June 27, 2010

Zinzendorf's speaking, preaching and letters were full of Christ. Everywhere the Moravians went they spoke of their Lord, sang of Him, and witnessed naturally. The Holy Spirit had filled them, as in the early church, with great love for their Lord. They became witnesses unto Him.

Peter Boehler wrote to Count Zinzendorf, saying "The English people made a wonderful to do about me' and though I could not speak much English, they were always wanting me to tell them about the Saviour, His blood and wounds, and the forgiveness of sins."

Bishop Spangenberg, for example, told how Johannes, an Indian chief who had been a very wicked man, was converted. The chief said that once a preacher came to their tribe and proved to them that there was a God. They informed him that they were not ignorant of that and told him to go away. Another preacher came and told them not to steal, drink too much, or lie. They regarded him as a fool because they already knew that, and they sent him off to preach to his own people who were worse that the Indians in those vices.

Then Christian Henry Rauch, one of the Moravian Brethren, came to his hut, sat with him and told him about Jesus. Then fatigued from his journey, Christian Henry lay down and slept, unafraid of the chief. Johannes could not get the Moravian's words out of his mind. He dreamt of the cross. He told his tribe about Jesus and they repented as the Holy Spirit moved their hearts. Johannes said to the bishop, "Thus, through the grace of God, the awakening among us took place. I tell you therefore, brethren, preach to the heathen Christ and His blood and death, if you wish to produce a blessing among them."

In Europe, a Countess with close friends among kings, emperors and princes, famous for her brilliant gifts and witty conversation, found that none of her amusements and recreations satisfied her any longer. A humble Moravian shoemaker came into her presence and she was struck with his remarkable cheerfulness. She asked him why he was so happy and he replied that "Jesus has forgiven my sins. He forgives me every day and He loves me and that makes me happy through all the hours." The Countess thought about that and began to pray. Conviction led her into the same joyful faith and she became a great witness for Christ among titled people, especially in the court of the Emperor of Russia, Alexander I, her close friend.

Then, as now, the baptism in the Holy Spirit upon the Moravians and then the Methodists produced a flood of sacred songs. Many of the best hymns may be traced to this outpouring of the Holy Spirit- August 13, 1727. Moravian hymns were filled with praise to Christ, adoration of him as God, and proclamation of His virtues and work.