How the Moravians in the late 18th century chose sponsors for their infant baptismal candidates is interesting.
Most parents chose two to five sponsors (godparents). They typically would be a mix of relatives, neighbors and friends.
A typical North Carolina Moravian family might select brothers and sisters from other communities such as Salem or Bethania. These selections had the positive effect of binding various Moravian congregations together. Selecting sponsors from within the family had the same effect within the family unit.
The selection of godparents among NC Moravians rarely was made in the hope of economic gain or a rise in social status. This would be more common in Germany.
The Moravian brethren perceived the selection of baptismal sponsors to be a high honor. Over the childbearing years the Moravian family chose and honored many people. Keep in mind that one child might have five sponsors and that the average family in this time period was seven children - some with many more.
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