Trouble in Worship and trouble in the Tavern of Salem

The Salem Tavern

"During the singing of the liturgy a disturbance was made by the bad conduct of several strangers. The same men gave Brother Meyer much trouble in the tavern last night, but when they began to fight they were pacified by brother Philip of Friedland, who came to Brother Myers help." -- From the Diary of Salem Congregation, 1784.

The Watchword of this Blog

“This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'" --Jeremiah 6:16.

Who are we that He loves us so greatly?

A Moravian Brother ponders. Watercolor

"What shall we say, when we consider our conduct in the light of the many and great mercies which we have received from our gracious God and Lord? 

Surely we must acknowledge with humble and contrite heart's that we are not worthy, we poor souls, the love is all too great, the love is so full of pity, which has done all for us." 

-- From the Wachovia Memorabilia, 1784

"They rode like the Devil"

Bishop Spangenberg 

After the Moravians established themselves in North Carolina in 1753, Brother Spangenberg came up with the idea of riding rapidly on one's horse through Indian country. His thought was that Indians would find shooting a man on a galloping horse difficult. Of course he was right. When Bethania, a new Moravian Village, was founded 3 miles from, Moravian, Bethabara there was of course travel between the two villages. 

On one occasion Brother Spangenberg went with some of the men, who were plainly nervous, word having come that morning that Indians had been seen in the neighborhood. “Brothers”, said the bishop, “you do not know how to ride, let me show you.” He spurred his horse into a gallup. He maintained that speed for the entire distance between the villages. 

Thereafter that was the custom whenever there was rumor, or fact, that local Indians were being aggressive. As time passed the infrequent hostility of the Indians ended. The Native Americans admitted that time and again they had planned to take prisoners between the Old town (Bethabara) and the new village of Bethania but, said the Indians, “the Dutchers had big fat horses and rode like the devil.”  

Penmanship with a quill pen

A brother works toward penmanship with a quill pen. He has a way to go.

Fire

The 1784 Tavern that replaced the tavern that burned to the ground also in 1784

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"About 3 AM, on January 31st, that our tavern burst into flames, no one knows why." (1)

"Our Brother and Sister Meyer, their children and associates and several guests, were sleeping peacefully, and all the Brethren and Sisters hurried to do what they could, partly to keep the fire from spreading and partly to save the furniture and the belongings of those who were in the house; but the fire increased so quickly that these purposes could only be attained in part."

"Thankfully ... no one received bodily injury, though the Brethren who were trying to put out the fire were in grace danger from falling burning wood and from the chimney. 

The escape of all who were sleeping peacefully in the burning house, the absence of wind, and that the fire did no further damage, are reasons enough for giving thanks and praise to our God and Lord." -- from the Wachovia Memorabilia, 1784.

(1) In the Bethania Church records there is the suggestion that the tavern may have been set on fire by evil-minded enemies of the Brethren, but in a letter to Brother Reichel, dated February 17, 1784, F.W. Marshall said that though such threats had been made there was no evidence of incendiaries.

News of Indians from Salem and Bethabara

"Br. Marshall read the news ... we were particularly glad to hear of the baptism of the first Cherokee Indians, Noah, and his wife Wilhelmine; and we wish for our neighboring Indian nation that the light of the Gospel may soon shine upon it." -- Jan. 11, 1774, from the Salem Diary.
__________

Woman of the
Cherokee tribe and
her daughter.

On Nov. 23 "Two Indian men and a woman arrived today" (at Bethabara). They were quiet and attentive at the evening meeting. The Indians wondered much at the organ, thinking it must be alive if it could make a sound like that; (the organ case had to be opened for them, for they heard children were inside, who sang.)"  The Bethabara Diary

Daniel Boone (1734 - 1820) Passes Through Salem

"Many people passed to and fro; numbers are moving in these days. Mr. Daniel Boon (sic) was here (Salem); he was recently seized by the English near the Salt Springs in Kentuk (sic), but escaped." -- November 9, 1778, the Salem Diary

Hungering and Thirsting

"The congregation partook of the Lord's Supper with hungry and thirsty souls." - From the Diary of the Salem Congregation, 1784.

Have you ever had a hunger or thirst that only Jesus can satisfy? 

The Primary Objective of the Early Moravians

Scene from the Village of Old Salem

The 18th century Moravian culture had one overriding objective: to cement an individuals relationship with the Savior. The process began with the conversion experience but did not end there. The Moravians developed multilayered religious communities that sought to support the tenants of Christianity for all age groups, genders, and marital status. 

Boys will be Boys

“It is earnestly wished that the masters would keep their boys in better order and not allow them to run around.” — July 10th, 1784 - Minutes of the Salem Board.

"Concerning our young people it was remarked that they should be under better discipline, and should be held to more order in their affairs and to more industry in their work. Our boys should never be left without oversight, and should not have opportunity, either before or after meals, to linger in places where that is not allowed." -- December 2, 1784 - Minutes of the Salem Board.