Francis
Thomas
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Memoir of Francis Thomas, who died at Bethlehem April 4, 1822. (read before the Congregations at the funeral of the deceased, in accordance with the custom of Moravians. Translated from the German) Brother Francis Thomas, a widower, who departed this life on the 4th ins..[instant] was born in Würtemburg in Germany, September 8, 1732. When about 6 yrs. old he came to America with his parents, and lived for some time in Philadelphia. He subsequently removed with his parents to Lancaster, where a Congregation of the Brethren was beginning to be formed, and with which his parents connected themselves. Of the Brethren with whom he became acquainted in his youth, Bishop Spangenberg made a peculiarly strong impression of his mind. He saw the latter for the first time while on a visit with his mother to some relatives, Br. and Sr.Beck, who were then stationed at Muddy Creek. Br. Spangenberg asked him whether "he desired to become the property of the Saviour" to which he replied in his blunt and unsophisticated manner: "No, I don't want to - I know nothing of a Saviour!" His mother, greatly annoyed by his reply, said to him: "My child, don't you know the Lord Jesus?" "Yes, him I know very well" answered he, "but of a Saviour I don't know anything." Bishop Spangenberg gently laying his hand upon the head of the child, said to him: "You are the Saviour's property, and must continue to belong to him." This was fulfilled in his case, he was often heard to say with a feeling of deep and heartfelt gratitude. As he manifested great fearlessness and total disregard of danger, he was frequently employed in the capacity of a courier, an employment at that time connected with no trifling difficulties, and in which he several times experienced a providential preservation of life. On one occasion he was thrown from his horse, and dislocated his neck and was
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