Moravians

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a religious sect, called at first Bohemians, and constituting a branch of the Hussites, who, when the Calixtines came to terms with the Council of Basle, in 1433, refused to subscribe the articles of agreement, and constituted themselves into a distinct body. Their tenets were evangelical. In 1522 they made advances to Luther, who partially recognized them, but they ultimatel American adopted Calvinistic views as to the Their discipline was very strict. Driven by persecution, they scattered abroad, and for a time their chief settlement was at Fulnek in Moin 1856. In ravia, whence Moravian Brethren, or Moravians. On May 26, 1700, was born Nicolaus Ludwig, Count von Zinzendorf, and state minson of the chamberlain ister of Augustus II., Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. Having met with a Moravian vian refugee, Count Zinzendorf offered him and his co-religionists an asylum on his estate. The man, whose name was David, accepted the offer, and in 1722 settled with three other men at a place called by Zinzendorf Herrnhut = (the Lord's guard). Under his fosterin ing care, the sect greatly increased strength. Till his death, on May 9, 1760, he traveled, largely spreading their views. Small Moravian churches arose on the Continent, in England, in Ireland, and in America. Though they have been numerous, they acquired never great reputation from having a larger proportion of of their membership engaged in foreign missions than any Christian denomination. In 1917 there were 30,441 communicants in America, 153,210 enrolled in mission provinces, 70,000 in Europe.