A BIT OF CHURCH HISTORY...

A BIT OF CHURCH HISTORY…

 In 1722, Count Nicholaus von Zinzendorf of Saxony, England, founded a colony of devoted believers called “Hernhut,” which later became known as the Moravians.  He traveled to America and set up communities that dispatched missionaries – first to Greenland, then to the West Indies, and beyond.  By the time Zinzendorf died in 1760, approximately 300 missionaries (all laypersons) had been sent out from the various American colonies.  In 1738, when some of the challenges of missionary life had manifested, Zinzendorf wrote his famous instructions, many of which are strangely familiar, despite their 18th century language.  According to Zinzendorf, it is far better to send missionaries into the wide world, but one should be warned and wary of the following temptations:

 

1.       To have even the slightest dealings with clergymen.

2.       To think about your purpose in the land only when you have arrived there.

3.       To test your vocation on the heathen once you are among them.                                                         

4.       To give up because something doesn’t work out right away.

5.       To make your home too comfortable and forget that you are a pilgrim among the nations.

6.       To be prejudiced against the heathen if they are neither efficient nor pious.

7.       To seek even the slightest advantage at the expense of your brothers.

8.       To focus only on difficulties, and forget how much the Savior has helped you.

9.       To forget that one can do far more with a believing heart than with many words.

10.   To judge your colleagues solely by their personalities.

11.   To make a general rule of the experiences that you or a few others have had.

12.   To make so many plans that in the end you don’t complete any.

13.   To create new articles of faith to suit your situation.

14.   To become unforgiving and vindictive.

15.   To lose sight of the Savior.

16.   To let a quarrel last longer than a day.

17.   To reflect and think that if you were somewhere else things would be different.

18.   To give the devil an opportunity to outwit you and rob you of peace.

19.   To accept anything that displeases the Lord.

20.   To embellish the heathen with the names of other people.

Count Zinzendorf eventually founded the Order of the Mustard Seed, which had three guiding 

principles: (1) to be kind to all people; (2) to seek their welfare; and (3) to win souls to Christ.

 Given our modern perspective, some of his guidelines could seem dated and unnecessary, but many of them deserve our prayerful reflection and consideration.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!