Ctt fam4
“HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL
WATERS.”
•
By the still waters lead me, for I thirst,
And my oierheated brow I fain would lave
And 0 permit me, Holy Shepherd,
;I'.o see thy face reflected from the wave
mine own, that so m soul mav kn ow
These are the sources whence all heliliugs flow
11
lily the still waters lead me lam faint Ant
With my long journeyingough tb
thre,. ,
And my white robes have caught roa
place,
I fainwould hide from the revv;ol
.0 Saviour I can the re :
t t rt Strewn <i ;
the, d,
'Tie_ unknown;
4 be
thee.
THE MORAVIANS USED TO MARRY.
PROM THE NEW BOOK "MARRYING BY LOT."
It caused no little sensation throughout
the whole of that quiet Moravian settle
ment, especially among the Sisterhood,
when it was announced that wives had to
be provided for five missionaries, besides
two lay resident Brethren. No marriage
had been solemnized in the place since the
commencement of the war; for the Society,
with their characteristic prudence, discour
aged matrimony in such troublous times,
unless contracted under circumstances which
perfectly justified it as necessary. This,
together with the unusual number of candi-
dates offering, caused more than ordinary
excitement upon the subject.
Of the latter Brethren, one was the war
den of the congregation, while the other,
the only store-keeper allowed in the place.
These two offices were frequently held by
the same individual; but, on account of the
onerous duties of the former in this place,
there was this division of labor. In those
days of the Church, the brotherl feeling
prevalent in the Society did not permit more
of them to conduct any kind of business in
any of their settlements, than could readily
find a support from - it-and no competition
was allowed, lest it might produce unplea
sant results.
Three of the missionaries had arrived in
the settlement, while the other two, not
being able conveniently to leave their sta
tions, requested their partners to be sent to
them. , ,-
This lailit'arrangement very much aston
ished Elsie.
"Surely, Rosalie ; yon must-manage (tit
ferently in such eases than with the others,
since it cannot be possible you should be
able to know how to select for such individ
uals, more especially if they are,not person
ally known to any of your Conference, and
are strangers to most of the rest, of you."
" These cases are only stronger exemplifi
cations of our childlike faith and confidence
in our Lord," sheanswered; "and our Bre
thren who make Such an application, fully
resign themselves to this_ peculiar way of
ascertaining His holy will, and are prepared
to follow implicitly what they suppose to
be heavenly direction. Hence they do not
reserve to themselves the right of refusing
any S t stet 'Who is proposed—and thopropo- .
oT course,, is first submitted to the
Sister. The 'Conference proceed in such
cases some*hat differently from the usual
manner. They make a question to tomer
tain whether the Saviour approves of such
a Sister for this or that Brother."
," Well! are_ your Sisters found equally
willing to consent to this arrangement ?"
" T 1147 pn are
«Fji tkow do.,yoprobeed,fartherr
"The Sister who is chosen'is immediately
informed of the4ooBlon. Sho,is not bound,
however, to.Secept it, butis taught to con
sider it a solemn call from God, to try her
self before Him. She seeks by prayer to
know the .;Divine will, and then acts accord
ing to the impressions she receives."
" But what a wonderful degree of faith
and.resolution it must require to enable a
delicate, sensitive woman to go thus forth
to wed , a, stranger, whom perhaps after all
she cannot like."
" The same is the case, you know, with
royal marriages," replied Rosalie, "the only
particular difference between the two, being
rank, station, position, and wealth in, the
one;, and self-denial, poverty, with, perhaps,
suffering in the other."
"But yet their situations are not so simi
lar as you represent, methinks," continued
Elsie; "'for, it 1 understand you, the Breth
ren who are thus supplied with wives, have
sometimes no knowledge whatever, even of
the names, of their chosen ,partners, until
they appearh6fore them; whereas, on the
contrary, the other party not only know of
theirs, but themselves solicit the alliance."
"I grant I did not take this view-of the
matter when
. I.st,oke. And yet.our Sisters
are asked, and that, too, -by a Monarch
greater than an, earthly potentate,—One
who has loved us with an everlasting love;
and, impelled by its sacred impulses, we
feel bound 'obediently to submit to our Sa
viour's leading—to throw off all our natural
timidity, and readily, cheerfully, to sacrifice
every vivito, personal feeling—and we
enter upon our calling sustained with His
support and blessing."
Among the single Sisterhood, especially
the junideportion ofthern, notwithstanding
their apparent efforts to the contrary, it di
rectly became evidently_ manifest, that these
contemplated marriages were a subject of
intense interest. It was attended, however,
with this pecaliari ty--that thebeart of each
_ - --- .Mate for her
ofsoitfhessieo-mooa,idas dfoidr
,rr' companions;
not Tr.
most inter
though every one wAS the greatest amount
tu herself, anii•atio . n ifi the matter.
eosfpd in herself,
cosentimenti they generally
But , ner h a pp,re a wholesome fellowship of
ente i a i n , sensibilities, if I may so ex
iaosultig irom the peculiarities of
4 0 ..41 and personal character of their
l t ,,cy. It' "allowed no jealous rivalry
wag tilqiiii; yet their hearts throbbed
with. the Same feelings, and thrilled with
kindred emotions of anxious expectancy.
The day but two preceding the eventful
bfie when these marriages were to be
brought before the Conference, was the Sab
bath day.
The whole of the Sisterhood were in their
appointed seats at church at all the services
—thus giving the Brethren whose fates
would probably be linked with some of that
loving company, an opportunity of seeing
them. The rule of the Society, forbidding
to the young people even the casual glance
to the opposite side of the church, was not
on this -day enforced, simply because it could
not be. Each party seemed to take advan
tage of this rare liberty, and it is a question
which did it the most. Certainly the Breth
ren took a more extensive range, while the
gaze of the Sisterhood was almost concen
trated upon the present candidates for mat
rimony among their dear Brethren.
There they sat, all the youthful maidens
of that Moravian Sisters' House, arrayed in
their most becoming attire, to be looked at,
and inquired of, by the expectant bride
grooms—each of whom bad one or two
friends beside him to answer the interroga
tories he chose to make concerning any par
ticular Sister.
be done 1
has laid
to be run
is stayed.
l I stand
bright land.
istian .Register.
And now - , for the space of the brief inter
val to this important pending event, the ex
citement visibly increased. What addedho
this feeling, was the discovery that one or
two of these dear Brethren were more than
usually desirable.
The eldress of the single Sisterhood, dur
ing this period, was a personage of very
great importance in the place; for she pre
pared the list of Sisters, and much reliance
was placed upon her judgment in the selec
tion, as well as the opinion she expressed of
each of them and their suitability for the
partners proposed to them. Some of the
interested sought now to propitiate her fa
vor.
Conspicups among that group of candi
dates for matrimonial felicity was Annie
Dohlman, now twenty-eight years of age.
she possessed some good qualities, but other
very bad ones—being a tattler, busy-body,
and deceptive—disposed to scatter the fire,
brands of mischief among her associates,
with whom she mingled as the only black
sheep. Of course she had few friends. This
Sister was one of those spinsters who re
main single from necessity, and not from
choice. She was exceedingly anxious to be
married. Suddenly, ,a change came over
her - 13111,-"IVAIS- motatreorphliSed-talio a kind
and amiable woman—so affectionate and
considerate to her companions—so pious and
devout in her religious duties, and so filially
attentive to her dear eldress.
In appearance, she was rather fine-look
ing, of a good figure, dressed neatly, and
possessed a very loud, clear voice. She now
indulged the hope, that among so many
chances, she would certainly have an op
portunity to get .a husband. She desired to
be the wife of a missionary, and to commend
herself to these dear Brethren. She used
her vocal powers to her best ability—ap
peared devotedly pious—spoke in laudatory
terms of the Missionary life, and her hope
to be called to that service. But although,
perhaps, she might have been sincere when
she - thus talked, her conduct was, at -the
same time, as - increase the
prejudice against her. But • loudly, on that
memorable Sabbath, did she raise her voice ;
to sing her way into favorable notice.
The elderess a very sagacious old lady,
saw through her manoeuvres, and only
quietly smiled.
The important time at length arrived
when all these marriages were ,to_
,he ar
ranged.
That of missionaries, and others holding
official situations among the Moravians, re
quired the sanction of the Unity's Elders'
Conference, or of one of the Provincial Help
ers' Conferences, which convened in this set
tlement for that purpose.
The elderesses of the Sisters were both
present—the single Sisters' elderess bring
ing with her the list she had made, which
was presented to the presiding officer.
After mature deliberation, and fervent
prayer for spiritual guidance, reverently and
solemnly they proceeded to propose part
ners for their dear missionary Brethren.
These did not allow themselves to have any
preference for any particular Sister; the se
lection of their companions for life being
left entirely to the decision of the Church.
Susan Stoltz and Mary Weiss were drawn,
and accepted by two of the missionaries
then in the place, while Sophy Dohlmari and
Christiana Huber were the chosen brides of
the absentees.
The other missionary, three or four years
before, had been to this Conference upon
the same errand, when he desired• very
much, to propose for Rosalie Steinberg.
Being.something of a naturalist, he fancied
they possessed kindred minds. But her
opinion did not coincide with his. She ac
cidentally heard his intention to ask fbr her,
but through the influence of her father pre
vented it from being tried by the "`lot."
Afterwards, he proposed, successively for
several others of the Sisters, who either re
fused him or were negatived by the "lot"'
—so that he was to g.) to his field
of labor unblessed with a helpmate. Dis
satisfied in being thus thwarted in his
wishes, the unhappy and unfortunate man
now desired them to try it again—yet, with
no better success; and, after several fail
ures, he withdraw < his name, resolved to
make the same application in another Set-
R ic y; PRESBYTERIAN THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1863.
THE AIM
tlement—fora bachelor he was determined
not to be any longer, if he could help it.
In truth, though in many respects a wor
thy man, he had spoken so foolishly and im
prudently in the place, of the manner he
meant to manage his wife, as to render him
so very unpopular among the Sisterhood,
that those who were asked could not be in
duced to marry him. However, his words
proved to be nothing more than idle talk—
for when he at last succeeded in obtaining
this long-sought treasure, never was a man
more thoroughly under petticoat govern
ment than he—ay, and I am told appeared
to like it well too, being, he said, "superla
tively happy." But lam anticipating and
must return to where I left off in my story.
It was early in the evening of the day
subsequent to the preceding occurrence.
The younger portion of the Sisters were all
assembled in their usual apartment, either
engaged in sewing, knitting or in other use
ful occupation. The journals of some of
their missionaries, which had been sent for
their perusal, were just being read by one
of their senior associates, when the door
softly opened and the confidential attendant
of their elderess quietly came in. Expeeta
tioa being on tiptoe, and the Sisterhood
knowing her errand, no sooner, did they
perceive her than an excitement was direct
ly visible upon the countenances: of all that
gathered band. She paused a moment, then
smiled—
" What you are reading is really •very in
teresting," said she; "don't you. think so,
my dear Susan Stoltz ?" looking significant
ly at, her as she spoke. • •
Susan replied by simply saying "yes , ;'
then immediately rose and left the room..
By and by the same , messenger returned,
walked up to Mary Weiss, and while appar
ently looking at her work whispered some
thing in her ear, when she too Vetired ; af
terwards again, twice did this little woman
re-enter in like manner, to summon, the
other two chosen brides.
Each of these maidens were first very af
fectionately greeted by their elderess; next
invited to `a 'seat—then told that by the di
rection of our Lord she was commissioned;
to propose Brother (mentioning t his name)'
to be het husband ; adding, that it W'as a.
high honor to be called. to serve the Saviour
—and• in giving her band to a servant of
the Church she would be enabled to do so
in a very efficient manner; that She sin
cerely hoped, and prayed, if she consented
to this proposal, she would earhestly, seek
for Divine, support. and assistance, to enable
her faithfully, to discharge all the, dutiei
appertaining to it. She recommended to
each of them to make, the matter a subject of
frequent fervent prayer, and not to come to
a decision without the `mit serious reflec
tion; some time being allowed them to re
solve the . proposition. In. the Meanwhile
thcy weyeinformed of the duties required
Pf them; how they would •be situated at
their , respective stations, and whatever was
knoWn of the character"and disposition of
thOftroffete,d. husbands.. _
The following Sabbath not any of therie
chOben Sisters had as yet 'given het decision:
The congregation, assembled, as was their,
wont, in church ; among them the drawers
and the drawn in that matrimonial lottery;
no tnarvel again there were wandering eyes,
and beating hearts which' throbbed with
peculiar with the grosser ones
of an earth-born love, but kindled from the
altElr of religious faith, and gloWing with
intense devotion to God.
The evening succeeding this, there was a
cluitering around that little band of ohosen
bri. l .les; when with much emotion, one and
all Of these devoted ones solemnly declared
their determination of accepting their Prof- .
fered destiny, and were happyin the pros
pe4t of being usefully employed in.the ser
vi6 of their dear Lord and Master: , •
This had already-been communicated by
their elderess to the Conference, who im
mediately sent the intelligence to the bride:
grooms elect.
oon afterwards came the, betrothal ;'
*hen in presence of the Conference their
elderess, and mutual friends, the.,,parties,
were solemnly pledged' to their :destined
partners, and' each . gave her rightlhandpie
cessively to the different`members of the
Board a t ken of their having con i secrated
themselvelf to their sacred work. Then a
prayer, especially applicable for the occa
slop, was made, followed by an appropriate
hymn. Refreshments succeededt •After
partaking of these, the newlybetrothed re
ceived the bleqsing and congratulations of
the whale "assembly.
This meeting was generally the introduc
tory interview between thasc who had in
such a peculiar manner plighted their faith
to each other. A short season only, com
monly not' more than a week, for further
acquaintance, usually intervened ere they
Were married, during which interval both'
pit:Nes were obliged by their rules to be so
guarded in "their conduct, that it must have
been painfully embarrassing, and surely it
could scarcely be denominated a courtship.
Such, in brief, I believe to be a•true and
unvarnished history of the Whole course of
procedure forinerly adopted by the Primitive
Moravians, in settling their matrimonial
destinies.
It hap been the theme of many an idle
jest,—often excited the speculation of the
curious; and been a marvel to a wondering
world ; giving, at the same' time; , a, degree
of., romantic interest to the people them
selves who practised it.
I wish to speak of it with, becoming rev
erence. 'I admit that it appears singularly
unnatural to the general mind to marry
thus ; but, be it•remembered that most of
these devoted people possessed a simple,
child-like, - confiding faith which enabled them,
in an astonishihg manner, to crush their
own,wills and desires; aed to ,rely entirely
upon Divine direction in every event of
their lives. • •
There , were; cases, too, and they not I UTh
fOqttently: happened, I have bden infOrmed,
where ; - if' the- individuals concerned had
consulted in the usual manner, they would
have made the same choice as the " lot" de
cided ; but not so with regard to all the
maidens of whom I have been writing;
nevertheless, neither of them had any fears
or misgivings about their fitness for each
other, nor had a doubt of their future hap
piness. They were willing to shelter them
selves under the canopy of domestic and
social love, without deeming it necessary to
realize much more than an ideal impression
of the nature of this sentiment.
They considered their marriages as being
made in heaven,—and surely love, in its
purest state, would necessarily follow in a
connection thus appointed. Hence they
could not only calmly and trustingly con
sent to a union thus formed, but could wil
lingly relinquish all other ties of kindred
arid association, and accompany their part
ners to a distant land. Yea, and two of
their numbers had not even seen their cho
sen companions for life. Hence they could
not possibly entertain for them a stronger
feeling than respect, with perhaps a large
share of that sympathizing interest which
I have mentioned as so prominently char
acteristic of the Moravian community in the
primitive times of their Church.
One of these brides, Sophy Dohlman, left
a fond and widowed mother, who would
then be bereft of all her children, every one
being employed in the missionary field.
She resigned them cheerfully, because of
the work theywexe to be engaged in. And
now, when age and feebleness were come
upon her, she would be a childless mother.
This good woman was but one of many ex
amples which might be quoted of the self
te,acrificipg, selOenying spirit which then
prevailed among,the Moravians.
mediately after the marriages of the
missionaries were decided, the other Con
ference met to choose mates for the warden
'and store-keeper. The same, solemnities
were observed as on the previous occasion.
The "lot" was first used in behalf of the
former,Brother. He selected _Rosalie Stein
berg, but the " lot" drew a- negative. Of
this he was immediate* informed. He re
,gretted it very much, as he very highly es
teemed her. He then mentioned Wilhel
mina Leitner. To this some objection was
made, on account of her tender age, and
the nrecent„ affair with Lieutenant Morris.
But the warden • still. desiring, it, she, was
proposed, and the "lotP)decided in the affir
mative.
Her parents were pleased with this pro
poSal, but, pleaded , her youth as a reason forrefusing,
refusing thelr,consent to,an immediate mar
riage,—besideS, they urged the, necessity of
nioretime to eradicate the impressions of
her previous attachment. They were both
well Acquainted with the warden, whose ex
cellent ,character they appreciated; and
considering him' a very suitable match for
their only child,,resolved that if he would
consent.to wait awhile, they would ,then Wil
lingly bestow her on him, provided Wilhel
mina was. not 'averse to it. To this the
warden, agreed. '
- The " - rotr, — Aeclared in favor of Catharine
Englehs,rt tor the store-keeper. She was e
very, ainiable and deserving young Sister, of
whom her, elderess, and all who knew her,
spoke favorably. But this Brother, though
he had seen her among the Sisterhood, was
so slightly acquainted with her appearance
that he could not distinguish her at all from
the pthers. However, after some inquiries,
and, an opportunity to, notice her in particu,
lar, he returned a favorable answer. The,
proposal wasthen submitted to her. It was
an, excellent offer to the poor girl, and, after
little hesitation, she accepted it.
These triple marriages were soon after all
solemnized.
In the celebration of their marriages, the
primitive Moraviaris were as , peculiar as in
their preliminary arrangements; but they
didUot all observe eiactly the same cere
inonial. I am speaking now of the way
they were o)Mlucted in their- settlements,
where, shut out from the rest of the world
and with all their usual officials about them,
they could and did manage their affairs, just
as they•pleased.
ceremony always took place in
el j ur4i, before - Cho whole congregation. The
brides were dressed with scrupulous neat
ness. When their toilet was completed,
these'Maidenswere received by their elder
ess, who took them to the elderess of their
!married Sisters,'to whom she formally de
livered them. This lady gave them a kind
ly greeting, and, at the given time,,conduc
tedeach of them separately into the church,
where simultaneously- their intended hus
band was escorted by the elder of the same
choir. 'Here the congregation and minister
had previously assembled; the respective
friends of the' parties occupying the most
prothinent situations in the front.
Their entrance was announced by the
organ .and violin, together with various
wind instruments, sounding forth what
might be termed a religious epithalamium.
Just before the table fronting the pulpit a
sufficient number of chairs were, placed for
the different couples„ whither they were led
and seated—the brides, on the one side, the
grooms on the other—while the brides-elect
sat together at the head of the front bench,
directly next the wedding group.
The officiating clergyman gave out a
hymn. Afterwards he first addressed the
assembly, and- then these couples. This
done, the following verse, or another of a
like, import, was sung antiphonically :
All. " Thee, God of love and peace;
We magnify and praise,
Jesus, who on the cross
Didst bleed and die for us :
Sisters. In thy salvation we rejoice,
Brethren. And give Thee praise , with heart and
All. Conscious that all the happiness.
We in the married state possess,
Flows solely, gracious Lord, from
Thee • "
'
For this Thy, name we glorif3 s . Amen."
, On the singing of thelaet line, •the min
ister slowly left his plaep,:and advancedto
ward's 1:M •' marrying Varty,--the elder . and
elderess of the married people doing the
same. The latter had with her a small par
cel neatly put up in white paper, which,
when she neared the brides, she carefully
opened. It contained some bright blue rib
bon. Hereupon the minister asked them
the usual questions; afterwards he joined
the hands of the respective parties. Then
the elderess herself untied the ribbon of the
caps of her young Sisters (they always
wore caps in church,) when the pink ribbon
of maidenhood was exchanged for the blue,
one of matrimony. The elder and elderess
gave the kiss of peace, the former to the
grooms and the latter to their brides; after
which the minister blessed the newly-wed
ded, commending them and the lone brider
of the distant missionaries to the prayera
of the whole assembly. Then this hymn,
or a similar one, was sung :
" Since thou, 0 Lord, with thine own hand
Bast tied our sacred marriage band,
Grant that thy dying love may be
The source of our felicity.
Our souls and bodies, Lamb of God, -
Besprinkle with thy precious blood;
Subdue. what's carnal, by thy death,
That Godly we may live by faith.
With mouth and hand our choir to thee
Vows homage and ,fidelity,
Till we our heavenly home shall gain:
Thereto, Lord Jesus, say Amen."
And now this service was over. ,Con
gratulatiors followed, and then the ,congre
gatio'n scattered. After,wards a more private
meeting was held, where only the relatives
and friends of the parties were present, to
gether with all the, members of the • cifer
epee ; when wine and other refres is
were served, and friendly conve ,ins
were for a period indulged in.
A few days only elapsed after this, when
the missionaries departed for their fields of
labor, the two brides-elect accompaqtrig
the newly married couples to the West In
dies, where they were, in due time, united
to their stranger , briclegrpoms. ,
THE TWO ARMIES.
There are two little armies,
On the world's great battle-field;
Though unnoted oft by mortals, •
To the eyes of God revealed.
Though we hear no shouts of triumph,:.:.
Though
Though we bear no fearful fray,.
Though little armies battle -
For the Right; or Wrong, each day;
The Right, or -Wiong, each, day.
They m a st fight; no ground is neutral;
And watch the sides they take ; •
One little army chooses
To fight for.truth's dear sake;
The banner floating over it
Rises grandly up to view;
And I read this glorious motto :
"Fighting for the Good and True;
The Beautiful and True."
How brave that little army:
What a halo Ver it shines!
And even angels welcoine.
Every soldier, to its lines;
Bow sweet the stirring music
Of the trampfof little feet,
That in God's holy highway,
Swift onward, upward beat;
Onward, and upward, beat.
Alas I the other army,
'Neath a gloomy flag unfurled,
Marches with the ranks of evil ;
Treads the dark ways of the world;
Not for the True ancl,l3eautiful,
Does it grow brave and strong ;
For lo ! upon its banner
I read, "Fighting - for the Wrong;
Old, surly-hearted wrong."
THE KEEPING OF THE HEART.
In praying' against sins of the lips, let us
in every case go to the root of the mischief,
and pray against those sins of the heart,
out of which these others spring; else we
may make 'more accomplished hyprocrites
of ourselves, but not more perfect Chris
tians. We pray that we may not speak un
charitably ; but oh I let us pray that we
may not think uncharitably;that the law of
love may not be on.our lips' only, but in our
hearts. There are some cautious persons ,
who exercise much tielf-restraint upon them
selves in net speakang,ankindly of others i t
because they feel that: in so doing. they
should blemish their Christian'.reputation
but they make up for it by hard, cruel, un
charitable thoughts, which they keep' to
themselves in the deep of their hearts. We
pray that we may not speak prou4 , things,
with our lips,; but we confine durselSes
to this, it may really be only a prayer that we;
may not ourselves come to any open shame,
lowering ourselves by vaunting, vain-glor
ious speeches in the estimation of others.
But he who is rightly praying, to be deliver
ed from the lips of pride, as sinful before
God, will at the same time make his prayer
to be delivered from the heart of pride. His
desire will not be, to seem humble,. whicnis
only a subtler pride, but -to be- humble ; to be
a man of humble speech, because heis first a
man of humble thoughts; to be clothed with
the garment of humility within as well as
without. So, again, every Christian well needs
hate impure lips : he will pray that at no
unguarded moment of his life any word
may escape him, growing out of the cor
ruption which is in the world through lust.
But what is this unlese he is also asking for
a clean heart ? What were he who should
be content if only his words, were pure
words, and should at the same time enter
tain, or even invite, thoughts and imagina
tions of impurity and uneleanness ? what,
indeed, but a whited sepulchre, decent in
deed and fair without, but full of all filth
and rottenness within ? Seek, then, I be
seech you, to make thorough work here.
Strive, pray, cry, that in this, as in every
thing else, the root of the -matter may be
in you. If you pray, "Set a watch, 0 Lord,
at the door of my lips," or, "Deliver me,
0 God from lying lips and a deceitful ton
gue," rememberAhat.behind each and every
such prayer there eho,uld lie,another prayer,
which is this, ";Make- me- a-,elean heart, 0
God, and , renew a right jSpirit within me."
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--:2'71..e Little, tiorporal.