SECTION II — SLIDES AND RESEARCH ON EPHRATA
by Linda S. Schrigner, et al
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At one point, there were about 300 members
participating in some way at the Ephrata community, including the surrounding
area of the Cloister, when Beissel was the leader. The Cloister has
recorded that of the “Solitary Ones,” or the brotherhood and sisterhood,
which would not include the Householders, there were 36 men and 35 women.
Of these, of course, some were Rosicrucians but not all of them. It was the practice not to accept new members into the Rosicrucians in the colonies but, rather, to send to Europe for replacements, especially if in need of those trained in the tradition of perfecti, or members of the Zionitic Brotherhood. So in addition to the changes brought on following Kelpius’ transition, you can easily see that there would have been relatively few Rosicrucians at Ephrata. |
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