Moravians

Shortly after our marriage, in 1819, my wife and I joined the Church of the United Brethren (or Moravians). This Church originated in Bohemia (in 1457), 42 years after the martyrdom of John Huss. Indeed, the Brethren have been called "Bohemian Hussites." In a few years they increased and multiplied, and had many congregations in Poland, as well as in Bohemia and Moravia. They were the first who translated and printed the Bible in their own language. But in 1510 a furious persecution arose, and they were scattered to the four winds. Indeed, their Papal enemies believed that the "pestilent heresy" had been completely extirpated. For, in reference to them, in the Lateran Council of 1513, it was declared: "There is an end of resistance to the Papal rule and religion, opposers there exist no more." But a few were left in Moravia, who transmitted their principles to their descendants. Very little was known of them, however, until about the year 1720, when some of them emigrated into Saxony, where they found a home and liberty of conscience on the estate of Count Zinzendorf. Congregations were soon afterwards formed in various parts of Germany, in Holland, and in England, and also in America. They have been distinguished by efforts for the conversion and civilization of the Heathen—among the Negroes in the West Indies and Surinam—the American Indians —the Greenlanders and Eskimoes—the Hottentots and Caffres—the Mongolians and Australians, &c. The translation of the Bible into the native languages has ever been kept steadily in view.

The only congregation of the Moravians in London is in Fetter Lane. It was never numerous. But I found myself at home, and took a lively interest in the affairs of the Church at large. There were in the congregation some large-hearted and intellectual men; and meetings with such were organized and maintained for several years. Our readings and conversation were equally pleasant and profitable. Among them were Mr. Benham, late of Regent Square, a great book-collector, author of many pamphlets and compiler of several larger works; Dr. Horsfield, Librarian of the East-India House, a botanist long resident in Java, who discovered the real properties of the Upas-tree; Rev. P. La Trobe, secretary to the Missions of the Brethren, &c. These and others are all gone—I alone am left!

In 1835 I was appointed the "Steward" of the congregation (previously I had been a member of the Committee, and remain so to the present day). My duties were multifarious, involving the receipt of all contributions and payment of all expenses, and the providing of all things necessary for the order and maintenance of the various services. All this occupied a considerable portion of my leisure time at night. It was truly a labour of love, for in the spirit of the Church such services are performed gratuitously. I held the stewardship for 35 years, and in 1871 resigned it (being in my 74th year) to a younger and more active member of the congregation.

I was also elected to represent the congregation at Provincial Synods on three several occasions. These are held at intervals of six or eight years, and choose the Board of Direction, revise the constitution of the Church, &c.

In 1853 I was chosen a member of the Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel, which office I hold to the present day. The Society's chief object (beside "furthering" missionaries of the Brethren's Church who pass through London), is the maintenance of the mission among the Eskimoes on the coast of Labrador. For this purpose they have a ship of their own, which has, for above 100 years, successfully performed the voyage to and from that dreary and dangerous coast. One of the Labrador missionaries, Mr. Miertsching, he was a Vend, born in Upper Lusatia. In 1875 he died at Kleinwelka, in Saxony, aged 58 years, accompanied Captain M'Clure as interpreter, in the "Investigator," when they discovered the North-west Passage (Oct. 26, 1850).

About the year 1835 an extraordinary and unsought-for offer of £1,000 was made to me, by two kind friends, to enable me to go into business on my own account, the money to be repaid when convenient; and if I should fail, the loss" to be entirely theirs. Their only object was "to enable me, by an increase of means, to increase my ability to do good; and also to keep the boys about me." (Our family was rapidly increasing.) Mr. Ridgway (the grandfather of the present), bookseller, in Piccadilly, was also favourable to the project, and promised his support. My friends, generally, pressed me to accept the generous offer. But I hesitated, and sought counsel. I shrunk from the responsibility of bearing such a burden of debt, and felt that the cares and anxieties of business thus burdened would not suit my temperament. I therefore, with grateful thanks, declined the offer of my kind friends.

Having mentioned the matter to Mr. Norman, he at once proposed to increase my salary, with promises of collateral and prospective advantages (such as taking the boys apprentice, &c.), all of which he kindly and generously carried out. At the same time he suggested that I should insure my life, which I immediately did.

Of our eight sons—one died in early life — the remaining seven were all in due time apprenticed to Mr. Norman. "We had also four daughters — two of whom died in childhood.