Statutes of the Congregation at Herrnhut (the Brotherly Agreement)
The rules to which the inhabitants of Herrnhut pledged themselves on 12 May 1727. They describe the settlement as built for the Brethren, bind its members to love toward the children of God in all confessions, and define who is a true brother.
The first article says that Herrnhut is not meant to be a new town but an establishment for Brethren. The second binds its inhabitants to remain in love with all children of God in the different religious persuasions and to judge none. The third defines a genuine brother as one who confesses that he owes his awakening and salvation wholly to the mercy of God in Christ, and it says that a person of that mind is not to be despised for holding sectarian or defective opinions. The articles that follow deal with days of remembrance, the outward forms of worship, confession and communion at the parish church of Berthelsdorf, and conduct.
The account printed with them says that the count drew the statutes up, that the pastor of Berthelsdorf and the leading inhabitants approved them, that they were read aloud on 12 May 1727 and that every inhabitant pledged agreement by giving his hand. See the Moravians at Herrnhut.
Cited in
- 13 August 1727, firm date