Brother Bader’s Diary
of his Journey and Visit to the Schools in the Country
from 16th November 1752 to 28th February 1753
About 9:00 in the morning I journeyed from Bethlehem in company with two Single Brethren, Boehler and Bez [1], who had to go to Shamokin. We made good time to Daniel Levant [sic] in Maxatawny [2].
In the morning we left there, crossed the Schuylkill [River] and Tulpehocken [Creek] safely and about 4:00 in the afternoon were already in Heidelberg [3]. I spent the night, the other Brethren went on to Brother Georg Loesch.
I traveled from Heidelberg in company with several Brethren from there, who were involved in external affairs, to Br. Georg Loesch. I visited for a while in the home of Br. Georg Loesch before going all the way to Quittapahilla, where to my pleasure and that of the Brethren and Sisters [4] there I arrived early.
In the forenoon about 11:00 I preached on the Text for the Day [5] about the burning of the heart of Jesus’ for humanity in His threefold future. The Savior blessed it and made His Presence powerfully felt. After the Sermon the results of the Synod were ready and the Children’s Lesson held. Then in a separate opportunity the Chief Elder Festival was announced [6] amid a very blessed feeling of His Wounds.
I left Quittapahilla and went on to Donegal [7]. Because my journey through the country and its purpose was well known, along the path I had to take the Brethren and Sisters stood waiting in the doors until they saw me and would give me no peace until I had at least looked into their houses. The children were also very eager, gathering around me immediately and being very cute. This meant that it was already night when I got to my dear Johann Schmidt. The Brethren there were working hard on the chimney and were eager to finish so that we could be together undisturbed. We were very happy together. He has a sweet little dwelling there and the Brethren and Sisters there and their children love him very much. The latter had given me many greetings to bring to him.
21st November:
They were still working on the chimney, so we weren’t able to undertake much together, which continued thus through the week but I took advantage of the night and tried as much as possible to make him a little more sure of his spelling and seem to have achieved my goal with him.
We continued in our school matters and came to discuss many necessary and useful points. Because I had so many wishes, I found myself compelled to note a couple of points which contain a system and method, compact and simple and as natural as possible [note at foot of page: this is nothing more than the Jena School and Spelling Method adjusted for our conditions here and slightly accommodated to our Country Schools] Wrote to Br. Christian Rauch [8] and asked him to a conference.
24th November:
Towards evening Br. Christian Rauch came to us. We conferred about the points that had been drawn up until almost midnight. Because he found all of them good, easy, simple useful and in agreement with the method of the blessed Brother Gottschalk, although not in use in most of the schools any more, we agreed to set up the system in that way.
25th November:
Very early, Br. Christian Rauch began his journey back to Warwick.
26th November:
About 11 o’clock I preached with great blessing on the Epistle of the Day, especially about the words: God does not desire that any should be lost, drawing in the Gospel Lesson as well. After the sermon I announced that school would begin again tomorrow. After that was the Childrens’ Lesson, after which the results of the Synod were read. Following that in a separate opportunity the Chief Elder Festival was announced with true Grace among many tears to the Communicant Brethren and Sisters.
27th November:
The children, who had been longingly waiting for the day, began coming to school early. There were 17 of them. They are dear children, that really make one truly happy. I held school in the method mentioned. They paid attention in an exemplary fashion. The children fit into [the method] so very well that we could not be more surprised and happy. They were cheerful and full of life. The school began with noticeable blessing and continued in this way until my departure. The children can’t get enough. The parents said that when [the children] come home they relate with joy what they have heard and learned and in the night they have dreams about it.
28th & 29th November:
I let Br. Johann Schmidt hold school. He uses the method right well and relates very well with the children. In the afternoon I held [school]. It was a separate school. Something like this was so needed that the children had tears running from their eyes. We notice that the Savior is by and with us.
Instead of afternoon school, we had a Singstunde [9] with the children so that they can learn to sing and might become familiar with a few tunes.
There was no school today so that the Brethren and Sisters are free on Friday and the Sabbath [10] to visit their Brethren and Sisters in those little places where there are only a couple. About 1 o’clock in the afternoon the Communicant Brethren and Sisters gathered for whom with blessing I held the usual Quarter Hour Devotion. In the evening we received a visit from Johann and Daniel Heckedorn of Yorktown on the Catores [sic] [11] above the Susquehannah.
From Quittapahilla received a packet of letters among which was also the happy news of the safe arrival of our Irene [12] with 22 Brethren and Sisters. It was even more pleasant for us then as we waited with eagerness every day for them. We gave thanks to the Savior for their swift and safe crossing.
About 11 o’clock I preached on the Epistle for the day, drawing in the Gospel as well with special feeling and Grace. As there had been 8 days before there were a number of women present. After the sermon I held Children’s Lesson also for 22 children and after that the Quarter Hour Devotion for those who had been received [into the Congregation] and for the Communicants [13]. We were indescribably happy together. I notified them after that of the contents of the letters received yesterday about which they rejoiced. Since the Christ — Kling family from Warwick had come for a visit the evening before and was traveling back today after all the services we gave them the letters straight away to take to Brother and Sister Nixdorf there.
4th, 5th & 6th December
The school continued in its order sweetly and in blessing. We had both worked until midnight in this matter with each other in our distinctive work. Since my time here is up and I am sort of marginalized here and am long since expected in Heidelberg, I finally made the decision to leave Donegal. So I took leave of my dear Br. Johann Schmidt, leaving his hermitage with tender emotion on both side.
7th December:
About 10 o’clock to Quittapahilla. Since the way was very poor I didn’t arrive until after nightfall.
8th December:
I got on the way early to Heidelberg. The horse fell with me on the way but it caused no damage at all. Towards evening to the joy of the Brethren and Sisters I arrived. After a short rest I held the accustomed Singstunde for the Brethren and Sisters there.
9th December:
Conferred with Brother and Sister Johann Mueller about the school. They thought the method easy and good. Since however he had not kept school here he could give me none of the information that I asked for about the circumstances here.
10th December:
About 10 o’clock I preached with a warm heart on the Gospel of the day to a pretty little group including several friends. After the sermon I announced the school to them for tomorrow. After that was the Childrens’ Lesson, the Quarter Hour Devotion for the Communicants and a Singstunde in blessing.
The children came to school early. They are so eager that they ran away from their parents and none of them wanted to stay at home so that many parents who still had small children in their arms and otherwise have no one there are in bad shape [14]. The number of school children is 40. They are certainly pretty children whom one can truly love. My heart rejoiced in their childlikeness and simplicity. School itself went very well right away and without difficulty because they already had school in the 8th year and some of the method had been used then too.
12th December:
School continued its lovely course. The number of children increases daily. In the evening was the usual Singstunde.
13th December:
Johann Schmidt came to us from Donegal on the way to Bethlehem. He brought the happy report that the school in Donegal was going as wished. He spent the night with us and left.
14th December:
Early in the morning to Bethlehem. To my pleasure and that of the children, Br. Johann Mueller kept school. They are right lively. The ones who are supposed to stay at home offer money to those who come here, so that they can come too.
As usual there was no school. Because by my last visit here with Brother Nathanael [15] I had promised the Heidelberg Brethren and Sisters to visit in their homes, and because they asked me to, we resolved to make a tour. Br. Johann Mueller and I started early and were finished by evening. Everywhere we went we were made welcome, occasioning joy and pleasure with parents and children alike. In the evening was the Quarter Hour Devotion of the Communicant Brethren and Sisters.
16th December:
We passed here.
17th December:
The Sermon, Children’s Lesson, Communion Quarter Hour, and Singstunde were accompanied by astounding Grace amid repeated strong blessed emotion. A thousand tears began and flowed. Much joy was also present.
18th December:
Br. Johann Mueller held school all day and the 19th as well in my presence. In the evening the Singstunde was held with a palpable sense of [the Savior’s] Presence.
Again the school was kept right sweetly [16] by Br. Johann Mueller to the satisfaction of myself and the children. Towards noon Br. Johann Schmidt arrived here on his return journey from Bethlehem to Donegal. Among other things he also had many letters, especially from Europe, these made us especially glad. He left right after the meal to go to Br. Georg Loesch. In the evening we had a visit from Br. Jungmann of Gnadenhuetten [17]. He spent the night with us and left quite early in the morning for Lancaster.
21st December:
I once again had the necessary discussion about the school with Brother and Sister Mueller, expressed myself completely and took heartfelt leave of them and the children, who acted very sad and said that they would have been glad if I would only stay with them and their parents for five years or had spent the holidays with them.
22nd December:
To Quitapahilla. I have to admit that I had exceptionally blessed days among the children and their parents in Heidelberg and my heart was often in tears, constantly open, free and of shame and joy in the sensation and presence of His Wounds. One of the Heidelberg Brethren accompanied me as far as Georg Loesch. On the way without my knowledge he brought me to Zerbe who was very sick. Then because I was aware of his condition I spoke in a heartfelt manner with him. He was very soft and wept. Then we lost our way, got to Loesch’s rather late. This meant that I resolved to spend the night with them. We sat together until midnight and had a right blessed evening.
23rd December:
I journeyed all the way to Quittapahilla, arriving to the pleasure of our Brethren and Sisters there. Br. Beck had gone over the Swatara to hold the holiday services for the Brethren and Sisters there.
24th December:
I preached on the Gospel, drawing in the Epistle Lesson as well, also held the other services and in the evening Br. Engel held a Singstunde. The Savior acknowledged it and His Presence was powerfully felt. We sat together until Midnight, recalling the Vigil of our Dear Hearts in Bethlehem with Grace and Feeling.
25th December:
I preached on the Festival Gospel to a formidable number with a tender feeling of my heart and the blessing out of the Little Manger moved among the hearers. After the sermon there was a general Children’s Lesson in genuine blessing and after that the Quarter Hour Devotion for the Communicant Brethren and Sisters at which the main thing announced to them was that the Holy Communion will be celebrated 31st December and how it would be held. In the evening there was again a blessed Singstunde.
26th December:
I preached on the Gospel for the Day. After the sermon I announced to them that about noon on the 27th the two children of our dear Br. Gerhard Etter would be baptized in his house because they are weak and live eleven miles from the Meeting House.
27th December:
With Brother and Sister Engel, Sister Beck and Kuckers I went there and baptized these two children into the Death of Jesus. It was a lovely act and during it there was a blessed feeling. On the way back we visited Peter Fetter who, with his sons, was ill.
28th & 29th December:
Because no school could be kept this week since Br. Beck was sickly as were many children and Br. Engel had many visits to make, I worked ahead and conferred with my Brethren and Sisters about their school and the method.
30th December
I held school with the Brethren and Sisters and showed them how to find their way around in the little Spelling Book and how they could instruct their children according to it. Towards evening Br. Rauch arrived with Br. Johann Schmidt from Donegal.
Br. Rauch preached with feeling and with blessing. After the sermon there was no other service except the Speaking [18]. We passed the evening happily together. I received another packet of letters from Europe and many of the dearest bits of news. With emotion I recalled the Watchnight in Bethlehem and everything that the Savior had done for me in the previous year, closing the year as a sinner and blessed.
1753 January
1st January:
I preached today in the palpable Presence of His Wounds. After that was a short Communicants’ and Absolution Quarter Hour Devotion during which old Brother Goepfert and his wife were consecrated by the laying on of hands with many tears for their first reception of [the Holy Communion] in the Congregation. After this was the enjoyment of the Body and Blood of the Lord with an incomparable feeling. When everything was over, the Brethren and Sisters took their leave; Br. Johann Schmidt traveled in company with his Brethren and Sisters to Donegal, but Br. Rauch to Heidelberg.
2nd January:
We began school, using the method as it is set up in Donegal and Heidelberg and it went to the mutual satisfaction of us all. We continued with it the
3rd, 4th and 5th January:
in the same way. The number of children might have been as large as in a country town if they all could have come, but since they all have so far to come, the number is seldom more than 17.
I journeyed with Br. Beck across the Swatara and visited all our Brethren and Sisters there, both inside and outside the Hohl [sic] [19] , spending the night at Ludwig Born’s. How the Brethren and Sisters there rejoiced; it is indescribable.
7th January:
About 10 o’clock amid a blessed movement of hearts I preached to a great number of people on the Gospel for the day and baptized two little boys with the stream flowing from the Side of Jesus into His Death. Held the Children’s Lesson as well as the Quarter Hour Devotion for the Communicant and received Brethren and Sisters. They are right sweet people among whom I felt very happy. I departed for Quittapahilla about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, passing happily over the Swatara, arriving happily again at night in the home of our Brother and Sister in the school house there.
8th, 9th, 10th January:
Our Brother and Sister took turns keeping school, they had taken note of the method well.
In the morning class I still spoke very heartily with the children. Among other things I asked them not to make the hearts of our Brother and Sister sad, not to make it hard for them to keep school, but to continue to love the Little Lamb. Among many tears I took tender leave of the children. In the afternoon our Br. Rauch came from Donegal, bringing the long-desired, happy news that our dear and beloved Sister Anna Johanna, Br. Toeltschig [20], Brother and Sister Krause and Sister Rauch will arrive tomorrow evening.
About 11 o’clock was the wedding of Daniel Heckedorn from across the Susquehanna and the widow Susannah Kinst of Quittapahilla and after that a Lovefeast [21]. About 4 o’clock the dear, above-named company arrived and were received with joy. Because we had been advised that it was the 27th Birthday of our dear Sister Anna Johanna, so we made preparations without her knowledge. After the evening meal, about 9 o’clock, she was led into a room that had been closed. There was a table decorated with the Watchword and [Doctrinal] Text for the day as well as her birth year and day. We had a dear and happy Lovefeast during which Br. Bader played the Guitar and Br. Engel sang several little songs and verses written especially for her.
13th January:
About 1 o’clock the children had a blessed Lovefeast. Br. Toeltschig spoke very heartily to them and at the close the child of a friend of Philip Beck was baptized with a palpable grace into the Death of the Lamb. After the Lovefeast the Brethren and Sisters came and took tender leave of the dear [traveling] company.
14th January:
About 10 o’clock Br. Toeltschig preached to a great number of people on the Text for the Day. It was the very dearest address and there was a blessed feeling all over the Worship Hall. After the Sermon there was the Quarter Hour Devotion for the single men, which Br. Toeltschig also held. After that was the Lovefeast for the Comunicant and received Brethren and Sisters and last of all the single women. The remainder of the day we made ourselves useful to the Brethren and Sisters and passed it completely in their presence.
15th January:
In the morning about 9 o’clock the Dear Hearts took tender leave of us and journeyed to Heidelberg. Our hearts were very tearfully sad. I also took my leave and on the
Departed with Br. Beck by way of Warwick to Lancaster, where I arrived safely about 4 o’clock. Brother and Sister Neisser [22] were very glad because they had been expecting me for some time.
17th January:
Amid the most tender movement of hearts on both sides Br. Beck returned to Quittapahilla. I conferred with Brother and Sister Neisser about nothing but school matters. He would have preferred if I had gotten involved with the Lancaster school, but since I excused myself for various reasons, he asked for the points according to which the country schools are to be organized. I gave them to him and he was perfectly content. In the evening I held the usual Singstunde.
I visited Brother and Sister Neisser in their school and looked at their children. The number is quite high at 48. You can see that the school had quite come down, but through the untiring faithfulness and industry of Brother and Sister Neisser it has been fairly lifted from the ditch and set in order. Since they asked that I tell them my wishes, I did so. I wished that they could get a couple of the members of the Congregation [23] who had the Grace, Wisdom and the Gifts to take over the school work there because Brother and Sister Neisser are too burdened with other work. The school soon could be completely set in order if it were only Brethren and Sisters who had the necessary requirements, otherwise it would be too difficult for them because without them they have besides this already come further than others in their studies.
19th January:
In the forenoon visited their school once again and in the afternoon journeyed in the company of Brother and Sister Neisser to Warwick.
20th January:
At midday Brother Neisser went back and I spent the day happily in stillness with my dear Brethren and Sisters in Warwick.
About 11 o’clock I preached with a warm heart on Genesis 47:3,4. After the sermon Br. Rauch held the Quarter Hour Devotion for those received [into the Congregation]. At this time a child was sprinkled [24] with the Blood and Water from Jesus’ Side. Then I held a Quarter Hour Devotion for the single men. Towards evening altogether unexpectedly the dear Brethren Horsefield [25] and Joseph Mueller arrived to our amazement and joy on their return journey from North Carolina. They spent the night with us. We passed the evening happily together.
22nd January:
About 10 o’clock they took tender leave and continued their way to Bethlehem. I started school today and kept both here by myself since I had already visited Brother and Sister Nixdorf in their school as I traveled through Warwick to Lancaster. The number of children is 55 and is the largest in this area. They are very dear children with whom one can act as one will. In the evening I held a thorough conference with Brother and Sister Nixdorf in the presence of Brother and Sister Rauch. They understood me quite well and are perfectly content with the method.
23rd January:
Although I began the school in the morning and afternoon I let them keep it completely after that. They do it right well and can find their way around better and more easily because they have already been instructed in the main points by Brother Gottschalk. The children are quite lively and happy.
24th January:
In the afternoon they had a Singstunde instead of school. They have this in Heidelberg on Thursday, the same in Donegal, in Quittapahilla on Friday, and here in Warwick on Wednesday afternoon. The Singstunde has become well beloved since the children here in the whole country cannot sing or sing badly. During this they are also catechized in song. Until now they have been held everywhere with marked blessing and feeling.
25th & 26th January:
[School] followed its order right sweetly
27th January:
Visited the Georg Klein and [Georg?] Schnell families and by the way spent the day in a Sabbath sort of way.
About 11 o’clock preached on I John 4:10 with marked blessing. After the sermon was the Quarter Hour Devotion for the Lord’s Supper and after that a right emotional and blessed Lovefeast [26] with the single men. There are some good people among them.
29th January:
Brother and Sister Rauch were out visiting and I was busy at school. The parents are so incited and made eager by their children that they wish to be permitted to listen along.
30th January:
We were busy writing letters because a courier was leaving for Bethlehem.
31st January:
The Singstunde was in the afternoon, during which I felt indescribably happy.
1st February:
Brother and Sister Nixdorf kept school and I watched them with pleasure.
2nd February:
In the afternoon I took leave of the children. They were very hurt. They told their parents they had to come back on Sunday and see the Brother once again. They sent heartfelt greetings to the children in Bethlehem.
3rd February
Brother Rauch and I visited various families and everywhere were received wby parents and children with the greatest love and warmth. As in Quittapahilla and Donegal they wanted to keep me for a year. Through their children the parents receive blessing and say the children come home full of joy and are busy day and night with the things that they have heard and learned. When they [the children] recited something, in order to practice, they made the gestures with their hands as they had seen it in school. There is quite a strong movement among them.
Preached at 11 o’clock with a sinner’s heart on the story of Mary Magdalene from Luke 7. After that held the Quarter Hour Devotion for the single men [27] and Brother Rauch held the Quarter Hour for those Received [into the Congregation]. After that all the Brethren and Sisters came and took hearty leave and were almost beside themselves because of their children. We still had many visitors in the evening. Then I spoke thoroughly with Nixdorfs and went peacefully to sleep.
5th February:
I took my leave early, but couldn’t depart earlier than 10 o’clock because of heavy rain. I was accompanied by Brother Rauch as far as old Father Riehm on Muddy Creek, where a sermon was planned for 1 o’clock. I arrived just at the right time and preached on John 7:37,38 with feeling and a burning heart. There were many people there and the power of the Wounds was clearly to be noticed. We spent the night and continued to visit with Jacob Riehm and his wife who used to be a Communicant Brother and Sister, speaking openly and from the heart with them.
6th February:
Brother Rauch and I took hearty leave of each other. He returned to Warwick and I journeyed to the Schuylkill accompanied by old Father Riehm. Because [the river] was so high, I had myself carried across, visited his son-in-law in Reading Town and after that came all the way to Oley. I arrived just at nightfall and straightaway found a few dear little letters from Bethlehem, brought to me by dear Brother Michler who had arrived from Bethlehem just a quarter hour ahead of me. These made me very glad. We still held a school conference with each other which dealt with the most necessary matters. The method and the setting up as it had been done in the country was approved by [the Conference].
7th February:
Brother Michler visited all the Brethren and Sisters announcing my arrival, telling them at the same time that they should try not to keep their children away from school. I kept school in the meantime according to the method. I had 6 boys in the forenoon and as many girls in the afternoon. The children are very lively and were very happy.
8th February:
I kept school with Brother Michler present. This school seems to be the smallest in the country. The number of children is not over 15.
9th February:
I kept school again.
About 1 o’clock was the Children’s Singstunde. We sensed that the Savior was among us. Toward evening our dear Brother Bischoff [28] arrived from Little Fridrichsberg [sic] We still went to visit Samuel Hoch but he wasn’t home. Brother Bischoff stayed with us until Monday. We rejoiced together.
11th February:
About 10 o’clock I preached on I John 4:9 with feeling and grace. After the sermon was the Children’s lesson and in the evening about 7 o’clock the Children’s Singstunde in which I spoke briefly but emphatically about the Text for the day. Before that we visited Johannes Leinbach and were very happy together.
Brother Bischoff took his leave early and returned to Friedrichstown [29]. Brother Michler kept school with me present. It went well and he enjoyed using the method.
13th February:
Brother Michler kept school again in my presence, then I faithfully reported to him everything that I had observed going on. About 1 o’clock in the afternoon there was the Quarter Hour Devotion for the Communicant Brethren and Sisters, which I held, speaking on the Text for the day.
14th February:
School went well in its order. In the afternoon Brother Michler and I went out and visited everyone in their houses and at the same time I took my leave of them. They were all happy about their children and said they don’t do anything but talk about it.
I took tender leave of Brother and Sister Michler and about 1 o’clock in the afternoon journeyed in company with Brother Michler as far as Jacob Buerstler’s in order to be at Daniel Levant’s in Maxatawny early on the 16th; it was stormy, but it went well. In a couple of hours Brother Schnell met us and along with many greetings brought us the happy news that Brother Joseph [30] and the remainder of his company had finally arrived happy and healthy back in Bethlehem. We thanked the Savior heartily and were very glad even though we were indeed a little sad that he had passed us quietly by. Brother Michler went back but we spent the night with Jacob Buerstler’s family and were very happy together.
Brother Schnell left us early for Warwick, but I went in company with Brother Buerstler to Daniel Levant in Maxatawny [31] where I arrived about 11 o’clock. Since I had understood from the letter from Bethlehem that a Brother from Allemaengel [32] would either meet me there or would arrive later, I waited until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, but no one came. Thus I was placed in a difficult position because I was uncomfortable laying around a tavern all day and there was no leaving on foot because it was so late. I finally decided under the circumstances to start out. But came no further than Jacob Levant where the folks from Allemaengel often go, but there was no one there either. [The Levans] however wanted to keep me there. Then a Church Man [33] from Allemaengel, a very modest man, came by on horseback, and he took me with him. We didn’t leave until 5 o’clock and we took turns safely on the way, with one walking. Everyone was surprised and said that they were expecting me on the 17th. But I was very happy to be there.
17th February:
It was the Sabbath. I thought a lot about Bethlehem and often in my heart I was there. I was glad to be at the final place and to be so close to Bethlehem that I soon hoped to see it. I passed the day quietly, contented and happy, looking forward to what was coming. In the evening, since all the Brethren and Sisters came to visit us and made everything so agreeable, we let the Holder [family] know and then had a right lovely and blessed Singstunde.
About 10 o’clock I preached with a right warm heart to a pretty little crowd on the Gospel of the Day. There were many strangers [34] present. One saw many tears flow from the eyes. In the afternoon was the Speaking for the Brethren and Sisters. They expressed themselves quite sweetly and heartily with many tears and I felt amazingly happy among them. Following that we had a blessed Lovefeast during which I read a bit out of the Congregational News Reports [35] to their pleasure and blessing. Towards evening there was the Quarter Hour Devotion for Absolution. My heart broke with the sensation and nearness of His Wounds, and the other hearts were very soft and melted as was witnessed by the tears that flowed in abundance. A little after 7 o’clock was the happy moment for which I had long waited. It is indescribable how we all felt at the sacramental enjoyment of His Body and Blood. There was an indescribable movement of His Body across the Worship Hall. After the Holy Communion the Brethren and Sisters could hardly part from one another. I went to my room and when I came back they were all still sitting there in their ranks [36] in great quietness. In a little while I began [to sing] a little Evening Verse with them, after which they took tender leave and returned happily to their homes.
19th February:
I held a conference about their school with Brother and Sister Neubert. He was pleased with the method although he considered it rather difficult. I told him however that it was easier in practice than it appeared in theory. I showed it to him by immediately beginning the school according to the Method and continued in the morning and afternoon also. The number of children is small, about 16. Their simplicity and childlikeness won my heart right away. They are quite sweet and emotional children with whom one feels amazingly well. They were so excited that they ran home full of joy and told their parents immediately everything that they had heard and learned by which the parents also were moved.
20th February:
I indeed began the school in the morning and afternoon, but after that I let Brother Neubert continue altogether with me being there. Likewise on the
If there is a school in the country that particularly has charmed me, then it is Allemaengel because of the learning of the children but also especially because of their childlike, honest and emotional hearts. I have never been with them when my heart has not been moved by the most tender and emotional feelings. Similarly we have perceived this with the children. They are very loving and hardly know how to relate to one to show their love. One told his parents that he wished the Brother could stay with him for 100 days. Another came to me today and told me that I should stay with them for just 2 years. The little grandchild of the old Welshman [37], a dear brother, told him so sweetly what he had learned that the tears ran freely down his cheeks and he told his son-in-law that he would hardly have believed that he could learn something from the children. In the evening I held the usual Singstunde and spoke on the Text for the Day with a blessed feeling in my heart. Many strangers were also present and many children as well.
22nd February:
Brother Neubert kept school with me present, which pleased me. We were very content together and such a breeze of grace made itself felt among our dear little children and little lambs that a proper movement arose among them. One wept freely in front of the other and that lasted until the story was told. We could scarcely keep from weeping ourselves. After school one of them came to me and asked sweetly and heartily for me to hold a Lovefeast for them. I asked if he was the only one who felt that way. O no, he answered, we all agree and it would be very important to all of them. They had already asked about it the evening before through their parents. I told him that we would consider it together and then give them our answer. In the afternoon I held their little Singstunde for them. Again they were so sweet and there was such a blessed movement among them that my heart leapt. In the evening we had visits from many Brethren and Sisters and were happy together. They are almost beside themselves over their children.
23rd February:
It rained hard the whole day but we visited in the houses all around, occasioning joy among the parents and the children. In the evening I held with blessing the Communion Quarter Hour Devotion for them on the Text for the Day.
24th February:
We spent [the day] mostly quietly. In the evening we were visited by a few children and then by the recently married John Holder and his wife. We spoke heartily with him and he wept much. Finally he asked us if there would not soon be another Synod. I answered that I could give them no news about that and asked him if it were important to him. So he replied very softly and like a sinner that he and his wife would like to be in the [Moravian Brethren’s] Church and that she was not yet baptized. They both wanted to offer themselves to the concern of the Church. They would have already traveled to Bethlehem if the bad weather had permitted. They both wanted to surrender themselves to the Savior and to the [Moravian Brethren’s] Church and to be content with whatever they would do with them. He declared himself so well, honestly and heartily that it really touched us. We spoke to them again and directed them again to the Savior, that would be what would bring abut their reception. They must only be patient. We felt that this came from their hearts.
25th February:
About 10 o’clock I preached emphatically and with true feeling and a burning of my heart on the Gospel Lesson of the day. Nowhere have I seen more joy than was here today. It was a large gathering. My heart was quite open. One perceived clearly and felt that it was very blessed. In the afternoon I also held the Communion Quarter Hour Devotion spoke on the Text for the Day.
Brother Neubert kept school. The children were very lively and the school itself sweet and blessed. In the evening I held the usual Quarter Hour Devotion for the Communicant Brethren and Sisters and spoke on the regular Congregational Text. After the Quarter Hour I took leave of the Brethren and Sisters. Each of them expressed their tender love and thanked me so heartily for everything that I had done that I was quite ashamed.
The old 94 year old Father wept and said if only I could stay for another few months it would not be to long for him for he had enjoyed my company and that even though he couldn’t understand me [38] his heart still had a constant blessed feeling, especially in the services.
Because the above mentioned Lovefeast was brought up again, we had them told that they had just had one a couple of weeks ago and would have another when unexpected visitors came soon, so that they should be content until then and this came to pass.
In the morning and afternoon Brother Neubert kept school again with me present. He does it very nicely. At the close of the afternoon school I took heartfelt leave of the children. I was a little apprehensive before hand. I had hardly begun to speak to them and to ask them among other things to make glad the heart of the Little Lamb [39] and to commend themselves to His pierced Heart that they were weeping and sobbing so loudly and acted so very melancholy that I often had to stop and collect myself and steel myself because it was almost impossible for me to restrain myself from weeping. We could hardly look at it. Brother Neubert held his handkerchief in front of his face for his heart was breaking as they quite exhausted their weeping over the school. I can’t express how I felt. So we let them go peacefully from us. One saw their cheeks wet with tears. They gave me tender greetings to the children in Bethlehem.
In the evening we still had visits from many Brethren and Sisters. They brought me many greetings from their dear children and said that they had cried all the way home and said that they quite felt that the Savior had been among them and that it had been no different for them than if the Savior had been between us Brethren and had moved back and forth among them and especially during the closing little verse quite as if His Wounds had twinkled and sparkled:
“Thy mighty wings be pleased to spread, Lord Jesus, now above my head.” [40]
At first they had tried to hide their tears but when their parents asked them what they had heard in school, the tears came with power out of their eyes. They didn’t know how to express how they felt. They could not dissuade me that they should come to me again tomorrow. The parents wept along with them.
The day of my final farewell came. Because I was not needed here any more, I got on the way early after I had had I had one more conference in the evening about the school with Brother and Sister Neubert and taken tender leave of them. I was in company with Brother Carl Volk [41] as I journeyed to Bethlehem. The path was bad and it was very cold. But I arrived there happily about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. I had the pleasure of greeting my dear Brethren and Sisters and especially of personally welcoming and kissing my dear Brother Joseph after his happy journey to North Carolina and bowed with sinner shame generally to rejoice in everything that the Savior in Grace had done to the children in the country, their parents and to me during this time. To Him be glory in eternity.
Translated and annotated by Pastor Roy Ledbetter
Presbyter Fratrum, St. Louis, 2006
2. LeVan’s old Mill House in Maxatawny Twp. Between New Smithville and Kutztown 
3. North Heidelberg in Berks County just north of Robesonia
4. MS: Geschwister, lit: “Siblings”
5. The Daily Watchword, Zinzendorf selected these texts right up until his death on 9 May, 1760. Die Losungen are the oldest, most widely read daily devotional guide in
the world
6. The Festival honoring Jesus as Head and Chief Elder of the Moravian Unity had only been observed in European Congregations until now; it had recently been extended to the American Congregations as well
7. Quittapahilla, later Hebron then Lebanon; Donegal, Milton Grove NW of Mt. Joy, Lancaster County
8. Christian Heinrich Rauch had been the very first Moravian messenger to the American Indians; following his expulsion from the Colony of New York he became an itinerant evangelist in central Pennsylvania, headquartered in Warwick Twp, now Lititz, Lancaster County, PA; he died a missionary in Jamaica
9. The familiar Moravian Singstunde, literally “hour of singing,” means “Singing Lesson”
10. 18th Century Moravians observed Saturday as “ the Sabbath” and Sunday as “the
Lord’s Day”
11. i.e. York PA on the Codorus Creek a tributary of the Susquehanna River
12. The Snow Irene was a ship belonging to the Unity, carrying Moravians back and forth to Europe
13. New members were subject to a period of waiting before being admitted by Lot to
the Communion
14. Because none of the other children were there to help
15. Seidel, later his brother-in-law
16. MS: niedlich, the frequent use of “cute” “sweet” is characteristic of the earlier “Sifting Time”
17. On the Mahoning Creek, now site of Lehighton, PA
18. Prior to each Eucharist, the communicants were all interviewed by their spiritual
advisors
19. The word means “hollow” but I have been unable to clarify it further; it does not seem to be the Congregation at Bethel between Lickdale and Fredericksburg , which was not across the Swatara Creek from Lebanon
20. Johann Toeltschig, one of the “5 Churchmen” from Moravia who were in 1724 the first
to come to Herrnhut as conscious descendants of the Unity; the first man whose marriage was approved by the Lot; leader of the Moravians in Georgia and later in England and Ireland.
21. A simple meal, not the Eucharist, held to celebrate a special occasion, emphasizing fellowship
22. Bader uses the alternate spelling “Neusser”; Georg Neisser III and his wife, Catharina Theodora m.n. Medter; his Uncle Augustin’s family were the very first refugees to come with Christian David from Moravia to Zinzendorf’s estate in 1722, resulting in the founding of Herrnhut near Berthelsdorf
25. Timothy; they had been in the party led by Bishop Spangenberg to western NC to
select the land for the new Brethren’s colony there, leaving on 25 August 1752; Br. Horsefield was taken ill in Orange County NC and returned home to Bethlehem in the company of Br. Joseph Mueller
26. The lovefeast, the Agape meal, not the Eucharist
27. He never says Single Brethren, Ledige Brueder, but “ledige Mannsleute” single male persons
28. Rev. Johann David Bischoff?
29. Frederick Twp, New Hanover aka Falckner’s Swamp, Montgomery County, very close to Oley
30. Since the “Sifting Time” Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg was always referred to as “Brother Joseph” because, like Joseph in Genesis, he took care of his Brethren.
31. Between New Smithville and Kutztown, LeVan’s Old Mill House
32. Lynn Township, now in NW Lehigh County below the Blue Mountain, “everybody in need”
33. i.e. not a Moravian, in distinction to a Lutheran or Reformed churchman
34. i.e. not members of the Congregation
35. The Gemeinnachrichten were a newsletter, at this time in MS, circulated throughout
the Unity
36. The Men and Boys sat in their Choir groups on one side of the Hall, the Women and Girls on the other
37. He might have been from Wales or simply a foreigner; “welsch” is also the word for “foreigner”
38. He must have not spoken German
39. Jesus the Lamb of God; Little Lamb, “Laemmlein,” is a diminutive common in the "Sifting Time"
40. “Breit’ aus die Fluegel beide, O Jesus meine Freude, und nimm’ dein Kuecklein ein” a verse from Paul Gerhard’s familiar evening hymn “Nun ruhen aller Waelder”
Brother Bader's Diary
of his Journey and Visit to the Schools in the Country from
16th November 1752 to
28th February 1753
Translated by Pastor Roy Ledbetter