Tavern Face

An interpreter at Old Salem puts his "tavern face" on for the demanding work of running a Colonial tavern. 

Slavery

Needing labor the Moravians rented slaves from non-Moravians. The year was 1763 and one such woman was rented - her name was Franke. Her task was to work in the tavern at Bethabara. Her hiring put in motion a tradition that would last for years. The tradition was to place black workers in Moravian taverns as a means of shielding church members, particularly young people from worldliness.  

Hosianna Moravian Harmonists

Often sung in Moravians on the First Sunday of Advent and Palm Sunday. Hosianna is a staple of Moravian hymnody.

"We are entering upon the happy season of Advent ... In the evening at 7 PM Brother Bahnson delivered an address, followed by the singing of Hosannah ..."  --From the Salem diary - Sunday, Nov. 29, 1857 

Why Move The Family To Live Among The 18th Century Moravians?

Why would a New England family uproot in the middle of the 18th century to live near a congregation of the Moravians in North Carolina? 

In 1767 the parents of Catharine Rominger moved to the Wachovia, i.e. the 100,000 acres in North Carolina purchased by the Moravians. It is recorded why they moved: 

"they were ... "desirous of seeking the salvation of their souls and mindful of the everlasting happiness of their children." 

That among other things is loud testimony of the impact the early Moravians made for Christ and His Kingdom. 

The Dyer at Salem, NC

The dyers work room at Old Salem, NC. Dying was not a haphazard skill. A good deal of learning through apprenticeship was needed to perform the mixing of dye recipes and dying the yarn. 

Bishop Comenius' Hymn - "Lord God, in Grace and Holy Love"

Two stanzas of a hymn written by the Moravian bishop, Comenius. It is well sung by the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity at Moravian College, Allentown, PA.

John Amos Comenius (1592-1670) was a bishop in the Unity of the Brethren (Moravian church).  He was one of the earliest champions of universal education. Comenius' legacy is that of being the "Father of Modern Education."

Lord as we gather in this place

You nourish us by this same grace;

And so we lift our grateful praise

That we may serve in these our days.

Send us as workers in your field

That it abundant harvest yield

Of souls brought safe into your store

E’er suns and seasons come no more.

A New Life for the Moravians in North Carolina

On October 8, 1753, twelve men left the Moravian congregation town of Bethlehem, PA to establish a foothold in the Carolinas The average age of the twelve men was 33 years of age. 

They arrived in the Wachovia, the 100,000 acres the Moravians owned in NC on November 17, 1753. After cutting a path of two and one half miles they settled in an abandoned cabin. Within hours of their arrival they held a simple Moravian lovefeast to give thanks to the Lord for their safe arrival. 

A hymn compose for the occasion, by one of the brethren, was sung:

We hold arrival lovefeast here,

In Carolina land,

A company of Brethren true,

A little pilgrim band,

Called by the Lord to be of those

Who through the whole wide world do go,

To bear Him witness everywhere,

And naught but Jesus know. 

The Moravians from ancient times to the present have a “Watchword” or devotional Bible text for every day of the year. The texts are drawn, even in the 21st century, by lot every year. The text for the day of their arrival was Revelation. 2:13, which appropriately reads: “I know where thou dwellest.”

Indeed He knows where you and I dwell. What good news!

Just What One Would Expect at a Colonial Tavern

"Colonial Americans, at least many of them, believed alcohol could cure the sick, strengthen the weak, enliven the aged, and generally make the world a better place. They tippled, toasted, sipped, slurped, quaffed, and guzzled from dawn to dark." Text from Colonial Williamsburg. To read more click here.

Welcome Afghanistan

We welcome our most recent country, Afghanistan, to our site. It is the 43rd country to read from the Moravian 2.0 blog.

Going "hands on"

Brother Meyer, an 18th tavern keeper, in Salem, NC, found out that keeping a colonial tavern was not for the faint of heart. From time to time the keeper must go hands on. 

Come visit the 1784 Tavern in Old Salem, NC. Love to see you.

Photo Credit: Digital Forsyth

The Moravian Revival and the One Hundred Year Prayer

This is a video that is low on entertainment value but high on message. What heart those early Moravians had. In short, the early Moravians inspire me greatly. This video will ask but six minutes of you.