dinner there was a gathering of several bre- 
 thren and boys in the infirmary, which I also attended, in which 
 there was a mutual expression of joy and of thankfulness to the 
 Saviour. The love of the brethren was inexpressible. O that in all 
 this experience may be a permanent and not only a transient ardor! 
 
 When they were retiring for the night many of the third room 
 boys took me by the hand and begged me to pray for them. I made 
 the same request of them. This evening I begged our dear spiri- 
 tual guardian, Bro. Tietzen, to hold a house-meeting with reference 
 to this whole occurrence He will take the matter into consider- 
 ation. As may well be supposed, the joy of those in charge is grea^. 
 For such an occurrence is something new in the College. O th.at 
 our room, also, might be inflamed with this holy fire!" 
 
 Of the fifteenth of November, Monday, Bro. Class writes: "The 
 classes were held as usual with only this difference that everything 
 went pai ticulai ly well." 
 
 Twenty-five years later "A" writes in the Hruederbote: "Our 
 feelings were very peculiar when, after these blessed days we resum- 
 ed our 'laily tasks on Monday, November 15; but one thing we knew: 
 That the first fruit of the blessing we had received must be this, that 
 we would with faithful interest do what was required of us. And 
 from the first day we courageously set to work. But it was noi 
 easy to lay aside the many well-rooted habits, to deny ourselves 
 many conveniences, and especially to practice a faithfulness in little 
 things, of which we had no idea before. A battle with former bad 
 customs began which only he can properly appreciate who has 
 helped to fight it." 
 
 On the evening of this Monday there was a larger assembly \n 
 the infirmary than on the day before. The sick-attendant, Bro. 
 
 12 
 
Koehler, took a lively interest in the occurrence of those days. Bro. 
 Class relates as follows: — 
 
 "At half past 6 o'clock I visited the infirmary, and found more 
 than twenty boys there, some of them rejoicing over the grace re- 
 ceived, some encouraging and comforting those under concern. 1 
 scarcely understood my own feelings, and shall never forget the im- 
 pression it made upon me." 
 
 My brother Tiieodore writes in his diary: — 
 •'At 7 o'clock there was a meeting in the infirmary of about thirty 
 persons from all the rooms, brethren and boys, who all spoke only 
 of the Saviour and His grace. O wnat blessedness to speak with in- 
 timate friends about the Saviour's love, and to be so heartily greeted 
 by all!" 
 
 In the evening Bro. Tietzen held a meeting in the College chapel 
 for those in the house. Those officially connected with the Institu- 
 tion and the brethren from the preparatory school had seats in the 
 Principal's office at one side of the chapel. In Bro. Tietzen's ad- 
 dress there was perceptible a deep emotion and loving zeal tha* 
 penetrated one's very soul. It made a powerful impression on all 
 who heard it, and on many one that remains to the present day. 
 Immediately afterwards Bro. F. Geller, teacher in the first room, 
 made there a short heart-to-heart talk, gave all his hand and em- 
 braced them. This was the first instance of such intimate fellow- 
 ship between one of the teachers and the boys. 
 
 Bro. Class says: — 
 
 "'Nearly all in the fourth and fifth rooms were impressed on 
 this evening. The boys of the fifth room, who were the youngest, 
 were all in tears. The brethren who lived with them had duiriui^ 
 the whole evening all they could do in comforting and encouraging 
 anxious souls. The evening was closed with prayer. 
 
 In the second and third rooms the boys also asked for evening 
 devotions." (They have been held since that time.) 
 
 Of the second room Bro. Class writes: — 
 
 "In this room also there began to be life after the Communion 
 on the thirteenth of November, and especially after the fifteenth. 
 Some of the boys had already found the Saviour; others began to be 
 vneasy, and some had to endure a severe conflict before they found 
 comfort and peace. There were also some who had to wait for 
 weeks before they could share the blessing received by the others." 
 
 In the first room also, which invoJuntarily attracts our attention 
 weeks passed 'before the Saviour could take possession of some hearts 
 that had been influenced by the movement. As this cannot be con- 
 sidered strange in the case of youth of riper mental development, 
 some communications from the pens of those senior students which 
 show that in their case the work was thorough, are all the mo''e 
 refreshing. 
 
 "C" relates later: — 
 
 13 
 
"On the fifteenth, after that service held by Bro. Tietzen, I had 
 to regard myself as one of those whom he had affectionately invite.l 
 to come to Jesus. In a somewhat depressed mood I sat at my desk 
 and tried to work, Then I noticed that "B" the boy who sat oppo- 
 site, was making funny eyes at me, and biting his lips to conceal his 
 amusemont. This seemed to me very ill-timed. I softly walked arouni 
 the table and asked him quietly what he was aibout. How asto- 
 nished was 1 when he, suippressing a laugh with difficulty, said, 'We 
 will hold to our old religion, not so?' It was strange that just he, 
 'tbe honest soul,' as he was often > characteristically called, would 
 show such obstinate opposition to this spirit of awakening. But every- 
 thing, both divine and humanly erring emotion, was apprehended by 
 him in such a ludicrous light that he with all his earnestness ap- 
 pears decidedly as the humorist of the awakening. Well, in hose 
 blessed days there was also hearty laughing. — 
 
 At first, indeed, it wa^ no laughing matter for me. For a 
 whole week the old Adam fought with the Spirit of grace. On Sun- 
 day the twenty-first of November, during a sermon of Bro. Tietzen. 
 in which he with special power dwelt on the all-sufficiency of 
 the atonement by Christ for even the chief of sinners, the conflict 
 was decided. With joy I could now venture to embrace the crucified 
 Saviour, and rely upon His meritorious sacrifice. And then an in- 
 describable peace took possession of my heart. If this central doc- 
 trine of the Brethren's Ohurch of the all-sutticiency of the atonement 
 has, notwithstanding theological doubts and scruples of later years, 
 been firmly held as sacred by me, I have to thank that blessed hour 
 for it. I do not remember whether it was immediately after that 
 service or on some other day during the period of awakening that 1, 
 while taking a walk with a comrade, expressed the feelings I had 
 with the words, 'It seems to me as though it were Christmas.' 
 
 However, remembering Bro. Kleinschmidt's theories of an elec- 
 tion through grace, I at that time thought that I had advanced far- 
 ther than was really the case. I thought that I had experienced 
 complete conversion while it was only the beginning, an evangelic-ii 
 awakening. And of this I soon became painfully aware. Of my 
 dear classmate "B" I must report that he obtained happiness in a 
 knowledge of the Saviour even later than I did, and that after many 
 a severe inward struggle. If his expression of those struggles was 
 amusing, the same is true of his final attainment of peace. This 
 took place in the exegetical religious instruction, when it became 
 clear to him that he was the "unprofitable servant," who had buried 
 his talent, upon his confession of which the Saviour assured him of 
 His forgiving grace. He told this xperience of his first to "A" and iie 
 imparted it to me. Then first we two and then all three of us had 
 a hearty laugh about the unprofitable servant. It was not that the 
 thing itself, or his knowledge of it appeared laughable to us, but 
 the manner in which "B" emphasized and constantly repeated such 
 
 14 
 
a drastic expression, had a decided tendency to arouse cheerfulness, 
 in which he good-naturedly joined. "A ', ' B" and I now formed a 
 kind of clover-leaf friendship, and I sought and found my need of 
 further experience, excepting my intercourse with our spiritual in- 
 structor ana other suferiors, chiefly in this snail circle, on which 
 account 1 can only report from hearsay concerning certain more con- 
 spicious features of the awakening like those numerously attended 
 gatherings in the infirmary. 
 
 "B" himself comments as follows on this narrative: — 
 "That which convinced me of the sin of burying my talent was 
 the fact that instead of taking part in the blessed gatherings in the 
 intirmary I took offence at them, and in n:y unchanged self-righte- 
 ousness, but honestly, endea\ored to obtain a jood conscience before 
 God. I thought that those who attended the gatherings were not 
 conscientious and were deceiving themselves, although I could not 
 help noticing a remarkable change in my comrades among them. 
 Then the (Saviour took pity on me, and for thus burying my taleut 
 made me a sinner worthy of condemnation, but to whom He soon 
 after granted forgiveness and peace. And now the meetings be- 
 came a source of blessing and joy to me. ' — 
 
 Bro. Moritz Geissler says that instances were not wanting of 
 the devil's power to entangle hearts, and how distasteful the Savi- 
 our's name can become to a man, if it has been talked at him too 
 much and perhaps without real sincerity. The expression 'ovir 
 Savioured' was used to denote such a condition. This was the case 
 with one of the younger students to such a degree that for a long 
 time he avoided liko a plague all intercourse with his awakened 
 comrades, and acted like one possessed. .He declared outright to 
 others, "Why shall I first become a poor sinner? I shall surely also 
 ■without this get to heaven. I will certainly not first subject my- 
 self to such anxiety " We united in prayer on behalf of such erring 
 souls, and the Saviour found them also. Suddenly scales fell as it 
 were from the eyes of the one just mentioned, and he saw that the 
 only way to gain the victory was by self-humiliation. 
 
 After the fourteenth of November there were numerously 
 attended meetings of bretTiren, boys and children, generally at 6.30 
 o'clock in the evening, at first in the infirarary, but after the twenty- 
 fourth of November in the third room in the College. This room 
 was crowded full every evening. Groups stood everywhere engaged 
 in conversation. 
 
 Some of the tutors, especially, encouraged us by their cordiality 
 to engag-3 in conversation with them; but some of the teachers also, 
 several of whom regarded the occurrence unfavorably, were always 
 ready to converse with us. It may be that we sometimes annoyed 
 them with our requests, without their allowing us to perceive it. 
 But it was also for our good that a teacher who had little faith in the 
 
 15 
 
proceedings, took e\ery opportunity in our classes to put to us a 
 question like, "Is this yoiii- religion?" 
 
 Of tlie manner and value of our general intercourse during 
 the weeks from the thirteenth of November to the Christmas vaca- 
 tion, "A" gives a vivid description in his article in the Bruederbote 
 for 1867. That which he there says concerning those who were 
 banded together before the thirteenth of November, was now tirst 
 really true of the entiie body of students, with few exceptions, and 
 will be recognized by all eye-witnesses of those times as historic 
 verity: — 
 
 " It is not easy to find words for the Lord's dealings with our 
 souls individually. The proceedings will be best understood if v^; 
 consider the manner in which the active work of the Spirit, poured 
 out uipon a constantly increasing circle, manifested itself. In all 
 cases the Holy iSpirit revealed Himself first as He who convinces th3 
 world of sin; this produced in our hearts poverty of spirit, godly sor- 
 row and a seeking for salvation. The question, 'What must I do to 
 be saved', was asked first in the sacred depths of the heart, and then 
 constantly louder in the conversation of friends. The Lord in His 
 wisdom had wonderfully provided that some who had first been im- 
 pressed could reply to this question. They bore witness in simple 
 but eloquent language to the light which they had seen, the grace 
 that had moved them and the power they had received. To th^ 
 praise of God be it said that the work at that time was thorough. 
 There was no fanaticism; upon the whole there was little excitement; 
 and the usual order of things in the school was scarcely disturbed. 
 The only unusual circumstance was, that during the free hours one 
 saw groups of two, three or more students in the halls and some of 
 the rooms, who were ongaged in conversation. 
 
 In the same degree in which this spirit of fraternal candor prv 
 vailed, a hearty love grew u.p, producing a steadily growing inclina- 
 tion for prayer. The spirit of prayer brooded over the Institution. 
 Certain obstacles that we encountered, or individuals who opposed 
 the proceedings or had to endure severe conflicts, became subjects 
 for fervent prayer and not in vain. Surprising and sometimes won- 
 derful answers of all kinds to prayer were the order of the day. 
 
 The Spirit moved powerfully, and often took possession of oni? 
 who on the preceding day had beon either openly or secretly opposed 
 to the new occurrences. An undecided or doubting soul that had join- 
 ed these companies often felt the power of the Spirit that prevailed 
 in them, and was carried along with the stream. Through the opera- 
 tion of the Spirit young and old had received such an unusual com- 
 prehension of gospel truth that one could only wonder and adore. 
 But the words. "Is Saul also among the prophets?" also sometimes 
 involuntarily occurred to us when we unexpectedly saw this or that 
 one enter the group of awakened ones. It is true we had all shortly 
 before been like Saul in our uinsubdued, defiant and ungodly 
 
 16 
 
thoughts, and no one could reproach another for anything, but we 
 did not do it, for a spirit of true brotherly love ruled us." 
 
 The expressions made use of for a mutual communication of ex- 
 perience were similar to those of the disciples Andrew and Philip, 
 when they related to others their first meeting with the Lord. "We 
 have found Jesus." 'Have you also found Him?" Or, "This one has 
 now also found the Saviour." A confidential confession of sin, expres- 
 sion of inward unrest, mutual testimony to Jesus' love for sinners 
 and the power of His grace, earnest admonition, encouragement, 
 comfort, mutual forgiveness and covenanting, a sharpening of con- 
 science in school duties, a seeking of light on youthful doubts, appli- 
 cation of Bible truths to heart and life, these were the chief matters. 
 There was also mutual agreement to pray for one another. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Spread of the Awakening into the Prepai'atory School. 
 
 Several brethren relate concerning this: — 
 
 "We had agreed not to influence the children or urge them 
 into the awakening by telling them what had taken place in the 
 College; but what happened? Some of the children apiplied directly 
 to the student.s, and thtey did not wait to be asked twice, but told 
 them about their experiences and encouraged them to seek the 
 Saviour. 
 
 On the fifteenth of November, especially, the stream spread 
 farther, as the text for the day expressed it, into the Preparatory 
 School. On the 14th of November a boy of the first room, "F", 
 eleven years of age had come on account of indisposition to the in- 
 firmary. He was \ery much excited and could not say what was 
 the matter with him. At last it came out that his sins made him 
 tremble so. The words of comfort which Bro. Kochler, the sick-at- 
 tendant, and-others gave him, soon made him very happy in the Sav- 
 iour's grace. IHis comrades heard of this, and were very much sur- 
 prised, for they had known him in a different character. Then many 
 a one learned to cry out, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner!' 
 
 Another one, "G," also came on a visit to the infirmary, and 
 sat down among those to whom "F," who had just received pardon- 
 ing grace, related what he had experienced. Bro. Kochler said to 
 "G," 'Well, do you rejoice with these who are rejoicing?' Quite 
 surprised, he was silent, and tears came into his eyes. He was left 
 to himself. After the evening service he came again, pressed Bro. 
 Kochler's hand and said, 'iXow I understand you; I feel differently'. 
 His conduct showed earnestness and faithfulness to duty, and he was 
 happy. 
 
 A.t first, probably, many of the children in the Preparatory 
 School just went along with the rest, some out of curiosity, but the 
 
 17 
 
power of the Saviour's love easily drew these simple ones to Him- 
 self. 
 
 The teacher In the second room of this Institution gives the 
 following account of this day in his diary: — 
 
 "Nov. 14. In the evening a boy, "H," stayed up with me, in 
 Qrder to tell me how the Saviour had blessed him on the thirteenth 
 of November. While we were speaking "J" came down from his 
 bed in the dormitory with tears in his eyes, and said that he must 
 talk with me, he could not rest. Much moved, I told them both 
 how kind the Saviour had been to" others, and directed them to Him. 
 
 Nov. 15. In the evening "K" stayed up with my colleaguy3. 
 When I had taken the children to bed, and was about to leave the 
 dormitory, "L" began to cry in his bed because he was so distressed 
 about his sins. I took him down-stairs and spoke with him, "K" 
 listening with tears in his eyes. 
 
 Nov. 16. All the boys in my room, especially "M" were power- 
 fully affected. They talked freely and openly about the Saviour and 
 His love. There was great joyfulness and cordiality among them. 
 One said, "How many angels may now be in our dormitory"! Al- 
 most the whole first room visited "F" in the infirmary, and the 
 Spirit of the Lord moved powerfully among them. 
 
 'Nov. 18. When I entered the infirmary this afternoon the en- 
 tire first room and their teacher, Bro. Chapuis were gatherad 
 around "F". They were drawing texts for themselves. Presently 
 one of the boys started a hymn. I could not keep back my tears. 
 4.t the request of the children we sang together until five o'clock. 
 ^t seven o'clock in the evening all the boys in the Preparatory 
 School met in the infirmary, where we sang hymns together until 
 half past seven." 
 
 Among the rest, "M," a boy of the first room wrote in those 
 days to his parents: — 
 
 'I cannot at all tell youi how glad I am now that I hav» found 
 *>he Lord. There is at present an awakening in the Preparatory 
 School and in the College. The infirmary has become like a church. 
 We go up and converse about God and the iSaviour, and His love 
 for mankind, so that He even died for us. And as I now pray often, 
 everything goes twice as well. If you were here, my joy would be 
 quite complete. I wish it was this way everywhere. We talk freely 
 before others of the dear Saviour and His goodness, and we are not 
 ashamed. lEven if the devil tries to entice uis from the right way, 
 God gives us strength to resist him, if we only pray for it. The 
 love of Jesus is lik« a rushing mountain-stream which nothing can 
 stop; even the most stutoborn heart cannot resist It. I wish An- 
 drew were here, so that he could enjoy this blessing with uis. Fare- 
 well, and pray for me, that tihe Lord may keep me In His ways." 
 
 Bro. Jonathan Kramer, teacher of the third room, was also 
 germitted to see much work of the Spirit among his pupila, as his 
 
 18 
 
diary shows. On the eighteenth of November he kept the usual 
 children s meeting, which the Lord blessed not only to the boys ot 
 the Preparatory School, but also to the children of the town-school. 
 Two sisters, who recently departed this life here, mentioned in. their 
 memoirs that this meeting had an effect upon their further spiritual 
 life. A still living citizen of this place testifies to a lilie experience. 
 
 One who was at that time a quite little boy gives the follow- 
 ing account of it in his later years as an adult and servant of the 
 Church: — 
 
 "There was a divine power abroad. I was then six years old 
 and only later learned what had transpired. But I remember very 
 well a Children's Day during that Autumn. I do not know who kept 
 the festival service; but afterwards I was filled with abouinding 
 realization of the love of God, such as 1 have never at any other 
 time in my life experienced. The love of God was actually poured 
 out in my heart, which was full to breaking. In the happiest mood 
 I could only run about unperceived in our garden and exclaim, 'O 
 dear iSaviour, how Thou dost love me!' I know nothing further 
 about that time. But 1 still have a most lively recollection of that 
 houir." 
 
 The operation of the Holy Spirit was less deep and clear in the 
 children than in young men, and yet the genuine germ of a life of 
 grace was produced in many hearts. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Commencement of School after the Glad Days of Grace. 
 
 After the first week of the awakening came a school of hu- 
 mility, for some sooner, for others later, and for the most part per- 
 manent. Many proofs of this can be adduced from the written ex- 
 pressions of some individuals in their letters and diaries. Here 
 are only a few. 
 
 "A" writes already before Christmas Lo a friend: — 
 
 "If He does not continue to work, we and the work He has be- 
 gun are lost. Here that absurd pride that gives one so much trouble 
 occurs to me. Formerly, when Bro. Kleinschmidt had so much to 
 say about pride, I thought he must have a wrong idea about me; 
 for, as I always thought he spoke only of pride in dress and such 
 things, I considered myself not at all proud. But what a different 
 light on the subject I now have! Upon what foundation were, and 
 are yet, all my works and my actions upon the whole built? On 
 nothing but pure, mere pride. I think of the games I enjoy so much. 
 Would it give me pleasure to be a poor runner? 
 
 I will tell you something else that ha^ppened to me some weekr- 
 ago. In school the essay written by one of my class-mates was read 
 first and praised. This already aroused my proud hope, and behold, 
 
 19 
 
my essay was also praised. iHere was food for my pride! It made 
 me fearful in class. I knew that the Saviour had helped me io 
 write the essay, and 'that therefore it had to be good, but that did not 
 help. In the evening, especially, a restless feeling for which I could 
 not account worried me. In those days "E" had at last yielded 'o 
 the Saviour. "C", on the other hand, was still in a troubled state. 
 The former 1 not only envied, but was not all glad for his happiness. 
 The condition of the latter gave me pleasure, because it was 
 similar to my own. So bad are we now; it is absurd. 
 
 During the sermon on Sunday "C's" troulble was ended, which 
 almost vexed me. I would have liked best to quarrel with the Sav- 
 iour, and vehemently required of Him a similar favor, and He, ac- 
 cording to His unspeakable goodness granted it to me in a very ap- 
 parent manner. For while I was taking a walk with Moritz Geissler 
 in the afternoon it suddenly became clear to me that after all I would 
 be a fool if I thought I would have to get rid of all my sins before 
 I could come to the Saviour." 
 
 In February, 1842, the same one writes: — 
 
 "At the Communion on the twentieth of February we could 
 again perceive quite clearly that the Lord was in our midst. We 
 noticed that something was taking place in us, and were uneasy 
 about ourselves. The disposition to speak freely to one another had 
 for a time been taken from us, and was now given to us again. I 
 hope we will not lose this grace again by our folly. 
 
 We have in these days spoken much with one another about a 
 lack of principle. The case was not the same as formerly, but in 
 little things it was pretty bad. The measles were now prevailing in 
 the Institution. This gave us days of blessed communion with the 
 Saviour and of written communications with the patients. From time 
 to time I have moments in which it is quite clear to me that every- 
 thing that we experience is pure grace, especially the power to pray. 
 Instead of accepting this grace with a thankful and glad heart, how 
 foolishly we behave! We are dissatisfied, want things different 
 from the dispensations of. grace, and in our own strength we think 
 we can improve them. We can do nothing, we are unruly children 
 and must be satisfied to receive everything as a gift. And just this 
 is also grace. Therefore let us earnestly beseech the Saviour to 
 grant us really childlike communion with Him in little things also, 
 and thus we shall learn it for the greater things." 
 
 How one can have the Saviour's help in little things the same 
 one shows in a letter written soon afterwards: — 
 
 "I sat vexed before my disorderly drawer and could not find 
 what I wanted. Shall all my resolutions to be orderly amount to 
 nothing? Then I thought, 'ihave you grayed about it?" The devil 
 said to me, 'It does not pay to pray about it.' But my trust in 
 the Saviour kept the upper hand. I begged Him to give me the pow- 
 er to become orderly, I desired it so much, but could not. The next 
 
 20 
 
,day 1 put my drawer in order, and although almost two months have 
 passed, it has not been in disorder again. In many other little 
 things also, the Saviour has strengthened my faith by hearing my 
 prayers, but I always forget how He has helped me, and lose my 
 trust in Him. The less 1 am able to hold Him fast, the more must 
 He hold me, or I shall quite forsake Him." 
 
 The oratorical exercise in the College at Easter, 1842, also fur- 
 nished an opportunity for the school of humility to some boys of 
 the second room. The youthful orators let their mouth.s overflow with 
 that which their hearts felt. Some, for instance my second brother 
 Theophilus, almost delivered a sermon. This procedure was in any 
 event uinsuitable and dangerous for them It would certainly have 
 been better if advice and direction with reference to the matter had 
 been given to them beforehand. But now such orations were severely 
 criticised in the teachers' room, and the teacher in charge of the 
 boys communicated the criticisms to them. This at first gave offence 
 to these young hearts. But the open-hearted love with which their 
 room-teacher, Bro. Th. Reichel, discussed the matter with them con- 
 quered, and led up to a specially blessed Communion on Maundy 
 Thursday. 
 
 Especially from the diary of my brother Theodore, I could 
 quote many instances to show how the Lord exercised the earnest 
 and yet blessed discipline of His school with those whom He had 
 just in love drawn to Himself. 
 
 "1841. Dec. Because of my great anxiety I often have to con- 
 tend with doubts, do not venture to decide, or if I have decided fear 
 that I have deceived myself. Therefore I always feel best if I know 
 that I still have the Saviour. 
 
 1842, Oct. 6. More deeply than ever I must feel my limitless 
 weakness, helplessness and depravity, but it is for my good. 
 
 Oct. 8. Today Bro. Tietzen spoke with me about conscientious- 
 ness in little things, especially about lending my note-books to others. 
 I could not answer a word. So much has been forgiven me, and 
 out of a pitiful fear of man I am not even willing to refuse to lend 
 my note-books to my comrades. 
 
 Oct. 10. Until now no one has asked for my note-book. I 
 had prayed earnestly that the Lord would prevent my comrades from 
 asking or give me strength to refuse the request. 
 
 Oct. 18. A particular matter is giving me great concern. To 
 know that one is hated by some one is very hard, and yet, if I my- 
 :self were different, everything would be different. If only the Sav- 
 iour would entirely control my actions! 
 
 1 842, Oct. 25. Afiter all, it is quite hard to be nothing and let 
 Christ 1)9 all. 
 
 Nov. 13. Today 1 could again rejoice in my election. I also 
 felt that I was beloved by my comrades. Now 1 found fresh streams 
 in the wilderness." 
 
 21 
 
What "IE" writes about the same time agrees with the above: — - 
 "When I was communing with my comrades in a heartfelt way 
 before the Communion, I could not avoid a feeling of repugnance 
 with regard to one of them, which I had felt for years. I was 
 certainly glad to partake of the Holy Communion and hoped that by 
 means of it I might obtain more love to my comrades. 'If only he 
 were not one of them', I said to myself, 'and if I only do not have to 
 sit next to him in the Communion.' Although this thought troubled 
 me not a little, I did not wish to do anything to prevent sitting next 
 to him, as I could ea'sily have done. I took my seat, and next to me sat 
 that very disliked comrade! For some moments this disturbed me 
 greatly, but suddenly it occurred to me that in such a case one 
 should pray, and just all the more for that one whom one does not 
 love. This 1 did quite simply in my trouble, and at once all dislike 
 vanished. I felt all at once sucJi a love for him that I sat as close 
 to him as possible. Immediately the service began, and a feeling 
 took possession of me that I cannot describe. I was supremely 
 happy. The Saviour came with all the power of His love to my still 
 so hard heart, and at last, after often knocking in vain, obtained 
 entrance." 
 
 Bro. Class writes to Bro. Passavant at Koenigsfeld with refer- 
 ence to this school-time: — 
 
 "The Saviour had led our young people up on Mt. Tabor, and 
 they said, 'It is good for us to be here'. iBefore the rich measure 
 of His grace sin had withdrawn into the recesses of their hearts. 
 But now the Saviour had to take them by the hand and lead them 
 down. Many a 'Lord, have mercy' took the place of their rejoicing 
 as they looked deeply into their sinful hearts. For sin came forth 
 again from its hiding-place and sought to enforce its dominion. 
 The conflict began anew. Victory inclined now to the one side, 
 now to the other. But, thank God! the number of those in whom 
 the new creature has the upper hand is not small. One must re- 
 member that one has to do here with youths fourteen to twenty-one 
 years of age, in whom the Lord's work has just begun, and is sti'l 
 in its infancy, so that it is no wonder if things sometimes appear that 
 belong to the old man. In most of them we can note the continued 
 work of the Spirit of God, and there are not a few in whom a good 
 foundation has been laid. The sceptre of Christ rules in the house; 
 some kiss it, others bow beneath it." 
 
 And in this thousand times blessed school of grace all children 
 of grace have had part. We could yet add many testimonies there- 
 to; they would all in various ways and yet unitedly praise the faith- 
 ful shepherd-care of Jesus. 
 
 And this school of grace continued not only the first year, but 
 through all the years of our educational life and all the years of our' 
 whole earthly life. 
 
 22. 
 
For ane half of our number, by their being called before the 
 throne of God, this school has ended in the examination. The rest 
 of us are today, and more than ever, in the school. Lord, help us 
 to pass our examination! 
 
 CHAPTER ^^. 
 The Continuation of the Work of Grace. 
 
 The Lord's work continued from month to month, from year to 
 year. If the stream of blessing no longer overflowed its banks, :t 
 still flowed with a strong current in its bed among the youths in the 
 College, and then into the Theological Seminary in Gnadenfeld, and 
 still farther into the lives of teachers and ministers. 
 
 Bro. Plitt, who served in the Theological Seminary in Gnaden- 
 feld thirty-five years, writes of this: — 
 
 "Incited by the news from Niesky, at first three friends in the 
 Theological Seminary pledged themselves to the Lord. That which 
 these had obtained in the College by means of faithful pastoral care 
 and awakening sermons gained a firmer form. Others, it is tru3, 
 as yet would have nothing to do with the new spirit. Only when 
 the living witnesses of the awakening at Niesky entered the Semin- 
 ary, could the older students not escape the influence of their young- 
 er comrades, especially as these waged a determined conflict with 
 the established loose traditions, which indeed had ruled long enough 
 in the Theological Seminary. Gradually their opponents yielded to a 
 better spirit, and the blessing of the day of grace at Niesky began lo 
 spread among the students. From that time the blessing spread 
 among a great number of teachers of the younger generation." 
 
 As the Lord by His faithful care for our young men in Xieskv 
 and in Gnadenfeld gave new life to this spirit at different times by 
 new seasons of awakening, thus throughout a decade it put forth 
 new shoots. In the Preparatory School at Niesky, repeated visita- 
 tions of grace occurred during the following years, with especial 
 power first in 1844, when some of these who had been so mightily 
 affected in 1841 after finishing the course of study in the Seminary, 
 entered as teachers. This had no such perceptible results in th° 
 College, but certainly among the teachei-s of both Institutions, which, 
 in 1845 and 1846 enjoyed rich blessings, the effects of which were 
 felt for a long time. In the same manner, genuine awakenings oc- 
 curred in other Boys' Schools which young men who had enjoyed 
 the blessings of 1841 entered as teachers. Thus it was in Koenigs- 
 feld, Kleinwelke and Xeuwied. In the Seminary at Gnadenfeld also 
 the work of grace continued quietly, and especially in 1850 and 
 1851 the new life there spread with greater power than in 1842. 
 Indeed, the Lord made the entire decade after 1841 a time of 
 blessing and life for the whole circle of our young men, and the 
 
 23 
 
fruits of it have manifested ttiemselves in various ways during the 
 following years. Especially up to 1871, therefore through three 
 decades, almost the life of a generation, these fruits came to full 
 maturity, and in part are still vigorous. Thanks and praise for 
 this to the Lord, the Chief Shepherd and Bisihop of Souls! To en tar 
 into further details would pass the limits of our present undertaking.. 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 The Great Transformation in the College after the Awakening. 
 
 Before we speak of this, and yet in close connection with it, we 
 would like to say a word or two about our dear Father Schordan, 
 who was at that time Principal of Che Unity's Institutions. Some 
 who have no knowledge of those times will have desired to know 
 how the highest official of the College stood with regard to the awak- 
 ening. And behold, what we can say about it is just exactly a lead- 
 ing testimony to the great transformation of the entire condition of 
 things in the house. 
 
 Bro. Schordan had been before this time the personified law oi 
 discipline and order in the house, universally °steemed, feared by 
 transgressors. When he, shaking his room-key in his hand like a 
 sceptre, entered a room in the college, in order to lecture us, even 
 fhe boldest trembled. On the other hand, if he summoned any one 
 to his office, in order to repiove him for some offence, the culprit 
 left it quite crushed. And with all this one could very well notice 
 that he would have been heartily glad to speak in a different tone. 
 But he knew well that, in the existing state ot affairs only an iroA 
 hand could rule. 
 
 This man of authority had suddenly fainted in the Greek class 
 and was carried unconscious to his residence. At his age of 4 9 
 years it was certainly not a trifling occurrence. He could not parti- 
 cipate in the festival of the thirteenth of November, but was present 
 although in the side-room, at the household service which Bro. 
 Tietzen held. In a letter written Nov. 15, 1841, to the representative 
 of the Unity's Schools in the Unity's Elders Conference, we see what 
 his faithful heart, to which the young men in his College were dear, 
 had learned and tested of their experiences, and what he, with thank- 
 ful astonishment, thought of the occurrence. He writes: — 
 
 "I wrote in my last letter that we iprefer to rejoice with quiet 
 gratitude, and I must now add with wonder and amazement, over 
 the present work of grace among our young men. But w^en the 
 joy of brethren and pupils in the Lord finds such powerful expres- 
 sion as it has since the jubilee just celebrated, one dare not and can 
 not be silent, although one cannot properly express what should be 
 
 24 
 
said. Since all, boys and teachers, feel themselves to be one heart 
 and soul, their joy is unspeakable. The opinion of our Board is 
 that if we had to say that man had planned this work, we would 
 have to fear for the result. But it is the ='pirit of the Lord who, up 
 to this very hour, has produced this wonderful work. We must not 
 interfere. The conviction of sin that preceded guarantees that it 
 is not mere emotional excitement, and the fine artlessness and un- 
 disguised cheerfulness that prevail among them prove that it is not 
 an artificial display." 
 
 O, we could see and feel his joy in that he could now give full 
 rein to his affection, and speak to us in a new and different tone. 
 And how paternal this tone had become! Now we could not only 
 respect but love our acknowledged ruler, and were glad for every 
 friendly word, glad for his delightful and often edifying Greek lec- 
 tures. He had now become our loving father. This was not a 
 change of his disposition, but the natural result and decided proof 
 of the transformation of his beloved College. 
 
 We are very desirous, for the glory of God, to present this 
 transformation of the entire condition of the College after the awak- 
 ening, in contrast with that condition shortly before, in a sharp and 
 clear light. 
 
 "A" says concerning it in his article in the Bimederbote for 
 1867: — 
 
 "The ruling spirit of the College was entirely changed. How 
 great a change this was only those can estimate who were students 
 before and after it took place. As certain as it is that before the 
 awakening not everything was bad, but that there were good ex- 
 ceptions as certain also as it is that after the awakening there was 
 not a state of perfect goodness, but that shortcomings still appeared 
 from time to time, just so certain is it that a decidedly new order of 
 things began; a new creation had come forth by the Word and Spirit 
 of the Lord." 
 
 The church services were valued and often gave rise to edifying 
 conversation. The pastoral care of the spiritual adviser or elder 
 was often invoked. The unprofessional brethren or tutors were 
 respected. The tyranny of the strong over the weak came to an 
 end. Conscience would not permit a transgression of the rules. 
 Cheating in school was severely criticised. Industry in studies and 
 good conduct were zealously cultivated. Ridicule of sacred things 
 was proscribed. And with all this we were youthfully merry, and 
 jokes and games and walks were now first right full of sunshine. 
 
 These are only pencil-strokes to represent the outside of the 
 conditions in the College after the thirteenth of November. But 
 just this strikingly apparent change in the actual condition of such 
 a large Institution full of young men speaks yet more convincinglv 
 
 25 
 
than the most edifying testimonies of individuals, of the divine, 
 transforming power of the grace that then was given to us. 
 
 May we not perhaps say today after fifty years, that with hut a 
 few exceptions, upon the whole the spirit of conscientiousness as to 
 duity, the spirit of reverence for the sanctuary of spiritual ajid eter- 
 nal life has held sway in our College. 
 
 My heart and my conscience have constrained me to make 
 known for the glory of G-od to the c'hurch here in Niesky in view of 
 the approaching festival of Nov. 13th., 1891, somethiag of the 
 mighty works of the Lord amongst the youth of tlhis community 
 fiifty years ago. Others, who w^re my companions in those happy 
 days, have told this wonderful story at various times and places, 
 and experience shows that the divine blessing has accompanied 
 tlheir narrative. Does not the living God say also to us: "Only 
 take heed to thyself, and Keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget 
 the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from 
 Mhy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy 
 sons' sons, that they may teach their children." (iDeut 4:9 and 10). 
 
 26 
 
Nazareth, Penna., June 1st., 1913 
 
 Dear Friend: 
 
 Our beloved Moravian Church was born in a revival, was re- 
 newed in a revival, and has prospered in proportion as she has 
 cherished the revival spirit of the Fathers. This spirit of evangelis- 
 tic zeal for the salvation of men is not easily maintained. Eternal 
 vigilance is required, and an up-hill battle must be fought, lest 
 Laodicean lukewarmness overtake us with its paralyzing power. 
 There is nothing which the enemy of souls will strive more to pre- 
 vent than "seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." 
 Aversion and opposition to revivals and conversions have always 
 been prevalent, and will doubtless continue to the end of time. On 
 the day of Pentecost the words and actions of Spirit-filled men and 
 women were attributed by scoffers to the influence of intoxication. 
 Ridicule, persecution, imiprisonment and martyrdom followed. Our 
 own Moravian Church has had her full share oif all these experi- 
 ences, whenever she has manifested apostolic zeal for the salva- 
 tion of souls. Count Zinzendorf knew whereof he spoke when he 
 declared: "If a minister desires to enjoy ease and have things go 
 smoothly in his congregation, conversions and revivals dare not take 
 place. As soon as these occur the devil is loose, no matter how de- 
 cently and in order everything may be conducted." 
 
 Enemies of revivals and conversions are not only the vile and 
 the vicious, but also the self-righteous and the formalist. "The 
 preaching of the Cross" is a "stumbling-block" and "foolishness" to 
 t)he spiritual children both of the religious Jew as well as of the 
 worldly-wise and cultured Greek. iBut we dare not retreat or keep 
 silence. 
 
 Our only weapons of spiritual warfare and victory are "the 
 Blood of the Lamb and Che Word of our Testimony." Th9 preaching 
 of "Christ and Him Crucified" in demonstration of the Spirit and of 
 power, is still mighty through God to the pulling down of Satan's 
 strongholds. By this sign we conquer. Almost every Moravian 
 Church Festival commemorates wonderful revivals In anawer to 
 united, persevering prayer accomipanied by plain, earnest testimony, 
 all pointing to the "precious Blood of Christ." Unless Zion tra- 
 vails in hirth by laboring in tihe ministry of intercession and witness- 
 hearing she will not 'bring forth spiritual children, so that the Re- 
 
 27 
 
deemer may see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied. We do 
 well to pray with Spangenberg: 
 
 "O Spirit of the Lord, all life is Thine! 
 
 Now fill Thy Churdh with life and power divine, 
 
 That many children may be born to Thee, 
 
 And spread Thy knowledge like the boundless sea, 
 
 To Christ's great praise!" 
 
 The prayer of the prophet may well be our daily cry: "Oh 
 Lord, revive Thy Work in the midst of the years!" (Hab. 3:2) 
 
 The preceding pages record a remarkable revival in on"? of our 
 most famous Moravian Educational Institutions, located in one of 
 our oldest and best congregations. The conversions here described 
 were those of born and bred Moravians, Lutherans, etc., some of 
 whom were children of godly ministers. The revival came as a re- 
 sult of earnest importunate prayer as well as of faithful personal 
 witnessing. May these truths be carefully and prayerfully pondered 
 by us all! 
 
 This pamphlet furnishes another illustration of the fact that it 
 has pleased the Lord to employ the Moravian Church in the coq- 
 version not only of savages and so-called sinners, but also of theo- 
 logical students and ministers, such as Boehler, the Wesleys, Lang- 
 gaard, Krogstrup, etc. 
 
 Nicodemus must needs be born again, no less than the poor 
 woman at the well of Samaria. 
 
 May we not ask all our readers to pray that the Lord's blessing 
 may accompany this narrative and also to aid in its wide circulation. 
 Our aim is to introduce it in as many Moravian homss as possible, as 
 well as in all our Church-Schools. 
 
 Any gifts for tihis cause will be gratefully received. The price 
 which will not cover the cost of publication, has been fixed at the 
 low rate of fifty cents per dozen copies, and $3.00 per hundred, 
 postpaid. Address all orders to "The Item," Nazareth, Pa., or to the 
 undersigned. 
 
 Yours in His service, 
 
 JOHN aRBENPIEILD. 
 
 ITCM PRINT NAZARETH PA.