October 2013 Drawings of Grace Johann Valentin Haidt Sr Margaret Connor writes: significance of this small group attended by key figures of the coming A letter in the March 2013 Evangelical Revival in England which 'Messenger' from Br. Quildan, minister was to sweep the country like a great of the Fetter Lane Congregation, and tidal wave. There were even wider his June 'Spotlight on Fetter Lane' links to the Great Awakening in reminded us that 2013 is the 275th America. anniversary of the start of the Fetter Lane Society, which led to the I was struck anew by the quiet formation of the Moravian Church in commitment of James Hutton, England bookseller, publisher and early prime mover in the Fetter Lane Society. At In our Fulneck Archives is a rare the heart of the metropolis, with much Benjamin Ingham and John and copy of a memoir by the goldsmith evil around, he was truly 'in the world Charles Wesley. Ingham went on to and painter, Johann Valentin Haidt yet not of it.' He was also a friend join and serve the Moravians in (1700-1780), a member of the Fetter and informal advisor on printing to Yorkshire. Also attached was the Lane Society. Coincidentally I worked George III, who was known for his German, Frederick Hintz, maker of on this memoir last year, for a talk, interest in the Arts. Valentine, too, fine furniture and high quality musical later extended into a small booklet. was fully aware of what surrounded instruments, appointed 'guitar maker Valentine (the English form), is to the Queen', whose furniture is accepted as the foremost artist of the displayed in museums today. Hintz, Moravian Church, with links to the known to Haidt, accompanied the wider art world. He was brought up three Anglicans, plus others, on an in German Palaces, where his father historic visit to Herrnhut in 1738 and worked as court goldsmith, including then later Hintz went on to evangelise the Dresden Court to which in Yorkshire. Zinzendorf came a few years later. At Haidt's introduction to the Young Valentine was much Society, at a Lovefeast, probably early influenced by his Lutheran mother's in 1739, he found 'a number of daily prayers, and writes that as early brethren assembled who received me as five he felt 'drawings of grace.' He in love. Br. Molther played upon the was a star pupil at the newly opened harpsichord and sang at the same Berlin Academy of Arts, which fired time, the fine hymn, "The Saviour's him with thoughts of painting. blood and righteousness” .with such Moravian Synod of 1750 Following his father's wishes, however, a sweet emphasis that it pervaded my he completed his training as goldsmith marrow and bones. We kissed one before working his way around him in the London world. Later he another when my behaviour was like Europe. In 1724 he reached London, painted an endearingly homely Joseph making himself known to his set up in business and married. He portrait of Hutton's wife, Louise, in Brethren'. The hymn by Zinzendorf also started a small drawing school Moravian dress and holding her had only just been written. It is in on the second floor of his home and knitting on four needles with a 'spare' our 1969 hymn book, one of several took another goldsmith, George Moser, in the German way. Louise's brother, of the Count's translated into English as partner. When the London Royal Abraham Brandt, was a Moravian artist by John Wesley. The ordained Philip Academy opened, Moser became its chronicling the Renewed Church, as Molther was formerly tutor of music first Keeper. Haidt did. to Zinzendorf's son, Christel, at Jena The spiritual fellowship at the Among the earliest members of University, from where many were Fetter Lane Society seemed like a the Society were three Anglican priests drawn to the Brethren at Herrnhut. homecoming to Valentine after all his who were all prominent in the coming Molther and other Society members wandering. Br. Quildan, with reference Revival and must have known Haidt: were frequent visitors to Haidt's to Colin Podmore, prompts us to the London home. continue inside Valentine decided that he wanted to spend his life in talents lifelong to the service of his Lord. How does this fully fledged Brethren's settlements in Germany so he left speak to us today Do we sometimes lose sight of the fact London in May 1740, shortly before the split with the that any talents we may have, not necessarily in the arts, Wesleys. He joined Herrnhaag, the second Moravian but in many directions of our lives,could be given us on settlement after Herrnhut. Here, with Frederick Hintz, he trust. was in touch with the same vibrant. Spirituality, and met other Moravian artists and craftsmen of renown. By request, In 2013 the major 200-page biography of Haidt by Br. Visitors sponsored the church at Herrnhaag was decorated by Haidt with large Vernon elson was published posthumously by Moravian biblical paintings on ythe walls and ceiling. In 1752 he was Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I sent fliers of this to Irish District by Chernobyl recalled to London to carry out paintings for Lindsey House, the ational Portrait Gallery, the Royal Academy of Arts Children's Lifeline Chelsea, which was owned for a time by the Moravians as and Westminster College xford (each of which had some Charity the international headquarters. Two years later he was connection with Haidt), together with copies of my Youth Weekend entertained in called to Pennsylvania where the bulk of his paintings were previously-completed 20-page booklet. Sr. Edna Cooper For those already missing Summer Swindon executed and where he died. has available the back- number of the 'Moravian History Valentine Haidt, absorbing the ambience of other Magazine' which describes the lost paintings of Lindsey camp there is an opportunity to get Moravian artists, craftsmen and musicians, devoted his House. together again the weekend of 4-6th ctober in the Heritage Museum at Cultra. Details and booking forms will A word from the Editor 18-25 Weekend in Yorkshire! Letter to Ed be available soon from Paul Holdsworth. pen to all young Hello everyone. I am pleased to action. For more info about the project A harvest not our own Dear Sr Editor, Moravians ages 9 -17. The Irish District announce that the weekend will now go to http:www.innchurches.co.uk... take place between 31st January - 2nd But there will also be plenty of Noli timore, 'don't be anxious', 'there's nothing to I wanted to thank you particularly for including the will organise transport from airports February 2014 and will focus on time to catch up with people, and be afraid of' was the Latin phrase that Seamus Heaney excellent article by David Bunney in the August edition. and make sure attendees get back to outreach. meet new people. As well as looking texted to his wife minutes before he died. It was a very His piece entitled “Some thought on Preaching” is so the right airport on time. Cultra is a at outreach this will also be a time of modern and yet classical end for a poet born into appropriate and pertinent and needed in the current ver the weekend we will look at fellowship and so there will be other Ulster rural society. When he became a obel Laureate situation in our congregations that I do want to urge fantastic location especially the the work of Inn Churches (a Bradford- outingsactivities. in 1996 the Farmers' Journal coolly reported: Bellaghy all our preachers, whether ordained or lay, that we sweetshop and an outstanding place based charity which provides shelter celebrates as farmer's son wins literary prize”. for the homeless during the winter For more information or to book read and re-read that page again and again and try to play the torch game. He never lost touch with his roots. His 1979 poem to put it into practice. months). n the Saturday night we a space simply email me on Contact Paul Holdsworth at will be going down to the project to eleanor.hollindrake hotmail.co.uk or The harvest bow” tells how his father wove and twisted I quote “To bring the Word to life, it must live within Paul.Holdsworth moravian.org.uk cook the meal and see the work in tel 07835610925. the traditional bow from the last sheaf, and brought us, and be given that life through prayerful study and it home to the kitchen dresser. He continues: The quiet preparation, always waiting upon God.” end of art is peace” as a motto for his frail copy of the wreath, recalling that his family home was in the midst With all good wishes, of a county divided by politics, then violence, and yet John McOwat. it still remained neighbourly. Heaney had a gift that meant that people from all walks of life, known and unknown, read his poetry. You Another gift was his generosity and humility, of a th in action man at ease with ordinary people and world leaders. Telling the Truth Yet another gift was that spoke on the Troubles, on the ways in which we all colluded and the deep about Poverty update suffering some endured, while always indicating that The Report by the Joint Public Issues Team of the URC, there was a way forward. There may be a harvest Methodist Church and Baptist Union continues to generate here for the wider world. discussion. There is the traditional harvest of the land which A response was made to the report by the Centre for hsea underpins our lives.