Why do missionary work?

In the year 1791 the Moravians detailed their motivation for missionary work. That statement is below the line. To enhance my focus in an otherwise tedious statement I have highlighted words that I believe are key.  

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“The simple motive of the brethren for sending missionaries to distant nations was and is an ardent desire to promote the salvation of their fellow men, by making known to them the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

It grieved them to hear of so many thousands and millions of the human race sitting in darkness and groaning beneath the yoke of sin and the tyranny of Satan; and remembering the glorious promises given in the Word of God, that the heathen also should be the reward of the sufferings and death of Jesus; and considering His commandment to His followers, to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, they were filled with confident hopes that if they went forth in obedience unto, and believing in His word, their labor would not be in vain in the Lord. 

They were not dismayed in reflecting on the smallness of their means and abilities, and that they hardly knew their way to the heathen whose salvation they so ardently longed for, nor by the prospect of enduring hardships of every kind and even perhaps the loss of their lives in the attempt. Yet their love to their Savior and their fellow sinners for whom He shed His blood, far outweighed all these considerations. They went forth in the strength of their God and He has wrought wonders in their behalf.”

Moravian Church Children's Choir, Kyela, Tanzania

"And Jesus called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me" 

Matthew 18:2-5

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 18:10

Quick Takes on Salem

Salem, founded in 1766, was envisioned to be an earthly model of the Heavenly Jerusalem - as described in Scripture. 

It was to be marked with peace and harmony. The will of God was to be the governing principle.

The original plan for Salem put forward a circular city similar to Washington, D.C., which was built shortly thereafter. 

Another idea was to have a twelve sided Salem reflecting the Heavenly Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation. 

Alas, geography determined in the end the layout of the town. Rather than a circle - or twelve sides - it had parallel streets with a center square.

This final product lacked the utopian symbolism but the town of Salem worked diligently to live for the glory of God. For the most part it was a peaceful town in the early years. They worked, worshiped and sang together to the glory of God.

The taka-a-way is that no matter the physical attributes of our home town - it is meant to be a place of harmony and peace. We might all ponder how we fit into that truth.

Image - To Ponder

You must have faith to pray. 
You must have faith to ponder the word of God. 
You must have faith to do those things and go to those places which invite the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost. Henry B. Eyring

Five Things to Know about the Moravians of Yesteryear

The official name was the Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brothers);

In the twenty-five years before the Moravians settled in North Carolina in 1753 the Moravian church had grown from about two hundred members in Germany to several thousand from Latvia to Pennsylvania, from Greenland to South America; 

In 1749 the British Parliament recognized the Moravian church “as an ancient and episcopal church, with bishops in apostolic succession like those in the Anglican Church.”

Parliament exempted Moravians from bearing arms in the militia;

By the time that Salem was established in 1771 there were more black Moravians than white Moravians in the New World. 

Image - Miksch House and Gardens at Old Salem, NC

The Miksch Gardens and House (dated 1771 with a 1786 addition) experience – is the most intensive living history site in Salem. The Matthew Miksch House is the first single family home built in Salem, NC.

Behind the Miksch house work shop

End of the Week Audience Page View Stats

The international reach of this blog is interesting. In descending order of page views these are the nations checking in this week. 

USA
Russia
Germany
UK
China
France
Saudi Arabia
Ukraine
Canada
Latvia

Basic Definition of a Moravian from c. 1750 to c. 1800

As a historical interpreter at Old Salem, NC, in the 1784 tavern - a living history experience in North Carolina I receive five or so reoccurring questions. One of the most common questions is: “what is a Moravian?” 

Below is the most basic description I can offer of a Moravian in North Carolina between the years 1750 and 1800. They were:

• German speaking Protestants,

• Products of the German Pietist Movement,

• Christ centered,

• Mission driven,

• Traditionally grounded,

• Congregationally focused,

• And generally life is lived out in congregational towns or villages. Salem was one such congregational town.

Image - Maintaining Discipline and Control in Salem

The 18th century Moravian church sought to maintain discipline and appropriate control over those living in the congregational town of Salem. They did this in part by the lease system.

The lease system granted individual church members an assigned lot for their home. The land continued to be owned by the Moravian church. 

The residence itself and any improvements belonged to the occupant of the site. The land was leased by the church one year at a time. Thus, if the family or individual was not living in accordance with the congregational norms their lease would not be renewed. Reimbursement for the home and improvements, however, was guaranteed. 

The Moravian Watchword Also Known As The Daily Text

In 1722 refugees from Bohemia and Moravia began arriving at the estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700-1760), where he gave them a welcome and land on which to establish the settlement of Herrnhut (“Watch of the Lord”).

Each day the settlers came together for morning and evening devotions, consciously placing their lives in the context of God’s Word. On May 3, 1728, during the evening service, Count Zinzendorf gave the congregation a “watchword” for the next day. It was to be a “Losung” (watchword) to accompany them through the whole day.

Thereafter one or more persons of the congregation went daily to each of the 32 houses in Herrnhut to bring them the watchword for the day, and engage the families in pastoral conversations about the text.

From this oral tradition, the Daily Texts soon became fixed in printed form. Zinzendorf compiled 365 watchwords for the year and the first edition of the Losungen was published for 1731.

To this day the biblical texts for each day are chosen in Herrnhut, Germany, and then sent around the world to those who prepare the different language editions.

Digital editions can be purchased for $7.99 directly from Amazon.com and Apple’s iBookstore. Printed versions of the Daily Texts are available from the Interprovincial Board of Communication’s online store - click here.

Image - History in Sound

High above Home Moravian Church there is abundant history represented by the clock and its bell. For more than 200 years, the tower clock has chimed on a bell the Moravians rang by hand for the first time in 1772.

Today as one walks the streets of Old Salem the sound of the clock and its bell is a historic sound. To maintain the sound the clock must be wound twice a day at 7 a.m. and about 3 p.m. It takes 49 turns to wind the time barrel and 200 turns to wind the striking barrel. This hand winding has not changed over the centuries.  

Back in 1772 when the "hand rung" bell arrived in Salem a decision was made with reference to the frequency with which it would be struck. It was decided that the bell should be rung three times a day: at 7 a.m. to let workers know when to begin work; at 11:30 a.m. in advance of the noon hour dinner break; and close to sunset, not later than 7 p.m. 

In 1787, the Moravians ordered a town clock from Germany. In 1800, the bell was raised to the belfry of Home Moravian Church where lives currently.  

The Salem tower clock at Home Moravian is one of the earliest mechanical clocks in the United States still in existence in its original form 

Image - Battle Flag of George Washington

In 1791 President George Washington visited Salem and spent two nights in the Salem tavern. At relevant times of the year Washington’s Battle Flag is displayed on the porch of the tavern as it would have been during his stay. 

The flag pictured above was flown by General Washington during his winter at Valley Forge. It traveled with him during his presidency - including Salem, North Carolina.

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.

The flag is pictured below in a painting of the Battle of Princeton by James Peale. 

The Battle of Princeton
James Peale

Corn Huskings and other Social problems

As the Moravians in Salem rolled into the 1800’s social problems arose. One concerned corn huskings - of all things. 

Corn huskings were held in the country congregations. These events concerned the Elders because they had the potential for excessive drinking and too free association between male and female.

An effort was made to ban them. The farmers on the other hand needed the help to husk their corn. 

In 1802 a comprise was reached between the Elders and the farmers. The farmers promised to no longer have the huskings in the evening or at night - and they will not permit the single Brethren and Sisters to get together. The “promises” it is recorded may have been half hearted.

The Brethren were also apprised about the dangers of  attending horse races, frolics, shooting matches and the like.

Times were changing in the early years of the 19th century and the Elders were finding it more and more difficult to maintain the ways of just a few years earlier. 

“What’s in a name anyway?”

In our culture a name is at its core almost meaningless. Reality is that buried in a name there is meaning. Consider …

The primary portion of land, 1000 acres in all, purchased by the Moravians in the mid-18th century was named “Wachovia”. It was thus named because the terrain reminded Bishop Spangenberg and company of the “Wachau” in Austria. 

The word “Wachau”, literally means “meadow along the Wach,” which is the prime spring in that area of Austria. 

This explains why the Moravians later named the principal stream in the center of their land - the “Wach”. Today that stream is called “Salem Creek.”

The naming of the Wachovia was important on many levels. That it was a reminder of home before they immigrated was important to these brave and hearty souls that left all behind. 

Image - Worship pattern of the Moravians, in Bethlehem, on the Sabbath and Sunday - in the 1750’s?

Sabbath

6 AM     - The Morning Blessing - no sermon

11 AM   - Sabbath lovefeast of the children

12 PM   - Sabbath lovefeast of the entire congregation

2 PM     -  Liturgy for Widowers, Widows and children

8 PM     - Congregational service with a sermon based on the Daily Text

9 PM     - The night blessing

Sunday

6 AM      - The Church Litany

11 AM    - English service with sermon

1 PM      - Suckling children’s service

1:30 PM - Children’s service and then a sermon

2 PM      - Reading of the Gemein Nachrichten (congregational news)

7 PM      - song service with sermon

8 PM      -  Litany of the Life and Sufferings of Jesus or the Hymns of the Wounds of Jesus followed by the evening blessing.

Adapted from the Bethlehem Diary (Moravian Archives) June 30, 1752.

Image - Winkler Bakery in Old Salem, NC

Photo Credit: Lobster Pot Photography

Baking good food in Salem and Old Salem since 1800. See video about the Winkler Bakery on the sidebar. 

Truth

Count Zinzendorf asserted that the hardest thing for a believer to do is to accept that salvation comes only by grace, not by any merit or effort. 

Image - What can contemporary Christians learn?

Photo Credit: Lobster Pot Photography

"Under Zinzendorf, the Moravians became an intense but highly mobile missionary order. The rapid deployment of many young missionaries around the world in the space of a few short years, is one of the most remarkable Moravian achievements.

The outreach was made possible by a relative lack of concern with training, finances, or structure. A Moravian missionary received from the church, enough money to get to the port. The missionary was then responsible to work for passage across the ocean. On the mission field, the missionary took up whatever occupation would provide the bare amount of food and clothing.

The Moravians had an impact on the existing church as they brought renewal to thousands of formerly nominal Christians throughout Europe. This was achieved through the work of itinerant Moravians sent out from Herrnhut in twos and threes. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1727 and the life and ministry of Zinzendorf, one of the most dynamic missionary movements came into existence. In the next 150 years the Moravians sent out over 2,000 of their members overseas. They tended to go to the most remote, unfavorable and neglected areas. Many of them were simple peasants and artisans.

The impact of the Moravians did not end with their own achievements. Their example profoundly influenced both John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement and William Carey the “father” of Protestant missions." 

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Let me ask you. 

Generalizing how important a concept is the "lost" to a congregation in any mainline denomination? When did you least hear a sermon that focused on the lost? 

What do you think? Is there such a thing as a lost person?

Was Jesus right when he said he focused on the lost? 

Matthew 18:12-14 is a good beginning point to ponder with regard to the lost.

The Moravians of yesterday got it!

- To read the whole article click here.  Above text above cribbed from Movements.net

Have a Friend that Would Value this Blog? By all means send them a link.

Image - Moravian Sisters at the Door of the 1784 Old Salem Tavern

Photo Credit: Lobster Pot Photography

Video - Winston-Salem Coffee Pot Then and Now

Anglican Moravians?

It may seem odd that the earliest Moravian settlers in the Wachovia (NC) wished to be an Anglican parish (Church of England). It was for good reason that they sought the status of an Anglican parish. 

At the time the Church of England was the state church of the colony. All land had to be a part of one Anglican parish or another. Everyone regardless of their denominational affiliation had to pay an assessment to the parish in which it was situated. If the Moravians had a parish of their own they could have control over their finances and it freed them from paying the assessment. 

The name of the parish was, Dobbs Parish, a tribute to the Governor, Arthur Dobbs. 

Video - Moravian Church 550th Anniversary Lovefeast Band Prelude

The Early Moravians and the Unborn

Contemporary culture and the western church both have much to learn from the early Moravians. This would include their care and nurture of the unborn. 

As a matter of faith the early Moravians asserted that infants and even embryos have some capacity of faith. Thus the process of socialization and instruction in the Christian faith began in utero. 

When the pregnancy reached an advanced state the pregnant woman moved into a dormitory set aside for the pregnant sisters. During this time the sisters encouraged each other - and focused their devotional life on the pregnancy of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

As with so many areas of life the early Moravians had  foresight. Concerning the subject at hand they had the farsightedness to establish a means of caring for the emotional - intellectual - physical - and importantly - the spiritual needs of women with child. In no sense of the word did the early Moravians seek to hurt let alone kill the life in process. 

“Speaking” or “Sprechen”

The Moravians of yesteryear celebrated the Holy Communion once a month. Before receiving the Holy Communion members of the community had to first “speak” with their assigned elder. 

The purpose of the “speaking” or “sprechen” was to lay bare the state of ones soul. 

If the elder perceived a backsliding they would seek to restore the communicate to grace. If there were no change in behavior or attitude the person could be excluded from the Lord’s Table or even from the community itself. The purpose of the “speaking” was not, however, exclusion but the maintenance of a living relationship with Christ. 

Video - The Moravian Mission Machine (Christian Documentary)

The amazing and spiritually edifying history of the early Moravians. They were indeed a "Mission Machine." 

They believed Scripture to be true when it speaks of the lost. They, the Moravians of yesteryear, were out to rescue as many of the lost as possible. 

Important Historical Note

In 1771 the Saal,  the space Moravians designated for congregational worship and other meetings was completed. 

It was announced that at 2 PM there would be a baptism in

the Saal. The baptismal candidate was a slave - a man

named “Sam”. It is significant that among the Moravians a slave could be the first baptized in their spanking new worship space. He was given the name of Johannes Samuel.

The Salem Diary reported on the event: “The presence of the Savior was deeply felt by the congregation, including many friends a a few negroes. Many said that the impression on them would never be forgotten.”

The Lost

"As Zinzendorf’s passion for Jesus grew, so did his passion for the lost. He became determined to evangelize the world with a handful of saints, equipped only with a burning love for Jesus and the power of prayer."

January 6, 1766

Monday, January 6 1766 the construction of the village, Salem, commenced. About a dozen brothers from Bethabara and Bethany felled trees where the first house was to stand. 

The Watchword, or Daily Text, for the day was: “I will defend this city.” Isaiah 37:35.

The brothers drew deep encouragement from this word from the Lord.

Though encouraged by the Daily Text the brothers experienced piercing cold. It was so cold that in the Apothecary shop in Bethabara certain drugs dissolved in distilled spirits froze and burst forth from the bottles.

But, the Watchword said: “I will defend this city.” Taken by faith - it is good news indeed.

George and Suzanne Moravian Missionaries

George and Susanne Partsch were and are fine representatives of the early Moravians. Allow me to tell you something about them.   

Susanne Luise Eller was born in Budingen, Germany in the year 1722. Her father, Johann, died before she was born.

Susanne’s troubles began when her mother married a violent man, before she turned seven years of age. The court removed her from her mother and step-father to be placed with the Bailiff Schubert and his wife in Meerholz. Susanne remained with the Schuberts until she was eighteen. 

Having left home she was employed as a cook for a government official. It was at this time in her life that she came to know the Christian Moravians at nearby Herrnhut. In due course she was received into the congregation in 1744. 

Within the year, she married her husband, twenty-five year old George Partsch, a fellow Christian and Moravian. They were joined in wedlock on the same day as were twenty-three other Moravian couples from the congregation. 

George and Susanne joined the Second Sea Congregation, which included as passengers the other twenty-three newly married couples. They set sail on the ship “Little Strength” to New York on November 26, 1744. The voyage took eighty-seven days and ended successfully when the ship anchored safely off Staten Island.

The group arrived in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1744. 

In January of the next year, Susanne and George were assigned to the Moravian community in Nazareth. 

Now meet another couple Samuel and Mary (click here)

Samuel and Mary Moravian Missionaries

Samuel and Mary were American Indian converts to Christ and the Moravian Church. They too were passengers, on "Little Strength" in 1744. They set sail from New York with the expectation of arriving at Amsterdam. They were destined to never reach that port.

"About 10 o'clock in the morning of May 1st," writes Mate John Cook,13, in his narrative of her capture by Spanish pirates, "when in the chops of the English Channel, we sighted a vessel under full sail bearing down on us. Suspecting her of being a privateer, Bishop Nitschmann ordered Captain Garrison to crowd on all sail, but she gained on us so rapidly, that by three o'clock she was only a mile astern. She then fired a shot and hoisted English colors, whereupon we lowered our flag in token of submission and resigned ourselves to our fate. 

When she came up with us, she hauled down the English and hoisted the Spanish flag. She then sent on board of us a prize crew of nineteen seamen, armed with pistols and cutlasses. On board they stripped us of our cloths, and gave us the rags on their backs in exchange. The chests on deck were then rifled. The pirates, having thus disposed of us … sailed away.

"Early on the morning of the 7th we signaled for a pilot, after which the captain entered the cabin, demanded the keys of our chests, money and watches, and told us that we could only take with us what clothing we wore. At 3 o'clock we anchored off St. Sebastian, and later the brethren were confined in the prison (a stinking place), but Bro. Garrison secured lodgings for the sisters in the town. The following day we were examined by the naval officer and set at liberty." The Little Strength proved a total loss to the Moravian Church.