The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-03-03
Our Correspondence.
Correspondence of The Cecil Wing
Letter from Bethlehem Pa.
BETHLEHEM, Pa Feb. Goth, I

| Mr.. EDITOR. Dear Sir :-Perhaps letter
| from here would be interesting to your read
crs. Bethlehem is situated in Northampton
county, Pa The town is very old; though
it has lately improved wonderfully. For
long while after the Moravians settled here,
they would not allow any but Moravans to
settle in the town, and the consequence was
it did not improve. They at last commenced
selling off lots and the town has increased very
rapidly since. There are about | 200 Mora
vans here, and there are 900 inhabitants. -
| This is the Moravian beehive: they have the
largest Church and congregation here tina,
they have any where. They only number in
the entire world 20 COO: while the Methodist
| Episcopal Church numbers in the United
States alone 1918 057. The Lutherans.
German Methodists, English Nlcthodists, Ger
man Reform, Roman Catholics, all have
church here The Moravians are the greatest
people in the world, suppose, for Music -
vocal and instrumental especially the latter.
Their mode of burial IS very singular. The
men by themselves, and the women by them
selves the graves on top are square. and the
tomb stones are laid fat on top. When any
one dies among them two or three of their best
musicians will take their instruments and go
up on top of their chlrch, and if it is a young
person they will play lively tune; if an old
person solemn tune. And then when the
funeral takes place they always have music
at the grave.
In THEN love fcasts they use coffee instead
Of water. and a cake almost large enough for
breakfast. They have a love feast for the old
men, old ladies, young gentlemen, young
ladies', children and infants. These are at
different times was invited to attend the
Young gentlemen 5 love feast, which accepted
walked into the church, and took a seat. -
Presently the large organ began to play and
the choir to sing. Directly in came some
young me:., well loaded with cakes, carry ing
them in baskets. | remembered that old
adagc, when in " Rome do as Rome does :"
so when they came to me took one and went
to work: shortly in came the coffee, and
took that. Well, thinks I, this is a strange
way to worship God however. concluded to
eat, drink and he merry. Presently the ben
cdicton was pronounced by the venerable
Bishop. | heard nothing but the Bishop
reading the lines of the first hymn music and
the smackng of lips They tell me that this
love feast was Characteristic of all their love
feasts. You may rely upon it they take good
care Of the inner man. Some Of the old Nor
avians cat five times day: 10 and o'c clock
are their extra hours. At these meals they
generally have cake and coffee; they call them
"TfSpcr."
There is an Island close by the town in the
Lehigh River, belonging to the Moravians. -
In the Summer this island is a great place Of
resort; many of the citizens go over and stay
from morning to evening. / have noticed
Moravians there with their old fashion Ia ole
and coffee pot, enjoying themselves, and rat
Ting of the Dutch at a great rate.
Some three or four hundred visitors were
, here ali last summer. Some evenings. when
the city visitors would walk out it look I'd a
. little like Chestnut Street, The attract ions
} here are great; some delightful walks. Ms
key hin is walk Of nearly mile round
beautifully shaded in Summer, and flowers
growing along the path. Lehigh River walls
is along the river for about hall mile. Nea
the terminus of this walk two young men il
tho Summer keep thirty or fort, boats for TIT
accommodation Of any person who may wan
to take boat ride and by these boats the,
sail over to the Island previously alluded to
Lehigh Mountain walk sup the Lehigh Noun
tain; when we reach the top there Is com
handing view OF the country for many miles
The visitors from distance begin to come il
in the month Of May. and many of them sta,
as late as October and November. Mr.. Lei
c berts and MIR. Ieche' s are the prino; pal hotel
$ in the town said to be equal to the Girart
House, of Philadelphia.
Considering the place, there is but very
little liquor drank. ] have not seen NOR,
> than one man drunk since have been IN thu
place.
There are two Railroads here the Nortl
Pennsylvania: Bethlehem is the terminus O
j this. The Leheigh Valley railroad Connect
$ with New York Road at Easton; this afford
II e 1..1.