CHAPTER II.

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE CHURCH.

THE Moravian Brethren's Unity, at the present time, is divided into three provinces: known as the American, comprising the Moravian churches in the United States; the Continental, embracing those on the Continent of Europe; and the British, to which those in Great Britain and Ireland belong. In this chapter, an account of each province, together with its enterprises, is given; as also of the cause in which the whole Unity is engaged.

SECTION I.-THE AMERICAN PROVINCE.

The American Province contains two districts, the Northern and Southern. To the latter belong the Moravian churches in North Carolina; to the former, all the rest in the United States. Each district has a government of its own, consisting of a Synod and Provincial Board; but the closest union exists between the two.

Formerly there were several church-settlements in the American Province, but the peculiar ecclesiastical polity which made them such, has been relinquished, the towns have been thrown open to all who may choose to settle in them, and the Moravian

churches of America, without exception, are now ordinary churches, like those of other denominations. The establishments known as Brethren's, Sisters', and Widows' Houses, have likewise been given up.

The following are the churches of the American Province:

PENNSYLVANIA. - Bethlehem, in Northampton County, formerly a church-settlement, now an incorporated borough, the mother congregation of the Brethren in America, begun in 1741, organized in 1742. It is the seat of the Provincial Board, of the General Home Mission Board, of the Moravian College and Theological Seminary, and of a Church Boarding School for young ladies. The Moravian Book Store and Publication Office are also located here. Nazareth, in Northampton County, formerly a church-settlement, now an incorporated borough, begun in 1744, organized in 1747, the seat of the Moravian Classical Seminary and Boarding School for boys. Schoeneck, in Northampton County, begun in 1757, organized in 1763. Emmaus, in Lehigh County, begun in 1742, organized in 1747. Hopedale, in Wayne County, begun in 1834, organized in 1837. Philadelphia, (church edifice at the corner of Franklin and Wood streets,) begun in 1742, organized in 1749. Litiz, in Lancaster County, formerly a church-settlement, now an incorporated borough, begun in 1743, organized in 1756, the seat of a Church Boarding School for young ladies. Lancaster City, begun in 1748, organized in 1750.

York, in York County, begun in 1744, organized in 1755. Lebanon, in Lebanon County, organized in 1847.

NEW YORK.-New York City, (church edifice on Houston street, corner of Mott,) begun in 1742, organized in 1748. Brooklyn, (church edifice corner of Jay and Myrtle streets,) organized in 1854. Staten Island, begun in 1747, organized in 1763. Camden, in Washington County, begun in 1830, organized in 1834.

MARYLAND.-Graceham, in Frederick County, begun in 1745, organized in 1758.

OHIO.-Gnadenhuetten, begun in 1797, organized in 1799. Fry's Valley, organized in 1858. Sharon, begun in 1810, organized in 1827. Canal Dover, begun in 1840, organized in 1842. All these churches are in Tuscarwas County.

INDIANA.-Hope, in Bartholomew County, begun in 1825, organized in 1830.

ILLINOIS.-West Salem, in Edward's County, organized in 1844; divided into two churches, an English and a German one, in 1858.

WISCONSIN.Watertown and Ebenzer, in Jefferson County, begun in 1853, organized in 1858.

NORTH CAROLINA.-Salem, formerly a churchsettlement, now an incorporated borough, organized in 1766, the seat of the Provincial Board of the Southern District, and of a Church Boarding School for young ladies. An African church is located here. Bethabara, organized in 1753. Bethania,

organized in 1760. Friedberg, organized in 1766. Friedland, organized in 1780. Hope, organized in 1780. New Philadelphia, organized in 1846. Mount Bethel, organized in 1851. Muddy Creek, organized in 1856. All these churches are in Davidson and Forsyth Counties.

Enterprises of the American Province.

A. THE HOME MISSION.-This is the name given to the work recently commenced by the church in different parts of the United States, among such as are destitute of the gospel privileges. It has respect chiefly, although not exclusively, to German immigrants. The initiatory steps in the enterprise were taken after the Provincial Synod of 1849, when the Province had been put upon a more independent footing. At the next Synod, in 1855, a regular plan of operations was matured, and a General Home Mission Board elected, composed of eight members, besides the members of the Provincial Elders' Conference. (See next chapter.) This Board appoints the missionaries, and directs the entire work. It is supported by voluntary contributions, collected through the agency of Home Mission Societies, of which there are a number in the different churches of the Province. There is no funded capital whatever at the disposal of the Board. Some of the Societies maintain one or more missionaries, without any assistance from the general treasury.

At the Provincial Synod of 1858, certain principles, regulating the enterprise, were adopted, whereof the following is an abstract, which will set forth the nature of the work. (See Journal of Synod, page 108.)

1. The great object of our Moravian Home Mission is to spread the gospel, and above all to win souls for Jesus, whereever He opens the door in our country, and to form societies and congregations in full communion with the Moravian Church.

2. The Home Mission Board is authorized to appoint a Missionary for any Home Mission Society, which shall provide, to the satisfaction of said Board, the necessary means for the support of such Home Missionary.

3. Any number of persons may, with the written consent of the Home Mission Board, and under such rules and regulations as said Board shall prescribe, organize themselves into a “Moravian Home Missionary Congregation," the members of which shall be considered members of the Brethren's Church.

4. In case that a Home Mission Society deem it expedient that their Missionary be removed, and another appointed in his place, said society is expected to make application to this end to the H. M. Board, in order that the proposed change in the ministry may be made only after a thorough investigation of the grievances complained of.

5. It is the duty of our Home Missionaries to organize their stated hearers, as soon as may be, into associations for the maintenance of worship according to the Moravian ritual, and for the observance of Christian rules of order, as they may be laid down by the "Home Mission Board."

6. Such association standing in connection with, and under the auspices of our branch of the Moravian United Brethren's Church, shall be called a "Moravian Home Mission Congregation," and the sacraments may be administered to its mem