New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10
EASTER AT BETHLEHEM.
The RESURRECTION THE DOMINANT
THEME IN MORAVIAN LIFE.

oBsERvANcEs BY WHICH THEY POINT FROM
DEATH TO THE HOPE OF LIFE TO CONE
EASTER MORNING IN THE OLD MO-
RAv1AN BURYING- GRoUND-rHE
CHOIR OF TRoMBoN1sTs.
No longer does the Moravian congregation at
Bethlehem Penn. preserve Its Identity as ois-
tinct and separate community. a peculiar people
OF unique and interesting characteristics ana
habits People OF other customs always wei
coined to their town by the ospitaole Moraviahs'
began two generations ago TO increase IN mum
hers so as perceptby 10 influence the sei''i-
religious community. which had hitherto pre-
served its own customs OF devotion ana Oh iIe
unbroken and without curtallment Gradually
some OF the unique and most antique character
istics Of this people have disappeared. and the
once well-de1ned community has lost lts ,noi-
viduality as such. Nowadays the Moravians ere
like unto their neighbors OF othaf faiths IN most
OF the things that pertain to daily life. THIS
change in the outward characteristics OF the Mo-
ravions came about quickly when intermarriage
with neonIe outside the congregation came 10 be
allowed on the abandonment OF the practice OF
The elders OF the congregation choosing wives
for the young men by lot from among the mar
riageable women Of the congregation
But intermarriage and the modern spirit OF
irrelgon have failed TO destroy the inolVlouaiity
of the Moravian religion or TO ophtera'e Hs
UNIQUE religious observances-unlque at once III
their simplicity and In their dignity~in their
r,ch musical expressiveness and in the absence
of the pomp Of ritual. Especially IN those
touching observances which cluster around
death and its to them inseparable sequel the
resurrection do the descendants OF the early Mo-
raytans cling with fondness and faith Froo-
ably no people are more accustomed than inc
Moravians to the thought OF death ana more
cheerful IN their contemplation Of that neces-
s,+v To them there Is a clear connection be-
tween the sombre sorrow occasioned by death
.nd the tov OF the resurrection. and their OBJ
servance OF Easter Is but a solemn outourst OF
thu spirit that pervades their religion through
out tho whole year. The thought that life comes
through tho apparent pershing Of the seed 10
a reality to them. and Easter is the Queen OF
Feasts 30 them not simply because OF Its indi-
,dhu.l snlendor but because It dominates the
whole year.
When the settlement was made at Bethlehem
A 1742 the choicest spot in tho Wilderness the
fiat top Of little hill commanding two pictur-
>ear,e valIeyu was chosen as the city or the dcad,
sA At the base Of this hill the little town grew
mn. To-day the OLD Moravian Burying ground
oocrpiss undisturbed tho same choice spot In
<he heart Of . town Of twelve thousand people
IT. majestic trees well-preserved relics OF the
old forest, shading tho low mo1ads. each OF
which Is marked by q small. fiat stone Here
iie tho pioneers Of tho community and here are
rbux1ed when thsy are called hence those OF the
xtd families VINO have the night OF sepulchre in
Snds quaint Gods acre Here each year the
soyft1i confdsnos Of . devout people in the sure
o,ops Of the resurrection 10 proclaimed as Easter
sdavns and the rising sun lights UP the faces
OF those VINO regard death not lightly. nor yet
- IN unnnfxed I'll, but az the prelude to life
eternal
DEATHS ANNOUNCED By THE TRoNBoNEs
The Same spirit permeates the year. and Is
auustrated In mo survival Of the quaint custom
,of announcing the death Of a member Of the
HouS1u9ak1on from the belfry Of the church. 1t
81 not By tho mournful tolling Of the bell with
at,s note Of poignant grief and utter desolation.
but Il II BY the softly solemn strains OF the
Sxrsmboues that the passing Of . soul is told.
and In expressive melodies the consultations OF
,khS resurrection and tho after-hfe arc suggested
no those who mourn the parting. but see beyond
sxhs darkness OF the moment the light OF me
dswnfns Of the great Easter Day
The congregation 10 divided into eight groups
at once to tho nearest member Of the choir OF
tJombon1sts. He at once leaves his work and
summons others, 80 as to mako up at least the
four paxts and they ascend TO the belfry OF the
church With the Passion Chorsle. 20 Head 80
Full Of Bruisesr' the fact Of a death IN the con-
gregattDn 10 announced Its strangely solemn
tones arrest the attention OF tho faithful
throughout the town. and all who know the
music heariren for the next tune. which indi-
Gates the choir or group to which tho soul that
has departed belonged.
The death Of q boy child is indicated by the
tune TIL Glory in Nothing but Only in Jesus:
a girl child. Because Thy Words Are Truth;
a larger boy. Deck Thyself, o Ny Sour; a
larger girl. Now the Day Is Ended; an un-
married man. Han! AL Hair; an unmarried
woman. my Portion IL the Lord; married
man. Jesus My Safety: married woman.
II Must Leave Thee; w.dower. GLORY Be to
God Alone: widow. Prepare Thyselt o
Ny Soul
These ;unes are peculiarly appropriate and
expressive Of the condition OF the person de-
parted, and sanctifed by centuries Of use. they
have almost the sacredness Of a sacrament
Thus the choir Of trombonists. representing the
consregation watts comfort and consolation
10 those who mourn and directs their hearts
10 the great dominant festival Of Moravtanism.
the thought OF which runs like golden thread
throughout all their devotions.
Afterward the proper tune % Head 30 Full
OF Bruises" is again rendered, with striking ef-
feet, the deeper throbbing OF the notes OF sriet
mingling strangely with the majestic tones or
triumph which seem to echo the cry OF the
APOSTLE 20 Death. Where Is Thy Sting" while
the lighter notes OF the soprano trombone rse
clear above the heavier tones with a peculiar
suggestion Of solemn Joy.
THE PRELUDE TO THE FASTER soIEMNITf'
II is however. on Easter. that the underlying
thought OF the Moravian religion finds Its unique
and most affecting expression In custom full
of meaning. instinct with comfort; eloquent TO
the onlookers as a simple reverent expression