16th February:
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.
18th February:
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.
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
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
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