The Power of Children in the Last Times

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...estates, of which there are a great number; yet from those I have seen and visited while traveling past, and having made diligent inquiry concerning the remaining children's congregations German: Kinder-Gemeinen; groups of children gathering outdoors for prayer and song. existing in one spirit, I have learned enough to know that the work did not begin without the special stirring of God the Holy Spirit, and was still being continued and carried forward when I traveled out again. Initially, the idea arose that these young people—prompted by the Convention The Treaty of Altranstädt (1707) between Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I and King Charles XII of Sweden, which restored religious rights to Silesian Protestants. between Their Imperial and Royal Majesties of Sweden, and the observation of the prayers which the Swedish soldiers performed in the middle of the field—wished to follow such a laudable work in their own prayers. We do not entirely wish to deny this; but who would doubt (as one has reasoned quite well) that since everything among the children is maintained in such beautiful order, with fervent zeal, and despite all obstacles, it is not only constantly sustained but also spreads further and further? Who would not confess that it must have its first origin in a higher impulse than merely a habit learned from the Swedes? Indeed, one has so much credible testimony from so many sensible people who attended this established children's devotion, that it can hardly be viewed without a special stirring of the soul. In particular, it is very well worth observing, and should be taken deeply to heart, that within about five days, in five principalities Silesia was divided into various duchies and principalities.

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of the land of Silesia, the prayer of the children started up simultaneously and so swiftly, as if a sudden storm-wind and hurricane The author uses "Orcan" (hurricane) to describe the sudden, overwhelming nature of the spiritual revival. had arisen, and they were moved to it with a collective hand. We cannot conceive of this without a hidden Divinity providing the impulse. I must, however, marvel that while the modern world and worldly-minded priests otherwise think nothing at all of miracles—and are ready to say of every special and extraordinary work of God in the revelation of His wonders through His servants and handmaids that "miracles have now ceased"—they now insist on miracles regarding the children's prayer. They object, asking what special thing one actually sees in the children, for they have not yet performed any miracles. As if it were not miracle enough that this age group, otherwise flighty and scattered in its thoughts, has maintained its prayer-practice so constantly, diligently, and orderly, and so precisely, in winter and summer, in good and bad weather! They have held to it with great devotion and have sought, and still seek, the face of God against all the threats of parents and tutors Original: Præceptoren., of priests, of bailiffs, and of the authorities, even when threatened with being thrown into the dungeon, being whipped, or being made into soldiers as they grew older. And although they do not yet pray from their hearts or perform such deeds as God is accustomed to perform through youths and men in Christ, yet it is