Moravian Lives

                                                              -3-
      The people of Broad Bay, from their first arrival,
met constantly on the Sabbath, for public worship, though
for many years they had no regular clergyman. In 1760
they erected a meeting house. It was 36 X 28 ft. built
of spruce and hemlock logs. The windows were made of
sheepskin.
      In 1763, after the close of the war, the church was
dedicated, and the first sermon preached by Reverend John M.
Schaffer. These pious people, many of whom had worshipped
in the gorgeous churches at Frankfort, Cologne and Coblentz
wept when they remembered them, but rejoiced that they were
permitted, after so many years, to assemble in this rude
meeting house and worship the same God they did in the 
Fatherland.
      When, in 1761, these settlements were visited with
a revival of religion, father was awakened from his state
of sin and spiritual death, and became an anxious enquir-
er for the salvation of his soul. This distress of mind
was very great, and the agony of his soul increased to
such a degree, as to become bewilderment and distraction.
He was not able to read, and he now greatly lamented his
inability to search the Word of God for himself. 
      The Moravian Brethren, Hen and Soelle of Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, having heard of the awakened souls at that place,
visited them in 1762 and Brother Soelle continued his labors
for sometime. They proved to be messengers of glad tidings
to our distressed father. He rejoiced to hear from their 
lips, the blessed Gospel of reconciliation with God, for
which his soul yearned. He soon experienced an entire trust
in his Saviour, and his heart was filled with wonder and 
grateful love for Him. The change produced in the husband
and father did not fail to affect his wife and children.
They joined the Moravian Church under the care of Brother Soelle,
who also taught our father to read.