Eastern District Blog

A Useful Vocation

Twenty-one years had passed since Count Zinzendorf and the little band of settlers spent that first cold Christmas Eve in Rubel House.  That little mission outpost on the Lehigh River was now a bustling village. It was home to scores of skilled crafts people and had become a center for commerce, culture and education.  The entire Brethren’s community was focused on preparing missionaries for service and generating funds to support their work in far flung Native villages. The Moravians were organized into choirs, based on gender, age and marital status. These choirs worshiped, socialized and work together as a group; each choir had specific duties and were trained in a variety of skilled trades, all to support the mission work.  The Moravian brothers and sisters in Bethlehem soon became known for making some of the finest products available in the colonies. Additionally, the Brethren’s boarding schools and academies were recognized for providing the highest quality education, for both girls and boys.

The year 1762 found young John Heckewelder hard at work, it had been nearly eight years since he had first arrived in Bethlehem. During that time, John had completed his academic studies and was now apprenticed to a master cooper. Like other members of the Single Brother’s Choir, John was studying to become a skilled craftsman. In his case, he would learn to build important household items like buckets, barrels and butter churns.  Even as a child, John had dreamt of serving as a missionary to the American Indians.  While making buckets was not exactly what he envisioned, John understood that there are many ways to serve. The valuable products he manufactured would be sold to support others who were working in distant mission villages.

Life as an apprentice was not easy for John, he was expected to arrive at the shop early to build a fire and get ready for the day’s business.  After long hours making products and filling orders, it was also his responsibility to clean and prepare the shop for the next day.  His work as an apprentice, along with his responsibilities to his choir, did not leave time for John to explore or learn about the Delaware and other Tribes living nearby. Still, during the recent war with France, John had met a number of individuals.  Although many were refugees, seeking safety in Bethlehem, Heckewelder had been impressed by their kind spirit and inner strength.  These meetings only increased his desire to work as a missionary in the field.