-
Title
-
Joseph Rice (1785-1831)
-
translator
-
Carté, Katherine E.
-
Publisher
-
Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
-
Date
-
1831
-
Type
-
Text
-
Format
-
image/jpeg
-
Description
-
This memoir was written by another brother or sister. It recounts Rice's childhood in Bethlehem. As an adult, he ran the tavern and then the brewery. He had good business skills but a weak faith. Rice experienced an awakening during his illness and he spent his time in constant prayer while ill.
-
Subject
-
Rice, Joseph, 1785-1831
Moravian Church
Religious life--History--18th century
Religious life--History--19th century
Bethlehem (Pa.)--History--18th century
Bethlehem (Pa.)--History--19th century
-
Source
-
https://www.moravianchurcharchives.findbuch.net/php/main.php#4d656d6f6972732ex6059
-
Identifier
-
MemBeth 0804
-
Language
-
German
English
-
Extent
-
3 pages
-
Rights Holder
-
Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
-
transcript of
-
German transcription:
Lebens Umstände des am 8ten October 1831 selig entschlafenen verheyratheten Br. Joseph Rice Er war geboren den 19ten September 1785 zu Nazareth, u. verbrachte seine Kinder Jahren hier daselbst u. in Bethlehem wohin seine l. Eltern später zogen imelterlischen Hause bis er bey zunehmenden Jahren für Erlernung der Hutmacherey wieder nach Nazareth kam. Hier wurde ihm im Jahr 1808 der Uebernahme des Wirthshauses angetragen, und er trat am 29ten September desselben Jahres zu GnadenHütten am Muskingum mit der dort bey ihren Eltern wohnenden led. Schwester Anne Salome Heckewalder, seiner nun hinterlassenen Wittwe in der Ehe. Nachdemer das übernommene Geschäft in Nazareth eine Zeitlang mit besonderem Glück verwaltet, nahm er einen Antrag zu Verwaltung des nemlichen Geschäftes hier in Bethlehem an, uführte es ebenfalls mit gutem Erfolg meherer Jahre bis er die hiesige Brauerey zu betreiben anfing. Seine ausgezeichnete dienstwilligkeit ugutes Geschick in mancherley Geschäften verschafte ihm viel Gelegenheit sich nützlich zu machen, verwickelte ihn aber auch in vielerley was ihm innerlich u. ausserlich sehr nachtheilig wurde, so da ßereine Reihe von Jahren in einem beklagenswerthen Zustand verbrachte, u. seine Gesundheitdabey sehr zerrYttet wurde. Schon seit einige Zeit war vorauszusehen, da§ ersich schwerlich wieder ganz erholen wurde. Gegen Ende des Monats August befiel ihneine sehr ernstliche Kranckheit die sich mit starken Erbrechen anfing, u. ihn bald so herunter brachte, da§ er nicht mehr auszugehen in stande war. Es war offenbar da§ der Heiland ihm eine Zeit der Selbst Prufung zugedacht hatte, die er nicht unbenutzt lie§ u. in derselben von dem Geiste Gottes zu einer grYndlichen Erkenntni§ seiner mancherley Abweichungen u. Fehler gelangte Er bezeugte sein Vertrauen zu der Barmherzigen Liebe dessen, der ihm von Jugend auf als derjenige bekannt war, der vergebungsreich die Hand jedem reicht dem nach seiner HYlfe u. Gnade bange ist; dabey war er voller Dankbarkeit fYr die Liebe seiner Gattin, u. seiner Familie, u. lieben BrYder ins besondere. In den lezten Tagen schien er wahrscheinlich an einen inneren Brand viel zu leidenÑwar aber doch grs§ten theils bey sich. Der Ueberzeugung da§ es fYr ihn das beste seyn wYrde beym HErrn daheime vor allen Gefahren u. Schwachheiten in Sicherheit zu seyn, drYckte er mehr als einmal aus, u. verbrachte seine Zeit fast bestSndig in seligen Gebet. Am Abend seines Heimgangs Tages bemerkte man da§ sein Ende heran nahe. Es wYrde wie schon sftere ein herzliches Gebet an seinem Sterbebett gethan, wobey er noch vernemlich in der Schlu§ Worte mit einstimmte, u.er empfing sodann den Segen des HErrn zu seinen Heimfahrt bey vollem Bewu§tseyn, u. entschlief sodann gegen _ auf 12 Uhr im Beyseyn seiner gesammten Kinder u. Familie Seine Ehe war mit 3 Sshnen u. 3 Tschtern gesegnet, welche alle noch hier in Bethlehem sich befinden. Sein Alter hat er gebracht auf 46 Jahr u. 19. Tage.
-
translation of
-
English translation:
Life's Events of he who blessedly passed away on October 8, 1831, the married Br. Joseph Rice
He was born September 19, 1785 in Nazareth, and spent his childhood years there and in Bethlehem, where his dear parents later moved into the Elders' House. He returned to Nazareth when he was older to learn the hat-making trade. In 1808, he was assigned to take over the tavern in Nazareth, and on September 29 of that same year, in Gnadenhütten on the Muskingum*, he entered into marriage with the woman who is now his widow, then-Single Sister Anne Salome Heckewalder, who was living her parents there [in Gnadenhütten]. After he ran the above-mentioned business in Nazareth for a time with particular luck, he took an assignment for the managing of the same business here in Bethlehem and pursued it with equally good success for a number of years, until he began to operate the Brewery here. His exceptional willingness to serve and good skill in various businesses provided him with many opportunities to make himself useful, but also entangled him in much that became inwardly and outwardly very detrimental to him. Consequently, he spent a series of years in a regrettable condition, which also was very disruptive of his health. It was foreseeable for some time that he would hardly recover fully. Near the end of August, he was seized by a very serious sickness; he began to vomit forcefully and was so debilitated that he was no longer able to go out. It was evident that the Savior intended a time of self-examination for him, which he did not let go unused, and during which he arrived at a fundamental understanding of his various weaknesses and failings. He testified to his trust in the merciful love of He whom, since his youth, was known as He who extends a hand full of forgiveness to each who is anxious for His help and mercy; in this he was full of thankfulness for the love of his wife and family, and dear brothers in particular. In the last days he seemed to suffer much, probably from an inner gangrene, yet was for the most part he was conscious. More than once he expressed the conviction that it would be best for him to be home with his Lord, secure from all weaknesses and dangers, and he spent his time in almost constant, blessed prayer. On the eve of his Day of Home-going, one noticed that his end approached. As often before, a heartfelt prayer was held by his death-bed, during which he joined audibly in the closing words, and he then received the blessing of the Lord for his home-going while fully conscious, and passed away at a quarter to twelve, in the presence of his gathered children and family. His marriage was blessed with three sons and three daughters, all of whom are still here in Bethlehem. His age was forty-six years and nineteen days.
