On the eve of the New Year

“In times past, it was a cherished tradition of the Moravian Church to 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 Southern Province the first settlers in 1753 were prevented from holding a Memorabilia or Watchnight service, because “our cabin was very full” with visitors. Since then Bethabara and then Salem held Memorabilia services for more than two centuries until the final Salem Congregation Memorabilia was read on New Year’s Eve 1968." -- Richard W. Starbuck

The Moravian Bishop

Unlike most denominations the Moravian bishops hold no executive power by virtue of their office. Their function is primarily to ordain and to be a "pastor to the pastors." They hold the office for life and have episcopal standing throughout the world-wide Moravian church. The bishop is elected from among the presbyters of the Moravian Church. 

Christmas decorations in the Public Room of the tavern are retired

A Moravian sister collects the greens of Christmas.

Christmas at the tavern

A Moravian sister corresponds - note the Christmas decorations in the background. This photo was taken in the Public Room which historically was decorated in the style of the English - which features more greens. The German - Moravian tradition decorated more simply. A majority of 18th century guess to the Salem tavern were English-Scott-Irish. 

Education

About the Boys School:

- The school pictured above was built in 1794; 
- Students attended 12 months of the year;
- Students were awakened at 5:15 in the summer and at 6:30 in the winter;
- Students arose and saluted when the teacher entered or departed the classroom;
- The curriculum included geography, English grammar, geometry, German, Latin, religion, music and penmanship;
- Boys attended the school from age 6 to 14.

The 1784 disaster

On January 31, 1784 disaster struck in the village of Salem. The tavern burst into flames and burned to the ground. Though no lives were lost much material was in the form of furniture and the personal property of those staying in the tavern. 

A benefit did, however, manifest itself. The church boards ordered two hand-pumped fire engines from Europe. They arrived a year later in 1785. It pleased the citizens of Salem that the engines could pump water over the highest roof. 

The fire engines were first used at a fire in August of 1786. 

Pictured above is the 1803 fire house from which were monthly fire drills.

When a fire broke out a bucket brigade was formed. The men would form a line and pass buckets of water from the cistern to the fire engine reservoir. The women would form a parallel line passing the empty buckets back to the cistern. 

The Count and the Lot

Count Zinzendorf, pictured above, the progenitor of the Moravians, introduced a controversy practice to the Moravian Church during the 18th century, the lot. In the 18th Century Moravian's made use of the lot in an effort to determine the will of God in situations when the right course of action was not clear to them. Prayer proceeded the drawing of the lot. Three small tubes were placed in a bowl: one said "yes", another said "no" and the third was blank, which indicated "not yet".

The choirs

The Single Brothers House
Old Salem, NC

The Moravian choir system originated in Herrnhut, Saxony - Germany in February 1728, when a group of unmarried men moved to their own dormitory to worship, live, and work. In 1730 the unmarried women, led by 15 year old Anna Nitschmann, made a similar move and founded the first single sisters house - this also in Herrnhut.

The choir system has little to do with singing as the word implies today. Rather it was a grouping of males and females according to age, sex, and marital status. These groups or choirs gave the opportunity for Moravians to live with those with similar concerns and life experiences. 

Pietism

Photo taken at Bethabara - the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina.

To understand the Moravians of the 18th and 19th centuries one must have at least a passing understanding of Pietism. Pietism is a theological understanding, and should not be confused with simply being pious. 

If you feel you are deficient about Pietism I suggest doing a search on the word "Pietism" - or simply click here. 

The Moravian Motto

The motto or slogan of the Moravian Church is: "In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, Liberty; in all things, Love."

Moravians and the single woman

Singles were almost unheard of in early America. It is suggested that only 3 percent of women in early America stayed single ... almost everybody married just by necessity. 

That being the case for the Moravian community to have given this women — and a lot of other women — (the means) to stay single was really unusual for the time. 

A glimpse into Indian living

"We left Tellico Block House in the company of a respected Indian, named Tay, to whom

we had been directed. We regretted very much that it was impossible to find someone who could have talked both Indian and English at the same time, but we were assured that in the Indian towns we would find enough people who were fluent in both languages. 

We spent the first night at Big Tellico, a town which has 44 houses. The reception which we had at the home of an Indian, Kulsatahi, was good according to his national customs; for supper we had bread baked from corn and beans and a remarkable soup of honey-locust pods. Here we could make ourselves understood only with signs. On the 14th of November (1799) in the evening we arrived near the Baptist (Dunkard) of who we have heard in Salem. He lost his companion sometime ago, when he was killed in the felling of a tree. 

Next to his tidy cottage live three Indian families. They visited us that evening and his

next-door neighbor invited us to his house the next morning and treated us with milk. The entire arrangement in the house indicated orderly and right-living people; they keep cattle, horses, etc. The Dunkard, who had been Anspach troops and is a linen-weaver by profession, instructs them in his craft and in field and garden cultivation..." -- Tellico Block House, 19th November 1799, authored by Friedrich v. Schweinitz

The strong missionary spirit among the Moravians

"Since one of the reasons the Brethren came to North Carolina (the Wachovia) in the first place was ... for the sake of the southern Indians, and ever since brother Martin Schneider's visit among the Cherokee 16 years ago we have always had cause to become more closely acquainted with them in order to serve them with the gospel where possible." - text from the Helfer Conference, meeting in Salem in 1799. Translated by C. Daniel Crews.

"Brother Kohler stated that the chief reason for which the Lord planted our congregations here in Wachovia (North Carolina) 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 savior can be carried out."  Text from the Salem Diary, 1799. Translated by Adelaide L. Fries.

A sampling of Moravian terms

Gemein Haus: congregation house, containing a room for worship, living quarters for the minister and others, and usually school rooms as well.

God's Acre: the burial ground of a Moravian Church. It is thought of as God's Field, where the bodies of believers are sown awaiting the resurrection. See first Corinthians 15:36-44.

Hernhut: the community on the estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, begun in 1722 - built by members of the Moravian Church and others. It is considered the headquarters of the worldwide Moravian Church.

Lovefeast: during a time of hymn-singing, the worshipers, as a family of believers, partake of simple food and drink, rendering praise to God. The love feast is not a substitute for the Lord's Supper, but on occasion is held in preparation to the sacrament.

Memorabillia: an annual review of events worthy of remembrance, prepared by the minister and read to the congregation on New Year's Eve.

Oeconomie: Common housekeeping.

Saal: Usually a worship space within a building.

Singstunde: Hour of singing. A service in which a congregation unites in singing a series of hymn versus, developing a worship theme.

Reputation matters

The Moravians were a people of good reputation in the Wachovia. The Wachovia was the name given to the 100,000 acres of land the early Moravians in North Carolina purchased from the Earl of Grandville.

One example of this wholesome reputation dates from March 1762 when The Rev. John McDowell, an Anglican priest, asked whether the Moravians could educate his son, since "I look upon them to be sober, pious and exemplary prudent society of Christians."

As an aside the circumstances were not yet right to begin a boarding school for the priest's son or any others, but the Moravians that year (1762) began holding school in Bethabara and Bethania for their own children, female as well as male.

A glimpse into the earliest beginnings of Salem

A dozen Brethren, partly from Bethania, partly from Bethabara, took a wagon and went to the new town site (Salem) where in the afternoon they cut down the trees on the place where the first house was to stand, singing several (hymn) stances as they worked. 

Trees were then felled for the house which should, when completed, shelter the builders and other workmen. Certain Brethren and boys finished clearing the roads (that) opened last year. 

The Brethren Ettwein and Loesch were present and remained overnight with the 12 Brethren, putting up a tent for shelter.

Our (Bible) text for the day was beautifully appropriate for the little beginning in the building (of Salem): "I will defend the city." Isaiah 37:35  -- January 6, 1766 - The Salem Diary

Inventory of the Tavernkeeper's Bedchamber:

The tavern keeper's bedchamber 

Personal items:  1 double bedstead with curtains, 1 double feather underbid, 4 good sheets, 1 long pillow with case, 2 small pillows with cases, 2 blankets, 1 coverlet and 1 feather overbed.

1 Schrank

1 hanging corner cabinet

1 painted chest

2 chairs

1 small table

1 looking glass

1 washstand with basin and pitcher, and several diaper hand towels

2 pair window curtains

1 small area rug at bedside

1 candlestick and snuffers

1 plain writing desk with chair

Clothing: seasonal changes - coat and greatcoat in winter, ladies hat, pair of shoes under the bed and a pair of slops

Grooming items: comb, toothbrushes, toothpowder with tin case, razor, shaving soap, castle soap

Books: German Bible, Moravian hymnal, church's daily text, newspaper from Raleigh, some legal documents related to Brother Blum's being Justice of the Peace, newspaper from Germantown (county seat)

Sewing: small project out - mending and embroidery, knitting needles with wool in summer and linen in winter.

Methodist - Moravian rivalry

The Public Room
where the preaching described below was located.

"There was reference to the new Methodist preacher ... namely Samuel Hauser ... He was here in Salem today, where he announced a service for his followers, and preached in our tavern ... Our Brethren took little notice of it." -- March 31, 1799.

A Sister Reflects

A sister pauses at Bethabara - the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina, founded in 1753. 

Today, historic Bethabara Park is nestled in a picturesque 183-acre wildlife preserve with 126 species of birds.

The site features the oldest standing Church with attached residence in North America, active archaeological sites, a reconstructed colonial village, French and Indian War palisade fort, and a Community and Medicinal Garden. 

Omission

Old Salem, Inc., a non prophet corporation, operates Old Salem Museums and Gardens. It is completely separate from the Moravian Church. In a word it is a secular experience. Perhaps this is necessary. But it leads to omissions in the interpretations of the former Moravian village of Salem.

For example, to be sure visitors lean that Salem was a town of "quaint" religious persuasion. But a visitor leaves Salem with not much more knowledge of the Moravians-of-old than with which they arrived. This is a pity.

The visitor will not, for example, hear the great, positive and inspiring stories of Salem that rest on Pietism, an important 18th century theological movement in Europe as well as the Colonies. They will not hear of the extraordinary stories of sacrificial missionary work of the Moravians. They will not hear about Home Moravian Church or God's Acre as they are interpreted separate from Old Salem, Inc. Both of which are at the center of the village of Salem.

Would you like to know more about Pietism? Click here. 

Tavern employees

There are several objections against the horse boy in the Tavern, mainly that he is not taking care well enough of the strangers, that he is too slow and negligent in his service. A young man, who is working with Brother Krause, who was given a good report, would like to work in the Tavern in the place of the current Horsler. -- March 7, 1791

There is a single man, named William Hall, who has worked a lot formerly in the community and who is serving at present in the Tavern. He has uttered again that he would like to become a member of the community. However, he has not learnt a real trade with which he could make a living, if he would become a member of the community. 

Overmore, it will be necessary to find out, other he is willing to direct his whole thinking only to the Lord and the community of the Lord, and that he is willing also to suffer hardships and wrongdoings, in case they should occur later.  August 6, 1793

The mad dog

"The family of Adam and Rachel Elrod, living near the Yadkinville (River), experienced a special protection today. For some time several mad dogs have done much damage in their neighborhood, and today one of them met the Elrod children and followed them home. Their mother was badly frightened, as her husband was not at home, but with considerable difficulty she succeeded in pushing the door shut against the dog, which bit five or six hogs." -- December 7, 1785

The Invisible Gemeine

Have you ever heard of the concept of the "invisible gemeine"?

Former and current Moravians worked/work side by side with Christians of other denominations. They mostly did not judge other believers. Rather they held that all heartfelt Christians are recipients of the Holy Spirit. All believers are brothers and sisters in the great "invisible gemeine." In short, the invisible gemeine is the universal congregation of believers.

Photo of the Single Sisters House

Antique photo of the Single Sisters House in Salem.

Moravians not so good at holding prisoners ...

"Today a well known horse-thief, with three horses, was arrested in our woods, and the next day he was taken as a prisoner toward Richmond. Beyond Bethania he was turned over to a man to be taken on, but he struck the man from his horse and escaped. (A week or two later he was seen on some of the farms near us, and that night our stable was entered, and the above mentioned three horses were taken our. Finally the thief was re-captured, but again he managed to escape, for some time horse-stealing has been general in this neighborhood, and it seems very difficult to put a stop to it."

September 18, 1785 - the Salem Diary

Jesus said: "let the children come to me."

"The little girls had their Choir Festival. In the evening meeting Brother Koehler spoke on how much cause we had to thank the Savior that He had taken so wonderful an interest in the youth of the Unity (Moravians); and then he gave the story of the awakening of the children in 1727."

Aug. 17, 1785

Fall is in the air at Old Salem, NC

To vet or not to vet ...

The following quote is from the 1785 - Salem Diary. I find it interesting as it raises questions in my mind. I will suggest several after the quote. Consider:

"A single man, a journeyman brewer, came from Philadelphia by way of Baltimore and Richmond. His name was Johann Dietrich Jos, and he begged to be allowed to remain here ... He declared further that he sought nothing more from the world than to live for the Savior. We made opportunity for him to find work here, which will give us time to see more about his remaining here."

Questions:

Ought a Christian man be a brewer?

Should the Moravians of old have given him the chance to work and live among them, as they did? 

Was it right for the former Moravians to vet a man that is simply seeking "to live for the Savior"?

Should the contemporary church do investigations into a person's background before fully incorporating them into the congregation? 

A dangerous raid on the Salem tavern

Four men raided the tavern by forcing open the front door, demolished the door of the living room, and went to the bedroom door which was nailed shut. The room at this time was not in use. The men knocked out a portion of the door and opened it.

The men armed with tomahawks threatened the keeper and his wife, Brother and Sister Meyer. They stomped the cradle from which the baby had just been lifted. The men uttered life threatening words and hacked into the table where the Meyers were eating.  -- portions from the Bag Manuscript, 1776

Sprechens

Photo credit: Tadst.com

Before receiving the Holy Communion which was administered only to full congregation members church authorities held Sprechens - speakings. 

At Sprechens the pastors interviewed each congregation member to learn from them their heart's condition with respect to the Lord. Those with a sound mind, spiritually speaking, could attend the Holy Communion. 

Here is how the elders explained it. "We are instructed is to truly examine ourselves before we draw nigh to the Lord's table - that is to say, we are required to put all such questions to ourselves as may be conducive to point out to us the real situation of our hearts." -- "History of the Unity," by Bishop August Spangenberg, 1772.

Halloween Post

Moravians have been a lively presence in America for hundreds of years. Not surprisingly there is an abundance of Moravian lore. The tales may be urban myths, strange truths or campfire tall tales. You decide.

Here is a bit of Moravian oral tradition for your consideration.


Moravian College, in Bethlehem, PA, was founded in 1742, which makes it America's sixth oldest college. The building that currently houses the music department at the college, the Brethren's House, built in 1748, was originally the residence of the single men of the Moravian Community. 

The building later was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War. George Washington himself came to visit in 1783. The building was a witness to much suffering. 

Ghosts reportedly roam the building at night.

Many of the ghostly activities are believed to be caused by the spirits of those men who spent their lives for our nation and their final moments in the Brethren's House. It is also said that the Brethren's House is haunted by the ghost of a Revolutionary War nurse. Hummm. So, what do you think?

The Hinge

One of the early offices of the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pa. was that of the
Hinge. This was someone whose task was to examine “everything and bring troublesome factors within the congregation into mutual accord without their first having to be taken up publicly in the congregation council.” -- (September 1742, The Bethlehem Diary, vol. 1, tr. by Kenneth Hamilton, p. 80).

The concept of the Hinge insightful. The quote in the paragraph above seems to have had each word chosen with care. This produced a single sentence packed with holy and practical concepts.

Do you think your local church would benefit from a Hinge or is it a dated concept? 

Facts about 18th century alcohol consumption

Average 18th century Americans consumed 3 - 5 gallons of hard liquor and at least 15 gallons of beer and cider per year. 

Men, women and children all partook of alcohol.

The temperance movement would not begin in earnest until about 1830, well into the 19th century. That said there were voices in opposition to alcohol consumption. One such is Thomas Jefferson: "I wish to see ... beer, become common instead of the whiskey which kills one third of our citizens and ruins their families." John Wesley opined in 1743: "that buying, selling, and drinking of liquor, unless absolutely necessary, were evils to be avoided"

Woman and children tended to drink lower alcohol content beverages such as small beer, wine and cider. Small beer is drawn at the end of the brewing process and therefore contains less alcohol. 

The Gunsmith

The gunsmith heads back to work having enjoyed his dinner break.

18th century mixed drinks

There were mixed drinks available in 18th-century. 

Punch was common and contained five ingredients: distilled or fermented spirits, sugar, citrus fruits, spices and water. Grog was prepared with a 3 to 1 ratio of water to rum. Toddy is a mixture of rum, water and sugar.

Problems surrounding alcohol consumption in Salem

Having recognized that the consumption of alcohol was widespread if not universal, one can assume that there was in one degree or another a problem with drunkenness. The Salem council notes both In 1787 and 1804 recognize problems with Brandy. 

"Brother S., Has been drinking too much. Brandy has been forbidden to him and everyone has been told not to let him have it." July 11, 1787

"Brother L. M. Has again been drinking too much ... especially as he has bought whiskey in quantity it was wished that a innocent drink could be secured for the sake of those who have this weakness, and that beer could be brewed more often, but barley is scarce." March 13, 1804

Doors

The early American Moravians were uncommonly aware of their need to manage and conserve their environment. 

Moravian stewardship theory was combined with German ingenuity in the Moravian villages. The doors of older buildings, such as Home Moravian Church, are a case in point.

The construction of Salem Church, later known as Home Church in Salem, NC, was begun in 1798. Its doors were and continue to be bivalve. That is to say, one panel is wider than the other.

Doors in early Moravian buildings were made as small as possible. They needed to be large enough to admit a person, but also let in the least cold in winter and heat in the summer. 

Church doors were more complicated in former times because they were multifunctional. 

They had to be wide enough for a casket to enter. If the doors had two equally wide panels it would have necessitated opening both doors to admit the casket. The practical solution was to have two panels with one wider than the other. The more narrow door for people and the other for a coffin as the photographs illustrate.

I cannot help but see a metaphor in the pictured church doors. It was Jesus that said the door and pathway to life is narrow; and the door to death, alas, is wide Matthew 7:13-14. 

At Home Moravian Church the living entered by the narrow door and the dead, the wide. Though this symbol was not intended, I do not think I will ever see the church doors of this sacred space the same again. 

Music is valued but is not free

The Salem Brass Band 1862

Contemporary member of the Salem Brass Band

"The board (of elders) granted a donation of $15 to the Salem brass band toward the purchase of new instruments, with the understanding that the death of the member of the church be announced by blowing of the church tunes from the steeple as had been customary heretofore." -- August 7, 1860


Brother Charles Clauder who has thus far attended the organ bellows for $12 a year, asked for an increase of salary, and the board resolve to raise it to $15 dollars with an extra compensation of $5 for his attendance at rehearsals of music." February 7, 1860

Chattel slaves bought, sold and evangelized

At the same time the Moravians were converting thousands of blacks and enslaved Africans -  white brethren in the West Indies began buying slaves themselves, as if to confirm their willing acceptance of the prevailing social hierarchies.

In 1737, they bought a plantation with thirty to forty slaves on St. Thomas to support their

livelihood. In the following years, Moravian missionaries in Jamaica, Antigua, and other Caribbean colonies followed a similar course, finding it easier to join the plantation economy than to live on its fringes dependent on handouts from Europe. They might also have reason that ownership of plantations and slaves would earn them favor with authorities.
-- Moravian Missionaries and Slaves, Hamilton and Hamilton - Caribbean Studies, V, no 2 (July 1965), 4-5.

The Brethren were hardly the first to use Christianity to humanize and legitimize slavery simultaneously. But later generations of white Brethren would regret their forerunners ownership of slaves.  "We grieve over it, and believe the Lord winked at those times of ignorance," lamented a missionary in Jamaica in 1854. -- J.H. Buchner, The Moravians in Jamaica. The reference in to Acts 17:30.

Biblical symbols seen differently

"European Christian immigrants such as the Moravians perceived America as a new Israel, a refuge from the spiritual and physical "wilderness" of Europe, and a biblical model for the moral regeneration of the world.

For Afro-Christians, on the other hand, America, the land of captivity, represented the opposite image - Egypt, a wilderness of exile and bondage like that of the Israelites with whom they identified." - A Separate Canaan, Jon F. Sensbach, xxi