Another volume of Moravian history, fights and all, published by state.
It must have been some kind of ruckus if it caused church to be called off the next morning.
As the saying goes, there's nothing worst than a church fight, even among peace loving Moravians.
Read about it in the 13th edition of "The Records of the Moravians in North Carolina (1867-1876)," just published by the N.C. Office of Archives and History.
The volumes compile diary entries of Moravanian ministers starting with the early exploration of Moravians in the area in 1752 and the eventual establishment of Old Salem and other Moravian communities in Forsyth County.
The records from diaries and church minutes are easy reading, but sometimes the ministers leave out facts vital to understanding an event, such as what happened on Dec. 21, 1867.
"Owing to the difficulties that took place last night in reference to the singing, decoration, etc, there was no preaching today,'' said a diary entry. "Brother Solomon Transou called on me about 10 o'clock to see what could be done to mend up matters, as certain parties had determined to tear down the decoration tomorrow morning.."
The minister writing the diary suggested that the best way to resolve the matter was to call the church committee together that afternoon and "try and make some adjustment of the unhappy affair."
The committee met, the writer said, "and after talking the matter over it was concluded to ring the bell and get the people together, and I should set the whole matter before them, which was accordingly done, and in half an hour everything was amicable arranged to the satisfaction of all parties, and on separating good feeling again prevailed and thus ended one of the stormiest scenes it has ever been my misfortune to participate in, and I hope I may never witness the like again."
And that was that. No explanation was forthcoming about what got everyone so worked that church was canceled the next day.
Daniel Crews, archivist of the Moravian Church, Southern Province and co-editor of the volume, says he can't answer what happened.
He guesses that the Christmas decorations were put up differently than previous years and some people liked them, others didn't.
Crews said it is little things like that that can lead to ugly quabbles in a church.
He said whatever happened, it made sense that church wasn't held that Sunday before Christmas.
As Moravians and brothers and sisters in Christ, Crews said, if a dispute breaks out "we ought to work it out before we come into the house of the Lord and glare at each other."
The book also contains entries about dealings between white and black Moravians, about the founding of Kernersville, about snow storms and other daily events in the Forsyth area and about life in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era.
The 13th Volume, Crews said, will be the last in a series that began in 1922. The project was important because for decades Moravian ministers wrote entries in German. A translation was needed.
He says other books and records in English are available about church history since 1877.
Of course, he recalled, Volume 11 was supposed to be the last. Then n it was decided two more volumes were needed to carry the records through the Civil War and Reconstruction
Crews says as a hitorian he has learned never to say never. A 14th volume could come about, but he doubts it.
The thick volume, costing $57.80, can be ordered through the Historical Publications Section, Office of Archives and History, 4622 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, 27699-4622. Credit card orders can be placed by calling 919 433-7442. Purchases on-line can be made through the Publications Section's online store, http://store.yahoo.com/nc-historical-publications/
Copies should be avaiable soon at the Moravian Book Store in Old Salem.