The Married Choir Instructions (1785)

Abstract

The “Instructions for the Married Choir Helpers” were written guidelines for the helpers of the married people choir on what today would be called pastoral counseling. Tliey were drawn up by Bishop Spangenberg on consultation with the other members of the Unity Elders' Conference between the two synods of 1775 and 1785. In most European and North American congregations manuscript copies of these “Instructions” exist, to be read only by the choir helpers. The healthy conduct of marriage, according to the principles and concepts of the church was clearly considered to be crucial to the health of the whole church. To a modern reader, the frankness and simplicity with which the practice of marital relations is described and valorized is refreshing.