Sprechens

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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.