George Travels to Hernhutt

Herrnhut, the place of exile for the Moravians, is located in southeastern Germany about 50 miles east from Dresden and just over the border from the Czech Republic. It is still acknowledged as the world headquarters of the Moravian Church. In the early 18th century, the area was the estate of Count Nicholas von Zinsendorf. He was a ranking member of the nobility of Saxony and held an important post in the court of the Duke of Saxony. He was something of a religious fanatic and in this case hoped to establish a refuge for all persecuted Christians.

Herrnhut, the place of exile for the Moravians, is located in
southeastern Germany about 50 miles east from Dresden and just
over the border from the Czech Republic. It is still acknowledged as
the world headquarters of the Moravian Church. In the early 18th
century, the area was the estate of Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf.
He was a ranking member of the nobility of Saxony and held an
important post in the court of the Duke of Saxony. He was something of a religious fanatic and in this case hoped to establish a refuge for all persecuted Christians.

The Moravian exiles named their settlement on Zinzendorf’s estate, “Herrnhut” which in German means “under the Lord’s watch.” Again, it must be emphasized that these immigrants from Moravia were German - they spoke the German language, they had lived in places in the Czechlands bearing German names and bore German names themselves, they used a German version of the Bible, and all their hymns were sung in German. Christian David had asked Zinzendorf if his persecuted countrymen could settle in Germany on the Count’s estate. The answer was yes.

So, beginning in 1722, the persecuted Moravians began coming to Herrnhut. By 1727 there were 300 exiles living at Herrnhut. “Zinzendorf saw Herrnhut as a
Christian society within the general framework of the Lutheran Church but most of the exiles wanted to reestablish the ancient Untas Fratum church.

On May 12, 1727 the two sides reached a solution which largely confirmed the traditional practices of the Untas Fratum. What Zinzendorf contributed was the emphasis upon missionary zeal. The new church had to exist, by law, within the framework of the Lutheran church but it was almost completely self regulating. At Herrnhut, a communal lifestyle prevailed. Nothing was owned by the individual, all property belonged to the community and was administered by ruling elders. Church and state was not separated. The elders superintended trade, enforced laws, disciplined wayward apprentices, controlled the community accounts and allocated funds. They also dealt with spiritual affairs. There was no private enterprise; all business belonged to the church. It owned all real estate and the elders assigned work duties.

In return for their work, the Moravian Brethren received a home, food and clothing.