MO/3/1/23

Elders' Conference Minutes Book

30 Jul 1757 - 30 Dec 1769

From: 1757 To: 1769

Original binding, pp 324 Meetings are at first held weekly; later are irregular. At first attendance is very rarely given; more often from 1766. German language used from time to time (eg pp 38-46, 73-75, 82-91 and 94-97). Lots: at nearly every meeting questions are written down and marked +. This appears to have involved drawing lots, the answer being Yes, No or blank. Cf. pp 280-1, 312-3. Subjects discussed include: - children and the school; - expense of visiting Northampton (not feasible on foot in winter, "the roads being almost impassable"; - Okely, difficulties arising with; - discipline; - occupations pursued by the Brethren eg wool-combing (p 15), shoe-making (p 236), candle-making (p 16) soap-boiling (p 16), rag business (p 22), watchmaking (p 32), blanket-making (p 33), corn disapproved (p 254-5), dealing with "worldly people" (pp 286-7), rich members (p 156); - accounts, p 98; - marriages, eg pp 268-9 (these seem to be guided, if not actually arranged, by the Society); - details of services; - note alterations in liturgy, pp 48-50; - reception of members, candidates, confirmation, Holy Communion; - relations with Moravians elsewhere: Riseley (p 229, 280), Haynes, Lidlington, Shelford, Culworth, Northampton (in 1757 "almost given up for lost") and other journeys.

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BEDFORD, Moravian Church, Northampton, RISELEY, HAYNES, LIDLINGTON, Shelford, Culworth, woolcomber, shoemaker, candlemaker, soap boiler, rag merchant, watchmaker, Okeley