USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Ephrata > Chronicon ephratense : a history of the community of Seventh Day Baptists at Ephrata, Lancaster County, Penn'a. > Part 6
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ever, this labor interfered with his official duties, Christina Höh11, a Sister of the domestic household, ventured to advise him to give up his work, and to devote himself more wholly to the spiritual welfare of mankind. This counsel he obeyed and from that time on did nothing more at his temporal trade; though to be unemployed seemed harder to him than the hardest work.
This Christina Höhn was excessively enamored of the Superintendent's angelic life; she clothed him anew, and with the sanction of her husband early entered upon a life of continence. Partly with and partly without his knowledge she bestowed so many alıns that one might have thought the whole household economy innist go to nothing. After her husband's death, she followed the Superintendent to Ephrata, and was his next neighbor for more than twenty years, until several years after his death she departed this life. Originally she had been a Quakeress, so that when she engaged in prayer she commonly became contorted, and ended with song; afterwards, however, when she came to herself again, she used to be ashamed of this. She and the other Sisters of the household were always around him and had their delight in this innocent sheep whom God had ordained to become a sacrifice unto his righteousness. They brought his house so full of offerings that the congregation was obliged to elect deacons who had to distribute these offerings to the poor. One saw liere a slight likeness of how his Master had kept house among men. They ever paid regard to hin, and wanted to be continually about hin. Did he go out, they all followed after him. Did he make a visit, old and young went with him, through cold and heat, so that often some were exhausted and had to be carried along, meanwhile engaging in spiritual songs, so that people ran to the street to behold the wonder. If anyone com- plained to him of poverty, he would advise him to hold a love-feast; and when in order to do this the rest of his means were spent, the power of God so manifested itself, and those present were so restrained, that almost as much was borne from the table as had been put on. Some even noticed that after the ordinance the vessels could not hold
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all the wine that was left over. It was remarked afterwards that a hidden blessing had rested upon these people in their poverty. Others avowed that they were more blessed in their household affairs than if they had worked half a year for the Community. Once he asked a Brother, who had been wealthy, but had given all his property to the Conilnu- nity, what had inade him do this. To which the Brotlier replied: "I always looked to you." Such fruits are produced where there is a good leader in a Community. All this has purposely been told in detail in order that the reader may with ine adore the goodness of God, which in those days so greatly manifested itself again that the portals of grace were reopened to poor mankind. 1
It is yet to be remarked that these saine good people, who were mostly descended from the Mennonites, had, after the manner of that people, a certain simplicity and lowliness of life; and the Superintendent, in spite of the fact that he had had experience in the world of vanity and show, could so thoroughly adapt himself to their ways that his clothing, dwelling, and household were fashioned on the poorest scale. It was not long, however, before persons of social position landed in the Community, among whom the Eckerlins were the first. These took possession of the Superintendent, and dressed him like a Quaker, wherein the rest of the Solitary Brethren followed his example, until the special garb of the Order was introduced; for this reason they were in great favor. Once during his absence a splendid feather-bed was put into his bed-room. Of this he inade use for one night; then he had it taken away, and from that time on until his death used nothing but a sleeping-bench; which habit he would not abandon even when dying. At this time also two married women ran away from their husbands and betook themselves under the Superintendent's leading, who also
1Those who wish to inquire further into these times, should read the 299tlı hymn of the " Paradiesisches Wunderspiel," of which we will give the first two stanzas :
"O, how great a prize my blossom is !- That e'en the old are young with freshest bliss :- The perfume sweet of these good days- Itself both far and near displays .- None is so old but he doth leap :- Youths and . maidens come a happy heap :- The heart in love dares all to try -- And doth each earthly joy deny."-
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received them, notwithstanding it was against the canons of the New Covenant; for at that time the Pentecostal winds still blew so strongly that they dissolved all associations and relations save those entered into directly under the cross of Jesus. The Apostles themselves experienced the saine, wherefore they early introduced again the order of nature, and taught that wives should love their husbands. One of the two mentioned was Maria Christiana, the wife of Chris- topher Saur, who afterwards founded the celebrated high- German printing press at Germantown. She deserted him in the year 1730, and had herself baptized that same autumn. At first she lived alone in the wilderness, and proved by her example that a man's spirit could dwell in a woman's forill. Afterwards she hield the office of under-prioress in the Sisters' Convent for many years, under the name of Marcella, and did it very edifyingly. At last she was induced by her son to return, in her old age, to her husband; to which the severe inode of life at the Settlement, which she could no longer well endure, may also have conduced. The other one was the wife of Philip Hanselmann, who under the name of Eunice ended lier days, at a great age, in the Sisters' Convent.
About this same time, also, two of the first who pledged themselves to a life of spiritual virginity changed their estate, and left the congregation. The one, M. H. by name, married at Germantown; but ere she was aware of it, lier husband was seized with the revival spirit of the new congregation, against which she at first set herself with all her might, but at last also yielded, whereupon they removed to the new congregation, and there lived for twenty years in mutual continence, and gained the love of the saints by their holy life. They now are both fallen asleep. God grant them to get through in bliss on the day of judgment ! From them a sprout came into the Sisters' Convent by the name of Con- stantia, who laid aside her mortal tabernacle in the year 1782. . The other one was Christina Hill. These two cases were the more noteworthy as at that time the entire congre- gation had assumed the life of continence, and during the first twenty years there were only two marriages in the congregation, and those were of persons of advanced years.
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CHAPTER X.
THE TEMPTER TRIES TO INSTIGATE A PERSECUTION BY RAIS- ING THE CRY OF IMMORALITY.
In the year 1730 the Tempter first began openly to raise an outcry of whoremongering against the Superintendent ; for reports of the celibate life now began to spread abroad in the land, and many persons were displeased with it, since one already saw, here and there, solitary ones of both sexes who had renounced the world, living alone in the wilderness. Then a rumor became current among people that the Super- intendent had sinned with one of his spiritual daughters, and that she had actually brought into the world a bastard. A justice of the peace, by the name of Samuel Jones, be- came exercised about it, and had them both summoned before him on a King's Warrant. To the question, Whether they were guilty? the Superintendent demanded the wit- nesses, and they not being forthcoming, administered a sharp reproof to the justice, and went his way; for lie had inter- fered with his office, as it was the Sabbath. Thereupon the justice sent out the constable after witnesses, who brought together all the old women in the township. Each one of these referred to the other, until at last the accusation was traced back to one. Then the misunderstanding was dis- closed; for this one had said it concerning a sister after the flesh of the accused Sister, who had a husband; it had been understood, however, of the latter, who was single. The justice thereupon begged pardon of the accused Sister, and let her go in peace. Afterwards, nevertheless, he levied upon her household goods sufficient to pay the costs of the hearing.
As the divine cause suffered no small affront through this case, it seemed now time to take revenge upon the kingdom of nature for the suffered disgrace; for where the honor of God was concerned the Superintendent was beholden to nobody. Accordingly this same year yet he published in
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print his Ehebüchlein1 in which he declares matrimony to be the penitentiary of carnal man, and fully exposes the abominations committed therein under the appearance of right. In the following year 1731, however, another occur- rence in the congregation gave the world more right and cause for evil-speaking. One of the oldest Solitary Brethren, Amos by name, fell into the hands of the tempter even while walking on the spiritual heights; he always boasted michi of the virgin Sophia, and how he must beget spiritual children with her. The Superintendent faithfully warned him to exer- cise greater humility; but in vain. He held a bread-breaking service, and wanted unauthorized to officiate at it. He was attacked with erýsipelas in the head so that he became pos- sessed, and lost his reason. Thereupon he made himself quite naked during the night, and watching at a man's door, forced himself in and to the man's wife in bed. He was seized, bound, and delivered to a justice of the peace, who sent him to the Poor Directors of the township, who in turn handed him over again to the congregation. The Superin- tendent took this affair very much to heart, not only on account of the Order of the Solitary, against whom the tempter had designed it, but also on account of the whole household policy; for some did not trust any longer to do without their wives, and contemplated taking up with them again. The following Sabbath the Superintendent held an important discourse on Nadab and Abihu, the sons .of Aaron (LEV. I), to whose case this occurrence had a great simil- arity; for it should be known that God stood by him unto the end against all such as infringed upon his office, of which this circumstance and others bear witness. The fallen Brother, however, in his insanity ran down the coun- try as far as Philadelphia, where he climbed up on the court- honse as high as to the bell, and there commenced to storm so that a great crowd of people was brought together. This was interpreted as an attempt to stir up the people into an uproar against the cause of God. After this he came to hin- self again and filled the position of baker in the Settlement very acceptably for thirty years, until at last he laid aside his.
1 [Book on Matrimony].
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earthly tabernacle in 1783, in the 82d year of liis age Other- wise he was a very industrious man, useful to the communal life, and charitable, though usually his left hand knew what his right was doing. The Superintendent was wont to say of him that while he could not get other Brethren to work, him he could not get from his work.
The following occurrence is similar to the foregoing both as to time and circumstances. There was a certain house- father who had come pretty close in the Superintendent's fellowship, but who was not cleansed thereby from the false priestly spirit, and who accordingly was appointed as teacher among the awakened in Falckner's Swamp. This man had a wife who was deeply enamored of the good things of God, and therefore tarried more at the house of the Superinten- dent than was agreeable to her husband, which the Superin- tendent because of his vows to God had to allow. Mean- while they lived a life of continence and exercised themselves in godly works, so that it was thought that he would become a useful laborer in the house of God. But after God had touched upon his rights as a husband, the evil in him awoke, so that he turned into evil all the good that he had received from the Superintendent. He said to his wife : " You are my wedded wife. I will not give you up. Your will must be subject to your husband's ; " and commanded her to stay at home. And because she could not in all things do his will, lie used his power as a husband, and several times took her home by force, and once had her brought by the constable. So likewise on one occasion he attacked the Superintendent in his little home, as one attacks who means to kill, but God rescued him from his hands. At length the tempter impelled him to go to the meeting with the intention of taking his life. It was terrible to behold him as he entered. First he sang the words:
" Now be prepared, ye heroes true, Gird on your trusty swords ; On Babylon we've war declared , Shout out with loudest voice .. Come, follow then, and trample down All Gog and Magog's brethren ; We'll slay them all and leave them there, It is their just reward."
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Then he rushed towards the Superintendent, seized him by the throat, and dragged him as far as the door. He would unquestionably have killed him if the people had not come to the rescue, who tied his hands on his back, and chased him home. Meanwhile the Fathers took up the Superin- tendent's cause, for when the man's wife came to ineeting next Sabbath they bade her go home to her husband; and when she asked how long she should stay at home, she was told, until she should be asked to come again; under which heavy ban she resigned herself, and of necessity left the congregation. Through this indeed the man lost his rights over against the Superintendent, but on the other hand sank utterly into the realm of darkness, so that the hellish brim- stone was kindled within him, which manifested itself by his presence giving forth a disagreeable sinell. Nevertheless he was very insecure in his fortress, for he was in constant dread that his wife might again be seduced from him. Once, when he heard that a love-feast of the congregation was to be held, he took with him another evil fellow and they tied her fast lest she should run away from him again. In him we can see as in a mirror all those who hold to their rights as husbands so rigidly, as if it were an agreeable thing to God, though it is not in agreement with the doctrine of the good Master. Meanwhile the Superintendent, nevertheless, entered into the breach in his behalf, and in one of his printed letters offered him the reconciliation of Jesus Christ, mentioning that their case lay before the great Judge. However the judgment lay so heavily upon the good man that he could not yield; and this is one of the reasons why the Superintendent, even on his death-bed, deplored that he had been the occasion of so many becoming evil men. His wife, however, when she was freed by his death, joined the congregation again; and after leading an edifying life for some years more, she at last laid aside her earthly tabernacle in the year 1779.
CHAPTER XI.
CONCERNING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICIAL COURSE IN THE CONGREGATION, UNTIL THE FOUNDING OF EPHRATA.
It cannot be expressed with what great care the Superin- tendent at that time devoted his time to the service of the households; and yet it must be confessed that, at that time at least, he had placed only one foot in the congregation, while the other was still firmly planted in separatismn. He did this because he feared that in the ocean of humanity he might lose his crown. For he had in Germany experienced how in this wise several of his fellow-laborers had yielded themselves to women, and he knew also that a teacher was inost exposed to such temptations. About this time he said, that if it had happened as God intended, two more orders would have come into being in the congregation, one of Solitary Brethren, and the other of Spiritual Virgins. The sequel proved the truth of this. For, besides the households, he then already had under his guidance various solitary ones, whom in his wisdom he treated differently from the con- gregation. These he had often warned against the outward church; yes, they once even took counsel whether it were not better, on account of the danger, to leave the household entirely, and after the precept of the holy forefathers, to begin a household in the wilderness. His Solitary Brethren would probably have been quite agreed to this, for they were well aware that with the growth of the congregation their burdens would also increase. But, good God, how weighty are our counsels! The Superintendent was at length neces- sitated to cast in his fortunes unconditionally with the con- gregation; whereat his Solitary Brethren became offended at him, and held him in suspicion as though he had deserted his post. Therefore the complaint was afterwards often heard among the Solitary that the church had conformed too much to the spirit of the world, and would have to go forth into the
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desert again ;- which also several afterwards attempted to do, to their own harın.
Now in those days all the divine services for worship were so blessed that no one attended them without having his con- science stirred, or else the evil within him aroused. One may say, indeed, that they were accompanied with special power to crucify the nature of inan; particularly the love- feasts, whichi usually lasted till midnight, sometimes even till the dawn of day, when everyone was so quiet and absorbed that one could easily notice how an unseen power was keeping the whole meeting in such order. From this it is to be presumned that the Superintendent took good heed not to bring his own wares to market; for the Spirit, under whose guardianship he stood, kept so strict a rule over him, that in divine matters he was never permitted to do anything according to his own ideas. Hence at every meeting new wonders of eternity were made manifest, as the Spirit gave utterance, and never was one like the other. This was the cause too why 110 one could fathom him, and still less find rest and quiet in him. He was so dutiful that he despised no one's poverty, and often held the most important meetings at the houses of the worst people. When taken to task for this, he would answer thus: that with such people David had won his kingdom. How from himself the congregation was born he himself has described, as follows: "When my ecclesiastical dignity was taken from me, and I no longer took pleasure in myself, this came upon others, without my knowing how it happened .. Indeed I saw to my greatest astonishment that so many people became enamored of my works of love, on account of which I before had to endure such harsh judgments. This wonderful spectacle made the beginning of a Christian church according to the gospel, wherein I was forced to be a leader. This indeed seemed hard to ine, once inore to begin to live with others, whereby iny dil- igence and faithfulness had to endure so severe a judgment. Meantime inatters made desirable progress, and my painfully sown seed appeared in some places to yield fruit an hundred- fold. Whereupon I resigned myself, with all the sorrow and care I had within myself, and let self-denial be iny spiritual
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staff in the whole affair. At the same time I did not neglect to think what would become of the whole matter if it should be tried as my heart had been. Nevertheless the affair made a noise before the world, as though the second temple of the Christian church were about to appear in its might. Since the matter looked thus, I cast aside the doubts and mistrusts which I had felt, took hold, and became desirous to bind sheaves in this field. Then I became aware, however, of the piercing of so poisonous a thorn, and that, too, among thie very best wheat, that horror seized upon me."-l'ide Delicias Ephratenses. Pars I. Page 195. Discourse XXXI.
In the meantime, after he had been at the head of the meeting with great blessing for several years, he was finally driven in upon himself, and called the congregation together. After speaking inany things concerning the kingdom of God, he appointed Elders, and handed them the New Testament, to govern the congregation in accordance therewith. Then he laid down his office, and moved eight miles away, to a barren spot where Ephrata now stands. Here he settled himself anew. What induced hin to make so sudden a change is hard to surmise; neither did he ever make it known. It may be that he wanted to test the matter in this way, whether it were of God or of man's intention. For one can well imagine what temptations there must have been, when he, a Solitary, who had but recently left his angelic life in the desert, was now run after by so many people. This seems probable, that an unseen hand drove him on to find the place which afterwards attracted so great attention in North America. Meanwhile this sudden change threw the new congregation into the utinost consternation; and about this time Casper Walter, an earnest housefather, went out of time to eternity in deep sorrow of heart on account of the sad schisms in Zion. With this we will close this chapter, as we will begin in the next the description of the Economy at Ephrata. The time of the congregation's existence, from the Superintendent's baptism until the building of Ephrata, was seven years and four months.
CHAPTER XII.
HOW EPHRATA WAS FOUNDED, AND ORDAINED FOR THE SET- TLEMENT OF THE SOLITARY.
Ephrata is situated in Lancaster County, thirteen iniles from Lancaster, eighteen from Reading, and sixty-five from Philadelphia, in an angle where two great highways inter- sect each other, the one from Philadelphia to Paxton, the other from Reading to Lancaster. The Delaware Indians, who inhabited this region, named it and the stream that flows past Ephrata, K'och-Halekung, that is Serpents' Den, on account of the many snakes found there. The Europeans kept the word, but pronounced it Cocalico, which is also the name of the township. The inhabitants did not value the land, as being unfruitful. A Solitary Brother, Elimalech 1 by name, was the first one to build on this barren spot ; and he gave his little house to the Superintendent when the latter fled thither. Thus it appears that the founding of Ephrata sprang entirely from a providential occurrence, and not from the premeditated will of inan. After the foundation of this wonderful household, which inade fools of so many both in and outside of its limits, had been thus laid, the further building up of the place was not permitted otherwise than with the severest self-denial on the part of the builders; wherefore also so many strange events happened. This is the reason, too, why the tempter prevailed against it in nothing, although the enterprise was often delivered up to him by God that he might sift it; for he could find in it nothing of man's will, even as the Superintendent frankly said to one who asked him whether he had built up the work: No, for the whole thing was against his conscience. In a certain place he speaks further on the subject thus: "So then Ephrata is now built up out of this soil of suf- fering, endured in the conscience for the sake of God's kingdom."
1 [Emanuel Eckerle].
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Here in this wilderness lie fixed himself as though he intended to live apart from men to the end of his days. He cleared himself a tract of land, and cultivated it with the hoe, and in general mnade such arrangements that, in case inen should again deliver him up, it would not be any loss to him. It is easy of belief that in the short period of his seclusion, during which mnen left him in peace for awhile, his addresses to the virgin Sophia were redoubled, for it was then he composed the beautiful hymn, "O blessed life of loneliness when all creation silence keeps." He often told what pains it cost him in the beginning to free this region froin the evil spirits which hold dominion over the whole earth. If this seems strange to anyone, let him read Otto Clusing's Life of the Fathers in the Desert; there he will find more about such things.
The congregation now, after having been robbed of its teacher, held its meetings with a housefather named Seal- thiel. 2 But so many legal quarrels took place that they were called the "court meetings." Meanwhile the Superinten- dent found an opportunity, and summoned the heads of the congregation to his new dwelling place, where they took coun- sel with reference to the general matter, and finally opened another meeting, after the Superintendent had been with- drawn for seven inontlis. It was held for the first time on September 4th 1732. About this same time the Solitary Brethren also made up their ininds, and moved after. their spiritual leader, and built, in the winter of 1732, the second house in the Settlement. Their names were Jethro, Jephune, 3 and Martin Bremer, the last of whom was the firstling of those who fell asleep in Ephrata. This was not the end of it, however. Soon after two of the Sisters who had earliest been devoted to virginity, A. and M. E., + also came and asked to be taken in. The Brethren, who went according to the Fathers in the Desert, of whom it was known that they did not tolerate such a thing among themselves, protested against it to the Superintendent as being improper and per-
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