becoming a sincere follower of Jesus. In her condescension to inferiors, and her desire not to exalt herself above the meanest of her brethren and sisters, who are all equal in Christ Jesus, she never lost sight of the distinction due to her rank in civil society. This secured to her the confidence and respect of her domestics and tenants, and gained for her the friendship and esteem of all the members of the Brethren's Church. She possessed an extensive knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and correct views of the doctrines of the gospel, and was not unacquainted with human science and polite literature. Her correspondence and social intercourse with others, no less than her general conduct, indicated a strong mind and sound judgment. Her courage and penetration never failed her, even in the most trying circumstances, which made her counsel much sought, for it was seldom found to be wrong. In the application of her property she acted with noble liberality, careful not to squander it on trifles or vain show, her domestic expenses were regulated with the greatest economy. But when the destitute were to be relieved, or the cause of God promoted, she distributed with a bountiful hand, and often even beyond her ability.

In reference to her union with count Zinzendorf it is not sufficient to say, that she discharged, with Christian fidelity, all the duties of a wife, mother, and mistress of her family, but she entered into all his views, for the propagation of the gospel, and became his faithful coadjutrix in his labors for the good of the Brethren's Church, gladly sharing in the reproach he suffered for the name of Christ. When for the gospel's sake he relinquished all his expectations of wealth and worldly honor, and subjected himself to banishment and persecution, instead of repinig at her loss, (as the world would call it,) she accounted it gain to suffer the loss of all things that she might win Christ. Instead of harrassing her consort by grieving and murmuring, she confirmed him in his resolution, and encouraged his faith and trust in God. When he was disqualified from attending to his temporal concerns, she took the whole management of his estates, as well as of his domestic affairs, into her own hands. Though of a delicate constitution and the mother

of twelve children, she accompanied her husband on many of his journies and voyages, or bore repeated and long separations from him, without repining, whenever they were rendered necessary by his labors in the vineyard of Christ. In short they were one heart and soul, not only in their conjugal relation, but in their determination, to consecrate themselves, their children, their time and their wealth to Christ and his service.

David Nitschmann was another of those, whom God honored to be one of his instruments in renewing the Brethren's Church, and who during this period was called to rest from his labors. His descent from the ancient Brethren, his escape from prison, and arrival at Herrnhut, have been mentioned in a former chapter.* He was one of those brethren who in 1733 were sent to

Most of After this

St. Croix, to commence a Mission in that Island. them died in a short time, and he also lost his wife. bereavement he returned to Europe; and in 1740 went with his daughter, Anna, to North America, and towards winter arrived in Nazareth. In the following spring the building of Bethlehem commenced, and that in such severe weather, that in felling the trees in the forest, the workmen stood above their knees in the snow. Though more than seventy years of age, Nitschmann yielded to none of the rest, in cheerful and persevering industry, determined to endure every hardship, and spent his last remaining strength, in laying the foundation of a settlement, which, he trusted in God, would prove in America what Herrnhut had already become in Europe, the nursery of many faithful laborers of Christ in the New World.

Disabled by the infirmities of old age from any further share in the laborious part of the work, he spent his last years in maintaining an extensive correspondence with the missionaries among the Indians, and others. It afforded him peculiar pleasure to do kind offices to the new comers and to visiters of every description. By persons of every persuasion he was respected as a true Christian, and the congregation in Bethlehem honored

* See page 185.

+ Hist. Sketches of Miss. Chap. v.

and loved him as their father, and the founder of their settleHe closed his earthly pilgrimage on the 4th of April,

ment.

1758, at the age of eighty one.

SECTION XII:

Last Labors, Sickness and Decease of Count Zinzendorf.

AFTER relieving the Brethren's Church from its financial difficulties, count Zinzendorf remained two or three years longer in England, and in the spring of 1755, returned to Germany by way of Holland. Having visited several congregations on the Continent, he arrived at Herrnhut on the 2nd of June. Here he continued his labors with his wonted activity, paid short visits to the other congregations in Saxony, and before the end of the year took up his residence at Bertholsdorf, in the house which he had built when he first obtained possession of the estate. This habitation was peculiarly agreeable to him, as it awakened many pleasing recollections of his early years, and of the blessing of God, which had attended the building of Herrnhut and the renewal of the Brethren's Church. At the earnest solicitations of his numerous tenantry, who rejoiced at his residence among them, he delivered a sermon to them every sunday evening. They were afterwards printed, and read by many with much edification.

In this house, which he called Bethel, the Synod of 1756 was held, during which his lady entered into her eternal rest. Painfully as he felt this bereavement, the divine consolation he experienced so refreshed and strengthened his soul, that after performing the last offices of affection for her, he could resume his usual labors with undiminished assiduity. As his circumstances seemed to require that he should marry again, he chose for his partner in life, the Moravian emigrant Anna Nitschmann, a person highly esteemed in the Brethren's Church, and who had for many years held the office of Elder among the Sisters. The marriage was solemnized on the 29th of June, 1757, at Bertholsdorf, which was now his usual residence. He

occupied himself in revising his former publications, and adding some new ones, in order to have a uniform edition prepared for the press; but did not live long enough to complete it. He was likewise much occupied in holding conferences with the ministers and elders of the Church, whom for that purpose he invited to his house, and with whom he concerted measures for extending the Missions. Besides these labors he not only visited the congregations in the vicinity, but made several journies into distant parts of the European Continent. His last journey was into Holland, from whence he returned to Herrnhut at Christmas in 1759.

His incessant labors of body and mind had somewhat impaired his constitution, so that within the last two or three years he found it necessary to pay more attention to his health than he had been accustomed to do, and especially to avoid sitting up during the night. Yet, though he allowed himself a little more rest and relaxation than formerly, he was never idle, but rather, as far as his declining health would permit, doubled his diligence, like a faithful servant, who knew he had much work to do and but little time for it, that, at his Lord's coming, he might give in his account with joy.

In this state of mind he began the year 1760. His intention was to have convened a general Synod of the Brethren's Church; but as the warlike state of many countrics rendered this impracticable, he held several conferences with such ministers and other laborers, as either resided in the neighbourhood, or at this time visited Herrnhut, or returned from foreign stations. He also continued his extensive correspondence as usual, completed the Annual Collection of Texts for the next year, and made preparations for a journey to Zeist. We come now to the last days of the mortal life of this eminent servant of God, and in order to present the reader with the more interesting particulars of the closing scene, shall condense the relation of his biographer, who received his information from an eye-witness.

"Although count Zinzendorf had spent a very uneasy and sleepless night, he persevered in his work on May 5th, and finished the task, which, according to his usual custom, he had

set himself for that day. When he had completed the manuscript, (of the Annual Collection of Texts) he handed it to a friend with these words: Now rest will be sweet.' He dined with his family but ate very little. In the afternoon he composed a hymn, and attended a solemn meeting of the Single Sisters. In the evening he conversed in a very confidential and affectionate manner with his three daughters and other members of his family. With regard to his illness he remarked : that in all his former illnesses his first care had been to ascertain, what might be their cause, and whether they were intended as a paternal correction from the Lord; in which case he had been ready to confess his faults, and freely to acknowledge them to his friends, and even to his opponents. At this time, however, he was fully assured, that our Saviour had no such intention with afflicting him. His mind was kept in perfect peace, and stayed upon the Lord.

"On the following day he grew sensibly weaker in body, but his mind had not yet lost its activity. He continued his revision of the Texts for 1761, and had all the letters which arrived read to him, together with some accounts from the Missions, expressing his joy at their prosperity.

"On the 7th, the cough and other symptoms increased in violence; he got no sleep and speaking became difficult. He received all his friends, who came to see him, with the greatest cordiality; but could not speak much. On the 8th he was remarkably lively and cheerful, and said to his son-in-law and some other persons, who were in the room: I cannot express how much I love you all. I am now in my proper element. We are together like angels, as if we were already in heaven. Could you have believed it, in the beginning of our work, that Christ's prayer, that they all may be One, would have been so happily realised among us.' In the afternoon he finished with astonishing presence of mind the revision of the Collection of Texts for the next year. This was his last labor.

"When this was done, he gave vent to the grateful feelings of his soul, and, with praises and thanksgiving to the Lord, recounted the many personal mercies he had received from him, and the many tokens of his grace, which had accom