Image - Bethania and the Civil War

Bethania Moravian Church, a few miles from Salem, was a cradle of Confederate sentiment during the War Between The States. 

The minister during the war years, Jacob Siewers, was decidedly a Union sympathizer. During his pastorate one third of the members left. It took seven years to build it back. 

His historic home in Salem is pictured below. 

This is not a Tall Tale

In Moravian circles it is said that Count Zinzendorf died as a result of a decision that was made in Bethany, North Carolina.  It is not a tall tale.

Bethabara, North Carolina, was the first Moravian settlement in the Wachovia (1753). All of the residents were Moravians - no exceptions.  

Bethania was the second Moravian settlement (1759). Into this village the Moravian bishop, August Gottlieb Spangenberg (b. 1704) permitted non-Moravians to settle.  

Eight Moravian families were selected to move from Bethabara to Bethania - three miles away. The bishop augmented that number with eight non-Moravian families. 

It took more than a year for this news to cross the Atlantic and land on the desk of Count Zinzendorf in Saxony. 

The Count was not happy - not at all! He vented! The scribe that took down the venting noted, “those who heard his words will never forget them in their whole life long.”

In the Diary for May 3, 1760 are recorded some of the Count's words. He said, “It is against our plan to mix ourselves with people who we do not know. It must absolutely and to eternity not happen that Brethren and stranger people build a settlement where they are going to live together.”

Six days later - the Count was dead. Bethania lives on.

There are a number of implications to this narrative. Do any jump out of you?

January 6, 1766

Monday, January 6 1766 the construction of the village, Salem, commenced. About a dozen brothers from Bethabara and Bethany felled trees where the first house was to stand. 

The Watchword, or Daily Text, for the day was: “I will defend this city.” Isaiah 37:35.

The brothers drew deep encouragement from this word from the Lord.

Though encouraged by the Daily Text the brothers experienced piercing cold. It was so cold that in the Apothecary shop in Bethabara certain drugs dissolved in distilled spirits froze and burst forth from the bottles.

But, the Watchword said: “I will defend this city.” Taken by faith - it is good news indeed.