Moravians come to Nazareth, Pennsylvania - Part II

Nazareth of old and Bethlehem had much in common. Both Moravian communities operated under a communal social and economic system.  This made it possible for the early Moravians to excel in that for which their spiritual value system suggested - educational and missionary efforts.

The road was not paved with praise for the 18th century Moravians. Suspicion of them ran high.  They, being pacifists, were treated with disdain when they refused to bear arms in the colonial war against the Indians and French on the frontier. Rather than fight the Moravians strove to spread Jesus’ gospel among their Native American (especially the Lenape), English, and German neighbors.

One reason for their success in spreading the gospel among native communities was their ability to communicate with the Indians in their own languages. Moravian missionaries spent years learning and then translating parts of the Bible in native dialects.

The early Moravians would certainly salute this Lutheran thought

Photo Credit: Digital Forsyth

"Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake." ~Martin Luther

Moravians come to Nazareth, Pennsylvania - Part I

In 1740, Moravian missionaries from Georgia arrived in Pennsylvania as guests of Methodist evangelist The Rev. George Whitefield, a British cleric conducting his own missionary. The Savannah Moravians were looking for a new place to pursue their missionary activities among the indigenous population. 

In Georgia the Moravians had experienced hostility from neighbors and government officials who looked with great suspicion at their pacifism and their friendliness with local Cherokees and enslaved African-Americans. 

The relationship between the Moravians and George Whitfield  was short lived. A serious argument with Whitefield over doctrine caused the Moravians to leave Nazareth and establish the nearby town of Bethlehem. 

This was not the end of the Moravian presence in Nazareth it should be noted. When Whitefield’s finances failed him the Moravians bought Nazareth from him. 

The original structure there, still called Whitefield House, served their community through the centuries as a place of worship, a boarding school for Moravian girls, a nursery for the children of missionaries, and as the Moravian Theological Seminary. 

Why the Holy One brought the Moravians to the Wachovia (NC)

Oct. 20. Sunday. . . "In the evening service Br. Koher stated that the chief reason for which our Lord planted our congregations here in Wachovia was that we might preach the Gospel to the heathen, especially the neighboring Cherokee and Creek Indians. 

It has been our constant desire to watch what goes on in these nations, and see whether the hour has come in which this plan of the Saviour can be carried out. Sixteen years ago our Br. Martin Schneider, now pastor of Friedberg, was commissioned to visit the land of the Cherokees, and so did. He was kindly received, and they expressed a wish that Brethren might live among them and teach them about the Great God. 

Soon thereafter a great war broke out among the Indians, and nothing more could be done in the matter. Now conditions in these nations seem to have changed, and the matter was taken up to see whether the time had now come to visit the Cherokees again, or at least in their neighborhood to inform ourselves about them, and our dear Lord has ordered that it shall be attempted. After full deliberation, our Lord decided that our Br. Abraham Steiner, in Bethabara, should be called for the task, and he has accepted the proposal with a willing heart as from the hand of the Lord, confident His mighty help, and powerful support. Our Br. Friedrich Christian von Schweintz has been found ready the willing to go with Be. Steiner." -The Salem Diary.

The Baptism of Noah - a Cherokee

Photo Credit: Digital Forsythe

On January 10, 1774 * Brother Marshall read news to the Salem congregation. A selected portion, below, was recorded the Salem Diary.

“We were particularly glad to hear of the baptism of the first Cherokee Indians, Noah, and his wife Wilhelmina; and we wish for our neighboring Indian nation that the life of the Gospel may soon shine upon it.”

* Excursus - Frederic William Marshall

1721–1802

Frederic William Marshall was the chief administrator of the Wachovia settlements in North Carolina. He was not only a governor of the people but also a planner and architect for the Moravian settlements in and around present Winston-Salem. His best known building of the Home Moravian Church in Old Salem, NC.

New Year's Eve 1757

In times past the Moravians read a Memorabilia of notable events at a closing service of a waning year. Not only did a Memorabilia remind a congregation of its own deeds and accomplishments during the passing year, but it also recalled the leading of the Savior as we sought to do his will.

In the year 1757, as the year closed, thanks to God was recorded in the Wachovia Memorabilia.

"We give thanks for the following: -

For the safety and peace vouchsafed us by our Heavenly Father in these times of war. Many of our neighbors, driven hither and yon like deer before wild beasts, came to us for shelter, yet the accustomed order of our congregational life was not disturbed, no, not even by more than 150 Indians, who at sundry times passed by, stopping for a day at a time and being fed by us.” 

A response to tragedy by the early Moravians

Responding to tragedy is universal. How one relates to or acts out his or her response is not universal. As we have come to see over these many postings the former Moravians have something valuable to transfer to us as contemporary Christians.

In 1755 the Moravian settlement of Gnadenhutten near Bethlehem was wiped out by a band of more than 300, Delaware Indians. 

The news of the massacre did not reach North Carolina Moravians for months. To the fact of the massacre the Moravians in Bethabara wrote in their 1756 diary:

“Lord, You has never made a mistake in thy ruling, thou are still our Master, and our faithful God.”

John Wesley and the Moravians

Image - The Mickey Coffee Pot

Original site of the Mickey Coffee Pot
Photo Credit: Digital Forsyth

In Old Salem, you'll find the oldest giant roadside coffee pot in all of North America. It's known as the "Mickey Pot," in reference to tinsmith brothers -- Julius and Sam Mickey -- who made it to advertise their business in 1858.

The tin coffee pot originally hung from the front of the Mickeys' workshop, but more of its life has since been spent as an Old Salem landmark. The 7 ft. 3 in tall pot could theoretically hold 11,840 cups of coffee - or 740.5 gallons. 

Tradition maintains that a Confederate soldier hid inside the Salem coffee pot to escape from Union soldiers. This possibly occurred in April 1865, when a band of Stoneman’s Brigade under Gen. W. J. Palmer came through the town.  - Selected text: roadsideamerica & NCPedia

Moravian modes of baptism are historically administered in three different ways or modes.

Immersion: When immersion is practiced, the pastor lowers the person being baptized into the water until he or she is completely covered, then raises them up again.

Sprinkling: When sprinkling is practiced, the pastor dips his or her fingers into the baptismal font or bowl, then sprinkles water upon the head of the person being baptized.

Pouring: When pouring is practiced, the pastor uses a baptismal bowl or pitcher to pour water upon the head of the person being baptized.

Jeremiah 6:16 - Some Moravians are reclaiming the productive former vision

What is Pietism?

Most contemporary Christians would not care to be called a “pietist”. A present day Christian probably could not define “pietism” but it has a tone that seems, well - too pietistic, smug and self-righteousness.  

Very few, contemporary Moravians claim the identity of a “Pietist” - but that is exactly what Moravian roots are. 

Let’s explore. 

“Pietism” comes out of a specific historical context in European Protestantism. Its origins are in the mid seventeenth century and is particularly related to Lutheranism. 

There was much confusion spiritually and morally.  The clergy were too often, to put it lightly, incompetent and unqualified. Life in the church tended to be shallow. Deep commitment to Jesus Christ frequently lacking. A shaking up was needed. “Pietism” did just that - it shook things up. 

“Pietists” responded to the spiritual malaise by stressing an experimental faith - often called “heart religion”. High on the list of “Pietists”do’s would be the formation of small groups most often with lay leadership. The goal of the small groups was mutual spiritual growth. The “Pietists” also firmly emphasized service to others and godly living.  

By the middle of the eighteenth century it had largely run its course, though the religious impulses it had generated were incorporated in various subsequent movements down to the present day.

It might be noted that Moravian “Pietism” was a major influence on John Wesley and others who began the Methodist movement in 18th century Great Britain. 

So, again, what is “Pietism”? It can be characterized by at least the following: 

Emphasis on the New Birth that comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Thus it is an inward renewal of the individual;

A stand against worldly living; 

Fellowship and Bible Study groups often led by lay people; 

Social reform; 

Profound missionary vision - foreign and domestic; 

A life of repentance, a personal faith and witnessing.”

Image - The Bishop's House

Photo Credit: Digital Forsyth

Photo Credit: DWHIKE

The Bishop’s House in (Old) Salem was the former parsonage after it was decided to move future pastors from the Gemein House. 

This home has been the residence of three Moravian Bishops and other clergy. Above is a contemporary image of the home. 

How Wachovia got its name

In 1752 Bishop Augustus Spangenberg led a party to survey a 100,000 acre tract of land in North Carolina, which came to be known as Wachau after an Austrian estate of Count Zinzendorf. 

The name, later anglicized to Wachovia, became the center of growth for the church in that region. Bethabara, Bethania and Salem (now Winston-Salem) were the first Moravian settlements in North Carolina.

Image - Colonial locks

Apart from the larger Colonial cities there were few available locks as we know them in the mid 1700s. Those that were used tended to be copies of European mechanisms. The new Republic, however, brought with it a new prosperity. This signaled a growing demand for door locks and for padlocks. This in turn brought about a new business venture - the American lock industry.

The 1784 Moravian Tavern in Old Salem has a beautiful and functional lock on its front door. 

The modern Moravian Church

The modern Moravian Church, the Unitas Fratrum, with about 750,000 members worldwide, continues to draw on traditions established during the eighteenth century. The Moravians continue their long tradition of missionary work, for example in the Caribbean. This is reflected in their broad global distribution. The Church places a high value on ecumenism and personal piety, missions and music.

Heartwarming - The Indians addressing the Moravian Brethren:

March 21, 1753

"Brothers! As I (the Nanticokes and Shawnee) was here last summer, my Brothers (Moravians in Bethlehem) helped me very much. I had nothing to eat and I certainly would have starved to death. I am very grateful to you. Our youth was very pleased and said: "I would have been ruined, if the Brethren in Bethlehem had not helped me." Our boys were strengthened with food and were pleased to hear that you helped us so much. The children who were born since that time have heard that you helped us in our hardship and are grateful for it. Our children in their mothers’ wombs will be pleased when they will hear that we would have had to have starved to death if our Brethren had not helped us.

Brothers! We ask you to accept this small present of skins, which will serve you as gloves and trousers. It is not very much. We are only us few, just a handful.

Brothers! We came now to smoke a pipe with you and not to undertake many matters.

Jan Hus

This day in history (1831)

"A new North Carolina law eliminates the Moravians’ exemption from military service. Rather than protest, as their fathers would have, Moravians flock to enlist. By February a militia will form in the Bethania area, and on 4 July Salem’s own militia will parade to martial music." --Moravian Archives, Winston-Salem