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.
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.
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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