CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME 
 OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT 
 FUND GIVEN IN 1 89 1 BY 
 
 HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE 
 
Cornell University Library 
 BX8593.Z79 S73 1838 
 
 Life of Nicholas Lewis Count Zinsendorf. 
 
 olin 
 
 3 1924 029 473 539 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029473539 
 
* 1. O "N D OK , 
 Samujit lioldsworlh.Jmcn Corrwr. 
 Ext&riwsLer .Fiow 
 1837. 
 
THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 NICHOLAS LEWIS 
 
 COUNT ZINZENDORF, 
 
 BISHOP AND ORDINARY OF THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED 
 (OR MORAVIAN) BRETHREN. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. AUGUST GOTTLIEB SPANGENBERG. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN, 
 
 BY SAMUEL JACKSON, ESQ. 
 
 s 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTORY PREFACE, 
 BY THE REV. P. LA TROBS. 
 
 " And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured , 
 and hast not fainted." — Rev. ii. 3. 
 
 LONDON : 
 SAMUEL HOLDSWORTH, AMEN-CORNER, 
 
 PATEIINOSTER KOW. 
 1838. 
 
 r 
 
LONDON : 
 a. CLAY, PllINTEB, BUEAD-STREET-HILL. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The following pages contain an Abridged Translation 
 of a Memoir of Count Zinzendorf, which appeared in 
 Germany between the years 1772 and 1775, from the 
 pen of the Rev. August Gottlieb Spangenberg, Bishop 
 of the Church of the United Brethren.* In the Preface 
 to the original work, the venerable author describes, 
 with characteristic simplicity, the object which he had 
 in view in its compilation, the reasons which induced 
 him to undertake it, and the sources whence his ma- 
 terials were principally derived. An extract from that 
 Preface can therefore hardly fail to be interesting and 
 acceptable to the reader. 
 
 " I here present to the public, the true character and 
 course of life of a man, of whom I may affirm, without 
 hesitation, that his like is hardly to be met with in the 
 history of more than one century. In saying this, I have 
 respect, not so much to his great and distinguished 
 talents, — for I am aware, that from time to time men 
 have appeared, whom the Creator has been pleased to 
 endow with extraordinary mental powers and qualifica- 
 tions, — but rather to the use to which those talents were 
 applied, and the consequences of such application. These 
 lay open to us his heart, and reveal the spirit by which 
 he was animated. From his childhood to his departure, 
 he had but one great object in view — to serve our Lord 
 Jesus Christ with soul and body. The eternal truth, 
 
 * Leben des Herrn Nicolaus Ludwig, Grafen und Herrn von Zinxendorf 
 mid PoMendorf, beschrieben von August Gottlieb Spangenberg : in 8 Theilen, 
 1772—1775. 
 
 a2 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 that God was manifest in the flesh,— the history of the 
 Lord of glory, who became man that he might die for 
 sinners, and redeem them to himself with his precious 
 blood,— made so deep an impression on him, even in his 
 earliest years, that he was determined to know nothing 
 higher or more important, throughout the whole of his 
 future life. Because he was captivated with this subject, 
 and his heart was full of it, he spake, wrote, and sang of 
 it, with an emotion, which placed the fervour and sincerity 
 of his faith beyond a doubt. His resolution was taken, 
 — and he adhered to it firmly and immovably, — to testify 
 of this truth before the whole world, and to venture all 
 for the sake of it. In a private or a public station, at 
 home or abroad, in his intercourse with friends or with 
 enemies, with persons of high or of low estate, with the 
 learned or the unlearned, herein he was always the same. 
 This good confession was his bond of union with many 
 thousand friends, who loved him tenderly, and to whoin 
 he was indeed invaluable ; and it was, at the same time, 
 the cause of much of that animosity which was displayed 
 towards him by a host of enemies, who painted him in viler 
 colours, and persecuted him with more untiring ardotlr, 
 than if he had been the worst of heretics. His writings, 
 which certainly contain much that is peculiar and original, 
 are highly prized by some persons, whUe others denounce 
 them with a zeal bordering on madness. Between these 
 extremes, a mean position is occupied by thousands, who 
 are neither for him nor against him. By none, however, 
 can it be denied, that he was the instrument in the hand 
 of God, for planting the church of the Brethren in 
 almost every quarter of the globe. He was a man of 
 lively disposition, quick perception, penetrating judg- 
 ment, extended views, extraordinary zeal, unwearied 
 diligence, incomparable genius, great experience, and, 
 notwithstanding a degree of timidity and difiidence 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 Inherent in his character, of very lofty courage and 
 cheerful confidence. The issue of the transactions in 
 which he was engaged, rendered it manifest that God 
 was with him, and that he was supported hy the Divine 
 hand in his various undertakings for the good of his fel- 
 low men, -vvhose temporal and eternal well-being he was 
 unceasingly solicitous to promote. To the church of 
 Christ at large he was enabled to render essential service ; 
 and at length, after beholding much fruit from his labours, 
 and laying all at the feet of his gracious Lord and Mas- 
 ter, he was permitted to finish his course with joy. 
 
 " In the hearts and consciences of those who truly 
 knew him, he had the clearest and most undoubted 
 witness, that he was a worthy man of God, and a faithful 
 servant of Jesus Christ. 
 
 " The individual whose character I have attempted 
 thus briefly to pourtray, was Nicolas Lewis, Count and 
 Lord of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf, Lord of the Baronies 
 of Freydeck, Schoneck, Thiirnstein, and the Vale of 
 Wachovia, Lord of the Manor of Upper, Middle, and 
 Lower Bertholdsdorf, Hereditary Warden of the Chace 
 to his Imperial Roman Majesty, in the Duchy of Austria, 
 below the Ens, and at one time Aulic and Justicial 
 Counsellor to the Elector of Saxony.* 
 
 * " I enumerate all the titles of the Count, because he not unfrequently 
 availed himself of one or other of them, when he found it expedient to 
 travel, or to labour for a season incognito. Thus at one time he assumed 
 the name of Von Freydeck, at another, of Von Thiirnstein, &c." 
 
 The family of Zinzendorf appears to be of very remote antiquity in the 
 Duchy of Austria. As early as the eleventhi centuty, it was numbered 
 among the twelve noble houses, which were the chief support of the Aus- 
 trian dynasty. From its founder Ehrenhold, to his descendant the subject 
 of this Memoir, were reckoned twenty-two generations. The dignity 
 of Count of the Holy Roman Empire was confeired on it by the Emperor 
 Leopold in the year 1662. The first member of the family who embraced 
 the doctrines of the Reformation, was John, the second of the name, who died 
 in 1552. Of his descendants, several families remained in the Austrian 
 
Vi PREFACE. 
 
 " His ecclesiastical functions were those of Bishop; 
 Advocate, Ordinary, and Representative with full powers, 
 of the Church of the Bohemian aiid Moravian Brethren, 
 adhering to the Confession of Augsburg- 
 
 " The following considerations have induced me to 
 hecome the biographer of the late Count. For more than 
 thirty years, it was my privilege to live with him in a state 
 of the closest and most cordial intimacy. A gracious 
 Providence so ordered it, that I had occasion not imfre- 
 quently to spend half a year at a time in his house, and 
 near his person. I had thus abundant and almost daily 
 opportunities of making myself thorotighly acquainted 
 with his views, the objects to which they were directed, 
 and the means which he employed for their attain- 
 ment; of scrutinizing the principles and maxims by 
 which his conduct was governed, the tone and temper 
 of his mind, and the nature of his intercourse with 
 persons of all classes and under every variety of circum- 
 stances; — in short, of becoming an eye and ear-witness 
 
 dominions, and weire distinguished ty their adherence to the Protestant faith, 
 not less than by their civil and military services; It is a remarkable fact, 
 that Luke Bakmeister, Doctor and Professor of Theology, who in the reign 
 of the'Emperor Rudolph II., held a visitation of the churches in Austria, 
 adhering to the Augsburg Confession, found four flourishing Protestant con- 
 gregations, duly provided with pastors, established on the estates of the Zin- 
 zendorf family at Lunz, Carlstetten, Pottendorf, and Orth near Markfeld. 
 The grandfather of the Count, Maximilian Erasmus, emigrated from his na- 
 tive land, and settled at Oberberg,near Nuremberg, esteeming the loss of all ■ 
 his estates more than counterbalanced, by the superior liberty o^ conscience 
 which he thus obtained. His son, George Lewis, the father of the Count, 
 having removed to Dresden, entered into the service of the Elector of 
 Saxony, and died, as stated in the narrative, in the year 1700. The head- 
 ship of the family, which fell to the Count in 1756, on the decease of his 
 elder brother, he ceded *fth all its rights and immunities to his nephevf, as 
 soon as the necessary forms could be gone through. The motto of the 
 house of Zihzendorf, derived from Count Albert, the prime minister of the 
 Emperor Leopold, was, " I yield to no one, not even to the whole world." 
 See a Note to a Poem by Count Zinzendorf on his brother Frederick Chris- 
 tian's second marriage, German Poems, No. LXIII. p. 176 ; in which he 
 makes a striking allusion to this motto. Also Spangenberg's Memoir,p. 11. 
 
PREFACE. Vn 
 
 of whatever ooeurred or transpired, in his daily life and 
 conversation. Whenever the nature of my official in- 
 cumbencies led to our separation from each other, the 
 most confidential correspondence was maintained between 
 us. The communications with which he favoured me at 
 such times, supplied me with the Most inteiresting details 
 of his personal and domestic history, to an extent 
 that I could never have expected from him. Ten years 
 previous to his translation to eternal rest, the commission 
 was given me to collect the numerous accusations made 
 against him and the Briethren's dhurch, out of the various 
 controversial writings of the day, in order that he might 
 have an opportunity of answering them himself; and 
 the execution of this task was the occasion of my obtain- 
 ing light upon many particulars affecting his person and 
 character, of which I had previously been ignorant, or 
 which I had understood but imperfectly. Hereby I 
 was more than ever convinced of the necessity of vsriting 
 a memoir of this distinguished man." 
 
 The venerable biographer proceeds to explain the 
 principles which he had endeavoured to keep in view, 
 throughout the progress of his work. 
 
 " My first and chief object," he observes, " was to 
 write nothing, but what I knew or believed in my con- 
 science to be consistent with truth. I have therefore 
 taken all possible ,pains, to obtain correct information 
 relative to the facts which I have recorded; and this 
 information I have derived, either from the testimony of 
 my own eyes, or from the verbal or written statements 
 of credible persons, who had been present at the trans- 
 actions referred to, or else from relations of the Count 
 himself. 
 
 " In his intercourse with his brethren, whether public 
 or private, it was his invariable practice to seek to make 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 them acquainted with his faults and failings, as well as 
 with the good which Divine grace had wrought within 
 him ; and in general, it was his wish to appear to every 
 one in his true character. It is owing to this cause, 
 that in his various hymns, discourses, letters, and other 
 writings, both published and unpublished, so many 
 passages are to be met with, having a reference to his 
 own person,* and that these may justly be reckoned 
 among the main sources, whence an authentic history of 
 his life and labours is to be drawn. 
 
 " I have further endeavoured to present a faithful 
 portraiture of the views and motives which influenced 
 his conduct, in the various transactions in which he was 
 engaged. The great object which he set before his eyes, 
 in all his discourses and proceedings, is evident: — he 
 was a lover of Jesus, and a friend of man; hereof I 
 am fully convinced ; and equally so, that the mind and 
 will of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ were the rule, 
 by which he wished at all times to be guided. Neverthe- 
 less, since a variety of reasons may occasionally exist for 
 a partictdar course of action, — which has often occurred 
 in the history of the Count, — I have been sometimes 
 under the necessity of relating what is probable, rather 
 than what is absolutely certain on this head. 
 
 " The third point to which my efibrts have been directed 
 in the progress of this Work, is the maintenance of strict 
 impartiahty. Notwithstanding my friendship for the 
 deceased, I have endeavoured, through the grace of God> 
 so to write, that the good and the evil, the true and the 
 false, may appear in their genuine colours. Many of 
 
 ' " In answer to the question, What had induced him to give so many 
 particulars respecting himself and his undertakings ? he observed, ' The 
 numberless false reports which have been circulated to my prejudice 
 throughout the wprld, compel me to say a little on these subjects, yet so 
 little, that nine out of ten of their number a,re commonly passed over in 
 silence.' " 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 my brethren will be ready to bear me witness, that on 
 various occasions during the lifetime of the Count, I 
 held an opinion different from his own ; and that I made 
 no scruple of stating this difference both to himself and 
 to our fellow-labourers. At the same time, I am well 
 aware, that it must be left to the intelligent reader to 
 decide, in how far I have succeeded in meriting the 
 praise of impartiality." 
 
 The author enumerates, in conclusion, the various 
 documentary sources of information to which he had 
 access, in the compilation of his memoir. Among these, 
 the most valuable appear to have been, a number of 
 diaries of early date ; a kind of journal kept by the Count 
 during several years of his life ; and a large collection 
 of letters, written either by himself or by brethren in 
 attendance upon him ; — all which are deposited in the 
 Archives of the Unity. He had also derived much in- 
 formation from the Count's printed works ; the written 
 statements of various brethren and friends, concerning 
 particular facts ; the private journal of brother David 
 Nitschman, who from the year 1729 was generally near 
 his person ;* and the diaries of various congregations and 
 individuals, detailing transactions of greater or less mo- 
 ment in which he had been engaged. Obligations are 
 also expressed to the adversaries of the Count, for the 
 explanations of many circumstances connected with his 
 opinions and proceedings, which their charges against 
 him had tended to elicit, and which had proved of essen- 
 tial service in the compilation of this Memoir. 
 
 The preceding paragraphs, derived from Spangen- 
 berg's own Preface, explain with sufficient clearness the 
 iscope and character of his work, and a portion at least 
 
 • The three years, from 1738 to 1741, during which he was engaged 
 in a Mission to Ceylon, form the principal exception. 
 ^ A3 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 of the qualifications which he possessedj when, in com- 
 pliance with the wishes of the Synod of 1764^ he under- 
 took to be the biographer of his honoured friend and 
 fellow-servant. An individual more competent to the 
 task, and altogether more worthy to execute it, could 
 certainly not have been selected^ With the exception 
 of Zinzendorf himself, no name is mord distinguished 
 than that of Spangenberg in the records of the renewed 
 Brethren's church, and none more highly reverenced by 
 its members. He was indeed a man of primitive piety 
 and patriarchal simphcity, of extensive eruditidUj of 
 unwearied diligence, and of unimpeachable veracity. 
 The soundness and sobriety of his theological views are 
 sufficiently proved by his well-known " Exposition of 
 Christian Doctrine;"* and the variety and extent of 
 his experience, as a labourer iii the vineyard of his 
 Master, both at home and abroad, by his valuable 
 Tracts on subjects connected with the Missionary call- 
 ing ; while the annals of the Brethren's Unity, during a 
 period of nearly sixty years, bear abundant testimony to 
 the blessing vouchsafed to his truly apostolic labours. 
 
 His memoir of Count Zinzendorf may be described as 
 a plain unvarnished relation of facts, bearing the stamp 
 of truth, and exhibiting the fruits of a judicious and 
 very careful research. It is however to be regretted, 
 that the author has assumed the character rather of the 
 annalist than of the historian ; the strictly chronological 
 arrangement which he has chosen, and with few ex- 
 ceptions adhered to, being better adapted to secure the 
 accuracy, than to sustain the interest of his narrative. 
 
 * The German Edition, published in 1779, bears the title Idea Fidei 
 Fratrum : the English, printed in 1784, with a Preface by the Bev. 
 Benjamin La Trobe, that of An Exposition of Christian DoctHne, as taught 
 in the Protestant Church of the United Brethren. Pp. 485. Translations 
 have also appeared in the Danish, Dutch, Swedish and French languages. 
 
PREFACE. XI 
 
 His style is unadorned and simple, though not devoid 
 of idiomatic peculiarity. The difiiisiveness, with which 
 he handles his subject, can hardly fail to be accounted 
 a defect by the general reader, readily as it wiU be for- 
 given by members 'of the Brethren's church, to whom 
 the circumstantial details of events closely interwoven 
 with the thread of its history will always be instructive. 
 Not the least valuable portion of Spangenberg's work, 
 are the numerous extracts from Zinzendorf's own writ- 
 ings, both printed and manuscript ; including his ex- 
 tensive correspondence, and his characteristic hymns 
 and poems. By these, " he is permitted to speak 
 for himself," in reference to a variety of passages in 
 his extraordinary life, to unfold his real views, and to 
 " tell all that was in his heart." The writer of these 
 remarks cannot, therefore, refrain from an expression of 
 regret, that in the process of abridgment to which the 
 translator has had recourse, and by which the contents 
 of the work have been reduced to about one-third of the 
 original bulk, it should have been found necessary to 
 sacrifice so large a proportion of matter, calculated to 
 place in the clearest light the character, opinions, and 
 conduct, both personal and official, of so remarkable a 
 man as Count Zinzendorf. 
 
 The question may reasonably be asked, why a work 
 of authority so decided, and of merit so various and so 
 generally acknowledged as that of Spangenberg, has not 
 been earlier presented to the public in an English dress ; 
 and further, why the performance of the task should 
 eventually have been left to a comparative stranger to 
 the Brethren's church and its institutions. To these 
 natural inquiries, it is difficult to return a perfectly 
 satisfactory answer. The following remarks may, how- 
 ever, be a'ccepted in apology for the hesitation to publish, 
 
xii PREFACEi 
 
 manifested by the Brethren in England, and in explana- 
 tion of a neglect, which, were it as real as it is apparent, 
 would certainly he inexcusable. 
 
 The first two parts of Spangenberg's Memoir issued 
 from the press in the year 1772; the eighth, or con- 
 cluding one, in 1775, A few years after, there appeared 
 an English translation of the first volume, comprising the 
 above-mentioned two parts, with a promise of a continu- 
 ation, in the event of the work meeting with the desired en- 
 couragement. This encouragement being, however, from 
 some cause or other withheld, the idea of proceeding with 
 the publication was gradually abandoned. Meanwhile 
 the press of Germany continued to bring forth books and 
 pamphlets, illustrative of Zinzendorf 's private and pub- 
 lic history ;* and the hope was hereby revived, that a 
 memoir of his life and services, at once comprehensive, 
 luminous, and faithful, would in due season make its 
 appearance. The disappointment of this expectation 
 continues to be a subject of unfeigned regret with the 
 English section of the Moravian church ; and may serve 
 to account, in some measure, for the reluctance hitherto 
 shown by its leading members, to originate, or directly to 
 sanction, a compilation like that now given to the public. 
 
 Contemporary biography has its peculiar charms ; and 
 it must be confessed, that he who devotes himself to 
 it, possesses advantages for the delineation of indi- 
 vidual character, and the record of particular incidents, 
 
 • Among these may be particularly noticed, Characteristics of Count 
 Zinzendorf, by Charles Lewis Baron Sohrautenbaoh ; a Sketch of his 
 Life, by Kev. J. Chr. Duvernoy ; a Memoir, by Rev. C. R. Reichel ; 
 Count Lynar's Account of the Brethren's Unity, in Biisohing's Magazine, 
 Vol. XIII. ; and a brief but highly interesting portrait of his character, 
 writings, and labours, in a work published in 1795, by J. G. Miiller, under 
 the title of " Bekenntnisse merkwiirdiger Manner von sich selbst." (Con- 
 fessions of Remarkable Men, respecting themselves.) The two writers first 
 mentioned were members of the Brethren's church. 
 
PREFACE. Xm 
 
 which are denied to the historian of a subsequent 
 age. But it is not less obvious, that the latter, if his 
 natural abilities are equal to the task, and his materials 
 for its performance are copious and well selected, — 
 among which materials, the researches of contemporary 
 authors naturally hold a prominent place, — is in circvmi- 
 stances more favourable to the exhibition of the qualities 
 which characterise a great and philosophic historian. It 
 is thus with an edifice of symmetrical form and imposing 
 dimensions. Though a near view may be necessary to 
 give tlie spectator an accurate idea of its architectural 
 details and minuter ornaments, it is only from a moderate 
 and well-chosen distance, that its true proportions, and 
 its graceful and noble outline can be discerned and ap- 
 preciated. The greater and more majestic the object, the 
 more needful is it to ascertain the point of sight, which 
 best accords with its true character, and with the state 
 of the surrounding atmosphere. There are probably not 
 many individuals, to whom the foregoing remarks are 
 more strictly applicable than the subject of this Memoir. 
 Count Zinzendorf was undoubtedly one of the most 
 extraordinary personages, that have appeared in the 
 church of Christ since the period of the Reformation. 
 Few men have been the object of more sincere and 
 more afiectionate admiration ; few, exposed to greater 
 and more cruel obloquy. In his own country, by 
 turns honoured and despised, caressed and persecuted ; 
 at one time admitted to the friendship of sovereign 
 princes, at another exiled from his native land, and 
 deprived of the rights and privileges of the meanest 
 citizen, — ^he was enabled to pursue his course unmoved, 
 and to demean himself as the humble and devoted 
 servant of that Master, who has declared, that his king- 
 dom is not of this world. The justice which was so often 
 denied him by his countrymen during his life, they have 
 
XIV PREFACE. 
 
 willingly rendered him since his death ; and even the 
 fame which he sought not, has been conceded to him, to 
 a greater extent than would have been agreeable to his 
 own feelings, or than is consistent with the views and 
 character of the church, to whose service he was so dis- 
 interestly attached. By the worldly-wise, he has been 
 acknowledged as a man of original genius and exten- 
 sive acquirements; by evangelical divines, as a sound, 
 though occasionally eccentric theologian;* by children 
 of God of every denomination, as a single-minded and 
 fmthful servant of Christ, whose witness of the truth as 
 it is in Jesus was blessed to thousands, both within and 
 without the pale of his own communion, and who by his 
 example, as well as by his testimony, was made instru- 
 mental in arousing into action the slumbering energies of 
 the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, and directing theffi 
 into the numerous channels, in which they are now exerted 
 for the dissemination of the gospel, both in Christendom 
 and in heathen lands. The vehement accusations and 
 shameless calumnies against the Count and his brethren, 
 with which the press of Germany at one period teemed, 
 have sunk with their authors into merited oblivion; 
 
 * Of the christian and friendly spirit, iii which subjects connected with 
 the controversies of a former age are handled at the present day, by 
 divines of the Protestant churches on the continent, a favourable specimen 
 has just been given to the English public, in the Memoir of the Life 
 and Writings of J. Albert Bengel, by Rev. J. C. F. Burk, — a work of 
 the highest interest, and deserving an extensive circulation and diligent 
 perusal. It is well known, that Count Zinzendorf always cherished the 
 sincerest esteem for this luminary of the Wirtemberg church, whom he 
 considered one of the most candid and able of his numerous opponents. 
 See p. 346. The strictures of Bengel were not, however, in every in- 
 stance well founded. " The author had never visited a congregation of 
 the Brethren ; hence false notions and misapprehensions were unavoid- 
 able ; and it must be confessed, even by the admirers of this excellent 
 man, that he had understood many declarations of the Count in too con- 
 fined a sense, arid confuted them hut superficially." — See MilUer's Be- 
 kenntnisse merJcumrdiger Manner, von sich selbst : 3 Band. p. 234. 
 
PREFACE. XV 
 
 lor would any modern writer of reputation, think it 
 sither desirable or becoming to exhibit them again to 
 mblic view.* In England^ on the other hand, the cha- 
 'acter, writings, and labours of Count Zinzendorf, have 
 jeen comparatively but little known, — a sullen calin 
 laving succeeded to the mingled storm and sunshine, 
 vhich attended his sojourn in this country, and continued 
 ;o mark his connexion with it. For a result so little 
 inticipated at the time, either by his friends or his ene- 
 nies, various reasons might be assigned, but it may be 
 sufficient here to mention two. The first is, the want of 
 icquaintance with the German language, (in which, with 
 few exceptions, the Count preached and wrote,) which 
 bas prevailed in England up to a very recent date. The 
 second is, the indisposition shown by the Brethren, as a 
 body, to prolong the controversy, occasioned by the mali- 
 cious slanders of Rimius and Andrew Frey, and the rail- 
 ings of their patron Lavington, the systematic traducer of 
 evangelical religion, as exhibited in the doctrinal teach- 
 ing and labours of Whitefield and Wesley,f as well as of 
 
 • On the subject of the numerous controversial publications which 
 appeared in Germany between the years 1726 and 1752, and which were 
 directed against Count Zinzendorf, or the Brethren generally, Crantz 
 has some candid and pertinent remarks, in his well-known History of the 
 Brethren's Church, p. 161. ' 
 
 f It is painful to reflect, that even these distinguished servants of God 
 were so far misled by the slanderous charges against Count Zinzendorf 
 and the Brethren, at this period so confidently preferred and so generally 
 believed, that they joined the ranks of their accusers. The effect on the 
 credit and good name of the Brethren was deeply felt j but the wrong done 
 was soon forgiven, and would ere this time have been forgotten, had not 
 circumstances, beyond the control of the injured party, tended to keep 
 alive the remembrance of it. Can any real advantage attend the revival 
 of these accusations at the present day ? The writer presumes to think 
 not ; and he has therefore perused, with unfeigned regret, a chapter in ^ 
 the recently published Memoir of the Life and Times of Whitefield, 
 treating of the breach between that eminent man and the London 
 Moravians. He would ask the respected author of that very inter- 
 esting work, if it was really worth while, for the sake of rendering Mr. 
 Whitefleld's " personal history complete," and "supplying a slight fea- 
 
XVI PREFACE. 
 
 Zinzendorf and his Moravian coadjutors. Under the 
 peculiar circumstances in v(^hich they were placed, the 
 
 turein the true character of his times," to bring forward statements which, 
 uncontradicted or miexplained, could scarcely fail to inflict a severe injury 
 on an unoiFending community, by holding up to ridicule and to reprobation 
 not a few of its most honoured servants in a former age t Is Mr. Philip 
 &ware, that the leading topics of Mr. Whitefield's very unjustifiable letter 
 to Count Zinzendorf, received a distinct answer from the pen of Mr. Hut^ 
 ton, the Secretary of the Brethren's Unity in England ? Probably not ; 
 or else he would hardly have contented himself with giving to the public 
 only one side of the controversy, which he states Mr. Whitefield to have had 
 with the Moravians. Towards the other opponents of that excellent, though 
 not infallible man, he has shown a very commendable measure of candour. 
 But to notice a few features of Mr. W.'s indictment. The charge brought 
 against the Count, that he had permitted incense to be offered to him by 
 his Brethren, must excite a smile in any one acquainted with the German 
 custom, of perfuming a house or a place of worship, on occasion of a do- 
 mestic or a church-festival. Had fir-trees been as plentiful in the neigh- 
 bourhood of London as in that of Herrnhut, it is more than probable that 
 the floors and passages might have been strewed with needles of fir on 
 the occasions referred to, in conformity with another festive practice. The 
 musical celebration of the great event of the resurrection of Christ, is 
 surely not deserving of the censure passed upon it. The trumpets used on 
 the occasion gave no uncertain sound. The strains which they breathed 
 forth, were expressive of gratitude andpraisefor the finished work of redemp- 
 tion, and of triumphant joy in the assured hope of a glorious resurrection; 
 It ought however to be stated, that the most important portion of the cere- 
 monial of Easter-morning, in those early times as at present, was the pray- 
 ing in fellowship of a solemn litany, containing a confession of faith, to 
 which divines of other communions have not scrupled to assign a high rank 
 among compositions of this class. The childish or unbecoming practices 
 which Mr. Whitefield describes, on the authority of persons who probably 
 did not spare exaggeration, were neither introduced nor patronized by 
 Count Zinzendorf; neither were they sanctioned by the majority of his 
 fellow- servants, infectious as was the spirit of extravagance which, as is 
 well known, prevailed in many of the Brethren's congregations at the 
 period referred to, ttiough happily only for a short season. As to the cele- 
 bration of Anna Nitschman's birthday, of which so ludicrous an account 
 is given, Mr. Hutton positively states, that so far was that excellent and 
 very remarkable person from approving it, that she resented it highly, 
 and from that very day, avoided both the place and the individuals 
 associated in her mind with the remembrance of such improprieties. The 
 story of Bishop Boehler and Mr. William Bell, which rests on the authority 
 of an acquaintance, who had heard it from a person of good reputation, to 
 whom Mr. Bell himself had told it, is declared to be incorrect in a very es- 
 sential particular; it being untrue that a bishop of the Brethren's chxirch had 
 
PREFACE. XVn 
 
 Brethren felt that silence hest became them. They had 
 already humbled themselves before the Lord for the 
 
 .^nade use of any such puerile and objectionable expedient as that described. 
 But graver charges remain behind. Count Zinzendorf is accused of 
 tyrannizing over the consciences and the property of his brethren. The 
 accusation is unfounded. Not only does it rest on no sufficient authority, 
 but it is refuted by the whole tenor of his character and all the transactions 
 of his life. That Mr. W. should have allowed himself to publish such 
 statements as his letter contains, on the subject of the Brethren's pecu- 
 niary transactions^aud that at a period of great financial embarrassment 
 and distress — must excite sorrowful surprise. Their bearing upon the 
 character of the Count for common honesty, and on the credit and sol- 
 vency of the persons with whom he was connected, and for many of whom 
 he had made himself personally responsible, is so obvious, that it is no 
 wonder that he was importuned by Lord Granville and others, who were 
 satisfied of the falsehood of the charges, to prosecute the author for an 
 injurious libel.* His reply to these importunities did him the highest 
 honour.f He declined to seek the justification of himself and his bre- 
 thren, by an appeal either to a court of law, or to the tribunal of pub- 
 lic opinion; he preferred to show the groundlessness of the charges 
 against him, by caring for the honourable fulfilment of all the engage- 
 ments contracted. No families were ruined ; no debts were left unpaid ; 
 no extortion was practised, (the story about Mr. Rhodes turned out, like 
 fifty others of the same kind, to be a mere fabrication ;) in short, the 
 Brethren were enabled, — to quote an expression from their own Church- 
 Litany,-^" To conduct all things in such a manner, that they provided for 
 honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of 
 men." (2Cor.viii. 21.) J 
 
 At the close of the chapter which has called forth the preceding remarks, 
 Mr. Whitefield's biographer has fallen into a serious anachronism. He 
 observes, " This controversy had one eflect which Whitefield did not ex- 
 pect, nor can I fully explain : it led Cennick to quit him, and go over to 
 the Moravians : a proof, however, that the Moravians, as a body, were not 
 perverted by their leaders." Had the circumstance been as here stated, 
 ought not hoti Mr. "W". and his biographer ratherto have drawn the infe- 
 rence from it, that neither the Moravians nor their leaders were justly 
 chargeable with the offences imputed to them 1 Had they been really 
 guilty, how could a man like Cennick have joined their fellowship, and 
 continued in union with them till the day of his death J The fact, how- 
 
 * See p. 230. 
 
 t See Crantz' History of the Brethren, p. 418, Editor's Note. 
 
 X See An Exposition, or True State of the Matters objected in Eng- 
 land to the People known by the Name of Uniias Fratrum. By the 
 Ordinary of the Brethren. With Notes and Additions by the Editor. 
 (James Button). 1755. 
 
XVm PREFACE. 
 
 faults they had committed, whether as individuals or as a 
 community ; they had acknowledged the extravagancies, 
 both in doctrine and practice, with which for a season 
 they were justly chargeable ; and had taken the needful 
 measures, especially at the Synod held at Herrnhut ill 
 1751, and in London in 1753, to repress and eradicate the 
 abuses complained of; — all which measures had received 
 
 ever, happens to be, that Ceimiclc, who had become acquainted with the 
 Brethren in 1741, united {limself formally to their chu»ch in 1745, and 
 two years after, attended the Synod held at Herrnhaag, as one of its mini- 
 stering servants. As early as 1746, he made the commencement of those 
 blessed labours in the north of Ireland,* which entitle himtobeconsidered 
 as the evaflgelist of that long-neglected portion of the empire, and which 
 led to the establishment there of a number of societies and congregations 
 in connexion with the Brethren's church. At the time of the publication 
 of Mr. Whitefield's letter, in 1753, Mr. C. was therefore a distinguished 
 minister of the calumniated fraternity, — one of the very leaders by whom 
 the Moravian body were in danger of being perverted. About two years 
 after, viz. on the 4th of July, 175.5, he was translated to eternal restf In 
 so far as Mr. Whitefield's letter contributed to the cure of any " fopperies 
 And faults," which could fairly be laid to the charge of the Moravians of 
 that day, it behoves the Brethren of the present, to reflect upon it with 
 thankfulness rather than with displeasure. As a remedy for the graver 
 maladies which it professed to expose, it would have pioved totally ineffi- 
 cient. Such moral and social offences, had they been aettially committee!, 
 would have required a public apology, and a public expiation. 
 
 That " the vagaries of the Moravians In London at the period referred to 
 gradually alienated from them the regard of their early friends," is a state- 
 ment which has often been made, but which appears to be unsupported by 
 any sufficient evidence. When it is considered, what calumnies were in 
 general circulation against them, it is perhaps surprising, that the pre- 
 judice excited was not more serious and more enduring. Neither Dr. 
 Watts nor Dr. Doddridge knew much of the Brethren from personal in- 
 tercourse ; Archbishop Potter and Bishop Sherlock knew mo're, and there 
 is every reason to believe, retaiiied their friendly feeling for theni, not- 
 withstanding the charges which were falsely brought against them, and the 
 follies into which, at one period, they were really drawn. In 1749, an atft 
 of parliament was passed in their favour, after full examinations by Com- 
 mittees of both Houses, and with the general concurrence of the Episcopal 
 
 • In conjunction with the grandfather of the writer, who had been in- 
 strumental in bringing him to Ireland. 
 
 t See Memoir, by Rev. Matt. Wilks, prefixed to his edition of Cennick's 
 Village Discourses, Vol. I. p. 135. 
 
PREFACE. xix 
 
 the full concurrence and energetic cooperation of the 
 Count. They could therefore the more confidently cast 
 their burden on the Lord, and helievCj that hef would de- 
 fend them against the unjust charges of licentiousness, 
 heresy, superstition, disloyalty, and dishonourable deal- 
 ing, with which they were so cruelly assailed. And the 
 event has proved that they were not mistaken. Their 
 spiritual descendants may however be permitted to regret, 
 that the fair name which the Brethren's church has gra- 
 dually acquired, and the regard and good-will which have 
 of late been so generously conceded to it by Christians 
 of other denominations, in so far as these are the 
 reward of silent endurance of caluniny, have been pur- 
 chased, in some measure, at the expense of the character 
 and reputation of the man, to whom, of all others, that 
 church is most deeply indebted. 
 
 In connexion with a subject of so much importance 
 to the Brethren's Unity, and of no mean interest to 
 the church of Christ in general, — the following two 
 passages are submitted to the consideration of the caiidid 
 reader. The first is from the pen of J. G. Miiller, a 
 
 Bench. This was the year after Dr. Watts's death, and scarcely two years 
 before that of Doddridge. In 1754, only a few months before Count 
 Zinzendorf finally quitted England, the Bishop of London sent him a 
 copy of his published sermons, accompanied by a most friendly letter, in 
 which he testified his attachment to the doctrine of Christ crucified, a 
 doctrine which he well knew to be the sum and substance of the Count's 
 theology. See p. 389. 
 
 In concluding these observations, which have been penned under 
 feelings of concern rather thaa of displeasure, the writer will only express 
 the conviction of his own mind, that it behoves the members of the 
 Moravian church at this day, to embrace every suitable opportanity of 
 publicly acknowledging the blessings derived to them from the doctrine, 
 the example, and the institutions bequeathed to them by their spiritual 
 ancestors ; and while they profit so largely, and in so many ways, by the 
 reputation of the latter for love to Christ and unwearied and self-denying 
 zeal in his cause, to show themselves willing, if need be, to share in their 
 reproach. 
 
XX PREFACE. 
 
 German literary writer of celelirityj the brother of the 
 philosophic historian of Switzerland. 
 
 " The life of Count Zinzendorf," he observes, " had 
 a remarkable, I could, almost say, a dramatic character. 
 His early years passed in peaceful retirement, but his 
 dawning abilities warranted great expectations. The 
 favourite hopes and projects, which he had formed in 
 youth, he was indeed compelled to sacrifice, from the time 
 of his return from travel, and his entrance into the service 
 of the Court ; Providence appearing to have marked out 
 for him a path, quite different from that which he had 
 chosen for himself. But at the very period when he 
 had become, as it were, dead to these darling schemes, 
 and had limited his views to the service of a village 
 congregation, in the capacity of a subordinate teacher, it 
 pleased God to lead him, unobserved, to the great object 
 of his wishes ; to prepare for him a sphere of activity, 
 sufficiently ample to satisfy the longings of his ardent 
 spirit ; and to launch him at once into his proper element. 
 The storm soon gathered around him, and sorely it 
 raged. Banished from his native land, pursued by 
 calumny, scorned by those from whom he might have 
 expected the most support ; he wandered through the 
 world, like a pilgrim, exposed to a thousand pesrils 
 and distresses, and compelled to surrender every thing 
 that might have added lustre to his name. Nothing 
 remained to him but his character ; with this he pre- 
 vailed. At the very period when all men seemed to 
 have conspired against him; when new monsters started 
 up each day to assail him, in the shape of revolting and 
 scarcely credible accusations ; when property and credit 
 were alike gone ; when none appeared any longer to 
 spare him, but even good and pious men treated him 
 as at best a well-meaning fanatic ; when at length there 
 sprung up, in the midst of his own church, a noxious 
 
PREFACE. XXI 
 
 weed, which threatened to choke the good seed ; when the 
 stream of error set so strongly towards himself, as almost 
 to carry him into its vortex ; — at that very time there 
 commenced a better era for himself and his congregation. 
 The floor of the church was purged by a sharp sifting, 
 during the progress of which, the Count acted the manly 
 part of admitting the error into which he himself had 
 fallen ; his enemies began to lose credit by the very 
 extravagance of their charges against him ; the personal 
 examinations, which reasonable inquirers were hereby 
 led to institute, turned out to the advantage of the 
 slandered community; the -princes, who were already 
 learning to decide questions of this kind by the rules of 
 finance, discovered the benefit which its institutions con- 
 ferred on their respective territories ; the decree for the 
 Count's exile was revoked, and the plant which was 
 before deemed fit only for destruction, was now encou- 
 raged and fostered. Soon after the publication of the 
 Count's final apology in the year 1752, the attacks of 
 his adversaries abated in virulence — perhaps, also, be- 
 cause the temporal power was found to be no longer 
 warring on their side. From his own character, time 
 and experience had worn away many sharp edges, and 
 in proportion as he gained in inward strength and un- 
 shaken firmness, did he appear to grow in gentleness 
 and meekness. His last discourses are pervaded by 
 a far milder, more dispassionate, and cordial tone, than 
 those of an earlier date ; and on all is this truth im- 
 pressed as with a seal, ' I know whom I have believed.' 
 He lived to see, — what few Hke him have been permitted 
 to behold, during their tenure of office, — ^his church 
 valued and protected, and her members dwelling together 
 in peace and unity, and regarding him with the afiection 
 due to a father. He saw, — to quote the words pro- 
 nounced over his grave by the friend of his heart. Von 
 
XXll PREFACE. 
 
 Watteville, — ' the Brethren's Unity rise into renewed 
 existence, grow up, become verdant and flourishing — 
 he rejoiced over its prosperity, and laid himself down to 
 rest with thanksgiving and praise.' A happy lot, truly, 
 and one which made ample amends for many previous 
 triak."* 
 
 The Editor of the English translation of Spangen- 
 berg's " Exposition of Christian Doctrine," a fellow- 
 servant and intimate friend of the Count, makes the 
 following statement in his Preface to that work : 
 
 " Count Zinzendorf, whom the Brethren and candid 
 observers look upon as the instrument in the hand of 
 God to restore the ancient and to build up the renewed 
 church of the Brethren, and by them to propagate the 
 gospel among Christians and heathen, was not an ordi- 
 nary character. He was a nobleman of high rank and 
 education, of an enlarged mind and a generous heart. 
 He did not bind himself to the trammels of scholastic 
 divinty ; but the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- 
 ment were his standard of truth, and from thence he 
 sought for knowledge ; and indeed he was so conversant 
 with them, that the Bible was written in his memory, 
 and on the table of his heart. But he was a man, and of 
 course liable to mistakes. Having an open and generous 
 mind, and being conversant with various sincere persons 
 and sects in Christendom, he sought for the truth, though 
 more or less covered with rubbish in each, and was fre- 
 quently led, either in sentiment or expression, to adopt, for 
 a season, the manner of utterance used by the party with 
 whom he was at that time engaged : in him this arose from 
 a love to truth and to his fellow-creatures. Good as his 
 views were, this practice exposed him, and the congre- 
 gations he served, to much censure and severe reproaches. 
 
 * MUller's Bekenntoisse merkwurdiger Manner von sich selbst. 3 Band, 
 p. 257. 
 
PKEFACE, XXm 
 
 He commonly delivered two or three discourses in a 
 day, either publicly or to his family, which was generally 
 large, and what he tlien uttered was attended with a 
 striking effect upon those who heard him. He spoke 
 in the strictest sense extempore ; and according to the 
 state of the times in which, and the persons to whom, he 
 spoke. These discourses were commonly taken down 
 as he uttered them, and the love and admiration of 
 his brethren were so great, that they urged their pub- 
 lication. His avocations were such, that he did not 
 spend sufficient time in the revision : some were not at 
 all revised by him ; and some very incorrectly and falsely 
 printed. Hence doctrines, of which he never thought, 
 were deduced from his writings, and some of his transient 
 private opinions laid to the charge of the whole Brethren's 
 church. I do not, and cannot, attempt to defend such 
 publications, but relate the real state of the case. 
 
 " The Count was so convinced of the impropriety of 
 the above proceedings, that he requested the reverend 
 author of this exposition, to extract all the accusations 
 of his antagonists, and the adversaries of the Brethren, 
 and lay them before him.* It was done ; he answered 
 all : and the charges, and his answers, were published in 
 Germany, in the years 1751 and 1752. He, finding 
 positions in the writings under his name which he could 
 
 • In the execution of this unpleasing and lahorious task, Spangenberg 
 displayed his wonted diligence, faithfulness, and impartiality. The charges 
 thus extracted were suhmitted to the consideration of the Count, the 
 names of the authors being, by his own express desire, concealed frorrj 
 Mm: — a procedure for which he assigned a reason, not less creditable to 
 Ms yrigdora than to his magnanimitj. He knew that among the number of 
 his adversaries were many individuals eminent in character and station in 
 the church of Christ, and not a few, with whom he had been united in the 
 bonds of Mendship : — and he was unwilling that the respect which was 
 due to the former, and the affection which he still cherished for the latter, 
 should be impaired by a minute acquaintance with the harsh censures, or 
 unjust accusations, which they had directed agajnst him. 
 
XXIV. PREFACE. 
 
 not avow, declared in the public papers, that he could 
 not acknowledge any books which had been published 
 in his name, unless they were revised and corrected in a 
 new edition by himself. He began this work in Ger- 
 man ; but the Lord took liim to himself before he could 
 go through many books. 
 
 " True it is, that at a certain time, particularly between 
 1747 and 1753, many of the Brethren, in their public 
 discourses, and in the hymns which were published 
 about that period, used expressions which were inde- 
 fensible : the Count himself laboured to correct both 
 the theory and language ; and he was successful, and 
 they are no more in use among the Brethren. The 
 Brethren's congregations do not take the writings of the 
 Count, or of any man, as their standard of doctrine ; 
 the Bible alone is their standard of truth, and they 
 agree with the Augustan or Augsburg Confession, as 
 being conformable to it." * 
 
 At the conclusion of a pamphlet, written in English 
 by Count Zinzendorf himself, and published in 1755,. 
 the year of his final departure from this country, there 
 is the following brief portraiture of his own character 
 and principles, and the end of his conversation. 
 
 " I am a very happy man, as many thousand people 
 see, hear, or read : but I am not a light or a gay man. 
 
 " I have no business but to please my Creator,-}- obey 
 his Spirit, serve his creatures, and adore the Father 
 whom He adores. 
 
 • Pp. iv — ^vii. Such is the testimony of the Rev. Benjamin La Trobe, 
 a man who had ample means of knowing the truth of what he ventured to 
 assert, and the orthodoxy of whose sentiments, not less than the excel- 
 lence of his character and the abundance of his ministerial labours, pro-' 
 cured him the friendship of individuals of every rank in life and of every 
 religious denomination. 
 
 t Eph. iii. 9. Col. i. 16. 
 
PREFACE. XXV 
 
 " I teach grace, humility, heartiness,* joy, simplicity, 
 and steadiness. 
 
 " I oppose and war against all selfishness, that abo- 
 minable idol ; and all its brood and consequences, 
 haughtiness, indifference, gloominess, pedantry, and 
 changeableness. 
 
 " It was no self-denial to my Saviour, nor any mortifi- 
 cation, to lead a holy life in this world, and to do good 
 deeds. When he, dying for us, abolished our guilt and 
 pain, he obtained for all partakers of his merits, the 
 privilege to sin no more, and to live in this world as he 
 would have lived himself, had he lived in our station 
 and times. So I also scorn heartily the doing good, by 
 way of self-denial and mortification, f 
 
 " I am pleased most heartily with the task others call 
 duty. It is my daily food ; it is a princely entertain- 
 ment for me. "J 
 
 To some, this declaration may sound extravagant, 
 while others may- denounce it as vain-glorious. But 
 surely, the disposition of heart which it pourtrays, is 
 none other than should be desired by every true fol- 
 lower of the Saviour ; of Him, who could declare, " My 
 meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish 
 his work." 
 
 Of Count Zinzendorf, it may be afiirmed without 
 
 * The German v/oii Herzlichkeit, of which this is intended to be an Eng- 
 lish synonyme, appears to signify both tenderness and strength of feeling. 
 
 t This passage may serve to explain an expression which the Count is 
 reported to have used in his well-known Latin conversation with Wesley, 
 and which certainly sounds rather startling ; — " Abnegationem omnen\ 
 respuimus, conculcamus. Mortificationem ridemus." — Southey's Life of 
 Wesley, Vol. I. Note xxxvii. The Count's whole life testifies, that he 
 practised abundantly and continually what others called self-denial ; but 
 the ruling principle in his heart, love to Christ and to his brethren, ren- 
 dered every sacrifice which he made both easy and pleasant. 
 
 X Are not these feelings embodied in the concluding line of Dr. Dod- 
 dridge's admired epigram on his family motto, Ditm vlvimus, vivamus,—^*^ I 
 live in pleasure while I live to Thee ! ' " 
 
 b 
 
-XXVl PREFACE. 
 
 hesitation, that his practice was herein conformable to 
 his doctrine. Love to his Redeemer was his ruling prin* 
 ciple, — his passion, in the strictest sense of the term;* 
 and to serve the people of God, the church purchased 
 with the blood of Christ, he accounted his greatest 
 privilege. Of the character and the result of his mini- 
 strations, as well as of the leading events of his life, some 
 idea maybe formed from a perusal of the follovnng 
 pages. They will bear an authentic, even though an 
 imperfect testimony, to his exemplary conduct, as a 
 husband f and a father; as a son and a brother; as the 
 master of a household, and as the minister of a flock 
 of Christ. They will afford satisfactory evidence of the 
 liveliness of his faith, the purity of his life, his unbounded 
 benevolence, his entire disiaterestedness, his readiness 
 to humble himself,^ his forgiving and forbearing dispo- 
 sition, his unwearied diligence, and his steadfast perse- 
 verance. In fine, they will testify of the grace of God 
 which was in him, and prove that he had not received 
 that grace in vain. 
 
 " Several pages would be required to insert only the 
 titles of his publications. Including his smaller pieces 
 and -periodical works, and those for which he furnished 
 the chief materials, although they do not bear his name, 
 
 * " I have a passion," he obs erved in one of his discourses to the con- 
 gregation at Herrnhut, "and it is He, — He only." 
 
 t It would be difficult to find a more beautiful or striking' passage in 
 his writings, than the character which he has drawn of his Countess, and 
 the testimony which he has borne to her christian Tirtues and admirable 
 qualifications as wife and mother, and as fellow-labourer with him in the 
 vineyard of the Lord. And yet even from this fair and fragrant flower, 
 one of his revilers has found the means of extracting some poison, in 
 which to steep the point of his calumnious shaft. 
 
 t His conduct at the Synod of Gotha, in 1740, and at that held in 
 London, in 1758, afforded fine examples of this rare christian grace. 
 See pp. 275, 426. 
 
PREFACE. XXVil 
 
 they amount to upwards of a hundred. With the exception 
 of a few smaller Tracts in Latin, French, and English, 
 they are written in the German language. Some of 
 them were elicited by the controversy respectiag himself 
 and the Brethren's churches, which at a certain period 
 was very hotly maintained ; but the greater portion are 
 theological, consisting of Sermons, Essays, and Hymns. 
 His claims as an author will be differently estimated 
 according to the opinions and tastes of his readers. But 
 no competent judge will deny, that his writings display 
 much original genius, great depth of thought, sound 
 learning, correct scriptural views on every essential article 
 of Christianity, and a mind deeply impressed with Divine 
 truth, and ardently desirous of imparting that truth to 
 others. The liveliness of his imagination, and the' 
 rapidity vwth which his ideas succeeded each other, gave, 
 in some instances, an air of singularity and even of ex- 
 travagance to some of his sentiments, which rendered 
 him liable to be misunderstood, and subjected him to 
 animadversions. Yet he was always ready to correct 
 whatever was proved to him to be justly objectionable, 
 either in the subject or the language." * He main- 
 tained, — and the maxim is well deserving of being re- 
 corded, — " that the smallest truth is more precious than 
 the reputation of the greatest teacher." 
 
 His style and diction were peculiarly his own; his 
 ordinary German was anything but pure, being inter- 
 mixed with a host of words and phrases derived from 
 the French, English, Latin, and other tongues. " Yet, 
 notwithstanding this extraordinary feature, I must con- 
 fess," observes Miiller, " that his language, on the whole, 
 
 • The above testimony is extracted from the History of the Protestant 
 Church of the United Brethren, by Rev. J. Holmes. Vol. I. p. 427. To 
 the same work, the reader may be referred for much interesting informa- 
 tion, relative to the life and times of Count Zinzendorf. 
 
XXVm PREFACE. 
 
 pleases me exceedingly. It is colloquial in a high de- 
 gree, but corresponds as closely to his thoughts, as a 
 moistened cloth does to the form of the human body, so 
 that it is difficult to say how the same ideas could be other- 
 wise expressed, — the chief characteristic, in my opinion, 
 of a good style. The more original the conceptions, the 
 more unusual will be the phraseology. Whatever he 
 writes, springs, or rather bubbles up from the foimtain 
 of his feelings. In the least considerable of his trea- 
 tises, the individuality of the writer is exposed to view ; 
 and there is not one of his literary productions, which 
 does not exhibit traces, more or less obvious, of genius 
 and originality. Whenever he professes to write pure 
 German, he writes admirably, according to the judgment 
 of modern critics." * 
 
 As a hjrainologist, he claims a distinguished rank, 
 even in Germany, — the land, in which, since the days 
 of Luther, this department of sacred song has been so 
 extensively and so successfully cultivated ; and which has 
 produced a Paul Gerhard, a Freylinghaus^,. a Gellert, 
 and a Klopstock. He was indeed " the master-singer " 
 of the renewed Brethren's church ; and his labours in 
 this branch of the temple-service have mainly contri- 
 buted to impress upon her Psalmody and Liturgy the 
 peculiar character which they exhibit, and which, it is 
 fervently hoped, they may long retain. Of the Hymns 
 which he composed at various periods, between the years 
 1720 and 1760, not fewer than 540 are to be found in 
 the Hymn-Book, at present in use in the German con- 
 gregations of the Brethren.f They are, as might be 
 expected, of \mequal merit, but many of their number 
 
 • Mullet's Bekenntnisse, &c. pp. 3, 4. 
 
 t The same collection also contains forty hymns by Countess Zin- 
 zendorf, and sixty by the young Count Christian Renatus, who departed 
 in London, in 1762. 
 
PREFACE. XXIX 
 
 axe pervaded by the spirit of genuine poetry, while a yet 
 greater proportion are characterized by originality of 
 thought, as well as by fervour of devotion and vigour of 
 expression.* So fertile was his genius, and so ready his 
 
 • The reader of this volume may perhaps be surprised to learn, that 
 the beautiful hymn, " Jesus thy blood and righteousness," which has found 
 its way into so many collections, is a composition of Count Zinzendorf. 
 (See p. 261.) The generally received translation of this hymn (or rather 
 translated portion, the original being of great length,) is from the pen of 
 Mr. Wesley, or his brother Charles, to both of whom the church of Christ 
 is under real obligation, for their admirable versions of a number of 
 excellent German hymns of the 17th and 18th centuries. This debt, the 
 Moravian brethren are forward to acknowledge; nor is their sense of 
 gratitude at all affected by the consideration, that it was at the brilliant 
 flame of German psalmody, that these distinguished hymnologists appear 
 to have kindled their own poetic torch. Whatever benefit the Wesleys 
 derived from this source, it must be confessed they amply repaid to the 
 religious community, which had been the channel of imparting it. 
 Nothing therefore is farther from the thoughts of the English Brethren of 
 the present day, than the denial of the advantage thus reflected back upon 
 them, — except it be the disposition to appropriate to 'members of their 
 own church a merit which is properly due to those of another. Such being 
 the case, they cannot wonder, that, in a note on p. 322 of his interesting 
 Life of Wesley, Mr. Watson should have vindicated the claims of the two 
 brothers to a mraiber of excellent translated hymns, which are inad- 
 vertently marked Moravian, in the Index to Montgomery's Christian 
 Psalmist. It is indeed true, as Mr. Watson observes, that the majority of 
 the hymns alluded to have not even a Moravian original, and that the 
 translations of them are due to the Wesleys, either as original composers, 
 or remodellers of former defective versions. Whether the fine hymn, 
 " High on his everlasting throne," which is admitted to be a genuine 
 Moravian production, (having been composed by Spangenberg, and pre- 
 sented to Count Zinzendorf on his birth-day, in the year 1734,) was 
 translated by one of the Wesleys, or by Gambold, may admit of question. 
 There can, however, be no doubt, that the author of the Tragedy of 
 Ignatius, and of a number of hymns in the Brethren's Collection, of 
 the very highest merit, was fully equal to the task. While the mention 
 of the venerable name of Gambold is of itself sufficient to prove the 
 assertion — "that the Moravians," at the period referred to, "had no 
 translator into English verse at all comparable to the Wesleys" — to be 
 somewhat deficient in correctness, — it must ever be a subject of regret 
 that this learned and excellent man was induced, at an important period of 
 his life, to hold in abeyance his great poetic talents, and to become the 
 versifier of ideas and expressions, which it would have been far better to 
 leave in their native obscurity. Mr. Watson's able remarks on English 
 
 63 
 
XXX PREFACE. 
 
 power of versification, that he not unfrequently com- 
 posed and gave out extemporaneous hymns, v^rhich weve 
 sung by " the church in his house," or by the congrega- 
 tion assembled on festal occasions. In 1735, he w^as 
 prevailed upon to pubhsh a collection of German poems. 
 Of this work, a reprint appeared in 1766, though without 
 the two additional volumes, of which some expectation 
 was held out in the original Preface. The contents 
 proved him to be a poet of no common order ; yet they 
 failed, during the lifetime of the author, to receive that 
 applause, which a succeeding, more imaginative, though 
 probably more unchristian age, was willing to bestow, in 
 spite of the distastefulness of the subject. His poetical 
 talent was consecrated, as were all his other gifts, to 
 the service of one Lord and Master ; the compositions 
 of his childhood, his youth, and his riper years, breathe 
 the, same spirit of attachment to the person of his 
 Saviour, the same aspirations after an increasing con- 
 formity to the Divine image, the same ardent desire to pro- 
 claim, both within and without the borders of the church, 
 that blessed and eternal truth, which was at once the foun- 
 dation of his doctrine, the secret spring of all his activity 
 and usefulness, and the never-failing source of his peace 
 and his joy, his comfort in life, and his hope in death. 
 His testimony to this truth is briefly but emphati- 
 
 Hymnology, can hardly fail to gratify and instruct his readers, the 
 majority of whom will probably be disposed to agree with him, and with 
 the editor of The Christian Psalmist, in awarding the pre-eminence in this 
 department of poetry to Charles Wesley. Is it too late to express a hope, 
 that the task of famishing translations of the choicest German hymns, so 
 ably commenced, but so soon relinquished by the Wesleys, and their con- 
 temporary Gambold, may be resumed and brought to a successful issue 
 by one, whom the Brethren's church has the privilege of numbering 
 among her members, and who .may justly be considered the first hymn- 
 writer of the present day ? A selection of the sacred strains of Paul 
 Gerhard and Zinzendorf, clothed in English verse by James Montgomery, 
 would indeed be a valuable present to the British church, as well as to the 
 Unity of the Brethren. 
 
PREFACE. XXxi 
 
 cally delivered in the following sentence, than which he 
 would probably have desired no other epitaph : 
 
 " Here is one, who knows nothing more, than that 
 his Creator is his Saviour."* 
 
 The grave of Count Zinzendorf is situated near the 
 centre of the large and beautiful burial-ground attached 
 to the settlement of Herrnhut. It is covered by a raised 
 tomb-stone, of plain but substantial worlananship, and 
 bears the following inscription : 
 
 " Here rest the mortal remains of the ever-memor- 
 able man of God, Nicholas Lewis, Count of Zinzendorf 
 and Pottendorf, the most worthy Ordinary of the 
 Brethren's Unity, renewed in the eighteenth century, 
 through the grace of God and his faithful and un- 
 wearied services. He was born at Dresden on the 
 26th May, 1700, and entered into the joy of his Lord 
 on the 9th May, 1760. ' He was ordained that he should 
 bring forth fruit, and that his fruit should remain.' " f 
 
 In concluding these prefatory remarks, the writer 
 thinks it needful to state, that he is answerable neither 
 for the publication of the present work, nor for the 
 manner in which it is executed. Whatever merit it may 
 
 • Jung's Parallel between Luther and Zinzendorf, p. 36, of which work 
 some account is given on p. 415. 
 
 t Count Zinzendorf left behind him three daughters, the only survivors 
 of a family of twelve children (six sons and as many daughters), most of 
 whom departed in infancy. The eldest, Henrietta Benigna Justina, 
 became the consort of Baron John de Watteville ; the second, Maria Agnes, 
 of Maurice Count Dohna; the third, Elizabeth, of Baron Frederick 
 de Watteville. By the two alliances last mentioned, the Count has no 
 surviving descendant; the only son of Count Dohna, Henry Lewis, having 
 died without issue, in 1833. To Baron John de Watteville and his lady 
 were born two sons and two daughters : the sons died unmarried ; the elder 
 of the daughters, Anna Dorothy Elizabeth, was married to Hans Christian 
 Alexander von Schweinitz; the younger, Maria Justina, to Henry the 
 55th Count Reuss, of the house of Kostritz. By these marriages, there 
 are now living four great-grandchildren of Count Zinzendorf. 
 
XXXU PREFACE. 
 
 possess, as an English abridgment of Spangenberg's ex- 
 tensive Memoir, belongs exclusively to the translator ; 
 whose labours, in this department of literature, the pubhc 
 has had sufficient opportunities of appreciating. On his 
 own behalf, he may be permitted to add, that the ap- 
 plication for an Introductory Preface, having been made 
 to him very unexpectedly, found him but Ul-prepaied 
 for the performance of the task proposed, owing to the 
 pressure of multiplied engagements. He is deeply sen- 
 sible of the disadvantages under which he has been 
 labouring, and is therefore the more anxious to disclaim 
 the idea, that any official character attaches to his very 
 imperfect essay. The sentiments he has ventured to 
 express, are given to the public, neither in the name nor 
 by the authority of the Brethren's church ; at the same 
 time he indulges the hope, that they are such as the 
 majority of his fellow-servants would not be inclined to 
 disapprove. Having been informed that a Memoir of 
 Count Zinzendorf was actually in the press, he felt 
 ashamed to decline assisting to introduce to the English 
 public, the most distinguished servant of his own church 
 in modern times; a man, whom he has been taught 
 from his earliest years to regard with sincere veneration, 
 and to whose nobility of character, holiness of hfe, and 
 abundance of labour in the vineyard of his Lord and 
 Master, a revered grandfather, and a dear and honoured 
 parent, accounted it a privilege to bear their grateful 
 and admiring testimony.* 
 
 * " I should think myself highly faroured, at a proper time and in a 
 satisfactory manner, to contribute to rescue the memory of so excellent a 
 man as Count Zinzendorf from the unmerited obloquy which has been 
 cast on him by base and wicked enemies, and too often repeated by per- 
 sons misguided or misinformed. The apologies made for various expres- 
 sions in his writings which appear eccentric or even incorrect, seem to 
 have satisfied most objectors on the continent, but in England have not 
 as yet been much attended to." — Journal of a Visit to South Africa, in 
 1815-16, hy Rev. C. I. La Trobe, p. 9. 4to. Ed. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 A.D. 1700—1721. 
 
 Birth, parentage, and childhood. — Elementary instruction. — Early piety. — 
 Academical course at Halle and Wittenberg.— Residence in Holland 
 and France. — Acquaintance with Cardinal de Noailles, and several pious 
 Catholic Bishops, — Marks of distinction. — Journey to Switzerland. — 
 Return to Germany. — Illness at Castell. — Proposal of marriage. — Re- 
 linquishes his claim in favour of Count Reuss. — Travels to Halle and 
 Berlin. — Expiration of his minority Pp. 1 — 29 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A.D. 1721-1727. 
 
 Residence at Great Hennersdorf. — Repugnance to civil employments. — 
 Yields to the wishes of his relatives, and accepts a seat in the govern- 
 ment. — Holds meetings in Dresden. — Purchases the manor of Ber- 
 tholdsdorf. — Marriage with the Countess Erdmuth Dorothea Reuss. — 
 Arrival of the first Moravian emigrants. — Acts as catechist to the 
 clergyman of Bertholdsdorf. — Interview with the Emperor Charles VI. 
 — Marks of distinction conferred upon him. — Interference on behalf of 
 the followers of Schwenkfeld. — Increasing number of Moravian emi- 
 grants.— Writings. — Religious dissensions at Herrnhut — Journey to 
 Cremsir. — Audience of Cardinal Von Schrattenbach. — Conduct towards 
 those of different sentiments. — Religious labours. — Resigns his seat in 
 the government .... 30—70 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 A.D. 1727—1732. 
 
 Removal to Herrnhut. — Difference with M. Rothe. — Adoption of the 
 constitution of the Moravian Church. — Is appointed superintendent. — 
 Religious revival at HeiTnhut. — Journey to Jena and Saalfeld. — Mission 
 to England, &c. — Second visit to Jena. — Dissensions at Herrnhut. — 
 Unanimity restored. — Occurrences there. — Visit to Berlenburg and 
 Schwarzenau. — Journey to Copenhagen. — Gracious reception by the 
 King of Denmark. — Journey to Neustadt and Bayreuth. — Missions to 
 the heathen. — Is ordered to sell his estates ... . . 77 — 164 
 
XXXiv CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 A.D. 1732—1738. 
 
 Journey to Tubingen. — Occurrences at Herrnhut. — Resolves to enter the 
 ministry. — Journey to Stralsund, incognito. — Examination there. — Jour- 
 ney to Wiirtemberg. — Ordination of a bishop. — Second journey to 
 Copenhagen.— Return by way of Sweden.— Moravian Hymn-book.— 
 Journeys to Switzerland and Holland. — Banishment from Saxony.— 
 Second commission at Herrnhut. — Residence at Ronneburg. — Journey 
 to Livonia. — Return to Berlin. — Interviews with the King of Prussia: 
 — Synod at Marienborn. — Journey to Holland. — Arrival in London. — 
 The Archbishop of Canterbury's sentiments respecting the Moravian 
 Church. — Return to Germany. — Ordained Bishop at Berlin. — Return to 
 Herrnhut. — Voluntary exile. — Residence in Berlin. — Occupation of 
 Marienborn. — Journey to Holland. — Departure for St. Thomas,165 — 250 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A.D, 1738—1744. 
 
 Arrival in St. Thomas. — Occurrences there. — Return to Germany. — Synod 
 at Ebersdorf. — Journey to "Wurtemberg. — Serious Illness. — Singular 
 Cure. — Missions of the brethren. — Journey to Switzerland. — Synod at 
 Gotha and Marienborn. — Proceeds to Holland and England. — Voyage 
 to North America. — Arrival at New York. — Residencein Pennsylvania. 
 — Preaches to the Lutherans. — Synod of the sects. — Journeys amongst 
 the Indians. — Return to England. — Visit to Yorkshire. — Arrival in 
 Holland. — Residence in Silesia. — ^Journey to Livonia. — Imprisonment 
 at Riga. — Return to Silesia. — ^Visits to Herrnhut. — Return to Marien- 
 born. — Synods held there 251 — 348 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 A,D. 1744^1756. 
 
 Proceedings at Marienborn. — Journey to Holland, Berlin and Silesia. — 
 Return to Marienborn. — Religious dissensions at Herrnhaag. — Critical 
 situation in consequence of war. — Journey to Holland. — Synod at 
 Zeist. — Marriage of his daughter. — ^Voyage to England. — Act of Par- 
 liament for exemption from oaths. — Return to Holland and Germany. 
 — Synod at Herrnhaag. — Death of Count Reuss. — Decree of banishment 
 repeated. — ^Visit to Upper Lusatia. — Commission of inquiry. — Return 
 to Wetteravia.— Departure for Holland and England. —Synod in Lon- 
 
CONTENTS. XXXT 
 
 don. — Act of Parliament in favour of the Brethren. — Journey to Fulneck. 
 — Bishop Wilson chosen president of the reformed section of the 
 Church. — Breaking up of the settlement at Hermhaag. — Synod in Lon- 
 don. — Return to the Continent. — Visit to Zeist.Neuwied, and Barby. — 
 Synod at Barhy. — Journey to England. — Residence in London.— Pecu- 
 niary difSculties. — Death of his son. — Moravian Hymn-hook.— Severe 
 indisposition. — Journeys. — Ordination of an English Bishop. — Depar- 
 ture for Holland and Neuwied. — Arrival at Herrnhut. — Critical state of 
 the Brethren in America. — War in Saxony. — Synod of the Unity. — 
 Death and character of the Countess 349 — i6Z 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 A.D. 1756—1760. 
 
 Protection experienced during the war. — Episcopal visitations. — Second 
 marriage. — Journey to Switzerland. — Illness at Ebersdorf. — Return to 
 Herrnhut. — Of&cial labours. — Journey to Holland. — Sending forth 
 of missionaries. — Correspondence with the Patriarch of the Copts. — 
 "Visit to Neuwied. — Return to Herrnhut. — Sickness and death. — Cha- 
 racter ... 464 — 511 
 
THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 NICHOLAS COUNT ZINZENDORF. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PIRTH, PARENTAGE, AND CHILDHOOD — ELEMENTARY STUDIES — ACADEMICAL 
 COURSE — ^JOURNEY TO HOLLAND — RESIDENCE IN PARIS — ACQUAINTANCE 
 
 WITH CARDINAL DE NOAILLES MARKS of DISTINCTION RETURN TO 
 
 GERMANY — OFFER OF MARRIAGE RETRACTS IN FAVOUR OF COUNT REUSS 
 
 TRAVELS TO BERLIN EXPIRATION OP HIS MINORITY. 
 
 Nicholas Louis, Count and Lord of Zinzendorf and Pot- 
 tendorf, was born at Dresden, on the 26th May, 1700. The 
 sponsors at his baptism were the Electoral Princesses of 
 Saxony and the Palatinate, and the Rev. Dr. Spener. He 
 considered it as an unmerited mercy, that he was born and 
 baptized in the Lutheran church, and in the sequel frequently 
 mentioned his baptism with feelings of gratitude. His father, 
 George Louis, Count Zinzendorf and Pottendorf, was one of 
 the premier ministers at the court of Saxony, and spent hi? 
 short life in a laudable manner, engaged in the important 
 duties of his office. His heart was devoted to Jesus Christ, 
 his Lord and Saviour, and he therefore loved his servants also. 
 In particular, he was much attached to Dr. Spener, who 
 laboured so successfully for the renovation of the true spirit of 
 Christianity in the Lutheran church. His mother, Charlotte 
 Justina, Baroness of Gersdorf, was born in the year 1675, 
 She was a learned and pious lady, and was the Count's 
 second wife. 
 
2 BIRTH AND PARENTAGE. 
 
 But the happiness of the family was soon interrupted by the 
 premature death of the Count, which occurred only six weeks 
 after the birth of his son Nicholas, leaving behind him, beside 
 the latter, a son and daughter from the first marriage. His 
 widow then removed with her infant son to her parents' house, 
 and, four years afterwards, married a field-marshal in the 
 Prussian army. From that time, the young Count seldom 
 saw his mother ; having been placed, until the tenth year of 
 his age, under the. care of his grandmother, who early instilled 
 into his tender mind the doctrines and precepts of the gospel, 
 with much kindness and wisdom. Having daily opportunity 
 also of associating vrith other pious individuals who visited her, 
 as well as of hearing or reading something out of the Bible and 
 other spiritual works, especially those of Luther, the founda- 
 tion was by this means laid, which influenced his thoughts and 
 purposes, both in early and later life. He afterwards fre- 
 quently asserted, that, next to God, he was indebted to the 
 care then bestowed upon him, for the loss of all relish for any 
 thing but the doctrine of Jesus Christ, his merits, and his 
 sufferings. 
 
 It was the intention of the friends of the young Count, 
 eventually to devote him to state-affairs, after the example of 
 his predecessors and relatives ; and there was apparently no 
 doubt that this object would be attained. He was, indeed, 
 constitutionally weak and delicate ; but it was hoped, that in 
 course of time, this would be overcome ; and such was in 
 reality the case, but not untU after his twenty-first year. It 
 was observed, that he quickly apprehended and retained all 
 that he heard ; but being at the same time of a volatile dis- 
 position, he learnt to read but slowly. He possessed the 
 faculty both of being able to conceive a clear idea of a sub- 
 ject, and of forming an opinion, after comparing one thing 
 with another. But quick and volatile as he was on. the one 
 hand, on the other he manifested a profound and extensive 
 capacity. Sometimes he was also irascible, violent, and impe- 
 tuous. He deseribes himself in the following terms : " My 
 genius was simple,*\}5ut natural ; my memory retentive ; with 
 a mind more lively th^ phlegmatic ; a disposition sufficiently 
 calm to weigh the reas«^ of a thing ; originality of ideas.which 
 
EABiY PIETY. 3 
 
 might have been more productive, had I been less scrupulous ; 
 an inclination to grave subjects, and a love to the truth, which 
 moderated even my propensity to poetize." 
 
 Before he was four years old, he had apprehended the 
 chief points of christian doctrine, and had taken to heart 
 especially the important truth, that Christ was our brother, 
 and that he died for us. The esteem he felt, even when a 
 child, for Luther's Smaller Catechism, and the divine truths 
 contained in it, he continued to feel during his whole life. 
 He regarded it as the most valuable book next to the Bible, 
 and as a master-piece of that distinguished servant of God, in 
 the composition of which he had been certainly most power- 
 fully assisted and directed by the Spirit of God. 
 
 He attained but slowly the knowledge of languages, but his,, 
 heart was captivated by |he love of Jesus before his under- 
 standing could clearly comprehend every thing. He was 
 in particular very fond of the hymns which were sung at 
 Advent, Christmas, and during the Passion week ; and always 
 rejoiced a long time before, in anticipation of these seasons of 
 devotion. 
 
 But let us now listen to his ovra account of his early years. 
 " It was my happiness," says he, " early to experience a heart- 
 felt impression of the Saviour : after this, all my wishes and 
 desires were directed towards the Bridegroom of my soul, that 
 I might live unto him who atoned for me. The Saviour ful- 
 filled my wish, when I began to love him, though but a child. 
 I heard his voice repeatedly in my heart, and saw him with 
 the eyes of faith." In an address, given at Geneva, he says, 
 " My little children, I will tell you how I acted, when I was 
 still very little ; and, if you like it, you can do so likewise. 
 I was told concerning my Creator, that he became a man. 
 This affected me deeply. I thought within myself, ' Though 
 the Lord should be esteemed by no one else, yet will I cleave 
 to him, and live and die with him.' In this manner I filially 
 conversed with him for many years, spoke for hours together 
 to him, like one friend to ancfther, and many times paced up 
 and down the room absorbed in meditation. I felt happy in 
 conversing with him, and grateful for his having remembered 
 me for good in his incarnation. But I did not wholly under- 
 
EARLY PIETY. 
 
 stand the greatness and sufficiency of his meritorious sufferings, 
 nor was my own wretchedness and inability sufficiently obvious 
 to me. I did also what I could in order to be saved, until one 
 extraordinary day, when I was so much affected by that which 
 my Creator had suffered for me, that I shed an abundance of 
 tears, and attached and joined myself still more closely and 
 tenderly to him. I continued to converse with him when I was 
 quite alone, and believed sincerely that he was very near me. 
 I was well acquainted with many texts, which expressed truths 
 of this nature. I also thought, • He is God, and can under- 
 stand me, although I may not be able properly to explain 
 myself. He is conscious of what I wish to say to him,' &c. 
 I often thought, that if he only heard me once, it would suffice 
 to make me happy during my whole life. Thus, for more than 
 fifty years, I have conversed as it were personally with the 
 ■Saviour, and feel happier every day in doing so." 
 
 He elsewhere relates, that, in his seventh and' eighth years, 
 he was strongly assailed by inward temptations, which urged 
 him to earnest prayer and humble converse with God. These 
 were occasionally so violent as to disturb his repose ; but he 
 always turned away from them vyith disgust, for his heart loved 
 the Saviour. Although the precise nature of these tempta- 
 tions is not known, yet the experience of them in his youth 
 taught him, by divine grace, the best means of resisting 
 similar attacks. A heart ffiled with love to Jesus Christ, 
 depending upon the divine word, and taking refuge with 
 Christ, when falling into temptation, shall never be put to 
 shame. 
 
 Sometimes when he had pen, ink, and paper before hini, he 
 wrote a little note to his beloved Saviour, told him in it how 
 his heart felt towards him, and threw it out of the window, in 
 the hopes that he would find it. His covenant with the 
 Saviour was, " Be thou mine, dear Saviour, and I will be 
 thine ! " and this he often renewed. During the whole of his 
 life, every place in the mansion at Hennersdorf, where the 
 Lord in his loving-kindness had made himself known to him, 
 and let him taste his goodness, continued always dear to him ; 
 and even in his sixtieth year, he was able minutely to remem- 
 ber all that he had there experienced. 
 
EARIY PIETY. 
 
 If he went to church when the sacrament was to be admi- 
 nistered, his thoughts were entirely directed to it ; and he 
 always felt a reverence for those whom he had seen approach- 
 ing the table of the Lord ; since he firmly believed, that by 
 partaking of the body and blood of Jesus, such individuals 
 'became united with God himself. He was also very attentive 
 to the prayers which were read after the sermon, and knew 
 them so well as to be able to repeat them at home. He was as 
 fond of speaking as of hearing of his dear Saviour ; and when 
 he was alone, or left to himself, he even spoke of him to the 
 chairs, which in his playfulness he had collected together : with 
 that of which his heart was full, his lips overflowed. 
 
 Nofihing was more gratifying to him than to do any one a 
 kindness. The money which was given him for the first time, 
 in his sixth year, — ^perhaps by way of putting him to the 
 test, — he gave to the first person who came in his way. This 
 peculiar fondness of doing good to others continued with him 
 all his life, and it pained him deeply if unable to help others 
 in their necessities. Nothing was of value to him, when he 
 thought another needed it more than himself; and when he did 
 good to any one, it was done in such a pleasing manner, as to 
 render it stUl more welcome and agreeable. The smallest 
 service rendered him at an appropriate time, made an abiding 
 impression upon him ; and when opportunity presented itself 
 of showing his gratitude, he knew no bounds. He took such 
 delight in doing good, that his beneficence often exceeded his 
 ability. Far from being expensive with reference to himself, 
 he felt impelled to restrict himself, in order to give the more 
 bountifully to others. In short, from his very childhood, his 
 soul was full of love and compassion towards every one, how- 
 ever mean ; and he was passionately attached to those who 
 gave themselves much trouble about him. 
 
 I have been thus prolix in describing the Count's childhood, 
 because I regard it as the basis of his whole Ufe, and as the 
 happiest part of it, I now come to the following period of his 
 life, — the time- he spent at school. His grandmother had a 
 great predilection for Professor Frank§, and therefore made 
 
6 AT SCHOOL IN HALLE. 
 
 arrangements, with the consent of his mother, for his removal 
 to the royal school at Halle, which was universally celebrated 
 for its excellent regulations, and especially for the education 
 of young noblemen. He accordingly entered on the 16th of 
 August, 1710, in the eleventh year of his age. 
 / He was there rather harshly treated, in consequence of 
 singular, though well-meant instructions, sent respecting him 
 to Professor Franke. He was described as a youth of great 
 abilities, but one who required to be kept down, that he might 
 not become proud and presume upon his talents. These hints 
 were punctually followed, and caused the young Count much 
 that was unpleasant. He was placed in the lower classes, and 
 young people preferred before him, who were less advanced 
 than himself. If he committed any fault, he was frequently 
 punished in a manner unbecoming his rank, or tasks were 
 assigned him which he could not perform, without drawing 
 down ridicule and contempt upon himself. 
 
 Had he exerted all his ability to make progress in his 
 studies, it would not have been difficult for him to have 
 attained to eminence in learning. But his wishes and desires 
 had another aim. He loved the Saviour, and continually 
 sought to please him, and do good to others. He was not 
 partial to that which occupied the understanding and filled the 
 memory, whilst it afforded the heart neither nourishment nor 
 enjoyment. He therefore did not enter, with any great 
 warmth, iiito his studies, but pursued them more from a 
 principle of obedience. Perhaps also his illness, of which we 
 shall subsequently speak, depressed his energies. Yet he made 
 more progress than might have been supposed, from his state 
 of mind as described above. He had advanced as far in Greek 
 as to make an oration in that language, in his sixteenth year ; 
 and was so completely master of the Latin, that when a sub- 
 ject was given him, on which to compose a speech, he was 
 wont immediately to deliver it extempore. He did not suc- 
 ceed with the Hebrew language, although instructed in it for 
 the space of three years. In poetry he became so expert, that 
 he was generally able to compose his verses more rapidly than 
 to indite them. 
 
 Hitherto he had lived in a state of filial, cordial, and tender 
 
AT SCHOOL- IN HALLE. 7 
 
 affection towards his Savioui*. He was - possessed of a good 
 understanding, but at the same time of a certain childlike 
 simplicity, to which his previous education had probably much 
 contributed : hence he felt neither scruple nor apprehension 
 with respect to many indifferent things, which afforded matter 
 for dispute at that period. When playing with others, paying 
 attention to his dress, and being at the same time cheerful and 
 merry, it did not occur to him that there was any thing im- 
 proper in it. Though he loved solitude, yet he was also fond 
 of company ; and being of a friendly disposition, he took 
 pleasure in gratifying others, as far as he could do so without 
 acting against his conviction. But on becoming acquainted, 
 in the sequel, with the controversies respecting what were 
 termed indifferent or neutral things, he began to hesitate. 
 He knew some persons, for instance, who, though they did not 
 play, allowed themselves other things, which were not accord- 
 ing to the word of God ; whilst others, who spoke in favour 
 of these indifferent things, did so because they loved vanity, 
 and were unacquainted with Jesus Christ. 
 
 He then began to impress upon the opposers of those things, 
 that time might be worse spent than in engaging in them ; 
 whilst to those who pleaded for them, he showed the injury 
 they might sustain from them. 
 
 He himself did, not always remain the same ; for sometimes 
 he let himself be induced to play, from a variety of good 
 motives, whilst at other times he entirely refused to join in it. 
 This mode of behaviour drew upon him the dissatisfaction of 
 many, and much unpleasantness. People who did not love 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, and hated his reproof, were hostile to 
 him, because they knew he was not of their sentiments ; whilst 
 he who regarded things of an indifferent nature as absolutely 
 sinful, did not consider him as a converted character. 
 
 That which touched his heart, he sought to turn to the best 
 advantage. In one of his letters, he says, " The daily oppor- 
 tunity of hearing edifying intelligence respecting the kingdom 
 of Christ — of speaking with witnesses for the truth from every 
 part of the world — of becoming acquainted with missionaries — 
 and of seeing such as had been exiled and imprisoned, afforded 
 me in Professor Franke's house, as well as his flourishing 
 
8 At SCHOOt Itl MAttfi. 
 
 institutions and his own zeal in the work of the Lord, together 
 with various heavy trials, have mightily strengthened my zeal 
 for the cause of God, and laid a foundation for a knowledge 
 of the various hinderanees to and advantages of true piety. A 
 desire to suffer, and a faith to break through every impediment, 
 and a contentment with the meanest circumstances, in parti- 
 cular, deeply insinuated themselves into my mind at that time." 
 • He continued his familiar intercooirse with the Saviour, andj 
 especially during prayer, experienced much enjoyment. When 
 he heard of the sufferings and distress of others, he made it 
 also a matter of prayer, for it deeply affected him. At the 
 same time he was well-disposed, and of a noble mind, but in- 
 isxperienced ; hence he committed many mistakes, however 
 much he sought to avoid them, and was, besides this, frequently 
 falsely accused ; all which served to embitter his life, for he 
 took delight in loving and being loved. It was therefore a 
 great comfort to him, that he not only enjoyed the intimate 
 friendship of several of his schoolfellows, but also th^ cordial 
 affection of some of the preceptors, including Dr. Anton and 
 others. He lost, however, whilst in Halle, his clear view of 
 the truths of the gospel, and began to hesitate upon many 
 points. 
 
 Inquisitive as he naturally was, he listened unwillingly to 
 things which produced ideas of a dangerous tendency in his 
 mind, and yet he was on the point of being led astray, and 
 seduced to that which is evil. "But," says he, "because I 
 possessed the admonition of the Spirit, with which they were 
 unacquainted, I was not only restrained from the commission 
 of evil, but succeeded, more than once, in prevailing vidth those 
 that sought to seduce me, to join me in prayer, and won them 
 over to Christ." 
 
 At this period also, he sought, by all the means in his power, 
 to bring others to Jesus, that they might participate in the 
 grace he had received. He therefore began to hold little 
 meetings for prayer with them in retired places, in order that 
 they might not be disturbed : these meetings were continued 
 for nearly six years, and not without a blessing. He loved 
 those beyond measure. Who manifested any disposition to 
 give themselves to Jesus; and was even able cordially to 
 
AT SCHOOL IN HALLE. 9 
 
 associate with acknowledged enemies, if they did not act pro- 
 fanely, in the hope that they might eventually be a source of 
 joy to the Saviour. But after he had succeeded in finding some 
 amongst the scholars with whom he could associate more closely 
 as it regarded love to Christ, he commenced a friendly and 
 affectionate intercourse with them. His fundamental idea, 
 even at that period, was, what he also expressed on a subse- 
 quent occasion : — " The most needM thing is the possession 
 of true faith in the heart, which, according to Luther's expres-\ 
 sion, changes and regenerates the heart, mind, and all the 
 powers." These meetings were by no means intended to 
 promote dissent, but simply to experience the fulfilment of the 
 Saviour's promise, — "Wherever two or three are met in my 
 name, there am I in the midst of them." In an address 
 delivered on 16th August, 1748, the Count mentions that as 
 much labour, trouble, and fidelity were requisite with reference 
 to this small society, as were subsequently required by a large 
 congregation. They were also as much envied and persecuted. 
 They subsequently entered into a stiU closer connexion, 
 which had no other object than the knowledge of God our 
 Saviour, and the salvation of the souls of men. They laid as 
 the basis, certain maxims which were in conformity with the 
 doctrine of Jesus ; and instituted certain rules, to the observance 
 of which, after mature deliberation, they bound themselves in 
 the presence of the Lord. This association was long kept 
 secret, and would have continued so, had not the rules acci- 
 dentally fallen into the hands of a certain Professor, who pub- 
 lished them. When its members were subsequently scattered 
 into various countries, they maintained their intimate connexion 
 by a spirited correspondence. 
 
 A special covenant was also formed between our young 
 Count and Baron Frederick Von Wattewille, with reference to 
 the heathen — not that they expected to be able to labour 
 personally for their conversion, being both destined by their 
 relatives for offices in the state — but they hoped that the same 
 God, who had sent Professor Franke to Baron Von Canstein, 
 would also point out people to them, who should be suitable 
 for such an important work. The sequel proves that they were 
 in earnest with respect to this covenant ; since, in consequence 
 
 b3 
 
10 REMOVAL TO WITTENBERG. 
 
 of it, many thousand heathens have found their salvation in 
 the sufferings and death of Jesus. 
 
 This latter being the element in which he lived, it may easily 
 he supposed how he must have felt when he first approached 
 the Lord's table. He says, " The contemplation of the holy, 
 innocent, and bitter sufferings of Jesus, almost overpowered 
 •me. Hence I believed with my whole heart, that he would be 
 merciful and gracious to me ; and I not onlyformed the resolution 
 to amend my life, but rejoiced like a child at the prospect of it. 
 Although it is twenty years ago, yet it is as new to me as if it had 
 taken place yesterday, and I have not yet lost whati then found." 
 
 Meanwhile, the Count's health began to decline, which was 
 probably accelerated by the unpleasant circumstances to which 
 we have already alluded, and the absence of necessary recrea- 
 tion. He therefore spent some time at Hennersdorf, with his 
 grandmother, but returned to Halle as sbon as he had recovered 
 a little. Much that he subsequently suffered and enjoyed, 
 took its rise from his residence in Halle, and whilst at school 
 there. I know many worthy individuals, and even great men, 
 who became acquainted with him in Halle ; and the impression 
 which his tender love to Jesus then made upon them, caused 
 them to honour and love him till his death ; whilst it cannot 
 be denied that the opposition the Count met with from others, 
 which was continued as long as he lived, originated also at Halle. 
 
 He left Halle in the beginning of April 1716, and, after a 
 short residence vyith his uncle and guardian at Gavernitz", he 
 arrived at Great Hennersdorf,- where he spent eleven weeks 
 with his grandmother. He there availed himself of her library, 
 read in particular the works of Luther, Franke, and other 
 divines, and composed several poems. On the 8th July, he 
 again visited his guardian, who read to him the instructions 
 prepared for him by his grandmother, and a few weeks after, 
 sent him to the University of Wittenberg. 
 
 Had the choice been left to him, he would have preferred 
 I'emaining in Halle to proceeding to Wittenberg ; but his 
 guardian, for various reasons, insisted upon it, and omitted 
 nothing that might contribute to the end he had in view with 
 
RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY. 11 
 
 his nephew. He took upon himself the sole direction of his 
 education, which had hitherto depended partly on his mother, 
 and partly on his grandmother. He gave Crisenius, his 
 governor, complete authority over him, and furnished him 
 with copious instructions how his studies should be regulated, 
 as well as other things necessary for his academical course. 
 The young Count formed the serious resolution of punctually 
 abiding by these instructions, and found in the sequel, that 
 they served him like a shield, against a variety of aberrations 
 into which he might easily have fallen. 
 
 He arrived in Wittenberg on the 7th September, 1716. His 
 governor read, in his name, the academical oath, but he de- 
 clared himself as follows ; — " Ego Nicolaus Ludovicus, Comes 
 » Zinzendorf, non juro sed promitto, &c.;" on which the aca- 
 demical laws, &c. were sent him. On being admonished to 
 keep them inviolate, and to serve as an example for the whole 
 imivgBflity, he himself added, " Me Deus adjuvet !" 
 
 ^ith respect to his mode of acting and thinking during this 
 period, it is to be observed in the general, that it was sincere, 
 but more legal than evangelical. He saw that he was in great 
 danger, because he became unceasingly acquainted with himself 
 and the corruption of his own nature ; and knew, at the same 
 time, that it was the intention to bring him off, if possible, 
 from his zealous endeavours after godliness, which were re- 
 garded as excessive, and wont to be termed pietism. This 
 made him afraid, lest he should lose the treasure which he 
 carried about in his earthen vessel ; and he was therefore 
 day and night upon his guard. He did not esteem it too 
 much, occasionally to spend a whole night in prayer and medi- 
 tation on the word of God. He resolved, notwithstanding his 
 weakness, to fast every Friday, and observed it with great 
 strictness for a season. But when he saw that he was often 
 hindered by visits and other business, he took Sunday for his 
 fast-day, and refused to receive visits as much as was prac- 
 ticable, that he might render it advantageous to his soul by 
 prayer and meditation on the Scriptures. 
 
 He regularly attended his lectures, and all the exercises pre- 
 scribed him. In company he was cheerful — in his studies, 
 diligent — in public speaking, expert — in disputing, acute — 
 
12 RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITV. 
 
 and in conduct, polite. His deportment possessed something 
 attractive, his person something noble, and all this drew upon 
 hjm the attention of every one. 
 
 \ He combined no other idea with the expression that he had 
 Ibeen a strict pietist in Wittenberg, than that he heartily cpin- 
 Icided with the views of the divines in Halle. He took their 
 part, suffered with them, for their sakes endured much oppo» 
 sition, and maintained their system of doctrine against every 
 pgposer. 
 
 He very warmly refuted the charges against the Orphan 
 House at Glaucha, and defended Professor Franke with all his 
 might, whose writings he not only studied for himself, but 
 soiight also to place in the hands of others. For this purpose, 
 he translated his treatise on Prayer into the French language, 
 and likewise wrote some tracts himself. 
 
 He also testified on all occasions the greatest veneration for 
 Dr. Spener, and says, in an oration which he delivered on the 
 merits of that eminent divine, " I thank God for having again 
 magnified the name of that holy man in our ungrateful Saxony." 
 
 During the first years of his residence in Wittenberg, he 
 suffered many grievous and tedious conflicts, and had much to 
 'fendure from those, to whom his zeal for godliness was intoler- 
 able. The year following, he began to be more intimately 
 acquainted with the divines in Wittenberg, and his prejudices 
 against them were much weakened. In particular, he felt 
 more confidence in Dr. Wernsdorf ; to which both his sermons 
 and his society contributed. In his studies, he siirpassed 
 others ; and on public occasions acquired much applause. 
 Following the advice of his guardian, he limited his intercourse 
 with others, and allowed himself less liberty in their company. 
 
 The year following, he received a pleasing visit from some 
 of his Halle friends, with whom he stood in connexion. On 
 this occasion, one of the young gentlemen who studied at 
 Wittenberg, was received into their covenant : this took place 
 in tlie midst of many prayers and supplications, in which the 
 Count also spent the whole night. He continued to apply 
 himself diligently to his studies, but made his salvation his 
 chief concern. 
 
 In the middle of December, he travelled to Dresden and 
 
RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY. 13 
 
 Great Hennersdorf on a visit, being desirous of conversing 
 with his mother and grandmother respecting his governor, 
 who, though a learned and able man, was of very opposite senti- 
 ments to himself with respect to practical piety. After his 
 return, he wrote to his mother, stating, that if she was desirous 
 that his governor should remain with him, he would not raise 
 the smallest objection, but resign himself to patience in the 
 severest trials, as long as it pleased God, Crisenius, however, 
 did not leave him, until he was elsewhere provided for. 
 
 Whilst he attended all the lectures on civil law, in order 
 to fit himself for an office in the state, his desires were con- 
 stantly directed towards the study of divinity ; but as he was not 
 permitted to deliver lectures of this kind in a public manner, 
 he read them at home during his leisure hours. 
 
 He pursued his theological studies in particular, with prayer, 
 and devoted many hours to the composition of hymns and 
 spiritual poems. As often as any of the other lectures termi- 
 nated, he immediately devoted the spare time to divinity, and 
 likewise wrote several treatises of a theological nature. His 
 parents not permitting him to devote himself to the study of 
 divinity, he learnt it more at the feet of Jesus, than through 
 the medium of human instruction. 
 
 His inclination for the ministerial office, which he had 
 cherished from his earliest years, ripened into a firm decision 
 in the year 1Y17, during his intercourse with Dr. Wernsdorf. 
 He felt impelled to make choice of this profession, in order that 
 he might save his soul ; and saw greater danger in any other 
 station of which he could form to himself an idea, than in the 
 clerical office. He also wished to do something in the world 
 for the honour of his Saviour, and the good of his neighbour ; 
 and it appeared evident to him that this could be best accom- 
 plished, with the Divine assistance, in that profession. At the 
 same time, he had not formed any great plan, nor did he cherish 
 any lofty ideas, but merely thought of becoming a simple cate- 
 chist, or happy village preacher ; or in time, perhaps, a domestic 
 chaplain in some family. 
 
 Resolving therefore to devote his chief attention to divinity, 
 he did not omit to communicate with his friends on the subjecti 
 and requested in particular Professor Franke's opinion upon it, 
 
14 RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITy.- 
 
 In order to prevent persons from endeavouring to draw him 
 into worldly affairs, he expressed his sentiments on every 
 occasion that presented itself, and hoped in this manner to 
 induce them to give up the attempt. 
 
 / I now come to his endeavours to make peace between the 
 divines in Halle, and those in Wittenberg, for which he was 
 well fitted, with the exception of his youth. He had not only 
 read the writings on both sides of the question, but also stood 
 with both on the same footing of love and friendship. He had 
 also taken the words of our Lord, " Blessed are the peace- 
 makers," so much to heart, that no trouble seemed to him too 
 great to accomplish it. 
 
 However, he knew very well, that he should be doing wrong 
 to interfere in the matter without being called to it, although 
 he believed it would be rendering an essential service to the 
 church of Christ ; and he had also the hope that it woidd come to 
 a compromise between the conflicting parties. But after the 
 preliminary steps had been taken, his mother forbade him 
 proceeding further in it ; he did not, however, give up the 
 expectation of its final accomplishment, but wrote to one of his 
 friends, saying, " With respect to the divines of this place, I 
 am still of opinion that peace wiU be in my times." 
 
 Were I briefly to state my sentiments respecting his inward 
 state and outward conduct during his academic years, I would 
 say, that his heart adhered to Jesus Christ ; intercourse with 
 Him was important and delightful to him, and the considera- 
 tion of Jesus's merits and sufferings was his joy, although his 
 views were not yet entirely clear upon the subject. He would 
 gladly have brought others to Christ ; but because he mingled 
 law and gospel together, little real blessing ensued. He was 
 himself subsequently of opinion, that he had given himself 
 much unnecessary trouble as regards his devotional exercises. 
 JHe would certainly have made greater progress in his studies 
 if his soul had been more in them : however, he sought use- 
 fully to employ his time, and only lamented that he could not 
 devote the whole of it to the study of divinity. 
 
 His society had something in it that was pleasing and 
 edifying, and hence it was sought after. However, it was 
 sometimes rendered a little unpleasant by his opposition to 
 
JOURNEY TO HOLLAND. 15 
 
 venial things. When circumstances required it, he proved 
 himself resolute and courageous, even to the exposing of 
 himself— never for the purpose of doing injury, but solely to 
 prevent unhappy results. There w^as likewise always something 
 imcommon in his deportment, which distinguished him from 
 others. 
 
 In the spring of 1719, he left the university of Wittenberg, 
 after taking a sincere and friendly leave of his teachers, who 
 were very well satisfied with him : the students also parted 
 with him unwillingly. He was nevertheless heartily ashamed 
 of several things during his residence there, which he acknow- 
 ledged as faults. " Probably," says he," others thought better 
 of me, than I did of myself." 
 
 Being now about to cominence his travels, Mr. Riederer, 
 who had travelled with his brother, was appointed in the place 
 of Crisenius, as his governor. 
 
 Our young nobleman did not enter upon his travels without 
 apprehension. He had learnt to know a little of the world at 
 Wittenberg, which seemed to him bad enough ; and he expected 
 notliing better in other countries. However, he obeyed the 
 wishes of his relatives, but took the firm resolution, by Divine 
 assistance, never to deviate from true godliness. 
 
 His elder brother. Count Frederick-Christian, not only re- 
 signed his governor to him, but likewise offered to accompany 
 him to Holland, which was very agreeable to his relatives. 
 They commenced their journey, and his brother met them at 
 Leipzig. 
 
 The Count was very desirous of seeing Frankfort-on-the- 
 Mayne, it being the place in which Spener had so use- 
 fully laboured. From thence they proceeded to Dusseldorf, 
 where the Count's attention was particularly attracted by the 
 excellent Ecce Homo in the picture gallery, under which was 
 the following inscription : " All this I have done for thee ; what 
 doest thou for me ? " He reflected that he would scarcely be 
 able to answer this question, and besought his Saviour to force 
 him into the fellowship of his sufferings, if he should ever be 
 disinclined to it. He entered Utrecht on his birth-day, the 
 
16 RESIDENCE IN UTRECHT. 
 
 26th of May. He returned thanks to his Creator for his 
 gracious preservation, wished that he might live no longer, if 
 he ceased to live to him, and hoped that his faithful Creator 
 would graciously confirm him in this resolution all his life 
 long. During the whole journey, his mind had been sensibly 
 drawn away from earthly things, and his desires continually 
 directed to Jesus, entreating at the same time his blessing 
 upon others. 
 
 From Utrecht, they travelled to Gouda, Rotterdam, Delft, 
 the Hague, Leyden, Haarlem, and Amsterdam. At the latter 
 place, they visited the Armenian church, and were present at 
 the ceremonies of their public worship. His brother being 
 compelled to return to Saxony, he accompanied him again to 
 Utrecht, when they parted from each other with fraternal 
 affection ; and, in accordance with the will of his relatives, he 
 took up his residence there for a period. 
 
 He there pursued his study of jurisprudence, and likewise 
 received instruction in the English language. He frequently 
 conversed with a certain learned man, who was well acquainted 
 with physiology, and other parts of the science of medicine ; 
 for he was fond of that study, and continued to be so as long 
 as he lived ; at the same time, he read the theological 
 writings of Spener and others. He devoted the Lord's day 
 especially, to the study of the Scriptures, and said, " I wiU 
 abide by my former custom of devoting the Sunday for the 
 benefit of my soul, whatever opinions people may form 
 of it." 
 
 His health was very indifferent whilst he resided in Utrecht, 
 and subject to a variety of attacks. Once, when on the point 
 of going early to the riding-school, he suddenly fainted, and 
 bruised his face by falling to the ground ; this occasioned him 
 to keep his bed for several days in great pain. 
 
 His thoughts, during his residence in Utrecht, were directed 
 more to eternity than to the present life ; and he often spake 
 upon that subject when in company. This was in particular 
 the case, whilst visiting, on one occasion, the prince of Nassau- 
 Siegen, with other noblemen and gentlemen ; and, after a cer- 
 tain cavalier had related many things of an edifying nature, 
 the Count began to speak upon the vanity of the present life 
 
RESIDENCE IN UTRECHT. IT 
 
 abd all it^ pleasures, and the great glory of that which is to 
 come. No one opposed him, but a certain Baron, who did 
 not wish to hear any thing of death. The Count replied, that 
 he did not wonder he was afraid to die ; but with regard to 
 himself, he was any moment ready to make the transition : 
 death would he to him a real pleasure, and a true Christian 
 could not be afraid of it. 
 
 The happy decease of Baron Von Canstein, of wliich he 
 received intelligence whilst at Utrecht,' occasioned him to 
 reflect, and express himself still more upon the dissolution 
 of the children of God, and he composed a poem upon the 
 subject. 
 
 However strongly he was opposed to the sins and vanities 
 of the world, which he could not avoid seeing, yet his heart 
 was full of tenderness towards all who loved the Saviour, and 
 full of love to all mankind; and, in his daily prayers, he 
 included persons of all ranks and professions, as well as his 
 open and secret enemies. He concludes with the words, 
 " Extend thy care over thy whole flock, and over all that I 
 now humbly bring before thee. Forget npne of whom I may 
 be forgetful ; and cause thy face to shine, with gracious beams, 
 upon all who do not render themselves unworthy of it ! " 
 
 Besides the friends and acquaintances in Holland, whose 
 friendship he already possessed,, from having known them in 
 Wittenberg, and who showed him much esteem and affection, 
 he also associated, in Utrecht, with many individuals of dif- 
 ferent religious persuasions. How beneficial their society, as 
 well as that of the many able men he met with iii Holland, 
 was to him, is evident from his own confession, by extending 
 his views upon a variety of subjects, and rendering his opinions 
 more liberal and moderate. 
 
 On the 11th August, he travelled, in company with the 
 Prince of Nassau-Siegen, to visit Prince WiUiam Henry of 
 Orange, who received them with many marks of distinction^ 
 The Count obtained permission to repeat his visit, and was 
 invited by the Princess of Orange herself to, be present on 
 the 1st of September, the celebration of the Prince's birth-> 
 day. He accordingly appeared in company with Count Von 
 der Lippe, and several other noblemen, and, after the custo-- 
 
18 JOURNEY ro TRANCE. 
 
 mary congratulations, presented a poem to the Princess, which 
 was very graciously received. 
 
 On the 2d of September, he left Utrecht, accompanied by 
 Mr.. Von Grone and his governor, and proceeded to Amster- 
 dam, and from thence to the Hague. There his faith and 
 love to the truth were put to the test. A certain states- 
 man treated him magnificently, on which occasion a Catholic 
 ambassador, of high rank, laboured for hours together to bring 
 him over to his sentiments. This was likewise done by others, 
 during which, they were not sparing of their encomiums upon 
 him. But he at length openly declared, that God required a 
 . pure worship, and that the vanities of the world were not only 
 ■J folly, but dangerous to the soul ; that heavenly things were 
 thereby neglected and put aside ; and that the hour of death 
 then became a torment, and the dying bed a rack, which 
 would inflict torture on both body and soul, instead of being a 
 step to heaven, and a foretaste of a blissful eternity ! 
 . From the Hague, the Count proceeded to Rotterdam, and 
 from thence by water to Antwerp, where he arrived on the 
 19th of September. After a short stay there, he proceeded 
 on his journey, by way of Malines, Erussels, Valenciennes, 
 and Cambrai ; and arrived in Paris on the 27th of September, 
 1719. 
 
 The Count's residence in Paris was not of long duration, 
 but sufficiently remarkable. " I went upon my travels," says 
 he, " but the more I entered into the world, the more firmly 
 did the Lord retain his hold of me ; and I sought out those 
 amongst the great of this world, to whom I could speak upon 
 the grace and goodness of my Saviour. I found them fre- 
 quently where it would not have been expected. I was polite 
 towards those to whom I could not trust myself, but reserved 
 towards such as endeavoured to seduce me ; and took occa- 
 sion, as I had begun to do at the universities, to disabuse 
 them, the fruits of which I now enjoy. I conferred with my 
 Saviour on every thing of importance. In Paris, I was quite 
 in my element. I there came into contact with bishops and 
 religious persons who were sincere, and became acquainted 
 with some ladies who were the subjects of divine grace. Time 
 then did not seem long to me, and I was grieved at being 
 
RESIDENCE IN FRANCE.- 19 
 
 obEged SO soon to leave them. In other respects, from a defi- 
 ciency of knowledge, I was very legal, and have since won- v^ 
 dered at the patience of my friends, especially Cardinal de 
 Noailles, who must have endured much from my strange 
 humour. For that which I recognised to be correct, I sought 
 emphatically to inculcate ; and I could immediately break with 
 my most valuable friends, if I believed they were not to be 
 depended upon with respect to religion. The world knew not 
 what to make of me ; because I was externally not difierenf 
 to others, except that I didr not dance at court, nor played 
 cards in Paris. Many who_k ne.wme. thgughtjybiad preserved 
 my baptismal covenant ; those who were .unable to discrimi- 
 nate, reported me to be a KetTil'J whereas they, to whom this 
 name was given, would not let me pass for~^ner On the 
 whole, it seems to me, that ifTEaSTbeen properly informed of 
 j all the various seductions to which I should be exposed in 
 f the world, I should not have lingered at them, nor viewed 
 j them so attentively. My ignorance gave rise to many dis- 
 i tractions. The knowledge of human corruption and the 
 stratagems of the adversary, to fashion us according to his 
 purposes, has always been salutary to me." 
 
 The first real pleasure he felt in Paris, was in the company 
 of Ck)unt Henry XXIX. Reuss, and his governor, Mr, Von 
 Bonin, with whom he was able to spend a few days in devout 
 converse before their departure. " We thought more (says 
 he) of God and his truth, than of human things and ideas ; 
 and our meetings were so devotional, that we hope to repeat 
 them in eternity." 
 
 He circumscribed his acquaintance with foreigners of rank, 
 many of whom were at that time in Paris ; though without 
 incurring a breach of decorum. He became known to the 
 Princes of the house of Gotha, the Prince of Schwartzburg- 
 Sondershausen, and the Prince of Baden, the latter of whom 
 showed him much kindness. He continued the friendship, 
 commenced in Utrecht, with the Counts of Darmeskioldt 
 and also became well acquainted with Count Von Leiningen, 
 Baron Stosch, and Mr. Von Tschirnhausen. It was also about 
 this time that he met with Baron Nicholas Von Wattewille, 
 who writes as follows : — " I first became acquainted with the 
 
20 RESIDENCE IN FRANCE. 
 
 Count when at Paris, in November 1719. He had heard that 
 a Wattewille had arrived ; and thinking it might be a brother 
 of his friend Frederick's, he sought me out and sent for me. 
 He immediately knew me from my physiognomy, and was 
 much gratified at seeing me. We soon became very cordial 
 friends, and saw each other almost every day. In his heart, 
 he remained what he was ; and I, what I was. In this 
 respect we had no affinity, irrespective of our friendship. T 
 loved the world ; he took no pleasure in it. He conducted 
 me to cardinals and bishops ; and I could not persuade him 
 to go to a single opera." 
 
 Thfe Count was at first little inclined to come into contact 
 with the French clergy. The pomp they displayed on public 
 occasions, did not edify him ; and he noticed in some of them, 
 things that were disgusting. However, he became acquainted 
 with the upright Father de la Tour, General of the Society of 
 the Oratory, Asking the Count on one occasion, whether he had 
 been present at a certain amusement, and inferring fi-om his 
 answer, that he was no friend to the vanities of the World, 
 they commenced, not only a friendly, but alsoa beneficial and 
 edifying intercourse. The Count promised to visit him fre- 
 quently, and the Reverend Father assured him of his friend- 
 ship. Some days after he conducted the Count to Cardinal 
 de Noailles, by whom he was very kindly received. The 
 conversation lasted nearly two hours and a half, and was dan- 
 gerous to the Count, because both of them showed him very 
 grea,t politeness and friendship. In several subsequent con- 
 versations, they endeavoured to bring him over to the Romish 
 church ; and after the Cardinal had written to him twice, the 
 Count sent him a treatise, in the Latin language, in which he 
 copiously developed his religious views. 
 
 At length they approached nearer, on both sides, to the 
 point, on which salvation depends. The Cardinal acknow- 
 ledged the grace that dwelt in the Count, and therefore 
 regarded him as a child of God, manifested much love and 
 friendship towards him, spoke with him on christian experience, 
 and dismissed all disputes about religion. The Count besought 
 the Cardinal to be faithful in the circumstances in which he 
 was placed ; to do nothing from the fear of, or to please, men ; 
 
RESIDENCE IN FRANCE, 2^ 
 
 imdauntedly to maintain the truth he recognised ; not to 
 ipingle his dignity as cardinal with the cause of Christ, &c. 
 They were, therefore, united in heart, although each retained 
 his peculiar creed ; until, in consequence of the Cardinal's' 
 acceptance of the Constitution Unigenitus, a breach ensued ; 
 for_the Count took the matter so deeply to heart, that he 
 resolved to break off all intercourse with the Cardinal, and for 
 this purpose wrote him a letter, in which he plainly told him 
 so, though deeply regretting the circumstance. 
 
 Not long after, the Count went to a church of the Premon- 
 strants, and heard a sermon from a Dominican monk. His 
 discourse had reference solely to the chief points of christian 
 doctrine ; — that a change of life succeeds a conversion of the 
 heart ; that if we have the mind of Christ, we cannot be at 
 peace with the world ; that a reformation was needed, not only 
 amongst the poor, but especially amongst the great, &c. The 
 man pleased the Count ; for he spoke lovingly, pleasantly, 
 devoutly, humbly, and cordially ; and he thought he had been 
 led thither by Divine Providence, He went, therefore, into 
 the oratory of the Premonstrants, in order personally to become 
 acquainted with the preacher, and learnt that his name was 
 Father Anthony Dionysius Simon D'Albizi.* In the course 
 of their conversation, they fell upon important subjects, and at 
 length upon Cardinal de Noailles. This brought them further 
 to speak of the appealing bishops, and the Dominican offered 
 to make the Count acquainted with them. He consequently 
 visited Peter de Langlet, Bishop of Boulogne, a man who 
 enjoyed the testimony of having known, taught, and acted 
 according to God's word, and of having proved himself, iij 
 boisterous as well as peaceful times, a preacher of the truth, 
 He requested to have the Count's letter to the Cardinal read 
 over to him, and gave it as his opinion, that the Holy Spirit 
 had incited him to it. He showed him in return, the letter of 
 the appealing bishops to the Cardinal, and the answer of the 
 
 • The Count thus expresses himself in a letter respecting him : — " In 
 Father D'Albizi, I have found a second TaUlerus. He has already been 
 once rewarded with the Bastille. He has spoken loudly from the pulpit 
 against the recent accommodation. I must, generally speaking, admirj 
 the sincerity of the Catholics, of this country." 
 
22 RESIDENCE IN FRANCE. 
 
 latter. He then took him to the Bishop of Montpelier, brother 
 to the Marquis de Torcy, and a violent opposer of the Con- 
 stitution Unigenitus. The company was increased by the 
 Abbot Pompone, and they conversed together very confiden- 
 tially.* 
 
 The Count was also well received in Paris by other persons 
 and families of rank. I will only mention Marshal Villars, 
 the Swedish Ambassador, Lord Stair, who in particular showed 
 him much kindness, and Cardinal de Bussy. A Duchess, 
 who lived in the royal palace, sent him word that she wished 
 to see him, and on his paying her a visit, showed him great 
 esteem and respect. 
 
 The Count stood also in peculiar favour with the widowed 
 mother of the Regent of France, a daughter of the Elector 
 Charles Louis, of the Palatinate. On being presented to this 
 princess by the duchess above mentioned, she remembered 
 having been acquainted with his father and uncle forty years 
 before, and expressed her great attachment to Germany. 
 
 Being with her on one occasion, the Regent entered her 
 apartments, on which she presented him to him, and recom- 
 mended him in a particularly gracious maimer to his favour. 
 
 The influence which these things had upon his heart, is 
 described by himself in the following terms : — " I regarded 
 the extraordinary honours paid me in Paris, as dangerous 
 incitements, and with fear and trembling ; and have reason to 
 thank God for having always faithfully humbled me to the 
 dust with paternal severity respecting them." He does not deny 
 being occasionally powerfully attacked by pride ; but states 
 that he had experienced so much the severer reproofs in his 
 heart in consequence, and that it had served to humble him the 
 more. He relates that on one occasion, he had not been received 
 
 * It was certainly at some risk that the Count associated so intimately 
 with the appealing bishops. He himself says, " I was not altogether 
 safe in Paris, in consequence of the affair of the Constitution, which was 
 at that time much agitated; and hence my governor was extremely 
 anxious respecting me." It seems that he narrowly escaped being poi- 
 soned by a person, who could not bear his zeal for the appealing bishops ; 
 for immediately afterwards he felt its effects, fell dangerously ill, and 
 retained the marks of it in his face until his end. 
 
DEPARTURE FOK SWITZERLAND. 23 
 
 with due distinction at Court, and complained on that account 
 to the court chamberlain, of the master of the ceremonies, 
 and requested satisfaction, which was immediately promised 
 him. But soon after, on maturely weighing the circumstance, 
 he found that his pride was not yet dead. On this he threw 
 hiinself at the Lord's feet, besought his grace and forgiveness 
 with many tears, and gladly gave up his rights. " I promised 
 the Saviour (says he) to become his pure follower, and entirely to 
 renounce the world. And this resolution, with respect to honour 
 and distinction, has since that time continued unchanged ; 
 and the reproach of Christ has always occasioned me joy." 
 
 Towards the end. of the year 1719, he became very ill. His 
 heart was at the same time directed to God ; and his first and 
 dearest thought was, the expectation that he would take him 
 to himself. It was impossible for him to pray for the prolong- 
 ation of his life. But God, who intended to preserve him, 
 and make use of him in his church, blessed the means which 
 were used for his recovery. Respecting this, he says, " I did 
 not expect to have seen the commencement of another year ; 
 on the contrary, I hoped to have been received into eternal 
 habitations. At the same time I heartly thank my Creator for 
 his innumerable benefits, which I reverentially admire. By 
 him I have been delivered from the bonds of corruption, whose 
 servant I might have become. I hate and abhor the slothful- 
 ness, by which so many valuable hours of days gone past 
 have been perverted, and entreat the Lord J^sus to make me a 
 partaker of his image and his likeness." He finally commits 
 himself to the guidance of the Shepherd of Israel, and resigns 
 to him, for the future, the further direction of his steps. 
 
 In the spring of 1720, the Count left Paris, and came first 
 to Strasburg, from whence he wrote to Father D'Albizi, whose 
 frendship had become of great unportance to him ; to which the 
 latter replied, and gave him intelligence respecting the bishop 
 of Chalons, who was brother to Cardinal de Noailles, and the 
 bishops of Montpelier and Boulogne. 
 
 From Strasburg he proceeded to Basle, where he had ap- 
 pointed to meet his beloved friend. Baron Frederick Von 
 
24 RESIDENCE AT CASTELI. 
 
 Wattewille and his lirother Nicholas, who had returned from 
 Paris to Switzerland. With them he spent a very happy and 
 edifying week, and renewed, especially with the former, the 
 povenant of love and fidelity to our Lord and Saviour, which 
 they had made together in Halle. 
 
 He travelled from Basle, by way of SchaffTiausen, to Zurich ; 
 and became acquainted, on this journey, with two aged and 
 pious divines. Dr. Mayer in Schaifhausen, and Dr. Samuel 
 Werenfels in Basle. 
 
 From Switzerland he went through Nurenberg to Oberbirg, 
 a mansion belonging to the Countess of Polheim, his father's 
 sister, and at that time a widow ; where he remained for some 
 time. 
 
 His chief occupation at Oberbirg, I find expressed in a 
 letter to M. Von Bonin, at Ebersdorf, dated 23d July, 1720. 
 " My present employment " says he, " is to go through the 
 whole history of the Passion, which I have here found in 
 verse, with beautiful remarks by Mr. Heize the castle-warden ; 
 and to make some additions to it." 
 
 Hitherto Mr. Riederer, his governor, had travelled with him ; 
 and it would appear that they were well satisfied with each 
 other. In general he only looked on, and interposed occasion-, 
 ally ; for it was very evident to him, that a superior hand was 
 extended over the Count. But when he feared the latter 
 would act precipitately, or might unintentionally commit an 
 error, he was firm^and immovable. The Count, in a letter to his 
 aunt, bore testimony to his integrity and fidehty to the extent 
 of his knowledge. The Count's brother again requested his 
 services, and he accepted the ofier. The Count himself took 
 leave of him in a friendly letter, in which he assures him of his 
 high esteem and friendship, and of his unceasing acknowledg- 
 ment of his services. At the same time he entreats his for- 
 giveness, if, during the time of their being together, he had 
 occasionally displeased him. He asserts however, that if he 
 had sometimes insisted upon his principles, he had never done 
 so to the depreciation of the esteem he felt for Mr. Riederer. 
 
 From Overbirg the Count proceeded to Castell, to visit the 
 Dowager Countess and her family, who was also an aunt of 
 his. His intention was only to remain a, week ; but a fevey 
 
OFFER OF MARRIAGE. 25 
 
 wliich attacked him, prolonged his stay for upwards of two 
 months ; besides which, he afterwards suffered from a painful 
 disorder in the eyes, which threatened him with the loss of 
 sight. During this residence, he became acquainted with 
 Sophia Christiana, Margravine of Brandenburg-Culmbach, who 
 was closely allied to the noble house of Castell, — an acquaint- 
 ance which he ever after considered as important. 
 
 I will not deny that here also his serious deportment proved 
 troublesome to some of his noble relatives. For, both by word 
 and example, he opposed the idea that a person was permitted 
 to take greater liberties than any other Christian, because he 
 was of high rank. He was also wont, on the Sunday, to retire 
 from all company, from three till half-past seven o'clock, in 
 order that he might spend the time in silent intercourse 
 with the Lord his God. Pains indeed were taken to induce 
 him to alter his conduct, but he continued firm to his pur- 
 pose. 
 
 In the Countess Theodora of Castell, his youngest cousin, 
 the Count thought he perceived those qualities which are 
 uncommon in ladies of her rank ; and conceived so much 
 esteem and affection for her, that he resolved to propose i 
 marriage to her. He informed the Countess, her mother, of 
 this resolution, who was not only satisfied with it, but clearly 
 evinced her desire that it might take place. The guardian of 
 the young Countess also gave his consent, and the affair being 
 spoken of freely, the ofiicers of the household were also all in 
 favour of it. The Count now made his offer to the Countess 
 Theodora. She replied, that " if God would more incline her 
 mind to it, than was at present the case, she would not oppose 
 it." This answer being not a direct negative, the Count 
 looked upon it as an assent. They were not, however, solemnly 
 betrothed ; for he wished, first of all, to converse with his re- 
 latives on his intended marriage. Meanwhile the Countess 
 presented him with her portrait, and on parting requested him 
 to return. He set out in January, 1721, for Great Henners-. 
 dorf, and spoke of his intention with his grandmother. The 
 latter felt some scruples, on account of her grandson's near 
 relationship with the Countess Theodora ; but was unwilling 
 to raise objections on that score. 
 
26 OFFER OF MARRI/^ ■;. 
 
 His mother's sentiments were already known to him. He 
 had no doubt of her consent, and therefore set out on his 
 return for Castell. Not far from Plauen, he was in imminent 
 peril of his life, on passing the Elster, from which he was won- 
 derfully delivered. He wrote from Plauen to Count Reuss, 
 informing him of the accident, and the latter sent him a friendly 
 invitation to Ebersdorf. He accepted it, and the wisdom of 
 God revealed its secret intentions in the circumstance ; for, 
 soon after his arrival in Ebersdorf, the conversation turned upon 
 the unavoidable necessity there was for Count Henry to marry. 
 On being asked. Count Zinzendorf mentioned one young 
 Countess after the other. But the Countess, his mother-, 
 observed, " that of all those who had been proposed, the 
 Countess Theodora of CasteU had been most commended ; but 
 she was not to be thought of, with the reason for which he, 
 Count Z — , was the best acquainted." 
 
 ( At this speech, the Lord produced in the heart of the Count 
 a resolution of rare occurrence, which was, voluntarily to resign 
 'the person he so ardently loved, to Count Henry, if he wished 
 /to have her, and to abstain from the claim he already had 
 / upon her. The more unexpected this declaration was, the 
 more difficulty did Count Reuss feel in yielding to it. How- 
 ever, the former continued firm, and offered to do every thing 
 in his power to promote the matter. When just on the point 
 of departing from Count Reuss's mansion at Hirschberg, in 
 Vogtland, and when the horses were already put to the 
 carriage, he ordered them to be unharnessed, and proposed to 
 Count Reuss immediately to take him with him. This 
 offer was accepted, and unanimously recognised as the will 
 of God. 
 
 The two noblemen therefore, accompanied by Mr. Von 
 Bonin, set out for Castell, where they were received in a very 
 friendly manner. The Count continued firm to his purpose 
 of resigning all pretensions to the Countess Theodora, although 
 it cost him much to tear away his heart entirely from her ; 
 and Count Reuss felt induced to pay his addresses to her. At 
 his request. Count Z — first broke the matter to her mother 
 and brother, after which the offer was made to the Countess 
 Theodora. Many objections were raised, not so much with 
 
PROCEEDS TO HALLE. ' 27 
 
 respect to Count Reuss, as to Count Z — ; the former, however, 
 at length obtained her consent. 
 
 Respecting the betrothment that followed, Mr. Von Bonin 
 writes, that " Count Zinzendorf declared, in the presence of 
 God, his complete consent, and wished the new couple every 
 divine blessing ; as well as concluded the ceremony with a 
 moving prayer, which it was impossible to listen to without 
 tears." 
 
 He travelled back again from CasteU to Ebersdorf with 
 Count Reuss, and remained there till Easter. In April 1721, 
 he went to Poelzig, to visit Count Henkel, whose society he 
 states to have been beneficial to him. From thence he wrote 
 a letter to the Bishop of Montpelier, in which he told him, 
 " that he had hitherto acted like a hero in the unhappy affair 
 of the appellants — that God, their heavenly Father, would 
 daily enlighten them more in the truth for which they strove-^- 
 that he had heard of the melancholy results of a horrible per- 
 secution against the poor Protestants, which the clergy in their 
 neighbourhood had excited — that he did not accuse all ; for he 
 knew that Cardinal de Noailles regarded such persecutions as 
 execrable, and that they, the appellants, also disapproved of 
 them. Such persecutions, however, were no sign of the true 
 church. He continually wondered that the appellants were 
 left at liberty to pursue their course." 
 
 The Count's daily and nightly thoughts being directed to 
 the means of finding some opportunity of serving God his 
 Saviour, he went to Halle, with the intention of offering his 
 services to the institutions there, in whatever way it might be 
 thought fit to employ him. But before he could make the 
 offer. Professor Franke seriously proposed to him, in the pre- 
 sence of many persons, to remain with him, and assist him in 
 carrying on the work of faith with power, humility, and 
 patience ; since he had no other object than that of serving 
 God. The Count heartily rejoiced at this proposal, accepted 
 it with ajl readiness, with the condition, however, that the 
 consent of his family should be first obtained. On which, 
 Professor Franke bestowed his blessing upon him, with refer- 
 ence to all his sincere intentions, in the presence of various 
 faithful witnesses, in May 1721. 
 
 c 2 
 
28 EPFECTS OF HIS TRAVfilS, 
 
 This affair, however, was afterwards the cause of a tempo- 
 rary misunderstanding and estrangement between the Count 
 and Franke, after the latter's good intentions to place the 
 Count in the station occupied in Halle by Baron Von Canstein, 
 had been rendered abortive, and the whole affair frustrated, by 
 the refusal of the Count's friends and relatives, who had 
 marked out a very different career for him. 
 
 He proceeded from Halle to Berlin, on a visit to his mother, 
 and thus ended his travels for the time. The advantages de- 
 rived from them were numerous. He was naturally cheerful, 
 lively, able, and resolute. He had associated much with per- 
 sons of distinction in Wittenberg, Holland, France, and Fran- 
 conia ; hence something superior was visible in his deportment. 
 But, because he was tender and affectionate, and at the same 
 time possessed, through grace, a lowliness of mind, his company 
 was rendered extremely agreeable. He had seen the world 
 and its glory to the best advantage ; but God had preserved 
 his heart, and secured it from sin. Having also an opportunity 
 of associating with many people, who were as firm as they 
 Tjsrere zealous in their religion ; and as he did not violently 
 assault them, but modestly listened to them, he became much 
 better acquainted, than is customary at universities, both with 
 their principles, and the basis on which they built them. 
 This made him more reasonable, yielding, and cautious, than 
 young people generally are ; but, what is more, he became 
 acquainted with many truly pious people, both in the Romish 
 and Reformed churches, whom he could not otherwise regard 
 than as children of God, Hence he was most impressively 
 and experimentally confirmed in the Lutheran doctrine : that 
 the real church, which consists only of those who really be- 
 lieve in Jesus, and are thereby rendered children of God, is 
 not confined to one place, but is scattered over the whole 
 world. Besides, he found it highly reasonable to give every 
 religion its -due, and to judge of each according to the state 
 of the case. 
 
 Being now again with his mother, after the lapse of so many 
 years, he did not omit opening his mind to her fully. It cannot 
 be denied, that much appeared incomprehensible to her ; for she 
 was of opinion, he ought, like his father, to devote himself to 
 
CONFERENCES WITH HIS MOTHER. 29 
 
 the service of the State, as well as be a friend to good things, 
 and a support to the pious. But he believed that this was 
 connected with too many dangers, and tended too little to the 
 honour of Jesus Christ, and the salvation of perishing men. 
 The affair remained for a time undecided. Meanwhile he 
 spent many a painful hour ; for, since he expressed himself very 
 candidly upon many points, both in word and writing, and it 
 was seen that he thought otherwise than is customary with 
 young noblemen similarly situated, he proved offensive to 
 those whom he otherwise loved and esteemed. It also fre- 
 quently happened, that what he undertook, from love to Christ 
 and the desire to serve him, was severely commented upon by 
 his friends. This pained him much, and he did all in his 
 power to explain his conduct, but effected little by so doing. 
 In other respects, I find that he conversed much with his 
 mother, and ascertained her sentiments with respect to any 
 possible change that might take place, as well as with regard to 
 marriage and the arrangement of his domestic affairs. 
 He finished his minority on the 25 th May, 1721. • 
 
30 KESIDENGE JN HENNERSBORF, 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE COUNT RESOLVES TO DEVOTE HIMSELF TO THE MINISTRY — SCRUPLES 
 AGAINST FILLING CIVIL OFFICES, AND FINAL DETERMINATION — SENTI- 
 MENTS ON ENTERING INTO OFFICE — HESITATION ON TAKING RELIGIOUS 
 
 OATHS — TAKES HIS SEAT IN THE GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATED ON 
 
 DOING SO BY PROFESSOR FRANKE — CONDUCT IN OFFICE, AND EFFORTS 
 TO PROMOTE THE EDIFICATION OF OTHERS — MARRIAGE — -ARRIVAL OP 
 
 THE FIRST MORAVIAN EMIGRANTS — INTERVIEW WITH THE EMPEROR 
 
 DEPORTMENT TOWARDS THOSE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS 
 
 STATE OF MIND — RESIGNS HIS SEAT IN THE GOVERNMENT. 
 
 On the completion of his minority, Count Zinzendorf left 
 Berlin &r Great Hennersdorf, where he was received by his 
 grandmother with the tenderest affection. He felt most at 
 home there, from having spent his earliest years in that place. 
 He was much attached to Upper Lusatia, both on account of 
 its natural and political situation. He had also made acquaint- 
 ance with several pious persons in those parts, which he had 
 diligently cherished, even whilst absent from them. 
 
 His situation, with respect to his relatives, was however 
 somewhat peculiar. His grandmother was a pattern of cheer- 
 fulness, industry, and usefulness in old age. Two aged female 
 relatives lived with her, and aU of them expected that he 
 should obey them like a child : he was therefore able to do little 
 according to his own views. 
 
 He began, however, to arrange his domestic affairs, and 
 took Mr. Heitz into his service, with whom he had become 
 acquainted in Oberbirg; for he regarded him, not only as well 
 fitted for a steward, but also as a man of piety and integrity. 
 He likewise took a young man of the name of Larisch, and a 
 youth called Tobias Frederick, whom he had brought with him 
 from Ebersdorf, and had them instructed in Latin and other 
 useful things. Heitz read the Bible with them, and sought to 
 
WISH TO BECOME A PREACHER. 31 
 
 make them acquainted with it in a simple manner. The Count 
 himself instructed them in divinity, and had the satisfaction to 
 perceive a work of grace upon their hearts. 
 
 He also held a devotional meeting every day at the manor- 
 house, and, through the mercy of the Lord, those who attendee! 
 it derived a real blessing from it. He commended his labours 
 to the intercessions of his confidential friends, particularly of 
 those atEbersdorf ; for he was exceedingly anxious to promote, 
 by his efibrts, the glory of God. 
 
 He was, however, desirous of having a place of his own, 
 for the labour in which his soul delighted. He felt a particular 
 relish for solitude and a country life, from which he expected 
 much benefit for himself and others. He not only feared, but 
 abhorred the world and its vain and evil ways. Hence it was 
 Ms intention to purchase an estate, carefully preside over his 
 domestic afiairs, and faithfully attend to his vassaJs; hoping in 
 this manner to escape from all the evils of high rank, without 
 burying his talent. 
 
 It would certainly have been more agreeable to him, if 
 his relatives would have consented to his devoting himself 
 entirely to the study of divinity, and becoming a preacher of 
 the gospel. He valued nothing so highly as the vocation he 
 believed he possessed, to become a minister of the word, and 
 to bring souls to Christ ; by which he meant, the gracious im- 
 piilse he had felt in his heart from a child, and which had 
 increased every year, the more the love of Christ was rooted 
 in him. 
 
 But this was something uncommon for persons of his rank in 
 the Lutheran church ; and his parents could not coincide with 
 him, Tjecause of the hope they had cherished, that he would 
 follow in the steps of his father, and fill some important office 
 in the State, for the benefit of his country. They had nothing 
 to oppose to his desire of serving the Saviour, or his zeal for 
 the salvation of souls ; for they themselves feared God and loved 
 his word. But they were of opinion, that if he consented to 
 enter into some civil employment, he would be able to do more 
 good, with the talents he possessed, than if he became a 
 preacher of the gospel, or lived as a private character. 
 
 This difference of sentiment was a painful trial to the Count. 
 
32 Accepts office* 
 
 He was unwilling to reject the advice of his parents, and yet 
 he believed that what they required of him was not suitable 
 for him, and would even expose him to the greatest dangers, 
 He did not omit to express himself freely upon the subject, 
 but he had chiefly recourse to prayers and tears. 
 
 In order to escape the urgent propositions of his relatives 
 to accept a place at court, and to prepare the way for a lesS 
 constrained mode of life, he gave himself some trouble to .re-« 
 gain a certain imperial fee, to which he thought himself entitled* 
 He also wrote to the Margravine of Brandenburg- Culmbach, 
 and requested her advice with regard to his entering into the 
 service of the State. However, she told him in reply, that 
 he woidd do best to act according to the dictates of his own 
 conscience. 
 
 Another cause of repugnance towards civil employment was 
 the consideration, that in such a case he could not be of so 
 much benefit to his vassals, nor be able to participate with 
 them in their distresses. 
 
 The result of this long deliberation was, however, this, that 
 from a principle of obedience to his parents, he finally con- 
 sented to accept a seat in the government at Dresden, although 
 this decision cost him many tears. On the 22d of October he 
 left Hennersdorf for Dresden : during the whole of the way 
 thither he continued outwardly in a profound calm, but his 
 mind was considerably depressed ; since he felt himself entirely 
 unfit for such a situation. 
 
 Some weeks after his arrival in Dresden he was appointed 
 a member of the government, with the title of Aulic and Jus- 
 ticial Councillor. 
 
 He then took the firm resolution to cleave, by Divine grace, 
 to Christ, the ground of his hopes ; and to confess him so 
 boldly, in word and deed, as to divest the world of all hope of 
 inducing him to alter his views. He also resolved seriously 
 to continue his chief object, — the preaching of the gospel, 
 and to seek repose in the society of the poor and simple chil- 
 dren of God. 
 
 Before the Count took the religious oath, customary in 
 Saxony, on entering into ofiice, he felt obliged to study, in 
 retirement, the articles of faith of the Lutheran church, to 
 
LETTER PROM PROFESSOR FRANKE. 33 
 
 which the oath has reference, He then visited the vice-chan- 
 cellor, requested the formula of the oath, and considered, in 
 the presence of the Saviour, and with fervent prayer, what he 
 ought to do in the matter. On going over the formula of the 
 oath once more with a friend, he declared that he had his 
 scruples concerning it ; for, although he did not wish to make 
 any objection to the articles of faith of the Lutheran church, 
 yet certain explanations were given in them which he did not 
 understand ; he therefore did not feel at liberty to swear to 
 them indefinitely. But as he did not trust to himself in the 
 matter, he requested a little time, to take the advice of impar- 
 tial divines and persons of discernment, on the subject. 
 
 When this had been done, he gave in a written declaration 
 in what sense he could take the religious oath ; after which 
 he really took it. 
 
 But the idea occurred to him, in these circumstances, whe- 
 ther it would not be better for him to go to Copenhagen, and 
 accept service in Denmark ; always premising, however, that 
 he would not forestal the Divine guidance. He even actually 
 set out for Copenhagen, before doing his duty in Dresden, in 
 order, through the influence of some persons of rank who 
 were known to him, to procure an engagement from the Crown- 
 Prince, whom he highly esteemed ; hoping, by this, to satisfy 
 both his relatives and his own conscience. But this journey 
 Was interrupted and frustrated by the interference of his grand- 
 mother. 
 
 After a short excursion to visit his relatives in Hennersdorf, 
 he took his seat, before the end of the year, as a member of 
 the government. He informed his dear friend. Professor 
 Franke, of the circumstance, and commended himself to his 
 remembrance and his prayers. The latter wrote to him, under 
 date 19th January, 1722, as follows : — " I first of all congra- 
 tulate you on your entering into oflSce ; though I will not 
 content myself with merely doing so, but, with Divine assist- 
 ance, will fulfil your desires, both to remember you in my 
 prayers before God, as well as heartily to recommend you to 
 other children of God for the same purpose, in the manner 
 you have pointed out. I assure you that your letter has 
 afforded me heartfelt pleasure ; and I feel convinced that as 
 
 c3 
 
34 RESIDENCE IN DRESDEN. 
 
 long as you continue in such a state of mind, no one will prove 
 an ihjury to you. For the placing no dependence upon ourselves 
 is the way to unceasing prayer, and prayer is the way to trust 
 God for every thing." 
 
 No sooner had the Count entered into office, than he very 
 earnestly solicited that he might be employed solely in matters 
 of citation. On Chancellor Von Bunow's giving him the 
 assurance that he would remember him with reference to this, 
 he firmly abided by it on his part ; and purposely neglecting 
 all the functions in which individuals similarly situated distin- 
 guish themselves, he did little more, from 1722 till 1727, than 
 conciliate a couple of poor peasants with their squire, and 
 spent the rest of his time in Dresden, as often as opportunity 
 presented itself, in commending the merits of his Saviour, and 
 the sweetness of his love, to as many of his colleagues and 
 friends as would listen to him, as well as to clergy and laity, 
 and even to separatists and followers of Gichtel.* 
 
 On this subject he writes : — " It was only in Dresden that I 
 ^was able, without any opposition from my spiritual and tem- 
 poral superiors, to hold a meeting with open doors, which any 
 one might attend. That which was singular in it was, that 1 
 was a preacher, who, from obedience to his parents, wore a 
 sword, and took part in the government ; but whose real ele- 
 ment, even then, was the preaching of the gospel. I had 
 mentioned, before I went thither, the inconvenience that would 
 arise from representing a character so strange to me ; hence 
 the worthy superintendent of Dresden, Dr. Loscher, had com- 
 passion upon the gift I was obliged to suppress, and let me 
 act as I pleased." 
 
 In addition to the above, we must also mention the Count's 
 intercourse with all kinds of people, who, he imagined, were 
 concerned for their salvation ; and in this respect he made no 
 difference with regard to rank ; for the word of the Lord, 
 " The poor have the gospel preached unto them," had made a 
 deep impression upon him. The words of the Apostle, " Not 
 
 * An individual of extraordinary piety, who led a life of faitli and prayer, 
 which, however, from its singularity, cannot be held up as a pattern for 
 Christians in general. 
 
IDEAS RESPECTING A REFORMATION. 35 
 
 many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many 
 noble, are called," (1 Cor. i. 26 — 28,) were ever present to his 
 mind. When he met with people who erred in some points, 
 but respecting whom he could perceive that they were seeking 
 salvation, he did not withdraw himself from them. Amongst 
 ofliers, his acquaintance was sought by a whole company of 
 people who did not attend church, and entertained a variety of 
 strange notions. He was aware that by associating with them 
 he would render himself suspected, and bring disgrace upon 
 himself; but because he found several sincere individuals 
 amongst them, and was convinced that they would forego their 
 errors if treated with caution and affection, he did not let this 
 consideration deter him ; and had the satisfaction, before four 
 years were expired, to see that many of these people not only 
 attended his meetings, but also went again to church, and 
 silently interred their erroneous principles, for which they 
 would before have probably laid down their lives. 
 
 He also composed, during this period, several hymns and 
 spiritual poems. 
 
 It was at that time very custemary to speak of the deficien- 
 cies of the Lutheran church. Many even believed that another 
 reformation was desirable ; and it cannot be denied that the 
 Coimt participated in this idea, as well as many of his pious 
 friends ; for being inclined, without much hesitation, to adopt 
 the views and good wishes of those teachers for whom he had 
 a high esteem, they had drawn him into their ideas. 
 
 He saw, however, before entering into the ministry, that he 
 was not called to employ his powers in such a reformation as 
 was wished for by many divines. It was also obvious to him, 
 that little benefit would arise from introducing a stricter eccle- 
 siastical discipline ; for he was firmly convinced, that though) 
 an amendment might be produced in the exterior of those who 
 did not 'possess the love of Christ in the heart, yet that in 
 many instances it would be the means of protracting cojir. 
 version. 
 
 He therefore confessed, that until the year 1726, he had 
 thought, with other divines, such a reformation desirable, but 
 that since that time his views had sufiered a change, and he 
 regarded himself as unfit for such an occupation. 
 
3$ PURCHASE or BERTHOLDSDOEF, 
 
 Meanwhile his heart burned with desire to serve his Lord 
 and Saviour, and to be useful to his neighbour. The win- 
 ning souls for Christ, and the labouring in his spiritual king- 
 dom, he regarded as his real vocation ; but the other as a thing 
 of minor importance, or a trial of his patience. 
 
 The devout wishes with which many excellent men had left 
 this world without witnessing the fulfilment of them, seemed 
 always of importance to him. But he believed the time was 
 now arrived boldly to commence the matter, "pj seriously to 
 seek that whichJiaibeen^BKgjiously only wished^. He was 
 rSoTveiTtovSiture upon it, and suffer notKirigln the world to 
 hinder him. 
 
 .- His intentions were briefly these : — Faithfully to take charge 
 /oi poor souls, for whom Christ had shed his blood, and espe- 
 cially to collect together and protect those that were oppressed 
 and persecuted. He had also in view the fellowship of the 
 children of God ; and he endeavoured by all means to promote 
 love and unanimity amongst those whq were awakened and 
 called to the kingdom of God. 
 
 For the accomplishment of these objects he resolved to pur- 
 chase an estate, in order to which it was necessary for him to 
 take into his own hands the property inherited from his parents. 
 He had used nothing of it until his sixteenth year, and hence 
 the interest had accumulated to a capital. Vice-Chancellor 
 Ritter, who was his guardian with respect to his property, 
 refunded what was due to him as capital and interest ; besides 
 which he had other sums to receive on several estates. But 
 upon inquiring about them, difficulties were made. He was 
 clearly given to understand, that being a disciple of Jesus, it 
 was not expected that he would cleave to or strive about 
 money and property ; against which he had nothing to object : 
 he therefore gave up what was not easily conceded to him ; 
 the rest was paid over to him, and thus all litigation was 
 avoided. 
 
 He then proceeded to the purchase of Bertholdsdorf, where 
 he had already begun to build a house. Homage was done 
 him as lord of the manor, on his arrival there, the 19th May, 
 1722. 
 
THINKS OF MARRYING.- 37 
 
 Over the entrance to his house, which he called Bethel , 
 he placed the following inscription ; — 
 
 " As guests we only here remain ; 
 And hence this house is slight and plain. 
 " Therefore ' Turn to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope ! ' — Zech. ix. 12, 
 " We have a hetter house ahove, 
 And there we fix our warmest love." 
 
 Immediately after the purchase of Bertholdsdorf, the living 
 became vacant, and the Count nominated John Andrew Rothe 
 to it, a candidate for the ministry, whom he had known the 
 year before in Hennersdorf, and had immediately destined him, 
 in faith, to be his future assistant in the gospel in that district. 
 He observes respecting him, that " he never saw his like again." 
 But before he gave him the living, he sent for him to Dresden, 
 and procured permission for him to preach in the church of 
 St. Sophia, where he not only heard him himself, but also 
 requested other gentlemen to hear him, and give their opinions 
 of him ; " for," said he, " the calling of a preacher is im- 
 portant in its consequences, and therefore worthy of mature 
 consideration." 
 
 Mr, Rothe accepted the offer, and was ordained to the 
 ministerial oiBce in Leipzic. 
 
 After the Count had arranged his domestic concerns in 
 Upper Lusatia, he began to think seriously of marrying. But 
 before he came to any determination respecting the person, he 
 reflected thoroughly on the marriage-state in the presence of 
 God. There was no want of people, at that time, who thought 
 ill of marriage, and did not shun to declare it to be something 
 impure and unsuitable for a child of God. Hence the Count 
 was anxious to attain to a full conviction upon the subject, in 
 order that he might afterwards proceed with confidence. The 
 Bible furnished him with clear instructions, and he likewise 
 applied to Jesus Christ, the friend of his heart, and besought 
 his gracious direction. He also conferred with other children 
 of God, who were able to advise him on the subject. He says 
 respecting it, in a letter to his mother, " I by no means take 
 up the matter slightly, but regard it as of great importance, 
 and as a thing on which my future life depends." He also 
 afiirms, that he should continue single, were he to follow the 
 
38 PKOPOSALS OF MARRIASE. 
 
 . inclination which reflection upon the subject had produced. 
 But as he had often perceived, that those who had rejected _a 
 divine call to marriage, and remained single, had plunged 
 
 /themselves into danger, he had resolved to marry, in the full 
 conviction that it was the will of God. 
 
 Being thus satisfied in his own heart, he wished also for 
 Divine direction in the choice of a consort, who necessarily 
 required to be such a one as would be suited for that voca- 
 tion, to which he felt himself called. 
 
 He fixed upon the Coxmtess Erdmuth Dorothea, a sister of 
 his friend Count Reuss ; and, after corresponding with his 
 relatives and the Countess's mother, he travelled to Ebersdorf 
 to bring the matter to an issue. The betrothment took place 
 on the 16th of August, and the marriage was solemnized on 
 the 7th of September, in the presence of a numerous assembly 
 of the relatives of both parties. 
 
 He spoke very plainly to his consort, both before and after 
 marriage, and told her all his mind. He said, that he desired 
 to live not for himself, but for his neighbour, and for God in 
 Christ; that he was heartily disgusted with the vanities of 
 the world ; that if the Saviour would make use of him, he, was 
 willing to take his staff in his hand, and go amongst the 
 heathen, to preach Christ to them ; and that he would not seek 
 to please men, but boldly incur the reproach of Christ. At 
 the same time, in order to free himself from every hinderance, 
 he presented the whole of his property to his lady, even before 
 marriage. 
 
 / He regarded the marriage of the children of God in no 
 other hght than as an image of the union of Christ with his 
 church : and premising this from Scripture (Eph. v. 22, &c.), 
 he deduced from it every thing which was to be observed by 
 both parties. 
 
 Before he left Dresden for Ebersdorf, he received intelli- 
 gence respecting some exiles who had arrived in Upper 
 Lusatia from Moravia. I will not here repeat what is related 
 in Cranz's History of the Moravians, but cannot avoid men- 
 tioning something of what gave rise to it. 
 
 Christian David, of Senftleben, in Moravia, was an extra- 
 ordinary man, for whose memory I have much respect. 
 
ARRIVAL OF THE MORAVIANS. 39 
 
 When a child of only eight years of age, he sought rest for 
 his soul, and did all he could, according to the advice of those 
 to whom he had complained of his distress, but in vain. As 
 he grew up, he went upon his travels, and arrived at Goerlitz 
 as a journeyman mechanic, where he heard the things spoken 
 of, after which his soul longed. He now began to search the 
 Scriptures diligently, and zealously confessed the grace of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. He became acquainted with Count Zin~ 
 zendorf, at the house of the master of the horse in Schweinitz, 
 and stated to him the oppressive situation of the brethren in 
 Moravia. On seeing his zeal for the Lord, and how vrilling 
 he was to receive those who were oppressed for conscience' 
 sake, he returned to Moravia, and spoke with his friends, tell- 
 ing them that this nobleman would probably receive them : 
 for he was not ignorant of their intention to leave their native 
 land, and seek a place where they could Uve according to their 
 consciences, in obedience to the truth, with which, by God's 
 grace, they had been made acquainted. The brethren in 
 Moravia, who had already been deliberating whether to re- 
 move to Hungary or Siebenbiirgen, were glad of this intelli- 
 gence ; and the two Neissers immediately resolved, with their 
 wives and children, to go with Christian David to Upper 
 Lusatia. 
 
 On the 17th of June, 1722, the exiles began their building 
 by felling the first tree. The Count was informed of this, 
 whilst in Ebersdorf, by Mr. Rothe, who visited him there, and 
 brought with him a petition from the exiles, in which they 
 say, " We are under great concern, lest we should be burden- 
 some to you with this building. We most humbly entreat you 
 to take us into your gracious protection ; to assist us, poor, 
 aiHicted, and simple people, and to treat us with kindness and 
 affection. We vsdll entreat Almighty God to bless you in body 
 and soul for so doing," &c. 
 
 The Count's first intention was, that the Moravian exiles 
 should settle at Koestritz, near Reichenfeld, which he in- 
 tended to rent for that purpose ; but after much deliberation, 
 he came to the resolution to settle these strangers on his own 
 estates, and appointed the whole revenue of the manor of 
 Bertholdsdorf for that purpose. 
 
40 SETTLEMENT OF THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 Meanwhile, the necessary preparations had heen made at 
 Dresden, by his grandmother, for the reception of himself and 
 his consort. Baron Frederick Von Wattewille also arrived 
 there, and had the pleasure of conducting his old friend and 
 his consort into their habitation. 
 
 Though the Count now resided in Dresden, yet he made 
 arrangements, from the first, to spend some time in Upper 
 Lusatia. To this there was no objection in Dresden ; on the 
 contrary, every means were used to render a court-life tole- 
 rable, if not agreeable to him. But as he always bore in 
 mind the words, " The friendship of the world is enmity 
 with God," he could not be prevailed upon to do any thing 
 contrary to his conscience. Amongst other things, the 
 friendly advice was given him, not to refiise, when invited to 
 certain amusements at court, because he would only get him- 
 self into trouble, by slighting the king's commands. This 
 advice was supported by a variety of well-meant arguments. 
 But he boldly affirmed, that he had resolved, after due consi- 
 deration, never to be present at such amusements ; and he 
 should be glad if this would satisfy them ; if not, he com- 
 mended the result to God. And this determination he stead- 
 fastly maintained and practised. 
 
 He was likewise embarrassed by the good intentions of his 
 friends, who would gladly have advanced him to more honour- 
 able stations. He declared in writing, " that he begged them 
 not to do so ; especially as it was reported he was to be made 
 chamberlain ; that he was utterly unfit for such an office, 
 which required a man of the world, and of worldly wisdom ; — 
 for he was neither. But he was heartily desirous of becoming 
 a child of God and a true Christian ; and such characters had 
 an abhorrence of the pleasures of a court, and the glories of 
 the world." 
 
 Whilst he resided in Dresden, the meetings continued to be 
 held in his house on Sundays, at the usual time, which was from 
 three o'clock till seven, and consisted, in reality, in nothing 
 else but an edifying and very friendly conversation upon 
 some chapter in the New Testament, which was succeeded by 
 prayer and singing. The Count wrote respecting these 
 assemblies, " We are glad in the Lord, and young and old 
 
ARRIVAL AT BBRTHOLDSDORJ. 41 
 
 sit together like little children. We patiently bear with those 
 amongst us who are desirous of being thought learned, and 
 seek by example to teach tliem better.'' 
 
 Besides seeing these friends on a Sunday, he soon entered 
 into closer connexion with them. Whoever required advice 
 in any thing, came to him. His consort acted as his faithful 
 helpmate towards those of her own sex who were concerned " 
 for their salvation. The blessing of the Lord rested on his 
 labours, and he was soon overloaded with employment of that 
 nature ; but was firmly resolved, as long as God granted him 
 strength, joyfully to devote it to his service. 
 
 Towards the end of December, 1722, he travelled for the 
 first time with his consort to his estates in Upper Lusatia. 
 On leaving Strahwalde, a village near Bertholdsdorf, he saw 
 in the wood, near the road, a house which he was told was the 
 one built on his estate for the Moravians. He joyfully entered 
 it, welcomed them cordially, fell upon his knees with them, 
 returned thanks to God, and blessed the place with a warm 
 heart. He entreated the Lord to extend his hand over the 
 house, encouraged its inhabitants, and assured them of the 
 favour and faithfulness of God. Mr. Heitz had previously con- 
 secrated the house, and delivered an address on the occasion, 
 from Isaiah Ixii. 6, 7. Previous to the arrival of the clergyman, 
 he had also faithfully and powerfully strengthened these first 
 founders of Herrnhut, when their faith grew weak. 
 
 The Count's most anxious concern was now that all his 
 vassals might become acquainted vrith their Lord and Saviour, 
 He was glad to have, at Bertholdsdorf, a preacher whose labours 
 were attended with success. The impressive words of the 
 Rev. Mr. Schaefer, at the introduction of Mr. Rothe, " God 
 will place a light upon these hills, which will illuminate the 
 whole country ; of this I am assured by a living faith," already 
 began to be verified. Our Count rejoiced at it, and gladly did his 
 part for the promotion and extension of the blessing imparted. 
 From his childhood up, he had entered into Spener's ideas of 
 an amendment of the church, and was now desirous of com- ^ 
 mencing the work according to them, " That which first gave 
 rise to the institutions in Upper Lusatia, was Spener's idea of 
 planting little churches in the great church." 
 
42 RELIGIOUS EFFORTS. 
 
 He agreed with Mr. Rothe to become his assistant and cate- 
 chist, and courageously commenced the work. Respecting 
 this he expresses himself clearly, in a letter written some years 
 after, to an eminent divine. He says, " With respect to the 
 application of my talents, they have been devoted to God, from 
 my childhood, for the preaching of the gospel. Hence I do 
 not see why the office of a student, catechist, and unordained 
 divine should not be granted me ; and, since it is not filled with- 
 out grace and blessing from above, why it should not rather be 
 promoted than hindered. I hope, at the same time, through 
 the grace of my Saviour, always to act faithfully in it, and 
 neither as a sectarian nor a schismatic ; to cause no oiFence 
 nor reproach to the religion in which I have been bom and 
 bred, but, on the contrary, to promote it in a christian manner, 
 and to contribute something, however trifling that may be, to 
 the tabernacle of the Lord." 
 
 The Count having in view Spener's idea of a reformation of 
 ■/the church, took it for granted, that its accomplishment was to 
 be by means of a faithful repetition and promulgation of 
 Luther's evangelical doctrines, as contained in the Holy Scrips 
 tures, and the Augsburg Confession. It was for this purpose 
 that he had appointed Mr. Rothe to the living of Bertholdsdorf, 
 and prepared himself also, with all earnestness, for accomplishing 
 the same object. 
 
 But, in speaking of Luther's doctrines, I do not allude to all 
 the minor points and controversial questions which are usually 
 introduced into systems of divinity. For, since the latter are 
 calculated to hinder rather than advance the simple-hearted 
 individual in the way of life, whilst seeking salvation, as expe- 
 rience proves, the Count preferred keeping the people, for 
 whose salvation he was concerned, in ignorance of them. 
 
 But in all the points which are requisite to be known, in 
 order to our eternal salvation, he was not only heartily attached, 
 during his whole life, to those evangelical doctrines, to which a 
 Lutheran Christian must cleave, by the grace of God, at the 
 hazard of his life and property, but he also faithfully endeavoured 
 to impress them upon others. 
 
 Although the Count had no inclination for worldly matters, 
 yet he could not avoid acting as chief magistrate in Bertholds- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH CARDINAL DE NOAILLES. 43 
 
 dorf. " It is the truth," says he, " that as long as I was so, I 
 filled this office with punctuality, kindness, and undisputed 
 authority towards every one." 
 
 Respecting the ideas which governed him in doing so, I will 
 only mention the following : — " A man ought to look to God 
 himself, in order to see how he governs the world, and learn 
 from him how to govern, whether he have little or- much to 
 superintend." Taking every thing according to the letter and 
 spirit of the law, and judging in this manner, without using our 
 own discretion, seemed to him more human than divine : having 
 patience with certain individuals, as long as they were not 
 injurious and did not seduce others, and when it was requisite 
 to punish, always having regard to the person's amendment 
 and their soul's salvation, was what he delighted in. In other 
 respects, he believed that rulers had no power over the con- 
 sciences of men — God had reserved to himself the dominion 
 over the heart ; nothing but misery and abominable hypocrisy 
 was the result, when rulers exerted their power in matters of 
 conscience. 
 
 He carried on a diligent correspondence with his friends, 
 that year, and cordially sympathised with them in all that 
 befel them : he wrote, in particular, several letters to Cardinal 
 de Noailles, from which I will only quote what he says of 
 himself. He asserts with great boldness, that he founds his 
 religion solely on the Scriptures, which reveal the corruption 
 of human nature, and also point out its cure : he believes in 
 the divine truths contained in the Bible, and takes them for 
 the rule of his life : his sentiments were expressed in the words, 
 " Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the king- 
 of God." " Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, he Can- 
 not be my disciple." " My sheep hear my voice, and they 
 follow me," &c. " Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ 
 greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." " Ye are 
 bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your bodies 
 and spirits, which are His." "Know ye not that your body 
 is a temple of the Holy Ghost?" For this reason he sought to 
 escape from the corruptions which are in the > orld through 
 lust. 
 . The Cardinal's reply afforded him an opportunity of com- 
 
44 CONNEXION WITH PIOUS INDIVIDUALS. 
 
 municating his sentiments respecting the^newjieajt, and how, 
 by the grace ^"our Lord Jesus Christ, we must become 
 entirely different persons to what we are by nature and dis- 
 position. 
 
 It is only reasonable, that I commence the narrative of 
 occurrences in the year 1723, with the Count's cordial con- 
 nexion with several individuals with whom the Lord brought 
 him into contact. Rothe, a man of incomparable talents and 
 excellent theological knowledge, whose preaching was very 
 powerful, and who was as zealous in his office as he was useful, 
 was the first to unite with him in the Lord's service : he made 
 him more intimately acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Schaefer, 
 of Goerlitz, who, as a faithful preacher, had suffered much 
 reproach for the sake of Christ, and was Mr. Rothe's intimate 
 friend. The Count immediately made a covenant with him, 
 mutually to assist in building the walls of Zion, under the pro- 
 tection of Jesus. To these was added Baron Frederick Von 
 WattewiUe, with whom he had formed a bond of friendship in 
 Halle, founded on the love of Jesus, and had subsequently 
 renewed and confirmed it. This nobleman was happily res- 
 cued, by the mercy of God, from the wretchedness into which 
 he had fallen, " through philosophy and vain deceit, and not 
 after Christ." He came to Bertholdsdorf in 1722, and was 
 heartily devoted to the service of the Saviour. These are the 
 four "united brethren," whose history, from 1723 to 1727, 
 exists in manuscript. 
 
 It is evident, from a poem of the Count's, that this heartfelt 
 connexion was of the greatest importance to him : it took its 
 rise before the arrival of the brethren from Moravia, in May 
 1724, of which more in the sequel. Hence he did not found 
 his claim to the institution of similar alliances for the honour 
 of his Lord and Saviour, and the benefit of his fellow-men, upon 
 the statutes of the Moravian church, of which he knew little 
 or nothing at that time, but upon the spiritual priesthood, 
 which he had in common with all true Christians. 
 
 The objects of this bond of union were : — 
 
 1. The plain, simple, believing, and consolatory preaching of 
 
ITS OBJECTS. 45 
 
 the gospel : in the accomplishment of this, besides seeking to 
 convince their hearers, their chief object was, to speak the word 
 with demonstration of the Spirit, and with power. They re- 
 solved not to occupy themselves with minor points, but insist 
 chiefly on ihp, which tended to edification. For this the Count 
 was particularly anxious. 
 
 2. To neglect no opportunity of bearing testimony in other 
 places concerning Jesus, as the only way to life. Therefore, 
 when there was occasion to undertake a journey, they made it 
 a rule not to avoid it, that they might be able to sow the good 
 seed elsewhere. And since they had from time to time made 
 acquaintance with many individuals of all ranks, not only in 
 Germany, but also in Holland, France, England, Denmark, 
 Sweden, Switzerland, &c. and continued to do so, they re- 
 solved, in their correspondence, to bear testimony to the 
 Spirit of Jesus. However laborious this might be, yet it 
 was rendered useful, and richly rewarded them for their 
 trouble. The Count was particularly active, and almost Iht 
 defatigable in it. 
 
 3. They made it also an object of primary concern to pro- 
 mote the printing of various useful and edifying works, and to 
 publish them at a very low rate, that the poor might be bene- 
 fited by them. 
 
 4. They considered how they might be useful, not only to 
 the Lutherans, but also to those of other persuasions. Besides 
 this, as some emigrants from Moravia had already settled upon 
 the Count's estates, he felt himself bound faithfully to patro- 
 nize them — the more so, as many are more injured than 
 benefited by emigration. 
 
 5. They deliberated also upon providing schools for the 
 education of children in a christian-like manner. The Count, 
 though disinclined to it in his own judgment, suffered himself 
 to be induced by his friends, some of whom insisted much upon 
 it, to participate in the proposal, and furthered the matter to 
 the best of his ability ; of which more in the sequel. 
 
 In order that these objects might be attained, the united 
 brethren found it necessary frequently to converse together 
 upon them ; on which occasions, it was just as if they thought 
 aloud — that is, they told each other what their hearts dictated, 
 
46 CONFERENCES OJ? THE BRETHREN. 
 
 with an unusual freedom. These conversations obtained 
 the name of conferences, which name was subsequently 
 retained by the brethren to indicate meetings for mutual 
 
 deliberation. . , , ^ 
 
 . These conferences of the united brethren were mtended not 
 only for the purpose of thinking unanimously on the subjects 
 brought before them, but also of speaking upon them in a 
 similar manner. Truth was their object, and they were desi- 
 rous of attaining to certainty ; therefore, not only the reasons 
 in favour of a thing, but the objections which might be brought 
 against it, were expressed without hesitation. 
 
 This startled others who occasionally attended, and who did 
 not so clearly perceive how necessary and useful it was. The 
 Count himself, when objections went so far that he feared the 
 truth in Christ Jesus might be prejudiced, was frequently so 
 embarrassed, that he wept bitterly. Sometimes he even 
 sought retirement, cast himself at his Saviour's feet, and 
 renewed his covenant with him, to adhere to the doctrine of 
 his cross, though every one besides should prove unfaithful. 
 
 However, he did not think it advisable to break up these 
 conferences, but to continue them in patience and hope. He 
 would have been glad if the substance of them could have 
 been written down, because many things were brought forward 
 in them which not only served to promote conviction,, but were 
 also edifying to the heart. He would not permit it, however, 
 lest the free current of thought and language, from which, 
 with all the unpleasantness attached to it, he promised himself 
 much good, should be thereby in any manner restrained. 
 
 We have already observed, that the Count had appointed 
 himself deacon or catechist to the Rev. Mr. Rothe. The latter 
 was wont, after the sermon on Sunday and the catechization 
 were over, to commence a conversation in the church with his 
 hearers, in which every one was at liberty openly to state his 
 sentiments on the subject spoken of, or to ask questions 
 relative to it ; and this conversation was concluded with prayer. 
 Immediately afterwards, the Count, who also attended the 
 conversation, and contributed his part towards it, was accus- 
 tomed to edify those present with pleasing hymns, or verses 
 from several hymns which were appropriate to the subject ; 
 
DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES. 47 
 
 and at the same time, Tobias Frederick, who had a pectiliar 
 talent for music, performed on the organ. 
 
 When this was over, the congregation again assembled in a 
 hall, in the mansion of the Count ; when the latter, in the pre- 
 sence of the clergyman, repeated the sermon which had been 
 preached in the forenoon ; in such a manner, however, that the 
 clergyman, or some other person, frequently made additions 
 to it. These repetitions, which the Count commenced this 
 year, and continued till 1730, enjoyed a particular divine 
 blessing. 
 
 A rich opportunity being thus afforded to the inhabitants of 
 Bertholdsdorf, as well as the new'settlers at Hermhut, of hear- 
 ing the gospel, and as it also manifested its power in many- 
 cases, the united brethren were desirous of attending faithfully 
 to these awakened individuals. For this purpose, Mr. Rothe 
 assembled them together, and spoke with them on the 
 Saviour's dealings with those who had attained to life from 
 God. Besides which, Baron Von Wattewille, who had under- 
 taken a great part of the correspondence, laboured much ia 
 private intercourse with the new converts. 
 
 It may in general be said, that the ideas which the Count 
 had formed, increasingly developed themselves during this 
 period, and became the rule of his future mode of thinking and 
 acting. 
 
 The first work he published, after his connexion with Mr. 
 Rothe, was his little Catechism, which was planned by the 
 Count himself, and, as he asserts, proved more laborious ,to 
 him than any of his other writings ; for he endeavoured to state 
 the divine truths which are necessary to salvation in so simple 
 a manner, that even a child might understand them ; and this 
 was a labour to which he was unaccustomed. 
 
 He then went through it with Mr. Rothe, to see if every 
 thing was so clearly expressed as to be intelligible to a child. 
 Mr. Rothe, who was better acquainted with the phraseology of 
 poor children, altered several expressions, which startled the 
 Count, although he suffered him to do so. 
 
 The question now was, whether the Catechism should be 
 published in his name. He foresaw, that if this were the case, 
 he would draw down much ridicule upon himself. He was 
 
48 WRITINGS. 
 
 not inclined, however, to abstain from it, remembering the 
 words of Paul, " We are fools for Christ's sake." 
 
 It was therefore printed, and soon became so rare, that it 
 was sold for a florin. It really happened as the Count had 
 foreseen ; people made themselves merry over it, and scoffed 
 at it not a little, which was chiefly occasioned by the alterations 
 of Mr. Rothe. The Count might easily have avoided this, by 
 immediately making known the true state of the case ; but 
 because Mr. Rothe was in the ministry, and preached the 
 gospel, he spared him, and preferred bearing the whole affair 
 himself. The contempt it drew upon him removed from the 
 minds of many the suspicion, that he was forming great pro- 
 jects : since they now regarded him only as a teacher of chil' 
 dren ; and to this he did not object, since it enabled him 
 quietly to do good. 
 
 He also wrote a treatise about this time, " On the use of 
 Words," which, though small, is the result of mature reflection ; 
 and of which he says, " I never look at this simple little treatise 
 without pleasure, for God has blessed it." The occasion of it 
 was an impression whilst reading in Matt. xv. respecting that 
 which defiles men, in connexion with the passage, " For every 
 idle word which men shall speak, they shall give an account 
 unto God." 
 
 To these treatises was added a tract, entitled, " The Olive- 
 leaf of Peace, sent to the Children of God ;" the substance of 
 which is, that Jesus Christ has purchased every blessing for us, 
 and that we, by faith, participate in his merits. Hence believ- 
 ers ought to regard themselves in, and not out of Christ, by 
 doing which, love, peace, and every blessing will ensue. The 
 style is animated, free, and the sentiments strictly Lutheran. 
 
 On the 16th of March, this year. Baron Frederick Von 
 Wattewille was arrested in Great Hennersdorf, and taken to 
 Dresden, in consequence of a letter, in his hand-writing, to a 
 gentleman in Dresden, with whom both he and the Count 
 were acquainted, but who, entirely unknown to them, had 
 committed murder, and was in prison for it. The letter came 
 into the hands of the magistracy, who, mistaking some expres- 
 sions in it, suspected the Baron of being privy to it. The 
 Count laboured to procure his Uberation ; and as it was not 
 
WORLDLY SOCIETY. 49 
 
 diiBcult for him to prove his friend's innocence, he soon suc- 
 ceeded. I would not pass over this circumstance unnoticed ; 
 since it had a peculiar eifect upon the Count, who, not knowing 
 what was intended by the Baron's arrest, retired to a place in 
 Bohemia, where he remained awhile, and employed his timq 
 in reflecting, before God, upon the whole of his life ; and the 
 Lord vouchsafed him an undoubted certainty, that he had 
 destined him for his service. 
 
 After the Count had spent some months in Upper Lusatia, 
 he returned to Dresden, assured, in his heart, that he was not 
 destined for worldly aifairs. However, he could not avoid 
 coming into contact with many persons who were not of his 
 sentiments. He did not avoid their company, but every-;, 
 where sought to confess Jesus Christ, and in this manner to 
 promote his cause. 
 
 He was invited by a certain gentleman to dine with him on 
 his birth-day, the 26th May. He went, though ignorant 
 what kind of company he should meet there. Whilst sitting at 
 table, and discoursing on a variety of subjects, one of the 
 company went so far as to blaspheme Christ and his doctrine. 
 This was a dagger to the heart of the Count, who, apprehen^ 
 sive that from a tongue thus " set on fire of hell," more such 
 expressions would proceed, did not enter into a dispute with 
 him, but rose up from table, horrified, and withdrew, saying, 
 he was of no use in such company. 
 
 He went home, and was so inwardly grieved at what he had 
 heard, that he seized his pen, and wrote a poem, expressive of 
 his profound abhorrence of such impious language. He en- 
 treated the Lord in it, that if such people spurned his grace, 
 and if there was no hope of their repentance, to maie an 
 example of them, that others might be deterred from acting 
 in a similar manner. 
 
 Before a year expired, this very individual, whilst using similar 
 disgraceful language at the same table, was struck with paralysis, 
 so as to be unable to utter a word more, and thus died miserably. 
 
 The Count took occasion, from this event, impressively tq 
 point out, in a serious letter, to all who were present on the 
 occasion, what they had to expect, unless they became con- 
 verted characters. 
 
50 JOURNEYS. 
 
 Thus he grew increasingly bold and courageous in the ful- 
 filment of his determination, to confess Jesus Christ before all 
 the world, without distinction. He continued to hold his 
 meetings in Dresden, which any one was at liberty to attend, 
 both on Sundays and week days ; and the chief subject of his 
 discourses on these occasions was, godliness in Christ Jesus. 
 
 The number of the inhabitants of Herrnhut increased. 
 The Count had already granted permission for the erection of 
 several houses, near those already built, for eighteen additional 
 emigrants. These new inhabitants did not, at first, possess the 
 views which the Lord, in the sequel, aiforded them at Herrn- 
 hut. They fell into needless disputes with each other, upon 
 subjects which did not in reality belong to the fundamental 
 doctrine of salvation by Christ. Both the Count and Mr. 
 Rothe took pains to settle these differences, but in different 
 ways. The latter refuted their ideas in public and in private, 
 and opposed arguments to arguments ; but the only result 
 was, that the people were only the more confirmed in their 
 opinions, and were much more warm in defending them. The 
 Count, at that time, was very tolerant towards such as were in 
 error, and, notwithstanding his natural warmth of temper, 
 listened to all they had to say, and agreed with them as far 
 as he could do so, consistent with truth. He expressed his 
 doubts at the same time, but did so generally in few words; 
 in which he avoided every thing of a violent nature. By this 
 he gained their hearts, and had the pleasure, on the 7th of 
 November, of receiving the sacrament in Bertholdsdorf with 
 twenty-three persons, who were united in christian fellowship. 
 
 The Count travelled, the same summer, in company with 
 Baron Von Wattewille and Mr. Schaefer, to Silesia, and visited, 
 amongst others, Baron Von Hocnberg, on which occasion he 
 was much affected by an emphatic description of the wretched- 
 ness of the followers of Schwenkfeld, who dwelt on his domain, 
 and was induced to prepare several documents for them to 
 the Imperial court, as well as afterwards to interfere on their 
 behalf himself. 
 
 In September, the Count undertook a journey to Prague, 
 accompanied by Baron Von Wattewille : it was at the time 
 of the coronation of the Emperor Charles VI. He arrived 
 
AUDIENCE OF THE EMPEKOR. 51 
 
 on the 16th of that month in Brandeis, where their Imperial 
 Majesties were, and was treated with distinguished favour. 
 In a private audience with the Emperor, he was enabled to 
 make a sincere confession of Jesus Christ and his love, and 
 to encourage that monarch, fearlessly, though with profound 
 respect, to cleave in all things, by faith and prayer, to God, 
 which the Emperor received very graciously. On coming, in 
 the address, to the title " Most Invincible," he took the liberty 
 of altering it to " Invincible Emperor, through confidence 
 in God." As often as he boldly confessed Jesus in his 
 speech, the Emperor testified great reverence for this most 
 holy name. Baron Von WattewUle relates, that the Emperor 
 listened to his address with closed eyes and great attention, 
 and assured him of his protection vyith a very satisfied air. 
 The Empress, of whom the Count had also a particular audi- 
 ence, assured him likewise, in a very gracious manner, of her 
 favour. Her father, the Duke of Blankenburg, also honoured 
 the Count with marks of particular distinction, in the presence 
 of the whole court. As much as the Count disesteemed the 
 world, so much was he honoured by it, and preferred even to 
 those of higher rank than himself, who gave themselves much 
 trouble to obtain those marks of distinction, which the Count 
 sought as much as possible to avoid. The Baron adds, " His 
 conduct during this journey has edified me much, and shown 
 me qualities in him, vrith which I was previously unacquainted." 
 The Coimt now took an opportunity of speaking expressly 
 with the Imperial Minister of State, respecting the followers 
 of Schwenkfeld. These people have their name from Caspar 
 Schwenkfeld, a SUesian gentleman, who lived in the time 
 of Luther, and made himself known by his writings and 
 peculiar sentiments, and who resided many years in Silesia, in 
 a quiet, orderly, and industrious manner. Incited by some 
 Lutheran preachers, the Catholic clergy were induced, with 
 the permission of the magistracy, to use these people with 
 severity, in order to make them change their religious views : 
 but they were willing rather to forsake every thing than act 
 against their consciences. 
 
 The Count, finding from the minister that the followers of 
 Schwenkfeld would be compelled to emigrate, took occasion, 
 D 2 
 
52 ERECTION OF A PRINTING-PRESS. 
 
 during his stay in Brandeis, to intercede for them in a letter 
 to the Emperor himself. 
 
 The Duke of Blankenburg, who had recommended the 
 Count's aifair of the Imperial fee to the minister of the Duke 
 of Brunswick, took him with him to visit Count Von Spork, 
 at his summer residence, called Bon Repos, who presented 
 the Count with some valuable writings ; one of which, entitled 
 " A Representation of the True Church," he commends as an 
 excellent work, the freedom of expression in which excited 
 his astonishment. 
 
 After liis return from Prague, the Count took into serious 
 consideration with his united brethren the proposal to esta- 
 blish a printing-press, for the purpose of disseminating useful 
 works at a low price amongst the poor. His grandmother 
 contributed towards the undertaking, which was carried into 
 effect, and a printing-press erected in Upper Lusatia : it 
 was afterwards removed to Ebersdorf, under the protection of 
 Count Reuss, until 1724. Some small treatises of Pro- 
 fessor Franke's, the Psalms of David, the New Testament, 
 the whole Bible, with several other works, were printed there, 
 below the usual price, for the benefit of the poor. 
 
 The Count corresponded the same year with Professoi 
 Franke, on the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches. 
 Some divines had proposed an union of the Protestant con- 
 fessions of faith ; but others were opposed to it, and amongst 
 these was Professor Franke. His objections had weight with 
 the Count, who concludes a letter to the former, as follows :— r 
 " Having obtained my object, I have now so much the more 
 reason to abandon the affair, and in future to assist in praying, 
 that God would himself interfere on behalf of his church, and 
 bind together the staff Ephraim and the staff Judah." 
 
 It has been observed, that on occasions of unusual awaken- 
 ings, the adversary is busy in sowing tares amongst the wheat ; 
 and such was the case at this time in Upper Lusatia. Several 
 individuals took up a variety of strange opinions, and spared 
 no pains to draw others into them also. All these persons 
 took part against the Count, who had astonishing patience 
 with them, until the first Commission in Hernnhut in 1732, 
 and sought by gentle methods to convince them of their errors. 
 
SENTIMENTS ON EMIGRATION. 53 
 
 Those whom he succeeded in restoring, became the objects of his 
 cordial affection, and he thought no more of what had passed. 
 His chief care was, prudently to prevent others from receiving 
 injury, and being involved in similar errors. To the attain- 
 ment of this, he employed all diligence and fidelity, and God 
 gave his blessing to his efibrts. 
 
 The Count had a particular gift of singing h3anns extem- 
 poraneously, without previous reflection or composition. These 
 were suggested to him with such ease, that he was able to 
 sing them alone on public or private occasions. When it was , 
 afterwards seen how they burst from his heart in such easy,-" 
 lively, and perspicuous language, as weU as in such correct 
 and scriptural terms, people began to copy them down. In 
 the second volume of the London edition of the Moravian 
 Hymn-book, there is a considerable number of this descrip- 
 tion. I mention this, because it is in this year that I first 
 meet with any thing of the kind. 
 
 On the 14th February, he began to revise the Hymn-book of 
 the Bohemian brethren : this was the commencement of his 
 poetical labours, which only terminated with his blissful de- 
 parture out of this life. 
 
 The Count left his estates in November, and spent the 
 following six months in Dresden. From a letter which he 
 wrote at that time, it is evident that he was not without 
 anxiety respecting the continual emigration of the Moravians : 
 for, although it took place without exciting the sensation 
 usual on such occasions, yet he was apprehensive of move- 
 ments under a religious pretext. He also faithfully warned 
 them against inducing any one to emigrate from Moravia. 
 " He who does not leave his country solely on account of con- 
 science, vdll find it difficult to stand the test, in the troubles 
 through which he must necessarily pass. It is certainly 
 wrong to induce any one to emigrate, for he must not expect 
 worldly advantage by so doing ; and with respect to spiritual, 
 tiiere is no less corruption in the life and conversation of 
 Protestants, than in other places." 
 
 His conduct, in the reception of emigrants from Moravia, 
 was founded on charity and equity, governed by prudence. He 
 
54 PROVISION FOR THE EMIGRANTS. 
 
 caused all the new coiners to be strictly examined, as to their 
 motives for leaving their native country. If it was evident 
 that they had left it for conscience' sake , he could not, and 
 would not, refiise them. But if it appeared that this was not their 
 only incentive, and that they had other ends in view, he was to- 
 tally disinclined to have any thing to do with them. He opposed, 
 with much firmness, the project of some to return to Moravia, 
 in order to bring others back with them. But if those did so, 
 who thought they were obliged, from love to Jesus Christ and 
 their relatives, to expose themselves to danger — for if caught 
 they were sent to prison — or even believed they were divinely 
 impelled to it, as in the case of Christian David, he did not for- 
 cibly restrain them, although he strongly objected to the measure. 
 The united brethren now began to take into serious considera- 
 tion the support of the Moravians, who were either already in 
 Herrnhut, or else expected there. Not only was there a want 
 of dweUing-houses, but also of a suitable place to hold their meet- 
 ings. Baron Von Wattewille resided at that time in Herrnhut, 
 and took great pleasure in the company of the poor emigrants. 
 They afforded him an opportunity for much filial intercourse 
 vidth our Lord Jesus Christ. His heart, by this means, became 
 " inflamed with love, which induced him to take the resolution 
 of interesting himself for them with all fidelity. He therefore 
 determined, fiiom the impulse of his own .heart, to apply, not 
 only for more habitations, but also for a meeting-house, and 
 use every effort in his power for that purpose. He conferred on 
 the subject with Schaefer and Rothe, and found that their ideas 
 coincided with his own ; but they wished, at the same time, 
 that in building a meeting-house, a school for the education of 
 the sons of nobility should be also considered, and the edifice 
 was accordingly planned. The Count, who had meanwhile 
 returned to Upper Lusatia, would have been glad if no men- 
 tion had been made of such like seminaries ; but, from motives 
 of esteem, and deference to the opinions of his brethren, he 
 consented to promote the proposed arrangements. 
 
 The foimdation for the intended building was therefore laid 
 on the 12th of May, 1Y24, in the presence of God, and con- 
 fiding in his good pleasure. The Count and M. Schaefer 
 had arrived from Bertholdsdorf to be present at the solemnity: 
 
PECULIARITIES OF THE MORAVIANS. 55 
 
 the fonner delivered an impressive address to those assembled, 
 on the intention of the building. Baron Von Wattewille knelt 
 down on the foundation-stone, and prayed 'with such fervour 
 of spirit, as deeply affected all the hearers. The Count often 
 asserted, that in all his life he had never heard a similar 
 prayer, and that he regarded the abundant grace which reigned 
 amongst the brethren, to have taken its commencement from 
 that hour. 
 
 Five of the Moravians were present at this solemnity, who 
 clung very closely to the idea of their ancient ecclesiastical v 
 fraternity. They had emigrated with the intention of seeking 
 out their brethren, either in Polish-Lissa, Holland, or Penn- 
 sylvania. The Count was ignorant, at iirst, of any difference 
 between these and the former brethren from Moravia; but 
 - afterwards found that he had to do with very^eculiar_£eople. 
 They adhered firmly and unshakenly to their opinions. They 
 could not be silent respecting what they had heard from their 
 forefathers, and what had been renewed amongst themselves at 
 their awakening. Hence the Cwnt_was co^«lledjnot_on]y 
 tojisten to thenij^butalsp to^govern himselfaccOTdingJaJheir 
 views i.jforjJ^ough he with his fnen3s hadTiitherto regMded 
 not so much theTorm^ asjtEe1EfigTt"se1^n'vancE"every thing 
 depends7iir51P°°^'''S * chili of~Gqd, yet_lie'nowTelt com- 
 tSQedJo^y attention to theseTSMthren, with respect to the 
 form, on w-hicE'tEey bsisted,. This gave his""eourse"a new 
 cfirection, anHTFought, at the same time, new sufferings upon 
 him. He afterwards regarded the circumstance of these Mo- 
 ravian brethren being present on the occasion, as something 
 not merely accidental, but providential, and thought himself 
 boundj in conscience, earefiilly to trace the Divine intentions 
 regarding them. 
 
 Towards the end of July, the Count travelled to his consort 
 at Ebersdorf, who there awaited her confinement. On the 8th 
 of August, she was delivered of her first-born son, whom his 
 father, immediately after his birth, offered up in a heartfelt and 
 humble prayer to his Creator and Redeemer, He was bap- 
 tized the same day, by the name of Christian Ernest. 
 
 The Count himself fell dangerously ill at Ebersdorf, On 
 his journey thither, he had travelled by way of Halle, where 
 
56 EKFLECTIONS, 
 
 he conversed with Professor Franke and others. The intelli- 
 gence respecting the work of God in Upper Lusatia, and par- 
 ticularly the rising church in Herrnhut, was received by them 
 with various feelings. Anton rejoiced heartily, on hearing 
 what God had hitherto done in Upper Lusatia, which was his 
 native land; and he expressed his hope, that this gracious 
 visitation would extend stiU further. Franke was not without 
 his scruples, probably because he was apprehensive that some- 
 thing might result from it, which might not harmonize, and 
 perhaps even interfere with the instituticwis for extending the 
 kingdom of God, which had prospered for so many years under 
 the direction of himself and his assistants. 
 
 According to human views, it would have been best for the 
 new establishments in Upper Lusatia to have been connected 
 with those in Halle from the very commencement ; and if the 
 worthy men in Halle had considered, from the first, how they 
 might have contributed to the work of God in Upper Lusatia, 
 and cordially connected themselves with it ; — if this had been 
 solicitously done, on both sides, for Jesus's sake, much injury to 
 the kingdom of Christ, in the sequel, would have been pre- 
 vented, and much good have been effected. 
 
 But now the aifair had been carried so far, that the work of 
 God in Upper Lusatia seemed to be something separate and 
 distinct ; although it does not appear whether those in Halle, 
 or the brethren, were to blame, or whether the mistake had 
 been made on both sides. 
 
 The Count returned from Ebersdorf to Upper Lusafia in 
 October. On the 30th of that month, Baron Von Wattewille, 
 who had also been with them in Ebersdorf, was united in 
 marriage to Lady Joanna Sophia Von Zeschwitz. 
 
 On the 24th of November, the Count's infant son departed 
 this life. His pious parents agreed to oiFer up this their first- 
 born to the good hand of the Lord — not of necessity but volun- 
 tarily. On this the Count knelt down to present the child to 
 the Lord, in the name of himself and his consort; and during 
 the prayer, the child expired. The Count expressed his 
 resignation to the Divine wiU on this occasion, in a poem, as 
 well as in another composed on his consort's birth-day. 
 
PROHIBITION OF MEETINGS IN GOERIITZ. 57 
 
 About the beginning of the year 1725, it happened that the 
 private meetings of those who had been awakened by the 
 preaching of the gospel in Goerlitz, were forbidden by the 
 magistracy. Under these circumstances, they applied to the 
 Count, whose zeal for the promotion of that which is good, 
 and the prevention ofconstraint of conscience, was well known 
 to them, and requested his advice. As he was aware that they 
 were closely connected with M. Schaefer their pastor, and that 
 they regarded it as the wiU of God, that they should edify one 
 another and not forsake the assembling of themselves together, 
 he wrote them a letter of encouragement, rather to obey God 
 than man, and patiently endure the consequences. Schaefer came 
 himself to Dresden soon after, to make the proper application 
 respecting the difference with the magistrates, as well as with 
 reference to the schools he had established. The Count interested 
 himself for him to the best of his ability, and afforded him oppor- 
 tunity of testifying to the truth, both in public and private ; es- 
 pecially in the meetings which the Count held in his own house. 
 
 Several persons of distinction took pains to persuade him to 
 give up these meetings ; but he could not resolve upon doing 
 so, since he felt it his duty faithfully to confess the Lord Jesus, 
 and because he saw that they were rendered useful and bene- 
 ficial to many. 
 
 He returned from Dresden to Upper Lusatia in April. The 
 meetings on the Sunday commenced, at that time, at six o'clock 
 in the morning, and continued till twelve at night. Those that 
 came from Herrnhut to the meeting at Bertholdsdorf, brought 
 a piece of bread in their pockets, in order not to neglect any 
 thing for the sake of dining at home. 
 
 The Count took particular pleasure in a little meeting held 
 on the Friday, with a number of persons who professed their 
 attachment to the Saviour. Much trouble was taken to become 
 thoroughly acquainted with the people and the state of their 
 hearts, before they were permitted to be present on these 
 occasions. The intention was, in unity of heart and spirit, to 
 appear before God with praise, thanksgiving, and prayer. 
 When thus met together in one mind, the Lord Jesus gave 
 them to taste and see his goodness ; others were thereby incite4 
 to greater zeal and earnestness. 
 
 D 3 
 
58 SEMINARIES FOR CHILDREN. 
 
 The Count was at this time concerned for Herrnhut as well 
 as Bertholdsdorf, We have already mentioned something of 
 the dangerous position of the former, in consequence of the 
 various strange and erroneous sentiments that were afloat, as 
 well as that the Count did not interfere with violence, but with 
 jiatience, charity, and wisdom. I have only to add here, that 
 \ his method of treating those that were in error, began to be 
 Wisconstrued. Many even hit upon the idea, that the Count was 
 /taking part with the people, which was manifestly erroneous. 
 
 The Count therefore fixed his attention upon two points in 
 dealing with the Moravians. The first was, to endeavour to 
 retain them in attending church and sacrament at Bertholds- 
 dorf; the second, to seize every opportunity to express himself 
 thoroughly to them upon the doctrines on which our salvation 
 is founded. 
 
 With regard to the first point, he was fortunate enough to 
 attain his object for the time, notwithstanding every difficulty 
 and intervening circumstance. He induced those who had 
 separated themselves, not only to return to the church, but also 
 to receive the sacrament from the preacher of the place. 
 
 He likewise brought about a good understanding respecting 
 the doctrine ; for having conversed with them for three days 
 together in Bertholdsdorf, especially on the 12th of May, 
 which conversations sometimes lasted from early in the morning 
 till midnight — after having listened to every one, convinced 
 them individually from Scripture, and laid before them, with 
 much simplicity, the fundamental principles of salvation — the 
 blissful residt was, that they all became unanimous. 
 
 Three kinds of institutions were formed for the education of 
 the young. A charity-school had been established in Bertholds- 
 dorf, to which his grandmother had left a legacy, which 
 provided the means for instructing poor children, and pro- 
 curing the needful school-books. Believing, that for the 
 education of girls, persons of their own sex, and a different plan 
 to that adopted for boys, were requisite — ^he proposed to 
 build a house for them, which he likewise accomplished. The 
 commencement was also made with the school for young 
 noblemen, after the house which was destined for it in Herrn- 
 hut was completed. 
 
CHRISTIAN David's journey to moravia. 59 
 
 Although these institutions required large sums of money, 
 yet the Lord always graciously sent assistance. The Count's 
 property increased, and a relative of the Countess's felt induced, 
 towards the end of the year, to present two thousand dollars to 
 these institutions. 
 
 In July, the Count again set out for Silesia, though warned 
 of the dangers to which he exposed himself, and probably not 
 without reason : for, although he had not caused any disturb- 
 ance in matters of religion, yet other things might have been 
 laid to his charge. It was known that he received people 
 who emigrated from the Emperor's estates. But people were 
 ignorant that he was innocent of Christian David's journey to 
 Moravia, and what he transacted there. This bold witness for 
 Jesus Christ did not suflFer any thing to restrain him. For 
 that very year, without saying a word to any one, and in spite 
 of the Count's serious warning, he left his work as a carpenter, 
 and went to Moravia ; at the same time, it cannot be denied, 
 that he preached the Gospel there with success. He was also 
 wonderfully delivered and extricated from many perilous 
 situations. I have often spoken with him respecting this dan- 
 gerous undertaking, and found that he had not acted under a 
 dubious impression, but with an uncommon and heartfelt 
 certainty. 
 
 The Rev, J, C. Schwedler, a useful preacher of the gospel 
 in Niederwiese, on the borders of Silesia, visited Herrnhut 
 that year. He preached an excellent discourse in Henners- 
 dorf, which lasted from nine in the morning, till three in the 
 afternoon, as I find noticed in a letter from the Baroness of 
 Gersdorf, It was no unfrequent occurrence, at his own place, 
 that when divine service commenced at five or six o'clock, he 
 did not leave the church till two or three. With the excep- 
 tion of the various hyjnns sung between his discourses, (during 
 which his auditory was continually renewed by reason of the 
 vast concourse of people,) he spoke during the whole of the 
 tiine. Sometimes he even interrupted the singing by an im- 
 pressive exhortation. 
 
 Amongst the Moravian einigrants, who arrived this year in 
 Herrnhut, a family must be particularly noticed, who, in the 
 sequel, had a great influence, both on the labours of the Count 
 
60 THE FAMILY OF THE NITSCHMANS. 
 
 in the church at Herrnhut from their commencement, and 
 upon his personal circumstances during the whole of his life. 
 The family consisted of David Nitschman with his wife, two 
 sons, named Melchior and John, and a daughter called Anna. 
 
 The eldest son Melchior became elder of the church in 
 Herrnhut. He resolved to visit those that had been awakened 
 in Salzburg, and dispense to them spiritual food, but was 
 arrested in Bohemia, and thrown into prison ; in which he 
 ended his days in 1729, as a faithful confessor of Jesus Christ. 
 
 In 1734, his parents proceeded to the West Indies, to preach 
 the gospel to the poor slaves. His mother died in St. Croix 
 the year following. Her husband returned to Europe, and a 
 few years after went to North America. He was honoured 
 and loved as a patriarch by the brethren at Bethlehem in Penn- 
 sylvania, where he entered into rest, at an advanced age. 
 
 The younger son John became a worthy bishop of the 
 Moravian church, and for a time teacher and elder of the 
 church of the brethren at Sarepta, in Asia. 
 
 The daughter Anna was awakened whilst a child, and placed, 
 as a blessing, amongst the other girls in Herrnhut. After some 
 years she became an elder of the sisters. In the sequel, more 
 will be mentioned concerning her, 
 
 A letter arrived, at the close of the year, from the persecuted 
 followers of Schwenkfeld, addressed to the Count ; in which 
 they humbly and urgently entreated his protection, and a place 
 of refuge. He immediately spoke to his consort's grandmother 
 on the subject, who promised to permit them to reside in Upper 
 iBertholdsdorf : but it was not until 1727 that they removed 
 thither, after the Count had purchased it for himself. Mean- 
 while permission was given them to stay at Herrnhut. 
 
 They continued to reside in Bertholdsdorf from the . yea* 
 1727 ; and it must be said of them, that they conducted them- 
 selves there in an industrious and regular manner. The Count, 
 knowing the great prejudice that prevailed against the name 
 of Schwenkfeld, although few were acquainted at that time 
 with his doctrines and writings, was anxious— not to make 
 them Lutherans, but to bring them as poor sinners to Jesus 
 Christ. -Since they did not consider themselves as constituting 
 a particular church of Christ, and hence neither administered 
 
writings; 61 
 
 the sacrament nor the Lord's supper, although they regarded 
 them both as divine ordinances, they either attended the public 
 meetings at Bertholdsdorf or remained at home, and read some-\ 
 thing out of the writings of Schwenkfeld or some other pious 
 author. There were, in reality, people amongst them, who not 
 only manifested that they possessed the fear of God, but also 
 longed after salvation by Christ. 
 
 Of the works published by the Count in 1725, we notice, 
 first, a small tract, entitled, " The last Discourse of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ, before his Death on the Cross," con- 
 taining the xivth — xviith chapters of John, with many observa- 
 tions and expositions. This little work shows plainly how painful 
 it was to him, to be stiU obhged to attend to things that were 
 not at all according to his mind, and how ardently desirous he 
 was of serving the Lord Jesus Christ, and promulgating his 
 gospel ; how disgusted he was with the vanities of the world, 
 and how pleased with the reproach of Christ ; that he did not 
 trouble himself about empty knowledge, but about the essence 
 of religion and the enjoyment of salvation ; as well as how he 
 mourned over the distractions in the church of Christ, and the 
 divisions amongst those that belong to him. 
 
 2. A collection of Hymns ; his intention in which was to 
 combine such as were truly excellent, both of the ancient and 
 modern hymns, for the use of the church at Bertholdsdorf and 
 his other friends. M. Jerichovius, head-master of the young 
 -noblemen's seminary, had the arranging of them, and in this 
 way several hymns were inserted which did not accord with 
 the Count's views. 
 
 3. " Louis Count Zinzendorf s sure Foundation of Christian 
 Doctrine, according to the plan of Luther's Plain Catechism ;" 
 in which he adduces suitable passages from the Bible, with re- 
 ference to every subject treated of in it, and gives the answers 
 in the words of Scripture. 
 
 4. A French translation of " John Arndt's True Christianity.'' 
 The Count had a great esteem for that work, and hoped it 
 might do good in France. Hence he caused it to be translated 
 into French by Samuel de Beauval, leaving out those passages 
 which reflected on the Romish church. From attachment to 
 Cardinal de Noailles, and trusting to his friendship, he 
 
62 WRITINGS. 
 
 ventured to dedicate the work to him. Baron Von Wattewille 
 presented it to him in the name of the Count, and was received 
 very gracioasly. He required a week for the perusal of the 
 book ; after the lapse of which the Cardinal stated that he had 
 read it, and found it so excellent, that he not only accepted it 
 gladly, but also esteemed France happy in possessing such a 
 work in the French tongue. After previously lamenting that the 
 Count and he were of different creeds, he said, in the presence 
 of some of his chapter, that if there were in his church, and 
 amongst the bishops, many that were like him, things would 
 be much better. He then took the Baron into his garden, 
 and spoke very openly with him on the state of the Galliean 
 church, — asked if the Count had not many enemies, and were 
 not greatly persecuted, since this was common to the children 
 of God of every creed ? With respect to Arndt, he would have 
 no hesitation in recommending it to the booksellers, but foresaw 
 that its sale would be hindered (which really took place in the 
 sequel). On taking leavfe, the Cardinal requested the Baron 
 to assure the Count, and all his friends in Christ, of his affection 
 for them, and commended himself to their prayers. 
 
 Besides this, the Count made an extract from Dr. Loescher's 
 " Useful and Necessary Questions," and published it. His 
 intention was to set the people in the neighbourhood right, who 
 spoke so boldly against the divine and evangelical truths pro- 
 mulgated by him and his united friends; and attained his 
 objecS; in many instances : for he there made it apparent that 
 Dr. Loescher, an unexceptionable divine of the Lutheran 
 church, taught and affirmed the very same things, which he 
 and his friends had done in public and in private. 
 
 This year (1725) he also appeared before the public as 
 the " Dresden Socrates," under which title he published a 
 weekly periodical ; without its being known, however, at first, 
 that he was the author of it. In this publication he speaks 
 very freely ; and if not satirically and ironically, at least 
 strikingly and pointedly. Some were enraged at it, and caused 
 the confiscation of the third Number ; the reason assigned for 
 which was, that the author's name was not given ? until the 
 Count at length avowed himself as the author. He continued 
 this publication till the thirty-fourth Number, and it was after- 
 
STATE OF HERRNHUT. 63 
 
 wards republished under the name of the " German Socrates ; 
 or correct Information respecting several important Truths 
 which have become obsolete : " with a dedication to his 
 Majesty, Christian VI. of Denmark. 
 
 The Count's object in the publication of this periodical 
 work was (to use his own words) " to bring, like Socrates, 
 his fellow-citizens to reflect upon themselves, and by his ex- 
 ample to show them the way to the attainment of real and 
 lasting contentment." He therefore led them from the out- 
 ward appearance to the substance of the christian religion, 
 and sought to persuade them either to become true Christians, 
 cm: until they were so, not to give themselves out as such. 
 
 He expatiated upon all he- heard or read against Jhe work 
 in the following Numbers ; explaining and refuting, as the 
 subject required. 
 
 At the close of the year, the Count had the pleasure of 
 welcoming and embracing his friend. Baron Von Wattewille, 
 at Bertholdsdorf, on his return from France. 
 
 On the 28th December, his consort also presented him with 
 a daughter, who received the name, in baptism, of Henrietta 
 Benigna Justina. 
 
 Respecting the year 1726, the Count observes that it was 
 doubtless the most useful year of his life, and so replete with 
 trials, that if he had learnt nothing from them It was certainly 
 his own fault ; but, taking every thing together, he had more 
 cause for thankfulness than complaint. 
 
 In Herrnhut, as we have already seen, various individuals, 
 who cherished particular opinions, had joined the Jittle flock 
 of those who were concerned for the salvation of their souls ; 
 and dangerous sittings followed upon the gracious visita,tions 
 which had been experienced. After the brethren, through 
 Divine mercy, had all become unanimous with respect to the 
 doctrine of salvation by Christ, the adversary sought to cause 
 confusion amongst them, and employed for this purpose a num- 
 ber of mistaken individuals, who all took part against the Count. 
 
 Even amongst the four' imited brethren, division ensued. 
 The freedom with which objections against the truth were 
 
64 EELIGIOUS ERRORS, 
 
 permitted to be made in the conferences, at length went so far, 
 that the Count began to fear it might even be seriously in- 
 tended. Neither had they reference merely to minor things, 
 but to the chief point itself. 
 
 With respect to himself, the Count insisted on the doctrine 
 of the atonement by the blood of the Lamb of God : in this 
 he was joined by the Rev. Mr. Rothe, and several of the 
 brethren in Herrnhut. However, it cannot be denied, that 
 the Coimt, even at that time, was deficient in something 
 which is indispensable in maintaining the truth of the gospel ; 
 for he did not yet possess the boldness of contradicting ob- 
 jections to it, without the fear of possibility that it might be 
 otherwise ; nor was he yet so mighty and experienced in the 
 Scriptures, as to be able to cut asunder the knots of doubt 
 with the sword of the Spirit, 
 
 I will not detain the reader by a statement of all the reli- 
 gious errors which prevailed about this time in Herrnhut, but 
 merely subjoin the following extract from the history of the 
 four united brethren : — 
 
 " A certain civilian in Vogtland fell into a dispute with 
 the clergyman of the place, respecting some particular opinions 
 which he sought to disseminate, and was at length expelled 
 from the communion. This greatly irritated him; and 
 though previously very zealous for the sacrament, he now 
 totally rejected it as solemnized in the Lutheran church. The 
 Count, to whom he wrote, could not justify him in his aber- 
 rations, but expressed his dissent from them ; on which he 
 came to Herrnhut, in the absence of the Count, who was gone 
 to Moravia, and by his extraordinary sanctimoniousness first 
 astonished aU the unstable-minded, and then induced them to 
 separate from the rest Mr. Rothe, as well as the Count on 
 his return, though in a different manner, laboured to attain 
 the same object. The former felt it his duty publicly to con- 
 trovert this man and his adherents ; whilst the Count, con- 
 formably with his official duty, remained quiet, and insisted 
 upon nothing but christian charity. He first of all remon- 
 strated with the man in a very kind manner ; and when unable 
 to accompHsh any thing by this means, he had recourse to 
 prayer, and laid the matter before the Lord, It then became 
 
REIIGIOCS EHRORS. 65 
 
 clear to him why God pemiitted such things ; for he saw that, 
 in this manner, those who spoke indeed of Jesus, and had the 
 appearance of virtue, but who possessed nothing more than 
 what they had collected together by their own power and rea- 
 son, were inwardly shaken, and rendered dubious respecting 
 their state, whilst opportunity was afforded others of attaining 
 to greater steadfastness in the divine life. With respect to..him- 
 self, it taught him, by experience, what belonged to that tole- 
 rance which he recommended to every one. He also felt 
 assured, that the grain of wheat, which had been sown in Herrn- 
 hut and other places, would spring up and bear glorious fruit, 
 as well as that all poison would eventually become a valuable 
 medicine. Hence he continued tranquil, in the exercise of 
 charity and beneficence, and avoided all disputes, and merely 
 looked on, even at the man's greatest transgressions, especially 
 against himself ; for, in order to attain his object, he would 
 gladly have induced the Count to act with severity against 
 him, that it might seem as if he were persecuted. 
 
 " Not long after the man became insane ; and after expe- 
 riencing all possible attention at Herrnhut, removed from 
 thence, which, in a great measure, put a stop to the mischief. 
 The man continued in his state of lunacy, wandered about for 
 several years in the greatest misery, and at length came to a 
 melancholy end." 
 
 MeanwhUe, the seduction caused by this individual was car- 
 ried to such an extent, that almost all the Moravian brethren 
 separated from the church at Bertholdsdorf ; so that, with the 
 exception of the first emigrants from Moravia, and a few 
 other brethren in Herrnhut, no one held with the Count. 
 
 This separation could not remain a secret in other parts, 
 and it excited much displeasure amongst those who were igno- 
 rant of the true state of the case. The cause of it was 
 ascribed to the Count, although he suffered the most from it, 
 and sought its radical removal. It did not, however, conftise 
 him, but he resigned himself to the affliction, in order that he 
 might not injure the good cause ; for which he was the more 
 solicitous in consequence of his having received this year the 
 first call from the Moravian brethren to take their part, and 
 that of their church. 
 
66 THE CONDUCT OF THE COUNT. 
 
 The Count clearly perceived that he must either leave these 
 people, who had thus erred in doctrine and practice, and on 
 whom no impression could be made by violence and threats, 
 to become a prey to separatism and fanaticism, or take charge 
 of them in a manner suited to them. He finally resolved upon 
 the latter, respecting which he thus writes : — 
 
 " It is certainly the case, that we have a Moravian national 
 church. But it must not, therefore, be supposed, that the 
 individuals constituting it have always been as they are now ; 
 for, at first, the case was very different ; and not only have 
 strange and singular, but also dangerous and pernicious opi- 
 nions raged amongst the brethren. Those that are sincere 
 amongst the teachers have not diifered as to the fact, but 
 merely as to the method of remedying it. I have entirely 
 rejected theirs, and made use of that, in the Saviour's name, 
 which I thought to be the best. This has finally made me a 
 Moravian preacher ; and it is evident that the Saviour has 
 blessed the means I have pursued, which makes me forget all 
 the trouble, time, anxiety, calumny, and what generally follows 
 hazardous enterprises." 
 
 In other respeets,Tie continued unwearied in his public repe- 
 titions of the sermons preached, and Ukewise employed other 
 means of manifesting to the Moravians the mind of Christ, 
 In the select meetings he spoke upon important subjects, and 
 did not omit conversing with one and another in a cordial and 
 brotherly manner. All this proved very useful. He wisely 
 gave way in the form and order ; for as soon as he attempted 
 to insist upon these, division was the consequence. With re- 
 spect to doctrine, he sought only to produce essential harmony 
 amongst the Moravians with the tenets of the Lutheran church, 
 , The instability of the brethren at Herrnhut caused the 
 Count much inward distress, whilst reflecting that so many 
 conflicting parties Were formed as to leave only a few that were 
 not carried away with the stream. The former went so far 
 as even to use abusive language respecting the Count, whom 
 they called " the beast," which had given power to the false 
 prophet, meaning Rothe, to lead them astray. His grief was 
 increased by the displeasure of others, whom he regarded as 
 true brethren, and the consideration that various pious people. 
 
THE CONDUCT OF THE COUNT. 67 
 
 not thoroughly acquainted with the circumstances, judged 
 harshly of him. But the Lord richly comforted him, and 
 afforded him the assurance that all would still be well, and the 
 Saviour attain his object. Hence he was able to console 
 others who were troubled concerning these circumstances, and 
 to strengthen their hopes. 
 
 The number of those that were awakened in Bertholdsdorf, 
 by the preaching of Jesus, continued to increase. On the 1st 
 of January, there were more than ninety individuals who pub- 
 licly professed to belong to Christ. 
 
 About this time, also, an awakening took place amongst the 
 Wends,* by the preaching of the gospel, in which the Count 
 felt the more interested, from the circumstance that his grand- 
 mother had been concerned for many years in bringing these 
 people to a vital knowledge of Jesus Christ. To this end 
 she had caused the Psalter, and the Epistles to the Romans and 
 Galatians, to be printed, at her own expense, in the language 
 of the Wends. 
 
 This venerable lady terminated her earthly career on the 6th 
 of March, 1726. After being unable, from weakness, to leave 
 her dweUing, except occasionally, for twelve years previous ; a 
 few days before her decease she let herself be transported to 
 a place from whence she could see Hermhut, and blessed the 
 church in that place. The Count delivered a funeral oration 
 at her interment, from Psalm cxxvi. 6. 
 
 Of the journeys which the Count took this year, that to 
 Cremsir, in Moravia, is the most remarkable. The Count was 
 very solicitous that the emigration of the Moravians, whom he 
 received upon his estates, should be conducted in a proper man- 
 ner ; for he perceived that it might otherwise be productive of 
 unpleasantness in the sequel. Hence he deemed it necessary, 
 not only to inquire into every circumstance at the proper place, 
 but also to express his sincere sentiments with respect to re- 
 ceiving these people. 
 
 Being aware that Cardinal Von Schrattenbach and his bro- 
 ther, who was an imperial privy councillor, resided in Cremsir, 
 he thought it best to travel thither, and make direct application 
 
 * Descendants of the ancient Vandals. 
 
68 JOURNEY TO CREMSIR. 
 
 to these noblemen. Their characters, which he had heard 
 highly spoken of, gave him hopes that he would attain his 
 object. 
 
 He had also heard that David Nitschman, one of the five 
 brethren who had arrived in Herrnhut in May 1724, was in 
 prison in Cremsir. He had gone to Moravia, without the 
 Count's knowledge, to visit his father, and had been arrested 
 there. He wished to visit him in prison, and, if possible, procure 
 his release. 
 
 He commenced his journey in August, and on the 14th 
 arrived at Jaegerndorf, from whence he proceeded to Hof in 
 Moravia. To avoid the suspicion of having any other object 
 in view, he made no stay in any of the places through which 
 he passed. He arrived at Cremsir on the 17th, and imme- 
 diately sent to inform the Cardinal and the privy councillor of 
 the circumstance. A state coach was sent for him, and, after 
 a formal reception, he was conducted into the apartment of the 
 Countess. The Cardinal arrived soon after from mass, and 
 before dinner, the discourse turned upon general subjects. 
 At dinner the Cardinal asked the Count, whether he was 
 travelling to Vienna or Briin ? He replied that his intention, 
 this time, was solely to visit his Eminence. 
 
 When the cloth was removed, and after some animated con- 
 versation on religious subjects, in which the Count not only 
 freely confessed his creed, but expressed his sentiments upon 
 toleration, and other civil matters with reference to religion, he 
 inspected, in company with some of the principal courtiers, 
 both the palace and whatever was worthy of being seen in and 
 about Cremsir. On the way, he took occasion to inquire of 
 a canon, how those who were imprisoned on account of their 
 religion were treated there ? 
 
 Other marks of distinction were also shown the Count, which 
 were, however, only troublesome to him, because the recollec- 
 tion of his poor imprisoned brother, David Nitschman, recurred 
 cotttinually to his mind. Meanwhile the vesper-bell was rung, 
 which gave him an opportunity of casting himself before God, 
 and of commending to him the whole concerns of Moravia, and 
 especially his present business. 
 
 He afterwards requested a private conference with the privy 
 
JOURNEY TO CREMSIR. 69 
 
 councillor, and after expressing his confident hope, that the 
 step he was about to take would be regarded by t)ie Cardinal 
 and the privy counciDor, in the manner in which it might be 
 expected from persons of their high rank and worthy cha- 
 racter, he stated to them, with his accustomed boldness, the 
 object of his visit, — that he was not in the habit of undertaking 
 any thing in a secret or suspicious manner, and hence had felt 
 induced to travel thither in person, in order, — 
 
 1. To mention that he had received many emigrants from 
 Moravia into his estates, and why he had done so. 
 
 2. To prove that the emigrants had been obliged to leave 
 the country, with the loss of their property, merely for the 
 truth's sake. 
 
 3. To arrange that the people, whose number continually 
 increased, should remain at home, if a few points were con-^ 
 ceded them. 
 
 4. To remonstrate against arresting the persons of those' 
 who, for conscience' sake, had parted with all they possessed. 
 
 5. To inquire after David Nitschman, who had come thither 
 to visit his parents, and not to induce others to emigrate, and 
 to entreat his liberation ; or if that could not be obtained, to 
 be permitted to render him the assistance he required. 
 
 To this address, the privy councillor returned an answer, 
 such as a prudent imperial minister, who wished at the same 
 time to appear as a patriot and a zealous and reasonable man, 
 could make on the spot. It was to the following effect : — 
 
 1. The Count's visit was a voluntary civility, and is received 
 in the manner customary amongst persons of rank. 
 
 2. The emigration of those who would not accommodate 
 themselves to the Catholic doctrine and manner of life, was 
 unavoidable, according to the constitution of the country. 
 
 3. The emigration of the people, according to the Emperor's 
 intention, would not be hindered ; but those thatinduced and as- 
 sisted others to emigrate, must reasonably take the consequences. 
 
 On this point the Count declared, that he neither could nor 
 would receive all those whom others had persuaded to emi- 
 grate ; and that none of those he had received could under- 
 take any thing of the kind, without acting contrary to his 
 express commands. 
 
70 JOURNEY TO CREMSIR. 
 
 4, They were entirely ignorant of David Nitschman, whose 
 liberation must be sought for from the Court of Appeal at 
 Prague ; and that whatever assistance might be sent him would 
 unquestionably reach him. 
 
 After the termination of this interview, the Count took occa- 
 sion to speak with several noblemen and gentlemen at the 
 levee, and then took leave of the Cardinal, in the presence of 
 the company, and retired to his inn, whither he was accom- 
 panied by servants of the Cardinal's, bearing flambeaux. 
 
 During the time the Count was at court, M. Jerichovius, 
 who had accompanied him, had gone, of his own accord, to 
 the city prison, in order, 1. To inquire if Nitschman were 
 really there, and how he was. 2. To entreat the gaoler to give 
 him an opportunity of speaking to the prisoner in his presence, 
 or at least to tell him that the Count was there. 3. To pre- 
 sent him with some money for Nitschman's better subsistence ; 
 but with respect to the second point, he had not been able to 
 succeed. 
 
 Nothing was left, therefore, for the Count to do, but to take 
 his departure. He found, however, the gates closed, and was 
 therefore obliged to notify the circumstance to the commandant. 
 After waiting at the gates for more than a quarter of an hour, 
 they were opened, and he proceeded, without detention, to 
 Jaegerndorf, and from thence back to Upper Lusatia. 
 
 On the journey to Cremsir, as well as on his return through 
 Silesia, the Count had many opportunities of testifying of the 
 grace of Christ, and his salvation, to the great encouragement 
 of many souls. I find that he preached upwards of twenty 
 times in various places, and distributed copies of a tract writ- 
 ten by Professor Franke. 
 
 On this occasion, he first became acquainted with that faith- 
 ful and useful servant of Jesus Christ, Ernest Julius Von Seid- 
 litz, who relates that the Count came to him at Schoenbrunn 
 to his great joy, and in the evening conducted the worship 
 usually held in his house. The next day he again held a 
 public meeting, in which more than three hundred individuals, 
 of all ranks, were 'present. He spoke also to some in parti- 
 cular ; and I know from several, that it was rendered a blessing 
 to them. 
 
xxir. jUDC.D,ajj^ai: J}lj$lj£j. 
 
 In October, he travelledwithBaron Von Watte wille to Ebers- 
 dorf, where the joy was great on both sides, and the covenant 
 was renewed, to live devoted to the Lord Jesus. M. Schaefer 
 joined them, and also preached there. On their journey home 
 they visited Count Henkel in Poelzig, and then their friends 
 in Halle, particularly Professor Franke, with whom the Count 
 conversed, for the last time, and retained the long conversa- 
 tion and the impressive prayer with which the holy man took 
 leave, as it were, of him and his brethren, in edifying remem- 
 brance. An opportunity was afforded the Count of speaking 
 to the pupils in the high>-school, when he impressed upon them, 
 in particular, that to love God is the chief vrisdom. 
 
 From Halle the Count returned with his company to Upper 
 Lusatia, and visited, on the way. Count Von Schoenburg in 
 Lichtenstein, and Count Von Solms at Wildenfels. At the 
 latter place, M. Schaefer preached a few times, and the Count 
 held meetings. One of his discourses on the words, " Blessed 
 are the pure in heart," &c., occasioned a correspondence of 
 some length with a certain pious Duchess, 
 
 Whilst at Dresden, in December, he was visited by that 
 eminent divine, John Adam Steinmetz. He had been in cor- 
 respondence with him for some time, and regarded him as an 
 instrument, in the hands of God, to banish the sectarian spirit 
 from the first Moravian emigrants : for when they came to 
 him at Teschen, he so clearly pointed out to them the true 
 nature of godliness, and of the church of Christ, as consisting 
 of a number of individuals who cordially adhere to Christ, and 
 become partakers of his Spirit, that they never forgot it, and 
 this proved of much service to the Count, when he came to 
 speak with them upon religion. 
 
 Amongst the Count's literary labours, in the year 1Y26, we 
 must first notice the part he took in the Ebersdorf Bible, respect- 
 ing which such uncharitable and unjust opinions have been 
 formed. The object of its publication was to provide the poor, 
 by the aid of the Count's grandmother, with a Bible, at a 
 cheaper rate than had previously been known. Like many other 
 editions, it is provided with marginal references and sum- 
 maries of the chapters ; Luther's prefaces to the Old and New 
 Testament, and to the Epistle to the Romans, together with 
 
72 WRITINGS. 
 
 John Arndt's Infarmatormm Bihlicum, were also added. Jo 
 some of the books of the Old Testament, and the whole of the 
 New, the smnmaries are more copious than usual ; and the 
 Count has expressed, in them the* meaning of the text in 
 a clear and lively manner. Finally, Mr. Rothe appended 
 " A Register and new translation of most of those passages of 
 Scripture, which have greater emphasis in the original." 
 
 Amongst the Count's other treatises and single publications, 
 at this period, there is an answer to the question, " Whether 
 the meetings of well-disposed individuals for conversation and 
 edification, in private houses, could be defended on sound 
 principles ?" as also, " A Memento to christian friends inZ — i, 
 R — , and S — , when awakenings commenced among themp" 
 
 In the former of these, he maintains, that those who are 
 sincere, certainly may and ought, according to the principles 
 of the doctrine of Jesus and the Lutheran church, to meet 
 together in private houses, and converse with and encourage 
 each other respecting their souls' salvation, In the latter, 
 he shows how they ought to establish themselves in Christ, 
 edify themselves by his grace, as well as act in external matters, 
 that the good that is in them may not be hindered, nor any 
 thing evil be propagated. 
 
 His " Ideas for learned and yet well-disposed Scholars of 
 the Truth,'' probably belong to this period. His object seems 
 to have been, to bring individuals, who are devoted to reason- 
 ing, to reflection upon religion. 
 
 He also continued to write hymns and poems on various 
 occasions, some of which appear in the Moravian Hymm 
 book. 
 
 Respecting his correspondejnce, I will here advert only to 
 the letter which he wrote, in the beginning of the year, to the 
 Countess of Schaumburg-Lippe, at that time in London, He 
 requested her mediation that a boy, who had been found wild 
 in the woods, might be committed to his care ; because he 
 wished to ascertain, by experiment, whether ideas were innate, 
 and how they developed themselves. From the reply of the 
 Countess, dated St. James's j 12th February, 1726, it appears, 
 that she would gladly have complied with his wish, especially 
 since she believed it would tend to the poor youth's salvation. 
 
WRITINGS. 73 
 
 if he were placed in the Count's hands. But she adds, that 
 his majesty the king, in whose territories the boy had been 
 found, had presented him to the Princess of Wales, who had 
 committed him to the care of a philosopher, to make the same 
 experiment respecting innate ideas, for which the Count had 
 also requested to have him. 
 
 In a subsequent letter it is said, " Great pains have been taken 
 to teach him to speak, in order to learn something of him 
 respecting his former residence, and, if possible, of his ideas. 
 He has hitherto scarcely learned so much, as to be able to ask 
 for what he most wants, in EngUsh. His hearing is good, but 
 his pronunciation more a barking than a regular articulation. 
 .... He is unable to answer any questions, and his memory 
 is not even as. good as the instinct of animals : in short, he 
 possesses so little of what is human or rational, that there is 
 no hope of his ever learning any thing." 
 
 The Count, on his return to Dresden at the end of the 
 year, resumed his meetings ; after giving an account of which, 
 he relates, that he received an unexpected visit from Baron 
 Von Kroecher, a man of notorious character in those days. J 
 At first he felt alarmed, but committed himself to God. He 
 stated the object of his visit, which was, that having read in 
 the " Socrates " an uncommonly free confession of the truth; 
 notwithstanding the danger of such a step, he wished to 
 become acquainted vsdth its author or promoter, and ascertain 
 what had induced him to it, as well as to communicate to him 
 his own adventures and sentiments. The Count listened to him 
 for some hours, and found, that through the reading of Madam 
 Petersen's writings, from a declared atheist, he had become a 
 defender of the truth in a very violent degree ; but, that with 
 all the attention he had excited in the world, no blessing 
 attended his eiforts, because he was unacquainted with the 
 lowly and crucified Saviour. 
 
 The Count mentioned what had appeared objectionable to 
 him in the Baron's narration, and modestly directed him both 
 to the mind and spirit of Christ, and the clear words of Scrip- 
 ture, and thus they parted. 
 
 The Count adds, that during the holidays, a man who for 
 many causes had been some years in prison, and was regarded 
 
74 tABOURS. 
 
 as entirely destitute of religion, had several times let himself 
 be brought to his meetings, accompanied by his gaoler, and 
 had said to a gentleman who spoke with him on the subject, 
 " If any thing in the world were able to convert him, he 
 believed it would be what he heard there." 
 
 About this time, however, things of an unpleasant nature 
 occurred with respect to his meetings, which were caused by 
 the hostility of certain persons, who had probably taken offence 
 at something in his " Socrates." He had held these meetings 
 every Sunday, with open doors, for five years, without any 
 objection being made on the part of the court or the clergy. 
 But he was now compelled, by the intrusion of certain people, 
 to declare, that if persons who were unknown to him were 
 desirous of visiting his meetings, he must first be informed of it. 
 There were also other things, which I do not mention, because 
 they do no honour to those who were the cause of them. The 
 Count laid all these things before the Lord ; and although he 
 continued his meetings, he found it necessary to make some 
 alteration in their arrangement. 
 
 The more the Count was confirmed in the conviction, that 
 he was called of God to something diiferent to worldly affairs, 
 the more he wished to divest himself of a situation which 
 hindered him from obeying his inward vocation. The decided 
 will of his parents, which had alone induced him to accept 
 office in the State, had hitherto prevented him from seeking 
 his dismission from it. This hinderance was now removed by 
 the decease of his grandmother ; and after repeated letters on 
 the subject to his mother, he at length, to his great joy, and 
 almost contrary to his expectation, obtained her consent to the 
 step he had so long wished to take. 
 
 In 1727, therefore, he seriously endeavoured to obtain his 
 dismission; but some friends, whom he consulted on the 
 subject, thought he would do best, if he first requested per- 
 mission to be absent a longer time than usual. To this he agreed, 
 and it was granted him without difficulty. 
 
 Besides the motive for this determination already mentioned, 
 he was prompted to it by affection for those whom, as he 
 
RETIREMENT FROM OFFICE. 75 
 
 believed, the Lord had conducted to him at HerrnKut. He 
 did not wish that they should have come thither to their own 
 detriment ; and yet he saw, from the religious errors that had 
 arisen amongst them, that this would be the case, if they did 
 not receive speedy and complete assistance. He had also been 
 repeatedly written to by the brethren at Herrnhut, who con- 
 tinued faithful, to come to them, for the Lord's sake, and take 
 up the matter. Besides this, he clearly perceived, that he had 
 so much irritated some individuals by his severe sentiments in 
 the " German Socrates," that he was afraid they would seek 
 to avenge themselves on Herrnhut, and make use of the errors 
 that prevailed there as a pretext. Hence he was the more 
 concerned to clear this stumbling-block out of the way. 
 
 He had, however, some affairs on hand, which made it 
 necessary for him to travel to Dresden several times in 1727 
 and 1728, in order to bring them to a conclusion. He had 
 also been deputed, with another Aulic counsellor, to regulate 
 and terminate a certain intricate affair, in which many people 
 were interested. They clearly perceived, that they would 
 make themselves many enemies, if, in their commission, they 
 went to work in an upright and conscientious manner, and 
 without respect of persons ; however, they decided upon doing 
 so, and spared neither labour nor trouble. But they were not 
 able to bring the affair to a termination before March, 1728. 
 On the 11th of that month, they made their report to the 
 board, which approved of it, and resolved upon informing 
 the king respecting it. The chancellor in particular was 
 much delighted that the affair was at length happUy ter- 
 minated. 
 
 The first journey to Dresden, which the Count undertook in 
 1728, was on the occasion of the marriage of his brother. Count 
 Frederick Christian. On his return to Herrnhut, he gave the 
 chief chaplain to the court the opportunity of minutely in- 
 specting the institutions in Upper Lusatia for the extension of 
 the kingdom of Christ, who testified great joy at the visible^ 
 advancement of the Lord's work. 
 
 During the remaining part of 1728, and the whole of the 
 three following years, the Count made use of the permission 
 to be absent from Dresden. At length he deemed it necessary 
 
 e2 
 
76 RETIREMENT FROM OFFICE. 
 
 to withdraw entirely from office, for which purpose he ad- 
 dressed a letter to the king, dated 12th Sept. 1731, who gra- 
 ciously accepted his resignation ; and on the 8th of March, 1732, 
 he laid down his office of government-councillor, in the presence 
 of the whole council, in a speech, which was obligingly answered 
 by the chancellor. On this occasion, he publicly stated both 
 the principles on which the church in Herrnhut was formed, 
 and the nature of his institutions for the promotion of the 
 kingdom of Christ in Upper Lusatia. 
 
 His views respecting his retirement from office may be 
 gathered from a letter written in 1728, in which he says, " I 
 found it difficult to continue in office, because circumstances 
 were daily occurring, in which I was apprehensive of acting 
 contrary to the word of the Lord :" — " They that are great, 
 exercise authority : but it shall not be so among you." I 
 have acted the part of Mordecai at court, whose immovable . 
 deportment does not bear a satisfactory comparison with the 
 friendly discipleship of Christ, and has proved a hinderance to, 
 me with respect to that religion of the heart, which was my 
 sole object. I have sometimes appeared to conquer by my 
 Roman citizenship (although not always so in reality), whdn 
 I ought to have overcome by suffering and succumbing. In 
 future, the same and stiU more disgraceful sufferings may 
 befall me, which have befallen my brethren. 
 
OPINIONS EESPECTINa HIM. 77 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 REMOVAL TO HERRNHUT, FORMATION OP THE MORAVIAN CHURCH — THE 
 COUNT CHOSEN TO PRESIDE OVER IT — AWAKENINGS — RELIGIOUS INSTI- 
 TUTIONS — MISSIONS OF THE BRETHREN — JOURNEYS TO JENA AND HALLE 
 
 RESIGNS HIS OFFICE JOURNEY TO BERLENBURG AND SCHWARZENAU, 
 
 AND ALSO TO COPENHAGEN MISSIONS TO ST. THOMAS AND GREEN- 
 LAND FIRST COMMISSION IN HERRNHUT JOURNEYS TO NEUSTADT, 
 
 CASTELL, AND EBERSDORF — MISSIONS TO THE HEATHEN — IS ORDERED 
 TO SELL HIS ESTATES. 
 
 Before the Count left Dresden in the year 1727, a pamphlet 
 appeared against the Ebersdorf Bible. He therefore caused an 
 advertisement respecting it to be inserted in the public journals, 
 which drew the attention of the government to the subject. 
 After due examination, the pamphlet was condemned, and its 
 author escaped punishment solely through the forbearance of the 
 opposite party. The Count, however, foresaw that this would 
 form the commencement of a rehgious paper-war of many 
 years' duration. 
 
 Although the Count felt grieved at this &st attack upon 
 him, yet other things caused him still greater pain ; especially 
 the opinions of many respecting him, and even of those whom 
 he regarded as his brethren, and as children of God. He had 
 long been accustomed to their judging harshly of his actions, 
 undertakings, and even of his intentions ; but now they even 
 cast doubts upon his state of grace, and said that he was not 
 converted. 
 
 I will not deny that he may have given cause for such 
 speeches ; for when associating fraternally with those whom 
 he thought loved the Saviour, he expressed himself very freely 
 upon every subject. Thus when tlw £enitentiaI_conflict was 
 spoken of, which was at that time the subject of much conver- 
 sation, and when one or other related, with much circumlocution, 
 
78 THE PENITENTIAL CONFLICT. 
 
 the manner of his guidance — the Count openly confessed that 
 [ he had not experienced it thus. It being taken for granted, 
 that no one can be a child of God, who has not experienced 
 certain degrees of anxiety and distress on account of his sins, 
 which are often very painful — the decision was soon arrived at, 
 that the Count was still deficient in true conversion. 
 
 This circumstance, however, caused him to examine 
 thoroughly whether he were a child of God or not. He did so 
 in particular, when he was alone for weeks and months together 
 on his journeys. He would gladly indeed have experienced 
 ,ivLch a penitential conflict as they spoke of; but when he 
 ■^ besought the Saviour, with reference to it, he was always in- 
 duced only to cast himself at his feet, and cleave to him as a 
 poor sinner ; for the essence of true religion consists in loving 
 him, whom we see not, and believing in him as if we saw 
 him. 
 
 The subject of the penitential conflict was then rendered 
 clear to him. He saw that the Holy Spirit certainly brings 
 every one, whom he takes into his school, to see his own 
 personal sinfulness, in all its parts, and in all its greatness. 
 / This causes a conflict in those who would gladly retain something 
 of their own, but in simple souls, it becomes a source of happi- 
 ness, if they immediately yield themselves up to it, look into 
 the mirror held up before them, do not flatter themselves in the 
 least, nor dissemble and forget what manner of persons they 
 were. " Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are they that 
 mourn !" 
 
 Meanwhile, the Count suffered nothing to deter him from 
 his resolution to proceed to Upper Lusatia, and take charge of 
 the souls whom the hand of the Lord had conducted thither. 
 He resided at first at Bertholdsdorf, and went every day, some- 
 times more than once, to Herrnhut and back again. But 
 because this was a great inconvenience, in many respects, he 
 resolved to remove to Herrnhut, and to fix his ordinary resi- 
 dence there. He thought that one wing of the Orphan-house 
 would suflBce him for this purpose, and although it was not 
 finished, nor the walls of the apartment he was to occupy, dry, 
 yet this did not prevent him from taking up his abode there 
 in the month of June. 
 
DIVISION 'of pastoral LABOUR. 79 
 
 The Count had hitherto laboured in common with the Rev. 
 Mr. Rothe in Bertholdsdorf and Herrnhut, but at length the 
 misimderstanding arose between them, which has been already 
 noticed. The latter chose a very different method of restoring 
 those who had gone astray, to that practised by the Count, and 
 which was not always attended with the best results. Other 
 things supervened, which increased the misunderstanding, and 
 clearly showed that these two individuals, though with the 
 same object in view, could not usefully continue to labour 
 together. For each of them was so well assured of his being 
 in the right, that it seemed impossible for the one to yield to 
 the other. 
 
 The Count therefore proposed to divide the work with Mr. 
 Rothe, the latter to retain the pastoral charge over the people 
 at Bertholdsdorf, and to act with them as he found best; whilst 
 the Count, as lord of the manor, would only render his assist- 
 ance when necessary. But in Herrnhut, he would act as Mr. 
 Rothe's catechist, whilst the latter's influence, as incumbent of 
 the place, should remain uninfringed upon. This agreement 
 was also duly notified to the awakened individuals in both 
 places, and the matter very clearly explained to them. 
 
 The Count now entered upon a new period of his life. He 
 devoted himself entirely to the service of the poor exiles, and 
 to the promotion of their temporal and spiritual welfare. 
 Nothing was too mean or difficult, if he could, by its means, 
 do them any good. Instead of deriving any outward ad- 
 vantage from it, he was obliged to assist, on every occasion, 
 with his own property. Nor could he expect fame and honour ; 
 since, from the very beginning, disgrace was heaped upon 
 him. 
 
 He committed the management of his domestic aifairs to 
 his consort, who was not only a faithful help-mate to him in , 
 this respect, but also in the spiritual charge of those of her 
 own sex. The management of his estates was, at the same 
 time, partially committed to Baron Von Wattewille, and Mr. 
 Marche was appointed magistrate. 
 
 The first object of his solicitude, which had also been his 
 chief concern for some years, was the doctrine. For my own 
 part, I am convinced, that the Lord raised him up to assist 
 
80 FORMATION OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 
 
 those who were concerned for their salvation in finding the 
 right path. He gave him grace and wisdom to declare, in 
 what way our salvation for time and eternity proceeds solely 
 from Jesus Christ and his vicarious sacrifice. This doctrine 
 was not, indeed, so clearly taught at that time, as in the sequel, 
 'nor can it be denied, that from 1728 to 1734, the ministry 
 was more legal than evangelical. However, many who lived 
 at that period assert, that the brethren built their piety upon 
 the true foundation — the free grace of God, and the sufferings 
 and death of Christ. 
 
 The Count's next concern was, prudently to terminate the 
 separation which had taken place in Herrnhut from the churcTi 
 and sacrament, as he had already done in 1725. He began it 
 with patience, charity, and forbearance, but, at the same time, 
 in the power of the Spirit and the word of God. He exhorted 
 and entreated the brethren, with many tears, both in public 
 and in private. Although the power lay in his hands, yet he 
 made use of no compulsatory measures to oblige the people 
 to attend church and sacrament, as was at that time customary 
 in many places ; for he regarded ^uch means, in matters of 
 conscience, as both unjust and irrational. He conversed witb 
 the people on the nature of godliness in Christ Jesus, and of 
 the true form of the church of Christ, in a clear and com- 
 prehensive manner. The Lord also at length prospered him 
 in the attempt to restore those who had separated, to union 
 with the Lutheran church. 
 
 But however willing the brethren were to continue in the 
 fellowship of public worship and the holy sacraments with tfie 
 Lutherans, yet they insisted upon retaining the form and 
 constitution of the Moravian church in ancient times. When 
 the Count spoke with them on this subject, they gave him 
 roundly and firmly to understand, that on this point they 
 were unable and unwilling to concede any thing. They as- 
 serted, that it was evident such regulations were wanting 
 everywhere, and that Luther himself had confessed, the 
 brethren had the advantage in it. But if objections were 
 made to grant them this in the Lutheran church, especially 
 in Herrnhut, they would rather leave the place and go else- 
 where, not doubting but that they would find places where 
 
FORMATION OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 81 
 
 this liberty, for which they were so solicitous, would be willingly 
 granted them. 
 
 The Count was by no means disposed to yield to the 
 brethren in this point ; for he foresaw how much it would be 
 misconstrued and misjudged. However, he found it neces- 
 sary to reflect upon the subject. 
 
 The following are the reasons which at length induced him 
 no longer to oppose, but to promote the matter. 
 
 1. He could see nothing improper, either in the intention 
 or the thing itself. The brethren desired nothing but that 
 which, according to their views, tended to promote edification 
 and improvement ; whilst he believed it to be perfectly in 
 accordance with the privileges of the Protestant church, that 
 a free religious society, which has derived its constitution 
 from ancient times and usages, cannot be compelled by any 
 one to renounce it. 
 
 2. In the preface by Buddeus to John Amos Commenius's 
 tract upon the Ecclesiastical Discipline and Regulations of 
 the United Brethren, the Count found that they were acknow- 
 ledged to be " apostolic, useful, and necessary," and that it was 
 only to be lamented, that the Lutheran church was not yet 
 in a situation to adopt them. Hence he regarded it as unjust 
 to deprive Ihe brethren of this precious deposit, which they 
 had retained uninjured for so many years, and of which they 
 could not be entirely deprived, even by such severe oppression 
 as that which they had experienced. 
 
 3. If the Count had hindered them from retaining their 
 ancient ecclesiastical constitution, he had reason to apprehend 
 many injurious consequences to the Saviour's cause, and to 
 religion itself, if the matter were suffered to take its free 
 course in other parts, and under other auspices. Hence he 
 took the affair upon himself, solely with the intention, of 
 preserving these precious souls for the Saviour, after their 
 being once placed under his superintendence, sub quocunque 
 schemate. 
 
 4. He believed that the Lord had his particular intentions 
 in this affair, and that the origin of it was to be sought in 
 the depths of Divine Providence. Besides, he felt he ought 
 to act as other creatures, who let their Creator act ; and, 
 
 E 3 
 
82 FORMATION OP THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 
 
 without intetfering in the main point, make it his duty and 
 concern to prevent evil, and to repel that which really ought to 
 be averted. 
 
 5. The Count says further, " That gratitude towards the 
 church to which I belonged, and its reformers, whom God had 
 legitimated, required it. I should certainly have been no 
 friend to Luther, if I had let this opportunity slip, of uniting 
 the brethren with us. Besides, I clearly saw, that if I suffered 
 the brethren- to depart, some of them would go over to another 
 great church, with the loss of their ecclesiastical constitution ; 
 but that the awakened would divide themselves amongst all 
 the smaller sects, and produce iniinitely more confusion in 
 general, than profit individually. 
 
 6. " If all the reasons now stated had not existed, yet the 
 following consideration would have decided me to retain them, 
 even though I might have been expelled with them : — I could 
 not read old Commenius's mournful lament to the English 
 church, in which he regards the church of the brethren as at 
 an end, and that he was closing the door to it, nor twice place 
 before me his sorrowful prayer, ' Restore us, O Lord, that 
 we may return home ! renew our days as in ancient times ! ' 
 before the resolution was formed to aid them to the utmost 
 of my ability. Though I may lose my property, honour, and 
 life in the cause, yet as long as I live, and as far as I am able, 
 as well as with respect to those that shall succeed me, this flock 
 of the Lord shall be kept for him until he comes." 
 
 The Count, notwithstanding all this, did not omit to ask 
 the advice of devout clergymen of the Lutheran church ; 
 for he was desirous of being fully assured of the correct- 
 ness of his views, and of venturing no step except upon a 
 proper basis. The replies he received were various, yet all 
 agreed, that it was very needful to take charge of these 
 strangers. 
 
 Dr. Marperger in particular assured the Count, that his 
 statement of the affair had pleased him exceedingly; and if 
 such were the case, the Lord would grant his distinguished 
 blessing upon the brethren in Herrnhut. He must only be 
 careful, lest the commencement should be interrupted, and 
 the flock scattered. The Count ought also reasonably to 
 
FORMATION OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 83 
 
 guard against dissolving his connexion with them, but retain 
 his influence in the aiFair. 
 
 After having duly considered every thing, the result was, 
 that on the 12th May, certain congregational regulations were 
 drawn up, and voluntarily agreed to by the brethren and 
 sisters. They were called " statutes," or religious and pious 
 institutions, which obtained their validity,' not by the orders 
 of the civil powers, but by fraternal agreement and voluntary 
 approval. The various errors that had been propagated, gave 
 rise to every point in these statutes ; and their object was to 
 prevent every thing that might be productive of evil, or prove 
 an obstruction to that which is good, and, on the contrary, 
 bring into exercise that which tended to advancement in the 
 ways of God. 
 
 These statutes were not only unanimously adopted, but also 
 subsequently signed. Their adoption was so general, that 
 those who had previously separated themselves, followed the 
 example of the rest. Hence the day above mentioned is par- 
 ticularly memorable to the brethren, on account of the first 
 voluntary reformation of life and doctrine at Herrnhut, and 
 its remembrance is annually renewed in all the churches of 
 the brethren. 
 
 On that day, the Count made a covenant with the people, 
 in the presence of God. The brethren individually engaged 
 to belong entirely to the Saviour. They were ashamed of 
 their religious quarrels, and were unanimously disposed to 
 bury ihem in oblivion. They also sincerely renounced self- 
 love> self-will, disobedience, and free-thinking. They were 
 desirous of becoming poor in spirit ; none of them sought a 
 preference above the rest ; and each one wished to be taught 
 by the Holy Spirit in all things ; they were not only con- 
 vinced, but carried away and overpowered by the operating 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 The Count subsequently declared, that Herrnhut, on that 
 day, was balancing between the formation of a new sect, and 
 the intentions of the Saviour respecting his church in those 
 days. Through the operation of the Holy Spirit, during 'a 
 speech of from three to four hours in length, the latter was 
 decided upon. What the Lord did for Herrnhut, from that 
 
84 FORMATION OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 
 
 time till the winter of the same year, is inexpressible. The 
 whole place appeared like a visible tabernacle of God with men. 
 
 Having agreed to the statutes, twelve men were chosen the 
 same day from amongst them, as elders of the church, to 
 watch over their observance. This eldership was not regulated 
 by years, but by the fitness of the individuals for the oflJce — 
 men who were in good repute with all, and well reported of 
 as regards the truth. No elder was to have a personal ani- 
 mosity towards any one, nor was any one to have toy reasonable 
 ground of aversion to him ; for the whole congregation, and 
 every individual member of it, had to look up to the elders, in 
 order to love, honour, and follow them. 
 
 The Count was nominated to the oiflce of superintendent, 
 which extended to all the concerns of the church ; and he under- 
 took it without any objection, having already received 3, call 
 from the Moravian brethren in 1726, to take up their cause 
 and that of the church. Baron Von Wattewille was appointed 
 his assistant in office. 
 
 The Count was therefore the guardian of the church from 
 its very commencement, and resolved, in the discharge of his 
 ofiice, daily to wait for the Lord's direction, and filially follow 
 it, in small things as well as in great. 
 
 In consequence of his oflBce, he considered how every bro- 
 ther might be appointed to that particular station in the church, 
 for which he appeared to have received the necessary gifts 
 from God. After this was done, he took care that every one 
 duly attended to the duties incumbent upon him, and in par- 
 ticular, that every thing should be done at a proper time, and 
 in a proper measure. 
 
 From this time, the Count conferred very diligently with the 
 twelve elders above mentioned, and his colleague Baron Von 
 Wattewille, respecting every thing that seemed necessary for the 
 promotion of the welfare of the community. After conversing 
 with them until late at night, on the 1 9th May, it was resolved 
 to commit this office more particularly to four of the elders, 
 who were to be chosen by lot, after the example of the ancient 
 Moravian church, which was accordingly done at four o'clock 
 the next morning. Two of the four thus elected, were Chris- 
 tian David, and Melchior Nitschman. ' 
 
AWAKENING AMONGST THE YOUNG. 85 
 
 Besides the nightly watch in Herrnhut, which the brethren 
 were obliged to keep in turn, another kind of night-watch was 
 kept, either by single brethren or small companies, who passed 
 the whole night in prayer and other devotional exercises. 
 These night-watches the Count regarded as a real repose in 
 God, and often assisted at them with pleasure. 
 
 As superintendent of the church in Herrnhut, his attention 
 was directed to the public doctrine, the state of the church in 
 general, and of its members in particular : his sermons were 
 not exegetical discourses, for he was of opinion, that a parti- 
 cular gift was requisite for expounding the Scripture, which he 
 believed he did not possess. Hence he says, in 1735, " I have 
 now laboured for eight years in a church of the Lord's, as an 
 unordained catechist ; and I appeal to the testimony of my 
 hearers, whether I have once ventured to expound the Scrip- 
 tures expressly, or positively to assert, that such and such was 
 the meaning of the Apostle or Prophet, unless it was so clear 
 and evident, that I was sure of every one's approval. I ap- 
 plied myself merely to the inculcating of known and undeniable 
 truths, and therein I succeeded best." 
 
 The education of children was an object of the Count's 
 especial solicitude. The number of scholars in Bertholdsdorf 
 amounted to nearly one hundred, over whom he placed a faith- 
 ful instructor. The school for young noblemen in Herrnhut 
 was given up, and instead of it, a seminary for youths, under 
 the superintendence of Melchior Nitschman, and another for 
 girls, under the care of Madam Gutbier, was commenced. The 
 Count was much grieved at the deadness to spiritual things 
 which he perceived in the children ; but, after having addressed 
 them on his birth-day, from the impulse of his heart, the Holy 
 Spirit produced in many of them true repentance, distress 
 respecting their sinful state, and a sighing and crying to the 
 Saviour for mercy. God also blessed the labours of a student, 
 who was their teacher, and in a short time there was a general 
 awakening amongst the children at Herrnhut and Bertholdsdorf. 
 
 The Count was now solicitous that this work of grace should 
 not be obstructed. Some, who were of the number, and 
 are now in the ministry, have informed me of the care the 
 Count took of them ; and when they went to the Hutberg, 
 
86 AWAKENING AMONGST THE CHILDREN. 
 
 near Herrnhut, in order to weep and pray for mercy, the Count 
 stood at a distance, that they might not be disturbed : when 
 they had finished, he sometimes went home with them, singing 
 hymns on the way. The Countess and her sisters were also 
 anxiously concerned for the nurturing of these tender plants of 
 grace amongst the girls. 
 
 From attachment to children, the Count published that year, 
 " ACollection of simple and precious Truths, in German Verse," 
 &c. for their use. 
 
 The Count was not inclined to have any thing to do with 
 the children of strangers, or to admit them into his seminaries. 
 He was afraid that dangerous consequences might result from 
 it ; since it easily happens, that when a number of diiferent 
 children thus come together, the one injures the other, and 
 communicates things which prove their bane. 
 
 Besides this, he wished to avoid all appearance of injuring 
 other institutions for the education of children, or being desirous 
 of doing so ; and, on the whole, he did not think he was called 
 to promote the cause of Christ by institutions of this nature. 
 
 These reasons induced him, the same year, to close, the 
 school for young noblemen, as mentioned above, and to con- 
 fine himself to the most indispensable institutions of the kind 
 for the community. 
 
 The Count was also very desirous of stirring up the gifts 
 possessed by the brethren and sisters in Herrnhut, and that 
 they might be employed, not only for mutual edification, but 
 for the general good. In an address delivered on the 2d 
 July, 1747, he says, " This day twenty years ago, whilst the 
 gospel was being preached at Bertholdsdorf, Herrnhut, and 
 dsewhere, to an incredible number of people, a gracious wind 
 from the Lord was felt, which was the commencement of an 
 uninterrupted work of the Holy Spirit in Herrnhut during the 
 remainder of the year. The visit of Mary to Elizabeth, which 
 is that day commemorated in the christian church, gave rise to 
 the idea of bands or societies : these were established through- 
 out the whole community, the following week, and have been 
 productive of such blessed effects, that I believe, without such 
 an institution, the church would never have become what it 
 now is.'' 
 
THE BANDS. 87 
 
 " The societies called bands, consist of a few individuals met 
 together in the name of Jesus, amongst whom Jesus is ; who 
 converse together in a particularly cordial and childlike man- 
 ner, on the whole state of their hearts, and conceal nothing 
 from each other, but who have wholly committed themselves 
 to each other's care in the Lord. Cordiality, secrecy, and 
 daily intercourse is of great service to such individuals, and 
 ought never to be neglected ; . but whenever slothfulnese 
 creeps in, the individuals ought to feel ashamed of it and 
 amend." 
 
 The Count, as superintendent of the church, and with the 
 consen t of his fellow-labourers, divided all the brethren and sisters, 
 according to their different states of mind, into these little 
 societies. In each of them, a brother or a sister, according to 
 their sex, was commissioned to take particular charge of the 
 rest: when they met, they either read something of an edifying 
 nature, sang, and prayed, or else conversed together : when 
 these societies required a change, it was undertaken as soon as 
 possible, after mature deliberation. But though the brethren 
 and sisters generally left their societies unwillingly, yet the 
 changes were particularly useful ; since the members of the 
 church became, in this manner, gradually acquainted with 
 and heartily united to each other. But if, at any time, no ad- 
 vantage appeared from these bands, they were for a time given 
 up, and after a while renewed with a visible blessing. Thus 
 there was not a single individual to whom an opportunity was 
 not afforded of usefully availing himself, both of the gifts and 
 grace which the Lord had imparted to others, as also of being 
 useful to others by the gift and grace vouchsafed to himself. 
 
 The Count took his departure on the 22d July, for Silesia, 
 chiefly to visit Baron Von Gersdorf. On his return on the 4th 
 August, the power of the Lord was obviously experienced by^ 
 the church, both at Herrnhut and Bertholdsdorf, and the^ 
 hearts of many were deeply affected. 
 
 The Count was now very solicitous to make the best use of this 
 season of refreshing, and carefully to prevent what might prove 
 detrimental. Although such an evident blessing was expe- 
 rienced in Herrnhut, yet thick clouds began to rise over the 
 church, and especially over the Count. Under these circum- 
 
88 OCCURRENCES AT HERRNHUT. 
 
 Stances, they were both unwilling and unable to depend upon 
 an arm of flesh. 
 
 This gave rise to what is termed the hourly prayer. At 
 first, twenty-four brethren and sisters bound themselves to 
 continue in unceasing prayer, from one midnight to another, 
 which was done by each in secret, and not in company with 
 each other. The number soon increased to seventy-seven, 
 exclusive of the awakened children, who also arranged some- 
 thing of a similar kind amongst themselves. Each of these 
 individuals devoted one hour in the day or night, as best 
 suited his convenience, to prayer before God, to filial converse 
 with him, and to intercession for the church of Christ collec- 
 tively, for the community, and, in the sequel, for all the chiirches 
 of the Brethren and their choirs ; for individuals, for the mis- 
 sionaries, the land in which they dwelt, the magistrates and 
 teachers, the whole of Christendom, and the human race in 
 general ', so that by means of this arrangement, silence was 
 kept neither day nor night before the Lord. 
 
 The Count took particular care, that the spiritual direction 
 of the brethren and sisters should be committed to persons of 
 their own sex: ^ith regard^to the .latterjjbaweyer, -they Jiad 
 no voice nor authority in the direction of the_congregation in 
 Herrnhut, which is not authoriM by_^cnptu|5|_jor_jn the 
 christian world. It had reference only to things in which 
 it might be dangerous for brethren immediately to interfere. 
 Those brethren who had to attend to the aifairs of the sisters, 
 and, on that account, were obliged to be in continual communi- 
 cation with the assistants above mentioned, were selected for 
 the purpose, after mature consideration, and acknowledged in 
 this capacity by the community. 
 
 The Count was one of these brethren from the beginning, 
 and remained so till his end. It was thought that this ofiice 
 suited him best, because the talent he possessed of giving good 
 spiritual advice in a variety of cases, was gratefully acknow- 
 ledged ; and the zeal he manifested against every thing that 
 was contrary to the mind of Christ, as well as the outward 
 respect which always distinguished him, prevented any per- 
 sonal attachment. 
 
 In this ofiice, he took for his rule the instructions of Paul 
 
SINGING-MEETINGS. — lOVE-FEASTS. 89 
 
 to Timothy, to treat the aged women as mothers, the younger 
 as sisters, and to e^ort theiSTwith air_gurMiess. Nor did he 
 associate with all, but only with those sisters who were com- 
 missioned by the church to take charge of their own sexi 
 
 After having filled this office for several years, he resigned 
 it for a time for certain reasons, which he stated to his fellow- 
 labourers. But after two or three years, he was requested to 
 undertake it anew; to which he consented, because he saw that 
 circumstances required it. 
 
 The Count, besides this, gave himself much trouble in regu- 
 lating the singing in the church, so as to render it acceptable 
 to God and edifying to man. For this purpose. Tie made use 
 of his secretary, Tobias Frederick, who was not only well 
 versed in music himself, but also possessed a peculiar talent of 
 teaching it to others. The singing-meetings, as they were 
 called, commenced on the fourth Sunday after Easter, called 
 in German, " Cantata," in which, first of all, whole hymns were 
 sung, and then single verses on various subjects, in an affecting 
 - manner. The Count was not only well acquainted with verses 
 from various hymns suitable for the subject, but was also able 
 to connect them in such a manner, that it might be called a 
 sermon in verse. These kind of meetings are still continued 
 amongst the brethren, and found profitable. 
 
 The differences and disputes which arose amongst the mem- 
 bers of the church, were settled by brethren appointed for that 
 purpose, who were afterwards called the church-tribunal ; but 
 those things which had reference to the police, were brought 
 before the magistrate at Bertholdsdorf. 
 
 In the year 1727, the Agapes or Ipye-feasts customary in the 
 primitive church, were revived in Herrnhut. Brotherly love, 
 incited by the love of Christ, was the sole origin of this. The 
 immediate and outward occasion of it, was the following cir- 
 cumstance. After the congregation had returned from receiving 
 the sacrament on the 13th of August, at Bertholdsdorf, seven 
 different little companies formed themselves, without preme- 
 ditation. In order that they might continue together the 
 more undisturbedly, the Count sent each of them some- 
 thing from his kitchen for dinner, which they ate together in 
 love. 
 
90 OFFICES AMONGST THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 These love-feasts were afterwards frequently repeated, and 
 are still observed ; but, as may easily be supposed, not altogether 
 for the sake of eating and drinking. On these occasions, they 
 either gratefully call to mind the divine benefits they have 
 received, singing and making melody in their hearts unto Him 
 who has turned their mourning into joy— or renew their cove- 
 nant with the Saviour. Love-feasts are also sometimes held 
 either before or after the reception of the sacrament, but ought 
 by no means to be confounded with the latter. 
 
 To the institutions of the Moravian church belong also 
 the administering of various offices and employments, which 
 have reference both to the inward and outward welfare of its 
 members. 
 
 For this purpose, certain talented brethren were appointed 
 as " assistants in doctrine," who, though they took no part in 
 the ministerial functions, testified with success of the grace of 
 God in Christ Jesus to the church. 
 
 Some persons, whose integrity and discernment might be 
 relied on, were chosen overseers. These were to have a watch- 
 ful eye over those of their own sex, in reference to the minutest 
 circumstances which might be productive of dangerous conse- 
 quences, in order timely to prevent every thing of a hurtful 
 nature. When they perceived any thing of the kind, they 
 were directed to notify it to other experienced, friendly, and 
 sensible persons, who were called monitors, and who seriously 
 and kindly admonished the individual. According to the 
 circumstances of the case, they transferred its further inves- 
 tigation to the elders of the church or the magistracy. 
 
 Certain brethren and sisters were also appointed to wait 
 upon the sick, in the various sections of the community. Per- 
 sons were chosen for this purpose, who had it in their power 
 to fill the office gratuitously. 
 
 The providing for the poor was committed to persons called 
 almoners. The object of the Count and his fellow-labourers 
 in this arrangement was, to assist those who, with all their 
 diligence and economy, were unable to provide for their own 
 maintenance. 
 
 He also appointed overseers of trades, whose office it was, 
 not only to provide every one, as far as it was practicable, with 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL RITES. 91 
 
 work, but also to take care that good work was delivered at a 
 moderate rate. 
 
 The baptisms of the children born in Herrnhut, as well as 
 the marriages and burials, were solemnized at Bertholdsdorf, 
 by the Rev. Mr. Rothe, according to the customary Lutheran 
 liturgy. But the Count did not fail, on such occasions, to 
 accompany them with scriptural exhortations, and faithful 
 admonitions. 
 
 When children were incorporated into the church of Christ 
 by the sacred rite of baptism, he impressed upon the parents 
 the duty of regarding their children as the property of Jesus, 
 by virtue of the baptismal covenant, and that they were bound 
 to bring them up for him. 
 
 Concerning marriage, he taught and testified both in the 
 church, and in the instructions he gave to newly-married 
 people, that to render it a holy state, it must be commenced 
 and carried on according te the gospel and the mind of Christ, 
 
 With respect to the termination of the present state of ex- 
 istence, he constantly maintained, with a firm conviction, that 
 children of God ought justly to regard it as a joyful going 
 home from a state of wretchedness ; and that such characters 
 could not view it in any other light. 
 
 With reference to outward support, he reflected how he might 
 best enable the poor inhabitants of Herrnhut to maintain them- 
 selves in an orderly and regular manner. His maxim was, 
 that the members of a church ought to labour, and that even 
 those who bore witness of the truth, and had to prove themselves 
 as the ministiers of God, even in hunger and nakedness, must 
 depend still less than others on the portion allotted to them, 
 but labour with their hands, that they might be burdensome 
 to none, and have wherewith to give to him that needed : and 
 he observes, that " to promote this object amongst members of 
 the church, of various occupations, in hard tin^s, exposed to 
 the world's hatred, and whilst continually employed in labour- 
 ing for their spiritual welfare, is one of the most important and 
 worthy sources of solicitude to the authorities, civil and reli ■ 
 gious, whom God has connected with his church. They sin 
 not in taking thought beforehand on these subjects ; but they 
 do sin if they neglect this duty." 
 
92 HOME-MISSIONS OF THE BRETHREN. , 
 
 He himself made it a matter of great concern, and reflected 
 upon a variety of means how to procure work for the brethren ; 
 and the Lord graciously assisted them in their great poverty, 
 and the hardships they endured. * 
 
 About this time commenced the home-missions of the bre- 
 thren, the sole object of which was, to accomplish something for 
 the Saviour. Four such missions were undertaken in 1727 — 
 to Vogtland, Hungary, Saalfeld, and Denmark. Before the 
 brethren departed, they were commended to the prayers of the 
 church, and verses of benediction were sung on their taking 
 leave. On their return, opportunity was afibrded them of 
 relating to the church, what the Lord had accomplished by 
 their means. On this, thanksgiving and praise were rendered 
 to him, and the persons, countriesi, and places where the bre- 
 thren had been, were made the subjects of particular prayer. 
 
 The first mission was that of the two brethren, John and 
 David Nitschman, to Prince Charles, the brother of Frederick 
 IV. king of Denmark. 
 
 Whilst the Count was in Dresden, and these brethren were 
 on the point of commencing their journey, his consort was 
 delivered, on the 19th of September, of a son. On being 
 informed of this the following day, he besought the prince, 
 in a letter with which he entrusted these brethren, to become 
 sponsor to his child. After his return from Dresden, the latter 
 was baptized by the name of Christian Renatus. His prayer 
 on this occasion was, that God would either devote this child 
 entirely to his service, or soon remove him from the world. 
 
 On the 1st of November, the Count received a letter from 
 the hereditary prince of Saxe-Saalfeld, in which he urgently 
 invited him to visit him. Although the former hesitated 
 much to leave Herrnhut at a time when, so to speak, the iron 
 was in the fire, yet he had also many inducements to undertake 
 the journey. J[n order to decide the point, he had recourse to 
 casting lots, which resulted in his acceding to the wishes of 
 the prince. 
 
 With respect to this circumstance, I wish to remark that the 
 Count, in dubious cases, very often used the lot, when the 
 clear letter of Scripture, which had always the pre-eminence 
 with him, did not afford suflicient light; and he did so, 
 
JOTTRKEY TO JENA AND SAALPELD. 93 
 
 because he had solemnly promised the Saviour, not to live to 
 himself, but unto Him ; and not to do his own will, but his. 
 He did not, however, make use of it in a doubtful manner, but 
 with a heartfelt Confidence, that his Lord would in this way 
 make known to him what he wished him to do or leave undone. 
 
 He commenced his journey on the 12th of November. In 
 Jena, where he arrived on the 17th, he became acquainted 
 with Buddeus, and several other awakened teachers and stu- 
 dents, who had been for some time united, and held their 
 private meetings in Buddeus's house. At their request, he 
 gave them a short address, at which I was also present ; and 
 we gave him our hands, with the assurance that we would 
 follow Jesus. 
 
 He had many opportunities of speaking of that of which his 
 heart was full, in Rudelstadt, not only with the illustrious 
 individuals there, who gave him a kind reception, but also with 
 some awakened inhabitants of the town. Amongst others, he 
 also became acquainted there with Baron Wolf Von Metternich, 
 with whom he had already corresponded. 
 
 At his first arrival in Saalfeld, he did not remain there long, 
 for the hereditary prince was still at Coburg. He therefore 
 only paid a few visits, wrote to the hereditary prince, and pro- 
 ceeded to Baireuth ; but the Margrave being absent on the 
 day of his arrival, he visited M. SUchmiiller, chaplain to the 
 court. The next day he was sent for to the court, and after 
 dinner, the Margrave conversed with him for several hours. 
 
 On the 25th of November he reached Coburg, which gave 
 great pleasure to the hereditary prince, who had occasioned 
 the journey. His object in it was to avail himself of the 
 Count's advice on various points, and even to make use of 
 him in government afiairs. He induced him to draw up a 
 plan of government, and it is probable that the " Extract of a 
 Plan of Government for certain German Princes," which con- 
 stitutes the first piece in his printed " Theological Reflections," 
 derived its origin from this project. 
 
 On the 27th, the prince departed for Saalfeld, and took the 
 Count with him in the carriage alone, that he might speak with 
 him the more freely, not only upon several subjects of a tem- 
 poral nature, but also on christian experience. The company 
 
94 PROFESSOB ERANKi's DECEASE. 
 
 cheered themselves in Graefenthal with singing hymns in the 
 church, which the hereditary prince accompanied on the organ. 
 In Saalfeld, the Count gave several addresses at the palace, at 
 the desire of the prince, on the virtues of " Him, w^ho hath 
 called us out of darkness into his marvellous light," and of the 
 blessedness he has purchased for us. He also caused a ser- 
 mon of Mr. Rothe's, " On false Supports," to be printed there. 
 The prince'^ consort, who lay iU at the time, also expressly 
 requested a visit from the Count. 
 
 He afterwards returned to Rudelstadt, to visit a sister of 
 Duke Christian's, who was likewise ill. She made him very 
 welcome, and though extremely weak, was much pleased with 
 his conversation and his prayer. On the 2d of December, a 
 parting hymn was sung, which he had made for the occasion ; 
 after which he again repaired to Saalfeld, and after a fatiguing- 
 joumey, reached Herrnhut on the 13th of December, by way 
 of Dresden. 
 
 Before closing the narrative of events in 1727, I must men- 
 tion a poem which he made on the decease of Professor Franke. 
 This great Evangelist, whose labours for the cause of Christ 
 were so blessed to all the world, notwithstanding the oppo- 
 sition he experienced, entered into his rest in the month of 
 June. His dissolution was notified to the Count, by his wddow, 
 and he was most deeply aifected by it.* From these feelings 
 emanated his incomparable poem upon him, which may be 
 found in the coEection of his German poems. He that is 
 acquainted with the particulars of his life, and the Lord's 
 gracious guidance which he experienced both inwardly and 
 outwardly, will be astonished at finding every thing compressed 
 in this poem in few words. 
 
 With respect to the Count's inward state during that year, 
 I will only remark, that he maintained a filial and confidential 
 intercourse with the Lord Jesus, the object of his affections, 
 who was so gracious to him, that he sometimes sent an imme- 
 diate answer, when he made his requests known to him in 
 prayer, of which he adduces several instances in his journal. 
 
 He was, as we have already observed, a bold professor of 
 
 • See Franks' s Life by Gnxencke.—Seeley 8; Co. 
 
MEETINGS AND WATCH-WORDS. 95 
 
 Jesus Christ, before persons of all ranks. On these occasions 
 
 , he was wont at that time to be very prolix, and often spoke for 
 
 hours together, in the idea that every thing ought to be proved. 
 
 Respecting his occasionally harsh and striking. expressioHi^l 
 particularly in his " Theological Reflections," about this time, \ 
 he says himself, " I am not satisfied with myself for having j 
 used language which was too strong, and for having sometimes [ 
 acted with too httle moderation. I had then a head like/ 
 Mordecai's ; but since I have been in the ministry, my neck; 
 is become more flexible." — '^ 
 
 The first half of the year 1728 he spent chiefly at Herrnhut, 
 greatly occupied with his labours. About this time he began 
 to speak upon a passage of Scripture, or a verse of a hymn, in 
 the singing-meetings, which were held every evening, and this 
 gave occasion to the daily " watch-wordsj^" for when the sing- 
 ing^eetlMg-wasTDTeifi he gave ffieTex^or verse of a hymn, 
 on which he had spoken, to the brethren and sisters as a watch- 
 word for the following day. He made the commencement on 
 the 3d of May, and gave the following verse as a watchword : — 
 
 " 'Twas love that urged him from above ; 
 
 'Twas love that forced him from his throne. 
 Then let me give him love for love, 
 And once more yield him up his own." 
 
 This year also the fast and thanksgiving-days were instituted. 
 On these occasions the Scriptures were read, accompanied by 
 exposition and singing ; then followed accounts respecting the 
 extension of Christ's kingdom, as well as letters from various 
 of the brethren to the church. The solemnities were con- 
 cluded by prayer, during which all present knelt down. 
 
 The first fast and thanksgiving-day was held on the 10th of 
 February. Amongst other things, distant countries were 
 spoken of, namely, Turkey, Ethiopia, Greenland, Lapland, &c. 
 When it was regarded as impossible that these countries 
 should ever be visited, the Count stated, that he believed the 
 Lord was able and willing to afford the brethren grace and 
 strength for that purpose. On the 20th of April, which was 
 the second fast and thanksgiving-day, a " short account of the 
 Waldensian, Bohemian, and Moravian brethren " was read, as 
 
96 CONDUCT TOWARDS OPPONENTS. 
 
 well as journeys to Halle, Stockholm, England, &c. deliberated' 
 and decided upon. 
 
 He frequently held conferences with the elders, teachers, 
 overseers, monitors, almoners, assistants, and those that waited 
 on the sick, and practically instructed them in the fundamental 
 ideas on which a community is based, and to which every one 
 ought to pay attention in the administration of his office. 
 
 A numbjer of young men removed, on the 12th of Febru- 
 ary, into a house of their own, and regulated it according to 
 the rules of their choir. To these he gave lessons in writing, 
 instructed them likewise in the principles of geography, and 
 also gave them an idea of the history of the kingdom of Christ. 
 
 In his addresses to the single men, he explained his senti- 
 ments with respect to their particular circumstances. He did 
 the same in his homiletical addresses to the young women ; and 
 took care that their little societies should be wisely regulated, 
 and provided with faithful overseers of their own sex. The 
 latter assembled also occasionally in the apartments of the 
 C!ountess, to speak with her respecting their labours. 
 
 He was particularly interested for newly married people. 
 He took pains to lay aside the vain usages at weddings, and 
 save them the needful instruction from Scripture, how they 
 ought to preserve themselves free from pollution in spirit, soul, 
 and body. He likewise paid attention to the operation of the 
 Spirit on the hearts of the children, and faithfully sought to 
 promote it as much as possible. 
 
 He had also the pleasure to see, that at this period a real 
 and heartfelt desire manifested itself, both in young and old, 
 to become vitally acquainted with the Saviour, and be made 
 partakers of his grace. 
 
 But with all the success that attended his labours, he occa- 
 sionally met with opposition ; yet he very wisely distinguished 
 between those who attacked him personally, and such as op- 
 posed the purity and truth as it is in Jesus. The former he 
 regarded as a matter of minor importance, when the individualj. 
 at the same time, participated in the blessing bestowed upon 
 the congregation in general. But if any one sought merely 
 carnal liberty, and not only acted himself in opposition to the 
 regulations of the church, but also seduced others and gained 
 
DOMESTIC AREANGEMENTS, 97 
 
 adherents, he resisted such conduct, — not with the civil power, 
 but in the power of the Spirit. He endeavoured carefully to 
 avoid all strife and disputes, according to the words of the 
 Apostle, 1 Cor. xi. 16. 
 
 This new phenomenon of the Moravian church excited in- 
 creasing attention, and produced, in many, a desire to bqcome 
 thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the thing. This 
 occasioned not only much correspondence, but also frequent 
 journeys of the brethren. They likewise received many visits, 
 from intelligent and sincere lovers of the truth, who, not con- 
 tent virith uncertain reports, followed the counsel of Jesus, when 
 he said, " Come and see ! " 
 
 The Count was not only at all times solicitous that strangers 
 should be treated with due decorum, but that they should also 
 obtain thorough information respecting the real state of things-; 
 and he frequently acted, himself, as an incomparable attendant 
 upon them. 
 
 His consort, who was also his faithful helpmate in the work 
 which the Lord had assigned him, undertook, this year, the 
 ofiice of matron, to the benefit of many of the brethren and 
 sisters who served the community. From this time her house 
 became the abode of many of the Saviour's servants, and a 
 resting-place for pilgrims. The Lord added his blessing ; 
 so that what was most needful could be provided. 
 
 According to outward appearance, her house was like any 
 other little court, provided with attendants of both sexes, for 
 every species of employment ; but he who considered it atten- 
 tively, soon found that the whole had reference to the Saviour's 
 cause. For she took many of the brethren and sisters into her 
 service because they were employed in the church ; although 
 there were others, also, who had a family, and carried on their 
 business, yet, at the same time, ministered to the church, and 
 ate their own bread. 
 
 The Count, moreover, paid attention to the observance of 
 good order amongst his domestics. He appointed Tobias 
 Frederick his major-domo ; and drew up a series of domestic 
 regulations, which were read to them all. He writes respecting 
 this : — " I gave them, besides, a short address upon the words, 
 ' One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in 
 
98 BERTHOLDSDORF FOLLOWS THE EXAMPLE OF HERRNHUT. 
 
 subjection with all gravity ;' and observed that from that tin^e 
 cordial affection and unanimity prevailed amongst them." 
 
 The Count, also, this year, laid out his garden in Herrnhut, 
 with the intention of affording work to the poor when unable 
 to earn any thing. 
 
 /<A.bout this time, a new excitement and revival were ex- 
 ■^erienced amongst awakened individuals in Bertholdsdorf. 
 Mr. Rothe felt induced to explain himself, in a brotherly 
 manner, to the church at Herrnhut, which had felt some un- 
 pleasantness respecting certain things that had occurred, and 
 to ask forgiveness for his error. The answer of the church 
 signed by all its members, was so cordial and affecting, that 
 Mr. Rothe came to Herrnhut, and renewed with the church 
 the covenant of peace and love, to the joy of all the brethren 
 and sisters, who blessed and praised God on account of it. 
 
 On this, he assembled the awakened individuals in Ber- 
 tholdsdorf, whose number was considerable, with the intention 
 of forming a brotherly union amongst them, according to the 
 example of the church at Herrnhut. The Count was present 
 on the occasion, and rejoiced at the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, which powerfully manifested itself; but suffered Mr. 
 Rothe, according to the arrangement made with him, to act 
 according to his own views and convictions. 
 
 When the latter saw that his people were desirous of thus 
 cordially uniting, he read the statutes and regulations to them, 
 to the observance of which the brethren and sisters in Herrn- 
 hut had bound themselves on the same day the preceding 
 year. After clearly explaining the matter, and mature dehbera- 
 tion, for which several days were required, these worthy people 
 unanimously declared, that they would, individually and col- 
 lectively, subscribe to them ; which was accordingly done. 
 
 The desire of several pious persons in England to receive 
 more copious intelligence respecting the manifestation of Divine 
 grace in the church at Herrnhut, which had been made known 
 to them by letter, caused the Count to propose a mission 
 thither. After he had deliberated upon it in the elder's con- 
 ference, he proposed it to the whole church ; and, with its ap- 
 probation, the brethren, David Nitschman, afterwards bishop 
 of the Moravian church, John Toeltschig, and Wentzel Neisser, 
 
MISSION OF THE BRETHREN TO JENA. 99 
 
 the elder, were appointed for that purpose, and] dispatched. 
 They travelled by way of Jena, with letters of recommendation 
 from the Count to Buddeus, and some of the teachers and stu- 
 dents with whom he had become acquainted the previous year. 
 I was myself in Jena at that time, and it caused us great de- 
 light to receive and entertain these brethren. They had various 
 important documents with them, relative to the later history 
 of the Moravian church ; which some of us, at their request, 
 translated into Latin, during the period of their abode in Jena ; 
 and Dr. Buddeus recommended them, in a letter, to the Rev. 
 Mr. Ziegenhagen, chaplain to his Britannic Majesty. 
 
 A mission of the brethren was also undertaken to the vene- 
 rable Doctor and Professor Buddeus, in Jena, above mentioned. 
 The elders of the church at Herrnhut wrote to him on the 
 14th April, 1Y28, to the following effect :— " That they had 
 heard from their superintendent, that twenty-six years ago he 
 had published John Amos Commenius's History of the Bohe- 
 mian Brethren ; and, in a public discourse, had mightily re- 
 proved the world on account of the decayed state of church 
 discipline, whilst he had borne testimony to the godly fore- 
 fathers of the brethren, as having afforded a model of a true 
 christian church. They therefore besought him to edite the 
 history above mentioned, in the German language, together 
 with its appendixes, and present it to the church in Herrnhut ^ 
 at the same time they added a statement of their present con- 
 stitution." 
 
 He received this letter, and the brethren who were the 
 bearers of it, very kindly ; and, in his reply, stated that he 
 would, with the greatest pleasure, fulfil their request respecting 
 the History of the Bohemian Brethren. He commenced the 
 work, but, for certain reasons, it was never completed. 
 
 By letters, received from Jena, the Count was assured that 
 a great blessing had rested upon the addresses he had delivered 
 there the previous year, both as regarded all who heard them, 
 as well as those to whom some part of them had been reca- 
 pitulated. This occasioned several letters on both sides ; and 
 the students of Jena having expressly invited the Count to 
 repeat his visit to them, a journey thither was finally resolved 
 upon. 
 
 F 2 
 
100 SECOND JOURNEY TO JENA. 
 
 I know, from my own experience, that the grace of God 
 operated powerfully amongst us at that time ; and some of us 
 attained, by faith in Jesus Christ, to the delightful enjoyment 
 of the blessings which he has purchased for us by his merits, 
 sufferings, and death. But the major part, by the preaching 
 of the law, which was inculcated more than the gospel, of 
 Christ, feared God rather than loved him. We were admo- 
 nished, with great seriousness, to repent, and be grieved and 
 mourn on account of our sins. We were taught that every 
 one ought to feel as a malefactor when led to the place of exe- 
 cution. This was good in its degree ; but caused those to lead 
 a mournful and painful life who did not understand that grace 
 and forgiveness of sins is to be found alone in the sacrifice of 
 Jesus. At the same time, the difficulties and conscientious 
 scruples which are wont to occur in the ministerial ofHc^, 
 were faithfully pointed out to us : but we were ignorant how 
 to preserve our consciences unspotted under such circum- 
 stances. 
 
 It was in this state that the Count found us, on his arrival 
 at Jena, with his consort and children, in the month of July. 
 Although, at that time, he did not possess the clear insight 
 into the gospel of Jesus which he afterwards enjoyed, yet we 
 saw his zeal for the Lord : his words were blessed to us, and 
 his conversation was edifying. 
 
 He lodged outside the gates, in a summer residence which 
 he had hired. We, as well as those that were awakened 
 amongst the townspeople, received permission to attend his 
 family devotions, after requesting liberty to do so. The bro- 
 therly union and fellowship which we observed in his servants, 
 all of whom, with one exception, were brethren and sisters, 
 excited a desire for a similar connexion amongst ourselves. 
 
 If we had gone simply and artlessly to work, nearly a hun- 
 dred students, who were already in some degree united together, 
 might have devised and accomplished many good regulations 
 amongst themselves ; such as assisting the poor, attending the 
 sick, avoiding offence, preventing errors and mistakes, and 
 exercising themselves in a godly life. 
 
 But the idea occurred to us of endeavouring to attain our 
 object, under the form of a Collegii pastoralis practicif the 
 
ITS RESULTS. 10 1 
 
 superintendence of which was oiFered to Dr. Buddeus, aftef 
 the Count had considered the matter with him, and he had 
 approved of it. But the aifaiir came to nothing, Buddeus 
 was unable to undertake the management of it, objections 
 were made to it, and all representations against them proving 
 fruitless, the project was abandoned. 
 
 When the Count heard of it, he wrote a letter on the 
 occasion to the members of the Collegii pastoralis practici, 
 encouraging them to commence the fraternal union, in the 
 name of Jesus, without human protection and authority. And 
 even should the number be reduced down to a few, yet they 
 ought to consider themselves as a salt that was left, and an 
 example to and first-fruits of the German universities, fully 
 assured that the Divine blessing would rest upon them. 
 , The opinions in Jenaj at that time, respecting the Count 
 were very various and contradictory. Some were unable 
 sufiiciently to extol him, whilst others entirely rejected him. 
 It was even apprehended that some evil might befall him from 
 some of the Jena students ; but as soon as he appeared amongst 
 them, they could not forbear treating him with respect. Once, 
 when Mr. Winckler, who had written a dissertation upon the 
 eighteenth chapter of Isaiah, respecting the future conversion 
 of Ethiopia, consented to be publicly opposed by the Count, 
 and an uncommonly numerous assembly of students were pre- 
 sent ; they listened with great attention, and testified great 
 esteem for him. At the close, he gave them an impressive 
 address, which was well received by them ; and it was after- 
 wards asserted to have been useful and blessed to several. 
 
 He had much intercourse with the professors of divinity^ 
 two of whom lived in a state of disunion, in consequence of a 
 misunderstanding. He endeavoured to bring about a recon- 
 ciliation, and had the pleasure to see that his efforts were not 
 entirely fruitless. He had also confidential intercourse with 
 the reigning prince, the Duke of Saxe-Eisenach, who was at 
 that time in Jena. This prince having sent an intimation to 
 the Count respecting the prayer-meetings he held, he after- 
 wards assured the latter, that he had no doubt that every 
 thing which took place on these occasions was good and 
 edifying; and that he only desired him to be careful that 
 
102 ITS RESULTS. 
 
 the meetings did not become too numerous, and thus excite 
 a sensation. 
 
 , Several individuals, who had hitherto lived as Separatists, 
 attended, after this time, church and sacrament. One of them, 
 who had disapproved of infant baptism, had his child baptized, 
 and requested the Count to stand sponsor, to which the latter 
 willingly consented. 
 
 He made several little excursions whilst at Jena. He had 
 been invited by General Von Wutgenau to visit Duke Ernest 
 Augustus at Weimar, to whom he had previously paid his re- 
 spects in Jena. The Duke received him with much pleasure, 
 and had a confidential conversation with him on certain alfairs 
 of government, probably in the intention of drawing him iftto 
 his service : but the Count showed him clearly, both verbally 
 and in writing, the way in which a ruler might make his 
 subjects happy.. 
 
 During this visit, and when he repeated it in September, he 
 formed a cordial acquaintance with awakened individuals, both 
 at court and in the town, which was not without a blessing. 
 He was at Gera, just at, the time when the Crown Prince 
 of Denmark arrived with his consort. They, as well as the 
 Margravine, the Princess's mother, conversed with the Count' 
 on that of which his heart was full,— Christ and his kingdom. 
 They expressed, at the same time, most warmly, how much 
 they loved and esteemed the brethren, with some of whom 
 they had become acquainted. 
 
 On his journey to Hirschberg, he found in Cotzau the 
 widow of the Margrave Albert of Brandenburg-Culmbach, 
 with her eldest prince, and rejoiced at the grace which mani- 
 fested itself in them. 
 
 In Hirschberg he had the happiness of meeting Count Reuss 
 and his consort, and the latter renewed her determination to 
 devote herself entirely to Him, who had bought her with his 
 blood. 
 
 From Coburg he wrote to the Countess, that he had been 
 heartily refreshed in the company of individuals there who 
 loved our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Whilst in Jena, he received intelligence by a messenger 
 From Herrnhut, that all the good regulations introduced there 
 
DISTURBANCES AT HERRNHUT. 1Q3 
 
 were in danger of being overthrown. Certainjndrviduals, 
 amongst whftm was^flifr Jiev.- ^r. Rothe , sought to persuade 
 the _ brethren,^ ia .ihe_absfinca.^_tiie_C^ng[3al5Se-jip. jthe 
 name of Bohemian and Moravian brethren, and call themselves 
 JLiilJieranat. They would Wufnof only escape the persecu- 
 tions which would otherwise unavoidably await them, but 
 would also gain imiversal esteem, and be the cause of doing 
 much good. By representations of this nature, they brought 
 over some of the brethren, and especially Christian David, to 
 their side ; and their address to the church on the subject was 
 well received. There were, however, others who saw further, 
 and seriously opposed the measure. 
 
 The Count was much perplexed at this news : he foresaw 
 that by this means a great part of the M oravian "BretEreh 
 wo uld be i n3nce-d- to "detacliTEemselyes e0ir^~Woia "the 
 Luthgran church. But his chief concern was, lest ^leTre- 
 thren should, in this manner, lose their liberty as a church of 
 Christ, for which their forefathers had hazarded their property 
 and their lives. Besides this, he believed, that if the brethren 
 called themselves Lutherans, and renounced the name of Bre- 
 thren, with the intention of escaping suffering, they would by 
 no means act as became a church of Christ. 
 
 After mature deliberation with the brethren whom he had 
 about him, a protestation was drawn up, for the present and 
 the future, against all such like proceedings, and signed by 
 David Nitschman, George Boehnisch, and Matthew Miksch. 
 The day following, he forwarded to Herrnhut a serious protest 
 against all innovations in the affairs of the Moravian brethren, 
 under his own hand and seal. 
 
 The position of the church in Herrnhut, at that time, which 
 the Count, in his candid manner, neither sought to conceal 
 nor palliate, occasioned me, and the rest of the brethren in 
 Jena, to write an affecting letter to the church, in which we 
 admonished them, in a friendly manner, not to suffer them- 
 selves to be carried away from the ancient fraternity and 
 simplicity. The letter was signed by upwards of a hundred" 
 teachers and students at Jena, and presented to the Count. 
 
 Towards the end of September, he travelled to Halle, in. 
 compliance with the pressing invitation of his friends there. 
 
IVt A PARTY IS FORMED AGAINST HIM. 
 
 Above a hundred awakened students, who stood in heartfelt 
 connexion with their similarly-minded brethren in Jena, had 
 received intelligence of the intimate bond of love which had 
 been formed amongst them. Being very desirous themselves 
 of a closer union with each other, they requested the Count 
 to establish a regulation similar to that in Jena. He hesitated,, 
 however, to enter into the matter with them, and pointed out 
 the reason, of his scruples in his answer to their letter. 
 
 However, he received many visits both from the teachers 
 and students, and had frequent opportunities of preaching 
 godliness in Christ Jesus, . In the high-school, he spoke from? 
 the words, " I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
 earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and pru- 
 dent, and hast revealed them unto babes." 
 /Many things resulted from the Count's visit to Jena and 
 Halle, which, in the sequel, were brought against him. He 
 had entered into controversial discourse with several persons, 
 who maintained their individual systems of divinity, in which 
 he sometimes adduced positions which seemed strange to 
 them. Hence a dispute arose ; but he defended his positions; 
 with arguments, against which they often found little to say. 
 This vexed many of them, so that they began to believe that^ 
 with the good he possessed, he held also many erroneous 
 opinions. This was afterwards spread abroad, both by word 
 and writing, and, as usual, magnified by report. 
 
 Besides this, when doctrinal points were spoken of into 
 which he had no clear insight, he was wont, in his free manner, 
 openly to declare Jiis want of conviction respecting them. 
 Now, though he did not mean to say he denied them, yet it 
 was so construed by different individuals ; and however often 
 He subsequently expressed his true sentiments, yet it was 
 different to bring such persons to think otherwise. He also 
 occasionally brought forward positions like those above men-i 
 tioned, for the purpose of discovering how much stability they 
 possessed in their divinity. But because they did not take 
 it thus, such like conversations produced no good effect. 
 
 T must however mention, that he did not speak in this 
 manner with all the learned ; for with those who sincerely 
 sought nothing else than how they might please the Saviour, 
 
A PARTY IS FORMED AGAINST HIM. 105 
 
 he never entered upon such topics, especially when he per- 
 ceived that they were troubled on account of their sins, and 
 hungered after the grace of God in Christ. 
 
 From this time, a party was formed against the Count, 
 which was at one time stronger, and at another weaker, 
 but never ceased until his end. Those who either really 
 loved the Saviour, or wished it to be thought they did, or 
 were desirous of doing so, were divided in their views con- 
 cerning the Count. Some regarded him as a faithful servant 
 of the Lord, and loved him cordially ; but others conceived a 
 great mistrust of him ; and it was these latter who formed 
 the party against him. Besides their mistrust of him, they 
 were also afraid of his projects. They inferred from the 
 regulations he had made amongst the awakened students and 
 townspeople in Jena, as well as from his discourses, that he 
 intended to introduce similar things amongst the awakened 
 in other places ; and this appeared suspicious to them. 
 
 I cannot, however, deny that the Count really believed that 
 awakened individuals ought not to rest satisfied with holding 
 private meetings, and exercising themselves in praying, read- 
 ing, singing, and speaking, which was at that time pretty 
 customary. He held, according to Scripture, that the various 
 gifts which God graciously imparts to believers, by the Holy 
 Spirit, ought to be better ascertained and employed, and 
 hoped that the church of Christ would be thereby increasingly 
 edified. Seeing also how the Lord had blessed such insti- 
 tutions at Herrnhut, he could not avoid speaking of them to 
 others : at the same time he always premised, that the regulations 
 for every place should be made according to circumstances^ 
 and not be formed without distinction upon the model of those 
 in other places. 
 
 Amongst other reasons, why many pious people were op- 
 posed to the Count, was, in particular, the great earnestness 
 and zeal he manifested in the Saviour's cause. This was 
 regarded as unwise, and as drawing down many sufferings 
 which might probably be avoided by going cautiously to work. 
 Whilst he regarded much that is usually called wisdom, as 
 nothing else than the fear of man, and escaping the cross, 
 qnd believed that it was better boldly to profess the truth 
 
 F 3 
 
106 RETURN TO HERRNHUT. 
 
 and suffer for it.; and because he did not keep this opinion to 
 himself, but occasionally expressed it freely — the repugnance 
 of those that were opposed to him increased. 
 /The antipathy of this party to him was that which troubled 
 'nim the most, even till his end. He gradually became so 
 strange to them, that they at length quite mistook him. 
 They eagerly listened to the statements of people, who had 
 either abandoned the Moravian church, or were otherwise 
 disinclined towards the brethren ; since they already cherished 
 suspicion, mistrust, and fear of the Count. For the same 
 reason, the good they heard of him was suspected by them and 
 scarcely credited. Hence arose a chain of opponents, who, 
 though not united in hear!7agfee31n assailing the Count. The 
 difference amongst them consisted only in this, that some 
 were opposed to him openly, others in secret ; some more, 
 and others less : nor did they all act from the same motives. 
 
 The Count, whilst feeling it difficult to bear with the conduct 
 of the opposite party, was not always satisfied with that of those 
 who were for him : for when the latter heard the sentiments 
 expressed against the Count by the former, some of them 
 grew warm, and could not comprehend how people could act 
 in such a manner, who boasted of the Saviour and his grace. 
 Hence arose many things which ought to have been otherwise. 
 
 On the 27th of September the Count left Halle, and returned 
 to Herrnhut, where he arrived on the 12th of October. The 
 divisions which had arisen there in his absence, rendered his 
 meeting the church an unpleasant affair. He acted on the 
 reserve, and visited the brethren less frequently than usual. 
 He behaved kindly towards Mr. Rothe, and those who had 
 caused the disturbance. For a time, he did not speak in the 
 meetings, which, however, he regularly attended. After some 
 days were over, he spoke fully with the elders respecting the 
 melancholy occurrences. On its appearing that Christian 
 David had taken a prominent part in it, he was dismissed from 
 his eldership in peace and love. He subsequently sincerely 
 and penitentially confessed his fault. 
 
 The Count afterwards gave a brief narrative of the remark- 
 able events of his journey, at a church-meeting, and delivered a 
 cordial address, which penetrated to the hearts of his hearers. 
 
AMENDED STATUTES. 107 
 
 At length, on the 17th of October, the matter reached its 
 desired termination. The Count preached very impressively, 
 from Gal. v. 9, 10 : "A little leaven leaveneth the whole 
 lump, I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye 
 win be none otherwise minded : but he that troubleth you 
 shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be." The con- 
 sequence was, that the party who had bound themselves to 
 lay aside the name -of Brethren, began to- see the prejudice 
 and danger which would arise from it to the brethren. 
 
 On this, the Count devoted himself still more faithfully to 
 the church at Herrnhut. In a conference with the elders, 
 it was found requisite to choose four other brethren in the 
 place of the four who had hitherto filled that office. After 
 this was done, the Count deliberated with them and the 
 overseers and monitors concerning the statutes of the 
 church ; the whole of those hitherto in force were discussed 
 and approved of, after which, all the offices were suitably 
 filled. 
 
 Scruples had arisen respecting the statutes first agreed to. 
 It was pretended and asserted in other parts, that the brethren 
 had accepted them as a confession of their own, and had thus 
 laid the foundation for a new religious edifice. In order to 
 oppose this unfounded idea, and avoid all appearance of dan- 
 gerous innovations, the Count comprehended the substance of 
 the ancient statutes in short precepts, which were nothing else 
 than manorial commands and prohibitions. 
 
 These renewed statutes were completed on the 6th of Nov., 
 when, after a short and impressive address from the Count, 
 they were read over, so as to form a series of questions, which 
 were put to the assembly. At length, after the whole had 
 been agreed to, it was decided not to require the signatures 
 of the brethren, but to consider all who dwelt in Herrnhut as 
 under the jurisdiction of the statutes. 
 
 From these new statutes, I will only make the following 
 extracts, which may serve as an answer to certain accusations 
 whichhave been brought against the Count by his opponents : — 
 
 " Herrnhut is for ever declared free from all soccage and 
 vassalage, with all its inhabitants ; and should any succeeding 
 lords of the manor wish to compel them to it, they are not 
 
108 EXTRACTS FROM THE STATUTES. 
 
 bound to obey, noi* can they ever be obliged to' it by oath, 
 kindness, or severity. 
 
 " Every inhabitant of Herrnhut shall profes^timself subject 
 to the civil authorities, and that such are ordained of God. 
 
 " Every inhabitant shall vcork, and eat his own bread ; but 
 he that is unable to do so from age, sickness, or inability, shall 
 be supported by the community. 
 
 " No dispute shall last longer than a week, nor shall any 
 complaint be lodged (which must be done within the week) 
 until kindness has been employed in vain. The affair must 
 then be brought before the elders, arid be settled by them ; 
 So that on the same day the plaintiff and defendant shall be 
 separated, and the affair terminated at the cost of him who is 
 proved to be in the wrong. 
 
 " No meetings are permitted to be held without light. 
 
 " The church at Herrnhut is satisfied with the whole liturgy 
 in use at Bertholdsdorf, at the time when these regulations 
 were formed — inasmuch as it regards the Moravian and Bohe- 
 mian brethren — and thus clearly testify, that they do not seek 
 ' to be sectarians, separatists, or such people as place their reli- 
 gion in outward and indifferent observances. They retain, 
 however, their liberty of conscience, inward connexion with 
 each other, and all that the church of the brethren in Moravia 
 and Bohemia has always retained; yet so, that all who are 
 desirous of relinquishing the point, are perfectly at liberty to 
 do so. 
 
 " In all that remains to be regulated amongst us, love and 
 simplicity are to be observed." 
 
 Besides the brotherly love which the Count felt towards every 
 individual member of the church, he was particularly united to 
 his immediate fellow-labourers. He was very anxious, not only 
 to preserve this bond of love with them inviolate, but also to 
 increase its cordiality : hence, after all the meetings were over 
 on the Sunday, which was seldom before ten o'clock, and often 
 later, he generally requested them to stay, and held a love-feast 
 with them. They then returned thanks to the Saviour with 
 feelings of humility and affected hearts, whilst singing a few 
 suitable verses, and renewed their covenant to be faithful to 
 the Savioar and to each other : after which they gave each other 
 
EFFORTS IN FAVOUR OF LUTHERAN PREACHERS. 1^09 
 
 their hands, with the kiss of love ; and the sisters did the 
 same amongst themselves. If any of them required to be 
 admonished, they were not admitted to this love-feast, until 
 every thing was settled* If a misunderstanding existed amongst 
 the brethren or. sisters, they did not rest until the matter was 
 cleared up ; for they did not wish to appear before the Saviour 
 from habit, but in sincerity and truth, and as one heart and 
 soul : and it was then experienced, that the Saviour took 
 pleasure in this little societyj and that he was really in their 
 midst. 
 
 About this time, the Count was much concerned respecting 
 certain individuals who were persecuted on account of the truth 
 of the gospel. Grievous complaints had been made at the 
 Imperial Court against three Lutheran clergjonen, who, because 
 they faithfully sought the salvation of the souls intrusted to 
 their care, were called Pietists, according to the evil prac-» 
 tice of those times. The books which were written against the 
 Pietists were resorted to;. and the errors, irregularities, and 
 other improper things, of which the Pietists were accused in 
 them, were also laid to the charge of these worthy and godly 
 men. Other things were added, which were brought against 
 feach in particular, in consequence of which, one of them was 
 exiled, another much oppressed, and a third cast into prison^ 
 
 This very much grieved the Count, and because he was 
 fearful of worse consequences, he wrote to Father Toenne- 
 man, the Emperor's confessor, and boldly professed himself as 
 belonging to these individuals, who were sincere and pious 
 preachers, according to the Augsburg confession. The Con- 
 fessor promised in his reply, that he would do every thing 
 which would contribute most to the preservation of the good 
 understanding between those of the Catholic religion and the 
 Augsburg confession, but requested the speeiem facti with 
 respect to one of the clergymen. On this the Count wrote, not 
 only to Father Toennemah, but also to the Emperor himself.- 
 His agent in Vienna, however, having informed him that the 
 kifair had already gone too far, and that the letter would be 
 of no avaU, he withdrew it. His further proceedings in the 
 affair will appear in the sequel. 
 
 Melchior Nitschmauj in company with George Schmidt, had 
 
110 ATTEMPTS TO PROCURE THEIR LIBERATION. 
 
 undertaken a journey to Salzburg, from the impulse of his 
 heart, in the spring of this year, with the intention of comforting 
 the awakened in that place with the truths of the gospel : they 
 were, however, arrested in Bohemia, whilst on their way thither, 
 being charged with intending to make proselytes in Moravia. 
 The Count being thoroughly acquainted with these two brethren, 
 and knovring the object of their journey, sent a complete state- 
 mentoftheaffairtotheprovincial government. In this document, 
 he professes himself as belonging to these brethren, and describes 
 them as people, who, though they had a desire to speak with 
 every one who wished to hear them concerning our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and of conversion to him, yet boldly contradicts the 
 assertion that they intended to bring over persons from one 
 creed to another, or to induce them to leave their native land. 
 
 The Count next applied to Prince Von Lichtenstein, and 
 entreated his gracious intercession, but aU his efforts continued 
 fruitless for a while. The year following, Melchior Nitschman 
 died in prison, at SchUdberg, and six years afterwards, George 
 Schmidt was set at liberty. 
 
 In 1729, the fast-days, which were instituted at the com- 
 mencement of the previous year, he held every four weeks. 
 He also wished the sacrament to be received every month at 
 Bertholdsdorf, and deliberated with his assistants how it might 
 be accomplished. 
 
 He made also another arrangement respecting the " watch- 
 words," which we have already alluded to : instead of giving 
 them to the brethren at the singing-meeting for the succeeding 
 day, the following arrangement was made : — Passages from the 
 Bible, or verses of hymns, suited for doctrine, reproof, and 
 instruction in righteousness, were placed in a little box, one of 
 which was drawn by an elder in the evening for the following 
 day, and given to the brother who was the visiter for the day, 
 and who carried it vrith him from house to house. It was also 
 his office to pay attention to every circumstance in each house, 
 and to make a report of it to the elders in the evening. 
 
 The Lord Jesus having washed the feet of his disciples, and 
 said at the same time expressly, " If I, your Lord and Master, 
 have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's 
 feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as 
 
WATCH-WORDS AND FEET-WASHING. Ill 
 
 I have done," (Johnxiii. 14, 15 ;) he took these words as he 
 found them, and was of opinion, that feet-washing ought not 
 to be omitted in a true church of Christ, In this opinion he 
 was confirmed by the subterfuges of certain sectarians, who 
 refrained from attending the sacramentj, and who, when re- 
 minded that Christ had instituted it, were wont to answer, " If 
 every thing which he has instituted ought to be retained, why 
 ought not the washing of feet to be. so, which the Lord has 
 expressly enjoined?" 
 
 The Count regarded it as necessary, at this time, to take a 
 decisive step against the various incorrect reports which were 
 spread respecting Herrnhut, He therefore afforded the brethren 
 an opportunity, in the presence of substantial witnesses, and 
 of an Imperial notary-public, to explain themselves upon 
 several points which seemed to be. of itnportance. They did so 
 with much freedom. The Rev. Mr. Rothe, of Bertholdsdorf, 
 was also present, with others of the neighbouring clergy. 
 
 These declarations of the brethren, which were given, in 
 answer to certain questions proposed to them, were framed 
 into an ofiicial document by the notary, and signed by all the 
 inhabitants of Herrnhut, who professed themselves as belonging 
 to the Moravian church. 
 
 This document was also afterwards publicly signed by the 
 Count and Mr. Rothe. The former declared, at the same time, 
 as lord of the manor, and the latter as pastor, that they would not 
 fail, as much as depended upon them, to grant the brethren all 
 their reasonable requests and demands, as long as they con- 
 tinued in their unsectarian and peaceable deportment. 
 
 In this notarial document, there are certain points which I 
 notice, because they were entirely peculiar to the Count, 
 Thus, for instance, the brethren say, — 
 
 1. That they will acknowledge none of their descendants 
 for a brother or a sister, whose heart has not been converted 
 to God. 
 
 2. That they acknowledge no public church of God, except 
 where the pure and unadulterated word of God is preached, 
 and its members live according to it as holy children of God, 
 
 3. That they will not separate from any one who believes in 
 Jesus Christ his Lord, not by his own power and reason, but 
 
115 PUBLIC DECLARATION". 
 
 because he is called by the Holy Ghost, through the medium 
 of the gospel, enlightened with his gifts, and is preserved and 
 sanctified in true faith ; even though, by 'the seduction of 
 others, or his own want of understanding, he may occasionally 
 misinterpret the Scriptures. 
 
 4. That the want of discipline is a great defect in those that 
 are awakened, and their refusal to put it away: hence, all 
 the disorders which are caused by any individual, must be 
 ascribed solely to him with whom they originate, but not to 
 the brethren at large. 
 
 5. That they will not cast away the names of brother and 
 Bister, for they are simple and scriptural ; but the addition of 
 Bohemian or Moravian are to be regarded as epithets produc-' 
 tive of sectarianism and division. 
 
 6. That they are not satisfied because their forefathers have 
 been good people, but lay the foundation for themselves in 
 their own justification and renewal, and seek to be conscious 
 
 -that they are passed from death unto life. 
 
 7. That they will not love their own lives more than any 
 feingle divine truth ; for it is better to lay down our lives than 
 lo deny such a divine truth ; and that denying it, though with 
 the intention of doing good, is improper and sinful. 
 
 In October, the Count, accompanied by the Barons Von 
 WattewUle and Gersdorf, took their departure for Vogtiand 
 and Thuringia. His unexpected arrival caused great joy in 
 Ebersdorf. His real motive for making this visit was the 
 news of the mighty work of Divine grace upon the hearts of 
 the noble family there and other individuals, in which he felt the 
 more interested, since God had made use of him as the instru- 
 ment in awakening most of them. He devoted the days he 
 spent there, not only to mutual edification, but also inquired 
 into the particular cases of each, and had therefore occasion 
 both for sorrow and for joy. 
 
 From thence he repaired with his company to Saalfeld ; he 
 did not, however, make any stay there, but merely greeted the 
 Duke with a few lines, to which he received a cordial reply. 
 He had here the pleasure of seeing again his friend Wallbaum, 
 from the seminary at Halle : the latter, who had been in 
 France after the Count, spoke in high terms of the affection 
 
JOURNEY TO VOGTtAND AND THURINGIAf 11^ 
 
 and tenderness with which the Cardinal de Noailles had men-i 
 tioned him. " The dear Count (said he) set an edifying 
 example to our whole country ;" at the same time exhorting 
 those present to foUow it. 
 
 The Barons Von Wattewille and Gersdorf paid a visit to the 
 Duke, which afforded pleasure on both sides, They stated 
 that he possessed a heartfelt love for the Saviour, which he 
 expressed by saying, that he would rather be torn in pieces 
 than let himself be separated from the Lord Jesus. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Count had preceded them to Ulstaedt, in 
 order to visit Madam Von Schwarzenfels, a lady who spent her 
 widowhood in true godliness and confidential intercourse with 
 the Lord Jesus, He there found two teachers from Jena, 
 who had come to meet him, with whom, and other friends 
 from Jena and Rudelstadt, he conversed on many subjects 
 respecting the kingdom of Christ. 
 
 Some of the brethren of the Jena connexion requested hin^ 
 to visit that place ; and he complied, notwithstanding the 
 critical situation of things at the time. By means of a certaii^ 
 wicked and crafty individual, who, though not belonging to 
 them, and almost unknown and even opposed to them, but 
 who wore the exterior of piety — calumny and disgrace had 
 fallen upon the little flock of the brethren at Jena, Beside^ 
 this, a commission was being held at that very time, to inves- 
 tigate the complaints which had been made by some of the 
 theologians to the Saxon courts, respecting the free-schools; 
 nor was the ferment, excited by the arrangements commenced 
 the year before, yet allayed. 
 
 The Count's arrival was immediately made known. A part 
 of the united brethren soon assembled in Professor Lehman's 
 house, and sent to request his company. On entering, he 
 stated, that he brought affliction upon them unwillingly ; 
 but they declared, that they would not shun suffering 
 for Christ's sake, but rather thank God for it. During his 
 pious converse with them, the number increased to above a 
 hundred. He prayed with the company on his knees. The 
 hymn. Salve, crux heata, salve ! (Hail, blessed cross, &c.) 
 was joyfully sung ; and on their requesting him to give 
 them an address, he considered the words of the hymn^ 
 
114 JOURNEY TO VOGTLAND AND THURINGIA. 
 
 "Jesu Clemens, pie Deus !" which produced a powerful effect 
 on their hearts. 
 
 During a sleepless night, he wrote from Jena to the church 
 in Herrnhut. In this letter he observes, " How can I better 
 employ my sleepless hours, than by remembering dear Herrn- 
 hut and the individuals there ? O that the faithful love of God 
 may let us see and hear nothing but good of you aU." He 
 mentions every inhabitant by name, and says to each what 
 his state required, because he knew them all, as far as it was 
 possible for a man to know. 
 
 I win here briefly mention his efforts in favour of a preacher, 
 who, by the king's command, had been imprisoned for upwards 
 of three years in the Frederick's hospital at Berlin. 
 
 This individual, whose name was Victor Christopher 
 Tuchtfeld, took great offence at the divines in Halle, to whom,- 
 however, he owed much, and accused them of departing from 
 their first love. He went still further. He regarded the whole 
 external constitution of the church as blameable. He wished 
 liberty of speech in the church not to be confined to the 
 preacher, but to be extended to every Christian, according to 
 the usage in the times of the apostles ; and that public preaching 
 ought not to be limited to churches and ptilpits ; but streets, 
 market-places, and every open space should be used for that 
 purpose, according to the example of the prophets, Christ, and 
 his disciples. He went into some of the churches in Halle, 
 and expressed himself in severe and offensive language against 
 going to church, which he regarded as improper, and against 
 the teachers, whom he looked upon as usurpers. In the hall 
 of the Orphan-house, where a great number of persons who 
 followed him assembled, he spoke, in very free terms, against 
 the pious men whom God had employed in originating the 
 Halle institutions. He also expressed his peculiar opinions 
 knd doctrines in writings, which he published, and preached in 
 Berlin, Potsdam, Wettin, &c. in the open air, in church-yards 
 and market-places, and in the fields and roads, until at length 
 he was arrested. 
 
 The Count could by no means justify such a mode of pro- 
 cedure : but because he did not think the man's intentions 
 were evU, nor regarded the conduct of the theologians towards 
 
JOURNEY TO VOGTIAND AKD THURINGIA. IIS 
 
 him as correct, since he thought it possible to bring him off! from 
 his perverted ways in a more scriptural manner, he therefore 
 interceded with the Lord for him in his severe imprisonment, 
 recommended him to the church at Herrnhut for the same 
 purpose, and sought; by some little assistance, to alleviate his 
 painful situation. At length he ventured to petition the 
 king himself on the subject ; in which he stated, that though 
 he would not justify Tuchtfeld's conduct, yet, if his Majesty 
 would graciously dismiss him from^ prison, he would take him 
 for a season into his own house, and, with the help of expe- 
 rienced persons, against whom he was not prejudiced, seek to 
 moderate his zeal. Possibly an useful instrument in the church 
 of Christ might still be made of him.* 
 
 He received a gracious answer from the king, which was 
 favourable to Tuchtfeld. The latter had, first of all, a more 
 convenient apartment assigned him in the hospital, and, aftei* 
 some time, regained his liberty, of which he informed the 
 Count in a letter from Leipzic, dated June, 1730. 
 
 The Count commenced, this year, a cordial and friendly 
 correspondence with Daniel Ernest Jablonsky, chief chaplain 
 to • the court in Berlin : the latter was a grandson of the 
 weU-known Johannes Amos Commenius, bishop of the. Bre- 
 thren. His father, Commenius's son-in-law, had been conse- 
 crated bishop of the Brethren in 1 662, in the hope of better 
 times. He himself had also received the episcopal consecra- 
 tion in 1699, at the synod held at Lissa, in Poland. 
 
 The Count thought it but just to give him a complete, 
 account of the collecting together of the Bohemian and 
 Moravian brethren at Herrnhut, and of the grace of God 
 which had manifested itself there. In his reply, Jablonsky 
 expresses his uncommon joy and heartfelt delight, that Gfod 
 had so graciously preserved the little flock of the Bohemian 
 and Moravian brethren, otherwise so despicable in the eyes of 
 the world, who, in their times, had been the harbingers and 
 the morning dawn of the Reformation. " I adore,'' says 
 he, " the gracious guidance of our God ! May he further 
 graciously cherish this little flock, and raise up, in future 
 
 * This individual afterwards went to Berlenburg, where he was made 
 court- cliaplain. 
 
116 CORRESPONDENCE WITH JABLONSKY. 
 
 times, such nursing fathers for them, as he has so wonderfully 
 done in the instance of your grace's own self! .... My 
 forefathers were born in the church of the brethren, and I 
 was begotten in exile in Poland. I have been brought up in 
 the same church, and have imbibed a love for it with my 
 mother's milk." 
 
 The church at Herrnhut had to experience much of an 
 unpleasant nature, in this and succeeding years, from a 
 neighbouring town. When brethren visited the sick in vil- 
 lages belonging to its jurisdiction, and spoke with them con- 
 cerning their salvation, they were cast into prison, and 
 otherwise ill-treated. The thing was even carried so far, that 
 those brethren who were found in these villages, though simply 
 on business, were imjustly punished. The Count, if he had been 
 so inclined, could have resisted this evil in the usual manner : 
 but because he believed that this persecution came upon the 
 brethren for the sake of Christ, he, as well as the church in 
 Herrnhut, commended not only the imprisoned brethren, but 
 also the senate of the town, to God in prayer. 
 
 Many of the inhabitants of the villages had also many things 
 to suffer from the magistracy, because of their devotional exer- 
 cises : for when they came together for the purposes of 
 mutual edification, they were frequently severely punished. 
 
 About this time, a commission from the government 
 appeared in the tovni alluded to, and the question was agitated 
 whether the brethren in Herrnhut, as well as those under the 
 jurisdiction of the senate, ought not to lay their complaints 
 before the Commission. The Count, however, advised the 
 brethren to thank God for having esteemed them worthy to 
 suffer for Jesus's sake ; and they recommended their neigh- 
 bours, the awakened subjects of the senate, not to complain 
 against the latter. This proposition was so well received by 
 them, that they unanimously resolved, for conscience' sake, to 
 suffer patiently the injustice which had been done them ; the 
 result was, that for a considerable time after that, they had peace, 
 and continued undisturbed in their devotional exercises. 
 
 About this time, a certain baron came to Herrnhut, who, 
 in consequence of his captivating representations, found credit 
 and a good reception with many of the brethren. This 
 
INTOXEKANCE EXEMPLIFIED. 117 
 
 induced the Count to permit him to stay in Herrnhut. But he 
 soon showed that he did not belong to the church of Christ ; 
 for certain improprieties not only manifested themselves in his 
 conduct from former times, but he also began to lead simple 
 souls astray and gain followers. He was therefore requested 
 by the elders of the church to retire from Herrnhut, which he 
 did without raising any objections. 
 
 Meanwhile, his persuasions had the melancholy effect of 
 separating several from the fellowship of the brethren, who 
 also sought to seduce others from the right way ; in which 
 they also partially succeeded. 
 
 This was a fresh cause of suffering to the Count : for 
 although these people could not justly say that a constraint 
 was put upon their consciences, yet they began, under this 
 pretence, to condemn the church at Herrnhut, speak meanly 
 of it, both in public and in private, revile its elders and 
 superintendents, and be guilty of such things as are incom- 
 patible with the mind and Spirit of Christ. 
 
 Every thing was done, on the part of the church, to bring 
 them into a better path ; and the Count in particular was 
 unwearied in his forbearance, prayers, and entreaties. But 
 when they grew worse, and their seductions increased, he 
 found it indispensably necessary to declare himself publicly 
 with respect to them. This he did in a very solemn manner, 
 and testified before ,the assembled congregation, that such 
 wicked and seducing individuals were under the anathema and 
 curse of God. He then fell on his knees with the people, 
 and pleaded before the Lord the wretched state of these 
 transgressors, in which he evidenced grief and compassion, 
 and at the same time great zeal for the Lord and his cause. 
 
 This excommunication was nothing else than what is implied 
 in the words, which are pronounced in many Lutheran churches 
 every Sunday, when it is said, " The Holy Spirit announces 
 to secure, impenitent, and presumptuous despisers, that their 
 sins are bound and retained, as long as they do not repent ; 
 and, in virtue of my office, I hereby publicly notify this to 
 them, as a testimony against them." But the people, with 
 whom the Count had to do, took occasion from it to spread the 
 report that he dealt in curses and excommunications. 
 
H8 NEW DISTURBANCES. 
 
 This act, however, which was no empty formality, produced 
 a :salutary effect in -the church, which excited thankfulness 
 towards God. 
 
 Besides this painful affair, the Count had to endure, about 
 this period, all manner of contradiction and calumny, even in 
 -Herrnhut itself It was also in this year that, because he 
 could not refuse accepting the appointment of the superiJs- 
 tendence of the sister-choirs, the spirit of scandal took occasion 
 to excite an injurious report. Hence the elders of the church 
 found it requisite to institute an inquiry, in order to obviate the 
 shadow of a suspicion. On mintite examination, it was found 
 that the things reported of him were groundless, and he w^as 
 again confirmed in his office. 
 
 The polemical writings against him continued to increase. 
 It was just as it. often happens in small towns, when any one 
 cries " Fire !" many people run out of their houses into the 
 streets, and also cry out " Fire !" often vfithout knowing them- 
 selves whether there is really fire, or where it is. 
 
 Father Regent, a Popish missionary in Silesia, felt himself 
 also induced to attack the Count, through the medium of the 
 press, directing it, at the same time, against Herrnhut, and the 
 clergymen Schwedler, Schaefer, and Rothe. 
 
 The accusations brought against these individuals being 
 answered in a pamphlet published by Mr. Marche, the Count 
 also permitted the remarks against Herrnhut to be explained. 
 But those charges which had reference to his own person, he 
 would not suffer to be touched upon, for he was firmly re- 
 solved to strive with no one respecting himself and his actions. 
 
 But as the things brought against the Count by Father 
 Regent were of a political nature, he recommended Mr. Von 
 Schmidt, his agent in Vienna, to make representations against 
 it. The Count states, that " on this, the Emperor's confessor. 
 Father Toenneman, expressed himself so justly and reasonably, 
 that, as the effect perfectly agreed with his language, I shall 
 always preserve a thankful remembrance of it." 
 
 Many godly and intelligent people, who, like himself, had 
 foreseen that he would have to experience persecution, and 
 much that was painfiil from the clergy^ in consequence of his 
 zeal for the Lord and his cause, comforted and encouraged 
 
CONTROVERSIES, 119 
 
 him. Ainongst others, Jablonsky wrote from Berlin as fol- 
 lows : — " I have seen, with great grief, from printed docu- 
 ments, that the harmless institutions at Hermhut, which the 
 christian, world ought to regard as a light shining in the midst 
 of a crooked and perverse generation, are vilified and despised. 
 But this must necessarily be the case ; ' If ye were of the world, 
 Ihe world would love its own ; but now ye are not of the world, 
 therefore the world hateth you.' We must let it rage, and 
 resign it to the judgment of Him who judgeth righteously, and 
 who will in due time give every one commendation. Your Grace 
 must, therefore, not lose courage, but stand against it like a 
 palm-tree, under an oppressive weight, ' through honour and 
 dishonour, through evil report and good report, as deceivers and 
 yet true.' It cannot fare better with Christ's servants than 
 it did with himself," 
 
 On the 18th of September, he and his consort were rejoiced 
 by the birth of a son, who received, at his baptism, the name 
 of Christian Frederick, but who departed this life again on the 
 30th October, " during heartfelt thanks to God," as his father 
 mentions on that day. 
 
 The church in Hermhut was now so well regulated, that 
 cordial thanks could be rendered to God for it. It grew in grace, 
 and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ almost visibly. 
 Thus I found it in 1730, on visiting Hermhut, in company 
 with my friend Godfrey Clemens, subsequently a preacher 
 there. 
 
 There were, in particular, many brethren and sisters, who 
 had hitherto filled no office, but who had made such progress 
 in the divine life, that their growth was very manifest. Others, 
 on the contrary, who occupied stations in the church, seemed, 
 if not to go back, at least to remain behind. This led the 
 Count to think,, that it might be necessary to ascertain whether 
 some of the offices could not be better filled. 
 
 He made the commencement with himself, and sent in his 
 resignation as superintendent of the church. The explanation 
 he gave, was to the effect, that though he was willing to serve, 
 and to venture every thing in seeking the good of the church 
 
120 THE COUNT RESIGNS HIS OFFICE, 
 
 and averting evil, yet he virould no longer be their superinten- 
 dent, neither could he propose any one, at the time, to fill the 
 office. 
 
 On this, the elders also resigned their offices, and the church 
 •made preparations for a new election. This took place on the 
 15th of March, when brother Martin Linner was chosen elder 
 of4he church, and Anna Nitschman, female-elder. Augustin 
 Neisser was not long after joined with the former, in the capa- 
 city of vice-elder. 
 
 Martin Linner was a young man, a baker by trade, who 
 possessed no particular gift for public speaking, but enjoyed a 
 confidential intercourse with the Saviour, and proved himself, 
 in all things, a servant of Jesus. Anna Nitschman had b6en 
 brought from Moravia when a child, and when the great 
 awakening took place amongst the children, was also one of 
 those whose hearts the Lord touched ; so that afterwards she 
 was employed amongst the girls, and rendered useful to them. 
 She made rapid progress in the divine life, maintained herself 
 outwardly by spinning wool, and continued day and night in 
 prayer. 
 
 The church did not burthen these elders with things of an ex- 
 ternal nature, but commissioned them to bear the church, collec- 
 tively and individually, upon their hearts, each with reference to 
 their sex, and to assist, with their prayers and benedictions, 
 the other ministers of the church, whose office required activity. 
 For some of the brethren, from love to the Saviour and the 
 church, voluntarily bound themselves, with the consent of the 
 latter, to its service, under the aforesaid elders, that the Lord's 
 intentions, with respect to it, might be attained. These indi- 
 viduals were very strict amongst each other, conversed much 
 together, in order to act in one mind in all things, and faith- 
 fully took charge of the entire concerns of the community, and 
 hence were denominated assistants. They were also commis- 
 sioned to represent the community in case of need before the 
 magistracy, and in this character they were called the Syndics 
 of the church. The Count was one of these assistants, and 
 the Lord was with him. 
 
 Amongst the sisters were also some who united for the same 
 purpose, with respect to those of their own sex. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHURCH. 121 
 
 When these male and female assistants had previously deli- 
 berated together on any subject, they stated it in a clear man- 
 ner to the elders, who, when fully satisfied respecting it, decided 
 upon its adoption. 
 
 Notwithstanding the favour which the Lord showed at this 
 time towards the church in Herrnhut, the Count was not with- 
 out anxiety respecting some families, which had removed thither, 
 who were not Moravian emigrants. He reflected what the 
 consequences would be if such an inhabitant of Herrnhut be- 
 came unfaithful, and fell into sin and disgrace, or if he should 
 have persons in his house, who were chargeable with any 
 thing of the kind. As the magistrate, he had it indeed in his 
 power to inflict due punishment upon such individuals, and 
 thus to restrain them ; but this was at all times something very 
 improper in a christian church, under the gentle government 
 of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 He therefore sought to prevent this evil in a manner more 
 becoming the church, and drew up a reciprocal agreement, 
 which every householder, whether already residing in Herrn- 
 hut, or wishing to do so in future, should have to sign. 
 
 In this agreement they declared that they and their famOies 
 had removed to Herrnhut, or were desirous of doing so, from 
 no other motive than the belief that they and their families 
 would have an opportunity there of saving their souls, and 
 serving the Saviour. -^ 
 
 But the chief intention of this document was, that evefy re- 
 sident in Herrnhut should pledge himself, either to refrain from 
 those vices which are contrary to God and man, or leave Herrn- 
 hut, and dispose of his house to the community. 
 
 The Count reflected also how the marriages amongst the 
 young people might be regulated in a manner becoming the 
 gospel, in opposition to the customary mode of procedure in 
 these cases, amongst worldly-minded people, which undoubtedly 
 belongs to " the vain conversation, received by tradition from 
 the fathers, and from which we are redeemed by the blood of 
 Christ." (1 Peter i. 18, 19.) But, well aware that little can be 
 effected by commands and prohibitions in this respect, he felt 
 it as a particular cause of thankfulness to the Saviour, that this 
 matter was arranged spontaneously in a scriptural manner. 
 
122 REGULATIONS. 
 
 Eighteen unmarried females, whose hearts and minds were 
 bent upon yielding themselves up entirely to the Lord Jesus, 
 covenanted with each other onthe 4th May, of that year, en- 
 tirely to abstain from every thing, in this respect, which was 
 unbecoming a church of God. But i£ it were necessary that 
 a brother should be supplied with a helpmate, and if, after lay- 
 ing the matter before the Lord, he made an offer to one or 
 other of th^m, they would then take it into consideration, and 
 decide according to their conviction. 
 
 The female elder was herself one of the number of these 
 single sisters, who thus entered into a covenant before the 
 Lord, and became, from that time, the superintendent of this 
 little company. The regulation was made ■with the knowledge 
 and full consent of the elders and vice-elders of the church, 
 who hereuppn bestowed their blessing upon them in the name 
 of the Lord. Some, indeed, made objections ; on what' ground, 
 I know not ; but the Count was much rejoiced at it. 
 
 He remarks, respecting the young men, as follows : " In 
 the meeting of the young people, the necessity of spiritual 
 guides for novices in the divine life was spoken of. On this, 
 the hundred and eleven youths, who stand in close comiexion 
 with the church, joined the twelve brethren, who are seriously 
 concerned for the salvation of souls." 
 
 Those in the marriage state received additional instruction 
 with reference to their connexion, to which the simple and 
 open-hearted conferences of the brethren and sisters, with 
 their faithful elders, contributed. 
 
 In a new regulation of the bands or companies of children, 
 the attempt was made to employ some of them, in, whom a 
 particular work of grace was manifested, in awakening other 
 children. This attempt was not entirely unsuccessful, and it 
 vv^as continued for many years, not without a blessing. 
 / Notwithstanding the opposition and calumnies raised against 
 the church at Herrnhut, there were many who wished to reside 
 there, and expected to derive real benefit from it for their 
 souls. When persons applied who, for conscience' sake, had 
 left their native land and what they possessed, the Count made 
 no difficulty. (There were already fifty-six persons residing in 
 Herrnhut, who had suffered bonds and imprisonment for the 
 
ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 123 
 
 Savionr's sake.) But with regard to other individuals, he con- 
 sulted the church, and it was decided that they should be ad- 
 mitted with difficulty. 
 
 With respect to provision for the poor, a poor's-box was 
 projected, with appropriate inscriptions. 
 
 In a numerously-attended conference of the church, it was 
 decided, that as soon as a brother or a sister departed this life, 
 they should be interred on the Hutberg, and fenced round. 
 On the 5th of May, the first brother was buried there, which 
 was the commencement of the burial-ground. The Count 
 thought it of importance, that those who had enjoyed the fel- 
 lowship of saints with each other here on earth, should not be 
 separated as it respects the body, after having quitted their 
 earthly tabernacle. If he wished to afibrd any one a pleasure, 
 he took him to the Hutberg, and spoke with him concerning 
 those who were interred there. 
 
 In November, Martin Dober, one of his fellow-labourers, 
 fell dangerously ill. This affected the Count very deeply, for 
 he hoped that he might still become an useful labourer in the 
 Lord's vineyard. Therefore, when every one despaired of his 
 recovery, the Count entreated the Lord to spare him, consider- 
 ing how useful he had been, and how much more so he might 
 still become, adding, that he wished he might himself be taken 
 away from the earth, and Martin Dober retained. 
 
 It was manifest, that God graciously heard this prayer ; for 
 when all thought there was no longer any hope, the patient 
 grew better all at once, contrary to the nature of the disease 
 from which he sufitered. He lived eighteen years after that 
 time, and for ten years together ministered to the church in 
 Herrnhut, according to the gift bestowed upon him, to testify 
 of the crucified Saviour. 
 
 The Count observes, with reference to his own labours in 
 the church, that if he undertook any thing from which he 
 expected particular benefit, either for himself or the church, 
 many things intervened which were painful to him. He says, 
 he often knew not where to begin, or where to end ; and, if 
 the Lord had not spoken peace to him, he would not have 
 known what to do. 
 
 Another circumstance was, that whenever he had to speak 
 o 2 
 
124 REMARKABLE EVENT, 
 
 in the church, or undertake any thing, he felt himself ex- 
 tremely poor and wretched. But this had the effect of driving 
 him to the Saviour, nor did the Lord Jesus suffer him to be 
 put to shame ; of which there are many instances in his 
 journal. 
 
 During my visit to Herrnhut with Godfrey Clemens, we 
 went, amongst others, to visit a person who was extremely 
 sick and ill. On asking what was the matter with her, we 
 were told, both by herself and others, that " she had been 
 touched by the hand of God." The following particulars 
 were related to us respecting this affair : — 
 ^ This person had come to Herrnhut, and had pretended that 
 she was concerned for her soul's salvation, and that she was desi- 
 rous of being converted to God. She had also complained much 
 of her depravity, but no change whatever had taken place in 
 her. This excited a suspicion, that she was not sincere in her 
 assertions: for he who seeks Jesus Christ, finds him; and -he 
 that entreats his favour shall not be confounded, She was 
 spokeii with on the subject, but would never confess it. On 
 one occasion, when the Count was speaking in the church upon 
 hypocrisy, and its odious nature in the sight of God, and had 
 quoted the instance of Apanias and Sapphira, this person fell 
 down on the spot, and was obliged to be carried out. After 
 coming to herself again, she confessed her falsehood and deceit. 
 From that time she lay long ill, as ^ terror to others, and at 
 length, after regaining her health, removed from Herrnhut, 
 and fell into poverty and wretchedness. 
 
 When the persecution against the Rev. My. Steinmetz, of 
 Teschen, in Upper Silesia, was carried to such a length, that 
 he was dismissed from his office, which he had filled with 
 abundant success, the Count, who always deeply sympathized 
 with the sufferings of the servants of Jesus, wrote to the Mar- 
 grave of Bayreuth, and informed him of Steinmetz's situation, 
 adding, that if he desired " a prophet's reward," there was 
 now an opportunity for it. 
 
 The Margrave immediately referred the Count's letter to 
 his consistory, the members of which were unanimous in 
 recommending the Margrave to appoint Steinmetz to be su- 
 perintendent of Neustadt-an-der-Aisch. He was consequently 
 
VISIT TO BERLENBURG AND SCHWARZENAU. 125 
 
 appointed, and, by imperial favour, placed in a condition to 
 accept it, which he accordingly did. Some years after, he 
 was made abbot of Closter-Bergen, and general superintendent 
 in the duchy of Magdeburg. 
 
 When, in a neighbouring town, the rage against private 
 meetings again awoke, and was carried so far, that two or| 
 three persons were no longer permitted to converse with each 
 other in the street on the salvation of their souls, the Count, 
 virho had formerly recommended them to be silent, at their 
 request, now took their part, and drew up a memorial to the 
 royal commission for them. 
 
 An awakened iJidividual in Bertholdsdorf, who had been 
 pressed into military service, could not resolve upon taking an 
 oath, for conscience' sake. To free him from it, the Count 
 gave a certificate of his loyalty, at the same time pledging the 
 whole of his own property. The result was, that the colonel 
 of the regiment generously sent back, not only that individual, 
 but also another from Bertholdsdorf, who had been enlisted. . 
 
 There lived at that time in Berlenburg and Schwarzenau, 
 a variety of people who had been persecuted in other places. 
 They differed very much amongst themselves, both with re- 
 spect to their religious views, and their outward deportment. 
 Every one thought himself in the right, and judged others who 
 differed from him. The majority contended about things of 
 minor importance, and meanwhile forgot the chief concern. 
 
 The Count, who refused to acknowledge any one to be a 
 child of God but those who sought in Christ alone their wis- 
 dom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption ; and being 
 at the same time, desirous of testifying of the grace of God to 
 many, that he might assist them in seeking and finding salva- 
 tion, — resolved this year to undertake a journey to Berlenburg 
 and Schwarzenau. 
 
 To this he was also induced by an outward motive. Von 
 Kalkreuth, chief ranger of the Berlenburg forests, had visited 
 Herrnhut the year before, and had received a good impression 
 of the. church there. On returning to Berlenburg, he related 
 what he had seen, heard, and felt at Herrnhut, with an aMent 
 desire that the same regulations might be adopted in the former 
 place. This induced the reigning Count of Wittgenstein 
 
126 VISIT TO BERLENBURG AND SCHWARZENAU. 
 
 Berlenburg to send the Count an invitation to visit him. The 
 latter delayed it for a year and a half, but at length resolved 
 upon it, in God's name, and in the expectation that the Lord 
 would grant his blessing upon it. 
 
 The Count commenced his journey, in company with Martin 
 Linner, presiding elder of the church at Herrnhut, in the 
 month of August. They arrived on the 22d at Ebersdorf, 
 where they< remained till the 26th. Several circumstances 
 rendered him uncommonly welcome. His sister-in-law, the 
 Countess Benigna, assured him, that she thanked God for 
 having brought him thither just at that time. She had prayed 
 that very day, that the Lord would direct the Count's way to 
 Ebersdorf, and already saw the answer to her prayer. 
 
 He assisted at that place, at a numerously attended con- 
 ference of preachers, and on being pressingly requested to do 
 so, held several meetings ; at the last of which, he spoke with 
 much unction, on ardent love to Jesus. At table he also seized 
 the opportunity of making a good confession, and explained the 
 principles of the Moravian church, and its peculiar object. He 
 also made an excursion to Lobenstein, to visit Count Henry 
 XVth, who was iU, and conversed likewise with various in- 
 dividuals, who came to visit him. 
 
 From Ebersdorf he went to Saalfeld, and had a confidential 
 interview with the duke. He afterwards visited Madam Von 
 Schwarzenfels at Altenburg, where he remained some days ; 
 in consequence of many visitors from Jena and other places. I 
 was myself there ; but as I could not stay long, he devoted a 
 whole night to me, when we found enough to relate to each 
 other, of what the Saviour had done, and was doing for us. 
 
 On the 30th of August he entered Weimar, which was by 
 Divine direction, since he had intended not to have gone thither. 
 His first visit was to a certain learned theologian, who was so 
 astonished at the tmexpected meeting, that he could not for a 
 long time recollect himself. At length on regaining presence 
 of mind, he spoke frankly to the Count, and gave him his 
 opinion respecting the real causes of the violent opposition that 
 was raised against him, in the following words :— " It is only 
 because you pay no respect to your rank. For the charges of 
 not believing in Christ, rejecting justification and the like, are 
 
VISIT TO BERLENBUEG AND SCHWARZENAU. 127 
 
 scarcely believed by those who bring them against you." This 
 gave the Count an opportunity of clearly and impressively 
 pointing out to him the character of the true followers of Jesus, 
 and the nature of his discipleship. On this he prayed with 
 him, during which the hearts of both were much affected. 
 Martin Linner also spoke to him in so profound a manner, that 
 he knew not what to think of it. He had previously said, 
 " People ought to act towards the Count, like the Gergesenes 
 towards the Saviour, when they besought him to depart out of 
 their coasts; for helsrings nothing but affliction upon them." 
 But now he assured him of his sincere affection. 
 
 The Count arrived at Berlenburg in the beginning of Sep- 
 tember, and on the 15th at Schwarzenau. He confessed to me, 
 with reference to his proceedings in these places, that in all his 
 discourses, he had relied, with great poverty of spirit, on the 
 Saviour's assistance — that he had not directed his attention to 
 minor points, but adhered to the chief thing — the grace of God 
 in Christ Jesus, and that he had contended against reason and 
 religious fancies with nothing but the word of God. 
 
 He modestly accepted the opportunities which were daily 
 afforded him of bearing testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, 
 but would not suffer others, who were wont to preach, to be 
 hindered from it by his presence. 
 
 He made it a rule, in conversing with individuals, to reject 
 no one, whatever strange things they might bring forward, but 
 to listen to the whole of what they had to say. His answers 
 and admonitions were given in the spirit of love, and accom- 
 panied with Divine unction. 
 
 A remarkable personage . at that time in Berlenburg, was 
 counsellor John Conrad Dippel, whose writings, under the name 
 of Christianus Democritus, are well known in Germany.* With 
 this individual the Count had been for some time in corre- 
 spondence. 
 
 During the Count's visit, he attended, contrary to his usual 
 custom, all the meetings. These, and especially the frequent 
 interviews he had with him, were, for the time, of undeniable use 
 
 * The reader is referred to the " Account of eminent German Secta- 
 rians" in the " Instructive Narrations," by Jung- Stilling, for particulars 
 respecting Dippel, Rock, and others. Hamilton, Adams, & Co. 
 
128 VISIT TO. BERLENBURG AND SCHWARZENAU. 
 
 and benefit to his soul. The Count mentions how Dippel, 
 on one occasion) related the history of his life to him. On 
 coming to his " evangelical demonstration," says he, I took occa- 
 sion, because he assured me of his ardent affection for me with 
 tears, to tell him my thoughts very simplyj and, as far as my ex- 
 perience extended, according to what is writtenj " He to whom 
 little is forgiven, the same loveth littlei" (Luke viii. 47.) On 
 this, he confessed himself vanquished, acknowledged the atone- 
 ment of Christ for the sins of the whole world, and promised 
 in his next pubhcation, fully to explain and elucidate the point. 
 Some days after; he publicly professed his belief in the doctrine 
 of Christ's complete atonement for the sins of the whole world, 
 in the presence of all the brethren in Berlenbiirg. 
 
 Another letter of the Count's, dated some years after, 
 furnishes further particulars concerning this extraordinary in- 
 dividual. " I was much affected," says he, " when, on relating 
 my christian experience to Dippel in 1730, he not only wept 
 bitterly, and poured out his whole heart to mcj but also 
 cast himself with me before the Lamb of Godj and en- 
 treated his grace ; which he wOuld have obtained) had not the 
 adversary^ at that very tilnej givefi into his hands a hostile work, 
 which aimed at his ruin. Personal esteetn for me was there- 
 fore' all that was left him ; which he also lost, when brother 
 Martin Dober, on his continuing to promulgate his heathenish 
 theology, publicly ordered him out of the meeting at Berlen- 
 burg ; and when, on Dippel's complaining to me of it, I ap- 
 proved of the act, and took the responsibility upon myself." 
 
 The Count, in his labours at Berlenburg, was, first of all, 
 solicitous to point out to every one, both publicly and privately, 
 what is requisite, in order to become a child of God, and an 
 heir of eternal life, and continue to be so. He afterwards 
 indicated the minor points, at which people often linger, to 
 the neglect of that which is neccessary to salvation. He also 
 spoke of those things Which are wont to obstruct brotherly 
 love in awakened souls, and how they may and ought to be 
 avoided. 
 
 In the powerful movement which pervaded the assembly 
 during his sermons, or during prayer, when the hearts of the 
 hearers frequently melted like wax, nearly twenty Jews, 
 
VISIT TO BERLENBURG AND SCHWARZENAU. 129 
 
 Jewesses, and their children, appeared, and besought permission 
 to attend the meetings. " On seeing them," writes the Count, 
 " I resolved, though in great weakness, to preach a sermon 
 expressly for them. I took the words, ' Melchisedec king of 
 Salem — was the priest of the most High God, and blessed 
 Abram.' (Gen. xiv. 18, 19. Compare cxth Psalm.) I spoke on 
 these words with inward feeling and great liberty, respecting 
 our only Mediator and High Priest. I took all my proofs from 
 the Old Testament, but always insisted on the testimony of the 
 heart, and of the necessity of fighting and conquering with 
 Jacob's weapons. (Hos. xii. 5.) Some of the Jews were moved 
 to tears." 
 
 The result of his efforts in Berlenburg was, that the things 
 which had hitherto prevented the union of the awakened 
 individuals in that place, were discovered and acknowledged ; 
 and, on the 12th of September, the statutes of this union 
 were read and universally accepted. On the 14 th, the Count 
 terminated his visit to Berlenburg in an assembly of all 
 the brethren, in the presence of the reigning Count and the 
 awakened clergymen. 
 
 The addresses he delivered in Schwarzenau, at the meetings 
 of the awakened, and his kind, yet serious mode of treating 
 those with whom he conversed on religious subjects, were well 
 received. After a conference, which lasted eighteen hours, 
 and in which he spoke fully and impressively upon simply fol- 
 lowing Jesus — they all declared their inclination to give up 
 the irregularities and divisions which had hitherto prevailed 
 amongst them, to appoint Inspector Kepler their superintenv 
 dent, again partake of the sacrament, which had been in dis- 
 use for sixteen years, and let the word of God serve as their 
 only standard. 
 
 But the Count saw no abiding fruit from these labours of 
 his. As readily as the word was received — as promptly was 
 it again abandoned. 
 
 Before the Count left Schwarzenau, he was invited by the 
 elders of the church of the "Inspired," in the principality of 
 Isenburg, to visit them. After mature deliberation, he re- 
 solved to go thither on his return, in order to become thoroughly 
 acquainted with their views. They received him gladly, and 
 
 g3 
 
130 VISIT TO BERLENBURG AND SCHWARZENAU. 
 
 immediately requested him to give them a word of exhortation, 
 which he accordingly did. His discourses were well received, 
 and they placed so much confidence in him, that they afforded 
 him an opportunity of forming a correct idea of them. He 
 found amongst them men, who were not only edifying in their 
 conversation, hut also expressed themselves quite scripturaHy 
 upon the principal points of Christian doctrine. Therq were, 
 however, some things with respect to their churches, of which 
 he justly disapproved, although, at the same time, he perceived 
 that their mode of treating those who were concerned for their 
 salvation was serious and sincere. 
 
 What he thought improper amongst them, he plainly stated 
 to them, after having gained their confidence. 
 
 John Frederick Rock, a saddler, was a chief person amongst 
 these churches, because of his fits_rfJ.ij§^ation. His father 
 Was a preacher, and his granHEmer a prelate in Wiirtemberg. 
 He was at that time a man of grave deportment, without 
 affectation, sincere, and unable to flatter ;. he treated every 
 one with modesty, did not speak presumptuously, showed 
 ho sectarian severity, submitted to be corrected in conversa- 
 tion, seldom contradicted what was said, and reflected on 
 hearing any thing he did not approve. — " I derived much 
 benefit from his society," says the Count, "which I shall 
 remember as long as I live. Hence I entreated him, at the 
 commencement, to treat me without ceremony, and as he was 
 wont to converse with his brethren. I had besought him to 
 stand sponsor to my daughter, that he might be the more 
 firmly assured that I was in earnest about the baptism of 
 children. I valued his prayers, and my child had afterwards 
 much love and respect for him ; whilst, upon himself, the visible 
 sign of baptismal grace made a great impression. 
 / " Rock fell into one of his inspired fits in Biidingen, which 
 I thought dreadful.* But the more strange and repugnant 
 they were to me, the more I restrained my judgment It 
 
 * The manner was this: he suddenly became violently convulsed, and 
 at the same time moved his head backwards and forwards with incredible 
 rapidity. In this state, he spoke certain words in a prophetic style, which 
 were termed inspirations. They were written down, and sent to the people 
 to whom they referred. 
 
RETURN TO HERRNHUT. 131 
 
 was necessary that the thing itself, and how the spirit should 
 afterwards declare itself with respect to the word of God, and 
 what it enjoined, should decide the point. When Rock came 
 to Herrnhut, in 1732, his inspirations had the same eifect on 
 me as before. I could not at that time pronounce them 
 devoid of all reality ; but I clearly saw, that Rock's ideas and 
 preconceived opinions acted their part in them. But as this 
 may also be the case in the preaching of the gospel, I could 
 not entirely reject them on that account, although I should 
 have regarded it as a temptation, if any thing of the kind had 
 occurred in our church. But, this time, the aifair began to 
 appear suspicious to me, and I had reason to believe that 
 Rock was in error. At length, when some of the elders of 
 their church insisted upon baptism and the Lord's supper, and 
 when they were expelled because the spirit had declared 
 itself in the coarsest and most indefensible manner against the 
 sacraments, I had no occasion to hesitate any longer, in en- 
 tirely rejecting the inspiration." 
 
 The Count's visit to Berlenburg, Schwarzenau, and the 
 congregations of the inspired, drew down upon him many 
 severe animadversions. This it was easy for him to foresee, 
 but he regarded it as improper, on that account, to svtflfer him- 
 self to be restrained from a good work ; since he was con- 
 vinced that the restoring well-intentioned individuals to the 
 right way, was acceptable in the sight of God. 
 
 On the Count's return to Herrnhut, during which he tra- 
 velled the greatest part of the way on foot, although he had 
 a carriage and horses with him, he passed again through 
 Ebersdorf. He visited, on the way, many persons, for whose 
 salvation he was concerned, and the Lord was with him. 
 Hence he was obliged almost every where to tear himself 
 away ; for he was much urged to remain longer. His con- 
 versation was so blessed to an awakened preacher who had 
 again gone astray, that he took fresh courage, promised faith- 
 fully to carry on the Lord's work, whatever disgrace it might 
 cause him, and in his next sermon, expressed this intention, in 
 the presence of his whole congregation. After a short and 
 pleasing stay at Ebersdorf, he arrived, on the 15th of October, 
 again in Herrnhut. 
 
182 WRITINGS IN 1730. 
 
 On the 23d of that month, a daughter was born to him, who 
 was baptized by the name of Theodora Caritas. 
 
 His children lay much on his heart ; although the labour and 
 pains, with respect to their education, fell chiefly upon the 
 Countess and the persons employed for that purpose. He had 
 the pleasure of seeing how the grace of Jesus Christ operated 
 upon their hearts i 
 
 In order to meet the frequently contradictory objections 
 to the church at Herrnhut> and to put an end to the num- 
 berless inquiries and answers on the subject — the Count 
 wrote "A private Declaration respecting the church of Herrn- 
 hut to a Divine who loved it." 
 
 He states, first of all, that this declaration is not to be re- 
 garded as a new creed, differing from the Augsburg confession,- 
 but merely drawn up for the purpose of refuting things with 
 which the church was charged; which they, notwithstanding, 
 aboiminated, since they thought it their duty to remove and 
 prevent, for the future, the evil consequences that might result 
 from them. It had reference entirely to the state of the 
 church at the time. In other respects, this declaration is a 
 testimony to the truth of the gospel, which reigned at that time 
 amongst the brethren. 
 
 We must not here omit to notice the Count's " Thoughts on 
 the Distinctions of Separation, Sectarianism, and an apostolic 
 church of Christ j in the present day." 
 
 The cause of this treatise was, the two kinds of people who 
 were at that time called Separatists and Sectarians. The 
 former jwere^nerally found in places where an awakening had 
 takeST place or still existed, and who_ thought- the more highly 
 of themselves because they did not attend church and sacra- 
 ment in the company of such as were spiritually dead; although 
 they themselves, were often no better than the latter, aiid on 
 this account preferred abstaining from the means of grace. 
 \ The latter insisted in such a manner upon their doctrines and 
 \outward forms, that they rejected all who did not belong to 
 Jthem. A spiritually dead and totally unconverted man, who 
 /lived according to their forms, was preferable, in their opinion, 
 [to a child of God who paid no regard to them. 
 
 The Count, after fully explaining himself with regard to 
 
DAILY CONFERENCES. 133 
 
 separatism and sectarianism, enlarges upon the nature of an 
 apostolic church : " A chief characteristic of such a churchj" 
 he observes, " is the equally pervading connexion of the doc- 
 trine of faith and godliness ; besides which, its true members 
 know how to bear with and be kind towards otherSj whilst 
 amongst themselves they are uncommonly strict and severe. 
 .... They do not willingly make new regulations and 
 limitations ; but, at the same time, they do not venture to 
 use liberty in those things which the Lord and his Apostles 
 have limited They acknowledge themselves un- 
 worthy of divine grace, liberty, and blessing ; always carry 
 their treasure about with them as if it were only lent to them, 
 and might be easily lost. They shun persecution at a distance, 
 and gladly prevent it ; but near, they meet it boldly, and stand 
 immovable. They esteem inward siftings as grievous suffer- 
 ings ; but know beforehand, that they cannot be avoided in a 
 church." 
 
 In the year 1731, several individuals, Who either resided at 
 Herrnhut, or were on a visit there, secretly disseminated the 
 works of Madam Guion, which were approved of by some. 
 This induced tEe"Count~to read these writings, and particularly 
 her spiritual discourses. But, believing that some of the 
 mystics not only teach erroneous doctrines, but also use im- 
 proper modes of speech respecting commonly received truths, 
 he sought to extract that which was really good from them. 
 Hence he began, in February, to speak upon a variety of sub- 
 jects, in short meetings which he held, connected with Madam 
 Guion's discourses. But I am of opinion he did not so much 
 intend to introduce her writings into the church, as to bring off 
 its members from them ; and in this he succeeded. 
 
 Being solicitous that every thing should become increasingly 
 simple and childlike, he proposed, to the deliberation of the 
 church, whether an opportunity could not be found for a daily 
 public conference, in which each one should be at liberty, 
 either vocally, or in Writing, or through the medium of 
 another, to bring forward any subject on which he wished for 
 ejcplahation, and in which every one was free to express his 
 thoughts, objections, doubts, &c. 
 
134 DAIIY CONFERENCES. 
 
 He commenced a conference of this kind in his own house, 
 and asked every one of its assembled inmates how he felt in his 
 heart, — whether he had any thing against any of the brethren? 
 &c. Many things were thus revealed and brought into their 
 proper course, which otherwise might have done injury if they 
 had not been brought to light. 
 
 The church also found it advisable to follow his propo- 
 sition. The meetings were perfectly social and confidential ; 
 and it was, in reality, something pleasing and edifying to hear 
 the scriptural and experimental expressions of the brethren, 
 on the questions that came before them on subjects connected 
 with vital religion. 
 
 The Count, at the beginning of this year, was in consider- 
 able suspense respecting the constitution of the church at 
 Hernihut. This was caused by the dissatisfaction of many, 
 otherwise not ill-disposed persons, respecting its regulations. 
 He therefore proposed to the elders and assistants, whether 
 it would not be better, from a principle of charity and con- 
 cession, and in order to make the church more universal, 
 to give up the statutes and the ecclesiastical discipline, and 
 confine themselves, simply, to the Lutheran constitution ? He 
 prevailed so far on the elders and assistants, that they re- 
 solved to bring the matter forward in a meeting of the church. 
 This was accordingly done ; but the proposition was warmly 
 opposed. The brethren could not resolve thus to throw away 
 a constitution, under which their forefathers had prospered so 
 much three centuries before, and which had been renewed with 
 so much blessing to themselves. The^^oresaw, that what had 
 befallen many other awakened churches, which, from want of 
 order in discipline, had siiHered loss, and fallen away from their 
 first zeal, and had T)ecomeImEctelsiddL?i J^afidJS^JLJEiaJi 
 mighr very Taiily fiajpen to them,,.. They also felt obliged 
 to think of their descendants, and not deprive them of the 
 gracious gift of the constitution of the brethren, which would 
 be extremely desirable to many Protestants, if they could also 
 enjoy it. They were apprehensive of being scattered, and 
 growing cool in apostolic fervour, and of incurring a respon- 
 sibility in the sight of God, if they were to abrogate that 
 which they had accepted as conformable to the word of God, 
 
CONFIRMATION OF THE STATUTES. 135 
 
 not to mention other reasons. But, as the Count, on the other 
 side, urged every motive to induce the brethren to give up 
 their owiuconstitution, and abide simply by that of the Lutheran 
 church, it was resolved, on both sides, to commit the affair to 
 the Saviour, and resign themselves, in simplicity, to his will. 
 
 Accordingly, two lots were made ; on one of which was 
 written, " To them that are without law, as without law, 
 (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) 
 that ye may gain them that are without law." (1 Cor. ix. 21.) 
 And on the other, " Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold 
 the traditions which ye have been taught." (2 Thess. ii. 15.) 
 After every one had been made fully acquainted with the 
 meaning of these lots, — ^that, if the first were drawn, it should 
 be a proof that they were to accept the constitution of the 
 Lutheran church ; but, if the second, to retain that of the 
 brethren — fervent prayer was made, after which Christian 
 Renatus, the Count's little son, then not quite four years old, 
 drew the lot, and which proved to be the one last mentioned : 
 — " Stand fast, therefore, brethren, and hold the traditions 
 which ye have been taught." The Count was now requested 
 to address the church on the occasion, which he did with un- 
 usual effect. 
 
 This event afforded a new assurance to the heart of the 
 Count, with whom the Saviour's will was of greater importance 
 than all his previous reasons, that God had some particular 
 purpose to answer with respect to the Moravian church. He 
 therefore devoted, himself to its service anew ; and, in his 
 labours, directed his efforts more to the growth of its members 
 in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, than to 
 its extension. 
 
 On the 12th of February, it was resolved, " From heartfelt 
 love to the Saviour, and in the sincere hope of an abundant 
 blessing, to partake of the sacrament every month, to edify one 
 another in a greater degree, and to cleave the more closely to 
 Jesus." 
 
 For this purpose, he spoke with all the brethren before the 
 sacrament ; and in his attention to the whole flock, did not 
 overlook himself, but instituted a strict inquiry, whether he 
 had advanced in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in 
 
l^B felFtS OP HEALING. 
 
 tender intercourse with him, or not. In order to this, he took 
 a retrospect of his former and present state, and was able to 
 thank the Saviour, with tears, that he had brought him further 
 on the path of life. 
 \ About this time, various gifts and spiritual powers mani- 
 \fested themselves in the church at Herrnhut, and, in particular, 
 ^majiy miraculous cures. Its members believed, in filial sim- 
 plicity, the Words which the Saviour spoke respecting the 
 hearing of prayer; and when any particular affair pressed 
 itself upon them, they spoke with him concerning it, and ex- 
 pected every good thitig from him ; and it was done unto them 
 according to their faith. The Count heartily rejoiced at this, 
 and secretly praised ,the Saviour, who looks with such conde- 
 scension on the poor and the needy. He acknowledged this 
 confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ, as a fruit of the Holy 
 Spirit, which ought reasonably to be esteemed, and not prove 
 a stumbling-block to any. However, he did not wish that 
 the brethren and sisters should regard such things as extra- 
 ordinary, and thus attach themselves to them ; but when- 
 ever they occurred, as, for instance, when any one experienced 
 an instantaneous cure, either by a word spoken in faith, or by 
 prayer, were it even from the most dangerous injuries or the 
 most painful illnesses — he regarded it as a thing that was known, 
 and spoke little about it. He also frequently asserted, both in 
 Bublic and in private, that wonders were not granted for the 
 ''sake of believers, but of unbelievers — that wonder-working faith 
 was a gift, which did not make its possessor a better child of 
 God, but that he might even be inferior to others who did not 
 possess such gifts, nor strove for the possession of them — that 
 to love Christ, be resigned to him in all things, and submit 
 every thing to his will, was a much safer way, &c. Hence 
 when he saw that any one was urgently desirous of being 
 miraculously healed, it excited his suspicions, and he refused 
 to interfere. 
 
 His treatment of the sick, with whom he was fraternally 
 united, deserves to be noticed. The first thing he did was to 
 inquire into the probable cause of the sickness. He did not 
 rest satisfied with ascertaining its natural and immediate 
 causes; but sought to know what the Lord's intention was in 
 
TREATMENT OF THE SICK. 137 
 
 sending the sickness. Without Him, thought he, no sickness 
 visits us. He has an eye upon his children, aiid has said, 
 that his heavenly Father numbers all the hairs of their heads, 
 and that none of them falls to the ground without his know- 
 ledge. In this manner he deeply reflected with regard to 
 himself, when sickness overtook him. But if it befell any one 
 else, he either spoke first with the patient himself, or sent to 
 inquire if he knew what the Lord's intentions were in such a 
 visitation. He believed that when these were ascertained, and 
 it was seen that it was a chastisement from the Lord — help was 
 frequently at hand ; and that as soon as the sick man knew why 
 the Saviour had sent him the illness, and heartily acknow- 
 ledged it, there were good hopes of his recovery ; unless a 
 person had sinned in such a manner, that the Lord preferred 
 removing him, rather than leave him longer here a prey to 
 sorrow. But if none but mere natural causes appeared, he 
 was of opinion that as much, if not more, depended upon the 
 care and nursing of the individual, as upon the use of medicine. 
 Hence he was chiefly solicitous that the sick might receive due 
 attention ; and ordered it so, that brother should wait upon 
 brother, and sister upon sister, in their sicknesses. 
 
 He gave himself much trouble also with regard to the 
 children ; and in order that the brethren and sisters, who 
 ministered to the church with him, might have the same fun- 
 damental ideas on the subject With himself, four days, towards 
 the close of December, Were set apart for conferences upon the 
 bringing up of children. In their little meetings, he himself 
 gave them occasion to speak, sing, and pray, and inquired of 
 each how he stood with the Saviour. Besides which, he 
 sometimes afforded the children opportunity, according to their 
 sections, of speaking with him, and amongst each other, on the 
 state of their hearts ; when it soon appeared how they loved 
 the Saviour. 
 
 A particular event deserves to be noticed here, which oc- 
 curred on the 27th of October, with a brother of the name of 
 Hans Miinster, who, in the confusion of his mind, was about 
 to leave Herrnhut, but whom the Count happily restored to 
 the right path. This man was one of the brethren who had 
 come from Moravia to Herrnhut, where the Lord had showed 
 
138 REMARKABLE EVENT. 
 
 him much favour, and he was esteemed and loved by the 
 brethren. But in consequence of cherishing hostility towards 
 a brother, he lost his confidence in the Saviour, his love for 
 the members of the church, and became gloomy and melan- 
 choly. In this state, he spent a considerable time, without 
 attending the meetings, or unbosoming himself to any one ; 
 until, at length, he resolved within himself, secretly to retire 
 from Herrphut, and return to Moravia. When the evening 
 arrived in which he was to carry his resolution into effect, the 
 Count was all at once inwardly reminded of this man in a par- 
 ticular manner. He immediately rose up, and went to him. 
 On entering the door — ^it was about ten o'clock in the even- 
 ing — Miinster was just going out. The Count kindly in- 
 quired howmatters went with him ? The reply was, " Not well." 
 " I am sorry to hear that," answered the Count ; and then 
 spoke in such a heartfelt manner to him, that he was deeply 
 affected, and shed many tears; and thus the Count left him. 
 The day following, Miinster came, disclosed his whole state 
 to him, and informed him, that the evening before, he was 
 just on the point of setting out, at the very moment when 
 the Count came to him. The latter then told him how he 
 had borne him upon his heart for three-quarters of a year 
 together, but did not feel at liberty to speak with him, until 
 incited to it in a particular manner the day before. Miinster 
 was, at length, scarcely able to utter a word for tears, and the 
 Count invited him to partake of the sacrament, which was in- 
 tended to be administered to the church three days afterwards 
 at Bertholdsdorf. 
 
 When that day arrived, the Count went himself with Miin- 
 ster to Bertholdsdorf, and spoke cordially with him on the way. 
 On entering the church, he recommended him to repeat the 
 prayer, which is usually done by a brother, in the name of the 
 church, before the absolution. He did so, with many tears, 
 and from that time he pursued a happy course until his end. 
 
 It has been already mentioned, that the Count was commis- 
 sioned to undertake the superintendence of the choir of sisters, 
 and that he had been cohfirmed in this office; when, after 
 minute investigation, the accusations which had been brought 
 against him were found to be false. 
 
JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN. 139 
 
 These accusations emanated from two individuals, who had 
 perhaps deceived themselves and others, not so much from 
 malice and guile, as from misapprehension. On seeing how 
 improperly they had acted in speaking of things from mere 
 suspicion, which were now proved to be calumnies, they 
 experienced great anxiety of conscience. 
 
 This induced one of them to write to the church in Herrn- 
 hut, and accuse himself as being the most wicked of men. 
 He confessed that he felt the curse which he had brought upon 
 himself by thus calumniating the Count, and that he had 
 certainly stiU more sorrow to expect, if God did not have 
 mercy upon him. 
 
 The other came from Sorau, whither he had removed, to 
 Herrnhut, and confessed his sin ; but could neither believe 
 that the Count forgave him, nor was able to forgive him- 
 self. And although the Count treated him in the kindest 
 manner, and endeavoured to comfort him by the strongest 
 assurances of his forgiveness and his love, yet it did not avail, 
 and it was long before either of them were pacified : for 
 they could not re-expel the poison they had infused into 
 others ; but saw, to their grief, how it continued to operate. 
 This was also a heavy affliction to the Count, who sincerely 
 loved them. 
 
 We now come to the Count's journey to Copenhagen, 
 which was occasioned by a cordial acquaintance with that 
 court of many years' standing. The Count confesses that his 
 intention was to accept of an engagement in Denmark, on 
 condition, however, that he should, at the same time, be at 
 liberty to preach the gospel of Christ, and, especially, retain 
 charge of his dear Herrnhut. 
 
 He, therefore, by no means intended to accept of such an 
 office as would entangle him in state-affairs. He had, indeed, 
 formerly thought, that it would be very desirable for him to 
 ffil such a station, under a pious king, as would enable him, in 
 a certain sense, to do much good to the whole kingdom, and 
 promote the salvation of many thousand souls. But he says, 
 on the 28th January, " I ,have been speaking with widows, 
 and the poor, and the low, who trust in the Lord ; and I was, 
 at the same time, so penetrated with the lowliness of Christ, 
 
140 JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN! 
 
 that I have humbly offered up to the Lord the desire of ac- 
 complishing any thing in the manner above mentioned, have 
 broken off the correspondence, and resolved to know nothing 
 except the being lowly, poor, and despised." 
 
 But before he resolved on the journey to Copenhagen, he 
 reflected much upon it; and, because he ministered to the 
 church in various ways, he would not do any thing in the 
 matter without its consent. He, accordingly, spoke first 
 with his fellow-labourers, who were unanimous for his under- 
 taking it ; for they believed that he would find opportunity of 
 boldly and beneficially confessing Jesus Christ in Denmark. 
 When he afterwards brought the matter before the church, 
 and every circumstance had been maturely weighed, a very 
 great majority were in favour of it. But even this would not 
 have satisfied him, if he had not felt assured that the journey 
 was according to the Saviour's will, and that he would be with 
 him. Still he found it a painful struggle, and it cost him 
 many tears and prayers ; for he knew the danger to which he 
 should be exposed. 
 
 He commenced his journey on the 25th of April, respecting 
 which he writes : " Being obliged to stay a while before the 
 gates of Halle, I went, in the mean time, to the university, 
 walked about in the court, and ardently thanked my Saviour 
 for all the mercy he had shown me there." He there received 
 many visits, particularly from the Inspectors Freyer, Baum- 
 garten, and others, with whom he conversed till a late hour. 
 In another place, the opportunity was afforded him of bring- 
 ing a certain gentleman, who was ignorantly prejudiced against 
 him, to other sentiments. The latter was quite astonished at 
 himself, and his erroneous ideas and expressions respecting the 
 Count. He thanked God, who had afforded him an oppor- 
 tunity of becoming acquainted with the Count, and for having 
 preserved him that day from sinning against him. At the 
 same timei he heartily besought his forgiveness, and promised, 
 wherever he had expressed himself according to his former 
 views, to testify to the contrary. He finally wished him many 
 blessings on his journey, assured him of his prayers, and his 
 consort did the same. 
 
 In Rendsburg he became acquainted with Conradi, the 
 
JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEK. 141 
 
 superintendent-general of Schleswig and Holstein : besides 
 which, he was waited upon by many pious persons, amongst 
 whom were several preachers. He availed himself of the 
 opportunity, and not only freely spoke with them of salvation 
 by Christ, but also gave an address, at which the superin- 
 tendent-general performed on the harpsichord, and declared, 
 " that if Counts could preach such sermons, and hold such 
 singing-meetings, superintendents-general might well play to 
 them." 
 
 When the Count reached Copenhagen, he found that his 
 arrival was expected, and that a lodging was appointed him 
 not far from the royal palace. Baron Sbehlenthal, governor 
 to the Crown- Prince, and an old friend of the Count's, visited 
 him, and spent several hours with him. 
 
 At that time, the dawn of a brighter day seemed bursting 
 upon Denmark, although it still appeared doubtful whether 
 light or darkness would gain the ascendancy. Not only 
 amongst the clergy, but also amongst the king's ministers, 
 and even in the royal family itself, were many awakened 
 individuals : but there were also many persons of rank and 
 importance, who were opposed to any change, and wished 
 things to remain as they were. The king himself, being a 
 good and pious monarch, and preferring pious people about 
 him, — the latter presented a very different appearance to the 
 church at Corinth, in which " not many vdse men after the 
 flesh, not many noble, were called." But it must not be sup- 
 posed that all these noble and respectable people were decided 
 in their religious profession ; for there were many amongst 
 them who were only half-hearted in the cause. Therefore, 
 when the Count set before such persons the whole mind of 
 Christ, they could not resist the Spirit and power that was in 
 him ; yet the food was too strong for them ; a nd it was after - 
 wards apparent, that those were more welcome to them, who 
 werejatisfied with.putwafd exercises and gious conversation. 
 
 The Count then visited the Lord Chamberlain Von Pless, 
 who said to him, " The king desires to speak with you. Con- 
 verse with him with all the sincerity of a witness for God, 
 which character you bear amongst us." 
 
 He was apcpr(}ingly preserited to the king a few days after 
 
142 JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN.. 
 
 his arrival, and graciously received. In a short time, he was 
 invited to the royal table, at which, beside their Majesties, 
 only a few ladies of the first rank, and four members of the 
 king's privy council, were present. It was remarked that the 
 queen, as well as the Margravine her mother, together with 
 the Crown Prince, and the Princesses Sophia Hedwig and 
 Charlotte Amelia, were particularly gracious towards him. The 
 consequence was, that many were anxious to show him honour 
 and affection ; nay, they loaded him with it in such a manner, 
 that he was wearied with it, and vrished himself rid of it. 
 
 In his letters to the Countess, he says, " People vie with 
 each other in showing me kindness, so that I clearly see, God 
 intends to prove to me here, that I have lost nothing by 
 following in the footsteps of his Son. But I long only the 
 more to return to my blessed sphere of affliction, where I 
 gently reposed under so much that was oppressive." .... 
 
 It fared with the Count, in Copenhagen, as is generally the 
 case with those who are distinguished by any thing particular. 
 The ideas formed of him before he was personally known, 
 proved to be incorrect. He was found to possess a greater 
 measure of gifts, understanding, ability, and courage than was 
 supposed : in particular, a degree of integrity and frankness 
 was observed in him, not very usual at courts. 
 
 Not long after his arrival in Copenhagen,. the Lord Cham- 
 berlain asked him, in the king's name, whether he would 
 accept a place amongst the king's ministers, should it be 
 offered him ? But the Count totally declined it, stating as a 
 reason, that he was pledged to the church at Herrnhut, and 
 would accept of no office, in which he should be obliged to 
 detach himself from its service, which he esteemed of such 
 importance. Meanwhile, his illustrious and noble friends 
 devised with him a plan, which, if fully acted upon, would 
 have proved the means of realizing his intentions, both for the 
 present and the future : but it was never carried into effect. 
 His proposals found no hearing, because they were so humble 
 and disinterested, that it was either thought improper to give 
 him such an appointment, or else they did not believe he was 
 really in earnest to serve Denmark in such a manner ; and 
 thus it happened that he accepted no engagement. 
 
JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN. 143 
 
 In the beginning of June, the Count travelled to Frede- 
 ricksburg, at the king's command, to be present at the 
 coronation ; on which occasion, he was told that the king 
 intended to bestow upon him the order of Dannebrog. The 
 Count had many scruples against accepting it ; and his strug- 
 gles were so painful, that he spent the previous night imder 
 many tears, and without sleep. 
 
 He had almost resolved not to accept the order, when the 
 Margravine of Culmbach, a short time before he went to the 
 king, called him to her, and seriously admonished him not to 
 cause a sensation by refusing it. On this the king sent for 
 him, and invested him with the insignia of the order, in the 
 presence of the master of the ceremonies, in a very gracious 
 manner. 
 
 From this time, however, he resolved to become still more 
 attached to the reproach of Christ, and to confess his word 
 still more boldly. He soon after became more acquainted 
 with the Danish colonies, and induced, by certain circum- 
 stances, to reflect deeply on the conversion of the heathen 
 there. He had already entered into a covenant with the 
 young Baron Von Wattewille, which had reference also to 
 the conversion of the heathen, and had subsequently thought 
 much upon the subject. Whilst he was in Copenhagen, he, and 
 the brethren he had with him from Herrnbut, met with two 
 Greenlanders, and heard many things respecting the Rev. 
 Mr. Egede's endeavours to introduce the gospel amongst that 
 people. When the Count heard of the many difficulties Egede 
 had encountered, and how little fruit he had reaped fropi his 
 astonishing eiforts, he was much grieved, especially on hearing 
 that people began to think that ajl the expense which had 
 been, and still might be incurred for the conversion of the 
 Greenlanders, was in vain ; so that the question was agitated, 
 whether Egede should not be recalled, and the mission given 
 up. This induced the Count to resolve to do every thing in 
 his power to assist the worthy man, for which he found 
 opportunity on his return to Herrnhut. 
 
 He also became acquainted with an awakened negro, who 
 related that he had a sister in the island of St. Thomas, who, 
 he believed, might be converted, if there were any one to 
 
144 JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN. 
 
 preach Christ to her. This excited his compassion, and he 
 thought of ways and means to aid the poor negress, in which 
 he succeeded, as will appear in the sequel. > 
 
 I will only add respecting the Count's residence at Copen- 
 hagen, that, at the king's request to recommend him a worthy 
 and learned man as court-chaplain and professor of divinity, 
 the Count proposed Chancellor Reuss, of Tiibingen, whom the 
 king accordingly appointed, and commissioned the Count to 
 communicate with him : in consequence of which, he respeived 
 his nomination before the end of the year. 
 
 The Count also drew up the plan of a new academy for the 
 king, which would probably have been carried into effect, if 
 the Count could have resolved upon remaining in Denmark, 
 and taking charge of the affair himself. 
 
 Besides this, he received particular marks of the king's 
 favour on various occasions, and the latter conversed with hini 
 in an extremely gracious manner, on the 27th of June, in 
 Fredericksburg, before his departure ; the queen did the 
 same, and, in a conference on important subjects, gave him for 
 a motto, Christus, restituor. 
 
 The Count's profound veneration for these illustrious per- 
 sonages beamed through all his deportment whilst with them ; 
 but this did not prevent him from speaking freely on every 
 topic, especially when the Saviour was the subject of dis- 
 course, 
 
 On the whole, it must be observed, that the Count possessed 
 the most ardent devotion and esteem for the royal family of 
 Denmark, not only at that time, but subsequently : so much 
 condescension, and I may say friendship, was also shovra him 
 by them, during his residence in Denmark, tliat much might 
 still be said upon the subject.* 
 
 I pass over other acquaintances which the Count made in 
 Copenhagen, and will only briefly notice, that he became 
 
 * The Count says, in writing to the Countess, " The Princess Charlotte 
 Amelia, the king's sister, so encouraged me on my birth-day, that I 
 cannot sufficiently thank God for it. She sent for me to her retreat, and 
 congratulated me so heartily on the occasion, and upon following in the 
 footsteps of Jesus, that 1 felt reanimated. We conversed together for an 
 hour : she thinks far more highly of us than we deserve." 
 
JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN. 145 
 
 intimate with several serious divines, both amongst the bishops 
 and the inferior clergy. Amongst these he particularly dis- 
 tinguished the Rev. Mr. Ejvald, who preached the gospel with 
 a warm heart to the benefit of many souls, and had something 
 simple, cordial, and edifying in his deportment when in com- 
 pany. The brethren from Herrnhut, who were with the 
 Count, particularly the two Nitschmans, associated much with 
 those who had been awakened under Ewald's ministry, and 
 were well received by them. The Count was likewise anxious 
 to become acquainted with them, and to edify himself with 
 them in the Lord. He also conversed more freely with some, 
 in whom he perceived the most grace and gifts, and spoke 
 with them on the ways of God with much freedom. And 
 before he left Copenhagen, he took "three of them, in whom 
 he placed the most confidence, and not only enjoined them 
 to be faithful in watching over the rest, but also implored 
 the Divine blessing upon them, for this purpose, in a heartfelt 
 prayer. 
 
 On the 1st of July, the Count took his departure from 
 Fredericksburg, and, after encountering two dangerous storms 
 and a whirlwind, he proceeded on his route by way of Fre- 
 dericia. In Schleswick he had an audience, on the 5th of July, 
 both of the king and quee);i, who had preceded him thither : 
 he also visited the Margravine and the two Princesses, with 
 all of whom he had very edifying conversations. On the 7th, 
 he had again an audience, when he took leave of their 
 Majesties, who parted with him in a very kind and gracious 
 manner. 
 
 In Stadthagen, the Count visited the Dowager - Countess 
 of Schaumburg-Lippe, with whom he had previously corre- 
 sponded ; from whence he proceeded to Wolfenbiittel, where 
 he waited upon the Duchess, and held a meeting for prayer in 
 the evening, in which he preached Jesus Christ in simplicity. 
 He then pursued his journey by way of Hanover and Bruns- 
 wick, and arrived, on the 15th of July, in Wernigerode, of 
 which he writes as follows : " The reception was most cordial. 
 The Count prayed with tears. In the evening, I held a meet- 
 ing, which was numerously attended, and all were afiiected. 
 In the night, I travelled further.'' 
 
146 DEPUTATION FROM ZAUCUTENTHAL. 
 
 He arrived at Herrnhut on the 21st of July, at two o'clock 
 in the morning, and found the unmarried brethren engaged in 
 prayer together. As gratified as the church was to possess 
 him again, so much rejoiced was he to find his dear Herrnhut 
 in such prosperity : it had not only outwardly increased, but 
 also inwardly in grace, in an abundant measure. The meeting- 
 house had been enlarged to twice the size, and yet it was 
 filled ; five new houses were being erected ; his own house 
 in good order, his garden enlarged, &c. ; and he could joyfully 
 say, with reference to the church, " As long as Jesus is Lord,' 
 fresh grace will he afford." 
 
 During his absence, seventy-four fresh exiles had arrived in 
 Herrnhut, whom he invited to dine with him on the 23d of 
 July ; on which occasion, some clergymen and other friends 
 unexpectedly arrived from various places, so that, with the 
 elders and assistants, about a hundred individuals sat down 
 to dinner. 
 
 The parish of Zauchtenthal, in Moravia, sent two deputies 
 to Herrnhut, with some demands on Martin Liebisch and 
 George Schneider, desiring the magistrate of Bertholdsdorf to 
 send these two men back. The deputies were received with 
 much affection, and opportunity was given them to see and 
 hear every thing. Soon after their arrival, a court was held 
 upon the subject of their application, at which the Count was 
 present. Liebisch and Schneider were then sent for, and told 
 that they were quite at liberty to return. But after they had 
 expressed their sentiments, the Count caused an official answer 
 to be returned to the parish of Zauchtenthal, that he had no 
 wish for foreign vassals, and that they were perfectly at liberty 
 to return to their place. But because they both asserted that 
 it was impossible for them to belong to the Catholic religion, 
 without the profession of which their residence in Moravia was 
 not permitted ; and as they had, therefore, resolved rather to 
 turn their backs upon their hard-earned property, it was con- 
 trary to the Count's conscience to send back these fugitive 
 exiles against their will : but that all justice had been done to 
 the two deputies, as they themselves would testify. 
 
 We must not here omit the journey of two of the brethren, 
 Martin Linner and Paul Schneider, to Moravia, which took 
 
LINKER AND SCHNEIDER's JOURNEY TO MORAVIA. 147 
 
 place this year (1731). The former felt induced, from love 
 to his friends, with whom he wished to converse respecting 
 their salvation, to take this dangerous step. After having 
 laid it before the church, leave was given him to undertake 
 the journey. 
 
 When he was on his return, he was arrested, with a number 
 of emigrants who had attached themselves to him : but as the 
 guard seemed as if they wished to have nothing to do with 
 him, he listened to the urgent entreaties of his friends, and 
 took an opportunity of escaping. But being afterwards appre- 
 hensive lest by so doing he might cause offence to others, he 
 returned to the place where he had been arrested, to deliver 
 himself up. However, he found no one there, and was obliged 
 to remain at liberty against his wiU, On his return to Herrn- 
 hut, the Count and the other assistants of the church, were at 
 a loss what to think of the matter. They therefore minutely 
 investigated the following points : whether the slightest cir- 
 cumstance had arisen, from whence it might be supposed that 
 he had induced the people to emigrate ; against which the 
 Count had long before issued a serious warning : whether 
 the people had sold any of their furniture, and taken the 
 money with them, so as merely to leave their habitations ; 
 and whether he had seriously reproved them for so doing ; 
 and lastly, the reason why, on being taken prisoner, he did 
 not prefer remaining, and wait the result, even should it have 
 cost him his life ? Linner explained himself upon these points 
 in a satisfactory manner ; but, meanwhile, voluntarily resigned 
 his office. But, in the course of a few weeks, the wonder- 
 working hand of God brought all those who had been impri- 
 soned safely to Herrnhut, who strongly and unanimously 
 asserted his innocence, already pretty clearly established ; so 
 that he resumed his eldership with the same simplicity and 
 obedience with which, till the result of the affair, he had laid 
 it down. 
 
 Paul Schneider had set out, without saying much about it ; 
 and after being imprisoned, he was at length dismissed, vrith an 
 open document, stating that he had recanted his errors. On 
 his return to Herrnhut, the brethren were perplexed about 
 him, made him relate all the circumstances, and thought it 
 
 H 2 
 
148 MISSION TO ST. THOMAS. 
 
 best that he should return to Moravia, and express himsel 
 more plainly, even though he might be cast into prison. Ht 
 was then called before the council of the church, and the Count 
 made the proposition to him in the name of the church. All 
 wept, for he was much beloved. A letter was sent with him, 
 stating the object of his journey, and he accordingly set out. 
 On arriving at the parish in Moravia, from whence he had 
 been sent away, the officers were angry, and told him to be 
 gone. Paul Schneider asked only for a certificate that he had 
 been there, which he received, and returned to Herrnhut. 
 
 Two days after the Count's arrival at Herrnhut, he spoke 
 with the church concerning the negroes and their wretched 
 condition, from what he had heard in Copenhagen. This made 
 such an impression on Leonard Dober, that he immediately 
 thought, that if the Lord found him fitted for the work, he 
 would willingly go amongst the negroes. The same resolu- 
 tion was taken, at the same time, by Tobias Leupold ; but 
 though they were intimate friends, yet they said nothing to 
 each other of what was passing in their hearts, until each had 
 made it a matter of prayer before God. Dober, after passing 
 an almost sleepless night, spoke to Leupold upon the sub- 
 ject, and was rejoiced to find that he was of the same 
 mind with himself, and they then united together in prayer 
 respecting it. 
 
 Leupold wrote on the 25th to the Count, and stated to him, 
 very simply, the impulse which Dober and he felt in their 
 hearts with respect to the negroes. 
 
 This letter was read in the evening to the church, but with- 
 out mentioning the names. 
 
 On the 29th of July, the negro above mentioned arrived in 
 Herrnhut from Copenhagen, with David Nitschman, whom the 
 Count had left there. Soon after his arrival, opportunity was 
 afforded him of stating the matter at a meeting of the church. 
 He related, in an affecting manner, the lamentable state of the 
 poor negroes in the West Indies, and how they not only sighed 
 under almost incredible slavery, but were also a prey to hea- 
 then blindness and horrible sins, because they knew nothing 
 of God and Christ. He also stated, that he believed many of 
 •hem would be converted, if the Saviour were preached to 
 
MISSION TO GREENLAND. 149 
 
 them, and mentioned his sister in particular ; but, at the same 
 time, did not conceal his opinion of the difficulty there would 
 be in procuring an opportunity of instructing the negroes, 
 unless the individual became himself a slave : for they were so 
 overloaded with labour, that there was no time for receiving 
 instruction except during work. 
 
 By this statement, the brethren, so far from being deterred, 
 were the more confirmed in their resolution. The thing was 
 afterwards considered in the council of the church ; and it 
 was decided that Dober should proceed to the West Indies, 
 but Leupold remain till another time. The departure of the 
 former was, however, delayed for upwards of a year. This was 
 the commencement of the missions of the brethren to the 
 Danish islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. 
 
 Something was also done at the same time, and on the same 
 occasion, for Greenland : for, after speaking of the poor hea- 
 thens in St. Thomas, the brethren also related some particulars 
 respecting the Grieenlanders they had seen in Copenhagen, and 
 what they had heard of Egede's labours amongst them. And 
 after listening to the letter of the two brethren, who offered 
 themselves to go amongst the negroes, two others felt inwardly 
 incited to make a similar attempt amongst the Greenlanders : 
 but because they did not trust to themselves, being still young, 
 they sought to be assured of the will of God, before they made 
 their intentions known. They therefore went together into 
 the wood, cast themselves at the Lord's feet, and mutually 
 implored him to sliow them whether the project were accept- 
 able to him. Feeling immediately afterwards the -assurance 
 of his good pleasure m their hearts, they addressed a letter to 
 the church on the subject, which was publicly read, and the 
 Coimt cherished the hope, that even in Greenland much good 
 might be done amongst the heathen. He suffered, however, 
 a considerable time to elapse, before he replied to the two 
 brethren, in order that it might be seen how much reason they 
 had for this important undertaking. At length he sent for 
 them, and asked them, if they were still inclined to go to 
 Greenland ? and on their replying in the affirmative, he set 
 before them all the difficulties and -dangers connected with it ; 
 but at the same time assured them, that if they would attempt 
 
155 COMMISSION OF INSUIRY. 
 
 it, in reliance upon the Saviour, they might make ready for 
 their journey, with his and the church's blessing. But their 
 departure was also delayed above a year ; until, in January, 
 1733, the first voyage to Greenland was undertaken, and the 
 mission really commenced. 
 
 On the 19th of March, 1732, a son was born to the Count, 
 who was baptized by the name of John Ernest, who, however, 
 departed this life on the 16th of May in the same year ; and 
 on the 2d of December, his little daughter Theodora Caritas 
 also went to her eternal home, after giving many pleasing 
 proofs of a work of grace having been commenced in her 
 heart. 
 
 From the Count's family, I turn to the church, to which his 
 whole heart was attached, andhave, first of all, to mention a Com- 
 'mission appointed this year, to examine into the state of things 
 at Herrnhut. He that considers its circumstances, and what 
 was said, written, and published against Herrnhut, may easily 
 divine the reason of this Commission. The privy council in 
 Dresden were desirous of ascertaining whether the complaints 
 against Herrnhut, and especially against the Count, had any 
 foundation. The inquiry had reference to two principal 
 points : — " Whether the emigrants from Moravia had been 
 seduced and enticed from the imperial estates, or whether it 
 was merely a matter of inclination and conscience. The other 
 point was, what there was in the doctrine and practice of the 
 church at Herrnhut, that was so particular — what there was in 
 the latter, which subjected it to so much opposition, and what 
 was the cause of the latter." 
 
 The Count having been secretly informed, that Count Von 
 Gersdorfjthe lieutenant of the district ofGoerlitz,had received 
 orders to make every inquiry upon the points above mentioned, 
 invited him in the most friendly manner to Herrnhut, that he 
 might see and hear every thing with his own eyes and ears : 
 and on his arrival there, on the 19th of January, together with 
 his secretary, the Count treated him with all the I'espect due 
 to the king's commissary. He then sought to procure the 
 Count the strictest insight into every thing to which his Com- 
 mission had reference. He continued all the public and 
 special meetings in the ordinary manner, and used all freedom 
 
COMMISSION OF INftUIRY. 151 
 
 in his expressions and explanations, lest circumspection should, 
 be regarded as the fear of man : nor did the Commission think 
 it too much to be present both at the sermon of Mr. Rothe in 
 Bertholdsdorf, and at the meeting at Herrnhut, and afterwards 
 to listen to the homiletical addresses to all the choirs, in eleven 
 different meetings, which, however, did not require more than 
 a quarter of an hour each. They were also present in the 
 general assembly of the church on the Lord's day, on which 
 occasion the Count spoke extremely boldly, fraternally, and 
 cordially with the members of the church. 
 
 On the 21st, the whole church came together, and the Count 
 was not present. The Lord-Lieutenant addressed them in a 
 very friendly manner, stating that his Majesty, in his paternal 
 solicitude, was causing inquiry to be made, whether there were 
 any foundation for the reports that the Emperor's subjects 
 were enticed thither, and into the other objections against the 
 institutions at Herrnhut. One of the brethren answered, 
 briefly and modestly, that they were ready to be interrogated. 
 The chief magistrate then caused each of the emigrants to 
 come forward, and they spoke of the manner of their leaving 
 home, the persecution they had endured (of which more than 
 forty living witnesses were present), and of their hope of 
 salvation, in such a sincere and convincing manner that the 
 commissioners were much affected. During this transaction, all 
 the doors stood open. The brethren afterwards stated, in a 
 memorial to the king's ct)mmissary, what else remained to be 
 noticed. 
 
 In the afternoon, the Lord-Lieutenant endeavoured to ac- 
 complish the remainder of his Commission, and to obtain the 
 necessary information respecting the regulations at Herrnhut : 
 this the Count and Martin Dober, as the two assistants, and 
 who had most to do with their regulations, could best supply. 
 The chief magistrate scrupled indeed to examine the Count 
 himself, but after the latter had removed his hesitation, the 
 Count, with the aid of Martin Dober, gave a documentary state- 
 ment of the inward and outward condition of the church, and 
 produced all the papers which had reference to it ; so that the 
 Commission had sufficient opportunity of ascertaining the true 
 state of the things respecting which inquiry was to be made. 
 
152 DECLARATION RESPECTING THE EMIGRANTS. 
 
 On the 22d of January, Count Von Gersdorf was present at 
 the meeting, which the Count held upon the watchword for 
 the day. He afterwards repaired to the Orphan-house, to 
 inspect the manner in which the children were taught : he 
 also heard the boys catechised, afterwards visited the dispen- 
 sary, and then the institution for single young men. 
 
 When all was terminated with respect to the Commission of 
 Inquiry, the Commissioners departed from Herrnhut. The 
 Count also wrote to the king, at that time in Poland, which 
 letter he forwarded with the documents of the Commission. 
 He made, besides this, a special report to the privy council, in 
 which, as lord of the manor of Herrnhut, he explained the 
 constitution of that place, in accordance with the memorial 
 given to the Commissary by the church, to the eiFect, that if 
 their residence in the country were displeasing to the govern- 
 ment, they were ready to quit it. 
 
 The consequences of this Commission were, that from that 
 time forward, the government treated the affairs of the church 
 at Herrnhut with so much wisdom, as to call for praise and 
 thanksgiving to God. 
 
 The Count subsequently, received no more Moravians into 
 Herrnhut; respecting which he thus expresses himself: — 
 " The emigration from Moravia having cost the life of two dear 
 brethren, who had returned thither against my will and advice, 
 I have, since 1732, entirely ceased to receive emigrants, nor 
 have I suffered any one of this description of character to settle 
 under me : and after his Majesty had made it known, in 
 August, 1733, that in consequence of the compacts with Bo- 
 hemia, he was disinclined to admit the further settling of 
 emigrants in his territories, I could no longer think of it for 
 conscience' sake." 
 
 During the time that the Count filled, in turn with the other 
 assistants, the office of joint-elder, Rock and Tuchtfeld arrived 
 in Herrnhut. 
 
 Love and truth were the objects which the Count had in 
 view, in his intercourse with them ; but he did not wish that 
 either of them should infuse their sentiments and opinions 
 into any one at Herrnhut, or seduce them from their sim- 
 plicity : for this reason, he afforded them an opportunity of 
 
ATTENTION TO THE CHILDREN. 153 
 
 speaking publicly in the church, and requested them to express 
 themselves freely upon every thing they had to say. Having 
 people before them, who lived in the grace and knowledge of 
 Christ, they were ashamed of advancing any thing in the 
 church which did not tend to edification. 
 
 Rock had indeed some of his fits of inspiration at Herrnhut, 
 but without any further result than his being listened to with- 
 out disturbance : that which was strange and unintelligible in 
 them, was suffered to pass unheeded ; the remainder was quietly 
 considered, and where any objection arose, it was made with 
 all simplicity. The brethren and sisters adhered to the main 
 point, did not desire extraordinary things, but made it their 
 chief concern to taste and see how good the Lord is. 
 
 The Count had, some time before, made an attempt to take 
 personal charge of the boys. He sent for them early every 
 morning, with their teacher, and let them spend the whole 
 day in his ante-room. He visited them there as often as he 
 could, and made himself acquainted with each of them. He 
 wished to know the course they took, and to speak from ex- 
 perience upon the manner of teaching children : for they lay 
 much upon his heart, and the object of his labours with them 
 was, that they might really become that which was often said 
 of them — " the hope of better times." 
 
 He did not, however, proceed far in this well-meant under- 
 taking : he was not altogether fitted for the instruction of 
 children, nor did he possess the requisite gifts. He that 
 desires to teach and educate children, must entirely devote 
 himself to it, to the neglect of every thing else : besides, it is 
 necessary to have much patience with the inherent naughtiness 
 of children, until they are amended by grace. But the Count 
 was already so much occupied with the affairs of the church, 
 and the care of soids, that he could not possibly devote him- 
 self wholly to the children. The faults he observed in them, 
 also caused him too much pain to endure it for any length of 
 time : the regulation with the boys, therefore, was not of long 
 duration ; but was of this advantage to him, that he derived a 
 clear idea of the labour of educating children. 
 
 This year (1732) the church at Herrnhut thought seriously 
 of having a pastor of their own. In the letter written to the 
 
 H 3 
 
154 JOURNEY TO NEUSTADT, ETC. 
 
 Count on this occasion they say, " The inhabitants of Herrnhut 
 having increased to about five hundred persons, thus forming 
 a place of itself, and having been hitherto obliged to submit to 
 many difficulties, or else be exceedingly burdensome to the 
 vicar of Bertholdsdorf on the occasion of weddings, baptisms, 
 funerals, and in other ways, as well as that in consequence 
 of an intervening eminence, we are almost cut off, daring 
 the winter season, in heavy falls of snow, from the parish 
 of Bertholdsdorf, and, from inability to attend church, are 
 apprehensive of causing ofience. We can think of no better 
 means than to request that we may have a Lutheran 
 minister of our own, so that we may be under his special 
 pastoral care." After describing the duties which such a 
 minister would have to perform, they say, " that they were 
 unanimous in accepting Mr. Steinhofer to fiU that office, 
 should the Count reflect upon him." In consequence 
 of this, Steinhofer was invited to be assistant preacher in 
 Herrnhut. 
 
 In April, the Count set out on a journey. He left Herrnhut 
 on the 23d, and was in Leipzig on the 27th. In Jena he 
 addressed the awakened students from the words, " Thou 
 knowest that I love thee ;" and in Ulstedt, upon the passage, 
 " In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision 
 availeth any thing, but a new creature," 
 
 He then proceeded to Saalfeld, and afterwards to Neustadt- 
 an-der-Aisch, to visit Superintendent Steinmetz. I travelled 
 with him, and the journey proved a blessing to me. On the 
 3d of May, we arrived safely at Neustadt, and were received 
 by the superintendent vyith much affection. Having a short 
 time before received a call to Closter Bergen, he was uncom- 
 monly rejoiced at the Count's arrival ; for he not Only wished 
 to hear his sentiments upon it, but also, if the Count were so 
 disposed, and if he resolved upon accepting the call, that he 
 would make the matter known to the Margrave of Bayreuth. 
 The Count accordingly agreed to do so. 
 
 Meanwhile, he conversed with the superintendent upon the 
 affairs of the church at Herrnhut, for the latter felt a par- 
 ticular interest in the awakening which had taken place 
 amongst the brethren in Moravia. Professor Reuss having 
 
JOURNEY TO NEUSTADT, ETC. 155 
 
 also arrived at Neustadt on his way to Copenhagen, for the 
 purpose of entering upon his oflBce, opportunity was afforded 
 of conferring with the superintendent on many subjects con- 
 nected with the state of things in Copenhagen, so far as they 
 had reference to the Saviour's cause. The Count was anxious 
 to do all in his power to promote a new translation of the 
 Bible, in which, after .being careful that the true meaning of v' 
 the sacred writers was ascertained, all pains should be taken 
 to bring it into plain, simple, and intelligible language. This 
 was one of the chief things on which he wished to cqnverse 
 with the superintendent, and hear his opinion upon it. 
 
 From Neustadt, the Count made an excursion to Castell, 
 where he had not been for eleven years. He there called to 
 mind, with gratitude towards his Saviour, all that had 
 occurred to him in that place. He was very kindly received 
 by his aunt, the Countess of Castell, and wrote from thence 
 to his consort : " My spirit returns to me again upon this 
 journey : for the eyes of the Saviour guide me. I labour 
 without any will or purpose of my ovra, and thus every thing 
 succeeds.'' 
 
 On returning from Castell to Neustadt, he had another 
 important interview with the superintendent, and left most of 
 his writings in his hands, that he might refer to them for 
 whatever was requisite. 
 
 I then returned to Jena, and the Count, at Professor Reuss's 
 request, travelled first of all to Nurenberg, where he met with 
 some of his former acquaintances. He here became acquainted 
 with several awakened individuals, but did not harmonize 
 altogether with them : however, he writes, that they spent 
 the 10th of May with much benefit to their souls. 
 
 On the 11th of May, they arrived at Bayreuth, and were 
 soon visited by Mr. Silchmiiller, the chaplain to the court. 
 The Count afterwards waited on the Margrave, and had a long 
 private conference with him : the latter refused, at first;, to 
 listen to Steinmetz's removal from Neustadt, but, at the same 
 time, gave the Count to understand, that he was very solicit- 
 ous of promoting all that is good. The Count was then 
 invited to be present at the celebration of the Prince's birth- 
 day, which was the day following ; but he declined it, being 
 
156 REJECTION OF BOHEMIAN EMIGRANTS. 
 
 desirous of hastening his departure ; hdwever, he addressed a 
 numerous assembly the same day in Mr. Silchmiiller's house, 
 at his request, in the grace and power of Jesus Christ. 
 
 On the 12th of May he reached Ebersdorf : it happened to 
 be the Countess Theodora's birth-day, with whom the Count 
 had a very cordial and edifying interview. Finding that a 
 misunderstanding prevailed amongst the brethren at Ebers- 
 dorf, he endeavoured to remove it, and it was at length 
 agreed to leave those that were serious, to act according to 
 their o-jirn conviction ; whilst they, on the contrary, were not 
 to judge of others, that thus they might live together in peace 
 and harmony. 
 
 On the 20th of May, the Count arrived safely in Herrnhut 
 with Professor Reuss and the rest of his company. About 
 this time, a very unpleasant affair occurred with a number of 
 Bohemian exiles. These people had settled upon the estates 
 of the Baroness Von Gersdorf at Great Hennersdorf, about 
 a league from Herrnhut, with the consent of her ladyship : 
 but such a misund.erstanding arose betwixt her and them, 
 that they left the place without further ceremony. They 
 came unasked to Herrnhut, and begged the Count would 
 receive them ; but this he could not do without an under- 
 standing with the Baroness Von Gersdorf. He therefore 
 wrote to her and inquired into the circumstances of the case. 
 Being informed, in the reply, that these Bohemians had been 
 guilty of insubordination, and had not been discharged from 
 their fealty, the Count, by a written decree, gave them to 
 understand that he could not receive them. 
 
 However, they were already on the spot, and many of them 
 were infected with contagious disorders ; hence it was as 
 difficult to provide them with a residence, as it was painful to 
 send them away in such a wretched condition. There was 
 also no room to receive them in Herrnhut as guests ; besides 
 which, few understood their language. However, the Count 
 suffered them to want for nothing, either with respect to 
 attention or instruction, as long as they were upon his estates ; 
 and exhorted them, at the same time, to act like Hagar, and 
 return to their former masters. Instead of doing this, they 
 acted contrary to his wise and faithful advice, and took their 
 
IDEAS OK MISSIONS TO THE HEATHENS. 157 
 
 departure in a body. But on reaching Goerlitz, they were 
 stopped; and although afterwards sufFered to proceed, yet 
 their preacher, Liberda, who had been particularly officious in 
 instigating their departure, was sent to the house of correction 
 at Waldheim. But this affair caused the Count much suffer- 
 ing from various quarters. 
 
 Leonard Dober's resolution to preach the gospel of salvation 
 by Christ to the poor black slaves in St. Thomas, was a matter 
 of great importance to the Count. He therefore occupied 
 himself much with him from the time of his expressing the 
 determination above mentioned, and also took him with him 
 on his last journey, in order that by closer intercourse with 
 him, he might have an opportunity of becoming better ac- 
 quainted with him. 
 
 There being no objection, either on the part of the Count or 
 of the church in Herrnhut, to Dober's well-tried purpose, he 
 commenced his journey on the 21st of August, 1732. 
 
 I must indeed confess, that neither the Count nor the rest 
 of the brethren had at that time any clear idea how the hearts 
 of the heathen were to be gained for the Saviour. They were 
 indeed generally aware, that it was a great thing to open the 
 eyes of the heathen, and bring them from darkness to light, 
 and from the power of Satan unto God ; as well as that this 
 could only be accomplished by the preaching of the gospel, 
 which is the power of God for the salvation of all them that 
 believe. It was also believed, that all the labour bestowed on 
 the heathen would be in vain, if the Lord and his Spirit did 
 not co-operate, and open their hearts to attend to the word. 
 Hence the Count and the rest of the brethren made the 
 missions to the heathen a principal point, in which they were 
 unanimous, in faithfully pleading it before the Lord in prayer. 
 But as they were destitute of any experience in the matter, 
 the Count preferred giving no instructions to the first mis- 
 sionaries to the heathen, but commended them to the L6rd 
 and the word of his grace. 
 
 But in the sequel, after the Count had personally considered 
 the matter with those who had preached the Saviour to the 
 heathen, and been amongst them himself, directing his atten- 
 tion, at the same time, to the obtaining of a correct insight 
 
158 IDEAS ON MISSIONS TO THE HEATHENS. 
 
 into the best method of being beneficial to the heathen, he 
 was able to state to the missionaries how they ought to pro- 
 ceed in the matter. The following are some of his ideas upon 
 the subject : — 
 
 He did not deem it advisable to begin by demonstrating to 
 the heathen the existence of God, as is generally the case : 
 since the word of God asserts that this is known to them ; 
 the invisibte things of God being clearly understood by the 
 works of creation. (Rom. i. 20.) But the poor heathens do 
 not know that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners ; 
 ^nd hence this must first be told them. Christ must therefore 
 'be the primary subject in preaching to the heathen ; and the 
 commencement must be made with his incarnation, sufiferings, 
 and death. The simple narrative, how he suffered and died 
 for us, which is, to reason, foolishness and a stumbling-block, 
 will prove itself to be the power of God, and the Holy Spirit 
 will bear witness to it. 
 
 He regarded it as not good to mention much to the heathen 
 respecting the various sects and parties in the christian church. 
 " If their hearts are once directed to the Lamb of God, to his 
 blood, and to their Creator, who also became their Saviour, — 
 they may afterwards speak with a Lutheran, a Calvinist, or a 
 Catholic, without their being able to state of what religious 
 persuasion they are, and yet converse as evangelically with them 
 as if they knew the Augsburg Confession by rote. If we lose 
 sight of this plan, our whole ministry will be unavailing." 
 
 He did not desire national conversions, but preferred that 
 attention should be paid to those unto whom the word found 
 admission, and that such should be faithfully cherished. In 
 short, he was not so much for a net, in which all that came 
 are caught, but for a select number, and a little flock of vital 
 Christians. 
 
 He wished that, in the instruction of the heathen, every 
 thing should be deduced from the love of Jesus ; showing how 
 this love impelled him to give his life a ransom for many, and 
 pointing to him as being alone able to forgive sins and deliver 
 them from sin, death, and the devil. And then when, by 
 Divine grace, they were enabled to place their confidence in 
 him, approach him, and by tasting his goodness be incited to 
 
DESIGNS AGAINST THE COUNT. 159 
 
 love him more and more, — opportunity would be aiTorded of 
 telling them what would cause the Saviour joy, and how they 
 might evince their gratitude to him. 
 
 He would not, however, advise any one to go to heathen 
 lands, where the devil was worshipped as God, except those 
 whose hearts were intimately united with Jesus Christ, and 
 filled with his love : for he believed that he who would 
 attack the god of this world in his strongholds, ought to know 
 on what ground he proceeded, otherwise it might fare with 
 him as with the sons of Sceva. (Acts xix. 14.) 
 
 It was something quite , opposed to his views to persuade 
 any one to go amongst the heathen, and in this he went so 
 far, that he would have broken off a mission already de- 
 cided upon, if he had only the slightest reason to fear that 
 the brother who had been called to it, repented of his deter- 
 mination : and I know for a certainty, that he would have 
 kept such a one back, even if he had been ready to put to 
 sea at the time. 
 
 On seeing that, by the ministry of the brethren, so many 
 heathens wer6 converted to Christ, he could never think or 
 speak of it without heartfelt thankfulness. He, therefore, who 
 does not hesitate to characterise the expressions he used in 
 thanking and praising God for his grace and blessing amongst 
 the heathen, as boasting, may believe to a certainty that by so 
 doing he deceives himself and others. 
 
 About this time, several persons who were opposed to the 
 Count, formed base designs against him. The affair with 
 the Bohemians, related above, for which he was blamed by 
 many, and even probably by those who were really in fault, 
 afforded them an opportunity of accomplishing their purposes. 
 Other things were added to this, which had a still deeper 
 foundation, but of which it does not become me to speak. 
 The Count was described by these individuals as a dangerous 
 character, the best means of defence against whom were to put 
 it out of his power to do mischief. 
 
 He received information of this, and of the intention to 
 seize his person, and put him under arrest. His friends, who 
 knew of the circumstances, advised him to retire, in order to 
 escape the danger ; since it was to be feared, that if once 
 
160 DESIGNS AGAINST THE COUNT. 
 
 arrested, he would not easily regain his liberty. The more he 
 was able to prove his innocence, and meet his enemies, the 
 more anxious they would be to prevent him from doing so, 
 under the idea that they would be the most secure, if he 
 remained a prisoner. 
 
 The Count, though well aware that his friends had real 
 ground of apprehension on his account, and though convinced 
 that their advice proceeded from the best motives, yet he 
 could by no means resolve to follow it, and withdraw from 
 Herrnhut, without first ascertaining the Lord's will in the 
 matter. Feeling assured, that it was his pleasure that he 
 should continue to serve the church, he not only remained 
 for the time in Herrnhut, but was bold enough not to clear 
 away a single letter or document, and left every thing in 
 its wonted order. This, indeed, caused his friends to be 
 displeased with him, and rendered his mode of procedure 
 incomprehensible to them, since they regarded what he did 
 from fidelity towards the Saviour, as foolishness and pre- 
 sumption. 
 
 It must not, however, be supposed that he was assured of a 
 favourable result, and was thus able to place himself above 
 every idea of danger. He expresses himself as follows, respect- 
 ing his situation at that time : " The dangerous proceedings 
 of the Bohemians broke out in September and October, which 
 were the cause of my subsequent severe sufierings ; being 
 bound in spirit, that is, not knowing what may any day befall 
 me, and in the real experience of that which it has pleased our 
 wise and glorious Lord to suifer me to experience of inward 
 and outward affliction." 
 
 It was,, therefore, nothing but simple obedience towards 
 God which made him resolve to remain in Herrnhut. 
 
 Certain events in Ebersdorf occasioned the Count to take 
 'another journey thither, during which he also visited HaUe 
 and Jena. 
 
 Since his previous visit to the latter place, a change had 
 taken place with respect to the awakened individuals there, 
 which certainly affected them much. The Rev. Mr. Brumhard, 
 who hali been a very useful preacher of the gospel in Jena, 
 and had faithfully taken charge of those who were concerned 
 
JOURNEY TO EBBRSDORF, ETC. 161 
 
 for the salvation of their souls, had been called away to his 
 eternal rest. I had received an invitation to Halle, and thus 
 the awakened students were also deprived of my poor services, 
 which had been employed in their free-schools, public and 
 private meetings, and confidential conversation. , 
 
 Under these circumstances, some of them thought they had 
 great reason to take heed to themselves, lest their souls should 
 sustain injury, and lest they should remain behind in the 
 spiritual course. Hence they covenanted together anew to 
 establish themselves more and more in the merits of Jesus, and 
 show themselves faithful in the exercise of godliness. To this 
 end they resolved to meet every day, openly and confidentially 
 speak with each other, mutually reveal the state of their hearts 
 to each other, and, at the same time, admonish, reprove, com- 
 fort, strengthen, and encourage each other to be faithful to the 
 Saviour, as circumstances should require, and pray for each 
 other. The more frequently and solemnly to confirm this 
 covenant, they went together, every six or eight weeks, to 
 receive the sacrament in the parish church. 
 
 This alliance was only the result of that which had been 
 formed in 1728, according to the advice of the Count, but of 
 which few of the members remained, in consequence of their 
 having left Jena, on finishing their academical course. 
 
 The Count, on being informed of this circumstance, came 
 to Jena, spoke with each of these students in particular, held a 
 meeting with them for edification, and bound himself particu- 
 larly with two of them, to be faithful to the Saviour, untU they 
 should leave the world. Besides this, he recommended them 
 to Mr. John Sebastian Brumhard, who was a member of the 
 association of 1728, and a pious preacher in a neighbouring 
 village, that they might avail themselves of his counsel and 
 experience. This association, which from that time increas- 
 ingly extended itself, so as for several years to consist of 
 upwards of a hundred students, furnished, in the sequel, many 
 useful ministers of Christ and his kingdom, both in the Lu- 
 theran and Moravian churches, and many of them have also 
 preached the gospel to the heathen. 
 
 Of the two students, with whom the Count entered into a 
 particular covenant at that time, one of them is still with us. 
 
162 i|^, SALE OF HIS ESTATES. 
 
 ■whom the Saviour has employed for nearly forty years amongst 
 heathens and Christians, and whose labours have been abun- 
 dantly blessed. He still remembers, with the most fervent 
 gratitude, the blessed season which he enjoyed during the 
 Count's visit to Jena on that occasion. 
 
 The latter arrived again in safety at Herrnhut, on the 23d 
 of November, after a short absence. 
 
 On the 27th of November, he received orders to sell his 
 estates. It is very probable, that this order was procured by 
 persons who, though not favourably disposed towards him, 
 did not, however, seek his ruin and that of his family ; for 
 it was better that it should be thus, than if he had been 
 arrested. 
 
 The intention of the adversary, I believe, was by this sale, 
 to plunge the church at Herrnhut into affliction and sorrow ; 
 for had the estates fallen into the hands of wicked proprietors, 
 the community at Herrnhut must have done so too. But 
 God had previously provided that this should not be the 
 case. The Count had carried into effect the resolution he 
 had taken in 1722, in the beginning of September, 1732, and 
 disposed of the whole of his estates to his consort. He made 
 this known to the elders and assistants of the church, to their 
 great astonishment, on the 11th of September. There was, 
 therefore, nothing more to do with respect to the sale, than to 
 inform the authorities of it. 
 
 He therefore travelled, on the 11th of December, to 
 Budissin, and conversed upon the subject with Count Von 
 Gersdorf, the Lieutenant of the district. After his return, the 
 sale was completed, virith all the requisite formalities. 
 
 From the time that the Count parted with his estates, he 
 abided by the intention of possessing nothing of his own in 
 the world. He looked upon himself as a stranger upon 
 earth, who is every where at home. He might afterwards 
 have become lord of many estates ; but he regarded it as a 
 favour to be the Lord's pilgrim in the world. " I know,"' 
 says he, "that I am one of those who naturally prefer being 
 at home, and are the most attached to some abiding place of 
 residence ; who easily imagine that they have a variety of things 
 to do, and are able to pass their time in a useful manner : 
 
REFLECTIONS. • 163 
 
 however, it has not pleased the Lord so to regulate my course 
 of life ; but I have also experienced the happiness of being 
 every where at home ; after the example of him, who, when 
 a child in the cradle, was obliged to leave his resting-place 
 and travel about in the world." 
 
 " The Saviour, who overrules all our aiFairs, can make us 
 feel truly at home, wherever his wisdom places us for the time, 
 were it even in the midst of a wilderness." 
 
 At the same time, it must not be forgotten, that the order 
 to the Count to sell his estates, was meant to convey nothing 
 else than that he should quit the country : but before this 
 took place, the church in Herrnhut assembled, in order to 
 deliberate upon choosing him anew for their superintendent. 
 In this the elders and assistants were agreed. On the 26th of 
 December, they spoke with the members of the church on the 
 subject, and requested every one who had any objections to 
 make, to state his sentiments ; because they knew the Count 
 would not accept the oiRce, unless the church were unanimous. 
 The resolution was put to the vote on the 27th, and on the 
 31st, a day of prayer was held, in which the Lord's peculiar 
 favours during the past year were gratefully remembered, and 
 his further favour and faithfulness implored. The Count was 
 then commended to the prayers of the church as superin- 
 tendent and co-elder, and received as such with joy and 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 He wrote this year (1732) a small treatise, " On the 
 Methods of Satan to hinder that which is good in the Soul ; 
 and the Conduct of the Children of God in opposing them." 
 
 " The form," says he, " they leave entirely unaltered, what- 
 ever it may be ; and bend their necks to it, if it be not openly 
 erroneous and sinful. Hence they do not separate from the 
 forms of divine worship, in baptism, the Lord's supper, 
 preaching, and other things, enjoined by Christ himself, in 
 which the essential part of them is retained ; least of all do 
 they alter them privately, with regard to indifferent things and 
 ceremonies. 
 
 " They examine the ground of doctrine only so far as is 
 necessary to salvation ; and if they find it correct, they do not 
 trouble themselves about other disquisitions, well knowing that 
 
164 WRITINGS. 
 
 scholastic disputes do not belong to the character of the chil- 
 dren of God. 
 
 " With regard to this practice, they abide by the Holy 
 Scriptures, and by the inward kingdom of Christ, confirmed 
 for seventeen hundred years by every true child of God, in 
 which the whole cloud of witnesses coincide."* 
 
 * In a letter to the king of Prussia, he says, " The devil gains much 
 more by separating the pious, than if they remained together. Hence evil 
 rulers and teachers sooner consent that the people should separate them- 
 selves from church and sacrament, than that they should promote the 
 cause of God in themselves and others, in a strictly evangelical manner." 
 
RE-APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT. 165 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 JOURNEI TO TUBINGEN — APPLICATION FOR MISSIONARIES — STEINHOFER'S 
 
 ARRIVAL DIVISION IN HERRNHUT JOURNEY TO STEALSUND REVISITS 
 
 TUBINGEN, AND ENTERS THE MINISTRY — ORDINATION OF A BISHOP — 
 
 JOURNEY TO COPENHAGEN RESCRIPT FROM STOCKHOLM — JOURNEY TO 
 
 SWITZERLAND AND HOLLAND BANISHMENT JOURNEY TO LIEFLAND 
 
 INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OF PRUSSIA VOYAGE TO ENGLAND — INTER- 
 VIEW WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JOURNEY TO BERLIN 
 
 IS ORDAINED BISHOP THERE RETURN TO HERRNHUT SECOND BANISH- 
 MENT, AND JOURNEYS TO BERLIN, MARIENBORN, &C. DEPARTURE FOR 
 
 ST. THOMAS. 
 
 It certainly seemed something singular, according to the 
 customary mode of thinking, that the Count should be unani- 
 mously re-appointed superintendent of Herrnhut, at a time 
 when he was reflecting upon leaving the country. However, 
 the church in that place were quite in earnest in the matter : 
 the elders and assistants also thought it needful to give him a 
 written call to this office, of which there is an English transla- 
 tion in the Aciis fratrum in Anglia, amongst the " reports of 
 the Committee " in the appendix. But the Count made no 
 other use of the office, than that which is established in the 
 Statutes in 1727, in which it is said, " No teacher, elder, or 
 superintendent, or any one placed in any respect over another, 
 shall use any other authority than that of being a promoter of 
 their joy and happiness, and a careful assistant in their suf- 
 ferings, afflictions, and destitution." He, however, felt induced 
 to reflect afresh, with heartfelt solicitude, how the church might 
 be served as faithfully during his absence, as when present. 
 
 It was not known, at that time, what would be the fate of 
 Herrnhut, for no express decision had followed the Commission 
 held there the year before ; but it was reported, on all sides, 
 that it was fully deternyned to destroy Herrnhut. 
 
166 DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SICKNESS. 
 
 Besides being aware of the danger impending over the 
 place to which he was so much attached, he was obliged to ex- 
 perience much with reference to himself, which caused him 
 grief. A person of high rank, who possessed considerable 
 influence in several courts, placed himself at the head of his 
 opponents ; and in those -places, where he had been previously 
 highly esteemed, and where many assurances had been given 
 him, that assistance should be rendered him — ^he was now, for 
 the most part, slighted. The sentiments expressed were gene- 
 rally of the following kind : — " We cannot help him, and must 
 leave him to his fate ; for if he is unwilling and unable to alter 
 any thing in his course of life, he must not be surprised at the 
 consequences." 
 
 But that which most grieved the Count, at this time, was, 
 the hinderances which occurred in his labours for the good of 
 souls. Amongst these I reckon his illnesses, and especially a 
 complaint in the eyes, with which he was frequently attacked. 
 It was then difficult for him to hit the right measure. If he 
 was inclined to spare himself, and take a little care of himself 
 in consequence of indisposition — first one thing and then 
 another occurred to him, either for the prevention of evil, or 
 for the promotion of that which was of a beneficial nature. He 
 then could not refrain, but undertook the matter, and rose 
 above his indisposition ; but this was often productive of such 
 bad consequences, that his pains were increased, and, for a time., 
 he was quite disabled from attending to his occupation. He 
 then felt grieved, and reproached himself so severely, that he 
 was almost inconsolable, with respect to all that which seemed 
 to him to have been neglected. In order to remedy this, he 
 often slighted his illness again, and went to work, but only 
 injured his health anew by so doing. 
 
 On the 19th of January, (1733,) the brethren. Christian 
 David, and Matthew and Christian Stach, commenced their 
 journey to the poor heathens in Greenland. Instead of instruc- 
 tions, the Count only requested them, with believing patience, 
 to pay attention to the operation of the Holy Spirit on the 
 hearts of the heathen, render it more apparent to the individual, 
 and bring it into words. And then if they found open ears, 
 they ought boldly to open their mouths,, and pourtray to them. 
 
JOURNEY TO TUBINGEN. 167 
 
 with a warm heart, Jesus Christ, as the only way to life. 
 Aftei-wards, on perceiving, from their reports, that they had 
 fallen upon the scholastic method, and therefore laboured in 
 vain without any real fruit, it pained him the more, because 
 the undertaking had been much ridiculed beforehand in several 
 places ; whilst he wondered, on the- one hand, at their in- 
 credible fidelity and unwearied assiduity — he was, on the 
 other, concerned to bring them into the right track. He there- 
 fore urged them to preach the gospel in simplicity. 
 
 He also assisted the mission, from time to time, by sending 
 additional missionaries, and suffered nothing to be wanting on 
 his part. If any of them returned, they made his house their 
 home, and he cared for them no less than if they had been 
 his own family. He was also anxious that their stay in Herrn- 
 hut should be a blessing to them, that being thus strengthened 
 by the grace of the Lord Jesus, and edified by the church, 
 they might return to their labour amongst the heathen. 
 
 He would gladly have visited the brethren in Greenland 
 himself; but as this was not practicable, he induced several 
 brethren, at various times, to visit that mission. 
 
 On the 26th of January, he left Herrnhut, which he terilied 
 his first exile, with the brethren, Martin Dober, John Nitsch- 
 man, and Matthew Miksch. 
 
 He arrived on the 31st of January in Ebersdorf, where he 
 remained till the 20th of February. On the 8th, he received 
 intelligence of the king's death, which deeply oppressed his 
 mind. This event, and the whole situation of affairs at that 
 time, caused him much suffering. Respecting this, he says, 
 " The Saviour leads me into such straits, that I can find com- 
 fort no where but in resignation." 
 
 The Count's residence in Ebersdorf was not without its 
 utility. He made a variety of useful regulations amongst the 
 brethren there, and strengthened himself with them at the 
 Lord's table. On the 21st of February, he pursued his 
 journey to Tubingen. He received many visits in Niirenberg, 
 and became acquainted with several preachers. He caused so 
 much joy to the Rev. Mr. Deubler, of Grieselbach, by his 
 visit and his conversation on the simple doctrine of Jesus, 
 that they continued together in heartfelt intercourse till three 
 
168 JOURNEY TO TUBINGEN. 
 
 o'clock in the morning. After spending the following day in 
 an edifying manner with each other, and conversing with 
 visitors, who had arrived from several places, they proceeded 
 to Miinchsroth, where Martin Dober's family dwelt. From 
 thence they travelled to Goeppingen, where the Count again 
 received many visits. A country clergyman came also in the 
 evening, and passed the night there, in order to benefit by the 
 company of the Count, who afterwards travelled to Ebenhau- 
 sen, to visit Baron Von Stein. 
 
 He alighted at Kirchheim at Dr. Hedinger's, where he 
 found Mr. Steinhofer, to the great joy of them both. The 
 Count was requested to give an exhortation, to which he con- 
 sented, but stated to the meeting, that he was not in the habit 
 of expounding Scripture ; he would, therefore, speak to them 
 from his own experience ; and then treated of the reasons why 
 he loved the Saviour. His address proved very edifying. On 
 the 3d of March, he accompanied Mr. Steinhofer to visit his 
 parents ; from whence they proceeded to Tiibingen, where 
 they arrived the same night, and were received with joy by 
 Professor Pregitzer. 
 
 The call which the church at Herrnhut had given to Mr. 
 Steinhofer to become their pastor was, with the express condi- 
 tion, that he would preserve the constitution of the Bohemian 
 and Moravian brethren, in wise connexion with the whole 
 Lutheran church. Certain individuals, however, were not 
 satisfied with this, and constantly maintained, that they ought 
 wholly to resign themselves to their preachers, like other Lu- 
 therans, and give up their ecclesiastical constitution. They 
 even secretly endeavoured to prevail on the civil authorities to 
 order them to do so. 
 
 Mr. Steinhofer was therefore anxious, as well as the Count, 
 to have good grounds whereon to act. And because the for- 
 mer was from Wiirtemberg, and had studied in Tiibingen, and 
 could not accept such a call without special permission, it was 
 only proper that he should consult those upon the subject, 
 whom he regarded as his fathers in Christ. 
 
 The question was therefore laid by Mr. Steinhofer before 
 the theological faculty in Tiibingen, " Whether the church of 
 the Moravian brethren in Herrnhut, supposito in doctrinam 
 
OCCURRENCES IN TUBINGEN. 169 
 
 ' evanffelicam consensu, could continue their ecclesiastical dis- 
 cipline and regulations, which had been in use for three 
 centuries, and yet retain their connexion with the Lutheran 
 church." 
 
 In order to answer this inquiry, the theological faculty re- 
 quired a complete account of the doctrine and constitution of 
 the church in Herrnhut, which was accordingly furnished 
 them in writing ; they had also opportunity of hearing every 
 particular, both from Mr. Steinhofer, and from the Count and 
 Martin Dob^, who, as assistants and syndics of the church, 
 were able to give the best and surest information. 
 
 It seemed, however, as if the Count would be unable to take 
 any part in the proceedings, in consequence of severe illness 
 and fever, which seized him immediately on his arrival at 
 Tubingen. However, it happened that this accelerated, rather 
 than hindered the matter ; for the professors came to him 
 during his illness, to whom he stated the minutest particulars ; 
 and, as soon as he was able to go out, he visited them for the 
 same purpose. 
 
 Whilst the theological faculty were considering Mr. Steiu- 
 hofer's question, the Count was enabled to employ his time 
 for the benefit of others. He was visited by a number of per- 
 sons of aU ranks, and spoke boldly to each of the doctrine of 
 Jesus Christ, as far as it was suitable. Once, a number of 
 separatists came to him, just at church-time, on Sunday, whom, 
 however, he did not admit till after service : then, though 
 confined to his bed, he conversed with them in such a simple 
 and impressive manner, that they were much affected and shed 
 many tears. 
 
 He was also requested to speak at the meetings which were 
 held at Tiibingen, which he did several times, and afterwards 
 proceeded to Stuttgard, where he arrived on the 21st of March, 
 with Mr. Steinhofer, who remained with him till the 30th, 
 when Mr. Oetinger took his place, until the Count's return to 
 Tiibingen. The following particulars are given by Mr. Stein- 
 hofer : — 
 
 " On the 22d of March, the Rev. Mr. Rieger preached his 
 entrance-sermon at St. Leopard's, at which the Count was 
 present. In the afternoon, the latter gave an address, at the 
 
170 VISIT TO STUXTGARD. 
 
 residence of Madam Von Molk, on loving the Lord Jesus ; at 
 which all the prelates who had assembled at the Diet, and all 
 the preachers in Stuttgard, together with many other persons 
 of various ranks, were present. There was a great awakening, 
 and such a confidence excited towards the Count, that they 
 afterwards followed him wherever he went, in order to speak 
 privately with him. In the evening we supped with Mr. 
 Weissensee, member of the Consistory, when Prelate Hoch- 
 stetter was also present : they were both greatly cheered by 
 the statements respecting Herrnhut, and the boldness which 
 the Count manifested in following Jesus. 
 
 " On the 25 th, in the afternoon, we rode to Kleinbotwar, to 
 visit Madam Von Geisberg ; and, in the evening, the Count 
 held a meeting there, when he spoke upon the yoke of Christ. 
 This proved a great stimulus to the clergyman, who mentioned 
 to me, the following day, how"] much he had been affected 
 by it. 
 
 " On the 26th, we arrived at the Rev. Mr. Ruessen's, of 
 Diirrmiintz, who was greatly rejoiced at seeing his desire ful- 
 filled, and entreated the Lord, that the Count's arrival might be 
 blest to him and those who had been awakened by him, which 
 was abundantly answered. 
 
 " On the 27th, there was a conference with the awakened 
 clergy in those parts, respecting their office, and the difficulties 
 they met with in the discharge of their pastoral duties ; and, 
 by the wisdom and good advice of the Count, his zeal, and the 
 power of his spirit, they were incited anew to prosecute the 
 Lord's work. 
 
 " On the 28th, the Count proceeded to Baron Von Stein's, 
 at Miihlhausen. On the 29th, before service, he held a meet- 
 ing, which much invigorated those that were awakened, and 
 many who had hitherto remained concealed came forward. In 
 the afternoon he spoke with such power, so heart-penetratingly, 
 and with such boldness and animation, as to render that Sunday 
 ever memorable in Diirrmiintz. 
 
 " On the 30th, we left Diirrmiintz, where Mr. Ruessen 
 parted from us, with many tears, and remained over night in 
 Miihlhausen, where the Count again delivered a serious and 
 heartfelt address.'' 
 
RETURN TO TUBINGEN. 171 
 
 From Mr. Oetinger's diary,* I see that, on the 31st, the Count 
 returned to Stuttgard with him, where the former passed the 
 following day in silent intercourse with the Saviour, and held 
 filial converse with him respecting all his concerns ; on which 
 he was abundantly filled with his consolation. 
 
 " On the 3d, he visited the celebrated Prelate Bengel, in 
 Denkendorf, who communicated to him his views of the pro- 
 phetical writings, especially of the Revelations. After visiting 
 Prelate Weissensee, in Stuttgard, he again spoke, on the 4 th, 
 in a meeting. On the 5th, he returned to Tixbingen. On the 
 7th, he rode to Metzingen, at the request of Madam Von 
 Leuning, where he also found his Mend, Baron Von Stein. 
 The next day, the question being put, in a tolerably numerous 
 company, how fellowship with awakened individuals could 
 be brought about ? the Count replied, ' It was difficult to say, 
 but easy to do ;' at which those present testified their surprise. 
 The Count explained himself by saying, ' It was only needful 
 that as much zeal and attention be shown for the cause of 
 Christ, as the men of the world evince in their afiairs, and the 
 fellowship would soon be accomplished.' " 
 
 The Count thus expresses himself, in a letter to the Coun- 
 tess respecting his reception in Wiirtemberg : — " I have been 
 writing so many letters, that my head aches, and upwards of 
 twenty people are now waiting to hear and speak with me. If 
 distress and disgrace is great in Lusatia, the manner in which 
 I am exalted in this country is certainly a thousand times more 
 painful, and torments me to death." 
 
 On the 7th of April, Professor Biilfinger visited the Count, 
 and brought him the intelligence, " that the theological faculty 
 in Tiibingen were unanimous in replying in the afiirmative to 
 the question proposed to them by Mr. Steinhofer, and that, in 
 accordance with truth, they thought highly of the church at 
 Herrnhut. They were well aware, that this declaration 
 would give offence in other places, but their answer was, 
 that something must be hazarded for the cause of God." 
 The opinion of the theological faculty was accordingly drawn 
 up on the 19th of April. 
 
 " Afterwards Prelate of Murrhardt. 
 i2 
 
172 ARRIVAL IN HERRNHUX. 
 
 On the 16th of April, the Count commenced his return to 
 Herrnhut, and arrived at midnight at Owen, where Mr. Stein- 
 hofer's parents resided, Many visiters being there, in expec- 
 tation of seeing him, he not only took time to converse with 
 them, but also spoke on two several occasions. On the 22d, 
 he visited his friends at Neustadt an der Aisch. Being present, 
 the day following, at the Gymnasium, where one of the teachers 
 spoke openly, in pointed terms, against his colleagues, the 
 Count rose up, and hastily walked out of the hall, through the 
 midst of the auditory. He conversed, likewise, with awakened 
 individuals in Neustadt, who, under many disadvantages, mani- 
 fested much earnestness and fidelity. He there received a visit 
 from Coimt Von Castell, to which place he accompanied him, 
 and from thence proceeded to Ebersdorf, where he a,rrived on 
 the 26th, On the 30th, he prosecuted his journey, and on the 
 5th of May reached Herrnhut. 
 
 During his absence, several events had taken place, in 
 which the Count took a painfiil interest. A misunderstanding 
 having arisen between the divines in Halle and myself, which 
 terminated in my abrupt dismissal, I was silent on the subject,, 
 but my friends were dissatisfied at my being dismissed in such 
 a manner ; and thinking that Count Zinzendorf was to blame 
 for it, their confidence in him was entirely at an end. I must, 
 however,, confess, that I acted from my own views, and was by 
 no means infiuenced by the Count in what I did. 
 
 The latter, being much hurt at the manner in which I had 
 been treated, wrote several severe letters on the occasion, par- 
 ticularly to Abbot Steinmetz. Being apprehensive, however, 
 that the affair might lead to a tedious controversy, the Count, 
 on his return, laid it before the council of the church at 
 Herrnhut, which resolved upon printing an explanatory docu- 
 ment, drawn up by the Count himself. 
 
 During the Count's absence, Martin Linner, the elder of 
 the church, had departed to his eternal rest. Three candidates 
 were proposed to the church in his stead ; when, after solemn 
 prayer, it was decided by lot, that Leonard Dober should be 
 appointed. The call to that office was therefore sent to him 
 at St. Thomas. 
 
 On the 20th of March, the Countess was delivered of a son. 
 
CONVEKSIOU 01? THE WENDS. 173 
 
 *ho received, at his baptism, the name of Christian Louis 
 Theodore. 
 
 The visits of the awakened Wends to Herrnhut became in-- 
 creasingly numerous. The awakening had taken place amongst . 
 them some years before, and on one occasion, when about two 
 hundred of them were in Herrnhut, the Count sent for them, 
 and on their departure, exhorted theto to cleave as faithfully 
 and steadfastly to the Saviour, as their predecessors had done to 
 their idols. Various individuals, and the clergy in particular, 
 were displeased with this movement amongst the Wends ; and 
 the complaints they made, came to the ears of a certain states- 
 man in Dresden, who had been many years acquainted with 
 the circumstances of that people. On hearing it, he was filled 
 with astonishment, and said, " That there was more reason to 
 thank God for the conversion of the Wends, than to complain 
 of it ; for the government would now be left at rest, which 
 had hitherto found them a continual plague." 
 
 A rescript from Dresden, immediately after the accession of 
 the Elector to the government, had been also issued during the 
 Gbunt's absence, in which the sale of the Count's estates to 
 his consort was ratified, and permission granted to the Mora- 
 vian emigrants to reside in the country ; at the same time, 
 however, ordering the followers of Schwenkfeld, individually, 
 to quit the country. The Count, who, ten years before, had 
 endeavoured to assist these oppressed people, and afibrded 
 them his protection, by permitting them to settle at Bertholds- 
 dorf, could do so no longer, against the express commands of 
 government. This grieved him, but as they informed him 
 that they should be glad if they could remove to some other 
 place under his mediation, he gave himself much trouble to 
 send them to Georgia in North America. He therefore wrote, 
 not only to the trustees of the colony in London, but also to 
 the English ambassador at Copenhagen. After every thing 
 tvas in train, they found an opportunity of proceeding to 
 Pennsylvania, where they reside to this day, and live out- 
 wardly in prosperous circumstances. 
 
 Soon after his arrival in Herrnhut, he also received per- 
 mission himself to remain quietly in the country. This was 
 the more gratifying to him, from his attachment to the church 
 
174 MISSION TO ST. CROIX. 
 
 at Herrnhut, and his love for its service ; and he wrote a 
 letter of thanks to the Elector on the occasion, in which he 
 says, "That, as he was not able to contribute any thing towards 
 his Royal Highness's service, he desired wisdom from God, 
 to give not the smallest occasion of displeasure or trouble to 
 the Elector.'" 
 
 It was at this time that the Count, from the unmerited 
 confidence he reposed in me, wrote to me, with the consent of 
 the whole church, to aid him in the work of the Lord, and to 
 become one of the assistants, whose office has been already 
 described, and which proved a real blessing to me. 
 
 On the 21st of May, letters arrived from Copenhagen, in 
 which twelve or fifteen brethren were requested to take the 
 overisight of the sugar plantations, which the Lord Chamber- 
 lain, Von Pless, was about to establish in St. Croix. It being 
 expected that this engagement would afford the brethren an 
 opportunity of doing much good to the slaves, it was taken 
 into mature consideration : but before coming to a decision upon 
 it, the Count wrote to Copenhagen, stating that a chief con- 
 dition would be, perfect liberty of conscience, both for them- 
 selves, and for all who should be converted by them. On the 
 Count's receiving the assurance that there would be no difficulty 
 in granting the brethren this liberty, in the confidence that 
 they would seek nothing but what was in accordance with the 
 doctrine of Jesus and the precepts of the Apostles, and that 
 it was not intended to injure any one's conscience in St. 
 Croix — the deliberations of the church upon the subject were 
 continued. 
 
 Meanwhile, David Nitschman, the elder, who had accom- 
 panied Leonard Dober to St. Thomas, returned, and gave the 
 requisite information respecting those islands. It was there- 
 fore resolved, neither to persuade, nor to compel, any one to 
 such an undertaking ; but that if any one wished to enter 
 upon it, he should himself make it known. After several had 
 done so, each of them were thoroughly informed of what they 
 had to expect, that no one might act upon superficial grounds 
 in an affair of such importance. 
 
 The Count, however, was not very favourable to the measure, 
 earing lest the brethren, when engaged in worldly occupations, 
 
COUNT RKtrSs's VISIT TO HERRNHUT. 175 
 
 might both receive injury in their own souls, and be of little 
 benefit to others. At length, on the 16th of August, it was 
 decided who should proceed to St. Croix. They were fourteen 
 in all, besides four sisters, whose husbands were among the 
 number. Tobias Leupold was appointed over them, and I was 
 commissioned by the church to accompany them as far as 
 Copenhagen. The day following was entirely devoted to 
 them. The Count once more placed every difiiculty which 
 might occur, in a very clear light, before them ; but they con- 
 tinued firm to their purpose. The Count devoted himself, 
 also, entirely to them on the 18th, and his last words to them 
 were, " Never to forget that they were dispatched to St. Croix, 
 not for their temporal advantage, but to promote the Saviour's 
 cause amongst the negroes." 
 
 On the 2d of June, Count Reuss, with his consort and her 
 brother. Count Louis, of CasteD, with several others, came on 
 a visit to Herrnhut which lasted for two months. Greatly as the 
 Count was gratified by their visit, yet it was the means of adding 
 considerably to his labours. Whilst anxious to render the resi- 
 dence of his noble guests in Herrnhut as agreeable and edifying 
 as possible, he took care that the church should suffer no 
 diminution of his services. He afforded them opportunity, 
 not only of conversing at appointed times with devout and 
 learned persons, but also of being present at the conferences 
 of the assistants and officers of the church. In these they 
 heard every thing that transpired in the congregation, whether 
 good or bad, by which means they very naturally became 
 acquainted with the internal and external state of the church, 
 which gave them great pleasure. 
 
 Besides this, the Count gave the brethren and sisters an 
 opportunity, at a love-feast, of showing their christian' affec- 
 tion for Count Reuss, whose birth-day had just been celebrated, 
 by their cordial benedictions, which they expressed in appro- 
 priate verses from well-known hymns, and which made a par- 
 ticular impression, both upon himself and his friends. Two 
 days after, he took his departure from Herrnhut. 
 
 Meanwhile, Mr. Oetinger, a man of singular sentiments, and 
 well acquainted with the original languages, arrived at Herrn- 
 hut, on the 26th of June, from Wiirtemberg. This afl!brded 
 
176 AFFECTING INCIDENT. 
 
 the Count an opportunity of resuming his Hblical labours, 
 from which he expected much benefit. He instituted a Col- 
 legium Bihlicum, in which the original text was the subject of 
 discourse. Much was spoken of a new translation of the Bible, 
 and what was to be observed in order to attain the object. It 
 was agreed, that only an attempt should be made, and the 
 commencement was really tried with the New Testament : but 
 on comparing our work with Luther's translation, we were 
 always unanimously of opinion that the latter, on the whole, 
 was preferable. 
 
 On the 12th of August, which was set apart for prayer in 
 Herrnhut, one of the individuals who, as we have already 
 related, had not only erred from the right way himself, but also 
 seduced others from it, and afterwards fell sick, so that his life 
 was despaired of, during which he suffered the greatest agony 
 of conscience, — was carried into the meeting, whilst the con^ 
 gregation were together. His appearance was most pitiable, 
 and he looked more like a corpse than a living man. He 
 began to confess his sins, and entreated the members of the 
 church to forgive him, and to receive him again into their 
 number. The whole congregation, who were just singing — 
 
 " Grace is what we seek from thee ; 
 Thou the soul's Physician be ! 
 Sin-sick souls in thee have found 
 Grace to heal their every wound," 
 
 when he was brought in, could not look at him without shed- 
 ding an abundance of tears : but the Count, against whom 
 he had chiefly offended, rose up, fell on his neck, kissed him 
 repeatedly, and wept heartily with him, whilst he sobbed 
 aloud. The other elders and assistants also rose up and did 
 the same. The Count afterwards addressed the church, and 
 stated, that he regarded it as a work of Divine grace, when 
 any one acknowledged and confessed his sin and misery ; for 
 those who were not the subjects of Divine grace, went on in 
 their sins, without becoming properly acquainted with them- 
 selves, or confessing their sinfulness. He therefore heartily 
 forgave the man. The other brethren declared themselves to 
 the same effect.. On this the Count knelt down with the 
 
SEPAEATION OF THE MORAVIANS. lt'7 
 
 congregation, and prayed, in the midst of many tears, which 
 were shed both by the congregation and the sick man, that the 
 Saviour would have mercy upon him, and graciously look upon 
 him. The meeting was then closed, the sick man began to 
 recover, regained his strength, and obtained permission to 
 return to Herrnhut. 
 
 Steinhofer also arrived there, to enter upon the office to 
 which he had been called : but a difficulty had arisen. When 
 the matter was notified to the proper authorities, a royal 
 rescript appeared, ordering that_Mr. Steinhofer should take the 
 place of Mr. Rothe : the latter being unwilling to this, Stein- 
 hofer could not resolve upon accepting it, and thus the whole 
 affair was rendered abortive. 
 
 These and other circumstances induced the Count to divide 
 the inhabitants of Herrnhut into two sections. The Moravian 
 brethren, and those connected with them, he looked upon as 
 witnesses for the truth, whom the Lord had raised up to carry 
 his gospel amongst the heathen, or wherever else they might 
 be called. He therefore left them, what they really were — 
 a peculiar people, and, in a certain sense, a particular church. 
 They had their own officers, and, besides the general assemblies, 
 to which every one had access w^ho resided in Herrnhut, they 
 had also their separate meetings. The rest of the brethren 
 and sisters constituted another distinct flock, and had like- 
 wise, besides the general assemblies, their own meetings and 
 officers. 
 
 Even as the object of the latter was to remain on the spot, 
 and maintain themselves honestly and live piously ; so the 
 others made their arrangements for becoming missionaries, and 
 ministering to the church of God scattered all over the world. 
 The benefits arising from this regulation will be seen in the 
 sequel. 
 
 In 1734, the Count actually entered the ministry, — an event 
 (vhich he had for such a length of time desired. He had 
 previously removed every worldly impediment out of the way ; 
 but as he would do nothing without the consent of the church 
 !n Herrnhut, and particularly of his consort, he first of all 
 Hade the elders and assistants of the church acquainted with 
 
178 JOURNEY TO STKALSUND. 
 
 his intention. I myself was present, when he spoke with them 
 on the subject for hours together. It was considered from 
 every point of view, and many objections were made against it, 
 especially by the Countess, who, as a sensible lady, clearly 
 foresaw the consequences of such a step, and even foretold 
 him all that would befall him after becoming a clergyman. 
 
 He himself saw its consequences sufficiently clearly, but 
 brought forward such arguments in defence of his intention^ 
 as could not be rejected. He asserted, that he had a divine 
 call to preach the gospel, and. showed, at the same time, how 
 improper it would be to appear in the church as a preacher at 
 one time, and at another in a worldly dress. Besides, it was 
 not a matter of indifference, whether the gospel were preached 
 in a private meeting or publicly : for churchefe and pulpits 
 had a preference, and it was certainly of importance, that the 
 word of God should be preached unto every one, for^, it never 
 returns to him void. 
 
 Since objections were still made, and after every thing had 
 been considered and reconsidered, it was resolved, on both 
 sides, to leave the decision to the Lord ; and when this was 
 done, the lot confirmed the Count's intention. 
 
 After arranging, matters thus far with the Countess and the 
 brethren at Herrnhut, he went to Stralsund, to speak with the 
 divines there upon the subject. A trivial circumstance was 
 the ostensible occasion of this journey. A merchant of Stral- 
 sund, of the name of Richter, wrote to Herrnhut for a preceptor 
 for his children ; on which the Count resolved to go himself, 
 and take charge of them ; but in his reply, only informed the 
 merchant; that a person would be sent as he desired. He took 
 his departure on the 17th, with David Nitschman. He had 
 weighty reasons for travelling incognito ; respecting which he 
 says, " The only inconvenience is, that I hear things said of me 
 which grieve me ; and I dare not eontradict, lest the attention 
 of the people should be eSScited."' 
 
 He set out from Herrnhut with his own horsfes, but after- 
 wards travelled by the ordinary post. On arriving in Stral- 
 sund, on the 29th March, he visited Superintendent Langemak, 
 and frankly opened his mind to him, but without making 
 himself known. He then began the instruction of Richter's 
 
RESIDENCE AT STRALSHND. 179 
 
 children, and continued in the house, under the name of Louis 
 Von Freydek, which address the letters he received also bore : 
 but in order to spare Mr. Richter unnecessary inconvenience, 
 he suffered himself to be called in the house only Mr. Louis. 
 
 During his incognito, the Count diligently devoted the 
 time vphich was left him from instructing the children, to his 
 writings. Soon afterwards, Langemak, who from illness had 
 long been unable to enter the pulpit, requested him, as a can- 
 didate for the ministry, to preach for him. He accordingly 
 did so, on Sunday, the 11th of April; spoke of the walk of 
 mankind according to reason, faith, and the flesh, and was 
 much approved of. How he felt on preaching this his first 
 public sermon, he expresses in the following terms : — " Poverty 
 and weakness almost to despondency, and then a heartfelt 
 assurance of the Divine favour, with such a flow of appropriate 
 language, as never before ! " This procured him closer 
 acquaintance with the superintendent ; of which he says, 
 ' Amongst other pleasing subjects of discourse, he also referred 
 to his writings, and showed me his catechetical work, with a 
 short sketch how he intended to refute Count Zinzendorf and 
 the people at Herrnhut. I asked him if he had read the 
 writings of the latter ; to which he candidly answered in the 
 negative, but recommended me Dr. Weidner's work in their 
 stead ; to which I replied, as well as I was able, and begged 
 him first to read the Count's writings himself, which he pro- 
 mised to do. He did so, and the consequences are well 
 known." 
 
 The Count now earnestly applied for a theological examina- 
 tion, and in this he had two things in view : first, he wished to 
 know himself, and hear from the lips of undoubted divines, 
 whether the Lutheran doctrines, as preached by them, agreed 
 with the fundamental truths which he had hitherto believed 
 and taught : and next, that he might have an opportunity of 
 making a free profession according to truth, before those who 
 were able to judge of it, that they might know and openly 
 certify whether his doctrine agreed with that of the Lutheran 
 church or not. 
 
 After the Count had made himself known to the divines in 
 Stralsund, and conversed with them for several days together, 
 
180 RESIDENCE AT STRALSUND. 
 
 he was four times requested by them to preach : but, during 
 this time, he continued incognito with their consent, that the 
 favourable reception of his sermons might be ascribed solely 
 to the word of God, and not to rank or person, which would, 
 perhaps, only have given rise to useless questions. And thus 
 he preached, on the 21st, upon the words, " She hath done 
 what she could;" respecting which he writes, "I preached 
 with liberty, but was obliged to break oif on account of the 
 time, and exclaimed, ' Have you also done what you could ? ' On 
 the three Easter holidays, I preached Christ ; 1st, as a King — 
 a greater than Solomon ; 2d, as the true Prophet, with spirit 
 and fire ; 3d, as the Priest, who is Lord of peace." 
 
 The testimony drawn up and signed by Professor Langemak 
 and Dr. Sibeth, after a long examination, was in every respect 
 highly favourable to the Count, his doctrine, and to the church 
 at Herrnhut. With respect to the examination, I will only add, 
 that both parties set about it in a sincere and profound man- 
 ner. The Count observes regarding it, " When it is necessary 
 to profess the truth, I maintain that we ought to do so, and 
 not deny it ; and this I have honestly done in Stralsund, where 
 I have verbally, in writing, and in my five sermons, said every 
 thing that I ever believed and taught, in theory and in practice, 
 and even all the faults I have committed." 
 
 After the examination was over, the Count laid aside his 
 sword, and promised never to wear it again. He also engaged, 
 in a letter to the divines above mentioned, to enter upon the 
 track of Prince George of Anhalt, withdraw entirely from 
 worldly affairs, and instead of them, take upon himself the care 
 of souls, and other ecclesiastical duties. 
 
 During his stay in Stralsund, the brethren, Andrew Grasman 
 and Daniel Schneider, arrived there on their mission to the 
 heathen in Lapland. He had much conversation with them 
 on the object of their journey. On the 28th of April, they 
 sailed for Stockholm. 
 
 He enjoyed a very friendly intercourse with the clergy in 
 Stralsund. The superintendent spoke of his affairs very con- 
 fidentially with him; and he dined several times with Dr. 
 Sibeth. Respecting his departure, he says, " After taking a 
 very cordial leave of the superintendent and Dr. Sibeth, at 
 
RETURN TO HERRNHUT. 181 
 
 which they were both much affected, I set out, in the name of 
 my dear Saviour, after fully and blissfully accomplishing my 
 purpose." He also made himself known to Mr. Richter, whose 
 astonishment may be easily conceived ; and after an affec- 
 tionate farewell, he proceeded byway of Stettin and Frankfort 
 on the Oder, to Herrnhut, where he arrived on the 8th of May. 
 
 Soon after his arrival, he sent off an express to Dr. Loescher 
 of Dresden, informing him what had taken place at Stralsund. 
 He also wrote to the same effect to the queen of Denmark, 
 on which occasion he mentioned his intentions respecting the 
 future. 
 
 The heartfelt desire which the Count possessed to do good, 
 according to his ability, had suggested to him the idea of a 
 theological seminary. Applications began already to be made 
 to him for individuals suitable for all kinds of offices in the 
 church and schools ; and it was probable that this would con- 
 tinue to be the case in a still greater degree. He also hoped 
 and wished to find more opportunity of preaching the gospel 
 to the heathen. For these reasons, he was desirous of having 
 an institution for the support of some learned men, who should 
 always be ready to be employed wherever they might be re- 
 quired. 
 
 He heard of several vacant cloisters in Wiirtemberg, and 
 thought whether Duke Charles Alexander might be induced 
 to appoint him prelate of one of these cloisters. His inten- 
 tion was, in this case, to repair it at his own expense ; to 
 accept nothing for the support of the members of the semi- 
 nary, and least of all for himself, although customary in the 
 Wiirtemberg prelacies. He not only regarded the thing as 
 possible, but thought that an intention so disinterested, which 
 was calculated to be beneficial to the church of Christ in a 
 variety of ways, would be eagerly promoted. 
 
 Intending myself to travel to Holland, England, and Ame- 
 rica, he proposed to me to go by way of Stuttgard, and make 
 inquiry respecting the above project in the proper place. I 
 assented, left Herrnhut on the 8th of July, 1734, and arrived 
 safely in Wiirtemberg : it was during the time that Philips- 
 burg was besieged by the French, and Duke Alexander was 
 occupied with martial affairs. I therefore travelled to the 
 
182 JOURNEY TO wiJRTEMBERG. 
 
 head-quarters of the imperial army, and laid the affair before 
 the Duke. I received a reply from the cabinet secretary, dated 
 the 20th of October, the substance of which was, " That though 
 His Serene Highness had a particular regard for the Count, 
 yet the thing seemed to him rather hazardous. The Count 
 was every where celebrated for his distinguished piety. His 
 entering the clerical profession was extraordinary. His ap- 
 pointment to a Wiirtemberg prelacy would become the subject 
 of general conversation, and excite a great sensation amongst 
 the Catholics. The Catholic clergy would infer that the Duke 
 intended again to become a protestant, &c." 
 
 But before the Count could be informed of the particulars 
 of this affair, he wrote on the 8th of November to the Eccle- 
 siastical Directory of Wiirtemberg, and informed them of hie 
 intentions, " That having taken the resolution, in God's name, 
 to enter the ministry according to the apostolic example, 
 (1 Cor. xvi.) he hoped that their reverences would wish him 
 the Divine blessing on the step he had taken, and afford him 
 their spiritual advice and assistance as might be necessary 
 and requisite in the sequel." The Directory replied, on the 
 8th of December, with great kindness, and assured the Count, 
 " That they would praise the Lord for, and implore his blessing 
 on the Count's rare and laudable decision, to devote himself 
 entirely to the service of God and the souls of men, imploring 
 him to glorify himself in it, crown such distinguished fidelity 
 with much spiritual success, and preserve every thing, in its 
 progress and accomplishment as his work, to the praise of the 
 glory of his grace." 
 
 Meanwhile, he came himself to Wiirtemberg, and laid his 
 sentiments before the theological faculty in Tiibingen. On 
 which the faculty published a Latin programma ; in which, 
 after approving of his resolution to devote himself to the 
 ministry, they add, " For though a particular call and ordi- 
 nation to the pastoral office and its functions is requisite, 
 yet we cannot see how bounds are to be set to the course of 
 the gospel ; and why able and suitable individuals, especially 
 with the consent and at the desire of the church, should not 
 occasionally preach in public, since such a prohibition would 
 run contrary to the customs of our church." 
 
THE COUNT ENTERS THE MINISTRY. 183 
 
 On the very same day, which was the fourth Sunday in 
 Advent, the Count preached both in the abbey church and 
 hospital in Tiibingen, and thus publicly entered upon the 
 ministerial functions. — 
 
 If it be asked, at what time the Lord of heaven and earth 
 glorified his Son Jesus Christ, and the atonement made by 
 him, in a very especial manner, in the Count, it was during 
 this year. Dippel's violent opposition to the doctrine of the 
 Saviour's paying a ransom for us, in redeeming us, not with 
 sUver and gold, but with his own precious blood, was the 
 occasion of it. 
 
 This man, of whom we have already spoken, saw the de- 
 clining state of religion, and the reigning corruption both of 
 preachers and hearers ; whilst, at the same time, they comforted 
 themselves vrith, ^nd boasted of the merits and sufferings of 
 the Saviour ; and he probably thought he was doing God 
 service, by depriving the people of this support. Many of the 
 clergy had not only deplored the fact, but preacEed^^ainst 
 the abuse of the gospel, and against making it a cloak for 
 wickedness ; and It woiild seem that John Arnd?s " True 
 CE-istianity " had proceeded from his grief at the conduct^ of 
 such people. But they did not, by so doing, overturn the 
 fojjndation on which all godlinessmust be built, and without 
 which there^ caiT'be no real religion ; although it was per- 
 ceptible, that the merits and the suiferings of Christ were held 
 forth by many, lukewarmly and sparingly, whilst the earnest- 
 ness and efforts required of us, were strenuously insisted upon. 
 But Dippel made it his business directly to attack the doctrine 
 of the merits of Christ, and our ransom by him. 
 
 This induced the Count to enter fully into the subject, as 
 that on which our salvation for time and eternity depends. 
 He that reads his subsequent writings and discourses, will 
 every where find in them, as the prominent subject, " the 
 Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," and the 
 blood of atonement, which cleanses us from all sin. And the 
 preaching this doctrine was the commencement of the happiest 
 times of the church at Herrnhut, and of its usefulness in many 
 hundred places in different parts of the world, as well as of 
 the most horrible opposition to it. 
 
184: MINlSTBRIAt lABOURS. 
 
 He was very solicitous, before entering the ministry, to 
 Settle every thing which was in any measure not in accordance 
 with it, Hence he conferred, respecting his state of mind, 
 very fully, not only with his Saviour, but also with the elders 
 and assistants of the church ; and besides this, fixed a time for 
 every one of them freely to express his sentiments respecting 
 it in the presence of others. 
 
 He likewise regarded it as necessary, before entering the 
 ministry, sincerely to ask forgiveness, in every case where 
 offence had been taken, either justly or unjustly, wherever he 
 thought himself in the least to blame. And in this he did not 
 act as most people do, " Forgive me, if I have done any thing 
 to displease you ;" but he mentioned his mistake, and sought 
 it out himself. And this he repeated also frequently in the 
 sequel. 
 
 I now come to the Count's labours in the church. And, 
 first, with regard to his sermons. We have already observed, 
 that he began this year to preach the doctrine of the atone- 
 ment by the blood of Jesus Christ, and of the merits of his life 
 and sufferings, more earnestly than before. The custom of 
 many preachers, to speak only of what men ought to do and 
 leave undone, and almost forget in their sermons that man- 
 kind are entirely sinful in soul and body, and therefore unable 
 to lead a holy life, and the necessity of directing them first to 
 Jesus, in whose blood, grace, and freedom from sin can alone 
 be found, — this seemed lamentable to him. " It is evident," 
 said he, " that by such sermons, they are not brought to the 
 true exercise of a holy and spotless life, to which Jesus has 
 opened the way, and for which he has purchased the power. 
 But when they preach Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, that 
 taketh away the sin of the world, and as the propitiation for 
 the sins of the whole world, with demonstration of the Spirit 
 and with power ; and when poor lost men come to Christ, and 
 find grace and the forgiveness of their sins in his blood — their 
 hearts are then filled with the Holy Spirit and the love of 
 Christ, and they obtain a desire and power to follow him, and 
 to live according to his will." 
 
 With respect to the meetings,- he arranged them, with the 
 consent of the council of the church in Herrnhut, in such a 
 
MINISTERIAL LABOTIRS. 185 
 
 manner, that a prayer-meeting was held early on the Sunday 
 morning, for the children ajid those who, from lawfiil reasons, 
 were prevented from going to Bertholdsdorf ; and this meeting 
 continues to be held in the same manner, with a blessing. It 
 was also resolved, that the children should have their own day 
 for prayer every fourth week, as well as those of maturer years, 
 in which attention was to be paid solely to them, and suitable 
 subjects selected, which were brought before them in an in- 
 telligible manner. This regulation likewise still exists, and 
 the blessing attendant upon it has extended further than could 
 have been expected. 
 
 He also, with the consent of the council of the church, 
 altered the time of the meeting, previously held at nine o'clock, 
 to twilight in the evening ; and this meeting, which was nume- 
 rously attended, had also its peculiar blessing. 
 
 He gave himself much trouble, at this time, respecting the 
 little companies called bands. He held a conference, or con^ 
 versation, weekly, or once a fortnight, both with the brethren 
 and sisters who were appointed their leaders ; he then expected 
 a written or vocal statement, respecting every individual mem- 
 ber of them. If admonition were necessary, it was given in a 
 manner adapted to the case, and sometimes with severity : but, 
 by this means, the Count obtained an opportunity of directing 
 the brethren and sisters aright, if their ideas were not quite 
 correct, either with reference to the foundation to be laid, or 
 the edifice to be erected upon it. As long as I was in Herrn- 
 hut, I regularly attended these conferences, and must say, that 
 much grace and wisdom were exemplified in them, as also, that 
 explanations and directions decreased, the more the Holy Spirit 
 glorified Jesus Christ and his merits amongst us. 
 
 When the Count spoke, on the 6th of January, upon the la- 
 bours amongst the heathen, many testified their willingness to 
 devote themselves to the Saviour for that purpose, at the hazard 
 of their lives. On the I7th of September, after the subject 
 had been duly reflected upon by each individual, it was pub- 
 licly taken into consideration ; and a considerable number of 
 brethren were destined for the Lord's service, and were after- 
 wards dispatched, some to Greenland, and others to Lapland. 
 A colony of the brethren set out also for Georgia, with the 
 
186 MISSIONS. WRITINGS. 
 
 intention of introducing the gospel amongst the Indians, and I 
 accompanied them thither. 
 
 All these received instructions to direct their efforts solely to 
 the heathen, to whom the gospel had never been preached ; for 
 our calling is not to build upon another man's foundation, or 
 to disturb any one in his work, but to take charge of the wretched 
 and forsaken. A mission to the Indians in Surinam was also 
 concerted with the Dutch Surinam Society, during my residence 
 in Amsterdam, at the suggestion of the Count. 
 
 He continued to write, this year (1734), several small pieces, 
 which were afterwards collected and published, under the title 
 of " Reflections and Letters of a Person of Rank," with a pre- 
 face by Steinhofer, who, in consequence of the difficulties which 
 lay in the way of his accepting the call to Herrnhut, was ap- 
 pointed court chaplain in Ebersdorf, with the Count's consent. 
 
 In his stead, the Rev. Messieurs Hehl and Waiblinger arrived 
 from Wiirtemberg, with the Duke's permission, for the service 
 of the church at Herrnhut. The former became bishop of the 
 churches of the brethren in North America, and the other held 
 a similar office in Silesia. 
 
 On the 7th of August, a daughter was born to the Count, 
 who received the name of Anna Theresa. The male and fe- 
 male elders of the church, as well as the principal choir leaders, 
 assisted as sponsors ; all of whom laid their hands upon the 
 child, and pronounced a benediction upon it. 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1735, the Count returned from his 
 journey to Tiibingen, to the joy of the whole church ; and, on. 
 the 5th of February, Leonard Dober, who had arrived from 
 St. Thomas's, was solemnly appointed elder of the church ; on 
 which occasion the Count delivered a very impressive address. 
 
 Dober brought with him a young negro, named Carmel Oly, 
 from the West Indies, which caused great joy to the whole 
 church, and especially to the Count ; for he was the first-fruit 
 of the labours of the brethren amongst the heathen. The Lord 
 also blessed the preaching of the gospel to his heart. It was 
 resolved, for important reasons, to send him to Ebersdorf. to 
 be baptized. On the 13th of August, precisely a year after he 
 left St. Thomas's with Leonard Dober, he was brought into 
 
THE ST. CROIX MISSION. 187 
 
 the meeting at Herrnhut, clothed entirely in white, and pre- 
 sented to the congregation, who heartily prayed over him, and 
 pronounced benedictions upon him, with reference to his ap- 
 proaching baptism. The same day, the church also gave its 
 blessing to the brethren, Martin and Boenike, on their intended 
 voyage to St. Thomas. 
 
 Leonard Dober then took his departure for Ebersdorf, 
 with Carmel, who was incorporated into the church of God by 
 baptism, on the 22d of August, in that place. 
 
 After the baptism, Leonard Dober laid his hands upon his 
 head, and blessed him. They then returned to Herrnhut, 
 where Carmel, who received the name of Joshua at his baptism, 
 after some time, departed this life, giving evidence of the opera- 
 tion of Divine grace upon his heart. 
 
 The hopes of the Count, with respect to the work of God 
 amongst the heathen, did not remain untried ; for, in the begin- 
 ning of June, news arrived, that of the brethren and sisters who 
 had proceeded to St. Croix, ten had already left this world. 
 This gave rise to a variety of erroneous opinions amongst those 
 who were not established in grace ; and the Count was obliged 
 to bear them, although he had only yielded to the sentiments 
 of others in the St. Croix affair. The circumstance naturally 
 seemed to be no encouragement to other brethren to devote 
 themselves to missionary labours, and to go to distant lands, 
 from love to the heathen : but this mortality caused the Count 
 deep reflection. The Lord, however, not only comforted him, 
 but gave him a word of consolation for others. He accord- 
 ingly reminded the church of the difiiculties they themselves 
 had met with at the commencement, but that the consequences 
 were very blissful ; and added, that the ten thus departed 
 would serve as the- seed of the conversion of the negroes. God 
 has also verified the words, for we are now able to say, that 
 " a little one has become a thousand," 
 
 Small as was the first success of the missions of the brethren 
 amongst the heathen, yet the impression was deep which the 
 subject itself made in the heart of the Count ; who expected, 
 notwithstanding the intervening difiiculties, that God would 
 bless his word by the ministry of the brethren, to the hearts 
 of many heathens. 
 
18S R-ErLECTIOKS CONCERNING 
 
 He therefore naturally often reflected upon what the brethren 
 would do, in the event of being made instrumental in convert- 
 ing many heathens, with reference to baptism and the Lord's 
 Supper, as well as other parts of the ministerial functions, 
 which are usually performed only by ordained preachers. 
 
 The brethren, who went amongst the heathen to preach the 
 gospel to them, were common and unlearned people, who had 
 followed some mechanical trade. Had it been proposed to 
 any ecclesiastical Consistory to ordain these people before their 
 departure, it would certainly not have been listened to : for 
 it is not customary to ordain any one who has not a call to 
 some particular church, and there would doubtless have been an 
 objection to lay hands upon illiterate people and mechanics, 
 and ordain them as preachers. 
 
 Were it probable, also, that in case a brother furnished a 
 Consistory with an attestation, that, by Divine grace, he had 
 brought a number of the heathen to the faith of Christ, they 
 would not deny him ordination ; yet this was not only very 
 doubtful according to circumstances at that time, but so many 
 diflliculties also appeared, that the Count could not propose 
 it. For, besides the great expense which would be incurred 
 by a journey from the West Indies to Germany, and back 
 again, it would not be advisable for a brother to leave the 
 heathen for so long a time at the period when God had granted 
 him admittance to them. 
 
 There was therefore no other alternative, than to advise the 
 brethren either to baptize the converts, and not suffer them- 
 selves to be hindered by the want of the customary ordination, 
 or to seek it in some other way. However, he foresaw vety 
 unpleasant results if this advice were acted upon . The brethren 
 might indeed be able to answer to God for it, if they baptized 
 the converted heathens without having received human ordi- 
 nation. But men, accustomed to the routine of religious re- 
 gulations, would not fail to infuse doubts into the minds of the 
 converts, and say to them, " You have not yet been properly 
 baptized ; for those who baptized you were not ordained ; you 
 must be baptized by regular ministers, otherwise you cannot be! 
 saved." And a reformed preacher in St. Thomas even ventured 
 to re-baptize a negro, who had been baptized by an ordained 
 
THE ORDINATION OF MISSIONARIES, 189 
 
 brother, under the pretence, that the baptism of the latter 
 was invalid. The Count was also apprehensive lest the civil 
 authorities, under whom the heathen lived, might be incited 
 not to suffer the ministry of the brethren, because they were 
 not ordained : nor was he mistaken in his apprehensions ; 
 for some of the missionaries were actually cast into prison, in 
 St. Thomas, under this pretext. 
 
 Under these circumstances, the Count was compelled to 
 seek another way of procuring ordination for the brethren 
 who laboured amongst the heathen. He therefore deliberated 
 with his fellow-labourers, whether it should be proposed that 
 one of the Moravian brethren in Herrnhut should be conse- 
 crated bishop, in order that the brethren destined to the mis- 
 sionary service, might be ordained by him ? 
 
 The Count clearly foresaw, that even if this were accom- 
 plished, it might give occasion to his adversaries to accuse the 
 church in Herrnhut, with some shadow of truth, of an intention 
 to burst the connexion hitherto so closely observed with the 
 Lutheran church in Bertholdsdorf, and institute a ministry of 
 their ovim. Nay, he was not even without apprehensions, that, 
 if the false accusations which had hitherto been unblushingly 
 spread by the Lutheran clergy against them, and himself as 
 their superintendent, should increase, it might occur to the 
 brethren in Herrnhut to think and say, " What occasion is 
 there for fellowship with such people ? Why do we not rather 
 abide by ourselves ?" 
 
 But, on the other hand, the Count not only saw how needful 
 it was to have some one who was able to ordain missionaries, 
 but he also regarded it as the best way, especially with refe- 
 rence to the brethren who were in the English colonies. For 
 he was not ignorant that it had been a question with many 
 zealous men of the Church of England, whether baptism 
 administered by a preacher not ordained by a bishop were 
 valid ; and whether one who had been thus baptized, ought 
 not to be regarded as unbaptized if he wished to become a 
 member of the Church of England ? He also knew that this 
 had not remained a mere question, but that persons had 
 actually been re-baptized, who, under these circumstances, 
 wished to join the Church of England. 
 
190 D. NITSCHMAN CONSECRATED BISHOP, 
 
 Hence it was tolerably clear to the Count, that the brethren, 
 who acted as missionaries to the heathen in British pro- 
 vinces, should be ordained, and that also by a bishop, who 
 could not justly be disputed as to succession. Now although 
 the reasons for inducing the brethren to propose that one of 
 their number should be consecrated bishop, were stronger than 
 the objections against it, yet. they regarded it as for the best 
 to commit the matter to the Lord's hands, and let him decide. 
 
 Having thus arrived at the determination to obtain epis- 
 copal consecration for one from amongst themselves, David 
 Nitschman was destined to that oiHce by lot. 
 
 This Nitschman was one of the five brethren who first came 
 to Herrnhut from Moravia. He had hitherto been one of the 
 assistants at Herrnhut, and had accompanied Leonard Dober 
 to the Island of St. Thomas on his mission to the heathen. He 
 was a man of integrity and simplicity ; and it was obvious that 
 the Lord had been with him in all his ways. 
 
 On this the Count wrote to Jablonsky, court-chapkin to 
 the king of Prussia, at that time eldest bishop of the Moravian 
 church, represented the matter to him, and recommended 
 David Nitschman for consecration. Jablonksky, who was 
 highly gratified to see, in his old age, that the Moravian church 
 was thought worthy of scattering the seed of the gospel in 
 various parts of the world, was likewise heartily thankful that 
 the Lord had put it into the heart of the Count to protect the 
 scattered remains of that church, and preserve to them their 
 ancient ecclesiastical regulations and discipline. He therefore 
 conferred with Nitschman, who came to him in February 1735, 
 upon the subject, took time to become acquainted with him 
 and examine his sentiments, and found him sincere in his 
 profession, and very suitable for the object in view. He then, 
 with the knowledge and consent of his colleague in Poland, 
 Christian Sitkovius, ordained Nitschman on the 13th of March, 
 1735, in the name of God, by imposition of hands and prayer, 
 to be bishop of the foreign churches of the brethren, with 
 power to perform the incumbent visitations, ordain pastors 
 and teachers there, and administer all the functions which 
 belong to a senior and antistes of the churches. 
 
 As useful as this measure was with reference to the missions 
 
DEPARTURE FOR COPENHAGEN, 191 
 
 and colonies of the brethren, yet the Count clearly perceived, 
 that he had much reason to be careful that Herrnhut should 
 not be disturbed with regard to the original regulation as be- 
 longing to the parish church of Bertholdsdorf. Hence the Count 
 explained, before the close of the year, that though one of the 
 Moravian brethren had become a bishop, yet they would still 
 avail themselves of the ministry of the clergyman of Bertholds- 
 dorf, and make no change in that respect. 
 
 He likewise thought it necessary thoroughly to meet the 
 objections of those individuals, who would gladly have seen 
 Herrnhut cut off from connexion with the Lutheran church ; 
 and this induced him to publish his familiar declaration, en- 
 titled, " Short, but sufficient and authentic Remarks upon a 
 Work pretending to be a complete Historical and Theological 
 Account of the Fraternity of Herrnhut." Many things con- 
 tained in it, concerning both the Count himself and the church 
 at Herrnhut, of which incorrect information had been given to 
 the public, were therein rectified. 
 
 With the same intention of refuting to the utmost the accu- 
 sations against himself and the church at Herrnhut, which 
 were spread even in Copenhagen, he resolved to undertake a 
 journey thither. 
 
 The party opposed to him, of which we have formerly 
 spoken, increased from time to time, and persons went over 
 to it, from whom it might have been expected that they would 
 have supported the Count. He therefore thought it best to 
 proceed to Copenhagen himself, and seek to bring the matter 
 to an examination. 
 
 On the 28th of April he left Herrnhut with David Nitsch- 
 man, and rejoiced on the way at the watchword for the day, 
 " He led them by a right way." He arrived in Copenhagen 
 on the 8th of May, and fixed a week for the limit of his stay 
 there : nor did he lose an hour in gaining his point. He imme- 
 diately wrote to the king, the queen, the Margravine, Baron Von 
 Soelenthal, and others, and sent off an express, with the letters, 
 to Friedensburg. Nitschman also travelled thither, and came 
 back on the 10th with pleasing intelligence. The king had 
 written to the Lord Chamberlain, Von Pless, who invited the 
 Count to visit him, and received him in a very friendly manner. 
 
192 RETURN BY WAY OF SWEDENw 
 
 In other respects, the Count kept hiniself incognito, and 
 made as few visits as he received. His object was to explain 
 himself with respect to the accusations which he had reason 
 to think had been spread against him in Copenhagen, and he 
 had the confidence that this would be agreeable to the royal 
 family. The king sent him word by Von Pless, that there was 
 nothing against him, except that on account of the mistrust of 
 some of the clergy, disturbance was apprehended. To remove 
 this mistrust, an interview with the clergy seemed to be the 
 best means, and preparations were immediately made for it. 
 The Count was glad, and expected further orders concerning 
 it : but instead of these, he received an intimation that such a 
 conference could not take place, because there was no real 
 complaint against the Count. On stating that this grieved 
 him, and that he would have preferred a thorough investigation, 
 he was favoured with an assurance, in the king's own words, 
 that His Majesty had nothing against him and the brethren ; 
 and even as he had hitherto shown them all kindness, he would 
 continue to do so in future. 
 
 On the 16th of May, he commenced his return from Copen- 
 hagen, and, for weighty reasons, resolved to go by way of 
 Sweden. He set sail with the watchword, " God shall help 
 her, and that right early," and arrived at Malmoe, where two 
 majors immediately visited him, with whom he spoke on the 
 salvation of their souls. 
 
 The next day he visited a preacher in Malmoe, who was 
 concerned repecting his spiritual state, and, at his suggestion,; 
 the Bishop of Lund. His journey through Sweden was not 
 only expensive, but very fatiguing. In Ystaedt, where he was 
 detained six days by contrary wind, he employed his time in 
 writing several letters to Copenhagen, and in studying some 
 of the books of the New Testament. He also commenced a 
 tract, known under the name of" The Passenger," of which I 
 shall speak in the sequel. On the 23d, he went on board at 
 eleven o'clock at night, and immediately put to sea, and, after 
 a safe and rapid passage by sea and journey by land, he arrived 
 at Herrnhut on the 28th at midnight. 
 
 He had not left Malmoe above a fortnight, when a rescript 
 was issued from Stockholm, stating that Count Zinzendorf, 
 
THE SWEDISH RESCRPIT. 193" 
 
 who had preached at Stralsund, in Pomerania, hut had been 
 dismissed from Copenhagen on account of various errors, in. 
 tended to settle in the Swedish territories, and ought therefore 
 to be deterred from so doing by due representation. This was 
 communicated to the Count by a friend in Malmoe, who added, 
 " I should hesitate to inform you of this, were I not aware 
 that your Grace is already accustomed to such things, and justly 
 regard them as marks of the crucified Jesus." 
 
 In this rescript there were various things which were 
 entirely without foimdation : for, 1st, it intimated that the 
 Count had been examined in Copenhagen, convinced of his 
 errors ; and, 2d, requested, in consequence, to remove from 
 the Danish territories ; 3d, that he was no longer able to 
 remain in Saxony ; and, 4th, that he had sought a place of 
 residence in Sweden. The Count was, however, less dis-s 
 turbed by the contents of the rescript, than by the results 
 which might follow it, and these he carefully endeavoured to 
 prevent, from love to his Saviour, and fidelity to his church. 
 
 He foresaw, that those who were opposed to him would infer 
 from this document, that neither he nor the church in Herrn- 
 hut belonged to the Lutheran church, and thus the separation, 
 which would be so injurious to the church of Christ, would be 
 at once accomplished, 
 
 He therefore resolved to write a letter in his own name, and 
 that of the church at Herrnhut, to the king of Sweden, and to 
 give in it a direct and clear explanation upon every article of 
 the Augsburg confession, and all the points of doctrine therein 
 contained ; but at the same time to premise, that this must 
 not be regarded as any new creed, or new confession, but only 
 as a correct statement of his views and sentiments with respect 
 to the divine truths contained in the Augsburg confession, on 
 which our salvation depends. He accordingly did so, had it 
 printed in folio, and sent it to Ratisbon, where it was distri- 
 buted not only to the ambassadors of all the three religions, 
 but was sent also to several, principally Protestant potentates. 
 
 This year (1735) a hymn-book for the church in Herrnhut 
 was completed : the occasion of it was the " Collection of 
 ancient and modern Hymns," edited by Marche, in 1731, with 
 a preface by the Count. These were given out by some of the 
 
 K 
 
194 MORAVIAN HYMN BOOK. 
 
 clergy, not only as the hymn-book of the church in Herrnhut, 
 but also as its confession of faith, which was not the case ; for 
 the church was not satisfied with many of the hymns contained 
 in it, and a multitude of the expressions employed. 
 
 In order, in some measure, to refute a number of accusations, 
 't'he Count resolved to print this hymn-book of the Moravian 
 church, in which not only many in the former collection were 
 omitted, but many justly censurableexgresMonsaltered. The 
 Censor in EoEau, a reasonable man, took the trouble to point 
 out every thing that seemed to him of a doubtful nature, and 
 the Count did his utmost to amend the passages. However, 
 many hymns were still retained, which might well have been 
 omiJiiJ7"andlnany expressions remained unaltered, 'wEicF it 
 would have been better to have changed ; such is the case 
 with human imperfection ! 
 
 This hymn-book was imcommonly well received by many ; 
 and the inquiry for it was so great, that it was reprinted in 
 several places. The brethren also published a new edition of 
 it in 1737, with a few alterations. 
 
 The objections against it were directed, indeed, more against 
 the hjrmns which had been taken from other collections, than 
 against the peculiar hymns of the brethren : but as the title 
 stated it to be the hymn-book of the church in Herrnhut, the 
 adversaries thought they had a right to ascribe to the Count 
 and the church every thing improper they really found, or 
 imagined they found in it. 
 
 But the Count, willing to make an end of the disputes about 
 it, advised the brethren, in a synod held at Gotha in 1740, to • 
 do away with the hymn-book, which advice was accordingly 
 followed. 
 
 He also made, in 1735, the commencement of the appendix 
 to the hymn-book of the church in Herrnhut, in which he 
 wished to preserve the new hymns which had been made in 
 the church, although he also inserted some of the old excellent 
 hymns. There are also many of his own composition||;as well 
 as of other members of the church, both old and young, of 
 both sexes. 
 
 Whenever the Count perceived that any one possessed a 
 gift in writing hymns, he encouraged it, and sometimes gave 
 
WRITINGS OCCURRENCES. 195 
 
 several persons a subject to write upon ; and when each of 
 them was ready with his hymn, he read them one after another 
 with them, and conversed with them respecting them, in order 
 to give them a better insight into the subject of the hymns, 
 which was frequently accompanied with much unction, and 
 proved highly beneficial to those present. 
 
 The first part of the Count's German poems appeared in 
 the beginning of 1735. He had intended to add a second and 
 a third, but did not accomplish his plan. In these poems, he 
 speaks of divine things in such a manner as evidently shows that 
 they emanated from his heart, and from love to the Saviour. 
 
 The same year appeared also a periodical work, entitled 
 " Voluntary Gleanings," &c. ; to the first Numbers of which 
 the Count contributed several papers, but hesitated to continue 
 doing so. The editor, however, carried on the work till the 
 year 1740, and included in it as many of the Count's smaller 
 pieces as he could obtain. At length he republished them 
 under the title of " Count Zinzendorf's smaller Pieces," toge- 
 ther with other edifying tracts ; although the Count had already 
 stated in an advertisement, that he was not satisfied with it, 
 and did not regard it as his, since much had been added that 
 was contrary to his sentiments. 
 
 A Mulatto, of the name of Protten, accompanied the Count 
 from Copenhagen, whose residence in Herrnhut proved a 
 blessing to him. 
 
 In June, David Nitschman, the younger, travelled to St. 
 Petersburg, to obtain information respecting the heathen tribes 
 inhabiting the borders of Russia, and especially respecting the 
 Moravian exiles, who were said to have reached the foot of 
 Mount Caucasus ; for which purpose the Count furnished 
 him with letters of recommendation to several gentlemen in 
 Russia, 
 
 Towards the end of July, a considerable number of bre- 
 thren and sisters were dispatched to strengthen the colony 
 in Georgia, besides ten individuals who had already proceeded 
 to St. Croix for the same purpose. 
 
 In August, three brethren were dispatched from Herrnhut 
 to Surinam, by way of Amsterdam. 
 
 On the 7th of September, the anniversary of his marriage, 
 K 2 
 
196 JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 
 
 the Count had the pleasure of receiving a visit from his aunt, 
 who resided at Great Hennersdorf. 
 
 In October, he was applied to by several alchemists, who 
 promised to initiate him into all their secrets, if he would 
 join them in their undertakings ; but he sent them a written 
 reply, giving them clearly to understand, that he would have 
 nothing to do with it, and admonishing them, at the same time, 
 to give it up entirely. 
 
 Towards the end of the year, he travelled to Switzerland, 
 and resolved, on arriving at Friberg, to go the rest of the 
 way on foot. This was no easy matter to him, from being 
 extremely short-sighted and unaccustomed to walking any dis- 
 tance. He also took no servant with him, nor any brother to 
 wait upon him. One of the Nitschmans, who had accompanied 
 him to Friberg, was sent back to Herrnhut : he did this 
 in order to converse the more unreservedly with his Saviour,, 
 with whom he was wont to speak, when alone, as if he were 
 personally with him. It often happened that he missed his 
 way, especially when travelling late in the evening, which was 
 not unfrequently the case, after being retarded by conversing 
 with individuals on the state of their souls. 
 
 Whenever he travelled before, he had always some one with 
 him, who acted as purse-bearer, and paid the necessary ex- 
 penses, respecting which he himself was perfectly ignorant. 
 He was also entirely unacquainted with the various descriptions 
 of money current in Germany ; add to which, he often stripped 
 himself completely of money, by giving to those that needed : 
 for if any one requested his aid, he felt assured it was not 
 accidental, but that such an individual was sent to him by the 
 Lord, that he might manifest his charity towards him. He 
 then gave as much as he thought the poor person required, 
 and often forgot to retain as much as he needed for himself; 
 and thus he occasionally experienced what the poor have to 
 suffer when travelling. He was sometimes obliged to wait, 
 till he came to a place where some one knew him, and assisted 
 him with money. Once he had nothing left but the merest 
 trifle ; on reaching a house, very weary and faint, he requested 
 a little bread and water for it, but the people laughed him to 
 scorn, instead of assisting him. 
 
JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 197 
 
 In Leichnam, he visited Count Von Gersdorf, and, according 
 to his custom, conversed vfith him till towards midnight. When 
 about to retire to rest, he felt impelled to continue his journey, 
 and feeling assured that it was his Saviour's will, he ordered a 
 carriage, took leave of Count Gersdorf, and set off, without 
 suffering any thing to detain him» Scarcely had he left the 
 place, when the ceiling of the room, in which he Was to have 
 slept, suddenly gave way, and fell down upon the place where 
 the bed stood, which would have crushed him, if he had still 
 been there. This made a deep impression on Count Gersdorf, 
 who frequently related the circumstance in the sequel. I have 
 also inspected the room, just spoken of, with feelings of grati- 
 tude towards our Lord and Saviour. 
 
 Some days after his departure, the Countess was delivered 
 of a daughter, who received the name of Maria Agnes. In a 
 letter to his consort, he expresses his joy, that she had again 
 become a mother, — that they had mutually to bless and praise 
 God, for his blessing upon them, in rejoicing them with so 
 many children, and that he had the hope they would all rise 
 up to call him blessed. 
 
 No authentic account has reached me respecting the re- 
 mainder of his journey to Switzerland, and therefore I can say 
 nothing more concerning it, than that he visited Zurich and 
 other places. On his return, he spent a week in Niirenberg, 
 where he had so much employment, that he could scarcely spare 
 a few minutes for himself. The last day of his stay there, 
 he rose at four in the morning, and at the same hour in the 
 afternoon he was obliged violently to tear himself away, 
 otherwise he would not have been suffered to depart. An 
 edifying conversation with Count Louis of Castell, and the 
 instruction of an individual, to whom he was greatly at- 
 tached, in the method of treating awakened souls, were 
 regarded by him as his most important employments in 
 Niirenberg. 
 
 From thence he proceeded to Ebersdorf, where he spent 
 his time in a very edifying manner, and spoke with particular 
 effect, during the Christmas holidays, on the words, " Lovest 
 thou me ? " 
 
 At the close of the year, he returned to Herrnhut ; and on 
 
198 PASTORAL LABOURS. 
 
 the 31st of December, held a watch-night, which lasted until 
 four o'clock in the morning. 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1736, he wrote to the king of 
 Denmark, and requested either his express consent to his 
 entering into the ministry, or permission to return the order of 
 Dannebrog, which, for important reasons, he had still retained. 
 The king did not approve of the former measure, and requested 
 him to send back the order to the Master of the Ceremonies. 
 He obeyed the intimation ; but having received it from the 
 hands of the king himself, he returned it to him with a letter. 
 
 At the beginning of this year, he was so iU as to be confined 
 to his bed ; but after recovering a little, he laboured in Herrn- 
 hut just as if he were preparing every thing for his exile. He 
 held conferences with the officers of the church, with reference 
 to all that concerned it, which often began early in the morning, 
 and lasted till late at night. There was not an individual in 
 Herrnhut who was not taken into consideration : they went 
 through the list of those, of whom they were not certain that 
 they possessed spiritual life, and considered, in the presence of 
 God, what was best to be done with them. Those who had 
 become the recipients of Divine grace, were divided amongst 
 them, so that there was not one of them who was not attended 
 to in particular. The doctrine taught was also taken into con- 
 sideration. The objections against the discourses of the brethren 
 were discussed, and, as far as they had any weight, carefully con- 
 sidered. Luther's method of teaching was referred to, and it 
 was thought very beneficial that his writings should be more 
 read in the church. The various public and private meetings 
 were reconsidered, in order to see how they might be held and 
 regulated vrith' greater benefit. The statutes of the church 
 were likewise gone through, and recommended to faithful 
 observance. A new document was drawn up for the abolition 
 of some abuses, and for the greater promotion of what is good. 
 Every thing was deliberated upon also, respecting the best 
 mode of conducting the schools for the children, the several 
 choirs, and what was to be observed with respect to providing 
 for the poor, receiving strangers, instructing the ignorant, 
 
DEPARTURE FOR HOLLAND. 199 
 
 reproving the unruly, &o. ; as well as with regard to the 
 buildings requisite in Herrnhut. The brethren came to an una- 
 nimous decision upon the following points : — First, that none 
 of them would suffer himself to be induced to do any thing 
 contrary to his conscience and the Holy Scriptures. Secondly, 
 To avoid aU particular opinions, abide by the most simple 
 fundamental truths of the Bible, and have nothing to do with 
 that which has no reference to the practice of Divine truths. 
 Thirdly, T o be_Yery carefu l jhat_no separation take place. 
 Though many things might be objectionable" ihclergyinen, 
 still the sacrament might be received at their hands ; seeing 
 that the Saviour endured purification and circumcision from 
 the priests, although there was a great declension amongst 
 them. 
 
 After thus cordially and thoroughly conferring with the 
 church, and its elders and ofiicers, the Count, on the 15th of 
 February, commenced his journey to Holland, whither he had 
 been pressingly invited. Dober remained behind, as superior 
 elder, to whom, with Anna Nitschman, the church were prin- 
 cipally referred. On the day of the Count's departure, he 
 spoke, individuaJly, with upwards of sixty persons, which de- 
 layed him »ntil after midnight. He then set out for Budissin, 
 where he overtook the Countess and her company, who had 
 left Herrnhut in the afternoon. He was probably not aware 
 that he should not see his beloved brethren in Herrnhut again 
 for so long a season. However, many things had occurred, from 
 which he might infer, that particular misfortunes awaited him, 
 although their precise nature' was not obvious to him. He 
 had a confidential interview, in Budissin, with Count Von 
 Gersdorf, the Lord-Lieutenant of the district, who had paid 
 him a friendly visit at Herrnhut, towards the end of January. 
 This nobleman stated, the next day,' to David Nitschman, his 
 belief, that " God had some great purpose in view with Count 
 Zinzendorf, for he had not given him in vain the talents and 
 views which were manifest in him ; and that the more he con- 
 sidered the path he was pursuing, the more attached he became 
 to him." 
 
 The watch-word for the 13th of February was, " Blessed 
 are ye when men shall hate you, and separate you from their 
 
200 ARRIVAL IN AMSTERDAM. 
 
 company," (Luke vi. 22 ;) and on the 14th, " Woe unto you, 
 when all men shall speak well Of you." (Luke vi. 26.) Upon 
 these passages the Count spoke impressively to the church 
 before his departure, and, after the order for his banishment 
 had been issued, the recollection of them proved beneiicial to 
 him. 
 
 On his way, he visited his elder brother in Hof, between 
 Meissen and Leipzig ; and, in discoursing with him, availed 
 himself of the opportunity to speak upon the blessedness of the 
 children of God. He remained three days in Jena, and not 
 oply publicly addressed the awakened students and townspeo- 
 ple, but spoke with almost every one of them in particular. 
 They were all deeply affected, and renewed their determination 
 to be faithful to Jesus. He Was there also visited by Count 
 Reuss, and consulted with him, his consort, and Mr. Stein- 
 hofer, respecting the little flock in Ebersdorf. 
 
 After another address, on free and unconstrained love to the 
 Saviour, he left Jena. On account of the quantity of snow that 
 had fallen, the journey proved a very fatiguing one, and he 
 did not arrive in Amsterdam till the 4th of March. 
 
 Soon after his arrival, he hired a house for himself and his 
 family : for he had not only those with him who had accom- 
 panied him and the Countess from Herrnhut, together with 
 their eldest daughter, Benigna, but others also arrived from 
 England and Holstein. The Countess, according to her cus- 
 tom, managed the domestic affairs with much fidelity ; whilst 
 he acted in his house as he had done at Herrnhut. At eight 
 o'clock in the morning there was a meeting, in which he spoke 
 upon the vyatch--word for the da y. In the twilight of the even- 
 ing, he held a singing-meeting, and at eleven o'clock closed the 
 day in an edifying manner, with his inmates. He also kept the 
 day appointed for prayer and other meetings as in Herrnhut. 
 
 A circumstance of an apparently trivial nature had rendered 
 the Count and the church at Herrnhut well known in Holland. 
 In 1734, I stayed some time in Amsterdam, on my way to 
 America, and inquired of the Surinam Society how they in^ 
 tended to treat the brethren, if any of them should resolve to 
 go to Surinam. The Society knowing little or nothing of the 
 brethren, I was requested to give them a short account of 
 
OCCURRENCES IN HOLLAND. 201 
 
 them, in writing. Isaac Lelong, a learned and very indus- 
 trious man, had translated my statement into Dutch, and felt 
 impelled to make more minute inquiries into the matter. I 
 frequently conversed with him, and confidentially communicated 
 to him whatever documents I had by me. He copied them 
 all, and subsequently, when others of the brethren arrived in 
 Amsterdam, on their mission to the heathen, he made still 
 further inquiries of them. Not long after, he wrote a book 
 in the Dutch language, entitled, "God's Wonders with his 
 Church," and published every thing which had fallen into his 
 hands. The novelty of the thing caused the book a rapid sale, 
 and produced an extensive correspondence with the Count, 
 from persons of high rank, as well as several preachers. The 
 Dowager-Princess of Orange also wrote to him, respecting 
 many things she had read in Lelong's treatise. 
 
 The Count, though conscious the publication was well meant, 
 heartily wished it had been deferred for a time i for the situa- 
 tion of the church was, at that time, so critical, and persons of 
 such importance had set themselves against it, that, according 
 to his views, nothing could be more mal a propos than this 
 friendly zeal in commending and applauding the church of the 
 brethren before all the world. He was also of opinion, that 
 such commendations were more injurious to them than the 
 vilest calumnies, and therefore sought, if possible, to prevent 
 the publication of the second part ; but the greater part of it 
 being ready, and having been also publicly promised, he had it 
 not in his power to restrain its appearing. 
 
 As soon as the Count had provided himself with a lodging, 
 friends with whom he had previously corresponded, and who 
 had occasioned his journey to Amsterdam, came to give him 
 and his company a hearty welcome. They remained during 
 his singing-meeting in the evening ^ and the next day, when 
 the number assembled was so great that there was scarcely 
 room for them, he availed himself of the opportunity to preach 
 Christ to them : not only preachers of various denominations, 
 but also several magistrates, were present. 
 
 Afterwards, when the numbers increased so much, that there 
 was not room enough for them, he was desirous of dividing 
 them, and of preaching at one time to the men, and at another 
 
 K 3 
 
202 OCCURRENCES IN HOLLAND. 
 
 time to the women, as he afterwards did in Berlin : but, at 
 the very first meeting for the women, many men likewise 
 attended, and wished to be present. This occasioned a con- 
 course of people, which is not uncommon in Amsterdam, as 
 soon as two or three stand in the street together, and express 
 their dissatisfaction or approbation of any thing. To prevent 
 disturbance, the Count went out, closed the door behind him, 
 and addresied the people ; telling them that he would gladly 
 have received them, but the place was too small ; therefore, if 
 they would return at a certain hour, he would preach to them, 
 &c. This pacified them, and they dispersed. However, he 
 did not think it advisable to continue the meetings ; and, as 
 this occurred only a few days before his departure, he consented 
 to speak in several places, where he was requested to do so, in 
 the presence of those who held ofiicial situations. 
 
 Amongst the friends who invited him in the first instance, 
 and showed their attachment to him, was a reformed preacher, 
 of the name of Van Alphen ; in conversation with whom, it 
 was discussed, whether the Count should remain incognito in 
 Holland, or appear under his real name : he chose the latter ; 
 and it was afterwards obvious that this was for the best. The 
 following days, he received visits from persons of the highest 
 rank in Amsterdam ; but people of the lower class came also to 
 him vpithout hesitation, and he conversed with them as their 
 circumstances required. Those with whom he associated, were 
 not aU of the Reformed church, and hence suspicion was ex- 
 cited, lest he should use his influence to strengthen the party 
 of the Prince of Orange, as well as lest he should, by thus as- 
 sociating with people who were not of the Established Church, 
 give more weight to them. He therefore found it necessary 
 to pubhsh a declaration, that he was doing nothing in Amster- 
 dam but what he had for many years been in the habit of doing 
 every where else : at the same time he described the species of 
 intercourse he held with individuals, as well as his domestic 
 meetings in Amsterdam. 
 
 When I speak of persons of other religious persuasions, with 
 whom the Count associated in Amsterdam, I have particular 
 reference to the Socinians, both public and private. Of the 
 first description, was Samuel Crellius, known under the name 
 
CONVERSION OF A SOCINIAN. 203 
 
 of Artemonius ; respecting whom the Count writes: — " On 
 the 8th of March, old Crellius visited me. The Lord opened 
 my heart towards him, so that I came immediately to the point, 
 and directly told him wherein he was deficient, as well as the 
 living foundation of my own hopes. I told him I was baptized 
 no less in the name of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit, than in 
 that of the Father ; and that I was fully assured, that Father, 
 Son, and Spirit, were one God — that worshipping Jesus was true 
 divine worship ; and that not worshipping Jesus, was as much as 
 not worshipping God. The humiliating expressions of Jesus 
 were oilly proofs of his great humility. We then came to speak of 
 his pure humanity, and did not deviate a hair's breadth from 
 what is written. Crellius then told me candidly what he be- 
 lieved ; but, from that time, he felt so much confidence towards 
 me, that he continued a regular attendant at my meetings, 
 during the whole time of my residence there, and cherished so 
 much affection towards me and the brethren, that I thought it 
 somethmg very remarkable. He once asked me, if I thought 
 those men were lost who did not believe as I did ? I told him, 
 ' that aU manner of sin and blasphemy against the Son would be 
 forgiven, but that still it was a blasphemy, and ought not to be 
 persisted in.' In all my meetings, I took the divinity of Jesus, and 
 his vicarious merits, for the theme of my discourses ; nor did the 
 various sects in Amsterdam cease to visit them to the last." 
 
 This old man at length sought his salvation in the wounds 
 of Jesus. For two years together, he neglected none of the 
 meetings of the brethren in Amsterdam, however imfavourable 
 the weather. He had also decided on going to Herrnhut with 
 his family. However, he was again led into error in conse- 
 quence of being attacked on that side, where learned men are 
 generally weak. At length, in the year 1746, John Von 
 Wattewille visited him, and had the pleasure of observing that 
 he cordially received all that he said to him. This grace of 
 the Saviour he retained till his end, previously to which he 
 heartily thanked the brethren for the faithfulness they dad 
 manifested towards him. 
 
 Amongst the worst Socinians, with whom the Count was 
 also acquainted, I include a part of the Mennonites, amongst 
 whom Socinianism at that time prevailed. Many of them 
 
204 RESIDENCE IN HOLLAND. 
 
 indeed wel:e scarcely aware that they had fallen into the hands 
 of Socinian teacherSj and were thus in danger of being slain 
 whilst asleep. A considerable humber experienced great benefit 
 from private intercourse with the Count, or from attending his 
 public meetings ; and from that tiilie, many of the preachers 
 of that sect bore a powerful testimony to the divinity of Christ, 
 and the WOnemeht made by his blood. 
 
 He likewise entered into intimate connexion with various 
 individuals of the national church (the Reformed). They saw 
 his zeal for the Lord, his love to Jesus Christ, his understand- 
 ing in the Scriptures, and, notwithstanding the difference 
 existing between them in minor points, became greatly attached 
 to him. He practised, nevertheless, his fundamental maxim, 
 never to profess the truth more pointedly and courageously 
 than in those very places where it was either not known, or 
 else spoken against. Hence, in Holland, he boldly taught the 
 grace of God which hath appeared unto all men — the blood of 
 Christ which is shed for the sin of the world — the will of God, 
 that all men should be saved. But this did not prevent many 
 of all ranks from loving him, who were in other respects cor- 
 dially attached to the reformed confession. 
 
 I must here remark, in general, that there are many intelli- 
 gent men in Holland and England, who use great modesty 
 when they have to do with those of different religious senti- 
 ments ; and when they perceive any thing good in them, and 
 especially a cordial love to Jesus Christ, they are not so secta- 
 rian as to withdraw themselves from them because they are 
 not of the same persuasion. And this the Count also expe- 
 rienced on the present occasion ; whilst he himself became 
 better acquainted with the Reformed church in Holland. He 
 not only found amongst them those who sincerely loved the 
 Lord Jesus, but was convinced, to his great satisfaction, after 
 attending their sermons, that they built every thing upon the 
 grace of God in Christ Jesus, preached the righteousness 
 which is through faith in Christ, and deduced all holiness 
 simply from that source. 
 
 With respect to the missions to the heathen, which had 
 partly been the cause of his journey to Holland, he conferred 
 with various individuals who were well disposed, and could 
 
EFFORTS IN FAVOUR OF MISSIONS. 205 
 
 give him the requisite information. He that is acquainted 
 with the Dutch constitution, and particularly with the senti- 
 ments of the Dutch trading companies, will easily perceive 
 that it was no easy matter to settle brethren as missionaries 
 amongst the heathen in the Dutch colonies or their vicinity. 
 A favourable opportunity presented itself to the Count of 
 obtaining the best information on the subject. A certain gen- 
 tleman invited him and the Rev. Mr. Van Alphen to dine with 
 him on board his Greenland ship, in order the more freely to 
 converse upon the point. Vanden Bempden, the Burgomaster 
 of Amsterdam, who was one of the directors both of the East- 
 India Company and the Surinam Society, paid him a visit, and 
 spoke very confidentially with him. And thus he became 
 personally acquainted with several individuals of eminence, 
 with whom he could speak freely respecting the point in ques- 
 tion. However, nothing more was done in 1736, than that 
 one brother found an opportunity of proceeding to South 
 Africa, to go amongst the Hottentots, and two others to the 
 coast of Guinea. 
 
 Several proposals were also made for an establishment of 
 the brethren in Holland, but none of them entirely satisfied 
 the Count. That which was made by Mr. Van Alphen, in the 
 name of the Dowager-Princess of Orange, respecting the 
 barony of Ysselstein, seemed to him the most feasible. He 
 therefore left Amsterdam on the 26th of March, with two of 
 his friends, to proceed to Ysselstein, in order to investigate 
 the matter still more closely. It was afterwards resolved to 
 purchase a suitable place in the said barony, on the banks of 
 the Yssel, about a mile from Ysselstein. One of the brethren 
 remained there, but the Count returned to Amsterdam the 
 following day. The Princess of Orange, on hearing of it, 
 expressed the great pleasure she would feel in having a Mo- 
 ravian settlement on her domains ; and the brethren began to 
 build upon the spot the next year, and called the place Hee- 
 rendyk. The chief intention of it probably was, that those 
 brethren and sisters who devoted themselves to the missionary 
 service, might have a place in Holland, where they might rest 
 awhile. However, it afterwards furnished the Dutch with an 
 opportunity of seeing with their own eyes, and hearing with 
 
206 VISIT TO THE PRINCESS Or ORANGE. 
 
 their own ears, which is always the best reply to all the accu- 
 sations brought against the brethren, which are made pro- 
 bably through ignorance. 
 
 The Princess of Orange having invited the Count to visit 
 her atLeuwaarden, he resolved to go thither with a part of his 
 company, but proceeded first to Haarlem, where he visited 
 some of his friends. 
 
 The time for his departure from Holland being now arrived, 
 he divided the brethren and sisters whom he had with him. 
 Some remained in HoUand, to commence the settlement at 
 Ysselstein ; others returned direct to Herrnhut : the rest he 
 took with him to Leuwaarden, from whence he intended to 
 proceed to Herrnhut, for he yet knew nothing of his impending 
 exile. The Countess preceded him to Leuwaarden, where she 
 was very kindly and graciously received by the Princess, whilst 
 he himself first made an excursion to Groningen. 
 
 He there became acquainted with several learned men, and 
 amongst others, with two preachers, who pressed him strongly 
 to give them an address. At first he declined it ; but on their 
 urging him at least to preach in the church, he accepted the 
 oflFer, and preached in the afternoon in the Lutheran church, 
 where persons of all persuasions, as well as some of the clergy, 
 were assembled. He spoke upon the words, " My Lord, and 
 my God," with much emotion, and with tears. 
 
 On arriving at Leuwaarden, he was immediately requested 
 to take up his abode in the palace, and not to observe incognito 
 whilst there ; to both of which he assented. 
 
 He remained with the Countess and his daughter, from the 
 12th to the 16th, at Leuwaarden. The Princess was very 
 glad to see him with her, having known him for seventeen 
 years, and placing much confidence in him. She also said 
 before his arrival, to the Countess, that she would converse 
 very candidly vrith him on the state of her soul. On the day 
 of his arrival, she afibrded him an opportunity of conversing 
 very plainly with her ; and continued to do so every day he 
 remained there. The Princess likewise requested him to hold 
 several meetings, at which she herself was present, notwith- 
 standing her indisposition. A clergyman of the place, who 
 preached the gospel in its purity, was also present. 
 
DEPARTURE FROM LEUWAARDEN. 207 
 
 After mature deliberation, the Moravian settlement at 
 Ysselstein was finally resolved upon : but the Count insisted 
 that this new establishment should not be burdensome, either 
 to the Princess or the inhabitants of the barony. He therefore 
 requested, beforehand, that no subscriptions, collections, or 
 any thing of the kind, should be made ; and entreated the 
 Princess to extend her well-known generosity, neither pub- 
 licly nor privately to the new settlement, which should seek, 
 with the Divine aid, honestly to support itself without being 
 troublesome to any one. 
 
 On the 16th they took their departure from Leuwaarden. 
 After travelling a few hours, they overtook a little company, 
 who had preceded them, in order to enjoy their society a little 
 longer. They remained together until the following morning 
 at four o'clock, when they proceeded on their journey, and 
 arrived on the 21st at Cassell. They found there letters from 
 Hermhut, containing the copy of the order for the Count's 
 banishment from that place : they did not remain there longer 
 than an hour, and then drove to Lichtenau. The Count 
 walked the greatest part of the way, in order to hold converse 
 with his Saviour. 
 
 The day following, the Count became fully convinced, in 
 his own heart, that the Lord intended this exile, not as an 
 injury to his cause, but to promote the affairs committed to his 
 charge : assured that the Lord would gather the brethren and 
 sisters to him, whom he had destined for his service, and then 
 his house would become a church of the servants of Christ, and of 
 the pilgrims upon earth. He arrived on the 25th at Ebersdorf, 
 and remained there for a time. 
 
 He had been previously met by David Nitschman, who 
 brought him the original order for his banishment from Herm- 
 hut, and came to confer with him- upon various matters. He 
 informed him that a Commission would arrive at Hermhut, 
 with no other intention than to destroy the regulations and 
 institutions there. The Count now perceived that he was 
 purposely banished before the Commission came to Hermhut. 
 On reading the rescript, he said to Nitschman with great cheer- 
 fulness, " I could not have come to Hermhut, irrespective of 
 this, for the next ten years, to remain there ; for we must now 
 
208 THE COUNT EXILED FROM SAXONY. 
 
 gather together the pilgrim-church, preach the Saviour to the 
 world," &c. Nitschman wrote down these words at the time, 
 and the result verified them. 
 
 With respect to the destruction of the church and establish- 
 ments at Herrnhut, the Count supposed the Lord might 
 possibly suffer it to come to this. He could give no other 
 advice, than that the brethren should divide themselves hither 
 and thither. This occasioned him great anxiety, both with 
 respect to their spiritual and temporal welfare. He drew up 
 a plan for this purpose, and sent it to the elders and assistants 
 at Herrnhut. But, on the 2d of June, when a conference was 
 appointed to deliberate further on the matter, and the watch- 
 word for the day was referred to, it was found to be, " They 
 need not depart ; give ye them to eat," (Matt. xiv. 16 ;) which 
 they took to imply, that they should continue to provide the 
 community with food both for body and soul as before. 
 
 The Count, however, thought it necessary, that the Countess 
 should hasten to Herrnhut, to be present whilst the Commission 
 was being held there. He previously concerted with her to 
 devote her whole property to the affairs of Herrnhut and the 
 support of his family, whilst he himself would receive nothing, 
 and maintain himself as well as he might be able. 
 
 But the outward support of his family, and the institutions 
 at Herrnhut, would have been attended with great difficulty, 
 if the Lord, according to his goodness and truth, had not 
 provided for them. The Count himself informs us, that on 
 account of the very heavy debts he had incurred for building 
 and other expenses, which would not have been alleviated 
 during his exile, he should have been driven into great straits, 
 if Providence had not kindly provided for its child. " This 
 happened," says he, " in the following manner : — Matthew 
 Beuning, a man of very peculiar character, but vsdth whom I 
 was at that time very little acquainted, asked me once, quite 
 unexpectedly, if I were in want of money ? ' No,' said I. He 
 continued and said, I must not take it amiss, that he inquired 
 still further, since I had to meet such a large outlay, in conse- 
 quence of residing with my whole suite in foreign countries at 
 my own charge ; he therefore asked if I had no pressing debts 1 
 I made the same reply. Whether the interest I paid did not 
 
CAUSES OF HIS BANISHMENT. 209 
 
 inconvenience me, since I applied the whole of the money I 
 borrowed for others, and never to my own use ? I answered, 
 ' Yes.' Whether it would not be an accommodation for me 
 to have the whole of my property funded in Holland, at 
 the customary interest ? I replied, that I knew of no one to 
 undertake it, and did not wish to trouble any one. ' Trouble 
 me with it,' said Mr. Beuning, ' I will very willingly procure 
 it.' I accepted the offer, and should have tempted God, had 
 I done otherwise. Thus his unexpected generosity tended to 
 smooth the almost impassable path of suffering, upon which 
 I then entered." 
 
 The causes of the Count's banishment from Saxony must 
 not here be omitted. A certain individual, in the neighbour- 
 hood of Herrnhut, was induced, by a variety of pretended 
 accusations against the brethren, and especially against the 
 Count, to act the complainant against them, not only in the 
 superior court of Upper Lusatia, but also in the privy council 
 at Dresden. The Count took great pains to inform him better ; 
 and not being able to bring him to an interview, wrote him a 
 friendly letter with his own hand. He sent with it his book on 
 " Christian Conversation," but it was returned to him unread, 
 with a hostile reply to his letter, The Count had therefore 
 no other means of undeceiving him ; and he persisted in his 
 procedure, until the rescript above mentioned was issued 
 against the Count. 
 
 In course of time, however, this gentleman's eyes were 
 opened, and he perceived that he had acted wrong, especially 
 towards Count Zinzendorf. This conviction was increased by 
 a variety of circumstances. At length, a fire consumed the 
 whole of his outhouses, and greatly injured his dweUing-house. 
 It was remarkable, that on collecting his scattered things again 
 after this great misfortune, the Count's letter was the first thing 
 that fell into his hands, burnt in one place, but the writing un- 
 consumed. From that time, this gentleman had no longer any 
 peace of mind, until he should have fully compensated for the 
 injury done the Count, and soon after experienced the plea- 
 sure of seeing his wishes fulfilled, and that his ardent prayers to 
 God on that account were heard. He travelled to Herrnhut, 
 had a comfortable interview with the Count, and asked his 
 
210 CAUSES OF HIS BANISHMENT. 
 
 forgiveness for all that he had done in his heat against him ; at 
 the same time handing him the burnt letter, as a striking proof 
 of the Divine intentions, which had changed the fire of wrath 
 into a flame of love. This occurred in the year 1755 ; after 
 which, this gentleman continued to cherish the tenderest 
 aflfection for the Count until his end, cordially loved the bre- 
 thfien, and set a good example to his vassals of an active 
 profession of religion. He was also highly gratified whenever 
 he heard of the extension of the kingdom of Jesus Christ in 
 his place of residence and its vicinity, and in contributing any 
 thing towards the promotion of it. 
 
 Besides this immediate cause, the reception of the Moravian 
 and Bohemian exiles was unquestionably a remote occasion of 
 the Count's exile. The order for it having been sent him 
 through the medium of Count Von Gersdorf, he replied first 
 of all to him, informing him that he submitted to the king's 
 command ; stating, however, that since the decree of 1733, in 
 which he was again permitted to reside with his family, he 
 had neither been examined nor reproved for any thing laid to 
 his charge, nor had been heard in his defence. At the same 
 time, he requested the Lieutenant of the district to procure 
 him at least a short time in which he might arrange his 
 affairs, and retire from his estates, so as to cause as little 
 sensation as possible. 
 
 He also wrote a very submissive letter to the king, dated 
 from Koenigsberg, 18th October, 1736, which concludes with 
 the following words : — " Should your royal Majesty and Elec- 
 toral Highness condescend so far as to institute a minute 
 inquiry into my conduct in your Majesty's territories, which 
 I have so ardently desired for' several years, and have most 
 humbly entreated of your Majesty for upwards of a year, — my 
 consolation would be so much the greater, and I would duly 
 thank God and your Majesty for it. I now wander about in 
 uncertainty, vrithout any abiding home : however, I will not 
 murmur at my situation, but endeavour, both now and in 
 future, to obey your Majesty's orders with the most profound 
 respect and resignation." 
 
 Although it was no trifiing matter to him to leave his dear 
 Herrnhut, yet the Saviour granted him grace to be cheerful 
 
ITS CONSESUENCES. 211 
 
 and of good courage even in his exile. His chief ideas with 
 respect to this were, " If a person thinks within himself, ' I 
 will die in my nest,' such a thought proceeds from self-love, 
 and may exercise an influence over his whole life, and render 
 him the slave of his self-will and his attachment to his home, 
 so that he is restrained in all that he undertakes." " A man's 
 happiness depends not upon the place where he resides, but 
 upon the felicity he carries about with him in his heart." 
 " That place becomes our home, where the most is to be 
 effected for the Saviour at the time." 
 
 God caused much good to result from this affair, both as 
 respected his church and many thousand souls ; although 
 it was intended to produce the contrary effect by its authors : 
 for the Count's exile gave occasion to bring to remembrance 
 the gospel of Christ and his cross, in many countries, where it 
 had unhappily sunk almost into oblivion. 
 
 His state of pilgrimage commenced with this exUe, and 
 only terminated with his life. He had, indeed, been always 
 inclined to part with every thing for Jesus and the gospel's 
 sake, and at his beck to go to any part of the world : nor was 
 this a mere intention, since he had already taken many jour- 
 neys, at much inconvenience, from attachment to Christ and 
 his service. But now, by his exile, he assumed much more 
 the character of a messenger and a pilgrim, and became 
 more assured in his heart of its being the Lord's will, that he 
 should employ himself in his service as a pilgrim upon earth, 
 wherever opportunity presented itself. ^ 
 
 From that time, a company of pilgrims always assembled 
 around him : for wherever he was, the brethren and sisters 
 who were employed in the Lord's service, generally made his 
 house their home. When they returned to their destined sta- 
 tions, they conferred with him, and were accompanied by the 
 blessing of the church, in his house. If he changed his resi- 
 dence, the brethren above mentioned generally aocompaniedj 
 him : and thus himself and his inmates were literally strangers 
 and pilgrims upon earth, according to the expression of the 
 apostle. 
 
 He acted then as the father of the family, and provided for 
 il3S necessities, not only according to, but even beyond his 
 
212 A COMMISSION SENT TO HERRNHUT. 
 
 ability. His consort also arranged every thing so wisely, that 
 much was accomplished with little; and thus they were at least 
 al)le to live like pilgrims. He that had any thing of his own, 
 procured clothing, &c. for himself; but he that had nothing, 
 was provided for as well as they were able. 
 
 He regulated his household, with regard to spiritual things, 
 as a regular church. Meetings were daily held in his house, 
 in which they edified one another with singing and praying, 
 and with the word of God. Sundays, holidays, sacraments, 
 and all that the Lord Jesus has instituted for the benefit of his 
 people, were gratefully made use of. The church in the Count's 
 house was only different from other churches in this respect ; 
 that in the former, whole days, and even weeks, were spent in 
 deliberating upon the things concerning the kingdom of Christ. 
 The correspondence was extensive, the visits from other places 
 numerous, and the labours amongst Christians and heathen in- 
 creasingly multifarious. 
 
 The Commission in Herrnhut troubled the Count more be- 
 cause he could not be present at it, than if he had even been 
 there : but the Lord, to whom he so earnestly commended 
 the matter, so overruled it, that the whole affair proved a 
 blessing to the church. It was remarkable, that the Countess 
 arrived safely at Herrnhut, the day before the Commission was 
 opened. The four Commissioners appeared there on the 9th 
 of May, and remained till the 1 8th. 
 
 During the whole of this time, every thing proceeded in its 
 regular course, without the slightest variation. The watch- 
 words from the commencement of May, and during the whole 
 time of the Commission, were very instructive and consolatory 
 to the church. On the day when the Commissioners arrived, 
 the watch-word was, " Whosoever confesseth me before men, 
 him will I confess before my heavenly Father." The church 
 anticipated the arrival of the Commission with pleasure, and 
 regarded it as a favour to be examined by it, with reference to 
 the accusations brought against them. 
 
 During the examination, the members of the church spoke 
 from the sincerity of their hearts ; for when the elders and 
 assistants deliberated with each other, whether they should 
 confer with the church upon any matter which rnight probably 
 
ITS PROCEEDINGS. 213 
 
 come before the Commission, they were unanimously of opinion, 
 to put words into no one's mouth, but leave every thing simply 
 to the Lord's direction. They regarded it as contrary to con- 
 science, to concede any thing at a time when they were in statu 
 confessionis, or to aid themselves by explanations. It was the 
 wish of their hearts, that their whole intentions and institu- 
 tions should be laid open to the constituted authorities : they 
 were unconcerned respecting the result, and committed it to 
 God. 
 
 The Count also, though he thought it his duty, as superin- 
 tendent of the church in Herrnhut, to undertake their cause, 
 particularly at a time when it was in trouble, refrained, not- 
 withstanding, from giving any written instructions respecting 
 how they were to act towards the Commission, in order that it 
 might not seem as if he would help the brethren, instead of 
 committing them to the Spirit of grace, who has promised to 
 be especially operative on such occasions. 
 
 The Commissioners therefore found no diiHculty in ascer- 
 taining the real state of the case. Hence they bore this pub- 
 lic testimony to the church, on their departure : " You have 
 acted like honest people, and have honourably stood the test." 
 But notwithstanding this, no resolution was issued upon this 
 minute investigation, until fifteen months afterwards. 
 
 From Ulstedt, whither he had proceeded from Ebersdorf, 
 on a visit to Madam Von Schwarzenfels, he travelled to Frank- 
 fort-on-the-Mayne, of which he says, in a letter, "I arrived 
 there on my birth-day (the 26th of May), early in the morn- 
 ing, whilst engaged in fervent supplications to the Saviour, 
 and spent the day in retirement and prayer, that the Lord 
 would assist me on every occasion during the year ; and also 
 opened my heart to him in a hymn which I composed. Torn 
 from my people, in the company of a younger brother, I re- 
 flected on my arrival in Upper Lusatia, twenty years before, 
 and was much encouraged by a retrospect of the Lord's guid-- 
 ance during that period. On the 28th, I had many visits from 
 the clergy, the separatists, and those of the national church. I 
 held a meeting for the latter : amongst the visiters, was a very 
 worthy and aged Burgomaster, of the name of Eberhardt, and 
 an old Israelite, who, like Simeon, is waiting for the salvation' 
 
214 THE COUNT FIXES HIS RESIDENCE 
 
 of Israel. On the 29th, my dear family arrived, at ten in the 
 morning, from Ulstedt. Many offers were made to me with 
 respect to Hanau, Hesse, &c. ; but I could not listen to any 
 ofthem."^ 
 
 The Count, after this, visited Baron Von Schrautenbach, at 
 Lindheim, who had sent him a friendly invitation, and spent a 
 few days there in retirement. Meanwhile, the Countess, with 
 the rest of his children, and the brethren and sisters who waited 
 upon them, Christian David and Leonard Dober, with others 
 of his fellow-labourers in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 also resorted to him. 
 
 Amongst the various offers which were made to him as resi- 
 dences for himself and those that were with him, he was best 
 Pleased with the proposal of inhabiting the old mansion of 
 / Ronneburg, belonging to the Count of Isenburg-Waechters- 
 bach, because a number of poor and wretched people resided 
 there, whom he wished to gain for Christ. Christian David 
 went thither for the purpose of inspecting it, but returned with 
 the answer, that the Count could not possibly reside there. 
 The Count said to him, " Christian, hast thou not been in 
 Greenland ?" " Yes," said he, " if it were only as good as we 
 had it in Greenland ! but thither you cannot go ; it would be 
 the death of you." The Count, however, who cared nothing 
 for convenience and days of ease, but only where he might 
 find something to do for the Saviour, had a great desire, not- 
 withstanding, to remove to Ronneburg, fqr the reason above 
 mentioned. 
 
 On the 12th of June, the Count went privately thither him- 
 self, arranged every thing for his occupation of it, found many 
 things much better than he had expected, and thanked the 
 Lord for his faithful guidance. He writes as follows, respect- 
 ing it : — " I brought thither a contented heart, conscious of 
 its Saviour's favour ; for I had acted according to his gracious 
 will. The mansion itself is sumptuous, but desolate, like the 
 palaces against which woes were denounced by the prophets. I 
 finished, the same day, the little hymn-book for pilgrims, and 
 felt it to be a happy day." 
 
 He then caused the necessary preparations to be made, and 
 afterwards removed thither himself. On Sunday, the 17th of 
 
AT RONNEBUEG. 215 
 
 June, he began to preach, and expounded the gospel of the losi 
 sheep and the piece of silver ; and spoke, in the afternoon, on 
 those words : " Then shall we know, even as we are known." 
 . ..." It being precisely fourteen years since the commence- 
 ment of the building of Herrnhut, we held a meeting for thanks- 
 giving and singing, in which we resolved to take spiritual charge 
 of all the inhabitants of Ronneburg. They thanked us heartily, 
 and were all much aifected — Christians of every creed, as well 
 as Jews and infidels." 
 
 After the arrival of his son and daughter, and a tolerable 
 number of brethren and sisters, he cheerfully began the pas- 
 toral care of the poor inhabitants of the place. 
 
 But even there he was not without his trials ; for when the 
 gospel began to manifest its power, and was well received by 
 many, there were not wanting those who were opposed to the 
 doctrine, that every thing depends on the merits and sufferings 
 of Christ. There were also those who, from other motives, could 
 not endure the meetings, on which the Lord vouchsafed his bless- 
 ing, pretending that it might be offensive to the government, and 
 believing that they had a right to restrain the Count. He there- 
 fore explained himself upon the subject in a letter, in which 
 he says : " It was for the sake of the poor and the needy that 
 I came to reside at Ronneburg, and for the purpose of impart- 
 ing to them the knowledge of Christ, for the salvation of theii 
 souls, according to the method I have adopted for many years. 
 If I am hindered in this, I shall regard it as something into- 
 lerable : and as I have forced my way for more than ten 
 years, and, after surmounting every difflculty, have now arrived 
 at an open space, I wUl not let myself be prevented here, but 
 hazard every thing for the attainment of this object ; for the 
 extent of my sympathy and compassion for the souls of men, 
 and my love to the Saviour is such, that it is apparent to everj 
 one what I have sacrificed in this respect ; and even this is b 
 small thing ; for I am ready to hazard my life upon it."* 
 
 * There being many poor people resident in the village, who had man} 
 children, he interested himself for them ; and, first of all, invited the pool 
 boys to dine with his son, the young Count, and afterwards the poor girlf 
 to dine with the young Countess. School was also kept for the boys in th( 
 forenoon, and the girls in the afternoon. And because these poor childrer 
 
216 JOURNEY TO LIVONIA. 
 
 In consequence of cordial and pressing invitations, the Count' 
 set out, on the 27th of July, on a journey to Livonia. In 
 Magdeburg he visited Abbot Steimnetz, by whom he was very 
 kindly received, and, after much conversation, they parted from 
 each other with great affection. In Berlin, he visited his 
 step-father, Field-marshal Von Nazmer, and the Coimtess, his 
 mother. Respecting his residence there, he writes, " Every 
 thing goes on prosperously here. My mother seems happier 
 than I have seen her for many years. The Deans, Rolof and 
 Karstaedt, have visited me, and Court-chaplain Jablonsky was 
 with me every day. I also conferred with the brethren from 
 Herrnhut, on the affairs of the church there : but those who 
 had spoken in Berlin, of that whereof they were ignorant, 
 were put to shame." 
 
 He proceeded from Berlin to Koenigsberg, respecting which 
 he writes, " I have had more intercourse with the Saviour, on 
 this journey, than ever, and regard it as the happiest of my 
 life. My hunger after him has been in some measure satis- 
 fied." 
 
 He only remained two days in Koenigsberg, which he spent 
 in retirement ; and, on the 1st of September, proceeded on his 
 journey to Riga, where he arrived on the 8th. " All the way 
 to Riga," says he, " I swam in peace and joy in the Lord, and 
 walked on the shores of the Baltic with a delighted heart. 
 To spend so many days with the Saviour, without interrup- 
 tion, is a great favour, and almost renders us unfit for any 
 other society." 
 
 His arrival in Riga was not unexpected, and he was made 
 heartily welcome by his friends. He was entreated to preach, 
 on Sunday, the 9th of September, even by the superintendent- 
 general himself; but, as far as the author knows, declined it 
 for that time. He did not stay long in Riga ; for the lady of 
 General Hallartin requested him to come to Wolmarshof, and 
 had already ordered post-horses for him all the way. In Orel 
 he saw General Von Campenhausen and his consort, and be- 
 came acquainted also with Major Von Albedyl, one of the 
 
 went out to beg every Tuesday and Friday, the Count forbad it, and 
 distributed bread amongst them on those days, and something for- 
 clothing. 
 
RESIDENCE IN REVEL. 217 
 
 Swedish oiHcers, who, during their captivity in Siberia, use- 
 fully employed themselves in the instruction of the children 
 at Tobolsk. The Count was received in Wolmarshof with dis- 
 tinguished affection, as a servant of Jesus, who was privileged 
 with suffering for his sake. The General's lady, whose heart 
 longed for the salvation of Lithuania, (as the Count said of 
 her,) received many visits whilst he was in her house ; and 
 frequent opportunities were afforded him of bearing testimony 
 to the truth as it is in Jesus. On the l7th of September, he 
 took his departure for Revel, and arrived there on the 20th. 
 
 In Revel, he became acquainted with several of the clergy, 
 one of whom preached the atonement zealously and power- 
 fully, and this was also the chief subject of the Count's dis- 
 courses. He was likewise so full of hope that these would 
 not be in vain, that he said, " Revel has richly rewarded me for 
 the whole of my journey to Livonia." " The superintendent 
 directly invited me to preach in the church of St. 01ave,~ and 
 I did not feel at liberty to refuse him. . . The Lord is increas- 
 ingly with me in my labours." 
 
 Many persons of rank were uncommonly attached to him, 
 and reflected whether there were no means of retaining him 
 in the country. He was also urgently requested to preach 
 in the cathedral church on the following Wednesday. He did 
 so, and took for his text, " I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, 
 who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting 
 me into the ministry." (1 Tim. i. 12.) The cathedral was 
 uncommonly full of persons of all classes, and the people said, 
 " If all sermons were like this, all men would be converted." 
 
 His successful efforts in favour of the printing of the Estho- 
 nian Bible, for which the money could not before be raised, 
 deserve to be mentioned here. In a conversation with the 
 members of the Consistory, he proposed to make a voluntary 
 collection by subscription, and immediately wrote a suitable 
 address for it. The subscription accordingly commenced 
 amongst the friends who were present, and even before his 
 departure from Livonia a considerable sum was collected. 
 This version of the Bible left the press in 1739, and became 
 a great blessing to the Esthonians. 
 
 From Revel he returned to Riga, by way of WolmarshoJ 
 
218 RESULTS OF HIS JOURNEY. 
 
 and Orellen. On arriving in the town at six o'clock on the 
 Sunday morning, just in time for the early service, he was 
 immediately requested by the superintendent-general to preach, 
 because it was supposed he would not spend another Sunday 
 there. He accepted the oifer, and this dignitary privately 
 sent word to the Governor-general, who entered the church 
 with several officers, after the sermon was commenced : this 
 was on the 30th of September. On the 4th and 7th October, 
 he preached again, when the first people in the town came to- 
 gether to hear him, and confessed that what he stated was the 
 truth. 
 
 Providence also rendered the Count instrumental in pro- 
 moting the printing of theLettonian Bible, which was happily ac- 
 complished by the superintendent-general, the Rev. Dr. Fischer. 
 
 The Count found letters waiting for him, in Riga, from his 
 consort, which informed him of various painful circumstances 
 which had occurred at the Ronneburg, and especially of the de- 
 cease of his son. Christian Louis. 
 
 The results of his journey to Livonia were summarily as 
 follows : — 
 
 He had there an opportunity of explaining his real senti- 
 ments to those who were at the head of the church in Livonia ; 
 for they did not neglect to hear him themselves, and after- 
 wards affirmed, that they had nothing to object to them. Seve- 
 ral of them even fell upon his neck, and made this confession 
 vidth a deeply affected heart, and with many tears. This was the, 
 more remarkable, since his adversaries had laboured, by letters, 
 which were much to his prejudice, and of which he did not 
 remain ignorant, whilst in that country, to excite them to the 
 -utmost against him. 
 
 A chief object which the Count had in view, was private 
 intercourse vdth those preachers in Livonia, who were desirous 
 of doing good, both among the Germans and Swedes, as 
 well as the Esthonians and Lettonians. In these conversa- 
 tions, doctrines were not the only things considered, but the 
 work of grace in the heart, and the Lord added his blessing 
 to them. The Count also particularly recommended to the 
 preachers, Spener's wise idea de Ecclesiolis in Eeclesia. 
 
 Opportunity having been aiForded him of becoming well 
 
ARRIVAL IN BERLIN. 219 
 
 acquainted with Livonia, he soon perceived there was a want 
 of those who preached Jesus Christ with a warm heart, to the 
 inhabitants of Esthonia and Lettonia, and who were able to 
 treat them in a very simple manner, and according to circum- 
 stances. Hence, he considered whether a seminary could not 
 be formed for the instruction of such of the Lettonians as showed 
 much talent and ability, so that good schoolmasters might be 
 made of them. Able men being required for this purpose, 
 the Count, after his return, sought to procure them, and suc- 
 ceeded so well, that his plan was not only carried into effect, 
 but an extensive awakening also took place. Besides this, 
 many of the nobility and clergy requested of him preceptors 
 for their children, and assistants in the schools and churches, 
 and the Count was enabled to comply with their wishes. 
 
 On his return from Riga, he wrote from Memel, on the 
 15th October, to the king of Prussia, respecting the affairs of 
 the people of Salzburg. He made some little stay in Konigs- 
 berg, where Andrew Grasman, who had proceeded on a mis- 
 sion to the heathen in Lapland, had arrived, in order to see 
 the Count, and confer with him upon his labours. The latter 
 also held a meeting, by request, in the Frederician college. 
 
 In travelling from Konigsberg to Berlin, he passed through 
 Stolpe, in Pomerania, where he preached from the words, 
 " Who forgiveth all our iniquities ;" and spoke in particular 
 upon sauctification through grace. " There were faithful 
 people here," says he, "but they idolized me so much, that I 
 could scarcely bear to spend four hours with them, before 
 I took my departure." 
 
 On his arrival at Berlin, on the 25 th October, he received 
 a letter in the handwriting of the king of Prussia, and was 
 soon visited by Jablonsky, who showed him another, request- 
 ing him to invite Count Zinzendorf to Wusterhausen. 
 
 The Count says, " I was glad of this, because I knew the 
 king took me to be a half ridiculous, half dangerous individual ; 
 and expected that the next thing would be a dismissal for a 
 season from his territories, which at that time I was not dis- 
 inclined to prevent." 
 
 He therefore drove immediately to Wusterhausen, and noti- 
 fied his arrival the same evening. The next morning, Privy- 
 
 L 2 
 
220 INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OF PRUSSIA. 
 
 Counsellor Schumacher came and conducted him to the 
 king. 
 
 The idea which the king had formed of him ten years 
 before, that he was either a merry or a melancholy fanatic, 
 and which he had expressed regarding him in a numerous 
 company, seemed during the first minutes of conversation to 
 have some influence upon him. But when the king saw that 
 he had to do with an intelligent man, he felt induced to devote 
 three whole days to conversation with him. There was httle 
 which had been laid to the Count's charge, respecting which 
 the king did not interrogate him. However, not the slightest 
 allusion was made to his exUe. " Our sovereign," says the 
 Count, " was occasionally spoken of with, great esteem ; and 
 the king knows no other, than that we are leading a quiet and 
 peaceful life under our most gracious monarch." 
 
 The result was, that the king publicly expressed himself as 
 follows, respecting the vile reports he had heard concerning 
 the Count : " The devil in hell could not have fabricated worse 
 lies." The Count relates, respecting a conversation had with 
 his Majesty at the palace of Wusterhausen, in the presence of 
 many persons : — " After his Majesty had given me a general 
 gracious reception, and made a few particular inquiries, with 
 my answers to which he seemed satisfied ; he at length asked 
 me, point blank, ' Why I was so traduced, if my real senti- 
 ments were those I then expressed?' I replied, that I knew 
 a few reasons for it, and God probably knew more. The first 
 was, my uncommon mode of life, in which there was appa- 
 rently much that was contradictory. The second was, a fond- 
 ness for criticizing, which assaulted me much in my younger 
 years, the painful consequences of which now showed them- 
 selves ; for after I had given up attending to others, other 
 people now gave themselves more trouble about me than they 
 needed. The third was, my condescension and friendly deport- 
 ment towards every one, especially towards those with whom the 
 usual arguments and method of treatment are unavailing, but 
 who are in other respects docile ; as well as towards those who 
 were really in error, and hence were not treated with suflii- 
 cient humanity by those who either possessed the truth, or 
 pretended to possess it. My adversaries misconstrued this 
 
INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OF PRUSSIA. 221 
 
 condescension, and attempted to confound me with such like 
 individuals. His Majesty found these reasons very natural." 
 
 He adds respecting these conversations, " The king spoke, 
 the first day, very coolly, yet profoundly, with me ; the second, 
 candidly and confidentially ; but, on the third, he declared, in the 
 presence of the whole court, that he had been misinformed and 
 deceived with respect to me ; that I ought not to be suspected 
 either of heresy or disloyalty ; that my only sin was, that being 
 a Count, and a man who was looked up to in the world, I had 
 devoted myself entirely to the ministry of the gospel. He 
 assured me of his affection, his complete confidence, and that 
 he would believe nothing more against me, but serve me 
 wherever he was able." 
 
 If the question be asked, whether the king was sufficiently 
 acquainted with the charges brought against the Count ? we 
 can unhesitatingly reply in the affirmative : for there were 
 those who, for more than ten years, had made it their peculiar 
 business to bring before the king the most horrible accusa- 
 tions against him, both verbally and in writing ; nor did they 
 omit to lay before his Majesty the most envenomed libels against 
 him and the brethren. From the circumstance of the con- 
 versation having lasted three days, it may be clearly inferred 
 how multifarious must have been the insinuations by which 
 they sought to prejudice the king against him. 
 
 After these conversations with the Count, the king wrote to 
 Jablonsky the two following letters :— 
 
 " Having now seen and spoken with Count Zinzendorf my- 
 self, and found him to be an honest and intelligent man, whose 
 only intentions are to promote true and real religion, and the 
 salutary doctrine of the word of God, it is my will, that when 
 you speak with him in Berlin, you discuss those points with 
 him which he has to propose, and afterwards furnish me with 
 your report upon them, according to the letter of this day's 
 date to you on the subject. 
 
 " Your well-affectioned king, 
 
 " Frederic William." 
 
 " From your statement of 30th October, I have seen what 
 has transpired in your conference with Count Zinzendorf, 
 
222 IIS RESULTS. 
 
 With regard to the examination of his orthodoxy and religious 
 sentiments, I have, for certain reasons, intrusted it to the two 
 deans of Berlin. If their testimony, as I 'hope, should prove 
 favourable, you can ordain him at his desire, because I am 
 myself of opinion that the ministerial profession is worthy 
 of all honour, and degrades no one. 
 
 " Your well-afFectioned king, 
 
 " Fr. W." 
 
 The royal rescript was directed to the Deans Reinbek and 
 Rolof, and stated, that as Count Zinzendorf, in order to rescue 
 his suspected orthodoxy and good name, had himself requested 
 to be examined by divines appointed for the purpose ; and as 
 they, the deans, were able to investigate the matter impar- 
 tially, and in a manner becoming true religion, they were 
 instructed to undertake the examination, and provide his 
 Majesty with an authentic and complete account, but not make 
 it a matter of notoriety. 
 
 The Count, accordingly, sent the deans above mentioned 
 a great number of documents on both sides of the question, 
 accompanied by a note, in which he briefly stated the cause 
 of his being so ardently desirous of another examination. 
 
 The Count, after conferring upon aU that was necessary 
 with Mr. Jablonsky, prepared for his departure to Wetteravia. 
 The king gave him a letter to Count Degenfeld, his ambas- 
 sador to the circle of the Upper Rhine, stating, " That having 
 become personally acquainted with Count Zinzendorf, and 
 fully persuaded of his good sentiments and intentions, and as 
 the latter possessed certain institutions in Wetteravia — the 
 ambassador should afford the Count all the assistance in his 
 power." 
 
 The Count hastened to the Ronneburg, which he reached on 
 the 7th of November ; but found that the Countess had already 
 taken lier departure, to which she had been induced by tlie 
 opposition raised against the Count's labours amongst the poor, 
 at a time when her youngest daughter lay so ill, that her dis- 
 solution was expected every hour. They first proceeded to 
 Lindheim, and were received with great kindness by Baron 
 Von Schrautenbach ; but afterwards resolved to fix their tem- 
 
ARRIVAL AT FRANKFORT. 223 
 
 porary residence at Frankfort, wJiich they did on the 15th of 
 October. There she established herself with her family in a 
 very retired manner ; but, in a few days, many people came, 
 and requested that another meeting might be held. 
 
 The circumstances, however, in which the Count was 
 placed, caused him much anxiety. He would gladly have 
 limited the meetings in his own house to its inmates ; but the 
 Director of the Consistory gave him verbally to understand, 
 that he would not be able to hold family worship with his 
 household, unless he had so much consideration for the common 
 people as to admit any one that came. He accordingly did so, 
 and made it public. 
 
 But in order to avoid all misunderstanding, he notified the 
 matter, a short time after his arrival in Frankfort, to the 
 magistrate, who sent a syndic to communicate with him. 
 He states, respecting the magistrate, that " he had treated the 
 work of the Saviour with much gentleness, wisdom, and 
 patience." 
 
 He also became acquainted with the clergy of Frankfort, 
 who visited him, and showed him much kindness. His meet- 
 ings were attended both by Lutherans and Separatists, and 
 he gave himself much trouble to divest the latter of their 
 scruples against the church. The consequence was, that three 
 of them, who had become dissatisfied with their previous 
 course, attained to a heartfelt conviction of the doctrine of the 
 atonement through the blood of the Lamb. The Count'T 
 object in his labours in Frankfort was not only to awaken 
 individuals from the sleep of sin, but also |;o unite those whom 
 the Lord had thus awakened, or edified by the word from his 
 lips, in brotherly love and attention to each other. ^^ 
 
 The Count, now seeing that the Lord was with him, and having 
 a divine assurance in his heart, that God would further bless 
 his ministry, thought it necessary to come to a still more 
 thorough understanding with the brethren, who were his im- 
 mediate assistants, and unite himself still more closely to them. 
 To this end, he appointed a synod, which was opened on the 
 6th of December, and closed on the 9th. His cousin, the 
 Count of Isenburg-Meerholz, at his request, very generously 
 granted him his seat, called Marienborn, about seven or eight 
 
224 FIRST SYNOD IN MARIENBORN. 
 
 leagues from Frankfort, for this purpose. At this synod, all 
 those persons were present, who had an influence in the affairs 
 of the brethren : the time for it was short, but well applied ; 
 and they sat in close conference from early in the morning till 
 late at night. The brethren, first of all, cleared away every 
 thing that might prove a hinderance to their object, and can- 
 didly told each other what they thought still stood in the 
 Saviour's way with respect to each. They then renewed their 
 covenant, not to follow their own, but the Lord's vrill, with all 
 fidelity, as the basis of their fellowship. The promise was ful- 
 filled, that where two or three are met together in the Saviour's 
 name, he will be in the midst of them. He blessed them with a 
 sense of his presence, and, by his aid, tliey not only obtained a 
 clear insight into many important matters, but also a certainty 
 respecting his vfill. The consciousness of his favour gave them 
 confidence, and a filial hope of the cooperation of his Spirit, 
 to enable them to commence the work with joy, and to act 
 with unanimity. The Count deduced all that was done in 
 several successive years, from the synod held at Marienborn. 
 
 Towards the end of the year, the Count resolved upon a 
 voyage to England, in order both to communicate with the 
 Directors of the Colonies, and to obtain information from 
 the church of England, with reference to the Moravian epi- 
 scopacy, respectingwhich the king of Prussia had spoken with 
 him. But before commencing this journey, he sent his son. 
 Christian Renatus, to Jena, under the care of John Nitschman 
 the elder, in doing which he had not only the education of the 
 former in view, but, also the edification of the students and 
 townspeople, amongst whom a great awakening had taken 
 place. Several brethren and sisters, as well as the young 
 Countess Benigna, returned from Frankfort to Herrnhut, with 
 the elders of the church, who had been called to the synod at 
 Marienborn. The Count himself, the Countess, Baron Von 
 Wattewille, and others, arrived before the end of the year in 
 Holland. 
 
 In a letter from the Count to the author, at the close of this 
 year, he thus expresses himself: — " The Saviour has pleasingly 
 let me feel this year what poverty is .... I have evidently 
 seen, that my faithful friend has often purposely placed me in 
 
VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. 225 
 
 circumstances of this nature, that 1 might experience what I 
 filially desired on the 7th of November : — ' Joy in poverty 
 and shame.' We have lived this year chiefly upon the sale 
 of our ornaments, gold and silver. However, the Countess 
 could not avoid making some debts, in order to supply our 
 necessities." 
 
 At the same time, it must not be forgotten, that he also 
 experienced very many proofs of the gracious and paternal 
 providence of God. • 
 
 In Amsterdam, the Count found opportunity of preaching 
 Christ in the meetings, which he held, both in Dutch and 
 German. 
 
 After completing the collection of Daily Texts or Watchwords 
 for 1Y37, he went with Mr. Van Alphen to Utrecht, and from 
 thence to Ysselstein. He found the brethren, who were to 
 settle there, already in possession of the piece of land, bought 
 for that purpose, and joined with them in singing the watch- 
 word of the day, with the collect. 
 
 The magistrate of the district, whom he visited, promised to 
 do aU in his power to serve them, not only from attachment to 
 the Princess of Orange, but also for conscience' sake. Baron 
 Von Wattewille proceeded to Leuwaarden, in order to speak 
 with the Princess upon the subject. Meanwhile, the Count 
 went to the Hague, waited upon the Prince of Orange, and 
 had also a friendly interview with the Marquis of Fenelon, 
 the French ambassador. 
 
 He then prepared for his voyage to England. The king of 
 Prussia had reminded him, in a very gracious letter, of his in- 
 tended ordination ; but deeming it necessary, first, to make 
 all due inquiry on the subject in England, he wrote to his 
 Majesty, and besought him to excuse the delay. He after- 
 wards proceeded to Helvoetsluys, and sailed on the 14th of 
 January, 1737, for Harwich. The passage was a very un- 
 pleasant one, since he was obliged to pass three days and four 
 nights at sea, in very boisterous weather. Whilst the danger 
 lasted, he had no assurance in his heart that he would survive 
 it; but resigned himself filially to the Lord's will. 
 1 3 
 
226 ARRIVAL IN LONDON. 
 
 He arrived safely in London on the 20th. He there found 
 letters lying with a couple of merchants, who had shovra great 
 kindness to the brethren who had gone to Georgia, from the 
 missionaries in St. Thomas, informing him, that several of 
 their number had departed this life, and also, that through the 
 preaching of the gospel, a great awakening had taken place 
 amongst the negro slaves upon the island. 
 
 General Oglethorpe, who had previously corresponded with 
 the Count, arrived at the same time from his expedition to 
 Georgia. When the Count visited him, on the 22d of Jan- 
 uary, after a friendly invitation, he found him very communi- 
 cative and confidential, so that he continued in conversation 
 with him till two o'clock, and spent the night at his house. 
 
 The Countess and Bishop Nitschman, who with their suite 
 had gone by way of Calais, also arrived safely in London, to 
 his no small joy. , 
 
 The news from St. Thomas caused the Count both sorrow 
 and joy ; for he found that as many of the poor negroes had 
 been brought to believe in Jesus Christ, and become partakers 
 of spiritual life, as the number of missionaries amounted to, 
 who had lost their lives in the cause. 
 
 He therefore deemed it necessary that the missionary, 
 Frederick Martin, who had been made so usefiil in the con- 
 version of the negroes, should be soon ordained, in order not to 
 neglect the seasgn of the divine visitation, that he might per- 
 form amongst them all the functions of a regular preacher of 
 the gospel. But, because Bishop Nitschman was unable im- 
 mediately to xmdertake the voyage to St. Thomas, intending 
 to visit the colony in Georgia, it was discussed, whether Mar- 
 tin could not be ordained by writing. The belief was found 
 not inconsistent with Scripture, that the Spirit of the Aposties, 
 where the body could not be present, was present in the 
 churches to bind, loose, and bless ; and there were also ex- 
 amples of the same thing having been done in the Protestant 
 church : hence it was decided to have recourse to it in this 
 instance, which was accordingly done by Bishop Nitschman. 
 
 Having resolved to confer with the trustees, for establishing 
 the colony of Georgia, in North America, with reference to 
 the settlement of the brethren there, a most favourable pppor- 
 
CONFERENCE WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 227 
 
 tunity was afforded for it, by the return of Andrew Dober, from 
 Georgia, just at the time of the Count's arrival in England, 
 who brought him letters and verbal intelligence from thence. 
 The brethren in Georgia were in good credit with the trustees, 
 as quiet, regular, industrious, and religious people. They were 
 also aware that the object of the brethren was not so much 
 temporal advantage, as the conversion of the heathen, and 
 perceived how much the state would be benefited, if Christ 
 were preached among the heathenish Indians ; in order that 
 they might be brought from darkness to light, and from the 
 power of Satan unto God. 
 
 It was much wished at that time, by many intelligent and 
 religious men in England, that the poor negro slaves in South 
 Carolina should be instructed in the doctrines of Christianity. 
 This was especially the object of a Society which termed itself 
 " The Associates of the late Dr. Bray for instructing the Ne- 
 groes of the British Plantations." The greater part of these 
 gentlemen being at the same time trustees for Georgia, who 
 thought favourably of the brethren, a question arose, whether the 
 latter could not be beneficially employed for the attainment of 
 their object. They therefore resolved, after conferring with 
 the Count, to inquire of the archbishop of Canterbury, whether 
 it would not be desirable to employ some of the Moravian 
 brethren for the instruction of the negroes in Carolina in the 
 Christian rehgion. General Oglethorpe and Dr. J. Burton 
 were therefore deputed to wait upon the archbishop of Can- 
 terbury, whose report to their constituents states, " That His 
 Grace had been for some time acquainted with the Moravian 
 church through the medium of the public prints, — that it was 
 apostolic and episcopal, and maintained no tenet that was 
 opposed to the Thirty- Nine Articles ; and that he was still 
 more strengthened in this opinion of them by the conferences 
 which he had lately held with Coimt Zinzendorf." 
 
 The mission to the heathen, as far as respects the English 
 provinces, being thus divested of difiiculty, the Count did not 
 neglect to confer thoroughly with that great man. Archbishop 
 Potter, on the subject of the Moravian church ; I call him 
 great, not merely because of the important office he filled, but 
 because he was in reality a very estimable and venerable 
 
228 HIS OPINION OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 
 
 prelate. He was a man of uncommon research, especially 
 in ecclesiastical history, kind, open-hearted, and very conde- 
 scending in conversation; and esteemed simplicity''in Christ 
 above every thing the world calls great. He was a friend, not 
 only of the Moravian church in general, but also of those 
 brethren especially with whom he became personally ac- 
 quainted, and was particularly attached to the Count. 
 
 From a conversation with the archbishop on the subject 
 above mentioned, the particulars of which appeared in print, it 
 is very evident that the archbishop had as little to object to the 
 doctrine, as to the constitution of the Moravian church ; and 
 that he believed no Englishman, who understood church history, 
 could doubt of the episcopal succession in that church. He 
 also stated, " That though he could not speak in the name of 
 the church of England, as long as the king himself did not 
 signify his concurrence : yet, with respect to himself, he felt 
 impelled to confess this for the truth's sake, although he might 
 draw down sufferings upon himself by so doing.'' These 
 sentiments he frequently repeated, both verbally and in writing, 
 and continued in them till his end. 
 
 Several persons attended the Count's domestic worship, which 
 were rendered a blessing to themselves and others. Hence 
 a little flock was formed, who, by the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, united in cleaving to him, in simplicity of heart, and 
 agreed to certain points drawn up by the Count, to which they 
 attached their signatures. These points were, — 
 
 1. We will believe and practise only what is clearly ex- 
 pressed in the Holy Scriptures ; and this we will believe and 
 teach, whether it accords with our reason and ideas or not. 
 
 2. We vrill converse and associate with each other in a 
 simple and childlike manner, and assemble once a week for 
 that purpose ; ' on which occasion we will merely pray, read 
 the Scriptures, and edify ourselves from them, without bring- 
 ing forward the smallest thing which might occasion dispute 
 and variance. 
 
 3. We will sincerely speak what we think of each other, 
 and not seek to conceal our faults, that no one may think more 
 highly of the other than he deserves. 
 
 4. We will serve each other according to the gifts we pos- 
 
ACQUAINTANCE WITH WHITEFIELD AND THE WESLEYS. 229 
 
 sess, and quietly prepare ourselves for promoting the Lord's 
 cause amongst others. 
 
 5 . We will not interfere in any religious or ecclesiastical mat- 
 ters, but only attend to three simple things : — to become saved and 
 sanctified by the blood of Jesus, and to love each other cordially. 
 Durlng_l^__short_residence i n England, the Count bec ame 
 intimately acquainted with some of the people called Qua kers. 
 TISs was particularly^the 'case witE" one of t&em of the name 
 of Josias Martin, a learned man, who induced him to write a 
 treatise in French, which contained an historical account of the 
 brethren; but which, to the best of my knowledge, never ap- 
 peared in print. I myself became personally acquainted with 
 Martin, and know that the trouble which the Count took with 
 him was not in vain. 
 
 ^^(in this occasion he was also made acquainted with the Rev. 
 
 1 (<h5;rle§JEesley, one of the people called Methodists, An intimacy 
 
 Isubsequently existed between the brethren and the Methodists, 
 which was maintained for a time, in hopes that it might prove 
 
 /beneficial. There were, at that time, many who eagerly re- 
 ceived the preaching of the grace of God in Christ Jesus, ^.nd 
 reconciliation through his blood, and joined themselves to the 
 brethren. The latter also took an interest in them, and formed 
 such regulations for them as might promote their edification 
 without disturbing their connexion with the church of En- 
 gland. Several of the Methodists also adhered to them ; and 
 even John and Charles Wesley, as they afterwards confessed, 
 derived benefit from their intercourse with the brethren. I 
 also know, respecting Mr. Whitefield, that associating with 
 the brethren, and especially with Peter Bohler, had contri- 
 bute4 much to his spiritual edification. 
 
 '' Afterwards, a separation took place between the two Wesleys 
 and George Whitefield. The former, who had till that time 
 been in connexion with the brethren, detached themselves 
 entirely from them, and declared themselves, in a harsh man- 
 ner, against them. 
 
 '^The Moravians ip England were therefore left to them- 
 
 /selves ; but from the Methodists there sprang two numerous 
 religious bodies, of which Whitefield was at the head of one, and 
 John Wesley of the other. 
 
230 IHE count's conduct towards whitefield. 
 
 The Count ■ did not refrain from stating to them what he 
 found objectionable in both : nor did he wish that the Mora- 
 vians and the Methodists should be looked upon as one body ; 
 and openly expressed his sentiments to that effect. He did 
 not find fault with their preaching in the market-places, 
 streets, and fields, although he differed in opinion from them 
 in that respect ; it was to their doctrine that he chiefly ob- 
 jected. 
 
 ,r Wesley, on the other hand, declared himself, both in word 
 and writing, against the brethren, and, in particular, against 
 the Count. His chief accusation was, that they blindly fol- 
 lowed Luther, and this he regarded as the source of their fun- 
 damental errors. But Whitefield, who remained a longer 
 time on terms of friendship, and even requested the brethren 
 to aid him in his Orphan-house in Georgia, (for which purpose 
 a brother of the name of Hagen was sent thither,) likewise 
 gradually drew back from the brethren, and at last published 
 a letter full of grievous charges againt the Count, at a time 
 when all were against them. 
 
 Lord Granville, the President of His Britannic Majesty's 
 Privy Council, sent word to the Count, who was then residing 
 at Lindsey House, in the neighbourhood of London, " That 
 he would do well to bring an action against Whitefield, who 
 was punishable according to English laws." But the Count, 
 in a letter to Lord Granville, declared, " That he could not 
 resolve upon doing so ; for if he had been disposed to act thus 
 with some of his opponents, who barefacedly publish to the 
 world whatever comes into their mind, he might have ruined 
 many. But he was a servant of Jesus Christ, who looked at 
 the example of his Master ; and hence had no wish to avert, 
 by the aid of the magistracy, the sufferings which might be 
 impending over him. Mr. Whitefield was a man who was still 
 listened to with benefit by many ; and, on this account, he 
 would not even write any thing that might destroy his repu- 
 tation." And there the matter rested. 
 
 The Count also became personally acquainted with several 
 English noblemen, and had much intercourse with many of the 
 clergy, and the Lutheran ministers. 
 
 After the Associates for the Instruction of the Negro Slaves 
 
RETURN TO HOLLAND AND FRANKFORT. 231 
 
 in the British Colonies had conferred with him, by means of 
 a deputation, respecting a mission to the slaves in South Caro- 
 lina, it was agreed that the Count should send a missionary 
 thither. 
 
 Though many difficulties of a serious nature presented 
 themselves during the Count's stay in London, yet he likewise 
 experienced the faithful, gracious, and special superintendence 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 He left London on the 6th of March, for Rotterdam, where 
 he safely arrived on the 9th. 
 
 He did not remain long in Holland on this occasion, but, 
 on the 22d of March, set out again on his way to Ger- 
 many ; however, during the time of his stay there, he was 
 particularly animated, and caused much joy and edification 
 to his friends and brethren, to whom he manifested his tender 
 affection. 
 
 A little flock of awakened souls in Amsterdam, who 
 esteemed themselves under obligation to edify one another, 
 entered into a covenant of mutual brotherly love. Several 
 ministers in Amsterdam, who were solicitous for their own 
 edification as well as that of others, took great interest in it. 
 The Count, regarding these ministers as faithful servants of 
 Jesus Christ, recommended the association to avail themselves 
 of their advice in every circumstance. In this he went so 
 far, that he did not willingly converse with any of its mem- 
 bers, unless one of their preachers was present. 
 
 After a safe, but fatiguing journey, the Count arrived, on 
 the 26th of March, amongst the brethren at Frankfort. He 
 found that their labours, for the good of souls, had been con- 
 tinued in his absence with much success ; but that the day 
 before his arrival, the magistrates, in consequence of an ap- 
 plication from the Consistory, had prohibited the meetings. 
 He therefore took the resolution to go, first of all, to Berlin, 
 and informed Dean Reinbek that he would be there befofe 
 Easter. 
 
 Meanwhile, he wrote a farewell epistle to the magistrates of 
 Frankfort, thanking them for their kindness and prudence 
 with respect to himself and those that were with him ; and 
 stating, with regard to the difficulties thrown in his way by 
 
232 JOURNEY TO BERLIN. 
 
 t 
 
 the clergy, that none of them had informed him of any thing 
 they had against. him ; and that if any separation should take 
 place in the sequel, the blame could not attach to him, since, 
 as the whole city knew, he had endeavoured, to the utmost of 
 his power, to hinder it. 
 
 Before he commenced his journey to Berlin, he wrote the 
 " Sixth Declaration of his Sentiments respecting the Moravian 
 Church." On his arrival in Berlin, his primary concern was, 
 that his examination should be commenced. He therefore 
 wrote to the Deans Reinbek and Rolof, whom the king had 
 appointed for that purpose, who consequently undertook the 
 examination, and made their report to his Majesty. The 
 king's reply was as follows : — 
 
 " I have seen with pleasure from your report respecting 
 Count Zinzendorf, that you have not found him holding any 
 other doctrines than those of the Lutheran church. I wait 
 his proposals respecting the regulations he thinks of making, 
 concerning the Moravian brethren ; and am, Sir, 
 
 " Fr. W." 
 
 There is no doubt, but that the two Lutheran deans, who 
 had conducted the examination, would also have ordained the 
 Count ; but the latter having his attention directed to the 
 missions to the heathen in the English colonies, and having 
 been appointed, ten years previously, superintendent of the 
 Moravian church, he adhered to his previous resolution of 
 being ordained bishop of the brethren, by Jablonsky, the first 
 and eldest bishop of that church. But before this could be 
 effected, a variety of objections were suggested to the king, 
 who therefore wrote to the Count, on the 10th of May, as 
 follows : — 
 
 " With reference to the proposed ordination to the episcopacy 
 over the German Moravian brethren, I will take the matter 
 into maturer consideration, and then inform you of my de- 
 cision." 
 
 The king accordingly requested Jablonsky to draw up a 
 document containing his conscientious opinion ; after receiv- 
 ing which, he wrote again to him, under date, 15th of May. 
 
THE COUNT ORDAINED BISHOP. 233 
 
 " I have seen, from your statement of the 11th instant, that 
 you regard the ordination requested by Count Zinzendorf, as 
 perfectly harmless, and injurious to no one. Seeing, therefore, 
 that he persists in it, you may comply with his wishes, in God's 
 name, and quietly ordain him, as he desires, bishop (antistes) 
 of his Moravian brethren. 
 
 " I am, your well-affectioned king, 
 
 " Fr. W." 
 
 His Majesty wrote also a very gracious letter to the Count, 
 to the same effect. 
 
 Meanwhile, Jablonsky had written to Bishop Sitkovius, at 
 Lissa, in Poland, and requested his opinion upon the point : 
 the latter was perfectly unanimous with that which had been 
 agreed upon in Berlin, and concluded with stating, " That he 
 would not only gladly and willingly contribute his vote in 
 writing to the proposed ordination of the Count ; but though 
 absent, yet present in spirit, instead of the imposition of his 
 hands, would confirm it with his own handwriting and signa- 
 ture, and fervently entreat the Lord Jesus, the chief Shepherd, 
 to bestow upon the Count the gifts of the Spirit of God, in 
 rich abundance, for the beneficial administration of his sacred 
 ofllice, and the successful prosecution of the work of the 
 Lord." 
 
 The ordination accordingly took place on the 20th of May 
 (1737), in the house of the court-chaplain, by the two bishops 
 of the Moravian church, Daniel Ernest Jablonsky, and David 
 Nitschman, in the presence of some of the brethren from 
 Herrnhut. 
 
 The Count subsequently received the congratulations of the 
 king of Prussia, the archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop 
 Sitkovius on this event. But whilst these great men rejoiced 
 with the Moravian churches at this circumstance, it cannot be 
 denied that many people were much enraged at it ; from fear 
 lest the king of Prussia should even feel induced to entrust 
 the Count with the inspection of ecclesiastical affairs in his 
 own territories. This excited a number of adversaries, who 
 united in throwing every possible hinderance in the way of the 
 Count ; the latter did not remain in ignorance of this, but 
 
234 REPEAL OF DECREE FOR HIS BANISHMENT. 
 
 received intelligence of it from those ■who were well acquainted 
 with the circumstances. 
 
 Whilst the important affair of the Count's ordination was in 
 progress at Berlin, a new attempt was made at the court of 
 Saxony, with respect to his banishment. He heartily wished 
 for permission to return to Herrnhut, where his presence was 
 desirable in many respects ; but clearly saw that it was no 
 easy matter to obtain it. He had therefore recourse to prayer ; 
 and in his notes, I find, under date 4th of January, " In the 
 night we prayed earnestly that we might return to Herrnhut." 
 After this, he felt assured that he should return, notwith- 
 standing the little probability there was of it, and spoke of it 
 with much confidence, although there was not at the time the 
 slightest appearance of it. 
 
 His step-father, Field-marshal Von Nazmer, was the me- 
 dium of procuring the permission. He wrote to the king of 
 Poland, and on the 15th of June a rescript was issued, giving 
 him leave to return to Saxony. He received intelligence of 
 it on the 11th of June, and accepted it as from the Lord's 
 hand. He immediately made preparations for his journey, 
 after the needful consultations with several of the brethren 
 who had come to Berlin. 
 
 The Countess had already taken her departure, and had 
 arrived in Herrnhut on the 24th of May, to the great joy of 
 the church. He himself reached that place on the 30th of 
 June. The watchword for the day was, " Thus saith the 
 Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which 
 will help thee ; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou, 
 Jeshurun, whom I have chosen." (Isaiah xUv. 2.) 
 
 Speaking generally of his residence in Herrnhut, which 
 lasted till the 4th of December, of that year, he undertook a 
 very minute revision of the church in general, and of its mem- 
 bers in particular, to which he devoted night and day. He 
 recapitulated the whole counsel of God for our salvation to 
 the brethren, and sought increasingly to ground every thing 
 upon Christ. Wherever he met with any thing to alter or im- 
 prove, in the regulation of the church and its choirs, he attended 
 to it faithfully. If any one manifested any particular gift, or 
 evidenced an impulse and desire to devote himself in any way 
 
THE COUNTS VOLUNTARY EXILE. 235 
 
 o the Saviour's service, he did not leave it without considera- 
 tion or trial. The Lord was with him, and hence his blessing 
 was not wanting. 
 
 Meanwhile, the long-expected edict appeared, as the result 
 of the Commission held at Herrnhut the previous year, which 
 had so minutely investigated every thing : the chief point in 
 it was, that " the church at Herrnhut should be tolerated in 
 its existing regulations and discipline, as long as it abided by 
 the doctrine of the unaltered Augsburg confession." 
 
 Not long after, a bond was sent the Count for signature, 
 which was, however, expressed in such terms, that he neces- 
 sarily objected to it : for, at the very commencement, he had 
 to confess himself guilty of things which had never entered his 
 mind. He oifered to sign it, if an alteration were made in 
 this repect, vsdthout infringing upon the chief obligations of 
 the bond ; but this being disallowed, he resolved rather to 
 leave the country, and choose voluntary exile, than burden 
 his conscience ; and he soon began to make preparations for 
 so doing. 
 
 It was at this time also, that the Rev. Mr. Rothe informed 
 the Count, that having received a call elsewhere, he intended 
 to leave Bertholdsdorf. During the first years of his ministry 
 there, his labours had been blessed : hut it could no longer be 
 denied, that he had subsequently suffered a great change ; and 
 that with respect to the church at Herrnhut, it seemed as if 
 his eyes were beclouded. The Count still hoped that he 
 would come to reflection, and enter again upon the successful 
 carfer in which he had formerly seen him. Hence it pained 
 him that he had resolved to leave Bertholdsdorf ; but he con- 
 tinued firm to his purpose, and removed from thence, after 
 officiating ■ there for the space of fifteen years. The Count 
 subsequently invited him to become his chaplain at Marien- 
 born, and director of a theological seminary : but he could 
 not be induced to accept the call, and therefore returned it in 
 a letter to the Countess, from whom it had been received. 
 
 In his stead, the Rev. Caspar Leonard Mukke, of Nochten, 
 was appointed to Bertholdsdorf, who administered the sacra- 
 ment, for the first time, on the 25th November, to the Moravian 
 brethren : the Count himself also partook of it, and prayed 
 
236 DEPARTURE FROM HERRNHUT. 
 
 in the church very fervently for the new minister, that the 
 Lord would make him a blessing to the parish. 
 
 On the 4th of August, another daughter was born to the 
 Count, who received the name of Joanna Salome. On ' the 
 29th, the young Count, Christian Renatus, returned to Jena, 
 from whence he had arrived on a visit on the 8th. His residence 
 in Jena had proved a blessing to himself and many others : 
 for as many, both of the learned and the townspeople, ardently 
 desired a further acquaintance with the Saviour and his grace 
 and truth, the brethren who were with the young Count had 
 no want of opportunity for doing good. 
 
 Before the Count left Herrnhut, he warned the brethren 
 against trusting in men, as much as against the fear of men. 
 He went/through every point of the statutes of the church, 
 and renewed the correct idea of them. He showed the elders, 
 assistants, and servants of the church the duties of their various 
 offices, and how they might be best administered. He sought 
 also clearly to point out to the brethren and sisters, the true 
 relation of the unity of the brethren to the established religion 
 of the country. He entered cheerfully and usefully into conver- 
 sation with those who came to visit him from sincere motives : 
 amongst these was a colonel, sent by the king of Prussia, to 
 take a minute survey of Herrnhut, who spent several days 
 there in November, in the execution of his commission. 
 
 Towards the end of November, the Count reflected much 
 on the wondrous things the Lord had wrought for Herrnhut, 
 during the last fifteen years. He sat down with some of his 
 fellow-labourers, and noted them down as they occurred to the 
 remembrance of each. His heart being thus full of it, he 
 appointed the 30th of November as a day for special prayer, 
 on which occasion he spoke 'impressively on the Lord's gra- 
 cious dealings with the church in general : individual in- 
 stances were then mentioned with gratitude ; afterwards, forty 
 brethren and sisters were accepted accolutes. They came for- 
 ward in six divisions, to each of which the Count .gave a sepa- 
 rate and suitable address ; the brethren were then prayed over 
 by the elders, and the sisters by those of their own sex. The 
 solemnities of the day were concluded with. prayer. 
 
 On the first Sunday in Advent, the Count addressed, for 
 
ARRIVAL IN WETTERAVIA. 237 
 
 the last time, the customary homilies to the different choirs, 
 and preached from the words, " O that thou wouldst rend the 
 heayens, and come down." The congregation then fell on 
 their knees with him, and he commended them to the grace 
 and protection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a heartfelt prayer, 
 at which many tears were shed. The next day he dispatched 
 several brethren to England, Carolina, and other places. The 
 day following, he, spoke, from five in the morning till eleven 
 at night, with many of the brethren and sisters, and took his 
 leave of them. On the 4th of December, after impressing 
 upon the brethren the necessity of perfect faithfulness in fol- 
 lowing Jesus, of brotherly love and unity of spirit, as well as 
 of conquering in succumbing, he set out on his journey, accom- 
 panied by many of the brethren, and entered upon his volun- 
 tary exile from Saxony, which lasted ten years. 
 
 He took his way, first of all, to Wetteravia, where he arrived 
 on the 14th of December. He resided, whilst there, partly 
 at the Ronneburg, where the opposition against him had 
 meanwhile subsided, and partly with Baron Von Schrauten- 
 bach, at Lindheim. He also visited his friends and acquaint- 
 ances in Frankfort-on-the-Mayne. 
 
 During his short residence in Wetteravia, the purchase of 
 a piece of land, near the town of Biidingen, on which Herrn- 
 haag was afterwards built, was concluded by some of the 
 deputies of the brethren. 
 
 On the 16th of December, Peter Bohler, one of the learned 
 men who were with the young Count Christian, in Jena, after 
 receiving the Count's benediction and instructions, departed 
 for Georgia and Carolina, in order to preach the gospel to the 
 negro slaves. He went by way of England, after being ordained 
 by the Count, and was well received, not only in London, but 
 also in Oxford, particularly by the Methodists. 
 
 The Count then replied to an article, headed " Solid Ques- 
 tions," in the Frankfort literary journals, which, after doing 
 justice to his zeal and distinguished abilities, inquired whether 
 the Moravians would not do better to have no particular fra- 
 ternity and fellowship, but cleave simply to the Lutheran 
 church, since they professed its doctrines ? 
 
 After this, the Count set out again for Berlin, by way of 
 
■s^o RESIDENCE IN BERLIN. 
 
 Jena, where he visited his son. On coming to Halle from 
 thence, his money was all expended. He wished to borrow 
 something from an old friend, but was refused ; he was there- 
 fore obliged to continue his way on foot, and thus he reached 
 Radegast, beyond HaUe. He there came with his guide to a 
 farmer, who was quite unknown to him, but who was so kind 
 and well disposed, that he not only brought him further on 
 horseback, but also lent him money to enable him to travel 
 post. A page from Dessau, who was travelling that way, 
 and rode on before, ordered a chaise for him in Coswick, at his 
 request, which he found waiting for him on his arrival ; and 
 in this manner he safely reached Berlin, on the 25th of 
 December, to the joy of his beloved family, who had arrived 
 there before hiin. 
 
 The Count's objects in selecting Berlin for his place of 
 residence, were, first, that he might be near Herrnhut. Se- 
 condly, that no fresh suspicion might be excited in Dresden. 
 Berlin was the fittest and most regular place. " My step- 
 father," writes the Count, " then eighty-four years of age, 
 resided there, who stood in favour with the king of Poland. I 
 also intended, if my mother became a widow, to oiTer her my 
 house, and show her every filial attention. Thirdly, those who 
 had been awakened here in considerable numbers, by Spener, 
 Schade, and Lysius, were objects of my solicitude. Having 
 found traces of Spener's labours wherever I went, and at- 
 tempted, both in Dresden and Frankfort, to water the seed he 
 had sown, I wished to do the same in Berlin, by the preaching 
 of the gospel." 
 
 At the very first visit which the Count paid his mother in 
 Berlin, he perceived that she had become doubtfiil concerning 
 him. As a compensation for this, he had the consolation of 
 receiving a letter in the king's own handwriting, expressive 
 of his satisfaction that he had chosen Berlin for his residence, 
 and offering him his protection and access to his person, should 
 any one lay impediments in his way. Of this, he also re- 
 assured him, some days after, by Colonel Von Thiimen. 
 
 Besides the brethren and sisters, whom the Count found in 
 Berlin, others were added, and thus a little company of pil- 
 grims assembled in his house. The young Count also arrived 
 
MEETINGS HELD IN BERLIN. 239 
 
 from Jena with his household, and remained in Berlin until 
 his father's departure. 
 
 The Count continued his domestic worship as before, but 
 suffered no stranger to be present at them, until after being 
 pressed on the point by some of the clergy, he wrote to the 
 king, who, in his reply, told him, that he must preach, in God's 
 name, the pure word of God, and that God would give his 
 blessing to it. 
 
 The Count would now have preferred officiating for some of 
 the Berlin clergy ; but finding that they had secretly agreed to 
 exclude him from their pulpits, there was no alternative, except 
 that of opening his house to all comers. The commencement 
 was made with a few individuals, who gave him to understand, 
 that they came, because they thought the Count was sincere in 
 testifying of the truth as it is in Jesus. He first held his meet- 
 ings in his own apartment, but was soon obliged, for want of 
 room, to add his ante-chamber ; and when this no longer suf- 
 ficed, he resolved to use the upper part of his house, which was 
 able to contain several hundred persons, for the holding of his 
 meetings. At the commencement, he preached to the men and 
 women indiscriminately, but when the numbers increased so 
 much, that even the upper part of the house could not contain 
 them, he divided his auditory, and. preached to the men on 
 Sundays and Wednesdays, and to the women on Mondays and 
 Thursdays : to gain room, no seats were provided from the 
 first, but all who came, stood -together vrithout distinction. 
 Many persons of rank, however, attended, as well as the poor 
 and lower class, so that, one day, forty-two coaches were 
 counted at his door. 
 
 One of the students from Jena,* to whom the instruction of 
 the young Count was committed, and who was much attached 
 to the Count, felt induced to write down his discourses : a spe- 
 cimen of his performance, which he showed the Count, pleased 
 the latter so well, that he encouraged him to persevere in it. 
 He did so — not that he wrote down every thing, but only short 
 sentences : his heart was, at the same time, directed to the 
 enjoyment of what he heard, and his tears frequently hindered 
 
 • John Michael Langguth, afterwards his son-in-law, and known as 
 Bishop Von "Wattewille. 
 
240 THE COUNT PUBLISHES HIS DISCOURSES. 
 
 him from proceeding. Hence there was often a want of con- 
 nexion in the written discourses ; however, he was so fortunate 
 as not only to hit the Count's meaning, but frequently to ex- 
 press it in his own words. 
 
 The utility of this was soon seen, for the Count's discourses 
 began to be written down by several, and handed about to 
 others : they even came occasionally into his own hands, but 
 were frequently not in his own language, but the writer's. He 
 even says, that he has seen whole sermons, in their complete 
 connexion, going about in Berlin, under his name, of which 
 the text, the subject, and the words, were an entire fabrication. 
 ''This circumstance occasioned him to ' publish his discourses, 
 since it appeared to him, that in this manner he could best 
 repel the accusations against him. He therefore took all that 
 the student had written down, without supplying the connexion, 
 lest he should insert any thing he had not said, and sent them 
 to the press, after they had received Jablonsky's approval, in 
 order that those who had related such strange things of his dis- 
 courses, might be better informed of their contents. 
 
 The discourses preached to the women first left the press, 
 with a_ dedication to the queen of Prussia. Some months after- 
 wards, followed the addresses to the men, from 1st of January 
 to 27th of April, when he terminated his residence at Berlin. 
 
 Had the Count been able to continue awhile longer with 
 these brethren, and instruct each of them in that which was 
 incumbent upon him, the path would have been easier : but 
 circumstances not permitting this at the time, he endeavoured 
 to make amends for it some months after, by writing to them. 
 In this letter, he recommends them to dismiss from their fel- 
 lowship all those who merely took pleasure in the meetings, 
 and who were not heartily desirous of being established in grace, 
 and of growing and increasing in it. He then formed a plan 
 for them, by their adherence to which they would become truly 
 religious, retain their connexion with their teachers, and mu- 
 tually edify one another, as well as employ the gift which the 
 Lord had bestowed upon each of them. 
 
 During the Count's residence in Berlin, he made very dili- 
 gent use of his time : he generally read the Bible every day 
 with the learned men he had about him, and conferred with 
 
OCCURRENCES IN BERLIN. 241 
 
 the elders of the church ; his attention was also continually- 
 directed to the extension of the kingdom of Christ throughout 
 the world. In a numerously-attended conference, it was de- 
 cided which of the brethren should be sent out on missionary 
 service to HoUand, Surinam, Berbice, Ceylon, &c. ; other topics 
 were also discussed, such as a mission to the Jews, a church 
 of pilgrims among Christians, and a journey to Mount Ararat, 
 where a colony of the brethren was said to have settled many 
 years ago. 
 
 In April, he received an edict from Saxony, forbidding him 
 ever to return to that country. This order, in the abstract, 
 would have been tolerable, but the causes assigned were pain- 
 ful to him, and he thought himself hardly dealt with : he ad- 
 dressed, in consequence, a letter to the king of Poland, which 
 was afterwards published. 
 
 There was no want of those in Berlin, especially amongst 
 the clergy, who took part against the Count ; however, he ex- 
 pressed himself publicly, in a very lenient manner, respecting 
 them, as appears by his preface to the Sermons to Females. 
 
 The Countess, his mother, took great pleasure in his chil- 
 dren, for it was evident that they were under the tuition of 
 the Holy Spirit : she was, however, the most attached to the 
 young Count, Christian Renatus. The Count himself offered 
 his mother his house at Bertholdsdorf, in the event of her 
 becoming a widow, and treated her with many marks of filial 
 respect and attachment. 
 
 The king adhered to the promise he had made to the Count 
 on his arrival in Berlin : though nothing was omitted to degrade 
 the latter in his esteem, his Majesty felt induced, immediately, 
 to ask him respecting what was brought against him. On the 
 27th of April, the Count had the honour of waiting upon his 
 Majesty, at Potsdam, and of personally thanking him for the 
 uninterrupted favour and righteous protection he bad enjoyed 
 during his residence in Berlin, He took his departure on the 
 29th, for Cotbus, where he spent several days in conference with 
 the brethren, whom he had appointed to meet him there. 
 
 On the 8th of May, the Count left Cotbus for Wetteravia. 
 He writes to the Countess, under date the 26th of May, as 
 follows ; — " In Jena, I found my son proceeding in his regular 
 
242 RETURN TO WETTERAVIA, 
 
 course, and was enabled to rejoice over him. I held a meeting 
 at Erfurth, and visited several of the clergy there, and, I 
 believe, none of them without a blessing. From thence I rode 
 to Gotha, where I had an interview with Mr. C3rprian, a coun- 
 sellor of the ecclesiastical court, with whom I conversed several 
 hours with great cordiality and sincerity. I left Gotha with 
 Langguth (the student who had written down his discourses), 
 and some miles from thence we secluded ourselves, in order to 
 proceed with our literary labours. I had afterwards an agreeable, ^ 
 though somewhat fatiguing walk to Schliichtern : from thence 
 I rode to Gelnhausen, and then went on foot to Vronhausen, 
 where I found part of the brethren. At four o'clock this 
 morning, I went to our plot of ground, and prayed over it ; 
 afterwards I proceeded to the Ronneburg, where I met with 
 a pleasing reception. I have just now entered the mansion at 
 Marienborn, from whence I write this." 
 
 After the purchase of land for a Moravian settlement in 
 Biidingen had been completed, some of the brethren, unknown 
 to the Count, had hired a few rooms for their use, at Marienborn. 
 On this, the Count rented first the half, and gradually almost 
 the whole of the castle of Marienborn, from the Count of 
 Meerholz. u 
 
 Soon after his arrival, he had many visits, particularly from 
 those of the brethren, whom, on his departure for Berlin, he 
 had left in Wetteravia, for the sake of the awakened there. 
 He deliberated with them upon the steps to be taken for the 
 promotion of the kingdom of Christ in that part of the country. 
 Intending to proceed to the West Indies, to hold a visitation 
 to those engaged in the mission to the negroes; he was 
 desirous of previously accomplishing several things, which he 
 expected would prove beneficial, as well as of making such 
 regulations, that his absence should not prove injurious to the 
 afiairs of the church. 
 
 It was a source of pleasure to him, that Leonard Dober felt 
 impelled to take up his residence for a time in Amsterdam, 
 chiefly on account of the Jews. He was not certain, in his own 
 mind, that the period of their conversion to Christianity had 
 arrived ; but yet he was persuaded that Dober, as a man of 
 God, by residing amongst thexUi and avoiding disputes, whilst 
 
MISSIONS TO THE HEATHENS. 243 
 
 devoting himself to their spiritual welfare, would infallibly 
 prove a blessing to them. 
 
 With respect to the missions to the heathen — that to Ber- 
 bice in South America was at length carried into eifect ; and 
 the Lord blessed this undertaking, which was attended with 
 greater difficulties than can be imagined, with abundant 
 success. 
 
 The Lord also consoled the Count, about this time, respect- 
 ing the mission in Greenland ; after he had been most painfully 
 grieved, a short time before, by a letter, in which that enter- 
 prise was spoken of very contemptuously, and placed amongst 
 the things that were worse than useless. He spread this letter, 
 after the example of Hezekiah, before the Lord, and called upon 
 him with many tears. He now heard of the first successes 
 of the brethren, whose labours have ever since continued to 
 enjoy the Divine blessing. 
 
 Andrew Grasman returned from Archangel, where he had 
 been arrested, upon suspicion of having intended to proceed to 
 the Samoyedes, and brought to St. Petersburg, where he was 
 set at liberty. 
 
 The proposed Moravian settlement, on a piece of land 
 purghased in the neighbourhood of Biidingen, was also taken 
 into consideration. A great part of the funds requisite for that 
 purpose were obliged to be borrowed ; and the Count assisted, 
 as far as he was able, with his credit. His chief object, how- 
 ever, was not the building of houses, but the plan of the com- 
 munity itself. For this purpose, he proposed, that those 
 brethren should dwell together at this place, which received 
 the name of Herrnhaag, who approximated more closely to the 
 Reformed, than to the Lutheran church. For he did not 
 think himself called, any more than the rest of the brethren, 
 to bring over individuals from one religious denomination to 
 another, but advised every one to continue faithful to his own 
 persuasion, build upon Christ Jesus, commit himself to the 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit, abide by the doctrines of the 
 gospel, and live a life devoted to the Saviour. 
 
 The Count now sent for his children, to Wetteravia, and 
 along with them, a number of those who had hitherto been 
 in the seminaries at Herrnhut. From hence arose his insti- 
 ll 2 
 
244 SEMINARIES FOR THE YOBNG. 
 
 tutions for children, which were subsequently so extensive in 
 those parts. Wetteravia was, indeed, not the best fitted for 
 that purpose ; for, besides being without suitable buildings for 
 seminaries, they certainly cost him twice as much there as at 
 Herrnhut. 
 
 However, he had important reasons for sending for them. 
 He felt it his duty to provide for the education of those 
 children whose parents were engaged in the Lord's service, 
 either at home or abroad, in a manner satisfactory to them : 
 besides which, he was desirous that his own children, whom 
 he brought up, not for the world but for God, should partici- 
 pate in the blessing, which the Lord is wont to bestow upon 
 spiritual union. He made, at that time, the commencement 
 in Wetteravia, with the regulation which still exists among us, 
 that the children should constitute a church, as' it were, of 
 themselves. They attend indeed occasionally, especially on 
 festivals and thanksgiving days, the meetings of the adults ; 
 but, in general, they have meetings of their own, in which the 
 singing and preaching is adapted to their comprehension and 
 their hearts. They have also occasionally love-feasts j besides 
 which, they are divided into little companies, according as they 
 are best suited to each other, and then they converse together 
 in the presence of a brother or a sister, respecting the state of 
 their hearts. 
 
 In the middle of July, the Count visited the Count of Isen- 
 burg,both atBiidingen and Meerholz. He afterwards travelled 
 to Utph, to see his uncle, Count Solms, a nobleman of much 
 understanding and intelligence. 
 
 He was also desirous, before his voyage to the West Indies, 
 of visiting his son at Jena, who had been joined by some 
 young noblemen, for the purpose of being educated, according 
 to the regulation adopted by his father. He set out for that 
 place on the 2d of September, and returned to Marienborn on 
 the 26th, where he had the pleasure of finding an addition to 
 his family, by the birth of a son, in his absence. The day fol- 
 lowing, he baptized him himself, by the name of David, after 
 delivering a very impressive address. Several persons who 
 were present, and who had previously had their scruples re- 
 specting infant baptism, became of entirely different sentiments. 
 
DEPARTURE FOR HOLLAND. 245 
 
 not only by means of the address delivered on the occasion, but 
 by the ordinance itself and the consciousness of the Divine 
 favour, which accompanied it. 
 
 On the 1st of October, he was visited by a merchant of 
 Nuremberg, of the name of Jonas Paul Weiss, who declared that 
 he came thither, according to the wiU of Christ, to do with all 
 readiness whatever shoiild be assigned him. This circum- 
 stance is remarkable, for this brother had from that time 
 great influence, both upon the affairs of the church, and upon 
 the Count's domestic concerns. 
 
 '. When John Toltschig returned from Georgia, by way of 
 England, he was accompanied by several Englishmen : amongst 
 these, was a preacher of the name of Benjamin Ingham, who 
 remained awhile at Marienbom, in order to make himself 
 minutely acquainted with the usages of the brethren, and 
 especially with the Count. I have before me a copy of a 
 letter, which he wrote to John Thorold, Esq. London, in which 
 he says; "The worthy Count is occupied night and day in the 
 work of the Lord, and I must confess that the Lord is really 
 amongst the brethren. Yesterday, a boy, of eleven or twelve 
 years of age, was baptized, and such a movement of the Holy 
 Spirit pervaded the whole assembly, as I have never seen 
 before at any baptism. I felt that my heart burned within me, 
 and I could not refrain from tears. I saw that others felt as I 
 did, and the whole congregation was moved. The brethren 
 have shown me much affection, they have taken me to their 
 conferences, and have not left me in ignorance of any thing 
 concerning their church. I am much pleased with my journey 
 hither." 
 
 A few days before the Count's departure for Holland, he set 
 apart a day for special prayer, which was particularly blessed. 
 He spoke first upon the words, " I am the Lord ; that is my 
 name ;" and after several letters had been read from Holland, 
 England, Russia, Greenland, &c. missionaries were presented 
 to the church, when a blessing was implored upon their 
 journey. 
 
 Divine service was continued the following day. The changes 
 which had occurred during the past month, were remembered 
 with thankfulness. Several of the brethren and sisters were 
 
246 DEPARTURE FOR HOLLANDi 
 
 commended to the Lord, on their entering into office, or their 
 approaching departure. At length, the Count spoke on the 
 Watchword of the day, and, in conclusion, commended the 
 church to the Lord, upon his knees, during which his gracious 
 presence was sensibly felt, and much emotion was manifested. 
 
 He took leave of his consort as if he were parting for eternity, 
 nor was she without fears that she should never see him again. 
 The island of St. Thomas, whither he was going, is one of the 
 most unhealthy in the West Indies. It has often happened, 
 that of a hundred persons, who came thither from Europe at 
 the same time, scarcely ten were left at the end of the year. 
 Hence the Count was reproached by ignorant people, for 
 dealing so unmercifully with the brethren and sisters, in 
 sending them thus to meet their death. He therefore thought 
 it best to accompany the brethren proceeding to that island. If 
 it were the Lord's will to take him to himself on the occasion, 
 he was perfectly resigned to it : but if he preserved him, it 
 would be evident, that a servant of the Lord must not neces- 
 sarily die, because he proceeds to an unhealthy place ; but that 
 he enters into his rest, at the Lord's appointed time. 
 
 His consort showed herself, under these circumstances, as a 
 true handmaid of Jesus Christ. She received every thing that 
 was painful to nature, as from the Lord's hand, and continued 
 firm. She renewed the covenant with her husbalid, to live 
 so as to please God, and to be in readiness to accomplish all 
 his will. 
 
 On the 22d of October, he commenced his journey to 
 Holland. Some of his fellow-labourers accompanied him to 
 Mayence, with whom he conferred on what was still requisite, 
 respecting the church and its several members. On the 27th 
 he arrived in Amsterdam, the time appointed for the sailing 
 of the ship ; but it was not until the 21st of December, that 
 it left the Texel. He regarded this not as accidental, but 
 as from the Lord. 
 
 During this period, a poisonous exhalation spread itself in 
 Holland against the brethren, and particularly against the Count. 
 A pamphlet appeared, under the name of a "Pastoral Letter," in 
 which the clergy of Amsterdam laid many things to the charge 
 of the brethren and the Count, which had never entered their 
 
PASTORAL lETTEE OF THE DUTCH CLERGY. 247 
 
 minds. This affair having been attended with many painful 
 consequences, I will here advert to it more particularly. 
 
 The immediate occasion of it was, probably, a conversation 
 which the Count had with a minister at the Hague, and two 
 others at Ysselstein. He had expressed himself rather harshly 
 to the former, respecting certain views prevalent in Holland 
 concerning election : the latter had strangely misunderstood 
 or misconstrued his expressions, and ascribed sentiments to 
 him which he had never entertained. 
 
 These, and other things, were brought before the synod of 
 South Holland, and were referred for examination to some 
 deputies appointed for that purpose. The affair was then taken 
 into consideration by the synod' of North Holland, and referred 
 to a clergyman in Amsterdam. Hence originated the Pastoral 
 Letter, in which it was endeavoured to prove from Lelong's 
 historical account of the Brethren, from certain letters trans- 
 lated from the German, and from the Moravian Hymn-book, 
 that the brethren adhered to opinions which did not accord 
 with the doctrine of Christ and his apostles ; on which ac- 
 count they warned all the members of the Dutch church 
 against them. 
 
 When the Count heard of what had transpired in the s3mod 
 of South Holland, he immediately wrote to the ecclesiastical 
 council in Amsterdam before the publication of the Pastoral 
 Letter, most urgently requesting them to furnish him with the 
 charges brought against him, in order that he might consider 
 them in the presence of God, and sincerely express his senti- 
 ments upon them. 
 
 To this letter no answer was returned before the publica- 
 tion of the Pastoral Letter. But as, meanwhile, the Rev. Mr. 
 Shiphout, of Amsterdam, informed him of what he had heard, 
 he answered him briefly and explicitly ; and showed, that all 
 the accusations deduced from his discourses were destitute of 
 the slightest foundation. This was also clearly shown by 
 Counsellor Beyen, of Ysselstein, in a pamphlet which appeared 
 some months after. The written protestation of the Rev. 
 F. Debruin, of Amsterdam, against the publication of the 
 Pastoral Letter, likewise appeared in print. In this document 
 he assigns seven weighty reasons, why he could not assent to 
 
248 PASTORAL LETTER OF THE DUTCH CLERGY. 
 
 it ; the fourth of which is, " Because, in the whole affair, the 
 hearing of the accused party has been totally omitted, and the 
 proposition made to this effect, in the assembly, rejected. " 
 
 Meanwhile; even before the publication of the Pastoral 
 Letter, a defence of the Moravian brethren appeared, under the 
 name of Baron Von WattewiUe, which was, however, regarded 
 as their confession of faith, and occasion taken from it to assault 
 the brethren still more severely. 
 
 The manner in which the magistrates acted on this occasion, 
 is highly commended by the Count ; he says, " They sent for the 
 Pastoral Letter, (which was printed without their knowledge, 
 if not in opposition to their remonstrances,) to the Senate- 
 house, where it lay several weeks ; whilst Baron Von Watte- 
 wille's defence was sold by thousands ; so that the clergy, 
 who it was known had resolved upon something, respecting 
 which they were not sufficiently informed, had opportunity 
 enough of procuring it, and their Honours used every effort to 
 teach them better. At length, when they perceived that it 
 might cause disturbance if the Pastoral Letter were longer 
 withheld, since the clergy began openly to preach against the 
 civil authorities — they sent the same week for Plantinus, the 
 president, who had himself protested against the Pastoral 
 Letter, and gave it to him, declaring, that they would have been 
 very glad if such a pastoral letter, with the protest against 
 it, had never seen the light. From love to peace, however, 
 they would yield to its being published ; but declared, at the 
 same time, most solemnly, that they would take no part in it, 
 nor have any thing to do with the disturbances and divisions in 
 the church which might ensue from it, of which they were very 
 apprehensive. They therefore left it to the responsibility of 
 the ecclesiastical council, who had begun the affair without 
 them, to carry it on ; but insisted, that the said council should 
 not in future dare to publish any thing in a matter of the kind, 
 whether more or less, without first communicating with the 
 Commissary of the^Police upon the subject, according to the 
 provisions of the synod of Dort. 
 
 Thus the Pastoral Letter at length made Its appearance. 
 The Count, who could not comprehend why no notice was takeii 
 of his letter to the ecclesiastical council, wrote in haste another 
 
DEPARTURE FOR ST. THOMAS. 249 
 
 letter, in which he urgently entreated that the Pastoral Letter 
 might be recalled, until they were better informed ; for he had 
 immediately found in it five or six manifest and tangible 
 untruths, and believed that the honour of the ecclesiastical 
 council required that they should be altered, before the docu- 
 ment came into every one's hands. 
 
 The ship, by which he was to sail to St. Thomas, having 
 already left the harbour, and he being obliged to hasten after 
 it, he was nevertheless able to leave a declaration behind him, 
 concerning what had occurred in Amsterdam, from the 28th 
 of October, with respect to himself and the Moravian church. 
 At its close, he says, " I have therefore left behind me a 
 treatise, which will explain what I have still to say — that 
 the Pastoral Letter is founded upon a complete misunder- 
 standing, and that I do not know the Herrnhuters therein 
 described. 1 now leave Amsterdam, with cordial affection, 
 satisfaction, and prayer that our peace may remain upon it. 
 But to those who have acted so inimically towards us, I wish a 
 blessed change by Divine grace, for the sake of the Saviour's 
 sufferings and death, whom they have persecuted and despised 
 in his sheep, whom he loves. May he not lay this sin to their 
 charge !" 
 
 However painful the Pastoral Letter was to the Count, and 
 however much he was grieved, that all his endeavours to re- 
 move the misunderstanding were fruitless, yet in his heart he 
 was richly comforted, so that he wrote to the Countess, stating, 
 " that the Saviour's presence was so sensibly and blissfully 
 felt by him, that he could not express it ; his heart was 
 supremely happy in him." 
 
 He now hastened on board the vessel, which arrived on the 
 11th of December in the Texel, but was obliged to lie at 
 anchor there till the 21st. During this interval, he prepared 
 the Watchwords for the year 1739. He also wrote a letter, the 
 day the ship put to sea, in which he gives the reasons why he 
 did not more fully explain himself upon several points, previous 
 to his voyage to the West Indies. 
 
 When at sea, he wrote another copious letter, dated the 27th 
 of December, to the elders and assistants of the church, which 
 was sent back by the pilot. He calls it his " Eventual Testa- 
 
 M 3 
 
250 
 
 DEPARTURE FOR ST. THOMAS. 
 
 ment," in which he states his fundamental ideas respecting the 
 ordinances of the church, the regulations which had been in- 
 troduced, and every thing connected with the well-being and 
 labours of the brethren. 
 
 Before the Count put to sea, the Saviour took to himself his 
 little daughter Anna Theresa, a child of about five years of 
 age, who had given many proofs of decided and extra- 
 ordinary piety, and finished her short career with joy. The 
 intelligence of this event, however, did not reach him before 
 his departure. 
 
VOYAGE TO ST. THOMAS. 251 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ARRIVAL AT ST. THOMAS — OCCURRENCES THERE-^RETURN TO GERMANY — 
 
 SYNOD AT EBERSDORF — ^JOURNEY TO WnRTEMEERG SERIOUS ILLNESS — 
 
 SINGULAR CURE — MISSIONS OF THE BRETHREN — JOURNEY TO SWITZER- 
 LAND SYNOD AT GOTHA AND MARIENBORN ^PROCEEDS TO HOLLAND 
 
 AND ENGLAND — VOYAGE TO NORTH AMERICA — ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK — 
 
 RESIDENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA — PREACHES TO THE LUTHERANS SYNOD 
 
 OF THE SECTS — JOURNEY AMONG THE INDIANS — RETURN TO ENGLAND — 
 
 VISIT TO YORKSHIRE ARRIVAL IN HOLLAND RESIDENCE IN SILESIA 
 
 JOURNEY TO LIVONIA — IMPRISONMENT IN RIGA — RETURN TO SILESIA — 
 VISITS TO HERRNHUT RETURN TO MARIENBORN — SYNODS HELD THERE. 
 
 The passage to St. Thomas exceeded little more than a month. 
 Although the winter season is seldom chosen for undertaking 
 such a voyage, on account of the unpleasantness and stormy 
 weather, yet the Count preferred going to sea in the winter, 
 being more oppressed by the heat than by the cold. However, 
 this would not have decided him, if it had not been evident 
 to him that circumstances demanded it, and that it was the 
 Saviour's will he should undertake the voyage at that time. 
 
 The sea sickness, which had always been very troublesome 
 to him on his former voyages, did not this time last longer 
 than a day, and that was whilst the vessel was still lying at 
 anchor. " Having so much to do, " says he, " I pleaded with 
 the Saviojir, that it would not do for me to be ill ; and I re- 
 covered, even before we sailed." 
 
 I find the events of the voyage contained in a letter, which 
 he subsequently wrote to the king of Prussia. He says in it, 
 " Your Majesty graciously desires to know how long I was at 
 sea, after leaving the Texel. Two days before our departure, the 
 other vessels put to sea, but we lost an anchor, and remained. 
 In twenty-four hours, the others either returned or tacked 
 about in the Channel. But on the 26th of December, we entered 
 
252 VOYAGE TO ST. THOMAS. 
 
 directly into the North Sea, with a side wind, which continuing, 
 we passed through the Channel — the grave of so many vessels — 
 and in a few days entered the Atlantic Ocean, which, though 
 it presents a terrific appearance, is no longer so dangerous. 
 
 " The wind we had, might be properly called a storm. At 
 the mouth of the Channel, an unpleasant event occurred ; a 
 heavy sea damaged the rudder, and we were tossed about for 
 twenty-four hours. The storm drove us along past the African 
 coast, with such rapidity, that in a fortnight we entered the 
 trade winds. These continued so strong, that we ran into St. 
 Eustatia on the 28th of January, vyithout having shifted a 
 single sail since we left the Texel." 
 
 In St. Eustatia, he was asked whether he knew that St. 
 Thomas's was the general churchyard of the West Indies, from 
 whence scarcely any one returned, on account of the malaria ; 
 and it was added, that he had arrived just in the most un- 
 healthy season ; two months later there would not have been 
 so much danger, for it was the healthiest during the hot 
 season. All this, however, produced no effect upon him, and it 
 only occurred to him, that the will of the Lord should be done. 
 
 He therefore soon hired a small vessel, and sailed, during 
 the night, to St. Thomas, where he landed safely on the 29th 
 of January, 1739. 
 
 No sooner had he reached the shore, than he heard that the 
 brethren Martin, Bonike, Freundlich, and others were in 
 prison. Amongst others, he asked a negro, where the brethren 
 were ? " They are all in prison," was the reply. 
 
 The Count. How long have they, been there ? 
 
 Negro. Upwards of three months. 
 
 The Count. What are the negroes doing in the mean time ? 
 
 Negro. O, they go on well, and there is a great awakening 
 amongst them. The imprisonment of the brethren is quite 
 a sermon to them. 
 
 The Count now requested the Governor to set the brethren 
 at liberty : when this was done, and they were sent to him by 
 an officer, with a complinientary message from the Governor, 
 he kissed their hands, in the presence of the officer, in order 
 to show how highly he valued the people, who had been cast 
 into prison as criminals. From that time they continued at 
 
RESIDENCE AT ST. THOMAS. 253 
 
 liberty, and until after the Count's departure, nothing further 
 was brought against them. 
 
 He found the poor negro slaves in a state of unusual op- 
 pression, because it was imagined, that if they became Chris- 
 tians, they would also become more intelUgent, and then it 
 would be impossible for the trifling number of white people — 
 in comparison with whom, the blacks were supposed to be 
 fifty, if not a hundred, to one — to keep such an immense num- 
 ber in awe. From these and other reasons, they endeavoured 
 to prevent the blacks from becoming Christians. And since 
 they would not suffer themselves to be restrained, (for their 
 desire for salvation was incredibly great,) they were treated 
 very harshly, and in some instances, even cruelly. But this 
 made the word of God the more sweet to them ; they received 
 it with joy and with many tears. 
 
 The day after the Count's arrival, the Governor came him- 
 self to him, and apologized for the imprisonment of the brethren, 
 aflSrming that it was against his will, and without his permis- 
 sion ; that the liberties taken by the people in the West Indies 
 were very great, and that it was difHcult to maintain authority 
 over them. 
 
 The Count let the matter rest, and asked the Governor, if 
 he were at liberty to act as he pleased towards the negroes ? 
 which was answered in the aflirmative. He had previously had 
 no intercourse with any of them. 
 
 A correspondence afterwards ensued, between the Count 
 and the Governor, respecting the labours of the brethren 
 amongst the negro slaves, in which Mr. Carstens, a Director of 
 the West India Company, who was at that time in St. Thomas, 
 was the medium, and carried the letters himself. The nego- 
 ciation went so far, that the Count offered in writing to pass 
 over what had occurred, and forget it as much as possible ; 
 and the Governor also declared in writing, that he would 
 permit Frederick Martin to baptize the negroes, until the 
 royal ratification could be procured. 
 
 The Count, meanwhile, commenced his labours, respecting 
 which he writes : — " In consequence of Brother Martin's 
 severe indisposition, I was obliged to hold the meeting for 
 him ; and after Abraham, a negro assistant, had offered up a 
 
254 RESIDENCE AT ST. THOMAS. - 
 
 very heartfelt and urgent supplication to the Saviour, I began 
 with my customary ejaculation, ' I believe that Jesus Christ 
 is my Lord;' when I was affected beyond measure, by a 
 multitude of negro voices, more numerous than I have ever 
 heard iri our meetings, unexpectedly joining with me in their 
 broken accents, and some of them with tears, and continuing, 
 ' My Lord ! niy Lord ! who has redeemed me, a lost and 
 undone human creature.' * 
 
 " About a week afterwards, on a Sunday afternoon, the island 
 of St. Thomas witnessed an extraordinary scene. About the half 
 of those negroes who had sought salvation from the Saviour, 
 resorted to me, so that the large salpon was scarcely sufficiently 
 capacious to contain them, although standing close together. 
 O, how greatly I rejoiced, at not only being able to sing two 
 of my own hymns with this large assembly, but after sermon 
 ^nd prayer, at hearing them all, with one heart and voice, con- 
 clude with the verse, 'Amen, that is, let it be true.'f 
 
 " A faithful arid respectable friend of the brethren, who, 
 amongst his many negroes, scarcely saw one that had any 
 desire for Jesus, requested me to hold a meeting with them 
 daily, as long as I remained in the island. The Saviour ren- 
 dered them willing, they crowded to hear, and others of the 
 neighbouring slaves availed themselves of the opportunity. 
 They have promised me, before God, to turn to the Saviour ; 
 we wiU now see whether they -keep their promise. Besides 
 which, they have recently been increased by an addition of 
 upwards of thirty slaves." 
 
 The number of negro men, concerned for the salvation of their 
 souls, amounted at that time to six hundred and fifty, and of 
 negro women, to two hundred and fifty. Some of these came 
 every evening, as they were able, to their teachers, who minis- 
 tered the gospel to them : but the general meeting was held 
 on the Saturday evening, and often terminated only at seven 
 or eight o'clock on the Sunday morning. The brethren 
 were also obliged, occasionally, to visit the different planta- 
 
 * A passage from the Litany for Easter Morning :— see Hymn Book of 
 the United Brethren. 
 
 t The concluding stanza of a well-known metrical paraphrase of the 
 Lord's Prayer, by Martin Luther. 
 
RESIDENCE AT ST. THOMAS. 265 
 
 tions from whence the people came, of which there were 
 upwards of fifty. 
 
 Frederick Martin, though very weak and emaciated, was 
 very faithful in his ministry, and indefatigable in his labours. 
 He was very strict with the negroes, and when he perceived 
 any thing in them, whence he could infer that they were not 
 yet in earnest in seeking the Saviour, he excluded them, 
 and did not receive them again, until they manifested heart- 
 felt repentance and amendment. Notwithstanding this, the 
 number of those who had a desire for the word of God daily 
 increased, which is the more remarkable, since both the brethren 
 and the negroes who resorted to them, had much to suffer. 
 
 We have already touched upon some of the reasons, why the 
 planters were so much opposed to the conversion of the negroes ; 
 to these may be added the consideration, that if the negro 
 women were converted, they would no longer yield them- 
 selves up to a licentious life. The Rev. Mr. Borm, a Reformed 
 minister there, was dissatisfied, because Martin not only taught 
 the poor slaves, but baptized those who believed on the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Therefore, with the consent of his elders, he 
 accused the brethren to the government, and desired that they 
 might be punished. 
 
 It was not, however, simply on this account that the bre- 
 thren had been imprisoned ; for another reason was assigned 
 for it. A certain individual, who once belonged to the bre- 
 thren, but had separated from them, was suspected of having 
 stolen something. The brethren were required, in consequence, 
 to take an oath, but on their declining it, from the belief 
 that they ought not to swear in such matters, they were im- 
 prisoned from week to week, until they had been there three 
 months, and would probably have paid for it vrith their lives, 
 had they remained longer in prison ; for their health was 
 already seriously injured, which is not surprising, when we 
 reflect upon the consequences of being deprived of fresh air 
 for so long a period in a hot country. 
 
 With respect to the cause of opposition to the mission 
 first assigned, nothing could be done but commend the matter 
 to God : for, although the Governor showed himself willing, 
 till the moment the Count quitted the island, to contribute as 
 
256 RESIDENCE AT ST. THOMAS. 
 
 much as he was able, towards defending the brethren from 
 molestation in their labours, yet a public tumult was suddenly- 
 excited, and the Governor was requested to send the people 
 out of the island. And for what reason? Because they 
 taught the negroes to be better Christians than their masters. 
 
 These enraged people did not wait until the afiair was inves- 
 tigated, but entered the negroes' meeting in a boisterous manner, 
 beat the poor-slaves most cruelly, and chased them all away with 
 oaths and curses, and horrible blasphemies. The words were 
 then applicable, " Here is the patience and faith of the saints." 
 
 The Count sent word to Mr. Borm, that he and Frede- 
 rick Martin were willing to pass over and forget every thing, 
 if the former would declare, verbally or in writing, that he had 
 been under a mistake, and would not in future interfere with 
 the negroes to whom the Gospel was preached ; but that, if 
 he persisted in the supposed justice of his cause, the affair 
 must be referred to the king of Denmark. 
 
 No answer being returned to this, the Count wrote to Copen- 
 hagen ; and on the 7th August a royal edict was transmitted 
 to the President and Directors of the West India Company, to 
 protect Martin and his assistants against the Reformed clergy- 
 man ; at the same time the latter was reminded that he too 
 was only tolerated in St. Thomas, and had no right to assume 
 authority over the brethren. 
 
 The Count spoke seriously to the Fiscal, who did not deny 
 that the brethren had been imprisoned for no other reason 
 than that above mentioned : but, on taking his departure, he 
 forbade the brethren from interfering, in any respect, in the 
 affair of the man suspected of purloining. 
 
 On finding, further, that they troubled the missionary 
 FreundUch on account of his marriage, which had been solem- 
 nized by Frederick Martin, and that they sought to compel him 
 to be re-married, he expressed himself very seriously on the 
 subject, referred to the promise of complete religious liberty 
 given to the brethren before their departure for the W^st 
 Indies, and appealed, as bishop of the Moravian church, against 
 all further proceedings, to the Royal West India Company. 
 
 These persecutions, however ill-meant, were of use in giving 
 the negroes clearly to know, that they had to look, not to the 
 
DEPAKTURE FROM ST. THOMAS. 257 
 
 example of those who called themselves Christians, but to the 
 doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was also evident to 
 them, that there were only two classes of people in the world,- — 
 those that believe in Jesus, confide in his word, walk in the 
 light, and manifest themselves to be children of God ; and 
 those who are carnally-minded, who love darkness, serve sin, 
 and, in short, have not Jesus in their hearts, but do the -wUl 
 of the wicked one. Hence, the Count states, that he shouTd" 
 have been at a loss how to explain to the poor negroes the 
 difference between the mere profession and the possession of 
 religion, had not the circumstances above mentioned pointed it 
 out to them in an almost tangible manner. -"" ■ 
 
 He was at length convinced, from all these events, that 
 nothing effectual would be done in the matter unless he re- 
 turned to Europe, and duly represented the case in Copen- 
 hagen. He therefore found it necessary to withdraw his ofier 
 made to the Governor to forgive and forget every thing, and 
 to refer the matter to the Danish government. 
 
 But before he took his departure, the awakened negroes in 
 St. Thomas, and especially those of them who had been bap- 
 tized, wrote a letter to the king of Denmark, in the Creolian 
 tongue, stating their distress to his Majesty, in very natural 
 expressions, and most pathetically entreating that they might 
 not be prevented from becoming acquainted, through the 
 ministry of the brethren, with our Lord Jesus Christ, for their 
 eternal salvation. The letter was dated the 15th February, 
 1739, and signed by several of them, in the name of six 
 hundred and fifty negroes, who were desirous of becoming 
 acquainted with Jesus Christ. 
 
 A similar letter was addressed to the queen of Denmark, and 
 signed by a negro woman in the name of two hundred and fifty of 
 her own sex, who were concerned for the salvation of their souls. 
 
 On the same day, the 15 th February, the Count wrote a 
 farewell letter to the negroes in St. Thomas, setting before them, 
 in forcible terms, how miserable they were, as poor heathens ; 
 what Jesus had purchased for them by his death, and how they 
 might become partakers of it : further, that they ought not to 
 let themselves be terrified by afflictions, nor deterred by their 
 sinfulness and misery, from coming to Jesus, and abiding with 
 
258 RETURN TO EUROPE. 
 
 him; and, finally, how they ought to act towards their 
 masters, and each other. 
 
 Before his departure, a house and a small plantation were 
 purchased for the use of the mission. Trifling as this circuiri- 
 stance may appear, yet much was gained by it : for the bre- 
 thren had been, hitherto, destitute of a place where they could 
 enjoy privacy, and devote themselves to the spiritual wants 
 of the negroes. It was not efiected without difHculty ; and 
 the Count regarded it as a providential occurrence. The 
 house is situate on a hill, called Posaunenberg : it was conse- 
 crated, on the 15th February, by the tears and prayers of the 
 congregation ; and a quarter of an hour afterwards was exposed 
 to an outrageous attack from the enemies of the truth. 
 
 The Count became acquainted, in St. Thomas, with Captain 
 Nicholas Garrison, of New York, whicli proved a very bene- 
 ficial circumstance, in the sequel, to that individual and his 
 family. In his first conversation with him, the Count said to 
 him, " You have, probably, heard much of me, and I will also 
 say something respecting rnyself ; — I love the Saviour, and he 
 loves me :" which, as Captain Garrison relates, produced a 
 femarkable impression upon him. 
 
 After the Count had inquired of the Governor, by letter, 
 whether any one had any charge to bring against him, and had 
 been answered in the negative, he set sail from St. Thomas on 
 the 17th February. The negroes wept much at his departure, 
 and assured him that they would continue faithful to the Sa- 
 viour. He first directed his course to the two Danish islands, 
 St. Jan and St. Croix ; and, in the latter, visited the graves 
 of the brethren and sisters, who had finished their course whilst 
 seeking the salvation of others, with feelings of profoiznd reve- 
 rence and thankfulness to the Saviour. 
 
 From St. Croix he proceeded to the Dutch island of St. 
 Eustatia, in order to avail himself of the first opportunity of 
 returning to Europe. Owing to contrary winds, he spent 
 eight whole days on this passage, which he had accomplished, 
 in January, in twenty-four hours ; and as the vessel was very 
 small and Ul-built, he experienced more unpleasantness on 
 this short sail, than he had to endure on his four voyages 
 across the ocean. 
 
RETURN TO EUROPE. 259 
 
 He fortunately found a ship still at St. Eustatia, which he 
 had imagined had already taken its departure ; but new diffi- 
 culties now occurred. The cabin was already occupied ; at 
 least he was told there was no room for him and his company. 
 At length a state room, and half the cabin, were resigned to 
 him ; and the Governor of St. Eustatia made a written agree- 
 ment with the Captain for the Coimt's passage to Amsterdam. 
 
 A Portuguese Jew, of the name of Da Costa, had become 
 acquainted with the Count on board the vessel in which he 
 arrived at St. Eustatia, and felt a high esteem for him. This 
 Jew was in good credit amongst his own people ; for he was 
 zealous in his religion, and was regarded as a pious man. But 
 outwardly it went ill with him ; and being no longer able to 
 maintain himself in the West Indies, he had resolved, with the 
 advice of the Governor of St. Eustatia, who had a great esteem 
 for him, to go to Amsterdam, in the hope of succeeding better 
 there. This man applied to the Count, and besought him^ 
 with tears, to take him with him to Amsterdam. 
 
 The Count had already brought two persons with him from 
 St. Thomas, — a Dane and a negro. A work of grace had 
 been already begun in the former ; and the latter was not only 
 awakened and had been baptized, but was an assistant in the 
 negro church; and a very hopeful young man, whose liberty 
 the Count had purchased in order that he might visit the 
 churches in Germany, and afterwards return to minister to his 
 own people. The Count, however, could not find in his heart 
 to deny the Jew's request, especially since he found something 
 in him which is sought in vain in many. He was not only a 
 learned man in his way, and spoke, besides the Portuguese, 
 English and French, but was also well-disposed and moral in 
 his conduct. The Count, therefore, promised to take him to 
 Amsterdam, and to pay the passage for himself and his wife. 
 
 After spending five weeks in the West India Islands, he 
 went on board, and set sail soon after. His kindness towards 
 Da Costa went so far that he gave up the state room to him, 
 which had been prepared for himself, that he and his wife 
 might have a convenient berth, whilst he remained in the cabin 
 with the other passengers. But being often disturbed by them 
 in his occupations, and as they did not feel so much at 
 
260 RETURN TO EUROPE. 
 
 liberty in his presence as previously, the captain caused a 
 wooden partition to be erected, which enabled him to apply 
 himself to his labours undisturbedly ; and in this manner he 
 spent seven weeks on board the vessel. 
 
 During the passage, he did not omit seeking the spiritual 
 benefit of the ship's company ; in doing which, he made use of 
 an unusual method. On Sundays, he sent for them into the 
 cabin, and gave them a sermon, in which he told them what he 
 thought of their course of life, and how happy the children of 
 God were. Irrespective of this, he let them go and do as 
 they pleased, without particularly repressing them ; but if any 
 one who, during the whole day, had done nothing but curse and 
 swear, took a prayer-book into his hand, or even named the 
 name of Jesus, he warned him not to mock God, nor to take 
 his holy name in vain. Once, when two of the number drew 
 their swords against each other, he rushed between them, took 
 away their swords, and laid them under his bed ; nor did he 
 restore them to the parties until they came to land. 
 
 Da Costa, the Jew, was much with the Count, and generally 
 sat with him till after midnight : the latter did not urge him 
 to become a convert, but stated to him very freely, how happy 
 he was with the Saviour, and how cordially he loved him. The 
 Jew listened with much attention ; and when the Count sang 
 hymns in honour of the Saviour, the Jew asked him to ex- 
 plain them, during which he often wept. The Count listened 
 to him in return ; for he had much to object, and was accus- 
 tomed to philosophize. 
 
 The Count was very, diligent in his labours on board the 
 vessel, respecting which he says, in a letter to the Countess, 
 " I do all that I am wont to do on shore, and even more." 
 
 During the voyage, he was physically very weak, and ate 
 but little ; and after giving up his bed, he had only an uncom- 
 fortable berth, and little repose : his body even became wounded 
 and ulcerated. Those that were with him were ill the greatest 
 part of the time : Da Costa, however, waited upon him ; respect- 
 ing whom he said, there was nothing Jewish in him but his 
 zeal for his religion. In his heart the Count was very happy, 
 and assured the Countess, " that it was indescribable what the 
 Lord had done for his soul," Enoch's purity, Joseph's eleva- 
 
ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. 261 
 
 tion, Zerubbabel's office, John's universal love, Basil's patience. 
 Count Elger's* simplicity, and Spener's humility, made a par- 
 ticular impression upon him : for, during the voyage, his atten- 
 tion was much directed towards church history ; and he says, 
 " If I am faithful, I hope to tread, by God's grace, in the steps 
 of these brethren, whose example is so beneficially set before 
 me by the Holy Spirit-" 
 
 Amongst the hymns which the Count composed upon this 
 voyage, we notice one especially, which has subsequently ap- 
 peared in so many collections, as best expressing the feelings 
 of his heart ; we mean that which commences with the well- 
 known lines, — 
 
 " Jesus, thy blood and righteousness 
 My beauty are, my glorious dress ; 
 'Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, 
 With joy shall I lift up my head." 
 
 On arriving off Dover, on the 20th April, he entered a boat, 
 and notwithstanding the stormy weather, reached the harbour, 
 although not without imminent peril, having been upon the 
 water from five o'clock in the evening till one at night. 
 
 In England, he paid short visits, both at Oxford and 
 London. The movement and awakening which had there taken 
 place, excited his astonishment. He did all in his power to 
 promote the good cause, but would not, and could not identify 
 himself with the course of things as they presented themselves 
 to his view. 
 
 From England, he proceeded to Holland, where he also made 
 a short stay. He arrived there at a very peculiar time. The 
 Pastoral Letter, with the protestations against it, had excited a 
 great sensation. The accusations against the brethren were 
 carried to a great length, and caused much animosity in many : 
 but amongstthe brethren thus in astate of suffering, great peace, 
 grace, and an abundant blessing prevailed. Thus the Count 
 found it, both in Heerendyk and Amsterdam, and was greatly 
 rejoiced at it. He was very welcome at both places, and the 
 
 • A nobleman of the house of Hohenstein, who lived in the former 
 part of the thirteenth century, and approved himself a devoted follower 
 of Christ, 
 
262 RETURN TO MARIENBORN. 
 
 Lord acknowledged him as his servant and evangelist. In 
 Heerendyk he baptized an adult, on which occasion the spec- 
 tators were deeply affected. 
 
 Before he left Holland, he published a declaration, in refer- 
 ence to what had appeared against him, in the Dutch language. 
 It is short, and contains only the reasons why he preferred 
 being silent upon the subject for a time. 
 
 From HoUand, the Count travelled to Marienborn, where he 
 arrived on the 1st of June, and had the happiness to find the 
 Countess and the whole of his family in good health ; for the 
 young Count, Christian Renatus, who had been previously 
 studying at Jena, had resided at Marienborn since the 16th of 
 April. The young noblemen. Von Schrautenbach and Von 
 Schachman, were with him, together with brother John Nitsch- 
 man and the students who gave him lessons, as well as the rest 
 of those belonging to his retinue. 
 
 The return of the Count from the West India Islands caused 
 the greater joy, from being unexpected ; for the brethren and 
 sisters, who had gone to St. Croix in January 1734, had spent 
 thirty weeks upon the passage, which he had accomplished in 
 less than five. But that which diminished the joy occasioned 
 by his return, was the Count's severe indisposition, owing to 
 the fatigues of the voyage and incessant occupation, together 
 with the unwholesome food on board the vessel. 
 
 Andrew, the negro, whom he had brought with him from St. 
 Thomas, accompanied him to Marienborn, and was a pleasing 
 instance of the powerful grace which operated at that time 
 amongst the slaves. 
 
 The Count had previously written to the Countess, that he 
 would not remain long in Marienborn, on his return. He 
 deemed it necessary both to hold a synod and to undertake a 
 journey to Wfirtemberg, and thought it best to accomplish 
 these objects, that he might afterwards prosecute his labours 
 at Marienborn without interruption : b^^t because he would 
 not leave Marienborn vpithout informing the church there of 
 the particulars of his visitation in the West Indies, as well as 
 his visit to England and Holland, he held a special meeting, 
 the day after his arrival. He gave in it a clear idea of the state 
 in which he had found and left every thing, and commended 
 
SYNOD AT EBERSDORF. 26S 
 
 the whole to the prayers and intercession of the brethren and 
 sisters. 
 
 After this, one of the brethren was accepted an acoluth ; 
 that is, publicly received into the covenant of the brethren 
 and sisters, who had devoted themselves to the service of the 
 Saviour and the church. On this occasion, the Count spoke 
 of fidelity in small things, in the practice of which, the indi-. 
 vidual seeks to preserve his heart every moment, by the grace 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ ; so that not a thought nor desire may 
 stray or deviate from the Saviour ; and aiHrmed that this was 
 something which pleased the Lord better than if the mai\ 
 accomplished ever so, much in his service. 
 
 The brethren MoHher and Langguth were then ordained 
 ministers of the gospel, by the imposition of hands, according 
 to the usages of the church. The Count, at the same time, 
 declared that although ordination was to be considered as a 
 needful observance, no brother, on being ordained, ought 
 to think himself better on that account than another, for the 
 Holy Spirit was able, according to his good pleasure, to grant 
 more grace and gifts to an unordained brother, than to one 
 who had received ordination : the latter, however, being perr 
 formed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Father, 
 and the Holy Spirit, in faith in the word pf God, with heartfelt 
 prayer and supplication, had its peculiar blessing, independent 
 of its importance as an ecclesiastical transaction. 
 
 A few days after, the brethren who were appointed to be 
 present at the synod, set out from Marienborn for Ebersdorf, 
 where it wa,s resolved that it should be held : it commenced 
 on the 9th of June, and lasted till the 15th. The state of the 
 churches in the various districts in which the Lutheran and 
 Reformed faith respectively prevailed, was its principal object. 
 
 It was observed, that most of the awakenings which had 
 taken place, by the preaching of the gospel in several places, 
 did not continue as they had comm,enced. Some of those wh,Q 
 had been powerfully affected, soon lost what they ought to have 
 cherished, and those who still maintained their standing, 
 seldom built upon the right foundation, and did not attend to 
 the admonition of the Apostle, " Grow up in all things unto 
 him, who is the head, even Christ." 
 
264 SYNOD AT EBERSDORF. 
 
 These people were, for the most part, convinced that they 
 were defective in brotherly fellowship, which, according to 
 Scripture, is so necessary, and never remains without a bless- 
 ing, if regulated according to the mind of Christ. They there- 
 fore longed for it, and hoped that if it were established amongst 
 them, it would be better with them. Nor were they in the 
 wrong, in my opinion ; and I believe the Holy Ghost himself 
 excited this desire in them. 
 
 But their idea was, to have every thing regulated according 
 as it was in Herrnhut : there were also those amongst the 
 brethren, who were not disinclined to minister to them ; and 
 these regulations were made in some places, similar to those 
 in Herrnhut, but which were unsuitable for their circumstances. 
 /Now, although the Count heartily concurred in Spener's 
 idea of a reformation of the church, and believed that in order 
 to this, those that were awakened should exercise love towards 
 each other, and edify one another in a regular manner, — yet 
 he was not of opinion that they ought to form themselves 
 according to a model which was not adapted to their circum- 
 stances, and the religious constitution to which they belonged ; 
 nor did he believe that they would derive that benefit from it 
 which they expected. 
 
 It was on this point that he wished to come to an under- 
 standing with the brethren at the synod : but he could not 
 immediately accomplish his wishes, for some of the brethren 
 did not fully enter into his views on the subject. 
 
 When the synod was ended, he set out for Wiirtemberg on 
 foot, accompanied only by a single brother. On his journey, 
 he preached in several places, and letters from various clergy- 
 men prove that his discourses were both much approved of 
 and greatly blessed. 
 
 After his return from Wiirtemberg to Marienborn, on the 
 16th of July, a clergyman at Enslingen published a sermon, 
 which the Count was said to have preached in Hall, in Swabia, 
 falsely pretending to have received the Count's permission 
 to print it. He also assured every one that he had heard 
 it himself, and taken it down from the Count's own lips ; 
 although much was added which the Count had not said : 
 much that he had really said was not contained in it, and his 
 
SICKNESS. 265 
 
 meaning often erroneously expressed. This was easily proved ; 
 for a Wiirtemberg clergyman, who was accustomed to hear the 
 Count, had written down the same sermon, in which every 
 thing was very different. This occasioned Dean Seyboth, of 
 Hall, to express his pointed disapprobation to the clergyman of 
 Enslingen ; and it was also taken much amiss of him by others, 
 especially since the sermon appeared in the city of Hall under 
 a false announcement, and with a very obnoxious preface. 
 
 The Count being unable to acknowledge it as his own, or 
 approve of such an irregular procedure, published, after his 
 return, " A small Collection of Hymns," containing the sub- 
 stance of his discourses in Wiirtemberg. He then devoted all 
 his time and strength to the affairs of the Moravian churches ; 
 but, in consequence of the weak state in which he had returned 
 from the West Indies, it was the less surprising that his inde- 
 fatigable exertions laid him at length on a sick bed. His 
 illness consisted of an entire prostration of his physical powers, 
 and rose to such a height, that he had no other idea than that 
 all his labours were about to reach their termination. He also 
 ardently longed for the hour when he should depart in peace 
 to his Lord and Saviour, to whom his heart so entirely cleaved. 
 He continued, during his whole illness, in a state of perfect 
 peace, his mind being entirely engrossed in his dear Saviour's 
 cause. And the strangest thing was, that he was never more 
 cheerful than when he was at the worst ; whilst, on the con- 
 trary, when there were signs of amendment, he was generally 
 silent and thoughtful. However, it was the Lord's will that 
 he should continue longer here below. 
 
 A singular circumstance occurred during his illness. His 
 physician had prescribed him a cooling drink, of which he was 
 every time to take a table- spoonful : the person who had to 
 administer it reached him, by mistake, in its stead, a spoonful 
 of the Essentia dulcis. Scarcely had he taken it when he was 
 seized with an indescribable heat, so that he seemed to be 
 inwardly and outwardly on fire. No remedy could be thought 
 of, but that of applying to the Saviour, and he afforded aid : 
 for a most copious perspiration ensued, which continued for 
 some days and nights together, by which the violence of the 
 disease was broken. 
 
 N 
 
266 MISSIONS OF THE BRETHREN. 
 
 When he began to amend, he wrote to the king of Prussia 
 as follows : — " For the last four .weeks I have been very ill. 
 I had great hopes of being dismissed from my labours, and 
 being with the Lord ; but they are vanished for the present." 
 
 During .his illness, he virrote an "Acknowledgment of his 
 having received the late Controversial Writings." He was 
 grieved to see that people, who had hitherto professed them- 
 selves his most faithful and confidential friends and servants, 
 had openly taken their station in the ranks of his adversaries. 
 He could scarcely imagine any thing else, than that this arose 
 ifrom the report universally spread in his absence, that he was 
 dead. But he was now apprehensive that, after the custom of 
 the learned, who do not willingly retract what they have once 
 written, they would continue to maintain what they had pub- 
 lished against him. Being unvfilling that men should impute 
 things to him after his decease, which had never entered his 
 mind, he again explained himself upon the erroneous charges 
 brought against him. 
 
 On the 25th of October, he had the pleasure of "seeing his 
 daughter, Benigna, appointed to the office of elder of the choir 
 of girls. 
 
 The 7th of November was kept as a day of special prayer 
 for the children, on which occasion his eldest son, the young 
 Count Christian Renatus, was received into the community of 
 professing children. 
 
 It must also be mentioned that, on the 30th of June, of this 
 year, this young nobleman had an establishment of his own 
 appointed at Herrnhaag. From the students employed in his 
 tuition, and other learned men who resorted thither, a theo- 
 logical seminary of the Augustine confession was formed, which 
 became an important institution for the promotion of the gospel ; 
 and the Count did not fail to devote much of his attention to it. 
 
 Of the various journeys of the brethren, which took place 
 after the Count's return, I vpill only mention three, in which 
 he took a particular interest. 
 
 On the 5th of October, his former host at Stralsund, 
 Abraham Ehrenfried B,ichter, set out with a deeply affected, 
 though cheerful heart, on his journey to Algiers, upon which 
 the Lord's blessing had been invoked the day before by the 
 
MISSIONS OF THE BRETHREN. 267 
 
 church. The following extract is from a letter written by 
 the Count to Mr. Paravicini, the Dutch consul in Algiers : — 
 
 " The ancient church of the Moravian brethren has been in 
 the habit of reiiecting upon such places as are destitute of the 
 gospel. England, Holland, and Denmark, have hitherto gene- 
 rously opened doors for that purpose. Captain (subsequently 
 Admiral) Schryver, a friend of ours, besought us to take an 
 interest in the slaves at Algiers. Scarcely did Mr. Richter 
 hear of this, when he stated the impulse he felt to go thither : 
 and we found it good to send him away quietly, merely in- 
 forming you of it by letter, and committing the matter, in 
 other respects, to you. His intention is to tell the slaves 
 of their Creator, who has bought them with his blood ; and 
 we have thought it was worth the while," &c. 
 
 Mr. Richter's residence in Algiers was attended with a par- 
 ticular blessing ; and Consul Paravicini bore a favourable 
 testimony to his proceedings. 
 
 The journey of Mr. Arvid Gradin to Constantinople was 
 connected with that of the brethren Jaeschke and Herschel 
 to Wallachia, towards whom the Hospodar, Constantine Scar- 
 lati, manifested himself as a friendly, gracious, and complacent 
 ruler ; and gave them a document, signed also by the Boyards, 
 addressed to the church, in which a company of our people 
 were invited to settle at Bucharest. 
 
 With respect to the journey of Mr. Gradin, the Count says, 
 " Our attention was directed, at the time, to the Guebres in 
 Persia ; and another reason also induced us to live, as much 
 as possible, on peaceable and neighbourly terms with the Greek 
 and Armenian churches, vidthout identifying ourselves with 
 them. We had sufficient access to the Armenians ; but I 
 know of no better plan respecting the Greek church, than to 
 communicate with the patriarch of Constantinople himself, and 
 ascertain from him, how they would act towards our respective 
 eolonies and missions. 
 
 '• I wrote, therefore, first, to the Marquis de Fenelon, the 
 French ambassador at the Hague, and requested him to speak 
 with Mr. Gradin himself, and instruct him how he might go to 
 work at Constantinople, in the least offensive manner. The 
 ambassador — one of those extraordinary men, who act with 
 
 n2 
 
268 MISSIONS or the brethren. 
 
 a degree of prudence and uprightness which must be considered 
 as the especial gift of God — not only gave Gradin good advice, 
 but also a recommendation to the ambassador at Constantinople. 
 No sooner had Gradin arrived there, than his countrymen laid 
 an embargo upon him, and requested permission to introduce _ 
 him. His stay in Constantinople was thus rendered agreeable ; 
 for he preached the gospel in the Swedish ambassador's chapel, 
 and attended to his business with so much the more leisure. 
 The intimate acquaintance which the ambassadors procured 
 him with Dercom, the metropolitan, and the latter with the 
 learned patriarch of Jerusalem, soon procured him success in 
 his principal affair. The patriarch of Constantinople himself 
 received him honourably, and with much consideration, as 
 deputed by a foreign church ; and Gradin's only fatality was, 
 that more was given him than he asked for. Finding in the 
 patriarch's circular letter the term 'fellowship,' instead of the 
 ' neighbourly feeling,' for which he had solicited, he declined to 
 accept the original of the letter ; because, unless this word were 
 altered, he could make no use of it ; and, meanwhile, took a copy 
 of it with him, in order first to ascertain whether we would accept 
 the original, This was taken much amiss ; but no alteration, 
 was made. On which I wrote to Dercom, the metropolitan, 
 that I would accept the letter from motives of politeness ; but 
 that, in reality, I had desired nothing of them but a friendly 
 intercourse, devoid of mistrust, and onlyforthis purpose had com- 
 municated our doctrine, constitution, and principles to them." 
 
 I have, thirdly, to notice brother Christian Henry Ranch's 
 voyage to New York, from whence he proceeded to visit the 
 savages in Shekomeko. 
 
 The occasion of this mission was the intelligence of the la- 
 mentable state of the savages in North America, accompanied 
 by an earnest request to the brethren in Europe, to compas- 
 sionate these poor slaves of sin and Satan. The Count's expecta- 
 tions were not of a very lofty nature ; the instructions he was 
 wont to give the brethren, who ventured amongst the savages 
 at that period, consisted chiefly in the foUovidng points : — 
 
 Secretly to observe, whether amongst the savages there were 
 any whom God had prepared, by his grace, to listen to and 
 receive a word concerning Jesus Christ, and our salvation by 
 
MISSIONS OF THE BRETHREN. 269 
 
 him ; with such a one they were at liberty to converse. For 
 God must first give the heathen ears to listen to the gospel, 
 and a heart to receive it ; otherwise all the labour and pains 
 expended upon them would be fruitless. And the Lord suf- 
 fered brother Rauch to meet with those amongst the savages, 
 to whom the preaching of the death of Jesus, its causes, and 
 its consequences, was welcome. And these were not always 
 the virtuous among them, but often the very worst and most 
 corrupt : amongst these the Lord Jesus permitted the brethren 
 to reap the fruit of their labours, and rendered it abiding. 
 
 Before the Count's departure for St. Thomas, a mission to 
 Ceylon, in the East Indies, had been decided upon ; and 
 scarcely had he put to sea, when David Nitschman the younger 
 arrived at Amsterdam, in order to proceed thither, with Dr. 
 Eller, a physician from Berlin, in accordance with a previous 
 arrangement with the Count. The East India Company, not- 
 withstanding the " Pastoral Letter," not only gave their written 
 consent, but also a free passage to Ceylon. At the Cape, he 
 visited brother George Schmidt, and found him i\illy employed 
 amongst the Hottentots ; in which he continued, without in- 
 terruption, until the year 1742. After an extremely fatiguing 
 voyage, Nitschman and his companion arrived at Ceylon, with 
 the intention of preaching the gospel, partly in Columbo, 
 amongst the Malabars, and partly on the borders of Candy, 
 amongst the Cingalese. The mission was successfully com- 
 menced, under the protection of Governor Von Imhof, and 
 the brethren were treated in a friendly, and even brotherly 
 manner. But when the " Pastoral Letter," in which it was 
 stated, that " no one should so much as eat with the brethren," 
 became known even in that remote country, the civil authorities 
 were no longer able to protect them from the people ; the- 
 Dutch clergy, who loved them, were obliged to retire, and a 
 new governor of Columbo compelled them to return to Europe. 
 
 Of the Count's publications in 1739, notice must be taken 
 of his " First Specimen of a Renewed Attempt to translate the 
 New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ ; " the numerous 
 defects and omissions of which, induced the author to withdraw 
 it, and publish a second and revised edition. 
 
 Another work, which he also wrote on his voyage, appeared 
 
270 WRITINGS. 
 
 likewise the same year, entitled, " Jeremiah, a Preacher of 
 Righteousness;" the occasion of which was the existing state 
 of the Lutheran church. This was, in reality, lamentable, 
 according to the confession of many godly men, who were con- 
 cerned for the ruinous state of the church. Instead of the 
 gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to all them 
 that believe, human philosophy was taught. Profanity and 
 impiety abounded amongst those who received the holy sacra- 
 ments. It was utterly impossible to introduce or exercise 
 church discipline, in the situation of things at that time, with 
 reference to such characters. Hence, the faithful mourned, and 
 bitterly lamented the declining state of the church. Others 
 sat in the judgment-seat, rejected every thing, exclaimed 
 against the church as being a Babel, and separated from it. 
 Others, again, took the opposite side of the question, and 
 could not comprehend why people should be so much grieved ; 
 whilst others vented their ideas respecting it, more satirically 
 and ironically, than from sorrow of heart ; and yet, with these 
 sentiments, they entered the ministry, and exercised its func- 
 tions, although regarding them as improper and perverted. 
 
 The Count was really anxious to be of service to the Lu- 
 theran church ; and believing, at the same time, that most 
 could be efiFected by the clergy themselves, if they only com- 
 menced the work in a proper manner, he therefore wrote this 
 book for them, and gave them faithful advice from his own 
 experience, how a blessing might attend their ministry. 
 
 This being premised, it is evident why the Count not only 
 cordially entreats the clergy, as his brethren, to make the 
 commencement with themselves, — to seek to experience the 
 reconciliation by the blood of Jesus, in their own hearts, — to 
 devote themselves, with body and soul, to the service of the 
 Lord, and of those whom he has so dearly bought, — and make 
 their own calling and election sure, — but also why he exhorts 
 them, instead of philosophy and carnal reason, to preach the 
 doctrine of the cross, which alone is able to restore the lost and 
 jruined human race. 
 
 I know many instances of worthy ministers, to whom this 
 book has been signally blest. 
 
 There also appeared in Altona, in 1739, " Singular Dia- 
 
JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 271 
 
 logues between a Traveller and various other Persons, con- 
 cerning a Variety of Religious Truths." These, though 
 published anonymously, were in reality the production of the 
 Count ; and more will be found in them than is expected from 
 dialogues of this nature. 
 
 In the middle of December, the Count set out, with Baron 
 Von WattewiUe, on a journey to Switzerland. They went by 
 way of Heidelberg, where the former preached from the words, 
 " There is one amongst you whom ye know not." (John i. 26.) 
 Persons of aU denominations, and among them ecclesiastical 
 counsellors, composed his auditory. Baron Von WattewiUe wrote 
 from Bale, to a friend in Holland, under date 28th December, as 
 follows : — " Our dear Count required a journey on account of 
 his health, and the Lord has directed it to Switzerland, and 
 appointed me his travelling companion, which I could not 
 refuse, as soon as I clearly recognised his will in the matter. 
 His health improves daily, notwithstanding much outward 
 inconvenience ; and the journey has hitherto succeeded very 
 well, and will doubtless prove of advantage to Switzerland. 
 He preached with much unction at Heidelberg ; and we have 
 hitherto performed our journey, mostly on foot, very happily, 
 and with a sense of the presence of the Saviour." 
 
 They left Bale without making themselves known, or visit- 
 ing their acquaintances : but when a friend of theirs heard 
 that they had been there, he hastened after them, overtook 
 them, and was useful in enabling them to prosecute their 
 journey more conveniently. They rode on horseback from 
 Berne to MontmiraU, but missed their way on a hiU, and were 
 in danger of completely losing themselves in the wood. The 
 slight track they were pursuing lost itself at length, and another, 
 which they attempted to follow, led down a steep declivity, 
 which, being quite covered with ice, was extremely dangerous. 
 In this dilemma, they called upon the Lord ; and immediately 
 a boy came out of the thicket, who showed them the way to 
 the next village. In this manner they arrived on New Year's 
 day, at Montmirail. 
 
 They next visited old Baron Von WattewiUe, in St. Jean, who 
 was not less rejoiced to see the Count than his son ; for at the 
 time when they were both studying in HaUe, and covenanted 
 
272 CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1739. 
 
 with each other to serve the Saviour, he had become Cordially- 
 attached to the Count, and subsequently cherished this feeling 
 by corresponding with him. In Diesbach, they visited Samuel 
 Lucius, an eminent, useful, and pious clergyman, who was 
 also much attached to the Count, and gave him a very cordial 
 reception. In Berne, both the magistracy and the clergy 
 manifested a laudable zeal for the Saviour's cause ; and with 
 respect to thp pious people there, the many tears they shed, 
 on parting with the Count and the Baron, clearly showed 
 how much they esteemed their visit. On their return, they 
 found, in Bale, a considerable number of united souls, in 
 whom the grace of God powerfully manifested itself. In 
 various other places also, the successful labours of the clergy, 
 and the obvious influence of the gospel on individuals, afforded 
 the Count a subject for thankfulness and joy. 
 
 The following extract from a letter to a friend, wUl put the 
 reader in possession of the Count's views : — 
 
 " With regard to my general plan, I have none in reality, 
 but follow my Saviour from year to year, and gladly do what 
 I find incumbent upon me. I have sometimes a particular 
 object in view for a year or two, to which I am brought by 
 the thing itself. Thus it is my plan to preserve the Moravian 
 church, which has arisen vnthout me, for the Saviour, so that 
 during my lifetime, and even long after, no wolf may be able 
 to seize it ; as also to seek out as many of the heathen as I 
 can, and to see whether they can receive the benefit of the 
 blood which was shed for the sins of the world. It is also my 
 aim to assist in executing, as much as possible, the Saviour's 
 last will, expressed in John xvii., in order that the scattered 
 children of God may everywhere be brought, not into the 
 Moravian, against which I rather strive, but into the universal 
 bond of fellowship, into which the Secta Moravica must also 
 finally merge. I further strive to bring as many souls as I 
 am able, to a sense of their sinfulness and the grace of Jesus : 
 hence I love the pulpit, and would travel for its sake fifty 
 German miles ; and finally, I have laboured to unite all the 
 children of God who do not dwell together ; but this object, 
 which I have followed uninterruptedly from 1717 to 1739, 
 I now give up, because I not only see no means of executing 
 
WRITINGS IN 1740. 273 
 
 it, but, on the contrary, begin to perceive in it a mystery of 
 Divine Providence." 
 
 The Count returned to Marienborn from his Swiss journey, 
 with Baron Von Wattewille, on the 1st of February. I had 
 there the opportunity of seeing him again, after my return 
 from North America, and was always near him. What oc- 
 curred at that period, is still fresh and present to my mind. 
 
 He continued in Marienborn until the beginning of June 
 1740, when he took his departure with others of the brethren 
 for Gotha, for the purpose of holding a synod there ; and after 
 his return, he remained in Wetteravia until the end of the year. 
 
 In noticing his writings at this period, I must first mention 
 the Watchwords for the year. The next thing he wrote, but 
 which does not appear to have been sent to the press, was entitled, 
 " Short and Simple Reflections on Death-bed Conversions, &c." 
 Thirdly, " Specimen of a Doctrinal Treatise for the Moravian 
 Church." The Count projected this book on his West India 
 voyage, the intention of which was, to give a clear idea of 
 what was taught by the brethren, as an antidote to the various 
 erroneous statements made respecting it. The work was 
 drawn up in a catechetical form. The answers are passages of 
 Scripture, and the questions mostly formed from the substance 
 of these passages. The book comprehends every point of 
 Christian doctrine taught, up to that period, in the renovated 
 Moravian church, A copy of it was sent to Mr. Jablonsky, at 
 that time senior bishop of the brethren, and another to the 
 archbishop of Canterbury. 
 
 When the Count visited England in 1741, and waited upon 
 that venerable prelate, on which occasion I had the honour to 
 accompany him, the archbishop testified how much he had 
 been pleased with the little book, which has also subsequently 
 appeared in English. A copy of the latter was likewise 
 transmitted to Dr. Wilson, bishop of Sodor and Man ; and 
 this godly and venerable prelate, who was a true friend of the 
 brethren, received it with much aifection.* 
 
 * The Count's Berlin Discourses also appeared in English in 1740, with 
 a dedication to the English clergy. 
 
 N 3 
 
274 SYNOD AT GOTHA. 
 
 Scarcely had the work appeared in print, when a variety of 
 harsh and unfriendly critiques were issued against it ; and 
 these occasioned the Count to explain himself further, upon 
 some points. 
 
 He also pubhshed a sermon in 1740, " On the Mystery of 
 Religion," preached at Gelnhausen, to a large and particularly 
 attentive auditory. 
 
 " The Catechism for the Heathen" must also be noticed, 
 which the Count wrote towards the close of the year, for the 
 purpose of pointing out to the brethren labouring amongst 
 the heathen, upon what subjects they ought chiefly to treat, in 
 their pubUc discourses to the heathen : which are no other 
 than the fundamental truths of the gospel ; the entire corrup- 
 tion of human nature ; reconciliation by the blood of Christ ; 
 faith in him ; love to him ; salvation through him, &c. 
 
 The intended departure for North America, of Bishop David 
 Nitschman and the female elder, Anna Nitschman, occasioned 
 a synod of the brethren in June (1 740). It being desirable that 
 it should be held in Gotha, due inquiry was previously made 
 of the duke, and afterwards of the consistory : on which the 
 syliod was opened in the customary manner, on the 12th of 
 June, under a sense of the nearness of the Saviour's presence. 
 At this synod, amongst other matters more immediately relat- 
 ing to the Moravian church, the Lord's dealings with reference 
 to it were called to mind, whence it clearly appeared, that he had 
 distinguished it by tokens of his especial favour, having by his 
 singular providence so ordered it, that first of all, David 
 Nitschman, and then the Count, were ordained bishops of 
 that church ; whereby the episcopal succession, which had 
 been preserved in it, even during the most trying seasons, 
 had now descended to the brethren, who adhered to the Augs- 
 burg confession. 
 
 On this occasion, the Count stated, that he had the most 
 weighty reasons for divesting himself of the administration of 
 that ofiice, even as, from the commencement, he had not intended 
 to retain it for a constancy ; for it was very obvious, that not 
 only a great many divines, but politicians also, entertained 
 
THE COUNT WISHES TO RESIGN HIS OEEICE OP BISHOP. 275 
 
 apprehensions respecting the Moravian church, as long as he 
 appeared as its bishop. The dreadful accusations against him, 
 in which, not only much misunderstanding, but also a"peiraonal 
 aversion "prevailed, and'whielT'coulH^not "Se'i'emoveK^r the 
 fciej^were the mosf"palpable~proofs of itr "tif^ under such 
 circumstances, he still continued a bishop of the Moravian 
 church, nothing was more certain, than that the latter, which 
 had been hitherto regarded with much affection, by the most 
 eminent individuals of the Protestant religion, must suffer 
 from it : but, that if he laid down this office, and became a 
 free servant of Jesus Christ, thfiJSicira*ian-chuxcK.would-Jiave 
 n othing to en dure on his accouat^but the storm would only 
 £e directed against himself. He therefore requested, that 
 another bishop might be chosen in his stead ; at the same time 
 engaging to continue his services in behalf of the church, 
 according to his ability, and with Divine aid ; nor by this step, 
 did he intend to withdraw himself, either from preaching the 
 gospel or administering the holy sacraments. 
 
 Several of the members of the synod were not of the same 
 opinion with the Count. They thought that the Moravian 
 church, so long as it sought nothing else than how it might 
 please Christ, and carry on his work, would as little escape the 
 hatred of those who did not love him, as the Count. However, 
 the synod, after much discusssion, were at length willing to pro- 
 ceed to the election of another bishop, and their choice fell upon 
 Polycarp MiiUer, formerly director of the gymnasium at Zittau. 
 
 The attention of the synod was afterwards directed to the 
 works- hitherto published ; when it was unanimously decided, 
 that the Moravian church and its peculiar doctrines were to 
 be judged of by no other writings than such as received their 
 common and synodal assent. With respect to the harsh cen- 
 sures and accusations, which had been hitherto published 
 against the brethren, and the Count in particular, it was evi- 
 dent that they were replete with numberless false statements. 
 The Count, however, thought, that we ought first to see whe- 
 ther we were not in some respects in fault ; and this occasioned 
 a very candid discussion, such as became the children of God. 
 The Count made the commencement, as it regarded himself 
 and the faults committed by him ; and the rest of the brethren 
 
276 
 
 SYNOD AT GOTHA. 
 
 did the same. It appearing that Dr. Franke of Halle, and 
 those of his party, had just cause of complaint, in some re- 
 spects, against the brethren, it was deemed proper sincerely 
 to ask their forgiveness. Two respectable brethren were 
 therefore deputed by the synod, and a letter was given them, 
 drawn up by the Count in the name of that assembly ; but 
 on coming to Halle to execute their commission, they were 
 not listened to. 
 
 After the Count's return from the synod at Gotha, Polycarp 
 Miiller was consecrated bishop of the Moravian church. The 
 following day. Bishop Nitschman took leave of the members 
 of the church, previous to his departure for America. Anna 
 Nitschman had already laid down her office of female elder, 
 which she Tiad worthily filled for ten years ; and accompanied 
 her aged and venerable father, who was also called David 
 Nitschman, and who, after having been imprisoned for the 
 Lord's sake, had been wondrously delivered from his bonds. 
 Another sister also went with them. Thg_o^ect of their yoy- 
 age was, if possible, to do_something for the Saviour and_the 
 good of souls, especially, amongst , the Friends, or__Q,uakers. 
 
 /The Lord did not put the willingness and devotedness of his 
 handmaid to shame ; for she was really made very useful in 
 America, amongst those of her own sex. She was, however, 
 much missed by the churches in Europe, and especially by the 
 Count, who, in the ten years of her official capacity, had con- 
 sulted her particularly with respect to the affairs of the sisters, 
 and had transacted almost every thing through her concerning 
 them. Nor would he have been able to take upon himself the 
 spiritual charge of the female members of the church, offered 
 him again by the synod at Gotha, had not sister Anna Maria 
 Lowatsch undertaken the office of female elder, during the 
 absence of Anna Nitschman, with whom he was able to commu- 
 mjate in every thing respecting the affairs of the female choirs. 
 
 ^ The accusations brought against the brethren, about this 
 time, from the pulpit and the press, were so monstrous and 
 incredible, that a great number of persons could not believe 
 them, and deemed it incumbent upon them to make further 
 inquiry. Thus persons of aU ranks and professions came, in 
 order to see and hear for themselves. On finding, frequently. 
 
SYNOD AT GOTHA. 277 
 
 the very opposite of the things of which the brethren were 
 accused, they took the part of the latter, and were often angry 
 with their opponents. If real persecution ensued, they were 
 the sooner led to think, that if the people who were so much 
 opposed to the brethren, possessed the spirit and mind of Jesus 
 Christ, they would not employ carnal weapons, but show them- 
 selves as children of God, with reference to the confirmation 
 of the truth. 
 
 Hence, neither the Count nor the church were able to pre- 
 vent the concourse of people, who came to them from all parts ; 
 most of whom had no temporal advantage in view, but only 
 the Saviour and his divine truth. I know, to a certainty, 
 that very many of those who came to visit us, experienced the 
 operation of the Holy Spirit, both in the meetings and in pri- 
 vate intercourse. Persons came that year from England, Nor- 
 way, Denmark, Holland, Livonia, Switzerland, and many parts 
 of Germany. This soon rendered Herrnhaag a flourishing 
 place, and increased the number of its inhabitants. 
 
 The Count saw this concourse of people not without pain ; 
 for he was firmly of opinion, that the Saviour's cause would 
 be more promoted, if those who were decidedly pious remained 
 where they were, and either taught in words or by their good 
 example, than if all such forsook their own people, and sought 
 outward fellowship with the brethren. 
 
 But when he observed, in particular instances, that he could 
 not prevent it, and that it was better for some to join the 
 Moravians than to suffer injury themselves, and be of no use 
 to others, he did not object to their reception, but, on the con- 
 trary, thanked the Saviour that there were churches where 
 such poor people might take refuge who derived no benefit 
 from their own religious establishments, aijd_were_tims pre- 
 ventedfEombecoming Separatists ; he therefore cordial^^e- 
 ceived such persons, who thus came to him from all quarters. 
 
 At this time he had to minister to two different places in 
 Wetteravia, — the castle of Marienborn, where he resided with 
 his family and dependants, who constituted his domestic 
 church ; and Herrnhaag, an entirely new settlement, just be- 
 ^nning to rise into existence. 
 
 If he could have commenced at Herrnhaag as he did at 
 
278 PROCEEDINGS AT MARIENBORN AND HERRNHAAG. 
 
 Herrnhut, the result would probably have been different : but 
 as this was not practicable, the consequences were painful. 
 
 Meanwhile his labours were divided between Herrnhaag 
 and Marienborn, which was certainly very fatiguing, since they 
 lay about foiff miles distant from each other. 
 
 On the 6th July, regulations were agreed upon by the 
 council of the church, which it was resolved to lay before 
 the church at a general meeting.^ 
 
 At this meeting, the brethren and sisters who were ap- 
 pointed to take charge of their respective choirs, received the 
 customary benediction. The building of a house for the 
 single brethren, who had been hitherto scattered, proceeded so 
 rapidly, that they were able to enter it on the 15th November, 
 and the Count devoted much of his attention to them. 
 
 His heart was this year like a fountain, from which many 
 edifying hymns proceeded, which were composed chiefly at 
 the time of singing them. 
 
 The visits of strangers becoming increasingly numerous, 
 the Count found it necessary to fix an hour every day for their 
 reception, and for the purpose of conversing with them. On 
 these occasions they were at liberty, either to make inquiries 
 or state their objections, and the necessary information was 
 given them. 
 
 The Count was particularly gratified by the visit of Mr. Von 
 Heynitz, one of the judges of the chancery-court at Wetzlar. 
 They had been intimate with each other at the universities ; 
 and when the latter heard of the Count's residence at Marien- 
 born, he wrote to him, and subsequently visited him there. 
 He remained with him from the 5th to the 11th August, with 
 the intention of becoming thoroughly acquainted with the bre- 
 thren; The Count, who was well pleased with it, afforded 
 him every opportunity of obtaining a perfect insight into the 
 doctrine, constitution, and practice of the Moravian church. 
 Hence he let every thing pursue its ordinary course, and took 
 him with him to aU the conferences. 
 
 The number of brethren and sisters who at that time re- 
 sided with the Count, was considerable ; there were also several 
 others whom he received, in hopes of their deriving benefit 
 from it. Amongst all these he endeavoured to keep due order. 
 
OCCURRENCES AT MARIENBORN. 279 
 
 ior this purpose he occasionally used domestic discipline, when 
 certain circumstances required it, of which the following is an 
 instance : — He had taken a young man into his house at Ma-- 
 rienborn, in the hope that it would be beneficial to his soul : 
 but because he acted improperly, he ordered him to be shut up 
 in a small room. A worthless neighbour intimated to this 
 man, that he could procure his liberty if he wished it ; but 
 received such an answer as made him ashamed of himself. 
 The Count, meanwhile, commissioned one of the brethren to 
 visit him frequently, and speak affectionately to him, in order 
 that the discipline might benefit him ; and he attained his 
 object. 
 
 On the 10th December, several individuals were received into 
 the church ; from whence it was evident, that the Holy Spirit 
 gathered together people of all nations, who sought salvation 
 by Christ, and made them partakers of the grace bestowed 
 upon the church : for of seven brethren who were then re- 
 ceived, one was from Poland, another from Hungary, a third 
 from Switzerland, a fourth from England, a fifth from Sweden, 
 a sixth from Livonia, and the seventh from Germany. 
 
 The Count regarded it as improper, that the brethren should 
 proceed to any place to which they were not called : nor was 
 it necessary ; for applications were made for brethren and 
 sisters from so many diiferent places, that it was difficult to 
 comply vpith them all. This was particularly the case with 
 Livonia, and many were sent thither in 1 740. 
 
 The Count also published that year, " The Sentiments of 
 the Moravian Church respecting its past and future Labours 
 amongst the Savages, Slaves, and other Heathens." This 
 treatise was intended to meet the various objections to the 
 conversion of the heathen, which were made to the Count 
 during his residence in Holland, England, and the West Indies. 
 It would be going beyond our limits to mention every thing 
 the Count undertook this year, with reference to the missions 
 amongst the heathen. I wiU only notice, that he was parti- 
 cularly anxious that the mission in Greenland should fully 
 participate in the growth of the church in grace, and the know^ 
 ledge of Qur Lord Jesus Christ. To this end he sent Andrew 
 Grasman and John Schneider, on a visitation to Greenland, and 
 
280 OCCURRENCES AT MARIENBORN. 
 
 was very attentive to Matthew Stach, who had returned from 
 thence. 
 
 In the beginning of September, the Count was attacked by 
 an illness, which lasted till the end of November. He regarded 
 it as a paternal chastisement, which he had drawn down upon 
 himself, on an occasion when he had mistaken his Lord's will. 
 The attacks were so violent, that it was supposed they would 
 cost him his life. However, he recovered, and communicated 
 with the church again on the 26th of November. 
 
 Another synod was held at Marienborn, from the 5th to the 
 31st of December, respecting which, the Count was wont to 
 assert that there had been none like it, either before or since. 
 One of its chief objects was, unity in doctrine ; and the Count 
 had the pleasure to see, that with respect to this, they became 
 more and more assured and unanimous. 
 
 The public attacks which were made upon the Count in 
 1740, were carried to a great length, not only in the Lutheran 
 and Reformed church, but also amongst the Separatists, and 
 those who termed themselves inspired ; there were those who 
 assailed him through the medium of the press, and that often, 
 in such a manner as was utterly inconsistent with justice and 
 moderation, truth and love ; nay, they even descended to calum- 
 nies and revilings. 
 
 It was not the suffering for Christ's sake, which particularly 
 pained him on these occasions. He once expressed himself, in 
 my presence, as follows: — '" If I only please my Saviour, I 
 am satisfied ; those who do not love him, although they con- 
 stituted the whole world,, may oppose me as they please." 
 But there were other reasons which caused him much pain, with 
 reference to these controversies. He was first of all afraid, 
 lest people should be found, who really began to teach what 
 was unjustly ascribed to him. Next, that even the fundamental 
 truths of the gospel which he professed, were placed in a sus- 
 picious light by his opponents ; and lastly, that many of the 
 hearers of such preachers, and who continued to observe the 
 ordiTiances of the church, should, nevertheless, believe their 
 clergyman to be a liar ; and think in their hearts, " We now 
 know for a certainty, that what the man says of these people: 
 is not true." 
 
OCCURRENCES AT MARIENBORN. 281 
 
 The Count was still accustomed to read to the church such 
 of his adversaries' writings as had reference merely to himself : 
 but at length the brethren restrained him from doing so, and 
 would no longer permit him to occupy their time with such libels.. 
 
 He seriously thought at first, that it would be best to give 
 no public reply to the violent attacks of his opponents, and, 
 under this impression, he printed a declaration, entitled, 
 " Reasons why Count Zinzendorf has published nothing at the 
 Easter Fair, 1749 : in reply to the recent attacks upon him." 
 However, he subsequently found it necessary to make an ex- 
 ception in certain points, and he therefore published the same 
 year a further declaration, respecting the real doctrine and 
 practice of the Moravian church. 
 
 I have still to observe, with reference to his domestic life, 
 that on the 25th of April, the Countess was delivered of a 
 daughter, who the same day received the ordinance of baptism, 
 according to the regulation then prevailing in the Moravian 
 church, to administer it as soon after the birth as possible. 
 The Count baptized the child himself, and called it Elizabeth. 
 
 On the 3d of September, he caused the remains of his son, 
 Christian Louis, which had been only interred ad interim, to be 
 deposited in the burial-ground of the brethren. 
 
 The Countess undertook a journey to Herrnhut on the 23d 
 of September, and returned on the 5th of November. 
 
 The Count having the intention of proceeding to Switzerland 
 in January, 1741, made the necessary arrangements, both at 
 Herrnhaag and Marienborn. On the last day for prayer, which 
 the Count had appointed, previous to his departure for Geneva, 
 letters and intelligence were communicated from Holland, 
 England, Denmark, Norway, North America, the West Indies, 
 Livonia, Silesia, Switzerland, and many parts of Germany. 
 It was evident from them, that there were people in all these 
 places who sincerely sought their salvation in the suffer- 
 ings and merits of Christ. There were also several things in 
 them, that afforded the Count particular pleasure ; for instance, 
 the liberation of his friend Von Seidlitz from imprisonment at 
 Jauer, where he had been confined eighteen months, merely 
 because he had preached Jesus Christ, as the only way of life,i 
 to every one who attended his private meetings. 
 
282 JOURNEY TO SWITZERIAND. 
 
 Further, the success the brethren met with, in preaching to 
 the most stupid of the heathen, which exceeded all expectation. 
 
 At the close of this general meeting, the congregation knelt 
 down before the Lord, and the Count commended to him his 
 whole church, with aU its concerns, in fervent prayer. 
 
 The occasion of this journey to Switzerland and Geneva, 
 was the idea, that his eldest son. Christian Renatus, should 
 prosecute his studies for a time at Geneva ; in which case it 
 might be useful if he went with him, inspected every thing on 
 the spot, and then formed his resolution. Finding no objection 
 to this, he reflected further, whether, on this occasion, he 
 should not bear a simple testimony to the Genevese church, 
 where formerly the great John Calvin had taught, respecting 
 the present state of the brethren, their doctrine and consti- 
 tution ; and this suggested the idea of taking with him a 
 number of the brethren and sisters, on his visit to the friends in 
 Switzerland. He conferred • upon all these points vrith his 
 immediate assistants, and especially with his gracious Lord ; 
 and, in the confidence that it was acceptable to him, resolved, 
 not only to go with his son to Geneva, but also to take a com- 
 pany of the brethren and sisters with him. 
 
 After deciding upon the persons who were to accompany 
 him, and having cordially united with them in a love-feast, the 
 Countess, with her daughter Salome, and two other ladies, took 
 their departure on the 24th of January, for Geneva. 
 
 The young Count was accompanied by John Nitschman, one 
 of the elders of the church, Mr. Von Gersdorf, and others. 
 
 On the 9th of February, Mr. Von Peistel followed, with a 
 company of learned men, and on the 13th, the physician, with 
 some married people. 
 
 On the 22d, the Count himself left Marienborn, and had 
 with him amongst others, Matthew Staeh, and the two female 
 elders, Anna Maria Lowatsch, and Anna Linner. 
 
 Finally, brother Jacob Till, with some youths, who were also 
 proceeding to Geneva, set out on their way thither. 
 
 In the beginning of March, therefore, his household in 
 Geneva was complete, and consisted, in all, of from forty to 
 fifty persons. The Count himself, with the Countess and 
 children, with those whom he wished to have near him, 
 
^ JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 283 
 
 resided in the Tfe'w Palais ; the rest were divided into other 
 houses, according to their several choirs. 
 
 The Count's residence, therefore, constituted a little church 
 in Geneva, with all its different choirs. Each choir held first 
 its own matins. The whole church then came together, and 
 the Count generally gave them an address. At eight o'clock 
 in the evening they again assembled, and edified each other 
 with singing ; on which a Bible lesson followed with some of 
 the learned brethren, at which others were also present. 
 Afterwards the brethren and sisters assembled, who divided the 
 hours with each other, from four in the morning till midnight, 
 for intercession and converse with the Lord. At the same 
 time, there was an evening service for those who were not of 
 that company ; and from twelve till four o'clock, there was a 
 night-watch for prayer, which was held by the brethren in 
 turns. Besides this, the members of this domestic assembly 
 were divided into little companies, according to their sex, and 
 the choirs to which they belonged, for the purpose of pro- 
 moting their love to each other, and their advancement in the 
 divine life. 
 
 The singularity of this wandering church caused it to be 
 much visited, and that not without a blessing. The brethren 
 and sisters, who had thus the opportunity of seeing their 
 friends again, made it their chief concern to testify of Christ to 
 every one, and refer every thing to him. Mr. Von Gersdorf, 
 in particular, was a very courageous witness of the grace of 
 God in Christ, which he had only a short time before expe- 
 rienced in his heart ; and he was so well received by persons 
 of all ranks, that little time was left him from his blessed 
 occupation. 
 
 The Count, with reference to the church in his house, con- 
 tinued every thing in the same manner as in the Moravian 
 settlements ; such as the administration of the sacramentS) 
 general meetings, conferences, &c. 
 
 It also happened, though rarely, that one or another of his 
 friends was permitted to be present at his domestic meetingSj 
 which, however, he would not, by any means, suifer to be 
 regarded as any thing else than private and family devotions. 
 
 The Count found opportunity of forming an intimacy with 
 
284 JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 
 
 many of the literati of Geneva : amongst them, there were a 
 number of able, intelligent, and excellent men, so far as regards 
 /liuman attainments. But no sooner did he speak to them upon 
 / that knowledge of Jesus Christ, which is attained, not by our 
 own power and reason, but is wrought by the Holy Spirit, 
 \/ than the words of Paul became obvious to him: " Not many 
 wise men after the flesh, but the weak things of this world hath 
 God chosen.?' If he had sought to please men, he would have 
 accommodated himself to their sentiments, and have spoken in 
 such a manner of Christ Jesus, as would have agreed with their 
 .philosophical and human invented maxims and systems. How- 
 ever, he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, but boldly 
 and sincerely avowed his belief in all that the prophets and 
 apostles have written of him, and in what is learnt in the school 
 of the Holy Spirit, when we suffer ourselves to be guided by 
 him into all truth. 
 
 From his letters, written at that time, I perceive that the 
 professors and pastors of Geneva treated him. with much re- 
 spect : for, although they had the polemical works in their 
 hands, which blamed the Count for so many things, and 
 endeavours were made to excite them to suspicion against 
 him, by unkind letters from a variety of places, yet they did 
 not let this prevent them from associating candidly with him, 
 and hearing all he had to say. There were also several, who 
 clearly perceived that the doctrines held by the Count and the 
 brethren were nothing new, but perfectly in accordance with 
 the Protestant confession. 
 
 But the Count was not satisfied with verbally testifying to 
 the divines in Geneva, of the truth as it is in Jesus ; he re- 
 solved to do it likewise in writing. For this pm'pose he ad- 
 dressed a letter, in French, to the Genevese church, entitled, 
 " Lettre sur I'Eglise des Freres, leur Origine, leur Histoire, 
 leur Discipline, et leur Croyance, addressee a la venerable 
 Compagnie des Messieurs les Pasteurs et Professeurs de I'Eglise 
 de Gendve," in which he expressed himself as copiously as the 
 subject required, and yet with aU the brevity in his power. 
 
 This letter, which was presented to three of the clergy in the 
 name of the Moravian church, was well received by the pastors 
 and professors of Geneva ; and a respectable deputation was 
 
JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 285 
 
 appointed to return their sincere thanks for it to the Count, as 
 bishop of the Moravian church. This was done by Mr. Mallet, 
 moderator of the ecclesiastical board and academy, who visited 
 the Count at his lodgings, on the 14th May, where Mr. Vernet, 
 the rector of the university, Mr. Lullin, pastor and professor 
 of ecclesiastical history, and Mr. Ne'ckar, one of the council of 
 two hundred, and professor of civil law, had also met. Mr. 
 Mallet, in the name of the whole of the clergy and professors 
 in Geneva, informed him how pleasing it was to them that the 
 Moravian church, and their bishop, had thought proper to de- 
 posit with them such a valuable document of the history of their 
 faith and constitution, the truth of which they could the less 
 question, having themselves had opportunity of becoming 
 personally acquainted with the Count, and of witnessing his 
 prudent and holy deportment, accompanied with apostolic zeal ; 
 at the same time they wished that his labours and efforts for 
 the honour of our Saviour, King, and Master, might always 
 be attended with happy results, until the whole earth became 
 full of the glory of the Lord. They also added many good 
 wishes for himself, his consort, and his family. 
 
 During the Count's stay in Geneva, he pubhshed the 
 Watchwords for the previous year, in the French language, 
 and dedicated the work to Mr. Vernet and Mr, Lullin, above 
 mentioned. 
 
 He also made a new collection of hymns, composed on va- 
 rious occasions by the members of the church ; and laboured, 
 also, at another similar collection, which, however, he did not 
 entirely complete. 
 
 It happened, on one occasion, that one of the professors 
 expressed himself very beautifully in company, respecting our 
 Lord and Saviour ; on which the Count rose up, fell on his 
 neck, and thanked him most cordially for it ; for he was con- 
 cerned for nothing so much as that our Lord Jesus Christ 
 might be properly known and duly honoured. 
 
 When Professor Vernet showed him St. Peter's church, one 
 of the principal divines led him to a stall, in order that he 
 might sit down ; on which he said, " Your Lordship is now 
 sitting in the very place where Calvin was wont to sit." 
 
 It was once asked in the council of two hundred, whether 
 
286 JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 
 
 the Republic had no unpleasantness to apprehend from the re- 
 sidence of the Count and his followers in Geneva ? On which 
 the chief syndic took occasion to explain himself so fully, that 
 every one acquiesced in his view of the subject. 
 
 A wish to ascend one of the neighbouring hills, brought the 
 Coimt, and some of the brethren with him, into a dangerous 
 situation ; for the path was narrow, with steep declivities on 
 both sides, which might easily have caused him giddiness. 
 But one of the company, in order to lead oif his thoughts to 
 some other subject, purposely began to converse with him in 
 such a manner as to prevent him from fully perceiving the 
 danger ; and thus, through mercy, no evil ensued. 
 
 Not long after his arrival in Geneva, he was attacked by 
 fever ; which, however, soon left him, and he gradually re- 
 gained the strength lost by his West India voyage. 
 ,'■ During the last week of his stay in Geneva, he received the 
 awakened individuals there, to whom the visits of the brethren 
 had been profitable, and spoke with them in French, for which 
 they were very thankful. He also gave them good advice, 
 as to the arrangements they ought to make for their fur- 
 ther mutual edification ; and his address was accompanied 
 with Divine. power. 
 
 The Count also left some Latin theses in the hands of the 
 Genevese divines, in which he very clearly expressed to them 
 his sentiments respecting Jesus Christ, and upon the objection 
 that the Father must not be robbed of his honour. 
 
 On the 16th May, the Count's family again broke up to re- 
 turn to Marienborn ; on which occasion an event occurred, 
 which might have been attended with the most serious conse- 
 quences. A mob of wicked people, consisting, probably, of 
 those who were not permitted to attend the Count's domestic 
 meetings, collected together in a tumultuous manner, and 
 began, on their leaving the city, to throw stones, without any 
 thing to excite them to it, and were even ignorant themselves 
 of what they intended by it. But this alarming event, which 
 had more reference to the Countess and her company than to 
 the Count, passed over without serious, injury. 
 
 When the Count afterwards complained of this tumultuous 
 affair, Mr. Leger, the moderator of the university, replied to 
 
SYNOD AT MARIENBORN. 287 
 
 him, in the name of all the rest, that the senseless and improper 
 conduct of the people was extremely displeasing to them. 
 
 The Count afterwards proceeded to Montmirail, to visit old 
 Baron Von Watte wiUe; and from thencehe went to Bale, where 
 he remained some days. He then returned with his travelling 
 companions to Marienborn, by water, and arrived there on the 
 5th June. When all the brethren and sisters who had been 
 with him in Geneva, were again assembled round him, he held 
 a love-feast with them. During the time which he spent in 
 Geneva, most of the brethren and sisters who had previously 
 dwelt in Pilgerruh, near Oldeslohe in Holstein, had arrived at 
 Herrnhaag, because they refused to remain at Pilgerruh on 
 the prescribed conditions : but as, at the same time, remon- 
 strances were made by some friends of the brethren, against 
 giving up the settlement at Pilgerruh, the Count proposed a 
 new colony, and, with this intention, sent Andrew iDober before- 
 hand to Oldeslohe. But the consent of the superior autho- 
 rities not being attainable, — arising, probably, from some 
 misunderstanding, — those that were destined for the settle* 
 ment at Pilgerruh proceeded to America. A synod of the 
 brethren, held at London, in September of the same year, 
 clearly stated the course of the affair, in a letter, drawn up 
 by the Count, to the king of Denmark. 
 
 The Count having himself the intention of proceeding that 
 year to North America, and being therefore unable to calculate 
 upon spending more than a couple of months in Wetteravia, 
 endeavoured to employ the time to the greatest advantage. He 
 nevertheless seized a few days for an excursion to Wetzlar, to 
 visit Mr. Von Heynitz, who afterwards returned his visit at 
 Marienborn. 
 
 The most important event that occurred at this period, was 
 the holding of a synod at Marienborn, which commenced on 
 the 20th of June, and terminated on the 3d July. The occa- 
 sion of it was the Count's intended voyage to North America. 
 
 The Count again stated at this synod, as he had already done 
 at the one held in Gotha, that he now regarded it as necessary, 
 that he should really resign his episcopacy. 
 
 He did not mean by this declaration, to divest himself of all 
 the functions which he was entitled to perform in -"Hctue of his 
 
288 SYNOD AT MARIENBORN. 
 
 episcopal consecration : for lie did not cease, until his end, to 
 do every thing, as opportunity presented itself, which the voca- 
 tion of a regular minister of the church of Christ requires. He 
 not only preached the gospel and administered the holy sacra- 
 ments, but also ordained preachers and deacons, and laid his 
 hands upon many bishops on their consecration to their office. 
 
 His particular intention was as follows :• — He had before him 
 a voyage to JTorth America, by way of Holland and England, 
 and he wished to see there, whether, amongst the many sects 
 with which the country was filled, he could not do something 
 in the Saviour's cause. Besides which, he regarded himself as 
 divinely called, in every place to which the hand of the Lord 
 might lead him, to fill the office of a servant of Jesus Christ, 
 who is under obligation to minister to every one. Hence he 
 was desirous to avail himself of every opportunity to preach the 
 gospel, both in public and in private, not only amongst Chris- 
 _tians, but also amongst Jews and heathens. 
 
 He therefore intended only to say thus much : — " I cannot 
 henceforth bind myself in such a manner to the Moravian 
 church, as to make the duties of my episcopacy my sole busi- 
 ness ; but my calling, which I certainly think I have received 
 fi'om the Lord, and not irommen, extends further ;" respecting 
 which he afterwards explains himself more fully. 
 
 The Count then proposed to the deliberation of the synod, 
 whether it might not be necessary, besides Polycarp Miiller, to 
 ordain another bishop. The brethren had already extended 
 themselves in Europe to such a degree, that one bishop would 
 find it impossible, besides his other labours, duly to attend to 
 every thing. Bishop Nitschman being already for some time in 
 America. 
 
 The synod regarded this proposal as well founded ; and pro- 
 ceeded to the election of another bishop, when John Nitschman, 
 at that time chief master of the seminary, obtained the most 
 votes. 
 
 The Count would have been better pleased, if the choice had 
 fallen upon some other brother ; for, although he had a great 
 affection and esteem for him, yet he considered him better 
 fitted for the more special duties of the pastoral office. He 
 was however consecrated on the 22d of July, according to the 
 
SYNOD AT MARIENBORN. 289 
 
 sense of the synod, by the imposition of hands, both of the 
 Count and bishop Polycarp Miiller. It is also remarkable, 
 that on this occasion, the reigning Count of Isenburg- 
 Biidingen and the prince of Wiirtenberg-Oehls were both 
 present, and listened to the Count's copious address. 
 
 On the same day that Nitschman was ordained bishop, the 
 Count had the pleasure of receiving M. Von Hermsdorf into 
 3hurch-fellowship, after the latter had been with him for eighteen 
 years. It was something peculiar in the character of the Count, 
 which induced him, on all occasions, to wait the Saviour's time, 
 especially in reference to the conversion of individuals. He 
 frequently had persons about him for a long time, and was 
 well aware of their deficiencies ; but he always avoided being 
 premature, or endeavouring to force the matter. He com- 
 mitted the time of their gracious visitation to the Saviour, and 
 thus he succeeded with many. "^ 
 
 Respecting this, he says, in one of his discourses, " I am 
 acquainted with children of God and servants of Jesus Christ 
 preferring probably to himself), who go after a single soul for 
 four and twenty years, and cannot rest until they are assured of 
 its salvation — who follow a single soul through every part of 
 the world, and win it over at last. This does not refer merely 
 to one particular instance, for there are many. And do these 
 people repent of their trouble ? By no means, for they are 
 abundantly rewarded for all their labour, and for all the pain 
 which they have meanwhile to endure from the objects of 
 their solicitude. 
 
 " But when such souls are at length won for Christ, they 
 love very cordially, as the Saviour says respecting the sinful 
 woman : — ' Much is forgiven her, because she loveth much.' 
 It is a pleasure to see those who, after having been long 
 sought, are at length found." 
 
 After making every necessary arrangement for the well- 
 being of the church in his absence, the Count left Marienborn 
 on the 7th of August, and was accompanied as far as Frankfort 
 by many of his fellow -labourers. 
 
 On the 12th he arrived at Utrecht, and proceeded from 
 thence on a visit to Amsterdam, where he enjoyed much satis- 
 faction in the company of his friends and brethren. 
 
290 JOURNEY TO HOLLAND AND ENGLAND. 
 
 Some days after this, he travelled to Heerendyk, to visit the 
 Moravian settlement at that place. He remained there until 
 the 25th of August ; and in the interval, baptized a young 
 woman of the name of Kool, and an old man of sixty-eight 
 years of age, called Abraham Grafman. 
 
 In the beginning of September he arrived in London, where 
 he remained till towards the end of the month. Residing at 
 that time in London myself, I was with him daily, and was an 
 eye-witness of all that occurred during that period. 
 
 In order to be flilly at ease respecting the churches of the 
 Brethren in Europe, during his absence in North America, he 
 appointed a conference with the brethren and sisters, who had 
 been with him from the commencement as fellow-labourers. 
 To avoid disturbance, he selected for this purpose a house in 
 Red Lion Street, where he was not residing ; and the whole 
 attention of the conference was occupied by this important 
 subject ; so that there was nothing with respect to the whole 
 Moravian church, which was not minutely discussed. 
 
 Leonard Dober, who had filled the ofiice of chief elder since 
 the year 1735, sent in his written resignation ; and the business 
 attached to the office he held, as likewise to that of the Count, 
 was distributed amongst several individuals. The Count 
 was requested to have his eye upon the whole of the church, 
 and the oversight of the missions was committed to Leonard 
 Dober. 
 
 The Count, with the assistance of his consort, had hitherto 
 ministered to the temporal necessities of the church, not only 
 according to, but also beyond their ability ; and when it was 
 necessary to borrow money for that purpose, it was done in the 
 name of himself and the Countess. 
 
 But it being impossible that this could always continue, a 
 deacon was appointed for the purpose of superintending the 
 temporal affairs of the church. With reference to these, the 
 Count's idea was, not that collections should be made, but that 
 money should be borrowed, if there were not sufficient funds. 
 He had the hope, that, with the assistance and blessing of God, 
 ways and means would be found of paying the interest on such 
 monies, and at length of returning them. 
 
 The deacons, however, thankfully . received whatever was 
 
VOYAGE TO AMERICA. 291 
 
 ■voluntarily given them by friends and brethren for the purpose 
 of meeting the expenditure ; and when compelled by necffessity, 
 they borrowed, in the confidence that the brethren who had 
 appointed them to their office would also become responsible 
 for their proceedings. 
 
 The Count having taken a cordial leave of his beloved con- 
 sort, prepared for his voyage to North America. He had the 
 opportunity of going, either by a vessel of war, or by a mer- 
 chant-ship under its convoy. Intelligent people advised him 
 to choose one or other of these, in consequence of the war, 
 which at that time was being carried on against Spain. But 
 the Count preferred a merchantman which, being unarmed and 
 sailing alone, was consequently unable to offer resistance. He 
 was induced to this, not only because of the longer voyages 
 generally made under convoy, but also because he would not 
 give offence, either to the Quakers or Mennonites, who regard 
 war as improper ; since he was desirous of being useful to 
 both these denominations. 
 
 On the 26th of September, I accompanied him to Gravesend, 
 where he went on board on the 28th, the vessel being already 
 under sail. 
 
 On this voyage, he was accompanied by his eldest daughter, 
 the Countess Benigna, then about sixteen years of age, who, 
 with the consent of her mother, was perfectly willing to under- 
 take this voyage with her father, who expected that much good 
 would result from it. She had received an injury on one foot, 
 which the medical men in England regarded as so dangerous, 
 that they talked of amputating it. However, she was perfectly 
 healed of it by the sea voyage. Some of the brethren and 
 sisters went with them to wait upon them. 
 
 The commencement of the voyage was this time rather 
 tedious ; for the contrary winds compelled the captain to put 
 into several of the English harbours. Though this was un- 
 pleasant to the Count, in consequence of the delay it occasioned, 
 yet he did not fail to make the best use of his time. He wrote 
 from Deal, on the 1st of October, " An Address to all the 
 Authorities under whom the Church of the Brethren reside ;" 
 his intention in which was, if possible, to induce them thoroughly 
 to examine into the merits of the brethren's case, who were so 
 o 2 
 
293 VOYAGE TO AMERICA. 
 
 much exclaimed against. He also composed several hymns on 
 the vtJfage. 
 
 At the end of November, the Count arrived at New York, 
 and immediately made acquaintance vrith. some individuals, 
 who were concerned for their salvation. He held meetings 
 with them, and, through divine grace, they united with each 
 <ither in love. Others also made their appearance, who only 
 acted as spies ; these the Count addressed in severe terms, 
 and sent them away. 
 
 He visited some friends in Long Island, and Captain Nicholas 
 Garrison, with whom he had become acquainted in St. Thomas, 
 on Staten Island. He then proceeded to Philadelphia, the 
 capital of Pennsylvania, where people of all denominations and 
 of various countries reside. Here he hired a house, in order 
 to regulate every thing as the cause he wished to serve de- 
 manded. 
 
 He informed Governor Thomas of his arrival, by letter ; in 
 which he expressly desired him to send some one, who was 
 acquainted with both English and German, to be present at 
 his meetings. By this means, he successfully prevented any 
 suspicion which might have been excited in the government 
 towards him, in consequence of the charges so inexcusably 
 brought against him. He then travelled into the country, and 
 visited all those places where Germans had settled, in order 
 that he might himself hear and see how the case stood with 
 respect to religion, amongst the various sects and parties in 
 Pennsylvania. Wherever' opportunity was afforded him, he 
 witnessed a good confession of Jesus Christ, and his sufferings 
 and merits, as the sole ground of our hope. 
 
 He also travelled to the district called the Forks of the Dela- 
 ware, where some people were still residing. He there found, 
 not only the brethren and sisters who had left Georgia, because 
 of the disturbances which had arisen there on the apprehension 
 of an attack from the Spaniards : but also David Nitschman, 
 who, with his daughter Anna, the female elder, and bishop 
 David Nitschman, had been for some time in Pennsylvania, 
 together with the brethren who had been destined to the mis- 
 sion amongst the Indians. 
 
 They were occupied in building a house on the Lehigh, an 
 
RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 293 
 
 arm of the Delaware ; and possessed also, tein miles northward, 
 a piece of land to which baronial rights appertained, which 
 George Whitefleld had purchased of William Allen, and after- 
 wards sold again, after having laid the foundation for a large 
 stone building, which he called Nazareth, from which the 
 barony now takes its name. 
 
 When the brethren and sisters who had accompanied the 
 Count, as well as various awakened individuals who sought 
 fellowship with the brethren, had joined those just mentioned, 
 it caused no small joy to the Count, to have about him such 
 a number of people who loved the Saviour, in a part of the 
 country which at that time presented a very wild appearance^ 
 
 He spoke with them collectively and individually, and after- 
 wards partook of the sacrament with them. He there also 
 celebrated Christmas with them ; and the solemnities on that 
 occasion were so blessed, as to continue ever memorable to all 
 who were present. They were held in a house, which was 
 afterwards made into a stable — having no better at the time — 
 which gave occasion to call the place Bethlehem. Both Beth- 
 lehem and Nazareth have since that time become flourishing 
 Moravian settlements. 
 
 He next travelled to Oly, to visit some awakened people 
 there, to whom one of the brethren ministered in holy things ; 
 and addressed them from the words — " The Lord opened the 
 heart of Lydia." From thence he proceeded to Ephratah,, 
 where a species of Baptists resides, to speak with their preachers 
 respecting one of the brethren who had gone over to them ; 
 for he wished to know the bottom of the &,ffair. After gaining 
 his end, he set out on his return, and arrived on the 30th of 
 December in Germantown, a small place about five miles 
 from Philadelphia, chiefly built and inhabited by Germans. 
 The following day, he was requested to preach in the Reformed 
 church, and accordingly did so, from the words, " Without 
 controversy, great is the mystery of godliness ; God manifest 
 in the flesh." Many came to hear him, who seldom attended 
 church, and the rest of his auditory consisted of persons of 
 various denominations ; but they all listened vpith uncommon 
 attention, and many received the word with tears. After this, 
 he immediately returned to Philadelphia, where he found his 
 
294 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 household in good order, and every thing going on in ita 
 desired course. 
 
 There were, at that time, in Pennsylvania, upwards of a hun- 
 dred thousand Germans. Many of them dwelt in Philadelphia, 
 Germantown, and Lancaster ; the rest were scattered about 
 the country, and lived chiefly by agriculture. 
 
 The hopes of enjoying perfect liberty of conscience, which was 
 not afforded'them in Germany, had induced many to emigrate 
 with their families to Pennsylvania. Others followed them, 
 from having heard that Pennsylvania was a country where 
 an industrious man might easily maintain himself. Those 
 that were there, increased astonishingly, and became numerous 
 fapjilies. 
 
 Many thousands of these people concerned themselves so 
 little about religion, that it had become proverbial, respecting 
 any one who cared not for God and his word, that " he was 
 of the Pennsylvanian religion." 
 
 A few of the Lutherans wrote repeatedly to Germany for a 
 preacher ; but many years passed over without one, because 
 they did not mention at the same time what salary he was to. 
 have ; and word was even sent them, that none would be pro- 
 vided, unless they determined his salary beforehand. They 
 had, however, hired a barn in Philadelphia, which they fitted 
 up for the purpose of holding theif meetings in it, and where 
 they were addressed, or had something read to them, by any 
 one they could procure. The Reformed had built a small 
 church in Germantown, and in Philadelphia they made use of 
 the barn, by turns with the Lutherans, for their meetings. In 
 Germantown, a pious mechanic, who resided there, was their 
 preacher ; and in Philadelphia, a man from the country, of 
 the name of Boehme, who had previously been a schoolmaster. 
 
 Besides the Lutherans and Reformed, there were nine dif- 
 /ferent sects amongst the Germans in Pennsylvania; all of 
 ^ whom were so bigoted to their own opinions, that they not 
 only preferred their own way to every other, but spoke harshly 
 of those who differed from them. They despised the Lutherans 
 and Reformed in particular ; not only because there was so 
 little animation in their meetings, but also because there was 
 so much of what was objectionable in their life and conduct. 
 
RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 295 
 
 Hence, those Germans who were in any degree concerned 
 about religion, felt the sooner induced to join one or other of 
 these sects, in preference to attending the meetings of the 
 Lutherans and the Reformed. 
 
 Besides the five nations of the Indians, who resided either 
 in part in Pennsylvania, or on its borders, or else trafficked 
 with its inhabitants, and were called by the French, ' Iroquois,' — 
 fliere were also their Indian allies, and the nations they had 
 subdued. The former stood in intimate connexion at that 
 time with Pennsylvania ; and at certain appointed seasons, 
 great numbers of them, with their wives and children, came 
 to Pennsylvania. The brethren had already begun to preach 
 the gospel amongst some of these tribes, and it had been well 
 received by them. 
 
 The nations above mentioned are not very numerous, but 
 each has its peculiar language, and this renders preaching and 
 pastoral duties among them difficult. Some of them, who 
 bordered on the province of New York, understood Dutch, 
 which, previous to its occupation by the English, was more 
 currently spoken than the latter language. Others, who often 
 resided amongst the English, and trafficked with them, were 
 able to understand a little English. 
 
 Such was the field of labour which presented itself to the 
 Count, who, believing that it would take at least a year to 
 cultivate it, if an abiding blessing were to be expected, re- 
 solved to devote that space of time to it. But in order to 
 /avoid the abuse he had incurred in Europe, he appeared under 
 ' the name of Mr. Von Thiirnstein, and made it £very where 
 known, that he would not, and could not, make use of his 
 titles in Pennsylvania. For this purpose, he delivered a 
 solemn address in Latin, on the 26th of May, in the governor's 
 house, in which he stated the reasons for his wishing to lay 
 aside his rank, and the troublesomeness attendant upon it. 
 
 Besides the governor of the province, there were present on 
 this occasion the principal people in the country, both clergy 
 and laity ; amongst the latter were WiUiam Allen, James 
 Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Eneas Ross, &c. 
 
 If the Count had been desirous of acting according to 
 human wisdom, he would have had nothing to do with the 
 
296 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 Lutherans in that country, because they were people who only 
 disgraced their denomination. But he thought otherwise ; and, 
 being heartily attached to the doctrines of that church, he proi- 
 fessed his adherence to them there, and was the less inclined 
 to withdraw himself from them, the worse they were, and the 
 greater the disrepute in which they stood. 
 
 The Lutherans in Philadelphia, having had the opportunity 
 of frequently hearing the Coimt in the meetings he held in 
 his own house, and finding that his doctrine accorded with 
 that of their church, requested him to preach for them in the 
 place of worship above mentioned. But before signifying his 
 consent, he wrote to Mr. Boehme, the Reformed preacher, in- 
 forming him of the circumstance, and inquiring if he had any 
 just cause of objection to it. The latter having replied in the 
 negative, the Count hesitated no longer to accept the offer, but 
 preached to the Lutherans regidarly every Sunday morning. 
 But on their requesting him, in February, to administer the 
 Sacrament to them, he could not make up his mind to do so, 
 and informed them that he must decline it for the time ; for 
 although his principles were Lutheran, yet he was not alto- 
 gether satisfied with the practice of the Lutherans. 
 
 It happened, however, after many beneficial effects had been 
 previously produced by his preaching, that on Palm Sunday the 
 whole Lutheran assembly, it might almost be said, without ex- 
 ception, were brought, during the sermon, to such a conviction 
 of their sinfulness, and such a believing apprehension of the 
 Saviour, that the Count was obliged abruptly to conclude his 
 discourse, because no one could hear or speak any more for 
 weeping ; on which, the deeply-affected preacher promised to 
 administer the Sacrament to them on Easter Monday, if he 
 found that the emotions then produced were not of a mere 
 transitory nature ; — and it proved a blessed opportunity. 
 
 On this, the whole of the German Lutherans in and about 
 Philadelphia came to an unanimous decision to choose him for 
 their minister. He first let them meet, and then laid some 
 questions before them, — whether they were of one mind,-^ 
 whether they had any other clergyman, — whether they pos- 
 sessed full confidence in him, — whether they would follow his 
 advice, — whether they would act sincerely and candidly with 
 
RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 297 
 
 him, — and the like. After they had answered these questions 
 in writing, to his full satisfaction, he did not feel disinclined to 
 negociate further with them. 
 
 He first read to them the words of Luther, in which he 
 shows the difference between the usual divine worship, in 
 which the gospel is preached to the people, and their conver- 
 sion is endeavoured to be eiFected, without their being pre- 
 viously brought into any evangelical order, — and such a 
 regulation, by which those who love the Saviour covenant 
 with each other to live entirely according to the mind of Christ, 
 and to regard each other as members of the same body ; and 
 asked them if it were their wish to act according to the prin- 
 ciples laid down by that eminent servant of God ? and if they 
 had no objection to do so ? He then gave them some time for 
 reflection ; and at length accepted the call, on the Second Sun- 
 day after Easter. 
 
 At the close of the call, they observed, that knowing the 
 Count could not always remain with them, in consequence of 
 which he had proposed to them the Rev. John Christopher 
 Pyrlaeus, they did not hesitate to promise the latter, in this 
 case, that he should succeed the Count. 
 
 On this, a species of ecclesiastical regulations was drawn 
 up, on the basis of Luther's own words ; these they took into 
 consideration, and after some weeks declared that they felt no 
 scruple in agreeing to them all. 
 
 The Count now provided the two Lutheran eongregationSj 
 in Philadelphia and Tolpihacon, with regular teachers, as they 
 desired ; and at the same time took care that the children 
 should be duly instructed. And because many of the Lu- 
 therans were scattered about the country, he commissioned 
 some persons to visit them and preach the gospel to them. 
 These individuals devoted themselves, for the time, entirely to 
 those of the Lutheran confession; and their ministry in the 
 gospel did not remain without a blessing. 
 
 Having thus provided against the continuance of the poor 
 people in ignorance — which in many cases was greater than 
 can be imagined — he next proposed, that those who had been 
 called and awakened by the gospel, should be formed into 
 little companies or churches, according to Luther's directions, 
 
 o 3 
 
298 
 
 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 have the sacraments administered to them, and be brought 
 into regular order. 
 
 The gospel was then publicly preached to these little congre- 
 gations, at which any one might be present ; no one, however, 
 was admitted to the sacrament, but those who evidenced the 
 operation of the Holy Spirit on their hearts. > 
 
 The Count having thus not only provided the two Lutheran 
 churches above mentioned, but also several others of the same 
 denomination, with teachers and preachers, and the latter, as 
 well as their congregations, applying to him on every occasion 
 when they needed advice, he became, in the literal acceptation 
 of the word, the Lutheran Inspector, or Superintendent, in 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 During these labours, two or three events occurred, which 
 caused him much grief. 
 
 He was disturbed, with his beloved Lutherans, in the quiet 
 use of the place of worship above mentioned, in a shameful 
 manner. Some wicked people, who called themselves Re- 
 formed, burst tumultuously into the church one Sunday, when 
 the Lutheran congregation were holding their divine service, 
 tore Pyrlaeus out of the pulpit, dragged him o'ut of the 
 church, and kicked him ; they then took entire possession of 
 the church, although, according to the agreement made with 
 the Lutherans, they were to have it only every fourth Sunday 
 for themselves and their divilie service. 
 
 This contract had not been infringed upon by the Luther- 
 ans ; but the people, as it was pretty well ascertained, were 
 incited to it by others. 
 
 The congregation offered no resistance to the tumultuous 
 mob, any more than their preacher ; the latter went quietly 
 home, and his hearers followed his example. 
 
 The Count, who was absent at the time, thought it neces- 
 sary, on his return, to remonstrate seriously with the people, 
 and to complain of this illegal and culpable conduct to the ma- 
 gistrates. At the same time, however, he resolved to build a 
 new church, made the necessary preparations for it, and had 
 the satisfaction to consecrate it before his departure. 
 
 The next unpleasant circumstance Was, that a Lutheran 
 prfeacher arrived from Germany, and began to act against the 
 
RESIDENCE IK AMERICA. 299 
 
 Count. For though the Lutherans in Pennsylvania had been 
 left without a preacher, notwithstanding their repeated request, 
 yet a different view was taken of the subject after the Count 
 had devoted himself to them. By this means, a separation 
 took place amongst the Lutherans. The newly arrived clergy- 
 man, who was an able and talented man, soon formed a party ; 
 whilst those to whom the Count's ministry had been blessed, 
 adhered to him. The result at length was this, — that the Count 
 thought it best to let the preacher above mentioned, and his 
 subsequent assistants, act as they pleased ; being satisfied if 
 only Christ were preached. 
 
 Besides what the Coimt accomplished for the Lutheran 
 church, the efforts he made in behalf of the other rehgious 
 sects must be mentioned. The occasion of it was ajaaoferguce 
 commenced by them at that time, to which the Count was also 
 invited. The members of this conference consisted of depu- 
 ties from the pious people of all the various sects in ihatj)art 
 of America ; and its object was, if possible, to^tojaotg^a 
 closer approximation to each other, ifnot m doctrine yet,in 
 love, in order that all judging and condemning of each other 
 might be done away. 
 
 At this synod, which was held at seven successive periods, 
 the Count occupied a prominent position. "At the first 
 synod," says he, " I was compelled, contrary to expectation, to 
 take the place of an accused person, and defend myself against 
 severe accusations brought against me by each of the sects 
 in particular. All at once I rose so rapidly in their esteem, 
 that at the second meeting of the synod I was unanimously 
 chosen Syndic." 
 
 It is matter of astonishment, how the Count, who in virtue 
 of this office had to preside at the synod and maintain order 
 in it, could accomplish it amongst people of such different re- 
 ligious sentiments. But yet every thing went well, and truth 
 remained victorious, notwithstanding every fanatical assault. 
 
 On becoming better acquainted with the people he had be- 
 fore him, he perceived very clearly that he had to do with two 
 kinds of persons : some were modest, intelligent, and devout ; 
 and to these a clear, comprehensive, and scriptural testimony 
 of the truth was alike welcome : but others were so intoxicated 
 
300 
 
 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 with the sentiments peculiar to their different sects, that th^ 
 usual means of conviction were insufficient. From these he 
 was apprehensive of much unnecessary discussion and debate : 
 t6 avoid which, he proposed that, without giving every one, 
 without distinction, liberty to bring forward whatever he 
 pleased, it should he decided by lot, whether a propositioti 
 should be entertained or not. This proposal was unanimously 
 agreed to, by which much unnecessary discussion was avoided. 
 
 I mention not this circumstance to recommend it for imi- 
 tation ; but it could not be omitted, since it was a point of im- 
 portance in the conferences held ■with, these singular people. 
 
 When the synod assembled the second time, many people 
 from the immediate neighbourhood appeared, in the expecta- 
 tion of a public service being held. On which the Count 
 addressed them from the words, " If any man preach any 
 other gospel than that ye have received, let him be accursed." 
 (Gal. i. 9.) 
 
 The Count being apprehensive that from bis readiness to bring 
 every one, according to his ability, into the right path, and to 
 give his words, as much as possible, a good construction, the 
 inference might be unjustly drawn, by some of the deputies, 
 that he was of the same sentiments w^ith such people, and stood 
 in connexion with them — he therefore declared, at the third 
 sitting of the synod, before them all, that he undertook the 
 office of syndic, not as an universal servant of Christ, but as 
 the Lutheran preacher in Philadelphia for the time being. He 
 also stated that, for the office in question, he needed no more 
 profound theological knowledge, than what he derived from 
 Luther's Smaller Catechism. 
 
 Before I speak of the close of the synod, T must mention 
 something of the effect produced by its first meetings. The 
 truths of the gospel, which not only the Count, but likewise 
 other servants of Jesus Christ, had boldly advanced in them, 
 were not equally well received by all. To some they were in- 
 tolerable ; these therefore withdrew, and did not return again : 
 and because at the first synod they had all of them agreed to 
 the confession of the free grace of God, vouchsafed by the Lord 
 Jesus, for the sake of his merits and sufferings, to the poor 
 and humble sinner seeking his salvation, and which forms him 
 
RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 301 
 
 into a new creature in heart, mind, and spirit — they were angry. 
 Others hesitated to have any thing further to do with the sjmod, 
 because they shunned the disgrace attached to it, and did not 
 wisji to render themselves suspected by their own party. The 
 rest, on the contrary, who were sincere in their devotedness to 
 the Saviour, and their desire for the conversion of souls, were 
 not only unanimous respecting the subjects discussed, but 
 united together in love, and became one heart and one 
 soul. 
 
 The synod thus consisting solely of members who were able 
 to regard each other as brethren in Christ, although of various 
 religious denominations, they were also able very fraternally and 
 unanimously to discuss the means of promoting the Saviour's 
 cause in Pennsylvania. 
 
 /■ It happened that a number of the Moravian brethren and 
 sisters, who had left London for America, arrived in Phila- 
 delphia just about the time when the last synod was being held. 
 The synod felt cordially interested for them, invited them to 
 attend it ; and because they rejoiced in their devotedness to 
 the Saviour, the synod did not hesitate to recognise the whole 
 company, who purposed proceeding to Bethlehem, as a ^shurch 
 of Jeaus Christ. 
 
 After the Count had terminated these religious conferences, 
 he proceeded to Bethlehem, to make the necessary arrange-' 
 ments for the brethren and sisters who had arrived from Eu- 
 rope : these followed him in various divisions, all of which ar- 
 rived there on the 21st of July; the watch-word for which day 
 was, " This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we will 
 rejoice and be glad in it.'' And on the 25th of July, the anni- 
 versary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, this 
 company, together with the brethren and sisters already there, 
 were formed into a church, according to the model of the one 
 at Herrnhut. 
 
 On Sunday, which the church were wont to spend in mutual 
 edification, from early in the morning until late at night, 
 sermons were preached, both in English and German, for the 
 benefit of those in the neighbourhood, who had little opportunity 
 of hearing of the doctrine of redemption by Christ ; on which 
 occasion, a great number of hearers generally assembled. The 
 
302 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 Count preached the first sermon, on the words, " Lord, thou 
 knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee !" 
 
 He also resolved, with the church at Bethlehem, to keep the 
 seventh day as a day of rest. His labours in this place -vyere 
 particularly blessed, and the church there was in a very flourishing 
 state. I find a confirmation of this in a letter written by Anna 
 Nitschman, in which she says, " I cannot describe to you the 
 pleasing state of Bethlehem. I have never felt so happy in all 
 my life as I do here. During a month, we were all together, 
 at the time when the brethren and sisters removed thither, and 
 were formed into a church. We loved one another like chil- 
 dren. It is the Lamb of God that thus makes us sinners into 
 blessed children of grace." 
 
 During the time the Count was in Bethlehem, a circumstance 
 occurred at Nazareth, which might have caused much unplea- 
 santness. A considerable number of Indians, who had hitherto 
 resided there, asserted thai the land was their own, and that they 
 would insist upon it. Though the brethren would gladly have 
 suffered these people to have made use of the land for the 
 supply of their necessities, yet, on account of the consequences, 
 they cQuld not refrain from informing the government of this 
 demand. This was done by the Count, in the name of the 
 community of Bethlehem and Nazareth ; and an order soon ar- 
 rived from a justice, for the Indians to quit the neighbourhood 
 of Nazareth, to which however they paid no attention. 
 / Though the Count saw that the rights of the government 
 and the landed proprietor ought not to be infringed upon, yet 
 he was extremely kind to these Indians. He went himself to 
 Nazareth and visited them, entered the house of their captain, 
 spoke kindly towards him, and made him a present : at the 
 same time he informed him, that he would not expel him and 
 his people from the country, and only wished the question to 
 be decided, whether they had a right to it, or not : for even if 
 the latter were the case, he would not hinder them from making- 
 use of the land, nor demand any thing for it. He made the 
 same declaration also to the government. 
 
 Afterwards, when the Five Nations came, according to their 
 custom, to Philadelphia, the affair was publicly investigated, 
 and it was found, that the Indians had no right to the land. 
 
JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 303 
 
 The bills of sale, which had been given to the proprietors of 
 Pennsylvania, by the lawful possessors, after concluding the 
 agreement, were produced, and Indians were present who had 
 signed them as witnesses. Hence the Five Nations, to whom 
 the Indians above mentioned belonged, publicly told them 
 that they had no right to it, and immediately ordered them to 
 remove to the territories of the Five Nations. 
 
 However little right these Indians had to demand any thing 
 of the existing possessors of the barony of Nazareth, yet the 
 Coxmt induced the brethren to pay them every thing they had 
 demanded, at the time when the latter were the most enraged 
 at them ; however, it was only to be given them as a present. 
 
 I now come to the Count's journeys amongst the Indians. 
 Before he commenced them, he conversed frequently concern- 
 ing the mode of labouring amongst the heathens, with the bre- 
 thren, Frederick Martin, Gottlieb Israel, and George Weber, 
 who had arrived on a visit from St. Thomas : Christian Hen- 
 rich, who had been amongst the savage Indians, where he had 
 laboured with much success, also arrived at Bethlehem. The 
 former had brought with them a converted negro, and the latter 
 a savage named John, whose Indian name was Tschoop, who 
 was not only obedient to the gospel himself, but also com- 
 mended it to others with much energy and success. The 
 company of these converted heathens caused the Count par- 
 ticular pleasure. 
 
 On the 24th of July, he commenced his journey to visit the 
 savages. Bethlehem lying at that time in the midst of the 
 woods, some of the Indians dwelt at no great distance from it. 
 Several of the brethren and sisters accompanied him, as well as 
 his daughter Benigna. The sight of the wretchedness in which 
 they found the poor heathens, touched their hearts with pain- 
 ful sympathy. They first visited some of the Indians who dwelt 
 alone ; and then proceeded to an Indian town, inhabited chiefly 
 by the Delaware nation : on the way, they were overtaken by 
 a violent storm, and not being able to find shelter, they were 
 wet completely through. They then went to a captain's hut, 
 placed themselves round a fire in the centre of it, and dried 
 themselves. The next day, they travelled further, passed the 
 Blue Mountains, and arrived at length at Meniolagomekah, a 
 
304 JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 
 
 Delaware town, where they erected their tents, and passed the 
 night. 
 
 ' This journey, though at the time it seemed to have produced 
 little effect, was the means of making acquaintance and friend- 
 ship with the Indians ; and, after a few years had elapsed, the 
 Indians, who had accompanied them as interpreters and mes- 
 sengers, as well as most of the inhabitants of the above-men- 
 tioned town, were known to me as brethren and sisters, and 
 I partook with them of the sacrament of the body aiid blood 
 of our Lord. 
 
 When the Count afterwards travelled to Tolpihacon, he fell 
 in with the Sachems, or heads of the Five Nations, who had 
 been at Philadelphia, and were then on their return. On 
 finding who they were, he entered into conversation with them, 
 and told them that he had a word from the Lord to them and 
 their people ; and, being desirous of communicating it to them 
 by means of his brethren as well as himself, he wished them to 
 tell him if they had any objection to it. That the intention of 
 himself and his brethren was neither to buy land from them 
 nor to traffic with them, but to point out the way of salvation 
 unto those amongst them that were capable of receiving it. 
 Conrad Weisser, the interpreter of the province, made them 
 understand this, and added, " This is the man whom God has 
 sent from beyond the sea to the Indians as well as the white 
 people, to make known to them his will ;" and gave them, 
 according to Indian custom, a present to confirm his words. 
 The Indians accepted it, and conferred with each other re- 
 specting the answer, as is always the case when any proposal 
 is made them. In about half an hour, two of these men came 
 to the Count, and thus addressed him : " Brother, thou art 
 come all this way aicross the sea to us, to preach to the white 
 people and the Indians : thou wast not aware that we were 
 here, and we know nothing of thee. This comes from a higher 
 and superior hand. Come to us with thy brethren : thou shalt 
 be welcome to us. Accept this fathom of wampum, as a sign 
 that our words are true."* 
 
 • Some years afterwards, when I was in Onondago, where the Five 
 Nations generally held their great council, they very well remembered this 
 solemn promise they had made. The heads of the Five Nations, at the time 
 
JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 305 
 
 , Since this event, they have not only been frequently visited 
 A)y the brethren, but one of the latter also, of the name of 
 Zeisberger, resided for some years in Onondago, until war 
 broke out with them. During this period, he became so well 
 acquainted with their language, th^t he was able to write a 
 dictionary of it, which is probably the first of the kind. His 
 residence amongst them was not without a blessing. 
 
 The Indians in Chekomeko, in the province of New York, 
 who had been brought to the knowledge of the Saviour by the 
 ministry of the brethren, were the particTilar object of the 
 Count's attention. On the 21st of August, he travelled with 
 one of the brethren and his daughter Benigna over the Blue 
 Moimtains, through Menissing and Sopus, when several of the 
 brethren and sisters, who had proceeded by the way of New 
 York, came to him, and thus they arrived together at Cheko- 
 meko on the 27th. 
 
 " The next day," writes the Count, "we removed to the 
 house prepared for us, which was built of bark. It was to me 
 the most agreeable abode I had ever occupied. Here we had 
 inwardly some trials, outwardly rainy weather ; but with re- 
 spect to the converts, a clear sky, and every day fresh pleasure 
 afforded us by the dear Indians." 
 
 f He first reminded the brethren to beware ofjhgjuiea ^f 
 converting^great_multitudes, which_ w^nottobe expected 
 from them at that time ; but the chiefjhing then was ta have 
 first-fruits, who sbould te'weiristablished in the^nncjgles^of 
 the doctrine of Christ, and "ought" therefore to b£ faithfully 
 cherished, as far as they were really sincere, The preaching 
 of the gospel was intended for all that were witling to hear it ; 
 but they were not to baptize any, in whom they did flot per- 
 ceive a real divine life and a cordial belief in Christ. They 
 were to act still more cautiously with respect to the sacrament, 
 and admit no one to it before he had been fully proved. It 
 
 when Johannes de Wattewille was in America, were at Philadelphia, for 
 the purpose of renewing their treaty with the English ; on which occasion 
 they frequently visited us, and minutely recollected the Count's address 
 to them, their reply, and the manner in which they had confirmed it. On 
 showing the fathom of wampum, they immediately recognised it ; counted 
 the corals of which it was composed, and perfectly well remembered how 
 many of them there had been. ' 
 
306 JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 
 
 was certainly their duty, to give them a clear understanding of 
 
 /Scripture, but always to take as much care as possible that 
 their heads did not comprehend more than their hearts at the 
 same time enjoyed. 
 
 He then introduced sqjne good regulations, and appointed 
 four of them to be elders and officers of the church. He writes 
 respecting them : " These four incomparable Indians, as it 
 respects mind and disposition, are real men of God, and form 
 a conference, at which we have often been present with 
 astonishment." 
 
 After six heathens had been baptized during his stay there, 
 and the doctrine of the cross forcibly applied to every heart, 
 he took an affecting and public leave of them, and returned 
 wifli feelings of affection on both sides. 
 
 ' These Indians were afterwards expelled from that part of 
 the country ; and the brethren, with the consent of the govern- 
 ment, received them into Bethlehem, gave them land for their 
 use, and accustomed them to a regular life. The place which 
 they afterwards buUt, with the help of the brethren, about a 
 day's journey from Bethlehem, they called Gnaden-hiitten, 
 There they lived in peace, and the brethren faithfully attended 
 
 -Jjo^them and their children. 
 
 The savages, being dissatisfied with this, made them a 
 variety of tempting offers to come to Wayomik, and reside 
 amongst them ; and actually induced a part of them to remove, 
 although with the condition that their teachers should accom- 
 pany them, which was, however, not fulfilled. 
 
 When the Count heard of this, he was much grieved. 
 " Scarcel}?," says he, " are our Indians known and commended, 
 
 /before the spirit of the world again possesses them." The 
 year following, the Indians made war upon Pennsylvania, fell 
 upon Gnaden-hiitten, slew eleven of our brethren and sisters, 
 and laid all the buildings in ashes. The rest of the Indians, 
 who had remained at Gnaden-hiitten; after the removal of the 
 others to Wayomik, saved themselves by flight, and came to 
 Bethlehem, where the brethren provided for their necessities, 
 and the government took them under its protection. Part of 
 those who had gone amongst the savages returned, and 
 repented of their folly ; but the rest continued to adhere to 
 
JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 307 
 
 their heathenish practices, and almost all of them came to a 
 miserable end. 
 
 The Count returned to Bethlehem by way of Sopus, and 
 spent the Sunday there. Late in the evening, a justice came, 
 and found him and his daughter writing hymns. This he not 
 only forbade them to do in the king's name, but summoned them 
 before him the following day ; on which occasion he acted both 
 as accuser and judge, and fined each of them six shillings, 
 because they were found writing on the Sunday, and were 
 therefore Sabbath-breakers. Poor man ! I have since heard, 
 that the governor deprived him of his office in consequence. 
 
 The Count brought some Indians with him to Bethlehem ; 
 two of whom were baptized on the 26th of September, by the 
 names of David and Joshua. 
 
 The Count's third journey was directed to the Indians, who 
 dwelt at that time at some distance up the Susquehanna. The 
 way to them was always fatiguing : the passage up the river 
 was tedious, and not without danger from the many rocks and 
 shallows in the Susquehanna. There was no other way by 
 land than through a gloomy forest, and over pathless hills. 
 The -Count, who travelled in the autumn, when the Susque- 
 hanna is generally very low, had no alternative left but the latter. 
 
 There being at that time several places on the Susquehanna 
 where Indians of various nations resided, the Count took care 
 to be well provided with interpreters. He was also accom- 
 panied by the brethren Peter Boehler, Henry Leimbach, and 
 others. 
 
 From Bethlehem, they soon reached a thick and tangled 
 wood, where the night overtook them before they could finish 
 their day's journey ; and there being no regular path, they 
 were exposed to many dangers ; but still no misfortune befell 
 them. 
 
 In the territories of the Indians there was no road, and they 
 were obliged to foUow the hunting-tracks, which were often 
 scarcely discernible, and are frequently very circuitous. The 
 many fallen trees which impeded the way — the morasses,. which 
 often required to be long examined before a place could be found, 
 to pass over them — the hills, of which many were so steep that 
 they could not be descended on foot without difficulty, much 
 
308 JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 
 
 less on horseback, — rendered the journey very tedious. The 
 Count and his company, however, arrived on the 28th of 
 September safely in Shomokin, where at that time many 
 Indians resided. 
 
 On the way ,^ the Count pleased himself with the expectation 
 of finding Shikellimus, one of the Sachems, with whom he had 
 become acquainted at Tolpihacon and to whom he felt attached. 
 But Conrad Weisser, the interpreter with whom he spoke on 
 the subject, regarded it as impossible ; for Shikellimus had under- 
 taken a journey to Onondago, at the request of the Pennsyl- 
 vanian government, and had actually set out for that place, of 
 which he had also informed Weisser. But when the Count 
 and his company entered Shomokin, Shikellimus, to their joy 
 and surprise, came out to meet them. On the way to Onon- 
 dago, he had met with another chief of the Five Nations, to 
 whom he had given the message entrusted to him, and had, 
 himself, returned to Shomokin. 
 
 " Whilst the tents were erecting," writes the Count, " I went 
 to take a short walk. A savage came towards me, and pre- 
 sented me with a beautiful melon ; I immediately took my cap 
 from my head, and gave it him in return. Shikellimus fre- 
 quently pressed my hand, and was desirous of privately ascer- 
 taining from Weisser the object of my journey. The latter 
 told him, I was a servant of the living God, who preached 
 grace and mercy. Shikellimus was glad that such a messenger 
 appeared amongst their people. On returning from my walk, 
 I found our sister Mack standing with a friendly Indian 
 woman, and discoursing freely with her in her own language. 
 
 The next day, Shikellimus came to the Count's tent. The 
 latter sat down between him and the interpreter, and told him 
 what had induced him to take this journey, and commended 
 the grace which our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to show 
 even to the heathen. Shikellimus answered, that he was much 
 pleased with the Count's intention, and that he would do every 
 thing in his power to promote the accomplishment of it.* 
 
 * This Indian afterwards came with some of his family, on a friendly 
 visit to the hrethren at Bethlehem ; received the word of Christ into his 
 heart, and, shortly after his return, left this world as a believer in Jesus, 
 under the care and attention of David Zeisberger. 
 
JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 309 
 
 Before the Count took his departure from Shomokin, it 
 happened that one Sunday, whilst he was repeating the Litany 
 with his companions, the Indians made a great noise, in eon- 
 sequence of being engaged in some of their festivities. The 
 Count therefore sent Weisser to Shikellimus, to inform him 
 that the brethren were now speaking with their God. Scarcely 
 had Weisser returned, when the drums, the music, and the 
 voices of the Indians were all at once silent, and not a sound 
 more was heard. 
 
 On the 30th of September, the Count set out with his atten- 
 dants on his return ; but Joshua, one of the Indians who had 
 accompanied them, having been taken ill, Martin Mack and his 
 wife were obliged to stay behind in Shomokin to nurse him, 
 which they very willingly did, in the hopes of finding an oppor- 
 tunity of sowing good seed amongst the Indians. 
 
 The Count and his companions were compelled to ride 
 through the Susquehanna, and Shikellimus showed them the 
 ford. The many large and slippery stones, with which the bed 
 of the river is filled, would render riding through it more 
 dangerous, were not the water so clear that every stone can be 
 distinctly seen, and for the most part avoided. The road in 
 other respects was good, but they did not arrive at Ostonwakin 
 so early as they expected. The horses were obliged to seek 
 their food in the woods, and it was only with great difficulty 
 that they could be collected together again in the morning. 
 The districts through which they rode were very fruitful, but 
 entirely waste, and full of morasses which were often im- 
 
 Not far from Ostonwakin, an Indian came to them, who 
 spoke both French and English, and likewise understood 
 several of the Indian languages. On approaching the place 
 above mentioned, he all at once rode away, without saying 
 any thing to any one, and was probably the cause why the 
 Indians, as soon as the company appeared in sight, and on thSr 
 entering the village, gave them a very friendly welcome after 
 their manner. 
 ' There dwelt at that time in Ostonwakin a number of Indians 
 of various nations, and amongst them also many Europeans, 
 who had adopted their savage mode of life. 
 
310 JOURNEY TO THE INDIANS. 
 
 " Here we alighted," writes the Count, " and \frent to the 
 dwelling of old Madame Montoux, a French lady, who had 
 married an Indian. Her husband, one of the chiefs, had been 
 shot in the war against the Catawhees. She wept on seeing us. 
 I told her our object, and answered all her questions with 
 cordiality, but very briefly, because I intended keeping myself 
 very quiet for a few days. She became very intimate with our 
 sisters, and infprmed them how tired she was of being amongst 
 the Indians. She brought me a couple of Indian children to 
 baptize, and alleged the custom of her forefathers in Canada : 
 but I refused, and told her, that if one of the brethren should in 
 the sequel settle, there, we would speak further on the subject." 
 Peter Boehler now returned from Ostonwakin, by way of 
 Shomokin and Tolpihacon, to Bethlehem ; and the two Indians, 
 Joshua and David, travelled with him. Conrad Weisser also 
 felt obliged to go to Tolpihacon on business, but promised 
 faithfully to return at a certain time. Meanwhile, Martin Mack 
 with his wife came from Shomokin, and accompanied the Count 
 and the rest of the party to Wayomik. The Shawanose, an 
 extremely fierce and corrupt nation, dwelt there at that time. 
 The Five Nations, who imagine that great treasures and rich 
 silver mines lie concealed in Wayomik, ceded that part of the 
 country to the Shawanose, in order by their means to prevent 
 anjjluropeans from coming thither and discovering them. 
 
 The Count erected his tent amongst these savages, and 
 remained there twenty days. At first they thought he came 
 with the intention of buying land of them, or trafficking with 
 them like other Europeans : and although he soon endeavoured 
 to undeceive them, and to tell them the cause of his visit, 
 yet some degree of suspicion still remained in them ; for the 
 Indians are in general very suspicious towards all Europeans. 
 This did not hinder him, however, from occasionally speaking 
 both with their chiefs and other individuals. He had hopes of one 
 or two amongst them, that the gospel would not be in vain in 
 them. He found however, in general, that their hearts were 
 not yet open, and that their chief in particular was much averse 
 to it. Meanwhile, he employed his time in making himself well 
 acquainted with the poor savages, and laying' their destitute 
 case before the Lord. 
 
RETURN TO AMERICA. 311 
 
 The savages, however, came to the resolution to put the' 
 Count and his companions to death. The interpreter, who 
 could not possibly know any thing of their determination, had 
 been detained longer at a place than the time appointed. All 
 at once he was seized with such an inward apprehension, as 
 compelled him to make all possible haste to Wayomik ; and 
 scarcely had he arrived there, when the wicked purpose was 
 discovered and frustrated. 
 
 The return of the Count and his companions from Wayomik 
 to the inhabited part of Pennsylvania was extremely fatiguing 
 and dangerous. For first, their horses were much exhausted 
 from want of provender in the forests, the grass and foliage 
 being decayed at this late season of the year ; and sufficient 
 Indian corn could not be procured from the natives. Next, 
 the weather was inclement, the days short, and the nights cold 
 and long. Hence the journey took a long time to accomplish. 
 Thirdly, the rivers, and especially the Susquehanna, which 
 could only be forded on horseback, were so much swollen, that 
 those of the company whose horses were not above the ordinary 
 size, were obliged to swim with them in the deepest parts. 
 But they all came safely through, and arrived in health, happy 
 and thankful, at Bethlehem, on the 9th of November. 
 
 The Count remained there some weeks, and endeavoured to 
 arrange every thing in such a manner, as to divest himself of 
 any cause for anxiety with respect to the church at Bethlehem 
 on his approaching departure. 
 
 Intending to take with him some of the elders, who had 
 hitherto ministered to that church, it was necessary to appoint 
 others in their place. He also made himself intimately ac- 
 quainted with the inward state and outward circumstances' of 
 every member of the church, and spoke especially with each 
 of its offlcS-bearers upon the state of his soul, and his future 
 functions. Besides this, he endeavoured to place the outward 
 circumstances of the church on a better footing, and regulated 
 many things with respect to the future. Much also required 
 to be arranged concerning the missions of the brethren both on 
 the continent of America and in the West India islands, as well 
 as brethren to be sent off as missionaries to those parts. 
 
 Many of the members of the synod also frequently resorted 
 
312 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 to Bethlehem at this time, and the cause of God amongst the 
 various religious denominations in Pennsylvania was a priii- 
 cipal object vpith the Count. 
 
 The 13th of November was observed with much solemnity, 
 as being the anniversary of the day on which, in the preceding 
 year, the congregations of the brethren resigned themselves to 
 the special guidance of Jesus Christ, as the chief shepherd and 
 head of his church. On this occasion, four ministers, who were 
 destined to preach both in German and English, wherever 
 they might be required in the country, were ordained by the 
 Count to that office. 
 
 On the 31st of December, he partook of the sacrament with 
 the church, thus taking his leave of them ; and then made 
 one journey more into the interior. 
 
 He had already greatly lamented the want of schools in 
 America. He saw that many parents were unable to instruct 
 their children themselves, owing to their extreme ignorance. 
 Others, who had received an education, were so engrossed 
 with temporal business, that their children were little better 
 situated in this respect than the former. This induced the 
 Count, in concert with other able men, to undertake the thing, 
 and by a printed advertisement publicly to state, that he was 
 willing to form a seminary for the instruction of children. 
 
 An establishment of this kind for girls was actually com- 
 menced in Germantown ; and the Countess Benigna offered 
 to assist in it. But all that was accomplished was, that some 
 friends who loved the Saviour, sent their children to the 
 seminary, to whom it became a blessing ; and I still remember 
 several persons who had been there, and who became faithful 
 handmaids of Jesus Christ. 
 
 He now endeavoured to preach in every place to the Ger- 
 mans once more. Though he regretted that there were so few 
 churches in Pennsylvania, and thought it unbecoming and in- 
 convenient, that the meetings shouldbe held in bams and houses, 
 yet as there was no remedy for it at the time, he accommodated 
 himself to it from love to souls. 
 
 Persons of various denominations attended his discourses, 
 and the Count preached the truths which were so much spoken 
 against in Pennsylvania, with uncommon boldness. In parti- 
 
RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 813 
 
 :ular, he attacked, in the strongest terms, that righteousness 
 md holiness which proceed from human efforts and reason. 
 
 Before I proceed to relate the particulars of the Count's de- 
 parture from North America, I have still to notice a few things 
 ;onnected with his residence there : the first is, the publica- 
 ;ions he edited, which consist of a small collection of Hymns ; 
 Luther's smaller Catechism, for the use of the Lutheran 
 :hurches in Pennsylvania ; an Address to the Free-thinkers, in 
 Latin ; and a Letter to the brethren, which is worthy of the 
 ittention of every intelligent reader : it treats of the method 
 vhich a servant of Christ ought to observe in associating 
 vith "individuals of various descriptions, that injury may be 
 )revented from arising, and advantage be derived to the Sa- 
 iour's cause. 
 
 The opposition manifested against the Count in America was 
 arried to great lengths : he was not only declared by some 
 be the false prophet, by others the horrible beast spoken 
 if in the Revelations, and much of the same kind, but he 
 iras openly and barefacedly accused of the vilest criminalities. 
 ?hus it was reported, that the Countess Benigna was not hia 
 aughter, but a young female whom he had seduced ; that he 
 lad been banished from Germany, and degraded from the 
 lerical office, on account of drunkenness and other vices, &c. 
 L number of such accusations were even published in the 
 ewspapers. 
 
 The Count being by no means inclined to reply to public 
 alumnies, or to revile when reviled, made the following decla- 
 ition, under date of 27th of March : — 
 
 " In a recent publication, there are nineteen historical 
 ccusations brought against me, the whole of which are de- 
 idedly and entirely false. Whoever therefore can verify or ren- 
 er probable any one of these points, I will not only listen to 
 im in public and in private as long as I am here, but sincerely 
 lank him glso, and if possible profit by it." No one, how- 
 ver, appeared who was able to substantiate a single charge 
 gainst the Count ; and he was even obliged to appease the 
 ersons referred to by his opponents as witnesses, lest the 
 tter should be denounced by them to the civil authorities. 
 A letter of the Count's also clearly shows, that he would 
 
314 RESIDENCE IN AMERICA. 
 
 gladly have brought his slanderers to an interview, but was 
 ^unable to effect it. 
 
 His external conduct at this time was singular in every re- 
 spect, and uncommon for a person of his rank. 
 
 The climate in that part of the country where he resided 
 being hot, he made use of the common linen summer dress, 
 worn by people of the middle class. He sometimes travelled 
 on foot, but generally on horseback, there being no other 
 mode of proceeding through the districts into which he ven- 
 tured ; for there were neither carriage-roads nor bridges across 
 the rivers. His travelling companions were also somewhat 
 extraordinary ; for, besides some of the brethren and sisters 
 who were wont to travel with him, he had occasionally two or 
 three converted Indians in his train ; and because this was 
 something strange in the country, it could not fail to ex;cite 
 attention, both among the savages and the white people. In 
 the state of the country at that time, he seldom found a lodg- 
 ing on these journeys, but frequently travelled during the 
 night : but when he stopped anywhere, he either received 
 visits, and continued in conversation during the greater part of 
 the night, or else shut himself up with his papers, and found 
 it difficult to leave them. Now this was something quite new 
 to the people, though quite usual with him. His table was 
 also gener^y but ill suppUed ; for he was unable to eat the 
 smoked or salted pork, which was at that time the customary 
 food of the country. 
 
 He was not inclined, when travelling, to enter into conver- 
 sation with every person without distinction ; but when he fell 
 in with any one, respecting whom he hoped that the word would 
 not be in vain, he did not avoid intercousre with him. 
 
 I will here only adduce one instance pf this : having once 
 taken a person with him to show him the way through the wood, 
 he asked him of what religion he was ? " A Lutheran, to be 
 sure !" said his guide, " But do you know what it is to be a 
 Lutheran ?" asked the Count. This question startled the man, 
 who honestly confessed that he did not. On inquiring further, 
 whether he would be glad to have it explained to him, and re- 
 ceiving an answer in the affirmative, the Count prolonged his 
 journey so as to find time to converse with the guide during 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN PHII,ADELPHIA. 315 
 
 the night ; and then described to him, with a warm heart, what 
 it was to be a Lutheran. This so aifected the man, that it 
 proved the means of his conversion, as I have often afterwards 
 heard him relate. 
 
 On the 28th of December, O. S., an assembly of the con- 
 federated ministers of various religious persuasions, met on the 
 Ridge, about six miles from Philadelphia ; at which the Count 
 took his leave, proposed that such an assembly should be an- 
 nually held in Pennsylvania, appointed a new syndic for such 
 conferences in his place, and made other profitable arrange- 
 ments. 
 
 He then proceeded to Philadelphia, devoted himself as much 
 as the time permitted to his beloved Lutherans, who were also 
 much attached to him, and established' a church, consisting of 
 those Englishmen who had been recently brought by the mini- 
 stry of the brethren to a knowledge of the gospel. 
 
 He afterwards delivered a parting address to the whole of 
 the labourers in the Lord's vineyard, then in Pennsylvania, at 
 the house of Mr. Stephen Benezet, of Philadelphia, in which 
 he expressed his sentiments with reference to the preaching of 
 the gospel, and the pastoral charge in general in America. This 
 address was taken down, and afterwards printed. 
 
 Finally, he preached in the evening of the 31st of Decem- 
 ber, O. S., on the eve of his departure, in the newly-erected 
 Moravian church in Philadelphia. During the sermon his nu- 
 merous auditory were much affected. He left the church be- 
 fore the conclusion of the service, to avoid the pain of taking 
 leave of so many persons ; set out for Frankfort on the Dela- 
 ware, which he reached the same evening, and then pursued 
 his journey to New York. 
 
 Such was the. close of his labours in America ; but before 
 proceeding iurther, I will briefly notice something of what 
 occurred in his family in Germany during his absence. The 
 Countess undertook several journeys, not only to Ebersdorf, 
 Herrnhut, and Berlin, but also to Denmark and Livonia. She 
 had a private audience of the Queen of Denmark at Hirsch- 
 holm, when she spoke freely and fuUy respecting the progress 
 of the gospel at that time. Her arrival in Livonia caused great 
 joy to many, who had ardently desired it. 
 
 p 2 
 
316 VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. 
 
 Before she left Herrnhut, she received intelligence from 
 Marienborn, that the Lord had taken her youngest son, David, 
 to himself; and whilst she was in Livonia, accounts arrived 
 from Herrnhut of the departure of her little daughter, Johanna 
 _Sa]sme, who had also given decided proofs of piety. 
 
 The Count certainly loved his children ; but he had resigned 
 them fully to Him, who had bought them with his blood. 
 Hence, although his paternal heart was deeply pained by the 
 intelligence of their decease, he was able to rejoice in the con- 
 sciousness, that they were now for ever safe in a better world. 
 
 I will relate the Count's return to England in Capt. Garri- 
 son's own words : 
 
 " On the 2d of January, 1743, Count Zinzendorf visited me, 
 on his way to New York, from whence my house is not far 
 distant, and called upon me to return with him to Europe, and 
 take the command of a vessel, which had brought over some of 
 the brethren, to America. Although I had resolved never to go 
 to sea again, yet I joyfully accepted the office. We accordingly 
 set sail from New York, on the 9th of June, in a vessel called 
 the James. Many remarkable things occurred on this voyage 
 which much astonished and comforted me, but of which I 
 will only relate the following : — 
 
 " On the 14th of February, when we were near the Scilly 
 islands, and the wind blew tempestuously from the south, we 
 were in great danger of foundering upon the rocks. The 
 crew were in great terror, and I was also afraid myself. The 
 Count perceiving this, asked me if the danger were really so 
 great ? but comforted me at the same time, and told me we 
 should all come safely and happily to land. He himself was 
 so cheerful and happy during the danger, that I could not 
 help wondering at it. But when he saw that I was still 
 anxious, he told me the storm would be over in two hours : 
 but I was scarcely able to listen to this ; for I took it for 
 granted, that this was something which no one could know 
 beforehand. Hence I made myself ready for death, by prayer 
 and supplication, Ss I was wont to do in similar circumstances. 
 When the two hours he had mentioned were elapsed, he told 
 
VISIT TO YORKSHIRE. 317 
 
 me to go upon deck, and look at the appearance of the wea- 
 ther. Scarcely had I been there two minutes, when the storm 
 subsided, the wind changed to the south-west, and we were 
 soon out of all danger. I then clearly remembered what he 
 had said to me, and was much affected by it. On this, I went 
 down into the cabin, and informed him that the storm was 
 over, and that we were now out of danger. He then requested 
 us to return thanks with him to God, who had delivered us, 
 which we accordingly did. 
 
 " Being very desirous of knowing how the Count could 
 possibly determine the precise time when the storm would 
 subside, I questioned him about it. He said, in reply, that he 
 would plainly tell me how it was, being persuaded that I 
 would not make-any bad use of it. 
 
 " I have now for upwards of twenty years," said he, " en- 
 joyed intimate and heartfelt intercourse with my dear Saviour. 
 Therefore, whenever I am placed in a dangerous and critical 
 situation, the first thing I do, is, to examine whether I am 
 myself to blame for it. If I find any thing with which he is 
 not satisfied, I immediately fall at his feet, and ask forgiveness. 
 My gracious Saviour then gives me to feel, that he has for- 
 given me, and generally lets me know how the matter will 
 terminate. But if it does not please him to do this, I remain 
 passive, and think it is better that I should not know it. But 
 this time, he let me know that the storm would be over in two 
 hours. 
 
 " It was something new and strange to me to -hear that 
 God our Saviour should thus condescend to man, and become 
 so confidential with him ; for in my lifetime, I had always 
 heard more of a great, angry, ajid jealous_God,_than of his 
 ihcompfehensiBle Tove to man, and his condescension to such 
 ]podr creatures as we are. * However, I believed what he told 
 ^e, and had no doubt in my own mind of the truth of it : 
 for I had seen and heard so much of him on this voyage with 
 him, that it was clear to me, in my heart, that he was a faithful 
 servant of Jesus Christ." 
 
 The Count landed at Dover on the 17th of February, and 
 proceeded to London, where he had left me, at his departure 
 for America : but, during his absence, I had gone down to 
 
STS VISIT TO YORKSHIRE. 
 
 Yorkshire, at the earnest request of some friends, with my 
 fellow-labourers in the ministry. By the preaching of Christ 
 erucified, in which some of the brethren, in particular, had 
 been rendered useful, njM^ hundred souls were_awakened 
 there from their sleep of sin7wlio^weire"3eSrous of advancing 
 further in the grace' and knowledge pf. our Lord J,^jis CEfist. 
 The brethren were also wilUng to assist them in this object, 
 according to the grace received from God ; but first they 
 obtained a written promise from each of those that belonged 
 to the church of England, that they would not abandon the 
 ■latter. 
 
 On this, the brethren boldly went to work, and pledged them- 
 selves to each other to abide by the doctrine of Christ cru- 
 cified, with as much simplicity, as if they were ignorant of 
 every thing besides. They hoped that this would produce 
 abiding fruit, and on this was founded their communion with 
 these people, as well as their reproof when needful. 
 
 In this state of things, the Count found us at Smithhouse, 
 near Halifax, where he arrived on the 25th of February, with 
 his daughter, Anna Nitschman, and James Hutton. He was 
 unwilling to undertake any thing with regard to the afiairs of 
 the church in England, until he had first conversed with me, 
 to whom the superintendence of them was at that time com- 
 mitted ; and hence, on his arrival in London, he lost no time 
 in proceeding to Yorkshire. 
 
 The worthy people there, with whom we were associating, 
 pleased him extremely. He addressed them in their meeting 
 with much unction and efieot, and also found time to see and 
 converse with them singly. He conferred also with me and my 
 assistants concerning their previous walk, and what was still 
 necessary with respect to them ; and after having taken a cor- 
 dial leave of a company of English brethren and sisters, who it 
 was thought at the time might become associates in the work 
 of the Lord committed to us, he returned to London. 
 
 He did not, however, take the direct road thither, but 
 went first to Cambridge, where he viewed the colleges, and 
 visited some of the professors ; and from thence proceeded to 
 Broadoaks, a mansion rented by the brethren, about forty miles 
 from London. At that time, the seminaries for the children 
 
RESIDENCE IN LONDON. 319 
 
 of the English brethren were there, which had been begun 
 in London, but removed thither, in order that the children 
 might be brought up in greater innocence. The Count in- 
 spected these seminaries, called the place " Lambs'-inn," and 
 left his daughter Benigna there with the children. 
 
 On the 11th of March, he returned to London, and was so 
 full of what he had seen in Yorkshire, that he said, none of 
 the new churches had pleased him so well as that in Yorkshire. 
 The next day, he held a conference with the whole of the 
 elders and teachers of the Moravian church in London, in 
 which he explained to them the duties of their office, and en- 
 couraged them to be faithful in the discharge of them. He 
 then divided his time in such a manner, as to preach a ser- 
 mon in German daily in the Moravian church : this was 
 copied down, translated into English, and generally read the 
 day following, in the church, to those who did not understand 
 German. 
 
 Being told, a short time before his departure from London, 
 that Frenchmen were there^ wh-^ ^jieither understood English 
 nor German, and yet were desirous of hearing the gospel, he 
 preached, on the 24th of March, a sermon in French, for the 
 first time in his life. 
 
 The Count also, during this period, delivered several ad- 
 dresses to the English " Society for the furtherance of the 
 Gospel among the Heathen," and related to them, not only the 
 miserable state of the poor heathen, of which he had been an 
 eye-witness, but also made them acquainted with the labours 
 of the brethren amongst them, and the difficulties they met 
 with. 
 
 That which had given rise to this recently established society, 
 was the circumstance of the brethren and sisters who came to 
 England, either to proceed to the various missionary stations, 
 or on their return from the latter. In consequence of being 
 occasionally obliged to spend some weeks in England, whilst 
 waiting for the sailing of the vessels for the places to which they 
 were proceeding, they became acquainted vrith our English 
 friends and brethren. When the latter saw with what devoted- 
 ness to the Saviour, and what desire for the salvation of the 
 heathen ; nay, at what hazard of their health and lives the 
 
320 RfSIDENCE IN ENGLANA, 
 
 'brethren and sisters boldly repaired to the scene of theii* 
 labours, — they felt impelled to assist these servants of Jesus 
 Christ, in a manner suited to their circimistances, mindful of 
 the words, " Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou 
 doest to the brethren and to strangers ; which have borne 
 witness of thy charity before the church : whom, if thou bring 
 forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do 
 well. Because that for his name's sake they went forth, tak- 
 ing nothing of the Gentiles. We ought, therefore, to receive 
 such, that we may be fellow-helpers to the truth." 3 John, 
 5 — 8. This occasioned some of our London friends and bre-^ 
 thren to meet together, and consider what they might and 
 ought to. do, for Jesus's sake, towards the promotion of the 
 gospel, and how they might best accomplish it. They decided 
 unanimously to provide for the missionaries, as long as they 
 were in London, find suitable opportunities for their proceed- 
 ing further, agree with the captains of the vessels fixed upon 
 for that purpose, recommend them, if possible, to friends at 
 the places whither they w^te going, expedite their letters, 
 provide them with any little Recessariesthcy might require, &c* 
 
 In order that all this might be done in a regular maimer,' 
 they formed themselves into a SoClety, which met monthlyj 
 read the letters from the missionaries, and then deposited, in 
 a box for that purpose, whatever each one thought proper to 
 give. They chose from amongst themselves a committee, 
 who had to assemble weekly, or oftener, according to circum- 
 stances, and attend to whatever came before them, as well as 
 various oiBce-bearers, that every thing might be managed 
 honourably both in the sight of God and man. 
 
 Besides the labours above' mentioned, the Count devoted 
 many hours to the service of his neighbours in a variety of 
 ways. He had many visits, particularly from those who were 
 zealous in their profession of religion ; and occasionally visited 
 them in return. Amongst 'others, he became acquainted, dur- 
 ing this period, with the Rev. John Cennick, a zealous preacher, 
 who, some years after, became a faithful fellow-labourer of the 
 brethren, and continued so until his end. 
 
 The Count became also very intimate with Mr. James 
 Erskine, a member of parliament, and both a learned and pious 
 
RESIDENCE IN ENGLAND. 321. 
 
 man. The latter gave him, both in word and writing, a com- 
 plete idea of the state of religion in Scotland, and invited the 
 brethren thither, because he was desirous that godliness in Christ 
 Jesus might be implanted in the hearts of the people in that 
 country; for which purpose brother Hesse was sent thither 
 towards the close of the year. Mr. Erskine informed the 
 Count, that he had found, in the library at Aberdeen, the ori- 
 ginal of the protest of the Bohemian nobility against the 
 execution of John Huss, the martyr, signed and sealed by fifty- 
 three noblemen. ' 
 
 The Count also paid a friendly visit to the archbishop of 
 Canterbury ; on which occasion he inspected the library at 
 Lambeth, and. deposited in it the original documents of the 
 negotiation between the Moravian and Greek church. 
 
 On the 25th of March, the Count set out for Holland, but 
 the vessel not being ready to sail from Gravesend, he availed 
 himself of the interval to confer on important subjects with 
 the brethren who had accompanied him thither. 
 
 In the beginning of April he arrived safely in Holland, in 
 company with about twenty individuals, whom he had brought 
 with him from America, and went from Rotterdam first to 
 the Hague, where he had the satisfaction of meeting with 
 Mr. Von Gersdorf, who had been deputed by the churches to 
 act as their agent In Holland. After conversing with him, he 
 proceeded to Amsterdam, where he held a conference with the 
 elders and bishops, who had assembled there, on every thing 
 that had occurred during his absence. 
 
 Previous to his departure from Marienborn, he had nomi- 
 nated some brethren for the purpose of superintending the 
 affairs of the church and the brethren who were travelling, 
 and these constituted the general conference. Being com- 
 missioned to superintend every thing in the Count's absence, 
 whicTi might promote the prosperity of the Moravian cause, 
 they had not only been indefatigable in doing so, but had als6 
 taken in hand a variety of other business, with reference to the 
 various settlements, and felt assured that they were only acting 
 according to the commission given them. 
 
 The Count, however, regarded it in a very different point of 
 view ; for, first, he thought it would have been better if the 
 
 p3 
 
322 RESIDENCE IN HOLLAND. 
 
 general conference had limited itself to the things already on 
 foot. If it were requisite to undertake any thing new, he 
 thought it was only reasonable previously to hear his c^inion 
 on the subject : for because his office of superintendent, which 
 he would gladly have resigned, was not taken from him, and 
 he had been commissioned by the synod in London to have his 
 eye upon the whole proceedings of the church, — ihe could not 
 comprehend hgw the general conference should undertake such 
 important matters without first consulting him ; since there 
 would have been no great difficulty in writing to America and 
 waiting for his reply. The Count had, secondly, many scruples 
 with regard to the new measures adopted in his absence, both 
 as it respected the measures themselves and the manner of 
 treating them. 
 
 I mention this circimistance beforehand ; for it seems to be 
 a key to much that transpired during the year, of which more 
 in the sequel. 
 
 The Count met here also his son Christian Renatus, in 
 whom a great change had taken place since his departure for 
 America, which rejoiced him much. 
 
 It is true that some traces of the work of the Holy Spirit 
 had manifested themselves in this young nobleman from his 
 youth up ; but as the Count was firmly convinced that all 
 yoimg people, brought up amongst the brethren, where they 
 were preserved from much that is evil, and habituated to 'that 
 which is good, ought, like others who had not enjoyed the 
 same advantages in their education, to become thoroughly 
 acquainted with their natural sinfulness and corruption in the 
 light of the Holy Spirit, and obtain and experience the grace 
 that is in Christ Jesus, — he was of the same opinion also with 
 respect to his son. He spoke with him occasionally on the 
 subject, and often entreated his Lord and Saviour on his behalf: 
 this had been especially the case on his third visit to the 
 heathen, and he had received in his heart the assurance that 
 his son would become a child of God and a servant of Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 On finding him so much changed that he scarcely knew him 
 again, he considered how he might continue to be faithfully 
 trained for the service of the Saviour and his church. After 
 
RESIDENCE IN HOLLAND. 323 
 
 much reflection, he resolved to keep him near him, and make 
 use of him not only in labouring among the single brethren, 
 but also in aU the other business of the church. How far he 
 attained his object will appear in due time. 
 
 Count Balthasar Frederick Von Promnitz, whom Count 
 Zinzendorf had never before seen, but who had opened his 
 heart to him by letter, and assured him of his devotedness to 
 the Saviour's cause, came also t6 Amsterdam to visit him. 
 This nobleman had been a few times in Herrnhut, which had 
 proved a blessing to him, and felt a particular attachment to 
 the brethren and their churches, which he had evidenced on 
 several occasions, in places where it was not expected of him. 
 
 The Count was well satisfied with this nobleman's state of 
 mind ; he nevertheless regretted that the brethren should have 
 employed him in matters which belonged to their syndic's 
 office. For although he did not doubt that Count von Promnitz 
 was fuUy disposed to execute, with much ability and fidelity, 
 the commission entrusted to him, and which he had willingly 
 undertaken ; yet it was not to be expected, that he possessed 
 the needftd acquaintance with every thing, in which the indivi- 
 dual undertaking the affairs of the brethren ought to feel at 
 home. 
 
 On the 12th of April the Count went to Heerendyk, where 
 the brethren and sisters, ■yho had accompanied him from 
 America, and several visitors from England and Amsterdam, 
 had also arrived. He there related, in a public assembly, 
 which lasted some hours, much of what had occurred in Ame- 
 rica, gave addresses to some of the choirs, and the members of 
 the church, and returned on the 15th of April to Amsterdam. 
 
 He was now anxious to revisit the churches in Germany, 
 but was desirous, before his departure, of seeing some matters 
 concerning the brethren arranged with the States-general. 
 
 He thought it his duty first of all to resume the office of 
 syndic to the brethren, which he had divided between the 
 bishops Miiller and David Nitschman, in order to bring those 
 things into their regular course, which, in his opinion, had 
 deviated from it. 
 
 Mr. Von Gersdorf, as the deputy of the Moravian church 
 at the Hague, had petitioned, — 
 
S'jit RETURN TO GERMANr. 
 
 1 . For religious tolerance and ecclesiastical liberty for the 
 brethren in all the provinces of the United Netherlands. 
 
 2. For permission to send individual members of the Mo- 
 ravian church to the Dutch colonies in the East and West 
 Indies, for the conversion of the heathen there, 
 
 3. That if the States-general wished for further information 
 respecting the doctrine and church-discipline of the brethren, 
 they would appoint a comimission for that purpose. 
 
 They accordingly did so, and the Count, who was much grati- 
 fied with the circumstance, regarded it as necessary definitely to 
 point out the question on which the whole subject hinged, which 
 he did in a memoir, drawn up in the French language. 
 
 The result was, that since that time, the Moravian church 
 has enjoyed the desired tranquillity in the seven united pro- 
 vinces. 
 
 After the Count had thus far arranged the affairs of the 
 church in Holland, he proceeded, in company with his son 
 and daughter, and Anna Nitschman, on the 20th of April^ to 
 Utrecht, and from thence to Wetteravia. On the 26th he 
 arrived at Lindheim, and the next day went to Herrnhaag, 
 where the general meeting of the church was just being held. 
 He immediately addressed them on the watchword for the 
 day, and expressed his cordial affection for them ; and after- 
 wards communicated much information respecting the affairs of 
 the brethren in England, Holland, and America. 
 
 He afterwards devoted himself for some days to the various 
 sections of the church at Herrnhaag ; respecting which, how- 
 ever, he began to entertain some scruples. 
 
 It has been already stated, that he would have been glad if 
 Herrnhaag had adhered to the Reformed, as Herrnhut had 
 done to the Lutheran confession, retaining at the same time 
 the regulations of the Moravian church, which had proved so 
 beneficial ; but during his absence, the brethren had entered 
 into a new contract with the- Count of Isenburg-Biidingen, in 
 which Herrnhaag was openly stated to be a Moravian church, 
 and under the inspection of its bishops. This was connected 
 with the borrowing of a considerable capital, from which the 
 Count was apprehensive of dangerous results. 
 -^'His views with respect to Herrnhaag being thus counteracted. 
 
RETtRN TO Germany. 325 
 
 he took the resolution of ministering the gospel to the church 
 there, without entering into its secular affairs. 
 
 On the 5th of May, the Count removed to Marienborn, and 
 some days after visited the Count of Isenburg-Meerholz. 
 
 The castle of Marienborn, together with the district of Eck- 
 hartshausen, to which it belongs, had in the 'meantime been 
 mortgaged for a certain sum, by the Count of Meerholtz, to 
 Matthew Beuning, of Amsterdam; for thirty years. With this 
 arrangement Count Zinzendorf was not satisfied ; for he rented 
 Marienborn of his cousin for his residence ; but by the contract 
 above mentioned, it was ceded to Mr. Beuning. 
 
 The Count, notwithstanding he had protested against this 
 proceeding, immediately on hearing of it, assisted Mr. Beu- 
 ning, who found an unexpected difficulty in raising the money, 
 with a considerable part of the desired sum. Hence the 
 question arose at length, whether it would not be better to 
 transfer the contract to Count Zinzendorf or his consort, sinoe 
 they required Marienborn for their residence, whilst Mr. Beu- 
 ning usually resided at Amsterdam. 
 
 The affair could not be immediately arranged : however, the 
 church attached to Marienborn was opened according to the 
 contract, and the Count preached in it himself to a numerous 
 auditory, which was increased by many strangers who attended 
 there ; and the affair was afterwards arranged between him, 
 Mr. Beuning, and the Count of Isenburg-Meerholz. 
 / On his return from America-, the Count found the theological 
 ^ yseminary, which had been hitherto established in Marienborn, 
 but was afterwards removed to Lindheim, not only much in- 
 creased, but also in some respects changed. Bishop Miiller, 
 who was a very learned man, seemed desirous that scholastie 
 learning should be seriously pursued in the seminary, whilst 
 the Count was afraid, lest those who studied in it should be by 
 this means led away from the knowledge of Jesus Christ, easily 
 attach themselves to subjects of minor importance, and occupy 
 themselves with things, otherwise useful, which did not accord 
 with their destination. He called to mind what the archbishop 
 of Canterbury had said to him a short time before : — " That he 
 was not without apprehension, lest the brethren should fall 
 away from their simplicity, if their bishops should begin to fill 
 
326 REinEN TO GERMANr. 
 
 the minds of their young people with human learning." Hence 
 he faithfully endeavoured, thbugh with much prudence, to pre- 
 vent any injurious consequences from this regulation. 
 
 According to his view, not only ought the pure doctrine of 
 the holy Scriptures, as contained in the Augsburg Confession, 
 to be fundamentally taught in the seminary, but also the best 
 method of applying them to the human heart : its members 
 ought to be d^ected, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 not to seek their own, but faithfully and cordially what is Jesus 
 Christ's: they ought not to occupy themselves with useless 
 controversies, and still less with fanciful notions and ideas, 
 but, on the contrary, exercise themselves in things which 
 were indispensable to them, in order to become useful to God 
 and their neighbour : they ought to strive to be regular, hum- 
 ble, and simple in their doctrine and deportment, and to be 
 obedient ; that there might be no hesitation in appointing them 
 to offices consistent with the gifts and talents they possessed. 
 , On the 8th of May, he went with some of his fellow-labourers 
 to the Ronneburg. The brethren not having sufficient room, 
 had hired this old castle of the previous tenants ; and at that 
 time a whole church dwelt in it, which was provided with every 
 necessary office and regulation. There was also a seminary for 
 children there. The Count visited this place often, especially 
 when he wished to be alone : he also spent the 14th of July 
 there, with some of his fellow-labourers, in grateful recollec- 
 tion of his coming thither as an exile on that day seven years 
 before : he also made use of it, during his residence in Wette- 
 ravia, for several important conferences and other ecclesiastical 
 business. 
 
 The Count, after making himself fully acquainted with the 
 various changes which had taken place in his absence, and the 
 present state of things, went to work anew, though with much 
 circumspection, and sought to amend the faults which had 
 been occasionally committed. The Lord was with him, and 
 gave him, not only at his first entrance into the church after 
 his return, but also on every, future occasion, so much grace, 
 and blessed his preaching and other proceedings so obviously, 
 that the members of the church became heartily attached to 
 him, and grateftd to the Redeemer on his behalf. 
 
RETURN TO GERMANY. 327 
 
 Meanwhile, brother David Nitschman had returned from 
 his negotiation at Gotha, which had reference to the following 
 object : — 
 
 Count von Promnitz had purchased from Count Gotter an 
 estate in Saxe-Gotha, and had resolved, if the consent of the 
 government could be obtained, to found a Moravian settlement 
 there. The affair had been agitated, and the requisite appli- 
 cations had been made ; but when the Count returned, he was 
 not only much dissatisfied with the brethren who had been 
 active in the matter, but even made known his sentiments in 
 writing to the reigning Duke of Saxe-Gotha. 
 
 Thus the proposed colony in Gotha was set aside for the 
 time, and the Count recalled the brethren from thence. 
 
 Afterwards, however, without the Count's knowledge or 
 concurrence, a Moravian colony settled on the estate of Neu- 
 dietendorf, above mentioned, which adheres to the Lutheran 
 church, according to the views the Count held at that time, 
 and is attended by a Lutheran clergyman, who administers 
 the sacraments, but at the same time has permission to retain 
 its own discipline, like the rest of the Moravian churchesi 
 
 On the 21st of May, the rest of the brethren and sisters 
 who had accompanied the Count from Pennsylvania, also ar- 
 rived at Marienborn. Having proceeded from Heerendyk to 
 Frankfort by water, their arrival had been delayed. The day 
 following, the Count had also the pleasure to see his consort 
 again, who had returned from St. Petersburg and Livonia. 
 
 It was afterwards ascertained, that shewas_^iven_^]atjjl Li- 
 vonia as the foundress of a new sect, whichgroundless imputa- 
 tion might have been o? unpleasant consequences to'her, TTtlie 
 LorOiad not faithfully watcheSToverher. "The Count, however, 
 felt iiiducedr to send pressing reinonstrances on the subject, both 
 to St. Petersburg and Livonia : he also addressed the holy synod 
 of the Russian church, entreating them to appoint a commis- 
 sion to inquire who he was, what the Moravian church was ; 
 and then to consider what their religious duty required of them 
 to think and speak of the brethren, and how they ought to act 
 towards them. 
 
 Considering the many difficulties which presented them- 
 selves from within and without, the Count thought it requisite 
 
328 RETURN TO GERMANY. 
 
 to act with much boldness and cheerfulness. With this view, he 
 made a particular covenant with the brethreii and sisters who 
 were the most with him, which had reference solely to. a sim-. 
 pie and childlike deportment. They agreed to expect every 
 blessing from the love of Jesus, believingly adhere to his word,, 
 filially east all care upon him, and heartily rejoice in him., 
 iTheir motto was, " This he said in order to prove them; for 
 
 ^he knew whatjie would do." When they came together, their 
 behaviour was cordial and affectionate, but, at the same time, 
 sincere and confidential ; like children when in company- witli 
 each other. 
 
 ■"^ This little society, which was begun vrith a few, and was very 
 beneficial for a time, brought some of the brethren and sisters, 
 who would otherwise have fallen a prey to gloomy reflections, 
 ipto a pleasant and simple state ; and it was clearly seen, that 
 the Lord granted his blessing upon it : but when it increased, 
 and some of its members only sought their loose amusement, 
 it was thought best to dissolve the society, in order to avoid all 
 abuse of it. 
 
 For the sake of a number of people, who came from all 
 quarters, in order to be with a church of the brethren, the 
 Count considered how he might procure them a residence. 
 Leustadt, a place with a castle and church, which had been 
 mortgaged to Mr. Beuning by the Count of Biidingen, seemed 
 a convenient place for the time. The Count therefore arranged, 
 that a number of these people should be quartered at Leustadt, 
 where they were attended to by the brethren, and had regula- 
 tions given them conformable to their circumstances. He 
 afterwards visited Leustadt himself, and consoled the worthy 
 people, who felt grieved Ihat they could not be received into 
 Hermhaag, with the hope that much good would result from it. 
 He also administered the sacrament there. 
 
 The Count seriously considering the necessity of coming to 
 a good understanding with his fellow-labourers, both respectr 
 ing what had been already done, was still to be accomplisbedj 
 and the measures which were to be adopted in consequence, 
 regarded it needful to call a synod. It was decided to hold it 
 at Hirschberg, in Vogtland, one reason of which was, the 
 hope that thus a brotherly connexion might be renewed vrith 
 
RETURN fO GERMANY. 329 
 
 the church at Ebersdorf, which is not far from thence ; for that 
 church had for some years pursued its course, without any 
 connexion with the rest of the churches of the brethren. 
 The Count took leave of the church at Herrnhaag on the 23d 
 of June, after first partaking of the sacrament. On the 24th 
 he reached the Ronneburg, and arrivedT at Hirschberg on 
 the 30th of June. 
 
 The synod was opened on the 1st of July, and lasted till 
 the 12th of that month, and was occupied with the general 
 business of the church. 
 
 After its termination, the Count proceeded to Pottiga, to 
 visit his sister-in-law, the Countess Benigna Keuss, and from 
 thence to Ebersdorf. He remained there several days, during 
 which he frequently preached. He then set out for Berlin 
 with the Countess and his son, and arrived there on the 21st 
 of July. He was accompanied by the brethren. Von Gersdorf, 
 Weiss, and Layritz, who had been empowered by the synod 
 to negotiate with the Pussian government, respecting a con- 
 cession granted to the brethren, which did not satisfy the 
 Count. David Nitschman had preceded them, and the Count 
 found every thing in such a train, that he could immediately 
 proceed with the object he had in view, which was, that a 
 commission might be appointed, in order that after due in- 
 vestigation, the matter might be decided. This was, however, 
 found unnecessary by the Prussian government, and conse- 
 quently declined. 
 
 The afiair was briefly this : — The Count requested that an 
 alteration should be made in the concession granted to the 
 Moravian church, and that instead of exempting the latter and 
 its teachers from the inspection of the consistory, and granting 
 its bishops tlaejura ecclesicB,h.e would have preferred that the 
 churches of the brethren in Silesia should have been placed 
 under the Lutheran consistory, retaining, at the same time, 
 their own discipline and constitution, as well as the liberty of 
 choosing their own teachers. 
 
 He therefore strongly urged the point upon the minister 
 of state in Berlin, to whom the affair had been committed : 
 but that statesman assured the Count, he ought to thank God, 
 that the concession had been drawn up as it was, for he was 
 
33U RESIDENCE IN SILESIA. 
 
 well aware that the individuals under whom it was wished io 
 place the brethren, were heartily opposed to them, and no one 
 could know that so well as he. This was said so pointedly, 
 that the Count was obliged to leave it for the time. 
 
 Notwithstanding this, he omitted nothing in the sequel, for 
 the preservation of unity between the Moravian church in 
 Silesia and the Lutheran church. The end was, however, not 
 attained ; for the clergy of the latter preferred the existence 
 of the former, as a separate church, and not in connexion with 
 them. The Count, however, was inuch grieved at not being 
 able to succeed in his object. 
 
 On the 8th of August, he left Berlin for Silesia ; and being 
 authorized by the brethren to arrange for the erection of cha- 
 pels in Silesia, according to the royal concession, so that all the 
 inconveniences which were apprehended might be prevented, 
 a royal rescript was issued, under date 27th of July, enjoining 
 the governments in Breslau and Glogau, to offer no impedi- 
 ment to the Coimt in the prosecution of his purpose, but on 
 the contrary, to afford him all reasonable assistance. 
 
 In Silesia, he fixed his residence at Burau, a place belong- 
 ing to Count Promnitz, where the new-built houses, as well 
 as the beautiful . hall in the castle, were very suitable for his 
 purpose ; so that he remained there vsdth his domestic church, 
 from the 11th to the 26th of August, and afterwards, from 
 the 9th of September to the 2d of November. From this 
 place, he was easily able to attend to the church at Herrnhut, 
 for he was still an exile ; and as the latter was not very far 
 from Burau, he had the pleasure of being visited by many of 
 the brethren and sisters, and of rejoicing over their growth 
 in grace. That these visits might not prove a loss of time, 
 but be beneficial, the Count appointed, from time to time, 
 who should come to Burau, in order that he might have the 
 better opportunity of conferring with them upon the affairs of 
 the church and the state of their own souls. 
 
 On the 25th of August, his old friend. Baron Von Watte- 
 wille, received episcopal consecration, by the imposition of 
 hands, of the Count and Bishop Miiller. 
 
 Finding that there were also some emigrants from Moravia 
 at Burau, he considered how he might assist them in the 
 
RESIDENCE IN SILESIA. 331 
 
 object they had in view on abandoning their native country. 
 He therefore sent for them, and showed them what is given 
 us in Christ, and through him, and by him, and how, by faith 
 in him, we may obtain forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. 
 They were afterwards spoken to individually, special attention 
 was paid to them, meetings were held for them alone, and 
 Bible lessons given ; by which several of these people profited 
 so much, that they were, in the sequel, successfully employed 
 as missionaries to the heathen. 
 
 A number of married couples, who had all the intention of 
 proceeding to North America, came to him at Gnadeck (for 
 so he termed the castle at Burau), and commenced their journey 
 from thence ; not with the intention of becoming colonists, 
 but with the hope of benefiting the souls of the poor ignorant 
 people, of whom there are many thousands there. 
 
 The Count being so weU acquainted with the state of things 
 in North America, conversed much with these brethren, and 
 gave them an idea, both of what they would find to do there, 
 and of the manner of commencing the undertaking, so that 
 it might be beneficial to the Saviour's cause. 
 
 Towards the end of August and beginning of September, he 
 performed a journey through Silesia, into the principality of 
 Jagerndorf. 
 
 He preached several times in PeUe, both in going and re- 
 turning. He also opened the new chapel at Gross Krausche, 
 by preaching the first sermon in it, after which he returned 
 to Burau. 
 
 On travelling again through SUesia, in the beginning of 
 November, he was accompanied by the Countess and his son. 
 He made the longest stay at Peile, where he was met by 
 many who held office in the difierent Moravian churches. 
 
 On the 17th of November, brother John Michael Langguth, 
 with the assistance of Bishop Von WattewiUe, was ordained 
 co-bishop. 
 
 The Count having the intention of proceeding from Burau 
 to Riga, and afterwards to St. Petersburg, in order to place 
 the Moravian cause, which was then much disturbed, in its 
 proper Ught, was very anxious respecting the due administra- 
 tion of the affairs of the church in his absence. 
 
33^ RESIDENCE IN SItESIA, 
 
 He was not without fear, lest the brethren should be again 
 drawn into Something from whence they might receive injury 
 themselves, and prove of little benefit to others. He had not 
 yet forgotten what had occurred in the single year, during 
 which he had been absent. 
 
 He therefore insisted upon it, that the brethren should 
 either relieve him of his office of superintendent, and exonerate 
 him from all responsibility, according to the wish he had ex- 
 pressed three years before, or, that by investing him with new 
 authority, they should place him in a situation, not only to 
 remedy things which were either ill-timed or likely to prove 
 injurious, but also to accomplish that which he regarded as 
 useful and necessary, and according to the will of God. 
 
 A document was therefore prepared in answer to the Count's 
 letter, in which he was fuUy empowered to act in behalf of 
 the Moravian church, which document was signed by the bre- 
 thren that were present at the time, and handed over to the 
 Count on the 21st of November. 
 
 In this document, he was assured, that nothing of any im- 
 portance should be undertaken without his knowledge and 
 consent, either in the churches and settlements of the bre- 
 thren, or in the missions, or elsewhere. They also thanked 
 him for his labours in behalf of the church up to that period, 
 and charged him with every thing belonging to the office of 
 superintendent, as expressly as had been done in the year' 
 1733 ; testifying, at the same time, their distinguished esteem, 
 and particular confidence in him. Finally, they requested 
 him to nominate betimes, his successor to the office, lest the 
 Moravian churches, either by his resignation of it, or his de- 
 parture out of this hfe, might fall into difficulties, by which 
 the cause might be injured. 
 
 The Count accepted this appointment so far, as to Teserve 
 to himself the privilege of explaining himself further upan it, 
 at a proper time, of which more in the sequel. 
 
 After the Count had taken leave of the church in Peile,- as 
 well as of those who had. accompanied him thither, the Countess, 
 his son, and some other brethren proceeded with him to Polish- 
 Lissa, where the former left him, and he prosecuted his journey 
 with his son and the brethren. 
 
RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA. 333 
 
 On the 23d of December, he amved in Riga, by way of 
 Konigsberg. The ruggedness of the roads and the unpleasant- 
 ness of the weather, at that time of the year, did not injure 
 his health. Silent intercourse with the Saviour was his chief 
 occupation on the journey, and he was not without a foreboding 
 of what afterwards befell him in Riga. 
 
 But before I speak of this, it is necessary that I briefly 
 relate the state of things in Livonia at that time, as far as the 
 brethren were concerned. 
 
 When the Count was in that country in 1 736, many per- 
 sons of rank and piety spoke with him upon the wretched 
 state of the native peasantry, and their profound ignorance 
 of divine things. To obviate this, he promised to send cate- 
 chists for the instruction of the young, to those who should 
 require them. Several accordingly arrived at Wolmarshof, 
 and General Von Hallart's lady made preparations for pro- 
 curing them a place of residence, where they might instruct 
 those young Livonians, who were intended for schoolmasters 
 to their countrymen. This was the origin of the buildings 
 called the Lammsberg near Wolmar. The general ecclesias- 
 tical commission, which was held in that country in 1739, 
 inspected them, inquired minutely into every circumstance, 
 approved of it as a salutary institution, and proposed to the 
 parishioners in all the places whither they came, to send some 
 of their people to Lammsberg, to be similarly prepared for the 
 office of schoolmaster ; which advice was followed in many 
 instances, so that the number of pupils in a few years amounted 
 to seventy. The brethren had thus an opportunity of making 
 themselves thoroughly acquainted with the language ; the 
 parents of the pupils visited their children, and heard them 
 catechised ; the Holy Spirit roused their consciences, and 
 divinely convinced them, that, they must perish in the state in 
 which they then were. On this, in the course of a short time, 
 such an awakening took place_among thepeasantry, and the 
 desirefor. the gospel was so great, that, with_the permission of 
 the^uperintendent-gener£ff7^esi3es the customary discourses of 
 the clergy in the church, the brethren were also permitted 
 to preach the gospel. 
 
 This caused an additional number of brethren to be sent for 
 
334 RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA. 
 
 by the nobility and clergy. To the question, " What have the 
 brethren aimed at and effected in Livonia?" the Count replies, 
 " The brethren have certainly had no other object in view, 
 than to make known Christ crucified, in order to the salvation 
 of souls ; and in this, thank God, they have been abundantly 
 successful. But because many of the clergy in Livonia, and 
 particularly in Revel, were much addicted to the principle of Dr. 
 Buddaeus, de restituenda discipUna fratrum — our brethren have 
 certainly been desirous of cooperating vrith them, and perhaps 
 all, with one exception, have suffered themselves to be em- 
 ployed for that purpose, notwithstanding my positive declara^ 
 tion to the contrary." 
 
 "^ In consequence of the many publications which appeared 
 I against the brethren, and of a dissension which arose in Livonia 
 I itself, an imperial commission was appointed. Mtoy of the 
 charges brought against the brethren on that occasion, being 
 made known in Germany, through the medium of the press, 
 the Count resolved to_agpear„in Livonia in person, since the 
 C'6uHtess~hacrBeen openly accused as being ffie found^gJIof a 
 dangerous sect in that country. 
 
 His intention was to put a stop to the measures, which had 
 been taken without his consent and against his express com- 
 mand, with several of the clergy in Revel, to introduce the 
 Moravian discipline into the Lutheran church, without preju- 
 dice, however, to the great and astonishing progress which the 
 gospel was making in those parts. 
 
 The method he was desirous of taking to accomplish his in- 
 tentions is evident from a letter to the Livonian government, 
 which he wrote on the 30th of November, during his journey to 
 Riga. He says in it," His calhng, not only with reference to the 
 church at Hernnhut, but to the Moravian church in general, 
 would have long ago incited him to appear in person before 
 the government of Livonia, for the purpose of more con- 
 venient communication, and, iirst of all, thoroughly to investi- 
 gate, on the spot, the report of the disorders said to have been 
 caused by the brethren, and then to have contributed, as cir- 
 cumstances might require, either to their legitimation or 
 accusation," &c. 
 
 His plans, however, were apparently frustrated by a cir- 
 
IMPRISONMENT IN RIGA. 335 
 
 cumstance which happened to him at Riga ; but God so ordered 
 the matter, that the Count had reason to be satisfied with the 
 result of his journey. 
 
 For, on his arrival at Riga, on the 23d of December, 
 brother Weiss went to Count Lascy, the Governor-general, to 
 inform him of the circumstance, and to request a pass to St, 
 Petersburg. Count Lascy answered, " that he could do nothing 
 in the matter until he had written to St. Petersburg, and re- 
 ceived orders from thence. Meanwhile, he must request Count 
 Zinzendorf to have patience ; for he was not at liberty to suffer 
 a person of rank, who had business of importance, to pass with- 
 out permission." 
 
 On this, brother Weiss was accompanied by a Serjeant, and 
 conducted to the citadel : but -a major came to the Count with the 
 Governor's compliments and a similar answer : that as a delay 
 must take place, till intelligence arrived from St. Petersburg, 
 and since it was to be regretted that the Count had passed the 
 Duna, he was requested to retire across it, when the Governor 
 would visit him. This was as much as to say, that the Count, 
 meanwhile, should take up his abode in the citadel. There he 
 remained with his son, and the rest of the company, until the 
 12th of January, and occupied himself very assiduously and 
 uninterruptedly, in writing letters and other labours ; whilst 
 the captain, who had the charge of him, conducted himself 
 with equal prudence and kindness towards him. 
 
 The Saviour was very gracious to the Count during this 
 trial, the result of which he naturally could not know, and gave 
 him the assurance in his heart, that it came from himself, and 
 would terminate very beneficially. 
 
 His only concern was, that with a filially resigned heart, he 
 might correspond with the Saviour's intentions, and frustrate 
 them in no respect, either by word or deed. 
 
 During this period, he wrote as follows to the Countess : — 
 " I earnestly entreat you not to take my arrest to heart. I 
 can assure you, that I feel happy at the circumstance, as well 
 as our dear son. If it had not been the Saviour's will, it 
 would not have taken place ; for I have had sufiicient warning 
 respecting it, to which I not only paid no attention, but even 
 gave occasion to it by my letter to the vice-chancellor, and Count 
 
336 RETURN To SILESIA. 
 
 Lascy. The dealings of God have their aim, and I am fully 
 assured the Saviour will do all things well. The Governor has 
 acted extremely politely, and I can see nothing on his part but 
 good-wiU. Think of me often. There is now a pretty little 
 band in captivity for the Saviour's sake, and Christian feels a 
 pleasure in enduring something of the kind with his papa. I 
 will send you as much intelligence as I can. Remember, my 
 dear, that we have a Saviour, in whose faithful hands we are, 
 and who guides us graciously and blissfully, although it may 
 sometimes seem strangely, and though we should have chosen 
 a diiFerent road, if it had depended upon us. In all my life I 
 have felt an inchnation to nothing so little as imprisonment ; 
 but now when it is come to this, I am quite satisfied. I cannot 
 say more than what I have formerly told you, that when I am 
 not present, you must seek to fulfil, with double diligence, 
 the duties of my station." , 
 
 In his letter to her Majesty the Empress of Russia, he 
 mentions, first of all, the reasons which induced him personally 
 to appear in Riga: he then refers to the soundness and 
 purity of his religious sentiments, and his avoiding all secta- 
 rianism ; and, in conclusion, requests that the case may be mi- 
 nutely investigated. 
 
 On the 9th of January, the decision of the Empress was 
 notified to the Count by Prince Mescherzkoi, that he should 
 depart with all speed from her territories, and that her 
 Majesty did not find it necessary to institute any examination 
 witi respect to him; on which he requested that he might re- 
 main a few days longer, in order to wait the return of the post 
 from St. Petersburg, and to give his accusers an opportunity of 
 instituting an inquiry through the medium of the government, 
 with respect to the events in Livonia, as far as he was concerned. 
 
 He also wrote again to the Empress, expressing his respect- 
 ful acquiescence in her wishes, and requesting that his papers, 
 which had been seized, might be returned to him. 
 
 A few days afterwards, he commenced his return : mean- 
 while, he was interceded for in prayer by the Moravian churches, 
 with much affection, at the same time without apprehension, 
 and in the full assurance that the Lord would bring him safely 
 back again. 
 
RETURN TO BURAU. 337 
 
 A variety of reports were circulated in the public journals, 
 respecting this arrest of the Count, and it was taken into con- 
 sideTation, whether the true state of the affair should not be 
 published ; but the Count declined it, and merely assured the 
 public, that he was satisfied with the conduct pursued towards 
 him on this occasion. 
 
 The Count arrived at Konigsberg, from Riga, on the 21st 
 of January, 1744, and soon after requested the members of the 
 theological faculty, and the clergy there, to institute an 
 inquiry into his principles and conduct. 
 
 This being declined, the Count proposed that one of the 
 members of the faculty should be commissioned to confer with 
 him, in order that it might be ascertained, whether the 
 connexion of the Moravian with the Lutheran church were 
 worthy of being preserved : but this proposal was also refused, 
 which pained the Count exceedingly ; since he was decidedly 
 of opinion, that the misunderstandings between ministers of 
 the church may be much more properly cleared up by per- 
 sonal conference than by public controversy. 
 
 Being meanwhile informed that a variety of things were laid 
 to his charge at Konigsberg, and being desirous that an inves- 
 tigation should take place, he was induced, in the month of 
 June, to draw up some questions for the clergy of Konigsberg, 
 and send them to the supreme court at Berlin, requesting that 
 the former might be urged to answer them. If these an- 
 swers had been sent, an opportunity would have been afforded 
 him of explairung himself; but as the former was not done, the 
 latter could not take place. 
 
 The Count arrived at Burau on the 11th of February, and 
 remained in Silesia till the 20th of April. 
 
 The Countess and his eldest daughter, as well as some of 
 the brethren and sisters who were serving the church at Herrn- 
 hut at the time, came from thence to Burau, on hearing of his 
 arrival there. 
 
 Soon after this, he received the news of the happy decease 
 of Count Von Promnitz, at Erbach, on the 2d of February, 
 Not long before his end, he had assured one of the brethren at 
 Herrnhut, to whom he was much attached, that he was confident 
 the Saviour would soon graciously receive him to himself, and 
 
338 JOURNEY TO HEEENHUT. 
 
 bring him to his eternal rest. Under this impression, he'll^.d 
 taken leave of this brother, *ith many tears on both sides. \ 
 
 Being at that time daily with the Count at Burau myself, and^ 
 visiting the churches in Silesia vrith him, I had every opportu- 
 nity of observing him : I found that notwithstanding aUlhe dif- 
 ficulties, of which every day brought its pro^rtipn, his heart 
 filially rejoiced in the Lord, and adhered firm^|r and coura- 
 geously to the word of God, which he made his constant stjidy. 
 
 This I could not ascribe to natural cheerfulness or a super- 
 ficial mode of thinking, but regarded it as a fruit of that free 
 Spirit, with which God had endowed him. He was, at the 
 same time, fuU of brotherly love, unwearied in labour, and 
 his whole soul deeply affected when he came to speak of the 
 blood of atonement. 
 
 The visits of friends, brethren, and sisters were sometimes 
 so numerous, that occasionally upwards of a hundred were 
 there at one time : the most came from Herrnhut, but various 
 noble, learned, and otherwise distinguished individuals came 
 also from other places. 
 
 At the end of February, he visited the churches in Gnaden- 
 berg and Gnadenfrey, and stiU^oekvgreat pains to render the 
 Moravian churches in Silesia subordinate to the Lutheran con- 
 sistories : however, he did not attain his object, and was in- 
 duced by this and various other circumstances, to withdraw 
 himself from the special direction of the Silesian churches, and 
 expressly to request, through Mr. Von Gersdorf, that the re- 
 scripts, which had been hitherto addressed to him, might not 
 be sent to him any more. 
 
 The minister of state having informed him, that the king 
 would be glad to see a settlement of the brethren at Neusalz, 
 he felt no hesitation as to the measure itself, but was unwilling 
 to take any step in it, until it was duly arranged with the 
 proper authorities in what manner it was to be effected. Mean- 
 while, two of the brethren, at his suggestion, travelled to Neu- 
 salz, to obtain every possible information respecting the place, 
 in order to give the necessary intelligence to the synod, which 
 it would be requisite to hold on the occasion. He had also 
 inspected the place himself, on his journey through Silesia the 
 previous year. 
 
JOURNEY TO HERRNHUT. 339 
 
 During the Count's visit to Gnadenberg, he composed "The 
 Litany of the Life, Suiferings, and Wounds of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ," which was used for the first time in the church at 
 Gnadenfrey. This Litany goes through all the circumstances of 
 the life, sufferings, and death of our Saviour, with the addition 
 of cordial ejaculations and short prayers. 
 
 In the year 1747, the Count publicly discoursed upon this 
 Litany at Herrnhaag, and these discourses were afterwards 
 printed, under the title of" Thirty-four Homilies on the Litany 
 of the Brethren." In 1759, the Count revised these discourses, 
 and altered and omitted many things in them which had given 
 oflFence to the learned. 
 
 Affection for the church in Herrnhut, induced him to pay 
 it a very short visit. He therefore travelled thither in March ; 
 and on the 25th, not only addressed each of the choirs in par- 
 ticular, but also preached to the whole church, on the words 
 of Paul, " Christ is the end of the law." 
 
 On the 22d April he repeated his visit ; and conversed, the 
 same day, with the various officers of the church, upon a variety 
 of necessary subjects. The following day he went vrith the con- 
 gregation to receive the sacrament, at the church in Bertholds- 
 dorf ; on which occasion many tears were shed, and the grace 
 and presence of the Saviour were perceptibly felt. He spent 
 the remainder of the day in conferring with the heads of the 
 church ; then met, individually, the small company of tmited 
 believers at Bertholdsdorf, and returned to Silesia by way of 
 Leube. 
 
 It is evident that the Count soon perceived that the Lord 
 had extraordinary intentions with respect to the Moravian seU 
 tlements. They were, indeed, undertaken solely for the pur- 
 pose of avoiding, as much as possible, every thing which might 
 be injurious to the soul, and of being regulated in such a 
 manner as should be the most beneficial to the soul, and pro- 
 mote the glory of God. The Lord also multiphed blessings 
 upon them. He took them under his peculiar care ; and not 
 only caused them to grow in his grace and knowledge, but 
 also to prove beneficail to the country in which they had been 
 established. 
 
 No one was admitted as a member of a settlement, respecting 
 a2 
 
340 RESIDENCE IN MARIENBORN. 
 
 whom there was not reason to believe that the Lord himself 
 had called him to it in a special manner ; and every one 
 who was deemed worthy of belonging to such a settlement, 
 was enjoined to govern himself most minutely according to its 
 regulations ; for God is a God of order, and the Count was 
 of opinion, that in such places, greater strictness was requisite 
 than in those where there was no settlement. 
 
 Before the Count left Burau he received intelligence from 
 Russia, that the synod — with reference to the question, What 
 opinion was to be formed of the Moravian church, and of 
 Count Zinzendorf? — had felt induced to commission a learned 
 and experienced archimandrite to peruse the Count's writ- 
 ings, which had been sent, by order of the government, from 
 St. Petersburg to Riga, and to give his opinion upon them. 
 Some time after, he learnt that the archimandrite's decision 
 was, that though it could not be said that the brethren belonged 
 to the Greek church, yet that it was certain they held the same 
 doctrines as were found in Luther's writings. 
 
 After the Count had taken an affectionate leave of the bre- 
 thren and sisters at Burau, and returned thanks to the Saviour, 
 with many tears, for the mercy and faithfulness he had mani- 
 fested towards him at that place, he set out for Marienborn,- 
 where he arrived on the 1st of May. The Countess, with his 
 son and daughter, arrived there on the 9th. Four weeks after, 
 the rest of_liis children also reached that place ; and thus he 
 had his whole family about him. 
 
 From this time, the labours incumbent upon a superintendent 
 of the brethren, all fell upon the Count. The brethren were 
 convinced, that our Lord Jesus Christ had chosen him for that 
 purpose, provided him with the needful gifts and grace, and 
 tried him by experience. He did not, therefore, first become 
 the superintendent of all the Moravian churches and missions, 
 by the authority delegated to him the preceding year, but was, 
 in reality, so before, and by that appointment was only publicly 
 recognised as filling the office for which God had destined 
 him. 
 
 Nor was it forgotten, that at the synod held in London, in 
 1741, he had been commissioned, after mature deliberation, 
 to take charge of the affairs of the brethren, and their 
 
SYNOD AT MARIENBORN. 341 
 
 missions, with unlimited authority, and continue to do so as 
 long as the case required it. 
 
 From this time, therefore, the business of the Unity cen- 
 tred in his house. He presided at the synods of the brethren, 
 between which, conferences were held with him respecting 
 the afiairs of the several churches, and the necessary decisions 
 taken. The brethren and sisters, who either went out to the 
 heathen, or ministered to the church in other places, received, 
 in his house, their instructions and dispatches. When they 
 returned, and had finished their mission, they resided with him 
 until they were again employed elsewhere. The publications 
 in the name of the Unity, or for the benefit of the church, 
 were expected from his hand, or his instrumentality ; and the 
 correspondence with all the different sections of the churches 
 was likewise connected with the office which he held. 
 
 On the 12th of May, he held a synod in Marienborn, which 
 lasted till the 15th of June, and at which I was present. The 
 object of it was, chiefiy, to avert the evils which he appre- 
 hended with reference to the churches of the brethren. He 
 found, in those that constituted them, a certain difference, 
 arising from their having been trained in different schools, 
 respecting which I will make the following observations : — 
 
 The Moravian brethren adhere closely to the words of Scrip- 
 ture. He that peruses their ancient hjTnn-book will easily 
 find, that they abide by it as closely as possible. The doctrine 
 of the church, and its order and discipline, is at the same time 
 so peculiar to them, that they value it as they do their lives. 
 
 The Reformed examine every thing minutely, and are gene- 
 rally very careful and cautious in their expressions. Under 
 their guidance persons become too timid and scrupulous, ra- 
 ther than too bold and courageous. 
 
 The Lutherans are wont, when expressing themselves con- 
 cerning the grace of God in Christ, and faith in him, to apeak 
 so freely that it might be thought they said too much, and are 
 rather too bold and courageous than too timid and anxious. 
 
 It vra£ the Count's jfrigh^ that evegr one should continue in 
 that which was peculiar to him, which could well consist with 
 a reception into the Moravian church, without assuming any 
 other form. In order to this, the Count, at this synod, went 
 
342 PASTORAL LABOURS. 
 
 through the whole catalogue of elders, teachers, and deacons, 
 at home and abroad, and marked down the religious persuasion 
 of every one. In this he had regard to their descendants, 
 and endeavoured to prevent any one from being compelled to 
 continue with the Moravians, or that the latter should seek to 
 retain any one who did not act upon their principles. 
 / It was accordingly resolved, that the three divisions of the 
 /hrethren — the Lutheran, the Reformed, and the Moravian — 
 should each abide by their original confession, and have each 
 their own antistes or bishop. 
 
 This was already the case with the Moravians, and Baron 
 Von WattewUle was appointed bishop of the Reformed. To 
 supply the Lutheran division, a call was prepared, and sent to 
 George John Conradi, superintendent-general of the duchies 
 of Schleswick and Holstein. 
 
 The Count began also, from this time, to call himself the 
 " Ordinary of the Brethren," and continued to do so until his 
 decease. Several collections of his sermons have also appeared 
 under this title. 
 
 Another synod was held at Marienborn, from the 12th to the 
 31st of October, which had reference, solely, to the inward 
 course and state of the churches. Care was taken, on the one 
 hand, to prevent hypocrisy in the church ; and hence it was 
 found not desirable, that people should appear outwardly dif- 
 ferent from what they were inwardly ; and, on the other hand, 
 it was urged, that a walk consistent with the character of real 
 children of God, should proceed from the true principle — love 
 to Jesus, arising from the forgiveness of sins. 
 
 With regard to the Count's pastoral labours at this period, 
 I will only generally notice, that whilst ministering to the 
 church in his own house, he by no means withdrew himself 
 from the other churches at Ronneburg, Leustadt, and Lind- 
 heim. Scarcely a week passed without his having an oppor- 
 tunity of conferring vrith some of the brethren who ministered 
 at the above places, respecting them, and of giving the needful 
 advice. And, because he was wont to preach, both at Marien- 
 born and Herrnhaag, on Sundays and festivals, the brethren 
 and sisters, from the other places, generally came thither to 
 hear him. This was especially the case when the communion 
 
RESIDENCE AT MARIENBORN. 343 
 
 was administered, or general meetings were held. He him- 
 self Tisited Lindheim, Ronneburg, and Leustadt, as often as 
 circumstances required it. 
 
 Brother Langgutli was the Count's immediate fellow-la- 
 bourer at the first synod in Marienborn, and continued with 
 him in this capacity. The Count, during his visit to Herrn- 
 hut, had consecrated his son to be co-elder of the single 
 brethren in all the churches ; and, in the sequel, employed 
 him also, as his immediate assistant in the general business of 
 the church. 
 
 His daughter Benigna became female superintendent of the 
 church at Herrnhaag, and vice-elder of the sisters ; and had, 
 at the same time, the oversight of the seminary for girls. She 
 was likewise often with her father on the business intrusted to 
 her. 
 
 In this manner he kept his children and other young per- 
 sons, who manifested grace and ability, near him, in order 
 that they might grow up, under his eye, in the service of the 
 church. 
 
 The support of the pilgrims, the schools for the children, 
 and the theological seminary, was at that time a chief subject 
 of the Coimt's consideration. 
 
 Amongst the former there were, indeed, many who were 
 otherwise well able, by useful labour, to gain something for 
 their support ; but they had no opportunity of doing so whilst 
 residing with the Count. It was, besides, foreseen, that they 
 would be compelled again to set out before they had properly 
 entered upon their occupation. It is also not easy to earn 
 any thing by the labour of one's hands, when residing in places 
 where every station is already occupied. 
 
 The consequence was, that the Count was placed iinder the 
 necessity, either of abolishing the pilgrim-churchj and of giving 
 up the schools for children, and the theological seminary, or of 
 providing for their wants. The latter was resolved upon, and 
 accomplished by the united efforts of himself, his consort, and 
 a few brethren and sisters whom he regarded as belonging to 
 his family. But as even this was not sufficient, the sums 
 required were borrowed, partly by them, and partly by the 
 deacons. 
 
344 RESIDENCE AT MARIENBORN. 
 
 The office of syndic to the Moravian church, added, also, 
 considerably to the labours of the Count at this period : for 
 a variety of things having arisen in England, America, and in 
 other places, vrhich seemed to have originated more from a 
 misunderstanding than with the intention of oppressing inno- 
 cent people, he thought it his duty, by a true statement of the 
 case, to prevent or remove the evil. 
 
 He sent to England, on the occasion of some movements 
 virith respect to the Methodists, ," A Declaration on what terms 
 the labours amongst some thousands of souls in England had 
 been hitherto carried on, at their pressing request, and would 
 be prosecuted in future." 
 
 The distjirbances in En^and-at this Jime, which_had refer- 
 enceto the Pretender, caused the brethren in America some 
 suffering : for certain individuals, who were not acqujinled 
 with them, hit upon thejdea that they were Papists in disguise, 
 who w entjto ^ live ^ampng.st_fl}e__Indians7Torj35ir 
 drawing them, away fromjthe_Engl^hj_and over icuthfiJErench 
 partjr^ Hence, an Act was passed in the Assembly of New 
 York, forbidding the brethren to live amongst the Indians ; 
 and, on this occasion, some of them were ordered to abandon 
 the latter in the province of New York, and others were im- 
 prisoned, both in New York and New England. 
 
 The Count, therefore, gave himself much trouble to state 
 the real truth to the board for managing the aflFairs of the 
 North American colonies. Soon after, the above-mentioned 
 Act of the Assembly of New York was annulled ; and the bre- 
 thren, who had risked their lives in the mission to the Indians, 
 were left at peace. 
 
 I must here also Observe, that the Count's opponents did 
 not neglect to use the arm of the civil power against him and 
 the brethren ; and that in this year, more than one public 
 edict appeared against the Coimt and the brethren. 
 
 With respect to this, the Count was wont to express himself 
 as follows : — " If such edicts are to prove any thing against 
 me, the authorities that issue them must first examine me and 
 the brethren, -with respect to life and doctrine, so that both 
 sides may be heard ; which is only just and right. Where 
 this has not been done, the edicts in favour of me and the 
 
MISSIONARY AFFAIRS. 345 
 
 brethren, prove as little that we are in the right, as those that are 
 against us demonstrate the truth of what is laid to our charge." 
 
 For this reason, he always proposed that he might be heard ; 
 and this was an object of importance to him. Whenever it 
 took place the result was, that the innocence of the brethren 
 was recognised : but, in many places, hinderances were laid 
 in the way of any proper and legal investigation. 
 
 With regard to the missions, the following circumstances 
 occurred this year, in which the Count took a prominent 
 part. 
 
 The brethren continued their labours successfully amongst 
 the negroes in the Danish West India Islands : but they were 
 not a little perplexed on hearing that only one brother would 
 be permitted to act as preacher to the negroes, and that in case 
 of his death, no one would be allowed to occupy his place, 
 before the royal permission was obtained for that purpose. 
 On receiving intelligence of this, representations were made 
 to the king of Denmark direct, showing how much the mis- 
 sion would be injured by it, since deaths so frequently oc- 
 curred on those unhealthy islands ; and the king was induced 
 to issue an order to the President and Directors of the West 
 India and Guinea Companies, that the Moravian brethren 
 should be permitted, besides the regular teacher, to appoint 
 four or five assistants to minister to the heathen, if necessary. 
 
 The Count was uncommonly gratified by this desirable 
 result'of his efforts, and sent, the same year, the requisite 
 number of brethren to St. Thomas, who were also mentioned 
 in the royal edict of the 28th of December. 
 
 The return of brother Schmidt, who had been several years 
 at the Cape, and taken much pains with the Hottentots, and 
 who had also the joy of seeing some of them converted to 
 Jesus, who manifested their faith in him, caused the Count 
 pleasure, since he was desirous that he should refresh him* 
 self once more with the church. But, foreseeing that it 
 would be difficult for him to return to the Cape, as after- 
 wards proved to be the case, he felt grieved at it on that 
 account ; since he rejoiced in nothing so much, as in bringing 
 sinners to Jesus. 
 
 With respect to the Count's publications this year, I will 
 Q 3 
 
346 
 
 JOURNEY TO WETZtAR, GOTHA, ETC. 
 
 only notice his answer to Bengel's work, entitled " Remarks 
 on the Moravian Church." 
 
 I loved and valued both the Count and Dean Bengel, from 
 the first hour I became acquainted with them. They both 
 loved the Saviom-, and sought, each in his own way, the glory 
 of God, and the good of his fellow-creatures. I am also 
 fully assured, that they cordially loved and esteemed each 
 other. 
 
 But as much was spoken and written at this time with 
 respect to the brethren, the dean was also induced to express 
 his sentiments upon them, and particularly concerning the 
 Count. He did so, in the remarks above mentioned ; manu- 
 script copies of which were circulated, before it appeared in 
 print. The Count was induced to accompany it with brief 
 replies, and thus send it to the press. 
 
 After the mortgage of Marienborn had been transferred 
 from Mr. Beuning to the Count, and the latter was now more 
 at liberty to make use of it as a residence, he thought fit to 
 erect there a private printing press. 
 
 He also formed a private burial-ground, on a little eminence 
 near the castle garden, for thp use of his family. The first 
 person interred there, was the negro Andrew, one of the first- 
 fruits of the poor slaves in St. Thomas. 
 
 Towards the end of June, the Count travelled to Wetzlar, 
 to carry into efiect an intention formed in Pennsylvania, which 
 was, the renunciation of his title, and in which he had pro- 
 ceeded as far as it was practicable. He now resolved fully 
 to terminate this matter : but, on speaking of it to Coimt 
 Vermond, the lord-chancellor, the latter pointed out such imr 
 portant reasons why he must, by all means, advise him to 
 the contrary, that the Count abandoned that resolution, but 
 reflected the more seriously how he might, in another manner, 
 attain the object which he had in view in the renunciation of 
 his title. 
 
 At the same time, he found an opportunity of conversing 
 
 with Count Vermond, at some length, concerning the brethren 
 
 and their afiairs, and was extremely gratified with his answer. 
 
 On the 21st of September, the Count proceeded to Gotha, 
 
 and conversed with the Duke, respecting the manner in 
 
JOURNEY TO GOTHA, ETC. 347 
 
 which the inhabitants of Neudietendorf were to be treated in 
 reference to ecclesiastical matters. He had also an inter- 
 view with Count Getter, from whom Neudietendorf had been 
 purchased, with respect to several points, which required 
 arranging. 
 
 At Erfurt he took the trouble to attend the sermons of the 
 clergy, and for this purpose, went to most of the Lutheran 
 churches. He also did not fail to speak with some of them, 
 and express his sentiments. Seeing, on this occasion, that 
 they took an improper view of the brethren, in whose service 
 he was engaged, and to whom this phenomenon in the Lutheran 
 church, which he regarded as a wonder of Divine grace, was 
 still too much unknown, brother Langguth was induced to 
 address a letter, at his suggestion, to the whole of the clergy 
 of Erfurt, which afterwards appeared in print. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the contempt with which the Count 
 was treated by those to whom his conduct was still an enigma, 
 he was highly esteemed by many who did not belong to the 
 Moravian church ; and it might be said of him, what the sons 
 of Heth said to Abraham, " Thou art a prince of God 
 amongst us." (Gen. xxiii. 6.) Many of the learned, and 
 persons of rank, regarded it as a favour, to have an oppor- 
 tunity of being occasionally with him, and enjoying his com- 
 pany. Hence people often met in his house, who would 
 otherwise never have come together. Several princely and 
 noble personages also visited him about this time, and did not 
 repent having done so. 
 
 He now began to accustom himself to be more frequently 
 alone, and withdrew himself both from his visiters and fellow • 
 labourers, without distinction of persons, for the purpose of 
 reflecting before God on the various things he had to attend 
 to. When he returned to his daily labour, it was in a tranquil 
 and happy frame. He thought, and found it to be the case 
 from experience, that no one required more to be continually 
 renewed and strengthened by filial and intimate intercourse 
 with the Saviour, than a minister of the church, who has much 
 occupation. 
 
 Polemical attacks upon him continued to be made, and he 
 had himself put weapons into the hands of his adversaries, by 
 
348 CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1744. 
 
 some expressions respecting the Trinity : besides which, the 
 Count used many very uncommon terms, because he re- 
 garded it necessary to excite attention, and cause reflection. 
 In his writings he made use of. a language, to which divines 
 were unaccustomed ; and it would have been well if his op- 
 ponents had first ascertained the Count's true meaning : but 
 this was not the case, and therefore much Cflntradictionjvas 
 excited.* 
 "^ Under such circumstances, the Count felt induced frequently 
 to seek retirement, and converse with his Lord and Saviour 
 upon the subject. He then became assured, that the evil one 
 had his hand in the matter, and intended much injury to the 
 church. It also became equally clear to him, that God would, 
 eventually, accomplish the object which the adversary was 
 opposing. Hence he was courageous in every adverse season ; 
 and when his fellow-labourers were often much distressed on 
 account of the attacks made upon him and their evil conse- 
 quences, he encouraged them, and assured them that God 
 would in due time set bounds to the evil. 
 
SYNOD AX MARIENBOKN. 349 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AT MARIENBORN — JOURNEYS — RELIGIOUS SCHISM AT HEREN- 
 HAAG CRITICAL SITUATION OF THE CHURCH — SYNOD AT ZEIST — MAR- 
 RIAGE or HIS DAUGHTER — VOYAGE TO ENGLAND ACT OF PARLIAMENT 
 
 FOR EXEMPTION FROM OATHS — RETURN TO THE CONTINENT — SYNOD AT 
 
 HERRNHAAG — BANISHMENT REVERSED VISIT TO UPPER LUSATIA — 
 
 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY — RETURN TO WETTERAVIA — DEPARTURE FOR 
 HOLLAND AND ENGLAND — SYNOD IN LONDON— ACT OF PARLIAMENT IN 
 FAVOUR OF THE BRETHREN — ^JOURNEY TO FULNECK — BREAKING UP OF 
 HERRNHAAG SYNOD IN LONDON — RETURN TO THE CONTINENT — JOUR- 
 NEYS — SYNOD AT BARBY ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND PECUNIARY TROUBLES 
 
 -r:DEATH OF HIS SON — SICKNESS — JOURNEYS — ORDINATION OF AN 
 ENGLISH BISHOP— RETURN TO HERRNHUT — WAR IN SAXONY — SYNOD 
 OF THE UNITY — DEATH AND CHARACTER OF THE COUNTESS. 
 
 In the year 1745, two synods were held at Marienborn : the 
 first lasted from the 4th to the 27th of January, when a variety 
 of subjects relative to the well-being of the church were dis- 
 cussed. The dividing the Moravian church into three sections, 
 of which we have already spoken, was again brought for- 
 ward. The Count, in the first instance, had not expressed 
 himself suiHciently clearly, and very few of the brethren were 
 willing to interfere in the matter. Most of them were inclined 
 to the episcopal church, and would have been glad if every 
 thing had been comprehended in it : but the Count was in- 
 defatigable, both at that time and in the sequel, in showing 
 the brethren how useful and necessary it was, that the Tropi, 
 or three great ecclesiastical sections of the Unity, should be 
 kept distinct. He was obhged to suffer himself to be opposed 
 in this, by individuals, who otherwise loved and honoured 
 him, although he felt so assured that it was acceptable to God, 
 that he did not sulTer himself to be drawn away from his pur- 
 pose, and, at length, succeeded in convincing them of the 
 necessity of the thing. 
 
350 SYNOD AT MARIENBORN. 
 
 The Count, on this occasion also, expressed himself in very 
 plain terms, respecting the church of the United Brethren. It 
 was now upwards of twenty years since he had devoted himself 
 to it : since that period the Lord had done much for them. They 
 again possessed their ecclesiastical statutes, the use of which 
 had been blest to them. Our Lord Jesus Christ had sent life 
 and spirit amongst them. They found admission in many 
 places, and their labours were successful amongst heathens and 
 Christians. The Count was, however, not without apprehen- 
 sions, and therefore impressively exhorted them to the strict 
 and conscientious discharge of their duties. 
 
 The second synod of this year commenced on the 11th of 
 July, and lasted till the 27th of that month. Although the 
 whole country about Marienborn was filled with Austrian, 
 English, and French troops, yet the brethren assembled to the 
 number of two hundred at the synod ; and just before its com- 
 mencement, the troops, which had lain there for a couple of 
 months, unexpectedly broke up, in consequence of which all 
 fear of disturbance vanished. 
 
 The Count proposed to the synod for deliberation, whether 
 something, which had been formerly customary in the Mora- 
 vian church, could not be usefully renewed amongst them. He 
 thought, for instance, it might be well if the brethren had 
 seniores civiles, who should be commissioned to take charge 
 of the secular affairs of the church, which did not altogether 
 accord with the duties of the bishops. 
 
 This proposition being agreed to, suitable individuals were 
 thought of, who possessed the necessary qualifications for the 
 ofiice, and were esteemed by the brethren for their integrity. 
 The choice fell upon Frederick Von Wattewille and Abraham 
 VonGersdorf, as the principal seniores, and Charles Henry Von 
 Peistel and James Schillinger, as the con-seniores eiviles, of the 
 Moravian church. 
 
 Besides this, the Count proposed to the synod, whether they 
 ought not also to appoint deacons and deaconesses according 
 to the custom of the ancient church ; since the former might 
 be employed in preaching the gospel, administering the sa- 
 craments, visiting the sick, &c. — and the latter in a variety of 
 cases relative to their own sex. 
 
SYNOD AT MARIENBOEN. 351 
 
 The Moravian church had, indeed, already its deacons, bat 
 only as it respected the secular affairs of the church. Hitherto, 
 however, there had been none according to the idea just stated, 
 in the renovated churches of the brethren, but only bishops and 
 presbyters; and the female assistants amongst the sisters were 
 not called deaconesses, nor ordained to their ofBce. 
 
 After this proposition of the Count's had been considered 
 and unanimously agreed to, SQjne_ofjthe_brethren and_jjgters 
 were ordained deacons and deaconesses by imposition of hands. 
 
 With respect to confirmation also, some regiilations were 
 adopted at this synod ; this term had reference to those who 
 devoted themselves to the Saviour, and the service of the 
 church, and bound themselves to obey his call. It was resolved, 
 that it should be called in future, acceptance as Acoluths, or 
 Acolytes ; in remembrance of the former custom of the brethren, 
 to have amongst them Acoluths, who attended upon the mini- 
 sters, and were thus trained up to the service of the church. 
 
 After the first synod was ended, the Count set out on a 
 journey to Holland, accompanied by the Countess. Although 
 he had employed the 10th of February, the whole night, and 
 the next day, in giving the necessary instructions and pre- 
 paring for his departure, yet he was unable to leave before ten 
 o'clock in the evening. On taking up his quarters, at a place 
 two leagues beyond Hanau, an inn close by, in which he 
 wished to have lodged, all at once burst into flames. The whole 
 of the journey was unpleasant, because the French troops were 
 lying in their winter-quarters, on the borders of Holland, 
 and it was therefore difficult to find lodgings. However, he 
 arrived safely at his destination. 
 
 The Count being assured that many of the Dutch clergy, 
 especially in Amsterdam, taught faithfully the all-availing 
 righteousness of Jesus Christ, and preached against self- 
 righteousness, would have been glad if one of the ministers 
 of the Amsterdam Classis would have undertaken the presi- 
 dency of the reformed section of the church of the brethren, 
 in the room of Baron Von Wattewille : but the result did not 
 correspond with his wishes. His labour was not, however, en- 
 tirely lost ; for, on this occasion, many misunderstandings were 
 removed from the minds of several members of the Classis, 
 
352 JOURNEY TO BERLIN. 
 
 Besides this afiair, the Count was very anxious respecting 
 the missions to the heathens, and reflected how those things 
 might he prevented, which might prove injurious to them. He 
 therefore recapitulated in several places, where he found it 
 necessary, the ideas which the Moravian church had expressed 
 in the year 1740, respecting its labours amongst the heathen. 
 
 There were also brethren in Holland, some of whom were 
 proceeding to Greenland, and others to St. Thomas. To these 
 he showed much affection, consoled them with respect to the 
 trials they had already endured, accompanied them with his 
 prayers and benedictions, and took care that they were provided 
 with all they needed for their voyage. 
 
 The Count also visited Heerendyk, and thought it best, accord- 
 ing to the circumstances in which the colony of the brethren were 
 then placed, to procure them another place of residence. For this 
 purpose, the barony of Zeist was purchased, where the brethren 
 still enjoy their desired liberty, under a beloved government. 
 
 After his return from Holland, towards the end of April, 
 he interested himself for the brethren in Prussia ; for he believed 
 that the treatment they had received was at variance with the 
 privileges granted them by the king : he therefore complained 
 of it, both by letter and through the medium of others. At 
 length he resolved to go himself to Berlin, and accordingly set 
 out in the beginning of October. He took with him his eldest 
 son and daughter, in order to gratify his mother. The Countess 
 and Baron Von WattewiUe, who had been staying at Herrnhut, 
 arrived at the same time : they were all received by the 
 Count's mother, with expressions of particular pleasure. 
 
 He remained in Berlin till the 20th of October, and gave 
 himself much trouble in speaking with all- those who possessed 
 any direct or indirect influence over that which concerned the 
 brethren, and likewise found opportunity of thoroughly ex- 
 plaining himself respecting the differences that had arisen. 
 This was attended with such effect, that more than one of the 
 king's ministers expressed their willingness powerfully to 
 protect the brethren against any thing that was contrary to 
 the privileges granted them. During his residence in Berlin 
 he had also a gracious audience of the queen- dowager, who 
 invited him to dinner. 
 
RETURN TO MARIENBORN. 353 
 
 From Berlin, the Count travelled to Neusalz, and inspected 
 the commencement of the Moravian settlement there. He 
 then went to Burau, where he stayed some days. The brethren 
 who ministered to the churches in Gnadenberg and Gnadenfrey 
 came thither to him, and he held a conference with them, on 
 the -27th and 28th of October. He then returned to Marien- 
 born, by way of Neudietendorf, where he inspected all the 
 arrangements made by the brethren. 
 
 After his return to Marienborn, he prosecuted his labours 
 with great assiduity, and held frequent conferences with those 
 who ministered to the church. On the 30th of November, he 
 began a synodal conference, which had reference to the internal 
 progress of the church : it lasted till the 9th of December. 
 In the public session, there were not less than a hundred and 
 thirty individuals, but the more private conferences were only 
 attended by about twenty. 
 
 He also took particular charge of the theological seminary, 
 which at that time consisted of fifty persons, and an equal 
 number had been already appointed to various situations — some 
 to go amongst the heathen, and others amongst Christians, 
 according as they were required. In this manner, they were 
 scattered over Germany, Holland, England, Scotland, America, 
 Switzerland, France, Denmark, Sweden, Livonia, Esthonia, &c. 
 
 From this time, many things arose in the church, which 
 afterwards caused the Count great pain. It was out_^of his 
 power to prevent the increaseof the churches_i_ one_result of 
 whfctvravthatnianj^ were.admitted^who, ^^ 
 undeniable inclination for a pious life, brought with them many 
 natural^nJTiaBiiEual failings, as well as mystical^ and fanatical 
 principles. These persons soon became intimate with others 
 already in the church, who were destitute either of principle or 
 experience, and proved injurious rather than beneficial to each 
 other. The evil did not, however, immediately manifest itself. 
 
 Herrnhaag had not at this time any ecclesiastical statutes, 
 for the Count was of opinion that it was not sufficient to 
 render people moral and orderly, because every thing ought 
 to procjeed from the heart. He proposed, however, that eccle- 
 " siastical discipline should not be left in the hands of those to 
 whom the pastoral duties were entrusted, but to other persons 
 
354 RELIGIOUS DISTURBANCES. 
 
 appointed for that purpose, under the control of the seniores 
 civiles; but he was unable to arrange it according to his 
 wishes. 
 
 Hence the j)eaple.alluded..to.abo.ye,.hai more Jibfijtjjthan 
 they "were "able to make a good use of. They fell into a 
 number of extravagancies and frivolities, which, though custo- 
 mary in the world, are inconsistent with the vocation of a 
 child of God,^and a servant of Jesus Christ. "What the Count 
 had said of spiritual poverty and childlikeness, was miscon- 
 strued and abused by them. 
 
 In my opinion, it would have been well if the adversary had 
 been opposed at the very outset, and a stop put to these 
 irregularities; and» J _feel,_3ssured,. that jf .the Count_had 
 known it from the .first, he would not have refrained from 
 warmly opposing things which were unbe coming a churclTof 
 Christ, But there were two reasons why he was not imme- 
 diately informed of them ; first, because he did not like to 
 hear complaints against the brethren, and often received those 
 coolly who made him acquainted with them ; so that almost 
 every one scrupled to mention them to him. But whei;e he 
 heard of any thing of a culpable nature, the warmth he mani- 
 fested was often so great, that it was feared he would act too 
 harshly towards those who were culpable. However, when 
 the Count was subsequently informed of what had occurred 
 with the people above mentioned, it had already risen to such 
 a height, that he could not immediately interfere, vrithout 
 rejecting a great many of them at once. He resolved, there- 
 fore, to let the matter take its course, until it arrived at matu- 
 rity ; and felt assured, that the Lord would grant him grace 
 to repel and extirpate the evil. Previous to that time, he 
 preferred being spared with the relation of particulars, because 
 he regarded it as injurious to know things before he was able 
 to remedy them. 
 
 At the time when these things were occurring in some 
 congregations of the brethren, veiyuncpmnaon .e-itprfissions also 
 began to be used in speaking and_WTitii^jjvhich_at_length 
 sunk into a^merejglayjipgn-wordat,. The Count, in his usual 
 3deI3ing manner, also made use of these new-coined expressions, 
 believing that they sprang from a tender and filial love to the 
 
CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1745. 355 
 
 Saviour. His intention was_tojCOTtmue jn^ connexion witli 
 those of the brethren who_used_this new ghraseology, and in 
 due time to interfere, if ,i]t,,ghouli fee earned tsQ. far.' But on 
 seeing that it was unintelligible to persons out of the Moravian 
 church, whom he regarded as children of God, he felt ashamed 
 that he had given way so far. He also publicly professed 
 his conviction before the church, that though the Saviour, who 
 knew best the motives from which he acted, was not displeased 
 with him, yet he would scarcely be able to make men com- 
 prehend the reason of his acting so strangely. ■ 
 
 Amongst the many benefits, for which the Count returned 
 heartfelt thanks to God at the close of the year, must be 
 mentioned, especially, the Divine protection which the con- 
 gregations of the brethren had experienced during the distur- 
 bances of war, when they were frequently, according to human 
 appearance, in the greatest danger ; and when Marienborn, 
 the Ronneburg, Lindheim, and Herrnhaag, in consequence 
 of the proximity of opposing armies, hung like a drop on the 
 bucket. But the good hand of the Lord averted every evil, 
 so that the brethren not only remained unmolested, but even 
 many things, which appeared of an adverse nature, turned 
 out to their advantage. The Count himself had also sensibly 
 experienced this gracious protection, both at home and on his 
 journeys. The many consolatory watchwords for that year 
 induced the brethren to hope that the war would soon termi- 
 nate ; and this was also in part fulfilled by the treaty concluded 
 at Dresden, on the 25th of December, the anniversary of the 
 birth of the Prince of Peace. 
 
 The extravagancies of various members of the church, which 
 we have alludedrto' above, caused "the' Coiintlnuch sorrow. 
 Many of the brethren and sisters expressed their serious 
 displeasure at such like things ; but others sought, as much 
 as possible, to excuse those that were guilty of them ; or main- 
 tained, that notwithstanding their levity, they meant nothing 
 evil, and must not therefore be treated with too much severity. 
 Hencfi arose two -partLea,. .which_gxadually inc]:eased_in_ num- 
 bers. Those whoabused their libertyi,de§Ei5S^iJ?5 ''®®t who 
 scrupled to doso j JheTatter, oiTthe contrary, passed aTsevere 
 judgment on those who were either d§ voted to libertinism 
 
356 PASTORAL LABOURS. 
 
 in one way or other, j)r pleaded jts_ cause. Many of the 
 members of the church mourned over this state of things 
 in sUence, and made it a matter of prayer and supplication 
 bgfiire God. 
 
 The Count was dissatisfied with both parties, and could 
 neither endure levity nor the harsh judgments passed upon 
 those who were accused of it. He was also particularly grieved 
 that his fellow-labourers were divided in their opinions on the 
 subject ; and he thought, that if they were only unanimous in 
 love, the confusion in the church would soon be allayed, and 
 order restored. 
 
 Hovifever, he continued indefatigable in his labours, not- 
 withstanding his frequent indispositions, and as often as the 
 case required, surmounted his weakness. He carefully por- 
 tioned out his time, with the individuals with whom it was 
 necessary to confer, either with respect to the aifairs of the 
 missions or the church. 
 
 Of his pastoral labours, I will only mention the following : — 
 On the 6th of January, on the occasion of the marriage of 
 twelve couple at Marienborn, he delivered an address, and 
 pronounced a benediction upon them, accompanied by heart- 
 felt prayer. These marriages were solemnized by twelve 
 ministers of the Moravian church: amongst them were 
 Pratten, the African, and Rebecca, an American, both mu- 
 lattos. On the loth of January, he baptized, in the church at 
 Marienborn, a Malabar Indian, whom a cousin of Martin Dober's 
 had induced to accompany him from the East Indies to Europe, 
 in order to visit the brethren. The preaching of redemption 
 by the blood of Christ had reached his heart, and there was 
 reason to rejoice at the grace he had received. The baptism 
 took place before the whole church ; and, in the consciousness 
 of the Saviour's peculiar presence, the name of Samuel Jo- 
 hannes was given him. He went some years afterwards to 
 North America, and departed this life happily at Bethlehem. 
 
 This year (1745) the Count attained his object with regard 
 to the presidency of the Reformed part of the Union. The 
 Rev. Mr. Cochius, chaplain to the king of Prussia, had been 
 unanimously chosen to this office by the Count's fellow- 
 labourers, and accepted the call to it on the 2d of October. 
 
OCCURRENCES AT MAHIENBORN. 557 
 
 When the Austrian troops, on their march to the Rhine, 
 came into the neighbourhood of Marienborn, several of the 
 olBcers at various times appeared there, desiring to speak with 
 the Count. This occasionally caused anxiety, especially when 
 they were attended with a numerous retinue : but they were 
 all of them, as was afterwards sufficiently evident, persons who 
 were friendly to the brethren, and sought for nothing but a 
 blessing for their hearts. One of them urgently entreated 
 that his niece, whose heart the Lord had touched, might be 
 received into the church ; and although every possible objec- 
 tion was made to it, yet at length the request was granted. 
 She returned, indeed, after a few years to Hungary, at the 
 request of her relatives, in order not to cause any unplea- 
 santness to the church, but came again and continued in the 
 choir-house of the unmarried sisters at Zeist, until her happy 
 end. 
 
 In short, the Lord continued to protect the Count's habita- 
 tion from all the evils which are to be apprehended at such 
 seasons. He also received intelligence, at the beginning of the 
 year, that Herrnhut had been protected from all disturbance, 
 by a safeguard signed by the king of Prussia himself. 
 
 The Count then undertook another journey to Holland, and 
 safely arrived with his company, on the 10th of April, at 
 Zeist, not far from Utrecht. 
 
 Being desirous of holding a synod there, and the use of the 
 castle being indispensable for that purpose, he made the 
 necessary arrangements with the lord of the manor. He also 
 preached from the words, " Instead of thy fathers shall be thy 
 children." 
 
 As at that time many of the brethren resided at Heerendyk, 
 and many strangers were on a visit there ; he therefore went 
 thither for a few days, preached several times, and celebrated 
 the festival of admission into the church, on the 17th of April. 
 Respecting that occasion, he says, " This is the day* which, in 
 the ancient church, was called ' White-Sunday,' because all 
 those who had been baptized the previous year, presented 
 
 • Viz. The Sunday after Easter ; called, also, in the primitive church, 
 The Sunday, Quasi modo geniti, — in allusion to 1 Peter ii. 2. 
 
358 JOURNEY TO HOLLAND. 
 
 themselves on this Sunday to the church in white raiment, in 
 remembrance of the promise, that those who were sealed, should 
 surround the throne of the Lamb in white robes." 
 
 Since that time, this day has always been appropriated, by 
 the Moravian churches, as a festival for the brethren and sisters 
 who have been admitted into them during the previous year. 
 
 On the 2d of May, the Count again visited Heerendyk, 
 when the single brethren celebrated the festival of their choir, 
 and spoke of the grow&i of Jesus in wisdom and favour with 
 God and man, and how they ought to benefit by the consi- 
 deration of it. 
 
 On the 18th of April, he travelled by way of Utrecht to 
 Amsterdam, where he arrived late in the evening, vnth brother 
 David Nitschman, at Mr. Von Laer's. At midnight, he lay 
 do'wn to rest, and Nitschman slept in the same room with him. 
 Towards three o'clock in the morning, the latter suddenly 
 awoke, as if some one had shaken him violently ; he imme- 
 diately sprang out of bed, and hastened to the Count. He 
 found his candle burnt out, and the table on which it stood, 
 his pocket-handkerchief and the bed-clothes, on fire ; even the 
 Count's night-gown was already singed. He was much terri- 
 fied, but possessed sufficient presence of mind to extinguish 
 the fire on the table with water, which was fortunately at hand, 
 and press it out of the bed-clothes with his hands. He did all 
 this so quickly, that neither the Count himself nor any one in 
 the house was disturbed. He then spent the remainder of 
 the night awake, and thanked the Lord for his preserving 
 care. But the Count continued to sleep quietly, and, on 
 awaking, knew nothing of what had happened, until he heard 
 of it from Nitschman's statement, and saw the traces of it. 
 
 He remained in Amsterdam till the 29th of April, and 
 found no want of employment. When he could be alone, he 
 laboured diligently at the watchwords for the ensuing year. 
 He had already selected them in Marienborn, but in Holland 
 he reflected separately upon each, and added short collects to 
 tliem. He also wrote several important letters, prepared the 
 plan for the approaching synod, held' several special confer- 
 ences, and devoted the rest of the time to intercourse with 
 friends and brethren. Occasionally he retired with some of 
 
JOURNEY TO HOLIAND. 359 
 
 the brethren to a summer-house not far from the city, but was 
 sought out there also by his friends, who strove to make his visit 
 as useful to them as possible. On returning to Amsterdam, 
 Jie consented to minister the word of the gospel, and preached 
 repeatedly to them. On the 29th of April, he again repaired to 
 Utrecht, and the day following to Zeist, where he found many 
 of the brethren who had arrived there from Germany. 
 
 On the 4th of May he again visited Amsterdam, and shortly 
 after many of the brethren from England, Denmark, Switzer- 
 land, SOesia, &c. arrived, in order to be present at the synod. 
 The Count had also the pleasure of seeing his brother-in-law. 
 Count Reuss, with his consort and son : at the same time, 
 the Countess and his children arrived in Holland. 
 
 The brethren who were expected to be present at the' synod 
 being assembled, the Count addressed them, on the 1 1th of 
 May, upon the principal object of synods : but there being 
 many other persons present at Zeist besides the brethren who 
 belonged to the synod, the Count endeavoured to make such 
 arrangements as that all might be benefited. 
 
 He therefore held meetings, first of all, at which they could 
 attend, as well as the members of the synod. Letters, intelli- 
 gence, and treatises were read in them, which were of a nature 
 to be communicated to the whole company. Much was also 
 discussed in them concerning the labours of the brethren, the 
 principal points of doctrine to be taught, and the difiiculties 
 which required to be overcome. The Count also preached 
 frequently, and pointed out the fundamental principles of the 
 thoughts, words, and actions of a minister of Christ. 
 
 Besides these open sittings, he held twenty-two special 
 conferences upon the aifairs of the church and the missions, 
 and also conversed individually with friends and brethren 
 previous to their departure. From hence it may be inferred 
 how the Count's time was employed at this synod. 
 
 Conradi, the superintendent-general, having refused the ofier 
 of antistes to the Lutheran section of the Moravian church, 
 on the plea of age and weakness, the attention of the synod 
 was directed to the election of some other person : but the 
 Count fearing lest some one should be chosen, who might be 
 too strongly biassed in favour of the Moravian church, in so 
 
360 SYNOD AT ZEIST. 
 
 far as it is distinguished from the Lutheran and Reformed, 
 resolved to undertake it himself pro tempore, to which no one 
 had any objection. 
 
 The Count, who, in the year 1743, had declared in the 
 synod held at Hirsehberg, that he would no longer devote 
 himself to the service of the churches of the brethren, unless 
 they invariably professed themselves as belonging to the Augs- 
 burg confession, — wished also to bring the synod at Zeist to 
 a similar resolution. But the unreasonable animosity and 
 furious calumnies of the Lutheran clergy against the brethren, 
 were commented upon in such severe terms, and proved by 
 such incontestable evidence, that he could not hinder the synod 
 from coming to the following conclusion : " That although theiy 
 were really attached to the doctrines of that confession, yet 
 they would not formally declare it in Holland, before they 
 were suiiiciently assured of a better and more sincere observ- 
 ance of the articles de adiaphoris et discipUna." 
 
 At this period, also, the marriage of the Baron John Von 
 Wattewille with the Countess Benigna Von Zinzendorf took 
 place, and thus was one of the Count's most earnest wishes 
 fulfilled. He had devoted and brought up his children to the 
 service of the Saviour and the church ; and his daughter, 
 though young, had been blessed in her labours. Johannes 
 Langguth, Baron Frederick Von Wattewille's adopted son, 
 being his next assistant, the Count himself proposed the 
 marriage with his daughter. The affair was delayed awhile, 
 after being agreed upon on both sides : for as Baron Von 
 Wattewille laboured with success amongst the single brethren, 
 so the Countess Benigna was not less diligent amongst the 
 unmarried sisters ; and it was thought proper that they should 
 continue thus useful for a while longer. But the Count now 
 made preparations for the solemnization of the marriage, first 
 of all requesting liis consort's consent to it, which she gave in 
 writing with her cordial benediction ; and on this they were 
 joined in marriage, in the presence of the whole church, by 
 the imposition of hands of the Count, who gave a very heart- 
 felt and comprehensive address on the occasion, upon the 
 duties of the marriage state, and the object of this marriage 
 in particular. 
 
VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. 361 
 
 After the termination of the synod, the Count returned to 
 Amsterdam, after his consort and her brother. Count Reuss 
 and his lady, had already left Zeist. Whilst holding family 
 worship there, at which some friends were present, a crowd of 
 people assembled before the house, and endeavoured to force 
 their way in. Fearing a variety of disturbances, he advised 
 the brethren in Amsterdam to apply, in a suitable manner, to 
 the magistrates for permission to hold their meetings publickly. 
 The affairs of the missions also caused him much occupation. 
 The Lord had not frustrated his hopes, that people of all 
 nations would be brought to the knowledge of the Saviour. 
 The heathen to whom the Gospel had been preached, be- 
 longed to a greater number of different nations than the 
 writer can venture to name, because of its seeming im- 
 probability. 
 
 The Count was now desirous, for important reasons, to 
 undertake a voyage to England. He wished to have further 
 conversation with the brethren who preached to the church 
 there, and was especially desirous of communicating further 
 with the Archbishop of Canterbury respecting the cause of the 
 brethren in England, He also wished, when in England, to 
 regulate several things relative to the churches of the brethren 
 in America, and their labours amongst the heathen. 
 
 Both the voyage to England and a residence there, were, at 
 that time, not without danger : for, in consequence of the war 
 with France, the Channel was filled with French privateers ; 
 whilst, in England itself, the disturbance occasioned by the 
 rebellion was not yet over. The Count, however, did not let 
 these things hinder him ; and took the precaution to provide 
 himself at the Hague with a passport, both from the English 
 and French ambassadors. The company which attended him 
 being numerous, it was resolved to hire a vessel for the occa- 
 sion ; but the Count being desirous of reaching England 
 before them, in order to make the necessary arrangements, 
 proceeded, on the 10th of July, to Helvoetsluys, arrived on 
 the 18th in London, and took up his residence in Red-Lion 
 Square. 
 
 The vessel on board of which his company was, after being 
 driven back by contrary winds, was obliged to lay at anchor in 
 
 R 
 
362 SYNOD AT LONDON. 
 
 the Meuse. Six weeks elapsed before the wind became favour- 
 able, and this period of waiting was very painful to the Count. 
 At length, he had the pleasure of welcoming them all in 
 England on the 7th of September, 
 
 The brethren being all' assembled, the Count commenced 
 the synodal conferences with them on the 13th of September. 
 The position of the brethren in England, with reference 
 to the episcopal church, formed the chief subject of consi- 
 deration. 
 
 It had been already proposed, that such members of the 
 Church of England as joined the brethren, should not abandon 
 fellowship with the former. The Count had meanwhile main- 
 tained a friendly correspondence with Archbishop Potter, and 
 had also communicated to him a variety of documents relative 
 to the affairs of the Moravian church, in which the latter took 
 peculiar interest. 
 
 The affairs of the brethren in the English provinces of 
 North America, were also taken into due consideration. Their 
 labours being continually on the increase, a company pro- 
 ceeded from London to Philadelphia, at the end of September, 
 to assist them. But, previous to this, John Frederick Cam- 
 merhof, from the Protestant convent at Closter Bergen, was 
 ordained co-bishop, on the 25th of September, by the bishops 
 of the Moravian church then present in London. 
 -^A law had been passed in North America, that if the 
 missionaries of the brethren there should refuse to make oath, 
 that no one had any right to the crown of England except 
 King George, they should be cast into prison, without the pri- 
 _vilege of bail. Maaix_ofJhe brethren had scrupled^to_teke_this 
 oath, in order not to cause offence_to those in Ame yica, who 
 regard such an act as sinful ; and, consequently, many of them 
 had beeri imprisoned. N'ow, tlioughTheTaw^above'mentioned 
 had been abolished, yet the Count was afraid lest similar things 
 should occur in future, in the British provinces, unless the 
 brethren were exempted from taking the oath above mentioned 
 by act of parliament. This he therefore endeavoured to ac- 
 complish, and spoke with those gentlemen who had it in their 
 power to aid him in the measure. The latter took up the 
 matter with such zeal that, on the 25th of December, 1747, 
 
OCCURRENCES IN ENGLAND. 363 
 
 an_act^_of parliament* wasjassed^ exempting the .brethren 
 from the oath above mentioned. 
 
 During the time of the Count's residence in England, the 
 rebellion was suppressed, and the son of the Pretender expelled 
 from the country. The Count participated in the general joy 
 on this occasion, and did not omit publiekly to return thanks 
 to God in the chapel of the brethren in London, and cordially 
 to commend the King and his family to the Divine protection 
 and blessing. 
 
 But as in such seasons of confusion persons are frequently 
 suspected, whether innocent or guilty, it happened that the 
 suspicions of the populace in Yorkshire were excited against 
 the brethren there. An individual had been heard to say, that 
 he would give a hundred pounds if the people would fall upon 
 the brethren. They were therefore commended to the Divine 
 protection ; and the Countess Benigna and her husband tra- 
 velled to Yorkshire, at the Count's request, to visit and com- 
 fort the brethren during the impending danger. 
 
 Having ascertained that a certain General, a friend of his, 
 was imprisoned in London, and being ignorant of the reason 
 of it, he sent persons to visit him in his distressing circum- 
 stances, and offered him all the assistance in his power. The 
 General took this proof of friendship very kindly, and spoke 
 candidly with the brethren who came to see him and assure 
 him of the Count's fidelity and affection. He asserted his 
 innocence, but at the same time acknowledged that he was not 
 sure of making it appear in court. Meanwhile, he would 
 resign himself to God ; and if he thought fit that he should 
 lose his life upon an unjust accusation, he would not murmur, 
 but think he had deserved it by his other sins : for he had 
 experienced many drawings Of the grace of God in his heart, 
 but had been disobedient to them. But if his innocence should 
 be made manifest, he would heartily thank God for it. The 
 latter took place before the Count left London ; and he was 
 not only declared innocent, but reinstated in all his oflices. 
 Meanwhile the Count visited him in prison, and the General 
 never forgot this proof of his friendship. 
 
 * The brethren are called in it " a sober, quiet, and industrious people ;" 
 and it is also stated, that they had always conducted themselves as such. 
 
 r2 
 
364 RETURN TO HOLLAND. 
 
 The following circumstances, relative to the Count's visit to 
 England at this time, must also be noticed. 
 
 Many Englishmen had made themselves acquainted with 
 the German language, for the following reason, amongst others, 
 that they might understand the Count's sermons and writings. 
 Being requested by these and many others to preach to them, 
 he consented, and preached not only on Sundays, but also on 
 week-days, at<the Chapel of the Brethren in London. 
 
 On the loth of October, he had a conference with a number 
 of preachers, on the successful administration of the pastoral 
 function. 
 
 On paying a friendly visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 he also inspected the library at Lambeth, and again deposited 
 th^e several important documents. 
 
 / Thomas Penn, the proprietor and governor of Pennsylvania, 
 visited the Count, and conversed with him on several important 
 points relative to the brethren residing in that province. 
 
 The Rev. John Cennick, who came from Ireland, conversed 
 with him upon the flourishing state of the cause of Christ in 
 that island, which was attended with important consequences, 
 with reference to its continuation and progress. 
 
 The Princess of Wales condescended to converse for a con- 
 siderable time with a sister belonging to the Count's establish- 
 ment, who had been known to her many years before in 
 Gotha, respecting the affairs of the Moravian church. 
 
 Sir Luke Schaub, an old friend of the Count's, whom 
 he had known in France, sought him out in England, and 
 renewed their former friendship. . 
 
 The Count made an excursion to Buttermeer, in Essex, a 
 country-house belonging to Mrs. Stonehouse, whither he re- 
 moved the school for boys, which had hitherto been kept at 
 Broadoaks. 
 
 In the beginning of November, the Count set out on his 
 return to Holland. Several of the London brethren accom- 
 panied him to Harwich, in order to converse still further with 
 him upon a variety of subjects connected with the extension of 
 the Redeemer's kingdom. On the 3d, he went on board the 
 packet-boat, and, after encountering a storm, landed the fol- 
 lowing day at Helvoetsluys : from thence he went by way of 
 
REMOVAl TO HERE.NHAAG. 865 
 
 Heerendyk to Zeist, where about fifty of the brethren and 
 sisters from Amsterdam and Haerlem awaited him. It being 
 the day of the general meeting when he arrived, he seized the 
 opportunity to communicate pleasing intelligence, as well as 
 to edify them by a discourse. And after spending a few days 
 at Zeist, he took his departure on the 11th, and arrived in 
 Wetteravia on the 17th. 
 
 He remained at Marienborn only a few days, having engaged 
 to pay a visit to Ebersdorf, where he arrived on the 25th of 
 November. A misunderstanding had, for some time, pre- 
 vailed between the church at Ebersdorf and the churches 
 of the Brethren ; and the Lord blessed the efforts of the 
 Count to remove it, which was accomplished to mutual 
 satisfaction. 
 
 During his stay in that place, the Countess and her children, 
 together with some of his immediate assistants, and some of 
 the brethren and sisters, also arrived there. He likewise 
 received letters with important news from various districts and 
 countries, which fiilly occupied him. 
 
 Besides the Watchwords for the year following, several of his 
 discourses were printed. He also commenced a defence of 
 himself in the periodical publications, two articles respecting 
 which appeared in the month of December. 
 
 After the Count had happily terminated his business at 
 Ebersdorf, he returned to Marienborn on the 23d of Decem- 
 ber, and concluded the year with the solemnities customary 
 at that season. 
 
 Coimt Isenburg-Meerholz having made known his wish to 
 be again put in possession of Marienborn, the Count resolved 
 to leave that place, until he saw how the matter would termi- 
 nate. He therefore removed to the house which had been 
 built for him at Herrnhaag, in which was the hall appointed 
 for the daily assemblies. For although he was not satisfied 
 with the contract made by the brethren at Herrnhaag with 
 the house of Biidingen in his absence, and therefore set certain 
 bounds to his labours ; yet stUl, as regarded the church in 
 Herrnhaag, he felt obliged to do more than he had hitherto 
 
366 PROCEEDINGS AT HERRNHAAG, 
 
 done. There was, besides,' another reason — the danger with 
 which HerrnKaag"was"at"?hat time remoteiy'menaceH!" The 
 occupation of this place -had^taken -a differeBt'Turn to what was 
 anticipated at the date of the first contract. There were only 
 a few of the brethren there who had gone thither at first, 
 whilst, on the contrary, a variety of people — some of them in 
 afiluent circumstances — had settled there from Holland, Eng- 
 land, Switzerland, and other countries. The reigning Count 
 of Biidingen, it is true, was well satisfied with this ; but cir- 
 cumstances had already occurred, which caused Count Zinzen- 
 dorf to anticipate the most unpleasant consequences, and these 
 he endeavoured, if possible, to avert. 
 
 On the 1st of January, he preached in the church at Ma- 
 rienborn, and in the afternoon went to Herrnhaag, where he 
 took up his temporary residence, and addressed the church 
 from the words, " I dwell among my own people." 
 
 It has been already noticed, that the statutes in use at 
 Herrnhut were not enforced amongst the brethren at Herrn- 
 haag ; and the Count did not find it advisable to insist upon 
 them, considering the state of the settlement at that time. 
 With reference to the two opposite jjarties at Herrnhaag, he 
 adhered to his previous intention to look on awhile, and wait 
 the time for applying^ cranplete remedy for the_eyil. 
 
 The pilgrims who resided in the castle of Marienborn, as 
 long as the Count dwelt there, removed also to him at Herrn- 
 haag. Besides these, various other persons, engaged in the 
 service of the Moravian church, visited him from time to time. 
 In addition to the above, there were also the missionaries 
 proceeding to or returning from their different stations, and a 
 considerable number of brethren and sisters from Holland and 
 England. The girls' school, on the contrary, was removed to 
 Marienborn, and the theological seminary to Lindheim. This 
 arrangement rendered the Count's labours more diversified, but 
 coidd not well be avoided ; for though Herrnhaag was tole- 
 rably extensive, yet there were not dwelling-houses sufficient. 
 A couple of hours were devoted every day to conferences, 
 and the whole of Wednesday ; on which occasions every thing 
 that had reference to the prosperity of the church was dis- 
 cussed. The brethren who returned from Greenland, St. 
 
PROCEEDINGS AT HERRNHAAG. 367 
 
 Thomas, &c. by the intelligence they brought, gave occasion 
 to important deliberations. The first difiicult commencements 
 were called to mind, and how graciously the Lord had enabled 
 them to overcome them. The existing state of things was 
 then considered, and much cause was found for joy and 
 gratitude. John Beck, who had arrived from Greenland, 
 appeared at a love-feast, with his two sons, (both of whom 
 became missionaries in the sequel,) in a Greenland dress, 
 which aiforded much pleasure to the rest of the brethren. 
 Eighteen of the first-fruits of the brethren's labours in various 
 parts could now be numbered, who had already joined the 
 church above. 
 
 The Count divided his attention between Lindheim, Marien- 
 born, and Herrnhaag, but devoted himself chiefly to the latter, 
 where he usually spoke every day on the daily texts or watch- 
 words. The sermons_which _he_ preached _ this., year were 
 published in two^parts ; but it is to be regretted, that he' 
 frequently made use of expressions," lojmt,^3fi_Jte?te ^.Jiis 
 headers, which gaveJSls opponents occasion for ridicule, j^nd 
 which he often lamented iu tbje. sequ.eL~,jrhe same remark 
 applies to his germons preached in 1748. 
 
 At the synod which was held at Herrnhaag, on the 12th of 
 May till the 14th of June, Johannes Von Watte wiUe and 
 Leonard Dober were ordained bishops of the Church of the 
 Brethren, by which the place of bishop Miiller, who had 
 entered into his eternal rest, was doubly fiUed. The Count, on 
 this occasion, stated, that it was evident from history, that the 
 bishops, when forsaking christian simplicity, had caused much 
 injury to the cause of Christ ; but, that he trusted any thing 
 of the kind would be prevented amongst the brethren, by the 
 arrangements which had been made ; for, by the appointment 
 of the Seniores civiles, to whom that was committed which 
 might prove dangerous in the hands of the bishops, and by 
 the authority of such men, whom God himself furnished from 
 time to time with gifts and grace, so that the chief concerns 
 of the church were entrusted to them, — that was wisely averted, 
 which might otherwise have given ground for apprehension. 
 
 A peculiar event occurred at this time, which must not be 
 passed over. The Count's beloved brother-in-law. Count 
 
dob PROCEEDINGS AT HERRNHAAG. 
 
 Beuss, caused him great joy, by visiting him on the 1 1 th of 
 May. His consort, the Countess Theodora, came with him. 
 The synod commenced, and Count Reuss had the pleasure of 
 seeing a number of brethren, to whom he was cordially attached, 
 assembled together, and of enjoying with them the presence 
 of the Saviour, who so gladly meets his people. But on 
 the 14th of May he was obliged to keep his bed, in conse- 
 quence of the. renewed attack of a disorder of the chest, and 
 on the 21st, the Lord took him to himself. Johannes Von 
 WattewUle informed the church of his dissolution, and men- 
 tioned the following remarkable circumstances. The lite 
 Count had felt abundantly comforted, rejoiced, and filled with 
 love to Jesus Christ and his members, since Count Zinzen- 
 dorf's last visit, when the church of Ebersdorf was again 
 united to the brethren. He had felt symptoms of an ap- 
 proaching illness before he left home, but did not let it be 
 perceived, lest his journey to Herrnhaag, from which he pro- 
 mised himself much edification, should be prevented. He 
 had reflected much within himself, how he might renounce 
 his government, and spend the rest of his days amongst the 
 brethren and friends, to whom his heart adhered. But the 
 Saviour had resolved upon some better thing for him, and 
 instead of it, had taken him to his eternal rest. This un- 
 expected intelligence deeply affected the brethren and sisters 
 who were present. 
 
 During the Count's residence at Herrnhaag, many of the 
 brethren who constituted the church of the pilgrims, set out 
 for their various destinations. Amongst these, were Dr. 
 Hooker and Surgeon Riiffer, who took their departure for 
 Persia, to labour amongst the Guebres ; and also John Beck, 
 who returned to Greenland, after being ordained minister of 
 the converted heathen in that country. 
 
 He was gratified by a visit on the 25th of March, from his 
 dear friend. Baron Nicholas Von Wattewille, who arrived 
 from Switzerland, and remained until the termination of the 
 pynod. 
 
 He had also the satisfaction this year of seeing his second 
 daughter, Maria Agnes, for whom he had been hitherto much 
 concerned, admitted to the enjoyment of the sacrament, and 
 
PROCEEDINGS AI HERRNHAAG. 369 
 
 also of pronouncing his benediction upon her, at her entrance 
 upon office in the girls' choir. 
 
 In the year 1747, the Count continued to defend himself, 
 in the periodical publications, against the accusations of his 
 adversaries, under the title of " Natural Reflections," two of ^ 
 which had appeared in December of .the previous year, which 
 were followed by four of the same kind the year following. 
 The fourth of these " Natural Reflections " bore the super- 
 scription, " Not that we have dominion over your faith, but 
 are helpers of your joy.". He endeavoured to show in it, that 
 it is neither useful nor needful for a minister of the gospel to 
 use' compulsafwj measures^ But in order fully to under- 
 stand the object he had in view, it is necessary to call to mind 
 the circumstances in which he was placed. He resided at that 
 time in Herrnha^j^wh^re, ncibvi^standing^the blessing which 
 rested on the church, many of its members fell into extrava- 
 gances, unbecoming children of God..^^It was expected, by 
 persons both in and ouTof the church, that these things would 
 have been put a stop to, and removed by the discipline of the 
 3Ior avian church. 
 
 But the Count had, at that time, his peculiar views of the 
 subject, and was not much in favour of church-discipline. 
 The strange use which had been made of it in ancient times 
 made n o good impression upon him. He believed, indeed, 
 that a church which was strict in the observance of its dis- 
 cipline, might maintain a superior appearance in the sight of 
 men, to one in which such strictness did not prevail ; but 
 whether it were on that account of more value in the sight of the 
 Lord Jesus, who is satisfied with nothing which does not pro- 
 ceed from the heart — is another question. It. might easily 
 happen, that persons who belonged to. a church, might be 
 brought by its discipline .into, a very, regular. cojorae.; -and._yet, 
 afterwards presunje upon their- own jighteQu^jness. and depriye 
 themselvesof the grace whichthe contrite sinner finds _in the 
 sufferings and deatlj ^^QhrisJ^ The Saviour has taught, in 
 few words, how a brother is to be treated, against whom 
 there is any thing to object. First, he is to be admonished 
 3,lone, then in the presence of another, and then, if neither 
 jvail, the church is to be informed of it ; and if he wiU not 
 
 R a 
 
370 SENTENCE 01? EXILE ANNULLED. 
 
 hear the church, he is to be regarded as a publican and a 
 
 heathen. 
 
 O that this rule had only been simply followed at that time ! 
 
 -but this was not the case ; and yet it ought reasonably to have 
 been so, to restrain disorders and things unseemly, as well as 
 
 ■^to avoid cause of offence. 
 
 ' The Count was at length compelled to use severity, as the 
 result wiU show ; and I certainly believe that, after such a 
 
 i trial, he would have found much in this number of his " Na- 
 
 ityjal Reflections,'' to alter and revise. 
 
 In September, things were so arranged that he could again 
 take a journey to Saxony and Upper Lusatia. It was now the 
 tenth year of his banishment from that country. He had 
 cherished the hope that his exile would terniisnate that year, 
 and expressed it to several of his intimate friends ; but there 
 was still little appearance of it. The representations he had 
 frequently made seemed so entirely fruitless, that he even 
 thought it best to say no more upon the subject. The violent 
 attacks which were publicly made upon him, through the me- 
 dium of the press, and dispersed throughout Saxony, did not 
 favour the idea that any kinder feelings prevailed at court re- 
 specting him ; especially, as just at that tiftie, the rescripts 
 against him, issued in 1736, began also to be publicly circu- 
 lated to his prejudice. 
 
 However, it happened, that in Dresden, other sentiments 
 began to prevail respecting the Count, than had been previously 
 the case. Several of his opponents, who were against his re- 
 turn to Saxony, had left this world, and others had laid aside 
 their anger against him. 
 
 But when the manor of Great Hennersdorf, where he had 
 spent the years of his childhood, was purchased for his daugh- 
 ter Benigna, the question was asked by many, " Why was 
 Count Zinzendorf exiled from Saxony ? " It had been seen 
 
 /how Herrnhut had, up to that period, manifested itself as a 
 peaceflil little town, to which every pious Christian wished 
 success. And people began to think, " Would it not be well 
 if there were many such places in Saxony ? and might not 
 Count Zinzendorf again have liberty to return thither ? " In 
 short, the affair was brought before the King, and a letter from 
 
RETURN TO LUSATIA. Sll 
 
 a person of rank informed the Count, that he had permission 
 to return to his native land. 
 
 The Count commenced his journey to Upper Lusatia on the 
 Iftth September ; the Countess, and others, had already pre- 
 ceded him thither. At Neudietendorf, he had an interview 
 with Count Gotter, respecting that settlement ; for even this 
 little place was not without its trials ; which arose, however, 
 possibly, from misunderstanding. On the 13th he continued 
 his journey, and on the 15th paid a visit, with his son and 
 son-in-law, who had come to meet him, to Count Von Gersdorf, 
 the lieutenant of the district, and their friendly interview with 
 this nobleman lasted till late at night. He arrived in Ber- 
 tholdsdorf on the same day and hour which had been so re- 
 markable to him, six years before, when it had pleased the 
 Saviour to make himself so sensibly felt as the supreme head 
 of the church. Most of the brethren and sisters who had been 
 present on that solemn occasion, now met together again, and 
 celebrated it anew, with feelings of the most ardent and hum- 
 ble joy. In the afternoon the Count repaired to Great Hen- 
 nersdorf, where he spent, in retirement, the remainder of this 
 important day. 
 
 On the 17th, he addressed a suitable letter to the Elector 
 of Saxony, then also king of Poland, imder whose good 
 government Herrnhut had enjoyed so many years of peace 
 and repose. He then proceeded to visit the churches in 
 Silesia ; and, first of all, Gnadenberg, — where, in addressing 
 the church, he wished, amongst other things, that all the 
 churches in Silesia might present such an appearance, that 
 their intimate fellowship with the Lord Jesus, and their certain 
 hope of being together with him in eternity, might be seen 
 in their eyes, and inferred from their whole deportment. In 
 Gnadenfrey, where the Countess arrived at the same time, 
 he devoted himself, for two days, entirely to the church. On 
 the whole, this visit proved a source of blessing, consolation, 
 and joy, to the churches of the brethren in Silesia. 
 
 On the 2d of October, he commenced his return from Silesia ; 
 arrived at Leipzig on the 8th, and had an interview with Count 
 Hennike, one of the King's ministers, at which the latter in- 
 formed him, that his Majesty had felt induced to grant him, by 
 
372 
 
 RETURN TO HERRNHUT. 
 
 a decree, a permanent residence in Saxony ; and also men- 
 tioned, that he could assure the brethren, in the King's name, 
 that if they made other settlements in his territories, all liberty 
 would be granted them. The Count would, indeed, have pre- 
 ferred a previous examination, which he had entreated for 
 twenty years. But as, in consequence of the restoration of 
 confidence, it was no longer deemed so requisite, the Count, 
 after mature deliberation, resolved to accept the decree ; at the 
 same time again entreating, that a strict and minute inquiry 
 might be instituted into the whole of his conduct since the 
 year 1736. He left Leipzig immediately after ; and, in the 
 course of a few hours, the Syndic, Kober, had the pleasure of 
 receiving a decree, prepared the day before, and signed by the 
 King in person, in which the Count was authorized perma- 
 nently to remain in Saxony, 
 
 On the 14th of October, at four o'clock in the morning, the 
 Count arrived at Herrnhut. In the afternoon, nearly two 
 hundred persons were present at a love-feast, to whom he 
 made known the circimistance ; at the same time returning 
 heartfelt thanks to the Saviour, who had extended his protection 
 over Herrnhut tUl that period. He observed, as a pleasing 
 circumstance, that as the first brethren went out to Greenland, 
 just at the time of his first exile, to preach the gospel to the 
 heathen there, there were now two converted Greenlanders in 
 Herrnhut, present at the meeting. He reminded them, also, 
 of the watchword for the day, " The Lord turned the captivity 
 of Job, when he prayed for his friends." 
 
 From that time, the Count, in order to be more retired, 
 resided, for the most part, at Great Hennersdorf ; which place, 
 being only a short league from Herrnhut, the brethren and 
 sisters could the more easily visit him there. At a meeting 
 held on the 21st of October, in his own apartment, he related, 
 that in' the same room, forty years before, he had experienced 
 the first feelings of the efficacy of Christ's sufferings, and shed 
 the first tears of heartfelt emotion over the bleeding Saviour 
 and his atonement. 
 
 From the 28th to the 31st of October, he held conferences 
 respecting the affairs connected with the deaconry of the 
 brethren, and deliberated upon the propriety of having a sepa-^ 
 
RETURN TO HERRNHUT. 373 
 
 rate house for the entertainment of pilgrims and strangers. He 
 reminded the brethren, on this occasion, of what the Lord had 
 done for th^m during the last twenty-five years. When it 
 sometimes seemed as if it were impossible to proceed fur- 
 ther, he had sent aid ; and they must not only confess, with 
 the disciples of Jesus, that they had lacked nothing, but also 
 thank him for having been enabled to render assistance to 
 many others in their distress. 
 
 The Count was extremely attached to Bertholdsdorf, because 
 the extensive awakening in Upper Lusatia had taken its com- 
 mencement there, and so many mercies had been there con- 
 ferred upon himself. Hence he endeavoured, during the short 
 time he spent in those parts, to be useful to the inhabitants of 
 Bertholdsdorf ; and, for this purpose, held his Sunday love- 
 feast there. On the 4th of November, the marriage of Count 
 Henry XXVIII., of the younger line of Reuss, with the 
 Countess Agnes Sophia Von Promnitz, was celebrated iji 
 Bertholdsdorf; and the Count gave a heartfelt address, on 
 the occasion, to the noble pair, to whom he was much at- 
 tached. 
 
 On the 13th of November, he partook of the holy sacrament 
 with the congregation from Herrnhut, in the church at Ber- 
 tholdsdorf. His confession, which, according to the custom 
 there, he pronounced with the whole congregation, and in their 
 name, kneeling, was accompanied with many tears from those 
 present. The substance of it^ was, that he himself, with the 
 rest of the brethren and sisters,„had_so much the 'more cause 
 to appear with confusion of face, deep humiliation, and heart- 
 felt penitence before the Saviour, because they Jiadrtreen 
 "favoured with such particular mercies, — and hence they heartily 
 Besought him graciously to lift up upon them the light of his 
 reconciled countenance. 
 
 But although he was made thus useful to Great Henner?- 
 dorf and Bertholdsdorf, yet Herrnhut enjoyed the most of his 
 company during this visit to Upper Lusatia. He preached 
 very important sermons to the church in that place, on several 
 occasions, and held the necessary conferences with the brethren 
 and sisters. 
 
 On the 5th of November he delivered a homiletical address. 
 
374 ■ RETURN TO HERRNHAAG. 
 
 with great unction, to each of the choirs : and showed clearly 
 what the Saviour's intentions were with respect to each. The 
 next day, after a love-feast with the single brethren, occasioned 
 by Johannes Von Wattewille's approaching departure, he con- 
 versed with aU the members of it individually, and had pre- 
 viously participated in the joy of the widow's choir, at the 
 arrival, and admission into it, of the Countess Theodora. At 
 the request of the children, he held a love-feast with them on 
 the 15 th November, and related to them the grace which had 
 been bestowed, twenty years before, on the first-fruits of the 
 children's seminaries. 
 
 On the 26th November the Count commenced his return to 
 Herrnhaag, after holding an important conference, respecting 
 the affairs of the Silesian churches, with the brethren who 
 laboured amongst them. On the 27th he visited Count Von 
 Gersdorf, in Teichnitz, and his aunt Henrietta, in Bautzen. 
 Early on the morning of the 28th, he arrived in Dresden. He 
 had there an interview with Count Hennike, respecting the 
 affairs then pending, and at nine o'clock proceeded on his 
 journey. He did not suffer either the bad roads or the bad 
 weather to detain him ; and, after resting a day in Neudieten- 
 dorf, he arrived safely in Herrnhaag on the 7th of December. 
 
 He there spent the remainder of the year, in the transaction 
 of the manifold business which devolved upon him ; which 
 was, indeed, almost more, at that period, than any individual 
 could accomplish. But it resulted from the various offices he 
 had undertaken ; the duties of which were of such a nature, 
 that others, however willing to assist, could not have much 
 alleviated them. 
 
 He closed the year with a general meeting of the church ; 
 preaching first at Marienborn, and then addressing the stu- 
 dents at the seminary. In the customary vigils at Herrnhaag, 
 he thanked the Lord, with filial affection, for the mercies 
 enjoyed during the year, and devoted himself anew to his 
 service with a cheerful spirit. 
 
 On his return to Herrnhaag, he found, to his sorrow, that 
 the good understanding had not yet been restored between 
 
LABOURS AT HERRNHAAG. ' 375 
 
 the house of Biidingen and the church in Herrnhaag. He 
 therefore wrote, at length, to the Count's eldest son ; the result 
 of which was, that in February, 1748, it was resolved to leave 
 every thing in statu quo for the space of five years, and that 
 a certain sum should be paid yearly to the house of Biidingen, - 
 from- the revenues of Herrnhaag. On the 19th of February, the 
 Count informed the church in that place, that the misunder- 
 standing which had arisen during the previous year with their 
 noble landlord, had been happily removed ; by which no small 
 burden had been taken from his shoulders. 
 
 He spent the first three months of the new year in Herrn- 
 haag, and faithfully devoted himself to the ministry of the 
 church there. In his discourses, he stated his expectation that 
 circumstances would not continue as they were at that time, 
 but that the Lord Jesus would grant his blessing to the labours 
 of the brethren, and that they would enjoy more favour in 
 every quarter, than the opposition they had then to encounter. 
 
 Before the close of the previous year, the Count had begun 
 to hold lectures, at the theological seminary, on the Augsburg 
 Confession, which were afterwards printed. However, he was, 
 in the sequel, so little pleased with many things in them, that 
 he entirely cancelled them. 
 
 He*continued the publication of his " Natural Reflections," 
 of which four additional numbers appeared in the course of 
 that year (1748). 
 
 On the 11th of January, the Countess Benigna and her hus- 
 band took their departure, by way of Holland and England, 
 to North America. The Count accompanied them as far as 
 Frankfort, where he spent a day with them, and then gave 
 them his parting benediction. 
 
 The same month, one of the Greenlanders, who had come 
 on a visit to the churches of the brethren, received the ordi- 
 nance of baptism from Matthew Stach, the missionary ; and 
 two of them, Matthew and Judith, both unmarried persons, 
 partook, on the 28th of January, of the holy sacrament, for the 
 first time, with the church. 
 
 Cherishing the hope that there would be no longer a disin- 
 clination, in Dresden, to appoint a commission of inquiry, he 
 resolved upon another journey to Saxony and Upper Lusatia. 
 
376 JOURNEY TO DRESDEN, ETC, 
 
 He had also the intention of holding a synod, and of welcoming, 
 on that occasion, the Rev. Mr. Cochius, who had been ap- 
 pointed honorary President of the Reformed section of the 
 church. He therefore set out on the 4th of March ; and after 
 passing a day in retirement at Hiinefeld, he arrived, on the 
 7th, at Neudietendorf, where he remained some days, to the 
 great joy of the brethren who had settled there after the first 
 had been called away. But finding that a variety of ideas still 
 prevailed in Gotha, which, in his opinion, militated against 
 the existence of a Moravian settlement, he advised them rather 
 to quit the place. 
 
 On the 11th he proceeded to Ebersdorf, to speak with his 
 cousin. Count Henry XXIV., who had succeeded to the go- 
 vernment, upon a variety of subjects connected with the church 
 in that place. In order to attend to his business the more 
 closely, he removed, after some days, from the palace to the 
 house appointed for the reception of strangers. There h^ 
 examined and considered the inward and outward state of the 
 church at Ebersdorf, — looked over the documents, — conversed 
 with the ofiicers of the church, — inquired into the states of its 
 members, — and after having made every possible arrangement, 
 he continued his journey, and arrived in Dresden on the 28th of 
 March. He there visited some of the chief ministers of state, 
 in order to induce them to appoint a commission of inquiry, 
 which he had so long desired ; and, though many objections 
 were raised against it, yet he left Dresden with the hopes of 
 attaining his object. 
 
 On the 5th of April he again arrived at Herrnhut, and took 
 up his residence, for some days, in the house which he had 
 occupied at the very commencement, to which he felt attached, 
 because he had experienced in it so many mercies, and had 
 participated so much in the sorrows and joys of the brethren. 
 
 He then informed the church of what he had accomplished 
 in Dresden ; and afterwards removed to Great Hennersdorf, 
 that he might be the less disturbed in his labours, and hia 
 customary attendants accompanied him thither.^ From thence 
 he ministered to the church in Herrnhut, and frequently 
 visited it. 
 
 On the 19th of April he travelled to Giitta, where several of 
 
RESIDENCE IN HERRNHUT. 377 
 
 the brethren came to confer with him, previous to their depar- 
 ture for Wetteravia and Holland. The Count afterwards pro- 
 ceeded, on the 25th, to Dresden. On the way he lost a little 
 book, which contained many remarks he had made. Being 
 very anxious about it, he entreated the Saviour, who sympa- 
 thizes in the smallest afflictions of his people, that it might be 
 restored to him ; and the same evening he learnt that it had 
 been found, and was in good hands. 
 
 In Dresden he preferred being incognito, rather than lose 
 his time by unnecessary visits. After conversing with the 
 chief of the clergy, as well as the King's ministers, his request 
 was first of all taken into consideration by a commission, at 
 which he and Baron Von WattewiUe were present as deputies. 
 At length he stated briefly, in a letter to his Majesty's mini- 
 sters, what was desirable in order to a correct view of the sub- 
 ject in the proposed examination. 
 
 On his return from Dresden, he had a peculiar pleasure 
 afforded him at Teichnitz, where he again visited Count Von 
 Gersdorf. He was there welcomed by a number of converted 
 Wends, who were in connexion with the brethren, and attended 
 their meeting. This caused him the greater gratification, 
 having, for several years past, taken great interest in the 
 labours amongst that nation. 
 
 On the 1 7th of May he had the satisfaction of welcoming 
 the Countess and his son at Hermhut, who had safely arrived 
 from Wetteravia. 
 
 His next object was the holding of a synod at Great Hen- 
 nersdorf, at which he would have been glad to have seen some 
 of the Saxon clergy ; but having invited Cochius, chief chap- 
 lain to his Prussian Majesty, to be present at it as President of 
 the Reformed section of the church, and the King having given 
 him leave of absence for a month for that purpose, the Count 
 resolved to hold the synod in Silesia. 
 
 Meanwhile, he thought it necessary to hold some prepa- 
 ratory conferences at Great Hennersdorf, which accordingly 
 commenced on the 22d of May. Before these were ended, 
 Brother Weiss arrived from Dresden, with the news that a deci- 
 sion had been come to, respecting a settlement at Barby ; an 
 agreement having been entered into with the electoral house 
 
378 SYNOD AT GROSS KRAtlCHE. 
 
 of Saxony, for the occupation of the castle by the brethren, 
 on payment of a certain loan. 
 
 On the 13th of June, the Count travelled to Wehrau on the 
 Queiss, ■where the Rev. Mr. Cochius arrived the following day ; 
 and proceeded on the 16th to Silesia, in order to become ac- 
 quainted with the churches of the brethren there, before the 
 commencement of the synod. The Count, who had meanwhile 
 returned to Herrnhut, arrived on the 26th at Gnadenberg, 
 where the other members of the synod had assembled. The 
 synod was commenced the same day, in the manorial mansion 
 at Gross Krauche, in the same room where the meetings had 
 been held previous to the erection of a chapel. 
 
 It being the first time that Mr. Cochius had been present 
 at a synod of the brethren, the Count, who presided, took 
 great pains to lay before him every thing which might make 
 him more acquainted with the affairs of the Moravian church, 
 and especially the Reformed section of it. 
 
 The chief thing deliberated upon at this synod was a treatise 
 laid before it by a deputation appointed for that purpose. It 
 contained an explanation of aU the points of doctrine com- 
 prised in the Augsburg Confession, in which it was endeavoured 
 to express every thing with such perspicuity, that nothing 
 might any longer remain dubious. 
 
 After the synod was ended, the Count returned to Great 
 Hennersdorf, where he remained tiU the 19th of August, and 
 from, whence he daUy visited Herrnhut. 
 
 The most important event at this period, was the royal 
 commission of inquiry, so long desired, which commenced at 
 Great Hennersdorf, at the close of July, and was continued 
 during the first week in August. 
 
 The Count and the other eleven deputies of the church of 
 the brethren, having been recognised as such at the opening 
 of the Commission, it was premised, that Herrnhut being 
 already regarded as a Lutheran church of the brethren, as 
 the Count had already clearly explained, the investigation had 
 only reference to that section of the union properly called the 
 Moravian church, and not to the Lutheran or Reformed sec- 
 tions of it. 
 
 With respect to that which had reference to the Count in 
 
COMMISSION AT GREAT HENNERSDORF. 379 
 
 person, he was anxious to give the Commissioners an oppor- 
 tunity of a thorough investigation. He therefore, at the very- 
 commencement, presented a manuscript of ninety-four pages 
 in folio, in which he stated every thing in connexion. That 
 which was said in it, was founded upon documents which con- 
 stituted three volumes, and served as an appendix to it. 
 
 The manuscript itself was publicly read at the sitting of 
 the Commissioners, by Count Von Gersdorf, and afterwards 
 handed over to the privy-council in Dresden. The Count 
 speaks in it, 
 
 1. Of the evangelical testimony borne by him and his as- 
 sistants, as opportunity offered amongst all denominations of 
 Christians. 
 
 2. Of the reasons which induced them to support, from 
 year to year, a Lazaretto, so to speak, for all who were dis- 
 tressed in their minds. 
 
 3. Of the good reception they had met with from many, 
 when seeking to gain them over to the Saviour, without in- 
 fringing upon their religion. 
 
 4. Of the method employed to bring within proper limits, 
 the numbers who were urgent to become members of the 
 churches of the brethren. 
 
 5. Of the missions to the heathen, especially in places 
 where there had previously been none. 
 
 6. Of the establishment of various colonies and settlements, 
 and the wise and prudent regulations required. 
 
 7. Of the institutions for the education of children, both 
 of missionaries and of other parents. 
 
 8. Of the theological seminary. 
 
 9. Of his oflScial duties with reference to the churches of 
 the brethren, which had been providentially placed under his 
 care. 
 
 With regard to each of these points, he showed the primary 
 objects he had in view. On coming to the last of them, he 
 took occasion to state how they followed each other in suc- 
 cession, and thus he relates what induced him to devote his 
 attention to the Moravian exiles and their spiritual affairs ; 
 the efforts he made to preserve them in connexion with the 
 Lutheran church, without divesting them of their ecclesiastical 
 
380 COMMISSION AT GREAT HENNERSDOKF. 
 
 constitution and discipline ; why, and how it happened, that 
 episcopal ordination was used by the brethren connected with 
 the Lutheran church ; how, in his ministry amongst them, he 
 had individually confined himself within the limits of a strict 
 and faithful Lutheran divine, &c. 
 
 With regard to the part the Count personally acted at 
 this Commission, it is to be observed, that though he made 
 every arrangement that the Commissioners should be honour- 
 ably received at Great Hennersdorf, he was not present when 
 they arrived, and probably would not have appeared at all, 
 but have merely handed in the documents through the medium 
 of the prothonotary. But his presence being deemed neces- 
 sary by the deputies of the brethren, as well as the Commis- 
 sioners, he felt obliged to devote himself unreservedly to the 
 business, from the first moment to the last. 
 
 He therefore not only drew up the answers to the questions 
 laid before the deputies, but also appeared with Mr. Steinhofer, 
 at a conference with the divines, who formed part of the com- 
 mission, in which the objections that occurred were refuted 
 to the satisfaction of the Commissioners. 
 
 He carefully procured and laid before them, both his own 
 writings and those of his opponents. 
 
 He not only held his daily meetings in Hennersdorf accord- 
 ing to his custom, at which some of the Commissioners occa- 
 sionally attended, but also gave them an opportunity of visiting 
 Herrnhut, inspecting every thing there, and of attending some 
 of the meetings. 
 
 The King's birth-day happening to fall during the time the 
 Commissioners were at Great Hennersdorf, the Count com- 
 posed an ode upon the occasion, which was sung with musical 
 accompaniments before the Commissioners ; other solemnities 
 also took place, by which the brethren testified their profound 
 submission and loyalty to the King's person. 
 
 The Count felt sincerely gratefiil for the resolution of the 
 Saxon Court, to have the cause of the brethren thoroughly 
 investigated, and his particular esteem and devotedness to that 
 illustrious house was thereby reanimated. 
 
 After the favourable termination of the Commission, the 
 Count spent the remaining days of his residence at Great 
 
RETURN TO WETTERAVIA. 881 
 
 Hennersdprf and Herrnhut in various useful employments, 
 and after having received the sacrament, on the 13th of August, 
 at Bertholdsdorf, with the brethren and sisters from Herrnhut, 
 he commenced his return to Wetteravia, and arrived on the 
 25th at Ebersdorf. After conferring with the reigning Count 
 upon the state of the church in that place, he proceeded, on 
 the 29th, to Gotha, where he thankftdly called to mind the 
 synod held there in 1 740, and heartily commended the whole 
 country to the divine protection and blessing. The following 
 day he reached Lindheim ; and on the 31st of August, Marien- 
 born and Herrnhaag. 
 
 During the Count's stay in Wetteravia on this occasion, 
 which was not of long duration, the chief thing to be noticed 
 is, the continuance of the synodal conferences, in the first of 
 which, held on the 11th of September, he gave a circumstantial 
 account of the occasions of the various conferences previously 
 held that year, and on the 12th and 13th caused a statement 
 of the transactions at Great Hennersdorf to be read to the 
 conference. 
 
 On the 16th of September, a document was signed by the 
 brethren, empowering the Count to take in hand and terminate 
 the negociations pending in Holland, England, and other 
 places, in the name and behalf of the brethren. On this he 
 declared, that though he would not fail to act to the best of 
 his ability, with regard to what still remained to be done for 
 the cause of the brethren in Holland and England, as well as 
 give his advice upon any subject on which he might be con- 
 sulted ; yet, from that time, he would make his pastoral duties, 
 and the internal prosperity of the church, his chief concern. 
 He had resolved upon this since the year 1741, but after his 
 return from America, he could not refrain from interfering 
 in the secular affairs of the church, in order to prevent injury 
 to it. But now that the cause of the brethren had been in- 
 vestigated in Saxony, and the Lord had so far blessed his 
 labours in that respect, he could not avoid urging an exemp- 
 tion from external affairs, especially since he firmly believed 
 it would contribute more to the prosperity of the church, if 
 he devoted himself solely to its spiritual affairs. This he 
 proposed therefore faithfully to do, and the hearts of all 
 
382 JOURNEY TO HOLLAND. 
 
 the members of the church ■would be the text he should 
 study. 
 
 After taMng an affectionate leave of the churches in Herrn- 
 haag, Lindheim, and Marienborn, he set out for Holland, and 
 arrived with his company in Zeist on the 23d of September. 
 
 He there began to devote himself more exclusively to the 
 spiritual progress of the church, but did not neglect, at the 
 same time, its secular affairs. Thus, for instance, when a con- 
 ference veas held in Amsterdam towards the end of October, 
 on the subject of the deaconry of the brethren, he gave those 
 vfho were appointed to that office a written document, which 
 contained excellent instructions for the fulfilment of its duties, 
 without, however,' being personally present, or entering into 
 any of the particular subjects which were discussed. 
 
 He held a synodal conference in the beginning of October, 
 with the ministers that were present, from various churches 
 and places, in which he discussed, at length, the state of the 
 church and its different congregations. 
 
 At this synod, an act was passed respecting the honorary 
 presidency of the Lutheran section of the church of the bre- 
 thren, which an eminent Saxon divine, at the Count's wish, 
 and the consent of the Elector, undertook. 
 
 On the 30th of the same month, the Countess and Baron 
 Von Wattewille took leave of the Count, and proceeded by 
 way of Barby to Herrnhaag. 
 
 With his son, whom he also sent back, he previously spoke 
 at considerable length, respecting the progress-of tha_siagje 
 brethren in divine things. Although he had no clear per- 
 ception of the siftmg which subsequently took place, yet 
 I he observed traces of it, and sought either to remove the 
 evil, or at least stop its further progress. Perhaps he would 
 have done better to have kept his son with him. The in- 
 structions he gave him proved of little avail ; for the confusion 
 had already commenced, not only amongst the single brethren, 
 but also amongst the other choirs. 
 
 "' Brother John Nitschman was on the point of proceeding to 
 North America, by way of England, with a considerable num- 
 ber of brethren and sisters, at a time of the year seldom chosen 
 for such voyages. It was the middle of December, when he 
 
VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. 383 
 
 with his company went on board a vessel built in New York, 
 and fitted up for the service of the brethren on their voyages. 
 It was called the Irene, was an incomparable sailer, and was 
 commanded by Captain Garrison. Several brethren and 
 sisters, desirous of proceeding to England, also shipped them- 
 selves on board of her, and the Greenlanders, who had come to 
 visit the brethren in Germany, availed themselves of the oppor- 
 tunity of returning in this vessel, by way of New York to 
 their own country. When the Irene was about to set sail 
 with her passengers, who amounted to about one hundred and 
 fifty, the Count resolved to accompany them to England ; and 
 for this purpose, left Amsterdam for the Helder. But there 
 was no possibility of reaching the vessel, because in conse- 
 quence of the heavy gales, no boat would venture out to sea. 
 This plunged him into profound grief, on account of the vessel 
 which had so many persons on board, because he begafl to 
 think some mistake had been made in the arrangements 
 for that purpose. But on pouring out his heart before the 
 Saviour, and commending the matter to him, he was comforted, 
 and felt assured that all would go well. 
 
 Being thus prevented from going by the Irene, he returned, 
 and proceeded to Helvoetsluys, where he arrived on the 30tlh 
 On the 31st he went on board the packet-boat, but met with 
 contrary and heavy gales of wind. Although he was very Ul 
 in the night, yet he held a singing meeting with his company, 
 commended all the churches, choirs, and individuals, both by 
 sea and land, amongst heathens and Christians, and the whole 
 cause of God, in heartfelt prayer to the Saviour, and at the 
 same time thanked him for all the benefits received from him 
 during the past year. 
 
 Scarcely had the Count arrived at Harwich on New Year's 
 day (1749), when the post-master, with whom he took up his 
 residence, brought him a large packet of letters, which were 
 waiting for him. The information they communicated, both 
 from North America and Germany, was of such a nature as to 
 have caused him no little trouble, had he not been cheered by 
 the remarkable and consolatory watchwords for the first days- 
 
384 RESIDENCE IN LONDON. 
 
 in the year. He therefore applied to Him, who is alone able 
 to help, and cast all his care upon him. 
 
 The next day he proceeded to Colchester, and the day fol- 
 lowing to Ingatestone, and finding the place suitable for em- 
 ploying himself without disturbance, he spent the evening and 
 the night there, occupied with his papers. The next day he 
 came to Mile End, where the brethren had at that time a child's 
 seminary. Afterwards, on riding to London, a highwayman 
 came to the carriage with a pistol in his hand and demanded 
 the money and watches of the brethren that were with him, on 
 receiving which, he left them. On arriving in London, he 
 occupied Northampton House in Bloomsbury Square, which had 
 been taken for him for three years. 
 
 Amongst the unpleasant intelligence the Count received at 
 Harwich, was that of an edict having been published in Han- 
 overagainst the brethren. Those of them who accompained 
 him to London, were spoken to on the subject by almost every 
 one ; for it had been mentioned both in the French and English 
 newspapers. Several English gentlemen, with whom the Count 
 had been for some time acquainted, could not conceal their as- 
 tonishment at it, especially as they heard there were no brethren 
 in Hanover, and that besides this, no pains had been taken to 
 inquire into the doctrine and ecclesiastical constitution of the 
 brethren. It was also incomprehensible for another reason, 
 which was, that they had been so honourably mentioned in an 
 act of the British parliament, in the year 1747. 
 
 The Count, though much inclined to be silent on such occa- 
 sions, and commend the matter to God, thought, that in the 
 present instance, duty required him to interfere. He saw the 
 injury which the brethren might receive from it, not only in 
 Germany, but also in the English colonies. Nor had he for- 
 gotten the sufferings caused the missionaries to the Indians 
 by the act passed at New York in 1744, and what hinderances 
 it had placed in their way. He therefore addressed a letter to 
 the king of England, with reference to the edict above- 
 mentioned, in a manner becoming a servant of Jesus Christ ; 
 his friends, however, were of opinion, that it would be better 
 to bring the matter before parliament, that the cause of the 
 brethren might be investigated, of which more in the sequel. 
 
PRDVINCIAt SYNOD. 385 
 
 Meanwhile, the brethren and sisters, whom he had left iit 
 Holland, on board the Irene, arrived safe and well in London, 
 and thus the church in his house was formed anew. They regu- 
 larly attended the meetings of the brethren ; but besides the 
 latter, daily meetings were held at the Count's residence, to 
 which the brethren and sisters, who belonged to the church in 
 London, and ministered to its choirs, had access as often as 
 they wished. He himself laboured in the service of that con- 
 gregation with much fidelity, gave his advice on every doubtful 
 matter, and considered, as the case demanded, in conference 
 with its office-bearers, how injury might be prevented and 
 good be done. He also frequently preached in German, at the 
 chapel of the brethren, on which occasions brother John Gam- 
 bold, as soon as the sermon was over, punctually repeated it 
 in English, for the benefit of those Englishmen who did not 
 understand German. 
 
 But in order that his residence in England might be rendered 
 useful to the brethren there, he convened the ministers of the 
 various congregations and their choirs, and whoever else of the 
 brethren was in England in the service of the Saviour, to a 
 provincial synod, which commenced on the 16th of January, 
 and lasted till the 20th. In the two first sessions, he spoke 
 with them on the fundamental principles, which ought to be 
 maintained, especially at that time, in order to act in accord- 
 ance with the peaceful injunctions of the Lord Jesus Christ. , 
 In the following sessions, that which was incumbent upon the 
 brethren, with reference to England, was discussed. 
 
 The company of brethren and sisters destined for North 
 America and Greenland, having also arrived in London by the 
 Irene, the Count was anxious, not only to make their residence 
 in England, where they were entire strangers, pleasing and 
 profitable, but also to converse with them individually on the 
 objects of their mission. For this purpose, he had several 
 interviews with them, and listened to what each had to 
 say of himself and his circumstances. After having made 
 himself well acquainted with every thing, he held a conference 
 with the heads of the mission to Pennsylvania, and after 
 partaking of the sacrament together, they went on board the 
 vessel. Here they were again visited by the Count on the 21st of 
 
386 PROCEEDINGS IN LONDON. 
 
 February, who followed them to Gravesend with John Nitschman, 
 the leader of the whole company, and there took a cordial 
 leave of them. 
 
 Before their departure, Providence so ordered it, that a letter 
 came under the Count's observation, from whence he clearly 
 perceived many proofs of ^he thoughtless enthusiasm which 
 had gradually infected .the,._deceivers_and the deceived in 
 the church. He immediately sat down, without speaking to 
 any one on the subject, and prepared a letter to all the 
 churches of the brethren ; in which he alluded to every thing 
 that he knew or apprehended, in a pointed manner, and ex- 
 pressed himself in such a way, that it was hoped the due effect 
 would be produced. Although he mentioned no one, yet he 
 attacked the thing itself without sparing any one ; and because 
 many of the brethren and sisters, who ought to have served as 
 an example to others, were chiefly to blame for things which 
 were unbecoming a church of Christ, his letter was particularly 
 directed against them. He says at the conclusion, " He that 
 is on the Lord's side, let him join me ; and he that is dis- 
 obedient shall bear his own judgment, whoever he be." 
 
 After finishing this letter, he caused so many copies to be 
 made of it, that on the 10th of February, he was able to dis- 
 patch them to all the churches. He wrote at the same time to 
 his son, who had also become, connected wiSithese pe'ople^^— 
 doubtless from a good intention, but also trough the deceitful- 
 ness of sin — and clearly placed before him the evil into which he 
 hadT^faJIepi;; At the same time, Ke removed him from flSe"offiee 
 he had liitherto held, and summoned him and his immediate 
 friends to London. 
 
 / The Lord blessed these efforts of the Count, so that the 
 faithful, who sighed over the extravagancies committed, began 
 to breathe more freely ; whilst those who had grieved the 
 church, were gradually brought to reflection. 
 
 He did not, however, let the matter rest with a general 
 warning and menace ; but- reflected how the evil might be 
 removed, wherever it had found an entrance. He premised 
 that it was necessary to commence the work in the character 
 of a physician, in order that the souls of those who had. been 
 infected by the evil, and become a disgrace to the Saviour and 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN LONDON. 387 
 
 their brethren might be saved. To attain this object, he made 
 the ne£dMi>istjJu:lamijdthiegMdJ;aJJui§earJiQj^^ 
 the temptation. He had great compassion upon all t^ose_whp 
 li^ been Jieedy£ss|xi!jaffikUa.taiti AwLfiXen-iixpected |o_deriye 
 benefit from it. To others he expressed his serious dissatis- 
 fection and "Sispleasure at their conduct, and for a long time, 
 did not suffer them to come near him. He took great pains 
 with others of the assistants, to restore them to the path of 
 simpficity ; and on their acknowledging and confessing their 
 sin, he not only heartily forgave them, but restored them to 
 their offices, and commissioned them to reform the disorders 
 which had taken place ainongst their own people, and to mini- 
 ster to the amendment of those whom they had previously 
 encouraged in their vagaries. Hfi.inxe§tig.atedjhe sources of 
 th e fanat icism which had spread itself amongst them, in order 
 entirely to"erSLicate them"; andbg ue^g that they originated 
 iiuthfi-wish-of somejjtojBnd^jgaiethiBg,,su£wior^ more 
 
 excellent than the doctrine of the cross, he renewed his 
 determination and bis practice to preach nothing but Christ 
 and him crucified. 
 
 He did not, however, ascertain that year all the particulars 
 of the disorders which had been introduced. There was no 
 want of those who were both willing and able to have in- 
 formed him most minutely of every thing ; but he refused to 
 hear any thing further of it; and if any one began to speak of 
 it, he grew angry, which terminated the conversation. 
 
 Some of his fellow-labourers could not understand this con- 
 duct, because they imagined that the duties incxunbent upon 
 his ofiice required that he sliould be in possession of all the 
 particulars of the affair. I .m2self_jKas much displeased, with 
 him at that time, and he no less so with me, because he knew my 
 sentiments ; aHTlLis went so far, on both sides, that it could 
 not remain concealed from the church, although we both loved 
 each other cordially. 
 
 Afterwards, it seemed probable to me, that he' acted thus 
 from a fear of himself: for if he had been informed of every 
 thing at the time, he might have been too highly incensed 
 against certain persons, to whom he was, notwithstanding, much 
 attached. He would infallibly have withdrawn the confidence he 
 
 s2 
 
888 PROCEEDINGS IIT LONDON. 
 
 reposed in them, and have given them up entirely, and perhaps 
 even have lost courage himself. It is also possible, that con- 
 sidering the important aifairs he had at that time in hand, he 
 was unwilling to enter into such extremely disagreeable things, 
 which would have too much excited him, and rendered him unfit 
 for the transaction of the business with which he was occupied. 
 For he was, at that time, endeavouring to procure an inves- 
 tigation into J;he Moravian cause, which had hitherto experienced 
 so much opposition in the British parliament ; particularly as he 
 believed that the English nation, which had been for a long 
 period acquainted with the Moravian church, had an especial 
 right to institute such an inquiry. 
 
 It being resolved to petition parliament on the subject, the 
 question was, who should appear on behalf of the brethren ? 
 The Count, who had firmly determined to preserve his in- 
 cognito in London, was placed in a p^plexing situation. 
 His friends, whose advice was asked, insisted upon it, that 
 there was no other suitable way, than his appearing in the cha- 
 racter of " Advocatus fratrum." However gladly he would 
 have avoided this, and given it into other hands, yet, under 
 the circumstances at the time, he could not refuse to act. 
 Meanwhile, he made every arrangement to prevent his per- 
 sonal appearance from being requisite, and yet attended with 
 great fidehty and indefatigable assiduity to every thing that 
 might contribute towards the attainment of the object. 
 
 The first thing was, to make himself acquainted with all 
 that was necessary in the matter. General Oglethorpe, of 
 whom we have previously spoken, was often with him ; and this 
 gentleman, who had sat in parliament for many years, was able 
 to give him the best information. After the petition had been 
 duly prepared and signed, it was presented to the House of 
 Commons, which appointed a committee of forty of its mem- 
 bers to examine every thing most minutely, and make their 
 report. The Count furnished all the documents for the esta- 
 blishment of every point, and had them carefully translated 
 into English, 
 
 The result of this investigation was, that almost all the 
 members of parliament, both in the upper and lower house, 
 who had previously entertained the strangest ideas of the 
 
Act of PARLIAMENT. 389 
 
 brethren, were convinced of their error in a manner almost 
 unparalleled ; and after the aiFair had been discussed eighteen 
 several times in the committees, and by the whole house, the 
 Act in favour of the Moravian church passed the House of 
 Lords on the 1 2th of May — a day already memorable in the 
 annals of the brethren — after having been agreed to in the 
 lower house; and, on the 6th of June, received the royal 
 asseint. 
 
 The following were the chief points gained by the brethren 
 by means of this Act t — 
 
 1. The Unitas FrairMm were acknowledged as an ancient 
 Protestant episcopal church. 
 
 2. Those of its members, who scrupled to take an oath, were 
 exempted from it on making a declaration in the presence of 
 Almighty God, as witness of the truth. 
 
 3. They were exempted from acting as jurymen. 
 
 4. They were entirely exempted from military service in 
 the American colonies, under reasonable conditions. 
 
 It was, at the same time, a matter of no small importance to 
 the Count, that the ancient acquaintance of the English church, 
 and; of the^ whole English nation, with the Moravian church, 
 should thus be renewed, and that persons of the first distinction — 
 even the Prince of Wales himself — should have been so active, 
 and manifested such a friendly disposition in the matter. But 
 although the Count regarded all this as of so much conse- 
 quence, yet he constantly urged upon the brethren not to 
 place their dependence upon favourable circumstances, but to 
 cleave, as before, with filial and humble confidence to the 
 Saviour alone, as their sole helper and protector in every 
 emergency. 
 
 After the parliamentary proceedings were terminated, the 
 Count had several conferences with Dr. Sherlock, bishop of 
 London, on the doctrine of the Moravian church. The bishop 
 of Lincoln, who was acquainted with the German language, was 
 also present. 
 
 The Count seeing that these prelates, as well as others of the 
 Church of England, would be glad of a more particular account 
 of the doctrine, constitution, and practice of the Moravian 
 church, wrote a copious treatise upon the subject in English, 
 
390 OCCURRENCES IN LONDON. 
 
 under the title of " Unitaiis FratrumFidei, Liturgice etPraxeos 
 Expositio," &o. 
 
 About this time also, the Twelfth Number of his " Natural 
 Reflections " appeared, which concluded the series. The 
 Watchwords, or Daily Texts, for the year 1750, were like- 
 wise published, under the title of " Sabbathum Eeclesice 
 Fratrum." 
 
 Events, which were partly pleasing and partly painful to the 
 Count, rapidly accumulated during this period. The accusa- 
 tions which had been circulated against him in Germany, made 
 ' their way to England, and appeared in that language ; — ^but 
 who does not know how much is published there continually, 
 against the king, his ministers, the parliament, and the church? 
 hence it produced no particular efiEect for a time. The 
 news of the success of the missionaries amongst the savages 
 in Berbice, the letters from North America, stating the safe 
 arrival of the Irene on the 12th of May, and other favourable 
 events, caused him joy and thankfulness. But still, nothing 
 could tranquillize his heart in all the adverse circumstances 
 from without, and the deficiencies within, so much as the loving- 
 kindness of his Saviour. This was his daily consolation, and 
 he so arranged his labours, as to be able to spend the whole 
 Sunday in intercourse vdth him ; and unless he preached in 
 public, or addressed the church in his own house, he seldom 
 let himself be seen or spoken to on that day. 
 
 When his son arrived in London, on the 23d of May, he 
 KBceived him as a father who was supremely attached to the 
 /Saviour : for, since the former had suffered himself to be led into 
 a variety of extravagancies, he was unwilling to act like an Eli 
 towards him. He did not, however, omit, after having stated his 
 sentiments on every point of his conduct, with which he was 
 dissatisfied, to manifest a father's faithftdness towards him. He 
 kept him always about him, and afforded him an opportunity 
 of participating in all the business of the church. 
 
 After every thing had been transacted with the parliament 
 and the bishops, and the affairs above mentioned weriB so far 
 in progress, the Count devoted himself, for some weeks, more 
 particularly to the church itself, and held several conferences 
 with its teachers. 
 
JOURNEY TO YORKSHIRE. 391 
 
 On the 22d of June, after taking leave of the friends and 
 brethren in London, he travelled to Yorkshire, He sent the 
 greatest part of his company direct to Gracehall, whilst he 
 himself went first, by way of York, to Aberford, where he 
 idsited. the Rev. Benjamin Ingham, and spent a few days with 
 him. On the 30th he arrived at Gracehall, and edified the 
 church there, the same day, with an address. He continued 
 there till the 28th of July, but received only a few of the 
 strangers who came, and visited them in return. He had, 
 however, much friendly intercourse with Mr. Ingham, who, 
 being the proprietor of GracehaU, gave the ground for a house 
 both for the single brethren and the unmarried sisters ; the first 
 stone for which was laid on the 26th of July, before the Count's 
 departure, with prayer and supplications. Some families be- 
 longing to the Moravian church, also settled there ; and thus 
 arose the Moravian settlement, afterwards called Fulneck, in 
 memory of a place formerly occupied by the brethren in 
 Moravia. But in order that the Count's residence there might 
 be profitable to the church, he not only held frequent confe- 
 rences with the choir -leaders and other assistants, but also 
 many meetings of the church and the difierent choirs. On 
 these occasions, one of the brethren, at first, always sat near 
 him, who repeated in English what he spoke in German ; but 
 at length he preached himself in the EngUsh language, to the 
 great joy of his hearers. Besides this, he undertook to con- 
 verse v?ith every individual singly. He also made a com- 
 mencement with the children from all the places where the 
 brethren were scattered. Their number amounted to six 
 hundred : he began with the boys, and afterwards spoke with 
 the girls^ each, of them singly-. In the afternoon they all held 
 a love-feast together. 
 
 At the close of his agreeable residence at Fulneck, the 
 Count gave a very impressive address on the watchword for the 
 day, " Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his domi- 
 nion." He then pronoimced his benediction upon the con- 
 gregation, took an afiectionate leave of them, and commenced 
 his return to London. 
 
 On the 30th of July, on reaching Buckden, where the bishop 
 of Lincoln has his country-seat, the latter was about to visit 
 
3^2 REtURN TO LONDOft. 
 
 liim ; but ■ he prevented him, by waiting himself upoll the 
 bishop, and had a long and pleasing interview with him. Thejr 
 went through the Litany of the Moravian chnreh, which had 
 been translated into English, and annexed to the address to 
 the English church formerly mentioned ; and the bishop, being 
 acquainted with the German language, made some remarks 
 upon the translation, which were very acceptable to the Count. 
 The day following he arrived with his company in London, 
 and was received with maliy expressions of joy. 
 
 He spent the next four weeks in London, during which he 
 had the pleasure of receiving a visit from an eminent divine of 
 the Church of England, who assured him that he confidently 
 hoped the acknowledgment of the brethren in England, and 
 their fearless confession of Christ crucified, would be produc- 
 tive of great good, — that one of the principal bishops of the 
 Church of England had been much gratified and edified, not 
 only by the Augsburg confession and the acts, of the synod 
 of Bern, which had almost been forgotten in England, and 
 were now restored to honour by the brethren, but also 
 because the brethren so boldly professed their adherence to 
 them, and were determined to know nothing but salvation by 
 Christ alone. 
 
 The Count was likewise excited to praise God, by the intel- 
 ligence of the visitation of his son-in-law in the islands of 
 St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan, which had been so 
 singularly blest. The missionaries there had been greatly 
 strengthened and refreshed in spirit ; and the number of negroes 
 to whom the brethren preached the gospel, had augmented to 
 eight hundred. 
 
 At the end of August, the Count made an excursion to 
 Wiltshire, visited the brethren at Tytherton, and then pro- 
 ceeded to Bedford, on the same errand. On his return to 
 London, he had the pleasure of welcoming brother Leonard 
 Dober, who had arrived from Livonia. 
 
 During the month of September, the Count received the 
 following important advices : first, that, by an electoral 
 decree, the privileges and immunities which the brethren 
 enjoyed in Upper Lusatia and Barby, were extended to 
 the whole of the electorate of Saxony. Next that Captain 
 
SVNOD AT LONDON. 893 
 
 Garrison, with the brethren and sisters destined for Greenland, 
 had safely arrived there, in three weeks and four days, from 
 New York, after visiting the settlement at Bethlehem, where 
 they had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the con- 
 verted Indians, as well as with others from Berbice, in South 
 America. And lastly, — that the Rev. Mr. Cochius, honorary 
 president of the Reformed section of the church, had departed 
 this life at Berlin, on the 23d of September. 
 
 But the chief event, which occurred during this period, was 
 a synod, which was opened on the 11th, and continued till the 
 30th of September. In this synod, the Count stated it to be his 
 opinion, thkt the brethren were now placed in that position, in 
 which they ought to call to mind the injunction of the Lord, 
 not to resist injustice : for the more they sought to defend 
 themselves, the more their antagonists studied to have some- 
 tiling to say against them, and sought for new subjects of 
 accusation ; and thus the evil was only increased. The result 
 would always be this, that the Lord's people would continue 
 to be the butt of their eneijaies, according to his own words : 
 " In the world ye shall have tribulation ;" and true Christians 
 could never avoid this. 
 \ As for himself, he had never, from his youth up, been able 
 I to believe in more than one religion, and that was the religion 
 !of the heart. Hence, when he had to speak vrith people be- 
 longing to different grctions' or'ffielfiB'rj.stian churchTTTdid not 
 first occur to him taattask. the .erroneous opinions they held ; 
 6ut his chief concern was, to win them for the Saviour. "He 
 was cautious in speaking with Jews and Deists, because he 
 knew beforehand, that their hearts were disinclined towards 
 Him whom his soul loved : but with regard to others, he had 
 made no distinction in that respect ; and although he had been 
 blamed for so doing, yet it was not in his power to alter his 
 mode of acting. 
 
 At this s3Tiod, the aged and venerable Dr. Thomas Wilsor., 
 bishop of Sodor and Mali, was unanimously chosen Honorary 
 President of the Reformed section of the church, in the place 
 of the Rev. Mr. Cochius. 
 
 Meanwhile, David Nitschman returned from his visitation 
 to the German churches, to which he had been sent by the 
 
 s 3 
 
394 OCCURRENCES IN LONBON. 
 
 Count in June, after assisting them with his advice, to the best 
 of his ability : and on the 10th October, John Leonard Dober 
 was dispatched to Germany, on a similar mission. 
 
 The Count withdrew himself from all visits of ceremony 
 and the etiquette of rank, in order that he might pursue the 
 objects of his vocation with the less interruption. For the 
 sake of his health, and when circumstances permitted, he daily 
 took a little exercise in the open air. He went also, occasion- 
 ally, to Mile End, where the seminaries for the children -were, 
 or to some other place, when he wished to be alone. He often 
 devoted his walks solely to the purpose of holding converse 
 with his Saviour, and then returned home, strengthened in 
 mind but fatigued in bodyj and recomtnenced his labours. 
 
 In November, I arrived, in company with. Bishop John Von 
 Wattewille, from North America, and remained some months 
 in London with the Count. Not having been in Europe since 
 the year 1744, I remarked many changes which had taken 
 place since that period. 
 
 The Count was much alone, and the conferences with his 
 fellow-labourers were less frequent : the reason of this was, 
 because he feared that the brethren would begin to speak of 
 things which were painful for him to hear, and which, because 
 he could not alter them, he did not wish to know. 
 
 ~But there were two things which, though the Count's inten- 
 tions were good, proved injurious in their consequences. 
 
 /The Count was desirous of providing liberally for the church 
 in his house and his occasional visitors } he also took a plea- 
 sure in affording them gratification. But this was gradually 
 carried further than it ought, or than he had himself intended. 
 So much was evident, that the present mode of life in his 
 house was very different to what it had been previously. 
 
 , The Count was also anxious that no such difference in 
 /Jress should be made by the members of his household, as is 
 customary in the world between persons of rank and their 
 inferiors ; and he so far attained his object, that little distinc- 
 tion could be observed amongst them, especially the sisters, 
 when assembled tdg^ther at a meeting, or at the holy sacra- 
 ment. B^ti on the other hand^ those^ ofjaferiorjraiikj^ 
 constituted the majority, exalted themselves too much ; and it 
 
OCCURRENCES IN LONDON. 395 
 
 is greatly to be lamented, that they did not continue in the 
 sphere consistent with their birth and station. 
 
 The above-mentioned address to the Church of England, in- 
 duced the bishop of London to pay a friendly visit to the Count 
 on the 17th of December, at which Nicholas and John Von 
 Wattewille were present. The following particulars from the 
 conversation of that venerable prelate with the Count, deserve 
 to be noticed. He declared that the Church of England 
 made redemption by the death and sufferings of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, a chief point, no less than the church of the 
 United Brethren : that if the question were asked, wherein the 
 christian religion differed from other religions, the sacrifice of 
 Jesus Christ for us, and the atonement made for sin by his 
 blood, were the first things that ought to be mentioned ; that 
 he regarded it as an injury to the church, ^latniany preachers 
 occupied "themselves" so much ~with"jenforcing,J;^fi„pr3i ptic£ L of 
 morality and a virtuous walk, as to makejhem ^almost, if not 
 entirely, overlook the^octrine of the j|onementj_tiiat the reason 
 why "the primitive fathers of the first and second centuries say 
 so little on this important subject in their writings, probably" 
 was, because, at that time, they possessed httle more than the 
 writings of the Old Testament ; for the Epistles of St. Paul 
 had not then become so universal, nor was it at that time so 
 fully understood that they were to be received as canonical ; 
 that when speaking of the participation of Christ, it was only 
 reasonable to adhere to the expressions of Scripture ; for if 
 endeavours were made to express it more definitely, it was 
 just as easy to mistake, as in the attempt to spiritualize every 
 biblical expression. 
 
 With regard to the constitution of the church, he did not 
 deny, that both the Anglican, Gallican, and other prelates 
 were much entangled ; and esteemed the bishops of the Mora- 
 vian church happy, because nothing else was expected of 
 them, than what the Saviour had enjoined upon his servants. 
 
 I must also observe, that the bishop of Sodor and Man, in 
 reply to the proposition made him to become Honorary Pre- 
 sident of the Reformed section of the Moravian church, in- 
 formed the Count, on the 19th of December, that, although 
 in a state of much debility, he would gladly accept the office. 
 
396 CLOSE or the year 1749. 
 
 because he was desirous of doing every thing for the brethren 
 which \^y in his ptJwer. 
 
 When I reflect upon all that the Count accomplished this 
 year, X must confess that it could scarcely have been expected, 
 considering the perilous circumstances in which the brethren 
 appealed to be placed. The Coxmt, during the watchnight 
 on the 31st of December, stated, that the good hand of the 
 Lord had that year rendered every thing easy to him ; that 
 it was true he had laboured and accomplished much ; but that 
 it had been done very quietly, and as the affairs had daily 
 presented themselves. Thus he closed this year likewise with 
 thanksgiving and praise, and recommended himself and the 
 whole church to the Lord's blessing for the future. 
 
 / The Count entered upon the fiftieth year of the century, 
 which was at the same time the fiftieth year of his age, with 
 the hope of more tranquil times. 
 
 '' History teaches ns, that every new awakening and divine 
 visitation amongst Christians, however much contradiction, 
 
 iand however many assaults it may have to endure at its com- 
 mencement, pursues its course, and survives every attempt to 
 quench it. The opposition made to it affoBis^a,feithfulservant 
 of ^Christ opportunity for r^ectlngj^ whether he may not have 
 ibeen deficient in prudence, either in his speech or hisdeport- 
 ; Blent, and thus the mistakes are gradually perceived and rec- 
 ftified. On the other hand, th^e who, have been too violent 
 ill their opposition, and have not kept themselves vidthiil due 
 bounds, become also occasionally more careful, and begin to 
 be a little ashamed of themselves : this therefore produces, 
 in certain respects, more peaceful times. 
 ''" For these reasons, the same thing, under somewhat similar 
 circumstances, might be expected in the case of the brethren : 
 but the Count possessed a stiU surer ground of hope. The 
 Saviour, at his earnest intercession, had imparted to him the 
 jfionsoling assurance, that, in due time, the storm would sub- 
 / side. More peaceful seasons actually commenced, although, 
 during the year 1750, much that was painful occurred. 
 
 The position of the settlement at Hermhaag, in particular, 
 
THE MORAVIANS RETIRE FROM HERRNHAAG. SQf 
 
 caused him much anxiety, in consequence of the misunder- 
 standing which prevailed between it and the government of 
 Biidingen, which had become more serious, after the accession 
 of Count Gustavus Frederick to the government. The Mo- 
 ravian settlers were required to do homage to the reigning 
 Count, and to renounce by oath their teachers and superiors^ 
 especially Count Zinzendorf. 
 
 As soon as the latter received intimation of this, he foresaw 
 that as these requirements were such as persons of integrity 
 could not obey, the Moravians would be expelled from Herrn- 
 haag, and only wished that even the appearance of persecution 
 might be avoided in the case. Hence he offered gradually to 
 remove the present inhabitants of Herrnhaag to other places, 
 during the three years which still remained of the contract, 
 and to resign the buildings at Herrnhaag to the reigning Count 
 at a moderate price. These proposals were sent to Wetteravia 
 in the beginning of January, to be presented to the reigning 
 Count ; but the violent proceedings previously commenced, 
 rendered them unavailing : for the order had been actually 
 published, that the brethren should either renounce their con- 
 nexion with the Count, or quit the place within three years. 
 In their reply, the church at Herrnhaag declare, — 
 
 1. That they were willing, by cordial obedience to the 
 civil powers, to prove themselves faithful and obedient sub- 
 jects. 
 
 2. That they could not however conscientiously renounce 
 Count Zinzendorf and their teachers, because they were 
 directed in the Scriptures to obey their teachers. 
 
 3. That they regarded Count Zinzendorf as a true and 
 faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and that if they renounced 
 him, those words would be applicable to them : " Whosoever 
 denieth me before men, him wiU I also deny before my hea- 
 venly Father;'' andthat even if Count Zinzendorf were desirous 
 of withdrawing himself from them, yet they could not agree to 
 it as far as respected their ecclesiastical and financial state. 
 
 4. That the official duties of Count Zinzendorf and the 
 other office-bearers in the church, had no reference to civil 
 authority. 
 
 Previous to the publication of the above-mentioned mandate 
 
398 THE MORAVIANS RETIRE FROM HBRRNHAAG, 
 
 of the government of Biidingen, the Count experienced great 
 solicitude ■with reference to the church there, and spent many 
 hours in praying, weeping, and meditation. But, on receiving 
 intelUgence of its having been issued, he regained his cheer- 
 fulness and his courage ; for he felt assured, that the Lord's 
 intentions were favourable with reference to the church in that 
 place. He was well aware of the temporal loss and injury 
 which would J)e sustained by a removal ; but, as regarded the 
 spiritual prosperity of the church, he was inwardly persuaded 
 it would suffer no danger nor detriment. 
 
 Many intelligent and learned men urged the brethren to 
 bring their complaint before a higher tribunal ; but the Count 
 was of opinion, that, for the present, it was best that the settle- 
 ment at Herrnhaag should suffer in silence. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Count wrote to Biidingen, stating that he 
 should be glad if he were permitted to arrange the emigration 
 from Herrnhaag, in a quiet and peac&ful manner, and so as 
 not to excite a sensation ; for, after all, the expense would, 
 in some measure, fall upon him ; that he was ready and willing, 
 if the government of Biidingen should desire it, to send other 
 people to Herrnhaag, under such conditions as should be satis- 
 factory to the government ; and that he would not have failed 
 to send them a solemn renunciation of his connexion with the 
 settlement at Herrnhaag, if the edict which had been published 
 against it had been first communicated to him. 
 
 The Count and his son were both in London when this 
 storm broke out over Herrnhaag ; but the Countess was there 
 at the time, and was obliged to endure maiiy thmgr which she 
 had not anticipated. John Von Wattewiile,Tiis son-fn-law, 
 arrived there just at the time when the ferment was at its 
 height, after finishing his visitation in North America and the 
 West Indies. His stay there was both a blessing to himself 
 and the church : for, as he participated in the contempt 
 and the afilictions endured by the community, and instructed 
 them how they ought to act, under the circumstances, according 
 to the mind of Christ, he likewise participated in the Divine 
 grace which prevailed in the settlement, and felt edified at 
 the truly christian feeling which the brethren manifested under 
 this oppression. 
 
EMIGRATION FROM HERRNHAAB. 399 
 
 The Count, after reflecting upon the causes and conse- 
 quences of this edict, wrote to the afflicted people, and faith- 
 fully reminded them of their mistakes and faults :\but this 
 was done with so much affection, that no one could be grieved 
 at it. At the same time he assured them, that he felt it his 
 duty to be of service to them, according to his ability, when 
 they should be compelled to emigrate. 
 
 After the whole of the Moravian settlers at Herrnhaag had 
 repeatedly declared, as one man, that they could not, and would 
 not, renounce their teachers, who had manifested such faithful- 
 ness towards them, and the government at Biidingen insisted, 
 that if they would not do this they should leave the place, — 
 they resolved to emigrate, which was accordingly done in 
 small companies. The first of their number who left Herrn- 
 haag, directed their course to America, by way of HoUand 
 and England, where the Count had an opportunity of speaking 
 with them and their teafihers, and of giving them his heartfelt 
 benediction. 
 
 From this time he began to reflect how he might elsewhere 
 provide for the seminaries for youth in Wetteravia, as well as 
 the emigrants from Herrnhaag. 
 
 The Count continued to reside ill England till the month of 
 July. He spent the greatest part of the time in London, but 
 went occasionally to Ingatestone, which had been rented for 
 his use, when he wished to be alone. 
 
 His pamphlet, entitled, " Exposition of the Faith and Prac- 
 tice of the Moravian Church," occasioned him to continue his 
 friendly intercourse with some of the bishops of the English 
 church, especially with those of London, Lincoln, and Wor- 
 cester, in which they freely expressed their sentiments on both 
 sides. 
 
 It was at this time that Lindsey House, situate near the 
 Thames at Chelsea, which had been previously the residence 
 of the duke of Ancaster, was purchased, together -with the 
 place adjoining, called Beaufort, on a lease of ninety-nine 
 years. 
 
 The various propositions made to the brethren for new esta- 
 blishments, not only occasioned the Count interviews with 
 Lords Chesterfield, Granville, and others, but also the mission 
 
400 SECULAR AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH, 
 
 of some of the brethren to Wales, to inspect the situation of 
 places there, but without determining any thing. 
 
 The Count also now sought to remove the ecclesiastical 
 disorders, which he had so seriously reproved, by sending 
 Bishop John Von Wattewille on a visitation to all the churches ; 
 and this proved instrumental, under the Divine blessing, of 
 gradually reclaiming all those that had gone astray. 
 
 Although the Count would gladly have withdrawn him- 
 self from the secular affairs of the church, in consequence of 
 feeling convinced that his calling was to preach the gospel and 
 devote himself to the spiritual wants of the people, yet he did 
 not feel at liberty to do so under the circumstances in which 
 the church was at that time placed. 
 
 We have seen how well he succeeded in the offices of syndic 
 and advocate to the Moravian church ; but whether he was 
 the most suitable person to be placed at the head of the ma- 
 nagement of its pecuniary concerns, is a question which it is 
 difficult to answer. 
 
 / It is evident enough, that he was defective in a clear and 
 /thorough insight into the circumstances of human life. He 
 had no right conceptions how people begin, who vrish to earn 
 something, — how mercantile affairs are managed, the prices of 
 things that are requisite, and the like ; nor had he the gift of 
 making a previous calculation, and so arranging every thing, 
 that the expenditure should not exceed the income. Having 
 often made the trial, and never found that he had hit the 
 mark, he thought at length that it would be better not to 
 attempt it. Besides this, he was not favourable to the ordinary 
 methods of procuring aid by collections, &c. His idea was, 
 that people ought to economize ; and with respect to himself, 
 he really lived sparingly. But as it cannot be denied, that it 
 is a peculiar art and talent to be economical, and yet be 
 in want of nothing that is requisite, it^gasCTideiit that with 
 all his wish to be so, he did not possess this gift . The' Countess 
 possessed it ; but^wKerTtKeTiioravianS extended thertiselves 
 so much, she was often required to be in one place whilst 
 the Count was residing at another. Thus she was in Germany 
 at the time when he was in England. From these premises 
 the inference might be drawn, that he was not a suitable 
 
SYNOD IN LONDON. 401 
 
 person for the direction of the pecuniary aifairs'of the church. 
 On the other hand, it must be considered, that he was very 
 faithful in the cause of the Saviour whom he served. He 
 was always the first to venture his own and his family's pro- 
 perty, when any thing required to be done for the Saviour's 
 cause. His first concern was to ascertain what was acceptable 
 in the sight of God ; and having done this, he thought the 
 Lord would help, in one way or other. He then encouraged 
 the brethren ; and did not wait until he clearly saw his way, 
 or had the means in hand, but commenced the work. And 
 I must confess, that in this way much was accomplished for 
 the cause of God amongst Christians and heathens, which 
 would, perhaps, not have been brought about with a greater 
 degree of scrupulosity and less confidence. I am therefore of 
 opinion, that notwithstanding his deficiencies above noticed, 
 he was still the proper person, at the time, to preside over the 
 deacons of the church and their measures. 
 
 But the pecuniary affairs of the brethren in Wetteravia, 
 Holland, and England, had now become so complicated, that 
 the Count was no longer able to take a minute survey of them. 
 To this was added the breaking up of the settlement at Herrn- 
 haag ; where, besides the loss in houses and furniture, which 
 the people could not take with them, and were compelled to 
 sell at a low price, an immense expense was incurred. For 
 it was no small matter to provide the travelling expenses 
 for upwards of a thousand individuals, to place them in 
 other settlements, and assist them again in procuring a 
 livelihood ; not to mention the extensive seminaries for the 
 young, which were obliged to be removed from Wetteravia to 
 Upper Lusatia. 
 
 Before leaving England, he thought it requisite to hold 
 another provincial synod, which was accordingly opened on 
 the l-2th of June, in the Moravian chapel in London. 
 
 At the commencement, the Count spoke at large upon the 
 tender, sympathizing, and kind affection which he should be 
 glad to see prevail in a greater degree amongst the brethren. 
 
 Afterwards, when opponents were referred to, the Count 
 expressed it as his opinion, that he alone had any personal 
 adversaries, and that hence it would be best for the church if 
 
402 SYNOD IN LONDON. 
 
 he detached himself from all outward affairs, according to the 
 wish he had already expressed, and live more retired. He 
 also believed, that if the ministers of the church would be of 
 good cheer, and boldly undertake the matter, the Saviour 
 would be with them, with his favour, so that no injury would 
 be sustained, and the brethren, by his retirement, would rather 
 gain than lose. However, he was afterwards convinced, that 
 the time for this retirement was not yet come. 
 
 The Count was prevented for some days, by indisposition, 
 froin attending the public session of the synod ; but this did 
 not hinder him from taking part in its deliberations. He was 
 also so far recovered before its close, as to be able to deliver a 
 parting address on the 29th of June. 
 
 I have still to notice one of the principal things which came 
 before this synod, and that was, my " Declaration respecting 
 the Accusations hitherto made against the Brethren, and espe- 
 cially against its Ordinary."* 
 
 On my return from America in 1749, I was commissioned 
 to draw up and publish a reply to the various polemical writ- 
 ings against us ; but for many reasons I could not at that time 
 resolve upon it. During my residence with the church at 
 Zeist, the year following, many of these pieces fell into my 
 hands, as well as various replies, either from some of the bre- 
 thren or their friends ; in which, however, I found so much 
 that was objectionable, that I thought it necessary, for the 
 truth's sake, to write something. But perceiving that this 
 could not possibly be done in the usual manner, without en- 
 tering into much prolixity, I regarded it as the most advisable 
 to explain myself briefly and pointedly upon the chief topic 
 of controversy, as in the presence of God and in the name of 
 myself and the brethr6il. After drawing up this Declaration, 
 I visited the various churches in Germany, and had the oppor- 
 tunity of laying it before many of the brethren and ministers 
 of the Unity, and of conversing with them upon it. I then 
 returned to England with Bishop John Von Wattewille, and 
 attended the synod in London. 
 
 I could have printed this Declaration in my own name, and 
 
 » One of the offices held by Count Zinzendorf. 
 
RETURN TO GERMANY. 403 
 
 should have had no hesitation in doing so : but being com- 
 missioned by the brethren to undertake it, I was desirous of 
 knowing whether I had hit their meaning. I therefore pre- 
 sented the " Declaration " to the synod, and it was not only 
 read from beginning to end, in the presence of elders, bishops, 
 and other divines, but also in a numerous and public synodal 
 session : besides which, the Count took it, and spent a whole 
 night over it, in order, duly and undisturbedly, to go through 
 and revolve it in his mind. 
 
 After mature examination, the treatise was signed the 
 following year, by the elders and more than a hundred divines, 
 preachers, and teachers, belonging to the Unity ; and copies of 
 it were placed in the archives, and sent to the supreme 
 authorities, with a preface, by the synod of the United 
 Brethren. 
 
 When the synod was concluded, the Count made preparations 
 for his departure from England, where he had this time spent 
 a year and a half. On the 1st of July, he went to Ingatestone 
 Hall ; whilst the Countess, who had arrived from Herrnhaag 
 on the 9th of May, returned with her youngest daughter and 
 suite to Holland. On the 10th, the Count took leave of the 
 brethren and sisters individually, who were to remain behind, 
 and the day following proceeded to Harwich. His son and his 
 son-in-law were with him, and on the 13th they arrived at 
 Helvoet. 
 
 In Holland, he received intelligence of the appearance 
 of many polemical writings. Notwithstanding which, the 
 public meetings in Zeist were so numerously attended by 
 strangers, that on Sundays, two policemen were obliged to be 
 placed at the door to keep order ; but, in the hall itself, and 
 during sermon, all were quiet and attentive. 
 
 He remained in Holland till the end of July, previous to 
 which, the brethren and sisters belonging to his household 
 arrived from England ; some of whom took their departure 
 for Germany; and, on the 1st of August, he himself left Zeist 
 at a very early hour. 
 
 On the 4th, he arrived at Neuwied, and visited the reigning 
 Count, who was desirous of having a Moravian settlement in 
 his territories ; on which account, a deputy had been dis- 
 
4()4 ARRIVAL At barby. 
 
 patched from Neuwied to Zeist, the previous montli. Th6 
 brethren, however, refused to accept the proposal, until 
 after previous investigation and mature deliberation on both 
 sides. The Count then proceeded to Lindheim and Marien- 
 born, where, on the 9th, a funeral sermon was preached, 
 in memory of Frederick Martin, whose fifteen years' labours 
 had been so blest to the negroes in the West Indies, and who 
 finished his course in the beginning of that year. 
 
 The same day, the Count addressed the children at the 
 seminary in Marienborh, and departed for Saxony after again 
 visiting Lindheim, and addressing the brethren and sisters 
 still remaining at Herrnhaag, in a manner suited to their 
 circumstances, by which they were much encouraged and 
 gratified. In Eisleben, where he and his company passed the 
 night, he went to view Luther's house, and late the same 
 evening reached the castle at Barby, where the Countess had 
 already arrived, and where the rest of the brethren and sisters 
 made their appearance the day following. 
 
 The Count had proposed that a synod of the Unity should 
 be held at Barby, to which place the seminary had been 
 removed from Wetteravia. 
 
 / The Count's intentions in holding this synod were chiefly 
 the following : — To come once more to a clear understanding 
 witii his fellow-labourers upon the fundamental principles of 
 the church — fully to eradicate the injurious fanaticism which 
 had spread itself amongst so many members of the Unity, 
 and especially amongst the teachers — to take into consideration 
 the outward distress, which had been caused by the breaking 
 up of Herrnhaag and other circumstances — and lastly, the 
 continued controversies of several divines with the bre- 
 thren. 
 
 After the members of the synod were assembled, he opened 
 the sittings, which were held in two divisions : the first 
 lasted from the 24th of August to the 15th of September; 
 the second began on the 17th of September, and ended on 
 the 26th. 
 
 When the synod was terminated, and the Count had spoken 
 separately with each of its members, he sent also for the 
 teachers of the seminary, in order to become acquainted with 
 
JOURNEY TO HERRNHUT. 405 
 
 each, according to his particular grace and gifts. He then 
 conferred with the teachers of the church at Barby, and on 
 the 7th of October, took his departure for Leipzig, thankful 
 "to the Saviour for all the mercy he had experienced in his 
 manifold labours at Barby. In Leipzig he had a long con-, 
 ference with one of the ministers of state, on the affairs of the 
 brethren. On the 11th he proceeded to Dresden, and eon- 
 versed with the Rev. Mr. Herrmann, chief chaplain to the 
 court, on the Lutheran section of the Union and its future 
 administration. On the 1 3th he reached Herrnhut, the watch- 
 word for which day was, " God is in the midst of her ; she 
 shall not be moved." The next day he visited Great Henners- 
 dorf, and was much gratified on inspecting the seminaries, 
 both for boys and girls, which had been removed thither from 
 Herrnhaag. 
 
 He divided his time, whilst at Herrnhut, between pastoral 
 labours and the affairs of the Unity. He also took much 
 pains with the seminaries at Great Hennersdorf, and spent a 
 considerable part of his time there. 
 
 The most remarkable occurrences during the remainder of 
 the year, were the synodal conferences, which commenced on 
 the 15th of November, and terminated on the 2d of Decem- 
 ber. It was decided, at that time, that they should be held 
 publicly, and no one excluded from them who desired to be 
 present. 
 
 At these conferences, four of the brethren were appointed 
 eon-seniores civiles, and John George Waiblinger, who was 
 appointed to superintend the Silesian churches, received epis- 
 copal ordination. 
 
 The Count had the pleasure of seeing, in Bertholdsdorf, 
 the pious Spener's idea of an ecclesiola in ecclesia realized. 
 There were above a hundred individuals who adhered to each 
 other from love to Christ, and edified one another in an 
 orderly manner. The Count inquired after each in particular, 
 afterwards gave them an address, and at the close, wished that 
 they might be enabled to place the merits and sufferings of 
 Jesus Christ constantly before them ; for that this would 
 sanctify, preserve, and save them ; adding, that the Holy 
 Spirit would not fail to admonish them : to whose teaching 
 
406 CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1750. 
 
 he would commend them, and wished them all fidelity in 
 obeying it. 
 
 The Count concluded the year, after addressing the children 
 at Ghreat Hennersdorf, in the customary manner with the 
 church. He first of all spoke upon the watchword for the 
 day, " Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the 
 world;" and asserted that the watchwords in the beginning 
 of the year had been verified. It could not, indeed, ^be 
 denied, that the Lord Jesus, according to his wisdom, had 
 suffered us to be chastised, and that, for a time, we had been 
 obliged to feel the rod and its smart : but all this proceeded 
 from love, and, by its means, injury to the soul had been gra- 
 ciously prevented, which we ought to fear more than fire. 
 The first half of the year had been a painful one, on account 
 of those who strove to cause trouble ; but God, according to 
 his promise, had set bounds to them, which they could not 
 pass over. Even the sufiering they had caused us, had been 
 of more benefit to us than any defence which could have been 
 made ; because the Lord, who abides by his word, will not 
 overlook that which is unbecoming in his children. 
 
 He further alluded to his agreeable residence in England, 
 which had been so abundantly blessed ; and the provincial 
 synod which had been commenced there, continued in Barby, 
 and concluded at Herrnhut. At the same time, he called to 
 mind, with fervent thankfulness, the quiet and peaceful sea- 
 sons he had spent with the church at Barby and Herrnhut, 
 according to the good hand of God upon us, and the favour- 
 able sentiments of the civil authorities. 
 
 He then mentioned the several important events which had 
 occurred during the year ; as, for instance, the safe and quick 
 passage of the exiles from Herrnhaag to North America, in 
 the Irene — the successful preaching of the gospel at Zeist — 
 the bishop of Sodor and Man's acceptance of the presidency 
 of the Reformed section of the Unity — the settlement at 
 Neuwied of a French Moravian colony, after previous mature 
 investigation — the formation of a small church of brethren in 
 Ireland, by the preaching of the gospel at Dublin — the safe 
 arrival of brother Hokker from the East, after escaping many 
 dangers — the emigration from Herrnhaag, of which he spoke 
 
JOURNEY TO DRESDEN, &C. 407 
 
 as a thing which the Lord, in his great love and faithful- 
 ness, would certainly overrule for good ; and then concluded 
 the year with thanksgiving and praise for these manifold 
 mercies. 
 
 In the course of the first months of the year 1751, the 
 Count, as well as myself, prepared answers to various objec- 
 tions brought against the Moravian church, and himself in 
 particular, the number and nature of which appear almost 
 incredible. He also wrote " Short Reflections on the way 
 in which the Controversy against him had been carried on." 
 
 In the midst of these labours, the Count was invited to 
 Dresden, where he arrived on the 20th of April, and was met 
 there by John Frederick Kober, the deputy of the United 
 Brethren. The occasion of this visit was the king's wish to 
 have Moravian settlements in his electoral territories as well as 
 in Upper Lusatia, and, for this purpose, the district of Barby, 
 with its castle, had been let to Count Henry XXVIII. Reuss, 
 as above mentioned. 
 
 But because there were still several things which gave 
 offence to the brethren in the exercise of their divine service 
 in the chapel attached to the castle, the object of the govern- 
 ment in Dresden, in this interview with the Count, was not 
 only to remove every thing that was regarded as an obstruc- 
 tion, but also to take measures with regard to settlements 
 of the brethren in the electorate. 
 
 The result of the conference was, that the magistrates at 
 Barby were ordered to protect the brethren in their religious 
 worship, and the chapel was solemnly given over to the 
 latter. 
 
 On the 30th of April, the Count arrived at Niesky, and 
 remained a few days there, to the joy of the Bohemian church 
 in that place. The sermons he preached were delivered 
 through the medium of an interpreter. 
 
 On the 3d of May, he arrived at Herrnhut, and conducted 
 the services of the church the same evening. 
 
 A circumstance which greatly affected him during his resi- 
 dence there, was the decease of Christian David, on the 23d 
 
408 DEATH OF CHRISTIAN DAVID. 
 
 of February. I was often with him during his illness, and 
 must confess, that he showed himself to be a man of God to 
 his latest breath. 
 
 He was not only the first Moravian with whom the Count 
 became acquainted as a witness for the truth, but was instru- 
 mental, in the Lord's hand, in awakening many persons in his 
 native land. He was one of the first elders of the church in 
 Herrnhut ; he conducted the brethren to Greenland, who first 
 went thither as missionaries ; in short, he was a servant of 
 Jesus Christ, who was singular in his kind. 
 
 The Count having had much to do with him ever since the 
 year 1722 (for he possessed much influence in the affairs of the 
 brethren, and was minutely acquainted with him and every 
 circumstance concerning him), related the particulars of his 
 life in a copious discourse to the whole church. He was such 
 an extraordinary man, that people were in the habit of saying, 
 " We have only one Christian David." He possessed an 
 intimate fellowship with the Lord, whom he served, and main- 
 tained it day and night, wherever he might be. The Bible 
 was so precious to him, that he could never be satiated with it, 
 and feasted upon it until his happy end. He acknowledged 
 and confessed with heartfelt contrition, that he was a poor 
 sinner ; and yet he was not fearful in his approaches to the 
 Saviour, but possessed a courageous faith in him. He was 
 never idle, and whatsoever his hand found to do, he did it 
 with all his might. When he thought that he ought to do 
 any thing for the good of his neighbour, and according to the 
 Divine will, he suffered nothing to restrain him from it. He 
 often made mistakes, but he no sooner perceived his fault, 
 than he confessed and repented of it, threw himself upon 
 the compassion of his Saviour, and, after being consoled by 
 him, continued his course with joy. 
 
 The Count held various conferences with the teachers of the 
 church at Herrnhut, and those who came from other places, 
 from the 12th to the 20th of May, which had reference prin- 
 cipally to the doctrine. 
 
 With respect to his state of mind, as well as his sentiments 
 and labours at this period, I will only make the following 
 observations : — Because he sought himself to be acceptable to 
 
OrnCIAL LABOURS. 409 
 
 the Saviour, and to live according to his will, he could not 
 bear to find any thing in himself which he thought might and 
 ought to be different. He had then immediate recourse to 
 the Saviour, whose kindness he had so frequently experienced, 
 made his complaint to him with tears, and was richly com- 
 forted. The more ashamed he felt before him, the more grace 
 he experienced ; and the powerful impression of the atonement 
 was renewed in him on such occasions, which did not unfre- 
 quently occur ; and this inwardly delighted him and encouraged 
 him to proceed with his labours. It was the Count's daily 
 and nightly concern, like the Apostle Paul, to " warn every 
 man, and teach every man in all wisdom, that he might pre- 
 sent every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (1 Col. i. 28.) He \ 
 could not feel satisfied, that whilst there were so many indi- 
 viduals in the Moravian church, of whom he felt assured that 
 they adhered to Christ as branches to the vine, there should 
 still be many, whom he could only regard with doubt and 
 apprehension. He therefore continually insisted upon it, 
 that every one should ascertain how he stood with the Saviour, 
 until he obtained a complete and tranquillizing certainty of 
 his favour. 
 
 In June he took a journey to Silesia, and at Gnadenberg 
 conferred with the ministers of the Silesian churches upon the 
 existing state of the several congregations, and that which was 
 the most advisable to be done. After his return he took leave 
 of the brethren at Herrnhut, and set out for Barby, where he 
 arrived on the 1 8th of June. 
 
 He found several of the brethren waiting for him there. 
 The members of the theological seminary were likewise not a, 
 little rejoiced to have him again so near them. The hoys also, 
 who had previously been at Lindheim, with their teachers, had 
 arrived there only a short time before. That part of the 
 archives which had remained at Marienborn, under the care 
 of the Rev. Mr. Vierorth, was likewise brought to Barby. The 
 Count directed his attention to these various objects, during 
 his residence in that place. 
 
 He frequently inspected the elder and younger boys, and 
 addressed them on several occasions. His son spoke sepa- 
 rately with them on the state of their hearts, and the Count 
 
410 OFFICIAL LABOtfKS,' 
 
 afterwards conversed with him and their teachers, fuHy, 
 respecting their education. 
 
 The pupils in the seminary, individuadly, gave him, in writing, 
 a clear idea of the state of their minds, with much candour ; 
 and he avaUed himself of the opportunity to explain his senti- 
 ments to them. 
 
 The archives also caused him much occupation, and as 
 besides this, he spoke with each of the brethren in private re- 
 garding his staite, his time was' very much taken up. On this 
 account also, he had usually a small number of persons, who 
 dined with him in rotation, in order to have an opportunity of 
 discoursing with each, according to their circumstances. 
 
 The administration of the presidency of the Lutheran section 
 of the Union had continued since the year 1746, in the hands 
 of the Count, althou^ he had taken pains to find some other 
 person for it. 'At the synod of Barby, he had again expressed 
 his wish that some one else might take this office, who had not 
 so many accusations brought against him with reference to 
 doctrine as himself. But the synod, after deliberating upon 
 the matter, re-elected him to that office, which he did not 
 refuse, and from that time devoted himself, more than before, 
 to the spiritual prosperity of the Lutheran section. 
 
 The chapel attached to the manorial residence at Barby, 
 had been solemnly resigned, on the 25th of May (1751), to 
 Count Henry XXVIII. Reuss, who was solicitous that the 
 gospel should be duly preached in it by the brethren. Accord- 
 ingly, on the 24th of June, the commencement was made 
 by the Rev. Godfrey Clemens, chaplain to the court, in the 
 morning, and the Rev. Dean Justin Bruinink in the after- 
 noon. 
 
 In the beginning of July, the Count travelled to Ebersdorf, 
 to visit the church at that place, accompanied by his son. 
 Christian Renatus, and his son-in-law, John Von WattewiUe. 
 He overtook some of the brethren who were travelling thither, 
 and took one after another into the carriage with him, in 
 order to speak confidentially with them respecting the office 
 intrusted to each. 
 
 Although suffering from indisposition whilst at Ebersdorf, 
 be did not let it prevent him from daily addressing the church 
 
RETURN TO ENGLAND. 411 
 
 or one of its choirs. He also held a conference with his fellow- 
 labourers, of whom he had a considerable number with him : 
 and in his parting address, he spoke with his confidential 
 friends upon his past and future course at great length. 
 
 The Count was also occupied at Ebersdorf with literary 
 labours. An extract had been made from his works, and 
 translated into English ; this he carefully revised, and wrote to 
 the Rev. J. Gambold, who had undertaken it, his ideas on the 
 subject.* He also laboured at the selection of the watch- 
 words for the following year. 
 
 On the 21st of July, the Count commenced his return to 
 England, and took his way, this time, through Switzerland and 
 France. He was accompanied by Count Henry XXVIII. 
 Reuss and his consort, together with several others. On the 
 journey, a volume of Roman Catholic sermons fell into his 
 hands, in which he found, to his great satisfaction, not only 
 pleasing testimonies to the divinity of Christ, but also to 
 his deep humiliation. 
 
 At Montmirail, where he arrived on the 1st of August, he 
 remained till the 9th, in consequence of the many friends who 
 came to visit him. Whilst speaking on the passage, " He lifted 
 up his hands, and blessed them " (Luke xxiv. 50), he remarked, 
 " Every thing that is of importance, either to my mind or my 
 heart, I can commit and confide to my Saviour. That with 
 which I should be ashamed to trouble the meanest brother who 
 serves me, I can cast upon my 'Redeemer, and pour out my 
 complaint into his ear and his heart. There is in the soul an 
 inclination and a liberty to do this, so that the individual does 
 not long reflect upon it, but naturally hastens directly to the 
 Saviour, with his joy and his woe, his pleasures and his per- 
 plexities, as well as with that which is commendable or cul- 
 pable in him." 
 
 On leaving Montmirail, he travelled through France to 
 England, and arrived in London on the 24th of August, to 
 the joy of the whole church. 
 
 * These extracts were published under the title of " Maxims, Theolo-. 
 gical Ideas, and Sentences, out of the present Ordinary of the Brethren's 
 Dissertations and Discourses, from the year 1738 to 1747 : extracted by 
 John Gambold, M.A." 
 
412; RESIDENCE IN LPNDON, 
 
 He took up his residence in the house which had been hired 
 for him in Bloomsbury-square, but could not remain in it 
 Ipnger than the month of October, in consequence of its having 
 to be rebuilt. When about to leave it, he collected all the, 
 brethren and sisters whom he had about him, and thanked God 
 v?ith them for the gracious protection they had all experienced 
 in it ; for had not this been specially extended towards them, 
 the unruly mob, which so easily collects together in London, 
 might have taken occasion, from the daily and numerously- 
 attended meetings held in the house, and the loud singing, to. 
 force their way in, and it would have been difficult to restrain 
 them. But as this had not once been the case during the whole 
 time, and he had been enabled so quietly to enjoy, in his own 
 house, the daily and gracious visitations of God his Saviour, 
 it was a source of thankfulness with which his heart and lips 
 overflowed. 
 
 He hoped to live in the same tranquillity at Lindsey-house, 
 which he had caused to be fitted up for him at a considerable 
 expense, and thanked God for it beforehand ; but reminded 
 the brethren that they must have a little patience with the 
 people in the neighbourhood, until they were accustomed to 
 it. In the mean time, he occupied a house nearly opposite 
 Westminster Abbey, which had formerly belonged to Mr. 
 Hutton, and held the first meeting there on the 4th of 
 November. 
 
 , A company of brethren and sisters, who arrived in London 
 from Germany on the 17th of September, and who had been 
 anxiously expected, occupied him much for a time. I was 
 one of this company, being on my way, with several others, 
 to North America. The superintendence of the Moravian 
 churches in that part of the world having been again entrusted 
 to me, he devoted several days to conversation with me and 
 brother Hehl, who had been ordained co-bishop of the churches 
 in Pennsylvania, respecting all the circumstances of the settle- 
 ments in that country. On the 25th of September, we con- 
 tinued together until two o'clock in the morning, when he 
 took leave of us ; and the next day we proceeded to our ves- 
 sel, which was lying at Gravesend. The Count wrote copious 
 letters, the same day, to the churches in North America and 
 
RESIDENCE IN LONDON. 
 
 '413 
 
 tlieir ministers, and sent the letters by post to the Downs, 
 where we received them. 
 
 He then made an excursion to Bedford, to visit the church 
 in that place, where he also conferred with his son-in-law, 
 John Von Wattewille, respecting his intended visitation to the 
 churches of the brethren in Ireland, and returned to London 
 on th« 8th of October. 
 
 The Count continuing desirous of relinquishing the ofHces 
 he had hitherto held in the Moravian church, again signified 
 bis resignation of them, both verbally and in writing, and sent 
 a declaration to that effect to all the churches of the brethren. 
 
 Many of the faithful ministers of the Unity were dissatis- 
 ■fied VTith this step, and urged weighty objections against it ; 
 they were also of opinion, that many circumstances would 
 concur to induce him to alter his purpose : for it was suffi- 
 ciently evident, that it would be impossible for him to with- 
 draw without great injury, since the direction of the whole 
 Unity had been hitherto confided to him. This gave him an 
 opportunity of more clearly explaining his intentions, which 
 were, not to labour less for the prosperity of the church than 
 he had hitherto done, but sedulously to continue to employ all 
 his powers in the service of the Saviour, and to omit nothing 
 which might be serviceable to the church in general, or any 
 part of it, or even to its individual members. 
 
 He explained himself with respect to this determination, 
 not only to those who dwelt with him, but also to the brethren 
 and sisters appointed to the service of the church in Londori, 
 in a Separate letter, which was read to them on the 17th of 
 October, by his son. At the same time, he informed them in 
 it, what he proposed doing, during the next two months, which 
 was, to retrace all that had occurred with him during the last 
 thirty years ; in order to which he had much to read over, and 
 io reflect upon before God. It would therefore be impossible 
 for him to attain his object, if his labours were frequently 
 interrupted. Hence, he wished to decline the visits of the 
 brethren and sisters for a couple of months ; and requested 
 them, meanwhile, to consider him as absent. This was accord- 
 ingly done, as much as possible ; but there were still many 
 •things concerning which it was necessary to consult him. 
 
414 LITERARY LABOURS. 
 
 In the conferences which he held, in September and De- 
 cember, with his fellow-labourers, he endeavoured to make 
 them comprehend why he wished to resign his. offices, whilst, 
 at the same time, he did not mean to renounce the cause 
 itself. He accordingly declared, that he would support the 
 credit of the deacons, and pacify their creditors. This he 
 also did for the time, and hoped that the whole aifair was terr 
 minated ; but he was mistaken, as will be seen in the sequel. 
 
 Further, that he would commit the office of advocate to 
 faithful and intelligent men, and attend himself in case of neces- 
 sity, as well as be always ready, privately, to help and advise. 
 
 That he would not fail to take care that nothing should be 
 taught' in all the churches that was contrary to the doctrines 
 of the gospel. 
 
 That he intended to call in several brethren to his aid, and 
 to confide one division of the business of the church to one, 
 and another to another. 
 
 But all his declarations were not sufficient to satisfy those 
 of his fellow-labourers who were minutely acquainted with the 
 existing state of the Unity ; and the Count himself afterwards 
 perceived, that he had been premature in his arrangements 
 for retiring. 
 
 At the meeting held on the .31st of December, he spoke 
 only in general terms of the inward and outward position of 
 the church. He then referred to the watchwords of the pre- 
 vious month, which contained many very consolatory promises, 
 and assured his hearers that they might confidently expect 
 their fulfilment. 
 
 The Count spent the year 1752 in England, and resided at 
 Westminster. He read the Scriptures diligentlyj with the 
 learned men who were with him ; and observed, on these 
 occasions, the many repetitions of the ceremonial laws, the 
 cause of which seemed to him to be, not only the Oriental 
 mode of expression, but also, in particular, a solicitude to make 
 the instructions for the priests and Levites as clear and explicit 
 as possible. This induced him to make extracts from the 
 Bible, to serve as a manual for daily use amongst the brethren. 
 
■WRITITTGS IN DEFENCE OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH. 415 
 
 He did not, however, proceed further with it than the book 
 of Exodus, probably for want of time. 
 
 He also diligently continued to labour at a hymn-book of the 
 Brethren^ s church, which he had commenced the previous year ; 
 it was not, however, finished that year, although he devoted 
 much time to it, and even printed a part of it. 
 
 On the 4th of January, he commenced a series of discourses, 
 in the chapel of the brethren in London, upon Luther's ex- 
 position of the third article of faith. These discourses, which 
 were fifteen in number, were afterwards printed, as well as 
 fourteen other sermons, which he preached the same year in 
 London. 
 
 The Count was not in the habit of complaining often or 
 heavily of the injurious treatment he received ; with reference to 
 which he once expressed himself to this effect: " I do not think 
 it necessary to make a great show of the cross I am called to 
 bear, but would rather bear it unobserved and in silence ; 
 Indeed, the church would latterly have been spared the pain of 
 hearing the calumnies so industriously propagated against 
 myself, if it had been in my power to prevent it. The sun, I 
 know, will shine again ; but while the gloom is permitted to 
 endure, something is gained, both of comfort and safety, by 
 remaining tranquil." 
 
 To quote an instance of the truth of his observation : — 
 In a French magazine, pubUshed in London, an extract had 
 appeared from certain writings against the brethren, which 
 might truly be termed poisonous. In reply to it, a weU- 
 written defence, by a friend of the brethren, was not only 
 inserted, but the editor of the magazine voluntarily made a 
 public apology on the occasion, — which is something of rare 
 occurrence. 
 
 A work was also published this year, by the Rev. William 
 Frederick Jung, of Haynchen in Wetteravia, entitled, " The 
 Spirit of Luther reanimated in Count Zinzendorf," which was 
 much read in many places. The author had perused every 
 thing that had been written for and against the brethren and 
 the Count in Germany ; and, as he resided not far from Ma- 
 rienborn and Herrnhaag, he had an opportunity of becoming 
 acquainted with the brethren during the space of ten or twelve 
 
416 PECONIARY DIFFICULTIES. 
 
 years, and of hearing them himself. From his youth up he 
 had diligently studied Luther's works, and was well versed in 
 the history of the Reformation ; and be found such a similarity 
 Ijetween the religious controTersies of those times and, the 
 present, that he felt impelled to lay it before the eyes of every 
 intelligent and sincere Lutheran T for he saw that the very 
 Suths which Luther had taught, were professed by the bre- 
 thren and the Count, and were opposed in a very similaa' 
 manner. 
 
 But to return to the Count. Although he was much relieved 
 by a Commission appointed to manage the office of advocate, 
 yet there were still many difficulties with respect to pecuniary 
 concerns. The customary outlay continued, and, besides this, 
 the deacons had considerable sums to pay, which had been 
 already expended ; whilst sources from whence they expected 
 .assistance, had disappointed them. 
 
 Under these circumstances, the Count clearly saw that it 
 was necessary to make other arrangements, and lamented that 
 this had not been done earlier. The fault lay, at all events, 
 chiefly with him, and this he also perceived. A stranger, 
 however, offered to advance the sum that was required, upon 
 (he. Count's responsibility; and because at the time there 
 seemed no other resource, the Count was induced to consent 
 to it. 
 
 He then hoped that every thing was settled ; but this time 
 he was greatly mistaken,, as will afterwards appear. The 
 Count, however, thought, that children of God should not 
 be discouraged, even by difficulties which they had drawn 
 upon themselves by their own fault, but filially look, during 
 the chastisement, to the hand of God, and expect deliverance 
 from him. Hence, he was wont, immediately after discussing 
 painful subjects with the deacons, to preach the gospel to the 
 church with a cheerful and courageous heart : for he was 
 fully persuaded, that God would bring some good out of thing? 
 apparently so distressing. 
 
 In order to gain time for his labours, he appointed a certain 
 day every week for receiving visitors, and the gentlemen who 
 loved his society were satisfied with the regulation. His ac- 
 quaintance with his English friends now bepame more real and 
 
SYNODAL CONrERENCE. 
 
 417 
 
 intimate. The conversations he held -with the bishops of Lon- 
 don, Lincoin, and Worcester, were alwa3's directed to the 
 subjects to which he was most attached. The former highly 
 esteemed the brethren's bold confession of Christ, the sole 
 cause of our salvation, who is God over all, blessed for ever : 
 the two latter gladly availed themselves of every opportunity 
 to be of service to the brethren. The Count conversed with 
 Lords Chesterfield and Granville, the Duke of Argyle, Sir 
 Luke Schaub, General Oglethorpe, Mr. Erskine, and others^ 
 respecting the Moravian settlements. He was likewise on 
 terms of intimate friendship with two other persons of rank, 
 who took a deep interest in the welfare of a great number of 
 oppressed Protestants ; and continued his intimacy with them 
 as' long as he lived. 
 
 Lord Granville, having offered the brethren for sale a hun- 
 dred thousand acres of land in North Carolina, the offer was 
 at length accepted, after mature reflection, and the preliminary 
 conditions agreed to on both sides. Before the close of the 
 year, some of the brethren set out for North Carolina, and had 
 the land measured out. 
 
 In the month of May, Frederick William Hokker left Lon- 
 don for Cairo in Egypt, and the Count provided him with 
 credentials, addressed to the patriarch of the Copts in Cairo ; 
 in which he gave him an outline of the Moravian church, and 
 the office he sustained in it, and warmly recommended the 
 bearer, as a deacon of that church. 
 
 Some brethren also felt induced to hazard a voyage to 
 Labrador, in order to see whether any thing could be done 
 amongst the inhabitants of that country, who were supposed 
 to be of the same nation with the Greenlanders, to convert 
 them to Christ ; and the Count accompanied them with his 
 fervent prayers. 
 
 He held a synodal conference with the ministers of the 
 Moravian church in England, which lasted from the 17th tq 
 the 22d of May. 
 
 In these conferences, the Count remarked, how necessary it 
 was that proper discernment should be exercised in the spiri- 
 tual care of individual souls ; so that while nothing was neg-i 
 lected which the character or circumstances of each required, 
 
 T 3 
 
418 CHAKACTER OP THE COUNt's SON. 
 
 no fault would be committed through haste or inconsiderate 
 zeal. He also spoke of the injury which would arise, if any 
 one were appointed over others, before there was good reason 
 to believe that he was himself thoroughly converted ; and that 
 it might be attended with still more pernicious consequences, 
 if a person in such a state were admitted to the holy sacra- 
 ment ; for, being a partaker of the communion of the body 
 and blood, of the Lord, implied much more than the mere 
 undertaking of an office in the church. 
 
 On going over the places in England, where the brethren 
 had preached the gospel for the last ten years, it was grate- 
 fully remembered, with what simplicity and grace the work 
 had been every where commenced, and lamented that several 
 things were not in the same course as formerly : however, 
 many things appeared, in which, through grace, there had 
 been an improvement. 
 
 Soon after this sjTiod, the Count's only son, Christian 
 Renatus, departed this life. This event was the more painful 
 to him, because, for some time, he had had him almost con- 
 tinually about him, and had advantageously employed him, 
 as his immediate assistant, in the correspondence and other 
 business, and also cherished still greater hopes of him with 
 respect to the Lord's service in future, 
 p The reader will remember how the young Count had been 
 entangled in the extravagances which prevailed in some of the 
 Moravian stations. After being restored to the simple path 
 from which he had deviated, the grace of God evidently mani- 
 fested itself in him. He not only lamented and wept over 
 the time he had lost, in which he had suffered himself to be 
 seduced to seek something superior to the preaching of Christ 
 crucified, but also found so much comfort and joy in meditat- 
 ing upon the sufferings of the Saviour and his precious merits, 
 that he felt entirely reanimated. His heart being thus inflamed 
 with love to Jesus, he was extremely solicitous that a simi- 
 lar fire might burn in the hearts of the single brethren, and 
 especially amongst his fellow-labourers. He stated his feel- 
 ings to them most impressively, both by word and writing, 
 and prayed to the Lord on their behalf, with many tears. 
 When he saw that the desire of his heart was not immediately 
 
CHARACTER OF THE COUNt's SON. 419 
 
 granted, it pained him deeply, and he was inconsolable. From 
 that time also, the Lord blessed his labours in such a manner, 
 that he was useful to many. 
 
 But it must n ot be omitted to mention, tiiat„lJje,gcis£ which 
 his^former aberration causecT^'im, manifested itself continually 
 in his countenance. His former^ eheerfulnesa. and vivacity was 
 changed into an unwonted serio usness, . His greatest pleasure 
 consisted in composing hymns and poems, by means of which, 
 he hoped to impart his altered sentiments and ardent love to 
 the Saviour and his sufferings, to his nearest acquaintances. 
 Having little time for this during the day, he often spent 
 whole nights in these labours. He was, at the same time, 
 indefatigable in waiting upon his father, and did not let him 
 know how often he had passed the night without sleep. He 
 was incessantly anxious to repair the injury which had been 
 done by the temptation into which he had fallen, and which now 
 appeared to him in its proper light ; and because he found that 
 many persons, who were at that time about him, had deceived 
 him, it made him not only more prudent and circumspect, but 
 caused him to remonstrate with others warmly and earnestly, 
 if he supposed there was any thing improper. This contrast 
 of circumstances had such an effect upon his constitution, 
 that the year before, a degree of debility, and a disposition 
 to consumption, had been observed in him. The amiable 
 and in some respects extraordinary state of heart and mind 
 which he manifested at the same time, excited in some of his 
 most intimate friends, though least of all in his father, the 
 idea that the Lord was hastening with him towards his disso- 
 lution. After a constant cough of some months, and many 
 sleepless nights, he burst a blood-vessel, which brought him 
 near his end. He was subsequently seized with other un- 
 favourable symptoms, which compelled him to withdraw from 
 all occupation. In this weak state he spent three months. 
 
 On the 26th of May, which was his father's birth-day, he 
 felt concerned only at being unable to aiFord him pleasure. 
 The next day he distinctly stated, that he was about to go to 
 the Saviour, Not long before his happy departure, when some 
 of the brethren, to whom he was much attached, were with 
 him, he mentioned some verses, which he wished them to 
 
420 A father's feelings, 
 
 sing, in which he also joined, notwithstanding his weakness,, 
 and their contents showed that his spirit was more with the 
 church above than with that below ; and thus, on the 28th of 
 May, he joyfully entered into his rest. 
 
 I cannot describe how his father felt, who was at Mile 
 End, when the news was brought to him ; but I can say thus 
 much, that when he afterwards reflected what his son had 
 been to him (and this was often the case), his eyes overflowed 
 with grief and thankfulness : but his tears flowed still more 
 freely, on looking over his son's papers, when he found what 
 he had noted down of his daily intercourse with the Saviour, 
 He saw from this, how filially, fervently, and tenderly, he had 
 loved the Saviour, and how intimate had been the intercourse 
 he maintained with him. Innumerable tears were shed for 
 the departed Christian Renatus, not only by his father, but 
 by other members of the church ; for he was generally much 
 heloved. 
 
 But, although the Count felt the loss of his son so deeply, 
 he did not, on that account, postpone the customary meet^ 
 jngs in his house, any more than his other business, ' On the 
 19th of June, he took occasion to state what were his senti* 
 ments with respect to his children ; that he had made a cove-: 
 nant with the Saviour, from the moment of their birth, never 
 to regard them as his own ; but to resign them wholly to 
 the Saviour, as his property. It depended, therefore, solely 
 upon him what he would do with them, and how long he 
 would leave them here below ; whilst he had resolved not to 
 
 7ise any opposition to it. 
 The Countess had left Herrnhut, in the hopes of seeing her 
 / son in London ; but received the intelligence of his decease 
 before she reached Zeist. The more tenderly she loved him, 
 the more deeply was her maternal heart afiected. She remained 
 therefore in Zeist till the beginning of July, when she prosei 
 cuted her journey, and on the 6th, the Count had the pleasure 
 to welcomie her at Ingatestone-hall ; but her stay in England 
 was not of long duration ; several circumstances, which required 
 her presence in Germany, induced her to return thither, on 
 the 23d of August, 
 
 I will here remark, also, that the Count and Countess had 
 
SYNOD OF THE SINGLE BRETHREN. 421 
 
 been previously much rejoiced by the birth of their first grand-* 
 son, John Louis Von Wattewille, on the 7 th of March, at 
 Herrnhut. 
 
 After the decease of his son, the Count could not refrain 
 from taking more particular charge of the choirs of the single 
 brethren in all the churches. He was already well acquainted 
 with the state of these members, from having had his son so 
 much about him during the two preceding years, and from 
 having often conversed with him on the subject. He now 
 read all the letters he could find, which he had written and 
 received, and which gave him a still deeper insight into the 
 state of these choirs in general, as well as of several of their 
 members. Many of the brethren also wrote to him, and in- 
 formed him, with much candour, of their own state, as well as 
 that of the choir to which they belonged. 
 
 Meanwhile, some months elapsed before he took the matter 
 fully in hand ; but, towards the end of the year, he assembled 
 all the leaders of the choirs of the single brethren to a synod 
 in London, in order to discuss with them every thing relating 
 to their choirs. Some of the brethren who superintended the 
 boys' schools and seminaries, were also present. His first 
 object was, to make himself minutely acquainted with them. 
 He afterwards went through all the choirs of the single bre- 
 thren, the youths, and the boys, and made inquiry into the 
 particular state of each. He then took the Ksts, and procured 
 information concerning many to whom his attention had been 
 directed. He even did not forget those who, for whatever 
 cause, had left the church, or been expelled from it ; after 
 which, he reverted to the period of the commencement of these 
 institutions, and renewed the object contemplated when they 
 were in their first simplicity, which was, that after the bre- 
 thren had laid Christ as the foundation, they might be pre- 
 served spotless, both in body and soul, and be like-minded 
 with Jesus Christ ; for it was he alone, whom they had to 
 take for their pattern. He reminded them of the principles 
 on which they had originally founded their connexion with 
 each other, and that their object was, to be at the Saviour's 
 service when, where, and how he might choose to employ 
 them. At the same time, he spoke of their being employed 
 
422 INTERMENT OF COUNT CHRISTIAN RENATUS, 
 
 amongst the heathen, of their usefulness in the various in- 
 stitutions of the church, of their temporal occupations, of the 
 several ofllces belonging to the different choirs, of their 
 connexion with other choirs, of their correspondence with 
 him, and many other topics. 
 
 Every thing was transacted in a fraternal and cordial 
 
 manner. The Count manifested much affection for them ; and 
 
 ,s,poke of liimself, and his former and present circumstances, 
 
 so confidentially and frankly, that he excited them to the 
 
 exercise of similar sincerity and candour. 
 
 I have still to mention, that John Von WattewUle, who had 
 taken his departure for Greenland on a visitation to the mis- 
 sion in that country, returned towards the end of December, 
 and before the synod of the single brethren had terminated. 
 This caused them great joy ; for the Lord had signally blessed 
 his labours amongst them, from his entrance into the church ; 
 and he was now again commissioned by the synod, to under- 
 take a visitation to them. 
 
 Before the brethren who had come to the synod separated, 
 the remains of the late Count Christian Renatus, which had 
 been only temporarily interred, were committed to the tomb ; 
 on which occasion, John Von WattewUle reminded the bre- 
 thren, with much emotion, of the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, which had so particularly manifested itself in the latter 
 years of the young Count's earthly life. The interment took 
 place with prayer, thanksgiving, and the singing of suitable 
 h3mms, amidst the copious tears of the brethren, who felt 
 afresh how tenderly they had loved him. They afterwards re- 
 newed their covenant with each other, to make the looking 
 unto the crucified Jesus, and the consideration of his sufferings, 
 death, and blood-shedding, their chief concern till their latest 
 breath ; and also to seek to preserve their souls and bodies 
 undefiled as became those who are the true followers of Christ. 
 At the close of the year, which the Count celebrated with 
 the church in his house, he called to mind its most remarkable 
 events, in a discourse, which was afterwards communicated to 
 all the churches. He reckoned the year amongst those, in 
 which much labour had been expended on many things that 
 had occurred, during which, the Lord's superintending hand 
 
PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENTS. 423 
 
 had been evidently perceived. He also regarded it as a year 
 in which he had endured much oppression ; but by this he did 
 not mean reproach for Christ's sake, since he considered that 
 as a happiness, — but a variety of things which had been 
 attempted for the purpose of confusing and injuring the bre- 
 thren, both by wicked men and by Satan himself. 
 
 I now come to a year which proved a very distressing one 
 to the Count. It has been already mentioned, that the dea- 
 cons of the brethren had been compelled to borrow money 
 upon interest, and that their affairs in England had become so 
 complex that the Count could no longer minutely overlook them. 
 
 Some merchants in En^and, who belonged to the Moravian 
 church, sought to assist them with their credit ; and thus, for 
 a time, the pressure was removed : but the consequence of this 
 system of credit was, that at length neither party could extri- 
 cate themselves. 
 
 The merchants above mentioned, had unfortunately entered 
 into bill transactions with a Jew, who, after receiving from 
 them a considerable sum in advance, became bankrupt, quite 
 unexpectedly, at the beginning of this year (1753). This 
 caused a larger sum to be demanded of the merchants and the 
 deacons, for whom they had procured ready money, than they 
 were in reality indebted for, or were immediately able to pay. 
 As soon as this became known, the creditors, both of the mer- 
 chants and deacons (as is customary in such cases), immediately 
 took the alarm, and insisted upon being paid. The most 
 painful thing was, that amongst the individuals interested in 
 this affair, there were several bitter opponents of the brethren, 
 who rejoiced at the opportunity of totally ruining them. 
 Ill-disposed people also inserted, almost daily, such things 
 against the brethren, in the public papers, as might easily 
 have excited a mob against them, which, in London, is a very 
 dangerous affair. 
 
 Under these circumstances the deacons applied to the Count, 
 entreating him once more to interfere, and stand in the breach, 
 for otherwise ruin would be inevitable. 
 
 The deacons were of the Count's own appointing, and most 
 
424 PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENTS. 
 
 of the things which caused expense had been ordered by him, 
 and the deacons were responsible to him : but he was ignorant 
 of the credit-system in which they had involved themselves, 
 and on hearing of it, relied upon their fidelity and ability in 
 the management of the affair. He was therefore much grieved' 
 at what they now told him, and saw, too late, what he ought 
 to have done in justice to himself and his office. 
 
 The merchants, above mentioned, who were not ignorant 
 that their credit, as well as that of the deacons, was not a little 
 supported by the Count's rank and office, as the agent of the 
 brethren, although unknown to himself, — also expected advice 
 and assistance from him. They stated their distress to him, 
 and this increased his grief. 
 
 Whilst the Count was deliberating what course to pursue in 
 such a critical affair, a deputation of the well-disposed creditors 
 waited on him, and requested him to interfere in the matter. 
 They were well aware, that they could not legally compel him 
 to do so ; but as many evil results would be prevented by his 
 mediation, they doubted not, that from love to the brethren 
 and the well-disposed amongst the creditors, he would feel 
 induced to render his timely and efficient assistance ; adding, 
 that God would recompense him for so doing, and they, on 
 their part, would do all in their power to facilitate the me- 
 diation. 
 
 However hazardous it seemed to him to take this step, yet 
 he was both unable and unwilling to decline it, because he saw 
 that there was no other remedy. He therefore resolved, in 
 God's name, to venture upon it ; and immediately wrote, in 
 his own hand, to the general body of creditors, stating, that he 
 would take upon himself the whole of the debt, and liquidate 
 it at certain dates, paying interest in the interim. 
 
 When the creditors met to confer upon the matter, the 
 majority of them found the Count's proposals so reasonable," 
 that they thankfully accepted them : there were, however, 
 some amongst them, who, in defiance of the remonstrances of 
 the rest, insisted upon being immediately paid. Sufficient 
 security was offered them, but rejected ; until at length two of 
 the other creditors agreed to satisfy these harsh people from 
 their own funds. 
 
PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENTS. 425 
 
 Thus this painful affair was regulated by a document drawn 
 up for the purpose, and which was signed by Count Zinzendorf 
 and Count Henry XXVIII. Reuss, who at that period was 
 residing in London, — a circumstance which doubtless afforded 
 support and consolation to the Count. 
 
 The danger impending over the deacons was thus averted ; 
 but many things fell upon the Count, which did not seem to 
 belong to his vocation : for he had not only made himself 
 responsible to the creditors above mentioned, but had pre- 
 viously become surety for considerable sums advanced the 
 deacons, to extricate them at once from the credit-system. 
 The money also, which was remitted to England for him, had 
 been for some time applied for this purpose, without its being 
 possible immediately to make other sufficient arrangements. 
 Occasionally, his best-concerted measures proved abortive ; and 
 he was once placed in such circumstances as presented every 
 prospect of his being sent to prison, along with a person he 
 valued and esteemed, who had bound himself for the payment 
 of a certain siun, because the money did not arrive at the time 
 he expected it ; but after actually preparing himself for it, he 
 received the sum he required, by the post, which arrived earlier 
 than usual. He then sent for the individual above mentioned 
 (who happened to be at Lindsey-house just at the time), gave 
 him the bill of exchange, and reminded him of the watch* 
 word of the day, which was a very appropriate one, whilst 
 the latter was flUed with joy and astonishment at the circum- 
 stance. 
 
 The Count frequently experienced similar help from the 
 Lord, in the course of that year ; and the more filially he ad- 
 hered to him whom he served, under such circumstances, the 
 greater was the consolation and aid afforded him by the Saviour. 
 The Count had reason to be dissatisfied with the deacons, 
 for having exceeded the bounds of their commission, and 
 entered upon a system, which, in its results, had produced 
 nothing but injury and loss, as weE as much sorrow and dis- 
 tress : but, on this occasion, he blamed himself much more 
 than others. It was evident to him, as he expressed himself, 
 that nothing of the kind would have occurred amongst the 
 brethren, and all such like pernicious measures have been 
 
426 THEIR RESULTS. 
 
 choked on the outset, if he had only fulfilled that part of his 
 duty more carefully. 
 
 It did not suffice him, however, to confess this to himself; 
 but he assembled the elders of the church, who were at that 
 time with him, and, with much pain and regret, confessed to 
 them the fault he had committed. His severity towards him- 
 self went so far, that he requested them to write to all the 
 churches,^ informing them that he had been deservedly 
 -stripped of all his offices. But when the brethren showed 
 him the reasons why they could not comply with his re- 
 quest, he took occasion publicly to make this confession in 
 one of his discourses, and afterwards sent it to all the 
 churches. 
 
 This heartfelt acknowledgment of his error, which was made 
 with tears and expressions of profound regret, deeply and 
 visibly affected his auditory : for he reverted also to past 
 years, and mournfully pointed out all the mistakes he had 
 made from time to time, which excited in others feelings 
 peculiar to the contrite in heart. 
 
 The Saviour, however, who so favourably regards the 
 humble and the meek, did not long leave the Count in this 
 sorrowful state, but comforted him with the consciousness of 
 his favour and his complete forgiveness ; and thus his heart 
 was again filled with peace and joy. 
 
 His chief concern was, that under every circumstance, 
 nothing should be omitted or given up, with reference to the 
 preaching of the gospel, and the arrangements for that pur- 
 pose : but he considerately premised, that every thing should 
 be done with more faith, more fidelity, and. more prudence 
 and order. 
 
 In the. church he reminded the brethren, that they ought 
 not to think of entreating the Saviour immediately to remove 
 that which was painful and oppressive in the matter ; for he 
 believed it did not come fortuitously, but that God himself had 
 so permitted it — not to injure, but as a salutary remedy. 
 The brethren ought, therefore, to pray that the Lord's inten- 
 tions in the increasing difficulties might be realized. This 
 was what he heartily did himself ; and his prayer was, " Dear 
 Saviour, let the chastisement which thou vouchsafest us, pro- 
 
OCCURRENCES IN LONDON. 427 
 
 duce salutary fruit in us, and not be removed from us until it 
 shall please thee to remove it ! " 
 
 He was, therefore, satisfied with the dealings of his God and 
 Saviour under these trying circumstances ; lespecting which he 
 writes,Tinderdate 11th of July : "The sun has certainly scorched 
 me a little this year ; but yet my heart is no stormy sea, for it is 
 very calm and placid. And supposing that I arti even enduring 
 affliction, and that my harp is hung upon the willows, yet I 
 can say I am happy, and that during my whole life, in all that 
 I have experienced, I have never felt more comfortable. 
 
 Just at the time when the Count was thus suffering from 
 pecuniary embarrassments, one statement after another was 
 pubhshed in England against the brethren. Amongst others, 
 a person entirely unknown to them, thought fit to make 
 extracts from the works which had appeared against them and 
 the Count, in Holland and Germany, and to lay them, with 
 additions, before the English pubhc. An acquaintance of this 
 man's met him once in the Park, and spoke with him on the 
 subject ; on which the latter candidly confessed, that he had 
 done it only to earn something, and that he would just as 
 willingly have written in favour of the brethren, if they had 
 commissioned him to do so. 
 
 One of the publications distinguished itself by the harshness 
 of its accusations against the Count, and was not only pub- 
 licly offered for sale in the streets, but was also put into the 
 hands of every member of parliament on going into the house. 
 The Count made inquiry of the Speaker, as well as of the 
 President of the Privy-Council, and other lords, what he 
 ought to do in the matter. Their opinions were divided; 
 some thought he ought to pay no attention to it, for such 
 things were so customary in London, that nothing need be 
 apprehended from it ; whilst others advised him to bring an 
 action against the author, and seemed to think it almost indis- 
 pensable. The Count himself reflected whether he ought not 
 to say with David, " Let him curse ! the Lord hath bidden 
 him ;" and could not at the moment resolve upon replying to 
 the libellous attack. Meanwhile, other answers to it appeared, 
 and, to the best of my knowledge, were well received. The 
 Count also permitted his brief memoir to the Privy-Council 
 
428 OCCURRENCES IN LONDON. 
 
 in Dresden to be translated into English, and published in 
 London, which gave great satisfaction to many friends of the 
 brethren. 
 
 Towards the end of March, the Count, with all the brethren 
 and sisters who had hitherto resided with him at Westminster, 
 removed to Lindsey-house, which was now entirely fitted up 
 for him. His intention with respect to it was, that the direc- 
 tion of the Union might from time to time have its seat there, 
 and from thence attend to the affairs of the churches. The 
 situation was convenient for this purpose, since it lay between 
 the continental and American churches ; and the house itself, 
 with its appurtenances, possessed the requisite room for the 
 accommodation of the brethren, who assemhled from various 
 countries and places to the synodal conferences : for it con- 
 tained spacious saloons for the domestic meetings, and a chapel 
 near at hand for the public preaching of the gospel, together 
 with an excellent burial-ground, which he called Sharon, and 
 of which the church in London subsequently availed itself. 
 There was also a printing-press attached to it, which the 
 Count regarded as necessary. 
 
 He could not, indeed, calculate that this house would become 
 a permanent residence either for himself or his household; 
 for he felt that he was a pilgrim upon earth, upon whom it 
 was incumbent to remove wherever the Saviour chose to place 
 him. But as he dwelt there for the time, he arranged every 
 thing in the manner he was in the habit of doing elsewhere. 
 Scarcely a week passed without the arrival of intelligence and 
 inquiries from all the churches and missions, which were sub- 
 sequently discussed in conferences, in which those who were 
 appointed or destined for the service of the church, and were 
 resident with him at the time, were generally present. 
 
 The Count, in consequence of his declaration above stated, 
 regarded himself as suspended from his office for the time ; 
 and the elders of the church, who were then in London, 
 assembled daily, at his suggestion, for the dispatch of busi- 
 ness ; asking, at the same time, advice of the Count, which he 
 never refused them. In his domestic worship, he spoke less 
 frequently, and very briefly. Meanwhile, he was not idle, but 
 laboured indefatigably in retirement ; nor did the work of 
 
SYNODAL CONFERENCE. 429 
 
 the Lord sustain any interruption, notwithstanding the many 
 diflBculties and apparent impossibilities to be surmounted. 
 The Irene proceeded again to North America with a consi- 
 derable number of brethren and sisters, who, notwithstanding 
 an unexpectedly long voyage, arrived safely at their destina- 
 tion. The bills of sale for the land purchased in North Caro- 
 lina were not only drawn out and liquidated, but possession 
 taken of the district itself by fifteen brethren from Penn- 
 sylvania, who called it the Wachau. Besides other things, 
 provision was also to be made for those who still resided at 
 Herrnhaag, which had to be completely evacuated that year. 
 
 The pecuniary embarrassments noticed above, gave rise to 
 a s ynodal conferenc e, at which I was also present, on my 
 return from America. The Count refused to preside at it, 
 and was desirous that the synod should thoroughly investigate 
 the reasons why he had suspended himself from his office, and 
 come to a decision upon the subject ; for he believed and con- 
 fessed that he was to blame for the confusion which had arisen 
 in the pecuniary department, because he had not prevented 
 it, nor timely sought to remove the evil. The presidency 
 was therefore committed to Leonard Dober ; notwithstanding 
 which, the labours connected with it fell mostly, with the 
 consent of the synod, upon the Count. 
 
 Respecting some of the points discussed, no final decision 
 could be taken ; and the Count was therefore commissioned to 
 regulate, during the remainder of the year, those things that 
 could not be arranged i at the time. However, several im- 
 portant subjects were discussed at this conference. One of its 
 chief objects was, how, from that time, the work of the Lord 
 might be carried on, not only in one mind, but also according 
 to one fundamental plan and method. The Count did not spare 
 himself, but mentioned the faults he had committed ; at the 
 same time, he very candidly told the brethren, though with 
 much wisdom and affection, wherein they also had been de- 
 fective : he likewise gave hopes that many things would now 
 be regulated, which could not be altered before, because it was 
 necessary to wait for the proper time. 
 
 The Count, notwithstanding the unpleasant circumstances 
 whigh had occurred, had laboured so indefatigably ^.t the. 
 
430 MORAVIAN HYMN-BOOK. 
 
 hymn-book, that he was able to lay it before the conference : 
 the first part of it had been already printed in London, and 
 contains 2169 hymns. But as it was the opinion that this 
 book should not be immediately introduced into the Moravian 
 churches, but be submitted to a more minute revision, the 
 edition printed was but small. 
 
 To facilitate the work, the revision was divided among ten 
 of the brethren, of whom each took a part for himself, and laid 
 his thoughts upon it, in writing, before the conference. 
 Although there was no material objection against the use of 
 the hymn-book in the Moravian churches, yet it was pro- 
 posed to the Count, to insert in the next edition, some excel- 
 lent ancient and modern hymns, in the place of others, which 
 might be better omitted ; as well as to attend to the remarks 
 made by the brethren upon them. But a second edition did 
 not appear. 
 
 I will here add something respecting the second part of the 
 hymn-book, which was printed in London the following year. 
 It contains more than a thousand hymns of the eighteenth 
 century ; many of them of the Count's own composition. It 
 was his intention to leave out of this collection all those hymns 
 against which there was any thing to object ; but he afterwards 
 found, that he had not attained his purpose. Hence he 
 scrupled, in the sequel, to acknowledge the work, nor was it 
 ever introduced into the Moravian churches. 
 
 A commencement was also made this year in preparing an 
 English hymn-book, which appeared in 1754, under the title 
 of " A Collection of Hymns of the Children of God, in all ages, 
 from the beginning until now, desi gned chieflv for the us e of 
 the Con gregati,png ^n union with the Brethren's Chur ch." 
 Most of the hymns are translated from the German, and a va- 
 riety of metres introduced, on account of the melodies, which 
 are not common in England. Besides these translations, the 
 hymn-book contains an excellent collection of hymns, origi- 
 nally English, of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth 
 centuries : there are also many select hymns translated from 
 the Welch language. 
 
 The Count not only superintended this work, but also trans- 
 lated many of the hymns himself from German into English. 
 
WRITINGS. 431 
 
 The desire of some friends for a short account of the 
 doctrine, constitution, and usages of the brethren, occasioned 
 some questions to be proposed to the Count, relative to these 
 subjects. He wrote answers to them, which he communi- 
 cated to the synodal conference, which agreed to them with 
 pleasure. From these answers, a small work was afterwards 
 compiled, at the suggestion of a friend in Switzerland ; which, 
 notwithstanding its brevity, comprises more than is contained 
 in many other works on the subject. 
 
 Many things were also said i n this conference , respecting " 
 the irregularities and disorders which had infected a part of 
 the Unity. The Count, who was inclined to consider himself i 
 to blame for every thing, accused himself also for not having 
 opposed, with timely and suflBcient zeal, the frivolities which 
 he had nevertheless continued to reprove. But whatever 
 cause he had to mourn on that account, he had the conso- 
 lation and the joy to see that many, and by degrees almost all 
 of those who had gone astray, deeply lamented their folly, fled 
 for refuge to the wounds of Jesus, and united afresh in vowing 
 faithful obedience to him. But as some thought these 
 people ought to undergo ecclesiastical discipline, and thus 
 openly manifest a detestation of their previous ways, he 
 declared that he could not and would not impose penance 
 upon, or be in any way the cause of suffering to any individual, 
 who bitterly wept like Peter, and Uke him, obtained grace and 
 forgiveness from the Saviour. ^^'^ 
 
 No one had hitherto objected more frequently to the great 
 ideas which the brethren had of the Moravian church, than 
 the Count himself. He had always so much fault to find with 
 their labours, that he could not be satisfied with them : but on 
 reflecting, at the close of this year, what the grace of Christ 
 had effected in them, he was more encouraged. It was evident 
 to him, that the churches of the brethren constituted, not 
 merely in name, but in reality, an unity ; and he wished, at 
 the same time; that they might walk more and more in accord- 
 ance with their high vocation. 
 
 The past year, notwithstanding all the painful circumstances 
 in which the Count had been involved, had furnished him with 
 cause for heartfelt thankfulness to God. Dangerous things, 
 
432 CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1753. 
 
 which might have utterly destroyed the union existing, were 
 brought to light, and the Count had opportunity afforded him 
 of ascertaining the full extent of them. 
 
 He clearly perceived the mistakes he had made, with all 
 his good intentions and apparent reason, in the service of the 
 Unity ; and on confessing his faults, he found favour in the 
 sight of God and man. This enabled him to assist the 
 brethren, and especially the deacons, who meant vrell, although 
 they had greatly erred, and, with the help of God, to rescue 
 them from their difficulties. The cause of Christ, which was 
 entrusted to him, suffered no injury in consequence, but 
 prospered everywhere. Hence the Count himself, whilst 
 describing this year as a trying one, speaks of it also as 
 abounding in forgiveness and amendment — and, in short, as a 
 blessed season. 
 
 In the beginning of 1754, the Count underwent a severe ill- 
 ness, which lasted nearly six weeks. At its commencement, 
 he continued assiduously at his work, but when this was no 
 longer practicable, and he was obliged to take to his bed, he 
 accepted the rest from labour thus afforded him, as a Divine 
 favour. The Lord, also, by his consolations, rendered every 
 thing easy to him, ^nd he asserted, that at the time when his 
 sickness was at its height, he had enjoyed a most pleasing and 
 blissful season. He assisted, as much as circumstances per- 
 ipitted, on necessary and important occasions, and did not ab- 
 stain from giving information and advice when asked, although 
 be was unable to enter into particulars. 
 
 In a journal, which he kept that year, it is mentioned that on 
 the 30th of January, he felt particularly incited to bless the Lord, 
 He did so, noted down the day, and afterwards saw from the 
 letters, which arrived from different places, that much had oc- 
 curred that day, which was useful and profitable to the brethren. 
 
 On the 23d of February, he held a solemn thanksgiving-day, 
 in his own house. He first of all spoke with a small company 
 of brethren and sisters, respecting the providential care of our 
 heavenly Father, which the Moravian church had experienced 
 generally, and particularly during the previous trying year. 
 
OCCURRENCES. 433 
 
 A meeting of the whole household was then held, in which he 
 excited them to bless and praise God, and to mutual and 
 cordial brotherly love, After the meeting, there were love- 
 feaats, at which a hymn of thanksgiving was sung for the 
 Lord's wonderful aid experienced up to that period. 
 
 From this time, he made the necessary arrangements, ii} 
 order that the,secular affairs of the church should in future be 
 transacted with greater regularity : he appointed a new 
 committee for this purpose, of which he only retained tjie 
 superintendence. The Society in Holland for assisting and pro- 
 moting Missions having been for some time dissolved, and the 
 English one in a state of .inactivity, a new deaconry was ap- 
 pointed for missionary affairs, in order that every thing might 
 not fall upon one set of deacons. For the same purpose, a dea- 
 ponry was formed to furnish the resources for the institutions 
 of the Unity. 
 
 In this manner, a iiew course of things commenced, respect- 
 ing which the Count declared, that the brethren had each 
 performed his part with diligence, fidelity, and much labour ; 
 by which means the care of the whole, which devolved upon 
 him, had been greatly alleviated, so that he only had to lopk 
 on, and thank the Saviour for every thing. 
 
 He also held frequent conferences in his own house, attended 
 faithfully to the spiritual necessities of its inmates, and removed 
 the semirfary for children from MUe-End to Chelsea, in order 
 to have them nearer him, and be the better able to take charge 
 of them. 
 
 He suffered nothing, however, to. interrupt his private inter- 
 course with his Saviour, respecting which he observed, " The 
 •entering into our closets, and shutting the door upon us, and 
 praying to God in secret, is a necessary thing for every child 
 of God ; and if this declines in a church, it is an injury which 
 neither meetings, nor classes, nor societies, can repair ; and 
 brings with it an estrangement from the person of the Saviour, 
 who ought to be near and present to us every moment, and 
 from whose personal and private Communion we ought to 
 suffer nothing to detach us." >^ 
 
 A considerable number of brethren and sisters paid a 
 visit this year at the house of the Count. The Countess 
 
434 PASTORAL tABOURS. 
 
 also returned to England in August, to deliberate with him 
 on the circumstances of her family, as well as respecting 
 many things concerning the churches. She remained there 
 till towards the end of October, and spent her time very 
 agreeably ; then went back by way of Calais to Berlin, where 
 she visited the Count'^ aged mother, and caused her great joy 
 by presenting her three daughters to her. 
 
 Count Henry XXVIII. Reuss also returned to Germany, 
 and many other brethren were dispatched to their destinations. 
 I likewise returned in March to North America, after taking 
 a most cordial leave of the Count, with a company of brethren, 
 who had previously received their instructions from him. I 
 went with Captain Garrison, in the Irene, and had a more 
 rapid passage to New York -than had ever been known before^ 
 for I was little more than three weeks on the vc^age. 
 
 The Count also dispatched missionaries to Greenland and 
 Berbice, and took measures for the commencement of a new 
 mission among the negro slaves in Jamaica. 
 
 ■Respecting his labours amongst the brethren in England, 
 I notice, first, the conference held with the English minister s, 
 and teachers in May of that year. In a sermon preached 
 on the loth of May, he says, that " God having kindled a fire 
 in England as well as other countries, by which many hun- 
 dred individuals had been awakened, he expected, from his 
 English fellow-labourers, a fidelity commensurate with this 
 gracious visitation. The national liberty they enjoyed ought 
 not to serve as an excuse for declension in obedience to the 
 Saviour, but they ought to oifer themselves up, with their 
 whole hearts, to his service ;. for, if they would not do that, 
 it would be better for them to have nothing to do with the 
 afiairs of the brethren." The next da,y, he showed them 
 "how a church ought to stand immutably firm upon that 
 which it recognises as right in the sight of God ; and if any 
 one opposed it, they would do better immediately to reject 
 him, rather than wait tiU he parted from them of his own 
 accord; but if any one voluntarily detached himself from 
 them, they ought not to be over anxious about it, but 
 firmly to believe he did not belong to them." 
 
 At the end of June, the Count undertook a journey to visit 
 
JOURNEY TO FULNECK, &e. 435 
 
 .the Moravian churches in England. On the 29th, he came to 
 Tytherton, in Wiltshire, and after conversing with those who 
 had the care of the church there, and preaching on the words, 
 " We love him, because he first loved us;" he proceeded 
 by way of Bath to Bristol, He had there an opportunity 
 of seeing and speaking with those to whom the brethren had 
 hitherto preached the gospel. On making inquiry of them, 
 they unanimously stated, that they had long sought rest for 
 their souls, and were now able to thank God that they had 
 been directed to it by the ministry of the brethren. The 
 Count then took great pains to show them, that they would do 
 well to continue with the denomination in which they had been 
 brought up ; the brethren would not fail to assist them with 
 good advice, with regard to their spiritual state : but to this 
 it was replied, that for reasons which were of importance to 
 them, they could not resolve upon doing so ; and, although 
 some were not disinclined to follow his advice, yet the majority 
 believed it would be better for them to be placed entirely 
 under the care of the brethren. They also wrote individually 
 to the Count, and gave him to understand, that they could 
 not refrain from heartily desiring to be admitted into fellow- 
 ship with the Moravian church. He took time to reflect 
 upon this ; and after his return to London, it was resolved, in 
 conference, to form these people into a church of the brethren, 
 which was accordingly done that year. 
 
 On the 3d, the Count was again at Bath, where he was 
 visited by a man whom the brethren had baptized, and 
 who expressed himself upon the state .of his heart, with many 
 tears, in a manner greatly to his satisfaction. On the 4th of 
 July, he returned to Lindsey-house ; but on the 12th, pro- 
 ceeded to Bedford. The brethren there received him very 
 cordially, and, as he himself says, he was able to associate 
 with them as freely as if he had been amongst his brethren 
 at Herrnhut. He then inspected the chapel, the houses for 
 the single brethren and sisters, the burial-ground, and also 
 visited the children's seminary. He saw the members of the 
 church in their different choirs, that he might become person- 
 ally acquainted with every individual of them, and then 
 edified them by an address in the English language. After 
 
 u 2 
 
4.S6 KEMARKABIE CURK. 
 
 holding a conference with the teachers of the church, he con- 
 tinued his journey to Fulneck, where he arrived on the 18th 
 of July, and remained till the 15th of August. During this 
 time, final arrangements were made with the proprietors of 
 the land on which the buildings had been erected, which were 
 satisfactory on both sides. The Count saw all the persons 
 belonfflng to| this churgh, wh o amounted to a bove twelve 
 hundred : he made some useful regulations amongst them, and 
 preached to them several sermons, which were much blessed 
 to them. Several', of the English brethren, who- arrived just 
 at that time from London, were also very active in' their la- 
 bours, and the Lord was with them. 
 
 When the Count, soon after his d,rrival, held a singing'- 
 meeting, and gave an address, in the English language, he 
 missed John Worthington, the organist ; and on inquiring for 
 him, heard that his departure from this world was hourly 
 expected. He was ill of a consumption, and already quite 
 emaciated and enfeebled by it. In these circumstances the 
 Count visited him, and spoke to him of the blessedness of 
 becoming truly acquainted with the Saviour in the present 
 life, and of the joyful certainty of being eternally his. He 
 then asked him what he thought respecting the issue of his 
 illness ? and was answered, that he hoped soon to depart 
 and to be with Christ. The Count then said, that he should 
 be glad still to have him at the organ during the meetings f 
 but it seemed to be a thing utterly impossible to the bre- 
 thren who were present. On being again attacked by a most 
 violent cough, the Count approached him, laid his hands 
 upon the head of the sick man, silently blessed him, and then 
 left him ; but Worthington, after the cough had ceased, feB 
 into a profound sleep, vfith a sweet impression of the blessing 
 imparted to him by the Count, and did not awake until about 
 six o'clock the next mornings being the first quiet night he 
 had enjoyed for five months. During the whole of that time 
 he had never eaten with an appetite j but now he relished his 
 breakfast, and required his dinner before it was noon. His 
 cough subsided, his strength hourly increased, and on the third 
 day he was already so strong, that, with the help of another, 
 he could go to the meeting, and was able to play the organ 
 
OCCURRENCES IN LONDON. 43? 
 
 during the whole of the time the Count spent in York-, 
 shire.* 
 
 On the 18th of August, the Count proceeded to Ockbrook, 
 and celebrated the holy communion with the church in that 
 place ; and after having given a cordial address to the children 
 and adults, he set off again on the 20th, and arrived on the 
 22d at Lindsey-house, where he found, to his great pleasure, 
 the Countess, Baron Frederick Von Wattewille, and others. 
 
 John Von Wattewille, who had completed a visitation of the 
 German churches, having also reached London soon after, the 
 Count held almost daily conferences with them and others of 
 the brethren then present. He also increased the list of 
 ministers, and spoke in tiae conferences of their present em- 
 plo3rment, and future destination. He had the names of 
 those who had finished their course in the Saviour's service 
 written upon the walls of the saloon where the meetings were 
 held, and sometimes took occasion at the love-feasts, to men- 
 tion that which was the most remarkable in regard to some 
 of them. In like manner he caused the names of the lovers of 
 Jesus in every age, so far as they were known, to be inscribed 
 on the waUs of the saloon adjoining his parlour, according 
 to the succession of time, and took pleasure, when alone 
 or with others, in renewing the remembrance of them with 
 gratitude towards the Head of the church, 
 . In November, he held a synod w ith t he bretJire n appointed, 
 for the , service of the EngEsh chur ches ; it commenced on 
 the 11th, and terminated on the 17th. At this synod, it was 
 found advisable, in consequence of the increase of the churches 
 in England, that a bishop should be appointed over them. 
 The Rev. John Gambold, hitherto minister of the London 
 cpngregation, was proposed, and there being no hesitation 
 respecting this worthy man, he received episcopal ordination, 
 from the hands of three bishops. 
 
 The Count observed concerning this synod, that our Lord 
 
 ■ * "Worfhington himself copiously detailed the matter to me, in a letter 
 dated Wyte, 27th of August, 1766. He afterward became minister 
 of the Moravian church at Ockbrook, and at the time this letter was 
 written, the brethren La Trobe, Jorde, and others who were witnesses of 
 the lact, were still living. 
 
438 fOIEMICAL WRITINGS. 
 
 and Saviour blessed it with his grade and presence, in a 
 manner superior to any which had been previously held in 
 England. 
 
 The attachment of the Contit's friends in that country was 
 put to no mean test, by the painfiil circumstances in which he 
 was placed. One after the other of them not only estranged 
 themselves from him, but even became opposed to him ; at 
 whieh, however, the Count Was not surprised. The majority, 
 however, conducted themselves as nobly as could possibly 
 have been desired ; and these consisted, not only of persons 
 who filled civil offices, but also of men of high rank amongst 
 the clergy. 
 
 Amongst others, the Bishop of London sent him, on the 4th of 
 March of that year, a copy of his printed works, with a friendly 
 letter, and an excellent testimony to the doctrine of the atone- 
 ment by the blood of Christ. The Count immediately read these 
 Works completely through, and marked out some of their most 
 excellent passages ; sent them the following day to London, 
 and caused them to be read to the caftgregation there. 
 
 The opponents of the Count in England,, however, became 
 more and more violent. This induced him to reflect upon 
 the reasons why certain people were so enraged against him, 
 and amongst these he included the following : — 
 
 1 . That he had yielded too far to those to whom he felt 
 attached ; but when he began to fear it might be to their dis- 
 advantage, he had forded himself to an opposite line of con- 
 duct, and had been too strict with them. By tiais means, he 
 bad turned many of his friends into foes. 
 
 2. That he, and other brethren, had exercised too much for- 
 bearance, at a tittle when some extravagant people had put them- 
 selves forward, and commenced a variety of strange proceedings. 
 It had been, indeed, thought right to be thus patient ; never- 
 theless it would not have been the case, had it been previously 
 duly considered and perceived, that such like things would be 
 laid to the charge of the whole church. They had, however, 
 now learnt wisdom by the injury which had been sustained. 
 
 3. That in reference to the subject of the Trinity, he had 
 employed a theosophical style of writing ; in consequence 
 of which, certain of his hymns and sermons had caused more 
 
LITERARY LABOURS. 439 
 
 offence than profit. Every thing now, however, was again 
 concentrated in the Saviour's person and merits. 
 
 As little as he was inclined to enter upon a particular reply 
 to the objections against the brethren, at that time, yet he 
 could no longer oppose the wish of the brethren in England, 
 who thought it necessary to publish an answer to them, espe- 
 cially when he saw, that if he did not permit it, there would 
 be no want of those who, without asking him, would take up 
 the cause of the brethren, and sharply reply to their adversaries. 
 Some publications of this kind really appeared, and others 
 were in preparation ; when the Count began to be appre- 
 hensive lest such apologies, written by those who had not 
 themselves a riglit insight into the state and connexion of 
 the circumstances, might do more injury than the writings of 
 the opponents themselves. A pamphlet was therefore pub- 
 lished, in May 1754, under the title of " Plain Case of the 
 Representatives of the Unitas Fratrum ;" in which it was his- 
 torically shown, how the brethren had acted in England since 
 the year 1727, with respect to the erroneous opinions which 
 had been circulated concerning them. 
 
 This year the Count also completed the " smaller hymn- 
 book," which was entirely distinct from the one formerly 
 mentioned : fcr in this, he only took single verses, first from 
 one hymn and then from another, and arranged them according 
 to the subject he had in view. What I have said respecting the 
 singing-meetings, is rendered clear by this hymn-book, which 
 contains nothing but the substance of them. 
 
 He also published a new edition of " The Liturgies and 
 titanies for the Use of the Moravian Churches and their 
 Choirs ;" and says in the preface, " When yon take this in 
 hand, and appear with it before the Lord, do so with a pure 
 heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned. You may thus 
 expect every good thing from him, and he from you." 
 
 At the close of this year (1754), the Count asserted, that 
 for thirty years he had not spent one so peacefully, and so free 
 from all entanglements. In another place he describes it, as 
 a calm, liturgical year, — a year of particular intercourse with 
 the Saviour, much experience, many promises, many lessons. 
 
 The Lord had bestowed many favours upon the Union in 
 
440 CLOSE OE THE YEAR 1754s 
 
 general, and upon the Count in particular. He had not only 
 faithfully assisted him during the continuance of outward diffl- 
 culties, and powerfully resisted the intentions of the adversary, 
 but had also given the desired success to his various occupations 
 with reference to the church, the missions, and the settler 
 ments. But the most important of all was, the uninterrupted 
 certainty, produced by the operation of the Holy Spirit, of the 
 Saviour's acceptance of him and his undertakings. No 
 day had passed without his having tasted the loving-kindness 
 of the Lord ; and this so filled his heart with love and grati- 
 tude, and at the same time rendered him so deeply ashamed, 
 that he could not find words enough to thank and praise him. 
 This also encouraged him so much, that he was able to say, 
 " What have they that are without, to do with us ? What, 
 have we to care for their projects against us, and thei^ calum- 
 nies ? They will end in nothing. If we inwardjy agree 
 together, and are hidden in his wounds, — if the Saviour is. 
 satisfied with the state of our hearts and our conduct, — we 
 have only to believe, that he is more solicitous than we can be 
 concerning our future welfare, and that the respect be shown 
 us which is due to his servants." 
 
 The Count continued in England during the first months o 
 the year 1755, and designated it as a period of much arduous; 
 occupation. He knew that he should be obliged to reside some- 
 years in Holland and Germany, and therefore endeavoured 
 as far as lay in his power to regulate every thing respecting 
 the affairs of the brethren in England. During this peridd" 
 Ije dispatched his son-in-law, John Von Wattewille, on a visi- 
 tation to the churches and societies in England and Ireland, as 
 well as nearly thirty of his fellow -labourers to the occupations, 
 assigned them. The rest of the brethren and sisters belonging 
 to his household departed in February, the greater p,art of them 
 to Holland ; but he still remained at Lindsey-house, in such 
 sieclusion, that few of those who resided in the house knew any 
 thing of his being there. He employed this time, not only in 
 the labours which had reference to England, but also reflected, 
 in the Lord's presence, upon the whole of what was committed 
 
ISTERARY LABOURSi 44"^ 
 
 to him, -with prayer and supplication for his gracious guidance 
 and powerful assistance. 
 
 The sermons preached by the Count in London, from the 
 year 1751 to 1755, were collected in 1756, and published : 
 they form two volumes, and are regarded by some as a conti- 
 nuation of his Berlin discourses. He wrote also a Pastoral 
 Letter, which was afterwards printed under the title of " Sta- 
 tutes, or the General Principles of Practical Christianity, ex- 
 tracted from the New Testament, and designed for the Use of 
 the Co ngregations in England in Union with the Un itas 
 ■F ratrum ; in a Letter from Rev, the Ordinary of the Brethren's 
 Churches." 
 
 I have already observed, to what extent the opposition had 
 been carried in England against the Count and the brethren, and 
 the reluctance of the former to notice it publicly, so far as con- 
 cerned himself. He wished, however, that some pious divine of 
 the Church of England would arrange the objections against him 
 and the brethren, in the form of questions, and lay them before 
 him. A certain learned individual actually undertook the 
 matter ; but after having proceeded some length in it, a col- 
 lection of questions were published in London, to which an- 
 swers were also expected. These questions, however, were 
 many of them so indecorous, that it would have been improper 
 to have laid them before the Count i yet they were the occa- 
 sion of a reply, which was published under the title of " An 
 Exposition, or True State, of the Matters objected in England 
 to the People known by the Name of Unitas Fratrum." This 
 pamphlet was written in English by the Count himself. 
 
 With respect to the Count's writings, I will only add, on 
 this occasion, that however much they were, at different times, 
 objected to by others, and even by himself, yet they were 
 greatly blessed to those readers who perused them with simpli- 
 city of heart. A certain very experienced and intelligent person 
 says, respecting them, " I value the Count's writings very 
 much ; nor do I think they need a revision. The first of thent 
 please me almost more than the last. If any thing occurs, 
 that sounds tmcommon, I know how to understand it. And I 
 know to a certainty, that many are of the same opinion." 
 
 It is nevertheless true, that the expressions he makes use o^ 
 u3 
 
442 IITERARY LABOURS. 
 
 are peculiar, and that they are not all equally silnple. Some of 
 .ttiem are so obvious, that they are easily understood ; others 
 must be read two or three times before the sense is appre- 
 hended ; and the causes of this are various. He vras accus' 
 tomed to a prolix_style, and made many long parentheses, by 
 which the words which belonged together, were often divided 
 far asunder ; and this was felt as a difficulty by many readers. 
 He also employed a number of foreign terms, from ancient 
 and modern languagesTiThe regarded them as more convenient 
 for the elucidation of his ideas than German words. Sometimes 
 he spoke briefly and laconically, according to the character of 
 the people with whom he had to do ; and it was then necessary 
 to supply much, in order fully to understand him. At the same 
 time I will not deny, that the fault of his being unintelligible 
 to some, may lie in the readers themselves ; for if the subject 
 of which the Count is Speaking is new to them, and they have 
 had no experience of it, it is no wonder that the language em- 
 ployed is difficult to be understood. 
 
 The Count never ceased correcting and revising his works. 
 " I have the singular habit," says be, " before one of my books 
 leaves the press, frequently to annex, not only a long list of 
 errata, but also to make additional explanatory remarks. I 
 correct every thing that I find incorrect in my productions, as 
 often as I can ; and it never vexes me even to contradict my- 
 self at different times. / think the smallest truth is of more 
 value than the reputation of Mm who propounds it." Whoever, 
 therefore, pointed out to him an unsuitable expression, iand 
 gave him a better one, was very welcome to him ; and when 
 he met with a word or phrase which fuUy expressed his ideas, 
 he would rejoice like a child. 
 
 The Count, during this period, made another collection of 
 three hundred hymns, which he regarded as an appendix to 
 the London hymn-book, and by which he endeavoured to 
 rescue many edifying effusions of the heart from oblivion. 
 He published them in three different sections, the first of 
 which consisted solely of the compositions of the late Count 
 Christian Renatus. 
 
 On the 22d of March, the Count took his departure from 
 London, after having had various important interviews with 
 
THE count's illness. 443 
 
 several men of rank, and other distinguished individuals ; and at 
 the same time enjoyed the pleasure of hearing their noble decla- 
 rations respecting himself and the Moravian church. His 
 residence in England lasted this time three years and a half. 
 
 On reaching Harwich, the packet-boat, in vrhich he intended 
 to take his passage, had already set sail. He waited therefore 
 until the departure of the following ; and meanwhile took a 
 lodging, where he could prosecute his labours without inter- 
 ruption, and where he wrote, amongst other things, instruc- 
 tions to his fellow -labourers in London. After a very fatiguing 
 voyage, he arrived, on the 31st of March, at Zeist. The next 
 day he saluted the church there, and held a singing-meeting, 
 in which he unfolded his whole heart. 
 
 The ministers of the church, and the rest of the brethren and 
 sisters, in turn, attended the meetings which he held there in 
 the house where he resided. A part of his time he devoted 
 to intercourse with those friends and brethren who came to 
 visit him from Amsterdam and Norden in East Friesland ; and 
 in this manner spent nearly a month at Zeist. 
 
 On the 27th of April, he took leave of the church at that 
 place, and set out for Neuwied. The French settlement 
 there was still small ; but he assured them that the Lord, who 
 had planted them, would also bless and increase them. He 
 visited the Count of Neuwied twice, and considered with 
 him, in particular, how the secular pursuits of the brethren 
 might be brought into due connexion with the constitution of 
 the place. On the 4th of May, he proceeded further, and 
 came by way of Neudietendorf to Ebersdorf, and from thence 
 by way of Kleinwelke and Niesky to Herrnhut, where he 
 arrived on the 2d of June. 
 
 Having been absent from Upper Lusatia for the space of 
 four years, his visit to Herrnhut was the more acceptable ; 
 and the brethren welcomed him and his company with demon- 
 strations of great joy. In July, he was attacked by a disorder, 
 which he regarded as a remains of that with which he had been 
 seized on his visit to the "West Indies. Although, at other 
 times, he did not easily suffer indisposition to interfere with his 
 labours, yet now he was obliged to do so frequently, on account 
 of excessive weakness ; and this continued, more or less, until 
 
444 PASTORAL CONFERENCE AT HERRNHUT. 
 
 the end of the year. However, when I consider what he did- 
 during that period for the good of the chwrch and its several 
 choirs, as well as for individuals, I find that it amounts to 
 more than others are wont to do when in perfect health. 
 
 An anonymous minister, in Upper Lusatia, published, 
 during this period, a collection of the Count's discourses to 
 the married people amongst the Moravians, without saying 
 how they came into his hands, I have, however, heard it 
 positively stated, that a brother who had collected them for his 
 own use, lost them not far from Herrnhut, and, when found, 
 they were taken to this clergyman. Be that as it may, the 
 latter's first care ought to have been, how he might restore the 
 manuscript to its rightful owner. He did not, however, think 
 of this, but sent it to the press, without even inquiring of fhe 
 Count, (who was at that time in Herrnhut,) whether he would 
 consent to its publication. It therefore appeared, and in s^ch 
 a manner, that the numerous errors in the manuscript were 
 increased by a multitude of typographical errata, not to speak 
 of the places which the publisher had been unable to read; and 
 where he, had made interpolations which were quite unsuitable. 
 
 During the Count's stay at Herrnhut, many of the brethren 
 and sisters, from almost aU the different churches, arrived to 
 visit him and converse with him ; and he faithfully afforded 
 his counsel to each as far as his strength permitted. 
 
 The Count also entered into a very friendly connexion with- 
 some Lutheran clergymen in Upper Lusatia, who assembled, 
 annually, once or oftener, to converse together upon the admi- 
 nistration of the pastoral office. Amongst the topics discussed 
 were, the power of the doctrine of the atonement by Jesus 
 Christ on the hearts of the most hardened and savage of man- 
 kind ; — the faithfulness which a preacher of the gospel ought to 
 exemplify to the religious denomination to which he is attached^ 
 'and his willingness to continue and labour in it ; — the gathering 
 together of awakened souls, which is nothing else than endea- 
 vouring to bring about the fellowship of believers, founded upon 
 the sufferings and death of Christ ; and that unity of spirit, for 
 which the Saviour was so solicitous. (John xvii.) The Count, 
 at the same time, reminded them, that a Lutheran minister, who 
 possesses a heartfelt concern for the salvation of his hearers^ 
 
 i i 
 
CONCOURSE OF AWAKENED INDIVIDUALS. 445- 
 
 must be careful to unite them, in order to have abiding fruit 
 from them. For if those who, by the preaching of the gospel^ 
 become believers and are brought to Christ, would become one 
 heart and one soul, consider one another, and incite each other 
 to be faithful to the Saviour and to love all mankind, — the 
 work of God, which had been commenced, might be suc- 
 cessfully continued amongst them for many years ; but if 
 this were not the case, they might all be scattered, and 
 gradually cool, as soon as another pastor rose up, who was 
 not as faithful and zealous in his office as his predecessor. 
 
 During the Count's residence at Herrnhut on this occasion, 
 he found that many hundreds of individuals in Upper Lusatia, 
 both amongst the Wends and Germans, had united together 
 in religious fellowship. The Saviour had granted his blessing 
 to his gospel, which had been preached with power by Inany 
 of his faithful servants in those parts, and the fruits of it were 
 manifest. These awakened people had, for some time, been 
 in the habit of visiting the church at Herrnhut, in consi- 
 derable numbers ; and not a few of them had there found 
 a blessing for their hearts. The married brethren, in 
 Herrnhut took charge of the married people, and the single 
 brethren of the unmarried ; whilst the sisters did the same in. 
 regard to the females. The chief object in doing this was to 
 induce each of them to establish himself firmly in Christ, and 
 then build properly upon this foundation. At the same time, 
 they were admonished to prove themselves faithful to their 
 church, and obedient and loyal subjects. Instructions were 
 also given them, how to dwell together in love, in places where 
 several of them resided, and avoiding every thing that might 
 cause offence or injury, contribute to each other's edification, 
 as well as be a good example to others. 
 
 All this was according to the wish of the Count's own heart; 
 and from that period till his decease, he participated much in 
 these endeavours, which were attended with a real blessing. 
 
 In the awakened Wends, who visited Herrnhut in consi- 
 derable numbers, the Count took a particular pleasure, and 
 conversed in a very kind manner with them. He reminded 
 them of former times, and of their situation thirty years 
 before, when he first interested himself for them, and what the 
 
446 PROCEEDINGS AT HERRNHUT. 
 
 Saviour had since done for them. He observed, that if we only 
 wait the Lord's time, after sowing in tears we shall reap in joy. 
 There being many brethren and sisters at t hat time i n 
 Herrnhutj^_^o_w2re_j£2uainted_jdt^^ En^ish language, 
 the Count afforded himself the gratification of assembling 
 them together in his house, on the 16th of August. Of these, 
 there wer e upwards of ninety ind ividuals, which will not be 
 thought surprising, when it is recollected that the Count, with 
 his household, had remained almost four years in England, 
 during his last visit to that country ; and, in the course of 
 that time, had received many visits from Germany. He con- 
 versed with them in a pleasing manner, and recalled to their 
 minds a variety of circumstances which deserved to be remem- 
 bered. It was also announced that an English meeting would- 
 be held every week, when Enghsh would be sung, spoken, and 
 intelligence from England read. This arrangement was con- 
 tinued until the following year. 
 
 The brethren from Moravia, of whom there were still a 
 tolerable number in Herrnhut, although many of them had 
 been scattered amongst other churches, or sent out as mis- 
 sionaries, constituted another object of the Count's solicitude ; 
 and he was desirous of making their vocation of grace appear 
 of renewed importance to them. Hence he proposed that, in 
 the ensuing year, they should hold a 'conference of their own, 
 and induced the chief of them previously to discuss with each 
 other the subjects to be brought forwards. He was himself 
 present on the occasion, and reminded them of former times, 
 when every Moravian brother believed he owed himself to his 
 Saviour and his neighbour, and was therefore ready and willing 
 to venture his life, as often as an opportunity presented itself 
 of doing something for the Saviour, and for the benefit of 
 mankind, for whom he had shed his blood. But whilst saying 
 this, he would not deny that many a one had entered into 
 these labours, with respect to whom it would have been per- 
 haps better, if they themselves had been first better grounded, 
 and taken deeper root. He also acknowledged, that since 
 that period, the brethren had not only attained more expe- 
 rience, but also a clearer insight into the gospel of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Still he wished that the gracious impulse of 
 
VISIT TO BAUBY. 447 
 
 those times, to bear a cheerful testimony to the truth as it is 
 in Jesus, might ever continue connected with the existing 
 grace and gifts, and declared, that no one ought to call himself 
 a Moravian brother, who was not heartily willing to venture 
 his life and every thing else for Jesus's sake. 
 
 From the 22d to the 25th of July, he held some important 
 conferences at Taubenheim, respecting the deaconry of the 
 Unity, with the brethren appointed to that office ; in which 
 it was resolved to divide the whole economy of the Unity 
 into two parts, one of which was to be transacted in the name 
 of the Count and his family, and the other to be treated as a 
 distinct department. 
 
 The Count enforced, on this occasion, the fundamental prin- 
 ciples with respect to the wise and faithful administration of the 
 deaconry, and spoke to this end, from suitable texts of Scrip- 
 ture. At the close of the conferences, he thanked the Saviour 
 for the love, peace, and harmony which he had graciously given 
 them to enjoy in them. 
 
 At various subsequent conferences, preparatory to a synod 
 of the Church to be held the following year, the subjects dis- 
 cussed at Taubenheim were brought forwards. The regula- 
 tions respecting the economy of the Unity were made known 
 at a numerous conference, and the two departments above 
 mentioned commenced their operations. 
 
 On the 9th of October, the Count left Herrnhut for Barby, 
 where he arrived on the 12th. There existed, at that place, 
 not only the theological seminary, but also the institution for 
 providing the churches with useful and necessary intelligence, 
 respecting all the occurrences in the Unity. Besides this, an 
 academy had been commenced the previous year, for the fur- 
 ther instruction of the pupils of the seminary. All these 
 institutions, with the brethren who resided there, as husband- 
 men or tradesmen, constituted the church at Barby. 
 
 The Count did here what he was v/ont to do in general, 
 at a visitation, and was heartily gratified by the state of the 
 church and its choirs. He not only examined what was 
 taught in the academy, but also the manner in which instruc- 
 tion was conveyed ; for which purpose all the lectures were 
 read, at appointed times, in his antechamber. He conferred 
 
448 CLOSE OF THE YEAR1755. 
 
 ■yirith the physicians residing there, upon medical knowledge,^ 
 and its right use in a church of Jesus Christ, in order, in this 
 respect also, to regulate every thing according to the mind of 
 the Saviour. During his stay at Barby, which lasted scarcely- 
 four weeks, he received many visits from awakened individuals 
 residing in the neighbouring districts, and took care to confirm 
 them in their sentiments, and encourage them to renewed 
 faithfulness. He also sent some brethren to visit Ahboj; 
 Steinmetz, at Closter-Bergen, to the satisfaction of the latter. 
 He returned to Herrnhut in the beginning of November. 
 
 He soon after removed to his house at Bertholdsdorf, and re- 
 ne wed the church in his hou se, but only with as many persons 
 as in reality belonged to it. His object was, that the beautiful 
 passage which served as the watchword for the day, on which 
 they entered, might be fulfilled, " Behold, how good and 
 pleasant it is, when brethren dwell together in unity;" that 
 those who came thither occasionally, or resided a short time 
 with them, might return comforted, edified, and strength- 
 ened, to their different stations and labours. Hence he be- 
 sought the members of his household to unite together anew 
 in the mind and spirit of Jesus ; God would then give them 
 grace, to grow up in all things unto him, who is the head. 
 
 He arranged his meetings in such a manner, that neither 
 attendance at the church at Bertholdsdorf, nor the Sunday 
 meeting at Herrnhut, should be interfered with. He went fre- 
 quently himself to Herrnhut, held meetings there, and spoke 
 to the children especially, in a very child-like and artless 
 manner ; the teachers and choir-leaders of the church at 
 Herrnhut also came often to Bertholdsdorf, and were in the 
 habit, generally, of attending his love-feasts. 
 
 On Christmas-eve he took a great pleasure in assembling 
 all the pious people in Bertholdsdorf, together with their 
 clergyman, at his house, and celebrating with them the re- 
 membrance of the nativity. He recurred to the meeting 
 which had been held thirty years before, in the same saloon^ 
 with a small number, whilst now he saw before him nearly 
 two hundred individuals, who were mutually able to rejoice in 
 God their Saviour ; and this occasioned him indescribable plea- 
 sure and thankfulness. 
 
CRITICAL STATE OF THE CHUBCHES. 44& 
 
 In the customary vigils at the end of the year, he described; 
 it as having been a blessed year to him, although the com- 
 mencement of it had been painful. He kindly exhorted his 
 fellow-labourers to resign themselves in filial obedience to the 
 Lord and his guidance, and closed the year with a hymn of 
 thanksgiving and praise. 
 
 The critical circumstances in which many of the churches 
 of the brethren were placed in the year 1756, on account of 
 the war, both in Europe and America, caused the Count much 
 solicitude. 
 
 Before the close of the previous year, the Indians, who 
 dwelt behind the English provinces in North America, had 
 made irruptions into them in several places, destroyed many 
 
 . people, and burnt many houses. -The brethren, from the i 
 time of their coming thither, had interested themselves on ' / 
 behalf of the Indians, and estabUshed missions amongst them ; 
 and a congregation of converted Indians, with the consent 
 of the government, resided with them on a piece of land • 
 bought for that purpose. These cir cumsta nces caused sus- 
 ^cions_ta-i»e excited .against, the bxeihren, and -thejc. were 
 accused ofJiaTOi^_igtercourse__vnth_Jhe_.Ind^ who were 
 
 "E ntile ~to_t he JElagl^h. This went so far, that not pnly 
 "Pennsylvania and the neighbouring provinces, but even Eng- 
 land itself, was flUed with these reports, by which the minds 
 of many were imbittered. Besides this, a letter was inserted 
 in the newspapers, said to have been written by a Frenchman, 
 in which it was expressly stated, that the J^ethren were 
 in close connexion^ with the Indians and th^ French, with 
 wiom the English were^Srwar." Although sensible people 
 easily perceived TEaf this" was a letter fabricated either by 
 foolish or wicked persons, it so enraged the people in all 
 parts against the brethren, that they were in danger of their 
 lives on the public roads. Being myself in America at that 
 time, I was threatened by an innkeeper, at whose house I 
 had stopped for a short time, that he would make . an end of 
 me on the spot, with a club. He had the newspaper above 
 mentioned in his hand, and on my endeavouring to appease 
 
450 CRITICAL STATE OF THE CHURGHES IN AMERICA. 
 
 him, said, in a great rage, if it were not true what was 
 here said of the brethren, it would certainly not have been 
 )rinted. 
 
 Just at this time, the hostile Indians fell upon the mis- 
 ionary brethren and sisters, who resided at the Mahony, 
 md made a dreadful slaughter of them. The assailants had 
 )reviously reconnoitred the premises, and surrounded the 
 louse just at supper-time. On some one opening the door, 
 h^ fired into the house and killed several ; and when the rest 
 sin up stairs into the loft, they set the house on fire, and 
 nirnt it, together with the barns, stables, cattle, &e. Eleven 
 ndividuals lost their lives on this occasion ; the rest, who 
 scaped from the hands of the murderers, fled to Bethlehem, 
 Sphere the entire congregation of the Indians took refuge, and 
 rere protected, not only by the brethren, but also by the 
 [overnment of the province. 
 
 r This event at once convinced the whole country, that the bre- 
 hren had been falsely accused of an alliance with the hostile 
 ndians ; and this, many of their previous opponents acknow- 
 sdged and confessed : especially when the brethren came to 
 eek out the bodies of the sufferers, which lay under the 
 uins of the houses on the Mahony, and to inter them, a great 
 aany people assembled as spectators, and publickly ex- 
 iressed their regret, some even with tears, for having sinned 
 gainst the brethren, by falsely accusing them. Many also 
 ame afterwards to Bethlehem, and entreated forgiveness qf 
 lig.brethren. 
 
 But a peculiar set of men, who stupidly imagined that the 
 ndians must be rooted out, in order to avoid incurring the 
 ^rath of God, like the Israelites, for not extirpating the 
 ^anaanites, were greatly enraged against the church at Beth- 
 jhem, because they had given the Indians a kind reception, 
 nd provided for them. They were, therefore, under two- 
 aid apprehension — ^from the people just mentioned, and the 
 lOstile Indians, by whom they, day and night, expected to be 
 ttacked. 
 
 The first intelligence of these events in America did not reach 
 he Count until the receipt of letters written some weeks after : 
 
CRITICAL STATE OJ THE CHURCHES IN AMERICA. 451 
 
 of the mournful event at tte Mahony, he was, therefore, able, 
 at the same time, to alleviate the grief thus excited, by the con- 
 soling assurance, that no spiritual injury had been sustained 
 in consequence by the American churches ; but that, on the- 
 contrary, they had felt excited anew to filial dependence on the 
 Lord Jesus, and to faithful perseverance in his service. The 
 church was also greatly comforted respecting the brethren and 
 sisters who had been slain by the Indians, because the super- 
 intendent of the church at Bethlehem, who had visited them 
 only two days before, and had spoken with each in particular 
 on the state of their hearts, had given the pleasing assurance 
 in his letter, that all of them heartily loved the Saviour, and 
 filially resigned themselves to him. 
 
 The Count felt assured, that the Lord Jesus Christ had per- 
 mitted the above-mentioned occurrence for wise though inscrut- 
 able purposes. The brethren had never done any injury to the- 
 Indians, but had been of service to them, on every occasion, to 
 tiie best of their ability. The latter, however, as I am well 
 aware, were embittered against them, because they wished 
 the converted Indians, who dwelt on the lands of the bre- 
 thren, to take part with them in the war ; whilst the brethren, 
 as faithful English subjects, were opposed to it. The Count 
 wished, in particular, that none of the murderers of the 
 brethren and sisters might die before they had heard and 
 received the gospel of Jesus Christ. He commended the 
 churches of the brethren in North America, which continued 
 in such imminent peril, to the prayers of the church, in the 
 most impressive manner. He also sent fifteen brethren, who 
 expressed their willingness to go thither, immediately to 
 America, to be a help, or at least a consolation to them. He 
 likewise made arrangements for pecuniary contributions from 
 the different churches, for their relief in their destitute cir- 
 cumstances ; since they had not only to provide for themselves, 
 but also for several hundreds of their poor neighbours, who, 
 with their families, had taken refuge with them. In other 
 respects, he maintained that the brethren had nothing to fear ; 
 for, certainly, not a hair could fall from their heads without the 
 knowledge of their heavenly Father ; and that whenever he 
 s^nt his children afHictions, they were always beneficial to them. 
 
452 WAR IN SAXONT. 
 
 The Count also regarded, with similar sentiments, the war 
 which broke out in Saxony, in the latter half of the year 1756, 
 and which, as is well known, continued for several years, 
 accompanied by many afflictive circumstances. He took it 
 fgr granted, that it would not have arisen if the Lord had not 
 permitted it ; and that its results and consequences could not 
 extend further than the Lord, in his wisdom, saw fit. Hence, 
 he took the resolution boldly to proceed with the work com- 
 mitted to him, and suffer nothing, as far as it lay in his power, 
 to interrupt it : he likewise exhorted his fellow-labourers to 
 do the same. But although he carried this resolution into 
 effect, and really laboured much during the war, yet it was 
 not always without hinderance and disturbance. Hence he 
 observes, in one of his discourses, " He that has not expe- 
 rienced what disturbance is, cannot imagine to himself the. 
 happiness of uninterruptedly serving the Lord. in continued, 
 tranquillity : but he that has experienced it, and been unable 
 to devote a single day to any particular purpose, in conse- 
 quence of inward and outward disturbance, knows the value 
 of the promise, ' The Lord your God will give you rest.' "^ 
 
 He faithfully warned the churches not to lose sight of their 
 aim, and trusted, at the same time, in God, that he would take 
 them into his protection ; which was also the case : for although 
 almost all the commanding oiScers had heard or read so much 
 against the brethren, that they were either opposed to them, 
 or thought very contemptibly of them, yet their sentiments 
 -afterwards underwent a wonderful change. They took the 
 trouble to make thorough inquiry, and l;o investigate every thing 
 themselves, and had frequent opportunities of inspecting the 
 Moravian settlements and their regulations, and of becoming 
 acquainted with the brethren in their daily deportment. In 
 this manner, the erroneous ideas which had been infused into 
 them, vanished to such a degree, that from that time they 
 omitted nothing, with respect to the Moravian churches, that 
 could be expected from worthy and noble-minded ofiicers in 
 dmes of war. The churches, in return, faithfully commended 
 them to God in prayer, and rendered him abundant thanks for 
 what he had done for them in that respect. 
 
 The Count had, from his youth up, accustomed himself to 
 
FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST. 453 
 
 a filial intercourse with the Saviour ; and because he found in 
 it every thing that his soul could desire, he wished to induce 
 all whom he loved to enter upon the practice of it. 
 
 He took it for granted, that all men ought to honour the Son, 
 as they honour the Father ; according to the obvious words of 
 Christ (John v. 23) : for he was " the mighty God, the ever- 
 lasting Father," the creator and preserver of all things, and the 
 judge of all the world. Mankind had also a peculiar right 
 to him, because he had become a real man and our brother ; 
 and because he had taken our sins upon him, paid our debts, 
 endured our punishment, shed his blood for us, and yielded 
 himself up to death for us. All this he had done and suffered, 
 in order to gather a church out of our sinful race, which he 
 loved as his bride, and would make a partaker of all his felicity 
 and all his glory. 
 
 It was therefore his belief, that the Saviour was not satisfied 
 when poor sinners, who, by faith in him, had become children 
 of God, only adored him with the deepest reverence, but that he 
 also desired to be tenderly and ardently loved by them : hence 
 he was so condescending, that he associated, in the kindest 
 manner, with the souls of those who clave to him. The 
 precious names given him in the Scriptures, where he is called 
 our friend, brother, and bridegroom, clearly pointed out, that 
 it gave him peculiar joy to act as a man with mankind, and to 
 induce them to converse with him in an artless and child- 
 like manner. 
 
 In order to make this apparent to the members of the 
 church, the Count went through the Old and New Testaments, 
 quoted all the passages which speak of God's friendly, kind, 
 and gracious intercourse with man, compared and confirmed 
 the one with the other, and founded upon them the unwearied 
 exhortation to the brethren and sisters, to maintain a confiden- 
 tial intercourse with the Saviour, who has given us his word 
 that he will be with us, even to the end of the world. " No- 
 thing," he said, " ought to be so valuable to them as the con- 
 sciousness, that he was always near them, that they- could tell 
 him every thing, and that he himself could look into their 
 hearts. They ought to regard and listen to him above all 
 things ; and believe, to a certainty, that he alone was their 
 
454 FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST. 
 
 best, and dearest, and most faithful friend. He ought to be 
 their first thought, when they awoke in the morning ; they 
 ought to spend the whole day in his presence, bring all their 
 complaints before him, expect all assistance from him, conclude 
 their labours with him, and in his company retire to rest." 
 
 In the hymns and sermons of the Count, there are many 
 •expressions relative to this cordial intercourse of converted 
 sinners with their Saviour, at which some persons take oiFence, 
 regarding it as improper to converse so confidentially with 
 him. Nsjj, though I will^ngt, undertake to defen^JSyery ex- 
 pression he has used, yet this I know, that the sigful woman, 
 who lay at Jesus's feet, bedewing them with her tears, and 
 wiping them with her hair, pleaspd him better than the cold- 
 hearted Pharisee. The flame of love in the heart of an indi- 
 vidual who has found mercy, togetlier with its manifestations 
 and results, is best known to the Saviour, and he alone can 
 properly judge of it. 
 
 The Count resided at Bertholdsdorf from the heginning of 
 this year till the end of August, and was very thankful to the 
 Saviour for the work of grace which he had commenced th^re 
 amongst the brethren thirty years before, and which had now 
 extended itself with such blessed effects to many, both heathens 
 and Christians. The number of awakened individuals who 
 dwelt there, and were connected together in christian fellow- 
 ship, continually increased, and the Count permitted them to 
 attend his domestic meetings once a week : he also afforded 
 all the inhabitants of the place an opportunity of hearing him 
 In his house, and preached to them in a very heartfelt and 
 successful manner. These meetings were so numerously 
 attended, that there was not sufficient room for the auditory, 
 who assembled, not from curiosily, but with an anxious de- 
 sire to hear the gospel, of which there were many proofs. 
 Amongst the children of the place, and especially the boys, a 
 beneficial and obvious efiect was produced. 
 
 In the beginning of September, the Count removed to Great 
 Hennersdorf, to which living the Rev. Burghard George Miil- 
 ler had been recently inducted, and the Count rejoiced to find 
 there this servant of Jesus, who preached the gospel with 
 much success. He had also the pleasure of observing, that a 
 
KETURN TO HERRNHUT. 455 
 
 work of grace had commenced amongst the children in the 
 seminary, which had been removed thither from Niesky. He 
 therefore devoted part of his attention to that institutioji, 
 suffered the youths to attend his meetings, addressed them 
 separately, and had reason to hope, that in due time the 
 Saviour would select from amongst them those, who should 
 preach the gospel of his salvation to all the world ; and this 
 hope did not remain unfulfilled. 
 
 In October, he again undertook a journey to Barby ; the 
 chief object of which was, to inspect the academy there, in 
 which the youths, who had been in the seminary, received fur- 
 ther instruction. He regarded it as an institution which, 
 notwithstanding its deficiencies — ^which he did not deny — 
 would be rendered beneficial to the cause of Christ ; and be- 
 cause he was desirous that every member of it should be 
 employed in that department for which he was best fitted, he 
 endeavoured to make himself, as much as possible, acquainted 
 with each of them, according to the gift and grace inherent in 
 him. To this end, he not only gave them opportunities for 
 social intercourse with him, but induced them also to explain 
 their state to him in writing ; which they did vrith much can- 
 dour. In an address to the seminary, on the 23d of Novem- 
 ber, he copiously expressed his sentiments on the subj.ect of 
 their studies. Amongst other things, he expressly reminded 
 them, that the object of the institution was to train up indivi- 
 duals to become partakers in the work which the Lord had 
 committed to the church of the brethren. They ought, there- 
 fore, to employ the short space of time allotted them, in 
 learning those things which would be of use to them in the 
 service of the Saviour and his church, and abstain from the 
 acquisition of that which served no other purpose than to en- 
 able the individual to say, he was acquainted with it. 
 
 In the middle of Pecemher, he returned to Upper Lusatia, 
 and, with the exception of a visit to Niesky ,remained at Herrn- 
 hut, until the close of the year, in a very retired manner. 
 
 But before closing the history of the year 1756, I must 
 mention the synodal conference of the Moravian section iof 
 the Union, resolved upon during the previous year. I have 
 already stated that the Count's intention in holding it was to 
 
456 MORAVIAN SYNOD. 
 
 remind them of their vocation of grace, and what the Lord 
 and his servants expected from them. The elders, bishops, 
 preachers, and teachers, (who were Moravians by birth,) assem- 
 bled therefore on the 25th of April, when the Count opened 
 this synodal conference with an appropriate address. It 
 closed on the 14th of May, after establishing the following 
 points : — 
 
 1. That they had not to rely upon their birth as Moravians, 
 "but upon the grace of God in Christ Jesus, which had appeared 
 unto and operated in them. 
 
 2. That their vocation to be the Saviour's witnesses^ both 
 amongst heathens and Christians, and to venture every thing 
 for his sake, should be always kept in view, and that for this 
 purpose it was requisite they should prepare themselves by a 
 constant renewal of their covenant. 
 
 3. That it was therefore necessary they should abstain from 
 those things which might involve them in any thing contrary 
 to this vocation, and hinder them, in the sequel, from serving 
 the Saviour's cause, when, where, and in whatever manner he 
 pleased. 
 
 4. That as in the present time, many, even of the clergy, 
 had departed from the truth of the gospel, and had erred in its 
 principal points, the Moravian brethren, like other faithful 
 witnesses of Jesus Christ, ought to adhere so much the more 
 closely to the divine truths revealed for our salvation, and 
 boldly confess them at the hazard of their lives. 
 
 The Count having left it to the consideration of the Mora- 
 vian brethren, whether they did not find sufficient reason to 
 make their own peculiar regulations : they declared in reply, 
 that they and the rest of the Moravians did not wish to be or 
 constitute a separate confession or a peculiar constitution in 
 ;he Union. They were connected with many other children 
 of God, from whom they did not desire to separate themselves 
 even in appearance, by a constitution merely of a national 
 character. They were therefore willing to abide by the exist- 
 ing regulations, particularly as many of them were scattered 
 abroad, not only in the churches of the brethren, but also 
 amongst heathens and Christians, and for the most part in the 
 service of the Saviour. 
 
 f' 
 
ATTENTION TO WIDOWS. 457 
 
 In this union of a part of the ancient church of the brethren, 
 with the other parts of the Union, which constitute the Lu- 
 theran and Reformed sections in it, the Count was, however, 
 assiduously careful to place in a perspicuous light the differ- 
 ence between them and the relation in which they stood 
 towards each other, and to convince them of the necessity 
 of it, in order that the Moravians might not be confounded 
 with those of the Lutheran confession, nor be regarded as one 
 and the same. 
 
 The Count felt very desirous of promo ting, ibe^^iritual 
 progress of the widowed 'sTstersTand of being, according to the 
 expressiori" St J o'b7 the eye of "the widow." Hence he held 
 particular conferences with those widows at Herrnhut, and 
 amongst the Silesian churches, who were appointed to super- 
 intend the outward circumstances or inward progress of their 
 several choirs ; in which it was discussed, how one that was 
 a widow indeed, might be usefully employed in the church of 
 Christ. The Count wished that not only some amongst them, 
 but the whole choir, might become burning and shining lights 
 in the church, and be employed as they were during the 
 times of the Apostles. 
 
 The Count then endeavoured to become minutely acquainted 
 with all the widows in Herrnhut, for which purpose each of 
 them wrote him a letter respecting her spiritual state. After 
 conversing with them individually upon it, he stated, that 
 though there were a few of them who were not sufficiently 
 humbled under a sense of their sinfulness, yet the spirit 
 which pervaded them, and their state on the whole, had afforded 
 him satisfaction. 
 
 The conferences with the female assistants of the single 
 sisters began, at Bertholdsdorf about the middle of May, and 
 closed with the beginning of June : sisters from several of the 
 churches were present at them. It was thankfully acknow- 
 ledged, that since the conferences of the past year, much had 
 been placed in a more perspicuous light, and that they had 
 become more unanimous, with respect to the principles on 
 which the discipline of the choir depended. 
 
 When the new choir-house of the single sisters at Herrnhut, 
 which was completed this year, was entered upon, the Coun t, 
 
 X 
 
458 DECEASE OF THE CODNTESS. 
 
 who for ten years had devoted much attention to it, took par- 
 •ticiilar interest in its progress, gave the choir his blessing on 
 entering it, and entreated the Saviour that the v?ork of the 
 Holy Spirit might be continued uninterruptedly amongst its 
 inmates, and that many true followers of tlie Lamb might be 
 trained up in it. 
 
 The synod of the Unity, for which preparations had been 
 made the previous year, was opened by the Count on Ascen- 
 sion-day. Certain persons were nominated to furnish a 
 written statement of each of the subjects in its true bearings, 
 which required the consideration of the synod. On the ISth 
 of June, the first six sessions terminated, some of which had 
 continued until late at night. 
 
 On the 19th of June, the Count's beloved consort, who had 
 attended the first sessions of the synod, finished her praise- 
 worthy course, arid fell asleep, without any particular or 
 painful illness. Not only the church in Herrnhut, but also 
 all that were present, participated in this event so deeply, that 
 there was scarcely an individual whose eyes were not filled 
 with tears. But no one was so much aiFected as the Count 
 himself ; for he best knew what an helpmate she had been to 
 him for the last thirty-four years : yet however deeply he 
 felt her loss, he was obliged to comfort others. He could 
 not object to the many tears which were shed from heartfelt 
 affection, deserved esteem, and dutiful gratitude ; since our 
 Lord Jesus Christ had wept at the grave of Lazarus, and those 
 who saw him weep inferred from it, that he must have loved 
 him much. He reminded them, however, that the Saviour, 
 who certainly took into due consideration what was useful 
 and necessary for his church, had himself made this breach, 
 and taken her to himself. 
 
 On the 25 th of June, the remains of this handmaid of the Lord 
 were interred in the burial-ground of the church at Herrnhut, 
 of which she had been a faithful member. The funeral pro- 
 cession was solemn, and the attendance very numerous. 
 
 The Count, after this event, spent a few days at Great 
 Hennersdorf in retirement ; he then returned to Bertholdsdorf, 
 recommenced the synod, and proceeded with it so far, that, on 
 the 5th of July, he was able to close it with an address, reca- 
 
CHARACTER OF THE COUNTESS. 459 
 
 pitulating all the points which had been agreed upon, as well 
 as what had occurred since the previous synod, and showing 
 at the same time what remained to be attended to. 
 
 At the close of this synod, there were several ordinations, 
 as well as admissions to church-membership, and finally, the 
 whole of its members partook of the holy communion. 
 
 When the synod was ended, the Count had still much to 
 discuss with brethren who were returning to their several 
 stations : besides which, various conferences were held re- 
 specting North America, whither Peter Boehler was on the 
 point of returning. That country was still in a very disturbed 
 state, on account of the hostilities with the Indians : the voyage 
 to America was also not without danger, in consequence of 
 FranceandEngland being at war, and the English merchantmen 
 being in danger from the French privateers and other armed 
 vessels. The brethren, however, who were destined for that 
 country, did not suffer themselves to be deterred by these con- 
 siderations, and in the beginning of August they took their 
 departure, after receiving the benediction of the church. 
 
 Previous to the holding of the synod, brother Hokker, who,, 
 as we have already noticed, had returned from liis first voyage 
 to Egypt, proceeded again to Cairo, accompanied by brother 
 George Pilder. The Count felt induced to write again to the 
 patriarch of the Copts, from whom he had received a friendly 
 answer ; the more so, as Hokker assured him that he was a 
 man whom he loved, and whom all the brethren ought to love. 
 
 He wrote also, by this opportunity, to the Abuna of Abyssinia, 
 stating that he had felt induced to do so, in consequence of his 
 friendship with the patriarch of the Copts. 
 
 On the 30th of July, a funeral sermon was preached for the 
 Countess, in the church at Bertholdsdorf, by the Rev. Mr. 
 Miiller. She was a person of uncommon gifts and grace, and 
 her laudable qualities will ever be remembered by all who 
 became acquainted with her. She was descended from a 
 family that honoured the word of God, and loved and esteemed 
 the children of God and the servants of Jesus, even when 
 scorned by the world. She was well versed in the Holy 
 Scriptures, and held the divine truths, on which our faith and 
 walk are founded, in admirable connexion : she also possessed 
 
 x2 
 
460 CHARACTER OF THE COUNTESS. 
 
 a knowledge of other sciences. S]ie was weak in body;, bj^t 
 of strong mind a,nd.un,derstanding, and yet poss.essedj_aUhe 
 same time, childlike simplicity. Her ideas were profound, 
 and yet very animated. Her speech and phraseology in 
 writing were as measured as they were impressive, and full of 
 unction. She distinguished herself in company, and yet was 
 condescending to every one. In circumstances of difficulty, 
 she was bold and courageous, and particularly happy in giving 
 advice. In her domestic management, dhe_was very sparing 
 and economical ; but when the Saviour's cause required it, she 
 was" willing and ready to do, not only according to, but even 
 beyond her ability. Sfe^was^ble wisely to connect the past 
 vath the present, and to draw from thenceTnfer ences respec^mg 
 the future, which were generally verified : in short, she was 
 a princess of God among her people, in a patriarchal sense, 
 since she was in reality a blessing to them. Towards the 
 afflicted and distressed, she exercised a maternal compas- 
 sion, and provided for the least as well as the greatest ; so 
 that she well deserved the name of Mother, which was fami- 
 liarly given her. Her servants and dependants, however, 
 always showed her due respect. But the most valuable 
 thing that can be said of her was, that her heart adhered 
 to the Saviour with a very tender affection, and that she spent 
 her most pleasing seasons in filial and confidential inter- 
 course with him. 
 
 The kindness, wisdom, and faithfulness of God our Saviour, 
 manifested itself in an especial manner towards the Count, in 
 giving him such a helpmate. She seemed altogether indis- 
 pensable to him for the attainment of the object which the 
 Lord had in view with him. 
 
 She was not made to be a copy, but an original ; and 
 although she cordially loved and esteemed the Count, yet she 
 thought for herself, upon every subject, with so much good 
 sense, that he could treat her as a sister and a friend, and 
 really did so. 
 
 She not only divested the Count of the burden of domestic 
 and manorial affairs, but she was also a faithful, wise, and 
 useful helpmate in things which he regarded as the objects of 
 his peculiar vocation. The Lord was with her, and blessed 
 
CHARACTER OF THE COUNTESS. 461 
 
 her endeavours, when she undertook any thing for the benefit 
 of the church. 
 
 Towards her children she manifested herself as a tender, 
 ■careful, sensible, and unweariedly faithful mother. 
 
 Sometimes she caused herself painful hours, by unnecessary 
 anxiety, which afterwards, when the clouds dispersed, and she 
 saw the thing in a clear light, she herself confessed, and was 
 ashamed of it. 
 
 She could not forget the loss of her son, Christian Renatus, 
 who finished his course in the year 1752 ; and, from that 
 period, had no longer much inclination for occupying her- 
 self with outward affairs, but was like a weary pilgrim vifho 
 longs for repose. 
 
 From her hymns, many of which have been published, it is 
 evident that our Lord Jesus Christ, and his blood which was 
 shed for the forgiveness of sins, were the sole basis on which 
 she built her hopes of salvation. The doctrine of the atone- 
 ment affected not merely her understanding, but also her 
 heart, whence emanated hsr desire to serve the Saviour, and 
 to be acceptable to him. She now lives in the uninterrupted 
 and perfect enjoyment of that which he purchased for her by 
 his sufferings and death. 
 
 On the 31st of July, of the same year, her eldest daughter, 
 Henrietta Benigna Justina, received homage on succeeding to 
 the possession of Upper, Middle, and Lower Bertholdsdorf. 
 This was done by the whole of the tenantry, and those 
 who were under the protection of the lord of the manor, 
 in the presence of several noblemen connected with the 
 Moravian church, and other friends and brethren : but pre- 
 viously the Count addressed the villagers, and reminded them 
 of their homage to him thirty-five years before. At that 
 time, as now also, their temporal and eternal welfare was the 
 wish and desire of his heart ; and he was now able to thank the 
 Lord, for having manifested himself so graciously, not only at 
 Bertholdsdorf, but also in many of the neighbouring places. 
 
 The Count now reflected, how he might best profit by the 
 circumstances in which God had placed him by calling away 
 his consort. He set apart a certain time to survey, in the 
 presence of the Saviour, the thirty-four years which he had 
 
462 WRITINGS. 
 
 spent in the marriage-state. The Divine favour which he 
 had experienced during this period caused him deep abase- 
 ment. But he was still more grieved by thg faults-whickhe 
 detected in himself: for'although lie'felt conscious of having 
 liy ed in _&g. marriage-state with all fidelity, yet jLe^^^is~not, 
 on that account, satisfied with himself, because he thou^Fhe 
 had not attained to ma;ny things, which might reasgnajly be 
 expected from one who conforms himseslf in this state ^f^life 
 to the mind of Christ. He lamented over this with many 
 tears, in the presence of the Saviour, and requested his full 
 forgiveness ; and as he gladly showed himself to his confiden- 
 tial friends, such as he was, he spoke with tliem very candidly 
 concerning these faults. 
 
 With regard to his literary labours in 1756, besides the 
 daily practical and doctrinal texts for the ensuing year, he 
 also made other selections of texts for the use of the churches ; 
 and of passages from the hymns of his son, for the use of the 
 children, of which they were particularly fond ; and lastly, a 
 sipiilar collection of passages, concerning the Holy Spirit, for 
 (daily use. In this book he refers to the Holy Spirit what is 
 said in the Old Testament concerning Wisdom, which was 
 from the beginning, before the creation of the world, and 
 which is usually applied to Christ. 
 
 It does not appear that, in 1756, he published any thing of 
 a controversial nature : but, when occasion required, he did 
 not omit to explain himself upon many points in the church, 
 respecting which he was apprehensive of evil consequences. 
 
 He could not endure to hear it said of him, by any of the 
 brethren, that he was indispensable to the church, and that if 
 he were removed he could never be replaced ; and he often 
 told them that they ought not to think so. No one was 
 indispensable but the Saviour. He was compelled indeed to 
 confess, that there had been brethren and sisters in the church 
 who had something quite distinct from others in their manner 
 and usefulness, and when such individuals were taken away, 
 it was evidently seen, for years afterwards, that they were 
 wanting. But the Saviour, who has the best interest of his 
 church more at heart than any of his children and servants, 
 either leaves them as long as their services are necessary, or 
 
CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1756. 463 
 
 SO arranges it that no material injury shall arise from their 
 being called away ; and thus it would be also with respect to 
 himself. 
 
 He was, however, anxious that the number of his fellow- 
 labourers should be increased : he therefore recommended, 
 that every oiHce should be doubly filled, so that when one was 
 removed, another might immediately occupy his place. 
 
 Respecting the missions of the brethren amongst the hea- 
 then, which had commenced twenty-five years before, he 
 showed how their success was to be ascribed to God alone, 
 and not in the least to man ; since those whom God had made 
 use of for that purpose, were mostly unlearned and inexpe- 
 rienced people ; and that if all the circumstances of the case 
 were taken into consideration, we should be perfectly con- 
 vinced that their labour would have been in vain, if God had 
 not powerfully cooperated with them. 
 
 The Count ended the year with the church at Herrnhut, 
 which thus expresses itself on the occasion : — " We thus bring 
 this blessed year to a close, in which the protection of our 
 heavenly Father, in a time of brief but great terror, which 
 befell the whole country and us with it, was visibly extended 
 over us, and during which his bountiful hand graciously provided 
 for and assisted us in circumstances of outward difiiculty, in 
 which our Lord and Saviour, by his presence, comforted and . 
 rejoiced us, and the Holy Spirit carried on his work amongst 
 us." 
 
 Finally, the Count partook of the holy sacrament with the 
 church, and rejoiced in the Lord, who died for us, and shed 
 his blood for the remission of our sins. 
 
464 WAR-TIME. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 PROTECTION EXPERIENCED DURING THE WAR EPISCOPAL VISITATIONS — 
 
 SECOND MARRIAGE— JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND — ILLNESS AT EBERS- 
 
 DORF — RETURN TO HERRNHUT OFFICIAL LABOURS JOURNEY TO 
 
 HOLLAND SENDING FORTH OF MISSIONARIES CORRESPONDENCE WITH 
 
 THE PATRIARCH OF THE COPTS — VISIT TO NEUWIED — RETURN TO 
 HERRNHUT SICKNESS AND DEATH— HIS CHARACTER. 
 
 The flames of war continued to burn, both in Europe and 
 America, by which the communications were frequently 
 interrupted. The brethren had, however, reason to thank 
 God that an entire stop was not put to their correspondence, 
 and that their letters, though sometimes opened and detained, 
 always arrived at their destination ; and when the brethren, 
 in their necessary journeys, had to pass through places occu- 
 pied by the troops, no impediment was laid in their way. 
 
 The armies were encamped, in the year 1757, so near 
 Herrnhut, that on one occasion there were nearly two hundred 
 thousand men in that district ; and few days passed over with- 
 out the place being visited by considerable numbers. The 
 case was the same, in some respects, with the other churches 
 of the brethren, by which means they became well known. 
 The troops that passed through contributed also to this ; and 
 on these occasions, the brethren frequently had opportunity 
 of becoming unexpectedly acquainted with individuals who 
 were concerned for their salvation, and ^conversing confiden- 
 tially with them upon the subject. With all this, the brethren 
 experienced many of the calamities which are unavoidable in 
 times of war : but they waited, in confidence in God, the 
 result of the matter, and pursued their ordinary course. 
 The Count resided in Upper Lusatia during the most dan- 
 gerous part of the time, and continued his labours. He 
 
PRINCIPLES OF ACTION. 465 
 
 refused, however, all visits which might have caused a loss 
 of time, (which was now so precious to him,) and insisted upon 
 it, that in his house as little as possible should be said con- 
 cerning the events of the war. 
 
 Before proceeding to relate the Count's labours in the 
 church this year, I will point out some things which he always 
 kept in view, and respecting which he expressed himself 
 particularly at this period. 
 
 1. He was very anxious that no one should suffer the 
 operations of the Holy Spirit on his heart to pass over withovit 
 profiting by them, for this might be attended with the most 
 unhappy consequences. At the same time, he reminded the 
 brethren, that they ought duly to watch the period when 
 the Holy Spirit thus operates on a soul. If they did this, 
 they might be the cause of abiding fruit ; but if the people 
 were pressed with urgent admonitions, before the Saviour's 
 hour was come, the labour might not only be in vain, but 
 frequently prove injurious. They ought not, however, to 
 be negligent on that account, but follow up the matter con- 
 stantly in their minds ; adding, " thus it frequently happened 
 to me, that it was only after the lapse of some years that I 
 was able to say I had succeeded." 
 
 2. There being always people whose suitability for employ- 
 ment is not immediately observed, he proposed that such 
 characters should be sought out and called into action, espe- 
 cially if they were timid and preferred concealment. ' From 
 this measure he expected an increase of labourers in the Lord's 
 service ; and added, " I have often examined whence it is, 
 that I gladly give a preference to some particular person, and 
 bring forward individuals, on whom no one would have re- 
 flected. I then found that it proceeded from the conside- 
 ration, that the Saviour had done so much for me ; and if I 
 paid no attention to my brethren and sisters, I should be 
 ashamed of myself, and it would not only occur to me what 
 the Saviour says, ' Whatsoever ye would that men should do to 
 you, do ye even so to them,' but I should also regard myself 
 as an extremely ungratefiil man." 
 
 3. At the time of the chastisement which came upon the 
 church, and which had chiefly reference to himself, he regarded 
 
 X 3 
 
466 JOURNEY TO BARBY AND EBERSDORF. 
 
 it as the best to suffer and be silent. But after the chastise- 
 ment had been endured, and was over, he did not wish that 
 the subject should be buried, but thought it necessary often to 
 relate its history and its causes, and especially place those cir- 
 cumstances in it which did not immediately strike the eye, in 
 their proper light : for the remembrance of the chastisements 
 of the Lord ought not only to humble us in the dust, but also 
 serve as a warning for the future. 
 
 He held in January, 1757, a conference of considerable 
 length with his fellow-labourers at Bertholdsdorf ; and tra- 
 velled on the 25th to Niesky, after delivering an address to 
 the young females at Herrnhut. 
 
 From Niesky he proceeded, after addressing the several 
 choirs, to Barby, where he arrived on the 1st of February, 
 and remained till the 9th of. March ; the greatest part of 
 which time he spent in retirement, in order to go through the 
 archives, and notice every thing that had occurred during the 
 last thirty-four years. He did not, however, attend merely to 
 what was done, but also to what might and ought to have 
 been done. Being anxious to finish this labour in the time 
 he had allotted for it, he worked at it night and day : he also 
 went through several of the works of the ancient fathers, in 
 order to search for the liturgies contained in them. He would 
 have been glad to have met with more upon the merits and 
 sufferings of Jesus, from whence he deduced every thing that 
 is salutary both for body and soul ; yet still it gratified him to 
 meet so often, in the liturgies of the Greeks and Copts, with 
 /the expressions, " Thou lover of mankind! Thou friend of 
 man ! " and to see, at the same time, how frequently the 
 Eastern church referred to the incarnation of Christ. 
 
 Before his departure, he devoted some days to the Academy. 
 He afforded the brethren in it an opportunity of communi- 
 cating with him individually respecting their state, then visited 
 them, and conversed with them, to their no small gratification. 
 After having preached several discourses to them in particular, 
 and to the church in general, he set out for Ebersdorf with 
 John Von Wattewille — who had arrived not long before at 
 Barby, with others of the brethren and sisters — and reached 
 that place on the 12th of March. 
 
JOURNEY TO SILESIA. 467 
 
 The church at Ebersdorf were much rejoiced at this visit, 
 and he was anxious that it should be rendered profitable to them. 
 Scarcely a day passed in which he did not deliver an address ; 
 and he held many useful conferences with the office-bearers 
 of the church. However, he still kept himself very retired, 
 and the greater part of the ministerial labour devolved upon 
 John Von WattewiUe. 
 
 After an agreeable visit on both sides, the Count took his 
 departure for Upper Lusatia on the 19th of April. On arriv- 
 ing at Meissen, he learnt that the troops, which had been 
 quartered in that neighbourhood as well as in the vicinity of 
 Herrnhut, had all marched off : he then continued his journey, 
 and on the 25th reached Herrnhut, which was rejoicing in the 
 tranquillity that had been once more restored to it. 
 
 During his stay there, which lasted only about a fortnight, 
 he received the pleasing intelligence that the Irene, which had 
 sailed from New York in March, had safely arrived in London 
 in the beginning of AprU. This vessel' brought him letters 
 from the churches in North America, with favourable accounts 
 of their situation, notwithstanding the continuance of the 
 war with the savages ; and soon after one of the brethren, 
 named Nathaniel Seidel, arrived, on a visit to the churches in 
 Europe, and gave him information on every point. The 
 Irene was the first vessel which had arrived in London that 
 year from New York ; four others, which had set sail before 
 her, had been captured by the French, and a fifth had been 
 obliged to put back, in consequence of the damage it had 
 sustained. 
 
 Immediately after the celebration of the 12th of May, 
 which had been rendered memorable by a variety of remark- 
 able occurrences, the Count set out for Silesia, accompanied 
 by Leonard Dober and John Von WattewUle. He took Niesky 
 in his way to Gnadenberg, at which latter place the sacrament 
 was administered the day following ; and the next morning 
 early, he preached a sermon from the words, " Blessed are 
 they that have not seen, and yet have believed ;'' at which, 
 besides the congregation at Gnadenberg, many attended from 
 a distance. The first stone of a new choir-house for the 
 single brethren was laid, in the presence of the Count, who 
 
468 RETURN TO HERRNHUT. 
 
 pronounced his benediction on the intended building. After 
 delivering a homiletical address to the choir, he travelled to 
 Gnadenfrey, where he arrived on the 17th of May, after an 
 absence of ten years. He faithfully devoted the short time 
 he was able to spend there, to the church and its respective 
 choirs ; and on the 19th, laboured amongst them from three 
 o'clock in the afternoon till midnight. On the 20th, after 
 taking an affectionate leave, he again set out, and arrived on 
 the 22d in Neusalz, to the great joy of the church in that 
 place, and especially of those of its members who had not 
 previously seen him. 
 
 Being able to stay only a short time with them on this occa- 
 sion, he did not enter into all the particulars which he was 
 wont to do in other visitations, but only inspected every thing; 
 and after preaching to the church, he severally addressed the 
 different choirs, and commenced his return on the 24th. 
 
 On arriving at Niesky, he consented to be present at a 
 love-feast, instituted for the celebration of his birth-day, and 
 then went to Herrnhut, where he spent that day in retirement, 
 whilst the church remembered him before God with praise 
 and thanksgiving. 
 
 The Count devoted the month of June and beginning of 
 July to synodal conferences ; but before I say any thing 
 respecting them, I must briefly point out the circumstances 
 in which the Unity was at that time placed. During the 
 calamities of the war, in which the greater part of Europe 
 was involved, and which also affected the churches of the 
 brethren, they comforted and edified each other with the 
 word of the gospel, and always found much cause for thank- 
 fulness and gratitude to God. The Count had hitherto dili- 
 gently pointed out and impressed upon each of the choirs, 
 the divine truths which had peculiar reference to them. Thg 
 period of sifting, with which so niMiy congregatio ns had bee n 
 vlsiteB'J was liiHeed past, buJ_the_Counf co ntinued to bring it 
 to their remembrance, and thought' they had_reason,jlj¥ay s 
 to be upon their guard agamsTTKe^xtravagances which ha^ 
 occasioned it. The hostility of many individuals, wfiosoujht 
 the ruiii trf the brethren, had lost its sting, and the latter 
 began to be esteemed by their neighbours. Numbers became 
 
COKSIBERATIOKS. 469 
 
 disgusted with the continued controversial attacks upon the 
 brethren, because they found them the opposite to that of which 
 they were accused. Those of the Count's antagonists, whom 
 he looked upon as truly pious, had gradually become the weaker 
 party, having injured themselves by offering resistance to the 
 brethren : but amongst the latter themselves, and especially 
 amongst their ministering servants, many misunderstandings 
 prevailed, which required to be removed. There were also 
 things not conformable to the doctrine of Jesus, against which 
 it was requisite to proceed unanimously. In other respects, 
 an open door had been set before the brethren amongst the 
 heathen, and their labours were successful both amongst the 
 savages and the negro slaves. The Count no longer found 
 cause to complain that the brethren were too fond of making 
 proselytes ; but he bore them witness, that they heartily 
 rejoiced over many thousand souls, both amongst the Lutherans 
 and the Reformed, who cordially received and cherished the 
 gospel of Christ. The church in the Count's house, since the 
 decease of the Countess, had, for the most part, separated ; 
 which was deplored by many, because they believed (they 
 thought with reason) that his house was a seminary for 
 labourers in the Lord's vineyard. With respect to secular 
 affairs, it had been arranged, that the missions, as well as the 
 institutions for the education of youth, should each have a 
 separate deaconry ; besides which, a committee was appointed 
 for the administration of the secular affairs of the Unity in 
 general. These deaconries were already in satisfactory opera- 
 tion, but required, from time to time, a good superintendence, 
 as well as occasional improvements. 
 
 All these points were deliberated upon in the conferences. 
 The Count's " Eventual Testament," as it was called, was also 
 revised, and many explanatory remarks were added. 
 
 The appointment of a committee of intelligent, experienced, 
 and faithful brethren, to superintend the direction of secular 
 affairs, and especially of the several deaconries above men- 
 tioned, must be particularly noticed. 
 
 This Committee accordingly took in hand the affairs in- 
 trusted to its management, and transacted them with so much 
 diligence, that order was increasingly restored. It continued 
 
470 THE count's second marriage. 
 
 its labours, even after the Count's decease, until the year 
 1764, when a new regulation was made by the synod at 
 Marienborn. 
 
 In the month of June, the Count had been already one 
 year a widower, during which he had withdrawn himself from 
 many occupations which might otherwise have been imder- 
 taken. Though the disturbances occasioned by the war 
 served, in some measure, as his excuse, yet his personal cir- 
 cumstances, and particularly his being a widower, was to 
 blame for it. Now as besides his immediate fellow-labourers, 
 many of the brethren 'and sisters wished he would again talce 
 full charge, not only of the churches and their choirs in 
 general, but also of their individual members, both with re- 
 spect to their establishment and their growth in grace, as well 
 as their future employment, — the Count himself thought he 
 was no longer at liberty to continue in his frequent inactivity. 
 The conference also saw, that many desirable regulations could 
 not well be carried into effeat, if the Count remained a widower. 
 
 The Count's immediate friends having advised him to a 
 speedy marriage, and he himself regarding it as necessary from 
 ihe circumstances above mentioned, it was obvious to him 
 that, for the attainment of the objects in view, he could make 
 choice of no other person than Anna Nitschman, whom we 
 have so frequently-mentioned : for, besides having been ap- 
 pointed, twenty-seven years before, the female elder of the 
 church, which office she had faithfully filled until her voyage to 
 America, she had been, since her return, the Count's next 
 associate, with regard to the pastoral labours amongst the 
 sisters. These reasons, and a certain inward conviction that 
 it was according to the Saviour's will, and would tend to the 
 promotion of his cause, induced the Count to make choice of 
 her, in preference to any other, as his consort. 
 
 The objections against her, on account of her parentage, 
 would have had due weight with him had he been desirous of 
 being regarded by the world as a person of rank. But after 
 having detached himself from all worldly connexions, and 
 wishing now to appear merely as a disciple of Christ and a 
 minister of the church, he had more regard to his vocation, 
 than to what is customary amongst persons of rank. 
 
RESIDENCE AT EERTHOLDSDOBF. 471 
 
 There being, therefore, nothing in the 'way of this affair, 
 and so many arguments in favour of it, the Count fixed the 
 27th of June (1757), for his union with Anna Nitschman. 
 The marriage took place in his house at Bertholdsdorf, in the 
 presence of his immediate friends. 
 
 After some time had elapsed, he thought it proper to address 
 a letter to the whole of the churches of the brethren, inform- 
 ing them of his marriage, and the motives which induced him 
 to it ; at the same time requesting their benediction, and 
 assuring them, that he himself and his consort would en- 
 deavour to serve them with their whole hearts. 
 
 The Count spent the next two months at Bertholdsdorf, and 
 laboured diligently at several things. As he always remained 
 at his work until a late hour in the night, the question was 
 frequently asked, whether he could not alter this practice ? 
 But he declared that, for the time, it was impossible ; and 
 that he must be content with the inconvenience, as well as 
 the unwonted hours of labour ; and that it would be an 
 injury to the church, if its ministers should study their own 
 convenience, when circumstances required the contrary. 
 
 He was sincerely grateful for the manifold proofs of the 
 loving-kindness of the Lord, which he had experienced during 
 the oppressive season of the war, and reflected likewise on 
 the various instances of his goodness in past years ; and thus 
 there was scarcely a day that was not memorable to him, in 
 consequence of some benefit he had experienced on it, either 
 in one year or another. Thus every day became important 
 to him, and afforded him a particular opportunity for blessing 
 and praising God. 
 
 In other respects, the Count's residence at Bertholdsdorf 
 enabled him to make greater progress in the labours which 
 devolved upon him, than if he had resided in a congregation, 
 where interruption would have been unavoidable. By the 
 particularly gracious providence of God, he and his family 
 were preserved, during the most critical and dangerous period 
 of the war, from every calamity, and from all disturbance, and 
 he enjoyed with them much grace, peace, and blessing. 
 
 Notwithstarfding the pleasure he took in the prosperity of 
 the church at Herrnhut, it was evident to him that amend- 
 
472. RESIDENCE AT BERTHOLDSDORF. 
 
 ments might be made there, as well as at other places. On 
 this subject he expressed himself as follows : — " We do not 
 say, ' May God preserve us ! for we know not how things 
 will go, when we are no longer here ;' but we draw this con- 
 clusion : — If the Lord shows us so much favour, what will 
 he not show to our posterity ! " 
 
 But his particular affection for Herrnhut caused him much 
 pain, when he met with any thing there which he could not 
 reconcile with a truly christian deportment. Being there on 
 the 17th of June, with the intention of reminding the people 
 of the commencement of that settlement on that day thirty- 
 five years before, he learnt, that some time previous, two or 
 three individuals had grossly transgressed. This grieved him 
 so deeply, that he hastened home, and shut himself up for 
 some days. Soon after, he returned to Herrnhut, and preached 
 an uncommonly impressive discourse on the words, " If any 
 man be in Christ, he is a new creature." 
 
 The Count's next object was, to encourage the servants of 
 the church, and renew the conferences with the assistants, 
 which had been previously of great utiUty. 
 
 In the month of August, a new place of worship for the 
 church at Herrnhut was opened, the former one having long 
 been too small ; and a new building for the girls' school ; on the 
 occupation of which, the Count returned heartfelt thanks to 
 the Saviour, accompanied with feelings of shame, for he con- 
 fessed that he had doubted whether the building could be 
 completed during the war-time. He then blessed the children 
 on their entering it, and gratified them by a hymn on the 
 occasion. 
 
 On the 6th of September he left Herrnhut, with his con- 
 sort, on a visit to Switzerland, accompanied by his son-in-law, 
 his two daughters, Benigna and Elizabeth, and some other of 
 the brethren. On arriving at Leichnam, he heard that a 
 division of the Imperial army had been there in the forenoon, 
 at ten o'clock, and some of the Prussian troops at two o'clock 
 in the afternoon, but had again marched off, and he thanked 
 God for this providential circumstance. 
 
 In a discourse in the evening, he observed, '" that he was 
 well aware of the inconveniences of travelling ; for it was 
 
JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 473 
 
 then impossible to observe order, but things must be taken 
 as they daily and hourly occurred. Many unpleasant circum- 
 stances might happen to them, seeing that every place was 
 filled with troops. However, he had not been able to post- 
 pone the journey, because he believed the Saviour's cause 
 might be promoted by it. If it pleased the Lord to hear the 
 prayer of the brethren and sisters, and to be with him on this 
 journey, it. would be a season of rest and a Sabbath, which he 
 really required. The Lord would, perhaps, suffer him and his 
 company to travel undisturbed, as had been the case that day , and 
 this he would receive as a distinguished favour at his hands." 
 
 The next day he continued his journey, and arrived on the 
 10th at Barby, where his narrations excited much joy and 
 thankfiilness, for the mercy and faithfulness, and the wonderful 
 preservation, which the Lord had vouchsafed to the churches 
 in Upper Lusatia, whilst suffering with the rest of the country 
 from the vicinity of two hostile armies. 
 
 From Barby, he proceeded to Marienborn. The remem- 
 brance of the blissful, as well as painful seasons he had spent 
 in Wetteravia was renewed, in a particular manner, by the 
 sight of the places, which he had not visited for several years. 
 He preached there, on the manner in which the Saviour 
 governs his church, and how he guides his servants with his 
 eye, in that which they have to accomplish in his name. A 
 few days after, he proceeded further, and in October reached 
 Montmirail, where he was received with much joy, not only 
 by the aged Baron Von Wattewille, but also by other friends 
 who awaited him there. 
 
 The number of visiters increased so much, that they 
 amounted at length to sixty individuals, from various places in 
 Switzerland and the vicinity. All these caused him great 
 pleasure, because they were persons who had experienced the 
 power of the gospel in their hearts, and adorned it also with 
 their lives. He was particularly rejoiced to find an individual 
 amongst them, whose conversion to the Lord he had earnestly 
 desired seventeen years before, and whom he now met with 
 in a happy state of union with Him. 
 
 Many of the friends who visited him being accustomed to 
 the French language, whilst the Count was able to express 
 
474 JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND. 
 
 himself on religious subjects better in German, his discourses 
 and conversations were at first delivered in the latter tongue, 
 and were translated by one of the brethren, who had a com- 
 petent knowledge of both. But when no one was there to 
 act as interpreter, he first expressed his sentiments in German, 
 and then repeated them in French. He also gave each an 
 opportunity of conversing with him in private ; and conferred 
 particularly with those that had the charge of souls, on which 
 subject he communicated his sentiments. 
 
 In the beginning of November, the Count undertook a 
 journey with his company to Geneva, where he had resided 
 for some months with his domestic church, sixteen years 
 before. His intention this time was, not to visit the clergy 
 and professors there, but only some of the friends, whose ac- 
 quaintance he had made at that time, at their request ; and 
 hoped that opportunity would be afforded him of becoming 
 acquainted with other pious individuals also connected with 
 them. He therefore lodged in Beaulieu, whilst the rest of 
 his company remained in the city. His time being but 
 short, having limited it to five days, he was glad to be able 
 to see and speak with his Genevese friends a few at a time. 
 All his discourses were in the French language, and he was 
 heartily rejoiced to find in Geneva a little flock, who so 
 highly valued the doctrine of the atonement by Christ. On 
 the 8th of November, the most of them came again to Beau- 
 lieu, and took leave with many tears. 
 
 From thence he travelled to Lausanne, where he had a 
 pleasing conversation with brother James Hutton from London, 
 who was residing there. He was visited by several gentlemen 
 of the city, to their no small satisfaction. A conversation with 
 an aged minister from France, who had devoted himself, from 
 his seventeenth year, to the service of his Protestant country- 
 men, and who gave him copious intelligence of the state of 
 religion amongst them, interested him much. The Count ex- 
 pressed his deep sympathy with them, ardently prayed to God 
 for them, and felt heartily willing to promote their salvation, 
 if the Lord should make his path plain for that purpose. On 
 the 11th he returned to Montmirail. 
 
 There he remained a few days longer with his company. 
 
WRITINGS. 475 
 
 who were no less welcome there and elsewhere, than he was 
 himself. They also afforded him equal joy ; for he felt much 
 attached to such of the French as professed the name of 
 Christ and his saving doctrine, and firmly believed that the 
 Lord would cause them to become a light to others, if they 
 continued in the grace of Jesus Christ, to which they had been 
 called, and suffered themselves to be guided by his Holy Spirit. 
 He then pursued his way to Bern, where he resided with Mr. 
 Fischer, the postmaster, and where he was visited by many 
 friends, with whom he cordially conversed upon Him whom 
 his soul loved. From thence he went to Aarau, and found, 
 besides the friends who dwelt there, visiters from Lenzberg, 
 Hallwyl, and the Palatinate, with whom he likewise conversed 
 on salvation by Christ. He afterwards asserted, that he had 
 been highly gratified in having an opportunity, on this journey 
 through Switzerland, of observing how Divine grace manifested 
 itself so gloriously in the hearts of many, and added, " It causes 
 me joy when that happy number increases, but even a small 
 number ought not to occasion discouragement or hinder- 
 ance to any one : for the Saviour is as gracious to a small 
 company as to a multitude. He only seeks to possess the 
 whole heart, to which he so gladly approaches and imparts 
 himself." 
 
 Many friends from Montbeliard, Miihlhausen, Strasburg, 
 and various other places, waited for him at Basle, and he con- 
 versed with them with much affection. From thence he 
 returned through Swabia and Franconia to Ebersdorf. The 
 journey was marked by much that was unpleasant, the like 
 of wliich he had not experienced for many years ; besides 
 which, before the close of it, he fell seriously ill, yet stitl he 
 proceeded, until he arrived safely on the 9th of December, at 
 Ebersdorf. 
 
 Before he left Montmirail, he had finished the daily texts 
 and watchwords for the ensuing year. Besides which, I must 
 also notice three other treatises of the Count's in 1757. The 
 first is, " The History of the DayS of the Son of Man upon 
 Earth ;" compiled from the four Evangelists. This was only 
 an attempt, and he was so little satisfied with it, that he added 
 two sheets of amendments to the very first edition. In this 
 
476 SICKNESS AT EBERSDORF. 
 
 work, he deviates from Luther's version, and employs a more 
 modern mode of expression ; but I have not found that his 
 new translation has been so well approved of by the brethren 
 as the version of Dr. Luther. 
 
 The second is a collection of some of _his Discourses to 
 Children, during the years 1755 to 1757. Even as Luther's 
 smaller Catechism is'esteemed by many to be one of the best of 
 his works, so these Discourses of the Count to Children may 
 justly be reckoned amongst the best of his public addresses. 
 He tenderly loved the children to whom he spoke, and the 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which operated so powerfully 
 in them, excited in him much joy and thankfulness. What he 
 says to them of the happiness to be enjoyed in intercourse 
 with the Saviour, he had himself experienced in his years of 
 childhood : since then it had been unceasingly verified in his 
 heart, and he lived in it as in his element. 
 
 The third treatise I have to notice, is the " First Attempt at 
 a Chronicle of the Festivals, &c. of the Church, for the Use of 
 the Moravian Schools." He did not proceed with it, however, 
 further than the year 329 ; and therefore, to use his own words, 
 " it is only to be regarded as a specimen how, with the grace 
 and light enjoyed in the present day, ecclesiastical history may 
 be studied, treated, and employed in a brief, solid, and chrono- 
 logical manner." 
 
 But to return to the Count himself. He was compelled, 
 soon after his arrival at Ebersdorf, to lay by for awhile, on 
 account of indisposition, which seriously debilitated his 
 frame. He had also much anxiety of mind to sustain, in 
 consequence of believing that, with reference to an occurrence 
 on his journey from Switzerland, he had mistaken the Lord's 
 will. It seemed to others, as well as himself, that this sickness 
 would probably terminate in his dissolution ; but the Lord's 
 time had not yet arrived, and the crisis of the disease passed 
 over favourably, although he never fully recovered from it. 
 Meanwhile, he cordially conversed with the office-bearers and 
 teachers of the church, who frequently visited him, as circum- 
 stances permitted him, to their pleasure and profit ; and not- 
 withstanding his debility, he occasionally delivered a brief 
 address to some one of the sections of the church. Finally, 
 
CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1757. 477 
 
 he concluded this year, which had been so remarkable to him, 
 with an address to the church, and afterwards reminded them 
 of its most remarkable occurrences. " On the whole," said 
 he, " we must thankfully confess, that the Lord our God has 
 proved himself to be the shield and defence of his church. 
 We have to thank him, that the settlements still exist, and 
 have not been destroyed. He has overruled the hearts of the 
 commanding officers in both armies, so that they have per- 
 sonally inspected every thing at Herrnhut, and fully informed 
 themselves of every thing respecting the Moravian church. 
 The consequence has been, that from that time Herrnhut and 
 other settlements have continued their course undisturbed. 
 No one can indeed say what wiU happen in future ; but in the 
 mean time, we have reason to be thankful for the past." 
 
 The inference he drew from it was this : " Since the Saviour 
 renders our outward circumstances so tolerable, he certainly 
 intends that we should pay more attention to that which is within. 
 We ought now, more than ever, to make communion with 
 the Saviour our chief concern, and return love for love. Let 
 his grace be and remain with us ! With this we will close 
 the old year, and commence the new." 
 
 The Count spent the first few weeks of the year 1758 at 
 Ebersdorf. He still felt severely the effects of his illness, and 
 though he sought to collect his powers, and return to his 
 labours, he was unable to do much. 
 
 On the 11th of January, he was visited by two neighbouring 
 noblemen, and conversed with them to his own, as well as 
 to their satisfaction. The reigning Count in Ebersdorf also 
 caused him much pleasure by the kindness he showed him 
 during his visit, which was the last he ever paid there. 
 
 On the 25th of January, the Count left Ebersdorf, with his 
 company, for Upper Lusatia, and arrived on the 30th, after an, 
 absence of five months, at Herrnhut, thankful for all that the 
 church and himself had experienced up to that time. In the 
 evening he delivered a discourse, upon looking to Jesus Christ, 
 who became the sacrifice for our sins, and how present he is to 
 the poor sinner who cleaves to him by faith. 
 
478 AWAKENING AMONGST THE CHILDREN. 
 
 On the ith of February, he travelled by way of Niesky to 
 Trebns, a manorial estate, upon part of which Niesky is 
 situctted, where some of the brethren waited for him. These 
 constituted, with the company that arrived with him, his 
 domestic church for the time, and he continued at Trebus 
 until the 11th of the month. During this period he had 
 many visits, both from Niesky and Herrnhut, but remained, in 
 other respects, undisturbed, although only a short time before 
 some troops had quartered themselves there. 
 
 On the 14th of February, he arrived at Herrnhut again, 
 with his retinue, and remained there, with the exception of 
 some trifling excursions, till the middle of July. 
 / Herrnhut at that time enjoyed tranquillity, compared with 
 other places and districts, which were subject to all the cala- 
 mities of war. During the great famine, occasioned by the 
 war, not an individual at Herrnhut had to complain of want 
 or distress. The Lord blessed the labours of the brethren, 
 and enabled them, from their poverty, to assist the afflicted. 
 
 With regard to the principal point, the operations of the 
 /Holy Spirit manifested themselves very conspicuously on the 
 hearts of the members of the church, and the most lovely 
 traces of the predominating grace of our Lord Jesus were every 
 where visible. During the Passion-week, the children espe- 
 cially experienced such a feeling of the Saviour's sufferings, 
 that their passion-hymns were often interrupted by their tears. 
 From that time, a work of grace commenced amongst them, 
 which was not only continued, but became daily deeper and 
 more blessed. Many children, who had conducted themselves 
 amiss, wept for the Saviour, and felt in their hearts that they 
 could not do without him. 
 
 Although the Count heartily rejoiced at these operations 
 of Divine grace, which were so much in accordance with his 
 daily wish and prayer, yet he was no less troubled at the wants 
 and deficiencies, which he also perceived on all hands, and 
 sought their removal. 
 
 With this intention, he felt induced to seek for more assist- 
 ants to labour in the difierent choirs. He took it for granted, 
 that in a church of God, it was highly necessary to become 
 acquainted with every individual : for when this was wanting. 
 
SYNOD AT BERTHOLDSDORF. 479 
 
 much that was useful might be neglected, much that was 
 injurious retained, and the intention of the Saviour, with 
 respect to individuals, might not be attained. But the 
 choirs being some of them very numerous, the Count could 
 scarcely believe that every individual could possibly be 
 attended to in the manner he wished, under the existing 
 arrangements. 
 
 He therefore divided each choir into several classes, paying 
 attention chiefly to the difference of age. From each of these 
 classes he selected a few assistants, who were to devote a, 
 friendly and confidential attention to others ; whilst at the 
 same time, they were clearly given to understand, that this 
 was not to be regarded as a distinct oiBce, nor as a commis- 
 sion to teach others ; that they would give satisfaction if they 
 cordially loved all who belonged to their class, set them a 
 good example, and endeavoured to gain their confidence, and 
 if they paid attention to every one, and remembered each in 
 their prayers, but, in other respects, assumed no superiority 
 or authority over them. 
 
 The Count anticipated much benefit from this regulation, 
 nor were his hopes entirely frustrated. 
 
 In the beginning of April, he removed to Bertholdsdorf, 
 where he intended to hold a synodal conference. He was 
 previously visited by twelve Lutheran ministers, who had 
 assembled on the occasion of their customary pastoral con- 
 ference, and conversed with them on the discharge of their 
 official functions. 
 
 The synodal conference was commenced, under a conscious- 
 ness of the Divine blessing, and continued for several days. 
 Important resolutions were adopted, with reference to the 
 missions in Surinam and the West Indies : but the Count 
 was seized with such a serious illness, that it was impossible 
 for him to continue it. A pleurisy raged in the neighbourhood, 
 which carried off many people : but the Lord still prolonged 
 the life of the Count. He began to improve when the disease 
 seemed to have reached its height ; and as soon as ever he re- 
 covered a little, he was immediately intent on continuing his 
 labours. On the 20th of April, he sent for those members of 
 the synod who were still there, and prosecuted the business 
 
480 ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSIO^ 
 
 which required their attention. The next day he sent, for 
 some of the brethren, destined for the missionary service, and 
 conversed fully with them on their destination, and gave them 
 his hearty blessing : and thus he daily increased the business 
 he took in hand, his eageraess for which, and cheerfulness of 
 spirit, preventing him from sufficiently attending to his outr 
 ward frame, which is often more necessary after, than during 
 the progress of the disease itself. 
 
 The teachers of the Moravian churches in Silesia assembled 
 in conference at Neusalz, in the month of June, at which the 
 Count felt induced to be present, with some of the brethren 
 from Herrnhut, The inward state and outward circumstance? 
 of the churches in Silesia, and the attention to their several 
 choirs and institu,tions, formed a prominent part of the subjects 
 discussed : but the Count, besides this, spoke upon a variety 
 of subjects, which are useful and necessary for a minister of 
 Jesus Christ, in whatever circumstances he may be. 
 
 In other respects, it seemed as if he were conscious that this 
 would be his last visit to Neusalz. His addresses to the church 
 and its several choirs were uncommonly blessed. He ex- 
 pressed himself to the teachers, respecting what he found 
 requisite to mention, with an unreservedness and solidity 
 never to be forgotten. 
 
 On the 14th of June, at midnight, he left Neusalz, and 
 arrived the next day at Trebus, where he found many brethren, 
 who were afterwards joined by others from Herrnhut. Amongst 
 the latter were the members of the commission for managing 
 the pecuniary affairs of the church ; and after conversing with 
 the whole of them, he returned to Herrnhut. 
 
 On the 25 th of June, the anniversary of the presentation of 
 the Augsburg confession, a numerous company of pious people 
 from various places in Upper Lusatia, again assembled at 
 Herrnhut, for mutual edification. The Count rejoiced to see 
 so large a number of persons, who had the testimony of con- 
 tinuing true to their confession of faith, whilst striving after 
 godliness in Christ Jesus, and who quarrelled with no one 
 about ceremonies and outward rites, but were desirous first of 
 their own, and then of their neighbours' improvement. In a 
 diseourE'e delivered to them on that occasion, he confirrned them, 
 
VISIT TO HERKNHUT. 481 
 
 in these sentiments, and showed them how wisely they acted 
 in adhering to their own denomination, and in enduring, from 
 love to their Saviour and their neighbours, the privation of 
 much that might be enjoyed in a church, the members of which 
 dwelt together solely for the Lord's sake and that of their 
 salvation ; that although it was disagreeable for them to live 
 amongst so many who were not of their sentiments ; yet if 
 they evidenced their love to Jesus and their faith in his gospel 
 by their words and works, and by their whole deportment, and 
 thus became the cause of exciting in others a desire either to 
 devote themselves to the Lord, or to connect themselves still 
 more intimately with him — this would certainly be well pleas- 
 ing and acceptable in the sight of God. 
 
 About this time, the Count received intelligence of the 
 capture of the Irene by the French, and of her being wrecked 
 near Louisburg ; he was, however, much consoled on finding 
 that providentially no lives had been lost. 
 
 A second mission to Greenland being decided upon, Matthew 
 Stach, Peter Haven, and Jens Haven were dispatched thither 
 by the Count, accompanied by his blessing, and a copious 
 letter to the brethren in Greenland. Four single brethren and 
 a married couple also took their departure for Surinam, after 
 the Count, though ill at the time, had very cordially and fully 
 conversed with them. 
 
 The institutions at Great Hennersdorf, which continued to 
 enjoy, in a very especial manner, the Divine protection in the 
 midst of the disburbances of war, so that their inmates not 
 only remained safe within their walls, but were also able to 
 visit the church at Herrnhut, as often as was thought neces- 
 sary, — were also frequently visited by the Count whilst at 
 Herrnhut ; and his addresses and other efforts, for their encou- 
 ragement and edification, were rendered very useful to them. 
 On the 1 1th of July, he delivered a long address to the church, 
 in which he said all that he wished to mention, with great plain- 
 ness and in a very impressive manner. He thus concluded his 
 residence at Herrnhut for the time, the last weeks of which were 
 accompanied with the Saviour's peculiar favour and blessing. 
 
 The day following, the Count travelled from Herrnhut to 
 Kleinwelke, a small estate not far from Budissin, where the 
 
 Y 
 
482 JOURNEY TO KLEINWELKE. 
 
 awakened Wends, to whom the brethren ministered in spiritual 
 things, resided for the time. 
 
 It was now above thirty years since he had interested him- 
 self for these people, and had never ceased to remember them 
 in his prayers, and to visit them occasionally. Their peculiar 
 failings, and the difflculties which lay in the way of their con- 
 version, were not unknown to him ; yet still he believed that 
 the Saviour had thoughts of peace towards them, and expected 
 nothing else but a pleasing result. He now found a new 
 place erected for their meetings, and preached in it, for the 
 first time, to the little flock of Wends, which assembled there. 
 Having ascertained that several of them had the intention of 
 establishing themselves at Kleinwelke, and of commencing a 
 settlement there, he took occasion to express his sentiments 
 on the subject, and, at the same time, gave two warnings to 
 his hearers and their teachers. Tlie^st was, not to make 
 their nationalities and customs a preten,c,Q for ^soBediehce 
 tp the doctrine of Christ. That which was national in them 
 ought to be laid aside, if contrary to'tEe mind_of jChristj_and 
 if they were desirous of entirely belonging to him. The second 
 thing was, that they inust not cease to be a' WenHish (or Vandal) 
 church, which might be the case, if many Germans resided 
 amongst them, and if they suffered themselves to be influenced 
 by them. From fidelity to their own nation, they ought to 
 remain Wends, in order, by the help of Divine grace, to be- 
 come useful to their countrymen. 
 
 The Count then proceeded on his journey, and on the 16th 
 of the same month, arrived at Barby. Intending to remain 
 there some weeks, he commenced a daily conference with the 
 preachers who accompanied him, at which the ministers of the 
 church at Barby were likewise generally present. 
 
 On the 7th of August, several acoluths were received into 
 the Church, and a few individuals ordained ; and the next day 
 the Count, with his attendants, set out for Holland. He had 
 intended to reach Zeist previous to the 13th, but the rising of 
 the waters, which obliged him to make a great circuit, delayed 
 him, so that he did not reach that place till the 14th. 
 
 The first thing he did, was to express his sincere joy to the 
 church at the intelligence just before received, respecting a 
 
RESIDENCE IN HOLLAND. 483 
 
 certain clergyman, who had previously been an adversary, hut 
 whom the Lord had graciously made acquainted with the state 
 of his own heart, and brought to seek salvation in the wounds 
 of Jesus, and who had departed this life in the enjoyment of 
 Divine consolation. 
 
 The Count afterwards removed, with the church in his 
 house, to Heerendyk, near Ysselstein, in the hope of being 
 less interrupted there, than in a settlement where he could not 
 avoid being visited ; believing that his employment in the ser- 
 vice of all the churches required a greater degree of retirement. 
 He was also desirous of placing many practical subjects in a 
 still more conspicuous light, for the benefit of his fellow- 
 labourers, and hoped to find more opportunity for so doing in 
 a retired place, than if he resided in a settlement. Many 
 brethren and sisters being his inmates, for the purpose of 
 being prepared for the service of the Saviour in the churches, 
 at home and abroad, he besought them aU to make good use 
 of the opportunity, and profitably employ every hour, For 
 this purpose, they ought to make themselves well acquainted 
 with the Bible, and other suitable works ; and if this were 
 faithfully attended to, they would never be idle. 
 
 The Count's weak state of health compelled him, during his 
 residence in Heerendyk, to a more regular diet than he was 
 otherwise wont to observe. However, he still held three 
 meetings daily with the church in his house, — at noon, in the 
 evening, and before retiring to rest. During the rest of the 
 time, he continued assiduously at work, and the blessing of 
 the Lord was with him. 
 
 The Count was heartily rejoiced at the success of the 
 brethren amongst the heathen, which was greater than he had 
 ever expected. This induced him to hope that the Lord 
 would do still greater things, and he therefore encouraged the 
 brethren to neglect no opportunity of carrying the gospel still 
 further. For if it were possible that in every British West -India 
 island, where so many thousand heathens dwell, one or two 
 brethren could reside, who brought only a couple of poor slaves 
 to the knowledge of the Saviour, it would be worth the trouble. 
 At the same time he desired that, from amongst the converted 
 heathens, more labourers might be found to assist in carrying 
 
 Y 2 
 
484 RESIDENCE IN HOLLAND. 
 
 on the work amongst their own people ; and he doubted not 
 but that this would be the case. 
 
 Hence it aiTorded him particular pleasure, whilst residing 
 at Heerendyk, to dispatch so many of the brethren to the 
 heathen. Some went to St. Thomas, to the aid of the mission 
 amongst the slaves in that island ; others to Sharon, on the 
 Sarameca, in Surinam, where a small number of behaving 
 Arawacks had settled upon a piece of land belonging to the 
 brethren, and had entreated that teachers might be sent them ; 
 others again were destined for Antigua and Jamaica. 
 
 The Count expressed, in few words, his idea of a missionary 
 to the heathen : " Such a one," said he, "ought to seek, day 
 and night nothing else than to bring the heathen to a saving 
 knowledge of the Saviour. Let him go forth weeping, bear- 
 ing precious seed, and he will return rejoicing, bringing his 
 sheaves with him. Let the Saviour be with him, and in him, 
 and then he will have enough." 
 
 Brother Nathanael Seidel, who had been consecrated bishop, 
 for the service of the American missions, set out again on a 
 visitation to St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Jan, Antigua, and 
 Jamaica. The Count previously conversed with him in a very 
 cordial manner, and had him for some days continually with 
 him, in order that he might ascertain his ideas upon every 
 subject, and communicate his own. In a discourse which he 
 delivered before his departure, he pointed out two principal 
 things which were requisite in all such visitations. The first 
 was, that nothing was more needful for the individual who under- 
 took such a commission, than to have a heart inflamed with love 
 towards the Saviour, and that he should at the same time apiply 
 himself to his work in the spirit of poverty, lowliness, and 
 diffidence ; especially since he had to do with brethren who 
 had already passed through many trials, in which they had 
 given proof of being the faithful servants of the Lord Jesus. 
 The other point was, that the missionaries themselves, on such 
 occasions, ought reasonably to receive their visiting brethren 
 as a child whom Jesus places in their midst, even as he for- 
 merly placed a child in the midst of his disciples, and directed 
 them to learn of it. If this were observed on both sides, a 
 blessing would certainly ensue. 
 
CIOSE OF THE YEAR 1758. 485 
 
 From Zeist, which lies only four leagues from Heerendyk, 
 he had at that time many visiters, and also occasionally visited 
 them in return, although generally only for a short time. He 
 held his family meetings at Zeist as he had done in Heerendyk, 
 only with this difference, that at the former place not only all the 
 ministers, but also the different choirs of the church, visited 
 him in rotation. His chief object was to show the members of 
 each choir, how they might live contentedly and happily under 
 their circumstances, and become acceptable in the sight of 
 God. He also obtained increasing light on the subjects 
 adapted for each choir ; and was enabled, from time to time, 
 to express himself more clearly upon them. 
 
 Besides his customary discourses upon the texts and watch- 
 words for the year, he also preached at considerable length on 
 the litany of the church. The short ejaculations in it, which 
 have reference to almost every circumstance of the church and 
 its members, gave him an opportunity of pouring out his heart 
 upon many subjects ; and I have met with excellent and expe- 
 rimental thoughts and ideas in them. He did not, however, 
 terminate them that year, but continued them the next. 
 
 At the close of the year, he found great reason, as was 
 invariably the case, to thank the Lord for the benefits bestowed 
 upon himself and the church ; and he did this in the vigils 
 on new-year's eve, with heartfelt emotion : of all the points 
 which he adduced to the praise of God, I will only mention 
 the two following : — 
 
 1 . The work of Divine grace amongst the children in the 
 seminaries of the brethren, had not only been continued this 
 year, but had also increased. There was something extra- 
 ordinary in it. "The Saviour," says he, "has never ceased 
 for the last six or seven years, obviously to demonstrate, that 
 the souls of the children are as dear to him as the souls of the 
 parents : out of the mouths of babes and of sucklings he has 
 perfected praise, so that we have reason to feel ashamed of 
 ourselves. In upwards of eighty discourses which I have 
 preached to children, and which are now in print, I felt, 
 whilst addressing them, that I had to do with a church ; and 
 I spoke to them as respectfully as if I were addressing an 
 assembly of the greatest importance. Our seminaries for 
 
486 SENDING OUT OF MISSIONARIES. 
 
 children are tabernacles of God with men, and we can form 
 no idea how far this is the case till we see it." He showed, 
 on this occasion, the great mistakes which are made in the 
 bringing up of children ; and observed, that as "all honour 
 belongs to God, but to us shame and confusion of face," so 
 this is evidently the case with us, as regards our children. 
 When I consider my own deficiencies in this respect, I ought 
 at least to take the words to myself, and say, " To me belongeth 
 shame and confusion of face." 
 
 2. The gracious preservation of the Moravian settlements, 
 when surrounded by the perils of war, formed a principal 
 subject of thanksgiving. The Lord had inclined the hearts 
 of the commanders-in-chief on both sides, to spare the churches 
 as much as possible : but notwithstanding this, a variety of 
 circumstances inseparably connected with war, might have 
 caused much vexation, misfortune, and injury to the brethren, 
 if they had not been averted by the hand of God. The 
 manifold protection which the brethren, both in America 
 and Europe, had experienced that year, the Count felt the 
 more deeply, because he regarded it as a completely unme- 
 rited proof of the gracious superintendence of God with 
 reference to the brethren. 
 
 He afterwards knelt down with all that were present, on 
 entering upon the first hour of the new year, and commended 
 himself and them into the merciful hands of God our Saviour, 
 in the enjoyment of the feeling of divine peace. 
 
 In the course of the year 1759, much of an interesting 
 nature occurred with reference to the missions of the brethren. 
 The missionaries. Beck and Schuman, were residing at the 
 same time in his house, — the former had returned from 
 Greenland, and the latter from Berbice, in South America. 
 Both had it in their power to give the best intelligence 
 respecting the work of God amongst the heathen, to whom 
 they had preached Christ ; for Beck had laboured for twenty- 
 five years amongst the Greenlanders, and Schuman above 
 ten amongst the Arawacks ; and the Lord had blessed their 
 labours amongst these tribes with abundant success. Both 
 
SENDING OUT OF MISSIONARIES. 487 
 
 were on the point of returning to the churches they had 
 themselves gathered from amongst the heathen ; and the 
 Count spent much time in listening to their minutest state- 
 ments, and in making himself thoroughly acquainted with 
 every thing. They had also opportunities of encouraging and 
 strengthening themselves anew, both in the daily meetings 
 and conferences in the Count's own house, as well as by 
 intercourse with those present, and the letters and intelligence 
 from absent brethren. 
 
 The time having arrived when the brethren Beck and Hiik- 
 kel were to commence their return to Greenland, the Count 
 spoke fully with each of them in particular, commended them 
 to the affectionate remembrance of the whole church, and then 
 blessed them in the name of the triune God, on which occa- 
 sion the Saviour's presence was so perceptible that few could 
 refrain from tears. But before the missionaries sailed from 
 Copenhagen, the Count wrote to them in the kindest manner, 
 and sent them the letters which they had to take with them 
 for their fellow-labourers in Greenland. 
 
 In November of the same year, the missionary Frederick 
 Bohnisch, with his wife and two children, returned from 
 thence. The same month, brother Schuman'was dispatched 
 to the Arawacks. But on his return to Berbice, he found to 
 his grief, as the Count had apprehended, that the church 
 collected from amongst the heathen there, had sustained injury 
 during his absence, for want of sufficient pastoral care. 
 
 In September, the first missionaries were sent out by the 
 brethren to the East Indies, for the conversion of the heathen 
 there ; respecting which, I will only state the part taken by the 
 Count in that affair. 
 
 He had been informed the year before, by one of the king 
 of Denmark's ministers, that it would afford his Majesty parti- 
 cular pleasure, if some of the brethren would settle on the Nico- 
 bar islands, and endeavour to bring the heathen inhabitants to 
 the knowledge of Christ. The Count was willing to do all in 
 his power towards promoting the object, and'expressed himself 
 to that effect, in his answer to the minister above mentioned. 
 
 After some time, the Count received information, that the 
 mercantile establishments, which had been formed on the 
 
488 SENSING (SUI Ot MlSSIONAEIES. 
 
 Nicobar islands, from Tranquebar, had not proved successful, 
 because of the decease of the majority of those who took part 
 in them. This occasioned him to write to the minister, 
 stating, that this circumstance would not deter the brethren 
 from proceeding to those islands, and making an attempt to 
 see whether God would accomplish any thing by their means 
 amongst the heathen in those parts. But for this purpose he 
 took it for granted, that the brethren must have an establish- 
 ment at Tranquebar, since it was scarcely possible to com- 
 mence and continue a mission to the Nicobar islands from 
 Europe direct. 
 
 This declaration was well received in Copenhagen, and 
 hence the Count was induced to send a deputy thither, to 
 carry on the negotiation. 
 
 George John Stahlman, who was selected for this purpose, 
 according to instructions received from the Count, laid before 
 the President and Directors of the Royal Asiatic Company at 
 Copenhagen, the terms on which the brethren were willing to 
 form establishments in the Danish territories in India, and in 
 the Nicobar islands in particular. These proposals, after due 
 consideration, by the Directors of the Company, were laid before 
 his Danish Majesty, and a royal resolution was the result : — 
 
 1 . That the brethren should be permitted, in all the Danish 
 territories and places in the East Indies, the exercise of divine 
 worship, according to the order and discipline of the Moravian 
 church. 
 
 2. It will be a satisfaction to his Majesty, if, in connexion 
 with this, the conversion of the heathen, by the instruction of 
 the brethren, can be promoted ; for which purpose, they have 
 liberty to preach the gospel, freely and without obstruction, to 
 the Indians and other nations, to bring them to the knowledge 
 of Jesus Christ, then incorporate them by baptism into the 
 universal christian church, and form congregations of them, 
 according to the Moravian method and order. 
 
 3. That all the members of the settlements, to be made by 
 the brethren in the Danish East India territories, shall be 
 entirely exempt from bearing arms, and from all rnilitary ser- 
 vice whatsoever. 
 
 4. That in all judicial and other cases, where an oath is 
 
SENDING OUT OP MISSIONARIES. 489 
 
 required, they shall be at liberty, instead of the customary 
 formula, to give their affirmation or assurance in their usual 
 words. 
 
 On these and other points of the royal resolution, the Asiatic 
 Company based their letters patent, which the deputy, on his 
 return from Copenhagen, delivered to the Count, on the 14th 
 of February. 
 
 The latter, who in his youth had been incited probably by 
 the success of the missionaries, sent out from Halle to the 
 Malabars, to take the firm resolution, faithfully and cordially, to 
 promote the preaching of the gospel of Christ amongst the 
 heathen, — was heartily glad of this unexpected providential 
 arrangement, and reflected seriously upon the best manner of 
 accomplishing the Divine intention. , He therefore endeavoured 
 to make himself minutely acquainted with the brethren, who 
 offered themselves for this mission, and devoted many hours to 
 intercourse with them. Each of them also furnished him with 
 a written statement of his spiritual experience,-as well as of 
 his sentiments respecting a voyage to the East Indies, with 
 which he was well satisfied. Twelve of these brethren, 
 after having attended the festival of their choir, and received 
 the holy sacrament, set out on their journey, accompanied 
 by the blessing of the church. On the 1st of November, 
 they were followed by two other brethren, accompanied by 
 David Nitschman, who, twenty years before, had been in 
 Ceylon, and they arrived in sufficient time to join the former 
 company, although the vessel had left Copenhagen and lay at 
 Elsineur. 
 
 In the beginning of the year, the Count received another 
 friendly epistle from the patriarch of the Copts, in which it is 
 said : — " We pray for you always, as well as for all Christians, 
 and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, that he would make the 
 christian name honourable throughout the habitable globe, and 
 that he would blot out and take away from us, you, and all the 
 brethren, all sin and iniquity, in order that we may all together 
 become children of the kingdom of God. And now what we 
 desire of you, most dearly beloved brother, is, that you- would 
 send us your confession of faith, concerning the Trinity and 
 Unity of God, the incarnation of the Son of God, his cruci- 
 
 Y 3 
 
490 SENDING OUT OF MISSIONABIES. 
 
 fixion, resurrection, and ascension." He adds, in the postscript, 
 " Send us also your entire history, that we may know some- 
 thing certain respecting you and your aifairs, — ^what kind of 
 Christians you are, and from what christian nation you are 
 descended. We expect this without fail. May the great God 
 preserve you carefully by his right hand! Amen." 
 
 The brethren Hocker and Pilder, who had frequent oppor- 
 tunities of seeing and speaking with this patriarch in Cairo, 
 gave, in their letters, still further accounts concerning him, and 
 requested that an early reply might be sent him. 
 
 The Count was much pleased with this letter, and stiU more 
 with the manner in which the patriarch expressed himself to- 
 wards the two brethren. He therefore prepared, without delay, a 
 copious letter to the former : the first part of it contained the 
 chief points of the history of the brethren, in which the Count 
 could not avoid mentioning many things respecting himself, as 
 well as of the principles of the brethren and their mode of 
 acting founded upon them : in the second part, he gave the 
 patriarch an idea of the doctrine of the brethren, as well as 
 their peculiar mode of teaching. 
 
 The brethren Hocker and Pilder having, meanwhile, com- 
 menced their journey to Abyssinia, he took measures for 
 procuring a translation of his reply into Italian or Arabic, and 
 for sending it to the patriarch. But on receiving intelli- 
 gence that the brethren above mentioned had been obliged to 
 desist from their purpose, in consequence of having suffered 
 shipwreck, which compelled them to return to Cairo, he sent 
 it thither, in German, where it was translated into Arabic by 
 brother Hocker, and presented to the patriarch, together with 
 the original. 
 
 As the disturbed state of the country, in consequence of the 
 continuance of the war, prevented the assembling of a general 
 synod, the Count thought it necessary to make every prepa- 
 ration for holding one, as soon as peace should be concluded ; 
 and this was the object he had in view, in the preparatory 
 conferences he held in June and December with his fellow- 
 labourers. 
 
 On the 11th of July, the Count terminated his residence at 
 Heerendyk, respecting which he stated, that he had spent a 
 
VISIT TO NEUWIED. 491 
 
 pleasing and blissful season there, even as it respected his 
 labours. The state of his own heart, he mentions in the 
 following words : — " My daily meditation is, O that I might 
 please my suffering Lord, who became a martyr for me ; the 
 faithful friend whom my soul lovetti ; the God who is my joy 
 and delight ! O that I might please him, — that my path were 
 right in his sight, my mode of thinking according to his mind, 
 my converse lovely, and my deportment to his honour ! May 
 my soul and every member of my frame testify to my union 
 with him, to a soul become one spirit with him, to members 
 that are in reality become his ! O that every thing which has 
 the slighest appearance of detaching me from him, may become 
 horrible and disgusting to me !" 
 
 On the 9th of August, the Count set out for Neuwied, on a 
 visitation to the church in that place. The latter had suffered 
 much that was painful, during that and the former year, from 
 having the French quartered upon them, but had not on that 
 account retrograded in their spiritual course ; on the contrary, 
 they had made progress, and it was evident that the Saviour 
 blessed them. The Count's visit was very acceptable, and 
 caused them much pleasure. He arrived at Neuwied on the 
 13th of August, soon afterwards met the whole church, and 
 spoke, amongst other topics, of the grace which had been 
 poured out that day thirty-two years before, on the church at 
 Herrnhut, which was at that time not so numerous as the 
 church in Neuwied. 
 
 The kind disposition of the reigning Count towards the 
 church, of which the latter had received various proofs that 
 year, was duly estimated by him ; and whilst attempting, in 
 his visits to the Count, to preserve him in these sentiments, he 
 recommended the brethren by no means to render themselves 
 unworthy of them. He delivered several addresses, both in 
 French and German, to the church generally, and its several 
 choirs, and held conferences with the ministers ; in which he 
 recommended them to be very cautious, with respect to those 
 whom they admitted into the church and to the holy sacrament ; 
 because, if people were admitted to that ordinance, who were 
 not heartUy devoted to the Saviour, the results would be per- 
 nicious both to the church and the people themselves. 
 
492 DEIIVERANCE^ EXPERIENCED AT NEUSALZ. 
 
 It also aiforded him pleasure, that, during his residence at 
 Neuwied, a considerable number of friends from the Palatinate, 
 Alsace, Switzerland, and the country of the Grisons, came to 
 visit him, and it was seen that the Lord bestowed a par- 
 ticular blessing upon them. 
 
 The visit andintercourse with one individual in particular, 
 with whom he had been acquainted for thirty years, and who 
 loved the Count as cordially as he was beloved by him, afforded 
 him uncommon pleasure : for although the other was overbur- 
 thened with state affairs, and in that respect was a great man, 
 yet he had excellent views respecting the cause of God, the 
 brethren's chief concern. Our Lord Jesus Christ being the 
 sole ground of friendship between the Count and this worthy 
 man, it was not rent asunder by the decease of the former ; 
 for love never ceases. 
 
 After accomplishing his object in Neuwied, the Count re- 
 turned to Zeist, where he arrived on the 8th of September. 
 His labours in the church at that place were so visibly blest of 
 God, that it might be regarded as a peculiar and gracious 
 visitation of the Saviour to the church in Zeist. He also 
 expressly stated, on taking his leave, that he could depart from 
 Zeist well satisfied with respect to it. 
 
 On the 24th and 25th of September, the Count received the 
 intelligence of the gracious deliverance which the good hand 
 of God had effected for the church at Neusalz, the members 
 of which, after having been long in a state of extreme anxiety, 
 and completely plundered of their property, were in danger 
 of being consumed in the flames, in consequence of their houses 
 having been set on fire ; but were so wonderfully rescued, that 
 not a single individual lost his life. 
 
 On this occasion, the Coimt expressed himself as follows : — 
 " I am firmly convinced, that every thing which our Saviour 
 does, is deserving of thanks. Our first thought on hearing 
 intelligence, of whatever nature, ought to be, Thanks and praise 
 to God ! this wiU prove another masterpiece of his faithfulness. 
 /Jfjwe^re unable to render thanks, it is best to be silent, until 
 we are able to acEri6wIe3geTIie~}i3enty'aild" vrafider-working 
 power of God in this new instance." 
 
 These being his principles, he could never bear such events 
 
RETURN TO HERRNHUT* 493 
 
 to be wri tten or spoken about, in _sjich_£Ljar.a5Laa-.iiaLi2_eXcite 
 prd§eja4-thanksgivI^lo]Goi_k!^^ angSLAgmmUhose 
 who had caused them, an^_yexatiqn at the loss sustained^or 
 _aome^ other feeHng of the kind. And because, in this instance, 
 this had been done, contrary" to a christian spirit, he expressed 
 his sentiments upon the subject with great warmth, and sent 
 a serious warning to all the churches, to avoid every thing of 
 the kind in future. The circumstance itself, that all the 
 brethren and sisters, small and great, had been, by God's 
 visible help and protection, delivered out of the hands of 
 those who had cruelly treated so many, even of the most re- 
 spectable people, or carried them away captive, struck him 
 very forcibly, and he sent a circumstantial account of it to all 
 the churches. 
 
 MeanwhUe, the provision for the exiles from Neusalz was 
 so easily made by the kindness of the brethren, that the thing 
 was already done whilst the Count was reflecting upon the 
 means of accomplishing it. 
 
 After the Count had solemnized the 13th of November, in 
 Zeist, as a memorable day for the Moravian church, he set out 
 with his retinue for Barby, and arrived there on the 24th. 
 He there prepared the watchwords and texts for the ensuing 
 year ; and, after residing nearly a month at Barby, and making 
 himself acquainted with every person and circumstance there, 
 he took his departure, on the 19th of December, for Upper 
 Lusatia. 
 
 He arrived at Kleinwelke, on the 22d, and found the 
 
 church there still full of thanksgiving and praise for the gracious 
 
 preservation they had experienced that year, from the dangers 
 
 to which they were exposed by the war. The Count remained 
 
 a few days there ; partook of the sacrament with the church, 
 
 gratified them by a public address, and then proceeded to 
 
 Herrnhut, where he arrived on Christmas eve : he kept the 
 
 vigils with the children, and on calling upon them in the 
 
 words, — 
 
 " Help me to praise our gracious God, 
 Ye little children dear !" 
 
 they responded by singing the most animating verses and 
 hymns. 
 
494 CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1759. 
 
 During the following days, he delivered several homiletical 
 addresses to the different choirs ; and gave permission to the 
 brethren and sisters to visit him, who accordingly came in their 
 several choirs, in rotation, to salute and welcome him. On 
 the 31st of December, he kept the customary vigils with the 
 church, at the close of the year ; on which occasion) he recalled 
 to their remembrance whatever of a remarkable nature had 
 befallen the united churches during the year, with gratitude 
 and thankfulness to God. He then, in a heartfelt prayer, 
 commended himself and the church to the love of the Saviour, 
 the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and the blessing of the Father, 
 and wished that every thing might be removed which might 
 interrupt the prosperity of their souls, and the Lord's pleasure 
 in them. 
 
 I now come to the year in which the only wise God con- 
 ducted his faithful servant to his eternal rest. It cannot be 
 said that the Count had any obvious presentiment of it, or any 
 certainty in his heart with respect to his approaching dissolu- 
 tion. In this respect, the ease was the same with him as in 
 many other instances, concerning which he expresses himself 
 as follows : — 
 
 " In order that we may go forwards in our simplicity, the 
 Saviour does not suffer us to know beforehand much of what 
 he is about to do with us. He guides us gently from one day 
 to another, and when he perceives that a matter must be brought 
 up out of the depth of his providence, for which we naturally 
 could not prepare ourselves, he conceals the thing from us, 
 and does not suffer the idea of it to occur to us." 
 
 He drew no inference from the weakness which his last 
 illnesses had left upon him, with respect to his speedy dissolu- 
 tion ; partly because he thought, with many physicians, that 
 most diseases tend rather to prolong than to shorten life ; and 
 partly because it was evident to him, that God had numbered 
 the days of all mankind, and especially of his children and 
 servants, and that none of them leave this world before the 
 time appointed by him. He felt, however, a constant longing 
 to depart and to be with Christ ; and it was only the heart- 
 felt and intimate fellowship he enjoyed with the Saviour, and 
 
REPIECTIONS. 493 
 
 the joy he experienced in the house of the Lord, that is, the 
 church of Jesus Christ, which rendered this longing tolerable 
 to him. Respecting this, he expressed himself as follows : — 
 " If we are always hoping that the Saviour wUl soon come, and 
 receive us into his rest, it is a noble, blissful, tender, captivating 
 thought. Where this hope and longing becomes habitual and 
 natural to a people, it makes them in reality the people of God, 
 it gives them the character of a family of Christ, which every 
 year approaches nearer to him, and meanwhile feasts upon his 
 merits, until they depart, to see him in wlwm they have be- 
 lieved, and to whom they have joined themselves." 
 
 It would, however, almost seem, on a retrospective glance, as 
 if he had perceived or been aware of something of the kind, and 
 that he should soon finish his course here below ; for he pur- 
 sued his occupation in such a manner, as a servant of Christ 
 would do who had still much to accomplish, and little time for 
 that purpose. At the very beginning of the year, he expressed, 
 in few words, that to which his heart and niind were directed 
 with regard to his preaching. He wished to tell the world, 
 with reference to the adoration due to the name of Christ, that 
 his creatures should learn to pray on their knees, Christ have 
 mercy upon us ! and in the church, he intended to discourse 
 first of grace, and then of judgment. (Psalm ci. 1.) "The 
 great object in our churches," said he, " should be daily to 
 receive, with all humility, the grace which the poorest sinners 
 obtain ; to live simply upon grace, and to establish ourselves 
 in it so firmly, as to be nothing but children of grace, and 
 saved by grace ; in order that when once we come to him, and 
 though we had been ever so faithful in his service, and had 
 laid aside all evil, and until the end of our days had ceased to 
 sin against him, — we may not think of our goodness or piety, 
 but regard ourselves as poor sinners, who are admitted into 
 heaven solely because of the ransom which he has once for all 
 paid for our souls. Thus, one half of our theme treats of 
 grace, and this is the main point ; the other is called judgment 
 or justice ; by which the statutes of the sanctuary are to be 
 understood. The Saviour makes of poor sinners, who have 
 obtained forgiveness through his blood, saints who know how 
 to preserve their members in sanctification and honour, and to 
 
496 OFFICIAL LABOURS. 
 
 direct every thing that occurs in this life to his glory and his 
 praise, and to the joy and honour of his house. The Holy 
 Spirit is unwearied in two things ; first, in daily glorifying 
 the Saviour and his atonement in the souls upon whom he 
 labours ; and secondly, in establishing and regulating the ordi- 
 nances of the sanctuary, and appointing faithful men for this 
 purpose, who may watch over and preserve them, and com- 
 municate them to their brethren. 
 
 Soon after the beginning of the year, the Count commenced 
 a conference with his fellow-labourers, to which others also 
 were admitted, who were destined for the Saviour's service, 
 in which his chief intention was, to extend and render more 
 universal the unanimity of the servants of the Unity, with' 
 reference to those fundamental principles which had stood the 
 test of many years' experience, in the accomplishment of the 
 work of God intrusted to them : in order to which, he pro- 
 cured the printing of an " Extract from the Conference 
 Minutes." 
 
 Besides the above-mentioned larger conferences, he also 
 conferred almost daily with those of his fellow-labourers, 
 whom he was wont to consult respecting the whole of what 
 was committed to him. In the latter, many resolutions were 
 adopted either concerning the church, the various institutions, 
 missions, offices, &c., in general, or certain persons or things 
 in particular. On being reminded of the carrying into effect 
 the things resolved upon, he replied, " Now is the time to adopt 
 resolutions ; the time will also come when they will be carried 
 into effect." 
 
 He also again visited, this year, the conference of minis- 
 ters in Upper Lusatia, to their mutual satisfaction. Those 
 Lutheran preachers were called to mind, who were known to 
 the brethren as faithful witnesses of our redemption through 
 the sacrifice of Christ. It was found that their number was 
 considerable, on which, thanks were rendered the Saviour on 
 their account, and they were commended to his favour. 
 
 Towards the end of January, his beloved children John and 
 Benigna VonWattewille, returned from England, whither they 
 had proceeded from Holland the previous .August, and re- 
 mained with him at Herrnhut ; excepting that his son-in-law. 
 
OCCURRENCES AT HERRNHUT. 497 
 
 who had held a visitation to all the Moravian churches in Eng- 
 land, Wales, and Ireland, took a journey for the same purpose 
 to Silesia. 
 
 It was not only known to the Count, but also to many of 
 the brethren, that John Von Wattewille differed from his fa- 
 ther-in-law in some things, and acted from other views : but 
 notwithstanding this, they had continued all this time united 
 in heartfelt affection, and both laboured with equal fidelity for 
 the same object. But for some time previous to this, the Count 
 had found more to object to in his son-in-law, and occasionally 
 expressed his anxiety respecting it to others of the brethren. 
 During their present intercourse, these differences were re- 
 moved, and the Count felt such confidence towards him, that 
 he concealed nothing from him, which he had in his heart. 
 He even revealed the faults to him, of which he knew himself 
 to be guilty, with a degree of candour uncommon from parents 
 to children. This he did partly with the faithful intention of 
 warning him against such mistakes, and partly from an incli- 
 nation to show himself to his imnjediate assistants just as he 
 was. 
 
 At the close of the month of March, Bishop Seidel ar- 
 rived from his visitation to the English and Danish West India 
 islands, and brought back with him brother Caries from 
 Jamaica, and brother Haberland from Pennsylvania. They 
 had not only been in imminent danger of being captured by 
 privateers on their voyage, but also experienced such a dread- 
 ful storm, that the vessel seemed on the point of sinking ; they 
 had, however, been graciously rescued and preserved from 
 both. The Count's joy at their arrival was so great, that he 
 immediately led them about himself, that others might also 
 participate in his joy. 
 
 With equal feelings of pleasure, he also received brother 
 John Toltschig, one of the five Moravians who arrived in 
 Herrnhut in the year 1724, just at the time when the first 
 stone was being laid for the meeting-house there. He arrived 
 with his wife, after an absence of upwards of twenty years, 
 which he had spent partly in America, and partly in England, 
 Holland, and Ireland, in the service of the Saviour. The 
 Count himself showed him every thing that had been built 
 
498 OCCURRENCES AT HERRNHUT. 
 
 and set on foot during their absence, and mentioned to theifl 
 at the love-feast in the evening, from memory, the names of 
 the brethren and sisters in all the choirs, whom they had for- 
 merly known in Herrnhut, three-fourths of whom had already 
 left this world. 
 
 He was also particularly delighted with a letter from a 
 female assistant in North America, who shortly after the date 
 of it finished her earthly course. I insert it, in order that it 
 may be seen what kind of things caused the Count more joy 
 than can be described. For whenever he received such a letter, 
 he read it with such heartfelt delight, and so many tears of 
 thankfulness and joy, and his lips overflowed in such a man- 
 ner with the praises of God, that it was clearly evident what 
 was his chief desire and concern in this world. The letter is 
 as follows : — 
 
 After stating the connexion of her heart with her Saviour, 
 she says, " I feel that I am a sinner, and a miserable creature 
 in his sight ; and yet he has regarded me with a favourable eye, 
 and caused me to experience his peace, respecting the whole 
 of my conduct in the church. He is my propitiation. He 
 has taken possession of my heart, and will retain it ; and thus for 
 the time, I am truly blessed, and delight in his nearness to me, 
 and feast myself upon his sufferings for me. Gladly would I 
 become meet for him, that he might soon take me to himself. 
 I often weep, on this account, before him in a child-like man- 
 ner, and feel a longing desire after him. However, as much 
 as in me lies, I will most gladly spend my days and hours 
 amongst his and my people, for his sake, and to his joy and 
 glory. For this purpose, may he often sprinkle me with his 
 blood, and keep me, like Mary Magdalen, at his feet. 
 
 "With regard to my sisters, they are all happy and con- 
 tented, and my deai- Saviour has latterly manifested much 
 favour towards them. We have recently vowed at Jesus's feet, 
 to be faithful in our love to him, and feed every day upon his 
 sufferings ; and then also to love each other in a truly artless 
 manner, and associate confidentially together, as we were 
 formerly in the habit of doing. We earnestly wish that the 
 Saviour would restore the ancient simplicity amongst us. 
 For a time, there was something wanting amongst us, which 
 
OCCURRENCES AT HERRNHUT. 499 
 
 has often made me weep in the presence of my dear Lord : 
 but now we feel his lovely nearness even in that respect 
 amongst us, and the Holy Spirit draws every heart which was 
 stiU backward. I can also say respecting the female assistants 
 in the country, that they would gladly cause the Saviour joy 
 in every respect. Their labours are blest amongst the souls 
 committed to their charge ; they themselves experience a 
 growth in grace. With respect to those of us, in similar 
 offices here,- we love each other cordially, and assist each other 
 as well as we are able ; and thus success attends our labours, 
 and none of us find them too difficult. Our children's semi- 
 naries also prosper, and they are as a beautiful garden of 
 our dear Lord. My heart melts when I contemplate their 
 growth in grace." 
 
 The more the Count made himself acquainted with the 
 spiritual state of every member of the church, the more im- 
 portant appeared to him the purposes of God with reference 
 to them, and the grace which so powerfully manifested itself 
 in them. He acknowledged, also, with much thankfulness, 
 that the Lord had graciously given him so many fellow- 
 labourers, who not only evidenced that they were servants of 
 God in the church of Christ, but also approved themselves 
 as children of God. He thought, however, that the labourers 
 were too few, and that their number ought to be increased, and 
 wished also that his fellow-labourers should make themselves 
 increasingly acquainted with the Saviour's will, increasingly 
 exercise themselves in the ways of the Lord, become more 
 confidential one with another, harmonize more in every respect, 
 be more indefatigable in their labours, more watchful against 
 every evil thing which would seek to insinuate itself, more 
 courageous in adversity, more cautious in times of peace, more 
 intimate in intercourse with their Lord, more obedient to the 
 voice of the Holy Spirit, more mistrustful of themselves, more 
 compassionate towards the poor and the needy, more powerful 
 and experienced in the doctrines of the Bible, more ardent in 
 love to the Saviour, and more faithful and steadfast in all 
 their ministerial labours. 
 
 He reflected much, about this time, on the painful events of 
 the last ten years, but did not introduce the subject into his 
 
500 OFFICIAl LABOURS. 
 
 public discourses. The doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ 
 expelled all allusion to them. But he frequently expressed 
 himself respecting them in conversation, as well as in confer- 
 ences with his assistants. 
 
 He had, meanwhile, resolved to institute a solemn thanks- 
 giving festival, and on that occasion to bring forward every 
 thing in connexion, which the Lord had hitherto done for the 
 brethren, both generally and particularly. He felt assured 
 that the younger members of the church would receive such 
 an impression from it as would remain indelibly impressed 
 upon their hearts during their whole lives : but because he 
 wished to wait for the accomplishment of some things, which 
 were not yet fully completed, in order that he might have 
 every thing together, which had reference to the whole affair, 
 this festival was not celebrated during his lifetime. 
 
 The last work which the Count prepared for the press was 
 the daily texts and watchwords for the year 1761. He was 
 occupied with this and other labours until the beginning of 
 May, when he made arrangements for another journey to Zeist : 
 but his consort was taken so ill, that it seemed probable she 
 would soon finish her course. But he was beforehand with 
 her, and left her a widow, though only for a very short time, 
 for she followed him the same month. 
 
 " On the 5th of May, the Count, although he had slept little 
 the previous night, completed the work he had assigned him- 
 self for the forenoon, with equal precision and pleasure, ex- 
 claiming, "Now rest is sweet." He sat at table for the last 
 time, but ate scarcely any thing, and complained of extreme 
 thirst. In the afternoon, he composed an instructive ode 
 for the festival of the unmarried sisters, and was also 
 present at their love-feast, but was soon after compelled 
 to retire to bed. His physician found that he was attacked 
 by a violent catarrhal fever, which produced great debility. 
 He conversed that evening with his three daughters, and 
 some other individuals of his household, in a very confidential 
 and pleasing manner. He said to them, vrith reference 
 to his illness, that when formerly unwell, he had always 
 minutely inquired into the cause of his iUness, and what the 
 Lord intended by it ; and as soon as he had ascertained it, he 
 
THE count's last hobes. 501 
 
 always preferred revealing it to his intimate friends, to the 
 keeping it to himself. He knew that the Saviour was not 
 opposed to our openly presenting ourselves before his children 
 as poor sinners, and it always rendered the chastisement 
 lighter. Thus he had acted during the whole of his life, and 
 had aiways asked forgiveness of his adversaries, as soon as he 
 found that he had erred respecting them. Nor had his open- 
 ness, in this respect, suffered injury, by their frequent abuse of 
 it ; for the Lord knew how to raise his people again to honour. 
 This time, however, he felt assured that the Saviour had no 
 such intention in his sickness. He was inwardly very cheerful, 
 and entirely resigned to the Lord. 
 
 He passed the night almost without sleep, which debilitated 
 him still more, but his spirit continued in its wonted activity. 
 He was accustomed, when ill, to have read to him the letters 
 that were received, and the answers that were returned, and 
 this was the case likewise that day. He revised the watch- 
 words for the year 1761, and listened to the latest intelligence 
 which had arrived from the various churches and missions, 
 and at which he expressed his satisfaction. 
 
 The next night his illness increased ; he was unable to 
 obtain any sleep, and the physician began to be apprehensive 
 of a fatal result. An incessant cough rendered speech diffi- 
 cult ; yet still he expressed his pleasure at the presence of his 
 oldest and most intimate friend. Baron Frederick Von Wat- 
 tewille, and Count Henry XXVIIIth Reuss, both of whom 
 conversed with him in a pleasing manner. The ministers of 
 the church took it in turn to be with him, and he received 
 each of them with the tenderest aiFection. 
 
 The following night he was also extremely friendly and 
 kind towards the brethren who sat up with him, but was too 
 weak to sleep, and his frequent slumbers lasted scarcely longer 
 than a minute at a time. Notwithstanding this, he was more 
 cheerful on the 8th than during his whole illness. Whoever 
 came to him, was received most affectionately. " I cannot 
 express," said he to his son-in-law, and others who were 
 present, " how much I love you all. I am now in my element. 
 We are together like angels, and as if we were in heaven." — 
 " Could you have thought it," said he to one of the company. 
 
502 THE count's last hours. 
 
 " that the prayer of Christ, ' that they all may be one,' would 
 be so blissfully fulfilled araongst us 1 " Whilst speaking on 
 this subject, the greatest kindness and love shone in his 
 countenance. He then called to mind many who had already 
 entered into the joy of their Lord, and calculated how many 
 of his acquaintances and friends had joined the church above. 
 He mentioned also, on this occasion, the blissful dissolution of 
 the Countess Louisa of Solms. 
 
 In the afternoon, he sent for brother Lauterbach, who 
 used to assist him in his writings, and applied, with much 
 satisfaction and admirable presence of mind, the last hand 
 to the correction of the last month of the watchwords for 
 the following year, and also altered many things in the 
 collects. 
 
 Soon after, he began gratefully to call to mind what great 
 things the Lord had done to his church, through his instru- 
 mentality, during upwards of thirty years, and all that had been 
 accomplished since that period. He recounted them one after 
 another, and said to one of those who were his first associates, 
 and to others present, " Did you suppose, in the beginning, 
 that the Saviour would do as much as we now really see, in 
 the various Moravian settlements, amongst the children of 
 God of other denominations, and amongst the heathen ? I 
 only entreated of Him a few first-fruits of the latter, but there 
 are now thousands of them." He blessed and praised the 
 Lord for this and so many other unexpected blessings, with a 
 grateful and humble heart. 
 
 With the same pleasure and cheerfulness in which he spent 
 the last day of his earthly pilgrimage, he also passed the last 
 night of his earthly life. He conversed much with his 
 Saviour, and also wrote and laboured much. The affairs of 
 several of the brethren lay near his heart. He inquired 
 after them by name, and remembered all those with whom 
 he wished to have spoken : in short, all those things in 
 which he had hitherto been engaged, were perfeclily present 
 to his mind. 
 
 With respect to his disorder, it seemed the evening before, 
 as if it would cause an outward eruption ; but at midnight it 
 was perceived that his tongue refused its ofHce, a violent 
 
THE count's last HOURS. 503 
 
 attack of phlegm occurred, which, however, passed off in a 
 few minutes. Speech also returned towards morning, and he 
 heartily thanked the Saviour for being still able to speak. 
 
 Very early on the 9th of May, he said, in a faint voice, to a 
 person who came to visit him, " I am well satisfied with the 
 ways of my Lord : he has special thoughts of peace concern- 
 ing his disciple ; but you do not think so at present. I think 
 T have almost done with you ; you know my sentiments, if I 
 should now be taken home." He was not then able to say 
 any more. 
 
 Soon after, John Von Wattewille was called, who, at his 
 request, took his seat close by his bed-side, because he could 
 not speak sufiiciently audibly. He said to him, " Now, my 
 dear son, I am going to the Saviour, I am ready, I am qiiite 
 resigned to the will of my Lord, and he is satisfied with me. 
 If he is no longer willing to make use of me here, I am quite 
 ready to go to him ; for there is nothing more in my way." 
 He then briefly regulated some affairs with him, respecting 
 which he was the most anxious, and which he enjoined him 
 to expedite. 
 
 Baron Frederick Von Wattewille and David Nitschman 
 came soon after ; he received them very tenderly, and con- 
 versed with them : but his voice became again so faint, that 
 they were able to -understand very little. He then sent for 
 his children ; but before they arrived an apoplectic seizure 
 had deprived him of speech. He looked at them in the kind- 
 est manner, saluted them, and blessed them. 
 
 Meanwhile, nearly a hundred brethren and sisters had 
 assembled in the room where he lay, and the adjoining 
 apartments. The disciple of Jesus, now about to depart, 
 looked a few times around him with a kind and indescribably 
 cheerful countenance, which was answered by the affectionate 
 tears of those present. His parting look was uncommonly 
 expressive and serene. Towards the end of the ninth hour 
 of the day, he reclined his head upon his pillow, his eyes 
 closed of themselves, and he ceased to breathe. 
 
 His son-in-law accompanied the departing spirit with the 
 words, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." 
 The peace of God was powerfully felt by all present, and 
 
504 THE coukt's decease. 
 
 many an ejaculation was heard expressive of the wish to 
 follow him. 
 
 At three o'clock in the afternoon, the whole church assem- 
 bled in their place of worship, when John Von Wattewille 
 informed them of the dissolution of this man of God, who will 
 ever be had in remembrance by the whole Moravian church, 
 and also related the particulars of his illness and decease. 
 Prayer closed the solemnity ; but words were soon exchanged 
 for tears, and they were suffered to speak alone. 
 
 On the 10th of May, in the forenoon, the body was clothed 
 in the gown he was wont to wear in the exercise of his 
 ministerial functions, and having been placed iij a coffin, covered 
 with violet-coloured cloth, in the saloon of his house, was visited 
 by the whole congregation, according to their respective choirs, 
 beginning with the youngest children. Towards evening, the 
 coffin was closed ; but not an hour passed, during that and the 
 following day, in which companies did not assemble round the 
 cofiin, who conversed upon the fellowship with the church 
 above, and sung at intervals suitable hymns. 
 
 The 14th of May was fixed for the funeral. In the fore- 
 noon, the cofiin was brought into the place of worship ; around 
 it sat six brethren, who were relieved every hour by others 
 The organ, and other musical instruments, performed soft and 
 soothing music, whilst many came as spectators of the scene. 
 A great number of strangers, of all ranks, from the neighbour- 
 ing towns and villages, as well as of the soldiers of the imperial 
 army then in the vicinity, assembled early to witness the 
 funeral. Every one was permitted to enter the place and 
 view the body. Many afterwards asserted, that they not 
 only experienced a feeling of awe on entering the place, but 
 also that they left it with such a profound impression as they 
 shall never lose. Between ten and eleyen o'clock, a lieutenant, 
 with a company of imperial grenadiers, which General Von 
 Beck, the Austrian commander-in-chief at Zittau, had sent, 
 in order to prevent disorder during the funeral procession, 
 entered the place with martial music. The object of this was 
 so fuUy attained, that not the smallest impropriety occurred, 
 but every thing took place in the greatest silence and the most 
 beautiful order. 
 
THE FUNERAL OF THE COUNT. SOS 
 
 The grave had been prepared in the burial-ground of the 
 church, at the further end of the principal walk, close to the 
 tomb of the late Countess. 
 
 At five in the evening, the funeral procession commenced. 
 The whole congregation assembled in the space before the old 
 chapel, according to their several choirs. All the females 
 appeared clothed in white. A general, heart-affecting, tran- 
 quillity pervaded the whole of Herrnhut at the time of this 
 great assembly. 
 
 No sooner had the congregation assembled, than the trom- 
 bones sounded, and twelve of the brethren, appointed for 
 that purpose, brought the coffin out of the chapel to the 
 square, and placed it in the midst of the circle formed by the 
 congregation. Thirty-two presbyters and deacons of the Mo- 
 ravian church, who happened to be in Herrnhut at the time, 
 from Holland, England, Ireland, North America, Green- 
 land, &c., placed themselves about the coffin, to bear the 
 corpse to its resting-place. 
 
 Brother John Nitschman, as minister of Herrnhut for the 
 time being, then sang a few verses with the congregation ; 
 after which the procession commenced in the following order : — 
 First the children from the boys' schools at Great Henners- 
 dorf, Niesky, and Herrnhut ; the youngest of them clothed in 
 white. Then followed the musical choir, playing appropriate 
 tunes. After these came the whole of the children from the 
 institutions of the Unity at Herrnhut. Then the Count's 
 three daughters, accompanied by the chief female assistants. 
 Immediately before the corpse walked John Nitschman, with 
 two bishops at his side. Then followed the coffin, borne by 
 sixteen of the above-mentioned presbyters and deacons, who 
 were relieved by sixteen others, who walked with them. 
 The relatives followed the coffin, accompanied by the prin- 
 cipal office-bearers amongst the brethren ; and then the 
 whole of the brethren and sisters, in their different choirs. 
 The number of individuals forming the funeral procession 
 amounted to two thousand one hundred. The order, decency, 
 and universal devotion which prevailed, made such an im- 
 pression on the spectators, who were nearly two thousand in 
 number, that they could not conceal their admiration. 
 
506 THE FUNERAL OF THE COUNT. 
 
 On arriving at the burial-ground, the chOdren of both sexes 
 formed themselves in a circle round it, extending as far as 
 the eminence on which the musicians stood ; the rest of the 
 choirs occupied, in three double lines, the extreme walks, 
 and the relatives and ministers stood on both sides of the 
 tomb. 
 
 After several suitable verses had been sung, the oiHciating 
 minister repeated the watchwords of the 7th, 8th, and 9th 
 of May, with the words, " We commit this grain of wheat to 
 the earth, though not without tears ; but it wiU yield its fruit 
 in due time, and He will joyfully gather in his harvest with 
 thanksgiving and praise. Let all who desire this, say Amen ! " 
 and the congregation answered, ' Amen ! ' 
 
 The minister and congregation then prayed responsively a 
 portion of the church Litany, which was concluded by the 
 usual benediction, accompanied by the musical choir : on 
 which the whole procession returned in the same order in 
 which it had come. 
 
 Thus did this faithful servant of Jesus Christ terminate his 
 earthly course, which had been so entirely devoted to God, in 
 the peace of God, and the joy of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 On the 11th of July, a funeral sermon was preached for him 
 at the church in Bertholdsdorf, by the Rev. Burchard George 
 Miiller, from the words of Paul : " By the grace of God, I am, 
 what I am." (1 Cor. xv. 10.) 
 
 Although the character of the Count may be inferred from 
 the preceding history of his life, and from what I have already 
 had occasion to say of it, yet it may still prove agreeable 
 to some of my readers, if I briefly recapitulate its principal 
 features. 
 
 His genius was altogether of no common order. His 
 imagination was very lively, his thoughts flowed rapidly and 
 like a current, and in investigating a subject he was patient 
 and unwearied. His fruitfid mind brought forth a profusion 
 of ideas, some of which were very uncommon, and frequently 
 expressed in terms which made them appear still more strange. 
 He was unusually rich in plans for doing good, and ii^ 
 
THE count's character. 507 
 
 suggestions as to the best manner of carrying them into 
 effect, — and when discoursing on subjects of this kind, dis- 
 played peculiar animation. 
 
 His memory was quick and comprehensive, though with 
 respect to the minuter details of a transaction, it could not 
 always be relied on. 
 
 He was naturally of so active and lively a turn, that it was 
 difficult for him to be idle. What he once took in hand, he 
 was unwilling to lay aside until it was completed. While thus 
 occupied he exerted all his powers, and was able to accomplish 
 much. He did not like to be interrupted in his labours, but 
 if interruption was unavoidable, he found no difficulty in dis- 
 missing one subject and entering with his whole mind into 
 another ; in this case however, it was not easy for him to 
 resume that in which he had been previously engaged. 
 
 His temper seems to me to have greatly resembled that of 
 Luther. With respect to both these distinguished men, thanks 
 are due to God, for having taken them early under his tuition, 
 drawn them to himself, and constrained them to devote them- 
 selves to his service ; for otherwise they would both, in all 
 probability, have done as much evil in the world, as, by God's 
 grace, they have done good. - , 
 
 His emotions were strong and vehement, and easily carried \ 
 him too far. He could be too yielding when under the in- / 
 fluence of love, and too warm and impetuous under that of f 
 anger. That which grieved him, generally affected him too ' 
 deeply ; whilst, on the contrary, if any thing pleased him, / 
 his joy, though not extravagant, took possession of his whole | 
 soul. If he entertained apprehensions respecting a person or/ 
 circumstance, he was apt to take an extreme view of the easel 
 with its consequences, and did not easUy yield to reasonably 
 remonstrance. "" 
 
 When he asserted any thing respecting the truth of which 
 he was deeply convinced, he could not well bear to be contra- 
 dicted. But it frequently happened, that he afterwards re- 
 flected on the objections which had been brought forwards, 
 and profited by them. 
 
 When he was in the company of those, of whom he had 
 some hopes that they felt an attachment to the Saviour, and 
 
508 THE count's character. 
 
 were under the operation of the Holy Spirit, he conversed 
 familiarly with them, without any regard to their denomination, 
 descent, or peculiar sentiments, especially if they were perse- 
 cuted by others. 
 
 He had a remarkable gift in conversing with such as were 
 of very opposite sentiments to himself, and was able, plainly 
 and undisguisedly, to state his opinions without giving them 
 offence. But before he had sufflcient experience, he fre- 
 quently conceded too much or too little ; and cherished more 
 esteem for many individuals than they deserved. 
 
 His narrations appeared sometimes improbable, unless all 
 he said was minutely attended to ; for the meaning of a sen- 
 tence often hinged upon a single word, and if that was not 
 observed or rightly understood, the fact asserted might easily 
 appear dubious. 
 
 But that which was most manifest in him was, his devoted 
 love to his Saviour — the constraining principle being that 
 love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the children of men, which 
 induced him to suffer in their stead the death of the cross. 
 Hence arose heartfelt gratitude to his Redeemer, an earnest 
 desire to serve him, and persevering efforts to lead souls to 
 him. Thus it was with him a far higher object of ambition 
 to become a preacher of the gospel, than to fill the most honour- 
 able stations in society. On this account, he esteemed the 
 reproach of Christ more than the advantages of rank, and 
 rejoiced when he was counted worthy to suffer for Jesus'* 
 sake. From this source also flowed his indefatigable activity 
 in the Saviour's service, his frequent grief on account of his 
 deficiencies, and his incessant longing after confidential inter- 
 course with him. ' 
 
 He generally manifested great cheerfulness of spirit. He 
 looked for nothing but good from the Lord, in whom he 
 delighted ; and if he besought any thing of him, he did it 
 confidently, and with a certain hope of being heard. Every 
 subject of thankfulness and praise to God, however inconsider- 
 able it might seem to others, was important and interesting 
 to him. His supreme concern was, to do his Lord's will, and 
 to enjoy an inward consciousness of what was most agreeable 
 to him, at different times and under various circumstances. 
 
THE count's chakacter. 509 
 
 As the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and his sufferings for 
 us, was the subject tjiat filled his heart, so it constituted also 
 the principal theme of his discourses. 
 
 In associating with others, unless he had particular reasons 
 for being upon his guard, he was as artless as a child. In his 
 demeanour, and in his very aspect, might be discerned the 
 blessedness of a heart sprinkled from an evU conscience with 
 the blood of the Lamb. Whatever he did and said, testified 
 of his tender love to the Saviour and the members of that 
 church, which He has so dearly purchased. He was friendly, 
 cprdial, unsuspicious, confidential, frank, and at peace with 
 all men. It afforded him heartfelt pleasure to advise, assist, 
 and do good to any ; and in this respect, he made no dis- 
 tinction between friends and foes, except that he was inclined 
 to yield the latter priority of service. This willingness to 
 help, and the hope of being able to do so, often induced him 
 to promise more than he was able to perform. Whoever knew 
 him well, was aware that nothing grieved him more, than his 
 inability to assist, whether bound by a promise or not. 
 
 He possessed a deep insight into his own and other men's 
 corruption and sinfulness, derived both from Scripture, obser- 
 vation, and experience. This was the cause, why he frequently 
 felt great anxiety with respect to his dearest friends, and by 
 the expression of it, disquieted both himself and others. 
 Hence he didjn£t^_ttiinkkjnoughto remove the causes of 
 ofience, but earnestly sought to avert every thing that might 
 Become^ "occaiipnlp^s^^ 
 
 any other bad consequence. His carefulness, in this respect, 
 exfendedlto every member of the church, not excepting even 
 the youngest children, and to every thing, however trifling, 
 that concerned them. 
 
 He devoted particular attention to those that were weak, 
 simple, ungifted, and thus — according to the usual mode of 
 thinking — worthless, and despicable ; and persons of this 
 description, if he perceived in them a love to the Saviour, 
 were much esteemed by him. 
 
 Notwithstanding all his diligence and fidelity in the service 
 of the Lord and Ms church, the idea of merit never oc- 
 curred to him ; but he believed he had already received his 
 
 z 3 
 
510 THE count's character. 
 
 reward, and that he should never be able sufficiently to thank 
 the Saviour for his 'faithfulness towards him, even if he had 
 been a thousand times more faithful and diligent. 
 
 His personal appearance was noble ; in stature he was 
 above the middle size ; though in his youth rather inclined 
 to be slender, he grew corpulent in his later years. This did 
 not impair either his vivacity or his industry ; it only rendered 
 exercise the more necessary, of which he sought to avail him- 
 self as much as his occupations permitted. 
 
 After arriving at manhood, he had an excellent constitu- 
 tion ; but it frequently suffered from the excessive activity of 
 his mind. 
 
 The physiognomist could hardly fail to read in his eyes, 
 (which, though possessed of penetrating fire, had at the same 
 time, a captivating and friendly expression,) and in his fore- 
 head, the leading features of a character, of which it is impos- 
 sible to convey any adequate idea in words. 
 
 I now conclude this biography, from the details of which 
 it is clearly evident, — 
 
 1. That the Count immutably preserved and faithfully ex- 
 ecuted the purpose formed in his childhood, of serving the 
 Lord with all his heart and strength, until his dissolution. 
 
 2. That the opposition to it which he experienced in his 
 youth, and which pursued him through life, was to him but as 
 waves beating upon a rock. 
 
 3. That, with all the understanding, ability, courage, and 
 diligence, which God had bestowed upon him, he could never 
 have maintained his ground, unless God himself had supported 
 him, graciously appeared for him in every trying circumstance, 
 and granted him, at his request, counsel, consolation, and aid. 
 
 4. That he boldly and successfully confessed Jesus Christ 
 and his sacred word, on every occasion, before high and low, 
 believers and infidels. 
 
 5. That it was clearly perceptible, during the whole period 
 of his ministry in the house of the Lord, that God himself had 
 anointed him to be his servant ; and that, although in the 
 discharge of his office he might occasionally use severity, and 
 sometimes, in consequence of his natural temperament, even 
 
INFERENCES. 511 
 
 to excess, he approved himself to the hearts and consciences 
 of all, as a distinguished and faithful servant of Christ. 
 
 6. That he made the Saviour's cause his chief object, and 
 thought himself under obligation most faithfully to promote it, 
 at the hazard of honour and property, health and life ; and 
 that his thoughts and efforts were directed to the attainment 
 of every object within his reach, whence he had reason to 
 believe glory would redound to his Heavenly Master. 
 
 He now rests in peace, and beholds Him in whom he here 
 believed, and whom not having seen, he loved. 
 
 The name of the Lord be eternally blessed for all the mercy 
 shown towards him, and the good done by him ! 
 
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