USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 116
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The settlers were given the assurance that they would be supplied with preaching by the Brethren. Before the close of the year a small log church was completed. It stood within the old burial ground, a small monument now marks the spot. A congregation in harmony with the plan of the Union Synod was organized consist- ing entirely of Reformed and Lutherans and several Mennonites. It was understood that by uniting thus they were not forsaking the faiths in which they were originally confirmed. For uniformity's sake it was mutually agreed that the Lord's Supper be administered according to the Lutheran custom. John Gottlieb Pezold conducted the services most frequently, and it was chiefly through his efforts that the congre- gation finally affiliated with the Moravians. Leonard Schnell occasionally assisted Pezold. Both were members of the first "Sea Congrega- tion," which arrived at Philadelphia during the earlier part of the month of June, 1742.
During the year 1747 the Union Synod showed signs of rapid weakening mainly due to the efforts of Reverends Muhlenberg and Schlat- ter in successfully organizing Lutheran and Re- formed congregations into regular Synods. The authorities at Bethlehem fearing that important congregations and properties upon which they had expended considerable means were about to pass from out of their control, made an effort
to bring the union circles, whom they served into closer filial relation to the Moravian Church. Besides the piety and purity of the lives of the Moravian Brethren and the excellence of their schools had won the affection of many of the most spiritual of the colonists, so that not a few gave frequent intimations of a willingness to enter into a closer relationship. This was es- pecially true of the "Trope" in Maguntche.
"So it appeared to the bishops and elders of Bethlehem time to gather this ripe grain into a sheaf and they accordingly resolved to gather these souls into a congregation and to provide them with the needful spiritual workers and oversight. For this purpose the adherents in Salzburg were called together in a love-feast on July 23, 1747, at which the subject of organiza- tion was discussed with them and it was definite- ly determined upon that the following Sabbath should be the day for the completion of the organization.
Accordingly on the next Sunday July 30, 1747, all the chosen ones gathered in Bethlehem, some living in Salzburg and some in Saucon, all being present but those prevented by sickness. They all attended morning service. Brother John Frederick Cammerhoff presided, basing his sermon on the daily text: "They shake the head at Him;" citing these lines which the historian quotes :
'Gottes Leiden und blutige Muth, Reimt sich nicht mit Philosophie.'
After the sermon an enjoyable love-feast took place in the chapel, during which different mat- ters pertaining to the outward and inner ar- rangements of the organization were discussed. They were then introduced to the brethren and sisters who should be their leaders. Thus Bro- ther Anton and Sister Elizabeth Wagner were to be their elder and elderess; John Munster and his wife, Rosina, deacon and deaconess, and Brother Christopher Heyne and his wife, Maria, were to be superintendents over the boarding school children. At 6 o'clock the whole congre- gation assembled and the little band from Salz- burg were set in the midst, the congregation en- circling them, while among others this hymn was sung:
'Die unumschraenkete Hand des Herrn Besorgt sie all 'in der Naeh und Fern;
Und zuweilen sammelt Er sich auch Haufen, Die Er mit seinem Geist pflegt zu taufen,
Zu einem Leibe.
Das werden Gemeinen des Herrn genennt Worin das Feuer des Herren brennt :
Unser Gotteskaemmerlein wohnt in der Mitten; Gnade und Wahrheit fuellt solche Huetten;
Und Fried und Freud.
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BOROUGH OF EMAUS.
After they had thus sung, Spangenberg spoke on the daily word: "For a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him." (I Tim. I : 16). Following the address the newly chosen brethren and sisters were ordained for the work in Salzburg by the laying on of hands by Bishop Spangenberg and Cammerhoff. Finally Brother Sebastian and Sister Anna Knause and Brother Jacob Ehrenhardt and Sister Barbara Ehren- hardt were set apart by the laying on of hands to the office of church wardens.
This act of organization was concluded with the celebration of the Holy Communion, ad- ministered to the following ten members of the newly received Salzburg congregation by Rev. Cammerhoff. They were Sebastian Knauss, An- na Knauss, Jacob Ehrenhardt, Barbara Ehren- hardt, Samuel Eberhardt Kopp, Anna Kopp, Conrad Weizel, Philip Kratzer, Jacob Herr- mann, Heinrich Guth.
The remaining charter members who were enrolled at the organization were: Joseph Graff, Susanna Graff, Peter Graff, Margareta Graff, Johannes Knauss, Maria, C. Knauss, Jacob Lo- scher and wife, Johannes Koehler, Eva M. Koeh- ler, Martin Bamberger, Elizabeth Bamberger, Johannes Landes and wife, Jacob Barstler, Cath- erine Albrecht, George Hartmann, Christina Hartmann, Tobias Weber, Margareta Weber, Peter Hoffman and wife, Rudy Oberly and wife, Frederick Rauschenberger, Maria Rauschenber- ger, Catherine Guthin, Rosina Pfingstag, Ros- ina Mosz, Mrs. Philip Kratzer, Gertrude Co- gin, Catherine Wezel."
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From the small circle of adherents in Lynn from time to time believers were added to the congregation. On July 23, 1749, a united com- munion was celebrated. This filial relation was continued until October 2, 1751, when the last united communion was held, because the school- house was completed, a separate congregation was organized in Lynn.
On May 5, 1758, the church authorities de- termined to found a congregational village (Ge- mein Ort) closed to all except members of the Salzburg congregation. One hundred and two acres were donated for this purpose. The town was surveyed and laid out December 23, 1758. The following year two houses were erected. Not until 1761 did the village receive its bibli- cal name, Emmaus, when at a love-feast held April 3rd, conducted by Bishop Spangenburg, it was announced that the place hitherto called Maguntchi and Salzburg was now to be known as Emmaus. The Bishop at the time read an 1
original hymn composed for the occasion, begin- ning,
"Als Jesus Auferstanden war, Reist von Jerusalem ein Paar."
PRELIMINARY CONDITIONS OR TOWN REGU- LATIONS.
Which every person desiring to become an in- habitant in the new town or village called Em- maus, situate in the Township of Salisbury, in the County of Northampton, in the Province of Pennsylvania, must previously agree strictly to observe and adhere to, to wit:
Section 1. For-as-much as the fundamental plan and original design of building the congre- gation village Emmaus is principally to establish a suitable place where persons belonging to the Brethren's Church, or - any particular branch thereof, living either in towns or on their planta- tions may have for themselves and families a Cure Animarum and preservation from danger- ous and hurtful worldly connections and their consequences ; which care and preservation and other spiritual assistance they are but too sens- ible cannot be had in their present places of abode, living either mixed with other people of different sentiments and practice, or on planta- tions too remote from our Churches and Congre- gation Houses. It necessarily follows therefore, that, strictly speaking, nobody can have leave to reside in this village but those who belong to the Brethren's Church and such who earnestly desire to live a peaceful and quiet life in all god- liness and honesty, whereby they for themselves and their own hearts may have benefit; mutually build up each other; have the Word of God richly dwelling among them; train up their children for our Saviour ; preserve their sons and daughters for Him; become a blessing and ad- vantage to the Province ; a pleasure to the magis- trates and an honor to our Saviour.
Sec. 2. A second reason for building this village is: that its inhabitants in the emergencies and troubles of War (as has been the case since the year 1755) may be in a condition mutually to assist each other, as well as generally to ren- der the difficulties incident to human life more supportable.
Sec. 3. To the end that these two purposes may be fully attained, a number of Brethren in Emmaus, as a Committee of Arbitrators for the management of Temporal Affairs, are to be appointed for to regulate and keep in good order everything relating to the village and its inhabit- ants. The elders and wardens of the congrega- tion, as well as those of each respective choir, for
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
the time being, are ordinarily to constitute a part of this committee.
Sec. 4. Whoever has a mind to remove to and establish himself in Emmaus, must above all things, first lay before this committee a true and just account and state of his temporal circum- stances, particularly of his debts ; if he has where- withal to discharge them and the time when; and in case it be required by the committee, he must pay them off before he obtains leave to build.
Sec. 5. The landlord will give each settler in Emmaus a lease, and the tenant on his part must bind himself, his executors and administra- tors in a bond of five hundred pounds sterling penalty to perform the covenants contained in such lease.
this country) to settle them amicably ; and should the voices be equally divided on both sides, that then the President of the said Committee, as um- pire, shall at all times decide the matter in ques- tion, whose determination shall be binding to both parties, as though they had actually entered into Arbitration Bond.
Sec. 8. That, not only light-minded, dis- orderly and useless conversation, but also all intercourse between persons of both sexes, as well married as single, both within and without the village, contrary to our avowed choir principles, must be carefully avoided; for which reason every master of a family, having children and servants of both sexes, must make such disposi- tion in their houses, that all soul-damages and offence may be prevented, and in cases of that
EVERETT HOME. ERECTED 1763.
Sec. 6. Every inhabitant in Emmaus must as is meet and right, not only conduct himself in all things agreeable to the Laws of the Province, for we will not be a disorderly people, but like- wise must conform without exception to all the Congregation and Village Regulations which under the directorium of the Unitas Fratrum, now are or hereafter may be made.
Sec. 7. Under this head is to be reckoned first of all, that every inhabitant of Emmaus shall own and acknowledge the authority of the said Committee of Arbitrators for temporal con- cerns, and engage to act conformable to their Town Regulations; as also upon any differences arising between neighbor and neighbor that they will refer the matters in dispute unto the afore- said Committee of Arbitrators (a usual thing in
nature always to act subordinate to the advice and direction of the committee.
Sec. 9. That no inhabitant follow any other trade or business, save that only which he fol- lowed at his admission into the village, unless he obtain the consent and approbation of the committee for so doing.
Sec. 10. That all traffic be carried on with ready money or money's worth, and that at a word, without cheapening. In general every in- habitant of Emmaus in matters respecting Trade and Commerce, is to govern himself according to the prescription of the committee, to the intent that the interest and welfare of every individual there residing may be duly attended to and pro- moted.
Sec. II. That none either borrow or lend
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BOROUGH OF EMAUS.
money without the previous knowledge and con- sent of the aforesaid committee.
Sec. 12. That none give even a night's lodg- ing in his house to any person whatsoever, with- out first having acquainted the committee there- of and obtained their consent or the Wardens' approbation. In like manner, that no inhabitant, nor any person belonging to him, by his direction, do undertake a journey, either far or near, with- out first consulting the Wardens thereupon.
Sec. 13. That no person do presume to act in the capacity of a doctor, surgeon, empirick or midwife. Nor, on the other hand, shall any in- habitant consult or advise, in medicinal and chir- urgical concerns or in matters in midwifery, with any other persons than those authorized and appointed by the congregation, unless it be with the privity and consent of the committee or the wardens of the congregation.
Sec. 14. Further, that in as much as a Con- gregation Village must have many necessary ex- penses to defray, for the well ordering of the whole or some particular branch thereof, e. g. night-watches, digging, making and repairing wells and pumps, provision against fire and the eruption of Savages, etc .! no inhabitant there- fore ought to withdraw his hand but cheerfully contribute on such occasions his proportion as shall be resolved on from time to time by- the aforesaid committee or by a special committee to be composed of a select number of the in- habitants.
Sec. 15. All those who have leave to build houses must firmly agree to this: that neither they, their executors or administrators have power to sell, let, hire out, or even give away their houses, lots and improvements in Emmaus, nor any part thereof, unless they have authority for so doing in writing from the owner of the soil, or his agents, or from the aforesaid com- mittee.
Sec. 16. The landlord pays the quit-rent for the land to the proprietaries; but all other taxes now laid or hereafter to be laid by the Govern- ment on persons, lots, houses and personal estate are to be defrayed by the tenants and the owner of the soil indemnified against the same.
Sec. 17. Nothing shall be taught or preached in Emmaus, but what is conformable to the Gos- pel of Christ. Has any one an opinion, peculiar to himself, such a person may be indulged there- in, provided he seek not to propagate it.
Sec. 18. It is expected that on all occasions that when the congregation is expressly convened, each person appear at the appointed time.
Sec. 19. No difference shall subsist in Em- maus longer than eight days; nor shall any com- plaint be lodged unless within the time afore-
said limited, no accommodation can be effected ; in which case the matter in dispute shall then be laid before the committee and by them deter- mined in such wise, that a decision be made and the affair finally adjusted in the space of eight days, between the accuser and accused, that so the umbrages given may be immediately abol- ished, which is to be done at the cost and charge of the person, who in the judgment of the com- mittee has been the aggressor.
Sec. 20. No meetings, either public or priv- ate, shall be kept without lights, on any account whatsoever.
Sec. 21. Whenever the congregation nego- tiates matters by any member of theirs, the whole body is necessarily responsible; however his au- thority for so doing must first have been sub- scribed by the committee or the president and clerk of the same. Should anyone, notwith- standing, transact anything in the name of the congregation, for which he had no such com- mission, he shall answer for it according to law, and moreover forfeit thereby his privilege of continuing in Emmaus.
Sec. 22. He that borrows shall repay at the appointed time, unless he can make it appear that it was not in his power to keep his word; in which case another reasonable time shall be fixed and agreed upon. He that lends to others shall set a time when it is morally possible he may be repaid. No one shall bespeak a thing that he knows he cannot pay for when he is to fetch it away.
Sec. 23. No dancing-matches, tippling in tav- erns (except for the necessary entertainment of strangers and travellers) beer-tappings, feastings at weddings, christenings or burials, common sports and pastimes, gaming with dice, cards, etc., (nor the playing of the children in the streets), shall be so much as heard of amongst the inhab- itants. They whose inclination is that way bent cannot live in Emmaus.
Sec. 24. Those whose time is mostly en- grossed by the business of their respective offices and functions in the congregation and have not wherewithal to live upon, must be provided for by the congregation, as circumstances and neces- sity require. Otherwise every inhabitant in Emmaus must labor with his own hands and eat his own bread. Those who by reason of age, sickness or poverty are incapable of so doing, the congregation will maintain if so be they have no relations, who according to Holy Writ, ought to do it.
Sec. 25. Should any person, by the all-wise Providence of God, be deprived of his senses, he shall for God's sake be mercifully treated and patiently borne with and be committed to the
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
care of discreet persons to be attended and nursed by them both as to soul and body, and if so be he is restored again, no mention shall be made of his former situation in any wise.
Sec. 26. Every brother and every sister shall be respected in the offices they respectively bear in the congregation ; nor shall any person pre- sume to be disobedient to or oppose a servant of the congregation or any one else in the exercise of his office.
Sec. 27. Those to whom the inspection over houses, wells, fields, roads, taxes, etc., is com- mitted, shall be assiduous in their offices ; should any mistake or fault happen to be made on their side, no one in such case shall resist them, but rather lay the affair before the committee and leave it to their determination.
Sec. 28. The exclusive privilege of setting up a store, apothecary's shop and tavern is reserved for the public benefit of the Congregation Vil- lage. Besides these, no other persons shall in any sort meddle with store or shopkeeping or exercise the business of an apothecary, nor shall any one else be allowed to keep a public house.
Sec. 29. A brother shall be allowed and ap- pointed to receive all the profits that accrue by the above regulations or by any other ways or means, who shall make it his proper business to keep just accounts of his receipts and disburse- ments and quarterly or oftener, if required, lay them before the committee; that so all things may be transacted honestly in the sight of God and man.
Sec. 30. Whenever it happens that any one. cannot be permitted to reside any longer in Em- maus, the committee with the consent of the Bishops and Elders of the Brethren's Church ; who for the time being have Emmaus under their care and direction, is then to notify the same in writing and insist upon his leaving the place.
Sec. 31. Nevertheless nobody, in such case, shall lose the benefit of their improvements, but shall be satisfied for the same in the manner prescribed in the lease.
Sec. 32. Goods which are to be had in Em- maus, shall not without urgent necessity be bought elsewhere.
Sec. 33. To that end that good work may be made and the same may be sold for a right price, there shall be established a Board of Mas- ters, who shall have the superintendence over all the trades and professions exercised and carried on in Emmaus. In the beginning, however, the committee may take charge upon them, when every inhabitant in Emmaus must strictly gov- ern himself according to the rules and orders the committee or board aforesaid shall in that re- spect ordain and make.
Sec. 34. All fraud and over-reaching of one's neighbour ; likewise any premeditated mischief done to the woods, fences, fields, fruit trees, etc., belonging to the owner of the soil or any other, shall be deemed infamous; as generally all other gross, heathenish sins, to wit: gluttony and drunkenness, cursing and swearing, lying and cheating, pilfering and stealing, quarreling and fighting shall not even be heard of in Emmaus; he that is guilty of the like cannot be suffered to continue there.
Sec. 35. All parents and masters (whose children, servants, maids or prentices are under their own roof) as well as those who have the care of the choir-house, shall see that the people under their respective charges may be within at seasonable hours and all night talks prevented. In general, parents and masters shall be account- able for their children and families, and when any of them misbehave or do amiss, it shall be required at their hands, unless they have given the committee timely notice and information that one or another of their household is intractable, that so measures may be taken to put a stop to any consequent mischievous effect or else, if needs must, that the incorrigible transgressing party may be turned away.
Sec. 36. He that sees, hears, or comes to the knowledge of anything, by which danger and hurt to soul or body or otherwise offence and scandal may in any sort ensue or arise, either to the whole place or any particular brethren or sisters, or even to a single person, must by no means conceal it, but take the first opportunity, with prudence and discretion, to reveal the mat- ter unto such persons as of right should be ac- quainted with it, e. g. the elders and wardens and such like persons in the respective choirs. Those who act not in this manner shall be looked upon as accomplices.
Sec. 37. Every man must be circumspect and careful in regard to fire and subject himself therein to such rules as shall be established among us.
Sec. 38. The streets of the village shall be kept orderly and clean by the circumjacent house- keepers who shall not throw or cause to be thrown out any straw, dung, or other filth, but shall carefully lay the same behind their houses, in their yards or gardens. or shall any tools or other things of general use or value be care- lessly left lying about in public places.
Sec. 39. Any damage done to wells, ways, houses or other things of a public nature shall be repaired and made good at the cost and charge of the person or persons through whose fault and neglect the same happened.
Sec. 40. Nobody shall use and make free
BOROUGH OF EMAUS.
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with a thing belonging to his neighbour, with- out first having obtained his consent.
Sec. 41. No marriage shall be contracted or inade without the privity and approbation of the elders of the congregation and choirs; nor shall any one attempt to promote or make secret matches. He that is minded to act otherwise, whether it be by himself alone or in conjunction with others forfeit his right of being an inhabit- ant of Emmaus.
Sec. 42. The sick shall not be promiscously attended and nursed, but according to the re- ceived regulations of the congregation.
Sec. 43. No journeyman, prentice, servant, maid, or negro shall be received into any family without the privity and approbation of the com-
twelve members of the congregation were im- prisoned at Easton and kept on bread and water until the 29th, because they refused to take the oath of allegiance to the new government, in September thirteen others repeated the experi- ence, among them their minister.
Bethlehem, Oct. Ist, 1778.
My dear Br. Graff:
"On that day (Sept. 16th) I left Lititz with Br. Matthaeus (Hehl) went by way of Heidel- berg, Oley where we visited old Br. & Sr. Burst- ler,-and Emaus, and reached Bethlehem on the 19th, to my great joy and surprise of many Brethern. Br. Matthaeus did not hurt, because
MORAVIAN CHURCH SHOWING THE ADDITION OF 1766.
mittee, and every housekeeper shall put away all such as soon as they become seducers.
Sec. 44. It is a good and necessary thing for every one to make his last will in due time. The committee can be consulted in that respect from time to time as occasion requires.
Sec. 45. The Committee of Arbitrators, un- der the direction of the elders and bishops, is to have the superintendence of the foregoing articles, and generally of the whole village and its in- habitants, of what rank and condition so-ever.
The foregoing statutes were subscribed by Se- bastian Knauss, Andrew Giering, Bernard Winsch and Matthias Wogner, the seventh day of July, 1761.
The years 1778-1779 were hard years for the people of Emmaus on account of their conscien- tious scruples against oaths. On April 4, 1778
he knew that on Friday the 18th the Justices would be in Bethlehem to administer an oath to all Brethern, who were willing; nothing hap- pened because none of the Brethern consented to take it though the Justices were on time. I re- joice in the unity of the Brethern and their steadfastness is surprising. On the 22nd Br. Frantz Bohler and 12 of his Emaus Brethern passed through here on their way to the Easton jail having been summoned thither because of their refusal to take the oath. The 12 however partly on account of rough treatment, and partly on account of their families, grew weak and faint hearted, took the oath, and left their leader Br. Bohler alone in prison. Later however he was released, the required security of 400 pounds having been given the jailer and Fuller (sic) by him and was ordered to appear at the next
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