The Power of Children in the Last Times

(0)
knowledge and love / and let you Original "Sie"; the formal address to the recipient. in your approaching old age green and bloom before Him / and be found blameless until the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST / to whose faithful care and protection I recommend you / in these dangerous times Likely referring to the political and military instability in Central Europe during the War of the Spanish Succession and the Great Northern War. / with all my heart / and remain

Your Excellency’s

Thyner Likely referring to the estate of Thymern in the Duchy of Magdeburg where Petersen lived., in the Duchy
of Magdeburg 1709.

Joh. Wilh. Petersen, D. Johann Wilhelm Petersen (1649–1727) was a prominent theologian and a leader in the Pietist movement who was eventually removed from office for his millenarian views.

(0)

A decorative headpiece consisting of several rows of typographic ornaments including floral motifs, stars, and stylized fleur-de-lis patterns.

In the Name of JESUS! AMEN!

1707.

It would be highly irresponsible both toward the present and toward posterity / if we were to remain silent about the great and extraordinary event / that occurred with the children in Silesia / and did not wish to bring it to print. It is true that something of it has already been brought to light by others / but because so many have given a biased judgment / and / those who could have composed a better account / were led astray—partly out of the fear of men / and partly for other reasons—so that they have spoken far too little of it / while others on the contrary have wanted to attribute the work to Enthusiasm In the 18th century, "Enthusiasm" (Enthusiasmus) was a derogatory term for religious fanaticism or the claim of receiving direct, private revelations from God. / indeed even to the Devil / and his promptings; Thus I have resolved in the Name of GOD / following a previous close / and visible investigation / for which reason I among others traveled expressly to Silesia / to provide a true report of this. For although I was not present with all the congregations of the Silesian children /