"Knock Knock" - "Whose there?"

Old Moravian Cemetery - Bethlehem, PA

There was no double about it. 

When the gravedigger had partly filled in Thomas Utley’s grave he heard three distinct knocks coming from the coffin below. He quickly called a number of the brethren to the spot. They decided to reopen the coffin for if they failed to do so an unfounded “talk” would be the result. After it was taken up and reopened and a careful inspection made they found no sign of vitality in brother Utley and decided he was very dead. 

The coffin was again lowered, but as the grave was filled in they all again heard the knocking. After agreeing that Claus Collyn must have used green lumber in making the coffin and that the ground pressure caused the knocking, it was considered a closed subject. However, this was in 1771 and in those days of much superstition it is safe to surmise that the ghost of Thomas would be around for a long time. --Lititz Public Library

Video - Salem Moravian Brass Band

The distinctive sound of a Moravian brass band. My heart smiles at every note. Wonderful tradition. This sidewalk concert took place in Old Salem.  

The Lot and the Location of the Village of Salem, NC

The Moravian Daily Text, or Watchword is a devotional guide published every year since 1731. The word “guide” is the operative word. Begun in Germany the Watchwords are expected to give guidance to the daily life of a Christian. The texts are chosen yearly in Germany, by lot, from a collection of about 2,000 appropriate texts.

Let’s look at an example of the Moravian Daily Text being applied.

Many possible sites were explored by the Moravians for the village of Salem. The sites submitted to the lot were rejected - which was understood to mean each one was declined by the Lord. 

On February 14th, 1765 two more sites were proposed, and to their delight the Savior approved one near Salem Creek - the location of Old Salem today. The Daily Text, I Kings 8:29, seemed to support the decision of the lot.  

(Let your eyes) “…be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’”

As you wander the streets of Old Salem remind yourself that this is a place where the name of the Lord dwells. 

The Moravians and the Wesley Brothers

In 1736 John and Charles Wesley sailed to America as Anglican missionaries. A company of Moravian immigrants were also on the vessel. During a terrible storm they all faced the danger of shipwreck. John Wesley wrote in his journal: At seven I went to the Germans (i.e. the Moravians). I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behaviour. Of their humility they had given a continual proof by performing those servile offices for the other passengers which none of the English would undertake; for which they desired and would receive no pay, saying, 'It was good for their proud hearts,' and 'their loving Saviour had done more for them.' 

If they were pushed, struck or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. 

The sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up.

A terrible screaming began among the English. 

The Moravians calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterwards: 'Were you not afraid?' He answered, 'I thank God, no.' I asked: 'But were not your women and children afraid?' He replied mildly: 'No, our women and children are not afraid to die'.

In Georgia, John Wesley sought spiritual counsel from the Moravian Bishop, A. G. Spangenberg. Back in England in 1738 the Wesley brothers became intimately acquainted with the Moravians. 

On 4 March, 1738, Wesley wrote in his diary: I found my brother at Oxford recovering from his pleurisy; and with him Peter Boehler: by whom (in the hand of the great God) I was, on Sunday, the 5th, clearly convicted of unbelief; of the want of that faith whereby alone we are saved. Immediately it struck into my mind, 'Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others who have not faith yourself?' I asked Boehler whether he thought I should leave it off, or not. He answered, 'By no means.' I asked: 'But what can I preach? He said: 'Preach faith till you have faith.' 

Accordingly, Monday, 6, I began preaching this new doctrine, though my soul started back from the work. The first person to whom I offered salvation by faith alone, was a prisoner under sentence of death.

Eventually John Wesley came to assurance of salvation. His own testimony reads: 

Wednesday, May 3, 1738. My brother had a long and particular conversation with Peter Boehler. And it now pleased God to open his eyes; so that he also saw clearly, what was the nature of that one true living faith, whereby alone 'through grace' we are saved. Wednesday, May 24. In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. Friday, May 26. My soul continued in peace, but yet in heaviness, because of manifold temptations. I asked Mr.Telchig, the Moravian, what to do. He said: 'You must not fight with them as you did before, but flee from them the moment they appear, and take shelter in the wounds ofJesus”. - source unknown

You go north - I go south

In February of 1772 four Single Sisters and two older girls arrived in Salem from the nearby Moravian community of Bethabara. Their task was to prepare living accommodations in Salem for the  additional Single Sisters that would arrive in the near future. 

By the end of 1772 it is recorded that there were 16 Single Sisters and six Older Girls living in Salem. 

There was a large community square in Salem that remains to this day. The Single Brothers lived on the west side - the Single Sisters on the east side. To state the obvious the square separated the Single Brothers from the Single Sisters.

To ensure that the separation continued the town fathers on December 8, 1772 recorded that for walks on Sundays the Single Sisters and the Singe Brethren should always go in opposite directions north and south, alternating their routes week by week. 

How the times have changed. 

The Good Name - Moravian

The good that the old Moravians left behind in their wake was noted.  In 1762 John McDowell, an Anglican clergyman, asked whether the Moravians could educate his son, since “I look upon them to be a sober, pious and exemplary prudent Society of Christians.”

The year 1762 was not a propitious time to begin a boarding school for others such as this Anglican boy. That year though they did begin holding school for their own children, female as well as male, in Bethabara and Bethania.

A good deal

How much was a coffin in the 19th century - in Moravian Bethlehem?

$2.40 regular price

$1.60 for the poor

Image - Did you know ...

Moravian Single Sister
Photo Credit: Lobster Pot Photography
Watercolor

In 1766, sixteen hearty young women walked 500 miles from Bethlehem, PA, to Salem, NC - the back country of North Carolina. These Single Sisters, unmarried women of the Moravian community, later established a house in the village of Salem. That home, the Single Sisters House, is now a part of Salem College. 

I just won't die then!

The grave digger had to use a system that was not too popular with some folks. By checking daily with the local physician as to the status of his critical patients he would have the grave ready in advance. 

From Dr. Horne’s memories comes the rare case of a Mrs. Philip Conn. She was on the critical list and from her bedroom window she had a clear view of the graveyard between the Sister’s House and the Parsonage. There was Joe Sturgis digging her grave. So infuriated was she that for spite she decided she would not die. And sure enough she lived for two more years.

Body Snatchers

In the early days of the Moravians in Bethlehem, PA, there were men that made a good living supplying dead bodies to medical schools. 

Joe Sturgis, Jr. was the night watchman for Lititz and when the Collegium asked Joe to look in the Corpse House frequently at night to guard against mercenary “corpse snatchers” he protested violently. He was a brave man but not that brave. However he had to agree or lose his job. How well he did it is not known, but we can be certain he did it very quickly. --Lititiz Public Library

So much for the Methodist Preacher at the Salem Tavern

Diary entry on March 31, 1799

There is a reference to a “… new Methodist preacher … namely Samuel Hauser … He was here in Salem today, where he had announced a service for his followers, and preached in our tavern … Our Brethren took little notice of it.”

The Tavern Fire and Words of Faith

The Tavern Fire of 1784

A major fire destroyed the tavern in Salem on the morning of January 31, 1784. The fire is recorded in the Salem Diary for that date.

“This morning in the third hour (3 AM), we had no small fright, for our Tavern broke into flames and in a hour and a half … it had been reduced to ashes.

Brother and Sister Meyer (the tavern keepers) and their children … succeeded saving themselves and a few of their belongings, but all the rest ... went up in flame. It was indeed a great loss; but we thank the Savior that there was no wind and the fire went no further, and that by the efforts of the Brethren the stable and barns were saved and also that no Brethren were injured.

A Couple of strangers (non-Moravians) from Wilkes County were the guardian angels of Br. and Sr. Meyer, and rescued them after the flames had made considerable headway.

In a letter to the Altesten Conferenz, Br. Meyer said, among other things, that last Wednesday, the 28th he had been overcome by a feeling of trouble without knowing why; that he had prayed to the Lord for new grace for forgiveness and had felt that all was well.

Yet this was not enough, and he had been brought to consider how much grace and mercy the Savior had showed to him, and he could not think of one room or one little place in the house (the tavern) where the Savior had not shown him special grace.

In spite of the blessing which accompanied this experience, he had felt the trouble constantly until he went to sleep last night. And in spite of the terrible sequel he could not thank the Lord enough that He had held his hand over him and his family; for in a quarter of an hour the flames would have overcome them.”

Happily the tavern pictured above was up and running before year’s end.

Photo: Moravian Single Sister

This piece was painted by an unknown artist of an unidentified Moravian Single Sister. (The pink bow denotes that she was single. Married Sisters are pictured with blue bows.)

Unknown Artist, Moravian Single Sister, ca. 1810-1820, oil on canvas, 11.5 in. x 14.5 in.  Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pa.

Photo: Hearth Cooking

Photo Credit: GRL3

Open hearth cooking is the oldest way of cooking. The above image was taken at the 1785 Moravian Single Brother's House, Old Salem, NC. 

Moravian Fairness

In 1756 the Moravians in the Wachovia (NC) had a mill up and running to be “of service to the whole community”. Bishop Spangenberg wrote his congratulations from the Moravian community in Bethlehem, PA. In his letter he offered some fatherly advice on what prices to charge.

“You are aware of our principle in this, that in so far as possible we follow local customs and yet let fairness prevail. To some poor men I would return the charge of grinding, and that would not make us any poorer. From others I would take whatever is customary locally, but not the highest charge nor yet the lowest, but the median.”

What is to be learned from this Moravian principle two hundred and sixty years later?

Uncommon Zeal for Jesus

The old Moravians account for some of the most inspiring, sacrificial and bodacious stories of Christian missions history - ever! 

One in sixty. That is how many Moravians, under the leadership of Count Zinzendorf, went as cross-cultural missionaries, planting mission stations in the Virgin Islands, Greenland, South America, North America, South Africa, and Labrador. 

Ponder that number of 1 in 60. The Episcopal Church has approximately 2.5 millions. To equal the ratio of the early Moravians the Episcopal Church would have to find approximately 42,000 missionaries in the pews. 

Where did the Count acquire the motivation, zeal, strength and persistence to lead the early Moravians into such fervid missionary work?

First, we note that in 1719 Zinzendorf was impacted by a painting of Christ enduring the crown of thorns. The inscription read, "All this I did for you, what are you doing for me?"  This seminal encounter moved Zinzendorf to choose not the life of a nobleman but rather that of a minister of the Gospel.

Second, Zinzendorf a man of Scripture and follower of Jesus did not believe in universalism nor would he understand those who claimed Jesus but were universalists.

Universalists subscribe formally or informally to a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved - with or without faith in Jesus Christ. The contemporary church is filled with universalists. Denominations that harbor universalists cannot and will not get beyond thinking of missions as social work. The Count and the early Moravians would have nothing of that. They went out to save souls and nothing less.

A Moravian Prayer Meeting

Third, in 1727, during a communion service, the Holy Spirit moved powerfully on all that were present. Out of that holy communion service on August 13, 1727 advanced a prayer meeting. Their prayer was for the lost both near and far. The prayer gatherings met seven days a week - twenty-four hours a day. It continued without interruption for more than one hundred years. This was undeniably a primary force behind the great Moravian missions movements of the 18th century.

The two first Moravian missionaries, on October 8,1732, set sail from Copenhagen for the West Indies. On board were John Leonard Dober, a potter, and David Nitschman, a carpenter. The only way to reach the slaves of the West Indies with the Gospel was to become one of them. These two men set sail with the objective of selling themselves into slavery to reach the slaves if they must. This is zeal - New Testament zeal. 

Upon arriving at the shores of their destinations, some of the Moravian missionaries would unload their few belongings and then burn the ships. It was a refusal to look back. 

The 1784 Tavern at Salem

The 1784 Tavern at Salem (now Old Salem), NC
Photo Credit: GRL3

Contrary to stereotype drunkenness in taverns of good repute was against the house rules, additionally, the laws of the county stood ready to prosecute the inebriant. Intoxication along with gambling were moral issues in Moravian taverns. The Moravian Church built, managed and owned the taverns in their villages, such as Salem. The Church knew that intoxication and gambling would spin their taverns in a direction they did not wish to have them go.

County government controlled a good deal of tavern culture in the late 18th century - including the Moravian tavern in Salem, NC. For example, what liquors and what food was served, along with the price of the same, was decreed by county or city regulation.

The tavern kitchen at Old Salem
Dated 1784
Photo Credit: GRL3

Breakfast was a big meal often featuring eggs, fish, steak, sausages, bacon, bread, coffee and tea. Dinner was placed family style on the dining tables about noon. It remained for two hours and to it the paying customer helped himself from the spread. Supper was served at seven or eight o’clock and more often than not featured left-overs.

Quality of food was not an issue at the Moravian taverns which were considered the best of the best. Good food and plenty of it. It is estimated at a good tavern served up as many as 6,000 calories a day. That the colonists, Moravian and otherwise, were not obese testifies to the degree to which they worked off those calories. 

Potted meats were a popular. Potting requires boiling or baking a chunk of meat till tender, than pounding it into a paste with a wooden hammer, mixing in spices and fat. The resulting paste was then stored in earthenware jars, sealed with melted butter or fat poured on top. This paste could be spread on bread for sandwiches and made for an easy “to go” meal.

With each meal alcohol was served. A colonial era tavern’s reputation could rise and fall on the quality of its ale. Ales were usually locally brewed. Hard liquor was common among the English colonists. Germans preferred beer. Both were served at Salem’s tavern. Salem, in fact, had its own distillery and brewery. In addition, various wines and rum were imported to Salem for its tavern. 

One of the least understood purposes of the tavern, Moravian or not, was as a social hub. Issues of the day were discussed and hammered out here. The important role of the tavern may be underscored by noting that the City Tavern in Philadelphia, was the site of the first continental congress.

Historic Flag Flies At Salem's tavern

President Washington's Battle Flag

President Washington’s personal flag hangs on the front porch of the historic 1784 Tavern at Old Salem, NC, an important village of the Moravians. 

This flag was flown by General Washington during his winter encampment at Valley Forge. General Washington had a personal protection guard called the "Life Guard". It consisted of a few hand picked men from each colony and this special guard carried these colors. It has been suggested that these colors may have been the origin of the field of stars in our stars and stripes flag.

Quote from Count Zinzendorf

Five inspiring quotes from Count Zinzendorf. 

Count Nikolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf, of Dresden, was a German Christian and social reformer and bishop of the Moravian Church. It was he that organized the modern Moravian Church. 

"I have one passion; it is Jesus, Jesus only.” 

“Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten.”

“Only atheists attempt to comprehend god with their mind.”

“I am destined to proclaim the message, unmindful of personal consequences to myself.”

“…henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ.”

Historic Flag in Old Salem

The Guilford Courthouse Flag
in the historic barn at Old Salem, NC
Photo Credit: GRL3

In seasons of national celebration the Guilford Courthouse Flag hangs in the barn of the historic 1784 Tavern in Old Salem, NC. 

This unusual flag was made with thirteen 8-pointed stars in a wide field. Historical records report this flag carried by North Carolina militiamen at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, March 17, 1781. 

Photo: Three Moravian Sisters

Photo Credit - Lobster Pot Photography

Moravians in Salem During the Revolutionary War

By the fall of 1780, Patriots and Tories were fighting each other throughout the backcountry, and both sides took the policy that “if you’re not with us, you’re against us.” That left groups like the Moravians, who were mostly pacifists, in a difficult position. 

The Moravians supported the Patriots in the war. Like the Quakers, they would not swear an oath, including the oath of loyalty to the new state government, and most Moravians would not take up arms, though some younger members of the congregation did join the Patriot militia. The state Assembly recognized their loyalty, allowing them to affirm their loyalty without swearing an oath and exempting them from military service if they paid a triple tax. 

Still, many backcountry Patriots and Continental Army soldiers didn’t trust the Moravians. They spoke a different language (German); they practiced a different form of Protestant Christianity; and — worst of all — they refused to fight for either side. 

The Spirit of the Ancient Moravian Church

Spirit of the Ancient Moravian Church

An account of the ethos of the Moravian Church is given by one of its British bishops, Clarence H. Shawe. In a lecture series delivered at the Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Shawe described the Spirit of the Moravian Church as having five characteristics: simplicity, happiness, unintrusiveness, fellowship, and the ideal of service.

Simplicity is a focus on the essentials of faith and a lack of interest in the niceties of doctrinal definition. Shawe quotes Zinzendorf's remark that The Apostles say: 'We believe we have salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ....' If I can only teach a person that catechism I have made him a divinity scholar for all time. From this simplicity flow secondary qualities of genuineness and practicality.

Happiness is the natural and spontaneous response to God's free and gracious gift of salvation. Again Shawe quotes Zinzendorf: There is a difference between a genuine Pietist and a genuine Moravian. The Pietist has his sin in the foreground and looks at the wounds of Jesus; the Moravian has the wounds in the forefront and looks from them upon his sin. The Pietist in his timidity is comforted by the wounds; the Moravian in his happiness is shamed by his sin (p. 13).

Unintrusiveness is based on the Moravian belief that God positively wills the existence of a variety of churches to cater for different spiritual needs. There is no need to win converts from other churches. The source of Christian unity is not legal form but everyone's heart-relationship with the Saviour.

Fellowship is based on this heart-relationship. Shawe says: The Moravian ideal has been to gather together kindred hearts.... Where there are 'Christian hearts in love united', there fellowship is possible in spite of differences of intellect and intelligence, of thought, opinion, taste and outlook. ... Fellowship [in Zinzendorf's time] meant not only a bridging of theological differences but also of social differences; the artisan and aristocrat were brought together as brothers and sat as equal members on the same committee. 

The ideal of service entails happily having the attitude of a servant. This shows itself partly in faithful service in various roles within congregations but more importantly in service of the world "by the extension of the Kingdom of God". Historically, this has been evident in educational and especially missionary work. Shawe remarks that none could give themselves more freely to the spread of the gospel than those Moravian emigrants who, by settling in Herrnhut [i.e., on Zinzendorf's estate], had gained release from suppression and persecution. - Wickipedia  

Message delivered - two Moravian brothers and a sister ...

Photo Credit: GRL3

Photo at the historic 1784 tavern in Old Salem. 

A stunning story of missionary spirit

SALEM NC - JULY 4, 1783

Revolutionary War ended with the Preliminary Treaty of Peace signed in Paris on January 20, 1783. North Carolina Governor, Alexander Martin, made the official announcement to the North Carolina General Assembly on April 19 and the Assembly instructed the Governor to designate July 4th as a day of public thanksgiving. Only the Moravians heeded this directive and thus, their celebration of peace on July 4, 1783, is the earliest documented celebration of Independence Day in the United States.

The Moravian towns in Wachovia all celebrated the day in various ways, which included church services, lovefeasts, prayers, instrumental music, hymns of thanksgiving, and ringing of bells.

Salem had the most extensive celebration and the Salem Diary for Friday, July 4, 1783, described it well.  In part it says:

According to the order of the government of this State we celebrated a day of thanksgiving for the restoration of peace. The congregation was awakened by the trombonists. At the beginning of the preaching service the Te Deum was sung… At two o’clock there was a happy Lovefeast, during which a Psalm of Joy was sung with thankful hearts…In the evening…the congregation again assembled in the Saal, and the choir sang…

Then the congregation formed a circle in front of the GemeinHaus, and from there passed in procession through the main street of town, with music and the antiphonal song of two choirs…Hearts were filled with the peace of God, evident during the entire day and especially during the procession, and all around there was silence, even the wind being still.