Winston-Salem, April 12—A congregation estimated by ushers to number 35,000 people, the largest attendance at an Easter sunrise service in the history of this city, assembled at the home Moravian church and graveyard at 5 o’clock this morning to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The service was of perfect detail and proved one of th eost impressive yet held.
Ideal spring weather added to the delightful solemnity of the occasion, and every feature of the Litany was rendered in delightful accord. The crowd was in perfect order, evidencing the one spirit of desire to celebrate the resurrection and manifesting a deep interest in the ceremony.
The service this morning was conducted by the Bishop Edward Rondthaler, this being his 48th period of presiding. The band music, one of the most important features, was directed by B.J. Pfhol, for the 35th time, and Walter H. Hege directed the large corps of ushers for the 16th year.
In 1732 the first Moravian observance of Easter was held at Heernhut, Saxony, when a few men gathered before dawn and sang hymns above the dead in the local burying ground. In 1765 Count Zinzendorf, pioneer Moravian settler of Salem, wrote a ritual that could be pronounced at both church and graveyard. This ritual has become the central attraction of the most celebrated religious pilgrimage of the country.
From the front page of The Concord Times, Monday, April 13, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068271/1925-04-13/ed-1/seq-1/#words=APRIL+13%2C+1925
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