Count (Nickolaus Ludwig) von Zinzendorf (1700-1760), the founder of the religious community of Herrnhut and the apostle of the United Brethren, was born in Dresden in1700. It is not often that noble blood and worldly wealth are allied with true piety and missionary zeal. Such, however, was the case with Count von Zinzendorf. In 1731 Zinzendorf resigned all public duties and devoted himself to missionary work. He traveled extensively on the Continent, in Great Britain, and in America, preaching “Christ, and him crucified,” and organizing societies of Moravian brethren. John Wesley is said to have been under obligation to Zinzendorf for some ideas on singing, organization of classes, and church government. Zinzendorf was the author of some 2,000 hymns. He died at Herrnhut. He used his wealth to further the work of God’s Kingdom and he helped finance many successful missionary campaigns.
