Beck, John (2)

Beck, John (2), a Moravian missionary, was born at Creuzendorf, Upper Silesia, June 7, 1706. He was converted in 1731; was cast into a dungeon of the castle of Suppau in 1732, because of his refusal to recant the religious principles which he had imbibed; and shortly after escaping therefrom he made his way to Herrnhut, Upper Lusatia. Here he found a congregation of the United Brethren, which he joined, aind under its direction proceeded as a missionary to Greenland, March 10, 1734, arriving on Aug. 19. He afterwards paid several visits to his native country, at the first of which he was ordained a deacon of the Brethren's Church. In 1759 he returned from his last European visit to his station at New Herrnhut, where he labored till 1761, when he removed to Lichtenfels, at which place he died, March 19, 1777. Mr. Beck was an humble, earnest Christian, thoroughly devoted to his work, and successful in the accomplishment of much good among those whom he served in the Gospel. See The (N. Y.) Christian Herald 1821, p. 609, 641.