November 30 - December 18, 1753 - - Diary of a journey of Moravians

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Nov. 30th.

After morning prayers all went to work. Lischer and Haberland went to Mr. Altem’s for two hogs. Br. Hermanus ploughed. In the afternoon Gottlob, Nathanael and Loesch returned, having been over a goodly portion of our land. They had found a good mill-site, with a stream half the size of that at Friedensthal. They had spent the night with an Irishman who is living on our land, and has cleared seven acres. He seems to be a decent man; has nine children. At first the family were frightened and shy, but the Brethren drew them into conversation, and they became friendly, expressed their regret at having to move, and asked whether they might not stay and raise one more crop. The Brethren did not know what answer to make to them. There is unusually good land in that section, especially fine meadows.

In the evening Br. Nathanael held the singstunde.

Nov. 31st.

Br. Gottlob held morning prayers referring to the sufferings and death of Jesus.

Afternoon some of the Brethren went to the woods and burnt a circle, expecting to secure some game. Those who had gone to Mr. Altem returned, bringing two hogs.

Evening we sang the Passion Liturgy.

Dec. 1st.

Photograph of a brick and timber building at Historic Bethabara Park.

Buildings at Historic Bethabara Park, at the site of the single brothers’ Bethabara settlement. Image credit. About the photograph

Br. Nathanael held morning prayers. We were busy clearing land and ploughing.

Dec. 2.

The First Sunday in Advent. In the morning we prayed the Congregation Litany. It rained nearly all day. We spent the time quietly, read some of Christel’s hymns, and parts of sermons. In the afternoon Hermanus shot a deer near here. It was very welcome, since we were short of food.

In the evening Br. Nathanael held the singstunde, and spoke touchingly on the Text for the day, concerning the incarnation of our precious Saviour Jesus Christ.

Dec. 3rd.

Br. Grube held morning prayer. Lischer began to harrow the ploughed ground; and Haberland went six miles to a neighbor to buy wheat for seed.

Evening we continued reading the Synod diary; then went peacefully to our resting places.

Dec. 4th.

Br. Nathanael held morning prayer. Br. Loesch sowed the first wheat on our land. The remaining Brethren burned logs, ploughed and harrowed. Br. Nathanael held the singstunde.

Dec. 5th.

Br. Gottlob held a helpful morning prayer. Br. Loesch sowed the three-acre field in wheat. It is unusually warm today.

[Here follow four blank pages in the Diary. No explanation is given, and probably they were to be filled in from notes, and were overlooked.]

Dec. 18th.

Br. Gottlob held morning prayer. During the morning several Brethren measured the fall in the creek that passes here; and found the site selected for the mill is several feet lower. We wrote industriously to our dear ones in Bethlehem and Europe; also conferred as to the necessary articles which must be sent to us.

Br. Nathanael held the singstunde, and expressed his heartfelt wish that all our lives might be ordered according to the mind of Jesus, and that we might live peacefully together; then in the name of Jesus we lay down to sleep.

Comments

Christel’s

Christian Renatus von Zinzendorf, son of the Count; born Sept. 19, 1727. He was a talented young man, much beloved by the Moravians, and deeply mourned when he passed away, May 28, 1752.

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