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German historian to speak about 18th century Moravian diaries
By Lititz Record
Lititz Record Express
Published: Jul 24, 2008 2:12 PM EST
Lititz -
Dr. Hermann Wellenreuther, retired professor of modern history at the
Georg-August-University in Göttingen, Germany, recently the Max Kade
Visiting Professor at Penn State, will give an informal lecture in the
sanctuary of the Lititz Moravian Church this Sunday, July 27 at 7
p.m.
He will be discussing the The Moravian Mission Diaries of David
Zeisberger, 18th century Moravian missionary to the Delaware Indians, which
he edited in 2005 for Penn State University Press.
University
of Pennsylvania professor Daniel K. Richter said of Wellenreuther's
publication of the Diaries, "This volume will forever change the way
we see the impact of the American Revolution on Indian life and on the Ohio
country."
David Zeisberger, the diarist, was the head of
a group of Moravian missionaries that settled in the Upper Ohio Valley in
1772 to minister to the Delaware Nation. For the next 10 years, Zeisberger
lived among the Delaware Indians, becoming a trusted adviser and involving
himself not only in religious activities, but also in political and social
affairs. During that time he kept diaries in which he recorded the full
range of activities.
Professor Richter continued, "Published in
English for the first time, the Diaries of David Zeisberger offer an
unparalleled insider's view of Indian society during times of both war
and peace."
Wellenreuther is the author of many books on
early modern German, English and North American history. Before his
appointment at Penn State, he was a visiting Professor at Northwestern
University in Evanston, Ill. He is a member of the Historical Commission
for Saxony, Germany, and a Fellow in the British Royal Historical Society.
He is also a member of the Historical Commission for the Study of
Pietism.
Darlene Bucher, of the church's Mission Task
Force, which is sponsoring the event, says, "We are delighted that Dr.
Wellenreuther can return to Lititz, accompanied by his wife this time. He
visited a couple months ago because of the importance of Lititz to the
Moravian missionary Zeisberger. We knew then that we wanted Professor
Wellenreuther to return, thereby providing opportunity for more people to
hear about his research."
She noted that the lecture/discussion
would take place in the air-conditioned sanctuary.
Lititz
Moravian Church is located at 8 Church Square, the 200 block of East Main
Street. There is parking behind the church, and facilities are handicap
accessible. All are welcome.
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