John Jacob Friis[1]

            Bethabara’s second minister was Br. John Jacob Friis, who arrived at Bethabara on April 15, 1754.  He was born in Denmark and university educated; he was known as an accomplished scholar, especially in Hebrew, but he nevertheless was a humble man ready to do whatever, whenever and wherever it was needed for God’s church.  He was a caring minister, who assisted in preaching and teaching wherever called into his eighties.  He later referred to his time in Bethabara as among the happiest in his life.  He wrote a diary-letter, in English, to his friend Br. Gottlob Königsdorffer describing his experiences at Bethabara.  The letter is now in the Moravian Archives in London, England.  Here are some of the entries.

April 29, 1754  “I sought swine the whole afternoon with Br. Lunge, and for the first time put on Indian shoes, they are light but my feet are yet too tender.”  {From the description they are moccasins.]

May 2, 1754  “I made a spoon.  It looked pretty, but was not convenient to eat with.  My Dear Gottlob, our Savior bless you for each day in which I have enjoyed you.”

June 1, 1754  “They began to clear near the spring two miles from our house.  I bring them the Victuals that consist of Sapan (Indian corn porridge) and Milk.  We eat this every day.  We have no meat.”

June 5, 1754  “As I was bringing the Victuals out a man asked me where our Minister was.  I said, I am he, and went on.”

June 19, 1754  “Now I do not carry the Victuals any more; now my employment is to the Cowherd.  It went badly, first one Cow ran away, and when we would bring her back 3 or 4 ran away.”

June 30, 1754  “We had a delightful Congregation Day, and He granted unto us to rejoice childlikely with each other over all matters.”

July 4, 1754  “I was Cook, because Br. Kalberlahn was not at home.”

July 6, 1754  “I plucked blackberries to make Vinegar.  We use a great deal with our Sallad, for it is weak, not having time to become sour.”

July 12, 1754  “I was the watcher of fowl; at this work one must be very brisk and active.”

July 31, 1754  “We made butter the first time in a churn.  We try’d to make it once before in a Tea Kettle.

            “The Lamb bless thee.”

            You probably have noticed a similarity between Pastor Friis, our second pastor, and Pastor Griffin, our forty-sixth.  We once again have been blessed to have had a caring, compassionate minister; a Godly man who is willing to do whatever, whenever and wherever it is needed for God’s church.  One of our activities this anniversary year is to bury a time capsule.  Imagine the feelings of someone in a future generation, when they read Brother Don’s  diary. 

June 17  Moir and I had to repair the belt drive on the mower again.  Frustration is God’s way of encouraging prayer.

May 15  Went to court today to obtain a power of attorney for a dear Brother whose mental condition no longer allows him to look after himself.  God be with him.

July 27  For some reason I’ve been adopted by a couple of cats.  Is it because I fed them?

August 19  We lost a brother from the band.  Over 80 angels came to play in the band at the graveside.  Only music in heaven will sound better than that in God’s Acre today.

September 28  Wonderful 250^th Provincial birthday party today.  Much of the setting up and taking down fell on the shoulders of Bethabara.  While driving the tractor pulling a trailer load of folding chairs, a man stopped and asked me where he could find the pastor of the host church Bethabara.  I said I was he.  After a brief visit I took the chairs back to the church.

October 9  Had to rewire the stoves in the church kitchen.  Chicken pie making is tomorrow.

October 10  Chicken pie making at the church today.  I was the pot washer.  Chicken pie making is the one time there’s never too many cooks in the kitchen.

            Praise be to God for giving us Pastors Friis and Griffin.