Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-17
The MOravians in Pennsylvania.

ple. the Morayians, commenced telling trees III
an unbroken forest, and laid the foundation tor
a missionary establishment which has become
celebrated throughout the world. They selected
a beautiful spot on the bend OF the river in LIE
high valley, called it Gethleht u, in honor OF
the birthplace Of the Saviour,and have built up
one OF the most beautiful towns in America.
The sect are called Moravians from the country
of their founder But they call themselves Uni
tas Fratrum United Brethren Their service
is liturgica one part Of the day, and extempo-
rary prays are allowed. The church has bishops
as overseers, but is ruled by college Of elders.
Their native language is German, and one ser
vice day is held in their mother tongue III
Bethlehem
The Moravians have everywhere paid great
attention to education. The seminary at Beth
lehem is over Il hundred years old. |: is church
property, as is everything else belonging to the
fraternity in the town. The old structure stands,
but around it cluster huge buildings OF modern
device. The school accommodates two hundred
pupils Everything is neat, but everything is
plain The floors are uncarpeted, and the sim
plicity of ancient times is maintained BlSh-
% is principal of the school, A pupil on COM
ing to the school is put into family. The al
lotment is made according to age. In this tami
ly the pupil remains while in school The tami-
ly consists Of ten pupils, with two teachers OF
companions The teacher is inseparable to the
class In the common dining room each has a
table and occupy it us family. Each class has
a common wash room and sleeping room They
study together, walk together together take
their recreation, together attend church. This
family system is the peculiar arrangement
adopted by the Moravians.
In the center Of the town, on 4; high emil
nence, stands the church-a huge, cathedral
looking structure of fine proportions on COM
manding SITE Though built eight years ago,
there are few places of worship in the land
more attractive. 1t will seat 800 people, and
has every modern elegance. Great attention Ii
paid to music, which combines in the church,
choir and congregational singing the free rhap-
sody of Methodist melody with the works of
the great masters. There are two pastors in
the church The quaint furniture OF the oldcl
time is shown in the ante-rooms, where are
piled up huge baskets which hold the buns
used at love feasts, for the love feast of the
Moravians conSiSInOt IN nlbbe OF bread, but
what its name implies-a feast.
Originally this sect settled at Eastern. Fear
ing that bushes would come in, the fraternity
left for the wilds of the Lehigh valley. Though
very rich-owning the better part Of the town.
the repute of the Moravians for thrift, tempe
rance and benefcence of conduct, was 80 groa
that outsiders could not be kept away. TO
years the workshops, stores and hotels Wert
run by the fraternity. But the world came in
and the town is now large and rich and prospe
rous in the hands of those who do not belong
to the brethren. Lofty churches lift then
spires in the midst of the settlement, and elc
the dwellings and pubic buildings of th(
sbrethern. The rule limiting marriages tt
the sect has been somewhat relaxed. The
poor are specially CARED for. Instead OF
common poor house, quite L number OF com
Portable and attractive tcnements shelter tn
Door, in which they are comfortably maintain
ed Formerly the brethren lived together llk
colony of monks in what was known as tn
brethren house The sisters house is still
maintained.-Lctter to the Boston ,]ownaL
The Pope ON ENGLISH LITERATuRE.--!
correspondent of the London Telegraph ha
had an interview with the Pope. From hi
account of the incident we extract the fo
lowing:
1t was now my turn. The eyes of Plus IN
were fixed upon my face. English, sait
the chamberlain in answer to look 1.-THE Pope
eyes are very expressive) 'and his name is
He, too, is an artist" The Pope held out hi
hand to me, and asked in italian whether
was Il painter or Il sculptor. | replied, Meth
er, your Holiness y and added, for found
was contradicting the chamberlain that wa
not, properly speaking, an artist, but only
writer. There are artists i'll words as we'll a
colors, said Plus IX., when Kissed his hand
'' Scott era un loittore Byroni uno scuitorc nae
SHAKESPEARE eru tMti due aiid ro7td - (Scot
was painter and Byron a sculptor, but Shak
spearc was both at once y All eyes, includin
those of the cardinals were now fixed upo
me, and as felt my unworthincss to occlp
any longer the public attention, | merely an
swered, Yes your Holiness But the Pop
had not quite done '4h, qmd Shakespeare
he exclaimed with thoughtful shake Of hi
head, "Chc gigtnie CHE ou'or*! Egh c
pin gr,mdc d tuHi gil art aiE (Ah tn;
Shakespeare! What 4 giant what an author
He is the greatest of all the artists J Ant
with friendly smile, he passed slowly on, an
thence through the line of cardinals out OF tn
doorway.