The Moravian Historical Society in the Morning Call Newspaper, 1984 to today

---

<< Back to Archives Home

EARLY MORAVIAN LEADER'S THOUGHTS SHARED

Morning Call - Allentown, Pa. Author: LORNA WEIL, The Morning Call

Copyright Morning Call Oct 12, 1990

Moravian Historical Society members and guests were acquainted yesterday with the thoughts and records of the founders of Nazareth and Bethlehem 250 years ago.

During the society's 133rd annual meeting and vesper in Nazareth, Moravian Church archivist Vernon Nelson described the reminiscences of Peter Boehler, a Moravian leader in the early days of both communities. Nazareth celebrated its 250th anniversary this year and Bethlehem's 250th anniversary begins next June.

"Peter Boehler was one of the most important people in the history of the Moravian Church," Nelson said.

In addition to quoting from Boehler's message delivered during a lovefeast May 3, 1755, for laying of the cornerstone of Nazareth Hall, Nelson presented later interpretations and mis-interpretations of the start of the two Moravian settlements.

Nelson said Boehler's account is not widely known, and "early German historians of the Moravian Church, such as David Crantz, published in 1771, and E.W. Croeger, published in 1852, did not use information from Boehler. George Neisser, the first historian of the Moravian Church in America, also did not include information from Boehler in his manuscript "History of the Beginnings of Moravian Work in America."

"The most extensive use of Boehler's account to date," Nelson said, "is in Joseph Mortimer Levering's 'A History of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1741-1891, With Some Account of its Founders and Their early Activity in America,' published in 1903." Down through the years, the all-encompassing history has been used by researchers studying various aspects of early Bethlehem.

Nelson added that despite Levering's extensive use of Boehler, there are still many words and sentences in the account that Levering did not use.

Nelson said, however, that "Levering's book is a great history. No one will ever do anything like it again. But even the best histories have flaws, and Levering is still a secondary account. I am criticizing relying on secondary accounts. For new work on the Moravians in early America and particularly in Bethlehem, one should give due respect to Levering, as a highly valuable secondary work, and then go back to the original sources."

He said that Boehler was celebrating the 15th anniversary of Nazareth when he gave his address, but he "recognized that the main theme of Moravian history in America was religion, and he wished to convey that idea to his listeners."

"Nazareth and Bethlehem were founded as religious communities," Nelson explained. "Our current 250th anniversary celebrations, if they are to be consistent with the founding, must also emphasize religion as their main theme, and must convey that idea to our listeners: our neighbors, children, grandchildren and generations to come. Festivals, fireworks and fire engines alone will not do it. Thank God first, for 250 years of blessings, before you enjoy these non-essentials."

During the vesper in the Nazareth Moravian Church various members were recognized by the Rev. Arthur Nehring of Bethlehem, society president, and Susan Dreydoppel of Nazareth, the society's executive director, who cited 60 volunteers for service during the past year. Dreydoppel noted that since November, the society has had contact with 7,700 people, including 5,820 who visited the Whitefield House Museum in Nazareth.

She announced plans for the "Away in a Manger: The Christmas Putz" exhibit opening Nov. 18 in the Whitefield House, and the start of a "Founders of Nazareth and Bethlehem" lecture series March 18.

Thomas Minor, Moravian College librarian, was elected to the board of managers. Nehring was re-elected president; the Rev. Robert Engelbrecht, Emmaus; Walter L. Peters, Nazareth; the Rev. Henry Williams and Bishop Edwin Sawyer, Bethlehem, vice presidents; Gwyned Williams, Canadensis, secretary; and Mrs. Walter Haupt, Nazareth, treasurer. Robert Brown, Nazareth, was elected vice president- emeritus.

Elected to the board of managers besides Minor were the Rev. Charles Eichman, Mrs. F. Robert Huth, Frederick Koehler, the Rev. John Morman, Charles Peischl, Robert Pharo, Millard Rice, the Rev. Dr. David Schattschneider and Mrs. Casper Woodbridge.

The Morning Call has graciously allowed us access to their electronic archive. The articles are presented here as they appear online.

This article is © copyright The Morning Call Online.