New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-09-15
4 MORAVIAN LOVE-FEAST.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The N Y Tribune.
BETHLEHEM, Pa Sept. ., 1860.
Interesting and peculiar as Bethlehem lie at all times
to the stranger in certain air of repOse independence
and contentment reminding one Of the quaint towns
in mlodle Europe not yet spoiled by modern improve
mtnts It is trtbly so on the occasion of MOravian
festival. On former visits TO the village we had
lea ned Of its cuftoms and yet when at an early hour
this morning we wers awakened by the loud, long
drawn ont sounds OF the deep toned trOmbones the
feelings Of sulpre and pleasure were the those
experienced in aforegp land when al midnight aroused
by the solemn music of passing procession, celebra-
ting religious ftte. From the piazza Of the hotel we
could plain " see the mucisns 10 the steeple of the
great CID charch higl up in the sir, in the steepe OF
5urcb on q s Heet Summer Sunday morning, stood
the musicians, WI h their shining trOmbones, blowing
OuG h stirring notes OF gadness for 1t was the an
nive1sary of The lOve-fast OF the single brethren.
In the early days OF the RefOrmers, for the Mora.
VANS were b, fore Luther, this fe'uyI OF the single
bre hlen was cee braed on the 2h day OF August IL
being the anniversary of famous revival among The
Young men int ity OF Germany; bat latery the cue
ce ding Sunday has been adopted, 50 &c leral the
aSiy aud TTeverenCe of the age for accent rites and
traditions. Ho vain and futile, indeed, are the best
efforts of an to fix perpetuity, something perm3-
rent that to the latest generation will be cOnseeDuOusy
rt parded Each age each soul bas fs nsoir1t or It's
new and brighter illumnatons and the world but r.
in me CyClS one JulnH one Idu Is AZ bB
% aDorber and the wretch who bore the vice cup for
Pharoah did az much for his maser; and the site
OF the City of GAIA, with It's brazen gates that opeoei
the return Of the priests from their suburban sacrl
ces, is equally unknown as are the parting words OF
her airest daughter to the lover who aked with her
by moonlight The boy who tiDkled the silver bells at
the Mass Of the first p Pc has left as much real record
counting names as nothing stat Unbra, have the
prelates. Aud so must every merely human cOneeit
and coDtivanCe have its day and pass away.
The Moravian congregation is divided into eight
ehoirs and they are sided over by leaders m,ni
tors who in former times more than now, exercised
controlling authority the objects Of their charge.
These called the cdrens, embracing those Of tue
ages III der seven and eight years; next, the little
msdens; then the boys; fourth ia the single sisers
then the siDge brethrens; sixth, the carried peoples;
seventh the widows choir; and eighth, the widowers
choir.
The discipline for keeping the apart was for
long time very severe, the unmarried women living
alone in a large stone house by themselves, and IN
men in another, and il is said the grave elders
often in deep conference providing ways AMI near r
for maintaining nviCate the respective status OF tbOse
who were attracted to each ether Buta OF thisis at
end and except in iis beautiful charity, and bera
spirit Of federation there is hardly any distinguishing
feature 70 the persuasion. very much respected
MoIavian gentleman, who has in past ii mes filed I
high place III the Church, in ans~er to nv inquiry "a
TO their creed said: 90 not think that we dlhsr
rol other Protestant faiths except that we 10 not
4" care for TRIES If person believes IN, aud prlc-
" as ourselves and will alTays be glad TO unite with
" bin In praise and TeiOicn e.
Trey are a cheerful aud innocent, pleasureLovipg,
Christian people, even Sunday TIE Bishop himself,
On one occasion being the leader Of the village orchestra
that praCtiCed on Sunday afternoons.
When the sect was presented in 1920, and forced 70
smigIate they Were moot kindly received by Count
ZInzendorf on bis estate in Germany; and about he
yesr L. 40 few came 10 America missionaries for
j. was not their purpose to settle in the country. How
ever son scores out, Gnd liked upon tho present.
site Of Bethlehem for their nome, aud there for twenty
wears lived in community, all thtir goods in common
Bu Of course the thrifty and Industrious in lime, got
tired Of work. for the droues and the usual
RI tlDaq relation was resumed Toe old stone HOUSES
are now let out in apartments at nominal prices; and
v were told that lady could maintain herseli quite
respectfully for $50 year.
To recur TO the festival which held in the great
church in the afternoon. We went ust before clock
and fourd nearly two thousand persons already col
lecteo and diyid1d-the fair sex on the right and all
the men or the left AMI As We saw It, thought OF the
last great division and if it wOud be like this one
The VALE aud furniture OF the PLANES plainness
MT one shade or shadow Of CO0rng 10 relieve the high
white ceiiiuga and the h0or was as scru )ulonsy
secured Is the plain, hgh-backed, implanted board
her Chez that lent h the air the perfume OF Gle nness
The Ceremo1 lee commenced, continued and ended IN
singing and instrumental music, for they believe mnch
more in hymns Of praise than 10 preaching aud pray
ing ThemiHfterde sconed, or gave ont ~ the hymns,
H.. by line. and tie people sang IN concert VIVA Ile
organ and viCiua and flutes aud omJOnes, up IN the
Dllery Rolimes the trained choir and all the band
womb reform an Oid-ft-hOued anthem, not without
merit, but almost humor0usy IN contrast win the
suC 9th and gentle gJadauCus OF the modern church
music! r. en- the minister would 90 on giving out the
lines ard with graceful. loUrshDg the org lhist gave
fe audience the key note. Pretty bouquets and vases
offesh flowers on the puDit and minister staod were
the sole decorations Of the feast. Al the time men aud
women were carving about haske's Of large twisted
sweet egk,s and mugs Of CObee among The people, ano
no one ia "A 10 take them. All is oondu LED VIII
gravity. while tue sentiment OF the hymns commelds
CIfeIlulnfss and rclOi ng.
IIereiiIiug oil the minister s IN signal for me p2o-
he 10 leave the church au@ soon they may De lohh m
he pleasant walks Of the Old chnrc'yard, or on the
banks Of he Lehigh or IN Their pretty homes mus
ends the love feast Of the single brehren' h7tt1ted
more than hundred ago aud fi Observed az ~
the beginning striking exception 70 The almost uli
vcrsal mutations and noyaiOus OF cur couaty'
Iappy people apart b. theusslvts euvynS not ana
mi airp but slowly the vanties Of those wIh Whom
they are brought INFO contact. ,
Bethlehem is popularity known for ts wcl-coh1note9
Seminary for young adies situated quite near the GA
church which for msny yesra was the most sp icou'
place OF wOrship ia the State. The shady walks on
The north bank Of The swift 10 wing Lebgh invie To
the promenade and here in the season may be found
scores of fire people mostly from Philadepbla and
neigl boring ,io-. The population numbers about
three thOuaand Of which one half Of the Motavian
percussion. Az an instance Of the stnbry Of the eli
mate FpaTe lady stopping AZ the Eagle Hotel Tor slE
weeks gained 10 pounds in weight. /. g. y.
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