Thursday, July 12, 2018

Visitors are welcome - sorta




The 1816 Hagen House (in Old Salem NC). John Hagen, a tailor who had worked as a missionary to the “Northern Indians,” lived here.  One of Hagen’s sons, Francis Hagen, was the composer of the well-known Moravian Christmas hymn “Morning Star.” 
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The Moravians of old took measures to protect their way of life - about which they were jealous. Most especially this applied to the Moravian spiritual life and particularly as it concerned their sons and daughters. There is something for us to lean here. The following is recorded in the Minutes of the Salem Boards, December 9, 1784.

"It is against the rules of the congregation that outsiders (i.e. non-Moravians) are allowed to remain in our town, sometimes for months, and no good can come of it ... (for example,) the bad influence they may have on our young people. 

That a man may have a visit of several days from his friends is permitted, except in doubtful cases, but he must mention it at the proper place"

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