Anton (Seifert) had ordained me a "Diener" in the Congregation."
It frequently happens that a puzzling action becomes clear
when it is considered from the standpoint of the man who has done it,
but when the motive can not be fathomed many things are hard to understand.
That Seifert had been empowered to delegate to another member
a duty usually reserved for the clergy, was reasonable, though unusual,
for his serious illness or death would have left the Congregation
without ministration until word could be sent to Germany,
and some one else could come to take his place, -- a matter of months, --
but, when the "Aeltester" was present, in full health, in entire accord
with his Congregation, and when he in person confirmed candidates
for Church membership, why did he not marry and baptize directly,
instead of ordaining a "Diener" especially for those two offices?
There must have been some regulation in the Congregation at Herrnhut
which led to it, for the idea that Seifert himself
should marry Waschke and Juliana, and baptize the Rose children,
evidently did not occur to them, but the rule can not now be found,
and there is no clue to the strange proceeding.
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