The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-11-26
The story Of Mornvian Missions.

Every educated person knows something
ofthe good accomplished by the Moravian mis-
sions; but n large part OF the literature relating
to the subject is in German. and Ensish read
ers are therefore much indebted to DIR. A. G.
THOMPSON for the publication in book form OF
his lectures on the missionary work accom-
plished by the Moravian brotherhood tScrib-
ners). The author Of these lectures traces the
history Of the Moruvians from tho foundation
OF the United brotherhood to its revival under
Count Linzenaorf and the subsequent eXpan-
sion OF its missionary activities in all parts Of
the world. Among the missions which are dis
cus5cd separately and at length are those to the
West Indies. to South and Central America to
Greenland and Labrador 10 tho North Ameri-
can Indians dwelling in more temperate lati-
tudes to South Africa and to Australia.
The Church Of the United Brethren or Untas
Fratrum. as tho Moravian Christians term
themselves was founded about the middle Of
the fifteenth century At that ,ime the pro-
scrbed followers of IIuss began to call ono
another by the title of brethren, but as that
appelation might suggest the idea OF u monas-
tic order, 1t was alterward exchanged for
Unitas Fratrum. which name was assumed on
the occasion Of formal union 57-G0) be-
tween Moravians Bohemians. and Waldenses.
During the next century they were exposed to
intermittent but gradually aggravated perse-
cution. their condition being much tho same
as that OF the Vaudos in Piedmont and the
Camisards in southern France At the datc Of
Luther's schism four hundred Protestant
churches. with membership OF 200 00o ex-
listed in Bohemia and Moravia. hundred
years later nearly all OF the evangelical pas
tors had been expelled, and at the peace OF
Westphalia lG4S) the Protestant powers made
no effort to secure single stipulation favor
able to thoir coreligonists in Bohemia and
Moravia. but abandoned them to the merciless
intolerance OF Austria.
The revival OF tho Moravan brotherhood
dates from 1922. when Count Xinzendorf.
Saxon noble. received small number OF Prot
estant eXiles from Moravia and Bohemia on
his estate at Herrnhut Zinzcndorf became
soon after a member Of the fraternity and in
1887 was ordained Il bishop OF the Moravan
Church The brothren's eplscopate. by tho
way, was received by them in 1885 and il said
to have come through q small branch OF the
Waldensian Church. which formerly existed in
Austria. 1t was during the first twenty years
Of Iinzendorf's connection with tho Moravian
revival that the brotherhood became infected
With the shirt Of religious eXtravugancc-a
morbid, mawkish and maudin scntimentnlism
which excited SO much prejudice against
them. prejudice. unhuppily. which exists
TO this day in many quarters. though
tho United Brethren have long ceased Ia de
serve the rcproach OF exaggerated and i'll -di-
rocted emotion. As u matter Of fact Count
ZinHendori soon recovered from the revival
fever and devoted himself to the organization
of tho Moraviln Church. which rapidly multi
piled the numuGr Of its communities in Europo
ana It's missionary stations in foreign parts.