The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-20
THE MORAVlANS.

AN AEcADIAN COMMUNITY N>PENNsyLvANIA-
PURITY OF THEIE FAITH AND SIMPLICITY OF
THEIR LIZA COMING CHURCH ANNIyER-
sAIY.
From the Boston Advertiser, May l3l
BETHLEHEM Pa, May IL, 1878.
Bethlehem Is tho scat o government Tor the North
district Of The American Province of the Mora.
Wan Church Even Lebanon. n. Y, being the
Rome OF Shakcrdom has thus increased its attrac-
tlvcness as summon resort and watering place, SO
the fact OF being tho mead OF the Moravian Church
lends additional charm TO the natural beauties ana
health giving advantages OF Bethlehem.
Let no ono Tor ono instant coniound the two
churches. While the principles Of tho former not
orthodox, nor its habits and customs In conformity
with Christianity the latter church IS purely evan
gecal In The fullest sense tho word The dis
unguishiug feature OF Moravian theology being
the prominence given TO tho person and atone
ment OF Christ. Tho ritual OF tho Church rescni-
bes that OF the Protestant Episcopal, and the
Moravian ministry similarly embrace bishops, pres
byters and deacons. The htany is used there are
regular forms for infant aud adult baptism, the saora-
mont OF the Lords supper, the rite OF confirmation
and ordination, tho burial OF tho dead nd marriage
while hturgcal services held in the CHI urches.
Bishops alono navo tho right 10 ordain Here seems
ore OF tho main differences between IL and Protes
tant Episcopal Church The Moravian cpiscopacy IS
not prelatical; tho bishops have dioceses do
not govern tho Cnurch IN virtue OF thor office, but
only when elected 10 tho Governing Board. OF which,
however, they are almost invariably members by cleo
ZION.
THEIR SIMPLICITY.
Tho Moravans are a quiet, thrifty people and re-
semblc the Friends or Qlukers IN general appearance
The women dress plainly, the wear low broad
brimmed hats and are quaint and wise looking; out
~ spite Of IN ascetc exterior there Is u
l,on OF the beautiful is constantly shown in
their peculiar CUSTOMS Ono OF tho dis,ine uish-
ing traits Is an love or good mus,c and
he al IL
beautifully ador1ed with The choicest OF flowers and
music is elahorao-Uetter is seldom heard out of
Catholic cathedral a classic concert. Tho regular
choir consists OF lorty sixty singers aud many
,nssru a1 performers; the church is large and
acoustic properties hne superior Great at
tenton IS also paid TO general education. In TACT. It
was wise tenet OF tho Moravian Church that every
town founded by them there should be immediately
erccied--drs church Tor the worship OF God; Sec
ond, sch0ohouse tor the education OF the children
third, tavern tor the the stran-
ger. There are IN Betnehom u female seminary, a
college and theological scmnary-li Church schools
Young ladies' out OF tno Church from all paris OF
the Union aud the British dominions attend the
musical advantages. Tho antiquity OF tho school
8 indicated when 1T Is announced that the cnLer-
tainmcnt NJ the end OF the next term will close tho
10th session. On the 25lh OF une he en- urcn
viii celebrate It's l37th Anniversary and the
leading notcs advsrtises that IT was Established
LOVE YEAsrs
peculiar church service, Called 'love feasts," in
coinmemoration OF tho apostles feasts or charity
among the carly Christians, when contr utions were
mado 10 the poor regularly celebrated by the
ravans, aud arc intensely Interesting to the stranger
IL consists entirely oil music, with organ and iuil
orchestral accompaniment wnilc mugs vi hot coffee
and ''conco cakes''-a KIND oil sweet bun-arc passed
member OF the con- rcsation. The cakes arc
carried by SISTERS adorned with dainty muslin caps,
gay with bright Ribbons while tho more
task OF distributing the coffee is performed by tho
brethren. IL might almost seem that solemnily would
be wanting for Inis service but IL is net so. every.
tn,ng Is done with such dignity ana tho music Is SO
grand that all Ievy naturally suppressed, and ono
realizes That religious festival is being celebrated
Tho Christmas festivals are celebrated with great
pomp. The church and tho private houses most
elaboratcly decorated. In many homes are erected
what arc called "putzes," kind OF sylvan grove
bower. formed OF evergreens, decorative plants,
cascades, &c These are ianciiuiy and brilliantly
lighted. AMI arc preserved with until Ash
Wednesday ushcrs In the solemnitics OF Lent.
ADVANCE AGE
For many years these good people were really In
they enjoyed the municipal advantages supposed 70
belong only 10 large cities, such paved and severed
MANY OF. the personal customs Of the Moray,sn.
indeed ODD. When ono OF the faith dies he or
she Is immediately and invariably removed TO
pretty chapel, joining tho church, ana known as
tho ''dead house" The body Is there watched W
detailed members until the funeral hour the OBJ
jcct Is TO secure decent burial tor nil, and rich
and poor arc ATTENDED alike. Tho graves in Tho
burylng ground are msdc IN mounds. COW
cred win grass, and arc IN horizontal iincs with
VIDE paths between. Upon each lies a fiat, whito
stone. with record Of the death. seen
from distance thoy resemble long OF handkcr-
chiefs spread upon lawD There family plots,
the rows being nlied the deaths occur,
dates all successive.
EASTER CEREMONIES.
Tho Easter services OF tho Moravans also pecu-
liar. About six In the morning they assemble tho
burying ground and decorate the graves with flowers
They pray, they sing ana the band (their iastSu
choir la the regular church plays
Iuncrc lily. Al certain time the trombones sound
long, shrll blast, symboiizing the trumpet OF tho
"ADgcl Gabriel" ana then bursts aloud the joyful
Easter anthems. In the further celebration oil tho
day n special Easter lnny IS used Oiher Christian
denominations flourish Ia Bethlehem, out tho greater
proportion Of the inhabitants arc Moravians. Even
WITH the latter sect each family Is by ITSELF and
Is no common property, except what - distnctIvey
ow ned BY the Church