USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 22
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another school within four miles of Litiz, consequently, the children, from the adjacent country, were all sent to this school. The children of the Society, had then a separate school. Among those who resided in this house, and served as teachers, the Rev. Bernhard A. Grube, deserves particular notice. It was not only the object of this good man to teach the children to read, write and cypher, but also to impress good morals on their minds, and to acquaint them with their Saviour. Various were the methods which he adopted, but one in particular we would mention: Being an excellent ornamental writer, he wrote into his pupils' book, their names, adding some wish or prayer, and from time to time, he presented them with hymns of his own composition, or passage from Scripture, beautifully written. Many of these trifling presents, proved as seeds sown into good ground, which grew, and have brought fruits unto salvation. To this day, there are Bibles and spelling books to be found in Warwick township, in which is found his writing, and many, who are grand, and great-grand children, of those, who, as children received of his trifling presents in those long by-gone days, hold them as dear as their fore- fathers did.
In 1771, the St. Jacob's church, to which we referred to, in a preceding page, being much out of repair, and not used any more for sacred worship, was taken down, and removed to the fulling mill below the village, and converted into a dwelling house, for the miller; this house stands to this day, and is at present the property of Mr. John Keller.
The grave yard, which belonged to this church, is yet in existence, and is known by the name of "Warwick Grave Yard;" it is located a short distance southwardly from the village, near the Lancaster road. To persons
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who are fond of reading old epitaphs on tombstones, this place offers a fine opportunity.
Having given the reader some account of the early settlement of this interesting village, we shall now attempt to describe it, as we find it in our day.
It is not saying too much, if we state, that it is proba- bly the neatest and cleanest village in Lancaster county. As said before, its location is nearly east and west, ex- tending in that direction, about one-half a mile. There is not only pavement before all the houses through the whole village, but the different paths leading to the church, schools, &c., are well paved, with creek or lime- stone slabs. The square, around which are located the institutions, church and parsonage, is, perhaps, not sur- passed in beauty by any other spot in the county ; such is its splendor in the summer season, that it frequently occurs, that travellers stop in their journey to give it a closer examination than a mere transient notice. -
It is enclosed by a white fence, and tastefully laid out in gravel walks; around it is an avenue of lociist and cedar trees, and the interior is adorned with Linden Cedar and Balm of Gilead trees, and a very great variety of shrubbery. From the beginning of May, till the end of October, different kinds of flowers are there found in bloom; its greatest splendor is in August, when the great variety of Hollyhocks and Dahlias are in bloom, and there are probably few places where such a variety of tint and color is found as in this spot. The superin- tendence of this truly delightful spot is under the care and direction of Mr. Mathias Tschudy.
The church, to which reference has been made, is 66 feet in length, and 50 feet in depth; it is built of lime- stone, and has a very fine appearance, and the mason work in its front is generally considered a master-piece of
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workmanship; it is ornamented with a neat spire, and has a town clock, which is remarkable, because it strikes the quarters. It has two entrances, at one of which the Brethren, and at the other the Sisters enter. Its interior is plain and very neat; there are no pews in it, but benches with backs. It has two galleries, and is pro- vided with an excellent organ. Originally, there was no pulpit in the church, but merely a table, covered with black cloth, at which the minister officiated. It being fifty years in 1837, since the church had been conse- crated, various alterations were undertaken in that year, and among others, also, that of placing a pulpit in the place of the table. After all the repairs were com- pleted, the congregation celebrated the fiftieth anniver- sary of their churchi on Sunday the 13th of August, 1837. A brief account of such a celebration among the Moravians may perhaps be interesting to the reader; we shall, therefore, attempt to give some description of this church festival. The church was previously beautifully
adorned with various inscriptions, and most tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and the musicians selected and practiced their best sacred music; and to render it still more harmonious, invited a number of the best vocal and instrumental performers from Bethlehem and Nazareth, to assist them on the occasion. On the evening of the 12th, the congregation met for the pur- pose of solemnly closing the remarkable period of fifty years, during which the Lord had permitted them to worship in this sanctuary. Early on the morning of the 13th, all the inhabitants were awakened by solemn music, announcing to them the approach of the happy day, for which old and young had been looking with such joyful anticipation. At eight o'clock, the congre- gation met for the first time, in the new period of their
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church's existence, and dedicated the church, as well as themselves anew to the Lord. At ten o'clock, they met again, when an excellent address, suitable to the occa- sion, was delivered, and an account read of the first con- secration, August 13th, 1787, and also the names of all those who served as ministers within the transpired period. At two o'clock, there was a Love Feast, a church ceremony which is customary at all festival occa- sions among the Moravians-in token of fellowship and brotherly union, and is in imitation of a custom in the primitive churches; during which the congregation and the choir, accompanied with instrumental music, alter- nately, sang anthems, which had been expressly printed for the occasion; after that, the communicants met for the first time at the Lord's table in this new era of their church. In the evening, the beautiful square, which we have attempted to describe, was tastefully illuminated with upwards of 800 lights, and the whole congregation, together with numbers from the adjacent country, met in it for the purpose of solemnly closing this joyful festival. Anthems, which had been expressly printed for the occa- sion, were handed to all present, when in the solemn evening hour of that blessed sabbath, surrounded by thousands of beautiful flowers, and accompanied with instrumental music, all united in singing the praises of the Lord, for all the blessings conferred on them as a con- gregation ; the scene was a heavenly one, and will long be remembered by all who witnessed it.
The following ministers labored in succession, in the congregation at Litiz :
1742, Count Nicolas Louis de Zinzendorf; 1743, Jacob Lischy; 1745, Daniel Neuberts; 1747, Leonard Schnell; 1749, Christian H. Rauch; 1748 to 1753, Abraham Reinke, Senior; 1754, Michael Zahm, and Christian
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Bader; 1755, Christian Krogstrupp and Abraham Reinke, Senior; 1755 to 1787, Mathew Hehl; 1756 Francis Christian Lembke; 1756, David Nitshmann, Daniel Bishop and Daniel Neubert; 1757, George Weiser; 1759, Jacob Till; 1760, Abraham Rusmyer and Godfrey Roesler; 1762, Christian Krogstrupp; 1763, Bernhard Adam Grube; 1765, Nicholas Eberhard; 1774, Godfrey Roesler; 1784, John Klingsohr; 1790, Andrew Huebner and Abraham Reinke, Junior; 1801, John Herbst, John Meder and John F. Freeauf; 1811, Jacob Van Vleck and Constantine Miller; 1812, Andrew Be- nade, John M. Beck and Abraham Reinke, Junior; 1822, Thomas Longballe; 1823, John Christian Beckler; 1829, Andrew Benade and John F. Loeffler; 1836, William Eberman and Charles F. Kluge; 1843, Peter Wolle and Charles W. Senft.
THE SCHOOLS .- Litiz has long been celebrated for its schools, and we shall attempt to give some description of them.
There are four schools in the village; two of them are however, infant schools; one for the little boys and one for the little girls. In these schools, the small children of the village, and some from the neighborhood, are taught to read, the rudiments of arithmetic, and some writing, and from these, they are promoted into the two existing higher schools.
THE YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY .- The commence- ment of this Institution" was as early as 1794. Previ- ous to the building of the edifice in which we find it at present, it was conducted partly in the Sister's House, and partly in a small house, adjacent thereto. In the year 1804, on the 26th of October, the pupils then living in the Sister's House, moved into the new building, expressly built for school purposes. It is three stories high, and 86
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feet in length and 40 in depth. In the basement, is a large dining room, and the first and second story are the schoolrooms, principal's residence, and a chapel for spiritual devotions. The third story is occupied as a dormitory, and a room called the sickroom, which is expressly set apart for such as may be indisposed ; a nurse resides in this room, whose duty it is to attend to such of the pupils, as it may be found necessary to remove into it. In the rear of the building is a large yard, or play-ground, provided with a pavillion, seats, swings, &c. for the pleasure and amusement of the pupils. The Institution is provided with a very extensive Library, and as music is taught, every room is provided with a piano. It is customary in this Institution to have musical entertainments from time to time. A friend of ours who has occasionally been present, assures us, that the performances of the pupils, in vocal and instrumen- tal music, are truly excellent, and are probably not sur- passed in any other Institution of the kind. Ornamental needlework of various kinds, is also taught to great per- fection, and all other branches, which constitute a practi- cal education, receive their due share of attention .- Their are six Tutoresses engaged, two always residing in cach schoolroom, with about fourteen pupils, whose duty it is, not only to instruct them, but to have a watchful eye over their morals, and to take walks with them, after the daily exercises are closed. We are indeed happy to be able to say, that the school is at present in a very flourishing condition, under the direc- tion of its present efficient Principal, Mr. E. A. Freeauf, and his amiable lady.
The Principals of this Institution, since its establish- ment have been as follows:
1794, Rev. John A. Huebner ; 1801, Rev. John Herbst,
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1802, Rev. John Meder; 1805, Rev. John F. Freeauf; 1815, Rev. Andrew Benade; 1822, Rev. John C. Beck- ler ; 1824, Rev. Samuel Renike ; 1826, Rev. John G. Kummer; 1833, Rev. Charles F. Kluge; 1836, Rev. Peter Wolle; 1843, Rev. Eugene A. Freeauf.
Among these, Rev. John F. Freeauf, the father of the present Principal, and the Rev. Andrew Benade, deserve particularly to be noticed, as it was under their direction that this Institution was in its most flourishing condition. Long will the names of good Old Pappy Freeauf, and good Pappy Benade, as the young ladies were wont to call them, be remembered by the many who were placed into their care, and there is no doubt, should this meet the eye of such, they will remember with pleasure those happy days which they spent in Litiz school under their care and the many devout prayers they offered in their behalf, when met in the little chapel, as well as the many good and fatherly admonitions they gave them from time to time.
THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN'S ACADEMY .- We have already stated that in the early years of Litiz, there were two schools, one for the boys, belonging to the society, and the other for those from the adjacent country. As Warwick township became more settled, so the schools increased, and there was no more necessity to send the children to Litiz, consequently, the one for the children from the country was discontinued. Mr. Chris- tian Schropp conducted the town school, for many years, and on the 2nd of January, 1815, Mr. John Beck, the present Principal, took charge of it. At that period, the school was held in an old building, which had been fixed up for that purpose, and which stood at the same place, where the present brick school house stands.
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Mr. Beck spared neither pains nor expense in improv- ing the school, and his indefatigable exertions, as well as the various methods he adopted to further his pupils in their studies, became a subject of general remark. In 1819, the school began to attract the attention of parents from abroad, and boys were brought from various places. In 1822, it was found necessary to erect the present brick school house; the old building being too small to contain all the pupils. This building is two stories high, and is adorned with a neat cupola. The second story is, however, not occupied for school purposes, but as a concert hall, where the musical society of Litiz meets .- It is provided with an extensive musical library, and a number of instruments belonging to the Society.
The school continued to increase from year to year ; and boys were brought from various parts of Pennsyl- vania, Virginia, Ohio, the Carolinas, Maryland, Louisi- ana, &c. This continued increase, rendered it neces- sary, not only to add another building, but also more teachers. Accordingly, the large building, formerly called the "Brethren's House," which is near the brick house, was engaged, and arranged for school purposes. The school is therefore at present conducted in two buildings, in which five teachers are employed; the school rooms, five in number, are large, and well venti- lated, and furnished with every thing that can render pupils comfortable; each pupil lias his own desk and chair, and the number admitted into a room never ex- ceeds, at highest, twenty-four-this arrangement is made with the view to enable the teacher of each class, not only to do ample justice to each one in his charge, but also for the preservation of good order, and the separa- tion of the larger boys from the smaller ones. Each room is provided with a time-piece, and the walls are
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adorned with handsomely painted moral lessons, as well as Astronomical, Historical, Mathematical, and Geo- graphical Charts. The school is likewise provided with an excellent Library, and a very extensive Philosophical. and Chemical apparatus. Not far from the school, is a large play ground for the pupils ; it is enclosed with a high fence, and has a number of shade trees in it. Over the gate, leading to it, there is an arch, on the inside of which is the following inscription in gold letters, the object of which is to serve as a perpetual monitor to the boys while at play : "In all your actions and amuse -- ments, avoid profane language and quarrels." The principal object in view in this institution, is to give a good and practical English, Mathematical and Scien- tific education. The Latin and German languages are also taught, and for such as wish to learn drawing and. . draughting on mathematical principles, as well as music,. it offers likewise advantages. The quiet village is very suitable for schools, and particularly for boys, there being no kind of temptations in their way; the great difference between Mr. Beck's method, aud that of similar schools, attempted in imitation of his, has always been his socia -. ble and parental intercourse with his pupils, by which means he gains their esteem and affection, and checks the slightest irregularity; the enthuiasm with which he. has always been found to enter on his arduous duties, and responsible calling, deserves the highest commenda- tion.
THE BROTHER AND SISTER HOUSES .- We have had occasion to refer to these institutions, and as they form a a very conspicuous part in the beautiful square we have endeavored to describe, some account of their intent and origin may be interesting to the reader. This we give also with a view to remove erroneous ideas, which are.
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held by many about them, namely, that they are con- vents or nunneries, such as are found in the Roman church. In order to give the reader their origin, we must refer him back as early as 1727, and in the last century. It was at that period, when the emigrants from Bohemia and Moravia, from the latter of which the society has its name, settled on the cstate of Count Zin- zendorf, in Saxony. At that place, they built their first town called Herrnhut, which means in English, "The
Lord's protection." Having united with the great object in view, to be a congregation of the Lord, to keep sacred, in holy union, those doctrines contained in the Holy Scriptures, and to promote, not only their own wel- fare, but also that of their fellow men, it became neces- sary to adopt some method or system. Among others was that of dividing the congregation into different classes, namely: the class of the married persons, the classes of single brethren and sisters, the classes of widowers and widows, the classes of boys and girls, be- tween the ages of twelve and eighteen, and the classes of children of both sexes. This classification they con- sidered necessary for the well-being of the spiritual and temporal welfare of their members, but always subject to such alterations and improvements as they should deem proper to make from time to time, or even to dis- continue the same if not found applicable. After some years of their existence in Saxony, it occurred that a great many persons applied to be admitted as members of the community; among these were many single persons of both sexes, for whom employment, as well as a home had to be provided, which in their peculiar situation was often attended with difficulty. The plan of building houses for them, was then adopted, namely: one for the single men, and one for the single women, which they
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called Brother and Sister Houses. It was thought, in these houses the men could follow their professions, and the women sustain themselves with knitting, spinning, &c. This was the beginning of these institutions, and to this day, they are found in various parts of Germany, Holland, France, England, Switzerland and Russia. The plan meeting with so much success in Europe, they were also. introduced into this country, and accordingly, when Litiz was laid out, the places for their location were laid down in the original plan.
In 1759, the brethren's house at Litiz was built- which, however, is not used for its original intent at present-it is built of limestone, is three stories high, 60 feet in length and 37 feet in depth. The basement story was occupied as a kitchen and dining room; the first story was divided into four rooms, in each of which nine or ten brethren resided ; part of the second story con- sisted of a large hall or chapel, for spiritual purposes, which was provided with a very excellent organ. The remaining part was divided into dwelling rooms, in one of which resided the elder and steward ; the duty of the former was to care for the spiritual welfare of those in the house, and those of the latter for the temporal con- cerns thereof. One of the rooms in the second story was set apart for the boys between the ages of twelve and eighteen. The greater part of the third story was occu- pied as a dormitory, where they all slept; aside of it, was a room set apart for such as might get sick, and one of the brethren, who had the office of waiting on them, resided in this room. In each room, where the brethren resided, there was one who was called the overseer, whose duty it was to correct any disorders which might arise, care for fuel, repairs and cleanliness in the room .- In the room in which the boys resided, there were
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generally three overseers, whose duty it was to guard over their morals, and to guide them in the path of virtue and religion, go with them to church, and during the winter season, to devote three evenings in the week for instructing them in useful services. These boys were partly employed in the town, and partly in the Brother House, in learning various mechanical trades. In the rear of the building, there are several houses, which were formerly occupied as shops for cabinet makers, chair makers, weavers, &c. The shoemakers
- and tailors had their shops in the house. There also belonged a very extensive farm to it, on which a num- ber were employed. Much attention was paid to fatten- ing cattle, and it was nothing unusual to buy whole droves for that purpose, which when fat were sold to the Lan- caster and Philadelphia butchers. In the year 1817 it was found proper to discontinue the Brother House at Litiz, and after that period, it was for a time occupied by several families, and at present is used for school purposes. During the Revolutionary war, it was for a short period used as a hospital for invalid soldiers, a number of whom died there, and were buried a short distance eastwardly from the village. Although this system did not suit all who resided in this house, yet it must be admitted, that there are numbers, who will ever ascribe their welfare to having been in their younger years an inmate, and under the care and admonition of such, who from experience could guide and instruct them.
THE SISTER'S HOUSE .- This was built A. D. 1758 .- It is likewise built of limestone, three stories high, 90 feet in length, and 37 feet in depth. The basement story is, like that formerly in the Brother House, used for a kitchen and dining room ; the first as well as part of the second story is divided into dwelling rooms; one part of the
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second story, is a hall or chapel for spiritual purposes and provided with an organ ; the greater part of the third story is a dormitory, aside of which is a room for such as may be indisposed. The arrangements are in all respects similar to those we have described in the Brother House. A small farm, together with a very large vegetable garden, from which the kitchen which furnishes the table of the Ladies' Seminary is provided, are attached to it. The number of sisters, who reside in the house at this present time, is not so large as formerly, yet the greater part of the rooms remain occupied. There was never any kind of vow of celibacy connected with these Insti- tutions ; any of the sisters can leave the house if she has any desire to change her situation.
In larger Moravian communities, similar houses are established for such widows as desire to live retired, and are called widows' houses. The individuals residing in these establishments pay a small rent, by which, and by the sums paid for their board, the expenses thereof are defrayed, assisted occasionally by the profits on the sale of ornamental needlework, confectionaries, &c. on which some of the inmates subsist. We hope our account of these Institutions will prove satisfactory to our readers, and particularly to such as have hitherto entertained different opinions. They are in their character nothing more than the different asylums for widows &c. which are found in Philadelphia and other cities, and we are inclined to think, the idea for establishing those in the cities, has been borrowed from the Moravian Institutions.
THE GRAVE YARD .*- This beautiful spot is located on a rising ground to the south of the village, of which
*November 8, 1753, a lad of three years, named John Baum- gartner, was buried in this Grave Yard; being the first inter- ment; the occasion was improved by solemnly consecrating
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we will give the reader some account, there being perhaps not another similar arrangement to be found in Lan- caster county. It is enclosed with a white fence, along which there is an avenue of trees; there are three gates leading to it, one large one, and two at its sides of smaller dimensions ; the large one is never opened except on funeral occasions. Over this there is an arcli, on which are the following inscriptions, in golden letters : Firstly, that which is seen by the visitor as he approaches it, through a thickly planted grove, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord:"-Rev. chap. 14-13 v: Sec- ondly, that on the interior side, "I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" -- St. John chap. 11-25 v. After entering the gate, the visitor finds himself in a beautiful avenue of cedar trees, which separates the graves of the males from those of the females, the former being on the right and the latter on the left as he passes on. We have before stated that the congregation is divided into classes; in the same order then as it is divided, so they are laid on the grave yard; here the visitors find the rows containing nothing but the married men and on the opposite side married women ; as he passes on, those of the single classes, and further, those of little boys and girls under the age of twelve. The graves are all of two sizes, being without distinction of
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