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br. Christian F. Benzien was sent hither, to take further steps in the matter; in consequence, this district was declared a separate parish, by an act of Assembly in the autumn of 1755, by the name of Dobb's parish, which name was retained until the year 1776. In the mean time the building of a grist mill had been commenced, as well as a dwelling and meeting house, the cornerstone of which was laid on October 25th. Both buildings were finished in the course of 1756; the former proving of great advantage not only to the inhabitants of the place, but to the whole neighborhood, both then, and subsequently in seasons of scarcity. On the 11th of May the first child was born in Bethabara, and in holy baptism received the name of Anna Johanna Krause. In consequence of war having broken out with some Indian tribes at the North, it was found necessary to fortify both the mill and the houses in town with palisades. In order to maintain and strengthen the mutual interest, several brethren visited about this time from the Pennsylvania congregations; among others the brn. Matthew Hehl, Martin Mack, and Lawatsch.-On the occasion of the departure of the child Anna Maria Opitz, in December 1757, a piece of ground on the adjacent hill was set apart for a burial place, her mortal remains being the first deposited therein. In 1758 the brn. John Etwein and Jacob Rogers arrived from Pennsylvania, the latter having been appointed first english minister of Dobb's parish. Thus opportunities were offered to preach the gospel in the adjacent country, br. Etwein extending his visits into South Carolina, and as far as Georgia.

About this time many friendly Indians passed through the place, at one time to the number of 300 Cherokees, on their way to the war against the hostile northern Indians. These subsequently, when speaking of the place, described it as "the Dutch fort, where there are good people and much bread." The year 1759 was distinguished by great troubles on account of the war, the Cherokees having now united with the other hostile tribes. The war spread more and more through all the country; many murders were committed among the scattered settlers, and their plantations destroyed. Many persons from the neighborhood, and even from considerable distances continued to take refuge in the brethren's settlement, which became a general place of safety against the inroads of parties of the enemy. At the same time, and in consequence of the war, a famine prevailed in parts of North Carolina, and the adjacent districts of Virginia; many people from those parts, some even from a distance of 100 miles, came to Bethabara to purchase flour. The brethren, having with the assistance of those who had found a place of refuge with them, cleared an additional 100 acres of land, were thereby enabled to supply these at the usual price; while, at the same time, they omitted no opportunity to point out to them the necessity of providing for the wants of their souls,

and seeking to obtain the bread of life. Nor was their faithful testimony of the truth, as it is in Christ Jesus, unheeded and unblest; for many of these visitors and sojourners subsequently became united to them, in the bonds of faith and brotherly fellowship. At this time a severe fever broke out, which, in many instances, proved fatal. Among the 11, who out of their whole number of between 60 and 70, were thereby called to their eternal rest, were br. Christian Seidel, the minister, and their doctor, br. Kalberlahn. In the month of June the brethren were rejoiced by the arrival of br. Spangenberg, who, accompanied by several others, that were to remain, came on an official visit. Notwithstanding the hard times, the establishing of a new settlement was resolved upon. With a view to find a suitable location, the above mentioned brother with several others went to the so called " Walnut bottom," about 3 miles north west of Bethabara, and there, on the 12th of June, selected the spot, on which the settlement was to be formed. To this new congregation the name of Bethany was given on June 25th. They began the felling of trees on July 10th; 15 lots for dwellings were measured off; and immediately commenced upon by 8 families from Bethabara; besides whom 8 of those families, who had found refuge there, and had become concerned for the salvation of their souls under the preaching of the gospel, and applied for permission to join the church, were for the present allowed to occupy a number of lots in the upper part of the new settlement. The daily word on the day, on which br. Grabs with his family moved to the place, was: "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me "Ps. xxiii; which proved a word of much comfort to them amidst the horrors of a cruel war and the consequent necessity of being on the alert both day and night. With the year 1760 the danger increased, the Indians, principally Cherokees, in strong numbers having invaded many parts of North Carolina; they encamped in two parties, 3 and 6 miles from Bethany, so that for some time none ventured to attend the daily meetings unarmed. In a short space of time no less than 15 persons were murdered in the neighborhood. Under the kind providence of God however no assault was made upon either of the two settlements, the Indians being, by their own declaration, restrained from venturing upon it, by the sound of the bells, calling to meeting, and the horns of the watchmen. A fall of snow in March caused the enemy finally to retire, whereby quiet was restored; so that the blessed season for commemorating the Saviors' sufferings, death, and resurrection proved a time of rich spiritual enjoyment. On Easter Sunday, br. Spangenberg addressed a congregation of 400 persons, among whom there was a rifle company, then in the neighborhood, with evident impression on the hearts of those present. Soon after he finished his labors in these parts, and returned to Pennsylvania; previously several of those who had applied for

church fellowship, were admitted, and the first confirmation held. Peace having been fully restored in the year 1761, both the external and internal growth continued.

The following year (1762) a company of 15 brethren and sisters arrived from Pennsylvania by way of Wilmington, among whom were the brethren Graff and Gammern, both appointed to offices in this settlement; they brought with them a small organ, the first in this place, an instrument at that time little known in the state. The first marriage also took place in this year. Subsequently their number received additions, first in the year 1764, when br. Lawrence Bage arrived from Pennsylvania with 12 youths; and in 1766, when a company of 16 persons arrived from Europe by way of Charleston, with which place commercial intercourse had been established since the year 1762. These were accompanied by br. Utley, who had accepted a call as english minister of the parish. At this time br. Etwein, who had continued from time to time to visit in South Carolina, and found opportunities for preaching the gospel in the vicinity of the Congaree, Saluda, and Broadriver, having served the Lord in these parts in various capacities for 7 years, returned to Pennsylvania, having been appointed a member of the General Conference at Bethlehem.

On the 14th of February 1765, during the temporary presence of br. Marshall, who had been appointed Director of the secular affairs in Wachovia, the place was determined upon, on which the new principal settlement was to be established; the name of which was to be "Salem" by direction of the late Count Zinzendorf, previous to his departure in May 1760, who for many years had taken a warm interest in the American branch of the church. The situation was nearly central, between the middle fork or Wach, the brushy fork, and Petersbach. The daily word of the church on that day was: "Let thine eyes be opened toward this house night and day, even toward the place, of which thou hast said: my name shall be there." 1 Kings viii, 29.

Immediately after New Year 1766, a new strait road was opened from Bethabara through the forest, and the first house on the intended termination of it, blocked up on January 6th. This was ready for the reception of 8 brethren in a few weeks, who accordingly moved into it on February 4th; besides this a few other buildings were erected in Salem in the course of this year, at the close of which Bethabara contained 122 inhabitants, and Bethany 87. In the years following many of the brethren and sisters, whose original destination had been for Salem, but who had tarried at Bethabara, until they could be accommodated in the former place, moved to their new abode.-Br. Marshall, who had attended the General Synod of the Church in 1767, arrived with his wife, accompanied by br. and sr. Traugott Bagge and several others, by way of Charleston on February 14th 1768, and entered permanently

on the duties of his office. The superintendance of the affairs of Wachovia having hitherto been vested in the general board in Bethlehem, this arrangement was now changed, and a separate board of Directors constituted for this province, the seat of which was in Salem. Several new buildings were erected for general purposes in Salem, in the course of this year, among which was a house for the accommodation of young men, which on the 27th of December was entered by 20 young men and youth.

In the year 1769 and subsequently the number of inhabitants in Wachovia received additions by the arrival of several families from country congregations in Pennsylvania; also by 6 german families from Broad bay in New England, where they had enjoyed the pastoral care of br. George Soelle; further by a company from Carrol's manor in Maryland, and others from different places. This led to the establishment of 3 so called country-congregations between the years 1769 and 1780; namely 1., Friedberg, on the southern line of Wachovia, 2., Friedland, near the south east corner, and 3., Hope, near the south west corner.

(To be continued.)

COMMUNICATION.

(To the Editor of the Moravian Church Miscellany.)

DEAR BROTHER,

In the number of communications which have lately appeared in the Miscellany, concerning the character, present condition, and future prospects of the church of the United Brethren, I have felt a peculiar and lively interest. As a son of the church, one who has drunk at its fountain of eternal life, and an inheritor of some of those glorious privileges, the which, however they may have fallen in these our days from their pristine fulness, seemed to some of my ancestors more precious than all the things of this life, I could not but hope that much benefit might ensue, from the spirit of enquiry which had been aroused. It is certainly gratifying to see that some masterly views of the above subjects, and many valuable points for reflection have been put forth; but on the other hand, I for one have been grieved to see that some ideas concerning the nature and duty of the Brethren's church, not only very wide of the truth, but in their practical bearing absolutely perni cious, have been suffered to pass without comment or remonstrance.

There may, for instance, be some truth in the observation, that reposing upon the experience of our forefathers to the neglect of gathering the spiritual manna for ourselves, may have brought

leanness into many souls; and, that the fire of heavenly love purified and refined from all carnal affections, in dark times of trial and persecution, may, from the temporal peace and security which has surrounded us of late years, have grown dim upon our altars. But who that has any knowledge of the weakness of the human heart, the insidious nature of sin, and the towering, and to all but the grace defended soul, the allconquering assumptions of the prince of this world who that has any knowledge of the benefits of learning from living witnesses the word of life, and of the apostolic unction with which this word has been proclaimed, and the ordinances of the church of Christ dispensed, in the congregations of the United Brethren, will subscribe to the doctrine that the world is a fitter place for a Christian's teaching? Is it in the world, in the scriptural sense of the word, the Christ-hating and God-alienated world, that we are to become prepared for the enjoyment of heaven, and that our children are to be trained to the fear of the Lord? No doubt we have fallen short of the zeal of our forefathers; no doubt we have fallen far short of their simplicity, of their spiritual blessings and enjoyments, and of their peace of mind; but is it from sinners that we are to derive these things, to obtain new motions to holiness, and new ideas of the blessedness of the children of God? On the other hand are not the scriptures full of the most solemn warnings against having fellowship with the workers of iniquity? That Babylon which is to be destroyed we are expressly commanded to come out of, by the awful threatening of being partaker of her plagues.

The apostle Paul repeatedly cautions his spiritual children, and even his well approved son Timothy against those whose hearts are fashioned after this world. "From such" he says to Timothy, 1st epistle, 6th chap. 5th v. "withdraw thyself." What can be plainer? Not only is it our privilege, our great privilege, thus to separate ourselves from workers of iniquity, but it is our duty.

Another mischievous idea, which has been broached lately in one of the communications concerning the Brethren's church in the Miscellany, and which is likely to be of even more extensive injury because it appeals to a mischievous national vanity, that the church must be remodelled to suit the institutions of this country. Christianity was never intended to be made subservient to the institutions of any country or time. It was intended to conquer, supplant, destroy, or utterly condemn in its rejection, all earthly powers; and that such will be the final issue of the struggle Christ our Savior expressly assures us.

Miserable substitutes for the rule of Christ on all gevernments, even the best, of man's device; in all of which we see the ends of justice flagrantly violated, and in all of which Mammon and Belial exert more or less of their whithering influences. Therefore has

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