The third service was the important one, and the following account
was recorded in the Diary. "When we re-assembled the question:
`Must not our Congregation have a Chief Elder (Aeltester)?'
was presented for discussion. All thought it necessary,
and were unanimous in their choice of Anton Seifert,
and no other was even suggested. While his name was being considered,
he was sent from the room, and when he had been recalled, we sang a hymn,
and Nitschmann and Toeltschig led the Congregation in most earnest prayer.
Then Nitschmann delivered an earnest charge, setting before him
the importance of his office, which made him the foremost member
of the Congregation, especially in times of danger, for in the early Church,
as well as among our forefathers in Moravia, the bishops were ever
the first victims. He was asked if he would freely and willingly
give up his life for the Congregation and the Lord Jesus. He answered, `Yes.'
Then he was reminded of the evil which arose when bishops,
seeing their power in a Congregation, began to exalt themselves,
and to make outward show of their pre-eminence. He was asked
whether he would recognize as evil, abjure, and at once suppress
any inclination he might feel toward pride in his position as Chief Elder,
and his larger authority.
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