Georgia five years later and founded Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania. At Bethlehem, and also at Nazareth and Lititz, in the same State, Moravian Church settlements were formed. 'The lands were the property of the church, and the farms and the various departments of mechanical industry were stocked by it and worked for its benefit. In return the church provided the inhabitants with all the necessaries of life. Whoever had private means retained them." There was, however, no common treasury, and the settlements did not adopt a communal life. The economical system was abolished in 1762, having lasted twenty years. The Brethren, however, continued to maintain the church system of communal government until 1844-56, when it disappeared. This system, in a modified form, is still maintained in Germany.

The Unity of Brethren consists of three provinces, the German, British, and American. All are under a central government, the seat of which is in Herrnhut, Germany. There is a general synod, which meets once in ten years. It consists of delegates from each of the provinces and also from the various foreign mission fields, and is empowered "to consult and legislate upon those matters which are of general import." It decides as to all questions of doctrine, all essential points of the liturgy, all fundamental rules of discipline, conditions of membership, nomination and appointment of bishops, etc. In the interim between its meetings it is represented by the Unity's Elders' Conference, which is a sort of executive committee. Each province has a synod of its own, which legislates for and controls provincial affairs.

Bishops, presbyters, and deacons are recognized in the ministry of the Brethren. Bishops are general, not dio

cesan, in character. They are appointed by the general synod or under its authority. The American Province has the right to nominate those for this country. Bishops are members of the general synod and also of provincial synods. They are chosen almost invariably to sit on provincial boards and in the Unity's Elders' Conference. They have the exclusive right to ordain to the ministry. Deacons are those who assist in preaching the gospel, administering the sacraments, and other church services. When deacons are appointed to preside over congregations they are ordained as presbyters.

The lot is not now used in the selection of bishops and appointments to office. Formerly it was used in the appointment of ministers and in connection with marriage. Marriage by lot was abolished by the general synod in 1818, and it is long since it was used in the United States in the appointment of ministers.

In public worship a liturgy is used. In addition to prescribed forms for baptism, the Lord's Supper, confirmation, ordination, etc., there is a litany to be used every Sunday morning; also special liturgical services for ecclesiastical festivals. Love-feasts are held preparatory to the Lord's Supper.

The Moravians accept the Scriptures as the only rule of faith and practice. They hold that it is not for them to "define what Scripture has left undefined, or to contend about mysteries," such as the Holy Trinity and the sacraments, "which are impenetrable to human understanding. They emphasize the doctrine of the "total depravity of human nature"; the love of God in the gift of his Son as the Redeemer of the world; the real Godhead and manhood of Christ; the atonement and satisfaction made by

Christ as the ground for forgiveness of sins; the work of the Holy Ghost in convicting of sin, inspiring faith in Christ, and bearing witness of adoption as children of God; the fruits of faith as shown in willing obedience to God's commandments. Christ is the center of Moravian theology, and his death is proclaimed as "made of God unto us wisdom and righteousness and justification and redemption."

The Moravians have 94 organizations, scattered among seventeen States and the Indian and Alaska Territories. The total of members is 11,781. Of these, 4308 are in Pennsylvania, 1734 in North Carolina, and 1477 in Wis

consin.

In no other State are there as many as 900. Half of the total valuation of church property, $681,250, is reported for the 24 edifices in Pennsylvania. The average seating capacity of the 114 edifices returned for the denomination is 277, the average value $5975; 4 halls, with a seating capacity of 715, are occupied.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE PRESBYTERIANS.

THE Presbyterians are those who hold to a system of ecclesiastical government by presbyters. They believe that bishops and presbyters, or elders, as spoken of in the New Testament, are of the same order, being different designations for the same office. Bishops were presbyters in charge of congregations. Presbyters both taught and governed. They were both in and over the congregations. The Presbyterians are Calvinistic in doctrine. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with its colored branch, holds to a modified Calvinism, rejecting a limited atonement and the Westminster statement respecting the decrees; but it is considered sufficiently in accord with what is called the Reformed system to be admitted to membership in the council of the Reformed churches, which includes the Continental Reformed churches and their branches, as well as the British, American, and other Presbyterian bodies.

The Presbyterian polity provides for the following courts: the session, the presbytery, the synod, and (usually) the general assembly, and recognizes as officers, bishops or pastors, ruling elders and deacons. Candidates are ordained to the ministry and installed as pastors by the presbytery. There is but one order in the ministry, that of presbyter. Ruling elders are laymen chosen by congre