Vital Statistics: Deaths: Johannes Kapp, 1757: Lititz, Lancaster Co, PA

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Translation of Johannes Kapp's Memoirs that are in the
Moravian Archives in Bethlehem.  
They sent me a copy of the original in German
which were then translated.

Burial Register, 1757, No. X

Buried on 11 November, 1757, Br. Georg Neisser, Acting Liturgist

Johannes Kapp was born in Switzerland at Muechenstein, Basel district, on 18
February 1704.   His parents gave him a proper upbringing, requiring him to
attend church and school regularly.  They adhered to the Reformed denomination.

Even in his youth he had reached a conviction that his life must change.  He
therafter learned the wheelwright's craft in the city of Basel and later on,
traveled in foreign places.  During this period he became greatly pre-occupied
with living according to the ways of the world.

He married for the first time when in his twenty-fifth year.  Nine children
were born to him in this marriage, seven of whom have preceded him in passing
out of time.  The two sons still living now belong to the Gemeine in Bethlehem.

In 1740 he became a widower while journeying to Pennsylvania.  Thus, his second
marriage took place in 1741 in this country, indeed, to the present widowed
Catharina, born Etter.  Moreover, with her, God again granted him nine
children.  Two of these have already preceded their Father (out of time), but
seven are still here below.  

He and his wife became (spiritually) awakened in 1742.  Then, in 1745, when
visiting in Bethlehem, he became acquainted with the Bruder Gemeine (or
Congregation of the Brethren), and the Gospel concerning God's power to save
was made known to him, as was his condition as a poor sinner.

In the year 1749, during the Brethren's Synod in Warwik (sic), on 23 November,
he was received into the Gemeine.  He attained the privilege of participating
with the Gemeine in the Holy Sacrament in 1751.  Since that time of mercy, and
even until his death, he has blissfully availed himself of the merit of Christ,
indeed, as the Lord's wretched (sinner).

A good while ago, he had expressed a fervent desire to be at home with the
Lord.  On 1 September of this year he fell sick with a fever, whereupon he was
wholeheartedly glad that he now would go quickly to the Saviour.  He little
wished to hear talk of recovery.  Once when Br. Beck visited him during this
illness he said that he would greatly prefer to lie.  And when asked just where
he wished to lie, he said: "I wish to lie within the wound of Jesus' side."  He
very often quoted the hymn stanza beginning: "Ach, mein Lammlein! komm doch bald
und hohle mich, etc." (Ah, my Lamb, come quickly, do, and fetch me away, etc.)

The dear Saviour blessedly granted this wish on 9 November at midday, when his
soul abandoned its ailing house and passed over to the Heart of Jesus.  His
age had reached fifty-three years, eight months, three weeks, and one day.

						transcribed from the German by
						Frances Cumnock