tihravy of l:he theological ^minavy 
 
 PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 The Estate of 
 Samuel Henry Gapp 
 
 P 
 
MEMORIAL-DAYS 
 
 OP THE 
 
 KENEWED CHURCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BRETHREN. 
 
 CranUlateli from tU (Swmam 
 
 SBINTED BY 
 
 T. CUNNINGHAM, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE; 
 
 AND TO BE SOLD IN ALL THE 
 VNITED BRETHREN'S CONGREGATIONS IN TH£ UNITED 
 KINGDOM. 
 
 MDCCCXXII. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 i. Beginning of the Building of Hen*nhut, by 
 the first Emigi-ants of Moravia. For June 
 the 17th. 
 
 II. Tlie laying of the Foundation Stone of the 
 
 first Meeting Hall and Academy at Herm- 
 hut. For May the 12th. , 
 
 III. The Renewal of the Brethren's Church, 1 727. 
 
 Appendix A. B. C. For August the 13th. 
 
 IV. The great awakening among the Children at-- 
 
 Herrnhut. For August the 17th. 
 
 V. Beginning of the hourly Intercession. For 
 
 August the 27th. 
 
 VI. First Mission of the Brethren to the Heathen, 
 
 viz. : the Negroes in Saint Thomas. For 
 August the 21st. 
 
 VII. Beginning of the Mission among the Heathen 
 
 in Greenland. For January the 19th. 
 
 VIII. Powerful experience in the Unity of the Bre- 
 
 thren, that Jesus is the chief Shepherd and 
 Head of His Church. For September the 
 16th, and November the 13th. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/memorialdaysofreOOunse 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The following^ eight Narratives, and tlieir Appen- 
 dixes, contain historical accounts of those events 
 which have given rise to the memorial days of the 
 renewed Church of the Brethren. They are in close 
 connexion with the Narratives puhlished in 1821, 
 comprizing the account of those two memorial days 
 which have a reference to the history of the ancient 
 Church of the Brethren ; and this connection h 
 necessarily the closer since none other but the de- 
 scendants and survivors of that oppressed Church, 
 (which had been completely destroyed in those re- 
 gions where it existed originally) commenced in the 
 year 1722 the building of Herrnhut,„the firstling of 
 all our Congregation places. Having found in that 
 A 
 
11. 
 
 place an asj^um from the reiterated persecutions 
 of their enemies, they resorted thither from time to 
 time, in considerable numbers, and brought with 
 them the Statutes, the Spirit, the Blessing and the 
 Promises of their ancient Church. The commence- 
 ment of the Building' of Herrnhut, June the 17th, 
 1 722 ; the laying of the foundation stone of the first 
 Meeting Hall and Academy, May 12, 1724; the 
 agreement to the first Orders and Statutes of the 
 Congregation, May 12, 1/27; the celebration of the 
 Holy Communion by the Congregation at Herrnhut 
 in the Church at Berthelsdorf, 13th. of August, the 
 same year, which, as it were, imprinted the Lord's 
 seal upon that Congregaiton, and from which may be 
 derived, as immediate consequences, the awakening 
 of the Children, and the introduction of the hourly 
 intercession — these were the memorable events, 
 which fully proved, that the Lord would again mer- 
 cifully look upon his deserted, despised, rejected 
 people of the Brethren ; and graciously answer the 
 believing Prayer of his faithful Servant, the aged 
 Bishop Amos Comenius. 0 bring us. Lord, again 
 to thifself, that we mat/ relitrn to our homes! Renew 
 our days as of old! — and that he would according to 
 the hope and confidence of this his Servant, breathe 
 with the breath of his mouth upon the dead and dry 
 hones, scattered over the field of this world, and 
 
cause tliem to live. Every one, who reviews tlie 
 course and connection of these events, witli even 
 only a small degree of attention, will have to ac- 
 knowledge, in these beginnings of the Brethren's 
 Congregation, the finger of God, and the moving of 
 his Spirit; and whoever with due care contemplates 
 the evident leading and interposition of the Most 
 High, in this new phenonemon of his kingdom, will 
 be constrained to confess: 'Diis is the Lord's doing, 
 and it is marvellous in our eyes ! As soon as the 
 newly estabiished Congregation of the Brethren 
 began to feel the vigor of the life which had been 
 imparted by the Lord, the most earnest wish to 
 participate in the furtherance of the kingdom of Ciod 
 in general, filled the minds of all. The Impulse of 
 their hearts to carry the message of Salvation pro- 
 cured for us by Christ to tlie remotest heathen tribes, 
 inspired the first heathen-messengers with that irre- 
 sistable courage of faith, which enabled them to break 
 through all opposing impediments, and to commence 
 in the years 1 T32 and 1 733, the first Missions of the 
 Brethren in St Thomas and in Greenland; tlie be- 
 ginning of which Missions is commemorated on tlie 
 21st. of Augn«t, and H.'th of January. All these 
 memorable events were sealed and confirmed by the 
 blessed experience made in the Unity of the Bre- 
 thren, both on the 16tb. of September and 13th. of 
 
IV. 
 
 NoTember, 1741, that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd 
 and Head of his Church: for on those days of 
 powerful visitation from the Lord, the Members of 
 the Congregation felt a deep inward conviction, that 
 tlie Unity of the Brethren, as a Society closely joined 
 together by the bond of love and of true fellowship 
 of spirit, and as a separate and distinguished Church, 
 known by its peculiar Statutes and Ordinances, had 
 Him, who is the Lord and Ruler of his whole Church, 
 visible and invisible, as its only Head, who con- 
 descends himself, as the Elder, to govern the same, 
 to direct his Servants, to watch over the whole, and 
 at the same time to bear on his heart each individual 
 member, caring for all according to their several 
 wants. Tlie following Narratives are chiefly selected 
 from the original Diaries, Letters and Essays of those 
 persons, who took a distinguished part in the events 
 Qarrat€d. 
 
 As much as possible their own words have been 
 retained, which is even tlie case in numerous pass- 
 ages where no particular notice is taken of that cir- 
 cumstance. This will transport the reader in so much 
 the more lively a manner into that particular period 
 of time, on which just now, (as the renewed Bre- 
 thren's Church is on the point of concluding the first 
 century of its existence,) we look back with heartfelt 
 
gratitude. For it was then that the foundation was 
 laid for a peculiar Disponmlion of the Lord, in which 
 he lias deipned to manifest his grace and his glory to 
 the salvation of many thousand souls ! 
 
 Herriilurt, Julv 
 
 A 2 
 
PART FIRST. 
 
 BUILDING OF HERRNHUT, 
 
 BY BOMB 
 
 iMorabian <2ra:ilfg» 
 
 For JUNE the 17th. 
 
 God ealletb those things which be not, ns though they were. /to»>.4. 17> 
 
 "God, who is wonderful in all his works and ways, 
 is pleased to effect great and excellent i)urpos«s hy 
 means of things, in themselves weak, yea despicable 
 in the eyes of the world ; with a view that his name 
 roay thereby be glorified, and his omnipotence, wis- 
 
7 
 
 dom and grace made manifest. In the execution of 
 these his purposes, he gradually unfolds and brings 
 into completion the hidden counsel of his. will, un- 
 ravels his thoughts from time to time more fully : till 
 the whole of his design being accomplished, the 
 minds of all may be directed to consider the excel- 
 lency of it, and thus become acquainted with his 
 name and will, and be brought under the influence of 
 genuine faith in him. Such has been the commence- 
 ment and gradual progress of that work of our God 
 and Lord, which in these our days he has been 
 pleased to begin and to continue among us and by 
 us, who are poor and mean, and consequently de- 
 spised by the world : — a work wliich affords a strik- 
 ing evidence that He is in Christ our gracious God 
 and Father, whose intention it is, that we should be 
 his obedient ciiildren, and a people devoted unto Him, 
 in as much as he hath raised us from a state of 
 death, and brought us to the glorious light and 
 liberty of the Gospel; so that now, rejoicing in his 
 aiding grace, we can declare with a cheerful voice, 
 and with holy exultation: " The Lord hath done 
 great things for us, whereof we are glad!'' U'ith 
 these words, that servant of the Lord Christian Uavid, 
 who deserves pre-eminently to be noticed among the 
 founders of the congregation at Herrnhut, begins 
 his account of that congregation in a letter written 
 by him at Montmiraii, October 2d., 1731, and ad- 
 dressed to the believing Brethren at Bern, Sebaff- 
 hausen and Lausanne. He was born December 31 , 
 1690, at Scnftleben, a village in Moravia, not far 
 distant from the town of Neu Titschein, and educated 
 in the Roman Catholic religion, in the devotional 
 exercises of which he showed great zeal ; though in 
 so doing, he fourid no rest for his soul, as his heart 
 
8 
 
 condemned him still, while fighting' against inward 
 temptations, and allurements to sin. In his youth 
 he was employed in tending cows and sheep. When 
 arrived at years of maturity he learned tiie carpenter's 
 business at Holesohau, which proved the occasion of 
 his becoming acquainted with some Protestants, who 
 sought to convince him, that the Pontifical power, 
 the worship of images and the pilgrimages enjoined 
 by the Roman Church, -were nothing but the inven- 
 tions of men. Thus his faith in the traditions of his 
 fathers, was, in some measure, shaken. Some pious 
 men in that town, who were seeking after God, had 
 been imprisoned in a cellar, on account of their meet- 
 ings and books ; and as they were heard day and night 
 to sing and fervently to i)ray to God, a deep im- 
 pression was thereby made on his mind, though he 
 could not comprehend the cause of that impression. 
 He conceived about this time also a }:reat affection 
 for the Jews, who had a synagogue in that place, 
 being led to observe their devotional earnestness and 
 zeal ; and having entered into conversations with them 
 respecting their belief, he was tempted to call in 
 question the truth of Christianity, and could not de- 
 termine which was the genuine zeal, whether that of 
 the Roman Catholics, that of the prisoners above 
 mentioned, or that of the Jews. He had not as yet 
 been favored with a sight of the Bible, and having 
 been told th«t it was the Word of God, he earnestly 
 longed to become possessed of one. He was at that 
 time 20 years of age. At length he was favored to 
 obtain the Sacred Volume, and by carefully reading 
 and searching it, while comparing the Old and New 
 Testaments, the doubts which before had grievously 
 assailed him , were by degrees overcome ; and he was 
 taught to believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah. 
 
9 
 
 and that God, who had revealed himself under the 
 Old Covenant Dispensation, as the God of Ahraham, 
 Isaac and Jacob, had, in the new dispensation of 
 orace, made himself known as the Father, the Son, 
 and the Holy Ghost. But new tem[»tations to un- 
 belief soon arose in his heart; for he began to enter- 
 tain a doubt wlietiier the Bible was indeed the AVord 
 of God ? However the more diligently he continued 
 " searching^ the Scriptures" and reflected upon the 
 accomplishment of all the promises and threats there- 
 in contained ; and how, exactly according to the truth, 
 the Scriptures describe the inward warring of the 
 flesh against the spirit, and the condition and cha- 
 racteristic both of believers and unbelievers — so much 
 the firmer became his conviction, that the Bible was 
 really the Word of God, and that the relig-ion of Christ 
 was the only true one, for the sake of which, through- 
 out all ages, a numberless multitude of confessors, 
 had willing-ly laid down their lives. Since that time 
 the Bible became his favorite book ; and when over- 
 come with fatigue from hi« daily labour, he sought 
 and found therein refreshment and renewed strength. 
 
 This predilection for the holy Scriptures he re- 
 tained through his whole life, and manifested it also 
 by a cert^n peculiar mode of expressing himself, 
 drawn chiefly from the Sacred Volume; and he even 
 formed his hand writing from the printed book, 
 which was the cause of its characteristic peculiarity. 
 
 Feeling now convinced that the doctrine of the 
 Lutheran church was conformable to the Word of 
 God, he took the resolution to join the same. With 
 a view to put this resolution into practice, he tra- 
 velled into Hungary, as soon as he had finished lear- 
 ning the carpenter's business. When atTyrnau, he 
 heard for the first time in his life the singing of a 
 
10 
 
 Protestant Copifregation, his joy was unspeakably 
 g^reat. Tlie Lutherans in Hun<!:ary however refused 
 to receive him among; their number, lest they should 
 subject themselves to severe penalties, and advised 
 him to g-o to Saxony : and when he discovered that 
 the Catholic Clergy were seeking how to ensrare 
 him, he followed the advice given, and set out, 
 through Austria and Bohemia for Jjcipzig, and thence 
 proceeded to Berlin, where he openly embraced the 
 Jjutheran Religion, and received the Holy Commu- 
 nion for the first time in their Church, from the Rev. 
 Mr. Schmitt their Minister. But great was his dis- 
 appointment in not finding what he had been in search 
 of, to wit, the prevalence of a godly life and con- 
 versation, among those who professed the religion he 
 had now embraced; for in its stead he observed 
 almost every where ungodliness and worldly lusts ; 
 and his grief of mind became still more acute, when 
 he found that it was impossible to live according to 
 the law of the Gospel, without incurring many impe- 
 diments and much mockery. On that account he 
 resolved to enlist as a Soldier, thinking that in that 
 situation he would be less exposed to tiie attacks of 
 those who made a mockery of vital Christianity. For 
 this purpose he offered his services as a soldier to 
 the military authorities at Berlin, but was rejected 
 because he was a subject of the Emperor of Austria, 
 nor could he succeed in his api>lication till he had 
 used the strongest and most earnest entreaties, in 
 consequence of which, he was at last received among 
 those employed in attending the Waggon Train, and 
 in that capacity he served in the war against Charles 
 the 12th. King of Sweden, and was present at the 
 Siege of Stralsund. But in this military situation 
 he met with tlie same disappointment, and therefore 
 
II 
 
 received his dismissal with joy. After that peiiod 
 he had to endure a dangerous illness, during which, 
 he frequently renewed his vow of fidelity to God; 
 he continued working at his trade in Breslaw and 
 Schweidnitz, and at last not thinking himself, while 
 in Silesia, out of the reach of the persecutions of 
 tlie Jesuits, he repaired in the year 1717 to Goerlitz, 
 in Upper Lusatia. In that town he became acquainted 
 with the Rev.MeichierSchaffer, M. A. Senior Minister 
 at Trinity Church ; also with the Rev. John Christo- 
 pher Schwedler, M. A. Vicar of Lower Wiese, as well 
 as with other children of God, in whose discourses 
 and conversation he found at last what he had so 
 long, but frnidessly, been in search of. He now 
 married a person belonging to Alr.Schwedler's parish, 
 which marriage God blessed with five children, all 
 of whom departed this life in early youth. This mar- 
 riage did not however interrupt his calling as a pilgrim 
 of Christ; and his paa-tner, who was of a sickly habit, 
 remained quietly at home, leanng him at liberty to 
 pursue his road, whithersoever his inward conviction 
 miglit lead him. For, after having obtained the saving 
 knowledge of the truth, he felt himself excited to pay 
 repeated visits from Goerlitz to his own countrymen 
 of the Prot«stant persuasion, with a view to recom- 
 mend to their most serious attention those truths, 
 the blessed influence of which he had experienced; 
 and more fully to explain to them the counsel and 
 the ways of God. 
 
 About a hundred years had now elapsed, since 
 the commencement of that persecution which the 
 Roman Catholics in Bohemia and Moravia had raised 
 against all the divisions of the Protestant community, 
 and of course also against the ancient church of the 
 Brethren. These had been deprived by the power 
 
12 
 
 and craft of tlteir adversaries of their religious liberty, 
 their cliapels, their ministers, and their books. AJany 
 of them had emigrated, and many had been induced 
 to embrace the Catholic confession of faith. Yet 
 were tliere still numbers of them left, especially in 
 the little town of Fulneck, and the adjacent villages, 
 whicii had formerly been the parish of the last bishop 
 of the Moravian Brethren, AmosComenius; and those 
 who were thus left in the country, though they were 
 forced outwardly to conform to the rites of the Romish 
 Church, had preserved, as a sacred deposit, the Holy 
 Scriptures, the Brethren's hymn book, and various 
 other edifying and devotional writings ; all of which 
 they read in their secret retirements, with great dili- 
 gence. 'J'hey met together for worship mornings and 
 evenings, and especially on Sundiiys; yea, even occa- 
 sionally administered the Holy Communion to each 
 other in secret. 
 
 Among the Fathers who kept up these spiritual 
 connections, particular mention is made of George 
 Jaeshke, at Sehlen. His ancestors had sought an 
 asylum in Moravia, from the persecutions they had to 
 sustain in Bohemia, in the 15th. century. He was a 
 genuine descendant of the Bohemian Brethren, and 
 one of those pious and patriarchal men, to whom 
 " the hidden ones of the J^ord" took their refuge 
 during those oppressive times. 
 
 He maintained a close fellowship with the Bre- 
 thren in Fulneck, Z<iuchtenthal,Schonau, Kunewalde, 
 Senftleben and Seitendorf. They usually met together 
 in turns at one or the other of these places, to enter 
 into conversation about the state of the Brethren, the 
 nature and influence of sound doctrine, the defection 
 of so many, the op])ression under which tlie small 
 remnant, yet left, continued to groan. On these 
 
1.T 
 
 occasions they also covenanted together, amidst many 
 tears with prayer and supplication, to adhere faithftdly 
 to the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. The number of 
 such families, whom they could trust, was gradually 
 diminished by the secession of those, who through in- 
 termarrying with Catholics, united themselves more 
 closely with the latter. This diminution was chiefly 
 aimed at by the civil authorities, especially in those 
 places which (as it was the case with Sehlen) be- 
 longed to the Jesuits. The above mentioned. (Jeorge 
 Jaeshke made it the business of his life, even to its 
 final close, to continue in prayer, to address words 
 of warning or comfort to the faithful remnant, and 
 to strengthen the things which were ready to die. 
 He cared in an< especial and truly paternal manner 
 for the five sons of his daughter Judith, who had 
 married George Neisser. To these his' grandsons 
 faithfully explained God's counsel concerning man's 
 salvation, and urged them diligently to peruse the 
 Bible, the writings of the Brethren, and those of 
 Luther; nor did he fail forcibly to point out to them, 
 how necessary it is, that each sliould seek to ex- 
 perience grace, and the forgiveness of his sins, and 
 that none should henceforth live to the world, hut 
 alone to the Lord .Tesus; this being the reality of 
 vital godliness, without which a man must perish, not- 
 withstanding all the knowledge he may possess. 
 
 When far advanced in years he married the 
 second time, and on the 27th. of September, 1700, 
 his son Michael was born, to whom he showed par- 
 ticular affection, in consequence of which it was his 
 earnest wish and endeavour to impress his infant mind 
 with the feeling of the love of God manifested in 
 Christ Jesus. In the year 1707, perceiving that the 
 time of hip departure was at hand, and wishiug to 
 B 
 
14 
 
 impart his farewell blessing to this his infant son, 
 then six years of a^e, as well as to his grandsons, he 
 sent for them to the couch on which he lay, and 
 while they were surrounding it, he exhorted them 
 to remain faithful till deatli to the Lord Jesus, and 
 to the knowledge they had obtained; to abide in him, 
 and to cleave to him with their whole heart and mind. 
 If they would do this, he assured them, they would 
 experience a great deliverance ; for God would avenge 
 his own elect, who cry unto liim day and night. " It 
 " is true," said he, " our liberty is gone, most of 
 " our descendants give themselves up more and more 
 " to a worldly mind, and get entangled in the net of 
 " Popery — yea it would ahnost appear, as if the Bre- 
 " thren's cause was anniliilated ; but, you my dear 
 *' children, Avill live to see a great deliverance 
 " wrought in behalf of the remnant of our flock; 
 " yet whether it is to take place here in Moravia, 
 " or whether you will have to quit this Babel, I 
 " know not of a certainty: this I do know, that the 
 " time for it is not far distant; and I feel inclined to 
 " believe, that an emigration will be undertaken 
 " into a land, and to a place where you may serve 
 " the Lord without fear, agreeably to his holy word. 
 " Be ready against tliat time, whenever it may come, 
 " and beware lest you be the last, or even tarry be- 
 " hind. Remember I have told it you before hand. 
 " This, my infant son, must remain the pro])erty of 
 " Jesus; 1 recommend him to you, and especially to 
 " thee, Augustin; care for him, and by no means 
 " leave him behind, at the time of your emigration ! ' 
 Having said this, he turned to this favorite child, and 
 with tears of affection imparted to liim his benedic- 
 tion, and in like manner he pronounced his }taternal 
 farewell blessing over each one of his grandsons; 
 
15 
 
 and in a short time after, he entered into the joy oi" 
 his Lord, at the age of 83 years. This farewell- 
 scene made an indelible impression upon the five 
 Brothers Neisser, who laid up in tiieir hearts every 
 word of their dying grandfather, and never ceased 
 pondering on his parting benediction. 
 
 When Christian David, the carpenter, in the 
 year 1717 happened to be on a visit from Giirlitz in 
 Moravia, he proceeded as far as Sehlen, and became 
 acquainted with these five Brothers. He gave them 
 instrttctions as to the most profitable way of reading 
 the Scriptures, and applying them so as to produce 
 a true change of mind. Among other texts he ex- 
 plained to tliem minutely every word of that passage 
 in St. James' epistle, (chap. 1. v. 3. 4.) " knowing 
 " this, that the trying of your fjuth worketh pa- 
 " tienc». But let patience have her perfect work, 
 " that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting no- 
 " thing,'' &c., and the explanations he gave them 
 produced a most lively emotion. Having tims sensi- 
 bly experienced on this occasion, the powerful energy 
 of a person, who, though an illiterate layman, had 
 clearly laid open to them the depth of the depravity 
 of their hearts; they began to feel a strong desire 
 after more light, and as round about them they could 
 discover nothing but darkness, they entreated him, at 
 his departure from them, to look out for a spot in a 
 Protestant country, where they might find an asylum : 
 for they entertained tlie idea that all the Lutherans 
 were like this one man, with whom they had now 
 made acquaintance. After the lapse of fourteen 
 months, Christian David, having shortly before re- 
 covered from a most serious illness, which had 
 almost proved fatal, returned again to Moravia. He 
 then gave his acquaintances an account of the mercy 
 
16 
 
 (iod had Bhown him duiinp that illness, and how he 
 had raised up for him many real friends, who had 
 i;ared for him in a truly parental manner — he told 
 them, how happy he was, and expounded to them 
 that text (Matt. 19. 29.) Every one that hath for- 
 saken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or 
 mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's 
 sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall in- 
 herit everlasting life. 
 
 They on their part repeated the more earnestly 
 their request respecting an asylum elsewhere, the 
 more they felt themselves oppressed by the miserable 
 situation in which they were, and which obliged 
 them to submit to many superstitious rites, which 
 were contrary to the word of God, and the dictates 
 of their conscience, so that they could enjoy no rest 
 either by day or night. Still three whole years how- 
 ever elapsed, before they were favored to see their 
 wish accomplished. During this interval they sought 
 refuge at Teschen in Upper Silesia, not far from the 
 frontiers of Moravia. In that town, as well as at 
 .Lower Wiese on the Lusatiau boundary, there was 
 one of those Chapels of Grace (so called) which the 
 Austrian Government (to which Silesia was then 
 subject) had been obliged to grant to the Protestants 
 in the year 1706, in consequence of the positive de- 
 mands of Charles the 12th, King of Sweden. The 
 Rev. John Adam Steinmetz was then the superin- 
 tending Minister at the Church in Teschen, and in 
 that district, 30,000 Poles, and 40,000 Germans 
 were under his care. This Minister, as w«U as his 
 two colleagues Muthman and Sassadius, proclaimed 
 the Gospel in a truly awakening manner, and insisted 
 zealously on vital Christianity. This was the reason 
 why many people from the adjacent parts of Moravia, 
 
17 
 
 who wished to work out their salvation with fear and 
 trembline^, resorted thither. The Brothers Neisser 
 had received the first intelligence concerning the 
 above-mentioned servants of God, from George Rets- 
 chel, an old soldier of Upper Silesia, who had fre- 
 quently been begging at their door, and on such 
 i5ccasions had greatly encouraged them by singing 
 evangelical hymns, and quoting suitable passages of 
 Scripture. Christian David also had formed an 
 acquaintance with those evangelical Ministers, and 
 had often referred his friends to them. Inspector 
 Steinmctz and Pastor Sassadius, when consulted by 
 the Neisiers, whether they should quit their country, 
 dissuaded them from the attempt to emigrate, because 
 they would every where meet witli abundant depravity, 
 impediments in the way of real conversion, and per- 
 secution of genuine Christians. This caused them 
 great grief, and often, and with tears did they be- 
 seech the Lord, that he would have mercy upon 
 them, and rescue their souls from the abominable 
 doctrine and practice, with which they were sur- 
 rounded. And when every ray of hope appeared to 
 be lost, so that they were totally at a loss whither to 
 turn for counsel and aid, the Lord graciously visited 
 them at a time when they least expected it. For on 
 ^Vhitsunday, 1 722, Christian David again returned 
 to them, and brought the joyful intelligence, that he 
 had become acquainted with a young Count de Zin- 
 zendorf, who was not only himself a child of God, 
 and a genuine follower of the Lord Jesus, but en- 
 deavoured also to win other souls for Christ, in which 
 view he had purchased an estate in Upper Lusatia, 
 and had given a vocation thither to an awakened 
 Minister, the Rev. Mr. Rothe, who was a faithful 
 witness of Jesus. The circumstances alluded to by 
 Christian David, were the following : 
 
18 
 
 The aboFe-mentioiied Count, Nicholas Louis de 
 "Zinzendorf (whose grandfather, Erasmus Count de 
 Zinzendorf, liad emigrated from Austria for the sake 
 of the Gospel, and left all his estates behind him) 
 was just then, in the year 1721, returned to his 
 grandmother, the Dowager Lady Henrietta de Gers- 
 dorf, from those travels in the cause of which, after 
 tlie completion of his studies at the University, l»e 
 had visited Germany, Holland, and France. . At the 
 house of this Lady, situated at Great Hennersdorf, 
 where he had spent his youthful years, he had re- 
 ceived a very pious and ehristian-like education. 
 When he was but ten years old, he formed the reso- 
 lution to engage in the Ministry of the Gospel, and 
 during his abode at the Academy of Halle, and at 
 the University of Wittenberg, as well as during his 
 travels in various countries, he had never lost sight 
 of this his iftward call. He had, however, been 
 obliged to yield to the wishes of his relatives, and to 
 lay aside for the present the design, so seriously for- 
 med and so constantly kept in jnind ; and accept from 
 obedience to their views, the situation of aulic Coun- 
 sellor at theSaxon Court, in Dresden. Yet in order to 
 satisfy, at least in some measure, tlie powerful im- 
 pulse he felt to be actively engaged in promoting the 
 kingdom of Jesus, he resolved to purchase an estate, 
 and there in conjunction with a pious Minister, to 
 devote much of his time :to the spiritual care of his 
 tenants. He had choscu for . this purpose the estate 
 of Bertlielsdorf , which lay contiguous to Great Hen- 
 nersdorf, and was also the property of his grand- 
 mother; who, after starting various difficulties (for 
 she -would rather have seen him fully engaged at 
 Court,' tkau'^spendingiiis time in the country) at last 
 ■consented to ihis ibecomin^ the purchaser .of tliar 
 
Id 
 
 estate. Previous to the purchase having been rati- 
 fied, he had already begun to build a liouse there. 
 He now appointed as his future assistant in the work 
 of the Gospel, tlie Rev, John Andrew llothe, a 
 candidate for the Ministry, in whom he could jilace 
 jiarticular confidence, both on account of his sincere 
 piety and extraordinary gifts, and with whom he had 
 entered into a covenant as Jonathan did with D^vid. 
 This person resided at that time at Leubi, in the 
 capacity of tutor to the children of Mr. de Sch- 
 weiniz, and used frequently to preach at Gorlitz, to 
 crowded auditories, and with evident blessing, but 
 had hitherto felt a conscientious scruple against 
 applying for a clerical office. The Rev. John Horn, 
 who had hitherto officiated there as Minister, and 
 from whom Count Zinzendorf could not promise him- 
 self <any support in his excellent designs, disparted 
 this life, immediately after the purchase of Berthels- 
 dorf. On the day of hi« taking possession of the 
 estate, viz. May 19, 1722, the Count sent a vocation 
 to the above-mentioned Mr. Rothe, which, among 
 other things, contained the following expressions^: 
 " You will have in me more a faithful helper and 
 brother than a patron; for, though poor and weak, I 
 wish to assist you in fighting the battles of the Lord 
 Jesus in his strength. May you convert the desart 
 into a pleasant. garden of God, and approve yourself 
 every where as a faithful Shepherd of Christ's flock, 
 then will you, when he who is tlve Chief Shepherd 
 shall appear, receive a crown of glory that fadeth 
 not «way.'' Mr. Rothe could not enter upon his 
 office till 30th of August tliat yciar. 
 
 Count Zinzendorf, by means of an accidental 
 conversation with him, was now informed .that there 
 :j?esidei] at ^Gorliz, a carpenter, -who had met witb 
 
20 
 
 some awakened souls in Moravia, that were wishing 
 for an asylum out of their own country. In conse- 
 quence of this information, he sent for Christian 
 David, received him in a friendly manner, enquired 
 minutely into ail the circumstances of those Moravian 
 families, and told him at last, that, if they would 
 come, he would take care to find them a place where 
 their emi^ation would not involve them in any 
 trouble, and that mean-nhiie he was ready to receive 
 them at Berthelsdorf. His primary design was this, 
 that these Moravian exiles should settle near Rei« 
 chenfels, M'hich estate he intended for this purpose 
 to rent of Count Henry, the 24th Reuss of Kbstritz; 
 and a small village, such as Herrnhut afterwards be- 
 came, should be built below Ebersdorf, and receive 
 the name Niedrig, or Lowly. But his endeavours to 
 procure quarters for them elsewhere proved fruit- 
 less — for they were, by Divine Providence, intended 
 for him, that through this seed of the blessed of the 
 Lord, that work which God designed for him to 
 execute among Chiistians and Heathens, might be 
 accomplished. 
 
 As soon as Christian David had made known to 
 the Brothers Neisser, at Sehlen — that now a place of 
 refuge had been found for them, Augustin and Jacob, 
 both cutlers by trade, immediately resolved to leave 
 every thing behind, and to follow him, " for ' said 
 they, *'this is God's doing, it is a call from the 
 Lord!'' The three other Brothers unanimously 
 agreed that Augustin and Jacob should set out first, 
 and the others should be sent for, if the Lord favored 
 the undertaking. The execution of the determina- 
 tion of the two Brothers, required however, no small 
 share of self denial. 
 
 They were obliged to leave all their possessions. 
 
21 
 
 and domestic comforts, nor durst they in any way 
 acquaint the very numerous circle of their friends, 
 with their proposed design. They could not how- 
 ever, but mention it to their mother, who, in con- 
 sequence of this intelligence, was so overcome by 
 her feelings, that she fainted several times — a scene 
 which so afifected them, that they were almost tempted 
 to desist from their undertaking. But they wrestled 
 the more earnestly with God in prayer, and he 
 enabled them at last to pacify their mother's mind. 
 The situation of their cousin, Michael Jaschkle now 
 particularly engaged Jacob's attention, and he could 
 not help noticing the danger for his soul he would 
 be surrounded with, if he were left among the Ca- 
 tholics, and he remembered the words of their grand- 
 father, which were now beginning to come to pass. 
 He Fcminded his brother Augustin of the promise 
 they had given to their dying parent, concerning this 
 his son, and when Augustin felt some hesitation to 
 speak to Michael on the subject, fearing that they 
 might thereby be betrayed, Jacob himself offered to 
 do it, in order that he might keep his conscience 
 clear from all subsequent reproaches. He therefore 
 sent for Michael that same evening, enquired con- 
 cerning the state of his soul, and when he.perceived 
 that he was full of anxiety and perplexity, he re- 
 minded him of his dear late father, and .his farewell 
 blessing, adding, " The time is now come for me t© 
 emigrate, and to save the souls of my family; and 
 my own, ere it be too late. My Brother Augustin 
 and myself are fully determined to forsake all, and 
 to go to that place which God himself will .have pro- 
 vided for us. If you feel so inclined, hesitate not to 
 do likewise; we will take you with us, according to 
 the promise we once gave to your father, that your 
 
22 
 
 soul also may be saved. Michael was so much over- 
 come with joy and fear, that he could not utter a 
 single word, for his heart was overwhelmed with 
 gratitude to God, who in so wonderful a manner had 
 proved his guide. At length he exclaimed: " If I 
 feel inclined? to be sure, I do — are you going to 
 emigrate, and should I remain behind? most assured- 
 ly I will go with you; for I have long had the same 
 wish, which you now express, but I could not see a 
 way for accomplishing that wish. Jacob replied, 
 " keep thy counsel, and make no man thy confident, 
 attend to-morrow to thy employment as usual, and 
 conceal the whole affair within thy breast. After 
 finishing thy day's work, put ton in the dark thy best 
 clothes, and if possible, take with thee a bundle, 
 containing a coujjle of shirts, and be sure to be at 
 my house between nine and ten oclock." Michael 
 returned thanks to God in silence, and did as he had 
 been directed. He bid his dear native country a 
 thousand times farewell, and the intervening hours 
 seemed to him to move too slowly on in their course. 
 He spoke little, but felt convinced within his soul, 
 that his way was pleasing in the sight of the Lord. 
 At the time appointed, he punctually repaired to the 
 house of his cousin Jacob. It was on the Wednes- 
 day in the VVhitsun-week of the year 1 722, soon after 
 ten o'clock p.m. when the two lirothers, Augustin 
 and Jacob Neisser, with their wives and children, 
 (one son six years of age, a daughter aged three, 
 and twins only twelve weeks old) together with their 
 cousin Michael Jiischke, eighteen years of age, and 
 a girl, Martha Neisser, the niece of Augustin's wife, 
 set out in the name of God, and full of courage, 
 under the guidance of Christian David, on the pil- 
 grimage. The travelled all night on bye-roads, 
 
23 
 
 crossing the Silesian boundary — and had completed 
 about thirty miles of tlieir journey when tliey halted 
 at half-past nine the next morning, near a spring of 
 water, where they took some refreshment. Their 
 emigration was conducted with much precaution, and 
 in so quiet a manner, that, exclusive of the incon- 
 veniences occasioned by having to care for the small 
 children that were in their company, they met with 
 no hindrance or delay, and arrived safely at Lower 
 Wiese, where the Rev. Mr. Schwedler gave them a 
 cordial reception, treated them as most welcome 
 guests, knelt down with them, oflfered up a prayer in 
 their behalf, and finally dismissed them with his 
 blessing. Michael JSschke remained for the pre- 
 sent at Lower Wiese, the rest of the company con- 
 tinued their journey to Giirlitz, in which town they 
 also met with a truly friendly reception from the Rev. 
 Mr. Schaffer. 
 
 After a short consultation to whom they should 
 apply in reference to their place of abode, during the 
 absence of Count Zinzendorf, who was then at Dres- 
 den, Christian David, and the two Neissers, were 
 sent, June the 8th, to Great Hennersdorf, accom- 
 panied by an inhabitant of Gbrlitz, who was to show 
 them the road. They had a recommendatory letter, 
 addressed to the Rev. Chas. Godfrey Marche, who 
 at that time resided in the house of Lady de Gers- 
 dorf, as tutor to her grand daughters: he was de- 
 sired in that letter, to present these Moravian exiles 
 to her Ladyship. In consequence of which he an- 
 nounced their arrival to her, but met, in the first 
 instance, with a cold answer, for she had in former 
 times done much for people of this description, had 
 been frequently deceived, and now declared that she 
 found it impossible to assist every one. Marche 
 
however pleaded their cause in such a manner, that 
 her Ladyship's heart begfan to relent in their behalf. 
 It was now determined that they should repair to 
 Berthelsdorf, and be lodged in that village : in this 
 view they were sent to Mr. John Geo Heitz, who 
 was employed by Count Zinzendorf, as Inspector or 
 Steward of his newly purchased estate. He was a 
 native of Zurich, and the Count had taken him into 
 his service, because, having become accpiainted with 
 him at Oberberg, in Franconia, where he had the 
 management of the estate of the Countess of Polhieim, 
 he had learned to know him, not only as an excellent 
 Manager, but as a pious, steady, and trustworthy 
 person. 
 
 Mr. Rothe recommended the Moravian exiles to 
 him in a special letter, dated Leuba, June 8th ; the 
 contents of wbich were as- follows: " The bearers of 
 this letter are two of our needy and oppressed Bre- 
 thren, of the same household of faith with us, from 
 Moravia, who hope in God, that he will be pleased 
 to let them find a little spot in Berthelsdorf, as a 
 place of rest and refuge; and as ynu, my much re- 
 spected friend, have but very lately declared your 
 readiness to assist with your counsel and deed, these 
 people, if ever any of them shoidd find their way to 
 you ; I am the more encouraged and emboldened to 
 request you to refresh and comfort, to the best of 
 your ability, these poor strangers, who like Abraham, 
 confiding in the living God, have departed out of their 
 own country, leaving every thing behind them. Should 
 you, dear Sir, however anticipate much difficulty as 
 to their lodging and maintenance, I would only 
 entreat you, for the love of Clirist, not to say much 
 on this suuject to the good people themselves, but 
 rather to encourage them in the Lord their God. 
 
25 
 
 Their design is in the first place and above all things 
 to find a temporary place of residence for themselves 
 and their families, aud then to get every thing ready 
 during the summer season for finishing their own 
 dwelling-house and work-shops. If you would there- 
 fore only be so good, agreeably to the declared in- 
 tention of the Count, to furnish wood for building, 
 and point out a place where to build, as well as af- 
 terwards to provide the means to convey the materials 
 to that place. God himself will do the rest. I trust 
 I need add no more, but merely remind you, that 
 these are strangers, who for the sake of Christ have 
 forsaken all, and who desire no more than to earn a 
 scanty livelihood; and thus I feel assured that my 
 much esteemed Mr. Heitz will readily do whatever 
 lies in his power. I intend soon to pay a visit to the 
 Count, wlien I shall have an opportunity of explain- 
 ing things more fully to him : meanwhile I would beg 
 you to draw up proposals concerning the place where 
 they should preferably settle, with a view that they 
 may have a small piece of ground to cultivate and 
 improve. May God grant his blessing to all your 
 undertakings and support you, my dear Sir, with 
 his Power and Grace. 
 
 The following is the authentic account relative 
 to the settling of the Moravian Exiles, as drawn up 
 by Mr. Heitz himself in his letters addressed to 
 Count Zinzendorf, and in his annotations to the latest 
 accounts connected with the history of the Bohemian 
 Brethren. On the 8th. of June, two of the emigrants 
 from Moravia, as well as the carpenter and a citizen 
 from Gtirlitz, arrived at Heunersdorf, Mr. Rothe 
 having sent them to Mr. Marche, that he might pro- 
 cure them an audience of Lady de Gersdorf. JJut 
 her ladyship sent them hither immediately, glving- 
 C 
 
26 
 
 them a recpmmendatory note to me, in which she 
 mentioned the spot which she thought would be ihe 
 most proper for them to build on, and desired that 
 I would shew it to them, and promise them every 
 possible assistance as to their settling there. But 
 these good people were at present only in search of 
 a place, where they might find a temporary residence 
 for themselves, their wives and children, till their 
 own houses should he finished ; and this fully coin- 
 cided with the request contained in Mr. Rothe's let- 
 ter, which on their arrival they handed to me. I 
 could not therefore devise any other plan, than to 
 lodge them for the present in the house situate on 
 the leasehold farm, with which they expressed them- 
 selves fully satisfied. (The house here alluded to was 
 a lonely and deserted dwelling, which had been erect- 
 ed 70 years ago but had never been inhabited.) When 
 the two Neissers had left me, with a view to fetch 
 their wives and children, I not only reflected during 
 their absence, upon what ought to be done, but 
 went also to Great Hennersdorf to consult on the 
 subject with the Countess Dowager. 
 
 She readily fell into my views, and we soon 
 agreed upon this subject, and for the same reason, 
 namely, that it would not be suitable to erect a 
 dwelling-house for them in the ^^llage of Berthelsdorf. 
 Her Ladyship in consequence proposed the hill be- 
 hind that village, where there were good springs and 
 abundance of excellent water ; but I gave the prefer- 
 ence to the hill on the other side, because, as the 
 high-road runs that way it appeared a more likely 
 spot for obtaining a sure maintenance ; which indeed 
 her Ladyship acknowledged to be true, but made the 
 objection, thet there was no water there, nor could 
 any be obtained. My answer was: "God knows 
 
27 
 
 " how to help!" and after having: taken leave of the 
 Countess I proceeded to Mr. Marche's apartment, 
 and conversed with him on the whole subject. He 
 advised the buildings to be erected on the high-road, 
 and promised soon to come to see me, and to inspect 
 the situation, this was what I had much wished for, 
 and I returned cheerfully home. Very early in the 
 morning (the weather being most delightful, and the 
 sky totally calm and clear,) I repaired to my intended 
 spot, with a view to observe the vapors as they 
 would make their appearance at sun rise, in order to 
 draw some conclusion as to the probability of water 
 being found near that place ; and perceiving vapors 
 of tliis description at some distance below, near the 
 foot of the hill, I felt much encouraged. I repeated 
 the experiment the next morning, when again no 
 person was near me and made the same observation. 
 I represented in prayer, and with many tears to God, 
 the distress and desire of these people, and entreated 
 him to let his hand be with me, and prevent the ex- 
 ecution of my plan if it were not pleasing in his eyes ; 
 adding the following declaration to my petitions : In 
 this place I will build (in thy name) for them the 
 first house. 
 
 In the meantime Christian David the carpenter 
 and the two Neissers with their families arrived at the 
 farm house which had been assigned to them, where 
 I immediately called on them and assisted them to the 
 best of my abilities; after which I proceeded to 
 Hennersdorfjto represent their necessitous case again, 
 and to signify to Lady de Gersdorf the resolution I 
 had taken. She on her part did not oppose it, but 
 lost no time in sending the poor strangers a cow, that 
 tbeymight be able to furnish their little ones with milk. 
 After having seen Mr. Marche likewise, and invited 
 
28 
 
 him to my |iouse, I returned again to niy strangers, 
 whom I found very desirous to commence their build- 
 ing operations. 
 
 They would have preferred settling in the village 
 but I made them acquainted with my plan, which 
 however did not altogether meet their views. I then 
 took them to the spot, accompanied by the game- 
 keeper, pointed out to them the wood intended for 
 their use, and marked the trees to be felled. On the 
 same day I had a visit from Mr. Marche, to whom, 
 in their presence, I showed the place appointed, and 
 .spoke of its suitableness, adding that in time a square 
 might be built there, and the whole be properly in- 
 closed. The well, the sinking of which no doubt 
 would be connected with much expence, because of 
 the depth it would require, 1 proposed should be dug 
 in the middle of that square, and concluded with 
 some other remarks. Mr. Marche as well as Christian 
 David approved of my scheme, and both began to 
 speak in prophetic terms concerning the place to be 
 erected. The former even chose a spot where he 
 would execute his design of building an orphan house, 
 and expressed his wish that these newly arrived stran- 
 gers might be his nearest neighbours. — Thus far Mr. 
 Heitz's narrative. — 
 
 The place which he had chosen was an extremely 
 wild and marshy spot overgrown with bushes and 
 briers, at the declevity of the hill, called the Hutberg, 
 and the high road between Lobau and Zittau, and at 
 times almost impassable for carts or waggons. Augus- 
 tin Neisser's wife therefore, when first viewing it, 
 could not help asking the question, "Where shall we 
 find bread in this wilderness ?'' Marche replied in a 
 devout manner and with expression of fullest con- 
 fidence — "If you will believe you shall see the glory 
 
29 
 
 of God in this place !" In the year 1717 happening 
 to take a ride with Count Zinzendorf, they had arrived 
 at this very spot, just as they were conversing about 
 the blessed institutions at Halle ; when Marche turning 
 to the Count exclaimed : You will have it in your pow- 
 er to build an oi-phan house here, so soon as you shall 
 have obtained possession of your estates, Tliis in- 
 cident he ever recollected, and this was a chief reason 
 why he encouraged the Mora\'ians to erect their dwell- 
 ing in this place. And Christian David, striking his 
 axe into a tree, which grew in its vicinity, uttered 
 these words, ''Here the sparrow hath found an house, 
 and the swallow a nest for himself, even thine alters 
 O Lord of hosts !" Having now had the timber marked 
 out for them in the neighbouring wood, they felled on 
 June 17th. the first tree for the first house in Herrn. 
 hut. (This tree was afterwards formed into a pillar, 
 and required as much work and labour as five others, 
 which circumstance led them to many reflections.) 
 On July 7th. aud 8th. the timber previously prepared 
 was conveyed into the appointed place, and the three 
 Moravians now commenced buildingtheir house(under 
 the pressure of great diflSculties on account of their 
 poverty and bodily weakness) on tliis desolate spot, 
 which was at a considerable distance from the village; 
 and while thus engaged they had to experience much 
 rdicule from people who travelled that road. They 
 frequently called to mind their own total want of 
 strength, and more than once said to one another that 
 this undertaking appeared to them like as if little 
 children should attempt to build a house by gathering 
 together small peices of wood. Yet did their lively 
 confidence in God remain unshaken, since they knew 
 liim as that God who led Abraham, when yet alone, 
 out of his country and from his kindred into a strange 
 
 c2 
 
30 
 
 land, and made him a father of many nations, and set 
 him to be a blessing- to thousands ! 
 
 While they where employed in completing this 
 building, Baron Gersdorf of Hartmansdorf in Silesia, 
 a near relation of the Count who had been educated 
 with him in earlier years, arrived on a visit to Mr. 
 Heitz, and in his company came the Rev, Mr. Schaf- 
 fer of Gorlitz, and Mr. Marche, as their conductor. 
 They took a view of this new building, and seating 
 themselves on some stones consulted together what 
 might probably become of this place now laid out. 
 But when Christian David began to enumerate the 
 courts and streets which hereafter might be finished, 
 Baron de Gersdorf could not help expi-essing his 
 scruples and incredulity as to those projects, and drew 
 the conclusion, that if they where reallyaccomplished, 
 God would indeed have to interpose in a strange man- 
 ner for this purpose. Yet the immoveable confidence, 
 which was shewn by Mr. Marche (who ceased not 
 to maintain that God would in this place glorify 
 himself and his name) made a considerable impres- 
 sion on his mind. In the meantime Mr. SchafiFer 
 introduced the new minister, Mr. Rothe, into his 
 oflBce at Bethelsdorf, August 30th. 1722, and at 
 the Sermon preached on this occasion, he made 
 use of these remarkable and striking words, " God 
 intends to kindle a light on these hills, wliich is to 
 illumine the whole country— Of this I am most fully 
 and firmly persuaded.'' The three emigrants having 
 finished the house without any assistance, and with 
 but a trifling expence, one of the cutlers moved into 
 it October the 7th. and was soon followed by the other. 
 Christian David however did not take up his residence 
 there, till October 28th. and on the 1 1th. of the suc- 
 ceeding month it was solemnly opened by Mr. Heitz 
 
31 
 
 the Steward, who had assisted in fixing the first pillar, 
 had himself driven in the first nail, and had daily en- 
 couraged and supported the builders. The discourse 
 he delivered on that dedicatory occasion was from 
 the 21st. chapter of tlie Revelations of St. John. 
 Agreeably to the contents of the chapter he con- 
 sidered the glory of the city of God, and the holiness 
 and bliss of its inhabitants, with application to this 
 new settlement according to its present circumstances; 
 from which he deduced various consolatory lessons 
 and concluded with prayer imploring tlie Lord that 
 he would erect unto himself here also a tabernacle in 
 which he would condescend to dwell, and where he 
 woiUd bestow on them all the blessings promised in 
 his word. All present were greatly affected, and after 
 Christian David had in like manner oflFered up a fer- 
 vent prayer, a hymn taken from a Lutheran collection 
 was sung with uncommon expression of devotion and 
 joy, as the conclusion of this solemn consecration of 
 the newly erected dwelling place. 
 
 But the people of the immediate vicinity seemed 
 to take offence at all this, and hesitated not to say — 
 Though tlie house was now standing it would not con- 
 tinue long. And when about this time (says Mr, 
 Heitz in one of his letters) while the three men were 
 employed in completing the building, 1 began to make 
 preparations for digging the well, these people turned 
 this attempt still more into ridicule, than even the 
 building of the house itself. 
 
 Theu' observations were such as these. If there 
 had been a possibility of procuring water here, no 
 doubt that spot would have been built on years ago, 
 and it would not have needed, for that purpose, the ar- 
 rival and interference of C^unt Zinzendorf's steward! 
 Having now for the space of a fortnight kept two of 
 
33 
 
 our tenants employed iii sinking the well, and there 
 being no traces as yet of any water, these men were 
 on the point of leaving me — in vain did I insist on 
 their continuing their labour, promising a pecuniary 
 recompense, they asserted that no water could pos- 
 sibly be found, and that all they obtained from their 
 labor was the ridicule of all the neighbours. I was 
 therefore obliged to assure them, that if in the course 
 of that week no water should make its appearance, 
 the attempt should be relinquished. Thus encour- 
 aged, they continued their exertions, and as early as 
 Monday evening we discovered some gravel, which 
 being removed on the following day, we had the 
 pleasure on Wednesday, the fourth of November, to 
 meet with water in abundance ; at which occurrence 
 Mr. Marche expressed his joy and sent me his con- 
 gratulations in a friendly letter. The newly erected 
 place received the name of Herrnhut from Mr. Heitz 
 himself, who used this name first of all in a letter of 
 July the 8th. addressed to the Count, at the conclu- 
 sion of which he writes as follows : 
 
 God in his mercy has greatly strengthened 
 Mr. Marche for this work ; may he cause his 
 « ' blessing to rest on it, and grant that your ExceU 
 " lency may be able to build, on the hill which bears 
 " the name of the Watch-hill (Hutberg), a tower 
 " which not only itself may abide under the Lord's 
 " Watch (Herrnhut) but all the inhabitants of which 
 " may also continue on the Lords Watch, so that 
 " no silence may be there by day or night." 
 
 On August 12th. he wrote: Yesterday the new 
 building erected on the Lord's Watch has been so 
 prosperously finished, that no person engaged in its 
 erection has received the slightest injury. 
 
 May Jehovah's eyes remain always open upon 
 
33 
 
 it. " In all subsequent letters tlie new place is de- 
 " signated by the name of Hernihut, and Mr. Heitz 
 " makes the observation, that Mr. Marche has been 
 " made instrumental in fixing that name, lest through 
 " vain glory " another, indicative of man's erection, 
 " be chosen. In the sequel Christian David when 
 " once offering up a fervent prayer in the house 
 " which had been erected, made use of the following 
 " expressions: This place shall be called the Watch 
 " of the Lord, and they that dwell therein, are to 
 " watch day and night, lest the work of grace, here 
 "begun, should in any measure be impeded: and 
 " may God grant that this place may exist no longer 
 " than while this work remains the chief and essen- 
 " tial object of its inhabitants." An historical essay, 
 relative to Herrnhut, written by him, contains these 
 words : We gave to this new place situated near the 
 Hutberg, the name of Herrnhut (Lord's Watch), 
 partly because this name will remind us, that the 
 Lord keepeth watch over us as our Protector, and 
 partly also, because it will bring to our daily remem- 
 brance, our duty to watch and pray continually. This 
 name however was not generally adopted till the year 
 1724, when the Rev. Mr. Rothe, having occasion 
 at a public service to make use of a supplicatory 
 form, mentioned in the same the newly erected place, 
 by the name of Herrnhut. The commencement of 
 the building of Herrnhut took place during the ab- 
 sence of Count Zinzendorf, and chiefly without his 
 knowledge, or at least co-operation. He received 
 the first account of it at Ebersdorf, at a visit paid 
 him there by Mr. Rothe, who was the bearer of the 
 following petition addressed to him by the exiles. 
 
 " The Lord Jesus be with your Spirit and ours, 
 in your place, and in that which we inhabit. Amen. 
 
34 
 
 May it please Your Excellency, 
 " We, the company of poor pilgrims and exiles, 
 salute you in the true spirit of the love of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and pray the God of mercy that He 
 would grant to you from above, Grace and Peace, 
 and Strength in the Holy Ghost, and replenish you 
 with his manifold spiritual gifts, in time and in eter- 
 nity, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen ! It 
 gave us sincere pleasure to be informed, that God 
 had so graciously conducted and led you on your 
 journey; may he also perform the good work which 
 himself has begun in you, to his own glory and your 
 everlasting happiness : We much long to be favored 
 to become personally acquainted with you. We are 
 under great apprehension lest by our settling here we 
 may have become burdensome to you ; and therefore 
 most humbly entreat you to grant us your protection, 
 to continue to help us further still, and to shew kind- 
 ness and love to us poor distressed and simple minded 
 petitioners. We shall not cease to pray Almighty 
 God, that he would bless you abundantly, for the 
 kindness shewn to us, and we have the confident hope 
 that he will do it. 
 
 Commending you to His divine Mercy, 
 We remain, 
 
 1722. Your most obedient and humble Petitioners, 
 Christian David, 
 August) n Neisser, 
 Jacob Neisser. 
 To the above, Mr. Heitz had added the following note. 
 
 The good people from Moravia have brought me 
 this address to enclose it to you, with a request that 
 you would be pleased to receive it kindly, and not be 
 offended at their having ventured in all simplicity to 
 address you thus. 
 
35 
 
 On tlie iSJth. of August, Count de Ziuzendorf 
 sent the following letter to all his tenants in Berthels- 
 dorf, which was read to them on the day of Mr, 
 Rothe's introduction into his ministerial office there. 
 
 Ye that are desirous not to be disobedient to the 
 Gospel of Christ, and its power to Salvation, rejoice 
 in this messenger of it. How beautiful will on your 
 mountains and hills be the feet of this man, who 
 bringeth to you the message of peace and glad tidings ! 
 May the Lord go with him, and be his God, and may 
 he he /lim-ielf his mouth!'' And you, beloved stran- 
 gers and pilgrims, whom the eternal God has brought 
 hither out of a foreign land, blessed indeed are ye, 
 because ye have believed I to you ail the promises of 
 God will be Amen, to the glory of God by you. As 
 you have given to the inhabitants of this tillage an 
 evidence of firm faith, so exhibit now before their 
 eyes the example of those works which are the fruits 
 of that faith which works by love, in a life of Chris- 
 tian steadiness and unfeigned love ; be the salt among 
 our people — Salt is good! 
 
 Inhabitants of the village! do not allow these 
 strangers to out-do you in this respect — lest the 
 meat originally provided for you, should become 
 tlieir exclusive portion I Rather let all draw near to 
 God our Saviour, and join themselves to him in a 
 perpetual covenant, that shall not be forgotten — He 
 assuredly will on his part keep his covenant for ever! 
 He has thoughts of peace over you and not of evil — yea 
 the Redeemer will give strength to his people, the 
 Redeemer will bless his people with peace, Amen, 
 Hallelujah!'' Having, September 7th. entered at 
 Ebersdorf, into the state of holy matrimony, with 
 Erdmuth Dorothy, Countess of Reuss, he set out 
 with her towards the end of December, on his jour- 
 
36 
 
 ney to Upper liusatia, with a view to introduce her 
 to his grandmotlier at Hennersdorf. When on his 
 quitting the village of Strahwalde, he observed ahousa 
 on the liighroad in the midst of the wood, which he 
 could not remember having seen before, he expressed 
 his astonishment to those about him : and being told 
 that this was the dwelling erected by the Moravians 
 on his estate, he went in to them, assured them of a 
 hearty welcome on his part, and encouraged them in 
 the Lord, reminding them of his grace and truth; he 
 then knelt down with them and fervently entreated 
 the Lord that he would hold over this house his 
 gracious hand, and abundantly bless this place and 
 its vicinity I 
 
II. 
 
 THE LAYING OF 
 
 THE FOUNDATION STONE 
 
 OF THE FIRST 
 
 AT HERRNHUT. 
 
 For MAY 12th. 
 
 About the same time that the first Emigrants from 
 Moravia were received in true christian piety and 
 charity on the estate of Count de Zinzendorf, and 
 built the first dwelling house in the wood on the de- 
 clivity of the Hutberg: Frederic Baron de Watteville 
 of Berne, the friend and companion of his youth, paid 
 him a visit at Dresden, and afterwards accompanied 
 hiin to Hennersdorf and Berthelsdorf. They had 
 become acquainted with each other while students at 
 the Royal Academy at Halle, a similarity of sen- 
 timents had laid the foundation of that close and 
 intimate friendship between them, which they con- 
 firmed, as early as the year 1715, with a mutual 
 covenant, wherein they solemnly bound themselves- 
 n 
 
38 
 
 to devote tlieir life to God ; to spend as great a part of 
 it as possible, together, to promote every thing that 
 was good, and especially to establish missions among 
 those heathen tribes which might be neglected by 
 others. It was not indeed their meaning, that this object 
 as well as other similar ones, should be accomplished 
 by their own exertions, (for they were both destined 
 by their respective families to iill high stations in the 
 political world, and felt it their duty to be obedient;) 
 but their hope was this, that, as God had provided 
 his pious servant Baron de Canstein (who was a 
 near relation of one of them, and whose life was an 
 edifying example for both) that worthy fellow- 
 worker of his, Professor Franke — he would, in like 
 manner, provide for them pious men of that descrip- 
 tion, or else bless their present endeavours for this 
 ])urpose among their fellow students, that from their 
 number some might be set apart furnished with every 
 qualification necessary for such important under- 
 takings. For this was indeed their constant aim to 
 impress the minds of these students, from time to 
 time, with the feeling of that fervent love, by which 
 they themselves were influenced towards God our 
 Saviour, who has given himself a ransom for all. 
 
 Several young people had joined this covenant, 
 who, however, in the sequel, lost sight of its engage- 
 ments: but Frederic de Watteville, as well as the 
 Count, was destined by God for the execution of 
 l)eculiar purposes of His. The latter derived more 
 than common pleasure from the arrival of his friend, 
 whose situation was, however, at that time, not 
 altogether of a pleasing nature. Since their first 
 union at Halle, he had spent most of his time in 
 Paris ; had seen the world and enjoyed its pleasures ; 
 and while thus engaged, he had penetrated deeply 
 
into philosophical researches, which had almost caused 
 him to suffer shipwreck concerning the Faith. He had 
 only been a few weeks at the house of his friend, 
 when, by the blessing of God, the family worship, 
 which he there attended, as well as the conversation 
 he entered into with him, led him to see the insuf- 
 ficiency of tliat scheme of piety which he had planned 
 for himself. But this discovery cast so great a 
 gloom over his mind, that he was on the point of 
 calling in question the very existence of God, and his 
 government of the world, and, times numberless, 
 he cried in anguish to the unknown Deity, either to 
 annihilate him, or to reveal himself to him, and to 
 give him signal proofs of the reality of the existence 
 of God. In the midst of this internal conflict, which 
 brought him to the brink of despair, he was faith- 
 fully attended to by Lady Joanna Sophia de Zezsch- 
 wiz, who was at that time employed in the house of 
 Lady de Gersdorf, at Hennersdorf, in the quality of 
 superintendent of her domestic affairs, and com- 
 panion to her Ladyship; and with whom he, in the 
 sequel, entered into the marriage state, October 30, 
 1724. She ceased not to testify to him, how God 
 had loved him, even so as to give his well-beloved, 
 his only Son, unto death for him ; and how much he 
 was loved by Jesus Christ our Lord, who had deigned 
 to die in his stead. Neither did the Count fail to 
 speak comfort to his troubled friend, and by that 
 one word (1 John 4, 16.) " God is Love, " the 
 latter felt himself, at length, so powerfully overcome 
 and affected, that he cast himself down before God, 
 dwelling with rivetted attention for several hours 
 successively, on this one precious name he bears in 
 Holy Writ; and was at last favored most triumphantly 
 to emerge from darkness to light. This happened 
 
40 
 
 January 27, 1723. On the 15th of March, the 
 same year, he was most unexpectedly put under 
 arrest; an officer, at the head of a detachment of 
 guards, making his appearance on that day at Hen- 
 nersdorf, whence he conducted him as a prisoner to 
 Dresden, where he remained in confinement for six 
 weeks, and without being able to discover any cause 
 for this strange and sudden blow, though he reviewed 
 in the most careful manner, his whole course of life, 
 and all his words and actions. 
 
 His confinement was rigorous, and his nightly 
 rest was broken in upon by attendants, who were 
 commissioned to search him several times every 
 night. The occasion of this arrest and imprison- 
 ment was a letter he had written to the Swedish 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Koch, who had formerly been 
 Ambassador in Poland, and who now held a station 
 at the Court of Dresden. The Count, as well as 
 Watteville, had accidentally become acquainted with 
 him in that City. He pretended to be very pious, 
 attended the meetings for devotion which were held 
 by the Count, and had commenced a correspondence 
 with both, the subject of which consisted of things 
 of a spiritual nature. But when, after he had com- 
 mitted a heinous murder, (the report of which soon 
 spread) the Police had at that very time, intercepted 
 a letter addressed to him by Mr. de Watteville, in 
 which that gentleman expressed his wish that he 
 might succeed in his design ; these expressions being 
 misinterpreted, strong suspicions were cast on the 
 writer of it At his first examination, this letter 
 was shown to him, and an explanation being de- 
 manded, his innocence was fully established, and he 
 was set at liberty. This whole affair however, tended 
 finally to convince him of the misery of a worldly 
 
41 
 
 life, in so much so, that he began to prefer the 
 meanest cottage to the most splendid palace, and this 
 frame of mind caused him to unite himself with the 
 Count as his constant fellow-helper. 
 
 The Rev. Messrs. John Andrew Rothe at 
 Berthelsdorf and Melchior Schafifer at Gbrlitz, joined 
 about tliat time this union, which had for its object, 
 the furtherance of tiie kingdom of God. The follow- 
 ing is the description Count Zinzendorf gives of Mr. 
 Rothe : 
 
 "He was a truly learned man, and possessed all 
 the gifts a teacher stands in need of — the connection 
 of the subject he treated was so regular that without 
 intending it, each of his sermons formed a complete 
 system, and this may be sufficiently seen from the 
 outlines taken down, while he delivered them. He 
 was wonderfully accurate in his delivery, whenever 
 he spoke without previous preparation ; and when on 
 certain occasions he seemed rather to deliver lectures 
 than to preach, he was by no means tedious. The 
 astonishing rapidity of his elocution was in part the 
 cause of this, but the chief reason to be assigned for 
 it, is, tliat he had received particular gifts. He 
 united in his person all the gifts of Luther, Spener, 
 Franke and Schwedler. He was not too deep for an 
 unlearned countryman, nor too shallow for a philoso- 
 pher. His enemies admired him; tlie Brethren 
 even at the time when they thought tliey had cause 
 of displeasure against him, acknowledged and valued 
 his gifts of grace ; and though in the twenty years now 
 elapsed since the commencement of the congregation 
 many witnesses of the truth have been raised, and 
 in some of them at different times, apostolic power 
 has shown itself when delivering the gospel message ; 
 yet none amongst them can be compared with Rothe, 
 
42 
 
 either in richness and variety of matter, uniformly 
 excellent Planner of propounding Scriptural truth, or 
 overpowering unction and hlessing, and careful de- 
 duction of effects from the causes in which they 
 originate. Such was this extraordinary man, whose 
 teaching in Berthelsdorf and Herrnhut, from 1723 to 
 17-27, was often so powerful, that it seemed as if he 
 called lire from heaven; and what might be con- 
 sidered as his worst performance, was more solid and 
 substantial than the best others can produce. " 
 
 " Tile congregation of the Brethren has reason 
 to keep in constant remembrance the blessings they 
 have reaped from his anointed labors, and the light 
 which he diffused, and in which for a season they re- 
 joiced; for the loss of this light has been since so 
 sensibly felt, as to excite the ardent wish that it might 
 again arise!" 
 
 This distinguished sei-vant of the l;0rd pledged 
 his hand in tlie first place to the Count, in token of 
 future faithfulness in his service, and brought him 
 into a closer acquaintance with Mr. Sch'affer, at 
 Gbrlitz, a most intimate friend of his, who, as a faith- 
 ful preaclier of the Gospel had hitherto had to endure 
 much reproach for Christ's sake. The Count imme- 
 diately entered into a covenant with him, to build up 
 the walls of Zion in fellowship under the protection 
 of Jesus, till they should be called into eternity. The 
 four Brethren Avho were now united in spirit, turned 
 their thoughts first upon the clear, simple, faithful and 
 courageous proclamation of the Gospel. They wished 
 not only to convince their hearers, but their chief de- 
 sire was to preach the Avord with the demonstration 
 of the Spirit and of Power, and, setting aside things 
 of inferior importance, to dwell exclusively on what 
 is necessary for promoting the conversion of the 
 
43 
 
 heart, and a walk conformable to tlie Gospel. Ac- 
 cording to the gifts, wisdom and opjiortunities which 
 they had severally received, they made the following 
 arrangements among themselves. Mr. Schaffer, being 
 minister in a populbns town, engaged in faith to at- 
 tack with ardent and incessant zeal, the lifeless form 
 of Christianity and the self-working and self-righteous 
 spirit, which were again threatening to undermine the 
 Church ; to use for this purpose the plainest language 
 and arguments, and not to hesitate (if necessary) to 
 cast himself into the midst of the flames of persecution. 
 He continued in his former course of preaching, com- 
 bined with private exhortation and the administration 
 of the Lord's .'^upper, but laid open (on all occasions,) 
 the too much prevailing abuse of these means of grace. 
 With this he connected meetings in his house, at 
 which every one was at liberty to mention whatever 
 might have appeared to him in his sermons to be of a 
 dubious or difficult nature, to demand !?cripture 
 proofs, and freely to state the inmost thoughts of his 
 heart. When in tiie sequel he found himself rudely 
 assailed by adversaries in consequence of these meet- 
 ings, he transferred them from his house to the church, 
 and held tiiem before the altar. 
 
 Air. Rothe being now appointed minister of his 
 congregation, made it his chief concern to lay before 
 his hearers the most simple, but also the most essen- 
 tial truths in a moving and convincing manner. His 
 patron, Count Zinzendorf, had made the agreement 
 with him to be his deacon or catechist in his spiritual 
 labors, and this plan (notwithstanding some little 
 disharmony which it occasioned among themselves) 
 was uninterruptedly carried into execution for the 
 benefit of the people. On Sunday morning, Mr. 
 Rothe preached with divine power and unction, and 
 
44 
 
 it seemed as if he was led to collect and set before his 
 hearei-s, in the first years of his ministry all possible 
 subjects of importance, accumulating: thus for them a 
 great treasure of divine truths against subsequent bar- 
 ren times, in order that his people might suffer no 
 want, though that want should be felt every where 
 else. Even when there happened to be three or four 
 festival days successively ; neither he nor his hearers 
 thought that spiritual exercises were too much multi- 
 plied : the last of such days was rather usually the 
 most glorious, for the Minister of the word was rich 
 in gifts, enabling him to propound the same truths 
 with renewed strength, grace and vmction; not one 
 ■was weary of hearing the Word of Peace. At noon 
 he began with catechising the children, and after this 
 catechization, or in its stead, he entered into a free 
 conversation with' his hearers, in which many subjects 
 were treated of in all simplicity, and several of those 
 present engaged in prayer, but none a])peared on these 
 occasions more venerable, or spoke more to the pur- 
 pose tlian Mr. Rothe Iiimself. 
 
 The conclusion of this agreeable conversation 
 was made by a lively singing meeting, at which the 
 Count, asMr.Rothe's assistant, aided by the musical 
 talents of the organist Tobias Fredric,* endeavoured 
 
 * Tobias Fredric was the son of a peasant of Franconia. His musical 
 talents had opened for liim a ready way to enjoy all tlie vanities of the world, 
 and this very circumstance was overruled by our Savionr for makinsr him 
 acquainted with his people and himself in 1722, when he was scarcely 13 
 years old. The natural capacity of this youth was so great, and the Lord 
 m general at that time hastened so much in endowing those whom he 
 employed as instruments in his hand, with all the graces that could adorn 
 them, that as early as the year \727. he was already in full activity, and 
 when in tlie summer of 1736 he departed this life, while holding the sec- 
 retary's office at Herriihut, more was entrusted to his management, than 
 any one would have tliought possible or practicable without having seen it 
 himself. He had had to transact important affairs connected with the 
 kingdom of Jesus is Deumark and Sweden, and at the University of Jena. 
 
45 
 
 TO attune the minds of all present with the choirs of 
 tlie saints made j)erfect, by means of the most de- 
 lightful hymns. This was the origin of that mode of 
 teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and 
 hymns, which is still in use among us, and according 
 to which the presenters pursuing the same subject in 
 the verses sung, select verses of diflferent tunes ; a 
 mode which most admirably keeps alive the attention 
 and alacrity of the mind, and expresses in no com- 
 mon degree the connexion of the subjects. After the 
 conclusion of the singing meeting, the people assem- 
 bled in a hall of the Count's house, when the Count 
 used to repeat in the presence of the minister the 
 sermon of the forenoon in so complete and distinct 
 a manner, that he scarcely ever omitted a single idea; 
 to this repetition a few remarks were sometimes sub- 
 joined either by the minister himself or by others. 
 If it happened that their thoughts concerning any 
 subject were at variance, the Count knew how to 
 suppress his own ideas internally for the time present, 
 and so forcibly to expound the strength of the argu- 
 ments used by Mr. Rothe in his sermons, that no 
 one could have been able to discover on what particular 
 
 Hispcculiar gift was apparent as well in his intercourse with divers people 
 of exalted rank, whom he inspired with a wish to be like him, not by usin^ 
 many words, but solely by placing before them his example— as in his 
 modest and unassuming conduct to inferiors, in a well regulated manage^ 
 ment of his domestic concerns, and a most pleasing and surprizingly 
 successfal method of forming and maintaining frienaships, in which all 
 centered in Jcsus,and in the enjoyment of communion with him. But agree- 
 ably to his own peculiar talent, he had the direction of the congregation 
 music, which bv liis efforts, he succeeded so far as to raise to its real inten- 
 tion, to wit, a licavenly harmony as to its vocal parts, and the nearest 
 possible imitition of the angelic choirs, that he obtained the admiration of 
 the directors of some royal musical institutions, who acknowledged that 
 his style and manner were inimitable. Since he has been called to the 
 church above, none has been found to unite all these qualities in himself, 
 though Coniit Charles de Zinzendorf came nearest to him in this respect. 
 
 Appendix to the National ReSections- P. 
 
46 
 
 point their sentiments did not accord. During the 
 occasional residence of the Count at Dresden, Mr. 
 Rothe generally repeated the sermons himself, and 
 the Count held public meetinofs at his house in Dres- 
 den, both during the Aveek and on Sundays, when 
 he discoursed to those present concerning the righte- 
 ousness in Christ Jesus. 
 
 In the house of Lady Joliauna Sophia deZezschwiz 
 at Berthelsdorf, whither she had moved to devote her 
 time to the education of some girls, there were held 
 weekly assemblies of the awakened, at which they 
 jointly engaged in prayer; and many souls were con- 
 vinced and brought over to the truth by hearing an 
 unlearned and simple layman offer up prayers and 
 supplications for nearly an hour together, with un- 
 common energy and most affecting power. 
 
 But in order that not only the unconverted might 
 be called and invited, and the beginning of conversion 
 tlius be made ; but that all the work of grace might be 
 furthered in those who were proceeding in the path 
 of life ; Mr. Rothe engaged in spiritual exercises with 
 tliem on the Sundays, and the Count through the 
 course of the week ; on which occasions God's dealings 
 with the souls of men were further explained. Mr. de 
 Watteville who enjoyed the confidence of all, in con- 
 sequence of his condescending benevolent and sympa- 
 tliizing character as well as of his cheerful disposition 
 of mind and his abilty to suit his conversation to 
 the situation of people of all ranks; took special 
 cognizance of the private course of each individual 
 and had the commission given him to be their particular 
 friend and guide. The wish of his heart was to live 
 in peace with all, he loved and was loved in return. 
 Whenever therefore error or misunderstandings were 
 to be rectified, he was best qualified for undertaking 
 that task. 
 
47 
 
 Another object these four Brethren had in view, 
 was to suffer no opportunity to pass by unimproved, 
 which would have enabled them to deliver in other 
 places, also a testimony concerning Jesus, and the 
 only w.ay of obtaining' eternal life ; and thus, when 
 engaged in various journeys, it was a fixed rule with 
 them , never to refuse an opportunity for sowing the 
 good seed in this or the other place. And as they 
 became acquainted from time to time, with persons 
 of various ranks, both high and low, not only in 
 (lermany, but also in Holland, France, England, 
 Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, &c. and as their 
 circle of acquaintance became gradually more and 
 more extensive, they determined to keep up their 
 intercourse by epistolary correspondence. 
 
 The correspondence was chiefly conducted by 
 the Count himself, and addressed to such persons 
 whom he deemed to be witnesses of Jesus, or con- 
 sidered as special instruments in the hands of Divine 
 Providence, for keeping up a spiritual fellowship 
 between all the true members of the visible Church 
 of Christ. It embraced exclusively subjects of a 
 spiritual nature, connected with the kingdom of God, 
 " which Cometh not witli observation , but is within;" 
 it dwelt on the maintenance and advancement of 
 christian charitable institutions, the preservation and 
 continuation of true brotherly love, the removal of 
 impediments to it, 8cc. &c. 
 
 The four United Brethren had it no less at 
 heart, to get various useful and edifying tracts 
 t)rintcd, and to sell tliem at a cheap rate to the poor. 
 For tins purpose they established a printing oflice, 
 and took a printer of the name of Ab. Gottlieb Lud- 
 wig into their service. But some difficulties arising 
 
48 
 
 in consequence of the Privy Council at Dresden re- 
 fusing their sanction to this undertaking, the above 
 office was transferred from Upper Lusatia to Ebers- 
 dorf in Voigtland, where it continued under the 
 protection of Henry 29 Count Reuss till 1726: 
 among the books of which cheap editions were printed 
 there, may be mentioned the Psalms of David, the 
 New Testament, the whole Bible, a Hymn Book, a 
 weekly paper entitled Socrates, a few small pamphlets 
 of Professor Franke's. In other printing offices, 
 they provided cheap editions of Zinzendorf's small 
 Catechism for Children, or Pure Milk of the Doctrine 
 of Jesus Christ, His thoughts concerning the Preach- 
 ing and use of the Word of God, several Sermons 
 of the Rev. Mr. Rothe, &c. &c. 
 
 They likewise turned their attention to the esta- 
 blishment of Institutions foreducation of children con- 
 formable to the mind of Christ, The Count indeed 
 felt much hesitation in this respect, fearing lest an 
 imitation of those truly blessed institutions at Halle, 
 might create a degree of jealousy ; but was at last per- 
 suaded by his friends, whose mind remained unalter- 
 ably fixed, to take his share in their plans, and to fur- 
 ther the execution of them to the best of his abilities. 
 Other well-inclined persons also, both in UpperLusatia 
 and Silesia, approved of the plan to establish such an 
 institution, the Count having had an opportunity of 
 conversing with them on this subject when on ajour- 
 ney in the summer of 1723; and they declared their 
 willingness to assist in the execution of this design. 
 AtSchmiedeberg the Count met with a medical gentle- 
 man, the Licentiate John Gutbier, who was tiiUy 
 worthy of his attention and sympathy. This gentle- 
 man had in earlier years been in a ."situation of great 
 
49 
 
 alBuence, and having married a lady of noble rank in 
 liis own countrj', had borne the character of a truly 
 honest man, and agreeable companion, so that he en- 
 joyed much friendship in the world. 
 
 But through many untoward circumstances and 
 adversities he had been reduced to the most abject 
 poverty; and his wife dying suddenly in childbed, he 
 was now left alone in deplorable circumstances, with 
 six children of whom the youngest was only a week 
 old. The Count being informed of all this, enter- 
 tained the hope that he might here be able to win a 
 Saint for Christ, and therefore hesitated not to speak 
 his mind fully to him. He was pleased with his 
 scientific knowledge and uprightness, and for this 
 reason he made a proposal to him, to undertake the 
 medical department connected with his intended In- 
 stitutions for Education ; and Mr. Giitbier consider- 
 ing this proposal as an interposition of Providence in 
 his behalf for the salvation of his soul, tliey soon 
 came to a mutual agreement on the subject. The 
 latter had however to endure yet many an internal 
 conflict before the Grace of God could completely 
 bring his heart into subjection, after which this lively 
 and plain spoken man felt himself so forcibly dr.iwn 
 and overcome by the Word of the Cross, that he 
 ceased not to recommend it to every one, as the Po,wer 
 of God unto Salvation, whether in season or out of 
 season ; by doing which he did not fail to incur much 
 vexation and enmity from the world, wiiile at the 
 same time he was enabled thereby to extend t'ne Glory 
 of the Saviour and his cause; and by those in the 
 congregation who were acquainted with the ways of 
 the Lord, his character and influence were duly 
 appreciated and esteemed. 
 
 While these plans were in agitation, and the tinie 
 K 
 
50 
 
 for their execution drew near, a Charity School for 
 poor children was established at Berthelsdorf ; Lady 
 de Gersdorf having ieft some legacies for the instruc- 
 tion of such children, and tlie purchase of the needful 
 school books. 
 
 For the education of girls a house was also built 
 in the same village, ami tlie inspection of that estab- 
 lisliment was committed in the beginning to Lady de 
 Zezschwit?. Finally on the 31 st. of January, 1724, 
 u specific convention and agreement was entered into 
 by these four Brethren and their wives, which had 
 for its exclusive object the extirpation of the king- 
 dom of darkness, and extension of the kingdom of 
 Christ, and included some jilans calcul.ated to pro- 
 mote this aim; by a deed regularly executed, and 
 containing the signature of their names, they hound 
 themselves to raise a capital of 1.500 rix dollars, with 
 a view to build a large house capable of containing at 
 least twelve rooms, in wliich there sliould be esta- 
 blished an Academy for the Nobility residing in the 
 country, a Siioj) for tlie sale of the above-mentioned 
 'Waitings of the United Brethren, an Apothecary's 
 Shop for furnishing the peoj)le in the neighbourhood 
 with the best kinds of drugs. This deed is concluded 
 in the following words: — " In as much as the whole 
 of this building is undertaken in faith and full con- 
 fidence in the living God, who has declared that 
 where two or three shall agree as touching any thing 
 that they sliall ask, he will do it, none of us must 
 allow himself to have bis courage weakened by ad- 
 versity, or to be offended because of mockeries, con- 
 tempt and ridicule : rather let each be ready in the 
 strength of the Lord, not only to give an answer to 
 any one that may ask him the reason of the hope 
 that is in him, but also diligently to do every thing 
 
ill liis power for the maintenance and prosperity ol' 
 this work of true Christian cliarity. Amen ! and may 
 the Lord himself say: Amen!" 
 
 Amidst all these plans for the furtherance of the 
 kingfdom of Jesus, and the promotion of the temporal 
 and spiritual well-beings of their fellow-men ; they 
 did not forfTct the Moravian emigrants, who had now 
 become settlers on the Count's estate. He and his 
 friends accounted it their duty to attend to them with 
 faithfulness, especially because it was now evident 
 that many otiiers had rather received harm than 
 benefit from their emigi'ation. As the minister's 
 office at Berthelsdorf had remained vacant from 
 Whitsuntide till Michaelmas 1722, tlie first emigrants 
 frequented the evening Avorship conducted by Mr. 
 Heitz, wliose earnest concern it was, to propound 
 nothing but what belonged to the knowledge of those 
 things which are essential for the salvation of souls ; 
 and this he did in so systematic and clear a manner, 
 that those wlio were desirous to be instructed could 
 easily discover how one truth is deducible from ano- 
 tlier, and each unfolds and explains the other. He 
 made it his practice to compare Scripture with Scrip- 
 ture, and all present who could read, brought their 
 Bible with them, to refer to the passages which 
 were quoted. Each was allowed to state his opinion 
 or scruples. The application of every doctrine was 
 always made in reference to a godly life and conver- 
 sation. It was more particularly necessary in the 
 course of these instructions, that the hearers should 
 become deeply convinced of the inability of man 
 since the fall, to do any thing that is good, and of 
 the necessity of a Mediator, who could satisfy the 
 demands of the justice of God. The blessings which 
 rested on these devotional meetings held by Air. 
 
52 
 
 Heitz, and the benefit the first Moravians derived 
 from them, as they promoted the progress of their 
 conversion, illumination and spiritual enjoyment, 
 those letters fully testify which they addressed to him 
 after his removal from thence (in Augnst 1 723) to 
 Tl'illiamsdorf, near Erlangen. In these letters they 
 deeply lament the separation that had taken place, 
 and which had been occasioned by the unfortunate 
 misunderstandings wiiich had arisen between him and 
 the Count and Mr. Rothe, and at the same time, 
 they assure him of the continuance of tlieir most 
 affectionate love and gratitude. Among others, Au- 
 gustin Neisser wrote to him as follows : — 
 
 " It is more easy to experience than to express 
 in words what is the efifect of that love which being 
 shed abroad in our hearts, unites us firmly to Clirist 
 as our Head, and to one another as members of his 
 body. May Jesus the Divine Word, confirm and 
 strengthen, maintain and increase more and more in 
 us and among us this heavenly flame, till it shall be 
 made i)erfect in the life to come. By this we know 
 that we are in him, because he hath given us of his 
 Spirit ; and when souls thus influenced converse to* 
 gether, their conversation must naturally difl"er alto- 
 getiier frojn that of others ; for it penetrates deeply 
 into the heart, and I can bear witness that you have 
 often spoken home to my heart in the Power of God, 
 and I must freely acknowledge, that not a day pas- 
 ses, on which something or another, concerning 
 which we have formerly conversed together, is not 
 made spirit and life to my heart, though at that time 
 I could not receive it in faith , much less experience 
 its power. But I have now great cause to praise 
 God, who has revealed even to me a poor weak mor- 
 tal his truth, awl more especially in as far as it re- 
 
53 
 
 shards the justification of a sinner before God, as -well 
 as his sanctification. He has shown me how genuine 
 love to God and man is the fruit of faith, as derived 
 from the fulhiess of Christ ; faith without this being 
 lifeless and cold, effecting no change of heart, and 
 delusive in its tendency, so that many thousands, 
 possessing such unproductive faith proceed content- 
 edly on the road that leadeth to destruction. But 
 God has chosen us in Christ, before the world was, 
 that we should be holy and unblameable before him 
 in love. May God grant that all of us may discern, 
 the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, 
 what is the power of his grace, whereby all those 
 that believe shall be saved and experience the eflfec- 
 tual working of this his mighty power. It is one of 
 the dearest wishes of my heart, that I might once 
 more in my life have an opportunity of conversing 
 with you, more especially here at Herrnhut, when 
 you would see with your own eyes the wonders God 
 has done for us within so short a space of time, yea 
 what he is yet doing and will still do in future, if we 
 ourselves do not hinder his work. Truly if we had 
 not already in some measure hindered his designs, 
 we should have seen much more of his glory, yet 
 God be praised that he has favored us to see even 
 such an increase as the present. I cannot but think 
 that you will yet be an eye witness of his wonders in 
 this place, for I cannot bring myself to believe, 
 that God should at the commencement have made use 
 of you as his instrument, and not lead you back 
 again to us. RIy whole heart is in that wish, may 
 he do what seemeth him good. Concerning myself, 
 I have only to say, that I find by experience the words 
 of the Son of God (Matt. 6.) to be truth indeed : 
 " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and hisrighteous- 
 f2 
 
54 
 
 Hess and all these thing's shall be added unto you. ' 
 I have plenty of work ; my wife and Itrothcrs join 
 me in most cord-al salutations to you. May our 
 Mighty King Jesus the Lord, who openeth a door 
 for liis kingdom in many places, establish it by the 
 greatness of his strength, in spite of the powers 
 of darkness, and may he grant to his people victory 
 and success. I commend you to the sympathizing 
 love and protection of God." 
 
 Besides the meetings for edification held by Mr. 
 Heitz, and which were the first cause of the awaken* 
 ing that took place at Berthelsdorf, the Moravian 
 Emigrants attended also the excellent sermons of Mr. 
 Rothe, and tlie private assemblies at the church and 
 in the Count's house. 
 
 They provided themselves each with a morsel of 
 bread by way of refreshment, so that they had not to 
 return liome between the public service and the pri- 
 vate meetings. Their number had been increased in 
 llerrnhutby the arrival of some new exiles. For at 
 the commencement of the year 1723, Christian David 
 had again repaired to Moravia. He was at that time 
 boarding the floor of the hall in the Count's house, 
 and having finislied about one half of it, he suddenly 
 left his tools, yea, even his hat behind him, and went 
 to visit the remaining three Brothers of the Neisser 
 family at Sehlen. These had in the meantime been 
 called to account about the emigration of their two 
 brothers, and as they would not give any explanation 
 of it, they had been cast into prison. As soon as 
 they were again set at liberty they requested permis- 
 sion of the Jesuits, their landlords, to quit the coun- 
 trv but being refused, and threatened with renewed 
 hnprisonment and the terrors of the Inquisition, they 
 forsook every thing they had, and in the summer of 
 
55 
 
 J 723, secretly followed the steps of their exiled Bro- 
 thers, with their whole families, consisting in all of 
 eighteen persons. Mr. Steward Heitz obtained leave 
 from his master to build a dwelling-place for them, 
 next to the house now occupied by their Brothers ; 
 but their earnings in this new place were very scanty 
 in the first half-year of tlieir abode, as they could re- 
 alize scarcely any thing from the articles sold to tra- 
 vellers passing that way, but amidst their great 
 poverty they were full ot courage and faith. 
 
 While in these indigent circumstances, they re- 
 ceived great support and encouragement from the re- 
 solution taken by Mr. de \Vatte\ille to reside with 
 them. His active benevolence, and a peculiar incli- 
 nation he felt (notwithstanding his high rank and 
 polite education) to hold intercourse with people, who, 
 though poor and mean, were deserving and valuable, 
 had induced him to move into a small apartment in 
 the first of the newly built houses, with a view to en- 
 joy solitude and to promote the completion of the 
 second building. This was a blessed time for the 
 poor exiles, who were greatly comforted by his con- 
 versations with them during the continuance of their 
 difficulties; the Minister and Count Zinzendorf not 
 being able to see them often, as the former lived at 
 some distance, and the latter had to spend most of 
 his time in his official employment at Dresden. 
 
 About Christmas, 1 723, Christian David, during 
 a severe illness of his wife, made a solemn vow, that 
 if God would restore her, he would again undertake a 
 journey to Moravia, and preach the Gospel there. 
 This solemn vow he performed, when God had afford- 
 ed the desired help, and arrived in safely at Zauch- 
 tenthal. To this place, some ministers of the Bre- 
 thren's Church had repaired from Skalitz in Hungiu-y, 
 
56 
 
 wlien in 1624, the last Bishop of that Church, Amos 
 Comenius, had hecn sent into «{ile, and these Min- 
 isters l)ad private meetings with their Brethren at 
 Zauchtenthal, and occasionally administered the Sa- 
 crament to them. By their repeated visits Martin 
 Schneider a zealous adherent to the Brethren's Reli- 
 gion, became powerfully excited to hold family meet- 
 ings in various houses, which were frequented by 
 numbers ; at these meetings hymns taken out of the 
 hymn book of the Ancient Brethren were sung, and 
 sermons read, taken from the works of Protestant 
 divines, for instance, Ab. Sknltetus, Theophilus 
 Neuberger, Richard Baxter, Fr. Romberger. He 
 also paid particular attention to the young people, 
 gave them instruction in reading and writing, and 
 taught and explained to them the catechism drawn up 
 by Amos Comenius. On account of these proceed- 
 ings he had to undergo a most severe examination, 
 and was on the point of bein^ condemned to be burnt 
 as a heretic ; but his Catholic master, who had a great 
 regard for him, procured his acquittal through his in- 
 tercession. After his death his cousin Samuel 
 Schneider continued the above mentioned meetings 
 till he also was called home by the Lord, March 4th, 
 1710. His happy and cheerful end was a seal to that 
 faith he had manifested through life, and an attesta- 
 tion of the truth of his testimony in the eyes both of 
 friends and foes For in his last illness he never 
 ceased to declare to all around him, the cheering in- 
 fluences of that faith which he possessed, and the 
 joy which pervaded him in the anticipation of soon 
 beholding his Lord face to face ! 
 
 Then, said he, 1 shall see also the Apostles, the 
 Prophets who have testified beforehand of his suffer- 
 ings and subsequent glory — all the Martyrs forChrist, 
 
57 
 
 and tlie whole glorious company of Confessors and 
 witnesses of Jesus, who have not loved their lives 
 unto the death -and then I shall be toojether with 
 them at home, with the Lord for ever!" W'liose faith 
 follow, considering the end of their conversation I" 
 
 This was his final admonition to his family and 
 friends, while he earnestly requested them to abide 
 faithful to the end, and suffer nothing to separate 
 them from the love of God which is in Ciirist Jesus 
 our Lord. The Catholic Priest, Mr. Lamser, did 
 not fail to visit him before his end, with a view to im- 
 part to him, according to the lite of his Church, the 
 extreme unction. But Samuel Schneider, who was 
 still in full possession of all his faculties, addressed 
 him thus : "I have been already anointed and sealed 
 by the Holy Ghost unto life eternal, and surely then 
 the unction, which you offer, would be a superfluous 
 one ! ' The Priest asked in return, if he thought 
 he should die happy without receiving this extreme 
 unction ? Upon which pointing with his finger to- 
 wards the sun, he said, " As sure as your Reve- 
 rence sees the sun shining yonder in the sky, so 
 sure am I of the salvation of my soul !'' To this 
 the Priest rejoined, " Well, Schneider, if this be 
 true, how is it that you are accused of not being a 
 good Catholic Christian, and of despising the Saints?'' 
 He replied, '• People have said many things against 
 me, and brought much suffering upon me without a 
 cause : for I have all my life long endeavoured to 
 tread in the steps of the Saiuts, and to follow their 
 conversation !" The Priest lield his peace, bid him 
 farewell, and at going away, said to the bye-standers, 
 " May I die the death of this righteous man, and 
 may ray latter end be like his." After the decease 
 of this venerable man, the meetings of the Pro- 
 
58 
 
 testants were restricted by degrees, to the domestic 
 worship of separate families. The Catiiolic Clergy 
 and Magistracy employed both cuniiiiig and power to 
 prevent their assembling together, and to seize upon 
 all their evangelical books. By means of marriages 
 they contrived to introduce an increasing number of 
 strange inhabitants into the Brethren s villages, and 
 this could not but have a hurtful influence, especially 
 upon the youth, for under these circumstances luke- 
 warmness found entrance into their hearts, and they 
 chose rather to conform to the ways of the world and 
 sin, and to observe the rites and ceremonies of the 
 Catholic Church, than to incur the danger of losing 
 their good name among men, their worldly posses- 
 sions and their liberty. \ et the reading of evange- 
 lical books, and the singing of spiritual hymns did 
 not cease altogether, though in the case of many 
 who continued these practices in secret, it became 
 more an external form which they considered as 
 meritorious, and even imagined that true Christianity 
 Consisted in nothing more than this and the rejection 
 of Catholic errors and abuses : and thus they felt no 
 concern about genuine repentance and conversion of 
 the heart, self-denial and a hfe of righteousness and 
 holiness in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Christian David found them in this deplorable 
 condition, when, at the close of the year 1723, he 
 visited again in Moravia, and took up his lodging in 
 Zauchtenthal, at the house of David Schneider, the 
 grandson of the above-mentioned Martin Schneider. 
 He had some private conversations with him and his 
 friends, and led them to the knowledge of vita) reli- 
 gion, pointing out to them the necessity of becoming 
 convinced ot their sinful state by nature and practice, 
 of genuine repentance towards God, and true faith 
 
5^ 
 
 in our Lord Jesus Ciirist; and shewing tliem clearly 
 tlie duty of a Ciinbtian, who is called to deny un- 
 godliness and worldly lusts, and to live righteously, 
 soberly, and godly, in this present world. He gave 
 instructions how to read, and meditate on, the Holy 
 Scriptures, and especialy the New Testament, in 
 the most profitable manner; and entered wdth a num- 
 ber of them into a covenant, to devote themselves to 
 the service of the Lord. From Zauchtenthal he pro* 
 ceeded to Kunewalde, where, at the house of a far- 
 mer of the name of George Jag, he addressed a 
 powerful discourse on the beatitudes pronounced by 
 our Saviour (Matt. 5, ) to a most numerous assem- 
 bly, who were all astonished at his energetic words. 
 In both places, his testimony of the truth gave occa- 
 sion to gfeat awakenings; many were brought to the 
 knowledge of their sinful state, and convinced of the 
 error of their former imaginary faith. The report of 
 these things spread from mouth to mouth, till it be- 
 came the general, the chief, and most surprising 
 topic in every street, yea every house, so that, where- 
 over two or three met together, this was always the 
 subject of their conversation, and the whole country 
 was thus stirred up. In the village of Zauchtenthal, 
 there were but few families that were not appre- 
 hended and carried along by the powerful influence 
 of the grace of God ; and the same was the case in 
 Kunewalde, in which place Melchior Nitschman, a 
 young man twenty years of age, began to hold meet- 
 ings. Many persons assembled together, sometimes 
 at one house, sometimes at another, to build each 
 other up in their most holy faith, by meditating on 
 the word of (iod. Indeed their earnest zeal was so 
 great, that night or day made no difference to them, 
 and during thb season of general awakening, many.. 
 
60 
 
 both yoiing and old, allowed themselves but little 
 sleep. The herdsmen in the fields, spent their time 
 among their flocks in praying, and singing spiritual 
 hymns ; male and female servants were concerned 
 for the salvation of tlieir souls ; no Avorldly music wag 
 heard any more in the villages, no one would any 
 more attend i)laces of amusement. David Nitsch- 
 man, a weaver, eij(hteen years of age, and others 
 who were minded like him, went about diligently 
 from place to place, declaring what the Lord had 
 done for their souls, pressing zealously upon all the 
 consideration of the love of God in Christ Jesus our 
 Lord, and thus fanning the fire, the Lord himself 
 had kindled, more and more into a flame. Even 
 children, at a very early age, raised the supplications 
 of their hearts with great earnestness to the eternal 
 source of love, lifting up their hands and voice to- 
 wards heaven, and continually admonishing their 
 parents to join them in their prayers to Jesus. 
 
 Anna Nitschmann, twelve years old, departed 
 this life witli an astonishing degree of confidence in 
 the grace of God, with cheerful resignation of every 
 thing terrestrial, and a full anticipation of eternal 
 glory; and a remarkably deep impression was made 
 on the minds of many, by Avitnessing her happy and 
 triumphant end. At that time they knew nothing of 
 any preference to be given to this or the other out- 
 ward form of religion, but every one sj)oke only of 
 Jesus (without reference to any human institution or 
 authority) of his power, of the unspeakable love and 
 everlasting mercy of the Father, which in and through 
 the Son becomes the portion of us poor human crea- 
 tures, and which must be sealed to us individually 
 by the operations of the Holy Ghost. This was the 
 fonfession of their faith, this was the cause why 
 
these bold champions of the truth came to the detei - 
 minatiou " Unto His praise with joy their all to ven- 
 ture; Upon his shame and cross gladly to enter — 
 Nor pain nor death could shake their resolution, nor 
 persecution ! 
 
 For now there arose a great and most violent 
 persecution, which reached such a height in the 
 year 1724, that the Catholic inhabitants of the dis- 
 trict of Weisskirch, are supposed to have been 
 called upon to destroy Zauchtenthal and its inha- 
 habitants. The magistrates and the Roman clergy 
 endeavoured at first, though in vain to damp and 
 quench the fire of this awakening, by prohibitory 
 and threatening mandates, by violent rebuke and 
 revilings : the awakened still continued to shew forth 
 the praises of the Lord Jesus, yea they blessed and 
 praised God for the tribulation of these days, and 
 zealously sought to follow the faith of their fathers. 
 Many of them had been truly apprehended of God; 
 but many also though the spirit seemed willing, were 
 not able, through the weakness of the flesh, to resist 
 in the hour of temptation. It was then seen who 
 had laid a good foundation or not. For the persecu- 
 tion soon became more serious. All those who even 
 had only attended the meetings were thrown into 
 prison, and the jails being soon filled with prisoners, 
 the rest were confined in stables, or thrown into 
 most offensive holes, where some of them nearly 
 perished from suffocation. Others were cast into 
 cellars filled with water, in which they had to remain 
 in a standing posture, till they were almost frozen to 
 death. Some were confined in the very depth of 
 winter, in the tower of the castle, to extort from 
 them, through the sufferings they had to endure in 
 consequence of the intense cold, a confession as tn 
 F 
 
62 
 
 what books they had, or who of them was in posses- 
 sion of lici;etical writings, where tlicir meetings had 
 been held, how often the forest-preacher (by this 
 term Christian David was designated) liad been with 
 them, and who had attended on these occasions? 
 Some were sentenced to liard labor in irons for a 
 series of years — some who had made a bold con- 
 fession of Jesus, remained imprisoned for life, others 
 were transported to distant towns, or had heavy fines 
 imposed on them ; this was particularly the case with 
 the families of Nitschmann and Schneider. The 
 house of one of the former was levelled to the ground, 
 because he had lodged a Protestant in the same. 
 Cunning and craft were employed in the case of 
 others, whom they endeavoured to persuade to declare 
 their attachment to the Roman Catholic religion, by 
 an oath, under promise th.at they should then be left 
 undisturbed. Such and similar were the sufferings 
 of all, till the Lord in his own wonderful way inter- 
 posed for the rescue of those who sought him with 
 their whole lieart, venluring all they had for his sake; 
 these his faithful confessors he led forth out of their 
 country, one after the other. At the time when the 
 wratli of their enemies was the fiercest, and when 
 all methods were resorted to, to deprive them of 
 their evangelical books, it happened on Easter Mon- 
 day 17-4, while more than one hundred and fifty 
 persons were assembled at the house of David 
 Nitschman, the wheelwright, situate in the village 
 of Kunewalde, that the justice of peace of that dis- 
 ti'ict, and his attendants, entered the room in a state 
 of furious indignation, with a rosary in his hand, and 
 after having snatciied uj) as many books as he could 
 collect in haste, addressed the company present only 
 in these words, — Do you spend this holy day here? 
 
63 
 
 and, turnings afterwards to young Melchior Nitsch- 
 mann, he added, Art thou the preacher? He then 
 proceeded to another meeting-house, having collected 
 a number of assistants, for they were afraid of the 
 people. But when tiiey entered the place where the 
 meeting was held, the Brethren began to sing with a 
 loud voice, that verse of Luther's, " And if the 
 world with devils swarm'd — And threatened us to 
 swallow. We're not afraid, for we are arm'd — And 
 victory must follow! ' And when the justice com- 
 manded them to be silent, they repeated this verse 
 once and again, which threw him into such a state of 
 perplexity, that he flung down the books he had 
 seized, in haste, and departed without executing his 
 purpose. The Brethren, full of courage, continued 
 their meeting till late at night, and made a sub- 
 scription among themselves, amounting to twenty 
 rix-doUars, out of which they furnished to those who 
 had lost their books, a sufficient sum of money for 
 purchasing new ones. In consequence of this trans- 
 action, the principal persons among those who used 
 to assemble together, were summoned to .appear 
 before the court, to give an account of their pro- 
 ceedings — and when they unanimously declared that 
 their sole aim in life was to follow Jesus, and to 
 endeavour to rescue their fellow inhabitants from that 
 state of blindness, darkness, and death, in which 
 they were; some of them were cast into prison, 
 among whom was Melchior Nitschmann, who, during 
 his imprisonment, was made to feel the severest 
 pangs of hunger, and was so cruelly bound, that Iiis 
 blood gushed from his mouth and nose, yea, even 
 penetrated through his skin — and the consequence of 
 this ill-treatment was, that ever after his wonderful 
 deliverance in 1725, he remained in an ailing and 
 sickly state to the end of his life. 
 
64 
 
 The above-mentioned David Nitschmann had 
 been joined by four others, whom he considered as 
 liis Brethren in Christ, viz: two David Nitschmanns, 
 Melchior Zeisberger, and John Tbltschic^, all of 
 them sons of opulent parents. The father of the 
 last-mentioned of these four, was the hereditary 
 judge in the village of Zauchtenthal, and most inimi- 
 cally disposed towards the awakened. 'I'hese five 
 young men were full of courage, remained closely 
 united, roused by their discourses Zauchtenthal and 
 its vicinity, and were ready to sufifer bonds and im- 
 prisonment for the sake of the gospel. 
 
 But when they found that they were most 
 obnoxious to the adversaries of the gospel, by their 
 public confession of Jesus, and could not but see 
 that it would be impossible for them for any length 
 of time, to keep up their meetings and enjoy liberty 
 of conscience in their own country ; they formed the 
 resolution to depart thence, as soon as an oppor- 
 tunity should offer. T^ot long after, on the 1st of 
 May, 1724, they were cited to appear before the 
 village-judge Tciltscbig. who, in the presence of tlie 
 whole assembly, and by the authority of the higher 
 powers, prohibited their private meetings under severe 
 penalties, and advised them rather to go to the ale- 
 houses to enjoy mirth and dancing, adding, that they 
 need not think they could remove out of tlie country, 
 for the hand of the law was strong enough to reach 
 them whithersoever they might go. They now una- 
 nimously resolved to emigrate, and accomplished 
 their design on the following evening, at ten o'clock ; 
 and, calling to mind that the Sovereign of the Uni- 
 verse had not where to lay his head, they departed 
 almost naked, yet full of joy, not knowing whither 
 they should turn their steps, yet oidy anxious to 
 
65 
 
 obtain liberty of conscience, that they mi^lit work 
 out the salvation of their souls. In a meadow on 
 the other side of the village, they kneeled down 
 toerether, ofiFered up their prayers in behalf of Zauch- 
 tenthal and its vicinity, and commended themselves 
 and their Brethren, who were left behind, to the 
 protection and care of God. They their joined in 
 singinsT the beginning' of that hymn, which their 
 ancestors, when sent into exile a hundred years 
 before, had composed and sung: 
 
 Blest is that day, when quittiug home. 
 Far from my country I mast roam, 
 
 Without a guide, a friend— 
 For God himself will be my guide -- 
 His angel-guard for me provide ; 
 
 He can his own defend ; 
 And he'll appoint for me a spot. 
 Where, all my fears and cares forgot, 
 
 I sliall enjoy sweet rest : 
 As pants the hart for cooling broolis. 
 My soul with ardent longing looks 
 
 T'wards God, my Refuge blest !--&<;. 
 
 'IMius they cheerfully commenced their pilgrimage, 
 and with a view not to be overtaken by those who 
 might possibly be sent to pursue them, they travelled 
 across a pathless mountain towards Silesia. After 
 arriving, by way of Jagerndarf at a place in the 
 neighbourhood of Neisse, where the road divided in 
 two opposite directions, they consulted together 
 whether they should go and join their fellow-bel-ievers 
 at Polish Sissa, or proceed to Saxony ? and con- 
 cluded at last, first of all to visit those Brethren 
 from Moravia in Lusatia, and especially Christian 
 David, who had been the instrument in God's hand 
 for bringing about their awakening. Their aim was 
 
 f2 
 
66 
 
 to enquire for cliHdren of God, and they expected to 
 find such io every Lutheran place, but their questions 
 and enquiries received no kind answer, for they 
 were either ridiculed as Pietists, or threatened tliat 
 they should be informed against and delivered up, 
 yea upright souls feared to enter into much conver- 
 sation with them. AVhen at Schweidniz they took 
 offence at the pompous ornaments of the church 
 belonging to the Protestants : and thus every thing 
 tended greatly to embarrass and perplex them. From 
 Hirschberg tliey were forwarded by a merchant of 
 the name of Glaffey, a pious man, to Lower-Wiese, 
 the residence of the Rev. Mr. Schwedler, at whose 
 house they arrived May the 9th. This good man 
 immediately went to meet them with open arms, and 
 received them most cordially ; he kneeled down with 
 them and thrice repeated the Lord's prayer, as he 
 was wont to do. They felt greatly affected by his 
 Icindness which completely won their hearts. After 
 prayer he said to them : " My children, do you 
 know whose descendants you are, " but he did not 
 await their answer, for he continued immediately to 
 speak villi great emotion of John Huss, Wickliffe, 
 Jerome of Prague, and Amos Comenius, and added : 
 " You are sprung from their martyrdom, from that 
 blood which they shed for the sake of the Truth, and 
 you have been jjreserved to this day. God has heard 
 tiieir prayers and seen their tears, when imploring 
 him that nil blessing might be })oured out upon their 
 descendants, even you : and Fie who has promised 
 to shew mercy unto thousands, and who has now led 
 you out by his own arm, — it is He who will keep and 
 preserve you till he shall come to gather all his sheep 
 and take them to his eternal sheepfold." " 'Tis even 
 now a hundred years' continued he, "since the 
 
67 
 
 commencement of the persecutions raised against your 
 fathers, and because you are their sons, you are to 
 inherit their blessing, and in their stead enjoy among 
 us that liberty of conscience for the sake of which 
 they have laid down their lives. God be praised that 
 you are rescued, and that we shall have the pleasure 
 to see you grow, blossom and flourish among us — 
 and that this may be truly the case is my most earnest 
 prayer for you. Amen ! ' Greatly moved by the 
 hearty welcome they had met with from this servant 
 of the Lord, they bid him farewell with tears, and 
 immediately proceeded on their way to Herrnhut. 
 He sent a messenger with them, as far as Friedens- 
 dorf, where they were received with joy by Mr. de 
 Schweiniz and his whole family ; which was also the 
 case at ficubi, from whence Captain de Schweiniz 
 conveyed them to Berthelsdorf, giving them a recom- 
 mendatory letter to Mr. Rothe. When about noon 
 on tlie 1 "2th of May they arrived at the estate of 
 Berthelsdorf,. they found the corn, growing therf , 
 to be of a very inferior nature to what tliey had been 
 accustomed to see in Moravia ; in consequence of 
 which one of them, giving way to unbelief, could 
 not help manifesting- his anxiety to the rest : but his 
 companion soon comforted and encouraged him anew. 
 Having reached the parsonage, Mr. Rothe received 
 them as was his custom, in rather a cool manner. 
 But after sometime, when he had made full enquiry 
 and had found out that tiiey were all the children of 
 rich parents, he began to discourse with uncommon 
 energy of mind on that Text (!leb. 11,24,25.) 
 " Moses, when he was come to years of maturity 
 refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 
 &c. " which he applied to them and their emigration. 
 M'lien he had finished his discourse, he sent them on 
 
68 
 
 to Herrnhut, As soon as they came in sight of the 
 houses, they felt an inward conviction that this was 
 the place where they should remain, though they 
 thought it was very small for a place, where, as 
 Christian David had never failed to declare to them, 
 a city was to be built. David Nitschmann said on 
 that occasion : " If three houses constitute a city, 
 Herrnhut is not the meanest of all !" They were 
 immediately received by the Neissers with uncommon 
 demonstrations of joy ; but the room for dwelling 
 and lodging was extremely small, their being as yet 
 but one of the houses finished, and of that only the 
 lower story. This was the day appointed for laying 
 the foundation stone of that large building, which, 
 as has been said above, was intended by the Count 
 and his friends united with him, to be an academy 
 for the young nobility, and to be employed moreover 
 for other generally useful purposes ; and in which a 
 large saloon was appropriated hereafter for the meet- 
 ings of the congregation at Herrnhut. On the morning 
 of this day the 12th of May, 1724, it happened 
 without premeditation, while all was yet hushed in the 
 silence of the early dawn, that in the newly built 
 house in which Mr. Watteville resided together with 
 the first emigrants, ail his fellow inhabitants rose 
 from their beds at the same time in every room they 
 occupied, above or below, and in a loud voice 
 offered up their prayers ; and as the partition walls 
 of the house had been built in a very slight manner, 
 for the sake of lessening the exjjence, what was 
 transacted in one room could easily be overheard 
 in the other, and in this Mr. de Watteville found 
 himself on all sides surrounded by persons engaged 
 in prayer, whose hearts were well known to him — 
 he failed not tlierefore to mingle his sentimente with 
 
69 
 
 theirs, and like tiiem to ])our out his soul in fervent 
 prayer. He then re|)aired to the building place, 
 where Christian Darid was already at work; and while 
 sitting on the timber, which was jjreparing, he medi- 
 tated in silence on his whole course of life, carefully 
 investigating- how and why lie had been led to reside 
 with these i)cople, and the result of his deliberations 
 was a renewed and fixed determination to devote him- 
 self wholly to this undertaking. While lost in these 
 contemplations, taking little heed of what passed 
 around him, he was suddenly interupted in his medi- 
 tations by Christian David who had just finished the 
 work he had set himself, who accosted him thus — 
 "This very day we will lay the foundation stone 
 of the large building to be erected.'' Watteville's 
 immediate answer was, '•! have exactly the same 
 idea, for this appears to me to be in every respect 
 the set day for doing it.'' They delayed not inviting 
 the Count and his i<ady, and other friends at Henners- 
 dorf and Berthelsdorf, to take share in this solemnity ; 
 and at the arrival of tiie former in company of Mr. 
 Schiiffer in the afternoon at three o'clock, the five 
 newly arrived Moravian Brethren were introduced to 
 him who presented the letter of recommendation writ- 
 ten in their behalf by Mr Schwedler. But the recep- 
 tion they met with from him disappointed tiieir expec- 
 tation, and almost led them to call in question his 
 piety, for according to their opinion he shewed far too 
 much indiflFerence and coldness. When all that were 
 to be present, were met together on the building- 
 plaCe; the Count addressed them in an uncommonly 
 impressive discourse, in which he dwelt upon the 
 intention of this new erection, and added his wish 
 that if this sole intention, whicli was none other than 
 
70 
 
 the promotion of the honor and glory of God, should 
 not be obtained, God himself would destroy it, or 
 send down fire from heaven to consume it. 
 
 Mr. de Watteville, who had from the earliest 
 dawn of the day been in an extrordinary frame of 
 devotion, kneeled down at the foundation stone, and 
 offered up a prayer, which was truly the expression 
 of allthosefeelings, expectations and resolutions, which 
 then filled his soul, and which produced a most 
 j)owerful effect on the mind of every one that heard it. 
 At the conclusion of this solemn transaction, Mr. 
 Milde, Professor Frauke's private secretary, who 
 had accompanied the Count hither from Hennersdorf, 
 began with a cheerful voice the Te Deum, thus giving 
 vent to the deep feelings which pervaded him. Mr. de 
 Watteville with a view Bymbolically to express his 
 having buried all worldly views and prospects, had 
 placed under the foundation stone, all the jewels and 
 costly things which were yet in his possession, and 
 among these a ring which had passed seven times 
 tlirough the fire, and which had been intended as an 
 emblem of his prosperity. "You have promised 
 much" said the Countless afterwards to Mr. de Watte- 
 ville, "if one half of these promises receives its due 
 accompishment, it will be far beyond what we can 
 expect!" The Count himself frequently declared in 
 after times that in all his life he had never heard the 
 like, and that he could not but consider the powerful 
 prevalence of the grace of God, which manifested 
 itself among the Brethren, as impartedby the Lord in 
 special answer to this prayer. In the minds of the five 
 newly arrived Moravian Brethren the Count's discourse 
 on that occasion created a feeling of holy awe and 
 trembling; and Watteville's heart-penetrating prayer, 
 produced within them the full conviction that this was 
 
71 
 
 the place where their foot might rest. They had 
 quitted their country with their staff in hand, with 
 a view to seeli a place of rest for tliemselves, and for 
 those of their acriuaintance, who, like them, could 
 resolve to forsake all their possessions in order to 
 enjoy liberty of conscience. Now they iiad found what 
 far exceeded their expectations, and here they there- 
 fore erected their tents. In the sequel many of their 
 friends joined them, and brought with them the 
 treasure which had been committed to their keeping ; 
 to wit, the rit€s and peculiarities of tlieir ancient 
 church, its spirit, its blessing, its anticipations and 
 promises ; and in this new place of residence the 
 reality of all these things manifested itself in due 
 time. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 i . The five Moravian Brethren from Zauch- 
 tenthal, who had arrived at Herrnhut on the 
 day of the foundation stone of the large building 
 being laid, and who so powerfully felt the influence 
 of the grace prevailing on that solemn occasion, — 
 were the first who reminded the inhabitants of that 
 jdace, of the Church discipline of their ances- 
 tors, of the excellency of whicli they tliemselves 
 had received an impression from the narrative given 
 them by their fathers and grandfathers ; and who 
 therefore insisted on the renewal and introduction of 
 the Orders and Statutes of their ancient Churcli ; 
 and thus through the special providence and leading 
 of the Lord, the renewal of the ancient Church of 
 tlie Brethren was the unpremiditated consequence of 
 
72 
 
 the building- of Herrnhut and the gatiiering of the 
 congregations there. All of them, in the sequel, filled 
 important offices in that renewed Church, with the 
 exception of David Nitschmanu who, having returned 
 to Moravia to visit his father, was thrown into prison 
 at Olnilitz, where he died J 5th of April, 1729. Of 
 the official situations, in which the others were em- 
 ployed, it will be sufficient to mention only the 
 following: David Nitschmann, the carpenter, began 
 together with Leonard Dober, in 1732, the first Mis- 
 sion of the Brethren, namely that among the Negroes 
 in St. Thomas : and in 1735, March the 13th, he 
 was consecrated in Berlin a Bishop of the Dispersed 
 Congregations of the Moravian Brethren, by Dan. 
 Ernestus Jablousky, the oldest Bishop and Senior of 
 the Brethreiis' Unity in Poland, and at the same 
 time First Chaplain at the Court of Fred. William 
 Fiist King of Prussia. 
 
 The Count thus delineates his character : 
 " His solid Clnistian experience, his walk in 
 simplicity, his upriglit conduct, the esteem he ac- 
 quired even in the eyes of the world, his unwearied 
 witness-spirit, the congregations he successively 
 formed and established, his first attempt to preach 
 the gospel among the heathen, on which in the sequel 
 (Jod had been pleased to lay so abundant a blessing, 
 these endowments and qualifications caused him when 
 the time arrived for the renewing of the episcopacy 
 of the Moravian Church, to be the only candidate 
 for the episcopal office; and Dean (Probst) Jablan- 
 sky, who, afterwards assisted by the Polisli bishop 
 Sifkovius, consecrated him a bishop of the Brethren's 
 church, loved and esteemed him very highly, till his 
 departure wliicli took place 1741, in the eigiity first 
 year of his age. 
 
73 
 
 2. The large building', the foundation stone of 
 which was laid May 12tli,__L7Ji4, was finished in 
 due time, though not without many trials, yet in much 
 blessing; and it is worthy of notice, that all ihe 
 materials requisite were collected and prepared amidst 
 the prayers and awakening conversations of those who 
 laboured at it; for while the building was progres- 
 sively advancing, more emigrants arrived who could 
 all be employed, either as masons, stone-cutters, car- 
 penters, joiners, glaziers, potters or assistant labour- 
 ers. In the year 1 725, it was opened for the recep- 
 tion of some young noblemen (among the rest John 
 Christian Adolphus de Hermsdarf, Hans Siegnmnd de 
 Schweiuiz, Hans Gottlob de Kalkreuth,) and to their 
 number were added some youths of the middle class 
 of society. The following persons were appointed 
 to conduct their education — Licentiate Gutbicr, as 
 inspector and physician ; Baron de Reichwein, as 
 librarian ; two Swedish Captains of the names of 
 Riemer and Kluge, as tutors ; the late general 
 inspector of the cxise office, Friedler, as writing 
 master; two Mr. Knoblocks, one of whom had studied 
 the law, and the other divinity, as well as Crampe, a 
 student in philosophy, were appointed preceptors. 
 On the r2th of May, 1726 the pupils were solemnly 
 assembled in remembrance of Lady de Gersdorf, M'ho 
 liad departed this life the 6th. of March, on which 
 occasion they delivered orations in the Latin, German, 
 French and Polish languages. 
 
 This truly venerable lady, who for a space of 
 nearly twelve years had scarcely ever been able to 
 quit the Mansion-house at Hennersdorf, had caused 
 herself to be conveyed in the Autumn of i72J once 
 more to Berthelsdorf, and from thence to Herrnhut. 
 When she beheld it at a distance, she could n«t 
 G 
 
74 
 
 l efiain from tears ; and i>ronounced her blessing over 
 it in a most emphatic manner. 
 
 She, as well as Mr. Schafifer, had been present at 
 the consecration of the large building. In a short 
 time however, so many defects and difficulties were 
 discovered, as connected with the management of this 
 newly established Academy, that in 1727, the Count 
 found himself induced to transform it into an Orphan 
 House; and in the sequel, the building continued to 
 be appropriated to its origitial intention, in as much 
 as for a long period of time, an institution for the 
 education of the children of the Brethren's congre- 
 gation, was carried on in it. The saloon of the 
 Orphan House having been very greatly enlarged, 
 was used for thirty two years as the meeting place 
 of the congiegation at Herrnhut, till the conse- 
 cration of the new Chapel, the foundation stone of 
 which was laid J 2th. of May, 1756. 
 
 III. 
 
 The renewal of the Chnrch of the Brethren, 
 for the 13M of August. ' v 
 
 Although the Moravian Exiles, who settled at 
 Herrnhut, were full of good-will and active zeal for 
 the truth, as far as they had been led to the know- 
 ledge of it; they were yet greatly defective in a right 
 
75 
 
 and cleai' conception of what may be termed the es- 
 sence of g-odliness. It was therefore not to be won- 
 dered at, that they soon became entang-led in needless 
 "^ntroversies, which had for their object points not 
 conn^ed with the fundamental principles of a godly 
 life and conversation in Christ, Some of them, while 
 yet in their own country, had read Lutheran, others 
 Calvauistic publications. Their first dissentions there- 
 fore ill 1 723, arose from a diversity of opinion con- 
 cerning Election, awricular Confession, and the kind 
 and form of the bread to be used at the Holy Sacra- 
 ment. Yet this dissention was brought to an amica- 
 cable conclusion, through the interference of Mr. de 
 Watteville, who obtained the desired object so much 
 the more easily, as Mr. Heitz, a man of a most up- 
 right and worthy character, but a very strenuous sup- 
 porter of the Calvanistic Tenets, took leave of them 
 in the same year. Two years after, the ideas of the 
 Moravian Exiles were so far yielded to, that the 
 general confession, (pre^dous to the Sacrament) was 
 introduced again at Berthelsdorf, in the place of 
 which the Rev. Mr. Rothe had sometime before sub- 
 stituted private Confession.. But when nevertheless 
 in consequence of the constant increase of the Con- 
 gregation, by means of new people from Moravia, 
 these controversies concerning doctrinal points, were 
 from time to time renewed. — Count Zinzendorf took 
 the resolution in 1725, to request all the Brethren 
 to call upon hin\ in a private manner, at his house, 
 to enter into a full enquiry concerning the views and 
 thoughts of each of them, and to lay before them, in 
 a simple and scriptural manner, his own ideas and 
 convictions. Thus he spent three whole days, and the 
 greater part of the nights, in private conversations 
 with them; and by the grace of God, he succeeded. 
 
76 
 
 in removing all their doubts, uniting; all on the foun- 
 dat'^n^of the essential truths of"the Gospel, and thus 
 preparing the way for that blessing, which rested on 
 this Congregation in the sequel, and for their so- 
 lemn agreement to the Articles of the Auf;ustan or 
 Augsburg Evangelical Confession, which took place 
 some years after. 
 
 It was the Count's opinion, that little could be 
 effected by means of new regulations, merely of an 
 externa! nature, and that full liberty of conscience, in 
 all points, was most agi-eeable to the will of (Jod. H« 
 could not, indeed, at that time, see clearly in what 
 manner he should be able to maintain the full use of 
 that liberty, but lie trusted in God, in this respect; 
 and in the mean time, he suffered all these Exiles to live 
 on I'.is estate, without any particular external religious 
 constitution, hoping that they would let their moderation 
 be known to all, and show that they knew how to im- 
 prove, in wisdom, that liberty of conscience, which 
 they had purchased for themselves at so dear a rate, 
 by enduring imprisonment and many sufferings, and 
 by forsaking all their worldly possessions. But he 
 entertained a high regard for the ancient church- 
 constitution of the Brethren in Pohemia and Mora- 
 via; and the Reverend Mr. Rothe adopted it in so 
 far, as to introduce during the Count's absence, 
 several Church offices among them. He employed 
 some of the faithful souls, to assist him in g!%ing 
 private instructions and admonitions, observing the 
 walk of individuals, distributing alms, visiting the 
 sick, and paying particular attention to those persons 
 w ho were advancing in grace and knowledge. The 
 care to Match, inan especial manner, over the souls of 
 the male inhabitants, devolved upon Mr. de M'^atte- 
 ville, and among the females, his wife exerted a 
 
// 
 
 blessed activity ; the other assistants liad also been sb 
 wisely chosen by God, that it deservedly excited the 
 wonder of all. This however i)roved the occasion of 
 the rise of parties; tor as serious attention was now 
 paid to the state of the individual members of the 
 congrea:ation ; some were found, who, though they 
 were well pleas-ed with the external performance of 
 devotional exercises, coul 1 not brook the discipline 
 of the spirit, and the application of brotherly admo- 
 nitions. They watched each other narrowly; but 
 this led them to form an uncharitable judgment one 
 of the other ; they admonished one another, but 
 their admonitions deg-eneratcd into quarrels, they 
 sought one the other at the meetinafs, but' one 
 spoke as Paul, the other as Apollos; nor were there 
 wanting false doctrines and dangerous tenets, which, 
 the enemy did not fail to make use of for the sifting 
 of serious and noble-minded souls. Those proud 
 spirits, more especially, who had mixed with t'le rest, 
 having found their way toHerrnhut from other places, 
 and bringing with them various opinions, eould not 
 bear to hear either the continual warnings given 
 against self-complacency, or the contempt ex- 
 pressed in reference to mere speculative notions, 
 or yet the unwearied admonitions urged with a view 
 of recommending simplicity; for they were devising 
 ways and means to signalize themselves. For a sea- 
 son, however, they covdd not prevail, for they were 
 treated with much affection, though all admiration 
 was withheld from them: and if, at any time, they 
 iiappened to discourse at the meetings in a very high 
 flowing or recondite style; it was the common prac- 
 tice not to contradict them, but rather to repeat, in 
 a simple, clear, and scriptural manner, whatever they 
 might have advanced in tlieir own embellished anife 
 mysterious way ; and thus the good contained ia theiir 
 
 g2 
 
78 
 
 iliscourse v. ns retained, \^liile it was put out of the 
 power of these proud spirits to find an occasion for 
 quiirrelling^. If, however, they seemed inclined to 
 quarrel, they were told, that the congregation of the 
 Lord did not understand such proceedings. As long 
 ns Count Zinzendorf had it in his power to see to it 
 that the communion (the hlessed effects of which 
 v.'ere most manifest in this place) should be celebrated 
 frequently, according to the express intention of our 
 Saviour; and as long as all the pious sectarians, what- 
 ever name they bore, continued to attend at it (being 
 no doubt, by a special interposition of our Lord, in- 
 duced to do so) though the administration of it v. as 
 according to the rites of the liUtheran C hurch ; there 
 was no possibility of breaking to pieces the bond of 
 general brotherly love and unanimity. But when, in 
 1726, he set out on a journey to Kremsin, in Mora- 
 via, in order to pay a visit to Cardinal Schrattenhach, 
 I ishop of Olmiitz, and to come to an explanation 
 with him and his brother an Imperial Privy Coun- 
 sellor, conCiJining the Moravian emigration; Satan 
 succeeded, during his absence, in sowing tares among 
 the wheat, and in scattering the seeds of dissention, 
 for which purpose he emj)hiyed the following m.eans. 
 A Mr. Kruger, who had studied the law, and was 
 €mi)loyeJas'arC()unsel!or at Ebersdorf, in A'^tjigtland, 
 and whose judgment of things was frequently erro- 
 neous; had involved liimself in a verbal and episto- 
 lary controversy with the Court Chaplain there, on 
 the subject of some ])eculiar opinions concerning the 
 person of Christ, which he endeavoured to propagate, 
 *The zeal of his opponent ca\ised him to be head- 
 strong ; and when the Minister forbade him approach- 
 ing the Lord's table, he could restrain himself ivo 
 Songci-, ajid however great an advocate he had been 
 
79 
 
 liitherto, for the administration of that Sacrament, lie 
 now entirely rejected the Holy Communion as cele- 
 brated in the Protestant Church. In answer to a 
 letter written by him to Count Zinzendorf on these 
 subjects, the latter pointed out to him his errors, and 
 clearly stated his ideas as totally contrary to those 
 contained in that lett€r. Kruger now, after liaving 
 obtained his dismission from thei-sdorf, repaired to 
 Berthel^dorf and Ilerrnhut, during the Count's abovp- 
 mentinned absence in Moravia. He there drew upon 
 liimsolf the attention and admiration of all unsettled 
 and Avavering minds, by an assumed appearance of 
 extraordinary sanctity, bliimclessness, and devotion; 
 and led them afterwards to separate themselves from 
 tiie participation of the Holy (^ommunion, which 
 became evident at the first celebration of that holy 
 ordinance after the Count's return. By the inter- 
 ference of God, it so happened, that the Count and 
 Mr. Rothe, in reference to this affair, new labored 
 to obtain the same object, though their fundamental 
 ideas in so doing, were at variance. The latter 
 deemed it agreeable to his ministerial office, openly to 
 contradict this man, and those who were his adhe- 
 rents eitlicr through malice or ignorance; but the 
 Count thought it better suited to his magisterial 
 capacity to be silent, and, as a ChiW of God, t9 
 insi^t on nothing but love and peace. On that 
 account, he first of all sought to convince this man of 
 his errors, by the most affectionate representations ; 
 but in this he was unsuccessful, as the latter con- 
 tinued to maintain that he was convinced that he had 
 been appointed by Providence to bring about a refor- 
 mation in Hernduit. This caused the Count to give 
 himself to prayer, in which he laid open before our 
 Saviour, his irtiole heart, with a confident sppeal to 
 
80 
 
 liis knowledfve of liis uprig-lit intentions, wliich aimed 
 at nothing but to lead souls im])!icitly and simply to 
 the Saviour ; while he disa|)])roved of the many and 
 great incongruities and imperfections of an external 
 Church constitution, but at the same time plainly 
 saw, that no good or benefit could be obtained from 
 allowing the existence of a new sect, which, in a few 
 years, would again degenerate; and that he would 
 much rather lend his aid towards the reformation and 
 sanctification of that Church to which he belonged. 
 His prayer was answered by a light that sprung up in 
 his sou!, and which enabled him to discover, why 
 God permitted such things to take place ; he now 
 saw that thereby that foundation was shaken and 
 undermined, on which those iiad built their religion, 
 who were indeed in the habit of talking much about 
 Jesus, and had a semblance of virtue about them, 
 but who trusted in their own reason and strength. 
 Again these circumstances served to rouse others 
 to more zeal in godliness ; and the Count himself 
 was experimentally taught by them, how much 
 belonged to that toleration which he had so earn- 
 estly recommended to every one. At the same 
 time he felt fully assured, that the grain of wheat 
 which had now been deposited in the earth, at 
 Berthelsdorf and Herrnhut, would in due time 
 spring forth and bear glorious fruit. In consequence 
 of this he continued to exercise love and benevo- 
 lence, avoiding all contradiction and public oppo- 
 sition, meekly^ bearing Kruger's most grievous ag- 
 gressions against himself; for it was evident that tins 
 man was endeavouring with a view to obtain his 
 aim, to provoke the Count to emj)loy harsh measure.^ 
 against him which might have looked something like- 
 persecution.. 
 
Si 
 
 But not long after, this unfortunate man fell 
 tVom a state of spiritual pride, into a state of mental 
 aberration, and having for some time enjoyed all 
 possible care and attention at Herrnhut, he was at 
 last removed into the J-unatic Asylum in Berlin, 
 where he continued in the same deplorable condition, 
 and the end of his life was misery and darkness. 
 Meanwhile the schism which he had introduced, 
 spread so rapidly, that almost all the Brethren seced- 
 ed from the Church at Berthelsdorf ; Martin Dober, 
 David Nitschman, (who was afterwards appointed 
 Sjiidic) and I/icentiate Gutbier, where almost the 
 only persons who still adhered to the Count,' wlnle 
 '■SOffi^timiose wlio had hccome Separatists scrupled 
 not to utter very violent expressions aofainst him, 
 and even went so far as to i-all him from Rev. 13. 
 the Beast out of the deep, which had given to the 
 false Prophet (meaning Mr. Rothe) power and 
 authority to lead them into the way of deception and 
 error. They meant, chiefly to indicate thereby, the 
 endeavours of these two men, to preserve them in 
 the constitution and customary rites of the Lutheran 
 Church ; for they thought they could discover in this 
 external Church constitution, the abomination of 
 desolation, standing in the holy places. They were 
 full of zeal against JiU unconverted clergymen, re- 
 proaching them witii their unchristian-like walk and 
 conversation, and v.ith their false doctrines, by which 
 they made the Church of Christ a den of thieves, 
 while they administered the sacraments, for the sake 
 of filthy lucre to those who were unworthy of them ; 
 thus profaning what was essentially holy, and lulling 
 souls into a state of false security. These seceders 
 furthermore rejected infant baptism, and introduced 
 
85 
 
 from tlie obscure tenets of mysticism various errone- 
 ous doctrines concerning the Divinity and Humanity 
 of Christ. 
 
 Even Christian D avid was drawn into tliis dan- 
 gerous vortex of Secession ; and the Diary oif Herrn- 
 hiit atTutfeS to this circumstance in the following 
 manner : *' We were deeply grieved to see this great 
 witness of tlie Lord, who had been made instrumen- 
 tal in the conversion of so many souls, now entangled 
 in the lamentable opinions of the separatists, and 
 walking about like a shadow. He thought he durst 
 no longer dwell at Herrnhut, but, in his zeal for his 
 people, he built himself a small cottage so far beyond 
 the boundary line of Herrnhut, that there was at 
 that time no reason to suppose, that the whole inter- 
 vening space would he filled with buildings as early 
 as the year 1 730. He dug his own well, and thus, 
 besides giving private admonitions, he bore a striking- 
 symbolic testimony against the congregation, if indeed 
 the name of congregation could with propriety be 
 applied to the inhabitants of that place. The chief 
 point of dissent in his mind, was expressed by him, 
 when he spoke to this eflfect : ' Of what use is it to' 
 us to have ventured our lives if the souls (according 
 to Mr. Steinmitz's prediction previous to our exile) 
 arc now to be entangled in the trammels of common 
 Lutheranism ; and thus are led into miserable delu- 
 sion, while they are made to believe that they have 
 found the sure giound, and are extolled even to the 
 skies on that account ; though, as yet, they are unac- 
 quainted with the real conversion of the heart, and 
 being kept from this essential point, they become 
 twofold more the children of hell, than they were 
 before.' In the main point Count Zinzendorf s ideas 
 agreed with those of Christian David, but he had 
 
83 
 
 fntcrtained the hope to be able to escape from the 
 threatened dansfcr by a difiFerent way of proceedings.^ 
 
 Cliristian David's sentiments .at that time may 
 be gathered ifaUy from a letter which he wrote April 
 21st, i7'^^ f to David Schneider, at Sablat, and iu 
 which he dwells with vehement zeal on the declension 
 of the Church and its Ministers, and calls on him to 
 separate himself from its communion. 
 
 This separation from the Church could not re- 
 main concealed from strangers, and produced much 
 indi<^nation in the minds of those zealous ministers 
 who did not rifflitly know the cause of it. The blame 
 was laid on the Count himself, though, in reality, he 
 was more deeply pained by these circumstances than 
 any one else, and earnestly endeavoured to find an 
 effective remedy for the evil then prevailing-. This 
 false accusation did not however perplex his mind, 
 he only bent submissively under his sufferina:s, and 
 his chief care was this, not to increase the evil by 
 any inadvertent step of his own. 
 
 Against the errors which had found their way 
 into Herrnhut, during his residence at Dresden, he 
 sent in March 1727, the following energetic de- 
 claration : 
 
 1. Jesus Christ, the eternal and living God, 
 is, according to his divine nature, a spirit and invi- 
 sible, but, according to the form he lias assumed, he 
 is a man. 
 
 2. Whoever denies the eternal and invisible 
 God, denies the Father. 
 
 3. Whoever denies the man Christ Jesus, as 
 the word that was made flesh, and dwelt among ns, 
 and who nowgoverns as man all things, denies the Son. 
 
 4. Whoever denies the Son, hath not the Father. 
 
84 
 
 5. Whoever denieth tlie Father and the Son, is 
 Antichrist. 
 
 6. This Antichrist must indeed be patiently 
 born with, as long as God bears with him. 
 
 7. But neither he nor his adherents can share 
 cm* love. 
 
 8. For he and they, that are with him, extend 
 not the kingdom of heaven, but that of the Devil. 
 
 9. I do not believe that this Avas the doctrine of 
 Jacob Bohni. 
 
 JO. But let him be who he may, yea should an 
 angel ap])ear in angelic form , with angelic virtues 
 and excellencies, and deny the mystery of Godliness, 
 that God was manifest in the flesh, preached unto 
 the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received 
 up into glory — he is accursed ! 
 
 1 1 Whoever is not yet fully established in this 
 truth, but considers his doubts as temptations, and 
 communicates them to none but to his friends in 
 secret, such an one is entitled to our compassion, 
 and claims an interest in our prayers. 
 
 1 2. But whosoever, holding these opinions will, 
 notwithstanding the earnest iutreaties of his friends, 
 not remain silent, but seeks publicly to deny or to 
 call in question the Truth of that Ministry, which 
 sets forth Jesus as crucified in weakness, and now 
 reigning as the Lord from heaven in glory, such an 
 one is not my Brother, but an enemy to the cross of 
 Christ. 
 
 Soon after the Count had transmitted this de- 
 claration, he requested leave of absencefrom the court 
 at Dresden for some months, in order to pay unin- 
 terrupted attention to the precarious situatiou of tlie 
 Brcthi-en at Herrnhut. He considered this so much 
 
85 
 
 tiie more to be his duty, has he had been repeatedly, 
 and ill the name of God, intreated by those who 
 remained faithful and sincere to come and help them. 
 
 As he could not but see that Mr. IJothe's zeal, 
 which had led him publicly, from the pulpit to refute 
 the assertions of the erring, only tended to increase 
 tlie existing exasperation of the minds, and to alienate 
 them still more from him and his ministry, he was 
 induced first of all, to come to a brotherly under- 
 standing with him on this point, by representing to 
 him, the good that woidd apparently accrue from 
 their dividing the labour among themselves. He 
 proposed to let Mr. Rothe act entirely according to 
 his insight, in his particular care of the souls in- 
 trusted to him in Berthelsdorf, and only to lend him, 
 (as occasion might require) a helping hand as patron 
 of the church. But in Herrnhut he would himself 
 begin the work in the name of Jesus, yet as acting 
 in the capacity of assistant to Mr. Rothe, the minister 
 of the parish, so that his due influence and authority 
 should not thereby be impaired. Having agreed upon 
 this point, a meeting of all the Brethren and Sisters 
 was appointed to take place the Sunday after Easter, 
 on which occasion this arrangement was made known 
 to them ; and the difference that prevailed between 
 the Count and Mr. Rothe, in the \aew each took of 
 the manner in which souls should be cared for, was 
 stated as the cause of this arrangement. The Count 
 now resolved to remove to Herrnhut, and to make it his 
 usual place of residence, to avoid the ditficulties and 
 lossof timethatwould beoccasioned, byhishavingcon- 
 tinually to go to and fro between that place and Ber- 
 thelsdorf. A dwelling was therefore prepared for him. 
 in one of the wings of the Orphan house, into which 
 he removed June 18, before the walls were quite dr,v 
 H 
 
86 
 
 And witli a view of still more uninterruptedly devoting 
 his time to the service of the cong^regation, he left 
 his domestic concerns, entirely in the hands of the 
 Countess his consort; Mr. de WatteviUe, also took 
 upon himself in part, the management of his estates, 
 and Mr.Marche, chief counsellor of the judicial court 
 at Bantzen, was taken into his employment as his 
 Justiciary. The next concern which lay with weight 
 upon the Count s mind, was prudently to remedy the 
 separations from the church and its communion, 
 which had taken place in Herrnhut. He began this 
 affair with patience, love, and forbearance; but at 
 the same time with the demonstration of the spirit, 
 and with the power of the word of God. He 
 admonished, he intreated the Brethren publicly and 
 liiivately, and with fervent tears. He conversed 
 with them fully and clearly concerning the true nature 
 of godliness in Christ Jesus, and the genuine form 
 of the kingdom of Christ : and at last God laid his 
 blessing upon his labours in such a manner, that he 
 succeeded in bringing back all Separatists to the 
 fellowship of the Established Protestant Evangelical 
 Church. Yet, however willing the Brethren now felt 
 to attend the public service, and the administration 
 of the sacraments, in the Established Evangelical 
 Church ; they insisted so much the more on retaining 
 the ancient constitution and regulations of the Church 
 of the Brethren. Whenever the Count entered into 
 conversation with them concerning this subject, they 
 roundly and plainly declared to him, that herein they 
 could not, they would not, change their mind: and 
 appealed to the evident want of such a constitution 
 in the Lutheran Church, which Luther himself in his 
 correspondence with the Ancient Brethren, had 
 allowed to he the case, while he admitted that in this 
 
87 
 
 respect they had the pre-eminence. They added, how- 
 ever, that if there were any hesitation to grant them 
 especially in Herrnhut, the enjoyment of their own 
 chureh constitution and orders ; they would rather 
 take their staff again in hand, and seek full liberty 
 elsewhere. The Count reluctantly yielded to their 
 representations, because he foresaw that this subject 
 would be misinterpreted and misjudged; but at least 
 he found himself prevailed on to enter more fully into 
 their views. Alluding to this, he makes use of the 
 following expressions : there was no occasion for me 
 to ponder long on the heart-affecting lamentations of 
 the old Comenius, in his address to the Church of 
 England, in which he declares his conviction, that 
 now the little Church of the Brethren was near the 
 period of its extinction, and that he himself had, 
 as it were, finally to shut the door which the Lord 
 had once opened for them — there was no occasion for 
 me more than once to call to mind his sorrowful 
 prayer: "bring us again to thyself, O Lord, that 
 we may return home — renew our days as of old; ' 
 before my resolution was taken; I will help, in this 
 respect, as far as my power can go : should I even in 
 consequence of this help afforded, lose my worldly 
 possessions, yea my honor — yet, I will see to it, 
 that as long as I live, yea even after my death, as 
 far as I can have influence, this little flock of the 
 Lord shall be preserved until he comes. On that 
 account, he considered it was doing an essential ser- 
 vice to the Moravian Brethren to persuade them to 
 conform to theoutward ritual of the Lutheran Church, 
 so that they should for the Lord's sake willingly submit 
 themselves to every external ordinance as to the 
 maimer of administering the sacraments of baptism 
 and the Lord's supper, and other ecclesiastical rites, 
 
88 
 
 while they were allowed to enjoy the use of internal 
 apostolic, aiid primative anion and fellov ship. For 
 this purpose he drew up certain statutes on Christian 
 and brotherly points of ag:reement, which received 
 the approbation of the Reverend Mr. Rothe, Mr. 
 Marche, and the chief inhabitants of Herrnhut, all 
 of whom entered into much discussion with each 
 other, concerning the best possible manner of intro- 
 ducing' a beneficial constitution, which should not 
 stand opposed to the political constitution of the 
 country, nor be offensive to any one, neither become 
 legal and oppressive to themselves ; they further 
 enquired in their joint deliberations, where, and how 
 such an apostolic way of mutual love might be dis- 
 covered, on which all the children of God, there fellow 
 inhabitants of that place, might walk together in 
 blessed heart's communion, a way, not of a tendency 
 to promote schismatic or sectarian views, but altoge- 
 ther framed according to the mind of Christ and his 
 Apostles, and therefore of general benefit, pure, true, 
 well-ordered and abiding. While they were engaged in 
 these deliberations, they intreated the liOrd to grant 
 them grace, wisdom and understanding, and to teach 
 them in this concern to do only that which was please 
 ing to him; they paid particular attention to his 
 leading with tliem, to the gifts of grace which had 
 been imparted to them, to the powerful influences of 
 the Holy Spirit, to the signs of the times, and the 
 operations of the powers of darkness. They derived 
 moreover much direction from the history of the 
 Christian Church in general, and more especially 
 from the manner in which Jesus himself had guided 
 his family while here, and finally from the regulations 
 the Apostles had introduced in their days, and those 
 which had been adopted by the Bohemian and Mora- 
 
8d 
 
 vian Brethren. From this extensive treasure they 
 selected tliose chief points, which as they were the 
 best, so they were best adapted to the purpose they 
 had in view; and thus they framed a collection of 
 statutes, which were suited to their circumstances, 
 and the g^cneral purport of which was, that they 
 would suffer themselves to be ruled, chastised and 
 tau|2:ht by grace alone, and thereby preclude in future 
 the recurrence of errors and schisms. The i2th. 
 of MajJ 727j was fixed as the day on which these 
 statutes should be promulg:ated and introduced. 
 
 In the Afternoon of that day, the Count called 
 a meeting of all the inhabitants of Hcrrnhut, and 
 addressed them emphatically and affectionately, in a 
 discourse which occupied three hours in its delivery, 
 on the evil of schism, and the aim of the proposed 
 Statutes. After they had been publicly read, and 
 every inhabitant had been desired to express his agree- 
 ment to them by giving his hand as a pledge, signi- 
 fying that he would henceforth walk agreeably to 
 their import, all complied with this request, and it 
 excited no small degree of surprise, that not one of 
 all the former Separatists, refused to give tlie desired 
 pledge.* On the same day, the Count entered into 
 a covenant with the whole Congregation before the 
 the Lord. The Brethren unanimously promised, each 
 for himself, in a most solemn manner, that they 
 
 * There was among them but one person, who, after li,iving pledged Iiie 
 hand to the Voaat iu token of his approbution of the Statutes, unexpected- 
 ly came back, and said, that he must first liave some further conversation 
 with him, m these Statutes were erroneous: " Do s> my Son," replied the 
 Count. But he soon after withdrew his objection. The Congreitalion at 
 Herrnhnt, consisted, at that time, of about .'iOO Bretlircii and Sisters, who 
 inhabited thirty-foar housesj of this number 150 had emigrated fruin 
 Moravia. 
 
 h2 
 
90 
 
 would be the faitliful followers of our Saviour. They 
 were ashamed of their former religious dissentions, 
 and, with one consent, declared their determination 
 to bury them all in oblivion. '1 hey renounced from 
 the whole heart all self-love, self-will, disobedience, 
 and sjjiritual pride. They wished to become truly 
 poor in spirit, none sought to have the preference 
 before others, and each of them desired to be taught 
 by the Holy Ghost in all things. In short, they 
 were not only convinced, but as it were carried along 
 and overcome, by the powerful efficacious influence 
 of the grace of God then prevailing. 
 
 The 12th of May, 1748, the Count expressed 
 himself thus, in reference to the events of that day : 
 " This is the day, on which, twenty-one years ago, 
 it was a matter of doubt, wliether Herrnhut \>ould 
 become conformed to the genuine idea of a Church of 
 our Saviour, and thus take its station as belonging 
 to the same, or whetlier it would be a new assembly 
 of Sects, in conformity to the will of man. But the 
 operations of the Holy Spirit, produced tiie former 
 altern.itive, duiing the delivery of a discourse which 
 lasted between three and four hours. All were then 
 convinced of the necessity of each one working out 
 his own salvation with fear and trembling, and of 
 discarding all imaginary ideas of reforming the 
 Church : and it is not to be exjvressed in words, how 
 much our Saviour contiiuied to do for that Congrega- 
 tion, till the commencement of the winter in the 
 same year. The whole place represented truly, a 
 visible tabernacle of God among men, and till the 
 13th of August, there was nothing to be seen and 
 heard but joy and gladness: then, this uncommon 
 joy subsided, and a calmer sabbatic period succeeded.'' 
 After t!>e Brethren and Sisters had covenanted toge- 
 
91 
 
 tlier before God, to observe these Statutes or Con- 
 gregation Orders; they agreed to choose, that very 
 day, twelve persons out of thels_ number, to fill the 
 office oT Elders^ with a view to watch over the faith- 
 ful observance of the Statutes now introduced, iie- 
 fore the election took place it was notified to the 
 Congregation, that for this office such persojis would 
 be required, who had a good testimony from all, with 
 full attestation of the truth of it. No Elder could be 
 allowed to have a personal dislike against any one, 
 nor should any one have cause to be prepossessed 
 against him. For the whole Congregation, and each 
 member of the same, should esteem, love, honor, 
 and follow the Elders as those who had the rule over 
 them. All the le arne d, as well as those who were 
 of noble rank, n ere preliminarily exckided from this 
 office, in order that it might be fillecl only by persons 
 of the c ommon clas s, though of distinguished re- 
 spectability, in whom all could repose trust and con- 
 fidence. 
 
 When the Congregation was called on to pro- 
 pose these twelve Elders, Christian David, that wor- 
 thy, but at present irritated Servant of God, was 
 mentioned in the name of the Lord, among this num- 
 ber; previous to which, an afifectiouato and loving 
 conversation was held with him, during which his 
 heart was melted like wax before the fire, so that he 
 now deeply repented of his impetuosity, and resumed 
 all his former cordiality: but he earnestly implored 
 the Brethren to walk with more serious circumspec- 
 tion, else his grief at having led so many souls out 
 of Egypt and Babel, would be daily renewed; and 
 all experienced Brethren most heartily agreed with 
 him in this respect. Besides Christian David, the 
 following were proposed for filling the Elders' office ; 
 
92 
 
 <r. iVf7sc/imnM, the joiner from Zauchtenthal, 70 years 
 of age ; Melchoir NitscJman, the weaver, from Knne- 
 walde, 25 years old; Christopher Hoffman, a Sch- 
 wenkfelde*; Augnstin and Jacob Ncisser, the two 
 first settlers at Herrnhut; David Nitschman, the 
 carpenter; Andretv Beyer, and Hans Nitschman, 
 from Zauchtenthal; David Nitschman, the shoe- 
 maker; and David Quilt, the weaver, both from 
 Kunewalde; Frederic K],hnel, the weaver, from 
 Oderwitz. At a conversation the Count held with 
 these twelve Elders on the 19th May, and which 
 lasted till late at night, it was resolved upon, to 
 entrust the Elder's office more particularly to four 
 Brethren, to he chosen out of their number bynot; 
 tliis was done'" at four o'clock the next morning, and 
 the lot appointed Christian David (the general and 
 first teacher of the Moravian Brethren in this cen- 
 tury,) to be the Chief Elder; the second lot fell 
 upon G. Nitschman, the oldest man in Herrnhut; the 
 third upon Christopher Hoffman, the Schwenkfelder, 
 whose place becoming vacant soon after, was, in the 
 same year, supplied by another Brother ; the fourth 
 and last lot fell upon Melchoir Nitschman, only 25 
 years of age; who, on account of his excellent qua- 
 lifications, had been twice proposed for being taken 
 into the lot, and twice had he been left out on account 
 of his youth. I5ut Mr. Marche, having again,'' 
 through inadvertency, reckoned his name among those 
 which were to be drawn, they considered this as a 
 
 ♦He liad been for seven years Deputy of the Seliwenkfelders, at 
 Vienna, and was now closely united with the Brethren. The reason of hit 
 being proposed as one of tiie Elders, was because one part of those, who, 
 with him, adhered to the doctrines of the Schwcnkfelders, and who had 
 ^been persecuted on that account in Silesia, 1iad found an asylum at Herrn- 
 )iut. But they all moved stiil, that same year^ to Upper Berthelsdort 
 
93 
 
 striking divine interposition, which inspired the as- 
 sembled Congregation with awe, and produced a deep 
 sensation of love and harmony, none being found 
 who had any personal objection to make against him. 
 The lots were drawn by Children 
 
 The Count was chosen Warden^ an office which 
 had a reference to every poiiit relating to the affairs 
 of the Congregation; and Mr. de Watteville was 
 appointed his Assistant. Empowered by this office, 
 which made him, as it were. Guardian of the Con- 
 gregation in its infant state, the Count was intent 
 upon placing every Brother in that situation of acti- 
 vity, winch seemed most adapted to the gifts he had 
 receiyed from God For now the respective offices 
 of Teachers, Helpers, Monitors, Overseers, Sick- 
 waiters, Almoners, and Servants, were filled anew ; 
 and Brethren and >ister8 were respectively chosen in 
 the same manner as the choice of the twelve Elders 
 had been effected. In addition to these offices, some 
 were appointed to inspect the houses, streets, wells, 
 fields, and handicraft businesses. The Count made 
 it his business to introduce each into his office, and 
 to see to it that every one paid proper attention to the 
 duties connected therewith. He entered, as often 
 as need required it, into special deliberations with the 
 Elders, on all subjects relating to the Congregation 
 and its members, and these deliberations were, from 
 that time, called the Elders' Conferences. When- 
 ever it happened that the members of these Con- 
 ferences were not able to come to a final decision 
 concerning any particular subject, after mature deli- 
 beration, and thorough investigation, carried on with 
 an exclusive desire to learn to know the Lord's will, 
 that they might punctually execute it, as soon as 
 known ; they resigned the matter into Ids hands, and 
 
94 
 
 intreated liim to give the decision by the .use of thg^ 
 lot. Conferences were also held with those Bre- 
 tliren and Sisters who were employed in the various 
 offices before noticed. 
 
 The night watches in Herrnhut were regulated 
 on the 2 1 st May, and all the male inhabitants of the 
 place, from the age of sixteen to sixty, took them in 
 their turns, without any distinction as to rank; and 
 each improved these seasons of watching, and endea- 
 voured to edify the Congregation by singing suitable 
 psalms and hymns: the consequence of which was 
 that frequently a deep impression was produced in 
 the mind of one or the other, by verses which were 
 particularly suited to their state, and by means of 
 which, consolation, encouragement or admonition 
 was administered to them. The Count himself com- 
 posed a hymn to be used by the watchers, with a 
 view to announce the succession of the hours, and 
 this was first made use of July 6th. 
 
 There was no want of opportunities for mutual 
 edification. Besides the public service in the Church 
 at Berthelsdorf, a meeting was held, in the morning 
 ^/^gat five, and again at half-past eight o'clock, and 
 ' in the evening at half-past eight or nine; the 
 / Congregation assembled once more, during the sum- 
 mer, in the hall of the large building, and in winter 
 in an apartment of the Count's. At the earliest 
 morning meeting, a chapter was expounded, and at 
 the second, a verse or two taken from the hymns, 
 afforded subject for meditation. In the evening the 
 Congregation assembled to hold singing meetings, a 
 commencement of which was made at Herrnhut, 
 May 11th, 1727, and at these meetings such ac- 
 counts as had been received, relative to the kingdom 
 of God, were communicated, and that kingdom, at 
 times, publicly recommended in prayer to the Lord. 
 
95 
 
 The edifying Sermons of the Rev. Mr. Rothe, 
 and the connexion the Brethren began to form in the 
 vicinity, with souls concerned for their salvation, 
 drew on Sundays a great number of strangers to 
 Berthelsdorf and Herrnhnt. 
 
 The First of June being Whitsunday, more^ 
 than a iuindred persons frgm the neighbourhood, 
 catne to Herruhut for the purpose of edification, but 
 found no opportunity for it, there having been as yet 
 no public serA'ice introduced there, on account of 
 which it was now resolved, to repeat at Herrnhut 
 the public service, which had been held in the morn- 
 ing at Berthelsdorf, in the afternoon of the same 
 day : and this gave rise to the so called Strangers- 
 meeting. On July 2n d Mr. Schwedler preached in 
 tile Church at BertTielsdorf, but the multitude col- 
 lected being so large, that more than a thousand 
 people could find no accommodation in that edifice ; 
 Mr. Rothe delivered a very energetic discourse at 
 the same time to those assembled in the church-yard. 
 In the afternoon the Count held a meeting in the hall 
 of the large building, which was three times filled 
 with attentive hearers, there not being sufficient 
 room for the large company collected, to be admitted 
 all at the same time. He spoke the first time from 
 the words : " If we walk in the light, as he is in the 
 light, we have fellowship one with another.. 1 John, 
 1. 7' The second time his text was, Acts 3. 19. 
 Repent and be converted, that your sins may be 
 blotted ont : and the third time he discoursed on 
 John, 4. 10. If thou knewest the gift of God, &c. 
 Mr. Schwedler preached afterwards once more in the 
 open space at Herrnhut, to the people who had had 
 no opportunity of hearing him in the morning, 
 Christian David having hastily erected a temporary 
 
96 
 
 pulpit for that purpose. The Count then expounded 
 the hymn : " God's holy word which ne'er shall 
 cease," &c. Mr. Schaffer joined them in the evening, 
 and a strange Minister having during his discourse, 
 circulated among the people the Text Prov. 24, 16. 
 A just man falleih seven times and riseth again ; Mr. 
 Schiifler without being acquainted with this circum- 
 stance, was led to explain the sense of this passage 
 in so impressive a manner tliat all were greatly 
 astonished at it. At the close of all, a contadential 
 conversation and repetition of what had been heard 
 was held in the Hall at Herrnhut. A Brother said 
 on this occasion : " We have had an apostolic day, 
 and may now expect to meet with apostolic suf- 
 ferings." 
 
 Mr Schwedler, when returning late in the eve- 
 ning to Lower AViese. kneeled down on an eminence 
 near Herrnhut, and fervently intreated the Lord to 
 let his blessing rest on that congregation. He never 
 saw it again afterwards. On July Hth a general 
 emotion was perceptible among all the inhabitants of 
 Herrnhut. Yet the Count saw plainly enough, that 
 no true cordiality had as yet taken place among the 
 Brethren, and scarcely any one felt inclined to use 
 the gift he possessed for the benefit of others ; he 
 offered himself therefore to all as the general friend 
 and confident, endeavoured to suit himself to the 
 ideas of each individual, and to treat the things of 
 tlie Lord with every one according to his respective 
 condition. Tothisprivate intercourse with individuals, 
 he occasionally admitted another person, agreeably 
 to the confidence he discovered to exist between these 
 two ; and this was the commencement of the so called 
 bands or little societies. This term was understood 
 to signify the meeting together of two, three, or 
 
97 
 
 more souls in the name of Jesus, who entered into 
 cordial and simple conversation, one with the other, 
 concerning the state of their hearts, encouraged, 
 admonished, and comforted each other, and jointly 
 offered tip prayer and supplication. The Count, with 
 the approbation of the other Labourers, divided the 
 whole number of Brethren and Sisters, into such 
 little societies, according to the state of their minds, 
 in order to unite them more closely in the bands of 
 love, and to further their growth in grace. As fre- 
 quent changes occurred in these little societies, no one 
 was left without an opportunity for becoming useful 
 to others, according to the gift and grace bestowed 
 on him by God. 
 
 July 1 6th. the Count poured forth his soul in 
 a heart-aflfecting prayer, accompanied with a flood of 
 tears; this prayer produced an extraordinary effect, 
 and was the beginning of the subsequent operations 
 of the life-giving and energetic spirit of God. 
 
 July 22d. a number of Brethren covenanted 
 together of their own accord, engaging to meet often 
 on the JHutberg, to pour out their hearts in prayers 
 and hymns, and to be subject one to the other in love, 
 so that what might he the idea of one (if resting on 
 a proper foundation) should be approved by all. The 
 first hymn they sung was : "Our conversation is in 
 heaven, ' &c. This caused a great awakening to take 
 place. The names of these Brethren were JMelchior 
 Nitschman, George Schmidt, Melchior Zeisberger, 
 David Tanneburger, Fredric Bonish, Leonard and 
 Martin Dober, Frederic Kuhnel, Christian David, 
 and Augustan Neisser : and their company was joined 
 by others. That same day the Count set out on his 
 journey to Silesia, with a view to pay a visit to Count 
 Gersdorf, at Hartmannsdorf. He was not deterred 
 I 
 
98 
 
 from uiideitaking this journey, by the int'ormatioii 
 received the day before, tliat orders had been given 
 to the Magit^trates of Silesia, to arrest him if he 
 should enter that country. Before his departure from 
 Herrnhut, he received the promise from several 
 Bretluen, that they would carefully watch over the 
 grain of wheat, which was now springing up out of 
 the ground, and further its grow th to the best of their 
 ability ; for this purpose they engaged diligently and 
 faithfully to attend to the continuation of the meetings 
 appointed for singing and prayer. It was however 
 thought better, a short time after, to convert the 
 singing meetings into such meetings for mutual edifi- 
 cation, at which, not one alone, but several in their 
 turns, spoke according to the experience and faith 
 possessed by each, on this or the other scriptural 
 passage; thus these meetings were, more properly 
 speaking, opportunities afforded to those who met 
 together for holding conversations with one another, 
 in which they related and laid open the state of their 
 hearts. 
 
 Baron Reicliwein, who had before been greatly 
 moved, strongly insisted on the principle of love as 
 the chief point, the source of true Christianity. In 
 reply, it Mas urged, that love indeed must prevail, 
 but take its proper place in that order which was 
 pointed out for it by 2 Peter 1 . 7. to wit, after god- 
 liness: for trees must first be planted, before fruit 
 could be demanded. There was moreover, one jjerson 
 in the assembly, who seemed determined at all times 
 to provoke such discussions, as would lead to dissen- 
 tions: hut the infant congregation was of a different 
 manner of spirit, which enabled them to meet tlie at- 
 tem])ts of this individual, with wisdom and meekness, 
 and thus to frustrate and overcome the ill which had 
 feeen designed. Melchior Nitschman , Christian David , 
 
99 
 
 and Martin Dober, when conversing about the best 
 method for regulating the public discourses, adopted 
 the plan suggested by Christian David ; to go through 
 the wJlM)le-uf UievJF4rst.Ejii^^e jof SaioA^a in order 
 to preserve all in the due path of love. Tins being 
 announced to the Congregation when assembled, an 
 immediate and deep impression was made on the 
 minds of all : and when by the subsequent meditations 
 on that chapter, many were led to speak in an 
 impressive manner, concerning the sentiments and 
 feelings of their hearts; the confidence and love 
 already existing among the Brethren were greatly 
 increased: suspicion, envy and offence, vanished, 
 for a meek and heaven-ward tending spirit united the 
 hearts of all; singularity of opinion, dissention and 
 hatred were altogether laid aside. The spark of love 
 increasing more and more, became a flame which 
 either consumed what was straw and stubble, or 
 received additional brightness and warmth by fuel of 
 an excellent description — thus the fire remained burn- 
 ing without intermission. Letters were now received, 
 written by the Count in Silesia, which produced great 
 eflfect; and on the 4th. of August he returned home, 
 and brought with him favorable accounts from that 
 Province, as well as a history of the Bohemian and 
 Moravian Brethren translated from the Latin .* " Wt 
 
 * This succinct history of the Bohemian and Moravian Brethren, is 
 partly an extract from that of the Slavonian Church, published by Amos 
 Comenius, and perfixed to his Pamphlet entitled ; Ratio disciplna: 
 ordinitque ccclesiastici in Unilate Fratrum Bohemorum— and partly a 
 uarritive of the manner in which the Lord had preserved the small rem- 
 nant of the Ancient Brethren in Moravia, and raised it'again in these our 
 days. The manuscript of it was printed at Basle, 1749, under the title : 
 Narrative of the history of several persons who both in former days, and iu 
 latter years, have been driven out of Bohemia and Moiavia, for the sake of 
 the gospel. 
 
100 
 
 heard this history for the first time," says a Moravian 
 Brother in a letter to a friend, "and because the 
 Mhole of it was truly in unison with our sentiments, 
 and accorded altogether with the orders and economy 
 we have adopted ; we discovered therein the finger 
 of God, and found ourselves as it were baptized 
 under the cloud of our Fathers, with their spirit. 
 For spirit came again upon us, and great signs and 
 wonders were wrought among the Brethren in those 
 days, and great grace prevailed among us, and in 
 the whole country." No day passed since then, 
 without the power of grace showing its influence 
 manifestly in the Congregation, of which the follow- 
 ing is noticed in the diary; on the 5th. of August 
 the Warden viz. the Count, spent the whole night in 
 watching, in company of about twelve or fourteen 
 Brethren, visiting Hennersdorf as well as Berthels- 
 dorf, and several persons were powerfully affected 
 with his addresses. At midnight there was held on 
 the Hutberg a large meeting for the purpose of 
 prayer, at which great emotion prevailed. The 
 Warden opened it with singing: "Thou God of 
 JiOve, I rest in thy embraces,'' and early in the 
 morning the verse was sung : " He is the Sun of 
 righteousness, which rises with resplendent grace.'' 
 On August 6th. and the following days of the same 
 Aveek, a truly peculiar and overwhelming power of 
 God was perceptible at the singing meetings in the 
 evening. 
 
 'I'lie 8th CUiistian JQavid, accompanied by Mel- 
 cliior Nitschman, set out for Sorau, being the bearer 
 of letters to Countess Promnits, the Clergy resident 
 there, and many other Brethren ; having at the 
 same time received tbe advice to communicate his 
 remaining scruples to the Reverend Mr. Mischke at 
 
101 
 
 that place (he being esteemed a very solid, pious 
 man,) with a view to be benefitted by his affectionate 
 counsel. Christian David intended at the same time 
 to visit David Schneider, who then resided at Sablat 
 near Sorau, in order to relate to him what sjreat 
 tilings God had done for Herrnhut in these days. 
 On Sunday August 10th, about noQp, while Mr. 
 Rotlie was holding tlie meeting at Herrnhut, he felt 
 himself overwlielmed by a wonderful and irresistible 
 pdwer of the Lord, ajid sunk down into the dust 
 before God, and with hini sunk down the whole 
 assembled congregation, in an extacy of feeling. In 
 this frame of mind they continued till midnight en- 
 gaged in prayer and singing, weeping and supplica- 
 tion, while they again covenanted together to pursue 
 but one aim ; so that the few remaining Separatists 
 were brought back to the now dinnely united flock. 
 To a young woman of the name of Bonacker, who 
 had been looked upon as a prophetess, and had 
 hitherto refused yielding to the sentiments of the rest, 
 in any respect whatever ; a friendly reconciliation 
 was offered, at that time, and this, as well as every 
 thing else, which was taken in hand that night, was 
 crowned with success . Mr. Rotiie remained the 
 whole night in Herrnhut, the next morning he wrote 
 a very affectionate letter to the Count, and invited 
 the Congregation to celebrate with him the holy 
 communion on JXtfifttday August 13th. As this would*-^ 
 be the first time of thatSacrament being administered, 
 since the new fellowship of spirit had been introdu- 
 ced into the Congregation; the resolution was taken, 
 that its celebration should take place in a more than 
 usually serious manner, that it might be made an 
 opportunity of the souls becoming more fully en- 
 grafted in Ciirist the Vine, whilst showing forth his 
 death, into which they had been baptized, 
 I 2 
 
102 
 
 For this purpose, it was determined, to examine, 
 and afterwai'ds to confirm, all those, young or old, 
 who should go to the Holy Communion for the first 
 time. Several questions relative to confirmation 
 were therefore drawn up, which were at first largely 
 and afifectionately explained to the Catechumens, who 
 afterwards were called on to answer them before the 
 Cono;regation. The candidates for confirmation were 
 at this time two single persons, Catherine Elizabeth 
 Heintschel, who afterwards became the wife of 
 Tobias Frederic, and Anna Friedler, who was in the 
 sequel married to George Bohnish ; these two young' 
 persons were first brought before the Warden, who 
 spoke to each of them separately in an affectionate 
 manner, and received from each the promise, that 
 they would devote themselves for ever to our J^ord 
 Jesus Christ. They had afterwards an interview 
 with Sister Gutbier, a chief laborer among the Sis- 
 ters, who threw herself down with them before God, 
 and offered up a prayer in their behalf ; finally they 
 were sent to Mr. Rothe, who, having examined 
 them, found them duly prepared. The same eve- 
 ning a Teacher among the Anabaptists, from Hun- 
 gary, of the name of Henry Justus Meyer, who 
 was then on a visit at Herriihut, had at the meet- 
 ing spoken very vehemently against the newly 
 drawn up Questions for Confirmations. When he 
 had finished his harsh address, every point of it, 
 tliat could possibly be applied, by way of ad- 
 monitiou or reproof, was laid before our Saviour 
 in prayer, and they intreated him that he would 
 show them how to derive benefit and advantage 
 from it. This proceeding put the above-mentioned 
 teacher greatly to shame. On the 12th, the Warden 
 visited in every house throughout Herrnhut, to en- 
 
103 
 
 quire in the kindest manner, into the state of mind 
 of all the inhabitants, and prepare them fertile Com- 
 munion, to be celebrated on the following day. In 
 the evening:, the Herrnhut Statutes were signed by all 
 the Brethren and Sisters; after which, the above- 
 mentioned two Sisters answered in the presence of 
 the whole Congregation, the questions relative to 
 Confirmation; on which occasion, the grace of God 
 was so powerfully effective upon the hearts of those 
 that were present, that some were thereby awakened 
 from I^eath to Life, and the whole Congregation was 
 most sensibly affected. These two Sisters remained 
 all night engiiged in prayer. Then followed on the 
 Kith, of August, the never to be forgotten celebration 
 of the liord's Supper, whicli, according to the nar- 
 rative given in the diary, was held in the following 
 manner: " Before we proceeded to the Church, a 
 short dhcourse was delivered at Herrnhut, on the 
 "subject of the Holy Communi(m. On the road to 
 Bertiielsdorf, parties of two or more, might here and 
 there be seen, of those who held heart's conversation 
 together; all those who had been estranged one from 
 the other, cordially embraced each other, and entered 
 into a mutual covenant of friendship and love. At 
 the church the service was opened with the hymn, 
 V " Unbind me, O my God, from all my bonds and 
 fetters; ' during the singing of which, a very wicked 
 man, who was present, as a spectator of the trans- 
 action, was overpowered with a feeling of contrition. 
 Mr. Rothe then pronounced a truly apostolic bless» 
 ing upon the two Sisters, who were to be confirmed, 
 and the Congregation added their Amen, in hearty 
 confirmation of the same, nor could the solemn self- 
 dedication of these Sisters, to the Lord their God, be 
 viewed without exciting the most heartfelt emotion. 
 
Immediately after, the assembly fell down before the 
 Lord, and all melted tog-ether in tears, began the 
 ■t Hymn: "My soul before thee jirostrate lies," &c. 
 It was scarcely possible to discern v.hether it were 
 weepinjr or singing — but both were mingled together, 
 in so affecting a manner, that the Rev. Mr. Siiss of 
 Hennersdorf, who was administering, because Mr. 
 Rothe went with the Congregation to the Lord s ta- 
 ble, felt perplexed and overwhelmed. After the con- 
 clusion of the Hymn, some Brethren offered up pow- 
 erful and fervent prayers, in which they laid before 
 the Lord, the general grievances of his Congregation, 
 and more especially, the disti-ess, arising from their 
 being entirely at a loss how to treat those who had 
 left the house of bondage, without incurring the 
 danger of schism or separation, an evil so totally op- 
 posed to the genuine character of his house and 
 family. We therefore intreated him, in simplicity, 
 and with fervor, that he would be pleased to teach us 
 the true nature of his Church, and to enable us so to 
 live, and walk in the existing external constitution of 
 that Church, that we might be preserved without 
 blame and offence; Jest we should remain alone, but 
 rather become fruitful, and in no wise, either break 
 our allegiance to him, and the obedience due to his 
 word, or transgress the law of universal brotherly 
 love. We prayed that he would be pleased to make 
 us full partakers of his grace, nor suffer one soul to 
 lose her way, so as to forsake the doctrine of his 
 cross, on which depended our Salvation, and to get 
 into the labyrinth of self- working, and fancied good- 
 ness of her own. We commended to him our neigh- 
 bouring Brethren in their precarious circumstances, 
 besides the many hundred souls out of our circle, 
 that had been spiritually benefited by this new econo- 
 
105 
 
 iny of grace, who had either again been led into er- 
 rors, or refused to yield to the subduing and reprov- 
 ing influence of the Spirit, being satisfied with mere 
 speculative knowledge. After we had thus been truly 
 anointed with the spirit of prayer and supplication, 
 we prayed with full assurance of faith, that he would 
 be pleased to draw our two Elders, Christian David, 
 and Melchior Nitschman, who from well-meant mo- 
 tives were absent from us at Sorau, into true hearts 
 fellowship with us, and give them the same enjoyment 
 with which he now favored us. 
 
 After the absolution, previous to which the 
 Warden of Herrnhut made a penitential confession in 
 the name of tiie whole Congregation, we celebrated 
 the Supper of the Lord, with bowed yet comforted 
 hearts ; and then returned to our several homes about 
 twelve o'clock, with feelings of holy extacy. The 
 rest of this day, as well as the days immediately suc- 
 ceeding, were spent in a silent and joyful sabbatic 
 frame of mind, and in learning the lesson of love. 
 Christian David and Melchior Nitschman, on their 
 return from Sorau, August 28th, enquired immedi- 
 ately what we had been engaged in, during the fore- 
 noon of the 13th.? They had been, they said, at the 
 Orphan House in Sablat, and about ten o'clock in the 
 morning, feeling an irresistible impulse to prayer, 
 they had retired into the garret, where, kneeling 
 down before our Saviour, they had been drawn into a 
 most pleasing remembrance of the Congregation, and 
 shed a flood of tears. Never in their lives had they 
 felt so well, and the thought had immediately struck 
 them: " What may our Congregation be doing just 
 now ? O that they could know our present state of 
 mind!" Their astonishment and joy were now greatly 
 enhanced, when the above-mentioned remarkable 
 event was related to them. 
 
APPENDIX. A. 
 
 Statutes of the Congregation at Herrnhut, 
 in the year 1727. 
 
 J . It shall be for ever remembered by the in- 
 habitants of Herrnhut, that it was built on tlie Grace 
 of the living God, that it is a work of his own hand ; 
 yet not properly intended to be a new town, but only 
 an establishment erected for Brethiren, and for the 
 Brethren's sake. 
 
 2. Herrnhut, and its original old inhabitants 
 must remain in a constant bond of love with all Chil- 
 dren of God belonging to the different religious per- 
 suasions, — they must judge none, enter into no 
 disputes with any, nor behave themselves unseemly 
 towards any ; but rather seek to maintain among 
 themselves the pure evangelical doctrine, simplicity 
 and grace. 
 
 3. The following are the characteristics of a 
 true member of Christ's body, and these, we the 
 inhabitants of Herrnhut, who simply adhere to the 
 foundation built on the Word of God, deem to be the 
 most sure. Whosoever does not confess that he owes 
 his awakening and salvation exclusively to the mercy 
 of God in Christ Jesus, and that he cannot exist 
 without it for one moment of his life ; that the great- 
 est perfection in life (were it possible to attain to it, 
 without the intercession of the Mediator, urged by 
 
107 
 
 the plea of his blood and merit) would be of no 
 avail in the sight of God, while it is made acceptable 
 in the Beloved : and whoever does not daily prove it 
 by his whole conversation, that it is his full deter- 
 mination to be delivered from sin, through the merits 
 of Jesus, and to follow daily more after holiness, 
 to grow in tlie likeness of his Lord, to be cleansed 
 from all spiritual idolatry, vanity and self-will, to 
 walk as Jesus did, and to bear his reproach and 
 shame : such an one is not a genuine Brother. But 
 whosoever has this disposition of heart, though he 
 maintain sectarian, fanatical, or at least defective 
 opinions, shall not on that account be despised 
 among us, nor in case of his even separating himself 
 from us, will we immediately forsake him, but we 
 will rather follow him in his wanderings, and spare 
 him, and bear with him in the spirit of love, patience, 
 and meekness. But whosoever is not fully established 
 on the above-named fundamental principles, though 
 he do not wholly forsake them, shall be considered 
 as a halting and wavering Brother, and be reclaimed 
 in the spirit of meekness. 
 
 4. It is laudable in itself for the congregation to 
 devote certain days to the special remembrance of 
 the faithful leading of our God, celebrating them 
 with fasting and prayer, or thanks and praise. Such 
 days, for instance, as that of the emigration of the 
 first Brethren on the 12th of Way, on which day in 
 different years many remarkable events have taken 
 place. In like manner every individual may conse- 
 crate those days, which to him are the most memo- 
 rable, to the Lord, spending them as above with his 
 intimate Brethren and Friends. But in both cases, 
 care must be taken that this appropriation of certain 
 days, do not degenerate into mere lifeless custom. 
 
108 
 
 5. Those who, with an unfettered conscience, 
 acquiesce in the present external regulations of the 
 Church, will not hesitate to declare the ground of 
 their acquiescence, to wit, that tliey do not consider 
 human regulations and customs as an unalterable 
 part of divine worship, but make use of them, 
 agreeably to the dictates of Christian liberty, in a 
 spirit of meekness, love and obedience, till the Lord 
 himself brings about a change. Should in after-times 
 any particular order of things be introduced among 
 us, in respectto the outward form of devotional rites ; 
 simplicity and edification mustbe aimed at exclusively. 
 
 6. Whoever has not been used to auricular con- 
 fession, or has conscientious objections in his mind 
 against it, shall not be forced to submit to it at 
 Berthelsdorf ; yet no one shall be permitted to go to 
 the Holy Communion, without the previous know- 
 ledge of the Minister at Berthelsdorf, in order that 
 all confusion and levity may be prevented. 
 
 7. No one is to enter into confidential inter- 
 course ^vith people that are notoriously wicked, or 
 altogether worldly minded, lest offence should thereby 
 be given ; yet it is proper that such people shoidd 
 be treated as much as possible in an equitable and 
 unassuming manner, and none should allow them- 
 selves in any vehemences against them. 
 
 8 . Every one should be careful to comprehend 
 the true foundation of the saving doctrine, on which 
 we are all agreed ; that so we may be able to give an 
 answer to all our adversaries in meekness, yet with 
 wisdom and power, and all may mutually defend and 
 support one another. 
 
 9. Wiien any traces of a good work begin to 
 show themselves in one soul or another, no premature 
 judgment concerning then* should be formed ; but it 
 
109 
 
 is expedient to wait with patience, till the fruits begin 
 to appear, while we must feel thankful to God for the 
 good beginning which is to be traced, and promote 
 their welfare as much as lies in our power. 
 
 10. In general, we consider it, an abominable 
 practice for any one to judge and condemn liis neigh- 
 bour rashly, and without clear and full evidence, and 
 without previously using all the acknowledged and 
 scriptural degrees of Brotherly correction. Who- 
 ever, therefore, is guilty of this unjustifiable proceed- 
 ing, subjects himself to weU-merited censure. 
 
 11. Ministers, Laborers, and all whose official 
 incumbency it is to care for, and watch over the 
 souls of others, must be at fuU liberty to hold fre- 
 quent and full intercourse with one or the other, and 
 no suspicion is to be cast on them on that account. 
 
 12. As the conversion of souls is the chief 
 object of most of the present inhabitants of Herrn-' 
 hut, every one must be permitted to choose those 
 with whom he would, for the time being, be more 
 intimately connected, than he could be with others; 
 and to alter his choice according to circumstances, 
 without fearing to give offence. 
 
 The intercourse between single persons of both 
 sexes, must have its restrictions, and the Eiders are 
 empowered to prevent it, whenever, in any case, 
 scruples arise in their minds against such intercourse, 
 though the apparent aim of it might be ever so 
 laudable. 
 
 13. Envy, suspicion, and unfounded prejudice 
 against the Brethren, must be most carefully guarded 
 against. As every one is at liberty to cultivate an 
 intercourse with others, no one ought to take it 
 amiss, if another should appear more familiarly ac- 
 quainted with the Elders, than he. 
 
 K 
 
110 
 
 14. For the sake of the weak, no light conver- 
 sation is to tje allowed concerning God and spiritual 
 tilings, but such subjects ought always to be treated 
 with the (greatest reverence. 
 
 15. Agreeably to the practice of the primitive 
 Churrli, the Brethren arc called upon to exert them- 
 selves in every possible- way, for the benefit of those 
 who are of the same household of faith : and to all 
 others they are to do, as they would wish that others 
 should do nnto them. 
 
 1 6. Whosoever has rrxeived the needful gift for 
 it, is to speak; the others, to judge. 
 
 17. Those who seem to be best suited one to 
 the other, may, without hesitation, live in the habit 
 of close familiarity, join in prayer, and act, in all 
 respects, as intimate friendship requires; yet such 
 preference given to any individual, must, by no 
 means, be to the prejudice of cordial brotherly love 
 towards all others; and it becomes the duty of those, 
 who are particularly acquainted one with the other, 
 to lend each other a helping hand, as it regards 
 doctrine, admonition, reproof, direction, yea their 
 whole spiritual course. 
 
 18. No Brother is to enrol himself as a member 
 of any particular trading or handicraft association, 
 without first acquainting the others of his design. 
 And no business carried on among us, is to be looked 
 upon as in itself mean and despicable. 
 
 19. No one shall, even in the smallest way, 
 overreacli his neighbour, much less defraud him. 
 
 20. No marriage is to be contracted without the 
 knowledge and approbation of the Elders, and no 
 promise of marriage is to be given and received, ex- 
 cept in their presence, and with their consent. 
 
 2 1 . No sou shall require his Father or Mother 
 
Ill 
 
 to move from his house, as long; as they have a mind 
 to continue there in peace and quietness. 
 
 2'Z All superstitious notions and practices arc 
 inconsistent with the character of true Brethren ; and 
 idle tales of apparitions, omens, &c. must he looked 
 upon as foolish and hurtful. 
 
 23. As there are tliose who more particularly 
 stand in need of daily admonitions — there shall be 
 daily opportunities given for exhortation and edifica- 
 tion at Herrnhut; yet no one can be considered as 
 obliged to attend on these occasions, unless the whole 
 Congregation should be expressly called to assemble 
 together. 
 
 24. Tf any one should be overtaken in a fault, 
 he must not consider it as disgraceful to be spoken 
 to on the subject; or to receive admonition or re- 
 proof. He ought to take it in good part, and not 
 allow himself to retort, much less think himself war- 
 ranted on that account to withdraw from the fellow- 
 ship of the Brethren, All matters of this kind 
 should be judged and decided exclusively by those 
 whose official incumbency requires their interference 
 
 25, Whosoever spreads any unfounded report 
 ag^nst another, is bound to declare to the Elders 
 the reason of his allegations, and afterwards to re- 
 cant the report, whether required to do so in con- 
 sequence of the complaint of the person injured 
 thereby or not. 
 
 26, Whenever in public companies any thing is 
 said to the disadvantage of any one not then present, 
 every one is authorised to acquaint the person alluded 
 to of it, yet without naming the offender. 
 
 26. It is the special duty of some Brethren, to 
 visit, from motives of self denying charity and love, 
 those fellow members of the Congregation who are 
 
112 
 
 afflicted with sickness and ailments, and to attend t« 
 their wants; And, as long as we shall be favored to 
 have a physician, who is one of us, every inhabitant 
 of Herrnhut should speak to him, and ask his advice 
 about any ailments or illness of his, before he seeks 
 counsel from others. No one, who is not properly 
 qualitied for it, should venture to undertake the cure 
 of others. 
 
 28. The names and circumstances of the patients 
 are to be immediately mentioned to the sick-waiters 
 of both sexes; and the prescriptions of the physi- 
 cians, as well as the directions of the sick-waiters 
 themselves, ought to be carefully observed both by 
 the patients themselves, and by those who are about 
 them, 
 
 29. Every one must conscientiously keep to 
 /^'himself, what has been confidently, and, as a secret, 
 
 entrusted to him. 
 
 30. No one is to harbour any thing in his mind 
 against another, but rather immediately and in a 
 friendly and becoming manner, mention what may 
 have offended him, without respect of persons. Com- 
 plaints, which have been purposely suffered to accu- 
 mulate, must not even be listened to; but quarrels, 
 envy, and wilful dissentions, ought to be abominated 
 by all, and those who are guilty of these things be 
 looked upon as unbelievers. 
 
 31 . A mechanic or tradesman, ought to be most 
 punctual in fulfilling the promises he has made ; and 
 in case circumstances should prevent his doing- so, it 
 is his duty to mention, in due time, the cause of his 
 not being abb; to act according to his promise. 
 
 32. All judicial interference is to be grounded 
 in the plain commandments of God, on these Statutes, 
 and on natural equity and justice. 
 
113 
 
 33. Every effort sliall be made to reclaim the 
 errinp:, by friendly reproof and discipline, but should 
 this fail, the offender is expected and required to 
 leave the place. 
 
 34. The Elders shall hold a Conference every 
 Saturday, aud if any be cited to appear before that 
 Conference, he is to obey the sunuiious; and in case 
 of reiterated and obstinate refusal, he must leave the 
 place. 
 
 35. The watchers are to sing a verse from a 
 suitable hymn, at the change of the successive hours 
 in the night, with a view to encourage and edify the 
 Congregation. 
 
 36. The doctrine and example of Jesus and his 
 Apostles, shall be the general and special rule of all 
 our ministry and instruction. 
 
 37. Whosoever perseveres in an open course of 
 levity aud sin, though often before warned and ad- 
 monished, shall be excluded from our Brotherly fel- 
 lowship; nor can he be re-admitted, till he has given 
 sufficient proofs of his being an altered character. 
 
 38. All the young people at Herrnhut, who shall 
 confess their faith in Christ, are to be confirmed, 
 after which, these Statutes are to be given them for 
 their consideration. 
 
 39. No Magisterial Person, Minister, Elder, 
 or Warden, nor any one else who may in this or the 
 other respect have authority over others, shall use 
 tlie power possessed by him, otherwise than to be 
 a helper of the joy of those over whom he is placed, 
 and to comfort them in sufferings, trials, and wants. 
 
 40. All who are influenced by the love of God, 
 must keep up a friendly and cordial fellowship with 
 all who are like-minded, making, in this respect, no 
 exceptions. 
 
 k2 
 
114 
 
 41. Every one shall be at liberty, in love, to 
 admonish and rebuke his Brother, whether there be 
 ground for it or not. But this must be done with 
 great modesty, and all vehemence, on either side, be 
 carefully avoided. If an explanation or exculj)ation 
 be offered, the person who gave the admonition ought 
 either to be satisfied witii it, or refer the case to 
 other Brethren. 
 
 42. Should we be called to suffer persecutions, 
 every one should consider them as precious and most 
 useful exercises; love those that persecute us, treat 
 them respectfully, answer their questions with mo- 
 desty and simplicity ; and cheerfully submit to what 
 may befall us according to the confession we make 
 before (iod and man. 
 
 Besides these Statutes, which were intended to 
 regulate the relative behaviour of the inhabitants of 
 Herrnhut, as members of a Congregation of Jesus; 
 and which were entitled " Brotherly agreement of 
 the Brethren from Bohemia and Moravia, and others, 
 binding tliem to walk according to the apostolic i-ule.'' 
 Others were drawn up and received the title " In- 
 junctions and Prohibitions, &c." These had a chief 
 reference to that moral order, and well-reoulated 
 police, which are suited to a Coi^gifg^itioj) of Chris- 
 tians. All the inhabitants of flcrrnhut, without any 
 any exception, were expected to signify their willing- 
 ness to conform to these last mentioned Statutes, by 
 adding tlieir signature to them. The subscription to 
 the former was, in the following year, no longer 
 insisted on, because the Bretl)ren had been accused. 
 
115 
 
 in consequence of having drawn up these Statutes, of 
 liavin» adopted a separate Confession of Faith, and ; 
 tliereby laid the foundation for a new system of re- 
 ligion . 
 
 Both these Statutes, from the ground on which 
 the regulations at present in use in the Brethren's 
 Congregations have been built ; the alterations which 
 have been introduced into the Statutes now existing, 
 have been made from time to time, as circumstances 
 r?cpiired they should be made, and as Christian 
 liberty allowed such alterations to be adopted. 
 
 APPENDIX B. 
 
 Declaration of the Congregation at Herrn- 
 hift, concerning their Doctrine and Re- 
 gulation. 
 
 Printed at Lobau, in Upper Lusatia, September, 1727. 
 (See tbe Hymn 686. P. 191.) 
 
 Cliosen souls, who now assemble 
 Under Christ's protecting care, &c. 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 A letter from Christian David to Mr. Heitz, 
 xvithout date, but probably writteti in the 
 year 1728. 
 
 I most heartily wish that our dear and greatly 
 beloved Brother in Christ Jesus, John George Heitz, 
 
116 
 
 the Fellow Elder of our Congregations; may fully 
 participate in the grace which has been poured out in 
 these our times, and be yet favoured to become an 
 eye witness of the glory of God, which has been 
 revealed to the Believers at HerrnhutI 
 
 Dearly beloved Brother and servant of the Lord : 
 in order that you may, with us, admire the glorious 
 manifestation of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 I will relate to you, what I myself have seen and 
 heard, apprehended, and experienced, of those great 
 and wonderful things, the Lord our Saviour has done 
 for me, and for our Congregation, since you left us. 
 This work begun by himself, here at Herrnhut, has 
 been uninterruptedly advancing, from the first day 
 of its commencement, even to this hour, though 
 amidst many trials, yet with the divine blessing rest- 
 ing on it : its progress has not indeed been according 
 to our thoughts and ideas, but according to the 
 counsel of his everlasting love. He has been pleased 
 to permit trials and temptations to befall us, with a 
 view to purify and prove us, that we might be 
 presented to him, "as a chaste virgin,'' and be and 
 and remain for ever united to him. That his covenant 
 made with iis, might remain firm, and his ])urposes 
 with us be accomplished, it was necessary that sure, 
 but gradual preparations should be made, for the 
 work he intended to perform; and thus by degrees, 
 we have been formed inXo a visible Congregation of 
 God, as it is now evident, iwtwithstanding the 
 opposition of Satan and the world. 
 
 In what relates to myself, I will most gladly 
 rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of 
 Christ may rest upon me. Satan has often desired 
 to have me, that he might sift me ; and God has 
 often permitted his assaults, in order that I might 
 
117 
 
 be humbled. Yet my faith hath not failed, but as a 
 warrior of Jesus Christ, and through his grace, I 
 have been enabled amid'st sufferings, to overcome, 
 and to maintain the field ; though I have been obliged 
 to feel the fiery darts of the enemy, while he sought 
 to excite in me the proud wish to be something extra- 
 ordinary : till I have learned to know more fully, not 
 only his manifold cunning, and the delusive powers 
 of darkness, but also myself, and my real state, and 
 thus have been taught to be satisfied with the all- 
 sufficient grace of Christ, of which I am altogether 
 unworthy. My Saviour has not sought to destroy 
 me, but to establish me more, and to preserve me 
 from future deviation and sin, by allowing Satan thus 
 to sift me ; that I might more clearly see the absolute 
 necessity of constant watchfulness, and prayer, and 
 of true hearts' humility. Ii'is name be praised for 
 all his mercy, goodness, and truth, since he has 
 caused all things to work together for good to me, 
 and to my Brethren, because we love him. He is 
 indeed that faithful Saviour, whose earnest desire it 
 is to preserve and keep us ! He has made us to feel 
 the evil consequences of our own conceit, that 
 we may hereafter abide in him, and nothing be 
 able to "bewitch us that we should not obey the 
 truth'' as it is in Jesus, in all its divine simpli- 
 city. He has held his hand over us in such a 
 manner, that not one of us has suffered irretrievable 
 or eternal injury ; the manifold errors and dissentions 
 that found their way among us, have tended only to 
 prepare us more fully for being fit to be used as pre- 
 cious and lively stones, in the building of his new 
 temple; so that God may now dwell and walk in us, 
 go in and out among us, and bless and do us good* 
 We have now been convinced that we stand indeed in 
 
118 
 
 the true grace of God, for by means of these very 
 suffering* and temptations within our own circle, we 
 have acquired more knowledge, partly of our own 
 depravity, and partly of the manifold devices of Satan, 
 but chiefly of the great grace of Christ Jesus; and 
 thus we have been brought more closely to the 
 obedience to the faith in him, and to the blood of 
 sprinkling. The tokens whereby we know that what 
 we enjoy, is truly the grace of God, are these: this 
 grace humbles and quiets our hearts, it unites us in 
 one, makes us firm, steadfast, free, courageous in 
 all tribulations, patient amidst defects and imperfec- 
 tions, meek, yet fearless in our behaviour towards 
 enemies, comj)assionate towards the erring and the 
 weak, obedient to our superiors, bold and zealous in 
 proclaiming the gospel; unanimous in doctrine and 
 practice, simple in our walk, unaffected in our demea- 
 nor, confidential and upright in our converse with the 
 Brethren, carefid in the directions and instructions 
 we have to give to enquiring souls; plain and strict 
 in the application of brotherly discipline, gentle, yet 
 serious, in giving admonitions, after the example 
 of Christ and his Apostles ; legal as to what relates to 
 external liberty, but evangelical and standing fast in 
 that which is inwardly enjoyed ; equal and constant 
 in brotherly love, ready to give an answer to every 
 one that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us. 
 For the rest, we are not only satisfied to be instructed, 
 both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and 
 to suffer need, in reference to temporal as well as 
 spiritual things : but we acknowledge ourselves all- 
 together unworthy of any favor, and only wish (in his 
 strength) to suffer with him, and to be baptised with 
 that baptism, wherewith he was baptized. Such 
 thoughts as these can only be wrought in the heart 
 
119 
 
 of man by the Holy Spirit ; and while we remain thus 
 minded no one wUl have it in his power to do us much 
 liarm, or to deprive us of much good. For we 
 rejoice when we are counted worthy for his name and 
 word's sake, to suffer reproach and affliction : "for 
 in his nail prints we can see, our pardon and election 
 free,'' and this sweetens every trial, and causes us to 
 rejoice, and to be very strong in the Lord. 
 
 The following ai-e the chief of those things which 
 God has caused to work together for our good. You 
 know, dear Mr. Heitz, that I am fond of know- 
 ledge of various kinds, as well as some others among 
 niy Brethren, and Mr. Rothe and other Brethren, 
 would not bear with us in this respect ; in conse- 
 quence of which divers dissentions arose between them 
 and us: we were looked at with a suspicious eye, and 
 evil reports were spread about us, many lost their 
 confidence in us, on that account, till we ourselves 
 discovered the great necessity of walking in wisdom, 
 and that it is far better not to eat any meat, than to 
 grieve a weak Brother, for whom Christ died. 
 
 The Count had been for some time a silent 
 spectator, and pcrceiring that Mr. Rothe's represen- 
 tations and endeavours were not sufficient to lead 
 the minds of the people to a solid and lasting union 
 OTie with the other, as Mr. Rotlie's own mind, was 
 at that time, still prejudiced against some: he, him- 
 self feeling completely free from all undue bias, and 
 having received from God, those gifts which enabled 
 him to set every thing in a clear, and proper light, 
 undertook to speak with each of us privately. These 
 his private conversations with us, lasted three days, 
 during which, he explained the counsel of God from 
 the earliest d:iys, even to this, how God spoke to 
 the Fathers, and lastly by his Son : in what manner 
 
120 
 
 he manifested himself to men, before the law had 
 been given, under the law, and under the dis- 
 pensation of the gospel, and thus the Count laid 
 open to us from the scriptures, a connected plan 
 of God's dealings and ways with Believers, showing 
 us, at the same time, in liow far, knowledge of 
 things of an external nature is to be considered as 
 essential, and how indispensably necessary it is to 
 feel and to possess inward realities. From that time, 
 mutual love began again to show itself among the 
 Brethren, teaching us to bear with one another ; for 
 we had all acquired more insight and firmer ground, 
 so that our steps were more sure, many hindrances 
 having been removed out of the way. This state of 
 things lasted about two years. I went yearly, accord- 
 ing to my custom, to Moravia, to strengthen the 
 minds of the faithful remnant of the Lord in that 
 country. There was, at that time, a gi-eat awaken- 
 ing in Silesia, and our own vicinity. But at Herrn- 
 hut the enemy attempted to lull those of us to sleep 
 who were at ease in Zion, because of the external 
 security enjoyed there. Indeed we were not yet suf- 
 ficiently acquainted with the artifices of the enemy. 
 The first fire of love had ceased to burn. The new 
 comers expected to meet with much love from the 
 former inhabitants, and the latter manifested little 
 love, but much knowledge in their manner of receiv- 
 ing them, which caused no little vexation on their 
 part. There was no proper order or discipline, nor 
 was there any one, who would engage to care for the 
 Congregation to the best of his abilities. Mr. Rothe 
 was not gifted for that care, and moreover did not 
 reside on the spot. The Count was also absent, and 
 did not wish to put Mr. Rothe to shame. This was 
 the situation of the Congregation at Herrnhut in 
 
121 
 
 1 726, the fourth year of our emigration from IMoravia. 
 
 About that time Mr. Kriiffer (a man who as you 
 know, entertained some strange notions) came to us 
 from Ebersdorf in Vogtland. As he showed an un- 
 common degree of devotion, some minds, as yet un- 
 experienced in tiie ways of God, were induced to ad- 
 mire his opinions; for they thought that God had 
 communicated to him special revelations, intending 
 him to be a peculiar instrument in his hand, either 
 for reforming the Congregation at Herrnhut, or (as 
 he himself intimated)for the conversion of the Jews. 
 He at times addressed the Congregatiou with great 
 emotion of heart: and I myself having always felt 
 particularly attached to people who lead a godly and 
 exemplary life, and being conscious that I had lost 
 ground in my first love and power, received this man 
 as an angel and messenger of God, thinking that God 
 had led him to us with a view to save me and many 
 more — yea, I have not yet altogether changed my 
 opinion on this subject. For though he himself came 
 to a deplorable end, (no doubt, because his motives 
 Avere by no means pure) I for my own part have re- 
 ceived more benefit than injury from my intercourse 
 with him, as I have thereby added much to my ex- 
 perience and solidity, ha\nng learned to see, what 
 seemingly excellent works, the Powers of Darkness 
 and human imagination can produce, which, however, 
 are burned like stubble and straw when tried by fire : 
 and being now convinced that neither self-righteous- 
 ness, nor the mere declamation of a teacher on the 
 nature of God, as being love, is of any avail; but 
 that the main point is this, that we seek in humble- 
 ness of heart the kingdom of God, and that righteous- 
 ness which availeth before him. More people be- 
 came the adherents of this Kriiger, in so much that 
 L 
 
122 
 
 nearly tlie whole Congfregation was in a divided state, 
 nie greater part of those whose minds had been irri- 
 tated, continued as inhabitants of the place, more 
 from motives of fear and shame, than from convic- 
 tion. A great degree of uncertainty had indeed pre- 
 vailed among both parties, from the very beginning, 
 till at last, the fire of trial and probation began to 
 burn, and Mr. Krliger lost his senses. Now all was 
 over; but till then we had treated each other very 
 harshly, and made our lives mutually unpleasant. 
 'J'iiis having lasted for about a quarter of a year, and 
 an opportunity having been given to each, in conse- 
 quence of the temptation which had come upon us, 
 to see whether he had built his faith on a solid or 
 sandy foundation ; the Count returned again to Herrn- 
 liut, as he had done two years before, in the spirit 
 of love and impartiality, and his object was, imme- 
 diately to bring about a general reconciliation among 
 the Krethren. This was the time for introducing a 
 new order of things, which even we who had sepa- 
 rated ourselves from the rest, had been wishing for. 
 In consequence of this new order (which I shall pre- 
 sently describe) every thing was soon brought into 
 its proper state, and those who had acted from im- 
 pure motives, finding themselves exposed, made haste 
 to leave our fellowship. The Count introduced this 
 new order in the following manner: He himself had 
 now altogether undertaken the care of the (Congrega- 
 tion, on which account he left Dresden, and moved 
 to Herrnhut. The experience made by the Congre- 
 gation during the four years now elapsed, enabled 
 him and his assistants to draw up Statutes, since they 
 had before their eyes, a short outline of a visible 
 Congregation of (Jod, and of those gifts of grace 
 •which God grants to such a Congregation : and thus 
 
123 
 
 it could be ascertained without much difficulty, what 
 metliod would be best suited for the future direction 
 of the same. 
 
 The Statutes havings been finished, twelve elders 
 were chosen, who were to have tlie direction of the 
 whole Congregation. Several offices were afterwards 
 distributed among the Brethi-en and Sisters, who 
 were appointed to be teachers, helpers, overseers, 
 monitors, servitors, sickwaiters, almoners, managers 
 of external concerns, such as houses, fields, gardens, 
 streets, wells, trades, &c. so that every thing might 
 be conducted in the most orderly manner. 
 
 Thirdly, For the sake of devotional exercises the 
 Brethren were assembled every morning and evening. 
 In the morning, the teachers chose a portion of the 
 Word of God, and discoursed on it one after the other. 
 In the evening the Count holds a singing meeting, at 
 which he explains the Daily Word. 
 
 Fourthly, AFe are favoured to have bands, which 
 are divided into the respective classes of the men, the 
 women, the youth of both sexes separately, the boys, 
 the girls. 
 
 Fiftly, We have Lovefeasts, at which, either the 
 whole Congregation, or separate divisions of the 
 same are present. 
 
 Sixthly, We have special prayer and fast days, 
 on which we particularly remember the mercies of 
 the Lord, bring to him the joint tribute of our praises, 
 and pay him our vows. 
 
 Seventhly, All Brethren and Sisters are con- 
 firmed at the time of their reception. 
 
 Eightly, We have a nightly watch, in which all 
 Brethren take their turn. 
 
 Ninthly, We have a regulation for intercession 
 and supplication among the Brethren, so that prayer 
 
124 
 
 is continually offered up during the successive twenty 
 four liour» of day and night; with a view, that as in 
 the Old Testament, the fire on the altar was never 
 suffered to go out, so the incense of our prayer may 
 incessantly remain burning upon the altar of our 
 hearts . 
 
 Tenthly, We have particular meetings. 
 
 Sunday morning, from seven to eight all the 
 adult male inhabitants meet at the Count's house, 
 and are addressed by him, suitably to their circum- 
 stances. From eight to nine, the widows meet in 
 like manner; after which, we proceeded to the Church 
 at Berthelsdorf. The other divisions of the Congre- 
 gation assemble respectively in the same manner at 
 his house, during the hours of the afternoon, till half 
 past five o'clock. We all go together to the Sacra- 
 ment, and suffer none to go with us of whose con- 
 version we are not well assured. Conferences are 
 held every day, on Mondays with the Elders and 
 Sickwaiters, on Tuesdays with the Helpers, Wednes- 
 days with the Teachers, Thursdays with the Over- 
 seers, Fridays, the Monitors, Saturdays with the 
 Servants. The offices among the women are the 
 same as those among the men, with the exception of 
 that of Teachers or Monitors. This is the brief out- 
 line of our constitution, dear Mr. Heitz. There are 
 nearly three hundred Brethren and Sisters here, in 
 Herrnhut; some of whom are as yet only seeking 
 souls, and some have found the pearl of great price. 
 As soon as I can find time, I will write more circum- 
 stantially. I earnestly commend you to the grace 
 and love of God our Saviour, and remain your faith- 
 ful fellow Brother in faith and hope. 
 
 Christian Davip. 
 
IV. 
 
 The great awakening among the Children 
 at Herrnhiit. 
 
 For AUGUST the 17th. 
 
 It has been riglitly observed, that, when God 
 Tisits men in general, or when the Lord grants spe- 
 cial seasons of grace to his Church, in consequence 
 of which new traces of spiritual life show themselves 
 among adults ; the hearts of the children are like- 
 wise at such times particularly roused and aflfected. 
 This was the case at the awakening whicii took place 
 among the descendants of the ancient Brethren in 
 Moravia, in the year 1724 (see r2th of May) and 
 the same is to be said concerning the first great 
 awakening at Herrnhut, in the year 1727. No 
 sooner had the fire of the love of Jesus been fully 
 kindled in the Congregation there, th:ui tlie hearts 
 of the children caught the flame ; and this was the 
 commencement of a blessed visitation of grace, with 
 wliich the Lord favored tiiem, and which lias been 
 productive of such excellent fruit, that it merits an 
 annual commemoration, which we and our children 
 celebrate with grateful hearts. 
 
 Count Zinzendorf had bestowed the most faith- 
 ful and unwearied care upon the Congregation at 
 Herrnhut, during the sad confusion whicii had arisen 
 soon after its first formation, in consequence of sepa- 
 ratistical errors. He was now favored to see that his 
 labor was not in vain in the Lord, but that he was 
 pleased to bless and seal it in a most extraordinary 
 manner, by means of a distinguished outpouring of 
 L2 
 
126 
 
 the Holy Spirit upon the adult part of the Congre- 
 gation , at the celebration of the I/ord's Supper in the 
 Church at Berthelsdorf, Augxist 13th, 1727. During 
 the whole time of these, his faithful exertions for the 
 welfare of the whole Congregation, the children were 
 special objects of his care. He commenced his 
 labors among them by going every other day to 
 Berthelsdorf, to visit the pupils that were placed in 
 the Girl's Boarding School, which had been esta- 
 blished in the so-called Watteville-house, and to hold 
 them a meeting for edification. This institution 
 contained the following nine Girls, between the ages 
 of nine and thirteen years. Johanna Sophia de 
 Seidewitz, Charlotte de Seidewitz, Augusta de 
 Zezschwitz, Magdalen Arndt, Mary Elizabeth Hents- 
 chel, Anna Mary Jahne, Anna Mary Keil, Anna 
 Dorothy SchafFer (daughter of the Heverend Mr. 
 Schaffer, at Gbrlitz,) and Anna Rosina Schmid. The 
 Count at his return from having visited these nine 
 children, frequently complained to his consort, that, 
 though the children behaved with great outward pro- 
 priety, he could not perceive any traces of s[)iritual 
 life among them ; and however much might be said 
 to them of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet it did not 
 seem to reach their hearts. In this distress of his 
 mind, he took his refuge to the Lord in prayer, 
 most fervently intreating him to grant to these child- 
 ren his grace and blessing. 
 
 On the 26th of May, 172T, it being his birth- 
 day, he was led to speak to them on the words of 
 the verse: " Jesus, Lord of the Creation. No heart 
 is so obdurate — But thy Spirit's operation — Can 
 within it life create. ' He spoke from the fulness of 
 his heart, and the Lord caused his words to be a 
 blessing- to the hearts. of the Children, so that they 
 
127 
 
 became uneasy about their state, and called on him 
 with one accord " to have mercy on them." The 
 elder of the two Ladies de Seidewitz was particularly 
 affected on that occasion. 
 
 The Count took fresh courage from this first 
 remarkable emotion among the children ; and sent on 
 that account, on June 27th, a Student in Theology, 
 of the name of Krumpe, a man of great integrity 
 and much simplicity, to Berthelsdorf, with a view to 
 take upon himself their instruction in Christianity. 
 Meanwhile he did not cease to offer up fervent 
 prayers to the Lord in behalf of these children : and 
 the awakening and conversion of the little girl, 
 Susanna Kahnel, afforded the first proof of the Lord's 
 ha\ing graciously heard and accepted his prayer. 
 This girl, eleven years of age, who lived with her 
 parents at Herrnhut; after having spent three days 
 wrestling with God in prayer, experienced on August 
 the 6th, such a divine feeling of the grace of our 
 Saviour, and obtained so clear an assurance of her 
 salvation, that neglecting even the necessary bodily 
 refreshment, she spent the greatest part of that day 
 in proclaiming the praises of her Redeemer. This 
 extraordinary state of her mind, was occasioned by 
 the happy departure of her Mother, which took place 
 May the second, on which day her soul went over 
 with uncommon cheerfulness, into the presence of 
 that Saviour, whom she had here rejoiced in, as the 
 Son of Righteousness. The joyful departure of her 
 mother made so deep an impression upon this girl, 
 that she spent three whole days, and especially the 
 fore-part of the last night, till one o'clock in the 
 morning, in weeping and prayer; at which hour she 
 broke out into indescribable joy, called to her father, 
 who slept in the adjoining room, and who had, un- 
 
128 
 
 known to her, heard all that had passed, and cried 
 out, Notv Father, I ana become a Child of God, and 
 I know also how my mother felt and still feels. " She, 
 however, did not only relate to her father what great 
 mercy the Lord had shown her, but out of the abund- 
 ance of her heart her mouth spoke to her companions 
 of his loving kindness towards her; and this she did 
 with such energy, that they were deeply affected 
 thereby, and felt themselves powerfully drawn to 
 Jesus. The following six are particularly mentioned 
 among that number: Anna Nitschmann, Juliana 
 Quitt, Rosina Fischer, Aima Gold, Sophia Gutbier 
 and Anna Beyer, all of whom were, in the sequel, 
 employed as handmaids of the Lord in the Brethren's 
 Congregation. 
 
 Wliile tliis infant preacher of righteousness, by 
 shewing forth the jwaises of him who had called her 
 out of darkness to his marvellous light, was winning 
 the hearts of the children dwelling at Herrnhut, one 
 after the other for our Saviour ; the Friend of 
 children was pleased to lay a special blessing on the 
 testimony of the above-mentioned Mr. Krumpe, at 
 the Institution for Girls at Berthelsdorf, so that on 
 August 18th an universal flame of love towards our 
 Saviour seemed to he kindled in the hearts of these 
 children, and all of them spent the whole night in 
 prayer. From that day many more remarkable 
 traces of a work of grace among the children at 
 Herrnhut and Berthelsdorf became apparent, and 
 the following is noticed in the diary at Herrnhut con- 
 cerning this subject : — 
 
 August the 23d. tiie children of both sexes felt 
 a most powerful impulse to prayer, and it was im- 
 possible to listen to tlieir infant supplications with- 
 out being deeply moved and affected ; a most extra- 
 
129 
 
 ordinary emotion of all hearts prevailed at their 
 meeting on that •day, produced especially by the 
 manner in which Susanna KUhnel addressed them, 
 whose zeal and earnestness daily increased in strength 
 and ardor. A similarly blessed meeting of the 
 children took place in the evening of the 26th of 
 August, and on the 29th, from the hours of ten 
 o'clock at night, until one the following morning, 
 a truly affecting scene was witnessed ; for the 
 girls from Herrnhut and Berthelsdorf, spent these 
 hours in praying, singing, and weeping on the Hut- 
 berg. The boys were at the same time engaged in 
 earnest prayer in another place. The spirit of prayer 
 and supplication at that time poured out upon the 
 children was so powerful and efficacious, that it is 
 impossible to give an adequate description of it in 
 words. These days were tmly days of heavenly 
 enjoyment to the congregation at Herrnhut, all 
 forgot themselves, and things terrestrial and tran- 
 sitory, and longed to be above with Christ their 
 Saviour in bliss everlasting. 
 
 Brother Jacob Liebich, who was at that time 
 among the number of the boys living at Herrnhut, 
 gives the following narrative concerning the awaken- 
 ing which took place among them : 
 
 Our schoolmaster Mr. Klemm, was a very up- 
 right and zealous man, who felt himself deeply in- 
 terested in the welfare of his scholars. It was his 
 practice, at the close of our daily lessons to kneel 
 down with us, and to intercede in our behalf ; nor 
 did he fail to recommend us to the Lord and his good 
 Spirit, in his private hours for supplication. At the 
 time when Susanna Kuhnel began to be under the 
 special and powerful operations of the Hoiy Ghost, 
 and used to kneel down underthe trees in her father's 
 
130 
 
 garden, particularly in the eveninjr and at nig^ht, 
 entreating the Lord with cries and tears to have 
 mercy on her, and to save her soul from death ; we 
 boys who were near neighbours of Frederic Kuhnel, 
 heard, when going to bed, her earnest intreaties. 
 This touched our hearts, so that we could no more 
 go to bed in the same indifferent frame of mind in 
 reference to spiritual things as before ; and we re- 
 quested our overseers to take us a walk on the fol- 
 lowing evenings. Thus, till the end of August, 
 instead of going to bed at the usual hour, we went 
 into the fields and woods, where we prostrated before 
 the Lord, and implored him to be merciful to us, 
 and to save us. Our schoolmaster was often present 
 on these occasions, and when he had concluded his 
 prayer, and we were on the point of returning home, 
 most of us again sought a retired place, and either 
 singly or two together kneeled down and prayed to 
 the Lord. Many are the particular spots in the 
 vicinity of Herrnhut, which we in prayer bedewed 
 with our tears. 
 
 There were in all about ten boys who lived to- 
 gether at that time, and bore the name of orphans, 
 who were powerfully apprehended by the grace of 
 Cod on that occasion. These had been spectators 
 at the Holy Communion in Berthelsdorf, August the 
 1 3th, accompanied by Mailin Rohleder, the super- 
 intendent of the orphan house ; and I cannot ascribe 
 the cause of the great awakening of the children at 
 Herrnhut to any thing, but the wonderful outpour- 
 ing of the spirit of God upon the communicant con- 
 gregation assembled on that occasion. The breezes 
 of the spirit pervaded at that time equally both young 
 and old. And in like manner as Christian David and 
 Melchior Nitschman felt in that very hour while at 
 
131 
 
 Sablat, a powerful impulse to retire to a secret place, 
 with a view to ming^le tiieir prayers with those of the 
 congregation, so in the subsequent days of that 
 month, babes and sucklings felt constrained to mani- 
 fest the emotion of their hearts, by weeping and 
 supplication, as a sure i)roof that the spirit of grace, 
 poured out on August the 13th, had exerted his 
 blessed influence on the whole congregation. 
 
 V. 
 
 Beginning of the hourly intercession. 
 
 For AUGUST 27th. 
 
 After that distinguished day of blessing, the 
 I3tli of August, 1727, on which the spirit of grace 
 and supplication had been i)oured out upon the con- 
 gregation at Herrnhut ; the tliought struck some 
 Brethren and Sisters, that it might be well to set 
 apart certain hours for the purpose of prayer, at 
 which seasons all might be reminded of its excellency 
 and be induced by the promise annexed to fervent, 
 persevering prayer, to pour out their hearts before 
 the Lord. The more the circle of acquaintance, in 
 which the infant congregation was moving, became 
 enlarged ; the more frequently aj)plications were 
 made by those who felt oppressed or jjersecuted ; by 
 prisoners for the sake of tlie Gospel, or by the sick 
 and by those who were in a perplexed and harrassed 
 state of mind, to be remembered by the congi-egation 
 in their prayers 
 
132 
 
 It was moreover considered as an important 
 point, that as in the days of tlie Old Covenant, the 
 sacred fire was never permitted to go out on the altar, 
 (Lev. 6, 13. 14.) so in a congreg-ation, which is a 
 temple of the living- God, wherein he has his altar 
 and his fire, the intercession of his Saiins should in- 
 cessantly rise up unto him, like holy incense. And 
 because the Lord had bestowed uj)on them great grace 
 and many mercies, they acknowledge it as their dnty 
 to lie prostrate before liis throne both day and night, 
 offering to him the sacritice of praise and thanks- 
 giving for all his kindness shewn unto them. Besides 
 these inducements for being constant and fervent in 
 prayer, they could not but consider themselves pow- 
 erfully urged to continue instant in supplications at 
 the throne of grace, in consequence as well of those 
 lieavy internal temptations, from which they had 
 only just now escaped, and which had brought the 
 congregation to the very brink of ruin ; as of the 
 outward persecutions which now began to threaten 
 them, having already been levelled against the 
 awakened in their vicinity, who stood in connection 
 with the congregation ; — and finally in consequence 
 of the menaces and threats of bitter enemies, which 
 filled their minds with the most serious apprehensions. 
 The following is the account given of it in the 
 diaiy of Herrnhut, and dated August 22d, 1 *27. In 
 these days our minds were much engaged in consi- 
 dering how highly needful it was, that the Congre- 
 gation in its present state of infancy, and having 
 Satan as her adversary, who slumbers not day or 
 night, should be preserved from his wiles, and be 
 under constant and holy guardian care. In this view 
 we resolved to kindle the flame of a free willing 
 sacrifice of intercession in our place, which should 
 
133 
 
 not cease to burn day or night ; yet we took care not 
 to curtail or impede the eflfective operations of the 
 Lord himself, in this respect, and were satisfied, 
 merely to propose the subject to the Brethren for 
 their consideration. August 23, fourteen Brethren 
 offered themselves in this view, and two days after 
 the proposed plan had been so far matured, that a 
 specific regulation could be adopted, according to 
 which, the Brethren and Sisters, in their respective 
 places of retirement, were circumstantially and earn- 
 estly to lay before our Saviour, the distress and case 
 of all who were known to them in or out of the Con- 
 gregation. On August 26th, twenty-four Brethren 
 and the same number of Sisters, met and covenanted 
 together, to continue from one midnight to the next, 
 in prayer, dividing, for that purpose, the twenty- 
 four hours of night and day by lot among themselves. 
 August 27, this new regulation was put into practice. 
 More were soon added to this number of intercessors, 
 which was tluis increased to seventy-seven, and even 
 the awakened children began a plan similar to this 
 among tliemselves. Every one carcfuliy observed 
 the hour, which had been appointed for him. But, as 
 it was a principle at Herrnhut, tlrat nothing of a 
 forced nature should obtain there, tlie resobition was 
 taken that if any one could not spend the whole hour 
 in prayer, either because of indigence of spirit, or 
 official concerns preventing him, he might sing spi- 
 ritual songs and hymns of praise to the I^ord, and 
 thus bring unto him, for himself and his fellow Bre- 
 thren, either the sacrifice of thanksgiving, or the 
 ofiFering of prayer and supplication. The intercessors 
 had a weekly meeting, at which notice was given 
 them of those things which they were to consider as 
 special subjects for prayer and remembrance before 
 L 
 
134 
 
 the Lord. The intelligence received from near or 
 distant friends, whether of a joyful or afflictive kind ; 
 the particular case of this or the other nation, of 
 various Congreg-ations, or individuals, were com- 
 municated to the intercessors, to excite them either 
 to fervent praise and thanksgivings, or to earnest 
 supplication and prayer. 
 
 VI. 
 
 First Mission of the Brethren to the Hea- 
 the?i, viz. the Negroes in St. Thomas. 
 
 For AUGUST 21. 
 
 As early as the year 1715, Count Zinzendorf, 
 while yet at the Academy at Halle, had entered into 
 a covenant with the friend of his youth, Fred, de 
 Watteville, to establish Missions, especially among 
 those heathen tribes, which were totally neglected by 
 others. He had an opportunity while at the house of 
 Professor Franke, to hear accounts relative to the 
 Mission established by Fred. W. King of Denmark, 
 among the Malabars at Tranquebar, in the East 
 Indies; he got acquainted there with some Mis- 
 sionaries whom Mr. Franke was preparing for their 
 intended situation, for which they were soon to set 
 out by way of Copenhagen, as well as with others 
 who happened to be on a visit at his house. This 
 excited in him an earnest desire, to further, as far 
 as he could, the increase of the kingdom of God, by 
 the conversion of heathen nations, as soon as a door 
 
135 
 
 should be opened for that purpose. He never after- 
 wards lost sight of this object; but endeavoured, 
 even while in his travels, and during his abode in 
 Holland, to gather correct information concerning 
 the state of heathen countries. At the time that the 
 Congregation at Herrnhut was increasing in number, 
 a lively feeling of participation in the spreading of 
 the kingdom of God in general, was perceptible 
 among the inhabitants of that place, connected with 
 an impulse to assist in that work in every respect, as 
 far as grace, strength, and opportunity should be 
 given them by the Lord. When, on the 10th of 
 February, 1728, the Congregation were assembled 
 to celebrate a day of thanksgiving and prayer, on 
 which occasion the vivifying influence of the Spirit 
 of God, was felt in a remarkable manner; all those 
 that were present were powerfully excited to exert 
 themselves to the utmost of their abilities, for pro- 
 moting his kingdom. The conversation turned upon 
 the state of distant regions, Turkey, Nigritia, Green- 
 land, Lapland, and other countries were noticed; and 
 when some declared it to be, according to human 
 appearance, an impossibility, that these regions 
 should ever be visited by them ; the Count mentioned 
 his firm conviction, that the Lord would yet give 
 grace and strength to the Bretliren, to do even this, 
 though now it seemed so improbable, yea impossible: 
 and thus all were encouraged and many felt a wish 
 to take their share in the work, as soon as a more 
 immediate opportunity for so doing should offer. This 
 opportunity presented itself in the year 1731, when 
 Count Zinzendorf undertook a journey to Copen- 
 hagen, with a view to be present at the coronation 
 of Christian the VL He had long been known and 
 much'«8teemed at the Royal Danish Court; and his 
 
136 
 
 design was now to obtain some situation there, that 
 iliighl enable him, without offence, to resign his 
 office at Dresden (which interfered too much with 
 his labors among tlie Brethren,) while it would, at 
 the same time, not oblige him to reside in Denmark. 
 He, however, did not succeed in his application, 
 though he was treated with great favor and friend- 
 ship by the whole royal family; yet this visit became 
 unintentionally the occasion for the commencement 
 of the first Mission of the Brethren among the 
 heathen. For some of the Brethren, who belonged 
 to the household of the Count, became acquainted 
 M'ith a Negro from the West Indies, named Anthony, 
 who was then employed in the swvice of Count de 
 Laurwig, at Copenhagen. The Brethren, and espe- 
 cially David Nitschman, (who, in the sequel, assisted 
 in the commencement of the first Mission, and was 
 consecrated a Bishop in 1735, chiefly with a view to 
 the establishment and furtherance of the Brethren's 
 Missions among the heathen) were informed by this 
 Negro, that, while yet on the island of St. Thomas, 
 he had often, seated on the shore, felt an ardent long- 
 ing after a fiill revelation of the Divine Truth, in 
 consequence of which he had prayed to God to give 
 him an insight into the nature of that doctrine, 
 which the Christians professed to believe in. God 
 had, in his providence, led him to Copenhagen, 
 where he had received instruction in the Christian 
 faith, and been added to the Church by baptism. He, 
 then, described in a lively manner, the lamentable 
 situation of the Negro slaves in that island, both as 
 to temporal and spiritual things ; and deplored more 
 especially the wretched condition of his own Sister 
 there, who, like himself, had entertained an earnest 
 ■desire to become acquainted with God, but had 
 
137 
 
 ueither timeiior opportunity for obtaining instruction, 
 in consequence of her being in a state of slavery, and 
 wlio frequently offered up prayers to God, that he 
 would send some messenger to instruct her in the 
 way of salvation. He concluded his representations 
 on this subject, with expressing a confident hope, 
 that if instruction could be conveyed to them, she, 
 and many other Negroes, who were of the same 
 mind with her, would be converted to Christianity. 
 Count Zinzendorf, being informed of this subject, 
 deemed it of so much importance, that he wished to 
 send David Nitschmann immediately to St. Thomas, 
 to carry the consolatory tidings ot the Gospel to this 
 distressed Xegro-woman and her fellow slaves. But 
 as this was found to be impracticable, he returned as 
 soon as possible to Herrnhut, whither he desired the 
 Negro Anthony and David Nitschmann to follow him, 
 in order that the former might himself make known 
 his request. Soon after his return to Herrnhut, the 
 Count related, according to his usual practice, July 
 23, 1731, to the assembled Congregation, the most 
 remarkable incidents of his journey, and acquainted 
 them particularly with what he had heard of the 
 Negroes in St. Thomas. His narrative excited in 
 the hearts of two young and lively Brethren, John 
 Leonhard Dober and Tobias Leupold, an earnest 
 desire to go and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to 
 these poor slaves. They were intimate friends, yet 
 they did not, on that day, communicate to each other 
 their sentiments and \news. Leonhard Dober, when 
 rising in the morning, after a night spent chiefly in 
 pursuing these meditations, still felt the strength of 
 that impulse undiminished; and fearing lest his 
 thoughts might, after all, be needless and unprofit- 
 able ones, he, in his uncertainty, and with an earnest 
 l2 
 
138 
 
 desire for divine illumination, opened the Bible for 
 his direction, and found the following Text, Deut. 
 32, 47, " For it is not a vain thing for you ; because 
 it is your life, and through this thing ye shall pro- 
 long your days. ' This Text greatly encouraged him, 
 and removed his timidity and uncertainty. It was 
 his custom, every evening, to converse with Tobias 
 Leupold concerning the day that was now past, and 
 to engage with him in prayer ; and having fixed his 
 Blind on him as a suitable fellow traveller and fellow 
 worker among the Negroes in St. Thomas, he deter- 
 mined to mention to him the impulse he felt, and if 
 he found him to be of the same mind, to consider the 
 affair as settled, and to give it further publicity. 
 How great then was his astonishment, when he learn- 
 ed from his friend, that he himself had felttlie same 
 impulse, to go among the slaves in St. Thomas, and 
 that he had not been able to fix his mind on any 
 other than his intimate friend to be his companion 
 and assistant in this undertaking. 
 
 It was the practice of the S. Brethren, at that 
 time, to meet together every evening, and in se- 
 perate parties of two and two together, to seek re- 
 tired places in the immediate neiglibourhood of 
 Herrnhut, where they jointly engaged in prayer and 
 supplication. On their return to Herrnhut, they 
 walked in procession through the place, singing 
 hymns. This was the case, also, on the evening of 
 the day on whicli Leonhard Dober, and Tobias Leu- 
 pold, had communicated to each other the desire they 
 felt to go to St. Thomas. Wlien the ai)ove-mentioned 
 procession was approaching the house of Count Zin- 
 zendorf, he and Mr. Schafter, who hapiieiied tobe on a" 
 ■visit at Herrnhut, c^me out, and, the former placing 
 himself before the Brethren, addressed the latter i« 
 
139 
 
 these words: " My dear Sir, there are among these 
 Brethren, Messens^ers, that will g^o forth to the hea- 
 then in St. Tliomas, Greenland, Lapland, &c.'' By 
 tliese few words, which were pronounced by the 
 Count with peculiar emphasis, the two Brethren were 
 strongly confirmed in their resolution, and now took 
 courage, to make known to him, though in the strict- 
 est confidence, the impulse they had felt, and the 
 views they entertained. They did this in a letter, 
 which they wrote on the 25th of July, and handed to 
 him in the most private manner : this letter concludes 
 with these words: "Dear Brother, keep the whole 
 affair to yourself, and meditate upon it; and be so 
 good to let us know your thoughts about it. May 
 the Lord always lead us in liis right, thougii some- 
 times thorny patlis." The Count was greatly pleased 
 with their proposal, and having sent for them, Ive 
 conversed with them more at large concerning it. 
 At the evening meeting, their letter was communi- 
 cated to the Congregation, though without mention- 
 ing tiieir names. 
 
 July the 2rth, the Negro Anthony arrived at 
 Herrnhut; and soon after an opportunity was given 
 him to make known his request to the Congregation, 
 on which occasion, the Count acted as his interpre- 
 ter, for his .address was delivered in the Dutch lan- 
 guage. In this address he described, in feeling terms, 
 the miserable condition of tlie Blacks in the West 
 Indies, who not only were groaning under the yoke 
 of the most oppressive slavery, but lived in the com- 
 mission of the most heinous vices, in consequence of 
 that gross darkness in wiiich they walked, not know- 
 ing any thing of God and of his Christ. He express- 
 ed a hope, that as soon as the crucified Saviour should 
 be preached to the Negroes, many of them would be 
 
140 
 
 convei'ted, and mentioned in this view his own Sister, 
 more particularly; but added, that it would be almost 
 impossible for a teacher to have any intercourse with 
 them, except he would himself submit to a state of 
 slavery : for the Negroes were so overwhelmed with 
 labours, that there would be no access to them, 
 with a view to give them instruction, except in the 
 hours they were doomed to spend in their labours. 
 Leonhard Dober, and Tobias Leupold, were not 
 however intimidated by this representation, but de- 
 clared their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the 
 service of our Saviour; and to be sold as slaves if 
 they could win but one soul for him. Their whole 
 project, however, met with little encouragement 
 from the Congregation, in the first instance; most of 
 whom considered it as a well meant, but impractica- 
 ble intention of youths, who being full of ardour and 
 courage, did not sufficiently take into account the 
 insurmountable obstacles connected with it. Martin 
 Linner himself, the Chief Elder of the Congregation, 
 could not bear the idea of being deprived of the valu- 
 able assistance he derived from the labours of Leon- 
 hard Dober, in the care of the Single Brethren, having 
 moreover fixed his thoughts on him, as the most sui- 
 table person to succeed him in the Elder's office ; for 
 he anticipated his fast approaching dissolution, in 
 consequence of the very weakly and precarious state of 
 his health. But all the difficulties which were thrown 
 in the way of their undertaking-, only served to in- 
 duce the Brethren still more maturely to weigh their 
 design before the Lord, and to discover how far 
 it met with the divine approbation, as being con- 
 sonant with his holy will. Leonard Dober drew up 
 a memorial addressed to the congregation, in which 
 he says : " You require me to state the reason I 
 
141 
 
 have to assig-n for niy proposed undertaking — I have 
 therefore to make the following declaration : It was 
 not my intention for the time present to go from 
 home, but rather to tarry, with a view to get more 
 firmly rooted and grounded in our Lord Jesus Christ; 
 but when the Count returned from his journey to 
 Denmark, and explained to us the condition of the 
 slaves, so deep an impression was made on my mind, 
 that nothing coiUd erase it. It was then I formed 
 the resolution, that, if another Brother should be 
 found willing to accompany me, I would oflfer myself 
 to be a slave, in order to tell these poor beings, 
 what I knew and had experienced of the love and 
 grace of our blessed Saviour ; for I am fully per- 
 suaded that the word of the cross, though preached 
 by the weakest and poorest of his followers, must 
 have a divine influence upon the souls that hear it. 
 As to myself, my earnest desire was, that, should I 
 even be of benefit to none, I might thereby shew my 
 love and obedience to our Lord and Saviour. I leave 
 my proposal to the decision of the Congregation, and 
 have no other reason to urge it but this, — that I 
 think there are yet souls on that island who cannot 
 believe, because they have never heard." A whole 
 year was spent in weighing and examining his pro- 
 posal, and when after the lapse of that time, no 
 unanimous opinion could be formed by the Congrega- 
 tion, the Count who had never wavered in the assent 
 he had given to it, inquired of him, if he was wil- 
 ling to submit it to the direction of the Lord by lot ? 
 Leonhard Dober replied, that there was no occasion 
 to adopt that method witi) a view to strengthen his 
 conviction, for he was sufficiently sure of the JiOrd's 
 mind in this respect ; but he would leave them at 
 liberty to do whatever they thought proper for their 
 
142 
 
 own satisfaction and conviction. He was now re- 
 quested himself to draw one out of several slips of 
 paper on which various sentiments were inscribed ; 
 this he did, and drew the foUomng: — " Let the youth 
 go, the Lord is witii him !'' This put an end at once 
 to all scriiples and hesitations. Leonhard Dober was 
 confirmed in his appointment, and Martin Linner, the 
 Elder, pronounced a blessing over him in this view, in 
 the name of the Congregation. Tobias Leupold having 
 at a meeting of the Congregation Council, some days 
 before, drawn a lot, which directed him to tarry yet a 
 while, and the Congregation feeling unwilling to let 
 Leonhard Dober travel alone, the latter requested that 
 they would allow David Nitschmann, who had first be- 
 come acquainted with the Negro at Copenhagen, to 
 accompany him. The Congregation consenting, the 
 proposal was made to this Brother, and he willingly 
 accepted it, though he had to leave a wife and child- 
 ren behind him. On August 18th, 1732, these two 
 first Heathen Messengers took their leave of the 
 Congregation at the meeting in the evening; every 
 member of which, according to the custom then 
 adopted, sung for them a benedictory verse, and, 
 these being afterwards written down, were given to 
 the travellers, as tokens of remembrance. There 
 were more than a hundred verses of this description, 
 all tending to confirm their faith, and not a few had 
 even something of a prophetic nature in their con- 
 tents. At three o'clock in the morning of the 21st of 
 August, the Count set out with Leonhard Dober and 
 David Nitschmann, and accompanied them as far as 
 Budissin, where he commended them, and their im- 
 portant undertaking, to the grace of the Lord, and 
 blessed the former in a solemn manner, with iraTW- 
 sition of hands. All the instruction he gave to bim 
 
143 
 
 was compriaed in the advice, in all things to suffer 
 himself to be guided by tiie Holy Spirit, At taking 
 leave, the Count gave eacii of them a ducat (about 
 half-a-guinea) for their journey-money, in addition 
 to the sum of three dollars which they had before. 
 And with this scanty provision, they continued their 
 route on foot, by way of Wernigerode, Brunswick, 
 and Hamburg, to Copenhagen. On their journey 
 they called on several pious friends, many of whom, 
 however, when told of their design, endeavoured, 
 by pointing out serious objections, to induce them to 
 change their mind. They represented to them the 
 insurmountable obstacles which must prevent the 
 execution of their plan, and did not fail to assert, 
 that, suppose even they should, after enduring in- 
 credible hardship, reach that distant and unknown 
 country, they would then only find a sure and early 
 grave. Many and terrible tales were at that time 
 currently related concerning the acts of cruelty and 
 ferocity of the Caribbees, or Cannibals, to which 
 these original inhabitants of the \Fest India Islands 
 had been driven by tiie unjustifiable proceedings of 
 the Europeans, and especially the Spaniards, who 
 were seeking possession of their country. The 
 lirethren did not attempt to oppose, by arguments, 
 the objections which were started, but committed 
 themselves to Him, their invisible but faithful Lord, 
 who himself had called them. Leonhard Dober 
 would sometimes say, " That when he reflected on 
 his undertaking, he felt astonished at it himself; yet 
 lie could do no other than simply follow the impulse 
 given him, and thus accomplish, as he firmly be- 
 lieved, tiie will of God." 
 
 Countess de Stolberg of Wernigerode, was the 
 only person who felt inclined to favor the object; 
 
144 
 
 she entered into much friendly conversation with 
 them : and expressed a particular wish to hear from 
 Leonhard Dober what had been his feelings at taking 
 leave of his parents. Before they parted, she re- 
 quested each of them to draw a text for himself out 
 of a collection of scripture passages ; and when 
 Leonhard Dober drew the words Ps. 45. 10. " Hark- 
 en, O daughter and consider and incline thine ear; 
 forget also thine own people and thy father's house : '' 
 The Countess addressed them in these words : go 
 your way, and should they even put you to death for 
 the Saviour's sake, he deserves that we should be 
 ready to die for him! — " These words were a balsam 
 to my heart, " — writes Leonhard Dober to the same 
 Countess, in the year 1 740; and the reason why the 
 words of your Excellence proved so comfortable and 
 impressive to me, was, because you were the only 
 person we met with on our journey, yea, excepting 
 Count Zinzendorf, the only one in the whole world, 
 who did not render my progress irksome. When ar- 
 rived at Copenhagen, Sep. ]5th, they found no one 
 who would cordially approve of their enterprize. Peo- 
 ple of all ranks represented to them its impossibility. 
 They were told, that no captain would take them 
 on board, and should they even arrive at St. Tho- 
 mas, they would not be able to maintain themselves* 
 there: and, as to the preaching of the Gospel, it 
 would be a vain attempt, as they had no chance of 
 addressing the Negroes at any time. If in their 
 reply they declared their readiness to submit to 
 a state of slavery, that thus they might have an 
 opportunity of working together with the negroes, 
 and entering into conversation with them ; they 
 drew upon themselves mockery and ridicule, as 
 such an idea was looked upon as most foolish and 
 
145 
 
 extravagant. Even those of the Directors of the 
 West India Company who were desirous to promote 
 the cause of God, and entertained much friendship 
 for Count Zinzendorf, (from whom they had received 
 recommendatory letters in behalf of these Brethren) 
 would neither approve nor further the execution of 
 their design. They founded their refusal upon the 
 existing regulations and treatment of the slaves in the 
 West Indies, and upon the dearness of provisions, 
 which made it impossible for Europeans to exist 
 there unless they had the means necessary for in- 
 suring a sufficient maintenance. Mr. de Pless, the 
 Chamberlain, among other things put these questions 
 to the Brethren : " How do you mean to earn your 
 livelihood in St. Thomas ? they replied, " We will 
 work as slaves with the negroes." To which he re- 
 joined. You cannot do that, for it will by no means 
 be permitted.'' David Nitschmann answered, " In 
 that case I will work at my trade as a carpenter.'' 
 " But what is the other to do, the potter?'' asked 
 the Chamberlain. Nitschman's reply was, " I will 
 provide for his maintenance, as well as my own. ' In 
 addition to the difficulties which surrounded them on 
 all sides, the two Brethren had to experience the 
 grief that the Negro Anthony, whose representations 
 had been the original cause of their enterprize, had 
 now completely changed his mind, and recanted 
 every thing he h.ad related at Herrnhut concerning 
 the desire of his own Sister and many other Negroes 
 in St. Thomas, to receive instruction in the know- 
 ledge of God He had suffered himself to be pre- 
 judiced against Herrnhut, by people, who, though 
 pious, were no friends of the Brethren, and now 
 endeavoured to dissuade them from their design. He 
 gave them however, on their departure, a letter to 
 M 
 
146 
 
 take to his Sister. This Anthony returned in the 
 sequel to St. Thomas, but was too weak to resist the 
 temptations to sin, so prevalent in that island, and 
 to remain faithful to his conviction and better know- 
 ledge — in consequence of which he met with a lamen- 
 table end. NotM-itlistanding all these alarming ob- 
 stacles, the two Brethren remained immoveable in 
 their determination : nor would David Nitschmann 
 accept of the proposal made him by Leonard Dober 
 to return to Herrnhut, and let him proceed alone ; 
 but expressed his resolution to persevere. Men's 
 help being now altogether witlidrawn, they clave the 
 closer to the Lord, who has made heaven and earth. 
 Once when in much perplexity, that passage of 
 Scripture Numb. 23, 19, came forcibly into their 
 minds : " Hath he said, and shall he not do it ? or 
 hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ?" and 
 tended to confirm them in that certain assurance, 
 that God would execute without fail that work, which 
 he himself had begun. Their constancy at last indu- 
 ced some persons in Copenhagen, to consider their 
 design more carefully, and to offer their assistance 
 towar(is the execution of it. Amongst these were 
 the two Court Chaplains Reuss and Blum, who, 
 being convinced that the call of these Brethren came 
 from God, not only for their own part endeavoured 
 to assist them, but by their representations induced 
 otiier persons of distinction to entertain similar sen- 
 timents. Even the Royal Family were row made 
 acquainted with the Brethrens' abode in Copenhagen, 
 and their intended enterprize. The Queen was very 
 favorably inclined towards them, and Princess Char- 
 lotte Amelia transmitted to tiiem, of her own accord, 
 a sum of money for their voyage, and a Dutch bible 
 They received similar benefactions from other per- 
 
147 
 
 sous. Some Counsellors of State, who had wit- 
 nessed the cheerful deportment of the Brethren 
 arising from the firm conviction of their hearts, 
 wished them God's blessing, and dismissed them 
 with these words : "Go then in the name of God ; 
 our Saviour chose fishermen to be preachers of his 
 Gospel, he himself was a carpenter, or the son of a 
 carpenter I ' Mr. Martens, Butler to the King, as- 
 sisted them in obtaining a passage in a Dutch vessel, 
 bound for St. Thomas, as no Captain belonging to the 
 West India Company was willing to take them 
 on board. The Dutch Captain gave them a hearty 
 welcome, and through the beneficence of their pa- 
 trons, they found themselves able not only to defray 
 the expences of passage and board, but also to pur- 
 chase tools necessary for carrving on the carpenter's 
 business. Having taken leave of all their friends, 
 they went on board, October 8th, 1732, and set 
 sail the same day. The ship's crew soon took notice 
 of them; some ridiculed them as fools, others pitied 
 them, that they should venture to repair to so un- 
 healthy a country, where Europeans were frequently 
 subject to fatal diseases, and where provisions were 
 at so high a price, that people like them, who had 
 to maintain themselves by the labor of their hands, 
 could have no other prospect than to die of hunger. 
 The Brethren did not enter into much discussion 
 with them on tliese subjects, but rather endeavoured 
 to gain some of their fellow-voyagers over to our 
 Saviour, and though they could not accomplish this 
 point, as much as they wished; they nevertheless 
 succeeded, by their peaceable demeanor, to secure 
 to themselves the friendly behaviour and kindness of 
 every one. The voyage lasted upwards of ten weeks, 
 during which they encountered many difficulties and 
 
148 
 
 f)erils, but turned on all occasions to tlie Lord, whose 
 help they constantly experienced. Datid Nitsch- 
 mann, as often as the weather was calrti, worked at 
 his trade, and finished a clothes-press lor the Captain, 
 who was so well pleased with it, that he afterwards 
 recommended him to the white people in >St. Thomas, 
 on account of his excellent workmanship. It had 
 been the Captain's intention to touch at St. Eustace's, 
 whicli would have caused a considerable delay ; but 
 contrary winds prevented it, and thus they reached 
 St. Thomas on the iSth of December, the Text for 
 the day being, " The Lord of hosts mustereth the 
 host of the battle" Is. 13, 4. They were now on 
 the field of battle, where, as they foresaw, their 
 faith and constancy would have to be proved, by that 
 resistance they would meet with in their endeavours 
 to turn the poor Negro-slaves from darkness to light, 
 and from the power of Satan to God. It is not 
 therefore to be wondered at, if, at the first sight of 
 the island of St. Thomas, they felt their minds 
 oppressed by tlioughts foreboding evil. Tlie sequel 
 has justified their apprehensions, but also afforded a 
 proof, that the Mighty One himself had undertaken 
 to combat for the success of this his own work, lead- 
 ing his host to victory. The Text on the day after 
 their arrival, being a Sunday, was from Judges 13, 
 lii." The angel did wonderously, and they looked 
 on." They were just deliberating how they should 
 contrive to live as cheap as possible in this dear and 
 unknown place, when a Negro brought them a mes- 
 sage from Mr. Loreuzen, a planter, inviting them to 
 come to his liousc. A person of the name of Daniel, 
 who had formerly been employed in the service of a 
 family of distinction, had, at their departure from 
 Copenhagen, requested them to take a letter to this 
 
149 
 
 jjentleman, a friend of his — and had, in that letter, 
 recommended the two Brethren to him without their 
 knowledge. Mr. Lorenzen now offered, of his own 
 accord, to take them into his house, and to provide 
 them with every thing they should want, till they 
 could make their own arrangements, or fix their 
 residence elsewhere. They traced with gratitude in 
 this voluntary offer, the providential care of their 
 heavenly Father. 
 
 That same Sunday they began to put into exe- 
 cution the design, wliich had induced them to cross 
 the Atlantic and to visit St. Thomas. In the after- 
 noon of that day, they went in search of Anna, the 
 sister of the above-mentioned Anthony, who, with 
 her secoad brother Abraham, was employed as a 
 slave on the Company's Plantation. They delivered 
 to them a salutation from their Brother Anthony, 
 and read to them the letter of which they were the 
 bearers. Tliat letter contained an account of his 
 conversion to Christ, and an admonition, addressed 
 to them, to follow his example. The passage, John 
 17> 3. Tliis is life eternal, that they might know 
 thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom 
 thou hast sent, which occurred in the letter, gave 
 the Brethren an opportunity to declare to all the 
 Negroes present " the Universal Redemption wrought 
 out by Jesus Christ." For you also, said they, 
 has Jesus procured salvation, and we are come 
 hither for the purpose of preaching to you the Word 
 of this Salvation.'' Though they spoke German, 
 intermixed with a few Dutch words, which they had 
 learned on board, and by reading the Bible in that 
 language, the Negroes understood their address : 
 for they clapped their hands, in token of the joy they 
 felt at this message. Thev had hitherto entertained 
 
 m2 
 
150 
 
 I lie idea, th&t the subject mentioned to them l»y tlie 
 liretliren, ,was the exclusive privilege of tlie white 
 jieople, to which no Negro had a right to i)retend. 
 This first preaching of the Gospel, left a deep im- 
 ])ression on the hearts of Anna, and her brother 
 Abraham, and from that hour, they considered the 
 Hrethren as teachers, sent to them by God himself. 
 This remarkable day was the third Sunday in Advent, 
 the Gospel of which is taken from Matthew the 1 Jth 
 cliapter, in which we find our Saviour's declaration. 
 " I'o the poor the Gospel is preached," and such 
 was the small be^iuning of the labors of the Brethren 
 among the Negroes in St. Thomas, the blessing of 
 which, has in the sequel been extended to thousands 
 of them. Tlie two 13rethren made use of every op- 
 portunity, to explain to the Negroes the way of life. 
 They visited them on Saturdays and Sundays, espe- 
 cially on the Company's plantation, and gained by 
 degrees, their confidence and love. The cordiality 
 the Brethren shewed in their conversation with them, 
 tended greatly to promote this end, and the impres- 
 sion thereby made in the minds of the Negroes, was 
 go much the deeper, since it was a thing quite un- 
 heard of; that white people should condescend to hold 
 such friendly intercourse with them. Among the 
 European inhabitants of the Island, the Brethren had 
 to pass through good and evil reports, as soon as 
 their abode, and the reason of it became known. 
 Some regarded them with esteem, as the Servants of 
 God, who were come to convert the Negroes, others 
 despised them, and even w ent so far as to call them 
 seducers, who ought to be driven out of the island, 
 the sooner the better. Yea, some of the Negroes 
 themselves, ridiculed them as fools, when the Bre- 
 thren were endeavouring to convince them of their 
 
151 
 
 wretched state, as being without Christ, and without 
 tiod in the world. 'I'bese things did not however 
 cause them to lose sight of their aim, to wit, to ef- 
 fect by tiie preaching of the Gospel, the conversion 
 of the Negroes and tiie Whites, wherever an oppor- 
 tunity should oflFer for speaking a word in season to 
 them also. Both of them felt the eflfect of the un- 
 healthy climate, having to sustain several violent at- 
 tacks of diseases, generally prevailing in the West 
 Indies. The kindness of Mr. Lorenzen, who had 
 received tiiem into his house, had provided, in the 
 first instance, every thing that was necessary for their 
 external support, and I )avid Nitchman soon met with 
 so much work in his line, as a carpenter, that he 
 earned enough for the maintenance of both of them. 
 But as the commission he had received from the 
 Congregation extended no farther, than that he should 
 accompany Ijeonhard Dober to St. Thomas, and then 
 return to Europe, as soon as an opportunity might 
 offer : the latter was the more anxious to be able to 
 earn his livelihood by the labour of his own hands. 
 All his attempts however, to work at his trade as a 
 potter, proved abortive, partly through the badness 
 of the clay he had to make use of, and partly for 
 want of a proper oven. Yet he would by no means 
 prevent David Nitschman embracing the opportunity 
 which offered in April, 173.3, for returning to 
 Copenhagen. As he himself had chosen him for his 
 companion, the consideration of his wife and children 
 being left at Herrnhut, caused him to feel greatly 
 interested in the preservation of his life. These two 
 Brethren, who had so faithfully assisted each other, 
 wore obliged to part, April 13th. 1733. Before his 
 departure, David Nitschman exhorted Anna and other 
 Negroes, to whom he had frequently given iustruc- 
 
152 
 
 tions, to be constant and faithful to the end, and 
 many tearsj were shed by them, when he bid them 
 farewell. At taking leave of Leonhard Dober, he ex- 
 pressed his most earnest prayers in his behalf ; and 
 gave him the whole of the money he had earned, de- 
 ducting only what was absolutely necessary, for him 
 to defray his present expences, because Leonhard 
 Dober, had it not as yet in his power to procure a 
 sufficient livelihood for himself by the labour of his 
 hands. Dober addressed on this occasion, a letter 
 to the Congregation at Herrnhut, of which, David 
 Nitschmann was the bearer, and which contained the 
 following effusions of his heart, " He is the Head, 
 we are his members. ' I have had to endure much 
 anxiety, but as yet no grievous sufferings, the Lord's 
 Name be praised! All things have hitherto worked 
 together for my good. And when I remember all the 
 way, that the Lord my God has led me, I am con- 
 strained to say; I am not worthy of the least of all 
 his mercies; He bears, he carries those that are his 
 own. We have had convincing proofs since our ar- 
 rival here, that it is He, who has sent us, though few 
 as yet have become obedient to the Gospel. I entreat 
 you dearest Brethren to think of me, and to pray for 
 me, that I may be enabled to continue to fight the 
 good fight, to which I am called in the Gospel, and 
 which I am engaged in, proving faithful unto death. 
 Pray also, that the Lord may open the hearts of those 
 to whom I Jim sent; for I am persuaded, that through 
 the assistance of your prayers, and through the grace 
 of God our Saviour, I shall not be ashamed nor con- 
 founded." David Nitschmann arrived at Copenhagen, 
 June I6tli. 1733, where he had the pleasure to find 
 the minds of the friends, and patrons ot the Bre- 
 thren, and especially of the CJiief Chamberlain de 
 
158 
 
 Pless had changed greatly in favour of the Mission of 
 the Brethren for the conversion of the Negroes in St. 
 Thomas. They derived great satisfaction from the 
 accounts he laid before them relative to the course 
 and state of that Mission. The same was the case 
 at Herrnliut, where he arrived safe and well July 24. 
 Leonhard Dober was now left alone in St. Tliomas, 
 and without any prospect of being able to provide for 
 his maintenance by the labor of his hands, rfis 
 friends could not comprehend what could have indu- 
 ced him to let his companion, who had maintained 
 him hitherto, return to Europe, and they advised 
 him to do tlie same. But he did not waver in his 
 resolution cheerfully to remain at his post, though 
 now in solitude. Before three weeks had elapsed 
 from the time of David Nitschmann's departure, Mr. 
 Gardelin, the newly appointed governor of the island, 
 offered to him most unexpectedly, the situation of 
 Tutor in his family. He accepted this offer on con- 
 dition that he should be atliberty, after having finished 
 his daily duties, to go and visit the Negfoes round 
 about : and on May the 6th he entered upon his new 
 employment. The Governor who was an upright 
 man, received him into his service, solely as he 
 himself declared it, on account of his piety : and 
 gave him at his entering upon his office, the friendly 
 admonition, to cleave with purpose of heart to God, 
 to walk before him, avoiding above all things those 
 sins which were but too common in that country. 
 Leonhard Dober gives the following account of this 
 alteration in liis condition in a letter, written about 
 that time: *' The sailors, who had hitherto treated 
 me with contempt and ridicule, were astonished at it, 
 and congratulated me on my promotion : but I my- 
 self felt some anxiety about it, though my Patron 
 
154 
 
 had granted me permission, occasionally to go whither- 
 soever I would, on condition that I should not neglect 
 my duties at home. I continued some time at the 
 Governor's house, dined at his table, and had every 
 thing I could wish for, as people would express it. 
 
 Yet I felt greatly ashamed, that my situation 
 should be so diflFerent from my intended plan, which 
 had been to be a slave in St. Thomas : and the whole 
 manner of living was to me so strange and new, that 
 I often felt much depression of spirits on that account. 
 But I could comfort myself with the full persuasion 
 that it had happened to me agreeably to the Lord's 
 express direction, for I had entered into a firm 
 covenant with him, by which I had bound myself, not 
 to seek any situation or employment of any one, but 
 to resign myself completely and exclusively to his 
 kind providence." 
 
 Having recovered from a severe illness at the 
 commencement of the year 1 734 , he took the reso- 
 lution to request his Patron to give him his dismission 
 from his employment, because he found it interfered 
 too much with his proper calling. The Governor con- 
 sented to it with much reluctance. He now hired a 
 small room in Tappus, whither he moved Jan. 19th, 
 1734, and earned his livelihood by watching for the 
 inhabitants, and by other similar labour, but his diet 
 was chiefly confined to bread and water : yet according 
 to his own declaration, he felt in this change of situa- 
 tion, as happy as a bird let loose, because he had it 
 now in his power uninterruptedly to attend to his 
 spiritual labours among the Negroes. The three 
 awakened persons, Anna, her husband, and her bro- 
 ther Abraham, gave him great pleasure, and he had an 
 opportunity for daily intercourse with them. There 
 were evident proofs of their growth in the grace and 
 
155 
 
 knowledge of Jesus Christ, though they had to go 
 through many changes and gradations. LeonhardDober 
 continued in his appartment at Tappus no longer 
 than the month of April ; when he was induced to accept 
 the office of Mr. Adrian Beverhout, who requested 
 him to undertake the inspection and management of his 
 little cotton plantation, at the East end of the Island, 
 on which their were but eighteen Negros employed. 
 A year and a half had now elapsed since he had recei- 
 ved any intelligence from Herrnhut, and in vain had 
 he longed for letters from the Congregation, and felt 
 greatly disappointed when the ships which arrived 
 from time to time, brought him nothing. On the 
 11th. of June he received information that another 
 ship had arrived, and living at the distance of about 
 four miles from the shore, he sent a Negro to enquire 
 whence it came : but that Negro not returning as 
 soon as he could have wished; he went out himself, 
 and set down at a watch fire kindled in the fields, to 
 await his return. While thus seated, he was suddenly 
 accosted by his dear friend Tobias Leupold, and two 
 other Brethren, Schenk and Miksch, who had gone 
 in search of him immediately after the arrival of the 
 vessel. The joy was inexpressibly great on both sides. 
 Leonhard Dober's spirits were uncommonly revived ; 
 they spent the whole night together in conversation, 
 and the time seemed far too short to communicate to 
 one another all their thoughts and feelings. He could 
 not help however expressing much uneasiness at the 
 intelligence they brought him, that a company con- 
 sisting of fourteen Brethren and Sisters had arrived, 
 who were intended to be Colonists, and had received 
 a commission from the chief Chamberlain, de Pless, 
 to begin a plantation for him on the Island of St. 
 Croix. His uneasiness on this subject arose from the 
 
156 
 
 knowledge he had of the country, which enabled hiiia 
 to foresee' the sad issue of the undertaking. And 
 indeed soon after their arrival, ten of the above men- 
 tioned company fell victims to the unhealthy climate 
 of the Island, which was then covered all over with 
 wood and bushes. These brethren had brought with 
 them a vocation for Leonhard Dober, which appointed 
 him to fill the office of Chief Elder of the Congrega- 
 tion at Herrnhut, now vacant by the happy departure 
 of Martin Linner; and as this appointment rendered 
 his speedy return to Europe necessary, he resigned 
 his situation with Mr. Beverhout, and removed with 
 his Brethren to Tappus, with a view to be ready for 
 the sailing of the first vessel that might offer; and 
 in the mean while to assist them with his advice and 
 counsel. His farewell meeting with the awakened 
 Negroes was very affecting, and many tears were shed 
 while he addressed them and commended them in 
 prayer to the Lord. He exhorted them, on that 
 occasion, in the most forcible manner, to remain firm 
 in their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. On the 12th. 
 of August he set sail from St. Thomas, on board the 
 same vessel which brought the eighteen Colonists,des- 
 tined for St. Croix. He took with him a Negro-boy 
 of the name of Oby, of about seven years of age. 
 and belonging to the Loango nation. This boy had 
 been taken prisoner in a battle, at which his father 
 and brother had lost their lives, and having been sold 
 to a slave-dealer, had in the sequel been brought to 
 St. Thomas, where the Brethren purchased him and 
 called him Carmel. It was soon discovered that he 
 was a child of an uncommonly affectionate and obedi- 
 ant disposition, a circumstance little to be expected 
 from a descendant of the Loango tribe. At first he 
 had been intended for the service of Count de Gers- 
 
157 
 
 dorf, but was in the sequel retained at Hermhut: and 
 a work of grace in his heart, soon became perceptable, 
 and he himself requesting to be baptized, that holy 
 ordinance was administered to him at Ebersdorf, in 
 the month of August 1735, by the Court Chaplin 
 the Hev. Mr. Steinhofer: and this firstling of the Ne - 
 gro nation received on that occasion the name Joshua. 
 He departed in a very happy manner at Hcrrnhut, 
 March 28th, 1736. Frederic Martin was one of 
 those who stood sponsors at his baptism, and imme- 
 diately afterwards set out for St. 'i'homas, to continue 
 the work which Leonhard Dober liad begun in that 
 island. The latter arrived 27th of November, 1734, 
 in Copenhagen, and on the oth of February the year 
 following, he reached Herrnhut. Thus ended this 
 faithful servant of Jesus Christ his spiritual labors of 
 nearly two years among the Negroes in St, Thomas, 
 by which an opening was made for that extensive 
 Missionary work, which the Lord has since then com- 
 mitted to the Brethren. Besides these four Negroes 
 in whose hearts the Gospel, as preached by him, had 
 evideiiced its divine power, and who were now joined 
 together in one covenant of faith and love ; others 
 were found in wliose heart?, the seed sown by him 
 with many tears and fervent application, had taken 
 root ; so that after his departure, it began to spring 
 up and brought forth fruit in due time, fjeonhard 
 Dober himself entertained an humble opinion con- 
 cerning his Missionary labors, and expressed his 
 warmest gratitude to our Saviour for not allowing his 
 hopes and expectations to be altogether disappointed. 
 
 O 
 
VII. 
 
 Beginning of the Mission among the 
 HeatJien in Greenland. 
 
 For JANUARY the I9th. 
 
 The occasion for sending Bretlnen to Green- 
 land was nearly the same, and took place at the same 
 time, with that, which proved the cause of the com- 
 mencement of the Mission among the Negroes in the 
 West Indies. While Count Zinzendorf and some 
 other Brethren were at Copenhagen in the year 1/3 J , 
 they saw there two haptized Greenlanders, and heard 
 much of Mr. Egede's endeavours to preach the Gos- 
 pel to the heathen dwelling in that remote country. 
 The Count being informed at the same time of the 
 many difficulties this pious man had already encoun- 
 tered, and of the small success which had as yet 
 attended his zealous exertions ; felt much distressed 
 in his mind to learn thatserious thoughts were already 
 entertained of relinquishing the Mission in Greenland 
 altogether. He therefore resolved, if possible, to 
 procure help for this faithful servant of the Lord, 
 and the witness-spirit which at that time began to be 
 felt by the inhabitants of Herrnhut, promoted his 
 design. For, when, after his return thither, the 
 Mission to St. Thomas was taken into consideration, 
 the Brethren who had been with him, related at the 
 same time what they had heard at Copenhagen, con- 
 cerning the Danish Mission in Greenland. The 
 Brethren Matthew Stach and Frederic Bohnisch im- 
 mediately felt a divine impulse to go thither, and 
 
159 
 
 pi-each the Gospel to the Greenlanders. Matthew 
 8tach himself gives ua the following account of the 
 impulse then excited in him, and the manner in 
 which it was carried into effect: — "While I was 
 attending the meeting at whicli tlie latter of the two 
 Brethren who offered themselves to go to St. Thomas 
 was communicated ; the impulse I had felt, when I 
 heard for the first time the accounts received con- 
 cerning the state of Greenland, was forcibly renewed 
 in my mind, for hitherto 1 had entertained serious 
 hesitations about making that impulse known to any 
 one, in consideration of my disqualifications for such 
 an undertaking, and my great inexperience, as hav- 
 ing been only two years an inhabitant of Herrnhut. 
 I was working at that time with Frederic Bohnisch, 
 in the new burial ground on the Hutberg ; to liim I 
 first unbosomed myself, and found that in him also a 
 desire had been excited to promote the salvation of 
 the heathen. We entered into a simple and confiden- 
 tial conversation on the subject, and each of us felt 
 an uncommon inclination to go to Greenland : yet 
 we knew not whether we were to consider this in- 
 clination as produced by a divine impulse and should 
 on that account make it kuown to the Congregation 
 or ought rather to wait till a call should be given 
 us. But being of one mind, and simply believing 
 lhat our Saviour will at all times fulfil his pro- 
 mise, that if two ^ree as touching any thing that 
 they shall ask, it shall be done for them, (Matt. 
 18, 19. > we kneeled down before him in the little 
 grove hard by, and intreated him to fill our minds 
 with clearness, as to this important matter, and 
 to lead us in the right way. We felt, on that 
 occasion, an extraordinary degree of cheerfulness and 
 alacrity, and we hesitated no longer, to declare our 
 
160 
 
 mind in writing to the Congregation, leaving it en- 
 tirely undecided to what heathen-tribe we should be 
 called, though we ourselves had the greatest inclina- 
 tion to go to tireenland. 
 
 Our letter was read at a meeting of the whole 
 Congregation, and heard by them with great joy. 
 Some, however, expressed a little surprize, that it 
 should be so similar to the letter of the abo^ e-men- 
 tioned two Brethren ; and a few might perhaps even 
 entertain the idea that we had concerted our plans 
 together, or that we had barely sought to imitate the 
 other two Brethren, and this may probably have been 
 tJie reason why we had to wait so long for an answer, 
 and why even the laborers never entered into any 
 further conversation with us on the subject of our 
 letter. Only one of them expressed his mind to me 
 on one occasion, in such a manner, that little hope 
 was left us that our wishes could ever be realized. 
 Yet did neither these circumstances, nor the repre- 
 sentations made us of the perilous voyage, and the 
 miserable way of living in Greenland, deter us from 
 our purpose, and we calmly waited to see, whether 
 our oflFer would be rejected or accepted. After the 
 lapse of a considerable period of time. Count Zin- 
 zendorf sent for us, to enquire, whether we were 
 stiU of the same mind? having replied in the affir- 
 mative, and assured him that we would rather go ta 
 Greenland than any where else, we were directed by 
 him once more to consider the difficulties we should 
 have to encounter, both as to maintenance and other 
 essential points — at length, however, he added, that 
 if we were resolved to venture upon the undertaking, 
 in reliance on our Saviour's help, we might get ready 
 for our journey, well assured that his blessing, and 
 that of the whole Congregation, would accompany 
 
161 
 
 us. We could now look forward, with longing de- 
 sire, to the time of our being dispatched to Green- 
 land, and, in the mean time, we continued pursuing 
 our usual occupations. A whole year, however, still 
 elapsed, before our departure from Herrnhut could 
 take place : and Frederic Bbhnisch having, meanwhile, 
 undertaken another journey. 
 
 Christian David was found willing to accompany 
 me to Greenland. The instructions given us, at the 
 time of our departure, were very concise; for only in 
 the course of the two last days, the Count held some 
 conversation with us, referring chiefly to the necessity 
 and means of soul and body being perserved in the 
 hour of temptations; and these conversations left a 
 blessed and abiding impression on my mind. 
 
 Christian David intending to return the follow- 
 ing year, I was asked, whom I should like to have 
 as a companion, in answer to which I mentioned my 
 cousin. Christian Stach; and tlie proposal being 
 made to him, he galdly accepted it, and hastily pre- 
 pared for his journey. Our preparations required 
 neither much time or expence. The Congregation 
 consisted chiefly of poor exiles, who could give us 
 but little, and we ourselves had nothing of our own, 
 except the usual and most necessary articles of cloth- 
 ing. But we were accustomed to poverty, and felt 
 no anxiety about our getting to Greenland, or main- 
 taining ourselves, when there. The day before we 
 set out, a sum of money was received at Herrnhut, 
 from a friend who filled a tutor's place at Venice, 
 part of which was given us for our journey to Copen- 
 hagen. We looked upon this as so ample a provi- 
 sion , that we would accept nothing more from any 
 one while on the road, simply believing, that He, 
 who had furnished us with the needful supplv at the 
 
 o2 
 
162 
 
 commencement of our journey, would also provide, 
 in due time, what might be necessary for the com- 
 pletion of our uiiderlakin>(s. The Congregation having 
 as yet, no experience in Missionary concerns, not 
 much instruction could be given us ; especially as we 
 were but the second company, who wished to malie 
 the attempt to try whether the heathen would receive 
 the message of peace concerning their Creator and 
 Redeemer. The Bcethren, therefore, left us at 
 liberty to act according to circumstances, advising us, 
 above all, to follow the leading of God's good spirit. 
 We were, moreover, admonished to love each other 
 with a true heart fervently, to regard that old ser- 
 vant of the Lord, Christian David, with the esteem 
 due to a fatlier; and to obey his injunctions: to offer 
 ourselves and our services to Mr. Egede, that Ajwstle 
 of the Greenlanders, whom God had called in a re- 
 markable manner, and proved, by various and mag- 
 nified trials : should he, however, not stand in need 
 of our services, we were dliected, by no means, to 
 disturb him. Finally, we were advised to dwell alone, 
 and to regulate our domestic affairs in tlie way most 
 consonant with a godly life and conversation. These 
 were all the instructions they were able to give us. 
 To the superintending care of our all wise Lord , who 
 has helped us on from time to time, it is alone to be 
 ascribed, that tilings are in that state in wliich they 
 now (that is in 1762) appear. We ourselves could 
 neither know nor anticipate, how it would go. A 
 short time previous to our departure, we were blessed 
 with imposition of hands by Augustin, the Elder of 
 the Congregation, and a prayer was offered up in 
 reference to our undertaking; and on the 19th of 
 January, 1733, we set out, accompanied with. the 
 prayers of the Congregation, by way of Halle and 
 
163 
 
 Hamburg, for EckernforJe in Holstein, from whence 
 we prosecuted our route by water to Copenhagen." 
 
 Thus far the narrative of the Missionary himself. 
 
 Although the three Brethren, at their arrival in 
 that city, were received witli much kindness by those 
 friends to whom they had been recommended, and 
 more especially by Professor Ewald, a member of the 
 Missionary College, and the Rev. Mr. Reuss, chap- 
 lain to his Majesty, the King of Denmark ; yet was 
 the prospect they had before them, as to the success 
 of their undertaking, by no means a favorable one. 
 It remained, indeed, as yet an undecided point; whe- 
 ther the Mission in Greenland siiould be continued at 
 all, or rather relinquished altogether, as well as the 
 commercial connexion with that country: and on 
 that account the Brethren were reminded, that should 
 they even be conveyed to Greenland, on board the 
 ship which would be sent to bring back those who 
 were yet engaged there in the service of the commer- 
 cial company, or of the missionary establishment, 
 they would in the sequel, most assuredly, either be 
 murdered by the savages, or die of hunger. These 
 representations did not however, shake their confi- 
 dence in that Lord, who had called them ; and hear- 
 ing sometime after, that the king had consented once 
 more, to fit out a vessel for Godhaab, the Danish 
 (Colony, in Greenland ; they requested permission of 
 his Majesty, through the medium of Mr. de Pless, 
 the Chamberlain, to be allowed to take their passage 
 to Greenland, on board that ship. This permission 
 was granted them, and the king himself wrote a let- 
 ter to Mr. Egede, in which he recommended the 
 Brethren to his kind notice, and desired him to fur- 
 ther their undertaking as far as lay in his power. 
 Tlie Brethren were indebted for the favorable turn 
 
164 
 
 their affairs had taken, to the zealous interference 
 and intercession of the above-mentioned Minister of 
 State, the same who had used his influence in behalf 
 of the first Mission of the Brethren to the West-India 
 Islands. This gentleman, had indeed, at first urpred 
 many difficulties in his conversations with the Bre- 
 thren on this subject, acting- therein, according to his 
 extensive knowledge of existing circumstances, and 
 agreeably to the uprightness of his character, nor 
 had he failed to send them to some Divines, to under- 
 go an examination, as to the nature of their belief; 
 but being now fully convinced, of the soundness of 
 their faith, and the honesty of their intentions; he 
 displayed uncommon activity in promoting the execu- 
 tion of their designs. On one occasion, while at- 
 tending at court, the objection was started, that it 
 was improbable, that these young and unlearned men 
 should succeed in an undertaking which had disap- 
 pointed tlie expectations of the learned and most zea- 
 lous Mr. Egede, after exertions of ten years continu- 
 ance : Mr. de Pless rejoined, that God had at all 
 times employed the meanest, and among men most 
 disregarded instruments, for the execution of the 
 greatest designs connected with the promotion of hie 
 kingdom; with a view to show, that the glory was 
 entirely his own, and to teach men to know, that 
 success depended not upon human insight and 
 strength, but upon his blessing bestowed on these 
 exertions. He introduced the Brethren to some pi- 
 ous persons of high rank, who entered into much 
 conversation with them, tending to mutual edifica- 
 tion : and furnished them, without being asked, with 
 pecuniary means towards the expences of their voy- 
 age, and of their settling in Greenland. At one of 
 his interviews with the Brethren, he enquired of them 
 
165 
 
 among other things, by what means they intended to 
 procure a livelihood in Greenland. 'J'hey replied: 
 " By the labor of our hands under tiie blessing of 
 God. We mean to cultivate the ground, and buiid 
 an house for ourselves, in order to be burthensome 
 to no one." For they knew not as yet, that the 
 country consisted of scarcely any thing, but barren 
 rocks. " But, said he, you will find no materials 
 there for building a house, there being no woods in 
 that desolate country; how then will you build?" In 
 that case we will dig ourselves holes in the ground to 
 lodge in." No, replied he, you shall not be reduced 
 to that necessity, rather take timber along with you, 
 and build a house, and accept of these fifty dollars 
 towards it." To this present, he, and other opulent 
 friends added more, and thereby enabled them to 
 purchase a variety of useful articles, such as divers 
 materials for building, tools of all descriptions for 
 digging, masonary work, &c. ; several sorts of plants 
 and seeds, implements for hunting and fishing, flax 
 for spinning, diflFerent kinds of house-furniture, 
 namely, iron stoves, windows, copper vessels, beds: 
 finally, sundry articles of clothing, as well as pro- 
 visions of various descriptions. Accompanied with 
 the best wishes and prayers of the royal family and 
 court, as well as the rest of their friends, they went 
 onboard, April 10th. and set sail from Copenhagen, 
 the text of the Congregation on that day being 
 '• Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the 
 evidence of things not seen" Hebrew 11, 1 ., " We 
 view him whom no eye can see — With faiths keen 
 vision steadfastly." They had a speedy, and, (a few 
 storms excepted) an agreeable voyage, and arrived at 
 the commencement of May, in Davis' Strait; on the 
 6th. of that month, while enveloped in a thick mist. 
 
166 
 
 they encountered a quantity of floating iee, and their 
 danger seemed greatly augmented by a violent storm 
 the day following ; but that storm served to drive the 
 ice so far into the open sea, that they were rescued 
 from their perilous situation. On the 13th. they 
 came in sight of the land, but in the course of that 
 day, there arose a tremendous tempest of four days 
 continuance, preceded by a total eclipse of the sun, 
 and drove them back more than sixty leagues. May 
 20th. they cast anchor in Bals' River, after a voyage 
 of six weeks, the Daily word being : " The peace of 
 God,ivhich passeth all understanding, keep your hearts 
 and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4. 7. Keep thou, 
 O Lord, our minds, stayed upon thee, to thee resigned I 
 By this text they were in subsequent years, greatly 
 encouraged to continue their endeavours with 
 calm and confident perseverance, notwithstanding 
 all the dfficulties they met with , and the unpromising 
 prospect of the conversion of the heathen. Tliough 
 the face of the country, compared with that which 
 they had quitted, was most uninviting, inasmuch as 
 they beheld scarcely any thing but barren rocks, and 
 steep clifl"s covered with snow and ice, yet were they 
 rejoiced to be in that place which had so long been 
 the object of their wishes. The first sight of the 
 Greenlanders themselves, gave them much pleasure, 
 though they could not converse with them. Their 
 deplorable condition excited in them lively sensations 
 of pity, and they prayed the Lord, that he would 
 endow them with his grace, and grant them the 
 needful wisdom and power, to bring these ignorant 
 and savage heathen out of darkness to his marvellous 
 light. 
 
 Immediately on their landing they waited upon 
 Mr. Egede, to whom they delivered the letters of 
 
V©7 
 
 recommendation they had broug-ht with them. He 
 g-are tliem a very friendly reception, expressed his 
 good wishes in reference to their undertaking, and 
 promised to assist them in learning the laiiguag-e. 
 They next looked out for a spot proper for them to 
 build on, nearest to the habitable part of the coast. 
 There they kneeled down, and having consecrated 
 the place with prayer, immediately began to run up 
 a Greenland hut of stones intermixed with sods, in 
 which they might shelter themselves andtheir effects, 
 from rain and snow, till they could complete the 
 erection of a wooden house. 'I'he season that year 
 was early, and the snow had already disappeared even 
 more than what is generally the case in June : yet 
 the cold was still so severe that the sods frequently 
 froze in their hands. On the 6th of June, they had 
 so far finished their hut, that they could move into it 
 with thanks and praise unto the Lord, and pull down 
 the tent of boards which had hitherto been their 
 lodafing. Tlie intervening days, previous to the sail- 
 ing of the ship, they spent in writing letters, the 
 contents of which will give the best delineation of 
 the state of their minds at that time. Thus Matthew 
 Stach writes, dated June the 13th, as follows : — • 
 
 " Brethren and Sisters dearly beloved in Jesus, 
 trho is our life ! God who is rich in loving kindness 
 and tender mercy, has led us most graciously and 
 brought us to this country, glory be to his name ! 
 We have found what we were in search after, to wit, 
 heathen that know nothing of God, and have no other 
 care than how they may best succeed in catching a 
 number of seals, fishes, and rein-deer; on which 
 account they move from one place to the other, 
 wherever they think they can be most successful. 
 To this people we wish to point out that there is a 
 
168 
 
 God, that there is a Saviour, and a Holy Ghost ; 
 and yet ^^e do not know their language. We wish to 
 visit them ; and yet, we know not where they dwell ; 
 for they are sometimes here, and sometimes on the 
 islands, so that we cannot follow them. Their com- 
 prehension of things in general is so limited and 
 perverse, that it is impossible to make them under- 
 stand our meaning on any occasion by signs or ges- 
 tures expressive of it. This, dear Brethren and 
 Sisters, is our situation in Greenland ; we sometimes 
 wonder, whether such or similar, was the situation 
 of things when you began the building of flerrnhut. 
 No doubt you reccoilect how matters stood then. 
 Surely here that verse becomes applicable to us : 
 " And shouldest thou lose thy way, yet firm main- 
 tain thy confidence, even to the end !" Yea, truly 
 the way has not even as yet been opened to us here 
 in this place. Our text by which we must daily en- 
 courage each other is : " Stand siill, and see I he 
 salvation of the Lord ."" We seem now to be so- 
 journing in Mesech, and dwelling in the tents of 
 Kedar, and though for our own part we feel much 
 spiritual comfort, yet, as our object is exclusively, 
 to win souls for Christ, and that object still appears 
 unattainable, we are sometimes cast down. We hope 
 however that we shall not be induced, by any difficul- 
 ties to yield to discontent, but rather wait for the 
 salvation of the Lord. As soon as he shall be pleased 
 to go on before us, we will most readily follow him, 
 nor ever lose sight of him and his steps. When the 
 time of the heathen shall come, Greenland's darkness 
 will be turned into light, and hearts as cold as ice, 
 will be warmed, yea melted by the beams of the Sun 
 of Righteousness. Knowing that our way is upright 
 in the sight of the Lord, we feel undismayed, yea 
 
169 
 
 full of contidence. All men indeed look upon us as 
 fools, and those more especially who have been long- 
 est in this country, and are best acquainted with the 
 character of its inhabitants : we rejoice in the re- 
 proach cast upon us, fully assured that as soon as the 
 Lord will vouchsafe to appear, in behalf of this his 
 own work, his 8:lory will be seen more especially in 
 those parts where before every thing seemed in the 
 eyes of man to be the most repulsive and perverse. 
 We intend more and more to lay fast hold of these 
 cheering' considerations: and should our efiforts in 
 Greenland remain altogether fruitless, we will still 
 praise our Lord and Saviour, and ascribe glory to his 
 name ; were it even only for our being thereby ren- 
 dered more humble, and truly little and insignificant 
 in our own eyes. But he, our Jesus, whose heart is 
 filled with tenderness towards us, and the poor 
 heatlien, knows all our ways, yea he knew them 
 before we were born. We are willing to venture on 
 him our lives, and all we have! He has, by his 
 death, purcliased life for us, he has wrought out 
 reconciliation and salvation from sin; he liath ga- 
 thered unto himself a peculiar people, set apart to 
 shew forth his praises. Ye witnesses of the power 
 and grace of your Redeemer, who possess your vessel 
 in sanctification and honor before the Lord, press 
 forward with undaunted courage under the guidance 
 of the Captain of your Salvation, that you may not 
 be ashamed before him at his coming. For his eyes 
 are upon you, and his presence is with you, while 
 your activity in his cause is pleasing iu his sight. 
 You know him to be the ever faithful and merciful 
 God ! Therefore, dearly beloved Brethren and Sisters, 
 walk before him your Saviour in true simplicity, and 
 with filial fear. Let the incense of your prayers 
 P 
 
170 
 
 continually arise in the sanctuary. Let the letters 
 we expect *o receive from you in the ensuing year, 
 breathe the full fervor of love and faith, that they 
 may warm and cheer our hearts in this cold region. 
 Let every one that is under the constraining influ* 
 ence of the love of Christ, transmit to us, in this 
 manner, some of the warmth he feels : and may God 
 himself kindle more and more among you the fire of 
 his redeeming love! May the Lord Jesus bless 
 you all I 
 
 On the 9th of June, Matthew Stach sent the 
 following letter of encouragement to the Single Bre- 
 thren at Herrnhut : 
 
 " Mjiy Jesus of Nazareth the crucified Saviour, 
 reveal himself fully to your hearts, and sanctify you 
 wholly for himself. I call upon you, my Brethren, 
 from a country where his name is not yet known, and 
 where the sun of righteousness has not yet arisen. 
 How is it with you? for you dwell in the bright noon 
 day, the sun is risen upon you. Hath he warmed 
 your hearts, or are there some yet frozen? The 
 light enlightencth all : but whosoever has not yet 
 arisen to walk in that light, it were better for him to 
 have lived in Greenland, and never to have heard of 
 Jesus the Saviour of all men. For to know what is 
 good, and not to act accordingly, is a reproach to 
 the truth. Could Jesus, whose heart burns with 
 love for the salvation of men, suffer a soul that pants 
 after him, to seek for four or five or six years, with- 
 out manifesting himself to that soul? I cannot 
 believe it, for 1 have experienced the contrary. When 
 I sought him with all my powers, and when, my 
 powers being exhausted, my eyes still filled -with 
 tears, and my heart palpitated with desire : and 
 ■when my eyes could weep no more, and ray heart 
 
171 
 
 could palpitate no longer; — the friend of my soul 
 came, and healed the wound of my conscience. Nor 
 is this mere imagination, but a divine power which 
 fills the heart, and speaks the tempest to a calm : 
 but you, who have known the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and have been washed in his blood, let earth and all 
 its trifles go, that you may be more and more esta- 
 blished in grace. And as you have tasted that the 
 Lord is gracious, go in the strength of that meat, 
 and fight and conquer in the name of the Lord. I 
 am a fellow soldier of yours, enlisted under the ban- 
 ner of the Cross. To Christ will I live, to him will 
 I die, for nought but the name of my Saviour, who 
 lias delivered my soul from death, can give me any 
 pleasure. He has led me wonderfully and brought 
 me to Greenland, where he has granted me health 
 till this hour. Now, my Brethren, grow and flourish 
 in the blessed Congregation of the Lord, which he 
 has planted unto lumself as an ensign amongst the 
 nations; and which he intends to be a burning and 
 shining light in these last days. Ye are belonging to 
 a people hallowed unto the Lord, let therefoi-e the 
 grace which ye have received be manifest unto all, 
 and be not slothful: for the salvation is great, and 
 the harvest will be glorious, after we have gone forth 
 weeping, bearing much precious seed. I speak to 
 you who have felt the power of the Cross of Clnist, 
 who have crucified the flesh with its afi^ections and 
 lusts, and bear in your body the marks of the Lord 
 Jesus. Be vigilant Brethren, and animate one 
 another to go forth unto him without the camp, bear- 
 ing his reproach. Ye young men, rejoice not that 
 you have trampled the old sei-pent under foot, for he 
 may yet often bruise your heel : but rejoice that you 
 are hid in the clefts of everlasting lore. Take good 
 
172 
 
 lieed to the preservation of this your fortress, lest 
 it should bte treacherously delivered up to the enemy. 
 Let your loins be alvcays girded about, and your 
 lightn burning, and keep the watch of the Lord. 
 We also are determined to do this, for which reason 
 we have called our place New Herrnhut. Ye child- 
 ren, who have obtained grace, may you grow therein, 
 for the whole fulness of Christ is opened unto you. 
 So run that ye may obtain, and that your labour may 
 be rewarded. Amen. Remember your meanest Bro- 
 ther at all times in your prayers." 
 
 The foregoing letters show plainly, that the Bre- 
 thren, while anticipating difficulties, were full of 
 confidence in the help of the Lord. He did not put 
 their confidence to shame, though their faith was, 
 during the first five years, tried more severely than 
 either they or their Brethren could have foreseen. 
 
 Iheir proper dwelling-house, for which they 
 had brought materials from Copenhagen, being com- 
 pleted, their next anxious care was, to become 
 acquainted with the Greenlanders, and to learn their 
 lang-uage by holding intercourse with them, that they 
 might be able to preach to them the word of Salva- 
 tion. But just at that time, a Greenland Boy on liis 
 return from Copenhagen, had brought over with him 
 the small-pox, hitherto unknown in this country. 
 This disease spread like a pestilence among the peo- 
 ple, and raged from September, 173i{, to the middle 
 of the next year, in so dreadful a manner, that it 
 seemed to threaten the extirpation of the whole 
 nation, inasmuch, as between two and three thousand 
 peo)!le lost tiieir lives in consequence of it. In this 
 inexpressible distress, Mr. Egede was indefatigable 
 in visiting and comforting the sick, and the dying. 
 Sometimes he took th« Brethren with him. But in 
 
173 
 
 most i)iaccs they foiin3 the houses forsaken, and 
 dead bodies lying anburied, both within and without, 
 which tliey covered with stones. Mr. E^ede most 
 compassionately received as many of the sick, who 
 had fled to him, as his house would contain : and he 
 and his wife nursed them as well as possible, though 
 to tlie detriment of their own health. The Brethren 
 followed his example, and cared in the best manner 
 they could for the poor people, who had taken their 
 refuge to tliem, endeavouring at the same time to 
 administer spiritual advice, as far as they were ahle 
 to make them understand their meaning, by words 
 and signs. The whole country round New Hcrrnhut, 
 within a compass of several miles to the North and 
 South, being now almost entirely stripped of its in- 
 habitants, and shunned by those at a distance as a 
 nest of the plague : the Brethren had cause enough 
 to feel their courage damped. Add to this, they were 
 attacked and confined to their beds, by a scorbutic 
 disorder. They could, however, in turns, wait upon 
 one another, and Mr. Egede anrl his wife afforded 
 them the most friendly assistance. " Wet are now, " 
 (they write on this occasion,) " under a severe trial 
 of our faith, not being able to see a step of our way 
 clearly before us. Amongst the lieathen we have not 
 yet discovered the least trace of any thing that is 
 good, no, not so much as a sigh; yea, these poor 
 people find death where life was intended for them. 
 In whatever point of view we consider our own situ- 
 ation, we can discover nothing but misery within and 
 without. Without we do not even feel the corporeal 
 qualification which would enable us to continue in this 
 country : God alone can give us that : for we are 
 laboring under the oppressive effects of disease: 
 though we are inclined to believe that this will tend 
 
 p2 
 
174 
 
 to prepare our constitution for future service of the 
 Lord in this climate. We moreover acknowledge it 
 as a peculiar merey, that this disease has heen kept 
 from us till we moved into our dwelling-house. 
 
 Within, we have lost every thing that may be 
 considered as springing merely from good will or in- 
 clination : even the courage we formerly had to en- 
 gage in learning the language, is gone from us : 
 nothing, but what is the exclusive effect of grace is 
 yet left us. The Lord knows why he has placed on 
 this post, the weakest and most inexperienced of 
 all his people. But yet we are willing to continue in 
 this trying situation, which presents to our view, 
 nothing but apparent impossibilities, till Jesus him- 
 self shall vouchsafe to appear in our behalf, as the 
 helper of his poor servants. Our only care is this, 
 that we may please him: our hope, that God will 
 bring his children in safety through every perplexity 
 and danger : and our joy, that we are remembered by 
 many children of God in Europe, 
 
 During this state of uneasiness, they derived no 
 small encouragement from the intelligence brought 
 them by the first vessel from Copenhagen, in the 
 year 1734, that they might expect the arrivaLof two 
 Brethren, by the ship which would soon follow. 
 These were the Brethren Frederic Bohnish, and John 
 Beck, the former of whom had declared to the Congre- 
 gation, as early as the year 1731, his wish to go to 
 Greenland; andthe latter had felt the same impulse, at 
 the time when the first Missionaries set out for 
 tliat country. After a long and troublesome voyage, 
 during which, they had to suffer much, in con- 
 consequence of the mockery and abusive language 
 ■which they had to put up with from the crew, they 
 arrived August the 8th in safety at New Herrnhut, 
 
175 
 
 to the great joy of the Brethren there. V^erj' few 
 Greenlanders had as yet visited them : they there- 
 fore undertook by turns (partly alone, and partly 
 with Mr. Egede, or the trades-people) journeys of 
 a greater or smaller extent to the South and the 
 North, with a view to get acquainted with the Sa- 
 vages, and by degrees to" gain their confidence and 
 love, though this object could be more fully obtained 
 by their friendly behaviour and conduct, than by 
 words. In consequence of this, they now received 
 more frequent visits from the Greenlanders, who 
 however were more desirous to obtain small presents, 
 or articles of provision, than to hear the word of 
 God : indeed their hearts and ears seemed as yet 
 quite shut against the preaching of the Gospel. 
 
 Christian David now began to think seriously of 
 returning to Europe, having received no other com- 
 mission in reference to Greenland than merely to 
 accompany tlie Brethren thither, and to help them 
 at their first settling in that country. Nor had 
 Christian Stach considered his call from the beginning 
 as binding him to spend his whole life among the 
 Ileatiien. The remaining tliree Brethren Matthew 
 Stach, Frederic Bbhnish and John Beck, entered 
 on their part anew into a solemn obligation to con- 
 tinue the work of the Lord in his strength, with 
 prayer and firm confidence, though they should not 
 be favored to witness any success for many years yet 
 to come, being ready to sacrifice their lives for the 
 sake of the Heathen. On the 15th of March, 1735, 
 they solemnly agreed upon the observance of the 
 following points : 
 
 1 . We will never forget that we came hither in 
 reliance upon God our Saviour, in whom all the na- 
 tions of the earth shall be blessed; walking by faith, 
 and not by sight. 
 
176 
 
 2. The knowledge of Christ, as liaving washed 
 us from our sins in his own blood, and being made 
 the author of salvation to all that believe, shall be 
 the chief doctrine among; us, which we are to pro- 
 claim by word and by example, according to the 
 grace bestowed on us, and by which we will endea- 
 vour to bring the Heatheii to the obedience of the 
 faith. 
 
 3. ^Ye will with diligence continue the study of 
 the language in love, patience, and hope. 
 
 4. We will each acknowledge the grace bes- 
 towed upon the other, in honor preferring one ano- 
 ther, and being subject to each other in the fear of 
 the Lord. 
 
 .'). AVe will carefully maintain Brotherly dis- 
 cipline, admonition and correction according to the 
 rule of Christ, and withdraw from any one that 
 walketh not agreeably to the purity of the Gospel, 
 till he shall humble himself Ijefore Cod and the 
 Brethren. 
 
 (). We will perform our daily work in the name 
 of the liord Jesus, and should any one prove sloth- 
 ful in business we will remind him of his duty. 
 
 7. Yet Ave will not give way to anxious cares and 
 say : " What shall we eat, what shall we drink ?'' but 
 cast our care on him Avho feedeth the ravens and 
 clotheth the lilys of the field : not forgetting however 
 the words of the Lord : "in the sweat of thy brow 
 thou slialt eat thy bread." After having solemnly 
 bound themselves to the observance of these points 
 they had a blessed participation of the Holy Sacra- 
 ment together, by which their faith and love was 
 confirmed, and the bond of their union strengthened. 
 
 Soon after this event they had to go through 
 a new, and very severe and long-continued trial of 
 
177 
 
 their faith and patience. In the past year a gen- 
 tleman of rank and opulence, at the Danish Court, 
 had furnished them with the provisions they wanted, 
 but tills year they had been altogether forgotten. 
 From the Congregation at Herrnhut they had solicited 
 no help, neither did the Brethren there, know what 
 to provide for them, or how to transmit what might 
 be provided. They were in consequence reduced to 
 a state of utmost need. Their whole stock of pro- 
 lusions for the year consisted of a barrel and a half 
 of oatmeal, half a barrel of peas, and a very small 
 quantity of ship biscuits ; out of this pittance they 
 would have had to furnish Christian Darid with what 
 he migiit want for his voyage home ; had he not af- 
 terwards been allowed by the Captain to mess with 
 the sailors. 'Vhe Danish Colonists at Godhaab pitied 
 them in their distress, but could afford no help, 
 their provisions being also greatly reduced. To com- 
 plete their misfortune, they were not able to procure 
 much by fishing or hunting, on account of an unusual 
 scarcity of rein-deer, fishes, and birds. They were 
 ignorant as to the manner of catching seals, and the 
 Greenlanders, who found out that they were in dis- 
 tress, declined selling them any of those they caught, 
 except at a very high price. Frequently, when on an 
 excursion of three days duration, they could obtain 
 but half a seal, after using the most earnest in- 
 treaties ; and when that was consumed they were 
 necessitated to appease their hunger by sea- weed and 
 ihell-fish. At length, Providence so ordered it, 
 that a strange Greenlander, of the name of I ppegan, 
 arrived with them from a place at the distance of 
 thirty leagues towards the South, who offered to sell 
 them from time to time as much of his stuck of pro- 
 visions as he himself could spare, llie Brethren 
 
178 
 
 now accustomed themselves to eat seals' flesh, and 
 and prepa^-ed their scanty supply of oatmeal with train* 
 oil. But the distress was still farther increased, 
 when Tppegan himself began to stay away for a 
 length of time, and at last returned no more to 
 them : then the Brethren were forced by the cravings 
 of hunger, to venture out upon the foaming bil- 
 lows in an old and leaky boat, to the distance of 
 several miles from the siiore. Once they were 
 driven by a tempestuous sea upon an island, 
 where they had to remain for four days exposed 
 in their wet clothes to the intense cold. At ano- 
 ther time in the month of November, having spent 
 all their strength in rowing against wind and tide, they 
 were obliged to remain for a whole night on a desart 
 coast, where they endeavoured to satisfy their hun- 
 ger with a small portion of seals' flesh, given them 
 by a Greenlander at one of their feasts ; and having 
 in vain sought to find some rest in a hole they had 
 dug in the snow, they were compelled to keep them- 
 selves warm by the exercise of running. During 
 these heavy trials, they were exposed to the ridicule 
 and contempt of the Greenlanders : but their confi- 
 dence in the help of the Lord was not shaken. " We 
 commit our ways to the Lord," such is their decla- 
 ration in their journal, " We know not indeed what 
 he intends to do with us, and are sensible that still 
 further trials await us; but we firmly believe that the 
 issue will be glorious. For when he has proved us 
 sufficiently, so as to give us a full opportunity to 
 shew that we wish to remain faithful to him, and to 
 the call he has given us, he will grant us to see his 
 glory !"' 
 
 According to their faith it was done unto them, 
 for they experienced the most unexpected help at 
 
179 
 
 those very seasons when their distress had become 
 extreme. The Brethren had transmitted by Christian 
 David, a letter coutaining a request, which he pow- 
 erfully supported by word of mouth, namely that 
 some Sisters miglit be sent them to manage their 
 domestic concerns, in order that they themselves 
 might more uninterruptedly attend to their proper 
 calling. In consequence of this request, in the year 
 1736, The Widow Sister Stach (Matthew's mother,) 
 and her two Daughters, Uosina, aged 22, and Anna 
 aged 12 years of age, accompanied by Brother 
 George Wiesner, were dispatched from Herrnhut to 
 their assistance, and arrived July the 7th. (In the 
 sequel Rosin a was joined in holy matrimony with 
 Brother John Beck, and some years after Anna mar- 
 ried Brother Frederic Bbhnisii.) The Reverend 
 Mr. Egede, that most worthy man, whose bodily and 
 mental faculties had been much impaired by his fif- 
 teen year's hard and apparently unproductive labor 
 in that country, returned by the same vessel to Co- 
 penhagen, to enjoy the rest he so much needed and 
 deserved. Christian Stach accompanied him, with 
 a view to give to the Congregation at Herrnhut a 
 circumstantial account of the state of the Mission. 
 
 The arrival of fresh assistants, and the letters 
 they had received by them, tended not a little to 
 encourage our Missionaries; but scarcely half the 
 quantity of the necessary provisions having been sent 
 them by that vessel, their wants as well as their 
 labors, were increased, in consequence of the in- 
 crease of their family. The JiOrd, however, afforded 
 them seasonable help, according to their need : and 
 the vessel on board of which Christian Stach re- 
 turned to them, July 6th. 1737, brought them at 
 List a sufficient stock of provisions. 
 
180 
 
 Hitherto they had not seen the smallest effect 
 from their arduous endeavoiirs, to communicate to 
 the Greenlanders, the truths of the Holy Scriptures. 
 Those who came from a distance were stupid, igno- 
 rant, and listless : and the little that could be said to 
 them, during their short visits, left no abiding im- 
 pression. Those who resided at Baal's River, and 
 had been instructed for a number of years, seemed, 
 for the most part, to have grown worse by the ad- 
 vantages they had enjoyed. They were tired of hear- 
 ing, yea, disgusted with what they heard, and ap- 
 peared quite hardened. The Missionaries did not 
 remit their endeavours to overcome these formidable 
 obstacles, nor did they cease to pray fervently, that 
 the powerful efficacy of the grace of our Redeemer, 
 might be experienced by these poor people : and this 
 fervent prayer was heard and answered, when in the 
 year 1738, the first Greenlander was awakened by 
 the preaching of Jesus' sufferings. They give the 
 narrative of this pleasing event. " On the 2nd. of 
 June, many of the Natives of the South passing by 
 our dwelling, visited us. John Beck was just then 
 employed in making a fair copy of part of a transla- 
 tion of the Evangelists. The lieathen wished to know 
 what were the contents of that book. He read part 
 of it to them, and took the opportunity to enter into 
 conversation with them. Having put the question, 
 whether they had an immortal soul ? They replied : 
 yes. He further asked whither their souls would go, 
 when their bodies must die ? Some said, up above, 
 others, down below. After setting them to rights, 
 he enquired : who had made heaven and earth, man- 
 kind, and every thing visible ? Their answer was, 
 that they did not know, nor had ever heard : but 
 supposed it must be some mighty and opulent Lord. 
 
181 
 
 He then related to them, how God had created all 
 things good, and man in particular; and hofv man 
 had rebelled against him through disohedience, and 
 thereby plunged himself into extreme misery and per- 
 dition : but, added he, God had pity upon him, and 
 was manifested in the flesh to redeem man by suffer- 
 ing and dying. In Him, said he, we must believe, 
 if we wish to be saved. The Holy Ghost on this 
 occasion, prompted this Brother impressively to de- 
 scribe the sufferings and death of Jesus. He exhorted 
 them with great energy, to consider well, how much 
 it cost our Saviour to redeem us : and to give up 
 their hearts to Him, as his reward, so dearly gained 
 by all that he suffered, and especially by the travail 
 of his soul, which caused his sweat to be as it were 
 great drops of blood, falling down to the ground. 
 He then read to them the history of our Saviour's 
 sufferings on the Mount of Olives. It was then that 
 the Lord opened the heart of one of these Savages, 
 called Kajarnak ; who stepped up to the table, and 
 said with a loud voice that trembled with emotion : 
 How was that ? tell me that once more, for I would 
 fain to be saved too. These words, says the mis- 
 sionary, which I had never heard from any Green- 
 lander before, pierced my very soul, and affected me 
 so much, that with tears in my eyes, I related to 
 them the whole history of the sufferings of Christ, 
 and the counsel of God for our salvation. Meanwhile 
 the other Brethren returned home from their occu- 
 pations, and entered full of joy, into a still farther 
 explanation of the doctrines of the Gosi)el. Some of 
 the Savages laid their hands upon their mouths, as is 
 their custom when much surprised at any thing they 
 hear: others, who had not relish for tiie subject 
 sneaked away; but some desired that we would teach 
 U 
 
18-2 
 
 them also how to pray : and^ when we did so, they 
 rejieated dur words several times, lest they should 
 forget them. In short, there was such an emotion 
 amongst them, as 'we had never seen before. At 
 taking leave, they promised soon to repeat their visit, 
 hccause they wislied to hear more of tliis matter, and 
 t^ tell it also to their r.rfjuaintance. The 18th, we 
 were aicain visited by many natives of the South, of 
 whom, however, hut few seemed inclined to listen to 
 the preaching of the (iospel; hut it is evident that 
 on Knjarnak's mind, sisch an impression has been 
 made, as vill not easily be erased : for he is always 
 engaged in meditating ujicn some portion of Scripture, 
 or some ejaculatory prayer he has heard from us, and 
 he has declared to iis that he often feels an inward 
 imj)ulse to pray. Since that time he has repeated 
 bis visits to «s nsore frequently, and at last taken up 
 his abode with us. At our cenversation« with him, 
 he is fretpiently moved even to tears. He is an extra- 
 ordinary man ; and when we compare his character 
 Avith that of the other Greenlanders, who can com- 
 prehend nothing but what is daily repeated to tlicm, 
 we are astonished at him, for when he has heard a 
 thing, perhaps but tw ice, he comprehends and retains 
 it in ills mind : moreover, he manifests great love to 
 us, and an earnest desire to receive still further in- 
 struction ; and, when we converse with him, he 
 seems to catch every v^ ord with the utmost eagerneSxS. 
 O dear Brethren, how many agreeable hours we are 
 now favored to spend after such severe trials, when 
 engaged with him in conversation or prayer. Help 
 us to intreat the Lord that be would send his trutli 
 and light among th.e whole nation, give them ears to 
 liear, and hearts to understand the word of salvation : 
 that be would hasten his ■n crk of grace in the heart 
 
183 
 
 of tills firstling, so that according to our hope and 
 expectation, you and we may soon behold his Glory 
 in Greenland, of which we iiave even now a pleasing 
 anticipation. His name be praised for the little we 
 hare already seen ; and for his ha ing gracio'isly 
 granted us the favor to obtain, in some small mea- 
 sure, the end of our faith, after five years spent in 
 lioping against hope." The work of conversion be- 
 came more and more perceptible in Kajarnak, and his 
 family : on which account the Brethren began to give 
 him and his wife', and son, and daughter, the neces- 
 sary instruction in the fundamental truths of the 
 Christian Religion, preparatory to their being bap- 
 tized : and March the 29th, 1739, being Easter 
 Sunday, that sacrament was administered to all these 
 persons, by Brother Matthew Stach. Having, before 
 the whole Congregation, answered the questions of 
 the missionary, relative to the reason of the hope that 
 was in them, and promised solemnly to forsake all 
 heathenish customs, to continue residing with their 
 teachers, and to walk worthy of the Gospel : the four 
 firstlings of the Greenland Nation, were dedicated in 
 a fervent prayer, and with imposition of hands, to 
 their only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and incpr- 
 porated with the Christian Church, in the name of 
 the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
 During this sacred transaction, which was accompa- 
 nied with a powerful feeling of the peace of God, 
 great emotion of heart manifested itself among all 
 those who were present. 
 
VIII. 
 
 Powetful experience in the Unity of the 
 Brethren, that Jesus is the Chief Shep- 
 herd and Head of the Church. 
 
 For SEPT. 16, and NOV. 13. 
 
 The unwearied and unremitting exertions of 
 Count Zinzendorf to bring about an union among the 
 members of the Congregation at Herrnhut, separated 
 and divided by difference of opinions and various er- 
 roneous views — had, by the grace of God, been 
 crowned with such success in the year 1727, that 
 all unanimously resolved to bury in oblivion those 
 religious controversies, which had hitherto exclu- 
 sively engaged their attention. They declared their 
 readiness to subscribe to the Statutes which were 
 laid before them on the 1 2th of May, and by which 
 they became united in one body both as to doctrine 
 and practice. This solemn brotherly agreement ne- 
 cessarily required the adoption of a constitution 
 conformable to its import. On that account the re- 
 solution was taken to choose, after the example 
 of the ancient Church of the Brethren, twelve per- 
 sons, who were to watch, as Elders, over the ob- 
 servance of those rules and orders which all had 
 solemnly pledged themselves to obey. Before the 
 election of these Elders was taken in hand, it was 
 notified to the Congregation that no particular respect 
 was to be had to persons of learning or rank ; but 
 that the preference ought rather to be given to such, 
 who, though of the common class, possessed the 
 confidence of most of the inhabitants of the place. 
 No Elder was to feel personal animosity against any 
 
185 
 
 one ; nor ought there to be any well-grounded pre- 
 judices agfainst any one who was to fill the ofl5ce of 
 Elder. For the whole Congregation and all its mem- 
 bers should be able to esteem, to love and to obey 
 those that were chosen for that office. The election 
 then took j)!ace in the name of God, and it -was 
 looked upon as the incumbency of these twelve Elders 
 that they should consider among themselves what 
 might further tend to the welfare of the Congrega- 
 tion, and communicate the result of their delibera- 
 tions to the same. On May the 20th, four chief 
 Elders were selected from among the twelve, and in 
 this selection the use of the lot was employed, agree- 
 ably to the manner of proceeding usual in the ancient 
 Church of the Brethren. I he first lot fell upon Chris- 
 tian David, the second upon George Nitschmann, the 
 third upon Christopher Hofmann, the fourth upon 
 Melchior Nitschmann, then only 25 years of age. 
 The last mentioned Brother is worthy of notice. 
 While yet in his own country, he had been very ac- 
 tive as a young, cheerful and blessed witness of Je- 
 sus in ])romoting that general and great awakening 
 which took place in the years 1723 and 1724, and 
 having on that account been cast into prison he there 
 endured great sufiFerings with unshaken constancy. 
 Having been released from imprisonment, he left his 
 country and arrived Dec. 24, 1724, with the rest of 
 his oppressed Brethren who had found an asylum at 
 Herrnhut, in which place he fixed his residence and 
 in retirement earned his livelihood as a journeyman 
 weaver. When in 1 727 the Congregation at Herrn- 
 hut took in hand the choice of its Elders, and when 
 (as above mentioned) four of the twelve were to be 
 appointed by lot as chief ; Melchior itschmann's 
 Djime had been left out, because of his youth. But 
 
 a2 
 
186 
 
 his name having nevertheless, been put in with the 
 rest, without the knowledge of anyone ; when the 
 boy, who drew the lots, read it to the astonishment 
 of the whole Congregation, as the name of one of 
 the four who were appointed Chief Elders ; he him- 
 self, on hearing it read, showed no signs of surprize, 
 uneasiness or joy, but simply said, that he could not 
 comprehend wiiy he should thus be chosen, unless 
 it were that God was desirous to have a very poor 
 and altogether incompetent servant. The Congre- 
 gation, to whom he was well known, not only raised 
 no objections against his election, but even rejoiced 
 at it, considering it as a special interference of Di- 
 vine Providence, and from the time of his being 
 chosen to fill the Elder's office, they honored and 
 obeyed him as their spiritual father, set over them 
 by the Lord himself. In the execution of his official 
 duties, every thing he did, prospered, through the 
 blessing of the Lord resting, in an eminent degree, 
 upon his labors. It was his daily employment, to 
 reconcile those, who had been at variance, to re- 
 claim the erring, to obviate dissentions, to rouse and 
 alarm the careless, to produce godly sorrow in the 
 hearts of those who were inclined to levity, to 
 comfort the penitent, to promote the growth in grace 
 of all, to love the Brethren and to devote his life to 
 their service. His prayers were marked with no 
 common fervor, and when he entered into his closet 
 to cry to Him, who seeth in secret, his heart was 
 generally so full, that he scarcely knew how to cease 
 making known to Him all his requests by prayer 
 and supplication. He was diligent at his trade, and 
 submissive in his conduct towards his master, but 
 far from being skilful or expert in things relating to 
 business : he was however possessed of a very pene- 
 
187 
 
 trating and clear understanding, which, with great 
 modesty, he knew how to make the best use of on 
 all occasions. In his conduct he was free and open, 
 without levity, humble and meek, without meanness, 
 compassionate without effeminancy, affectionate with- 
 out trifling, modest without affectation, expeditious 
 without over-hurrying himself, poor without sloth, 
 simple without stupidity, rich in much knowledge 
 without pedantry; in short, as the Lord was in this 
 world, so he earnestly desired to be. The above 
 testimony is given him by Count Zinzendorf, with 
 whom he had formed a most intimate friendship : and 
 though he felt and valued the special attention the 
 Count bestowed on him, and did not fail to show 
 that he was truly sensible of it; yet did not this 
 preference given him, fill his mind with pride or self- 
 complacency, but he loved and esteemed every one 
 of his Brethren, and would often say, that his heart 
 leaped in him for joy as often as he saw at a distance 
 any one who belonged to Christ and his flock. At 
 tlie commencement of the year 1728, he determined 
 to undertake a journey to Salzburg, in company with 
 his friend Geo. Schmidt, a genuine and faithful Ser-^ 
 vant of the liOrd, with a view to cheer the awakened 
 there with the special consolations of the Gospel. It 
 was to be feared that the fatigues of such a journey 
 would be too much for him to bear, especially since 
 he was labouring under the effects of a pbthisieal dis- 
 ease, brought on by the cruel treatment he had ex- 
 perienced during his imprisonment — there was also 
 reason to apprehend that he might fall into the hands 
 of bis enemies, while on his journey; in consequence 
 of which the Count, the Elders, and all his friends 
 earnestly endeavoured to dissuade him from executing 
 his purpose. But he remained immoveable, and re- 
 
188 
 
 peatedly declared, that he knew he was acting; agree* 
 ably to the Lord's will. In a farewell letter addressed 
 to the Congregation, he lays open his thoughts in 
 the following manner, — " Peace be with you all, my 
 dear and most highly esteemed Brethren ! most of 
 you know the cause of my not appearing personally 
 in your assembly, which is none other than my 
 bodily indiposition, which prevents my having that 
 pleasure. Yet, God be praised, my health is rather 
 improving, meanwhile I can assure you that I do not 
 fail to join your spiritual fellowship witli prayer and 
 supplication, and wish that this day may be attended 
 with an abiding blessing for every one of you. O 
 might there be none amongst you who does not sur- 
 render himself to God as a living sacrifice, and might 
 «very one cast down his crown before the t^irone of 
 the Lamb, determined not to know any thing save 
 Jesus, and him crucified. May the faithful high 
 Priest Jesus Christ, consume by the fire of his love, 
 whatever is yet displeasing to him, may he take away 
 all self from us, and root out every thing which 
 might injure our souls, and prevent our proceeding 
 in the path of peace, or draw our eyes from the mark 
 set before us. May the Lord grant the full accom- 
 plishment of this work and petition both in me and 
 you, to the praise of the glory of his grace. I 
 could have wished to tell you by word of mouth, at 
 your present solemn assembly this day, what induces 
 us to undertake this journey, so that you would your- 
 selves be able to judge that our motives are not im- 
 proper or superficial: but being prevented from 
 appearing in your midst, I have been obliged to put 
 down my thoughts in writing, in doing which I shall 
 not only e-xpress my own sentiments, but also those 
 of that dear Brother who is going to accompany me. 
 
189 
 
 Our reasons are these — first, because we can humbly 
 say, that we have obtained mercy notwithstanding our 
 great uuworthiness ; and that our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 has ordained us that we should go, and bring forth 
 fruit; and since he himself declares, that a branch 
 which bearetli not fruit, is cut down, it is our im- 
 portant concern to beware lest this should be our 
 case, seeing we have obtained mercy. Secondly, 
 we feel an inward conviction and assurance, of our 
 heart before God, that we are doing the Lord's will, 
 and this conviction and assurance we have received 
 after long and fervent prayer and supplication to 
 God. The third reason is : having notwithstanding 
 all this found ourselves still altogether unworthy of 
 taking his cause in hand, we do not so much aim at 
 awakening and edifying others (which is indeed the 
 work of God alone,) as rather at receiving an abiding 
 blessing for our own soul : for we have that full con- 
 fidence, that our journey will redound to our spiritual 
 advantage, though we anticipate many crosses and 
 trials, which, had we conferred with flesh and blood, 
 would have been strong inducements for us to remain 
 at Herrnhut ; but through the grace of God, we fear 
 none of those things which may come upon us. Let 
 the issue be what it may, we know that we can do all 
 things, through him that strengtheneth us, even 
 Christ. Is not a follower of Christ called to deny 
 himself? Yea, not only so, is not he to be found 
 willing to lay down his life for Christ's sake ? We 
 can assure you dear Brethren, that should even bonds 
 and imprisonment await us, we know that we sliall 
 be enabled through the strength of the Lord, to re- 
 main firm unto the end, so that you will have no 
 cause to be grieved on our account, or to fear that 
 reproach should be brought upon the cause of God. 
 
190 
 
 Such confidence have we towards God, through 
 Christ, not as if we were able ourselves to do any 
 thing-, by no means, but our sufficiency is and must 
 ever be of God, Having- thus briefly laid before you 
 dear Biethren our thoughts and views, and thereby 
 enabled j ou to discover that we ha* e no other aim 
 but the extension of the kingdom of Christ, and the 
 salvation of sinners ; we entreat you to think of us 
 in love and to remember us in your ])rayers, espe- 
 cially as our journey is of such a nature, that, as 
 you well know, it is probable we may see each other's 
 face no more : though I have as yet not positive con- 
 viction as to that point, which is known only to God : 
 but our minds are prepared and made up in this res- 
 pect also. Above all, dear Brethren and Sisters, we 
 beseech you to forgive us, even as Christ also for- 
 gave you, if we have at any time, or any way, offended 
 or grieved you by our behaviour, while among you. 
 Should you expect from us (and more especially from 
 me the poorest of the poor a declaration of our 
 present feelings, I must confess to you, that I 
 am deeply conscious that I have not acted up to the 
 full import of the duty of brotherly love, in exercising 
 towards you, forbearance, long suffering, kindness, 
 and readiness to serve you, both by day and night, 
 even as Christ has «et me the example in his holy 
 life on earth ; and thus I may have given offence to 
 one or another among you, forgive me, I entreat 
 you, my trespasses, and permit me to assure you, 
 that I have always felt the liveliest interest in your 
 welfare, and have endeavoured to act accordingly. 
 When I search my heart with care, I can come to no 
 other conclusion of this self-examination, than an 
 open and full confession, that I am truly the meanest 
 of all those that belong to the family of God, the 
 
191 
 
 most unworthy, and the poorest of all the members 
 of Christ's body. I do not say these things to make 
 a show of my humiiity — God forbid ! I know full 
 well that diabolical spirit, which would humble itself 
 to feed its own pride, by the display of humility — 
 but I do say these things as out of the abundance of 
 my heart, which is deeply impressed with the con- 
 viction, that these things are so. Yet 1 know, most 
 assuredly, that I am a member, though a very weak 
 one, of the body of Christ ; and my whole mind is 
 bent, through his enabling grace, to do that where- 
 unto he has appointed me. Thus dear Brethren, in 
 the feeling of my weakness and unwortliiness, but no 
 less with the conviction that his strength will be 
 made perfect in my weakness, to the glory of his 
 Name — I shall commence my journey. May our 
 heavenly Father cause us to grow in the saving know- 
 ledge of his will, that we may be followers of God, 
 as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also 
 hath loved us! These things have I written under 
 the influence of a heartfelt wish and desire to be pre- 
 sent with j'ou on this day of your assembling your- 
 selves together, in the name of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. 
 Herrnhil, 
 
 April '2,\st, 1728. Melcfiior Nitschmann." 
 
 On the 27th (lay of the same month, the two 
 Brethren set out on their journey, and with a view 
 to visit the Bohemian Brethren in the district of 
 Lititz, they took their rout through Bohemia. 
 
 Having crossed the fioatiers of Moravia, and 
 arrived at the village of Friese, M-elchior Nitschmann 
 delivered to the awakened there, agreeably to their 
 
192 
 
 earnest jrequest, a most powerful discourse from 
 John 3, upon the necessity, nature, and effect of 
 the New Birth, Their abode in that village soon 
 became known to the Catholic clergyman at Schild- 
 berg: in consequence of which enquires after them 
 were made at every house, and having been dis- 
 covered, they, with thirty others who had kept com- 
 pany with them, were sent to prison; first to Eisen- 
 berg, and subsequently at Schildberg. As soon as 
 intelligence of this event had reached Herrnhut, 
 Count Zinzendorf used all his influence both with the 
 Imperial District-court at Ollmitz, and with Prince 
 de Lichtenstein, the proprietor of the domaia of 
 Eisenberg, to procure their liberation — but to no 
 purpose. At the beginning of their imprisonment, 
 they had an opportunity, even in their bonds, to tes- 
 tify of Christ, and Melchior Nitschmann's testimony 
 concerning the reason of the hope that was in him, 
 was so bold and powerful, that his enemies them- 
 selves were astonished at it, and unprejudiced minds, 
 among whom were some of the Clergy, were moved 
 even to tears. He finished his course in jail, Feb. 
 27, 1 729, as a faithful witness of the truth, and his 
 remains were deposited in tlie place assigned for the 
 burial of heretics and malefactors. His companion, 
 G. Schmidt, was not set at liberty till six years after. 
 Count Zinzendorf inserted the following memoran- 
 dum in his Diary, April 14th, 1729. " This day 
 we received the intelligence that our most beloved 
 Brother, Rlelchior Nitschman, had fallen asleep in 
 Jesus. To me this afflictive event afforded an oppor- 
 tunity to examine the ground of my hope, for I feel 
 as if one-half of my heart was taken from me, having 
 lost this dear friend of mine." As early the year 
 1728, the Brethren had felt themselves induced to 
 
193 
 
 lake into consideration a new choice of persons to 
 fill the Elder's office. During the absence of Count 
 Zinzendorf , several people, and among them the Rev. 
 Mr. Rothe, endeavoured to persuade the Brethren at 
 Herrnhut to drop the name of Bohemian and Mora- 
 vian Brethren, and to call themselves Lutherans. By 
 doing this, it was urged, they would avoid many dif- 
 ficulties, and escape from the machinations of their 
 persecutors, they would moreover gain universal love, 
 and be enabled to do much good. These represen- 
 tations gained the approbation of some Brethren, and 
 especially of Christian David, who were now anxious 
 to bring the whole Congregation over to their way of 
 thinking. The Count, who was at that time on a 
 visit at Jena, where a great awakening had taken 
 place among the Professors and Students at the Uni- 
 versity, was not a little alarmed at the intelligence 
 he received of these discussions tending anew to 
 interrupt and destroy the peace and the rest of the. 
 Congregation. He foresaw that the consequence of 
 the proposed alterations, which evidently sprung 
 from tiie fear of man, and a desire to please man, 
 could be none other than the total separation of a 
 great part of the Moravian Brethren from the Lu- 
 theran Church. On that account both he and those 
 of the Moravi^in Brethren who were with liim, pro- 
 tested in their own, as well as in the name of the 
 absent Elders, against all such innovations; and he 
 hastened to return to Herrnhut, where he again suc- 
 ceeded in his earnest endeavours to settle and obviate 
 these new dissentions and errors. October 17th, 
 feeling a particular impulse in his mind, he held, in 
 the name of Jesus, a most solemn discourse on the 
 Hymn: " O Lord afford me light, I'm straying still 
 in darkness" — elucidating his weighty subject still 
 R 
 
194 
 
 more fully, by reference to the Words of the Apostle, 
 Gal. 5, 9, 10. " A little leaven leaveneth the whole 
 lump. I have confidence in you, through the Lord, 
 that ye will be none otherwise minded : but he that 
 troubleth you, shall bear his judgment, whosoever 
 he be." The consequence of this discourse was a 
 resolution unanimously taken, to retain the name of 
 Brethrenand theformer constitutioij. Christian David, 
 who now saw and acknowledged liis error, was prevail- 
 ed on to lay down his Elder's office : and on the 1 8th of 
 October, the choice of new chief Elders, to fill the 
 place of the former, was taken in hand — when Mar- 
 tin Dober, David Nitschmann, the carpenter, David 
 Nitschmann, the shoe-maker, and Hans Nitschmanu 
 were chosen for that purpose ; but the two latter 
 resigning their office Sept. 26th the following year, 
 Martin Rohleder and Augustin Neisser were ap- 
 pointed by lot to be their successors. At the begin- 
 ning of tbe year 1 730 it was again thought advisable 
 to alter the plan lutHerlto pursued, in regard to the 
 offices connected with the care of the Congregation 
 and its divisions. For several of those who were 
 now filling these offices, began to feel conscientious 
 scruples, lest they themselves should suffer harm in 
 their souls, in consequence of the high regai'd 
 which was paid them in their official character, and 
 which tliey feared was carried rather too far. The 
 Count himself was the first who solemnly laid 
 down, March 15th his office as Warden, declaring 
 on that occasion his determination totally to abolish 
 that guardianship of the Congregation at Herrnhut, 
 which had hitherto been vested in him, and had been 
 considered as needful on account of circumstances of 
 external distress ; adding that he wished to commit 
 the care and keeping of the Congregation entirely to 
 
195 
 
 God and the bridegroom of his Church the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. As to himself lie desired to be and 
 remain only a sharer of the joy or grief of this 
 chosen people of God ; to support its cause and in- 
 stitutions with his personal property and influence, 
 if persecutions should arise — but, as to the rest, 
 he would with his whole heart be obedient to the 
 Congregation and its Elders. In the declaration he 
 drew up on that occasion, he expresses himself thus : 
 *' If the Congregation stand in need of a patron, 
 such as other Congregations are favored to have. I 
 have the first right to be considered as such — but the 
 Holy Ghost himself must point out him, who is to 
 be made Overseer, or Bishop to feed the Church of 
 God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 
 Yet Christ himself alone remains the immediate 
 Shepherd and Bishop of souls — if any one wishes to 
 depose Him — let him make the attempt — if any 
 should feel inclined to show a stubborn, refractory, 
 or rebellious spirit under his government, let him 
 venture at his peril to do it ; if any seek to disturb 
 and persecute us while under his inspection, let him 
 be aware of what it is to persecute Him, and to dis- 
 turb His rest. To yoti to whom it is given to know 
 the mysteries of the kingdom of Christ, I declare 
 — that I am not your Warden or Guardian, it is 
 Christ himself. Amen.'' The example given by the 
 Count produced the effect, that all the Elders suc- 
 cessively laid down their oflSce in the presence of the 
 Congregation. Augustin Neisser alone was con- 
 firmed in his appointment, and Christian David (at 
 that time absent in Livonia) and Martin Jiinner, (a 
 journeyman baker, aged 27 years) were chosen by 
 plurality of votes to fill with him the ofl&ce of Chief 
 Elders of the Congregation. At the time when 
 
196 
 
 Martin Linner aud Augustin Neisser were solemnly 
 introduced to the Congregation as their Elders, the 
 following questions were put to them : 
 
 Do you know that the first Elders of the Bre- 
 thren suflFered martyrdom at the stake, for the sake 
 of Jesus Christ? 
 
 Do you know that three hundred years after the 
 martyrdom of John Huss — to wit, in the year 1715, 
 the Lord himself held a Jubilee in Moravia, and 
 quickened Augustin Neisser to spiritual life ? 
 
 Do you know that the building of Herrnhut was 
 begun in the year 1722, that is to say, exactly a cen- 
 tury after the destruction of the Moravian Church 
 establishment? 
 
 Do you know that all the members of the Con- 
 gregation are the descendants of martyrs ; and that 
 its orders, and the grace conferred on the same, must 
 assuredly continue inviolable ; the more so as ihese" 
 blessings were enjoyed more than sixty years pre- 
 yious to the reformation, and that therefore, rather 
 than to deprive the Congregation of these privileges, 
 all persecutions should be submitted to? 
 
 Do you know, that what has been above advan- 
 ced does not yet fully delineate the character of this 
 people, and its true and peculiar jewel; but that all 
 may be comprized iji this, that they have received a 
 Name, which no man knowetb, saving he that re- 
 ceiveth it? 
 
 Are you ready to lay down your life, in boldly 
 confessing that Christ alone is our Head and King? 
 
 Will you make it a constant object of your pray- 
 ers to be kept humble in that high station you are 
 called to fill ; will you remain subject to the Congre- 
 gation, and, while you counsel, direct^and rule 
 
197 
 
 others, will you do it in meekness, and rejoice, though 
 you yourselves should decrease, if but Christ increase 
 more and more ? 
 
 Will you seek to promote in all, the knowledge 
 of Christ, of his blood and merit; and that sanctifi- 
 cation of soul and body, which flows from such know- 
 ledge ; and will you ground all your instructions, 
 admonitions and decisions, upon this only foundation? 
 Will you follow the Congregation every where, into 
 persecution and exile ; yea, into death itself? Tliese 
 questions were answered by them in the aflBrmative, 
 with great emotion of their hearts : and the day fol- 
 lowing, they received the hearty and benedictory con- 
 gratulations of all, at their entering upon their office. 
 Christian David felt himself induced to lay down his 
 Elder's office on the 24th of December, that same 
 year : for he was conscious that he was not altogether 
 qualified to discharge its functions. For the Congre- 
 gation did not deem it needful that tlie Elders should 
 be much concerned in the transaction of external af- 
 fairs : and they were therefore excused from attending 
 to many things of that description. Their special 
 incumbency was to bear the Congregation in general, 
 and its individual members upon tiieir hearts, and to 
 accompany with their prayer and blessing, the activity 
 of the other servants and handmaids of the Congre- 
 gation. It was theirs to advise, to pray, and to give 
 the final decision in cases of importance, when sub- 
 mitted to their judgement. Wlien the other Bretliren 
 and Sisters officially engaged had consulted together 
 concerning any matters connected with their respec- 
 tive stations, these matters were by them clearly laid 
 before the Elders ; nor was there any thing consider- 
 ed as decisively settled, till the latter had given their 
 full approbation to the resolutions previously takeo 
 r2 
 
198 
 
 by the former. Martin Linner was at that time con- 
 sidered as- the Chief Elder, and Aug^ustin Neisser as 
 an assistant, or Vice-Elder, who occasionally might 
 supply his place. Every month, one of the four 
 Helpers was in his turn appointed to act as Co-Elder, 
 witlr a view to enable the Chief Elders to keep up 
 their connection with the Helpers employed in various 
 offices. Martin Linner was born at Schoenau, in 
 Moravia, and had been led to the knowledgfe of the 
 truth while yet residing- in that country. Soon after 
 his arrival at Herrnhut, in 1 728, he distinguished 
 himself by his ardent love to Jesus, of which he gave 
 full proofs, by a fixed determination to deny himself, 
 taking up his cross and following the example of his 
 divine Master; and by an unwearied desire to lead 
 others to that saving knowledge, which teaches us 
 how to live righteously, soberly and godly in this 
 present evil world. He was, on that account, highly 
 esteemed by the whole Congiegatioii, and having that 
 testimony of all who knew him, that he exemplified 
 in his life and conversation, in a striking manner, 
 the power of the grace of (Jod, he obtained the ma- 
 jerity of votes, when in the year 1730, the EIBers 
 office was to be filled anew. He was a great advocate 
 for using gentle and affectionate means in the treat- 
 ment of the souls committed to the care of others ; 
 and as he could not but consider the Count's way of 
 dealing with erring or defective minds, as too harsh 
 and hasty in many respects, he stated his thoughts 
 on this subject unreservedly, in a letter addressed to 
 him, in which he expresses himself thus. " It is the 
 sincere wish of my heart, that love and zeal may 
 never be separated from each other in your soul, but 
 rather remain continually and closely joined. The 
 trying of the spirits uiilegs tempered by love, maybe 
 
199 
 
 carried too far. Should a brother, who has acquired 
 a discerning eye, by much experience, be led into an 
 error, and on that account be treated with severity, 
 unmixed with sympathizing love ; such severity goes 
 beyond its limits, and cannot be made to harmonize 
 with the reproof of the spirit, which his soul must feel 
 within him : for he has learned to distinguish whether 
 the Brother, who deals severely with him, is actuated 
 only by holy indignation against all deviations, or whe- 
 ther there was in his severe conduct, an adnuxture of 
 human zeal? If the latter should be the case, the re- 
 prover loses something of his official weight, because 
 his reproof does not altogether coincide with the 
 mind that was in Clirist Jesus; and because it is dis- 
 coverable in his conduct, that what has been done by 
 him, was done either in a faulty or inadequate man- 
 ner. May God grant you the Spirit of Wisdom and 
 discernment; may he more and more increase your 
 love to Christ and to his Brethren and Sisters— and 
 cause your steps to be safe and sure. I do not write 
 these things with a view to teach tfoii, wlio are so 
 much farther advanced in knowledge than I am ; but 
 only to express ray earnest prayer to God, that he 
 would make you perfect in every good, word and 
 work, to the glory of his name. ' In August 1730, 
 Martin Jjinner undertook a journey to visit tlie Sepa- 
 ratists in the counties of Wittgenstein and Ysenburg, 
 and was received with great respect by i)€ople of all 
 denominations, though he did not fail to declare to 
 them, how highly lie disapproved of the prevailing 
 error, which led people to pull down an edifice, 
 without building up again, a proceeding which he 
 declared to be totally contrary to the mind of Christ. 
 In 1/31, he would not suffer himself to be deterred 
 by his increasing bodily weakness, from visiting his 
 
200 
 
 father, brother and others in Moravia, with a view 
 to explain to them dilig^ently the counsel of God. He 
 obtained permission from the Congregation to pay 
 this visit, after he had solemnly promised not to per- 
 suade any one to emigrate out of their country. 
 
 Notwithstanding this, a great number of people 
 followed him on his return home, and both they and 
 he were taken prisoners before they left Moravia. 
 The guards however, who had been sent to arrest 
 the others, left him unmolested, and it appeared as 
 if they wished to have nothing to do with him, in 
 consequence of which he was prevailed upon by the 
 earnest entreaties of the rest, to avail himself of the 
 •opportunity thus afforded him to recover his liberty : 
 but fearing afterwards that by so doing he might 
 have given offence, he returned again to the place 
 where he had been made prisoner, to deliver himself 
 up to the authorities : he found however, on his 
 return thither, that all had departed, and was obliged 
 to remain at liberty contrary to his wish. When he 
 arrived again at Herrnhut, the Congregation could 
 not come to a satisfactory conclusion concerning this 
 affair, in consequence of which, the following three 
 points were closely examined into by the helpers : 
 First, Whether there was the slightest reason to 
 suspect, that he had, in any way, promoted or faci- 
 litated the emigration of these people? Secondly, 
 Whether it was to be conjectured that these people 
 had converted any part of their possessions into 
 money, and had taken that money with them; and 
 if so, whether he had severely reproved them for it? 
 and Lastly, Wliy, when taken prisoner, he had not 
 remained at his post, and calmly awaited his fate, 
 ■should it even have been sufferings and death? Mar- 
 tin Linner submitted to these interrogatories with 
 
201 
 
 great meekness, and voluntarily resigned his office 
 while the enquiries concerning his conduct were 
 pending. But the wonder-working hand of God, led 
 all these prisoners safely to Herrnhut, after tlie lapse 
 of a few weeks; when his innocence, which had been 
 before sufficiently apparent, was fully established, 
 by their unanimous testimony in his behalf, and he 
 now resumed his Elder's office with the same sim- 
 plicity and obedience which he had manifested before 
 at laying it down, while awaiting the issue of this 
 business. Martin Linner contributed, by his exer- 
 tions, much towards the establisliment of those 
 orders and regulations which were, at this time, laid 
 down, for the observance of the young men and 
 boys, and the aim of which was to further their 
 growth in grace. He faithfully attended to the spi- 
 ritual course of the Single Brethren's choir; and 
 when their Helper, Leonhard Dober, set out Aug. 
 21 , 1732, for his Missionary station in St. Thomas, 
 he devoted himself completely to their service. He 
 moved into their house, and earned a scanty liveli^ 
 hood by wool-combing, having given up his more 
 profitable baking business to another Brother, who 
 would else not have been able to procure a mainten- 
 ance for himself. In order to be altogether on the 
 same footing with his Single Brethren, some of 
 whom were very poor, he never slept in a bed, but 
 lay down, winter and summer, on the hard floor not- 
 withstanding his sickly state of health. When his 
 bodily infirmities began to increase, Count Zinzen- 
 dorf took him into his own house, in the begin- 
 ning of the year 1733, that he might enjoy the 
 needful nursing care. But the Count being ob- 
 liged soon after to leave home, Martin Linner re- 
 moved again, though in a state of great weakness. 
 
202 
 
 to his Single Brethren, wishing to end his days among 
 them, A' few days before his departure, he sent for 
 Martin Dober, their Helper, and spoke witli him 
 circumstantially and Avith uncommon humility, about 
 the manner in which he had performed the duties of 
 his Elder's office. February 21st. he still wrote the 
 following lines to the Congregation : "Beloved Con- 
 gregation : when I look at you the sight gladdens lind 
 melts my heart, because the voice of Jesus has been 
 heard in our midst, to teach and to revive us. My 
 most beloved Brethren and Sisters, you know by 
 what wonderful leading of the Lord we have been 
 brought together. I was chosen your Elder, and I 
 know that 1 accepted that appointment through obe- 
 dience, but with much fear and trembhng. I am 
 sensible that the spirit of the Congregation has sup- 
 ported me in the execution of it. When I begin to 
 examine what faithfulness I have shown, I sink 
 down before Jesus and his Congregation." At these 
 words the pen dropped from his hand through excess 
 of weakness ; and leaning back on his chair, he sat 
 awaiting with serene composure the approaching 
 moment of his desolution, uttering once or twice 
 ejaculations, such as these, " my Saviour, thou well 
 knowest that I love none but thee ! I love thee with 
 my whole heart, this thou knowest! " About two 
 o'clock in the morning he exclaimed several times, 
 what glorious splendor ! February 26th, while sitt- 
 ing in his chair in the same position in which he had 
 placed himself there, the day before, his Mce-Elder, 
 Augustin Neisser came to see him ; and he received 
 him with a smiling countenance. He then began to 
 speak with great earnestness, though what he said 
 was unintelligible to the by-standers. In the 1 1th. 
 hour it became apparent that his end was approaching, 
 
203 
 
 and the Congreafation being just then met together, 
 they were apprized of it, and immediately most fer- 
 vent prayers were offered up by them, in behalf of 
 their Elder, His fellow labourers now assembled 
 in his chamber, and Martin Rohleder, one of the 
 Co-Elders, imparted to him at two o'clock, with 
 inii)osition of iiands, the blessing for his departure, 
 and while pronouncing these words : — "Now much 
 beloved Brother, depart in peace;" he fell gen- 
 tly asleep in Jesus, in the 30th. year of his age. 
 When tlie intelligence of his happy departure was 
 announced to the Congregation, they were just en- 
 gaged in singing a hymn, treating of the consumma- 
 tion and eternal reward of the servants and handmaids 
 of the Lord, with particular reference to this highly 
 respected and beloved Elder of the Congregation. 
 Many tears were shed, while fervent thanks were 
 offered up to the Head of his Church, for the favors 
 and grace he had bestowed upon this his now per- 
 fected servant, and the emotion prevailing on that 
 occasion, was of a most uncommon, yea indescriba- 
 ble nature. 
 
 On the Sunday after, his mortal remains were 
 carried by the Helpers to the Hutberg, and solemnly 
 deposited in tl.a earth, during the singing of the 
 following hymn : 
 
 Christ's followers, who on earth remain 
 
 Press on through tribulation : 
 Al last the peaceful port they gain, 
 And lind a full sah'ation. 
 Tneir race completed here, 
 Tiie Lord collects tliem there: 
 The grain of wheat in hope is sown, 
 To wait the glorious harvest morn. 
 
 Firm were your steps, ye pilgrims blest, 
 
 While lu this desart dreary. 
 And now you taste eternal rest, 
 
 Wlio here were often weary ; 
 
204 
 
 The Spirit joins above 
 ' Those, perfected in love ; 
 The body sleeps aivhile in peace, 
 Till cair«l to rise to endless bliss ! 
 
 With ardent longing we await 
 The day of consummation, 
 
 When He will all things new create, 
 And come with full salvation. 
 And Oh, our lot how blest. 
 With him above to rest ! 
 
 Meanwhile in faith we onward press, 
 
 Kelying on the Saviour's grace. 
 
 March 15th, all the Elders and Helpers of the 
 Congregation assembled with a view to consult toge- 
 tlier, what Brother might be proposed for supplying 
 the place of the late Martin Linner. They agreed 
 to appoint by lot three out of the six who were nomi- 
 nated as candidates for the office in question. After 
 a fervent prayer had been offered up by Martin Roh- 
 leder, Augustin Neisser drew from among the six 
 names, those of Oettinger, Spangenberg, and John 
 Leonhard Dober. The appointment of these three 
 Brethren was immediately notified to the Congrega- 
 tion ; on which occasion all present were called 
 upon to give their votes, whether the choice of one 
 of these to be Chief Elder should be determined by 
 lot, or by plurality of votes. It was then ascer- 
 tained that of the Brethren and Sisters assembled, 
 upwards of one hundred were for decision by lot, 
 and only eight for determining it by votes ; in con- 
 sequence of which the Congregation were exhorted 
 to make this a subject of their prayers, and to leave 
 the decision of it to the Lord. iMarch 26th a prayer 
 day was held, the meetings of which commenced at 
 six in the morning : and at half-past nine the lot was 
 drawn by a child, and fell ui)on Brother Jiconhard 
 
205 
 
 Dober ; after fervent supplications had been raised 
 imploring the direction of the Lord in this important 
 transaction. The vocation to fill the Elder's office was 
 immediately transmitted to this Brother, who was 
 at that time in the Island of St. Thomas, whi- 
 ther he had gone in company of Brother David 
 Nitschmann, to begin the Mission among the Negroes 
 there. Leouhard Dober, having pursuant to his call, 
 returned to Herrnhut, where he arrived February 5th, 
 1735, was solemnly introduced into his office, on the 
 succeeding prayer day, February 12th; on which oc- 
 casion the Count spoke with much energy concerning 
 the importance of the office entrusted to him, and the 
 manner in which it ought to be administered. He 
 reminded Brother Leonhard Dober of the injurious 
 consequence that might ensue, if an Elder were not 
 willing always to be under the guidance of the Holy 
 Spirit, and had not always that mind which was also , 
 in Christ Jesus. For should self-complacency take 
 place, and ])ronipt him to forget that grace alone can 
 enable him to perform the duties of his office, his 
 fall might be like that of Lucifer. Should he on the 
 other hand begin to yield to despondency, in conse- 
 quence of tlie weighty charge incumbent on him; 
 his case might be like that of Moses, with whom 
 God was much dis|)leased, because he gave way to 
 doubts, though he had a positive word of the Lord J 
 given him for liis direction, and encouragement. /He 
 then afforded Brother Leonhard Dober an opportunity, 
 by answering a few important questions which he laid 
 before him, distinctly to declare his mind and senti- 
 ments ; and this having been done to the satisfaction 
 of all, the Count promised to him in his name, and 
 that of all the Helpers, yea the whole Congregation, 
 reverence and obedience, and all joined in commend- 
 S 
 
206 
 
 iiie: him in prayer to the Lord. At the conclusioH 
 of the Whole transaction, the Brethren and Sisters 
 expressed their cono;ratulations and good wishes by 
 verses suited to the occasion. Leonhard Dober dis- 
 charged the important functions of his office with 
 great faithfuhiess and assiduity. The devotedness of 
 his heart to our Saviour and his cause, his upright 
 character, liis clear understanding, and sound judg- 
 ment, his serious and yet aflfectionate demeanor in 
 his conversation with all, gained for him universal 
 esteem. lie was one of those Brethren who were 
 utterly averse to all kinds of extremes. His know- 
 ledge of the Scriptures and acquaintance with Church- 
 History enabled him to guard against many mistakes, 
 which he might else have committed in the perform- 
 ance of his duties. He was inexorable towards 
 people, who had once been members of the Congre- 
 gation, but \\ho having been excluded because of 
 their wilfully offensive conduct wished to be re-admit- 
 ted ; if their desire to return appeared to him to 
 have no better foundation than that of Ahab's repen- 
 tance. He also shewed a degree of rigor towards 
 persons of an unupright character, or those who 
 could never come to any fixed determination, because 
 he considered it as the duty of all that were joined 
 to the Congregation, to know why they were thus 
 joined, or, if they knew it not, to give up their 
 connexion with the same. But towards those who 
 having transgressed, acknowledged their deviation, 
 he manifested the greatest possible symi)athy, com- 
 forting the distressed, supportingand counseUingthem 
 according to the nature of their case, and acting as 
 their Intercessor with others. The discharge of the 
 functions of the Elder's office became from year to year 
 difficult and intricate in proportion as the Church of 
 
207 
 
 the Brethren enlarged its houndaries in Europe, yea 
 extended tliem to distant quarters of the globe. This 
 extension of the Church changed the very nature of 
 that oflBce, so that the Brother who held it, was no 
 longer simply the Chief Elder of the Congregation at 
 Ilerrnhut, but the General Elder of the other Con- 
 gregations and Settlements, which, by degrees, had 
 sprung, and were still springing, from that Congre- 
 gation. 
 
 During his administration of the Elders' office, 
 the following Congregation places were settled, Pil- 
 gernih in Holstein, Heerendyk in Holland, and 
 Herrnhaag in the county of Ysenburg. Other Mis- 
 sions among tlie heathen soon followed the first to 
 Saint 'fliomas and Greenland, namely to South Caro- 
 lina, Georgia, Surinam, Berbice, Guinea, South 
 Africa, and Ceylon. The first connexions with the 
 Oriental Churches w^ere formed. The Brethren had 
 become acquainted, by means of visits and messages, 
 with many persons of all ranks, in Germany, Hol- 
 land, England, France, Switzerland, Denmark,* Swe- 
 den, Livonia, and Pennsylvania, in consequence of 
 which. Societies were regulated in many places, ior 
 instance, in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Jena, &c. 
 Much had thus been done, and much was still in the 
 infancy of its existence; for the Work of God which 
 had been intrusted to the Brethren, to be carried on 
 by them among all the denominations of Christendom, 
 continued in a constantly increasing and progressive 
 state, in spite of all oppression and resistance ffom 
 without. Each separate Congregation had its own 
 Elders, Helpers, and other servants and handmaids, 
 whose services were essentially required for its inter- 
 nal and external well-being. The direction and con- 
 nexion of the whole, depended upon the so called 
 
208 
 
 Pilgrim Company: that is, on Count Zinzendorf and 
 his fellow' Ministers, Avho continiied to reside with 
 liim and his family, after he had, in '730, received 
 the injuction from Government, r.ot to ron a'n in the 
 Saxon territories; in consequence oF which he 
 changed his place of abode fro' tiu'e to time, resid- 
 ing by ttuns, in Wettera'^ia, Fraiikfon or the Mayne, 
 Berlin, Geneva, and f^ondon. Of this Pilgrim Com- 
 pany, Leonhard Dober was a member, l;y irtne of 
 his office as General Elder; and it was exi/ected of 
 him, that he should keet) in close connexion with , 
 every Congregation, its Choirs aiKi Institi\iions; with | 
 every Missionary 'Settlement, yea every |.lace where 
 Brethren were to be found ; so that be might inter- 
 pose his timely help or advice, if he perceived any 
 declension from the mind of CI rist, or the funda- 
 mental principles of the Congregation. Every one 
 was at liberty to refer his case to him, and when in 
 distress or need to seek counsel from him. More 
 especirlly had the Brethren and Sisters employed in 
 our Saviour's service, in and out of the Congrega- 
 tion, a right to apply to him in all their concerns. 
 His peci liar province in the Conferences was, that 
 he should not only obtain a clear conception of every 
 matter in question, with the reasons for or against 
 it ; but that he should also carefully attend to the 
 voice of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Leonhard 
 Dober bore, for some years, the oppressive burden 
 of this office : but at last he found that burden too 
 heavy, and was induced, towards the end of the year 
 1740, to request his dismission from his office, 
 which he did in a letter addressed to the members of 
 a Synodal Conference, which was held at Marien- 
 bom from the fifth to the thirteenth of December : 
 this letter contained the following: 
 
209 
 
 Dearly Beloved Brethren and Sisters, 
 
 As you are this day treating: in your Conference 
 of the affairs of individual persons, I would humbly 
 request you to consider before our Saviour, whether 
 it would not be better for me to lay down my Elders' 
 office. Some of you know that I have for a consi- 
 derable time past, entertained that thought ; but you 
 are well aware that our Saviour's will must always 
 decide all our transactions. My only request, there- 
 fore, is, that you would seek to know that will, in 
 the manner customary among us, and I shall await 
 the decision with an obedient and willing heart. 
 I am, your unworthy Brother, 
 
 Leonhard Dobek. 
 
 The request contained in this letter could not 
 immediately be granted : but the trying circumstances 
 lie had soon after to experience at Pilgerruh, caused 
 him to be still more intent upon seeing the accom- 
 plishment of his wish to be released from the burden 
 of the Elders' office. The circumstances here alluded 
 to, were these. The members of the above men- 
 tioned Congregation, had been compelled by the 
 Danish Government to renounce all connexion with 
 the Congregation at Herrnhut, and Count Zinzendorf. 
 But most of them found the separation to which they 
 had been forced intolerably greivous, in consequence 
 of which, they had sent deputies to the Synodal Con- 
 ferences, which were held at Marienborn and Gotha, 
 and earnestly requested to be re-united to the Bre- 
 thren's Congregation. Negotiations had therefore been 
 entered into with the Danish Court; and as these 
 proved fruitless, no other choice was left to the 
 inhabitants of Pilgerruli, than to emigrate. LeoiihanJ 
 s2 
 
210 
 
 Dober having repaired thither in 1741 for the purpose 
 of efiFecting and arranfjing; the intended emigration, 
 met with violent oi)i)osition from Martin Rohleder, 
 who had been the Elder of that Congregation, and 
 who now, in conjunction with the few, whom he 
 had gained over to his side, resisted the departure of 
 the rest, and caused great, confusion and division 
 among them. 'Jliough his design was in the end 
 frustrated, as he could not prevent the emigration; 
 yet liConhard Dober felt himself deeply wounded by 
 liTs open and obstinate resistance, and this induced 
 him to insist at the very next opportunty that might 
 oflfer, upon obtaining his dismission from the Elders' 
 office. This opportunity was afforded him by the 
 Synodal Conference, which was held in Ivondon from 
 the 11th. to the 23d. of September. In June and 
 July of the same year, the Count had held a Con- 
 ference with his fellow labourers, at which a plan 
 had been devised for the chief management of the 
 affairs of the Unity; this management was committed 
 to the two Bishops, Poly carp Mllller and John Nitsch- 
 mann, who with some other Brethren were to constitute 
 what was called the General Conference. It was still 
 thought necessary to hold a final Conference in Lon- 
 don, previous to the Count's departure, and the 
 following persons were by lot, appointed to be present 
 at it. Count Zinzenihtrf and his Consort and eldest 
 daughter Benigna, who was to accompany her father 
 to North America, Frederic de Watteville, Leotihard 
 Dober, Anna Mnria Larvalsch, Chief Elder of the 
 Sisters, David Nilschmann, (who was afterwards 
 chosen to fill the office of Syndic) Spangenherg and 
 his wife, and Rosina Nilschmann, wife of Bishop 
 Nitschmann. To avoid all interruptions which might 
 he occasioned by visiting friends, the Count chose 
 a house in Red Lion-street, where he did not usually 
 
211 
 
 reside, for holding the meeting of this Conference. 
 In Spangenberg's life of Counr Zinzendorf, r e find 
 the following account of this Conference : We were 
 so abashed in the consideration of the iuiportant 
 subjects, relating to the inward and outward well- 
 being of the Congregation, that we had no time or 
 inclination to meddle with any thing else ; and there 
 was scarcely one point, connected with the work, the 
 Lord himself had entrusted to the Brethren's Unity, 
 wliich was left unnoticed, or was not carefully en- 
 quired into in his presence. Tlie whole iree of the 
 Congregation was examined, with its roots, branches, 
 leaves, blossoms, and fruits; and every thing that 
 might eitiier hurt or further his growth or fruitful- 
 ness. The discussious of all these subjects, were 
 carried on with the greatest freedom, and without 
 respect of persons: for our only concern was to 
 know what would be most pleasing to the Lord, 
 with a view to do it faithfully and in siripiicity. 
 God oiu- Saviour graciously uianifestcd to us his 
 will, in reference to iho?e saljects, which in 
 one way or tlie other perplexed our minds, and 
 granted us his direction and support. We felt the 
 assurance in our hearts, tliat he was tndy in our 
 midst, according to the promise given to his disciples, 
 " Lo, I am with you always, even i nto the end of 
 the world I '' One of the chief su jjjects for the con- 
 sideration of this Conference was, the manner in 
 which tlie Genera' Elders' office, which Leonhard 
 Dober now wished to resign, might be filled: and 
 this proved the occasion for that important event, 
 when the Shepherd and Bisiiop of souls was jdeased 
 to give to his servants the assurance, that he him- 
 self would take this office, as his own, and him- 
 self assume the" special government of the Brethren. 
 
212 
 
 The minutes of the Conference relate this event as fol- 
 lows : " On the fifth day of our conferential meet- 
 ings,the observation was made, that BrotlierLeonhard 
 Dober was not altogether possessed of the necessary 
 gifts and qualifications, for performing all the duties 
 of the General Elders' office, though he deservedly 
 enjoyed the highest respect and esteem from every 
 one. The nature of the office itself, it was stated, 
 had been greatly changed ; as formerly it used to be 
 considered the most active of any; but the present 
 constitution of the Congregation, since the appoint- 
 ment of Bishops and Overseers, whose particular 
 province it was to be active in every I'espect, had 
 stripped the Elders' office of its prophetical (minis- 
 terial) complexion, and placed it entirely on the 
 basis of what belongs to Priestly functions. In con- 
 sequence of which Brother Leonhard Dober would 
 be obliged, either to restrain his activity against his 
 will, and thus remain in a state of comparative idle- 
 ness ; or introduce his activity and prophetical gifts 
 into his office, by doing which he would necessarily 
 connect something of a papal and unlimited authority 
 with the execution of it; wliereby that office would 
 render those v.ho discharged its functions, formida- 
 ble and odious to the Congregations and their La- 
 borers, whereas the Elders were intended chiefly, 
 and on all occasions, to act as peace-makers. Bro- 
 ther Leonhard Dobcr's more proper sphere, it was 
 supposed, would be that of General Helper. These 
 were the conclusions drawn on that day, from a view 
 of the nature of the Elders' office, and Brother 
 Leonhard Dober rejoiced that he would now be able 
 to serve our Saviour more according to the gifts be- 
 stowed on him ; but on the next day, being the 16th 
 of September, he addressed a letter to the Confer- 
 
213 
 
 cnce, in wliicli he re(]iiested to be allowed not to 
 undertake even that office (namely, that of General 
 Helper) or that, at least, the lot might be used to 
 decide concerning^ his acceptance of it. The Con- 
 ference on receiving this letter, felt much straight- 
 ened at first, and very serious enquiry was, what 
 should now he doue? It was evident that there was 
 no one who could undertake the Elders' office, and 
 it appeared no less plain, that if no one were found 
 to be General Helper, that special plan would be 
 frustrated, which our Saviour was evidently pursuing 
 witii the Congregation, and the chief object of which 
 was, that it might never degenerate into a mere sect. 
 When we were going to discuss more fully the sub- 
 ject of the Elders' office, all of us, and at the same 
 time, were led to think of our Saviour himself, as 
 the only one to whom it could be committed. Pre- 
 vious to any further discussions, we opened the Text 
 Book for the year 1 7 42; and in so doing, were 
 directed to the following- Texts: on the one side, 
 " I stand at the door and knock." Rev. 3, 20, and 
 on the other: " Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One 
 of Israel and his Maker, " Ask me of things to 
 come, concerning my Sons; and concerning the 
 work of my hands command ye me!' Isai. lJ, IJ. 
 Our resolution, was taken that same moment, to 
 accept of none but him as oi-r General Elder, and 
 he gave us to feel in a most u; ac'ous manner, that he 
 approved of our resolution. That day happened to 
 be the Congregation-day, an' in looking at the Text 
 for the same, we found it to be: " The glory of the 
 Lord came into the house." Ez. 43, 4. We requested 
 and received permission to sing : " Come then, for 
 we belong to Tbee, and bless us inexpressibly." The 
 question which wc had been considering, was not 
 
214 
 
 ^liether our Saviour were indeed the Shepherd and 
 Bishop 6i our souls in general ; but our chief and 
 only concern was this : that he would condescend to 
 enter into a special covenant with his poor Brethren's 
 people; take us as his peculiar property, and notice 
 all our circumstances, whether more or less impor- 
 tant, with a view to ajBFord us help in all ; that he 
 would, in an especial manner, watch over us, and 
 vouchsafe his presence and counsel to each individual 
 member of the Congreg-ation ; in short, that he 
 would do all that in perfection, which our former 
 Elder had done among us in much imperfection and 
 weakness. We promised, on our part, that we 
 would love and honor him as our'Elder ; and tlirough 
 his grace keep up an uninterrupted and confidential 
 hearts' intercourse with him : that we would child- 
 liK^jBbey his will and direction, choosing no man 
 as <kir Head in spiritual matters ; but cleave to Him 
 with full purpose of heart, though all others should 
 forsake him, in these degenerate evil days.'' (See 
 Spangenberg's life of Count Zinzendorf) The public 
 annunciation of this important event was fixed for 
 the 13th of November, and it was moreover deter- 
 mined, that on this occasion, when the Brethren's Con- 
 gregations would pay their homage to Jesus as their 
 Elder, a general pardon of their offences should be 
 offered to those who had left the Congregation, be- 
 cause their conduct had been offensive to the same. 
 The necessary resolutions were passed as to the 
 management of those concerns which had been hither- 
 to connected with Leonliard Dober's office as Elder, 
 and the Count's as Warden ; and all offices which had 
 a general reference to the service of the Unity at 
 large, were regulated and supplied Jinew. Septem- 
 ber the 30th, the Count wrote the following circular 
 
215 
 
 letter, addressed to all the Congregations, while 
 detained at Deal by contrary winds on his voyage to 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 " Ft' Congregations of Jesus! 
 1 feel great joy in being able to address you 
 thus; for surely you are the Congregations of Jesus, 
 more especially since he did condescend, on the 16th 
 of September, to take upon himself the Elder's 
 oflSce among you; an office which has been lield by 
 three witnesses of his successively; oae of whom 
 finished his course in prison, the other, previous to 
 his departure out of this life, concluded his official 
 activity with an apostolic farewell addressed tn tlie 
 Congregation, and tlie third, influenced no doubt 
 not only by the humbling view he had of his own 
 insufficiency, but also by a prophetical conviction, 
 that it was now time to give up his place to Jesus 
 himself, after fruitlessly endeavouring towards the 
 end of last year, to conclude his labors by means of 
 a letter, significant of his wisli to resign his post; 
 has now in reality and fully laid down his office. 
 However, the time is not yet come, dear Bre- 
 thren and Sisters, that it would be possible to con- 
 gratulate you, as is meet, upon events of this de- 
 scription. I know indeed that your mind is in general 
 upright and sincere ; and the Spirit of the Lord per- 
 vades the Congregation at large; but there are also 
 indi?i^uals in all the Congregations, with whom no 
 one knows how to deal. If Elders have occasion to 
 oppose i!uch men, they rebel against them (yet ought 
 the Elders" office to remain inviolate) and thus, scenes 
 like those when Korah revolted, take place, and no 
 one ventures to interpose. As long as affairs remain 
 IB.,, this state, it is impossible to commit the General 
 
216 
 
 Elders' office to any man ; for he would only be set 
 for the fall of souls, without having- it in his power 
 to raise them again. I do indeed believe that our 
 Saviour intends to convey to us, by means of this 
 alteration, a serious reproof ; yet, I esteem it a most 
 blessed and joyful event, that the Head of his people 
 and of all believers, is pleased to take upon himself, 
 exclusively, the care of our small and defective 
 Church. Our late General Elder, will himself, ex- 
 perience the fust blessed effects of it: and I think 
 that the remembrance of his faithful labors and care, 
 should ever remain alive among- those who have been, 
 or in future shall be benefited by his services. I have 
 composed in your name the enclosed hymn, in honor 
 of our future Elder: " Welcome among thy flock of 
 grace, With joyful acclamation, &c. ; aud you will 
 sing- this hymn to his glory, on the day when you are 
 called upon to commemorate this event. And now, 
 Brethren, T commend you to the Lord, in whose 
 service I feel truly blessed. Lord Jesus, by thy 
 death, whereon we trust by faith ; Thy wounds and 
 pierced side, ITiy agony and sweat. Preserve the 
 Church thy Bride, Till thou com'st again; Prince of 
 Life, once slain ! I am your poor servant 
 
 ZiNZENDORF." 
 
 The Diary of Herrnhut contains the following 
 account concerning the particular memorial day, 
 which was celebrated both at Herrnhut, and Herrn- 
 haag, on the occasion of the annunciation of the im- 
 portant event of our Saviour's having taken upon 
 himself the Elder's office, in the Brethren's Congre- 
 gations. " October 26th, we received letters from 
 the Countess and Bishop Muller, containing the im- 
 portant intelligence, that our highly esteemed Bro- 
 
217 
 
 tber Leouhard Dober, bad resigned bis General 
 Elder's office, and that oiir Saviour, wbo is our only- 
 Lord and Master, had condescended to take upon 
 himself in future, the concerns of that office. On 
 the 11th of November, which was our usual prayer- 
 day, notice was given, that on the following Monday, 
 the 13th of that month, a special prayer-day should 
 be held, in consequence of weighty events connected 
 with the affairs of the Congregation, and the extra- 
 ordinary favor bestowed on our little flock, by the 
 Lord himself. 
 
 Sunday evening Nov. the 12th, the Congrega- 
 tion was once more reminded of this subject. The 
 minds of all w^re in a state of silent and humble ex- 
 pectation, looking forward to some special token of 
 the Lord's favor towards them. Most of those whose 
 conduct had brought upon them in one way or other 
 the application of Church-discipline, felt an inward 
 powerful impulse to humble themselves, and with 
 tears to seek pardon and restoration. Our feelings 
 in general were something like those of the 1 sraelites 
 in the wilderness, when commanded to be ready 
 against the day on which the Lord would manifest 
 his presence among them. 
 
 Monday, the 13iA of November was the day on 
 which we vowed to the Lord and Elder " Due alle- 
 giance now and ever. " It would perhaps be most 
 proper, and most congenial to our feelings, not to 
 attempt a description of the solemn proceedings of 
 that day ; for no pen can delineate the feelings of 
 our hearts, and the abundance of that grace which 
 then manifested itself in our Congregations. A few 
 words must therefore suffice to give a general outline 
 of the principal circumstances connected with this 
 day's celebration. 
 
 T 
 
218 
 
 . In the morning from seven to nine o'clock a 
 meeting of the Congregation Council was held, at 
 the conclusion of which we intreated the Lord to be 
 with us in an especial manner on this day. At ten 
 o'clock the sound of trumpets called the whole Con- 
 gregation together to assemble before tlie Lord : the 
 Hall was on this occasion so crowded, that there 
 was scarcely room sufficient for the numerous com- 
 pany that had come together. After the singing of 
 some verses the brief Declaration, drawn up by the 
 Count, concerning the new General Elder was com- 
 municated and explained ; soon after which the more 
 extensive letter, he had written and addressed to all 
 the Congregations was read, and the general pardon 
 offered to all who had formerly belonged to the Con- 
 gregation, but were now excluded or under the exer- 
 cise of its discipline was proclaimed in the following 
 words: " Since it hath pleased the Saviour of the 
 World, Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, in his 
 abundant grace to take upon himself in future the 
 special care of this his small defective flock, which he 
 has purchased with his own blood ; so that he will 
 now attend to the concerns of his people, without 
 employing the intermediate labor of a General Elder, 
 but Himself will be and remain our only and univer- 
 sal Elder : it hath also been his good pleasure in his 
 unmeasurable love to announce on this day, as the 
 Head and Lord of all our Congregations, a general 
 pardon of those sins and offences which have been 
 committed against his Congregation or its individual 
 members. In his name therefore, tiie name of Jesus 
 Christ, our only Elder, our Lord and our God, we 
 declare to all those who have forsaken the Congre- 
 gation,- all, who have erred or have been seduced, 
 and all who are at present under the discipline of the 
 
219 
 
 Congregation, the Lord's gracious pardon of tlieir 
 offences, committed ag^nst his flock, and assure 
 them at the same time, that we on our part most 
 heartily and fully forgive them all. The door 
 of re-admission is opened this day, to all who 
 will avail themselves of this amnesty (or pardon) of 
 our most gracious King, Lord, Head, and only 
 Elder ! ilay He and His Spirit cause the grace he 
 has conferred on those that have oflFended and erred, 
 to be productive of blessed consequences. We, his 
 children, add our most hearty Amen. Amen, Lord 
 Jesus, Amen ! " The feelings of the Congregation, 
 during the whole of this solemn transaction, cannot 
 be expressed in words. The very first letter, an- 
 nouncing that our Saviour had undertaken the office 
 of Elder in the Congregation, produced deep astonish- 
 ment, and the power of the Lord, so overcame 
 every soul, that man's reason was completely over- 
 powered, and not one was found, either stranger or 
 inhabitant, who felt a single scruple or doubt, con- 
 cerning the truth of this astonishing subject. AVhen 
 the first amazement had subsided, tears began to 
 flow, and in such abundance, and without any inter- 
 ruption during all the solemnities of the day, that 
 such a general and deep emotion, as then prevailed, 
 has surely never before been witnessed. The decla- 
 ration of the general pardon, had also its immediate 
 effect upon those, who were concerned in it; all who 
 were then under discipline, or had offended, and 
 who heard this declaration, availed themselves of the 
 pardon and restoration thus offered to them. After 
 the general absolution, the hymn, " Welcome among 
 thy flock of grace" was sung, a hymn which the 
 Count had composed expressly for the celebration 
 ef this day. The whole Congregation then sank 
 
220 
 
 down before our Saviour, to do homage to him as 
 their EldeK. Floods of tears were shed, while with 
 fervent supplication we surrendered ourselves to his 
 constant care and protection, as our only and ever- 
 lasting Elder: and after the singing of a hymn of 
 praise, the Congregation separated for a time. The 
 hrst part of the solemnities being thus ended, all 
 those who had been excluded, or given offence, made 
 their application for being restored to the respective 
 Choir Labourers. Much grace seemed to prevail 
 among them all, and many tears were shed by them. 
 Even some who had remained for ten years in a cold 
 and lifeless state, come and confessed their sins. It 
 was ind^^ed apparent that an extraordinary measure of 
 grace had been poured out upon the whole Congrega- 
 tion, for the hearts of all were filled with humility, 
 love, and cordiality. In the afternoon the respective 
 Choir Divisions, bad their meetings, in which those 
 of the excluded who had signified their wish, were 
 re-admitted, to their fellowship with the Congregation. 
 The children met at six o'clock, and were told what 
 oflice the Lord had undertaken to perform in the 
 Congregation, and how he had offered his graoious 
 pardon, to all those who had ofiFended. They were 
 reminded that they likewise were interested in all 
 this, and that to them also, free and full forgiveness 
 should be granted, in the name of Jesus, for all they 
 might have done amiss, if they would but uprightly 
 confess their faults ; for doing which, an opportunity 
 should be afforded them. The children then knelt 
 down to adore their Saviour, during a general emo- 
 tion of their hearts, the eftects of which became 
 sufficiently apparent in their subsequent conduct. 
 
 The second part of the general solemnities of 
 this day commenced at seven o'clock in the evening. 
 
221 
 
 A discourse was held on the daily word for the day, 
 *' Feed thy people with tliy rod, the flock of thine 
 heritage, as in the days of old." Micah 7. 14; 
 and at the conclusion we commended in earnest 
 prayer to the Jjord our Elder, his Congregation, en* 
 treating him to take us into his constant, yea ever- 
 lasting care. The company of Intercessors consist- 
 ing of about a hundred persons had afterwards a 
 Lovefeast, at which some matters were discussed 
 which could not with propriety be laid before the 
 Congregation at large. To conclude the solemnities 
 of this day, all the Brethren and Sisters divided 
 among themselves the cup of thanksgiving, and co- 
 venanted anew with our Saviour as our Lord and 
 Elder, and with his whole Congregation, the direc- 
 tion of which he has for the present committed to 
 the Pilgrim-Company, from which we will never se- 
 parate ourselves, but rather consider all schism, 
 whether of a greater or smaller extent, as an abomi- 
 nation in the eyes of the Lord. This transaction 
 also was accompanied by a special perception of the 
 grace and presence of our Saviour, the impressiou 
 of which must remain indelible. 
 
 Some Brethren were led to notice in the course 
 of the day, the phenomenon of a rainbow in the 
 clouds, and the impression thereby made upon their 
 minds was such that they could not help considering 
 its appearance, as an emblem and token of grace 
 and favor from the Lord. 
 
 Here we conclude our account of the 13th of 
 November, though a very great deal of what might 
 still be said concerning it, is left unnoticed in this 
 narrative. But who can rehearse or number the 
 wonderful works the Lord hath done for his 
 People. 
 
222 
 
 Let then expressive silence, 
 As in liis awful presence, 
 
 Proclaim his matchless praise \ 
 He, orili/ He shall lead iis : 
 As Shepherd he will feed us, 
 
 The Appendix to the account of the celebration 
 of the 13th of November contains the Hymn, "Wel- 
 come among thy flock of grace," &c. for which see 
 Hymn Book, N. 710. p. 196. 
 
Errata. 
 
 Preface p. ii. 1. 14* for Congregaiton, reai CoBgreRBtion 
 " p.iii.I.8.p^ '-^ 
 
 p. II, I. 9, for Melchier, read 
 
 p. 13,1.18. he is omitted 
 
 p. 18. 1.7. for cause, read coa; 
 
 p. 19, 1.9, for Leabi, read Le 
 
 p. «J, 1. 35, for The read They 
 
 p. Oj, I. 15, for Lenba, read Leube 
 
 p. 45, 1.6, for preseators read precentors 
 
 p. ^» 1- 7t for their, read there 
 
 p. 65, I. Ji.forSissa, read Lissa 
 p. 1. 16, for Leabi, read Leube 
 
 p. 68. 1. 11, for their read there 
 
 p. 6&, l.yj, for in this, read thus 
 
 p. 7a, I. 9. for congreeatioDs read congregation 
 
 p. 7a, !.30, for Jablansky, read Jablonsky 
 
 p. 75, I. 10, for awricular read auricular 
 
 p. 78, 1. 17, for Kremsin, read Kremsir 
 
 p. 88, 1. 15. for there read their 
 
 p. 9a, I. a. for Melchoir read Melchior 
 
 P- 92i 1. 4* for Schwenkfelde, read Schwenkfelde 
 
 p. ^» 1-^1 for Melchoir read Melchior. 
 
 P- 97» 1. 3*>, for Boaish, read Boehniscb 
 ~ 5» for from, read form 
 
 p. IIS 
 p.llg.I 
 
 p. I'J* lor lu reaa on. 
 
 p. 15/, 1.2, for perceptable read perceptible 
 
 p. 157, 1. 5, for Chapliu read Chaplain 
 
 p. 1/6, 1. 27, for liivs, read lilies 
 
 p. 177, 1.31, for Tppewn read Ippegan 
 
 p. 178, 1.1. dele aid 
 
 p. 178, 1.4, for Tppeean read Ippegan 
 
 p. 181, 1.34, for not read no. 
 
 p. 187, 1. 28, for phtliisieal read phthisical 
 
 p. 192, 1. 5, for enquires read enquiries 
 
 p. 193, 1. 34, Oi, omitted. 
 
Printed by Thomas CunnSnghani, Asbton-nnder-Lynr.