Reichel, John Frederick

Reichel, John Frederick, a distinguished bishop of the Moravian Church, was born at Leuba, in Altenburg, Germany, May 16, 1731. His father and grandfather were both Protestant clergymen, and the latter was expelled from Bohemia on account of his faith. Reichel studied theology at the University of Jena, and entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church, but after a service of only four years he joined the Moravian communion, for which he had always had a strong predilection. He labored in various capacities and in various countries until 1769, when he was elected to the executive board of the Unitas Fratrum, known as the Unity's Elders' Conference. In this body he remained for forty years. until his death. After his consecration to the episcopacy in 1775, he undertook many official visitations, extending them as far as the East Indies and the Cape of Good Hope. The most remarkable was that which he held in America in the midst of the Revolutionary War, from 1778 to 11782. He visited nearly all the Moravian churches of this country, in many of which the war had caused unfortunate agitations and strife, and succeeded in restoring peace. He died at Berthelsdorf, in Saxony, Nov. 17, 1809. (E. de S.)