ed, and I was placed in the middle. The Jesuit then stepped forward, declaring, that, as I had rejected all admonitions, and remained an obstinate heretic, I was now publicly excommunicated from the only saving Roman Catholic Church, deprived of all her benefits, and the prayers and intercession of saints, without any hope of being ever again received into her communion; but was delivered up to Satan, and the eternal torments of hell. I, at the same time, delivered up my soul, body and spirit, to God my Saviour and only Judge, not in the least terrified by their excommunication."

This whole proceeding was a mere farce; for no sooner had the magistrates withdrawn, than the priests came up to Gilek, and with affected kindness told him, that if he would only recant, they would disannul the sentence, and restore him to the favor of God. But, not effecting their purpose, he was led back to prison, and strict orders were given that no one should speak to him, as that would be a mortal sin.

The next day he received his final sentence, which was, that he should be kept in irons, and employed in the public works of the town for two years, after which he was to await his further sentence. Emaciated and unfit for hard labour as he was, the sentence was speedily put in execution, by sending him to break the ice, sweep the streets, &c. This labour was rendered the more difficult by his having his left hand chained to his right foot. Under these unmerited grievances, the internal peace of his soul alleviated all his sorrows; nor did he ever give up his hope of regaining his liberty, and returning to Gerlachsheim. And the realization of this hope was much nearer than he had any reason to expect. The manner of his deliverance is thus related in his own narrative :

"In spring, 1735, I commenced sweeping the streets; and in the month of August was given to a mason as his day-labourer. On the third morning, after entering on this employ, while at work on the top of a new house, the fire bells began to ring. The master-mason observing a thick column of smoke to rise in that part of the town, where he lived, left his work and ran home. The fire spread with alarming rapidity, and every one was intent on his own safety. I went wherever I

was called to assist. Among others I came to an old lady, who had formerly been my benefactress. Her house was on fire, herself confined to bed by illness, and her two daughters were endeavouring to rescue her from the flames. We suc

ceeded to get her out, and convey her to a place of safety without the town. I prayed fervently to cur Saviour, that if this were the day he had appointed for my deliverance, He would prepare the way.

"Having re-entered the town, a man requested me to drive his cow into the country. I gladly did him this service; and having brought her into a safe place, lay down behind a barn. Many persons passing that way, asked me why I did not assist the people in the town. On my telling them that I was overcome with fatigue, they made no further inquiries, though they saw my chains. After dark, I got up and made towards the forest. I succeeded in knocking off the iron rings with which the chains were fastened to my feet, and buried them. I could now walk with greater ease, and, continuing my route, chiefly in the night, and by unfrequented paths, arrived, on the fourth day, being the 24th of August, 1735, on the confines of Silesia, and the day following at Gerlachsheim. Mr. Shultz and all the Brethren received me with the greatest cordiality; and my heart overflowed with praises and thanksgiving to my gracious God and Saviour for all his mercies."

Gilek was one of those Bohemians, who, two years after, began the settlement of the Brethren at Rixdorf. This congregation he served for many years, both as schoolmaster, and assistant in the ministry. He closed his earthly pilgrimage at Berlin, in 1780, in the 74th year of his age. The sufferings he had endured in early life for the name of Christ, his faithful services in his Master's vineyard on earth, and his unshaken faith in the atonement of Jesus, on which alone he placed all his hopes for time and eternity, entitle him to rank with those who "overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony, and loved not their lives unto the death."

SECTION II.

First Synods of the Renewed Church of the Brethren—Important Change in the Constitution—Observations on the use of the LotSpirit prevailing in the Church-Annual Collection of Texts.

MUCH had been accomplished during the first twenty-five years, since the renewal of the Brethren's Church towards per. fecting the Constitution, as the means of reviving in her members that spirit of piety and devotion to Christ and his cause, which had characterised their ancestors in Bohemia and Moravia. But, in proportion as their sphere of usefulness was enlarged; they found, that much still remained to be done, in order to give their community that regular external organization, by which due harmony might be preserved in all its parts, and those who joined them, might not lose sight of what appeared to be the design of God with them, as a part of his universal Church. Several changes were, therefore, gradually. introduced into their Constitution. None of these changes, however, affected any one principle, either in doctrine, or discipline, clearly deducible from the holy Scriptures; for this would have subverted the very foundation of the Church.

Whenever circumstances seemed to require a material change in the Constitution, the Brethren resorted to the same method for settling the point in question, which had been adopted by their forefathers-they convened a Synod.

*

The first assembly of this kind, in the renewed Church of the Brethren, was held in the year 1736. The place of meeting was the castle of Marienborn, with which count Zinzendorf had been accommodated by his cousin, count Ysenburg Meerholz. The assembly was not numerous, nor were its deliberations continued more than four days, viz. from the 6th to the 9th of December; but it was distinguished by a spirit of

* Marienborn lies contiguous to the Ronneburg. See the note, page 267.

brotherly union and concord, and self-denying zeal in the Lord's cause.

Synods were in the sequel convened every three or four years. During the life of count Zinzendorf, it was left to him to fix the time and place of meeting; and he also presided. These Synods were of different kinds. Sometimes they were assembled for the purpose of deliberating on some particular subject, connected with the affairs of the Brethren's Church, and were called special; at other times the discussion related to the circumstances of a particular district or province, when they received the name of provincial; or the consultation embraced the concerns of the whole Church in all its branches,when they were called general Synods. The number and character of the members assembled, depended each time on the nature of the object for which they were convened. Synods have ever since been continued in the Brethren's Church, and they are considered as the highest ecclesiastical authority in it.

The second Synod of the renewed Church of the Brethren, assembled at Gotha, in the month of June, 1740, was distinguished by the election of a third bishop. The choice fell on the Rev. Polycarp Mueller, a Lutheran divine, who had formerly filled a professor's chair in the university of Leipzig, and was latterly Director of the public academy in Zittau. He was consecrated by bishop David Nitschmann and count Zinzendorf, being the first episcopal consecration performed within the pale of the renewed Church of the Brethren. This measure was rendered necessary by the projected voyage of bishop Nitschmann to North America, where the Brethren were about to form some colonies; of which more will be said in a subsequent section.

This Synod, was also distinguished by the greater number of persons who attended it. For, besides the regular members, many friends from Livonia, Norway, Switzerland, and other places, were present; which plainly shows, that God was pre'paring the way for the Brethren to "lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes" of their Church. A principal subject of deliberation, was the way and means to be adopted for cultiva

ting the field, without obtruding on the labours of others, and thereby weakening the bond of Christian love, by which they ever wished to be united to all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity.

Besides Synods, it was customary to hold frequent smaller assemblies, called Synodal Conferences, composed of those servants of the Church, who for the time being belonged to the Missionary congregation. Such a conference was held in London in 1741. The importance of the subject discussed, and the influence it had on the government of the Brethren's Church, render a fuller account of its proceedings indispensable.

The reader will recollect, that at a very early period,† twelve Elders were appointed to have the oversight of the congregation at Herrnhut, four of whom were chosen by lot to be Chief Elders. After making some immaterial changes in their designation and office, it was, in process of time, thought'expedient to nominate one Elder to have the general inspection, not only over Herrnhut, but over every institution, which then was, or might hereafter become connected with the Brethren's Church. The individual, holding this office and called General Elder, presided at all their meetings for consultation, and his decision was final. Such an office might probably be held without much inconvenience, while the Church and its operations were circumscribed within very narrow limits, and while both Elders and others were" all of them subject one to another and clothed with humility." Yet, it was impossible, that this office, in its original designation, could be permanently continued without manifest inconvenience and danger. Two injurious consequences, though of opposite kinds, were likely to ensue.

Owing to the weakness and deceitfulness of the human heart, and its natural love of power, it was to be feared, that such a

* The distinction between a Synod and Synodal Conference, consists in this, that the former is attended not only by persons holding an office in the Church, but also by delegates, as representatives from different congregations. A Synodal Conference is composed only of persons in office. These assemblies were frequent in the infancy of the Brethren's Church, being rendered necessary by the circumstances of the times; but they have been gradually discontinued.

+ See p. 203.