Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-07-27

having the same variety Of opinion, cul
ture and character as other towns.
Observation, however, results In the
Impression that MOravian popularity
ives its greatest individuality and charm
y this unique borough, which WAS ex.
'lusiycly a Moravian settlement Until
he year 1912, and was incorporated only
- recently as 1915.
Since the radical change indicated a
loravian settlement of more than one
uousand inhabitants has expanded into
centre Of industry containing popula
ion OF about fifteen thousand, OF whom
lOwever, one-flfth more or less are In.
'luded in the membership or attached
to the services of Ahe church which
originated Bethlehem.
THE MoRAvIANs.
But who are the Moravians? Theyare
80 called because, in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries, Moravia, province
IF the Austrian Empire, was a principal
cat of their church. In the early part
Of the eighteenth century, moreover, re-
'ugCes from Moravia fled from that
country into Saxony.
The official name Of this people is
The United Brethren and their archives
how that they originated not only IL
ICravia but also in Bohemia. AS fan
ack as the ninth century these two
uuntIi3s We're converted to Christianity.
! Protestant movement .traceable from
he J eginning, or nearly SO, resulted
4 the Bohemian Reformation and the
XCcution of John Huss.
This event took place in 1415, and, in
lt57, some of his followers founded the
'hurch of The United Brethren, on the
state of Lititz, about one hundred
miles east of Prague, on tho confines
of Silcsia.
Tho church numbered about two hun.
dred thousand persons by the year 1917.
it rapidly extended, and in 1857, it's Pc.
lsh parishes were constituted distinct
ecclesiastical province. In 1909 it was
HSally acknowledged as ono Of the
churches of Bohemia and Moravia.
The church was subsequently crushed
aud had no visible organization, but in
l722 some of its survivors went into
iaXony where they began to build the
own of Herrnhut, on tho estate o;
Count Hinzendorf, who had offered them
an asylum. He afterward became the
leading Bishop of the revived church,
and introduced on the continent OF
Europe, Great Britain, and in America,
exclusively Moravlan settlements.
The members undertook extensive
missions in heather lands, and work
among members of State churches in
europe which excluded proselytism
here are eighty thousand Moravian
.pnVcrtS row in Europe who belong to
thCr churches.
Exclusive settlements disappeared
rom this continent in 1856, fourteen
airs after that at Bethlehem was given
~. What is known as the American
roNiucc Of the church and the Britt, h
nd Che German provinces form one or
;auic whole throughout tho world.
There are about seventeen thousand
lOruVianS on this continent, including
.h.llren, of whom about two Thousand
ce5ide in Bethlehem.
BErnLEHEM IN THE BEGINNING.
Botllohem was we'll chosen as a Mora.
,an settlement. Early in 174l, seven.
zen of these people, led by Peter Boiler
Fought t. 100 acres of land on that point
N the Lehigh River where the Man
'ckasy pours its tributary waters into
hat stream.
BY Christmas Eve of the same yeal
hey had built q house and a stable
nd were entertaining Count Zinzendori
nd his daughter, when the blessed
ca5on " commemorated suggested the
anne Bethlehem as one appropriate
o the settlement. 1t was adopted.
The first house was of logs, one
story in height, with attic rooms. Othl
buildings wero soon erected Including
chapel for an Indian congregation
worshipping at Main, three miles dis,
Laut.
Whom, in 1765, the Indians left Main
the chapel was removed to R.e rlrhen.
The baptism Of infants in this building
vas followeiaby the ceremony OF
kissing the tbHby, performed By the
Christian Indians present.
EARLY INDIAN WARS.
Rough times those old settlers had
In 1856 and 1857 the town was sur
rounded by palisades as q defense
against hostile Indians, and watch
towers of logs were erected. Being the
frontier town, both white PEG. lie and
Indians ran into it for protection
md at one time the settlers had It
provide for the needs of seven hundred
,trangcrS.
In those carly days the married
rothers and sisters had their OWE
ousc, as had the ministers and thril
ives. Young people We're under strict
uclagc. A 5eparate dwelling for L..
.ians proved too small. and the in.
,titItion OF Main became II necessity
In l7G4 peace Was finally made with the
Indians and Bethlehem had rest from it,
troubles.
IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Moravians were divided In opinion
during the War of the Revolution
Their leader was Wing and friend
Of George Washington. Offensive war.
fdre was against their principles, but
hey did noble part in the way OF
ending sick and wounded patriotic
soldiers.
The chief Hospital Of the United States
Army was located at Bethlehem ut ore